In the space of less than a week, the bidding war for Warner Bros. Discovery Inc. has unleashed two multi-billion debt deals that rank among the largest in the past decade.The latest came from Paramount Skydance Corp. as it lined up as much as $54 billion of financing from Wall Street’s biggest firms to help support its $108 billion hostile bid for Warner Bros., just days after the company agreed to a deal with Netflix Inc.Loans of this size have been few and far between over the past couple of years amid s ...

Group 1 - The central bank is expected to cut interest rates for the third time this year, indicating a shift from a previously hawkish stance [1] - Betting markets, including Polymarket and Kalshi, show high confidence in a 25 basis point cut, with Polymarket offering 95% odds and Kalshi offering 93% odds [2] - Traders have priced in a nearly 90% chance of a quarter-point interest rate cut, reflecting a significant change in market expectations from last month [3] Group 2 - Several major brokerages, including JPMorgan, Morgan Stanley, Nomura, and Standard Chartered, have revised their forecasts to expect a rate cut, reversing earlier predictions of no change [3]

Fed’s Lagging Balance Sheet: The Hidden Risks of Post-QE Tightening. Photo by BeInCrypto Welcome to the US Crypto News Morning Briefing—your essential rundown of the most important developments in crypto for the day ahead. Grab a coffee as global markets enter a period of unprecedented friction with the era of synchronized economic cycles coming to an end. While the US quietly restores liquidity, China remains locked in a state of deflation, and Japan’s rising bond yields threaten to destabilize global ca ...

Core Viewpoint - Achieving a 3% dividend yield, as preferred by Warren Buffett, is increasingly challenging for passive investors, but diversification into other asset classes or conducting personal research may help surpass this threshold [1][5]. Dividend Yield Trends - The average dividend yield has been declining, with the S&P 500 currently offering approximately 1.1%, remaining below 3% since the 2008 financial crisis [3][2]. - Companies have shifted focus from dividends to buybacks over the years, influenced by the rise of high-growth technology firms that prefer reinvesting cash [2]. Investment Strategies for Higher Yields - To achieve a 3% yield, investors can explore various strategies, including: - Securing high-yield accounts for uninvested cash, which can offer competitive yields [8]. - Investing in ETFs like the iShares Core High Dividend ETF (HDV), which currently offers a 3.5% yield, potentially generating $35,000 annually from a $1 million investment [11]. - Targeting corporate bonds, such as the iShares iBoxx $ High Yield Corporate Bond ETF (HYG), which has a yield over 6.2%, allowing for approximately $62,000 in passive income from a $1 million investment [18]. - Considering private credit funds like the Arrived Private Credit Fund, which has a historical yield of 8.1%, providing a competitive alternative to high-yield savings accounts [19]. Financial Advisory and Research Tools - Utilizing platforms like Vanguard for low-cost investing and advisory services can help tailor investment strategies to individual financial goals [13][14]. - Research platforms like Moby can assist investors in making informed decisions, with stock picks outperforming the S&P 500 by an average of 11.95% over the past four years [16][15].

Core Viewpoint - The Central Bank of Argentina (BCRA) is considering lifting the ban on banks providing digital asset services, with potential new regulations expected by April 2026 [1][2]. Group 1: Regulatory Changes - The BCRA previously prohibited banks from facilitating cryptocurrency operations for clients, but the stance has shifted towards a more crypto-friendly approach following the election of President Javier Milei in 2023 [2]. - New regulations could allow banks to offer digital asset-related services, indicating a significant policy shift in Argentina's financial landscape [1][2]. Group 2: Cryptocurrency Adoption in Argentina - Argentina is recognized as a global leader in grassroots cryptocurrency adoption, largely due to an economic crisis characterized by triple-digit inflation, strict capital controls, and distrust in the local currency [3]. - The country ranks 15th globally for active crypto wallet users, with approximately 10 million users [3]. Group 3: Market Activity - From July 2023 to June 2024, Argentina is projected to have $91 billion in on-chain transaction volume, making it the most active crypto market in Latin America [4]. - Over 60% of this transaction activity involves stablecoins, which are utilized by Argentines to dollarize savings and safeguard purchasing power against currency devaluation [4]. Group 4: Regional Context - In Latin America, Brazil has established comprehensive laws for banks to provide crypto services, while Panama has a more permissive but less structured approach [5]. - El Salvador, which made bitcoin legal tender in 2021, has recently introduced a banking law allowing private banks to offer digital asset services to high-net-worth investors [5].

Core Insights - Small-cap stocks have rebounded in 2025 due to Fed rate cuts, with benchmarks like Russell 2000 increasing by 13% and S&P 600 by 5.3% year to date [1][10] - Lower borrowing costs from reduced interest rates support small businesses, which typically operate on thin profit margins [2][10] - Small-cap companies have growth potential and are less exposed to international market fluctuations, although they may exhibit higher volatility compared to larger firms [3] Company Summaries - **Allot Ltd. (ALLT)**: A provider of network intelligence and security solutions, with expected revenue and earnings growth rates of 13.3% and 15.9% respectively for next year. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for earnings has improved by 4.2% over the last 30 days [7][8] - **Seanergy Maritime Holdings Corp. (SHIP)**: A pure-play Capesize ship-owner with an expected revenue growth rate of 8.2% and earnings growth rate of 39.1% for next year. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for earnings has increased by 30.9% over the last 30 days [11] - **Isabella Bank Corp. (ISBA)**: A community bank offering personal and commercial lending, with expected revenue and earnings growth rates of 9.4% and 16.3% respectively for next year. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for earnings has improved by 15.4% over the last 60 days [12][13] - **Owlet Inc. (OWLT)**: Provides a digital parenting platform with expected revenue and earnings growth rates of 22% and 79.7% respectively for next year. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for earnings has increased by 27.3% over the last 30 days [14][15] - **Intellicheck Inc. (IDN)**: Develops wireless technology and identity systems, with expected revenue and earnings growth rates of 10.3% and 66.7% respectively for next year. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for earnings has improved by 66.7% over the last 30 days [16][18]

The UK Government has published its official response following a review into small business access to finance, conducted by the Department for Business and Trade between March and May 2025. The government initially launched the consultation in March. This consultation gathered input from a broad spectrum of organisations and individuals involved in business and finance, aiming to evaluate the adequacy of current policies and identify areas for improvement. The call for evidence centred on four main are ...

Market Overview - Major U.S. index futures indicate a slightly higher open on Monday, with stocks expected to build on modest gains from Friday [1] - Optimism regarding interest rates is contributing to initial strength on Wall Street ahead of the Federal Reserve's monetary policy meeting [1] Federal Reserve Expectations - The Fed is widely anticipated to lower interest rates by another quarter point, with traders focusing on the accompanying statement for future rate cut indications [2] - CME Group's FedWatch Tool shows an 89.2% chance of a quarter-point rate cut on Wednesday, but a 70.3% chance of rates remaining unchanged in January [2] Stock Performance - After a mixed trading session on Thursday, stocks showed modest strength on Friday, with the Nasdaq and S&P 500 reaching their best closing levels in a month [3] - For the week, the Nasdaq rose by 0.9%, the Dow by 0.5%, and the S&P 500 by 0.3% [4] Inflation Data - The PCE price index increased by 0.3% in September, matching August's growth and economist estimates [4] - The annual growth rate of the PCE price index rose to 2.8% in September from 2.7% in August, aligning with expectations [5] - The core PCE price index, excluding food and energy, rose by 0.2% in September, consistent with previous months and estimates [5] Sector Performance - Computer hardware stocks saw a 1.7% increase, while airline stocks gained 1.5% [7] - Networking, semiconductor, and software stocks also exhibited notable strength, while steel stocks declined significantly [7] Commodity and Currency Markets - Crude oil futures decreased by $0.53 to $59.55 per barrel, while gold futures fell by $11.30 to $4,231.70 per ounce [8] - The U.S. dollar traded at 155.60 yen and $1.1647 against the euro [8] Asian Market Performance - Asian stocks showed mixed results, with China's Shanghai Composite Index climbing 0.5% after positive trade data [10] - Hong Kong's Hang Seng Index fell 1.2% amid escalating tensions between China and Japan [11] European Market Performance - European stocks are mixed ahead of interest rate decisions from multiple central banks [16] - German industrial production unexpectedly accelerated by 1.8% in October, contrasting with expectations of a slowdown [16][17]

Core Viewpoint - Adani Enterprises Ltd has submitted a resolution plan exceeding ₹15,000 crore for the bankrupt Jaiprakash Associates Ltd, seeking approval under the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code, with hearings expected to resume in January 2026 [1][2]. Group 1: Resolution Plan Details - The resolution plan received approximately 93% approval from financial creditors during an electronic voting process, with the National Asset Reconstruction Co Limited holding 85.43% of the voting power, which was sufficient for approval [2][3]. - The total admitted claims against Jaiprakash Associates amount to ₹5.44 lakh crore, with the plan proposing a realizable value of ₹15,343 crore, indicating a recovery rate of about 2.8% for creditors [4]. Group 2: Asset Acquisition - If approved, Adani will gain access to significant assets, including 3,985 acres of land in Noida and Greater Noida, 6.5 million tonnes of cement capacity, a 24% stake in Jaiprakash Power Ventures Ltd, and a hospitality business with 867 rooms across five hotels [5]. Group 3: Competitive Bidding Process - The bidding process for Jaiprakash Associates included five contenders, with Adani's offer winning due to a higher upfront payment compared to Vedanta's bid of around ₹17,000 crore [6]. Group 4: Background of Jaiprakash Associates - Jaiprakash Associates, once a flagship of the Jaypee Group, entered insolvency in June 2024 after defaulting on over ₹55,000 crore in dues to banks, leading to a significant transfer of debt to the National Asset Reconstruction Co Limited [7].

Market Overview - The Federal Reserve meeting is approaching, with expectations for a 25 basis-point rate cut on Wednesday, which has positively influenced equity markets, particularly the S&P 500, which has risen 5% since late November [1][4] - The dollar has experienced further declines, indicating market pain despite the positive equity performance [1][4] International Trade - China's exports exceeded forecasts in November, driven by increased shipments to non-U.S. markets as manufacturers adapt to high tariffs imposed by the U.S. [3] - China's imports of major commodities showed mixed results in November, with crude oil and iron ore demand increasing, while copper and coal imports declined [3] Aviation Industry - IndiGo, India's largest airline, faced significant operational disruptions due to a wave of flight cancellations, highlighting the risks associated with a duopoly in the rapidly growing aviation market [3] Defense Spending - U.S. lawmakers have proposed a record $901 billion in national security spending for the next year, which is significantly higher than the request made by President Trump, and includes $400 million in military assistance to Ukraine [3] Energy Sector - The G7's plan to restrict tankers from transporting Russian oil escalates the economic confrontation with Moscow, with the effectiveness of this measure dependent on the enforcement of sanctions [3]