How does one keep tabs on, and then interpret, a president who in a single year sent out more than 6,000 social media posts, conducted more than 433 open press events and held free-associating press conferences lasting close to two hours? The White House Stenographer’s Office calculates it has transcribed 2.4 million of Trump’s words, four times the length of Tolstoy’s epic War and Peace. Tracking...
How does one keep tabs on, and then interpret, a president who in a single year sent out more than 6,000 social media posts, conducted more than 433 open press events and held free-associating press conferences lasting close to two hours? The White House Stenographer’s Office calculates it has transcribed 2.4 million of Trump’s words, four times the length of Tolstoy’s epic War and Peace. Tracking Trump is not just a problem for exhausted reporters – but also exhausted diplomats, who are tasked with searching for the signal in the ceaseless Trumpian noise. Western diplomats have upgraded their media monitoring operations to take account of Trump’s habit of dropping an explosive policy announcement or launching an unexpected incendiary broadside against an ally at almost any point in the 24/7 news cycle. Foreign ministries now also have to look out for the private texts of their boss reappearing on Truth Social. Trump holds press conferences almost every day, and in his first year posted on Truth Social 6,606 times. Research shows that Thursday midnight, Tuesday 11am, Saturday 5pm and Monday 11pm are the witching hours at which he most frequently issues posts, often leaving western diplomats in a different time zone at a disadvantage. One diplomat said the most frequent refrain most mornings is: “What has he said this time?” On the night of 1 December he posted 156 times, and – as on many nights – he mixed market-moving announcements with personal boasts and conspiracy theories, including the possibility that Joe Biden was executed in 2020 and replaced by robots and clones. For European diplomats, the late-night posts are often the worst since they may be landing on their phones as they make their way into work. The UK Foreign Office discovered at 6.15am last Tuesday that someone, possibly Nigel Farage, appeared to have got hold of Trump through an intermediary to convince him to denounce the UK Diego Garcia deal, something Downing Street thought had long been put to...
Key Points SPDW charges a much lower expense ratio and currently offers a higher dividend yield than ACWX. SPDW covers only developed markets outside the United States, while ACWX includes both developed and other non-U.S. equities. Both funds have tracked closely on risk and drawdown, but SPDW has delivered stronger five-year growth. These 10 stocks could mint the next wave of millionaires › SPDR...
Key Points SPDW charges a much lower expense ratio and currently offers a higher dividend yield than ACWX. SPDW covers only developed markets outside the United States, while ACWX includes both developed and other non-U.S. equities. Both funds have tracked closely on risk and drawdown, but SPDW has delivered stronger five-year growth. These 10 stocks could mint the next wave of millionaires › SPDR Portfolio Developed World ex-US ETF (NYSEMKT:SPDW) and iShares MSCI ACWI ex US ETF (NASDAQ:ACWX) differ meaningfully on cost, market coverage, and sector mix, with SPDW offering lower fees and higher yield, while ACWX brings broader non-U.S. equity exposure and a somewhat higher technology allocation. SPDW and ACWX are both large international equity ETFs, but they take distinct approaches. SPDW focuses on developed markets outside the United States, while ACWX tracks a broader universe of large- and mid-capitalization non-U.S. equities, making this comparison relevant for investors weighing cost against broader diversification. Snapshot (cost & size) Metric SPDW ACWX Issuer SPDR iShares Expense ratio 0.03% 0.32% 1-yr return (as of 1/9/2026) 37.84% 35.89% Dividend yield 3.3% 2.83% Beta 1.03 1.02 AUM $33.45 billion $7.87 billion SPDW stands out as the more affordable option, with an expense ratio of just 0.03% compared to 0.32% for ACWX. SPDW also currently pays a higher dividend yield, which may appeal to income-focused investors. Performance & risk comparison Metric SPDW ACWX Max drawdown (5 y) -30.23% -30.03% Growth of $1,000 over 5 years $1,304 $1,251 What's inside ACWX holds 1,751 stocks and covers both developed and emerging non-U.S. markets, rebalancing exposure across financial services (25%), technology (15%), and industrials (15%). Its top holdings include Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing (3.9%), ASML (1.53%), and Tencent Holdings (1.4%), with a fund age of 17.8 years. This blend introduces additional technology and emerging market exposure compared to developed...
While Nvidia’s (NVDA) price action is a case study for stocks going parabolic, the Jensen Huang-led company’s returns have been quite muted of late. Meanwhile, Intel (INTC), which was in the news not long ago for falling to multi-year lows, seems to have entered Nvidia’s orbit (sort of) and has been hitting multi-year highs. After gaining 84% in 2025, the stock was up over 22% year-to-date (YTD) a...
While Nvidia’s (NVDA) price action is a case study for stocks going parabolic, the Jensen Huang-led company’s returns have been quite muted of late. Meanwhile, Intel (INTC), which was in the news not long ago for falling to multi-year lows, seems to have entered Nvidia’s orbit (sort of) and has been hitting multi-year highs. After gaining 84% in 2025, the stock was up over 22% year-to-date (YTD) as of Friday's closing prices. However, as typical after such rallies, Intel faced a reality check following the Q4 2025 confessional yesterday and is down in the double digits. So, does it make sense to buy the dip in INTC stock today, beginning with a snapshot of the once-iconic chipmaker's Q4 earnings? Intel Q4 2025 Earnings Intel’s Q4 earnings were a mixed bag. It reported revenues of $13.7 billion, which were ahead of the $13.4 billion that analysts were modeling. While Intel's net losses widened to $591 million, compared to $126 million in the corresponding quarter last year, the adjusted earnings per share came in at $0.15, which was almost twice the $0.08 expected by analysts. Meanwhile, Intel’s guidance spooked investors. The company expects to post revenues between $11.7 billion and $12.7 billion in the current quarter, whose midpoint was below Street estimates of $12.5 billion. Intel guided for a breakeven on adjusted earnings, which also fell short of the $0.05 that analysts were expecting. The company attributed soft guidance to supply issues, which it expects to ease in the second quarter of the year. After the sharp rally – the stock was up nearly 109% over the 52-week period preceding the earnings – Intel needed a flawless report, the absence of which triggered the sell-off. Meanwhile, thanks to the investments from Nvidia and Softbank (SFTBY), Mobileye (MBLY) stake monetization, and Altera stake sale to Silver Lake, Intel ended 2025 with cash and cash equivalents of $14.26 billion. While the capital raise and the U.S. government's conversion of its debt to e...
While Nvidia’s (NVDA) price action is a case study for stocks going parabolic, the Jensen Huang-led company’s returns have been quite muted of late. Meanwhile, Intel (INTC), which was in the news not long ago for falling to multi-year lows, seems to have entered Nvidia’s orbit (sort of) and has been hitting multi-year highs. After gaining 84% in 2025, the stock was up over 22% year-to-date (YTD) a...
While Nvidia’s (NVDA) price action is a case study for stocks going parabolic, the Jensen Huang-led company’s returns have been quite muted of late. Meanwhile, Intel (INTC), which was in the news not long ago for falling to multi-year lows, seems to have entered Nvidia’s orbit (sort of) and has been hitting multi-year highs. After gaining 84% in 2025, the stock was up over 22% year-to-date (YTD) as of Friday's closing prices. However, as typical after such rallies, Intel faced a reality check following the Q4 2025 confessional yesterday and is down in the double digits. So, does it make sense to buy the dip in INTC stock today, beginning with a snapshot of the once-iconic chipmaker's Q4 earnings? Intel Q4 2025 Earnings Intel’s Q4 earnings were a mixed bag. It reported revenues of $13.7 billion, which were ahead of the $13.4 billion that analysts were modeling. While Intel's net losses widened to $591 million, compared to $126 million in the corresponding quarter last year, the adjusted earnings per share came in at $0.15, which was almost twice the $0.08 expected by analysts. Meanwhile, Intel’s guidance spooked investors. The company expects to post revenues between $11.7 billion and $12.7 billion in the current quarter, whose midpoint was below Street estimates of $12.5 billion. Intel guided for a breakeven on adjusted earnings, which also fell short of the $0.05 that analysts were expecting. The company attributed soft guidance to supply issues, which it expects to ease in the second quarter of the year. After the sharp rally – the stock was up nearly 109% over the 52-week period preceding the earnings – Intel needed a flawless report, the absence of which triggered the sell-off. Meanwhile, thanks to the investments from Nvidia and Softbank (SFTBY), Mobileye (MBLY) stake monetization, and Altera stake sale to Silver Lake, Intel ended 2025 with cash and cash equivalents of $14.26 billion. While the capital raise and the U.S. government's conversion of its debt to e...
If winning without playing particularly well is a sign of champions elect, it might be game over for Manchester City's title challengers. "Job done", was how City's match-winner Khadija Shaw described Sunday's 2-1 defeat of London City Lionesses, a result that increased City's lead at the top of the Women's Super League to nine points. Chelsea's defeat by Arsenal on Saturday opened the door for Ci...
If winning without playing particularly well is a sign of champions elect, it might be game over for Manchester City's title challengers. "Job done", was how City's match-winner Khadija Shaw described Sunday's 2-1 defeat of London City Lionesses, a result that increased City's lead at the top of the Women's Super League to nine points. Chelsea's defeat by Arsenal on Saturday opened the door for City, with Sonia Bompastor saying the title race was "probably over". Those comments - possibly mind games from the Chelsea manager - looked premature as City suffered for long periods against London City, but Shaw's late strike secured what could be a priceless win. "It's about getting the job done, no matter how it looks," Shaw told Sky Sports. "It was a difficult game today but we've shown throughout the season that we never give up and today was an example of that. "We came out here knowing what we had to do and we got the job done." The next of City's nine remaining games is at home to Chelsea on Sunday (14:30 GMT) but even if they lose, they will still hold a six-point lead and a far superior goal difference. So - is the title race over?
In Brief We’re about to get our first real look at the results of the recently announced AI partnership between Apple and Google, according to Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman. Gurman reports that Apple is planning to announce a new version of Siri in the second half of February. Using Google’s Gemini AI models, this Siri update will reportedly be the first to live up to the promises Apple made in June 202...
In Brief We’re about to get our first real look at the results of the recently announced AI partnership between Apple and Google, according to Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman. Gurman reports that Apple is planning to announce a new version of Siri in the second half of February. Using Google’s Gemini AI models, this Siri update will reportedly be the first to live up to the promises Apple made in June 2024, with the ability to complete tasks by accessing user’s personal data and on-screen content. And that’s ahead of an even bigger upgrade that Apple plans to announce in June, at its Worldwide Developers Conference, Gurman says. This version of Siri is supposed to be more conversational, in the style of other chatbots like ChatGPT, and it could run directly on Google’s cloud infrastructure. Earlier reports suggested that Apple has been struggling to get its AI strategy back on-track. In fact, Gurman says Apple’s Mike Rockwell told foundation team members over the summer that one of Gurman’s earlier reports was “bulls–t.” But with the Google partnership, as well as the recent departure of Apple’s AI chief John Giannandrea, it seems the company has indeed found a new direction.
Brett_Hondow/iStock Editorial via Getty Images BNP Paribas Equity Research named Eaton ( ETN ) a top investment pick for 2026, citing accelerating demand from artificial intelligence data centers and what it sees as a disconnect between fundamentals and valuation. Andrew Buscaglia, a senior analyst at BNP Paribas, set a price target of $430 for the electrical equipment maker, implying nearly 30% u...
Brett_Hondow/iStock Editorial via Getty Images BNP Paribas Equity Research named Eaton ( ETN ) a top investment pick for 2026, citing accelerating demand from artificial intelligence data centers and what it sees as a disconnect between fundamentals and valuation. Andrew Buscaglia, a senior analyst at BNP Paribas, set a price target of $430 for the electrical equipment maker, implying nearly 30% upside from recent trading levels. His updated bull case suggests shares could climb toward $500 if growth expectations are met. Buscaglia in a Jan. 23 note to clients said investor sentiment toward Eaton’s ( ETN ) data center business has cooled despite improving sales trends. Data center revenue rose 45% in 2024 and increased another 50% through the first nine months of 2025, yet the stock has de-rated over that period. He views that shift as an opportunity. Margin pressure expected to ease as capacity comes online Eaton’s ( ETN ) Electrical Americas unit faced margin pressure last year as the company expanded production capacity to meet rising demand. The firm has been building six final facilities as part of a broader expansion plan, with most scheduled for completion by early 2026. As utilization improves and volumes increase, BNP Paribas expects margins to recover. Buscaglia said sales tied to AI-driven data centers could begin contributing more meaningfully to earnings in the second half of the year, potentially pushing margins above current market forecasts. Boyd acquisition lifts long-term data center outlook The report also revisits Eaton’s ( ETN ) acquisition of Boyd, a supplier of liquid cooling solutions. Buscaglia now estimates Eaton’s ( ETN ) data center revenue could grow at an annual rate of more than 40% over the next several years, up from a prior forecast in the mid-30% range. He said Boyd’s technology increases Eaton’s ( ETN ) exposure to higher value content inside data centers and expands its long-term addressable market. BNP Paribas believes Boyd’s re...
Last year, financial magazine Forbes estimated Ferrari as F1's most valuable team, external at $6.5bn (£4.8bn), Mercedes second at $6bn (£4.4m). The ranking of the 10 teams in F1 last year placed Alpine seventh at $2.45bn Horner, who led Red Bull to eight drivers' titles and six constructors' championships in 20 years in charge, has not spoken publicly since losing his position at Red Bull. But he...
Last year, financial magazine Forbes estimated Ferrari as F1's most valuable team, external at $6.5bn (£4.8bn), Mercedes second at $6bn (£4.4m). The ranking of the 10 teams in F1 last year placed Alpine seventh at $2.45bn Horner, who led Red Bull to eight drivers' titles and six constructors' championships in 20 years in charge, has not spoken publicly since losing his position at Red Bull. But he has made it clear privately to several senior F1 insiders that if he returns he wants full control of a team, a role senior to that of team principal and a significant shareholding. A buy-in to Alpine could not satisfy those requirements, unless Renault was to relinquish its majority shareholding. He was sacked by Red Bull after a tumultuous two years in which he was accused of sexual harassment and coercive, controlling behaviour by a female employee and a slump in form for the team that bosses felt would not be recovered with him in charge. Horner always denied the allegations and two internal Red Bull investigations dismissed them. During 2024, three key employees decided to leave Red Bull, chief technical officer Adrian Newey, sporting director Jonathan Wheatley and head of strategy Will Courtenay. Following his departure and replacement by Frenchman Laurent Mekies, Red Bull's form recovered and Max Verstappen mounted a late assault on the 2025 drivers' title, missing out to McLaren's Lando Norris by just two points at the end of the season. Verstappen told BBC Sport in an interview at the final race of last season that he "always had a great relationship with Christian and still to this day, a lot of people, we appreciate what he has done for the team". He added: "When sometimes a team has been functioning for a very long time, very well, and then at one point it's not, and there's not really also a clear direction out of it, sometimes management makes a big change."
Key Points Oneok is raising its dividend by 4%. The pipeline giant backs its high-yielding dividend with stable cash flows and a strong financial profile. The company has lots of visible growth on the horizon. 10 stocks we like better than Oneok › Oneok (NYSE: OKE) offers investors an attractive dividend yield today. At 5.5%, it's several times above the S&P 500's dividend yield, which is approach...
Key Points Oneok is raising its dividend by 4%. The pipeline giant backs its high-yielding dividend with stable cash flows and a strong financial profile. The company has lots of visible growth on the horizon. 10 stocks we like better than Oneok › Oneok (NYSE: OKE) offers investors an attractive dividend yield today. At 5.5%, it's several times above the S&P 500's dividend yield, which is approaching its record low at around 1.2%. While higher-yielding dividend stocks can have higher risk profiles, that's not the case with Oneok's payout. It's on rock-solid ground. That's enabling the pipeline company to give its investors another raise. 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 » Another pay bump Oneok recently declared its latest quarterly dividend payment. The diversified energy midstream company will pay $1.07 per share ($4.28 annualized) on Feb. 13 to investors who hold shares by Feb 2. That's a 4% increase from its prior level. That continues the pipeline company's quarter-century track record of delivering stable to growing dividends for its investors. While Oneok hasn't increased its dividend every year during that period, it has nearly doubled its dividend payment over the past decade. It has a much better track record than its closest peers in the pipeline industry, most of which have reduced their dividend payments at some point over the past 10 years. More dividend increases to come Oneok's current target is to grow its dividend by 3% to 4% each year. That's a very achievable goal, given its financial strength and the visible growth it has coming down the pipeline. The pipeline company's diversified midstream operations generate very stable cash flow as long-term contracts and government-regulated rate structures underpin the bulk of its assets. Additionally, the company has an investment-grade credit rating backed by a conservati...
Key Points Both SPTM and SCHB deliver nearly identical ultra-low costs and broad U.S. stock market exposure. SCHB holds more companies and manages a much larger asset base. Recent returns and yields are matched, and the funds have shown similar maximum drawdowns over five years, too. These 10 stocks could mint the next wave of millionaires › The State Street SPDR Portfolio S&P 1500 Composite Stock...
Key Points Both SPTM and SCHB deliver nearly identical ultra-low costs and broad U.S. stock market exposure. SCHB holds more companies and manages a much larger asset base. Recent returns and yields are matched, and the funds have shown similar maximum drawdowns over five years, too. These 10 stocks could mint the next wave of millionaires › The State Street SPDR Portfolio S&P 1500 Composite Stock Market ETF (NYSEMKT:SPTM) and the Schwab U.S. Broad Market ETF (NYSEMKT:SCHB) both aim to mirror the performance of the broad U.S. stock market for a minimal fee, making each a candidate for a core holding in a diversified portfolio. This comparison examines cost, size, sector tilts, historical returns, and key structural details to help clarify which approach may appeal to investors based on their priorities. Snapshot (cost & size) Metric SPTM SCHB Issuer SPDR Schwab Expense ratio 0.03% 0.03% 1-yr return (as of Jan. 25, 2026) 12.91% 12.80% Dividend yield 1.13% 1.11% Beta (5Y monthly) 1.02 1.05 AUM $12 billion $38 billion Expense ratios for both ETFs are as low as it gets at 0.03%. With dividend yields also nearly identical, neither fund stands out on cost or payout. Investors comparing these two will likely need to focus on other factors, such as size and diversification. Performance & risk comparison Metric SPTM SCHB Max drawdown (5 y) -24.15% -25.40% Growth of $1,000 over 5 years $1,765 $1,700 What's inside SCHB seeks to track the performance of the Dow Jones U.S. Broad Stock Market Index and holds 2,401 stocks, with a portfolio tilt of 33% technology, 13% financial services, and 11% consumer cyclical. Its top holdings are Nvidia, Apple, and Microsoft, and the fund has been operating since 2009 with no notable quirks or overlays. In contrast, SPTM follows the S&P Composite 1500 Index, giving exposure to roughly 1,510 stocks across all market capitalizations. Its top sector allocations are nearly identical to SCHB, and its top three holdings are also Nvidia, Apple, and M...
A row erupted Sunday within Britain’s governing Labour Party after the ambitious mayor of Manchester was prevented from trying to re-enter parliament at a special election in the city in the coming weeks, with critics claiming that Prime Minister Keir Starmer did not want to see a potential rival back in the House of Commons. Andy Burnham, who has been in charge of the Greater Manchester region si...
A row erupted Sunday within Britain’s governing Labour Party after the ambitious mayor of Manchester was prevented from trying to re-enter parliament at a special election in the city in the coming weeks, with critics claiming that Prime Minister Keir Starmer did not want to see a potential rival back in the House of Commons. Andy Burnham, who has been in charge of the Greater Manchester region since 2017, made a request to Labour’s governing committee on Saturday to stand as the party’s candidate in the coming election for the Gorton and Denton constituency, which is expected to take place by the end of February. If he ended up winning that election in a traditionally safe Labour seat, then he would have to stand down from his job as mayor, meaning that there would probably have to be another special election there. Burnham’s mandate ends in May 2028. Advertisement The decision to block Burnham was made by a 10-strong group of Labour’s National Executive Committee (NEC), the body behind the party’s election machinery. Labour said the NEC had decided to deny Burnham permission to stand in order to avoid “an unnecessary election” for Manchester mayor, which “would have a substantial and disproportionate impact on party campaign resources”. Advertisement Labour is widely predicted to suffer a drubbing at a raft of elections in May – Britain’s equivalent of the US midterms. If current opinion polls are any guide, then Labour is expected to lose power in Wales for the first time since the legislature was created in 1999, fall way short of reclaiming power in Scotland and get battered in local elections in England. Since winning July 2024’s general election by a landslide, Labour has seen its poll ratings tank, partly because of a series of policy missteps, which have been directly linked to Starmer’s decision-making.
Preto_perola/iStock via Getty Images Sports betting and prediction market volume is expected to boom in the U.S. as two key NFL playoff games coincide with a massive winter storm that has millions of people stuck inside for the day. Winter Storm Fern is a sprawling system that continues to bring heavy snow, sleet, and destructive ice from the Southwest through the Midwest and into the Northeast, a...
Preto_perola/iStock via Getty Images Sports betting and prediction market volume is expected to boom in the U.S. as two key NFL playoff games coincide with a massive winter storm that has millions of people stuck inside for the day. Winter Storm Fern is a sprawling system that continues to bring heavy snow, sleet, and destructive ice from the Southwest through the Midwest and into the Northeast, affecting over 200 million people across more than 30 states. The storm is causing catastrophic ice in parts of the South and thousands of flight cancellations. The life-threatening cold temperatures and harsh travel conditions have led to widespread local event cancellations and general travel advisories. With a large part of the U.S. population housebound, analysts expected viewership of the NFC and AFC championship games on Sunday for Fox ( FOX ) ( FOXA ) and CBS ( PSKY ) to be very high, even after accounting for some power outages in the southern part of the U.S. The increased focus on the NFL games that determine who will play in Super Bowl 60 is also anticipated to boost sports betting volume and prediction market volume. That could mean incremental revenue for DraftKings ( DKNG ), FanDuel ( FLUT ), BetMGM ( MGM ) ( GMVHF ), Caesars Sportsbook ( CZR ), Kalshi ( KALSHI ), and Polymarket ( POLYMARKET ) if the snow effect forecast holds true. Notably, sports betting volume on NFL games is estimated to be up at a high single-date rate this year, despite the explosion of prediction market platforms. More on the sports betting sector Gaming companies make a last-ditch effort to reverse law taxing 'phantom' winnings The New York City casino race: Meet the operators set to launch in the Big Apple Seeking Alpha’s Quant Rating on Roundhill Sports Betting & iGaming ETF Dividend scorecard for Roundhill Sports Betting & iGaming ETF
Ирина Мещерякова/iStock via Getty Images Overview Calamos Strategic Total Return Fund ( CSQ ) operates as a closed end fund that aims to provide attractive total returns from a blending portfolio of equities and fixed income securities. This blend allows the fund to provide a meaningful level of capital appreciation and a high rate of income generation. When I previously covered CSQ, I issued a bu...
Ирина Мещерякова/iStock via Getty Images Overview Calamos Strategic Total Return Fund ( CSQ ) operates as a closed end fund that aims to provide attractive total returns from a blending portfolio of equities and fixed income securities. This blend allows the fund to provide a meaningful level of capital appreciation and a high rate of income generation. When I previously covered CSQ, I issued a buy rating due to the attractive valuation at the time. Since my last coverage, CSQ has released an updated annual report, which prompted me to revisit the fund's performance and value proposition now that we've crossed into the new year. Looking at the performance over the last twelve months, we can see that CSQ's share price has increased by 4.7%. The fund has demonstrated its ability to partially participate in the positive market momentum of the last few quarters. When including all distributions that were paid out to shareholders, the total return jumps up to 12.3% over the same time frame. CSQ now offers investors a starting dividend yield of 7.6% and issues payouts on a monthly basis. After reviewing the recent reporting, the fund has demonstrated its ability to generate earnings that far exceed the distributions being paid. CSQ continues to be an excellent choice for investors seeking income stability and growth over time. Data by YCharts Despite market indices trading to new all-time highs, CSQ's valuation remains extremely attractive. The fund has delivered healthy NAV growth over the last year, but the price to NAV discount has increased since the time of my last coverage. This can be an indication that there's a price disconnect and long-term investors may take advantage of this weakness by accumulating. However, there are some structural flaws within the fund's portfolio strategy that should be acknowledged. For instance, the fund's net investment income has struggled to remain consistent in this higher interest rate environment, which means that CSQ may not offe...
2024 has been the year of the artificial intelligence (AI) boom. Mega-cap stocks like Nvidia and Broadcom have soared to incredible heights thanks to their exposure to the AI industry. However, the emerging AI sector includes more than just the giant chipmakers; it also includes AI application developers. So, let's dig into one such company, SoundHound AI (NASDAQ: SOUN), to see why it's a name inv...
2024 has been the year of the artificial intelligence (AI) boom. Mega-cap stocks like Nvidia and Broadcom have soared to incredible heights thanks to their exposure to the AI industry. However, the emerging AI sector includes more than just the giant chipmakers; it also includes AI application developers. So, let's dig into one such company, SoundHound AI (NASDAQ: SOUN), to see why it's a name investors need to know ahead of 2025. Where to invest $1,000 right now? Our analyst team just revealed what they believe are the 10 best stocks to buy right now. See the 10 stocks » What does SoundHound AI do? In a nutshell, SoundHound AI is a voice AI company, meaning it develops software that helps humans communicate with AI models. Most people are familiar with how this works. For example, if you've ever asked an Amazon Alexa-enabled device a question, your voice was used to trigger a response from an AI model. However, one thing that sets SoundHound apart is that unlike Amazon's Alexa, Apple's Siri, or other big-tech sponsored devices, SoundHound is a relatively small company focused on just voice AI. That is, SoundHound's AI tools are not linked to specific branded hardware, like an Amazon Echo or Apple iPhone. Instead, SoundHound works with clients to integrate voice-enabled AI features using their own equipment. Accordingly, companies that may be hesitant to share their data and introduce big tech to their operations (and, in turn, their customers) may be more comfortable with a company like SoundHound. What's more, SoundHound is also a leader in the space. It supports 25 languages and can understand many accents within its language library. Finally, the proof is in the pudding. Global brands like Kia, Honda, and Krispy Kreme have adopted SoundHound's technology because of its speed, accuracy, and ability to deliver real-time, humanlike conversation. How are SoundHound AI's financials? Turning to the company's financials, it's important to note that SoundHound is square...
With inflation battering everyone's pocketbooks, $1,000 might not seem like a lot of money anymore. That said, it could still help set the foundations for huge, long-term returns in the stock market if you invest in the right companies at the right time. Let's dig deeper to find out why shares in Rivian Automotive (NASDAQ: RIVN) and Micron Technology (NASDAQ: MU) look like excellent picks in 2026 ...
With inflation battering everyone's pocketbooks, $1,000 might not seem like a lot of money anymore. That said, it could still help set the foundations for huge, long-term returns in the stock market if you invest in the right companies at the right time. Let's dig deeper to find out why shares in Rivian Automotive (NASDAQ: RIVN) and Micron Technology (NASDAQ: MU) look like excellent picks in 2026 and beyond. It's been over three years since OpenAI's ChatGPT introduced the world to generative artificial intelligence (AI). And since then, many technology companies have added billions (if not trillions) to their market caps , making their stocks less appealing to investors searching for a deal. While Micron has also risen in recent months, its valuation remains very attractive considering how much its memory hardware business stands to win. Micron specializes in creating high-performance memory chips. These are vital for the AI boom because large language models (LLMs) are trained on vast amounts of data, which must be stored on these devices. Reuters reports that the massive demand for computer memory has created shortages, allowing producers to raise prices across their product lines. Continue reading
Rivian and Micron look poised for breakthroughs in 2026. With inflation battering everyone's pocketbooks, $1,000 might not seem like a lot of money anymore. That said, it could still help set the foundations for huge, long-term returns in the stock market if you invest in the right companies at the right time. Let's dig deeper to find out why shares in Rivian Automotive (RIVN 2.27%) and Micron Tec...
Rivian and Micron look poised for breakthroughs in 2026. With inflation battering everyone's pocketbooks, $1,000 might not seem like a lot of money anymore. That said, it could still help set the foundations for huge, long-term returns in the stock market if you invest in the right companies at the right time. Let's dig deeper to find out why shares in Rivian Automotive (RIVN 2.27%) and Micron Technology (MU +0.52%) look like excellent picks in 2026 and beyond. Micron Technology It's been over three years since OpenAI's ChatGPT introduced the world to generative artificial intelligence (AI). And since then, many technology companies have added billions (if not trillions) to their market caps, making their stocks less appealing to investors searching for a deal. While Micron has also risen in recent months, its valuation remains very attractive considering how much its memory hardware business stands to win. Micron specializes in creating high-performance memory chips. These are vital for the AI boom because large language models (LLMs) are trained on vast amounts of data, which must be stored on these devices. Reuters reports that the massive demand for computer memory has created shortages, allowing producers to raise prices across their product lines. Micron seems to be benefiting from the favorable industry dynamics. In its fiscal first quarter (which ended in December), revenue jumped 57% year over year to $13.6 billion, driven by strength in the company's cloud-memory unit, where it serves AI data center clients. Margins remain high with the company reporting $8.4 billion in free cash flow from operations. The most attractive thing about Micron might be its valuation. Despite the stellar growth, shares trade for a forward price-to-earnings (P/E) multiple of just 11.5, which is significantly lower than the S&P 500 average of 22. Expand NASDAQ : MU Micron Technology Today's Change ( 0.52 %) $ 2.07 Current Price $ 399.65 Key Data Points Market Cap $450B Day's Rang...
Explore how active management, risk, and diversification set these two tech ETFs apart for investors seeking different strategies. The Roundhill Investments - Generative AI & Technology ETF (CHAT 0.45%) stands out for its higher recent returns, yield, and active focus on artificial intelligence, while the Vanguard Information Technology ETF (VGT +0.10%) offers lower costs, more holdings, and great...
Explore how active management, risk, and diversification set these two tech ETFs apart for investors seeking different strategies. The Roundhill Investments - Generative AI & Technology ETF (CHAT 0.45%) stands out for its higher recent returns, yield, and active focus on artificial intelligence, while the Vanguard Information Technology ETF (VGT +0.10%) offers lower costs, more holdings, and greater assets under management. This comparison looks at how the actively managed Roundhill Investments - Generative AI & Technology ETF (CHAT) which targets companies advancing generative artificial intelligence, stacks up against the passively managed Vanguard Information Technology ETF (VGT), a staple for broad technology sector exposure. Both ETFs provide access to major tech names, but differ significantly in cost, diversification, and risk profile. Snapshot (cost & size) Metric VGT CHAT Issuer Vanguard Roundhill Investments Expense ratio 0.09% 0.75% 1-yr return (as of 2026-01-23) 16.8% 39.4% Dividend yield 0.4% 2.7% Beta 1.29 1.68 AUM $130.7 billion $1.0 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. CHAT charges a considerably higher fee but currently delivers a much larger yield and recent return than VGT, which remains more affordable for long-term holders. Performance & risk comparison Metric VGT CHAT Max drawdown (2 y) (27.23%) (31.35%) What's inside CHAT is built around the theme of generative artificial intelligence, with 52 holdings spanning 85% technology, 9% communication services, and 6% consumer cyclical sectors. Its largest positions include Alphabet (GOOGL 0.73%), NVIDIA (NVDA +1.60%), and Microsoft (MSFT +3.45%), and the fund applies an ESG screen. At 2.7 years old, it is relatively young and actively managed, aiming to capture growth from AI-related innovation. VGT, by contrast, offers a broader technology sector snapshot,...
The son of Iran’s president has called for the internet restrictions in the country to be lifted, saying nothing will be solved by trying to postpone the moment when pictures and video of the protests circulate, which were violently crushed by the regime. With a battle underway at the top of the regime about the political risks of continuing to block Iran from the internet, Yousef Pezeshkian, whos...
The son of Iran’s president has called for the internet restrictions in the country to be lifted, saying nothing will be solved by trying to postpone the moment when pictures and video of the protests circulate, which were violently crushed by the regime. With a battle underway at the top of the regime about the political risks of continuing to block Iran from the internet, Yousef Pezeshkian, whose father, Masoud, was elected in the summer of 2024, said keeping the digital shutdown would create dissatisfaction and widen the gap between the people and the government. “This means those who were not and are not dissatisfied will be added to the list of the dissatisfied,” he wrote in a Telegram post. The release of videos showing the violence of the protests is “something we will have to face sooner or later”, Yousef Pezeshkian added. “Shutting down the internet will not solve anything, we will just postpone the issue.” The sporadic lifting of restrictions is leading to a slow and painful inquest into how many protesters, including children have died. Authorities launched a violent crackdown on protesters under cover of the internet blackout, with rights groups documenting several thousand dead. The Norway-based NGO Iran Human Rights says the final figure could be as high as 25,000. Thousands more are still being detained. Pictures of many of the dead children are appearing on internet sites inside Iran, while the director of Farabi eye hospital in Tehran, Dr Ghasem Fakhraei, said staff at the specialist ophthalmology centre had operated on over 1,000 patients requiring emergency eye surgery since the protests. Hospital wards were overflowing, he said. View image in fullscreen In this photo obtained by the Associated Press, Iranians attend an anti-government protest in Tehran on 9 January. Photograph: AP Molavi Abdolhamid, a prominent Sunni cleric and outspoken Friday prayer leader in Zahedan, south-east Iran, referred to the violent killing of protesters in January as ...
據報張又俠案涉對美洩核機密及收賄 To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video 【有線新聞】美國傳媒報道，中央軍委副主席張又俠涉嫌嚴重違紀違法一案，涉及向美國洩露核機密及收賄。 《華爾街日報》引述知情人士指，解放軍高層周六開...
據報張又俠案涉對美洩核機密及收賄 To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video 【有線新聞】美國傳媒報道，中央軍委副主席張又俠涉嫌嚴重違紀違法一案，涉及向美國洩露核機密及收賄。 《華爾街日報》引述知情人士指，解放軍高層周六開會討論案情，張又俠被指控向美國洩露解放軍核武的核心技術數據，又提到部分證據來自早前受查的中國核工業集團原總經理顧軍。會上另外又提到張又俠涉及在前防長李尚福及其他軍方人員的擢升任命收取鉅額賄賂。 報道又指中央軍委主席習近平指示成立工作組，深入調查張又俠自2007年起出任瀋陽軍區司令員5年期間的行為，工作組已入住瀋陽的酒店，而非住宿軍方設施。當局又沒收了隨同張又俠升遷的軍官的流動設備。
世界轉一圈｜英國劍橋大學新方法培育血液幹細胞 有望用於骨髓移植 To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video 【有線新聞】等待適合骨髓移植並非易事，英國劍橋大學首度在實驗室培育類似胚胎的結構，從中生產近似的造血幹細胞等，相信...
世界轉一圈｜英國劍橋大學新方法培育血液幹細胞 有望用於骨髓移植 To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video 【有線新聞】等待適合骨髓移植並非易事，英國劍橋大學首度在實驗室培育類似胚胎的結構，從中生產近似的造血幹細胞等，相信最終可應用於骨髓移植手術，讓患者用自體細胞治病。 率領今次研究的內烏帕尼指，實驗抽取並複製部分人類幹細胞，創造類近三至四周大胚胎的3D結構，研究人員在顯微鏡觀察其生長情況，到第二日，3D結構已發展成內、中、外三個基本胚胎層，約一周後更產生有心跳的心肌細胞。兩周內團隊發現結構出現紅斑點，意味模型開始模擬產生血液的過程，造血幹細胞可自我繁殖，可進一步分化做紅血球和白血球等細胞。 這次實驗證明這個胚胎模型可模擬自然產生人類造血幹細胞的進程，不用加入額外蛋白質混合物等，亦不需精子和卵子結合而成，由於實驗中最初是以iPS誘導多功能幹細胞建構模型，即意味任何細胞均能創造此胚胎模型。 內烏帕尼指實驗有助研究人類早期血液和免疫系統發展，甚至白血病等血液疾病，推論下一步技術可利用於白血病患者的骨髓移植手術。患者仍健康的細胞透過實驗室加以培育，創造並移值完全相容的造血幹細胞甚至血液，減低排斥風險。
Explore how each ETF's unique market coverage and sector mix could shape your international investing strategy. SPDR Portfolio Developed World ex-US ETF (SPDW +0.71%) and iShares MSCI ACWI ex US ETF (ACWX +0.60%) differ meaningfully on cost, market coverage, and sector mix, with SPDW offering lower fees and higher yield, while ACWX brings broader non-U.S. equity exposure and a somewhat higher tech...
Explore how each ETF's unique market coverage and sector mix could shape your international investing strategy. SPDR Portfolio Developed World ex-US ETF (SPDW +0.71%) and iShares MSCI ACWI ex US ETF (ACWX +0.60%) differ meaningfully on cost, market coverage, and sector mix, with SPDW offering lower fees and higher yield, while ACWX brings broader non-U.S. equity exposure and a somewhat higher technology allocation. SPDW and ACWX are both large international equity ETFs, but they take distinct approaches. SPDW focuses on developed markets outside the United States, while ACWX tracks a broader universe of large- and mid-capitalization non-U.S. equities, making this comparison relevant for investors weighing cost against broader diversification. Snapshot (cost & size) Metric SPDW ACWX Issuer SPDR iShares Expense ratio 0.03% 0.32% 1-yr return (as of 1/9/2026) 37.84% 35.89% Dividend yield 3.3% 2.83% Beta 1.03 1.02 AUM $33.45 billion $7.87 billion SPDW stands out as the more affordable option, with an expense ratio of just 0.03% compared to 0.32% for ACWX. SPDW also currently pays a higher dividend yield, which may appeal to income-focused investors. Performance & risk comparison Metric SPDW ACWX Max drawdown (5 y) -30.23% -30.03% Growth of $1,000 over 5 years $1,304 $1,251 What's inside ACWX holds 1,751 stocks and covers both developed and emerging non-U.S. markets, rebalancing exposure across financial services (25%), technology (15%), and industrials (15%). Its top holdings include Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing (3.9%), ASML (1.53%), and Tencent Holdings (1.4%), with a fund age of 17.8 years. This blend introduces additional technology and emerging market exposure compared to developed-market-only funds, but may also increase sensitivity to global market shifts. Expand NASDAQ : ACWX iShares Trust - iShares Msci Acwi Ex U.s. ETF Today's Change ( 0.60 %) $ 0.42 Current Price $ 70.57 Key Data Points Day's Range $ 69.89 - $ 70.62 52wk Range $ 48.99 - $ 70.62 Volume 2.7...
Key Points Small-caps are already outperforming the S&P 500 by 8% in the early stages of 2026. However, their overall quality is poor and they tend to get volatile at the wrong times. Investors should be cautious about taking a position in the Vanguard Russell 2000 ETF. 10 stocks we like better than Vanguard Russell 2000 ETF › Small-caps have gotten off to a fast start to kick off 2026. The Russel...
Key Points Small-caps are already outperforming the S&P 500 by 8% in the early stages of 2026. However, their overall quality is poor and they tend to get volatile at the wrong times. Investors should be cautious about taking a position in the Vanguard Russell 2000 ETF. 10 stocks we like better than Vanguard Russell 2000 ETF › Small-caps have gotten off to a fast start to kick off 2026. The Russell 2000 index is already beating the S&P 500 by more than 8% year to date (through Jan. 21), and it's strung together more than a dozen straight trading days outperforming the large-cap index. The Russell 2000 hasn't beaten the S&P 500 in a full calendar year since 2020. The Vanguard Russell 2000 ETF's (NASDAQ: VTWO) price-to-earnings ratio of 17.5 indicates that there's a fair amount of value waiting to be unlocked in this segment of the market. Is 2026 the year it finally happens? 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 » What is the Vanguard Russell 2000 ETF? The Vanguard Russell 2000 ETF tracks an index of smaller companies whose market caps fall below those of the large-cap Russell 1000 index. These companies are generally considered to have higher growth potential and lower valuations, but are, in many cases, still unprofitable and potentially more speculative than their more established large-cap counterparts. That's what makes them a unique diversifier, even though they carry the same "U.S. equity" tag. You get better value, the potential for above-average growth with it, and a market composition significantly different from that of the S&P 500. Is the early part of 2026 a signal that the time for small-caps has finally returned? Benefits from improved breadth in the stock market One of the big trends we've seen so far this year is the huge rotation out of tech and into other areas of the market. Cyclicals, including industrials, energy, and...