Richard Drury/DigitalVision via Getty Images DGRO and VOO: Previous Thesis and New Developments I last analyzed the iShares Core Dividend Growth ETF (NYSEARCA: DGRO ) on December 16, 2025. That analysis was triggered by the interest rate cut outlook at that time. After examining DGRO's growth-adjusted and interest-rate-adjusted valuation, I rated the ETF as a strong buy. Since that writing, there ...
Richard Drury/DigitalVision via Getty Images DGRO and VOO: Previous Thesis and New Developments I last analyzed the iShares Core Dividend Growth ETF (NYSEARCA: DGRO ) on December 16, 2025. That analysis was triggered by the interest rate cut outlook at that time. After examining DGRO's growth-adjusted and interest-rate-adjusted valuation, I rated the ETF as a strong buy. Since that writing, there have been several notable developments evolving around both DGRO and also the broader market. These changes motivated a reexamination of DGRO’s return/risk profile relative to the broader market, which I will approximate by the Vanguard S&P 500 ETF (NYSEARCA: VOO ). In the end, these changes have led me to see a less attractive return/risk profile from DGRO than at the time of my last writing, but still more skewed than the broader market represented by VOO. With these considerations, this article adjusts my rating for DGRO to buy. To limit the length of the article and remain focused, the rest of this article will focus on the top two developments in my view: the earnings updates for FQ1 2026 and also the updated interest outlook per the latest Federal Reserve’s FOMC statement. Let me start with a brief recap of the FOMC statement released recently on April 29. To wit, the committee members voted to keep the Fed rate unchanged in the target range of 3.5 to 3.75 percent. Their votes, when combined with concerns of elevated inflation and the ongoing geopolitical risks involving Iran, have drastically changed the outlook of future interest rates. As a result, short-term treasury yields remained around 3.7%, while longer-term yields (such as the 10-year yield) have moved up and pushed towards the 4.5% level, as seen in the next chart. Seeking Alpha Risk-free rates act as an anchor to equity valuation, especially for a fund like DGRO with concentrated exposure to dividend stocks, and consequently exhibit a stronger quasi-bond flavor than broader market funds like VOO. As such, ...
With an upside potential of 19.0%, NVIDIA Corporation (NASDAQ:NVDA) remains a bullish pick among analysts. The stock, therefore, earns its place on our list of the best agentic AI stocks to buy right now. As of May 12, 2026, NVIDIA Corporation (NASDAQ:NVDA) continues to position itself strongly as the infrastructure and governance backbone for enterprise […]
With an upside potential of 19.0%, NVIDIA Corporation (NASDAQ:NVDA) remains a bullish pick among analysts. The stock, therefore, earns its place on our list of the best agentic AI stocks to buy right now. As of May 12, 2026, NVIDIA Corporation (NASDAQ:NVDA) continues to position itself strongly as the infrastructure and governance backbone for enterprise […]
With an upside potential of 7.8%, Alphabet Inc. (NASDAQ:GOOGL) earns its place on our list of the best agentic AI stocks to buy right now. Alphabet Inc. (NASDAQ:GOOGL) appears to be expanding its role as a foundational infrastructure provider within the growing AI ecosystem. On May 5, 2026, Reuters reported that Anthropic plans to spend $200 billion […]
With an upside potential of 7.8%, Alphabet Inc. (NASDAQ:GOOGL) earns its place on our list of the best agentic AI stocks to buy right now. Alphabet Inc. (NASDAQ:GOOGL) appears to be expanding its role as a foundational infrastructure provider within the growing AI ecosystem. On May 5, 2026, Reuters reported that Anthropic plans to spend $200 billion […]
With an upside potential of 37.3%, Microsoft Corporation (NASDAQ:MSFT) remains a bullish pick among analysts. The stock, therefore, earns its place on our list of the best agentic AI stocks to buy right now. Microsoft Corporation (NASDAQ:MSFT) is accelerating its transition toward agentic artificial intelligence systems that extend beyond conversational tools into autonomous enterprise execution [...
With an upside potential of 37.3%, Microsoft Corporation (NASDAQ:MSFT) remains a bullish pick among analysts. The stock, therefore, earns its place on our list of the best agentic AI stocks to buy right now. Microsoft Corporation (NASDAQ:MSFT) is accelerating its transition toward agentic artificial intelligence systems that extend beyond conversational tools into autonomous enterprise execution […]
Advanced Micro Devices unveils Ryzen PRO 9000 workstation chips with 3D V-Cache, boosts performance for AI, simulation and gaming, with rollout set for H2 2026.
Advanced Micro Devices unveils Ryzen PRO 9000 workstation chips with 3D V-Cache, boosts performance for AI, simulation and gaming, with rollout set for H2 2026.
Apple's two-year-old partnership with OpenAI has become strained, with the AI startup failing to see the expected benefits from the deal and now preparing possible legal action, Bloomberg News reported on Thursday. Apple and OpenAI did not immediately respond to requests for comment. In 2024, Apple announced integration of its "Apple Intelligence" technology across its apps including Siri and br...
Apple's two-year-old partnership with OpenAI has become strained, with the AI startup failing to see the expected benefits from the deal and now preparing possible legal action, Bloomberg News reported on Thursday. Apple and OpenAI did not immediately respond to requests for comment. In 2024, Apple announced integration of its "Apple Intelligence" technology across its apps including Siri and bringing OpenAI's chatbot ChatGPT to its devices.
asbe SharkNinja ( SN ) will be added to the S&P MidCap 400 index effective before the open on May 18. Jefferies analyst Randal Konik noted that index inclusion will broaden SharkNinja's ( SN ) institutional investor base and increase passive fund ownership. Those developments are expected to improve trading liquidity over time. "Our Index Strategy team estimates the addition will generate ~$889M i...
asbe SharkNinja ( SN ) will be added to the S&P MidCap 400 index effective before the open on May 18. Jefferies analyst Randal Konik noted that index inclusion will broaden SharkNinja's ( SN ) institutional investor base and increase passive fund ownership. Those developments are expected to improve trading liquidity over time. "Our Index Strategy team estimates the addition will generate ~$889M in net dollar flows and ~549% of ADV in shares to trade, indicating significant buying pressure as passive funds execute around the effective date," highlighted Konik. Shares of SharkNinja ( SN ) were up 5.4% in early afternoon trading to $108.47. The 52-week high for the stock is $133.99. The Seeking Alpha Quant Rating on SharkNinja ( SN ) is flashing Buy. More on SharkNinja SharkNinja, Inc. (SN) Q1 2026 Earnings Call Transcript SharkNinja, Inc. 2026 Q1 - Results - Earnings Call Presentation SharkNinja: Still A Buy As Market Share Gains Defy Macro Weakness SharkNinja to enter S&P MidCap 400; Flowers Foods, F&G Annuities & Life to join S&P SmallCap 600 Top household appliances stocks after Whirlpool’s earnings stumble
Here are some of the companies making headlines in midday trading. Bitcoin-linked stocks – Share of companies related to bitcoin rose as the Senate Banking Committee met to discuss legislation that would create a regulatory framework for cryptocurrencies. Bitcoin rose 2%, while Coinbase jumped nearly 9%. Bitcoin treasury company Strategy popped 7%, and trading platform Robinhood rose 6%. Starbucks...
Here are some of the companies making headlines in midday trading. Bitcoin-linked stocks – Share of companies related to bitcoin rose as the Senate Banking Committee met to discuss legislation that would create a regulatory framework for cryptocurrencies. Bitcoin rose 2%, while Coinbase jumped nearly 9%. Bitcoin treasury company Strategy popped 7%, and trading platform Robinhood rose 6%. Starbucks – The coffee chain jumped 2% after TD Cowen raised its rating to buy from hold, and its price target to $120 from $106. "Starbucks has numerous tangible drivers to deliver positive sales revisions in a strong category backdrop," analyst Andrew Charles said Thursday in a note to clients. Ford Motor – Shares of the automaker rose 7%, adding to its 13% advance Wednesday. Morgan Stanley highlighted its energy storage business and its relationship with battery manufacturer CATL. "We find that investors are overlooking this opportunity and its potential to drive improved profitability within Ford's Model e segment," analyst Andrew Percoco wrote in a Tuesday report. Barclays said Thursday that Ford Energy "could be an incremental $3bn revenue, $300-500mn EBIT opportunity." Applied Materials — The semiconductor equipment manufacturer rose about 2% ahead of fiscal second-quarter results. Analysts surveyed by FactSet are calling for earnings of $2.66 per share on revenue of $7.68 billion. They also expect revenue from the company's Semiconductor Systems unit to reach $5.83 billion. Shares have surged 73% in 2026. Biogen — Shares fell 5%, reversing earlier gains. Biogen said its experimental Alzheimer's drug will advance into a phase 3 trial, despite failing to meet the main goal of the phase 2 trial. Biogen said the drug showed cognitive benefits. Versant Media Group - Shares rose almost 4% after Versant reported revenue growth across its content licensing and digital platforms in the first quarter, even as revenue overall slipped due to continued declines in linear distribution of ...
(Bloomberg) -- Apple Inc.’s two-year-old partnership with OpenAI has become strained, according to people familiar with the matter, with the AI startup failing to see the expected benefits from the deal and now preparing possible legal action. Most Read from BloombergIran’s Kharg Island Oil Jetties Empty Again Yesterday, Satellite ShowsWhat Is The Thucydides Trap and Why Did Xi Raise It With Trump...
(Bloomberg) -- Apple Inc.’s two-year-old partnership with OpenAI has become strained, according to people familiar with the matter, with the AI startup failing to see the expected benefits from the deal and now preparing possible legal action. Most Read from BloombergIran’s Kharg Island Oil Jetties Empty Again Yesterday, Satellite ShowsWhat Is The Thucydides Trap and Why Did Xi Raise It With Trump?Trump Says China Offered Help With Iran as Ship Seized Near UAEXi Tells US CEOs on Trump Visit That
The Invesco S&P 500 Equal Weight Health Care ETF is seeing unusually high volume in afternoon trading Thursday, with over 1.9 million shares traded versus three month average volume of about 70,000. Shares of RSPH were up about 0.6% on the day. Components of that ETF with
The Invesco S&P 500 Equal Weight Health Care ETF is seeing unusually high volume in afternoon trading Thursday, with over 1.9 million shares traded versus three month average volume of about 70,000. Shares of RSPH were up about 0.6% on the day. Components of that ETF with
The Senate Banking Committee advanced a landmark digital asset market structure bill Thursday after months of negotiations, signaling fresh momentum for the long-stalled measure. The so-called Clarity Act would establish the Commodity Futures Trading Commission as the primary regulator for large parts of the crypto industry while the Securities and Exchange Commission would retain authority to ove...
The Senate Banking Committee advanced a landmark digital asset market structure bill Thursday after months of negotiations, signaling fresh momentum for the long-stalled measure. The so-called Clarity Act would establish the Commodity Futures Trading Commission as the primary regulator for large parts of the crypto industry while the Securities and Exchange Commission would retain authority to oversee digital securities. The bill now heads to the Senate floor, where lawmakers will need to combine it with another version from the Agriculture Committee, which has jurisdiction over the CFTC. “This legislation does not take sides between traditional finance and new technology,” said Senate Banking Committee Chair Tim Scott . “It brings digital assets out of the shadows and into a system that is safer, fairer and more transparent.” The 15-9 vote will likely be cheered by the crypto industry, which has long-sought to create clear rules for the digital asset space, but the bill still faces challenges. It’s unclear whether senators, in consultation with the White House, will be able to hash out a bipartisan ethics provision meant to limit government officials’ ability to profit from crypto-linked business. Those ethical concerns largely target President Donald Trump, whose family’s wealth has been transformed by digital assets. Some Democrats have also said said they will not support the legislation without stronger consumer protections and software developer prosecution provisions. If they can clear those hurdles with the support of enough Democrats, the bill could garner enough votes to pass the Senate. It would still need to be voted on again in the House, which passed a separate version of the legislation in 2025. Stablecoin Rewards The committee vote came after a bipartisan compromise was brokered by Senators Thom Tillis and Angela Alsobrooks following months of back-and-forth negotiations among lawmakers, bank groups and crypto firms. Those talks centered on the abili...
In trading on Thursday, the Bitwise Crypto Industry Innovators ETF is outperforming other ETFs, up about 5% on the day. Components of that ETF showing particular strength include shares of Keel Infrastructure, up about 11.2% and shares of Coinbase Global, up about 8.9% on the d
In trading on Thursday, the Bitwise Crypto Industry Innovators ETF is outperforming other ETFs, up about 5% on the day. Components of that ETF showing particular strength include shares of Keel Infrastructure, up about 11.2% and shares of Coinbase Global, up about 8.9% on the d
The pound fell to a one-month low after Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham said he is seeking to run for Parliament, potentially opening an avenue to challenge embattled UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer . Sterling traded as much as 0.7% lower at $1.3429, the weakest level since April 13, after Burnham’s announcement, which came after the gilt market closed. Labour Member of Parliament Josh Simons announc...
The pound fell to a one-month low after Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham said he is seeking to run for Parliament, potentially opening an avenue to challenge embattled UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer . Sterling traded as much as 0.7% lower at $1.3429, the weakest level since April 13, after Burnham’s announcement, which came after the gilt market closed. Labour Member of Parliament Josh Simons announced plans to step down from his seat to allow Burnham the opportunity to run. The prospect of Burnham becoming prime minister is seen as a bearish risk by UK bond traders, who fear any replacement for Starmer may increase fiscal spending and with it gilt issuance. Although Burnham said that his remarks last year about the country being “in hock” to bond markets were taken out of context , it nonetheless spooked investors. Red more: Schroders Stays Clear of UK Bonds, Citing Risk Starmer Is Ousted “Clearly markets are now seriously considering the end of Starmer’s time in office, now that there is a clear route for Burnham to return to Parliament,” said Nick Rees , head of macro research at Monex Europe Ltd. Starmer is fighting to stay in 10 Downing St. after an election defeat last week for his Labour Party deepened concerns about the prime minister’s unpopularity. That’s a risk for bond investors, who view Starmer and his Chancellor of the Exchequer Rachel Reeves as more committed to keeping borrowing in check than their potential replacements. Burnham’s announcement raises the stakes for Starmer. The Manchester mayor is the only senior UK politician to hold a net positive approval rating among voters, according to YouGov, and is the preferred candidate for many on the left of the Labour Party. There will be several hurdles standing in Burnham’s way before he can mount a formal leadership challenge. He firstly needs the approval of Labour’s governing body to run for Parliament. Starmer’s allies on that committee blocked him from contesting a separate seat in the Manchester a...
Scott Barbour/Getty Images News Shell ( SHEL ) said its payments in 2025 to countries where it has upstream operations fell 15% to $23.8B, according to the company's latest Payments to Governments report covering taxes, royalties, production entitlements, and fees paid to various national and local governments across multiple countries. Shell ( SHEL ) said t he report aligns with U.K., European Un...
Scott Barbour/Getty Images News Shell ( SHEL ) said its payments in 2025 to countries where it has upstream operations fell 15% to $23.8B, according to the company's latest Payments to Governments report covering taxes, royalties, production entitlements, and fees paid to various national and local governments across multiple countries. Shell ( SHEL ) said t he report aligns with U.K., European Union, Dutch, and U.S. regulations and highlights its financial contributions to host countries. Brazil surpassed Nigeria as Shell's ( SHEL ) biggest state beneficiary, rising ~15% Y/Y to $4.25B, as output rose from prolific offshore fields, while payments to Nigeria were slashed by more than half to ~$2B as the company retreated from onshore production. Shell ( SHEL ) also reported payments of $4B to Oman, $3.8B to Norway, $2.9B to Qatar, $2.4B to Malaysia, and $1.8B to Australia. Rivals are also active in Brazil, where TotalEnergies recently raised its stake in the Lapa field, Exxon Mobil is ramping up production from the large Bacalhau development, and BP reported its largest discovery in a quarter-century in Brazilian waters. More on Shell Shell Q1 2026 Earnings Call Presentation Shell Consolidates Its Upstream And LNG Position With ARC Resources Acquisition Shell: Refocusing Will Take Time (Probably A Few Years)