I believe it’s a wise idea for investors to diversify geographically. I’ve always believed this, but current geopolitical turmoil and surging American debt make it a bit more of a priority now. With that in mind, GrabMarkets rise and fall, booms come and go, and the world keeps ticking. Ultimately, I believe observing megatrends, as difficult as they can be to spot, let alone fully comprehend, can yield insights into the advance of human society, which in turn could pave the way for many useful investment i ...

Core Insights - Early Bitcoin adopter Kristoffer Koch turned a $24 investment into $850,000 over four years, highlighting the potential for significant returns in cryptocurrency investments [1][3]. Group 1: Investment Journey - In 2009, Koch invested $24 in Bitcoin while working on his master's thesis on encryption, viewing it as a fun experiment [2]. - After years of forgetting about the investment, Koch rediscovered it in April 2013 when Bitcoin gained media attention, realizing he had 5,000 BTC valued at approximately $850,000 at that time [3]. Group 2: Potential Value of Bitcoin - If Koch had held onto his 5,000 BTC instead of selling some, the value would have skyrocketed to $353.54 million, illustrating the dramatic increase in Bitcoin's value over the years [5].

Investment Strategies - The article emphasizes the importance of finding steady wealth-building vehicles and the right brokerage platform for long-term investments [1] - Employer-sponsored 401(k) plans are highlighted as a good starting point for retirement savings, with a recommendation to have at least 10 times one's annual income saved for retirement [2] - The 4% rule for retirement withdrawals suggests that a $700,000 retirement fund would yield $28,000 annually, not including Social Security benefits [2] Investment Insights - Achieving the first $100,000 in investments is noted as the hardest step, with advice to focus on consistency rather than aggressive strategies [3] - The article references Charlie Munger's investment wisdom, which encourages retail investors to follow a long-term approach [3][4] Alternative Investment Opportunities - The article discusses the potential of private markets, particularly venture capital, which has traditionally been inaccessible to retail investors [9] - Fundrise has disrupted this by offering a venture capital product that allows investments starting at just $10, focusing on valuable private tech companies [10] - The U.S. home equity market, valued at $34.9 trillion, is presented as a reliable wealth-building avenue, with Homeshares providing access to owner-occupied homes through a fund [20][22] Real Estate Investments - Multifamily real estate investing is highlighted as a protective strategy due to multiple rental income sources, with Lightstone DIRECT offering direct access to institutional-quality multifamily opportunities [14][19] - The article mentions that investing in shares of vacation homes or rental properties is now possible with platforms like Arrived, allowing investments starting at $100 [24][25] Art as an Investment - Fine art is presented as an asset class with low correlation to the market, with Masterworks allowing retail investors to own fractional shares of iconic artworks [28][29] - The article notes that Masterworks has sold 25 artworks, yielding net annualized returns of 14.6%, 17.6%, and 17.8% for assets held longer than a year [30]

For the first time since 2022, international stocks blew past the U.S. market. In 2025, the MSCI EAFE Index, which tracks stocks in developed markets outside the U.S. and Canada, returned roughly 32%, while the MSCI Emerging Markets Index climbed about 34%. Both easily topped the S&P 500, which represents the top 500 U.S. companies, as it finished the year with gains of nearly 18%. Must Read After years of U.S. domination, especially in big tech, this deep shift may have investors wondering if it’s tim ...

The S&P 500 has delivered outsized returns over the past decade. In fact, its bull market has effectively run since 2009, excluding the brief blip in spring 2020. How much would you have had today if you’d invested $10,000 in the S&P 500 a decade ago? And perhaps more importantly, can the party last? Also see the best S&P 500 exchange-traded funds to watch or invest in now. 10-Year Performance Running the numbers on Stoculator for the SPDR S&P 500 ETF Trust (SPY), an S&P 500 index fund, a $10,000 inve ...

Core Viewpoint - BlackRock Science and Technology Term Trust (BSTZ) is rated as a Buy for income-focused investors seeking diversification and growth in their portfolios, currently trading at an -11.4% discount [1]. Group 1: Investment Analysis - BSTZ is classified as a closed-end fund (CEF) [1]. - The fund is suitable for investors looking for income and diversification [1]. Group 2: Management Background - David A. Johnson, the founder and principal of Endurance Capital Management, has over 30 years of investment experience [1]. - He holds a Master of Science in Finance, a Certificate in Financial Planning, and an MBA [1].

Core Viewpoint - Aritzia Inc. is conducting a bought deal offering of 1,537,000 subordinate voting shares at an offering price of $130.20 per share, resulting in total gross proceeds of approximately $200.1 million for the selling shareholders, primarily for estate planning, investment diversification, and charitable purposes [2][3][4]. Group 1: Offering Details - The offering will be underwritten by BMO Capital Markets, and the company will not receive any proceeds from this offering [2][3]. - An over-allotment option allows the underwriter to purchase an additional 230,550 shares within 30 days of the offering's closing [2][4]. - The offering is expected to close around January 29, 2026, and a preliminary short form prospectus will be filed by January 19, 2026 [5]. Group 2: Shareholder Information - Following the offering, Brian Hill will remain the largest shareholder with approximately 15.9% equity interest [3][12]. - The total number of subordinate voting shares outstanding will be 97,286,183, and multiple voting shares will be 18,392,244 after the offering [4][12]. - The Hill Entities currently hold no subordinate voting shares but possess 19,679,244 multiple voting shares, representing a voting interest of approximately 67.3% [11]. Group 3: Company Overview - Aritzia is a design house known for its innovative global platform and offers a range of exclusive brands under the concept of "Everyday Luxury" [7][8]. - The company operates over 125 boutiques across North America and emphasizes personalized shopping experiences [8].

Core Insights - GenWealth Group, based in New Jersey, increased its stake in the Vanguard Long-Term Treasury ETF (NASDAQ: VGLT) by 52,890 shares, valued at approximately $3.21 million, according to a filing with the SEC on November 14 [2][3][7] - The total holding of VGLT shares by GenWealth Group now stands at 321,272 shares, valued at $18.27 million as of September 30 [3][7] - The VGLT stake represents 3.4% of GenWealth Group's 13F reportable assets under management [4] ETF Overview - The Vanguard Long-Term Treasury ETF has an Assets Under Management (AUM) of $14.58 billion and a yield of 4.33% [5] - As of the latest pricing, VGLT shares are priced at $55.81, reflecting a 1% increase over the past year, while the S&P 500 has gained 16% in the same period [4][5] Investment Strategy - The ETF aims to track the Bloomberg U.S. Long Treasury Index, focusing on U.S. Treasury bonds with maturities greater than 10 years [9] - It holds a diversified portfolio of long-term U.S. Treasury securities, excluding inflation-protected and floating rate bonds [9] Expense Structure - VGLT operates as a passively managed ETF, providing low-cost exposure to long-duration U.S. government debt with an expense ratio of just 0.03% [10] - The fund emphasizes broad exposure to high-quality government securities with extended maturities, appealing to investors seeking income and interest rate sensitivity [10] Market Context - Long-duration Treasuries have faced challenges as yields surged, but the current yield of approximately 4.8% on a 30-day SEC basis presents a more favorable income scenario compared to two years ago [11] - The addition of long-dated government bonds is viewed as a volatility and rate-sensitivity hedge, particularly in a portfolio already anchored by broad equity exposure [12]

Market Trends - Investors are increasingly turning to precious metals like gold and silver as a hedge against market uncertainty, with gold prices rising approximately 35% over the past year, reaching over $4,500 per ounce in December [1][3] - JPMorgan's CEO Jamie Dimon highlighted ongoing economic turbulence due to geopolitical conditions, tariffs, and inflation, indicating a heightened degree of uncertainty in the market [2][4] Economic Impact of Tariffs - Dimon noted that Trump's tariff policies have negatively impacted the stock market, with the S&P 500 index declining over 10% in April 2025, entering correction territory [3] - The tariffs are expected to increase inflation and contribute to a greater likelihood of recession, further complicating the economic landscape [4] Investment Strategies - Gold IRAs are presented as a viable investment option, allowing individuals to hold physical gold or gold-related assets within a retirement account, combining tax advantages with the protective benefits of gold [6] - Real estate is suggested as an alternative investment to shield wealth from rising prices due to tariffs, with property values typically increasing with inflation [7][8] - Opportunities in commercial real estate are available through platforms like First National Realty Partners, which allows investment in properties leased by national brands with a minimum investment of $50,000 [9][10] - Crowdfunding platforms like Arrived enable investments in real estate with as little as $100, making it accessible for a broader range of investors [11] Art Investment - Investing in art is becoming more accessible through platforms like Masterworks, which allows individuals to invest in shares of blue-chip artwork, with successful exits and significant returns distributed to investors [13][14][15]

Core Insights - The article emphasizes the importance of ensuring cash flow during retirement, highlighting that 64% of Americans worry more about running out of money than dying [2][8] - It suggests investing in passive income and growth through exchange-traded funds (ETFs) as a strategy to alleviate financial concerns in retirement [3][8] Investment Opportunities - The JPMorgan Nasdaq Equity Premium Equity Income ETF (NASDAQ: JEPQ) offers a yield of 11.52%, generating income through options and investments in U.S. large-cap growth stocks, providing a monthly income stream [4] - The ETF recently paid dividends of over 57 cents per share on January 5 and over 55 cents on December 3, with its share price increasing from around $42 in April 2025 to a recent high of $58.09, indicating strong performance [5] - The Vanguard International High Dividend Yield Fund ETF (NASDAQ: VYMI) has an expense ratio of 0.17% and provides exposure to international stocks with above-average dividend yields, including companies like Nestlé and Toyota [7]