Dear Friend,
The crypto world is buzzing as Trump’s $TRUMP meme coin hits $35 billion—on paper, anyway.
Critics are screaming “rug pull,” Solana can’t handle the frenzy, and ethics watchdogs are sweating bullets.
Love it or hate it, it’s the most Trump thing ever: loud, chaotic, and impossible to ignore.
Meanwhile, the trade wars are back, with Trump threatening 10 percent tariffs on Chinese goods starting February 1, rattling global markets.
And Netflix? Crushing it with 18.9 million new subscribers, a price hike, and a stock surge that puts Disney in the rearview.
Stick around; this week’s headlines are too wild to miss.
Jeremy Blossom
Editor in Chief, Everlasting Wealth
MARKET HEADLINES
📊 Strong early earnings reports from companies like Netflix, JPMorgan, and Procter & Gamble have buoyed the S&P 500, but with high valuations and cautious revenue growth, investors are closely watching for sustained performance throughout the season.
✈️ GE Aerospace’s earnings may take a backseat to its outlook on production capacity, as the aviation industry faces pressure to scale output and meet surging air travel demand after years of underproduction.
📈 Netflix hit record subscriber growth, Oracle announced a massive AI infrastructure investment, and Nvidia surpassed Apple in market cap as tech stocks led gains, while Ford and Johnson & Johnson struggled with industry-specific challenges.
🚗 Investors believe Tesla could benefit from Trump’s expected push for national self-driving regulations, even as parts of the EV ecosystem face pressure from reduced federal support.
🌌 The $500 billion Stargate Project, led by SoftBank, OpenAI, and Oracle to build AI data centers in the U.S., promises massive investment and ambition but faces skepticism over its unclear funding sources and feasibility, with questions raised by Elon Musk and industry watchers about its financial backing.
When Memes and Millions Collide: Trump’s $TRUMP Coin Craze
Trump’s $TRUMP meme coin has the crypto world losing its mind, with his stake valued at $35 billion—on paper, of course.
Alongside $MELANIA, these coins are internet jokes with no real purpose, but they’ve sparked a frenzy, crashed Solana transactions, and sent ethics watchdogs into a tailspin over alleged conflicts of interest.
Critics warn foreign governments could use the tokens to curry favor with Trump, especially since 80% of the supply is controlled by Trump-affiliated entities, setting him up to cash in big as the coins are sold.
But let’s not forget, crypto is wildly volatile—those billions could evaporate faster than a Biden press conference.
Some skeptics are already yelling “rug pull,” but in true Trump fashion, this move is big, bold, and as unpredictable as ever.
Love it or hate it, $TRUMP is the ultimate test of whether a meme coin can outlast the meme.
STOCKS TO WATCH
↗️ SoftBank (JP:9984, SFTBY): Leading the Stargate AI-infrastructure venture with OpenAI, SoftBank’s shares climbed another 5.1% in Tokyo, following an 11% surge the previous day.
↘️ Electronic Arts (EA): The gaming company faced a steep 14% premarket decline after cutting its full-year outlook due to slowing demand for soccer-themed titles.
↗️ EQT (SE:EQT): The Swedish private-equity firm saw its shares rise over 5% in Stockholm, thanks to increased investments, assets under management, and exit activity in the second half of 2024.
↘️ Nvidia (NVDA), Arm (ARM), Oracle (ORCL), and Microsoft (MSFT): These tech leaders fell premarket, reversing gains tied to the Stargate AI venture, as Elon Musk questioned the viability of the project.
↘️ SK Hynix (KR:000660): Despite posting record results, the South Korean memory-chip maker’s shares dropped 2.7% after warning about ongoing struggles in its legacy chips business.
This Day in the Markets
📉 On this day in 1933, the Dow Jones Industrial Average began to show signs of recovery from the devastating lows of the Great Depression, closing at 65.37. This marked an era of cautious optimism as President Franklin D. Roosevelt’s New Deal policies began to restore public confidence in the U.S. economy. These policies focused on financial reforms, public works projects, and job creation, laying the groundwork for gradual economic stabilization during one of the most challenging periods in American history.
STOCK PICK OF THE WEEK
Weiss Research
Trump’s Crypto Masterstroke: Discover the Coin Set to Skyrocket Under His New Leadership!
Donald Trump is America’s first crypto president.
Bitcoin jumped 9% the day after his election … and is up more than 40% since.
But America’s top crypto expert, Juan Villaverde, says this is just the beginning.
Juan’s called the top and bottom of every crypto bull market since 2012.
And he says 2025 could be the greatest bull market in crypto history.
He believes Bitcoin will go to $150,000 — or more.
But there’s one coin he thinks could go even higher … especially now that Trump has taken office.
In fact, this coin could be boosted by one of his first Executive Orders.
It’s part of Trump’s special Project Crypto.
His plan to make America “the crypto capital of the planet.”
This could be his favorite coin.
And it’s definitely one of his vice president’s favorites.
Click here to find out more about the coin that might be the Trump team’s favorite.
ECONOMY
Trump’s Tariff Tango: China’s One-Day Reprieve Ends
Trump wasted no time reigniting his trade war, threatening 10% tariffs on Chinese goods starting February 1, blaming fentanyl shipments to Mexico and Canada as his justification.
China’s stock markets tanked, with the CSI300 dropping 0.9% and Hong Kong’s Hang Seng down 1.6%, as Beijing called for “mutual benefit” while bracing for impact.
This comes after China failed to meet its 2020 trade deal commitments, giving Trump plenty of ammo for his “America First” agenda.
And it’s not just China—Trump also has Canada, Mexico, and the EU in his tariff crosshairs, claiming they “treat us very, very badly.”
Classic Trump: everyone’s on notice, markets are rattled, and the trade wars are back in full swing.
ECONOMY HEADLINES
📱 Trump defended his decision to delay the TikTok ban while downplaying privacy concerns and suggested high-profile buyers like Tesla’s Elon Musk, all while threatening to withhold wildfire aid from California over disputed water policies.
🌍 Trump’s virtual appearance at the Davos meeting is set to draw attention to his controversial decisions to rejoin isolationist policies, including pulling out of the Paris Climate Agreement and WHO, sparking global concerns about U.S. leadership.
🏢 Thousands of federal workers face potential job cuts as Trump orders a swift review of probationary employees, signaling his intent to streamline the federal workforce and eliminate entire departments like Education.
🚘 Ford stock took a hit after analysts cited Trump’s tariff proposals and uncertainties in auto emissions regulations, even as relaxed EV mandates could ease financial pressures for traditional automakers like Ford and GM.
💵 Republicans face challenges reconciling priorities for extending Trump-era tax cuts, with procedural disagreements and pressure to balance fiscal stability, pro-growth reforms, and taxpayer relief amid rising economic concerns.
BUSINESS
Netflix Breaks Records and Ends the Numbers Game
Netflix just smashed expectations with 18.9 million new subscribers in Q4—nearly double what analysts predicted—while hiking prices across all U.S. plans, including its ad-supported tier.
The stock soared 14%, capping an 80% rise over the past year, and its $400 billion market cap now overshadows Disney, Comcast, Warner Bros. Discovery, and Paramount combined.
But Netflix is done reporting subscriber numbers, shifting its focus to revenue and earnings growth—because hitting these record-breaking numbers again won’t be easy.
With 300 million subscribers worldwide and projected subscriber growth slowing to 18.6 million annually over the next three years (down from 27 million), Netflix is maturing, much like Apple did when it stopped reporting iPhone sales.
Still, with record operating margins of 29% forecasted for 2025 and its dominance cemented, Netflix’s new challenge is proving it can deliver blockbuster profits without counting heads.
RETIREMENT
Retirement Savers and Small Business Owners Face an Uncertain 2025
As 2025 begins, Americans are grappling with inflation, high interest rates, and shifting policies under a new administration, creating uncertainty for both retirement savers and small business owners.
While 88% of workers are saving for retirement—many through employer plans—34% feel behind on their goals, and 32% doubt they’ll maintain their lifestyle after retiring.
Misconceptions aren’t helping, with over half thinking they need 30 times their salary saved by 65 (when 10 times may suffice) and that withdrawing 10% annually won’t deplete their savings.
Meanwhile, small-to-midsize businesses are transitioning from post-pandemic growth to cautious optimism, as inflation remains the top concern and only 44% of employees report wages keeping pace.
Hiring and retention worries have eased, but business owners are watching for tax and credit impacts under new economic policies.
With both savers and businesses feeling the pressure, staying informed and adaptable will be key to navigating the year ahead.
Trivia
Which sector has consistently been the largest contributor to the U.S. GDP in recent years, highlighting the shift toward a service-oriented economy?
A. Manufacturing
B. Technology
C. Healthcare and Social Assistance
D. Financial Services
E. Retail Trade
Scroll for the answer
TAXES
The IRS Is Watching Your Side Hustle Like a Hawk
If you made over $5,000 selling items online in 2024—whether on StubHub, Etsy, or eBay—you’ll likely receive a 1099-K this tax season, thanks to the IRS lowering the reporting threshold from $20,000 to $5,000 (and it’s dropping to $600 by 2026).
The agency is cracking down on unreported income, with some online sellers already under investigation for earning hundreds of thousands, even millions, without reporting it.
Whether you’re running a side hustle or selling old junk from your basement, you’ll need to account for it on your taxes if you get a 1099-K.
Business sellers can deduct expenses like fees and shipping, but personal sellers reporting a loss must still disclose the sales to avoid trouble.
Ignore these rules, and you risk audits, penalties, or worse—especially since the IRS is using platforms like JustAnswer to track down unreported earnings.
Bottom line: if the IRS thinks you’re making digital dollars, they’ll want their cut, no matter how small your side gig is.
Answer
Which sector has consistently been the largest contributor to the U.S. GDP in recent years, highlighting the shift toward a service-oriented economy?
C. Healthcare and Social Assistance
The Healthcare and Social Assistance sector has emerged as one of the largest contributors to the U.S. GDP, reflecting the growing demand for healthcare services due to an aging population and advancements in medical technology.
This sector encompasses hospitals, outpatient care centers, nursing homes, and other social assistance services.
Its expansion highlights the economic and social importance of healthcare, making it a cornerstone of the U.S. economy and a major driver of employment.
