Author: Andrew Packer

Cryptocurrencies

Coindesk: Recent SEC Guidance on Memecoins Suggests Broader Policy Change

Posted on by Andrew Packer

The Trump administration has taken a pro-crypto policy stance. That’s included several measures that should increase cryptocurrency adoption and use in the years ahead.

The biggest shift came from the creation of a strategic bitcoin reserve (SBR). The initial SBR will hold the 200,000 bitcoin that the U.S. government has acquired over the years. The government has sold off about half of its bitcoin holdings and, in so doing, has lost out on over $18 billion in value.

Meanwhile, other pro-crypto activity abounds.

The SEC is changing its guidance on digital assets. One major change is that so-called memecoins will not be considered securities. That avoids the piecemeal legislative efforts made by prior SEC enforcement actions and lawsuits.

Previously, the SEC treated all cryptocurrencies as digital securities under their regulation. This shift could spur the creation, sale, and promotion of more memecoins. It also suggests that memecoins held in a portfolio are beyond the agency’s reach.

That’s a key point. It suggests that cryptocurrencies held in a digital wallet or in a portfolio should be treated as personal assets. In turn, that means that those transactions are beyond the reach of the SEC.

The decision is a strong move away from the prior regulation-by-enforcement actions. And this new guidance provides more clarity to make institutional investing in cryptocurrencies easier. Over time, that should increase the size and demand in the crypto space, leading to higher prices.

 

To see the full analysis, click here.

Income investing

Dividend Growth Investor: Five Dividend Growth Stocks Raising Dividends Last Week

Posted on by Andrew Packer

Although market uncertainty has been on the rise, cash dividends to shareholders represent a form of certainty. Once paid out, they can’t be retracted. And cash payments show that a company has the money to make the payment.

That money can only come from a few sources, such as earnings and excess cash flow. So over time, companies that pay a growing dividend take on a greater importance to investors. Even in trying times, dividend payers continue to up their payouts.

Recently, American Tower (AMT) raised its payout. AMT is a leading communications real estate investment trust that owns and operates cell towers.

This is a steady, if unexciting business. But it allows for steady cash payments that can increase over time. That’s thanks to escalation clauses in contracts for the use of cell towers.

AMT recently raised its payout by nearly 5%, for the 14th consecutive year. AMT now pays a 3.2% dividend yield. Today’s buyers can likely see their payouts continue to grow.

Another dividend increase came from General Dynamics (GD). The aerospace and defense contractor has raised its payout for 28 consecutive years. The recent payment was a 5.6% increase. Shares currently pay a yield of 2.2%.

Over time, slow and steady increases in income can turn dividend growth stocks into a powerhouse for your portfolio.

 

Click here to see the full list of dividend growth companies now.

Stock market strategies

The Financial Economics: Turning $1M Into $1B+

Posted on by Andrew Packer

Investors have plenty of strategies to turn to for their investment returns. Over the past few years, momentum investing, particularly in big-cap tech stocks has been a winner. That trend has sharply reversed in 2025.

Other strategies may take a more slow-and-steady approach. But over time, those strategies can allow investors to continually build on their returns. If market conditions are less bullish overall, these approaches may be more successful.

One such approach is value investing. Value can be a subjective term. But overall it means to take a long-term approach to buying stocks. And treating a stock like the fraction of a company that it is.

That means being mindful of metrics such as earnings, cash flow, and profit margins.

Some value investors also take a focused approach. Rather than buy the market as a whole, they may invest most of their money in their top 10 ideas.

This can mean a higher portfolio concentration. But for value investments that can pay off over time, some short-term pain will turn to long-term results.

Value investors also have the advantage of time. They don’t need the market to move a certain way within a certain amount of time. They can wait, and often get paid to do so with dividends, while valuations shift higher.

In short, taking a value approach can greatly compound returns over time.

 

To watch the full video, click here.

Retirement investing

A Wealth of Common Sense: How Many Americans Don’t Save For Retirement?

Posted on by Andrew Packer

With the stock market in decline, many retail traders may be rethinking their position. Some may even be headed for the exits. However, the latest data shows that investors remain just the top half of the American economy.

Just half of Americans own retirement assets such as stocks and bonds. The ratio is higher for those under 35 and over 75. Those in their working years are faring the best.

Overall, the picture isn’t great. Older households without retirement assets will be dependent on programs such as Social Security. At least younger households have time to play catch-up with their portfolios by investing today.

Currently, about 70% of private-sector investors have access to a 401(k) plan. That’s up from 60% a decade ago. Many 401(k) plans provide some employer matching behind them as well.

Overall, however, even mix of investors and non-investors shows the divisions across America today. Non-investors rely nearly entirely on Social Security to avoid total poverty. One estimate puts 16.3 million adults in this category.

A 401(k) plan is no guarantee of investment success or indefinite wealth in retirement. But it can at least create a strong cushion for a better retirement. Investors may want to increase their 401(k) contributions amid the latest market decline.

 

To see the full analysis, click here.

 

Economy

Heresy Financial: Fed Issues Urgent Warning: Recession Next Month

Posted on by Andrew Packer

Recent economic data has started to turn over. Some predictions now suggest that the economy could shrink in the first quarter of 2025. If that does happen and continues into the second quarter, it could mean that the year started out in a recession.

Why the warning? The move to cut government spending is a big part of the equation. The Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) is targeting $1 trillion in annual spending cuts.

Yes, that would free up private sector spending over time. But the loss of that added government spending now is bad for the economy now. Plus, laying off government workers will lead to higher unemployment until they can find a position in the private sector.

Meanwhile, rising tariff rates are also leading to lower expectations for the economy. Tariffs act as a tax on a specific good, so raising them reduces spending expectations.

Overall, the combination of cutting government spending and raising tariffs is mixed. It could lower the deficit substantially. Today’s massive deficits can’t be sustained forever, especially at today’s interest rates.

But the right-sizing of government spending does mean a period of economic pain. The real question is the severity of that pain. And how much it impacts the private sector. That’s part of the rising uncertainty that’s hit stocks over the past few weeks.

 

For the full analysis, click here.

Commodities

Kitco News: Safe-Haven Demand Driving Solid Price Gains for Gold

Posted on by Andrew Packer

Gold has been the odd asset out in 2025. It’s been less volatile than stocks or crypto. And it’s held up well, with the price around $2,900. Many see $3,000 and beyond in sight for the metal later in the year.

What’s most impressive about gold’s returns is that it’s held up well as interest rates have stayed relatively high. And that the U.S. dollar has been in a strengthening trend against other currencies.

Obviously, a weakening dollar could help fuel gold’s moves even more. Over the longer-term, strong central bank demand for the metal continues to push prices higher. And retail investors are still largely focused on other markets.

With rising economic uncertainty, however, safe-haven demand will likely shift retail investors to gold. That can help push gold prices up even further.

On the supply side, physical production continues to lag overall demand for gold. And we’re seeing some unusual moves as warehouses move gold to bank vaults in Manhattan.

There’s some possibility of a squeeze higher in prices, given the physical demand for gold bars right now. That could be above and beyond the overall safe-haven demand. It’s likely that any such squeeze would be short-lived.

For now, with gold holding strong and likely to trend higher, investors may want to consider investing in gold and gold-related stocks.

 

To see the full read on today’s gold market, click here.

 

Cryptocurrencies

Grant Cardone: U.S. Strategic Bitcoin Reserve Impact

Posted on by Andrew Packer

While running for office, now-President Trump has discussed creating a Strategic Bitcoin Reserve. The goal behind that is to own a digital asset. Remember, bitcoin has a hard-wired total amount that will ever exist at 21 million.

Today, over 19 million bitcoin have been mined. It’s a harder asset than gold, which is already a reserve asset for nation states. And given bitcoin’s potential price upside, buying bitcoin could go far to help pay down a nation’s debt.

Most nations today hold either gold or foreign currencies as a reserve. But foreign currencies can be printed at will by a nation’s central bank. Bitcoin, on the other hand, is “mined” in equal amounts every 10 minutes.

And every four years, the total amount of bitcoin produced through mining is cut in half. That’s allowed for bitcoin’s price to soar higher over time. And why estimates for bitcoin topping $1 million each someday aren’t as far-fetched as it sounds.

Gold has and continues to perform well. But moving around gold is a costly effort, requiring tools such as armed guards and armored cars.

Creating a strategic bitcoin reserve, as President Trump did on Thursday night, could go a long way towards strengthening the national balance sheet by adding a high-returning asset. And those who buy bitcoin before nation-state adoption will likely get in ahead of any big move higher from massive government buys.

 

To see the full potential impact of a Strategic Bitcoin Reserve, click here.

Income investing

Invest With Matt: 62 Companies Raised Their Dividends Last Week

Posted on by Andrew Packer

While markets have taken on a bearish tone, many companies continue to have strong fundamentals. And that includes the ability to generate an increasing amount of cash flow that can be paid to investors as dividends.

Unlike a fluctuating share price, a cash dividend is a sure thing. Once it’s paid and in your account, it can be used however you see fit. Many companies pay a dividend, and several of those companies have a history of increasing their payouts.

That includes companies across a variety of industries.

For instance, property and casualty insurance company Old Republic International (ORI) recently increased its dividend by 9.4%, and raised its payout for the 33rd consecutive year.

The insurance industry is a slow-and-steady winner for investors, and buying insurance stocks during a market downturn is a safe strategy for solid long-term returns. Old Republic currently pays a 3% dividend.

Another dividend growth name right now is retailer Home Depot (HD). They raised their payout for the 15th consecutive year, raising its payout by 2.2%. Home Depot currently pays a 2.4% dividend yield.

The home improvement retailer has been challenged by a slow-moving housing market. But existing homeowners continue to spend to improve their homes.

Dozens of dividend payers continue to increase their payouts monthly, and a market downturn may be an ideal time to go shopping for income-paying stocks.

 

To see the full list of recent dividend increases, click here.

 

Stock market strategies

The Compound: Staying Bullish On Stocks Through Economic Pain

Posted on by Andrew Packer

With market sentiment turning bearish, it’s important to consider a few factors. One is how much markets can sell off. Another factor is whether or not the downturn is short, or part of a longer-term swing lower.

Over the past few years, fears of a recession have been on the rise. In 2022, some estimates calculated a 100% chance of a recession in 2023. It didn’t happen. Nor in 2024. Now, in 2025, some economic data hints at another recession.

Time will tell if that’s true or not. But even in a recession, investors can likely see their best returns in the stock market.

The current economic pain relates to moves to shrink the size of government. What that means a lower GDP in the short-term, it does move away from relentless deficit spending.

And while that could technically mean a recession, it could mean a stronger economy afterward.

So far, with earnings season winding down, the private sector remains strong. The AI trend remains intact. And many companies and countries are moving to invest in the U.S.

Amid those factors, it’s a sign that investors may want to scale back on leverage right now. But they shouldn’t stay out of the market entirely. Especially given the private sector’s AI-fueled growth right now.

 

To watch the full interview, click here.

 

Stock market

FX Evolution: Markets Are Crashing But Are Wall Street Buying?

Posted on by Andrew Packer

Markets have had another volatile week, seeing massive daily moves and big intraday swings. The economic data this past week has turned sour. President Trump has made good on his plans to raise tariffs, which could impact global trade.

Plus, predictions for GDP are starting to turn lower. That’s due in part to rising tariffs, but also related to shrinking government spending. Either way, that’s leading to investors heading for the sidelines in the stock market.

As that happens, the market is deleveraging. That’s a good sign after hitting record total leverage at the end of January.

Meanwhile options flow and dark pool transaction data indicates that investors are staying cautious right now.

Growth-related stocks are showing the most weakness. Many well-known growth names from the past two years have seen the worst selloff. And some more defensive sectors, such as healthcare, have started to show signs of life.

Fortunately, this behavior looks more like a market rotation, if a somewhat aggressive one. We haven’t seen credit spread yields indicate an immediate economic danger. And financial stocks continue to hold up well.

That points towards markets being in the later stages of a bull market, rather than the start of a full-on selloff. However, if the data starts to materially deteriorate, that could change quickly.

For now, caution and defensive investing is the name of the game.

 

For the full analysis, click here.