Oct 11, 2025

Today, I learned about Jeff Bezos’ views on AI as an “industrial bubble” and the potential risks investors may not fully grasp. There are discussions on Trump’s trade war policies impacting the US economy and the concept of going broke from investing in assets stresses the importance of financial literacy. In another email, a new book by ex-officials explores nonalignment in Southeast Asia amid great power competition, emphasizing its benefits and policy pathways to watch.

I also came across a guest post by IMF veteran Christopher Marsh on linking balance of payments, domestic financial systems, and fiscal accounts for sustainability analysis. Marsh underscores the need to consider fiscal policy in both debt sustainability and balance of payments contexts for a thorough assessment of a country’s financial health. Additionally, comparisons have been made between current market conditions and the late 1999 melt-up, prompting caution amidst potential market volatility.

Shares of Levi & Co. are dropping as they approach the holiday season, reflecting concerns about the US economy’s sensitivity to downturns. MarketWatch’s active tickers include Nvidia, Tesla, and Amazon.com, among others, while the discovery of a ‘Sword dragon’ fossil and various interesting news stories have captured public attention. The University of Phoenix saw a 19% increase in shares post-public listing, despite risks from recent federal funding changes for student financial aid programs.

Moreover, significant venture capital deals were closed by companies like Reflection AI and Stoke Space Technologies, with private equity acquisitions involving Dominion Voting Systems and Carousel Capital. The shift towards growth in private markets, focusing on energy, infrastructure, and AI projects, is requiring long-duration capital. The financial landscape remains dynamic with investments, acquisitions, and regulatory developments shaping the industry’s future trajectory.

Stay Well!