1 hr. ago
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Depending on who you ask, indexed universal life (IUL) insurance is either a powerful wealth-building strategy or an overly complicated insurance product that promises more than it delivers. However, the truth could lie somewhere in the middle.
An IUL is first and foremost a life insurance policy. Like other permanent life insurance products, it can provide lifelong coverage and build cash value over time. But what makes it different is how that cash value grows. Instead of earning a fixed interest rate, it's tied to the performance of a stock market index, such as the S&P 500.
Here's how indexed universal life insurance works, who it may be a good fit for, and what to know before buying a policy.
Indexed universal life insurance is a type of permanent life insurance that combines a death benefit with a cash value account. As long as the policy stays in force, your beneficiaries receive a death benefit when you die, and part of the premiums you pay has the potential to grow inside the policy over time.
#indexed
Depending on who you ask, indexed universal life (IUL) insurance is either a powerful wealth-building strategy or an overly complicated insurance product that promises more than it delivers. However, the truth could lie somewhere in the middle.
An IUL is first and foremost a life insurance policy. Like other permanent life insurance products, it can provide lifelong coverage and build cash value over time. But what makes it different is how that cash value grows. Instead of earning a fixed interest rate, it's tied to the performance of a stock market index, such as the S&P 500.
Here's how indexed universal life insurance works, who it may be a good fit for, and what to know before buying a policy.
Indexed universal life insurance is a type of permanent life insurance that combines a death benefit with a cash value account. As long as the policy stays in force, your beneficiaries receive a death benefit when you die, and part of the premiums you pay has the potential to grow inside the policy over time.
#indexed
11 days ago
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A Texas couple built up $1.8 million across two 401(k)s, a joint brokerage account and a small pension, and they're just two years from their planned retirement date. For the past several months, their longtime financial advisor has been recommending they move a significant portion of their nest egg into a fixed indexed annuity that could pay him an upfront commission of roughly 7%.
Neither of them had thought to ask how their advisor was compensated until a friend mentioned it in passing. That simple question could help them better understand whether their advisor's incentives align with their own. The issue is not necessarily the annuity itself. It's understanding how the recommendation fits their financial goals and whether the advisor has a financial incentive to recommend one product over another.
Don't Miss:
AI Robots Have Already Fried More Than 5 Million Baskets Of Food. Everyday Investors Can Still Buy Into The Company Behind Them.
#whether #finance #neither
A Texas couple built up $1.8 million across two 401(k)s, a joint brokerage account and a small pension, and they're just two years from their planned retirement date. For the past several months, their longtime financial advisor has been recommending they move a significant portion of their nest egg into a fixed indexed annuity that could pay him an upfront commission of roughly 7%.
Neither of them had thought to ask how their advisor was compensated until a friend mentioned it in passing. That simple question could help them better understand whether their advisor's incentives align with their own. The issue is not necessarily the annuity itself. It's understanding how the recommendation fits their financial goals and whether the advisor has a financial incentive to recommend one product over another.
Don't Miss:
AI Robots Have Already Fried More Than 5 Million Baskets Of Food. Everyday Investors Can Still Buy Into The Company Behind Them.
#whether #finance #neither
1 month ago
ClearBridge Investments, a global equity manager, recently published second-quarter 2026 commentary for its "SMID Cap Growth Strategy". A copy can be downloaded here. Small and mid-cap (SMID) growth equities experienced the strongest quarter in recent memory, with the Russell 2500 Growth Index rising 24.0%, driven by enthusiasm for AI infrastructure and higher-beta momentum stocks. The Strategy delivered double-digit returns in the quarter but trailed the soaring benchmark. Underperformance was driven by underexposure to top AI infrastructure stocks as well as weaknesses in healthcare and consumer discretionary sectors. The market leadership expanded beyond mega-cap technology, indicating potential opportunities from a broader cyclical recovery and AI adoption. In addition, you can check the Fund's top five holdings to determine its best picks for 2026.
In its Q2 2026 investor letter, ClearBridge SMID Cap Growth Strategy highlighted Argan, Inc. (NYSE:AGX) as a newly added position. Argan, Inc. (NYSE:AGX) is a holding company that provides construction, commissioning, maintenance and related services to power generation market. On July 10, 2026, Argan, Inc. (NYSE:AGX) closed at $630.32 per share. One-month return of Argan, Inc. (NYSE:AGX) was -8.50%, and its shares gained 185.56% over the past 52 weeks. Argan, Inc. (NYSE:AGX) has a market capitalization of $8.84 billion.
ClearBridge SMID Cap Growth Strategy the following regarding Argan, Inc. (NYSE:AGX) in its Q2 2026 investor update:
"We added several new positions in the industrials sector indexed to AI power demands and secular growth in defense spending. Argan, Inc. (NYSE:AGX) — a leading engineering, procurement and construction firm — is positioned to benefit from a multi-year buildout in natural gas and solar power generation, limited industry competition and growing demand for new electricity generation."
Argan, Inc. (NYSE:AGX) is not on our list of 40 Most Popular Stocks Among Hedge Funds Heading Into 2026. According to our database, 42 hedge fund portfolios held Argan, Inc. (NYSE:AGX) at the end of the fourth quarter, compared to 46 in the previous quarter. While we acknowledge the potential of Argan, Inc. (NYSE:AGX) as an investment, we believe certain AI stocks offer greater upside potential and carry less downside risk. If you're looking for an extremely undervalued AI stock that also stands to benefit significantly from Trump-era tariffs and the onshoring trend, see our free report on the best short-term AI stock.
In its Q2 2026 investor letter, ClearBridge SMID Cap Growth Strategy highlighted Argan, Inc. (NYSE:AGX) as a newly added position. Argan, Inc. (NYSE:AGX) is a holding company that provides construction, commissioning, maintenance and related services to power generation market. On July 10, 2026, Argan, Inc. (NYSE:AGX) closed at $630.32 per share. One-month return of Argan, Inc. (NYSE:AGX) was -8.50%, and its shares gained 185.56% over the past 52 weeks. Argan, Inc. (NYSE:AGX) has a market capitalization of $8.84 billion.
ClearBridge SMID Cap Growth Strategy the following regarding Argan, Inc. (NYSE:AGX) in its Q2 2026 investor update:
"We added several new positions in the industrials sector indexed to AI power demands and secular growth in defense spending. Argan, Inc. (NYSE:AGX) — a leading engineering, procurement and construction firm — is positioned to benefit from a multi-year buildout in natural gas and solar power generation, limited industry competition and growing demand for new electricity generation."
Argan, Inc. (NYSE:AGX) is not on our list of 40 Most Popular Stocks Among Hedge Funds Heading Into 2026. According to our database, 42 hedge fund portfolios held Argan, Inc. (NYSE:AGX) at the end of the fourth quarter, compared to 46 in the previous quarter. While we acknowledge the potential of Argan, Inc. (NYSE:AGX) as an investment, we believe certain AI stocks offer greater upside potential and carry less downside risk. If you're looking for an extremely undervalued AI stock that also stands to benefit significantly from Trump-era tariffs and the onshoring trend, see our free report on the best short-term AI stock.
1 month ago
ClearBridge Investments, a global equity manager, recently published second-quarter 2026 commentary for its "SMID Cap Growth Strategy". A copy can be downloaded here. Small and mid-cap (SMID) growth equities experienced the strongest quarter in recent memory, with the Russell 2500 Growth Index rising 24.0%, driven by enthusiasm for AI infrastructure and higher-beta momentum stocks. The Strategy delivered double-digit returns in the quarter but trailed the soaring benchmark. Underperformance was driven by underexposure to top AI infrastructure stocks as well as weaknesses in healthcare and consumer discretionary sectors. The market leadership expanded beyond mega-cap technology, indicating potential opportunities from a broader cyclical recovery and AI adoption. In addition, you can check the Fund's top five holdings to determine its best picks for 2026.
In its Q2 2026 investor letter, ClearBridge SMID Cap Growth Strategy highlighted ATI Inc. (NYSE:ATI). ATI Inc. (NYSE:ATI) is a leading manufacturer of specialty materials and complex components, including ******* anium and ******* anium-based alloys, nickel- and cobalt-based alloys and superalloys, advanced powder alloys, and other specialty materials. On July 10, 2026, ATI Inc. (NYSE:ATI) stock closed at $187.04 per share. One-month return of ATI Inc. (NYSE:ATI) was -4.48%, and its shares gained 106.47% over the past 52 weeks. ATI Inc. (NYSE:ATI) has a market capitalization of $25.53 billion.
ClearBridge SMID Cap Growth Strategy the following regarding ATI Inc. (NYSE:ATI) in its Q2 2026 investor update:
"We added several new positions in the industrials sector indexed to AI power demands and secular growth in defense spending. ATI Inc. (NYSE:ATI) is a vertically integrated specialty materials provider with strong pricing power exposed to the attractive growth dynamics in many subsegments of aerospace and defense."
ATI Inc. (NYSE:ATI) is not on our list of 40 Most Popular Stocks Among Hedge Funds Heading Into 2026. According to our database, 69 hedge fund portfolios held ATI Inc. (NYSE:ATI) at the end of the first quarter, up from 62 in the previous quarter. ATI Inc. (NYSE:ATI) posted $1.15 billion revenue in Q1 2026, driven by 6% growth in aerospace and defense. While we acknowledge the potential of ATI Inc. (NYSE:ATI) as an investment, we believe certain AI stocks offer greater upside potential and carry less downside risk. If you're looking for an extremely undervalued AI stock that also stands to benefit significantly from Trump-era tariffs and the onshoring trend, see our free report on the best short-term AI stock.
In its Q2 2026 investor letter, ClearBridge SMID Cap Growth Strategy highlighted ATI Inc. (NYSE:ATI). ATI Inc. (NYSE:ATI) is a leading manufacturer of specialty materials and complex components, including ******* anium and ******* anium-based alloys, nickel- and cobalt-based alloys and superalloys, advanced powder alloys, and other specialty materials. On July 10, 2026, ATI Inc. (NYSE:ATI) stock closed at $187.04 per share. One-month return of ATI Inc. (NYSE:ATI) was -4.48%, and its shares gained 106.47% over the past 52 weeks. ATI Inc. (NYSE:ATI) has a market capitalization of $25.53 billion.
ClearBridge SMID Cap Growth Strategy the following regarding ATI Inc. (NYSE:ATI) in its Q2 2026 investor update:
"We added several new positions in the industrials sector indexed to AI power demands and secular growth in defense spending. ATI Inc. (NYSE:ATI) is a vertically integrated specialty materials provider with strong pricing power exposed to the attractive growth dynamics in many subsegments of aerospace and defense."
ATI Inc. (NYSE:ATI) is not on our list of 40 Most Popular Stocks Among Hedge Funds Heading Into 2026. According to our database, 69 hedge fund portfolios held ATI Inc. (NYSE:ATI) at the end of the first quarter, up from 62 in the previous quarter. ATI Inc. (NYSE:ATI) posted $1.15 billion revenue in Q1 2026, driven by 6% growth in aerospace and defense. While we acknowledge the potential of ATI Inc. (NYSE:ATI) as an investment, we believe certain AI stocks offer greater upside potential and carry less downside risk. If you're looking for an extremely undervalued AI stock that also stands to benefit significantly from Trump-era tariffs and the onshoring trend, see our free report on the best short-term AI stock.
2 months ago
Blake Lively is seeking more than $8 million (£6 million) in legal fees from Justin Baldoni.
The former Gossip Girl star has asked a federal judge to award her $8.04 million (£6.07 million) in legal fees and litigation costs following the dismissal of the defamation-related lawsuit brought against her by her It Ends With Us co-star and director.
According to court documents filed on Monday, Lively is seeking $7,495,526.87 (£5,666,993.09) in legal fees, along with a further $539,514.01 (£407,993.98) in expenses and litigation costs accrued during the lengthy legal battle with Baldoni and his production company, Wayfarer Studios.
Lively's legal team argued that the work involved in defending the lawsuit was "comprehensive and necessary to achieve the complete win that was secured", adding that the actress "has paid, and continues to pay" her legal bills, reports People.
The lawyers also said the high-profile case became even more expensive as it attracted "significant press attention, with thousands of indexed and syndicated media articles" and involved a lengthy evidence-gathering process, including more than 7,000 documents from Lively and tens of thousands more from Wayfarer Studios and other parties.
Judge Lewis J. Liman has ordered Baldoni and Wayfarer Studios to respond to the request by 13 July. He will then decide whether to award the full amount, reduce it or reject parts of the request.
The former Gossip Girl star has asked a federal judge to award her $8.04 million (£6.07 million) in legal fees and litigation costs following the dismissal of the defamation-related lawsuit brought against her by her It Ends With Us co-star and director.
According to court documents filed on Monday, Lively is seeking $7,495,526.87 (£5,666,993.09) in legal fees, along with a further $539,514.01 (£407,993.98) in expenses and litigation costs accrued during the lengthy legal battle with Baldoni and his production company, Wayfarer Studios.
Lively's legal team argued that the work involved in defending the lawsuit was "comprehensive and necessary to achieve the complete win that was secured", adding that the actress "has paid, and continues to pay" her legal bills, reports People.
The lawyers also said the high-profile case became even more expensive as it attracted "significant press attention, with thousands of indexed and syndicated media articles" and involved a lengthy evidence-gathering process, including more than 7,000 documents from Lively and tens of thousands more from Wayfarer Studios and other parties.
Judge Lewis J. Liman has ordered Baldoni and Wayfarer Studios to respond to the request by 13 July. He will then decide whether to award the full amount, reduce it or reject parts of the request.
2 months ago
Santos has executed a long-term Gas Sale Agreement (GSA) with the South Australian Government to supply 200 petajoules (PJ) of natural gas over a decade beginning in 2030, cementing a key domestic supply arrangement that underpins the state's energy security strategy.
Under the agreement, Santos will deliver 20 PJ of gas annually from March 1, 2030, through February 2040, with supply delivered ex-Moomba. The contract features indexed pricing and a prepayment structure, with first gas scheduled to coincide with the expiration of Santos' Horizon contract with the GLNG joint venture.
The deal provides a cornerstone market for gas from the Cooper Basin's Central Fields, which contain more than half of the basin's remaining proved and probable (2P) reserves. It also supports the recently approved Moomba Central Optimisation (MCO) project, in which Santos and joint venture partner Beach Energy reached a final investment decision in March 2026.
The MCO project is designed to modernize production infrastructure by replacing seven aging gas-driven compressor stations with a single electric-driven compressor station, while adding new inlet compression and power generation capacity at the Moomba Gas Plant. Santos said the upgrades will increase productivity, lower operating costs and reduce carbon emissions, while enabling more remote operations.
The agreement's prepayment mechanism will directly support capital investment in the three-year MCO development program.
Under the agreement, Santos will deliver 20 PJ of gas annually from March 1, 2030, through February 2040, with supply delivered ex-Moomba. The contract features indexed pricing and a prepayment structure, with first gas scheduled to coincide with the expiration of Santos' Horizon contract with the GLNG joint venture.
The deal provides a cornerstone market for gas from the Cooper Basin's Central Fields, which contain more than half of the basin's remaining proved and probable (2P) reserves. It also supports the recently approved Moomba Central Optimisation (MCO) project, in which Santos and joint venture partner Beach Energy reached a final investment decision in March 2026.
The MCO project is designed to modernize production infrastructure by replacing seven aging gas-driven compressor stations with a single electric-driven compressor station, while adding new inlet compression and power generation capacity at the Moomba Gas Plant. Santos said the upgrades will increase productivity, lower operating costs and reduce carbon emissions, while enabling more remote operations.
The agreement's prepayment mechanism will directly support capital investment in the three-year MCO development program.
