Be the Bank: Real Estate Bridge Debt Financing

Nearly one year ago, we published “Boring Business Stock Market (and Sentiment Results),” laying out our thesis on VF Corp. (VFC) at what seemed like its lowest point. Now, just as we made bold predictions last year, we’re doing the same again, says Tom Hayes, editor of HedgeFundTips.

Cryptocurrency funds could reap rewards from a new US Treasury strategic reserve that will be amassed by federal government seizure of Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies as part of criminal or civil asset forfeiture proceedings. One I like is the Grayscale Bitcoin Trust (GBTC), advises Paul Dykewicz, editor of DividendInvestor.

The US dollar is diving – and savvy traders can capitalize on the trend.

Bitcoin and bonds. You couldn’t ask for a better example of divergence in this market!

McDonald’s Corp. (MCD) revenue just missed estimates, driven by its worst US sales drop since the pandemic. Revenues of $6.39 billion missed the average target of $6.44 billion, while earnings per share of $2.83 were in line. Our members think the stock is overvalued, writes Tom Bruni, head of market research at The Daily Rip by Stocktwits.

Etsy Inc. (ETSY) is the fourth most visited e-commerce site in the US, but unlike its price-driven competitors, it has carved out a competitive niche focusing on handmade, vintage, and customized goods. This strategy is a key competitive advantage, allowing Etsy to avoid the "race to the bottom" behavior that continues to pressure broader e-commerce, advises Tom Hayes, editor of HedgeFundTips.

My Top Pick this year for growth-oriented investors is Nike Inc. (NKE). After a series of missteps tied to the shift to a direct-to-consumer business model from wholesale, Nike's top- and bottom-line growth struggled. But investors can get one of the premier global retail brands at a great valuation, writes Prakash Kolli, editor of Dividend Power.

MicroStrategy Inc. (MSTR), of Tysons Corner, Va., is riding two of the most powerful growth trends in the market right now with its large ownership of Bitcoin and its recent pivot to use Artificial Intelligence (AI) to enhance its business intelligence (BI), mobile software, and cloud-based services, writes Paul Dykewicz, editor of DividendInvestor.

MARA Holdings, Inc. (MARA) is a bullish bet on the potential for a further rise in Bitcoin. MARA operates as a digital asset technology company that mines digital assets, with a focus on the Bitcoin ecosystem in the United States, advises Bryan Perry, editor of Cash Machine.

I’m used to selecting obscure, totally unknown companies in one of my services. But I think there’s an interesting story with the household name Peloton Interactive Inc. (PTON) that’s worthy of sharing, observes Tyler Laundon, editor of Cabot Early Opportunities.

Sea Ltd. (SE) presents a compelling bullish case for 2025, thanks to its strong positions in gaming, e-commerce, and fintech across emerging markets, writes Matthew Timpane, editor at Schaeffer’s Investment Research.

In 2020, Dutch Bros Inc. (BROS) was a little-known drive-through coffee chain with 370 locations. Today, it is the fastest-growing coffee chain in the US, with 950 locations in 18 states as of the end of the third quarter of 2024. It has an ambitious goal of expanding to 4,000 locations within the next 10 to 15 years, says Chris Preston, chief analyst at Cabot Stock of the Week.