The Prime Numbers

Amazon Prime is booming, with like 180 million people in the US having a membership. That's a ton of folks who love getting their stuff fast and free. Think of it like a club, but instead of weird handshakes, you get super speedy deliveries and access to tons of cool shows and movies. All for a yearly fee (or a monthly splurge, if that's your jam).

For a price (think monthly splurge or annual fee, depending on your style), you get free shipping, exclusive deals, and access to Prime Video. It's pretty sweet, especially if you're constantly ordering things online (no judgment, we've all been there with the cat socks and fancy pickles).

The Stock Market Tango

Amazon's been doing great lately, kind of like it's dancing on top of the charts. The pandemic definitely helped, with everyone shopping online like crazy. But here's the kicker: Prime memberships actually slowed down a bit during that time. Some folks thought Amazon might have hit a wall, like a climber stuck on a tough ledge. But here's the twist: Prime membership growth flattened out during the pandemic. Some folks thought Amazon had hit a plateau, like a climber stuck on a tricky ledge.

But guess what? The recent data shows that 75% of US shoppers still have Prime memberships. That's a clear sign that Amazon is still gaining new subscribers. These folks believe their Amazon addiction justifies the investment in Prime. It's like saying, "Yeah, I order cat socks and artisanal pickles every week, but at least I get free shipping!"¹

Investing in the Amazon Jungle

Here's the lowdown: They're not just an online store anymore. They're a tech giant with their hands in everything, from cloud computing to streaming to even getting groceries delivered. Pretty wild, right? Here's why you might want to consider grabbing some AMZN stock (that's their ticker symbol):

1. E-Commerce Dominance: Amazon's e-commerce game is stronger than a double-shot espresso. People shop there for everything from dog food to inflatable unicorn floats. As long as humans crave convenience (and unicorns), Amazon's got a seat at the table.

2. Cloud Magic: Amazon Web Services (AWS) is like the wizard behind the curtain. It powers half the internet, including Netflix, NASA, and your neighbor's cat blog. AWS revenue keeps climbing, like a mountain goat scaling Everest.

3. Prime Addiction: Remember those 180 million Prime members? They're not going anywhere. Prime's sticky like caramel on a hot day. Plus, Amazon keeps adding perks, like free grocery delivery and early access to Black Friday deals.

4. Innovation Galore: Jeff Bezos, the Amazon founder, loves crazy ideas. Think drones delivering packages, cashier-less stores, and Alexa reading bedtime stories. If you're into futuristic stuff, Amazon's your playground.

5. Risk Alert: Investing can be risky, and Amazon has competition to keep an eye on (Walmart and Alibaba, anyone?). Plus, things can change fast in the world of business. So, don't expect overnight success – investing is a marathon, not a sprint.

Big win for tech! TSMC (Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company) just scored a giant pile of cash (like, $6.6 billion!) from the US government to build chip factories here in the states.

That's right, Arizona is about to become a major chip-making hub, and forget the whole cacti and cowboy boots thing for a sec. This dusty state is about to be on the cutting edge of tech! Imagine it: super-advanced chip production happening under the Arizona sun. Maybe not with tumbleweeds rolling by, but you get the picture.

The Grand Plan

TSMC already has two factories in Arizona, set to fire up their chip-making engines in 2025 and 2028. But wait for it—the $6.6 billion jackpot means they're building a third factory. Yep, you heard me right. Three factories, all humming with the promise of next-gen 2-nanometer chips. That's like having a pocket-sized supercomputer in your smartphone.

The Nitty-Gritty

So, what's the fuss about these 2nm chips? Well, they're the secret sauce behind everything cool: artificial intelligence, self-driving cars, and even the military's top-secret gadgets. Imagine your phone's brainpower on steroids. And guess what? TSMC plans to churn out these tiny marvels right here in the land of burgers and fries.

Gina Raimondo's Victory Lap

Commerce Secretary does a happy dance! Gina Raimondo, the big boss at the Commerce Department, is practically popping champagne corks. Why? Because for the first time ever, the US will be churning out the most advanced chips around, right here at home. And guess what? American workers will be making them!

The Biden Effect

This whole shebang is part of President Joe Biden's grand plan to boost domestic chip production. The Chips and Science Act (sounds like a blockbuster movie title, doesn't it?) set aside a whopping $39 billion in direct grants. Plus, there are loans and guarantees worth $75 billion. It's like Uncle Sam's saying, "Hey, chipmakers, come party in the USA!"

The Ripple Effect

TSMC's stock is doing a little victory dance too. Intel's already in on the action with nearly $20 billion in grants and loans. And rumor has it that Samsung's getting a slice of the pie too—more than $6 billion, to be precise.

Hey there, fellow money-watchers! Let’s chat about everyone’s favorite topic: inflation. You know, that sneaky thing that matches prices and makes your wallet suck. Take charge of yourself, as we plunge into a dangerous world of rising debt and bankruptcy.

The Scoop

So what's the deal on inflation in 2024? Well, according to the latest crime from the US. According to the Labor Department (they call it a "report," but let's keep it spicy), annual inflation struts its stuff at 3.2% for the 12 months ending in February. Not too simple, right? But wait, there’s more! The next update is due on April 10th, and we’re all on the edge of our beanbag seats waiting to see if inflation has got any more surprises up its sleeve.

Blast from the Past

Let's rewind the VHS tape and check out the highlights from the past decade. Picture this: inflation rates doing the cha-cha from 2014 to 2024. Here's the rundown:

1. 2023: A whopping 6.4% inflation rate. Yeah, it was like inflation had a double espresso and decided to party.
2. 2022: Hold onto your avocado toast—8.0% inflation! People were side-eyeing their grocery bills like, "What's the deal, organic kale?"
3. 2021: Pandemic recovery mode, and inflation was like, "Hey, I'm back!" Clocking in at 4.7%, it was the inflation equivalent of a surprise guest at your birthday party.

Crystal Ball Predictions

What do the experts say? Well, the Federal Reserve (those money wizards) expects core PCE inflation to chill out from 3.2% in 2023 to a breezy 2.4% in 2024. They're sipping chamomile tea and hoping for the best. Meanwhile, the private sector folks are nodding along, predicting inflation to dip below 2.5%. It's like a financial game of limbo—how low can you go? If inflation looks tame and rates are dropped this summer good things could be in store in the real estate market and the stock market.

Navigating the Inflation Jungle

Policymakers are tiptoeing through this jungle of rising prices. Imagine them in khaki shorts, binoculars in hand, whispering, "Watch out for the CPI vines!" The challenge? Balancing economic growth with taming inflation. If things get wild, the Fed might pull out the recession card to keep inflation in check. It's like playing Jenga with the economy—careful moves, folks.

Former President Donald Trump’s social media platform **Truth Social** has been the subject of intense and anticipated discussion. After years of struggle, it finally found its place in the stock market. In this article, we take an in-depth look at Truth Social’s journey, its research, and the implications of its public debut.

The way society works

Truth Social’s parent company **Trump Media & Technology** took a different approach to going public. Instead of a traditional initial public offering (IPO), it chose to "blank check" merge with a shell company called **Digital World Acquisition**. Shareholders of Digital World voted in favor of the merger, giving Trump’s social media venture access to the stock market.

Lackluster Launch and Shareholder Support

Truth Social has faced challenges since its lackluster design, which has led to limited sales of about $5 million as of 2021. However, loyal Trump supporters have rallied behind it, increasing participation in Digital World and have driven the stock up an impressive 145% since the beginning of the year to $6 billion.

Ticker Symbol: DJT

The newly formed company will trade on the stock market as **Trump Media & Technology Group**, using the ticker symbol **"DJT"**—Trump's initials. Ahead of the announcement, Digital World's stock price stood at $44, implying that the combined entity would debut with a value exceeding $5 billion.

Trump's Paper Fortune

Donald Trump's stake in the combined business comprises approximately **79 million shares**, translating to a paper fortune of about **$3 billion**. However, he won't be able to cash in immediately due to a six-month lock-up period for key shareholders after the merger.

Financial Crunch and Meme Stock Status

This move comes amidst a financial crunch for Trump, who aims to regain the presidency from Joe Biden in the upcoming elections. A New York judge recently ordered him to pay $454 million following a civil fraud case. His lawyers have deemed this payment a "practical impossibility" after 30 surety companies declined to cover it.

Digital World has also become a so-called **meme stock**, fueled by internet memes—some posted on platforms like Truth Social—encouraging retail investors to buy into it. Despite underlying fundamentals, the stock's rise has been remarkable.

Investors have flocked to Nvidia-focused exchange-traded funds (ETFs) amid an AI frenzy, with a bullish fund tracking shares of the chip designer achieving an all-time high in Thursday's GraniteShares 2x Long NVDA Daily ETF seeing notable growth, which has attracted significant capital from investors eager to ride the wave of artificial intelligence.

Inflow Numbers and Growth

- Net daily inflows into the GraniteShares 2x Long NVDA Daily ETF reached a staggering $197 million, according to LSEG Lipper data. This record inflow reflects the growing interest in Nvidia as a key player in the AI and high-performance computing space.
- The assets managed by the ETF have surged from $213.75 million at the start of the year to an impressive $1.41 billion. This substantial increase underscores the confidence investors have in Nvidia’s future prospects.

Why It Matters

Risk-averse investors have traditionally shied away from single-currency tracking ETFs, especially those that target short-term returns. But the arrival of these ETFs in the United States. The 2022 market has attracted interest from investors. Leveraged single-stock ETFs seek to maximize returns on the underlying stock in one day, and often use financial derivatives and debt as leverage.

Nvidia's Dominance and Euphoria Around AI

- Nvidia, which controls nearly 80% of the high-end AI chip market, has been on a tear since the start of the year. Buoyed by stellar forecasts and a new boom for AI technology, the stock is up nearly 82%.
- Leveraged ETFs focused on Nvidia have become a favored choice for investors seeking higher returns in exchange for added risk. As a new wave of must-own companies emerges, these ETFs offer exposure to the tech giant’s growth potential.

Impressive Performance

- The GraniteShares 2x Long NVDA ETF, along with other Nvidia-linked ETFs, has witnessed explosive growth. Assets of these funds have multiplied between five and 11 times since the start of 2024.
- Year-to-date, their prices have soared between 143% and 218%, outperforming many other ETFs in the market.

Berkshire Hathaway the company with Warren Buffett making the financial decisions has just reported its quarterly earnings. The news was very positive for the conglomerate. Let's discuss what the company told us about their on-going operations.

Earnings? On Point

Berkshire Hathaway cleaned up in their latest earnings report. We're talking $8.5 billion in operating earnings – that's a serious 28% jump from last year! Turns out, their insurance business is crushing it.

And get this - their revenue for Q4 2023 hit $169.9 billion. Crazy, right? That's a massive 83% year-over-year increase. Why the boost? Well, they brought in Alleghany (an insurance company) and results from Pilot Travel Centers are now part of the mix.

Financial Fortress:

Financially, Berkshire's looking pretty buff right now. Their market value is flirting with that crazy $1 trillion mark. And their shares? They've been on a wild ride, up about 17% in the first two months of 2024 alone.

One striking feature is the company's record cash pile. As of Q4 2023, Berkshire Hathaway held a massive $167.6 billion in cash, exceeding the previous record. This massive reserve provides them with ample ammunition for future investments.

Looking Ahead: Steady Growth Expected

While the recent earnings and financial health are positive indicators, Warren Buffett has cautioned investors in his annual shareholder letter. He expressed that finding truly impactful investment opportunities for Berkshire's massive size is becoming increasingly difficult.

Despite this challenge, Berkshire Hathaway is expected to continue performing well due to its diverse portfolio across various industries. Although "eye-popping performance" might be scarce, as Buffett himself mentions, we can expect continued and stable growth from this financial powerhouse.

When it comes to tech darlings, NVIDIA (NVDA) has shown over the part year that it is one of the top companies. So, when their earnings dropped on February 21st, it wasn't exactly a shocker. More like a victory lap with fireworks.

Nvidia Revenue

Numbers that would make a quant blush: $22.1 billion in revenue? They clearly beat expectations surprising most analysts and causing the whole market to move higher. And the company came out with new guidance for next quarter that is also very strong.

Wall Street's out there with their measly projections, and NVIDIA's saying, "Amateurs."

Now, the market, bless its collective heart, went bonkers.

The move higher in the market was not entirely based on Nvidia performance. It's a bellwether, people. See, NVIDIA isn't just pushing bits, they're pushing the boundaries of AI. And in a world obsessed with artificial intelligence, their performance is like reading the entrails of the tech industry.

More Earnings

And guess what? The entrails look good. AMD, Super Micro, even Palantir – they all hitched a ride on NVIDIA's rocket ship. It's like a rising tide lifting all the AI boats (though some, admittedly, leakier than others).

But there's a fly in the ointment, or should I say, a chip shortage in the fab. Demand for NVIDIA's latest goodies is through the roof, hotter than a blockchain in Miami. Supply, on the other hand? Not so forthcoming. It's a classic case of too many gamers and not enough graphics cards.

And let's not forget the data center bonanza. Revenue there went supernova, exploding 409% year-over-year. That's like finding a Bitcoin mine in your basement (not that I'd know anything about that).

So, what's the takeaway? Continue to watch NVIDIA stock over the next quarter. They're a chipmaker but they are also a harbinger of the future, shaping the digital landscape. And as for the market tremors?

Let's say they're feeling the aftershocks of a tech giant in overdrive. The AI revolution is just getting started. P.S. Don't expect me to quote myself. I leave the theatrics to the analysts.

Remember that dream of a rate cut this year? Yeah, that's looking about as likely as a snowball fight in July. The Fed ain't budging until they see inflation cooling down for real, and the reports this week aren't exactly giving them the chills. Surprisingly, the market continues to trend higher.

Mortgage Rates

And speaking of chills, how about those mortgage rates? They're shooting up faster than a rocket on Red Bull, hitting their highest level in two months. So much for that hot spring housing market, folks. Let's hope for a trend downward soon.

Keep Your Head Up

Bottom line? Buckle up, buttercup! This inflation ride is gonna be bumpy, but us savvy investors know how to navigate these choppy waters. Just remember, stay informed, stay focused, and don't let the fear mongers get you down! Some stocks are still producing good earnings and it's a election year.

Alright, let's spice up this earnings preview with some Wall Street flair! Buckle up, folks, because the streaming giant Netflix is about to hit the earnings runway tomorrow, and analysts are betting it'll stick the landing in style.

First things first: new subscribers. Analysts are chomping at the bit to see if Netflix can snag another 9 million viewers, but whispers on the wind hint at a possible double-digit touchdown. Could this be the quarter that cracks the 10 million mark? And if so, will it be fueled by the buzz around their new ad tier or those not-so-secret password crackdown plans?

Speaking of the ad tier, eyes are peeled to see how this baby shakes out. Can it inject a fresh boost of revenue without alienating the core subscriber base? It's a delicate dance, folks, but Netflix has a history of fancy footwork. Plus, with more money in their pants pockets, the company has some fire to create more content.

Of course, Wall Street wouldn't be what it is without some numbers to look at. Analysts are predicting earnings per share of $2.21, and Netflix themselves are eyeing an 11% revenue bump to $8.7 billion. They've even cranked up the profit margin dial, aiming for a full-year 20% operating margin – a sweet upgrade from the previous 18%-20% estimate.

Now, let's talk Netflix stock. This bad boy has been on a tear lately, leading the charge among the FAANG family. But hold your horses, cowboys and cowgirls – tomorrow's report could send it bucking higher, or leave it flat on its hooves. So, buckle up tight, keep your trading charts handy, and prepare for a wild ride after the closing bell.

Hey folks, here with a big update on the Apple Watch import drama. Remember that whole Masimo patent tiff that put the brakes on the Series 9 and Ultra 2? Well, good news, bad news situation brewing.

US Customs Decision

First, the good news: U.S. Customs just ruled that Apple's proposed redesign of the Watch Series 9 and Ultra 2 sidesteps that nasty import ban. Seems they found a way to tweak the tech without infringing on Masimo's patents. This means we could see those shiny new watches on shelves again soon, folks. This redesign probably means we won't see those fancy new blood oxygen features – at least not in their current form. And that's where things get juicy.

Masimo Settlement

Settling with Masimo and admitting tech pilfering isn't exactly Apple's style. They've always prided themselves on clean-room engineering, and this whole kerfuffle could tarnish their shiny image. Plus, there's the risk of legal dominoes – other companies might come sniffing around for their pound of patent flesh.

So, what's next? Apple could roll out their redesigned Watches sans blood oxygen, which wouldn't exactly set the tech world on fire. Or, they could fight Masimo tooth and nail in court, a process that could drag on for years. My money's on the latter – Apple ain't one to back down from a good scrap.