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Bloomberg Daybreak Asia: APAC Markets Follow S&P Rally; CATL Debut Highlights Hong Kong Revival

Bloomberg Daybreak Asia: APAC Markets Follow S&P Rally; CATL Debut Highlights Hong Kong Revival

Bloomberg20-05-2025

Asian shares rose for the first time in four days, mirroring gains in the US that placed the S&P 500 index on the brink of a bull market. A regional stock gauge gained 0.5% after the S&P 500 index climbed for a sixth straight day. Shares in Hong Kong advanced 0.3%, with Contemporary Amperex Technology Co. Ltd. jumping 13% in its local debut. Treasuries were steady after whipsawing on Monday with the downgrading of US debt by Moody's Ratings. US equity-index futures edged down while gold dipped 0.1% as haven demand ebbed. We break down the market reaction with Rob Williams, Managing Partner and Chief Investment Strategist at Sage Advisory Services. Plus - could Hong Kong's status as a global financial hub may be entering a new phase? With major listings like CATL and Hengrui Pharmaceuticals drawing significant foreign inflows, Bloomberg Opinion columnist Shuli Ren joins to discuss how the city is offering Chinese firms a path to global capital while sidestepping geopolitical flashpoints.

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Stock Market News Review: SPY, QQQ Resilient as U.S.-Canada Trade Talks End, Inflation Rises
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Paychex shares recoup a bit; CEO comments about economy; analysts weigh in
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Paychex shares recoup a bit; CEO comments about economy; analysts weigh in

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This Hedge Fund Legend Made 30% Returns for 30 Years—By Breaking the No. 1 Rule of Investing
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This Hedge Fund Legend Made 30% Returns for 30 Years—By Breaking the No. 1 Rule of Investing

Benzinga and Yahoo Finance LLC may earn commission or revenue on some items through the links below. Stan Druckenmiller's path to becoming one of history's most successful hedge fund managers reads like a case study in unconventional career pivots. Starting as an English major who dreamed of becoming a professor, Druckenmiller didn't discover economics until his junior year—and only then because he wanted to better understand the newspaper. After cramming an economics degree into one year and abandoning a PhD program at Michigan after just a semester and a half, Druckenmiller founded Duquesne Capital in 1981 at age 28 with a modest $900,000 in capital. What happened next defies every textbook on investment management. Don't Miss: Trade crypto futures on Plus500 with up to $200 in bonuses — no wallets, just price speculation and free paper trading to practice different strategies. Grow your IRA or 401(k) with Crypto – unlock the power of alternative investments including a Crypto IRA within your retirement account. While today's 'good hedge fund return' hovers around 12% annually, Druckenmiller achieved something that seems almost impossible in modern finance: 30.4% average annual returns over 30 years with zero down years. To put this in perspective, $10,000 invested with Druckenmiller in 1981 would have grown to over $26 million by his retirement in 2010. By comparison, the same amount in the S&P 500 would have reached roughly $740,000—still excellent, but nowhere near Druckenmiller's stratospheric performance. This track record helped Duquesne Capital grow from that initial $900,000 to managing $12 billion by 2010, despite Druckenmiller's early struggles when his $160,000 overhead far exceeded his $70,000 in annual revenues. Trending: New to crypto? Get up to $400 in rewards for successfully completing short educational courses and making your first qualifying trade on Coinbase. Druckenmiller's investment approach flies in the face of everything taught in business schools. While modern portfolio theory preaches diversification, Druckenmiller embraces concentration with surgical precision. 'My idea of risk control is a little non-conventional,' he explains. 'I like putting all my eggs in one basket and then watching the basket very carefully.' This isn't reckless gambling—it's calculated conviction. Druckenmiller observed that most money managers generate 70-80% of their returns from just two or three ideas within their diversified portfolios. His solution? 'Put money into those two or three ideas that I had the most conviction in.' What separated Druckenmiller from equity-focused managers was his ability to move seamlessly across asset classes—commodities, currencies, bonds, and stocks. 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Concentrated positions require: Exceptional market knowledge and experience Full-time attention to monitoring positions Emotional discipline during inevitable volatility Sufficient capital to weather temporary setbacks For most retail investors, a modified approach—concentrating on fewer, higher-conviction positions while maintaining some diversification—may offer a more realistic path to improved returns. Druckenmiller's perspective on wealth extends beyond accumulation. He views his investment success as 'a gift' that enables meaningful philanthropy, which he describes as 'a privilege and it's fun.' His criticism of wealthy individuals who don't give—calling them 'stupid' because 'they have no idea the joy they're missing'—reflects a broader philosophy about money's ultimate purpose. Druckenmiller's career demonstrates that exceptional returns don't come from following conventional wisdom about diversification and moderate risk-taking. Instead, they result from: Deep conviction in carefully researched ideas Willingness to concentrate when opportunities arise Constant vigilance and active management Thinking beyond current market conditions While few investors will match Druckenmiller's 30% annual returns, his principles offer a framework for potentially improving performance: focus on your best ideas, think independently, and always keep your eyes on the horizon rather than the present moment. The question isn't whether you should put all your eggs in one basket—it's whether you're watching your baskets carefully enough. Read Next: Peter Thiel turned $1,700 into $5 billion—now accredited investors are eyeing this software company with similar breakout potential. Learn how you can This article This Hedge Fund Legend Made 30% Returns for 30 Years—By Breaking the No. 1 Rule of Investing originally appeared on © 2025 Benzinga does not provide investment advice. All rights reserved. Sign in to access your portfolio

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