Core Viewpoint - The article highlights three standout companies in the Dow Jones Industrial Average that are considered great long-term investment opportunities due to their strong dividend yields and solid business fundamentals. Group 1: High-Yield Dividend Stocks - Verizon Communications offers a dividend yield of 6.66%, making it an attractive option for investors seeking passive income, especially if interest rates continue to decline [4][5] - Chevron has a dividend yield of 4.55% and has generated nearly $187 billion in revenue over the past four quarters, supporting its dividend payments [6][7] - Merck provides a dividend yield of 3.23% and has a strong pipeline of drugs, ensuring its dividend remains stable despite potential patent losses in the future [9][10] Group 2: Additional Dividend Stocks - Amgen has a dividend yield of 3% and has consistently increased its annual dividend since 2011, with a payout ratio below 50%, indicating strong financial support for its dividends [12][13] - Coca-Cola, with a dividend yield of 2.92%, is recognized for its brand strength and has a history of 63 consecutive years of annual dividend increases, making it a reliable investment [14][15] Group 3: Investment Recommendations - The article suggests that Chevron, Merck, and Coca-Cola stand out as the best investment choices heading into the new year due to their strong fundamentals and dividend performance [16]

Stacks of gold coins forming an upward arrow beside a lab beaker and heart-rate icon. Key Points Stryker, Amgen, and Eli Lilly have all raised their dividends, signaling increased capital returns to shareholders despite varied stock performance in 2025. Amgen now offers an industry-leading 3.2% dividend yield, one of the few large-cap healthcare stocks with a yield above 3%. Wall Street maintains a positive outlook across all three names, with Stryker offering the highest implied upside at over 20%, fo ...

Market Performance - On Monday, major U.S. stock indices collectively declined, with the Dow Jones down 0.09% at 48,416.56 points, the Nasdaq down 0.59% at 23,057.41 points, and the S&P 500 down 0.16% at 6,816.51 points [1][2]. Tesla Highlights - Tesla's stock rose over 3%, reaching a nearly one-year high, with a market value increase of over $53 billion in one night [1][4]. - CEO Elon Musk's net worth surpassed $600 billion, making him the first person in history to achieve this milestone [4]. iRobot Situation - iRobot's stock plummeted over 72% after the company filed for bankruptcy protection, planning to be taken over by its main Chinese supplier and manufacturer, leading to its delisting [1][5]. Chinese Stocks Performance - The Nasdaq Golden Dragon China Index fell by 2.17%, with notable declines in stocks such as Baidu (down nearly 5%) and Alibaba (down over 3%) [1][7]. Nasdaq Trading Mechanism - Nasdaq plans to submit a proposal to the SEC to introduce a near-around-the-clock trading mechanism, extending trading hours from 16 to 23 hours per week [1][14]. - The new trading schedule would include two trading periods: a daytime session starting at 4 AM and ending at 8 PM, and a night session from 9 PM to 4 AM [14][15].

Group 1 - Broadcom shares fell over 5%, while Apple and Amazon rose over 1%, and Tesla increased by over 3%, adding $53.7 billion (approximately 378.6 billion RMB) to its market value [1] - Elon Musk's net worth reached $677 billion, making him the first person in history to surpass the $600 billion mark, previously no one had crossed $500 billion [3] - iRobot officially declared bankruptcy with a stock value of zero after finalizing its restructuring plan on December 15, resulting in a 72.69% drop in its shares [3] Group 2 - The Nasdaq Golden Dragon China Index fell by 2.17%, with major Chinese stocks declining; Baidu dropped nearly 5%, and Alibaba, Xpeng Motors, and others fell over 3% [5] - WTI crude oil futures decreased by 1.08% to $56.82 per barrel, while Brent crude oil futures fell by 0.92% to $60.56 per barrel [6] - Bitcoin fell below $86,000 for the first time in two weeks, dropping 3.3% to $85,578, approximately 30% down from its record high of over $126,000 [6][7] Group 3 - Over the past 24 hours, more than 190,000 traders were liquidated, resulting in a total loss of $670 million (approximately 4.7 billion RMB) [9] - The New York Federal Reserve's manufacturing index unexpectedly shrank to -3.9 in December, indicating a contraction in economic activity, significantly below the expected median of 10 [11][13] - Federal Reserve Governor Milan suggested that the current monetary policy is too tight and advocated for a faster pace of rate cuts, citing signs of a cooling labor market [13]

Core Insights - The FDA has approved Amgen's UPLIZNA® (inebilizumab-cdon) for the treatment of generalized myasthenia gravis (gMG) in adults who are anti-acetylcholine receptor (AChR) and anti-muscle specific tyrosine kinase (MuSK) antibody positive, marking it as the first and only CD19-Targeted B-Cell therapy for this condition [1][2] - UPLIZNA offers a new treatment option with the potential for long-term disease control, requiring only two doses per year after initial loading doses, which is a significant improvement over other therapies that require more frequent administration [1][6] Treatment Background - UPLIZNA is already FDA-approved for neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD) and IgG4-related disease (IgG4-RD), showcasing its effectiveness in B cell depletion for immune-mediated disorders [2][5] - The approval reflects a growing body of evidence supporting B cell-driven autoimmune mechanisms in myasthenia gravis, positioning UPLIZNA as a strong therapeutic candidate [2][11] Clinical Impact - Clinical trials for UPLIZNA in gMG demonstrated significant improvements in MG-ADL and QMG functional scores, reduced frequency and severity of exacerbations, and early onset of sustained benefits [8][9] - The safety profile of UPLIZNA is consistent with prior indications, providing reassurance for its use in treating gMG [8][11] Research and Development - The Muscular Dystrophy Association (MDA) has invested over $57 million in myasthenia gravis research since its founding, with recent investments exceeding $400,000 from 2020 to 2025 [12] - MDA's commitment includes supporting active research grants and providing comprehensive patient support through a network of over 150 Care Centers [12] Community and Advocacy - The MDA Care Center Network plays a crucial role in clinical trials, multidisciplinary care, and patient support across the United States, enhancing access to the latest clinical information and treatment options [3][12] - The approval of UPLIZNA is seen as a significant advancement for the gMG community, providing renewed hope and more choices for patients and families [4][11]

Core Viewpoint - Amgen's drug Uplizna has received FDA approval for treating generalized myasthenia gravis (gMG) in adults with specific antibody profiles, marking a significant advancement in the treatment landscape for this rare disease [1][10]. Group 1: Drug Approval and Efficacy - Uplizna is the first CD19-targeted B-cell therapy approved for gMG, providing a twice-yearly dosing option, which is a notable advantage over existing therapies that require more frequent administration [2][10]. - The FDA's approval is based on data from the phase III MINT study, demonstrating strong efficacy in gMG patients [3][10]. - This approval represents the second for Uplizna in 2023 and its third overall in the U.S., following approvals for immunoglobulin G4-related disease and neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder [4][10]. Group 2: Market Position and Competition - Uplizna enters a competitive market for gMG therapies, competing with argenx's Vyvgart/Vyvgart Hytrulo, J&J's Imaavy, and UCB's Rystiggo [6][10]. - While Uplizna, Vyvgart/Vyvgart Hytrulo, and Rystiggo are approved for adults, Imaavy has a broader age eligibility, being approved for patients aged 12 years and older [8]. Group 3: Financial Performance and Valuation - Amgen's shares have outperformed the industry year to date, indicating strong market performance [9][10]. - The company is currently trading at a price/earnings (P/E) ratio of 14.67, which is below the industry average of 16.59, suggesting a potential undervaluation [12]. - Earnings per share (EPS) estimates for 2025 and 2026 have increased in the past 30 days, reflecting positive market sentiment [13].

Core Insights - Amgen has received FDA approval for UPLIZNA (inebilizumab-cdon) as the first CD19-targeted B cell therapy for treating generalized myasthenia gravis (gMG) in adults who are positive for anti-acetylcholine receptor (AChR) and anti-muscle specific tyrosine kinase (MuSK) antibodies, offering a new treatment option with the potential for long-term disease control through biannual dosing after initial loading doses [1][7][20] Group 1: Treatment Efficacy and Approval - The approval is based on the Myasthenia Gravis Inebilizumab Trial (MINT), which is the largest Phase 3 study for gMG, demonstrating significant efficacy in reducing symptoms and steroid dependency among patients [4][5] - At Week 26, UPLIZNA showed a 1.9-point improvement in the Myasthenia Gravis Activities of Daily Living (MG-ADL) score compared to placebo, with a statistically significant p-value of <0.0001 [6][11] - The trial included 238 adults, with 87.4% of UPLIZNA patients reducing their steroid dose to 5 mg or less per day by Week 26, indicating a reduction in steroid dependency [4][14] Group 2: Patient Impact and Market Potential - UPLIZNA offers a convenient dosing schedule of twice a year, which is expected to improve patient adherence and quality of life by providing six months of treatment-free time between doses [2][7] - The prevalence of gMG in the U.S. is estimated to be between 80,000 and 100,000 patients, with a growing global incidence, highlighting a significant market opportunity for UPLIZNA [3][17] - This approval marks the third indication for UPLIZNA, previously approved for anti-AQP4 antibody positive neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD) and Immunoglobulin G4-related disease (IgG4-RD), showcasing the drug's versatility [7][20] Group 3: Safety and Adverse Reactions - Common adverse reactions reported in gMG patients include headache and infusion-related reactions, with a noted incidence of 10.1% during the clinical trials [8][30] - Amgen emphasizes its commitment to patient support and access to UPLIZNA, indicating a proactive approach to managing treatment-related challenges [8][39]

Core Viewpoint - Wells Fargo raised the target price for Amgen from $300 to $325 while maintaining a "hold" rating [1] Group 1 - The new target price reflects a positive outlook on Amgen's performance [1] - The "hold" rating suggests that the company is expected to perform in line with market expectations [1]

Core Viewpoint - The Schwab U.S. Dividend Equity ETF (SCHD) is a favored investment option for retirees, focusing on dividend-paying U.S. stocks with strong financial metrics and a history of consistent dividend payments [1]. Dividend Yield and Top Holdings - SCHD currently offers a yield of 3.9%, surpassing most other stocks and the S&P 500 [2]. - The top five holdings contributing to this yield include: - Merck (MRK): 4.71% yield, contributing 3.51% to ETF yield - Cisco Systems (CSCO): 4.67% yield, contributing 2.06% to ETF yield - Amgen (AMGN): 4.54% yield, contributing 3.03% to ETF yield - Bristol Myers (BMY): 4.24% yield, contributing 4.9% to ETF yield - AbbVie (ABBV): 4.22% yield, contributing 3.1% to ETF yield [2]. Dividend Safety Analysis - The dividend safety varies among the top holdings, with Merck showing a conservative payout ratio of 43% and a history of uninterrupted payments for over 26 years [4]. - Cisco's payout ratio is 63%, while Amgen's is 73% and Bristol-Myers is 85%, indicating increasing risk as the payout ratios rise [5]. - AbbVie presents the highest concern with a 501% payout ratio based on trailing earnings, but its operating cash flow of $18.8 billion in 2024 allows for a more manageable 58.6% cash flow payout ratio [6][7].

Group 1 - The article does not provide any specific content related to a company or industry [1]