Key Points: Disney parks and experiences unit was the star of the recent earnings report, beating on both the top and bottom line. Streaming profitability is increasing with the margin set to jump to 10% this year from 5% last year. Disney is historically cheap with a price-earnings ratio under 15. This comes as the company is set to increase its dividend and buyback in coming years. I am a buyer ...
Key Points: Disney parks and experiences unit was the star of the recent earnings report, beating on both the top and bottom line. Streaming profitability is increasing with the margin set to jump to 10% this year from 5% last year. Disney is historically cheap with a price-earnings ratio under 15. This comes as the company is set to increase its dividend and buyback in coming years. I am a buyer of Disney , one of the most iconic brands, because of the growth opportunity in parks and experiences, the turn in profitability for streaming and a historically cheap valuation — not to mention — the moves it has made to return more money to shareholders. Disney shares have struggled this year and are actually essentially flat over the past four years. The immediate concern is rising gasoline prices eating away at consumers' wallets because of the Iran oil crisis. Longer-term, investors have been worried about the cost of the streaming buildout, the CEO transition from legendary Bob Iger and the post-Covid future of parks and experiences. Last month, Disney said Josh D'Amaro will take over as CEO from Iger this Wednesday. D'Amaro is chairman of the experiences division, a sign of how important the company feels that unit is to its future growth. Parks growth The parks and experiences unit was the star of Disney's recent fiscal first quarter earnings report, posting $3.31 billion in profit and $10.01 billion in revenue, higher than the consensus estimates of $3.22 billion and $9.92 billion, respectively, collected by StreetAccount. It was the only Disney segment to beat on both the top and bottom line compared to the other two units: entertainment and sports. The company said it believes experiences will grow operating income by high-single digits this fiscal year, noting strong attendance and pricing trends. "We feel terrific about the parks and cruises business," said CFO Hugh Johnston at the Morgan Stanley Technology, Media and Telecom Conference earlier this month, who ...
Morgan Stanley's ( MS ) wealth management business passed $1T in Individual Retirement Account (IRA) assets under management, the company said on Tuesday. Since 2022, IRA assets have grown at a 15.8% compound annual growth rate as compared with the 13.6% industry average, Morgan Stanley ( MS ) said. The milestone underscores the company's platform spanning financial advisor-led, workplace, and sel...
Morgan Stanley's ( MS ) wealth management business passed $1T in Individual Retirement Account (IRA) assets under management, the company said on Tuesday. Since 2022, IRA assets have grown at a 15.8% compound annual growth rate as compared with the 13.6% industry average, Morgan Stanley ( MS ) said. The milestone underscores the company's platform spanning financial advisor-led, workplace, and self-directed channels, it added. The bank highlighted E*Trade's continued investment in enhancing its Individual Retirement offering, IRA rollover experience, and retirement tools. Later this year, E*Trade from Morgan Stanley plans to introduce a comprehensive planning tool that uses Morgan Stanley's ( MS ) proprietary planning methodology, extending the firm's capabilities to E*Trade clients. Morgan Stanley ( MS ) stock rose 2.5% in morning trading, as financial stocks overall rose. More on Morgan Stanley Wall Street Lunch: Private Credit Funds Face $10B Investor Exit Wave Morgan Stanley A Vs. E Preferred Shares: Rating Change For Both Morgan Stanley: Maybe I Was Wrong To Sell (And Why The Preferreds Remain Attractive) Private credit funds face massive redemption wave as wealthy investors head for exits - FT Quant ratings roundup for firms exposed to private credit as concerns grow
Key Points ISCV carries a nearly identical expense ratio to VBR but holds fewer assets and has wider bid-ask spreads Recent performance and risk metrics are closely matched, though ISCV experienced a slightly deeper drawdown during downturns ISCV tilts more toward financial services and consumer cyclicals, while VBR leans on industrials 10 stocks we like better than iShares Trust - iShares Morning...
Key Points ISCV carries a nearly identical expense ratio to VBR but holds fewer assets and has wider bid-ask spreads Recent performance and risk metrics are closely matched, though ISCV experienced a slightly deeper drawdown during downturns ISCV tilts more toward financial services and consumer cyclicals, while VBR leans on industrials 10 stocks we like better than iShares Trust - iShares Morningstar Small-Cap Value ETF › The Vanguard Small-Cap Value ETF (NYSEMKT:VBR) and iShares Morningstar Small-Cap Value ETF (NYSEMKT:ISCV) both target U.S. small-cap value stocks, but ISCV offers a marginally higher yield, heavier exposure to financial services, and much smaller assets under management (AUM). Both VBR and ISCV appeal to investors seeking broad exposure to domestic small-cap companies with value-oriented valuations. This comparison examines their costs, recent returns, risk, liquidity, and portfolio composition to help determine which may fit specific investing goals. Snapshot (cost & size) Metric VBR ISCV Issuer Vanguard IShares Expense ratio 0.05% 0.06% 1-yr return (as of 2026-03-11) 17.9% 18.3% Dividend yield 1.9% 2.0% Beta 1.00 1.03 AUM $62.3 billion $594.6 million Beta measures price volatility relative to the S&P 500; beta is calculated from five-year monthly returns. The 1-yr return represents total return over the trailing 12 months. ISCV’s expense ratio is just slightly above VBR’s, making both funds highly affordable, and ISCV’s yield is a touch higher, which may appeal to income-focused investors. Performance and risk comparison Metric VBR ISCV Max drawdown (5 y) -24.20% -25.35% Growth of $1,000 over 5 years $1,279 $1,194 What's inside ISCV tracks small-cap U.S. stocks screened for value, holding 1,078 companies as of March 2026. The fund tilts most heavily toward financial services (21%), consumer cyclicals (14%), and industrials (13%), with top positions in Moderna Inc(NASDAQ:MRNA), CF Industries Holdings Inc(NYSE:CF), and Viatris Inc(NASDAQ:VTRS). IS...
PM Images/DigitalVision via Getty Images The U.S. dollar ( DXY ) has strengthened during the Iran conflict as investors sought safety amid heightened geopolitical volatility, according to Wells Fargo Investment Institute. The bank said recent market turbulence, alongside a surge in oil prices, has supported the greenback after it fell about 10% in 2025, with investors reallocating toward perceived...
PM Images/DigitalVision via Getty Images The U.S. dollar ( DXY ) has strengthened during the Iran conflict as investors sought safety amid heightened geopolitical volatility, according to Wells Fargo Investment Institute. The bank said recent market turbulence, alongside a surge in oil prices, has supported the greenback after it fell about 10% in 2025, with investors reallocating toward perceived safe-haven assets. The move also reflected shifting expectations for U.S. monetary policy, as higher energy costs risk keeping inflation elevated and complicating the Federal Reserve’s ability to cut interest rates later this year. Wells Fargo highlighted that if U.S. interest rates remain higher than those in other major economies, the dollar is likely to stay supported. At the same time, concerns over a potential oil shock have made the United States relatively more attractive, given its position as a net energy producer compared with other developed markets. However, the bank expects the dollar’s strength to be temporary. Assuming the conflict does not have lasting economic effects, support for the currency should fade, with modest depreciation likely from current levels as geopolitical tensions ease. A weaker dollar could boost the appeal of international assets, particularly emerging-market equities and bonds denominated in foreign currencies. Still, Wells Fargo cautioned that inflation risks linked to energy prices could persist if the conflict drags on, potentially delaying Fed rate cuts and sustaining volatility across currency and fixed income markets. More on U.S. Dollar Index RBA Hikes In A 5-4 Decision, Trump-Xi Meeting Postponed, Beijing Tightens Restrictions On Fertilizer Oil Shock Sends Yields Higher And Gold Lower Weekly Market Pulse: Are We There Yet? U.S. dollar slips as markets assess Iran war developments and central bank outlook: Currency Recap DXY climbs back above 100 and is closing in on a new 4-month high
Investing.com -- Intuit (NASDAQ:INTU) pushed back against fears of AI-driven disruption, saying its business operates in a distinct category where users “buy confidence,” not software, given the high cost of getting financial decisions wrong, the company told Investing.com. The financial software firm’s comments come as software stocks have come under pressure in recent months, with investors grow...
Investing.com -- Intuit (NASDAQ:INTU) pushed back against fears of AI-driven disruption, saying its business operates in a distinct category where users “buy confidence,” not software, given the high cost of getting financial decisions wrong, the company told Investing.com. The financial software firm’s comments come as software stocks have come under pressure in recent months, with investors growing increasingly concerned that rapidly advancing artificial intelligence tools could disrupt the sector. The IGV (BMV:IGV) software and services ETF has tumbled 20% this year, underperforming the broader S&P 500, which has slipped 2.1% in 2026 as of Monday’s close. Among the most impacted names, Salesforce (NYSE:CRM) and ServiceNow (NYSE:NOW) have each fallen 25% year-to-date, Oracle (NYSE:ORCL) has dropped 20%, and Microsoft (NASDAQ:MSFT) has declined 17%. Intuit shares, meanwhile, have fallen as much as 31.7% over the same period. Citing external market volatility, the TurboTax maker said on Monday that its executive leadership team and founder are terminating all outstanding pre-scheduled stock sale plans established under Rule 10b5-1. The company said it believes its current stock price is "meaningfully misaligned" with the company’s fundamental value and that the move aligns with that view. "Our confidence is based on our durable strategy to be the AI-driven expert platform, our large total addressable market, and our long-term growth trajectory. This is underscored by our first half of FY26 performance - 18% revenue growth in the first half of the year and expanding margins," an Intuit spokesperson told Investing.com. Intuit also announced that it intends to substantially accelerate share repurchases, utilizing up to the $3.5 billion remaining under its current authorization. "To put the plan into perspective, Intuit repurchased $1.8bn in Intuit shares in FY 1H26, and if Intuit utilizes all $3.5bn remaining under the authorization, that would represent nearly double ...
Image source: The Motley Fool. Tuesday, March 17, 2026 at 9 a.m. ET CALL PARTICIPANTS Executive Chairman — Kenneth Seipel Chief Financial Officer — Heather Plutino Need a quote from a Motley Fool analyst? Email [email protected] TAKEAWAYS Comparable store sales growth -- 8.9% increase in the quarter, marking the sixth consecutive quarter of positive comps and a 15.3% two-year stack. -- 8.9% increa...
Image source: The Motley Fool. Tuesday, March 17, 2026 at 9 a.m. ET CALL PARTICIPANTS Executive Chairman — Kenneth Seipel Chief Financial Officer — Heather Plutino Need a quote from a Motley Fool analyst? Email [email protected] TAKEAWAYS Comparable store sales growth -- 8.9% increase in the quarter, marking the sixth consecutive quarter of positive comps and a 15.3% two-year stack. -- 8.9% increase in the quarter, marking the sixth consecutive quarter of positive comps and a 15.3% two-year stack. Total Q4 sales -- $230.4 million, up 9.1% over Q4 2024. -- $230.4 million, up 9.1% over Q4 2024. Q4 adjusted EBITDA -- $11.9 million, up 67% year over year and $4.8 million higher than Q4 2024. -- $11.9 million, up 67% year over year and $4.8 million higher than Q4 2024. Gross margin Q4 -- 39.9%, a 20 basis point increase, driven by lower markdowns and improved allocation process, but slightly below internal expectations due to freight and markdowns at quarter end. -- 39.9%, a 20 basis point increase, driven by lower markdowns and improved allocation process, but slightly below internal expectations due to freight and markdowns at quarter end. Adjusted SG&A Q4 -- $80 million, up from $76.7 million, including $1.8 million in higher incentive compensation, with leverage of 160 basis points to 34.7% of sales. -- $80 million, up from $76.7 million, including $1.8 million in higher incentive compensation, with leverage of 160 basis points to 34.7% of sales. Store activity Q4 -- Three store closures and no openings. -- Three store closures and no openings. Full-year net sales -- $820 million, an 8.9% increase, with 9.7% comparable store sales growth and two-year comp growth of 13.1%. -- $820 million, an 8.9% increase, with 9.7% comparable store sales growth and two-year comp growth of 13.1%. Full-year adjusted EBITDA -- $11.8 million, a $26 million increase compared to 2024, with adjusted EBITDA margin of 2.1% (reflecting methodology change). -- $11.8 million, a $26 million incr...
The State Street SPDR S&P 600 Small Cap Growth ETF (SLYG +1.04%) and the Invesco S&P SmallCap 600 Pure Growth ETF (RZG +1.46%) each target U.S. small-cap growth stocks, but RZG comes with higher costs, a sharper healthcare tilt, and greater liquidity concerns than SLYG. Both SLYG and RZG track indexes focused on small-cap companies with strong growth characteristics, but there are notable differen...
The State Street SPDR S&P 600 Small Cap Growth ETF (SLYG +1.04%) and the Invesco S&P SmallCap 600 Pure Growth ETF (RZG +1.46%) each target U.S. small-cap growth stocks, but RZG comes with higher costs, a sharper healthcare tilt, and greater liquidity concerns than SLYG. Both SLYG and RZG track indexes focused on small-cap companies with strong growth characteristics, but there are notable differences in cost, sector exposure, and practical considerations such as liquidity. This comparison highlights the most relevant tradeoffs for investors evaluating these two funds. Snapshot (cost & size) Metric SLYG RZG Issuer SPDR Invesco Expense ratio 0.15% 0.35% 1-yr return (as of 2026-03-11) 18.3% 23.6% Dividend yield 0.8% 0.4% Beta 1.06 1.16 AUM $4.0 billion $108.9 million Beta measures price volatility relative to the S&P 500; beta is calculated from five-year monthly returns. The one-year return represents total return over the trailing twelve months. RZG charges more than twice the annual fee of SLYG and pays out a lower yield, making SLYG more affordable and slightly more attractive for those prioritizing income. Performance & risk comparison Metric SLYG RZG Max drawdown (five years) (29.18%) (38.31%) Growth of $1,000 over five years $1,086 $1,042 What's inside RZG tracks a “pure growth” version of the S&P SmallCap 600, holding 130 stocks as of March 2026, with the heaviest weights in healthcare (24%), technology (19%), and industrials (16%). The fund’s largest positions—ACM Research Inc(ACMR +3.37%), Clear Secure Inc(YOU +3.44%), and Powell Industries Inc (POWL +1.07%)— each account for under two percent of assets. RZG has a 20-year track record, but assets under management remain modest, and the fund is rebalanced annually. SLYG tracks a broader S&P SmallCap 600 Growth Index, with 339 holdings and a more balanced sector mix: industrials and technology at 19% each, and healthcare at 17%. Its top positions—Interdigital Inc (IDCC 2.08%), Caretrust Reit Inc (CTRE 0.95%), a...
"As AI-first companies move from experimentation to deployment, the steps from prototype to production are where many promising teams can encounter significant friction. The Enterprise Readiness Initiative offers startups access to strong infrastructure and engineering expertise, helping them operationalize AI product delivery at enterprise scale with confidence." Leading venture capital firms are...
"As AI-first companies move from experimentation to deployment, the steps from prototype to production are where many promising teams can encounter significant friction. The Enterprise Readiness Initiative offers startups access to strong infrastructure and engineering expertise, helping them operationalize AI product delivery at enterprise scale with confidence." Leading venture capital firms are leaning into the Enterprise Readiness Initiative to offer their portfolio companies an opportunity to gain a structural advantage at the point where many AI projects stall. "We’re now in an era of new ISVs and AI-native product companies growing at the speed of light. Most of them critically need hands-on support and infrastructure expertise at the scaling stage to build sustainable, economical growth and win in the enterprise market. That's what this program delivers – working directly with NVIDIA and Nebius engineers on your actual workloads, not hypotheticals." Over an intensive engagement of up to six weeks, teams optimize inference performance and economics using Nebius Token Factory accelerated by NVIDIA inference platform — compliant, managed, purpose-built AI infrastructure that they don’t have to build or source themselves. For most AI-native companies, enterprise adoption hinges on demonstrating products that meet enterprise expectations for performance, security and compliance. They also have to ensure their products can be delivered at scale, with sustainable unit economics. This joint program helps teams prove both before entering enterprise sales cycles. Launched in partnership with Insight Partners, Accel, and Fellows Fund, the program pairs engineering teams from VC portfolio companies with Nebius engineers, as well as expertise from NVIDIA, to get their products running reliably and securely at enterprise scale. Enterprise Readiness Initiative brings together the Nebius Token Factory inference platform and NVIDIA inference platform to help AI-native compan...
Iran’s internet, which has been heavily throttled by the regime since the outbreak of war, has gone even darker over the past 48 hours, according to network monitoring firms and local activists. The Iranian regime has been further restricting what little connectivity remained in the local telecommunications network in an apparent effort to curb the use of virtual private networks, according to ana...
Iran’s internet, which has been heavily throttled by the regime since the outbreak of war, has gone even darker over the past 48 hours, according to network monitoring firms and local activists. The Iranian regime has been further restricting what little connectivity remained in the local telecommunications network in an apparent effort to curb the use of virtual private networks, according to analysis from Netblocks and Kentik, two firms that monitor internet traffic. Previously approved messaging apps such as Rubika have also been disconnected, and many so-called “white SIM cards,” which gave regime loyalists selective access to the internet, were cut off, said Ahmad Ahmadian, the executive director of digital rights group Holistic Resilience. There are as many as 50,000 of these cards in circulation. Read More: Iranians Evade Internet Blackout to Share Images of Airstrikes Activists believe the digital shutdown may be an effort to forestall anti-regime protests as the annual “Festival of Fire,” Chaharshanbe Suri, starts at sunset on Tuesday. Last year’s festival erupted into protests across major cities in Iran and elicited a heavy response from state security forces. “People celebrate with fireworks and bonfires and normally every year the city is literally on fire. It’s a very traditional, celebratory event in Iran, and this time with the war and with people coming to the street, there might be some clashes,” said Ahmadian. Reza Pahlavi , the exiled son of the last Shah, also called on Iranians in a recent address to transform the fire festival into a “symbol of national solidarity” against the Islamic Republic. According to an analysis sent to Bloomberg by technology and research firm ASL19, activity on the messaging app Telegram fell significantly around 3:30pm on March 15. Doug Madory, the director of internet analysis at network monitoring firm Kentik, said he’d seen a steep drop in recent days in the trickle of traffic that was still getting through to the...
Oli Scarff/Getty Images News BP ( BP ) said Monday its Azule Energy 50-50 joint venture in Angola with Eni ( E ) has started producing natural gas from the Quiluma field, part of the country's New Gas Consortium. BP ( BP ) said it expects initial production from Quiluma to reach 150M cf/day and ramp up to 330M cf/day, equivalent to ~2M tons/year of LNG, by the end of 2026. The development is the...
Oli Scarff/Getty Images News BP ( BP ) said Monday its Azule Energy 50-50 joint venture in Angola with Eni ( E ) has started producing natural gas from the Quiluma field, part of the country's New Gas Consortium. BP ( BP ) said it expects initial production from Quiluma to reach 150M cf/day and ramp up to 330M cf/day, equivalent to ~2M tons/year of LNG, by the end of 2026. The development is the first of a non-associated gas field in Angola, and the gas produced will be a stable and important source of gas supply for the Angola LNG plant that is delivering LNG to both the European and Asian markets. Since the beginning of 2025, Azule Energy has announced four hydrocarbon discoveries: the Algaita-01 well and Gajajeira-01 gas find in Angola and the Volans-1X and Capricornus-1X discoveries in Namibia’s Orange Basin. Azule Energy is operator of the New Gas Consortium with a 37.4% participation, in partnership with Cabinda Gulf Oil with 31%, Sonangol E&P with 19.8%, and TotalEnergies ( TTE ) with 11.8%. More on BP and Eni BP: Oil At $100, Strong Buy Eni: Significant Strategic Progress In 2025 Eni Q4 2025 Earnings Call Presentation