Opinion: Speaker Yi's financial performance takes center stage, big players boldly promote U.S. stocks

March 31, Tuesday. From Venezuelan President Maduro being captured by U.S. forces in early January, to an Oscar-winning star, to the U.S. postponing its attack on Iran’s energy facilities—before it all happened, it seemed as if there was “spring-anneal duck” foreknowledge, with timing being set by placing heavy bets in prediction markets for a huge win. Whether there was any insider trading involved, it has triggered strong public doubts.

No one could have imagined that missiles would fly across the skies over the Persian Gulf. The export trade’s “manipulation” of the market—this whole playbook—turns out it’s not only infringements that are good at doing so. Iran’s rival is not just familiar with the game; they not only know how to play, but they also do it in a workmanlike manner.

Iran’s Islamic Parliament Speaker Ghalibaf (Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf) posted statements on social media: with flames raging across the Middle East, the so-called “news” that circulated before the U.S. stock market opened was actually just an excuse cooked up by people with an agenda. It can be taken as a contrarian indicator: buy when prices fall, sell when prices rise. The social platforms have been bustling these past couple of days. Besides the White House’s occupant and Iranian officials, hedge-fund king Bill Ackman also refused to stay on the sidelines, jumping in to add a couple of remarks. Bill suggested seizing the opportunity of a “big flat sale” of high-quality companies to boldly enter the market; mainstream media and cautious short-sellers can ignore it.

If I absolutely have to put one last bet, I’d rather believe Bill.

(Excerpt)

Bai Lao Lin Investor Diary

For the original text, please read today’s Xinbao.