Maskot/DigitalVision via Getty Images The Westwood Salient Enhanced Midstream Income ETF ( MDST ) is a promising income strategy on paper that blends a decent-yield underlying portfolio, introduces active selection alpha and employs aggressive covered call writing to generate around 9% income. This appears broadly sustainable too in the current regime as per my analysis, but for a vast majority of...
Maskot/DigitalVision via Getty Images The Westwood Salient Enhanced Midstream Income ETF ( MDST ) is a promising income strategy on paper that blends a decent-yield underlying portfolio, introduces active selection alpha and employs aggressive covered call writing to generate around 9% income. This appears broadly sustainable too in the current regime as per my analysis, but for a vast majority of use cases and scenarios, the performance is likely to fall short of expectations and alternatives. MDST is a Strong Hold candidate for income investors, but I do not recommend overweighting portfolios with MDST because of some structural concerns alongside my midstream regime outlook. Aggressive Option Positioning The full holdings available at the ETF website shows an underlying portfolio holding in midstream company stocks that add up ~$225 million (matching the ETF's AUM). The option layer shows laddered calls written for each underlying (stock level call writing at multiple strikes) across 1-2 month expiries. The lack of spreads indicates that upside is indeed capped and does not reopen above a certain level. Overall, the strikes look a little OTM, too (not aggressively close to the money strikes), but that is not conclusive evidence of how it was structured when it was set up. The prospectus does not specify a target percentage OTM or whether calls are written ATM. With markets having moved down over the past few days, this could have been aggressive ATM strikes that appear OTM now. The most important indication of option positioning is the notional value of the option layer and hence the amount of portfolio coverage accounted for by the option layer. Many covered call strategies keep a balanced coverage lower than 100% (sometimes as low as 25%-50%), which enables capturing sharp upside rallies. MDST writes calls covering almost full exposure of each single stock holding and at the stock level. The notional coverage at the portfolio level is ~87%. The only exceptions ...
HP Inc. is positioning itself for the next wave of AI adoption through AI-powered PCs and secure hardware, offering investors a unique value proposition.
HP Inc. is positioning itself for the next wave of AI adoption through AI-powered PCs and secure hardware, offering investors a unique value proposition.
RiverPark Advisors, an investment advisory firm and sponsor of the RiverPark family of mutual funds, released its “RiverPark Large Growth Fund” Q4 2025 investor letter. A copy of the letter can be downloaded here. The US stock market delivered modest gains in the quarter with the S&P 500 index (“S&P”) and the Russell 1000 Growth […]
RiverPark Advisors, an investment advisory firm and sponsor of the RiverPark family of mutual funds, released its “RiverPark Large Growth Fund” Q4 2025 investor letter. A copy of the letter can be downloaded here. The US stock market delivered modest gains in the quarter with the S&P 500 index (“S&P”) and the Russell 1000 Growth […]
shapecharge Consumer staples stocks have fallen into oversold territory following recent geopolitical tensions tied to the U.S.–Iran conflict, signaling potential stress within the traditionally defensive sector. The sector’s relative strength index has declined to 29.77, slipping below the key threshold of 30 that typically indicates oversold conditions. Performance has also weakened notably. Ove...
shapecharge Consumer staples stocks have fallen into oversold territory following recent geopolitical tensions tied to the U.S.–Iran conflict, signaling potential stress within the traditionally defensive sector. The sector’s relative strength index has declined to 29.77, slipping below the key threshold of 30 that typically indicates oversold conditions. Performance has also weakened notably. Over the past month, consumer staples have dropped about 7.8%, underperforming the broader S&P 500 ( SP500 ), which is down 4.1% during the same period. The divergence highlights a shift in investor positioning as macro uncertainty reshapes market dynamics. Despite their reputation for stability during volatile periods, staples stocks have struggled to maintain momentum in the current environment. Outlined below are the 10 most oversold consumer staples stocks inside the S&P 500: General Mills ( GIS ), RSI of 18.73. McCormick & Company ( MKC ), RSI of 19.58. The Campbell's Company ( CPB ), RSI of 21.28. Dollar General ( DG ), RSI of 23.23. Estée Lauder ( EL ), RSI of 23.73. J.M. Smucker ( SJM ), RSI of 25.46. Clorox ( CLX ), RSI of 28.74. Procter & Gamble ( PG ), RSI of 29.02. Conagra Brands ( CAG ), RSI of 29.28. Molson Coors Beverage Company ( TAP ), RSI of 30.61. Consumer Staples ETFs: ( XLP ), ( VDC ), ( IYK ), ( FSTA ), ( KXI ), and ( RSPS ). More on markets Exxon Mobil tops Nvidia in valuation amid the ongoing Middle East conflict AI boom and an economic bust: Citrini Scenario gains momentum in prediction markets AI now dominates equities, bonds, and venture capital flows, Apollo warns Cantor Fitzgerald sees the current market pullback as a possible opportunity BNP Paribas raises 2026 inflation outlook as it signals a new 3% era
fcafotodigital/E+ via Getty Images At a glance Performance The Portfolio returned 1.20% (gross) and the Russell Midcap® Growth Index returned -3.70%. Contributors/detractors Stock selection in the industrials and healthcare sectors contributed to relative performance. Holdings in the consumer discretionary and real estate sectors detracted, due in part to stock selection. Outlook We remain committ...
fcafotodigital/E+ via Getty Images At a glance Performance The Portfolio returned 1.20% (gross) and the Russell Midcap® Growth Index returned -3.70%. Contributors/detractors Stock selection in the industrials and healthcare sectors contributed to relative performance. Holdings in the consumer discretionary and real estate sectors detracted, due in part to stock selection. Outlook We remain committed to a disciplined, bottom-up investment approach that pursues growth opportunities while seeking to manage downside risk. Portfolio management Brian Demain, CFA Philip Cody Wheaton, CFA Investment environment Stocks rose in the fourth quarter on positive corporate earnings news and hopes for Federal Reserve (Fed) rate cuts. The Fed followed up a September rate cut with two 25 basis-point (BP) rate cuts, in October and December, respectively. Economic growth remains resilient despite slower-than-expected job growth. Inflation also has been relatively subdued, creating breathing room for the Fed potentially to cut rates further. The quarter saw some recalibration of the exuberance around artificial intelligence (AI). As a result, we saw a broadening of the market and renewed focus on fundamentals, which benefited our fundamentals-driven investment approach. Portfolio review We were pleased to see many of our disciplined growth-oriented investments rewarded during the quarter. Relative contributors included J.B. Hunt Transport Services ( JBHT ), a provider of trucking and intermodal freight solutions. Shares of J.B. Hunt rose as investors started to see signs of a recovery in freight shipment volumes, following several years of a cyclical slowdown. The company's management team expects pricing to improve rapidly as shipping demand accelerates, given supply constraints and driver shortages. This could have a positive impact on margins and earnings growth. We also have welcomed the company's disciplined approach to capacity investments and cost-cutting, which could further boo...
A New Mexico jury just handed the tech industry something it hasn’t seen before: a $375 million verdict against Meta that punched straight through Section 230, the legal shield that social platforms have leaned on for decades to avoid accountability for what happens on their networks. New Mexico Attorney General Raul Torrez put it directly ... New Mexico AG Torrez: Jury sent message to entire tech...
A New Mexico jury just handed the tech industry something it hasn’t seen before: a $375 million verdict against Meta that punched straight through Section 230, the legal shield that social platforms have leaned on for decades to avoid accountability for what happens on their networks. New Mexico Attorney General Raul Torrez put it directly ... New Mexico AG Torrez: Jury sent message to entire tech industry on child safety
Earnings Call Insights: Reed's, Inc. (REED) Q4 2025 Management View Neal Cohane, stepping in as Interim CEO and continuing as COO, addressed the leadership transition, stating, "As announced in our earnings press release, Cyril Wallace has stepped down as CEO. I will assume the additional role of Interim CEO while continuing as Chief Operating Officer, and I will also join Reed's Board of Director...
Earnings Call Insights: Reed's, Inc. (REED) Q4 2025 Management View Neal Cohane, stepping in as Interim CEO and continuing as COO, addressed the leadership transition, stating, "As announced in our earnings press release, Cyril Wallace has stepped down as CEO. I will assume the additional role of Interim CEO while continuing as Chief Operating Officer, and I will also join Reed's Board of Directors." Cohane emphasized a focus on operational priorities, profitable growth, and stabilizing the business, noting sequential improvements in net sales, gross margin, and net loss. Cohane outlined strategies to optimize the manufacturing network, implement tighter operational controls, enhance sourcing and procurement, and lower per unit costs, with ongoing efforts in packaging optimization, freight, logistics efficiencies, and SKU rationalization. The company is targeting expansion into under-penetrated channels such as food service and convenience, describing them as "meaningful white space opportunities for the Reed's brand." New product launches include Reed's Ginger Ale Cranberry and Blackberry in Q2 2026 and a line of nonalcoholic mixers in early Q3 2026. Cohane reported, "The core item, the Reed's Ginger Ale, remains the #1 premium ginger ale in total U.S. and continues to grow and is plus 13.7% in dollar sales over the past 52 weeks." Digital and cultural marketing efforts include new campaigns on Instacart, walmart.com, albertsons.com, and a social media strategy, with partnerships involving influencers such as Hayden Hurst. Reed's is expanding internationally, with a presence at the sugar and wine trade show in Chengdu, China, and launching Reed's U Oxygen energy drink targeting health-conscious consumers. Cohane highlighted a $10 million underwritten public offering and uplisting to the NYSE American, stating, "This transaction strengthens our balance sheet and enhances our financial flexibility providing additional capital to support key growth initiatives." Dougl...