And we have a news alert [music] here on the Fed. The board of governors has voted unanimously to reappoint the regional bank presidents for five-year terms beginning on March 1st, 2026. Typically a routine vote.There have been speculation about whether the administration would try to influence the reappoint process, but today's announcement was unanimous, meaning even my on loan from the administration was in favor of these appointments. Now, in recent years, reappointments have taken place in January or F ...

Gold is on a record-breaking run, hitting new highs repeatedly this year.Igor Barilo/Getty Images Americans barely own gold. That could supercharge the metal's next move, according to Goldman Sachs. Gold ETFs are just 0.17% of US portfolios and physical gold buying is low. That means even small inflows into the metal could push prices sharply higher. Gold's record rally this year has grabbed headlines, but American investors barely own any of it, which means the yellow metal's price could have more ...

Core Insights - The logistics sector has seen significant engagement from investors, particularly in the ASEAN and US markets, highlighting its growth potential and diversification opportunities [1] - The popularity of insurance companies in the Philippines since 2014 indicates a shift in investment strategies among local investors, moving towards a more diversified portfolio [1] - The entry into the US market in 2020 reflects a growing interest in international investments, particularly in sectors like banking, hotels, and logistics [1] Investment Strategies - Initial investments were focused on blue-chip companies, showcasing a common strategy among investors to seek stability and reliability [1] - The diversification into various industries and market cap sizes demonstrates a strategic approach to risk management and potential returns [1] - The decision to write for Seeking Alpha indicates a commitment to knowledge sharing and continuous learning in investment practices [1] Market Trends - The increasing interest in the US market, particularly in logistics and banking, suggests a trend towards globalization in investment strategies [1] - The comparison of analyses between the US and Philippine markets indicates a growing sophistication in investment approaches, leveraging insights from different markets [1]

Core Insights - The comparison between Vanguard S&P 500 Growth ETF (VOOG) and Vanguard Growth ETF (VUG) highlights differences in cost, sector focus, and performance during market volatility [1][2] Cost and Size - VOOG has an expense ratio of 0.07%, while VUG has a lower expense ratio of 0.04%, making VUG more appealing for cost-conscious investors [3] - As of December 9, 2025, VOOG's one-year return is 19.28% compared to VUG's 16.47% [3] - VOOG has assets under management (AUM) of $21.7 billion, whereas VUG has a significantly larger AUM of $353.0 billion [3] Performance and Risk Comparison - VOOG has a five-year max drawdown of -32.74%, which is less severe than VUG's -35.61%, indicating better performance during market downturns [4] - Both funds have shown similar growth, with $1,000 invested growing to $1,979 in VOOG and $1,984 in VUG over five years [4] - VUG's higher beta of 1.23 suggests it may be more volatile than VOOG, which has a beta of 1.10 [3][4] Portfolio Composition - VUG invests primarily in large U.S. growth companies, with over 53% of its portfolio in technology stocks, while VOOG has 44% in technology [5][6] - VUG holds 160 stocks, while VOOG has a broader diversification with 217 holdings [6] - The top three holdings for both ETFs are Nvidia, Apple, and Microsoft, but they constitute a smaller portion of VOOG's portfolio [6] Implications for Investors - Both ETFs are growth-oriented but differ in their approach, with VOOG focusing on high-growth stocks from the S&P 500, offering a more targeted investment strategy [7] - VUG's heavier allocation to technology may lead to less diversification and increased risk during volatile periods, but it could also yield higher returns when the tech sector performs well [8] - The choice between the two funds may depend on individual risk tolerance, diversification preferences, and desired exposure to the technology sector [10]

Core Insights - The logistics sector has seen significant engagement from investors, particularly in the ASEAN and US markets, highlighting its growth potential [1] - The diversification of investment portfolios has become a trend, with a shift from traditional savings in banks and properties to stock market investments [1] - The popularity of insurance companies in the Philippines since 2014 indicates a growing interest in financial products beyond conventional investments [1] Investment Focus - The company has a diversified investment strategy across various sectors, including banking, telecommunications, logistics, and hotels, reflecting a balanced approach to risk and return [1] - The entry into the US market in 2020 marks a strategic expansion, allowing for broader investment opportunities and exposure to different economic conditions [1] - The use of platforms like Seeking Alpha for analysis and comparison between markets demonstrates a commitment to informed decision-making in investment strategies [1]

Core Insights - The logistics sector has seen significant engagement from investors, particularly in the ASEAN and US markets, highlighting its growth potential and diversification opportunities [1] Investment Focus - The company has diversified its investments across various sectors including banking, telecommunications, logistics, and hotels, indicating a strategic approach to portfolio management [1] - The entry into the US market in 2020 reflects a growing interest in international investment opportunities, particularly in sectors like banks, hotels, and shipping [1] Market Trends - The popularity of insurance companies in the Philippines since 2014 suggests a shift in investment preferences among local investors, moving towards more diversified financial products [1] - The trend of using platforms like Seeking Alpha for analysis indicates a growing reliance on data-driven insights for investment decisions in both the ASEAN and US markets [1]

Core Insights - The logistics sector has seen significant engagement from investors, particularly in the ASEAN and US markets, highlighting its growth potential and diversification opportunities [1] - The popularity of insurance companies in the Philippines since 2014 has influenced investment strategies, leading to a broader portfolio that includes various industries and market capitalizations [1] - The entry into the US market has provided additional avenues for investment, with a focus on banks, hotels, shipping, and logistics companies, indicating a trend towards international diversification [1] Investment Strategies - Initial investments were concentrated in blue-chip companies, reflecting a common strategy among investors seeking stability [1] - The approach has evolved to include a mix of long-term holdings for retirement and short-term trades for profit, showcasing a balanced investment strategy [1] - The use of analytical tools and resources, such as Seeking Alpha, has enhanced investment decision-making and market comparisons between the US and Philippine markets [1]

Core Insights - The logistics sector has seen significant engagement from investors, particularly in the ASEAN and US markets, highlighting its growth potential [1] - The diversification of investment portfolios has become a trend, with a shift from traditional savings in banks and properties to stock market investments [1] - The popularity of insurance companies in the Philippines since 2014 indicates a growing interest in financial products beyond conventional banking [1] Investment Focus - The company has investments across various sectors including banking, telecommunications, logistics, and hotels, reflecting a broad investment strategy [1] - The entry into the US market in 2020 marks a strategic expansion, with holdings in US banks, hotels, shipping, and logistics companies [1] - The use of platforms like Seeking Alpha for analysis and comparison between markets demonstrates a commitment to informed investment decisions [1]

Core Insights - The logistics sector has seen significant engagement from investors, particularly in the ASEAN and US markets, highlighting its growth potential and diversification opportunities [1] - The popularity of insurance companies in the Philippines since 2014 indicates a shift in investment strategies among local investors, moving towards a more diversified portfolio [1] - The entry into the US market has provided additional avenues for investment, particularly in sectors such as banking, hotels, and logistics, reflecting a broader trend of globalization in investment strategies [1] Investment Strategies - Initial investments were focused on blue-chip companies, but there has been a diversification into various industries and market capitalizations over time [1] - The approach includes holding stocks for retirement as well as for trading profits, showcasing a balanced investment strategy [1] - The use of platforms like Seeking Alpha has facilitated knowledge sharing and comparative analysis between different markets, enhancing investment decision-making [1] Market Trends - The logistics and shipping sectors are gaining traction in both the ASEAN and US markets, indicating robust growth and investment interest [1] - The trend of engaging in stock markets as a means of portfolio diversification is becoming more prevalent among investors in the Philippines [1] - The increasing awareness and participation in the US market reflect a growing trend of international investment among local investors [1]

Core Insights - The depreciation of the Indian rupee to a record low of ₹90 against the dollar highlights the importance of hedging investment portfolios against currency risks, especially as Indians increasingly spend in foreign currencies for various needs [1][18] - The rupee has depreciated by 5% against the dollar recently, compared to its historical annual depreciation of 2.5-3% [1] Investment Options - Domestic mutual funds face constraints due to overseas investing limits, and international ETFs are trading at premiums on domestic exchanges, limiting global diversification options [2] - Feeder funds, which invest in international funds, are available for subscription, but they are actively managed and may not provide the same comfort as broad index investments [3][4] - Foreign broker platforms like Vested and INDMoney offer access to US equities and ETFs, allowing investors to buy fractional shares, thus making high-priced stocks more accessible [5][6][18] - Gift City funds, such as the DSP MF retail outbound fund, require a minimum investment of $5,000 and have unique tax implications, with taxes applied at the fund level rather than the investor level [9][10] Taxation and Regulatory Aspects - Investments made through Gift City do not require reporting under Schedule FA in income-tax returns, making them attractive for Indian investors [17][19] - Standard taxation applies to foreign investments outside of Gift City, with short-term gains taxed at the investor's slab rate and long-term gains at 12.5% [20] Strategic Recommendations - Financial advisors recommend a global allocation of 10-30% in investment portfolios to mitigate the impact of rupee depreciation, suggesting a gradual build-up to avoid market peaks [18][21] - Investors are advised to analyze and select the right fund manager for global funds launched in Gift City, while broad-based ETFs or index funds on foreign exchanges may offer a simpler investment route [22]