The AI infrastructure buildout keeps accelerating. Hyperscalers and enterprises spent record sums on data-center chips last year, and spending shows no sign of peaking. Yet Nvidia (NASDAQ:NVDA) shares trade under $200, as they have since last November. Yet, one number explains why this is not the top, but rather the entry point savvy investors should ... The 1 Stat That Proves Nvidia Remains a Scr...
The AI infrastructure buildout keeps accelerating. Hyperscalers and enterprises spent record sums on data-center chips last year, and spending shows no sign of peaking. Yet Nvidia (NASDAQ:NVDA) shares trade under $200, as they have since last November. Yet, one number explains why this is not the top, but rather the entry point savvy investors should ... The 1 Stat That Proves Nvidia Remains a Screaming Buy Below $200
Quant rankings for the upcoming earnings calendar show strength concentrated in industrials and select consumer staples and technology names, while weakness is more pronounced across industrials, health care, and materials. A total of 56 companies are scheduled to report. This week’s top-rated names are led by Delta Air Lines ( DAL ), which holds a quant rating of 4.07, standing out as the only Bu...
Quant rankings for the upcoming earnings calendar show strength concentrated in industrials and select consumer staples and technology names, while weakness is more pronounced across industrials, health care, and materials. A total of 56 companies are scheduled to report. This week’s top-rated names are led by Delta Air Lines ( DAL ), which holds a quant rating of 4.07, standing out as the only Buy-rated stock in the group. The remaining top cohort is largely composed of Hold-rated names, including Aehr Test Systems ( AEHR ) and Constellation Brands ( STZ ), both at 3.36. Other notable names include Applied Digital ( APLD ), Greenbrier Companies ( GBX ), and Neogen ( NEOG ), reflecting relatively balanced factor readings across industrials, technology, and health care. Consumer-focused names such as PriceSmart ( PSMT ), WD-40 ( WDFC ), Levi Strauss ( LEVI ), and Kura Sushi ( KRUS ) also feature among the higher-ranked stocks. On the downside, industrial and health care names dominate the weakest-ranked stocks. Byrna Technologies ( BYRN ) holds the lowest quant score at 1.09, followed by Simulations Plus ( SLP ) at 1.35. Other laggards include Resources Connection ( RGP ) and RPM International ( RPM ), pointing to weaker factor readings across valuation, growth, and momentum. Additional names such as NEXGEL ( NXGL ), Corus Entertainment ( CJREF ), and ClearSign Technologies ( CLIR ) also feature among the lowest-rated stocks, alongside AmpliTech Group ( AMPG ), Simply Good Foods ( SMPL ), and Evotec ( EVO ). Other high-profile names set to report earnings this week include BlackBerry ( BB ), which carries a Hold rating with a quant score of 2.79 . Seeking Alpha’s Quant Rating system grades stocks based on their relative performance on critical quantitative measures, including valuation, growth, stock momentum, and profitability. Ratings are assigned on a scale from 1 to 5, with any score of 3.5 or above considered a bullish rating and any score of 2.5 or below indica...
Alistair Berg | Digitalvision | Getty Images Older Americans stand to benefit from tax changes in President Donald Trump's "big beautiful bill," which went into effect for 2025. "What is the one group of people who are going to be benefiting most from tax changes in the past year? It's almost certainly going to be seniors and retirees," Alex Durante, senior economist at the Tax Foundation, recentl...
Alistair Berg | Digitalvision | Getty Images Older Americans stand to benefit from tax changes in President Donald Trump's "big beautiful bill," which went into effect for 2025. "What is the one group of people who are going to be benefiting most from tax changes in the past year? It's almost certainly going to be seniors and retirees," Alex Durante, senior economist at the Tax Foundation, recently told CNBC . But they will have to file their tax returns to see if they qualify and how much they could gain. Where to get free tax help For seniors who need assistance, there are several free tax services that can help them prepare returns in time for the April 15 deadline. Older taxpayers may turn to the IRS' free programs : Volunteer Income Tax Assistance, or VITA, which provides help to low- to moderate-income taxpayers, and Tax Counseling for the Elderly, or TCE, which helps people, especially those ages 60 and over, prepare their tax returns. Read more CNBC personal finance coverage Market volatility poses a serious risk for new retirees. Here's how to prepare Trump's overtime deduction is a 'home run,' Treasury says. How it could change Stock market is in for 'choppy, bumpy ride,' strategist says. Here's how to play it Parents with student loans have limited time to secure forgiveness, affordable bills Social Security needs more money. The question is, who will pay? Should you 'buy the dip' amid the latest stock market volatility? What experts say Boston Fed: Credit card APRs have 'economically meaningful' impact on spending Retirement saver protection rule has died — for the second time More than 7 million student loan borrowers face deadline to leave SAVE plan Department of Labor proposes rules for including alternative assets in 401(k)s 31.5% of car buyers underwater on trade-ins; analyst says amount owed 'troubling' Why your tax refund may look different this year, and what's actually driving it Expecting to fight about money with your partner? You might be wro...
Oil prices have skyrocketed this year due to the war with Iran. They could continue to rise if that conflict doesn't end soon, potentially triggering a recession. That would likely drive down stock prices. Given that risk, it makes sense to get more defensive. A smart strategy is to buy companies with more resilient business models that can withstand a recession. Here are three dividend stocks to ...
Oil prices have skyrocketed this year due to the war with Iran. They could continue to rise if that conflict doesn't end soon, potentially triggering a recession. That would likely drive down stock prices. Given that risk, it makes sense to get more defensive. A smart strategy is to buy companies with more resilient business models that can withstand a recession. Here are three dividend stocks to buy that have proven their durability over the years. Image source: Getty Images. Continue reading
Afghanistan aims to increase trade with Central Asian countries to US$10 billion within the next three or four years, Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi said on Sunday. Trade with Central Asian countries to Afghanistan’s north came to about US$2.7 billion in 2025, itself a significant increase over previous years, Muttaqi said. He stated Afghanistan’s new trade goal with its neighbours at a “const...
Afghanistan aims to increase trade with Central Asian countries to US$10 billion within the next three or four years, Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi said on Sunday. Trade with Central Asian countries to Afghanistan’s north came to about US$2.7 billion in 2025, itself a significant increase over previous years, Muttaqi said. He stated Afghanistan’s new trade goal with its neighbours at a “constructive dialogue” meeting in Kabul with representatives from Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Kyrgyzstan,...
Workers at a major beef-processing plant in Greeley, Colorado, are set to return to the job after a three-week strike, following an agreement by JBS USA ( JBS ) to restart negotiations with union leaders, the Associated Press reported. Thousands of employees at the Swift Beef facility walked out on March 16 alongside United Food and Commercial Workers Local 7, pushing for higher wages and improved...
Workers at a major beef-processing plant in Greeley, Colorado, are set to return to the job after a three-week strike, following an agreement by JBS USA ( JBS ) to restart negotiations with union leaders, the Associated Press reported. Thousands of employees at the Swift Beef facility walked out on March 16 alongside United Food and Commercial Workers Local 7, pushing for higher wages and improved health benefits. The union said workers will head back to the plant Tuesday morning, with talks scheduled to resume later in the week. “Workers remain united and will continue to fight,” said union president Kim Cordova. JBS signaled it is preparing to restart operations. “We are preparing to resume and ramp up operations at the Greeley plant next week,” said company spokesperson Nikki Richardson. She added, “Our Last, Best and Final offer remains on the table,” and said employees may soon have a chance to review and vote on it. The dispute comes at a fragile moment for the U.S. beef industry. Cattle supplies have dropped to their lowest levels in decades, while beef prices have climbed sharply, raising concerns about further cost pressures for consumers. The Greeley facility accounts for roughly 6% of U.S. beef processing capacity, making the strike a potential risk to supply if prolonged. Industry observers warned that extended disruptions could have pushed prices even higher. Union officials have accused management of unfair labor practices, including retaliation and attempts to pressure workers to abandon union support. JBS has denied those claims, maintaining its contract proposal is fair. The walkout marks the first strike at a U.S. slaughterhouse since a prolonged labor dispute at a Hormel plant in 1985. The outcome of the renewed negotiations could carry broader implications for labor relations across the meatpacking sector, particularly as producers navigate tight supply conditions and rising costs, the AP reported. More on Tyson Foods, JBS N.V. JBS N.V. (JBS) Q4 ...
It has been a rocky start to the year for many major indexes and big-name stocks. It's not the best feeling, but it reaffirms why investing in dividend stocks can be so effective: You're rewarded for simply holding a stock, regardless of how the price moves. Dividend stocks aren't immune to volatility or slumps, but their payouts act as a natural hedge and provide passive income. If you're looking...
It has been a rocky start to the year for many major indexes and big-name stocks. It's not the best feeling, but it reaffirms why investing in dividend stocks can be so effective: You're rewarded for simply holding a stock, regardless of how the price moves. Dividend stocks aren't immune to volatility or slumps, but their payouts act as a natural hedge and provide passive income. If you're looking for passive income (that's always a good choice), consider one of the most popular dividend exchange-traded funds (ETFs) on the market: the Schwab U.S. Dividend Equity ETF (NYSEMKT: SCHD) . It remains a great, reliable choice. Image source: The Motley Fool. Continue reading
IBM and the Masters Golf Tournament are teaming up to give fans an experience unlike any other. IBM SVP of Marketing & Communications Jonathan Adashek and Longtime Caddy Jim "Bones" Mackay join Joe Mathieu and Christina Ruffini on Bloomberg This Weekend to discuss the economic impact the move could have on the country. Watch the show LIVE every Saturday and Sunday morning. (Source: Bloomberg)
IBM and the Masters Golf Tournament are teaming up to give fans an experience unlike any other. IBM SVP of Marketing & Communications Jonathan Adashek and Longtime Caddy Jim "Bones" Mackay join Joe Mathieu and Christina Ruffini on Bloomberg This Weekend to discuss the economic impact the move could have on the country. Watch the show LIVE every Saturday and Sunday morning. (Source: Bloomberg)
William_Potter Members of OPEC+ are preparing to approve a small increase in production targets for May, even as the ongoing conflict in the Middle East continues to disrupt actual oil flows. Key producers including Saudi Arabia and Russia are expected to back a plan to raise quotas by roughly 206,000 barrels a day during a virtual meeting, Bloomberg News reported Sunday, citing delegates familiar...
William_Potter Members of OPEC+ are preparing to approve a small increase in production targets for May, even as the ongoing conflict in the Middle East continues to disrupt actual oil flows. Key producers including Saudi Arabia and Russia are expected to back a plan to raise quotas by roughly 206,000 barrels a day during a virtual meeting, Bloomberg News reported Sunday, citing delegates familiar with the discussions. While the adjustment would formally expand supply targets, its real-world impact may be limited given current constraints on exports. Fighting in the region has sharply reduced shipments from major Gulf producers such as United Arab Emirates , Iraq and Kuwait . The disruption has largely stemmed from restrictions on traffic through the Strait of Hormuz , a critical route that typically handles about one-fifth of global oil supply. As a result, the planned increase is seen more as a signal of intent rather than an immediate boost in output. The move suggests producers are positioning themselves to ramp up supply quickly if conditions stabilize. Oil markets have been volatile since the conflict began, with prices surging close to $120 a barrel last month before easing slightly. Benchmark crude remained elevated near $109 at the end of last week, reflecting ongoing uncertainty and concerns about prolonged disruptions. Before the conflict, a group of eight OPEC+ nations had been gradually restoring production cuts introduced in 2023. Output levels were held steady early this year, followed by a similar increase for April that was agreed just as hostilities escalated. Shipping through Hormuz has been severely curtailed for over a month, in what the International Energy Agency has described as an unprecedented supply shock. While vessel traffic has shown tentative signs of recovery, flows remain far below normal levels. There are some indications of limited easing. Iran has signaled that Iraqi shipments may be allowed to pass through the strait, potentially...
anusorn nakdee/iStock via Getty Images Because of the heightened volatility and fundamental concerns about private credit (including BDCs), investors who have decided to keep their positions in place or even add a bit are doing so by leaning into defensive names. By defensive names I mean such BDCs that are well-positioned to weather potential headwinds from rising non-accruals in the overall BDC ...
anusorn nakdee/iStock via Getty Images Because of the heightened volatility and fundamental concerns about private credit (including BDCs), investors who have decided to keep their positions in place or even add a bit are doing so by leaning into defensive names. By defensive names I mean such BDCs that are well-positioned to weather potential headwinds from rising non-accruals in the overall BDC ( BIZD ) space (e.g., low PIK, low non-accruals, low exposure to SaaS, low leverage). It is about taking care of the downside and then letting the upside do its thing when the negative sentiment fades. While in the process of waiting, 10%+ dividends can be collected. There is absolutely nothing wrong with this kind of approach. In fact, this is how I do it and what I have been recommending for BDC investors who seek durable cash flows and long-term NAV stability. However, there is a saying in sports: the best defense is a good offense. In the BDC context, I interpret it as expanding portfolios, which would contribute to incremental NII and NAV per share growth that could, in the worst case, be used as an offset to the "attacks" from potential loan default front. Namely, the rhetoric is changed from using the built-in cushion and margin of safety as a shock absorber but not even allowing the headwinds to touch the current value and instead letting incremental value (NII, NAV) fight back. In this particular moment, going on attack mode could be very attractive because of higher spreads, which have recently expanded due to (a) sizeable amounts of liquidity being pulled out of BDCs (less competition) and (b) increased risk in the system (SaaS, recessionary risks). Now, the worst thing that could happen is if the BDC decided to venture into aggressive portfolio growth from a position of instability and struggling fundamentals. What we want is to capture both worlds: Stable fundamentals and solid portfolio (i.e., below-average risk BDCs). Big firepower to secure growth without ag...
chaofann/iStock via Getty Images Written by Jussi Askola, CFA for High Yield Investor Asset management ( GPZ ) can be an incredibly rewarding business. It essentially allows you to earn a cut of the returns of an asset, without actually having to put any of your own capital into it. As a result, if you can convince investors to let you manage their money and amass a large base of assets under mana...
chaofann/iStock via Getty Images Written by Jussi Askola, CFA for High Yield Investor Asset management ( GPZ ) can be an incredibly rewarding business. It essentially allows you to earn a cut of the returns of an asset, without actually having to put any of your own capital into it. As a result, if you can convince investors to let you manage their money and amass a large base of assets under management, you will quickly end up with a little fortune. It is high margin, highly scalable, and results in recurring cash flows. We have all heard of people like Bill Ackman, who have become self-made billionaires in this exact business. But there are also plenty of publicly listed asset management firms that allow investors like you and me to participate in this opportunity. Blackstone ( BX ), as an example, is the world's biggest alternative asset manager, managing over a trillion dollars worth of investments, and it has been immensely rewarding to its shareholders over the long run as it grew its assets under management and fee income: Data by YCharts Generally, these companies trade at fairly high multiples of their cash flows, given that they are high-quality businesses enjoying recurring and rapidly growing fee income. But here is the interesting part: All these public asset management companies, especially those that focus on alternative investments, have recently crashed and now trade at extremely low valuations. Blackstone, KKR ( KKR ), Brookfield ( BAM ), Carlyle ( CG ), Blue Owl Capital ( OWL ), Apollo Global Management ( APO ), Ares Management ( ARES ), and others are all down very big: Data by YCharts I think that this sell-off is presenting a rare window of opportunity to buy these great businesses at historical discounts. But why are they suddenly so cheap then? It is simply because they crashed in sympathy with SaaS companies due to AI panic. SaaS businesses (software-as-a-service) have crashed in recent months as AI is breaking barriers to entry by making it...
labsas/iStock Unreleased via Getty Images Intro Crocs, Inc. ( CROX ) reported earnings in mid-February, posting a Q4 Non-GAAP EPS of $2.29, which beat by $0.38. Revenue of $958M (-3.2% Y/Y) beat by $40.9M. Crocs delivered solid 2025 results with over $4B in revenue and strong cash flow, driven by international growth and DTC strength, though HEYDUDE declined and North America remains a key challen...
labsas/iStock Unreleased via Getty Images Intro Crocs, Inc. ( CROX ) reported earnings in mid-February, posting a Q4 Non-GAAP EPS of $2.29, which beat by $0.38. Revenue of $958M (-3.2% Y/Y) beat by $40.9M. Crocs delivered solid 2025 results with over $4B in revenue and strong cash flow, driven by international growth and DTC strength, though HEYDUDE declined and North America remains a key challenge. Management ended up guiding for flat to slightly down revenue in 2026, with near-term pressure from tariffs and weak U.S. demand, but expects improvement later in the year supported by cost savings, product innovation, and international expansion. Overall, the outlook was cautiously optimistic, with confidence in long-term growth despite short-term headwinds. These results were enough to take the stock soaring to near $100 a share but have since fallen off to the high 70s to low 80s due to some neutral ratings, international headwinds, rising input costs, and a weaker consumer. These are especially difficult for a company like Crocs since its core product is relying on international sales for growth, and the "Croslite" is petroleum-based. However, I think this is a good opportunity for value investors. In this article, I will cover management's capital allocation strategy, progress, and effectiveness. Then I will go over valuation and the recent LEGO partnership, which I think will help drive CROX to newer highs. I think the risks mentioned are baked into the current stock price with plenty of room to spare. Even Li Lu, a fund manager in whom Charlie Munger would invest a portion of his net worth, entered a 1.5% position for the Himalaya Capital Management fund. Norbert Lou has also maintained a massive 16.90% position of CROX in his Punch Card Capital Management fund. CROX Position Sizing by Large Fund Managers (Dataroma) And in the wise words of Peter Lynch, insiders sell for many reasons, but they only buy for one - They think it's cheap. While there has been selling...
FactoryTh/iStock via Getty Images Introduction Applied Optoelectronics, Inc. ( AAOI ) has been one of the stronger performers in the market this year, with the stock up nearly 3x while the S&P 500 is down more than 3%. Data by YCharts Applied Optoelectronics is a supplier of fiber-optic networking products. The company sells optical components, modules, and equipment used mainly in internet data c...
FactoryTh/iStock via Getty Images Introduction Applied Optoelectronics, Inc. ( AAOI ) has been one of the stronger performers in the market this year, with the stock up nearly 3x while the S&P 500 is down more than 3%. Data by YCharts Applied Optoelectronics is a supplier of fiber-optic networking products. The company sells optical components, modules, and equipment used mainly in internet data centers and CATV broadband networks, with smaller exposure to telecom and FTTH markets. In 2025, 53.8% of revenue came from CATV and 42.9% from internet data centers, showing that AAOI is not a pure-play AI optics company but a broader optical networking supplier. I believe AAOI still offers upside because the company appears to be executing well at a time when demand momentum is strengthening, and current estimates may still prove too conservative. In my view, the main opportunity today is not based on a long-term CPO thesis (which is valid as well but not part of this write-up) but on the chance that AAOI delivers faster revenue and earnings realization than the market is currently pricing in, leading to continued upside. Market Developments NVIDIA’s ( NVDA ) optics investments validate the bottleneck. When NVIDIA puts $2B into Lumentum ( LITE ) and separately frames optical interconnects , package integration, and photonics as critical for scaling AI factories, that is a concrete signal that optics is the next data center cycle and potential bottleneck. It does not create a direct AAOI read-through, but it strengthens the industry case that demand for advanced optical interconnects is likely earlier, larger, and more strategic than many still assume. Broadcom ( AVGO ) is one of the clearest voices arguing that AI infrastructure will require higher bandwidth, lower power, and tighter integration, and it continues to push its CPO and high-speed optical roadmap accordingly. For AAOI specifically, though, the key point is that the company is already seeing real demand, having...
For many retirees, Social Security is an absolute lifeline. Without those monthly benefits, a large number of seniors would not have a way to cover their basic needs. But what if you're in the enviable position of having more than enough savings to cover your essential bills without Social Security ? To some degree, that takes a lot of pressure off of your filing decision. But it's a decision you ...
For many retirees, Social Security is an absolute lifeline. Without those monthly benefits, a large number of seniors would not have a way to cover their basic needs. But what if you're in the enviable position of having more than enough savings to cover your essential bills without Social Security ? To some degree, that takes a lot of pressure off of your filing decision. But it's a decision you want to get right nonetheless. Here's how to navigate it. Image source: Getty Images. Continue reading
Wall Street’s major market averages ended mixed on Thursday as markets assessed President Donald Trump’s address to the nation and the latest developments in the Middle East conflict. The tech-focused Nasdaq Composite finished +0.1%. At the same time, the benchmark S&P 500 added +0.1%, and the blue-chip Dow dipped -0.1%. The S&P 500 Health Care Index Sector ( XLV ) gained about 2% during the week....
Wall Street’s major market averages ended mixed on Thursday as markets assessed President Donald Trump’s address to the nation and the latest developments in the Middle East conflict. The tech-focused Nasdaq Composite finished +0.1%. At the same time, the benchmark S&P 500 added +0.1%, and the blue-chip Dow dipped -0.1%. The S&P 500 Health Care Index Sector ( XLV ) gained about 2% during the week. The top S&P 500 healthcare gainers and losers for the last week are as follows: Top Gainers: Charles River Laboratories International ( CRL ) +5.30% Centene ( CNC ) +4.62% Eli Lilly ( LLY ) +4.30% Incyte ( INCY ) +3.98% UnitedHealth Group ( UNH ) +3.44% Top Losers: Boston Scientific ( BSX ) -10.47% Moderna ( MRNA ) -8.16% Biogen ( BIIB ) -7.18% DaVita ( DVA ) -7.13% Insulet Corporation ( PODD ) -6.33% Here are some of the important healthcare stories from this week: Apellis surges on $5.6B buyout deal with Biogen Eye drug developer Apellis Pharmaceuticals ( APLS ) added ~135% on Tuesday after the company agreed to be acquired by Biogen ( BIIB ) for $41 per share in a deal worth $5.6B. The acquisition, expected to close in Q2 2026, will add Apellis’ ( APLS ) commercial products, Empaveli and Syfovre, to Biogen’s ( BIIB ) portfolio, which generated $689M in revenue last year, the companies said. Under the agreement, Cambridge, Massachusetts-based Biogen ( BIIB ) will pay $41 per share in cash for Apellis ( APLS ) at the closing of the deal, indicating an 86% premium to APLS’ 90-day volume-weighted average stock price. Apellis ( APLS ) investors will also be eligible for a nontransferable contingent value right (CVR), which permits them to receive two payments worth $2 per share, depending on the achievement of certain milestones related to Syfovre net sales. Biogen ( BIIB ) expects to fund the deal with a combination of cash on hand and debt and anticipates the acquisition to boost its non-GAAP diluted EPS in 2027 and compounded annual growth rate through 2030. Eli Lilly to ...