Weekly Stock Market Update

Host Introduction

• Host: Joseph Hog
• Episode airs every Monday at 9 a.m. Eastern
• Focus: Stocks to watch, stock market news

US Sovereign Wealth Fund Discussion

• Bipartisan support from former President Trump and President Biden
• US Sovereign Wealth Fund could gain momentum post-election
• Wealth Fund: A government-set fund benefiting all citizens similar to pension funds
• Typically established by resource-dependent countries
• Over 50 countries have wealth funds, including 11 US states
• Potential economic tool for countering downturns and reducing volatility

Funding Challenges

• US lacks recent budget surpluses - forecasted $2 trillion deficit
• Trump suggests funding through tariffs, Biden yet to propose a plan

Investment Focus

• Norwegian Fund Example: 72% invested in global stocks
• US potentially different focus: Infrastructure, medical research, rare minerals
• Use of ETFs to identify potential stock investments

Stocks and ETFs

Infrastructure

• Global X US Infrastructure Development ETF (PAVE): 99 US companies
  • Notable stocks: Martin Marietta Materials (MLM), Rockwell Automation (ROK)

Medical Research

• SPDR S&P Biotech ETF (XBI): 139 healthcare and biotech companies
  • Notable stocks: Exact Sciences, Gilead, Viking Therapeutics
  • Small biotech example: Recursion Pharmaceuticals (RXRX)

Rare Earth and Strategic Metals

• VanEck Rare Earth/Strategic Metals ETF (REMX): 32 companies
  • Focus on US-based companies: Albemarle (ALB), MP Materials (MP), Tronox Holdings (TRX)

Stocks to Watch

Darden Restaurants (DRI)

• Earnings announcement: Expected $1.84 per share
• Industry peers faced disappointing results indicating consumer slowdown

Palantir Technologies (PLTR)

• Added to S&P 500, stock volatility due to chairman's share sale

Super Micro Computer (SMCI)

• Rebounded 19% after losing value from short seller report

CareCloud (CCLD)

• Stock up 38% recently, approval of preferred share class

Sector Overview

• 10 out of 11 stock sectors closed higher last week
• Weakness in energy stocks due to declining oil prices
• Financials up 28% YoY but straining under higher valuations

Economic Indicators and Federal Reserve

• Focus on Wednesday's Federal Reserve rate decision
• Retail sales report on Tuesday indicates potential consumer weakness
• Financial sector impacted by potential consumer credit defaults
• Upcoming Fed rate cut could be larger than expected

Resources

• Newsletters: Wall Street Breakfast, Must-Read Newsletter
• Links provided for resources and community subscription