New York’s wealthiest parasites are freaking our that their money can’t always buy elections.

As reported in The New York Times, Manhattan’s premiere collection of real estate vampires gathered for an emergency pearl-clutching session at the Seagram Building’s Pool Room for an emergency planning meeting on how to ensure disgraced-governor-turned-desperate-candidate Andrew Cuomo wins the mayoral race over Zohran Mamdani, who is currently crushing Cuomo in the polls.

Developer billionaire Jeff Blau sent out a fear-soaked email blast dripping with flop sweat: “Sorry for the late notice, but there is no more time for delay, discussion, or dithering — we must act decisively to ensure that the next mayor of New York is Andrew Cuomo. The only viable candidate with the experience, support and gravitas to defeat Zohran Mamdani is Governor Andrew Cuomo. We cannot afford hesitation,” the email read. “Every one of us must get involved immediately. We cannot afford hesitation. Every one of us must get involved immediately. The time to act is now. If we fail to mobilize, the financial capital of the world risks being handed over to a socialist this November. We cannot — and will not — let that happen,” warned the email.

The Times reports that “In addition to the Blaus, the invitation was signed by, among others, a co-owner of the Seagram Building, Aby Rosen; the billionaire philanthropist Laurie M. Tisch; and the hedge fund billionaire Gregg Hymowitz.”

Meanwhile, current Mayor Eric Adams is polling at a robust 9% while allegedly shopping for a Saudi ambassadorship.

Previously:
• Mamdani more popular with NYC conservatives than Cuomo and Adams
• Video celebrates Mamdani’s historic win and claps back at racial microaggressions
• Mamdani overwhelms Cuomo in NYC primary
• Mamdani won more votes in round 1 than Cuomo received in every round

The Trump administration made no attempt to hide its goals when it came to tariffs. As the current U.S. president ran for office, he made it very clear to U.S. voters and the world that they should expect higher tariffs. And that’s exactly what his administration has offered up in dramatic fashion. Some on Wall Street worry that the tariffs could turn the bull market into a bear. Here’s how a long-term investor should be thinking about this issue.

The tariffs are coming! The tariffs are coming!

To simplify what is a fairly complex issue, a tariff is a tax imposed on imported goods. The Trump administration has been using tariffs in an aggressive attempt to reshape global trade. This will have an impact on the economy and the stock market, but what that might be is hard to define today. Simply put, so many things are up in the air right now that nobody knows where the chips are going to fall.

Image source: Getty Images.

That said, one concern is that higher tariffs will eventually be passed through to consumers. That would increase inflation, crimp consumption, and lead to lower earnings for corporate America. The flip side of that argument is that companies have increased prices so much in recent years that they can’t easily push higher costs onto consumers, and, thus, companies are likely to absorb the tariff hit. That would mean lower profit margins. Even here, however, Wall Street could still end up in the dumps as companies earn less and investors react to that negative news.

It seems like nothing good can come of this whole tariff thing. Except that, so far, the market hasn’t really paid much attention. The Vanguard S&P 500 ETF (VOO +0.00%) is up more than 10% so far in 2025. Yes, there was a brief market correction early in the year, but the S&P 500 index, which is what the Vanguard S&P 500 ETF tracks, seems to have shrugged that off, as it is again trading near all-time highs.

VOO data by YCharts.

Don’t get too caught up in the short term

Here’s the big takeaway from the tariff kerfuffle: It is shockingly hard to predict performance on Wall Street. Some people get market turns right once, but very few have been able to time the ups and downs with any consistency. For most investors, trying to jump in and out of the market — a practice known as market timing — is a mistake.

It is far better to buy and hold for the long term, perhaps including an exchange-traded fund (ETF) like Vanguard S&P 500 ETF in the mix. Indeed, focusing on a well-diversified portfolio is key, as it will help to soften the impact of the market’s gyrations over time. Which brings the story back to the potential for a bear market. Simply put, there will be one.

That’s not a prediction; it is just a statement of fact. Eventually, for some reason, investors will go from being bullish to being bearish. That’s just what market history tells us is the norm on Wall Street. Why it happens will be the topic of debate, and eventually, some common cause will be determined. Maybe it will be tariffs. It could also be geopolitical tensions, which are very high today. Or maybe artificial intelligence (AI) won’t turn out to be as profitable as investors expect, and that will lead the market lower, given that AI enthusiasm has helped lead the market higher.

Something will eventually give way, and there will be a bear market. Then, after some period of time, a bull market will arrive. It’s just how the market works. You should spend more of your time thinking about ways to save money and how to invest wisely. Investing wisely means taking into consideration the ever-present risk of a bear market.

Keep it simple and think long term

Far too often, investors get caught up in short-term market movements. The big picture is more important, including the sometimes erratic upward march of stocks over the long term. Sticking to an investment plan is hard, but it is likely to result in better long-term performance than trying to jump in and out of the market. Which is why a simple portfolio consisting of an S&P 500 index fund and a broadly diversified bond fund or ETF — say, in a 60% stock/40% bond breakdown — could be all you need.

^SPX data by YCharts.

Bonds help provide safety during market turmoil, and stocks provide growth over the long term. That combination will allow you to ride out bear markets without letting your emotions lead you into making investment mistakes (like selling everything you own and never investing again). Another option is just to buy a balanced mutual fund that does all the investing work for you. That leaves you to focus on saving money, which is where you will likely have the biggest impact on your long-term wealth, anyway.

If you do choose to buy individual stocks, which can be a lot of fun, don’t focus on the short term. Or to put it another way, think in decades, not days. When you do that, a bear market will probably end up looking like just a small hiccup. And it won’t really matter to you what precipitated the bear, anyway, because you will be too busy. You see, long-term investors often find their best investments during deep market declines.

Network reliability is crucial for any telecom company; it nearly goes without saying. This is a major reason why investors were happy to snap up shares of Lumen Technologies (LUMN 1.17%) — after the company detailed its preparations for emergency situations, its stock was trading up by more than 10% in price as of Thursday evening, according to data compiled by S&P Global Market Intelligence.

Ready for the worst

Lumen laid out those plans in a press release it published Monday morning. Across its rather sprawling enterprise network, the company said it is utilizing cutting-edge technologies like artificial intelligence (AI) and geospatial monitoring to keep customers connected in emergency situations.

Image source: Getty Images.

Disaster preparedness is a topic of particular concern these days, as the U.S. has been beset by a higher-than-usual set of disasters lately. In 2024, according to the National Centers for Environmental Information (NCEI), this country suffered 27 weather or climate disasters, which is exactly three times the annual average from 1980 to 2024. Each loss due to these topped $1 billion.

Lumen added that its preparedness efforts are augmented by partnerships with state and federal authorities, including the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).

Price target raised by analyst

Lumen stock also got a boost in the middle of the week when an analyst raised his price target on it. BNP Paribas’s Sam McHugh upped his fair value assessment to $4 per share from the previous $3.51, although he left his neutral recommendation intact.

In his analysis, according to reports, McHugh said that the company is facing more “disconnects” from customers, but the pending $5.75 billion sale of its fiber business to giant peer AT&T will allow it to pay down some of its considerable indebtedness.

Lumen is a legacy landline telecom operation and has struggled for years to succeed in a world dominated by mobile. Eroding revenue and frequent bottom-line losses indicate this might not have been the best path to pursue. Personally, this stock isn’t a buy for me.

Crypto Journalist

Amin Ayan

Crypto Journalist

Amin Ayan

About Author

Amin Ayan is a crypto journalist with over four years of experience in the industry. He has contributed to leading publications such as Cryptonews, Investing.com, 99Bitcoins, and 24/7 Wall St. He has…

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June 6, 2025

Netflix’s latest reality venture, House of Streams, is set to debut on June 18 in the UK and Ireland, offering a unique prize, 1 Bitcoin, to the winning contestant.

The show will feature eight online streamers with a combined following of four million.

According to the official website, the participants, many of whom are well-known on Twitch, will compete in a series of challenges for a chance to take home the Bitcoin, valued at over $104,000 at press time.

Why Did Netflix’s New Series Choose Bitcoin Over Cash?

While the production is backed by the Malta Film Commission, it remains unclear why the series opted for a crypto prize over traditional rewards.

Creator Mark Holland reportedly said the prize “couldn’t have been a simple cash prize or a trip to the Maldives,” hinting at an intent to push boundaries.

The show’s producers have also cautioned against scams. A statement released on May 22 clarified, “We support Bitcoin and no other memecoin,” after reports emerged of individuals attempting to launch fraudulent tokens under the show’s name.

Netflix is no stranger to crypto-themed content.

The streaming giant previously released Trust No One: The Hunt for the Crypto King, covering the QuadrigaCX collapse, and recently greenlit The Altruists, a series focusing on the lives of ex-FTX CEO Sam Bankman-Fried and former Alameda Research head Caroline Ellison.

So far, the contestants — who include streamers such as The Black Hokage, CyborgAngel, and OutplayedByJade — have yet to comment publicly on their participation.

Netflix’s Crypto Show Launches as Security Risks for Holders Rise

The show comes amid growing concerns over the risks faced by crypto holders.

In May 2024, the father of a crypto entrepreneur was rescued from captivity after French police stormed a suburban Paris location.

The suspects had severed one of the victim’s fingers, echoing earlier high-profile attacks involving physical mutilation and digital wallets.

Last month, Pierre Noizat, founder and CEO of French crypto exchange Paymium, saw his own family targeted.

A group of masked men attempted to abduct Noizat’s daughter and grandson in broad daylight. The assault was foiled when the victims and a bystander managed to fight off the attackers.

More recently, three teenagers were accused of kidnapping a man at gunpoint after he returned from hosting a crypto-related event in downtown Las Vegas.

After returning to his apartment, the victim was ambushed at gunpoint by three teenagers from Florida.

The assailants forced him into their vehicle, covered his head with a towel, and warned him not to look at them. They drove him over 70 miles to a remote desert near White Hills, Arizona.

These incidents have intensified calls for better protection for those tied to the crypto world, particularly as rising asset values make high-profile figures more attractive targets.

Zim Integrated Shipping Services (ZIM -1.50%) stock has been delivering more than cargo to its shareholders over the past few trading days. On positive developments in the China-U.S. trade dispute, investors piled into the stock, sending it to a more than 26% gain week to date as of early Thursday night, according to data compiled by S&P Global Market Intelligence.

A move related to international relations

The most powerful boost to Zim’s stock came on Monday, when the U.S. and China agreed to mutually slash their initially sky-high mutual tariffs. These were initially enacted by the former, as President Trump moved to realign this country’s trading regime with a range of partners.

Image source: Getty Images.

Although Trump’s administration had scaled back or exempted several of its tariffs previously, the scale of the modifications with China was notable. As a container shipping company that earns coin running busy Pacific Ocean routes, Zim was shunned by investors in the opening stages of the trade war. Now that this facet of the fight seems to be on the wane, sentiment has improved dramatically.

It’s not only investors who have become far more bullish on the company’s future. On Tuesday, financial services company Jefferies published a fresh analysis reacting to freight companies operating in the Pacific — including Zim.

In its new take, according to reports, Jefferies wrote that demand between the two companies for each other’s products was recovering, while capacity was still limited because of vessel reassignments. That situation positions Zim and its peers quite well for a rally in their business. This will be helped by a recovery in orders from the U.S. retail sector, which is a significant consumer of made-in-China goods.

Full steam ahead?

Zim is an obvious recovery story, although of course it’s not the only boat in the big ocean that is the U.S.-China logistics space. Nevertheless, with the tariff war rapidly losing temperature, it’s certainly time for at least a casual reassessment of the company’s potential.

Following on the heels of the Nasdaq Composite, the S&P 500 entered a correction last week, meaning the broad-market index fell at least 10% from its recent peak.

That sell-off has come amid concerns about weakening consumer sentiment, an intensifying trade war, and the prospect of rising inflation returning. After the market seemed to initially cheer the election of President Donald Trump, it quickly reversed course, and the S&P 500 fell to its lowest level in six months.

That news is sparking concern about a further sell-off. But there are also a number of stocks trading at a discount, offering a good buying opportunity right now. Let’s talk about two of them below.

Image source: Getty Images.

1. Target

Target (TGT 0.07%) stock has fallen in the recent correction, but it’s been struggling for a while, and is down more than 50% over the last three years. General weakness in consumer discretionary spending has weighed on the stock, along with internal issues like inventory management and a spike in theft. Additionally, while the company is a national multicategory retailer like Walmart and Costco Wholesale, it’s underperformed those peers because it makes most of its revenue from discretionary categories, rather than from groceries like Walmart and Costco.

However, Target is now close to as cheap as it’s been in the last 10 years, trading at a price-to-earnings (P/E) ratio of just 12. And it offers a current dividend yield of 4.2%.

Target’s guidance for 2025 wasn’t particularly encouraging and seemed to reflect the general malaise around consumer sentiment. For the current year, management forecast flat comparable-sales growth, and net sales growth of 1%. It also sees flat growth in adjusted earnings per share, to between $8.80 and $8.90.

Despite that weakness, Target still has fundamental strengths. It has a unique retail brand, known for “cheap chic” fashions and designer collaborations. It has a growing stable of owned brands, and at least 10 generate more than $1 billion each in revenue per year. Target also has an attractive suite of same-day fulfillment services; these include Drive Up (curbside) pickup, which complements its diverse and nationwide store base well, and Shipt, its same-day delivery service.

Target also announced bold goals for 2030 in its recent earnings report. It called for total sales growth of more than $15 billion, driven in part by a focus on categories like gaming, sports and toys. It also plans to introduce new owned-brands products, and has announced partnerships with brands like Champion, Disney, and Warby Parker.

Target is valued like a declining retailer at this point, but the company should get back to steady growth, especially if consumer sentiment strengthens. At the current valuation, even a modest improvement in performance could give a significant boost to the stock. Target is a good bet for a recovery from here.

2. Shopify

Staying in the retail and e-commerce sector, Shopify (SHOP 8.17%) also seems more attractive after the recent correction. In fact, shares of the e-commerce software company are now down 27% from their peak just a month ago, on the broader pullback around concerns about consumer sentiment and economic growth.

That makes sense: Shopify is a high-priced stock. Its business is sensitive to consumer spending and the broader economy. It relies on merchants paying for subscriptions, and then collects a portion of sales on its platform by processing payments.

However, Shopify has delivered phenomenal results in recent quarters in spite of the broader weakness in consumer discretionary spending. In the fourth quarter of 2024, revenue jumped 31% to $2.81 billion, on a 26% increase in gross merchandise value (GMV) to $94.5 billion. Shopify’s platform is outgrowing Amazon in GMV growth, showing the power of enabling any company of any size to seamlessly do business through e-commerce.

Shopify also continues to invest in new technology like artificial intelligence (AI), paving the way for future growth. Shopify Magic, for example, offers an image-editing tool that allows users to easily adjust the background of a product photo. It can also improve product descriptions and suggest FAQs for a seller’s website.

Shopify expects its momentum to continue into 2025, calling for a revenue growth percentage in the mid-20s and free cash flow (FCF) margin in the mid-teens.

After the recent sell-off, the stock now trades at a more reasonable valuation: Its price-to-sales ratio is around 14 and its P/E ratio less than 100, excluding gains on equity investments.

While a recession would be a setback for Shopify, the company still looks poised for success over the long term. It’s a good buy in the sell-off.

Today is a vital moment for Kraken. SEC staff agreed to dismiss the case against Kraken on prejudice, not admitting fraud, paying fines, and making changes to our business.

The SEC’s decision to dismiss a lawsuit against the United States (and many others) is more than just a legal victory. This is a turning point for the future of US crypto, ending a useless, politically motivated campaign, increasing uncertainty to curb innovation and investment, and clearing the path to a stable, moving forward regulatory regime.

We are grateful for both the White House’s new leadership and the committee that led to this change. Their bold and thoughtful leadership leads to a new era of crypto innovation.

The end of a politically motivated campaign

Since our founding, Kraken has been working with integrity and dedication to doing the right thing. The SEC lawsuit that mischaracterized our consistent business model has always been unbeneficial. This termination confirms what we’ve been saying all along. Regulatory measures should be based on facts rather than political agenda.

This case was not about protecting investors. And instead of making it clear, other enforcement measures are clouded. It undermined early industries that repeatedly urged clear road rules.

Instead of engaging in advance leadership across the SEC and government, previous leadership across the government took a regulatory-by-regulation approach that thwarted progress and put the United States at a disadvantage, against other countries that promote innovation through a fair and transparent digital asset regulation regime.

Ready to unleash innovation and investment

This rejection lifts that cloud of uncertainty. Companies like Kraken, which prioritize compliance and consumer protection, reaffirm that they should not be subject to arbitrary legal combat.

A stable, predictable regulatory framework promotes responsible growth, attracts investment and ensures that the US remains competitive in the global digital asset economy.

Enhance economic opportunities for Americans

Crypto is more than just technology, it’s the path to financial empowerment. Millions of Americans rely on Kraken to access digital assets and manage their financial journeys. Regulatory overreach is not just harmful to your business. Limit opportunities for everyday people looking for alternative financial tools.

Today’s decision is a step towards a more comprehensive financial system. Individuals whose governments don’t go too far will shape their economic future. By embracing crypto innovation, the United States can unlock new paths for economic prosperity and economic freedom.

Drawings of paths to clearer regulations

Today’s decision is a big victory, but it also serves as a call to action for clearer and more advanced regulatory policies. Kraken remains committed to working with policymakers and regulators to establish guidelines that protect consumers while promoting technological advancements.

We are pleased that the Congress leader and Commissioner Perth’s Cryptographic Task Force is taking up this challenging and essential work to implement real-world, advanced laws and regulations. These steps should not be reverted to regulations through enforcement.

With mission: accelerate the adoption of crypto

When closing this chapter, Kraken reaffirms its commitment to ahead of the future, where innovation and responsible regulations are closely linked. We will continue to engage with industry stakeholders and regulatory bodies to promote clarity, equity and progress in digital finance, while continuing to protect our rights of freedom and privacy on behalf of our clients.

Our journey is far from over. The path ahead is one of continuous innovation, strategic collaboration and unwavering dedication to building a more inclusive financial future.

These materials are for general information purposes only and are not investment advice or recommendations or solicitations to purchase, sell, bet or hold CryptoAssets or engage in any particular trading strategy. Kraken does not work to raise or lower the prices of certain CryptoAssets that become available. Some crypto products and markets are regulated, while others are not regulated. Anyway, Kraken may or may not need to be registered or permitted to provide specific products and services in each market. It may also not be protected by government compensation and/or regulatory protection schemes. The unpredictable nature of the CryptoAsset market can lead to losses of funds. Taxes may be paid for returns and/or increased value of crypto assets, and you must seek independent advice on your tax position. Geographical restrictions may apply. Please see this legal disclosure by jurisdiction.