ETFs Designed to Shield Against Significant Stock Market Declines Are Drawing Concerned Investors
Investor Strategies: Investors are increasingly using options-based exchange-traded funds (ETFs) to manage risk and protect against stock market losses.
Preference for Buffer Strategies: There is a growing preference for buffer strategies over low-volatility ETFs, as they allow investors to remain invested in equities while mitigating downside risk.
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Internal Review Findings: Capital Watch revealed that an internal review found insufficient independent verification processes related to the Court of Bordeaux's judgment, leading to erroneous associations with Hao Tang.
Retraction of Allegations: Capital Watch has formally retracted its claims of financial crimes against Hao Tang and other individuals, acknowledging inaccuracies in earlier reports regarding direct connections to alleged illicit activities.
Continued Analysis: Despite the retraction, Capital Watch maintains its stance on the complexity of AppLovin's financial structure and will continue to independently analyze public market data related to the firm.
Market Reaction: Following the retraction, shares of AppLovin experienced volatility, initially dropping but later gaining over 21% in the past year, reflecting mixed sentiment among investors.
- S&P 500 Milestone: The S&P 500 index has reached 7,000 points for the first time in its history.
- Market Performance: This milestone reflects significant gains in the stock market, indicating strong investor confidence and economic recovery.
Types of Market Crashes: Stock market bubbles can lead to two distinct types of crashes when they burst: sector-specific crashes and systemic crashes.
Sector-Specific Crashes: An example of a sector-specific crash is the dot-com collapse that occurred between 2000 and 2002, which primarily affected technology stocks.
Systemic Crashes: In contrast, systemic crashes impact the entire market, as seen during the financial crisis of 2008-09, where widespread declines occurred across various sectors.
Uniqueness of Bubbles: Each stock market bubble is unique, much like snowflakes, indicating that the circumstances and outcomes of each bubble's burst can vary significantly.

Market Probability of Decline: The options market indicates an 8-10% chance of a 30% or greater decline in the S&P 500 by 2026, aligning with historical averages of market crashes occurring approximately every 12.5 years.
Frequency of Market Crashes: Market declines tend to occur in streaks, with a notable increase in crashes from 1966 to 1982 compared to fewer occurrences from 1982 to 2019, influenced by the misery index, which has recently risen.
Impact of the Gig Economy: The gig economy is providing a buffer for job losses, as many workers are turning to gig jobs that offer better pay than unemployment benefits, contributing to a rise in self-employment and multiple jobholders.
Equity Market Valuation Concerns: Despite a backdrop of economic stress and a rising misery index, the equity market is considered overvalued, with caution advised against the consensus view of stronger growth and inflation leading into 2026.

Comparison of IVV and VOO: The iShares Core S&P 500 ETF (IVV) and Vanguard S&P 500 ETF (VOO) track the same S&P 500 index, have identical expense ratios of 0.03%, and show similar performance metrics, making them nearly indistinguishable for investors.
Size and Liquidity: VOO has a larger asset base compared to IVV, which may provide better liquidity for high-volume traders, while both funds offer deep liquidity and negligible trading friction.
Portfolio Composition: Both ETFs have a similar sector allocation, with technology being the largest sector, and their top holdings include major companies like Nvidia, Apple, and Microsoft, reflecting a close alignment with the S&P 500 index.
Investment Strategy: Investing in S&P 500 ETFs like IVV and VOO allows investors to gain exposure to the performance of the 500 largest U.S. companies with minimal costs, while also benefiting from dividends, which can be reinvested for enhanced returns.











