Ten years ago, Exxon Mobil (NYSE:XOM) was an aging supermajor coasting on legacy assets and a sleepy dividend. The decade that followed was brutal before it got good. CEO Darren Woods kicked off a transformation in 2018 built around advantaged barrels, cost cuts, and capital discipline. Then came the pandemic, which gutted crude demand and ... Exxon Got Kicked Out of the Dow in 2020. It Has Since ...
Ten years ago, Exxon Mobil (NYSE:XOM) was an aging supermajor coasting on legacy assets and a sleepy dividend. The decade that followed was brutal before it got good. CEO Darren Woods kicked off a transformation in 2018 built around advantaged barrels, cost cuts, and capital discipline. Then came the pandemic, which gutted crude demand and ... Exxon Got Kicked Out of the Dow in 2020. It Has Since Beaten the S&P 500 by Nearly Double
Douglas Rissing/iStock via Getty Images The Ultra Short Government Fund returned +0.73 in the first calendar quarter compared to a +0.81% return for the ICE BofAML US 6-Month Treasury Bill Index (6-Month Treasury). Overview The U.S. fixed-income market in the first quarter of 2026 was characterized by a transition from the strong, rate-driven performance of 2025 to a more volatile, income-oriented...
Douglas Rissing/iStock via Getty Images The Ultra Short Government Fund returned +0.73 in the first calendar quarter compared to a +0.81% return for the ICE BofAML US 6-Month Treasury Bill Index (6-Month Treasury). Overview The U.S. fixed-income market in the first quarter of 2026 was characterized by a transition from the strong, rate-driven performance of 2025 to a more volatile, income-oriented environment shaped by persistent inflation risks and shifting monetary policy expectations. Treasury yields moved higher—particularly in March—as investors scaled back expectations for near-term Federal Reserve rate cuts amid renewed inflation concerns and geopolitical uncertainties, leading to broadly negative total returns for the quarter. At the same time, the Federal Reserve maintained a cautious stance, holding policy rates steady while signaling limited easing ahead, which contributed to a steeper yield curve as short-term rates stabilized and longer-term yields remained elevated. Credit markets remained fundamentally resilient, supported by solid corporate balance sheets and strong investor demand, though spreads stayed near historically tight levels, limiting further price appreciation and increasing the importance of income (carry) and security selection as primary return drivers. Overall, the quarter reflected a shift toward a “higher-for-longer” rate backdrop, where elevated yields continued to offer attractive income opportunities, but with greater sensitivity to macroeconomic data, inflation dynamics, and geopolitical developments. Portfolio Positioning The Federal Reserve’s monetary policy decisions (e.g., changes in short-term interest rates) will continue to affect all investments within our opportunity set for the Ultra Short Duration Fund. As a result, our yield and return will invariably follow the path dictated by the Federal Reserve’s monetary policy, as we frequently reinvest maturities with holdings that mature in a short period of time. As of March ...
Bessent Examining Use Of Frozen Iranian Assets To Help Gulf Countries Rebuild Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent is reportedly pursuing a pathway to repurpose Iranian assets to compensate Amerca's Gulf allies which have suffered significant damage due to Iran's attacks in the wake of Trump's Operation Epic Fury. Over eighty oil, gas, and vital infrastructure facilities across the Gulf have been hit ...
Bessent Examining Use Of Frozen Iranian Assets To Help Gulf Countries Rebuild Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent is reportedly pursuing a pathway to repurpose Iranian assets to compensate Amerca's Gulf allies which have suffered significant damage due to Iran's attacks in the wake of Trump's Operation Epic Fury. Over eighty oil, gas, and vital infrastructure facilities across the Gulf have been hit - with most of the attacks having occurred in March and April - with one recent report estimating up to $58 billion in damage . Iran has sought to justify these attacks as 'retaliation' for these Gulf countries hosting American bases during the US unprovoked assault on the Islamic Republic. Image source: White House "Treasury will utilize all tools available to allow Iranian assets to be made available to our Gulf allies to support rebuilding and repairs for any future damage caused by Iran," a US official told ABC's Senior White House correspondent Selina Wang over the weekend. "The Secretary has also directed his team to assess conditions amongst our Gulf allies and request comprehensive estimates of the costs associated with repairing damage Iran has inflicted since the start of the conflict ," the source continued. "Treasury will further consider whether Iranian assets could be used to support repairs for past damages ," it added, per the ABC correspondent. She also wrote on X: The Iranian assets could include frozen assets and ships the U.S. has seized. The administration is reaching out to Gulf allies right now and asking for their evaluation. If Treasury pulls the trigger on such a plan, it would likely further derail efforts to get Tehran and Washington back to the negotiating table . Already the US has balked at Iran's own insistent it be given reparations for damage done. Iran is demanding that its billions in funds long frozen by Washington be given back as part of a deal. The Trump administration has so far appeared to reject this. While some Gulf allies might w...
Paul Edwards from Chester ordered the publication before the birth of his son in 2007, but experienced pregnant pause before receiving it this week When Paul Edwards ordered a parenting magazine in 2007, he was hoping that it would provide helpful advice and offers to help him navigate the stresses and challenges of bringing up children. However the magazine never arrived – until now. The copy of ...
Paul Edwards from Chester ordered the publication before the birth of his son in 2007, but experienced pregnant pause before receiving it this week When Paul Edwards ordered a parenting magazine in 2007, he was hoping that it would provide helpful advice and offers to help him navigate the stresses and challenges of bringing up children. However the magazine never arrived – until now. The copy of Mother & Baby was delivered on Friday – 19 years after he ordered it – with his children now studying at university. Continue reading...
JayLazarin/iStock Unreleased via Getty Images Artificial intelligence is beginning to reshape how banks recruit, train and deploy workers, raising questions about the future of entry-level finance jobs even as firms continue investing heavily in new talent, Bloomberg News reported Sunday. From Wall Street to global banking hubs, executives increasingly describe AI as a tool that will reduce staffi...
JayLazarin/iStock Unreleased via Getty Images Artificial intelligence is beginning to reshape how banks recruit, train and deploy workers, raising questions about the future of entry-level finance jobs even as firms continue investing heavily in new talent, Bloomberg News reported Sunday. From Wall Street to global banking hubs, executives increasingly describe AI as a tool that will reduce staffing needs in some areas while creating demand for workers with technical and data-focused skills. The shift is already influencing hiring strategies, with some banks trimming junior analyst classes and redirecting recruiting efforts toward AI-related roles. The trend carries significant implications for investors. Banks have long viewed labor as one of their largest expenses, and successful AI adoption could improve productivity and lower operating costs. At the same time, reduced hiring at the junior level raises questions about how firms will develop future leaders, while execution risks, regulatory concerns and potential workforce disruptions could affect the pace of adoption. Senior banking executives have become increasingly candid about AI's impact on employment. JPMorgan ( JPM ) Chase Chief Executive Jamie Dimon has said the technology will eliminate some jobs, while Citigroup ( C ) Chief Executive Jane Fraser has warned that certain positions may no longer be needed. Goldman Sachs ( GS ) President John Waldron has also described parts of the banking workforce as vulnerable to automation. Industry observers say the latest wave of automation differs from earlier technological shifts because it extends beyond routine administrative work. Functions in middle-office operations, compliance, research and other white-collar roles could increasingly be supported by AI systems. Students and recent graduates seeking careers in finance are already feeling the effects. Recruiters and consultants say banks are becoming more selective with graduate hiring while seeking workers who ...
jetcityimage/iStock Editorial via Getty Images Ingredion Inc. ( INGR ) is close to reaching an agreement to acquire Tate & Lyle Plc ( TATYF )( TATYY ) in a transaction valued at about £2.7 billion ($3.6 billion), Bloomberrg News reported Sunday, citing people familiar with the matter, a deal that would remove another longstanding company from the London stock market. The U.S.-based ingredients pro...
jetcityimage/iStock Editorial via Getty Images Ingredion Inc. ( INGR ) is close to reaching an agreement to acquire Tate & Lyle Plc ( TATYF )( TATYY ) in a transaction valued at about £2.7 billion ($3.6 billion), Bloomberrg News reported Sunday, citing people familiar with the matter, a deal that would remove another longstanding company from the London stock market. The U.S.-based ingredients producer could announce a formal agreement as early as Monday. Ingredion is expected to submit a firm offer worth 615 pence per share, matching the terms of a proposal disclosed in May. Under that approach, Tate & Lyle shareholders would receive 595 pence per share in cash and remain eligible for dividends of as much as 20 pence per share. The talks are at an advanced stage, though a final agreement has not yet been reached and the timing could still change, the people said. Both companies declined to comment to Bloomberg News. The acquisition would be significant for investors because it would further consolidate the global specialty ingredients industry while underscoring the continuing challenges facing London's equity market. The deal would also expand Ingredion's higher-margin specialty ingredients business at a time when food manufacturers are increasingly seeking products tied to health, texture and reformulation trends. Tate & Lyle shares ended trading Friday at 491.4 pence, giving the company a market value of roughly £2.2 billion. Ingredion's market capitalization stands at about $6.3 billion. The potential takeover comes amid a steady stream of acquisitions involving UK-listed companies, raising concerns about the shrinking roster of major firms on the London Stock Exchange. Asset manager Schroders was acquired earlier this year by a U.S. rival, while testing and inspection company Intertek this week said it was inclined to support a takeover proposal worth more than £9 billion from Swedish private equity group EQT. Tate & Lyle traces its roots to the sugar industry...
If you put $10,000 into Direxion Daily Gold Miners Index Bull 2X Shares (NYSEARCA:NUGT) at Friday’s open on June 5, 2026, you walked out of the close with about $8,300. The fund opened at $158.82 and finished the day at $131.39, a one-session loss of 17.27%, and it happened on a day when half the ... NUGT Collapsed 17% on Friday While Gold Fell Just 3%: The Hidden Leverage Destroying Miners ETF Ho...
If you put $10,000 into Direxion Daily Gold Miners Index Bull 2X Shares (NYSEARCA:NUGT) at Friday’s open on June 5, 2026, you walked out of the close with about $8,300. The fund opened at $158.82 and finished the day at $131.39, a one-session loss of 17.27%, and it happened on a day when half the ... NUGT Collapsed 17% on Friday While Gold Fell Just 3%: The Hidden Leverage Destroying Miners ETF Holders
IR_Stone/iStock via Getty Images A Time-tested Approach to U.S. blue-chips Sponsor Voya Investments, LLC (CLTF) Strategy overview A passively managed grantor trust that invests in most of the same 30 blue-chip companies bought in 1935 – or their direct descendants. Key takeaways Equity markets declined in 1Q26 as easing inflation momentum gave way to heightened geopolitical risk and policy uncerta...
IR_Stone/iStock via Getty Images A Time-tested Approach to U.S. blue-chips Sponsor Voya Investments, LLC (CLTF) Strategy overview A passively managed grantor trust that invests in most of the same 30 blue-chip companies bought in 1935 – or their direct descendants. Key takeaways Equity markets declined in 1Q26 as easing inflation momentum gave way to heightened geopolitical risk and policy uncertainty. Growth oriented segments led the pullback, while value proved more resilient. Market participation narrowed, with sector performance becoming more mixed and energy emerging as a standout amid global supply concerns Equity markets are navigating a more complex macro environment, influenced by geopolitical risk, policy uncertainty, and evolving growth dynamics. Leadership is rotating toward more defensive and quality-oriented areas, reinforcing the importance of selective positioning and active risk management in a more volatile environment. For the quarter, the Voya Corporates Leaders Trust Fund Series B outperformed its benchmark, the S&P 500 Index (the Index) on a net asset value (NAV) basis, due to both allocation and selection effects. Market review Heightened geopolitical risks and changing economic expectations pushed U.S. equity markets lower during the first quarter of 2026. Broad weakness in large cap technology and software stocks, linked to concerns around artificial intelligence disruption, weighed on performance. The S&P 500 declined by –4.33% on a total return basis, while the Nasdaq Composite fell by –7.11% on a price return basis. Investors shifted market leadership toward more defensive and value focused areas, allowing the energy, materials, and utilities sectors to outperform, while financials, consumer discretionary, and communication services lagged. Value stocks proved more resilient than growth stocks, and small cap stocks outpaced large caps as overall market participation narrowed. Selling pressure also weakened U.S. Treasury markets during the...
For a 59-year-old pre-retiree sitting on a six-figure dividend core, the choice between iShares Core Dividend Growth ETF (NYSEARCA:DGRO) and Schwab U.S. Dividend Equity ETF (NYSEARCA:SCHD) usually gets framed as a yield contest. SCHD pays more today. The quieter story is that DGRO has delivered 250% over the past ten years versus SCHD’s 233%, and ... Forget SCHD: DGRO’s Looser Quality Filter Has Q...
For a 59-year-old pre-retiree sitting on a six-figure dividend core, the choice between iShares Core Dividend Growth ETF (NYSEARCA:DGRO) and Schwab U.S. Dividend Equity ETF (NYSEARCA:SCHD) usually gets framed as a yield contest. SCHD pays more today. The quieter story is that DGRO has delivered 250% over the past ten years versus SCHD’s 233%, and ... Forget SCHD: DGRO’s Looser Quality Filter Has Quietly Delivered Higher Total Returns Over the Last Decade
Bellingham wore armband in second half v New Zealand Tuchel unsure if Arsenal quartet play against Costa Rica Declan Rice has been named England’s vice-captain by Thomas Tuchel, who has played down the significance of Jude Bellingham wearing the armband during the second half of the 1-0 victory against New Zealand . Although Bellingham captained the side after coming off the bench in Saturday’s Wo...
Bellingham wore armband in second half v New Zealand Tuchel unsure if Arsenal quartet play against Costa Rica Declan Rice has been named England’s vice-captain by Thomas Tuchel, who has played down the significance of Jude Bellingham wearing the armband during the second half of the 1-0 victory against New Zealand . Although Bellingham captained the side after coming off the bench in Saturday’s World Cup warm-up in Tampa, Tuchel said that was simply because the midfielder was the player on the pitch with the most international appearances. Continue reading...
After Italian Flavio Cobolli missed an overhead on the second championship point of the five-set encounter, Zverev dropped on his back and began sobbing. (Image credit: Aurelien Morissard)
After Italian Flavio Cobolli missed an overhead on the second championship point of the five-set encounter, Zverev dropped on his back and began sobbing. (Image credit: Aurelien Morissard)
Klaus Vedfelt/DigitalVision via Getty Images This note will highlight the results of the Thornburg Global Opportunities Fund for Q1 2026. It is published amidst the ongoing developments associated with the Russian war with Ukraine, Mideast violence, and ongoing inflation concerns in the U.S. There is significant government policy uncertainty in the U.S. and elsewhere that is altering global trade ...
Klaus Vedfelt/DigitalVision via Getty Images This note will highlight the results of the Thornburg Global Opportunities Fund for Q1 2026. It is published amidst the ongoing developments associated with the Russian war with Ukraine, Mideast violence, and ongoing inflation concerns in the U.S. There is significant government policy uncertainty in the U.S. and elsewhere that is altering global trade and financial flows. Most equity indices worldwide delivered negative returns in the March quarter. Credit spreads on bonds and most asset-backed securities widened vs government bonds. The net asset value of the Global Opportunities Fund I shares increased $1.51 per share ($47.45 to $49.26) in Q1'2026. For the trailing 12-month period ending March 31, 2026 the net asset value of the I shares increased from $38.78 per share to $49.26. Your fund paid an ordinary income dividend of $0.61 per I share in December 2025 and a $2.45 long term capital gains dividend in Q4'2025, resulting in $3.06 in total dividends for calendar 2025. The ordinary income dividends per share were lower for A and C shares, to account for varying class specific expenses. Your fund's I share return of +3.16% for Q1 2026 exceeded the -3.20% return of the MSCI All Country World Index. For the trailing 12-month period ending March 31, 2026 your fund's I share return of +35.75% exceeded the +20.01% return of the MSCI All Country World Index. Generally speaking, multi-year returns of Thornburg Global Opportunities Fund have exceeded the returns of the MSCI All Country World Index. We are now in the 20th year of managing Thornburg Global Opportunities Fund. From its inception on 28 July 2006 through 31 March 2026, Thornburg Global Opportunities Fund has outpaced the MSCI All Country World Index by an average margin of more than 3% per year, resulting in a total cumulative return since inception of 717.8% (I shares) versus 336.5% for the MSCI All Country World Index. Performance comparisons of Thornburg Global...
Key PointsiShares U.S. Aerospace & Defense ETF offers a lower expense ratio and established history compared to the newer ARK Space & Defense Innovation ETF.
Key PointsiShares U.S. Aerospace & Defense ETF offers a lower expense ratio and established history compared to the newer ARK Space & Defense Innovation ETF.