Helmut Feil/iStock via Getty Images Aclara Resources Inc. ( ARAAF ) is a mining company that's looking toward the future of energy based on REE (rare earth elements). The key REE minerals are increasingly necessary for both the automotive industry and the consumer electronics sector. Aclara is making a strong investment in these operations, especially in extracting mines located in Brazil (the Car...
Helmut Feil/iStock via Getty Images Aclara Resources Inc. ( ARAAF ) is a mining company that's looking toward the future of energy based on REE (rare earth elements). The key REE minerals are increasingly necessary for both the automotive industry and the consumer electronics sector. Aclara is making a strong investment in these operations, especially in extracting mines located in Brazil (the Carina Project) and Chile (the Penco Module Project). But the mine I like the most is the Brazilian one, because it can produce 175 tons of DyTb (dysprosium and terbium) annually, more than three times the 50 tons of the Chilean project. DyTb are heavy chemistral elements within the REE group, known as HREE, which are the most resistant to high temperature technologies. They are also very difficult to find and produce compared to LREE. Aclara Resources Besides the mentioned projects in Brazil and Chile, Aclara needs a plant of chemistral separation plant for the extracted materials, which is getting developed in Louisiana, with an estimated capital expenditure of $280 million. The investment has $46 million in state fiscal support, as part of the country's strategy to benefit the production of REE. This plant, which plays a key role in the supply chain of the company, is expected to begin operations in mid-2028. The company is still in the project execution phase, securing financing from its main shareholders, and expects to make its first sales in 2028. The main shareholder is the Hochschild group, which owns almost 57% of the shares, while the Chilean group CAP holds 10%. The rest of the capital is divided among minority shareholders. I believe Aclara has huge potential in the long term in Brazil’s REE sector, but I also believe it is not mature enough to buy yet, because its revenue is still far off in time. The global demand for rare earth elements I believe REE is already changing the outlook for future energy, and they could be fundamental for the following sectors: EV a...
JHVEPhoto/iStock Editorial via Getty Images Investment Thesis The most popular view about QQQ is that it is an overvalued, over-weighted, technology-based ETF that sophisticated investors would be wise to substitute for less expensive alternatives. My bottom-up assessment of the Nasdaq-100's ten largest stock positions, however, suggests this view is incorrect. A weighted earnings per share (EPS) ...
JHVEPhoto/iStock Editorial via Getty Images Investment Thesis The most popular view about QQQ is that it is an overvalued, over-weighted, technology-based ETF that sophisticated investors would be wise to substitute for less expensive alternatives. My bottom-up assessment of the Nasdaq-100's ten largest stock positions, however, suggests this view is incorrect. A weighted earnings per share (EPS) growth rate of ~17.5% against a forward price-to-earnings (P/E) ratio of 24.4x results in a price/earnings to growth (PEG) ratio of ~1.3x -- lower than the S&P 500's 1.47x PEG ratio when adjusted for growth. Additionally, the Nasdaq-100 Index Fund ( QQQ ) provides access to the entire artificial intelligence (AI) ecosystem, including semiconductor manufacturers (such as NVIDIA at 8.6% and Broadcom at 2.9%), cloud computing platforms (including Amazon Web Services (AWS), Microsoft Azure, and Google Cloud = ~17% of total assets), and monetization platforms (such as Google Search, Meta's social network, and Amazon's advertising platform). I am aware of no other investment vehicle that can provide such an extensive array of exposures within a single holding. VGT and XLK exclude three of the four largest capital expenditure spenders in the AI space. VOO is diluted by virtue of being a diversified index fund. In addition, QQQM is structured similarly to the Nasdaq-100 Index Fund and does not have the ability to support option trading strategies. Proprietary Analysis: Bottom-Up Earnings Bridge Author Instead of depending upon top-down index-level estimates, I created a bottom up earnings bridge for the top 10 holdings in QQQ (49.5% of the portfolio), using consensus analyst earnings per share estimates. The weighted contribution of each of the stocks to QQQ's overall EPS growth from CY2026→CY2027 will be calculated as follows: Weighted Contribution = QQQ Stock Weight × Individual Stock CY2026→CY2027 EPS Growth Rate. This process clearly identifies the source(s) of QQQ's earnings p...
When a spouse dies, the number of decisions you have to make is staggering. The questions swirling around your mind can be numbing. However, amid it all, you must face the financial reality of life without your spouse, and that's no easy feat. If you've been collecting Social Security spousal benefits, you may be concerned about what will happen to that money now that your spouse is gone. Here's a...
When a spouse dies, the number of decisions you have to make is staggering. The questions swirling around your mind can be numbing. However, amid it all, you must face the financial reality of life without your spouse, and that's no easy feat. If you've been collecting Social Security spousal benefits, you may be concerned about what will happen to that money now that your spouse is gone. Here's an overview of the key changes you can expect. Your benefit amount increases As a spouse, you were eligible for up to 50% of your spouse's full Social Security benefit. Once the Social Security Administration (SSA) learns your spouse has died, it will switch you from spousal benefits to survivor benefits. If you were receiving Social Security benefits based on your own work record or the death was not reported, you will typically have to apply for survivor benefits. In either case, you're eligible to receive up to 100% of what your spouse was receiving or was scheduled to receive. Note: You can't receive spousal benefits and also collect survivor benefits. The SSA pays whichever amount is higher. You'll be subject to eligibility requirements To receive survivor benefits, you must be: Age 60 or older (50 if you're disabled) Any age if you're caring for your spouse's child who is under 16 or disabled Married for at least nine months (although there are exceptions) You may have an earnings limit Depending on your age, your Social Security survivor's payment may be temporarily reduced if you earn above a specific limit. The limit depends on your age. You haven't lost the money, though. Once you reach full retirement age (FRA), the SSA will recalculate your monthly benefit, repaying you any money it previously withheld. You'll have to figure out the right time to claim survivor benefits Add it to the list of decisions you'll have to make, but soon after your spouse dies, you'll have to decide when the best time would be for you to claim survivor benefits. Claiming survivor benefi...
Microsoft’s stock delivered moderate 12M returns, lagging some major tech peers. Yet, against a backdrop of rapid AI and cloud expansion, how does it stack up? Analysis reveals MSFT boasts industry-leading operating margins and top-tier revenue growth, coupled with a competitive P/E. Its broad ecosystem offers stability, but significant upside depends on maintaining momentum against specialized in...
Microsoft’s stock delivered moderate 12M returns, lagging some major tech peers. Yet, against a backdrop of rapid AI and cloud expansion, how does it stack up? Analysis reveals MSFT boasts industry-leading operating margins and top-tier revenue growth, coupled with a competitive P/E. Its broad ecosystem offers stability, but significant upside depends on maintaining momentum against specialized innovators. MSFT’s 46.7% operating margin, highest among peers, stems from its high-margin software, cloud services, and strong operational efficiency. MSFT’s 16.7% revenue growth, outpacing peers, is driven by robust Azure (39% growth), AI tools like Copilot, and enterprise software demand. MSFT’s 3.8% stock gain, trailing peers, but 25.5 PE is below its 3-year average, suggesting fair value despite high AI CapEx. Here’s how Microsoft stacks up across size, valuation, and profitability versus key peers. MSFT GOOGL AMZN AAPL ORCL CRM Market Cap ($ Bil) 3,039.0 3,604.3 2,283.5 3,797.1 438.1 189.0 Revenue ($ Bil) 305.5 402.8 716.9 435.6 61.0 41.5 PE Ratio 25.5 27.3 29.4 32.2 28.4 25.3 LTM Revenue Growth 16.7% 15.1% 12.4% 10.1% 11.1% 9.6% LTM Operating Margin 46.7% 32.0% 11.2% 32.4% 31.9% 21.5% LTM FCF Margin 25.3% 18.2% 1.1% 28.3% -21.6% 34.7% 12M Market Return 3.8% 73.9% 6.2% 9.9% 2.4% -28.9% For more details on Microsoft, read Buy or Sell MSFT Stock. Below we compare MSFT’s growth, margin, and valuation with peers across years Trefis: MSFT Stock Insights Revenue Growth Comparison LTM 2026 2025 2024 2023 MSFT 16.7% – 14.9% 15.7% 6.9% GOOGL 15.1% – 15.1% 13.9% 8.7% AMZN 12.4% – 12.4% 11.0% 11.8% AAPL 10.1% – 6.4% 2.0% -2.8% ORCL 11.1% – 8.4% 6.0% 17.7% CRM 9.6% 9.6% 8.7% 11.2% Operating Margin Comparison LTM 2026 2025 2024 2023 MSFT 46.7% – 45.6% 44.6% 41.8% GOOGL 32.0% – 32.0% 32.1% 27.4% AMZN 11.2% – 11.2% 10.8% 6.4% AAPL 32.4% – 32.0% 31.5% 29.8% ORCL 31.9% – 31.5% 30.3% 27.6% CRM 21.5% 21.5% 20.2% 17.2% PE Ratio Comparison LTM 2026 2025 2024 2023 MSFT 25.5 – 35.3 35.5 38.7 ...
A senior official in Xinjiang said the region’s textile industry expanded last year despite the trade restrictions imposed by US-led sanctions , creating tens of thousands of jobs, while pledging stronger legal support for affected companies to defend their rights and interests. Wang Kuiran, secretary general of the far western Xinjiang Uygur autonomous region government, described the region as r...
A senior official in Xinjiang said the region’s textile industry expanded last year despite the trade restrictions imposed by US-led sanctions , creating tens of thousands of jobs, while pledging stronger legal support for affected companies to defend their rights and interests. Wang Kuiran, secretary general of the far western Xinjiang Uygur autonomous region government, described the region as resilient as he declared yarn output rose more than 20 per cent in 2025. According to Wang, fabric production increased 36 per cent year on year and the sector – a key target of Western sanctions – created 46,800 new jobs during the year. Wang said China opposed “economic bullying” and would fight back, adding that authorities had recently drawn up a medium and long-term development plan for Xinjiang’s textile and garment industry. 03:33 Xi, Biden discuss Taiwan and Xinjiang in first in-person meeting Xi, Biden discuss Taiwan and Xinjiang in first in-person meeting His words came at a meeting of the Xinjiang delegation on Friday at China’s annual “two sessions”, the country’s biggest political gathering during which the top legislature and political advisory body meet to review policies and set the year’s agenda. Advertisement Wang acknowledged that Western sanctions had had some effect but implied that the region had moved on. “At the beginning of the sanctions, some export-oriented companies had trouble shipping their products abroad and suffered losses and cut jobs, which created difficulties and challenges,” Wang said. Advertisement “But our development has never depended on anyone’s charity, and we are not afraid of unfair pressure. This spirit, deeply rooted in the Chinese people’s history, has helped build a resilience that makes us stronger under pressure.” The US has imposed sanctions on a large number of Chinese companies over allegations of human rights abuses, which Beijing repeatedly denies.
Shares of Cummins (CMI 2.98%) have climbed nearly 50% over the past six months, lifted by rising orders tied to the artificial intelligence (AI) boom. The company designs and manufactures diesel and natural gas engines, power generation equipment, and related components. The stock has long been priced as a cyclical play on long-haul trucking, but now the surge in data center demand is the bigger d...
Shares of Cummins (CMI 2.98%) have climbed nearly 50% over the past six months, lifted by rising orders tied to the artificial intelligence (AI) boom. The company designs and manufactures diesel and natural gas engines, power generation equipment, and related components. The stock has long been priced as a cyclical play on long-haul trucking, but now the surge in data center demand is the bigger driver. Advanced computing relies on large facilities, and those sites need reliable standby energy when utility service fails or becomes unstable. That is where Cummins comes in. Its power systems segment sells the industrial generators they need. The bottleneck in AI is power On the second-quarter 2025 earnings call, management projected around $2 billion in annual revenue for this market. By the fourth-quarter call, that annual figure nearly doubled to $3.5 billion across the power systems and distribution segments. That is a big jump in orders in a short period. Power systems grew revenue 16% to $7.5 billion for the full year, pushing earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization (EBITDA) margins to 22.7%, a 430-basis-point improvement from last year. Revenue from distribution, which sells, installs, and services the equipment, grew 9% to $12.4 billion, and margins rose to 14.6% from 12.1%. Both segments are becoming more profitable as generator sales make up a larger share. CFO Mark Smith called Cummins a "low-risk weighted play on the AI boom." The order book backs that up, with bookings stretching to 2028. The core business should stabilize The engine and components segments still make up nearly two-thirds of total sales. Both declined last year, with engines down 7% and components down 13%. Heavy- and medium-duty truck sales, its key end markets, fell 13.6% last year as the North American replacement cycle cooled. Management expects full-year revenue in this part of the business to be flat to up 5% in 2026 as the market stabilizes. Then there's the ...
Liverpool directors earned more in pay than the combined salaries of all the Women’s Super League side’s 49 players and staff, latest accounts reveal. Liverpool Women’s total operating budget climbed by 36% for the year ending 31 May 2025, when they finished seventh in the WSL and reached the Women’s FA Cup semi-finals. Off the pitch, the women’s team had their strongest year yet, boosted by a 26%...
Liverpool directors earned more in pay than the combined salaries of all the Women’s Super League side’s 49 players and staff, latest accounts reveal. Liverpool Women’s total operating budget climbed by 36% for the year ending 31 May 2025, when they finished seventh in the WSL and reached the Women’s FA Cup semi-finals. Off the pitch, the women’s team had their strongest year yet, boosted by a 26% rise in commercial revenue. That helped overall turnover climb by 25% from £4.9m to £6.1m. Matchday revenue more than doubled to £340,000, after switching their home matches to St Helens rather than ground-sharing with Tranmere. The players’ and non-playing staff’s total wage bill was £3.1m, less than 0.75% of the wider football club’s payroll, which was revealed in February to be the largest in the Premier League at around £428m after pension contributions. Before taxes, the 49 employees earned a combined £2.7m, up 20% on the previous year when there were four fewer members of staff. The highest paid director at Anfield, meanwhile, alone received £2.3m, up 7% on 2024, and the total remuneration for all nine of LFC’s company directors rose 9% to £4.2m. Liverpool’s wage bill was lower than some of their WSL rivals. Arsenal are the only other WSL side to have filed their financial accounts for 2024-25 so far, but the north Londoners spent more than three times as much on wages as Liverpool. Arsenal’s wages totalled £9.9m before social security and pension costs, and they went on to win the Champions League. Despite growing revenues, Liverpool’s accounts highlight the relative fragility of the elite women’s game. Like Arsenal’s, Liverpool’s accounts make reference to a “reliance” on the parent company for financial support. Most WSL clubs depend on the financial backing of their men’s team. Another section of the directors’ report published within these public financial accounts states: “The directors consider the principal risks and uncertainties with the running of a profes...
Gabelli Funds LLC cut its holdings in shares of Alphabet Inc. (NASDAQ:GOOG - Free Report) by 2.8% during the 3rd quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 423,260 shares of the information services provider's stock after selling 12,000 shares during the period. Alphabet makes up approximately 0.7% o...
Gabelli Funds LLC cut its holdings in shares of Alphabet Inc. (NASDAQ:GOOG - Free Report) by 2.8% during the 3rd quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 423,260 shares of the information services provider's stock after selling 12,000 shares during the period. Alphabet makes up approximately 0.7% of Gabelli Funds LLC's investment portfolio, making the stock its 24th largest holding. Gabelli Funds LLC's holdings in Alphabet were worth $103,085,000 at the end of the most recent quarter. Get Alphabet alerts: Sign Up A number of other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also made changes to their positions in GOOG. University of Illinois Foundation acquired a new stake in Alphabet in the 2nd quarter valued at approximately $31,000. Manning & Napier Advisors LLC acquired a new position in Alphabet during the 3rd quarter worth approximately $32,000. Horrell Capital Management Inc. boosted its position in Alphabet by 100.0% during the 2nd quarter. Horrell Capital Management Inc. now owns 200 shares of the information services provider's stock worth $35,000 after acquiring an additional 100 shares during the last quarter. Tripletail Wealth Management LLC bought a new position in shares of Alphabet during the 3rd quarter worth approximately $40,000. Finally, Decker Retirement Planning Inc. raised its holdings in shares of Alphabet by 60.9% in the second quarter. Decker Retirement Planning Inc. now owns 251 shares of the information services provider's stock valued at $45,000 after purchasing an additional 95 shares during the last quarter. 27.26% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds. Insider Activity at Alphabet In other Alphabet news, CEO Sundar Pichai sold 32,500 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, March 4th. The stock was sold at an average price of $303.38, for a total value of $9,859,850.00...