The Bullish Breakdown: Rate Cuts, Palantir's Rise, and the Bitcoin Revolution

1. Market Brief

Market Recap: U.S. stocks declined last week as investors expressed concerns over inflation and rising bond yields. The Dow Jones Industrial Average fell for its seventh consecutive day, marking the longest losing streak since February 2020. The S&P 500 experienced a modest dip, while the Nasdaq saw a slight uptick, largely driven by gains in shares of Broadcom, the semiconductor giant.

Trends and Key Themes: This week, it all comes down to interest rates. Stocks will likely follow whichever direction the rates move.

Upcoming Key Events: This week, the Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) meeting is set to take place, which could spark some market volatility. A 25-basis-point rate hike is widely expected, though not yet confirmed.

2. Palantir Technologies Inc (PLTR)

This week’s stock spotlight is on Palantir, a company I recall purchasing in 2020, holding for a few months, and selling for a small profit. In hindsight, I wish I had held onto it, especially given the recent developments surrounding the company. Notably, Palantir has secured new lucrative U.S. government contracts, which are driving substantial revenue growth. On top of that, it will be added to the Nasdaq-100 this week, further solidifying its position in the market.

Research Analysis:

3. The Blockchain: Can Bitcoin Be A Strategic Reserve?

Bitcoin recently surpassed $100,000 and is now approaching the $110,000 mark, fueled by speculation that President-Elect Donald Trump may consider building a crypto reserve. When asked about the possibility of creating a reserve similar to oil reserves, Trump responded, "Yeah, I think so."

With more and more people shifting their stance on Bitcoin in recent months, it’s looking increasingly likely that the cryptocurrency could see significant gains over the next presidential term.

4. Bonus Bucks: Earn With Instagram

Recently, many people have been turning to Instagram as a way to make some extra cash. The most popular strategies include creating meme, travel, or food pages and growing a dedicated following. As your audience expands, you can tap into affiliate marketing opportunities, and brands may even reach out to send products for you to feature on your feed. So, if you have some spare time, why not start an Instagram channel around something you're passionate about and see where it takes you?

5. A Good Read: The Intelligent Investor

The Intelligent Investor by Benjamin Graham, first published in 1949, is a widely acclaimed and influential book on the principles and practices of value investing. This seminal work has stood the test of time, offering readers a comprehensive guide to understanding and implementing value investing strategies in the stock market. Graham, often referred to as the "father of value investing," meticulously outlines the fundamental concepts that investors can use to identify undervalued stocks and make informed investment decisions.