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Become a Better Investor Newsletter – 13 December 2025

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Noteworthy this week

  • Fed cut rates
  • Central banks are still buying gold
  • Quality matters in small caps
  • Consumer Staples underperform
  • Silver hits another ATH

Fed cut rates: Another 0.25% cut, and the Fed announced it will buy US$40bn of Treasury Bills in the next 30 days. BRRRRR…

Central banks are still buying gold: They were buying 20 tonnes when gold was at US$3,000. Now they’re buying 55 tonnes at US$4,000.

Quality matters in small caps: The ratio measures the relative performance of “junkier” small caps (Russell 2000) vs. higher-quality small caps (S&P 600). Quality matters enormously in small caps. In small caps, junk burns you. Quality compounds.

Consumer Staples underperform: Typically considered a defensive sector selling daily essentials, it has underperformed significantly. Getting close to a turning point?

Silver hits another ATH: Silver reached another all-time high, at US$63/oz t.

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Weekly market performance

Click here to see more markets and periods.

Chart of the week

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Podcasts we listened to this week

#233 Costa Vayenas – This could be BETTER than Gold – State of the Markets

Listen on Apple or Spotify.

Readings this week

The US Declares War on Europe

“The Trump administration has published its long-awaited National Security Strategy document. It’s good news for those who seek better relations with Russia premised on mutual respect and co-prosperity.”

Read the article.

Book recommendation

Anatomy of the State by Murray Rothbard

“Murray Rothbard was known as the state’s greatest living enemy, and this book is his most succinct and powerful statement on the topic. He explains what a state is and what it is not. He shows how it is an institution that violates all that we hold as honest and moral, and how it operates under a false cover.”

Get the book on Audible or Kindle.

Audible is great; have you tried it? If not, click here to get 2 books for free.

Memes of the week

Published on Become a Better Investor this week

Itthirit Nice Corporation Public Company Limited (ITTHI TB): Profitable Growth rank of 3 was same compared to the prior period’s 3rd rank. This is above average performance compared to 860 small Industrials companies worldwide.

Read Itthirit Nice Corporation – World Class Benchmarking

Platinum Group Public Company Limited (PLAT TB): Profitable Growth rank of 3 was same compared to the prior period’s 3rd rank. This is above average performance compared to 410 small Real Estate companies worldwide.

Read Platinum Group – World Class Benchmarking

Floyd Public Company Limited (FLOYD TB): Profitable Growth rank of 1 was up compared to the prior period’s 2nd rank. This is World Class performance compared to 860 small Industrials companies worldwide.

Read Floyd – World Class Benchmarking

PT Mitra Adiperkasa Tbk (MAPI IJ): Profitable Growth rank of 4 was same compared to the prior period’s 4th rank. This is above average performance compared to 910 large Cons. Disc. companies worldwide.

Read Mitra Adiperkasa – World Class Benchmarking

Gold and the Japan fund outperformed significantly. Performance review of our strategies in November 2025 – All Weather Inflation Guard gained 0.3%, All Weather Strategy lost 1.6%, All Weather Alpha Focus gained 2.1%.

Read A. Stotz All Weather Strategies – November 2025

DISCLAIMER: This content is for information purposes only. It is not intended to be investment advice. Readers should not consider statements made by the author(s) as formal recommendations and should consult their financial advisor before making any investment decisions. While the information provided is believed to be accurate, it may include errors or inaccuracies. The author(s) cannot be held liable for any actions taken as a result of reading this article.

Posted in Newsletter