Solskin/DigitalVision via Getty Images Biotech stocks have stormed back to be among the alpha leaders over the past few quarters. The iShares Biotechnology ETF ( IBB ) fell hard from Q4 2024 to the April 2025 low, sharply lagging the S&P 500 over that stretch. Since springtime last year, however, it has outperformed. Big M&A trends and a speculative risk-appetite among global investors have been k...
Solskin/DigitalVision via Getty Images Biotech stocks have stormed back to be among the alpha leaders over the past few quarters. The iShares Biotechnology ETF ( IBB ) fell hard from Q4 2024 to the April 2025 low, sharply lagging the S&P 500 over that stretch. Since springtime last year, however, it has outperformed. Big M&A trends and a speculative risk-appetite among global investors have been key upside catalysts. I had a hold rating on IBB back in October of 2024 . The fund declined from $145 to a $107 low, but has since notched marginal all-time highs, just below the $180 mark. Today, I reiterate a hold rating. With the fund wrapping around previous record highs and a fair valuation, I see balance risks heading into the heart of the Q4 2025 earnings season. IBB Outperforming XLV, SPY YoY Stockcharts.com Strong Biotech M&A Growth Expected in 2026 Pitchbook, ING According to the issuer , IBB offers investors exposure to the biotech industry within the broad US stock market. Targeting no more than a few hundred individual companies, it is a liquid ETF that allows investors to express an industry view without taking much stock-specific risk in the volatile biotech sector. It invests in growth and value stocks across diversified market capitalizations. After a 21% total return since my previous analysis, IBB’s assets under management has risen from $7.1 billion to $8.7 billion today. The annual expense ratio is moderate at 44 basis points, while the trailing 12-month dividend yield is low at only 0.22%. That’s about a full percentage point below that of the S&P 500. Share-price momentum has turned much improved from six months ago, earning the product a solid B+ ETF Grade in that category by Seeking Alpha’s quantitative scoring system. But IBB is notoriously risky , given its exclusive exposure to the often debt-heavy and deal-dependent niche of the global equity market. As for liquidity , IBB is highly tradable, thanks to an average daily volume of more than 2 mill...
March S&P 500 E-Mini futures ( ESH26 ) are down -0.05%, and March Nasdaq 100 E-Mini futures ( NQH26 ) are down -0.14% this morning, pointing to a muted open on Wall Street as President Trump’s tariff threats against Canada and the looming risk of a partial U.S. government shutdown curbed risk appetite at the start of a busy week. U.S. President Donald Trump on Saturday threatened Canada with 100% ...
March S&P 500 E-Mini futures ( ESH26 ) are down -0.05%, and March Nasdaq 100 E-Mini futures ( NQH26 ) are down -0.14% this morning, pointing to a muted open on Wall Street as President Trump’s tariff threats against Canada and the looming risk of a partial U.S. government shutdown curbed risk appetite at the start of a busy week. U.S. President Donald Trump on Saturday threatened Canada with 100% tariffs on all its exports to the U.S. if it strikes a trade deal with China. Trump said in a social media post that if Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney “thinks he is going to make Canada a ‘Drop Off Port’ for China to send goods and products into the United States, he is sorely mistaken.” He added, “China will eat Canada alive, completely devour it, including the destruction of their businesses, social fabric, and general way of life.” Meanwhile, worries about a partial U.S. government shutdown intensified over the weekend after Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer pledged to block a sweeping spending package unless Republicans remove funding for the Department of Homeland Security. Schumer’s announcement followed an incident in which a Border Patrol agent shot and killed an American intensive care unit nurse in Minnesota during protests over the state’s immigration crackdown. Without Senate approval of the funding package by Friday, the federal government will enter a partial shutdown this weekend. This week, market participants look ahead to earnings reports from major tech names, the Federal Reserve’s interest rate decision, and a slew of U.S. economic data. In Friday’s trading session, Wall Street’s major equity averages closed mixed. Most members of the Magnificent Seven stocks climbed, with Microsoft ( MSFT ) rising over +3% and Amazon.com ( AMZN ) gaining more than +2%. Also, gold mining stocks advanced after gold prices climbed to a record high, with Newmont Mining ( NEM ) and Freeport-McMoran ( FCX ) rising over +2%. In addition, Fortinet ( FTNT ) surged more...
Richard Drury/DigitalVision via Getty Images During the fourth quarter of 2025, the median account return for separate accounts managed by Greystone Capital was +0.3%, net of fees. The median account return for the full year 2025 was +2.8%, net of fees. Since inception in Q4 2019, an account opened with Greystone has returned a cumulative +197.7% or +21.9% per year, net of fees. During this period...
Richard Drury/DigitalVision via Getty Images During the fourth quarter of 2025, the median account return for separate accounts managed by Greystone Capital was +0.3%, net of fees. The median account return for the full year 2025 was +2.8%, net of fees. Since inception in Q4 2019, an account opened with Greystone has returned a cumulative +197.7% or +21.9% per year, net of fees. During this period, our strategy has outperformed both the S&P 500 and the Russell 2000 by an annualized +3.7% and +12.2% per year, while also posting significant cumulative outperformance against both benchmarks. Greystone Capital Management 1,2 Net Return Russell 2000 Russell Microcap S&P 500 Q4 0.3% 2.2% 6.3% 2.7% FY 2025 2.8% 13.5% 23.0% 17.4% Since Inception (Cumulative) 197.7% 74.4% 59.8% 150.6% Since Inception (Annualized) 21.9% 9.7% 8.7% 18.2% Click to enlarge 1. Returns are unaudited and represent an account opened with Greystone Capital Management at inception Q4 2019 . Past performance is not indicative of future results. Investor's actual returns may differ from the returns presented due to several factors, including the timing of each investor's capital activity and position weightings within each portfolio. 2. Fees consist of a 1.5% management fee and a 20% performance fee above a 5% hurdle rate. Fourth quarter and FY2025 results compare unfavorably to the S&P 500 and Russell 2000 returns of +2.7% and +2.2% during the quarter and +17.4% and +13.5% for the full year. Although fourth-quarter and full-year 2025 results lagged the indices, I don’t manage the portfolio with any single quarter or calendar year in mind, a position I’ve held consistently through both periods of outperformance and underperformance. Given our concentrated, differentiated strategy, with limited index overlap, periodic and sometimes meaningful divergence from major indices is expected. This tracking error is a feature of the strategy, not a flaw. The better measurement for a strategy like ours is the cumul...
Markets are “not sure which trades to play,” says Sonja Marten, chief economist at DZ Bank, as investors seek safe havens amid geopolitical concerns out of the United States. (Source: Bloomberg)
Markets are “not sure which trades to play,” says Sonja Marten, chief economist at DZ Bank, as investors seek safe havens amid geopolitical concerns out of the United States. (Source: Bloomberg)
Saudi Arabia and the Olympic Council of Asia have agreed to postpone the 2029 Asian Winter Games, which were set to take place at a desert ski resort in the planned Saudi mega city of Neom. Bloomberg's Stuart Livingstone-Wallace reports. (Source: Bloomberg)
Saudi Arabia and the Olympic Council of Asia have agreed to postpone the 2029 Asian Winter Games, which were set to take place at a desert ski resort in the planned Saudi mega city of Neom. Bloomberg's Stuart Livingstone-Wallace reports. (Source: Bloomberg)
Key Points Social Security is vital to most retirees even though it doesn't provide a generous income stream. There are ways to increase your benefits if you're still working. Social Security's future is threatened unless Congress takes action. The $23,760 Social Security bonus most retirees completely overlook › More than 50 million retirees collect Social Security retirement benefits, and if you...
Key Points Social Security is vital to most retirees even though it doesn't provide a generous income stream. There are ways to increase your benefits if you're still working. Social Security's future is threatened unless Congress takes action. The $23,760 Social Security bonus most retirees completely overlook › More than 50 million retirees collect Social Security retirement benefits, and if you're not yet retired, you will likely be joining their ranks at some point. Those benefits will probably be quite important to you as well: Social Security benefits make up nearly a third of the retirement income of those older than 65. Even more sobering, among recipients aged 65 and older, those benefits accounted for fully 90% or more of income for 12% of men and 15% of women. Thus, even if you're not yet retired, it's nrcessary to keep up with Social Security changes and to understand how it might change further. Here, then, are some things to know. 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 » 1. Know how much in Social Security benefits you may receive Though Social Security benefits will be a key part of your retirement finances, there's a good chance that they will deliver far less income than you might have expected. As of December, for example, the average Social Security retirement benefit was only $2,071 per month or about $24,850 per year. Those who have had above-average earnings in their working life will receive more but not a king's ransom more. (The maximum benefit was recently $5,181, or about $62,000 annually -- but it's very hard to qualify for it.) So as you plan for your retirement, be sure to have realistic expectations. 2. Expect your Social Security benefits to increase over time -- but suboptimally Here's some good news: Social Security benefits increase over time via nearly annual cost of living adjustments (COLAs). The lates...
Investors' reaction to this Dividend King's Q4 revenue miss was overdone. Abbott Laboratories (ABT 1.10%) announced its 2025 fourth-quarter and full-year results before the market opened on Thursday, Jan. 22, 2026. And its shares promptly plunged nearly 10%. As you probably figured out from that brief overview, investors didn't like the healthcare giant's Q4 update. However, Abbott has been a favo...
Investors' reaction to this Dividend King's Q4 revenue miss was overdone. Abbott Laboratories (ABT 1.10%) announced its 2025 fourth-quarter and full-year results before the market opened on Thursday, Jan. 22, 2026. And its shares promptly plunged nearly 10%. As you probably figured out from that brief overview, investors didn't like the healthcare giant's Q4 update. However, Abbott has been a favorite for many income investors. The company is a member of the Dividend Kings, an elite group of stocks that have increased their dividends for at least 50 consecutive years. Abbott recently increased its dividend for the 54th straight year. I think the stock should remain a top pick for income investors. Here are three reasons to buy this Dividend King after its steep sell-off. Expand NYSE : ABT Abbott Laboratories Today's Change ( -1.10 %) $ -1.19 Current Price $ 107.42 Key Data Points Market Cap $187B Day's Range $ 106.08 - $ 110.05 52wk Range $ 105.78 - $ 141.23 Volume 3.3K Avg Vol 7.1M Gross Margin 58.89 % Dividend Yield 2.23 % 1. Investors' reaction was overdone Abbott reported Q4 revenue of $11.5 billion, while Wall Street expected $11.8 billion. This miss was admittedly disappointing. The company's nutrition segment is the main culprit. CEO Robert Ford acknowledged in the Q4 earnings call that the results "underscore a broader challenge." He said, "Higher manufacturing costs led to higher prices, which in turn are suppressing demand as consumers become increasingly more price-sensitive." However, investors' reaction was overdone, in my opinion. It's important to put Abbott's Q4 results in context. The healthcare leader's adjusted diluted earnings per share (EPS) jumped 12% year over year, meeting analysts' estimates. Management began implementing changes to help turn things around in the nutrition business and expects a return to growth in the second half of 2026. 2. Growth should accelerate in 2026 Speaking of 2026, Abbott projects overall revenue growth will accel...
A private credit fund tied to the world’s largest asset manager was getting hit hard in premarket trade after revealing its net asset value will be marked down by nearly one-fifth.
A private credit fund tied to the world’s largest asset manager was getting hit hard in premarket trade after revealing its net asset value will be marked down by nearly one-fifth.
Rare earth stocks were hit by volatility following trade-related news but remain on track to see higher share prices in 2026 as rebounds gain momentum.
Rare earth stocks were hit by volatility following trade-related news but remain on track to see higher share prices in 2026 as rebounds gain momentum.
Intel Israel employees will receive a combined annual bonus totaling 1.8 months’ salary, with the local portion amounting to 1.2 months, marking a rebound from last year’s unusually low payout of 0.8 months. “As in previous years, employee bonuses are paid based on company and business performance,” the company said. This bonus is the final one distributed under Intel’s previous compensation struc...
Intel Israel employees will receive a combined annual bonus totaling 1.8 months’ salary, with the local portion amounting to 1.2 months, marking a rebound from last year’s unusually low payout of 0.8 months. “As in previous years, employee bonuses are paid based on company and business performance,” the company said. This bonus is the final one distributed under Intel’s previous compensation structure, which included a variable “local component” in addition to base pay, quarterly profit bonuses, annual performance bonuses, and stock-based rewards. Under the new salary model, which took effect January 1, 2026, the separate variable component will be integrated into base pay. Therefore, the current payout, scheduled for February, is the last to follow the old formula. 1 View gallery Intel offices. ( Photo: Nir Keidar ) The previous bonus system had allowed payouts to fluctuate sharply based on performance. For comparison, employees had regularly received 2.5-3 months’ salary in annual bonuses before 2025, when the company reduced the payout to 0.8 months. Intel’s broader compensation system will continue to provide quarterly profit bonuses, annual performance bonuses, and stock-based rewards, which will now be calculated on top of the updated base salaries under the new structure. The bonus announcement comes in the wake of Intel’s fourth-quarter 2025 earnings, which reflected a cautious optimism. The company reported $13.7 billion in revenue, exceeding guidance, with earnings and gross margin also beating expectations. Yet CEO Lip-Bu Tan emphasized that supply constraints, manufacturing bottlenecks, and years of underinvestment continue to limit Intel’s ability to fully capitalize on demand, particularly for AI-driven workloads. Intel stock closed at $45.07 on Friday, down 17% on the day, marking the company’s biggest single-day selloff since Aug. 2, 2024, when the shares plunged 26%. “This will not happen overnight, and our execution needs to continue to improve. We...
The Place, London Sadiq Ali’s intimate dance piece follows a woman with an HIV diagnosis at a time when it was misunderstood and stigmatised In the programme note for Tell Me, its creator Sadiq Ali says that 2025 was the year he might have been expected to die of Aids-related complications, were it not for advances in medicine. Instead here he is, muscled and strong, wound round a Chinese pole, su...
The Place, London Sadiq Ali’s intimate dance piece follows a woman with an HIV diagnosis at a time when it was misunderstood and stigmatised In the programme note for Tell Me, its creator Sadiq Ali says that 2025 was the year he might have been expected to die of Aids-related complications, were it not for advances in medicine. Instead here he is, muscled and strong, wound round a Chinese pole, suspending himself in the air, abs glistening. Ali is also thriving as an artist. His last show, The Chosen Haram, garnered five-star reviews, and he has just officially launched his own circus/theatre company. This new work, Tell Me, follows a woman with an HIV diagnosis, which is something still stigmatised and misunderstood, especially outside the LGBTQ+ community. It is a subject that’s personal to Ali but he doesn’t put himself at the centre. Instead Phoebe Knight is the protagonist, joined by Ali and Jonah Russell, and along with a clever set made from cube-shaped frames that double as poles and trapezes to climb and swing from, they portray a coherent story and evoke some stinging emotions. Continue reading...