The Digital economy a fundamental pillar of global growth

The Digital economy a fundamental pillar of global growth: The digital economy has become a fundamental pillar of global growth.
Projections indicate it will exceed $20.8 trillion by 2025, accounting for over 24% of the global GDP.

Investment and trading stand among the sectors most profoundly impacted by digitization.

In 2024 alone, the value of digitally traded assets surged past $13.6 trillion,
with further expansion expected as cutting-edge technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI)
and blockchain continues to reshape the financial landscape.

The Qatar Financial Expo & Awards 2025, held on February 4–5 in Doha,
Emerged as one of the leading financial events, bringing together pioneers in investment,
fintech, and digital trading from across the globe.

 

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Markets in Focus: Key Economic Data & Analysis This Week

Markets in Focus: Key Economic Data & Analysis This Week:
This week brings a series of crucial economic releases that could impact global markets,
including inflation data from China and the U.S. and GDP reports from the Eurozone and the UK.
Meanwhile, financial markets are reacting to key movements:
the U.S. dollar is gaining strength against the euro, gold is hitting record highs,
and oil prices remain under pressure amid supply concerns.
This report breaks down the most anticipated events and analyzes key asset performances.

 

Content

Economic Events

EURUSD
Gold

Oil

US Dollar Index

Nvidia

 

 

 

 

Economic Events

Tuesday, February 11, 2025

Australia–03:30
NAB Business Confidence Index (Jan)
Canada–16:30
Building Permits (MoM) (Dec)

Wednesday, February 12, 2025

United States-16:30
Core Consumer Price Index (CPI) (MoM) (Jan)
Consumer Price Index (CPI) (MoM) (Jan)
Consumer Price Index (CPI) (YoY) (Jan)

Thursday, February 13, 2025

United Kingdom –10:00
Gross Domestic Product (GDP) (MoM) (Dec)
Germany–10:00
Consumer Price Index (CPI) (MoM) (Jan)
United States–16:30
Initial Jobless Claims
Producer Price Index (PPI) (YoY) (Jan)
Producer Price Index (PPI) (MoM) (Jan)

Friday, February 14, 2025

Eurozone–11:00
Core Consumer Price Index (CPI) (YoY) (Jan)
Eurozone–13:00
Gross Domestic Product (GDP) (YoY) (Q4)
United States–16:30
Core Retail Sales (MoM) (Jan)
Retail Sales (MoM) (Jan)

 

EURUSD

The U.S. dollar has regained strength against the euro, pushing the pair into a bearish trend.
The pair is currently trading around 1.0325, with expectations to target 1.0268.
If this level is broken and a 4-hour candle closes below it,
the decline may continue toward the yearly low of 1.0138.
However, an upward correction could be expected if a reversal pattern appears near 1.0268.

 

Gold

Gold continued to hit new historical highs last week, driven by rising market tensions due to Trump’s newly announced tariffs,
which fueled concerns about global inflation risks.
This scenario has further strengthened gold’s position as a safe-haven asset,
pushing prices to $2,860.
However, a reversal pattern suggests a possible minor bearish correction to $2,832 before resuming the upward trend.

 

 

Oil

Oil prices remain under pressure, with expectations that the Russia-Ukraine war may soon end.
This could lead to Russian production returning to normal levels, increasing global supply,
especially as U.S. production rises.
Oil is currently trading around $70.97, with expectations to target $70.00.
If this level is broken and a daily close occurs below it, the decline may extend to $68.50.

 

U.S. Dollar Index

The U.S. Dollar Index (DXY) has resumed its upward momentum following strong labor market data,
reaffirming the Federal Reserve’s ability to maintain higher interest rates for an extended period to curb inflation.
The index is expected to continue its bullish movement, targeting 109.04.

 

Nvidia

Nvidia’s stock has seen some gains in the past week,
recovering above $126.73 following a period of market uncertainty.
The recent stabilization has strengthened the stock’s bullish momentum,
with the potential to target the next resistance level at $142.33.


Markets in Focus: Key Economic Data & Analysis This Week

Economic Shifts: Gold Investments, Gas Prices, and Inflation

Economic Shifts: Gold Investments, Gas Prices, and Inflation:
The global economy is experiencing significant Economic Shifts amid economic challenges and market fluctuations.
China has launched a
pilot program allowing insurance companies to invest in gold for the first time,
potentially unlocking billions of dollars in precious metal investments.
Meanwhile,
natural gas prices in Europe have reached
their highest level in two years due to increased demand and declining inventories.
In China,
consumer inflation has recorded its fastest growth rate
in five months despite the continued contraction in producer prices.

This report highlights these economic developments and their potential impact on global markets.

 

Content

Insurance Investments

Gas Prices in Europe and the UK

Inflation in China

 

 

 

 

 

China Allows Insurers to Invest in Gold for the First Time

China has introduced a pilot program enabling insurance companies to purchase gold for the first time.
This move aims to unlock billions of dollars in potential investments in
the precious metal amid a sluggish
real estate market and economic slowdown.

Under the program, which took effect last Friday,
ten insurance companies will be allowed to invest 1% of their assets in gold,
amounting to approximately
200 billion yuan ($27.4 billion), according to a note issued by Minsheng Securities.

This step reflects the Chinese authorities’ recognition of the limited investment options,
pushing them to seek safer alternatives amid current economic challenges.

Gold has seen substantial gains in recent months, supported by growing economic and geopolitical risks,
particularly following
Donald Trump’s return to the White House.
The yellow metal has surged by nearly
40% since the end of 2023, reinforcing its appeal as a safe-haven asset.

This marks the first time Chinese authorities have allowed insurance companies to invest in gold.
They previously restricted investments to assets that
generate stable cash returns and limited exposure to bonds and stocks.

 

 

 

 

Gas Prices in Europe and the UK Hit a Two-Year High Amid Rising Demand and Inventory Drawdowns

Natural gas prices in Europe and the UK surged on Monday,
reaching their highest levels in two years, driven by
cold weather, increased demand, and declining inventories.

Dutch gas futures, the European benchmark for natural gas,
rose by 4.71% to €58.35 ($60.275) per megawatt-hour, marking the highest level since February 2023.

Similarly, British gas futures for March delivery jumped by 4.39%
to £1.4171 ($1.76) per 100,000 British thermal units, reaching a two-year high.

According to a Reuters report, this surge was fueled by forecasts that lower temperatures across
Northwest Europe would start next week and continue through March.

As a result, natural gas demand in Europe has risen, leading to continued inventory drawdowns.
Analysts at
ING noted that European gas inventories have reached
their lowest levels for this time of year since the 2022 energy crisis.

 

China’s Inflation Records the Fastest Growth in Five Months Despite Continued Producer Price Contraction

Data from the National Bureau of Statistics in China, released on Sunday,
showed that
consumer inflation accelerated in January, marking its fastest growth rate in five months.
This occurred despite
persistent deflationary pressures in the industrial sector.

According to the data, the Consumer Price Index (CPI), which measures overall inflation in China,
rose by 0.5% year-over-year in January, exceeding expectations of a 0.4% increase.
However, this reading was still lower than
December’s figure, which recorded only a 0.1% rise.

Conversely, the Producer Price Index (PPI), which reflects inflation in the industrial sector,
continued its annual contraction in January, declining by 2.3%, worse than the forecasted 2.2% decline.

These figures highlight persistent economic pressures in China,
where
economic recovery remains fragile despite improvements in consumer demand.
Meanwhile, the
industrial sector continues to face prolonged deflationary pressures.

 

 

Economic Shifts: Gold Investments, Gas Prices, and Inflation

Fintech Future in Qatar: What a $20 Trillion Digital Economy Means for Investors!

Fintech Future in Qatar: What a $20 Trillion Digital Economy Means for Investors!

The digital economy has become a fundamental pillar of global growth.
Projections indicate it will exceed $20.8 trillion by 2025, accounting for over 24% of the global GDP.
Investment and trading stand among the sectors most profoundly impacted by digitization.
In 2024 alone, the value of digitally traded assets surged past $13.6 trillion,
with further expansion expected as cutting-edge technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI)
and blockchain continues to reshape the financial landscape.

Read More

 

The Dollar Ends a Volatile Week on a Strong Note

The Dollar Ends a Volatile Week on a Strong Note, Supported by Trump’s Tariff Plans:
The U.S. dollar experienced a highly volatile week but ended
with strong performance amid renewed global trade tensions.
This surge came after President Donald Trump announced new plans
to impose tariffs on countries restricting U.S. exports, reigniting market uncertainty.

In this report, we will examine the key factors that drove the dollar’s rise,
how global currencies and emerging markets have been affected by trade war developments,
and investor trends in response to these updates.

 

Contents

Dollar Performance

Dollar vs. Major Currencies

A New Reality in the Trade War

Increased Demand for the Dollar

Conclusion

 

Dollar Performance

The U.S. dollar ended a volatile week with strong performance,
benefiting from renewed uncertainty over President Donald Trump’s intentions to impose new tariffs.
The rise followed Trump’s remarks,
in which he indicated his plans to announce similar tariffs
on countries that impose restrictions on U.S. exports without specifying which countries would be targeted.

The Bloomberg Dollar Spot Index rose by 0.4%,
while global currencies weakened against the U.S. dollar.
Although the dollar faced pressure after Canada and Mexico announced
a one-month delay in imposing tariffs,
it managed to recover some of its earlier losses.

According to Brendan McKenna, a strategist at Wells Fargo in New York:
“We are in a period where tariffs-related statements and headlines will directly impact the markets.”

 

Dollar vs. Major Currencies

Most major currencies from the Group of Ten (G10) weakened against the dollar.
The Japanese yen lost its gains during the session after Trump stated
that imposing tariffs on Japan was still an option.
Meanwhile, the euro and Swiss franc led the decline among global currencies.

Eastern European currencies and the Brazilian real were among the biggest losers in emerging markets.
At the same time, the stock index of emerging markets is
primarily focused on Asia.
It trimmed its gains following news of potential tariffs

but remained on track to post its fourth consecutive weekly increase.

Jordan Rochester, head of fixed income and currency strategy at Mizuho Bank, commented:
“The term ‘similarly’ carries a specific implication, but we know that Trump uses terms flexibly.
Anyone who thought tariffs wouldn’t be imposed until
Canada and Mexico’s grace period ended must now take short-term hedging measures.”

 

A New Reality in the Trade War

Traders faced a turbulent start to the week after the Trump
administration announced a 25% tariff on goods from Canada and Mexico,
only to retract the decision after both countries announced a one-month delay.
Meanwhile, the 10% tariffs on Chinese goods remain unchanged.

 

Increased Demand for the Dollar

Despite the volatility, demand for the U.S. dollar remains strong.
The Bloomberg Dollar Spot Index is trading 0.5% lower for the week but remains close to its highest since 2022.

The latest data from the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC)
speculators hold long positions worth up to $33.7 billion, nearing the dollar’s peak in 2019.

Win Thin, Head of Global Market Strategy at Brown Brothers Harriman & Co., stated:
“Trump is delivering on all his promises, which will continue to support the strength of the U.S. dollar moving forward.”

 

Conclusion

The dollar ended a volatile week with strong performance,
driven by Donald Trump’s comments on imposing new tariffs.
While markets remain uncertain,
investors continue to turn to the greenback as a haven,
reinforcing the dollar’s strength despite market fluctuations.

 

The Dollar Ends a Volatile Week on a Strong Note

Bitcoin Falls Behind Gold Amid Market Turmoil

Bitcoin Falls Behind Gold Amid Market Turmoil

As geopolitical and trade tensions rise, gold continues to strengthen its position as a safe haven,
while Bitcoin faces challenges in proving its ability to keep up with this trend.

 

Contents

 

 

 

 

 

Gold’s Dominance

After delivering a strong performance in 2024,
Bitcoin is now under increasing pressure due to rising geopolitical tensions and
the return of former U.S. President Donald Trump to the White House.
This has driven investors toward safe-haven assets such as gold.

Despite Bitcoin’s 3% increase since the beginning of the year, it still lags behind gold,
which has gained
9%, according to data from Bloomberg.
Gold reached a record high of
$2,882 per ounce following Trump’s controversial remarks on February 4,
suggesting that the United States could take control of Gaza—a statement that his aides later sought to downplay.
In contrast, Bitcoin is trading
about 10% below its recent peak.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Bitcoin’s Volatility

Although Bitcoin has been described as a store of value similar to gold—thanks to its fixed supply of 21 million coins—it has yet to establish itself as a true safe-haven asset during times of crisis.
Meanwhile, gold continues to attract investors, particularly amid
U.S.-China trade tensions and growing threats of new tariffs.
Unlike gold, Bitcoin often moves in parallel with technology stocks, making it more susceptible to volatility.

While Bitcoin is considered a hedge against fiat currencies, strong demand for the U.S. dollar continues to limit its appeal,
according to
Aoifinn Devitt, Chief Investment Officer at Moneta Group, in an interview with Bloomberg.
She noted that
“Bitcoin may develop its own unique characteristics over time, making it more independent from markets,
but for now, it remains one of the riskier assets.”

 

 

 

The Future of Currencies

Despite current challenges, Bitcoin supporters remain optimistic about its long-term potential as a reliable store of value.
Paul Howard, Senior Director at Wincent, explained that the emergence of exchange-traded funds (ETFs) that invest directly in crypto assets could help reduce Bitcoin’s volatility.
This, in turn, might encourage investors seeking high-risk opportunities to shift toward even more volatile cryptocurrencies.

With these ongoing changes, the key question remains: Will Bitcoin solidify its position as a digital alternative to gold, or will its volatility continue to hinder its transformation into a true safe-haven asset?

 

 

 

Bitcoin Falls Behind Gold Amid Market Turmoil

How to Buy Meta Stock: A Comprehensive Guide for Investors

How to Buy Meta Stock: A Comprehensive Guide for Investors

Meta (formerly Facebook) has experienced significant growth in recent years, making its stock one of the most attractive investments. If you’re considering buying Meta shares, this guide will help you understand the essential steps to make an informed investment decision.

 

Topic

Understanding Meta Stock

Choosing the Right Trading Platform

Opening an Investment Account

Researching and Analyzing Meta Stock Before Buying

Executing the Purchase

Managing Your Investment

 

 

 

 

Understanding Meta Stock

Before purchasing Meta shares, it is essential to understand the company’s market position and the reasons for investing in it.

Overview of Meta

Meta is one of the world’s largest technology companies, owning social media platforms such as Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp, in addition to its major investments in virtual reality and artificial intelligence.

 

Why Invest in Meta?

  • Consistent Growth: Meta has shown strong growth in revenue and profits.
  • Expansion into the Metaverse: The company is heavily investing in the future of virtual and augmented reality.
  • Massive Advertising Revenue: The company generates substantial profits from digital advertising, making it an attractive investment.

 

Choosing the Right Trading Platform

To buy Meta stock, you need a brokerage account through a trading platform that provides access to the U.S. stock market,
such as
Evest, which offers several key advantages:

  • Fees and Commissions: Provides trading at reasonable costs.
  • User Interface: Easy-to-use and reliable platform.
  • Analytical Tools: Offers reports and analyses to assist in decision-making.
  • Regulation and Security: The platform is licensed by reputable regulatory authorities.

 

Opening an Investment Account

After selecting a broker, you need to open an investment account and deposit funds to start trading.

Steps to Open an Account

  • Register on the brokerage platform by entering your personal details.
  • Verify your account by uploading the required documents (such as an ID card or passport).
  • Deposit funds via bank transfer or available payment methods.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Researching and Analyzing Meta Stock Before Buying

Before purchasing the stock, it’s crucial to analyze Meta’s performance using available financial tools.

Financial Performance Analysis

  • Current Stock Price: Track market price movements.
  • Market Capitalization: Compare Meta with competing companies.
  • Earnings and Revenue: Review the company’s quarterly and annual results.

Future Trend Analysis

  • Follow the company’s plans in artificial intelligence and the metaverse.
  • Monitor market news and economic policies affecting the company.

 

Executing the Purchase

After conducting your analysis and making a decision, you can execute the stock purchase via your trading platform.

Types of Buy Orders

  • Market Order: Buy the stock immediately at the available market price.
  • Limit Order: Set a specific price to buy the stock when it reaches that level.
  • Stop Order: Execute the purchase when the stock surpasses a certain price.

 

Managing Your Investment

Once you have purchased Meta shares, it’s important to monitor their performance and make informed decisions about holding or selling them.

Investment Management Tips

  • Continuous Monitoring: Keep track of company news and financial reports.
  • Diversification: Avoid putting all your money into one stock—spread your investments across multiple companies.
  • Long-Term Investment: Meta shares can be profitable over time despite market fluctuations.

 

 

Conclusion

Buying Meta stock can be a promising investment if done strategically.
By conducting financial analysis and making informed purchase decisions,
you can take advantage of the growth opportunities that Meta offers in the world of technology and the metaverse.

 

 

 

 

How to Buy Meta Stock: A Comprehensive Guide for Investors

The U.S. Labor Market Records a Slowdown in Hiring

The U.S. Labor Market Records a Slowdown in Hiring and an Improvement in Wages in January

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics released its monthly report on Friday,
detailing the performance of the labor market in January.
The data revealed a disparity between employment figures and market expectations.

 

Topic

United States

China

 

 

 

 

United States

According to the report, the U.S. economy added 143,000 new jobs in January,
falling short of expectations, which had predicted an increase of 170,000 jobs.
However, December’s employment figures were revised upward to 307,000 jobs from the initially reported 256,000,
indicating stronger momentum in hiring during the previous month.

As for unemployment, the rate declined to 4%, beating expectations that anticipated it would remain at 4.1%.
This suggests that the labor market remains resilient despite the slowdown in hiring.

Regarding wages, the average hourly earnings increased by 0.5% on a monthly basis in January,
surpassing the expected rise of 0.3%.
On an annual basis, wages grew by 4.1%, exceeding forecasts that had predicted a slowdown to 3.8%.
The previous reading for December stood at 3.9%.

 

 

 

China

Consumer Inflation in China Rises for the First Time Since August, Driven by Lunar New Year Spending

China’s consumer inflation accelerated for the first time since August,
supported by increased household spending during the Lunar New Year holiday,
despite ongoing deflationary pressures in the world’s second-largest economy.

The National Bureau of Statistics announced on Sunday that the Consumer Price Index (CPI) rose
by 0.5% in January compared to the previous year,
surpassing December’s increase of 0.1% and exceeding economists’ expectations of a 0.4% rise,
according to a Bloomberg survey.

This increase was primarily driven by a surge in temporary holiday spending during the eight-day break.
Service prices rose by 0.9%, accounting for more than 50% of the total increase in consumer inflation.

Despite this temporary improvement, deflationary pressures persist,
as factory prices continued their contraction for the 28th consecutive month, declining by 2.3%.
This marks the same rate of contraction recorded in December,
highlighting ongoing challenges in China’s industrial sector.

 

 

 

The U.S. Labor Market Records a Slowdown in Hiring

Huawei Continues to Grow and Expand Market Share Despite U.S. Restrictions

Huawei Continues to Grow and Expand Market Share Despite U.S. Restrictions

Chinese tech giant Huawei achieved strong growth in 2024,
despite ongoing U.S. restrictions limiting its access to advanced technologies.
The company continued to gain market share from its competitor,
Apple.

 

Contents

 

 

 

 

Huawei

Huawei’s Chairman Howard Liang announced during a local government conference that the company’s annual revenue surpassed 860 billion yuan ($118.27 billion) in 2024, representing a 22% growth compared to the previous year, according to Reuters.

Liang stated that Huawei’s consumer business has returned to growth, while its automotive solutions division is expanding rapidly.
Meanwhile, revenue from
ICT (Information and Communications Technology) remained stable,
despite U.S. restrictions imposed since 2019, limiting the company’s access to advanced American technologies.

In a move to strengthen its technological independence, Huawei launched the Mate 70 smartphone series last year,
powered by
HarmonyOS Next—the first fully self-developed operating system.
This highlights Huawei’s strategy to reduce reliance on foreign technologies.

 

 

 

 

JPMorgan

JPMorgan: Trade War Escalation Between the U.S. and China Seems Likely

JPMorgan issued a report on Wednesday, stating that uncertainty continues to cloud the future of the U.S.-China trade war.
However, the bank’s baseline scenario suggests that
U.S. tariffs on Chinese imports—imposed by President Donald Trump—are likely to increase significantly.

The bank expects Washington to raise tariffs on Chinese goods to 60%,
heightening the risk of escalating trade tensions between the world’s two largest economies.

The report noted that while the scale and timing of future tariff hikes remain uncertain, escalation itself appears inevitable.
It also highlighted that
geopolitical tensions, political developments in both countries,
and global economic trends
will play key roles in shaping the next phase of the trade conflict.

Despite expectations of further protectionist measures, JPMorgan warned that the outlook remains highly unpredictable,
as any changes will depend on diplomatic negotiations and economic policy shifts in both nations.

 

 

 

 

Eurozone

Eurozone Retail Sales Weaker Than Expected in January

The European statistics office (Eurostat) released January retail sales data for the Eurozone on Thursday,
revealing weaker-than-expected performance.

According to the report, annual retail sales in the Eurozone grew 1.9% in January,
aligning with forecasts and surpassing December’s
revised growth of 1.6%.

However, on a monthly basis, retail sales contracted by 0.2% in January, falling short of expectations.
The previous December reading, initially reported as a
0.1% increase,
was revised down to
0%, reflecting ongoing pressures on the retail sector amid an unstable economic environment in the Eurozone.

 

Huawei Continues to Grow and Expand Market Share Despite U.S. Restrictions

Bitcoin Surges on Trump Jr.’s Endorsement & Institutional Interest

Bitcoin Surges on Trump Jr.’s Endorsement & Institutional Interest:
Cryptocurrency prices continued their gains on Thursday,
Bitcoin exceeded $98,000 following a statement from Eric Trump, son of the U.S. President,
urging his family’s World Liberty platform to invest in the digital asset.

 

Contents

Bitcoin

Adopting Bitcoin

Bitcoin as a Treasury Asset

 

 

 

 

Bitcoin Surges on Trump Jr.’s Endorsement & Institutional Interest

Cryptocurrency prices continued their gains on Thursday, with Bitcoin surpassing $98,000,
after Eric Trump encouraged his family’s World Liberty platform to invest in Bitcoin.

Bitcoin rose 0.67% to $98,119, while Ethereum surged 2.39% to $2,832.35.
Ripple climbed 1% to $2.4288, while Dogecoin, supported by Elon Musk, gained 2% to $0.2626.
Meanwhile, Trump’s token saw substantial gains of 6.78%, reaching $19.03.

In a post on the X platform, Eric Trump emphasized
that the time was right for World Liberty to invest in Bitcoin.
According to CoinDesk, his comments came just hours after the cryptocurrency hit record highs.

Despite these gains, digital asset traders remain cautious.
According to CoinMarketCap data,
the cryptocurrency market transaction volume fell 30.62% over the past 24 hours to $119.64 billion.

 

Major Companies Adopting Bitcoin as a Key Investment Asset

MicroStrategy, a software company that has become one of the largest institutional Bitcoin investors,
has inspired many corporations to buy and hold Bitcoin in their reserves to support struggling stock prices.

According to CoinGate, a cybersecurity firm,
pharmaceutical and advertising companies have joined a list of 78 publicly traded companies
worldwide that have followed MicroStrategy’s approach of purchasing Bitcoin as an alternative to holding cash reserves.

Michael Saylor, the founder of MicroStrategy, began aggressively accumulating Bitcoin in 2020,
transforming it into the company’s primary reserve asset.
With Bitcoin surging to $109,000 this year,
MicroStrategy has become the most significant corporate holder globally,
increasing its market value to $87 billion, nearly double the value of its Bitcoin holdings.

 

 

 

 

New Companies Using Bitcoin as a Treasury Asset

Several companies have adopted MicroStrategy’s model, including KULR Technology,
a U.S.-based thermal energy management company.
CEO Michael Mo announced that 90% of the company’s cash reserves would be invested in Bitcoin,
causing KULR’s stock to quadruple in value during December.

Other companies have taken a different approach by issuing bonds to finance Bitcoin purchases.
Semler Scientific, for example, acquired 871 Bitcoins for $88.5 million using convertible bonds, driving its stock price up 120%.

Donald Trump’s recent statements have further fueled Bitcoin enthusiasm.
He pledged to position the U.S. as a global leader in digital assets and,
in January, signed an executive order to establish a task force assessing the creation of a national digital asset reserve.

Additionally, regulatory changes have made it easier for financial
institutions to hold cryptocurrencies, further supporting the crypto market.

 

Bitcoin Surges on Trump Jr.’s Endorsement & Institutional Interest