Posts by Mike Verity
Strong Earnings, Weaker Stocks: Why Hyperscaler Results Aren’t Pleasing the Market
Strong Earnings, Weaker Stocks: Why Hyperscaler Results Aren’t Pleasing the Market Four of the most closely watched companies in the AI trade reported quarterly results after the bell yesterday: Microsoft, Alphabet, Amazon, and Meta. Together they represent the bulk of the so-called “hyperscaler” capital spending that has powered the AI boom. They are bellwethers, and…
Read MoreIs AI Out Over Its Skis?
Is AI Out Over Its Skis? An Inflection Point — or Just an OpenAI Problem? The Wall Street Journal dropped a bombshell yesterday: OpenAI, the privately held creator of ChatGPT, “recently missed its own targets for new users and revenue.” Even more troubling, the article reports that CFO Sarah Friar told other executives she is…
Read MoreThe Private Credit Mirage and Unfolding Market Stress
The Hook: A Marketing Machine Under Pressure “It’s wrong, but it’s a big business. And people love that business because they can get large fees from it.” This candid assessment from industry veteran Mark Lasry perfectly captures the current state of the private credit market. While the industry has been awash in “hype and FOMO,”…
Read MoreResilient Data vs. Geopolitical Noise
Financial headlines this week have been dominated by the escalating conflict in the Middle East following recent strikes on Iran. While these events are undoubtedly serious, the market’s reaction has been a fascinating study in distinguishing between “headline risk” and fundamental economic reality. Despite an initial spike in oil prices and a flight to safety…
Read MoreWhat is Crypto and Should I Own It?
What is Cryptocurrency? At its most basic level, cryptocurrency is a digital asset designed to work as a medium of exchange. Unlike the U.S. Dollar, it is not backed by any government authority or tangible asset. Who controls it? Most cryptocurrencies are decentralized, meaning no single bank or entity manages them. Is it “real”? Its…
Read MoreMaking Sense Out of a Crazy Market
Major stock market averages fell sharply yesterday and continued into today’s session. Fear in financial news headlines was palpable. Selling feels somewhat indiscriminate, like the trading algorithms all woke up on the wrong side of the bed. Three Events Fueling the Fear To understand the current “crazy” market, we have to look at three specific…
Read MoreWhat the “One Big Beautiful Bill” Really Means for Retirees and Investors
When Congress passes a tax law that spans more than a thousand pages, it’s natural to assume there must be sweeping changes buried somewhere inside. Since the One Big Beautiful Bill (OBBB) was signed into law on July 4, 2025, many retirees and investors have asked us a simple question: What does this actually mean for my plan? The answer is…
Read MoreMike’s Market Review Video – 2025 Year-End Review
Mike’s Market Review Video – 2025 Year-End Review
Read MoreFederal Reserve Update — What This Week’s Decision Means for Investors
The Federal Reserve lowered its benchmark interest rate by 0.25%, bringing the Fed-funds target range to 3.50%–3.75%. With this move, the Fed now believes policy has reached the high end of “neutral”—the level at which interest rates neither slow nor stimulate economic growth. A Shift in the Fed’s Priorities One of the most notable aspects…
Read MoreGiving Thanks for a Correction
This has been a tough month for investing as a couple of big questions muddled the rally narrative. First, despite strong third-quarter earnings reports, has the AI trade become a bubble? Second, did the government shutdown gut-punch the economy? The AI Trade I see two good arguments for some caution regarding the AI trade. First,…
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