Investment Management Concerns - There is a growing need for financial advice related to tax planning, especially for individuals with significant pretax retirement savings [1] - Concerns about the high annual management fees (1%) charged by financial advisers, which may not guarantee higher returns, are prevalent among investors [3][4] - The risk of financial fraud by advisers is a significant concern, with many stories highlighting instances of advisers misappropriating client funds [3][8] Financial Advisory Services - Credit unions may offer financial advice, but it is important to understand that this advice is not entirely free, as advisers are typically salaried employees [2][11] - Independent advisers may not always act as fiduciaries, which raises concerns about their obligation to act in the client's best interest [11][12] - Fee-only fiduciary advisers are primarily regulated by the Securities and Exchange Commission or state securities regulators, ensuring a higher standard of care [12] Roth Conversions and Tax Strategies - Roth conversions can be beneficial, even if taxes are paid using retirement funds, particularly if future tax rates are expected to rise [16][19] - Timing for Roth conversions is crucial, as it is advisable to convert when in a lower tax bracket to minimize tax liabilities [18][19] - Strategies such as Qualified Charitable Distributions (QCDs) can help manage tax implications related to Required Minimum Distributions (RMDs) [14][15] Fraud Prevention Measures - To prevent financial fraud, it is recommended to use a third-party custodian for asset management and to avoid giving advisers withdrawal authority [10][11] - Advisers promising guaranteed returns should be viewed with skepticism, as this is often a red flag indicating potential fraud [8][9] - Regular reviews of investment accounts by a CPA and direct receipt of investment statements can help ensure transparency and security [10]

Coupang is offering compensation worth more than $1 billion to all customers affected by South Korea’s biggest-ever data breach.The country’s biggest online retailer said on Monday it would soon start offering vouchers worth up to 50,000 won ($35) to each of its 33.7 million customers whose personal information was compromised by the breach. The vouchers will include 5,000 won applicable to all Coupang products, 5,000 won for Coupang’s food delivery service, 20,000 won for Coupang travel products, and 20,00 ...

Alphabet could experience another surge in 2026.Back in October, Nvidia became the first company with a market cap exceeding $5 trillion. Nvidia's stock has since pulled back from that lofty level, but one big rally might be all it takes to lift the AI chip giant back above that value in 2026. Not only that, a few other companies could join that exclusive club, too.For instance, as my fellow Motley Fool contributor Harsh Chauhan noted in an article on Dec. 20, Microsoft could conceivably hit that market cap ...

Industry Overview - Selected metals, including gold, silver, and copper, experienced a breakthrough year with some of the best performances in history, prompting exploration of junior companies with strong assets and M&A potential [1] Northisle Copper and Gold - Northisle Copper and Gold Inc. is developing the North Island Project, a 34,000-hectare copper-gold porphyry district on northern Vancouver Island, featuring several large porphyry centers [2] - The project hosts 6.9 million ounces of indicated gold and 3.1 billion pounds of indicated copper, with potential for further resource growth if certain centers are confirmed as part of a larger system [3] - The 2025 Preliminary Economic Assessment (PEA) outlines a 29-year mine life, average annual production of about 157 million pounds of copper equivalent, an after-tax NPV of $1.5 billion at a 7% discount rate, and a 29% IRR based on conservative commodity assumptions [4] - Key milestones for 2026 include an integrated resource update in Q2 and a pre-feasibility study in Q4 [5] Cassiar Gold - Cassiar Gold Corp. focuses on the Cassiar Gold Property in northern BC, Canada, which includes the Taurus deposit and a high-grade historic vein camp [6] - In 2025, Cassiar reported an updated NI 43-101 resource of approximately 410,000 ounces of gold in the Indicated category and 1.93 million ounces in the Inferred category [7] - The 2025 drilling campaign expanded to ~7,300 meters, demonstrating extensions of mineralization and new targets [8] - Cassiar has strong potential for cash flow in a gold bull market due to existing infrastructure and low capex, making it an attractive M&A target [9] - Near-term catalysts for M&A interest include further resource growth beyond ~2.3 million ounces and continued high-grade discoveries [10] Silver One Resources - Silver One Resources is focused on silver exploration with a portfolio of assets in Nevada and Arizona, including the Candelaria mine and Phoenix Silver [11] - The Candelaria technical report outlines 108 million silver-equivalent ounces in Measured & Indicated and 29 million in Inferred resources [12] - Work in 2025 at Phoenix Silver identified high-grade native silver targets, with drill intercepts of about 3,800 grams per metric ton [13] - The company is developing a proprietary non-cyanide leaching technology that could significantly improve recovery efficiency, projecting a potential recovery of 30 million ounces of silver from heap leach pads [14][15] Canterra Minerals - Canterra Minerals focuses on critical minerals and gold in central Newfoundland, owning the Buchans Critical Minerals Project and the Wilding Gold Project [17] - In 2025, Canterra conducted a 10,000-meter drilling campaign at Buchans, returning strong copper-equivalent grades [18] - Wilding's 2025 fieldwork recorded its highest-ever gold sample, with a new drilling program scheduled for Q4 2026 [19] - Canterra is well-funded for continued exploration into 2026, with a recent $5.7 million financing [19] - If Canterra can demonstrate a large gold resource at Wilding, it could become a logical acquisition target for Equinox [20][21]

Core Insights - CBL International Limited has successfully completed Xiaomo Port's first LNG bunkering operation for BYD, marking a significant step in supporting maritime decarbonization efforts [2][3]. Company Overview - CBL International Limited, listed on NASDAQ as BANL, is a marine fuel logistics company established in 2015, focusing on providing comprehensive bunkering services across 65 major ports globally [5]. - The company is recognized for its expertise in coordinating complex fuel logistics transactions and serves nine of the world's top twelve container liner companies [4]. Industry Context - The global shipping industry is increasingly focused on decarbonization, with LNG emerging as a mainstream clean energy source that can reduce greenhouse gas emissions by approximately 20% and lower fuel costs by 25%-30% [3]. - This initiative aligns with international regulations such as FuelEU Maritime and the IMO 2030/2050 targets, promoting a transition towards cleaner energy solutions in maritime operations [3].

Key Points The S&P 500's forward price-to-earnings multiple is at its highest level in decades. The Federal Reserve found that Donald Trump's tariffs may lead to higher prices in the long run. Although inflation is cooling, U.S. unemployment is at its highest level in four years. 10 stocks we like better than S&P 500 Index › As of the closing bell on Dec. 23, the S&P 500 (SNPINDEX: ^GSPC) had gained 17% in 2025 -- putting the index on pace for a third straight year of double-digit percentage gai ...

Stocks took a surprise tumble after the White House moved to reclassify marijuana as a less dangerous drug. ...

Market Analysis by covering: SPDR® S&P 500® ETF Trust, FS Credit Opportunities Corp. Read 's Market Analysis on Investing.com ...

The Trump administration's deregulation push could give activists more room to target banks, where big campaigns are rare. ...

Archer Aviation made meaningful progress in 2025, but it's too early to declare a victory.Archer Aviation (ACHR 2.41%) entered 2025 carrying enormous expectations. The company sits at the center of the flying taxi narrative, promising electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft that could transform short-distance urban travel. For years, investors heard about vision and potential. In 2025, Archer finally delivered something more tangible: execution.But while the company made its most credible pro ...