📩 “A Wild Week — And a Clear Lesson for Investors”

👋 Hey Hustlrs,

This week was a perfect reminder that markets love drama.

While fear dominated the headlines, the US economy quietly delivered one of its strongest growth numbers in years.

That’s the part long‑term investors should care about.

Not the noise. Not the drama.

The signal.

Today’s edition breaks down what truly moved markets, why it matters for your long‑term wealth, and how to stay positioned as an African investing in US assets — even when the world feels chaotic.

Let’s dive in.

☕️ Quick Brew: This Week’s Market Pulse

Here’s the week in one clean snapshot:

📉 U.S. Markets

• Dow: –0.6% for the week (including a brutal –870-point day)

• S&P 500: Slight Friday bounce, but still logged its second straight losing week

• Nasdaq: +0.3% Friday, but volatile and pressured earlier

• Russell 2000: –1.82% — small caps took the biggest hit

🌍 Global Markets

• Europe: Flat to slightly negative — DAX +0.18%, FTSE 100 –0.06%

• Asia: AI-heavy markets outperformed, cushioning global weakness

🪙 Commodities

• Gold: Hit fresh all-time highs above $4,900

• Silver: Followed gold higher

• Natural Gas: Exploded +70% — the biggest weekly surge since 1990

₿ Crypto

• Bitcoin: –6.4% for the week, sliding toward $89K

• Still ~30% below its 2025 peak as gold steals the “crisis hedge” spotlight

📊 Macro

• US GDP (Q3 2025): Revised up to 4.4% — strongest since 2023

• Corporate profits: +$9.5B

• Fed: No urgency to cut rates

A chaotic week on the surface. A surprisingly strong one underneath

🔑 The Big Stories

1. Greenland Tariffs Smash Stocks

President Trump threatened new tariffs on eight European countries — starting at 10% and potentially rising to 25% by June. Markets didn’t wait for details. They sold first.

• Dow: –870 points

• S&P 500: –2%

• Nasdaq: –2%+

• Nvidia & Amazon: –3%+

Selling spread across Europe and Asia as traders braced for a new trade war.

📌 Why it matters:
Political shocks can erase weeks of gains in hours. Concentrated tech portfolios get punished first.
This is why broad ETFs and quality-tilted funds help you sleep at night.

2. Europe Hits Pause on the US Trade Deal

The European Parliament responded quickly — freezing progress on a major EU–US trade agreement. Lawmakers won’t move forward until Washington backs off the tariff threats tied to Greenland.

It’s not a cancellation.
But it’s a clear warning shot.

📌 Why it matters:
Trade deals determine where factories get built, where capital flows, and which regions win long-term investment.
For African investors, a shaky US–EU relationship means more volatility and bigger currency swings.

Diversification isn’t optional — it’s survival.

3. Gold and silver surged to new highs

As tariff fears spiked, gold and silver surged to new highs. Investors rushed into safe havens as global trade uncertainty and a growing “sell America” narrative took hold.

Gold doesn’t pay dividends.
It doesn’t generate earnings.
That’s not why you own it.

You own it because it holds value when trust in policymakers wobbles.

But gold is volatile. Once panic fades, it can drift sideways for long, frustrating stretches.

📌 Why Hustlrs care:
If you’re an African investor with most of your wealth tied to local currency and growing exposure to US stocks, a small allocation (5–10% max) to gold or a gold ETF can act as portfolio insurance.

Not a wealth engine — insurance.

The goal is to soften the blow during global risk-off moments, not to turn your portfolio into a crisis-only bet.

4. US Growth: Quietly Strong in the Background

While headlines screamed chaos, the US economy quietly delivered.

• GDP revised up to 4.4%

• Stronger exports

• Higher business spending

• Corporate profits up $9.5B

• Consumer spending still the engine

• Year-over-year growth: ~2.3%

📌 Why it matters:
Strong growth + rising profits = long-term tailwind for US stocks.
This is why broad US ETFs remain a core building block for African investors.

5. The Fed: No Rush to Rescue Markets

With growth running above trend and profits improving, the Fed has no incentive to cut rates quickly. Officials say policy is still a bit tight but moving toward normal.

They’re not reacting to every political shock — and neither should you.

📌 Why it matters:
Don’t build a strategy that depends on Fed “rescues.”
Build one that works in a world of steady rates, normal inflation, and occasional volatility.

💡 What This Means for Your Investments

1. Tariffs = Noise, Not Doom

Trade threats trigger sell-offs, especially in tech and exporters. But historically, these shocks fade once negotiations begin.
Your job is to separate noise from profit-impacting reality.

2. The US Still Leads in Profits

A 4.4% growth rate reinforces why US stocks remain the backbone of global portfolios.
For African investors:
Start with broad ETFs → layer in themes like tech, healthcare, dividends.

3. Rates Likely Stay Steady

Steady rates support the dollar and reward companies with strong balance sheets.
This environment favors quality over hype.

4. Currency Risk Is Part of the Game

Trade disputes can push the dollar up or down — affecting your returns when converted back to naira, cedi, rand, or shilling.
Expect currency swings.
Plan for them.
Don’t fear them.

🔭 Why Next Week Is Such a Big Deal

Next week isn’t just another week on the calendar — it’s a market‑moving cluster where all three pillars holding up this market come under the spotlight at the same time.

1️⃣ The Fed Takes Center Stage

The Federal Reserve meets on January 27–28, with a rate decision and press conference on the 28th.

Whenever the Fed speaks, markets listen — especially after a week filled with tariff drama and volatility.

2️⃣ Big Tech Earnings Hit All at Once

A wave of mega‑cap earnings is coming:

Microsoft, Apple, Meta, Tesla, and more — all reporting between January 26 and 30.

These companies alone drive a massive share of the S&P 500’s returns.

If they wobble, the whole market feels it. 

📝 Your Weekly Hustlr Playbook 

👉 1. Rebalance Toward Resilience — Don’t Wait for the Storm

If more than 30–40% of your US exposure sits in a handful of tech names, you’re not investing — you’re gambling on headlines.
Shift a portion into broad ETFs (S&P 500, Total Market) and quality/dividend ETFs that hold companies with real cash flow, real earnings, and real staying power.

Think of it this way:
Your “exciting” stocks drive growth.
Your “boring” ETFs keep you rich.

👉 2. Add a Small Safety Valve — Not a Panic Button

If your portfolio is 100% stocks, you’re one headline away from emotional chaos.
Consider a small allocation to stabilizers like gold or dividend ETFs to smooth out the ride.

Not to chase returns — but to keep you invested when markets get loud.

📣 Final Sip

Weeks like this test your patience.
Prices swing. Headlines scream. Everything feels urgent.

But wealth isn’t built by reacting to every shock.
It’s built by owning great assets at fair prices — and refusing to let short-term noise derail your long-term plan.

Stay patient.
Stay curious.
Keep making smart choices.

🚀 Join the Movement

If this edition helped you understand the week better, share it with another African professional who wants to invest globally with confidence.

Subscribe, share, and stay connected.
Your future self will thank you.

This newsletter is for education only and is not personal financial advice. The Global Hustlr team is not a licensed investment adviser, and nothing in this email should be taken as a recommendation to buy, sell, or hold any specific security, asset, or strategy.

All investing involves risk, including the possible loss of principal. Past performance is not a reliable guide to future results, and markets can move in ways that are unexpected or extreme. You are responsible for your own investment decisions and should always do your own research and/or consult a qualified, licensed financial professional before acting on any information shared here.

Practical Steps for Investors

Now that we’ve explored expert insights, what can you do to benefit from the current market conditions? 

Embracing Opportunities Amid Uncertainty

The recent market turbulence can be intimidating, but it also presents unique opportunities. Tom Lee, Cathie Wood, and Warren Buffett each offer valuable strategies for navigating these uncertain waters. By being informed and proactive, you can turn this week’s market carnage into life-changing gains.

Investing is not just about timing the market; it’s about understanding the underlying fundamentals and making informed decisions. Keep a cool head, assess your risk, diversify your investments, and you might just find that this dip is the opportunity you’ve been waiting for.

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Happy investing,

The Global Hustlr Team