Key Points Soaring energy prices could affect the Social Security COLA next year. The COLA is based on third-quarter inflation, so it's too early to know for sure. If a prolonged conflict keeps energy elevated, it could push the 2027 COLA much higher. The $23,760 Social Security bonus most retirees completely overlook › It's admittedly a little early, but most notable projections believe retirees ...
Key Points Soaring energy prices could affect the Social Security COLA next year. The COLA is based on third-quarter inflation, so it's too early to know for sure. If a prolonged conflict keeps energy elevated, it could push the 2027 COLA much higher. The $23,760 Social Security bonus most retirees completely overlook › It's admittedly a little early, but most notable projections believe retirees will get a similar cost-of-living adjustment, or COLA, from Social Security in 2027. According to the Senior Citizens League, the latest expectation is for a 2.8% COLA next year -- the same as retirees received in 2026. However, there could be one specific rising cost that triggers a greater-than-expected COLA. Here's what it is, what impact it could have on the 2027 COLA, and why it will be a while until we know for sure. 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 » Surging energy prices could push the COLA higher Energy prices are a major component of the inflation gauge used to calculate the Social Security COLA, the CPI-W. And the published estimates don't reflect recent developments in the energy sector. Specifically, the conflict in Iran and the uncertainty surrounding it have pushed oil prices much higher. The price of oil has risen by a staggering 65% so far this year and is up by 35% in just the first 12 days of March. Energy is generally one of the most volatile components of inflation data and, until recently, has been a catalyst in the other direction. For example, in February's CPI data, gasoline prices had fallen year over year, but this was before the recent surge. How much of a difference could it make? The exact potential impact of an energy surge is somewhat tough to quantify. What we do know is that energy accounts for 6.2% of the CPI-W formula, roughly split between transportation f...
Some in the tech industry are worried about the precedent set by the Pentagon taking action against Anthropic. But first… Three things to know: • AI coding startup Cursor is in funding talks at a roughly $50 billion valuation • Amazon wins court order blocking Perplexity AI shopping bots • Atlassian to reduce 1,600 jobs in the latest AI-linked cuts The fallout The ongoing standoff between Anthropi...
Some in the tech industry are worried about the precedent set by the Pentagon taking action against Anthropic. But first… Three things to know: • AI coding startup Cursor is in funding talks at a roughly $50 billion valuation • Amazon wins court order blocking Perplexity AI shopping bots • Atlassian to reduce 1,600 jobs in the latest AI-linked cuts The fallout The ongoing standoff between Anthropic and the Pentagon over AI safeguards is igniting concerns about a wider fallout for the private sector as well as for America’s ability to compete globally in artificial intelligence. In recent days, several notable parties have filed briefs in support of Anthropic as part of its lawsuit against the Defense Department for designating it a supply-chain risk. The label, normally reserved for companies linked to foreign adversaries, could bar Anthropic from partnering with other firms on defense work. Microsoft, a large Anthropic backer and government contractor, warned in an amicus brief this week that the Pentagon’s decision risks significant costs for suppliers to remove Anthropic’s Claude software and, more generally, could change how businesses “approach their commercial and public sector relationships.” “Today, the United States has the most advanced AI industry, and its major companies deliver groundbreaking technology to support the nation’s needs through government contracts,” Microsoft said. “This is not the time to put at risk the very AI ecosystem that the administration has helped to champion.” In a separate brief, nearly three dozen employees at OpenAI and Google echoed Anthropic in calling for guardrails against using AI for mass surveillance of Americans or autonomous weapons — and criticized the government’s response to those discussions. “If allowed to proceed, this effort to punish one of the leading US AI companies will undoubtedly have consequences for the United States’ industrial and scientific competitiveness in the field of artificial intelligence and...
Dividend investing is a proven way to grow your wealth over the long run. But for the strategy to work, investors need to pick quality income stocks, those with robust underlying businesses that are unlikely to cut their payouts anytime soon, if ever. Here are two healthcare stocks that fit the bill: Johnson & Johnson (NYSE: JNJ) and AbbVie (NYSE: ABBV) . Here's why these two pharmaceutical leader...
Dividend investing is a proven way to grow your wealth over the long run. But for the strategy to work, investors need to pick quality income stocks, those with robust underlying businesses that are unlikely to cut their payouts anytime soon, if ever. Here are two healthcare stocks that fit the bill: Johnson & Johnson (NYSE: JNJ) and AbbVie (NYSE: ABBV) . Here's why these two pharmaceutical leaders are among the best dividend stocks to buy and hold onto for good. Image source: Getty Images. Johnson & Johnson is one of the oldest healthcare companies in the world, having been founded more than 100 years ago. This kind of longevity is exceedingly rare in business, and it speaks volumes about the company's operations. Thanks to a large, diversified portfolio of products across pharmaceuticals and medical devices -- and constant innovations that help it deal with competition and overcome patent cliffs -- Johnson & Johnson tends to record fairly consistent revenue and earnings. Continue reading
Investment management firm Vanguard has over 100 exchange-traded funds (ETFs), 65 of which are equity-focused. The best performer in 2026 is the Vanguard Energy ETF (VDE +1.60%), with a 26.8% year-to-date (YTD) return at the time of this writing. The Vanguard Consumer Staples ETF is a distant second with just a 10.2% YTD return. Here are three reasons why the Vanguard Energy ETF is a great buy, an...
Investment management firm Vanguard has over 100 exchange-traded funds (ETFs), 65 of which are equity-focused. The best performer in 2026 is the Vanguard Energy ETF (VDE +1.60%), with a 26.8% year-to-date (YTD) return at the time of this writing. The Vanguard Consumer Staples ETF is a distant second with just a 10.2% YTD return. Here are three reasons why the Vanguard Energy ETF is a great buy, and two reasons to take pause. Reasons to buy the Vanguard Energy ETF 1. A low-cost way to invest in U.S. energy stocks The Vanguard Energy ETF has a mere 0.09% expense ratio, which is less than $1 for every $1,000 invested. This makes it one of the most affordable ways to invest in the U.S. oil and gas industry. The fund includes integrated oil and gas majors like ExxonMobil and Chevron, and companies in the exploration and production (E&P), storage and transportation, equipment and services, refining and marketing, drilling, and fuels industries. 2. Building a portfolio around quality companies over quantity This exchange-traded fund is a good buy if you want to bet big on quality even at the expense of diversification. While the fund has 106 holdings, a handful of names are largely responsible for driving its performance. ConocoPhillips and other E&Ps make up 21.9% of the ETF. So the integrated majors plus the E&Ps are about 60% of the ETF, which makes it sensitive to swings in oil and gas prices. That exposure is paying off big time in 2026, as oil prices surge amid supply disruptions from Iran amid U.S. attacks. Expand NYSEMKT : VDE Vanguard World Fund - Vanguard Energy ETF Today's Change ( 1.60 %) $ 2.58 Current Price $ 163.49 Key Data Points Day's Range $ 160.99 - $ 163.93 52wk Range $ 103.06 - $ 163.93 Volume 839K 3. Exposure to high-yield value stocks Even after running up so much in less than three months, the Vanguard Energy ETF still sports a price-to-earnings (P/E) ratio of just 21.9 and yields 2.5% -- which is a better value and higher yield than the Vanguard S&...
Image source: The Motley Fool. Thursday, March 12, 2026 at 8 a.m. ET CALL PARTICIPANTS Chief Executive Officer — Michael Schoeb Chief Financial Officer — Dean Nolden Vice President, Investor Relations — Robert Calver Need a quote from a Motley Fool analyst? Email [email protected] TAKEAWAYS Revenue -- $435 million for Q4, reflecting 10% growth, driven roughly equally by volume and price gains. -- ...
Image source: The Motley Fool. Thursday, March 12, 2026 at 8 a.m. ET CALL PARTICIPANTS Chief Executive Officer — Michael Schoeb Chief Financial Officer — Dean Nolden Vice President, Investor Relations — Robert Calver Need a quote from a Motley Fool analyst? Email [email protected] TAKEAWAYS Revenue -- $435 million for Q4, reflecting 10% growth, driven roughly equally by volume and price gains. -- $435 million for Q4, reflecting 10% growth, driven roughly equally by volume and price gains. Full-Year Revenue -- $1.7 billion, up 13%, with approximately 70% of annual growth from volume and 30% from price. -- $1.7 billion, up 13%, with approximately 70% of annual growth from volume and 30% from price. Adjusted EBITDA -- $107 million for Q4, a 17% increase and 24.5% margin; full-year Adjusted EBITDA margin reaching a record 25.5%, up 14%. -- $107 million for Q4, a 17% increase and 24.5% margin; full-year Adjusted EBITDA margin reaching a record 25.5%, up 14%. Net Debt and Leverage -- Year-end net debt of $1.2 billion, with net leverage reduced to 2.8x Adjusted EBITDA, marking a 2.2 turn decrease in 2025, balanced between IPO proceeds and operations. -- Year-end net debt of $1.2 billion, with net leverage reduced to 2.8x Adjusted EBITDA, marking a 2.2 turn decrease in 2025, balanced between IPO proceeds and operations. Gross Margin -- Q4 gross profit of $161 million, with gross margin improving 190 basis points to 37%, attributed to higher volumes and cost-down initiatives. -- Q4 gross profit of $161 million, with gross margin improving 190 basis points to 37%, attributed to higher volumes and cost-down initiatives. Segment Performance: North America -- Q4 revenue rose 9% to $317 million; Adjusted EBITDA increased 15% to $88 million, with margin at 27.9%. -- Q4 revenue rose 9% to $317 million; Adjusted EBITDA increased 15% to $88 million, with margin at 27.9%. Segment Performance: International -- Q4 revenue climbed 12% to $118 million; Adjusted EBITDA increased 25% to $29...
Key Points VYM charges a lower expense ratio and holds a much broader basket of stocks than HDV HDV currently offers a higher dividend yield and tilts more heavily toward energy and consumer defensive companies Both funds showed similar drawdowns over five years, but VYM delivered stronger total returns over the past year 10 stocks we like better than iShares Trust - iShares Core High Dividend ETF...
Key Points VYM charges a lower expense ratio and holds a much broader basket of stocks than HDV HDV currently offers a higher dividend yield and tilts more heavily toward energy and consumer defensive companies Both funds showed similar drawdowns over five years, but VYM delivered stronger total returns over the past year 10 stocks we like better than iShares Trust - iShares Core High Dividend ETF › Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF (NYSEMKT:VYM) keeps costs lower and offers greater diversification, while iShares Core High Dividend ETF (NYSEMKT:HDV) pays a higher dividend yield and concentrates more on energy and defensive sectors. Both VYM and HDV focus on U.S. companies with above-average dividend yields, but they differ in portfolio composition, costs, and sector exposure. This comparison highlights which fund may appeal more, depending on whether a higher yield or broader diversification is the priority. Snapshot (cost & size) Metric VYM HDV Issuer Vanguard IShares Expense ratio 0.04% 0.08% 1-yr return (as of 2026-03-11) 17.5% 13.8% Dividend yield 2.3% 2.9% Beta 0.79 0.64 AUM $73.7 billion $13.3 billion Beta measures price volatility relative to the S&P 500; beta is calculated from five-year monthly returns. The 1-yr return represents total return over the trailing 12 months. VYM is more affordable on fees, charging 0.04% compared to HDV’s 0.08%, while HDV pays a higher dividend yield at 2.9% versus VYM’s 2.3%, which may appeal to income-focused investors. Performance & Risk Comparison Metric VYM HDV Max drawdown (5 y) -15.83% -15.41% Growth of $1,000 over 5 years $1,487 $1,423 What's Inside HDV holds 74 stocks, focusing on consumer defensive (28%), energy (26%), and healthcare (17%) companies. Its biggest positions are in Exxon Mobil Corp (NYSE:XOM), Chevron Corp (NYSE:CVX), and Johnson & Johnson (NYSE:JNJ). With a 15-year track record, HDV’s concentrated approach and sector tilts may appeal to those seeking higher income and more defensive exposure. In contrast...
The two stadiums are 366 miles apart. One holds more than 50,000 people, the other less than 10,000. The buzz as you walk up to the two grounds is a little different. But nevertheless, one Barcelona fan appeared not to have realised that he was at the wrong ground and tried to get through the turnstiles at Exeter City’s modest stadium (St James Park), rather than Newcastle United’s hulking one (St...
The two stadiums are 366 miles apart. One holds more than 50,000 people, the other less than 10,000. The buzz as you walk up to the two grounds is a little different. But nevertheless, one Barcelona fan appeared not to have realised that he was at the wrong ground and tried to get through the turnstiles at Exeter City’s modest stadium (St James Park), rather than Newcastle United’s hulking one (St James’ Park). Staff at Exeter told on Thursday how they gently explained the mistake and gave him a seat for their third-tier match against Lincoln City rather than the Champions League clash he had hoped to watch. “He looked absolutely devastated,” said Adam Spencer, supporter experience officer at Exeter City. “I put him in a nice seat in the main stand. I thought, well, he’s closer to the pitch here than he would be in Newcastle, and we’ve got no VAR [top flight football’s video assistant referee system] so I thought he may have had a better night actually.” But when Spencer went to check on him in the second half, the supporter had slipped away. News of the mistake has spread far and wide. A well-known opticians is trying to track the fan down to do some publicity about the error, as is a betting company. “He must have seen it by now,” said Spencer, “But from my interaction with him on Tuesday, I would say he’s probably too embarrassed at the moment. I’m sure in years to come he’ll look back on his great night at Exeter City. But maybe not this week.” Spencer said he was getting ready for the match when a member of the club’s ambassador team popped his head into the office. “They said there’s a guy trying to get in a turnstile with a Newcastle v Barcelona ticket. I thought it was a wind-up. I got them to bring him round to the fan zone. He was probably in his late-20s, early-30s. Dishevelled look on his face. I could tell he had been through the wringer. “He didn’t speak much English. He just told me: ‘Train, London.’ We think he had travelled down from London and just...
Equinix, Inc. EQIX launched the Distributed AI Hub, powered by Equinix Fabric Intelligence, to help enterprises connect, secure and simplify their increasingly complex and distributed AI ecosystems. The Hub serves as a neutral location where enterprises can discover, connect to, and access AI infrastructure providers — such as model companies, GPU clouds, data platforms, network and security servi...
Equinix, Inc. EQIX launched the Distributed AI Hub, powered by Equinix Fabric Intelligence, to help enterprises connect, secure and simplify their increasingly complex and distributed AI ecosystems. The Hub serves as a neutral location where enterprises can discover, connect to, and access AI infrastructure providers — such as model companies, GPU clouds, data platforms, network and security services, and AI frameworks — via private, low-latency connectivity across Equinix's data centers. To get the most from agentic AI, enterprises must unify distributed workflows: training data and inference workloads spread across public clouds, private data centers, edge environments, and a rising wave of specialized neoclouds. Each has its unique performance and sovereignty constraints. This maze of silos slows innovation, complicates governance and makes it hard to run AI workloads close to the data that fuels them, limiting business impact and user experience. That’s why Equinix is advancing distributed AI infrastructure through the new Distributed AI Hub, offering enterprises a simple, secure, and high-performance solution for running AI workloads across multiple locations. The Hub provides a unified, vendor-neutral framework that seamlessly integrates data, compute, cloud platforms and AI ecosystem partners. It lets enterprises execute AI workloads where they perform best without rebuilding their architecture each time or moving data to different locations. The Hub offers a simple, secure way to connect models, move data, run inference, and manage distributed AI systems with consistent governance and control. In contrast to hyperscaler AI marketplaces that prioritize their own offerings, this Hub stays truly open, empowering customers to build a custom AI stack from best-of-breed providers. Enterprises can now deploy consistent AI infrastructure patterns worldwide through the Distributed AI Hub, accessible at all 280 Equinix data centers globally. In the past three months, ...
Micron (MU) is among the leading memory-makers in the market. As such, this stock's incredible surge over the past few months has started to catch the attention of many investors, for good reason. I've touched on Micron's incredible rise a number of times in the past. However, with recent volatility now reshaping expectations around how this stock may perform moving forward (given increased attent...
Micron (MU) is among the leading memory-makers in the market. As such, this stock's incredible surge over the past few months has started to catch the attention of many investors, for good reason. I've touched on Micron's incredible rise a number of times in the past. However, with recent volatility now reshaping expectations around how this stock may perform moving forward (given increased attention around this name), I think it's fair to say that most market participants now find them on one side of this trade or another. Let's dive into some interesting recent analysis put forward by analysts at BP Paribas, who are still bullish on MU stock despite the incredible four-fold surge we've seen thus far this year. Here's the bull case behind why this particular company could have much further upside potential from here. Why the Bullish Outlook on Micron? Micron's past surge has a lot to do with increasingly beneficial supply and demand dynamics for memory makers. An integral piece of the artficial intelligence (AI) supply chain, computing providers need an incredible amount of memory to run their central processing units (CPUs) and graphics processing units (GPUs), meaning that surging chip demand has led to outsized growth in memory demand, which many top suppliers like Micron have struggled to keep pace with. Thus, as chip demand continues to soar, and investors look for the most profitable angles from which to play the surging demand we're seeing unfold, memory-makers like Micron should be well-positioned to continue growing their top and bottom line numbers at a considerable rate. With BNP analysts noting that NAND prices are estimated to “increase 55% Q/Q, followed by 5% Q/Q increase in CQ2 predominantly driven by supply-side dynamics as NAND suppliers continue to shift capacity to enterprise storage products while remaining prudent on capacity additions.” That's a big deal. What that ultimately means for Micron moving forward is that market participants are like...
On February 17, 2026, Caspian Capital disclosed a purchase of 1,349,043 shares of Bausch + Lomb Corporation (BLCO 3.43%), an estimated $21.39 million trade based on quarterly average pricing. What happened According to its SEC filing dated February 17, 2026, Caspian Capital increased its position in Bausch + Lomb Corporation by 1,349,043 shares. The estimated transaction value was $21.39 million, ...
On February 17, 2026, Caspian Capital disclosed a purchase of 1,349,043 shares of Bausch + Lomb Corporation (BLCO 3.43%), an estimated $21.39 million trade based on quarterly average pricing. What happened According to its SEC filing dated February 17, 2026, Caspian Capital increased its position in Bausch + Lomb Corporation by 1,349,043 shares. The estimated transaction value was $21.39 million, calculated using the average closing price for the quarter. The quarter-end value of the position increased by $21.61 million, which includes the effects of both the share purchase and stock price movement. What else to know CASPIAN CAPITAL LP increased its Bausch + Lomb Corporation stake, which now represents 22.58% of 13F reportable AUM Top holdings after the filing: NYSE: BLCO: $34.14 million (22.6% of AUM) NASDAQ: FIP: $24.02 million (15.9% of AUM) NASDAQ: FTAI: $21.94 million (14.5% of AUM) NYSE: CCO: $20.50 million (13.6% of AUM) NYSE: PACS: $14.63 million (9.7% of AUM) As of Thursday, BLCO shares were priced at $16.87, up 11% over the past year but underperforming the S&P 500’s roughly 20% gain in the same period. Company overview Metric Value Revenue (TTM) $5.1 billion Net income (TTM) ($360 million) Market capitalization $6 billion Price (as of Thursday) $16.87 Company snapshot Bausch + Lomb offers a broad portfolio of eye health products, including contact lenses, lens care solutions, ophthalmic pharmaceuticals, and surgical devices for cataract and retinal procedures. The firm generates revenue through the sale of branded and generic eye care products, medical devices, and surgical equipment to healthcare providers, retailers, and direct consumers globally. It serves ophthalmologists, optometrists, eye care professionals, and end consumers seeking vision correction and eye health solutions worldwide. Bausch + Lomb Corporation is a global leader in eye health, operating across vision care, pharmaceuticals, and surgical segments. The company leverages a diversified...
The rise of semi-liquid vehicles meant to attract retail investors could pose a risk to fund managers as high-profile names like Blue Owl Capital Inc., Blackstone Inc. and BlackRock Inc. have received a wave of withdrawal requests, according to the Governor of the Bank of France. How asset managers respond to the recent developments is a test of whether the $1.8 trillion private credit sector can ...
The rise of semi-liquid vehicles meant to attract retail investors could pose a risk to fund managers as high-profile names like Blue Owl Capital Inc., Blackstone Inc. and BlackRock Inc. have received a wave of withdrawal requests, according to the Governor of the Bank of France. How asset managers respond to the recent developments is a test of whether the $1.8 trillion private credit sector can handle mismatches in liquidity, Francois Villeroy de Galhau said at the Bloomberg Future of Finance conference in Paris. “Debt strategies relying on complex, opaque and increasingly leveraged financing structures, notably in private credit, can also conceal the vulnerabilities of some borrowers,” Villeroy said. He pointed to the collapses of First Brands Group and Tricolor Holdings last year, and, more recently, Market Financial Solutions Ltd., which has been accused of fraud. “These vulnerabilities may be amplified by the rising interconnectedness between private markets and other financial institutions,” he added. Villeroy also said he sees some banks marking down private credit investments, mostly to software companies, or declining share of publicly traded business development companies even as “funds maintain their stale valuations.” However, the development of private markets — especially private equity — could be a boost to economy activity in Europe, according to Villeroy, adding that a focus on transparency is key to reaping those benefits. Read More: Private Credit Gate-Crashers Are Forcing Funds Into Brutal Spot
On paper, Lucid Group (LCID 6.27%) stock has a lot of potential. The company has a solid financial backer in the form of Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund. It recently signed global movie star Timothée Chalamet as a brand ambassador to champion its new Gravity SUV platform. And its current market cap of just $3.2 billion pales in comparison to other EV stocks like Rivian and Tesla, which sport...
On paper, Lucid Group (LCID 6.27%) stock has a lot of potential. The company has a solid financial backer in the form of Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund. It recently signed global movie star Timothée Chalamet as a brand ambassador to champion its new Gravity SUV platform. And its current market cap of just $3.2 billion pales in comparison to other EV stocks like Rivian and Tesla, which sport valuations of $19 billion and $1.3 trillion, respectively. But even with their higher valuations, both Rivian and Tesla are superior investments right now. That's due to one growth catalyst that Lucid lacks. It's one that, at least at first glance, has nothing to do with making and selling electric vehicles. Expand NASDAQ : LCID Lucid Group Today's Change ( -6.27 %) $ -0.67 Current Price $ 10.01 Key Data Points Market Cap $3.5B Day's Range $ 9.71 - $ 10.53 52wk Range $ 9.12 - $ 33.70 Volume 240K Avg Vol 7.4M Gross Margin -9280.51 % AI will dominate the future of EVs For decades, self-driving cars have been "just around the corner." In 2026, the world is still waiting for a fully autonomous vehicle transportation network. The difficulties have been multivariate. Sensors are costly to integrate into the manufacturing process. Regulations have slowed the pace of experimentation. And consumers have repeatedly shown a fear of trusting fully autonomous vehicles. But arguably, the biggest hurdle has been a car's ability to process huge amounts of data in real time to make high-stakes decisions. This is why the explosion of artificial intelligence (AI) innovation in recent years has been so important for the advancement of self-driving capabilities. Over the past few years, some experts believe AI has created more advancement in self-driving potential than previous decades combined. When it comes to selling EVs in the next decades, styling, speed, and comfort may take a back seat to autonomous capabilities. If a Tesla or a Rivian vehicle can handle 100% of your driving needs and a...
PM Images/DigitalVision via Getty Images This article serves as a follow-up to my past analysis of Hingham Institution for Savings ( HIFS ). When I first wrote about the company in November of last year, I rated its stock as a Hold based on its elevated valuation and risk profile. Since that article was published, HIFS has risen about 7.5% while the overall market has only achieved a gain of about...
PM Images/DigitalVision via Getty Images This article serves as a follow-up to my past analysis of Hingham Institution for Savings ( HIFS ). When I first wrote about the company in November of last year, I rated its stock as a Hold based on its elevated valuation and risk profile. Since that article was published, HIFS has risen about 7.5% while the overall market has only achieved a gain of about 2.5%. Hingham had been able to post even greater gains through early February of this year, but the stock has tumbled almost 17% since reaching a 52-week high about five weeks ago. Much of the decline in the stock can be explained by macro factors in the market. Nonetheless, I do think that the recent pullback in HIFS is justified based on the most recent quarterly results posted by the company. Hingham’s low net interest margin and below-average operational metrics simply make it a less attractive investment option compared to other small regional banks that I have covered on this site in the last six months. I am maintaining my Hold rating for HIFS. Company Profile Hingham Institution for Savings is one of the oldest banks in the US, with a history that dates back almost 200 years. The bank has a rather unique geographic footprint with six branches in Massachusetts, one in San Francisco, and one in the nation’s capital of Washington, DC. Hingham has several unique services for its customers that include no fees for active accounts and unlimited deposit insurance thanks to the Massachusetts Depositors Insurance Fund. The company has a current market cap of $610.5 million. According to the 2025 10-K filed by HIFS on March 4, Hingham’s total assets were valued at $4.54 billion at the end of last year, a modest increase of 1.9% from the end of 2024. Included in those assets were gross loans outstanding worth $3.93 billion. A full snapshot of the bank’s balance sheet data from the company’s 2025 Annual Report is shown below. HIFS 2025 Annual Report As I mentioned in my first ...
Leila Melhado/iStock Editorial via Getty Images Brazil's government said Thursday it has scrapped federal taxes on diesel imports and sales in an attempt to ease the Iran war's effect on oil prices, a move that could affect state-run oil firm Petrobras ( PBR ). The government cut the PIS and Cofins federal taxes levied on diesel to zero and imposed a 12% tax on crude oil exports, as well as a 5...
Leila Melhado/iStock Editorial via Getty Images Brazil's government said Thursday it has scrapped federal taxes on diesel imports and sales in an attempt to ease the Iran war's effect on oil prices, a move that could affect state-run oil firm Petrobras ( PBR ). The government cut the PIS and Cofins federal taxes levied on diesel to zero and imposed a 12% tax on crude oil exports, as well as a 50% levy on diesel shipments. The government said the move will cut diesel prices at the pump by 0.64 reais/liter (~$0.122) due to the tax cut and a direct subsidy program that will provide payments to diesel producers and importers. While Petrobras ( PBR ) has not raised local fuel prices, Brazil is still partly reliant on imported diesel, and distributors have been reluctant to sell it at Petrobras' prices, concerned about a possible price hike in the near future, Reuters reported. Brazil Finance Minister Fernando Haddad said the measures would not affect Petrobras' ( PBR ) own fuel-pricing policy. More on Petrobras Petrobras: Direct Proxy To Brent, But With Additional Variables (Rating Upgrade) Petrobras: Iran Conflict & Energy Crunch Trigger Richer Spreads & Volatility Petrobras Q4 2025 Earnings Call Presentation
Key Points Palantir and Nvidia have partnered to provide turnkey AI data centers for sovereign AI. These systems include Nvidia's industry-leading hardware and Palantir's state-of-the-art software suite. Both companies represent a compelling way to invest in an AI-centric future. 10 stocks we like better than Palantir Technologies › The accelerating adoption of artificial intelligence (AI) has dom...
Key Points Palantir and Nvidia have partnered to provide turnkey AI data centers for sovereign AI. These systems include Nvidia's industry-leading hardware and Palantir's state-of-the-art software suite. Both companies represent a compelling way to invest in an AI-centric future. 10 stocks we like better than Palantir Technologies › The accelerating adoption of artificial intelligence (AI) has dominated the tech landscape in recent years. Despite the rapid adoption of the technology, most experts concur that a vast opportunity remains. One market that's only beginning to emerge is that of sovereign AI. Simply put, this represents each country's individual efforts to develop and maintain control of its own AI, using its own data, computing infrastructure, and employees, ensuring it controls its own AI destiny. While some countries are already in the midst of a robust AI build-out, many have only just begun. 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 » Now, two of the biggest names in AI are joining forces to tackle this massive opportunity. Nvidia's logo superimposed over a picture of its headquarters and the Palantir logo superimposed over its headquarters building. Image source: The Motley Fool. In a joint press release that dropped Thursday morning, Palantir Technologies (NASDAQ: PLTR) announced it has teamed up with Nvidia (NASDAQ: NVDA) to deliver complete data center AI solutions for sovereign AI. Palantir's AI OS Reference Architecture (AIOS-RA) "delivers a complete, production-ready AI infrastructure." This framework is based on Nvidia Enterprise Reference Architectures, which have been tested and prequalified to run Palantir's entire software suite, which includes Foundry, Apollo, Rubix, Artificial Intelligence Platform (AIP), and AIP Hub. It will serve as a blueprint for organizations ...