More eye-popping numbers for Trump Media - even if you want to short DJT stock

By Philip van Doorn

Also: What the election means for healthcare ETFs, financial fitness for everyone, and whether you can afford the house you want

After former President Donald Trump merged his Truth Social platform with Digital World Acquisition Corp., shares of Trump Media & Technology Group Corp. shot up last week.

But some investors might be wondering how successful the company - with a market capitalization of $6.6 billion at Thursday's close - might become. The company booked only $4.13 million in revenue during 2023, with a net loss of $58.2 million. This week shares of Trump Media & Technology Group (DJT) were down 26% through Thursday.

What if you think it is a good idea to bet on a further decline of DJT shares? Tomi Kilgore broke down the numbers for traders looking to short DJT stock.

More of this week's coverage of DJT and Trump:

Trump touts Truth Social as 'amazing' startup amid stock decline as short sellers move inKevin Warsh, floated as Trump Fed chief, says Powell is 'goosing' the economyTrump to tap Wall Street moguls for fundraiser after hauling in $66 million last monthTrump's DJT stock trades at multiples that exceed the peak of the meme-stock era

How the U.S. presidential election might affect healthcare stocks

For this week's ETF Wrap, Isabel Wang surveyed the political landscape and spoke with money managers about the healthcare sector. They see a silver lining for health stocks during the Biden-Trump political rematch, despite the sector's pullback following its strong first quarter.

Healthcare news: Diabetes medication appears to slow progress of Parkinson's disease in French-backed trial

April is Financial Literacy Month

MarketWatch Editor in Chief Mark DeCambre kicked off Financial Literacy Month by explaining why learning more about how you make decisions can be the most important step toward improving your financial health.

Check out MarketWatch's Financial Fitness page for a roundup of articles about money and life.

Some examples:

Five ways to reduce your taxable income for 2024Regular financial-health checkups are as important as annual physicalsTake MarketWatch's 2024 Financial Literacy Quiz. Will you get a 100% score?

Housing and how to afford it

Aarthi Swaminathan covers all aspects of the U.S. housing market. In the video above, she breaks down the numbers buyers need to look at to determine whether or not they can afford a home at a particular price. Avoiding one common mistake can save you a lot of money.

Even if you are not a first-time home buyer, the video might be useful to someone you care about who is making their first foray into the bewildering world of housing finance.

More housing coverage:

Mortgage rates inch up, denting home buyers' budgets. But there is good news.Where home prices are falling - and which housing markets are most overvalued, according to three expertsI'm 67 and upgrading to a $455,000 home with a 6.2% mortgage rate. My former house had a 3.7% rate. Am I crazy?Nearly 55,000 home sellers to receive $62 million in refunds from OpendoorCalifornia's fast-food workers are now among the highest paid in the U.S. They still don't make nearly enough to buy a house.

If you like index funds, here's an easy way to diversify beyond the S&P 500

Recent warnings about a high stock market have centered on its rising valuation relative to expected earnings - especially for the largest companies. The forward price-to-earnings ratio for the S&P 500 SPX, based on the rolling weighted 12-month earnings estimates, has increased to 20.9 from 18.2 over the past year, according to FactSet.

Growth stocks appear to be particularly expensive, making value stocks more compelling, as Joseph Adinolfi explained.

And if you would like to add exposure to value stocks, here's an easy way to do it while also diversifying away from the S&P 500 with an exchange-traded fund that has outperformed the index.

More stock-market coverage:

Energy stocks have taken Wall Street by surprise in 2024. Here's what it will take for them to keep climbing.Greenlight's David Einhorn pitches 'boring essential-chemicals business' SolvayCathie Wood touts $2,000 Tesla price target, says 'now is not the time to run for the hills' as stock cratersHighflying stocks mean everything to Wall Street - but not Main StreetDow 40,000: What's taking so long to get there?These stocks' price targets have been cut the most by Wall Street analysts in 2024Outperforming ETF manager names a potential '50-bagger' in the stock market

Company news

Sometimes analysts will focus on companies' operating numbers, digging into cash flow or profit margins, to provide insight for investors. But what about threats and opportunities from changing tastes among consumers?

Levi Straus & Co. (LEVI) said it was benefiting from renewed interest in loose-fitting jeans, while an analyst wrote that the trend could hurt Lululemon Athletica Inc. (LULU), as Emily Bary reported.

More on companies and fashion trends:

Levi's jeans demand is 'stabilizing,' execs say. Is 'Levii's Jeans' by Beyoncé helping?The maker of Tommy Bahama says shoppers are still hesitant. It is investing in new stores anyway.Demand for beauty products is slowing as debt burdens rise. That is weighing on Ulta's stock.Shares of Tommy Hilfiger maker PVH drop as execs warn of 'tougher macroeconomic backdrop'

More coverage of companies:

European regulators crack down on AI as U.S. tech companies plunge into the marketIntuitive Machines' stock surges, boosted by $30 million NASA lunar rover contract

The Ratings Game

In the Ratings Game column, the MarketWatch Companies team monitors coverage of stocks by analysts working for brokerage firms. Here are some stories from the past week:

Paramount's stock surrenders gains as analysts see 'obstacle course' in battle for controlWhy this AMD bull is keeping the faith in the face of the stock's weaknessReddit's story hinges on 'promises we've heard too many times,' a new bear saysSoFi's stock has faced very negative sentiment, but that seems to be softeningBlock isn't doing enough to win over Gen Z, this new bear warnsNetflix and Amazon poised for growth as TV ad market seen climbing to $44 billion by 2028Amazon and Tesla are 'conviction' picks at Wells Fargo - but only one is bullishIntel's steep foundry losses aren't a surprise. Here's why its stock is still sliding.Bank of America faces 'rate trap' as UBS downgrades megabank to neutral from buyCostco, Lowe's, Five Below, Dollar Tree downgraded because of 'extreme' valuationsThis railroad operator is most impacted by the Baltimore bridge collapse

It's not too late to improve your retirement-saving plan

Alessandra Malito writes the Help Me Retire column. This week she answered questions from a 50-year-old woman who was looking to jump-start her retirement savings while also considering a home purchase.

More on retirement planning:

I inherited an inherited IRA. How can I withdraw from it, especially if I'm going to be hit with a big tax bill? Millions of Americans turn 65 this year. How can they save money now to live better later?'It is easy to hide things from ourselves': How a budget can keep you honest and focused on your goals$1.46 million is retirement's magic number? It is a fantasy for most.

A tax question: Our father died, then our stepmother passed away. Will my siblings and I owe taxes when we sell their house?

The Moneyist dispenses advice

Quentin Fottrell - the Moneyist - digs into all sorts of problems involving finances and family in response to questions from readers. Here's some of his latest advice:

My elderly parents are hoarders. I see them once a year. They say cleaning up their 'junk' will be my problem after they die. What can I do?'I have been propping her up for 15 years': My niece, 35, is horrible with money. How can I help her become financially responsible?'I'd like a nest egg of my own': My sister and I will inherit our mother's house, but it is miles from anywhere. Is it wrong to force her to sell?'She was angry': I left my girlfriend behind in San Diego to buy a home in Charlotte. Now I have 'serious' buyer's remorse. Do I sell and rent again?

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-Philip van Doorn

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04-06-24 0501ET

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