Douglas Rissing/iStock via Getty Images This article provides an updated outlook on the iShares 7-10 Year Treasury Bond ETF (NASDAQ: IEF ) , which I covered on numerous occasions last year. It's an unusual time for U.S. Treasuries, where market psychology and narrative seem to dominate analysis. This provides a perfect opportunity to identify value, which is exactly what I aimed to do with this an...
Douglas Rissing/iStock via Getty Images This article provides an updated outlook on the iShares 7-10 Year Treasury Bond ETF (NASDAQ: IEF ) , which I covered on numerous occasions last year. It's an unusual time for U.S. Treasuries, where market psychology and narrative seem to dominate analysis. This provides a perfect opportunity to identify value, which is exactly what I aimed to do with this analysis. Last time around, I communicated a positive outlook on IEF, citing its lucrative risk premium . Upon review, I have decided to stick with my outlook; here's why. Fig. 1 - Analyst's IEF Rating History (Seeking Alpha) IEF's Recent Performance and Portfolio Review The iShares 7-10 Year Treasury Bond ETF has delivered 8.06% in total return over the past year, largely driven by downward leveling of the U.S. Treasury yield curve and elevated distribution yields. The vehicle maintains an expense ratio of 0.15%, a monthly income-based distribution structure, and possesses a 30-day SEC yield of 3.97%. In addition, IEF ETF's current weighted average maturity stands at 8.46 years, effective duration 6.96 years, and convexity 58 basis points, illustrating exposure to the belly of the curve with mild secondary-affect gain prospects. In terms of its total risk premium, IEF has a weighted average yield-to-maturity of 4.14%. Fig. 2 (iShares) Statistical Analysis I tested a butterfly spread this morning (long 2-year yield, long 20-year yield, short 10-year yield), resembling equal long positions in the 2- and 10-year yields and a short position in the 10-year yield. The butterfly isn't a trade set-up, as it ignores duration-adjusted position sizing and convexity biases. Instead, it provides a sense of which parts of the curve are statistically rich or cheap. Based on my test, the butterfly has a spread of negative 3.1%, suggesting the belly of the curve (10Y) provides a superior premium to a combination of the 2-year and 20-year. Fig. 3 - 52-week rolling regression - Click On Image ...
French Finance Minister Roland Lescure shrugged off concerns about the yen and said it’s better to let the markets do their job when it comes to foreign exchange currencies. Lescure also urged counterparts to refrain from ‘unilateral measures’ after he chaired a virtual meeting of G-7 finance Ministers on Tuesday. After months of domestic political uncertainty, Lescure expressed relief that France...
French Finance Minister Roland Lescure shrugged off concerns about the yen and said it’s better to let the markets do their job when it comes to foreign exchange currencies. Lescure also urged counterparts to refrain from ‘unilateral measures’ after he chaired a virtual meeting of G-7 finance Ministers on Tuesday. After months of domestic political uncertainty, Lescure expressed relief that France managed to pass a 2026 budget. (Source: Bloomberg)
The company's EVs are profitable and command a formidable market presence with a value "kicker" potentially coming from robotaxis and unsupervised full-self driving; its rivals are not in the same position. There's no question that the electric vehicle (EV) market has become more competitive for Tesla (TSLA 0.99%). At the same time, the company's long-term competitive position is strengthening, an...
The company's EVs are profitable and command a formidable market presence with a value "kicker" potentially coming from robotaxis and unsupervised full-self driving; its rivals are not in the same position. There's no question that the electric vehicle (EV) market has become more competitive for Tesla (TSLA 0.99%). At the same time, the company's long-term competitive position is strengthening, and it's well positioned to win the EV market. Tesla is already winning First, much has been made of Tesla's declining EV deliveries in 2025, and the reality is that they fell by 8.6% compared to 2024. But here's the thing. Tesla's deliveries were negatively affected by the Model Y refresh (the best-selling EV in the U.S., with the Model S second). Expand NASDAQ : TSLA Tesla Today's Change ( -0.99 %) $ -4.32 Current Price $ 430.88 Key Data Points Market Cap $1.4T Day's Range $ 430.69 - $ 437.48 52wk Range $ 214.25 - $ 498.83 Volume 1.1M Avg Vol 75M Gross Margin 17.01 % The Kelley Blue Book Electric Vehicle Sales report's estimates of U.S. EV sales show a decline in the Model Y's market share in the back half of 2024 and the start of 2025, but a quick rebound in the second quarter when the new Model Y became available. In addition, note the massive increase in Tesla's and the Model Y's market share in the fourth quarter after the expiry of EV Federal tax credits. Simply put, Tesla was relatively less impacted than its low-cost EV rivals. An improving competitive landscape Speaking of low-cost rivals, there's a difference between a low-cost EV model and one that's effectively being subsidized to gain EV market share. The latter is not sustainable. A good example comes from Ford Motor Company (F +3.65%), whose Model e segment lost $3.6 billion in the first nine months of 2025 and took a $19.5 billion charge as it refocused its EV operations. In contrast, Tesla remains profitable and has the scale to grow production, and in doing so, reduce its cost per car. The third reason come...
Several Federal Reserve officials (including Chair Jerome Powell) have recently commented on the stock market's elevated valuation. The S&P 500 (^GSPC +0.41%) has added 1.5% year to date, and the benchmark index currently sits within half a percentage point of its all-time high. However, several Federal Reserve officials (including Chair Jerome Powell) have warned investors that stock prices are e...
Several Federal Reserve officials (including Chair Jerome Powell) have recently commented on the stock market's elevated valuation. The S&P 500 (^GSPC +0.41%) has added 1.5% year to date, and the benchmark index currently sits within half a percentage point of its all-time high. However, several Federal Reserve officials (including Chair Jerome Powell) have warned investors that stock prices are elevated by historical standards. Wall Street anticipates double-digit gains in the S&P 500 in the remaining months of 2026, but a stock market drawdown (or even a crash) is well within the realm of possibility. Here's what investors should know. Fed Chair Jerome Powell warned investors that stocks are expensive While Federal Reserve officials monitor the stock market, their monetary policy decisions do not target specific prices for any financial asset. Nevertheless, Fed Chairman Jerome Powell warned in September, "By many measures... equity prices are fairly highly valued." Other policymakers have expressed similar concerns. Minutes from the FOMC meeting in October stated, "Some participants commented on stretched asset valuations in financial markets, with several of these participants highlighting the possibility of a disorderly fall in equity prices." Additionally, the latest version of the Federal Reserve's semiannual financial stability report was published in November. It warned that the S&P 500's forward price-to-earnings (P/E) ratio was "close to the upper end of its historical range." The S&P 500 sounds an alarm seen just twice in the last 40 years Today, the S&P 500 has a forward P/E ratio of 22.1, a premium to the 10-year average of 18.8, according to FactSet Research. Comparatively, the index had a forward P/E ratio of 22.5 when Powell remarked about equity prices being "fairly highly valued" in September. Apart from the current bull market, the S&P 500 has only sustained a forward P/E multiple above 22 during two periods in the last four decades: the dot-com b...
Hong Kong ’s Exchange Fund reported a record investment gain of HK$331 billion ($42.4 billion) in 2025, helped by rising global markets. The fund delivered an investment gain of 8%, according to the Hong Kong Monetary Authority . Hong Kong stock holdings and overseas equities posted a HK$108 billion increase. It earned HK$142 billion from bonds, HK$38 billion from foreign exchange and HK$42.4 bill...
Hong Kong ’s Exchange Fund reported a record investment gain of HK$331 billion ($42.4 billion) in 2025, helped by rising global markets. The fund delivered an investment gain of 8%, according to the Hong Kong Monetary Authority . Hong Kong stock holdings and overseas equities posted a HK$108 billion increase. It earned HK$142 billion from bonds, HK$38 billion from foreign exchange and HK$42.4 billion on other investments. HKMA Chief Executive Eddie Yue said there’s no guarantee the performance will be sustained this year. “Looking ahead to 2026, factors such as global economic conditions, monetary policies of major central banks, developments in artificial intelligence, and geopolitical conflicts could affect the performance of financial markets,” he said. The HK$4.1 trillion fund serves as the last line of defense for the regime that pegs the local currency to the US dollar. In recent years, the fund has been diversifying away from US dollar-denominated assets and reduced the duration of Treasury holdings to guard against increased volatility. The US dollar this week slid to the lowest level in almost four years against a basket of major currencies as investors recalibrated their US holdings amid rising geopolitical risks. A drop in the US currency will also weaken the Hong Kong dollar, impacting the price of imports as well as the active cross-border consumption with neighboring China.
Tesla, Inc. (TSLA) shares closed at $430.90, down $4.30 or 0.99%, as investors weighed ahead of the Q4 earning report. Tesla is set to report its fourth-quarter earnings, and the results are expected to be a pivotal moment for the Tesla stock as investors weigh near-term financial pressure against the company’s long-term technology vision. While vehicle deliveries have already been disclosed, the ...
Tesla, Inc. (TSLA) shares closed at $430.90, down $4.30 or 0.99%, as investors weighed ahead of the Q4 earning report. Tesla is set to report its fourth-quarter earnings, and the results are expected to be a pivotal moment for the Tesla stock as investors weigh near-term financial pressure against the company’s long-term technology vision. While vehicle deliveries have already been disclosed, the earnings report will dig deeper into profitability, regional demand trends, and whether Tesla’s AI-led narrative is gaining tangible traction. Revenue Outlook: Price Cuts Take Their Toll At the top line, revenue is expected to come in at around $24.8 billion, reflecting a slight year-over-year contraction. The decline is largely attributed to aggressive price reductions rolled out across major markets during 2025. These cuts helped Tesla defend volumes in a cooling EV market but diluted average selling prices, making revenue growth harder to achieve despite solid delivery numbers. EPS Expectations: A Narrow Margin for Error Wall Street is forecasting non-GAAP EPS between $0.44 and $0.45, setting up a tight range that leaves little room for disappointment. Given Tesla’s history of volatile post-earnings moves, even a modest miss or a slim beat, could trigger a sharp reaction. Options markets are already signaling elevated uncertainty, underscoring how finely balanced expectations are heading into the report. Margins in Focus: Signs of Stabilization or Further Pain Perhaps the most closely watched metric will be automotive gross margin, excluding regulatory credits, expected at roughly 14.4%. This level reflects sustained pressure from price competition and rising input costs. Investors will be looking for commentary on whether margins have reached a cyclical low and how quickly cost efficiencies, manufacturing scale, or software-driven revenue could help margins recover in 2026. Deliveries and Demand: Europe and China Under Pressure Tesla delivered 418,227 vehicles in the fo...
Get Into Cryptocurrency Trading Today AMZN Chart | TradingView AMZN Momentum Shift: The Signals Smart Money Is Watching Something seismic is afoot with Amazon (AMZN), a stock that's been at the epicenter of tech market transformations for years. Today, the chart whispers possibilities that have traders on the edge of their seats. Risk-on mode is in full swing, with both the S&P 500 and NASDAQ-100 ...
Get Into Cryptocurrency Trading Today AMZN Chart | TradingView AMZN Momentum Shift: The Signals Smart Money Is Watching Something seismic is afoot with Amazon (AMZN), a stock that's been at the epicenter of tech market transformations for years. Today, the chart whispers possibilities that have traders on the edge of their seats. Risk-on mode is in full swing, with both the S&P 500 and NASDAQ-100 on an upward trajectory. But it’s Amazon’s performance—a robust 2.63% climb—that steals the show. As macroeconomic forces like a weakening dollar and bond yield increases loom, the nuanced dance of these elements sets the stage for Amazon’s next act. But here's where it gets intriguing... The market is in a fervor, and smart investors are using AI-powered analysis tools to spot these patterns early. A weak dollar fuels Amazon’s growth potential, making its products more competitive globally. Yet rising bond yields threaten to pressure valuations in the growth sector. The technical setup is a thriller in itself: AMZN is breaking past resistance levels, powered by a bullish candlestick pattern and a significant volume of 38.02M, indicating genuine interest. Now's the time to examine this playbook closely as market conditions prime AMZN for a crucial move. The Bullish Setup Amazon's current setup is nothing short of compelling. In a market that’s riding the wave of a risk-on regime, AMZN’s recent bullish performance enhances its appeal. The surge past $244.88 sets a new short-term resistance, while the psychological barrier of $250 lurks just ahead. With the RSI at 60.50, there's ample room for upward movement without hitting overbought territory—a sweet spot for bulls eyeing this breakout. The MACD suggests a promising crossover, a beacon for those tuned into momentum shifts. This is the kind of alignment that InteractiveCrypto Pro’s AI is designed to detect, giving savvy traders an edge. Technical Indicators Delve deeper, and the technical indicators weave a narrative rich w...
Allstate Corp grew its stake in shares of Meta Platforms, Inc. (NASDAQ:META - Free Report) by 1,701.9% during the third quarter, according to its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 78,979 shares of the social networking company's stock after purchasing an additional 74,596 shares during the period. Meta Platforms makes up 1.3% of Allsta...
Allstate Corp grew its stake in shares of Meta Platforms, Inc. (NASDAQ:META - Free Report) by 1,701.9% during the third quarter, according to its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 78,979 shares of the social networking company's stock after purchasing an additional 74,596 shares during the period. Meta Platforms makes up 1.3% of Allstate Corp's investment portfolio, making the stock its 16th largest holding. Allstate Corp's holdings in Meta Platforms were worth $58,001,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Several other hedge funds and other institutional investors also recently modified their holdings of META. Brighton Jones LLC lifted its position in Meta Platforms by 1.7% during the fourth quarter. Brighton Jones LLC now owns 34,551 shares of the social networking company's stock valued at $20,230,000 after buying an additional 570 shares during the period. Revolve Wealth Partners LLC lifted its position in Meta Platforms by 10.2% during the 4th quarter. Revolve Wealth Partners LLC now owns 9,456 shares of the social networking company's stock valued at $5,537,000 after acquiring an additional 875 shares during the period. Headwater Capital Co Ltd boosted its stake in Meta Platforms by 294.7% during the first quarter. Headwater Capital Co Ltd now owns 150,000 shares of the social networking company's stock worth $86,454,000 after acquiring an additional 112,000 shares in the last quarter. Kooman & Associates grew its holdings in Meta Platforms by 2.8% in the second quarter. Kooman & Associates now owns 544 shares of the social networking company's stock worth $402,000 after purchasing an additional 15 shares during the period. Finally, LeConte Wealth Management LLC increased its stake in shares of Meta Platforms by 48.9% during the second quarter. LeConte Wealth Management LLC now owns 1,824 shares of the social networking company's stock valued at $1,346,000 af...