The 2026 midterm elections was a decisive victory for Democrats, who won control of both the House of Representatives and the Senate. With Republicans retaining the White House, the election results bring a period of divided government starting in January.
Wall Street's initial reaction has been enthusiastic. As of this writing (Nov. 4), the Dow Jones Industrial Average (DJINDICES: ^DJI) surged more than 1,500 points during morning trading, while the S&P 500 (SNPINDEX: ^GSPC) and Nasdaq Composite (NASDAQINDEX: ^IXIC) also rallied.
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 »
Beneath the broader market's gains, investors are undoubtedly repositioning their portfolios. Artificial intelligence (AI) hyperscalers like Amazon, Alphabet, Microsoft, and Meta Platforms are surging, while many semiconductor stocks and data center operators are plunging.
The contrasting performance reflects uncertainty about how the election could affect AI and adjacent industries. For investors wondering whether to change their portfolios following the election, Warren Buffett's advice about mixing politics and investing is particularly relevant.

#election

Over the last four years, the ageless Dow Jones Industrial Average (DJINDICES:^DJI), broad-based S&P 500 (SNPINDEX:^GSPC), and growth-focused Nasdaq Composite (NASDAQINDEX:^IXIC) have been virtually unstoppable. The artificial intelligence (AI) data center build-out has fueled an investing frenzy similar to what was witnessed in the mid-to-late 1990s with the internet.
But the stock market isn't without headwinds. Arguably, the biggest obstacle to the continuity of this bull market rally is persistently elevated inflation. The bad news for investors is that the Federal Reserve's initial inflation forecast for November shows things are getting downright ugly for Wall Street.
Missed AI's "Act 1"? Act 2 Could Be 16x 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 »
Fed Chair Kevin Warsh and his colleagues may need to get more aggressive with rate hikes. Image source: Official Federal Reserve Photo.
Though there's no perfect inflation prediction tool, the Federal Reserve Bank of Cleveland's Inflation Nowcasting tool does an exceptional job of accounting for new economic data and adjusting inflation forecasts in real time.

#inflation #data #market #jones

Being a "buy-and-hold" investor sounds simple, but it can be harder to do in real life. When stocks are wobbly, when the tech-heavy Nasdaq-100 goes into a sell-off, when economists question the economic value of artificial intelligence (AI), it's easy to get nervous and make fear-driven moves based on short-term news.
But for most people who are not professional investors or money managers or hedge fund executives, the best investment strategy is often just to buy and hold. Buy stocks in a diversified portfolio like the S&P 500 index. Keep buying stocks as often as you can.
Missed AI's "Act 1"? Act 2 Could Be 16x 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 »
And then: hold them. Don't sell. Hold them for years -- five years, 10 years, or more. Don't try to day trade, don't try to move in and out of the market, don't try to sell your stocks based on a hunch about what the market will do tomorrow. If you're really in it for the long run, buy-and-hold investing can generate significant wealth for everyday investors.
My two favorite stock exchange-traded funds (ETFs) are low-cost index funds. They're simple. They're "boring." But these two ETFs together let me own basically all the stocks in the world.

#hold #sell #investors #missed

Where does Warren Buffett want most of the money his family receives as an inheritance to be invested? Perhaps surprisingly, it isn't Berkshire Hathaway (NYSE: BRKA) (NYSE: BRKB). It isn't one of the top holdings in Berkshire's portfolio, either.
Instead, Buffett revealed years ago where he thought the inheritance should be invested. He recommended to his estate's trustee, "Put 10% of the cash in short-term government bonds and 90% in a very low-cost S&P 500 index fund. (I suggest Vanguard's.)"
Missed AI's "Act 1"? Act 2 Could Be 16x 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 »
One exchange-traded fund (ETF) satisfies Buffett's criteria to a T -- the Vanguard S&P 500 ETF (NYSEMKT: VOO). Berkshire owned this fund from 2019 through 2024. History shows that regular investors should love the Vanguard S&P 500 ETF as much as Buffett does.
You might find this hard to believe, but investing $200 per month in the Vanguard S&P 500 ETF could grow to $1 million if history is any guide. The math is straightforward.

#buffett #fund #NYSE #history

Berkshire bought 924,281 SIRI shares across three days, raising its stake to over 125 million shares at roughly $27 million total.
Sirius raised full-year guidance for the second straight quarter, with free cash flow rising 14% and EBITDA margins expanding to 32%.
Pandora monthly users fell 7%, net leverage sits at 3.3x adjusted EBITDA, and management warned of a harder Q4 for subscribers.
Just released. Our **** ysts combed the entire stock market and named the ten best stocks to buy right now, and Sirius XM didn't make the cut. Enter your email to see the names that beat SIRI. The report is free. Enter your email and see if any of your stocks made the cut.
Berkshire Hathaway (NYSE:BRK-B) disclosed in a Form 4 filed Nov. 3, 2026, that it bought 924,281 shares of Sirius XM (NASDAQ:SIRI) on Oct. 30, Nov. 2, and Nov. 3. The purchases raised its beneficial ownership to 125,731,398 shares. Investing.com estimated the buying at about $26.9 million, with weighted average prices of $28.8913 on Oct. 30 and $30.233 on Nov. 3.

#shares #berkshire #raised #free

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

Three months after revealing plans that it would seek a jersey patch sponsorship, Wright State University announced a deal with Premier Health on Thursday, Oct. 29.
"Premier Health has stood alongside Wright State Athletics for years and this partnership is a profound statement of what that relationship means," said Wright State Athletics Director Brad Chandler in a press release. "All 14 Division I programs will now carry Premier Health on its uniform, connecting our student-athletes with the academic health system that cares for the families in our stands and across our community. We worked hard to bring the first jersey patch sponsorship in the Dayton region to life, and we're proud that it's with a partner that has always shown up for Wright State. This is about more than visibility. It's two Dayton institutions putting their names side by side and investing in the next generation."
The NCAA approved the use of jersey patches in January.
According to an NCAA press release, "Effective Aug. 1, all Division I teams will be permitted up to two additional commercial logos on their uniforms and apparel and one additional commercial logo on equipment during the preseason and regular season, with an additional commercial logo on uniforms and apparel for conference championships. The patches will be limited to a maximum of 4 square inches per logo."
The patches will debut on Monday, Nov. 2, when the Wright State men's basketball team plays Air Force in the Stars, Stripes and Flight Classic at the Nutter Center.

#wright #state #premier #patches

Investing.com -- Shares of Chipotle Mexican Grill (NYSE: CMG) and Starbucks (NASDAQ: SBUX) swung sharply Thursday following a Financial Times report that Starbucks has explored a potential acquisition of the burrito chain.
Before you buy NVIDIA: our AI model's stock picks are beating the market by 120%+. See the list now »
Chipotle shares initially jumped as much as 8% following the report, while Starbucks fell as much as 6%. Both stocks later pared those moves as investors weighed the potential implications of a deal.
Whispers of a potential tie-up had circulated previously, including a report from Semafor, but the speculation was largely dismissed by the market at the time. The Financial Times report carries greater weight, indicating that Starbucks has worked with advisers in recent months on a potential proposal for Chipotle, which currently has a market value of nearly $39 billion.
The sharp divergence in the stocks, however, could complicate the financial mechanics of a potential transaction. Starbucks' declining share price would reduce the value of any equity used as consideration, while Chipotle's rally increases the price Starbucks would need to pay for the company. The status of Starbucks' plans, including whether it has made a formal offer, remains unclear.

#starbucks #market #shares

Bezos told Fox News he would "usually" advise retirees to buy the S&P 500 rather than individual AI stocks, leaving room for exceptions.
The S&P 500 already provides AI exposure, with NVDA, MSFT, and GOOGL making up roughly 19% of the index.
BlackRock warns the S&P 500 alone isn't enough for retirement, recommending an income-focused strategy instead.
Just released. Our ****** ysts combed the entire stock market and named the ten best stocks to buy right now, and Amazon didn't make the cut. Enter your email to see the names that beat AMZN. The report is free. Enter your email and see if any of your stocks made the cut.
Jeff Bezos, who founded Amazon (NASDAQ:AMZN), was asked in a Fox News interview who gets hurt when the AI bubble pops. He named the "speculators". He said they can lose money because they are investing in all of these things, but the innovations do not disappear.

#bezos #named #email #nvda

Coca-Cola ($KO) beats PepsiCo ($PEP) for generational portfolios with 63 consecutive dividend increases, wider margins, and 182% 10-year share gains versus 60%.
PepsiCo's free cash flow barely covers its 4.44% dividend yield, while Coca-Cola's expected $12.4B free cash flow dwarfs its $8.8B dividend payout.
A pending IRS appeals ruling and a premium P/E of 28 are the two risks that could crack Coca-Cola's otherwise dominant long-term case.
Just released. Our ***** ysts combed the entire stock market and named the ten best stocks to buy right now, and Coca-Cola didn't make the cut. Enter your email to see the names that beat KO. The report is free. Enter your email and see if any of your stocks made the cut.
Coca-Cola (NYSE:KO) or PepsiCo (NASDAQ:PEP): Which one better suits someone investing for retirement right now, knowing the shares may pass to the next generation? Looked at over several decades, Coca-Cola wins. PepsiCo pays the bigger yield today. Coca-Cola has the safer dividend, the stronger brand economics and fewer structural cracks.

#stocks

It's common for new investors to want to hit home runs in their first at-bats. That situation is arguably amplified at a time when major equity indexes are regularly hitting record highs.
With glamorous, high-octane growth stocks leading the charge, some market participants may be losing sight of the value of the singles-and-doubles approach to dividend investing. Those investors shouldn't ignore history. Though the percentage trended lower over the past decade due to the prominence of low-yield and non-dividend tech darlings, dividends accounted for about a third of the S&P 500's total returns over the past century.
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 »
Most investors don't think in 100-year increments, and that's understandable, but when it comes to dividend investing, history and long-term perspectives matter. And the Schwab U.S. Dividend Equity ETF (NYSEMKT: SCHD) is a prime example of a dividend exchange-traded fund (ETF) with a compelling history for long-term investors.
Locked in a seemingly daily battle with the Vanguard Dividend Appreciation ETF for the ******* le of the largest dividend ETF, the $108 billion Schwab fund has a nearly unmatched track record. Two weeks shy of its 15th birthday, this ETF, which tracks the Dow Jones U.S. Dividend 100 Index, has returned 532% since its launch.

#investors

In 2023, a shareholder stood up at a Berkshire Hathaway (BRK.A) (BRK.B) annual meeting in Omaha and asked about the future of value investing. Charlie Munger took it: "I think value investors are going to have a harder time now that there are so many of them competing for a diminished bunch of opportunities," he said. "So, my advice to value investors is to get used to making less."
Warren Buffett, sitting next to him, did not let it stand. "And Charlie has been telling me the same thing the whole time we've known each other," he said in the same session. The two men met in 1959.
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#time #charlie #load

Google and Constellation Energy announced a 20-year power purchase agreement on Tuesday to bring 890 megawatts of new nuclear capacity onto the PJM Interconnection grid, with Constellation committing more than $4.3 billion to fund the build-out.
The capacity will be generated through turbine, steam generator, and digital control system upgrades at 11 Constellation nuclear units in Illinois, Pennsylvania, and New Jersey, the companies said. The first uprate is expected to be delivered by 2028. The agreement is expected to sustain roughly 4,400 existing jobs and create approximately 7,200 new construction jobs during the building period.
Alongside the power purchase agreement, the companies entered into a separate 15-year energy supply agreement covering an additional 2,700 megawatts from Constellation's existing fleet in the PJM market, the company said.
"We're committed to meeting our growth responsibly by actively investing in clean, reliable power that brings new capacity to our nation's grids," Amanda Peterson Corio, global head of energy and power at Google, said in a statement. "Our agreement with Constellation to fund nuclear reactor uprates will strengthen the PJM grid, which serves 67 million people, all while protecting energy affordability and supporting local union jobs."
Joe Dominguez, chairman, president and CEO of Constellation, said in a statement that the collaboration "can serve as a model for how technology companies and the energy industry can work together to responsibly develop the digital economy."

#energy #capacity #Jobs

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

What is the stock market? It's one of the most-discussed topics in the news media. It's responsible for the life savings and future retirements of millions of Americans. It's a big reason why many of us go to work every day. But what is it, really?
The stock market is a public worldwide trading network where investors can buy and sell stocks in publicly traded companies. Every day, millions of investors around the world use the stock market to make decisions about how to put trillions of dollars to work.
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 »
As of September 2026, the total market cap of the world's stock markets was about $164.5 trillion, with about 59,500 listed companies. Investing in the stock market can help build the economy by deploying capital to productive companies, innovative entrepreneurs, and growing industries.
When you buy stock in a company, you own a share of that company's future earnings. Investing in the stock market is a way of making a long-term, win-win bet on a brighter future. It's a way of participating in human creativity, collaboration, and prosperity. And most of the time, it's one of the best ways to make money and grow your wealth.

#NVIDIA #every

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

Frank Fitzpatrick bought ~200 shares of Berkshire Hathaway (BRK-B) at $40 in 1976, sold after 14 months when the stock doubled, then bought back in at a higher price.
Fitzpatrick used his Berkshire gains to buy a Lake Tahoe lakefront home, fund an education nonprofit, and leave shares to his two children.
Fitzpatrick's habit of running back to Berkshire despite a painful early exit shows temperament, not timing, drives long-term investing success.
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In 1995, a family gathered on the deck of a newly purchased lakefront home in Lake Tahoe, Nevada. According to The Wall Street Journal, they came together "for a group hug and said, 'Thank you, Warren'". The homeowner was Frank Fitzpatrick, a Lake Tahoe tax lawyer known to friends as "Forty-Dollar Frank."

#tahoe #shares

As a long-time host of "The View," Joy Behar is known for her outspokenness, which sometimes causes scandals, such as dragging Melania Trump when insulting Donald Trump. Other than her political views and wild on-show feuds, Behar is recognized for her polished looks behind the desk. The TV personality has been vocal about her signature, face-framing blowout and the fact that she's not a natural redhead. While Behar isn't hesitant to discuss any cosmetic changes, she's also not afraid to wear a makeup look that's more minimal than her usual television glam.
Helltown Kitchen/Instagram
In August 2026, Behar went to ****** town Kitchen in Provincetown, Massachusetts. The TV host, wearing an all-black outfit, posed with ****** town Kitchen's owner Willy Garcia for the restaurant's Instagram post. Behar kept her makeup simple by wearing gray eyeshadow and a red lip. Overall, Behar's skin looks amazing in her 80s. Her forehead, chin, and cheeks seem smooth. Her cheeks also look plump for someone in their twilight years, which could be a result of having good skin and investing in nonsurgical skin treatments. She also wore her hair down without the volume that fans of "The View" are used to seeing on screen.
Read more: Tragic Details About The Cast Of Law & Order
Manny Carabel/Getty Images

#skin #Trump #looks #makeup

Prince William has paid homage to the "incomparable" Dame Deborah James in a moving video message.
The Prince of Wales, 44, made a surprise appearance in a pre-recorded message at the inaugural Bowelbabe Fund Rebel Ball in London on what would have been the campaigner's 45th birthday.
He recalled: "What struck me was Deborah's positivity and humour in the face of adversity – what she liked to call 'rebellious hope'".
He described Dame Deborah, who died in 2022, as "an amazing woman" and said her Bowelbabe Fund for Cancer Research UK had achieved so much in the last four-and-a-half years, investing in pioneering research that was "giving more people more time with the ones they love".
Prince William addressed the room with a pre-recorded message (@ Simon Way)

#dame #james

Intel sold control of Altera last year. Now the programmable-chip company is heading back toward the public market just as AI gives investors a new reason to care about FPGAs.
Altera said on September 15 that it confidentially filed for a U.S. IPO. Reuters previously reported that the offering could raise more than $2 billion. Silver Lake owns 51% after investing $4.46 billion for control, while Intel Corporation (NASDAQ:INTC) retains 49%.
Intel Corp.'s headquarters, the Robert Noyce Building in Santa Clara, California. Photo from Intel Corp website
The most useful strategic comparison is Advanced Micro Devices, Inc. (NASDAQ:AMD), which bought FPGA leader Xilinx in 2022 and integrated programmable silicon into a much broader data-center portfolio.
Intel bought Altera for $16.7 billion in 2015 before separating the business and selling control to Silver Lake. An IPO would create a new market valuation for Intel Corporation's (NASDAQ:INTC) remaining interest.

#corp

Is there any investment market segment more debated than gold (XAUUSD)? I'm not sure there is. We have "gold bugs," including those who see the yellow metal as the ***** et to own when the world goes haywire.
Then, there are the "we're going back on the gold standard" types. The ones that preceded crypto bros in believing fiat currencies weren't for this world. It follows that gold would return to its former role as the reserve currency.
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Of course, there are also plenty of investors who don't really think about gold investing very much, and who will simply trade it when there's a good opportunity. I'm in this camp.
Financial media pundits routinely tout gold as some sort of bulletproof allocation. Inflation worries? Own gold. Currency debasement? Own gold. Want your kitchen to be decorated like the Oval Office? You'll need a lot of gold.

#Gold #free #barchart #brief

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

The Vanguard Bond Market ETF (NASDAQ:BND) is the largest bond ETF with nearly $162.3 billion in ***** ets. If you invested $10,000 into BND today, it could grow into over $18,000 in 20 years, given its historical 3% annualized return since inception (assuming you reinvest your interest payments). That's likely a lot less than you'd earn if you invested the same amount in an S&P 500 index fund. However, bonds are income generators and portfolio stabilizers, not wealth-building tools.
Here's a look at why you might still want to consider investing in this top bond ETF, despite its low historical returns.
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 »
Image source: Getty Images.
Vanguard launched BND in early 2007, right before the financial crisis, when interest rates were at their peak:

#bond

As a Californian, I can say this: If there are two industries that residents of the Golden State really don't like, it's insurance providers and utilities.
Interestingly, with the state considering wildfire reform legislation, those industries are at odds with one another. That's material for investors considering stocks such as PG&E (NYSE: PCG). The company known to California customers as Pacific Gas & Electric is one of the four major investor-owned utilities in the state, and due to the state having some of the highest utility rates in the U.S., PG&E and friends don't have a lot of fans in the state.
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 »
Of course, investing isn't a popularity contest. There are plenty of stocks that are often vilified in the court of public opinion that also deliver compelling returns. This year, oil equities certainly check that box. But the biggest risk to prospective PG&E investors isn't how Californians feel about the utility. It's the goings-on in Sacramento.
For those who are new to utility stocks, the primary reasons investors have embraced this sector over the years are above-average dividend yields, below-average risk profiles, and, more recently, inroads to the artificial intelligence (AI) trade.

#state #signal

Warren Buffett propelled Berkshire Hathaway to six decades of market-beating returns, so it's no surprise that retail investors around the world look to him for advice. The billionaire aims to select quality companies when they're undervalued, then benefit over time as their earnings grow and the stock prices take off. Buffett has invested throughout market environments, from bull markets to bear markets, and has experienced market crashes -- and over time, he's scored a clear win by sticking to his investing principles.
Buffett no longer leads the investing decisions at Berkshire Hathaway -- he handed that role over to his hand-picked successor, Greg Abel, at the start of the year and just this week turned the chairman position over to his son, Howard Buffett. However, Warren Buffett, now chairman emeritus, has continued to speak publicly about investing. And we also may refer to his past words of advice, which continue to ring true today.
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 »
In fact, one comment from Buffett looks particularly interesting right now, given certain elements of uncertainty that have weighed on the market recently, from higher inflation to worries about spending on artificial intelligence (AI). Buffett says many investors make this one mistake. Let's find out what it is and consider how to avoid this common -- and costly -- error.
Image source: The Motley Fool.

#investors #warren #missed

The CLARITY Act failed to pass votes in the Senate earlier this week, a piece of legislature that would set out guardrails and ground rules for crypto **** ets in the U.S. With the failure of passage, the Securities and Exchange Commission took matters into its own hands, passing a conditional exemption Thursday for tokenized stocks. This Innovation Exemption allows for a limited type of tokenized securities to trade on specific Tokenized Securities Venues (TSVs), giving them a 5-year runway to prove their trading chops.
Tokenization is one of the latest trends in the investing world, whereby an **** et is represented digitally on a blockchain. It's seen as the next frontier in finance, with digital trading opening up greater access both for a broader investor base as well as the potential to trade 24/7, while also offering the potential for increased efficiency. However, some argue that tokenized **** ets come with added, unique risks and that by moving investments to the blockchain you introduce greater exposure to bad actors in an as-yet unregulated **** e in the U.S. That is, until now.
The SEC exemption allows for a specific type of tokenized stocks to be traded, specifically ones that retain the investor rights of the stock they are tied to (voting and dividends for example). Only tokenized U.S. National Market System (NMS) stocks qualify that trade through U.S. venues who have established standards for who can trade, limit trading volumes to a certain percentage of the stock, and make public their trading activities as well as any affiliates on the TSV. In addition, venues must halt trading when the primary exchange halts, and leverage is not permitted. Any company that does not want tokenized shares has 30 days to object and prevent their shares from being created.
It's important to note that currently there are two main types of tokenized securities, those that are directly linked to the **** et they represent digitally and those that provide synthetic exposure. Of the two, only the direct exposure tokenized stocks qualify that meet all of the exemption's restrictions.
"The Commission is not cementing today's technology as the standard for tomorrow. Instead, it is allowing the market to evolve, monitoring its development, and using that insight to inform a nimbler and future-ready regulatory framework," SEC Chair Paul Atkins said in a statement.

#exposure #commission

Investing in high-yield dividend stocks can be a solid portfolio move and give investors some nice supplemental income. However, not all dividend stocks are created equal. Two dividend stocks I'd be buying now are Energy Transfer (NYSE: ET) and Verizon (NYSE: VZ), while one I would avoid is Pfizer (NYSE: PFE).
Let's take a closer look at each, starting with why I'd avoid investing in Pfizer.
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 »
At one point, Pfizer was as blue chip of a pharmaceutical company as there was. However, the stock's 6.2% yield and cheap valuation reflect a company facing challenges ahead.
Pfizer took on significant debt when it acquired Seagen for $43 billion in December 2023 to strengthen its oncology portfolio. That has left the company with over $60 billion in debt and high interest expenses. The company paid out $9.7 billion in dividends last year while generating $9.1 billion in free cash flow, so it paid out more in dividends than it generated in cash. That has continued through the first six months of 2026.

#NYSE #stocks #missed #high

Ramsey warns that depreciating ****** ets like cars erode wealth, and 84% of millionaires credited ditching car payments as key to building it.
A $30,000 car loses roughly $18,000 in value within five years, and average annual ownership costs hit $11,577, making cars a major wealth drag.
Since Micah maxes retirement accounts, carries zero debt, and pays cash, buying the sports car is defensible if he maintains those financial habits.
Two retirees, same $1 million, same 4% rule, buy one finished with $1.4 million, the other hit $0 in 12 years. Our free reader guide explains the flaw that separated them, and the income-first method built to avoid it.
A caller to the Dave Ramsey Show recently sparked a pointed conversation about cars, wealth, and what it actually means to earn a solid income. The caller was Micah, a 24-year-old earning $80,000 per year. He maxes out both his 401(k) and IRA and carries zero debt. His question was simple: he has $30,000 in cash and wants to put it toward a 2019 Nissan 370Z as a weekend car, but he wonders whether investing the money instead would serve him better long-term.

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The idea of building a $1 million portfolio might sound more daunting than climbing Mt. Everest. In reality, it's more achievable than you probably think. With enough time, discipline, and the right mix of investments, the long-term power of compounding can get you to the $1 million mark and beyond!
Just take a look at history. If you invested $10,000 in the S&P 500 (SNPINDEX: ^GSPC) at the beginning of 1996, it would have grown to roughly $214,000 with dividends reinvested. Now, that's clearly not $1 million, but that's how large it grew with a one-time investment. Imagine how big it could get if you added a modest monthly investment to it over all those years.
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 »
This is why the idea of regular, consistent investing over time is one of the best pathways to millionaire status.
Over the past century, the S&P 500 has returned around 10% annually. The index has performed much better than that over the past decade, but the next decade could very well be much worse. When projecting long-term returns, it's better to be a little more conservative.

#idea #investment #past

Wall Street pays a huge amount of attention to the price movements of the S&P 500 index (SNPINDEX: ^GSPC). If stocks are in a bull market, everyone wants to know when the next bear market will arrive. If there's a bear market, everyone keeps an eye out for the sign that the next bull market has come along. History shows you should ignore Wall Street and focus on a long-term plan of saving and investing, no matter what the market is doing.
World-famous investor and Wall Street icon Warren Buffett has often said that most investors would be better off buying an S&P 500 index fund, such as SPDR S&P 500 Trust (NYSEMKT: SPY) or Vanguard S&P 500 ETF (NYSEMKT: VOO), than trying to buy individual stocks. The real purpose of this is to create a simple, diversified portfolio that allows the investor to focus their attention on saving money and, frankly, living a happy life.
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 »
That said, a key part of Buffett's investment advice is that you should keep buying the S&P 500 no matter what is happening with the market. That's called dollar-cost averaging. You should also reinvest your dividends, which allows the dividends to compound over time. Both are simple, but powerful wealth-building tools.
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