🤖 Smart robots are here!

Good morning investors! Greed is still ruling the market but some say that investors are starting to get more cautious.

Today we cover:

• We’re getting dividends.

• End of EVs?

• Investing in real estate – understanding the risks

Robots are here!

OpenAI & Figure released a video showing the convergence of A.I. and robotics! A major trend for 2024. Want to get a glimpse of the near future? Watch the 2 minute video below:

Join us tonight for another LIVE webinar on MAKING MONEY WITH AI.

In the webinar we’ll talk about what the convergence means, how to prepare for an A.I. future and how to make money from it.

📊 Economy and News 

Shareholder payouts hit a record $1.6 trillion last year

Around 86% of listed companies around the world either increased dividends or maintained them at current levels in 2023.

Banks delivered record payouts as high interest rates boosted margins, according to a new report from British asset manager Janus Henderson.

However, large dividend cuts from companies such as BHP, Intel, Petrobras, Rio Tinto, and AT&T diluted the global underlying growth rate for the year.

Last year, a total of 22 countries, including major names like the U.S., France, Italy, Germany, Canada, Mexico and Indonesia, saw record payouts.

Europe was described as a “key engine of growth,” with payouts rising 10.4% year-on-year on an underlying basis.

For 2024, Janus Henderson expects total dividends to hit $1.72 trillion, equivalent to underlying growth of 5%.

Global hits:

• Asian currencies could be on the ‘back foot’ despite likely U.S. rate cuts this year, JPMorgan says.

• Recession-hit Britain swings to economic growth in January, helped by construction bounce.

• World’s first major act to regulate AI passed by European lawmakers.

Prepare: Bill that could ban TikTok in the US gets approved, will now go to the Senate. China calls the move 'an act of bullying' that would backfire.

📈 Stocks

S&P 500 5,165.31 (-0.19%)
DJIA 39,043.32 (+0.10%)
NASDAQ 18,068.47 (-0.83%)
BRENT CRUDE 84.63 (+0.71%)
* Prices as of Mar 14th, 12:20 AM UTC

Where’s the market heading?

The S&P 500 was lower on Wednesday, pulling back from a record reached in the previous session, as the rally cooled off for no clear reason.

Nvidia shares were down -1.1%. Shares of Meta and Apple fell marginally. The VanEck Semiconductor ETF (SMH) slid -2%, on track for its third losing session in four.

The opinion is fast changing with some saying this is the beginning of a reversal and some seeing it as a sign of money moving from popular names to smaller companies. However, a sizeable number of investors are still highly bullish and expect this tech-infused rally to continue.

Reminder: Adidas warns of falling sales in North America as it continues to sell off Yeezy inventory and reported its first loss in 30 years. Its 2023 operating profit came in at 268 million euros ($292.9 million) on the back of flat currency-neutral sales, significantly above prior expectations.

On the other hand, Zara owner Inditex climbed to an all-time high as 2023 sales jumped 10%.

Sponsored by Daily Digital

🔐 Crypto

Bitcoin $73,202 (+2.41%)
Ethereum $3,996. (-0.33%)
Total market cap $2.75 (+2.11%)
* Prices as of Mar 14th, 12:20 AM UTC

A look at crypto

Here’s what’s happening in the world of crypto. Bitcoin is getting a lot of attention now that it has already crossed the $73,000 mark but ETH is also not behind when it comes to hype.

• Following the deployment of the Dencun upgrade at 1:55 PM UTC today, the Ethereum market encountered resistance in sustaining its position around the $4,100 mark, triggering a selling wave.

• Gemini, Genesis motions to dismiss SEC Earn complaint denied.

• Bitcoin open interest outshines 2021 peak, hits $34 billion.

• Macroeconomist: Bitcoin to hit $100k amid spot Ethereum ETF postponement.

• Binance-Nigeria brawl continues as the country asks the exchange to submita list of the top 100 users and provide all transaction history spanning the past six months from Binance.

💵 Personal Finance

Real estate investment risks

There are also some risks associated with investing in real estate. These include:

• High cost: Real estate can be a relatively expensive investment, especially if you are buying a single-family home. The median price for an existing home — one that's already standing, not new construction was $415,500 in February compared to $409,500 in January and $410,200 in June 2023. You will find cheaper homes in the country but they're not always worth it.

• Illiquidity: Real estate can be difficult to sell quickly, especially if the market is slow. On average, it takes 30 to 90 days to sell a home. This can be an issue for people who require liquidity.

• Maintenance: Rental properties require regular maintenance and repairs, which can be costly. The average homeowner spends $1,400 to $2,300 on regular maintenance per year, excluding unexpected repairs.

• Tenants: Dealing with tenants can be a challenge, and there is always the risk of non-payment or damage to the property. Plus, you may not easily find a tenant as the vacancy rate in the country is over 10%.

Despite the risks, real estate can be a very rewarding investment. If you are willing to do your research and manage your property carefully, you can potentially generate significant income and build wealth over the long term.

💰 Be a Better Investor

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

Advertise with Us