Here’s the gist of what’s happening with a prayer…

From fairy tales to financial tales, Shrek is making the leap from your DVD shelf to your stock portfolio. Thanks to Public, you can now be an Ogrepreneur and invest in the ogre-tastic musical scores of the Shrek series. Just a heads-up, the deal's got more layers than an onion—with fees peeling off at every corner—but at least it promises to turn your "meh" money into something swamp-sational. But beware, Fiona and Donkey aren't part of the package; you're putting your green on Harry Gregson-Williams' tunes.

Lord, thank you for the endless creativity and whimsy that you put into this world—even if it means investing in ogre soundtracks. Guide us in being wise stewards of our earthly treasures, as we remember that our real riches lie in Your grace. Amen.

Calling All Millennials!
You Can Now Invest in Shrek

Okay… We know this story is a bit absurd. But for anyone who grew up with Shrek and is now old enough to be interested in investments, this is the story for you. Everyday investors now have the chance to put their hard-earned dollars into the musical legacy of DreamWorks’ Shrek franchise. Yes, you read that right. You can now park your money alongside stocks, bonds, and whatever other oddities comprise your investment portfolio.

What's The Deal?
Trading platform Public has embarked on what they call "a quest to bring the lucrative swamp of music rights to the commoners." Starting Thursday, they now allow customers to buy shares in the music score of the Shrek franchise and benefit from quarterly payouts. These aren't measly pennies either; the Shrek music rights generated an annualized dividend yield above 8% in both 2021 and 2022. For context, that's sort of like the fairy godmother turning your pumpkin of a portfolio into a ritzy, return-generating carriage.

Now, before you run off thinking you’re going to become the next Ogrepreneur, keep in mind that this doesn't include popular tracks like "All Star" by Smash Mouth or the soulful "Hallelujah" by Rufus Wainwright. Instead, you’re investing in the film's original score by composer Harry Gregson-Williams.

Shrekonomics 101
The initial offering consists of 88,970 shares at $10 apiece. You might think that $10 is a small price to pay for being part of something that's more iconic than Donkey's waffle-making skills. Public got their swampy hands on this treasure by buying a portion of the Shrek music rights from an investor on Royalty Exchange. From there, the secondary market allows you to buy and sell these shares, but liquidity depends on demand, much like how Shrek's friendship depends on how many annoying fairy tale creatures invade his swamp.

Why Shrek?
"Most people can't go out and buy a million-dollar royalty interest," says Keith Marshall, general manager of alternatives at Public. It's why they decided to start with Shrek; the franchise's music has a record of hefty payouts even years after the films have been released. It’s sort of the "Gingy" of investments: even when it's old and stale, you still can’t help but nibble on it.

What's the Catch?
Public takes a 2.4% cut of the money raised from the initial offering, and Royalty Exchange charges a 5% fee for services like collecting revenue. Oh, there’s more—a Public affiliate takes another 5% cut for additional services like accounting and tax work. They’re shaving these returns like they're peeling layers off an onion—you real fans know the ref.

A World Beyond Shrek
As absurd as it sounds, this initiative marks a paradigm shift in investment. The growing popularity of music royalties as an investment vehicle is akin to recognizing Shrek as a pop culture deity. In fact, it opens doors to other music-rights securities, making the dream of becoming a small-time music mogul more attainable than ever. In short, these are low-hanging investments made available to the average Joe and Jane. The fact that it’s Shrek makes it funny, but no less fascinating.

Reflection
Now, what lesson can we extract from this shrek-tacular investment opportunity? In Proverbs 13:11, it says, "Dishonest money dwindles away, but whoever gathers money little by little makes it grow." While the allure of non-traditional investments can be captivating, it's essential to approach them with discernment and wisdom. God encourages us to be diligent stewards of the resources He provides. This tale of Shrek music investments serves as a timely reminder to assess not just the rewards but also the risks and ethical implications involved in where we choose to allocate our God-given resources.

So, whether you're tempted to jump aboard the Shrek investment train or just intrigued by the absurdity of it all, remember: your true treasure is stored up in heaven, not in a swamp.

Thank you for joining us today on PRAY NEWS. It is our aim to be informed and transformed. We pray today you will proceed with hope, love, and determination to be a force for good.