🚀 Buying the dip paid off

Volkswagen's shutdown, record-breaking US wealth, and a guide to advanced ETFs | [Finimize](   TOGETHER WITH     Hi {NAME}, here's what you need to know for September 4th in 3:14 minutes.   🔝 Everyone wants to make it to the top. That's why we've teamed up with a top-tier chief marketing officer, Citi's Alex Craddock, for the [latest episode of the Generation Podcast](. So tune in, and find out how mastering data and technology could help you make a name for yourself. [Listen here]( Today's big stories - Volkswagen might close German factories for the first time ever, concerned that China’s EV makers are hogging the fast lane - How to spot the best dividend stocks in emerging markets – [Read Now]( - The US notched a record number of 401(k) millionaires, with the stock market largely to thank Driven To Desperation [Driven To Desperation] What’s going on here? German carmaker Volkswagen (VW) is considering closing plants in its home country for the first time in its 87-year history. What does this mean? VW admitted it needs a major overhaul across all its brands, after spending years ignoring the fact that it’s been producing more vehicles than it can sell. But at least the carmaker has company. Many of Europe’s biggest brands are trailing behind Tesla and Chinese rivals, while the region’s government subsidies for EV makers are drying out. Case in point: Stellantis – owner of Peugeot, Citroen, and Vauxhall – saw its profit halved in the first half of this year. Why should I care? For markets: They’re all in this together. Car sales in Europe are still lagging nearly a fifth behind pre-pandemic levels, which has left VW, Stellantis, and Renault running a combined 30-plus factories that are losing money. Add in the mammoth costs of competing with souped-up EV models, expensive energy bills, and a shrinking pool of buyers in China, and those carmakers look set to keep bleeding cash. No wonder Renault’s CEO has pushed for a European alliance to help the region compete in the EV space. It may be too little, too late, though: the rate at which drivers are swapping gas for electricity is already slowing down. The bigger picture: The US is hogging the limelight. Many analysts expected investors’ newfound skepticism of AI to benefit Europe’s stock market, but the masses have been keeping their cash stateside – just in cheaper sectors than Big Tech. In fairness, Europe leaves much to be desired: Germany – the region’s workhorse – saw its economy shrink last quarter, while key industries like luxury goods and cars are suffering due to China’s thriftiness. Still, Europe’s Stoxx 600 index is trading roughly a third cheaper than America’s S&P 500, so it could win over cost-conscious investors who still see joie de vivre in Europe’s future. You might also like: [Goldman’s bear market indicator is urging you to be cautious.]( Copy to share story: [( 🙋 [Ask a question](mailto:questions@finimize.com?body=Ask us a question: Where are you writing from? Let us know and we'll mention it when we reply.&noapp=true&subject=Driven To Desperation&utm_campaign=daily-global-04-09-2024&utm_source=email) Analyst Take Where In The World You Might Find The Best Dividend Stocks [Where In The World You Might Find The Best Dividend Stocks]( Not all [dividend]( payers are created equal. And, for income investors, the challenge is to find companies that offer an attractive payment now – and have the potential to continue to do so for years to come. More and more, that search is leading folks to [emerging market stocks](. And if you’re on the hunt, here are three [key developments]( that could help you spot potential opportunities. That’s today’s Insight: [what to look for in a dividend-paying stock in emerging markets](. [Read or listen to the Insight here]( SPONSORED BY REVOLUT Your debit card could make you a chess master, gym go-getter, or meditation maestro Your daily routine gets costly: hit the gym, hustle in a WeWork, order takeout. But it doesn’t have to. With [Revolut’s platinum Ultra card](, you can earn credits and discounts for everything from gym classes to app subscriptions – heck, even Tinder. You’ll get perks worth [thousands in annual benefits](, a RevPoint for every pound spent, global data, lounge access, and savings rates up to 4.75% AER/Gross variable – paid daily – [all for £540 a year](. You’ll have access to over 2,000 US-listed stocks, including the likes of Apple and Tesla. And as an Ultra cardholder, you’ll get [10 commission-free trades a month](. Plus, you’ll get Revolut’s lowest fees: 0.12% of the order amount (or the applicable minimum fee) – on additional trades after that*. That’s just scraping the surface. See [what else you’ll get for going Ultra](, from 24/7 customer support to limitless international transfers and currency exchanges. [Discover More]( *(Other fees may apply. Capital at risk) When you support our sponsors, you support us. Thanks for that. If you want your brand featured here, [get in touch.]( The Millionaires’ Club [The Millionaires’ Club] What’s going on here? A record number of 401(k) retirement accounts hit the $1 million mark, after Americans put their trust in US stocks. What does this mean? Around 497,000 of the 401(k) retirement accounts held at Fidelity Investments were worth at least $1 million at the end of last quarter – nearly a third more than the same time last year. That has a lot to do with the US stock market: the Nasdaq index is around 7% shy of its peak, while the S&P 500 is a mere 1.7% away. And as stocks have gone up, that’s boosted the balances of 401(k)s and bank accounts alike. It’s helped, too, that investors have been steadily buying stocks this year, with many seizing the opportunity to “buy the dip” when markets took a tumble last month. Now, JPMorgan says stocks now make up around 42% of US household wealth – the most seen on records dating back to 1952. Why should I care? Zooming out: The professionals are backing America, too. According to a Bank of America fund manager survey, hefty tech companies have remained popular with the experts lately. But Big Tech aside, they’re more excited about big but (relatively) cheaper firms, which stand to benefit more as interest rates come down. Plus, 76% of the fund managers now expect a “soft landing” – when the economy slows down without causing a recession. That might explain why they’ve snatched up more bonds, whose prices rise when interest rates fall. For you personally: Age gracefully. The outlook seems encouraging for US stocks, but investors should still review their portfolio allocation and investment strategy at least once a year. If you have a plan to stick to, it’s easier to resist the temptation to trade out of pure panic during market turmoil. That’s especially important as retirement nears: with less time to make back any losses, an emotional mistake could derail your cruise-and-snooze plans. You might also like: [Why it may be time for a return to the investing classics](. Copy to share story: [( 🙋 [Ask a question](mailto:questions@finimize.com?body=Ask us a question: Where are you writing from? Let us know and we'll mention it when we reply.&noapp=true&subject=The Millionaires’ Club&utm_campaign=daily-global-04-09-2024&utm_source=email) 💬 Quote of the day "The aim of education is the knowledge, not of facts, but of values." – William Inge (an English author) [Tweet this]( Join the Oracle Of Wall Street this December They say you can’t predict the future. Well, try saying that to [Meredith Whitney](, the analyst who predicted the 2008 financial crisis. Once known as the “Oracle Of Wall Street”, Meredith Whitney has been sounding the alarm again, predicting that [several factors in the US]( could push several regional banks over the edge. So forget about your tarot card appointment: [grab your ticket for the Modern Investor Summit]( this December 3rd and 4th, and find out what Meredith Whitney sees coming for the global economy. [Get Your Free Ticket]( 🎯 On Our Radar 1. Spending a fortune. How an Austrian heiress found a unique way to [give away her fortune](. 2. Like Google maps, but for technical ETFs. [Direxion's guide to trading leveraged and inverse ETFs is live.](* 3. A race for the ages. The ins and outs of a [106-mile ultra marathon](. 4. Talk about being “in the money”. [Get the lingo down]( before you trade options. 5. Sort out your life. Top tips for a less stressful, [more organized existence](. When you support our sponsors, you support us. Thanks for that. 🌍 Finimize Live 🤩 Grab your tickets... All events in UK time.5️⃣ [Five Top Tips Every Options Trader Should Know:]( 5pm, September 11th 🔨 [Five Portfolio Hacks For Busy Investors:]( 5pm, September 12th 🚀 [2024 Modern Investor Summit](: 2pm, December 3rd ❤️ Share with a friend Thanks for reading {NAME}. If you liked today's brief, we'd love for you to share it with a friend. You stay classy, {NAME} 😉 We’d love to hear your thoughts. [Give feedback]( Want to advertise with us too? [Get in touch]( Image Credits: Image credits: Midjourney | Harvey Comics Preferences: [Update your email]( or [change preferences]( [View in browser]( [Unsubscribe]( from all Finimize Emails 😴 Crafted by Finimize Ltd. | 280 Bishopsgate, London, EC2M 4AG All content provided by Finimize Ltd. is for informational and educational purposes only and is not meant to represent trade or investment recommendations. 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