Waymo’s 150K Robotaxi Milestone, Metaplanet’s Bitcoin Bet, and Friday Market Rebound

January 6, 2025

Waymo tripled robotaxi trips to 150,000 weekly.

Metaplanet plans 470% Bitcoin holdings increase.

US stock markets rebounded strongly on Friday.

Chipotle faces investor lawsuit over portion sizes.

Argenx’s efgartigimod is commercially available globally.

Tech

Smart Home Innovation

Smart Oven Launch: Current Backyard launched its CURRENT Model P smart pizza oven, boasting Wi-Fi/Bluetooth connectivity, a smart app with a pizza building calculator, and 3x energy efficiency compared to gas ovens, retailing at $599.
Energy Efficiency Gains: The oven’s design achieves up to 3x the energy efficiency of gas ovens, a significant improvement in smart home appliance sustainability.
Advanced Features: The oven includes features like an 850°F max temperature, indoor/outdoor usability, and a 10-year warranty, enhancing its appeal.
Market Entry Strategy: The Q2 2025 launch targets early adopters of smart home technology, aiming for strong initial market penetration.

EV Charging Infrastructure (China)

XPeng-Volkswagen Partnership: XPeng and Volkswagen Group China formed a joint venture to build a massive super-fast charging network in China, combining over 20,000 charging piles across 420 cities.
Network Accessibility: This collaboration ensures mutual access for both companies’ EV customers, expanding charging options significantly.
Future Expansion Plans: Future plans include co-branded charging stations, strengthening brand synergy and customer loyalty.
Market Dominance Aim: The venture aims to establish one of China’s largest and most comprehensive charging networks, driving EV adoption.

Quantum Computing Landscape

Revenue Growth Projections: IonQ and Rigetti, key players in quantum computing, despite missing 2023 targets ($22M and $12M respectively), show promising revenue growth projections to 2026 ($148M and $35M, respectively).
Technological Advancements: Both companies focus on miniaturizing chips, reducing error rates, and offering affordable cloud-based quantum computing services for AI.
Profitability Challenges: While revenue is expected to increase substantially, both companies are expected to remain unprofitable in the short term.
AI Integration: Their services are strategically positioned to cater to the growing demand for quantum computing power in the AI sector.

AI Regulation and Development

Transatlantic Regulatory Divide: The U.S. and EU show contrasting approaches to AI regulation; the EU’s AI Act creates tension with U.S. tech firms, while the U.S. lacks comprehensive legislation.
AI Act Implications: The EU’s AI Act targets high-risk applications and mandates risk assessments for large language models.
Potential U.S. Shift: A potential shift in U.S. policy under a new administration could lead to a more lenient regulatory environment.
Competing AI Visions: OpenAI’s vision of AI agents joining the workforce by 2025 contrasts with Vitalik Buterin’s emphasis on blockchain-based safety mechanisms.

Smart Glass Market Expansion

Smart Glass Market Growth: The global smart glass market, valued at $6.6 billion in 2023, projects a 9.9% CAGR from 2023-2030, driven by applications in automotive and other sectors.
Technological Showcases: Research Frontiers Inc. and Gauzy highlighted SPD-SmartGlass technology at CES 2024, demonstrating its growing potential.
Automotive Integration: Ferrari’s use of this technology in its popular SUV illustrates its growing integration into high-end vehicles.
Market Players: Key players like Research Frontiers and Gauzy are driving innovation and expanding applications of this technology.

Autonomous Vehicle Deployment (USA)

Waymo’s RoboTaxi Expansion: Waymo reported over 150,000 weekly paid robotaxi trips (tripling since June 2024), with expansion plans for Tokyo (early 2025) and Miami (2026).
Operational Challenges: Waymo faces challenges including a recent incident of a robotaxi getting stuck and an ongoing NHTSA investigation into crashes/violations.
Safety Improvements: Despite challenges, Waymo has significantly reduced accident claims compared to human drivers.
Competitive Landscape: Tesla is identified as Waymo’s primary competitor in the autonomous vehicle market.

Finance

Chipotle Investor Lawsuit

Investor Lawsuit Filed: A class-action lawsuit against Chipotle Mexican Grill alleges misleading statements about portion sizes impacting costs, potentially affecting investors who bought stock between February 8, 2024, and October 29, 2024. The lead plaintiff deadline is January 10, 2025.
Law Firm’s Experience: Rosen Law Firm, with a record including over $438 million recovered for investors in 2019, is leading the lawsuit against Chipotle. They emphasize their extensive experience in securities litigation.

Metaplanet’s Bitcoin Investment (Japan)

Aggressive Bitcoin Acquisition: Tokyo-based Metaplanet Inc. plans a 470% increase in Bitcoin holdings in 2025, aiming for 10,000 BTC. Their current holdings of 1,761.98 BTC (approximately US$173.6 million) yielded 310% in Q4 2024.
Funding Strategies: Metaplanet is funding its Bitcoin purchases through various financial maneuvers, including a 10-to-1 share consolidation, a 10 billion yen rights offering, and 9.5 billion yen in bond sales.

US Crypto Regulatory Scrutiny

Congressional Investigation Urged: Attorney John E. Deaton is urging Congress to investigate the FDIC for allegedly hindering the digital asset sector through directives advising banks to limit crypto services. This is seen as overly restrictive.
Impact on Innovation: Deaton argues the FDIC’s actions, similar to issues with Custodia Bank, threaten institutional integrity and stifle innovation by allowing selective enforcement without proper oversight.

New Investment Products

Bitcoin Bond ETF Planned: Strive Asset Management plans a new ETF investing in bonds issued by companies (like MicroStrategy) to fund Bitcoin purchases. This actively managed ETF aims for at least 80% exposure to these bonds.

Global Stock Market Performance

Nu Holdings Stock Drop (Brazil): Nu Holdings (NU) shares fell 17% in December 2024 due to high inflation in Brazil, a weakening real, and a $150 million investment in Tyme Group, despite strong Q3 revenue growth (56% YoY).
Opendoor Stock Decline: Opendoor Technologies (OPEN) shares dropped 32% in December 2024, reflecting rising interest rates and negative market sentiment in the real estate sector, despite revenue (up 41% YoY in Q3) and inventory growth (up 64% in Q3).

US Market Rebound and Outlook

Friday Market Rebound: US stock markets rebounded strongly on Friday, with the Dow Jones gaining 0.8%, the Nasdaq 1.8%, and the S&P 500 1.3%, boosted by technology stocks and positive manufacturing PMI data.
Analyst Views: Analysts have differing opinions. Some see potential growth from deregulation and technology strength, while others warn of corrections due to overvalued stocks and policy uncertainty. The VIX fell 10% to 16.13.

Healthcare

Global Drug Development*

Efgartigimod Commercialization: Argenx’s efgartigimod, the first approved FcRn blocker, is commercially available in the US, EU, UK, and other countries, with ongoing trials for multiple autoimmune diseases. The company is also developing other experimental medicines.
AGAMREE Global Expansion: Santhera Pharmaceuticals partnered with Clinigen to expand AGAMREE (vamorolone) distribution globally. The drug, approved in the US, EU, UK, China, and Hong Kong, targets the USD 84.85 billion (2025) Duchenne muscular dystrophy market.
Evkeeza Pediatric Approval (EU): Ultragenyx’s Evkeeza is now approved in the EU for children aged 6 months+, making it the first treatment for HoFH in this age group. HoFH affects approximately 1,600 children in the EU. Evkeeza is commercially available in the US and UK.
Repirinast Patent (US): Algernon Pharmaceuticals received a US patent for Repirinast, extending to 2038, for CKD treatment. Preclinical data showed a 51% reduction in fibrosis in a mouse model; CKD is an USD 84.85 billion market (2025).

Clinical Trial Results & Developments

OCS-05 Acute Optic Neuritis (Switzerland): Oculis Holding AG reported positive Phase 2 results for OCS-05 in acute optic neuritis, meeting its primary safety endpoint and showing significant improvements in 33 patients. US clinical development is underway.
RE104 for Postpartum Depression (US): Reunion Neuroscience’s Phase 2 RECONNECT trial for RE104 in postpartum depression (affecting 20% of new mothers) is enrolling patients, with data expected in mid-2025. A second Phase 2 trial will begin mid-2025.
VYN201 for Vitiligo (US): VYNE Therapeutics completed enrollment in its Phase 2b trial for VYN201 in nonsegmental vitiligo, with topline data expected in mid-2025 across 45 subjects per treatment arm.
Briquilimab in CSU (US): Jasper Therapeutics will present preliminary data from the BEACON study of briquilimab in chronic spontaneous urticaria.

Industry Consolidation & Partnerships

Cyncado Therapeutics Spin-off (US): Portage Biotech launched Cyncado Therapeutics, focused on developing adenosine receptor antagonists for oncology. Cyncado will seek external funding for clinical development.
Regional Health Properties/SunLink Merger (US): Regional Health Properties and SunLink Health Systems merged, with SunLink shareholders owning 43% of the combined company. $1 million in pre-tax cost synergies are projected.
Renovaro/Predictive Oncology Acquisition (US): Renovaro acquired Predictive Oncology in an all-stock deal, combining AI/ML platforms for drug discovery. Predictive Oncology’s biobank of over 150,000 tumor samples will be leveraged.

Financial & Regulatory Actions

Eyenovia Strategic Review (US): Eyenovia is exploring strategic alternatives, including a sale or merger, while continuing Optejet device development.
BioCryst Stock Grants (US): BioCryst Pharmaceuticals granted stock options to 10 new hires, with an exercise price of $7.52 per share.
Novo Nordisk Citizen Petition (US): Novo Nordisk petitioned the FDA to remove liraglutide from the 503B Bulks List, citing 44 adverse events from compounded versions, including one death.

Technological Advancements & Market Challenges

AI Integration in Surgery (US): Intuitive Surgical’s da Vinci V system, with 10,000x the computing power of its predecessor, offers potential for improved patient outcomes through AI integration. Intuitive Surgical’s market cap is $191B.
Healthcare Workforce Shortages (US): Projected shortages of healthcare workers, particularly nursing assistants (over 73,000 by 2028), are driving demand for digital healthcare and value-based care.

Presentations & Other Developments

J.P. Morgan Healthcare Conference: Several companies presented at the J.P. Morgan Healthcare Conference, including Apellis, Monte Rosa, Septerna, Immunocore, Ardelyx, and Anavex Life Sciences.
CytoSorbents Middle East Expansion: CytoSorbents opened a new subsidiary in Dubai, expanding into the Middle East and Africa.
Various Financing & Legal Updates: Several companies announced funding activities and lawsuits. Denali Therapeutics’ Phase 2/3 trial of DNL343 for ALS failed to meet its primary endpoint. Several companies announced executive leadership changes.

Economy & Real estate

Finnish Financial Literacy

Yrityskylä Program’s Success: Finland’s Yrityskylä program, engaging 91% of students, uses a 10-lesson curriculum and simulated business to boost financial literacy, fostering responsible economic decisions.
National Financial Education Strategy: Finland aims for global leadership in financial literacy by 2030, targeting women and less-educated youth through a comprehensive national strategy.
Gamified Learning and Impact: The program’s success showcases gamified learning’s effectiveness, enabling practical application and enhancing student engagement.
School Meals and Student Outcomes: Improved school meals positively correlate with enhanced student engagement and academic performance, supporting Finland’s holistic approach.

US Social Security Adjustments

2025 COLA Insufficiency: The 2.5% 2025 Social Security COLA, the lowest since 2021, fails to keep pace with inflation, reducing retirees’ purchasing power.
CPI-W Measurement Discrepancy: The COLA calculation, using CPI-W, underestimates inflation. Recent CPI-W reacceleration further highlights this inadequacy.
Long-Term Purchasing Power Decline: The Senior Citizens League estimates a 20% decline in Social Security benefits’ purchasing power from 2010 to 2024 due to insufficient COLAs.
Retirees’ Mitigation Strategies: While the monthly shortfall is relatively small ($7), retirees can leverage higher interest rates on savings accounts to partially offset the loss.

US Economic Indicators and Market Performance

Strong Stock Market Growth: The S&P 500’s over 20% growth for two consecutive years mirrors late 1990s tech boom levels, with the Dow and Nasdaq also seeing significant gains.
Manufacturing and Services PMI: December’s ISM manufacturing PMI rose to 49.3, exceeding forecasts; the services PMI remained strong at 58.5, while November Factory Orders are expected to decline to -0.3%.
December Jobs Report Forecast: The December jobs report anticipates 155,000 new jobs, lower than November but in line with the volatile four-month average.
Trump Administration’s Economic Policies: Market optimism stems from expectations of deregulation, pro-crypto stances, and potential tax cuts under the incoming Trump administration.

US Treasury Debt and Global Market Implications

Yellen’s Debt Financing Strategy: Secretary Yellen’s reliance on short-term debt financing masks the federal deficit’s severity, potentially causing future market instability.
Market Concerns about Debt: Record outflows from the iShares 20+ Year Treasury Bond ETF (TLT) and rising 30-year Treasury yields reflect growing market anxieties.
Rising Treasury Yields: The 10-year Treasury yield increased from 3.6% to 4.6% between September and December, posing refinancing challenges for the new administration.
Potential Economic Instability: Higher refinancing costs and reduced market demand for US debt could create significant economic consequences and market instability.

Global Market Performance and Commodity Prices

Varied Asian Market Performance: Asian markets showed mixed results, with declines in Japan and India, modest gains in Australia, and flat performance in China and Hong Kong.
Positive European Market Trends: Eurozone markets performed positively, with gains in the STOXX 50, DAX, and CAC, despite a slight decline in the FTSE 100.
Oil and Natural Gas Prices: Oil prices remain high, with a slight decline due to the strong dollar. Natural gas prices surged by 8%.
Precious Metals and Currency Fluctuations: Gold prices fell slightly, while silver and copper rose. The US dollar declined from a two-year high, while the USD/JPY increased.

European Inflation and Political Landscape

German Inflation Increase: German inflation unexpectedly rose to 2.9% in December, surpassing forecasts and remaining above the ECB’s 2% target.
Persistent Core and Services Inflation: Core inflation reached 3.1%, and services inflation hit 4.1%, indicating sustained inflationary pressure.
German Political Instability: The high inflation figures coincide with German political uncertainty following the ruling coalition’s collapse and early elections.
Economic Challenges Ahead: Persistent inflation and political uncertainty pose significant challenges to the German economy’s future prospects.

Retail

Optical Retail Performance in the US

National Vision’s Market Share Growth: National Vision (EYE), a major optical retailer with a $1.58 billion market cap, is expanding its market share. Success is driven by strong brands like America’s Best, new partnerships, and promotions. Despite a 48.2% stock decline in the past year, the company exceeded earnings estimates in three of the last four quarters.
National Vision’s Strategic Adjustments: To boost profitability, National Vision is closing underperforming stores and moderating new store openings. Investments in omnichannel capabilities aim to improve efficiency and revenue growth. This involves a projected $4 million adjusted EBITDA improvement.
Positive US Optical Retail Trends: High rates of vision correction usage (82%), prescription eyewear use (69%), and non-prescription eyewear use (68%) suggest strong market demand. Global vision impairment statistics highlight a vast unmet need for vision care. The replacement cycle of eyewear ensures consistent revenue streams.
National Vision’s Financial Headwinds: National Vision faces rising costs from wage increases and reliance on a limited number of merchandise suppliers. These factors pose significant risk. Despite a projected 13.3% revenue decline to $1.84 billion, the 2024 EPS estimate remains at 49 cents.

Controlled Environment Agriculture in Michigan

Edible Garden’s Workforce Development: Edible Garden AG (EDBL) received a Michigan grant to fund training at its Heartland facility. This initiative will enhance quality control, production, and inventory management, improving supply chain efficiency. This leverages their GreenThumb technology.

Apparel Retail Strategies: US and Global

Abercrombie & Fitch’s Future Plans: Abercrombie & Fitch (ANF) will present its strategies, financial performance, and outlook at the 2025 ICR Conference. The company operates over 750 stores globally, focusing on high-quality apparel for diverse demographics.
Denny’s Corporation Update: Denny’s Corporation (DENN) will also participate in the 2025 ICR Conference, presenting updates on its performance and future plans. The company currently operates 1,586 restaurants under the Denny’s and Keke’s brands.

Retail Technology and Innovation

Rezolve Ai’s NRF 2025 Presence: Rezolve Ai (RZLV) will showcase its AI-powered retail solutions at NRF 2025. This includes partnerships with Microsoft and Google, aiming to improve customer engagement and operational efficiency.

Live Music and Entertainment

Live Nation’s Growth and Challenges: Live Nation (LYV) shares have increased by 37.1% in six months due to strong Ticketmaster sales and increased spending. However, challenges include foreign exchange volatility, rising operating expenses, and regulatory scrutiny. The stock trades at a forward P/S multiple of 1.14X.

Retail Real Estate in the US

Macerich’s Portfolio and Debt: Macerich (MAC) has a premium shopping center portfolio but faces challenges from e-commerce growth and tenant bankruptcies. High leverage (net debt to adjusted EBITDA 8.23X) also presents financial risk. Despite this, shares are up 38.4% in six months.

Infrastructure

Congestion Pricing and Smart City Initiatives

NYC Congestion Pricing Implementation: New York City’s congestion pricing program, charging drivers $9-$13.50 to enter Manhattan’s central business district during peak hours, aims to reduce traffic and fund public transit. Exemptions and discounts are in place for certain groups.
Philadelphia’s Digital Curb Management: Philadelphia is using a USDOT SMART grant and INRIX IQ Road Rules to create a digital twin of its streets. This improves communication and management of curb space, enhancing safety and reducing congestion.
London Congestion Charge Success: London’s congestion charge, implemented in 2003, has reduced central London traffic by approximately 30%, demonstrating the effectiveness of such initiatives in improving traffic flow and air quality.
Global Smart City Trends: Global investment in smart city technologies, including intelligent transportation systems and data-driven urban planning, is expected to reach $2 trillion by 2025, driven by increasing urbanization and the need for sustainable urban development.

Cargo Transportation Market Outlook

Global Cargo Nets Market Growth: The global cargo nets market is projected to reach US$ 1,611.7 million by 2034, growing at a 7.3% CAGR, driven by increased global trade and stricter safety regulations. North America holds a significant share.
Global Deep-Sea Transportation Growth: The global deep-sea, coastal, and inland water transportation market is expected to reach US$ 3,185.46 billion by 2034, exhibiting a 9.4% CAGR. East Asia holds a dominant market share. Container transportation is a key driver.
Impact of E-commerce on Logistics: The rapid growth of e-commerce is significantly impacting the logistics sector, driving demand for efficient and reliable cargo transportation solutions, particularly last-mile delivery services. Increased demand is also driving innovation in logistics technology.

Express Lane Improvements and Intelligent Transportation Systems

Alameda County I-580 Upgrade: Quarterhill Inc. secured a $40 million contract to upgrade Alameda County’s I-580 Express Lanes, including operations and maintenance until at least 2036, using its riteSuite™ system.
ITS Deployment and Funding: Government investment in Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS) is increasing globally, aiming to improve traffic flow, reduce congestion, and enhance road safety. This includes investments in connected vehicle technologies and smart traffic management systems.

Sustainable Infrastructure and Coal Ash Management

Consumers Energy Coal Ash Repurposing: Consumers Energy and Ashcor USA are partnering to repurpose millions of tons of coal ash into a cement replacement, reducing carbon emissions and promoting sustainable practices. The project will run for two decades beginning in 2027.
Global Focus on Sustainable Infrastructure: Growing concerns about climate change are driving increased investment in sustainable infrastructure projects globally, with a focus on renewable energy sources and environmentally friendly construction materials.

Natural Gas Infrastructure Development

Spire’s Infrastructure Investment Plan: Spire has a $7.4 billion capital investment plan over 10 years, aiming for 7-8% rate base growth, expanding its presence in Missouri through acquisitions. The plan includes the acquisition of MoGas and Omega pipelines.
North American Gas Pipeline Expansion: Recent expansions and upgrades to North American natural gas pipeline networks aim to increase the capacity and reliability of natural gas delivery across the region. However, these projects are facing scrutiny due to environmental concerns.

Construction and Acquisition Activities

Construction Partners’ Acquisitions: Construction Partners (ROAD) acquired Overland Corporation, expanding its asphalt plant operations to eight states. This follows other acquisitions contributing to strong share growth, demonstrating a strategy of acquisition-driven expansion.
Increased M&A Activity in Infrastructure: The infrastructure sector is witnessing an increase in mergers and acquisitions activity, driven by the need for consolidation and expansion, especially in response to major infrastructure projects.

Commodities

Helium Market Update

Pulsar Helium’s Minnesota Drilling: Pulsar Helium Inc. is deepening its Jetstream #1 well in Minnesota to at least 3,840 feet, targeting a high-helium reservoir. Initial drilling revealed up to 14.5% helium concentration, and a second well, Jetstream #2, is planned for early January.
Hi-View Resources’ Quebec Hydrogen Exploration: Hi-View Resources acquired 3,000 hectares in Quebec for $3,465, near a significant hydrogen discovery. Exploration will use AI mapping and soil sampling to identify hydrogen targets.

Metal Market Forecasts

Gold Price Projections and Mining Projects: Gold prices are predicted to reach $3,000/oz in 2025, driven by geopolitical uncertainty. The Stibnite gold and antimony project in Idaho is slated to begin production in 2028, supplying over 35% of US antimony demand and 450,000 ounces of gold annually. Probe Gold Inc. expanded its Quebec holdings by acquiring the Bermont Claims for $3 million, potentially adding 1 million ounces of gold.
Copper and Iron Ore Price Outlook: Copper prices, after record highs in 2024, are expected to fall in 2025 due to slower energy transition and macroeconomic factors. Iron ore prices are also projected to decline to $95/ton due to oversupply, despite China’s record imports (Goldman Sachs).

Energy Market Outlook

Crude Oil Price Predictions: Brent crude oil is forecast to fall to $70/barrel in 2025 (Commonwealth Bank of Australia), driven by increased non-OPEC+ supply and potential OPEC+ production increases. Global oil demand growth is projected to be under 1 million barrels per day in 2025, down from 2 million in 2023 (IEA). The current Brent crude price is approximately $76.34/barrel.
Natural Gas Price Forecast: Global natural gas prices are predicted to rise by 40% to $3.4/MMbtu in 2025 (BMI), due to increased LNG demand in Europe and Asia and disruptions from Russia. The First Trust Natural Gas ETF (FCG) shows year-to-date gains of 2.23%, despite high risk (beta 1.79, standard deviation 32.45%).

Agricultural Commodity Prices

Cocoa and Coffee Price Expectations: Cocoa and coffee prices, which hit record highs in 2024, are expected to decline in 2025 due to increased production and reduced demand (Rabobank).

ETF Performance: Agribusiness

VanEck Agribusiness ETF (MOO): The MOO ETF has a year-to-date return of 0.62% but is down 11.13% over the past year. It has a low-risk profile (beta 0.92, standard deviation 17.91%) and a Zacks ETF Rank of 3 (Hold).

Company Acquisitions and Developments

Delek Logistics Partners and Gravity Water: Delek Logistics Partners completed a $285 million acquisition of Gravity Water, integrating crude and produced water infrastructure.
Repsol’s Libyan Exploration: Repsol resumed exploration in Libya’s Murzuq Basin, its first activity since 2014. Libya aims to boost foreign investment by offering 22 exploration blocks. Libyan crude oil production in 2024 exceeded 1.4 million barrels per day.

Politics

US Political Landscape

Biden Blocks Nippon Steel Acquisition: President Biden blocked Nippon Steel’s $14.9 billion bid for United States Steel, citing national security. This followed predictions by Cleveland-Cliffs CEO Lourenco Goncalves and faced opposition from President-elect Trump and the United Steelworkers union. United States Steel’s stock dropped 6.53% on the news, adding to a 36.98% yearly decline.
Trump’s Revised Tariff Plan: President-elect Trump is considering a targeted tariff approach, shifting from a universal 10-20% import tax. While he disputed reports, economists worry this could worsen inflation, unlike his previous tariffs’ limited impact. Potential targets include industrial metals, medical supplies, and energy.
Cryptocurrency Regulation Scrutiny: Attorney John Deaton proposed leading a federal investigation into “Operation Choke Point 2.0,” alleging government efforts to restrict cryptocurrency banking access. He highlighted the potential threat to free markets and urged President-elect Trump’s intervention.
Musk’s UK Government Criticism: Elon Musk criticized the UK government’s handling of child abuse cases and pedophile releases, sparking a dispute with officials. He called for a national inquiry and suggested “liberating” the British people, impacting UK-US relations.

European Politics

Meloni’s Trump Alliance: Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni met with President-elect Trump, strengthening their alliance. This is significant given Trump’s threatened 10% tariff on European goods, potentially costing Italy up to $7 billion (around 4% of its GDP). Meloni also engaged with Elon Musk, although reported SpaceX discussions were denied.
UK’s New Visitor Fee: The UK will introduce a £10 electronic travel authorization (ETA) fee for visitors from the US and other countries starting January 2025. The ETA, valid for two years, is required for visits up to six months and applies to children and infants as well.

Canadian Politics

Trudeau’s Resignation: Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau resigned as Liberal Party leader, remaining as Prime Minister until a successor is chosen. This followed a drop in approval ratings (to 16%, per Angus Reid Institute), internal party issues, and disagreements over US trade policies.
Impact on the Canadian Economy: Trudeau’s resignation created political uncertainty, causing minor market fluctuations. The S&P TSX slightly increased, the Canadian dollar gained value, and related ETFs saw modest gains. Concerns remain about the potential impact on the Canadian financial and energy sectors.

UK-US Relations

Strained Relationship: UK-US relations are strained by Musk’s criticism of the UK government and uncertainties about the “special relationship” with Trump’s return. The EU is meanwhile strengthening its ties with the UK.

International Developments

PS752 Anniversary: The fifth anniversary of Flight PS752’s downing is being commemorated, remembering the 176 victims.

Legal Challenges

Marijuana Rescheduling Dispute: Village Farms and Hemp for Victory renewed their request to disqualify the DEA from marijuana rescheduling proceedings, citing conflicts of interest and improper communications. They allege the DEA is obstructing rescheduling from Schedule I to Schedule III.

Stock Picks

Investor Interest in Tech and Energy

Tesla’s Q4 Performance and Future Outlook: Tesla’s Q4 2024 vehicle deliveries (459,445) missed analyst expectations, closing at $410.44 (up 8.22%). While some analysts remain bullish, others predict challenges due to lower production capacity utilization (78.2%). Tesla’s market cap remains strong at $1.33 trillion.
Palantir’s AI-Driven Growth: Palantir’s stock surged nearly 400% this past year, closing at $79.89, fueled by the AI boom. Despite this, Ark Invest recently reduced its holdings.
Strong Intellectual Property Focus: Jim Cramer highlighted Tesla and Palantir’s strong intellectual property as key investment drivers.
Analyst Ratings and Price Targets: Analyst opinions vary widely, with some maintaining bullish outlooks while others express concerns about future challenges and pricing pressures. Price targets range from $351 to $404.

High-Growth Stock Spotlight

Zacks Rank #1 Stocks: Three stocks with a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy) rating and strong growth prospects are Oddity Tech (ODD), Construction Partners (ROAD), and nCino (NCNO). All show increased earnings estimates and strong Growth Scores.
Additional Strong Buy Candidates: Five more stocks added to the Zacks Rank #1 list, including Alaska Air Group (ALK) and NRx Pharmaceuticals (NRXP), display significant earnings estimate increases.
Growth Score and PEG Ratios: The mentioned stocks exhibit Growth Scores of B, with PEG ratios ranging from 1.11 to 2.10 (industry averages 2.27 and 1.23).
Earnings Estimate Revisions: Current-year earnings estimates for these companies have shown substantial increases over the past 60 days.

US Market Performance and Momentum Plays

2024 Market Rally and December Dip: The US stock market saw significant growth in 2024 (S&P 500 up 23.3%, Dow up 12.9%, Nasdaq up 28.6%), but December showed declines (Dow down 5.3%, S&P 500 down 2.5%).
January Momentum Stock Picks: Five stocks with Zacks Rank #1 and a Zacks Momentum Score of A, including Doximity (DOCS) and Southwest Airlines (LUV), are identified for potential January momentum.
Positive Earnings Revisions and Growth Forecasts: These stocks show positive earnings estimate revisions and promising growth forecasts.

Stocks Near 52-Week Highs

High-Growth and Strong Earnings: Embecta (EMBC), National Fuel Gas (NFG), and REV Group (REVG) are trading near 52-week highs, showcasing strong earnings growth, robust value metrics, and price momentum.
Zacks Rank #1 and Earnings Surprises: All three maintain a Zacks Rank #1 status and have exceeded recent earnings expectations.
2025 Earnings Estimates: 2025 earnings estimates are steady or increased for these companies, with NFG’s estimate rising to $6.11.

Short Interest Shifts

Decreased Short Interest: Exelixis (EXEL), XPO (XPO), and Nike (NKE) saw a decrease in short interest, suggesting potentially improving investor sentiment.
Increased Short Interest: Conversely, Albemarle (ALB), CRH (CRH), and several others experienced increased short interest.
Industry Peer Comparisons: Short interest data for each company is compared to industry peers for context.

Analyst Actions and Ratings

Upgrades and Price Target Increases: Several companies, including Asana (ASAN) and Boeing (BA), received analyst upgrades and increased price targets.
New Coverage and Mixed Sentiment: Some companies saw new analyst coverage with mixed ratings, including ServiceTitan (TTAN) and Toast (TOST).
Diverse Analyst Opinions: A range of analyst ratings (Overweight, Outperform, Underweight, Buy) indicates a variety of viewpoints on company prospects.