Here's How Investing $300 Per Month in This Unstoppable Vanguard ETF Can Create $1 Million by Retirement
The Motley Fool· 2025-08-02 09:22
Investment Strategy - Continual investment in growth stocks can lead to significant gains over time [1] - Aiming to create a $1 million portfolio by retirement can provide financial freedom and enhance quality of life [2] - Investing $300 per month can potentially build a portfolio worth at least $1 million over time [3] Investment Approach - Regular monthly investments help establish a habit and simplify the investment process [5] - Diversification is crucial; investing in an ETF rather than a single stock can mitigate risks while still benefiting from market growth [6] Recommended Investment Vehicle - The Vanguard S&P 500 Growth Index Fund ETF (VOOG) is highlighted as a strong option, with a low expense ratio of 0.07% and a historical total return of 120% over five years [7] Growth Projections - Assuming a 10% annual growth rate, it would take approximately 34 years of $300 monthly investments to reach $1 million [11] - Investment growth projections over time show significant increases, with values reaching $1,148,483 after 35 years [14] Accessibility of Investment - Individuals of any age can start investing; increasing monthly contributions or receiving lump sums can accelerate portfolio growth [12] - Investing in the stock market is generally more beneficial in the long term compared to saving in a bank account [13]
Asure (ASUR) Q2 Revenue Rises 7%
The Motley Fool· 2025-08-02 09:15
Core Insights - Asure Software reported a GAAP net loss per share of $(0.22) for Q2 2025, missing the positive earnings estimate of $0.14 per share, despite improvements in underlying recurring revenue and adjusted EBITDA [1][2] - The company raised its full-year revenue guidance due to growth in key product lines and the acquisition of Lathem Time, indicating solid progress in strategic initiatives [1][14] Financial Performance - Q2 2025 revenue was $30.1 million, below the estimate of $31.03 million, with a year-over-year increase of 7% [2][5] - Adjusted EBITDA rose to $5.2 million from $4.1 million in Q2 2024, reflecting a 26.8% increase [2][5] - Recurring revenue reached $28.6 million, accounting for 95% of total revenue, and increased by 6% year-over-year [6][2] Business Overview - Asure Software provides cloud-based human capital management (HCM) and payroll solutions primarily to small and mid-sized businesses in the U.S. [3] - The company focuses on payroll processing, compliance, and related software services, distributed through direct sales and partnerships [3] Strategic Focus - Recent strategies emphasize innovation through product development and automation, including the use of robotic process automation (RPA) and artificial intelligence (AI) [4] - The company aims to grow recurring software subscription revenues and improve product adoption rates among existing customers [4] Recent Developments - The acquisition of Lathem Time, a time and attendance tracking solutions provider, is expected to enhance Asure's scale and recurring revenue base, although its impact will be seen in future quarters [7][14] - The Payroll Tax Management product line was a significant growth driver, supported by increased attach rates and cross-selling efforts [6][10] Outlook - Management increased the full-year 2025 revenue guidance to $138.0–$142.0 million, up from $134.0–$138.0 million, with Q3 2025 revenue projected at $35.0–$37.0 million [14] - Adjusted EBITDA for Q3 2025 is expected to improve to $7.0–$9.0 million, targeting an adjusted EBITDA margin of 22–24% for fiscal 2025 [14]
Bargain Retail Is Gaining Momentum. Two Stocks to Consider in 2025.
The Motley Fool· 2025-08-02 09:12
Core Viewpoint - As consumers seek better value, discount retailers are experiencing improved traffic and sales, indicating a potential shift in consumer behavior that may present buying opportunities for investors in the retail sector Group 1: Target - Target's shares have declined approximately 61% from their peak in 2021 due to issues like inventory loss from theft and weak same-store sales [3] - Despite challenges, Target generated over $4 billion in net profit on $105 billion of revenue in the last year, maintaining its status as a leading discount retailer [3] - The company raised its quarterly dividend by 1.8%, marking 54 consecutive years of increases, and has the capacity to continue this trend as it pays out less than half of its trailing-12-month earnings [4] - Target's digital business is thriving, with same-day delivery services growing by 35% last quarter, and management is optimistic about mitigating inventory issues [4][5] - Full-year adjusted earnings per share (EPS) are expected to be between $7 to $9, which is sufficient to cover the dividend [5] - The stock may be nearing a bottom with a forward dividend yield of 4.38% and a forward price-to-earnings ratio of 14, indicating potential for recovery [6] Group 2: TJX Companies - TJX Companies benefits from consumers seeking value through its off-price merchandise strategy, with successful brands like T.J. Maxx and Marshalls [7] - A $10,000 investment in TJX in 2005 would be worth $279,000 today, highlighting the stock's strong growth potential [7] - The company excels in sourcing quality merchandise at significant discounts, supported by a robust global sourcing channel [8] - TJX has consistently achieved quarterly sales growth over the last 25 years, with the only major decline occurring during the pandemic in 2020 [9] - The company's talent development program promotes internal management, fostering consistent long-term performance [11] - Although the stock is not cheap, management sees strong opportunities for merchandise acquisition and market share growth in the off-price sector [11]
Healthcare Realty (HR) Q2 FFO Jumps 8%
The Motley Fool· 2025-08-02 09:11
Core Viewpoint - Healthcare Realty Trust reported its Q2 2025 earnings, showing improved operational performance despite a GAAP net loss per share and a decline in revenue compared to the previous year [1][8]. Financial Performance - Normalized FFO per share was $0.41, exceeding analyst estimates, while GAAP net loss per share was $(0.45) [1][8]. - Revenue for the quarter was $297.502 million, down 5.9% from $316.3 million in Q2 2024 [2]. - Funds Available for Distribution (FAD) was $115.4 million, reflecting a 7.2% increase year-over-year [2][8]. - The quarterly dividend was reduced by 23% to $0.24 per share to enhance sustainability and retained earnings [9][10]. Business Overview and Strategy - The company specializes in owning and managing medical office buildings, focusing on outpatient healthcare facilities leased to leading health systems and physicians [3]. - Strategic priorities include optimizing the property portfolio, improving operational efficiency, and managing the balance sheet [4]. Operational Highlights - Same store cash Net Operating Income (NOI) improved by 5.1%, with occupancy rising to 90% and margins reaching 64.3% [5]. - Tenant retention was at 83%, with health system tenants accounting for 33% of new leasing volume [5][13]. - The company executed 1.5 million square feet of leases, with 452,000 square feet in new agreements [5]. Portfolio Management - The company sold $182.4 million of assets during the quarter, targeting non-core or underperforming assets, with an additional $700 million in sales under contract [6]. - The Net Debt to Adjusted EBITDA ratio improved from 6.4x to 6.0x, with further reductions anticipated by year-end 2025 [6]. Leadership and Governance - Leadership changes included a new President and CEO, along with a streamlined board governance structure [7]. - A comprehensive strategic plan was launched, focusing on margin expansion and disciplined capital allocation [7]. Future Guidance - Full-year Normalized FFO per share guidance was raised to a range of $1.57 to $1.61, with same store cash NOI growth expectations lifted to 3.25% to 4.00% [15]. - The company aims for a Net Debt to Adjusted EBITDA ratio of 5.4x to 5.7x by year-end [15]. - Key themes to monitor include execution of pending asset sales, margin expansion, and operational improvements [16].
Sun Country (SNCY) Q2 Revenue Jumps 4%
The Motley Fool· 2025-08-02 09:09
Sun Country Airlines (SNCY -11.04%), a hybrid airline combining scheduled flights, charter services, and dedicated cargo operations, announced its second quarter 2025 financial results on July 31, 2025. The airline posted record GAAP revenue of $263.6 million and adjusted earnings per share of $0.14, both exceeding Wall Street expectations, with non-GAAP EPS of $0.14 (versus estimate of $0.11) and GAAP revenue of $263.6 million (versus estimate of $255.98 million). Analysts had projected GAAP revenue of $25 ...
Stryker (SYK) Q2 Revenue Jumps 11%
The Motley Fool· 2025-08-02 09:08
Stryker (SYK -3.80%), a leading global medical technology company, reported financial results on July 31, 2025. The company delivered several key beats: Net sales (GAAP) reached $6.0 billion, topping analyst expectations of $5.94 billion (GAAP), and adjusted earnings per share (non-GAAP) came in at $3.13, ahead of the $3.07 non-GAAP consensus. This performance reflected double-digit growth in both sales and profits compared to the same period last year. Stryker also raised its full-year 2025 guidance for or ...
Lyft's Margin Makeover: Will Investors Ride the Upside?
The Motley Fool· 2025-08-02 09:05
If history is any indication, shareholders will benefit sooner rather than later.Lyft (LYFT -3.13%) is a ride-hailing platform that has had a complete margin makeover in recent years. And it feels like nobody even noticed.CEO David Risher took over in April 2023, vowing to prioritize better cash flow. For perspective, the company had a net loss of $1.6 billion in 2022 and more than $350 million in negative free cash flow. Those numbers looked terrible.However, Lyft has generated more than $900 million in fr ...
First Solar (FSLR) Q2 Revenue Jumps 9%
The Motley Fool· 2025-08-02 09:00
First Solar (FSLR 5.29%), a U.S.-based leader in advanced solar module manufacturing, announced quarterly results for the second quarter of 2025 on July 31, 2025. The company posted GAAP revenue of $1.10 billion, noticeably surpassing analyst GAAP estimates of $1.04 billion, and reported earnings per share (GAAP) of $3.18, also topping the expected $2.66 (GAAP). The quarter showed revenue growth, as GAAP net sales increased to $1.1 billion from the prior quarter. and a substantial beat on profit (GAAP net i ...
Best Antivirus (August 2025): Avast Named Top Cybersecurity Software by Software Experts
Prnewswire· 2025-08-02 09:00
NEW YORK, Aug. 2, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- As digital threats evolve and user reliance on personal devices grows, the need for robust, multi-platform cybersecurity solutions has never been more urgent. This month, Software Experts has recognized Avast as the Best Antivirus in its latest evaluation, citing the software's strong threat detection capabilities, wide platform support, and comprehensive privacy features.Best Antivirus Avast - a leading global provider of digital security software, known for protectin ...
Should You Invest $10,000 in Palantir Stock Right Now?
The Motley Fool· 2025-08-02 09:00
Palantir's stock has more than doubled in value so far in 2025.Palantir (PLTR -2.46%) has been one of the best-performing stocks in the market during 2025. It's up around 110% for the year -- a one-year return many investors dream about. However, when a stock has risen that much, most investors get worried that they've missed the boat and that Palantir's stock doesn't have any more room to run.This mindset is normal, but is this the case for the company's stock? After all, the stock rose 340% in 2024 before ...