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Photo of Natalie Pace by Marie Commiskey. Avalon Photography.

Weight Loss Drugs Dominate Headlines, While mRNA Gets Defunded.

13/8/2025

Weight Loss Drugs Dominate Headlines, While mRNA Gets Defunded.

Medicine has really changed. Four years ago, vaccines were all the rage. This month many of the companies that were hailed as the saviors of Operation Warp Speed are being defunded. Now weight loss drugs dominate the headlines. Ozempic (NovoNordisk) and Mounjaro (Eli Lilly) have gone mainstream. It seems like everybody’s getting a jab. HIMS/HERS have brought pharmacies into the 21st-century with subscriptions, apps and deliveries right to your porch.

There are tales of woe and wonder in biotech and healthcare. How do we best navigate that? Is there a fund that targets the future and underweights the problem areas? It’s easy to understand why Moderna (symbol: MRNA) is on the ropes. But why is Novo Nordisk, the maker of Ozempic and Wegovy also trading down -66% from its 5-year high? Does that make the stock a buying opportunity?

Here are the topics we’ll cover in this blog. Email [email protected] if you’d like an updated healthcare, biotechnology or medical devices stock report card.

Pandemic Leaders are at the Bottom
Diabetes and Weight Loss Drugs are Leading
Medical Devices
ETFs: IBB vs. IHI
UNH vs. HIMS/HERS
Here Today, Gone Tomorrow

And here is more information on each point.

Biotech: Pandemic Leaders are at the Bottom
With the pandemic concerns behind us, mRNA biotechnology companies were already on the ropes. Last week they took another blow when it was announced that mRNA research projects were being defunded. According to HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, JR., “BARDA is terminating 22 mRNA vaccine development investments because the data show these vaccines fail to protect effectively against upper respiratory infections like COVID and flu. We’re shifting that funding toward safer, broader vaccine platforms that remain effective even as viruses mutate.”

Which companies will be affected? Projects that have been terminated, restructured or rejected include Pfizer, AstraZeneca and Moderna. Read a more complete list in the HHS press release.

Moderna’s 2024 sales were just $3.24 billion, after hitting a high of $19.3 billion in 2022. Revenue was down another -41% in the most recent quarter. Not surprisingly, Moderna’s shares are trading near an all-time low.

Pfizer sales are suffering quite a lot, too, with a total of $63.63 billion in 2024, compared to $101.18 billion in revenue in 2022. Pfizer revenue dropped another -8% in the 2nd quarter of 2025. The company’s stock is trading near a 5-year low, down by more than half from the highs in December 2021.

Diabetes and Weight Loss Drugs are Leading
Obesity is an epidemic in the U.S. According to the CDC, 41.9% of U.S. adults suffer from obesity, costing $173 billion in medical expenditures. So, a shot or pill that helps people lose weight is in high demand.

Eli Lilly saw sales increase 37.64% in the most recent quarter (YOY), while Novo Nordisk’s growth was 12.93%. Lilly is forecasting an increase to $60-$62 billion in revenue in 2025 versus 2024’s $45.04 billion (+38% at the top of the range). However, Eli Lilly shares are down -34.2% from the high of $972/share in July 2024. Before you jump in, note that the price-earnings ratio is a lofty 41.77, and the competition in the weight loss space is fierce. While Eli Lilly and Novo Nordisk are the current leaders, many big companies, including Amgen, are hot on the heels of this massive industry.

Novo Nordisk’s CEO wasn’t as rosy in his forecast of just 8-14% sales growth in 2025. Ozempic is the name we all know, so why isn’t it leaping over the competition? According to the Novo Nordisk press release of August 6, 2025, “ The lowered sales outlook for 2025 is driven by lower growth expectations for the second half of 2025, reflecting the persistent use of compounded GLP-1s, slower-than-expected market expansion and competition… for Wegovy® in the US obesity market, for Ozempic® in the US GLP-1 diabetes market as well as for Wegovy® in select IO markets.” At $50/share, Novo Nordisk’s stock is down 65.7% from its June 24, 2024 high of $146/share.

Medical Devices
While weight loss companies are struggling and pandemic companies are at rock bottom, the iShares Medical Devices ETF has soared over the past two years, flying from a low of $44/share in Oct. 2023 to a high of $65 in February. Shares are steady at $61.50. Robotic surgery, hip replacements, insulin monitors, stents, catheters and defibrillators might not make as many headlines as weight loss but have been more popular with investors.

UNH vs. HIMS/HERS
UnitedHealth stock fell off a cliff, plunging from $525/share (April 2025) to $261.57/share (8.12.2025). What happened? The UNH stock had already survived the murder of CEO Brian Thompson on Dec. 4, 2024, a problematic report from the Office of the Inspector General about questionable Medicare payments and practices (Oct. 24, 2024) and a Department of Justice investigation that gets more problematic and expansive each day. However, when the 1Q 2025 earnings report was released and growth was a mere 9.8%, investors sold in droves. The DOJ is reportedly investigating civil and criminal wrongdoing at the company.

As one of the 30 Dow Jones Industrial Average components, UNH has been dragging on the DJIA performance. The Dow Jones Industrial average is only up 4.9% on the year, compared to the S&P500’s 10.2% ROI year to date. (This is a typical pattern over the last few years.)
You might have seen an ad for HIMS or HERS, a new app that makes it easy to lose weight, grow hair and stay supplied with erectile dysfunction medication. Revenue is up 72.61% at HIMS. The good news may already be priced in, however, as HIMS’ price-earnings ratio is 64.

Here Today, Gone Tomorrow
The past five years have shown investors just how fast things change. In the pandemic, Moderna and Pfizer were the hottest investments on Wall Street and today they are being defunded by the HHS. Weight loss drugs are all over the airwaves, but 2025 investors have largely lost money. HIMS is a darling with retail investors and meme stock aficionados. However, lofty valuations create massive volatility, as we’ve seen with pandemic and weight loss companies. Tread lightly.

ETFs: IBB vs. IHI
Funds are one way to smooth out the volatility of owning just one company. Purchasing a fund within our pie chart system will also help to keep us on the right side of the trade. (Learn more in my blog, Get Safe & Hot in 1 Easy Plan.)

We’ve been leaning more into the Medical Devices ETF over the past two years. The iShares Medical Devices ETF (symbol: IHI) is up 40% from the Oct. 2023 low. Meanwhile, the iShares Biotechnology ETF (symbol: IBB) is down -25% from its pandemic highs of $176/share and is only up 19.6% from the Oct. 2023 low. Why is biotech performing at half the speed of medical devices? Biotech is inherently volatile and highly competitive. Medical devices are always needed and each company has their own area of expertise and dominance.

Still, rebalancing 1-3 times a year is an important part of our time-proven wealth plan. That keeps us capturing gains at the high, and buying low, instead of riding the Wall Street rollercoaster.

Bottom Line
Chasing headlines often puts us on the wrong side of the trade, buying high before bad news or lofty valuations spook investors into selling. Investing in an individual superstar can cost us a great deal of money when the tides change, or if a competitor comes out with a better product. Leaning into an ETF, such as the IHI iShares Medical Devices ETF, can be an important part of an age-appropriate, diversified wealth plan. (Dollar cost average when prices are at an all-time high.) Rebalancing 1-3 times a year can help us to keep more of our money – capturing gains in an easy-to-follow system, while protecting our wealth from the inherent volatility of equities.

Email [email protected] to receive links to our free web apps where you can personalize your own sample nest egg pie chart. Let us know if you’re interested in private coaching, an unbiased 2nd opinion or in joining me online for our Oct. 11-13, 2025 Financial Freedom Retreat.

Register now to join us at our online Financial Freedom Retreat Oct. 11-13 2025 where you'll learn how to protect your wealth, save thousands annually in your budget and how to hedge in a volatile Debt World. If you'd like a life-changing adventure of a lifetime, be our guest at a royal manor house in Cornwall, England, March 12-19, 2027. (With just eight rooms available, this exclusive, private, bucket-list adventure sells out a year in advance!) Call 310-430-2397 or email [email protected] to learn more. The 2025 Restormel Retreat was a magical and royal experience. Click to learn more.

Receive the best price when you register with friends and family for the online Financial Freedom Retreat Oct. 11-13 2025. Request testimonials at [email protected]. You can also view some on the flyer page of the retreat.

Learn how to:

* Invest in hot industries, such as cryptocurrency, Nvidia, artificial intelligence, and quantum computing,
* Hedge against a weaker dollar,
* Invest and compound your gains,
* Green your retirement plan,
* Easy and efficacious nest egg strategies,
* Get hot and diversified (including in artificial intelligence, quantum computing and crypto),
* Evaluate stocks,
* Avoid capital gains and financial predators,
* Keep an age-appropriate amount safe, and,
* Know what's safe in a Debt World.

You'll even discover how to save thousands annually with smarter big-ticket choices. Yes, it's a complete money makeover.

Email [email protected] or call 310-430-2397 to learn more and register. Learn the 15+ things you'll master and read testimonials in the flyer on the home page at NataliePace.com. Register with friends and family to receive the best price.

"Ten minutes into the first day I was already much smarter about investing than I ever thought I would be in my life and I knew I was in exactly the right place at this retreat. I am amazed at how EASY and FUN it is to make my money work for me and those I love. I think this kind of information should be compulsory in schools. I wish I'd learned this sooner." CM

If you’d like an unbiased 2nd opinion on your current wealth plan, email [email protected] for pricing and information.

Receive the best price when you register with friends and family. Visit NataliePace.com to learn more. Call 310-430-2397 or email [email protected] for pricing, additional information and to register.

Natalie Pace in Ireland. Photo by Marie Commiskey.

Natalie Wynne Pace is an Advocate for Sustainability, Financial Literacy & Women's Empowerment. Natalie is the bestselling author of The ABCs of Money (6th edition) and The Power of 8 Billion: It's Up to Us, and is the co-creator of the Earth Gratitude Project. She has been ranked as a No. 1 stock picker, above over 835 A-list pundits, by an independent tracking agency (TipsTraders). Her book The ABCs of Money remained at or near the #1 Investing Basics e-book on Amazon for over 3 years (in its vertical), with over 120,000 downloads and a mean 5-star ranking. The 6th edition of The ABCs of Money and the 2nd edition of Put Your Money Where Your Heart Is (2nd edition) are the most recent releases of these books. Follow her on Instagram.

Natalie Pace's easy as a pie chart nest egg strategies earned gains in the last two recessions and have outperformed the bull markets in between. That is why her Investor Educational Retreats, books and private coaching are enthusiastically recommended by Nobel Prize winning economist Gary S. Becker, TD AMERITRADE chairman Joe Moglia, Kay Koplovitz and many Main Street investors who have transformed their lives using her Thrive Budget and investing strategies. Click to view a video testimonial from Nilo Bolden.

Check out Natalie Pace's Substack podcast on Apple and Spotify.
Watch videoconferences and webinars on Youtube.

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Archer Aviation is Chosen to be the Exclusive Air Taxi Service for the 2028 L.A. Olympics. Company of the Year?
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Will the Correction Become a Bear Market?
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Restormel Manor House 2025. A Truly Royal and Magical Adventure.
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Berkshire Hathaway. Should I Just Invest in Warren Buffett?
Should I Have a Money Manager?
Top Dividend/Income Strategies for 2025.
10 Rules of Successful Investing.
Quantum Computing.
Paper Losses. Another Warning About Long-Term Bonds!
2025 Investor IQ Test.
2025 Investor IQ Test Answers.
Indonesia: Rich in Nickel with Ambitions of Becoming an EV Battery Hub.
RoboTaxis. AI. The Magnificent 7.
Why Are So Many Safe Investments Losing Money?
Canadian, Australian and U.S. Banks. Are Any of Them Safe?
Ireland. Rich in Technology, Biotechnology and Agribusiness.
Robo Investing and AI. No, They are Not Foolproof.
Copper. Peru ETF Outperforms the S&P500.
Will Insurance Companies & Homeowners Weather the Hurricanes?
9 Money Secrets of the Ultra Wealthy.
Housing & Budgeting Solutions.
Arkansas Sues Temu for Data Theft.
We Must Be the Boss of Our Money. Why?
Fast Fashion. Fossil Fuels. Plastic Clothing. Atacama Desert Waste Dumps.
Fintechs and Brokerages that Fail are Not FDIC-Insured.
5 Green Tips for Clean Beaches Week.
So, You Think You Want to Be a B&B Owner...
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2024 Rebalancing IQ Test.
Answers to the 2024 Rebalancing IQ Test.
9 Inflation, Budgeting, Debt Reduction and Investing Solutions.
China & Russia Double Their Gold Holdings.
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Housing. Unaffordable. What Works? Case studies and creative solutions.
The Underperforming DJIA, Full of Fossil Fuels and Forever Chemicals.
The Best ROI* (Almost 40%!) & 7 Life Hacks That Save Thousands.
13 Lifestyle Choices to Reduce Waste, Pollution & CO2 & Save a Boatload of Dough.
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Fiat. Crypto. Gold. BRICS. Real Estate. Alternative Investments.
BRICS Currency. Will the Dollar Become Extinct?
Why We Are Underweighting Banks and the Financial Industry.
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Is Your FDIC-Insured Cash Really Safe?
Money Market Funds, FDIC, SIPC: Are Any of Them Safe?

Important Disclaimers
Please note: Natalie Pace does not act or operate like a broker. She reports on financial news, and is one of the most trusted sources of financial literacy, education and forensic analysis in the world. Natalie Pace educates and informs individual investors to give investors a competitive edge in their personal decision-making. Any publicly-traded companies, funds or projects mentioned by Natalie Pace are not intended to be buy or sell recommendations.

ALWAYS do your research and consult an experienced, reputable financial professional before buying or selling any security, and consider your long-term goals and strategies. Investors should NOT be all in on any asset class or individual stocks. Your retirement plan should reflect an age-appropriate, diversified wealth plan, which has been designed strategically, with the assistance of financial professionals who are familiar with your goals, risk tolerance, tax needs and more. The "trading" portion of your portfolio should be a very small part of your investment strategy, and the amount of money you invest into individual companies should never be greater than your experience, wisdom, knowledge, patience and diversified strategy.

Information has been obtained from sources believed to be reliable. However, NataliePace.com does not warrant its completeness or accuracy. Opinions constitute our judgment as of the date of this publication and are subject to change without notice. This material is not intended as an offer or solicitation for the purchase or sale of any financial instrument.

Summer 2025 Sale and Sweepstakes.

12/8/2025

Summer 2025 Sale and Sweepstakes.
Win a Seat at the Retreat and Other Prizes
Get Half Off on Private Coaching
Receive a Complimentary Coaching Session and $200 Off on Our Oct. 2025 Retreat
Time Sensitive: Offers Expire Wednesday, August 20, 2025

FYI: I post regular money tips on my Instagram Broadcast Channel.

We will never get rich by working harder. The system is rigged. Those who know the wealth secrets of the 1% prosper. Those who don’t can get trapped in a cycle of debt. The solution is simple. Learn the life math that we all should have received in high school and college. Save thousands annually in our budget with smarter big-ticket choices. Build wealth by earning money while we sleep in our tax-protected retirement accounts.

We’re happy to offer the following Summer deals, freebies and sweepstakes. If you want to enter to win, it’s simple and there is no purchase required. Simply email [email protected] with Summer Sweepstakes in the subject line. (A list of prizes is at the bottom of this blog.)

Online Financial Freedom Retreat. Oct. 11-13, 2025
Register now through Wed., August 20, 2025 and receive $200 off the regular price and a complimentary coaching session. Bring a friend with you for half off the regular price (and receive a 2nd coaching session for the referral). Email [email protected] or call 310-430-2397 to learn more and register now. Check out testimonials (as part of your Due Diligence) on the flyer at the home page at NataliePace.com. (If you are a volunteer or a repeat attendee, your price is even lower!)

An Unbiased 2nd Opinion of Your Current Wealth Plan: BOGO Coaching
Most managed plans do what the market does and cost us thousands (or tens of thousands) annually. With stocks at an all-time high (while the risks in the world remain very high), now is the perfect time to make sure that we have an age-appropriate, diversified wealth plan in place. If we were concerned about our physical health, we’d seek a 2nd opinion from an expert. Natalie Pace’s analysis of your wealth plan is unbiased because we don’t sell financial products. We offer news, information, education and time-proven wealth systems. Invest in wisdom.

With our BOGO coaching popup sale, the 2nd opinion has never been more affordable. Buy one coaching session at retail and receive a 2nd session free. Split a 12-pack of coaching with someone for the best price (buy 5 and receive 7 free). Email [email protected] or call 310-430-2397 to learn more now.

End of Summer Sweepstakes

Win a Seat at the Retreat
Everyone is a winner in our 2025 End of Summer Sweepstakes. (See the full list of prizes below.) The Grand prize is a 12-month, all-access pass to all our online courses, which includes 3-4 retreats and 3-4 master classes (retail value: $6,480). Our next retreat is Oct 11-13, 2025, (online).

Simply email [email protected] with the subject line Summer Sweepstakes! You will be automatically entered to win. There is no purchase necessary.

If you’d like to up your odds, then follow Natalie Pace on Instagram.com/NatalieWynnePace.
Send us a link to your Instagram profile, and we’ll enter you 10 more times in the Sweepstakes. We must receive your information by Wednesday, August 20, 2025.
Please include #NataliePace and tag us when you have a money question, comment or post.

https://instagram.com/nataliewynnepace
https://www.facebook.com/TheABCsofMoney
https://www.linkedin.com/in/nataliepace/
https://x.com/NataliePace

Act now. Entries must be received by August 20, 2025. Winners will be notified on or before August 31, 2025.

List of Prizes
12-Month All-Access Pass (value $6,480)
Retreat Seat (value up to $995)
½ off Retreat Seat (value $497.50)
2nd opinion on your current budgeting and investing plan (value up to $1595)
Three 50-minute private prosperity coaching sessions (value $1200).
50-minute private prosperity coaching session (value $400).
Autographed print edition of The ABCs of Money 6th edition or The Power of 8 Billion: It’s Up to Us (your choice of one). (priceless)

Everyone is a Winner
Every person who enters the sweepstakes can choose to receive a complimentary gift from us. We have a new Wealth Secrets of the 1% exclusive videoconference that is available ONLY to our Summer Sweepstakes entries. You can also choose from the videocoaching programs below:

1. A complimentary 21-day Prosperity and Abundance videocoaching program: 21 days to a healthier, wealthier, more beautiful you, and/or
2. A budgeting, debt reduction, or sustainability videoconference series, where you can learn how to save thousands of dollars annually with smarter big-ticket choices.

Simply indicate which videocoaching series you prefer when you register for the sweepstakes. Again, simply email [email protected] with the subject line Summer Sweepstakes! You will be automatically entered to win.

Ebooks Are Priced at Under $10
The ABCs of Money (6th edition)
Time-Proven 21st Century Strategies for Debt Reduction, Budgeting, Real Estate, Stocks, Bonds, Crypto, Gold and more.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0DG186KZ5

The Power of 8 Billion: It’s Up to Us.
Learn the triple win of greener choices.
Save thousands annually. Healthier You, Healthier Budget, Sustainable Planet.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09VFVBGRS

The ABCs of Money for College
Get a better degree for up to half the cost. Parents: you want to read this book when your child is born. Teens: if you’re going to have to plan this on your own, there are great tips and resources that you just won’t find with your college counselors and those standardized personality tests.
https://www.amazon.com/ABCs-Money-College-Success-Distress-ebook/dp/B083117HFF

The Gratitude Game
21 days to a healthier, wealthier, more beautiful you.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00RER5FTI

Put Your Money Where Your Heart Is (2nd edition)
Investing Strategies for Lifetime Wealth and a Sustainable Planet. One of the original ESG Investing books that was first in 2008.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09GMTTLQN

Thank You!
Your presence in our community, with a dedication to financial empowerment and sustainability, means the world to us. We work hard to add a splash of green to Wall Street and transform lives on Main Street. We thank you for helping us to spread the word of just how effective and empowering the Thrive Budget and easy-as-a-pie-chart investing strategies are. Be sure to share this Sweepstakes information with your friends and family. Anyone can enter!

The Sweepstakes entry period expires August 20, 2025. Anyone who has emailed us on or before August 20, 2025, with Sweepstakes in the subject line will be entered in the drawing. Winners will be chosen and notified on or before August 31, 2025. There is no cash value for the prizes.
The above offers expire Monday, August 20, 2025, at midnight PT, and are available to new retreat registrations only.

Praise for The ABCs of Money and Natalie Pace’s work.

“Many people, including educated men and women, often get into trouble when they neglect to follow these simple and fundamental rules.”
Professor Gary S. Becker
Gary Becker won the 1992 Nobel Prize in economics.

“As a young professional, between the knowledge gained through retreats and the experiences from our immersive trip [to Cornwall England], I feel much more aligned with my visions and values than most of my peers.”
M

"The ABCs of Money will teach you how to stop getting buried in debt and start scoring gains for the home team. The more you score, the more you'll win financial freedom and enjoy your life. College students need the information before they get their first credit card. Young adults need it before they buy their first home. Empty nesters can use the information to downsize to a sustainable lifestyle, before they get into trouble."
Joe Moglia, former Chairman & CEO, TD AMERITRADE

"Thank you, Natalie, for saving my retirement!"
Nilo Bolden, executive director at a law firm in Century City, CA

“We asked Natalie Pace for a second opinion on our investment portfolio. She researched and reviewed each stock and fund. She then explained to us in plain English how we were positioned in the market and how high our risk exposure was. Her knowledge was so profound that we decided to take her retreat in Arizona. My husband was still quite skeptical, but 20 minutes into the retreat he turned to me and said, ‘Thank you.’ Stocks and investing are no longer rocket science. We are finally able to take control of our money. We give thanks just about every day that we met Natalie. I feel like I live on a different planet. I'm so grateful. Thank you for changing our lives, our peace of mind, our future and our vision of what is possible. We made a tectonic shift with you.”
AC & AM

"The ABCs of Money is a must-read to help people understand the complicated economics of modern day (and how to protect and grow their wealth), or to go from surviving to thriving. It helped me and numerous members of my non-profit, The New Hollywood, to become empowered, educated bad asses with their financial literacy."
Brianna Brown Keen
Film and Television Actress
Founder and CEO of The New Hollywood

Learn the ABCs of Money that we all should have received in high school and college to score As in: life math, investing, budgeting, housing, debt reduction and living a richer life.

See the collage of Natalie Pace's own life journey to financial freedom in some of the pictures below (and in a reel on Instagram.com/NatalieWynnePace.)

https://www.instagram.com/p/DNRJ48OSr6H/

My journey from humble beginnings to financial freedom paves the way for yours.

Summer Sweepstakes and Sale Ends August 20, 2025.

Email [email protected] to receive links to our free web apps where you can personalize your own sample nest egg pie chart. Let us know if you’re interested in private coaching, an unbiased 2nd opinion or in joining me online for our Oct. 11-13, 2025 Financial Freedom Retreat.

Register now to join us at our online Financial Freedom Retreat Oct. 11-13 2025 where you'll learn how to protect your wealth, save thousands annually in your budget and how to hedge in a volatile Debt World. If you'd like a life-changing adventure of a lifetime, be our guest at a royal manor house in Cornwall, England, March 12-19, 2027. (With just eight rooms available, this exclusive, private, bucket-list adventure sells out a year in advance!) Call 310-430-2397 or email [email protected] to learn more. The 2025 Restormel Retreat was a magical and royal experience. Click to learn more.

Receive the best price when you register with friends and family for the online Financial Freedom Retreat Oct. 11-13 2025. Request testimonials at [email protected]. You can also view some on the flyer page of the retreat.

Learn how to:

* Invest in hot industries, such as cryptocurrency, Nvidia, artificial intelligence, and quantum computing,
* Hedge against a weaker dollar,
* Invest and compound your gains,
* Green your retirement plan,
* Easy and efficacious nest egg strategies,
* Get hot and diversified (including in artificial intelligence, quantum computing and crypto),
* Evaluate stocks,
* Avoid capital gains and financial predators,
* Keep an age-appropriate amount safe, and,
* Know what's safe in a Debt World.

You'll even discover how to save thousands annually with smarter big-ticket choices. Yes, it's a complete money makeover.

Email [email protected] or call 310-430-2397 to learn more and register. Learn the 15+ things you'll master and read testimonials in the flyer on the home page at NataliePace.com. Register with friends and family to receive the best price.

"Ten minutes into the first day I was already much smarter about investing than I ever thought I would be in my life and I knew I was in exactly the right place at this retreat. I am amazed at how EASY and FUN it is to make my money work for me and those I love. I think this kind of information should be compulsory in schools. I wish I'd learned this sooner." CM

If you’d like an unbiased 2nd opinion on your current wealth plan, email [email protected] for pricing and information.

Join us for our Restormel Royal Immersive Adventure Retreat. March 2027. Email [email protected] to learn more. Click for testimonials, pricing, hours & details. Register now to receive the best price, the best room and eight private, prosperity coaching sessions. There are only 8 rooms available. This retreat includes an all-access pass to all of our online training for a full year for two. Considering the perks, you're receiving a 65% discount to learn the life math that we all should have received in high school, and the room is free! Email [email protected] to learn more. The best rooms at the 2025 retreat were sold out in 2024! Yes, it's a great idea to register and start transforming our lives now!

Check out Natalie Pace's Substack podcast on Apple and Spotify.
Watch videoconferences and webinars on Youtube.

Other Blogs of Interest
Will Tariffs Cause Stocks to Sink or Soar?
Are You Paying Thousands to Lose Money?
Coke & Pepsi Suffer From Poor Fiscal Health.
Crypto, Gold, AI, Energy, Healthcare, Real Estate. Which Sector Performed Best in the First Half of 2025.
Crypto Goes Mainstream. The Genius Act Becomes Law.
Wealth Hacks: Are You Getting Killed in Capital Gains Taxes?
Clean Energy Unplugged.
Tesla Sales Slump in 2Q 2025.
Our Super Performing Hots and Value Replacements.
Is Gold a Tier 1 HQLA Reserve Currency?
Is Your Income Strategy Losing Money?
Gold, Silver & Crypto Soar. Stocks Offer 5%. Debt Balloons. Some Foreigners are Selling U.S. Treasuries.
Get Safe & Hot in 1 Easy Plan.
Home Prices Soften. Is Your City Next?
Tesla Vision vs. Waymo LiDAR and Air Taxis. Are Any of Them Safe?
Archer Aviation is Chosen to be the Exclusive Air Taxi Service for the 2028 L.A. Olympics. Company of the Year?
USA Downgraded. Is U.S. Reserve Currency Status Threatened?
Utilities: In the Eye of the Natural Disaster Storms.
Aging Mom Doesn't Want to Discuss Dilapidated House. Investors Ask Natalie.
Sell in May?
Tesla, Tariffs, Chinese Competition and Price Wars.
Fun Ways to Celebrate Earth Day April 22nd.
Will the Correction Become a Bear Market?
21st Century Recessions Look More Like Depressions.
Will Oil Prices Sink or Soar? Executives are Uncertain.
Health Savings Accounts. Save Thousands. Get a Tax Credit. Provide for Tomorrow's Healthcare Needs.
Restormel Manor House 2025. A Truly Royal and Magical Adventure.
9 Ways to Cut Your Tax Bill in Half and Save Thousands Annually.
Berkshire Hathaway. Should I Just Invest in Warren Buffett?
Should I Have a Money Manager?
Top Dividend/Income Strategies for 2025.
10 Rules of Successful Investing.
Quantum Computing.
Paper Losses. Another Warning About Long-Term Bonds!
2025 Investor IQ Test.
2025 Investor IQ Test Answers.
Indonesia: Rich in Nickel with Ambitions of Becoming an EV Battery Hub.
RoboTaxis. AI. The Magnificent 7.
Why Are So Many Safe Investments Losing Money?
Canadian, Australian and U.S. Banks. Are Any of Them Safe?
Ireland. Rich in Technology, Biotechnology and Agribusiness.
Robo Investing and AI. No, They are Not Foolproof.
Copper. Peru ETF Outperforms the S&P500.
Will Insurance Companies & Homeowners Weather the Hurricanes?
9 Money Secrets of the Ultra Wealthy.
Housing & Budgeting Solutions.
Arkansas Sues Temu for Data Theft.
We Must Be the Boss of Our Money. Why?
Fast Fashion. Fossil Fuels. Plastic Clothing. Atacama Desert Waste Dumps.
Fintechs and Brokerages that Fail are Not FDIC-Insured.
5 Green Tips for Clean Beaches Week.
So, You Think You Want to Be a B&B Owner...
Retiring Soon? Start Planning Now.
2024 Rebalancing IQ Test.
Answers to the 2024 Rebalancing IQ Test.
9 Inflation, Budgeting, Debt Reduction and Investing Solutions.
China & Russia Double Their Gold Holdings.
Uh. Oh. More Bank Trouble.
Housing. Unaffordable. What Works? Case studies and creative solutions.
The Underperforming DJIA, Full of Fossil Fuels and Forever Chemicals.
The Best ROI* (Almost 40%!) & 7 Life Hacks That Save Thousands.
13 Lifestyle Choices to Reduce Waste, Pollution & CO2 & Save a Boatload of Dough.
11-Point Green Checklist for Schools.
10 Wealth Secrets of Billionaires and Royals.
Fiat. Crypto. Gold. BRICS. Real Estate. Alternative Investments.
BRICS Currency. Will the Dollar Become Extinct?
Why We Are Underweighting Banks and the Financial Industry.
Save Thousands Annually With Smarter Energy Choices
Is Your FDIC-Insured Cash Really Safe?
Money Market Funds, FDIC, SIPC: Are Any of Them Safe?

Important Disclaimers
Please note: Natalie Pace does not act or operate like a broker. She reports on financial news, and is one of the most trusted sources of financial literacy, education and forensic analysis in the world. Natalie Pace educates and informs individual investors to give investors a competitive edge in their personal decision-making. Any publicly-traded companies, funds or projects mentioned by Natalie Pace are not intended to be buy or sell recommendations.

ALWAYS do your research and consult an experienced, reputable financial professional before buying or selling any security, and consider your long-term goals and strategies. Investors should NOT be all in on any asset class or individual stocks. Your retirement plan should reflect an age-appropriate, diversified wealth plan, which has been designed strategically, with the assistance of financial professionals who are familiar with your goals, risk tolerance, tax needs and more. The "trading" portion of your portfolio should be a very small part of your investment strategy, and the amount of money you invest into individual companies should never be greater than your experience, wisdom, knowledge, patience and diversified strategy.

Information has been obtained from sources believed to be reliable. However, NataliePace.com does not warrant its completeness or accuracy. Opinions constitute our judgment as of the date of this publication and are subject to change without notice. This material is not intended as an offer or solicitation for the purchase or sale of any financial instrument.

Will Tariffs and Slow Growth Spark a Wall Street Sell-Off?

8/8/2025

Will Tariffs and Slow Growth Spark a Wall Street Sell-Off?
Tariffs are Locked In. (No more TACOs.) Can Wall Street hold up?

“Some of Wall Street’s biggest firms are warning clients to prepare for a major market pullback as sky-high equity valuations slam into souring US economic data,” according to Bloomberg’s Natasha Solo-Lyons. So, is now the time to get defensive, while stocks are near an all-time high?
Here are the things we will look at in this blog.

Will Tariffs Cause Inflation?
General Motors $1.1 Billion Tariff Hit
Will Wall Street Sink or Soar?
Corporate Buybacks and the Magnificent 7
Will it Be 2022 All Over Again?
September is Historically the Lowest Performing Month of the Year
Should You Get Defensive?

And here is more information on each point.

Will Tariffs Cause Inflation?
In a global economy, where Asia is the factory of the world and many rare earth minerals must be sourced internationally, tariffs will increase costs – even for companies, like Apple, that have received an exemption. Economists are hopeful that tariffs will have a one-off effect on prices, and that inflation will not get sticky, but there is little doubt that companies and consumers will pay more for things.

We’re seeing higher costs at the grocery store, which also means a bigger tab when we eat out. Anecdotal information from other small business owners isn’t great either. My hairdresser sources her hair products from Europe, increasing her costs in a business that also pays high rent. So, many of us will end up paying more for food, highlights and haircuts at a time when consumer debt is at an all-time high, housing is eating up 30% or more of the family budget, and the personal savings rate is at an historic low.

Companies will want to pass as much of the increased costs as they can onto their customers, so that they can stay out of the red and maintain healthy profit margins. However, as we’re seeing in the auto industry, that’s not always possible. There is a global price war going on, particularly with electric vehicles, that has forced many companies to lower prices to compete. (Learn more in my EV blog.)

General Motors $1.1 Billion Tariff Hit
On July 22, 2025, in their 2Q 2025 earnings report, GM reported that the company swallowed $1.1 billion in tariffs that they didn’t pass on to the customer. The company forecasted that the impact in the 3rd quarter will be higher.

Ford reported that tariffs negatively impacted their 2Q results by $800 million. Ford expects a “net tariff-related headwind of about $2 billion” in 2025. The company had a net loss of -$36 million in the 2nd quarter, compared to net profit of $1.8 billion a year ago. This is tough news for a company that only recently moved up to investment grade from speculative status. S&P Global has given Ford a BBB- credit rating with a negative outlook. S&P Global indicated that “underperformance” increases the risk of a downgrade (to junk status again).

Apple has just secured a tariff exemption, and other technology companies, including Nvidia, have some tariff relief. Companies like Meta and Google rely more on advertising and services than goods for their revenue. However, costs could potentially increase on the chips and data centers that are key to their business.

Will Wall Street Sink or Soar?
Price to earnings ratios are elevated on equities. If earnings take a hit due to the increased cost of tariffs, which is happening, then the price-earnings ratio will look even more out of whack. That is negative for Wall Street. However, we have seen a massive amount of corporate buybacks, particularly in the Magnificent 7*. That could provide support for stocks.
*Alphabet (Google), Amazon, Apple, Meta (Instagram), Microsoft, Nvidia and Tesla

All told, there could be more headwinds than support, however. (Keep reading.)

Corporate Buybacks and the Magnificent 7
1Q 2025 corporate buybacks of $293.2 billion set a quarterly record, according to Howard Silverblatt, the senior index analyst of the S&P Dow Jones Indices. Over the past year (through the end of March 2025), buybacks were almost a trillion dollars ($999.2 billion). Five of the Magnificent 7 were in the Top 8 companies with the most share repurchases – Apple, Meta (Instagram), Nvidia, Alphabet (Google), and Microsoft.

So, what happened in April of this year, when stocks dropped -20%, and can it happen again (without the rapid recovery)? Technology stocks dropped even further than the index in April, pulling everything down with them. According to the June 2025 earnings report, Apple reduced its buybacks by -19.3% in the June quarter. The slowdown could have been during that two-week period in April.

We’ve seen the general market follow Apple’s lead over the last decade. In December of 2018, when the S&P500 dropped over -9.0% (the worst December performance since 1931, in the Great Depression), Apple had suspended its buybacks. (Click to read my report from that time.)

With Apple seeking an exemption from tariffs, it’s possible that a tacit part of the deal could include continuing their buyback program, which might provide some buoyancy for stocks. However, the company’s robust share repurchase plan didn’t save the markets from the rout in 2022.

Will it Be 2022 All Over Again?
In 2022, the S&P500 dropped -19.66%. The Magnificent 7 were some of the worst performers. Meta and Tesla dropped more than -60%. Amazon, Google and Nvidia were down by half. Apple sank by -26.8%, while Microsoft was off by -28.7%.

Surprisingly, there were more corporate buybacks in 2022 ($922.7 billion) than in 2021 ($881.8 billion) or 2023 ($795.2 billion). The selloff wasn’t coming from the mega technology companies of the Magnificent 7.

2022’s flight to safety, away from equities, had a lot to do with high inflation, interest rate hikes (which slow down the economy), the invasion of Ukraine by Russia, two quarters of negative GDP (although a recession was never declared) and profit-taking from a spectacular 2021 performance. FUD*, according to the VIX chart, was double what it is currently.
*Fear, Uncertainty, Doubt

The economy is predicted to slow down in the second half of 2025. Earnings could turn to losses due to the impact of tariffs. Share prices are higher today than they were in the Great Depression, according to the CAPE Ratio. It’s easy to see why many Wall Street firms are warning their clients to get defensive.

The question is, “Where do you fly to safety, when paper losses are pronounced in the bond market?” We spend one full day on this topic at our Financial Freedom Retreat and will host a Fixed Income/Bonds Without Paper Losses Masterclass the Sat. after that training weekend. Join us online from the comfort of your living room.

September is Historically the Lowest Performing Month of the Year
As you can see in the chart below, September can be a disappointing month on Wall Street. If you haven’t rebalanced this year or aren’t sure that you have an age-appropriate, properly diversified plan, now would be a great time to get a fiscal checkup and/or an unbiased 2nd opinion (something I offer through my private coaching). Email [email protected] for pricing and information.

It’s human nature to wait until something is broken to fix it. However, when it comes to our money that is a terrible idea.

Should You Get Defensive?
We are overweighting 20% additional safe in our sample pie charts based upon historically high equity prices, a slowing economy, unprecedented levels of debt and a tightening of liquidity in many sectors, including DJIA stocks, long-term bonds and even Treasury bills. According to Heather Long, the chief economist at Navy Federal Credit Union, “The economy is increasingly dependent on a small sliver of superstar companies and wealthy consumers to stay afloat because these are the only firms and families able to withstand the tariff onslaught. A highly concentrated economy increases the risk of a downturn — and will leave many middle-class Americans frustrated and strained.”

Bottom Line
A Wall Street selloff isn’t a given. However, what is assured is that if we wait for the headline, we’ll be late and could be in serious trouble. Most of us can’t afford to lose 20% or more of our wealth. A diversified strategy that we rebalance 1-3 times a year protects our wealth, allows us to get safe and hot in one easy plan, prompts us to add low and sell high, and takes the emotions out of the process (which often point us to the wrong side of the trade). (Click to learn more about that plan.)

There are certainly a great deal of challenges and headwinds for U.S. companies and consumers. When consumers are tapped out, and corporations are reporting lower earnings or net losses, stocks typically decrease in value. When the valuations are as high as they are today, they drop far and fast. (-20% in two weeks in April.) Sadly, the whales of Wall Street are the first to exit, while Main Street investors might not get the note until they’ve seen their wealth plunge, at which point they could be selling low. So, now is the time to make sure that we are ahead of the curve – capturing gains near an all-time high.

Remember that market timing rarely works. When we are worried, overweight a little safer rather than selling everything. (Always keep a percentage equal to our age safe from losses.) Get rich quick ideas, like piling into crypto or gold, can have windows of superior performance, followed by long Crypto Winters and gold deserts. Putting our safe havens in a hot slice or two of the nest egg pie chart system prompts us to capture gains, keep the bet within reason and even have the liquidity to buy low when everyone else has abandoned them.

Email [email protected] to receive links to our free web apps where you can personalize your own sample nest egg pie chart. Let us know if you’re interested in private coaching, an unbiased 2nd opinion or in joining me online for our Oct. 11-13, 2025 Financial Freedom Retreat.

Register now to join us at our online Financial Freedom Retreat Oct. 11-13 2025 where you'll learn how to protect your wealth, save thousands annually in your budget and how to hedge in a volatile Debt World. If you'd like a life-changing adventure of a lifetime, be our guest at a royal manor house in Cornwall, England, March 12-19, 2027. (With just eight rooms available, this exclusive, private, bucket-list adventure sells out a year in advance!) Call 310-430-2397 or email [email protected] to learn more. The 2025 Restormel Retreat was a magical and royal experience. Click to learn more.

Receive the best price when you register with friends and family for the online Financial Freedom Retreat Oct. 11-13 2025. Request testimonials at [email protected]. You can also view some on the flyer page of the retreat.

Learn how to:

* Invest in hot industries, such as cryptocurrency, Nvidia, artificial intelligence, and quantum computing,
* Hedge against a weaker dollar,
* Invest and compound your gains,
* Green your retirement plan,
* Easy and efficacious nest egg strategies,
* Get hot and diversified (including in artificial intelligence, quantum computing and crypto),
* Evaluate stocks,
* Avoid capital gains and financial predators,
* Keep an age-appropriate amount safe, and,
* Know what's safe in a Debt World.

You'll even discover how to save thousands annually with smarter big-ticket choices. Yes, it's a complete money makeover.

Email [email protected] or call 310-430-2397 to learn more and register. Learn the 15+ things you'll master and read testimonials in the flyer on the home page at NataliePace.com. Register with friends and family to receive the best price.

"Ten minutes into the first day I was already much smarter about investing than I ever thought I would be in my life and I knew I was in exactly the right place at this retreat. I am amazed at how EASY and FUN it is to make my money work for me and those I love. I think this kind of information should be compulsory in schools. I wish I'd learned this sooner." CM

If you’d like an unbiased 2nd opinion on your current wealth plan, email [email protected] for pricing and information.

Check out Natalie Pace's Substack podcast on Apple and Spotify.
Watch videoconferences and webinars on Youtube.

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5 Green Tips for Clean Beaches Week.
So, You Think You Want to Be a B&B Owner...
Retiring Soon? Start Planning Now.
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Answers to the 2024 Rebalancing IQ Test.
9 Inflation, Budgeting, Debt Reduction and Investing Solutions.
China & Russia Double Their Gold Holdings.
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Housing. Unaffordable. What Works? Case studies and creative solutions.
The Underperforming DJIA, Full of Fossil Fuels and Forever Chemicals.
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13 Lifestyle Choices to Reduce Waste, Pollution & CO2 & Save a Boatload of Dough.
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10 Wealth Secrets of Billionaires and Royals.
Fiat. Crypto. Gold. BRICS. Real Estate. Alternative Investments.
BRICS Currency. Will the Dollar Become Extinct?
Why We Are Underweighting Banks and the Financial Industry.
Save Thousands Annually With Smarter Energy Choices
Is Your FDIC-Insured Cash Really Safe?
Money Market Funds, FDIC, SIPC: Are Any of Them Safe?

Important Disclaimers
Please note: Natalie Pace does not act or operate like a broker. She reports on financial news, and is one of the most trusted sources of financial literacy, education and forensic analysis in the world. Natalie Pace educates and informs individual investors to give investors a competitive edge in their personal decision-making. Any publicly-traded companies, funds or projects mentioned by Natalie Pace are not intended to be buy or sell recommendations.

ALWAYS do your research and consult an experienced, reputable financial professional before buying or selling any security, and consider your long-term goals and strategies. Investors should NOT be all in on any asset class or individual stocks. Your retirement plan should reflect an age-appropriate, diversified wealth plan, which has been designed strategically, with the assistance of financial professionals who are familiar with your goals, risk tolerance, tax needs and more. The "trading" portion of your portfolio should be a very small part of your investment strategy, and the amount of money you invest into individual companies should never be greater than your experience, wisdom, knowledge, patience and diversified strategy.

Information has been obtained from sources believed to be reliable. However, NataliePace.com does not warrant its completeness or accuracy. Opinions constitute our judgment as of the date of this publication and are subject to change without notice. This material is not intended as an offer or solicitation for the purchase or sale of any financial instrument.

Are You Paying Thousands Each Year to Lose Money?

3/8/2025

Are You Paying Thousands Each Year to Lose Money?
Is Your Conservative Plan Losing Money or At Risk?
Annuities, dividend stocks and target-date funds are offering less income than certificates of deposit, without the safety net of FDIC Insurance. Stablecoins are now backed by dollars, but we’ve seen one failure and another almost fail. So, why are they being sold to us?

The S&P500 has almost doubled over the past 5 years, going from 3,271 on July 31, 2020, to 6,370.86 on July 29, 2025. So, has your wealth doubled over the same period? Or are you barely hanging onto even, or inching along, in the name of protecting your wealth?

S&P500 5-year performance through August 3, 2025. Source: MSN.com. (c) Microsoft. Used with permission.

All the explosive gains that we’re hearing about on Wall Street makes us happy, thinking we’re getting richer every time Wall Street rings in a new high. However, if we’re not invested in the trillion-dollar tech, bitcoin or gold industries, we might be earning less than inflation. Many annuities, dividend stocks, bonds, and target-date retirement funds are earning half or less of what we could make in a short-term, FDIC-insured CD. Add in management fees and paper losses, and we might be losing money. Conservative investors – those with very little appetite for losses and risk – are the ones who are most vulnerable to this. Sadly, paper losses have become common in certain sections of the bond market.

Are you aware of how much you pay in expenses are every year? It might give us peace of mind to have someone else “manage our money,” where we might pay 1.65% or more annually for that service. However, few of us would find those fees palatable when we are losing money. It is important to remember that most managed plans do what the markets do, but 1-2% lower, due to fees. Conservative investors are usually missing out on large cap growth companies (many of which don’t pay dividends). If we’re not reading the fine print of our complete brokerage statement and doing the math, we might be thinking we’re earning some money, without realizing how little it actually is when we subtract the fees and paper losses.

1.65% annual management fee of $250,000 is $4,125/year or $16,500/year of $1,000,000. An S&P500 ETF might not cost anything.

Here are the topics we will discuss in this blog.

Annuities
Target-Date Retirement Funds
Dividend Stocks
Bonds
Fixed-Income Paper Losses
Stablecoins
High-Yield Savings Accounts
A Time-Proven, Easy Wealth Plan
401k (RSP) vs. IRA (TFSA)

And here is more information on each topic.

Annuities
Many annuities are underperforming. I recently looked at one that was earning 2% annualized. If it’s earning more than that, it could be tied to the stock market and might get hit hard in an extended downturn. Annuities are one of the few investments where you lose up to 9% the minute you purchase them. Then, even if they are only giving you 2% back each year, you feel like you must wait a decade to extricate yourself – so that you don’t lose your surrender fee – even though you’ve given up hope for making much money on it. Were you advised of this upfront, or was this downplayed? Are you aware that many annuities pay 6-7% commission to the broker-salesman? That’s $6,000 if you invested $100,000 or $18,000 if you put in $300,000.

Are you aware of the other hidden fees and risks? Annuities are not government backed or FDIC insured. Life insurance companies are some of the most highly leveraged companies in the U.S., and some of them have very poor credit quality. According to the most recent Financial Stability Report, “Life insurers’ leverage remained at the upper end of its historical distribution, and life insurers continued to hold a significant share of illiquid and risky assets.” It’s important to remember that AIG wouldn’t even be in business if we hadn’t bailed the company out in 2008. It would have gone the way of Lehman Brothers.

Federal Reserve Financial Stability Report. April 2025.

FINRA.org has a good tutorial on annuities that everyone should read before buying. In a world where FDIC-insured CDs and short-term T-bills are earning almost 4%, it’s easy to earn more income and have more safety than most annuities offer.

Target-Date Retirement Funds
The Vanguard Target Retirement 2030 Fund (symbol: VTHRX) earned 10.6% total over the past 5 years, spending most of the time underwater. That’s another asset that crept along at a 2.1% annualized ROI.

Source: MSN.com. (c) Microsoft. Used with permission.

Why are target-date retirement fund such miserable performers? Most of them have everything and the kitchen sink in them, including some of the highest risk, poorest performing sectors – such as long-term bonds. Remember, even investment-grade bond funds can have up to 20% junk bonds in them. We’re often missing out on the spectacular performance of the Magnificent 7 (or have only a sliver of this in our exposure).

So, what should you do instead? Essentially, we should adopt an age-appropriate, properly diversified strategy (time-proven) that we rebalance 1-3 times a year. Check out my blog on how to get safe and hot in one easy plan. We want to think about all the ways that we can build wealth and minimize taxes, including funding our employer-sponsored retirement plan, our own Individual Retirement Plan, potentially a Health Savings Account and our child’s college savings or dependent IRA account. You can learn more about our time-proven, easy-as-a-pie-chart nest egg strategy in The ABCs of Money, 6th edition, at our Financial Freedom Retreat and in my blogs.

Dividend Stocks
The higher the dividend, the higher the risk. Chasing “income” can sometimes cost us our principal investment. We’ve seen this in former dividend darlings, such as General Electric and in many of the CRE REITs. Dow Jones Industrial Average funds can be vulnerable due to legacy debt and leverage. (Boeing and 3M are two of the 30 components that have struggled over the past few years; 20% of the DJIA was bailed out or went bankrupt during the Great Recession.)

There is a place for income in our portfolio. However, we need to be aware of the low credit quality that plagues a lot of the U.S. based income-generating funds. In our sample pie charts, we are using value substitution funds, some of which have higher credit quality and higher yield — we’re getting paid more for less risk. We discuss this in greater detail at our Financial Freedom Retreat.

Bonds
Long-term bonds have been the worst performers on Wall Street over the last three years.

Long-term government bonds lost -6.41% in 2024.

On one hand, we might be aware of the public debt. However, how many of us are conscious of just how much there is in total debt and loans, including corporate debt – which is an astonishingly high $103 trillion.

Many Main Street investors are not informed that the capital losses of -26% in long-term government bonds in 2022 were directly responsible for the bank failures in March 2023. (Some quick financial engineering prevented a spate of bank failures.) Long-term bonds lost again in 2024. You might be told these are only paper losses.

What are paper losses? They reflect the new value of what we purchased, if we were to resale them. Our wealth and assets are based upon this new market value, not the amount we paid for the bond. We are supposed to be repaid at the agreed upon term. However, some of these are long-term bonds with a duration that is longer than our lifespan. The minute we purchase them, they lose value because no one wants to buy them from us.

So, is there a better strategy? Of course there is. No one is suffering paper losses who is using our safe strategy that we’ve had in place since 2009. Learn more by joining us at our online oct. 11-13, 2025 Financial Freedom Retreat. We spend one full day on what’s safe. We will follow that training up with a Bonds, Fixed Income without Paper Losses Masterclass on Saturday, October 18, 2025.

Fixed-Income Strategy
Be careful reaching for yield. Sometimes chasing income can mean that we lose principal. Oftentimes we’re told it’s just a paper loss. However, as you’ve read above, that money is no longer available to us. If we need access to some cash, we’re going to have to sell and realize those losses.

I’m seeing a lot of conservative investors who are sold into illiquid, high-risk investments in the name of earning a small amount of income. Sometimes they are even locked in without the ability to get even a portion of their money back. Reading the fine print and the risk factors on everything today is essential – before we agree to the investment. Don’t be rushed, pushed or baited into anything without doing the proper due diligence. (If you need help with this, email [email protected] and learn more about our private coaching program.)

Stablecoins
In my stablecoins blog and videoconference, I pointed out that we really must read the risk factors on stablecoins. The marketing copy on the first page of the website might be factual, but could be misleading if we re not reading every word very carefully. The risk factors are where the drawbacks are clearly state in bold. Disclaimers make things legal, even if we don’t bother to find the Risks page and read it.

Some, but not all, stablecoins pay dividends. Here again, the higher the dividend, the higher the risk rings true. One notorious example was Terra Luna, which was a business that went bankrupt, taking investments down with it. Investors are not expected to be made whole. When Silicon Valley Bank failed, the USDC stablecoin dropped in value after Circle (the company behind the coin) advised investors that they had $3.3 billion deposited at SVB. Within days, the FDIC and Treasury Secretary Yellen advised that there would be an exception in the SVB failure to make all depositors whole – even uninsured depositors. Both events are cautionary tales. The FDIC is not expected to make an exception for uninsured investors in the event of another bank failure.

Paypal’s stablecoin is backed by dollars held at the Paxos Trust Company – not a bank, and thus not FDIC-insured. Stablecoins are only backed by the company offering them (not the government). The same holds true for many income-producing savings accounts offered by non-banks.

https://newsroom.paypal-corp.com/2025-07-28-PayPal-Drives-Crypto-Payments-into-the-Mainstream,-Reducing-Costs-and-Expanding-Global-Commerce

High-Yield Savings Accounts
The interesting thing about these so-called high-yield savings accounts is that they aren’t really paying much more than FDIC-insured Certificates of Deposit and short-term treasury bills. Some of these are being offered by non-bank financial services companies. American Express is not a bank, neither is the Coinbase, Cash App, Rocket Money, Venmo or PayPal. When brokers say that your cash is FDIC insured, there is a loophole because brokerages are not banks. If the brokerage or financial services company goes out of business, the FDIC does nothing to backstop it (only if the bank does). Learn more in my blog on the various risks by clicking on the blue-highlighted words.

A Time-Proven, Easy Wealth Plan
There’s room for safety without paper losses, earning steady income, and spectacular gains with the Magnificent 7, while also capturing gains to make sure we keep our wealth. As I mentioned above, we are using value replacement funds that pay a higher income than most US based dividend equity funds. Get additional information in my Safe, Hot blog.

I encourage you to at least start by personalizing your own pie chart using our free Web app. (Email [email protected] for a link.) You can read about these strategies in The ABCs of Money 6th edition. You can learn and implement them at our next Financial Freedom Retreat online October 11-13, 2025. If you know that you have paper losses or are worried about anything else in your wealth plan or are ready to be the boss of your money (even if you have a money manager) consider getting an unbiased 2nd opinion from me through my private coaching program. It’s always good to know exactly what you own and why and to capture games at an all-time high. That’s going to be a lot smarter than waiting for a problem to occur and then scrambling to try and rebuild wealth.

401k (RSP) vs. IRA (TFSA)
Our wealth plan should consist of an employer-sponsored plan, where we might get free money through a match, but have less freedom of choice in what we invest in, and individual retirement accounts, where we can get better diversification and potentially even safety. One other tip: it’s very important to invest within a retirement account, so that we are eliminating our capital gains exposure. This is even possible with Bitcoin and Ethereum ETFs, something that wasn’t available just a few years ago.

Bottom Line
A lot of the conservative, safe products are not as safe as we’re being told, many are costing us paper losses, which reduce our wealth and our FICO score. Now is a beautiful window of opportunity to fix things at an all-time high. Wall Street is on fire, and there still is a little liquidity in the bond market. Liquidity is tightening in the bond market, and even with Treasury bills.

Now is the time to read the fine print and know what we own and why and to make appropriate adjustments to ensure that we have an age-appropriate, properly diversified wealth plan. Why now? Summer is a low-volume time on Wall Street, and September is historically the worst performing month of the year.

Register now to join us at our online Financial Freedom Retreat Oct. 11-13 2025 where you'll learn how to protect your wealth, save thousands annually in your budget and how to hedge in a volatile Debt World. If you'd like a life-changing adventure of a lifetime, be our guest at a royal manor house in Cornwall, England, March 12-19, 2027. (With just eight rooms available, this exclusive, private, bucket-list adventure sells out a year in advance!) Call 310-430-2397 or email [email protected] to learn more. The 2025 Restormel Retreat was a magical and royal experience. Click to learn more.

Receive the best price when you register with friends and family for the online Financial Freedom Retreat Oct. 11-13 2025. Request testimonials at [email protected]. You can also view some on the flyer page of the retreat.

Learn how to:

* Invest in hot industries, such as cryptocurrency, Nvidia, artificial intelligence, and quantum computing,
* Hedge against a weaker dollar,
* Invest and compound your gains,
* Green your retirement plan,
* Easy and efficacious nest egg strategies,
* Get hot and diversified (including in artificial intelligence, quantum computing and crypto),
* Evaluate stocks,
* Avoid capital gains and financial predators,
* Keep an age-appropriate amount safe, and,
* Know what's safe in a Debt World.

You'll even discover how to save thousands annually with smarter big-ticket choices. Yes, it's a complete money makeover.

Email [email protected] or call 310-430-2397 to learn more and register. Learn the 15+ things you'll master and read testimonials in the flyer on the home page at NataliePace.com. Register with friends and family to receive the best price.

"Ten minutes into the first day I was already much smarter about investing than I ever thought I would be in my life and I knew I was in exactly the right place at this retreat. I am amazed at how EASY and FUN it is to make my money work for me and those I love. I think this kind of information should be compulsory in schools. I wish I'd learned this sooner." CM

If you’d like an unbiased 2nd opinion on your current wealth plan, email [email protected] for pricing and information.

Check out Natalie Pace's Substack podcast on Apple and Spotify.
Watch videoconferences and webinars on Youtube.

Other Blogs of Interest
Coke & Pepsi Suffer From Poor Fiscal Health.
Crypto, Gold, AI, Energy, Healthcare, Real Estate. Which Sector Performed Best in the First Half of 2025.
Crypto Goes Mainstream. The Genius Act Becomes Law.
Wealth Hacks: Are You Getting Killed in Capital Gains Taxes?
Clean Energy Unplugged.
Tesla Sales Slump in 2Q 2025.
Our Super Performing Hots and Value Replacements.
Is Gold a Tier 1 HQLA Reserve Currency?
Is Your Income Strategy Losing Money?
Gold, Silver & Crypto Soar. Stocks Offer 5%. Debt Balloons. Some Foreigners are Selling U.S. Treasuries.
Get Safe & Hot in 1 Easy Plan.
Home Prices Soften. Is Your City Next?
Tesla Vision vs. Waymo LiDAR and Air Taxis. Are Any of Them Safe?
Archer Aviation is Chosen to be the Exclusive Air Taxi Service for the 2028 L.A. Olympics. Company of the Year?
USA Downgraded. Is U.S. Reserve Currency Status Threatened?
Utilities: In the Eye of the Natural Disaster Storms.
Aging Mom Doesn't Want to Discuss Dilapidated House. Investors Ask Natalie.
Sell in May?
Tesla, Tariffs, Chinese Competition and Price Wars.
Fun Ways to Celebrate Earth Day April 22nd.
Will the Correction Become a Bear Market?
21st Century Recessions Look More Like Depressions.
Will Oil Prices Sink or Soar? Executives are Uncertain.
Health Savings Accounts. Save Thousands. Get a Tax Credit. Provide for Tomorrow's Healthcare Needs.
Restormel Manor House 2025. A Truly Royal and Magical Adventure.
9 Ways to Cut Your Tax Bill in Half and Save Thousands Annually.
Berkshire Hathaway. Should I Just Invest in Warren Buffett?
Should I Have a Money Manager?
Top Dividend/Income Strategies for 2025.
10 Rules of Successful Investing.
Quantum Computing.
Paper Losses. Another Warning About Long-Term Bonds!
2025 Investor IQ Test.
2025 Investor IQ Test Answers.
Indonesia: Rich in Nickel with Ambitions of Becoming an EV Battery Hub.
RoboTaxis. AI. The Magnificent 7.
Why Are So Many Safe Investments Losing Money?
Canadian, Australian and U.S. Banks. Are Any of Them Safe?
Ireland. Rich in Technology, Biotechnology and Agribusiness.
Robo Investing and AI. No, They are Not Foolproof.
Copper. Peru ETF Outperforms the S&P500.
Will Insurance Companies & Homeowners Weather the Hurricanes?
9 Money Secrets of the Ultra Wealthy.
Housing & Budgeting Solutions.
Arkansas Sues Temu for Data Theft.
We Must Be the Boss of Our Money. Why?
Fast Fashion. Fossil Fuels. Plastic Clothing. Atacama Desert Waste Dumps.
Fintechs and Brokerages that Fail are Not FDIC-Insured.
5 Green Tips for Clean Beaches Week.
So, You Think You Want to Be a B&B Owner...
Retiring Soon? Start Planning Now.
2024 Rebalancing IQ Test.
Answers to the 2024 Rebalancing IQ Test.
9 Inflation, Budgeting, Debt Reduction and Investing Solutions.
China & Russia Double Their Gold Holdings.
Uh. Oh. More Bank Trouble.
Housing. Unaffordable. What Works? Case studies and creative solutions.
The Underperforming DJIA, Full of Fossil Fuels and Forever Chemicals.
The Best ROI* (Almost 40%!) & 7 Life Hacks That Save Thousands.
13 Lifestyle Choices to Reduce Waste, Pollution & CO2 & Save a Boatload of Dough.
11-Point Green Checklist for Schools.
10 Wealth Secrets of Billionaires and Royals.
Fiat. Crypto. Gold. BRICS. Real Estate. Alternative Investments.
BRICS Currency. Will the Dollar Become Extinct?
Why We Are Underweighting Banks and the Financial Industry.
Save Thousands Annually With Smarter Energy Choices
Is Your FDIC-Insured Cash Really Safe?
Money Market Funds, FDIC, SIPC: Are Any of Them Safe?

Important Disclaimers
Please note: Natalie Pace does not act or operate like a broker. She reports on financial news, and is one of the most trusted sources of financial literacy, education and forensic analysis in the world. Natalie Pace educates and informs individual investors to give investors a competitive edge in their personal decision-making. Any publicly-traded companies, funds or projects mentioned by Natalie Pace are not intended to be buy or sell recommendations.

ALWAYS do your research and consult an experienced, reputable financial professional before buying or selling any security, and consider your long-term goals and strategies. Investors should NOT be all in on any asset class or individual stocks. Your retirement plan should reflect an age-appropriate, diversified wealth plan, which has been designed strategically, with the assistance of financial professionals who are familiar with your goals, risk tolerance, tax needs and more. The "trading" portion of your portfolio should be a very small part of your investment strategy, and the amount of money you invest into individual companies should never be greater than your experience, wisdom, knowledge, patience and diversified strategy.

Information has been obtained from sources believed to be reliable. However, NataliePace.com does not warrant its completeness or accuracy. Opinions constitute our judgment as of the date of this publication and are subject to change without notice. This material is not intended as an offer or solicitation for the purchase or sale of any financial instrument.

Snack Brands Suffer from Poor Health.

28/7/2025

Snack Brands Suffer from Poor Health.
Why are Coke & Pepsi Lagging on Wall Street?
Snacks Companies Have High Debt and Slow Growth and are Being Sued for Plastic Pollution by Cities and Others.

The S&P500 had a Perfect Week on July 25, 2025, setting 5 new highs, one each day from Monday through Friday. However, many of the legacy drink companies have share prices that are lagging the index in gains, with National Beverage Co.* (LaCroix) down -38%, Celsius Holdings plunging -51%*, and Chagee Tea, which had its IPO on April 17, 2025, off -44%. Coca-Cola is one of the 30 Dow Jones Industrial Average Index components that has been named a Dog of the Dow. What’s going on?
*from its 5-year high

When you look at the Drinks Stock Report Card, some themes emerge in the legacy brands:

·      Very slow growth or losing revenue year over year,
·      Very high debt, with some companies (Keurig Dr. Pepper and Starbucks) at very low credit quality – the lowest run of investment grade,
·      High price-earnings ratio (expensive share prices).

We’ve seen some exciting newcomers to the field, including Poppi, which was purchased by Pepsico for $1.65 billion in March 2025. So, why are drinks and snacks gathering dust on the Wall Street shelf, and should you take a closer look at your own wealth plan to be sure that you’re not losing money on these investments (often in the name of earning a very low income)?

Email [email protected] if you’d like to receive an Updated Coffee, Tea and Soda Stock Report Card.

Here are the topics we’ll cover in this blog.

Chagee Tea: The Starbucks of Tea
Health-Conscious Consumers
Schools and Cities Banning Single-Use Plastic
Less than 9% of Plastic Gets Recycled
Plastic is an Oil Product: Dirty from Cradle to Neverending Life
Multiple Lawsuits Against the Worst Plastic Polluters in the World
Value Substitution Funds

And here is more information on each development.

Chagee Tea: The Starbucks of Tea
The first thing I noticed about Chagee Tea was that it was the only place at the Century City (California) Mall where I saw a very long line – especially for a brand that I had never heard of. Chagee Tea is the only publicly-traded beverage café or brand with double-digit year-over-year sales growth – of 35.35% on the Drinks Stock Report Card. Chagee Tea is a Chinese-based tea café with 6000+ locations in Asia (and perhaps only one in the U.S.?) that purports to be the Starbucks of tea.

The Chagee IPO hit Wall Street in April 2025 with a bang, soaring from $32/share to $42/share and making the company’s 30-year old founder and CEO a billionaire (per Bloomberg). Chagee wasn’t investors’ cup of tea after that meteoric IPO rise. It is currently trading at $23.53/share. Rapid expansion can explain the increase in sales. (More stores = more revenue.) Are the long lines auspicious for the company to become the next hundred-billion-dollar café brand, ala Starbucks? Or is this more of a Krispy Kreme flash in the pan?

Patricia Kelly Yeo, the food and drink editor of Timeout L.A., wasn’t very impressed. She pointed out local places with better tasting tea and complained about the single-use containers. Yeo wrote in her review, “Of course, all of the [drink] options are slightly tainted by the fact that these mostly iced drinks are served out of paper or plastic cups. Even the casual afternoon tea aficionado understands that proper ceramicware and the ability to sit down and relax elevates the tea drinking experience.”

Not only do hot drinks taste better in ceramic mugs, but reusable containers are also better for our health and for the planet. You might have heard that most of us have microplastic in our bodies, causing considerable, undesirable side effects. Some drink companies are being sued for their single-use plastic pollution. I‘ll discuss this more below.

Health-Conscious Consumers
PepsiCo now owns Poppi, a prebiotic, low-sugar soda that has exploded in popularity. Between 2023 and 2024, Poppi’s sales increased fivefold, from $100,000,000 to $500,000,000.

LaCroix is a no-calorie carbonated water choice that is owned by National Beverage. Celsius drinks are designed to optimize physical and cognitive performance and burn calories. National Beverage had very tepid sales growth of 5.49% in the most recent quarter, while Celsius Holdings saw revenue drop -7.43%.

Will Poppi be the saving grace for Pepsico? Poppi is still a very small brand within an empire that boasts of $92 billion in sales each year. In their most recent quarterly earnings report and forward outlook, Pepsico is forecasting a 1.5% decline in EPS with a low single-digit increase in revenue.

Schools and Cities Banning Single-Use Plastic
Consumers are also getting planet conscious. Over a decade ago, many schools took out their vending machines due to an obesity crisis in children in the United States. According to the CDC, one in five children and adolescents have obesity. Sugary drinks contribute to that problem.

More schools are providing metal reusable containers and water refill stations, instead of plastic bottled water. In Poundbury, England, the 5 to 9-year-olds at Damers First School went beyond getting plastic out of their school and asked the local businesses to do the same. That inspired one store to offer organic produce that was not covered in plastic packaging.

Eco Kids at Damers First School in Poundbury, England.

Wisdom is a powerful thing. However, the plastics and beverage industries push back with misinformation campaigns and an aggressive defense in the courts. While many beverage companies are being sued for misleading their customers about recycling and the damage caused by plastic pollution, some have been successful in getting the lawsuits dismissed. In Coca-Cola’s most recent quarterly earnings report, the company disclosed that it was being sued by the City of Baltimore “concerning the environmental impacts of plastic packaging on the city’s lands and waterways. The Company believes it has strong defenses to the claims.”

Less than 9% of Plastic Gets Recycled
There are six Rs of sustainability, and recycling is the least effective of all of them. Less than 5% gets recycled in the United States, and less than 9% around the world. Most single-use plastic is shipped to third world countries where it’s become a true crisis. (When I visited India in early 2018, there were streets and fields littered with plastic water bottles, where the pigs and cows would root around looking for food. Some people would try to burn them to stay warm, breathing toxic fumes in the process.)

Should more recycling plants be built when plastic is toxic, is not being recycled and never dies? Or should companies be held accountable for the pollution and incentivized to offer their drinks in reusable containers? Would

Plastic is an Oil Product: Dirty from Cradle to Neverending Life
Plastic starts out as oil. Drilling, even when there isn’t an oil spill, is very damaging to the environment. Are you aware that many of the toxic chemicals that spilled in the train derailment of Feb. 2024 in Palestine, OH are used to make plastic? Plastic is a forever product that leeches into our water supply and pollutes air, oceans and humans. From drilling oil to their never-ending life, plastic (and polyester) are toxic products.

Multiple Lawsuits Against the Worst Plastic Polluters in the World
As a result of the misinformation disseminated by the plastics industry, including the constant campaigns to convince people that if they just recycle plastic, all will be well, there are multiple lawsuits against plastic polluters, including PepsiCo, Coca-Cola and other consumer goods companies. Chemical companies are also being held liable, with 3M (a Dow Jones Industrial Average component), Dow Inc. (a former DJIA component) and Dupont (a former DJIA component) all settling multi-billion-dollar fines for forever chemical pollution. These challenges make the current environment of slow growth and high debt and leverage more acute in these legacy brands.

Oil and plastic companies continue to obfuscate the truth about recycling, drilling and fossil fuel products (including polyester), and to purchase political power. It’s the same strategy that we’ve seen before in tobacco companies and other harmful industries that profit on our poor choices. And yet, we are still seeing grassroots efforts, particularly in parents and schools, to eliminate plastic and to create a cleaner, greener world. (Check out the Green Kids episode of our Earth Gratitude free docuseries.) Should legacy brands continue to spend their money defending a toxic packaging system or in developing one that is healthier for everyone and the planet upon which we all depend?

Value Substitution Funds
Whether you are concerned about your money or our planet, they are likely better ways to earn income without losing principal than to invest in a lot of these legacy brands, which are underperforming the S&P500 and continue to face headwinds in what many CEOs in the industry admit is a “challenging environment.” At our Financial Freedom Retreat, we encourage value fund substitutions that offer diversification outside of the United States. By doing that, we can invest in countries that have much lower debt and typically offer a much higher yield – sometimes even double the income.

Bottom Line
If you own a target date retirement fund or a mutual fund that tries to offer income, performance and safety, you might be limping along in gains (or losing), in a market that has been on fire for the past three years, while also suffering from losses on the safe side (where your money is supposed to remain intact). There are easy, time-proven solutions. Now is the time to know what you own and why and implement them – to be the boss of your money.

The world is always changing. We don’t use the typewriter or Blackberry phones anymore. As consumers become aware that plastic and single use are terrible for our personal health and the planet, it is possible, if not probable, that these drink companies will suffer even more than they already are. (The chemical companies that make plastic products face multi-billion-dollar lawsuits on a regular basis and have already engaged in many settlements.) Many legacy brands, including the beloved Coca-Cola and Pepsico, have a massive amount of debt, very slow revenue growth, and are overvalued, to boot, which should be enough to convince any investor to underweight large cap value funds in the U.S. and lean into healthier choices for our personal prosperity and our world.

Register now to join us at our online Financial Freedom Retreat Oct. 11-13 2025 where you'll learn how to protect your wealth, save thousands annually in your budget and how to hedge in a volatile Debt World. If you'd like a life-changing adventure of a lifetime, be our guest at a royal manor house in Cornwall, England, March 12-19, 2027. (With just eight rooms available, this exclusive, private, bucket-list adventure sells out a year in advance!) Call 310-430-2397 or email [email protected] to learn more. The 2025 Restormel Retreat was a magical and royal experience. Click to learn more.

Receive the best price when you register for the Financial Freedom Retreat Oct. 11-13 2025 by July 31, 2025. Request testimonials at [email protected]. You can also view some on the flyer page of the retreat.

Learn how to:

* Invest in hot industries, such as cryptocurrency, Nvidia, artificial intelligence, and quantum computing,
* Hedge against a weaker dollar,
* Invest and compound your gains,
* Green your retirement plan,
* Easy and efficacious nest egg strategies,
* Get hot and diversified (including in artificial intelligence, quantum computing and crypto),
* Evaluate stocks,
* Avoid capital gains and financial predators,
* Keep an age-appropriate amount safe, and,
* Know what's safe in a Debt World.

You'll even discover how to save thousands annually with smarter big-ticket choices. Yes, it's a complete money makeover.

Email [email protected] or call 310-430-2397 to learn more and register. Learn the 15+ things you'll master and read testimonials in the flyer on the home page at NataliePace.com. Register with friends and family to receive the best price.

"Ten minutes into the first day I was already much smarter about investing than I ever thought I would be in my life and I knew I was in exactly the right place at this retreat. I am amazed at how EASY and FUN it is to make my money work for me and those I love. I think this kind of information should be compulsory in schools. I wish I'd learned this sooner." CM

If you’d like an unbiased 2nd opinion on your current wealth plan, email [email protected] for pricing and information.

Receive the best price when you register by July 31, 2025. Visit NataliePace.com to learn more. Call 310-430-2397 or email [email protected] for pricing, additional information and to register.

Check out Natalie Pace's Substack podcast on Apple and Spotify.
Watch videoconferences and webinars on Youtube.

Other Blogs of Interest
Crypto, Gold, AI, Energy, Healthcare, Real Estate. Which Sector Performed Best in the First Half of 2025.
Crypto Goes Mainstream. The Genius Act Becomes Law.
Wealth Hacks: Are You Getting Killed in Capital Gains Taxes?
Clean Energy Unplugged.
Tesla Sales Slump in 2Q 2025.
Our Super Performing Hots and Value Replacements.
Is Gold a Tier 1 HQLA Reserve Currency?
Is Your Income Strategy Losing Money?
Gold, Silver & Crypto Soar. Stocks Offer 5%. Debt Balloons. Some Foreigners are Selling U.S. Treasuries.
Get Safe & Hot in 1 Easy Plan.
Home Prices Soften. Is Your City Next?
Tesla Vision vs. Waymo LiDAR and Air Taxis. Are Any of Them Safe?
Archer Aviation is Chosen to be the Exclusive Air Taxi Service for the 2028 L.A. Olympics. Company of the Year?
USA Downgraded. Is U.S. Reserve Currency Status Threatened?
Utilities: In the Eye of the Natural Disaster Storms.
Aging Mom Doesn't Want to Discuss Dilapidated House. Investors Ask Natalie.
Sell in May?
Tesla, Tariffs, Chinese Competition and Price Wars.
Fun Ways to Celebrate Earth Day April 22nd.
Will the Correction Become a Bear Market?
21st Century Recessions Look More Like Depressions.
Will Oil Prices Sink or Soar? Executives are Uncertain.
Health Savings Accounts. Save Thousands. Get a Tax Credit. Provide for Tomorrow's Healthcare Needs.
Restormel Manor House 2025. A Truly Royal and Magical Adventure.
9 Ways to Cut Your Tax Bill in Half and Save Thousands Annually.
Berkshire Hathaway. Should I Just Invest in Warren Buffett?
Should I Have a Money Manager?
Top Dividend/Income Strategies for 2025.
10 Rules of Successful Investing.
Quantum Computing.
Paper Losses. Another Warning About Long-Term Bonds!
2025 Investor IQ Test.
2025 Investor IQ Test Answers.
Indonesia: Rich in Nickel with Ambitions of Becoming an EV Battery Hub.
RoboTaxis. AI. The Magnificent 7.
Why Are So Many Safe Investments Losing Money?
Canadian, Australian and U.S. Banks. Are Any of Them Safe?
Ireland. Rich in Technology, Biotechnology and Agribusiness.
Robo Investing and AI. No, They are Not Foolproof.
Copper. Peru ETF Outperforms the S&P500.
Will Insurance Companies & Homeowners Weather the Hurricanes?
9 Money Secrets of the Ultra Wealthy.
Housing & Budgeting Solutions.
Arkansas Sues Temu for Data Theft.
We Must Be the Boss of Our Money. Why?
Fast Fashion. Fossil Fuels. Plastic Clothing. Atacama Desert Waste Dumps.
Fintechs and Brokerages that Fail are Not FDIC-Insured.
5 Green Tips for Clean Beaches Week.
So, You Think You Want to Be a B&B Owner...
Retiring Soon? Start Planning Now.
2024 Rebalancing IQ Test.
Answers to the 2024 Rebalancing IQ Test.
9 Inflation, Budgeting, Debt Reduction and Investing Solutions.
China & Russia Double Their Gold Holdings.
Uh. Oh. More Bank Trouble.
Housing. Unaffordable. What Works? Case studies and creative solutions.
The Underperforming DJIA, Full of Fossil Fuels and Forever Chemicals.
The Best ROI* (Almost 40%!) & 7 Life Hacks That Save Thousands.
13 Lifestyle Choices to Reduce Waste, Pollution & CO2 & Save a Boatload of Dough.
11-Point Green Checklist for Schools.
10 Wealth Secrets of Billionaires and Royals.
Fiat. Crypto. Gold. BRICS. Real Estate. Alternative Investments.
BRICS Currency. Will the Dollar Become Extinct?
Why We Are Underweighting Banks and the Financial Industry.
Save Thousands Annually With Smarter Energy Choices
Is Your FDIC-Insured Cash Really Safe?
Money Market Funds, FDIC, SIPC: Are Any of Them Safe?

Important Disclaimers
Please note: Natalie Pace does not act or operate like a broker. She reports on financial news, and is one of the most trusted sources of financial literacy, education and forensic analysis in the world. Natalie Pace educates and informs individual investors to give investors a competitive edge in their personal decision-making. Any publicly-traded companies, funds or projects mentioned by Natalie Pace are not intended to be buy or sell recommendations.

ALWAYS do your research and consult an experienced, reputable financial professional before buying or selling any security, and consider your long-term goals and strategies. Investors should NOT be all in on any asset class or individual stocks. Your retirement plan should reflect an age-appropriate, diversified wealth plan, which has been designed strategically, with the assistance of financial professionals who are familiar with your goals, risk tolerance, tax needs and more. The "trading" portion of your portfolio should be a very small part of your investment strategy, and the amount of money you invest into individual companies should never be greater than your experience, wisdom, knowledge, patience and diversified strategy.

Information has been obtained from sources believed to be reliable. However, NataliePace.com does not warrant its completeness or accuracy. Opinions constitute our judgment as of the date of this publication and are subject to change without notice. This material is not intended as an offer or solicitation for the purchase or sale of any financial instrument.

Crypto. Gold. Silver. AI. Cybersecurity. Banks. Housing. Energy. Health Care. Kohl’s.

24/7/2025

Crypto. Gold. Silver. AI. Cybersecurity. Banks. Housing. Energy. Health Care. Kohl’s.
Which industries are soaring, and which are sinking?

In this midyear checkup, we’ll see which sectors performed well in the 2nd quarter of 2025, and which were the Dogs of the Dow. We will also discuss where the money is flowing from.

As you can see in the chart below, the best performers of the year (so far) are silver, gold, Bitcoin, copper (Peru), industrials, utilities, information technology (Microsoft, Apple, Nvidia), and communication services (Google, Meta), in that order. Health care, energy, consumer discretionary, consumer staples, and real estate dragged down the index performance.

The S&P500 hit a new high today. The previous high was in February 2025, before the announcement of the tariffs.

Stocks plunged -19% in early April. Who did the selling? According to S&P Global, institutional and retail investors sold, while hedge funds, ETFs and index funds purchased (at the low). It’s easy for Main Street to be swallowed up by the whales of Wall Street, which is why it is so important to have a time-proven investing strategy rather than rely upon headlines or let FUD* guide our actions. Emotions typically put us on the wrong side of the trade.

*Fear, uncertainty, doubt

Here are the sectors we’ll discuss in this blog.

Gold & Silver
Crypto
Copper
Industrials & Utilities
AI, Information Technology, Cybersecurity and Communication Services
Financials
Real Estate
Consumer Staples and Discretionary
Energy: Oil & Gas and Clean Energy
Health Care
Kohl’s Meme stock

And here is more information on each sector.

Gold & Silver
It’s interesting that the top performers this year are “safe havens” – gold, silver, and crypto. Silver hasn’t been receiving the headlines of gold or bitcoin. However, it is the silent superstar, as you can see in the chart above. We’ve been leaning harder into silver because it still hasn’t achieved the Apex of $50 a coin that it saw back in 2011, at the previous high. My thinking was that it was a better value, and had more room to run.

If you are a gold or silver bug, it’s also important to understand that this industry is more volatile than people recognize. Our pie chart system, with gold, silver or crypto as a hot slice or two prompts us to capture gains when they hit their all-time highs. It’s never a question of all or nothing, but rather that we have a strategy of claiming and keeping our wealth, rather than just riding a rollercoaster through the quite long periods when investors desert the asset. In 1980, when gold hit an all-time high, it took a quarter of a century to return to that value. In 2011, the pre-pandemic high, gold dropped from $2,000 in August to $1,200 in 2015 (-40%). It didn’t stay above $2,000 again until late 2023. Learn more in my Safe Haven blog.

Crypto
Bitcoin has been on fire the past few years. It doubled in 2023 and then again in 2024 and is still holding strong in 2025.

I listed bitcoin as our Investment of the Year in March 2024, and it certainly has performed well enough to deserve that designation. However, crypto is another asset that experiences extreme volatility.

After the last two halving events, we saw a trend worth noting. Bitcoin hit a high one year after halving, and then sank into a severe Crypto Winter at the 2nd year anniversary. That means that between now and April 2026 (the 2nd anniversary of the April 2024 halving), there could be greater volatility than cryptophiles are counting on. Remember, it’s always the whales who send the HODLs into these long periods of lack.
*Hold On for Dear Life

Here again, if crypto is a hot slice of an age-appropriate, properly diversified plan that we rebalance 1-3 times a year, we have a “capture gains” strategy in place and can buy low when the price tanks rather than shivering (or perishing) during the long Crypto Winters.

I discuss crypto and stablecoins in greater detail in my blog, videoconference and podcast. (Click to access.)

Copper
Materials was one of the weaker sectors in the U.S. this year. However, when we move over to a country like Peru, that has been one of the superior performers, largely due to the strength of copper. As you can see in the chart above, the iShares Peru Index (symbol: EPU) is up 25.6% year to date. Check out my Peru blog from last November for additional information. (Click on the blue-highlighted words.)

Copper prices are at all-time highs. Peru is the 2nd largest exporter of copper in the world. Copper is a building block of new energy and was dubbed “The New Oil” by Goldman Sachs years ago.

We’ve been using EPU as our mid value replacement fund for years. Not only has it been a super performer in share price, but it also provides double the dividends of most US-based mid cap value funds.

Industrials & Utilities
Planes, trains, and automobiles, and all the widgets that make things run, along with utilities, are considered to be less volatile industries. When we see strength in these sectors, it’s considered to be a flight to safety, buoyancy and income for risk-averse investors. As I mentioned in my Utilities blog, utilities are a lot more volatile in a world full of natural disasters that people believe are caused by powerlines. Industrials tend to be older, slow growth, high debt companies with low profit margins and high leverage. We’re underweighting both sectors in our sample wealth plan pie charts. Check out my Utilities blog for additional information and join us live online at the Oct. 11-13, 2025 Financial Freedom Retreat.

AI, Information Technology, Cybersecurity and Communication Services
By now you’ve probably heard of the Magnificent 7, those multi trillion-dollar technology companies that have been responsible for most of the gains on Wall Street over the past 2 1/2 years. Alphabet (Google), Amazon, Apple, Meta (Facebook), Microsoft, Nvidia and Tesla were responsible for over half of the impressive stock market gains in 2023 and 2024. At the same time, those same companies were the biggest losers in the April 2025 and the 2022 corrections.

This is another reminder of the importance of rebalancing 1-3 times a year. It helps us to protect our wealth (keep our money). When rebalancing, always mock up a pie chart of what we do have and compare it to the sample pie charts of what we should have. Email [email protected] for a link to our free web app, where you can personalize your own sample pie chart. Take our Rebalancing IQ Test.

Conservative investors have lost out on the spectacular performance of the Magnificent 7 if their plan did not include a large cap growth fund. A well-diversified plan is going to help us to outperform the general market.

Another problem for conservative investors is paper losses on the fixed-income side. People who use our strategies for safety are not experiencing that loss of wealth and liquidity. We spend one full day on what’s safe at our online Financial Freedom Retreat. (Click to learn more.)

Financials
It’s earning season, so we’re hearing all about the strength of U.S. banks. However, most of us are also aware of the extraordinary amount of debt in the United States, with $36.7 trillion in public debt. We might not be as cognizant that banks, corporations, and US consumers bring the total tally of debt and loans in the U.S. to $103 trillion.

Also, the U.S. is no longer a AAA sovereign. Some U.S. banks are at the lowest rung of investment grade. There is more leverage in insurance companies and banks in the United States than many people are aware of – until you look back at the bank failures in 2023. For that reason, we are underweighting U.S. financials and have been for many years, including before the very high-profile bank failures. Again, by going outside the U.S. to a country that has a higher sovereign rating and lower debt, with banks that take on less risk (and are rated higher), we can get more yield and better credit quality all in one.

Real Estate
Housing prices are at an all-time high. Meanwhile, commercial real estate is one of the bigger problems in the United States, with half-empty office buildings and vacant mini-malls in many cities. Most investors are going to find it very difficult to navigate the risk in real estate.

Be very careful reaching for yield in a Debt World, in any industry. We see marketing campaigns that encourage investors to lean into high-yield (a euphemism for high risk) real estate for the “income,” while downplaying the risk of capital loss. This is another sector that we are underweighting in our sample pie charts. We discuss this at our online Financial Freedom Retreat as well.

Consumer Staples and Discretionary
People will still buy toilet paper and basic needs during a recession. However, the challenge for using consumer staples for buoyancy is that the share prices of many of the companies in this sector are elevated. You’re buying high. Also, there has been a retail Apocalypse that makes brick-and-mortar companies vulnerable. Margins are always low (3% range), with revenue plunging in the more traditional companies that haven’t been able to compete with Amazon for price and convenience.

Many consumer discretionary funds include businesses that really are staples, such as Amazon. However, the same challenge arises here too. Prices are very, very lofty on Wall Street. Amazon’s price-earnings ratio is 38.

Energy: Oil & Gas and Clean Energy
Oil prices are below the threshold that would entice oil companies to “Drill Baby Drill.” So, supply is not expected to dramatically increase in the mid term. At the same time, the dramatic shift to electric vehicles has caused a plunge in demand, particularly in China. Check out my blog on Oil and Gas for additional information. This is an industry we’re underweighting.

As someone who cares about renewable energy, my heart is with the clean energy sector. However, the current U.S. administration has stripped away incentives for businesses and consumers. The solar tax credit ends December 31, 2025, while the electric vehicle tax credit ends September 30, 2025. This is all negative for the industry. There has also been a very aggressive misinformation campaign on solar and EV‘s, (and plastic) sponsored by, wait for it, the oil industry. As a result, clean energy is out of favor and trading near an all-time low. Of course, if things change moving forward, you’ll be buying low if you keep this sector in your wealth plan. (Fair warning that there could be more challenges, including bankruptcies, before the turnaround.)

Health Care
Healthcare has been a perennial favorite historically. With an aging developed world population, more people are going to need healthcare, hip replacements and pharmaceuticals. The reason that healthcare has done so poorly over the past few years is that we’re no longer in a pandemic, with panic buying of COVID tests and vaccines.

ETFs allow us to get very specific about our area of focus, ranging from biotechnology, medical devices or pharmaceuticals. The iShares Medical Devices ETF (symbol: IHI) is trading near an all-time high. Now might be a good time to dollar-cost average into this sector, particularly if you’re looking for a utility replacement.

Kohl’s Meme Stock
We are still seeing retail investors leap into get-rich-quick meme stock schemes. Yesterday, Kohl’s stock soared by 50%. However, like Blackberry, AMC Theaters, Gamestop and more, Main Street is often on the wrong side of these trades. Kohl’s is part of the retail Apocalypse and is struggling with low revenue, cash bleed, very high debt, and a low market value. The current leap in share price is likely to be short-lived once investors discover that the real estate leaseback plan that Kohl’s is considering didn’t save Bed Bath and Beyond – another meme stock darling that went bankrupt. Be careful chasing headlines and social media sensations.

Bottom Line
Safe havens are performing the best so far in 2025, while sectors that do poorly in recessions, such as real estate, consumer discretionary and oil, are suffering the most. Our best strategy will be an age-appropriate, diversified wealth plan that we rebalance 1-3 times a year. That keeps us capturing gains on the super performers at the high, while having a strategy to buy low if we get another correction. In our sample pie charts we are overweighting safe for a variety of reasons that add up to heightened risk on Wall Street.

One other tip, when prices are at an all-time high, nothing is on sale. In our sample pie charts, we are using value fund substitutions, which also allow us to experience international diversification. Many of the funds pay double the dividend of the U.S. based value funds, while some offer us lower risk with higher performance.

Register now to join us at our online Financial Freedom Retreat Oct. 11-13 2025 where you'll learn how to protect your wealth, save thousands annually in your budget and how to hedge in a volatile Debt World. If you'd like a life-changing adventure of a lifetime, be our guest at a royal manor house in Cornwall, England, March 12-19, 2027. (With just eight rooms available, this exclusive, private, bucket-list adventure sells out a year in advance!) Call 310-430-2397 or email [email protected] to learn more. The 2025 Restormel Retreat was a magical and royal experience. Click to learn more.

Receive the best price when you register for the Financial Freedom Retreat Oct. 11-13 2025 by July 31, 2025. Request testimonials at [email protected]. You can also view some on the flyer page of the retreat.

Learn how to:

* Invest in hot industries, such as cryptocurrency, Nvidia, artificial intelligence, and quantum computing,
* Hedge against a weaker dollar,
* Invest and compound your gains,
* Green your retirement plan,
* Easy and efficacious nest egg strategies,
* Get hot and diversified (including in artificial intelligence, quantum computing and crypto),
* Evaluate stocks,
* Avoid capital gains and financial predators,
* Keep an age-appropriate amount safe, and,
* Know what's safe in a Debt World.

You'll even discover how to save thousands annually with smarter big-ticket choices. Yes, it's a complete money makeover.

Email [email protected] or call 310-430-2397 to learn more and register. Learn the 15+ things you'll master and read testimonials in the flyer on the home page at NataliePace.com. Register with friends and family to receive the best price.

"Ten minutes into the first day I was already much smarter about investing than I ever thought I would be in my life and I knew I was in exactly the right place at this retreat. I am amazed at how EASY and FUN it is to make my money work for me and those I love. I think this kind of information should be compulsory in schools. I wish I'd learned this sooner." CM

If you’d like an unbiased 2nd opinion on your current wealth plan, email [email protected] for pricing and information.

Receive the best price when you register by July 31, 2025. Visit NataliePace.com to learn more. Call 310-430-2397 or email [email protected] for pricing, additional information and to register.

Check out Natalie Pace's Substack podcast on Apple and Spotify.
Watch videoconferences and webinars on Youtube.

Other Blogs of Interest
Crypto Goes Mainstream. The Genius Act Becomes Law.
Wealth Hacks: Are You Getting Killed in Capital Gains Taxes?
Clean Energy Unplugged.
Tesla Sales Slump in 2Q 2025.
Our Super Performing Hots and Value Replacements.
Is Gold a Tier 1 HQLA Reserve Currency?
Is Your Income Strategy Losing Money?
Gold, Silver & Crypto Soar. Stocks Offer 5%. Debt Balloons. Some Foreigners are Selling U.S. Treasuries.
Get Safe & Hot in 1 Easy Plan.
Home Prices Soften. Is Your City Next?
Tesla Vision vs. Waymo LiDAR and Air Taxis. Are Any of Them Safe?
Archer Aviation is Chosen to be the Exclusive Air Taxi Service for the 2028 L.A. Olympics. Company of the Year?
USA Downgraded. Is U.S. Reserve Currency Status Threatened?
Utilities: In the Eye of the Natural Disaster Storms.
Aging Mom Doesn't Want to Discuss Dilapidated House. Investors Ask Natalie.
Sell in May?
Tesla, Tariffs, Chinese Competition and Price Wars.
Fun Ways to Celebrate Earth Day April 22nd.
Will the Correction Become a Bear Market?
21st Century Recessions Look More Like Depressions.
Will Oil Prices Sink or Soar? Executives are Uncertain.
Health Savings Accounts. Save Thousands. Get a Tax Credit. Provide for Tomorrow's Healthcare Needs.
Restormel Manor House 2025. A Truly Royal and Magical Adventure.
9 Ways to Cut Your Tax Bill in Half and Save Thousands Annually.
Berkshire Hathaway. Should I Just Invest in Warren Buffett?
Should I Have a Money Manager?
Top Dividend/Income Strategies for 2025.
10 Rules of Successful Investing.
Quantum Computing.
Paper Losses. Another Warning About Long-Term Bonds!
2025 Investor IQ Test.
2025 Investor IQ Test Answers.
Indonesia: Rich in Nickel with Ambitions of Becoming an EV Battery Hub.
RoboTaxis. AI. The Magnificent 7.
Why Are So Many Safe Investments Losing Money?
Canadian, Australian and U.S. Banks. Are Any of Them Safe?
Ireland. Rich in Technology, Biotechnology and Agribusiness.
Robo Investing and AI. No, They are Not Foolproof.
Copper. Peru ETF Outperforms the S&P500.
Will Insurance Companies & Homeowners Weather the Hurricanes?
9 Money Secrets of the Ultra Wealthy.
Housing & Budgeting Solutions.
Arkansas Sues Temu for Data Theft.
We Must Be the Boss of Our Money. Why?
Fast Fashion. Fossil Fuels. Plastic Clothing. Atacama Desert Waste Dumps.
Fintechs and Brokerages that Fail are Not FDIC-Insured.
5 Green Tips for Clean Beaches Week.
So, You Think You Want to Be a B&B Owner...
Retiring Soon? Start Planning Now.
2024 Rebalancing IQ Test.
Answers to the 2024 Rebalancing IQ Test.
9 Inflation, Budgeting, Debt Reduction and Investing Solutions.
China & Russia Double Their Gold Holdings.
Uh. Oh. More Bank Trouble.
Housing. Unaffordable. What Works? Case studies and creative solutions.
The Underperforming DJIA, Full of Fossil Fuels and Forever Chemicals.
The Best ROI* (Almost 40%!) & 7 Life Hacks That Save Thousands.
13 Lifestyle Choices to Reduce Waste, Pollution & CO2 & Save a Boatload of Dough.
11-Point Green Checklist for Schools.
10 Wealth Secrets of Billionaires and Royals.
Fiat. Crypto. Gold. BRICS. Real Estate. Alternative Investments.
BRICS Currency. Will the Dollar Become Extinct?
Why We Are Underweighting Banks and the Financial Industry.
Save Thousands Annually With Smarter Energy Choices
Is Your FDIC-Insured Cash Really Safe?
Money Market Funds, FDIC, SIPC: Are Any of Them Safe?

Important Disclaimers
Please note: Natalie Pace does not act or operate like a broker. She reports on financial news, and is one of the most trusted sources of financial literacy, education and forensic analysis in the world. Natalie Pace educates and informs individual investors to give investors a competitive edge in their personal decision-making. Any publicly-traded companies, funds or projects mentioned by Natalie Pace are not intended to be buy or sell recommendations.

ALWAYS do your research and consult an experienced, reputable financial professional before buying or selling any security, and consider your long-term goals and strategies. Investors should NOT be all in on any asset class or individual stocks. Your retirement plan should reflect an age-appropriate, diversified wealth plan, which has been designed strategically, with the assistance of financial professionals who are familiar with your goals, risk tolerance, tax needs and more. The "trading" portion of your portfolio should be a very small part of your investment strategy, and the amount of money you invest into individual companies should never be greater than your experience, wisdom, knowledge, patience and diversified strategy.

Information has been obtained from sources believed to be reliable. However, NataliePace.com does not warrant its completeness or accuracy. Opinions constitute our judgment as of the date of this publication and are subject to change without notice. This material is not intended as an offer or solicitation for the purchase or sale of any financial instrument.

Crypto Goes Mainstream. The GENIUS Act Passes.

17/7/2025

Crypto Goes Mainstream. The GENIUS Act Passes.

On July 17, 2025., S. 1582. The GENIUS Act passed Congress. This is a major step towards mainstreaming stablecoins in the United States. What does this mean for your crypto assets?

I will host a videoconference on Thursday, July 24, 2025, to discuss these developments, as we see how the signing of the law impacts the crypto market over the next week (should be positive). Email [email protected] with GENIUS Videocon in the subject line to join us live. FYI: Bitcoin was listed as our Investment of the Year on March 24, 2024. At that time the coin traded at $65,770. Bitcoin hit an all-time high of $123,212 on July 13, 2025.

Here are the things we will cover in this blog. Email [email protected] if you would like an updated Crypto Stock Report Card.

The GENIUS Act
Are Stablecoins Safe?
Terra’s Luna Stablecoin Collapse in May 2022
World Liberty Financial: USD1 StableCoin
Gemini’s Bitcoin Credit Card
XRP‘s Bank Application
Bitconnect, Bitcoin Trading Club and Other Ponzi Schemes and Fraud
Generating Income and Avoiding Capital Gains
Bitcoin and Ethereum Exchange-Traded Funds

And here is more information on each topic.

The GENIUS Act
The GENIUS Act legalizes stablecoins and provides some important standards that help to protect investors. The permitted issuers must maintain U.S. dollar and cash reserves on a one-to-one basis. They must also publicly disclose their redemption policy and publish the details of their reserves monthly. Click to read the text of the full bill.

Are Stablecoins Safe?
Having the coin directly tied to U.S. dollar and cash reserves on a one-to-one basis offers greater stability than stablecoins such as Terra Luna that was backed by an algorithm rather than assets. However, there is still risk, especially if the company offering the stablecoin gets into trouble. Stablecoins are not going to be regulated by the SEC. However, they are required to maintain anti-money laundering policies, and there will be annual reports to Congress and published by the Financial Stability Oversight Council.

It’s important to note that stablecoins are not backed by anything other than the company and their reserves. They are not yet able to be used to purchase anything. They are not FDIC-insured or SIPC-insured.

Another consideration is that stablecoins will charge fees. If they enter a period of instability, they can impose a redemption gate. Redemption gates limit investors from cashing in their coins, which, in theory, would prevent a run on the coin.

Finally, you can earn 4% interest in Certificates of Deposit or Treasury Bills. You won’t earn any interest on most stablecoins. And if you do, then they might be a lot riskier than you believe. For instance, investors piled into Luna hoping to receive interest of almost 20%, which is clearly not sustainable and had a terrible outcome.

Terra’s Luna Stablecoin Collapse in May 2022
When Terra’s Luna stablecoin collapsed in May 2022, it caused a ripple effect. Not only were investors who thought their money was safe, stunned to learn that it was all gone, but other companies were collapsing as well, including Three Arrows Capital, Voyager Digital and FTX. Bitcoin dropped from a high of $69,000 in November 2021 to a low of $15,000 in November 2022.

Do Kwon, the co-founder and former CEO of Terraform Labs, is currently in prison in the United States and is charged with “multiple schemes to deceive investors in order to fraudulently inflate the value of terraform cryptocurrencies.” The investor losses of the collapse are over $40 billion.

Terraform Labs filed for bankruptcy on January 21, 2024. The company listed assets and liabilities of $100-$500 million. The deadline for creditors (including investors) to submit claims was April 30, 2025. Since investor losses and creditors’ claims significantly exceed the assets available, investors are not expected to get much back.

World Liberty Financial: USD1 StableCoin
Token holders of the Trump-backed crypto project World Liberty Financial voted to go public the same day that the GENIUS Act was passed by Congress. World Liberty Financial offers the USD1 stablecoin on Binance and other trading platforms. (It is also conceivable that other big players, such as Elon Musk and Meta, could launch stablecoins.) $WLFI states that the company will break barriers for the unbanked, conceivably in rural, remote areas of Africa and Asia.

The wording on the USD1 offering reads, “Backed by dollars and U.S. treasuries that have the full faith and credit of the U.S. government.” If someone is not doing a careful reading of that, they might be thinking the stablecoin is as safe as (or safer than) fiat. On the Risks page, it states clearly (in bold and quite large) that USD1 is not legal tender and is not government backed.

Gemini’s Bitcoin Credit Card
Gemini just launched a MasterCard-backed credit card where cardholders can earn back 1-4% of their purchases in the cryptocurrency of their choice. With the popularity of cryptocurrencies and no annual fee, this offering by Gemini could be in high demand. Gemini also offers their own stablecoin, staking, and buys, sells and stores Bitcoin and 70 other cryptos. Coinbase offers a Bitcoin credit card, too.

It should be noted that Gemini previously had a program called Gemini Earn that suspended redemptions on Nov. 16, 2022. Participants in that program expected to earn up to 7.4% APY in that program but instead had no access to their crypto until May 24, 2024. Click on the blue-highlighted words to learn more about the timeline of the suspension. FYI: The payback settlement did not include interest earned.

XRP‘s Bank Application
XRP has become the third largest cryptocurrency ($215.3 billion), behind Bitcoin ($2.4 trillion) and Ethereum ($432.3 billion). Ripple Labs, the company behind XRP, also has the Ripple USD stablecoin, which is backed by U.S. dollars and other cash equivalents. Again, as a reminder, many stablecoins don’t pay interest and are not FDIC-insured. It has been reported that Ripple applied for a Federal Bank Trust Charter with the Offices of the Controller of the Currency on July 2, 2025.

Bitconnect, Bitcoin Trading Club and Other Ponzi Schemes and Fraud
Sadly, there are still many ways to lose money in crypto. One of my clients reported a theft, where over $50,000 of her Bitcoin was stolen from her personal account. Bitconnect was a Ponzi scheme. The Trade Coin Club, promoted by multiple individuals in a multilevel marketing type scheme, was fraud. Another private client was convinced by fabricated statements (Bernie Madoff-style, only more sophisticated) that his “mentor” was making him money hand-over-fist in a gold-backed stablecoin. This convinced him to take out a high-interest credit card loan to the tune of over $40,000 to invest in the scam, which disappeared once he handed it over to the predator, never to return.

The new stablecoin law states that coins must have U.S. dollar and cash reserves on a one-to-one basis. As I stated above, this reduces, but does not eliminate, the risk. We have seen weakening in the dollar over the past few months and less liquidity in the treasury market, too. Some companies, like the fraudsters listed above, simply cook the books.

I’m repeating myself when I say many stablecoins don’t pay any interest and are not insured or backed by the federal government.

Generating Income and Avoiding Capital Gains
$1 million could be earning $40,000 annually with 4% interest. $250,000 would be earning $10,000 at 4% interest. Many people could use this extra income. So, it’s important to recognize that your stablecoin is not going to offer income. Stablecoins, like money market funds, typically stay flat and do not increase in their price. They are designed to stay steady (though they can decrease in value). The marketing pitch is that fiat is yesteryear and is a House of Cards waiting to fall. However, if the coin is backed by fiat…

Bitcoin and Ethereum Exchange-Traded Funds
There has been an important development in that investors can now invest in a Bitcoin or Ethereum exchange-traded fund within their individual retirement account. This means that they can capture gains when things shoot the moon without paying capital gains taxes on it. If the person has a Roth IRA, then they won’t pay income tax when they start taking their distributions. (It has been reported that Peter Thiel has over $5 billion in his Roth IRA.) I discussed this in greater detail in my videoconference of today on Wealth Hacks. Watch it back at youtube.com/nataliepace.

Bottom Line
Digital innovations are creating a new world. The excitement of Crypto Week and the GENIUS Act has pushed many cryptos at or near their all-time highs. At the same time, in a Debt World, it is very important to understand what guarantees are backing money that we are relying upon before we leap into the promise of a stablecoin, which might be backed by the fiat currency we fear.

Because Crypto Winters have occurred two years after the last two Bitcoin halving events, it's also important to have a plan for capturing gains at the high and to reduce our tax burden when we do. Learn more about this in the blogs and videoconferences below.

Are You Getting Killed in Capital Gains Taxes? Blog and Videoconference.

Gold, Silver and Crypto Soar

Get Safe and Hot in 1 Easy Plan

2024 Investment of the Year: Bitcoin

Register now to join us at our online Financial Freedom Retreat Oct. 11-13 2025 where you'll learn how to protect your wealth, save thousands annually in your budget and how to hedge in a volatile Debt World. If you'd like a life-changing adventure of a lifetime, be our guest at a royal manor house in Cornwall, England, March 12-19, 2027. (With just eight rooms available, this exclusive, private, bucket-list adventure sells out a year in advance!) Call 310-430-2397 or email [email protected] to learn more. The 2025 Restormel Retreat was a magical and royal experience. Click to learn more.

Receive the best price when you register for the Financial Freedom Retreat Oct. 11-13 2025 by July 31, 2025. Request testimonials at [email protected]. You can also view some on the flyer page of the retreat.

Learn how to:

* Invest in hot industries, such as cryptocurrency, Nvidia, artificial intelligence, and quantum computing,
* Hedge against a weaker dollar,
* Invest and compound your gains,
* Green your retirement plan,
* Easy and efficacious nest egg strategies,
* Get hot and diversified (including in artificial intelligence, quantum computing and crypto),
* Evaluate stocks,
* Avoid capital gains and financial predators,
* Keep an age-appropriate amount safe, and,
* Know what's safe in a Debt World.

You'll even discover how to save thousands annually with smarter big-ticket choices. Yes, it's a complete money makeover.

Email [email protected] or call 310-430-2397 to learn more and register. Learn the 15+ things you'll master and read testimonials in the flyer on the home page at NataliePace.com. Register with friends and family to receive the best price.

"Ten minutes into the first day I was already much smarter about investing than I ever thought I would be in my life and I knew I was in exactly the right place at this retreat. I am amazed at how EASY and FUN it is to make my money work for me and those I love. I think this kind of information should be compulsory in schools. I wish I'd learned this sooner." CM

If you’d like an unbiased 2nd opinion on your current wealth plan, email [email protected] for pricing and information.

Receive the best price when you register by July 31, 2025. Visit NataliePace.com to learn more. Call 310-430-2397 or email [email protected] for pricing, additional information and to register.

Check out Natalie Pace's Substack podcast on Apple and Spotify.
Watch videoconferences and webinars on Youtube.

Other Blogs of Interest
Wealth Hacks: Are You Getting Killed in Capital Gains Taxes?
Clean Energy Unplugged.
Tesla Sales Slump in 2Q 2025.
Our Super Performing Hots and Value Replacements.
Is Gold a Tier 1 HQLA Reserve Currency?
Is Your Income Strategy Losing Money?
Gold, Silver & Crypto Soar. Stocks Offer 5%. Debt Balloons. Some Foreigners are Selling U.S. Treasuries.
Get Safe & Hot in 1 Easy Plan.
Home Prices Soften. Is Your City Next?
Tesla Vision vs. Waymo LiDAR and Air Taxis. Are Any of Them Safe?
Archer Aviation is Chosen to be the Exclusive Air Taxi Service for the 2028 L.A. Olympics. Company of the Year?
USA Downgraded. Is U.S. Reserve Currency Status Threatened?
Utilities: In the Eye of the Natural Disaster Storms.
Aging Mom Doesn't Want to Discuss Dilapidated House. Investors Ask Natalie.
Sell in May?
Tesla, Tariffs, Chinese Competition and Price Wars.
Fun Ways to Celebrate Earth Day April 22nd.
Will the Correction Become a Bear Market?
21st Century Recessions Look More Like Depressions.
Will Oil Prices Sink or Soar? Executives are Uncertain.
Health Savings Accounts. Save Thousands. Get a Tax Credit. Provide for Tomorrow's Healthcare Needs.
Restormel Manor House 2025. A Truly Royal and Magical Adventure.
9 Ways to Cut Your Tax Bill in Half and Save Thousands Annually.
Berkshire Hathaway. Should I Just Invest in Warren Buffett?
Should I Have a Money Manager?
Top Dividend/Income Strategies for 2025.
10 Rules of Successful Investing.
Quantum Computing.
Paper Losses. Another Warning About Long-Term Bonds!
2025 Investor IQ Test.
2025 Investor IQ Test Answers.
Indonesia: Rich in Nickel with Ambitions of Becoming an EV Battery Hub.
RoboTaxis. AI. The Magnificent 7.
Why Are So Many Safe Investments Losing Money?
Canadian, Australian and U.S. Banks. Are Any of Them Safe?
Ireland. Rich in Technology, Biotechnology and Agribusiness.
Robo Investing and AI. No, They are Not Foolproof.
Copper. Peru ETF Outperforms the S&P500.
Will Insurance Companies & Homeowners Weather the Hurricanes?
9 Money Secrets of the Ultra Wealthy.
Housing & Budgeting Solutions.
Arkansas Sues Temu for Data Theft.
We Must Be the Boss of Our Money. Why?
Fast Fashion. Fossil Fuels. Plastic Clothing. Atacama Desert Waste Dumps.
Fintechs and Brokerages that Fail are Not FDIC-Insured.
5 Green Tips for Clean Beaches Week.
So, You Think You Want to Be a B&B Owner...
Retiring Soon? Start Planning Now.
2024 Rebalancing IQ Test.
Answers to the 2024 Rebalancing IQ Test.
9 Inflation, Budgeting, Debt Reduction and Investing Solutions.
China & Russia Double Their Gold Holdings.
Uh. Oh. More Bank Trouble.
Housing. Unaffordable. What Works? Case studies and creative solutions.
The Underperforming DJIA, Full of Fossil Fuels and Forever Chemicals.
The Best ROI* (Almost 40%!) & 7 Life Hacks That Save Thousands.
13 Lifestyle Choices to Reduce Waste, Pollution & CO2 & Save a Boatload of Dough.
11-Point Green Checklist for Schools.
10 Wealth Secrets of Billionaires and Royals.
Fiat. Crypto. Gold. BRICS. Real Estate. Alternative Investments.
BRICS Currency. Will the Dollar Become Extinct?
Why We Are Underweighting Banks and the Financial Industry.
Save Thousands Annually With Smarter Energy Choices
Is Your FDIC-Insured Cash Really Safe?
Money Market Funds, FDIC, SIPC: Are Any of Them Safe?

Important Disclaimers
Please note: Natalie Pace does not act or operate like a broker. She reports on financial news, and is one of the most trusted sources of financial literacy, education and forensic analysis in the world. Natalie Pace educates and informs individual investors to give investors a competitive edge in their personal decision-making. Any publicly-traded companies, funds or projects mentioned by Natalie Pace are not intended to be buy or sell recommendations.

ALWAYS do your research and consult an experienced, reputable financial professional before buying or selling any security, and consider your long-term goals and strategies. Investors should NOT be all in on any asset class or individual stocks. Your retirement plan should reflect an age-appropriate, diversified wealth plan, which has been designed strategically, with the assistance of financial professionals who are familiar with your goals, risk tolerance, tax needs and more. The "trading" portion of your portfolio should be a very small part of your investment strategy, and the amount of money you invest into individual companies should never be greater than your experience, wisdom, knowledge, patience and diversified strategy.

Information has been obtained from sources believed to be reliable. However, NataliePace.com does not warrant its completeness or accuracy. Opinions constitute our judgment as of the date of this publication and are subject to change without notice. This material is not intended as an offer or solicitation for the purchase or sale of any financial instrument.

Are You Getting Killed in Capital Gains Taxes?

14/7/2025

Natalie Pace in Powerscourt, Ireland. Photo: Marie Commiskey.

Are You Getting Killed in Capital Gains Taxes?
Are you paying too much in capital gains taxes, ignoring your retirement plan, or gambling with your future, or are you building lasting wealth?

Ask yourself these questions.
Do you put your hottest investments in your Roth IRA?
Do you know what you own in your employer-based retirement plan?
Are you chasing returns in Bitcoin or the Magnificent 7?
Are you gambling with hot tips you see on social media?
Do you have a Health Savings Account?
Are you aware of the Rule of 7?
Are you depositing 10% of your gross income into tax-protected retirement accounts?

Here are some of the things that keep us gambling and bleeding cash, instead of building lasting wealth. There are so many ways that we end up making “the system rich” rather than achieving financial freedom ourselves.

Investing in a regular brokerage account, instead of tax-protected retirement accounts, and potentially giving up a third (or more) in capital gains taxes,
Chasing headlines – investing when things are at an all-time high,
Gamification of investing – I won! I lost!
Meme stocks,
Burdensome student loans,
Forgotten, low-performing retirement accounts,
Spending 30% or more of our income on housing,
Paying off debt before paying ourselves first,
Selling low when we think we’re in the Apocalypse

Editor's Note: "Many people, including educated men and women, often get into trouble when they neglect to follow simple and fundamental rules of the type provided [by Natalie]. This is why I recommend them with enthusiasm." Professor Gary S. Becker. Dr. Becker won the 1992 Nobel Prize in economics for his theories on human capital. He also wrote the Preface for Natalie Pace's first book, Put Your Money Where Your Heart Is (2nd edition).

Recently, I did a coaching session with a person who is only 15 years away from retirement, who makes over $100,000 a year and has only about $100,000 in his brokerage account. He also has money in an employer-sponsored retirement plan, which he’s never looked at. He has no clue how it’s invested, what the current value is, or what rate of return he might be getting. Another retired client had money in a government retirement plan. When he found out that the S&P500 had earned 57.5% over 2023 and 2024, and had a 13.1% annualized gain over the past decade, he was mortified to discover that his plan had earned just 2.5% annualized for decades.

So, let’s dig into the details of how to build lasting wealth, while also having a little fun. Here’s more information on each of the points I listed at the top of this blog.

Do you put your hottest investments in your Roth IRA?
Billionaire Peter Thiel reportedly has over $5 billion in his Roth IRA (source: Propublica). He didn’t pay capital gains taxes on any of his early Paypal and META investments and warrants that are in his Roth IRA, and when he withdraws from the account, he will not pay income taxes (unless the laws change). Most of us should have a Roth IRA (or TFSA for Canadians) that we max out, in addition to contributing to our employer-sponsored retirement plan (up to the match). Our self-directed Roth IRA gives us freedom of choice, a chance for a much higher rate of return, a shield from capital gains taxes, and the benefit of tax-free distributions in retirement.

Do you know what you own in your employer-based retirement plan?
Rollovers are very easy and they offer us the world of investing. Many times our employer-sponsored retirement plans only offer a few choices. That means that we can never truly get properly diversified if we are only choosing to invest in our 401K or RSP, unless we’re able to self-direct. Some plans offer this, while others do not. Many employer-sponsored retirement plans underperform the market, especially if we’re using target date funds or an annuity. (Contrary to their promises of diversification and that you can’t lose, these funds are not the great choices they purport to be, for multiple reasons.) You can learn more in these blogs.

Is Your Safe, Income Strategy Losing Money?
https://www.nataliepace.com/blog/is-your-income-strategy-losing-money#/

Get Safe and Hot in One Easy Plan
https://www.nataliepace.com/blog/get-safe-hot-with-one-easy-plan#/

Are you chasing returns in Bitcoin or the Magnificent 7?
When stocks and crypto are high, everyone’s a millionaire. When we hit a Crypto Winter or bear market, things go radio silent. The truth is that we should be capturing gains at the high and adding more at the low – which is the opposite of chasing headlines and spectacular gains (after they’ve already happened). Our simple pie chart strategy encourages us to invest in the hottest opportunities, in an age-appropriate, diversified way, and also prompts us to be on the right side of the trade. Learn more in my book The ABCs of Money 6th edition and at our October 11-13, 2025 Financial EDU Retreat. (Register for the retreat by July 31, 2025, to receive the best price.)

Are you gambling with hot tips you see on social media?
Gamification made investing popular a few years ago, especially when there was extra Stimmy money floating around. However, many of 2021 meme stock companies are either struggling to stay alive or already dead in the water, including Bed, Bath and Beyond, Blackberry, AMC Theatres and Gamestop.

Also, I’m seeing so many people who leapt into over 50 different companies without the proper due diligence. (Not even a professional analyst would attempt DD on that many holdings.) Not only are they not doing any research into the companies, but they are not even reading the complete blog or email that brought up the tip. For instance, even though I’m very excited about air taxis, I’m not investing yet.

Archer Aviation has been selected as the official air taxi of the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.

Is there a way to invest in hot exciting new industries without taking on a second job doing trading and proper due diligence? The answer is absolutely yes. Targeted ETFs can focus on cybersecurity, artificial intelligence, gold, silver, Bitcoin, Ethereum, and even hot countries, for international diversification. funds have multiple companies, which reduces the risk of betting on one horse.

Another important aspect of successful investing is to capture gains at the top and buy more at the low – rebalance 1-3 times a year. This is only possible in our self-directed individual retirement account, which is why we want to have our own self-directed retirement account, in addition to our employer-sponsored RA.

Do you have a health savings account?
If you are healthy and spending an arm and a leg on health insurance, then it’s time to look into a Health Savings Plan with a high-deductible insurance plan. This will save most people thousands or even tens of thousands of dollars annually, while building up the best long-term health care plan for retirement. Don’t assume that your employer is paying your premiums. Many employers take the premiums out of our paycheck. Add up the amount that is being deducted and you might discover that you are giving thousands of your hard-earned money to the health insurance company.

Read my HSA blog and The ABCs of Money 6th edition for more information.

Are you aware of the Rule of 7?
Have you doubled your money over the last seven years? The stock portion of our portfolio will double in 7 1/2 years if it’s earning 10% annualized and we are religious about depositing 10% of our gross income. Check out the savings versus investing chart below. This sample plan is based on someone earning just $40,000/annually, who can become a millionaire thanks to the power of contributing annually, compounding gains and avoiding capital gains taxes.

As you can see in the chart below, stocks have achieved 10% gains for three decades. As I mentioned above, the S&P500 earned 57% in the 2-year period of 2023 and 2024.

Are you depositing 10% of your gross income into tax-protected retirement accounts?
Investing is the only ticket out of the rat race. Even someone of modest means can achieve financial freedom by focusing on paying themselves first, learning a time-proven investing strategy (such as our pie chart system with 1-3 times a year rebalancing), and by getting creative about adopting a Thrive Budget. This requires strength, courage and wisdom, rather than just buying into the current high cost of things.

Most of us will have a few different retirement accounts – our employer-sponsored plan (free money up to the employer match), our self-directed IRAs, our HSA, our children’s college funds. When doing our rebalancing, it’s important to consider all these accounts, as well as our checking, savings, crypto and other paper assets, to see the complete picture. We can then mockup a sample pie chart and use that as our guide for capturing gains high and adding more low. We have many resources, including free videocoaching. Email [email protected] to learn more.

Are you waiting to pay off debt before investing?
We’re often doing the simple math, thinking, “I’m paying almost 30% on my credit cards, so I’ll wait until I pay that off before investing.” Sadly, that mindset keeps us trapped in a debt prison that few can escape. A debt problem is a budgeting challenge. It’s no reason to stop providing for our own future and investing to increase our personal net worth (which will actually help with the debt problem). Get started by reading the Debt Solutions section of The ABCs of Money 6th edition. We also have a free Debt Solutions videocoaching series. Email [email protected] with Debt Solutions Videocoaching in the subject line to receive free access to this series.

Spending 30% or more of our income on housing
At some point, we just want to get a place away from our parents and start adulting. However, if our housing budget is taking up 30% or more of our income, then we are making the landlord or bank rich at our own expense. It’s hard to enjoy our freedom if we can’t afford any fun.

There are many ways that we can get creative about housing, which will allow us to have room in the budget for paying ourselves first, for charity, for education and for fun. These things can all add up to living the life of our dreams, instead of punching the clock, feeling buried alive in bills or struggling to survive. The Thrive Budget section of The ABCs of Money 6th edition offers essential tips. You might also consider playing our Financial Freedom Game. Click to access the online version on my YouTube.com/NataliePace video channel.

Chasing headlines and pump and dump schemes
Most of us don’t realize that most of the emails and social media ads we see are pay-to-play. Red flags that we are being suckered in include:

Getting the tip online, in our email or even from a friend,
If we’re told to act fast or miss the opportunity,
If it’s difficult to find who is behind the scheme, or,
If the company is based out of a homestead state.

Even celebrities have been caught up in schemes that turned out to be fraudulent – and, even worse, were spokespersons who were paid to convince others to jump in, too. Tom Brady and Kim Kardashian are just two examples of this. However, any time you see a celebrity promoting something on social media, it’s a paid advertisement. The star is getting some sort of incentive or compensation.

A better plan is to invest in what we think is hot, dollar cost average into it if it’s near a high and then capture gains when it shoots the moon. That way, when we hit a Crypto Winter or a bear market, we have kept our money safe from the staggering losses, while also giving ourselves the liquidity to buy low instead of having to endure losses of 50% or more of our wealth for the duration of the downturn.

It’s been a long time since the Great Recession. Many investors have never seen an extended downturn. However, it’s important to remember that we never want to confuse a bull market with wisdom, and that recessions can take years to recover – during which time most of us will experience extreme financial hardship. In the Dot Com Recession, the NASDAQ Composite Index lost 78% (a million dollars dropped to just $220,000) and took 15 years to recover.

Options and day trading
The Nobel Prize winning economist who wrote the book on options trading was on the board of one of the most highly leveraged, biggest bailout in U.S. history. Options and day trading are like playing tennis with Serena Williams. The person on the other side of the trade could be a hedge fund with a team of analysts, who employs high-frequency trading and algorithms, and are even able to legally step in front of you in the priority of their trades. It’s heartbreaking to watch people brag about their returns one month and then get loaded up with high-interest debt that many will struggle to pay and free themselves from. Yet that is a story that I hear far too often: following the wrong guru and watching helpless as our dreams turn to dust – and staggering debt.

Crypto and capital gains
A few years ago, the SEC approved Bitcoin and Ethereum ETFs. While we used to have to pay high capital gains on our crypto, we can now purchase an ETF within our tax-protected retirement account. Part of our wealth plan must include reducing taxes. We don’t want our gains flying out the window. Refer to the top of this blog where I discuss the benefits of putting our hot investments in our Roth IRA.

Bottom Line
It’s easy to get caught up in stories that keep us running in the hamster wheel rather than accumulating real wealth. It’s a lot of work trying fancy tricks and get rich quick schemes. At some point, we should understand that others are benefitting from our fixation more than we are. A good plan costs less time and money – both of which can be better spent on things we like a lot more than trying to game a system (that, like Vegas, has many tricks to game us).

The power and magic of the Thrive Budget and a time-proven investing system will transform our lives immediately and forever. That’s why we call it the life math that we all should’ve received in high school. The sooner we educate ourselves about proper financial strategies, instead of allowing ourselves to be tossed around by the current economic conditions, headlines, hot tips, the high cost of housing, et al., the faster we can start creating the life we really want to live. Wisdom and right action are the cures.

Register now to join us at our online Financial Freedom Retreat Oct. 11-13 2025 where you'll learn how to protect your wealth, save thousands annually in your budget and how to hedge in a volatile Debt World. If you'd like a life-changing adventure of a lifetime, be our guest at a royal manor house in Cornwall, England, March 12-19, 2027. (With just eight rooms available, this exclusive, private, bucket-list adventure sells out a year in advance!) Call 310-430-2397 or email [email protected] to learn more. The 2025 Restormel Retreat was a magical and royal experience. Click to learn more.

Receive the best price when you register for the Financial Freedom Retreat Oct. 11-13 2025 by July 31, 2025. Request testimonials at [email protected]. You can also view some on the flyer page of the retreat.

Learn how to:

* Invest in hot industries, such as Nvidia, artificial intelligence, and quantum computing,
* Hedge against a weaker dollar,
* Invest and compound your gains,
* Green your retirement plan,
* Easy and efficacious nest egg strategies,
* Get hot and diversified (including in artificial intelligence, quantum computing and crypto),
* Evaluate stocks,
* Avoid capital gains and financial predators,
* Keep an age-appropriate amount safe, and,
* Know what's safe in a Debt World.

You'll even discover how to save thousands annually with smarter big-ticket choices. Yes, it's a complete money makeover.

Email [email protected] or call 310-430-2397 to learn more and register. Learn the 15+ things you'll master and read testimonials in the flyer on the home page at NataliePace.com. Register with friends and family to receive the best price.

"Ten minutes into the first day I was already much smarter about investing than I ever thought I would be in my life and I knew I was in exactly the right place at this retreat. I am amazed at how EASY and FUN it is to make my money work for me and those I love. I think this kind of information should be compulsory in schools. I wish I'd learned this sooner." CM

If you’d like an unbiased 2nd opinion on your current wealth plan, email [email protected] for pricing and information.

Receive the best price when you register by July 31, 2025. Visit NataliePace.com to learn more. Call 310-430-2397 or email [email protected] for pricing, additional information and to register.

Check out Natalie Pace's Substack podcast on Apple and Spotify.
Watch videoconferences and webinars on Youtube.

Other Blogs of Interest
Clean Energy Unplugged.
Tesla Sales Slump in 2Q 2025.
Our Super Performing Hots and Value Replacements.
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Get Safe & Hot in 1 Easy Plan.
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Tesla Vision vs. Waymo LiDAR and Air Taxis. Are Any of Them Safe?
Archer Aviation is Chosen to be the Exclusive Air Taxi Service for the 2028 L.A. Olympics. Company of the Year?
USA Downgraded. Is U.S. Reserve Currency Status Threatened?
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Aging Mom Doesn't Want to Discuss Dilapidated House. Investors Ask Natalie.
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Will the Correction Become a Bear Market?
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Will Oil Prices Sink or Soar? Executives are Uncertain.
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Berkshire Hathaway. Should I Just Invest in Warren Buffett?
Should I Have a Money Manager?
Top Dividend/Income Strategies for 2025.
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Indonesia: Rich in Nickel with Ambitions of Becoming an EV Battery Hub.
RoboTaxis. AI. The Magnificent 7.
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Ireland. Rich in Technology, Biotechnology and Agribusiness.
Robo Investing and AI. No, They are Not Foolproof.
Copper. Peru ETF Outperforms the S&P500.
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Arkansas Sues Temu for Data Theft.
We Must Be the Boss of Our Money. Why?
Fast Fashion. Fossil Fuels. Plastic Clothing. Atacama Desert Waste Dumps.
Fintechs and Brokerages that Fail are Not FDIC-Insured.
5 Green Tips for Clean Beaches Week.
So, You Think You Want to Be a B&B Owner...
Retiring Soon? Start Planning Now.
2024 Rebalancing IQ Test.
Answers to the 2024 Rebalancing IQ Test.
9 Inflation, Budgeting, Debt Reduction and Investing Solutions.
China & Russia Double Their Gold Holdings.
Uh. Oh. More Bank Trouble.
Housing. Unaffordable. What Works? Case studies and creative solutions.
The Underperforming DJIA, Full of Fossil Fuels and Forever Chemicals.
The Best ROI* (Almost 40%!) & 7 Life Hacks That Save Thousands.
13 Lifestyle Choices to Reduce Waste, Pollution & CO2 & Save a Boatload of Dough.
11-Point Green Checklist for Schools.
10 Wealth Secrets of Billionaires and Royals.
Fiat. Crypto. Gold. BRICS. Real Estate. Alternative Investments.
BRICS Currency. Will the Dollar Become Extinct?
Why We Are Underweighting Banks and the Financial Industry.
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Is Your FDIC-Insured Cash Really Safe?
Money Market Funds, FDIC, SIPC: Are Any of Them Safe?

Important Disclaimers
Please note: Natalie Pace does not act or operate like a broker. She reports on financial news, and is one of the most trusted sources of financial literacy, education and forensic analysis in the world. Natalie Pace educates and informs individual investors to give investors a competitive edge in their personal decision-making. Any publicly-traded companies, funds or projects mentioned by Natalie Pace are not intended to be buy or sell recommendations.

ALWAYS do your research and consult an experienced, reputable financial professional before buying or selling any security, and consider your long-term goals and strategies. Investors should NOT be all in on any asset class or individual stocks. Your retirement plan should reflect an age-appropriate, diversified wealth plan, which has been designed strategically, with the assistance of financial professionals who are familiar with your goals, risk tolerance, tax needs and more. The "trading" portion of your portfolio should be a very small part of your investment strategy, and the amount of money you invest into individual companies should never be greater than your experience, wisdom, knowledge, patience and diversified strategy.

Information has been obtained from sources believed to be reliable. However, NataliePace.com does not warrant its completeness or accuracy. Opinions constitute our judgment as of the date of this publication and are subject to change without notice. This material is not intended as an offer or solicitation for the purchase or sale of any financial instrument.

Clean Energy Unplugged by the Big Beautiful Bill.

10/7/2025

Clean Energy Unplugged by the Big Beautiful Bill.
EV tax credit ends September 30, 2025. Solar and wind tax credits end December 31, 2025.

New legislation (H.R.1, The Big Beautiful Bill) pulls the plug on the clean energy industry, some companies of which were already on life-support. The negative effects will ripple throughout many different supporting players, including utilities, inverters, lithium and polysilicon miners and manufacturers and some chip makers. Email [email protected] if you would like an updated Auto, Solar and Wind, Semiconductor, Lithium or Utility Stock Report Cards.

Here are the things I will cover in this blog.

Electric Vehicles
Solar and Wind
Inverters and Chipmakers
Lithium and Polysilicon Industries
Homeowners and Energy Efficiency Tax Credits
Utilities
Clean Energy ETFs

And here is more on each topic.

Electric Vehicles
Electric vehicles are not one of the clean industries on life-support. This is the fastest growing vertical in the automotive industry. Electric car sales reached 1.4 million in the U.S. and 11 million in China in 2024 (source: IEA.org).

Projections have EVs reaching 71% of the total auto market within a decade. Despite this positive industry news, Tesla’s deliveries were down -13.5% in the 2nd quarter. As I mentioned in my Tesla blog last week, “This could result in a drop of up to $1 billion in quarterly revenue from the 2nd quarter of 2024, due to the intense price wars that EV makers are engaged in, requiring almost all EV automakers to reduce prices to compete.” With inventory building up at Tesla, will the loss of the tax credit force the company to lower prices even more in the U.S. Will people pile in with a purchase in the 3rd quarter, while the EV tax credit is still alive? (This could definitely initiate a near-term bump in sales.)

Taking away the $7,500 EV tax credit, effective Sept. 30, 2025, is bad news for Tesla. However, it’s not a death knell for the company. (Tesla sells more cars in China than in the U.S.) Having said that, Tesla’s shares, even with the pullback this year, are very expensive. (Should a company with just $7.13 billion in net income really be valued at a trillion dollars?) Tesla’s shares are priced for years down the road, based on Tesla’s potential in artificial intelligence (particularly in autonomous vehicles) and robotics.

While Elon Musk fans believe everything he touches turns to gold, the bet on Tesla Vision without LiDAR is something that many CEOs and engineers strongly disagree with. “We really believe that LiDAR is mission critical,” Ford CEO Jim Farley said last week, according to Fortune magazine. LiDAR could give Waymo the edge over Tesla in the robotaxi market. Why? There's a video that shows this quite clearly in my Robotaxi blog. You can check out my ride in a Waymo on my Instagram page. (Click to access.) Waymo is already operating in Phoenix, San Francisco, Los Angeles, Austin, and Atlanta, with expansion plans into Miami and Washington D.C. in 2026.

One final note: when the economy slows down, car sales tank. The U.S. economy is expected to fall to just 1.4% GDP growth in 2025, compared to 2.8% in 2024. The 2nd half of 2025 is expected to have slower auto sales than the 1st half. Some analysts believe there will be a bump in 3rd quarter in EV sales before the credit expires. There is a great deal of uncertainty whether car buyers will be able to purchase EVs without the government support, particularly since consumer debt is at an all-time high, and delinquencies on student loans surged in May (source: New York Federal Reserve Bank).

Solar and Wind
Sunpower declared bankruptcy on August 5, 2024. Commercial, community and utility solar projects have grown, while the residential rooftop vertical struggled – perhaps due to the higher interest rates.

By comparison, First Solar’s revenues were up 6.35% year over year in the 1st quarter, and the revenue guidance issued in the 1Q 2025 earnings report was for $4.5-$5.5 billion, compared to $4.1 billion in 2024. While not explosive, this could be enough to keep investors interested. However, this guidance came before the Big, Beautiful Bill passed. First Solar could lower the projection as a result of the solar tax credit getting pulled. However, we could also see a frenzy of activity before the Dec. 31, 2025, expiration of solar credits. At any rate, 2026 will struggle to be as strong for First Solar, unless there is a major mid-term upset in Congress.

American Superconductor is another company that is shining brightly as many clean energy companies struggle. (Many companies on our Wind/Solar stock report card have seen their revenue sink, their debt soar and are cash negative.) AMSC’s turbines are useful in military ships, their “protection” degaussing systems cloak war ships, and their clean energy technology and power conduction solutions are popular with utility companies. Defense is always in favor under a Republican Administration, especially when there are active wars going on.

AMSC’s revenue was up 58.60% in the 1st quarter and could jump 63.8% year over year in 2Q 2025. Be careful with all individual clean energy companies, as we have yet to see the impact of tariffs and the new legislation, and particularly in a company like AMSC that is trading at a 5-year high, with a very lofty price/earnings and price/sales ratio.

Inverters and Chipmakers
Inverters and chipmakers, such as Enphase, a former Wall Street darling, are seeing their sales dramatically reduced from the 2022 highs. Many have had their stock hammered. Both Enphase and SolarEdge have high debt-equity ratios – made worse by their new small cap status. Both companies are down by more than -80% in share price and market value, which is a reminder of just how important it is to capture gains. This was before tariffs and having the plug pulled on clean energy tax credits.

We suggest rebalancing 1-3 times a year and that sticking with targeted ETFs over individual companies is more appropriate, particularly for busy professionals.

If you’d like an Inverter Stock Report Card, email [email protected].

Lithium and Polysilicon Industries
Lithium and polysilicon miners and manufacturers have been out of favor for a few years. The problem is that there is a very prolific supply. The demand is high, but the supply is far higher. See the price demise in the charts below.

Homeowners and Energy Efficiency Tax Credits
If you are interested in energy efficiency, wind or solar, now is the time to race to get it installed. The tax credit, which is 30%, runs out at the end of 2025. Leases are not eligible. (Read the bill text at this link.)

Also, it’s important to reduce your megawatt footprint before you get the quote on the solar. This could save you thousands of dollars. If you live in a sunny state, and you make some smart energy efficiency improvements in your home, which can be very, very cheap, then the payback time of the solar panels could be as low as 4-7 years. Thereafter, the amount of money you save on utilities could be the equivalent of a 15% or higher yield. That is an excellent investment for a hard asset that should hold its value very well and is purchased for a good price (30% off retail). The window on this opportunity is clearly closing quite soon.

Utilities
21.5% of the U.S. grid was powered by renewable energy in 2023.

On February 24, 2025, the Energy Information Administration (under the new Administration), projected that solar and battery storage would be the leaders of new power generation in the U.S.

If the new legislation remains intact, 2026 will be a different story. However, what might happen in November of 2026 or 2028? Things can change rapidly, as we saw with clean energy residential and commercial tax credits that were supposed to be in play through 2032 being completed turned off in a matter of months. However, as we saw in 2021, when clean energy was the hottest investment on Wall Street, the opposite can also be the case.

Whether a utility has a large amount of renewable energy or not, with more expensive natural disasters being blamed on the companies, this industry is not the safe harbor of yesteryear. If you’ve invested for the dividends, or any other reason, be sure to read my blog and warning on the industry. (Click to acess.)

Clean Energy ETFs
The iShares ICLN ETF tripled between March 2020 and Jan. 2021. Clean energy was one of the best performing industries that year. Rebalancing 1-3 times a year will help us to capture gains. (Early January is a great time to rebalance.)

Source: MSN.com. (c) Microsoft. Used with permission.

ICLN is currently trading near an all-time low. The industry has been very volatile over the last two decades. Administrations change their policies. However, in recessions, the clean energy industry suffers, even if there is a green President in charge. (Individuals and countries that are reeling economically must cancel new projects.)

While there’s little to suggest that the clean energy industry will be hot anytime soon, changes can happen swiftly (even as soon as midterm elections). When we wait for the headlines that something is hot, it’s too late. So, rather than selling low now, thinking clean energy is out of favor, it’s a better idea to forecast whether the industry might be in favor going forward.

What conditions might change the game? Most people don’t buy low because they aren’t seeing the potential. When the gains are making headlines, everyone wants to buy (high) – even if they have no clue as to why the investment is soaring. (Sometimes, as was the case with many meme stocks, there’s not a lot of true value behind the furor.) If we’ve seen the value when no one else has, then we’re on the top of that wave, capturing gains at the high.

Bottom Line
Individual companies are tough to invest in, particularly in this feast-or-famine industry. Investing in a clean energy fund will lower risk. However, the industry is volatile. So, rebalancing 1-3 times a year is VITAL to capturing gains and keeping our wealth growing.

Would I add clean energy as a hot slice right now? No. However, knowing how much appetite there is for renewable energy throughout the world, and how many of these products make other industries, including defense and utilities, more versatile and resilient, I’m not selling low either. If I owned individual companies, such as Tesla, First Solar or AMSC, I’d move into a targeted ETF (offered by a creditworthy fund company). Most Main Street investors have demanding jobs which prevent us from doing the rigorous analysis and disciplined profit-taking required to win on Wall Street.

Register now to join us at our online Financial Freedom Retreat Oct. 11-13 2025 where you'll learn how to protect your wealth, save thousands annually in your budget and how to hedge in a volatile Debt World. If you'd like a life-changing adventure of a lifetime, be our guest at a royal manor house in Cornwall, England, March 12-19, 2027. (With just eight rooms available, this exclusive, private, bucket-list adventure sells out a year in advance!) Call 310-430-2397 or email [email protected] to learn more. The 2025 Restormel Retreat was a magical and royal experience. Click to learn more.

Receive the best price when you register for the Financial Freedom Retreat Oct. 11-13 2025 by July 31, 2025. Request testimonials at [email protected]. You can also view some on the flyer page of the retreat.

Learn how to:

* Invest in hot industries, such as Nvidia, artificial intelligence, and quantum computing,
* Hedge against a weaker dollar,
* Invest and compound your gains,
* Green your retirement plan,
* Easy and efficacious nest egg strategies,
* Get hot and diversified (including in artificial intelligence, quantum computing and crypto),
* Evaluate stocks,
* Avoid capital gains and financial predators,
* Keep an age-appropriate amount safe, and,
* Know what's safe in a Debt World.

You'll even discover how to save thousands annually with smarter big-ticket choices. Yes, it's a complete money makeover.

Email [email protected] or call 310-430-2397 to learn more and register. Learn the 15+ things you'll master and read testimonials in the flyer on the home page at NataliePace.com. Register with friends and family to receive the best price.

"Ten minutes into the first day I was already much smarter about investing than I ever thought I would be in my life and I knew I was in exactly the right place at this retreat. I am amazed at how EASY and FUN it is to make my money work for me and those I love. I think this kind of information should be compulsory in schools. I wish I'd learned this sooner." CM

If you’d like an unbiased 2nd opinion on your current wealth plan, email [email protected] for pricing and information.

Receive the best price when you register by July 31, 2025. Visit NataliePace.com to learn more. Call 310-430-2397 or email [email protected] for pricing, additional information and to register.

Check out Natalie Pace's Substack podcast on Apple and Spotify.
Watch videoconferences and webinars on Youtube.

Other Blogs of Interest
Tesla Sales Slump in 2Q 2025.
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Important Disclaimers
Please note: Natalie Pace does not act or operate like a broker. She reports on financial news, and is one of the most trusted sources of financial literacy, education and forensic analysis in the world. Natalie Pace educates and informs individual investors to give investors a competitive edge in their personal decision-making. Any publicly-traded companies, funds or projects mentioned by Natalie Pace are not intended to be buy or sell recommendations.

ALWAYS do your research and consult an experienced, reputable financial professional before buying or selling any security, and consider your long-term goals and strategies. Investors should NOT be all in on any asset class or individual stocks. Your retirement plan should reflect an age-appropriate, diversified wealth plan, which has been designed strategically, with the assistance of financial professionals who are familiar with your goals, risk tolerance, tax needs and more. The "trading" portion of your portfolio should be a very small part of your investment strategy, and the amount of money you invest into individual companies should never be greater than your experience, wisdom, knowledge, patience and diversified strategy.

Information has been obtained from sources believed to be reliable. However, NataliePace.com does not warrant its completeness or accuracy. Opinions constitute our judgment as of the date of this publication and are subject to change without notice. This material is not intended as an offer or solicitation for the purchase or sale of any financial instrument.

Tesla. Sales Slump as the White House War of Words Rages.

4/7/2025

President Trump purchased a Tesla on the White House lawn on March 11, 2025.

Tesla. Sales Slump as the White House War of Words Rages.

I want to start off this blog by acknowledging the massive feat achieved by Tesla, under the aegis of Elon Musk, to disrupt the ICE* industry and make electric vehicles de rigueur. It was an impressive feat. However, today, the competition for EVs has erupted into a price war, while the Bromance breakup between Mr. Musk and The President has descended into a war of words and threats. These stress factors are showing up in sales.

*Internal Combustion Engine.

Tesla, as a trillion-dollar company with exciting projects in development, should have a bright future for decades to come. However, the real question is, “Should Tesla be valued at more than twice the combined market caps of Toyota, General Motors, and Ford Motor Company combined?” To answer that, we must look beyond the headlines and our own biases and dive into the details.

Here are the topics we’ll cover in this blog.

Deliveries are Down
Intense EV Competition and Price Wars
Regulatory Credits (and that White House War of Words)
Revenue and Net Income Down
Weakening Economy
Expensive Price

And here is more information on each point.

Deliveries are Down
Tesla issued a 2Q 2025 deliveries report on July 2, 2025. Tesla delivered 14% more vehicles in the second quarter than they did in the first quarter of 2025. However, year over year, deliveries are down. The company delivered 384,122 vehicles in the 2nd quarter of 2025, compared to 443,956 vehicles in the same quarter in 2024 – a decline of -13.5%. This could result in a drop of up to $1 billion in quarterly revenue from the 2nd quarter of 2024, due to the intense price wars that EV makers are engaged in, requiring almost all EV automakers to reduce prices to compete.

It should also be noted that the company is building up inventory, producing 26,122 more vehicles in the 2nd quarter than the company sold. In the 1st quarter, Tesla produced 25,934 more vehicles than the company sold.

Intense EV Competition and Price Wars
BYD is the top selling electric vehicle maker in the world, even though Tesla still has one of the most popular cars in the world. The Tesla Model Y has been the #1 bestselling car since Q1 2023. However, according to JATO Dynamics, the Toyota RAV4 beat the Y by a margin of just 0.16% in 2Q 2025 to become the best-selling vehicle.

When we look at a stock report card of the fastest growing automakers, many are Chinese-based. This has a lot to do with China being the largest electric vehicle market by far. Of more than 17 million EVs sold globally in 2024, 11 million were purchased in China. Tesla is very popular in China. However, there are many options to choose from that are much more affordable. Tesla has had to lower prices to compete.

Many European countries and the U.S. have kept Chinese EVs out of their markets with very high tariffs. However, BYD and other Chinese EVs are available for purchase in Mexico, South America, Africa and Asia.

If you are interested in an updated auto stock report card email [email protected].

Regulatory Credits (and that White House War of Words)
Tesla’s regulatory credits were $595 million in the first quarter of 2025. Without the credits, Tesla’s earnings results would have reflected a net loss instead of net income of $409 million.

It’s interesting to think that the DOGE department that Elon Musk set up might in fact go after some of these regulatory credits now. That was a threat posted by the President on Truth Social on July 1, 2025.

Revenue and Net Income Down
Tesla did a company-wide factory renovation in the first quarter of 2025. So, it is possible that the second quarter net income can be a little more robust than the weak 1Q net income of just $409 million. That still could put the range somewhere between $500 million and perhaps $1 billion. The full year revenue could be down by more than half compared to the $7.3 billion net income in 2024, and even more depressed than the $15 billion in net income that Tesla enjoyed in 2023.

Weakening Economy
There are more than a few headwinds for the auto industry. The U.S. economy is expected to grow by 1.4% GDP growth in 2025, compared to 2.8% in 2024.

Student loan delinquencies began being reported in May of this year. Since then, we’ve seen a spike in 90-day+ delinquencies to 7.74%. This will result in lower credit scores and higher interest rates for anyone wanting to purchase a vehicle.

Tariffs on steel will increase the costs of automakers and reduce profit margins, unless they are able to raise their prices. There are additional tariffs for foreign made vehicles. This is one area where Tesla’s build-local motto is in the company’s favor. Tesla builds cars for the U.S. market in the U.S., for Europe in Germany, and for China in China.

Automakers struggle when unemployment rises or consumers have difficulty borrowing due to low credit scores or high interest rates. While interest rates are not egregiously high on a historical basis, many Americans have gotten accustomed to almost zero since the Great Recession. With inflation so high, the restrictive rates could negatively impact all auto purchases. It’s important to remember that General Motors and Chrysler both had to go through bankruptcy debt restructuring in the financial crisis of 2008 and the Great Recession. We’ve already seen an auto parts manufacturer go belly-up – Marelli (on June 11, 2025).

Expensive Price
Tesla is one of the most expensive stocks on Wall Street. The company is worth over $1 trillion, with a price/earnings ratio of 166. Yes, Tesla has some exciting projects and products in development. However, should a company that might earn less than $6 billion in net income in 2025 be valued at over a trillion dollars? General Motors and Ford Motor Company had $6 billion in net income in 2024, with current market values of just $51 billion and $47 billion, respectively.

It can take years for robotaxis to be embraced and rolled out in a meaningful expansion. It’s questionable whether we’re all going have our own Optimus robot before the next recession. There have been a lot of reports of safety incidents from the Tesla robotaxi launch in Austin, and engineers have raised concerns about the use of cameras only (Tesla FSD) versus LiDAR and cameras (what Waymo uses). (Click to read my blog on that.)

Pricing companies out years from now, when there are so many risks in the marketplace, is walking quite a tight rope. Tesla’s share price is volatile, plunging as low as $182/share in July of 2024, hitting a high of $488.54 in December of 2024 and then plunging again to $222/share in early April of 2025. Prices are back to $315/share. However, with the public and White House backlash aimed at the CEO, and the daily headlines those skirmishes generate, volatility will likely continue. That’s quite a rollercoaster. Even sophisticated traders and hedge funds might find it difficult to be on the right side of that trade.

Bottom Line
I would never bet against Elon Musk because he has proven himself to be one of the most productive CEOs ever. When the company is on the ropes, he finds ways to bounce back and soar above the competition. Disrupting an industry that’s been around for a century is a tall order, and it is very impressive what Tesla has achieved.

However, in a slowing economy, people tend to buy fewer cars. In price wars, companies must lower prices to compete. The current Administration is not friendly to clean energy companies and has threatened to take away subsidies and credits. Those are number of headwinds for a company priced for what people hope will be the value years from now.

Anyone who bought Tesla stock early in the game, or even at this year’s low, has enjoyed gains. However, in addition to the auto industry challenges, we’re long overdue for a recession. A correction or bear market could come as quite a shock for newer traders who haven’t experienced a time when the markets didn’t bounce back quickly.

Register now to join us at our online Financial Freedom Retreat Oct. 11-13 2025 where you'll learn how to protect your wealth, save thousands annually in your budget and how to hedge in a volatile Debt World. If you'd like a life-changing adventure of a lifetime, be our guest at a royal manor house in Cornwall, England, March 12-19, 2027. (With just eight rooms available, this exclusive, private, bucket-list adventure sells out a year in advance!) Call 310-430-2397 or email [email protected] to learn more. The 2025 Restormel Retreat was a magical and royal experience. Click to learn more.

Receive the best price when you register for the Financial Freedom Retreat Oct. 11-13 2025 by July 31, 2025. Request testimonials at [email protected]. You can also view some on the flyer page of the retreat.

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* Invest in hot industries, such as Nvidia, artificial intelligence, and quantum computing,
* Hedge against a weaker dollar,
* Invest and compound your gains,
* Green your retirement plan,
* Easy and efficacious nest egg strategies,
* Get hot and diversified (including in artificial intelligence, quantum computing and crypto),
* Evaluate stocks,
* Avoid capital gains and financial predators,
* Keep an age-appropriate amount safe, and,
* Know what's safe in a Debt World.

You'll even discover how to save thousands annually with smarter big-ticket choices. Yes, it's a complete money makeover.

Email [email protected] or call 310-430-2397 to learn more and register. Learn the 15+ things you'll master and read testimonials in the flyer on the home page at NataliePace.com. Register with friends and family to receive the best price.

"Ten minutes into the first day I was already much smarter about investing than I ever thought I would be in my life and I knew I was in exactly the right place at this retreat. I am amazed at how EASY and FUN it is to make my money work for me and those I love. I think this kind of information should be compulsory in schools. I wish I'd learned this sooner." CM

If you’d like an unbiased 2nd opinion on your current wealth plan, email [email protected] for pricing and information.

Receive the best price when you register by July 31, 2025. Visit NataliePace.com to learn more. Call 310-430-2397 or email [email protected] for pricing, additional information and to register.

Natalie Pace in Powerscourt, Ireland. Photo: Marie Commiskey.

Check out Natalie Pace's Substack podcast on Apple and Spotify.
Watch videoconferences and webinars on Youtube.

Other Blogs of Interest
Our Super Performing Hots and Value Replacements.
Is Gold a Tier 1 HQLA Reserve Currency?
Is Your Income Strategy Losing Money?
Gold, Silver & Crypto Soar. Stocks Offer 5%. Debt Balloons. Some Foreigners are Selling U.S. Treasuries.
Get Safe & Hot in 1 Easy Plan.
Home Prices Soften. Is Your City Next?
Tesla Vision vs. Waymo LiDAR and Air Taxis. Are Any of Them Safe?
Archer Aviation is Chosen to be the Exclusive Air Taxi Service for the 2028 L.A. Olympics. Company of the Year?
USA Downgraded. Is U.S. Reserve Currency Status Threatened?
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Stocks Soar as Nvidia Joins the DJIA.
Copper. Peru ETF Outperforms the S&P500.
Will Insurance Companies & Homeowners Weather the Hurricanes?
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Housing & Budgeting Solutions.
Arkansas Sues Temu for Data Theft.
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Fast Fashion. Fossil Fuels. Plastic Clothing. Atacama Desert Waste Dumps.
Can Crowdstrike Recover from its Colossal Catastrophe? Featuring a Cybersecurity Overview.
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The Best ROI* (Almost 40%!) & 7 Life Hacks That Save Thousands.
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China Bans Apple
11-Point Green Checklist for Schools.
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Bank of America has $100 Billion in Bond Losses (on Paper)
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Why We Are Underweighting Banks and the Financial Industry.
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The Bank Bail-in Plan on Your Dime.

Important Disclaimers
Please note: Natalie Pace does not act or operate like a broker. She reports on financial news, and is one of the most trusted sources of financial literacy, education and forensic analysis in the world. Natalie Pace educates and informs individual investors to give investors a competitive edge in their personal decision-making. Any publicly-traded companies, funds or projects mentioned by Natalie Pace are not intended to be buy or sell recommendations.

ALWAYS do your research and consult an experienced, reputable financial professional before buying or selling any security, and consider your long-term goals and strategies. Investors should NOT be all in on any asset class or individual stocks. Your retirement plan should reflect an age-appropriate, diversified wealth plan, which has been designed strategically, with the assistance of financial professionals who are familiar with your goals, risk tolerance, tax needs and more. The "trading" portion of your portfolio should be a very small part of your investment strategy, and the amount of money you invest into individual companies should never be greater than your experience, wisdom, knowledge, patience and diversified strategy.

Information has been obtained from sources believed to be reliable. However, NataliePace.com does not warrant its completeness or accuracy. Opinions constitute our judgment as of the date of this publication and are subject to change without notice. This material is not intended as an offer or solicitation for the purchase or sale of any financial instrument.

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Weight Loss Drugs Dominate Headlines, While mRNA Gets Defunded.

Summer 2025 Sale and Sweepstakes.

Will Tariffs and Slow Growth Spark a Wall Street Sell-Off?

Are You Paying Thousands Each Year to Lose Money?

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Crypto Goes Mainstream. The GENIUS Act Passes.

Are You Getting Killed in Capital Gains Taxes?

Clean Energy Unplugged by the Big Beautiful Bill.

Tesla. Sales Slump as the White House War of Words Rages.

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