📈 Apple's all-time high

The Federal Reserve got investors speaking of rate cuts | Apple notched an all-time high | [Finimize](   TOGETHER WITH   Hi {NAME}, here's what you need to know for December 15th in 3:14 minutes.   🤓 Ray Dalio dished out some serious wisdom at his How To Win In 2024 session – the type that only a billion-dollar investing icon can provide. But don't fret if you missed it, you can catch up on YouTube from Monday. (Okay, fine: here's [a sneak peak]( for now.) Today's big stories - Investors pounced after the Federal Reserve appeared to be limbering up for quite the rate-cut run in 2024 - If you’re looking to diversify, these non-tech, non-US stocks could be just the zig for your zag – [Read Now]( - Apple's stock reached a new record high, meaning the titan’s added $1 trillion to its market value this year Ready, Set, Woah [Ready, Set, Woah] What’s going on here? The Federal Reserve (the Fed) kept rates where they are, but forecasts of speedier-than-expected rate cuts sent investors’ tongues wagging. What does this mean? The federal funds rate dictates how much banks charge each other when they borrow money. And that, in turn, decides the interest rates they use to charge customers. So in other words, it’s the Fed’s main weapon against inflation. At the last meeting on Wednesday, the central bank unanimously decided to keep that essential rate where it is, buying it time to see how the current level affects inflation and the economy in the weeks to come. But that pause may not last long: the Fed’s now anticipating three cuts in the next year. That’s because US inflation is calming down while unemployment holds steady, giving the central bank room to pull down the rates that are stifling the economy. Why should I care? For markets: The best day ever (almost). That prospect of rate cuts has investors pricking their ears up. Businesses can borrow money for less when rates are manageable, meaning they can invest more into operations and maximize profit. Plus, low rates decrease the discount rate used to value stocks, making them look more attractive in the present day. So with investors practically rubbing their hands together, it’s no wonder Bloomberg reported that Wednesday hosted the biggest asset rally on a Fed announcement day for nearly 15 years. The bigger picture: Hard luck, Europe. Lower rates make it cheaper for both businesses and everyday folk to spend money, which means more much-needed cash flooding the US economy. And while that doesn’t rule out a recession, it does make one a lot less likely. But it’s not an easy decision to make: central banks need to be sure that inflation has calmed before loosening up. That’s why, wary of prices’ tenacity, the Bank of England and European Central Bank both left rates untouched on Thursday. You might also like: [How interest rates influence every investment you make.]( Copy to share story: [( 🙋 [Ask a question](mailto:questions@finimize.com?body=Ask us a question: Where are you writing from? Let us know and we'll mention it when we reply.&noapp=true&subject=Ready, Set, Woah&utm_campaign=daily-global-15-12-2023&utm_source=email) Analyst Take Three Non-Tech, Non-US Stocks That Goldman Can’t Get Enough Of [Three Non-Tech, Non-US Stocks That Goldman Can’t Get Enough Of]( By Paul Allison, Analyst No question: I’m a diehard optimist about US stocks – especially from its [unbeatable tech sector](. But after a rocketing year like this one, even I know I should [broaden my vision]( and diversify beyond America’s shores. Since I’m no expert on the European stock market, I’ve turned to [Goldman Sachs’s conviction-buy list]( (which is updated every month) for inspiration and pulled out three of its best non-tech plays. That’s today’s Insight: [three non-tech, non-US stock plays that look like winners](. [Read or listen to the Insight here]( SPONSORED BY INVESTALERT.AI Get a second opinion on your portfolio, digital-style [Artificial intelligence]( can call on a wealth of market events and forecasts in a second, anticipating tomorrow’s macro environment. So, if you’re looking for a second pair of eyes on your portfolio, you could do a lot worse than enlisting a digital set. As [InvestAlert.ai’s]( CEO Jacques Cailloux highlighted at our Modern Investor summit, retail investors can now use AI to sharpen their [portfolio construction, risk management, and performance analysis](. Case in point: you can [now see how this could work on a retail portfolio in an instant on InvestAlert.ai](. Sharp-as-a-tack insights highlight areas ripe for optimization, be it more diversification or addressing especially risky areas. The best part: you can [sign up InvestAlert’s tools for free](. [Find Out More]( When you support our sponsors, you support us. Thanks for that. High Days And Holidays [High Days And Holidays] What’s going on here? Apple’s stock broke its own [record]( on Wednesday to end the year on a high. What does this mean? Characteristically cool and steely Apple broke a sweat in the summer, when China’s flustered recovery snuffed out iPhone sales in a usually reliable market. But what a difference a couple of months makes. Well, and shrinking costs, robust sales from services like Apple Music and iCloud, and some investor optimism on the back of rate-cut rumors. Apple’s shares reached a new record high of $197.96 on Wednesday, meaning they’ve been pulled up 52% this year alone. So with a market value of over $3 trillion, Apple’s worth almost as much as Europe’s biggest stock market, France, as well as the individual economies of Italy, Canada, Australia, and Brazil. Why should I care? For markets: Little fish, the pond is yours. Apple’s worth around $1 trillion more than at the start of the year. That’s an awesome feat, especially when you consider that only five US companies are valued above a single trillion: Microsoft, Alphabet, Amazon, and Nvidia. After all, it’s big, profitable tech companies that have attracted investors this year, since their heft makes them more resilient against high rates, inflation, and economic slowdowns. But thanks to forecasts of a kinder 2024, a whole host of neglected stocks have been earning their way back into portfolios, paving the way for broader rallies in the new year. The bigger picture: Quality never goes out of style. Apple wasn’t exactly cheap when Tim Cook took charge back in 2011. But since then, the stock’s risen seventeen-fold. The company’s investors must have read the Charlie Munger book of wisdom, then. Buffett’s late right-hand man advocated for buying outstanding companies at reasonable prices – not decent ones for cheap. Case in point: Apple makes up more than half of Berkshire Hathaway’s portfolio, and the sizable deposit has paid off handsomely. You might also like: [How to pick stocks with compounding power](. Copy to share story: [( 🙋 [Ask a question](mailto:questions@finimize.com?body=Ask us a question: Where are you writing from? Let us know and we'll mention it when we reply.&noapp=true&subject=High Days And Holidays&utm_campaign=daily-global-15-12-2023&utm_source=email) 💬 Quote of the day "There are no secrets that time does not reveal." – Jean Racine (a French dramatist) [Tweet this]( SPONSORED BY CHAIKIN ANALYTICS A Wall Street stock-picker has his eyes on one AI stock Nvidia’s been running circles around other AI-related stocks this year. But if we’ve been reminded of anything in the last twelve months, it’s to expect the unexpected. In this case, that means a lesser-known stock will likely be keeping us talking this time next year. After all, the AI field moves fast. Just look at [how quickly OpenAI scaled its offerings this year](. That’s why you’ll want to check out the [latest AI pick from Marc Chaikin](, creator of one of Wall Street's most popular indicators and a living legend with a career spanning 50 years. Chaikin built the [stock indicator]( that found [Tesla, Moderna, Riot Blockchain, and Nvidia]( before they took off. Now it’s his turn to sound the alarm on AI picks. [Discover More]( DisclaimerThis ad is sent on behalf of Chaikin Analytics, 201 King Of Prussia Rd., Suite 650, Radnor, PA 19087. Privacy Policy. When you support our sponsors, you support us. Thanks for that. Reach the right audience at the right time Our [one-million-strong community of modern investors]( is clever, clued-in, and keen to learn. In other words, they’re exactly the type of folk your businesses want to reach. So whether you’re an established brand, scaleup, or startup, [our promotional campaigns]( can help you [introduce yourself to your future community](. [Let’s Chat]( 🎯 On Our Radar 1. Holidays aren't always happy. Let yourself [feel every emotion]( this year. 2. Theory will only get you so far in the real world. Here's how to [master options trading](.* 3. You caught us. Shoppers love buying cheap stuff, and [Temu's happy to sell it](. 4. Size-up the opportunities. You can [trace the world’s biggest stock indexes]( without paying mammoth prices.* 5. Unleash the quill. [Christmas cards]( aren't done for yet. When you support our sponsors, you support us. Thanks for that. SPONSORED BY HEALTHWORDS.AI [HEALTHWORDS.AI]( When you support our sponsors, you support us. Thanks for that. 🌍 Finimize Live 🤩 Coming Up Soon... All events in UK time. 💸 [Your 2024 Crypto Investing Roadmap](: 5pm, January 16th ❤️ Share with a friend Thanks for reading {NAME}. If you liked today's brief, we'd love for you to share it with a friend. You stay classy, {NAME} 😉 We’d love to hear your thoughts. [Give feedback]( Want to advertise with us too? [Get in touch]( Image Credits: Image credits: the federal reserve | guinness world records Preferences: [Update your email]( or [change preferences]( [View in browser]( [Unsubscribe]( from all Finimize Emails 😴 Crafted by Finimize Ltd. | 280 Bishopsgate, London, EC2M 4AG All content provided by Finimize Ltd. is for informational and educational purposes only and is not meant to represent trade or investment recommendations. You signed up to this mailing list at finimize.com or through one of our partners. © Finimize 2021 [View Online](