☕️ The “anti-Cramer” indicator at its best… or ?

Konnichiwa (hello) from Kyoto! 👋 

I remain fascinated by the number of people who think the AI trade is “done for.” 

My perspective couldn’t be more different. 

In fact, if AI were a baseball game, we’re so early that the hot dog vendors aren’t even warmed up yet.  

But hey, it’s a free country. 

History is very clear. 

The biggest profits are almost always found on the edge of absurdity. 

Here’s my playbook. 

1 – The “anti-Cramer” indicator at its best… or ? 

CNBC’s Jim Cramer says the market’s strength is in non-tech growth stocks. (Read) 

Riiiiiight. 

And what exactly does ol’ Jimbo think those non-tech growth stocks are using to grow? 

Carrier pigeons? 

Smoke signals? 

Silent movies? 

Fax machines? 

Pages clipped to your pleated khakis? 

Overhead projectors and acetates? 

Mainframes that require a priest and a reboot? 

Oh yeah… modern, forward-looking tech. 💡 

A quick history lesson. 

When the “anti-tech” crowd shows up, tech usually reminds the naysayers who actually runs the table. 

Keith’s Investing Tip: Wannabes are concerned with being right, whereas the world’s most successful investors are concerned about being profitable even if they’re wrong. Let that sink in. 

If you’d like some help, I’ll be here. 😃 

2 – California’s regulatory clown show, Tesla hits record anyway 

A California judge has ruled that Tesla used deceptive autopilot language, but it seems to me that the only real deception here is that the CA DMV - which originally launched the suit in 2022 - knows what it’s doing. (Read) 

Think about it. 

The ruling treats the word Autopilot as if Tesla claimed the car drives itself, end of story. Yet, legally speaking, “autopilot” is arguably a term of art, not a promise. 

In aviation – where the term originated – the term means always having an active, trained human in the loop. 

The fact that some people misunderstood the language Tesla used doesn’t make it illegal or deceptive. And, not for nothing, regulating to the least attentive user is how innovation dies by bureaucracy. Ask the EU. 

Meanwhile, Tesla closes at another record high. 

The market has rendered its verdict – and that’s the one you want to focus on. 

3 – Jefferies in firm command of the obvious 

Jefferies initiates coverage saying IONQ to $100 (Read) 

Nothing says deep research like slapping a triple digit price target on a stock after the crowd’s already figured out that quantum isn’t science fiction. 

To be fair, late doesn’t mean wrong… just that the easy money has already been made by the time Wall Street thinks the risks are low enough that the analysts can speak up.  

Cuz, heaven forbid they actually stick their necks out. 🤷‍ 

Keith’s Investing Tip: Always do what Wall Street does, not what it says. 

4 – Japan grinds higher while traders argue about dang near everything else 

Japanese exports recorded the fastest growth in 9 months (Read) 

No, Japan isn’t returning to its former heyday. 

That’s not the point. 

When you combine this data with the Bank of Japan’s Tankan Survey — which shows improving business sentiment in Q4, especially among small manufacturers — you get something investors actually care about. 

Direction. 

Trade Idea: The upside here is modest compared to other opportunities, but for stability seekers or the faint of heart, the WisdomTree Japan Opportunities Fund (OPPJ) could make sense.  

Low drama.  

Low volatility.  

Yield. 

Sometimes that matters… a lot. 

OBAers, btw, know this all too well and if you’d like to join ‘em, I’d be honoured. 

5 – Ford gets no respect… and earns it 

Now CEO Jim Farley says that the company is cutting production of the electric F-150 Lightning and refocusing on hybrid vehicles and affordable EVs.  

While taking a $19B hit. (Read) 

Then – in almost the same breath – the company says, “But don’t worry, we’re thinking about starting a battery storage business for data centers” as they lay off 1,600 battery workers. 

In my best Rodney Dangerfield voice while pulling at my collar and rolling my eyes, “I tell ya, that’s not a strategy — that’s a brainstorming session without coffee.” 

Throwing pasta at the wall? 

I think they dropped it all over the floor. 

$10. 

If it’s lucky. 

Bottom Line 

You have excuses or you can have results. 

I know which one I prefer. 

You? 

I thought so. 💯 

As always, let’s MAKE it a great day! 

You got this – I promise. 

Keith 😃