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Luke Kawa1/2/25

Will crypto keep coining money?

I am not a bitcoin maxi; I have not had fun staying poor.

But crypto generally, and bitcoin specifically, sits at a busy intersection that includes government policy, retail enthusiasm, and growing institutional adoption.

The rise of crypto has clearly extended its influence beyond the asset class as narrowly defined, and it’s become more entrenched in the traditional financial system and publicly traded securities. Most famously MicroStrategy — but also Tesla, MARA Holdings, Hut 8, and reAlpha Tech — are treating cryptocurrencies as a kind of “reserve asset” for their firms.

Barclays analysts have argued that Tesla, a trillion-dollar company, is now best compared to cryptocurrencies. For 2024 as a whole, the stock’s daily moves have been roughly as correlated with bitcoin as they are with the fluctuations of its Magnificent 7 counterparts. And crypto played a not insignificant role in facilitating the change in stock-market leadership within tech from semiconductors to software after the US election.

Simply, bitcoin is as good a barometer as any for assessing optimism surrounding the incoming Trump administration in the financial realm, and the willingness of individuals as well as institutions to embrace risk. It’s a one-stop shop for assessing the vibes: you could monitor trading and options activity across a host of speculative pockets of the stock market, or just look at this preeminent crypto instead.

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WSJ reports GameStop is preparing an offer for eBay and has quietly been building a stake in the company

GameStop is preparing an offer for eBay and has been quietly building a stake in the company, according to a report from The Wall Street Journal, a move it calls “part of CEO Ryan Cohen’s audacious plan to turn the trailer into a $100 billion-plus juggernaut.”

From WSJ:

GameStop, which has a market value of around $12 billion, has been quietly building a stake in eBay’s shares ahead of a potential offer, the people said. EBay is several times GameStop’s size, with a market value of around $46 billion.
GameStop could submit an offer for eBay as soon as later this month, the people said.
If eBay isn’t receptive, Cohen could decide to take the offer directly to eBay’s shareholders, one of the people added. Details of the potential offer for eBay couldn’t be learned.

Shares of GameStop rose 7.4% after hours following the report, while eBay soared 12%.

GameStop Preparing Offer for eBay

GameStop Preparing Offer for eBay

GameStop, which has a market value of around $12 billion, has been quietly building a stake in eBay’s shares ahead of a potential offer, the people said. EBay is several times GameStop’s size, with a market value of around $46 billion.
GameStop could submit an offer for eBay as soon as later this month, the people said.
If eBay isn’t receptive, Cohen could decide to take the offer directly to eBay’s shareholders, one of the people added. Details of the potential offer for eBay couldn’t be learned.

Shares of GameStop rose 7.4% after hours following the report, while eBay soared 12%.

Tasha Matsumoto

Stocks set second consecutive closing highs

The S&P 500 posted its fifth weekly gain, its longest weekly winning streak since 2024.

Chicago Bulls Dennis Rodman (91), Scottie Pippen (33) and Michael Jordan (23) during game vs Miami Heat. Miami, FL 2/23/1996

Max Knoblauch20h

US airlines pop on report Spirit preparing to shut down as government rescue deal fails to gain support

US airlines are spiking on Friday following a Wall Street Journal report that low-budget carrier Spirit Airlines is preparing to shut down. According to CBS News, the airline could cease operations as early as Saturday, barring an intervention.

In late April, President Trump said he would “love somebody to buy Spirit.” The administration weighed a $500 million rescue package, though it received significant blowback from members of Congress and ultimately didn’t receive support from Spirit’s creditors.

On Friday, Trump told reporters that the administration has given Spirit a “final proposal.”

Shares of Spirit’s rivals surged on the report, with budget carriers like Frontier Airlines and JetBlue climbing by double digits. The big four — Delta Air Lines, United Airlines, American Airlines, and Southwest Airlines — rose by low single digits. Alaska Air and Allegiant also saw a bump.

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Helena Cheng21h

Estée Lauder gets a glow-up after earnings beat, guidance hike

Estée Lauder shares are soaring after the beauty giant released Q3 earnings results that topped expectations and raised its full-year outlook, while also expanding its restructuring plan.

The key numbers:

Revenue of $3.71 billion (compared to analysts’ estimate of $3.69 billion).
Adjusted earnings per share of $0.91 (estimate: $0.65).

Estée Lauder also lifted its full-year earnings outlook to a range of $2.35 to $2.45 per share, up from $2.05 to $2.25 previously.

The bottom line is getting flattered by job cuts, with management increasing that target to as many as 10,000 roles, up from a prior range of 5,800 to 7,000, as part of a broader effort to streamline operations and shift toward faster-growing sales channels.

The rally comes after a tough stretch for the stock, which is down more than 20% year to date, with the results inspiring hope that its turnaround efforts will bear fruit.

CEO Stéphane de La Faverie said fiscal 2026 is “promising to be the pivotal year we intended,” with the company expecting to restore organic sales growth and expand margins for the first time in four years.

Amid these positive signals, Estée Lauder flagged risks from tariffs, geopolitical tensions, and potential disruptions tied to the Middle East.

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