Geopolitical Context - U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio emphasized that the global order is shifting, indicating a fundamentally different geopolitical era that requires allies to reassess their roles and priorities [5] - Rubio's speech at the Munich Security Conference highlighted the importance of deeper collaboration between the U.S. and Europe, framing them as part of "one civilization — Western civilization" [3][2] - He stated that the U.S. does not intend to simply preserve the current geopolitical status quo, advocating for an alliance that is proactive rather than paralyzed by fear [2] Investment Implications - The changing geopolitical landscape may serve as a wake-up call for investors, suggesting that when global power shifts, it is crucial to have solid investments [5] - Prominent investors, including hedge fund manager Ray Dalio, have pointed to gold as a safe haven asset during turbulent times, with prices having increased over 70% in the past year [7] - Real estate remains a powerful tool for building and preserving wealth, especially during inflationary periods, as property values and rental income tend to rise with the cost of living [10] Alternative Investment Opportunities - The article discusses alternative assets like art, which have shown low correlation with traditional markets and can serve as a store of value during inflation [18] - Platforms like Masterworks allow investors to buy shares in blue-chip artwork, making high-end art investments more accessible [21] - The importance of diversification is underscored, as many traditional assets tend to move in tandem during market stress, highlighting the need for alternative investments [17]

Ares Management Corporation (ARES) is a prominent global alternative investment manager headquartered in Los Angeles, California. The firm provides a broad range of investment solutions across credit, private equity, real estate, and infrastructure asset classes, serving institutional investors worldwide. Ares Management has a market cap of $42.7 billion. Shares of this company have underperformed the broader market over the past year. ARES has slumped almost 30% over this time frame, while the broader S ...

Core Viewpoint - Gold has historically been a reliable asset for preserving wealth and combating inflation, with recent trends indicating a significant increase in its value over the past year [1][6][7]. Group 1: Inflation and Currency Value - Excessive currency creation by central banks leads to a decline in currency value, which is a key driver of inflation. For instance, $100 in 2025 has the same purchasing power as $12.58 in 1971 [2]. - The U.S. dollar has been a fiat currency since 1971, which allows for unlimited money printing by the Federal Reserve, raising concerns about the system's sustainability and potential future consequences [4]. Group 2: Gold as an Investment - Gold is viewed as a safe haven asset that cannot be printed at will, making it attractive during economic turmoil. Its price has increased by over 70% in the past 12 months, with projections from JPMorgan CEO Jamie Dimon suggesting it could reach $10,000 per ounce [6][7]. - Gold IRAs offer a way for investors to hold physical gold or gold-related assets within a retirement account, combining tax advantages with the protective benefits of gold investment [9]. Group 3: Real Estate as an Alternative Investment - Real estate has also proven to be a strong hedge against inflation, with the S&P CoreLogic Case-Shiller U.S. National Home Price NSA Index rising by 41% over the past five years [11]. - Platforms like Mogul provide fractional ownership in rental properties, allowing investors to benefit from rental income and appreciation without the burdens of direct property management [13]. Group 4: Alternative Assets - Investors are increasingly looking at alternative assets, such as art, which has shown to appreciate over time and has a low correlation with traditional markets. A notable example includes a collection of art sold for $1.5 billion, highlighting the potential value in this asset class [19]. - Masterworks offers a platform for investing in shares of blue-chip artwork, making high-end art investments more accessible to a broader range of investors [20].

Core Viewpoint - Holding U.S. large caps, investment grade bonds, and real estate represents ownership of the most scrutinized segments of the global economy [1] Group 1 - U.S. large caps are a significant focus in the investment landscape, indicating their prominence in the global economy [1] - Investment grade bonds are highlighted as a stable investment choice, reflecting their importance in portfolio diversification [1] - Real estate is mentioned as an asset class that garners attention, suggesting its role in wealth accumulation and investment strategy [1]

Economic Concerns - The U.S. national debt currently stands at $38.56 trillion, with federal spending significantly outpacing revenue, leading to a fiscal deficit of approximately $602 billion in fiscal year 2026 [3][4] - Interest payments on the national debt are projected to exceed $1.5 trillion by 2032 and reach $1.8 trillion by 2035, surpassing the military budget of $1 trillion [2][3] Investment Insights - Prominent investors like Ray Dalio and Elon Musk have raised alarms about the potential for a "debt death spiral," where the government must borrow to pay interest, creating a self-perpetuating cycle of debt [1][2] - Gold has been highlighted as a safe-haven asset, with prices increasing over 70% in the past year, and JPMorgan CEO Jamie Dimon suggesting it could rise to $10,000 an ounce in the current economic environment [7][8] Alternative Investments - Real estate is noted as a strong hedge against inflation, with the S&P Case-Shiller U.S. National Home Price Index increasing by over 87% in the past decade [11] - Art as an alternative investment has gained attention, with platforms like Masterworks allowing investors to buy shares in high-value artworks, which have historically outperformed traditional assets [20][23]

Group 1: Canada-China Trade Relations - Canada is not pursuing a free trade agreement with China, as clarified by Minister Dominic LeBlanc and Governor Carney, who emphasized that the focus is on resolving tariff issues rather than establishing a free trade deal [5][4][2] - A preliminary agreement was reached between Canada and China, which includes a significant reduction in tariffs on Canadian canola seeds from approximately 85% to about 15%, while Canada will allow up to 49,000 Chinese electric vehicles annually at a tariff rate of 6.1% [3][4] - U.S. President Donald Trump has warned that any trade deal between Canada and China could result in a 100% tariff on all Canadian goods entering the U.S., indicating potential trade retaliation from Washington [2][4] Group 2: Geopolitical Implications - The evolving relationship between Canada and China has raised concerns about geopolitical shifts impacting trade policy, which could have ripple effects on inflation, supply chains, and financial markets [5] - Trump's comments reflect a broader concern regarding China's influence in Canada, suggesting that closer ties could undermine Canada's economic sovereignty [4][2] Group 3: Investment Considerations - Investors are advised to be aware of the potential impacts of geopolitical tensions on trade and investment strategies, as shifts in global power dynamics can affect market stability [5] - The current environment emphasizes the importance of diversification in investment portfolios, particularly in light of rising global tensions and economic uncertainties [5]

Group 1 - The American Century Investments Small Cap Value Fund reported a return of 4.69% in Q3 2025, underperforming the Russell 2000 Value Index, which returned 12.60% [1] - The US Federal Reserve reduced its benchmark interest rate for the first time in the year during Q3 2025, contributing to a strong rise in equities [1] - The fund focuses on investing in undervalued small-cap companies that do not accurately reflect their quality and potential earnings capability [1] Group 2 - Americold Realty Trust, Inc. (NYSE:COLD) experienced a one-month return of 22.19%, but its shares have lost 40.15% over the last 52 weeks, closing at $12.94 per share with a market capitalization of $3.69 billion on January 2, 2026 [2] - The company, which specializes in cold storage within the food supply chain, has been negatively impacted by high inflation, interest rates, and declining food volumes due to the popularity of GLP-1 drugs [3] - Americold Realty Trust, Inc. is not among the 30 most popular stocks among hedge funds, although its holdings increased from 28 to 30 in the last quarter [3]

Economic Overview - Inflation reached a 40-year high in June 2022, with the consumer price index (CPI) increasing by 9.10% year over year, significantly impacting the cost of essentials like food and housing [1] - The U.S. federal budget deficit is projected to hit $1.9 trillion by the end of 2025, indicating ongoing fiscal challenges [2] - The federal government reported a $1.83 trillion deficit for fiscal 2024, with expenditures of $6.75 trillion against revenues of $4.92 trillion [3] Debt and Financial Stability - The national debt has reached a record high of $38.4 trillion, raising concerns about a potential "debt death spiral" where the government may need to borrow to service existing debt [4] - Interest payments on the national debt are nearing $1 trillion annually, which constitutes a significant portion of federal spending [4] Investment Strategies - In light of economic uncertainty, diversification is emphasized as a key strategy for investors, with gold recommended as a safe-haven asset [5][6] - Dalio suggests that investors should allocate 10 to 15% of their portfolios to gold to hedge against inflation and economic downturns [7] - Real estate is highlighted as another viable investment option, with platforms allowing fractional ownership in rental properties, thus providing an avenue for diversification [10][11] Alternative Investments - Art is presented as an alternative asset class that can be inflation-resistant and potentially yield competitive returns compared to traditional investments [15] - Masterworks offers investors the opportunity to purchase fractional shares of high-value artwork, with historical annualized net returns reported at +17.6%, +17.8%, and +21.5% for assets held over a year [17]

Core Viewpoint - The Ensign Group, Inc. has declared a quarterly cash dividend of $0.0650 per share, marking its twenty-third consecutive annual dividend increase, reflecting a strong market position and commitment to shareholder value [1]. Company Overview - The Ensign Group, Inc. operates independent subsidiaries that provide a wide range of skilled nursing and senior living services, as well as physical, occupational, and speech therapies across 373 healthcare facilities in various states including Alabama, California, and Texas [3]. - The company has been a dividend-paying entity since 2002, indicating a long-standing commitment to returning value to shareholders [2]. Financial Information - The dividend is payable on or before January 31, 2026, to shareholders of record as of December 31, 2025 [1].

Core Viewpoint - Ares Management, L.P. is set to join the S&P 500, which is expected to enhance its visibility and attract investor interest [1][5] Company Overview - Ares Management, L.P. is a global alternative asset manager providing investment solutions across credit, private equity, real estate, and infrastructure [1] - The company's market capitalization is approximately $38.66 billion, indicating a substantial presence in the financial sector [3][5] Stock Performance - Michael Brown from UBS has set a price target of $201 for ARES, suggesting a potential upside of approximately 12.73% from its current trading price of $178.30 [2][5] - The stock has experienced significant fluctuations over the past year, with a high of $200.49 and a low of $110.63 [3] - ARES's stock has seen a 1.19% increase today, reaching a high of $181.19 [2] Investor Interest - Today's trading volume for ARES is 9,378,741 shares, indicating strong investor interest [4][5] - The inclusion of ARES in the S&P 500 could potentially attract more institutional investors, enhancing its market presence [4]