In sports, it's much easier to ignore off-court antics when they're from your star player. The same thought process is often applied to stocks, too. It's much easier to ignore a company's red flags if its stock is producing. That's the position that Altria (NYSE: MO) has found itself in recent years, with its business and attractive dividend. According to the CDC, U.S. adult smoking rates have dec...
In sports, it's much easier to ignore off-court antics when they're from your star player. The same thought process is often applied to stocks, too. It's much easier to ignore a company's red flags if its stock is producing. That's the position that Altria (NYSE: MO) has found itself in recent years, with its business and attractive dividend. According to the CDC, U.S. adult smoking rates have declined to an all-time low, at 9.1%. As the country's largest tobacco company, Altria has been directly affected by this. It's a shrinking market. But as one of the stock market's premier dividend stocks , is it worth ignoring the elephant in the room? Continue reading
g-stockstudio/iStock via Getty Images NYLI Hedge Multi-Strategy Tracker ETF ( QAI ) is an interesting ETF that aims to track the price and yield performance of the NYLI Hedge Multi-Strategy Index. It is run by New York Life, and that index aims to return the performance of hedge funds generally. Hedge funds have all sorts of strategies like long/short equity, long only, short bias, and merger arbi...
g-stockstudio/iStock via Getty Images NYLI Hedge Multi-Strategy Tracker ETF ( QAI ) is an interesting ETF that aims to track the price and yield performance of the NYLI Hedge Multi-Strategy Index. It is run by New York Life, and that index aims to return the performance of hedge funds generally. Hedge funds have all sorts of strategies like long/short equity, long only, short bias, and merger arbitrage, just to name a few. By providing this vehicle, it gives a way for prospective investors to access hedge fund performance without having to have direct investments in hedge funds themselves. While this is the intention of the ETF, weak performance and a deviation from the intended strategy seem to be what's transpired over time, and I see little reason for investors to allocate capital to this ETF at this time. What's In QAI? QAI is a hedge fund replication ETF. Essentially, it's aiming to mimic broader hedge fund performance. It is intentionally meant to be lowly correlated to the broader market with a lower overall risk level. Thus, benchmarks like the S&P 500 or Russell 2000 are not appropriate comparisons. This ETF owns 35 positions and yields 1.38% on an annual basis. The vast majority of these are concentrated into the iShares Floating Rate Bond ETF ( FLOT ), the Vanguard FTSE Developed Markets ETF ( VEA ), and the Franklin Senior Loan ETF ( FLBL ). These three alone combine for over a third of the fund's holdings, so it's worth understanding in greater detail what and how these individual holdings move. Author Compiled FLOT owns investment-grade floating rate bonds. Examples of these include the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development's bonds and the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development's bonds. Nowadays, most corporate debt comes at a fixed rate. Corporations issue debt at some spread over Treasuries or an applicable benchmark and don't subject themselves to interest rate risk. Still, there are a handful that have floating-rate debt. ...
Artificial intelligence (AI) semiconductor giant Micron Technology (NASDAQ: MU) recently became the latest U.S. company to join the prestigious $1 trillion market capitalization club after a run in which the stock gained an eye-popping 900% over the past year. While the $1 trillion club is growing, it's still rarefied territory, and it's not every day companies gain entry. Micron's ascent is also ...
Artificial intelligence (AI) semiconductor giant Micron Technology (NASDAQ: MU) recently became the latest U.S. company to join the prestigious $1 trillion market capitalization club after a run in which the stock gained an eye-popping 900% over the past year. While the $1 trillion club is growing, it's still rarefied territory, and it's not every day companies gain entry. Micron's ascent is also interesting to exchange-traded fund (ETF) investors because the stock's surge exposes a flaw in the market-cap weighting methodology used by many traditional chip ETFs. Put simply, some of those funds had fairly low exposure to Micron as recently as six months ago. Owing to a different approach, the First Trust Nasdaq Semiconductor ETF (NASDAQ: FTXL) was better positioned for the Micron rally because it weights metrics beyond market value. Continue reading
ymgerman/iStock via Getty Images Atour Lifestyle Holdings ( ATAT ), a lifestyle brand group in China, has not done so well since the end of 2025 as far as the stock is concerned. The stock has gradually moved lower in 2026 and it may even be in a downtrend. However, while it may be premature to declare the bottom is in or that the decline is over, there are nonetheless several reasons why long ATA...
ymgerman/iStock via Getty Images Atour Lifestyle Holdings ( ATAT ), a lifestyle brand group in China, has not done so well since the end of 2025 as far as the stock is concerned. The stock has gradually moved lower in 2026 and it may even be in a downtrend. However, while it may be premature to declare the bottom is in or that the decline is over, there are nonetheless several reasons why long ATAT is worth taking into consideration at this time, even under the aforementioned conditions. ATAT has fallen off As a company, ATAT is best known for its chain of mid- to high-end hotels that number over 2,000. While other hotel chains exist all around the world, ATAT has come up with its own spin on the hotel business by pursuing a capital-light business model where 98-99% of the hotels are owned and financed by franchisees. ATAT itself only owns 1-2% of the hotels because it focuses on various services it provides to these hotels, including the branding and management, and the supplies these hotels need to operate. In addition, ATAT has a retail component that complements the hotel business with the sale of products needed to emulate the lifestyle exhibited and the experience customers get in these hotels. This model revolves around the sale of products needed to duplicate the experience customers encounter when they stay in any of the hotels falling under ATAT. The primary focus here is on the sleep experience by showcasing the benefits of specific products, like the right mattresses, pillows, and so on, in terms of getting someone a good rest. Sleeping after all is important for the body to recuperate and to stay healthy. ATAT has been successful with this business model, with the company experiencing strong growth over the years, including in the years following the 2022 IPO, and shares of the company are about three times what they were priced at during the IPO, but the stock has not fared that well in 2026 with the stock gradually losing ground. Source: Thinkorswim a...
Parabilis Medicines , a clinical-stage cancer drug developer, is seeking to raise $475 million in an initial public offering. The Cambridge, Massachusetts-based company plans to market 25 million shares for $17 to $19 each, according to its filing Thursday with the US Securities and Exchange Commission. At the top of that range, Parabilis would have a market value of about $2.1 billion based on th...
Parabilis Medicines , a clinical-stage cancer drug developer, is seeking to raise $475 million in an initial public offering. The Cambridge, Massachusetts-based company plans to market 25 million shares for $17 to $19 each, according to its filing Thursday with the US Securities and Exchange Commission. At the top of that range, Parabilis would have a market value of about $2.1 billion based on the outstanding shares listed in its filing. Alongside the IPO, Regeneron Pharmaceuticals Inc. is also expected to buy about $75 million worth of shares at a 10% discount to the IPO price, the filing shows. Regeneron previously announced a research collaboration with Parabilis in May, giving it $50 million in an upfront payment and pledging to buy stock in its next equity offering, the filing noted. Parabilis incurred a net loss of $145.9 million for the year ended in 2025 with cash and cash equivalents of $27.7 million, compared with a net loss of $117.9 million for the year prior and cash of $47.3 million, according to the filing. Founded in 2015, Parabilis is developing therapies to treat patients with various cancers and rare tumors. The biopharmaceutical firm plans to use proceeds to advance zolucatetide, its most advanced drug candidate, to later stage trials. The offering is being led by Leerink Partners , BofA Securities , Evercore ISI , Guggenheim Securities and LifeSci Capital. The company plans for its shares to trade on the Nasdaq Global Market under the symbol PBLS.
The build-out of 5G networks remains a massive multiyear tailwind for the real estate sector. Choosing between SBA Communications (NASDAQ:SBAC) and Crown Castle (NYSE:CCI) requires weighing international growth against domestic fiber strength. Both companies operate as real estate investment trusts (REITs), owning the essential infrastructure that allows your smartphone to function. While they sha...
The build-out of 5G networks remains a massive multiyear tailwind for the real estate sector. Choosing between SBA Communications (NASDAQ:SBAC) and Crown Castle (NYSE:CCI) requires weighing international growth against domestic fiber strength. Both companies operate as real estate investment trusts (REITs), owning the essential infrastructure that allows your smartphone to function. While they share similar business models, their geographic focuses and asset mixes differ significantly. One prioritizes global expansion while the other bets heavily on U.S. small cells and fiber to complement its traditional tower portfolio. SBA Communications provides essential infrastructure by leasing tower space to wireless providers. Its primary customers include T-Mobile , AT&T , and Verizon . T-Mobile alone accounted for more than 31% of total revenue in 2024, and customer concentration like this adds a layer of risk to the business. Continue reading
Picture a 62-year-old Apple lifer cleaning out an office for the last time. The 401(k) statement shows $1.9 million, with $620,000 sitting in company stock accumulated over 25 years of ESPP purchases and employer match-in-stock. The cost basis on those shares is $140,000. The default move, rolling the entire balance to an IRA, looks clean. ... The NUA Move That Cuts a Retiring Executive’s Tax on $...
Picture a 62-year-old Apple lifer cleaning out an office for the last time. The 401(k) statement shows $1.9 million, with $620,000 sitting in company stock accumulated over 25 years of ESPP purchases and employer match-in-stock. The cost basis on those shares is $140,000. The default move, rolling the entire balance to an IRA, looks clean. ... The NUA Move That Cuts a Retiring Executive’s Tax on $480,000 of Employer Stock From 32% to 15%
Microchip Technology ( MCHP ) said its Armenia office has received approval from the U.S. Department of Commerce’s Bureau of Industry and Security for an export license covering advanced technology classified under ECCN 3E001 and related high-performance hardware. Such authorization requires companies to demonstrate rigorous compliance with U.S . export regulations, including clear definitions of ...
Microchip Technology ( MCHP ) said its Armenia office has received approval from the U.S. Department of Commerce’s Bureau of Industry and Security for an export license covering advanced technology classified under ECCN 3E001 and related high-performance hardware. Such authorization requires companies to demonstrate rigorous compliance with U.S . export regulations, including clear definitions of permitted end uses, controlled access to sensitive technology, and robust internal compliance safeguards. The license enables Microchip to securely and responsibly develop advanced semiconductor technologies in Armenia within the global regulatory framework. The stock is up 2.9% premarket. More on Microchip Technology Microchip Technology: Margin Recovery Meets AI Data Center Demand Microchip Technology Incorporated (MCHP) Presents at 2026 Evercore Global TMT Conference Transcript Microchip Technology Incorporated (MCHP) Presents at Bank of America 2026 Global Technology Conference Transcript Microchip jumps as Morgan Stanley highlights data center announcement Microchip sees FY26 data center solutions revenue $500M; shares jump
Spotify and Netflix have both built dominant subscription platforms, but for a retirement-focused investor allocating capital in mid-2026, which streaming name deserves the slot? Spotify Technology (NYSE:SPOT) and Netflix (NASDAQ:NFLX) are screening as bargain candidates after both stocks have given back ground this year, but the underlying businesses are not in the same league. Three ... Spotify ...
Spotify and Netflix have both built dominant subscription platforms, but for a retirement-focused investor allocating capital in mid-2026, which streaming name deserves the slot? Spotify Technology (NYSE:SPOT) and Netflix (NASDAQ:NFLX) are screening as bargain candidates after both stocks have given back ground this year, but the underlying businesses are not in the same league. Three ... Spotify vs. Netflix: Which Streaming Stock Deserves Your Retirement Capital?