FinaMaze

Region’s First AI-Powered Asset Manager

[FinaMaze @FinaMaze]

Markets soar… but are the clouds gathering?
Thank you Negocios Televisión and Victor Hugo Rodriguez for inviting me to discuss geopolitical risks and their impact on stock markets — right from the NEW YORK STOCK EXCHANGE trading floor.

Main takeaways:
- Stock markets remain near record highs, still riding April’s rebound
- Yet political, legal, and geopolitical risks are quietly building
- Supreme Court on tariffs: Donald Trump-era tariffs could be reversed — major market impact ahead
- Shanghai Cooperation Organization summit spotlighted rising military ambitions from China, Russia, and India
- Oil prices weakening; if prolonged, it could add pressure on Russia toward peace talks with Ukraine.

These dynamics aren’t denting stock prices yet — but they could reshape the landscape fast.

🎥 Curious how these forces might collide?
Watch the full interview for the deeper insights.

[FinaMaze @FinaMaze]

We’re thrilled to see our CEO Mehdi El Amine Fichtali featured once again on @CNBCArabia engaging in a dynamic discussion with @MayKhadra and @husseinsayyed about the trends shaping AI stocks for 2025.

During the interview, our CEO shared insights on the evolving AI landscape and its impact on various industries:
- Sectors driving innovation: AI is transforming industries like healthcare, finance, and manufacturing, paving the way for remarkable growth.
- Market dynamics: While AI hardware stocks face elevated valuations that call for measured caution, AI software stocks hold relatively more growth potential.
- The competitive edge: The intense race among Big Tech highlights both the challenges and opportunities shaping the future of AI.

FinaMaze is proud to contribute to this important debate and hope it inspires further thought and dialogue among the wider community.

What are your perspectives on these trends? Let us know in the comments below!

[FinaMaze @FinaMaze]

May 2025 bring you hashtag#Wellness, hashtag#Wisdom and hashtag#Wealth !

[FinaMaze @FinaMaze]

🚀 5 Reasons Why Trump's Comeback is Propelling Big hashtag#Tech and hashtag#Bitcoin to New Heights! 🚀

Silicon Valley is buzzing with excitement, but let's keep our feet on the ground—trees don't grow to the sky, and even hashtag#SpaceX rockets eventually return to Earth. 🌍🚀

1️⃣ Pro-Growth Policies, hashtag#TaxCuts & hashtag#Elon Musk's hashtag#Deregulation:
Trump's pro-growth and tax cut agenda aligns with Elon Musk's upcoming wave of hashtag#deregulation through hashtag#DOGE (the newly established Department of Government Efficiency — not hashtag#Dogecoin! 🐕). With Musk, the world's $300-billion visionary, at the helm of streamlining government operations and turbocharging innovation, expect major tech tailwinds. 🏢💼⚡

2️⃣ Trump’s Full Support for hashtag#AI
Trump has made AI a priority for U.S. leadership, committing to cut red tape to let innovation thrive. Companies like OpenAI, Google, Microsoft, Amazon and Nvidia stand to gain with fewer restrictions, opening up faster AI growth—but also some unknown Pandora-box risks. 💡🤖📈

3️⃣ A hashtag#Crypto-Friendly Commander-in-Chief
Crypto enthusiasts remember Trump's keynote at the July Bitcoin conference in Nashville where he vowed to make the U.S. the "crypto capital of the planet." His reelection has sent hashtag#Bitcoin soaring and injected new energy into the crypto ecosystem. 🪙🌎🚀

4️⃣ Eased hashtag#Antitrust Scrutiny & The U.S.-hashtag#China Tech Race
Trump’s strategy to ease antitrust pressures aims to give U.S. companies more freedom to stay competitive, especially against China. Less scrutiny, more innovation—American tech is unleashed to expand and dominate. 🤝🌐💪

5️⃣ Pushing Back Against hashtag#EU Regulations
Trump's willingness to push back on the EU’s Digital Markets Act, Digital Services Act, and AI Act regulations directed towards U.S. tech giants. Punitive fines are in sizes that can represent few percentages of global revenues. Apple, Meta, Amazon are poised to get relief to strengthen their European and international footprint. 🇺🇸✊🇪🇺

With these tailwinds, Big hashtag#Tech and hashtag#Bitcoin are surging to new heights. But remember, even the brightest stars can face a gravity check. 🌳✨

What do you think—is this tech surge here to stay, or are we in for a reality check?

You've made it this far, which means you might just recognize all 8 CEOs in the picture. Think you can name them? Drop your answer in the comments below— no AI help allowed!

[FinaMaze @FinaMaze]

70 hashtag#seconds for 7 hashtag#takeaways from yesterday's ADGM conference, "The Future of Fintech in the Middle East"

1️⃣ hashtag#Hyperpersonalization is the future: Personalization is no longer optional, it’s becoming a necessity. Clients are demanding bespoke experiences. In FinaMaze’s world of wealthtech, this translates into offering small investors individualized, discretionary-managed micro-portfolios that align with their specific needs and risk profiles.

2️⃣ hashtag#OpenAPI technology is breaking down boundaries between banks and non-banking players. Fintechs are empowering both to compete on banking and non-banking products!
The winner? The client! enjoying greater flexibility and choice.

3️⃣ The GCC is inherently a hashtag#crossborder ecosystem, with fintechs expanding early on into neighboring countries, being often registered across multiple jurisdictions.

4️⃣ A diverse hashtag#talent pool: The GCC ecosystem is enriched by talent from across the Arab world, the Indian subcontinent and Eastern Europe, either through relocation or outsourcing, and this trend will continue shaping the future of GCC fintech.

5️⃣ GCC startups fiercely compete for local hashtag#capital alongside global rivals. At the same time, their ultimate success seems to get international and large VC firms to their cap table. While many set their hashtag#IPO ambitions on the U.S. or Europe, outcomes may vary...

6️⃣ hashtag#Global exposure: international conferences out of GCC give local fintechs access to a global network, and drive innovative ideas and a broader perspective.

7️⃣ Building hashtag#homegrown technology: While global players often perceive the GCC only as a market, some local fintechs develop hashtag#proprietarytechnology and use their success in GCC as a launchpad for international expansion.

Thank you to ADGM Academy and Fintech Tuesdays for the opportunity to discuss the future of GCC fintech alongside esteemed speakers who are actors in its evolution.
- Mohamed Roushdy, MBA
- Gabrielle Inzirillo
- Amna Usman Chaudhry

[FinaMaze @FinaMaze]

كل عام والسعودية بخير 🇸🇦 A day of pride and progress for the Kingdom. #SaudiNationalDay

[FinaMaze @FinaMaze]

🚀 How are banks adopting AI to streamline processes and provide more personalized services?

🤔 How do banks leverage fintechs' agility in our region to embrace the AI technological disruption?

🌐 How is the future of finance being shaped in our region and beyond?

I enjoyed discussing these questions with my fellow panelists, Damien Montessuit and Omair Ansari under the excellent moderation of Yasmine Mustafa.

Here are some insights:

💡 Banks will ultimately become tech powerhouses:
1/ Integrating different modular systems to deliver best-in-the-market personalized services to their clients,
2/ Offering their banking services systems to non-financial players (tech and non-tech).

🔐 No one, not even Google, is immune to hackers. Financial institutions "just" need stronger and more dissuasive security measures than their "neighbors". Hackers always prefer to attack the easiest targets.

🛳️ Banks are like motherships. They understand they need to leverage the agility of fintech "jetskis" to scout for and implement future trends.

Thank you to fellow HEC Alumni UAE Manav Bhalla and Jawad Jamil for this great event! 🎓

[FinaMaze @FinaMaze]

#Imagine the 3rd generation of WealthTech and Robo-Advisors?
🚀 Here’s a quick breakdown:

📈 1st Gen: #Trading Apps! Pick and trade stocks, ETFs or funds.

🤓 2nd Gen: Standard #RoboAdvisors! Fill out a survey, and get matched with one of three portfolios: conservative, moderate, or aggressive
[Think of the sizes: Small, Medium, Large 👔 in the fashion industry]

🌟 3rd Gen: Tailored AI learning your risk appetite and #behavior!
It builds for you:
- ✨ Your #personalized portfolios, made only for your unique risk profile, out of thousands possible
- 🔄 Custom #rebalancing, independently from others
[Your dedicated tailor for your 👔]
- 🤝 within the guidelines of the "Human" Investment Committee (#hybrid AI/ human solution)
- 🎢 across stocks, bonds, funds, commodities, crypto, and even fractional private equity and structured notes!

Isn't that fin-Amazing 😉 ?
🌍 FinaMaze: invest Today with the AI tools of Tomorrow!

Big thanks to @HusseinSayed, CFA, CMT and to @CNBCArabia team for the must-watch #Shifrat Al Mal series shout-out! 👏📺#Imagine the 3rd generation of WealthTech and Robo-Advisors?
🚀 Here’s a quick breakdown:

📈 1st Gen: #Trading Apps! Pick and trade stocks, ETFs or funds.

🤓 2nd Gen: Standard #RoboAdvisors! Fill out a survey, and get matched with one of three portfolios: conservative, moderate, or aggressive
[Think of the sizes: Small, Medium, Large 👔 in the fashion industry]

🌟 3rd Gen: Tailored AI learning your risk appetite and #behavior!
It builds for you:
- �� Your #personalized portfolios, made only for your unique risk profile, out of thousands possible
- 🔄 Custom #rebalancing, independently from others
[Your dedicated tailor for your 👔]
- 🤝 within the guidelines of the "Human" Investment Committee (#hybrid AI/ human solution)
- 🎢 across stocks, bonds, funds, commodities, crypto, and even fractional private equity and structured notes!

Isn't that fin-Amazing 😉 ?
🌍 FinaMaze: invest Today with the AI tools of Tomorrow!

Big thanks to @husseinsayyed and to @CNBCArabia team for the must-watch #Shifrat Al Mal series shout-out! 👏📺

[FinaMaze @FinaMaze]

If you're a marathoner, or an entrepreneur (or both), or know someone who is, you'll get this:

Every milestone is a win 🏅, a quick cheer 👏,
and a deep breath 💪 to push forward 🏃‍♂️.

Thank you @ME_Markets Awards Team for recognising our last achievement: Pivoting from B2C to B2B & B2B2C.

Thrilled to have Mehdi El Amine Fichtali celebrated as the WealthTech CEO of the Year. So grateful! 🚀✨

[FinaMaze @FinaMaze]

➡ Bankers, Wealth & Asset Managers! If you're on the quest to revolutionize your digital offerings, these 5 Ps will redefine your #wealth and #assetmanagement.
Thank you John Lillywhite for your invitation to Al Bawaba Business podcast.

FinaMaze, the AI #WealthTech, implements for its B2B and B2B2C clients, banks and large asset managers in the region, a comprehensive end-to-end whitelabel platform based on this 5 Ps paradigm:

🌐 1- #Platform Power!
Imagine a single investment hub where every investor gets his tailor-made investment solutions. Your clients are covered across the investment spectrum:
from the bustling stock markets to your own or third-party funds, to the exclusive private equity and structured notes spaces...

🌟 2- #Personalization Like Never Before!
AI crafts for each of your clients their very own Smartfolio tailored to fit their financial goals, risk appetite, and behavior… out of thousands of possible risk profiles.

💡3- AI-Boosted #Productivity!
FinaMaze AI-enhanced insights, sentiment, and market momentum are now in your arsenal, optimizing your clients' portfolios in seconds.

🎯4- #Precision in Every Step!
From middle and back office operations to streamlined aggregation, execution, confirmation and to clients’ dashboards, everything is automated and fine-tuned to ensure a smooth sailing investment journey for you and for your clients.

📈 5- #Performance Delivered!
Where the wisdom of seasoned financial experts meets the cutting-edge capabilities of AI. We're democratizing high-end investment strategies and Discretionary Managed Portfolios (DMPs), making premium private banking services accessible at a much lower threshold.

FinaMaze is your ally to unlock this new realm of possibilities for your clients, transforming traditional #wealthmanagement into a personalized, efficient, and dynamic experience.

Join us in leading the charge toward smarter wealth and asset management. 🌐💡🚀

[FinaMaze @FinaMaze]

Our CEO Mehdi El Amine Fichtali had the chance to be part of an incredible session at the Saudi Banking Conference on Open Banking 🌟!
Alongside the talented Sultan Albayhani and Bilal Khan, they explored the ins and outs of Open Banking in Saudi. Both Sultan and Bilal are at the forefront, leading the initiative in both a traditional and a digital bank, sharing firsthand insights 🚀
They looked at how the Saudi Central Bank – SAMA is spearheading this innovation with its framework, reshaping the future of banking in hashtag#ksa.
We tackled the challenges of security, tech implementation, interoperability, and scalability.

👉 But here's the real hashtag#gamechanger: Open Banking puts customers in the driver's seat, letting them decide who gets access to their data. This is a massive shift from the banking we're used to. Banks are now entering a vast new world where finance and technology collide in ways we've never seen before.
As the banking industry welcomes new non-traditional players (telcos, transportation tech!) and fintechs, banks are racing to adapt their hashtag#business models.
How quickly do all the players get on board with this game-changer? How will clients' awareness and readiness steer this shift, not just in hashtag#Saudi but worldwide? 🌍.
Big thanks to Cogent Solutions Event Management and to Regina D Majalikar for putting together a mind-opening discussion.

Here's to shaping the future of finance, together! 🌟

[FinaMaze @FinaMaze]

** How to hedge against #nvidia "overvaluation" and mitigate the risk of a potential correction? **
The answer: “Markets versus Nvidia” Smartfolio that FinaMaze built in response to numerous client inquiries. It is accessible from FinaMaze App in two clicks !

Several of our clients think that #nvidia is at a crossroads before the post-market Feb 21st earnings release: with a $1.8 trillion valuation, Nvidia ranks as the third-largest US company, surpassing tech heavyweights like Google and Amazon. Its valuation equates to 38 years of revenue or almost a #century of earnings (P/E at 90).

Predicting market shifts is speculative, and we do not encourage speculation, yet the sharp rise in Nvidia's stock price (up on a straight +78% line since November and 222% for the past 12 months) signals a critical juncture and left several investors worried and seeking protection.

**A Risk-Adjusted Strategy for Investors**
Direct short selling is volatile and risky. A more prudent strategy involves shorting Nvidia against broader indices like the S&P and Nasdaq. This approach offers a safer way to implement a view of Nvidia correction.

If you are of the view that:
(i) At these stratospheric levels, #nvidia has already given most of its juice and should not keep on overperforming the markets, and that,
(ii) In case of a market correction, Nvidia could take a bigger hit than the broader market,
then FinaMaze’s “Markets versus Nvidia” is for you !

Check it out !

[FinaMaze @FinaMaze]

💵 "The Dollar: America's Currency, the World's Dilemma" 🌍

Part 3/3:
🤯 Did you know the US is sitting on a record-breaking $34 trillion debt? Yep, with $1 trillion of yearly interest payments (the equivalent of the Turkey or KSA economy).
It's a number that makes everybody nervous.
But most countries rely on the dollar for trade and savings. And guess what? They're still buying US treasuries, which means they're basically funding the US government's spending, US consumption, and even fueling US GDP growth.

🏦 This massive US debt isn't seen as a direct threat to the world economy just yet. However, with the US stock markets hitting all-time highs, it's a bit of a nail-biter. 📈

💡 Our take? Play it smart. We advise prudence, diversifying your portfolio, and considering some hedging strategies. Why? Because at these dizzying market heights, a sharp correction could be just around the corner. 🛑 🛑 🛑

Thank you Nour Amache and Asharq Business اقتصاد الشرق Bloomberg News for exchanging with me on this topic.

[FinaMaze @FinaMaze]

🌟Our CEO Mehdi El Amine Fichtali exchange with Nour Amache on Asharq Business اقتصاد الشرق Bloomberg News about US Job figures!

Part 2:
🔍 Diving into the US employment figures (#nfp at 353k doubling the 187k expectations) and it's not all sunshine and rainbows::
- First off, there's a wave of mass layoffs hitting the banking and tech sectors...🌩️
... that is compensated by this trend of "poly-work". It's where people juggle two jobs, so they're counted twice in the job creation figures. It's like a magic trick, but not the good kind. 🎩✨
- Last, let's not forget the surge in government jobs. Looks like the US government is bulking up its workforce, deepening the jaw-dropping $34-trillion government debt.

Money is pumped into the economy, but at what cost? 💸

[FinaMaze @FinaMaze]

🚀 A milestone in the life of a GCC founder is when she/ he lies on the Couchonomics with Arjun🛋

💡 "Shrink" Arjun Vir Singh and our CEO Mehdi El Amine Fichtali shared their frustration with traditional investment options as they dove deep into the hybrid human/ AI model that can tailor-make hundreds of portfolios for up to 4,000 risk profiles. 🤖📊

1️⃣ Humans + AI: A power duo in decision-making. 🧠🤖
2️⃣ The future of Wealth Management: Custom-fit “micro-portfolios” for each client. ✨
3️⃣ Trading platforms: a trap for the untrained. Beware! 🚨
4️⃣ The big miss in wealth management? Educating and protecting clients from emotions.
5️⃣ Navigating the B2C Wealth Management Maze.
6️⃣ Secrets for a Successful fintech-banks partnership- Pivoting into the B2B2C space! 🌟

🎥Watch this episode for a sneak peek 👀 into the future of #WealthManagement… in our region and beyond !

#Couchonomics #disruption FinaMaze #AIinnovation

[FinaMaze @FinaMaze]

🌟Our CEO Mehdi El Amine Fichtali had an amazing chat yesterday with Nour Amache on Asharq Business اقتصاد الشرق Bloomberg News about market trends and the Fed's policy!

Part 1:
👍hashtag
#fed Chair hashtag
#powell's 18-month rate hikes have impressively slashed inflation from a sky-high 9.1% in June 2022 to a much cooler 3.4% by Dec 2023 and seem to navigate the US economy to a soft landing. 🌊
🌐 But with the GDP soaring at 3.3% in Q4 2022 and job numbers still upbeat (hashtag
#nfp doubling expectations last Friday!), it is unlikely that any rate cuts will take place in H1: the Fixed Income Markets reverted indeed to their pre-Dec 13th Fed meeting's enthusiasm, with the 10Y up again to 4.15% from 3.80% lows. Now, only 4 rate cuts are expected in 2024. 📊

#MarketTrends #FedPolicy #EconomyTalks

[FinaMaze @FinaMaze]

🌟 FinaMaze's January Performances as the US #stockmarket is hitting record highs

#Soft or #Hard Economic Landing ? Watch the January debate on "Light in the Market Maze" LMM Podcast Season 03 Episode 01! 🌟

This question is all the more crucial that we witness:
➕ The AI/ tech sector (overheated?) performance,
➕ The strong employment figures (Friday’s NFP came at 357k job creation, double the expectations)
➖ While the US regional banks face challenges due to their exposure to commercial real estate
➖ and the Fed holds rates at 5.50% on Wednesday and cautions that the much-anticipated rate cuts might NOT happen in H1.

[FinaMaze @FinaMaze]

🌟 #Soft or #Hard Economic Landing ? Watch the debate on "Light in the Market Maze" LMM Podcast Season 03 Episode 01! 🌟

This question is all the more crucial that the US #stockmarket is hitting record highs, due to:
➕ The AI/ tech sector (overheated?) performance,
➕ The strong employment figures (Friday’s NFP came at 357k job creation, double the expectations)
➖ While the US regional banks face challenges due to their exposure to commercial real estate
➖ and the Fed holds rates at 5.50% on Wednesday and cautions that the much-anticipated rate cuts might NOT happen in H1.

On the #softlanding corner, we have US-based Brian Sanborn, CFA from our partner Ned Davis Research, the leading Global Research firm, and
On the #hardlanding corner, our LMM “Resident” speaker, Abu Dhabi-based Ryan Lemand, PhD, CEO of Neovision Wealth Management

Watch them as they share with me their expert insights. 📈🎙️

Extracts:

🔍 Brian sees a 70% chance of a Soft Landing. Lower economic growth and softening inflation, steering clear of a recession. A smooth sailing ahead ! 🛬

🚨 But Ryan spots turbulence! He warns of a Hard Landing as the US economy is looking good only cosmetically (for eg. the strong employment figures are due to the hiring in the Public sector that compensates for the layoffs in the growth-generating Private sector)
📉 There could be a recession cliff effect in the second half of 2024 and this is when the Fed will start cutting rates

💸 What about the staggering $34 trillion US government debt, reaching 126% of the GDP!
➡ Ryan flags this as a potential storm as US GDP is essentially based on consumption (70%) much more than on manufacturing... and as the status of USD as a global reserved currency is being challenged, reducing the ability of the US to print money…
(for eg. check this week's UAE's first cross-border digital CBDC dirham blockchain transfer to China)
➡ But Brian counters, suggesting high government debt is deflationary and might cushion the landing. 🤔💭

Tune in, join the conversation, and learn further on what 2024 reserves for India, China, Commodities, global supply chains and much more ?

And you, which camp do you favor? #Soft or #Hard landing for the US economy? Let us know in the comments !

In this uncertain environment with different scenarii at play, at FinaMaze, we favor diversified portfolios such "FinaMaze Composite" or "Dynamic Ned Davis Research".
They diversify across Global Stocks, Fixed Income across regions, ratings and maturities, Commodities and Currencies, and are tailored to each investor, and investible in one click.

Check their Factsheets on our App !

[FinaMaze @FinaMaze]

#powell & #biden DJing for the #markets their preferred tune:
"Please Don't Stop the #music"

FinaMaze Weekend Humor

[FinaMaze @FinaMaze]

📈 And 4,842.07! #snp Hits New Peak On Friday! Here is why it surpassed its record high from two years ago.
while #nasdaq rises to just 4% from its Nov 2021 peak, up by 40% in the last 52 weeks.
Both were mainly driven by big Tech: Apple, Microsoft, Meta, Nvidia, Alphabet, Amazon, Tesla… with the first four already at their all-time high

🎯Key Factors:
- Prospects of interest rate cuts in 2024
- Successful economic soft landing
- Inflation falling to 3.4% (from 9.1%)
- Boost in AI sector

🚀 What happened in 2023?
- As you can see in the FinaMaze Smartfolios performance tables below:
- Strong performance, accelerated in the last two months (Part B), particularly for FinaMaze #usa Stocks and #realestate Smartfolios (c. +20% in Nov-Dec) and
- #cryptofolios (around +50% in the last 8 weeks of 2023)

💡Looking ahead to 2024!
While the positive trend seems to continue in the first weeks of 2024, trees don't grow to the sky…
🛠#diversification, diversification, diversification!
Consider these options: FinaMaze Composite or Dynamic Ned Davis Research Diversified Smartfolios, or a custom selection such as:
- 40% in #stocks
- 20% in #fixedincome (G10 Sov. and Investment Grade Corporates)
- 20% in FinaMaze’s Money Market Smart Cash (+6% perf in 2023)
- 10% in Relative Smartfolios (Large vs Mid Cap & Altcoins vs Bitcoin)  
- 5% in #preciousmetals
- 5% in #energy

-----
Market Comment:

🏦 #federalreserve :
- Interest rates raised from zero in March 2022 to over 5.25% by summer 2023
- #inflation fell from 9.1% in June 2022 to 3.4% in Dec 2023
- #jeromepowell announced a Fed pivot just before Christmas, with potentially 3 rate cuts in 2024

🌟 Economic and Consumers’ Optimism:
- Hope for a soft economic landing, avoiding recession despite the brutal 2022-2023 rate hikes!
- AI sector boosting the economy
- Positive #consumer sentiment (Michigan Index up 29% since November): due to lower inflation, cheaper gas, robust #jobmarket, and rising stock portfolios

📉 #mortgage Rates and #Corporate Refinancing Rates to Fall
- Following the US 10Y rates drop from 5% in Q4 to 4.15% now
- Real Estate optimism despite the lowest level of sales since 1993
- Corporate refinancing risk relief

❗ Challenges Ahead:
- The economy is still overheated and the Fed may not cut rates in March 2024
- Low household savings
- Economic dependency on US fiscal spending: budget deficit at an alarming $2 trillion per year, well over 7% of GDP
- Should continue to worsen in this election year with the political deadlock of Republican refusal to raise taxes and the Democratic reluctance to cut spending
- Another all-time high record is broken in silence: US #government debt exceeds $34 trillion, posing long-term concerns: debt is at 123% of the US GDP, or $100,000 per citizen
- The US Government spends almost $3 billion per day on interest-only payments, ie over $1 trillion annually, similar to the size of ... the whole KSA or Turkey economy!

Stay tuned for our next LLM podcast episode!