Hold Me Back
Friday, January 24th 2025
World Events — Trump Spoke at WEF
The Economists
President Donald Trump addressed global business leaders at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, offering a stark choice to international companies. He promised "among the lowest taxes of any nation on Earth" for those who manufacture their products in the United States, while warning of tariffs for those who choose to produce goods elsewhere. Trump also called on Saudi Arabia and OPEC to reduce oil prices, suggesting that lower oil prices could help end the ongoing war in Ukraine. Following this, he demanded that central banks worldwide lower interest rates "immediately," linking this request to the potential decrease in oil prices. These statements reflect Trump's continued focus on reshaping global trade dynamics and economic policies to favor U.S. interests, while also attempting to influence international energy markets and monetary policy.
Tech — Trump Pardons the Founder of Silk Road
Bloomberg
Former President Donald Trump pardoned Ross Ulbricht, the founder of the dark web marketplace Silk Road, on his second day back in office in 2025. This move fulfilled a campaign promise Trump made to the cryptocurrency community and libertarian voters. Ulbricht, who had been serving a double life sentence without parole since 2015 for charges related to drug trafficking, computer hacking, and money laundering, was seen as a symbol of government overreach by libertarian activists. Trump's decision to pardon Ulbricht was likely motivated by a desire to gain favor with the crypto industry and libertarian voters, as Silk Road was considered the first large-scale demonstration of Bitcoin's effectiveness as a censorship-resistant transaction system. The pardon also aligned with Trump's broader crypto-friendly stance, which included pledges to create a strategic Bitcoin reserve and remove SEC Chair Gary Gensler, who had led enforcement actions against crypto companies.
Business — Outlook on the Asian Markets
Investors anticipating a revival in Asian stocks through improved earnings may face disappointment as upcoming results are likely to reveal companies were struggling even before Donald Trump's return to office. The MSCI Asia Pacific Index has seen forward earnings estimates drop by over 4% since late September, with major markets like China and India facing particular challenges. China is expected to show weak earnings growth for 2024 despite stimulus efforts, while India's thriving tech sector is under pressure to justify high valuations.
The outlook for Asian markets in 2025 remains uncertain, with potential headwinds including retail and loan growth in the region, policies implemented by the Trump administration, and global demand fluctuations. However, some analysts remain optimistic about the earnings growth potential of Asian corporations, with market consensus projecting double-digit earnings per share growth in the coming year. Despite these challenges, Asian markets appear attractive from a valuation perspective, with Asia ex-Japan equities trading at a low forward 12-month price-to-earnings ratio of 13.1x, which is below the long-term average.
Health — The Effects of Close Bonds on Our Health
Close relationships play a crucial role in human health, with research demonstrating that social connections can be as significant a health factor as traditional markers like smoking, body mass index, and physical activity. Positive experiences in close relationships are associated with lower stress levels, better coping mechanisms, and improved physiological functioning, including lower blood pressure and heart rate reactivity. These relationships can protect and promote health by helping individuals manage stress, fulfill basic emotional needs like love and security, and foster personal growth. Conversely, negative aspects of close relationships, such as conflict and interference, can predict worse health outcomes, including poor cardio-metabolic health and increased depressive symptoms. The quality of these relationships matters significantly, with studies showing that intimate, supportive connections can lead to better emotional well-being, potentially even improving survival rates for serious health conditions like breast cancer. Ultimately, strong social bonds not only enhance psychological health but can also have profound impacts on physical health, potentially influencing everything from immune response to longevity.
Food — Mapo Tofu
This mapo tofu recipe represents the quintessential, genuine Sichuan classic—a fiery, electrifyingly spicy dish that delivers an intense, mouth-tingling sensation guaranteed to make you crave multiple servings. This isn't a watered-down version, but the authentic preparation that demands rice as its essential companion, promising a culinary experience so compelling that a single scoop is simply impossible to resist.
Song Rec — Hold Me Back (Heize)
Quote of the Day
“One moment of patience, in a moment of anger, can save a thousand moments of regrets.” — Unknown
enjoy your weekend ~