💰 Maniac Minute: A 988% Run—With More Room to Grow?

In partnership with

Good morning, Maniacs!

AI stocks? Still surging. Earnings? Strong. Inflation? Hotter than expected, but nobody seems to care.

The market just hit another record, oil’s getting crushed on peace talk rumors, and gold is flexing like it’s the late ‘70s.

And while all eyes are on Nvidia’s earnings next week, a new trend is emerging—more stocks are actually joining the rally.

Could this be the start of a market that finally broadens out? Let’s break it all down.

Market Recap 📈

The S&P 500 notched a fresh record last week, extending its 2025 rally. Inflation data came in hot—both CPI and PPI topped expectations—but markets took it in stride.

Under the hood, market breadth is improving. Nearly half of S&P 500 stocks are now outpacing the index’s 4% year-to-date gain. That’s up from a dismal 29% last year, when just a handful of tech giants carried the market higher.

AI plays are still leading the charge (Palantir and Super Micro have soared over 50% in 2025), but the rally is widening as investors rotate into equal weighted indices.

Oil took a hit as Trump signaled possible peace talks with Putin, sending WTI crude sliding toward $70 per barrel. A deal between Iraq and Kurdistan to restart exports also pressured prices.

Gold refuses to slow down, hitting yet another all-time high above $2,900 per ounce. With central banks hoarding reserves, sticky inflation, and geopolitical risks piling up, the precious metal is enjoying its moment in the sun.

Lastly, Treasury yields dipped after a surprisingly weak retail sales report cast doubt on consumer strength. As markets push to new highs, the question remains…

Here’s Why Over 4 Million Professionals Read Morning Brew

• Business news explained in plain English

• Straight facts, zero fluff, & plenty of puns

• 100% free

See for yourself

Winners & Losers 🚀

The market had its fair share of fireworks this week. Sports betting surged, Washington shook up the semiconductor race, and a few big names misfired.

Winners

1. AppLovin ($APP) – Market Cap: $173.5B (+35.8%)

AI-driven ads are rewriting the playbook. AppLovin’s Q4 was a monster, with revenue soaring 43% year over year to $1.37B, smashing estimates. Its self-learning ad engine has begun performing beyond just gaming, raking in holiday shopping dollars and boosting eCommerce sales. With a self-service ad platform launching this year, growth may still have room to run—even after a 988% surge in the past year.

2. DraftKings ($DKNG) – Market Cap: $26.2B (+26.5%)

DraftKings cashed in on Super Bowl mania. The surge in betting broke records, pushing its sportsbook app to number 3 across the entire App Store and bringing in a flood of new users. Despite posting a wider-than-expected Q4 loss, the company raised its 2025 revenue outlook and reported its first-ever quarter of positive free cash flow. With online “gaming” continuing to boom, analysts see more upside ahead.

3. Intel ($INTC) – Market Cap: $102.2B (+23.6%)

Washington just gave Intel a shot in the arm. The stock had its best four-day run since 1987 after VP JD Vance declared the Trump administration would “ensure that the most powerful AI systems are built in the U.S.” If that translates to government backing for American chipmakers, Intel—still the nation’s largest—stands to benefit.

Losers

1. Twilio ($TWLO) – Market Cap: $19.2B (-14.1%)

Twilio’s signal is fading. The company’s Q4 earnings showed impressive margin expansion, with losses narrowing 96% year over year. But 2025 guidance fell short as management warned of weaker enterprise demand. Instead of the 99 cents per share in earnings analysts expected, Twilio forecasted 88 to 93 cents—enough static to cut the stock down double digits.

2. GoDaddy ($GDDY) – Market Cap: $25.7B (-13.8%)

The domain giant posted solid Q4 results, with revenue growing 8% and bookings outpacing estimates. Investors had high expectations after a 63% run in the past year, but with 2025 guidance pointing to just 7% growth, the market wasn’t impressed. The result? GoDaddy just had its biggest single-day drop in over a year.

Retirement Math Made Simple 🏖️

Retirement planning isn’t about hitting some magic number—it’s about replacing enough of your income to maintain your lifestyle.

A recent study by Fidelity suggests that most people will need to replace 55% to 80% of their pretax income in retirement. Why not 100%?

Well, some expenses disappear once you stop working:

• No more payroll taxes (Social Security & Medicare deductions vanish)

• Retirement contributions stop (you’re withdrawing, not saving)

• Lower commuting & work costs (no more gas, lunches, or office wear)

• Mortgage-free? Many retirees have paid off their homes

Fortunately, a solid retirement plan doesn’t have to be complicated. Follow these four key steps to stay on track.

1. Social Security helps, but won’t cover everything.

Lower earners might get 35% of their income from Social Security, while high earners could see just 10-15%. That leaves the rest up to you.

2. Aim for your savings to cover 45% of your preretirement income.

If you make $100K a year, plan for your savings to generate $45K annually in retirement.

3. The earlier you retire, the more you’ll need to save.

Retiring at 62? You might need savings to cover 55%+ of your current income. By 65, that number can be closer to 50%. Wait until 70? You may only need 40% thanks to higher Social Security benefits.

4. Follow the 10x savings rule.

By age 40, aim to have 3x your salary saved. By 50, shoot for 6x. By 60, 8x. Retiring at 67? You’ll want about 10x your final salary saved.

This simple framework keeps you on track to replace 45% of your preretirement income—so you can enjoy your golden years without financial stress.

Worth The Read 📚

📜 Check out this Trump tracker covering 36 notable moves since Inauguration. From slashing federal jobs to reinstating tariffs, his second term is in overdrive.

🚗 Bill Ackman just dropped $2.3B on Uber, calling it massively undervalued. The stock surged 8% on the news, proving once again that a big-name investor can move markets.

💰 Are cash cows taking over? ETFs like $COWZ, which focus on high free cash flow, are outperforming traditional value plays and even outpacing growth stocks as investors shift focus.

🛵 Gig economy profits are finally here. After years of losses, Lyft, DoorDash, and Instacart are turning a corner through cost-cutting and pricing power.

🛍️ Tariffs will squeeze most retailers, but not TJ Maxx. Its off-price model lets it sidestep the worst of Trump’s new import taxes, giving it a competitive edge while rivals scramble to adjust.

🚘 BYD is undercutting Tesla by adding self-driving tech to EVs priced as low as $9,555. With 40-50% of its domestic sales set to include smart driving, China’s top automaker is making a bold play for market dominance.

🏠 More homeowners are becoming accidental landlords as high mortgage rates make selling less attractive. With return-to-office mandates pushing relocations, many are renting out their homes instead of cashing out.

⚠️ Early 401(k) withdrawals can be costly. IRAs and 401(k)s have different tax rules, penalties, and loopholes. A small mistake could mean thousands in unexpected taxes—so understanding the fine print is critical.

There’s a reason 400,000 professionals read this daily.

Join The AI Report, trusted by 400,000+ professionals at Google, Microsoft, and OpenAI. Get daily insights, tools, and strategies to master practical AI skills that drive results.

Sign up now for free and work smarter, not harder.

The Week Ahead 🔍

After a long weekend, the markets get back to business—with a housing check-up, FOMC minutes, and Walmart leading the earnings lineup.

Monday

• Markets closed for President’s Day

Tuesday

• Earnings from Medtronic, Occidental Petroleum, Baidu, Devon Energy, and Intercontinental

Wednesday

• Earnings from Carvana, Garmin, Toast, and Klaviyo

• January Building Permits (preliminary est. 1.45M)

• January Housing Starts (est. 1.39M)

• FOMC Minutes

Thursday

• Earnings from Walmart, Alibaba, Booking, Block, Live Nation, Sprouts, Rivian, and Birkenstock

Friday

• January Existing Home Sales (est. 4.17M)

• February S&P Manufacturing PMI (est. 51.3)

• February S&P Services PMI (est. 52.7)

That’s a wrap! See you next Monday with all the market insights and money tips you need to stay ahead.

Keep stacking,
The Money Maniac 💸

P.S. Have feedback, burning questions, or just want to say hi? Reply directly to this email!

DISCLAIMER: The information provided in this newsletter is for informational purposes only and should not be construed as financial advice or a solicitation to buy or sell any assets. All opinions expressed are those of the author and are subject to change without notice. Please do your own research or consult with a licensed professional before making any investment decisions.