Considering Tariffs and All: If the iPhone Were 30% More Expensive, Is It Still Worth It? In today’s global economy, tariffs and trade tensions can directly affect the price of tech gadgets — and few products are more globally beloved (and debated) than the iPhone. Imagine if, due to increased import duties, taxes, and currency shifts, the iPhone cost 30% more. Would it still be worth buying? Let’s break down the value proposition — and whether Apple’s iconic device still justifies its premium in such a scenario. ⸻ 1. Understanding the 30% Hike A 30% increase is not insignificant. An iPhone 15 Pro, for instance, currently priced at around $999, would shoot up to about $1,299. For the Pro Max variant, you’d be looking at close to $1,600 — nearly the cost of a high-end laptop. So, the centra

Why Inflation No Longer Drives Interest Rate Cuts—It’s About Tariffs Now For years, whenever the economy seemed too slow or prices were rising too fast, central banks—like the U.S. Federal Reserve—adjusted interest rates to keep things in balance. This system worked well when inflation was mostly caused by people spending too much or too little. But today, a new player has entered the scene: tariffs. And they’re changing the rules. The Old Way: Watching Inflation Like a Hawk Interest rates are kind of like the economy’s gas pedal or brake. When inflation (the general rise in prices) was low, central banks would cut rates to make borrowing cheaper, which encouraged people and businesses to spend more. When inflation was high, they’d raise rates to cool things down. This worked well when inf

Are the new tariffs inflationary or deflationary?  The recent implementation of tariffs by the U.S. government has sparked a robust debate among economists, policymakers, and industry leaders regarding their potential impact on the economy. While tariffs are designed to protect domestic industries and address trade imbalances, their effect on inflation and deflation is complex and multifaceted. Inflationary Pressures from Tariffs Tariffs function as taxes on imported goods, leading to increased costs for businesses that rely on these imports. Often, these additional expenses are transferred to consumers through higher prices on everyday products, contributing to overall inflation. For instance, the Federal Reserve Bank of Boston estimated that tariffs imposed in 2018 accounted for a 0

Is Gold a Safe Haven Asset? Throughout history, gold has held a unique position in the world of finance and investing. It’s often seen as a timeless store of value—an asset that provides security when uncertainty grips global markets. But in the ever-evolving economic landscape, the question remains: Is gold truly a safe haven asset? Understanding the Concept of a “Safe Haven” A safe haven asset is one that retains or increases in value during times of market turmoil. Investors typically flock to such assets during crises—economic downturns, geopolitical conflicts, stock market crashes, or periods of inflation and currency devaluation. Gold has traditionally been considered a prime safe haven. Its physical nature, limited supply, and historical use as money lend it an aura of stability tha

Pre-emptive trading vs trend trading: Which is better according to data? In trading, two primary strategies are often discussed: left-side trading and right-side trading. Each approach offers distinct advantages and challenges, and their effectiveness can vary based on market conditions and individual trader expertise. This article explores both strategies, comparing their benefits and drawbacks, and examines data-driven insights to determine which may be more advantageous. Understanding Left-Side and Right-Side Trading • Left-Side Trading: This strategy involves making trading decisions before a market trend fully develops. Traders attempt to predict market tops or bottoms, aiming to buy just before a price increase or sell before a decline. This predictive approach relies heavily on

Is AI in a Bubble, or Are Concerns Overblown? In recent years, artificial intelligence (AI) has transitioned from a niche technological curiosity to one of the most talked-about, hyped, and heavily invested-in sectors globally. The rapid advancements, coupled with staggering valuations and investor enthusiasm, have prompted discussions about whether we are witnessing an AI bubble. Yet, others contend these fears are exaggerated, and that AI’s growth trajectory reflects a fundamentally transformative technology. So, is AI truly experiencing a speculative bubble, or are concerns merely alarmist? The Case for an AI Bubble 1. Inflated Valuations One primary indicator that supports the bubble theory is the extreme valuations of AI-centric companies, especially startups. Driven by a surge in ve

If you have to choose between AMD or NVIDIA, which one will you add at the current prices? As of March 25, 2025, investors evaluating Advanced Micro Devices (AMD) and NVIDIA Corporation (NVDA) face a nuanced decision, as both companies are prominent players in the semiconductor industry with significant roles in artificial intelligence (AI) and graphics processing. Current Stock Performance On March 24, 2025, AMD’s stock closed at $113.85, marking a 7.0% increase from the previous day. Despite this uptick, AMD’s share price remains 39.2% below its 52-week high of $187.28, reached on July 10, 2024. NVIDIA’s stock closed at $121.41 on the same day, reflecting a 3.2% increase. The company has experienced a 12.5% decline in its stock value since the beginning of the year, partly due to investo

What are the key takeaways from Nvidia's GTC 2025? Nvidia’s GTC 2025 conference, often dubbed the “Super Bowl of AI,” showcased a series of groundbreaking advancements poised to redefine the landscape of artificial intelligence and computing. Here are the key takeaways from the event: 1. Introduction of Next-Generation AI Chips Nvidia unveiled its forthcoming AI chip architectures, emphasizing a rapid development cadence: • Blackwell Ultra: Building upon the existing Blackwell architecture, the Ultra variant is slated for release in the second half of 2025. This enhancement promises substantial improvements in AI model training and inference capabilities. • Vera Rubin: Named after the renowned astronomer who confirmed the existence of dark matter, the Vera Rubin architecture is scheduled f

GTC 2025 and its impact on Nvidia NVIDIA’s annual GPU Technology Conference (GTC) 2025, currently underway in San Jose, California, is a pivotal event where the company showcases its latest advancements in artificial intelligence (AI), high-performance computing, and related technologies. This year’s conference, running from March 17 to 21, is particularly significant as it addresses both the opportunities and challenges NVIDIA faces in a rapidly evolving tech landscape. Anticipated Announcements at GTC 2025 A central focus of GTC 2025 is the unveiling of NVIDIA’s next-generation GPU architectures. The company is expected to provide detailed insights into the Blackwell Ultra GB300 series, slated for release later this year. These GPUs are designed to offer over 50% more memory capacity and

Intel Corporation has appointed Lip-Bu Tan as its new Chief Executive Officer, effective March 18, 2025. This leadership change comes after a period of significant challenges for the company, including financial losses and strategic missteps. Tan’s extensive experience in the semiconductor industry positions him to steer Intel toward renewed innovation and competitiveness. Lip-Bu Tan’s Background Lip-Bu Tan, 65, is a seasoned technologist with a rich history in the semiconductor sector. He holds a master’s degree in nuclear engineering from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and an MBA from the University of San Francisco. Tan founded Walden International, a venture capital firm specializing in technology investments, and served as CEO of Cadence Design Systems from 2009 to 2021. Du

What does the upcoming Feb CPI report brings to the market? The upcoming release of the February Consumer Price Index (CPI) report is highly anticipated by economists and investors alike, as it may provide insights into the current state of inflation and its potential impact on recession concerns. Recent economic indicators have painted a mixed picture, heightening the significance of this report. Current Inflation Trends In January, the CPI rose by 0.4%, marking a slight acceleration from December’s 0.3% increase. This brought the year-over-year inflation rate to 3.2%. Notably, the energy index experienced a 2.3% uptick, driven by increases in gasoline and natural gas prices, while the food index remained unchanged. Forecasts for February 2025 suggest a modest deceleration in inflation. E

Nvidia Corporation, a leader in the semiconductor industry, has experienced notable fluctuations in its stock performance recently. As of March 10, 2025, Nvidia’s stock closed at $106.98, marking a 30% decline from its record high in early January. Valuation Metrics This decline has impacted Nvidia’s valuation metrics. The trailing 12-month price-to-earnings (P/E) ratio has decreased to 36.4, the lowest since before the launch of ChatGPT in November 2022. The forward P/E ratio stands at 24, indicating that the stock is currently 41% cheaper than it was at ChatGPT’s release. Analyst Perspectives Analysts present mixed views on Nvidia’s prospects. Ben Reitzes of Melius Research maintains a “Buy” rating with a price target of $170, suggesting a potential 60% upside. He draws parallels between

What does Broadcom's market outperformance say about itself? Despite a recent market selloff, Broadcom Inc. (NASDAQ: AVGO) has demonstrated resilience, buoyed by robust earnings and a strong outlook in the artificial intelligence (AI) sector. In its latest earnings report, Broadcom reported first-quarter revenue of $14.9 billion, surpassing Wall Street expectations. The company’s AI business generated $4.1 billion in revenue, marking a 78% increase from the previous year. This surge is attributed to significant investments in custom AI chips by major tech companies such as Amazon, Microsoft, Google, and Meta. Broadcom’s CEO, Hock Tan, emphasized the rapid development of semiconductor technology driven by AI advancements and highlighted the company’s diversification across software and semi

Broadcom: The Complement to Nvidia in the AI and Semiconductor Boom The AI revolution has propelled Nvidia into the spotlight as the dominant force behind the GPUs that power artificial intelligence workloads. However, while Nvidia grabs most of the headlines, another key player quietly strengthens the backbone of this technological surge—Broadcom. As a leader in networking, custom silicon, and semiconductor solutions, Broadcom complements Nvidia’s GPU dominance by providing the infrastructure necessary to support AI, cloud computing, and high-speed data processing. Broadcom’s Role in the AI and Semiconductor Ecosystem Broadcom is a diversified semiconductor giant specializing in networking, storage, and custom chips for hyperscalers, cloud providers, and data centers. Unlike Nvidia, which

Mara: Is It a Good Proxy to Bitcoin? The cryptocurrency market has evolved significantly over the past decade, and with it, publicly traded companies have emerged as indirect ways to gain exposure to Bitcoin (BTC). One such company is Marathon Digital Holdings (MARA), one of the largest Bitcoin mining firms in the world. Given its strong correlation with Bitcoin’s price movements, many investors view MARA as a potential proxy to Bitcoin. But does it truly serve as a good alternative, or are there crucial differences that investors need to consider? Understanding MARA and Its Business Model Marathon Digital Holdings is a Bitcoin mining company that focuses on acquiring and operating high-performance mining hardware. The company generates revenue by mining Bitcoin, which it can either hold a

The US cryptocurrency strategic reserve is here! What it means for the cryptocurrency market and who are the greatest beneficiaries? In a landmark move, President Donald Trump has announced the establishment of the United States Cryptocurrency Strategic Reserve, signaling a significant shift in the nation’s approach to digital assets. This initiative aims to position the U.S. as a global leader in the cryptocurrency space, with profound implications for the market and various stakeholders.  Details of the Cryptocurrency Strategic Reserve On March 2, 2025, President Trump revealed plans to create a strategic reserve comprising five major cryptocurrencies: Bitcoin (BTC), Ethereum (ETH), Ripple’s XRP, Solana (SOL), and Cardano (ADA). This announcement led to an immediate surge in cryptocurre

Is the Nvidia GB200 (not B200!) ramping up on time? Nvidia’s Blackwell GB200 system, a cornerstone of the company’s next-generation AI infrastructure, has faced a series of challenges that have raised concerns about potential delays in its deployment. These issues encompass design flaws, manufacturing complications, and integration hurdles, all of which could impact Nvidia’s market position and financial performance. Design and Manufacturing Challenges In late 2024, reports surfaced indicating that Nvidia’s Blackwell architecture encountered significant design flaws, particularly related to overheating and excessive power consumption. These issues necessitated a redesign of server racks to accommodate the high power demands, with some configurations requiring up to 140 kW per rack—substant

Nvidia and Its Upcoming Earnings: What Does the Technical Picture Say? Nvidia (NASDAQ: NVDA) has been a standout performer in the stock market, benefiting from surging demand in AI, data centers, and high-performance computing. With its upcoming earnings report approaching, investors are closely watching its technical indicators to gauge potential price action. Will Nvidia extend its rally, or is a pullback imminent? Let’s examine the latest technical outlook. Current Price Overview As of February 20, 2025, Nvidia is trading at $139.23, consolidating near its recent highs. The stock remains in a strong uptrend, supported by robust institutional buying and optimism surrounding AI-driven growth. Updated Support and Resistance Levels • Immediate Support: $136.16 (Recent low, key short-term fl

Does an Acquisition by Broadcom or TSMC Make Sense for Intel? Intel, once the undisputed leader in semiconductor manufacturing, is at a critical juncture. Following the retirement of Pat Gelsinger as CEO in December 2024, the company is undergoing leadership changes, with David Zinsner and Michelle Johnston Holthaus serving as interim co-CEOs. Amid these shifts, Broadcom and TSMC are reportedly exploring potential deals that could break up Intel, a move that would have profound implications for the semiconductor industry. Would an acquisition by Broadcom or TSMC make strategic and financial sense? Let’s explore the possibilities. Intel’s Current Situation Intel has faced mounting challenges, including: • Process Node Delays: Falling behind TSMC in advanced chip manufacturing. • Competitive

Grok 3 – Will Tesla Benefit from It? Elon Musk’s AI venture, xAI, recently introduced Grok 3, the latest iteration of its AI chatbot. Grok is designed to integrate deeply with X (formerly Twitter) and is positioned as a competitor to OpenAI’s ChatGPT, Google Gemini, and Anthropic Claude. While the AI is officially tied to Musk’s social media and AI ambitions, its development may also hold potential benefits for Tesla, Musk’s electric vehicle and AI-driven company. What is Grok 3? Grok 3 is a large language model (LLM) that marks a significant improvement over its predecessors. Built on xAI’s proprietary Grok architecture, the model is trained with advanced reasoning capabilities, an expanded dataset, and likely benefits from high-performance computing power provided by Nvidia GPUs and Tesl