Many consumer goods companies may have seen their stock prices battered due to persistently high inflation and employment concerns. The Iran war and the corresponding rise in oil prices add a new potential roadblock for consumers. But consistent dividend-paying stocks can provide a buffer until times improve. Of course, you have to choose the right stock with a long time horizon in mind. And it's not merely those with the highest dividend yield. Coca-Cola (KO +0.12%) and Altria Group (MO 0.69%) have relatively high dividend yields compared to the S&P 500 index's 1.2%. But I'd aggressively buy Coca-Cola's shares while avoiding Altria Group. Load up on Coca-Cola Coca-Cola sells its beverages, including soda, water, and juice, in more than 200 countries. Its sales, adjusted to remove foreign-currency translation effects and the impact of acquisitions/divestitures, grew 5% last year. Digging deeper, volume accounted for only 1 percentage point of the gain, with price increase/mix representing the balance. Still, given the tough economic climate, this isn't concerning, especially since Coca-Cola continues to increase market share. Positively, the company's adjusted earnings per share jumped 9%. With a payout ratio of 67%, it has plenty of income to cover its dividends. Expand NYSE : KO Coca-Cola Today's Change ( 0.12 %) $ 0.09 Current Price $ 77.12 Key Data Points Market Cap $331B Day's Range $ 76.35 - $ 77.19 52wk Range $ 65.35 - $ 82.00 Volume 669K Avg Vol 18M Gross Margin 61.75 % Dividend Yield 2.65 % In fact, Coca-Cola has a long commitment to not only paying dividends but raising them consistently. Last month, the board of directors increased the quarterly rate by about 4% to $0.53 a share. That brought the company's streak to 64 straight years with a dividend increase. Coca-Cola has earned a place as a Dividend King, an elite group of companies that have raised dividends for at least 50 consecutive years. At the new dividend rate, Coca-Cola's stock has a 2.7% divid...

Key Points It's important to look beyond the dividend yield when making an investment. Coca-Cola has raised dividends annually for more than six decades. Altria Group also has an impressive streak, but its business faces long-term challenges. 10 stocks we like better than Coca-Cola › Many consumer goods companies may have seen their stock prices battered due to persistently high inflation and employment concerns. The Iran war and the corresponding rise in oil prices add a new potential roadblock for consumers. But consistent dividend-paying stocks can provide a buffer until times improve. Of course, you have to choose the right stock with a long time horizon in mind. And it's not merely those with the highest dividend yield. Will AI create the world's first trillionaire? Our team just released a report on the one little-known company, called an "Indispensable Monopoly" providing the critical technology Nvidia and Intel both need. Continue » Coca-Cola (NYSE: KO) and Altria Group (NYSE: MO) have relatively high dividend yields compared to the S&P 500 index's 1.2%. But I'd aggressively buy Coca-Cola's shares while avoiding Altria Group. Load up on Coca-Cola Coca-Cola sells its beverages, including soda, water, and juice, in more than 200 countries. Its sales, adjusted to remove foreign-currency translation effects and the impact of acquisitions/divestitures, grew 5% last year. Digging deeper, volume accounted for only 1 percentage point of the gain, with price increase/mix representing the balance. Still, given the tough economic climate, this isn't concerning, especially since Coca-Cola continues to increase market share. Positively, the company's adjusted earnings per share jumped 9%. With a payout ratio of 67%, it has plenty of income to cover its dividends. In fact, Coca-Cola has a long commitment to not only paying dividends but raising them consistently. Last month, the board of directors increased the quarterly rate by about 4% to $0.53 a share. That brought the...

For more than a century, tobacco has been one of the world’s most heavily regulated industries and with each wave of regulation, it has reinvented itself. Now Philip Morris International is accelerating a shift away from combustible cigarettes toward smoke-free products like IQOS and Zyn, arguing that eliminating combustion dramatically reduces harm. The company says cigarettes should eventually disappear altogether. But as nicotine pouches and heated tobacco products gain popularity, public health experts warn that long-term effects remain uncertain and addiction risks persist, raising new questions about whether this is transformation or reinvention. (Source: Bloomberg)

Powell Investment Advisors LLC decreased its holdings in Tesla, Inc. (NASDAQ:TSLA - Free Report) by 34.6% in the third quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The firm owned 12,459 shares of the electric vehicle producer's stock after selling 6,605 shares during the quarter. Tesla comprises approximately 1.9% of Powell Investment Advisors LLC's portfolio, making the stock its 12th biggest position. Powell Investment Advisors LLC's holdings in Tesla were worth $5,541,000 as of its most recent SEC filing. Other institutional investors have also added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Relyea Zuckerberg Hanson LLC grew its holdings in shares of Tesla by 0.4% in the third quarter. Relyea Zuckerberg Hanson LLC now owns 6,558 shares of the electric vehicle producer's stock worth $2,916,000 after purchasing an additional 23 shares during the last quarter. Equita Financial Network Inc. raised its holdings in shares of Tesla by 2.8% in the third quarter. Equita Financial Network Inc. now owns 855 shares of the electric vehicle producer's stock valued at $380,000 after acquiring an additional 23 shares in the last quarter. VanderPol Investments L.L.C. lifted its position in shares of Tesla by 2.2% in the 3rd quarter. VanderPol Investments L.L.C. now owns 1,070 shares of the electric vehicle producer's stock worth $464,000 after purchasing an additional 23 shares during the period. Resonant Capital Advisors LLC lifted its holdings in Tesla by 0.3% during the third quarter. Resonant Capital Advisors LLC now owns 8,577 shares of the electric vehicle producer's stock worth $3,814,000 after buying an additional 23 shares during the period. Finally, Cloud Capital Management LLC lifted its stake in shares of Tesla by 1.1% during the 3rd quarter. Cloud Capital Management LLC now owns 2,076 shares of the electric vehicle producer's stock worth $923,000 after purchasing an additional 23 shares during the last quarter. 66....

Alibaba Group Holding Limited (NYSE:BABA) is one of the best stocks with huge upside potential to buy according to Reddit. Alibaba Group Holding Limited (BABA) Gets Added to Goldman Sachs' APAC Conviction List On March 2, Alibaba Group Holding Limited (NYSE:BABA) was added to Goldman Sachs’ APAC Conviction List as part of its monthly update. Alibaba Group Holding Limited (NYSE:BABA) also received a rating update from Aletheia Capital on February 5, with the firm reaffirming a Buy rating on the stock. In a separate development, Reuters stated on February 2 that Alibaba Group Holding Limited (NYSE:BABA) announced plans to spend 3 billion yuan during the Lunar New Year holiday as a means to attract users to its Qwen AI app. Reuters reported that the announcement fuels the race between the largest tech firms in China, as Alibaba Group Holding Limited’s (NYSE:BABA) plans triple the spending goals announced by rivals Tencent and Baidu earlier. The pledge is set to start on February 6, and includes incentives for drinks, dining, leisure, and entertainment, with “large red envelopes distributed continuously,” according to the company. For additional perspective, Tencent and Baidu announced plans to spend 1 billion yuan and 500 million yuan on similar promotions for their AI chatbots, respectively. Reuters reported that China’s AI sector is seeing accelerated competition since the launch of DeepSeek’s R1 model in January last year, which shook global AI markets and prompted expedited adoption and increased rivalry among domestic players. Alibaba Group Holding Limited (NYSE:BABA) manages and provides technology infrastructure and marketing platforms. It operates through seven segments: China Commerce, International Commerce, Local Consumer Services, Cainiao, Cloud, Digital Media and Entertainment, and Innovation Initiatives, and Others segments. While we acknowledge the potential of BABA as an investment, we believe certain AI stocks offer greater upside potential and carry l...

Monthly dividend checks. A portfolio anchored in Goldman Sachs, Caterpillar, and Microsoft. An expense ratio so low it barely registers. For retirees navigating a market where the VIX has climbed nearly 30% in a single month and consumer sentiment sits at a recessionary 56.4, the case for owning the Dow Jones Industrial Average through SPDR ... DIA Skips the S&P 500 Noise and Delivers Monthly Checks to Retirees Instead

00:00 Josh You like Lululemon, that name of course has been just shelled. So so what are the catalysts ahead, Michael, that you see that say, okay, this one, this one's going to move higher. 00:08 Michael Absolutely. So, uh there's a few of them. First off, they're going to be an announcing a new CEO pretty soon. I think that could be a positive catalyst. I think investors are looking for a proven operator there. The prior CEO, you know, was running the business, but was also the creative director, and that just didn't work. So they've split the role. They have a new creative director who's really focusing on new product innovation, refreshing the assortment, uh and also moving into other categories like, uh, athleisure, uh, also men's wear as well. 00:46 Michael So, we think that if the North American business can stabilize and the international business continues to grow 20% plus uh with higher margins than North America, then the uh earnings profile is likely bottomed here, and you can get very strong returns over the next few years as we see uh earnings growth but also multiple uh expansion for Lululemon. 01:21 Josh And finally Michael, Amazon. I've had a couple smart tech analysts come on, say they they like this pick. It sounds like you do too. You say the most attractive it's ever been actually on a sum of the parts basis. Walk me through that. 01:36 Michael Yeah, that's right, uh Josh. So what we see going forward is on the retail side of the business, you know, since really the pandemic, Amazon has embarked on this massive um build out of their uh network infrastructure, the fulfillment centers, the logistics, etc, etc. And so they're kind of coming to the end of a five-year build on there. So going forward, we think the incremental margins on additional sales on the retail side will, you know, the margins there will inflect higher. 02:11 Michael Um, but you know, the bigger driver is Amazon Web Services, AWS. The most recent quarter, we saw growth re-accel...

ChatGPT is driving a rise in reports of organised ritual abuse, UK experts have said, as survivors of “satanic” sexual violence use the AI tool for therapy. Police say organised ritual abuse and “witchcraft, spirit possession and spiritual abuse” (WSPRA) against children is under-reported in the UK. There is no modern-day charge that covers it specifically, but such offending is typified by sexual abuse, violence and neglect involving ritualistic elements – sometimes inspired by satanism, fascism or esoteric religious beliefs – to control victims. Perpetrators include abusive families and networks, human traffickers, online gangs and paedophile rings. There have been 14 UK criminal cases since 1982 in which ritualistic practices in sexual abuse were acknowledged. However, 2025 research by clinical psychologist Dr Elly Hanson found convictions reflected the “tip of the iceberg”. Experts are now rolling out training for police forces, in a drive spearheaded by the National Police Chiefs’ Council (NPCC), which has set up a specialist working group. Gabrielle Shaw, the CEO of National Association of People Abused in Childhood (Napac), said there had been a “sustained rise” in reports to them of ritual abuse over the last 18 months, with an increasing number of people saying they had been led to report it by AI. Shaw said: “Over the last six months to a year, we’re getting people contacting the Napac support line saying: ‘I was referred to you by ChatGPT’. People are using AI, ChatGPT as a form of therapy and exploration. There are mixed feelings about that, but if it’s a route into support, that has to be a good thing. “We would normally see spikes in calls around days that have significant supernatural or religious overtones – but this is not a spike – it’s a sustained rise. There’s increasing knowledge of the crime and of where you can get support … satanism does come up a fair bit.” NPCC, Napac and the Hydrant policing programme, which supports forces nationwide with...

The importance of protecting nature is not up for debate. One in six species in Britain is threatened with extinction. Since 1970, more than half our flowering plants have decreased in areas where they once thrived. In the 1950s, Britain’s hedgehog population was 30m strong. Now, it is believed to be under a million. All this demands action. The problem is that a lot of the action we’ve taken – mainly in the form of legislation – fails to target the biggest drivers of nature loss. Instead, it bites when we try to build: wind turbines, solar farms, railways or nuclear power plants, making their construction lengthier, more expensive or, in some cases, impossible. You’ll notice that these are all examples of green infrastructure – precisely the things we’ll need more of in order to reduce reliance on fossil fuels, which ultimately cause habitat loss on a massive scale. Greening the grid and providing clean electricity to homes, transport and industry is one of the most urgent tasks facing us. The only way to do it without generating a cost of living crisis that would dwarf our current predicament (and cause an anti-green backlash) is to get building – and fast. At the moment, that’s proving far too difficult – and the obstacles include those well-intentioned laws designed to guard habitats against unchecked development. Not only do they block the green building we desperately need – they don’t even do a good job of protecting nature. The money spent on them could transform conservation if used differently, but instead, it’s effectively thrown away. One infamous example is HS2’s £100m-plus bat shed. The 900m-long structure is being built to let a 300-strong population of rare Bechstein’s bats safely cross four railway tracks. For the same amount of money it would be possible to create 4,500 hectares (11,000 acres) of new woodland while paying the farmers and landowners affected a decent income. Even if you assume the shed saves every single Bechstein bat near the HS2 r...

As her debut novel becomes a Netflix series starring Rachel Weisz and Leo Woodall, the American author talks about comparisons with Lolita, moving on from #MeToo and problematic authors When we meet in a cafe near her Brooklyn apartment, three weeks before the TV adaptation of her debut novel Vladimir hits Netflix, Julia May Jonas is feeling an anticipatory “mix of terror, excitement and dread”. The series stars Rachel Weisz as a professor in her 50s obsessed with a younger colleague, Vladimir, played by Leo Woodall, with Sharon Horgan executive producing. Combining hot sex and complex issues, it is bound to spark the kind of online discourse a novelist must avoid lest they be derailed from their next project. “I do have to be cautious with putting myself too far out there,” says Jonas, who was active, and very funny, on Twitter until mid-2022, soon after her book came out, at which point she realised that engaging with the reception to her work wasn’t wise. “It’s not like I’m so enlightened. It’s just that I know it’s never enough. If someone tells me they love my book, I’m going to ask: ‘What part? Did it change your life? Is it the best book you’ve ever read?’” she says, laughing. “The ego can never be fulfilled!” Continue reading...

Mark remembers the first time he wondered whether he was teaching Block’s AI tools how to do his job – and maybe even replace him. He was at his fintech company’s extravagant anniversary party last September. As executives led a presentation on the productivity benefits of a new internal AI tool, Mark, who worked in the product department, discussed his worries with colleagues. While he wasn’t sure what would happen in a few years, he told a co-worker sitting next to him that for now, there was no way the technology was so advanced that it could move the business forward without employees like him to help drive vision and strategy. These AI tools were not proactive. He had to tell them what to do. Block still needed him, he thought. “You can’t really AI that,” he told the Guardian, adding that, after all, “an employee is more than a series of tasks”. Mark was one of roughly 4,000 Block employees laid off last week. CEO Jack Dorsey said he cut the company’s workforce almost in half because of gains in AI productivity. “A significantly smaller team, using the tools we’re building, can do more and do it better,” Dorsey wrote in a letter to shareholders. But in interviews with the Guardian, seven current and recently laid off workers pushed back against Dorsey’s assertions that current AI tools can essentially replace workers at this scale. The workers the Guardian spoke with requested anonymity for fear of jeopardising their jobs or severance. They belong to various departments, including engineering and product, and several say Block’s AI tools can be helpful in their work. But many felt the cuts were Dorsey’s way of winning back investor confidence after Block’s stock had declined in recent months, following heavy investments in an unstable cryptocurrency market. George, who still works at Block, says this was “posturing for the market” and that investors believe Dorsey is not a strong CEO: “This was a bold move to reposition the company away from crypto and towards ...

Even before US and Israeli missiles began raining down, those sensing the winds of change were forecasting a Berlin Wall moment for Iran. Mass nationwide demonstrations in January – although savagely repressed, causing the deaths of an estimated tens of thousands – were seen as portents of a reckoning for the country’s ruling theocrats, just as the popular breaching of Berlin’s fearful symbol of Europe’s cold war division spelled the downfall of East Germany’s communist regime in 1989. Now the sudden death of Iran’s most powerful figure, the supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei – killed, with his wife, in an Israeli missile strike on his supposedly secure compound in Tehran last Saturday – has further fuelled the belief that profound transformation is at hand. “I think the death of Khamenei is close to a Berlin Wall moment, in the sense that it marks the end of an era,” said Abbas Milani, director of Iranian studies at Stanford University. “I think the psychological effect is profound.” Khamenei, 86, sat atop Iran’s Islamic power structure for 37 years – nearly a decade longer than the Berlin Wall lasted. As the senior religious authority in the country’s system of velayat-e faqih – rule by Islamic jurisprudence adopted after the 1979 Islamic revolution – he had the final say on all state matters. These included whether to negotiate with the US on Iran’s nuclear programme, recognition of Israel, women’s dress codes, and whether to bow to demands from below for liberalising social reforms. Khamenei tended towards intransigence on all these matters – and many more. While some analysts have argued that the Islamic republic is not a personalised dictatorship and thus capable of surviving a change of leadership, Milani – the author of numerous books on Iran – disagrees. “It was a personalised leadership,” he said. “If you read what [the former president Hassan] Rouhani and [Mohammad Javad] Zarif [the former foreign minister] were saying in the last few months, every ti...

Andy, 38, Honiton Occupation Charity fundraising director Voting record Andy’s a Labour member but ends up voting for the Lib Dems, while being lukewarm about them Amuse bouche Runs a small app that makes film recommendations – you describe your mood and, based on what films you already like, it makes suggestions Steve, 70, Sidbury, Devon Occupation Retired Voting record Always Labour, unless he votes tactically. Labour’s got not a cat in hell’s chance in his constituency, so he did vote Lib Dem last time Amuse bouche Steve might be the oldest player in his local cricket league. Seeing the youngsters leap about the field and dive for the ball – those days are past for him, but it’s great fun For starters Andy A super friendly guy, it was lovely to meet him. Steve Very friendly, we got on really well. Andy I had spicy Korean chicken to start, then a steak kebab thing which came on a very elaborate contraption. Steve I had calamari, then went on to salmon, with crispy kale and a sort of creamy prosecco sauce. The big beef Andy Probably the biggest point of friction was about U-turns. He thinks changing your mind as a leader isn’t a bad thing, which I think isn’t untrue, but if you can’t go a week without changing your mind, it makes you look as though you’re wrong about most things. We talked about the winter fuel allowance, the inheritance tax on farmers. If you change your mind because something is unpopular, it’s a sign you haven’t got any backbone. Steve We saw each other’s viewpoint, I’m hoping I made some pertinent points. The ultimate difference between us was that Andy was adamant Reform are going to win the next election. I couldn’t get myself to accept that. Not because I don’t think it’s possible, just because I don’t like it. He thinks the bottom line is that Starmer is a bad politician. He would have been perfectly good as a minister in Tony Blair’s government, but as the leader of a party, he always seems to snatch defeat from the jaws of victory. Andy I...

30 January 2024 Windsor. The royal dolls’ house at Windsor Castle is being revamped to include contemporary authors, a selection of whom have submitted miniature versions of their work, with a reception given by Her Majesty the Queen. The driver’s name was Juliano and it took me some time to realise that the blank square on the back of the seat in front of me in the car, an Audi, was a TV screen. There is some delay outside the Henry VIII gate, where we spot Andrew Wilson waiting on the same errand, also early. I am astonished at the extent of the castle, first visited as a schoolboy in 1951 and again (though I don’t remember this) with Alec Guinness to look at the portrait of Thurlow, whom he was toying with playing in the film of The Madness of George III. At another portal a wheelchair is waiting, which I inhabit for the whole of the visit … comfortable but a mistake. Not pushed by Rupert [Thomas, Bennett’s civil partner] but by a young man whom I don’t see much of as he’s behind me. The entrance to the Waterloo Chamber through a loggia reminiscent of a Cambridge college library (St John’s). It is vast and gleaming, lined with portraits by Sir Thomas Lawrence and a touch vulgar. A few other early arrivals. Everybody pleasant. View image in fullscreen Bennett with Queen Camilla at the Windsor Castle reception on 30 January 2024. Photograph: Getty/2026 Getty Images Tom Stoppard there and struck as I have been before by his noble profile. Many people speak, particularly the binders of the various tiny volumes, the room getting busier and HM the Queen appears without being announced, and mingles, chatting, admirable throughout. I am fetched in my wheelchair and told not to stand but this means that HMQ must bend over to speak to me. Recalls when she met me before at Clarence House, and we talk about libraries … very easy, no formality, forget even “Your Majesty” and “Ma’am”, none of the usual constraints of royalty so that now, remembering what I said, I would like t...

A year ago, when Jean Baptiste Gensley stepped off a bus in Tapachula, Mexico’s southern city on the border with Guatemala, he carried a small backpack and the hope that his journey was finally over. In his native Haiti, Gensley, 37, worked as a radio journalist and social worker, analyzing the effects of gang violence in some of Port-au-Prince’s most dangerous neighborhoods. With time, as his research led to police intervention, he caught the attention of the city’s gangs. In November 2024, during a period of escalating violence in the Haitian capital, gang members entered the compound where Gensley lived. “They burned the radio station, my home and many other things in the area,” he said in an interview in Tapachula. They even killed his dog. It was time to get out. After escaping Haiti and leaving his wife and 11-year-old son in the neighboring Dominican Republic for safety, Gensley continued by himself, fleeing on rural back roads deep into the countryside. He paid a local agency to take him to Punta Cana, a resort town on the eastern shores of the island. From Punta Cana, he flew to Quito, Ecuador’s capital – then took a plane to El Salvador. On buses, in cars and on the back of motorcycle taxis, Gensley made his way hundreds of miles north. Finally, he crossed into Mexico. He said: “I had no money left. All my funds were spent during the journey.” Gensley had the US in his sights but decided it was more feasible to choose Mexico as his final destination. Like many fleeing Haiti in recent years, he had initially thought the US should be his goal, with better prospects. But a hardening of attitudes and restrictions under Joe Biden and an extreme crackdown on immigration and asylum by Donald Trump ultimately convinced him that Mexico would be a much safer bet. Four days after his arrival in Tapachula, Gensley checked in at the Mexican commission for refugee assistance (Comar), where the agency told him he could get a work permit and right of residence. He was enc...

Across the US, the average cost of a gallon of regular gasoline has jumped nearly 27 cents in a week, to $3.25, and American consumers are bracing for higher prices at the gas pump as the US-Israel conflict with Iran threatens to disrupt the global oil supply. That fear has entered the White House too, where Donald Trump’s chief of staff, Susie Wiles, is reportedly hunting for ideas to lower gasoline prices and officials are getting “screamed at” to bring good news, according to Politico. War in oil-rich countries used to cause panic at US gas stations. Those fears have subsided somewhat as the US has become the world’s largest crude oil producer. And, despite this week’s price hikes, American consumers are somewhat insulated from the global energy shock. The supply cushion has its limits, but those limits are high: US producers can ramp up production quickly if high oil prices are sustained, and the White House is under immense pressure to keep prices low as the conflict continues. The US is forecast to pump a near-record 13.6m barrels of crude oil per day in 2026, according to the US Energy Information Administration (EIA). Saudi Arabia is the next biggest producer at 9.87m barrels, according to the International Energy Agency. Iran produces 3% of global oil supplies. High American production means that US consumers may be partially insulated from energy shocks, though they’re not completely immune. Oil is a globally traded market, and prices are influenced by global events. After the US-Israel strikes, Iran effectively shut down traffic through the strait of Hormuz, a key shipping area for energy to Europe and Asia where about 20% of the world’s oil and natural gas flows through. After Trump announced on Tuesday that the US will provide insurance guarantees and naval escorts for oil tankers through the strait, oil prices were pulled off their peaks. They pushed higher on Friday with Brent crude oil, the global benchmark, passing $90 after Trump said there would “...

Putting seven tries and 50 points on a French team that rocked up to Murrayfield looking unbeatable in the Six Nations blew the tournament wide open and sent shockwaves through the rugby world. Inevitably the hype and the hope around this Scotland team will skyrocket as they head for that date with destiny in Dublin, but blocking out the external noise has been critical in this team finally starting to fulfil the potential many have long suspected it has. They had to do it when the flak was flying after the capitulation against Argentina in November and the opening defeat by Italy in Rome a few weeks back. The mindset remains the same even as the criticism is replaced by plaudits after three wins on the bounce. "It's new territory for us going into the last game with a chance to win it," said Russell. "There will be a lot more outside noise after putting 50 points on France, but I think for us making sure we keep it within the circle and we keep doing what we're doing, which is building a lot of it from the Argentina game in November with that tough loss, and then Italy at the start of the tournament. "So, keep building up where we are. It's never the perfect performance. And I think as long as we can keep the outside noise outside of the circle and not let it get to us, then that's the main thing." After the missed opportunity of a first ever win over New Zealand and the devastating collapse from 21-0 up against the Pumas in November, and again after the misery in the monsoon of Rome, Gregor Townsend stood firmly in front of his players, steadfast in his belief that it would all come good. The head coach is now getting his rewards. "Definitely a lot of credit to Gregor in terms of the belief that he's had in us, especially after the November and Italy losses" Russell said. "There was a lot of pressure on us throughout this tournament after November and then after Italy, but I think as a collective it's so important that we've all stuck together. We've had each othe...

Apple has taken the wraps off its $599 MacBook Neo , entering new territory in a way that could shake up the computer market. At the same time, it plans to push deeper into the high end with more Ultra devices. Also: The company aims to use 3D-printed aluminum, and it’s refreshing the iMac with new colors. Last week in Power On : Apple’s touch-screen MacBook will stop well short of a Mac-iPad hybrid. The Starters This past week, Apple Inc. stepped a bit outside its comfort zone by launching the $599 MacBook Neo — a machine with the potential to disrupt the lower end of the laptop market. Just a few years ago, it would have been nearly impossible for Apple to build a product like this. Several developments helped make it viable. New manufacturing technologies lowered the cost of producing aluminum enclosures. The Apple A18 Pro chip from the iPhone 16 became inexpensive enough to deploy at scale. And macOS has gradually been redesigned with more color and visual personality, making Macs potentially more appealing to a younger audience. Apple also benefited from earlier foundational shifts. Building a $599 laptop under the constraints of Intel processors would have been extremely difficult. The transition to Apple’s own silicon — combined with macOS being overhauled to run on Arm-based processors — ultimately made the MacBook Neo possible. The Neo isn’t Apple’s only low-cost product, but the price gap between the company’s entry-level Mac and the next tier is far larger than in other categories. The Neo is 45% — or $500 — cheaper than the MacBook Air above it. By comparison, the Apple Watch SE is $150, or about 38%, less expensive than the Apple Watch Series 11 and the iPhone 17e is only $200, or 25%, less pricey than the iPhone 17. I expect Apple to continue producing its other entry-level devices. It may even make sense to extend the Neo branding to those products in place of the confusing SE label — a name that really only resonates with people who know Apple’s deep...

is transportation editor with 10+ years of experience who covers EVs, public transportation, and aviation. His work has appeared in The New York Daily News and City & State. This is The Stepback, a weekly newsletter breaking down one essential story from the tech world. For more on the EV struggle, follow Andrew J. Hawkins. The Stepback arrives in our subscribers’ inboxes at 8AM ET. Opt in for The Stepback here. How it started Apologies to the Toyota Prius, but the first hybrid vehicle of note was the Semper Vivus, developed by Ferdinand Porsche (yes, that Porsche) way back in 1900. The Semper Vivus (Latin for “always alive”) used two combustion engines to power generators, which then fed electricity to motors inside the wheel hubs. The fact that it took modern engineers over a century to really appreciate the merging of internal combustion engines with electric power is a sign that ingenuity isn’t always a foregone conclusion in the automotive world. Car companies are now trying to make up for lost time. Thanks to stagnating EV sales, hybrid vehicles are experiencing a major surge in popularity, with sales reaching record levels in 2024 and 2025. Hybrids are often held up as a stepping stone between the gas-driven cars of yesterday and the fully electric ones of tomorrow. Plug-in hybrids can offer 20–60 miles of electric-only driving for daily use, plus a gas engine for longer trips or when they can’t recharge. And as EV growth slows down, many automakers clearly see hybrids — and more specifically, plug-in hybrids (PHEV) — as a better fit for America’s fluctuating tastes. To give you a sense of where things are heading: The Toyota RAV4, America’s most popular vehicle of any type, is now only available in hybrid trims. But cracks are starting to show in that market as well. Without strict fuel economy standards or EV tax credits, some automakers are shifting away from PHEVs. Jeep, for example, recently axed its PHEV models, despite being among the best-selling plug...

Investors who want to capitalize on the growing weight loss market might be tempted to turn to the current leaders in the field, Eli Lilly and Novo Nordisk . Both companies are worth serious consideration, in my view, but other drugmakers could also offer investors exposure to this area while having more diversified portfolios. Some investors might be more attracted to this value proposition. That said, here are two companies quietly making progress in the weight-loss market that may be worth investing in today: Regeneron (NASDAQ: REGN) and Roche (OTC: RHHBY) . Image source: Getty Images. Last year, Regeneron reported strong phase 2 results for one of its leading weight-loss candidates, trevogrumab. One thing to note about this product is that it is being developed to help minimize muscle loss in patients taking GLP-1 medicines. In the mid-stage trial, though about 33% of the weight loss in patients taking semaglutide (the generic name for Wegovy) was due to lean mass loss, trevogrumab was able to avert about half of that lean mass loss . Continue reading

No matter how independent you are, rules are a way of life. From infancy on, you're expected to do everything according to one set of rules or another. By the time you're in your 70s, however, you must stick to the rules surrounding required minimum distributions (RMDs), the amount of money you must withdraw each year from certain retirement accounts. These accounts include: 401(k) plans 403(b) plans 457(b) plans Traditional IRAs SEP IRAs SIMPLE IRAs SARSEPs Profit-sharing plans Other defined contribution plans Inherited IRAs If you have savings in any of these plans, it's vital you know the rules and when they apply. For example, here are three ways RMDs were tweaked under the SECURE Act 2.0. 1. A little more time to grow RMDs have evolved over time to land where they are today. Here's where they stand: If you were born prior to 1951, you'll experience no change. If you were born between 1951 and 1959, you must begin taking RMDs the year in which you turn 73. If you were born in 1960 or later, the RMD age is 75. Pushing the RMD age back may be good for you. If you don't need your RMDs to pay everyday bills, it gives your money more time to grow in your retirement account. Still, it's important to keep the age at which you'll be required to take RMDs straight so you're not hit with a penalty (more on that in a moment). Note: You can choose to delay your first RMD until April 1 of the year after you turn 73 (or 75 if you were born in 1960 or later). However, give it some serious thought before making that decision. If you wait until the following year to take your RMD, you must still take one by Dec. 31 of that year. That amounts to two RMDs in one year and could impact your tax bracket and how much you pay for Medicare Parts B and D. 2. Penalties have been reduced If you fail to withdraw your RMD in full by the due date, any amount not withdrawn may be subject to an excise tax of 25%. While that's definitely steep, the penalty was 50% before SECURE 2.0. For example,...

Whether they’re driving, flying or just trying to heat their homes, consumers worldwide are fast feeling the effects of the widening Iran war. Gasoline, diesel and jet fuel prices have jumped, as the conflict between the US, Israel and Iran chokes off oil shipments through the Strait of Hormuz. And as the war threatens to drag on — with President Donald Trump demanding Iran’s total surrender — analysts say prices could climb far higher, fueling inflation. “It’s too much,” said Uber driver Ahmed Abdelmagid, as he filled his SUV at a New York City gas station. Overnight, the station’s cash price for a gallon of regular had jumped 30 cents, to $3.29, according to data from GasBuddy. “Especially for New York, everything is too expensive,” he said. Read More: Iran War Oil Shock Threatens to Unleash Wave of Global Inflation US gasoline prices will likely reach an average of $3.50 to $3.65 a gallon by the middle of the week, according to Patrick De Haan, GasBuddy’s head of petroleum analysis. But $4 a gallon, which looked unlikely at the outset of the conflict, no longer seems outlandish, he said. “I still have some level of confidence that the ‘drill baby drill, $1.85 a gallon in Iowa’ president is going to step in before we get to $4,” De Haan said. “But now I’m losing faith.” Despite surging production in the US during the last decade, the world remains heavily reliant on Middle Eastern oil, much of which flows through the narrow strait that’s now effectively closed. The war has not only threatened supplies — it’s driving up insurance costs for tankers, raising the cost of delivering crude and fuels even when cargoes can be sourced. “The impact on the energy markets is likely to be way bigger than when Russia invaded Ukraine in 2022,” said Jeff Currie , chief strategy officer of energy pathways at Carlyle Group Inc. The shock in refined product supplies has also begun upending typical trade routes, with the US exporting gasoline to Australia for the first time since 202...

shotbydave Oil is continuing its rally based on blockchain and weekend trading prices, though it is off its highs late Sunday. Seeking Alpha analyst Mike Zaccardi cited data from Augur Infinity showing WTI ( CL1:COM ) ( USO ) futures traded on the Hyperliquid blockchain topping $95/barrel. Brent ( CO1:COM ) ( BNO ) Hyperliquid futures also moved above $95. Augur Infinity On IG’s weekend market, which offers spread betting and contracts for difference, WTI was trading just below $95. IG Kuwait has reduced production and refining as the ongoing Middle East conflict sends ripple effects across the region, including a near-total shutdown of the Strait of Hormuz. Meanwhile, Qatar’s energy minister warned that Persian Gulf energy exporters could shut down production within days, potentially driving oil to $150/barrel. Prediction markets are also pricing in further upside. On Polymarket, traders see about a 25% chance oil tops $150, a 90% probability it moves above $100, and roughly a 7% chance it climbs past $200. Oil ETFs: ( UCO ), ( DBO ), ( OILK ), ( USL ). More on Crude Oil Futures, Brent Futures U.S. Energy Chokehold: How Interventions In Venezuela And Iran Are Reshaping China's Growth Outlook Middle East Escalation Sends Shockwaves Through Global Energy Markets WTI Analysis: Oil Reaches $92 In A Historic War Squeeze Crude oil posts record weekly gains as Middle East conflict escalates Kuwait cuts oil production and refining amid Middle East tensions

据法新社报道，法国总统马克龙的办公室8日称，马克龙将于9日访问塞浦路斯。报道还称，预计马克龙将与塞浦路斯总统赫里斯托祖利季斯、希腊总理米佐塔基斯会晤，以示“团结”，并详细阐述“加强塞浦路斯周边及东地中海地区安全”的措施。法新社称，此次访问的背景是，美国和以色列对伊朗发起军事行动，中东地区发生冲突。有消息称塞浦路斯近日遭无人机（885564）袭击，马克龙随后下令将“戴高乐”号航母部署至地中海。(环球网)

据报道称，一些交易商开始以低于伦敦基准价格最高每盎司30美元的折扣出售黄金。 据央视财经报道，作为全球重要的黄金交易中心之一，迪拜当地黄金市场交易量明显上升，部分投资者将资金转向黄金等避险资产。 同时，由于航班停飞和物流通道受阻，大量黄金滞留在迪拜，因仓储和资金成本过高，一些交易商被迫打折出售黄金。 据报道称，一些交易商开始以低于伦敦基准价格最高每盎司30美元的折扣出售黄金。 在刚刚过去的一周中，在中东冲突爆发初期黄金曾显著上涨，3月2日开盘，现货黄金、白银双双飙涨，COMEX黄金涨超2%，最高触及5400美元/盎司以上，随后震荡走低，持续在5000美元-5200美元/盎司区间高位震荡，并未持续此前涨幅。 黄金的避险资产属性同地缘政治之间的关系如何定价？ 美联储前高级经济学家、上海交通大学上海高级金融学院教授胡捷在接受第一财经记者采访时表示，黄金的叙事逻辑很大程度上锚定于“情绪”。 他表示道，若各方冲突能在短时间内平息并达成新的平衡， 公众对于地缘紧张局势的担忧可能减轻。在这种情况下，黄金的避险叙事不仅不会强化，反而可能延续此前缓和的态势，推动溢价进一步回落。 运输瓶颈与黄金价格 今年以来，金价已上涨约20%，并在1月下旬一度触及5595美元/盎司上方的历史新高。持续的地缘政治与贸易紧张局势，以及对美联储独立性的担忧，共同支撑了黄金需求。 不过，在胡捷看来，在此轮相关局势升级之前，“由地缘政治动荡催生的这一轮情绪共振已接近尾声。一方面是由于黄金价格处于高位，另一方面，此前的地缘形势曾出现缓和迹象，包括巴以冲突的相对平静以及俄乌冲突缓解的可能性。当这种宏观叙事的强度减弱，市场的情绪共振便会显现出疲态。” 如今，中东局势又起为这种情绪回落增添了各种料想之外的变数。 如前所述，中东局势导致进出迪拜的航空运输中断，全球金银流通正遭受重大冲击。交易员认为，此举可能加剧今年已剧烈波动的贵金属价格。 据报道，作为全球黄金运输枢纽，迪拜去年承载了约20%的全球黄金流通量。这既包括在阿联酋精炼的黄金，也涵盖经此中转的欧亚黄金贸易。 交易员和分析师认为，若金银运输长期中断，可能推高亚洲市场区域价格，并加剧近期贵金属市场的波动。 另有迹象表明，精炼商在采购（通常在矿场铸造的半精炼金条）方面面临挑战。印度最大贵金属精炼商MMTC-PAMP首席执行官兼董事总经理古哈（Samit Guha）表...

Photos: These bold women stand up for justice, rights ... and freedom toggle caption Annice Lyn/The Everyday Projects March 8 is International Women's Day — a date picked in honor of a remarkable Russian protest. During World War I, women in Russia went on strike. They demanded "bread and peace." Among the results of their four-day protest: the Czar abdicated and women gained the right to vote. This bold strike began on Feb. 23, 1917, according to the Julian calendar then used in Russia. That date translated to March 8 in the Gregorian calendar that much of the world uses. So that's the day chosen for this celebratory event. True to the spirit of those Russian women, the world pauses on this day to celebrate the achievements of women. This year to mark International Women's Day, the United Nations is calling for "Rights. Justice. Action. For all women and girls." Sponsor Message Sometimes, the true achievements are the ones that we barely see. The photographers at The Everyday Projects, a global photography and storytelling network, have shared portraits of women who in ways large and small are determined, like those Russian women over 100 years ago, to improve the lives of women and to build a better world. Singing with strength Kuala Lumpur-based photographer Annice Lyn likes to highlight the strength, resilience and the stories of women who are often overlooked. That's the inspiration for her portrait of Jean, 72, as she prepares for a performance of Chinese opera at Kwai Chai Hong, a restored heritage alley in Kuala Lumpur's Chinatown in August 2024. Such performances, typically staged during festivals and temple celebrations, combine singing, acting, martial arts, elaborate costumes and symbolic makeup to tell classical stories from Chinese folklore, history, and literature. "Performers like Jean often dedicate decades of their lives to mastering this art form, preserving techniques and stories that are centuries old," says Lyn. They told her that they may enco...

The news doesn’t stop when markets close. Hosts David Gura, Christina Ruffini and Lisa Mateo bring clarity and context to the weekend’s biggest headlines, LIVE from New York. (Source: Bloomberg)

格隆汇3月8日丨以色列消息称，伊朗对以色列展开了新的导弹攻击，并呼吁居民前往避难所。

Key Points Geopolitical dynamics could help TMC accelerate its progression to commercialization. The company has yet to generate any sales from its mining and processing operations. TMC will probably have delivered incredible returns if it reaches the point where it's paying dividend, but that's a speculative bet. 10 stocks we like better than TMC The Metals Company › TMC The Metals Company (NASDAQ: TMC) has emerged as a hot play amid rapidly shifting dynamics in the minerals market. The company specializes in the collection of deep-sea nodules that contain a variety of valuable minerals including cobalt, nickel, copper, and manganese. Some investors are also betting that the company could become a player in the rare-earth minerals space. TMC's business is still in a pre-revenue state, and the company went public through a merger with a special purpose acquisition company (SPAC) in September 2021. Across its history as a publicly traded company, TMC has never paid a dividend. Could the stock set investors up for life if the company starts returning cash directly to shareholders with regular dividend payments? Will AI create the world's first trillionaire? Our team just released a report on the one little-known company, called an "Indispensable Monopoly" providing the critical technology Nvidia and Intel both need. Continue » TMC is probably a long way away from paying a dividend With relations with China heading in an increasingly adversarial direction in recent years, securing access to critical minerals through other channels has become increasingly important for the U.S. and its allies. China accounts for a huge chunk of of global mineral excavation and refining, and its share of the rare-earth minerals market is even more pronounced -- coming in between 60% and 70% of mining extraction and over 90% of refining. Amid this backdrop, TMC's timelines for achieving the necessary regulatory approvals and launching and scaling its business have probably been accelerate...

Kemnay Advisory Services Inc. lowered its position in Alphabet Inc. (NASDAQ:GOOG - Free Report) by 8.6% in the 3rd quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The firm owned 82,439 shares of the information services provider's stock after selling 7,740 shares during the period. Alphabet comprises about 3.1% of Kemnay Advisory Services Inc.'s investment portfolio, making the stock its 5th biggest holding. Kemnay Advisory Services Inc.'s holdings in Alphabet were worth $20,078,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period. Get Alphabet alerts: Sign Up Several other institutional investors and hedge funds have also bought and sold shares of the company. Vanguard Group Inc. grew its position in Alphabet by 1.3% during the second quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 416,753,033 shares of the information services provider's stock valued at $73,927,821,000 after buying an additional 5,182,111 shares during the period. State Street Corp boosted its stake in shares of Alphabet by 1.3% during the 2nd quarter. State Street Corp now owns 188,914,125 shares of the information services provider's stock worth $33,511,477,000 after acquiring an additional 2,428,266 shares during the last quarter. Geode Capital Management LLC grew its position in shares of Alphabet by 0.4% during the 2nd quarter. Geode Capital Management LLC now owns 107,760,033 shares of the information services provider's stock valued at $19,022,926,000 after acquiring an additional 441,177 shares during the period. JPMorgan Chase & Co. grew its position in shares of Alphabet by 8.6% during the 3rd quarter. JPMorgan Chase & Co. now owns 99,529,742 shares of the information services provider's stock valued at $24,240,469,000 after acquiring an additional 7,904,434 shares during the period. Finally, Sanders Capital LLC increased its stake in shares of Alphabet by 6.4% in the 2nd quarter. Sanders Capital LLC now owns 35,357,943 shares of the information se...