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This would probably incentivize many countries to create bitcoin reserve. Source: Reuters

Source: Visual Capitalist

The annual tradition of predicting where the S&P 500 will land at year-end has once again raised eyebrows. As Wall Street strategists share their projections for 2025, historical missteps in forecasting cast doubt on their accuracy. 2022: A challenging year where the S&P 500 fell by 19.4%, far worse than predictions. 2023: Despite experts forecasting a modest gain of 6.2%, the index surprised with a remarkable rise of 24.2%. 2024: A consensus estimate of 3% growth was dwarfed by an actual gain of nearly 24% by mid-December. For 2025, the consensus now points to a 9.6% price gain, translating to an 11%+ total return with dividends. source :bloomberg, economicstime

According to Bloomberg, Apple might be working on a smart doorbell featuring its renowned FaceID technology. The concept? As you approach the door, the doorbell scans your face, communicates with a connected deadbolt lock, and unlocks seamlessly for residents. While still in early development and not expected before late 2025, the product could either integrate with HomeKit-compatible locks or involve a partnership with a specific lock maker. This move could position Apple as a competitor to Amazon's Ring, but also exposes the brand to unique challenges. For instance, concerns around security breaches or misuse of the system could spark debates on privacy and reliability. source : techcrunch

France connected the Flamanville 3 nuclear reactor to its grid on Saturday morning, state-run operator EDF announced. This marks the first addition to the country's nuclear power network in 25 years. The reactor, which began operating in September before being connected to the grid, is coming online 12 years later than originally planned and at a cost of approximately 13 billion euros—four times the initial budget. EDF is planning to construct six additional reactors to meet a 2022 pledge made by President Emmanuel Macron as part of France's energy transition plans. However, questions remain regarding the funding and timeline for these new projects. source : reuters

The US Department of Commerce on Friday announced its awards for Samsung, Texas Instruments and Amkor Technology under the CHIPS Incentives Program, which come to more than $6.75 billion altogether. The program is meant to help expand domestic semiconductor production. Samsung was awarded up to $4.745 billion in direct funding — a smaller amount than the preliminary award of up to $6.4 billion that was announced earlier this year — while Texas Instruments was granted up to $1.61 billion and Amkor up to $407 million. Samsung plans to invest $37 billion over the next few years to ramp up chip development and production in the US, the DOC said. The company will expand its operations in Texas to include two new production facilities and a site for research and development. It also plans to expand an existing facility in Austin. Texas Instruments is working to build three new facilities — two in Texas and one in Utah — which it’s said it will invest over $18 billion in through 2029. Amkor is planning a $2 billion investment to create an advanced packaging and test facility in Peoria, Arizona. According to Reuters, it’ll be the country’s largest facility of its kind. source : engaget

Staking a cryptocurrency should induce a tax liability as soon as it is done, the US government says. The IRS rebuffed a suit brought by Joshua Jarrett, a cryptocurrency investor who has sued in the US District Court for the Middle District of Tennessee source : bloomberg

Equalweight in 2023: +11.56 Equalweight in 2024: +11.47 Cap-weighted in 2023: +24.23% Cap-weighted in 2024: +24.34% source : bespoke