Bank OZK Almost three years ago, I strongly recommended buying the preferred stock of Bank OZK ( OZKAP ) for its 7.8% dividend yield back then and the wide margin of safety of the dividend. I also expected some upside, given my expectations for lower interest rates. Indeed, interest rates have moderated since that article, from 5.5% to 3.75%. As a result, the preferred stock has offered a total re...
Bank OZK Almost three years ago, I strongly recommended buying the preferred stock of Bank OZK ( OZKAP ) for its 7.8% dividend yield back then and the wide margin of safety of the dividend. I also expected some upside, given my expectations for lower interest rates. Indeed, interest rates have moderated since that article, from 5.5% to 3.75%. As a result, the preferred stock has offered a total return of 31%, which is certainly satisfactory for a low-risk, fixed-income security and a period of less than three years. Since that article, I have reiterated my positive view on the preferred stock of Bank OZK three times. I last recommended buying the stock in late 2024. The stock had remained essentially flat until recently, but it has declined 5% off its peak in February, primarily due to the war in the Middle East and the resultant expectations for higher inflation and possibly higher interest rates in the upcoming months. Due to its recent decline, the preferred stock of Bank OZK is currently offering a dividend yield of 7.3% . The preferred dividend has a wide margin of safety (more on this later). The reason behind the high yield is the fear of the investing community that the ongoing war in Iran, which has caused oil prices to skyrocket, will result in higher inflation and interest rates. If this proves correct, the preferred stock of Bank OZK is likely to come under pressure, along with most fixed-income securities. However, the war is unlikely to last for many more months, as both sides are bleeding severely. Iran is being bombarded harshly, while the U.S. has begun to feel the impact of the war via sky-high gasoline prices due to the closure of the Strait of Hormuz. Given the upcoming midterm elections, the U.S. government will do its best to prevent citizens from becoming frustrated over extreme gasoline prices. In addition, the major oil producers in the Middle East are being severely hurt by the closure of the straits, as they have been forced to drastically...
Dmitry Vinogradov Stock index futures were higher on Monday as traders remained focused on developments in the Middle East, including the status of the Strait of Hormuz. S&P 500 futures ( SPX ) rose +0.56%, Nasdaq 100 futures ( US100:IND ) advanced +0.83%, and Dow futures ( INDU ) edged up +0.36%. President Donald Trump has given Iran until 8 p.m. Eastern time Tuesday to reopen the Strait of Hormu...
Dmitry Vinogradov Stock index futures were higher on Monday as traders remained focused on developments in the Middle East, including the status of the Strait of Hormuz. S&P 500 futures ( SPX ) rose +0.56%, Nasdaq 100 futures ( US100:IND ) advanced +0.83%, and Dow futures ( INDU ) edged up +0.36%. President Donald Trump has given Iran until 8 p.m. Eastern time Tuesday to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, warning that failure to comply could trigger U.S. attacks on key infrastructure across the country. The U.S., Iran, and regional mediators are negotiating a potential 45-day ceasefire that could pave the way for ending the war, Axios reported. U.S. Treasury yields climbed across the curve. The 10-year Treasury yield ( US10Y ) rose 4.2 basis points to 4.36%, while the 2-year yield ( US2Y ) moved up 3.1 basis points to 3.86%. The 30-year yield ( US30Y ) edged higher by 1.1 basis points to 4.93%. The ISM Services Index is due during market hours. Top gainers in premarket trading included SBA Communications ( SBAC ) +2.76%, Vulcan Materials ( VMC ) +2.00%, and Targa Resources ( TRGP ) +1.98%. Decliners included Paycom Software ( PAYC ) -3.03%, Invesco ( IVZ ) -1.99%, and Aptiv ( APTV ) -1.93%. More on markets S&P 500 Earnings And A StyleBox Update For March 31, 2026 The First War Inflation Tests - Markets Weekly Outlook S&P 500: Prepare For Change (Technical Analysis) Iran rejects U.S. demands; ceasefire bid breaks down – WSJ Trump threatens to hit Iran ‘extremely hard’ even as war nears end; oil surges, futures dip
The relationship between the US and Europe is deteriorating along both security and economic dimensions. The Trump administration has imposed tariffs, while also being sharply critical of NATO allies. So what are European leaders to do? Hope things go back to normal in the US? Or perhaps become closer with China? Our guest on this episode says the latter would be a grave mistake. This episode was ...
The relationship between the US and Europe is deteriorating along both security and economic dimensions. The Trump administration has imposed tariffs, while also being sharply critical of NATO allies. So what are European leaders to do? Hope things go back to normal in the US? Or perhaps become closer with China? Our guest on this episode says the latter would be a grave mistake. This episode was recorded live on April 1 at the DC headquarters of the Council on Foreign Relations. We spoke with Gina Raimondo, now a CFR Distinguished Fellow, who previously served as the commerce secretary in the Biden Administration, and prior to that was the governor of Rhode Island. She discusses her view that European industry is being hollowed out by China. We also talk about the legacy of the CHIPS Act, and her fears about AI creating mass unemployment and destabilizing our democracy. (Source: Bloomberg)
nrqemi/iStock Editorial via Getty Images Niu Technologies ( NIU ) reported a 29% year-over-year increase in total sales volume for the first quarter of 2026. The company sold 261,624 units during the period, fueled by a robust 35% surge in the China market. The sales in China reached 247,938 units, and international sales reached 13,686 units. This domestic growth was largely driven by the high-te...
nrqemi/iStock Editorial via Getty Images Niu Technologies ( NIU ) reported a 29% year-over-year increase in total sales volume for the first quarter of 2026. The company sold 261,624 units during the period, fueled by a robust 35% surge in the China market. The sales in China reached 247,938 units, and international sales reached 13,686 units. This domestic growth was largely driven by the high-tech MT2026 model, which accounted for nearly 30% of total China sales. While international volumes declined 32%, the company is realigning operations to improve efficiency by focusing on the electric motorcycle segment and optimizing micro-mobility . Furthermore, the company plans the NXT2. 0 model launches in late March, showcasing advancements in intelligent mobility. It features a three-camera recording system and a top-tier AI riding agent with voice control for an improved experience. The company aims to continue innovating and expanding its product portfolio for sustainable growth through 2026. More on Niu Technologies Niu Technologies: Why The Time Has Come To Be Long Niu Technologies (NIU) Q4 2025 Earnings Call Transcript Niu Technologies 2025 Q4 - Results - Earnings Call Presentation Niu Technologies beats top-line estimates; gives Q1 outlook Seeking Alpha’s Quant Rating on Niu Technologies
Vanguard founder John C. Bogle introduced the first index fund in 1976. In doing so, his goal was to provide investors with a more reliable path to creating wealth in the stock market as compared to buying stakes in individual companies. "Don't look for the needle in the haystack," he said. "Just buy the haystack." Today, Vanguard remains a premiere issuer of index funds because it offers a broad ...
Vanguard founder John C. Bogle introduced the first index fund in 1976. In doing so, his goal was to provide investors with a more reliable path to creating wealth in the stock market as compared to buying stakes in individual companies. "Don't look for the needle in the haystack," he said. "Just buy the haystack." Today, Vanguard remains a premiere issuer of index funds because it offers a broad range of low-fee options. But two funds are particularly attractive right now, partly because they will undergo 6-for-1 stock splits on April 21, making shares more affordable, and partly because they outperformed the S&P 500 (SNPINDEX: ^GSPC) in the last decade. I'm talking about the Vanguard S&P 500 Growth ETF (NYSEMKT: VOOG) and the Vanguard Mega-Cap Growth ETF (NYSEMKT: MGK) . Here's what investors should know. Continue reading
South Korea’s jailed former president Yoon Suk-yeol has drawn sharp criticism for an Easter message from prison that opponents said amounted to comparing his downfall to the suffering of Jesus and showing his lack of remorse for his criminal acts. Yoon, who was removed from office a year ago after his short-lived imposition of martial law in December 2024, released the message on Sunday through hi...
South Korea’s jailed former president Yoon Suk-yeol has drawn sharp criticism for an Easter message from prison that opponents said amounted to comparing his downfall to the suffering of Jesus and showing his lack of remorse for his criminal acts. Yoon, who was removed from office a year ago after his short-lived imposition of martial law in December 2024, released the message on Sunday through his lawyer, Bae Ui-cheol, urging the public to “hold onto the hope of salvation even if times are...