💰 Maniac Minute: Tesla Hits a Speed Bump

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Hey Money Maniacs!

Welcome to the debut edition of Maniac Minute.

This morning, we’re breaking down the market’s record-setting week, Tesla’s disappointment, and which stocks are cruising ahead—all in a maniac minute!

Market Recap 📈

Stocks dipped on Thursday after inflation came in just above expectations, but earnings season turned things around by Friday. Big banks posted solid results, boosting the S&P 500 and Dow Jones to all-time highs.

The real surprise? As the market rips, the Magnificent 7 is actually losing momentum, with 5 of the 7 now trailing the S&P 500 this year.

Winners & Losers 🚀

The market played favorites last week—here’s who came out on top and who got left in the dust:

Winners

1. Trump Media ($DJT) – Market Cap: $5.1B (+53.2%)
Like a meme stock on a sugar rush, Trump Media surged after a four-month slide that wiped out two-thirds of its value. Fueled by election excitement rather than any actual fundamentals, this one's more of a gamble than an investment.

2. Uber ($UBER) – Market Cap: $181.4B (+16.2%)
Uber hit the gas to reach a new all-time high after Tesla's Robotaxi event took a wrong turn. Investors saw Tesla's underwhelming showcase as a green light for Uber, giving them more time to dominate the streets without robot competition revving up. Looks like your favorite rideshare app isn't handing over the keys just yet.

3. Fastenal ($FAST) – Market Cap: $44.0B (+9.5%)
Fastenal—a nearly $50B giant you’ve probably never heard of—was the top S&P 500 performer on Friday. Despite hurdles from Hurricane Helene, the fastener distributor tightened its grip with a strong Q3 earnings report. The company won bigger clients and opened 93 new locations. Who knew nuts and bolts could be so riveting?

4. Cruise Stocks – Norwegian ($NCLH) +14.7%; Carnival ($CCL) +14.4%; Royal Caribbean ($RCL) +9.1%
“Big Cruise” set sail after Citi upgraded Norwegian to a "buy" and raised price targets across Royal Caribbean, Carnival, and Norwegian. With web traffic surging and record ticket pricing, it seems sea-based revenge travel is still full steam ahead. Time to grab those deck chairs.

Losers

1. Tesla ($TSLA) – Market Cap: $695.8B (-12.9%)
Tesla hit a speed bump as its Robotaxi event turned into a "sell the news" scenario. Tech enthusiasts geeked out over the walking, talking Optimus robot. But investors felt shorted on details about the autonomous Robotaxi and Robovan. With no concrete business model and production pushed to 2027, the stock took a detour.

2. Spirit Airlines ($SAVE) – Market Cap: $176.3M (-4.7%)
Spirit Airlines' market cap is headed nowhere fast. With U.S. airline bankruptcies not exactly rare, Spirit might be next to make an unscheduled landing. They've burned through over $750M in the past year, leaving them with just 1-2 years of runway to pull off a turnaround. Brace for turbulence.

Costly Investing Mistakes To Avoid (Part 1) ⚠️

1. Waiting For The Perfect Entry
Holding out for the ideal moment? Markets rarely move in straight lines, and trying to time them often leads to missed opportunities. Even after record highs, markets have historically continued to climb. Pro Tip: Time in the market beats timing the market.

2. Holding Too Much Cash
Sure, cash feels safe. But with inflation nibbling away, that comfort can cost you. Overloading on cash means missing out on potential growth from stocks or bonds. Remember, while your cash is chilling, prices are heating up, and your purchasing power is melting away.

3. Getting Caught Up In Hype
It’s easy to get swept up in the excitement of a popular stock, but jumping into the latest trend often means buying an overpriced asset. Focus on channeling your inner Warren Buffett and sticking to the fundamentals. This can help to reduce your portfolio’s volatility.

4. Not Holding Long Enough
Got itchy trading fingers? Constantly buying and selling can lead to tax headaches and missed long-term growth. Investing is a long game—think marathons, not sprints. Give your investments time to grow and let compound interest do the heavy lifting. Sometimes, patience truly is a virtue.

What do Nvidia and Amazon have in common?

Well, other than trillion-dollar market caps. Both Nvidia and Amazon chose to collaborate with Miso. Miso’s the leader in AI-powered kitchen robots. That’s why Nvidia offered Miso its premier AI vision tech, and Amazon handpicked Miso to partner and use its RoboMaker simulation environment. Now, Miso launched their first commercial AI-powered robot, and it sold out in seven days. On the back of that success, they’re focused on scaling to 170+ US fast food brands in need.

Invest in Miso by 10/18.

Worth The Read 📚

📈 Stocks Flying High – The S&P 500's on a rocket ride, but market veteran Doug Kass isn't buying the 'cash on the sidelines' hype. Here's why he thinks bulls are running on fumes. [Read here.]

💰 Social Security Boost – Starting in January, tens of millions of Americans will see a 2.5% increase in their Social Security benefits—about $50 more per month. [Read here.]

💉 Counterfeit Ozempic – Think you're snagging a deal on those miracle weight-loss pens? This investigation dives into the shady world of fake Ozempic and the dangers behind those too-good-to-be-true prices. [Read here.]

📉 China’s Market Crash – Investors were banking on Beijing to deliver big stimulus, but when they got ghosted, markets took a historic nosedive. Get the scoop on China’s 27-year crash. [Read here.]

🏡 Zillow’s Climate Scores – House hunting? Now you can check if your dream home is likely to flood, burn, or bake, thanks to Zillow's new climate risk scores. Who wants beachfront property that’s underwater—literally? [Read here.]

The Week Ahead 🔍

This week is packed with key earnings reports, economic data, and Fed speeches. Here's what's coming up:

Monday:
National holiday. Bond market closed. Fed Governors Kashkari and Waller speak.

Tuesday:
Earnings from UnitedHealth Group, Johnson & Johnson, Bank of America, Goldman Sachs, and Citigroup. Fed Governors Daly, Kugler, and Bostic speak.

Wednesday:
Earnings from ASML and Abbott Laboratories.

Thursday:
Earnings from TSMC, Netflix, Morgan Stanley, and Blackstone. Key data includes initial jobless claims (est. 245k), US retail sales (est. 0.3%), and the homebuilder confidence index (est. 42). Fed Governor Goolsbee speaks.

Friday:
Earnings from Procter & Gamble and American Express. Key data includes housing starts (est. 1.34m) and building permits (est. 1.44m). Fed Governors Bostic, Kashkari, and Waller speak.

That’s a wrap! Hope you enjoyed the Maniac Minute—we’ll see you next Monday with all the market insights and money tips you need to stay ahead.

Keep stacking,
The Money Maniac 💸

P.S. Got feedback, burning questions, or just want to say hi? Feel free to 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.