Hello Capitalists,

Here’s what you need to be paying attention to today:

• Trump ready to play hardball with Putin

• Warren Buffet unveils his new stock pick and people are shocked

• US retails sales are up for the second month in a row

• Former JP Morgan trader indicted for stealing his investors money

• Michael Saylor doubles down on Bitcoin with “revolutionary” plan

Today’s markets:

• DOW: 44740.93 - (⬇️0.40%) 🔴

• S&P: 6455.83 - (⬇️0.17%) 🔴

• NASDAQ: 21692.06 - (⬇️0.10%) 🔴

• CBOE VIX Volatility Index: $15.17 (⬇️04.76%) ⚠️⬇️

Trump deploys oil tariffs to squeeze Putin over Ukraine peace deal

President Donald Trump is deploying oil tariffs and sanction threats to squeeze Russia's war funding, setting the stage for a pivotal Alaska summit with Vladimir Putin aimed at halting the devastating conflict in Ukraine. 

• Trump Signs Executive Order: He imposed a 25% tariff on India for buying Russian oil, labeling Moscow's aggression an "unusual and extraordinary threat" to U.S. security while establishing monitoring for other violators.

• Bessent Demands European Coordination: Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent criticized allies for not matching U.S. efforts, urging them to target refined Russian products and form a united front for maximum leverage.

• Putin Offered Negotiation Chance: Bessent emphasized the Alaska meeting as Putin's opportunity to end bloodshed, with Trump open to ongoing talks if the Russian leader shows readiness to negotiate.

• Second Summit Involves Zelenskyy: Trump outlined plans for a follow-up meeting including Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and possibly European leaders, potentially advancing peace if initial discussions succeed.

Quote of the Day:

Warren Buffet stuns Wall Street with $1.6 Billion dollar stake in United Healthcare

Warren Buffett's Berkshire Hathaway unveiled a $1.6 billion stake in struggling UnitedHealth, propelling shares up 12% Friday in their biggest gain in five years and offering a lifeline amid regulatory probes and leadership turmoil. 

• Stock's Yearlong Plunge: UnitedHealth shares had tumbled nearly 50% in 2025 before the surge, battered by pulled earnings outlooks and falling short of Wall Street estimates.

• Fellow Investors Pile In: Hedge fund titans Michael Burry and David Tepper also disclosed major stakes, joining Buffett in betting on the health insurer's recovery.

• Regulatory and Leadership Woes: The company faces a Justice Department investigation into Medicare billing practices, with CEO Andrew Witty resigning in May amid public backlash over rising costs.

• Analyst Predicts Sector Boost: Deutsche Bank's George Hill called the investment a "big vote of confidence," potentially stabilizing managed care stocks and drawing more capital.

US Retail Sales rose for the second month in a row

U.S. retail sales rose 0.5% in July, missing economists' forecasts but marking a second consecutive gain after spring declines, highlighting resilient consumer spending amid mixed economic signals. 

June Figures Revised Higher – Retail sales for June were upgraded to a 0.9% increase from the initial 0.6% estimate, underscoring stronger-than-thought momentum entering the summer months. 

Sector Performance Varies Widely – Home furnishings jumped 1.4% and e-commerce grew 0.8%, while building supplies fell 1% with a steeper 2.6% year-over-year drop. 

Experts Flag Spending Headwinds – Economists warn of moderate consumer outlays below 2024's 2.8% pace, potentially hampered by tariff-induced prices and a weakening labor market. 

Inflation Signals Remain Mixed – The data aligns with tame CPI readings but building PPI pressures, pointing to cautious growth prospects for the current quarter. 

Michael Saylor doubles down on his Bitcoin strategy with “BTC Credit Model”

Michael Saylor, Bitcoin's fervent advocate and Strategy executive chairman, is wagering on a revolutionary $100 billion "BTC Credit Model" through perpetual preferred stock to supercharge his firm's crypto holdings amid soaring market enthusiasm. 

• Strategy Amasses $75 Billion: The rebranded MicroStrategy now holds the world's largest corporate Bitcoin cache, built via prior stock sales and bonds, underscoring its pivot to a crypto-centric identity. 

• Raises $6 Billion Annually: This year's four perpetual preferred offerings, including the $2.5 billion "Stretch" tranche, outpaced major crypto IPOs, with flexible terms allowing dividend skips for issuer advantage. 

• Retail Buyers Fuel Funding: Nearly a quarter of the latest raise came from devoted individual investors, reflecting Saylor's cult-like following and extreme past advice like mortgaging homes for Bitcoin. 

• Critics Warn of Burdens: If Bitcoin prices falter, escalating payouts on these never-maturing securities could strain the firm, potentially leaving it without buyers despite Saylor's "hold forever" mantra. 

GE unveils a $3Billion dollar investment in Kentucky and South Carolina

GE Appliances unveiled a $3 billion investment in U.S. manufacturing over five years, creating 1,000 jobs and modernizing plants nationwide to accelerate onshoring and boost supply chain resilience amid economic shifts. 

• Expands Historical Investments: GE Appliances has poured $6.5 billion into U.S. operations since 2016, already generating over 4,000 jobs and contributing $30 billion annually to GDP.

• Targets Southern States: Modernization spans 11 plants in Kentucky, Alabama, Georgia, Tennessee, and South Carolina, including a $490 million Kentucky boost for washer production.

• Doubles Camden Output: South Carolina's Camden facility will ramp up air conditioner manufacturing, doubling employment and production capacity by 2026 to meet rising demand.

• Emphasizes Workforce Pipeline: CEO Kevin Nolan highlights engineering shortages, urging investments in training programs to sustain manufacturing growth and create a "virtuous cycle" with suppliers.