Hundreds of investing and finance newsletters hit my (and maybe your) inbox every week. This is the best of the best.
This week, we bring you
- Sweetgreen’s Salad-Making Robots
- The World’s Largest Autonomous Trucking Network
- Reebok’s AI-Powered Sneakers
- Wall Street Bets Big on Psychedelics
- AlphaFold 3 Unlocks Life’s Molecular Secrets
- Turning Mining Waste into Battery Production
- 3 Stocks To Consider
Thanks for reading.
Wyatt
Table of Contents
Sweetgreen’s Salad-Making Robots
Sweetgreen’s stock surged by 240% over the past year thanks to its robot-powered kitchens. These automated “Infinite Kitchens” handle up to 70% of a salad’s assembly, boosting efficiency and profit margins.
Sweetgreen plans to install seven more automated kitchens and open 27 new stores in 2024. Despite a nationwide slowdown in fast-food traffic, Sweetgreen’s in-store traffic remained steady, positioning it well against competitors like CAVA and Chipotle as consumers seek healthier options.
Read more about Sweetgreen’s robot revolution
The World’s Largest Autonomous Trucking Network
Dubai is set to revolutionize logistics with a 1,200-kilometer autonomous trucking network connecting major UAE hubs.
Led by Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority and Evocargo, this project will deploy a fleet of 500 self-driving trucks operating 24/7, handling up to 5,000 trips per day.
The initiative aims to cut transportation costs by up to 45% and help Dubai achieve its goal of making 25% of all trips smart and driverless by 2030.
Reebok’s AI-Powered Sneakers
Reebok’s new “Futureverse” initiative introduces AI-powered sneakers and wearables.
These sneakers adapt to the wearer’s foot shape and gait, while wearables track biometric data for personalized fitness recommendations.
Reebok also plans to launch virtual storefronts in the metaverse, integrating AI and Web3 technologies to create immersive, engaging experiences for consumers.
Wall Street Bets Big on Psychedelics
Private equity and venture capital firms are investing millions into the psychedelic revolution, eyeing MDMA and psilocybin as game-changers for mental health treatment.
With the FDA preparing to approve these drugs for therapeutic use, investors see a unique opportunity to address the mental health crisis affecting over 150 million Americans.
Psychedelic drugs promise faster onset and offset times compared to current treatments, fueling investor enthusiasm.
Read more about Wall Street’s psychedelic bet.
AlphaFold 3 Unlocks Life’s Molecular Secrets
Google DeepMind and Isomorphic Labs have introduced AlphaFold 3, an AI model that predicts the structure and interactions of proteins, DNA, RNA, and other molecules with unprecedented accuracy.
AlphaFold 3 boasts a 50% improvement in predicting drug-like interactions, aiding pharmaceutical partners in designing new treatments.
Recognized with the Breakthrough Prize in Life Sciences, AlphaFold 3’s impact spans from crop development to immune response research.
Turning Mining Waste into Battery Production
The Department of Energy and Talon Metals are transforming mining waste into battery materials, extracting nickel, cobalt, and copper.
The Tamarack Nickel Project in Minnesota will pilot this initiative, backed by a $2.2 million DOE grant.
This approach aims to reduce environmental impact, cut reliance on imports, and support the growth of the electric vehicle industry.
Read more about this green initiative.
What I’m reading
I get a lot of mail asking where I find all this good stuff. Here are a few of my favorite newsletters, all of which are free to subscribe to:
Weekly strategies to build multi-generational wealth simply and safely.
Weekly newsletter covering strategy, startups, marketing, decision-making, and the mindset of founders.
The most important tech news and insights. Join 80,000+ early adopters staying ahead of the curve, for free.
Stock ideas
Here are three of my favorites from this past week.
Analysis provided by public.com.
Remember to always DYOR.
Caesars Entertainment ($CZR)
Bull Case:
- Strong EBITDAR Growth: CZR has grown EBITDAR by nearly $1 billion since 2020, reaching $4 billion in 2023.
- Valuable Owned Real Estate: Over 75% of CZR’s EBITDA comes from owned properties, with 40%+ from capacity-constrained Las Vegas.
- Growth Investments: CZR has invested heavily in new and existing projects expected to generate 15%+ returns.
Bear Case:
- Understated Earnings Potential: Despite strong EBITDAR growth, CZR’s $1 billion maintenance-free cash flow understates earnings potential.
- Digital Business Uncertainty: CZR’s digital business burned over $1 billion in 2021-2022 before turning marginally profitable.
Aviat Networks ($AVNW)
Bull Case:
- Successful Turnaround: Under new CEO leadership since 2020, Aviat has significantly improved its financial performance.
- Strong Demand Drivers: Aviat is well-positioned to benefit from 5G rollout and public safety network upgrades.
- Accretive Acquisition: The recent $65.5M acquisition adds $140M in revenue.
Bear Case:
- Undervalued Despite Improvements: AVNW stock trades at the same level as Feb 2021 despite operational and financial progress.
- Competitive Landscape: Aviat faces larger competitors who can bundle wireless backhaul with other equipment.
AGNC Investment ($AGNC)
Bull Case:
- Fed Backstop and Liquidity: The Fed provides unlimited purchases of agency mortgages and repo support, truncating downside risk.
- Attractive Valuation and Yield: AGNC trades at a 0.83x discount to tangible book value with a 12%+ dividend yield.
Bear Case:
- Leverage and Interest Rate Risks: As a mortgage REIT, AGNC’s significant leverage (7-10x) amplifies the impact of interest rate volatility.
- Mortgage Market Uncertainties: The mortgage market faces ongoing uncertainties related to prepayment speeds, credit spreads, and asset pricing.
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
- 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.
