sompoch sivakosit/iStock via Getty Images 4-Factor Dividend Growth Portfolio The 4-Factor Dividend Growth Strategy is an alternative investment strategy to the popular Schwab US Dividend Equity ETF ( SCHD ). Think of it as having your own custom-tailored version of SCHD designed to align with your personal investment style. If you'd like to know more about the initial strategy design and the struc...
sompoch sivakosit/iStock via Getty Images 4-Factor Dividend Growth Portfolio The 4-Factor Dividend Growth Strategy is an alternative investment strategy to the popular Schwab US Dividend Equity ETF ( SCHD ). Think of it as having your own custom-tailored version of SCHD designed to align with your personal investment style. If you'd like to know more about the initial strategy design and the structure of the first portfolio, you can read about it in this 4-Factor Dividend Growth Portfolio article . The strategy was first launched on November 1st, 2022. In a nutshell, the strategy leverages the stock selection process of Schwab U.S. Dividend Equity ETF, or rather its underlying index, the Dow Jones US Dividend 100 Index ( DJUSDIV ), with a few minor modifications that tailor the process to align with my growth and quality focus. Since I prefer a more growth-oriented investment style relative to what SCHD's underlying index offers, each month I build my own custom investable universe to which I apply a modified stock selection process. This is a fully rules-based strategy that runs on autopilot. My personal portfolio tracking this strategy is rebalanced with newly identified stocks on November 1st of each year. You can read more about the most recent rebalancing in this article . Stock Selection Strategy The strategy has a simple objective: to identify potentially high-quality companies that stand out amongst their peers across 4 criteria: The Free Cash Flow to Total Debt Ratio The 5-Year Dividend Growth Rate The Return on Invested Capital The Forward Dividend Yield The idea behind these specific criteria is quite simple. I favor highly liquid, low-leveraged companies with a history of high returns on invested capital and strong dividend growth. I prefer to lean towards companies that also sport better-than-average dividend yields. Since each of the 4 metrics is equally weighted, the companies that stand out amongst their peers are generally not the best in any single...
Image source: The Motley Fool. March 3, 2026 CALL PARTICIPANTS Chief Executive Officer — Quintin Kneen Chief Financial Officer — Samuel R. Rubio Chief Operating Officer — Piers Middleton Vice President, Investor Relations and Treasurer — West Gotcher TAKEAWAYS Revenue -- $1.35 billion for the year, a $7 million increase compared to the prior period. -- $1.35 billion for the year, a $7 million incr...
Image source: The Motley Fool. March 3, 2026 CALL PARTICIPANTS Chief Executive Officer — Quintin Kneen Chief Financial Officer — Samuel R. Rubio Chief Operating Officer — Piers Middleton Vice President, Investor Relations and Treasurer — West Gotcher TAKEAWAYS Revenue -- $1.35 billion for the year, a $7 million increase compared to the prior period. -- $1.35 billion for the year, a $7 million increase compared to the prior period. Gross Margin -- $665.8 million, with a margin percentage of 49.2%, up one percentage point year over year. -- $665.8 million, with a margin percentage of 49.2%, up one percentage point year over year. Net Income -- $334.7 million, including a one-time non-cash tax benefit of $201.5 million from foreign tax credits. -- $334.7 million, including a one-time non-cash tax benefit of $201.5 million from foreign tax credits. Adjusted EBITDA -- $598.1 million, up from $559.6 million in the previous year. -- $598.1 million, up from $559.6 million in the previous year. Free Cash Flow -- $426 million for the year, an increase of $95 million, driven by lower dry dock costs and improved working capital, with $151 million generated in Q4 alone. -- $426 million for the year, an increase of $95 million, driven by lower dry dock costs and improved working capital, with $151 million generated in Q4 alone. Closing Cash Balance -- $580 million at year-end after robust quarterly cash generation. -- $580 million at year-end after robust quarterly cash generation. Q4 Revenue -- $336.8 million, driven by higher than expected average day rates and improved utilization. -- $336.8 million, driven by higher than expected average day rates and improved utilization. Q4 Gross Margin -- $164 million, with margin of nearly 49% and improvement sequentially from Q3. -- $164 million, with margin of nearly 49% and improvement sequentially from Q3. Average Day Rates -- $22,573 for the year, an increase of $1,300 per day, with leading edge day rates down slightly in Q4 relative...
In recent months, ZoomInfo Technologies has faced ongoing securities litigation and legal investigations over alleged misstatements about its subscriber base, customer collectability, and more than US$1.20 billion of insider stock sales, following earlier disclosures that included a US$33 million accounting charge and reduced guidance. At the same time, ZoomInfo has been emphasizing its upmarket s...
In recent months, ZoomInfo Technologies has faced ongoing securities litigation and legal investigations over alleged misstatements about its subscriber base, customer collectability, and more than US$1.20 billion of insider stock sales, following earlier disclosures that included a US$33 million accounting charge and reduced guidance. At the same time, ZoomInfo has been emphasizing its upmarket shift and AI investments, with its Copilot platform reaching 20% of annual contract value under a consumption-based model, while broader sentiment toward AI-enabled software was lifted by Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang’s comments that AI should complement, rather than replace, enterprise platforms like ZoomInfo. We’ll now consider how Huang’s supportive comments on AI’s role in enterprise software may influence ZoomInfo’s investment narrative under heightened scrutiny. We've uncovered the 13 dividend fortresses yielding 5%+ that don't just survive market storms, but thrive in them. ZoomInfo Technologies Investment Narrative Recap To own ZoomInfo today, you need to believe its shift toward larger enterprise customers and AI tools like Copilot can support durable, profitable growth despite legal and regulatory overhangs. The most important near term catalyst remains execution on this upmarket, AI driven model, while the biggest risk now includes the securities litigation and investigations, which could distract management, affect reputation, or lead to financial penalties. Jensen Huang’s supportive comments on enterprise software and AI sentiment do not materially change these core drivers. Against this backdrop, ZoomInfo’s recent update that Copilot now represents 20% of annual contract value under a consumption model is especially relevant. It ties directly into the AI optimism sparked by Nvidia’s commentary and speaks to how much of ZoomInfo’s future story rests on customers adopting higher value AI features. How sustainably Copilot scales within enterprise accounts may prove crit...
Get insights on thousands of stocks from the global community of over 7 million individual investors at Simply Wall St. Meta Platforms (META) has delivered annual revenue of US$200.97b and net income of US$60.46b, putting its scale and profitability in clear view for investors assessing the stock after recent share price moves. See our latest analysis for Meta Platforms. At a share price of US$653...
Get insights on thousands of stocks from the global community of over 7 million individual investors at Simply Wall St. Meta Platforms (META) has delivered annual revenue of US$200.97b and net income of US$60.46b, putting its scale and profitability in clear view for investors assessing the stock after recent share price moves. See our latest analysis for Meta Platforms. At a share price of US$653.56, Meta’s short term share price return has recently cooled, with a 1 month share price return of an 8.78% decline, even though the 3 year total shareholder return of around 2.6x still reflects strong longer term gains. If AI is central to your thesis after looking at Meta, it could be worth scanning our screener of 34 AI infrastructure stocks as a next step in your research. With analyst targets sitting above the current US$653.56 share price and valuation tools suggesting the stock trades at a discount, you have to ask: is Meta still undervalued, or is the market already pricing in future growth? Most Popular Narrative: 9.6% Undervalued Meta’s narrative fair value of $723.11 sits above the recent $653.56 share price, so the story many investors are watching focuses on remaining upside rather than stretch. Meta Platforms (NASDAQ: META) has crossed a critical threshold. What began as a social media company is now a piece of global digital infrastructure, one that shapes communication, advertising, content distribution, and increasingly, artificial intelligence deployment at scale. Read the complete narrative. Want to see what sits behind that valuation gap? The narrative leans on robust revenue momentum, firm margins, and an earnings multiple usually reserved for market leaders. Curious which long term assumptions on growth, profitability, and cash generation underpin that fair value estimate? The full breakdown spells out the numbers behind the story. Result: Fair Value of $723.11 (UNDERVALUED) Have a read of the narrative in full and understand what's behind the forecas...
The S&P 500 Index ($SPX) (SPY) today is down -1.82%, the Dow Jones Industrial Average ($DOWI) (DIA) is down -2.07%, and the Nasdaq 100 Index ($IUXX) (QQQ) is down -1.78%. March E-mini S&P futures (ESH26) are down -1.84%, and March E-mini Nasdaq futures (NQH26) are down -1.82%. Stock indexes are sharply lower today, with the S&P 500 falling to a 2.5-month low, the Dow Jones Industrial Average dropp...
The S&P 500 Index ($SPX) (SPY) today is down -1.82%, the Dow Jones Industrial Average ($DOWI) (DIA) is down -2.07%, and the Nasdaq 100 Index ($IUXX) (QQQ) is down -1.78%. March E-mini S&P futures (ESH26) are down -1.84%, and March E-mini Nasdaq futures (NQH26) are down -1.82%. Stock indexes are sharply lower today, with the S&P 500 falling to a 2.5-month low, the Dow Jones Industrial Average dropping to a 2.75-month low, and the Nasdaq 100 sliding to a 2-week low. Global stock markets are plunging, and crude oil prices and bond yields are soaring as the war in Iran enters its fourth day with no sign of de-escalation, bolstering fears of a lengthy disruption to energy markets and a surge in inflation. WTI crude oil (CLJ26) is up more than +7% at an 8.5-month high after an adviser to Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps commander told state TV that “we will set fire to any ship attempting to pass through” the Strait of Hormuz, which runs along Iran's coast and handles a fifth of the world's oil. Goldman Sachs estimates the real-time risk premium for crude oil at $18/bbl, corresponding to its estimate of the impact of a six-week full halt to tanker traffic in the Strait of Hormuz. Also, falling debris from an intercepted Iranian drone caused a major fire at the United Arab Emirates' major oil-trading hub, Fujairah, one of the largest oil storage centers in the Middle East. European natural gas prices are up +33% today at a 3-year high after Qatar shut its Ras Laffan plant, the world's largest natural gas export facility, after it was targeted by an Iranian drone attack. The Ras Laffan plant accounts for about 20% of the global liquefied natural gas supply. President Trump said Monday that combat operations against Iran could last for weeks until all objectives were completed. President Trump has called for Iran’s leaders to capitulate, but Iran’s security chief said that it has no intention of negotiating with the US. Global bond yields are soaring today, weighing ...
Videos filmed across Iran show large explosions in several cities as the conflict in the region reaches its fourth day. The US and Israel struck Iran on Saturday, killing Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. Footage shared on social media - verified by the BBC and news agencies - from the last few days show multiple explosions and destruction across the country. The US has also shared video it s...
Videos filmed across Iran show large explosions in several cities as the conflict in the region reaches its fourth day. The US and Israel struck Iran on Saturday, killing Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. Footage shared on social media - verified by the BBC and news agencies - from the last few days show multiple explosions and destruction across the country. The US has also shared video it says shows military targets being hit. Iran has responded with a wave of attacks across the region.
Daniel Grizelj/DigitalVision via Getty Images The Vanguard Total International Stock ETF ( VXUS ) is designed to track the FTSE Global All Cap ex US Index. This index is weighted by market cap and covers equities of all sizes across developed and emerging economies outside the United States. When I say all sizes, I mean that VXUS tracks all caps - including small, mid, and large caps, across the w...
Daniel Grizelj/DigitalVision via Getty Images The Vanguard Total International Stock ETF ( VXUS ) is designed to track the FTSE Global All Cap ex US Index. This index is weighted by market cap and covers equities of all sizes across developed and emerging economies outside the United States. When I say all sizes, I mean that VXUS tracks all caps - including small, mid, and large caps, across the world. VXUS uses a full-replication approach, meaning that it actually holds all of the securities in the underlying index rather than just sampling. The expense ratio is 0.05%, which is among the lowest in the international equity ETF category. It's very liquid, with an average daily trading volume that runs about 10.4 million shares. Portfolio turnover is low at 4% and perfectly reflects the core market cap weighted methodology that makes the fund attractive. Most importantly for investors, VXUS covers a full 98% of the investable market capitalization outside the United States. Unlike some competing indexes, the inclusion of small and mid cap names gives the fund much broader market representation. VXUS is the largest and cheapest option for investors looking to capture ex-US equity exposure, and it has been my international ETF of choice for the better part of a decade. Now this fund is finally outperforming and becoming worth a higher allocation, rather than simply holding space in my portfolio for diversification. I am recommending VXUS with a Buy rating, targeting a 10-20% allocation within a diversified equity portfolio, based on a meaningful valuation discount to US equities and improving earnings growth abroad. Investment Thesis The investment case for international equities in 2026 and beyond really rests on several factors converging at the same time, which seem to be setting us up for a durable, long-term rally in international stocks. All I can say is, it's about time. I can still remember having impossible conversations with clients as recently as 2-3 years ag...
Pep Guardiola has said there is no point in complaining about the rising prevalence of set pieces, with Manchester City’s manager recognising the need to adapt. While City’s 57 goals in the Premier League is one fewer than Arsenal, the leading scorers, only nine have derived from dead balls, a rate of 15.8%, the division’s lowest. Arsenal’s 24 is the most, representing 41.3% of their total amount....
Pep Guardiola has said there is no point in complaining about the rising prevalence of set pieces, with Manchester City’s manager recognising the need to adapt. While City’s 57 goals in the Premier League is one fewer than Arsenal, the leading scorers, only nine have derived from dead balls, a rate of 15.8%, the division’s lowest. Arsenal’s 24 is the most, representing 41.3% of their total amount. On Monday, the Liverpool manager, Arne Slot, said that the league is “not as joyful” due to the growing emphasis on set pieces. Guardiola said on Tuesday: “Set pieces have started to be an important part of strategy. It was different when I started as a manager [in 2008]. When I was a young boy in Spain we said the people in England celebrate corners and free-kicks like a goal – I remember perfectly so nothing has changed in that way. “It is true Arsenal dictate a little bit how they [every team] do it and it is important. Four years ago, in the NBA, the three-shot point was not involved as much but the Golden State Warriors with Stephen Curry [started] to make three points more and more and everyone adapted, now so many teams do it. “It is part of the evolution and part of the dynamics. You can sit and complain but you have to adapt. It’s part of the game. I know the game is stopped with set pieces, it is not dynamic but it is part of the game. You have to adapt and especially adapt in the way it is whistled [refereed] and conducted in the Premier League. “Every country has a specific way to do it and every club have specific ways to play. I understand completely the reason why Arne said that and in some aspects, I agree.” Guardiola would not be drawn regarding the heightened jostling that can occur in the area at setpieces. “I have my own opinion,” he said. “I share with my players a lot but what happens inside the box and outside the box remains absolutely to me and I don’t want to share it with you.” City host Nottingham Forest on Wednesday evening and Guardiola stated...
juvaida khatun/iStock via Getty Images Fund Highlights Utilizes a classic value-driven fundamental investment process Seeks to identify companies believed to be selling at a discount to their intrinsic value Employs five valuation screens that seek to identify attractively priced securities Conducts in-depth research and analysis on the securities that pass the valuation screens in an effort to id...
juvaida khatun/iStock via Getty Images Fund Highlights Utilizes a classic value-driven fundamental investment process Seeks to identify companies believed to be selling at a discount to their intrinsic value Employs five valuation screens that seek to identify attractively priced securities Conducts in-depth research and analysis on the securities that pass the valuation screens in an effort to identify leading companies selling at attractive valuations Examines financial statements and assesses the company’s management team, competitive strategy and its current market position Market Recap Style factors created a modest headwind for the Fund’s portfolio in the quarter. Within the benchmark, performance was varied across price-to-earnings quintiles, with the exception of non-earners, which notably outperformed. The lowest return on equity quintile strongly outperformed, while performance across the remaining quintiles was mixed. Companies with faster growing sales modestly outperformed those with slower sales growth. Lower volatility quintiles outperformed higher volatility stocks, but only slightly. Companies with higher foreign sales outperformed companies with foreign sales below 20%. Companies with lower leverage outperformed those with more balance sheet debt. Stocks with higher dividend yields modestly underperformed stocks with low or no yields. Across market capitalization quintiles, performance was mixed. Within the benchmark, Health Care, Materials, and Communication Services outperformed the overall return for the benchmark. The largest underperformers were Information Technology (IT), Consumer Staples, and Consumer Discretionary. Portfolio Review The Touchstone Small Cap Value Fund (Class A Shares, Load Waived)( TVOAX ) outperformed its benchmark, the Russell 2000® Value Index, for the quarter ended December 31, 2025. The Fund’s outperformance in the quarter was overwhelmingly driven by stock selection, primarily in the IT sector. Five of eleven sectors ...
Hacer Keles/iStock via Getty Images Market turbulence intensified on Tuesday as geopolitical tensions between Iran, Israel, and the United States rattled investor sentiment, sending equities sharply lower and volatility sharply higher. The Cboe Volatility Index ( VIX ) —widely viewed as Wall Street’s primary fear gauge—climbed to an intraday peak of 27.30, its highest reading since November 21. Th...
Hacer Keles/iStock via Getty Images Market turbulence intensified on Tuesday as geopolitical tensions between Iran, Israel, and the United States rattled investor sentiment, sending equities sharply lower and volatility sharply higher. The Cboe Volatility Index ( VIX ) —widely viewed as Wall Street’s primary fear gauge—climbed to an intraday peak of 27.30, its highest reading since November 21. The index now finds itself hovering near 26.5, reflecting a dramatic +23.7% surge on the session as traders rushed to hedge against further downside risk. The spike in volatility coincided with broad-based selling across major benchmarks. The Dow Jones Industrial Average ( DJI ), S&P 500 ( SP500 ), and Nasdaq Composite ( COMP:IND ) each fell more than 2%, underscoring the depth of the risk-off move. Market participants are closely monitoring developments overseas, with uncertainty fueling defensive positioning and renewed demand for portfolio protection. Here is a group of ETFs and ETNs to further track market volatility: Short Term Volatility Funds: The iPath Series B S&P 500 VIX Short Term Futures ETN ( VXX ) and the ProShares VIX Short-Term Futures ETF ( VIXY ). Medium Term Volatility Funds: The iPath Series B S&P 500 VIX Mid-Term Futures ETN ( VXZ ) and ProShares VIX Mid-Term Futures ETF ( VIXM ). Leveraged Volatility Funds: The ProShares Ultra VIX Short-Term Futures ETF ( UVXY ), ProShares Short VIX Short-Term Futures ETF ( SVXY ), and 2x Long VIX Futures ETF ( UVIX ). More on markets Dividends in demand as Iran conflict sends markets reeling Invesco says stay calm and invested as stocks often climb after war-driven volatility When markets should expect a U.S. — Iran ceasefire; See what prediction markets say Diplomacy Is Over: Assessing The Severe Market Risks Of A Protracted Iran War Value or Growth? These 15 stocks are offering both
Best Buy posted mixed quarterly earnings and signaled weak growth in the year ahead. For its fiscal fourth quarter, Best Buy posted adjusted earnings of $2.61 a share, sharply above analysts’ calls for $2.46. Same-store sales fell 0.8%, versus the 0.1% growth analysts were looking for.
Best Buy posted mixed quarterly earnings and signaled weak growth in the year ahead. For its fiscal fourth quarter, Best Buy posted adjusted earnings of $2.61 a share, sharply above analysts’ calls for $2.46. Same-store sales fell 0.8%, versus the 0.1% growth analysts were looking for.
Jon Rahm’s dispute with the DP World Tour has escalated after the Spaniard accused the organisation of “extorting” golfers over fines for competing on the LIV circuit. Rahm’s Ryder Cup future remains in peril with no resolution to the matter in sight, with insiders at the DP World Tour and Europe’s Ryder Cup fans baffled by his stance. Rahm incurred fines and suspensions as a DP World, formerly Eu...
Jon Rahm’s dispute with the DP World Tour has escalated after the Spaniard accused the organisation of “extorting” golfers over fines for competing on the LIV circuit. Rahm’s Ryder Cup future remains in peril with no resolution to the matter in sight, with insiders at the DP World Tour and Europe’s Ryder Cup fans baffled by his stance. Rahm incurred fines and suspensions as a DP World, formerly European, Tour member playing on what are regarded as competing Saudi-backed LIV events. Rahm signed for LIV in 2023 in a deal reportedly worth hundreds of millions of dollars. Rahm has appealed against those sanctions with a hearing to come. In the meantime eight players in the same position – including his Ryder Cup teammate Tyrrell Hatton – agreed a deal with the DP World Tour, allowing them to play LIV events and remain in contention for Ryder Cup selection. Those players have paid fines and agreed to play in or publicise certain events. “I don’t like what they’re doing currently with the contract they’re having us sign,” said Rahm. “I don’t like the conditions. They’re asking me to play a minimum of six events and they dictate where two of those have to be amongst other things that I don’t agree with. “I don’t know what game they’re trying to play right now but it just seems like they’re using our impact in tournaments and fining us and trying to benefit both ways from what we have to offer. They’re extorting players like myself and young players that have nothing to do with the politics of the game. So I don’t like the situation and I’m not going to agree to that.” It is difficult to see how such a polarised picture is resolved. Should Rahm lose his appeal, and precedent suggests he will, he faces being frozen out of Europe’s Ryder Cup defence at Adare Manor next year. “I respect Tyrrell’s decision,” Rahm said of Hatton. “That’s all I have to say. He’s free to make his own choice and I fully respect it. “I think we should be able to freely play where we want and have th...
Israel says it's striking Iran-backed Hezbollah targets in Lebanon. It says the military “is conducting targeted strikes against Hezbollah terrorist infrastructure in order to remove threats and prevent infiltration attempts into Israeli territory." This is video from Beirut on March 3. Hezbollah attacked Israel in retaliation for the killing of Iran's supreme leader. (Source: Bloomberg)
Israel says it's striking Iran-backed Hezbollah targets in Lebanon. It says the military “is conducting targeted strikes against Hezbollah terrorist infrastructure in order to remove threats and prevent infiltration attempts into Israeli territory." This is video from Beirut on March 3. Hezbollah attacked Israel in retaliation for the killing of Iran's supreme leader. (Source: Bloomberg)