TOPLEY’S TOP 10 March 10, 2025

1. S&P 500 Closes Below 200day

Stock Charts


2. The Percentage of Stocks Under 200day

Equities: The percentage of S&P 500 stocks trading above their 200-day moving average fell below 50% for the first time since 2023.

The Daily Shot


3. QQQ Closes Below 200day

Stock Charts


4. Semiconductor ETF—50day Closes Below 200day

Stock Charts


5. European Financials Straight Up 2025

Stock Charts


6. International Rally…Emerging Markets Have Not Broken Out Above Pre-Election Highs

Stock Charts


7. Gold/Platinum Indicator

MarketWatch Mark Hulbert-An obscure indicator with an excellent track record is forecasting a strong U.S. stock market over the next year.

This would be good news any time, but especially now with investors’ mood so pessimistic. Fear has grown so extreme in some pockets on Wall Street that some even are now arguing that contrarian analysis has stopped working.

The indicator to which I refer is the ratio of gold’s

According to a 2019 study, “Gold, Platinum and Expected Stock Returns,” the U.S. stock market more often than not rises over the subsequent 12 months when the gold/platinum ratio is in a strong uptrend — and vice versa. In fact, researchers Darien Huang, a former finance professor at Cornell University, and Mete Kilic, a finance professor at the University of Southern California, found that the ratio has a better track record than most of the other better-known indicators to which investors typically pay attention.

This is good news since the gold/platinum ratio has risen strongly over the last 12 months, as you can see from the chart above. The correlation between this ratio’s trailing 12-month change and the stock market’s subsequent 12-month change is significant at the 99% confidence level — higher even than the 95% level that statisticians often use when assessing whether a pattern is genuine.

The gold/platinum ratio has grown 25% over the past year, higher than 82% of all comparable readings of the past 20 years. As you can see from the table below, this puts the current ratio solidly in the quartile associated with impressive double-digit stock-market returns over the subsequent 12 months.

Market Watch


8. U.S./Canada/Mexico Trade $1.6 Trillion Per Year

Irrelevant Investor


9. 8 Million People Left Venezuela in Last 10 Years…82% Poverty Rate

Statista


10. Want to Keep Your Mind Sharp? Neurology Research Says Cutting Out This Food Can Improve Your Brain Function (and Make You Live Longer)

Not good news for meat lovers, but there is light at the end of the tunnel.

EXPERT OPINION BY MARCEL SCHWANTES, INC. CONTRIBUTING EDITOR, EXECUTIVE COACH, SPEAKER, AND AUTHOR @MARCELSCHWANTES

Imagine you’re gearing up for another high-stakes day—important meetings, big decisions, and lots of problem-solving. Your focus needs to be sharp and your mind clear; you want to be at the top of your game.

But what if one of the things you’re eating every day is quietly working against you?

Turns out, that giant burger at lunch or sizzling five strips of bacon in the morning might be doing more than adding to your waistline—it could be increasing your risk of dementia and even cutting your lifespan short.

The downside of too much processed meat

I’m not trying to be a Debbie Downer here, as I love a good, triple-decker turkey sandwich drenched in mustard. But consider the data: A massive study published in Neurologyfollowed over 133,000 health care professionals for more than four decades and found a clear connection between eating processed red meat—things like sausages, bacon, salami, and hot dogs—and a higher risk of cognitive decline.

People who ate about two servings of processed red meat per week had a 14 percent greater risk of developing dementia compared with those who ate it sparingly. And the rate of cognitive aging was even faster in regular consumers.

On the flip side, swapping out processed meats for plant-based proteins like nuts, beans, or tofu reduced dementia risk by 19 percent. It’s a small change with big benefits—not just for your brain at work, but for your longevity.

And it’s not just your mind at stake. The study estimated that if everyone ate less than 42g of red meat per day (less than half a serving), one in 10 deaths from heart disease and cancer could have been prevented.

But it’s not just about what you take out—it’s also about what you add in. Foods rich in “good fats,” like avocados, nuts, olive oil, and fatty fish, can help fight inflammation, protect your blood vessels, and support brain function. Your gut health also plays a massive role in cognitive performance. The latest research shows that eating more fiber-rich foods (like plants, beans, and fermented foods like kimchi) can improve gut health and lower your risk of mental decline.

Meanwhile, ultra-processed foods—like chips, sodas, and ready-made meals—have been linked to a 44 percent higher risk of dementia, according to another review of multiple studies. That’s a stat worth paying attention to next time you reach for a snack or drink from the vending machine.

The good news

So, do you need to cut out all meat forever? Not at all. Moderation is key. Ease up on red and processed meats and add more plant-based foods, good fats, and regular exercise. That’s the right balance. This lifestyle change won’t just help you live longer—it’ll help you think clearer, work smarter, and lead better. After all, a sharp mind and strong body are two of the best assets any entrepreneur or business leader can have.

The opinions expressed here by Inc.com columnists are their own, not those of Inc.com.

www.inc.com

TOPLEY’S TOP 10 March 07, 2025

1. The Nasdaq 100 has Closed above its 200-day Moving Average for 496 Consecutive Trading Days, the 2nd Longest Uptrend in History

Zach Goldberg Jefferies


2. AMZN -17.5% Correction to 200-Day

StockCharts


3. 10-Year Treasury Yield Key Spot..Back to December 2024 Levels…Below 200-Day

StockCharts


4. JR. Gold Miners GDXJ +15% YTD

StockCharts


5. Gold Up Double the S&P 12 Months…GLD vs. SPY Chart

StockCharts


6. Weak Dollar Driving International Stocks…PE Ratios Latin America…All-Time Lows

Topdown Charts


7. Another High Beta Name Down Big…MDB -44%

StockCharts


8. Private Equity Stops Growing First Time in 20 Years

Via Morning Brew: While it might seem like private equity has dominion over everything from your dog’s vet clinic to your date-night seafood spot, the industry actually got smaller last year for the first time in 20 years. The amount of assets managed by PE firms fell 2% in 2024 to $4.7 trillion—marking the first time assets fell since consulting group Bain & Co. started tracking it in 2005, according to the Financial Times.

So, what’s squeezing private equity like private equity squeezes a mid-sized company it’s just acquired? The industry has a $3 trillion backlog of aging deals it can’t manage to sell off during a slow period for M&A, and investors are taking note and refraining from new investments into the industry. Bain found that PE funds are holding ~2x the assets they had in 2019, while the amount they’re selling is about the same—meaning it could take years to work through their excess holdings.

Morning Brew


9. 30-Year Mortgage Back Under 7%

Freddie Mac


10. The U.S. Housing Market is Worth $50 Trillion

Wealth of Common Sense

TOPLEY’S TOP 10 March 06, 2025

1. Record Retail Selling on Open Tuesday

Retail imbalance. “In the first hour of trading, the so-called retail investors yanked $1.2 billion out of the US equity market — the largest pullback during that time period since JPMorgan Chase & Co.’s data begin a decade ago … The pullback from single stocks reached $1.1 billion and was broadly distributed across sectors.”

Bloomberg


2. XLK Tech ETF Below 200-Day

StockCharts


3. XLK Tech ETF Longer-Term Chart…Trading Above 50-Week Moving Average Since March 2023

StockCharts


4. Google Searches Grew 20% Since ChatGPT Debut in 2022

Google-ing it still reigns supreme. OpenAI’s ChatGPT may pose an ongoing threat to Google’s business, but the numbers don’t indicate that just yet. On Monday, Google said it sees more than 5 trillion search queries a year, and basic math from Barclays analysts suggests it may have grown over 20% since ChatGPT’s debut in 2022. Although, the arrival of AI agents is a different story.

Business Insider (Chart via StockCharts)


5. 27% of Cannabis Businesses are Profitable vs. 42% in 2022

Marijuana-industry research firm Whitney Economics said in a survey released last year that roughly 27% of cannabis businesses are profitable, down from 42% in 2022. Nearly a third are unprofitable, with the rest breaking even. Whitney estimates next year’s debt maturity at roughly $6 billion, based on both public and private multistate operators.  Equity investors have noticed the glut. Cannabis investments by private-equity and venture-capital firms are at their lowest levels in years in both dollar values and deal counts. Last year, U.S. private-equity deals in the sector totaled $260 million, compared with $1.3 billion for all of 2018, deal tracker PitchBook said. Venture-capital deals were $410 million, compared with roughly $3.06 billion in 2019.

MJ Weed ETF -92% from Inception

WSJ (Chart via StockCharts)


6. Tesla Euro Market Share 1%

Barron’s


7. More Good Inflation News

Andreas Steno Larsen


8. U.S. Pending Home Sales Fall to All-Time Low…Below 2008 Crisis

Kevin Gordon


9. Tourism Record 2024

Sherwood News


10. The World’s Superbillionaires Net Worth $50B+

WSJ

TOPLEY’S TOP 10 March 05, 2025

1. Fear and Greed Index at “Extreme Fear”

CNN


2. Small Cap Russell 2000 -16% Correction

StockCharts


3. Defensive Consumer Staples Breakout to New Highs

StockCharts


4. 20-Year Treasury Back to December 2024 Levels…10 Year Treasury Yield 4.20%

StockCharts


5. Data Center Favorites….Vertiv Almost Cut in Half from Post Election Highs

StockCharts


6. Solar Stocks New Lows…FSLR -50%

StockCharts


7. TAN Solar ETF -60% from Highs

StockCharts


8. Gas Prices Going Down Good for Inflation…Crude Oil Chart

StockCharts


9. China vs. U.S. Global Trading Partners

Barron’s


10. The Key Role of Temperature in Sleep Quality

Key points

  • A cooler bedroom supports deep sleep by aligning with the body’s natural temperature drop.
  • Ideal sleep temperatures range from 60°F to 67°F (15°C to 19°C) for optimal rest.
  • Overheating at night can reduce deep sleep and increase wakefulness.

Via Psychology Today: When it comes to achieving high-quality sleep, factors like light exposure and noise levels often come to mind. However, one of the most crucial yet often overlooked variables is temperature. Research suggests that the temperature of your sleeping environment significantly impacts sleep duration and efficiency and the ability to transition into deep sleep stages. Understanding the relationship between body temperature and sleep can help you optimize your bedroom conditions and improve overall sleep health.

How Temperature Affects Sleep

Our bodies follow a natural circadian rhythm that dictates fluctuations in core body temperature throughout the day. About two hours before bedtime, the body begins to cool down, signaling that it is time to sleep. This physiological process prepares the body for the onset of deep sleep, which is essential for cognitive function, memory consolidation, and overall well-being.

If your sleeping environment is too warm, it can disrupt this natural cooling process, leading to fragmented sleep and frequent awakenings. Conversely, a cooler room can support the body’s natural thermoregulation, making it easier to fall asleep and stay asleep.

The Science Behind the Ideal Sleep Temperature

While personal comfort levels vary, scientific research indicates that most people sleep in environments that are too warm for optimal rest. Studies suggest that an ideal bedroom temperature for sleep falls between 60°F and 67°F (15°C to 19°C), though some research recommends a slightly broader range of 68°F to 77°F (20°C to 25°C). One large-scale study involving over 34,000 participants found that sleep quality tends to decline as bedroom temperatures exceed 60°F (16°C). Global data also indicates that sleep efficiency drops significantly in temperatures above 50°F (10°C). These findings suggest that even mild increases in ambient temperature can negatively impact sleep duration and depth. In fact, in the largest study of billions of sleep measurements from people in 68 countries, it was found that higher nighttime temperatures across the world are specifically leading to more trouble falling asleep.

Why Warmer Temperatures Disrupt Sleep

When the bedroom is too warm, the body struggles to maintain its natural cooling cycle, leading to alterations in sleep cycles and impaired sleep quality. Two of the major mechanisms include:

  1. Increased Wakefulness: Excessive warmth can lead to frequent awakenings throughout the night, preventing deep and restorative sleep.
  2. Reduced Slow-Wave Sleep: The body requires a cooler environment to enter slow-wave sleep (SWS), the deep sleep phase crucial for brain health and memory consolidation.

How to Keep Your Bedroom Cool for Better Sleep

If you struggle with overheating at night, there are several strategies you can implement to create a cooler sleeping environment:

1. Adjust Your Bedroom Temperature

  • Keep the thermostat between 60°F and 67°F (15°C and 19°C) for optimal sleep conditions.
  • Use an air conditioner or a fan to promote air circulation and maintain a consistent temperature.

2. Improve Airflow

  • Open windows to allow fresh air to circulate, especially in cooler seasons.
  • Position a fan near your bed for a gentle cooling effect.
  • Use breathable curtains or blinds to block excessive heat from the sun during the day.

3. Choose Cooling Bedding Materials

  • Opt for lightweight, breathable fabrics such as cotton, linen, or bamboo for sheets and pillowcases.
  • Consider using a cooling mattress or mattress topper designed to regulate body temperature. A smaller but compelling study investigated how overnight temperature regulation influences sleep duration. The results showed that manipulating nighttime temperature could lead to more than 20 minutes of additional sleep per night.
  • Sleep with a thinner blanket or remove extra layers of bedding.

4. Wear Breathable Sleepwear

  • Avoid heavy or synthetic fabrics that trap heat; instead, opt for loose-fitting cotton or moisture-wicking sleepwear.

5. Optimize Your Nighttime Routine

  • While it may seem logical to take a cold shower before bed, doing so can be counterproductive. Cold exposure can activate the sympathetic nervous system, increasing alertness and making it harder to fall asleep.
  • Instead, taking a warm shower or bath about an hour before bedtime can promote better sleep. This practice helps the body to cool down naturally by dilating blood vessels, leading to a gradual temperature drop that enhances sleep onset and quality.

TOPLEY’S TOP 10 March 04, 2025

1. International Stocks: Possibly Off to a Good Start for the Year

Equity markets around the world are trouncing US stocks in early 2025, an ominous historical signal for how the rest of the year could shape up for US investors.

While the S&P 500 Index eclipsed most foreign markets in 2024, that dynamic has gone into reverse so far this year, as tariff worries and nascent economic concerns weigh on US equities. The US stock benchmark is up just over 1% this year, compared to the MSCI All Country World Index excluding the US, which has gained nearly 7% since January.

If history’s a guide, that could mean further relative weakness for US stocks in the months ahead. The S&P 500 has never outperformed global peers on an annual basis when it has trailed the international benchmark by more than 2.8 percentage points by mid-February, as it did this year, according to a Bloomberg Intelligence analysis studying 35 years of data.

The underperformance is “a rare and historically significant red flag against a full-year recovery as the market’s fundamentals deteriorate,” according to BI strategists Gina Martin Adams and Gillian Wolff, who conducted the analysis.


2. Europe Facing Massive Increase in Defense Spending…Rheimmetall Chart +100% Year to Date

StockCharts


3. NVDA Revenue +385% vs. Headcount +60%

Chartr


4. Uranium ETF 4th Pullback to these Levels in 18 Months

StockCharts


5. Collateralized Debt Obligations Forecast to Return to 2008 Levels

Wall Street expects to sell more than $335 billion in asset-backed debt this year. Remember that conference in ‘The Big Short’? It just drew a record 10,000.

WSJ


6. Private Equity Managers Apollo and Blackstone Pullback to 200-Days

StockCharts


7. Private Equity Secondary Funds Raise $100B

PitchBook


8. $416,000 for a Ferrari

In 2024, the estimated average cost of a Ferrari was more than $400,000. While that’s a pretty outrageous amount in isolation, it’s almost more impressive that Ferrari has been able to increase its prices by ~5% per year since 2012.

Formula: Cars & Spare Parts Revenue / Total Shipments

FinChat


9. The World’s Most Valuable Sports Teams

Semafor


10. ‘The largest crypto theft of all time’: Historic $1.4 billion Bybit Hack Shocks World of Digital Assets

Quick Take:

  • Bybit’s massive hack and loss of over $1.4 billion in crypto assets triggered various reactions.
  • Elliptic’s Chief Scientist called it “the largest crypto theft of all time, by some margin.”
  • Flashbots Strategy Lead Hasu said Bybit should be fine and expects the exchange “will make all customers whole.”

Via The Abnormal Returns blog: Bybit’s massive hack and loss of over $1.4 billion in crypto assets shook the world of digital assets on Friday, triggering multiple reactions.

“This makes it the largest crypto theft of all time, by some margin,” Elliptic co-founder and Chief Scientist Tom Robinson told The Block. “The next largest crypto theft would be the $611 million stolen from Poly Network in 2021. In fact it may even be the largest single theft of all time. We’ve labelled the thief’s addresses in our software, to help to prevent these funds from being cashed-out through other exchanges.”

On Friday, hackers appeared to steal more than $1.4 billion in ETH from Bybit’s cold wallet, the exchange confirmed. It seems the hacker tricked Bybit’s ETH cold wallet signers into approving a malicious transaction to gain control of the wallet surreptitiously.

The company’s CEO took to social media to reassure the public.

“Bybit is Solvent even if this hack loss is not recovered, all of clients assets are 1 to 1 backed, we can cover the loss,” Bybit CEO Ben Zhou posted to X.

Flashbots strategy lead Hasu also took to X to say that the hack would not lead to the demise of Bybit.

“If you want my serious take, Bybit has way more than 1.4 billion of revenue per year,” Hasu wrote. “They are good for the money and will make all customers whole. It doesn’t matter for ETH because Bybit will honor customers’s ETH liabilities and buy back the assets on open market.”

Nonetheless, the amount taken in the attack on Friday was astronomical, even by cryptocurrency standards.Start your day with the most influential events and analysis happening across the digital a

Also receive The Scoop, The Funding, and our weekly Data & Insights newsletters

Last May, the Japanese cryptocurrency exchange DMM Bitcoin suffered the largest crypto hack of 2024 when it lost over 4,500 BTC, valued at over $300 million at the time. FTX lost $477 million in 2022.

Binance founder and former CEO Changpeng Zhao, or CZ, offered assistance in reply to one of Bybit CEO’s many posts relaying information related to the hack. “Not an easy situation to deal with. Might suggest to halt all withdrawals for a bit as a standard security precaution. Will provide any assistance if needed.”

Meanwhile, Arkham Intelligence offered a bounty to track down whoever was responsible for the hack.

“We’ve created and funded a bounty to help identify the person or organization behind today’s [over] $1 billion Bybit hack,” the firm posted to X. “Submissions to this bounty will be shared with the Bybit team to support their investigation. Reward: 50,000 ARKM.”

“This Bybit hack really sucks,” trader Julius Stark posted to X. “As pro trader there isn’t a better trading platform with more accurate data and better UI. They are one of the good guys.”

Co-founder and CEO of Solana swap platform Titan told The Block: “The Bybit hack shows how important the human component of approving transactions is. If humans cannot easily inspect a proposed transaction in a multi-sig, people eventually approve anything that comes through.”

“Given the scale of the alleged exploit, this breach raises serious concerns regarding centralized exchange security and the evolving threat landscape in web3,” a CertiK spokesperson told The Block. CertiK is a digital assets auditing firm backed by Sequoia Capital, Tiger Global and Goldman Sachs.