💰 Maniac Minute: Your December To-Do List

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Good morning, Maniacs!

It’s been a tough week for CEOs, starting with the murder of UnitedHealthcare’s leader—a tragic event that has shaken the business world and prompted healthcare firms to reevaluate security.

Beyond that, Intel ousted its chief, Elon Musk lost his $56B pay package (again), and Trump’s antitrust pick—Gail Slater—has tech executives squirming.

And just to round it out, over 1,800 CEOs have lost their posts this year. Turns out, a booming S&P 500 and boards with backbone are a tough combo for C-suites.

Let’s dive in!

Market Recap 📈

It was a week of milestones, mixed signals, and some good old-fashioned market optimism!

The S&P 500 and Nasdaq strutted their way to all-time highs, powered by better-than-expected job data. Nonfarm payrolls landed at 227,000, though the unemployment rate edged up to 4.2% as labor participation dipped.

Inflation’s still sticky and the labor market’s holding steady—hints that the Federal Reserve could (should?) remain patient on rates. But investors are feeling festive anyway, pricing in an 85% chance of a December rate cut.

Meanwhile, Bitcoin crossed $100K, pulling Ether and XRP along for the ride. Oil dipped even though OPEC+ stuck to supply cuts—yet another reminder that the oil cartel might not wield the same influence it used to.

Overall, the markets feel a bit like a holiday party—festive but teetering on chaos. 🎉

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Winners & Losers 🚀

The markets served up an assortment of surprises this week, from athleisure icons crushing it to airlines booking sweet loyalty deals.

Winners

1. Lululemon ($LULU) – Market Cap: $48.7B (+24.6%)

Lululemon just struck a warrior pose no one saw coming. The yogawear king not only flexed solid revenue gains (up 9% YoY), but also dazzled consumers with a Disney collab—yep, Mickey ears are now sweat-wicking. Store counts are climbing and online sales are popping off like holiday fireworks. Add in a $1 billion stock buyback, and you’ve got a brand that’s taking “Happily Ever Active” to a whole new level.

2. American Airlines ($AAL) – Market Cap: $11.4B (+19.8%)

American isn’t just cruising, it’s flying high in first class. The airline bumped its earnings outlook and scored a blockbuster credit card deal with Citi. The result? Investors cheered like they got a free upgrade. With oil prices grounded and less red tape expected in the next administration, American’s flight path looks smoother than ever.

3. Ulta Beauty ($ULTA) – Market Cap: $19.9B (+10.7%)

Ulta proved that beauty is recession-proof. Net sales rose 1.7% this quarter, outperforming competitors, thanks to its loyalty program and in-store experience. With plans for 200+ new locations and a playbook full of exclusive launches, Ulta’s message is clear: your beauty bag has room for one more palette (or ten).

Losers

1. Intel ($INTC) – Market Cap: $90.2B (-13.0%)

Just four short years ago, Intel and Nvidia had comparable stock values. Since then, Nvidia has gained $3 trillion while Intel has lost $150 billion. The board seems to have had enough—ousting CEO Pat Gelsinger. As the company searches for new leadership to salvage its foundry vision, investors are losing patience with this once-dominant chipmaker. For now, Intel looks more like a cautionary tale than a comeback story.

2. United Parcel Service ($UPS) – Market Cap: $107.2B (-7.4%)

UPS continues to stumble over its own brown boxes. Earnings came in weaker than expected as customers traded down to cheaper ground shipping. Frustrated investors gave UPS a ‘Return to Sender’ label. Yes, the dividend and value folks might sniff around (5% yield, anyone?), but a meager 9% price return over five years is hardly sending hearts racing.

Your December To-Do List ✅

December isn’t just for ugly sweaters and holiday playlists—it’s prime time to tie up loose financial ends and set yourself up for a winning 2025. Here’s your quick checklist to sleigh the season:

1. Max Out Those Retirement Accounts
If you’re sitting on extra cash, boost your 401(k) or 403(b) contributions before year-end to lower your taxable income. Saving for the kids’ college? Some 529 plans offer state tax perks, but you’ll need to contribute by December 31 to snag them.

2. Spend That FSA Money
Got leftover Flexible Spending Account (FSA) funds? Don’t let them expire. Use them on eligible expenses like medical checkups or new glasses, and double-check if your employer offers a grace period or carryover option.

3. Boost Charitable Giving
Make donations to eligible organizations before December 31 to potentially reduce your tax bill. Bonus: Some employers match donations, doubling your impact faster than a Christmas miracle.

5. Harvest Your Losses (or Gains)
If your investments took a hit this year, consider selling losers to offset winners. Or if your income is lower than usual this year, consider harvesting gains to raise your tax basis for future years.

6. Plan for Taxes Now
Planning on using a tax pro? Schedule that appointment before their calendar fills up. Waiting until April is a rookie move.

7. Play Hard-To-Get with Your Cart
Let that shiny gift linger in your online cart for a day or two. Many retailers get clingy and might send a coupon to win you back. Who knew “ghosting” could save you cash?

Take an hour or two this month, queue up your favorite holiday playlist, and knock these tasks out. Future you will thank you, especially when January’s resolutions roll around. Let’s finish 2024 strong—and with some extra cash in the bank. 🎄💰

Worth The Read 📚

🚨 UnitedHealth CEO killed in Midtown Manhattan hours before a major investor conference. A targeted attack on a high-profile executive raises security questions for health insurers across the nation.

🌏 South Korean President Yeol abruptly declared martial law, rattling financial markets before authorities reversed course. After days of turmoil, he narrowly survived an impeachment vote, leaving the nation’s political landscape unsettled.

🌐 Trump threatens BRICS countries with 100% tariffs if they ditch the U.S. dollar. This challenge comes as some of America’s largest trading partners weigh alternatives to a dollar-dominated system.

⚙️ China’s ban on critical mineral exports to the U.S. tightens supply chains that depend on gallium, germanium, and antimony. What does this mean for everything from semiconductors to EV batteries?

🎳 Bowlero is rebranding as Lucky Strike Entertainment, ditching its bowling-only identity to tap into a $100B location-based entertainment market—from water parks to arcades.

💸 Musk’s $56B pay plan blocked, again. This comes after shareholders already ratified the 2018 pay plan for a second time, and underscores Tesla’s corporate relocation from Delaware to Texas.

💰 Exchanges’ bitcoin reserves hit a multiyear low as traders pull 171K BTC since Trump’s win. A sign that more holders are opting for long-term self-custody over leaving funds on platforms.

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The Week Ahead 🔍

It’s a quiet week in Marketland, folks. Think of it as the calm between holiday storms. A sprinkle of earnings and some CPI data are on the menu—just enough to keep us maniacs from completely snoozing.

Monday

• Earnings from Oracle

• Wholesale inventories (est. 0.2%)

Tuesday

• Earnings from AutoZone and GameStop

• NFIB business optimism index (est. 94.3)

Wednesday

• Earnings from Adobe

• Consumer price index (est. 0.3% MoM, 2.7% YoY)

• Monthly U.S. federal budget (est. -$353 billion)

   

Thursday

• Earnings from Broadcom, Costco, and Lennar

• Initial jobless claims (est. 224 thousand)

• Producer price index (est. 0.2% MoM)

Friday

• Import prices (est. -0.3% MoM)

• Export prices (est. -0.3% MoM)

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 💸

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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.