Market Overview - The third quarter was strong for the stock market, driven by AI enthusiasm, particularly in the information technology sector [3][4] - The ClearBridge Dividend Strategy profited from AI exposure but lagged the S&P 500 due to a disciplined risk management approach and underweighting in the IT sector [3][10] Market Concentration - The IT sector represents over 30% of the total market, with the top 10 companies accounting for more than 40%, both at all-time highs [4][9] Investment Strategy - The company maintains a traditional approach to diversification and risk management, benefiting from technology investments while reducing potential losses from AI market fluctuations [10] - The strategy focuses on dividend-paying stocks without rigid yield thresholds, allowing for flexibility in capital allocation [14][15] Performance Highlights - Positive contributions came from positions in Broadcom and Oracle, both of which are significant players in AI [16] - Defense holdings like Northrop Grumman and RTX performed well amid geopolitical tensions, while consumer staples lagged in a risk-on market [17] New Positions - New investments were initiated in Marsh & McLennan and Old Dominion Freight Line, with the former seen as undervalued and the latter recognized for its strong financials [18][19] Earnings and Valuation - Earnings are currently impacted by a weak volume environment, presenting attractive entry points for investment [19] - The outlook for the economy is mixed, with high valuations restraining capital appreciation potential [21] Dividend Growth - Dividend growers are viewed as ideal investments, providing income and preserving purchasing power in inflationary environments [25][24] Portfolio Performance - The ClearBridge Dividend Strategy underperformed the S&P 500 during the third quarter, with sector allocation being a primary driver of this underperformance [26][27] - Positive contributions came from Oracle, Sempra, and TE Connectivity, while Nvidia and Apple detracted from relative returns [28]

"This may sound a little cliche, but I do think that we both make each other much better," Spotify is one of three large companies to name co-CEOs in rapid succession. The day before that announcement, Comcast said Mike Cavanagh would share the CEO title with Brian Roberts, the cable and media conglomerate's longtime leader. A week earlier, Oracle said Clay Magouyrk and Mike Sicilia would split the top role, replacing Safra Catz, once a co-CEO herself, at the tech giant. Despite the burst, the setup remai ...

Company Overview - Oracle Corporation is a leading global provider of enterprise software, cloud services, and infrastructure solutions, focusing on integrated platforms that support mission-critical operations for large organizations [6] - The company offers a broad portfolio of cloud software applications, infrastructure technologies, database solutions, and hardware products, with key offerings including Oracle Fusion Cloud, NetSuite, and Oracle Database [5] - As of October 3, 2025, Oracle's revenue for the trailing twelve months (TTM) was $59.02 billion, with a net income of $12.44 billion and a dividend yield of 0.62% [4] Recent Developments - WealthBridge Investment Counsel Inc. reduced its stake in Oracle by 22,055 shares, valued at approximately $5.62 million, resulting in a total holding of 56,200 shares worth $15.81 million as of September 30, 2025 [2][3] - Following the sale, Oracle's position represented 4.9% of WealthBridge's 13F reportable assets under management (AUM) [3] Market Performance - Oracle shares have significantly outperformed the stock market in 2025, with a price increase of 75%, making it one of the best-performing stocks in the S&P 500 [10] - As of October 3, 2025, Oracle shares were priced at $286.14, reflecting a 71.5% increase over the past year [3][4] Strategic Positioning - Oracle is positioned as a key beneficiary of the artificial intelligence (AI) revolution, with ongoing investments in building data centers globally to support AI model training and deployment [11] - The company's current market capitalization stands at $838 billion, placing it as the 11th-largest company in America and nearing the $1 trillion club [10]

Market Trends - The Nasdaq reached an all-time high driven by a multi-year deal between AMD and OpenAI, reflecting optimism in the AI ecosystem [2] - Retail trading activity has surged, with Charles Schwab reporting a six-month high in trading activity in September, particularly in stocks like Nvidia and Oracle [4][11] - There is a notable increase in retail investor confidence, despite nearly 40% feeling bearish about the market [5][6] Retail Sector Insights - Adobe forecasts online holiday sales to reach $253 billion, a 5% increase year-over-year, indicating a shift towards single-digit growth rates in e-commerce [31][32] - The retail sector is maturing, with overall retail growth expected to remain in the low single digits for the holiday season [33] - Key spending categories during the holiday season are expected to include electronics, apparel, and home appliances, with a notable mention of trending toys like Laboo dolls [35][36] Consumer Behavior - A significant portion of holiday spending is anticipated to be for self-purchases rather than gifts, as consumers wait for deals [38][39] - Mass merchants like Amazon and Walmart are expected to benefit from holiday sales, while smaller niche players may also see success [40] - The "Buy Now Pay Later" (BNPL) spending is projected to increase by 11%, suggesting a shift in consumer payment preferences [45][46]

Oracle's massive data-center buildout will require the company to take on new financing strategies — and new risks. ...

Without a doubt, the biggest catalyst that has moved the market in 2025 is AI. Investors have piled into the most compelling AI stories at the top of the stock market, such as Microsoft Corporation ( MSFT ) and Oracle Corporation (With combined experience of covering technology companies on Wall Street and working in Silicon Valley, and serving as an outside adviser to several seed-round startups, Gary Alexander has exposure to many of the themes shaping the industry today. He has been a regular contributor ...

Bitmex listings, coinbase reserve rights rsr. Photo by BeInCrypto Louisiana Representative Cleo Fields is currently facing scrutiny for a pair of notably well-timed stock trades. In July, Fields bought shares in the Bitcoin mining company IREN. The stock price has since surged massively. Fields also purchased Oracle shares just weeks before the company announced it would oversee TikTok's US algorithm. Both transactions occurred shortly before news that caused the respective stock prices to rise significan ...

Oracle fixes another security flaw that Clop hackers were using to steal sensitive personal information about executives as part of a mass-extortion campaign. https://t.co/S2GPW9fjmi ...

Richard Drury/DigitalVision via Getty Images By Erica Furfaro & Margaret Vitrano Market and Performance Overview Equities surged in the third quarter, continuing their post-Liberation Day rebound, with the S&P 500 Index up 8.1% and tech-heavy Nasdaq Composite rising 11.2% to record highs. Investor optimism was fueled by better-than-feared tariff outcomes, the passing of the One Big Beautiful Bill Act in July, anticipated interest rate cuts — the Federal Reserve cut 25 bps cut in September and signaled f ...

Core Insights - ClearBridge Investments reported strong equity performance in Q3 2025, with the S&P 500 Index rising 8.1% and the Nasdaq Composite increasing 11.2% to record highs, driven by favorable economic conditions and strong corporate earnings, particularly in technology [1] - The ClearBridge Large Cap Growth Strategy underperformed the benchmark due to underexposure to perceived AI winners and holding stocks considered AI losers [1] Company Highlights - Oracle Corporation (NYSE:ORCL) showed a one-month return of 22.91% and a 52-week gain of 67.47%, closing at $286.14 per share with a market capitalization of $815.726 billion on October 3, 2025 [2] - The ClearBridge strategy initiated new positions in Oracle and other infrastructure software providers, highlighting Oracle's successful expansion into cloud infrastructure for generative AI workloads, which is expected to increase its market share and profitability [3] - Despite Oracle's potential, it is not among the 30 most popular stocks among hedge funds, although hedge fund interest increased from 97 to 124 portfolios in the last quarter [4]