⚔️ Disney at war

and how to save $20,000

Morning Download 

Personal finance + economics + markets

Good morning investors! Everyone’s talking about the Israel-Hamas conflict and its potential impact on international markets. Let’s see how it’s affecting us.

TLDR: Not much yet, but we’re watching to see how much tensions escalate. Especially the price of oil, which was up 4% yesterday. More on implications on the market here.

🇳🇬 Fun fact: Nigeria is Africa’s largest crypto market with over 27 million crypto users. In comparison, the US has over 50 million.

Today we cover:

  • World to face a recession? 🌍

  • Disney is at war. 🩸 

  • How to save $20,000. 🪙 

Follow us on Twitter for more.

🔈 Audio version: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | YouTube

📊 Economy and News 

UNCTAD warns of stalling and divergent global growth

The United Nations Conference on Trade and Development thinks the world is entering a recession.

Not the U.S.: Most experts agree that the US has averted a recession (for now); however, major economies like China, the UK, and Germany are still struggling.

In its Trade and Development Report 2023, the organization highlights the need for countries to review policies.

"We need a balanced policy mix of fiscal, monetary and supply-side measures to achieve financial sustainability, boost productive investment and create better jobs. Regulation needs to address the deepening asymmetries of the international trading and financial system," said UNCTAD Secretary-General Rebeca Grynspan.

Furthermore, even growing economies are facing challenges. Argentina is in a crisis, Sri Lanka is battling issues, and Pakistan is about to go bankrupt.

But, there is some hope as well: India and Guyana are shining and the U.S. is on the road to recovery (although that may change. We’re keeping a close eye on it.). In fact, some European economies, such as Italy, are doing well too.

Global hits:

📈 Stocks

S&P 500 4,335.66 (0.63%)
DJIA 33,604.65 (0.59%)
NASDAQ 15,047.15 (0.49%)
VIX 17.70 (1.43%)
* Prices as of Sep 10th, 12:20 AM UTC

Nelson Peltz reignites proxy war by increasing Disney stake

Activist investor Nelson Peltz and his company, Trian Fund Management, have decided to revive the possibility of a proxy war with Disney, about a year after ending the ‘battle’. The man has amassed a $2.5 billion stake in Walt Disney Co..

The stake makes Trian one of the largest shareholders in Disney.

What’s different now: The firm has plans to get multiple seats on the board this time, including one for Peltz. During the last battle, they only wanted one seat (for Peltz).

When? The nomination window for new board members opens on December 5 and runs until January 4.

Disney will have the option to reject Trian’s proposal, after which it will nominate directors during the open window to be voted on at the company’s annual meeting in spring 2024.

Trian’s story: Trian launched the proxy fight in January with about 9.4 million shares. Peltz was very vocal about what he didn’t like in Disney, including its $71 billion acquisition of Fox and failed succession planning.

Trian had released a slide presentation earlier this year showing how it plans to help Disney.

The news sent Disney up 2.12% on Monday.

Sponsored by RYSE

Missed out on Ring and Nest? Don’t let RYSE slip away!

Where were you when Amazon acquired Where were you when Amazon acquired Ring for $1B? Or when Google bought Nest for a cool $3.2B?

Hopefully, you were invested in those promising startups. But for those that missed out, the next groundbreaking Smart Home innovation has arrived 一 RYSE.

Their automated window shade tech is poised to dominate the fast-growing Smart Shades market.

Following the examples of Ring and Nest, they have generated over 15X growth in share price for early shareholders, with significant upside remaining as they launch in over 100 Best Buys.

🏃The race to dominate the Smart Shades market is on, and RYSE is in pole position.

  • Competitive Advantage: The only Smart Shade designed for quick, DIY installation that can be seamlessly controlled by voice, smartphone, or schedule.

  • Smart Price: Priced at $169 vs. competitors’ pricing of up to $1,000 per window, RYSE is uniquely positioned to bring luxury window shades to every home and business.

🔐 Crypto

Bitcoin $27,613.60 (0.01%)
Ethereum $1,580.12 (0.01%)
Total market cap $1.07T (-1.73%)
* Prices as of Oct 10th, 12:20 AM UTC

Crypto investment products see largest inflows since July

People appear to be interested in digital coins once more as digital asset investment products reached the highest volume levels since July 2023.

Solana did the best numbers with its weekly inflows reaching the highest level since March 2022. The cryptocurrency has gained about 14% over the past 30 days but is still down about 32% over the past year.

Surprisingly, some big names, including United States Ethereum futures exchange-traded funds appear to have failed as it has only attracted about $10 million during this time.

However, there are rumors that Blackrock is exploring filing for an Ethereum spot ETF, just like it did with Bitcoin, which is widely believed to be approved within the next 6 months.

Also check: Get ready for Solana and Ripple ETFs.

💵 Personal Finance

Struggling to save money?

Here’s a list of ways to make it easier:

  • Set savings goals. What are you saving for? A down payment on a house? A new car? Retirement? Having a specific goal in mind will help you stay motivated to save.

  • Create a budget. Track your income and expenses so you can see where your money is going. This will help you identify areas where you can cut back.

  • Automate your savings. Set up a direct deposit from your paycheck into your savings account. This way, you won't even see the money and you'll be less likely to spend it.

  • Cut back on unnecessary expenses. Do you really need that expensive cable package? Could you cook more meals at home instead of eating out? There are probably a few things you can cut back on without sacrificing your quality of life.

  • Look for discounts and coupons. There are many ways to save money on everyday purchases. Check for coupons online or in the Sunday paper. You can also sign up for loyalty programs to earn rewards.

  • Shop around for the best deals. Don't just assume that the first place you see something is the cheapest. Do some research to find the best price.

  • Buy used items. There are many great deals to be found on used items. You can find used clothes, furniture, appliances, and more.

  • Get creative with gifts. Instead of buying expensive gifts, give homemade gifts or experiences. This could be anything from a batch of cookies to tickets to a concert.

  • Pay off debt. If you have high-interest debt, focus on paying it off as quickly as possible. This will free up more money in your budget so you can save more.

  • Use a budgeting app. There are many great budgeting apps available that can help you track your income and expenses. This can be a helpful way to stay on track with your savings goals.

  • Find a savings buddy. Having someone to work with on your savings goals can be helpful. You can motivate each other and stay on track.

Need more? Watch my video “20 ways to save $20,000.”

💰 Be a Better Investor

“The biggest risk of all, is not taking one.”

Mellody Hobson

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👩🏽‍⚖️ Legal Stuff
Nothing in this newsletter is financial advice. Always do your own research and think for yourself.