Hope you’re having a killer week!
Our live portfolio is sitting pretty at $64,757.44. Think of it as our capital at work, and a tangible result of every market movement. As the closing bell rang this past Friday, August 8th, here's the weekly report card on our performance.
This past week, our portfolio snagged a solid gain of $1,217.29 (+1.92%). While the broader market (the S&P 500 +0.78%) was having a bit of an identity crisis, it still decided to move up. Our holdings showed some serious resilience.
This week’s winner: Apple (AAPL) led the portfolio with an 12.79% gain, fueled by a $100 billion boost to U.S. manufacturing — part of a $600 billion four-year plan — announced amid tariff uncertainty on Taiwan chip imports. Investors saw it as a play on supply-chain resilience. Apple also unveiled “Answers,” an internal team building a ChatGPT-style assistant, but this week’s rally was driven more by industrial strategy than product hype.
This week’s loser: The primary headwind was GitLab Inc (GTLB), which took a -8.45% tumble. This downturn is driven by investor concerns over slowing revenue growth and a tough path to consistent profitability. The stock has seen a mix of analyst downgrades and price target reductions from firms like UBS and Capital One, signaling a more cautious outlook. This sentiment was compounded by insider selling from company executives, which can be interpreted as a sign of concern, despite some institutional investors increasing their stakes. The market remains sensitive to any signs of slowing momentum, and is currently weighing these factors against the company’s push into new AI-driven features.
As always, you can see our entire, up-to-the-minute portfolio at investogy.com/stocks/.
Disney made a splash this week with a multi-billion-dollar bet on AI-powered interactivity inside its theme parks. They aren't just building new rides; they're rethinking the entire guest experience. The plan? Personalized narratives, dynamic character encounters, and even queue management tailored in real time. It's less about rollercoasters and more about behavioral data—turning every moment in the park into something unique (and monetizable).
It’s less about rollercoasters, more about behavioral data — and turning every moment in the park into something unique (and monetizable).
What This Means for Investors
This isn't just a tech upgrade; it's a strategic signal that Disney is leaning hard into high-margin, brand-driven experiences—a segment it owns outright. In a consumer environment that’s still uncertain, the company is doubling down on its greatest strength: pricing power.
For investors, the takeaway extends well beyond theme parks. If Disney’s AI-first approach works, it could set a precedent for the entire experience economy, accelerating capital expenditures across travel, hospitality, and live entertainment. The winners? Companies that can seamlessly merge physical presence with digital intelligence. The laggards? Those still thinking in terms of “guest flow” instead of “guest data.”
In short: Disney’s no longer just selling magic — it’s programming it. Watch who follows.
What we’re watching this week — and why it matters.
Fed Stalls on Rate Cuts: The Federal Reserve held rates steady, with the FOMC statement noting "uncertainty about the economic outlook remains elevated." Translation: The market will continue to anticipate future rate cuts, and every data point is a potential catalyst.
Oil Prices Dip: Oil took a notable dip this week, with Brent crude and WTI hitting two-month lows before a slight rebound. This trend could be a tailwind for consumers and a headwind for the energy sector.
Gold's Haven Status: Gold prices have been on an impressive run, trading above $3,300 an ounce. While this indicates strength in the commodity, it also acts as a warning flare about underlying economic concerns as investors flock to "safe haven" assets.
Auto Market Divergence: A new report from Cox Automotive showed consumer spending on big-ticket items like cars is up, but consumer sentiment is starting to show a slight decline. The contradiction between spending and confidence bears watching.
Tech Earnings Show Bifurcation: Tech giants like Microsoft and Meta are soaring with impressive earnings, but other prominent names are struggling. This highlights a clear split in the sector between those successfully riding the AI wave and those fighting against it.
Pharma Tariffs Looming: President Trump has once again reiterated plans for significant tariffs on pharmaceutical imports, with rates potentially escalating to 250%. This sent European drug company stocks lower and has many investors weighing the potential impact on global supply chains and drug prices in the U.S.
IPO Market Lights a Spark: The successful IPO of design software giant Figma, which saw its stock price triple on the first day of trading, has ignited optimism in the market. Its stellar performance could be the catalyst that unlocks the public markets for other high-growth tech unicorns that have been waiting on the sidelines, particularly in the AI space.
That's the wrap for this week's market movements. We’ll be back next week with more updates on our live portfolio.
Until then, happy investing!
— The Investogy Team, Kätlin & Siimon
PS. For a daily dose of market insights, quick takes, and financial inspiration, make sure to follow us on Twitter @Investogy