Mar 01, 2025

I recently learned about discussions among money managers regarding investing $100,000 in the current market landscape. Some advisors are considering less volatile sectors like international markets, small- and mid-cap stocks, Treasuries, and private credit due to concerns about high valuations for AI and mega-cap tech stocks. Interestingly, experts also suggested using $100,000 for something fun, such as a family trip to Egypt, a home on the Athens Riviera, buying recreational land, or acquiring cheeky sculptures.

In a podcast, there was a focus on Civil War Futures and Geoeconomics in Myanmar in 2025. The conversation delved into future scenarios in Southeast Asia, discussing election speculation, major power links, scam networks, and diplomacy. Ambassador Vicky Bowman provided insights on how sanctions, humanitarian assistance, and foreign links are shaping Myanmar’s economic and political landscape, emphasizing the importance of balanced considerations regarding China and Russia.

A report highlighted a shift in banking due diligence in Singapore, driven by pressure to address money laundering concerns. The increased scrutiny led to some entities moving operations to Thailand, where they perceived less oversight. The Bank of Thailand emphasized the need for better risk management by Thai financial institutions to prevent complicity in illegal activities. The report also noted a broader trend in Asian banking towards de-dollarization and alternative transaction methods.

There were several funding rounds in the financial sector, with companies like Ethos, Deepnight, Highstock, Avitia, and Breakout securing significant investments. In the private equity space, Amerit Fleet, Analytics8, Eurazeo, and Lubrication Engineers were involved in acquisitions. On the public offering front, Fifth Era Acquisition I, Live Oak Acquisition V, and NewHold Investment Corp III raised substantial amounts in their IPOs. M&A activities included MPLX acquiring the remaining stake in the BANGL natural gas pipeline and TKO Group completing acquisitions of IMG, On Location, and Professional Bull Riders. Additionally, there were personnel changes in various financial firms.

Stay Well!