Critical minerals, and more specifically rare-earth magnets, are taking center stage in the U.S. as policymakers scramble to cut reliance on China, which has become a powerhouse for rare-earth refining and magnet manufacturing. These essential materials are the backbone of defense systems, electric vehicles , renewable energy, and cutting-edge electronics. In response, the U.S. is launching an amb...
Critical minerals, and more specifically rare-earth magnets, are taking center stage in the U.S. as policymakers scramble to cut reliance on China, which has become a powerhouse for rare-earth refining and magnet manufacturing. These essential materials are the backbone of defense systems, electric vehicles , renewable energy, and cutting-edge electronics. In response, the U.S. is launching an ambitious initiative to establish a sovereign "mine-to-magnet" supply chain. One company to watch is USA Rare Earth (NASDAQ: USAR) , which is developing a vertically integrated supply chain from mining to processing and production to ensure domestic magnet availability. Here's what investors should know about USA Rare Earth and the investment opportunity it presents. As trade tensions rise, China has used export controls to limit supplies, making domestic mining and processing of critical minerals a top priority for U.S. policymakers. This is where USA Rare Earth seeks its opportunity. Continue reading
The Federal Reserve and three of the central banks that just backed its embattled chair are poised to keep interest rates unchanged at an edgy moment for global policymakers. Officials in Washington are widely expected to defy US President Donald Trump ’s calls for lower borrowing costs on Wednesday at the end of their two-day meeting. Peers in Brazil, Canada, and Sweden may also retain current se...
The Federal Reserve and three of the central banks that just backed its embattled chair are poised to keep interest rates unchanged at an edgy moment for global policymakers. Officials in Washington are widely expected to defy US President Donald Trump ’s calls for lower borrowing costs on Wednesday at the end of their two-day meeting. Peers in Brazil, Canada, and Sweden may also retain current settings. Those latter three were among more than a dozen, including the Bank of England and European Central Bank , whose chiefs spoke out in “full solidarity” with Chair Jerome Powell , backing independence at a time when the administration in Washington is dialing up the pressure on him and his colleagues. Aside from Trump’s frequent complaints at its unwillingness to slash interest rates, the Fed now faces grand jury subpoenas threatening criminal indictments, while the Supreme Court heard arguments on Wednesday on whether the president can fire Governor Lisa Cook . Read more: Supreme Court Appears Wary of Trump Bid to Fire Fed’s Cook Beyond that melodrama, every central bank is acting against a tense global backdrop, evidenced by the recent market rout in Japan, lingering investor concern over Trump’s designs on Greenland, and his incessant threats of further trade disruption. “We are in a more shock-prone world,” Kristalina Georgieva , head of the International Monetary Fund, said Friday at the closing session of the World Economic Forum in Davos. “We’re not in Kansas any more.” What Bloomberg Economics Says: “We think most FOMC participants can cite data to support holding rates steady at the meeting. That degree of unity would be seen as a vote of support for Powell, who has come under fierce attack from the White House. The most interesting figures to watch are Governors Christopher Waller and Michelle Bowman : If they vote with the majority to hold steady, they’ll be signaling to Trump that they side with Powell — including on Fed independence. We expect Waller to v...
Key Points The 4% rule has you withdrawing 4% of your savings balance your first year of retirement and adjusting future withdrawals for inflation. You need to consider your investment mix and retirement age when determining whether it's the right strategy for you. Also think about whether your spending needs are likely to fluctuate. The $23,760 Social Security bonus most retirees completely overl...
Key Points The 4% rule has you withdrawing 4% of your savings balance your first year of retirement and adjusting future withdrawals for inflation. You need to consider your investment mix and retirement age when determining whether it's the right strategy for you. Also think about whether your spending needs are likely to fluctuate. The $23,760 Social Security bonus most retirees completely overlook › A lot of people work really hard to save money for retirement, but then struggle to actually start spending their savings. And a big reason boils down to a fear of running out. The last thing you want to do is put your IRA or 401(k) at risk of getting depleted. So it's important to implement a smart withdrawal strategy. And you may want to consider the popular 4% rule. Where to invest $1,000 right now? Our analyst team just revealed what they believe are the 10 best stocks to buy right now. Continue » The 4% rule has you withdrawing 4% of your savings balance your first year of retirement, and adjusting future withdrawals to account for inflation. It's a rule a lot of financial experts advocate, but it's not automatically right for you. If you're not sure whether you should follow the 4% rule, ask these three questions to find out. 1. What's my investment mix? The 4% rule assumes that you have a relatively even mix of stocks and bonds in your portfolio. So if you have 50% stocks and 50% bonds, or even 60% bonds and 40% stocks, it generally works. But if you have 80% of your portfolio in bonds and only 20% in stocks, your savings may not generate a high-enough return to support a 4% withdrawal rate. And if you have the opposite allocation -- 80% stocks and 20% bonds -- you may be able to withdraw considerably more than 4% each year. 2. What age am I retiring at? The 4% rule is designed to make your retirement savings last for 30 years. If you're retiring in your 60s, you may find that it's a good rule of thumb to follow. But if you're retiring in your 50s, you may need...
“I’m 70 years old and I’m fucking angry,” the man yelled, as clouds of chemicals hung in the sub-zero air in Minneapolis, capturing the sentiment of a city that has now seen two people killed by federal agents in less than three weeks. Agents shot and killed a 37-year-old US citizen at about 9am on Saturday, with other observers watching and videotaping their actions, in an area called Eat Street,...
“I’m 70 years old and I’m fucking angry,” the man yelled, as clouds of chemicals hung in the sub-zero air in Minneapolis, capturing the sentiment of a city that has now seen two people killed by federal agents in less than three weeks. Agents shot and killed a 37-year-old US citizen at about 9am on Saturday, with other observers watching and videotaping their actions, in an area called Eat Street, a corridor of largely immigrant-owned restaurants and businesses. Live Live Footage appears to show moment Alex Pretti is shot dead by federal agents in Minneapolis – video It is the second killing in the city after 37-year-old Renee Good was shot dead by a federal agent in south Minneapolis on 7 January. The killing on Saturday came after tens of thousands of people in the city participated in an economic blackout and protest march the day before, calling for an end to the ICE occupation and justice for Good. Local leaders have repeatedly called for ICE to leave the state. “ICE OUT” signs are a feature of front lawns, placed into the snowpiles. JD Vance came to Minnesota on Thursday calling for people to turn down the temperature – but placed the blame on local leaders, not on federal forces. Tim Walz, Minnesota’s governor, at a press conference after Saturday’s killing, said: “You ask us for peace, and we give it, and we get shot in the face on the streets coming out of a donut shop.” In a now familiar sequence of events, the federal government placed blame on the person killed before completing an investigation. Donald Trump issued a screed about fraud in the state. Local officials immediately cast doubt on the federal statements, citing videos of the scene, and have insisted local law enforcement need to be involved in an investigation. At the scene, people poured into the street as dozens of federal agents repeatedly shot chemicals into the air and at people who were yelling at them. Some were arrested. “What are you doing?” one woman yelled, captured on a livestream....
President Donald Trump said US military forces used a weapon that he referred to as “the discombobulator” during the US operation in Caracas to remove Venezuelan leader Nicolas Maduro from power earlier this month. “The discombobulator. I’m not allowed to talk about it,” Trump said in an interview with the New York Post. He said the weapon made enemy equipment “not work”. Advertisement “They never...
President Donald Trump said US military forces used a weapon that he referred to as “the discombobulator” during the US operation in Caracas to remove Venezuelan leader Nicolas Maduro from power earlier this month. “The discombobulator. I’m not allowed to talk about it,” Trump said in an interview with the New York Post. He said the weapon made enemy equipment “not work”. Advertisement “They never got their rockets off,” Trump said, according to New York Post. “They had Russian and Chinese rockets, and they never got one off. We came in, they pressed buttons and nothing worked. They were all set for us.” Advertisement The White House did not immediately respond to a request for additional information about the weapon.
Key Points Coca-Cola is one of the most stable businesses around, making it a safe investment. The strong brand supports pricing power, high profits, and a rising dividend. The beverage giant’s shares have underperformed the S&P 500 in the past three years. 10 stocks we like better than Coca-Cola › It's impossible to overstate just how much Coca-Cola (NYSE: KO) dominates the worldwide market for s...
Key Points Coca-Cola is one of the most stable businesses around, making it a safe investment. The strong brand supports pricing power, high profits, and a rising dividend. The beverage giant’s shares have underperformed the S&P 500 in the past three years. 10 stocks we like better than Coca-Cola › It's impossible to overstate just how much Coca-Cola (NYSE: KO) dominates the worldwide market for soft drinks. It sells more than 200 different beverage varieties. Its products are available in over 200 countries and territories. And a whopping 2.2 billion servings of its drinks are consumed every single day. This is a giant in the industry. That's an indication of the strength of the company. Buy where will this beverage stock be in three years? Where to invest $1,000 right now? Our analyst team just revealed what they believe are the 10 best stocks to buy right now. Continue » Expect the business to keep up its steady gains Coca-Cola operates in the boring and mature world of soft drinks. Therefore, its business isn't undergoing rapid and unpredictable change. It's a steady performer that can add stability to investment portfolios. Three years from now, the company will look almost identical to the way it does today. The best part is that shareholders don't need to concern themselves with economic growth, interest rates, or geopolitical tensions. Demand for Coca-Cola products is durable. Wall Street consensus analyst estimates call for revenue to increase at a compound annual growth rate of 3.8% between 2024 and 2027. This is a reasonable outlook, in my opinion. And it's probably the pace that Coca-Cola will grow over the long term. The company's brand strength will shine The key to Coca-Cola's enduring success is its brand, which supports its economic moat. This is perhaps Warren Buffett's favorite quality, as he built up Berkshire Hathaway's portfolio to own numerous businesses with strong brands, including the beverage giant. Thanks to consistent product quality, gl...
This biopharma firm targets rare diseases with both approved therapies and a pipeline of clinical-stage treatments. What happened According to a Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) filing dated January 20, 2026, Palisades Investment Partners, LLC reported initiating a new position in Travere Therapeutics (TVTX 0.97%). The fund acquired 137,768 shares, with the estimated value of the trade at ...
This biopharma firm targets rare diseases with both approved therapies and a pipeline of clinical-stage treatments. What happened According to a Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) filing dated January 20, 2026, Palisades Investment Partners, LLC reported initiating a new position in Travere Therapeutics (TVTX 0.97%). The fund acquired 137,768 shares, with the estimated value of the trade at $5.26 million based on the quarterly average share price. The new stake’s quarter-end value also totaled $5.26 million, reflecting the company’s share price at period close. What else to know This new position accounts for 1.99% of Palisades Investment Partners’ $264.72 million in reportable U.S. equity assets as of December 31, 2025 Top five holdings after the filing: NASDAQ: STRL: $29.86 million (11.3% of AUM) NYSE: SPXC: $23.04 million (8.7% of AUM) NASDAQ: WGS: $11.34 million (4.3% of AUM) NASDAQ: KRYS: $10.54 million (4.0% of AUM) NASDAQ: MMYT: $9.80 million (3.7% of AUM) As of January 19, 2026, Travere Therapeutics shares were priced at $27.87, up 50.89% over the past year and outperforming the S&P 500 by 34.01 percentage points. Company overview Metric Value Price (as of market close January 16, 2026) $27.87 Market Cap $2.46 billion Revenue (TTM) $435.83 million Net Income (TTM) ($88.54 million) Company snapshot Travere Therapeutics generates revenue from commercialized rare disease therapies, including Chenodal, Cholbam, and Thiola/Thiola EC, with additional pipeline assets such as Sparsentan and TVT-058 in clinical development. The company operates a biopharmaceutical business model, focusing on the identification, development, and commercialization of treatments for rare and specialty diseases, leveraging proprietary research and strategic collaborations. Travere Therapeutics serves patients with rare metabolic and renal disorders, targeting high-need indications through partnerships with advocacy organizations and research institutions. Travere Therapeutics, Inc....
The semiconductor manufacturer just reported stellar fourth-quarter results. Will 2026 be another incredible year for artificial intelligence (AI)? So far, signals are all saying yes. The hyperscalers are planning to spend even more money than they did last year to build out their platforms, to the tune of hundreds of millions of dollars. And while there may be one winner crowned from all the buil...
The semiconductor manufacturer just reported stellar fourth-quarter results. Will 2026 be another incredible year for artificial intelligence (AI)? So far, signals are all saying yes. The hyperscalers are planning to spend even more money than they did last year to build out their platforms, to the tune of hundreds of millions of dollars. And while there may be one winner crowned from all the builders, there's (at least) one company that benefits from all of them: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing (TSM +2.29%). Here are three reasons to buy TSMC stock right now. 1. TSMC is reporting strong growth TSMC reported 2025 fourth-quarter earnings last week, and it demonstrated continued strength. Here's how sales have increased year over year in the past four quarters: Metric Q1 '25 Q2 '25 Q3 '25 Q4 '25 Sales growth (YoY) 35% 44% 41% 26% 2025 sales for the full year increased 36%, and management is guiding for sales to rise another 30% in 2026. It's aiming for a compound annual growth rate of 25% through 2029, which is serious growth, especially for a company that's already as large as TSMC. It had $122 billion in 2025 revenue. 2. TSMC is highly profitable TSMC is a capital-intensive business, since it plows money into its foundry plants that manufacture physical semiconductors. Despite that, it's incredibly profitable, with high sales volume and a disciplined cost structure. In the fourth quarter, gross margin expanded from 59% in 2024 to 62.3% in 2025, and operating margin expanded from 49% to 54%. Management is guiding for gross margin to reach 63% to 64% in the 2026 first quarter and to stay above 56% long term, and for operating margin to be between 54% and 56% in the first quarter. Expand NYSE : TSM Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Today's Change ( 2.29 %) $ 7.50 Current Price $ 334.87 Key Data Points Market Cap $1.7T Day's Range $ 331.37 - $ 337.15 52wk Range $ 134.25 - $ 351.33 Volume 13M Avg Vol 13M Gross Margin 59.02 % Dividend Yield 0.92 % 3. TSMC benefits fro...
The semiconductor manufacturer just reported stellar fourth-quarter results. Will 2026 be another incredible year for artificial intelligence (AI)? So far, signals are all saying yes. The hyperscalers are planning to spend even more money than they did last year to build out their platforms, to the tune of hundreds of millions of dollars. And while there may be one winner crowned from all the buil...
The semiconductor manufacturer just reported stellar fourth-quarter results. Will 2026 be another incredible year for artificial intelligence (AI)? So far, signals are all saying yes. The hyperscalers are planning to spend even more money than they did last year to build out their platforms, to the tune of hundreds of millions of dollars. And while there may be one winner crowned from all the builders, there's (at least) one company that benefits from all of them: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing (TSM +2.29%). Here are three reasons to buy TSMC stock right now. 1. TSMC is reporting strong growth TSMC reported 2025 fourth-quarter earnings last week, and it demonstrated continued strength. Here's how sales have increased year over year in the past four quarters: Metric Q1 '25 Q2 '25 Q3 '25 Q4 '25 Sales growth (YoY) 35% 44% 41% 26% 2025 sales for the full year increased 36%, and management is guiding for sales to rise another 30% in 2026. It's aiming for a compound annual growth rate of 25% through 2029, which is serious growth, especially for a company that's already as large as TSMC. It had $122 billion in 2025 revenue. 2. TSMC is highly profitable TSMC is a capital-intensive business, since it plows money into its foundry plants that manufacture physical semiconductors. Despite that, it's incredibly profitable, with high sales volume and a disciplined cost structure. In the fourth quarter, gross margin expanded from 59% in 2024 to 62.3% in 2025, and operating margin expanded from 49% to 54%. Management is guiding for gross margin to reach 63% to 64% in the 2026 first quarter and to stay above 56% long term, and for operating margin to be between 54% and 56% in the first quarter. Expand NYSE : TSM Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Today's Change ( 2.29 %) $ 7.50 Current Price $ 334.87 Key Data Points Market Cap $1.7T Day's Range $ 331.37 - $ 337.15 52wk Range $ 134.25 - $ 351.33 Volume 13M Avg Vol 13M Gross Margin 59.02 % Dividend Yield 0.92 % 3. TSMC benefits fro...
Key Points SPDW has a slightly lower expense ratio and higher dividend yield than VWO. VWO tilts toward emerging markets and technology, while SPDW focuses on developed markets with a financials and industrials lean. These 10 stocks could mint the next wave of millionaires › Both the Vanguard FTSE Emerging Markets ETF (NYSEMKT:VWO) and SPDR Portfolio Developed World ex-US ETF (NYSEMKT:SPDW) are br...
Key Points SPDW has a slightly lower expense ratio and higher dividend yield than VWO. VWO tilts toward emerging markets and technology, while SPDW focuses on developed markets with a financials and industrials lean. These 10 stocks could mint the next wave of millionaires › Both the Vanguard FTSE Emerging Markets ETF (NYSEMKT:VWO) and SPDR Portfolio Developed World ex-US ETF (NYSEMKT:SPDW) are broad international equity ETFs, but their focus differs by continent. This comparison explores fees, returns, risk, and portfolio makeup to help investors decide which best suits their goals. Snapshot (cost & size) Metric VWO SPDW Issuer Vanguard SPDR Expense ratio 0.07% 0.03% 1-yr return (as of Jan. 24, 2026) 28.53% 35.3% Dividend yield 2.64% 3.2% Beta 0.56 0.82 AUM $111.14 billion $35.1 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. SPDW offers a lower expense ratio while maintaining a higher dividend yield and one-year return, giving it some advantages over VWO. Performance & risk comparison Metric VWO SPDW Max drawdown (5 y) -34.31% -30.20% Growth of $1,000 over 5 years $1,069 $1,321 What's inside The SPDR Portfolio Developed World ex-US ETF offers exposure to 2,413 companies across developed international markets, with financial services, industrials, and technology as its largest sectors. Its top holdings are Roche Holding AG (SIX:ROG.SW), Novartis AG (SIX:NOVN.SW), and Toyota Motor Corp (7203.T), each representing less than 2% of assets, which helps limit single-company risk. By contrast, VWO tilts toward emerging markets, with substantial stakes in technology, financial services, and consumer cyclical sectors. Its largest positions are Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company Ltd. (2330.TW), Tencent Holdings Ltd. (0700.HK), and Alibaba Group Holding Ltd. (9988.HK), with Taiwan Semiconductor alone making up over 10% of assets. This ...
Newsom Announces California Will Remain In WHO Despite US Withdrawal California Democratic Gov. Gavin Newsom announced Friday that the Golden State will remain a part of the World Health Organization's network , even though the Trump administration just completed the United States' withdrawal from the WHO. “The Trump administration’s withdrawal from WHO is a reckless decision that will hurt all Ca...
Newsom Announces California Will Remain In WHO Despite US Withdrawal California Democratic Gov. Gavin Newsom announced Friday that the Golden State will remain a part of the World Health Organization's network , even though the Trump administration just completed the United States' withdrawal from the WHO. “The Trump administration’s withdrawal from WHO is a reckless decision that will hurt all Californians and Americans,” Newsom wrote. “California will not bear witness to the chaos this decision will bring. We will continue to foster partnerships across the globe and remain at the forefront of public health preparedness, including through our membership as the only state in WHO’s Global Outbreak Alert and Response Network.” As Jacki Thrapp reports for The Epoch Times, Newsom, who confirmed in October that he’s considering a 2028 presidential bid, revealed the new collaboration after meeting with WHO Director-General Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus at the World Economic Forum in Switzerland. Newsom’s decision goes against the Trump administration’s approach to the agency, which is managed by the United Nations. Trump, a critic of the WHO’s pandemic responses, has wanted the United States to exit the WHO ever since his first term. His administration formally made the split on Thursday. “This action responds to the WHO’s failures during the COVID-19 pandemic and seeks to rectify the harm from those failures inflicted on the American people,” said Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Health and Human Services Secretary Robert Kennedy Jr in a joint statement Jan. 22. The Trump administration said the agency “abandoned its core mission and acted repeatedly against the interests of the United States,” even though America was a founding member and the largest financial contributor. All U.S. funding of WHO has ended, amounting to about $111 million in annual “mandatory dues” and $570 million in “voluntary contributions,” according to the Department of Health and Human Services...
積金易｜停用電子身份認證註冊 轉用「智方便」 To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video 【有線新聞】積金局宣布「積金易」平台停用電子身份認證註冊，為進一步加強保安轉用「智方便」註冊。 積金局表示，早前有不法分子利用仿真度...
積金易｜停用電子身份認證註冊 轉用「智方便」 To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video 【有線新聞】積金局宣布「積金易」平台停用電子身份認證註冊，為進一步加強保安轉用「智方便」註冊。 積金局表示，早前有不法分子利用仿真度高的偽造智能身份證冒充計劃成員，以電子身份認證註冊「積金易」。經全面考慮後，決定停用電子身份認證方式。局方說已註冊成員中有八成用「智方便」，「智方便」已引入最新的加強認證措施，保障用戶的私隱和利益。如果有用戶未能使用「智方便」，下月2日可到「積金易」服務中心註冊。
指控北約軍隊避阿富汗戰爭前線惹議 特朗普改口讚參戰英軍是戰士 To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video 【有線新聞】美國總統特朗普指控北約軍隊在阿富汗戰爭避開前線的言論引起風波，他再發文讚揚參戰英軍是戰士。 特朗普發帖文...
指控北約軍隊避阿富汗戰爭前線惹議 特朗普改口讚參戰英軍是戰士 To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video 【有線新聞】美國總統特朗普指控北約軍隊在阿富汗戰爭避開前線的言論引起風波，他再發文讚揚參戰英軍是戰士。 特朗普發帖文讚揚英軍士兵偉大且英勇，457名在阿富汗陣亡的英軍士兵是戰士，兩國紐帶牢不可破，除美軍外，英軍的勇氣和精神無人能及。英國首相府透露首相施紀賢跟特朗普通過電話，表明兩國士兵在阿富汗並肩作戰，絕不能忘記他們的犧牲。施紀賢前一日批評特朗普的言論侮辱，意大利及法國亦稱不能接受。
Key Points Netflix stock dropped about 4% on Wednesday after the company released Q4 earnings. Investors seemed most concerned about the outlook for 2026. Is this short-term noise, or are there longer-term concerns about Netflix stock? 10 stocks we like better than Netflix › Netflix (NASDAQ: NFLX) stock was down as much as 7% in pre-market trading and off roughly 4% on Wednesday to around $83.40 p...
Key Points Netflix stock dropped about 4% on Wednesday after the company released Q4 earnings. Investors seemed most concerned about the outlook for 2026. Is this short-term noise, or are there longer-term concerns about Netflix stock? 10 stocks we like better than Netflix › Netflix (NASDAQ: NFLX) stock was down as much as 7% in pre-market trading and off roughly 4% on Wednesday to around $83.40 per share -- a 52-week low. The catalyst is the streamer's fourth-quarter earnings report, which many investors found disappointing. The Q4 results themselves were solid and beat analysts' estimates. Netflix posted revenue of $12.05 billion -- up about 18% year over year. It topped estimates of $11.97 billion. Net income climbed 29% year over year to $2.4 billion, or $0.56 per share. This topped estimates of $0.55 per share. Where to invest $1,000 right now? Our analyst team just revealed what they believe are the 10 best stocks to buy right now. Continue » This concern was the outlook for 2026, which calls for revenue of $50.7 billion to $51.7 billion, or annual growth of 12% to 14%. That would be below the 16% revenue growth rate in 2025. There were also some concerns about subscriber growth. While subscribers grew 8% in 2025 to 325 million, the rate was below each of the past two years. With an expected doubling of ad revenue in 2026, many investors likely translated that to lower growth in memberships, given the lukewarm revenue projections. Warner Bros. deal: The reviews are in Another factor hanging over investors is the pending deal to buy Warner Bros. assets from Warner Bros. Discovery (NASDAQ: WBD). Netflix recently upped its offer to an all-cash deal for $27.75 per share. The total value, including taking on some Warner Bros. debt, is about $82.7 billion. Many investors are concerned about this potential acquisition. Since it was first announced in early December, Netflix stock has dropped about 23%. There are worries that Netflix is overpaying for Warner Bros., wi...
It's not a given that it's the best withdrawal strategy for your situation. A lot of people work really hard to save money for retirement, but then struggle to actually start spending their savings. And a big reason boils down to a fear of running out. The last thing you want to do is put your IRA or 401(k) at risk of getting depleted. So it's important to implement a smart withdrawal strategy. An...
It's not a given that it's the best withdrawal strategy for your situation. A lot of people work really hard to save money for retirement, but then struggle to actually start spending their savings. And a big reason boils down to a fear of running out. The last thing you want to do is put your IRA or 401(k) at risk of getting depleted. So it's important to implement a smart withdrawal strategy. And you may want to consider the popular 4% rule. The 4% rule has you withdrawing 4% of your savings balance your first year of retirement, and adjusting future withdrawals to account for inflation. It's a rule a lot of financial experts advocate, but it's not automatically right for you. If you're not sure whether you should follow the 4% rule, ask these three questions to find out. 1. What's my investment mix? The 4% rule assumes that you have a relatively even mix of stocks and bonds in your portfolio. So if you have 50% stocks and 50% bonds, or even 60% bonds and 40% stocks, it generally works. But if you have 80% of your portfolio in bonds and only 20% in stocks, your savings may not generate a high-enough return to support a 4% withdrawal rate. And if you have the opposite allocation -- 80% stocks and 20% bonds -- you may be able to withdraw considerably more than 4% each year. 2. What age am I retiring at? The 4% rule is designed to make your retirement savings last for 30 years. If you're retiring in your 60s, you may find that it's a good rule of thumb to follow. But if you're retiring in your 50s, you may need your nest egg to last more than 30 years. And if you're not retiring until well into your 70s, you may not need 30 years out of your savings. 3. Do I anticipate big spending early on in retirement? The 4% rule assumes relatively even spending during retirement. But that may not align with your plans. You may be anticipating higher levels of spending early on in retirement -- say, some international travel or more money allocated to hobbies. If that's the case,...
Meta Platforms Inc., the dominant force in the fast-growing smart glasses market, is facing a sweeping patent infringement lawsuit that could threaten one of its most successful hardware ventures. The case, filed Friday in federal court in Massachusetts, also names the U.S. arm of eyewear titan EssilorLuxottica SA and its Oakley subsidiary. At stake: technology that Solos Technology Ltd. says lies...
Meta Platforms Inc., the dominant force in the fast-growing smart glasses market, is facing a sweeping patent infringement lawsuit that could threaten one of its most successful hardware ventures. The case, filed Friday in federal court in Massachusetts, also names the U.S. arm of eyewear titan EssilorLuxottica SA and its Oakley subsidiary. At stake: technology that Solos Technology Ltd. says lies at the heart of modern smart eyewear. Billions at Stake and a Possible Sales Freeze Solos alleges that Meta and its partners willfully infringed multiple patents covering what it calls “core technologies in the field of smart eyewear.” Signup for the USA Herald exclusive Newsletter First Name Email Address: Leave this field empty if you're human: The lawsuit seeks damages totaling “multiple billions of dollars” and asks the court for an injunction that could disrupt sales of Ray-Ban Meta smart glasses — a product line that has become a centerpiece of Meta’s push beyond social media. Meta and EssilorLuxottica did not immediately respond to requests for comment. Patent Wars Heat Up in Wearable Tech The Meta EssilorLuxottica patent lawsuit arrives as legal battles are increasingly shaping the smart glasses sector. Earlier this month, Chinese brand Xreal filed a U.S. patent infringement suit against rival Viture. Meta is also defending itself in a separate case involving the muscle-signal technology behind its Neural Band, a controller used with Ray-Ban Display glasses. As demand for augmented and AI-powered eyewear grows, so too does the competition — and the courtroom drama that follows.
There aren't many companies that have the global reach that Coca-Cola does. It's impossible to overstate just how much Coca-Cola (KO +1.41%) dominates the worldwide market for soft drinks. It sells more than 200 different beverage varieties. Its products are available in over 200 countries and territories. And a whopping 2.2 billion servings of its drinks are consumed every single day. This is a g...
There aren't many companies that have the global reach that Coca-Cola does. It's impossible to overstate just how much Coca-Cola (KO +1.41%) dominates the worldwide market for soft drinks. It sells more than 200 different beverage varieties. Its products are available in over 200 countries and territories. And a whopping 2.2 billion servings of its drinks are consumed every single day. This is a giant in the industry. That's an indication of the strength of the company. Buy where will this beverage stock be in three years? Expect the business to keep up its steady gains Coca-Cola operates in the boring and mature world of soft drinks. Therefore, its business isn't undergoing rapid and unpredictable change. It's a steady performer that can add stability to investment portfolios. Three years from now, the company will look almost identical to the way it does today. The best part is that shareholders don't need to concern themselves with economic growth, interest rates, or geopolitical tensions. Demand for Coca-Cola products is durable. Wall Street consensus analyst estimates call for revenue to increase at a compound annual growth rate of 3.8% between 2024 and 2027. This is a reasonable outlook, in my opinion. And it's probably the pace that Coca-Cola will grow over the long term. The company's brand strength will shine The key to Coca-Cola's enduring success is its brand, which supports its economic moat. This is perhaps Warren Buffett's favorite quality, as he built up Berkshire Hathaway's portfolio to own numerous businesses with strong brands, including the beverage giant. Thanks to consistent product quality, global distribution, and effective marketing, Coca-Cola's brand dominates the market. And it drives pricing power. The business isn't selling markedly higher unit volumes over time. However, it can charge higher prices that don't curb demand. This leads to tremendous profits. Coca-Cola reported a stellar net profit margin of 30% in Q3 (ended Sept. 26). Capit...
HONG KONG — The United States and Taiwan reached a trade deal last Thursday that cuts tariffs on Taiwanese goods in exchange for $250 billion in new investments in the U.S. tech industry. The deal is the latest President Donald Trump has struck — such as those with the European Union and Japan — since he unveiled a sweeping tariff plan last April to address trade imbalances. Trump also has a one-y...
HONG KONG — The United States and Taiwan reached a trade deal last Thursday that cuts tariffs on Taiwanese goods in exchange for $250 billion in new investments in the U.S. tech industry. The deal is the latest President Donald Trump has struck — such as those with the European Union and Japan — since he unveiled a sweeping tariff plan last April to address trade imbalances. Trump also has a one-year trade truce with China to stabilize ties with the world’s second-largest economy. Trump initially set the tariff at 32% on Taiwanese goods but later changed it to 20%. The new agreement cuts the tariff rate to 15%, the same as levied on other U.S. trading partners in the Asia-Pacific region, such as Japan and South Korea. In a statement, the U.S. Department of Commerce said the deal with Taiwan would establish an “economic partnership” to create several “world-class” U.S.-based industrial parks to help build up domestic production. The department described it as “a historic trade deal that will drive a massive reshoring of America’s semiconductor sector.” The Taiwanese government affirmed key details in the deal in a statement, saying the “Taiwan model” will go to the U.S. and help expand the global competitiveness of the island’s technology industry while deepening strategic cooperation between the two nations. Taiwan’s executive branch said the island’s companies would specifically invest $250 billion in industries such as semiconductors, artificial intelligence applications and energy. In addition to cutting the tariffs on the island nation, the Commerce Department said it will exempt certain imports such as generic pharmaceuticals and aircraft components from Taiwan. One day before the deal was announced, Beijing, which claims Taiwan to be part of China, scoffed at it, calling the agreement “an economic plunder” by the U.S. on Taiwan. The deal came just when Taiwan-based TSMC, the world’s largest computer chipmaker, last Thursday announced plans to increase its capi...