⚠️ A warning for stocks

A massive fund made a worrying prediction for market returns | Swedish battery maker Northvolt raised billions | [Finimize](   TOGETHER WITH   Hi {NAME}, here's what you need to know for January 17th in 3:14 minutes.   📈 The biggest state-owned investment fund in the world seems concerned about stocks – more on that later. So join us for [Investing Beyond Stocks And Bonds]( on February 1st, and find out how to cover your portfolio's back. [Grab your free ticket]( Today's big stories - The world’s biggest fund expects inflation to stick around, a bad omen for market returns - Goldman Sachs could help you invest in the rise of robots – [Read Now]( - Swedish battery maker Northvolt secured a $5 billion loan, and the status of Europe’s best-funded startup along with it Pay The Price [Pay The Price] What’s going on here? The world’s biggest state-owned investment fund [suggested]( that inflation could still issue a blow to the market. What does this mean? Norges Bank Investment Management owns 1.5% of the world’s listed companies, making it the biggest single owner of stocks out there. So with $1.5 trillion worth of assets under its belt and an in-depth understanding of market trends, the management team’s opinion is worth its weight in, well, stocks. And right now, the fund is sending out an ominous prediction that stubborn inflation could hold back market returns for years to come. That’s partly because workers are demanding higher wages in many countries, which would let them keep up with increasing prices and, in turn, encourage retailers to pull up prices further – a spiral that stokes inflation. Consider, too, that international trade is at a heightened risk of disruption now that war has broken out around the world, and there’s reason to believe that prices could stay in the danger zone for some time. Why should I care? For markets: Keep it interesting. Central banks have been looking at increasingly manageable inflation as their ticket to lower interest rates – the move that would make it cheaper for shoppers to fill their carts and, as a result, energize economies. But if inflation stops slowly inching lower, central banks could be forced to hold rates where they are. Then because higher-for-longer rates tend to weigh on stocks’ valuations, the market’s returns would likely take a turn for the worse. Zooming out: As good as it gets. Goldman Sachs is cautious about the coming months, too. The big bank has suggested that investors’ sentiment and stock ownership is just about as high as it could be in today’s circumstances, leaving little room for the market to positively surprise anyone. Plus, most investors have been enticed by only a few stellar stocks, which amplifies the risk of disappointment. You might also like: [What the S&P 500 might return over the next 10 years.]( 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=Pay The Price&utm_campaign=daily-global-17-01-2024&utm_source=email) Analyst Take Goldman Sees The Humanoids Rising, Sooner Than You Think [Goldman Sees The Humanoids Rising, Sooner Than You Think]( By Russell Burns, Analyst Science fiction has been promising robots for [a long time](. It’s finally happening. [Humanoid robots]( are making their first clunky steps from the factory floor, heading toward workplaces and households. Recent, rapid strides in AI technology are speeding their pace, and that’s pushed [Goldman Sachs]( to ratchet up its forecasts for the person-sized, person-shaped robot market. That’s today’s Insight: [how to invest now in a humanoid robot future](. [Read or listen to the Insight here]( SPONSORED BY STREETBEAT Meet your AI-powered financial advisor and claim a welcome bonus AI can help you craft a strategy that fulfills your financial goals while balancing your risk appetite. That’s because AI can digest a world’s worth of investment news, analyze real-time market trends, and align those insights with your own goals to deliver tailored, actionable advice. You can [unlock this cutting-edge knowledge with Streetbeat, your 24/7 AI-powered financial advisor](. The platform’s cutting-edge tools can even [automatically monitor and rebalance your portfolio]( for you, suggesting [optimization opportunities based on market changes and your financial goals](. The cherry on top – as if you needed one: [you’ll get a bonus when you make a deposit on Streetbeat before the end of January](. [Find Out More]( Streetbeat, LLC ("Streetbeat") is an SEC-registered investment adviser. All investing involves risk, including the possible loss of money you invest, and past performance does not guarantee future performance. Any historical returns, expected returns or probability projections are hypothetical and may not reflect actual future performance. See Terms and Conditions at [Streetbeat.com](. When you support our sponsors, you support us. Thanks for that. Plugged In [Plugged In] What’s going on here? Well-connected Northvolt [raised]( $5 billion, enough for the Swedish battery maker to supercharge a factory or two. What does this mean? Batteries are big business, with major industrial economies looking to swap fossil fuels for a more sustainable energy source. So for Northvolt, raising $5 billion in debt is a pittance compared to the potential payout that the future could bring. The Swedish company plans to invest the cash into both its existing battery factory and a new recycling center right next door, a setup that could rival some of China’s winning battery makers’ plots. Now, this isn’t Northvolt’s first foray into finance: the firm is Europe’s most-funded startup and boasts the biggest green European loan to date. But with blueprints for more massive factories in the works, Northvolt is considering going public to raise even more cash. And while the startup racked up over $1 billion in losses last year, investors will likely line up to give their portfolios some battery charge. Why should I care? For markets: All for one, win for all. Northvolt’s multi-billion-dollar loan makes it clear that there’s plenty of cash flowing into the clean energy circuit. See, governments have been investing in the battery sector to secure sustainable fuel for their money-making industries. Investors, too, have been pouring cash into the industry, keen to pocket a percentage when companies start plugging in batteries instead of burning the literal midnight oil. Zooming out: The tower could topple. Governments are particularly eager to build battery factories outside of China, in case geopolitical tensions compromise global trade. But that’s not the only risk for battery supply. Copper, for example, is a key ingredient in power grids, wind turbines, and makes up 12% of electric vehicle batteries. And with more countries stocking up, miners might struggle to keep up with demand. In fact, Chile – a major player in the copper sector – expects to see higher prices for the shiny stuff. You might also like: [This new battery could be the next big thing for EVs, and your portfolio.]( 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=Plugged In&utm_campaign=daily-global-17-01-2024&utm_source=email) 💬 Quote of the day "An artist is not special. An artist is an ordinary person who can take ordinary things and make them special." – Ruth Asawa (an American modernist artist) [Tweet this]( SPONSORED BY CONSUMERDIRECT A massive market need, one glaring problem Over 92 million Americans have bad [credit scores]( (1). That means they’re forking out thousands on interest payments alone. And to make matters worse, plenty of borrowers don’t know how to bring their credit score back into the green. But those Americans can take financial control back with [ConsumerDirect’s patented credit tools](: the SmartCredit product analyzes credit scores and gets folks back on the path to positives. So far, over 300,000 subscribers have saved nearly $3 billion in interest payments (2), while ConsumerDirect made [$91.4 million in revenue last year]( (3) - up 540% since 2019 (4). Now, you can become a catalyst for positive change in people’s financial journey: [ConsumerDirect is open for its first investors on StartEngine today](. [Find Out More]( Disclaimer1. Based on information obtained from the following publications: [FICO](, [Experian.](~:text=40% of consumers have FICO,check your FICO® Scor) 2. Calculation Methodology: Our savings calculations are estimates using historical internal data. It is based on analyzing subscribers' credit reports that had an increased credit score, while a current subscriber, for two categories: new auto and new mortgage financings. The calculations assumed precise credit score reporting, a consistent correlation between score ranges and financing rates, uniform loan terms except for interest rates, and steady interest rates over the loan’s term, along with unvarying borrowing behaviors among users. It’s important to note that our calculation estimates rely on accurate credit reporting, average loan data and current interest rates, but may not account for an individual subscriber’s interest rate variations, if any, or significant shifts in users’ borrowing and repayment habits, if any. Additionally, there was an assumed conversion from VantageScore® v3.0 to FICO® v8.0 and then verified by an official FICO® v8.0 calculator to determine savings from starting credit score to credit score before the above mentioned financing occurred. Our calculation is subject to change without notice. 3. Based on an Internal financial statements evaluation of gross revenue calculated for the trailing 12 months ending December 2023. 4. Based on an Internal financial statements evaluation of growth revenue calculated between 10/19-09/23. When you support our sponsors, you support us. Thanks for that. 🎯 On Our Radar 1. Tracey Anderson changed the face of fitness. She’s as much of [a force in the boardroom]( as she is in the gym. 2. Preparing for real-world investing. Discover [the theoretical elements of investing and portfolio construction](.* 3. Check out those odds. Scientists have totted up the chances of [human extinction at the hands of AI](. 4. The metaverse could change everything. Prepare yourself for a [new investing landscape.](* 5. In nature, for nature. Check out these [dreamlike alpine getaways](. When you support our sponsors, you support us. Thanks for that. SPONSORED BY HEALTHWORDS.AI [HEALTHWORDS.AI]( When you support our sponsors, you support us. Thanks for that. 🌍 Finimize Live 🤩 Coming Up Soon... All events in UK time. ✨ [Finimize Ladies Investing Club](: 6.30pm, January 18th 📈 [Investing Beyond Stocks And Bonds](: 5pm, February 1st ❤️ 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: Shutterstock – Alexanderstock23 | Shutterstock 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. You signed up to this mailing list at finimize.com or through one of our partners. © Finimize 2021 [View Online](