💼 If You Won’t Change Your Mind, the Market Will Do It for You

In partnership with

Good morning,

If you’re feeling a little seasick with the markets bobbing up and down like a boat caught in a storm, you’re not alone. Whether it's AI's impact on Wall Street or an unexpected crypto pivot, flexibility isn't just an asset—it's a necessity. So, while the world’s geopolitical chess match, AI hype, and Fed decisions seem intent on keeping you on your toes, the real question is: are you adjusting your strategy—or just holding onto that outdated compass?

"Those who cannot change their minds cannot change anything."
—George Bernard Shaw (Playwright)

Trump’s Latest Deal: A $127M Crypto-Infused Heist

Story Dominari Holdings, a small investment bank based in Trump Tower, has turned a $5M investment in bankrupt toy company SRM Entertainment into a $127M windfall after the firm pivoted into crypto with the help of controversial mogul Justin Sun. This dramatic turnaround comes amid an alleged insider advisory structure and the Trump family’s involvement.

What this means A potentially profitable but ethically dubious pivot into the crypto space. This case further blurs the lines between insider trading and speculative trading in the crypto market, raising questions about transparency.

Point of interest Crypto’s volatility and the high-risk investment strategies used by small firms can lead to sky-high gains. But is it too wild for your portfolio?

Stock Picks

• Low risk: Berkshire Hathaway $BRK.B ( ▼ 0.13% ) – Well-diversified with a long track record of growth; safe from crypto shenanigans.

• Medium risk: Coinbase $COIN ( ▲ 2.19% ) – The dominant crypto exchange, though a little tied to crypto market fluctuations, still a safe bet for the curious investor.

• High risk: SRM Entertainment $SRM ( ▲ 40.24% ) – A speculative bet on the success of its crypto pivot. The company’s success is heavily dependent on crypto market dynamics.

• Wildcard: Dominari Holdings $DOMH ( ▼ 8.0% ) – With ties to the Trump family and crypto dealings, it could be a goldmine—or a massive bust.

Trump Wants the Fed to Cut Rates by 10—Is He Missing the Point?

Story Trump is calling for 10 rate cuts from the Federal Reserve, a move that could destabilize the economy further. With inflationary pressures still present, this “magic number” might seem more like wishful thinking than a feasible solution.

What this means A rate cut could stimulate growth in the short term, but it risks making the inflation problem worse in the long term. Trump’s call suggests an even more drastic approach to economic recovery than current policy suggests.

Point of interest With inflation still eating away at your purchasing power, could a rate cut be the right move, or just a quick fix for an underlying issue?

Stock Picks

• Low risk: Procter & Gamble $PG ( ▲ 0.42% ) – Consumer staples remain strong during inflation, with a solid history of navigating economic turbulence.

• Medium risk: Visa $V ( ▼ 0.7% ) – As rates fall, credit spending and debt levels could rise, benefitting financials like Visa.

• High risk: Tesla $TSLA ( ▼ 0.61% ) – While volatile, a drop in rates could fuel further market speculation and make Tesla a key beneficiary of easy money policies.

• Wildcard: Goldman Sachs $GS ( ▲ 0.62% ) – A rate cut could disrupt traditional investment strategies, but Goldman’s deep pockets could help them weather the storm.

Wall Street’s Deal Drought: AI to the Rescue?

Story Wall Street’s deal-making activity has slowed significantly, but AI may offer a lifeline. With private equity funds trailing U.S. stocks, it seems AI-powered investment strategies might be the spark Wall Street needs to reignite its M&A activity.

What this means AI’s increasing integration into financial markets could lead to more efficient and dynamic deal-making processes. However, it also risks over-reliance on algorithms, which may overlook human factors.

Point of interest Could AI finally make Wall Street’s wheeling and dealing a bit more efficient? Or is this just another speculative play?

Stock Picks

• Low risk: JPMorgan Chase $JPM ( ▲ 0.46% ) – A financial titan that’s already integrating AI into its operations, offering both stability and innovation.

• Medium risk: Nvidia $NVDA ( ▼ 1.05% ) – The go-to AI chipmaker, whose products are integral to the AI boom in financial services.

• High risk: Palantir $PLTR ( ▼ 1.01% ) – An AI-driven data analytics company with volatile stock movements but promising long-term growth potential.

• Wildcard: Unity Software $U ( ▼ 0.92% ) – While not directly tied to finance, Unity’s AI-driven tools for virtual worlds could be the next frontier for the investment world.

Berkshire’s Premium Fades Without Buffett—Is It Time to Jump? 

Story The Berkshire Hathaway premium may be evaporating as Warren Buffett’s absence is felt more deeply. The company, long seen as a beacon of stability, could be losing its edge in the post-Buffett era.

What this means While Berkshire Hathaway still has its hands in a variety of lucrative sectors, without Buffett’s leadership, investors may need to rethink their strategy with the stock.

Point of interest Is Berkshire Hathaway still the titan of value investing without its fearless leader, or is it time to look for new picks?

Stock Picks

• Low risk: Johnson & Johnson $JNJ ( ▼ 0.73% ) – A tried and tested stock with less reliance on leadership changes.

• Medium risk: Apple $AAPL ( ▲ 0.6% ) – Continues to innovate and has a long history of steady growth even through leadership transitions.

• High risk: Berkshire Hathaway $BRK.B ( ▼ 0.13% ) – The investment giant’s future is more uncertain, but if you can stomach the risk, it may still yield long-term rewards.

• Wildcard: Tesla $TSLA ( ▼ 0.61% ) – While a high-risk bet, Tesla’s market leadership in electric vehicles and energy storage still offers massive growth potential.

Meta Throws $100M at OpenAI’s Engineers—Will Sam Altman Have the Last Laugh?

Story Meta is offering lucrative compensation packages to poach top engineers from OpenAI, which has Sam Altman worried. As the competition heats up, Altman claims OpenAI may eventually become the more valuable company, but it’s hard to overlook Meta’s deep pockets.

What this means Meta’s aggressive hiring strategy could tilt the scales in favor of AI innovation, but it also highlights the high-stakes battle for talent in the tech world. The question is: who will come out on top?

Point of interest Will Meta’s deep pockets make them the leader in AI development? Or is Altman’s long-term vision for OpenAI too strong to be eclipsed?

Stock Picks

• Low risk: Alphabet $GOOGL ( ▼ 2.24% ) – Google’s AI advancements are still at the forefront of the industry, offering a safe bet.

• Medium risk: Meta Platforms $META ( ▼ 1.04% ) – Aggressive hiring is paying off for Meta’s AI ambitions, though the risks of transition remain high.

• High risk: OpenAI (private) – If the company goes public, it could prove to be one of the most valuable AI entities in the market.

• Wildcard: Microsoft $MSFT ( ▼ 0.14% ) – A key partner in OpenAI, their stake in AI could pay off big, but the market volatility around tech stocks might make this a bumpy ride.

Smarter Investing Starts with Smarter News

Cut through the hype and get the market insights that matter. The Daily Upside delivers clear, actionable financial analysis trusted by over 1 million investors—free, every morning. Whether you’re buying your first ETF or managing a diversified portfolio, this is the edge your inbox has been missing.

Subscribe for free and invest with confidence.

M&A / Investments

1. Nippon Steel's Acquisition of US Steel ($14.1B)
   Japan's Nippon Steel has successfully completed its $14.1B acquisition of US Steel after an 18-month takeover saga. This deal ends political scrutiny and opposition within the U.S., marking a significant move in the steel sector and solidifying Nippon's global presence.

2. Mark Walter's Purchase of Stake in Los Angeles Lakers ($10B)
   Mark Walter, CEO of Guggenheim Partners and owner of the LA Dodgers, has agreed to acquire a majority stake in the NBA's Los Angeles Lakers from the Buss family. The deal, valued at $10B, is set to significantly shift the dynamics of both the NBA and major sports ownership.

3. Home Depot and QXO Competing for GMS Acquisition ($5B)
   Home improvement giant Home Depot and building-products distributor QXO are in a bidding war to acquire GMS, with QXO offering $5B in cash for a 27% premium. This acquisition would enhance their positions in the building products sector.

4. France's $1.5B Investment in Eutelsat
   France plans to double its stake in satellite operator Eutelsat with a $1.5B capital injection aimed at enhancing competition with SpaceX's Starlink, signaling the nation's commitment to strengthening its space and telecommunications industries.

5. Blackstone’s Acquisition of 40% Stake in Bellevue Office Buildings ($545M)
   Blackstone will acquire a 40% stake in two Bellevue office buildings leased to Meta, valuing the properties at $545M. This strategic move reflects Blackstone's strong position in the real estate market, especially in the tech-driven office space.

VC

1. TerraPower’s $650M Round for Nuclear Innovation
   TerraPower, a leader in nuclear innovation, raised $650M in funding from major investors including NVentures, Bill Gates, and HD Hyundai. This round is aimed at accelerating nuclear technology development to address global energy challenges.

2. Tennr's $101M Series C for Healthcare Orchestration
   Tennr, a platform for referral-based care using language models, raised $101M in Series C funding led by IVP. The company is poised to revolutionize healthcare delivery through its innovative orchestration technology.

3. Laurel's $100M Series C for AI Time Platform
   AI time management platform Laurel secured $100M in Series C funding, led by IVP. The platform is revolutionizing how businesses manage time through AI, positioning itself as a leader in this niche.

4. Nabla's $70M Series C for AI in Healthcare
   Nabla, an AI assistant platform for clinicians, raised $70M in Series C funding led by HV Capital. The company is developing AI tools to streamline clinical workflows, positioning itself as a key player in the healthcare AI space.

5. Maven AGI's $50M Series B for Enterprise AI
   Maven AGI, which offers AI solutions to unify the customer journey for enterprises, raised $50M in Series B funding led by Dell Technologies Capital. This funding will help scale its enterprise AI platform to improve customer experiences across industries.

Wrapping up

And so, as Shaw so wisely put it, if you’re not changing your mind, you’re probably not changing anything at all. While the markets continue to throw curveballs, a little flexibility goes a long way. So, as you consider today’s picks, remember: sometimes, the smartest move isn’t sticking with what’s familiar, but rather, adjusting your course to catch the next big wave.

Until next time,
The Briefcase Team 💼

P.S. Turn your “almost there” portfolio into a pro-level powerhouse.
Briefcase beats the S&P 500 by over 50%.