At the same time, Fed governor Adriana Kugler stepped down during the summer, leading the president to appoint White House Council of Economic Advisers Chair Stephen Miran to serve out the remaining five months in her term. Miran did not step down from his position at the White House, only taking a leave of absence. It's a move that many Fed watchers worried would compromise Fed independence — and one that Miran himself had previously warned about prior to his position in the administration.The Fed’s holdin ...

Company Overview - AbbVie Inc. is ranked sixth among prominent biomedical companies by revenue and has shifted focus from blockbuster drug revenues to growing oncology and neuroscience segments [1] - The company is recognized as a top healthcare stock pick across Wall Street and offers a reliable 2.93% dividend [1] Product Portfolio - AbbVie develops and manufactures a range of pharmaceuticals, including Imbruvica for blood cancers, Rinvoq for various autoimmune diseases, Skyrizi for psoriasis, and Humira for autoimmune and intestinal diseases [1] - The company also provides a variety of eye care products, including Ozurdex and Restasis, as well as treatments for advanced Parkinson's disease and migraine [7][9] Financial Performance - Quality dividend stocks, such as those offered by AbbVie, are favored by investors for their steady income and potential for total return, which includes interest, capital gains, and dividends [2][4] - Companies with strong dividend growth histories, like AbbVie, can provide consistent income even during economic fluctuations [4] Market Position - AbbVie is noted for its sustainable payout ratios and consistent free cash flow generation, making it a solid choice for long-term investors [4] - The company is part of a broader trend where quality dividend stocks are expected to perform well in the coming years, particularly as inflation rates decline [5][6]

Central Banks' Rate Cuts - Major central banks have implemented interest rate cuts in 2025 at the fastest pace and largest scale since the financial crisis, with significant easing also observed in developing nations [1][2] - Nine central banks overseeing the 10 most traded currencies lowered their benchmark lending rates, delivering a total of 850 basis points across 32 rate reductions, marking the largest number of cuts since 2008 and the most extensive easing since 2009 [2] Change in Monetary Policy Tone - There has been a notable shift in monetary policy tone ahead of 2026, contrasting sharply with the rate hikes seen in 2022 and 2023 aimed at combating inflation due to rising energy prices [3] - Analysts suggest that 2026 may see a change in direction, with expectations of potential rate hikes from several G10 central banks, particularly Canada and Australia [3][4] Emerging Markets' Rate Cuts - In December, eight central banks from a sample of 18 developing economies delivered 350 basis points of cuts, contributing to a total of 3,085 basis points of easing across 51 moves in 2025, significantly surpassing the 2,160 basis points in 2024 [6]

December 22, 2025 12:59 PM GMT Federal Reserve Monitor | North America Fed speak: The policy rate should head lower. The question is when and by how much Fed speakers last week generally agreed that the funds rate will move lower. Governors Waller and Miran made clear cases for near-term rate cuts while Presidents Bostic and Goolsbee saw a need to ensure inflation was on a path to 2%. President Williams had a preference to wait for clearer data. Key Takeaways | M Fed speak: The policy rate | Chief US Econom ...

Key Points The Federal Reserve cut interest rates six times since September 2024, and policymakers are forecasting more cuts in 2026. Lower interest rates typically boost the housing market by reducing mortgage costs and giving buyers more borrowing power. Douglas Elliman is one of America's largest residential real estate brokerage companies, and its stock looks like a bargain heading into 2026. 10 stocks we like better than Douglas Elliman › The U.S. Federal Reserve aggressively increased inte ...

Key Takeaways November CPI rose 2.7% year over year, below expectations, easing pressure on Federal Reserve policy meeting.AS expects 21.5% earnings growth next year, with current-year earnings estimates up 10.7% in the past 60 days.ROKU's current-year earnings growth tops 100%, and its earnings estimates jumped 83.3% over the past 60 days.The Federal Reserve cut interest rates in December but signaled only one rate cut in 2026, given that inflation remains high. However, a soft inflation reading for Novemb ...

Core Insights - The broader equity markets experienced a mini recovery, ending a four-day losing streak, driven by cooling inflation and strong performances from key blue-chip stocks [1][2] - The November consumer price index report indicated an annual inflation increase of 2.7%, lower than the expected 3.1%, while core consumer price inflation was at 2.6%, compared to a forecast of 3% [1] Investment Opportunities - Investors are encouraged to focus on "cash cow" stocks with high return on equity (ROE) to maximize returns, as high ROE indicates effective reinvestment of cash [2][3] - TE Connectivity plc (TEL), ZTO Express (Cayman) Inc. (ZTO), Pilgrim's Pride Corporation (PPC), Assurant, Inc. (AIZ), and Host Hotels & Resorts, Inc. (HST) are highlighted as stocks with high ROE and favorable efficiency scores [2][7] Financial Metrics - ROE is defined as Net Income divided by Shareholders' Equity, serving as a key indicator of a company's profitability and financial health [3] - A higher ROE signifies better management efficiency in generating profits without new equity capital [4] Screening Parameters - Stocks were screened based on criteria including cash flow greater than $1 billion, ROE greater than the industry average, price/cash flow ratio lower than the industry average, return on assets (ROA) greater than the industry average, and a 5-year EPS historical growth greater than the industry average [5][6][7] - Zacks Rank of 1 (Strong Buy) or 2 (Buy) was also considered, indicating stocks likely to outperform the market [7] Company Profiles - **TE Connectivity**: A global technology company focused on connectivity and sensor solutions, with a long-term earnings growth expectation of 12.3% and a trailing four-quarter earnings surprise of 6.5% [8][9] - **ZTO Express**: A leading express delivery service in China, with a Zacks Rank of 1 and a long-term earnings growth expectation of 3.1% [10][11] - **Pilgrim's Pride**: Engaged in the production and distribution of chicken products, with a trailing four-quarter earnings surprise of 10.4% and a Zacks Rank of 2 [11][12] - **Assurant**: A provider of risk management solutions, with a trailing four-quarter earnings surprise of 22.7% and a Zacks Rank of 2 [12][13] - **Host Hotels**: A leading lodging REIT with a trailing four-quarter earnings surprise of 11% and a Zacks Rank of 2 [14][15]

VideoFlow / Shutterstock.com Quick Read SCHH holds $162B in commercial real estate loans maturing in 2026, up 56% from 2025’s $104B. Welltower rose over 50% year-to-date while Digital Realty fell 14% on AI infrastructure cooling. Property values rise as Treasury yields fall because lower rates reduce discount rates for cash flows. If you’re thinking about retiring or know someone who is, there are three quick questions causing many Americans to realize they can retire earlier than expected. take 5 ...

Gold and Silver Market - Gold has surpassed $4,400 per ounce for the first time, currently priced at $4,412, marking a 1.6% increase and on track for its best annual performance in over 40 years [2][3] - Silver prices have also surged, with spot prices rising 3.3% to a record $69.44, indicating both metals are set for their strongest yearly performance since 1979 [3] - Traders are anticipating two interest rate cuts by the Federal Reserve in 2026, influenced by recent economic data and advocacy for looser monetary policy from President Trump [3] Geopolitical Factors - Rising geopolitical tensions have enhanced the safe-haven appeal of gold and silver, particularly due to the U.S. tightening its oil blockade on Venezuela and Ukraine's recent attack on a Russian oil tanker [4] Gold-Backed ETFs - Gold-backed ETFs have experienced inflows for five consecutive weeks, with total holdings increasing every month this year except May, according to Bloomberg and World Gold Council data [5]

Stocks looked set to rise in thin trading on Monday, while gold jumped to yet another record as the market bet on a strong end to 2026 for both equities and precious metals.Futures tracking the Dow Jones Industrial Average climbed 63 points, or 0.1%. S&P 500 futures added 0.4%, and contracts tied to the tech-heavy Nasdaq 100 gained 0.5%.The three major indexes rallied on Friday, meaning that both the S&P 500 and Nasdaq ended the week in the green. Investors had been fretting about lofty artificial-intellige ...