The Motley Fool
Search documents
This $74 Million Fixed-Income Bet Shows How Advisors Are Building Portfolios
The Motley Fool· 2026-01-04 22:34
Core Insights - Von Borstel & Associates, Inc. increased its stake in the Dimensional Global Core Plus Fixed Income ETF by $5.75 million, bringing the total position to 1.34 million shares valued at $74.09 million, which represents approximately 11.36% of overall fund assets [1][2][3] ETF Overview - The Dimensional Global Core Plus Fixed Income ETF has assets under management (AUM) of $2.06 billion and offers a yield of 3.4% [4] - As of the latest pricing, DFGP shares are valued at $54.03, reflecting a 2% increase over the past year, while the S&P 500 has seen a nearly 17% gain [3] Investment Strategy - The ETF focuses on a globally diversified portfolio of U.S. and foreign debt securities, including both investment-grade and select lower-rated bonds to enhance yield potential [8] - It is structured as an exchange-traded fund, providing exposure to core plus fixed income securities, catering to both institutional and individual investors seeking diversified fixed income exposure with daily liquidity [8] Market Positioning - The investment strategy is not speculative but rather a structural allocation alongside equity ETFs, aiming to provide income without aggressive rate calls, with a yield to maturity exceeding 5.5% and a duration under seven years [9] - Dimensional's systematic approach includes spreading exposure across more than 1,300 holdings, blending investment-grade with selective lower-rated credit, and maintaining a low net expense ratio of around 0.22% [10]
Passive Income Gold Mine: Own This Many Oneok Shares for $1,000 in Yearly Dividends
The Motley Fool· 2026-01-04 22:15
Oneok is an ideal passive income investment.Oneok (OKE +1.14%) is a high-octane income producer. The pipeline company currently has a 5.6% dividend yield. That's several times higher than the S&P 500, which only yields about 1.1% these days. Here's a look at how many shares of this passive income gold mine you'd need to own to generate $1,000 of dividend income each year. A passive income machineOneok's extensive pipeline operations generate very stable cash flow backed primarily by long-term, fixed-fee con ...
Why a Maine Advisor Put $5. Million Into a Global Bond ETF Yielding Nearly 4%
The Motley Fool· 2026-01-04 22:12
When a traditionally diversified portfolio makes fixed income one of its biggest bets, it’s worth asking what risks it’s trying to hedge and what returns it still expects to earn.The Dimensional Global Core Plus Fixed Income ETF (DFGP 0.07%) was the subject of a buy by Maine-based Penobscot Wealth Management, which added an estimated $5.22 million to its position as of September 30.What HappenedAccording to a Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) filing dated November 19, Penobscot Wealth Management incr ...
Could Buying Fluor Today Set You Up for Life?
The Motley Fool· 2026-01-04 21:37
Core Viewpoint - Fluor is making strides to stabilize its cash flow and has a significant investment in NuScale Power, a nuclear power start-up, but the overall investment appeal remains cautious due to inherent business volatility [1][10]. Company Overview - Fluor is an engineering and construction company that builds large structures for businesses and governments, excelling in its field [2]. Business Model Changes - Fluor is shifting its business model from fixed-price contracts to reimbursable contracts, with 82% of its $28.2 billion backlog now consisting of the latter, aiming for more consistent financial results [5][4]. Market Volatility - The construction industry is cyclical, leading to potential project cancellations during economic downturns, which contributes to Fluor's income volatility despite recent improvements [6]. Investment in NuScale Power - Fluor's investment in NuScale Power, focused on small modular nuclear reactors, is seen as a strategic move to secure future contracts, with ongoing efforts to approve a power plant in Romania [8][9]. Financial Aspects of NuScale Investment - Fluor raised $605 million from selling part of its NuScale stake in October 2025, with plans to sell the remainder by mid-2026, although the value of this stake is uncertain due to NuScale's stock volatility [10][12]. Risk Profile - Fluor is considered suitable for risk-tolerant investors due to the unpredictable nature of the construction industry and the speculative nature of its investment in NuScale Power [14][15].
Why This $10 Million Antero Midstream Position Isn't Likely Just a Plain-Vanilla Yield Play
The Motley Fool· 2026-01-04 21:31
Core Viewpoint - Ripple Effect Asset Management has initiated a significant new position in Antero Midstream Corporation, acquiring 510,000 shares valued at approximately $9.91 million, while also holding put and call options, indicating a strategic approach to risk-reward management [2][3][6]. Company Overview - Antero Midstream Corporation is a leading midstream energy company that provides essential gathering, processing, and water services to natural gas producers, primarily in the Appalachian Basin [5][8]. - The company reported a revenue of $1.25 billion and a net income of $472.42 million for the trailing twelve months (TTM), with a dividend yield of 5% [5]. Recent Performance - Antero Midstream's stock price was $17.94, reflecting a 16% increase over the past year, which is in line with the S&P 500's nearly 17% gain during the same period [4]. - The company's third-quarter results showed a 10% year-over-year increase in adjusted EBITDA to $281 million, with free cash flow after dividends nearly doubling to $78 million [9]. Investment Strategy - The combination of common shares with both put and call options suggests that investors are engineering specific outcomes rather than merely seeking yield, which is notable for a midstream company typically viewed as a cash-flow vehicle [6][10]. - The put options indicate a strategy for downside protection against volatility, while the call options suggest potential upside if market conditions improve [10].
This China Tech Stock Just Became a Fund's Top Holding With a $33 Million Buy
The Motley Fool· 2026-01-04 21:15
Company Overview - Full Truck Alliance Co. Ltd. operates within China's logistics sector, utilizing technology to connect shippers with truckers and streamline freight transactions [4][7] - The company has a market capitalization of $11.77 billion and reported a revenue of $1.71 billion with a net income of $588.99 million for the trailing twelve months [4] Recent Developments - Bright Valley Capital established a new position in Full Truck Alliance, acquiring 2.57 million shares valued at approximately $33.36 million as of September 30 [2][5] - This new position represents 19.75% of Bright Valley's reportable U.S. equity assets under management (AUM) [3] Financial Performance - In the third quarter, Full Truck Alliance's revenue grew by 10.8% year over year to $471.7 million, with fulfilled orders increasing by over 22% [5] - Transaction services revenue surged by 39% year over year, while value-added services rose nearly 17%, indicating a shift towards monetized infrastructure [8] Market Position - Full Truck Alliance's stock price was $11.25, reflecting a 4% increase over the past year, although it underperformed compared to the S&P 500's 17% gain during the same period [3] - The company employs over 7,000 people and operates at scale, reinforcing its position in the technology-driven logistics sector [7] Strategic Insights - The significant allocation of nearly one-fifth of Bright Valley's portfolio to Full Truck Alliance suggests a belief that the market is mispricing the company's underlying business durability [5] - The position aligns with a broader thematic investment in digital marketplaces, indicating a strategic focus rather than a one-off trade [9]
VDC vs. RSPS: Broad Diversification or Balanced Bets for Consumer Staples Investors?
The Motley Fool· 2026-01-04 21:00
Core Insights - The Vanguard Consumer Staples ETF (VDC) has outperformed the Invesco S&P 500 Equal Weight Consumer Staples ETF (RSPS) by over 2% in the last year due to lower fees and broader diversification [1][14] - VDC offers lower costs and slightly stronger recent performance, while RSPS provides a concentrated, equal-weighted approach within the consumer staples sector [1][2] Cost Comparison - VDC has an expense ratio of 0.09%, significantly lower than RSPS's 0.40% [3][4] - VDC's assets under management (AUM) stand at $8.6 billion, compared to RSPS's $236.2 million [3] Performance Metrics - The one-year return for VDC is 0.05%, while RSPS has a return of (3.2%) as of December 17, 2025 [3] - Over five years, VDC has grown $1,000 to $1,244, while RSPS has decreased it to $988 [5] Portfolio Composition - VDC holds 105 stocks, with a portfolio that is 98% consumer defensive, featuring major positions in Walmart (14.53%), Costco (12.00%), and Procter & Gamble (10.09%) [6][12] - RSPS consists of 38 equally weighted stocks, with top holdings including Dollar General (3.52%) and Monster Beverage (3.34%) [8][12] Risk Assessment - The maximum drawdown over five years for VDC is (16.55%), while RSPS has a higher drawdown of (18.64%) [5] - VDC has a beta of 0.56, indicating slightly higher volatility compared to RSPS's beta of 0.52 [3] Investment Implications - Both ETFs focus on the defensive consumer staples sector, appealing to investors seeking stability and reliable dividends during economic uncertainty [13][14] - Investors must consider the trade-offs between VDC's lower costs and concentration in large-cap stocks versus RSPS's equal weighting that may reduce single-stock risk [11][14]
Should You Invest $500 in Oklo Right Now?
The Motley Fool· 2026-01-04 20:48
Core Insights - Oklo experienced a significant increase in stock value in 2025, with shares rising approximately 480% from $10,000 to about $58,000, before declining to around $23,850 by the end of the year [1][2] - The company is viewed as a potential investment opportunity, with a hypothetical $500 investment today potentially growing to about $1,690 if it replicates a 238% increase similar to 2025 [2] Company Overview - Oklo is recognized as a pioneer in advanced nuclear technology, particularly in developing microreactors aimed at meeting the energy demands of data centers and AI [4] - The company has a market capitalization of $12 billion, with current stock prices fluctuating between $72.13 and $77.92 [5][6] Government Support and Development - Oklo has received backing from the U.S. government, benefiting from pro-nuclear policies and is currently constructing its first Aurora powerhouse at the Idaho National Laboratory, which is expected to demonstrate criticality by July 4, 2026 [6] Regulatory Challenges - A key challenge for Oklo is obtaining approval from the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) to build and operate reactors commercially, which is essential for generating revenue [7] - Until regulatory approval is secured, the company's revenue generation capabilities will remain limited, and investors may face a prolonged wait for returns [7] Investment Considerations - Oklo is characterized as a speculative investment in the future of energy, with recommendations for long-term investors to consider a $500 investment, while more conservative investors might explore nuclear energy ETFs for diversified exposure [9]
The First Energy Stock I Plan to Buy in 2026
The Motley Fool· 2026-01-04 20:35
Core Viewpoint - Enterprise Products Partners is expected to significantly increase cash returns to investors in 2026, following a period of substantial capital investment and infrastructure development in the energy sector [1][10]. Group 1: Capital Investment and Infrastructure Development - In 2022, Enterprise Products Partners initiated a major capital investment cycle to enhance infrastructure supporting production in the Permian and Haynesville basins, including the Bahia NGL Pipeline and Neches River Terminal [4]. - The company invested $4.5 billion in 2025, a significant increase from $1.6 billion in 2022, enabling the launch of $6 billion in growth capital projects [5]. - Capital spending is projected to decrease to between $2.2 billion and $2.5 billion in 2026, allowing for the completion of several projects, including the Neches River Terminal and two new gas processing plants [7]. Group 2: Cash Flow and Financial Flexibility - The completion of expansion projects in late 2025 is expected to generate substantial incremental cash flow for Enterprise Products Partners in 2026 [9]. - A reduction in capital spending will free up an additional $2 billion in cash, contributing to a significant surplus cash position [10]. - The company has increased its unit repurchase capacity from $2 billion to $5 billion, with $3.6 billion remaining available, indicating a potential increase in buyback rates in 2026 [12]. Group 3: Distribution and Growth Potential - Enterprise Products Partners has a history of increasing its distribution, having raised payments for 27 consecutive years, and is positioned to grow payouts at an accelerated rate in 2026 [11]. - The company maintains a strong balance sheet with a low leverage ratio of 3.3 times and strong bond ratings, providing the flexibility to pursue acquisitions and further expansion projects [13]. - Future acquisitions and organic growth initiatives are expected to enhance earnings visibility and overall value for investors [13].
2,400 Stocks or 315 Value Picks: Is SCHB or VTV a Better Fit for Your Portfolio?
The Motley Fool· 2026-01-04 20:04
Core Insights - The Schwab U.S. Broad Market ETF (SCHB) provides broader market coverage, while the Vanguard Value ETF (VTV) focuses on value stocks with higher income potential [1][2] Cost & Size Comparison - SCHB has an expense ratio of 0.03% and assets under management (AUM) of $38.0 billion, while VTV has a slightly higher expense ratio of 0.04% and AUM of $215.5 billion [3][10] - The one-year return for SCHB is 11.9%, compared to VTV's 10.2%, and SCHB has a dividend yield of 1.1% versus VTV's 2.0% [3][4] Performance & Risk Metrics - Over the past five years, SCHB experienced a maximum drawdown of 25.36%, while VTV's maximum drawdown was 17.04% [5] - An investment of $1,000 in SCHB would have grown to $1,779, while the same investment in VTV would have grown to $1,646 over five years [5] Holdings & Sector Exposure - VTV holds approximately 315 stocks, with significant allocations in financial services (25%), healthcare (15%), and industrials (13%), featuring top positions like JPMorgan Chase and Berkshire Hathaway [6] - SCHB, on the other hand, leans heavily into technology (34%), financial services (14%), and consumer cyclicals (11%), with major holdings including Nvidia, Apple, and Microsoft [7] Investment Strategy Implications - SCHB offers a comprehensive approach to market exposure, capturing around 2,400 companies across various market caps, making it suitable for investors seeking broad market representation [8][9] - VTV's strategy is more selective, focusing on large-cap value stocks, which may appeal to income-focused investors looking for higher dividends [11]