Core Viewpoint - The article discusses the recent developments in trade negotiations, the impact of tariffs on inflation, and the upcoming economic data releases that could influence monetary policy decisions in the US and Europe [1][3][6]. Trade Negotiations and Tariffs - President Trump announced a new round of reciprocal tariffs on several trade partners, leading to a decline in US stock markets, with the Dow Jones down 1.02% and the S&P 500 down 0.31% for the week [1]. - The deadline for the new tariffs to take effect is August 1, and investors are awaiting further news on trade negotiations [1][3]. - The EU is attempting to reach a trade agreement with the US, with concerns that US tariffs could disrupt transatlantic supply chains [6]. Economic Data and Monetary Policy - The upcoming US inflation data, particularly the Consumer Price Index (CPI) for June, is expected to influence the Federal Reserve's decision on potential interest rate cuts later this year [3]. - The Federal Reserve's June meeting minutes indicated concerns about inflation pressures from tariffs, but a belief that a rate cut may occur later in the year [3]. - In the UK, inflation has risen, with the CPI at 3.4% in May, and expectations for a potential rate cut by the Bank of England if economic data continues to underperform [7]. Commodity Markets - Oil prices have stabilized, with WTI crude oil rising 2.16% to $68.45 per barrel and Brent crude oil increasing 3.02% to $70.36 per barrel, amid concerns over summer supply and demand [4]. - Gold prices have also rebounded, with COMEX gold rising 0.73% to $3356 per ounce, as investors seek safe-haven assets amid trade uncertainties [5]. Upcoming Economic Indicators - Key economic indicators to watch include the US PPI, industrial production, and retail sales data, as well as consumer sentiment surveys [3][9]. - In Europe, the ZEW economic sentiment index for Germany will be released, reflecting the economic outlook amid trade tensions [6].

Core Viewpoint - The Charles Schwab Corporation (SCHW) is identified as a strong momentum stock with a Momentum Style Score of A and a Zacks Rank of 2 (Buy), indicating potential for near-term gains [3][4][12]. Momentum Style Elements - SCHW shares have increased by 1.67% over the past week, while the Zacks Financial - Investment Bank industry has risen by 4.27% during the same period [6]. - Over a longer timeframe, SCHW's monthly price change is 5.13%, compared to the industry's 8.13% [6]. - In the past quarter, SCHW shares have risen by 22.18%, and over the last year, they have gained 22.29%, outperforming the S&P 500, which increased by 19.67% and 12.87% respectively [7]. Trading Volume - The average 20-day trading volume for SCHW is 7,443,516 shares, which serves as a bullish indicator when combined with rising stock prices [8]. Earnings Outlook - In the last two months, 8 earnings estimates for SCHW have been revised upwards, with no downward revisions, leading to an increase in the consensus estimate from $4.24 to $4.39 [10]. - For the next fiscal year, 9 estimates have also moved higher without any downward revisions [10].

Core Insights - The investing landscape is rapidly evolving, with Robinhood Markets (HOOD) and Charles Schwab (SCHW) leading the transformation aimed at retail investors [1][2] - The article compares the fundamentals, growth prospects, and strategic moves of both companies to determine which stock is better positioned for future success [2] Robinhood's Position - Robinhood gained popularity among younger investors during the meme stock phenomenon in early 2021 and has since diversified its offerings beyond digital assets [3] - The company has launched several initiatives to attract clients, including advanced trading tools, wealth management services, and a credit card for consumer finance [4] - Recent acquisitions, such as Bitstamp and TradePMR, aim to expand Robinhood's business and establish it as a global financial services provider [5] - However, the launch of stock tokens in the EU has attracted regulatory scrutiny, raising questions about transparency and legality [6] Schwab's Strengths - Schwab manages over $10 trillion in client assets and has a strong position in retail brokerage and advisor custody, benefiting from deep client relationships [7] - The company's diversified revenue streams, including net interest income and asset management fees, have been bolstered by rising interest rates [8] - Schwab's RIA custody business is one of the largest in the U.S., and the integration of TD Ameritrade has enhanced its ability to serve independent advisors [9] - The company is modernizing its platform to attract younger investors and plans to introduce spot Bitcoin and Ethereum trading by mid-2026 [11] Earnings Estimates - For Robinhood, the Zacks Consensus Estimate for 2025 earnings suggests a growth of 13.8%, while 2026 estimates imply a growth of 22.2% [13] - Schwab's earnings estimates for 2025 and 2026 indicate growth of 35.1% and 17.8%, respectively, reflecting strong analyst sentiment [16] Stock Performance and Valuation - Year-to-date, Robinhood's stock has surged by 164.9%, while Schwab has increased by 25.7%, both outperforming the industry and S&P 500 [19] - Robinhood trades at a price-to-tangible book (P/TB) ratio of 11.88X, while Schwab's P/TB ratio is 8.17X, indicating Schwab is relatively inexpensive [20] - Schwab's return on equity (ROE) stands at 18.31%, higher than Robinhood's 15.42%, showcasing Schwab's efficient use of shareholder funds [20] Strategic Outlook - Robinhood is focused on innovation and aggressive growth, appealing to investors looking for rapid transformation [22] - Schwab offers a balanced approach with a strong asset base, stable earnings, and strategic adaptability, making it a compelling long-term investment [26] - Currently, Schwab holds a Zacks Rank of 2 (Buy), while Robinhood has a Zacks Rank of 3 (Hold) [27]

Wall Street expects a year-over-year increase in earnings on higher revenues when The Charles Schwab Corporation (SCHW) reports results for the quarter ended June 2025. While this widely-known consensus outlook is important in gauging the company's earnings picture, a powerful factor that could impact its near-term stock price is how the actual results compare to these estimates.The stock might move higher if these key numbers top expectations in the upcoming earnings report, which is expected to be release ...

Core Insights - The average net worth that Americans believe is necessary to be considered wealthy has decreased to $2.3 million, down from $2.5 million in 2024, indicating a perception of a worsening economy [1][2] - The threshold for being deemed wealthy has remained above $2 million since 2022, while the average net worth required for being "financially comfortable" has increased to $839,000 from $778,000 last year [4][5] Wealth Perception by Generation - Baby Boomers consider an average net worth of $2.8 million necessary to be classified as wealthy, which is higher than other generations [5] - Generation X and Millennials believe $2.1 million is needed to be wealthy, while Generation Z has a lower threshold of $1.7 million [6] - For financial comfort, Baby Boomers require $943,000, followed by Millennials at $847,000, Gen X at $783,000, and Gen Z at $329,000 [6] Economic Factors Influencing Wealth Perception - 63% of respondents feel that it takes more money to be wealthy compared to last year, with inflation being cited by 73% of those who feel this way [7] - Economic conditions, taxes, and higher interest rates are significant factors influencing the perception of needing more money to be considered wealthy [9] Current Wealth Status - Approximately 35% of Americans feel they are "wealthy now" or "on track to be wealthy," with Generation Z showing the most optimism at 43% [10] - Those who are actively saving, investing, and have a financial plan tend to be more optimistic about their wealth status [11] Definitions of Wealth - Happiness and financial resources are the primary factors defining wealth for Americans, cited by 45% and 44% respectively [13] - The median wealth per U.S. adult was reported at $124,041 in 2024, with the total number of millionaires in America reaching 23.8 million, a 1.5% increase from the previous year [13]

Core Viewpoint - Charles Schwab (SCHW) has reached a 52-week high of $92.65, with a 23.1% gain over the past three months, outperforming the Zacks Finance sector and the S&P 500, but underperforming the industry and Robinhood Markets, Inc. [1][9] Group 1: Revenue Drivers - Increased market volatility due to tariff policy concerns is expected to drive Schwab's trading revenues, benefiting from heightened market participation [3][4] - Schwab's acquisitions, including TD Ameritrade and USAA's Investment Management Company, have strengthened its position and diversified revenues, supporting top-line expansion [5] - The company's total client assets reached $10.35 trillion as of May 31, 2025, with a five-year CAGR of 20.1%, driven by acquisitions and market appreciation [6] Group 2: Financial Performance - Schwab's total net revenues have experienced a CAGR of 12.8% over the past five years, with managed investing solutions revenues growing at a CAGR of 12.2% [7] - The Federal Reserve's unchanged interest rates are likely to aid Schwab's net interest margin (NIM) and net interest revenue (NIR) expansion, with NIM increasing to 2.12% in 2024 from 1.98% in 2023 [10][11] - As of March 31, 2025, Schwab's cash and cash equivalents were $35 billion, and total debt was $39.9 billion, supporting its low-cost capital structure and capital distributions [13] Group 3: Shareholder Returns - Schwab announced an 8% increase in its quarterly dividend to 27 cents per share in January 2025, having raised dividends four times in the past five years [14] - The company has a share repurchase program with approximately $7.2 billion in authorization remaining as of March 31, 2025 [14] Group 4: Future Outlook - The Zacks Consensus Estimate for earnings is projected at $4.28 and $5.06 per share for 2025 and 2026, respectively, indicating growth of 31.7% for 2025 and 18.3% for 2026 [15] - Despite rising operating expenses, the company is expected to benefit from tariff policy concerns and higher interest rates, making Schwab a favorable investment option [18]

Core Insights - The financial services sector outperformed expectations in the first half of 2025, driven by modest economic expansion, decent loan demand, higher interest rates, increased market volatility, and ongoing business restructuring initiatives [1][2][8] Sector Performance - The financial services sector gained over 7% in the January-June period, surpassing the S&P 500 Index's 4.9% rise [2] - Higher interest rates, technology investments, loan growth, and market volatility contributed to the sector's strength [8] Technology and Innovation - Increased use of innovative trading platforms and the adoption of artificial intelligence (AI) are expected to enhance profitability for finance firms in the long run, despite initial technology-related expenses [3] Top-Performing Stocks - Five top-performing stocks in the financial services sector include Coinbase Global (COIN), W. R. Berkley Corporation (WRB), Northern Trust (NTRS), Goldman Sachs (GS), and Charles Schwab (SCHW) [4][8] Coinbase Global (COIN) - Coinbase is positioned to benefit from increased crypto market volatility, with 84% of its revenues coming from the U.S. market [9] - The company is investing in infrastructure and platforms like Base to enhance the practical use of crypto [10] - Coinbase ended Q1 2025 with $10.2 billion in USD resources, a 6.7% increase from the end of 2024 [12] W. R. Berkley Corporation (WRB) - WRB has been investing in startups and expanding into international markets, with a 10.2% year-over-year increase in net premiums written in Q1 2025 [15] - The company is experiencing growth across all business lines except for professional liability and workers' compensation [16] Northern Trust (NTRS) - Northern Trust is focusing on organic expansion and has launched Family Office Solutions to attract ultra-high-net-worth clients [20] - The company reported a return on equity (ROE) of 13% in Q1 2025, indicating progress towards sustainable profitability [22] Goldman Sachs (GS) - Goldman Sachs is restructuring to refocus on core strengths, including the transfer of its GM credit card business and the sale of GreenSky [24][25] - The company expects a recovery in investment banking revenues in the second half of 2025 as economic conditions stabilize [26] Charles Schwab (SCHW) - Schwab is benefiting from a high-interest-rate environment, with its net interest margin improving to 2.12% by the end of Q1 2025 [30] - The company has a strong cash position of $35 billion and a total debt of $39.9 billion as of March 31, 2025 [33]

Group 1 - The Charles Schwab Corporation is initiated at a Buy rating with a price target of $111, managing over $8 trillion in client assets through a comprehensive brokerage, banking, and wealth platform [1] - The company focuses on building a platform that emphasizes durable business models, mispriced cash flow potential, and intelligent capital allocation [1] - Moretus Research applies a structured framework to identify underappreciated companies undergoing structural changes or temporary dislocations, aiming for asymmetric returns through disciplined analysis [1] Group 2 - The research methodology combines rigorous fundamental analysis with a high-signal, judgment-driven process, avoiding noise and overly complex forecasting [1] - Valuation is based on sector-relevant multiples tailored to each company's business model and capital structure, emphasizing comparability and relevance [1] - Moretus Research aims to elevate the standard for independent investment research by providing actionable insights and a strong filter for essential factors in equity analysis [1]

Core Insights - Charles Schwab's shares declined by 1.3% after the release of its May 2025 monthly activity report, despite significant growth in client assets and new account openings [1][9] Client Assets and Advisory Services - Total client assets reached $10.35 trillion in May 2025, marking a 12.4% increase from May 2024 and a 4.6% rise from April 2025 [1][9] - Client assets under ongoing advisory services amounted to $5.24 trillion, up 12.6% year-over-year and 3.9% month-over-month [1][9] New Assets and Account Openings - Core net new assets for May 2025 were $35 billion, a 12.5% increase from the same month last year and a significant rise from $2.7 billion in April 2025 [2][9] - The company opened 336,000 new brokerage accounts in May 2025, reflecting a 7% year-over-year increase but a 23.5% decrease from the previous month [3][9] Active Accounts and Banking - Active brokerage accounts totaled 37.4 million at the end of May 2025, up 5.2% year-over-year and slightly from April 2025 [4] - Client banking accounts reached 2.08 million, an 8.4% increase from May 2024, with workplace plan participant accounts rising to 5.56 million, up 4.1% year-over-year [4] Interest-Earning Assets and Balances - Average interest-earning assets were $419.6 billion, a 1% increase from May 2024 but a 2.6% decline from the previous month [3] - Average margin balances increased to $79.1 billion, up 17% year-over-year and 2.1% from April 2025, while average bank deposit account balances fell to $81.5 billion, down 6.2% year-over-year and 3.1% month-over-month [3] Stock Performance - Over the past three months, Schwab shares have increased by 12.3%, outperforming the industry average rise of 10.3% [5]

Group 1 - Albert Anthony is a senior analyst with over 10 years of experience in investment banking, focusing on market commentary and stock ratings using a 6-step methodology [1] - The analyst has gained over 1 thousand followers on Seeking Alpha since 2023 and writes for various financial media platforms [1] - A new book titled "The Analyst: 6 Steps To Picking Stocks For Future Growth (2025 edition)" is set to launch, aiming to reach over 1 million readers on Amazon [1] Group 2 - Albert Anthony has a background in IT analysis and transitioned to the financial sector during the remote-work era of 2020, renewing interest in home-based stock trading [1] - The analyst has earned degrees and certificates from institutions such as Drew University and the Corporate Finance Institute [1] - The brand "Albert Anthony & Company" is a privately-held enterprise registered in Austin, Texas [1]