How do you invest?

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February 14, 2025

In Tekedia Institute, we recognize three core types of investors, each with a distinct investment strategy:

Growth Makers: These investors buy stocks at a low price and wait for the value to increase significantly over time. They are focused on companies that have the potential for rapid growth and high returns. They like high risks!

Value Pickers: These investors look for undervalued stocks that have been beaten down but have the potential to rise in value. They often invest in companies that are currently out of favor but are expected to recover and perform well in the future.

Income Chasers: These investors prioritize companies that pay regular dividends. Their main goal is to receive a steady income from their investments, which is particularly important for retirees or those who need regular cash flow.

How do you invest?

What Smart Investors Do As They Invest

GameStop Mulls Bitcoin Investment as Meme Stock Frenzy Reignites

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Samuel Nwite

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February 14, 2025

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Video game retailer GameStop Corp. is reportedly exploring investments in bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies, marking a potential strategic shift as the company searches for new ways to leverage its cash reserves.

According to sources familiar with the matter, the company is evaluating alternative asset classes, with a particular focus on bitcoin.

The mere possibility of such a move sent GameStop’s shares soaring by as much as 20% in extended trading, underscoring the ongoing influence of meme stock enthusiasts and the broader crypto market’s appeal to retail investors. However, GameStop has not yet made a final decision, as the company is still determining whether crypto investments align with its long-term business strategy, according to one source.

GameStop’s crypto speculation gained traction after CEO Ryan Cohen posted a photo on social media platform X (formerly Twitter) featuring Michael Saylor, the co-founder and chairman of MicroStrategy, the largest corporate holder of bitcoin. While this fueled speculation about GameStop following in MicroStrategy’s footsteps, sources clarified that Saylor is not involved in GameStop’s crypto deliberations at this time.

Cohen’s leadership has been closely watched since his 2020 investment in GameStop and his subsequent appointment to the board in 2021, a period that saw GameStop become a defining meme stock during the retail trading mania. While some expected him to spearhead a digital transformation, the company remains a struggling brick-and-mortar retailer in a shifting gaming landscape.

A Rocky Crypto Past: GameStop’s Abandoned Web3 Efforts

GameStop is no stranger to cryptocurrency and blockchain initiatives. In 2022, the company launched crypto wallets that allowed users to manage digital assets, including non-fungible tokens (NFTs). However, by August 2023, the company shut down the service, citing “regulatory uncertainty.”

The company also previously partnered with Immutable X, an Ethereum-based layer-2 scaling solution, to develop an NFT marketplace. While that effort initially attracted attention, the broader collapse of the NFT market and regulatory scrutiny over crypto assets cast doubt on the initiative’s long-term viability.

Given this history, GameStop’s reconsideration of cryptocurrency as an investment raises questions: Is this a genuine strategic pivot, or a move to capitalize on renewed hype in digital assets?

Following the MicroStrategy Playbook?

If GameStop moves forward with a bitcoin investment, it would be mirroring the bold playbook of MicroStrategy, which has transformed itself from a software company into a de facto bitcoin investment vehicle. Since 2020, MicroStrategy has accumulated over 190,000 BTC, making it one of the most aggressive corporate bitcoin holders.

This strategy has proven to be a double-edged sword. While MicroStrategy’s stock has surged alongside bitcoin’s meteoric rise, it has also experienced sharp declines during crypto bear markets.

However, GameStop differs from MicroStrategy in two key ways:

Core Business Model – MicroStrategy had stable software revenue streams before pivoting to bitcoin, while GameStop is still struggling with declining physical retail sales.
Investor Base – GameStop has an active and vocal retail investor community, making it more prone to volatility and speculative trading.

Cohen’s Investment Policy and GameStop’s Growing Cash Reserves

One critical factor that could influence GameStop’s crypto decision is its substantial cash reserves. According to a December securities filing, as of November 2, 2023, the company had amassed a $4.6 billion cash pile.

To manage this capital, GameStop’s board approved a new “investment policy” in December 2023, granting Cohen, two independent board members, and other key executives the authority to allocate the company’s funds within set guidelines. If an investment falls outside those parameters, it would require unanimous approval from the committee or a majority vote from the full board.

This governance structure suggests that any move into bitcoin or crypto assets would require internal consensus, making it less likely that the company will take an extreme approach like MicroStrategy’s all-in bitcoin bet.

Meme Stock Frenzy Reignites

GameStop’s stock price reaction—jumping 20% in after-hours trading—denotes that retail investors remain highly engaged with the company’s trajectory. The stock has long been a favorite among traders on platforms like Reddit’s r/WallStreetBets, where speculation often fuels massive price swings.

A potential crypto play could add a new speculative layer to GameStop’s already volatile stock, attracting both enthusiastic retail investors and skeptical institutional analysts.

While GameStop is still evaluating the merits of adding bitcoin to its balance sheet, a final decision has not been made. The company will need to weigh the potential upside of holding a volatile asset against the risks of further financial instability, especially as it navigates ongoing struggles in the gaming retail space.

If GameStop moves forward with a bitcoin investment, it could:

Signal a strategic shift toward alternative assets, similar to MicroStrategy.
Reinforce its image as a meme stock, attracting further retail speculation.
Prompt regulatory scrutiny, given past crypto-related challenges.

On the other hand, if GameStop ultimately decides against investing in crypto, it could indicate that the company is prioritizing more traditional growth strategies rather than speculative financial maneuvers.

Understanding ADHD: Causes and Symptoms

By

TI Partners

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February 14, 2025

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Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is a condition shrouded in misconceptions and often riddled with controversies. As a neurodevelopmental disorder, it affects millions worldwide, producing a mosaic of challenges that disrupt daily life. The enigmatic nature of ADHD often leads to misunderstandings about its origins, manifestations, and treatment options. Shedding light on the intricacies of this disorder can transform perceptions and outcomes for individuals who navigate its complexities. Below, we delve into the nuances of ADHD, providing clarity on its causes, symptoms, and the journey to diagnosis and management.

Unpacking ADHD: A Comprehensive Overview

ADHD is a complex condition marked by inattention, hyperactivity, and impulsivity, affecting both children and adults. Its symptoms vary widely, with each person experiencing a unique mix that can impact work and relationships. Despite common misconceptions, ADHD often comes with strengths like creativity and problem-solving abilities, enabling exceptional outcomes when managed effectively.

Recognizing ADHD requires understanding its often-invisible nature, as struggles are internalized and not always obvious to others. This can lead to stigma and misunderstandings, making tools like an ADHD quiz valuable for identifying symptoms and fostering empathy. A multifaceted approach is key to supporting those with ADHD.

Genetic and Environmental Triggers of ADHD

ADHD is a complex disorder influenced by a combination of genetic and environmental factors. Genetics play a significant role, with the likelihood of developing ADHD increasing when a close family member is diagnosed. Environmental factors, such as prenatal exposure to tobacco and alcohol, and postnatal exposure to lead and premature birth, also play a role.

Psychosocial factors like socioeconomic status, family dynamics, and educational practices also influence the onset and severity of ADHD symptoms. The interplay of these elements contributes to the complex etiology of ADHD, necessitating a comprehensive examination of each individual’s background and circumstances. Assessing these potential triggers is crucial for developing an accurate and personalized treatment plan.

Recognizing the Symptoms of ADHD in Different Age Groups

ADHD symptoms vary across age groups and can manifest as difficulty maintaining focus, impulsive behaviors, and excessive energy levels in children. As individuals transition into adolescence, symptoms may evolve, leading to difficulties with self-esteem, organization, and time management. The hyperactivity component may become inner restlessness, which can be misleading.

In adults, symptoms can become more nuanced and mistaken for personal faults, affecting long-term projects, relationships, and employment. If left unidentified and unmanaged, adult ADHD can lead to mental health issues like anxiety and depression. Early identification and accurate management of ADHD can lead to effective interventions and support systems, allowing individuals to capitalize on ADHD’s strengths and alleviate challenges.

ADHD Diagnosis: Navigating the Clinical Approach

ADHD diagnosis is a complex process involving multiple disciplines, including a detailed history, symptom assessment, clinical interviews, and standardized rating scales. It is crucial to differentiate ADHD from other conditions with overlapping symptoms. Professionals may also use behavioral observations and information from family members or teachers to gain a holistic view of the patient’s functioning.

A blend of methodologies ensures a comprehensive understanding of the individual’s challenges. Clinicians must avoid overdiagnosis and mislabeling normal developmental behaviors as pathological. The diagnostic journey can be overwhelming for patients and families, so it’s essential to connect with knowledgeable practitioners who can provide compassionate guidance.

Living with ADHD: Management Strategies and Support Systems

ADHD is a complex disorder that requires a multifaceted approach to management. It involves coping with symptoms, adopting strategies that harness the positive aspects of the disorder, and understanding the individual’s unique experience. Common management approaches include medication, cognitive-behavioral therapy, and coaching. These are not universal solutions. Complementary strategies like mindfulness, exercise, and structured routines are also essential.

Personalized lifestyle adjustments and educational interventions are crucial for children and adolescents. Support groups provide empathy and shared experiences for both young and adult individuals. Effective ADHD management is dynamic, embracing the individual’s evolving needs throughout their life. It involves creating a supportive environment and a toolkit of strategies to foster resilience and success.

Overall, ADHD is a multifaceted disorder that demands an equally multifaceted approach to understanding, diagnosis, and management. By acknowledging the diversity in experiences and challenges of ADHD, we pave the way for more empathetic discourse and effective support for those affected by it.

Why card counting is more about strategy than luck

By

TI Partners

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February 14, 2025

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When the words “card counting” are mentioned, many minds immediately conjure images of smoky, back-alley casinos. This skill has little to do with being on good terms with Lady Luck.

Actually, this tactic relies most strongly on two ingredients: mathematics and strategy. In the game of blackjack, there’s much more at play: far more brains than blind fortune. So, what exactly is card counting?

In short, card counting is mainly a blackjack strategy that tells if the next hand is likely in the player’s favor or against them. It is not actually memorizing every card which has been played but rather, a running count is kept, representing the relation of high and low cards left in the deck.

Principles of card counting: How does it work?

There are specific card counting systems, such as the popular Hi-Lo method in which you assign distinct values to cards: low cards (2-6) receive a value of +1, high cards (10-Ace) receive -1, and middle cards (7-9) receive 0. You, the counter, keep a running count of the number in your mind as cards are dealt, which then informs you of the most educated betting decisions. This works because a deck rich in high cards favors the player, while a deck rich in low cards favors the dealer.

This is anything but a random process. It involves constant attention and focus, rapid mental arithmetic, strategic decisions regarding the count, and shifts in the size of one’s bets relative to the perceived advantage. Each of these latter elements underlines the fact that card counting resembles the solving of a complex real-time math problem rather than simple good luck. Of course, this is just a brief overview, with a detailed explanation available on AskGamblers

What kind of skills do you need to count cards?

Card counting is not something an individual can master overnight. It requires a certain skill set. Memory is key: you are not memorizing each and every card, but you have to keep the running count right.

Concentration is very important because casinos are contrived to be distracting. A good card counter has to continue with mental concentration amidst noise, flashing lights, and other diversions. You must be able to calculate quickly in your mind as there is much addition and subtraction involved in rapid succession.

Also important is emotional control, being in a position to keep a poker face and not show one’s strategy. Finally, bankroll management is also crucial from a strategic point of view, to know when to raise or lower the bets according to the count. These underpin that card counting has more to do with mental acuity and discipline rather than chance.

Many online casinos offer opportunities for playing blackjack online for free, so you can start testing your card counting skills. Also, when you practice card counting online, you won’t risk getting caught by casino pit bosses. Remember to choose single deck blackjack: the more decks, the harder card counting is.

MIT Blackjack team: The legends that made casinos tighten their security measures

Scores of people and teams throughout history have won with this practice, again reiterating how strategic the approach is. Perhaps one of the best examples is the group called the MIT Blackjack Team. It consisted of students from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology who utilized card counting using advanced techniques amongst the team to win several million dollars in casinos during the 1980s and 1990s.

It wasn’t luck or a hot streak. It was the product of hard practice, teamwork, and the use of statistical principles. The school team’s story was later dramatized in the book “Bringing Down the House” and the movie “21,” both of which served to illustrate the way a properly executed strategy can shift the odds in the player’s favor.

Card counting is not illegal – Casinos just don’t like it

It is always important to understand the law, and despite what one may have gained from popular media, card counting is not specifically illegal in most jurisdictions. So far, casinos have had a justifiable reason to refuse service to anyone they suspect of counting cards. This in turn has created ever-ingenious countermeasures from casinos owners to prevent this, for instance using multiple decks, shuffling more frequently, as well as training dealers to recognize counting behaviors. Another important thing that should be considered is that card counting does not promise a win but rather, it provides a statistical edge over time. It’s important to consider though that the variance in short term games can still lead to a greater probability of losses. This further reinstates the strategic nature of the technique; it is always about playing the long game, never about scoring quick wins.

In summary, card counting in blackjack can be seen as anything but a game of chance. Instead, it is a methodical approach that relies on you approaching the game with mathematical principles in mind, keeping a keen observation of the game as a whole, and having a disciplined execution of your method. While the element of luck is not removed in its entirety, it is undeniably weighted more towards skill and strategy. Most success stories of card counters do not talk about lucky and fortunate gamblers but rather about the people who have mastered their own intricate system and have managed to apply it successfully. So, the next time you hear about card counting, remember, it’s not about hoping for a lucky break. Instead, consider it the act of using your mind to tip the scales in your favor, one card at a time.

Dangote Invests Over $700m in Sugar Production to End Nigeria’s Raw Sugar Importation

By

Samuel Nwite

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February 14, 2025

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The President of Dangote Group, Aliko Dangote, has disclosed that the conglomerate has invested over $700 million in sugar production as part of efforts to eliminate Nigeria’s dependence on imported raw sugar.

Dangote made this known in Abeokuta, Ogun State, during the ‘Dangote Special Day’ at the ongoing 14th Gateway International Trade Fair, organized by the Ogun State Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Mines, and Agriculture (OGUNCCIMA). Represented by the Regional Director, Lagos/Ogun, Dangote Cement, Tunde Mabogunje, he emphasized that the investment covers land acquisition, machinery, infrastructure, manpower, and community development initiatives aimed at strengthening local sugar production.

As Nigeria’s leading sugar producer, Dangote Sugar Refinery (DSR) has played a pivotal role in the sector’s growth. Dangote reiterated the company’s commitment to achieving self-sufficiency in sugar production through its Sugar Backward Integration Plan (BIP).

“In this regard, we have committed over $700 million in land acquisition, machinery, infrastructure, manpower, community relations, corporate social responsibility (CSR), and other impactful activities,” Dangote said.

Beyond sugar, the company is also making major investments in agriculture, with new products expected to hit the market soon to support the government’s food security agenda.

Dangote’s Expanding Global Footprint

Dangote Group’s investment strategy extends beyond Nigeria’s borders. The conglomerate has begun exporting fertilizer to international markets, including France, the United States, Mexico, Uruguay, and Argentina. Additionally, several African countries, such as Benin Republic, Zambia, and Cameroon, have also started receiving fertilizer exports from Dangote’s facilities.

The Dangote Refinery, which recently began operations, has also started exporting refined petroleum products to various countries, reinforcing Nigeria’s presence in the international oil market.

Similarly, Dangote Cement, with operations in over 10 African countries, has contributed significantly to export financing, with cement bags produced in Nigeria now being exported to other nations.

Dangote reaffirmed his group’s commitment to driving Nigeria’s economic diversification, particularly by reducing reliance on imported goods and expanding local manufacturing capabilities.

“As a conglomerate leading Nigeria’s diversification agenda, we will continue to explore opportunities in the manufacturing sector to replace imported goods with locally produced alternatives,” he stated.

This strategy, according to him, would create more jobs for Nigeria’s growing youth population, stimulate industrial growth, and boost economic development.

He also highlighted the importance of trade fairs like the Gateway International Trade Fair, noting that they provide opportunities to:

Expand market awareness for Dangote products.
Generate more sales and attract new customers.
Improve the brand’s image and reputation.
Explore new markets that can lead to job creation and economic expansion.

“We are confident that this longstanding partnership with OGUNCCIMA will not only be beneficial to Dangote Group and the state of Ogun, but to Nigeria, and indeed the entire African economy,” he added.

The Speaker of the Ogun State House of Assembly, Oludaisi Elemide, who was present at the event, praised Dangote Group’s massive economic contributions, acknowledging its role in boosting various industries in Nigeria.

“There is no doubt that Alhaji Aliko Dangote has contributed immensely to Nigeria’s economic growth with his investments across various sectors. No household in Nigeria is without at least one Dangote product. I personally buy Dangote salt, and it is what I use in my house and on my farm,” Elemide stated.

The Speaker further encouraged other Nigerian entrepreneurs to emulate Dangote’s patriotism by investing in critical sectors such as oil and gas, agriculture, and manufacturing to drive economic prosperity.

While commending Dangote’s efforts, he also urged the company to improve its environmental sustainability measures, ensuring that its business operations align with eco-friendly practices.

Dangote Group has continued to set the pace for industrial growth in Nigeria, expanding across multiple sectors, including:

Agriculture (sugar, rice, and fertilizer).
Oil and Gas (Dangote Refinery).
Cement Production (Dangote Cement).
Manufacturing (salt, flour, and packaged goods).

As Nigeria grapples with economic diversification challenges, the company remains at the forefront of reducing import dependency, creating jobs, and fostering sustainable industrial development.

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GameStop Mulls Bitcoin Investment as Meme Stock Frenzy Reignites