With a focus on REITs, ETFs, Preferreds, and 'Dividend Champions' across asset classes, members gain complete access to our research and our suite of trackers and portfolios targeting premium dividend yields up to 10%.iREIT®+HOYA Capital is the premier income-focused investing service on Seeking Alpha. Our focus is on income-producing asset classes that offer the opportunity for sustainable portfolio income, diversification, and inflation hedging. Get started with a Free Two-Week Trial and take a look at ou ...

Core Insights - Berkshire Hathaway is experiencing a historic transition as Warren Buffett retires from his CEO role, marking the first year without his direct oversight of the company's operations and its $319 billion investment portfolio [1][4] Company Overview - Greg Abel, Buffett's successor, has committed to adhering to many of Buffett's investment principles, although changes are anticipated, particularly regarding Berkshire's largest investment holding, Apple [2][5] Investment Focus - Apple has been the largest holding in Berkshire Hathaway's portfolio for nearly a decade, driven by its technological innovation and strong consumer goods appeal [5] - The company has cultivated a loyal customer base willing to pay premium prices for its products, particularly the iPhone, which has made Apple an attractive investment for Buffett [6] Share Buyback Program - Apple's significant share buyback program, initiated in 2013, has resulted in over $841 billion in repurchased stock, reducing the number of outstanding shares by more than 44%, which can enhance earnings per share for companies with stable or growing net income [7] Recent Developments - The integration of artificial intelligence into Apple's products is expected to further enhance its growth and strengthen consumer loyalty [8] - Despite these advantages, Buffett sold a substantial amount of Apple stock prior to his retirement, reducing Berkshire's stake by 75% over nine quarters, which he framed as a tax-advantaged strategy [9][10]

Core Viewpoint - JPMorgan Chase Bank has acknowledged the closure of President Donald Trump's bank accounts following the January 6, 2021, Capitol breach, which has led to a $5 billion legal challenge from Trump alleging political motivations behind the debanking [1][3]. Group 1: Account Closure Details - In February 2021, JPMorgan informed Trump and his hospitality companies about the closure of certain accounts, with formal letters dated February 19, 2021 [2]. - Trump and his companies were given until April 19, 2021, to transfer hundreds of millions of dollars before the accounts were officially closed [6]. - JPMorgan's letters did not specify reasons for the closures, but Trump's attorneys claim they were unlawfully closed due to political discrimination and placed on a "blacklist" [7]. Group 2: Legal and Regulatory Context - JPMorgan's account agreements allow the bank to close accounts with or without cause, provided there is at least 30 days written notice [8]. - The agreements permit closure upon written notice for specific reasons, including breach of contract, financial impairment, legal requirements, or activities that violate bank policies [10]. - The bank reserves the right to refuse transactions or close accounts without notice if activities conflict with its policies [11]. Group 3: Allegations and Responses - Trump's attorneys accuse JPMorgan Chase and CEO Jamie Dimon of trade libel and violating Florida's unfair trade practices act, seeking a jury trial [11]. - They assert that JPMorgan's decision was influenced by political and social motivations, reflecting a trend among financial institutions to restrict banking access based on political views [12]. - Dimon has publicly denied that JPMorgan debanks customers based on political affiliations, emphasizing the need for regulatory reforms [15].

Core Insights - LyondellBasell will participate in the 2026 Bank of America Global Agriculture and Materials Conference, with CFO Agustin Izquierdo speaking on February 26, 2026, at 9:45 a.m. EST [1] - A live webcast of the event will be available, along with a replay within 24 hours [2] - LyondellBasell is a leader in the global chemical industry, focusing on sustainable living solutions and enabling a circular and low carbon economy [3] Company Overview - LyondellBasell is one of the world's largest producers of polymers and a leader in polyolefin technologies [3] - The company develops, manufactures, and markets high-quality products for various applications, including sustainable transportation, food safety, clean water, and healthcare [3] - The company aims to unlock value for customers, investors, and society through advanced technology and focused investments [3]

Core Insights - Merrill Wealth Management and Merrill Private Wealth Advisors had 24 advisors recognized in Financial Planning's Top 40 Brokers Under 40 list, marking the seventh consecutive year that Merrill leads in this category, highlighting the firm's commitment to advisor development [1] Group 1: Recognition and Rankings - The Top 40 Brokers Under 40 list is an annual ranking of high-producing young financial advisors, with nominees being 39 years old or younger as of December 31, 2025 [1] - Merrill's advisors on the list include notable names such as Jens Pascucci at 1, Christian Kelly at 2, and Matthew Gallo at 4, showcasing a diverse representation from various locations [1] Group 2: Company Commitment and Development - Kenneth Correa, Head of Business and Client Development at Merrill, emphasized the firm's focus on training and developing advisors to guide families across generations, reflecting a strong commitment to nurturing talent [1] - The recognition of these advisors underscores the strength of Merrill's next generation of talent and the firm's ongoing investment in advisor development at all career stages [1] Group 3: Company Overview - Bank of America, the parent company of Merrill, is a leading financial institution serving nearly 70 million clients with a wide range of banking, investing, and asset management services [1] - The company operates approximately 3,600 retail financial centers and 15,000 ATMs, along with a robust digital banking platform that has around 59 million verified digital users [1]

Nucor Announces Promotion of Jack Sullivan to Chief Financial Officer, Treasurer and Executive Vice President [Accessibility Statement] Skip NavigationCHARLOTTE, N.C., Feb. 20, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Nucor Corporation (NYSE: NUE) announced today that John L. "Jack" Sullivan, Vice President, Treasurer and General Manager of Investor Relations, will be promoted to Chief Financial Officer, Treasurer and Executive Vice President effective March 1, 2026. He will succeed Steve Laxton, who was promoted to President ...

Core Viewpoint - The Federal Reserve is proposing regulatory changes aimed at encouraging large banks to re-enter the mortgage origination and servicing business, which may reshape the competitive landscape between banks and non-bank lenders [2][3]. Group 1: Regulatory Changes - The proposed changes by the Federal Reserve focus on mortgage servicing assets (MSRs) and aim to reduce the capital burden on banks, making it more economically appealing for them to maintain servicing portfolios in-house [6][7]. - The Fed plans to eliminate the current deduction requirement for MSRs from core regulatory capital, which has made retaining these assets costly for banks [7]. - Additionally, the Fed is reassessing the 250% risk weight applied to MSRs, intending to create a more proportionate and risk-sensitive capital framework [8]. Group 2: Impact on Banks - If implemented, the regulatory changes could significantly improve returns on equity for banks like Wells Fargo, Bank of America, and JPMorgan in their mortgage businesses [11]. - Mortgage banking is expected to provide stable fee income that is less sensitive to interest rate cycles, enhancing long-term customer relationships and cross-selling opportunities [12]. - A regulatory reset could help banks diversify revenues and regain competitive positions in housing finance [12]. Group 3: Impact on Non-Bank Lenders - Non-bank lenders such as Rocket Companies Inc. and PennyMac Financial Services may face increased competition as banks re-enter the mortgage market [3][13]. - The easing of capital constraints for banks could narrow the structural advantages that non-bank lenders have enjoyed, leading to intensified competition [13][14]. - Greater bank participation in the mortgage market could compress pricing and thin margins for non-bank lenders, resulting in a more balanced and competitive mortgage market overall [14].

Group 1 - Citigroup's Private Bank in North America has appointed Chad Reddy as the market executive for the West, enhancing its leadership team [1] - Chad Reddy brings 25 years of wealth management experience, having previously served as managing director and market leader at Bank of America Private Bank for over 15 years [1] - Reddy has also held senior leadership roles at Wells Fargo Private Bank, indicating a strong background in the industry [1] Group 2 - Reddy will report to Chris Biotti, who is the head of Citi Private Bank North America, suggesting a structured leadership hierarchy [1]

BofA commits $25 billion to private credit deals, memo shows | ReutersSkip to main content[Exclusive news, data and analytics for financial market professionalsLearn more aboutRefinitiv]Bank of America logo appears in this illustration taken December 1, 2025. REUTERS/Dado Ruvic/Illustration/File Photo [Purchase Licensing Rights, opens new tab]Feb 19 (Reuters) - Bank of America [(BAC.N), opens new tab] is committing $25 billion to private credit deals, according to an internal memo seen by Reuters.Traditiona ...

Core Insights - Bank of America (BAC) is launching a no-fee loyalty program, BofA Rewards, on May 27, which will expand eligibility to over 30 million existing customers with personal checking accounts, turning basic checking into a gateway for deeper engagement [1][9] Group 1: Loyalty Program and Customer Engagement - The BofA Rewards program ties membership to checking accounts, encouraging customers to centralize bill payments, debit spending, and direct deposits, which can lead to more stable and lower-cost deposits [2] - The program aims to drive fee-based revenue by offering credit card rewards bonuses ranging from 10% to 75%, which can increase card adoption and everyday spending, thereby enhancing interchange income and net interest income (NII) for revolvers [3] - BAC Rewards includes discounts on home and auto loans and access to cash-back deals from over 15,000 brands, designed to increase borrowing and purchasing activity through the bank [4] Group 2: Competitive Landscape - JPMorgan is expanding cross-sell opportunities by adding 160 Chase branches and using data-driven offers to guide customers into various financial products [6] - Citigroup is combining its U.S. retail bank with wealth management to streamline services for clients, enhancing cross-sell capabilities [7] Group 3: Financial Performance and Valuation - Bank of America's shares have increased by 10.3% over the past six months [8] - The bank trades at a 12-month trailing price-to-tangible book (P/TB) ratio of 1.93X, which is below the industry average [10] - The Zacks Consensus Estimate indicates year-over-year earnings growth of 12.9% for 2026 and 14.5% for 2027, although recent estimates have been revised lower [11]