jetcityimage/iStock Editorial via Getty Images Introduction About a year ago, I took a look at the preferred stock issued by AT&T ( T ) and thought it was the " better" way for an income investor to have exposure to AT&T. While giving up potential capital gains (other than market interest rate-related capital gains), the preferred stock offered a 50% higher dividend yield back in the day. As that ...
jetcityimage/iStock Editorial via Getty Images Introduction About a year ago, I took a look at the preferred stock issued by AT&T ( T ) and thought it was the " better" way for an income investor to have exposure to AT&T. While giving up potential capital gains (other than market interest rate-related capital gains), the preferred stock offered a 50% higher dividend yield back in the day. As that investment thesis is now almost a year old, I thought this was a good moment to have another look at AT&T and its preferred stock. Data by YCharts The Strong Cash Flows Fully Cover All Dividends and Preferred Dividends To determine how safe the dividends and preferred dividends are, it makes sense to take a look at the recent financial results to see how profitable the company is and how strong its free cash flows are. We still have to wait for AT&T to publish its Q1 2026 results, but the 2025 results already provide a good look under the hood. As you can see below, the company reported a total revenue of $126 billion, on which it generated $24.2 billion in operating income. While that appears to be substantially higher than the $19.05 billion in operating income generated in 2024, keep in mind the 2024 results were negatively impacted by a $5.1 billion impairment charge, which was reduced to $838 million in FY 2025. Adjusting the reported operating income for these impairment charges, the underlying operating income was approximately $25 billion in FY 2025, compared to $24.1 billion in 2024. Still a nice improvement, but not as dramatic as a first look at the results would make you think. AT&T Investor Relations AT&T also reported a total other income of $2.85 billion, as a non-recurring gain related to the sale of its stake in DIRECTV was higher than the net interest expenses. This indeed means the FY 2025 bottom line result was surprisingly strong, with a net profit of almost $22 billion and an EPS north of $3/share. AT&T currently pays a quarterly dividend of $0.2775/sh...
Alphabet Inc. is sitting on a staggering $150 billion in overlooked venture capital investments, signaling a major financial shift as the tech giant’s long-term bets in space exploration and artificial intelligence (AI) finally mature. Uncovering Alphabet’s ‘Hidden Assets‘ For years, Wall Street investors have heavily scrutinized Alphabet’s “Other Bets” division, often viewing the experimental seg...
Alphabet Inc. is sitting on a staggering $150 billion in overlooked venture capital investments, signaling a major financial shift as the tech giant’s long-term bets in space exploration and artificial intelligence (AI) finally mature. Uncovering Alphabet’s ‘Hidden Assets‘ For years, Wall Street investors have heavily scrutinized Alphabet’s “Other Bets” division, often viewing the experimental segment as a massive, unprofitable drain on capital. However, according to Christopher Davis, the found
We spend a lot of time at The Verge waxing poetic about the latest gadgets, but sometimes it’s the last-gen devices from several years ago that offer the better value. The 2021 Kindle Paperwhite is a great case in point — especially since you can grab it at Woot in refurbished condition with lockscreen ads, 8GB of storage, and a 90-day warranty starting at $49.99 through the rest of today, April 1...
We spend a lot of time at The Verge waxing poetic about the latest gadgets, but sometimes it’s the last-gen devices from several years ago that offer the better value. The 2021 Kindle Paperwhite is a great case in point — especially since you can grab it at Woot in refurbished condition with lockscreen ads, 8GB of storage, and a 90-day warranty starting at $49.99 through the rest of today, April 12th, which is about $90 off the e-reader’s original list price. Per usual, Amazon Prime members will also receive free shipping with their purchase. The entry-level refurb models are in full working order but include a unspecified, moderate level of wear and tear — hence their “scratch and dent” designation. Thankfully, Woot is also selling non-S&D models of the 2021 Paperwhite with ads, 8GB of storage, and the same 90-day Woot warranty starting at $69.99. You can even pick up a refurbished Kindle Paperwhite Signature Edition — which adds wireless charging, a sensor to automatically adjust the backlight, and four times the storage — for $99.99, or $90 off the step-up model’s original MSRP. 2021 Kindle Paperwhite (refurbished, with ads) Where to Buy: $139.99 $49.99 at Woot (8GB, S&D model) $139.99 $69.99 at Woot (8GB) $159.99 $89.99 at Woot (16GB) Unlike Amazon’s latest entry-level Kindle , the 11th-generation Paperwhite boasts robust IPX8 waterproofing and a 6.8-inch display, which is two inches smaller than the 7-inch screen on the newest Paperwhite . That said, it still boasts the same resolution (300ppi) as the latest model, along with adjustable color temperature, allowing you to read just as easily at night as during the day. The e-reader packs monthslong battery life and USB-C support, too, though its UI isn’t as responsive as on the latest models, nor are page turns quite as fast. If you’re thinking about upgrading from an older model, Woot’s Paperwhite promo couldn’t come at a better time. Amazon recently announced that it will end support for pre-2012 Kindle device...
There's no question that artificial intelligence (AI) will be one of the dominant global themes for years, if not decades. In just the few short years since OpenAI 's ChatGPT made its debut, it has become woven into almost every tool and process used in daily life. Naturally, that has many investors interested in the theme. It's a big reason why the "Magnificent Seven" stocks have done so well ove...
There's no question that artificial intelligence (AI) will be one of the dominant global themes for years, if not decades. In just the few short years since OpenAI 's ChatGPT made its debut, it has become woven into almost every tool and process used in daily life. Naturally, that has many investors interested in the theme. It's a big reason why the "Magnificent Seven" stocks have done so well over the past few years. And it's a big reason why many people have a large percentage of their portfolios dedicated to tech stocks. But for investors who want more direct exposure to the entire AI theme without trying to pick and choose individual winners, the Roundhill Generative AI & Technology ETF (NYSEMKT: CHAT) provides the best option. If you have cash sitting on the sidelines, here's why I believe this exchange-traded fund (ETF) is a better choice than two of its big competitors, the Global X Artificial Intelligence & Technology ETF and the Invesco AI and Next Gen Software ETF . Continue reading
Sick Behavior From Financial Psychopaths Submitted by QTR's Fringe Finance I’ve been saying this for months: despite “experts” just sounding the alarm moments ago : the private credit unwind that started months ago and has now spiraled into a very real liability for the economy wasn’t some unknowable tail risk lurking in the shadows. It couldn’t have been clearer if it was a fucking neon sign blin...
Sick Behavior From Financial Psychopaths Submitted by QTR's Fringe Finance I’ve been saying this for months: despite “experts” just sounding the alarm moments ago : the private credit unwind that started months ago and has now spiraled into a very real liability for the economy wasn’t some unknowable tail risk lurking in the shadows. It couldn’t have been clearer if it was a fucking neon sign blinking THIS ENDS BADLY hanging outside of the 4 train station on Wall Street so industry workers were forced to see it on their way into work every morning. Not only did I call the private credit collapse , I also argued that it would experience a sharp downturn before the Fed stepped in to bail it out or provide a backstop, despite, once again, the widespread misconduct of mismarking positions and carrying opaque, low-quality assets on the books of the companies managing these funds. And here we are, right on schedule, watching that script unfold with all the subtlety of Eric Swalwell on a date after 9 whiskey cocktails. In the last two days alone, Bloomberg reports that the Federal Reserve has gone from politely observing to actively interrogating. Not in a press-release, “we’re monitoring conditions” sort of way, but boots-on-the-ground examiners asking major banks to cough up details about their exposure to private credit. Translation: they’re not trying to understand the industry, they’re trying to figure out how bad the damage could get and who’s going to be holding the bag when it does. And what are they likely finding? Exactly what anyone paying attention already knew. Private credit funds didn’t just lend money, they borrowed it, too. Because in good times, leverage makes returns look smooth and irresistible. It turns middling loans into “high-yield opportunities.” It creates the illusion of stability. But in bad times? That same leverage becomes a transmission mechanism, turning localized stress into systemic risk. It’s not a bug, it’s the design. Meanwhile, the Tre...
J Studios/DigitalVision via Getty Images U.K. financial authorities are moving quickly to evaluate potential threats linked to a newly unveiled artificial intelligence system from Anthropic ( ANTHRO ), coordinating with government cybersecurity officials and major banks, the Financial Times reported Sunday, citing people familiar with the discussions. Representatives from the Bank of England, Fina...
J Studios/DigitalVision via Getty Images U.K. financial authorities are moving quickly to evaluate potential threats linked to a newly unveiled artificial intelligence system from Anthropic ( ANTHRO ), coordinating with government cybersecurity officials and major banks, the Financial Times reported Sunday, citing people familiar with the discussions. Representatives from the Bank of England, Financial Conduct Authority and HM Treasury are working alongside the National Cyber Security Centre to analyze weaknesses in critical systems that the model may have exposed. Senior figures from leading British banks, insurers and market infrastructure firms are expected to receive briefings within the next two weeks on risks associated with the experimental system, known as Claude Mythos Preview. The U.K. response follows similar moves in the United States, where Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent recently convened top Wall Street executives to examine the model’s ability to uncover software vulnerabilities that could potentially be exploited. Anthropic ( ANTHRO ) has said the system has already identified thousands of serious flaws across operating systems, web browsers and other widely used technologies, including some that had remained undetected for years. The company warned that such capabilities could soon become more widely available, raising concerns about misuse and broader risks to economies and national security. The issue is expected to be discussed at the next meeting of the U.K.’s Cross Market Operational Resilience Group, a forum that brings together regulators and financial firms to address systemic threats. The group is co-led by Duncan Mackinnon and David Postings, and includes representatives from major banks, insurers and financial infrastructure providers. Industry groups say they are monitoring the situation closely. David Raw said the organization is engaging with its members and public-sector partners to evaluate any operational risks that could affect t...
John Brennan says president who made volatile remarks about destroying Iranian civilization ‘is clearly unhinged’ The former Central Intelligence Agency director John Brennan has added his name to growing calls for the president to be ousted on grounds that he is unfit for the job, arguing that the US constitution’s 25th amendment addressing involuntary removal from office was “written with Donald...
John Brennan says president who made volatile remarks about destroying Iranian civilization ‘is clearly unhinged’ The former Central Intelligence Agency director John Brennan has added his name to growing calls for the president to be ousted on grounds that he is unfit for the job, arguing that the US constitution’s 25th amendment addressing involuntary removal from office was “written with Donald Trump in mind”. Brennan, who served as head of the spy agency during Barack Obama’s presidency, told MS Now on Saturday that Trump’s recent volatile remarks about destroying Iranian civilization and the danger he posed to so many lives merited his removal from the Oval Office. Continue reading...
In an ongoing series of articles looking at both the bullish and bearish cases for some popular stocks, I wanted to take a look at Palantir Technologies (NASDAQ: PLTR) . While the stock has been one of the market's best performers over the past three years, it has also been a lightning rod of controversy, with famed investor Michael Burry publicly announcing he has bought put options on the stock ...
In an ongoing series of articles looking at both the bullish and bearish cases for some popular stocks, I wanted to take a look at Palantir Technologies (NASDAQ: PLTR) . While the stock has been one of the market's best performers over the past three years, it has also been a lightning rod of controversy, with famed investor Michael Burry publicly announcing he has bought put options on the stock and placing a $46 fair value on the stock. Let's dig into what all the excitement and controversy is about. Continue reading