Core Insights - The article emphasizes the potential of investing in dividend ETFs as a strategy for generating income and growing a portfolio over time [1] Group 1: Dividend ETFs Overview - The State Street SPDR S&P Dividend ETF (SDY) has 155 high-quality holdings and offers a 2.35% annual yield, focusing on companies that have consistently increased dividends for at least 20 years [1] - The Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF (VYM) features a low expense ratio of 0.04% and a 2.33% dividend yield, with a diverse holdings list of 562 companies, including major market players [1] - The iShares International Select Dividend ETF (IDV) provides a 4.63% dividend yield with a focus on established international companies, despite a higher expense ratio of 0.5% [1][2] Group 2: Performance Metrics - The SDY ETF's share price has increased by 40% over the past five years, indicating strong growth potential alongside its dividend yield [1] - The VYM ETF has seen a remarkable 63% increase in share price over the last five years, excluding dividend payments [1] - The IDV ETF's share price has grown by 42% in the past five years, showcasing its potential for both dividend income and capital appreciation [2]

Investment Strategy Shift - In 2026, investors have shifted focus from growth stocks and high-powered tech companies to dividend stocks, indicating a change in investment strategy [1] Market Performance - The S&P 500 has risen by less than 2% since the start of the year, while the Roundhill Magnificent Seven ETF, which includes top tech stocks, is down more than 3% [2] - Dividend stocks have outperformed the market recently, with the iShares Select Dividend ETF and Schwab U.S. Dividend Equity ETF both showing significant gains [2] iShares Select Dividend ETF - The iShares Select Dividend ETF is up 10% and focuses on U.S. companies that have paid dividends for at least five years, providing reliable income investments [3] - The ETF holds around 100 stocks, with Seagate Technology as its top holding, accounting for just under 4% of the portfolio, and Seagate's stock has risen more than 50% year to date [4] - The ETF yields around 3.4%, significantly higher than the S&P 500 average of 1.1%, with an expense ratio of 0.38% [5] Schwab U.S. Dividend Equity ETF - The Schwab U.S. Dividend Equity ETF has performed even better, up 13% this year, benefiting from high-performing stocks like Lockheed Martin and Texas Instruments, each making up over 4% of the ETF [6] - Both Lockheed Martin and Texas Instruments have seen stock increases of more than 25% for the year [6]

Market Overview - Wall Street's main indexes closed lower as investors reacted to President Trump's nomination of Kevin Warsh for Federal Reserve Chair, viewing it as a hawkish choice amid mixed earnings reports and inflation concerns [9][10] - The Dow Jones Industrial Average fell by 179.09 points (0.36%) to 48,892.47, the S&P 500 lost 29.98 points (0.43%) to 6,939.03, and the Nasdaq Composite decreased by 223.30 points (0.94%) to 23,461.82 [10] Federal Reserve and Monetary Policy - Kevin Warsh is expected to favor lower interest rates but will not pursue aggressive monetary easing, suggesting a potential shift in the Fed's approach to monetary policy [9][10] - Markets are adjusting to the implications of Warsh's nomination, with the U.S. dollar gaining and precious metals experiencing a sell-off [10] Earnings Reports - Apple shares closed up 0.4% after a forecast of higher-than-expected revenue growth of up to 16% for the March quarter, despite warnings about rising memory-chip prices affecting profitability [5][10] - Microsoft shares fell 0.7% after a significant 10% drop the previous day, attributed to disappointing cloud revenue [6][10] - Tesla shares rose 3.3% following reports of potential deals with SpaceX, contributing positively to the S&P 500 [7][10] - Verizon Communications saw an 11.8% increase in shares after forecasting annual profit and free cash flow above market expectations, driven by strong subscriber growth [7][10] Sector Performance - The S&P's Materials index led declines with a 1.9% loss, influenced by a sell-off in gold and silver prices [4][10] - Defensive consumer staples sector was the top performer, rising 1.4%, with Colgate-Palmolive gaining 5.9% after positive sales forecasts [4][10] Market Dynamics - The Russell 2000 index, which has been outperforming large-cap indexes, lagged with a 1.6% loss on the day but ended the month up more than 5% [2][10] - Overall, declining issues outnumbered advancers on both the NYSE and Nasdaq, indicating a bearish sentiment in the market [8][10]

Core Viewpoint - Verizon Communications reported a significant increase in postpaid mobile users and revenue growth, indicating a potential turnaround under new CEO Dan Schulman, who is implementing cost-cutting and strategic transformation plans [1][2][4]. Financial Performance - Verizon's Q4 revenue grew by 2% year-over-year, reaching $36.4 billion, slightly exceeding analyst expectations [2][5]. - The company reported earnings per share of $0.55, with adjusted earnings of $1.09, impacted by severance costs from layoffs [6]. - Wireless service revenue, Verizon's largest segment, amounted to $21 billion [5]. User Growth - The company added 616,000 postpaid mobile users in Q4, significantly surpassing the expected 417,000 [2][6]. - Total wireless retail subscribers reached 146.9 million by the end of the quarter [5]. - Verizon also gained 372,000 net broadband users and 319,000 net fixed wireless users during the quarter [3][7]. Strategic Developments - Verizon completed the acquisition of Frontier Communications for $9.6 billion, expanding its fiber network and broadband user base to 16.3 million [3][6]. - The company aims to provide both mobile and home network services as part of its strategy [3]. - Capital expenditures are projected to be between $16 billion and $16.5 billion in 2026, with approximately $17 billion expected in 2025 [7]. Future Outlook - Verizon forecasts a net addition of 750,000 to 1 million postpaid mobile users for the current year [2][6]. - The company expects wireless service revenue to remain stable, while overall mobile and broadband service revenue is anticipated to grow by 2% to 3% [2][6].

Core Viewpoint - Array Digital Infrastructure (AD) has experienced a significant stock price increase, reflecting positive market sentiment and potential growth opportunities in the wireless telecommunications sector [1]. Group 1: Stock Performance - Array Digital's shares rose by 6.6% to $57.19 in the last trading session, with a trading volume higher than average [1]. - Over the past four weeks, the stock has gained 6.8% [1]. Group 2: Business Strategy - Array Digital operates a portfolio of over 4,400 cellular network towers and aims to increase revenues by enhancing third-party colocations on these towers [2]. - The company plans to monetize its wireless spectrum licenses alongside its tower assets [2]. Group 3: Agreements and Revenue Streams - Array has signed a Master License Agreement (MLA) with T-Mobile, securing a minimum 15-year license for space on at least 2,015 towers, which will provide a steady income stream [3]. - T-Mobile will also extend the license term for approximately 600 towers for an additional 15 years starting August 1, 2025 [3]. Group 4: Earnings Expectations - Array Digital is projected to report quarterly earnings of $0.32 per share, reflecting a year-over-year increase of 540%, while revenues are expected to be $57.72 million, down 94.1% from the previous year [4]. - The consensus EPS estimate for Array has remained stable over the last 30 days, indicating a lack of upward revisions in earnings estimates [5]. Group 5: Industry Context - Array Digital holds a Zacks Rank of 3 (Hold), indicating a neutral outlook compared to other stocks in the wireless national industry [6]. - Verizon Communications, a competitor in the same industry, has a Zacks Rank of 4 (Sell) and has seen a -4.3% return over the past month [6][7].

Core Viewpoint - The article compares two growth stocks, Archer Aviation and AST SpaceMobile, highlighting that while both have shown significant price movements, AST SpaceMobile is currently a better investment option due to its established contracts and progress in satellite deployment [1][2]. Archer Aviation - Archer Aviation is developing electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft aimed at transforming urban transportation, with plans to launch commercial operations in the UAE by the second half of next year [4][5]. - The company has faced a 41% decline in stock price from a peak of over $14 per share, currently trading at approximately $8.13, with a market cap of $6 billion [1][6][7]. - Archer is in the final phase of obtaining type certification from the FAA, which is crucial for its aircraft to enter the market, but it faces competition from other companies like Joby Aviation and Boeing [7][8]. - The investment thesis for Archer is long-term, as the company is currently burning cash and the technology remains untested at scale [9]. AST SpaceMobile - AST SpaceMobile has seen a remarkable 284% increase in stock price year-to-date, currently trading at around $78.05, with a market cap of $22 billion [2][14]. - The company has secured significant contracts, including a long-term agreement with AT&T and a $100 million deal with Verizon, which provide visibility into future cash flows [11][12]. - AST SpaceMobile is actively deploying its BlueBird satellites, with plans to launch satellites every 45 days and aims to have 45 to 60 satellites in orbit by the end of 2026, ultimately targeting 90 satellites for global connectivity [13]. - The space economy is projected to reach $1.8 trillion by 2035, indicating substantial growth potential for companies like AST SpaceMobile [16].

Core Viewpoint - Microsoft is recognized for rewarding long-term investors through substantial dividends and stock buybacks, positioning itself as a strong investment choice among the "Magnificent Seven" stocks [1][2]. Dividend and Buyback Summary - In fiscal 2025, Microsoft allocated $24.08 billion to dividends and $18.42 billion to stock buybacks, surpassing other S&P 500 companies in total cash spent on dividends [2]. - Microsoft announced a 10% increase in dividends, marking its 16th consecutive annual increase, despite a current yield of only 0.7% [2][3]. - Over the past decade, Microsoft has increased its dividend by over 250%, although the yield has decreased due to a significant rise in stock price [9]. Investment Thesis - Microsoft is characterized as an underrated dividend stock, with a focus on dividend growth rather than just forward yield, which can misrepresent a stock's true income potential [5][8]. - The company is noted for its balanced approach to capital deployment, with a strong presence in cloud computing, AI, software, gaming, and personal computing [11][12]. - Microsoft's commitment to returning capital to shareholders through dividends and buybacks positions it as a foundational stock for long-term investment [16][17]. Financial Metrics - Microsoft has a market capitalization of $3.6 trillion and a gross margin of 68.76%, indicating strong financial health [11]. - The company's free cash flow (FCF) remains robust, with capital expenditures rising but not outpacing cash flow from operations, unlike some competitors [12][15].

Group 1 - AT&T Inc. has received approval from the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) for its $1.02 billion acquisition of wireless spectrum license from UScellular, contingent upon the company ending its Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) programs [1] - The FCC noted that the acquisition will enhance network capacity and coverage for AT&T's customers, aligning with similar actions taken by other telecom carriers like T-Mobile and Verizon, which also ended their DEI programs to secure major deals [1] - The Rural Wireless Association has opposed the approval, arguing that it could harm competition and negatively impact rural Americans by leading to price increases and connectivity issues [2] Group 2 - AT&T operates as a major telecommunications company providing a wide range of communications and connectivity services, although there are suggestions that certain AI stocks may offer better investment potential with less risk [3]

Economic Outlook - The Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) is expected to cut the Fed funds rate by 25 basis points with a nearly 90% probability [1] - Lower short-term interest rates may ease refinancing conditions for businesses, but could signal economic weakness if not managed properly [2] Investment Opportunities - In a soft landing scenario, investors are encouraged to consider dividend stocks for steady income and potential capital appreciation as bond yields decline [3] NNN REIT - NNN REIT offers a 6.01% dividend yield with a quarterly payout of $0.6 per share, benefiting from a stable demand for single-tenant retail properties [4][6] - The REIT has increased its annualized base rent (ABR) by 7.2% year-over-year and has $1.4 billion in available liquidity with no floating rate debt [8] - NNN REIT's stock has a price target of $44.41, above its current price of $40.01 per share [8] Verizon Communications - Verizon has announced layoffs of 13,000 employees, about 13% of its workforce, as part of an AI integration strategy, incurring a severance charge of $1.6-$1.8 billion in Q4 [9][10] - The company reported $33.8 billion in total operating revenue for Q3, a 1.5% year-over-year growth, while reducing unsecured debt by $6.7 billion [10] - Verizon's stock has a price target of $46.55, compared to its current price of $40.89 per share, making it an attractive entry point [11] Amcor - Amcor, a leader in flexible and rigid packaging, is poised for growth due to increasing consumer demand for convenience and e-commerce, with the online food delivery packaging market expected to grow from $4.9 billion in 2024 to $10.2 billion by 2033 [12][13] - For fiscal Q1 2026, Amcor reported a 25% year-over-year increase in net sales of flexible packaging solutions to $3.3 billion, with a 205% increase in rigid packaging sales to $2.48 billion [14] - Amcor's stock has a price target of $10.63, above its current price of $8.22 per share, with analysts maintaining bullish ratings [15]

Core Insights - The Schwab U.S. Dividend Equity ETF and SPDR S&P Dividend ETF are positioned to provide growing yields, especially as the Federal Reserve is expected to cut interest rates, making high-yield investments scarcer [1][2] Group 1: Schwab U.S. Dividend Equity ETF - Launched in October 2011, the Schwab U.S. Dividend Equity ETF (SCHD) tracks the Dow Jones U.S. Dividend 100 Index, focusing on companies that have increased dividends for at least 10 consecutive years [4] - The fund emphasizes consistent dividend growth and strong fundamentals, using metrics like cash-flow-to-debt ratio and return on equity, and it removes any stock that cancels its dividend [5] - The ETF has a current yield of 3.8%, significantly higher than the average S&P 500 company, and has returned an average of 12.17% per year since inception [7][8] Group 2: SPDR S&P Dividend ETF - The SPDR S&P Dividend ETF (SDY) aims to track the S&P High Yield Dividend Aristocrats® Index, selecting stocks that have raised dividends for at least 20 consecutive years [9] - Since its inception in November 2005, the fund has achieved an average annual return of 8.65%, with a current yield of 2.6%, which is more than double that of the average S&P 500 company [11][14] - The fund's top holdings include Verizon, Chevron, and Target, which raised their dividends by 1.88%, 5%, and 1.8% respectively in 2025 [11] Group 3: Comparative Analysis - The SPDR S&P Dividend ETF is more diversified with 152 holdings and includes exposure to REITs, which benefit from falling interest rates [13][15] - The Schwab U.S. Dividend Equity ETF has a lower expense ratio of 0.06% compared to the SPDR S&P Dividend ETF's 0.35%, making it potentially more attractive for short-to-medium term investors [8][14][16] - Both funds offer above-average yields that could grow significantly, appealing to investors navigating a low-rate environment [16]