Shares of Advanced Micro Devices (AMD 1.71%) pulled back to start 2026 and were recently down about 8% year to date, although the stock has recovered. Investors are weighing the stock's high price-to-earnings multiple against risks in the AI chip market, where it is a distant second to Nvidia's leadership.However, investors might be overlooking AMD's surging free cash flow and what this says about the real strength of the company's business. AMD's free cash flow nearly doubled year over year to $2.1 billion ...

Core Insights - The average federal tax refund for 2025 is $2,476, reflecting a 14.2% increase compared to the previous year [1] Group 1: Financial Management - Tax refunds should be prioritized for addressing short-term debt payments, such as credit cards and mortgages, or to enhance emergency funds [2] - Part of the tax refund can be allocated to fund near-term goals like travel or education, helping to prevent impulsive spending [3] - Tax refunds are considered "windfall" payments, and contributing them to retirement plans like IRAs or 401(k)s can enhance long-term wealth [4] Group 2: Personal Development - Investing tax refunds in education or credential programs can lead to significantly higher lifelong earnings, as supported by U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data [5] Group 3: Tax Planning - To avoid overpaying taxes and receiving a refund in 2026, individuals should use the IRS Tax Withholding Estimator to balance their withholding [6] - A higher tax refund indicates overpayment, which means the government had access to the taxpayer's money throughout the year, highlighting the importance of tax planning [7] - Early tax refunds tend to be higher due to simpler returns being processed first, while more complex returns may lower the average refund as the tax deadline approaches [7]

Core Viewpoint - AGNC Investment is a popular income investment due to its high monthly dividend yield of 12.8%, significantly higher than the S&P 500's yield of 1.2% [1] Group 1: Company Overview - AGNC Investment focuses solely on Agency MBS, which are mortgage-backed securities guaranteed against credit losses by government agencies [3] - Starwood Property Trust, another mortgage REIT, has a diversified investment strategy that includes commercial mortgages, residential and infrastructure loans, and real estate equity investments [3][4] Group 2: Dividend Stability - Starwood Property Trust has maintained a stable dividend for over a decade and has never cut its dividend in its 15 years as a public company [4] - In contrast, AGNC Investment has cut its dividend several times since going public in 2008 and has only maintained its current payment level since 2020 [4] Group 3: Recent Developments - Starwood's recent acquisition of Fundamental Income Properties for $2.2 billion has expanded its portfolio with high-quality properties secured by long-term net leases, supporting its ability to maintain a 10.9% yielding dividend [5] Group 4: Risk Profile - Starwood Property Trust operates with a sub-3.0 times leverage ratio, which lowers its risk profile compared to AGNC's leverage ratio of over 7x [6] - While AGNC's higher leverage can enhance returns in favorable market conditions, it poses greater risks during market downturns [6]

Robinhood (HOOD 4.53%) has gone through a lot over the years. The company rebuilt profitability in 2025, diversified revenue streams, and earned a place in the S&P 500 (^GSPC 0.43%). Those milestones marked maturity. But maturity is not the same as durability.In 2026, the central question shifts from performance to identity: Can Robinhood evolve into a true long-term compounder, or will it remain tied to market cycles? From trading app to financial platformRobinhood's future depends on whether it can move b ...

Core Insights - A common misconception among middle-class taxpayers is that a large tax refund indicates correct tax filing [2][3] - A tighter refund is actually a sign of better financial management, as it suggests that taxpayers are keeping more of their money throughout the year [2][3] Tax Management Strategies - Taxpayers should aim for no refund at the end of the year, which means they are effectively managing their finances by not overpaying taxes [3] - Adjusting W-4 withholding can help employees keep more money throughout the year, aligning with their actual tax liability [4][5] - Self-employed individuals must pay estimated taxes and can adjust their payments based on their financial situation [4][6] Recommendations - The IRS advises taxpayers to adjust their withholding to avoid surprises during tax season, as under-withholding can lead to tax bills or penalties, while over-withholding delays access to funds [5] - Taxpayers can utilize the IRS Tax Withholding Estimator to estimate their federal income tax liability, although it may not reflect recent legislative changes [5]

Core Viewpoint - Oppenheimer has lowered the price target for Elastic (ESTC) to $85 from $100 while maintaining an Outperform rating on the shares, indicating a positive outlook despite the price adjustment [1] Financial Performance - Elastic reported solid Q3 results, demonstrating strong performance and broad-based demand [1] - The company raised its FY26 guidance, reflecting steady commitments and consumption [1] Future Outlook - Oppenheimer considers the Q4 guidance to be conservative, suggesting potential for upside in the future [1]

Group 1 - TD Cowen analyst Derrick Wood lowered the price target on AvePoint (AVPT) to $16 from $17 while maintaining a Buy rating on the shares [1] - AvePoint reported solid Q4 results, indicating broad-based strength in product, geographic, and vertical demand [1] - The demand for AI solutions is increasing beyond core M365 Copilots, including Azure AI Studio, as AvePoint assists customers in building better data context experiences [1]

TD Securities raised the firm’s price target on Gildan Activewear (GIL) to $80 from $77 and keeps a Buy rating on the shares. The firm updated the company’s model post the Q4 report. Published first on TheFly – the ultimate source for real-time, market-moving breaking financial news. Try Now>> See today’s best-performing stocks on TipRanks >> Read More on GIL: Disclaimer & DisclosureReport an Issue ...

Oppenheimer lowered the firm’s price target on Zscaler (ZS) to $280 from $345 on lower peer multiples, while keeping an Outperform rating on the shares. The firm notes Zscaler reported a solid Q2, beating on the top line, while delivering sequential gross and operating margin expansion. Management raised FY26 organic NNARR growth expectations and issued Q3 guidance ahead of consensus. Published first on TheFly – the ultimate source for real-time, market-moving breaking financial news. Try Now>> See today ...

Lake Street analyst Eric Martinuzzi upgraded PubMatic (PUBM) to Buy from Hold with a price target of $10, up from $9.50. PubMatic delivered a strong Q4, exceeding expectations on both revenue and adjusted EBITDA, in what the firm calls an “inflection quarter.” Shares are “not yet out of the woods,” but the firm is raising its rating as it sees “four shafts of daylight,” namely DSP disruption having stabilized; revenue and earnings should return to growth in Q3; Q4 stands to benefit from a political adverti ...