The hottest Investments Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
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Series B Activity: January 2024

Magid and Co • 39 implied HN points • 08 Feb 24
💼 Business Investments
  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.

Elevance Health's 2022 earnings are in, outperforms Wall Street expectations

HEALTH CARE un-covered • 199 implied HN points • 25 Jan 23
💰 Finance Investments
  1. Elevance Health did really well in 2022, exceeding what Wall Street expected for their earnings. Their stock prices went up, even when many other companies were struggling.
  2. Most of Elevance's profit came from government programs like Medicaid and Medicare Advantage, not from selling insurance to individuals or businesses. These programs are where they made the most money.
  3. The company's pharmacy business, CarelonRX, also saw significant profit growth. This shows that owning a pharmacy service is becoming very important for insurance companies.

Earnings, capex, and models, oh my!

Alex's Personal Blog • 98 implied HN points • 30 Jan 25
💼 Business Investments
  1. Microsoft is doing well with cloud services and AI, showing growth and strong investments to meet demand.
  2. Meta is balancing costs well while investing in AI, which is helping them maintain profitability despite other losses.
  3. Tesla is focusing on long-term growth with self-driving technology and new robotics, which some investors find promising despite slow car sales.

1/29/2024: Evergrande is Ordered to Liquidate

depression2022 • 39 implied HN points • 29 Jan 24
💰 Finance Investments
  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.

Bob Iger is back as Disney's CEO.

Jon’s Newsletter • 199 implied HN points • 21 Nov 22
💼 Business Investments
  1. Bob Iger has returned as CEO of Disney after the ousting of Bob Chapek. This marks a surprising shift since Iger had stepped down in early 2020.
  2. Iger's previous leadership was highly successful, with Disney's market value increasing by $200 billion during his time as CEO. He was responsible for major deals and launches, like Disney+ and acquisitions of Pixar and Marvel.
  3. The company is facing challenges, such as pressure from investors for profit and upcoming job cuts. Iger's relationship with employees and vision for the company will be crucial in navigating these issues.
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Only the aggrieved thrive

Alex's Personal Blog • 32 implied HN points • 05 Aug 25
💼 Business Investments
  1. Grievance can drive success. Companies that acknowledge challenges and frustrations often find a way to thrive despite obstacles.
  2. The spending on AI infrastructure is expected to keep increasing, which suggests that companies are confident in the future of AI and digital intelligence.
  3. There is a debate about whether websites have to share their information with AIs as they do with human visitors. This raises important questions about online content use.

Trillion Dollar Twit

Diane Francis • 299 implied HN points • 26 May 22
💼 Business Investments
  1. Elon Musk is seen as a skilled businessman but sometimes acts immaturely for his age. This mix of traits makes him an unusual and unpredictable figure.
  2. His decision to buy Twitter for a huge amount of money shows boldness, but it has also led to a series of controversial tweets. These tweets have sparked a lot of discussion and mixed reactions from the public.
  3. Musk's behavior raises questions about how he will manage Twitter and whether his leadership style will be effective for the platform's future.

FHFA Announces Baseline Conforming Loan Limit Will Increase to $832,750 in 2026

CalculatedRisk Newsletter • 9 implied HN points • 25 Nov 25
💰 Finance Investments
  1. The baseline conforming loan limit for most of the U.S. will rise to $832,750 in 2026, increasing by $26,250 from the previous year.
  2. In high-cost areas like Los Angeles, the loan limit will be even higher, reaching $1,249,125 for one-unit properties.
  3. Different areas have different loan limits, and they depend on both location and the number of units in a property.

How One Synapse/Evolve Victim Got His Money Back

Fintech Business Weekly • 89 implied HN points • 12 Jan 25
💰 Finance Investments
  1. Some people affected by the Synapse bankruptcy have struggled to get their money back, leaving many feeling hopeless. The trustee in charge is working on figuring out how to reconcile the missing funds.
  2. One man was able to get his money back by filing a small claims case against Evolve Bank, showcasing that taking legal action can sometimes help consumers regain their lost funds.
  3. In contrast, his daughter faced challenges in court with her similar case, highlighting how results can vary even with similar circumstances. This shows that legal situations can be unpredictable.

Inflation - what's it all about?

Concepts of Finance 🧠 • 159 implied HN points • 10 Feb 23
💰 Finance Investments
  1. Inflation means prices are going up, which affects how much you can buy with your money. This can make it harder to afford everyday things like food and housing.
  2. The consumer price index (CPI) is used to measure inflation by looking at the average cost of common items. Experts track how these prices change over time to understand inflation rates.
  3. Sometimes inflation can be good for the economy because it shows increased demand for goods. However, if wages don't keep up with rising prices, it can create financial strain for many people.

Daily Chartbook #391

Daily Chartbook • 235 implied HN points • 29 Feb 24
💰 Finance Investments
  1. The Daily Chartbook #391 is available for paid subscribers only.
  2. The post on Daily Chartbook contains 30 charts for the day.
  3. There is an option to subscribe on the Daily Chartbook website.

America's Productivity Boom

Apricitas Economics • 105 implied HN points • 25 Nov 24
💼 Business Investments
  1. America's productivity is growing really fast, much more than other countries. This means people are making more while working the same hours, which helps everyone earn better wages and live better lives.
  2. Most of this productivity growth is coming from the service sector, like tech and healthcare, rather than manufacturing. Many jobs have changed to become much more efficient, especially since the pandemic made businesses rethink how they work.
  3. However, this growth could slow down because of rising unemployment and less hiring. If businesses don't keep investing in better tools and technologies, the gains we've seen might start to vanish.

Uber is getting back into the self-driving game

Alex's Personal Blog • 32 implied HN points • 17 Jul 25
🕹 Technology Investments
  1. Uber is re-entering the self-driving market by partnering with Lucid and Nuro to launch a new robotaxi service. They plan to invest heavily and deploy thousands of vehicles in major US cities.
  2. AI investment is on the rise in Europe, with funding for AI-native startups increasing significantly, indicating growing interest and development in the field.
  3. There's a proposal to allow regular people to invest in private equity through their 401ks, which could open up new investment opportunities, but comes with risks due to the complexity of private investments.

38 stock ideas for 2024.

Jon’s Newsletter • 39 implied HN points • 30 Dec 23
💰 Finance Investments
  1. Investing in sectors like industrials, materials, and financials is recommended for good returns. Companies in these areas often generate high cash flow and have strong dividends.
  2. Some experts believe that consumer staples and financial stocks will do better in 2024 as they can benefit from lower interest rates and inflation-related price increases.
  3. It's a good idea to consider mid-sized companies and precious metals for investment, as they may have better valuations and growth potential amid an uncertain economic environment.

The collapse of Alibaba’s New Retail? - Part 2: Hypermarkets, Supermarkets and Convenience Stores

Tech Buzz China Insider • 19 implied HN points • 30 Mar 24
💼 Business Investments
  1. Alibaba's New Retail strategy faced challenges and issues over the years, leading to significant organizational changes and reversals in course.
  2. The article explores Alibaba's investments in hypermarkets and supermarkets, examining their performance in the past eight years.
  3. Hema (Freshippo), Alibaba's self-operated supermarket startup, has been experiencing rapid developments and both successes and failures.

18 months since - funding statistics for the 2021 space startup cohort

Intersections (by Filip) • 59 implied HN points • 17 Aug 23
🕹 Technology Investments
  1. Raw data reveals the financial landscape of space startups in 2021, with significant amounts invested and patterns in subsequent funding rounds.
  2. Data collection discrepancies highlight the importance of a diverse dataset and the impact of subsequent funding on company growth and investor interest.
  3. Understanding the timeline of funding, company failures, loyal investors, and the need for continuous rounds sheds light on the complexities and challenges faced by space startups.

The vibes are bad

Alex's Personal Blog • 65 implied HN points • 04 Mar 25
💼 Business Investments
  1. Okta and Gitlab had great stock performances today, showing positive earnings and growth. It's nice to see some companies thriving in a tough market.
  2. The stock market is struggling, with major indices like the DJIA and S&P500 dropping significantly. This could raise concerns about an upcoming recession.
  3. Despite the bad vibes in the market, there are still bright spots like new music releases making waves. It's important to find joy even when things seem uncertain.

Comparing the Financials of Databricks and Snowflake

Tanay’s Newsletter • 82 implied HN points • 30 Dec 24
💼 Business Investments
  1. Databricks is growing faster than Snowflake, with a revenue growth rate of 57% compared to Snowflake's 27%. However, Snowflake remains more profitable at this point.
  2. Databricks is currently valued higher than Snowflake due to its strong growth potential and better positioning in the AI market. This could lead to a significant payoff for them in the long run.
  3. Snowflake and Databricks have different business strategies, with Snowflake focusing on profitability and Databricks investing heavily in growth and product development, especially in AI technologies.

Saturday Sprouting Reads (Digital Agronomy, Farm Laws, Corteva's 'Bioquisition', Alternative Protein Funding, Production Hubs in Agriculture)

Agribusiness Matters • 58 implied HN points • 11 Mar 23
💼 Business Investments
  1. Analysis of Farm Laws in India suggests a steady reformist trajectory in agricultural markets, which was in progress even before the laws were repealed.
  2. Corteva's acquisition of Symborg and Stoller Group highlights the shift towards biologicals in crop protection as a growing segment.
  3. Investments in alternative proteins show a trend of non-American startups receiving significant funding, with plant-based startups receiving the most investments.

Is Stripe expensive, or is Adyen cheap?

Alex's Personal Blog • 65 implied HN points • 28 Feb 25
💼 Business Investments
  1. Startups are growing faster than ever, hitting $5 million in annual revenue quicker than before. This shows that today's startups have better opportunities and strategies to scale up.
  2. Self-driving technology is making great progress, with companies like Waymo doubling their paid rides in less than a year. This suggests that self-driving cars are becoming more reliable and popular.
  3. Comparing Stripe and Adyen reveals that Stripe is investing heavily in future growth while Adyen focuses on efficiency and profits. This difference shows how each company has its own strategy to succeed in the market.

How does a 63% premium sound?

Alex's Personal Blog • 65 implied HN points • 24 Feb 25
💰 Finance Investments
  1. Prosus is buying Just Eat for $4.3 billion, which is a huge 63% more than what it was worth before the deal. This shows a big jump in value but raises some questions among investors.
  2. Just Eat's growth has slowed down recently, with a slight drop in global revenue. This makes some people think the deal might not be a good bargain for Prosus.
  3. The Christian Democratic Union in Germany has won a recent election and plans to lower taxes and cut regulations. They're also focusing on energy policies and digital innovation, which could reshape Germany's economy.

Homebuilder Earnings

Erdmann Housing Tracker • 63 implied HN points • 25 Feb 25
💰 Finance Investments
  1. Homebuilder earnings give insights into the health of the housing market. They can show how well builders are doing right now.
  2. Tracking these earnings can help predict future trends in home prices and availability. It’s important for buyers and investors to know what's happening in the market.
  3. Understanding homebuilder performance can help people make better decisions about buying or selling homes. It helps everyone stay informed.

Alibaba's Reorg Hot Mess

Interconnected • 246 implied HN points • 17 Nov 23
💼 Business Investments
  1. Alibaba's corporate reorganization has faced challenges and setbacks
  2. Cancellation of AliCloud spinoff impacted Alibaba's stock price
  3. Alibaba is navigating an identity crisis between growth and shareholder value narratives

What Can We Learn From Banking Policy In Trump’s First Term?

Fintech Business Weekly • 89 implied HN points • 10 Nov 24
💰 Finance Investments
  1. Banking regulations during Trump's first term favored a more business-friendly and less restrictive approach, making it easier for financial innovations to flourish.
  2. Several key appointments in his administration were focused on encouraging small-dollar loans and improving access to credit for underprivileged communities.
  3. There are concerns about the transparency and accountability of banks, especially regarding how they handle customer funds during crises like bankruptcies.

Capital Gains Tax Explained

Concepts of Finance 🧠 • 119 implied HN points • 02 Mar 23
💰 Finance Investments
  1. Capital gains tax is what you pay when you sell an asset, like stocks or property, for more than you bought it. If you make a profit, that profit is subject to tax.
  2. There is an annual allowance for capital gains tax, meaning you can earn a certain amount from selling assets before you have to pay any tax on it. This allowance can vary by country and type of asset.
  3. There are different tax rates for short-term and long-term capital gains. Long-term gains are usually taxed at lower rates if you've held the asset for more than a year.

Exclusive details: inside the FTX data room

Jon’s Newsletter • 139 implied HN points • 13 Nov 22
🔮 Crypto Investments
  1. FTX faced a major financial crisis just before filing for bankruptcy, with a huge gap between its liabilities and liquid assets. This raised red flags for potential investors.
  2. Sam Bankman-Fried was in a rush to raise $6-10 billion and had to quickly set up a data room to attract investors, but the information provided only raised more questions.
  3. As communication with investors broke down, Sam became increasingly difficult to reach, indicating a deteriorating situation leading up to the bankruptcy filing.

Q4 NY Fed Report: Mortgage Originations by Credit Score, Delinquencies Increase, Foreclosures Remain Low

CalculatedRisk Newsletter • 57 implied HN points • 13 Feb 25
💰 Finance Investments
  1. Mortgage originations are showing different credit scores now compared to the bubble years from 2003 to 2006. This means people with lower credit scores are getting mortgages now.
  2. Delinquencies on mortgages are increasing, which means more people are having trouble making their payments on time.
  3. Foreclosures are still low, which is good news as it suggests that despite the rising delinquencies, people are not losing their homes at a high rate.

Varo Struggles On As Founder Colin Walsh Steps Down As CEO

Fintech Business Weekly • 52 implied HN points • 16 Feb 25
💰 Finance Investments
  1. Varo Bank is facing challenges as its founder and CEO Colin Walsh steps down. New CEO Gavin Michael has a tough job ahead with the company still not profitable.
  2. Despite some improvements in revenue and customer growth, Varo's net losses remain significant, with $65 million lost last year. It needs to boost its deposits and customer engagement.
  3. The financial regulatory landscape is changing with new appointments, including Jonathan McKernan resigning from the FDIC and being nominated to lead the CFPB. This could impact how financial services are managed going forward.

Late-Cycle Investment Theory: 10 Recent Snapshots

European Straits • 23 implied HN points • 05 Jul 25
💰 Finance Investments
  1. AI is making existing systems more efficient, rather than creating something entirely new. It helps industries use technology better, especially in areas that used to resist software.
  2. The push for American manufacturing jobs struggles against economic realities. Even with a desire to bring back factories, the strong dollar and global pressures make it hard to compete with countries like China.
  3. Private equity is changing its approach by buying insurance companies. This newer strategy helps them secure stable funding, but it also concentrates risks and could lead to financial problems.

Announcing $175m more to Bridge the Digital Divide

Equal Ventures • 19 implied HN points • 20 Feb 24
💼 Business Investments
  1. Equal Ventures raised $175 million to Bridge the Digital Divide - $100m for Equal Ventures Fund 2 and $75m for the Opportunity Fund to invest in analog markets like climate, insurance, retail, and supply chain.
  2. The firm aims to support founders in non-traditional technology markets and believes the time is right for innovation in these industries.
  3. Equal Ventures focuses on providing hands-on support, independent conviction, and a 'prepared mind' to startups, aiming for strong founder relationships and long-term success.

Nautilus Bio

ASeq Newsletter • 21 implied HN points • 14 Jul 25
💼 Business Investments
  1. Nautilus Bio's market cap is under $100 million, which is very low, especially compared to its competitor QuantumSi.
  2. The company is spending a lot, with annual losses of about $70 million to $80 million, but has some cash reserves that could keep it going for a few more years.
  3. There hasn't been much new technical information released recently, which raises questions about the company's progress and future strategy.

Series B Activity: September 2023

Magid and Co • 39 implied HN points • 11 Oct 23
💰 Finance Investments
  1. Series B deals show a trend of shrinking, with few exceptions like a $1.6B raised by a steel company.
  2. In September 2023, nine rounds in various sectors, from AI to defense, exceeded $100M.
  3. Data on Series B deals worldwide (excluding China) above $5M is provided, excluding therapeutics-focused companies.

Gen AI Awaits Indian Investments

Sector 6 | The Newsletter of AIM • 39 implied HN points • 21 Aug 23
🕹 Technology Investments
  1. Indian investments in generative AI have been lacking since Infosys's big investment in OpenAI in 2015.
  2. Billionaire Gautam Adani has shown interest in AI by acquiring a company and announcing plans for an AI lab, but progress has been slow.
  3. Mukesh Ambani's focus is mostly on telecom and retail, with only a small investment towards AI technology recently.

Series A activity: Week of July 31, 2023

Magid and Co • 39 implied HN points • 07 Aug 23
💼 Business Investments
  1. The post provides data on Series A deals from the week of July 31, 2023.
  2. The deals highlighted are worldwide, excluding China, where the amount raised is above $5 million and not focused on therapeutics.
  3. Readers can subscribe for free to receive more posts and support the author's work.

Series A activity: Week of August 7, 2023

Magid and Co • 39 implied HN points • 14 Aug 23
💼 Business Investments
  1. The post provides data on Series A deals completed in the last week
  2. The data focuses on Series A deals worldwide (excluding China) that raised over $5 million and are not in the therapeutic sector
  3. Readers can subscribe for free to receive new posts and support the author's work

Things every founder should know about "founder's stock" and QSBS

Nathan’s Substack • 39 implied HN points • 03 Sep 23
💼 Business Investments
  1. When starting a tech company, it's almost necessary to be a Delaware C-corp for investor funding, with significant advantages such as no corporate income tax and efficient legal processes.
  2. Founders stock refers to shares purchased by founders at formation for a very low value that brings tax benefits like immediate tax payments with the 83(b) election and quicker QSBS clock start.
  3. Understanding tax provisions like QSBS can lead to significant advantages for entrepreneurs, with strategies like 1045 exchanges and investing in Qualified Opportunity Zones to maximize gains and minimize taxes.