Alcohol consumption in the US has plummeted to an 85-year low, with only 54% of adults reporting alcohol use, down from 67% in 2022. Major producers like Molson Coors and Constellation Brands are experiencing volume declines, with Molson Coors dropping 7% and Constellation by 3.3%. This shift mirrors the decline in tobacco usage, prompted by health reports linking smoking to cancer. Similarly, a recent Surgeon General’s report now connects alcohol consumption to increased cancer risk. The trend is affecting all age groups and income levels, with young adults showing the starkest decrease in drinking rates. As a result, the alcohol industry faces pressure to adapt, much like the tobacco industry did decades ago.
This Reddit user highly recommends watching Berkshire Hathaway’s 2000 Annual Meeting, emphasizing the humor and confidence of Warren Buffett and Charlie Munger during a precarious time before the Dotcom bubble burst. In just two years, while NASDAQ dropped by 50%, BRK.B rose by 20%. The user suggests dedicating five hours this weekend to watch the full meeting for valuable insights, especially relevant in today’s volatile market conditions. Watch it here: [https://youtu.be/Roe4LnEv7Gg](https://youtu.be/Roe4LnEv7Gg)
The original poster argues that Chinese tech giants like Tencent ($TCEHY), Alibaba ($BABA), JD.com ($JD), Baidu ($BIDU), and Pinduoduo ($PDD) are currently undervalued, despite their significant drop from all-time highs and ongoing geopolitical tensions. They highlight low forward P/E ratios for these companies – Tencent (19), JD.com (12), Alibaba (14), Baidu (11), and Pinduoduo (14) – suggesting potential future growth. The poster shares a personal gain of 117% on Tencent, urging others to consider investing in these firms amid widespread market fear.
The original poster ponders over the sustainability of current stock valuations, noting that the S&P’s P/E ratio is significantly higher than historical trends due to increased democratization of investing. With many large-cap companies trading at 35+ P/E ratios and forward P/E ratios, the poster questions whether continuous buying into indexes will maintain this elevated valuation, especially considering it’s currently over 2 standard deviations above historical norms during Donald Trump’s second presidential term (2025-2029). Casual retail investors and traders might find this reflection on market valuations and their potential sustainability insightful.
An experienced Asia equity specialist, currently managing a Substack community of Asia-focused fund managers and enthusiasts, is offering an AMA (Ask Me Anything) session. With a background in mutual funds, family offices, investment banking, and holding a CFA and Master’s Degree in Finance, this professional has spent over four years sharing insights on Asian equities. Originally Swedish but deeply rooted in Asia, they invite casual retail investors or traders to engage and learn from their extensive knowledge and experience.
The original poster is seeking investment ideas in lesser-known private companies with significant growth potential, moving away from popular names like OpenAI or SpaceX. They emphasize the value of insider knowledge within specific industries to gauge a company’s true potential for substantial success. The focus is on identifying these hidden gems early in their development, much like recognizing the pre-IPO promise of well-known tech giants.
The original poster shares their one-year journey of learning and recovering from significant losses in options trading. They detail their strategy, which involves scalping/day trading with a focus on price action and specific stocks like MAG7, using VWAP, EMAs, and volume indicators for confirmation. Despite initial struggles and sleepless nights, they emphasize the importance of persistence in their pursuit to become a successful trader while maintaining a disciplined approach with position sizing.