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Table of Contents
Black Panther Bot Outpaces Humans
Unitree’s G1 Bionic humanoid can now run smoothly over tough terrain, while the Black Panther V2.0 robot dog clocked sprints at over 23 mph, rivaling elite human athletes.
While still mastering the basics, these robots are quickly improving their ability to navigate human environments.
Netflix Tops Subscriber Record in Q4
Netflix has ended its subscriber reporting on a high note, adding a staggering 18.9 million subscribers in Q4 2024 to surpass 300 million total paid memberships. Despite impending price hikes, Netflix’s revenue soared to $10.25 billion with a net profit of $1.9 billion.
The record-breaking quarter was fueled by the streamer’s expansion into live sports and the highly-anticipated release of Squid Game season 2.
Dutch Bros Brews Up a Storm
Dutch Bros Coffee, once a humble Oregon pushcart, has skyrocketed 120%+ in the past year. The company doubled its stores to 1,000 since its 2021 IPO. With a strategic focus on morning sales and premium valuations, analysts are bullish on the company’s growth potential.
America’s First Dogecoin ETF is on File
Asset management company Rex Shares has officially applied with the SEC to list a Dogecoin ETF on a major U.S. stock exchange. While Dogecoin started as a meme coin, it’s now a payment method accepted by companies like Tesla and AMC. The new ETF filing is a collaboration between Rex Shares and Osprey Funds, who have also filed for additional crypto ETFs.
Tech Giants Announce Massive AI Plans
President Trump announced a massive $500 billion private sector investment to fund AI infrastructure in the US, aiming to outpace rival nations. Tech giants OpenAI, SoftBank, and Oracle are planning a joint venture called Stargate to build 20 data centers, creating over 100,000 jobs. The executives credited President Trump’s win for the initiative.
Champagne Shipments Fizzle Out
Global champagne shipments from France plummeted nearly 10% to 271 million bottles in 2024, marking the second consecutive year of decline.
Manufacturers blamed extreme weather affecting harvests, rising production costs, and changing consumer preferences toward more affordable or non-alcoholic options.
As the world’s favorite celebratory drink experiences a serious hangover, industry leaders remain cautiously optimistic about the sector’s resilience.
What I’m reading
I get a lot of mail asking where I find all this good stuff. Here are a few of my favorite newsletters, all of which are free to subscribe to:
Weekly insights about private credit and case studies about making hard money loans directly to real estate investors.
Learn to build beautiful businesses. Weekly strategies, insights, and lessons from SMB expert Michael Girdley.
Crypto made simple. Actionable alpha 3x a week.
Stock ideas
Here are three of my favorites from this past week.
Analysis provided by public.com.
Remember to always DYOR.
PG&E (PCG)
Bullish Case
- Strong Growth Trajectory: PG&E projects 10% annual EPS growth with guidance of $1.50 per share in EPS for 2025.
- Recent Market Overreaction: The company’s $8 billion market value drop following LA fires appears unjustified, as the affected areas fall outside PG&E’s coverage territory.
- Financial Strength: With a BB+ credit rating and improved financial position post-2019 bankruptcy restructuring, PG&E demonstrates better ability to secure funding.
Bearish Case
- Historical Liability Issues: PG&E’s previous bankruptcy filing in 2019 due to wildfire liabilities demonstrates the significant risk of operating in fire zones.
- Extended Investigation Periods: Wildfire cause investigations can take up to a year to complete, creating prolonged periods of uncertainty.
Weatherford International (WFRD)
Bullish Case
- Strong Financial Recovery: Net debt at just 0.53x EV/EBITDA, no debt maturities until 2030, and over $500 million in projected free cash flow for 2024.
- Industry-Leading Margins: WFRD’s adjusted EBITDA margins of 25% rival industry leader Schlumberger and exceed peers like Halliburton and Baker Hughes.
- Global Market Position: WFRD continues winning major long-term contracts, including eleven multi-year deals in Q3 2024.
Bearish Case
- Energy Market Volatility: The stock has fallen 46.9% from its July 2024 highs due to concerns about global oilfield spending in 2025.
- Post-Restructuring Execution Risk: The complete C-suite management replacement since 2019 and ongoing operational changes present execution risks.
Koru Medical Systems (KRMD)
Bullish Case
- Novel Therapy Pipeline Growth: KRMD has expanded from 0 to 9 novel therapies in their pipeline over 3 years, with 6 drugs in Phase III trials.
- Oncology Market Opportunity: Bristol Myers’ Opdivo subcutaneous approval opens a massive market, with potential for 30-40% IV-to-subcutaneous conversion.
- High-Margin Business Model: The FREEDOM pump system operates on a razor/razorblade model with ~60% gross margins.
Bearish Case
- Clinical Trial Risk: The success of KRMD’s growth strategy heavily depends on novel therapies completing Phase III trials and achieving commercial success.
- International Expansion Uncertainty: While the international market is 150% the size of the US market, there’s no guarantee KRMD can successfully break in.
Disclosures
- There are affiliate links above; we’ll get a couple of bucks if you take action after you click.
- Nothing above is financial advice. DYOR, you filthy animal.