Since gold can’t be printed, and it isn’t tied to a single country, currency or economy, it can provide a safer alternative investment strategy during challenging times. Gold has surged approximately 60% over the past year and skyrocketed by more than 750% in the last 20 years as of December 15 (3).Dalio’s post on X this June also noted that America’s economic problem isn’t unique. Other countries like Japan, the U.K. and China all have similar debt and deficit problems: “I expect a similar debt and currenc ...

Base is for everyone 🟦🩵Bitget Wallet 🩵 (@BitgetWallet):What if I told you your @base portfolio could look like this?BTC, XRP, LTC, and more now sit alongside Base's trending tokens on our new Base token list.You can now diversify your Base bags with blue-chip assets directly on Base. https://t.co/s9NY069N4n ...

LATEST: 📊 The top reason for investing in crypto is now portfolio diversification, overtaking exposure to its long-term upside, with 57% of respondents telling Sygnum Bank that it's their primary motivation. https://t.co/AROaC1x6zv ...

Core Viewpoint - Merck (MRK) stock is highlighted for its monopoly-like high margins available at a discounted price, making it an attractive investment opportunity [1] Financial Performance - Revenue growth for Merck is reported at 1.8% for the last twelve months (LTM) and an average of 3.7% over the last three years [8] - Recent profitability metrics include approximately 29.1% operating cash flow margin and 31.2% operating margin for LTM [8] - Long-term profitability averages show about 27.2% operating cash flow margin and 22.6% operating margin over the last three years [8] - The stock is currently offered at a price-to-sales (P/S) multiple of 3.5, representing a 22% discount compared to one year ago [8] Investment Strategy - The Trefis High Quality Portfolio, which includes Merck, has a record of outperforming benchmark indices, including the S&P 500, S&P mid-cap, and Russell 2000 [11] - The selection process for stocks focuses on those with market capitalizations over $10 billion, high cash flow from operations margins, and those that have significantly decreased in value over the past year [6] Market Dynamics - The average 12-month forward returns for selected stocks are close to 19%, with a win rate of around 72% for positive returns [9]

Core Insights - The discussion highlights the impact of tariffs on inflation, particularly in the appliance sector, where prices increased by 3.3% in the first seven months of this year compared to a 6% decrease in the same period last year, indicating a direct correlation with tariffs [2] - There is a bullish sentiment towards gold as a diversifier in investment portfolios, with central banks purchasing approximately 1,000 tons of gold annually over the last three years, which is double the previous decade's pace [4] - Retail and institutional investors are increasingly turning to gold as a complementary diversifier, especially during market downturns, where gold has historically performed better than Bitcoin during significant S&P 500 declines [5][6] Economic Indicators - The current economic environment shows a higher 10-year yield following Federal Reserve cuts, contrasting with historical trends where yields would typically decrease during economic slowdowns [7][8] - Inflation remains elevated, with core PCE projected at 2.9% for August, and GDP growth is reported to be over 3% for the third quarter, indicating a robust economy despite a slowing labor market [9][10]

#DeFi bridges and #GameFi are gaining traction. Is your portfolio diversified enough? ...

Market Trends - Gold performs well during equity sell-offs [1] - Bitcoin demonstrates resilience amidst bond market stress [1] Investment Strategy - Portfolio diversification remains a key strategy [1]

Market Trends - The crypto market is experiencing a shift from retail investors ("Old Guard") selling to institutions buying [1] - This transition may lead to a change in crypto culture, with less emphasis on memes and risk-taking, and more on professionalism [1] - The market may see reduced short-term volatility and more predictable price action due to macro-related flows and fund activity [1] - Crypto is evolving into infrastructure for Real World Assets (RWAs), stablecoins, and payments [1] Investment Strategy - Crypto is increasingly viewed as a portfolio diversification asset rather than a "get rich quick" scheme [2] - Bitcoin may be treated like gold, and Ethereum like a tech stock by traditional finance (TradFi) [2] Risks - The migration of tokens from numerous small wallets to fewer large custodians increases centralization risk, potentially problematic for DAOs [2]

Portfolio Management & Risk Mitigation - Rebalancing portfolios by "taking chips off the table" is crucial as portfolios grow, framing it as rebalancing rather than selling [2] - Cashing out to fiat is a valid strategy for diversifying asset holdings into stocks, gold, real estate, and land, while mitigating self-custody risks [1] - Reducing the mental stress associated with self-custodying a significant portion of net worth is a reason to cash out [1] On-Chain Economy & Crypto Industry Evolution - The on-chain economy is significantly more robust compared to 2021/22, offering easier access to yield earning, safe capital storage, and participation [1] - The true crypto industry win is never leaving the crypto ecosystem [2] Fiat Conversion & Asset Allocation - Cashing out to fiat is necessary for paying taxes and buying other assets to create a balanced portfolio [1]

Core Viewpoint - Texas Roadhouse is strategically adapting to changing consumer preferences by embracing fast-casual dining trends and implementing innovative measures to enhance customer experience and profitability [2][3][4]. Group 1: Consumer Trends and Company Strategy - Restaurant-goers are increasingly seeking high-quality food and prompt service at reasonable prices, leading to a shift towards fast-casual dining options [1][2]. - Texas Roadhouse is positioning itself to capitalize on this trend by underpricing certain food items to attract budget-conscious consumers while maintaining a diverse menu that includes both affordable and premium options [3][4]. - The company is also focusing on beverage innovation, introducing non-alcoholic drinks that appeal to younger demographics [3]. Group 2: Operational Improvements - Texas Roadhouse is implementing a Digital Kitchen System in over 200 locations to streamline operations and reduce labor requirements, with more than 60% of conversions already completed [4]. - The company has reported reduced cook times in restaurants utilizing the new system, contributing to a more efficient service environment [4]. Group 3: Market Expansion and Performance - Texas Roadhouse is expanding its market presence with new concepts like Bubba's 33 and Jaggers, targeting the fast-casual segment and competing with established brands [5]. - As of April 2025, the company has opened 50 Bubba's 33 and 14 Jaggers locations, with Bubba's 33 experiencing over 20% revenue growth last year [5]. - The company's Q1 2025 revenue reached $1.45 billion, reflecting nearly 12% year-over-year growth, despite a cautious consumer environment [8]. Group 4: Financial Outlook - Texas Roadhouse's EPS is expected to rebound as inflation moderates, despite missing Q1 2025 earnings expectations with an EPS of $1.70 compared to projections of $1.75 [7][8]. - Analysts have raised their price targets for the stock, with estimates of $212 and $210 from Truist Financial and Guggenheim, indicating potential upside of over 11% from current levels [9]. - The company is projected to achieve earnings growth of 14.52% as it navigates current market challenges [7].