The Next Big Crisis?

Bill Ackman's new fund for retail investors, why one European company is worried about real estate and more

Happy Thursday Zingernation! If you invite me to a Super Bowl get-together my first question is, “What’s the food situation looking like?” I’d even put the Super Bowl up there with my top food days of the year next to Thanksgiving and Halloween.

Some fun Super Bowl food facts🍗

  • Football watchers are expected to eat more than 1 billion chicken wings

  • 325 million gallons of beer will be consumed

  • Super Bowl Sunday is the second-biggest grilling day of the year, behind only the Fourth of July

Before we dive in, check out today’s partner who’s empowering the EV revolution.

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MARKET SNAPSHOT

Yesterday: I’ve said it before and (hopefully) I’ll say it again: the market hit all-time highs yesterday and all major indices closed in the green.

On Our Radar: Initial jobless claims came out before the open, and then after the close the busy earnings season continues with reports from Pinterest, Affirm, Take Two and more.

TOP STORY
Paris skyscrapers

Briefly: You know who has a case of the Mondays? Office Space. And I’m not talking about the movie. The drop in commercial real estate demand is causing problems here in the U.S. with $NYCB, but also overseas.

Bank Woes: Munich-based Deutsche Pfandbriefbank AG, or PBB, experienced a dramatic drop in its market value this week after it decided to ramp up its risk provisioning for potential losses in its loan portfolio tied to commercial properties.

So: The move reflects growing concerns over the sector’s exposure and ongoing upheaval within the regional banking system.

The Numbers: Shares of PBB, which specializes in commercial real estate finance with over 150 years of history, traded down more than 15% yesterday. Its subordinated bonds mirrored this sharp decline.

Not Great: PBB described the current scenario as “the greatest real estate crisis since the financial crisis.”

Read On: Check out the full story here.

PRESENTED BY FOREMOST LITHIUM

As energy transitions away from fossil fuels, there presently lacks suitable alternatives for lithium, a crucial component in the production of batteries, and a key element of the advancement of clean energy technology. The demand for lithium-powered energy sources are expected to increasingly grow this decade as today’s governments attempt to meet clean energy goals. The current climate in the lithium market may seem uncertain, but energy transition is gaining global momentum.

Pricing volatility in today’s lithium market in part can be attributed to China, which dominates the lithium-ion battery industry, enjoying government subsidies and incentives. The Canadian Natural Resource Minister announced in February 2024, plans are underway to make massive investments to meet the growing demand of the clean tech revolution as well as reduce regulatory approval and review processes in half.

Foremost Lithium Resource & Technology Ltd (NASDAQ: FMST, CSE: FAT) is a hard-rock lithium exploration company located in Manitoba, Canada drilling for future lithium feedstock. 

Click here to learn more on how Foremost plans to lead the electrification revolution.

FIVE ZINGERS

Warning Shots? Three high-flying stocks had key reversals this week, in what could be a warning sign for bullish investors.

Making Cents: Jim Cramer said that the unusual moves in Chipotle, Eli Lilly and Apple make no sense, and that stupidity might be the culprit.

Will It WeWork?: Adam Neumann is enlisting the help of Elon Musk’s lawyer to try and get control back of the near-defunct WeWork.

Dude, Epic: Disney announced that it is investing $1.5 billion into Epic Games, the maker of Fortnite. Here’s what it could mean for the entertainment giant.

So Bad, It’s Good: One Redditor has picked the last 16 Super Bowl games incorrectly. Yup, I finally found someone who’s worse at gambling than me. Here’s who he’s picking for this year’s game.

ONE FOR THE ROAD

Briefly: Ever wish you could invest with hedge funds like the big dogs? Well Bill Ackman is trying to bring Wall Street to Main Street.

So Basically: Ackman is set to revolutionize the investment landscape by offering Main Street the chance to participate in the high-stakes world of hedge funds with the launch Wednesday of Pershing Square USA, a new fund that would be listed on the New York Stock Exchange if approved.

The Details: Ackman, renowned for his activist investment strategies and impressive market foresight, has generated an average 31% gain annually over the last five years, showcasing his adeptness at navigating the complexities of global markets.

Not Perfect: His career has also seen its share of controversies, with notable investment missteps in companies like Herbalife and Valeant Pharmaceuticals.

Check Out: more about Ackman’s new fund and how you can invest here.

KEEP READING

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