🛍 China got the bag

British public companies went all 2008 | China's luxury shoppers came in clutch | [Finimize](   TOGETHER WITH   Hi {NAME}, here's what you need to know for January 30th in 3:11 minutes.   📈 Health is wealth. Join us for [The Rise of AI-Driven Healthcare Investments]( on February 13th, and find out how to turn that well-worn expression into a literal investing formula. [Grab your free ticket]( Today's big stories - A bigger chunk of British listed companies issued profit warnings than in the crisis-ridden year of 2008 - It’s a risky old world, but certain assets just might shield your portfolio from it – [Read Now]( - China’s luxury market was the diamond in the very, very rough Noughtie And Not-So-Nice [Noughtie And Not-So-Nice] What’s going on here? Almost one-fifth of listed British [firms]( warned investors that last year’s profit would come in smaller than forecast – more than the financial crisis year of 2008. What does this mean? Business leaders have years of experience under their belts, along with a subscription to every financial terminal in the world and, most likely, a high-caliber MBA degree. So you’d think that when last year kicked off with raging inflation, cash-strapped shoppers, and languishing economies, they’d have set investors’ expectations low. Like, on-the-floor low. But clearly not: roughly 300 businesses fell short of their projections during the year. They pinned the blame on the high price of borrowing cash, scared-to-spend shoppers, and companies dragging their feet when making deals – in other words, predictable effects of an economic slowdown. Why should I care? For markets: Investing is a long-haul flight. That said, a company falling behind target is already old news, since investors will have baked their expectations into stock prices ahead of time. So besides taking note of any factors that could stick around for years, investors will likely shrug off the results. Just look at [Ryanair](. The no-frills airline reported worse-than-expected profit for the last quarter and pushed its outlook for this year’s profit down by 5%. The reasons were hardly shocking: fuel was more expensive and the airline was booted from online booking sites. Investors only sent the stock down a little, though, with most staying firm on Ryanair’s future prospects. Zooming out: Oh, Blighty. British companies’ problems do seem to be running deep, mind you: the number of job openings in the UK fell nearly 7% in December from November according to online employment agency Adzuna. That means that fewer firms are hiring or that more folk are job-hunting – both signs of a deteriorating job market. Either way, that’s not a reassuring sign for an economy that’s been whacked with inflation-fighting interest rates. You might also like: [How to protect your $100,000 portfolio for cheap](. 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=Noughtie And Not-So-Nice&utm_campaign=daily-global-30-01-2024&utm_source=email) Analyst Take Geopolitical Risks Are On The Up: Here’s How To Hedge Your Portfolio [Geopolitical Risks Are On The Up: Here’s How To Hedge Your Portfolio]( [Photo of Reda Farran, CFA] Reda Farran, CFA, Analyst “Hope for the best but plan for the worst” is [good advice](, both in investing and in life. So with all of the [global risks]( out there, it seems like especially sage guidance right now. Geopolitics are posing, by far, the greatest threat to the world’s markets and economy, according to clients surveyed by [Goldman Sachs](. So that’s today’s Insight: [how to hedge your portfolio as global worries rise](. [Read or listen to the Insight here]( SPONSORED BY PROSPER Discover the original peer-to-peer marketplace [Prosper]( introduced the US to peer-to-peer lending back in 2005. Now, almost twenty years on, Prosper’s platform continues to connect [qualified borrowers]( searching for personal loans with [retail investors]( on the hunt for diversification and passive income. By continually innovating, Prosper’s comprehensive suite of products have [put over 1.4 million Americans on the path to financial wellbeing](. [Home equity]( lending through Prosper allows homeowners to tap into the value of one of their biggest investments, while the [Prosper® Card]( supports people seeking access to credit and flexibility in managing their finances. With Prosper, you can invest in consumer personal loans with compelling rates, giving you the chance to [make regular income through alternative assets while helping real people](. [Find Out More]( Investment is made through borrower payment dependent notes (“Notes”) tied to the underlying personal loan and offered pursuant to a Prospectus filed with the SEC. Notes are not guaranteed or FDIC insured, and investors may lose some or all of the principal invested. Investors should carefully consider the risks, uncertainties, and other information described in the [Prospectus]( before investing. Investors should consult their financial advisor if they have any questions or need additional information. Nothing on this page is intended to be investment advice. All personal loans made by WebBank. Home equity products through Prosper may not be available in all states. All home equity products are underwritten and issued by Prosper’s Lending Partners. Please see your agreement for details. Prosper Marketplace, Inc. NMLS#111473 [Licensing & Disclosures]( | [NMLS consumer access]( Prosper Funding LLC 221 Main Street, Suite 300 | San Francisco, CA 94105 © 2005-2023 Prosper Funding LLC. All rights reserved. The Prosper®Card is an unsecured credit card issued by Coastal Community Bank, Member FDIC, pursuant to license by Mastercard ® International. When you support our sponsors, you support us. Thanks for that. Shiny Object Syndrome [Shiny Object Syndrome] What’s going on here? China’s drab economy might not be much to look at, but the country’s glimmering [luxury]( market proved that it can still grab shoppers’ attention. What does this mean? China’s everyday shoppers haven’t been biting, even as retailers continue to pull their prices lower. After all, the wobbling housing market has undermined confidence in their single biggest asset. International trade partners have been more cautious with their cash, too, bringing in less money than China’s export industry made the year before last. But one group is still spending big: the country’s personal luxury market made 12% more money last year than the one before, according to Bain & Company. That’s partly because the well-to-do haven’t been jetting off to Paris, London, and New York as much, so they’re stocking up on thousand-dollar neckerchiefs and cashmere socks within China’s borders instead. Why should I care? For markets: Luxe is living. LVMH reported that sales in China were 30% higher in December than the same time the year before. Not just that, but the French luxury firm told investors that there are now twice as many Chinese shoppers with a penchant for the finer things than there were in 2019. That’s a lot of pent-up demand waiting to be released, and it could line LVMH and other high-end peers’ pockets. The bigger picture: Thrift shopping is coming back. Investors clearly don’t have the desire to go bargain hunting right now, leaving Chinese stocks on the floor instead of snapping them up for less. But that might change now that there’s proof of a pocket of spending, which could signal the start of a slow recovery. Case in point: LVMH’s newest results have already lifted the shares of other luxury firms higher. And with major US firms like Nike and Estée Lauder reporting results in the coming weeks, there could be more pick-me-ups to come. You might also like: [China vs the US.]( 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=Shiny Object Syndrome&utm_campaign=daily-global-30-01-2024&utm_source=email) 💬 Quote of the day "It takes courage to grow up and become who you really are." – E. E. Cummings (an American poet) [Tweet this]( SPONSORED BY BIOSTEM The future of regenerative medicine [Biostem’s (BSEM)]( COO left the military to explore treatments for his father in radiation therapy. 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Past performance is not indicative of future results. When you support our sponsors, you support us. Thanks for that. 🎯 On Our Radar 1. Korean skincare owns the internet. Find out if the [hype is warranted](. 2. There's nothing like staying active. Here's how [different active investing strategies]( could play out for you.* 3. Someone got dressed in the dark. [Fashion is bottom-less]( these days. 4. Time to take your first steps. Here's how to [get started on your investment journey](.** 5. The layoffs are here. [AI]( may be to blame. **Your capital is at risk. 69% of retail investor accounts lose money when trading CFDs with this provider. You should consider whether you can afford to take the high risk of losing your money. 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... 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