Warren Buffett's 90/10 mix of an S&P 500 fund and Treasury bills gives a 65-year-old with $600,000 about $4,800 monthly alongside Social Security.
Senior deductions and Social Security's partial taxation shrink the federal bill to roughly $1,000 a year, under 2% of spending.
Required withdrawals at 73 will raise taxes, so Roth conversions in the years before then and protecting the bond cushion keep the plan working.
Building a portfolio and living off one are two completely different skills, and almost ****** ody teaches the second. This problem is what The Definitive Guide to Retirement Income helps, and it is free today. Read more here. (Sponsor)
Warren Buffett has told the world exactly how he wants his wife's money invested after he is gone. In his 2013 letter to Berkshire Hathaway shareholders he wrote that his advice to the trustee "could not be more simple": put 10% of the cash in short-term government bonds and 90% in a very low-cost S&P 500 index fund. No stock picking, no bond ladder, no annuity.

#year

CD ownership among American families surged 65%, jumping from 6.5% to 10.7% between 2022 and 2025, driven by higher deposit rates.
Median CD balances rose 23% while mean balances grew only 4%, signaling gains spread broadly among typical savers rather than wealthy account holders.
Treasury bills currently yield up to 4.39%, well above the national average 12-month CD rate of 1.76%, which trails inflation running at 3.7%.
Read More: Avoid these 13 retirement mistakes before they derail your future (sponsor)
For much of the last decade, bank certificates of deposit paid so little that many savers didn't bother with them. A CD is a savings account that holds money for a fixed term. A saver agrees to leave money with a bank for a set period, like 12 months, and the bank pays a fixed rate.

#deposit #account #rate

Moneywise and Yahoo Finance LLC may earn commission or revenue through links in the content below.
For years, the conventional wisdom was that once you enter the six-figure club, your net worth explodes. This theory was first suggested by the late Charlie Munger, a billionaire and longtime friend and business partner of Warren Buffett.
"The hard part of the process for most people is the first $100,000," he said during Berkshire Hathaway's 1999 shareholders meeting (1). "You have a standing start at $0, getting to $100,000 is a long struggle."
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
A single line on your car insurance policy could be inflating your premium by up to 30% — here's what to change

#buffett #bezos

Buying a new car is getting harder just as Ford Motor's stock is having one of its best days of the year.
Ford (F) shares jumped 12.4% Thursday after the automaker delivered better-than-expected adjusted earnings and raised the bottom end of its annual profit outlook.
For shareholders, that was welcome news.
For someone walking into a dealership, Ford's results revealed a less comfortable trend.
From a previous forecast of around $2 billion, Ford now anticipates increased commodity expenses of nearly $2.5 billion this year. The cost of steel, copper, computer chips, gasoline, and transportation is all rising.

#ford

Welltower (WELL) pays out only 52% of normalized FFO, while Ventas (VTR) raised its dividend 8% and improved leverage to a decade-low 4.4x.
Baby boomers turning 80 now number nearly 70 million, yet builders started only 1,000 new senior housing units last quarter.
Sabra's 6% yield comes with a dividend flat since 2020 and a $102 million non-cash loan loss provision recorded in Q2.
Just released. Our ***** ysts combed the entire stock market and named the ten best stocks to buy right now, and Welltower didn't make the cut. Enter your email to see the names that beat WELL. The report is free. Enter your email and see if any of your stocks made the cut.
Senior housing has one of the clearest demand stories in real estate. On its third-quarter call, Ventas (NYSE:VTR) noted that the baby boomer generation, a cohort of nearly 70 million individuals, began turning 80 this year. Builders started only 1,000 units of new senior housing in the quarter. More 80-year-olds and very few new buildings push occupancy and rents higher, but operator health, labor costs, and government reimbursement decide how much of that reaches shareholders. The four REITs below are all equity REITs that own buildings. None is a mortgage REIT. Dividend safety is measured on FFO, FAD, or AFFO coverage, the cash-flow figures REITs actually pay dividends from.

#senior #million #housing #ventas

Intel lost almost a third of its value on Friday. By the close, the Nasdaq Composite had sealed its worst month since March 2025, down 5.3%.
Tom Lee of Fundstrat, a Wall Street research firm, has another suspect. He thinks one big investor may have been forced to dump tech shares, leaving tech holders with the losses.
Speaking on CNBC as the Nasdaq slid on Friday, Lee said the market was fighting an "internal battle" and that the selling looked forced.
"Today looks like someone's getting liquidated. I don't know if it's an institution," he said.
By "liquidated," Lee means forced to sell. This happens when an investor buys shares with borrowed money and prices then fall. The lender wants its money back, so the investor has to sell at any price.

#shares #liquidated #money #Intel

Bear markets are a normal part of investing in the stock market. **** ody knows when the next one will arrive, but it will eventually arrive with 100% certainty. The time to prepare is before you face the fear that comes with big market downturns. That's why you should consider owning companies like Johnson & Johnson (NYSE: JNJ), Medtronic (NYSE: MDT), Coca-Cola (NYSE: KO), and Procter & Gamble (NYSE: PG).
But there are two pieces to the story here. First, they all operate in economically resilient industries. Second, they all have incredible dividend track records. Here's a quick look at each one.
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 »
To be fair, you may not be happy about paying for healthcare, since it can be expensive. But you will still pay for it because, in the most extreme cases, it can be the difference between life and death. In less extreme cases, the difference is between a better and worse quality of life, and you'll still probably pay up. The risk of not paying simply isn't worth it.
Johnson & Johnson is a good choice if you are worried about a bear market and are looking for a safe-haven investment. It is a major player in both the pharmaceutical and medical device sectors, providing diversification. It is a Dividend King, having rewarded shareholders with more than 50 consecutive annual dividend increases. And while its yield isn't exactly huge at 2%, it is roughly twice what you'd collect from an S&P 500 index (SNPINDEX: ^GSPC) fund. J&J isn't exactly an exciting company, but it is a reliable one.

#signal

(Bloomberg) -- SK Hynix Inc. (SKHY) plans to return about 80% of the gains from selling down its stake in ***** an's Kioxia Holdings Corp. to shareholders through a special dividend of about 16 trillion won ($12 billion), the DongA Ilbo newspaper reported.
Most Read from Bloomberg
Trump Prepares for Iran Escalation After US, Israeli Polls
Apollo's Slok Says AI Has Delivered Zero Payoff Outside of Tech
Bitcoin Billionaires Are Racing to Ride a 3,000% Crypto Boom

#corp

Seeking a route back to winning ways after a stunning 4-3 home loss to Club Brugge in midweek Champions League action, Inter head to Stadio Renato Dall'Ara to face Bologna on Saturday. Despite another disappointing result in Europe, the reigning Serie A holders are leading the way in the domestic championship after six rounds.
Except for a dramatic 2-2 draw against Roma on the stroke of the international break, Cristian Chivu's charges have won all five remaining league fixtures this season, including a 3-0 rout of Parma last weekend. However, there's no room for complacency, as they sit level on points with early surprise package Lazio ahead of Saturday's kickoff.
In stark contrast, Bologna have endured a rough start to the season, picking up just two points from the opening five matchdays (D2, L3). It sent a signal to the club that it was time for new boss Domenico Tedesco to go, with Raffaele Palladino taking his place in the dugout just before the international break. The change paid off quickly as the Rossoblu eked out a 2-1 win at Lecce on the Italian's road debut last time out.
Buoyed by last weekend's triumph, Bologna fans are looking forward to Inter's visit, knowing the Nerazzurri have only won one of the last five Serie A meetings between the sides (D2, L2). Away from the pitch, fans looking to protect their online privacy while streaming matches or browsing football coverage can explore VPN services. With these, you can add a dedicated IP to your Private Internet Access plan, giving you an IP address reserved for your use rather than shared with other VPN users.
Without further ado, let's see how this clash could unfold.

#bologna #five #season #points

AGNC's Q2 spread income of 40 cents per share covered its 36-cent dividend, but the payout has been cut three times since 2015.
Annaly raised its quarterly dividend from $0.70 to $0.75, while Dynex rebounded to 6.4% economic return after both posted Q1 losses.
If Q3 spread income falls below 36 cents or book value drops below $8.38, shareholders' own capital funds the dividend and a cut becomes likely.
Read More: Learn 7 ways to generate income with a $1,000,000+ portfolio (sponsor)
AGNC Investment (NASDAQ:AGNC) is a mortgage REIT that borrows short-term money in the repo market, buys agency mortgage-backed securities, and keeps the spread between bond yields and borrowing costs. Leverage of 7.4 times tangible equity magnifies both gains and losses.

#times

American Express (NYSE: AXP) has been a staple of Berkshire Hathaway's (NYSE: BRKA) (NYSE: BRKB) portfolio for decades -- with Warren Buffett essentially completing purchases of the stock by 1995. Buffett's hand-picked successor -- Greg Abel -- expects American Express to remain a long-term compounder and a core Berkshire holding because it's a business Berkshire understands well and trusts its management team.
American Express also features a growing dividend. It doesn't raise it every year, but even during the 2008 financial crisis, when many banks and financial services companies were slashing their payouts, American Express held its quarterly dividend steady at $0.18 per share.
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 »
American Express has substantially increased its dividend since then. The next payment of $0.95 per share is payable on Nov. 10 to shareholders on record as of Oct. 9.
Here's how many shares of American Express you'd need to generate $1,000 in yearly dividends, and the three levers American Express pulls to reward long-term shareholders.

#signal

An XRP holder proposed raising XRP Ledger fees 100x, but even that hike would cost only $0.0015 per transaction, which amounts to a negligible dent across 63 billion circulating tokens.
David Schwartz called higher fees 'truly bizarre,' warning they would drive away payment processors and undermine XRP Ledger's core advantage of cheap, fast settlement.
Higher fees would force active users to subsidize passive holders, and any fee change requires validator approval, which is a threshold this proposal hasn't reached.
Building a portfolio and living off one are two completely different skills, and almost ***** ody teaches the second. This problem is what The Definitive Guide to Retirement Income helps, and it is free today. Read more here. (Sponsor)
Recently, an XRP (CRYPTO:XRP) holder made a bold proposal on X, suggesting that XRP Ledger fees be raised 10 to 100 times to enable a larger XRP burn with each transaction. Burning tokens reduces the total supply, a move many holders support because it could increase the value of their remaining tokens.

#tokens #ledger

President Donald Trump signed an executive order Monday evening temporarily allowing the use of red-dyed diesel on public roads and deferring the federal excise tax on that fuel through the end of the year, a move aimed at lowering costs for truckers and farmers facing record-high diesel prices.
Red-dyed diesel is chemically the same product as standard highway diesel, but carries a red dye to mark it as off-road fuel — meaning it is not subject to the 24.4-cent-per-gallon federal excise tax that applies to diesel sold at the pump for road use, such as for tractors and heavy machinery. Using it in highway vehicles has been illegal, carrying penalties for tax evasion, according to CNBC.
According to the White House, the order instructs the Treasury Secretary to hold off on collecting federal excise taxes on highway use of dyed diesel between October 5 and December 31, 2026, and to do so without charging interest or imposing penalties. The Treasury is also directed to direct the Internal Revenue Service not to impose penalties for on-road use of dyed diesel during that period. The order further instructs officials to explore pathways, including legislation, to eliminate the deferred tax obligations entirely.
The White House projected that a trucker who tops off an 18-wheeler's tank with 250 gallons stands to save over $100 on a single fill-up, provided the trucker's state suspends its own diesel tax as well. On top of the federal levy, each state levies its own diesel excise tax, and those state-level taxes average out to 35.5 cents per gallon, according to CNN.
The order also directs the Secretary of Agriculture to coordinate with agricultural cooperatives and rural fuel distributors to ensure adequate dyed diesel distribution in high-demand areas, and the Secretary of Transportation to engage with state governments and industry stakeholders. The White House Office of Intergovernmental Affairs was directed to encourage states to adopt corresponding policies.

#Diesel #federal #House #according

FYEE beat JEPI on a $100,000 investment in 2026, paying $7,023 versus $6,070, but FYEE's quarterly payout has fallen from $0.82 to $0.56 per share.
JEPI's monthly distributions better match recurring expenses for retirees, while FYEE's quarterly schedule suits investors who reinvest or can wait between payments.
FYEE's lower share price ($30 vs. JEPI's $56) means $100,000 buys nearly twice as many shares, which is why it delivers more cash despite lower per-share payouts.
Building a portfolio and living off one are two completely different skills, and almost ***** ody teaches the second. This problem is what The Definitive Guide to Retirement Income helps, and it is free today. Read more here. (Sponsor)
The JPMorgan Equity Premium Income ETF (NYSEARCA:JEPI) built its following on a simple promise. It holds lower-volatility U.S. stocks, adds income from S&P 500 call-option premium, and sends a check every month. JEPI holders value that rhythm, and JEPI remains the default name in covered-call income. On an identical $100,000 investment this year, though, the Fidelity Yield Enhanced Equity ETF (CBOE:FYEE) has paid more cash while writing far fewer checks.

#income #quarterly

Four major corporate splits are upcoming, with MSGS separating the Knicks and Rangers into two distinct public companies by October 2026.
Keurig Dr Pepper's coffee spinoff carries significant execution risk as Russ Torres becomes its third CEO candidate ahead of the early 2027 split.
Textron leans toward selling its $3 billion Industrial segment rather than spinning it off, meaning shareholders would receive no second stock.
Building a portfolio and living off one are two completely different skills, and almost ******* ody teaches the second. This problem is what The Definitive Guide to Retirement Income helps, and it is free today. Read more here. (Sponsor)
Corteva (NYSE:CTVA) has split into two companies, and we walked through what its shareholders own now. Four more large separations are coming. Each has its own timeline, and each leaves shareholders holding something different. They are listed below by expected timing, soonest first.

#split #second #different

Before we get worried about recessions or market crashes, let's put a 10% drop in context. Going back to 1980, the S&P 500 has fallen 10% or more in roughly half of all calendar years, and a correction of that size has historically shown up about once every 12 to 18 months.
What makes a 10% decline packed into a single month unusual isn't the size of the drop, it's the speed: that kind of compressed move tends to show up during sudden shocks rather than the slower grind most corrections take. Even so, it's happened before, and the market has recovered every time.
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 »
My goal here isn't to predict whether October brings one. It's to point to three consumer businesses whose underlying demand doesn't particularly care what the stock market does that month.
Procter & Gamble (NYSE: PG) makes Tide, Pampers, Crest, and Gillette. These products are the kind of household basics people buy again almost automatically, recession or not. That steadiness shows up in the numbers. P&G generated more than $87 billion in revenue in its 2026 fiscal year and returned over $15 billion to shareholders through dividends and buybacks.

#market #flashing #every #month

At the end of 2025, Warren Buffett stepped down from his longtime position as the CEO of Berkshire Hathaway (NYSE: BRKA)(NYSE: BRKB). Over the 61 years he ran the company, the stock produced incredible returns for shareholders, rising by more than six million percent. Over the same span, the S&P 500 index (SNPINDEX: ^GSPC) gained 46,000%.
Clearly, Buffett earned the nickname the "Oracle of Omaha." But can you still benefit from his investment wisdom now that the 96-year-old investor is no longer with Berkshire Hathaway? You sure can!
Missed AI's "Act 1"? Act 2 Could Be 14x Bigger. Most investors think they missed the AI boat because they didn't buy Nvidia in 2005. But according to our ******* ysts, we're only at the end of "Act 1"—the R&D phase. "Act 2" is the global rollout. Continue »
Buffett's investment approach is deceptively simple to explain. He liked to buy well-run businesses while they were attractively priced. Then he liked to hold for the long term, so he could benefit from the growth of the businesses in which he invested. That's something that any investor can do. And while all investment approaches go in and out of favor over time, this one has clearly proven itself to be a long-term winner.
That said, Buffett was also highly selective. He once described investing as a baseball game where they don't call ******* and strikes. His point was that you don't have to swing at every pitch, even though you should have a diversified portfolio. The Motley Fool recommends 50 stocks as a good portfolio size, but there are thousands of investments you could choose from. Once again, Buffett's advice is very good: Be selective.

#hathaway #once #investor

Pfizer (NYSE:PFE) has been a reliable healthcare company to invest in for decades, also providing shareholders with some terrific dividend income along the way. Nowadays, however, it's struggling to attract any investors at all.
While its shares are up over 10% this year, over the past five years, they're still down 35%. Worries about its future growth and the safety of the payout are keeping investors away. Here's why I think that's a mistake, and why it may just be the most underrated dividend stock out there today.
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 »
Image source: Getty Images.
Many investors may scoff at stocks that have high yields, out of fear that they simply are too good to be true, and that a cut could be due. But that isn't always the case. In fact, there can be low and modest-yielding stocks that can be riskier. Yield is not always indicative of risk.

#down #company

Over his career, Warren Buffett established himself as one of the world's best investors. However, after 60 years at Berkshire Hathaway, he finally stepped away for good. After relinquishing the CEO **** le at the start of the year, he also stepped down as Chairman last month.
In a farewell letter to shareholders on Sept. 18, Buffett said his goodbyes. In it were the only four words that investors need to be successful: "Father Time always wins." While Buffett was talking about his age and retirement, these words also hold true for investing and can help investors build a $10 million portfolio.
Missed AI's "Act 1"? Act 2 Could Be 14x Bigger. Most investors think they missed the AI boat because they didn't buy Nvidia in 2005. But according to our **** ysts, we're only at the end of "Act 1"—the R&D phase. "Act 2" is the global rollout. Continue »
The most powerful force in investing is time. It's not necessarily about picking the best stocks or timing the market correctly; it's about time in the market. Over time, the stock market, as represented by the S&P 500 (SNPINDEX: ^GSPC), has always gone up in the long term.
The longer you are in the market, the greater your wealth will grow. This is due to compounding, where in later years your gains start generating gains of their own. While early growth may seem slow, it's the late-stage growth that will eventually turn even a small investment into millions of dollars.

#market #years

Warren Buffett stepped down from his role as the chief executive officer of Berkshire Hathaway (NYSE: BRKA)(NYSE: BRKB) at the end of 2025. During his 60-year tenure, he grew the company into a $1 trillion conglomerate with multiple wholly owned subsidiaries, a $350 billion stock portfolio, and over $350 billion in cash.
Had an investor purchased $500 worth of Berkshire shares when Buffett took the helm in 1965, thatr person would have been sitting on a whopping $24 million by the time Buffett stepped down. However, Buffett was a full-time professional investor, so he always knew the average person would struggle to replicate his results. That's why he regularly advocated for exchange-traded funds (ETF) that track a diversified index like the S&P 500 (SNPINDEX: ^GSPC).
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 »
In his 2013 annual letter to shareholders (published in February 2014), Buffett specifically recommended the Vanguard S&P 500 ETF (NYSEMKT: VOO) because of its exceptionally low fees. While young investors in their 20s and 30s can afford to take more risks, those in their 40s who want to achieve financial security heading into retirement might want to heed Buffett's advice. Here's why I'd buy the Vanguard ETF if I were in that age group.
The S&P 500 is made up of 500 American companies from 11 different sectors of the economy. It has a very strict entry criteria, requiring its members to maintain a market capitalization of at least $22.7 billion, and they must also generate positive earnings. But even after meeting those conditions, a special committee still has the final say over which companies make the cut.

#NVIDIA #signal #flashing

Vista Gold Corp. (NYSEAMERICAN:VGZ) announced on September 21 that it had agreed to be acquired by Artemis Gold Inc. (TSXV:ARTG). Under the agreement signed September 20, shareholders would receive 0.0966 buyer common shares for each existing common share and own approximately 5% of the combined company. That ownership calculation excludes the buyer's existing 4.95% stake in Vista Gold Corp. (NYSEAMERICAN:VGZ), which it intends to cancel at completion.
For shareholders, the trade-off is a smaller interest in a larger mining business with an operating ***** et and development expertise. The central question is whether that combination can supply the capital and execution needed to bring Australia's Mt Todd gold project into production.
Artemis Gold Inc. (TSXV:ARTG) operates the Blackwater mine in British Columbia and expects its future cash generation to support Mt Todd. That offers Vista Gold a potential funding source alongside a team experienced in building and operating mines.
The financial starting point explains the appeal. Vista Gold Corp. (NYSEAMERICAN:VGZ) ended June 2026 with $49.5 million in cash and no debt. Management described that cash as sufficient for interim development objectives. Joining an operating producer could broaden the resources available for the much larger task of construction.
The acquisition requires no cash consideration or new acquisition debt. Preserving the buyer's financial capacity could leave more room for investment, although the share exchange itself does not raise construction funding.

#cash

On August 5, Cencora (NYSE:COR) reported results for its fiscal third quarter, which closed on June 30, and the headline numbers looked clean. Revenue rose 5.1% to $84.8 billion, adjusted earnings per share climbed 12.0% to $4.48, and management raised its full-year adjusted EPS outlook to $17.75 to $17.95. The company also repurchased $1 billion of its own stock during the quarter. But the profit story has moving parts, and a few of them pull in opposite directions.
Start with the gap between profit growth and sales growth. Adjusted operating income rose 17.0% while revenue grew only 5.1%. Much of the help came from gross profit, which jumped 23.2% on an adjusted basis as both segments contributed and the OneOncology acquisition in February lifted margins in the US business. In plain terms, adjusted gross margin widened 61 basis points to 4.16%, so the company keeps more gross profit from every dollar it sells.
The strength was not confined to one corner, either. US Healthcare Solutions grew operating income 15.9% on higher pharmaceutical sales and the OneOncology deal, while specialty volume to health systems and physician groups lifted its revenue. International Healthcare Solutions did better still, with operating income up 20.8% on strength in European distribution and global specialty logistics. Management also put cash to work, completing in one quarter the $1 billion of buybacks it had expected to finish by the close of calendar 2026. The board declared a $0.60 quarterly dividend as well, payable August 31, to holders of record on August 14.
Growth is costing more than it first appears. Adjusted operating expenses jumped 26.8%, faster than adjusted gross profit, because OneOncology brought expenses along with its profits. Even so, adjusted operating income amounts to just 1.46% of revenue, a thin cushion on a business this large. Financing adds weight too. Cencora funded part of the purchase with new senior notes plus variable-rate term loans, and net interest expense rose $58.9 million from a year earlier.
The sales mix carries its own drag. GLP-1 drugs for diabetes and weight loss are adding to revenue, but they earn lower gross margins, so each dollar of that growth is worth less to profit. Meanwhile, an oncology customer Cencora lost in 2025, and lower sales to a large mail order customer both held back US revenue, as did lower manufacturer prices on some brand pharmaceuticals. Cencora is also exploring strategic alternatives for a group of other businesses, and its April divestiture of US Consulting Services trimmed consulting sales.

#adjusted #revenue #august

On August 6, Aflac (NYSE:AFL) reported second-quarter numbers that point in opposite directions. Net earnings climbed to $825 million, helped along by investment losses that shrank to $153 million from $421 million a year ago. Adjusted earnings, though, fell 7.7% to $883 million. Both numbers are real, but they answer different questions. Which measure you trust changes the story, so here is what sits underneath.
Start with the yen, because it is muddying the picture. The average rate was 159.45 to the dollar, 9.3% weaker than a year earlier, and that cost adjusted earnings $0.05 a share. Take the currency out of the first half and adjusted earnings per share rose 4.1% to $3.57. ******* an is also running more profitably. Its pretax adjusted margin widened to 34.3% from 32.0% as claims took a smaller bite out of premiums, and yen-based pretax adjusted earnings rose 3.4%. So part of the decline in ******* an's dollar-reported profit is currency, not operations.
The US business is still growing at the top line. Net earned premiums rose 2.3% to $1.5 billion, and sales climbed 2.6% to $349 million, led by group voluntary benefits along with dental and vision plans. In ******* an, the refreshed Tsumitasu life policy and the new Anshin Palette medical product grew strongly in the quarter, and first-half sales rose 7.0% to ¥37.3 billion. Then there is the cash. Aflac returned $1.3 billion to shareholders in the quarter, $983 million of it through buybacks, and declared a $0.61 third-quarter dividend, payable September 1 to holders of record on August 19, 2026. Management notes 43 straight years of dividend increases through 2025 and says the board is on a path to extend that in 2026.
The catch is that ******* an's profit gains came from lower claims, not a bigger business. Net earned premiums in yen fell 3.7%, mainly because of a new external reinsurance deal and older limited-pay policies reaching paid-up status. Premium persistency, the share of policies customers keep, slipped to 92.7% from 93.7%. ******* an's pretax adjusted earnings still fell 2.1% once currency is stripped out, and new sales dipped 5.6% in the quarter against a tough comparison for the Miraito cancer product, which launched in March 2025.
The US segment has its own soft spot. Pretax adjusted earnings fell 4.6% to $370 million, and the margin narrowed to 20.9% from 22.5% as claims and benefits took a bigger share of premiums. Corporate and Other swung to a $10 million pretax adjusted loss from a $20 million gain a year earlier, with interest expense up 21.6% to $62 million. And adjusted book value per share, excluding foreign currency remeasurement, slid to $41.22 at June 30 from $42.97 a year earlier.

#earnings #fell

On September 9, 2026, Chewy, Inc. (NYSE:CHWY) reported fiscal second-quarter net sales of $3.33 billion, up 7.3% year over year, and adjusted earnings per share of $0.36, nearly double the roughly $0.18 ******* ysts had expected, prompting the company to raise its full-year revenue and profitability outlook. CEO Sumit Singh said the broader pet market did not meaningfully recover during the quarter but also did not deteriorate further, with Chewy continuing to outperform the category by two to three times through share gains across its established and newer businesses.
Chewy, Inc. (NYSE:CHWY)'s recurring revenue base is solid. It gives the company greater visibility into future sales. Autoship sales jumped by 9.3% year over year to $2.82 billion and represented 84.6% of total net sales. The growing contribution from subscription-based purchases gives Chewy a more predictable revenue stream and reduces its exposure to fluctuations in discretionary pet spending.
Chewy is also building growth engines beyond its core retail business. Chewy Health, which includes veterinary care and pharmacy services, delivered triple-digit revenue growth. Specialty categories such as equine and exotics recorded a seventh consecutive quarter of mid-double-digit growth. These businesses give Chewy additional opportunities to increase customer spending and diversify its sources of revenue as the overall pet market matures.
Chewy is combining customer growth with stronger profitability and shareholder returns. The firm added 208,000 net active customers during the quarter. It takes its customer base to 21.7 million while returning $200 million to shareholders through share repurchases. Management also noted structural SG&A leverage, automation, and AI-driven cost reductions as contributors to margin expansion. It shows that Chewy can improve earnings while investing in customer acquisition and growth.
Part of Chewy, Inc. (NYSE:CHWY)'s profitability improvement came from benefits that may not recur. CFO Chris Deppe said the quarter's profitability upside included about $10 million from timing benefits and more than $5 million from discrete benefits. Those items boosted the latest results but do not provide a recurring earnings contribution. It means investors may need to lower their expectations for the pace of margin expansion in future quarters.

#customer

On September 9, 2026, Jersey Mike's Subs Inc. (NYSE:JMKE) reported its first quarterly results as a public company, with total revenue up 10% year over year to $208 million and same-store sales accelerating to 2.3% growth from 1.7% in the prior quarter. It was primarily driven by transaction growth even as the restaurant industry faced weak traffic trends. Net income fell to $37 million from $59 million a year earlier. It showed non-routine expenses, advertising fund timing, and higher interest costs following the company's July initial public offering, partially offset by a $14 million gain on the sale of corporate-owned stores.
Jersey Mike's Subs Inc. (NYSE:JMKE) is gaining customers while its brand remains a major competitive advantage. The firm added 83 stores in the second quarter. It grew its customer base and increased systemwide sales 10% to $1.21 billion. Jersey Mike's also earned the No. 1 ranking among U.S. quick-service restaurant brands in the 2026 American Customer Satisfaction Index, surpassing Chick-fil-A after 11 consecutive years at the top. It gives the newly public company a strong foundation for continued customer and franchisee growth.
The business has substantial whitespace for long-term unit growth. Jersey Mike's ended the quarter with 3,378 locations and maintains a domestic development pipeline of more than 1,600 stores, with more than 90% of that pipeline coming from existing franchisees. Management estimates that the U.S. market could eventually support roughly 7,500 locations and sees potential to reach approximately 15,000 stores globally. It gives the business a long runway for franchise-led revenue and royalty growth.
Digital engagement and transaction growth give Jersey Mike's more avenues to increase sales. Digital sales represented 43% of systemwide sales in the second quarter, up from 41% a year earlier. Same-store sales increased 2.3% mainly because customers placed more transactions. Jersey Mike's also had more than 12.5 million active MyMike's loyalty members in 2025. It provides the company with a large customer database that it can use to increase frequency and personalize marketing as it expands.
Jersey Mike's Subs Inc. (NYSE:JMKE) still faces a significant profitability challenge despite its revenue growth. Second-quarter revenue jumped 10% to $208 million. However, net income fell 37% to $37 million from $59 million a year earlier. Management attributed part of the decline to advertising-fund timing and higher interest expense. It shows that revenue growth has not yet translated into comparable bottom-line growth for shareholders.

#million #customer

On September 9, 2026, Independence Realty Trust, Inc. (NYSE:IRT) and Centerspace announced a definitive all-stock merger agreement. It creates a combined middle-market apartment REIT with a pro forma equity market capitalization of about $5.0 billion and a total enterprise value of approximately $8.1 billion, encompassing more than 44,000 units.
The combined company will retain the Independence Realty Trust name and NYSE ticker "IRT." IRT's Scott Schaeffer continues as Chairman and CEO. The management projects the deal will be roughly 5% accretive to 2027 Core FFO per share for shareholders of both companies.
The merger gives Independence Realty Trust, Inc. (NYSE:IRT) higher scale and significantly broader geographic diversification. The combined company will own 44,354 apartment units across 163 communities in 17 states, with 58% of pro forma NOI coming from Sunbelt markets, 27% from the Midwest, and 15% from the Mountain West. The overall footprint reduces reliance on any single regional apartment market while keeping substantial exposure to markets with strong population and employment growth.
IRT can apply its existing value-creation strategy across a much larger portfolio. Its value-add renovation program has delivered about a 16% historical return on investment. The firm expects to grow its Wi-Fi initiative and other technology and income-generating programs across Centerspace's properties. Management also expects approximately $24 million in annualized synergies. It supports roughly 5% accretion to 2027 Core FFO per share on a leverage-neutral basis.
The all-stock structure allows the companies to chase greater scale without adding acquisition debt. IRT and Centerspace expect the combined company to retain BBB/BBB investment-grade credit ratings and maintain a well-laddered debt maturity profile. Centerspace shareholders will receive IRT shares and own approximately 22% of the combined company. It gives them exposure to the larger platform. Management also expects the transaction to improve access to capital markets and reduce the combined firm's cost of capital over time.

#management

On September 8, 2026, Reuters reported that Paramount Skydance Corporation (NASDAQ:PSKY) said California Attorney General Rob Bonta made television statements that contradict his own legal arguments against Paramount's request for a $1.88 billion bond in the ongoing court fight over its roughly $110 billion acquisition of Warner Bros. Discovery, Inc. (NASDAQ:WBD).
Bonta's office has argued the bond is unnecessary because Paramount voluntarily agreed to pause the deal's closing rather than wait for a court injunction. But Paramount described that same pause as equivalent to an injunction in media interviews, which it argues legally requires the states to post a bond under antitrust law. A hearing is scheduled for September 24.
Paramount Skydance Corporation (NASDAQ:PSKY) could protect a significant portion of its financial position if the court grants its $1.88 billion bond request. Paramount says the delay could cost it about $1.3 billion in fees to Warner Bros. Discovery shareholders by the time the case concludes in April 2027. A bond would give Paramount a potential path to recover those losses if it ultimately defeats the states' challenge. It reduces the financial damage from a prolonged legal process.
Warner Bros. Discovery, Inc. (NASDAQ:WBD) is receiving financial protection from the transaction's delay through Paramount's ticking fees. Paramount agreed to pay WBD shareholders approximately $7 million per day starting October 1 if the transaction does not close, creating a growing payment obligation for Paramount. It is also providing WBD shareholders with compensation for waiting. The arrangement gives WBD a financial benefit from the prolonged closing process even as the companies await a final legal resolution.
The legal dispute has not eliminated the strategic rationale for combining the two media companies. Paramount argues that the merger would strengthen the film and television industry and lead to more content while giving the combined company greater scale to compete with Netflix and Disney. For Paramount, completing the acquisition would speed up David Ellison's plan to build a larger media competitor. WBD shareholders would receive the transaction consideration rather than remain exposed to the company's standalone turnaround.

#paramount

Toward the end of the lightning round on September 17, a caller asked for Mad Money's host Jim Cramer's thoughts on Iron Mountain Incorporated (NYSE:IRM), and he replied:
It's been an incredible stock. It's a real estate investment trust, basically. And you know, we know that they shred, 3% yield, down 20 points from its high. I think it's a buy.
Iron Mountain Incorporated (NYSE:IRM) operates a highly durable business model centered on physical records management, secure document destruction, and expanding digital infrastructure. In Q2, total revenue reached $2.03 billion, representing an 18.7% increase year-over-year and 16.8% organic growth. The core physical storage business provides reliable cash flow, with storage rental revenue expanding 11.5% year-over-year excluding foreign-exchange effects across a global customer base of 240,000. Adjusted funds from operations grew 17% to $432.7 million, or $1.44 per share.
At the same time, management has channeled capital into scaling higher-growth segments, including digital solutions, ***** et lifecycle management, and data center operations. The data center segment posted 39% revenue growth during the second quarter, securing 110 megawatts in new leases through July and increasing power capacity across major enterprise markets. Operating as a real estate investment trust, the company maintains a quarterly dividend of $0.864 per share, offering shareholders a forward yield of over 3%.
On the other hand, Iron Mountain Incorporated (NYSE:IRM) faces risks inherent to capital-intensive real estate infrastructure expansion. Rapid buildouts of data center power capacity demand substantial capital expenditure, leading to elevated leverage across the balance sheet. Long-term debt, net of the current portion, reached approximately $17.1 billion at the end of the second quarter, increasing sensitivity to interest rate fluctuations and refinancing costs.

#revenue #Growth

It's been a disappointing couple of years for shareholders of biotechnology outfit CRISPR Therapeutics (NASDAQ: CRSP). This stock's barely up since the end of 2022, lagging the broad market's gains. It's not the performance that investors keeping tabs on this company were expecting, given its potential.
Don't be discouraged, though. While still speculative like most young biotech names, CRISPR Therapeutics remains a compelling prospect for investors who can stomach the risk and its inevitable volatility. Here's why.
Missed AI's "Act 1"? Act 2 Could Be 15x Bigger. Most investors think they missed the AI boat because they didn't buy Nvidia in 2005. But according to our **** ysts, we're only at the end of "Act 1"—the R&D phase. "Act 2" is the global rollout. Continue »
On the off-chance you're reading this and aren't already familiar with the company, CRISPR Therapeutics is a drug developer that specializes in gene editing.
It's probably an area you've heard a great deal about. No gene-editing drugs were actually on the market in the United States until CRISPR Therapeutics' Casgevy was approved by the FDA as a treatment for sickle cell disease in late 2023. Any and all gene therapies currently on the market followed this pioneer's foray. Being first is a well-deserved accolade for the company, too, which was co-founded by Dr. Emmanuelle Charpentier, who was one of the co-discoverers of the CRISPR/Cas9 gene-editing mechanism that makes Casgevy work.

#crispr #gene #company

On August 6, Targa Resources Corp. (NYSE:TRGP) reported a record second quarter. Adjusted EBITDA reached $1.60 billion, a 38% jump from the same period a year earlier, and management now expects full-year results near the top of its guidance range. Targa moves and processes natural gas and natural gas liquids out of the Permian Basin, and these numbers suggest that system is running fuller than ever.
The strength came from volume, not just price. Adjusted EBITDA also climbed 14% from the first quarter, helped by Permian gas volumes that added over 450 million cubic feet of daily throughput. Some producers held back output because Waha gas prices went negative, and Targa still set a volume record. Volumes for NGL pipelines, fractionation, and LPG exports also hit records, helped by Train 11, a new fractionator in Mont Belvieu, Texas, that started up early in the quarter.
Construction is also landing on time. East Driver, a new processing plant serving the Midland side of the Permian, started up late in the quarter and ahead of schedule, and the other gathering and logistics projects are tracking their plans. Shareholders get a cut too. On July 16, Targa declared a $1.25 per share quarterly dividend, 25% above the payout for the second quarter of 2025, payable August 14 to holders of record on July 31. It also spent $80 million buying back shares during the quarter.
Growth at this pace costs real money. Targa plans about $4.5 billion in net growth spending this year, and its consolidated debt stood at $19,578 million on June 30. About $3.2 billion of liquidity gives it a cushion. In July, it also extended its receivables securitization facility to July 30, 2027 and raised the size to as much as $800 million. More borrowing capacity helps, but it is still borrowing.
Not every dollar of the profit surge is as steady as a pipeline volume. Management tied the higher outlook partly to strong marketing margin and optimization work in the first two quarters, and the quarter's jump in marketing margin came from greater optimization opportunities. That kind of income can be lumpy. Meanwhile, lower natural gas prices trimmed margins in the gathering business, and the Waha curtailments showed that producers can pull back when local prices turn ugly.

#record