February 11th, 2025
Stock futures slightly lower this morning, interest rates little changed with the 10 year US treasury yield at 4.54%, oil higher at $73.34 and gold lower at $2,919. CNBNC
Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell will testify before Congress Tuesday morning, beginning two days of semiannual hearings on monetary policy on Capitol Hill. CNBC
President Trump introduced his latest round of tariffs Monday, signing an order that would levy a 25% tariff on steel and aluminum imports. CNBC
A house that was destroyed in the recent devastating wildfires that tore through the Los Angeles’s Pacific Palisades neighborhood listed for $999,000; the property got more than 60 offers and is now in escrow for what the agent who listed it describes as “a good chunk more” than $1 million. Before the fire, the home was valued at $2.7 million. Morning Brew
A group of investors led by Elon Musk made a $97.4 billion offer for control of OpenAI on Monday; the bid was rejected by OpenAI CEO Sam Altman who replied with an X post, “no thank you but we will buy twitter for $9.74 billion if you want.” CNBC
McDonald’s will continue its strategy of closing US store locations while expanding overseas. The company is on track to reach 50,000 restaurants by the end of 2027, which would mark its fastest ever period of global expansion. Chartr
The ride-sharing platform Lyft will launch driverless robotaxis in Dallas as early as next year. 1440
Despite government efforts, new marriages in China have sunk to a record low — only ~6.1 million couples tied the knot in 2024, down more than 20% from the year before. 1440
New Zealand is simplifying its “golden visa” program to attract wealthy foreign investors and home buyers to the country, including removing an English language requirement. Axios
Hamas accuses Israel of violating ceasefire deal, including shelling areas of Gaza, and says it will indefinitely suspend the release of hostages. 1440
Nearly 50 people were arrested in Philadelphia in the wake of celebration following Eagles' Super Bowl win Sunday night. 1440
Luka Doncic scored 14 points in 24 minutes in his debut win with the Lakers. ESPN
Fox Sports is projecting a Super Bowl record average audience of 126 million U.S. views across television and streaming platforms for Philadelphia’s 40-22 victory over Kansas City on Sunday night. ESPN
Ahead of Valentine’s Day, zoos across the country have rolled out fundraisers that allow you to get back at your ex in the pet-tiest way possible. A few examples:
-The San Antonio Zoo invites you to name a cockroach, rodent, or vegetable after your ex that’ll then be fed to its animals in exchange for a donation.
-For a $15 donation, the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium will let you name a superworm after an ex that’ll end up as lunch for the zoo’s sloth bears.
Morning Brew
The report herein is not a complete analysis of every material fact in respect to any company, industry or security. The opinions expressed here reflect the judgment of the author as of the date of the report and are subject to change without notice. Any market prices are only indications of market values and are subject to change. The information contained herein is based on technical and/or fundamental market analysis and may be based on data obtained from recognizable statistical services, issuer reports or communications or other sources believed to be reliable. However, such information has not been verified by us, and we do not make any representations as to its accuracy or completeness. The material has been prepared or is distributed solely for information purposes and is not a solicitation or an offer to buy any security or instrument or to participate in any trading strategy. Additional information is available upon request.
Leslie Darrington
Managing Partner, Financial Advisor
February 10th, 2025
Stock futures higher, interest rates flat, oil around $72 and gold over $2,900. CNBC
The cost of eggs continues to hit record highs in the US, with wholesale prices above $7.30 for a dozen large white eggs. The figure is up from around $5 at the beginning of the year and almost three times as much year over year. USDA
Waffle House added a 50-cent-per-egg surcharge last week, and Trader Joe's has a one-dozen-per-customer limit nationwide. 1440
Israeli troops yesterday withdrew from a four-mile strip—the Netzarim Corridor—that divides northern and southern Gaza as part of a ceasefire agreement with Hamas. 1440
National Institutes of Health to cap indirect costs—funding that goes to administrative costs and other overhead—on new grants at 15%; current average is close to 30%, $9B of $35B in funding last year went to overhead. 1440
Meta expected to begin planned layoffs today, targeting low performing employees. CNBC
Eagles dominate Super Bowl and Chiefs don’t three-peat. The Eagles swarmed Patrick Mahomes all night, forcing four turnovers. Chiefs managed a meager 23 yards and a single first down in the first half. ESPN
The Eagles did not blitz on a single play. They generated 16 pressures and recorded six sacks, one shy of the Super Bowl record and the most Mahomes has ever taken. Yahoo
The Eagles entered their bye week at 2-2. The team responded by going 16-1 the rest of the way with nine double-digit wins. Yahoo
Eagles OC Kellen Moore is expected to be named Saints head coach. Yahoo
Eagle rookie Cooper DeJean (22) became the first player to score a birthday TD in the Super Bowl. Yahoo
Jets are moving on from Aaron Rodgers and Davante Adams. Yahoo
#1 Auburn and #2 Duke both lost in men’s basketball on Saturday, and KU lost at KST for the 3rd year in a row. ESPN
Luka Dončić will make his Lakers debut tonight. Yahoo
A Stradivarius violin from 1714 hauls in $11.25M at auction, becoming the third most expensive musical instrument sold at auction. 1440
The report herein is not a complete analysis of every material fact in respect to any company, industry or security. The opinions expressed here reflect the judgment of the author as of the date of the report and are subject to change without notice. Any market prices are only indications of market values and are subject to change. The information contained herein is based on technical and/or fundamental market analysis and may be based on data obtained from recognizable statistical services, issuer reports or communications or other sources believed to be reliable. However, such information has not been verified by us, and we do not make any representations as to its accuracy or completeness. The material has been prepared or is distributed solely for information purposes and is not a solicitation or an offer to buy any security or instrument or to participate in any trading strategy. Additional information is available upon request.
Charles L Schorgl, Jr.
Managing Partner - Financial Advisor
February 4th, 2025
Stock futures are mixed this morning, interest rates higher with the 10-year US treasury yield at 4.59%, oil lower around $71.40 and gold slightly lower at $2,849.50. CNBC
The U.S. agreed to a monthlong pause on the implementation of tariffs through two separate deals with Mexico and Canada yesterday, temporarily averting 25% levies with large implications for all three countries involved. Axios
A 10% import tariff on Chinese imports that President Donald Trump ordered did kick in today; China announced retaliatory tariffs of up to 15% on select US imports starting February 10th. 1440
President Trump signed an executive order calling for the creation of a sovereign wealth fund (and hinted that it could buy TikTok); it’s unclear where the money would come from and if it will require congressional approval. Axios
USAID—an independent government organization that provides life-saving foreign aid to other countries—is holding on by a thread after Elon Musk orchestrated a physical takeover, suspending employees and taking away access to their accounts. However, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, who stepped in as the agency’s acting administrator yesterday, suggested he’d work with Congress to overhaul USAID instead of shuttering it completely. Axios
The Super Bowl advertisements are targeting more women this year, with companies like Novartis marking it’s Super Bowl debut with a 60-second commercial spotlighting breast cancer awareness, Him & Hers running it’s first ad highlighting America’s obesity crisis, and Dove with a 30-second ad discussing ways body confidence issues prevent girls from playing sports in high school. Axios
OpenAI unveiled a new agent that uses ChatGPT to conduct in-depth research. It’s creatively named “deep research.” Morning Brew
Roughly 200 earthquakes have rattled the Greek island of Santorini since Friday, with tremors occurring every few minutes and reaching a magnitude of up to 4.9. 1440
Uganda began an Ebola vaccine trial after the new outbreak killed a nurse and infected 2 others. AP News
The Super Bowl will stream for free on Tubi on it’s free, ad-supported platform. CNBC
Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts said the loss to the Kansas City Chiefs in Super Bowl LVII “lit a fire” in him and he is focused on finishing the job this time around. ESPN
Travis Kelce said that even if the Kansas City Chiefs win a third straight Super Bowl on Sunday, he has no plans to retire. “I love doing this, I love coming into work every day. I feel like I still have a lot of good football left in me ….” Kelce said on Monday evening. ESPN
About 43% of fast food orders in the US overall happen at the drive-thru window, and 27% of those meals are downed before exiting the vehicle. Morning Brew
The report herein is not a complete analysis of every material fact in respect to any company, industry or security. The opinions expressed here reflect the judgment of the author as of the date of the report and are subject to change without notice. Any market prices are only indications of market values and are subject to change. The information contained herein is based on technical and/or fundamental market analysis and may be based on data obtained from recognizable statistical services, issuer reports or communications or other sources believed to be reliable. However, such information has not been verified by us, and we do not make any representations as to its accuracy or completeness. The material has been prepared or is distributed solely for information purposes and is not a solicitation or an offer to buy any security or instrument or to participate in any trading strategy. Additional information is available upon request.
Leslie Darrington
Managing Partner, Financial Advisor
February 3rd, 2025
Stock futures lower after the US will apply broad 25% tariffs on all imports from Canada and Mexico and an additional 10% tariff on Chinese goods. CNBC
Interest rates lower, oil around $74.50 and gold around $2825. CNBC
Six Americans released from detention in Venezuela following diplomatic talks with senior Trump administration officials. 1440
President Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu will meet at the White House tomorrow. Morning Brew
Fire officials say deadly Eaton and Palisades wildfires in Los Angeles now 100% contained. 1440
Costco agrees to pay raises and avoids a strike; entry-level rate to increase to $20 per hour. CNBC
Wild Saturday for local college basketball. KST dominates at #3 Iowa St, Mizzou does the same at #14 Miss St, and KU builds a 21 point first half lead and then loses by 11. Iowa St at Kansas tonight. ESPN
Dallas Mavericks trade star Luka Doncic to Los Angeles Lakers for Anthony Davis. ESPN
Chip Kelly leaving the Ohio St to become Las Vegas Raiders Offensive Coordinator. ESPN
Eric Bieniemy headed to Chicago Bears as RB coach. ESPN
Nebraska considering cancelling spring game so other teams don’t poach their players. Over 60,000 attended last year. ESPN
At the Grammy Awards Beyonce’ won album of the year for "Cowboy Carter." She also nabbed an award for best country album. Kendrick Lamar dominated the Grammys and won five awards, including record of the year and song of the year for "Not Like Us." 1440
Punxsutawney Phil saw his shadow, meaning six more weeks of winter. The good news? His predictions are correct only 35% of the time. NOAA
“Atropia" wins top prize at 2025 Sundance Film Festival. 1440
It’s National Golden Retriever Day. 1440
The report herein is not a complete analysis of every material fact in respect to any company, industry or security. The opinions expressed here reflect the judgment of the author as of the date of the report and are subject to change without notice. Any market prices are only indications of market values and are subject to change. The information contained herein is based on technical and/or fundamental market analysis and may be based on data obtained from recognizable statistical services, issuer reports or communications or other sources believed to be reliable. However, such information has not been verified by us, and we do not make any representations as to its accuracy or completeness. The material has been prepared or is distributed solely for information purposes and is not a solicitation or an offer to buy any security or instrument or to participate in any trading strategy. Additional information is available upon request.
Charles L Schorgl, Jr.
Managing Partner - Financial Advisor