Articles for author: Ron Finklestien

January 5, 2024

Ron Finklestien

The Inner Workings of Proprietary Trading Firms

Prop trading firms, also known as proprietary trading firms, maneuver through the intricate pathways of the financial sector, navigating complex financial strategies to garner profits directly from market activity. Unlike traditional investment services where client assets are used to facilitate trades, these firms trade with their own capital, creating a direct nexus between firm success and financial performance in the markets. This distinctive approach endows the firms with a vested interest in the profits, thereby fostering a culture of heightened risk management and inventive trading strategies. As integral contributors to the financial ecosystem, prop trading firms play a pivotal role

January 5, 2024

Ron Finklestien

Struggles and Triumphs in the Stock Market: Applied Therapeutics Takes a Hit While Other Companies Soar

The news of Applied Therapeutics, Inc.’s fall from grace hit the stock market like a bolt of lightning on a clear day. The company released topline results of the ARISE-HF Phase 3 trial of AT-001 (caficrestat) in patients with Diabetic Cardiomyopathy (DbCM) at high risk of progression to overt heart failure. Investors, however, were not singing in the streets. The study’s primary endpoint aimed for stabilization or improvement in cardiac functional capacity, as measured by Peak VO2 in patients treated with AT-001 1500mg twice daily (BID) compared to placebo. Alas, Applied Therapeutics shares dipped a whopping 35.6% to $2.4498 on

January 5, 2024

Ron Finklestien

Solar Industry Set for Steady Growth, Says SolarEdge CFO Solar Industry Set for Steady Growth, Says SolarEdge CFO

Photo by mesut zengin/iStock via Getty Images The U.S. solar industry is poised for modest growth this year, predicts SolarEdge Technologies (NASDAQ:SEDG) CFO Ronen Faier. Faier made the announcement on Thursday, citing declining electricity prices and the increasing support from the Inflation Reduction Act. Macroeconomic uncertainties in Q3 and Q4 impacted demand for solar products in the U.S. However, Faier is optimistic that demand will pick up in 2024. He anticipates lower interest rates to spur growth, as reported by Reuters from his speech at a Goldman Sachs conference in Miami. Incentives from the IRA in leading solar markets like

January 5, 2024

Ron Finklestien

Elevance Health Invests in Whole Health Elevance Health (ELV) Enhances Whole Health With Paragon Buyout

Elevance Health, Inc. ELV has set its sights on expanding its suite of whole health services through the acquisition of Paragon Healthcare. Specializing in providing life-giving and life-saving injectable and infusible therapies, Paragon Healthcare’s expertise aligns seamlessly with Elevance Health’s commitment to providing low-cost specialty medications and services for members dealing with complex and chronic illnesses. Elevance Health’s strategic move to offer services at in-home as well as ambulatory locations is set to break down barriers to care. The acquisition is expected to further drive revenues for Carelon, ELV’s health services segment, and position the company for significant growth. As

January 5, 2024

Ron Finklestien

Dow Jones Index Falls as ISM Services PMI Weakens Dow Jones Index Falls as ISM Services PMI Weakens

U.S. stocks were trading mixed midway through the session, with the Dow Jones Industrial Average shedding approximately 70 points on Friday. The Dow traded down 0.19% to 37,369.52 while the NASDAQ rose 0.16% to 14,533.16. The S&P 500 also rose, gaining 0.12% to 4,694.09. Check This Out: Cramer Says This ‘Inexpensive’ Stock Is ‘Doing Some Great Things With Aerospace’ Market Movement Consumer discretionary shares soared by 0.9% on Friday. Meanwhile, health care shares only rose by 0.1% in trading on Friday. ISM Services PMI The ISM services PMI declined to 50.6 in December, marking the weakest reading in seven months

January 5, 2024

Ron Finklestien

Learning the Ropes in Real Estate Development Starting Over From The Ground Up

My experience in commercial real estate development impacted my approach to value creation from early on. It was like learning to build from the ground up, quite literally. Starting as a leasing agent, every deal held a lesson – a lesson that was as valuable as the properties being negotiated. These experiences, ripe with challenges and victories, ultimately shaped my career. Building a Strong Foundation One of the early deals that left a mark on my journey was negotiating a lease for Rock-Ola Café, a first-time enterprise in South Carolina. To sweeten the deal, I even took on the responsibility

January 5, 2024

Ron Finklestien

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The Rise of LFP Batteries Reshapes the Electric Vehicle Market

In early 2023, it appeared that cobalt and nickel-laden electric car battery markets were dealt a colossal blow, altering the balance of power in the industry. A few months later, the burgeoning success of LFP Model 3 stood as a testament to a significant shift in the global EV market, with LFP technology claiming an impressive 5% share and accounting for 21% of Tesla’s battery capacity in vehicles on the road, even before a critical patent expiry set for the following year. Shifting Dynamics in the Market It’s January 2024 and unfortunately for the staunch advocates of cobalt and nickel,

January 5, 2024

Ron Finklestien

Greenbrier’s Shares Surge on Q1 FY24 Results Greenbrier’s Shares Surge on Q1 FY24 Results

Greenbrier Companies Inc GBX shares are trading higher by around 8% on Friday after the company reported Q1 FY24 results. Q1 FY24 Results Overview Greenbrier’s Q1 FY24 revenue rose to $808.8 million from $766.5 million a year ago, surpassing the consensus of $849.9 million. The company’s lease fleet utilization hit 98%, with fleet size increasing by 700 to 14,100 units. GBX secured orders for 5,100 new railcars worth $710 million and delivered 5,700 units in Q1.  The new railcar backlog as of Nov. 30, 2023, stood at 29,700 units with an estimated value of $3.8 billion. Adjusted EBITDA came in at $93.2

January 5, 2024

Ron Finklestien

Spotting Investment Opportunities in the Looming Bitcoin ETF Approval Spotting Investment Opportunities in the Looming Bitcoin ETF Approval

Reports indicate that the first wave approval process for numerous spot Bitcoin ETFs is in its conclusive stages at the SEC. This development is widely anticipated and could significantly impact the cryptocurrency market, as well as related assets. The approval is expected to have a profound effect on assets such as Grayscale Bitcoin Trust (GBTC). The Road to Approval Grayscale Bitcoin Trust (GBTC) has seen its discount to net asset value (“NAV”) narrow as the cryptocurrency market sentiments improved over the past year. This trend is expected to continue as the timeline for a spot Bitcoin ETF approval draws near.

January 5, 2024

Ron Finklestien

S&P, Nasdaq, Dow React to Hawkish Jobs Report S&P, Nasdaq, Dow React to Hawkish Jobs Report

Scott Olson Major market averages trade in a relatively muted fashion on Friday after Wall Street received a hawkish jobs report. Market Averages and Performance The S&P 500 (SP500) was +0.1%, while the Nasdaq Composite (COMP.IND) was +0.2%, and the Dow (DJI) was -0.1%. Stocks are looking at a lower week to start the year. Going into Friday, the S&P 500 (SP500) is down 1.7% for the last three sessions, with the Dow (DJI) off 0.7% and the Nasdaq (COMP.IND) down 3.3%. Info Tech (XLK) is down more than 4% for the week as growth struggled in the face of