11 hours ago
1 day ago
While he stepped down as CEO of Berkshire Hathaway at the end of last year, Warren Buffett's wealth, and thus his portfolio, is still tied to the conglomerate and its stock portfolio. On that end, Berkshire's top-three positions -- consisting of Apple (NASDAQ: AAPL), American Express (NYSE: AXP), and Alphabet (NASDAQ: GOOG) (NASDAQ: GOOGL) (Nasdaq) -- make up more than half of its equity portfolio.
All three are strong compounding businesses with wide moats, but which looks like the best of the group to buy today? Let's take a look at each.
Missed Nvidia in 2009? This Rare Signal Is Flashing Again. In 2009, a "Double Down" signal flashed for a little-known chipmaker called Nvidia. For the first time in years, that same "Total Conviction" signal is flashing for a company 1/100th the size of Nvidia. Continue »
Apple is Berkshire's largest holding, making up about 22% of its portfolio. The stock is a Buffett favorite because it has one of the best compounding business models out there.
Apple, of course, is best known for its iPhone and other devices. Smartphones and computers tend to have very predictable replacement cycles, which creates an almost recurring type of revenue stream for the company. However, the beauty of the business stems from its closed-garden ecosystem that helps lock in consumers, from which it then collects high-margin service revenue. This revenue comes from a variety of sources, including a search revenue-sharing deal with Alphabet, commissions on app downloads, Apple Pay, and subscriptions for things like cloud storage.
#NASDAQ #revenue #best #alphabet
All three are strong compounding businesses with wide moats, but which looks like the best of the group to buy today? Let's take a look at each.
Missed Nvidia in 2009? This Rare Signal Is Flashing Again. In 2009, a "Double Down" signal flashed for a little-known chipmaker called Nvidia. For the first time in years, that same "Total Conviction" signal is flashing for a company 1/100th the size of Nvidia. Continue »
Apple is Berkshire's largest holding, making up about 22% of its portfolio. The stock is a Buffett favorite because it has one of the best compounding business models out there.
Apple, of course, is best known for its iPhone and other devices. Smartphones and computers tend to have very predictable replacement cycles, which creates an almost recurring type of revenue stream for the company. However, the beauty of the business stems from its closed-garden ecosystem that helps lock in consumers, from which it then collects high-margin service revenue. This revenue comes from a variety of sources, including a search revenue-sharing deal with Alphabet, commissions on app downloads, Apple Pay, and subscriptions for things like cloud storage.
#NASDAQ #revenue #best #alphabet
2 days ago
Grab Holdings (NASDAQ:GRAB), a super-app for ride-hailing, deliveries, and digital financial services, closed at $2.87, down 1.37%. The stock moved after Grab announced a $1.49 billion cash deal for a 60% stake in Atome Financial. Investors are watching the financial services expansion and consumer lending reach looking ahead. Trading volume reached 82.1M shares, coming in about 72% above its three-month average of 47.6M shares. Grab Holdings IPO'd in 2020 and has fallen 76% since going public.
The S&P 500 (SNPINDEX:^GSPC) fell 0.43% to 7,553, and the Nasdaq Composite (NASDAQINDEX:^IXIC) slipped 0.01% to 25,978. Among ride-hailing, delivery, and consumer fintech platforms, Uber Technologies (NYSE:UBER) closed at $71.01, down 0.59%, while Lyft (NASDAQ:LYFT) finished at $15.69, unchanged, as mobility peers remained in focus.
Grab, the Southeast Asian delivery, mobility, and financial services upstart, continues to show it intends to become the leading "superapp" in its niche after acquiring 60% of Atome Financial for $1.49 billion today. Prior to the deal, Grab held over $6 billion in cash versus minimal debt, so the deal shouldn't be a funding problem by any means.
Atome Financial operates in five of Grab's six markets and brings over 25 million unique transacting users, helping to beef up the latter's fintech offerings. Atome has seen its gross merchandise volume grow ninefold over the last six years and is profitable on an adjusted EBITDA basis.
As of 2024, merely 5% of Southeast Asian adults owned a credit card and only 14% had borrowed from a financial institution, so the potential here for Grab could be massive if they execute successfully upon this opportunity.
#billion #deal #lyft
The S&P 500 (SNPINDEX:^GSPC) fell 0.43% to 7,553, and the Nasdaq Composite (NASDAQINDEX:^IXIC) slipped 0.01% to 25,978. Among ride-hailing, delivery, and consumer fintech platforms, Uber Technologies (NYSE:UBER) closed at $71.01, down 0.59%, while Lyft (NASDAQ:LYFT) finished at $15.69, unchanged, as mobility peers remained in focus.
Grab, the Southeast Asian delivery, mobility, and financial services upstart, continues to show it intends to become the leading "superapp" in its niche after acquiring 60% of Atome Financial for $1.49 billion today. Prior to the deal, Grab held over $6 billion in cash versus minimal debt, so the deal shouldn't be a funding problem by any means.
Atome Financial operates in five of Grab's six markets and brings over 25 million unique transacting users, helping to beef up the latter's fintech offerings. Atome has seen its gross merchandise volume grow ninefold over the last six years and is profitable on an adjusted EBITDA basis.
As of 2024, merely 5% of Southeast Asian adults owned a credit card and only 14% had borrowed from a financial institution, so the potential here for Grab could be massive if they execute successfully upon this opportunity.
#billion #deal #lyft
3 days ago
On September 9, American Eagle Outfitters Inc. (NYSE:AEO) revealed results for its fiscal 2026 second quarter. The company achieved an 8% year-over-year topline growth with net revenue figures of $1.38 billion. The second quarter operating profit jumped up to $211 million compared to $103 million during the same period last year. As a result, diluted earnings per share for the quarter stood at $0.79 in comparison with $0.45 for Q2 FY25. This led to a $21 million distribution to shareholders with a dividend payout of $0.125 per share.
Africa Studio/Shutterstock.com
A resilient performance during the second quarter was primarily driven by robust momentum within the Aerie sub-brand and OFFLINE collection. There was a 6% year-over-year growth in company-wide comparable sales, whereas the Aerie's comparable sales picked up by 19%. Total gross profit for the quarter reached $672 million, which shows a 34% increase against $500 million for Q2 FY25. This pushed Q2 gross margins to 48.7%, a jump of 980 basis points relative to the previous year's quarter, despite 330 basis points deleveraging across the merchandise margins. Compared to an 8% operating margin in Q2 FY25, the company posted 15.3% margin in the recent period.
Even with a slight dip in comparable sales, the American Eagle brand also exhibited some encouraging signs. It posted sequential gains from the previous quarter, which marks the fourth consecutive quarter of expansion across menswear.
Results for the reported period were bolstered by $196 million in International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) tariff refunds, which also included interest payments. This resulted in an additional $35 million in incentive compensation set aside by the company, which affected both gross profit and SG&A. After taking these additional expenses into consideration, the overall operating income gains related to tariff refunds amounted to $161 million.
#comparable
Africa Studio/Shutterstock.com
A resilient performance during the second quarter was primarily driven by robust momentum within the Aerie sub-brand and OFFLINE collection. There was a 6% year-over-year growth in company-wide comparable sales, whereas the Aerie's comparable sales picked up by 19%. Total gross profit for the quarter reached $672 million, which shows a 34% increase against $500 million for Q2 FY25. This pushed Q2 gross margins to 48.7%, a jump of 980 basis points relative to the previous year's quarter, despite 330 basis points deleveraging across the merchandise margins. Compared to an 8% operating margin in Q2 FY25, the company posted 15.3% margin in the recent period.
Even with a slight dip in comparable sales, the American Eagle brand also exhibited some encouraging signs. It posted sequential gains from the previous quarter, which marks the fourth consecutive quarter of expansion across menswear.
Results for the reported period were bolstered by $196 million in International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) tariff refunds, which also included interest payments. This resulted in an additional $35 million in incentive compensation set aside by the company, which affected both gross profit and SG&A. After taking these additional expenses into consideration, the overall operating income gains related to tariff refunds amounted to $161 million.
#comparable
16 days ago
The US syndicated loan market returned 0.93% in August, exceeding July's performance as software loans rebounded to pare the sector's YTD loss to 2.60% and close the gap with the broader market.
August market highlights:
Loans returned 0.93% in August, according to the Morningstar LSTA US Leveraged Loan Index, the second-best showing in 12 months, led by software issuers.
Performing software loan prices gained 127 bps in August, to 87.73% of par, while non-software loans gained 22 bps, to 97.06.
YTD software returns have narrowed to negative 2.60%; software is the only industry segment with a market-value weight above 1% that is negative for the year. The overall index has gained 3.07% in 2026.
#loan #morningstar
August market highlights:
Loans returned 0.93% in August, according to the Morningstar LSTA US Leveraged Loan Index, the second-best showing in 12 months, led by software issuers.
Performing software loan prices gained 127 bps in August, to 87.73% of par, while non-software loans gained 22 bps, to 97.06.
YTD software returns have narrowed to negative 2.60%; software is the only industry segment with a market-value weight above 1% that is negative for the year. The overall index has gained 3.07% in 2026.
#loan #morningstar
17 days ago
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If you're looking to open a money market account, it's important to choose the right one for your needs — so consider more than just the interest rate.
Our team evaluated today's money market accounts offered by federally insured banks and credit unions and narrowed down the top 10 best options available. We evaluated these accounts based on APY, minimum balance requirements, fees, and more. (See our full methodology here.)
ACCOUNT NAME
APY
#account #disclosure
If you're looking to open a money market account, it's important to choose the right one for your needs — so consider more than just the interest rate.
Our team evaluated today's money market accounts offered by federally insured banks and credit unions and narrowed down the top 10 best options available. We evaluated these accounts based on APY, minimum balance requirements, fees, and more. (See our full methodology here.)
ACCOUNT NAME
APY
#account #disclosure
27 days ago
With many Americans feeling financially squeezed at the grocery store and at the gas pump, it's not surprising, perhaps, that they're increasingly using credit cards to cover the bills.
U.S. credit card balances rose to a total of $1.263 trillion in Q2 2026, up $1.242 trillion at the beginning of the year, according to the latest consumer debt data from the Federal Reserve Bank of New York.
Jeff Bezos backs a platform that lets anyone invest in rental homes for as little as $100 — 6 ways to build wealth like a landlord without actually being one
Dave Ramsey warns nearly 50% of Americans are making 1 big Social Security mistake. Here's what it is and 3 simple steps to fix it ASAP
The tax breaks in Trump's 'big beautiful bill' expire after 2028. Here are 4 moves to make before the window closes
#dave
U.S. credit card balances rose to a total of $1.263 trillion in Q2 2026, up $1.242 trillion at the beginning of the year, according to the latest consumer debt data from the Federal Reserve Bank of New York.
Jeff Bezos backs a platform that lets anyone invest in rental homes for as little as $100 — 6 ways to build wealth like a landlord without actually being one
Dave Ramsey warns nearly 50% of Americans are making 1 big Social Security mistake. Here's what it is and 3 simple steps to fix it ASAP
The tax breaks in Trump's 'big beautiful bill' expire after 2028. Here are 4 moves to make before the window closes
#dave
27 days ago
Cathie Wood, head of Ark Investment Management, often adds to her favorite tech stocks when prices swing.
This week, she's buying **** eX (SPCX), continuing to build her position after the newly public stock went through a volatile stretch following its first earnings report.
Last year, the flagship Ark Innovation ETF gained 35.49%, far outpacing the S&P 500's return of 17.88% in the same period. So far this year, Wood's flagship Ark Innovation ETF (ARKK) is up 10.71% as of August 21, while the S&P 500 surged 12.11%, Yahoo Finance data shows.
Wood gained a reputation after the Ark Innovation ETF delivered a 153% return in 2020. But her style also brings painful losses in bearish markets, as seen in 2022, when the Ark Innovation ETF tumbled more than 60%.
Those swings have weighed on Wood's long-term gains. As of August 21, her Ark Innovation ETF has delivered a five-year annualized return of -6.23%, while the S&P 500 has an annualized return of 11.56% over the same period, according to data from Morningstar.
#flagship #period
This week, she's buying **** eX (SPCX), continuing to build her position after the newly public stock went through a volatile stretch following its first earnings report.
Last year, the flagship Ark Innovation ETF gained 35.49%, far outpacing the S&P 500's return of 17.88% in the same period. So far this year, Wood's flagship Ark Innovation ETF (ARKK) is up 10.71% as of August 21, while the S&P 500 surged 12.11%, Yahoo Finance data shows.
Wood gained a reputation after the Ark Innovation ETF delivered a 153% return in 2020. But her style also brings painful losses in bearish markets, as seen in 2022, when the Ark Innovation ETF tumbled more than 60%.
Those swings have weighed on Wood's long-term gains. As of August 21, her Ark Innovation ETF has delivered a five-year annualized return of -6.23%, while the S&P 500 has an annualized return of 11.56% over the same period, according to data from Morningstar.
#flagship #period
1 month ago
The Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF (NYSEMKT: VYM) is a popular exchange-traded fund for income-oriented investors. It passively tracks the FTSE High Dividend Yield Index, which includes over 600 U.S. dividend-paying stocks with above-average yields, and charges a low expense ratio of 0.04%. It had a 30-day SEC yield of 2.22% at the end of July.
Missed Nvidia in 2009? This Rare Signal Is Flashing Again. In 2009, a "Double Down" signal flashed for a little-known chipmaker called Nvidia. For the first time in years, that same "Total Conviction" signal is flashing for a company 1/100th the size of Nvidia. Continue »
VYM's underlying index ranks dividend-paying U.S. companies by their expected yield for the next 12 months. It then chooses the top-yielding half and weights them by market capitalization. It also intentionally excludes real estate investment trusts (REITs), which generally pay high yields but don't qualify for lower tax rates. That process of elimination causes VYM to gravitate toward stable, mature sectors -- including financials, industrial, healthcare, consumer staples, and energy -- while giving it less exposure to the tech sector than the major market indexes.
VYM pays a lower yield than other dividend-oriented ETFs, but it's generated a total return of nearly 500% since its inception in Nov. 2006. Parking $50,000 in VYD would net you $1,100 in annual dividends today, and reinvesting that income could boost your payout to thousands of dollars per year over the next few decades.
Before you buy stock in Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF, consider this:
#signal #vanguard
Missed Nvidia in 2009? This Rare Signal Is Flashing Again. In 2009, a "Double Down" signal flashed for a little-known chipmaker called Nvidia. For the first time in years, that same "Total Conviction" signal is flashing for a company 1/100th the size of Nvidia. Continue »
VYM's underlying index ranks dividend-paying U.S. companies by their expected yield for the next 12 months. It then chooses the top-yielding half and weights them by market capitalization. It also intentionally excludes real estate investment trusts (REITs), which generally pay high yields but don't qualify for lower tax rates. That process of elimination causes VYM to gravitate toward stable, mature sectors -- including financials, industrial, healthcare, consumer staples, and energy -- while giving it less exposure to the tech sector than the major market indexes.
VYM pays a lower yield than other dividend-oriented ETFs, but it's generated a total return of nearly 500% since its inception in Nov. 2006. Parking $50,000 in VYD would net you $1,100 in annual dividends today, and reinvesting that income could boost your payout to thousands of dollars per year over the next few decades.
Before you buy stock in Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF, consider this:
#signal #vanguard
1 month ago
Aug 14 (Reuters) - Tiger Global Management trimmed several of its Big Tech stakes, exited Netflix, and took positions in Advanced Micro Devices and **** eX during the second quarter, according to regulatory disclosures filed Friday.
Here are more details from its quarterly 13-F filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission:
• The hedge fund cut its Alphabet holdings by 45.4% to 5.81 million shares as of June 30 from the end of March, and its Nvidia stake by 6.8% to 11.20 million shares.
• It trimmed its Microsoft stake by 9.3% to 2.27 million shares and its Amazon position by 3.2% to 9.68 million shares.
• The hedge fund reduced its holding in Meta Platforms by 8.5% to 2.82 million.
#stake
Here are more details from its quarterly 13-F filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission:
• The hedge fund cut its Alphabet holdings by 45.4% to 5.81 million shares as of June 30 from the end of March, and its Nvidia stake by 6.8% to 11.20 million shares.
• It trimmed its Microsoft stake by 9.3% to 2.27 million shares and its Amazon position by 3.2% to 9.68 million shares.
• The hedge fund reduced its holding in Meta Platforms by 8.5% to 2.82 million.
#stake
2 months ago
Palantir Technologies (PLTR) will announce its second-quarter earnings on Aug. 3. Notably, Q2 could again be a solid quarter, marking accelerating revenue growth and expanding margins.
Despite consistently posting impressive financial results, Palantir's stock has struggled in 2026. Shares are down about 32% year-to-date (YTD) and have fallen more than 41% from their 52-week high, even as the company's underlying business continues to strengthen.
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#week
Despite consistently posting impressive financial results, Palantir's stock has struggled in 2026. Shares are down about 32% year-to-date (YTD) and have fallen more than 41% from their 52-week high, even as the company's underlying business continues to strengthen.
CoreWeave Just Scored a Leidos Partnership. What That Means for CRWV Stock Here.
Earnings, PMI and Other Key Things to Watch this Week
Seagate Rallies on Strong Q4 Results and Guidance. What Does This Mean for STX Stock Here.
#week
