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Today's Signal

October 25, 2026 · synthesized across 45 sources

Dominant Themes

  • AI infrastructure strain and sustainability risks: Multiple sources highlight the physical and environmental costs of scaling AI, including energy, water, and supply chain constraints, with calls to scrutinize data center REITs (EQIX, DLR) and semiconductor suppliers (NVDA, AMD) for exposure to these limits (see [10], [35], [45]).
  • Market concentration and technical fragility: A recurring concern is the narrow leadership in major indices, particularly the S&P 500, driven by mega-cap tech, while equal-weighted indices and small caps show weakness—accompanied by record-low cash levels and rising short ETF volume signaling complacency (see [9], [16], [33]).
  • Geopolitical and energy supply shocks: Escalating tensions in the Strait of Hormuz and U.S.-Iran hostilities are disrupting oil and fertilizer supply chains, with implications for crude prices, E&P stocks, and agricultural inputs (see [21], [37], [39], [41]).
  • Commercial real estate distress spilling into credit markets: Rising CRE delinquencies (11.3%) are flagged as a systemic risk, particularly for regional banks (ZION, MTB) and BBB-rated CRE debt, echoing prior warnings about office sector collapse (see [27], [30]).
  • Defensive positioning in tech and equities: Amid funding stress in AI, semiconductor underperformance, and overvaluation concerns (e.g., Apple at 28x EPS), several authors advocate rotating out of AI-infrastructure names (LRCX, AMAT), trimming big tech, and exploring deeply out-of-favor "Busted" stocks (>40% off highs) as relative hedges (see [10], [16], [43]).

Cross-Currents & Disagreements

  • Buffett’s “fear and greed” interpretation: One source ([3]) argues the quote is about humility and capital preservation, not market timing—urging discipline in euphoria—while prior coverage (e.g., [Value Investing World, May 18]) has often framed it as a contrarian buy signal during panic, creating a philosophical split on tactical vs. behavioral use of the maxim.
  • Leveraged ETFs in retirement portfolios: [22] and [38] assert that 2x S&P 500 ETFs (e.g., SSO) can be optimal long-term holdings due to compounding and low swap costs, contradicting widespread warnings about volatility decay—though no direct counter-argument appears in today’s set, this remains a sharp divergence from consensus risk management.

Non-Consensus / Contrarian Flag

  • Indonesia as a crisis buy: While most focus on tech or energy, [7] makes a bold, isolated call to buy Indonesia (EIDO) amid political MSCI downgrade fears, arguing fundamentals (5% GDP growth, stable earnings) are intact and the sell-off overdone—positioning it as a classic “crisis investing” opportunity ignored by broader sentiment.

Continuity with Prior Coverage

  • TODAY "Links 10/25/2026" on CRE delinquencies (11.3%) directly follows PRIOR (nakedcapitalism.com, Oct 6) on office CMBS delinquency spiking to 12.2%, confirming accelerating distress (see [27]).
  • TODAY "The internet breaks" on AI-driven cyberattacks escalates PRIOR (Don't Worry About the Vase, Oct 22–23) on "The Hackening," shifting from vulnerability discovery to systemic infrastructure threat (see [32]).
  • TODAY "AI and the Red Lines of a Planet under Stress" deepens PRIOR (Off the Charts, Oct 7) on AI’s power constraints, adding water and land strain to energy concerns, with actionable focus on green data centers and edge AI (see [35]).
  • TODAY "Will Iran Will Be Trump’s Vietnam?" extends PRIOR (nakedcapitalism.com, Sept 26–Oct 8) on Gulf instability, now framing conflict as a potential quagmire with direct oil and defense stock implications (see [37]).
  • TODAY "Update: Link REIT (823 HK)" aligns with PRIOR (Intelligent Speculations, Sept 29) on Hong Kong property recovery plays, but adds a new catalyst: Southbound Connect inclusion, potentially unlocking mainland capital (see [2]).

AI

🧠 Community Wisdom: Negotiating a lowball offer, designers earning a seat in product decisions, resources for building an MCP server, and more

Lenny's Newsletter · Oct 24

The post highlights community insights on negotiating job offers, emphasizing strategies to counter lowball salaries by leveraging competing offers and clear value articulation. It also notes a trend of designers gaining influence in product decisions, suggesting growing operational recognition of design’s strategic role—relevant for evaluating product-led tech companies. No specific ticker or data point is mentioned.

Asia

Update: Link REIT (823 HK)

Asian Century Stocks · Oct 25

Link REIT (823 HK), Asia’s largest REIT, faces renewed interest as Hong Kong’s SFC targets inclusion of REITs in Southbound Connect, potentially opening the stock to mainland Chinese investors. Despite past challenges—including dilutive capital raises, weak retail demand, and high debt—the REIT’s core portfolio of irreplaceable neighborhood malls and car parks in Hong Kong offers resilient cash flows, with management now shifting focus back to asset recycling and deleveraging. The pending Connect access could re-rate the stock, currently trading at a low valuation (0.55x book), providing a potential catalyst for foreign ownership and valuation upside.

Global Equities

Buffett’s Fear and Greed Line Was Never About Buying the Dip...

Schwar Capital · Oct 25

Buffett’s “be fearful when others are greedy” quote is often misinterpreted as a call to time the market by buying dips; in reality, the 1986 letter shows it was a statement of humility—acknowledging fear and greed are uncontrollable epidemics, not a tactical signal. Being “fearful” meant standing pat, not speculating: Berkshire held core long-term holdings (Capital Cities/ABC, GEICO, Washington Post) and allocated new capital to mediocre tax-exempt bonds, not equities. Actionable view: when markets are euphoric, default to discipline—preserve capital, avoid overpriced stocks, and accept modest returns rather than force trades.

The Common Denominator: Revenue-Adjusting the Cash Conversion Cycle

8th Wonder Capital · Oct 24

The post introduces revenue-adjusted Cash Conversion Cycle (RA-CCC and RA-CCC*) metrics that use revenue—not COGS—as the common denominator for DSO, DIO, and DPO, correcting distortions in high-gross-margin businesses where traditional CCC overstates efficiency. The key insight is that COGS-based denominators inflate favorable CCC readings in high-margin firms despite unchanged working capital intensity, with RA-CCC = DSO + (1 − gross margin) × (DIO − DPO) offering a truer measure of working capital pressure in days of revenue. Actionable takeaway: use RA-CCC alongside traditional CCC to uncover hidden working capital demands, especially in high-margin sectors like software.

Weekly Inspiration

Latticework · Oct 24

No actionable investment thesis or market view is presented in the post; it is a curated list of external articles on topics ranging from AI to fraud detection, with no original analysis or specific ticker recommendations. The primary purpose is event promotion (Latticework 2026) and content aggregation, not investment insight.

New Series: We Review Your Holdings

The Hermit · Oct 24

The Hermit launches a new series offering anonymized, educational portfolio reviews focused on improving investors' decision-making frameworks, not providing direct advice. The analysis will scrutinize asset allocation, security selection, and behavioral biases using real subscriber portfolios, with the goal of stress-testing strategies and enhancing long-term discipline. No actionable ticker or trade is given; the core market view is that better process—not more data—drives superior outcomes.

Latin America

Time To Buy Indonesia

Ian's Insider Corner · Oct 24

Indonesia’s market is severely oversold due to non-economic factors—primarily political friction with index provider MSCI over potential downgrades—not weak fundamentals, as GDP is forecast to grow 5% in 2026 and corporate profits remain stable. With the iShares MSCI Indonesia ETF (EIDO) trading below 9x earnings and AUM at $350 million (unlikely to be delisted), we see a classic “crisis investing” opportunity offering attractive risk/reward ahead of a likely macro rebound. Buy EIDO and consider selective U.S.-listed Indonesian equities for exposure.

Macro

It’s a Marathon and a Sprint

Reminiscences of a Shrub Operator · Oct 25

Trading requires both long-term holds ("Marathons") and quick exits ("Sprints"), with success often hinging on recognizing when to act decisively. The key actionable insight is to aggressively cut losing positions—timely exits are as critical as entry points. No specific ticker or data point is provided, but the emphasis is on adaptive trade management.

Weekly S&P500 ChartStorm - 25 October 2026

The Weekly ChartStorm · Oct 25

The S&P 500 equal-weight index is rebounding while the cap-weighted index remains weak, signaling concentration risk. A spike in short ETF volume amid near-record-low cash levels suggests excessive complacency and rising technical risks for global equities. Stay cautious on broad market exposure; monitor IWM/SPY ratio and short-interest flows for confirmation.

Overview #83 — Snowflakes and avalanches

Intelligent Speculations · Oct 25

The market is undergoing a sentiment shift as concerns mount over AI capex funding, not just end demand, sparking volatility despite flat headline indices. Meta’s need for “hundreds of billions” in capital, collapsing AI debt issuance ($113B in June to $23B in September), and Elice’s disastrous Korean IPO highlight a tightening financing window, while hedge funds face broad deleveraging. Actionable view: rotate out of AI-infrastructure-dependent names (e.g., LRCX, AMAT) and consider short exposure on continued funding stress; monitor Anthropic’s IPO as a potential catalyst for further de-risking.

THIS IS NOT WHAT CAPITULATION LOOKS LIKE

The MacroTourist · Oct 25

The post argues that current market weakness—VIX at 19, HY OAS at 338 bps—does not reflect true capitulation, suggesting further downside risk as sentiment remains overly complacent. The author implies equities may see more selling pressure before reaching a bottom, with no immediate signal to buy. Actionable view: remain cautious; credit spreads and volatility are early warnings, not yet panic.

1035 Capital: Market Dashboard Weekly Update

1035 Capital Management · Oct 24

The post is a promotional newsletter teaser from 1035 Capital Management highlighting its paid subscription services, including expanded market data, small cap stock analysis, and proprietary reports. The core actionable view is to subscribe for access to 240+ charts, small cap sector insights, and stock ideas like BullFrog AI (BFRG), though no concrete investment thesis or trade signal is provided in this excerpt.

Phase Shift

Capital Wars · Oct 24

The post argues that while global liquidity is declining—typically negative for risk assets—technology stocks have defied the cycle via P/E expansion and strong AI-driven earnings, propping up major indices like the S&P500 and NASDAQ. The key market question is whether continued tech earnings growth can offset waning liquidity support. Monitor NASDAQ (ticker: ^IXIC) and tech earnings (especially AI-related) as critical leading indicators.

North America

100% upside in the fertilizer nobody can make right now

Guardian Research · Oct 25

Global phosphate producers have curtailed output due to disrupted sulfur supply from the Middle East via the Strait of Hormuz, making fertilizer production uneconomoronical—while farmers’ multi-season underapplication has depleted soil phosphate, setting up a supply-demand imbalance. The highlighted company is fundamentally undervalued, with two divisions each arguably worth the company’s entire market cap, presenting a base case for ~100% upside; key catalysts include sulfur cost normalization and agricultural restocking. (Ticker and full analysis: paywalled; Discord offers real-time trade alerts and deep dives.)

Preview of the Week Ahead: W/C October 26, 2026

Six Sigma Capital · Oct 25

The S&P 500 and Nasdaq closed below key moving averages, with near-term support at the 200-day SMA ($7,291 and $24,992, respectively); a breakout hinges on reclaiming these levels. Key catalysts this week include the FOMC meeting and Q3 GDP, while earnings in focus include META, GOOGL, and MSFT—particularly MSFT as a relative strength hold above its 50-day SMA. Maintain long positions in EWZ and BTC, with BTC watching $80K support and EWZ eyeing a move toward $44.

Foundations: The Fate of the S&P 500’s Worst Stocks, the Y2K Analogue, and Time for Small Caps?

Cassandra Unchained · Oct 24

The post argues that S&P 500 stocks down more than 40% from their highs ("Busted" stocks) have historically outperformed both market leaders and moderately declined stocks during bear markets, suggesting they may serve as resilient holdings in a downturn. Drawing a parallel to Y2K-era market dynamics, the author implies current Busted stocks could be poised for relative strength, with small caps and deeply out-of-favor names offering a potential tactical opportunity. Key actionable view: overweight Busted stocks (>40% off highs) as a defensive-yet-opportunistic play ahead of potential market weakness.

Pre-Gaming Planet MicroCap Toronto 2026: 10 High Quality Companies

Common Sense Investing · Oct 24

The core thesis highlights 10 high-quality microcap companies presenting at Planet MicroCap Toronto 2026, emphasizing proven business models, strong management, and long-term value creation. Key names include BioSyent (TSXV: RX) for its cash-generative healthcare model, Auxly (TSX: XLY) as a rare profitable cannabis operator, and BQE Water (TSXV: BQE) for its recurring-revenue environmental services, though liquidity and entry points remain concerns. Notably, VersaBank (TSX: VBNK) and Caldwell Partners have withdrawn; the author owns six of the ten but stresses this is a research list, not a buy recommendation.

Taking a Break

Security Analysis · Oct 24

The author is pausing their stock research Substack and paid subscriptions indefinitely due to time constraints, though they plan to return eventually. Over 230 company analyses were published since 2022, inspired by Buffett’s “start with the A’s” approach to deep-dive research, but no immediate investment thesis or ticker is promoted in this update. Subscribers will retain access to paid content and billing is frozen; the author will continue writing less intensive personal finance pieces on Nonmaterial.

Podcast Appearance On Investing Like The Books

Eagle Point Capital · Oct 24

No actionable investment thesis, market view, or ticker was presented in the post. The content promotes a podcast appearance and Eagle Point Capital’s services, with no substantive investment analysis or data.

Sector - Energy

Monthly AMA

Trader Ferg · Oct 25

No substantive market thesis or actionable data provided in this post. Trader Ferg is soliciting questions for an upcoming AMA, to be closed on the 29th. No ticker or investment view conveyed.

This Week in Oil

Bison Insights · Oct 24

Oil prices rose 4.3% this week amid declining U.S. inventories—especially in gasoline, diesel, and the SPR—tightening supply and raising fair value estimates toward $150/bbl. Despite the rally, oil producer stocks remain cheap, with Bison Insights’ picks outperforming; rising geopolitical risks in the Strait of Hormuz add upside risk to crude, favoring long exposure to well-positioned E&P names.

Sector - Learning & Education

Recent Academic Research

Alpha in Academia · Oct 24

Leveraged ETFs like a 2x S&P 500 fund may be optimal for long-term retirement portfolios despite volatility drag, as models show they outperform due to compounding and low swap costs (~1.3% over Fed funds), with holdings recommended even into retirement (ticker: SSO). Conversely, avoid thematic ETFs with large inflows into illiquid stocks—these "self-inflated" funds show artificially boosted returns that reverse over three years, with affected holdings declining ~30%. Active bond funds add value by buying downgraded bonds ahead of recovery, outperforming skipped downgrades by ~0.84% annually, suggesting active management in credit downgrades justifies fees.

The Installed Base Economy of Water Infrastructure

The Financial Pen · Oct 24

The post argues that the real investment value in water infrastructure lies not in owning the assets themselves, but in companies with durable, recurring revenue streams from servicing installed base equipment—exemplified by firms like Badger Meter, which locks in customers through integrated hardware, software, and data services. It highlights that customer discretion (driven by specification, urgency, and cost immateriality) determines supplier pricing power, favoring players with multiple, hard-to-replace claims on operations; Ecolab and Xylem are cited as archetypes benefiting from consumption and wear-driven revenue models. Key takeaway: focus on suppliers with structurally entrenched positions and multiple high-switching-cost revenue streams, not just asset ownership.

Sector - Tech & Media

The Accidental Metal Empire

Core Memory · Oct 24

Jim Belosic, raised in a DIY culture while helping build his family’s Nevada home, leveraged his hands-on upbringing to found SendCutSend in 2018—a U.S.-based manufacturer offering fast, affordable custom metal parts, now serving over 300,000 customers who previously relied on China. The company has become a quiet but critical player in America’s manufacturing renaissance by combining automation with lean operations, enabling rapid prototyping and production for industries from automotive to defense. No ticker; key data point: >300k customers, signaling strong demand for domestic precision manufacturing.

Blueprint: How to Research a Company

Quality Investing with Rene Sellmann · Oct 24

The core argument is that durable investing skill lies in rigorous, primary-source research—specifically reading and analyzing 10-Ks, 10-Qs, and proxy statements—rather than relying on summaries or opinions, as true edge comes from informational depth and critical judgment, not speed or speculation. The author emphasizes a three-part framework: (1) prioritize core filings over secondary sources ("information onion"), (2) triage reading to key sections (Items 1, 1A, 7, and 8), and (3) scrutinize proxy statements to assess management quality and incentives, particularly favoring founder-owners and long-term aligned executives. While no specific ticker is recommended, the piece underscores that disciplined, source-grounded analysis—potentially augmented by AI tools like NotebookLM but always verified—is what prepares investors to act decisively when market inefficiencies arise.

Sector - Trading & Technical

Weekend Market Update: Is the Tech Wreck Over?

The Data-Driven Investor · Oct 24

The author’s bearish call on semiconductors and broader market rebound timing played out as predicted, with proprietary signals now flashing mixed but actionable divergences: bullish on QQQ (+0.65%) and TSLA (+2.23%), bearish on NVDA (-1.57%) and MU (-2.20%), while SPY and IWM show modest upside. Key price levels and macro risks around rates, oil, and seasonality suggest caution despite short-term bounce potential. Focus on semiconductor underperformance and relative strength in mega-cap tech for near-term positioning.

Uncategorized

Links 10/25/2026

nakedcapitalism.com · Oct 25

The post argues that rising commercial real estate (CRE) delinquencies—now at 11.3% of outstanding loans—are poised to trigger secondary shocks in regional banks and debt-laden REITs, with particular risk in office and mall properties. Actionable view: short BBB-rated CRE debt and consider underweighting regional banks with >15% CRE exposure, such as ZION and MTB.

The Sunday Morning Movie Presents: Libera, Amore Mio (1975) Run Time: 1H 48M Plus Bonuses!

nakedcapitalism.com · Oct 25

The post uses the 1975 film *Libera, Amore Mio* as a lens to explore radical politics and authentic living, drawing implicit parallels to current societal discontents. No actionable market view, ticker, or data point is provided.

The Price Tags of War

nakedcapitalism.com · Oct 25

Reinsurance costs are surging due to climate risks and geopolitical instability, pushing up consumer prices as primary insurers pass through higher premiums. This structural cost pressure is underappreciated by markets; reinsurance players like MTB and RNR may benefit, while consumer discretionary margins could face further squeeze. Monitor Q2 insurance earnings for loss ratio and reinsurance ceding trends.

The Podcasting Paradox

behindthebalancesheet.substack.com · Oct 25

The podcasting industry generates substantial ad revenue—top shows like Acquired may earn $1.5M per sponsorship slot and Goalhanger reported $50M revenue and $13M EBIT in 2025—but profitability masks structural risks, including opaque metrics, talent concentration, and weak cash flow conversion. Despite high margins, economics are fragile due to talent dependency (e.g., hosts taking ~1/3 of revenue) and shifting listener preferences toward video, threatening traditional audio-ad models. Actionable insight: monetization via memberships and live events (e.g., Goalhanger’s 250k subscribers at ~£6/month) may prove more durable than advertising; long-term value hinges on IP ownership and diversification beyond sponsorships.

Marvin’s Best Weekly Reads Oct 25th, 2026

hardfork.substack.com · Oct 25

The post argues that the global economy is transitioning into a "Neo-Industrial Age" defined by the fusion of AI, robotics, and manufacturing—shifting from software-led disruption to intelligent physical systems—amid geopolitical fragmentation, defense spending surges, and supply chain rewiring. Key implications include long-term upside for defense, industrial tech, and commodities, with urgent calls to accelerate U.S. weapons production and adapt to drone-driven warfare. Actionable themes: overweight defense contractors (e.g., Lockheed Martin LMT, RTX), industrial automation (GE, AMET), and raw materials; monitor policy responses to munitions bottlenecks and AI-integrated manufacturing.

The internet breaks

noahpinion.substack.com · Oct 25

AI-powered hacking tools are rapidly exploiting long-standing vulnerabilities in foundational internet code (e.g., PHP), with attacks escalating to threaten critical infrastructure, prompting urgent warnings that the internet could become functionally unusable. Cybersecurity is now a race between AI-driven attackers—democratized by open-weight models—and defenders scrambling to patch systems, raising the risk of widespread outages. Actionable view: Increase exposure to firms enabling air-gapped networks (e.g., satellite comms like Astranis, though private) and cybersecurity hardening; reduce reliance on internet-dependent systems. Ticker: Consider $CRPT, $TENB, $RPD as proxies for cybersecurity urgency.

Weekly S&P500 ChartStorm - 25 October 2026

chartstorm.substack.com · Oct 25

The S&P 500 equal-weight index is rebounding while the cap-weighted index remains weak, signaling narrow market leadership. Rising volume in short ETFs and record-low cash allocations suggest complacency amid growing technical risks in global equities. Stay cautious on broad market exposure; monitor IWM for small-cap strength as a risk-on signal.

Introducing a New Way to Understand the Election: Times Voter Trends

nytimes.com · Oct 25

The NYT Voter Trends tool reveals shifting electoral dynamics by tracking voter behavior across demographics in real time, highlighting suburban women and young voters as pivotal swing groups. While no direct market implication is stated, increased political focus on these cohorts could amplify policy uncertainty ahead of the election, potentially affecting consumer discretionary (XLY) and tech (XLK) sectors sensitive to demographic-driven policy shifts.

AI and the Red Lines of a Planet under Stress

asiasentinel.com · Oct 25

The article highlights a critical but underappreciated "fourth dimension" of AI risk: the environmental and infrastructural strain caused by scaling AI infrastructure—energy, water, land, and supply chains—distinct from risks of misuse or loss of control. With global data-center electricity use potentially doubling to 950 TWh by 2030 (3% of global demand) and water consumption reaching 9.3 trillion liters annually by 2030, the physical footprint of AI poses tangible local and systemic stresses, particularly as demand concentrates in specific regions. Actionable view: Investors should scrutinize data center REITs (e.g., EQIX, DLR) and semiconductor suppliers (e.g., NVDA, AMD) for exposure to energy/water constraints and regulatory risk around sustainability; consider long-term upside in green data center tech and edge AI solutions that reduce centralized compute dependency.

Is UMNO the bad kid on the block?

murrayhunter.substack.com · Oct 25

UMNO, under Zahid Hamidi, is acting as a destabilizing force in Malaysian politics, prioritizing self-interest and elite impunity—exemplified by Najib Razak’s house arrest and unilateral candidate selections in Melaka that sidelined MCA—undermining coalition credibility and institutional integrity. This behavior weakens the Madani government and signals systemic rot, with implications for political stability and investor confidence in Malaysia’s governance framework. No direct ticker, but ongoing political fragility supports cautious positioning in Malaysian risk assets.

Will Iran Will Be Trump’s Vietnam?

murrayhunter.substack.com · Oct 25

The post draws parallels between ongoing U.S.-Iran hostilities and the Vietnam War, framing the conflict as a potential quagmire with no clear exit, eroding presidential legacy and regional stability. While critics cite attrition, strained Gulf alliances, and political fallout—especially ahead of the 2026 midterms—supporters argue the campaign has degraded Iran’s military and nuclear capabilities, aiming for negotiated constraints without ground occupation. Market implication: prolonged conflict risks elevated oil prices (watch $USOIL, $OIL) and Gulf energy infrastructure exposure (e.g., $ARMCO, $ADNOC-linked assets), with escalating tensions posing upside risk to defense stocks ($LMT, $RTX) and downside risk to regional equities.

Recent Academic Research

Alpha in Academia · Oct 24

Leveraged ETFs may be suitable for long-term retirement portfolios despite warnings about decay, as volatility drag is less impactful than rebalancing losses and swap costs (~130 bps over Fed funds); a 2x S&P 500 ETF is optimal in models for young investors and remains a core holding into retirement, assuming no panic selling. Additionally, actively managed bond funds profit from downgraded bonds, earning ~84 bps outperformance annually by acting as informed buyers, suggesting active bond funds may justify fees in rating-driven sell-offs.

Before You Trust a Strategy

macroops.substack.com · Oct 24

The post argues that trusting a strategy ultimately hinges on trusting oneself to endure and adapt through inevitable setbacks. Actionable market views include long positions in Brent crude (BZ1!) and heating oil, with Brent breaking out of a 7-month head-and-shoulders pattern, WTI crude (CLZ2026) nearing its 2x target at 114.87, and feeder cattle (GFF2027) at 70% of their 1x target (353.45); equities in integrated oil companies are also highlighted as a proxy for energy strength.

Most Investors Learn These Lessons Too Late

yhamiltonblog.substack.com · Oct 24

The core lesson from Boris Sheikman’s experience is that long-term investing in high-quality companies—despite short-term volatility—generates outsized returns, as seen in his hindsight view of Amazon and the missed opportunities during the Dot-Com bust and GFC. His actionable framework emphasizes concentrated holdings in durable businesses (e.g., Google, Apple, Microsoft, Amazon, Ameriprise Financial), guided by Buffett-style discipline, risk management, and continuous learning via reading, listening, and journaling. Key takeaway: Stick to quality, avoid speculation (like SPACs), and leverage community and mentorship to refine decision-making.

EP233: Long Takes From The Road: Thoughts on "Peak China"

arjunmurti.substack.com · Oct 24

The post argues that China’s energy demand may plateau due to a shrinking trade surplus and industrial diversification, potentially capping its oil and coal demand—though this doesn’t signal peak global oil demand given vast unmet energy needs elsewhere. A key market implication is that China’s import volatility will cap oil prices, buying below $50/bbl and reducing purchases above $90/bbl. The broader view is that global energy focus will shift from China to the rest of the developing world in the 2030s.

“You just need to pretend to be an important person”

read.substack.com · Oct 24

No actionable market view, ticker, or data point is present in the post. The core narrative revolves around three anecdotal stories—the treasure hunt for Kit Williams’ golden hare, a personal health journey involving recurrent breast cancer scares, and reflections on Foursquare’s $0 equity outcome for shareholders—with themes of obsession, uncertainty, and emotional toll. The only implied takeaway is a cautionary note on founder resilience and managing emotional expectations in high-risk ventures.

Apple Is Losing Its Luster

quoththeraven.substack.com · Oct 24

Apple's fundamental challenges—slowing iPhone upgrade cycles, declining services growth, and rising competition in wearables and services—are eroding its growth engine despite its strong ecosystem and brand loyalty. The post argues that Apple’s valuation (trading at ~28x EPS) is unjustifiably high relative to its near-term growth prospects, especially as services revenue decelerates from 22% YoY growth in 2022 to an estimated 8% in 2024. Consider trimming Apple (AAPL) exposure and reallocating toward higher-growth tech with better risk-reward.

Flash Bolloré (EPA:BOL), Havas (AMS:HAVAS), Vivendi (EPA:VIV) : no news, little news, some news

frenchhiddenchampions.substack.com · Oct 24

Bolloré, Havas, and Vivendi released Q3 results with limited new insights, though Bolloré’s stable performance and asset spin-off dynamics suggest underlying value in the corporate structure. No immediate catalysts, but the continued separation of Bolloré’s media assets (Havas, Vivendi) may unlock value over time; monitor BOL (EPA:BOL) for potential corporate actions.

macro

Want Less Off-Grid Data Centers? Comment on NPRR1348 (Now!) to Enable a Better Outcome

Teach What I Know - Energy & Policy Learning w/ Arushi · Oct 24

ERCOT’s proposed NPRR1348 establishes a "bridge-to-grid" framework enabling data centers to use grid-connected batteries or generation to mitigate curtailment risk, creating a bankable path for developers to avoid off-grid gas builds. By allowing private risk management via front-of-meter netting while keeping assets visible to the grid, the rule aligns climate and reliability goals, with Aurora Energy Research modeling showing 4-hour batteries significantly reduce curtailment exposure. Action: Support NPRR1348 by filing comments at [email protected]—this shapes a market for grid-anchored storage and gas, redirecting hyperscaler spend toward systemically beneficial infrastructure.

More daily briefs: 2026-10-24 · 2026-10-23 · 2026-10-22 · 2026-10-21 · 2026-10-20 · 2026-10-19 · 2026-10-18 · 2026-10-17 · 2026-10-16 · 2026-10-15 · 2026-10-14 · 2026-10-13 · 2026-10-12 · 2026-10-11
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