The hottest Finance Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
Category
Top Business Topics

Growth vs Scaling

Fish Food for Thought • 10 implied HN points • 12 Feb 25
💼 Business Finance
  1. Growth means increasing output by adding more resources, like hiring more staff or spending more money, but it can lead to higher costs too.
  2. Scaling is about growing efficiently without raising costs much. It focuses on making processes better and using technology wisely.
  3. Companies need to know when to grow and when to scale. Successful ones keep checking and adjusting their approach to keep things running smoothly.

Building CAUSL - Episode 1: The Woes of Admin Work

CAUSL Effect • 19 implied HN points • 22 Feb 23
💼 Business Finance
  1. Starting a company involves a lot of administrative work. It might seem boring, but it's essential to get things off the ground properly.
  2. It's important to consider using professionals, like accountants and lawyers, to handle complicated tasks. They can save you time and help you avoid mistakes.
  3. Having a website and creating a business plan are important steps. They can make your business look more professional and help you plan your goals.

Bitcoin: a bold new world.

The Held Report • 14 implied HN points • 31 Oct 24
🔮 Crypto Finance
  1. Satoshi published the Bitcoin whitepaper on October 31, 2008, during a time of financial crisis. This date was chosen for its symbolic meaning, marking a shift from the old financial systems.
  2. The date also links to Martin Luther's 95 Theses, which challenged the authority of the church. Just like Luther's ideas spread widely, Bitcoin aims to disrupt and change the current monetary system.
  3. Both events represent a break from old traditions and a move towards new beginnings. Bitcoin symbolizes an end to trust in centralized banks and introduces a new, decentralized way to handle money.

The Third Network

Net Interest • 29 implied HN points • 23 Feb 24
💼 Business Finance
  1. Network effects are a powerful competitive advantage that can drive exponential growth.
  2. Overcoming the cold-start problem is crucial for new platforms to gain traction and reach a tipping point where growth becomes self-sustaining.
  3. Building a network requires strategic partnerships, operational efficiency, and continuous innovation to maintain and expand its reach and impact.
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Lawler: Rent Trends at some Large Holders of Multifamily Properties

CalculatedRisk Newsletter • 28 implied HN points • 11 Mar 24
💼 Business Finance
  1. Rent growth has slowed sharply at large holders of multifamily properties like MAA, Equity Residential, and Avalon Bay Communities in the past year.
  2. Despite overall rent growth slowdown, year-over-year growth in rent renewals remained in the 4.5% - 5% range in January, showing a different trend.
  3. There is a lesson to be learned from the 1994-1995 Fed tightening episode where the Federal Reserve raised the policy rate significantly without triggering a recession, providing valuable insights for current monetary policymaking.

Is the Vibecession Over?

Kyla’s Newsletter • 44 implied HN points • 27 Jul 23
💼 Business Finance
  1. The economy seems to be improving with growth, inflation cooling, and real wages increasing.
  2. Factors like government spending and low borrowing rates have helped avoid a recession.
  3. Challenges remain with issues like housing shortages, student loan payments, and worker strikes.

Illumina: Icahn's Gambit

Nongaap Investing • 50 implied HN points • 08 May 23
💼 Business Finance
  1. Illumina's response to a blogger's questions might lead to resignations in the company.
  2. Addressing unanswered issues could influence significant governance matters at Illumina.
  3. Investors should pay attention to unaccounted shares, financial dealings, and potential conflicts within Illumina and Grail.

Ronin Wallet is WalletConnect Certified!

Ronin’s Newsletter • 12 implied HN points • 12 Nov 24
🔮 Crypto Finance
  1. Ronin Wallet is now WalletConnect Certified, which means it meets high standards for user experience and security. This certification helps users trust the wallet for their transactions.
  2. Being certified gives Ronin Wallet a better rank in the WalletGuide directory, making it easier for people to find and use it. It joins other popular wallets like MetaMask and Trust Wallet.
  3. This achievement signifies a growing ecosystem with WalletConnect, which has a huge user base and many wallets. It shows that Ronin Wallet is becoming more prominent in the digital wallet space.

FC Barcelona Considers Dropping $100 Million Nike Contract To Start Its Own Clothing Brand

Huddle Up • 25 implied HN points • 06 Mar 24
💼 Business Finance
  1. FC Barcelona is thinking of ending their $100 million Nike deal to create their own clothing brand, potentially setting a new trend in the industry.
  2. Viewership stats show women's college basketball attracting more attention than men's, indicating the power of certain players and stars.
  3. Nike has not only sponsored FC Barcelona for 26 years but also subsidized player wages, highlighting the significant financial relationship between the two.

Check, Please

Net Interest • 10 implied HN points • 20 Dec 24
💼 Business Finance
  1. A restaurant payment system started when Frank McNamara created the Diners Club after running out of cash in a restaurant. This invention allowed people to pay by card instead of cash.
  2. Today, companies like Toast and Edenred are leading the market by providing technology and meal voucher services to restaurants. They are crucial in shaping how payments are made in dining establishments.
  3. Despite the rise of technology, many diners still prefer using cash for their meals, showing that tradition still plays a role in the way we pay.

Monetising an Algorithm

Net Interest • 29 implied HN points • 15 Dec 23
💼 Business Finance
  1. Warren Buffett highlights errors of omission in investments
  2. Fair Isaac Corporation found success in utilizing algorithmic credit scoring
  3. Regulatory changes can drive growth and opportunities in financial technology firms

VCs sell money

Sunday Letters • 19 implied HN points • 20 Nov 22
💼 Business Finance
  1. Venture capitalists (VCs) primarily sell money to companies, and their main goal is to find good companies to invest in. It's a sales role, and they often have to compete to get the best opportunities.
  2. Most VC returns come from a few big successes, while many investments may only give back what was initially put in or fail completely. This means that if your startup doesn't do well, it's a bigger deal for you than for the VC.
  3. Understanding the different motivations and incentives between you and your VC is crucial. Even if both of you want the company to succeed, you may want success for different reasons and might make different decisions along the way.

Indian IT takes Moonlighting Seriously, Recession Even More Cautiously

Sector 6 | The Newsletter of AIM • 19 implied HN points • 16 Oct 22
💼 Business Finance
  1. Indian IT companies are taking the issue of moonlighting seriously, indicating it's a significant concern for the industry.
  2. There's a lot of apprehension about a global recession due to factors like inflation and rising interest rates.
  3. Experts believe that the economy could dip into a recession by mid-next year, affecting businesses worldwide.

ServiceTitan: Benchmarking the S1 Data

Clouded Judgement • 11 implied HN points • 18 Nov 24
💼 Business Finance
  1. ServiceTitan is a platform designed for trades industries, like plumbing and HVAC. It helps businesses manage things like scheduling, customer service, and payments.
  2. The company has a big market opportunity, aiming to capture a larger share of the $1.5 trillion spent on trades services annually in the U.S. and Canada.
  3. ServiceTitan has shown strong revenue growth at 26% over the last year and has a focus on improving its financial metrics, including gross and operating margins.

Problem 36: Container with Most Water[Two Sigma]

Technology Made Simple • 19 implied HN points • 05 May 22
🕹 Technology Finance
  1. Finance industry can offer high-paying jobs in Software Development due to substantial investments, but acquiring these jobs requires excelling in challenging interviews.
  2. Problem-solving questions like finding the container with the most water, such as Leetcode 11, are popular in interviews, emphasizing critical thinking and coding skills.
  3. Engaging with platforms like Substack can be beneficial for sharing knowledge and building a community by inviting feedback and participation from readers.

Clouded Judgement 2.9.24

Clouded Judgement • 23 implied HN points • 09 Feb 24
💼 Business Finance
  1. Forward estimate changes not aligning with stock price movements.
  2. Startups should carefully track and manage their dilution.
  3. Valuing SaaS businesses based on multiples of projected revenue for the next 12 months.

Barbara Fried’s 'The Trial of Sam Bankman-Fried'

SBF’s Substack • 1 implied HN point • 04 Nov 25
🔮 Crypto Finance
  1. The writer looks at the trial from two angles: as an experienced legal professional and as a parent directly affected by the case.
  2. She brings long experience as a Stanford law professor, which informs the legal analysis and lends credibility to her observations.
  3. Although the current piece focuses on legal perspectives, she indicates she may later write about the personal, lived experience of being a parent during these events.

What is it you do?

Path Nine • 25 implied HN points • 17 Dec 23
💼 Business Finance
  1. Reflect on how you define yourself and your work - it's unique to you.
  2. Use tools like calculators to help set financial targets for your digital products.
  3. Reframe marketing and self-promotion as essential parts of sharing your craft and creations.

David vs. Goliath — Doubling down on David Energy to build a cleaner, more efficient and resilient energy future for us all

Equal Ventures • 19 implied HN points • 28 Mar 22
💼 Business Finance
  1. Investing in energy management technology for buildings can be a strategic and cost-effective path to decarbonization.
  2. Providing energy services for free can lead to significant savings for customers and open up new monetization paths.
  3. David Energy's approach leverages energy market volatility as an opportunity and demonstrates network effects within the power industry.

Illumina Sanctions

ASeq Newsletter • 7 implied HN points • 05 Feb 25
💼 Business Finance
  1. Illumina might face sanctions in China due to trade tensions. This situation is unusual for a company focused on genetic technology.
  2. Their revenue in China was only 7% of their total, which is about $75 million. It's important to note that this revenue has been decreasing since 2022.
  3. Even with these potential sanctions, the overall impact on Illumina is expected to be minor. Their business in China isn't as significant as it may seem.

‘Caught-Red-Handed’: Scientists Call for Full Retraction of Nature’s Covid Proximal Origin Paper, Fraud Accusations Mount

QTR’s Fringe Finance • 31 implied HN points • 04 Aug 23
📰 News Finance
  1. Scientists are calling for the retraction of a high-profile study on the origin of Covid-19 published in Nature, due to evidence of deception and scientific misconduct.
  2. The study authors expressed doubts privately that the virus had natural origins, contradicting their public statements.
  3. The lack of accountability in this situation highlights the concept of power and impunity in the scientific community.

NanoString Is Dead

ASeq Newsletter • 21 implied HN points • 05 Feb 24
💼 Business Finance
  1. NanoString faced financial troubles and declared bankruptcy.
  2. 10X Genomics won a lawsuit against NanoString, impacting their sales and potential for growth.
  3. NanoString's product nCounter platform had limitations and did not bring significant success, leading to their downfall.

#23: Undeniable uncertainty

The Uncertainty Mindset (soon to become tbd) • 79 implied HN points • 08 Apr 20
💼 Business Finance
  1. Uncertainty is always present in business, and it can catch you off guard when you least expect it. It’s important to prepare in advance, even if it seems like a waste during stable times.
  2. When facing uncertain situations, businesses should take small, immediate actions instead of waiting for a perfect plan. This helps them learn and adapt quickly to changing circumstances.
  3. Having a clear understanding of goals and trade-offs is essential during times of uncertainty. This allows employees to make effective decisions and take necessary actions without getting stuck.

College Football Players Get $600, Amazon Snags An Exclusive Playoff Game for $150 Million, And Apple Takes Its Next Step In Sports

Huddle Up • 20 implied HN points • 23 Feb 24
🎾 Sports Finance
  1. EA Sports is paying college football players $600 to use their name, image, and likeness in the new video game, sparking debate over the adequacy of the compensation compared to NFL players.
  2. Amazon secured rights to stream an exclusive NFL playoff game by paying a hefty $150 million, highlighting the competitive landscape for sports broadcasting among tech giants.
  3. Apple is making strides in the sports industry with its new Sports app, underlining the company's expansion into the realm of sports entertainment beyond its traditional tech offerings.

Fast Dining: Marc Lore’s Wonder in the Shift from Food Trucks to Food Halls

Gad’s Newsletter • 20 implied HN points • 26 Feb 24
💼 Business Finance
  1. Wonder shifted from food trucks to food halls, adapting the model for fast, convenient dining with centralized kitchens and localized preparation.
  2. Maintaining quality and variety while scaling to a trillion-dollar firm will be a challenge for Wonder due to operational complexities and the intricacies of offering 'fast fine' food.
  3. Labor shortages in the restaurant industry present a major constraint to growth for Wonder, necessitating strategies to manage turnover and ensure consistent quality and food safety.

Quant Letter: January 2024, Week-4

The Parlour • 21 implied HN points • 23 Jan 24
🕹 Technology Finance
  1. The blog post discusses various research papers on topics like financial risk modeling, interest rate models, and credit risk stress testing.
  2. New methods for predictive modeling in finance, including data-driven option pricing and generative modeling for financial time series, are introduced in the presented papers.
  3. The research covers diverse areas such as economics, crypto, and blockchain, offering insights on market responses, equity premium puzzles, and AI investment rankings in Latin America.

[P] NSP: Inspirational or Attainable Goals?

Nongaap Investing • 2 implied HN points • 18 Aug 25
💼 Business Finance
  1. Insperity's decision for special equity awards might have come at a bad time. It's important to understand the timing of financial decisions.
  2. The concept of setting goals can be tricky. Sometimes goals can seem inspiring but may not be very realistic.
  3. Analyzing company actions and their motivations can provide insight into business decisions. It’s good to ask why companies do what they do.

#165 – Anti-Predictions

Below the Line from Kevin LaBuz • 7 implied HN points • 12 Jan 25
💼 Business Finance
  1. Predicting the future is really hard, so instead of trying to guess what's coming, focus on being adaptable. It's better to prepare for many different possible outcomes rather than relying on one prediction.
  2. Time shows us what ideas and practices last. We should pay more attention to things that have proven their value over time, rather than just what's new or trendy.
  3. Surviving and reducing risks is more important than chasing success. By making sure you avoid big dangers, like too much debt, you can set yourself up for long-term success without the fear of losing everything.

About Cybersyn, the Company

Magis • 36 implied HN points • 13 Apr 23
💼 Business Finance
  1. Cybersyn, a startup, recently raised a Series A funding round.
  2. The company focuses on data, finance, economics, and DaaS.
  3. Common questions about Cybersyn include what the company does, the data it uses, and who is involved.

[P] TGNA: Deregulatory M&A

Nongaap Investing • 2 implied HN points • 15 Aug 25
💼 Business Finance
  1. Understanding mergers and acquisitions (M&A) can give insights into how companies are governed. Governance signals help us see what businesses might do in the future.
  2. Deregulation can influence M&A activities, making it easier for companies to grow and merge. When regulations are less strict, companies may take more bold steps.
  3. This information is shared with subscribers who want a deeper look into investments. Being a paid member can provide access to detailed analysis and discussions.

What Nassim Taleb taught me

A Bit Gamey • 20 implied HN points • 04 Feb 24
🚌 Education Finance
  1. Recognize and embrace unpredictability and rare high-impact events.
  2. Seek advice from those with practical knowledge and experience, rather than those lacking it.
  3. Balance high-risk, high-reward activities with conservative ones for protection and potential gains.

Is Oxford Nanopore Failing?

ASeq Newsletter • 21 implied HN points • 11 Jan 24
💼 Business Finance
  1. Oxford Nanopore has about 3.5 years of cash runway based on their current financial situation.
  2. The company received significant amounts of money outside of product sales which impacted their financial numbers.
  3. Oxford Nanopore's growth trajectory and accuracy claims may not align with their goals of surpassing Illumina in the market.

Quant Letter: January 2024, Week-1

The Parlour • 21 implied HN points • 03 Jan 24
🕹 Technology Finance
  1. The post shares summaries and links to various recent articles and research papers related to quantitative finance and machine learning in finance.
  2. Topics covered include forecasting models, risk management strategies, trading algorithms, AI applications, and financial market simulations.
  3. Quantitative finance professionals can stay updated on the latest developments and trends in the industry through various sources like podcasts, news articles, research papers, and online communities.