Core Viewpoint - The Nasdaq Composite index is currently in a bear market, down nearly 25% from its peak, primarily due to concerns over the Trump administration's tariff policies potentially leading to a global trade war and recession [1] Group 1: Market Conditions - The market volatility is expected to persist, prompting investment in the JPMorgan Nasdaq Equity Premium Income ETF (JEPQ), which offers exposure to the Nasdaq-100 with reduced volatility [2] - The ETF has shown better relative performance during the Nasdaq's decline this year, indicating its resilience in a challenging market environment [4] Group 2: ETF Strategy and Performance - The JPMorgan Nasdaq Equity Premium Income ETF aims to provide a monthly income stream while offering upside exposure to the Nasdaq-100, utilizing a two-part strategy that includes a higher weighting in Marvell Technology and a lower weighting in Applied Materials [3][5] - The fund employs an "applied data science approach to fundamental research" to construct its portfolio, which includes many stocks from the Nasdaq-100 but does not strictly match its allocation [5] - The fund generates income by writing out-of-the-money call options on the Nasdaq-100 index, which allows it to distribute premium income to investors monthly [5][7] Group 3: Income Generation - The options premium income generated by the fund is expected to increase due to rising market volatility, which will support higher monthly distribution payments [7][9] - The fund currently offers a higher yield compared to other asset classes, and this yield is anticipated to become even more lucrative as it capitalizes on increased volatility [8][9] Group 4: Investment Outlook - The current bear market presents an opportunity to invest in the JPMorgan Nasdaq Equity Premium Income ETF, which provides a lower-risk way to gain exposure to the Nasdaq while offering a lucrative monthly income stream [10]

With an S&P 500 bear market underway, there are plenty of "discounted" stocks to be found. President Donald Trump's tariff strategy could cause inflation to surge, and many experts see the chances of a U.S. recession in 2025 as much higher than they were a few months ago. The general uncertainty of the situation has caused the sharpest market downturn since the 2008 financial crisis.However, there are some excellent businesses that were already trading at attractive valuations before 2025's downturn. Here a ...

Core Viewpoint - UnitedHealth Group has shown resilience and growth in 2025, standing out as a strong performer amidst a generally declining S&P 500 market due to external economic pressures like tariffs [1][4]. Company Performance - Approximately 80% of S&P 500 stocks are in negative territory in 2025, but UnitedHealth Group's stock has delivered solid gains [1]. - The stock experienced a downturn of about 8% year-to-date but rebounded significantly starting in late February, coinciding with a broader market decline [2][3]. Business Resilience - UnitedHealth Group's business model is largely insulated from the negative impacts of tariffs, as health insurers do not import products from abroad [4][5]. - The healthcare sector is often viewed as a safe haven during periods of market uncertainty, which has contributed to UnitedHealth Group's stability [6]. Positive Developments - On April 8, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services announced a higher-than-expected payment increase for Medicare Advantage plans, positively impacting UnitedHealth Group [7]. - The confirmation of Dr. Mehmet Oz, a proponent of Medicare Advantage plans, could further enhance the company's prospects [7]. Investment Considerations - UnitedHealth Group is considered a relatively stable investment option, with a forward price-to-earnings ratio of 17.6, indicating reasonable valuation [8]. - The company's price-to-earnings-to-growth (PEG) ratio is 0.93, suggesting an attractive valuation as it is below 1.0 [9]. - The company has a strong track record of increasing dividends for 16 consecutive years, although its forward dividend yield is only 1.52% [10]. Regulatory Environment - UnitedHealth Group's OptumRx, a major pharmacy benefit manager, faces scrutiny from regulatory agencies, which could pose risks to its business model [11]. - The performance of safe haven stocks like UnitedHealth Group may be affected if the overall market rebounds, particularly if tariffs are reduced [12].

My thoughts for the rest of 2025 and 2026Lately, I’ve been less vocal about my mid and long-term predictions. I’ve mostly focused on the short-term. That’s because, over the years, I’ve come to believe that the best approach is to focus on current data and the next moves. To stay flexible. It’s all about forecasts vs. adaptability [https://t.co/0nmQyLlPpE]But like everything in life, extremes rarely work. It can’t be 100% predictions, nor 0%. Same goes for adaptability. You need both. The key is finding the ...

The CEO of JPMorgan Chase has said Donald Trump's sweeping tariffs are "likely" to spark a recession. Jamie Dimon is one of the most prominent voices in corporate America and has regularly been consulted by administrations during times of crisis. Tariffs latest: US-China trade war escalatesA recession is when there are at least two six months of economic contraction in gross domestic product (GDP), the total value of goods and services produced over a specific period.Appearing on US channel Fox Business, Mr ...

One of the biggest banks in the United States, Bank of America (BAC) , is scheduled to announce first-quarter 2025 results on April 15 before the opening bell.   Among BAC’s close peers, JPMorgan (JPM) is slated to report on April 11 and Citigroup (C) on April 15. Stay up-to-date with all quarterly releases: See Zacks Earnings Calendar.  Bank of America’s fourth-quarter performance was solid, driven by impressive capital markets performance and growth in net interest income (NII). This time, the company’s p ...

Microsoft Corporation NASDAQ: MSFT was already down about 9% for the year. So shareholders can’t be too scared of the additional sell-off in MSFT stock since the Trump tariff policy caused the markets to swoon. However, with the stock trading near its 52-week low and at a level not seen since October 2023, it’s fair to ask if the stock has become too cheap to ignore. Microsoft TodayMSFTMicrosoft$354.56 -3.30 (-0.92%) 52-Week Range$344.79▼$468.35Dividend Yield0.94%P/E Ratio28.55Price Target$508.00Add to Wat ...

Core Insights - The ongoing U.S.-China trade war is significantly impacting oil prices, with WTI crude dropping below $60 per barrel and Brent crude falling around $62, marking the lowest levels since the pandemic [1][2] - The cumulative U.S. tariffs on China have reached 104%, raising recession fears and negatively affecting oil demand outlook, with Goldman Sachs and JPMorgan increasing recession probabilities to 45% and 60% respectively [2][3] - Major oil companies like ExxonMobil, Chevron, and Shell have seen significant stock declines, with ExxonMobil down 15.3%, Chevron down 18.7%, and Shell down 18.2% since the tariff announcement, indicating the sector's vulnerability to trade-related economic concerns [4] Oil Market Dynamics - OPEC+ has announced a production increase of 411,000 barrels per day, adding pressure to an already softening demand environment, which may force companies to reevaluate capital spending plans [6] - The mismatch between supply and demand is leading traders to expect oil prices to settle in a lower range, limiting upside potential for energy equities [7] - Integrated energy firms face challenges as upstream profitability is threatened by low oil prices, while downstream operations may benefit from cheaper crude [10][12] Strategic Implications - The current low oil price environment may align with broader economic strategies aimed at stimulating domestic manufacturing by lowering input costs, despite the negative impact on oil producers [9] - Companies may focus on cost discipline, delaying capital-intensive projects and optimizing operations to protect margins in this challenging environment [12] - The geopolitical landscape and potential supply-side interventions from OPEC+ will be critical factors influencing future market conditions [11][12]

Core Viewpoint - The upcoming quarterly earnings reports from major U.S. banks are expected to focus more on economic outlook rather than profits, particularly in light of rising U.S. tariffs and the potential for increased loan losses [1][2] Group 1: Economic Impact on Banks - Analysts predict that banks will need to set aside billions for potential loan defaults due to the economic uncertainty caused by tariffs, leading to higher reserves for loan losses [1][2] - The economic downturn is likely to result in banks scaling back lending activities as they perceive higher risks associated with existing loans [2] Group 2: Market Reactions and Earnings Calls - Banks are anticipated to face inquiries during earnings calls regarding the recent market selloff, which has significantly impacted bank stocks after an earlier surge driven by optimism about dealmaking [3] - Major banks such as Wells Fargo, Citigroup, and JPMorgan Chase are scheduled to report earnings on April 11, with JPMorgan's CEO warning of potential long-term negative effects from tariffs, including inflation and recession [4][5] Group 3: Broader Economic Sentiment - There is a prevailing sentiment among U.S. business leaders that the country may already be in a recession, which adds to the cautious outlook for the financial sector [6] - Despite the challenges, there remains optimism about the long-term potential of the FinTech sector, driven by innovations in technology, although current economic turmoil clouds this outlook [7]

About this content About Oliver Haill Oliver has been writing about companies and markets since the early 2000s, cutting his teeth as a financial journalist at Growth Company Investor with a focusing on AIM companies and small caps, before a few years later becoming a section editor and then head of research. He joined Proactive after a couple of years freelancing, where he worked for the Financial Times Group, ITV, Press Association, Reuters sports desk, the London Olympic News Service, Rugby World Cup ...