Here's What a Hospital Stay Might Cost Medicare Enrollees in 2026
Yahoo Finance· 2026-01-18 15:38
That deductible also may not cover your hospital stay in its entirely. Once your stay exceeds 60 days, you're responsible for daily coinsurance. Key Points Healthcare is one of those expenses you need to factor into your retirement budget. And certain costs are fairly easy to account for. Your Medicare Part B premiums, for example, are one expense with a fixed cost (and if you're on Social Security, they'll be paid from your monthly benefits automatically). Similarly, if you've been taking the same medicati ...
The Lessons Learned from Caregiving
Yahoo Finance· 2026-01-18 15:30
And I would imagine some of those things were like establishing an estate plan, making sure that the will espouse their wishes and other important financial matters, maybe even like a personal directive. I think one of the biggest lessons is as a society or a culture, we're not willing to talk about death and what death means and what that means emotionally and financially. It's unfortunate that we have to wrap finances up into death, but it is reality. So I learned a lot about what happens when people pass ...
Bessent: Unlikely Supreme Court will overrule tariffs, Trump's 'signature economic policy'
CNBC· 2026-01-18 15:22
Core Viewpoint - Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent believes it is "very unlikely" that the Supreme Court will overturn President Trump's use of emergency powers to impose tariffs, with a decision expected soon [1][2]. Group 1: Supreme Court and Tariffs - The Supreme Court is anticipated to rule on Trump's use of the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) to impose tariffs, with a decision potentially coming as early as this week [4]. - Bessent stated that the Supreme Court is unlikely to overrule a president's significant economic policy, referencing their previous decision not to overturn the Affordable Care Act [2]. Group 2: Trump's Tariff Announcement - President Trump announced plans to impose new tariffs on goods from Europe until a deal is reached for the "Complete and Total purchase of Greenland" [3]. - The specific statute Trump is invoking for these tariffs was not detailed, but it appears to align with the duties imposed under the IEEPA [3].
VB vs. SPSM Small-Cap Showdown: Maximum Reach or Strategic Focus?
Yahoo Finance· 2026-01-18 15:15
Core Insights - The comparison between State Street SPDR Portfolio S&P 600 Small Cap ETF (SPSM) and Vanguard Small-Cap ETF (VB) highlights that while both target U.S. small-cap stocks, VB has a broader market coverage, more holdings, and higher one-year returns, whereas SPSM is noted for its lower expense ratio [2][10]. Cost and Size - SPSM has a one-year return of 11.6% compared to VB's 14.1% as of January 9, 2026 [4] - SPSM features a lower expense ratio of 0.03%, while VB charges 0.05% [5] Performance and Risk Comparison - Over five years, SPSM experienced a maximum drawdown of -27.94%, while VB had a slightly higher drawdown of -28.16% [6] - An investment of $1,000 would have grown to $1,290 with SPSM and $1,334 with VB over the same period [6] Portfolio Composition - VB tracks a broad small-cap index with 1,357 stocks, primarily in industrials (19%), technology (17%), and healthcare (13%), with top positions including Insmed, Comfort Systems USA, and SoFi Technologies [7] - SPSM holds 607 companies, focusing on financial services (18%), industrials (16%), and technology (15%), with major positions in Arrowhead Pharmaceuticals, LKQ Corp, and Armstrong World Industries [8] Summary of Holdings - VB holds more than twice the number of stocks as SPSM and aims to replicate its index fully, while SPSM's narrower focus may lead to differences in risk and sector allocation [10]
The Power Of Compounding: Realty Income's Monthly Dividend, Key For Your Retirement
Seeking Alpha· 2026-01-18 15:15
Group 1 - The article discusses the overwhelming feeling that can accompany the start of a project, emphasizing the importance of breaking down goals into manageable steps [1] - Rida Morwa, with over 35 years of experience in investment and commercial banking, leads the Investing Group High Dividend Opportunities, focusing on high-yield investment strategies [1] - The service aims for a targeted safe yield of over 9%, offering features such as model portfolios, buy/sell alerts, and regular market updates to support investors [1] Group 2 - The article highlights the collaborative approach of the Investing Group, which includes contributions from various analysts and emphasizes community and education in investment [3] - It is noted that recommendations made by the group are closely monitored, with exclusive buy and sell alerts provided to members [3]
Bill to allow Uber, Lyft in Israel gains committee approval
Reuters· 2026-01-18 15:13
Core Insights - An Israeli ministerial committee has approved a law to allow ride-hailing services like Uber and Lyft to operate in Israel, aiming to reduce taxi costs [1] Group 1 - The approval of the law is a significant step towards integrating shared ride-hailing services into the Israeli transportation market [1] - The initiative is expected to enhance competition in the taxi industry, potentially leading to lower fares for consumers [1] - This move aligns with global trends where ride-hailing services are becoming increasingly popular and accepted in various markets [1]
Microsoft vs. Oracle: Which OpenAI Partner Is a Better Buy for 2026?
Yahoo Finance· 2026-01-18 15:05
Core Insights - OpenAI has rapidly transformed from a relatively unknown entity to a tech giant valued at approximately $830 billion, currently seeking $100 billion in new capital to support its extensive commitments to cloud computing resources [1] Group 1: Partnerships and Financial Commitments - Microsoft has a long-standing relationship with OpenAI, having invested early in 2019 and now holding a 27% equity stake, with $250 billion in commitments for Azure cloud services [2] - OpenAI has also signed significant deals with Oracle, including a $300 billion commitment over five years for Oracle's cloud infrastructure [3] - The combined commitments from Microsoft and Oracle amount to $550 billion, although these are not guaranteed [8] Group 2: Financial Performance and Funding Needs - OpenAI plans to spend over half a trillion dollars with Microsoft and Oracle, in addition to approximately $800 billion in commitments with other cloud and chip providers [4] - The company generated $4.3 billion in revenue in the first half of 2025, with a $20 billion annualized run rate reported by CEO Sam Altman [4] - OpenAI's substantial spending necessitates outside funding, often negotiated through vendor financing methods such as equity and stock warrants [5] Group 3: Market Risks and Considerations - Critics have raised concerns about the circular financing deals that enable OpenAI to fund its infrastructure needs, highlighting the potential risks if the company fails to succeed [6] - The success of OpenAI is crucial not only for its own future but also for the broader industry, as its failure could have significant repercussions [6] - Investors are advised to consider the relative risks associated with Microsoft and Oracle stocks, given their similar valuations but differing risk profiles [7]
Better Fidelity Bond ETF: FBND vs. FIGB
Yahoo Finance· 2026-01-18 15:03
Core Insights - Fidelity Investment Grade Bond ETF (FIGB) and Fidelity Total Bond ETF (FBND) are both designed for investors seeking stable income and diversification from equities, with FBND having a significant advantage in terms of assets under management, yield, and volatility [2][3]. Fund Comparison - Both FIGB and FBND have the same expense ratio of 0.36% and have delivered a 1-year return of 3.8% as of January 9, 2026. However, FBND offers a higher dividend yield of 4.7% compared to FIGB's 4.1% [4][5]. - FBND has a much larger asset base of $23.4 billion compared to FIGB's $327.1 million, making it more attractive for investors looking for higher payouts and greater liquidity [5]. Performance & Risk Analysis - FBND has a max drawdown of 15.48% over four years, while FIGB has a slightly higher max drawdown of 16.18%. FBND's beta is 0.97, indicating lower sensitivity to equity market fluctuations compared to FIGB's beta of 1.02 [6][8]. - FBND's portfolio consists of 2,742 bonds, heavily weighted towards the energy sector (95%) and utilities (5%), while FIGB has a more concentrated portfolio of 180 holdings focused on investment-grade bonds [6][7].
Philanthropist Roger Sant Donates $23.8M Sale Price Of Ritz-Carlton Condo In New York
Yahoo Finance· 2026-01-18 15:01
Core Insights - Roger Sant, co-founder of AES Corp., sold his full-floor condo at the Ritz-Carlton Residences in New York City for $23.8 million, with the entire sale price earmarked for charitable donations, showcasing a blend of luxury real estate and philanthropy [1][2]. Group 1: Sale Details - The condo was originally listed at $39 million, later reduced to $29 million, indicating volatility in the ultra-luxury real estate market [3]. - Sant purchased the condo for $17.6 million in 2017, resulting in a significant gain despite the final sale price being lower than the initial asking price [3]. Group 2: Property Features - The condo spans 6,800 square feet and is one of only 12 units in the Ritz-Carlton, a historic building designed by Emery Roth [4]. - The primary suite is a 2,000-square-foot space with two bathrooms, two dressing rooms, and views of Central Park [5]. Group 3: Ownership Costs and Philanthropy - The new owner will incur over $17,000 in common charges for various luxury services, including a private lobby and concierge [6]. - Sant is known for his philanthropic efforts, particularly in environmental conservation, as co-founder and chairman emeritus of The Summit Foundation [6].
AppLovin: Volatility Hits Software, But Don't Be Fooled By The Market
Seeking Alpha· 2026-01-18 15:00
Core Viewpoint - Software stocks, particularly in the SaaS sector, are experiencing significant pressure following the launch of Anthropic's Agentic platform called Cowork, which has led to a negative impact on related stocks [1] Group 1: Market Analysis - The software sector, represented by the IGV index, is currently facing challenges due to competitive pressures from new platforms [1] - The investment strategy focuses on identifying attractive risk/reward opportunities that can outperform the S&P 500, emphasizing the importance of price action analysis combined with fundamental analysis [1] Group 2: Investment Strategy - The investment group Ultimate Growth Investing aims to identify high-potential opportunities across various sectors, particularly focusing on stocks with strong growth potential and those that are undervalued [1] - The approach includes avoiding overhyped stocks while capitalizing on beaten-down stocks that have significant upside recovery potential [1]