The hottest Investing Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
Category
Top Finance Topics

Links - 01/30/2024

Value Investing World • 176 implied HN points • 31 Jan 24
💰 Finance Investing
  1. Big profits often come from investments made in tough times.
  2. Consider reading interviews and annual reports for valuable insights.
  3. You can get 7-day free access to full post archives by subscribing.

The Bear Cave #253

The Bear Cave • 489 implied HN points • 22 Dec 24
💼 Business Investing
  1. There are serious concerns about Aegon's sales tactics, which some say look like a multi-level marketing scheme.
  2. Recent investigations show JOYY's app Bigo Live is facing major issues after being removed by Google and Apple due to child abuse allegations.
  3. Multiple companies have seen rapid executive turnover, with several CEOs and CFOs resigning or being replaced in just a short time.

Introduction to crvUSD

DeFi Education • 459 implied HN points • 19 Jul 23
🔮 Crypto Investing
  1. Curve Finance is a platform that helps users swap cryptocurrencies, especially stablecoins, and has launched a new stablecoin called crvUSD. This stablecoin is in beta testing and has gained over $100 million in total value locked.
  2. crvUSD introduces a unique 'soft liquidation' process that gradually adjusts collateral value instead of sudden sell-offs, which can protect users from significant losses when market conditions change.
  3. The crvUSD stablecoin will aim to maintain its value peg through smart contracts called PegKeepers and a dynamic borrowing rate system, but comes with inherent risks due to its newness and experimental nature.

The Decade of Greed

In My Tribe • 470 implied HN points • 30 Dec 24
💼 Business Investing
  1. The 1980s was known as the 'decade of greed' where corporate competition and higher stock prices became the focus. Companies were often run for personal perks rather than to boost shareholder value.
  2. The leveraged buyout of RJR Nabisco showcased how investment strategies changed, with firms paying high prices for companies, anticipating future profits. This often led to restructuring that wasn't always kind to employees.
  3. Despite concerns about overpaying for stocks and creating economic instability, overall wealth has increased in America since the 1980s. What seemed excessive at the time might now look like a small correction in the grand scheme.

Unknown and Unknowable

Lewis Enterprises • 334 implied HN points • 08 Oct 23
💰 Finance Investing
  1. Richard Zeckhauser's essay emphasizes recognizing a lack of edge rather than just analytical skill in investing.
  2. Asset prices can heavily discount ambiguity in situations where future states are unknown.
  3. Artificial Intelligence could be applied in investing UU situations based on Zeckhauser's maxims for investing in the unknown and unknowable.
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The Bear Cave #251

The Bear Cave • 513 implied HN points • 08 Dec 24
💼 Business Investing
  1. There are significant legal troubles for companies like LendingTree, which could face lawsuits costing hundreds of millions of dollars. This could affect their financial stability and future operations.
  2. Recent executive resignations in several companies, including Intel, suggest instability at the management level. Frequent leadership changes can indicate underlying issues within a company.
  3. Research reports from different groups are highlighting possible problems in companies like Serve Robotics and Plug Power. These findings could impact investor confidence and stock prices.

Ticker Take: a weekly newsletter on investing.

Jon’s Newsletter • 99 implied HN points • 07 Apr 24
💰 Finance Investing
  1. Tesla's future might rely heavily on robotaxis, which could change how we think about car ownership. Instead of selling cars, companies may focus on self-driving vehicles that people can use for convenience.
  2. Nvidia's stock has surged due to its strong position in AI chips, with many analysts still optimistic about its future growth. Most analysts recommend buying Nvidia, suggesting there could be more gains ahead.
  3. Historically, after a strong first quarter in the stock market, gains often continue through the rest of the year. Companies with low valuations and those focused on dividend growth are worth keeping an eye on.

Letter #84: Sam Zell (1976)

A Letter a Day • 334 implied HN points • 20 May 23
💼 Business Investing
  1. Sam Zell was a successful real estate mogul, starting his career in property management before building a massive real estate empire.
  2. In his 1976 essay, Zell discussed the opportunities in distressed properties, emphasizing the importance of initial investment analysis and financial restructuring.
  3. Investors in distressed properties are motivated by the potential for equity value appreciation and long-term asset value growth, despite initial cash-flow challenges.

Is this guy the British Michael Jordan?

Net Income • 334 implied HN points • 29 Jun 23
💼 Business Investing
  1. Understanding the business deals of famous athletes like Michael Jordan can be fascinating and inspiring.
  2. Athlete-entrepreneur stories, like Junior Bridgeman and Shaquille O'Neal, highlight the potential for wealth beyond their sports careers.
  3. Analyzing the business ventures of athlete-entrepreneurs like Gary Neville reveals complex financial strategies and potential reasons for varying net worth.

💥We're Halfway There💥

PETITION • 334 implied HN points • 02 Jul 23
💰 Finance Investing
  1. The economy is showing signs of recovery but challenges remain with credit markets and bankruptcy activity increasing.
  2. Equity markets are experiencing a strong rally despite uncertainties in crypto and regulatory challenges.
  3. Retail sector is facing struggles with companies like David's Bridal liquidating and Bed Bath & Beyond selling assets.

YC Partner: Avoid These Tempting Startup Ideas - Tarpit Ideas | VC Remote Jobs & More

Venture Curator • 179 implied HN points • 25 Jan 24
💼 Business Investing
  1. Avoid 'Tarpit Ideas' in startups, which have an oversupply of founders but low market demand.
  2. Consumer startups are risky due to high competition, user demands, and timing challenges.
  3. Identify Tarpit Ideas by spotting survivor bias, seeking second-order innovations or difficult-to-scale ideas, and pivot by understanding supply-demand dynamics.

Investing Update: 3 Stocks For 2026

Spilled Coffee • 20 implied HN points • 10 Jan 26
💰 Finance Investing
  1. The market began 2026 with strong momentum — major indexes hit all-time highs and many S&P 500 stocks are trading above their 50-day averages and at 52-week highs.
  2. Investor demand is heavy for equities, with record ETF inflows in December and allocations moving away from bonds and cash toward stocks.
  3. There are caution signs: January often fades later in midterm years, and declining heavy truck sales are a notable economic warning to watch.

How to Exit

The Generalist • 520 implied HN points • 10 Dec 24
💰 Finance Investing
  1. Exiting from investments is just as important as entering them. Investors need to remember that cashing out is a key part of the venture capital game.
  2. Secondary transactions are becoming more common and important. Investors must learn how to handle these types of deals to benefit from changing market conditions.
  3. Understanding when and how to sell in the secondary market is crucial. Knowing the right timing can help investors meet their targets and provide returns to their supporters.

Bitscam

Life in the 21st Century • 196 implied HN points • 11 Jan 24
💰 Finance Investing
  1. SEC approved bitcoin ETFs with caution for investors due to risks associated with crypto.
  2. ETF funds will use cash, not bitcoin, for transactions, highlighting challenges in using bitcoin directly.
  3. Bitcoin's focus on speculation rather than utility may hinder its potential as a replacement for the dollar.

Economics Links, 1/25/2025

In My Tribe • 410 implied HN points • 25 Jan 25
💰 Finance Investing
  1. Many experts believe that relying on government decisions can be inefficient because it often favors those with political power instead of addressing real needs.
  2. Inequality is a natural part of society, and efforts to eliminate it through government action can lead to problems, including promoting wokeness.
  3. Economic data can often be misleading due to measurement errors, making it hard to trust figures that inform important decisions like GDP or monetary policies.

Daily Chartbook #297

Daily Chartbook • 1650 implied HN points • 10 Oct 23
💼 Business Investing
  1. Senior spenders (65+) accounted for 22% of spending last year.
  2. Interest coverage ratios show Fed hikes negatively impacting the economy.
  3. Financial Conditions Index has tightened significantly since September FOMC.

Six Startups to Watch

The Generalist • 400 implied HN points • 10 Feb 25
💼 Business Investing
  1. There are six startups that are worth paying attention to right now. They offer fresh ideas in areas like DNA sequencing and AI.
  2. These startups include a competitor to 23&Me and an AI accounting tool, which could change their industries.
  3. Joining a subscription service can give you exclusive insights into these startups and keep you updated on new trends.

Daily Chartbook #289

Daily Chartbook • 1676 implied HN points • 28 Sep 23
💰 Finance Investing
  1. Rising mortgage rates are impacting demand in the housing market
  2. The total value of the US housing market is significantly higher than pre-pandemic levels
  3. Consumer credit card and home equity utilization remains below pre-pandemic levels

DeFi Ed August Q&A

DeFi Education • 1218 implied HN points • 23 Aug 22
🔮 Crypto Investing
  1. This is a chance for everyone to ask questions about DeFi and crypto. It's open to both new and experienced people.
  2. The DeFi Ed team is ready to help with any topic related to markets or content suggestions.
  3. Feedback is welcome, so everyone can contribute to making the information better.

Daily Chartbook #276

Daily Chartbook • 1729 implied HN points • 09 Sep 23
💰 Finance Investing
  1. Global food prices fell 2.1% in August to the lowest in over 2 years.
  2. US imported more from Mexico than China for the first time since '03, affecting the economy.
  3. Used vehicle prices were up 0.2% MoM in August, but down 7.7% YoY.

Founders, you’re being quietly screwed by VCs

Five Links (and three graphs) by Auren Hoffman • 129 implied HN points • 11 Aug 25
💼 Business Investing
  1. Many founders don’t realize that a clause in their term sheet can take away their voting rights if they stop working at the company. This is often overlooked and can lead to significant power loss for founders.
  2. This clause is meant to protect against rogue founders who might cause trouble after leaving, but it often ends up hurting the good founders instead.
  3. Founders should carefully check their term sheets for voting rights related to employment. Understanding these terms can help them avoid losing influence in their own companies.

AI: Practical Advice for the Worried

Don't Worry About the Vase • 2419 implied HN points • 01 Mar 23
🕹 Technology Investing
  1. There are good reasons to worry about AI, but also reasons to be skeptical of imminent transformative AI.
  2. People often struggle to react appropriately to worrying AI information, either ignoring the risks or overreacting.
  3. In the face of AI uncertainties, living a 'normal' life is still valuable and preparing for the unknown while staying flexible is crucial.

The Bear Cave #246

The Bear Cave • 559 implied HN points • 03 Nov 24
💼 Business Investing
  1. Blue Orca Capital reported that Baldwin Insurance Group has been using some tricky financial practices to make their profits look better than they actually are. They claim the company has serious profitability issues.
  2. Recent leadership changes show a lot of turnover among company executives, with several CFOs and CEOs resigning or being let go. This could indicate bigger problems within those companies.
  3. There are also activist reports about Byrna Technologies, suggesting they might be exaggerating their business success. The reports claim many of their dealers don’t really exist or aren't effective.

Walk in the Pines #144

Pinecone Weekly Brief • 196 implied HN points • 07 Jan 24
💰 Finance Investing
  1. The post includes a list of recommended reads, listens, and watches for the week.
  2. The content covers a wide range of topics such as economics, finance, and learning.
  3. There are links provided for further exploration of the recommended content.

Daily Chartbook #284

Daily Chartbook • 1676 implied HN points • 21 Sep 23
💰 Finance Investing
  1. Nearly 80% support homebuilding, but only 33% support large apartment complexes near their home.
  2. Landlords with 1,000+ properties made up 0.4% of U.S. home purchases in Q2, down from 2.4% in late 2021.
  3. Used car prices rose 1.5% in September, but were down 3.5% from September 2022.

Networked Conviction 002

Investing 101 • 9 implied HN points • 24 Jan 26
💰 Finance Investing
  1. India’s tech scene is following a path similar to China’s around 2010, which suggests a big multi-year opportunity as local companies scale and markets mature.
  2. The idea that "software always wins" is overextended—software valuations and expectations are cooling, so investors should be more selective and update their outlooks.
  3. A rapid, raw approach to sharing investment ideas helps surface connections between theses and exposes where real conviction (or doubt) lies.

Daily Chartbook #305

Daily Chartbook • 1572 implied HN points • 20 Oct 23
💰 Finance Investing
  1. Homebuyer demand is at its lowest level in nearly a year.
  2. Existing home sales have dropped to their lowest point since October 2010.
  3. The national median existing-home price rose 2.8% in September from a year earlier to $394,300.

Links - 02/06/2024

Value Investing World • 157 implied HN points • 06 Feb 24
💰 Finance Investing
  1. Value investing involves buying great businesses at average prices, not just buying any business at a low ratio.
  2. Not all businesses trading at low multiples are considered value stocks; some may be truly inferior.
  3. Consider exploring various valuable content shared by Joe Koster and other experts in the field.

Hotel REITs

Warden Capital • 275 implied HN points • 08 Nov 23
💰 Finance Investing
  1. Hotel REITs in the public markets have high yields and are trading at 8-10+% cap rates, making them a potentially lucrative investment option.
  2. Compared to other real estate asset classes like multifamily and industrial, hotel REITs offer superior yields and lower capex burdens, making them a cost-effective choice for investors.
  3. The hotel industry has faced challenges post-COVID, especially in urban markets, but with the recovery of leisure, group, and business travel, there is significant potential for growth and investment opportunities.

CROSSPOST: VIKTOR SHVETZ: Why Investors Shouldn’t Worry Too Much about the AI Bubble

Brad DeLong's Grasping Reality • 161 implied HN points • 11 Jul 25
💰 Finance Investing
  1. Investors might overreact to the AI hype, but history shows that bubbles usually come with technological progress. It's important to invest wisely but not to fear investing in useful innovations.
  2. Every major technological revolution has been linked to speculative bubbles, leading to both chaos and creativity. After the chaos, societies often adjust and see growth and improvement.
  3. AI is set to change the job landscape significantly. While some jobs may disappear, others will emerge, and productivity is expected to increase, though not without initial challenges.

One Funeral at a Time

MD&A • 453 implied HN points • 31 Dec 24
💼 Business Investing
  1. People often stick to familiar ideas, even if they're wrong, because those ideas feel comfortable. Just like in science, new information can be hard to accept.
  2. Seeing the world differently can lead to better investment opportunities. Those who challenge common beliefs can find hidden chances in the market.
  3. Making simple changes can solve big problems. Just like washing hands helped reduce childbed fever, allowing more housing construction might help lower rising costs.

Investing Update: Mag 7 Dethroned or Dormant?

Spilled Coffee • 16 implied HN points • 17 Jan 26
💰 Finance Investing
  1. Markets pulled back slightly as rising yields and Fed Chair uncertainty outweighed strong chip earnings, but year-to-date returns remain positive and Bitcoin, gold, and small-caps were up.
  2. Breadth is improving — all 11 S&P sectors are back above their 200-day averages, more stocks are above both their 50- and 200-day lines, and the share of weak stocks is shrinking.
  3. Tech has been essentially flat for about four months, raising the question whether the Mag 7 mega-cap stocks are permanently dethroned or simply dormant as earnings and guidance season unfolds.

My Neighbor Pays $1,000 in Taxes on a $2M Home

Jay's Data Stream • 11 implied HN points • 21 Jan 26
💰 Finance Investing
  1. Property tax rules like Prop 13 (and the partial change under Prop 19) create perverse incentives that can keep homes empty and distort the housing market, because low assessed taxes make owners reluctant to rent or sell.
  2. Buying a home is highly timing-sensitive and can be very costly when plans change — mortgage interest, taxes, transaction fees, and the lost investment opportunity can make ownership much worse than renting and investing instead.
  3. San Francisco looks bullish over the long run because supply is effectively frozen by regulations while tech/AI-driven wealth is likely to boost demand, so buying only makes sense with a 10+ year horizon.

Crypto VC Landscape

DeFi Education • 739 implied HN points • 14 Feb 23
🔮 Crypto Investing
  1. Venture capital funds invest in startups at different stages, from early ideas to companies preparing for IPOs. Most startups, especially in crypto, face high failure rates, so VCs take big risks with their investments.
  2. Crypto VCs can get returns faster than traditional VCs because they can exit investments within about a year after a startup issues tokens. This liquidity aspect makes crypto investments different and often more attractive.
  3. In 2022, despite a tough market, crypto and blockchain startups still received significant funding. However, VCs shifted towards later-stage deals, showing a cautious approach in these challenging times.