Finance Knuggets

Jan 24, 2025

I recently read about a potential “monster” melt-up for stocks, according to a strategist from Nomura. The S&P 500 came close to a new all-time high, and there’s been a shift from downside risk hedging to more bullish call options on stocks. Volatility-controlled funds are expected to buy $40 billion of S&P 500 futures, which could put more upward pressure on stocks. However, there’s a warning that the enthusiasm could lead to wobbly markets and stand in the way of more gains.

In another news, a full-body scan startup co-founded by Spotify’s Daniel Ek has raised $260 million in Series B funding, valuing it at $1.8 billion. The company offers full-body scans that use a mix of thermal cameras, 3D cameras, ECG, lasers, and finger sensors to detect conditions like heart disease, skin cancer, or Type 2 diabetes. The company, Neko Health, has some 10,000 customers and is awaiting approval from the FDA to launch in the U.S.

Additionally, there have been several significant fundraising and investment deals in the venture capital space, including investments in data intelligence companies, AI developer tools, fundraising platforms for nonprofits, clinical trials research services companies, and plant-alternative meat makers. There have also been private equity deals, public offerings, SPAC activity, and M&A; news, including acquisitions, increases in construction spending on data centers, and significant investments in AI infrastructure.

MicroStrategy Inc. is making headlines as a proof of concept for a unique investment strategy involving Bitcoin. The company’s concept involves buying Bitcoin and then slicing the investment into shares and selling them for a higher value. This strategy has attracted attention due to its potential for generating free money, creating what some are calling a “perpetual motion machine.” The company’s CEO, Michael Saylor, has been a vocal advocate for the strategy, and the company has been successful in marketing its approach.

Bally’s Corp., a publicly traded casino company, has also been in the news for its efforts to meet a requirement from Illinois gaming regulators and the city of Chicago to ensure that its new casino project is 25% owned by women and minorities. To achieve this, Bally’s is establishing a separate company, Bally’s Chicago Inc., which will be 75% owned by the company and 25% owned by women and minorities. Bally’s Chicago will then conduct a public stock offering to find these shareholders, an unconventional approach that has garnered attention.

Stay Well!

summy
summy