Alina Buzunova/iStock via Getty Images In May last year, I had issued a Hold rating for the REX AI Equity Premium Income ETF ( AIPI ). At that time, and for a few months following that rating, everything tagged AI was being lapped up by the market. That environment has changed. The AI trade has cooled, macro pressures and stagflation risks aside. Importantly, the core objective for income seekers ...
Alina Buzunova/iStock via Getty Images In May last year, I had issued a Hold rating for the REX AI Equity Premium Income ETF ( AIPI ). At that time, and for a few months following that rating, everything tagged AI was being lapped up by the market. That environment has changed. The AI trade has cooled, macro pressures and stagflation risks aside. Importantly, the core objective for income seekers is to be able to generate optimal income, whether through an option writing route or through capital appreciation of the underlying. Last year AIPI was not posing much upside from the AI rally because of the capped nature of the covered call writing. Income was still supportive because some upside capture was still at play, although despite the option income, the aggressive yields meant NAV erosion possibilities, which is bad news for future payout size. You can see the effect of smaller payouts over time in the dividend payout chart below. This is despite any meaningful change in yield levels. That effect only amplifies if the underlying portfolio stagnates. Dividend PAyouts - AIPI (Seeking Alpha) Data by YCharts Theoretically, the strategy does not need a sharp rally in the underlying. What is actually and optimally needed is a supportive portfolio as a minimum, which then opens up option income in rangebound markets. The total returns can, in such a regime, even outperform the underlying portfolio itself. That regime is here today — after a reset in the AI trade, we could see exactly the perfect markets for AIPI. One where the risks of a further downside is more limited than it was in May last year, and the odds of a sharp rally also doesn't look imminent. A rangebound market is where option income works best. In short, compared to my old thesis, where the upside opportunity loss was far higher than the drawdown mitigation, we have now moved into a more symmetric market for option writing. That moves AIPI to Buy territory. Performance Since May The below chart shows the ...
Oil and geopolitics remained firmly in focus before markets closed for Good Friday. The S&P 500 (SNPINDEX:^GSPC) rose 0.11% to 6,582.69, finishing the week up 1.63%. The Nasdaq Composite (NASDAQINDEX:^IXIC) gained 0.18% to 21,879.18, while the Dow Jones Industrial Average (DJ
Oil and geopolitics remained firmly in focus before markets closed for Good Friday. The S&P 500 (SNPINDEX:^GSPC) rose 0.11% to 6,582.69, finishing the week up 1.63%. The Nasdaq Composite (NASDAQINDEX:^IXIC) gained 0.18% to 21,879.18, while the Dow Jones Industrial Average (DJ
General Dynamics ( GD )'s subsidiary, General Dynamics Electric Boat (GDEB) , received a $1.27B contract modification to support Virginia-class submarine design, development, and lead yard work. This modification includes options that could raise its total value to $2.49B, only if exercised. The work is expected to be completed by April 2027. A total of ~$218M in Navy funding will be obligated at ...
General Dynamics ( GD )'s subsidiary, General Dynamics Electric Boat (GDEB) , received a $1.27B contract modification to support Virginia-class submarine design, development, and lead yard work. This modification includes options that could raise its total value to $2.49B, only if exercised. The work is expected to be completed by April 2027. A total of ~$218M in Navy funding will be obligated at the time of award, with ~$1.09M from FY25 RDT&E set to expire at the end of the current fiscal year. Naval Sea Systems Command is the contracting activity. More on General Dynamics General Dynamics: Poised To Benefit From High Volume Of Government Contracts General Dynamics: Inexpensive Defense Leader General Dynamics Looks Undervalued As Submarines And Business Jets Ramp Trump to propose record $1.5T defense budget with focus on missile shield, ships NATO is at a breaking point with defense spending on the line
Metals Creek Resources ( MEK:CA ) on Thursday said that it has increased its non-brokered private placement to raise up to $1 million through a mix of flow-through and non-flow-through units. The company plans to issue up to 14.3 million flow-through units at $0.035 each for up to $500,000, and up to 16.7 million non-flow-through units at $0.03 each for an additional $500,000. Proceeds from the fl...
Metals Creek Resources ( MEK:CA ) on Thursday said that it has increased its non-brokered private placement to raise up to $1 million through a mix of flow-through and non-flow-through units. The company plans to issue up to 14.3 million flow-through units at $0.035 each for up to $500,000, and up to 16.7 million non-flow-through units at $0.03 each for an additional $500,000. Proceeds from the flow-through portion will be used to fund exploration activities on its Newfoundland and Ontario properties, including the Ogden gold project. The offering remains subject to approval by the TSX Venture Exchange. TMXXF closed +1.33% at $35.7. Source: Press Release More on TMX Group Limited, Metals Creek Resources Corp. TMX Group Limited (X:CA) Presents at 24th Annual Financial Services Conference Transcript TMX Group Limited (X:CA) Presents at Bank of America Financial Services Conference 2026 Transcript TMX Group Limited (X:CA) Presents at UBS Financial Services Conference 2026 Transcript Metals Creek Resources plans private placement to fund exploration Bold Ventures secures Ontario grant for Burchell metals project
Nike (NYSE:NKE) , a designer of athletic footwear, apparel, and equipment, closed Thursday at $44.19, down 1.00%. The stock remains under pressure as analysts weigh its recent profit decline, a weak revenue outlook, and softness in China. Trading volume reached 59.4 million shares, coming in about 220% above its three-month average of 18.5 million shares. Nike IPO'd in 1980 and has grown 24,490% s...
Nike (NYSE:NKE) , a designer of athletic footwear, apparel, and equipment, closed Thursday at $44.19, down 1.00%. The stock remains under pressure as analysts weigh its recent profit decline, a weak revenue outlook, and softness in China. Trading volume reached 59.4 million shares, coming in about 220% above its three-month average of 18.5 million shares. Nike IPO'd in 1980 and has grown 24,490% since going public. The S&P 500 edged up 0.09% to 6,582, while the Nasdaq Composite added 0.18% to finish at 21,879. Within the athletic footwear and apparel industry, peers Adidas closed at $78.13 (-1.67%) and Puma finished at $2.48 (-4.62%), reflecting continued pressure across global sportswear brands. In the two trading days following Nike’s Q3 earnings report, the sportswear giant has seen over 20 analysts cut their price targets on the company’s stock. Wall Street’s concerns include: Continue reading
songqiuju/iStock via Getty Images The last article on Texas Pacific Land Corporation ( TPL ) mentioned that the stock was extremely expensive for the growth characteristics of the company. Since then, the Iran situation that includes effectively closing the Strait of Hormuz has basically sent everything in the industry much higher. However, such issues rarely last long. Because the price-earnings ...
songqiuju/iStock via Getty Images The last article on Texas Pacific Land Corporation ( TPL ) mentioned that the stock was extremely expensive for the growth characteristics of the company. Since then, the Iran situation that includes effectively closing the Strait of Hormuz has basically sent everything in the industry much higher. However, such issues rarely last long. Because the price-earnings ratio remains very high, this particular idea has a lot more downside potential when things settle down than do many of my other choices. Stock Price The last article showed the Quant system ranking this as a Strong Sell. But the Iranian situation changed that ranking because of the stock price action. The Quant system now has the stock as a Hold. Texas Pacific Land Corporation Common Stock Price History And Key Valuation Measures (Seeking Alpha Website April 2, 2025) It is very easy to see the effect that the Iranian situation has had on the stock price from the chart above. That was definitely an unknown at the time the last article was written. However, this is not an industry that is known for price-earnings ratios of 52 for really much of any reason. This stock has long been an exception to much of the industry. As such, it is really just a question as to when the stock price will value the business in the same fashion as much of the rest of the industry. Pricing like this can persist for a while. The Iranian situation is far from settled. Therefore, commodity prices can go a lot higher before they inevitably decline. The timing of anything in the future is very much unsettled right now in the eyes of the market. The Business The company has two main revenue streams currently with some future possibilities. The land it has it farms out on a royalty basis to form one main revenue stream. This business is basically an upstream business without the major risks of upstream like dry holes or the expenses of drilling and completion. The company largely makes its money as a p...
Ambev (NYSE:ABEV) produces and sells beer and soft drinks in the Americas. Shares closed at $2.93, down 1.35%. The stock moved without any company-specific catalysts today, but investors are watching analyst ratings and capital returns for future direction. Trading volume reached 42.3 million shares, coming in about 71% above compared with its three-month average of 24.7 million shares. Ambev IPO'...
Ambev (NYSE:ABEV) produces and sells beer and soft drinks in the Americas. Shares closed at $2.93, down 1.35%. The stock moved without any company-specific catalysts today, but investors are watching analyst ratings and capital returns for future direction. Trading volume reached 42.3 million shares, coming in about 71% above compared with its three-month average of 24.7 million shares. Ambev IPO'd in 1997 and has grown 552% since going public. The S&P 500 (SNPINDEX:^GSPC) inched up 0.11% to 6,583, while the Nasdaq Composite (NASDAQINDEX:^IXIC) gained 0.18% to finish at 21,879. Among beverage maker/brewers, industry peer Anheuser-Busch InBev/NV (NYSE:BUD) closed at $71.30, rising 0.75% as investors compare global brand strength and exposure to premium brands as consumers tighten wallets. Ambev had no new company-specific headlines today, but investors are still digesting some news from the board of directors meeting held on March 30. In that meeting the board approved 2025 profit allocation and suggested 2026 salary limits, amendments to the bylaws, and a capital increase driven by stock options. Continue reading
Judge Lewis Liman dismissed 10 of Lively’s 13 claims against Baldoni, including claim of sexual harassment Sign up for the Breaking News US email to get newsletter alerts in your inbox A federal judge has thrown out the majority of Blake Lively ’s claims against Justin Baldoni. In a court ruling on Thursday, Judge Lewis Liman dismissed 10 of the 13 claims in Lively’s lawsuit against her co-star an...
Judge Lewis Liman dismissed 10 of Lively’s 13 claims against Baldoni, including claim of sexual harassment Sign up for the Breaking News US email to get newsletter alerts in your inbox A federal judge has thrown out the majority of Blake Lively ’s claims against Justin Baldoni. In a court ruling on Thursday, Judge Lewis Liman dismissed 10 of the 13 claims in Lively’s lawsuit against her co-star and director of the domestic violence film It Ends With Us . Continue reading...
New tax will hit branded drugs and active ingredients while exempting generics for at least one year Sign up for the Breaking News US email to get newsletter alerts in your inbox Donald Trump is threatening 100% tariffs on pharmaceutical companies that have not struck deals to lower US drug prices. The new tariff will only apply to branded drugs and their active ingredients. Generic drugs, which m...
New tax will hit branded drugs and active ingredients while exempting generics for at least one year Sign up for the Breaking News US email to get newsletter alerts in your inbox Donald Trump is threatening 100% tariffs on pharmaceutical companies that have not struck deals to lower US drug prices. The new tariff will only apply to branded drugs and their active ingredients. Generic drugs, which make up more than 90% of medicines sold in the US, will be exempted from tariffs for at least one year. Orphan, veterinary and other specialty drugs are exempt if they are from trade deal countries or meet urgent public health needs. Continue reading...
raisbeckfoto Starbucks ( SBUX ) has closed its deal with Boyu Capital to transfer control of its China operations, the company said on Thursday. Under the terms of the agreement, funds managed by Boyu Capital now hold a 60% stake in Starbucks China's retail operations, while Starbucks retains a 40% ownership interest. The latter continues to own and license the brand and intellectual property to t...
raisbeckfoto Starbucks ( SBUX ) has closed its deal with Boyu Capital to transfer control of its China operations, the company said on Thursday. Under the terms of the agreement, funds managed by Boyu Capital now hold a 60% stake in Starbucks China's retail operations, while Starbucks retains a 40% ownership interest. The latter continues to own and license the brand and intellectual property to the joint venture. The alliance, which currently oversees around 8,000 company-operated coffeehouses, will transition to a licensed operating model, aiming to grow to as many as 20,000 locations over time, the company said. "The joint venture is designed to enhance Starbucks' ability to expand its footprint, deepen local relevance, and elevate the customer experience while maintaining the integrity of its brand and values," the Seattle-based coffee company added. The deal was announced in November 2025. The company had then said that Boyu would acquire its interest based on a cash-free, debt-free enterprise value of ~$4 billion. Starbucks had projected its China retail business to be valued at more than $13 billion, comprising proceeds from the sale of a controlling stake in the partnership to Boyu, the value of its retained interest, and the net present value of licensing income payable over the next decade or longer. SBUX -0.40 % after hours to $ 90. Source: Press Release More on Starbucks Starbucks: The Financial Brew Sours Starbucks Corporation (SBUX) Shareholder/Analyst Call - Slideshow Starbucks: Full Price For A Half-Brewed Turnaround Starbucks is giving employees new incentives to improve customer service Highlights from Starbucks' annual meeting