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Economy

S&P 500 Bull Market?

The S&P 500 stock index reached a historic milestone last Monday, as it scaled to a new all-time high. This accomplishment signifies the onset of a bull market, by two different definitions. In the past year, the S&P 500 surged by over 20% from its most recent low, and as of the previous Friday, it crossed another key bull market threshold by surpassing its previous peak.

For investors looking to participate in this remarkable growth, there's good news: investing in a fund that tracks the S&P 500 index is a readily accessible strategy.

However, experts always caution that while the past performance has been exceptional, it should not be taken as a guarantee of future returns. Although the S&P 500 had a stellar year in 2023, finishing up 26% when considering dividends, it might not necessarily be the winning strategy by the end of 2024.

What is the S&P 500 Index?

The S&P 500 consists of approximately 500 large-cap equity stocks. This index operates on a market capitalization-weighted basis, meaning each company's weight within the index is determined by its market capitalization, which is the total value of all its outstanding shares.

The top companies with the highest weights in the index include Apple, Microsoft, Amazon, Nvidia, Alphabet (with two share classes), Meta, Tesla, Berkshire Hathaway, and JPMorgan Chase.

How Can You Invest in the S&P 500?

Today, investors have various options to invest in the S&P 500, including mutual funds and exchange-traded funds (ETFs) that track the index. Some of the largest ETFs tracking the S&P 500 are SPDR S&P 500 ETF Trust, iShares Core S&P 500 ETF, and Vanguard S&P 500 ETF.

You can access these ETF’s through many apps and website that trade stocks, like Vanguard, Schwab, Fidelity, and TD Ameritrade.

Experts suggest that for stock investors seeking simplicity, this approach can be effective. Over time, passive strategies like index-based funds have demonstrated better returns compared to actively managed funds. Additionally, the costs associated with these passive funds are considerably lower than those of active strategies, making them an appealing choice for many.

The extent of a portfolio's exposure to the S&P 500 index determines how much its balance is affected by the index's fluctuations. That's why experts typically recommend a 60/40 split between stocks and bonds, which can be adjusted to 70/30 or even 80/20 if an investor's risk tolerance and time horizon permit.

Putting all your investments into the S&P 500 may not be advisable, especially if other segments of the market outperform it in 2024. Most experts advice some sort of split between stocks and bonds. Depending on your age, putting money into bonds may not be the best move.

It is also generally advised to have some diversification into stock categories besides U.S. large-cap stocks. With all of these caveats in place, starting your investing journey with the S&P 500 is not a bad move.

We are not financial advisers. Please do your one research before investing. 

Environment

Drone Catches Spectacular Ray Shoal

Emerging drone enthusiast Daniel Lukic captured a spectacular migration of cownose rays near Forster Beach in Australia. Being in the right place at the right time, Lukic recorded an impressive aerial video showcasing hundreds of rays, resembling a vibrant display of scattered confetti on the water.

Lukic, describing the scene, estimated the ray count to be approximately 400 or 500, resulting in a visually captivating spectacle. Expressing his enthusiasm, he remarked, "I get pretty excited when I see this sort of stuff because it’s a single moment in time where you just had to be there."

Marine biologists interviewed by ABC News AU speculated that the substantial gathering of rays, referred to as a 'fever,' might function as a protective measure. Despite this, the conservation status of cownose rays remains uncertain, marked as "data deficient" by the IUCN.

Normally observed in fevers of around 100 individuals, Lukic's recording of such a sizable group prompts questions about the event's rarity or the limited scientific knowledge about their habits. Biologists recognized that Lukic's footage has the potential to significantly contribute to advancing the understanding of these marine creatures.

Beyond the ray migration, Lukic has also documented other intriguing marine scenes, including dolphin pods swimming alongside sharks, featured on his channel.

Check out this footage he got! It is enchanting.

Entertainment

Depp Directs Again, Thanks to Al Pacino's Motivation

Johnny Depp returns to directing with the independent film "Modi," featuring Riccardo Scamarcio as Amedeo Modigliani, alongside Antonia Desplat and Al Pacino. This marks Depp's notable comeback after a high-profile legal battle with ex-wife Amber Heard.

In a statement to USA TODAY, Depp, 60, acknowledges Pacino, 83, for inspiring him to direct, marking his first directorial venture since 1997's "The Brave." The film is currently in post-production.

Depp expresses gratitude to the cast, crew, and producers for their commitment. He credits Pacino, saying, "To Al, who requested that I make this film—how could I refuse Pacino?" He sees "MODI" as a testament to independent filmmaking's collaborative spirit.

Pacino and Depp previously collaborated on the 1997 crime drama "Donnie Brasco."

Shot mainly in Budapest, the film explores Modigliani's life during a pivotal 48 hours, solidifying his artistic legacy. The cast includes Stephen Graham, Bruno Gouery, Ryan McParland, Luisa Ranieri, and Sally Phillips. Produced by Depp's company, IN.2, and Barry Navidi.

Depp, relatively low-profile since his 2022 lawsuit victory, has been seen with Hollywood Vampires, at Rihanna's Savage X Fenty show, and at the Cannes Film Festival with "Jeanne du Barry," receiving a standing ovation.

World News

Colorful Mummy Masks and Treasures Discovered in Egypt

Archaeologists in Saqara, Egypt, have uncovered rock tombs ranging from 1,800 to 4,800 years old. The joint Egyptian and Japanese mission, led by Kanazawa University, discovered a tomb containing various artifacts such as colorful mummy masks, plates, statues, and artwork.

Notably, a statue of Harpocrates, the child god of silence, was found. Dr. Mustafa Waziri from the Supreme Council for Archaeology noted that the architectural design and pottery suggest a construction date back to the Second Dynasty era. The discovered burials include human remains with a colored mask, a burial of a young child, and late heroic burials from the Eighteenth Family Era. The findings provide insights into ancient Egyptian craftsmanship and the daily lives of its inhabitants. The Japanese team uncovered terracotta statues, mascots of Isis and Oshabati, a pottery saddle, and pieces with hieratic inscriptions.

The mission has documented the discoveries and anticipates further discoveries during future excavations in the Saqara Archaeological Region.

Mind Stretchers

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Answer to yesterday’s Mind Stretchers:
In between jobs! 💼 

Be the first to send us the correct answer for today’s mind stretcher for a shout-out with the answer tomorrow. Just send us the answer and your name to [email protected] or reply to the email.

If you have any uplifting stories and experience you might want to share, send those over to [email protected] for the chance to be featured.