Group 1: Market Overview - Crypto stocks have experienced significant declines during the recent market correction, prompting Ark Invest CEO Cathie Wood to identify investment opportunities [1][2][5] - On February 2, 2026, major crypto stocks such as Circle (CRCL), BitMine (BMNR), and Bullish (BLSH) saw declines of 8%, 9%, and 5% respectively [2] Group 2: Investment Actions - Ark Invest increased its exposure to crypto-linked stocks through its flagship funds, including the ARK Innovation ETF and the ARK Blockchain & Fintech Innovation ETF [3][8] - The ARKK ETF purchased 235,077 shares of Robinhood (HOOD) valued at $21.1 million and 274,358 shares of BitMine (BMNR) worth approximately $6.2 million [4] Group 3: Inflation and Asset Allocation - Cathie Wood indicated that inflationary pressures are decreasing, with consumer price inflation dropping to 0.86% year-over-year, significantly below the previous 2-3% range [6] - Wood suggested reallocating investments from gold to Bitcoin, asserting a long-term bullish outlook for the cryptocurrency, with a price target of $1.5 million for Bitcoin by 2030 [7][8]

Market Reactions - The yield on the 10-year Treasury is up 1.5 basis points, currently at 4.28% [1] - Markets are responding to President Trump's nomination of Kevin Worsh for the Federal Reserve chairman position [1] Federal Reserve Insights - Kevin Worsh criticized the Fed's track record on economic growth and inflation forecasting, suggesting that until there is a regime change at the Fed, old mistakes will persist [1] - Federal Reserve Governor Steven Myer supports Worsh's nomination, highlighting his respect in the financial industry and among policymakers [1] Interest Rate Expectations - The market anticipates at least two rate cuts from the Fed in 2026, with some expecting three [1] - Myer believes that more than a point of interest rate cuts is necessary, arguing that current inflation data may be distorted [1][2] Deregulation and Economic Growth - Myer emphasizes that deregulation can enhance productivity and reduce inflation by easing supply chain constraints [2][3] - He quantifies that continued deregulation could lower inflation by about 0.5% annually, presenting a significant disinflationary force [5] Producer Price Index (PPI) Concerns - The December producer price index showed a monthly gain of 0.5%, with a year-over-year increase of 3% [6] - Myer notes that the Fed targets consumer prices rather than PPI, which can distort the perception of inflation [8][9] Balance Sheet Management - Myer advocates for further reduction of the Fed's balance sheet, contingent on regulatory reforms to reduce demand for reserves [22][23] - He expresses optimism about the potential for balance sheet reduction under Worsh's leadership, linking it to a deregulatory agenda [23] Employment and Technological Change - Myer acknowledges the impact of AI on job displacement but believes new job categories will emerge, similar to past technological advancements [19][20] - He asserts that the Fed has a role in accommodating the transition to new job opportunities created by innovation [19]

Core Viewpoint - The nomination of Kevin Worsh as the next chairman of the Federal Reserve has sparked discussions about the current monetary policy and its implications for the economy, particularly regarding interest rates and inflation. Group 1: Federal Reserve and Monetary Policy - The Federal Reserve's current policy mix is criticized for being misaligned, with a large balance sheet and high interest rates, which are seen as detrimental to economic conditions on Main Street compared to Wall Street [2][3] - There is a call for a regime change at the Federal Reserve, emphasizing the need for credibility and effective monetary policy to address inflation and interest rates [3][8] - The expectation is that once confirmed, Kevin Worsh will implement rate cuts, with Wall Street economists predicting at least two cuts in 2026 [26][27] Group 2: Economic Impact and Housing Market - The mortgage portfolio of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac has grown significantly, with Fannie Mae's portfolio exceeding $4.1 trillion, indicating a robust performance in the housing market [15][17] - A $200 billion mortgage bond buy ordered by President Trump is expected to lower interest rates and make housing more affordable, with a noted 40% year-over-year increase in refinancings [20][22] - The current high mortgage rates, around 6.1%, are attributed to the actions of the Federal Reserve, particularly under Jay Powell, and there is a strong belief that new leadership will help address these issues [24][25][33]

Gold and silver just got smoked. Friday was ugly. Monday’s not looking much better. But here’s the thing — I’m not interested in recapping the carnage. We all saw it. What matters now is figuring out where we go from here.I think excessive speculation wrecked this market. The rally got too crowded, too fast, and now we’re paying for it. So instead of obsessing over what just happened, let’s hit reset. Let’s go back to the forecasts from late 2025 — before the hype train left the station — and see what the p ...

Core Insights - The Truflation index, a real-time blockchain-based tracker, has dropped below 1% for the first time since early 2021, indicating significant disinflation [1][2] - The current Truflation reading shows consumer price inflation at 0.86% year-over-year, well below the Federal Reserve's 2% target [3] - Predictions suggest potential interest rate cuts by the Federal Reserve, which could positively impact liquidity-sensitive assets like Bitcoin [2][4] Group 1: Inflation Trends - The Truflation index has decreased from 2.67% since mid-December, contrasting with the official government reading that remains 700 basis points above the Fed's target [1][2] - Analysts, including Cathie Wood from Ark Invest, suggest that inflation could turn negative, opposing forecasts from firms like BlackRock and PIMCO [3] Group 2: Cryptocurrency Market Response - Bitcoin is currently trading around $78,000, approximately 38% below its record price of $126,000 from early October, with some smaller tokens showing recovery [2][5] - The CoinDesk 80 Index has gained 2% over 24 hours, indicating a slight recovery in the crypto market [5] Group 3: Future Outlook - Institutional adoption and the use of stablecoins for cross-border settlements are expected to enhance the depth and interoperability of the crypto market [6] - Over time, these developments may reinforce Bitcoin's characteristics as a hedge against debasement, even if the market has not fully priced this narrative yet [7]

Retirement has never been cheap, but lately it has gotten even more expensive. A 65-year-old who retired in 2025 could expect to spend an average of $172,500 in health care and medical expenses throughout retirement, according to a report from Fidelity. That’s up 4% from the prior year and continues a “general upward trajectory” of projected health-related expenses. What can President Donald Trump do about it? Here are four ways his administration can work to lower the cost of retirement over the next th ...

Core Viewpoint - PepsiCo exceeded fourth-quarter revenue expectations, driven by strong international demand for sodas and low-sugar beverages in the U.S. [1] Group 1: Revenue and Sales Performance - PepsiCo reported revenue of $29.34 billion for the fourth quarter, surpassing estimates of $28.97 billion [4] - International beverages volume increased by 3%, while overall volumes in the beverages segment rose by 1% [4] - The North America food business experienced a 1% decline in volumes during the fourth quarter, following a 4% drop in the previous quarter [4] Group 2: Strategic Initiatives and Market Adaptation - The company is reviewing its North America supply chain after activist investor Elliott Management acquired a stake and advocated for significant changes [2] - PepsiCo is focusing on lower entry price points and smaller pack sizes to cater to U.S. consumers facing inflation and budget constraints [3] - The company is revamping its beverage offerings in North America, including prebiotic sodas and low- and zero-sugar options [3] Group 3: Future Outlook - PepsiCo maintained its annual core earnings per share growth target of 5% to 7%, as announced in December [2]

Money market accounts (MMAs) can be a great place to store your cash if you're looking for a relatively high interest rate along with liquidity and flexibility. Unlike traditional savings accounts, MMAs typically offer better returns, and they may also provide check-writing privileges and debit card access. This makes these accounts ideal for holding long-term savings that you want to grow over time, but can still access when needed for certain purchases or bills. Find out which banks have the best MMA rat ...

Core Insights - Deposit account rates are declining, but competitive returns on certificates of deposit (CDs) can still be locked in, with the best CDs offering rates above 4% [1] Group 1: Current CD Rates - The best short-term CDs (six to 12 months) currently offer rates around 4% APY, with Marcus by Goldman Sachs providing the highest rate of 4% APY on its 1-year CD as of February 3, 2026 [2] - CDs generally offer significantly higher rates than traditional savings accounts, making them an attractive option for savers [2] Group 2: Historical Trends - CD rates were relatively high in the early 2000s but began to decline due to economic slowdowns and Federal Reserve rate cuts, with average one-year CDs at around 1% APY by 2009 [3] - The trend of falling CD rates continued into the 2010s, with average rates for 6-month CDs dropping to about 0.1% APY by 2013 [4] - A slight improvement in CD rates occurred between 2015 and 2018 as the Fed gradually increased rates, but the COVID-19 pandemic led to emergency rate cuts, causing new record lows in CD rates [5] Group 3: Recent Developments - Following the pandemic, inflation prompted the Fed to hike rates 11 times between March 2022 and July 2023, resulting in higher APYs on savings products, including CDs [6] - As of September 2024, the Fed began cutting the federal funds rate, leading to a steady decline in CD rates from their peak, although they remain high by historical standards [7] Group 4: Understanding CD Rates - Traditionally, longer-term CDs offered higher interest rates, but the current highest average CD rate is for a 12-month term, indicating a flattening or inversion of the yield curve [8] - When choosing a CD, factors such as goals, type of financial institution, account terms, and inflation should be considered to ensure the best fit for individual needs [9]

Group 1 - Consumer prices increased by 0.4% in January compared to the same month last year, indicating a slowdown from December's 0.7% increase [1]