Markets and Business News Review

Stocks Slump Ahead of Trump’s Auto Tariffs

Danielle Kaye — Wed, 26 Mar 2025 18:47:21 -0400

Carmakers’ declines extended in after-hours trading on the news of 25% tariffs on imported vehicles. The drop reflected concerns about inflation.

Trump’s Tariffs on Autos Would Hit Europe Hard

Jeanna Smialek and Melissa Eddy — Wed, 26 Mar 2025 18:04:33 -0400

The levies could hurt European automakers when the industry is already struggling, especially in Germany, Europe’s biggest economy.

After Heathrow, Who Pays for Missed Cruises and Hotel Bookings?

Seth Kugel — Wed, 26 Mar 2025 17:44:50 -0400

When the airport shut down travelers were on the hook for reservations that could not be canceled, expensive new flights and missed events that airlines don’t reimburse for. How can you protect yourself next time?

Trump Allies Grill PBS and NPR During Congress Hearing

Benjamin Mullin and Michael M. Grynbaum — Wed, 26 Mar 2025 17:39:38 -0400

Dark pronouncements by Republicans about a “communist agenda” espoused by public media were intercut with lighter references to “Sesame Street” and “Curious George.”

How Trump’s Auto Tariffs Could Affect Car Prices

Jack Ewing — Wed, 26 Mar 2025 17:38:59 -0400

Experts say tariffs could soon drive car prices up by several thousand dollars and limit production.

British Steel’s Chinese owner rejects UK government subsidy offer

Wed, 26 Mar 2025 17:26:46 -0400

Move triggers fears about job losses at company’s flagship Scunthorpe site

US tech stocks drop as fresh jolt of volatility hits Wall Street

Wed, 26 Mar 2025 16:46:17 -0400

Chipmaker Nvidia and Elon Musk’s Tesla slide, pushing Nasdaq lower for first time in four days

CBS Canceling ‘After Midnight,’ in Another Blow to Late-Night TV

John Koblin — Wed, 26 Mar 2025 16:44:52 -0400

The show’s host, Taylor Tomlinson, said she wanted to go back to doing stand-up comedy full time.

Here’s How Much Warren Buffett Earns In Dividends Annually From Apple Stock (AAPL)

Joey Solitro — Wed, 26 Mar 2025 16:16:49 -0400

Warren Buffett’s Berkshire Hathaway (NYSE:BRK-A)(NYSE:BRK-B) stands as one of the greatest wealth creators in the history of the stock market. From its origin as a struggling textile company to being built into the global conglomerate worth over $1 trillion that it is today, Berkshire has delivered unmatched returns for its early investors.

Key Points

Apple (Nasdaq: AAPL) is the largest holding in Berkshire Hathaway’s portfolio.
The technology giant has raised its annual dividend payment for 13 consecutive years and is due for another increase in the coming months.
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Berkshire’s largest holding today, Apple (Nasdaq: AAPL), needs no introduction. What began as a computer company in a garage has grown into one of the world’s most valuable companies through constant innovation. Game-changing products and services like the iPod, iPhone, and App Store have reshaped industries and transformed how people communicate, work, and entertain themselves.

Berkshire’s Stake in Apple

Berkshire Hathaway currently owns 300 million shares of Apple, valued at approximately $67 billion. This position represents about 23.2% of Berkshire’s portfolio, making it the company’s largest single holding by a wide margin, well ahead of American Express (NYSE: AXP), Bank of America (NYSE: BAC), Coca-Cola Co. (NYSE: KO), and Chevron (NYSE: CVX). In total, Berkshire’s stake represents about 2% of Apple’s outstanding shares.

Apple currently pays a quarterly dividend of $0.25 per share, which amounts to an annual dividend of $1.00 per share and gives its stock a yield of approximately 0.45% at the time of this writing, which is well below the S&P 500 Index’s yield of about 1.3%.

To determine Berkshire Hathaway’s annual dividend income from Apple, we simply multiply its shares owned by the annual dividend per share:

Shares of Apple owned: 300,000,000

Annual dividend per share: $1.00

Total annual dividend: 300,000,000 × $1.00 = $300,000,000

Berkshire Hathaway will collect $300 million in dividends from Apple in 2025, which translates to $75 million per quarter or approximately $821,900 per day. But this will likely grow in the near future, which we will dive into next.

Apple’s impressive streak of dividend growth

Apple has consistently increased its dividend since it reinstated it in 2012. It has raised its annual dividend payment each year since, giving it a streak of 13 consecutive annual increases, with its last increase coming in May 2024 to the tune of 4.2%.

While its yield is relatively low compared to other dividend stocks, Apple makes up for it with aggressive stock buybacks. Apple regularly returns tens of billions of dollars to shareholders each year to reduce its share count and boost its earnings per share. For example, in the fourth quarter of 2024 alone, Apple returned over $29 billion to shareholders in the form of dividends and stock buybacks. In all of 2024, dividends and share repurchases topped a whopping $110 billion.

Apple also traditionally raises its dividend in late April or early May each year, so investors should look for its next increase in the coming months. Its last three increases were by a penny per share, so if I had to guess, I would say Apple will raise its dividend by 4% to $0.26 per share. However, investors would likely prefer a bit more, such as a 6% increase to $0.265 per share.

How much could you earn with a $10,000 stake in Apple?

While you likely can’t build a stake in Apple to rival that of Berkshire Hathaway, you can still generate dividend income in the tech giant like Berkshire. At a current market price of about $223, a $10,000 investment would buy about 45 shares.

With an annual dividend of $1.00 per share, that investment would generate $45 per year in dividend income. Reinvesting those dividends over time could amplify those returns, but income investors might want to look elsewhere for beefier returns – perhaps the Goldman Sachs Nasdaq-100 Core Premium Income ETF (Nasdaq: GPIQ) or these five dividend stocks that pay you like a boss every month.

The post Here’s How Much Warren Buffett Earns In Dividends Annually From Apple Stock (AAPL) appeared first on 24/7 Wall St..

Earn $5,000 Each Year by Putting $70,700 In These 3 High Dividend Yield Stocks

Omor Ibne Ehsan — Wed, 26 Mar 2025 16:14:26 -0400

Many investors seeking passive income have been pouring money into treasuries as interest rates have been solid for these assets. However, recent rate cuts are finally causing treasury yields to come down. They have ticked up slightly due to recession fears, but as rates inevitably come down over the coming years, investing in dividend stocks is going to be much more popular.

It’s a good idea to accumulate high dividend yield stocks before such yield hunger kicks in. These stocks yield much higher than treasury yields and have solid upside potential. Of course, there’s still risk, but these companies are well-established and it’s very unlikely that you’re going to lose any money if you use a buy-and-hold strategy.

These stocks have a blended forward dividend yield of 7.08%. If you put $70,700 in these stocks, it works out to $5,000 in extra income each year that you can reinvest or use.

Key Points

These dividend stocks can help you get $5,000 a year in passive income with just $70,700.
These stocks have solid underlying businesses and consistent cash flow to maintain these dividends.
Two of these companies are also doing very aggressive buybacks.
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Eni S.p.A. (E)

Eni S.p.A. (NYSE:E) is an Italian energy company and one of the world’s biggest oil companies. It hasn’t fared well during previous recessions or oil downturns, but it has been very consistent in recent years.

The company has diversified its portfolio beyond oil and gas since and has invested heavily in low-carbon businesses. Its 2025-2028 strategy included a dedicated CCUS satellite company to help it consolidate projects and build a new revenue stream. It now separates high-growth units into independent entities and has shielded them from recent volatility.

Eni S.p.A seems to have learned from its earlier failures, and I’m bullish that it can continue to be a safe pick. The company’s forward dividend yield is at 6.68% now, which is better than 73.69% of the oil and gas industry, and the 3-year dividend growth rate has also been solid at 13.1%. It also does aggressive buybacks, with the 30-year average share buyback ratio at 4.5. Outstanding shares have declined from 1.77 billion in 2021 to 1.4 billion at the end of 2024.

There’s plenty of cash flow going around here that the company can return to investors, so this is a solid dividend stock.

Broadstone Net Lease (BNL)

Broadstone Net Lease (NYSE:BNL) is a real estate investment trust (REIT). These stocks have often been scrutinized more since the Great Recession, but the industry has learned a lot since then. REITs and bank stocks are generally quite safe, and big banks have actually benefited in the 2023 banking crisis due to their safety record.

The housing market is currently in a cooling period, but there hasn’t been a 2008-esque pullback that many bears had expected. Broadstone owns a stable and predictable income stream due to its having a diversified portfolio across various property types. The company’s leases are also long-term, with built-in rent escalations that deliver consistent cash flow and returns through multiple real estate cycles.

BNL stock sold off in late 2021 and 2022 after the post-COVID boom. However, stock prices have returned back to normal pre-COVID prices at around $15-20, and I expect it to stay stable at this range while slowly appreciating as the company’s Q4 2024 report still shows stable growth.

In fact, analysts expect the company’s top-line growth to accelerate significantly in the coming years. Revenue is expected to be at $447.6 million for all of 2025 and grow at 3.7%. It is then expected to grow 5.31% to $471.4 million in 2026 and grow 7.15% to $505.1 million in 2027.

The stock also comes with a 6.9% forward dividend yield, and you’re only paying 11 times forward FFO.

Imperial Tobacco Group (IMBBY)

Imperial Tobacco Group (OTCMKTS:IMBBY) is one of the biggest tobacco companies. Many fear that declining youth smoking trends are going to knock the stock down and make it a back long-term investment. There is a perception that tobacco is a dying industry.

The perception isn’t all wrong since it’s true that smoking rates have been steadily decreasing among young people due to social attitudes. However, it’s also worth taking a look at the broader picture as cigarette companies are adapting fast.

Imperial is diversifying into vapes, heated tobacco, and nicotine pouches. Cigarettes may be declining, but vapes are still popular. Imperial Tobacco Group saw its revenue decline in earlier years, but its revenue has been picking up again, and the decline seems to have stabilized. At the same time, the company has paid off almost $10 billion in debt over the past decade.

Imperial Tobacco has started aggressive share buybacks over the past two years, with outstanding shares being cut back from 946.7 million to 846 million. It has announced another five-year share buyback program through 2030 while growing annual operating profits by 5%.

The cash flow is very dependable here, and IMBBY currently offers a forward dividend yield of 7.68%.

The post Earn $5,000 Each Year by Putting $70,700 In These 3 High Dividend Yield Stocks appeared first on 24/7 Wall St..

3 Top Dividend Stocks to Buy ASAP

Chris MacDonald — Wed, 26 Mar 2025 16:12:45 -0400

In today’s market, dividend stocks remain a powerful tool for investors seeking a steady income stream in retirement and balance out some of the risks longer-duration assets provide portfolios. Growth stocks are excellent sources of capital appreciation, and have outperformed most other equity groups over the past 15 years. However, in times of distress, companies that produce solid cash flows (which dividend-paying companies typically rely on) are those that tend to catch a bid when investors look to rotate their portfolios.

Key Points

Dividend stocks provide excellent ballast to portfolios that may be overweight growth, particularly in an environment where recessionary forces are picking up.
These top dividend stocks provide the kind of upside most long-term investors are after.
Joel to add

Since we’re now turning the page on Q1, and investors may be looking to rotate some of the capital within their portfolios, let’s take a look at some top dividend stocks worth considering right now. These companies are a mix of higher-yielding and more defensive dividend stocks, each with their own unique catalysts and from very diverse sectors.

Without further ado, let’s dive in!

Enbridge (ENB)

Enbridge (NYSE:ENB) stands out as a top dividend stock in 2025, backed by its consistent dividend growth, reliable cash flow, and diversified operations. The company has marked its 30th consecutive year of annual dividend increases, raising its payout by 3% to $3.77 per share starting March 1, 2025. Enbridge’s predictable cash flow, with 98% derived from long-term contracts, ensures stability even in volatile markets.

ENB maintains a strong 6.3% dividend yield, rarely dipping below 6% in the past five years. Since 2005, its annual total shareholder return, including reinvested dividends, has averaged 12.3%, surpassing the S&P 500 and midstream energy stocks. With 30 consecutive years of dividend increases, the latest being a 3% hike in December 2024, Enbridge continues to reward investors.

Additionally, its diversified energy infrastructure and expansion into renewables bolster its resilience. With a strong financial outlook and projected EBITDA of up to $20 billion, Enbridge remains a compelling dividend investment this year.

JPMorgan Chase (JPM)

JPMorgan Chase (NYSE:JPM) operates across banking, investment banking, and wealth management, covering nearly all major finance sectors except insurance. With a $700 billion market cap, it saw strong performance in late 2024, reporting 11% revenue growth, a 58% earnings increase, and a return on equity rising to 17%. Despite a slight pullback, the stock remains up 28% over the past year, more than doubling the S&P 500’s gain.

JPMorgan Chase remains an attractive dividend stock due to its consistent quarterly payments, sustainable payout ratio, and strong shareholder yield. The company pays dividends quarterly, offering investors a steady income stream. With a low payout ratio of 25-26%, JPMorgan retains ample earnings for growth while ensuring dividend sustainability. Although its dividend yield of 2.1-2.22% is modest, it provides stability in a volatile market.

Additionally, its shareholder yield of 4.40%, which includes dividends, buybacks, and debt reduction, enhances long-term returns, making JPMorgan Chase a compelling choice for income-focused and growth-oriented investors alike.

Coca-Cola (KO)

Coca-Cola’s (NYSE:KO) stock rose 33% over five years, proving its resilience despite market challenges. While soda consumption declined, the company expanded into juices, teas, bottled water, and energy drinks, refreshing its lineup with new flavors and healthier options. The pandemic temporarily slowed sales, but strong retail performance helped offset losses from restaurant closures.

The beverage giant’s sales and earnings rebounded post-pandemic, despite a dip in free cash flow in 2022 due to higher taxes and inventory costs. By 2023 and 2024, cost reductions and price hikes helped drive cash flow growth, offsetting inflation pressures.

Moreover, Coca-Cola projects 5%-6% organic sales growth and a 2%-3% EPS increase in 2025, though a strong U.S. dollar may limit gains. On a currency-neutral basis, EPS could rise 8%-10%. A 12% dip in free cash flow to $9.5 billion is expected due to tax payments and working capital adjustments. If interest rates decline and EPS grows at a 5% CAGR, the stock could climb 27% to around $90 by 2030.

The post 3 Top Dividend Stocks to Buy ASAP appeared first on 24/7 Wall St..

As Republicans Denounce NPR and PBS, Democrats Mock Hearing

The New York Times — Wed, 26 Mar 2025 15:42:41 -0400

The leaders of the biggest public media networks in the United States defended their programming in a hearing on funding for public media, but NPR’s chief executive said the organization’s leadership acknowledged mistakes in its coverage of the Hunter Biden laptop story.

Rates, credit, and the ‘How Screwed Are You’ diagram

Wed, 26 Mar 2025 14:59:14 -0400

An FXplanation

U.S. Could Run Out of Cash by May, Budget Office Predicts

Alan Rappeport — Wed, 26 Mar 2025 14:48:37 -0400

The Congressional Budget Office said that the so-called X-date could occur as early as spring if Congress does not lift or suspend the nation’s debt limit.

Voice of America Director Sues Trump Officials Over Shutdown

Danielle Kaye — Wed, 26 Mar 2025 14:40:22 -0400

The lawsuit by the director and journalists is the latest legal challenge to the administration’s bid to dismantle the government-funded broadcaster.

LeBron James Signs Podcast Deal With Amazon’s Wondery

Jessica Testa — Wed, 26 Mar 2025 14:29:39 -0400

The basketball star has signed a podcasting deal with Wondery, furthering Amazon’s wider push into sports.

PBS Rejects Marjorie Taylor Greene’s Claims About Drag Queens on Shows

Talya Minsberg — Wed, 26 Mar 2025 14:11:10 -0400

Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene criticized PBS for featuring a drag queen named Lil Miss Hot Mess in its children’s programming.

US shale executives say Trump tariffs and ‘chaos’ threaten oil output

Wed, 26 Mar 2025 14:08:26 -0400

Dallas Fed survey shows mounting alarm among Texas drillers at the administration’s energy strategy

Rivals Pounce on Paul Weiss, a Top Law Firm, After Trump’s Order

Wed, 26 Mar 2025 14:05:16 -0400

Fears that competitors could take its top rainmaking talent added to the law firm’s worries about a Trump executive order that targeted it.

U.K. Boosts Military Spending and Cuts Welfare in ‘Uncertain World’

Eshe Nelson — Wed, 26 Mar 2025 13:59:32 -0400

The changes come as President Trump’s tariff threats have disrupted global trade and added pressure to the British government’s already strained budget.

Trump to Announce Tariffs on Foreign Cars

Ana Swanson and Jack Ewing — Wed, 26 Mar 2025 13:59:20 -0400

The president is expected to announce tariffs on foreign cars on Wednesday, a measure that could bring car factories to the United States but raise prices for consumers.

Trump to Announce Tariffs on Foreign Cars

Ana Swanson and Jack Ewing — Wed, 26 Mar 2025 13:37:30 -0400

The president is expected to announce tariffs on foreign cars on Wednesday, a measure that could bring car factories to the United States but raise prices for consumers.

86% of American Want a Major Overhaul of the Tax Code – Why Won’t It Happen?

Ian Cooper — Wed, 26 Mar 2025 12:57:33 -0400

This post may contain links from our sponsors and affiliates, and Flywheel Publishing may receive compensation for actions taken through them.

About 86% of Americans say the tax code needs reform, according to the Tax Foundation.

That’s because it’s ridiculously confusing.

Key Points About This Article

About 86% of Americans say the tax code needs reform. Seventy percent prefer a simpler tax code instead of the current overcomplicated and stressful tax system.
Americans want a tax code that is simpler to understand, fair, and designed to benefit the greater economy.
Many Americans want to see tax rates reduced, particularly for middle- and lower-income earners.
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In fact, according to another, March 2025 study done by research firm Savanta, as noted by CPA Practice Advisor, 70% prefer a simpler tax code instead of the current overcomplicated and stressful tax system. About 50% of Americans don’t know how to fill out tax forms. And, about 36% aren’t confident they’re maximizing deductions and credits.

“The data we’ve uncovered underscores a major issue: the U.S. system is unnecessarily complex, and it’s taking a toll on everyday Americans,” Kyle Gollins, head of commercial, Americas at Savanta, said in a statement. “When nearly half of the population doesn’t fully understand how to file their taxes and more than a third fear making mistakes, it’s clear that simplifying the process could alleviate stress and reduce errors.”

In short, the current tax code needs to be made easier.

The Most Recent Proposals for Tax Reform

Most recently, the Trump administration put forth several tax proposals.

That includes the extension and restoration of the expiring provisions of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017, tax cuts for Americans who receive Social Security, no taxes on tips or overtime, and removal of the state and local tax deduction caps.

In addition, according to Thomson Reuters, “Individual income tax rates (10%, 12%, 22%, 24%, 32%, 35%, and 37%) will expire after 2025 and revert to pre-TCJA rates. Trump has proposed to extend or make permanent these rates and replace individual income tax with increases in tariffs. Trump has proposed to reduce the corporate income tax rate from 21% to 20%; 15% for companies that manufacture in the U.S.”

Before the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, the last time we saw tax reform was in 1986, with the Tax Reform Act – which took two years to accomplish. Under President Reagan, it lowered federal income taxes, decreased the number of brackets, and cut the top tax rate from 50% to 28%. It raised the bottom tax rate from 11% to 15%.

Americans Want Simplification and Fairness with Tax Reform

For one, Americans want a tax code that is simpler to understand, fair, and designed to benefit the greater economy.

Two, many Americans want to see tax rates reduced, particularly for middle- and lower-income earners. They argue that lower taxes could stimulate the economy by increasing disposable income and helping individuals and families. Three, they want simplification. At the moment, Americans want tax reform that simplifies tax filings, making it easier to understand.

Fourth, Americans want to see a fair system.

They want to ensure that companies and the wealthiest people are paying their fair share. That includes addressing loopholes that allow companies and the wealthy to reduce tax burdens.

They also want to see an increase in corporate taxes, which isn’t likely to happen any time soon. According to the Tax Foundation, “Studies have shown that the corporate income tax is the most harmful tax for economic growth. And conversely, studies are now confirming the benefits of reducing the corporate income tax, finding the TCJA’s [Tax Cuts and Jobs Act] corporate tax reforms significantly boosted domestic investment.”

Also, simplification of tax code is feasible, but requires cooperation from both sides of the aisle.

Unfortunately, that’s tough to achieve, as we’re seeing with the potentail TCJA extension.

The post 86% of American Want a Major Overhaul of the Tax Code – Why Won’t It Happen? appeared first on 24/7 Wall St..

Shell seeks to close valuation gap with US rivals

Wed, 26 Mar 2025 12:49:02 -0400

Despite chief Wael Sawan’s refocus on oil and gas, few think the UK oil major can catch ExxonMobil and Chevron

Here’s What’s Driving Bitcoin’s March Higher

Gerelyn Terzo — Wed, 26 Mar 2025 12:39:06 -0400

The bitcoin price is little changed at last check and is down 1.2% over the past 24 hours. The flagship cryptocurrency is up just over 3% in the past seven-day stretch but a better 10%-plus since its March bottom in the ballpark of $76,000. Investors might need to look at the BTC price through a slightly wider lens to appreciate its march higher this month.

Meanwhile, bitcoin rival – precious metal gold – continues to hit new all-time highs above the $3,000 per ounce threshold. Gold is acting like the portfolio diversifier and inflationary hedge that it was designed to be. Bitcoin, on the other hand, has been more sensitive to the same market headwinds that are haunting stocks, including inflation, tariff uncertainty and worries of an economic recession. The bitcoin price remains 20% below its all-time high reached in early 2025 of just over $109,000 per BTC.

Key Points

The bitcoin price is little changed at the moment and has fallen 1.2% in the past 24 hours.
The very same headwinds that are holding back the stock market appear to be limiting BTC to its current range.
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Bitcoin Catalysts

While bitcoin has its own monetary policy, including a supply limit of 21 million coins, the biggest crypto can still be swayed by what is going on with central banks. For example, BlackRock’s digital asset head Robert Mitchnick reportedly believes an economic recession in the U.S. would be a positive catalyst for the bitcoin price. If a recession were to rear its head, the Federal Reserve would likely pivot to more dovish monetary policy on interest rates.

Video game retailer GameStop (NYSE: GME) reportedly has plans to add bitcoin to its balance sheet, taking a page out of the books of early movers like Tesla (Nasdaq: TSLA) and MicroStrategy (Nasdaq: MSTR). GameStop, the stock that was at the center of the WallStreetBets-fueled rally in 2021, plans to direct its cash flow toward acquiring bitcoins in the hopes of riding the cryptocurrency’s eventual rise higher.

Bitcoin bull Michael Saylor, whose company he founded has been adding bitcoin aggressively, welcomed GameStop Ryan Cohen to what he called “Team Bitcoin.” While all the excitement has sparked a rally in the GME stock, it has failed to lift the bitcoin price higher today.

Now What?

Bitcoin bulls are coming out of the woodwork on expectations that another bull cycle is up ahead for the cryptocurrency. By looking at the BTC price through a wider lens, it’s clear to see it’s having a good March despite hovering below its record high price. When the bitcoin price decides to break out further remains to be seen, but companies like GameStop and asset managers like BlackRock are betting it eventually will.

The post Here’s What’s Driving Bitcoin’s March Higher appeared first on 24/7 Wall St..

Japan plays host to a clash of capital and culture

Wed, 26 Mar 2025 12:25:04 -0400

Activist investors are challenging a corporate model marked by underused assets and low returns on equity

Who Are the CEOs of NPR and PBS, Katherine Maher and Paula Kerger?

Benjamin Mullin — Wed, 26 Mar 2025 12:22:49 -0400

The two public media organizations will be represented before Congress by executives with very different résumés.

How ‘No Other Land’ Became an Unlikely Box Office Success

Marc Tracy — Wed, 26 Mar 2025 12:16:58 -0400

The Oscar-winning documentary has surpassed $2 million at the box office despite the lack of a traditional distribution deal.

Meta Platforms (META) Price Prediction and Forecast 2025-2030 For March 26

Joel South — Wed, 26 Mar 2025 12:14:50 -0400

Shares of Meta Platforms Inc. (NASDAQ: META) fell by -2.00% during a.m. trading on Wednesday, momentarily pulling back from a five-day rally that has seen the stock gain 5.35%. Despite Meta suffering from the tech sell-off that saw shares slide nearly -21% from Feb. 14 to March 18, the Magnificent Seven mainstay has managed a 2.61% year-to-date gain and maintains its “Strong Buy” rating from Wall Street analysts.

The European Union (EU) announced on March 24 plans to penalize Meta with a fine of up to $1 billion for breaching strict antitrust rules after the EU’s antitrust watchdog — the European Commission — found that the company is not in compliance with the Digital Markets Act.

On Feb. 1, 2024, the company announced — alongside authorizing a $50 billion stock buyback — that shares of META would begin paying a dividend. And while its current yield of 0.33% may not seem like much, at its current price, that equates to $0.50 per share quarterly, or $2.00 per share annualized.

META is the dominant player in the social media landscape but it is now branching out more broadly into tech, and specifically, the artificial intelligence (AI) space. It is the latter that the company is most heavily investing in now, and for that reason, it is also the primary driver of 24/7 Wall Street price predictions and forecasts for 2025-2030.

Key Points in This Article:

“Meta AI is on track to be the most used AI assistant in the world by the end of the year,” according to CEO Mark Zuckerberg.
24/7 Wall Street projects a 62.82% upside potential for the stock through the end of the decade.
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Meta Platforms’ 10-Year Results

Here’s a table summarizing the performance in share price, revenues, and profits (net income) of META stock from 2014 to 2024:

Year	Share Price	Revenues*	Net Income*
2014	$80.78	$12.466	$2.940
2015	$104.66	$17.928	$3.688
2016	$115.05	$27.638	$10.217
2017	$176.46	$40.653	$15.934
2018	$133.20	$55.838	$22.112
2019	$208.10	$70.697	$18.485
2020	$273.16	$85.965	$29.146
2021	$336.35	$117.929	$39.370
2022	$120.34	$116.609	$23.200
2023	$353.96	$134.902	$39.098
2024	$599.24	$164.501	$62.36

*Revenue and net income in $billions

Over the past decade, Meta Platforms’ revenue has grown 1,196.16% from $12.466 billion to over $164 billion, while its net income went from $2.940 billion to over $62.36 billion during the same period. The primary driver of that growth over the past 10 years has been ad space for the company’s social media platforms, which include Facebook, Instagram, Threads, Reel, and WhatsApp, among others.

While Meta Platforms has branched out into augmented reality and virtual reality — a business segment it refers to as Reality Labs — 99% of its revenue generation comes from its Family of Apps business segment, as of year-end 2023. But as the company looks to the second half of the decade, Zuckerberg and the company will focus on a few key focus areas that will have a large impact on Meta Platforms’ stock performance.

Key Drivers of Meta Platforms’ Stock Performance

AI Investment: Founder and CEO, Mark Zuckerberg announced that Meta Platforms “released the first frontier-level open source AI model, we continue to see good traction with our Ray-Ban Meta AI glasses, and we’re driving good growth across our apps.” While the market for Meta’s social media advertising remains healthy and continues to drive the majority of the company’s revenue, it is focusing heavily on AI investments to expand through the end of the decade. Price-per-ad revenue saw a 10% year-over-year gain, and that success will fund its AI spending aimed at future growth. The company said shareholders should expect between $37 billion and $40 billion in capital expenditures this year that will fund a data center capable of powering its AI initiatives. That is likely to continue into next year, with CFO Susan Li stating that the META expects “significant capital expenditure growth in 2025 as we invest to support our artificial intelligence research and product development efforts.”
Continued Renewable Energy Development: According to the company’s net zero plan, which it is aiming to achieve by 2030, “Since 2020, Meta’s global operations have been supported by 100% renewable energy. As of 2023, we have 10,000MW of contracted renewable energy across 6 countries.” As part of its net zero plan, Meta Platforms’ reliance on renewable energy will ultimately decrease the cost of its utility expenses, and ultimately, its carbon footprint through contracted and self-employed green technologies. Renewables already cost less than fossil fuel energy sources, and according to Canary Media, “By 2030, technology improvements could slash today’s prices by a quarter for wind and by half for solar.” The company has announced that its goal for its forthcoming data center is that it is 100% sustainable and net zero.
Focusing on Growing Free Cash Flow: Zuckerberg labeled 2023 Meta Platforms’ “year of efficiency,” and their results were staggering. By year-end, the company recorded a record free cash flow of $43 billion. That is up from $21 billion in 2019, marking a nearly 105% increase in its cash position in four years. Meta’s free cash flow in 2024 stood at $52.1, another record that showed the company’s focus on its bottom line is driving decisions from the top down and has increasingly strong results.

Meta Platforms (META) Stock Price Prediction in 2025

The current consensus median one-year price target for Meta Platforms is $763.71, which represents 24.21% upside potential from today’s share price. Of all the analysts covering META stock, it receives a consensus “Strong Buy” rating with 44 of 48 analysts assigning it as a buy, three assigning it as a hold and one as a sell.

24/7 Wall Street‘s one-year forecast is more bearish, projecting Meta Platforms’ stock price to be $603 by the end of 2025, based on the company’s ability to sustain its strong ad revenue while increasing efficiency, which in turn will drive its bottom line despite capital expenditures increasing toward its AI objectives.

Meta Platforms Price Estimates 2025-2030

Year	Revenue*	Net Income*	EPS
2024	$161.579	$54.960	$21.18
2025	$183.459	$62.250	$24.12
2026	$205.257	$70.680	$27.71
2027	$226.332	$78.258	$30.42
2028	$245.319	$85.912	$32.38
2029	$268.306	$97.044	$36.54
2030	$274.947	$91.227	$39.70

*Revenue and net income in $billions

How META’s Next 5 Years Could Play Out

By the end of the start of the next decade, we forecast that META’s stock price will reach $995.00, or 71.19% higher than it is trading for today, despite estimates that net income will pull back slightly from over $97 billion to over $91 billion. Revenue growth will continue, with an estimated 2.48% year-over-year increase from 2029.

Year	Price Target	% Change From Current Price*
2025	$603	-1.92%
2026	$692	12.55%
2027	$760	23.61%
2028	$809	31.58%
2029	$914	48.66%
2030	$995	61.83%

The post Meta Platforms (META) Price Prediction and Forecast 2025-2030 For March 26 appeared first on 24/7 Wall St..

Amazon Stock (AMZN) Price Prediction and Forecast 2025-2030 for March 26

Joel South — Wed, 26 Mar 2025 12:04:16 -0400

Shares of Amazon.com Inc. (NASDAQ: AMZN) slipped alongside the market on Wednesday morning, losing -1.40%, momentarily blunting a rally that has seen the stock gain 5% over the past five trading sessions and reduced its year-to-date loss to -7.89%. Nonetheless, Amazon maintains its “Strong Buy” rating from Wall Street analysts, with a reduced forward P/E ratio of 31.25.

While certain business segments like smart home devices are lagging, others — namely AWS — are likely to contribute to the company being able to surpass $100 billion in operating income with the next two years. Emerging business segments add to that optimism. Amazon recently announced a plan to launch a proprietary AI model with advanced reasoning capabilities that is set to compete with OpenAI’s ChatGPT. Scheduled for a June launch date, the model — named Nova — is intended to provide a price-efficient option over its competitors, including ChatGPT, Anthropic’s Claude 3.7 Sonnet and Google’s Gemini 2.0 Flash Thinking.

During Amazon’s fourth-quarter 2024 earnings call on Feb. 6, the company announced that its advertising revenue surged to $17.3 billion as Thursday Night Football set streaming records by averaging 13.7 million viewers. That ad revenue represented 18% quarter-over-quarter growth. Additional revenue drivers included strong retail holiday spending and AI services through AWS, the largest cloud provider in the world. The stock hit its all-time high of $242.52 on Feb. 4 in the lead-up to the Q4 earnings call.

Outside of Nvidia Corp. (NASDAQ: NVDA), Amazon has been a Wall Street darling since the company’s initial public offering in May 1997 at a split-adjusted price of $0.07. Today, Amazon trades for about $218, meaning the stock is up more than 15,840% since January 2005. However, the only thing that matters from this point on is what the stock will do for the next one, five, and 10 years and beyond.

24/7 Wall Street crunched the numbers to give you our best guess about Amazon’s future share price. No one has a crystal ball, and even the Wall Street is wrong just as often as it is right when it comes to predicting future stock prices. So we will walk through our assumptions and provide you with the story around the numbers (other sites just pick a share price without explaining why).

Key Points in this Article:

Future stock performance hinges on Amazon’s growth in e-commerce, AWS, and advertising amidst increasing competition.
Amazon posted net income of $59.2 billion in 2024, a 94.60% increase over 2023’s net income of $30.42 billion. Projections for net income over the next five years call for 4.5x.
If you’re looking for a megatrend with massive potential, make sure to grab a complimentary copy of our “The Next NVIDIA” report. The report includes a complete industry map of AI investments that includes many small caps.

Amazon’s Recent Stock Success

Here’s a table summarizing performance in share price, revenues, and profits (net income) from 2014 to 2017.

Year	Share Price	Revenues*	Net Income*
2014	$19.94	$89.0	($.241)
2015	$15.63	$107.0	$.596
2016	$32.81	$136.0	$2.371
2017	$37.90	$177.9	$3.03
2018	$58.60	$232.9	$10.07
2019	$73.26	$280.5	$11.59
2020	$93.75	$386.1	$21.33
2021	$163.50	$469.8	$33.36
2022	$167.55	$514.0	($2.72)
2023	$85.46	$574.78	$30.42
2024	$219.39	$637.96	$59.2

*Revenue and net income in billions

From 2014 to 2024, Amazon’s revenue grew by 616.80%. The ride up wasn’t always smooth, however. For example, in 2020, sales jumped 38%, and net income nearly doubled. 2021 saw a continued boom as people moved to e-commerce shopping during Covid. However, all those sales being “pulled forward” led to challenges in 2022, and the company swung to a surprise loss. As Amazon embarks into the back half of the decade, a few different key areas will determine its performance.

Three Key Drivers of Amazon’s Stock Performance

E-commerce Success: While COVID-19 brought record sales to Amazon, it also led to many competitors investing heavily to compete with Amazon online. While e-commerce is still just 15% of retail sales, putting up huge growth rates in online sales won’t be as easy in the coming years as it was a decade ago.
Amazon Web Services: Amazon Web Services first-quarter 2024 revenue was $25.04 billion and the unit should break $100 billion in total sales this year. However, the unit’s 13% year-over-year growth is not as fast as competing cloud services like Microsoft Corp.‘s (NASDAQ: MSFT) Azure and Alphabet Inc.‘s (NASDAQ: GOOGL) Google Cloud. Amazon is at risk of falling behind Microsoft before 2030 if it cannot stop market share losses.
Advertising: Amazon exited 2024 with $17.3 billion in advertising business during the fourth quarter alone. Advertising could be another high-margin business line. Amazon currently gets most of its profits from its AWS cloud business, which has led the company past $100 billion in annual profits.

Amazon (AMZN) Stock Price Prediction in 2025

According to Wall Street analysts, the current consensus median one-year price target for Amazon is $269.85, which is about 33.06% upside potential from today’s price. All but one of the 46 analysts covering Amazon recommend buying shares, with the stock receiving a “Strong Buy” rating.

24/7 Wall St.‘s 12-month forecast projects Amazon’s stock price to be $226.50. We see AWS continuing its current 12% growth rate but see Amazon’s advertising business outperforming analysts’ expectations.

Amazon (AMZN) Stock Forecast Through 2030

AWS: Assuming AWS stems its market share loss and investments in AI to counterbalance the threat from Microsoft and Google.
E-commerce: Amazon continues to pour investments into e-commerce, forgoing added profits to maintain market share. Our case model assumes growth in new logistics and efficiencies from robotics in warehouses leads to this unit finally delivering strong operating profits.
Advertising: Amazon’s advertising continued to grow to the now $47 billion business unit, and we see a high teens growth rate compounded annually.

Add all these numbers up and take out some amount for “new bets” the company will surely be investing in (and a potential dividend boost) and we see revenue in 2030 at $1.15 trillion and $131 billion in net income. Today, the company trades for about 50X earnings, which we’ll take down to 35 times as the company matures (but continues showing growth). In our analysis, Amazon is worth $2.6 trillion in 2030. Here are our revenue, net income, and company size estimates through 2030:

Year	Revenue	Net Income	Total Enterprise Value
2024	$638	$48.56	$1.93
2025	$710	$62.13	$2.12
2026	$788	$79.68	$2.19
2027	$867	$96.53	$2.29
2028	$957	$114.17	$2.39
2029	$1,049	$136.69	$2.5
2030	$1,149	$131.39	$2.6

*Revenue and net income reported in billions and TEV in trillions

Amazon’s Share Price Estimates 2025-2030

From today’s share price, we see upside potential of 11.68% for shares of Amazon through the end of the year. By the end of 2026, we forecast that potential gain to nearly quadruple to 41.51%. At the end of the decade, we predict upside potential of 112.27%.

Amazon Stock’s Price Target for 2030

We estimate Amazon’s stock price to be $430.50 per share with 10% year-over-year revenue growth but compressed margins from more competition in its AWS unit. Our estimated stock price for Amazon will be 86.04% higher than the current stock price.

Year	Price Target	Change From Current Price
2025	$226.50	11.68%%
2026	$287.00	41.51%
2027	$371.00	82.93%
2028	$308.00	51.87%
2029	$361.90	78.45%
2030	$430.50	112.27%%

The post Amazon Stock (AMZN) Price Prediction and Forecast 2025-2030 for March 26 appeared first on 24/7 Wall St..

The 5 Biggest Risks to JEPI’s 7.4% Dividend Yield

Rich Duprey — Wed, 26 Mar 2025 11:52:55 -0400

The JPMorgan Equity Premium Income ETF (NYSEARCA:JEPI) has become a go-to for investors chasing steady income with a side of equity exposure. Currently trading under $58 per share, the exchange-traded fund hauled in $39.24 billion in assets since launching in May 2020 and boasts a juicy 7.4% yield

That’s a draw for retirees or anyone wanting monthly payouts without the wild ride of stocks. But there is a catch: the yield isn’t bulletproof. Market volatility, interest rate shifts, underlying asset hiccups, fees, and JEPI’s own playbook all pose risks that could dent its dividend sustainability. Let’s unpack these, see how they could rattle JEPI’s performance, and figure out how to sidestep the potholes.

24/7 Wall St. Insights:

The JPMorgan Equity Premium Income ETF (JEPI) is a popular investment because of its high yield, monthly dividend payments, and protection in a bear market — but there are risks.
It is important for JEPI investors to watch market volatility, interest rates, taxes, and more to successfully buy-and-hold this ETF. It’s not a one-size-fits-all investment.
Below are several strategies investors can deploy to navigate the speed bumps putting money into JEPI can throw in front of you.
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Market volatility is a wild ward

JEPI is essentially a covered-call ETF, meaning it holds a basket of S&P 500 stocks and sells call options to rake in premiums, cash that fuels its dividends alongside stock payouts. When markets get choppy, volatility spikes, but that becomes a double-edged sword.

Higher volatility pumps up JEPI’s option premiums, boosting yield when investors need a cushion. But if volatility craters, like during a steady bull run, its premiums shrink, and JEPI’s income takes a hit. A prolonged period of calm could trim JEPI’s 8% to 12% historical range, leaving investors short.

Performance-wise, volatility is a mixed bag. In downturns, such as during 2022’s bear market, JEPI’s defensive stock picks and premiums softened the blow, outperforming the S&P 500’s 18% drop with a milder 9% slide. But during market rallies, those sold calls limit its gains. If the S&P 500 jumps 20%, JEPI might lag at 12%. Investors can mitigate this by pairing JEPI with a growth ETF like the Vanguard S&P 500 ETF (NYSEARCA:VOO) to balance income with upside when markets soar.

Interest rate changes pressure premiums

Interest rates also mess with JEPI’s math. Higher rates, like the Federal Reserve’s current 4.33% benchmark, juice option premiums because they tie into risk-free rates in pricing models. That’s a win for investors. Payouts ticked up from 2022 to 2023 as interest rates climbed. But if rates drop — and the Fed is forecasting at least two cuts this year — premiums will thin out.

Just a 1% rate cut could shave 10% to 15% off call income, according to options theory, denting JEPI’s yield from 7.4% to maybe 6.3%. Plus, rate hikes can tank stock prices. JEPI’s portfolio isn’t immune and could result in slashing dividend contributions from its holdings.

This dual hit could stall JEPI’s total return. Last year’s 12.56% might dull to single digits if rates flip. You can avoid this by watching Fed signals. For example, pivot to bonds like the iShares 20+ Year Treasury Bond ETF (NASDAQ:TLT) if rates tanks, or lean into JEPI when hikes loom, locking in fatter premiums. We might not be seeing big rate hikes again for a long time, though.

Tracking underlying asset performance

JEPI’s stock portfolio, which it cribs from J.P. Morgan’s managed volatility portfolio, picks low-beta, value-leaning S&P 500 names, avoiding mega-cap tech heavies. It has 95 holdings that skew toward healthcare and financials. When these sectors shine, such as occurred during 2022’s value rally, dividends flow, bolstering its yield.

If they tank, though, say if the financial sector slumps due to bad loans, stock dividends could dry up, which will have JEPI leaning harder on options.

Morningstar says stock dividends are “minimal” to JEPI’s payout, but a 20% portfolio drop could still ding total returns by 5% to 7%, even with premiums.

Worse, if stocks lag and JEPI’s calls stay out-of-the-money, that could be great for keeping shares, but it would be bad for growth. Investors can offset this by diversifying. Add in a sector ETF like the Financial Select Sector SPDR (NYSEARCA:XLF) for financials or Health Care Select Sector SPDR (NYSEARCA:XLV) for healthcare, that could help hedge against any of JEPI’s picks stumbling.

Fees are the silent yield killer

JEPI’s 0.35% expense ratio is competitive for an active ETF. It’s not a direct cash grab and for a $10,000 stake yielding 7.4% (or $740), that means just $26 less, or 7.1% net. Not a big deal during a banner year like 2024’s 12.56% return, but if markets flatline or dip, that fee will bite harder.

If JEPI returns 5%, its fees would cut it to 4.65%, a bigger 7% relative hit. Over decades, that compounds. A $10,000 bet at 7.4% nets only $54,000 in 20 years, instead of $58,000 at 7.75%.

Investors can mitigate this by sizing up JEPI’s edge over cheaper rivals. The Schwab U.S. Dividend Equity ETF‘s (NYSEARCA:SCHD) 0.06% fee saves $29 yearly, though it lacks JEPI’s options juice. Stick with JEPI if income is your primary goal, otherwise you might just want to weigh low-cost index funds.

JEPI’s complicated, risky strategies

JEPI’s secret is selling one-month, out-of-the-money S&P 500 calls via equity-linked notes (ELNs). It ladders calls weekly, adapting to volatility, and spreads risk across big banks. Sounds smart, but it caps upside. Calls at 2% above the index mean a 10% S&P 500 spike nets JEPI just 4% to 5% after premiums. Bull markets can leave it trailing the index. In 2023, the S&P 500’s 27% run saw JEPI only gaining 15%.

ELNs also add counterparty risk, though JPMorgan has instituted buffers to protect against those banks faltering dsuch as limiting their contribution and selecting global names. Still, a 2008-style crash could spook payouts. And because its holdings have a defensive edge to them, like underweighting tech, it works out great such as the tech crash in 2022. It’s on shakier ground, though if artificial intelligence stocks continue roaring higher through next year.

Investors can balance this by holding JEPI in tax-advantaged accounts. Its ordinary income payouts sting less in a Roth IRA, and you can mix in growth like the Invesco QQQ Trust Series 1 (NASDAQ:QQQ) if you want tech exposure.

How it all plays out

JEPI is not a dead end because of these risks, they just require that you tweak it. Volatility swings payouts, rates and stocks shift the base, fees nibble away at returns, and its strategies can limit gains.

A bad year could drop yields and shrink total return by several percentage points. But JEPI’s 12.41% average annual return since 2020 shows resilience. Just remember, the ETF is not a growth-first investment; it’s income-first, and has averaged 8% to 12% yields through ups and downs.

Here’s your game plan

I wouldn’t ditch JEPI, but it’s not a set-and-forget stock. First, you need to check volatility. A CBOE Volatilty Index — VIX — over 20 favors the ETF while under 15 means it may be time to ease off. Right now it stands around 17. Second, track what moves the Fed is making. A rate hike could mean it’s time to buy, but cuts mighjt mean it’s time to diversify. We seem to be heading into the latter.

Next, peek at JEPI’s holdings, too, and hedge weak sectors with ETFs. You can shelter it from taxes by owning it in a Roth IRA or 401(k) to help cut their sting. Then pair it with growth, such as with VOO or QQQ, for balance. And don’t put too much into the ETF either. JEPI is a solid investment until we enter a bull market, which tends to last much longer than a bear market.

Key takeaway

JEPI’s a good investment, but it’s not perfect. With $39 billion in assets, it’s not invincible. But that 7.4% yield, monthly checks, and downside protection make it very attractive. Since 2020, JEPI has delivered income when bonds wobbled and stocks teetered. It can still anchor your portfolio without breaking the bank, if you approach it correctly.

The post The 5 Biggest Risks to JEPI’s 7.4% Dividend Yield appeared first on 24/7 Wall St..

Why These Islanders Hunt Dolphins

Prianka Srinivasan and Matthew Abbott — Wed, 26 Mar 2025 11:52:37 -0400

The residents of Fanalei Island, in the Solomon Islands, say the lucrative hunts will help them buy land elsewhere and move off their sinking home.

This Nation Is Pouring the Most Money Into Corvette Warships – And It’s Not America

Chris Lange — Wed, 26 Mar 2025 11:25:20 -0400

Even though they are smaller than destroyers and frigates, corvette warships play an important role in most modern naval operations, especially for countries looking for cost-effective ways of upgrading their naval forces. Corvettes typically cost less than the larger destroyer and frigate warships, and they offer a good return on investment for navies around the world. (Meet the Cutting-Edge Warships and Submarines Joining the U.S. Navy)

The US Navy operates a couple variations of the Corvette warship, but they classify them as “littoral combat ships”. The Freedom-class and Independence-class are designed as more agile and flexible combat ships that can operate in near-shore environments. These can handle a number of operational needs including mine countermeasures, anti-submarine warfare, and surface combat. Other nations like Russia, China, and India operate a number of similar ships as well. Here, 24/7 Wall St. is taking a closer look at the countries with the most corvette warships.

To determine the countries with the most corvettes in the world, 24/7 Wall St. reviewed the 2025 Military Strength Ranking from Global Firepower, an annually updated defense-related statistics website with information on 145 countries. Global Firepower ranked 145 countries based on their PowerIndex, a composite of over 60 measures in categories such as military might, financials, logistical capability, and geography. The smaller the PowerIndex value the more powerful a nation’s theoretical conventional fighting capability is. We ranked these countries based on corvettes. We also included supplemental information regarding submarines, aircraft carriers, helicopter carriers, destroyers, patrol vessels, and frigates, as well as each country’s overall military strength score and defense budget.

Here is a look at the countries with the most corvette warships in the world:

Why Are We Covering This?

Understanding global military dynamics is incredibly important due to the interconnected nature of international relations and conflicts. As long as civilization has existed, the world has witnessed shifting power balances and alliances which have ultimately shaped the current geopolitical landscape. While key players like the United States, China, and Russia are considered the strongest military powers in the world, there are a number of other nations with their own spheres of influence and strengths that impact global relations from a military perspective.

29. Qatar

Corvettes: 4
Aircraft carriers: 0
Helicopter carriers: 0
Frigates: 0
Destroyers: 0
Submarines: 0
Patrol vessels: 105
Mine warfare vessels: 0
Total naval vessels: 115
Military defense budget: $9,432,000,000 – #34 out of 145
Military strength score: 1.4307 – #72 out of 145

In terms of its ground forces, Qatar has a total of 5,024 military vehicles which include 99 tanks, 16 MLRS units, and 58 artillery units. Qatar has 66,550 active-duty personnel, and a total population of 2.552 million.

28. North Korea

Corvettes: 4
Aircraft carriers: 0
Helicopter carriers: 0
Frigates: 2
Destroyers: 0
Submarines: 13
Patrol vessels: 155
Mine warfare vessels: 1
Total naval vessels: 207
Military defense budget: $4,736,000,000 – #51 out of 145
Military strength score: 0.6016 – #34 out of 145

In terms of its ground forces, North Korea has a total of 18,288 military vehicles which include 4,344 tanks, 1,500 MLRS units, and 2,000 artillery units. North Korea has 1,320,000 active-duty personnel, and a total population of 26.30 million.

27. Oman

Corvettes: 5
Aircraft carriers: 0
Helicopter carriers: 0
Frigates: 0
Destroyers: 0
Submarines: 0
Patrol vessels: 12
Mine warfare vessels: 0
Total naval vessels: 22
Military defense budget: $8,200,000,000 – #36 out of 145
Military strength score: 1.8047 – #82 out of 145

In terms of its ground forces, Oman has a total of 4,084 military vehicles which include 150 tanks and 164 artillery units. Oman has 42,600 active-duty personnel, and a total population of 3.902 million.

26. Germany

Corvettes: 5
Aircraft carriers: 0
Helicopter carriers: 0
Frigates: 11
Destroyers: 0
Submarines: 6
Patrol vessels: 0
Mine warfare vessels: 12
Total naval vessels: 61
Military defense budget: $50,000,000,000 – #11 out of 145
Military strength score: 0.2601 – #14 out of 145

In terms of its ground forces, Germany has a total of 83,260 military vehicles which include 296 tanks, 33 MLRS units, and 134 artillery units. Germany has 181,600 active-duty personnel, and a total population of 84.12 million.

25. South Korea

Corvettes: 5
Aircraft carriers: 0
Helicopter carriers: 2
Frigates: 17
Destroyers: 13
Submarines: 22
Patrol vessels: 35
Mine warfare vessels: 14
Total naval vessels: 227
Military defense budget: $46,300,000,000 – #14 out of 145
Military strength score: 0.1656 – #5 out of 145

In terms of its ground forces, South Korea has a total of 58,880 military vehicles which include 2,236 tanks, 426 MLRS units, and 7,670 artillery units. South Korea has 600,000 active-duty personnel, and a total population of 52.08 million.

24. Ecuador

Corvettes: 6
Aircraft carriers: 0
Helicopter carriers: 0
Frigates: 2
Destroyers: 0
Submarines: 2
Patrol vessels: 5
Mine warfare vessels: 0
Total naval vessels: 30
Military defense budget: $2,376,000,000 – #67 out of 145
Military strength score: 1.3021 – #65 out of 145

In terms of its ground forces, Ecuador has a total of 5,204 military vehicles which include 54 tanks, 24 MLRS units, and 111 artillery units. Ecuador has 41,250 active-duty personnel, and a total population of 18.31 million.

23. Malaysia

Corvettes: 6
Aircraft carriers: 0
Helicopter carriers: 0
Frigates: 2
Destroyers: 0
Submarines: 2
Patrol vessels: 71
Mine warfare vessels: 4
Total naval vessels: 100
Military defense budget: $4,800,000,000 – #50 out of 145
Military strength score: 0.7429 – #42 out of 145

In terms of its ground forces, Malaysia has a total of 13,506 military vehicles which include 48 tanks, 36 MLRS units, and 196 artillery units. Malaysia has 113,000 active-duty personnel, and a total population of 34.56 million.

22. Norway

Corvettes: 6
Aircraft carriers: 0
Helicopter carriers: 0
Frigates: 4
Destroyers: 0
Submarines: 6
Patrol vessels: 18
Mine warfare vessels: 5
Total naval vessels: 43
Military defense budget: $9,710,000,000 – #32 out of 145
Military strength score: 0.6811 – #38 out of 145

In terms of its ground forces, Norway has a total of 6,552 military vehicles which include 44 tanks and 42 artillery units. Norway has 23,250 active-duty personnel, and a total population of 5.510 million.

21. Bangladesh

Corvettes: 6
Aircraft carriers: 0
Helicopter carriers: 0
Frigates: 7
Destroyers: 0
Submarines: 2
Patrol vessels: 61
Mine warfare vessels: 5
Total naval vessels: 118
Military defense budget: $4,374,000,000 – #56 out of 145
Military strength score: 0.6062 – #35 out of 145

In terms of its ground forces, Bangladesh has a total of 11,584 military vehicles which include 320 tanks, 110 MLRS units, and 602 artillery units. Bangladesh has 163,000 active-duty personnel, and a total population of 168.70 million.

20. Argentina

Corvettes: 6
Aircraft carriers: 0
Helicopter carriers: 0
Frigates: 0
Destroyers: 3
Submarines: 2
Patrol vessels: 13
Mine warfare vessels: 0
Total naval vessels: 44
Military defense budget: $928,897,000 – #89 out of 145
Military strength score: 0.6013 – #33 out of 145

In terms of its ground forces, Argentina has a total of 21,724 military vehicles which include 342 tanks, 26 MLRS units, and 227 artillery units. Argentina has 108,000 active-duty personnel, and a total population of 46.99 million.

19. Singapore

Corvettes: 6
Aircraft carriers: 0
Helicopter carriers: 0
Frigates: 6
Destroyers: 0
Submarines: 6
Patrol vessels: 12
Mine warfare vessels: 4
Total naval vessels: 50
Military defense budget: $15,000,000,000 – #26 out of 145
Military strength score: 0.5271 – #29 out of 145

In terms of its ground forces, Singapore has a total of 8,998 military vehicles which include 170 tanks, 24 MLRS units, and 137 artillery units. Singapore has 51,000 active-duty personnel, and a total population of 6.028 million.

18. Thailand

Corvettes: 6
Aircraft carriers: 0
Helicopter carriers: 1
Frigates: 7
Destroyers: 0
Submarines: 0
Patrol vessels: 49
Mine warfare vessels: 5
Total naval vessels: 293
Military defense budget: $5,887,883,500 – #45 out of 145
Military strength score: 0.4536 – #26 out of 145

In terms of its ground forces, Thailand has a total of 16,935 military vehicles which include 635 tanks, 26 MLRS units, and 639 artillery units. Thailand has 360,850 active-duty personnel, and a total population of 69.92 million.

17. Romania

Dollar Tree Is Selling Family Dollar for $1 Billion

Claire Moses — Wed, 26 Mar 2025 11:02:15 -0400

Nearly 10 years after buying Family Dollar for about $9 billion, Dollar Tree announced it would sell the retailer to two private equity firms.

These Are the 2 Best ETFs to Buy for April

Rich Duprey — Wed, 26 Mar 2025 10:59:32 -0400

Spring is in the air and April is the perfect time to spruce up your portfolio. Exchange-traded funds (ETFs) are the perfect addition because they add instant diversity to your stock holdings by spanning industries and geographies at low cost.

Two ETFs that look like solid buys for next month are the Vanguard Growth ETF (NYSEARCA:VUG) and the Vanguard Russell 2000 ETF (NASDAQ:VTWO). Here is why these two are poised to bloom as interest rate cuts loom and other tailwinds kick in.

24/7 Wall St. Insights:

ETFs are the perfect vehicle to instantly diversify your portfolio across market caps, industries, and geographies, protecting your downside from voltility.
The Vanguard Growth ETF (VUG) gives you access to the biggest, tech-oriented growth stocks while the Vanguard Russell 2000 ETF (VTWO) lets you cash in on small-cap stocks that are wound like a coiled spring, ready to shoot higher.
If you’re looking for some stocks with huge potential, make sure to grab a free copy of our brand-new “The Next NVIDIA” report. It features a software stock we’re confident has 10X potential.

Interest rate growth boost

Let’s start with the big one: interest rate cuts. The Federal Reserve’s benchmark rate is at 4.33% now, but there are whispers of a quarter-point trim by June — maybe April if inflation holds at 2.8% — are getting louder.

Lower rates are rocket fuel for growth stocks like the Vanguard Growth ETF. Its 250 holdings lean heavily on tech titans (55% of the pie) like Apple (NASDAQ:AAPL) and Nvidia (NASDAQ:NVDA), which thrive when borrowing is cheap. Cheaper debt means more cash for R&D and buybacks.

Vanguard Growth’s 22% return in 2024 could stretch to 25% if rates dip, while the Vanguard Russell 2000 ETF, which tracks 1,970 small-cap Russell 2000 stocks, gets a similar lift. Small-cap stocks, particularly industrials and financials, which represent a combined 40% of the ETF’s total, rely on loans to grow. A 1% rate drop could slash borrowing costs 20%, which could juice earnings.

VTWO gained 16% in 2024 and could hit 18% to 20% gains with that tailwind.

Vanguard Growth’s tech edge

The bull case for VUG is not just about interest rates, it is riding the AI wave, too. Apple accounts for 11% of the ETF, Microsoft is 10%, and Nvidia, 9%, and all are pouring billions into AI, from Apple Intelligence to Nvidia’s chips. It is poised for a multi-year boom.

The ETF has a super-low expense ratio of 0.04% fee and a renewed, pro-business vibe in Washington, including tax cuts, could juice tech profits further. Sure, tariffs, especially on China, could disrupt supply chains, but VUG’s 15x forward P/E highlights its value orientation, especially when stacked up against the Invesco QQQ Trust Series 1‘s (NASDAQ:QQQ) 20x.

It makes VUG a buy in April. It is strung taut like a bow from the potential for rate cuts plus AI hype that could push its returns past last year’s gains.

Vanguard Russell 2000 small-cap snapback

The Vanguard Russell 2000 ETF has its own thing going on. Small-caps lagged in 2024, with the Russell 2000 returning 15% compared to the S&P 500’s 23%, but that is flipping. There is a “value rotation” underway in the market as investors ditch overbought tech for bargains.

VTWO’s 12x forward P/E versus VUG’s 15x is dirt-cheap, and its 1.5% yield beats VUG’s 0.4%. President Trump’s tariffs could benefit small-cap stocks since their businesses are less trade sensitive, with Edward Jones saying they derive less than 30% of their revenue overseas. Tax cuts, on the other hand, could also lift their bottom lines, while rate cuts are icing on the cake. A 20% post-Fed pivot like the one that occurred in 2022 isn’t wild to bet on.

Here’s what could trip them up

Let’s take off the rose-colored glasses. There are risks. VUG is a tech-heavy ETF with 70% of the stocks in top sectors, meaning an AI bust or tariff hit could stall gains. VTWO’s small-caps are volatile with 18% annualized swings, according to Vanguard. And a recession could gut earnings for both. If inflation spikes past 3%, the Fed would likely delay any rate cuts, too, but April’s timing, which anticipates pre-summer Fed moves, suggests favorable timing.

How they fit together

Why buy both of these ETFs? Vanguard Groth is, well, your growth engine. It holds big names, meaning potentially big gains. Vanguard Russell 2000 is the scrappy underdog: its holdings are cheap and ready to pop.

VUG has a 10-year annualized 15.2%return pairs well with VTWO’s 8.8% returns, balancing both risk and reward. Their miniscule expense ratios keep costs low and beats most funds while allowing for diversification across market caps.

April makes an excellent time to grab VUG and VTWO: rate cuts are coming, tech is humming, and small-caps are like a thoroughbred spoiling for a race. These two aren’t perfect, but they’re cheap, timely, and primed to run. And spring is your season to jump in.

The post These Are the 2 Best ETFs to Buy for April appeared first on 24/7 Wall St..

Do we even need bond term premia models?

Wed, 26 Mar 2025 10:33:17 -0400

Asking the big questions

Nasdaq Composite Today: GME’s Bitcoin Bump and DLTR’s M&A Jolt

Gerelyn Terzo — Wed, 26 Mar 2025 10:30:38 -0400

The markets are choosing to play it safe on the heels of a three-day winning streak, with the three major stock market averages mixed out of the gate. The Dow Jones Industrial Average is eking out small gains while the S&P 500 and Nasdaq Composite are slightly lower. Energy stocks are leading the gainers, rising 1.2% as a group and powered in part by a 2.2% rise in Schlumberger (NYSE: SLB). Technology stocks are down as a sector and are weighing on the Nasdaq Composite this morning. Let’s take a look at some of the individual movers.

GameStop (NYSE: GME) is soaring 10.5% this morning and is a bright spot in an otherwise lackluster market today. The company is being rewarded for embracing leading cryptocurrency bitcoin after management decided to follow in the footsteps of Michael Saylor and Elon Musk by adding BTC to the balance sheet.

Dollar Tree (Nasdaq: DLTR) is up nearly 4% after divesting Family Dollar in a cool $1 billion transaction to private equity firms. Investors cheered the deal as did analysts at Wall Street firm Evercore, who said that Family Dollar was holding Dollar Tree back. Dollar Tree is also getting a bump after reporting better-than-expected Q4 earnings.

Here’s a look at the performance as of morning trading:

Dow Jones Industrial Average: Up 219.14 (+0.51%)
Nasdaq Composite: Down 71.07 (-0.41%)
S&P 500: Down 1.52 (-0.03%)

Key Points

The major stock market averages are mixed out of the gate, choosing to play it safe.
The Nasdaq Composite is lower as technology stocks retreat.
Energy stocks are the big winners of the day.

Market Movers

Cintas Corp (Nasdaq: CTAS) is up 8% just for reporting Q1 results that were in line with consensus estimates. Cintas stock is also rising after the company revealed it will no longer pursue uniform provider Unifirst (NYSE: UNF). Separately, Uniform company Cintas (Nasdaq: CTAS) is gaining nearly 10% on the heels of its fiscal Q1 earnings print.

Paychex (Nasdaq: PAYX) is gaining 5.6% this morning after reporting Q1 earnings that met expectations.

Cloud networking company Arista Networks (NYSE: ANET) is sinking nearly 6% this morning while networking giant Cisco (Nasdaq: CSCO) is gaining about 1%.

The post Nasdaq Composite Today: GME’s Bitcoin Bump and DLTR’s M&A Jolt appeared first on 24/7 Wall St..

Will This Combat Aircraft Make It to a Century of Service?

Jessica Lynn — Wed, 26 Mar 2025 10:25:41 -0400

American president Donald Trump recently announced that Boeing had been awarded a contract to produce the U.S. Air Force’s new generation of fighter jets. While the U.S. currently has several fifth-generation aircraft in its fleet, the F-47 — named for Trump’s position as 47th president — would be an advanced sixth-generation fighter jet with capabilities that many people cannot even imagine. In addition to advanced stealth technology and autonomous command/contral capabilities, the F-47 will be capable of aerial refueling, can reach supersonic speeds without an afterburner, and will hold significant and highly precise armament. This announcement comes at a time when the global outlook around American-made aircraft like the F-35 has been tenuous at best. Still, the F-47 has the potential to advance American air superiority and provide the U.S. Air Force with a strong, sturdy, and dependable plane. (These 20 facts show the true power of America’s $217 billion Air Force.)

While innovation is a centerpoint of American aviation, and companies are consistently looking to see where they can improve their offerings, examining the U.S. Air Force fleet also illuminates another truth: that while innovation is important, there are many aircraft that the U.S. has been relying on for decades. Yes, the F-47 may contribute to enhanced security and deter enemy forces from attacking. But the Air Force’s current aircraft have been contributing to American defense since the 1950s — and the Air Force has no desire to give these planes up anytime soon. Here, 24/7 Wall St. set out to determine which combat aircraft have been in service for the U.S. Air Force for the longest time. To identify the oldest and newest U.S. Air Force planes, we sourced data from FlightGlobal’s 2025 World Air Forces directory. This directory explores the military aircraft fleets of 161 nations. We looked at the entirety of combat aircraft used by the U.S. Air Force, then identified the 16 aircraft that represent both the newest and oldest of the Air Force’s fleet. These are listed from most newly introduced to the oldest introduced. Supplemental information was sourced from Britannica and Air Force fact sheets.

This previously published article was updated on March 26, 2025 to represent new available data from the World Air Forces directory, as well as to cover recent announcements on Air Force aircraft development in the United States.

Why Cover This Now?

If you look at today’s news, it seems like our world is increasingly in flux. Conflicts are breaking out across the globe; the U.S. recently sent B-2 bombers to Yemen due to the ongoing challenges of Yemeni Houthi rebels. Undoubtedly, aircrafts allow militaries to project power over greater distances and contribute to a heightened sense of global and national security.

Outside of the development of the F-47, the U.S. is also looking to innovate in other areas. ZeroAvia, a hydrogen flight startup, was also awarded a Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) grant to “evaluate the integration of hydrogen propulsion into a Cessna Caravan aircraft that would also be fitted with automated flight technology.”

As geopolitical tensions abound, and countries continue to build their fleets, the country with the strongest fleet is positioned to strike — or defend — should the need arise. Many aircraft used by the U.S. Air Force have already proven their ability to withstand harsh battle conditions. By seeing which new and old aircraft the U.S. Air Force could deploy, you know where America stands if a battle breaks out.

Here are the U.S. Air Force’s newest and oldest aircraft in service:

16. B-21 Raider

Type: Long range strategic stealth bomber
Year introduced: First flight taken in 2023 — expected to be more widely used/operational by the mid-2020s
Active aircraft: 100 on order
Top speed: 621 mph
Armament: Conventional drop bombs, precision-guided bombs, nuclear-tipped bombs/missiles

A Significant Advancement in Aviation Technology

Within the next decade, the B-21 Raider, developed by Northrup Grummon, is expected to enter service to augment the B-2 Spirit stealth bombers. The B-21 Raider took its first flight in November 2023 and currently has at least three test arcraft developed. This aircraft will be capable of carrying both conventional and precision-guided drop bombs, as well as nuclear-tipped bombs and missiles. Many people believe that this sixth-generation aircraft can solidify U.S. air superiority. The U.S. Air Force seems to agree — 100 of these stealth bombers are already on order.

15. AC-130J Ghostrider

Type: Ground attack / close-air support
Year introduced: 2017
Active aircraft: 29
Top speed: 416 mph
Armament: 30mm ATK GAU-23/A automatic cannon, 105mm M102 field howitzer, Griffin missiles, Viper Strike precision-guided bombs, Hellfire missiles, drop bombs

Five Years to Reach Operational Capacity

Although the AC-130J Ghostrider was given its name in 2012, the plane took five more years to reach initial operational capacity in 2017. The latest in the AC-130 gunship series, the Ghostrider was then first deployed in 2019. These gunships do not carry nukes. However, the Ghostrider can equip practically any other ordnance, even guns meant for ground artillery use. As such, the Ghostrider can be considered one of the most heavily armed aircraft used by the U.S. Air Force.

Most notable is the 105mm howitzer, typically seen on ground artillery platforms. This big gun delivers serious firepower with pinpoint accuracy from far above the battlefield, giving it an incredible tactical advantage. Outside of the 105mm howitzer, Ghostrider can equip a variety of missiles like Hellfires or Griffins, precision-guided bombs, or even just the basic conventional drop bombs.

14. F-35A Lightning II

Type: Multirole 5th generation stealth fighter jet
Year introduced: 2016
Active aircraft: 246 (35+1,315 on order)
Top speed: 1,200 mph
Armament: 25mm GAU-12/U automatic cannon, Sidewinder missiles, Paveway guided bombs, Rockeye II bombs, Brimstone missiles, Storm Shadow missiles, drop bombs

A League of Its Own

Introduced into service in 2016, the F-35A Lightning II is one of the newest and most highly lauded fifth-generation aircraft. Currently, there are hundreds on order from Lockheed Martin for the U.S. military at large — and several countries around the world are also in the process of purchasing these fighter jets. One of the reasons why the F-35A Lightning II is so highly coveted is because of its advanced technology, including information fusion and advanced sensors.

13. AC-130W Stinger II

Type: Special operations fixed-wing gunship
Year introduced: 2010
Active aircraft: 3
Top speed: 300 mph
Armament: 30mm Bushmaster II GAU-23/A gatling gun, Viper Strike missiles, Griffin missiles, Hellfire missiles

Impressive Range

The Stinger II is a step up from the legacy AC-130 gunships, notably integrating advanced missile systems. Built by Lockheed Martin, this gunship only recently entered service in 2010. Armed with a 30mm Bushmaster II GAU-23/A gatling gun, along with Viper Strike, Griffin, and Hellfire missiles, the Stinger II is designed to deliver serious firepower in support of ground forces. This aircraft also boasts an impressive range of 2,875 miles (or 2,500 nautical miles) and a ceiling of 28,000 feet.

12. CV-22 Osprey

Type: Tilt rotor VTOL aircraft
Year introduced: 2007
Active aircraft: 51 (2 on order)
Top speed: 316 mph
Armament: 7.62mm machine guns, 12.7mm machine guns

Unique Abilities

Known for its ability to take off and land vertically like a helicopter and adjust its rotors to operate like a turboprop plane, the CV-22 Osprey is one of the more unique aircraft in the U.S. military. Manufactured by Bell Boeing, the CV-22 Osprey plays key roles in U.S. special operations missions like infiltration, extraction, and resupply. While this aircraft is used by the U.S. Air Force, it is also used by the U.S. Navy for troop deployment and extraction, or even logistical purposes. The Osprey can refuel mid-flight which significantly extends its range for longer missions.

Since its introduction, the CV-22 Osprey has seen action in major operations, including Iraq, Afghanistan, and humanitarian missions worldwide, typically filling a logistical role. In terms of its cargo, the Osprey is capable of carrying up to 24 combat-loaded Marines or 20,000 pounds of internal or external cargo.

11. F-22 Raptor

Type: 5th generation air dominance supersonic stealth fighter
Year introduced: 2005
Active aircraft: 178
Top speed: 1,500 mph
Armament: 20mm automatic cannon, Sidewinder missiles, AMRAAM missiles, joint drop munitions, drop bombs, air-launched cruise missiles

Unmatched Agility

The F-22 Raptor is an elite fifth-generation aircraft and features some of the newest stealth technology. This extremely fast plane can hit speeds around Mach 2. But the F-22 Raptor is equally lauded for its unmatched agility and advanced avionics, making it a dominant force in both air superiority and strike missions. What’s interesting about this aircraft is that the F-22 Raptor’s supercruise ability enables it to sustain high-speed flight without the need for afterburners. This sets it apart from most other fighters, which typically require afterburners to exceed the speed of sound.

10. Leonardo AW139 (MH-139)

Type: Medium-lift utility helicopter
Year introduced: 2003
Active aircraft: 8 (17+57 on order)
Top speed: 193 mph
Armament: 7.62mm general purpose machine guns

A Multi-Use Helicopter

Originally designed and constructed by Leonardo, the AW139 is used by both the military and civilians. These helicopters were initially designed for search-and-rescue missions, but they have been adopted for other purposes since then. The military version can equip small machine guns, but its primary designation is not for combat. This versa

Commodity traders complain about cost of Trump ‘tweet-driven’ uncertainty

Wed, 26 Mar 2025 10:13:51 -0400

Trafigura ‘semi-seriously’ looks at changing traders’ hours to match president’s social media output

Big Law Splinters Under a Trump Onslaught

Wed, 26 Mar 2025 10:02:24 -0400

The president’s repeated clashes with the nation’s most prestigious law firms has had a destabilizing business effect.

Amazon Gets Into the LeBron James Business

Jessica Testa — Wed, 26 Mar 2025 10:00:05 -0400

The basketball star has signed a podcasting deal with Wondery, furthering Amazon’s wider push into sports.

PBS and NPR Funding Has Been Threatened Before

Benjamin Mullin — Wed, 26 Mar 2025 09:48:32 -0400

Republicans in Congress have made several attempts to defund NPR and PBS over the last half-century.

The FT Alphaville swag shop

Wed, 26 Mar 2025 09:21:46 -0400

Yes, we have one

Insiders Make Huge Purchases of These 4 Biotech Stocks

Trey Thoelcke — Wed, 26 Mar 2025 08:27:24 -0400

After a rough patch, it seems the biotech industry may be staging a comeback. Several biotech firms have gone public this year, and those focused on obesity treatments, gene therapies, and more have high expectations. Insiders, especially beneficial owners, have been showing their love as well, and the largest insider purchases in the past week or so have largely been in biotech stocks.

24/7 Wall St. Key Points:

Insiders have been showing their love for these four biotech stocks, and one tech stock, lately with huge share purchases.
Take this quiz to see if you’re on track to retire. (sponsored)

In addition, a tech company, specifically a work management software provider, recently saw its outgoing chief executive make a huge purchase of shares. Let’s take a quick look at all the most notable transactions of the past week or so.

Is Insider Buying Important?

What does insider buying tell us?

A well-known adage reminds us that corporate insiders and 10% owners really only buy shares of a company because they believe the stock price will rise and they want to profit from it. Thus, insider buying can be an encouraging signal for potential investors. This is all the more so during times of uncertainty in the markets, and even when markets are near all-time highs.

Note that the next earnings-reporting season has not yet begun, so few insiders are prohibited from buying or selling shares. Below are some of the more notable insider purchases that were reported recenlty, starting with the largest and most prominent.

Mineralys Therapeutics

Buyer(s): 10% owners R.A. Capital Management and Samsara BioCapital GP
Total shares: about 1.9 million
Price per share: $13.50
Total cost: about $25.6 million

These buyers took advantage of a public offering of shares intended to raise funds in part for clinical development of lorundrostat, a high blood pressure treatment.

Shares of Mineralys Therapeutics Inc. (NASDAQ: MLYS) have surged 82% or so in the past month and were last seen trading well above the secondary offering purchase price. The stock hit a multiyear high of $18.38 per share after the buyer’s purchase.

Analysts have a mean price target of $38.29 a share for this Pennsylvania-based clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company. That would be a gain of 135.2% in the next 52 weeks. All eight analysts who cover the stock recommend buying shares, two of them with Strong Buy ratings. H.C. Wainwright recently maintained its Buy recommendation.

Note that R.A. Capital acquired almost 1.3 million of the shares, and also that it recently picked up shares of Janx Therapeutics Inc. (NASDAQ: JANX).

Immunocore

Buyer(s): 10% owner Baker Bros. Advisors
Total shares: more than 807,300
Price per share: $29.01 to $30.00
Total cost: around $24.0 million

Last month, Immunocore Holdings PLC (NASDAQ: IMCR) posted quarterly results that included strong year-over-year revenue growth, strong performance for Kimmtrak sales, and R&D efforts expanded into new therapeutic areas, including autoimmune diseases.

The shares have traded mostly between $29 and $32 apiece for the past six months. The share price was last seen still within the purchase price range above. However, analysts on average anticipate the stock going to $64.03 a share in the next 12 months. That would be a gain of 120.6%. Their consensus recommendation is to buy shares, including five Strong Buy ratings.

Note that this purchase raised the buyer’s stake to more than 2.1 million shares. Also, back in December, Baker Bros. Advisors scooped up a sizable number of Bicycle Therapeutics Inc. (NASDAQ: BCYC) shares.

Asana

Buyer(s): CEO Dustin Moskovitz
Total shares: over 1.35 million
Price per share: $12.70 to $14.60
Total cost: over $18.7 million

With its recent earnings report, San Francisco-based Asana Inc. (NYSE: ASAN) recently announced Moskovitz’s retirement. The share price plunged afterward but has started to recover, with an 8.2% gain in the past week. Shares are down 25.2% year to date, but they were last seen higher than the purchase price range above.

Analysts see little upside in the coming year, given their $15.63 consensus target price. Out of 19 analysts who cover the stock, only five of them recommend buying shares. J.P. Morgan recently reiterated its Underweight rating, and Morgan Stanley maintained an Equal-Weight rating.

Note that the outgoing chief executive bucked the trend, as two officers and a director have been selling shares lately.

Zymeworks

Buyer(s): 10% owner EcoR1 Capital
Total shares: almost 355,700
Price per share: $12.12 to $13.09
Total cost: more than $4.5 million

After scooping up more than $13.1 million worth of shares earlier in the month, this buyer returned to further increase its stake in Zymeworks BC Inc. (NASDAQ: ZYME). It now owns almost 17.2 million shares. The biopharmaceutical company has a public float of over 67 million shares.

When this biopharmaceutical company posted its most recent quarterly results, it fell short on the bottom line. Revenue rose year over year, and the stock reversed its recent slide afterward. It is still down about 12% year to date, but the $21.35 consensus price target signals 68.5% upside in the coming year.

Analysts on average recommend buying shares, and they have since at least the beginning of this year. LifeSci Capital has initiated coverage with an Outperform rating. Citigroup recently maintained its Buy rating, while H.C. Wainwright reiterated a Neutral rating.

ATAI Life Sciences

Buyer(s): 10% owner Apeiron Investment Group
Total shares: 1.8 million
Price per share: $1.40
Total cost: more than $2.5 million

German clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company ATAI Life Sciences N.V. (NASDAQ: ATAI) posted disappointing quarterly results earlier this month but has also raised $59 million in funds and advanced its Phase 2 trials in anxiety and depression. The stock has risen 6.1% since the report, and the share price is 18.1% higher than at the beginning of the year and 12.1% higher than the purchase price above.

All six analysts who cover the stock recommend buying shares, two of them with Strong Buy ratings. Their mean price target of $8.00 a share indicates that they anticipate a whopping 410% upside in the next 52 weeks. H.C. Wainwright maintained its Buy rating after the earnings report.

Note that some officers have sold small batches of shares recently, and that Apeiron acquired more than 10.8 million shares back in February.

And Other Insider Buying

Some smaller insider buys at Home Depot, Las Vegas Sands, Oracle, and more.

In the past week or so, some insider buying was also reported at:

Adobe Inc. (NASDAQ: ADBE) by the CFO for over $507,700
Autodesk Inc. (NYSE: ADSK) by a director for about $534,200
Home Depot Inc. (NYSE: HD) by a director for nearly $1.0 million
Las Vegas Sands Corp. (NYSE: LVS) by a director for about $1.0 million
Oracle Corp. (NYSE: SJM) by a director for about $947,900
Reddit Inc. (NYSE: RDDT) by a director for about $100,900
Wynn Resorts Ltd. (NASDAQ: WYNN) by a beneficial owner for almost $1.4 million

The post Insiders Make Huge Purchases of These 4 Biotech Stocks appeared first on 24/7 Wall St..

China’s developers start to climb out of their self-dug hole

Wed, 26 Mar 2025 08:23:14 -0400

Grinding through all of the country’s property excesses will still take years

New bid to quash North Sea licences is latest test for Labour energy policy

Wed, 26 Mar 2025 08:20:35 -0400

Campaigners argue in High Court that UK ministers ignored potential climate impact of oil and gas exploration

Rachel Reeves to announce additional welfare cuts in Spring Statement

Wed, 26 Mar 2025 08:20:15 -0400

Chancellor forced to make last-minute savings to shore up the nation’s finances