The hottest Investments Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
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Top Business Topics

Are TIPS and I-Bonds Good Investments?

The Informationist • 963 implied HN points • 28 May 23
💰 Finance Investments Bonds Inflation Government Assets
  1. TIPS are Treasury Inflation-Protected Securities that protect investors from inflation by adjusting principal based on changes in CPI.
  2. I-Bonds are similar to TIPS in protecting from inflation, but have fixed rates and are not tradable in the secondary market.
  3. Both TIPS and I-Bonds are highly dependent on CPI for pricing and may not offer positive real rates of return in the real world.

World’s First Approval for Cultivated Beef, Chocolate Made From Air, and Jackfruit-Based Meat

Better Bioeconomy • 117 implied HN points • 21 Jan 24
🍲 Food & Drink Investments
  1. First approval for cultivated beef given in Israel, using a unique hybrid meat approach.
  2. Multus opens facility for affordable serum-free growth media for cultivated meat industry, easing industry progress.
  3. Imagindairy enhances dairy production with AI-led fermentation, aiming for cost-competitive animal-free products.

Why I took the job of Head of Infinite Media at O'Shaughnessy Ventures! (OSV) 💡

Liberty’s Highlights • 1022 implied HN points • 27 Apr 23
💼 Business Media Venture Capital Creativity Investments Podcasts
  1. Newsletter and podcast by the author will continue but may have a more variable publishing schedule
  2. Author joined OSV due to alignment with values and desire to have greater impact with help from others
  3. OSV supports various creative ventures, including media platforms like podcasts, newsletters, and more
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World’s First Cultivated Eel, Europe's Largest Mycelium Investment, and China Embraces GMOs for Food Security

Better Bioeconomy • 98 implied HN points • 28 Jan 24
🍲 Food & Drink Alternative Proteins Investments
  1. Israeli startup Forsea unveils world's first cultivated eel using innovative cell-based technology for traditional eel texture and flavor.
  2. UCC's fermentation research centre advances Irish food sectors with precision fermentation techniques and sustainable practices.
  3. Bolder Foods introduces mycelium ingredient for cheese alternatives, offering nutritious, sustainable, and flavorful options.

Thinking about Writing Down your Investment?

SaaS Engineering • 137 implied HN points • 07 Jan 24
💰 Finance Investments Venture Capital Startups Valuation Capital Markets
  1. Understanding the difference between preferred and common stock is crucial for calculating holding values.
  2. Writing down investments only makes sense if a company's value decreases below the size of its liquidation preference relative to the investment.
  3. High valuations may not always benefit investors due to misaligned incentives, especially in scenarios where the company's valuation is higher than its true worth.

Long Take: The craft of scaling fintechs beyond their niche -- analyzing Twitter, Bunq, and Goldman Sachs

The Fintech Blueprint • 589 implied HN points • 02 Aug 23
💰 Finance Fintech Startups Market Analysis Business Growth Investments
  1. The craft of scaling fintechs involves understanding successful growth drivers and failures
  2. Successful business building requires targeting disruptive technologies to the right market with demand
  3. Goldman Sachs' exit from consumer business contrasts with neobanks like Bunq's profitability and growth in their niche

The US national debt reached $34.5 trillion, an all-time record, but does it actually matter?

Global Markets Investor • 39 implied HN points • 07 Mar 24
💰 Finance Debt Economy Investments Taxes Monetary Policy
  1. The US national debt has reached a record $34.5 trillion, increasing by $1 trillion every 100 days since June. This high level of debt poses challenges for the government and future generations.
  2. The US debt-to-GDP ratio is currently at 123.7%, near the all-time high. A high ratio decreases a country's ability to pay back debts and could lead to default or inflation-adjusted losses for investors.
  3. A country with a debt-to-GDP ratio above 130% historically has a high probability of default. High debt levels can limit future investments, impact economic growth, and reduce flexibility in responding to crises.

BERKSHIRE HATHAWAY’S TOBACCO HISTORY

Reflections on "Going Down Tobacco Road" and Investing • 530 implied HN points • 18 Jul 23
💰 Finance Investments Market Analysis Bonds
  1. Warren Buffett invested in tobacco businesses like R.J. Reynolds, showing a historical investment pattern.
  2. Buffett sold his R.J. Reynolds stock in 1984, missing out on higher returns, showcasing his investment strategy.
  3. Buffett made a successful investment in RJR Nabisco bonds in 1989, demonstrating his keen awareness of financial risks and rewards.

Marc Andreessen Joining Character.AI Board + Other Hot AI Fundraising Rounds Afoot

Newcomer • 727 implied HN points • 01 Mar 23
💼 Business Tech startups Investments AI Venture Capital
  1. Andreessen Horowitz won the investment round for Character.AI led by Marc Andreessen.
  2. Multiple hot AI fundraising rounds are happening, including investments in Perplexity AI and LangChain.
  3. Other notable investments include Sequoia leading an investment in Dust and Index backing a startup by David Schreiber.

Major Signals are flashing Code Red in the Shadow Banking System

The Dollar Endgame • 718 implied HN points • 07 May 23
💰 Finance Banking Investments Regulation Economy Markets
  1. The reverse repo figures reaching $2 trillion signal a serious issue in the market, showing strains on the entire banking system from massive liquidity injections.
  2. Reverse repos in the shadow banking system allow entities like MMFs to act like banks but without the same regulations, functioning in an opaque, complex, and risky world.
  3. The increased usage of the Fed's RRP facility and rising award rates indicate collateral shortages within the system, leading to concerns about the stability of MMFs and potential risks in the financial system.

Tesla/Tornetta: Something's Happening Here...

The Chancery Daily • 373 implied HN points • 19 Jul 23
💰 Finance Investments Legal Business Ethics Corporate Governance Executive Compensation
  1. A settlement involving Elon Musk and Tesla is pending approval in the Delaware Court of Chancery.
  2. There are cases related to director and Elon Musk compensation known as 'Tornetta' that are interrelated.
  3. There is something unusual about the settlement which the author feels the need to address further.

Open Banking & Embedded Finance – Two sides of the same coin; Which technologies are shaping the future of fintech?; So what has the winning strategy for fintechs been over the last decade?;

Fintech Wrap Up • 58 implied HN points • 24 Jan 24
💰 Finance Fintech Investments Technology Trends Market Analysis
  1. Open Banking and Embedded Finance are closely related concepts driving innovation in fintech through APIs.
  2. Key winning strategies for fintech success include starting with a unique product, scaling to improve cost efficiency, and expanding to offer multiple related products.
  3. Fintech investments globally saw a significant drop in 2023, but confidence started to return towards the end of the year.

VC Market: 3 takeaways from ‘23 and 4 predictions for ‘24

Inverted J Curves • 78 implied HN points • 04 Jan 24
💼 Business Venture Capital Startups Predictions Funding Investments
  1. Global VC investments decreased in 2023, especially in European tech.
  2. Funding for European early-stage companies remained steady, with higher valuations at pre-Series A companies.
  3. In the New Nordics, climate tech attracted the most funding, with predictions for a fundraising frenzy in 2024 and higher bar for early-stage funding.

Endgame #3

The Dollar Endgame • 119 implied HN points • 29 Nov 23
💰 Finance Economy Investments Monetary Policy Real Estate Banking
  1. Japan adjusted its bond yield control policy in an effort to curb interest rates, showing the delicate balance between stimulating the economy and managing debt.
  2. The United States is experiencing increases in national debt and a housing market slowdown due to rising interest rates impacting new home and car sales.
  3. Gold prices have been rising as a safe haven investment, influenced by a weakening dollar and central banks acquiring significant amounts of gold, serving as a potential indicator of future monetary debasement.

Paris Saint-Germain Finances 2021/22

The Swiss Ramble • 471 implied HN points • 15 May 23
🎾 Sports Finances Team performance Expenses Investments
  1. Paris Saint-Germain's finances show a significant loss despite an increase in revenue and profit from player sales.
  2. The team experienced a substantial rise in operating expenses and faced challenges with compliance to UEFA's Financial Fair Play regulations.
  3. PSG's revenue improved mainly in commercial areas, but broadcasting revenue decreased due to poor Champions League performance and deferred income.

Series B Activity: January 2024

Magid and Co • 39 implied HN points • 08 Feb 24
💼 Business Finance Investments Data Analysis Startups Entrepreneurship
  1. Series B deal volume increased significantly in January compared to December, which is positive news for founders seeking funding.
  2. Data focused on Series B deals globally (excluding China) with amounts raised over $5M and companies not centered on therapeutics.
  3. The post provides insights into recent Series B activity, highlighting key statistics and trends in the sector.

€25M Bioeconomy Fund, Fostering Biomanufacturing Talent, and Alt Protein Perspectives Across Asia

Better Bioeconomy • 58 implied HN points • 14 Jan 24
🍲 Food & Drink Alternative Proteins Investments
  1. Liberation Labs and Ivy Tech Community College-Richmond launch a biomanufacturing workforce training program to prepare employees for a new plant
  2. UC Davis' iCAMP focuses on advancing alternative proteins to address the forecasted increase in meat demand and environmental impact
  3. Lidl Hungary and Denmark's Salling Group lower prices of plant-based products to encourage consumers to choose sustainable options

The Definitive Guide to Bonds

Market Sentiment • 432 implied HN points • 02 Apr 23
💰 Finance Investments Bonds Portfolios Interest Rates ETFs
  1. Leverage in bond investments can work well but also lead to significant losses if market conditions change rapidly.
  2. Bond prices are impacted by interest rate movements, where older bonds may lose value with rate hikes.
  3. The choice between individual bonds and bond ETFs depends on factors like diversification needs, fees, and level of investment sophistication.

1/29/2024: Evergrande is Ordered to Liquidate

depression2022 • 39 implied HN points • 29 Jan 24
💰 Finance Real Estate Investments Market Trends Economic Growth Financial impact
  1. A Hong Kong court orders China's Evergrande Group to liquidate, impacting creditors and homebuyers.
  2. Evergrande's $300 billion debts are massive, rivaling Hong Kong's GDP.
  3. The Chinese property market is distressed with major developers facing default, potentially affecting capital market accessibility for Chinese firms in the future.

Nelnet Shows Some Skin

Mindset Value • 393 implied HN points • 09 Mar 23
💰 Finance Investments Valuation Asset management
  1. Nelnet's book value has grown consistently and it has never had a losing year, which is impressive.
  2. Nelnet is undervalued as its book value does not reflect the true value of its businesses and investments.
  3. Nelnet's investments in companies like ALLO, solar energy, and HUDL show potential for significant growth and increased value.

Lemons Ripen Early: Playing the Long Game

The Hard Fork by Marvin Liao • 235 implied HN points • 05 Aug 23
💼 Business Venture Capital Investments Entrepreneurship Startup Growth
  1. In venture capital, bad investments tend to fail early, making way for successful ones later on.
  2. It's important to play the long game, especially in the early stages of investing, to allow winners to emerge.
  3. Success usually takes time and persistence, with at least 2 years needed to see a project through and achieve product-market fit.

Lawler: Update on American Homes for Rent (AMH)

CalculatedRisk Newsletter • 19 implied HN points • 27 Feb 24
💰 Finance Real Estate Investments Inflation Earnings
  1. American Homes for Rent (AMH) saw a decline in occupancy rate last quarter, contrasting with Invitation Homes.
  2. The average monthly rents of INVH and AMH seem to lead the CPI's Rent of Primary Residence by about two quarters, and rent growth has remained above the overall inflation rate.
  3. Rental inflation remains elevated for many single-family renters despite certain limitations in the rent trend comparisons and geographic focuses of these companies.

The $153 billion power leak

Becoming Noble • 358 implied HN points • 16 Mar 23
💰 Finance Investments Assets Bankruptcy
  1. When betting against the system, bet big to secure assets - lessons from the SVB collapse.
  2. Question ownership and control of your assets. Be prepared for unanticipated vulnerabilities in the system.
  3. In financial dealings, always think ahead and consider the risks. Act like the system might fail and prepare for it.

The Dying Banks and the Singularity

The Dollar Endgame • 339 implied HN points • 12 May 23
💰 Finance Banking Investments Market Regulations Risk management
  1. There is a financial crisis brewing with banks collapsing and facing liquidity issues, leading to a rapid withdrawal of funds from the system.
  2. Banks like Silicon Valley Bank have made risky investments with high-end clients, creating vulnerabilities in the financial sector.
  3. The Federal Reserve's policies have inadvertently caused a drain on traditional banks, pushing money into shadow banks and triggering a potential chain of bank failures.

The Distribution Layer

Lewis Enterprises • 235 implied HN points • 06 Jul 23
💰 Finance Investments Asset management Market structure Financial Services Retail Investors
  1. The future of alternative investments is undergoing significant changes in the market structure with emphasis on investment managers, allocators, and capital owners.
  2. Traditional asset managers are seeking growth by entering alternative investments but are facing challenges due to massive capital deployment impacting returns.
  3. There's a trend towards greater intermediation of capital allocation in the alternative investment landscape, leading to a more specialized distribution approach.

Peru's natural resources: CIA-linked US ambassador meets with mining and energy ministers to talk 'investments'

Geopolitical Economy Report • 398 implied HN points • 19 Jan 23
🌍 World Politics Natural resources Investments Mining Energy Coup
  1. Peru is rich in natural resources like copper, gold, zinc, silver, and natural gas, making it a hub for transnational corporations who heavily invest in the mining sector.
  2. President Pedro Castillo aimed to ensure that 70% of mining proceeds went to the state for social programs, but after a coup, the focus shifted back to foreign corporate investments, reversing progressive economic plans.
  3. Natural gas, particularly liquefied natural gas (LNG), plays a significant role in Peru's exports, with a notable shift towards Europe as a top importer following a boycott of Russian energy.