Key Points Disney is guiding for its largest stock buyback program in nine years. Stock buybacks accelerate earnings growth. Solid earnings and cash flow growth make Disney a top-tier value stock. 10 stocks we like better than Walt Disney › Walt Disney (NYSE: DIS) fell after reporting first-quarter fiscal 2026 earnings on Feb. 2. Results were solid overall, but investors may be concerned that Disney's streaming video on demand (SVOD) service isn't growing quickly enough to offset the slowdown in its linear networks (cable) business. Additionally, Disney's sports business, which still relies heavily on cable, also continues to struggle. But the experiences business, driven by parks and Disney's rapidly growing cruise lines, remains a cash cow. Will AI create the world's first trillionaire? Our team just released a report on the one little-known company, called an "Indispensable Monopoly" providing the critical technology Nvidia and Intel both need. Continue » With new CEO Josh D'Amaro replacing Disney legend Bob Iger on March 18, some investors may be hesitant to scoop up shares, even with the stock fetching a dirt cheap 15.7 forward price-to-earnings ratio. Here's the most overlooked hidden gem from Disney's latest earnings report and why the value stock is an excellent buy now. Disney's near-record buyback plan For fiscal 2026, Disney is guiding for $7 billion in stock buybacks, which is double what it did in fiscal 2025 and the second-highest annual buyback plan ever, behind fiscal 2017. Disney will fund the buyback program with free cash flow (FCF). It projects a staggering $19 billion in cash from operations, with capital expenditures guidance of $9 billion -- leaving $10 billion in FCF to cover buybacks and Disney's dividend expense of roughly $2.6 billion. Returning capital to shareholders Disney's decision to aggressively repurchase stock rather than boost its dividend is a vote of confidence that management believes the stock is undervalued. Over the long te...

They are not the only ones to have been subjected to intervention by the constitutional court, and other unelected conservative institutions. Five Pheu Thai prime ministers have been dismissed by the court since 2008, and two earlier incarnations of the party have been dissolved.

Thomson Reuters Corp. (NASDAQ:TRI) on Thursday reported its fourth-quarter fiscal 2025 results. The company reported revenue of $2.009 billion, up 5% from a year earlier and above the $2.001 billion estimate. Organic revenue rose 7%, led by 9% growth across its “Big 3” segments, including Legal Professionals, Corporates, and Tax and Accounting Professionals. GAAP diluted earnings per share declined 43% to 74 cents from $1.30, while adjusted EPS rose 6% to $1.07, topping the $1.06 estimate. Operating profit decreased 25% to $540 million, primarily due to other operating gains in the prior-year period substantially related to the sale of FindLaw. Don't Miss: The AI Marketing Platform Backed by Insiders from Google, Meta, and Amazon — Invest at $0.85/Share Deloitte's #1 Fastest-Growing Software Company Lets Users Earn Money Just by Scrolling — Accredited Investors Can Still Get In at $0.50/Share. Revenue growth reflected a 6% increase in recurring revenue, which accounted for 84% of total revenue, and a 11% rise in transaction revenue, offset by a 6% decline in Global Print. Adjusted EBITDA rose 8% to $777 million, with the margin improving to 38.7% from 37.6%. Net cash from operations rose 35% to $756 million, and free cash flow increased 38% to $581 million. Segment Performance In the Legal Professionals unit, revenue grew 1% to $738 million despite the disposal of FindLaw in the prior-year period, which negatively impacted recurring and transactions revenue growth. Organic growth reached 9% on strength in Westlaw, CoCounsel, and Practical Law. Adjusted EBITDA rose 9% to $327 million, with the margin improving to 44.3%. Trending: Blue-chip art has historically outpaced the S&P 500 since 1995, and fractional investing is now opening this institutional asset class to everyday investors. Corporates revenue grew 7% to $496 million, despite a negative impact from the sale of certain non-core businesses, with an adjusted EBITDA margin of 32.2%. Organic revenues increased 9...

Key Points The price of silver has been volatile over the past several months, and that trend could continue. The announcement of President Trump's pick for new Federal Reserve chairman sent silver into a massive tailspin. Multiple factors could weigh on the price of silver this year, including investor confidence in the Fed. 10 stocks we like better than iShares Silver Trust › The price of silver has hit record levels in 2026, only to quickly give back gains. The year is barely a month old, and there's already been plenty of volatility when it comes to the price of silver. And with the economy and the markets facing considerable uncertainty ahead, investors may continue loading up on the precious metal as the year goes on. Silver reached a new all-time high of more than $121 per ounce in January. The big question is whether it can soar even higher this year, perhaps to $200, and whether investing in the iShares Silver Trust (NYSEMKT: SLV) is a good move right now. I'll aim to answer those questions below. Will AI create the world's first trillionaire? Our team just released a report on the one little-known company, called an "Indispensable Monopoly" providing the critical technology Nvidia and Intel both need. Continue » What caused the price of silver to crash? The price of silver crashed more than 30% on Jan. 30, in what would be its worst single-day performance in decades. The reason for the sudden, quick decline is President Trump's announcement of his pick for the Federal Reserve's next chairman: Kevin Warsh. While the move seemed to be one that might calm the overall market with respect to the Fed's independence, and it helped the U.S. dollar rally, it had the reverse effect on the price of silver. As of Feb. 3, silver was trading at around $88 per ounce, a steep decline from its recent highs. What this appears to suggest is that the price of the metal may be closely tied to investor confidence in not just the overall stock market and economy, but also the Fe...

諾貝爾和平獎得主穆罕默迪被伊朗法院判囚7年半 To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video 【有線新聞】諾貝爾和平獎得主、伊朗人權領袖穆罕默迪判囚7年半。 穆罕默迪的律師指，馬什哈德一間法院上周六裁定穆罕默迪分別因串謀集結和政治宣傳罪成，判監六年和一年半，禁止出境並流放至東部城市霍斯夫兩年。 53歲的穆罕默迪多次因參與爭取女性權益等抗議入獄，前年獲頒諾貝爾和平獎，去年12月在一名人權律師的追悼會上揚言為對方的死討回公道被捕，上周一起在獄中絕食抗議。

Key Points IEFA carries an identical expense ratio to IXUS but offers a slightly higher dividend yield. IXUS delivered a stronger 1-year return and covers a broader set of international stocks, including emerging markets. IEFA is far more concentrated in developed markets, with a sector tilt toward financials and industrials. 10 stocks we like better than iShares Trust - iShares Core Msci Eafe ETF › While both the iShares Core MSCI Total International Stock ETF (NASDAQ:IXUS) and the iShares Core MSCI EAFE ETF (NYSEMKT:IEFA) track non-U.S. equities with the same expense ratio, IXUS includes emerging markets for broader exposure, whereas IEFA offers a slightly higher yield and is focused solely on developed markets. Both IXUS and IEFA aim to give investors access to international equities, but their coverage differs: IXUS includes both developed and emerging markets, while IEFA is limited to developed markets outside the U.S. and Canada. This comparison unpacks how those differences play out in cost, performance, risk, and portfolio makeup. Snapshot (cost & size) Metric IXUS IEFA Issuer IShares IShares Expense ratio 0.07% 0.07% 1-yr return (as of 2026-01-30) 37.7% 34.9% Dividend yield 3.2% 3.6% Beta 1.02 1.03 AUM $51.9 billion $162.6 billion Beta measures price volatility relative to the S&P 500; beta is calculated from five-year weekly returns. The 1-yr return represents total return over the trailing 12 months. Both funds are equally affordable on fees, but IEFA offers a modestly higher dividend yield, which may appeal to income-focused investors. Performance & risk comparison Metric IXUS IEFA Max drawdown (5 y) -30.05% -30.41% Growth of $1,000 over 5 years $1,305 $1,353 What's inside IEFA tracks developed markets in Europe, Australasia, and the Far East, holding 2,589 companies with a sector tilt toward financial services (22%), industrials (20%), and healthcare (11%). Its largest positions are ASML, Roche, and HSBC, and the fund has been operating for 13.3 years. ...

Ocado Group Plc is planning to slash a significant number of jobs as the grocery technology firm renews efforts to cut costs, the Times newspaper reported . The redudancies could impact as many as 1,000 jobs, or roughly 5% of the company’s global headcount, the newspaper said, adding that a final decision hasn’t been made. The majority of the cuts are expected to be in Ocado’s UK head office, a person with knowledge of the matter told the Times. To view the source of this information click here

觀塘推紙皮婦遭貨車撞飛數十米 送院搶救不治 To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video 【有線新聞】一名女子在觀塘遭貨車撞到，送院搶救後不治。 馬路上留有大量紙皮及逾十米長車胎痕跡。清晨約六時，貨車沿觀塘道快線開往藍田，駛至翠屏道路口時撞到推紙皮車的女子，她被撞飛數十米倒地昏迷，送院搶救後不治，意外原因有待調查。

Key Points Eli Lilly's weight-loss drugs powered its Q4 results. The introduction of a GLP-1 drug in pill form should help fuel continued growth in 2026 and beyond. 10 stocks we like better than Eli Lilly › The share price of Eli Lilly (NYSE: LLY) jumped last week after the drugmaker reported strong sales of its GLP-1 weight-loss drugs and issued upbeat 2026 guidance. The stock is now up more than 30% over the past year. Let's take a closer look at Eli Lilly's latest results and prospects to see if the stock's momentum can continue. Will AI create the world's first trillionaire? Our team just released a report on the one little-known company, called an "Indispensable Monopoly" providing the critical technology Nvidia and Intel both need. Continue » Weight-loss drug sales surge Lilly's GLP-1 drugs continue to be the company's biggest growth driver. In Q4, sales of Mounjaro surged 110% to $7.4 billion, while Zepbound revenue soared 123% from $1.9 billion a year ago to $4.3 billion. Its third-largest drug, Verzenio (treats breast cancer), saw sales rise 3% to $1.6 billion. Mounjaro and Zepbound have the same active ingredient, tirzepatide, but the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved them for different use cases. Mounjaro is approved to help lower the blood glucose levels in adults with type 2 diabetes, while Zepbound is approved to treat weight loss in obese adults or overweight adults who have at least one related ailment, like high cholesterol. That said, both drugs are mostly prescribed off-label to help people lose weight. Overall, Lilly grew its Q4 revenue by 43% to $19.29 billion, while adjusted earnings per share (EPS) jumped 42% to $7.54. The results cruised past analyst expectations, as compiled by LSEG, for adjusted EPS of $6.67 on sales of $17.96 billion. Looking ahead, the company guided for 2026 revenue of between $80 billion and $83 billion, representing 25% growth at the midpoint. It forecasted adjusted EPS to range from $33.50 to $35. Its pr...

Fabian Hürzeler must be wondering if he will ever have another chance to get one over Oliver Glasner. The Brighton head coach’s record against his Crystal Palace counterpart and someone he counts as a mentor now reads three defeats and a solitary draw after Ismaïla Sarr’s second-half goal ended Palace’s 12-match winless run in satisfying style against their arch-rivals. But while Glasner can breathe slightly more easily after new signings Evann Guessand and Jørgen Strand Larsen both made an impact on their debuts, Hürzeler left the field to widespread boos from his own fans and chants of “You’re getting sacked in the morning”. It is now only one win in their past 12 league games and the German, who became the youngest manager in Premier League, is facing the real possibility of being dragged into a relegation battle. Brighton may find themselves eight points clear of West Ham at present but it is hard to see where their next victory is coming from. While Glasner has already confirmed he will leave Palace in the summer, with television cameras at the final whistle showing owner Tony Bloom looking far from impressed with his side’s performance, Hürzeler could also find himself looking for a new club if this continues. There was the usual heavy police presence outside the ground before kick-off, although both sets of supporters had reason to be looking nervously over their shoulders. Brighton’s issue has been an inability to finish teams off that has seen them slip out of contention for Europe and Hürzeler sprung a surprise by naming two teenagers in his starting lineup. Seventeen-year-old Harry Howell became the youngest player ever to start a Premier League game for the club, while Charalampos Kostoulas was preferred to veteran top scorer Danny Welbeck. There was a more familiar look to Palace’s side even with Strand Larsen making his debut in attack, with the visiting fans wasting no time airing a song no doubt borrowed from their Wolves counterparts. “Stand Larsen;...

Thai People Party leader Natthaphong Ruengpanyawut casts vote in Bangkok, Thailand on Sunday, February 8, 2026. (Source: Bloomberg)

Immanuel Feyi-Waboso has been ruled out of England’s pursuit of the triple crown while Steve Borthwick has concerns over the fitness of Ellis Genge for the Calcutta Cup on Saturday. Feyi-Waboso pulled out of the 48-7 victory against Wales after sustaining a hamstring injury in training last Friday and was replaced by Tom Roebuck. According to Borthwick, the Exeter winger will be out for “a number of weeks”, ensuring he misses the trip to Murrayfield and the visit of Ireland to Twickenham a week later. Feyi-Waboso has not yet been ruled out of England’s entire campaign but the chances of him appearing seem remote. “Manny looks like he will be out for a number of weeks,” Borthwick said. “I don’t know how many weeks – we’ve got specialist opinion before I know exactly how many weeks he is. That’s unfortunately the nature of elite sport - there are injuries and then you have to adapt. I thought Tom Roebuck did brilliantly.” Genge was replaced by Bevan Rodd at half-time against Wales. He was deemed fit to start the match but Borthwick admitted afterwards that he was only ever going to play 40 minutes amid suggestions the loosehead prop was carrying a hamstring niggle. “He did really well to be fit to start and play,” Borthwick said. “We thought the right thing to do was to play him 40 and take him off. But he came off absolutely fine. It was more of a precautionary change than anything else.” In better news for Borthwick, the Bath centre Ollie Lawrence is set to come back into contention to face Scotland after making progress in training while the Northampton fly-half Fin Smith is also in the frame for selection as England seek what would be only their second win at Murrayfield since 2016. “Ollie looked really good training-wise at the end of last week,” Borthwick said. “Fin was back in full training last week and trained very well. He looked in great condition.”

Key Points Having emergency savings is key to keeping your retirement savings plan on track. Ideally, you want three to six months of living expenses saved up. The $23,760 Social Security bonus most retirees completely overlook › Part of why saving for retirement is so intimidating is that there are so many ways you could get it wrong. You could underestimate how much you need to save and wind up running short in retirement. Or you could put too much in a single investment and risk a huge loss. But one of the biggest retirement savings mistakes anyone can make is one that most people don't even think of as being related to retirement at all. Will AI create the world's first trillionaire? Our team just released a report on the one little-known company, called an "Indispensable Monopoly" providing the critical technology Nvidia and Intel both need. Continue » Emergency savings are key to keeping your retirement plan on track We think of an emergency fund as a tool that helps you avoid unexpected debt and financial setbacks. But you can also see it as a way to keep your finances, including your retirement savings, running smoothly. If you lack an emergency fund and an unexpected cost arises, you might have to stop making retirement account contributions while you're trying to put out the present financial fire. When you're finally able to resume saving, you'll have to set aside even more money per pay period to retire when you originally planned. This is why an emergency fund of at least three to six months of living expenses is one of the best financial tools you can have. When unplanned expenses arise, you can fall back on this money to cover your bills so that your retirement contributions can continue as scheduled. Once you've got the immediate crisis under control, you can focus on slowly rebuilding your emergency fund until it's back where you need it to be. Then, you'll be ready for the next unplanned expense. The $23,760 Social Security bonus most retirees comp...

Amazon delivers a jaw-dropper that changes the AMZN conversation thestreet.com

slava296/iStock via Getty Images The world’s priciest hotels charged record rates last year, bucking a broader slowdown in luxury spending as affluent travelers continued to pay up for high-end amenities and wellness offerings, the Financial Times reported Sunday. Revenue per available room at ultra-luxury hotels rose 10.6% in 2025, more than triple the growth rate of the overall hotel industry, according to data from CoStar. Average daily room rates climbed to a record $1,245, while occupancy also increased, suggesting demand held firm despite higher prices. Hotel operators have increasingly focused on wealthier guests whose fortunes have been boosted by rising asset markets and who are less sensitive to price increases. By contrast, demand for luxury goods such as clothing and jewelry has weakened, with consultancy Bain estimating global sales of personal luxury items fell about 2% last year. The divide was especially clear in the United States, where hotels at the top end outperformed midscale and budget operators as higher-income consumers continued to travel while others cut back. Some luxury hotels have also raised prices to offset labor shortages and higher operating costs, choosing to sell fewer rooms at higher rates. Operators are justifying higher prices by expanding wellness-focused amenities, including treatments and technologies aimed at longevity and health. These features, hoteliers say, help sustain pricing power even if many guests never use them. Industry analysts note that confidence among ultra-luxury hotels has grown, helped by younger high-net-worth travelers, including those enriched by cryptocurrency gains. Still, some warn the strategy carries risks, as higher prices leave little room for service missteps and could eventually test even wealthy customers’ willingness to pay. More on Hyatt Hotels, Marriott Vacations, etc. Airbnb: Hotel Expansion Is Promising, But The Valuation Leaves Little Room For Error Hyatt Hotels: I'd Need A Discount For ...

Finance Minister Mohammed Al-Jadaan speaks on Saudi Arabian economic priorities & planning. (Source: Bloomberg)

Both of these top BlackRock value ETFs were created on the same day 20 years ago, but have since taken different paths. Both the iShares Russell 2000 Value ETF (NYSEMKT:IWN) and iShares SP Mid-Cap 400 Value ETF (NYSEMKT:IJJ) aim to provide value exposure within the U.S. equity market, but they differ in company size and sector emphasis. This comparison examines their costs, portfolio composition, risk, and performance data to help investors decide which may better align with their preferences for value investing. Snapshot (cost & size) Metric IWN IJJ Issuer IShares IShares Expense ratio 0.24% 0.18% 1-yr return (as of Jan. 7, 2026) 18.44% 10.84% Dividend yield 1.53% 1.7% AUM $12.59 billion $8.47 billion Beta measures price volatility relative to the S&P 500; beta is calculated from five-year weekly returns. The 1-yr return represents total return over the trailing 12 months. IJJ is more affordable with a lower expense ratio and offers a slightly higher dividend yield, which may appeal to cost-conscious investors seeking income. Performance & risk comparison Metric IWN IJJ Max drawdown (5 y) (26.71%) (22.68%) Growth of $1,000 over 5 years $1,338 $1,528 What's inside IJJ tracks a basket of mid-cap value stocks, emphasizing financial services, industrials, and consumer cyclical companies across 311 holdings. Its largest positions include US Foods Holding Corp. (USFD +2.84%), Reliance, Inc.(RS +3.37%), and Alcoa Corp. (AA +5.04%). Created over 20 years ago, the ETF has delivered consistent long-term growth. Launched on the same day as IJJ, IWN holds a much broader group of value stocks, holding 1,413 small-cap stocks with a similar sector allocation. Its top holdings include EchoStar Corp.(SATS +4.22%), Hecla Mining Company (HL +6.85%), and TTM Technologies, Inc. (TTMI +6.61%), but each makes up a relatively small portion of the portfolio, reflecting the fund’s wide diversification among small companies. For more guidance on ETF investing, check out the full guide at thi...

Disney's post-earnings sell-off is an impeccable buying opportunity for long-term investors. Walt Disney (DIS +3.55%) fell after reporting first-quarter fiscal 2026 earnings on Feb. 2. Results were solid overall, but investors may be concerned that Disney's streaming video on demand (SVOD) service isn't growing quickly enough to offset the slowdown in its linear networks (cable) business. Additionally, Disney's sports business, which still relies heavily on cable, also continues to struggle. But the experiences business, driven by parks and Disney's rapidly growing cruise lines, remains a cash cow. With new CEO Josh D'Amaro replacing Disney legend Bob Iger on March 18, some investors may be hesitant to scoop up shares, even with the stock fetching a dirt cheap 15.7 forward price-to-earnings ratio. Here's the most overlooked hidden gem from Disney's latest earnings report and why the value stock is an excellent buy now. Disney's near-record buyback plan For fiscal 2026, Disney is guiding for $7 billion in stock buybacks, which is double what it did in fiscal 2025 and the second-highest annual buyback plan ever, behind fiscal 2017. Disney will fund the buyback program with free cash flow (FCF). It projects a staggering $19 billion in cash from operations, with capital expenditures guidance of $9 billion -- leaving $10 billion in FCF to cover buybacks and Disney's dividend expense of roughly $2.6 billion. Expand NYSE : DIS Walt Disney Today's Change ( 3.55 %) $ 3.73 Current Price $ 108.70 Key Data Points Market Cap $193B Day's Range $ 105.37 - $ 108.96 52wk Range $ 80.10 - $ 124.69 Volume 12M Avg Vol 12M Gross Margin 31.61 % Dividend Yield 1.15 % Returning capital to shareholders Disney's decision to aggressively repurchase stock rather than boost its dividend is a vote of confidence that management believes the stock is undervalued. Over the long term, buying back stock at a compelling valuation can be a far better way to return cash to shareholders than paying a grow...

Amazon is moving to bring artificial intelligence deeper into the way movies and TV shows are made, aiming to speed up production and reduce costs at its MGM Studio unit. The company plans to use AI tools across the creative process, even as Hollywood remains cautious of the technology’s potential impact on jobs and industry practices. According to Reuters, Albert Cheng is leading a small team at what Amazon calls its “AI Studio,” focused on building proprietary tools to streamline everything from pre-production planning to post-production editing. In an interview, Cheng said the main goal of the AI Studio is to cut costs and improve creative workflows, while keeping writers, directors, actors, and other creative professionals involved at every step. Recommended Videos Amazon plans to invite industry partners to test its AI tools in a closed beta program in March, with initial results expected by May. The company is reportedly relying on its cloud computing division, Amazon Web Services, for assistance and plans to work with multiple large language model providers to give creators a range of tools for pre- and post-production filmmaking. Company assures AI will not replace creative talent Amazon says it is not trying to replace humans with AI, and that creative decisions will remain in human hands even as the tools automate more technical work. The initiative comes as production costs have risen sharply, making it harder for studios to finance large projects. The AI Studio is collaborating with producer Robert Stromberg and his company Secret City, actor-producer Kunal Nayyar and his Good Karma Productions, and former Pixar and ILM animator Colin Brady as it tests new tools and explores the best ways to integrate them into production.

Saudi Arabian Finance Minister Mohammed Al-Jadaan speaks on drawing more private capital & foreign investment. (Source: Bloomberg)

Age-Related Macular Degeneration (AMD) Awareness Month arrives amid a period of notable clinical and regulatory activity that reflects both progress and ongoing challenges in the field. In recent months, developments have ranged from regulatory setbacks—such as the FDA issuing a complete response letter to Outlook Therapeutics for ONS-5010/LYTENAVA—to emerging real-world data from the global SPECTRUM study evaluating aflibercept 8 mg in neovascular AMD. At the same time, research advances continue to explore new treatment frontiers, including early findings on the PRIMA retinal implant for patients with advanced geographic atrophy. Together, these updates highlight the evolving therapeutic landscape and underscore the continued focus on innovation, evidence generation, and patient care in AMD management. Here is a research round-up of the most notable, recent developments in AMD treatment and management: FDA sends CRL to Outlook Therapeutics for ONS-5010 resubmission Outlook Therapeutics, Inc reported that the FDA has issued a complete response letter (CRL) concerning the resubmitted biologics license application (BLA) for ONS-5010/LYTENAVA (bevacizumab-vikg).1,2 The letter noted that the agency cannot approve the application in its current form for the treatment of wet age-related macular degeneration (wet AMD).1 The FDA stated in the CRL that the additional mechanistic and natural history data included in the BLA resubmission did not change its prior review conclusion, according to Outlook Therapeutics.1 Although the single adequate and well-controlled study demonstrated efficacy, the FDA again recommended that confirmatory evidence of efficacy be submitted to support the application, without indicating what type of confirmatory evidence would be acceptable.1 Read more Early SPECTRUM results outline week 8 real-world outcomes with aflibercept 8 mg A prespecified Week 8 analysis from the global SPECTRUM study provides early real-world data on intravitreal afliberce...

The precious metal hit a new all-time high in January, only to end up crashing later on. The price of silver has hit record levels in 2026, only to quickly give back gains. The year is barely a month old, and there's already been plenty of volatility when it comes to the price of silver. And with the economy and the markets facing considerable uncertainty ahead, investors may continue loading up on the precious metal as the year goes on. Silver reached a new all-time high of more than $121 per ounce in January. The big question is whether it can soar even higher this year, perhaps to $200, and whether investing in the iShares Silver Trust (SLV +5.25%) is a good move right now. I'll aim to answer those questions below. What caused the price of silver to crash? The price of silver crashed more than 30% on Jan. 30, in what would be its worst single-day performance in decades. The reason for the sudden, quick decline is President Trump's announcement of his pick for the Federal Reserve's next chairman: Kevin Warsh. While the move seemed to be one that might calm the overall market with respect to the Fed's independence, and it helped the U.S. dollar rally, it had the reverse effect on the price of silver. As of Feb. 3, silver was trading at around $88 per ounce, a steep decline from its recent highs. What this appears to suggest is that the price of the metal may be closely tied to investor confidence in not just the overall stock market and economy, but also the Fed's independence. As investor concerns grew about who would replace Jerome Powell, silver prices rose. Now, with what appears to be greater stability, investors have been dumping the safe-haven asset. But even with the volatility, the iShares Silver Trust is up over 12% to start the year, which is better than the S&P 500 and its gains of around just 2%. Expand NYSEMKT : SLV iShares Silver Trust Today's Change ( 5.25 %) $ 3.50 Current Price $ 70.19 Key Data Points Day's Range $ 67.45 - $ 70.84 52wk Range $ 26....

Kevin Dietsch/Getty Images News U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said he does not expect the Federal Reserve to move quickly to reduce the size of its balance sheet, even if Kevin Warsh is confirmed as the central bank’s next chair. Speaking Sunday on Fox News Channel’s "Sunday Morning Futures," Bessent said decisions about the balance sheet rest squarely with the Fed and are likely to take time. He added that Warsh, a frequent critic of the Fed’s bond-buying programs, would operate independently if he takes the role. “That will be up to the Fed in terms of what they want to do with the balance sheet,” Bessent said. “I wouldn't expect them to do anything quickly if they move to an ample (reserves) regime policy, and that does require a larger balance sheet. So, I would think that they'll probably sit back, take at least a year to decide what they want to do.” Bessent’s comments suggest that even under new leadership, the Fed is unlikely to make abrupt changes to its asset holdings, signaling continuity rather than a rapid shift in policy direction. More news and analysis Skyworks: Buy This Undervalued Dividend Machine Ingredion: Defensive, High-Yield, Undervalued, And Transforming For Growth The Bottom Fishing Club: Insight Enterprises - Unloved AI Hardware/Software Buildout Pick Japan stocks seen rising after LDP win as yen and bonds face pressure Eli Lilly expands partnership with Innovent to develop oncology, immunology drugs

Explore how each ETF’s market coverage and sector focus can influence risk, yield, and diversification in your international portfolio. While both the iShares Core MSCI Total International Stock ETF (IXUS +2.31%) and the iShares Core MSCI EAFE ETF (IEFA +2.22%) track non-U.S. equities with the same expense ratio, IXUS includes emerging markets for broader exposure, whereas IEFA offers a slightly higher yield and is focused solely on developed markets. Both IXUS and IEFA aim to give investors access to international equities, but their coverage differs: IXUS includes both developed and emerging markets, while IEFA is limited to developed markets outside the U.S. and Canada. This comparison unpacks how those differences play out in cost, performance, risk, and portfolio makeup. Snapshot (cost & size) Metric IXUS IEFA Issuer IShares IShares Expense ratio 0.07% 0.07% 1-yr return (as of 2026-01-30) 37.7% 34.9% Dividend yield 3.2% 3.6% Beta 1.02 1.03 AUM $51.9 billion $162.6 billion Beta measures price volatility relative to the S&P 500; beta is calculated from five-year weekly returns. The 1-yr return represents total return over the trailing 12 months. Both funds are equally affordable on fees, but IEFA offers a modestly higher dividend yield, which may appeal to income-focused investors. Performance & risk comparison Metric IXUS IEFA Max drawdown (5 y) -30.05% -30.41% Growth of $1,000 over 5 years $1,305 $1,353 What's inside IEFA tracks developed markets in Europe, Australasia, and the Far East, holding 2,589 companies with a sector tilt toward financial services (22%), industrials (20%), and healthcare (11%). Its largest positions are ASML, Roche, and HSBC, and the fund has been operating for 13.3 years. IEFA excludes emerging markets, which can lower volatility but may limit upside potential during strong emerging market cycles. In contrast, IXUS holds over 4,100 stocks and covers both developed and emerging markets, offering broader diversification. Its sector alloc...

Hyperscalers continue to spend heavily on capital expenses, and this power solutions company stands to benefit. Artificial intelligence continues to take off, and hyperscalers are spending boatloads of money over the next several years to build out data centers that house these powerful algorithms. According to Goldman Sachs, hyperscalers such as Microsoft, Alphabet, Amazon, and Meta Platforms will spend $500 billion on capital expenditures this year. This massive amount of spending must go somewhere, and one theme that can be intriguing for investors is investing in pick-and-shovel stocks that stand to profit from the data center buildout, which is creating robust demand for their products or services. One industrial stock to pay close attention to is Quanta Services (PWR +6.26%). Here's why. Expand NYSE : PWR Quanta Services Today's Change ( 6.26 %) $ 29.91 Current Price $ 507.63 Key Data Points Market Cap $76B Day's Range $ 483.64 - $ 508.11 52wk Range $ 227.08 - $ 508.45 Volume 72K Avg Vol 1M Gross Margin 13.42 % Dividend Yield 0.08 % Quanta Services benefits from the data center buildout and its demand for energy Quanta provides infrastructure solutions for power and energy and is a key partner for utility, renewable energy, and technology companies worldwide. The company operates in two reporting segments. Its electric infrastructure solutions segment is its primary revenue generator, and it focuses on modernizing the grid, constructing substations, and high-voltage transmission. In its other segment, it provides underground utility and infrastructure solutions for gas, water, and specialty pipelines. The rapid expansion of AI technology is driving a surge in electricity demand from data centers. According to estimates from IEA, U.S. data center electricity usage could grow by 133% by 2030. As a result, there is a pressing need to modernize the grid and ensure we have sufficient energy to power these data centers. In the past couple of years, Quanta has made s...

It doesn't look too late to buy the stock. The share price of Eli Lilly (LLY +3.53%) jumped last week after the drugmaker reported strong sales of its GLP-1 weight-loss drugs and issued upbeat 2026 guidance. The stock is now up more than 30% over the past year. Let's take a closer look at Eli Lilly's latest results and prospects to see if the stock's momentum can continue. Expand NYSE : LLY Eli Lilly Today's Change ( 3.53 %) $ 35.99 Current Price $ 1056.83 Key Data Points Market Cap $1.0T Day's Range $ 1034.00 - $ 1060.00 52wk Range $ 623.78 - $ 1133.95 Volume 225K Avg Vol 3.5M Gross Margin 85.40 % Dividend Yield 0.57 % Weight-loss drug sales surge Lilly's GLP-1 drugs continue to be the company's biggest growth driver. In Q4, sales of Mounjaro surged 110% to $7.4 billion, while Zepbound revenue soared 123% from $1.9 billion a year ago to $4.3 billion. Its third-largest drug, Verzenio (treats breast cancer), saw sales rise 3% to $1.6 billion. Mounjaro and Zepbound have the same active ingredient, tirzepatide, but the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved them for different use cases. Mounjaro is approved to help lower the blood glucose levels in adults with type 2 diabetes, while Zepbound is approved to treat weight loss in obese adults or overweight adults who have at least one related ailment, like high cholesterol. That said, both drugs are mostly prescribed off-label to help people lose weight. Overall, Lilly grew its Q4 revenue by 43% to $19.29 billion, while adjusted earnings per share (EPS) jumped 42% to $7.54. The results cruised past analyst expectations, as compiled by LSEG, for adjusted EPS of $6.67 on sales of $17.96 billion. Looking ahead, the company guided for 2026 revenue of between $80 billion and $83 billion, representing 25% growth at the midpoint. It forecasted adjusted EPS to range from $33.50 to $35. Its projections were well ahead of the consensus, which was looking for EPS of $33.23 on sales of $77.72 billion. Lilly's robust outlook ...

Key Points Hyperscalers are projected to spend $500 billion on data center capital expenditures this year. Houston-based Quanta Services provides infrastructure solutions for power and energy. It's focused on modernizing the grid and has seen its backlog grow to a record level. 10 stocks we like better than Quanta Services › Artificial intelligence continues to take off, and hyperscalers are spending boatloads of money over the next several years to build out data centers that house these powerful algorithms. According to Goldman Sachs, hyperscalers such as Microsoft, Alphabet, Amazon, and Meta Platforms will spend $500 billion on capital expenditures this year. This massive amount of spending must go somewhere, and one theme that can be intriguing for investors is investing in pick-and-shovel stocks that stand to profit from the data center buildout, which is creating robust demand for their products or services. One industrial stock to pay close attention to is Quanta Services (NYSE: PWR). Here's why. Where to invest $1,000 right now? Our analyst team just revealed what they believe are the 10 best stocks to buy right now, when you join Stock Advisor. See the stocks » Quanta Services benefits from the data center buildout and its demand for energy Quanta provides infrastructure solutions for power and energy and is a key partner for utility, renewable energy, and technology companies worldwide. The company operates in two reporting segments. Its electric infrastructure solutions segment is its primary revenue generator, and it focuses on modernizing the grid, constructing substations, and high-voltage transmission. In its other segment, it provides underground utility and infrastructure solutions for gas, water, and specialty pipelines. The rapid expansion of AI technology is driving a surge in electricity demand from data centers. According to estimates from IEA, U.S. data center electricity usage could grow by 133% by 2030. As a result, there is a pressing need ...

Musk: "Time To Go Back To Moon At Scale" A little more than a day after The Wall Street Journal reported that Elon Musk had rejiggered SpaceX's near-term space roadmap , pivoting from a Mars-first to now prioritizing the Moon, Musk has now effectively confirmed the reporting. " Time to go back to the Moon at scale ," Musk wrote on X early Sunday morning. Time to go back to the Moon at scale https://t.co/rFjaenmQZd — Elon Musk (@elonmusk) February 8, 2026 X user Autism Capital hilariously responded to Musk with "Back"... “Back” pic.twitter.com/h1W3ilKx6k — Autism Capital 🧩 (@AutismCapital) February 8, 2026 Late Friday evening, WSJ cited sources who said Musk had pushed back the planned late-year Mars mission, with SpaceX now targeting a Starship launch to the Moon in March 2027. The space pivot comes after SpaceX acquired Musk's AI company, xAI, last week, combining his rocket and satellite business with his artificial intelligence startup to accelerate plans for a fleet of low-Earth-orbit data centers. The deal gives SpaceX a valuation of $1 trillion, and xAI a value of $250 billion. The combined company's valuation of $1.25 trillion was announced to employees in a memo on Monday, with an IPO slated for later this year that could raise as much as $50 billion. Even though Musk previously dismissed the moon as a "distraction" and argued for Mars first, it appears NASA may have nudged him, especially as Jeff Bezos's rocket company, Blue Origin, has paused space tourism launches to focus on the moon. Kardashev II civilization or bust. Starship will get us to the Moon and Mars. pic.twitter.com/L9vhMOdDPK — Tesla Owners Silicon Valley (@teslaownersSV) February 7, 2026 In a memo earlier last week, Musk told employees that the pivot will pave the way for the U.S. to construct a permanent base on the moon. "The capabilities we unlock by making space-based data centers a reality will fund and enable self-growing bases on the moon, an entire civilization on Mars, and ultimatel...

Find your next quality investment with Simply Wall St's easy and powerful screener, trusted by over 7 million individual investors worldwide. Microsoft (NasdaqGS:MSFT) has entered an aggressive AI investment phase, including the launch of its Maia 200 AI chip aimed at supporting in house AI infrastructure. The company announced a series of AI focused partnerships spanning cloud security, industrial IoT, robotics, workplace software, and payments. These moves arrive as tech stocks, including Microsoft, face a sharp pullback and investors question near term returns on heavy AI spending. Microsoft, trading at $401.14, is pushing hard into AI at a time when the broader tech trade has come under pressure. The stock has seen a 16.3% decline over the past 30 days and is down 15.2% year to date, even though its 3 year and 5 year returns of 56.1% and 70.6% highlight meaningful longer term gains. That mix of recent weakness and multi year strength frames how investors are reassessing the company’s AI push. For you as a shareholder or potential investor, the key question is how this AI cycle could influence Microsoft’s role in cloud, security, and enterprise software, and what that might mean for its resilience through market swings. The rest of this article looks at what the Maia 200 chip and new AI partnerships might signal about Microsoft’s competitive position and risk profile, without assuming any particular financial outcome. Stay updated on the most important news stories for Microsoft by adding it to your watchlist or portfolio. Alternatively, explore our Community to discover new perspectives on Microsoft. NasdaqGS:MSFT 1-Year Stock Price Chart Why Microsoft could be great value Quick Assessment ✅ Price vs Analyst Target : At $401.14 versus a consensus target of about $599.86, Microsoft trades roughly 34% below where analysts on average see it. ✅ Simply Wall St Valuation : Simply Wall St estimates the shares are trading about 12.1% below fair value, which is flagged a...