Hundreds of investing and finance newsletters hit my (and maybe your) inbox every week. This is the best of the best.
NOTE: This is the last week Finance Wrapped will be sent from Alts.co. Starting next week, an Alts community member will be taking over the sending. More to come soon.
This week:
- Investors start to call bull
- Crypto confused by reserve coins
- Waymo and Uber Drive AI in TX
- BlackRock buys bulk of Panama Canal
- Big Pharma somehow looks safe
- Forecast for June: Rate cuts?
- 3 stocks to consider
Table of Contents
Bullish Sentiment Stampede Slows
America’s optimism is showing strain under mounting economic pressures, with bullish sentiment among investors slowing to 53.7% in the latest survey.
Concerns over tariffs, inflation, and federal spending cuts have caused consumer confidence to plummet to a 2021 low.
Crypto Reserve Idea Sparks Market Volatility
President Trump’s proposal for a US crypto reserve sent digital asset markets into a frenzy, with Bitcoin briefly soaring 10% to $94,000.
The plan, aiming to establish the US as the “Crypto Capital of the World,” includes Bitcoin, Ethereum, and others in a government-held reserve. The excitement was short-lived as prices corrected, and the feasibility of the plan now faces legislative and security hurdles.
Waymo and Uber Take Robotaxis to Texas
Waymo and Uber are bringing their autonomous ride-hailing services to Texas. Waymo, an Alphabet subsidiary, has launched its robotaxi service in downtown Austin, while Uber is rolling out driverless rides in Dallas.
Both companies aim to capitalize on Texas’ business-friendly regulations and expanding tech scene.
BlackRock Group Makes Panama Canal Deal
CK Hutchison has agreed to sell a majority stake in its $22.8 billion ports unit, giving a BlackRock-led consortium 90% control of the Panama Ports Company.
The deal, described by JPMorgan as a “surprise” and “opportunistic,” has become politically charged despite CK Hutchison’s insistence that it’s purely commercial.
Big Pharma Emerges as Market Safe Haven
As the artificial intelligence rally cools off, Big Pharma is stepping in to take its place as a haven for investors navigating economic uncertainty.
After two years in the shadows, health stocks are back, with companies like Gilead seeing their stock climb 21% in 2025 despite previous struggles.
Markets Eye June Rate Cut
Investor hopes for rate cuts by June are blossoming as the stock market erases post-election gains. Probabilities of a June rate cut have jumped from 34% to 85% since mid-February.
Analysts suggest tariffs could further hasten rate cuts, despite persistent inflation concerns.
Stock ideas
Here are three of my favorites from this past week.
Analysis provided by public.com.
Remember to always DYOR.
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:
Your one-stop shop for all things crypto.
Dedicated coverage for the must-know stories, with emphasis on the private market.
An easy, fast, and simple-to-read breakdown of complex financial topics for the financially curious investor.
Darling Ingredients Inc. (DAR)
Bullish Case
- Diversified Business Model: Darling’s three segments – Feed, Food, and Fuel – provide multiple revenue streams and help mitigate risks.
- Vertical Integration Advantages: Competitive ability to internally source feedstock for its renewable diesel joint venture, Diamond Green Diesel (DGD).
- Sustainability Tailwinds: Darling’s rendering and waste-to-energy operations align with global sustainability trends, positioning it to benefit from increasing ESG investment and stricter environmental regulations.
Bearish Case
- Commodity Price Volatility: Fluctuations in prices of fats, used cooking oil, and other commodities can impact Darling’s margins.
- Regulatory Risks in Biofuels: Any unexpected changes to biofuel mandates or credits could affect the profitability of the DGD joint venture.
Legend Biotech Corporation (LEGN)
Bullish Case
- Promising CAR-T Cancer Treatment: Legend’s lead CAR-T drug candidate shows strong potential, developed in partnership with Johnson & Johnson.
- Robust Biotech Partnership: The strategic collaboration with Johnson & Johnson provides validation, resources, and global commercialization capabilities.
- Expansion Potential: Legend’s pipeline includes earlier-stage cell therapy candidates targeting solid tumors.
Bearish Case
- Competitive Landscape: Concerns about the potential impact of competing treatments on Legend’s future sales growth.
- Single Product Risk: Legend’s valuation heavily depends on the success of its lead CAR-T therapy, leaving it vulnerable to any development or regulatory setbacks.
TopBuild Corp. (BLD)
Bullish Case
- Acquisition-Driven Growth: TopBuild’s proven track record of acquiring and integrating complementary businesses positions it well for continued market gains.
- Margin Expansion Potential: Implementing strong operational improvements and cost synergies across acquired businesses.
- Strong Financials: TopBuild’s robust free cash flow generation and low debt levels provide ample flexibility for further M&A and share repurchases.
Bearish Case
- Cyclical Housing Market Exposure: A prolonged downturn in housing starts and construction activity could weigh on TopBuild’s growth.
- Rising Input Costs: Inflationary pressures on raw materials and labor could compress margins if TopBuild is unable to fully pass on higher costs to customers.
That’s it for this week.
If you write amazing content and want to be featured, please send it through for consideration.
Cheers,
Wyatt
Disclosures
- This issue is sponsored by Commonwealth
- There are affiliate links above; we’ll get a couple of bucks if you take action after you click.
- Nothing above is financial advice
