A few charts worth discussing
“Higher growth names are getting less expensive, with the largest valuation compression concentrated in businesses expected to deliver the strongest sales growth.”
“The tech sector’s weight continues to grow in credit indices, particularly across investment grade, high yield and leveraged loans. Sectors with increasing capex spend often become the largest index weights as they borrow to fund expanding budgets, increasing index exposure to the themes of the day.”
Other charts worth pointing out
Asian vs. U.S. equity valuations
U.K. equity ownership by category
Household equity ownership – Europe vs. U.S.
Domestic equity ownership vs. valuations
Hedge funds’ share of U.S. Treasury holdings
AI tool subscriptions by U.S. businesses
S&P 500 Index return decomposition – 2026 YTD
U.S. vehicle market share by segment
U.S. vehicle sales by segment
U.S. vehicle sales vs. gas prices
Global personal luxury goods – market vs. top-spender share
US private credit firm backs loans for World Cup ticket flipping
A boutique private credit firm has its eyes on a lucrative trade ahead of the Fifa World Cup this summer: lending to an online platform that aims to flip tickets of sought-after football matches for large profits.
Eagle Point Credit Management has recently increased its $50mn financing package to Sports Illustrated Tickets — a sister company of the sports magazine — to help fund its plan to purchase World Cup tickets and resell them with huge mark-ups.
The profit potential has convinced Eagle Point to sign off the loan, which amounts to the total cost of the tickets, meaning that if Sports Illustrated buys $1mn worth of World Cup tickets, it would lend a full $1mn.
Investments in ticket resales typically yield returns in the mid-teens for lenders, which include New York-based investment firm Feenix Venture Partners, according to Eagle Point.
If Sports Illustrated Tickets fails to repay the loan, lenders could seize its assets, including millions of tickets to sports, concerts and theatrical performances worldwide.
Fifa, football’s governing body, also makes a profit from the resale of World Cup tickets, getting a 15 per cent cut of the sale from both the buyer and the seller.
For example, a seat behind the goal at the US team’s opening game against Paraguay is currently listed on Fifa’s resale platform at $5,900, plus a fee to the governing body of $885. The ticket has a face value of $2,735.
High ticket prices at the tournament, which is being held across the US, Mexico and Canada, have led to an outcry from fans around the world as well as from politicians in the US.
Meanwhile, US hotels are slashing room rates on game days, as high ticket prices and anti-American sentiment are discouraging football fans from attending the matches.
Sports Illustrated, a 72-year-old magazine most famous for its sports journalism, has in recent years expanded its revenue streams to include TV streaming, ticketing and branded events.
The ticketing business, which is separate to the editorial unit, describes itself as a “fan-first marketplace” and a “trusted source for unforgettable live experiences”. It secures tickets in part from sponsoring events and partnering with stadiums.
In September, it signed a 13-year deal with New York Red Bulls that will rebrand the soccer team’s home court in Harrison, New Jersey as “Sports Illustrated Stadium”. It will also be the official ticketing partner for all future events there, including a series of World Cup watch parties.
Still, the inflated price of World Cup tickets has deterred even well-heeled members of the Wall Street elite from attending the tournament.
This week’s fun finds
Andres, from the Trade Operations Team, hosted a vibrant Colombian-inspired lunch featuring bold flavours, ingredients and traditional favourites. It was a perfect way to end the week and bring warmth and a bit of culture to the office.
Bebe the Parrot Goes Viral for Exploring Bahamas in Custom Built Submarine
A pet parrot named Bebe has gone viral after his owner took him snorkeling in the Bahamas using a homemade submarine. The custom submarine, which owner Steven Lawyer tested at home before using it in the sea, allows Bebe to explore underwater in a way that is unusual for parrots. The bird has also participated in other adventurous activities.
