"Let's Sup Before We Go!"

Issue #55

Hi There! As the cold weather settles in, it serves as a gentle reminder to slow down and extend kindness to yourself. Much like the animal kingdom's instinct to hibernate during this time, you, too, deserve the space to be kind to your own well-being. The Fall and Winter seasons invite you to embrace a natural rhythm of slowing down. Life can throw challenging days your way—missed deadlines, illnesses, and offensive remarks from others—that make you feel like you're losing ground. In such moments, it's essential to show up for yourself first. Leading with gratitude, implementing positive self-talk, and focusing on the positive aspects of your life can be transformative. Nurturing self-compassion allows you to understand your needs better. It fosters a sense of peace. So, amidst the hustle and bustle, take a pause and treat yourself with the kindness you deserve!

Photo Credit: Rhoda Hall

Alright, let’s dig in!

Last week marked a notable upturn in the financial markets. Stocks saw a robust climb, achieving their third consecutive positive week—a streak not seen since the summer. This surge was fueled by encouraging data indicating a downward trend in inflation. Despite a dip in several leading retail stocks, positive developments in the housing sector helped offset the setbacks. The optimism was further fueled by favourable outcomes in the October Consumer Price Index (CPI) and Producer Price Index (PPI), both coming in cooler than expected. Notably, oil prices experienced a significant rebound, surging over 4% last Friday. This turnaround followed a four-month low in the previous session, as investors who had taken short positions reaped profits. Additionally, U.S. sanctions on certain Russian oil shippers contributed to the uptick in oil prices. 

Here are other key highlights from last week:

  • Bitcoin faced a stiff resistance near $38,000

  • A win for crypto: Javier Milei won Argentina presidential election

  • Google and BrewDog back Degen Distillery Vodka NFTs

  • Snoop Dogg and his son are launching Death Row Games

  • Polygon looks to extend growth as PoS activity soars

This is a short week in the markets!

So far:

  • Federal Reserve Insights (Fed FOMC Minutes):

    • The Fed is concerned about inflation going up.

    • They also see potential issues with economic growth going down.

    • No plans for raising interest rates, and they might even reduce them starting March 2024.

  • Stock Movement - Nvidia (NVDA):

    • Nvidia's stock is down by 1%, despite reporting strong earnings and positive future guidance.

  • Tech and AI News:

    • Significant developments with Sam Altman and Open AI have been unfolding in the past few days.

    • Just before the release of this report, OpenAI signed an agreement to bring Sam Altman back to the company as CEO.

  • Leadership Change at Binance:

    • Changpeng Zhao (CZ) steps down as Binance CEO.

    • He's released on a $175 million bond.

    • Richard Teng is appointed as the new Chief Executive.

 Looking ahead:

  • Adjusted Jobless Claims:

    • Normally released on Thursdays, this week's report is scheduled for Wednesday due to the holidays.

  • Durable Goods Orders:

    • Also set for Wednesday, a higher than the 0.1% expected may be positive for the US Dollar.

  • Michigan Consumer Sentiment:

    • Also on Wednesday, stay tuned for insights into consumer spending, which accounts for a majority of the overall economic activity.

  • Thanksgiving Break:

    • Market is closed on Thursday - Happy Thanksgiving.

  • Services/Manufacturing PMI:

    • Closing the week on Friday, watch for the Purchasing Managers' Index (PMI) for services and manufacturing.

The most anticipated Earnings releases this week are shown in the chart below.

This Week’s High-Impact Global Economic Data Highlights:

  • UK Autumn Statement

  • RBA Meeting Minutes

  • Canada Consumer Price Index (CPI) Release

  • Sweden's Riksbank Meeting

  • Several European Central Bank (ECB) members are scheduled to speak

This week's anticipated bias (not financial or investment advice):

  • Monday (11/20/23) - Trade what you see

  • Tuesday (11/21/23) - Expect the market to whipsaw

  • Wednesday (11/22/23) - Short Bias expected

  • Thursday (11/23/23) - Thanksgiving Holiday

  • Friday (11/24/23) - Bullish

Trading Tip: Narratives drive crypto prices!

Week 11/12/23 - 11/18/23 Recap

Special Tools and Strategies

10 Tips for Crypto Traders and Investors: Safeguarding Against Scams and Ensuring Security on the Decentralized Web

  1. Verify Your Apps:

    • Download apps or extensions directly from official websites.

    • Check reviews, download numbers, and developer information to spot potential scams.

  2. Protect Your Seed Phrase:

    • Never share your seed phrase.

    • Safeguard it from unauthorized people to prevent unauthorized wallet access.

  3. Use Strong, Unique Passwords:

    • Utilize a password manager for easy and secure password management.

    • Avoid using the same password across multiple platforms to enhance security.

  4. Enable Two-Factor Authentication (2FA):

    • Activate 2FA for an additional layer of security.

    • Receive one-time passwords (OTP) via email or mobile after entering your password.

  5. Beware of Cold Emails:

    • Avoid clicking on links in unsolicited emails.

    • Cold emails may contain malicious links or codes that compromise your account.

  6. Avoid Unnecessary Downloads:

    • Refrain from downloading files from unknown sources.

    • Malicious files can compromise your accounts and connected wallets.

  7. Consider Using a Hard Wallet:

    • Store assets in a hard (cold) wallet that isn't connected to the internet.

    • Provides added security as it's less susceptible to online hacking.

  8. Do Your Own Research (DYOR):

    • Prioritize due diligence before investing.

    • Research thoroughly to ensure the legitimacy of projects before committing funds.

  9. Avoid Unrealistic Offers:

    • Be cautious of giveaways and high returns.

    • Scammers often use enticing offers to attract victims; invest wisely and avoid falling for unrealistic promises.

    • If it is too good to be true, it probably is.

  10. Consult Official Channels:

    • Seek help from official customer support for navigating web3.

    • Avoid seeking assistance from unofficial sources on social media platforms to prevent potential scams.

Disclaimer: This newsletter is strictly educational. The information this report provides does not constitute investment, financial, trading, or any other advice. You should not treat any of the report’s content as such. Please be careful and do your research.