December 12, 2025

Happy Friday, everyone! ☀️
Good morning — hope you’re stepping into today with a clear mind and maybe even a little extra energy knowing the weekend is almost here.

Let me ask you something: Have you ever walked into a business — a café, a store, a gym — and instantly thought, “This place is winning” or “This place won’t last long”?
Funny how our instincts pick up on things long before we consciously do.

Today, we’re tapping into that exact superpower.
Because once you know what to look for, you can size up almost any business in minutes — not with spreadsheets, but with simple, practical lenses anyone can use.

By the end of today’s post, you’ll be able to look at companies the same way great investors do: calmly, confidently, and without overthinking.

— Ryan Rincon, Founder at The Wealth Wagon Inc.

— Booker T. Washington

Market Update: Markets leaned positive today despite a slight dip in the Nasdaq (-0.25%). The S&P 500 inched up 0.21%, while the Dow Jones posted a stronger 1.34% gain, signaling upbeat sentiment across large-cap names. Bitcoin also climbed 0.33%, continuing its steady upward momentum.

Safe-haven metals shined brightly—Gold jumped 2.00% and Silver surged 4.83%, marking one of the day’s standout performances. Among equities, Tesla slipped 1.02%, but healthcare and fintech saw strength: UnitedHealth rose 2.55% and Visa popped 6.15%, one of the strongest moves on the board.

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And now Google's AI Futures Fund invested.

The company that taught him how to build now backs what he built.

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How Trump’s tariffs forced China to pivot — and export more
New data shows China has sharply increased exports to non-U.S. markets as it adjusts to several years of tariff pressure. Analysts say the shift has accelerated supply-chain diversification in Asia and boosted China’s trade ties with emerging economies. Despite tensions, Chinese manufacturers appear to have adapted faster than expected, reshaping global trade patterns.

Trump’s ‘A+++++’ review of economy clashes with Americans’ perceptions
While Trump continues to claim historic economic success, new polling shows many Americans feel inflation and housing stress are still major burdens. Voters report mixed views on job opportunities, with some sectors cooling even as wages rise. The contrast highlights a widening gap between political messaging and lived economic reality.

Trump: Prices are coming down after inheriting ‘worst inflation in history’
Trump argued this week that inflation is rapidly easing due to his economic policies, but economists say the decline has been gradual and driven by broader global trends. Food and goods prices have stabilized, yet services inflation remains sticky. Consumers remain cautious as mortgage costs and rent pressures continue to weigh on budgets.

Disney invests $1B in OpenAI to bring characters like Mickey Mouse to Sora AI video tool
Disney announced a major push into AI-generated entertainment, aiming to create lifelike, customizable character interactions. The investment signals a broader shift toward next-gen storytelling formats that blend animation with user-created content. Early demos suggest characters could respond dynamically to viewers, opening entirely new creative possibilities.

‘Hollywood is shocked’: Warner Bros sale looms large over movie industry
The potential sale of Warner Bros has sent ripples through the entertainment world as studios brace for consolidation. Industry insiders fear major restructurings could reshape how films are financed, produced, and distributed. The uncertainty comes amid a still-recovering box office and shifting audience habits.

Blue Ivy Carter, 13, looks identical to Beyoncé while rewearing shoes from 14 years ago
A new public appearance by Blue Ivy drew attention as fans noted her striking resemblance to her mother, Beyoncé. Photos showed her sporting a pair of heels her mom wore more than a decade ago, sparking nostalgia across social media. The moment highlighted how the Carter family continues to capture cultural fascination.

Social Security COLA changes after Fed cuts rates again
The latest rate cuts are expected to influence next year’s Social Security cost-of-living adjustment, potentially reducing increases compared to prior inflation-driven boosts. Retirees may see slower benefit growth as price pressures ease across key spending categories. Analysts recommend planning for more modest adjustments going forward.

Weeks left to supersize your Roth conversion without raising your tax bill
Financial planners are urging savers to review conversion strategies before year-end, as current market dips may reduce the tax impact. Lower valuations can make shifting funds into a Roth account more favorable for long-term gains. Advisors warn not to wait too long, since administrative delays can push transactions into next year.

Natixis and Generali end talks over asset management tie-up
Two major European financial firms have halted negotiations over a potential merger of their asset management units. The decision comes after months of discussions aimed at creating a larger global investment platform. Markets reacted calmly, with analysts noting both companies still have strong independent strategies.

Whether you’re an investor evaluating a company…
a business owner studying competitors…
or a professional trying to understand the companies you work for…

You need a fast way to understand a business.

Not a 40-page report.
Not an MBA textbook.
A simple, repeatable system you can use in 10 minutes that still gives you real insight.

This is that system.

The 4-Part Business Analysis Framework:

Let’s break each one down and show you how to apply it instantly.

Most people analyze a business by looking at revenue, products, logos, branding…

Wrong.

Start with the problem.

A business exists only to solve a specific problem for a specific customer.

Your job is to answer:

Example:
Uber doesn’t sell rides.
Uber solves “I need to get from A to B now, without waiting or worrying about payment.”

The clearer the problem → the stronger the business.

If you cannot describe the problem in one sentence, the business is weaker than it looks.

Now that you’ve identified the problem, analyze the solution pathway.

Ask:

Example:
Airbnb isn’t just lodging — it delivers:

Delivery is where businesses differentiate.

Two companies can solve the same problem…
but the one with better delivery wins.

If the solution looks identical to competitors, the business will rely on price to survive — not ideal.

This part sounds obvious, but you’d be shocked how many people skip it.

Great companies:

You want to understand:

Example:
Adobe moved from selling one-time software ($600–$1000 upfront)
to a subscription model ($30–$60/mo).

Same customers.
Same product family.
Massively different value capture.

Recurring revenue increases lifetime value and stabilizes cash flow — a huge advantage.

If revenue is unpredictable or dependent on constant new customers, risk is higher.

This is where good companies become great companies.

A business moat = the reason competitors can’t easily take the market away.

Common moats include:

Your task is to identify:

Without a moat, the business is vulnerable long term.

If the business can be copied quickly and cheaply, it's not defensible enough for long-term confidence.

Here’s the rapid-fire process:

Write one sentence describing the customer and the problem being solved.

Identify what makes this business’ solution better or different.

Outline the revenue model and how predictable it is.

Decide whether the business has defensibility or is easily replicated.

Ask:

If you can answer all of these clearly, you understand the business at a deeper level than 90% of people.

You avoid hype and identify companies with real substance.

You see your own weaknesses and opportunities more clearly.

You understand the bigger picture — and become more valuable.

You stop guessing which opportunities make sense and which don’t.