Join iREIT on Alpha today to get the most in-depth research that includes REITs, mREITs, Preferreds, BDCs, MLPs, ETFs, and other income alternatives. 438 testimonials and most are 5 stars. Nothing to lose with our FREE 2-week trial .In 2021, I started my dividend growth portfolio. My experience goes back to 2011, but that's when I officially decided to invest every penny of excess cash into my stocks to build serious wealth and protectLeo Nelissen is an analyst focusing on major economic developments relate ...

Group 1 - The article outlines a bullish outlook for the S&P 500 index for 2026, including a general trading strategy and price target [1] - The author emphasizes the importance of having both long-term and short-term trading strategies to capitalize on market movements [2] - The article serves as a platform for the author to focus on developing winning trades and to learn from community feedback [2] Group 2 - The author holds a beneficial long position in SPY and SPXL, indicating a positive sentiment towards these investments [3] - The article expresses personal opinions and does not involve compensation from companies mentioned, ensuring an unbiased perspective [3]

Analyst’s Disclosure:I/we have no stock, option or similar derivative position in any of the companies mentioned, and no plans to initiate any such positions within the next 72 hours. I wrote this article myself, and it expresses my own opinions. I am not receiving compensation for it (other than from Seeking Alpha). I have no business relationship with any company whose stock is mentioned in this article. While this article may sound like financial advice, please observe that the author is not a US-based C ...

Core Insights - The iShares Core S&P 500 ETF (IVV) is characterized by lower fees, broader sector coverage, and higher yield compared to the Invesco QQQ Trust (QQQ), which focuses on technology and has shown recent outperformance [2][9] Cost & Size Comparison - IVV has an expense ratio of 0.03%, significantly lower than QQQ's 0.20% - As of December 15, 2025, IVV's one-year return is 12.66%, while QQQ's is 15.08% - IVV offers a dividend yield of 1.13%, compared to QQQ's 0.46% - IVV has assets under management (AUM) of $733 billion, while QQQ has $403 billion [4][5] Performance & Risk Analysis - Over the past five years, QQQ experienced a maximum drawdown of -35.12%, while IVV's was -24.52% - An investment of $1,000 would have grown to $2,008 with QQQ and $1,878 with IVV over the same period [6] Portfolio Composition - QQQ is heavily weighted in technology (55%), followed by communication services (17%) and consumer cyclicals (13%), with top holdings including Nvidia, Apple, and Microsoft - IVV tracks the S&P 500, holding 503 stocks across all major sectors, with the largest allocations in technology (34%), financial services (14%), and communication services (10%) [7][8] Investment Strategy Implications - IVV serves as a broad market fund aiming to replicate the S&P 500 index performance, while QQQ is a growth-oriented fund designed for above-average returns over time [10]

Core Insights - Alphabet has been one of the top-performing stocks in the market in 2025, with its stock rising over 60%, placing it among the top 30 performers of the S&P 500 [1] - The company experienced several tailwinds in 2025, including a positive ruling in its monopoly court case and leadership in the generative AI sector, but these catalysts may not carry into 2026 [2] Group 1: Business Performance - Alphabet's core business, Google Search, is excelling, with Q3 revenue rising 15% year over year, which is strong for a mature business unit expected to grow in the high single digits to low double digits [6][7] - The integration of AI search overviews has allowed Google to maintain its market position and thrive in a booming ad market, alleviating initial investor concerns about generative AI replacing Google Search [6][7] Group 2: Cloud Computing Growth - Google Cloud is thriving due to the migration of traditional workloads to the cloud and the rapid increase in AI workloads, as companies prefer renting computing capacity from providers like Google Cloud rather than building their own data centers [10]

President Donald Trump has floated the idea of sending out $2,000 tariff dividend checks to middle- to lower-income Americans from tariff revenue, USA Today reported. Whether or not Americans get tariff checks remains to be seen, but it could bring a welcome relief for many of those living on limited incomes, especially retirees. GOBankingRates asked ChatGPT what Trump’s $2,000 dividend could mean for retirees, and it broke it down by how it could help, how it could impact retirement plans and what retir ...

Core Insights - The article discusses potential investment opportunities in NFLX, indicating a possible long position within the next 72 hours [1]. Group 1 - The analyst has no current stock or derivative positions in the companies mentioned but may initiate a beneficial long position in NFLX [1]. - The article expresses the author's personal opinions and is not influenced by compensation from any company [1]. - There is a mention of a long position in DIS, indicating interest in multiple entertainment companies [2].

Core Insights - Gold has increased over 60% in value this year, reaching approximately $4,350 in mid-October, indicating strong investor confidence in the commodity compared to the stock market [1][3] - The appeal of gold lies in its historical role as a store of value, being independent of any single country or currency, making it a preferred choice during economic stress or geopolitical uncertainty [2][4] - Investors, particularly those in the Tiger 21 group, are shifting towards more cautious portfolio strategies, increasing allocations to cash, fixed income, and gold, while slightly pulling back from stocks and real estate [3][5] Gold Market Dynamics - The performance of gold reflects a defensive investment posture as Wall Street faces uncertainties, including potential AI bubbles and interest rate changes by the Federal Reserve [4] - Gold IRAs are becoming popular as they allow investors to hold physical gold within a retirement account, combining tax advantages with the protective benefits of gold investment [8] Bitcoin as an Alternative Asset - Bitcoin is gaining traction as a mainstream investment, viewed as a secure asset alongside gold, despite its market size being only a tenth that of gold [10] - The volatility of Bitcoin is attributed to its lack of backing by central banks, but its built-in scarcity (capped at 21 million) adds to its appeal [11] - Investors are optimistic about Bitcoin's potential rebound after a recent decline from an all-time high of around $126,200 to approximately $85,500 [10] Real Estate Investment Trends - There is a noted pullback in real estate allocations among high-net-worth investors, yet real estate remains a reliable asset class for wealth preservation, especially during inflationary periods [19][20] - Crowdfunding platforms like Arrived and Mogul are providing accessible ways for investors to engage in real estate, allowing fractional ownership and income generation without the burdens of traditional property management [21][23]

Core Insights - Many individuals approaching retirement are finding their savings insufficient, but there are strategies available for late savers to enhance their retirement plans [1] Group 1: Financial Assessment - Establishing a clear understanding of one's financial situation is crucial, which includes creating a realistic budget, identifying income sources, and listing assets [2] - Eliminating blind spots in financial planning is essential, including having a plan to get out of debt and maintaining a fully funded emergency fund [2] Group 2: Retirement Timeline Adjustment - Flexibility in retirement timelines is a powerful tool for late savers, allowing adjustments to goals, budgets, or timelines as necessary [3] - Working longer can be an effective strategy to close the savings gap, with options such as encore careers, part-time work, consulting, and phased retirement [3][4] Group 3: Expense Management - Reducing key expenses, particularly in areas like housing, taxes, insurance, and debt, can significantly improve cash flow for late savers [5] - Eliminating high-interest debt and being intentional about discretionary spending can free up funds for savings and reduce long-term financial stress [5]

Economic Outlook - The U.S. economy is entering 2026 with uncertainty stemming from a record government shutdown in 2025, which affected growth and delayed key economic data collection [2][22] - The economy is expected to experience a growth rate of 2.3% to 2.5% in 2026, following a year of only 1% to 1.5% growth in 2025 [14] Government Policy and Stimulus - Significant tax cuts and deregulation are anticipated to inject approximately $55 billion to $70 billion into the economy in the first half of 2026 [11][9] - The focus on domestic production, particularly in sectors tied to national security, such as chips and data centers, is expected to drive growth [3][4] Tariffs and Trade - Tariffs are beginning to impact corporate earnings, with approximately $250 billion in tariff revenue collected, which may affect consumer prices [6][7] - Uncertainty around tariff policies and trade restrictions is expected to continue into 2026, with companies needing to adapt to ongoing geopolitical risks [41][42] AI and Technology - The adoption of AI is seen as a critical factor for productivity growth, but there is concern about the pace of adoption across industries [23][24] - The focus on AI will also include the need for critical minerals and resources necessary for technology infrastructure, such as data centers [53][48] Bond Market and Capital Access - The bond market is facing increased supply from both public and private sectors, with significant debt issuance expected, particularly in data centers [29][30] - There is a growing competition for access to capital, which may reshape the global financial system and affect borrowing costs [50][49] Crypto Regulation - The U.S. Senate is considering the Clarity Act, which aims to establish a market structure for crypto, following earlier legislation on stable coins [33][34] - Traditional financial institutions are increasingly recognizing the potential of stable coins, which may lead to greater adoption and efficiency in financial services [35][36]