Core Insights - Warren Buffett's name is synonymous with Berkshire Hathaway, but he also holds a separate portfolio of ETFs managed by New England Asset Management [1][2][3] - Buffett is expected to retire soon, with Greg Abel set to take over, although Buffett will remain involved as chairman and controlling shareholder [2] - The upcoming Q4 2025 13F report will be the last one under Buffett's leadership as CEO [2] ETF Portfolio Overview - The ETFs in Buffett's secret portfolio include iShares Core MSCI EA (IEFA), Vanguard High Dividend Yield Index Fund ETF (VYM), and iShares Core MSCI International Developed Markets ETF (IDEV) [1][3] - The top two holdings in the portfolio are SPDR S&P 500 ETF Trust (SPY) and Vanguard S&P 500 ETF (VOO), which together account for a 16.13% exposure to the S&P 500 [4] iShares Core MSCI EA (IEFA) - IEFA provides exposure to developed-market stocks outside the U.S. and Canada, tracking the MSCI EAFE IMI Index [6] - It has outperformed both the S&P 500 and Nasdaq-100 year-to-date, with a gain of 27.8% and a dividend yield of 3.5% [8] - New England Asset Management allocates 6.37% of its portfolio to IEFA, valued at $48.7 million, with a 35.23% increase in holdings in Q3 [8] Vanguard High Dividend Yield Index Fund ETF (VYM) - VYM tracks the FTSE High Dividend Yield Index, focusing on U.S. stocks with above-average dividend yields [9] - It has increased by 13.74% over the past year, with a dividend yield of 2.41% and an expense ratio of 0.06% [10][11] - VYM constitutes 4.62% of NEAM's portfolio, valued at $35.37 million, with a 1.77% increase in holdings in Q3 [11] iShares Core MSCI International Developed Markets ETF (IDEV) - IDEV targets developed markets internationally, tracking an MSCI "World ex USA" index, including Canada [12] - It has gained 28.6% year-to-date, with a lower expense ratio of 0.04% and a dividend yield of 3.38% [12] - IDEV makes up 4.41% of NEAM's portfolio, valued at $33.72 million, with a 30.1% increase in holdings in Q3 [13]

Group 1 - Wilson Research focuses on providing insights into exchange-traded funds (ETFs) that balance growth potential and dividend yield [1] - The analysis incorporates fundamental analysis along with macro-level factors such as industry trends, economics, and geopolitics [1] - The team includes an MBA graduate and an independent financial coach, aiming to offer actionable information for long-term investors who prioritize diversification and low fees [1] Group 2 - Wilson Research draws inspiration from the investment philosophies of Warren Buffett and the entrepreneurial philosophies of Robert Kiyosaki [1]

Earnings Report - Apogee Enterprises, Inc. is set to release its third-quarter earnings results on January 7, 2026, before the market opens [1] - Analysts predict earnings of $1.01 per share, a decrease from $1.19 per share in the same quarter last year [1] - Revenue is expected to reach $355.29 million, an increase from $341.34 million year-over-year [1] Analyst Upgrade - DA Davidson analyst Brent Thielman upgraded Apogee Enterprises from Neutral to Buy, setting a price target of $47 [2] - The company currently offers an annual dividend yield of 2.74%, translating to a quarterly dividend of 26 cents per share, or $1.04 annually [2] Dividend Strategy - To generate $500 monthly or $6,000 annually from dividends, an investment of approximately $218,991 or around 5,769 shares is required [2] - For a more modest income of $100 monthly or $1,200 annually, an investment of $43,806 or about 1,154 shares is necessary [2] Dividend Yield Calculation - The dividend yield is calculated by dividing the annual dividend payment by the stock's current price [3] - Changes in stock price affect the dividend yield; for instance, if the stock price increases, the yield decreases, and vice versa [3][4] Stock Performance - Shares of Apogee Enterprises increased by 0.9%, closing at $37.96 [4]

Core Insights - Apogee Enterprises is set to release its third-quarter earnings on January 7, 2026, with expected earnings of $1.01 per share, a decrease from $1.19 per share in the same period last year. Revenue is anticipated to rise to $355.29 million from $341.34 million year-over-year [1] Group 1: Earnings Expectations - Analysts predict a quarterly earnings report of $1.01 per share for Apogee Enterprises, down from $1.19 per share in the previous year [1] - Revenue is expected to increase to $355.29 million, compared to $341.34 million a year earlier [1] Group 2: Analyst Upgrade and Price Target - DA Davidson analyst Brent Thielman upgraded Apogee Enterprises from Neutral to Buy, setting a price target of $47 [2] - The company currently offers an annual dividend yield of 2.74%, translating to a quarterly dividend of 26 cents per share, or $1.04 annually [2] Group 3: Dividend Yield Calculations - To achieve a monthly income of $500 from dividends, an investment of approximately $218,991 or around 5,769 shares is required. For a more modest goal of $100 per month, an investment of $43,806 or about 1,154 shares is necessary [2] - The dividend yield is calculated by dividing the annual dividend payment by the stock's current price, which can fluctuate based on stock price changes [3] Group 4: Impact of Dividend Changes - Changes in dividend payments can affect the yield; an increase in dividends raises the yield if the stock price remains constant, while a decrease lowers it [4] - Apogee Enterprises' shares rose by 0.9% to close at $37.96 [4]

Core Viewpoint - Energy Transfer's stock has declined nearly 17% year to date, leading to a dividend yield of approximately 8%, raising concerns about a potential yield trap, though the outlook remains positive due to strategic project adjustments and growth potential [2][4][9]. Group 1: Company Performance - Energy Transfer has halted its Lake Charles LNG project, reallocating resources to the more promising Desert Southwest expansion plan [4]. - The company is focused on maintaining a net-debt-to-EBITDA ratio of 4-4.5 to align with peers and protect its investment-grade credit rating [5]. - The long-term financial outlook is expected to improve as new projects come online, enhancing free cash flow generation [5]. Group 2: Market Position and Opportunities - Energy Transfer is positioned to benefit from increasing demand for natural gas driven by data centers, particularly in Texas, where it operates as the largest intrastate pipeline operator [6][7]. - The Desert Southwest expansion is aimed at meeting additional customer demand, which may include data centers as a significant factor [6]. - The stock's current struggles may present a buying opportunity, with the sustainable 8% dividend yield and potential catalysts for long-term growth from new projects [9].

Core Viewpoint - The article highlights three companies offering high dividend yields significantly above the S&P 500 average, which is currently around 1.1% [1] Group 1: Starwood Property Trust - Starwood Property Trust leads with a 10.3% dividend yield, supported by a diversified portfolio of income-producing properties and real estate-backed loans [3][4] - The REIT has maintained its dividend for over a decade and recently expanded its portfolio through a $2.2 billion acquisition, which includes 467 properties with a 17-year weighted average lease term and a 2.2% average annual rent escalation [4][6] - Starwood has made $10.2 billion in new investments in 2025, including a record $800 million in infrastructure lending, which supports its ability to continue paying high dividends [6] Group 2: Western Midstream Partners - Western Midstream Partners offers a 9.2% yield, generating stable cash flow from energy midstream infrastructure backed by long-term contracts [7][9] - The MLP expects to produce between $1.3 billion and $1.5 billion in free cash flow this year, sufficient to cover its distribution payments and capital expenditures [9][10] - The company has a strong balance sheet with a leverage ratio of 2.8 times and recently completed a $2 billion acquisition, which contributed to a 13% increase in its payout this year [9][10] Group 3: Verizon - Verizon provides a 6.8% yield, with a history of increasing its dividend for 19 consecutive years, supported by recurring revenue from mobile and broadband contracts [11][12] - The company generated $28 billion in cash flow from operations in the first nine months of the year, covering capital spending and dividend payments with a surplus of $7.2 billion [13] - Verizon anticipates generating more free cash flow in 2026 and is working on a $20 billion acquisition of Frontier Communications to enhance its service offerings [14]

Core Insights - Investors face a choice between higher yield and long-term resilience when selecting between the State Street SPDR Portfolio Long Term Corporate Bond ETF (SPLB) and the iShares iBoxx Investment Grade Corporate Bond ETF (LQD) [1] Group 1: ETF Overview - Both SPLB and LQD focus on U.S. investment-grade corporate bonds, with SPLB targeting long-term maturities of 10 years or more, while LQD covers the entire investment-grade maturity spectrum [2] - SPLB has a lower expense ratio of 0.04% compared to LQD's 0.14%, and offers a higher dividend yield of 5.2% versus LQD's 4.34% [3] - SPLB has assets under management (AUM) of $1.1 billion, significantly smaller than LQD's AUM of $33.17 billion [3] Group 2: Performance Metrics - Over the past five years, LQD has experienced a maximum drawdown of 14.7%, while SPLB's drawdown was 23.31% [4] - An investment of $1,000 in LQD would have grown to $801.52, while the same investment in SPLB would have grown to $686.55 over five years [4] Group 3: Portfolio Composition - SPLB holds 2,953 investment-grade corporate bonds with a fund life of 16.8 years, with top positions including Meta Platforms, Anheuser Busch InBev, and CVS Health [6] - LQD has a broader portfolio with 3,002 holdings, including significant positions in BlackRock Cash Fund, Anheuser Busch InBev, and CVS Health [7] - LQD's broader maturity range allows it to better withstand market volatility, particularly during periods of rising interest rates [11]

Core Insights - The Western Union Company (WU) is positioned for growth due to declining expenses, strong performance in Consumer Services and Branded Digital businesses, and investments to enhance digital capabilities [1][10] - The company has a market capitalization of $2.9 billion and is currently rated Zacks Rank 2 (Buy), indicating solid investment prospects [2] Financial Performance - The Zacks Consensus Estimate for WU's current-year earnings is $1.73 per share, with two upward revisions in the past 60 days [3] - Revenue estimates for 2025 and 2026 are approximately $4.09 billion and $4.11 billion, respectively, supported by growth in high-demand remittance corridors like Latin America [5] - WU's shares have decreased by 12.5% over the past year, compared to an 8.4% decline in the industry [3] Valuation Metrics - WU's forward 12-month price-to-earnings ratio is 5.24X, significantly lower than its five-year median of 7.54X and the industry average of 21.16X, indicating the stock is more affordable [4] - The company has a Value Score of A, suggesting it is undervalued relative to its peers [4] Operational Efficiency - WU has successfully reduced total expenses by 9% in 2022, with further reductions of 1.4% in 2023, 1.6% in 2024, and 5% in the first nine months of 2025 [6] - The adjusted operating margin is expected to be between 19% and 21% for 2025, benefiting from ongoing cost-reduction strategies [6][10] Shareholder Returns - WU offers an attractive dividend yield of 10.05%, significantly higher than the industry average of 0.68% [7] - In 2024, WU returned $496 million to shareholders, including $318 million in dividends and $177 million in share repurchases [7] - As of September 30, 2025, WU had $800.3 million authorized for further share repurchases [7] Strategic Growth Initiatives - The acquisition of International Money Express, Inc. (IMXI) for $500 million is expected to be a major growth driver, enhancing WU's presence in markets with large migrant populations and increasing digital adoption [5] - The transaction is anticipated to close by mid-2026, aligning with WU's expansion plans [5]

Group 1 - Meta Platforms, Inc. shares closed slightly higher, with a 0.5% increase to $664.94 on Tuesday [5] - Baird analyst Colin Sebastian maintained an Outperform rating for Meta and adjusted the price target from $820 to $815 [1] - Meta currently offers an annual dividend yield of 0.32%, translating to a quarterly dividend of 52.5 cents per share, or $2.10 annually [1] Group 2 - To earn $500 monthly from Meta's dividends, an investment of approximately $1,899,734 or around 2,857 shares is required [2] - For a more modest income of $100 per month, an investment of $379,681 or around 571 shares is necessary [2] - The calculation for required shares is based on dividing the desired annual income by the annual dividend payment [3] Group 3 - The dividend yield is calculated by dividing the annual dividend payment by the stock's current price, which can fluctuate [3][4] - Changes in stock price affect the dividend yield; for instance, if a stock's price increases, the yield decreases, and vice versa [4][5] - An increase in the dividend payment will raise the yield, assuming the stock price remains constant [5]

Core Insights - Jabil Inc. reported stronger-than-expected fiscal first-quarter 2026 results, with adjusted earnings per share of $2.85, surpassing the analyst consensus estimate of $2.70, and net revenue of $8.31 billion, reflecting an 18.7% year-over-year increase [1] - The company raised its full-year outlook, projecting fiscal 2026 net revenue of $32.400 billion, up from a prior forecast of $31.30 billion, and adjusted EPS of $11.55, an increase from previous guidance of $11.00 [2] Financial Performance - Quarterly adjusted earnings per share were $2.85, exceeding the consensus estimate of $2.70 [1] - Quarterly net revenue reached $8.31 billion, which is an 18.7% increase year-over-year and above the analyst consensus estimate of $8.09 billion [1] Future Projections - Jabil's fiscal 2026 net revenue is now projected at $32.400 billion, compared to the previous forecast of $31.30 billion, and adjusted EPS is expected to be $11.55, up from $11.00 [2] - The analyst consensus for fiscal 2026 net revenue was $31.523 billion, and for adjusted EPS, it was $11.11 [2] Dividend Information - Jabil currently offers an annual dividend yield of 0.14%, translating to a quarterly dividend of 8 cents per share, or 32 cents annually [2] - To generate a monthly dividend income of $500, an investor would need to own approximately 18,750 shares, equating to a total investment of about $4,308,375 [3][4] - For a more conservative monthly income goal of $100, an investment of approximately $861,675 would be required for 3,750 shares [4] Stock Performance - Jabil's shares increased by 1.4%, closing at $229.78 on the latest trading day [7]