BREAKING NEWS: Personal Finance

Better Artificial Intelligence Stock: Strategy vs. Arm Holdings

Sun, 23 Feb 2025 23:47:00 +0000

Artificial intelligence (AI) is a great sector to invest in as a rapidly expanding industry with years of growth ahead. And you have a wide selection of AI companies to choose from when making an investment decision.

Two prominent tech businesses to consider here are Strategy (NASDAQ: MSTR), previously known as MicroStrategy before rebranding this month, and Arm Holdings (NASDAQ: ARM). Strategy is a software company founded in 1989; Arm is a leader in semiconductor designs.

Strategy's shares have risen 380% over the past 12 months through the week ending Feb. 14. Arm stock also had an impressive run, going from a 52-week low of $85.61 last April to a high of $188.75 in July, with shares remaining well above their low at the time of this writing.

Best Stock to Buy Right Now: Amazon vs. Coupang

Sun, 23 Feb 2025 23:15:00 +0000

At the intersection of consumer goods and technology, Amazon (NASDAQ: AMZN) stands out as the global leader in e-commerce and cloud computing. The company's long history of innovation and fantastic growth has rewarded shareholders handsomely, with the stock more than doubling in value in just the past five years.

Halfway around the world, Coupang (NYSE: CPNG) is attempting to replicate some of Amazon's success, emerging as a formidable competitor and one of Asia's largest online retailers. Despite a volatile period following the company's 2021 IPO, the stock has quietly gained momentum in early 2025 and is now up 70% over the past year.

There's a lot to like about both Amazon and Coupang as potential investments, but which stock is the best buy right now? Here's what you need to know to make a more informed decision.

Is Warren Buffett Really Fleeing Stocks? These 18 Words From the Billionaire Offer a Strikingly Clear Answer.

Sun, 23 Feb 2025 23:10:00 +0000

The bull market has roared higher in recent weeks, adding to two years of double-digit gains for the S&P 500. Encouraged by a lower interest rate environment and the performance of growth stocks, investors have flocked to equities and chosen players in high-potential industries like artificial intelligence (AI) and technology in general.

Even though this is positive, investors still worry about what may happen next, especially since gains have left the S&P 500 trading at record valuations. The momentum may slow or even stop at some point, leading to declines. In these times, as investors wonder about what may happen next, they often turn to an expert for advice. And the biggest one may be Warren Buffett, who, as chairman, led Berkshire Hathaway to a compounded annual gain of nearly 20% over 59 years. That largely beats the S&P 500's performance of 10%.

Buffett's recent actions could be seen as a warning to Wall Street. He's been a net seller of stocks quarter after quarter and, in the most recent period, closed positions in two exchange-traded funds (ETFs) that track the performance of the S&P 500: the SPDR S&P 500 ETF Trust and the Vanguard S&P 500 ETF.

Is This Soaring Stock -- Up 207% in 6 Months -- a Once-in-a-Decade Investment Opportunity Right Now?

Sun, 23 Feb 2025 23:07:00 +0000

After two strong years in 2023 and 2024, the market is continuing its positive streak in 2025. Amid a favorable backdrop, companies that previously seemed left for dead are now roaring back to relevance.

There's one soaring consumer discretionary stock that's up a whopping 207% just in the last six months (as of Feb. 19), a gain that would've tripled your capital in half a year. During the same period of the time, the Nasdaq Composite Index climbed just 14%.

Is this a once-in-a-decade buying opportunity right now? Investors should continue reading to learn more about this business.

Pension experts urge Britons to act before HMRC rule change

Sun, 23 Feb 2025 21:29:00 +0000

Certain moves may trigger "unintended" tax consequences, making it vital people properly assess their financial situation before making any decisions.

Is Super Micro Computer Stock a Buy, Sell, or Hold in 2025?

Sun, 23 Feb 2025 20:37:00 +0000

With its shares more than doubling year to date, Super Micro Computer (NASDAQ: SMCI) is bouncing back from the crisis caused by uncertainty about its accounting practices. But is this recovery a fluke or the start of a new bull run? Let's dig deeper to determine what 2025 might have in store for this artificial intelligence (AI) hardware company.

Founded in 1993, Super Micro Computer has long been one of Silicon Valley's most prominent makers of server and data center hardware. Nevertheless, the stock languished in relative obscurity, with shares practically flat from 2015 to 2021, until the emergence of ChatGPT in 2022 sparked an epic bull run to an all-time high of $119 in early 2024.

Supermicro, as it's also known, helps turn graphics processing units (GPUs) created by chipmakers like Nvidia and Advanced Micro Devices into ready-to-use computer servers. It specializes in energy-efficient designs that could save clients money as they run and train AI algorithms.

Prediction: These Could Be the Best-Performing Value Stocks Through 2030

Sun, 23 Feb 2025 20:26:00 +0000

Buying quality stocks when they're unpopular can be very rewarding.

A good place to look for unpopular stocks these days is in the healthcare sector, as Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s nomination and confirmation as U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services have cooled investor sentiment in healthcare stocks. Kennedy is a vocal critic of the pharmaceutical industry, and many leading pharmaceutical stocks are trading well off their highs.

I think leading pharmaceutical companies Pfizer (NYSE: PFE) and Novo Nordisk (NYSE: NVO) could be the best-performing value stocks over the next five years.

HMRC issues tax warning to people who work from home - 'don't get caught out'

Sun, 23 Feb 2025 19:39:00 +0000

The tax office is urging people to make a vital check.

3 Top Tech Stocks to Buy Right Now

Sun, 23 Feb 2025 18:45:00 +0000

The technology-heavy Nasdaq Composite is within striking distance of all-time highs set in December. Artificial intelligence (AI) has sparked growth and enthusiasm across the technology sector, fueling a rally that began in early 2023. Understandably, it has become increasingly challenging to find high-quality technology stocks trading at attractive prices.

But as I like to say, Wall Street is a market of stocks, not a stock market. In other words, there is always value somewhere.

High-growth industries within technology, like AI, cloud computing, semiconductors, and cybersecurity, provide excellent hunting grounds for investors seeking the most bang for their buck. Here are three top technology stocks you can buy right now:

Savings provider boosts interest on Cash ISA to 4.41% and earns 'excellent' rating

Sun, 23 Feb 2025 17:47:00 +0000

The provider offers an "attractive" deal for those looking to invest their money for at least two years.

Alphabet Stock Is Cheaper Than the S&P 500 Index. Here's Why It's Time to Load Up.

Sun, 23 Feb 2025 17:45:00 +0000

The headline of this article says it all: Alphabet (NASDAQ: GOOG) (NASDAQ: GOOGL) stock is cheaper than the S&P 500 (SNPINDEX: ^GSPC) index. It might seem a bit odd that a dominant tech company would fall behind the valuation of a broad market index, but that is exactly what happened.

This provides investors a rare opportunity to scoop up a best-in-class business for cheap and quells fears of potentially buying a significantly overvalued stock. I think it's time to load up on shares (if you haven't already), as Alphabet's stock is primed to deliver market-beating returns.

Alphabet's primary business is one of the most dominant in the world: Google. Many people surf the internet using the Google search engine, and Alphabet has built an incredible advertising business on top of that. In Q4, Google search generated more than $48 billion in revenue. Although its growth wasn't super-fast by any means, it still rose 12.5% year over year, a strong pace for a mature business unit.

Is Soundhound AI Stock a Buy After Its Nvidia-Fueled Sell-off?

Sun, 23 Feb 2025 17:30:00 +0000

Soundhound AI's (NASDAQ: SOUN) shares skyrocketed as much as 883% last year. However, the artificial intelligence (AI) stock is now down roughly 55% from its peak in late December.

You can blame part of this decline on the Federal Reserve. Investors were spooked when the Fed signaled there could be fewer interest rate cuts than expected in 2025. This caused many high-flying growth stocks, including Soundhound AI, to fall.

However, another culprit was behind Soundhound AI's plunge of nearly 30% in recent days -- Nvidia (NASDAQ: NVDA). Is the beaten-down AI stock a buy after its Nvidia-fueled sell-off?

UK households sent letter for £150 off British Gas, EON, EDF and OVO bills

Sun, 23 Feb 2025 17:25:00 +0000

Households can get £150 off their British Gas, OVO, EDF and EON bills if they're eligible but need to take action.

At a 6-Month Low, Here's My Top Dow Jones Stock to Buy Now

Sun, 23 Feb 2025 17:22:00 +0000

Microsoft (NASDAQ: MSFT) stock has gone nowhere over the last year and is currently hovering around a six-month low. The company has done an excellent job monetizing artificial intelligence (AI), but the reported efficiency improvements in AI models like DeepSeek have cast a spotlight on AI spending and sparked worry.

Out of the 30 components in the Dow Jones Industrial Average (DJINDICES: ^DJI), Microsoft stands out as a unique balance of growth potential, value, and a little passive income as the cherry on top of a strong underlying investment thesis. Many other Dow components have strong earnings growth or are a good value, but not both.

Here's why Microsoft is my top Dow Jones stock to buy now.

1 Warren Buffett Stock That Could Go Parabolic in 2025 and Beyond

Sun, 23 Feb 2025 17:15:00 +0000

Warren Buffett is known for buying stocks when they're undervalued -- and then scoring a win after the rest of the market realizes the strengths of these particular players. The billionaire investor doesn't always get in on a stock at the earliest possible point, but he does buy early enough to potentially benefit from years of growth.

This is the case with his investment in one of today's most well-known companies. Back in 2018, Buffett expressed regret that he didn't scoop up the shares sooner. His team added them to the portfolio the following year.

This stock has been a winner over time, but it still has plenty of room to run, thanks to its leadership in two high-growth industries and its focus on artificial intelligence (AI). Let's check out this Buffett stock that could go parabolic this year and beyond.

Energy warning 'price could increase 100 times' as Norway mulls cutting UK supply

Sun, 23 Feb 2025 17:11:00 +0000

A lot of the political parties in Norway are reportedly "thinking of cutting the cables" which would increase the UK's prices.

1 Magnificent High-Yield Dividend Stock Down 29% to Buy and Hold Forever

Sun, 23 Feb 2025 17:11:00 +0000

The S&P 500 is close to an all-time high, but not all areas of the stock market have performed equally well. In fact, the real estate sector has dramatically underperformed the overall market for the past three full years, mainly due to the relatively high-interest environment.

This has created interesting opportunities for long-term investors to add some rock-solid real estate investment trusts (REITs) to their portfolios. One that looks particularly attractive is Realty Income (NYSE: O), which is about 29% below its peak, despite solid results from its business.

Realty Income is a real estate investment trust, or REIT (pronounced "reet"), that specializes in net-leased properties. In simple terms, it owns properties occupied by single tenants, where the tenant is responsible for property taxes, building insurance, and most maintenance expenses.

Every Palantir Investor Should Keep an Eye on This Number

Sun, 23 Feb 2025 17:05:00 +0000

Palantir Technologies (NASDAQ: PLTR) has been one of the undisputed winners since the advent of artificial intelligence (AI). The data mining and artificial intelligence (AI) specialist has gained 333% over the past year (as of this writing) and continues to defy detractors. The biggest growth driver has been Palantir's Artificial Intelligence Platform (AIP), which puts the power of AI at its customers' fingertips.

The stock growth has been fueled by seven successive quarters of accelerating revenue growth and 13 consecutive quarters of profitability in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP). Add to that Palantir's addition to the S&P 500 and the Nasdaq 100, and it's easy to understand why many were bullish.

However, some investors see the stock flashing red as its stock price has far outpaced its underlying growth, resulting in a sky-high valuation. Furthermore, the Trump administration recently announced plans to cut defense spending by 8% annually. Despite the resulting freefall, Palantir stock is still trading for a blistering 183 times next year's expected earnings, making even bullish investors nervous.

DWP overhaul could see benefits cut for 87 health conditions

Sun, 23 Feb 2025 16:56:00 +0000

Thousands of claimants could lose vital support from the Department for Work and Pensions .

3 Artificial Intelligence (AI) Stocks That I'm Buying and Holding Forever

Sun, 23 Feb 2025 16:16:00 +0000

Whenever I buy a stock, I intend to hold it for three to five years and then analyze whether it's worth holding for even longer. Over a time frame of that length, business results should take over as the key factor for stock performance rather than short-term market sentiment. However, there are a few stocks in my portfolio that I don't ever intend to sell, unless something drastic changes with their investment theses.

Three of the stocks on this "hold forever" list look like fairly strong buys today. They are also heavily involved in the artificial intelligence (AI) arms race, and well positioned to take advantage of the massive technological shift that we're undergoing.

Amazon (NASDAQ: AMZN) is a key part of most U.S. consumers' lives. Nearly everyone has purchased something on its marketplace before, and many people (including myself) do a significant amount of their shopping through its e-commerce platform.

4 No-Brainer AI Chip Stocks to Buy Right Now

Sun, 23 Feb 2025 15:50:00 +0000

Spending on artificial intelligence (AI) infrastructure is set to see a big boost this year, which will undoubtedly help a number of semiconductor stocks with ties to AI chips.

For example, the big three cloud computing companies -- Amazon, Microsoft, and Alphabet -- budgeted a combined $255 billion in growth capital expenditures (capex), largely related to AI infrastructure, this year. Meanwhile, Meta Platforms announced that it will spend up to $65 billion on AI infrastructure. Not to be outdone, a consortium of companies led by Japan's Softbank and OpenAI committed to spending $500 billion on AI infrastructure in the U.S. over the next few years through Project Stargate.

Let's look at the AI chip companies set to reap the benefits.

Should You Forget Bitcoin and Buy Cardano Instead?

Sun, 23 Feb 2025 15:41:00 +0000

Bitcoin's (CRYPTO: BTC) price soared nearly 290% over the past two years. That rally was driven by the approvals of its first spot-price ETFs last January, its halving (which reduces its mining rewards) last April, expectations for lower interest rates, and the Trump administration's crypto-friendly policies. The world's top cryptocurrency also gained traction among institutional investors as an alternative to gold, silver, and other precious metals.

Bitcoin could still have plenty of room to grow over the next few years, but investors who are looking for bigger gains might check out some of the market's smaller cryptocurrencies. Could Cardano (CRYPTO: ADA), which has minted plenty of millionaires since its market debut eight years ago, actually be a better buy than Bitcoin right now?

Image source: Getty Images.

Is ChargePoint Stock a Buy Now?

Sun, 23 Feb 2025 15:30:00 +0000

The future of electric vehicles (EVs) promises environmental benefits and shifts toward sustainable energy. However, a crucial barrier stands in the way: insufficient infrastructure. To support widespread EV adoption, there is a dire need for a charging station network, robust grid capacity, and innovative battery technology.

ChargePoint Holdings (NYSE: CHPT) is one of the largest providers of EV charging stations in North America and Europe. It aims to enable the widespread adoption of EVs while benefiting from it. However, the company faces significant hurdles. If you're thinking about buying its shares, consider the following.

Founded in 2007, ChargePoint has grown into one of the largest charging networks in the world, with a significant presence across the United States and Europe. As reported by U.S. News & World Report, ChargePoint has over 38,500 stations and 70,000 charging ports in the U.S., making it the largest EV charging network by a large margin over Tesla.

Caterpillar Stock: Buy, Sell, or Hold?

Sun, 23 Feb 2025 15:15:00 +0000

Longtime Caterpillar (NYSE: CAT) shareholders who have ever wondered what it's like to drive one of the company's flagship bulldozers likely got a similar experience through the stock's earth-moving 186% return in the past five years. Despite a volatile macroeconomic environment, the industrial giant has delivered record earnings through its diversified global footprint and impressive strategic execution.

On the other hand, the stock has hit a bump in the road and is currently under pressure, down about 16% from its 52-week high amid some muted sales guidance for 2025. Does this sell-off represent a new buying opportunity to scoop up shares, or is it a sign to dump the stock before the ground caves in?

Let's discuss what to do with shares of Caterpillar.

President Trump Has a Rare Chance to Cut the $1 Trillion Defense Budget: Which Stocks Are Most at Risk?

Sun, 23 Feb 2025 15:10:00 +0000

Elon Musk has been set loose in the Pentagon, wielding an axe and slashing spending. Last week, as you may have heard, President Trump expressed a desire to "cut our military budget in half," utilizing Musk and his merry band of Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) price cutters to get the job done. And one week later, details of how the cuts might happen, itemized by year, are starting to emerge.

On Wednesday, newly installed Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth reportedly told the Pentagon it needs to find $50 billion worth of programs to cut next year. But the cuts won't end there. As CBS reports, the Trump administration intends to keep cutting defense spending at an average rate of 8% per year, over the next five years.

Working off the fiscal 2025 defense budget of $895 billion (or as the President puts it, "almost $1 trillion"), that would reduce the Pentagon's budget to $590 billion by 2030, a total reduction of 34%. It's not exactly 50%.

'I joined a dating app only to be left feeling robbed and violated'

Sun, 23 Feb 2025 15:03:07 +0000

Kirsty said she is now warning others

How the Trump and DOGE terminations — perhaps the biggest job cuts in history — may affect the economy

Sun, 23 Feb 2025 15:00:01 +0000

The Trump administration's federal mass job cuts may amount to the largest in history. That has financial ramifications for households and the economy.

2 Magnificent S&P 500 Dividend Stocks Down 40% to 70% to Buy and Hold Forever

Sun, 23 Feb 2025 15:00:00 +0000

All investors love their dividends, but merely looking at a stock's dividend yield can be misleading. After all, a stock with a high yield could suggest that the dividend is about to be cut, that the business may be declining, or that there are other risks, such as high debt. But sometimes, big declines in dividend stocks can be massive income-producing opportunities if the business recovers and continues raising its payout over the long term.

The following beaten-down dividend stocks -- down 40% to 70% from their highs -- are suffering from the ripple effects of the pandemic and the rise in interest rates. However, inflationary headwinds could be ebbing. Meanwhile, each company recently brought a formerly successful CEO back out of retirement to help steer their turnarounds. Thus, both could be huge income opportunities.

At first glance, Dollar General (NYSE: DG) would seem like a resilient stock. The company is the largest U.S. retailer in terms of the number of outlets, with over 20,500 small-format stores selling low-priced essentials in small towns across America. That seems like a business that would be able to weather hard times.

Is Joby Aviation Stock a Buy?

Sun, 23 Feb 2025 15:00:00 +0000

Picture weaving through city skyscrapers in a quiet, emissions-free aircraft that takes off like a helicopter but flies with the efficiency of a plane. That's the goal of America's two leading electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft manufacturers, Joby Aviation (NYSE: JOBY) and Archer Aviation (NYSE: ACHR).

Since going public at the start of the decade through special purpose acquisition company (SPAC) mergers, shares of both companies have lost ground, reflecting the capital-intensive nature of developing a novel form of aviation.

Why Doesn't Berkshire Hathaway Pay a Dividend?

Sun, 23 Feb 2025 14:51:00 +0000

If you're thinking of investing in Warren Buffett's company Berkshire Hathaway (NYSE: BRK.A) (NYSE: BRK.B), that's great, as it's a terrific business. If you're looking for dividend income from the stock, though, I have some bad news for you: Berkshire Hathaway doesn't pay a dividend. However, that might change one of these days.

Warren Buffett. Image source: The Motley Fool.

Generally speaking, companies tend to start paying regular dividends to shareholders when they have more cash than they can put to productive use. Companies often want to use their earnings to drive more growth -- by hiring more workers, buying more advertising, building more factories, and so on. They might also use cash to pay down debt, repurchase shares, or reward staffers, among other options.

Meet the Low-Cost Vanguard ETF That Is Crushing the S&P 500 (Again) in 2025

Sun, 23 Feb 2025 14:47:00 +0000

After being the best-performing stock market sector in 2024, communications is getting a curtain call in 2025. Year to date, communications is, yet again, the top performer of the 11 stock market sectors.

The epic run-up may come as a surprise, since red-hot stocks like Nvidia, Broadcom, and Palantir Technologies are all in the technology sector. But communications has some advantages that could help the sector continue to outperform major indexes like the S&P 500.

The Vanguard Communication Services exchange-traded fund (ETF) (NYSEMKT: VOX) is a simple, low-cost way to invest in the sector. With just a 0.09% expense ratio, or 90 cents for every $1,000 invested, the fund is an inexpensive way to mirror the performance of the communications sector.

Roundtable: If I Could Only Own 1 Artificial Intelligence (AI) Stock, This Would Be It

Sun, 23 Feb 2025 14:45:00 +0000

Investing, especially in the artificial intelligence (AI) field, is fraught with uncertainty. Some stocks have returned 1,000% or more in a relatively short time, while others with potentially promising growth prospects ended up losing money for investors.

Such possibilities make investing in just one AI stock too risky to consider. Since no rules limit the number of AI stocks that an average investor can own, no shareholders should consider such a strategy.

Nonetheless, investors can often find high-quality choices by pondering what stock they might choose if they could only buy one AI stock. After considering this question, Motley Fool contributors have ideas on the stock each of them would choose under such limitations.

Occidental Petroleum Hit Its $4.5 Billion Debt Reduction Target 7 Months Early. That's Paying Big Dividends for Investors.

Sun, 23 Feb 2025 14:35:00 +0000

Occidental Petroleum (NYSE: OXY) unveiled a very bold move at the end of 2023. The oil producer agreed to buy CrownRock for $12 billion to bulk up its position in the oil-rich Permian Basin. A notable aspect of the deal was Occidental's funding strategy, which relied heavily on debt (it issued $9.1 billion of new debt while also assuming $1.2 billion of CrownRock's existing debt). That approach differed from the all-stock deals favored by its bigger rivals.

To keep the pressure off its balance sheet, Occidental pledged to pay off $4.5 billion of debt within 12 months of closing the deal, which occurred in August. The oil company worked quickly and achieved its target seven months ahead of schedule. That will save it a lot of money in interest, allowing it to return more cash to shareholders through a higher dividend.

On the fourth-quarter conference call, CEO Vicki Hollub dove into the factors enabling Occidental Petroleum to reduce debt rapidly. She stated, "Through a combination of asset sales and organic cash flow, we achieved our near-term debt repayment target of $4.5 billion seven months ahead of schedule."

The Smartest Nuclear Stocks to Buy With $500 Right Now

Sun, 23 Feb 2025 14:30:00 +0000

The nuclear power industry might seem like a slow-growth market dominated by energy giants like NextEra Energy and Duke Energy. From 2024 to 2029, Markets and Markets expects the nuclear power market to only grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 2.9% -- so it doesn't seem like a fertile market for speculative or higher-growth stocks.

But if we look beyond the big nuclear energy companies, we'll find smaller companies that are trying to disrupt traditional nuclear power plants with new reactors. Two of those companies are NuScale Power (NYSE: SMR) and Oklo (NYSE: OKLO). Both of these stocks are volatile and speculative, but they might be a smart place to park a modest $500 investment.

Image source: Getty Images.

2 Hyper-Growth Tech Stocks to Buy in 2025

Sun, 23 Feb 2025 14:21:00 +0000

Investors thinking capital spending to build artificial intelligence (AI) infrastructure will continue to soar were thrown a curveball earlier this year. China's privately held DeepSeek announced its new R1 large language model (LLM) cost only $6 million to build, and big AI tech stocks plunged.

But it's unclear exactly what went into building DeepSeek's model, and large U.S.-based tech companies reiterated plans to continue to spend billions to grow data center and AI compute power in 2025. With those capital expenditure plans still on track, investors should look for the following two growing tech stocks to benefit.

Amsterdam-based Nebius Group (NASDAQ: NBIS) grew out of the restructuring of Russian search engine giant Yandex. The Nasdaq stock exchange halted trading in Yandex after Russia invaded Ukraine. After a Russian consortium purchased its Russian assets, the restructured company resumed trading on the exchange last October as Nebius Group.

Datadog in the Doghouse After Disappointing Forecast. Is It Time to Buy the Stock on the Dip?

Sun, 23 Feb 2025 14:15:00 +0000

Shares of Datadog (NASDAQ: DDOG) are down 19% since the cloud security platform provider issued a weaker-than-expected 2025 outlook with slower revenue growth and higher expenses.

However, there could still be an opportunity in the stock as the company looks to transition from a platform that alerts customers of potential problems to one that takes action and fixes them.

With that in mind, let's take a closer look at the company's most recent results and guidance to see if this is a buying opportunity.

This Stock Is Beaten Down Now, but I Think It Could 10X

Sun, 23 Feb 2025 14:07:00 +0000

It has been a rough few months to be invested in homebuilder stocks. This is especially true for Sun Belt-focused builder Dream Finders Homes (NYSE: DFH), which is down by about 50% from its 52-week high.

To be sure, the business itself continues to perform quite well. In the most recent quarterly report, Dream Finders' homebuilding revenue increased 10% year over year, margins remained strong, and net new orders increased by 9%. Plus, Dream Finders reported a backlog of about $2 billion worth of sold homes.

However, due to stubbornly high mortgage rates and potential tariff headwinds, the stock has been beaten down and is now trading for less than 7 times forward earning estimates. And even though Dream Finders is already a large investment in my portfolio, I'm considering adding more shares right now.

Better Cryptocurrency to Buy Right Now With $2,000: Ethereum vs. Cardano

Sun, 23 Feb 2025 14:05:00 +0000

Everyone loves a good story of a scrappy underdog picking a fight with the reigning champion. That's exactly the situation between Ethereum (CRYPTO: ETH) and a cryptocurrency designed specifically to unseat it, created by one of its very founders: Cardano (CRYPTO: ADA).

Which of these two contenders is the better option for investing $2,000 in today?

First, let's examine the lay of the land for these two coins.

Is Palo Alto Networks Stock a Buy Now?

Sun, 23 Feb 2025 14:00:00 +0000

Palo Alto Networks (NASDAQ: PANW) released its fiscal 2025 second-quarter results (for the three months ended Jan. 31, 2025) on Feb. 13. Investors' initial reaction to the report was a negative one as the company's earnings outlook fell below expectations.

However, shares of the cybersecurity specialist recovered and were down less than 1% on Feb. 14. It seems like investors took notice of the broader context provided by management regarding the health of the business and how its platformization strategy is paying dividends by helping it land larger deals.

But is the improving revenue pipeline enough to make Palo Alto stock a buy now, especially considering its valuation? Let's find out.

New DWP pension tool could help recover lost thousands

Sun, 23 Feb 2025 13:53:00 +0000

The Pensions Dashboard, currently in development, will give people a single place to view all their pension savings

3 High-Yield Dividend ETFs to Buy to Generate Passive Income

Sun, 23 Feb 2025 13:31:00 +0000

Even if you've only been investing a short time, you've likely learned the importance of spreading out your risk by diversifying your portfolio. Diversification comes in a variety of flavors, from gaining exposure to different sectors to buying stocks that have varying market capitalizations.

Income investors, in particular, can benefit from diversifying their sources of passive income with exchange-traded funds (ETFs) that pay out more than the benchmark S&P 500's current yield around 1.2%. There are a variety of choices out there, but the Energy Select Sector SPDR Fund (NYSEMKT: XLE) iShares Select Dividend ETF (NASDAQ: DVY), and the Vanguard Utilities ETF (NYSEMKT: VPU) are all at the top of the heap for best ETF opportunities to generate strong passive income.

For those eager to generate passive income and gain exposure to leading businesses in the energy sector, the Energy Select Sector SPDR Fund is a great choice. Mitigating the risk of investing in an individual energy stock, the fund attempts to offer investors a thorough representation of industry-leading oil and gas businesses to those that specialize in energy equipment and services, and consumable fuel businesses. Currently, it has a yield of 3% as well as a low expense ratio of 0.08%, so investors won't lose a significant portion of their dividends to fees.

If You Invested $10,000 in Apple Stock 30 Years Ago, Here's How Much You Would Have Today

Sun, 23 Feb 2025 13:20:00 +0000

All investors dream about finding that one stock that can catapult them into millionaire status. You can never know which stocks are going to be those rare winners, and there's certainly a bit of luck in choosing your portfolio. But some companies stand out for their business model, opportunities, or other factors.

Apple (NASDAQ: AAPL) was always a company that caught attention for its innovation and user experience, and it has grown to become the most highly valued company in the world. If you invested $10,000 in Apple 30 years ago, you would have enjoyed a nice part of that story.

Apple is one of the most successful tech companies on earth. It has created an ecosystem of products that users love, and once it onboards a new user, it tends to generate loyalty and higher sales. Fans typically shell out to upgrade to the newest version of a product, creating a cycle of what you could almost call recurring revenue.

1 Top Cryptocurrency to Buy Before It Soars 4,000% According to Cathie Wood

Sun, 23 Feb 2025 13:08:00 +0000

Cathie Wood is known for her exciting and optimistic long-term growth projections. Her investment fund has jumped into some of the trendiest companies and securities of the last decade.

Not all her investments have turned out profitable, but there's no doubt that she understands the world differently than most investors. And this unique mindset has allowed her to pinpoint some major growth investments before the general market gets turned on. Right now, she's a huge fan of an iconic cryptocurrency that she believes could soar in value in the years and decades to come, generating massive wealth for patient investors.

When it comes to cryptocurrencies, Cathie Wood loves Bitcoin (CRYPTO: BTC). She's been talking about Bitcoin for years, and her long-term projections are truly mouthwatering.

If You'd Invested $10,000 in Amazon Stock 25 Years Ago, Here's How Much You'd Have Today

Sun, 23 Feb 2025 13:05:00 +0000

Amazon (NASDAQ: AMZN) has been one of the best stocks to ever own on the market, and it's still going strong. Although today its most potent opportunities come from artificial intelligence (AI), it built itself up to become the e-commerce king when that industry was just getting started. If you were prescient enough to invest $10,000 in Amazon stock 25 years ago, when it wasn't obvious what it would be today, you'd have a lot more money.

Older readers might remember that when Amazon launched, it was an online bookseller. But it quickly expanded into all kinds of e-commerce, acquiring many other companies all over the world to become a massive global enterprise. Today, outside of e-commerce, it is the leader in cloud computing and a dominant player in streaming. It continues to acquire companies that help it grow, such as its purchase of One Medical in 2023 that boosted its presence in the health space.

It wasn't that hard to see where Amazon was going in its early days. In 1997, its first year as a public company, revenue increased 838% year over year. Twenty-five years ago, Amazon had already made a name for itself, and its stock had gained more than 3,000%. If you had invested $10,000 at that time and held on until today, you'd have $686,000. Not quite millions, yet, but well on its way.

A Once-in-a-Decade Opportunity: 1 Magnificent S&P 500 Dividend Stock Down 36% to Double Up on Right Now

Sun, 23 Feb 2025 13:00:00 +0000

It is a beautiful thing when you find a feel-good stock that offers market-beating potential. A perfect example of this combination today is animal healthcare specialist Zoetis (NYSE: ZTS).

Whether helping our furry friends at home, keeping livestock healthy, or doing its part to battle the bird flu outbreak that has sent egg prices sky high, Zoetis is easy to root for these days. And it has been a market-beating proposition since its 2013 initial public offering, more than quintupling investors' returns over that time.

However, following a 36% drop in share price, the stock is available at a rare discount. Here are the five main reasons that have me doubling up on my position in this magnificent S&P 500 dividend stock.

Microsoft's Satya Nadella Just Gave Nvidia Stock a Reality Check

Sun, 23 Feb 2025 12:45:00 +0000

Tech giants are going all-in on artificial intelligence (AI). Microsoft (NASDAQ: MSFT) recently announced plans to spend $80 billion this year building out AI data centers to support training advanced AI models and deploying those models to the cloud. Meta Platforms is following suit, with up to $65 billion allocated for AI infrastructure in 2025.

Not to be outdone, Amazon has upped its capital spending plan to $100 billion for the year, although not all of this will go toward AI computing capacity. Lastly, Alphabet boosted its capital spending plan to $75 billion for 2025, with much of that related to AI.

On top of all this spending, the Trump Administration's Stargate project involves another $500 billion in AI investments over the next four years, and the European Union is aiming to mobilize 200 billion euros ($209 billion) for AI investments. Long story short, an enormous amount of capital is rapidly being spent on AI data centers and the necessary equipment to train and run powerful AI models, particularly graphics processing units (GPUs) from Nvidia (NASDAQ: NVDA).

EPR Properties Stock: Buy, Sell, or Hold?

Sun, 23 Feb 2025 12:10:00 +0000

Shares of EPR Properties (NYSE: EPR) are off to a strong start in 2025, up about 10% year to date and currently trading near a 52-week high. The market appears to be cheering an effort from the real estate investment trust (REIT) to diversify beyond its traditional focus on movie theater properties toward more high-growth assets.

EPR Properties stands out through its 7.1% dividend yield and monthly payment schedule offering a compelling income opportunity. On the other hand, that ultra-high yield can sometimes signal a corresponding level of risk that investors need to balance.

Can the rally in EPR Properties keep going, or is now the time to sell the stock? Here's what you need to know.

Do These 3 New Tailwinds Make XRP a Buy With $2,500?

Sun, 23 Feb 2025 12:07:00 +0000

There are already a plethora of reasons to consider buying and holding XRP (CRYPTO: XRP). But the changing of the guard in the U.S. political system might bring even more tailwinds than there were before.

In particular, three new developments could send the coin's price higher than ever over the coming few years. Let's consider each of the new tailwinds so you can assess whether it's worth an investment of $2,500 or more.

Per an executive order issued by the new presidential administration in the U.S., cryptocurrencies are now a national priority, and there may soon be a push to create a national cryptocurrency repository. XRP may be selected as one of the assets included in that repository and is considered a front-runner for that distinction by many in the industry. And both are good news for the coin. Even if the repository isn't formed, or if it doesn't include XRP, it's still a very positive sign that it's a reputable enough asset to even be in the running.

NASA May Cancel Boeing's Big $82 Billion Space Opportunity

Sun, 23 Feb 2025 12:07:00 +0000

"The report of my death was an exaggeration."
-- Mark Twain

First published more than 125 years ago, the great author's quip about his rumored demise applies well to the situation today with NASA's Space Launch System (SLS), a 322-foot tall rocket designed to carry astronauts to the moon, and built by Boeing (NYSE: BA) and its partners.

I've written at least a half dozen stories, dating back as far as 2018, highlighting various political efforts to cancel the SLS program and its $82 billion worth of future NASA contracts. Just last year, for instance, the NASA Office of Inspector General called the SLS excessively expensive, while former New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg lambasted it as likely unnecessary. And yet the program lives on.

The Best Vanguard ETF to Invest $100 in Right Now

Sun, 23 Feb 2025 12:05:00 +0000

When it comes to investing in exchange-traded funds (ETFs), investors have many choices. You can follow the latest artificial intelligence companies with an AI ETF, or even dip your toe into cryptocurrencies with a Bitcoin ETF.

But if you want an efficient and reliable way to follow the S&P 500 (SNPINDEX: ^GSPC), the Vanguard S&P 500 ETF (NYSEMKT: VOO) is one of the best places to put your money. You'll not only spread your money across the 500 largest publicly traded companies in the U.S., but you'll also pay minimum fees, and you can get started with this Vanguard ETF with as little as $1.

Here are a few reasons why putting $100 into the Vanguard S&P 500 ETF right now and holding it for the long term is a wise decision.