Northern Lights Fund Trust II Beacon Selective Risk ETF (ARCA: BSR)

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The Selective Risk Fund is an actively managed exchange-traded fund (ETF) that may engage in active trading. The Selective Risk Fund will use a fund of funds approach, and seeks to achieve its investment objective by investing in the shares of Vanguard Sector exchange-traded funds (each, an Underlying Sector ETF and collectively, the Underlying Sector ETFs). Each Underlying Sector ETF is an index fund that invests in the equity securities of companies in a particular U.S. market sector or group of industries. The objective of each Underlying Sector ETF is to track its respective underlying sector index by replicating the securities in the underlying sector index.

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Sizemore Capital Management 3rd Quarter 2010 Letter to Investors

VANCOUVER, BRITISH COLUMBIA--(Marketwire - Aug. 12, 2009) - South American Silver Corp. (&#34;SASC&#34; or the &#34;Company&#34;) (TSX:SAC) reports that it has released its unaudited interim consolidated financial statements for the six months ended June 30, 2009 and the related management&#39;s discussion and analysis of financial position and results of operations (&#34;MD&amp;A&#34;).

As at June 30, 2009, the Company had working capital of US$5.5 million, including cash and cash equivalents of US$5.7 million.

South American Silver Corp. Files Second Quarter 2009 Financial Statements

Northern Lights Fund Trust II Beacon Selective Risk ETF

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<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/personal-finance/25/02/43718032/warren-buffett-was-asked-how-a-regular-person-gets-rich-he-detailed-exactly-how-hed-make-30-billion-starting-over-with-only-10000">Warren Buffett</a> back in 2011 made a bold <a href="https://www.cnbc.com/2011/07/07/warren-buffetts-5minute-plan-to-fix-the-deficit.html">claim on CNBC</a>. He said he could fix the U.S. deficit in five minutes. His idea? Make sure politicians actually feel the consequences of their spending habits.
"You just pass a law that says that any time there's a deficit of more than 3% of GDP, all sitting members of Congress are ineligible for re-election," Buffett said. He laughed, but his point was clear: politicians don't fix the deficit because there's no real incentive for them to do so. "A more effective threat would be just to say, ‘If you guys can't get it done, we'll get some other guys to get it done.'"
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Nearly 14 years later, the deficit hasn't just stuck around—it's ballooned. In 2011, the U.S. debt was around $14.3 trillion. As of 2025? It's now <a href="https://www.jec.senate.gov/public/vendor/_accounts/JEC-R/debt/Monthly%20Debt%20Update.html#:~:text=As%20of%20January%202025,%20of,16.75%25%20($4.84%20trillion).">past $36 trillion</a>, with an annual deficit projected at $2.84 trillion. If Buffett thought Washington was reckless in 2011, what would he say now?
<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Enter Trump and Musk: A New Plan to Cut the Deficit</h2>
In a move that nobody saw coming at the time, President Donald Trump—reelected in 2024—teamed up with billionaire Elon Musk to take a <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/25/02/43801493/this-says-it-all-says-mark-cuban-as-doge-website-was-still-blank-despite-musks-claim-that-all-department-actions-were-posted-there">swing at government inefficiency</a>. Their newly formed Department of Government Efficiency aims to trim federal spending by up to $2 trillion by July 4, 2026.
DOGE, which Musk himself is leading, has already started slashing budgets, focusing on programs under agencies like USAID and the Department of Health and Human Services. So far, their reported savings sit at $55 billion, a small dent in their massive goal — but it's only been four weeks.&nbsp;
Trending: Can you guess how many Americans successfully retire with $1,000,000 saved?<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/money/1milsaved"> The percentage may shock you</a>.
Trump, never one to shy away from bold claims, has praised Musk as the smartest guy for the job. But not everyone is convinced. Conservatives are torn—some love the aggressive cost-cutting, while others point out that major entitlement programs, which make up a <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/personal-finance/25/02/43759664/trump-investigates-u-s-debt-for-fraud-suggests-treasury-payments-might-not-count">bulk of federal spending</a>, remain untouched.
<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Would Buffett's Idea Have Worked?</h2>
Buffett's plan was simple but ruthless: make politicians personally accountable for running deficits. But in reality, Congress would never pass such a law—because it would mean voting themselves out of power.
In a 2011 CNBC article, an attorney pointed out that there is a legal loophole that could make it happen. Under Article V of the U.S. Constitution, two-thirds of state legislatures could call for a convention to propose an amendment. If three-fourths of the states ratified it, it would become law—no Congressional approval needed. But as the attorney noted, odds of that happening would have been slim and the process would take longer than "five minutes."
See Also: The average American couple has saved this much money for retirement —<a href="http://www.benzinga.com/money/smartasset"> How do you compare</a>?
<h2 class="wp-block-heading">The Same Problem, Just Bigger</h2>
The more things change, the more they stay the same. Washington is still <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/25/02/43756938/ray-dalio-warns-of-looming-us-debt-crisis-says-america-faces-economic-heart-attack-without-fiscal-cuts">kicking the debt problem down the road</a>, and politicians are still avoiding real consequences. Buffett's five-minute plan never happened, and neither did serious budget reform.
Trump and Musk's DOGE initiative might be the biggest attempt yet to tackle spending, but the question remains: will it be enough?&nbsp;
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Personal Finance

Warren Buffett Said He Could End U.S. Deficit In 5 Minutes: 'If You Guys Can't Get It Done, We'll Get Some Other Guys To Get It Done'

Singapore Defense Minister Ng Eng Hen, was direct when speaking at the BMW Foundation Herbert Quandt Annual Leaders Roundtable last week. In a speech addressing the shifting global landscape, he said the world is witnessing a fundamental change in the assumptions that have shaped international relations for the past 80 years.
The U.S. has &#8220;willy-nilly&#8221; shifted its image from a liberator to a great disruptor and now to a landlord demanding rent, Ng said, pointing to a stark departure from the post-World War II global order where the US was seen as a stabilizing force.
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<h2 class="wp-block-heading">A Shift in US Priorities</h2>
Ng suggested that while American primacy has always been a key element of its foreign policy, it has now become the overriding concern, sometimes at the expense of traditional alliances. "America's primacy has become the overriding consideration," he said, adding that this shift is disrupting global stability and trade.
The <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/02/43607060/5-stocks-to-sell-on-the-new-china-trade-war">U.S.-China rivalry</a> remains the most significant geopolitical factor moving forward. With new <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/25/02/43423288/trumps-tariffs-are-here-heres-what-will-get-more-expensive-from-canada-china-and-mexico">trade restrictions and fresh tariffs</a>, Ng noted that the world should brace for continued economic disruptions. Citing the previous trade war between 2018 and 2019, he pointed out that bilateral trade between the two economic giants dropped by 10%. Europe, too, imposed tariffs to counter its trade imbalance with China, but the result was a slowdown in economic growth, from 3.5% to just 0.4% in 2023.
Trending: Maker of the $60,000 foldable home has 3 factory buildings, 600+ houses built, and big plans to solve housing —<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/money/boxabl"> you can become an investor for $0.80 per share today.</a>
<h2 class="wp-block-heading">US Antagonism Pushing Allies Toward China</h2>
Donald Trump's administration has <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/02/43418661/trump-announces-new-tariffs-on-goods-from-canada-mexico-and-china-will-go-into-effect-from-feb-1">imposed tariffs on Canada and Mexico</a> while pressuring Colombia and <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/global/25/02/43447167/trumps-takeover-of-panama-canal-stocks-to-watch-as-diplomacy-affects-presidents-plan">Panama</a> over trade and migration. He has also repeatedly said Canada &#8220;should become the 51st state." Colombia, a longtime U.S. partner, initially resisted his demand to accept deported migrants on military flights but ultimately complied, which critics dismissed as political theater. Meanwhile, as Trump's hardline approach strains relations, China has been actively courting these and other U.S. allies with economic incentives and diplomatic overtures.&nbsp;&nbsp;
<h2 class="wp-block-heading">A World Without a Stabilizing Leader</h2>
Ng warned that the absence of a stabilizing global leader could have serious consequences. "In the absence of a leader to protect our global commons, I think we must all expect that the progress and well-being of the global commons will suffer," he stated.&nbsp;
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&#8220;On the other hand, if you look at China, it is <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/25/01/42779225/this-domestic-solar-stock-fslr-could-shine-in-your-portfolio-if-president-elect-donald-trump-imposes-tariffs-on-chinese-solar-panels">80% of the world's solar manufacturing</a> capacity, and more than half of EVs produced worldwide are Chinese-made,&#8221; Ng pointed out. As the U.S. takes a more isolationist stance, China is seizing opportunities to strengthen its economic and political ties with countries that feel alienated by Washington's hardball tactics.
<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Who Will Step Up?</h2>
Ng left his audience with an open question: If the U.S. no longer plays the role of global stabilizer, who will? "Who, if anyone, any one country or region or bloc, can step in if the U.S. declines to protect the global commons, and how effective, and against what resistance?"
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News

'Willy-Nilly'—Singapore Defense Minister Says The US Is No Longer A Stabilizing Force, But A 'Landlord Seeking Rent'

Samson Mow, a staunch Bitcoin supporter, has suggested a rollback of the Ethereum (CRYPTO: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/eth/usd">ETH</a>) blockchain. This comes in the wake of a massive $1.4 billion theft from the cryptocurrency exchange Bybit, reportedly orchestrated by North Korean hackers.
What Happened: In a post on X, Mow proposed that Ethereum, the dominant smart contract platform in terms of volume, should execute a hard fork. The aim is to return the purloined funds to Bybit and hinder the North Korean government from exploiting the stolen assets.
Mow expressed his support for the rollback of Ethereum&#8217;s chain, stating, "I fully support rolling back Ethereum's chain (again) so the stolen ETH is returned to Bybit and also to prevent the North Korean government from using those funds to finance their nuclear weapons program.&#8221;
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true">I fully support rolling back Ethereum's chain (again) so the stolen ETH is returned to <a href="https://twitter.com/Bybit_Official?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@Bybit_Official</a> and also to prevent the North Korean government from using those funds to finance their nuclear weapons program. It must be done <a href="https://twitter.com/VitalikButerin?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@VitalikButerin</a>.
&mdash; Samson Mow (@Excellion) <a href="https://twitter.com/Excellion/status/1893132013768491239?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 22, 2025</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
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Blockchain rollbacks, a process that reverses confirmed transactions to restore the chain to a previous state, are typically initiated after a significant security violation. In the case of Ethereum, a rollback would result in a hard fork, akin to the one that occurred in 2016 during the Ethereum DAO hack.
Also Read: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/cryptocurrency/25/02/43901287/north-koreas-lazarus-group-suspected-in-1-4-billion-bybit-crypto-hack">North Korea&#8217;s Lazarus Group Suspected in $1.4 Billion Bybit Crypto Hack</a>
In a lighter vein, Mow suggested&nbsp;that the new roll-backed chain&nbsp;should retain the ticker ETH, while the existing one could be rebranded as "ETHNK." He also cautioned investors to abstain from trading ETH until the issue is fully resolved.
As of now, Ethereum is being traded at $2,770, reflecting a 4% surge over the last day.
Why It Matters: The proposed rollback and hard fork of Ethereum&#8217;s blockchain is a significant development in the crypto world. It underscores the security vulnerabilities that persist in the digital asset ecosystem and the potential measures to mitigate the impact of such breaches. 
The situation also highlights the geopolitical implications of cryptocurrency theft, with the alleged involvement of North Korean hackers. 
The outcome of this situation could set a precedent for how the crypto industry responds to such security breaches in the future.
Read Next
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Coverage of Bitcoin, Etherum, Ripple and all the latest digital currencies.

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Bitcoin Enthusiast Proposes Ethereum Chain Rollback Post $1.4B Bybit Cyber Heist

Disney CEO Bob Iger recently underscored the significance of hiring employees who exhibit &#8216;genuine decency&#8217;, a characteristic he feels is frequently undervalued in recruitment.
What Happened:&nbsp;Iger advocates for the prioritization of &#8216;genuine decency&#8217; in the hiring process. Iger contends that this trait is often overlooked by hiring managers.
In&nbsp;his book published in 2019, &#8220;The Ride&nbsp;of A Lifetime: Lessons Learned&nbsp;from 15 Years as CEO&nbsp;of the Walt Disney Company,&#8221; Iger wrote,&nbsp;&#8220;Genuine decency — an instinct&nbsp;for fairness and openness and&nbsp;mutual respect — is a&nbsp;rarer commodity in business than&nbsp;it should be, and you&nbsp;should look for it in&nbsp;the people you hire and&nbsp;nurture it in the people&nbsp;who work for you.&#8221;
"When hiring, try to surround yourself with people who are&nbsp;good&nbsp;in addition to being good at what they do," Iger wrote and as quoted <a href="https://www.cnbc.com/2025/01/29/disney-ceo-bob-iger-bosses-should-hire-genuinely-decent-people-more-often.html">by </a>CNBC. 
While acknowledging the importance of skills and experience, Iger asserts that character is equally crucial in fostering a positive workplace culture. He further emphasized that leaders should embody the values of integrity, decency, and honesty, as they are representative of the company&#8217;s values.
Also Read: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/24/11/41703723/mark-cubans-million-dollar-advice-to-teens-if-i-were-16-again-id-start-this-lucrative-side-hustle">Mark Cuban&#8217;s Million-Dollar Advice To Teens: &#8216;If I Were 16 Again, I&#8217;d Start This Lucrative Side Hustle&#8217;</a>
&#8220;What people think of you&nbsp;is what they&#8217;ll think of&nbsp;your company,&#8221; Iger wrote, underlining the importance of a leader&#8217;s reputation in shaping the company&#8217;s image.
"You can be the head of a seven-person organization or a quarter-million person organization, the same truth holds. What people think of you is what they'll think of your company," he wrote in the book. 
Why It Matters: Iger&#8217;s comments come at a time when companies are increasingly being scrutinized for their corporate culture and values. 
The emphasis on &#8216;genuine decency&#8217; not only reflects the changing dynamics of the workplace but also underscores the need for companies to align their values with those of their employees. 
This alignment is becoming increasingly important as workers are more likely to remain loyal to companies that share their values, thereby reducing turnover and increasing productivity.
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Success Stories

Disney CEO Reveals the One Quality Leaders Should Prioritize, and Why It's So Rare

In his annual letter to&nbsp;Berkshire Hathaway&nbsp;(NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/BRK#NYSE">BRK</a>) shareholders, investment mogul&nbsp;Warren Buffett&nbsp;has once again imparted his insights on investing.
What Happened: Warren Buffett&#8217;s <a href="https://www.berkshirehathaway.com/letters/2024ltr.pdf">letter</a>, released on Saturday, provides insights into investing and lessons from his six-decade tenure at Berkshire. The letter, which Buffett has kept free from political and current events, focuses on the future of Berkshire and his reliance on equities.
Buffett hinted at his successor, stating, &#8220;At 94, it won't be long before Greg Abel replaces me as CEO and will be writing the annual letters.&#8221; He also stressed the importance of honesty with shareholders.
Buffett also discussed Berkshire&#8217;s investment strategies, expressing impartiality in choosing equity vehicles and the occasional availability of outstanding businesses at bargain prices.
"Businesses, as well as individuals with desired talents, however, will usually find a way to cope with monetary instability as long as their goods or services are desired by the country's citizenry. So, too, with personal skills. Lacking such assets as athletic excellence, a wonderful voice, medical or legal skills or, for that matter, any special talents, I have had to rely on equities throughout my life. In effect, I have depended on the success of American businesses and I will continue to do so," he shared in the letter. 
He also reflected on America&#8217;s prosperity, attributing it to the wise deployment of capital and consistent saving by Americans. Despite the presence of scoundrels and promoters, Buffett believes the savings of Americans have delivered a quality of output beyond the dreams of any colonist.
Also Read: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/earnings/25/02/43901149/buffett-reflects-on-60-years-at-berkshire-helm-cardinal-sin-is-delaying-the-correction-of-mistakes">Buffett Reflects on 60 Years at Berkshire Helm: &#8216;Cardinal Sin Is Delaying the Correction of Mistakes&#8217;</a>
"Understandably, really outstanding businesses are very seldom offered in their entirety, but small fractions of these gems can be purchased Monday through Friday on Wall Street and, very occasionally, they sell at bargain prices. We are impartial in our choice of equity vehicles, investing in either variety based upon where we can best deploy your (and my family's) savings. Often, nothing looks compelling; very infrequently we find ourselves knee-deep in opportunities. Greg has vividly shown his ability to act at such times," he added. 
On Berkshire&#8217;s $334.2 billion cash pile, Buffett assured shareholders that the majority of their money remains in equities and that preference won&#8217;t change. He warned against the potential evaporation of paper money&#8217;s value if fiscal folly prevails.
Why It Matters: Buffett&#8217;s annual letter is a much-anticipated event in the investment world, offering insights into his investment philosophy and the future direction of Berkshire Hathaway. 
His comments on his successor and the company&#8217;s investment strategies provide valuable insights for investors. His reflections on America&#8217;s prosperity and the role of savings and capital deployment underscore his long-term, value-oriented investment approach. 
His warning about the potential devaluation of paper money in the face of fiscal folly serves as a cautionary note for investors.
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Earnings

Buffett's Key Lessons in Berkshire Annual Letter: 'Really Outstanding Businesses Are Very Seldom Offered in Their Entirety'

The late billionaire Charlie Munger, who passed away at the age of 99, shared in an interview that there&#8217;s no hidden formula to achieving <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/25/01/42935637/heres-how-charlie-mungers-final-investment-move-doubled-his-money-reveals-his-close-friend-li-lu">financial success and longevity.</a>
What Happened: Munger&#8217;s approach to life and work was simple and direct. He focused on evading conventional pitfalls and was prudent in his decision-making.
Munger, a resident of the same humble abode for seven decades, held the belief that lavish living often paves the way to discontent. 
"I avoided the standard ways of failing, because my game in life was always to avoid all standard ways of failing. You teach me the wrong way to play poker and I will avoid it. You teach me the wrong way to do something else, I will avoid it. And, of course, I've avoided a lot, because I'm so cautious," Munger said in the interview <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H5Oom5Rjp_Y">with </a>CNBC. 
This pragmatic approach was also mirrored in his spending habits. When his business associate at&nbsp;Berkshire Hathaway, Warren Buffett, opted&nbsp;to replace a company jet,&nbsp;Munger deemed the $6.7 million expense as extravagant.
Also Read: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/25/01/43219503/charlie-mungers-three-investment-lessons-buy-wonderful-businesses-at-fair-prices-big-money-isnt-in-buying-or-selling-its-in-waiting-good-businesses-are-ethical-businesses">Charlie Munger&#8217;s Three Investment Lessons: &#8216;Buy Wonderful Businesses At Fair Prices, Big Money Isn&#8217;t In Buying Or Selling-It&#8217;s In Waiting, Good Businesses Are Ethical Businesses&#8217;</a>
In Munger&#8217;s view, steering clear of apparent risks, frivolity, and &#8220;insane&#8221; scenarios were instrumental to his financial success and longevity. &#8220;Steer clear of insanity at all costs. Insanity is far more prevalent than you&#8217;d imagine,&#8221; he said. 
Munger&#8217;s financial success and longevity were driven by his ability to steer clear of unnecessary risks, frivolous decisions, and irrational situations.
"Avoid crazy at all costs. Crazy is way more common than you think. It's easy to slip into crazy. Just avoid it, avoid it, avoid it," Munger said. 
Why It Matters: Munger&#8217;s philosophy of financial success and longevity offers valuable insights into his life and work ethic. 
His avoidance of conventional failure modes, his cautious decision-making, and his disdain for extravagance and risky ventures like cryptocurrency, all paint a picture of a man who valued practicality and prudence over quick gains and lavish lifestyles. 
His views on financial success and longevity, while not groundbreaking, offer a refreshing perspective in a world often obsessed with quick riches and ostentatious displays of wealth. 
His legacy serves as a reminder that success can be achieved through simplicity, caution, and a steadfast refusal to participate in &#8220;insane&#8221; ventures.
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Image: Shutterstock

Charlie Munger's Financial Success and Longevity Advice: 'My Game in Life Was Always To Avoid All Standard Ways of Failing'

Tesla (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/TSLA#NASDAQ">TSLA</a>) is one stock that has skyrocketed from its beginning stages, leaving many wishing they got in on it from the start. One woman recently called "The Ramsey Show" for financial advice regarding her Tesla stock, which grew to an astonishing amount from her initial investment.&nbsp;
Her dilemma? Whether to cash out and pay off her mortgage or hold onto the stock because, in her words, "Nobody knows what Tesla&#8217;s capable of."
<h2 class="wp-block-heading">From $1,000 to $380,000 in Tesla Stock</h2>
The caller explained that she invested $1,000 in <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/02/43686887/teslas-stock-climbs-nearly-3-in-thursday-pre-market-as-analyst-predicts-growth-in-ev-ai-and-robotics">Tesla stock</a> in 2011, in the company's early stages. Over the years, without adding any additional money to her investment, the stock surged, reaching upwards of $380,000. She and her family now owe $288,000 on their home and are weighing the benefits of selling the stock to become mortgage-free.&nbsp;&nbsp;
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Financial expert <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/personal-finance/25/01/43276105/trumps-tax-plan-could-slash-social-security-benefits-33-by-2035-ramsey-show-host-george-kamel-weighs-in">George Kamel</a>, a host on "The Ramsey Show," was impressed by the caller's success. "What?" he reacted in shock, before confirming that she had truly turned just $1,000 into hundreds of thousands of dollars without adding more funds to the investment.
<h2 class="wp-block-heading">The Risks of Holding a Single Stock</h2>
While acknowledging the incredible return, Kamel advised the caller to be cautious. He emphasized the risks associated with keeping such a large portion of wealth in a single stock, even one as well-known as Tesla. "As soon as you can get that house paid off and get out of a single stock, the better," he said.
His advice aligns with common financial principles: diversifying investments can help protect against market downturns. Tesla's stock, like any other, is subject to volatility. Holding onto the stock means exposure to potential price swings that could reduce the value of her gains.
Trending: Maker of the $60,000 foldable home has 3 factory buildings, 600+ houses built, and big plans to solve housing —<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/money/boxabl"> you can become an investor for $0.80 per share today.</a>
<h2 class="wp-block-heading">The Role of Taxes in the Decision</h2>
One of the biggest factors to consider in selling such a large stock position is the tax implication. Kamel advised the caller to consult a tax professional before making any moves. Since the stock's value has increased significantly since she bought it, selling would trigger <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/25/02/43669470/im-so-sorry-dave-ramsey-left-speechless-after-hearing-the-capital-gains-tax-a-canadian-restaurant-owner-would-owe-if-he-sold-his-business">capital gains taxes</a>. Depending on her income and how long she has held the stock, the tax bill could be substantial.
Instead of selling all at once, Kamel suggested an alternative approach: selling off portions of the stock gradually over a few years. This strategy could help reduce the overall tax burden by spreading the gains across multiple tax years, potentially keeping her in a lower tax bracket.
<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Can Her Income Cover the Mortgage Instead?</h2>
Another consideration is the caller's household income. She shared that her family is earning $275,000 annually, which is a strong financial position. Kamel's advice implies that, with such a high income, they may be able to aggressively pay down the mortgage without relying entirely on the Tesla stock sale.
See Also: If there was a new fund backed by Jeff Bezos offering a <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/money/arrived-private-credit-fund">7-9% target yield with monthly dividends would you invest in it</a>?
<h2 class="wp-block-heading">What Should She Do?</h2>
Ultimately, the decision rests on her financial goals and risk tolerance. Paying off the mortgage would provide security and eliminate monthly payments, but holding onto the stock could yield further gains—though with added risk. Consulting a financial and tax professional could help her determine the best course of action based on her specific situation.
For investors who find themselves in a similar position, the key takeaway is clear: while big gains in the stock market can be life-changing, careful planning is essential to ensure those gains translate into lasting <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/personal-finance/24/02/36957443/the-majority-of-americans-dont-feel-financially-secure-and-believe-they-need-to-earn-233-000-a-y">financial stability</a>.
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QQQM

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TSLA

Should She Cash Out? Woman Who Turned $1,000 Into $380,000 In Tesla Stock Asks The Ramsey Show For Guidance

Billionaire business tycoon Mark Cuban has expressed his dissatisfaction with the Democratic Party&#8217;s salesmanship.
What Happened: Cuban, a supporter of then-Vice President Kamala Harris in the last election, voiced his disappointment over the Democrats&#8217; performance in an interaction on Saturday.
He pinpointed the party&#8217;s failure to effectively communicate their message as a significant reason for their defeat in the White House and Senate races, and the Republicans&#8217; success in retaining the House majority.
Cuban shared his experiences as a spokesperson for Harris&#8217;s campaign. He criticized the Biden administration&#8217;s approach to several issues, notably immigration, labeling it as &#8220;awful.&#8221;
Despite his criticisms, Cuban attributed the Democrats&#8217; November losses to inadequate salesmanship. He compared this to President Donald Trump&#8216;s knack for selling a winning message, despite his own criticisms of Trump.
Also Read: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/tech/25/02/43424157/mark-cuban-suggests-20-minute-daily-habit-to-destabilize-musk-zuckerberg-and-even-president-trump">Mark Cuban Suggests 20-Minute Daily Habit to &#8216;Destabilize&#8217; Musk, Zuckerberg, and Even President Trump</a>
<figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"> 
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true">.<a href="https://twitter.com/mcuban?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@mcuban</a>: "I learned that the Democrats can't sell worth sh&#x2A;t." <a href="https://t.co/IZgRj72EOB">pic.twitter.com/IZgRj72EOB</a>
&mdash; Principles First (@Principles_1st) <a href="https://twitter.com/Principles_1st/status/1893342559813910879?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 22, 2025</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
</figure>
"It was kind of fun actually. I learned that the Democrats can't sell worth shit. And they're so, you know, persnickety about every little detail and that's why the Republicans at the presidential level — I don't want to say kicked their ass because it wasn't a runaway, but like I said, Donald Trump can sell. If you gave the Democrats a dollar bill and said, you can sell these for 50 cents, they would hire 50 people to decide how to do it and then would not know how to sell a dollar bill for 50 cents,&#8221; Cuban said. 
&#8220;If you gave it to Donald Trump and said sell this dollar bill for two dollars, he'd figure out a way. He'd tell you that two dollar bill is huge, it'll get you gold tennis shoes, it'll get you a Trump meme coin. That's the problem and that's what I learned,&#8221; Cuban added. 
When asked about possibility of a presidential run, Cuban emphatically stated, &#8220;Hell&nbsp;no. No. No. No, it's&nbsp;not going to happen.&#8221;
Why It Matters: Cuban&#8217;s critique of the Democrats&#8217; salesmanship underscores the party&#8217;s struggle to effectively communicate their message to voters. 
This has been a recurring issue, leading to significant losses in recent elections. 
Cuban&#8217;s comments also highlight the importance of effective communication and salesmanship in politics, a factor that has played a significant role in shaping the political landscape.
Read Next
<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/tech/25/01/43219136/cuban-on-musk-i-have-no-problem-throwing-elon-under-the-bus-but-ill-save-it-for-when-its-truly-deserved" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Cuban on Musk: ‘I Have No Problem Throwing Elon Under the Bus, but I'll Save It for When It's Truly Deserved'</a>
Image: Shutterstock

Politics

Mark Cuban Criticizes Democrats, Says They Fail at Selling Their Message

Robinhood CEO Vlad Tenev recently expressed the company&#8217;s commitment toward prediction markets, stating that they are poised to shape the future of trading and information.
What Happened: Tenev, during an&nbsp;episode of &#8220;Hard Fork,&#8221; a&nbsp;<a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2025/02/21/podcasts/hardfork-grok-robinhood.html">podcast</a> by The New York Times, shared his belief in the potential of prediction markets. Tenev, who has a net worth of over $3 billion, explained the distinction between prediction markets, sports betting, and traditional news models.
&#8220;Prediction&nbsp;markets are the future of&nbsp;not just trading, but also&nbsp;information,&#8221; Tenev stated. He further elaborated that prediction markets, which involve wagers on the outcomes of future events, could potentially deliver news faster than traditional models. 
&nbsp;&#8220;I&#8217;ve been a big believer in the power of prediction markets for a long time — kind of a student of them — and I think prediction markets should be live for everything,&#8221; he added. 
He also suggested that the economic value of prediction markets could surpass that of news after the event.
Also Read: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/trading-ideas/movers/25/02/43739651/robinhoods-january-metrics-shine-but-crypto-notional-trading-volume-hits-a-speed-bump-sequentially">Robinhood&#8217;s January Metrics Shine, But Crypto Notional Trading Volume Hits A Speed Bump Sequentially</a>
Robinhood had previously seen&nbsp;success with its prediction market&nbsp;for the 2024 presidential election. The platform also introduced&nbsp;Super Bowl event contracts earlier&nbsp;this month, but had to pause the rollout following&nbsp;a request from the US&nbsp;Commodity Futures Trading Commission.
In a recent earnings call, Tenev underscored the potential of prediction markets for Robinhood&#8217;s business, stating,&nbsp;&#8220;We had over half a&nbsp;billion contracts traded in right&nbsp;around a week leading up&nbsp;to the election&#8230;&nbsp;what you should expect from&nbsp;us is a comprehensive events&nbsp;platform that will give access&nbsp;to prediction markets across a&nbsp;wide variety of contracts later&nbsp;this year.&#8221;
Why It Matters: The commitment to prediction markets by Robinhood signifies a shift in the trading landscape. 
As Tenev pointed out, these markets could potentially provide faster and more economically valuable information than traditional news models. 
With Robinhood&#8217;s previous success in the 2024 presidential election prediction market and plans for a comprehensive events platform, the company seems to be positioning itself at the forefront of this emerging trend in trading.
Read Next
<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/insights/options/25/02/43534290/robinhood-marketss-options-frenzy-what-you-need-to-know">Robinhood Markets&#8217;s Options Frenzy: What You Need to Know</a>

Robinhood CEO Foresees Prediction Markets as Future of Trading

Renowned YouTuber MrBeast has disclosed a massive financial loss amounting to &#8220;tens of millions of dollars&#8221; from the production of his <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/general/entertainment/23/05/32297538/mrbeast-invades-suburbia-buys-neighborhood-cul-de-sac-to-create-ultimate-friend-zone">Amazon Prime Video series, &#8220;Beast Games.&#8221;</a>
What Happened: In a recent podcast, MrBeast, also known as Jimmy Donaldson, confessed to the financial loss. 
Despite the fact that &#8220;Beast Games&#8221; was one of Amazon&#8217;s most successful series debuts in 2024, Donaldson labeled the decision to create it as&nbsp;&#8220;not a good financial decision.&#8221;
The reality show, consisting of 10 episodes and offering contestants the opportunity to win $5 million cash prizes, garnered over 50 million viewers within its first 25 days. However, the high production costs led to significant losses for Donaldson. He disclosed that the sets for just&nbsp;the first two episodes cost&nbsp;more than $29 million.
During the <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FjrJ2DJN_pA&amp;ab_channel=TheDiaryOfACEO">podcast</a>, Donaldson confirmed that the total production cost surpassed $100 million. Despite the financial setback, he expressed no regrets, underlining his dedication to creating high-quality content for the YouTube community and his apprehension about disappointing them.
&#8220;I lost a ton of money filming the show, so that came out of my pocket,&#8221; he said. 
Also Read: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/general/entertainment/25/02/43766653/mrbeasts-beast-games-wraps-up-first-season-heres-how-much-money-players-won">MrBeast&#8217;s Beast Games Wraps Up First Season &#8211; Here&#8217;s How Much Money Players Won</a>
&#8220;I lost tens of millions of dollars on that show. I&#8217;m an idiot,&#8221; he said adding that the sets on the first two episodes cost more than $29 million together.
In the same conversation, Donaldson also touched upon his personal finances, stating&nbsp;that he had &#8220;less than&nbsp;a million dollars&#8221; in his&nbsp;bank account, even though he boasts over&nbsp;365 million subscribers on YouTube.
&#8220;For me, it was about making season one as good as possible. I can&#8217;t let the YouTube community down because creators don&#8217;t have a good rep when it comes to doing stuff on streaming platforms. If I fail, it&#8217;s over; no streaming platform is ever gonna touch a YouTuber ever again,&#8221; he added.
Talking about his mental health, he said, &#8220;There&#8217;s definitely times where I would cry. But if my mental health was a priority, I wouldn&#8217;t be as successful as I am.&#8221;
&#8220;This is the life I chose. You want success, you want to change the world, you want to do this. And this is the price you have to pay,&#8221; he added. 
Why It Matters: This incident underscores the high costs associated with producing quality content, even for successful YouTubers like MrBeast. Despite the financial loss, 
Donaldson&#8217;s commitment to his audience and the quality of his content remains unwavering. This could potentially influence other content creators&#8217; decisions regarding the production of high-budget projects, highlighting the balance between financial investment and audience engagement.
Read Next
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Image: Shutterstock

Entertainment

Social Media

MrBeast Calls His Amazon Deal for 'Beast Games' a Financial Mistake: 'This Is the Price You Have to Pay'

Friedrich Merz of the conservative CDU is likely to become Germany's new chancellor, according to exit polls from Sunday's elections. The <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/eurozone/25/01/42920583/musk-supports-german-afd-party-as-remedy-for-faltering-economy">far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD)</a> finished second.
What Happened: <a href="https://www.reuters.com/graphics/GERMANY-ELECTION/RESULTS/movaynkgova/">Reuters</a> reports that the first exit polls show the conservative CDU/CSU bloc taking about 28% of the vote. The AfD is on track to finish with about 20% of the vote.
Current Chancellor Olaf Scholz's Social Democratic Party (SPD) is running third, with about 16%, which would be its worst showing in decades. The Greens have about 13% of the vote, with several other parties dividing the remainder.
Despite the CDU/CSU bloc&#8217;s comfortable lead, Germany may face months of political uncertainty as the party will need to form a coalition to secure a majority.
The conservative bloc, composed of the Christian Democrats (CDU) and its Bavarian sister party the Christian Social Union, stands for low taxes, budget discipline, conservative-liberal values, and a strong role for Germany within the European Union and NATO.
The AfD, established as an anti-euro party in 2013, has evolved into an anti-immigrant grouping with some radical far-right members. Its leader, Alice Weidel, recently received support from the new U.S. administration, including a meeting with U.S. Vice President JD Vance and an endorsement from Elon Musk.
Why It Matters: The election results could have significant implications for Germany&#8217;s economy and its stance on immigration. The AfD&#8217;s surge in popularity is notable, particularly given its anti-immigrant stance and the recent endorsement from Elon Musk.
The election could also impact the <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/cannabis/25/02/43886450/germanys-2025-election-could-make-or-break-cannabis-legalization-heres-where-key-parties-stand">future of cannabis legalization in Germany</a>. The SPD has been supportive of cannabis legalization. The conservatives&#8217; potential victory could change the course of this policy.
Image: Shutterstock

Merz on Track To Lead Germany Following Sunday Election, Far-Right AfD Takes 20% of Vote

When deciding between buying a home or investing in a business, financial stability plays a crucial role. That's exactly the dilemma Casey from Lexington, Kentucky, presented on a <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hrV8wCxBC78&amp;t=769s">recent episode</a> of "The Ramsey Show" with hosts George Kamel and Ken Coleman.
<h2 class="wp-block-heading">The Dilemma: Homeownership vs. Business Expansion</h2>
Casey and her husband are working through Baby Step 3, which in <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/personal-finance/25/02/43768530/should-married-couples-split-expenses-dave-ramsey-says-no-youre-married-not-roommates">Dave Ramsey</a>'s framework means they're building a fully funded emergency fund of three to six months' worth of expenses. Once they complete this step, they're debating between purchasing a home or putting money into expanding Casey's husband's restaurant business.
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While the business is already established, Casey explains that her husband currently has partners and wants to eventually open his own restaurant. However, their financial situation raises concerns. Their household income varies significantly, with Casey's husband earning around $35,000 to $40,000 annually before taxes. Additionally, Casey stays home to homeschool their children, meaning their financial situation relies solely on her husband's earnings.
<h2 class="wp-block-heading">The Ramsey Show's Advice</h2>
Kamel and Coleman strongly advised against <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/startups/24/10/41304880/should-i-buy-a-225k-business-or-grow-my-30k-side-hustle-dave-ramsey-weighs-in">investing in a new business</a> at this stage. The restaurant industry is known for its high risk, and they emphasized the importance of financial stability before taking on even more.
"There is immense risk in starting a restaurant," Kamel cautioned. Coleman reinforced the idea of patience, advising Casey's husband to focus on his current business, learn from his experiences, and ensure financial stability before making a major move. He quoted an old saying: "If you chase two rabbits, you lose them both."
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When it comes to <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/real-estate/24/11/41876775/u-s-homebuyers-are-now-56-on-average-as-younger-generations-struggle-with-wildly-unaffordable-market-housing-expert-warns">homeownership</a>, the hosts initially agreed that buying a home should be the next goal after completing Baby Step 3. They called this "Baby Step 3B" in Ramsey's plan—saving aggressively for a down payment before moving on to investing in retirement.
However, after learning about the couple's income, their concerns about income stability led to a key point: homeownership may not be a wise decision at this stage either. Coleman pointed out that Casey's husband's income isn't high enough to comfortably afford a mortgage, warning that an unexpected downturn in the business could leave them financially vulnerable. "I would not be in any hurry to get in a house at all," he stressed.
<h2 class="wp-block-heading">The Priority: Increasing Income</h2>
Ultimately, the hosts agreed that before considering either homeownership or business expansion, Casey's husband needs to focus on increasing his income.
"We've got to delay the business dream," Kamel said. "The income is a crisis at this point."&nbsp;
See Also: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/money/arrived-centennial">Jeff Bezos-Backed Arrived Homes Hits A Big Sale On Charlotte Property – Investors Earning A 34.7% Return</a>
Coleman went even further, suggesting that Casey's husband could potentially earn more working elsewhere. "My goodness, he could make more working at Walmart," he said, highlighting that even a retail job could provide better financial stability at this stage.
While Casey and her husband are eager to build a future, "<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/personal-finance/25/02/43758999/the-idea-that-youre-going-to-tax-corporate-america-is-mythology-dave-ramsey-says-the-consumer-always-pays">The Ramsey Show</a>" hosts made it clear: neither buying a house nor expanding the business is a good idea right now. Instead, they encouraged them to focus on increasing their income, stabilizing their financial situation, and then working toward homeownership. Only after achieving financial security should they consider investing in a new business venture.
For those facing a similar dilemma, Kamel and Coleman's key takeaway is simple: financial stability comes first. Ensuring a steady, sufficient income lays the foundation for smart, long-term financial decisions.
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<li>These five entrepreneurs are worth $223 billion –<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/money/arrived-homes-private-credit-fund"> they all believe in one platform that offers a 7-9% target yield with monthly dividends</a></li>
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'Should We Buy A House Or Invest In Our Restaurant Business?' The Ramsey Show Weighs In

Investor Chris Camillo has transformed a modest sum of $84,000 into a whopping $42 million over a span of 15 years, leveraging a unique investment strategy known as social arbitrage.
What Happened: Camillo&#8217;s strategy is centered around spotting investment opportunities by monitoring social media platforms and making early investments. His nearly 15-year track record from 2006 to 2020 boasts an average 77% annual compounded return, as confirmed by trading expert Jack D. Schwager.
According to a report <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/stock-market-trading-strategies-social-arbitrage-chris-camillo-bets-picks-2021-8">by </a>Insider, Schwager audited and wrote about Camillo and others in his book &#8220;Unknown Market Wizards: The Best Traders You&#8217;ve Never Heard Of.&#8220;
Breaking away from traditional investors, Camillo doesn&#8217;t depend on company earnings reports or Wall Street analysts. He instead utilizes platforms like TikTok, Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram to identify trends and investment opportunities, while also keeping a keen eye on the everyday world.
Also Read: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/24/12/42497173/investment-guru-peter-lynch-if-you-cant-explain-to-an-11-year-old-in-2-minutes-or-less-why-you-own-the-stock-you-shouldnt-own-it">Investment Guru Peter Lynch: &#8216;If You Can&#8217;t Explain To An 11-Year-Old In 2 Minutes Or Less Why You Own The Stock, You Shouldn&#8217;t Own It&#8217;</a>
His remarkable gains, audited and confirmed by Schwager, started with a balance of $84,000 in August 2006. By May 2021, his cumulative profits had skyrocketed to $42 million.
Such performance is deemed rare, as even professional money managers find it challenging to beat the market. In fact,&nbsp;over 86% of US active&nbsp;stock-fund managers failed to outperform the S&amp;P 1500 in the 20 years through 2020.
However, Camillo&#8217;s strategy is not without its risks. Biljana Adebambo, the academic director of the Master of Science in Finance program at the University of San Diego School of Business, highlighted that his approach likely necessitated the use of riskier strategies such as options, which can amplify the volatility of returns and the frequency or severity of losses, reports the outlet. 
Why It Matters: Camillo&#8217;s success story underscores the potential of social arbitrage as an investment strategy. In an era where social media plays a pivotal role in shaping trends, his approach offers a fresh perspective on investment decision-making. 
However, it&#8217;s important to note the inherent risks associated with such a strategy, as pointed out by Adebambo.
Currently, Camillo is committed to educating others on how to leverage social arbitrage. 
He shares his knowledge and insights via his YouTube channel, Dumb Money Live, and engages with a community of social-arb investors on Dumb Money&#8217;s Discord channel.
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Chris Camillo Made $42 Million Trading Stocks Over 15 Years, Here's His Success Strategy

In a strategic shift, Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/AAPL#NASDAQ">AAPL</a>) has unveiled its latest product, the iPhone 16e, marking its exit from the budget <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/tech/25/02/43424187/apples-struggles-in-ai-and-ar-indicate-a-loss-in-product-edge">smartphone market</a>.
Bloomberg columnist Mark Gurman in his <a href="https://www.bloomberg.com/news/newsletters/2025-02-23/apple-abandons-budget-phones-inside-apple-s-modem-m4-macbook-air-launch-timing?srnd=undefined&amp;sref=TBDibEcD">latest</a> weekly "Power On" has shared that Apple&#8217;s new iPhone 16e, priced at $599, is $170 more expensive than its predecessor, the iPhone SE.
This price hike places the iPhone 16e in a different segment, leaving the budget smartphone market to rivals such as&nbsp;Samsung Electronics Co.,&nbsp;Alphabet Inc.&#8216;s Google, and Chinese manufacturers.
Despite lacking some features of the regular iPhone 16, the iPhone 16e offers most of the flagship lineup&#8217;s features for $200 less. 
Also Read: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/tech/25/02/43759759/apple-and-meta-in-race-to-develop-ai-powered-humanoid-robots">Apple and Meta in Race To Develop AI-Powered Humanoid Robots</a>
The decision to increase the price of its low-end iPhone comes as Apple&#8217;s China revenue declined by&nbsp;11% and total iPhone sales&nbsp;fell about 1% during the holiday quarter. 
This suggests that Apple is prioritizing profit margins over higher unit sales.
Apple&#8217;s new pricing strategy could potentially impede its customer base expansion in emerging markets like India. However, the company may continue to sell older models in certain markets through carriers without advertising them on its website, a tactic Apple has used in the past.
Along with the iPhone 16e, Apple is also gearing up&nbsp;to launch the M4 MacBook&nbsp;Air and has confirmed&nbsp;that Apple Intelligence is coming&nbsp;to the Vision Pro.
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Image: Shutterstock

Tech

Apple Ditches Budget Smartphone Segment With iPhone 16E Launch

$1.4 Billion Ethereum Stolen In Largest Crypto Hack In History
Cryptocurrency exchange Bybit suffered a major breach on Friday which resulted in the theft of $1.4 billion Ethereum (CRYPTO: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/eth/usd">ETH</a>). The incident is considered the largest cryptocurrency hack in history, surpassing the 2021 Poly Network<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/cryptocurrency/25/02/43886224/bybit-founder-confirms-1-4-billion-ethereum-hack-blames-masked-transaction"> hack of $611 million.&nbsp;</a>
The attack, which targeted Bybit&#8217;s Ethereum cold wallet, resulted in the loss of 401,347 ETH ($1.12 billion), 90,376 stETH ($253 million), 15,000 cmETH ($44 million), and 8,000 mETH ($23 million), <a href="https://x.com/OnchainLens/status/1892964703263244377">according</a> to Onchain Lens.
Read Next: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/general/market-summary/25/02/43884153/us-services-drop-sharply-darkening-picture-of-high-prices-uncertainty-economist-says">US Services Drop Sharply: &#8216;Darkening Picture&#8217; Of High Prices, Uncertainty, Economist Says</a>
Following the discovery of the theft, Bybit launched a recovery bounty program with a reward of up to 10% of the recovered funds to ethical cyber and network security experts who retrieve any of the stolen assets.
The potential bounty of up to $140 million is one of the largest crypto recovery efforts in history.
&#8220;Within 24 hours of the event, we were overwhelmed with support from some of the best people and organizations in the industry, and we do not take it for granted. We have shared in a dark moment of crypto history, and we&#8217;ve proven we are better than the malicious actors,&#8221; said Ben Zhou, co-founder and CEO of Bybit.
SEC Creates Cyber And Emerging Technologies Unit&nbsp;
The Securities and Exchange Commission on Thursday announced the creation of the Cyber and Emerging Technologies Unit (CETU) to focus on combatting cyber-related misconduct and to protect retail investors in the emerging technologies space.&nbsp;
The CETU, led by Laura D'Allaird, replaces the Crypto Assets and Cyber Unit and employs approximately 30 fraud specialists and attorneys.&nbsp;
"Under Laura's leadership, this new unit will complement the work of the Crypto Task Force led by Commissioner Hester Peirce. Importantly, the new unit will also allow the SEC to deploy enforcement resources judiciously," said Acting Chairman Mark T. Uyeda.&nbsp;
"The unit will not only protect investors but will also facilitate capital formation and market efficiency by clearing the way for innovation to grow. It will root out those seeking to misuse innovation to harm investors and diminish confidence in new technologies," Uyeda said.&nbsp;
The CETU listed the following as high-priority areas of focus:&nbsp;
<ul>
<li>Fraud committed with the use of artificial intelligence and machine learning</li>
<li>Fraud on social media, the dark web, or false websites </li>
<li>Takeovers of retail brokerage accounts</li>
<li>Fraud involving blockchain technology and crypto assets</li>
<li>Hacking to obtain material nonpublic information</li>
</ul>
Read Next:<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/02/43836832/trump-administration-orders-sweeping-pentagon-cuts-defense-sector-stocks-on-watch">&nbsp;</a>
<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/02/43836832/trump-administration-orders-sweeping-pentagon-cuts-defense-sector-stocks-on-watch">Trump Administration Orders Sweeping Pentagon Cuts: Palantir, Lockheed Martin, General Dynamics Among Stocks On Watch</a></li>
</ul>
Image: Shutterstock

Fintech news covering the emerging Financial Technology services sector

Fintech

Government

Regulations

Financial Crime Weekly: $1.4 Billion Ethereum Stolen In Largest Crypto Hack Ever, SEC Creates Cyber And Emerging Technologies Unit

Before <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/startups/24/10/41255752/jeff-bezos-says-all-overnight-success-takes-10-years-amazon-didnt-turn-a-profit-for-almost-a-decade">Jeff Bezos built Amazon</a> (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/AMZN#NASDAQ">AMZN</a>) into a trillion-dollar empire, he had a very specific approach to dating—one that involved a lot of blind dates. His top requirement? The woman had to be resourceful. Not just in the everyday sense, but in a "could-get-him-out-of-a-Third-World-prison" kind of way.
<h2 class="wp-block-heading">The Blind Date Rule</h2>
In a <a href="https://www.wired.com/1999/03/bezos-3/">1999 interview with Wired</a>, Bezos admitted he let his friends set him up before he met MacKenzie Scott at D.E. Shaw, where he served as vice president. "The No. 1 criterion was that I wanted a woman who could get me out of a Third World prison," he said.&nbsp;
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<li>Can you guess how many Americans successfully retire with $1,000,000 saved?<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/money/1milsaved"> The percentage may shock you</a>.</li>
<li>The average 401(k) balance soars to a record-breaking high – <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/money/average-401k-balances-soars-to-record-high">Here's how to know if your nest egg is keeping pace.</a></li>
</ul>
His reasoning? "I'm not the kind of person where women say, ‘Oh, look how great he is,' a half hour after meeting me. I'm kind of goofy," he said.
Bezos also said in the interview, "What I really wanted was someone resourceful. But nobody knows what you mean when you say, &#8216;I&#8217;m <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/24/08/40208629/jeff-bezos-once-said-lifes-too-short-to-hang-out-with-people-who-arent-resourceful-who-are-the-peopl">looking for a resourceful woman</a>.&#8217;&nbsp;
Luckily for Bezos, he didn't need a blind date to meet MacKenzie—he just had to conduct a job interview. In 1993, she applied for a position at D.E. Shaw in New York, and Bezos was the first person to interview her. He hired her as a research associate, and her office ended up right next to his. Listening to his laugh all day, she quickly found herself drawn to him.
"My office was next door to his, and all day long I listened to that fabulous laugh," she <a href="https://www.vogue.com/article/a-novel-perspective-mackenzie-bezos">told Vogue</a> in 2013. "How could you not fall in love with that laugh?"
Trending: The average American couple has saved this much money for retirement —<a href="http://www.benzinga.com/money/smartasset"> How do you compare</a>?
The couple, who share four children —three sons and a daughter— married later that year, long before Bezos became one of the world's richest men. He joked in the same Vogue interview, "I think my wife is resourceful, smart, brainy, and hot, but I had the good fortune of having seen her résumé before I met her, so I knew exactly what her SATs were."
<h2 class="wp-block-heading">No Prenup, No Problem—For MacKenzie</h2>
Despite amassing a fortune together, Jeff and MacKenzie never signed a prenup. That made their 2019 divorce one of the most expensive in history. The settlement left MacKenzie with 25% of their Amazon stock—about $36 billion at the time, according to media reports. Instead of hoarding her wealth, she started giving it away at an unprecedented pace.
See Also: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/money/suze-orman-retirement-bucket">&#8216;Which Bucket Do I Draw From First?&#8217; Suze Orman Explains To 67-Year-Old The Best Order For Tapping Into Her Retirement Accounts</a>
MacKenzie Scott has since donated more than $19 billion to charities, funding social justice initiatives, education, and human services. Unlike traditional philanthropists, she doesn't micromanage how the money is spent. The typical grant size? $5 million—far beyond the usual $123,000 median seen in major philanthropic studies.
Her no-strings-attached generosity has upended conventional giving, proving that even in divorce, resourcefulness isn't just a trait Bezos admired—it's something Scott has mastered on a whole different level.
Read Next:
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<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/money/millionaires-never-earned-six-figures-according-to-dave-ramsey">69% of Millionaires Never Earned A Six-Figure Salary – Here Are 2 Things They Do To Get Their First $1 Million, According To Dave Ramsey</a></li>
<li>Many are using retirement income calculators to check if they&#8217;re on pace —<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/money/how-do-i-calculate-my-retirement-income-adv"> here&#8217;s a breakdown on what&#8217;s behind this formula.</a></li>
</ul>

AMZN

Jeff Bezos Let His Friends Set Him Up On Blind Dates—The Top Criterion? A Woman Resourceful Enough to Break Him Out Of A 'Third-World Prison'

Billionaire investor&nbsp;Warren Buffett&nbsp;has addressed concerns regarding the record cash pile of&nbsp;Berkshire Hathaway Inc.&nbsp;(NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/BRK#NYSE">BRK</a>). 
What Happened: In a <a href="https://www.berkshirehathaway.com/letters/2024ltr.pdf">letter</a> to shareholders on Saturday, Buffett reassured of his commitment to owning businesses, amidst the company&#8217;s cash reserves reaching an all-time high due to a lack of major acquisitions and a sell-off of stocks.
The 94-year-old investor&#8217;s&nbsp;decision to address the cash&nbsp;pile, which stood at $334.2 billion&nbsp;at the end of last&nbsp;year, comes amid record valuations that have made US stocks less appealing and made it difficult for Buffett to find major deals.
Buffett assured shareholders that&nbsp;a substantial majority of their&nbsp;money would be deployed in equities, primarily American, many of which have significant international operations. 
"Berkshire shareholders can rest assured that we will forever deploy a substantial majority of their money in equities — mostly American equities although many of these will have international operations of significance," Buffett said. 
This statement was released alongside Berkshire&#8217;s Q4 results, which showed a $9 billion increase in the cash pile as Buffett reduced stakes in stocks, including significant&nbsp;sales of shares in Citigroup&nbsp;and Bank of America.
Also Read: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/02/43900955/berkshire-hathaways-q4-profits-soar-71-warren-buffett-says-his-firm-has-paid-more-taxes-than-tech-titans-in-trillions">Berkshire Hathaway Q4 Profits Soar 71%, Buffett Says Firm Pays More Taxes Than &#8216;Tech Titans&#8217; With Market Value in &#8216;Trillions&#8217;</a>
Over the past year, the company&#8217;s cash pile has nearly doubled as it reinvested the proceeds from stock sales,&nbsp;including tens of billions of&nbsp;dollars&#8217;&nbsp;worth of shares in Apple, into Treasury bills.
"We were aided by a predictable large gain in investment income as Treasury Bill yields improved and we substantially increased our holdings of these highly liquid short-term securities," Buffett added in his letter.
"Paper money can see its value evaporate if fiscal folly prevails. In some countries, this reckless practice has become habitual, and, in our country's short history, the US has come close to the edge. Fixed-coupon bonds provide no protection against runaway currency," Buffet shared. 
Why It Matters: Buffett&#8217;s reassurance comes at a crucial time when the company&#8217;s cash reserves have reached an all-time high due to a lack of major acquisitions and a sell-off of stocks. 
The investor&#8217;s commitment to owning businesses and preference for &#8220;ownership of good businesses&#8221; over cash-equivalent assets is a strong message to shareholders about the company&#8217;s investment strategy.
Read Next
<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/earnings/25/02/43901149/buffett-reflects-on-60-years-at-berkshire-helm-cardinal-sin-is-delaying-the-correction-of-mistakes">Buffett Reflects on 60 Years at Berkshire Helm: &#8216;Cardinal Sin Is Delaying the Correction of Mistakes&#8217;</a>

Buffett's Assures Berkshire Hathaway Shareholders Amid Skyrocketing Cash Reserves

These nine mid-cap stocks were the best performers in the last week. Are they in your portfolio?
<ol>
<li>Pony AI Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/PONY#NASDAQ">PONY</a>) stock rose 58.88% after the company launched paid robotaxi services connecting Guangzhou's city center with Baiyun <a href="https://www.benzinga.com//node/43878528" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">International Airport and South Railway Station</a>.</li>
<li>Celsius Holdings Inc (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/CELH#NASDAQ">CELH</a>) stock surged 43.95% after the company reported better-than-expected Q4 financial results. The company also announced the <a href="https://www.benzinga.com//node/43868556" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">acquisition of </a><a href="https://www.benzinga.com//node/43868556" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Alani Nutrition</a><a href="https://www.benzinga.com//node/43868556" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"> for $1.65 billion</a>.</li>
<li>WeRide Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/WRD#NASDAQ">WRD</a>) shares escalated 42.22%, possibly after NVIDIA Corporation (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/NVDA#NASDAQ">NVDA</a>)  disclosed a stake of <a href="https://www.benzinga.com//node/43739878" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">1.74 million shares in a 13F filing</a> last week.</li>
<li>Applied Digital Corp (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/APLD#NASDAQ">APLD</a>) stock jumped 34.64%.</li>
<li>Solaris Energy Infrastructure, Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/SEI#NYSE">SEI</a>) shares upped 31.87% after the company reported <a href="https://www.benzinga.com//node/43872744" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">fourth-quarter financial results</a>.</li>
<li>Vicor (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/VICR#NASDAQ">VICR</a>) stock upped 27.80% after the company reported better-than-<a href="https://www.benzinga.com//node/43865613" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">expected Q4 fourth-quarter financial results</a>.</li>
<li>GDS Holdings Limited (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/GDS#NASDAQ">GDS</a>) share rose 24.26%, probably after China's central bank vowed to take measures to support its real estate and shore up the economy.</li>
<li>VNET Group, Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/VNET#NASDAQ">VNET</a>) stock upped 24.17%.</li>
<li>The Goodyear Tire &amp; Rubber Company (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/GT#NASDAQ">GT</a>) shares escalated 22.15%. </li>
</ol>
Read Next:
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<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/large-cap/25/02/43902979/alibaba-super-micro-computer-and-xpeng-are-among-top-10-large-cap-gainers-last-week-feb-17-feb-21-are-the-others-in-your-portfolio" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Alibaba, Super Micro Computer And XPeng Are Among Top 10 Large Cap Gainers Last Week (Feb 17-Feb 21): Are The Others In Your Portfolio?</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/large-cap/25/02/43903210/twilio-coinbase-and-reddit-are-among-top-10-large-cap-losers-last-week-feb-17-feb-21-are-the-others-in-your-portfolio" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Twilio, Coinbase And Reddit Are Among Top 10 Large Cap Losers Last Week (Feb 17-Feb 21): Are The Others In Your Portfolio?</a></li>
</ul>
Photo via Shutterstock

Equities

Mid Cap

Movers

Trading Ideas

APLD

CELH

PONY

VICR

VNET

Pony AI, Celsius And WeRide Are Among Top 9 Mid Cap Gainers Last Week (Feb 17-Feb 21): Are The Others In Your Portfolio?

The rise of cryptocurrencies and the new administration&#8217;s friendliness <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/cryptocurrency/25/02/43889897/bitcoin-strategic-reserve-with-1-million-btc-could-offset-21-trillion-national-debt">toward digital assets</a> have left advisors deeply conflicted about the asset class, a new survey by CoinShares reveals.
On the one hand, 62% of advisors say recommending Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies goes against their fiduciary duties, and half think doing so would make colleagues think less of them. 
On the other hand, 85% of advisors say their firm&#8217;s views on digital assets have changed since President Donald Trump won re-election, and 79% agree that, with more and more clients putting money into cryptocurrencies, the role of advisors is becoming to manage the risk that poses for clients.
Squaring this circle will require more information and education about digital assets. Over 80% of surveyed advisors were willing to spend money on cryptocurrency education but wanted that information to be independent. That excludes crypto exchanges, while many &#8220;crypto-native&#8221; educational resources are difficult to access for those unfamiliar with the space.
By the way, for independent news on all things cryptocurrency and digital assets, check out <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/crypto">Benzinga&#8217;s own crypto news right here</a>.
Also Read: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/etfs/specialty-etfs/25/02/43893016/rising-inflation-in-japan-3-etfs-to-watch-as-boj-navigates-rate-hike-expectations">Rising Inflation In Japan: 3 ETFs To Watch As BOJ Navigates Rate Hike Expectations</a>
In addition to education, new regulations seem set to improve advisors&#8217; views on digital assets. In the CoinShares survey, 88% of advisors said the SEC&#8217;s recent approval of Bitcoin and Ethereum ETFs made them more positive about cryptocurrencies, and almost two-thirds said SEC approval was in the top three factors that most determined whether they felt it was appropriate to recommend cryptocurrency investments.
The new administration&#8217;s much more crypto-friendly stance suggests the SEC will be approving more digital asset funds, and faster, giving advisors a wider variety of options to choose from when building cryptocurrency portfolios for their clients.
Given these trends and the rising demand for cryptocurrencies—particularly among younger investors whom advisors must attract to grow their businesses—advisors can get ahead by exploring digital assets now. By understanding the strengths and risks of this expanding market, they can position themselves ahead of the competition.
To see how one prominent, crypto-focused advisor handles this, check out Benzinga&#8217;s interview series with him <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/personal-finance/financial-advisors/24/12/42470479/financial-advisor-calls-stocks-dinosaur-bones-but-likes-some-etfs">here</a> and <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/personal-finance/financial-advisors/24/12/42517262/most-crypto-foward-ria-slams-bitcoin-forecasts-from-michael-saylor-others-dis">here</a>.
Read Next:
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<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/general/market-summary/25/02/43884153/us-services-drop-sharply-darkening-picture-of-high-prices-uncertainty-economist-says">US Services Drop Sharply: &#8216;Darkening Picture&#8217; Of High Prices, Uncertainty, Economist Says</a></li>
</ul>
Photo: Shutterstock

Financial Advisors

Advisors Remain Divided On Crypto, But SEC Approvals, Demand Are Shifting Views

These ten large-cap stocks were the worst performers in the last week. Are they in your portfolio?
<ol>
<li>Akamai Technologies, Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/AKAM#NASDAQ">AKAM</a>) stock fell 23.01% following weak FY25 guidance. Several analysts lowered the <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/sfm/analyst-ratings" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">price forecast on the stock</a>.</li>
<li>Axon Enterprise (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/AXON#NASDAQ">AXON</a>) shares fell 22.79% after Craig-Hallum analyst Jeremy Hamblin downgraded the stock from Buy to Hold and <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/axon/analyst-ratings" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">announced a $625 price forecast</a>.</li>
<li>Twilio Inc (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/TWLO#NYSE">TWLO</a>) shares tumbled 22.39% after the company reported mixed fourth-quarter results and analysts revised <a href="https://www.benzinga.com//node/43742521" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">forecasts on the stock</a>.</li>
<li>EPAM Systems Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/EPAM#NYSE">EPAM</a>) stock declined 21.97% following its fourth-quarter and full-year 2024 earnings report <a href="https://www.benzinga.com//node/43867480" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">and disappointing 2025 guidance.</a></li>
<li>Nu Holdings Ltd (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/NU#NYSE">NU</a>) stock decreased 21.54% following the company's<a href="https://www.benzinga.com//node/43869101" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"> fourth-quarter financial results</a>.</li>
<li>Aurora Innovation, Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/AUR#NASDAQ">AUR</a>) lost 21.18% as the software company's stocks fell amid overall market weakness on U.S. consumer and economic concerns.</li>
<li>Coinbase Global, Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/COIN#NASDAQ">COIN</a>) stock lost 21.04% last week. The stock reversed its gains following an <a href="https://www.benzinga.com//node/43883117" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">agreement in principle with SEC staff</a> to drop the case against the company.</li>
<li>DaVita Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/DVA#NYSE">DVA</a>) shares dipped 19.58%. Warren Buffett's investment firm, Berkshire Hathaway (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/BRK#NYSE">BRK</a>) (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/BRK#NYSE">BRK</a>), has offloaded a 2% stake in the company, with the transaction <a href="https://www.benzinga.com//node/43874883" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">valued at around $116 million</a>.</li>
<li>Robinhood Markets, Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/HOOD#NASDAQ">HOOD</a>) stock lost 19.12% as broader financial sector stocks fell amid overall market weakness on U.S. consumer and economic concerns.</li>
<li>Reddit (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/RDDT#NYSE">RDDT</a>) shares declined 18.81%. Piper Sandler analyst Thomas Champion maintained an Overweight rating and raised the <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/rddt/analyst-ratings" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">price forecast from $210 to $220</a>.</li>
</ol>
Read Next:
<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/large-cap/25/02/43902979/alibaba-super-micro-computer-and-xpeng-are-among-top-10-large-cap-gainers-last-week-feb-17-feb-21-are-the-others-in-your-portfolio" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Alibaba, Super Micro Computer And XPeng Are Among Top 10 Large Cap Gainers Last Week (Feb 17-Feb 21): Are The Others In Your Portfolio?</a></li>
</ul>
Photo via Shutterstock

Large Cap

Topics

AKAM

AXON

COIN

EPAM

HOOD

RDDT

TWLO

Twilio, Coinbase And Reddit Are Among Top 10 Large Cap Losers Last Week (Feb 17-Feb 21): Are The Others In Your Portfolio?

The following is Sizemore Capital Management LLC's Third Quarter 2010 Letter to Investors, reproduced with permission. 
To Our Investors,
The third quarter of 2010 ended on a high note with the S&P 500 posting its strongest September in 71 years.  Against this backdrop, our actively-managed Tactical Portfolio returned 9.0% for the year through the third quarter, compared to 3.9% for the S&P 500 Total Return.
Our returns for 2010 year-to-date on our Strategic Portfolio Allocation models were the following:
<ul>
<li>Preservation of Capital……..3.61%</li>
<li>Conservative Income………. 7.44%</li>
<li>Growth and Income………….7.81%</li>
<li>Growth…………………………8.06%</li>
<li>Aggressive…………………….7.86%</li>
</ul>
Portfolio Review
SCM Strategic Portfolios
Given that the Strategic Portfolios are long term in nature, it is rare for Sizemore Capital to make allocation changes. We rebalance annually, of course, but the core positions do not often change. The only change made prior to the third quarter of 2010 was the replacement of the defunct Bear Stearns MLP ETN (<a class="ticker" href="/stock/bsr#">BSR</a>) with a substantially identical security, the JP Morgan Alerian MLP Index ETN (<a class="ticker" href="/stock/amj#">AMJ</a>).
In the third quarter, we decided that another change was appropriate. We replaced our emerging markets position, the iShares MSCI Emerging Markets ETF (<a class="ticker" href="/stock/eem#">EEM</a>) with the EG Shares Emerging Markets Consumer ETF (ECON).
This is a change we would have loved to have made sooner had it been possible. We were never satisfied with EEM as an emerging markets position, but we kept it for lack of better alternative. EEM was never truly an “emerging market” play but instead a “global macro” play, as the fund was comprised almost entirely of banks, oil companies, and export-oriented companies with very little exposure to emerging market consumers themselves.
ECON is the first ETF to specifically target the emerging market consumer sector. This ETF was a long time coming, and kudos to Emerging Global Shares for being the first to bring it to market.
For an expanded explanation of our investment rationale with respect to ECON, see the two articles we penned for Seeking Alpha in September:
<a href="http://seekingalpha.com/article/225003-econ-investing-in-the-emerging-market-the-right-way">ECON: Investing in the Emerging Market the Right Way</a> 
<a href="http://seekingalpha.com/article/225478-just-one-etf-the-new-fund-aimed-at-local-goods-for-emerging-consumers">Just One ETF: The New Fund Aimed at Local Goods for Emerging Consumers</a>
SCM Tactical Portfolio
We made several significant changes to the Tactical Portfolio during the quarter, selling four long-time holdings in infrastructure, municipal bonds, and luxury goods and replacing them with two new positions that focus of dividend income.
In a July 16, 2010 internal trade memo, we wrote:
<blockquote>Given the recent correction in the equity markets and our belief that high-dividend stocks offer better value than bonds at current prices, we felt the time was right to liquidate our position in municipal bonds (<a class="ticker" href="/stock/vkq#">VKQ</a>) and to reallocate the funds to high-dividend stocks via an ETF, the WisdomTree LargeCap Dividend Fund (<a class="ticker" href="/stock/dln#">DLN</a>).
DLN is the ideal position for our current strategy. Many of the companies we have recommended in The Sizemore Investment Letter are among the fund's top holding, including AT&T (<a class="ticker" href="/stock/t#">T</a>), Johnson & Johnson (<a class="ticker" href="/stock/jnj#">JNJ</a>), Microsoft (<a class="ticker" href="/stock/msft#">MSFT</a>), Philip Morris International (<a class="ticker" href="/stock/pm#">PM</a>) and Procter & Gamble (<a class="ticker" href="/stock/pg#">PG</a>). In DLN we get a cash yield comparable to a ladder of Treasury securities, but unlike bond interest—which does not increase over the life of the bond—the dividends of DLN's equity holdings should rise in the quarters ahead.
The market's currently elevated level of volatility shows no sign of abating, and a general market selloff, were it to occur, could send DLN's price lower in the short term. But given the attractive pricing of DLN, we would consider any such volatility to be little more than short-term noise. We consider this a low-risk and potentially high-return allocation for the Sizemore Capital Management Tactical Portfolio.</blockquote>
On July 26, 2010, we increased the Tactical Portfolio allocation to DLN from 10% to 20%. Reaffirming our investment rationale, we wrote:
<blockquote>Given our view that non-financial, blue-chip equities are currently the most attractive asset subclass, we have increased our allocation to the WisdomTree Large Cap Dividend ETF (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="/stock/dln#NYSE">DLN</a>) to 20% of the SCM Tactical Portfolio. This is not a short-term trade; we consider this a major change in investment strategy with a time horizon of 1-5 years.
Our belief in the attractiveness of non-financial blue-chip equities is multifaceted. Firstly, we want to emphasize how cheaply many of America's premier companies are currently priced relative to their historical averages. As we outlined in the July issue of The Sizemore Investment Letter, Johnson & Johnson, Procter & Gamble, and Microsoft (among many others) are trading at P/E ratios not seen in multiple decades. According to financial theory, large and stable companies should trade at a premium to the broader market. By buying at higher prices, investors are generally willing to accept lower returns on blue chips in exchange for the perceived safety. But today, the opposite is true. Many blue chips actually trade at a discount to the S&P 500. The 2009 rally was primarily a rally in lower-quality “junk.” And while we do not necessarily forecast that the broader stock indices like the S&P 500 will see poor returns going forward, we do expect higher-quality stocks to outperform given current pricing. So on a valuation basis, a large overweighting in DLN makes sense.
Secondly, the competing investment alternatives are sparse. Bonds represent a remarkably poor investment given current yields. The 10-year Treasury note yields less than 3 percent—and less than the dividend yield of many of the blue-chip stocks in DLN.
There is a fair amount of overlap in our current allocation. For example, Johnson & Johnson is a major component of both DLN and IYH, and AT&T is a major component of both DLN and IXP. Under more normal pricing, we might view this as a risk. But in this situation, we consider the overlap a source of strength.
In order to free up capital for the new allocation, we are having to part with two long-time portfolio holding, FMO and MFD. While we remain bullish on both, neither had a long-term place in the Tactical Portfolio. When we initially purchases FMO, it was one of the few options available for investing in the MLP sector. But today, options are plentiful. Were we to re-enter the MLP asset class in the Tactical Portfolio, we would do so using a different investment vehicle. The same is true of MFD. While we consider infrastructure and utilities to be attractive—and continue to have exposure to the sector via XLU—we no longer see MFD as a potential long-term holding.
We were delighted to see that GMO's legendary Jeremy Grantham—an investor we respect very much—appears to agree with our assessment of non-financial, blue-chip equities. In his July 2010 letter to investors, Grantham laid out his seven-year forecast for various asset classes. At the top of his list were what Grantham calls “US High Quality Stocks,” defined as those companies with high and stable profitability and low debt.
While Mr. Grantham's comments would certainly not be sufficient to persuade us to invest in the sector, we do find it encouraging that our favorite asset class is shared by an investor of his stature. We would certainly prefer to bet with Mr. Grantham than against him.</blockquote>
Finally, we regrettably had to close our position in the global luxury goods sector, or rather it was closed for us. In a September 29 internal trade memo we wrote:
<blockquote>This is a trade that we would have unfortunately preferred not to make. We were very satisfied with the investment performance of the Claymore / Robb Report Global Luxury ETF (<a class="ticker" href="/stock/rob#">ROB</a>). It was the only pure play in existence for one of favorite investment themes for the next decade: the rise of the new rich in the developing world. In addition to the long-term growth story, the individual stocks that comprise the ETF remain undervalued in our view. This is an investment we would have liked to have let run for at least another several months, if not longer.
Unfortunately, the fund sponsor had other plans. Given the sheer volume of ETFs on the market, there was simply not enough investor demand for a niche ETF like ROB. The fund was never able to gather enough assets or generate sufficient trading volume to stay viable. So, in late September the fund was liquidated and the cash proceeds were returned to investors. Not wanting to sell into an illiquid market, we opted to hold the shares until the liquidation date.
While we were not ready to let this position go, we do believe we have found a suitable replacement. ROB was a unique way to play a niche sector, and it was one of our favorite ways to get access to emerging market growth without having to take positions in volatile emerging market stocks. Given that no other funds exist that fill that role, we have opted to pursue a different investment theme altogether.
The Powershares International Dividend Achievers ETF (<a class="ticker" href="/stock/pid#">PID</a>) is an ideal position for the Tactical Portfolio. In the current environment of economic uncertainty, we are focusing heavily on quality, as we explained in our investment rationale for the Wisdom Tree Large Cap Dividend Fund (<a class="ticker" href="/stock/dln#">DLN</a>) in July. At current market prices, there is no premium for quality. Some of the world's finest companies are also among the cheapest. This is a condition that should normally never exist, yet it does today. When the market gives us gifts like these, we gladly take them.
The International Dividend Achievers index is as close to a pure play on non-US quality as we have seen. To become eligible for inclusion, a company must be incorporated outside of the United States. The companies must be have an American Depository Receipt or common stock trading on NYSE or NASDAQ. Most importantly, companies must have paid increasing regular annual dividends for five or more consecutive years.
A company that could raise its dividend over the past five years—years that included the worst credit crisis in 100 years and the worst recession since the Great Depression—is a company that is clearly worth owning at the right price. And in PID, we get an entire portfolio of them trading at a trailing P/E ratio of only 12. As an aside, several companies that have been highlighted in The Sizemore Investment Letter are currently in the index, including AmBev (<a class="ticker" href="/stock/abv#">ABV</a>), Turkcell (<a class="ticker" href="/stock/tkc#">TKC</a>) and Telefonica (<a class="ticker" href="/stock/tef#">TEF</a>).
We consider PID to be an excellent position at current prices.</blockquote>
Looking Ahead
With the third quarter finishing as strongly as it did, we expect a more muted finish to 2010. We do not necessarily expect a crash or significant correction, but at the same time we do not expect the strong momentum to continue throughout the fourth quarter.
Given our ambivalent view towards the potential for capital gains, we believe that our current emphasis on high income will be a major plus over the next 3-9 months. 40% of the Tactical Portfolio is allocated to dividend-centric stocks and high-yield bonds, while another 30% is allocated to sectors that have payouts higher than the market averages. We also have zero exposure to the sectors we feel are most at risk of collapse—gold and commodities—and zero exposure to low-yielding US Treasuries.
Here's looking forward to a strong finish to 2010,
Charles Lewis Sizemore, CFA
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VANCOUVER, BRITISH COLUMBIA--(Marketwire - Aug. 12, 2009) - South American Silver Corp. ("SASC" or the "Company") (TSX:SAC) reports that it has released its unaudited interim consolidated financial statements for the six months ended June 30, 2009 and the related management's discussion and analysis of financial position and results of operations ("MD&A").

As at June 30, 2009, the Company had working capital of US$5.5 million, including cash and cash equivalents of US$5.7 million. With this funding in place, the Company is in a strong financial position to pursue its current exploration and property development strategy.

The Company's strategic plan for 2009 is to focus more on the engineering aspects and metallurgical test work at the Malku Khota property in west central Bolivia in preparation to carry out a prefeasibility/feasibility study and the exploration of the remaining part of the 15 km trend to define drill targets to further expand the resource.

The Company intends to commence a 4,000-metre drill program at Malku Khota in late August. The program will focus on newly established silver-indium-lead-zinc targets down-trend (to the south) of the Limosna Ridge. Additionally, the Company is continuing metallurgical testing to further refine the acid chloride leach recovery method for silver and indium and byproduct gold, copper, lead and zinc, and is moving forward with costing and the timing for a pre-feasibility/feasibility study.

Community relations are an important part of doing business in Bolivia and the Company has a Community Relations Manager at Malku Khota who speaks both Aymara and Quechua to maintain good relations with the communities in which the Company operates. The Company has signed agreements of cooperation with each of the eleven communities in the area surrounding Malku Khota and has a good working relationship with each of these groups. The Company, through a consulting group, has completed a series of lectures to each community to help them become better informed about mining development. In February 2009, the Company joined Business for Social Responsibility ("BSR"), an organization which works with its global network of more than 250 member companies to develop sustainable business strategies and solutions through consulting, research and cross-sector collaboration. The Company also signed a contract with BSR to assist the Company and the communities in which it operates to achieve mutually acceptable objectives. BSR completed their study during the 2nd quarter and the Company is now implementing the study's recommendations.

Copies of the unaudited interim consolidated financial statements and related MD&A can be found on SEDAR at www.sedar.com.

Certain statements contained herein constitute "forward-looking statements". These forward-looking statements are based on current expectations and entail various risks and uncertainties. The nature, timing and extent of the exploration programs may materially change from current intentions for a number of reasons. Additionally, "forward looking statements" look into the future and provide an opinion as to the effect of certain events and trends on the business. Subject to applicable laws, the Company assumes no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events or any other reason.

SASC is a mineral exploration company that acquires, explores and develops mineral properties, primarily silver, gold and copper in South America. The Company presently holds interests in two material properties: the flagship Malku Khota silver-indium-gold property in Bolivia and the Escalones copper-gold-molybdenum property in Chile.

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