Interest rates cuts.
A bidding war.
A taxidermied goose.
PS - 10 sleeps till Christmas! Time to panic shop!
Markets
PAST WEEK | YEAR-SO-FAR | |
|---|---|---|
Nasdaq | -2.0% | +20.3% |
S&P500 | -0.7% | +16.3% |
MSCI Emerging Markets | -1.0% | +29.9% |
Bitcoin* | -2.4% | -4.2% |
Ethereum* | -0.2% | -5.6% |
Stock of the week: | +65.3% | +700.5% |
Crypto of the week: | +13.4% | +2.4% |
*Source: CoinGecko.com As of 6:50AM December 15, 2025
World news
Top news stories of the past week
1) The Interest Rate Grinch: In its final meeting of 2025, the Federal Reserve lowered its benchmark interest rate by a quarter percentage point to a range of 3.75%-4.00%, marking the third consecutive cut since September. While the decision was aimed at supporting a cooling labor market, officials were concerned about persistent inflation. Fed Chair Jerome Powell signalled a "proceed with caution" approach for 2026, indicating that future cuts are not guaranteed. A classic “will they, won’t they” cliff-hanger.
I’m dreaming of a white...2% inflation target.
2) Federal Override: President Trump signed an executive order asserting federal authority over artificial intelligence, effectively blocking a "patchwork" of state-level regulations like California’s safety mandates. The administration argues that a unified national standard is essential to prevent local red tape from stifling American innovation and global competitiveness. While the tech industry largely supports the move (unsurprisingly), critics and state officials view it as a federal overreach. If anyone can name one time Trump has overreached, I’ll eat this.
Plz explain why Trump always looks like a Grade 2 teacher reading a story to their class.
3) Harry Potter and the Hostile Takeover: Hollywood is in a state of "catastrophe" as the historic Warner Bros. studio faces a chaotic bidding war between Netflix and a hostile takeover attempt by Paramount Skydance. Creative workers are mourning the potential end of an icon responsible for Casablanca and Harry Potter, fearing massive job losses and a further reduction in industry buyers. The battle has also become highly political: many in Tinsel Town are weighing the "lesser of two evils" between a tech giant (Netflix) and a Paramount bid backed by pro-Trump billionaires and Middle Eastern sovereign wealth funds, all while President Trump calls for the mandatory sale of CNN. When does Voldemort put in his bid?
The Sorting Hat is having a tough day trying to decide between Silicon Valley and the Political Billionaires :(
Top WEIRD stories of the past week
1) An 86-year-old French man was fined over €300 for littering after he involuntarily spat out a leaf that blew into his mouth - though the fine was later reduced on appeal. Thank God the police are so focused on saving the country from these truly dangerous people.
2) During its "Trade Anything Day" event on December 6, GameStop accepted over 80,000 items, including bizarre trade-ins like a taxidermied goose, a bobcat, and a physical Netflix disc for the Nintendo Wii. “Here's 2 cents for your bobcat” - probably Gamestop.
3) An attorney is suing the Aria Resort Casino in Las Vegas after allegedly waking up in handcuffs with $75,000 in gambling debt that he claims was incurred while he was incapacitated and signed for with signatures that do not match his own. Is this the next Hangover movie plot?
Chart
You like charts? Graphs? Ya you do
You know the part in that Chernobyl (awesome show) where they take the measurements of radioactivity, thinking it’s not that bad, and then they go back and use better measuring equipment to find out the real numbers are way worse? That’s basically the job market right now.
Personal Finance
Financial Booster
CHRISTMAS TIIIIIME is HEREEEE. HAPPINESSSS AND CHEERRRRR.
Charlie Brown? Anyone? I was never more bored as a child than watching that.
You know something Charlie Brown (as a cartoon child) didn’t have to worry about? Blowing his budget at Christmas.
Unfortunately (?) we’re not cartoon children, so here are some tips to stay on track through the holidays.
Set a realistic budget: Plan your holiday spending in advance and allocate specific amounts for gifts, decorations, food, and entertainment to avoid overspending. Use something like a custom category on Fulfilled for this.
Use cash or debit cards: Pay with cash or debit instead of credit cards to better control your spending and avoid accumulating holiday debt. Or just set a temporary limit on your credit card, so you can still get the point.
Shop early and compare prices: Start shopping early to take advantage of sales and discounts, and compare prices online to get the best deals. Try Google Shopping for price comparisons.
Prioritize meaningful gifts: Focus on giving thoughtful and meaningful gifts rather than expensive ones, and consider homemade or experiential gifts to save money. “My presence is your present” - people love that one.
Track your expenses: Keep a close record of all holiday-related spending to stay within your budget and assess where you can cut back if needed. Use Fulfilled for this!
Charlie Brown after giving his family poems and IOUs for Christmas.
Music
Banger of the week
Most important thing
Meme? Nah. Art.
