A bulletproof U.S. economy has shot past a series of shocks since the 2020 pandemic and grown for five straight years, but soaring oil prices tied to the Iran war have emerged as a potential trigger for recession.

If you're a dividend investor, you've probably at least heard of the Schwab U.S. Dividend Equity ETF (SCHD 0.65%) if you aren't already an investor in it. It's currently the 2nd largest dividend exchange-traded fund (ETF) in the world with more than $83 billion in assets, behind only the Vanguard Dividend Appreciation ETF. Its strategy, which considers balance sheet quality, dividend history, and yield, has delivered strong results since its 2011 launch. It's currently one of the best-performing dividend ETFs of 2026. With the current boom in leveraged and ultra-high yield products in the ETF marketplace, it shouldn't be a surprise that this fund has become a target. Earlier this month, YieldMax launched the YieldMax U.S. Stocks Target Double Distribution ETF (DDDD 0.78%). Its objective is to deliver twice the annual distribution yield of the Schwab U.S. Dividend Equity ETF. How does the 2x Yield SCHD ETF work? At its core, the YieldMax U.S. Stocks Target Double Distribution ETF is an option income strategy. This is usually the case for any product that aims to magnify the yield of an equity basket. In this fund's case, it plans to hold the components of the Schwab U.S. Dividend Equity ETF while simultaneously writing options on a select subset of the fund's holdings to generate additional premium income. The option strategies used could vary over time but are expected to be optimized to current market volatility conditions. In my opinion, this is the correct way to structure the YieldMax fund. Many funds will use synthetic products, such as options or swaps contracts, to mimic long exposure. Owning the Schwab U.S. Dividend Equity ETF itself along with its component holdings provides direct exposure to the underlying security. Using synthetic positions can subject holdings to imprecise correlation and the added cost of layering and managing these trades. Expand NYSEMKT : DDDD Tidal Trust II - YieldMax U.s. Stocks Target Double Distribution ETF Today's Change ( -0.78...

We'll be joined by the Communities Secretary, Steve Reed, to talk about it on Sunday. But the hope in government is that getting cash out of Whitehall to tiny local projects, playgrounds, community pubs, or other ideas that people come up with, can make a political impact, despite all the turmoil. The government source said: "We are trying to do very visible change so people say 'Ah OK, there is a government out there that actually has its hands on the wheel, despite almost perma-crisis around the world'."

hapabapa/iStock Editorial via Getty Images Thesis SouthState Bank Corporation ( SSB ) is a growing regional bank that has demonstrated strong return metrics and sound balance sheet management, but mixed credit quality. The bank will likely continue to deliver solid performance in portfolios where it stands as a core position; however, the current macroeconomic environment and valuation of SSB make it a less than ideal time to enter into new positions in this regional bank. Consequently, I am issuing a hold rating on SSB. Company Profile SouthState Bank Corporation is headquartered in Winter Haven, FL, and provides financial services through its flagship subsidiary, SouthState Bank. The firm offers consumer, commercial, mortgage, and wealth management banking services. SouthState Bank operates in nine states, including Florida, Texas, North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, Colorado, Alabama, Virginia, and Tennessee. As of December 31, 2025, the company holds roughly $67 billion in assets and $55 billion in deposits. SouthState Bank Corporation Investor Relations Return Metrics SSB has demonstrated above-average return metrics over the prior eight quarters, providing evidence that the firm’s strategy of organic expansion in high-growth markets is working. Return on Tangible Common Equity (ROTCE) is one of the most common return metrics in banking. This metric shows the bank’s net income relative to its average tangible common equity. Tangible common equity removes intangible assets like goodwill, which can heavily distort return metrics. Over the prior eight quarters, SSB has generated ROTCE in the double digits (note the dip in Q1, 2025 was a result of the acquisition of Independent Bank Group). Additionally, the bank’s ROTCE remains north of the peer median of 15% as of Q4, 2025. Quarterly filings Quarterly Filings Net Interest Income (NII), arguably the most important return metric for a bank, measures the difference between the interest the bank receives on its ...

格隆汇3月21日｜据央视财经，苹果公司首席执行官蒂姆·库克3月21日现身北京朝阳某艺术空间，观看了解人工智能等数字化技术在壁画复原等传统文化保护和传承方面的最新应用。库克表示：“现在是一个非常令人兴奋的时代，一切都在飞速变化，而在中国，变化尤其快。我认为，人工智能是你我这一生中最具深远意义的事物之一。在我们看来，人工智能是对人能力的放大，而不是对人的取代。”“我认为大家应该放下恐惧，先在日常生活中开始使用它，去思考它能如何帮到你、如何让你更高效、如何帮你分担一部分手头的工作。我们每个人的生活都需要更多快乐，而有些我们正在做的事，并不能带来快乐，或许人工智能可以帮我们把这些事分担下来。”

Key Points Every $1 increase in the average oil price can boost Chevron's annualized earnings by $600 million. ConocoPhillips is on track to double its free cash flow by 2029 at $70 oil. Canadian Natural Resources has grown its dividend for 26 straight years. 10 stocks we like better than ConocoPhillips › Oil prices have been very volatile since Israel and the U.S. launched military strikes against Iran about three weeks ago. Crude has surged on news of attacks against oil tankers in the Persian Gulf and energy infrastructure in the region. Meanwhile, it has fallen on days when there are positive reports about potential strategies to reopen the Strait of Hormuz to tanker traffic and other moves to improve global oil supplies. Crude oil could continue to bounce around until there's a long-term solution on Iran. I'm not worried either way. Here's why. 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 » I have ample upside to higher oil prices I own a trio of oil stocks: Chevron (NYSE: CVX), Canadian Natural Resources (NYSE: CNQ), and ConocoPhillips (NYSE: COP). I've owned ConocoPhillips for nearly two decades, while Chevron and Canadian Natural Resources are more recent additions. All three oil companies provide my portfolio with upside to higher crude prices. For example, a $1 increase in the average oil price can boost Chevron's annualized earnings and cash flow by $600 million. Meanwhile, a $1 increase in oil prices can raise ConocoPhillips' annualized earnings by more than $100 million. With crude prices currently up around $40 a barrel this year, these oil companies can generate significantly more cash flow. That will give them more money to return to shareholders via dividends and buybacks. The higher total returns these oil stocks can generate when crude prices are rising can help offset some of ...

私募信贷市场正在重演一套熟悉的金融把戏——把高风险资产层层打包，贴上顶级评级标签，卖给手握美国人养老储蓄的保险公司。这套逻辑规模已近万亿美元，而监管体系的四分五裂和信息的严重不透明，正让市场观察者和评级机构的警告声越来越难以忽视。 据《华尔街日报》报道，美国寿险公司目前持有近1万亿美元私募信贷资产， 约占其固定收益总持仓的四分之一 。其中约2800亿美元仅处于最低投资级别，另有700亿美元已是投机级或垃圾级。美联储的一项研究直接 将保险公司称为"新型影子银行" 。 与此同时，据英国《金融时报》报道，一种名为"评级票据馈入基金"的结构性产品正在私募信贷市场大量涌现——专业评级机构KBRA去年为此类产品评级规模达170亿美元，较2024年的80亿美元翻了一番多。 这一趋势出现在私募信贷市场承压的节点上。散户投资者已从多只大型私募信贷基金撤资，养老金和捐赠基金也在重新审视其私募债务持仓，部分原因是担心相关基金对软件公司的敞口会在AI浪潮中受损。在监管层面，各州保险监管机构正面临前所未有的压力，需要对这些结构日趋复杂的产品进行实质性审查。 高风险资产如何变身"顶级债券" 评级票据馈入基金的运作逻辑， 和2008年金融危机前的次级贷款证券化有着结构上的相似性 。 据《金融时报》报道，这类产品的核心机制是：在保险公司与底层私募信贷基金之间设立一个特殊目的载体（SPV），由SPV发行债券，再由KBRA或晨星DBRS对这些债券评级，然后出售给保险公司及其他投资者。SPV把募来的钱投入底层私募信贷基金，保险公司则以票据利息和本金偿还的形式获取回报。 这套结构的吸引力在于资本套利。据美国全国保险监督官协会（NAIC）数据，此类结构可将保险公司对底层投资的资本计提要求从30%压缩至10%至15%。也就是说，保险公司花少得多的资本，就能获得等同于直接持有私募信贷的风险敞口。 Ares、Carlyle和KKR等头部机构多年来一直用这类结构从规模数万亿美元的美国保险业融资。但据投资高管向《金融时报》透露，近期大量涌入市场的推销材料来自规模较小、成立时间较短的信贷管理机构。一家大型美国寿险公司的首席投资官的原话是："说'收到推销'还是轻描淡写——我收到了数百封关于评级票据的邮件。" 评级机构也看不清底层资产 这类产品还有一个核心问题： 透明度严重不足 ，评级机构和买家都难以对底层资产做实质性的尽...

Key Points With a global economic system defined by rising debt and money supply, scarcity is an invaluable attribute for any asset. When it comes to adoption trends, Dogecoin doesn’t hold a candle to Bitcoin. Look out over the next decade, and it’s clear which cryptocurrency has greater upside. 10 stocks we like better than Bitcoin › The overall digital asset industry is going through a difficult period, dragged down by the disappointing performance of Bitcoin (CRYPTO: BTC). The world's leading cryptocurrency is trading 43% below its record (as of March 18), established five months ago in October. Meme tokens are also struggling to drive investor excitement. Dogecoin (CRYPTO: DOGE), for example, is 66% off from its 52-week high. 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 » These notable dips should force investors to think about what the best move might be. Between Bitcoin and Dogecoin, here's the one I would buy for 2026. A hard supply cap is a compelling feature When looking at Bitcoin and Dogecoin as potential investment opportunities, there is no discussion. Bitcoin remains the superior crypto asset. Its scarcity should never be overlooked. There will only ever be 21 million Bitcoin units. This hard supply cap is written into the Bitcoin software. Since the first block was mined more than 17 years ago, this setup has not changed. And it isn't going to be altered in the future, unless network participants want to sabotage Bitcoin by changing the supply constraint, which would essentially destroy market confidence. Dogecoin has no supply cap. Its token economics support abundance. The supply base expands by 10,000 tokens every single minute. On a yearly basis, this means more than 5 billion new Dogecoin tokens are added to the worldwide circulation. When it comes to digital scarcity, Bitcoin...

Key Points By abandoning the debt-heavy WBD deal, Netflix avoided massive risks to its operations. Shares of Netflix are now trading for under 30x forward earnings, a great value historically. 10 stocks we like better than Netflix › After walking away from a high-stakes acquisition of Warner Bros. Discovery (NASDAQ: WBD), Netflix (NASDAQ: NFLX) has pivoted back to organic growth, focusing on high-margin advertising and live events. With global memberships surpassing 300 million, Netflix is no longer just a tech play; it's a diversified media powerhouse. And after the drop in shares following the WBD bid and subsequent breakup, this may be a great value for investors today. I dig into the reasons to buy and why investors may want to choose caution. *Stock prices used were end-of-day prices of March 18, 2026. The video was published on March 19, 2026. 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 » Should you buy stock in Netflix right now? Before you buy stock in Netflix, consider this: The Motley Fool Stock Advisor analyst team just identified what they believe are the 10 best stocks for investors to buy now… and Netflix wasn’t one of them. The 10 stocks that made the cut could produce monster returns in the coming years. Consider when Netflix made this list on December 17, 2004... if you invested $1,000 at the time of our recommendation, you’d have $494,747!* Or when Nvidia made this list on April 15, 2005... if you invested $1,000 at the time of our recommendation, you’d have $1,094,668!* Now, it’s worth noting Stock Advisor’s total average return is 911% — a market-crushing outperformance compared to 186% for the S&P 500. Don't miss the latest top 10 list, available with Stock Advisor, and join an investing community built by individual investors for individual investors. See the 10 stocks » *S...

Iran launched a missile attack on a military base in the Indian Ocean jointly used by the United Kingdom and the United States, according to US media reports. The Islamic Republic fired ballistic missiles at the base on the island of Diego Garcia, part of the Chagos Islands, on Friday morning, the Wall Street Journal and CNN reported, citing senior US officials. According to the reports, two medium-range missiles were launched but failed to hit the facility. Advertisement There was no immediate public confirmation from either the UK or US governments. The Chagos Islands are at the centre of an ongoing diplomatic dispute involving the UK, the United States and Mauritius. Advertisement US President Donald Trump has been sharply critical of UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s refusal to authorise the use of the base for the initial US-Israeli strikes against Iran’s military and leadership, which began in late February.

Fooding covers a residential neighborhood in Waialua, Hawaii, on Friday, March 20, 2026. Mengshin Lin | AP Photo Hawaii suffered its worst flooding in more than 20 years as heavy rains fell on soil already saturated by downpours from a winter storm a week ago, officials said Friday while warning that still more rain was expected during the weekend. Muddy floodwaters smothered vast stretches of Oahu's North Shore, a community world-renowned for its big-wave surfing. Raging waters lifted homes and cars and prompted evacuation orders for 5,500 people north of Honolulu. Authorities cautioned that a 120-year-old dam could fail. Gov. Josh Green said the cost of the storm could top $1 billion, including damage to airports, schools, roads, people's homes and a Maui hospital in Kula. "This is going to have a very serious consequence for us as a state," Green said at a news conference. Most of the state was under a flood watch, with Haleiwa and Waialua in northern Oahu under a flash flood warning, according to the National Weather Service. Green said his chief of staff spoke to the White House and received assurances the islands would have federal support. Most serious flooding since 2004 No deaths were reported and no one was unaccounted for. About 10 people were taken to a hospital with hypothermia, he said. Crews searched by air and by water for people who had been stranded — efforts that were hampered by people flying personal drones to get images of the flooding, said Ian Scheuring, a spokesperson for Honolulu. The National Guard and Honolulu Fire Department airlifted 72 children and adults who had been attending a spring break youth camp at a retreat on Oahu's west coast called Our Lady of Kea'au, according to city and camp officials. The camp is on high ground but authorities didn't want to leave them there, the mayor said. A view of a storm-damaged home near floating felled branches in flood waters caused by severe rains in Waialua, Hawaii, on Friday, March 20, 2026. ...

The shadow justice secretary, Nick Timothy, has been accused by a Conservative peer and former counter-extremism minister of “instilling fear” among Muslims with his comments about public prayer. British Muslims were openly talking about leaving the Conservative party, added Tariq Ahmad, who said he had raised his concerns with the party leadership and expected action to be taken. “I have known Nick for a long time and am deeply disappointed by his divisive comments. He needs to reflect carefully on his own words,” Lord Ahmad told the Guardian. “If he is aspiring to be lord chancellor, he has to stand up for the principles of equality and justice before the law for all, that comes with that responsibility.” The intervention by Ahmad, who served as a minister in three different departments in the governments of Theresa May and David Cameron and has been a party member for three decades, comes as Kemi Badenoch backed Timothy. The shadow justice secretary singled out an event in Trafalgar Square where the mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, and others prayed as part of an iftar, and claimed that Islamic prayers taking place in public were intimidating and un-British. Nigel Farage has also commented, with Muslim leaders condemning the Reform UK leader’s call to ban public prayer by Muslims in the UK as bigoted, and warning of a “growing tide of hate” after Badenoch questioned whether the events fitted “within the norms of British culture”. Ahmad said he had started to encounter anti-Muslim hostility on the streets, something that he had believed was consigned to the past. “It’s ironic that Nick has sought to defend what he said by referring to British values, because it is exactly the values of choice, of standing up for inclusion and freedoms, that have attracted people like me to the Conservative party,” he said. “Michael Howard was a great mentor to me and he said the party has been and should always be one for all Britons. That is something that we always need to reflect, ...

Morgan Stanley analyst Sanjit Singh maintained a Hold rating on Palantir Technologies today and set a price target of $205.00. Singh covers the Technology sector, focusing on stocks such as Snowflake, Gitlab, and Akamai. According to TipRanks, Singh has an average return of 0.7% and a 46.60% success rate on recommended stocks. In addition to Morgan Stanley, Palantir Technologies also received a Hold from TipRanks – xAI’s xAi Software – Infrastructure in a report issued yesterday. However, on the same day, TipRanks – OpenAI reiterated a Buy rating on Palantir Technologies (NASDAQ: PLTR). Based on Palantir Technologies’ latest earnings release for the quarter ending December 31, the company reported a quarterly revenue of $1.41 billion and a net profit of $608.68 million. In comparison, last year the company earned a revenue of $827.52 million and had a net profit of $79.01 million Based on the recent corporate insider activity of 73 insiders, corporate insider sentiment is negative on the stock. This means that over the past quarter there has been an increase of insiders selling their shares of PLTR in relation to earlier this year. Last month, Stephen Andrew Cohen, the President and Secretary of PLTR sold 327,088.00 shares for a total of $43,735,831.25.

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

3D_generator/iStock via Getty Images Co-written by Austin Rogers for High Yield Landlord As we have explained in the past, we don't make buying or selling decisions based on what any other investors are doing, including the best active REIT portfolio managers. That said, we are very interested in what the REIT "smart money" is doing. It represents one data point among many that we consider in our research process. Of course, most of the time, we do not have access to active REIT managers' commentary or thinking on why they made buy and sell decisions. This limits the value of seeing their quarterly trades. We can only guess, in most cases, about why any given active manager made the decisions they made during the last quarter. However, some useful information and themes still emerge from poring over active REIT managers' 13F filings, so let's jump in and see what we can learn. The latest filings show position sizes and trades as of the last quarter. Starwood Capital Group Management Billionaire Barry Sternlicht's Starwood Capital Group is mostly focused on direct property investments, but several years ago, the company began scooping up shares of deeply undervalued REITs and now maintains a small, concentrated REIT portfolio. Here is what he said in a past CNBC interview : " By the way, when credit comes back, you are gonna see REITs take off... There are some unbelievable bargains in REITs. We did the same thing during the pandemic. We bought a dozen stocks all over the world and we had a 70% IRR on that stuff. We are already buying some stuff in the public market... " Barry Sternlicht, CEO/Chairman, Starwood This small group of REITs gives a view into what Barry Sternlicht finds attractive on the public markets. Whale Wisdom Camden Property As you can see, Starwood's primary bet is on Sunbelt apartments, as over 2/3rds of the REIT portfolio is invested in the three big Sunbelt multifamily REITs: Camden Property Trust ( CPT ), Mid-America Apartment Communities ( MA...

There have been some big cryptocurrency winners over the past three years, with Bitcoin and XRP being two stand-outs with their gains of nearly 200% and 320%, respectively. But the crypto market has been very volatile recently, as investors have sought safer investments amid the Iran conflict, tariff threats, and the disruption of many companies by artificial intelligence (AI). If you're interested in investing in technology but don't want the inherent volatility that comes with owning cryptocurrencies, here are two great tech stocks that have great long-term potential for gains. Not all AI leaders are overpriced There's a lot of debate over whether AI stocks are in a bubble, as the value of many tech stocks has soared over the past few years. But while some companies are likely overvalued, many are increasing sales and earnings quickly -- and Taiwan Semiconductor (TSM 2.79%) is a great example of the latter. Taiwan Semiconductor, also called TSMC, is the leading processor manufacturer with 70% global market share. In the fourth quarter, its sales rose 26% to $33.7 billion, and its earnings popped 35% to $3.14 per American depositary receipt. TSMC benefits from its dominant position in AI processor manufacturing, and management estimates more growth this year, with sales expected to increase 30% in 2026 compared to last year. One thing that's helping TSMC grow at such a steady pace is the company's semiconductor manufacturing know-how, which has enabled it to stay ahead of Samsung and Intel. While other companies make similar processors, they can't match TSMC's efficiency. But maybe one of the most impressive things about TSMC is that its stock is still relatively inexpensive. Taiwan Semiconductor's shares have a price-to-earnings (P/E) ratio of about 32, which is cheaper than the tech sector average P/E ratio of 35. Expand NYSE : TSM Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Today's Change ( -2.79 %) $ -9.46 Current Price $ 329.33 Key Data Points Market Cap $1.7T Day's Ra...

伊娃·贝隆巨大的画像悬在楼墙上，就像一枚被钉在天空里的古老徽章，也像一块永远不肯落地的政治标语 一 说也未久，大约就在2025年4月18日，我去了阿根廷首都布宜诺斯艾利斯。在城市中最著名的7月9日大道（Avenida 9 de Julio）街头瞎溜达的某个时刻，我猛一抬头，竟然看见该国前第一夫人伊娃·贝隆（也称“艾薇塔”）的巨幅钢制线描画像，被置于一幢无比醒目的大楼外墙。 脚步一顿。 这所谓7月9日大道，被誉为世界上最宽的大道，横向共有16条车道，最宽处约140米，中间还跑着快速公交，人行过街需分多次完成。

3月21日，苹果公司首席执行官蒂姆.库克现身北京朝阳某艺术空间，观看了解人工智能（885728）等数字化技术在壁画复原等传统文化保护和传承方面的最新应用。库克表示：“现在是一个非常令人兴奋的时代，一切都在飞速变化，而在中国，变化尤其快。我认为，人工智能（885728）是你我这一生中最具深远意义的事物之一。在我们看来，人工智能（885728）是对人能力的放大，而不是对人的取代。”“我认为大家应该放下恐惧，先在日常生活中开始使用它，去思考它能如何帮到你、如何让你更高效、如何帮你分担一部分手头的工作。我们每个人的生活都需要更多快乐，而有些我们正在做的事，并不能带来快乐，或许人工智能（885728）可以帮我们把这些事分担下来。”(央视财经)

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. › MFG Wealth Management Inc. purchased a new position in Intel Corporation (NASDAQ:INTC) during the fourth quarter, acquiring 23,954 shares of the chip maker's stock valued at approximately $884,000, according to a recent SEC filing. Why it matters This purchase by MFG Wealth Management Inc. reflects ongoing institutional investor interest in Intel, one of the world's largest semiconductor companies. Intel's stock has seen volatility in recent quarters amid competitive pressures, but the company's push into new growth areas like edge AI and data centers could drive future performance. The details According to the 13F filing, MFG Wealth Management Inc. established a new position in Intel during Q4 2025. The firm acquired 23,954 shares of INTC stock, valued at around $884,000 based on Intel's share price at the time. Other hedge funds have also made changes to their Intel holdings in recent quarters, with some increasing their positions and others reducing exposure. MFG Wealth Management Inc. purchased the Intel shares in the fourth quarter of 2025. The players MFG Wealth Management Inc. An institutional investment firm that manages assets on behalf of clients. Intel Corporation A leading global designer and manufacturer of semiconductor products, including processors and chipsets used in personal computers, servers, and other computing devices. Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

MFG Wealth Management Inc. Acquires Shares of 23,954 Intel Corporation National Today

Airports rush to feed unpaid TSA workers as belts tighten Reuters

Over the past five years, shares of American Express (AXP 0.05%) have produced a total return of 121% (as of March 17). The premium credit card and payments network has clearly been a successful investment that has handily beaten the S&P 500 index. Credit goes to strong fundamental performance. In the past three months, the stock has experienced a notable sell-off, trading 22% below its peak from December. It's time for investors to make a move. Here's one obvious reason now is a great time to buy American Express. Mr. Market is feeling generous It helps retail investors gain confidence knowing that a legendary capital allocator owns a business that they are interested in. This is the case with American Express (Amex for short): It has been a top holding of Berkshire Hathaway for decades. That Warren Buffett endorsement is comforting. The issue, though, had been that Amex was a bit too expensive for my liking. Just three months ago, the stock traded at a price-to-earnings ratio (P/E) of 25.6. Today, the situation has become much more attractive. Investors can buy shares at a P/E of 19.5. Expand NYSE : AXP American Express Today's Change ( -0.05 %) $ -0.15 Current Price $ 294.78 Key Data Points Market Cap $203B Day's Range $ 291.00 - $ 296.48 52wk Range $ 220.43 - $ 387.49 Volume 194K Avg Vol 3.5M Gross Margin 60.65 % Dividend Yield 1.11 % The huge sell-off was propelled in late February after the release of the artificial intelligence (AI) doomsday report by the research publication Citrini, which entertained the idea that this technology would lead to significant job losses. The market started worrying about the potential impact this would have on spending activity across the economy. So, Amex was hit hard, as were other consumer-financial stocks. Focus on the fundamentals Despite what market sentiment and stock prices say, investors must always return to the fundamentals. Buying Amex shares makes no sense if the business is struggling and doesn't have a bright fut...

Key Points The market’s fears about possible AI-fueled disruption seem overblown, but they’ve resulted in American Express shares selling off. Management expects revenue and profit to grow meaningfully. This winning stock is set up to reward patient investors who buy the dip. 10 stocks we like better than American Express › Over the past five years, shares of American Express (NYSE: AXP) have produced a total return of 121% (as of March 17). The premium credit card and payments network has clearly been a successful investment that has handily beaten the S&P 500 index. Credit goes to strong fundamental performance. In the past three months, the stock has experienced a notable sell-off, trading 22% below its peak from December. It's time for investors to make a move. Here's one obvious reason now is a great time to buy American Express. 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 » Mr. Market is feeling generous It helps retail investors gain confidence knowing that a legendary capital allocator owns a business that they are interested in. This is the case with American Express (Amex for short): It has been a top holding of Berkshire Hathaway for decades. That Warren Buffett endorsement is comforting. The issue, though, had been that Amex was a bit too expensive for my liking. Just three months ago, the stock traded at a price-to-earnings ratio (P/E) of 25.6. Today, the situation has become much more attractive. Investors can buy shares at a P/E of 19.5. The huge sell-off was propelled in late February after the release of the artificial intelligence (AI) doomsday report by the research publication Citrini, which entertained the idea that this technology would lead to significant job losses. The market started worrying about the potential impact this would have on spending activity across the econ...

In a repeat of their past two finals, Japan has beaten Australia 1-0 to win their third Women’s Asian Cup title in front of a record crowd in Sydney on Saturday night. A stunning first-half goal to winger Maika Hamano was enough for Asia’s only Women’s World Cup winners, viewed largely as the favourites coming into their seventh tournament final, to secure their first major trophy since 2018. But having skated through the Asian Cup largely untested, the Matildas presented a far more difficult challenge from the opening whistle, inspired by a rousing national anthem and the roar of 74,397 fans at their backs. Indeed, the Matildas found themselves in Japan’s penalty area barely a minute in after Mary Fowler, playing in a fluid midfield role, speared a pass through Japan’s midfield to find Caitlin Foord. With her back pressed against the torso of Japan veteran Saki Kumagai, Foord laid off to an on-rushing Sam Kerr, who forced a surprise save out of goalkeeper Ayaka Yamashita. Foord and Kerr were Australia’s most dangerous players all night, hovering high and using their speed to muscle past Japan’s centre-backs before trying to cross to each other. The tireless Foord almost put the Matildas ahead in the 10th minute after Fowler shouldered Kumagai off the ball and sent a deep cross into the penalty area, but the Arsenal winger seemed surprised by the opportunity and shanked her shot at Yamashita. View image in fullscreen Caitlin Foord shoots for goal during the Women’s Asian Cup final. Photograph: Rick Rycroft/AP Foord would regret the missed golden chance five minutes later as Japan, having absorbed most of Australia’s pressure in the early stages, found the game’s only goal. With a trio of blue shirts turning the screw near the top corner of the Matildas’ penalty area, Hamano ghosted in behind Alanna Kennedy to receive a pass from midfield before turning on a dime and curling the ball into the far bottom corner past a diving Mackenzie Arnold. It was a rare weakness in...

After a two year closure, the museum doubles its gallery space with a 700-plus object show examining how humans and technology shape each other Right now on the Bowery, a busy Manhattan thoroughfare, two supersized lovers embrace several stories up into the blue spring sky. Strapped against the New Museum’s industrial mesh exterior, the pair are frozen in a state of plasticized affection. Their grinning, almost smooching, heads pressed close and glossy torsos entwined. A massive hand, safe as a catcher’s mitt, encases them both, splaying wide across their waists as though to stop them crashing to the sidewalk. The site-specific sculpture is titled Art Lovers, a work by Harlem-born artist Tschabalala Self , and marks the architectural “kiss point” between the New Museum’s original building and a new expansion. Today, 21 March, the New Museum publicly debuts its enlarged architectural anatomy after two years of being closed to the public. Designed by Rem Koolhaas , the OMA founder, and partner Shohei Shigematsu, the $82m project affixes a jagged, glassy jewel to the original building, effectively doubling the footprint to 119,700 sq ft. At a media preview this week, Shigematsu likened the alignment of the two distinct buildings – one he called more “vertical and introverted”, the other “more horizontal and extroverted” – to the search for a romantic partner. “You know how difficult it is to find a perfect pair,” he said. “Very difficult.” Continue reading...

Never miss an important update on your stock portfolio and cut through the noise. Over 7 million investors trust Simply Wall St to stay informed where it matters for FREE. QUALCOMM filed a $3.1b shelf registration for common shares tied to its employee stock ownership plan (ESOP). The filing came shortly after the company’s annual shareholder meeting, where proposals on special meeting rights and China exposure reporting were voted down. The move highlights how NasdaqGS:QCOM is using equity for employee incentives while maintaining its current stance on shareholder rights and disclosure requests. For investors watching NasdaqGS:QCOM at a share price of $129.9, this ESOP related shelf registration adds an extra layer to the recent governance discussion. The stock has seen a 24.9% decline year to date and a 15.2% decline over the past year, while the 3 year and 5 year returns of 11.5% and 9.0% respectively show a different picture over longer periods. The new shelf registration and the AGM voting outcomes provide additional data points on how management is approaching ownership, dilution, and employee alignment. These decisions also inform how the company is balancing employee incentives, shareholder preferences, and the management of its overall equity base. Stay updated on the most important news stories for QUALCOMM by adding it to your watchlist or portfolio. Alternatively, explore our Community to discover new perspectives on QUALCOMM. NasdaqGS:QCOM 1-Year Stock Price Chart See which insiders are buying and buying and selling QUALCOMM following this latest news. Quick Assessment ✅ Price vs Analyst Target : At US$129.9 versus a consensus target of about US$157, the price sits roughly 17% below analyst expectations. ✅ Simply Wall St Valuation : Shares are described as trading 11.5% below an estimated fair value. ❌ Recent Momentum: The 30 day return of about 9.3% decline shows recent weakness despite the valuation gap. There is only one way to know the right time to...

Oil prices have been very volatile since Israel and the U.S. launched military strikes against Iran about three weeks ago. Crude has surged on news of attacks against oil tankers in the Persian Gulf and energy infrastructure in the region. Meanwhile, it has fallen on days when there are positive reports about potential strategies to reopen the Strait of Hormuz to tanker traffic and other moves to improve global oil supplies. Crude oil could continue to bounce around until there's a long-term solution on Iran. I'm not worried either way. Here's why. I have ample upside to higher oil prices I own a trio of oil stocks: Chevron (CVX +0.14%), Canadian Natural Resources (CNQ 1.98%), and ConocoPhillips (COP +0.66%). I've owned ConocoPhillips for nearly two decades, while Chevron and Canadian Natural Resources are more recent additions. All three oil companies provide my portfolio with upside to higher crude prices. For example, a $1 increase in the average oil price can boost Chevron's annualized earnings and cash flow by $600 million. Meanwhile, a $1 increase in oil prices can raise ConocoPhillips' annualized earnings by more than $100 million. With crude prices currently up around $40 a barrel this year, these oil companies can generate significantly more cash flow. That will give them more money to return to shareholders via dividends and buybacks. The higher total returns these oil stocks can generate when crude prices are rising can help offset some of the impact of higher oil prices across my other portfolio holdings. Expand NYSE : COP ConocoPhillips Today's Change ( 0.66 %) $ 0.83 Current Price $ 126.85 Key Data Points Market Cap $155B Day's Range $ 126.11 - $ 128.11 52wk Range $ 79.88 - $ 128.13 Volume 390K Avg Vol 9.3M Gross Margin 24.63 % Dividend Yield 2.55 % I'm well protected if crude prices fall I own these oil stocks because they can still thrive at lower oil prices. For example, Chevron expects to deliver more than 10% annual free cash flow growth through 2...

News NASDAQ: NWS executives used a Dow Jones investor briefing to highlight the company’s shift toward digital and recurring revenue, discuss artificial intelligence partnerships and enforcement efforts around intellectual property, and lay out a financial target for Dow Jones to reach $1 billion in EBITDA within five years. Get News alerts: Sign Up News Corp leadership frames Dow Jones as a core growth engine News Corp Chairman Lachlan Murdoch said that since the separation of News Corp and Fox more than a decade ago, the company’s strategy has been to build “a digital-first news and information services powerhouse” with an emphasis on Dow Jones, book publishing, and digital real estate services. He said the approach has helped make News Corp less exposed to swings in traditional media and positioned it to “meet the AI moment” with what he described as “deeply moated products.” Chief Executive Robert Thomson said News Corp has transformed over the past decade through portfolio reshaping, becoming a “majority digital company” with higher recurring revenue and expanding margins. He cited record profitability last year on a continuing operations basis and said the company is “on track for record profitability this year,” adding that News Corp has reported 11 consecutive quarters of year-over-year EBITDA growth. Thomson also pointed to free cash flow of $571 million in fiscal 2025, ratings agency upgrades, an expanded share buyback program running at “four times” last year’s level, and maintenance of the dividend. Thomson said News Corp’s digital mix rose to 62% in fiscal 2025 from 22% in 2014, and that excluding HarperCollins, the business was 72% digital. He also said segment EBITDA margin improved to nearly 17% last fiscal year from 11% in 2014. AI strategy: partnerships, monetization, and enforcement Thomson described AI as enhancing the value of News Corp’s content, data, and intellectual property, citing a “landmark deal” with Meta for AI and an earlier partnersh...