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- Scarlett Johansson is in my DMs
Scarlett Johansson is in my DMs
I swear, this is not a drill. She's telling me she has an amazing business opportunity she needs my help on.
Are you extra sleepy today?
No wonder, Sunday was the bad half of Daylight Savings Time, when clocks “Spring Forward” by an hour.
Bad news? Car accidents increase by 6% the week after the change. The stock market usually drops in the week following. Heart attacks increase by 24%. Need I go on?
Good news? That means Spring is nearly upon us and the days will be brighter. Yay.
Key links from today:
Markets
PAST WEEK | YEAR-SO-FAR | |
|---|---|---|
Nasdaq | -4.0% | -5.6% |
S&P500 | -3.5% | -1.7% |
MSCI Emerging Markets | +1.9% | +6.4% |
Bitcoin* | -15.0% | -14.4% |
Ethereum* | -20.8% | -39.8% |
Stock of the week: | +27.8% | +23.8% |
Crypto of the week: | +7.4% | -17.7% |
*Source: CoinGecko.com As of 7:47PM March 9, 2025
World news
Top news stories of the past week
1) Trump truly loves tariffs: In fact he loves them so much that he’s saying he may increase them even before they start. Naturally, people are panicking, with some economists starting to predict a US recession. But Trump is seemingly unfazed, calling the current period “a transition”.
2) China is also falling in love with tariffs: In response to Canada imposing tariffs of their own on Chinese electric cars and steel/aluminum, China just announced tariffs on $2.6 billion worth of Canadian agricultural and food products. This is both a move against Canada and a warning from China to the U.S., that they’re not afraid to throw their weight around.
3) Scarlett Johansson is in my DMs: Well, at least a deepfake version of her telling me to buy Bitcoin is. Celebrity deepfakes have become increasingly popular, sometimes for harmless purposes, and sometimes for serious scams. Remember when that woman in France lost $850,000 to a Brad Pitt deepfake? Now celebrities are fighting back, demanding legislation to protect their likeness from being used in the AI-generated images/videos that are spreading.
Top WEIRD stories of the past week
1) “Do not murder each other” seems like an implicit rule for any sport, but for this version of soccer dating back to the 1600s, it is necessary.
2) A Flamin’ Hot Cheeto that kind of looks like Charizard just sold for $87,840 at auction. Better be delicious.
3) Scientists have been trying to bring back the wooly mammoth, and have decided to start small…very small…with a mouse.
Personal finance
Ultimate Financial Checklist
Are you in your 30s and wondering if you're on track financially?
Most people think they’re doing fine—but small gaps today can become huge regrets later.
That’s why we put together The Ultimate Financial Checklist for Your 30s—a simple, step-by-step guide to help you:
✅ Optimize your spending
✅ Build your emergency fund
✅ Crush high-interest debt
✅ Max out employer benefits
✅ Start investing with confidence
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Technology
On the edge - Metamaterials
Have you ever wished for an invisibility cloak like the one Harry Potter had? I don’t know why I bother even asking, because I know the answer is yes. Well your wish could be granted with the help of metamaterials.
Metamaterials are engineered materials designed to have properties that don’t exist in nature. They are made by arranging microscopic structures in precise patterns that manipulate waves, such as light, sound, or electromagnetic waves, in unique ways. This allows them to bend light in ways that can make objects appear invisible, improve wireless signals, or create seemingly flawless lenses.
These materials have exciting potential in many fields. In telecommunications, they can boost the efficiency of antennas and 5G networks. In healthcare, they enable ultra-precise imaging for better MRIs.
Metamaterials are also being explored for cloaking technology, noise-canceling structures, and even energy-efficient solar panels. Their ability to control waves at a fundamental level makes them a game-changing technology for the future.
Invisibility cloak is going back on my Christmas list.
Chart
You like charts? Graphs? Ya you do
The inflation index from Truflation, which is far more reliable than the official inflation data, just had the lowest reading since January 2021.
Investment idea
What are we investing in?
India
In times of uncertainty (LIKE NOW) it’s helpful to find investment ideas that are growing no matter what. India could be one of those stories.
India is the fastest-growing major economy, outpacing China and most developed markets. Their "China+1" strategy is leading major companies like Apple and Tesla to expand manufacturing in India, benefiting local businesses.
Additionally, India’s population (now the largest in the world) is young and tech-savvy. This is fuelling rapid growth in digital payments, e-commerce, and IT services, making the country a global technology hub.
There’s a few ways to easily get exposure to India, here’s a couple:
iShares MSCI India ETF - this is a passive strategy that invests in the total Indian stock market. But because India is a younger market where you can have an informational/analytical advantage when it comes to picking stocks, it’s worth looking at an active strategy like…
Global X India Active ETF - this fund offers direct exposure to the Indian economy by selecting companies with quality business models and management teams, focusing on domestic-driven growth over the medium term. Its active approach means it might outperform the broader Indian market. However, it’s a new fund and slightly more expensive than the iShares passive strategy.
History
On this day…
…in 1876, the first telephone call was made by Alexander Graham Bell. The first words were actually recorded, check it out here!
Music
Banger of the week
Another throwback. Sue me.
Most important thing
Meme? Nah. Art.
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