lefthand : Hi @Kevin Travers,
Thanks for the mentioned. However, I wanted to bring to your attention that I have not received any of the 200 points as mentioned in all of your posts despite being mentioned in your previous post, including the initial promise made around the end of December.
I’ve raised this issue multiple times with Customer Service, but each time I’m told to wait 3 business days or that the points will be credited in that timeframe. Unfortunately, none of these promises have been fulfilled, and I still haven’t received the points.
I would greatly appreciate it if you or your team could look into this matter and help resolve it.
Thank you for your attention to this, and I look forward to your assistance.

lefthand : I’d say I’m comfortable, albeit with a slight edge of discomfort. The recent tariff-related hiccup did give me a bit of a shock, but I quickly reminded myself of the fundamentals behind my investments. I’m heavily invested in MAG 7 stocks—companies that are not only leaders in their sectors but also have rock-solid fundamentals. Frankly, if tariffs were severe enough to majorly damage these giants, it would likely signal a much broader crisis for the U.S. economy. That realization quickly reassured me that my positions are on solid ground, even if the current environment feels a bit unsettling in the short term.
Next, I tend not to make reactive moves solely based on potential policy shifts, even if the headlines are screaming about tariffs on Mexico or Canada. Instead, I incorporate geopolitical and trade policy risks as part of my continuous portfolio review. Here’s how I approach it:
Risk Assessment: I periodically evaluate my exposure to sectors and companies that might be vulnerable to tariffs. If a particular industry or stock shows signs of systemic risk, I consider hedging strategies or rebalancing my exposure over time.
Long-Term Focus: Short-term policy shifts rarely change the long-term fundamentals of a business. While tariffs can affect margins or temporarily disrupt supply chains, companies with strong competitive advantages usually adapt. My focus remains on long-term performance rather than knee-jerk reactions to policy announcements.
Staying Agile: That said, I’m not complacent. I keep a close eye on developments and maintain the flexibility to adjust my positions if new data suggests a more significant shift in the trade environment than anticipated.

lefthand Kevin Travers OP : Wasn't sure if there were any other people also facing similar issue, as I did mention about this in a grp chat where there are several members also participating in your event, but they didn't mention that they face this issue.
As of today, excluding the latest mentioned, supposingly I should have received 1600 points (8 mentioned), but till this today I only received 200 pts.

lefthand : Alibaba:
Despite the inherent risks tied to being a Chinese company, particularly under the Trump administration, I believe that Alibaba has the potential to mitigate these challenges. A recent report highlighted that Apple, a key player in the global tech space, is collaborating with Alibaba on the development of AI technology for their phones. This suggests a significant level of trust and confidence from major players like Apple, which should not go unnoticed. If the likes of the MAG 7 (the seven most valuable tech companies in the world) are confident in Alibaba, why shouldn't we be? Furthermore, Alibaba is expected to have a meeting with President Xi, a move that carries positive sentiment. This comes after a period of tension between the company and the Chinese government, and any attempt to resolve such issues could lead to a more favorable regulatory environment for the company in the future. These developments suggest that Alibaba is well-positioned to weather current challenges.
Walmart:
Turning to Walmart, there's been recent news (https://nypost.com/2024/08/15/business/walmart-raises-outlook-on-strong-demand-from-inflation-battered-shoppers/) indicating that the company is expected to see an uptick in sales, largely driven by inflation. Walmart has long been recognized for its affordability, making it a go-to option for consumers, particularly in times of economic stress. Given the expectation that inflation will rise again under the Trump administration due to tariffs, Walmart stands to benefit from this trend, as shoppers increasingly seek out cost-effective alternatives. As inflationary pressures mount, Walmart's business model should continue to attract customers looking to stretch their budgets, solidifying its position as a key player in the retail space.
Both Alibaba and Walmart face distinct challenges, but I believe their respective strategies and positioning allow them to manage risks and capitalize on opportunities.

lefthand : to me it's important to remember that whether these tech companies beat or miss consensus estimates often takes a backseat to the prospects they outline in their earnings calls. Investors are primarily focused on the future outlook rather than just the historical numbers.
For instance, take Tesla's recent earnings report: even though they fell short of expectations, the strong forward guidance and prospects led to an increase in share price. Conversely, Microsoft, despite beating consensus estimates, saw its stock decline because the market wasn't convinced about the near-term potential of its AI segment.
Ultimately, what matters most is how these companies are positioning themselves for the future. The narrative around growth opportunities, technological innovations, and strategic investments—as discussed during the earnings calls—often has a more significant impact on investor sentiment than the headline numbers alone.

lefthand : If Stargate or a similar AI initiative becomes fully realized, yes, I would definitely make longer-term moves. Given my involvement in AI-related companies, I am actively invested in ensuring that these companies stay ahead of the curve and remain relevant as the AI landscape evolves. AI is advancing rapidly, and there will always be new players and innovations on the horizon. It’s crucial to stay vigilant, adapt to market trends, and keep an eye on disruptive competitors to avoid being overtaken by other companies.
In addition to AI, I foresee significant changes in sectors like healthcare, water treatment, and energy. In healthcare, AI will dramatically improve patient outcomes by reducing failure rates in medical procedures and enhancing diagnostics. The ability of AI to simulate various medical scenarios and offer a range of possible solutions before implementation will be a game-changer, leading to more precise and efficient care, ultimately lowering costs and improving patient experiences.
As for energy, I’m also quite bullish. AI’s immense energy consumption will drive innovation in more efficient energy management and renewable resources. As AI technologies evolve, the energy sector will need to adapt to meet these growing demands, likely boosting investment in sustainable energy solutions.
Now, regarding the water industry, AI's massive computational needs will require significant cooling resources, often dependent on water. As these systems expand, more water will be needed for cooling, which can lead to potential waste or strain on local water resources. This makes water treatment companies key players in addressing the growing demand for efficient water use. The role of AI in optimizing water management systems—whether through improving cooling efficiency or ensuring water is recycled and purified effectively—will become more critical, making companies focused on water treatment solutions a smart long-term investment.
So, in terms of broader investments, I expect AI to not only revolutionize technology but to also act as a catalyst for innovation in healthcare, energy, and water management sectors. However, it’s crucial to remain prudent, stay on top of developments, and adjust as necessary to ensure these companies stay relevant as the landscape continues to evolve.

lefthand : Investment choice based on big tech earning? Welp, all this while I am always bullish on big tech in the MAG 7, in fact currently I am holding MSFT and NVDA, so to me their earning wont really affect much of my decision unless the result is super uglyyyyyyyy. While, for Trump, all this while I am a long term holder of BTC, in fact way before the previous bull run I hv been holding BTC and its related ETF, so when Trump take office will I chg my plan by letting BTC go? Definately a big noooooooo

lefthand : I wouldn't expect anything particularly special in the upcoming earnings report. However, I do anticipate that things may be different during the next earnings season, as the U.S. will have a new president, Donald Trump, which could bring some shifts in market dynamics and business outlook.