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T.A.C.O.: Tehran Always Chickens Out?
Daily š„H.E.A.T.š„ Your Financial GPS

In Todayās Issue:
Rareview 2X Bull Cryptocurrency & Precious Metals ETF
Our Next Webinarā-Cash from Corruption: Profiting Off Washingtonās Grift Machine
T.A.C.O.: Tehran Always Chickens Out?
Undercut & Rally Patterns ā Weaponizing the Shakeout
GameStop Tumbles: Implications for Crypto Treasury Companies
Hedges: Short Vietnam
The Grid Shock Is Coming: 7 Ways to Profit From the Coming Power Crisis
and moreā¦ā¦..
Cash from Corruption: Profiting Off Washingtonās Grift Machine
Thu, Jun 26, 2025 2:00 PM - 3:00 PM EDT |
- Two strategies to tap into Washington's grift with limited risk and unlimited upside
- How to use AI to recognize the next top themes before the "smart money" does.
- My simple hedging strategy that takes advantage of the real "dumb money" on Wall Street
To register:
T.A.C.O.: Tehran Always Chickens Out?
My normal thought would be to fade this move but the market has felt extended the past couple of days and this could be a good excuse to take out some of the froth.
Typically, selloffs on wars (remember the Ukraine invasion) are short lived. Not sure how bullish I would be going into a weekend but will be looking for undercut and rally patterns on my watchlist (primer on undercut and rallies below). One also has to wonder if Iran has the stomach for a full blown war against Israel that could morph into a full blown war against the West.
Meanwhileā¦
Touching: Reconciled Trump And Musk Recreate Rocky III Beach Scene buff.ly/6CrXiTg
ā The Babylon Bee (@TheBabylonBee)
9:00 PM ⢠Jun 11, 2025
š„ The HEAT Formula Playbook:
Undercut & Rally Patterns ā Weaponizing the Shakeout
š What Is an Undercut & Rally?
At its core, an undercut and rally (U&R) is a shakeout reversal. Price undercuts a key prior low or major moving average, triggering stops and panic selling, only to reverse higher, trapping shorts and reenergizing bulls.
Itās a setup rooted in deception and asymmetric psychology:
Longs are flushed.
Shorts get baited.
Then the trap snaps shut.
The U&R is your chance to buy fear ā with a defined stop and explosive upside.
š§ Why U&Rs Work
Forced Liquidations ā Algorithms and retail panic sell on the break of a prior low or MA.
Liquidity Vacuum ā Price spikes down into low liquidity before snapping back.
Reclaim = Signal ā The reclaim of a low or moving average is the entry ā not the breakdown.
š 3 Types of Undercut & Rallies
1. Key Low U&R
Price undercuts a prior swing low, then reverses higher.
Stop-loss = just under that low.
Trigger = reclaim of the low, ideally on volume.
2. Moving Average U&R
Price dips under a moving average, then closes back above.
Works best with the 10-day, 20-day, or 50-day for short-term trades.
The 200-day works for long-term positional pivots and institutional shakeouts.
3. Double U&R
Price undercuts multiple levels ā e.g., prior low and 50-day MA ā before reclaiming both.
Higher conviction, often leads to trend reversals.
šÆ Entry + Risk/Reward Setup
Buy Trigger: Close back above the undercut level (low or MA)
Stop: Just below the undercut low (1-2% buffer)
Target: Nearest resistance level or prior high
Risk/Reward: Often 4ā8x if timed correctly
š Moving Averages: When to Use Each
MA | Use Case | Typical Context |
---|---|---|
10-day | Very short-term U&R snapbacks | Momentum resets, day trades |
20-day | Intermediate trades | Shakeouts in fast-growth setups |
50-day | Strong medium-term pivots | Core uptrends, high-volume bounces |
200-day | Long-term base turns | Major trend reversals, institutional support levels |
GameStop Tumbles: Implications for Crypto Treasury Companies
I have no illusions that what MicroStrategy, GameStop, and others are doing is a real business strategy. However, in the post Covid markets we live in, it is something that investors love. GameStop yesterday showed itās not without risks. I did sell some puts on GME yesterday, would have much preffered an undercut and rally around $21 but took a flyer anyway.
š What Happened with GME Yesterday
GameStop announced a $1.75āÆbillion convertible bond (0% interest, due 2032), with an option to upsell another $250āÆmillion. The funds are earmarked for general corporate purposesāincluding potentially more Bitcoin purchases. GME stock tumbled ~20% on heavy volume and chart destruction below its 50- and 200-day moving averages .
š§ Structural Forces Behind the Drop
Convertible Arbitrage Pressure
Hedge funds buy the bond and short GME stock to hedgeāputting immediate downside on equity linkedin.com.Equity Dilution Risk
Future bond conversion dilutes common sharesāinvestors hit the exits early .Cannibalized Core Business
Weak Q1 revenue (-17% YoY) raises concern that the Bitcoin pivot distracts from retail fundamentals .Balance-Sheet Leverage Risk
Debt-financed crypto adds leverage; if BTC drops, GME could be in a debt spiral dailyhodl.com.
š” Implications for Other Crypto-Treasury Companies
Company | Similarities | Differentiators | Risk/Reward |
---|---|---|---|
MicroStrategy (MSTR) | Same convertible playbook; massive BTC exposure | Deep history of Bitcoin reservesāmarket understands its strategy | Similar pressure on equity, but better track record |
Marathon Digital, Riot Platforms | Crypto on balance sheet; financing needs | Debt is operational (mining capex) not treasury-targeted | Subject to similar arbitrage/liquidity sell-offs |
Coinbase (COIN) | Crypto treasury, stock/funding tied to BTC | Primary business tied to trading volumesāmore diversified | May see equity pressure post-bond |
Tesla (TSLA) | Previous Bitcoin treasury investor | Stronger earnings cushion; less likely to lever up again | Likely safe unless bond issuance is excessive |
Key takeaway: Convertible-driven crypto treasury strategies invite arbitrage selling, dilution risk, and leverage concernsāweakening short-term equity value even if crypto holdings rise.
š„ What Crypto-Treasury Companies Should Watch
Announcement Reaction ā Immediate equity sell-off due to shorting and dilution fears.
Conversion Overhang ā A looming supply cloud weighs on the stock over time.
Leverage Sensitivity ā Crypto drawdowns can cripple companies with large debt positions.
Message to Market ā Investors demand clarity on why and how much debt versus equity will be issued.
š Winners & Losers: Ranked 1ā10 by Strategic Odds
Potential Winners (lower risk with strong fundamentals):
MicroStrategy (9/10) ā Proven, transparent crypto strategy.
Coinbase (8/10) ā Business is core to crypto; can absorb crypto volatility.
Tesla (7/10) ā Strong earnings; weak reliance on BTC reserves.
Marathon Digital (6/10) ā Mixed risk, but crypto-weighted business.
At-Risk Short-Term (prone to bond risk and dilution):
5. GameStop (3/10) ā Core business in decline; crypto pivot unproven.
6. Riot Platforms (5/10) ā Mining company, but under crypto debt stress.
7. Other levered crypto miners (4/10) ā Operational risk + balance-sheet risk.
8. New crypto-treasury copycats (2/10) ā High dilution/leverage, no proven playbook.
šÆ For Daily H.E.A.T. Subscribers
Convertible offering = two-day shock, not a trend trigger⦠until stock recovers fundamentals.
Bitcoin alone doesnāt justify GME debtābuyers demand clarity on ROI and conversion terms.
Best trade? Watch MSTRās responseābond-market trust buffer sets stage.
Leaders avoid this pitfall by financing growth with equity or using balanced risk management.
š The Big Idea:
Convertible bonds are a nuclear fusion of debt, dilution, and strategy. When used to finance crypto treasuries, they can destroy equity value even if Bitcoin surges. Only firms with bank-level discipline, transparent strategy, and long-term crypto conviction can avoid the trap.
š„ The HEAT Formula Playbook:
Hedges: Short Vietnam
We are always looking for potential hedges. One area I always try to be on the look out for are companies and countries that will be hurt by whatever is going on in the world, especially if they are extended. I missed the upswing in Vietnamese stocksā¦..

But they new look extended and if VNM breaks the 20 day EMA it could be shortable. This article caught my eye this morning so I had GPT take a deep diveā¦.
š Macro Insight: Vietnam Now on the Hook
Vietnam was the great beneficiary of the U.S.āChina trade war, drawing massive inflows as firms reshored manufacturing under a āChinaāÆ+1ā strategy. Investment surged from $15.8āÆbn in 2016 to $38.2āÆbn in 2024, with GDP growth averaging ~7% .
But in April, Trump imposed 46% āreciprocalā tariffs, targeting Vietnam for having a large U.S. trade surplus. Thatās a bombshellāit instantly chips away at the low-cost competitiveness that made Vietnam the go-to alternative .
š Economic Gut-Punch
Export dependency: Nearly 90% of GDP comes from exports; U.S. absorbs one-third.
Tariff impact: HSC estimates growth slashed ~1.8 percentage points if rates remain high; even 20ā25% tariffs dent margins significantly ft.com.
Immediate fallout: Exporters like A&M Flooring saw orders āslow to a trickleāāUS clients are spooked .
FDI at risk: Multinationals (Apple, Nike, Intel) may flatten new investment; existing projects may stall ft.com.
Geopolitical tilt: Facing tariffs, Vietnam strengthens ties with ChinaāXi met with leaders, offering investments and rail projects .
šØ Sell Thesis for Vietnam (And Analogous Economies)
High Export Leverage = High Debt
Vulnerable to external shocks; tariffs are a clear economic shock hitting margins and orderbooks immediately.Political Risk
Trump targets trade surpluses regardless of source; other export-heavy nations (Mexico, SE Asia) are ripe for similar treatment.Supply-Chain Backfire
Hard to re-route shipments overnight; logistics shifts (e.g., to Colombia) add time and cost .Growth Re-rated
The World Bank has already cut Vietnamās growth forecast from 6.8% to 5.8% .
šµļø Competitor Risks: Other Trade-Heavy Economies
Cambodia & Thailand: Hit by similar tariffs (Cambodia ~49%), facing investor flight .
Indonesia, Malaysia: Less export-dependentābut supply-chain ripple effects and regional slowdown will drag GDP .
Mexico: Another surplus country; tariffs can return if Trump escalates .
š Winners Among the Losers
Are there silver linings? A few:
Local banks (VCB, TCB): If the government pivots to domestic investment, these may cushion the shock.
Domestic consumer stocks: As exporters suffer, internal-facing firms may outperform.
China-aligned infrastructure and finance: Closer ties with China may boost Chinese state-backed projects.
š§ Risk-Adjusted Take: Should You Short Vietnam?
ā Yes ā tactical short: If tariffs stay at 20ā46%, Vietnam's exports, currency, and equities could trade down 10ā20%.
ā ļø No ā risk: If negotiations yield exemptions before July, growth may rebound and shorts get squeezed.
š” Neutral long: If Vietnam shifts successfully toward domestic growth and away from global export dependence, there may be stabilization via reformābut not fast enough to offset near-term pain.
š TL;DR Recommendations
Position | Rationale |
---|---|
Vietnam ETF short | Exports impact hurts earnings; weak tech/manufacturing means slower growth. |
Avoid SE Asia long | Cambodia, Thailand equally exposed, fragile macro signals. |
Selective long | Domestic services or banks only if obvious fiscal pivot begins. |
šÆ For Daily H.E.A.T. Readers
Main trade: Short Vietnam equity or FX now; it's a direct play on tariff fallout.
Hedge: Small long in Vietnamese financials or domestic consumer shorted on broader weakness.
Watch: U.S.āVietnam talks due mid-Juneāany hints of reprieve can spark a bouncy recovery.
š„ The Grid Shock Is Coming: 7 Ways to Profit From the Coming Power Crisis
AI power is one of my favorite themes. TD Cowen came out with a new report on the area yesterday so I had GPT take a deep dive and pick out some potential winners and losersā¦..
|
Thereās a war brewing beneath the surface of the American economy. Itās not about interest rates or inflation ā itās about electricity.
For decades, the U.S. grid quietly handled business as usual. But those days are over. A wave of AI data centers, EVs, crypto miners, and manufacturing reshoring is colliding with an infrastructure built for a different century.
As TD Cowen bluntly states, āwe are now entering a period of new demand for electricityā, with annual load growth spiking as high as 7% in certain regions ā levels unseen in modern times
Utilities are scrambling to catch up. Policymakers are divided. And investors? Theyāre either asleep ā or about to make a fortune.
š” The Opportunity:
Cowen lays out a brutal reality: while clean energy is cheap and ready to deploy, policy uncertainty, tariffs, and high interest rates are clouding the short term. But thatās the setup for asymmetric opportunities.
The winners will be those who can:
Build scalable energy platforms
Help modernize the grid
Deliver behind-the-meter flexibility
Survive ā and thrive ā under a Trump 2.0 energy doctrine
š Ranked Winners (1ā10 scale, based on positioning, tailwinds, and valuation)
Company | Ticker | Sector | Thesis | Rating (1ā10) |
---|---|---|---|---|
First Solar | FSLR | Utility-Scale Solar | Top beneficiary of U.S. tariffs, no China exposure. Cheapest unsubsidized LCOE solar tech. | 10 |
Itron | ITRI | Smart Grid / AMI | A direct play on grid digitalization and flexibility. Mission-critical tech. | 9 |
HASI | HASI | Sustainable Infra REIT | Owns cash-flowing clean energy assets. Great long-term but sensitive to rates. | 8 |
California Resources Corp. | CRC | Carbon Capture / Oil | Trump-aligned energy dominance winner with CCUS optionality. | 8 |
Northland Power | NPI.T | Offshore Wind / Canada | Low-cost capital and renewable buildout give it upside in a dovish rate pivot. | 7 |
Landis+Gyr | LAND.SW | Smart Meters | Grid-enabling hardware leader; defensible moat in AMI. | 6.5 |
š§Ø Potential Losers (risk from policy, tariffs, or oversupply)
Company | Ticker | Why At Risk | Rating (1ā10) |
---|---|---|---|
Enphase Energy | ENPH | Tariff-sensitive, China-exposed battery chain | 3 |
Sunrun | RUN | Highly levered, dependent on residential incentives | 4 |
Shoals Tech | SHLS | Solar BOS with global exposure; margin risk if tariffs tighten | 5 |
Array Tech | ARRY | Utility solar tracker OEM, exposed to cost inflation | 5 |
š Key Macro Catalysts TD Cowen Highlights:
Massive load growth from data centers, AI, crypto, industrials
Renewables cheaper than gas, but face policy friction and integration delays
Trump 2.0 policy could:
Gut EV credits
Favor fossil fuels + domestic manufacturing
Weaponize tariffs against China solar & batteries
Grid needs full modernization to handle bi-directional loads, DERs, EVs, and cyber risks
š„ Bottom Line:
The U.S. isnāt ready for whatās coming. But the capital markets are. The grid is cracking under pressure, but the companies that support or profit from resilient, domestic, scalable energy infrastructure could be the next great compounders.
For Steve: this is a full-blown multi-decade asymmetric trade. Focus on utility-scale, tariff-proof, grid-digital enablers and Trump-aligned energy infrastructure.
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