Market Overview - The S&P 500 has shown stagnation recently, with only a 0.24% increase since the beginning of the year [1] - Investor sentiment is divided, with 35% feeling optimistic and 37% feeling pessimistic about the next six months, an increase in pessimism from 29% in early February [1] Historical Context - Historically, the market has demonstrated the potential for growth over the long term, even after periods of decline [3] - An example is provided where investing in an S&P 500 index fund in December 2007, just before the Great Recession, would have resulted in total returns of over 363% by today [5] Investment Strategy - Timing the market can be risky; waiting too long to invest may result in missing significant recovery periods [6] - Consistent investment, regardless of market conditions, is generally considered a safer strategy for building wealth over time [6] Company Stability - While the overall market tends to recover from economic downturns, individual stocks may not fare as well, particularly those with weak business models or poor leadership [7]

Core Insights - Costco's Auto Program offers a fixed price and no haggling, significantly reducing the car buying process from an average of six hours to one hour [2] - The program allows members to save substantial amounts on vehicle purchases, exemplified by a member saving over $11,000 on a 2025 RAV4 hybrid [2] - There is a growing trend among car buyers to seek nontraditional purchasing methods to avoid high prices and unexpected costs [3] Company Operations - Costco does not sell cars directly but acts as a broker between its members and local car dealerships, providing value to both parties by reducing uncertainty [4] - Membership costs $65 annually for a Gold Star Membership and $130 for an Executive Membership, indicating a commitment to shopping at Costco [5] - Costco leverages its knowledge of member shopping profiles to negotiate better deals with local car dealers, which helps in driving sales volume while allowing dealers to accept slimmer profit margins [6] Industry Dynamics - Car dealerships are willing to accept lower profit margins due to the sales volume generated by Costco's program, which also reduces their marketing costs [7] - Dealerships typically spend between $400 to $800 per vehicle on advertising, making Costco's membership referral system an attractive lead source [7]

Quick Read Healthcare costs rose 6.91% over the past year while the 2.8% COLA adjustment covers only a fraction of that gap. Medicare premiums consumed over $40 of the $56 monthly COLA increase for retirees receiving $2,000 per month. Over a 20-year retirement annual shortfalls between COLA and actual costs compound to tens of thousands in lost purchasing power. A recent study identified one single habit that doubled Americans’ retirement savings and moved retirement from dream, to reality. Read mo ...

Core Insights - The article discusses the disparity in retirement account balances among Americans, highlighting the importance of understanding both median and mean balances to assess retirement savings effectively [3][4][5]. Group 1: Retirement Account Balances - The median retirement account balance in America is $86,900, while the mean balance is significantly higher at $334,000, indicating a wide dispersion in savings [7]. - Approximately 54.3% of American families had retirement accounts in 2022, showcasing a substantial portion of the population engaged in retirement savings [5]. Group 2: Top Savers - About 9.3% of households have retirement account balances of $500,000 or more, serving as a rough estimate for the top 10% of savers [6]. - A small percentage of American households, specifically 4.6%, possess over $1 million in retirement accounts, while 4.7% have balances between $500,000 and $1 million [8].

Photographer: Jorge Guerrero/AFP/Getty Images The oil market is in the middle of its strongest start to a year since 2022 as supply shocks and sanctions confound expectations of a glut. Now traders are racing to cover themselves against the prospect of the US bombing Iran again. Most Read from Bloomberg A surge in activity across futures and options markets is already pulling up crude prices — Brent futures touched a seven-month high of more than $72 a barrel on Friday, and some analysts see a risk prem ...

Core Insights - A significant portion of Gen Xers and boomers regret not starting their retirement savings earlier, with over 80% expressing this sentiment according to a 2025 survey by Nationwide Retirement Institute [2] - Many individuals who began saving early still wish they had adopted different strategies, particularly in protecting their savings from market volatility and ensuring sustainable retirement income [3] - Despite starting late, there are still opportunities for individuals to improve their financial situation and prepare for retirement [4] Financial Literacy and Preparedness - A considerable number of Gen Xers (54%) and boomers (39%) lack a full understanding of compounding, and over half mistakenly believe their 401(k) will provide a stable monthly income akin to a paycheck [5] - Resources for financial education are available through platforms like MyMoney.gov and non-profits such as Khan Academy, as well as personal finance literature and financial planners [6] - American adults estimate they will need approximately $1.26 million to retire comfortably, highlighting the importance of assessing current financial situations [6] Retirement Savings and Concerns - Despite financial concerns, 46% of Gen Xers and 56% of boomers feel financially prepared for retirement, while a significant portion believes they may outlive their savings [7] - Average retirement account balances indicate potential shortfalls, with Gen Xers holding an average 401(k) balance of $192,300 and an IRA balance of $103,952, while boomers have averages of $249,300 and $257,002 respectively [8]

Core Insights - Many Americans are struggling to meet basic living expenses due to rising costs, leading to a reliance on secondary income sources [1][4] Group 1: Economic Context - A MyPerfectResume survey indicates that 72% of U.S. workers now depend on at least one secondary source of income, a significant increase from previous years [2] - Nearly 40% of respondents attribute their need for additional income to inflation, while 72% believe rising costs have made side work more necessary [4] Group 2: Sources of Secondary Income - The survey reveals that secondary income sources include freelance or gig work (14%), investments (14%), side businesses (9%), passive income (9%), and second jobs (4%) [5] - More than half of the respondents (52%) feel more secure with additional income, and 68% state that side work does not interfere with their main job [5] Group 3: Challenges of Side Hustles - While side hustles can increase income, they may also lead to burnout and neglect of primary jobs, potentially harming personal relationships [6] - The decision to engage in a side hustle versus focusing on a primary job may depend on the compensation and promotion opportunities available in the main job [6]

The stock market has been practically unstoppable over the last seven years. With the exception of 2022, the widely followed S&P 500 (SNPINDEX: ^GSPC) has gained at least 16% in the other six years. We've also witnessed the mature stock-driven Dow Jones Industrial Average (DJINDICES: ^DJI) and growth stock-propelled Nasdaq Composite (NASDAQINDEX: ^IXIC) climb to several record highs. But when it seems that Wall Street can do no wrong is often when things do tend to go awry. While there is no shortage of ...

Core Insights - Market crashes and volatility are inevitable, and seasoned investors like Warren Buffett structure their portfolios to withstand these fluctuations [1][6] - Buffett emphasizes that young investors should adopt a long-term perspective and not be overly concerned with short-term market swings [2][3] - Predictions for 2026 remain bullish despite concerns over an AI bubble and gold price dips, with many analysts anticipating double-digit returns [4] Investment Strategies - Berkshire Hathaway's portfolio is well-diversified, with significant holdings in Apple (18.7%) and American Express (16.1%), and a cash reserve of $381.7 billion, positioning the firm to capitalize on market downturns [7][26] - Diversifying investments by adding alternative assets can provide protection during market downturns, with options including precious metals, real estate, and art [8][9][24] - Investing in precious metals like gold and silver can help mitigate inflation impacts, with analysts predicting gold prices may exceed $5,400 per ounce by late 2026 [10][9] Real Estate Investment - Commercial real estate offers higher potential returns compared to residential properties, and platforms like Arrived allow investors to participate with minimal capital [13][15] - Lightstone DIRECT provides accredited investors access to institutional-quality multifamily real estate opportunities, enhancing transparency and reducing fees [18][21] Alternative Assets - Post-war and contemporary art is gaining traction as a low-correlation investment, with platforms like Masterworks enabling fractional ownership of high-value artworks [24][25] - Masterworks has reported strong annualized returns on art investments, appealing to high-net-worth individuals seeking diversification [25] Cash Management - Maintaining a healthy cash reserve is crucial for taking advantage of market opportunities, with Wealthfront Cash Account offering competitive interest rates and easy access to funds [26][27] - Wealthfront currently provides a base variable APY of 3.30%, with promotional rates boosting returns for new clients [27]

Analyst Gary Black believes Netflix Inc. (NASDAQ:NFLX) holds the upper hand in the escalating takeover battle for Warner Bros. Discovery (NASDAQ:WBD), arguing that the streaming giant's stronger strategic synergies position it to ultimately prevail over rival bidder Paramount Skydance (NASDAQ:PSKY). On Tuesday, Black wrote on X that he expects Netflix to "emerge as victor" in the contest. However, he added that even in a scenario where Paramount succeeds in clinching the deal, Netflix shares could rebound ...