You You're trying to make up something. >> Here with us on set to discuss the Heritage Foundation chief economist and Unleash Prosperity senior fellow EJ Anton. EJ, good to see you. Now, you get to talk.We're not going to shut you up. You get to say what you want. I >> We won't call you a flunky.>> That's right. That's right. Now, >> I won't be offended if you do.It's okay. >> I know that like the drama of DC is not your thing. You're an economist, right.You evaluate what's going on in markets. So the the s ...

Key Points Gold has been a widely recognized store of value for thousands of years, whereas Bitcoin only sprung into existence in 2009. Many investors consider Bitcoin to be a digital version of gold because of its decentralized nature and capped supply. However, in the face of heightened political and economic uncertainty last year, Bitcoin wasn't investors' asset of choice. 10 stocks we like better than Bitcoin › Gold is a precious metal, and it has been considered a store of value for ages be ...

Core Viewpoint - Ken Griffin, founder of Citadel, emphasized that unchecked sovereign debt poses the greatest threat to financial stability by 2026, rather than private market speculation [1] Group 1: Public Debt Concerns - Griffin highlighted the alarming rise in U.S. national debt, which currently stands at approximately $38 trillion, with $30.824 trillion held by the public and $7.66 trillion in intragovernmental holdings [2][3] - He criticized global government spending as reckless, contrasting it with the private capital risks that characterized the 1920s [2][3] - Christine Lagarde warned against fiscal dependency on central banks, stating that borrowing without a sustainable growth plan could lead to societal dislocation [3] Group 2: AI and Economic Growth - The panel discussed whether the anticipated productivity boost from artificial intelligence (AI) could counterbalance rising deficits, with Griffin expressing skepticism about AI being a guaranteed solution to fiscal irresponsibility [4] - Griffin noted the uncertainty surrounding the economic benefits of AI, despite the industry's need for significant hype to fund infrastructure costs [4] Group 3: Protectionism and Geopolitical Fragmentation - Griffin raised concerns about the resurgence of protectionism, indicating that new tariff regimes could harm consumers and foster cronyism [5] - Lagarde added that geopolitical fragmentation threatens essential cross-border cooperation needed for scaling AI technologies, which could hinder economic recovery [6] Group 4: AI-Linked ETFs Performance - The performance of various AI-linked ETFs was presented, showing mixed results over different time frames, with some ETFs like Defiance Quantum ETF achieving a one-year performance of 38.31% [7][8]

Core Insights - Japan's stock market, represented by the Nikkei 225 index, has significantly outperformed the S&P 500 and global markets, rising 38.6% since January 2025, compared to 15.7% for the S&P 500 and 21.3% for the Vanguard Total World Stock Market Index ETF [2] - The iShares MSCI Japan ETF, which tracks large and mid-sized Japanese companies, has also seen a substantial increase of 29.2% over the past year, indicating strong investor interest in Japanese equities [3] Economic and Political Factors - The election of Japan's new prime minister, Sanae Takaichi, who has committed to increased government spending to stimulate the economy, is a key driver of optimism among investors [5] - Takaichi's strong approval rating of 64% as of December 2025 may provide her with the political capital necessary to implement significant reforms [5] - Improvements in corporate governance in Japan, driven by regulatory changes, have made Japanese companies more attractive to investors [5] Trade Relations and Market Impact - The U.S. remains a crucial trading partner for Japan, accounting for 21% of Japan's exports as of 2024, with expected GDP growth of 2.1% in the U.S. for 2026, which bodes well for Japanese companies that export to the U.S. market [5] - The top holdings in the iShares MSCI Japan ETF include major companies such as Toyota Motor (4.59%), Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group (4.43%), Hitachi (3.20%), Sony Group (3.13%), and Sumitomo Mitsui Financial Group (2.71%), reflecting a diverse representation of Japan's economic sectors [5]

About a third of the US Department of Agriculture’s employees in the Washington area left the agency from January to June, as the Trump administration sought to aggressively trim what it sees as excessive government spending. https://t.co/z8NRctLUNE ...

With its budget deficit worsening, California is pulling back on a policy that extended government-supported healthcare to immigrants living in the country unlawfully https://t.co/lCx3JwG2RF ...

Today, Democrats are seeking answers on the allegedly erroneous spending habits of FBI Director Cash Patel. In a letter, congressional Democrats are demanding Patel explain why Americans are footing the bill for his use of a quote $60 million government jet for an overnight date with his girlfriend, a Scottish golfing excursion with his buddies, and a trip to a luxury hunting retreat called Boondoggle Ranch during the government shutdown. and one of the House Judiciary members behind that letter.Our friend, ...

The UK government will struggle to fund spending, helping drive the yield on 30-year gilts to 6% in the coming year, according to Franklin Templeton https://t.co/9MvmvuDnCo ...

Fiscal Situation - Chicago faces a fiscal impasse, requiring action [1] - The city's options are limited to raising taxes or cutting spending [1] Potential Solutions - Neither raising taxes nor cutting spending are palatable solutions for City Hall [1]

Fiscal Challenges - Chicago faces a fiscal impasse, indicating a critical financial situation [1] - The city's options are limited to raising taxes or cutting spending, both undesirable for City Hall [1] Potential Solutions - The report suggests two potential solutions: increasing taxes or reducing expenditures [1] - Neither option is considered favorable for the local government [1]