Market Overview - U.S. stock markets experienced a successful June, with the Dow, S&P 500, and Nasdaq Composite increasing by 4%, 5.7%, and 5.7% respectively, closing at record-high levels for the first half of 2025 [1] - Despite this success, the first half of 2025 marked the weakest performance for the indexes since 2022, with potential catalysts for the second half including a U.S.-China trade deal, anticipated interest rate cuts by the Fed, and reduced recession fears [2] Imaginary Portfolio - An imaginary diversified portfolio was created, consisting of five stocks that each gained over 50% in the first half of 2025, with further upside potential indicated by favorable Zacks Ranks [3][4] Company Highlights Jabil Inc. (JBL) - Jabil is benefiting from strong momentum in capital equipment, AI-powered data center infrastructure, and digital commerce, with a focus on product diversification [7] - Expected revenue and earnings growth rates for Jabil are 5.9% and 18.5% respectively for the next year, with a 9% improvement in the Zacks Consensus Estimate for next-year earnings over the last 30 days [9] Howmet Aerospace Inc. (HWM) - Howmet Aerospace is experiencing growth in the commercial aerospace market, supported by robust build rates and recovery in wide-body aircraft, along with strength in its defense aerospace business [10] - Expected revenue and earnings growth rates for Howmet are 8.5% and 29% respectively for the current year, with a 0.3% improvement in the Zacks Consensus Estimate for current-year earnings over the last seven days [11] CVS Health Corp. (CVS) - CVS Health is investing in technology to reduce costs and enhance customer experience, with improved Medicare Advantage star ratings aiding its position [12] - Expected revenue and earnings growth rates for CVS are 3.5% and 12.6% respectively for the current year, with a 2.3% improvement in the Zacks Consensus Estimate for current-year earnings over the last 60 days [14] Carvana Co. (CVNA) - Carvana's acquisition of ADESA's U.S. operations has strengthened its logistics and auction capabilities, with expectations for year-over-year growth in retail unit sales [15][16] - Expected revenue and earnings growth rates for Carvana are 32.1% and over 100% respectively for the current year, with a 7.8% improvement in the Zacks Consensus Estimate for current-year earnings over the last 30 days [17] NRG Energy Inc. (NRG) - NRG Energy operates in the energy and home services sector, producing electricity from various sources and expanding operations through both organic and inorganic initiatives [18][19] - Expected revenue and earnings growth rates for NRG are 2.6% and 17% respectively for the current year, with a 2.8% improvement in the Zacks Consensus Estimate for current-year earnings over the last 60 days [20]

Of course, this sort of more clear cut strategic directive at curtailing China becomes a lot more muddled when it comes to the various trade tiffs and and tariff uncertainties that the US has going with a number of these countries. How complicated does this become, particularly at a time where there's also gripes about Trump wanting Indo-Pacific allies to be spending more on defense post the NATO meeting. Yeah, that's a great question, because the impetus for the Trump administration is to reaffirm the impo ...

🚨 LATEST: Treasury Secretary Bessent says stablecoin legislation could be finalized by mid-July, and expects it to boost demand for U.S. Treasuries. https://t.co/pgcA87aJmi ...

How will President Trump’s “big, beautiful bill” affect Americans? 🎧 Listen: https://t.co/TFOHXdcRNwBarclays analyst Michael McLean explains the differing viewpoints between Washington and Wall Street and the role of a rising U.S. deficit. https://t.co/KYkzo7u6z4 ...

And given this experience that you've gone through and the journey that's still ahead, do you have any regrets or anything that you would have done differently or have you at all soured about your American experience here. I mean, you are, as you said, a green card holder. Do you want to become an American citizen still.Absolutely. Um, and I absolutely don't have any regrets in in um opposing a genocide um which should be once again celebrated uh rather than punished. Um and um and this is why I'm fighting ...

Let's start with this latest news. Right. This is what Bloomberg put out last night, yesterday evening out of D.C. , that the idea is to advance two separate measures in a single procedural vote. We actually had David Sax, the crypto czar, on the show a couple of weeks ago, where we put this idea to him.What do you make of that, that structure and the impact that it might have. Yeah, it's important that they're able to bring the two bills to the floor, but also have them separate so that the genius that can ...

In 2008, he sounded the alarm about the impending financial crisis. And now he's warning about something even more important. He's the author of the brand new book, How Countries Go Broke: The Big Cycle.And Bridgewater Associates founder Ray Dio joins us now. Great. Uh, Ray, great to see you.Congratulations on the book. Thank you. Uh, it really relates now how countries go broke because everyone's should be concerned about the deficit that alarms you.Why. Well, there's a supply demand. you know, when they t ...

NEW YORK, June 26, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- OTC Markets Group Inc. (OTCQX: OTCM), operator of regulated markets for trading 12,000 U.S. and international securities, today announced Santacruz Silver Mining Ltd. (TSX-V: SCZ; OTCQX: SCZMF), which engages in the operation, acquisition, exploration, and development of mineral properties in Latin America, has qualified to trade on the OTCQX® Best Market. Santacruz Silver Mining Ltd. upgraded to OTCQX from the OTCQB® Venture Market. Santacruz Silver Mining Ltd. b ...

THANK YOU, MR. SECRETARY. A QUESTION FOR THE SECRETARY AND THE CHAIRMAN.HOW IS THIS STRIKE COORDINATED WITH THE ISRAELIS ON A STRATEGIC LEVEL, MILITARILY, AND ON A TACTICAL LEVEL WAS THERE ANY DIRECT ISRAELI MILITARY PARTICIPATION IN THIS OPERATION. SEC. HEGSETH: I WOULD SAY CERTAINLY ISRAEL HAD AN INCREDIBLE MILITARY SUCCESS, ESPECIALLY AT THE BEGINNING AND ONGOING IN DEGRADING IRANIAN CAPABILITIES, DEGRADING IRANIAN LAUNCHERS.IT HAS BEEN INCREDIBLE TO WATCH WHAT OUR ALLY ISRAEL HAS BEEN ABLE TO DO, AND TH ...

Core Viewpoint - The article discusses the implications of rising national debt and suggests investing in life and retirement insurance companies as a protective measure against potential economic challenges posed by this debt [1][4]. Rising Debt and Economic Impact - The U.S. national debt has significantly increased, with a corresponding rise in the debt-to-GDP ratio, particularly during recessionary periods such as the 2008-2009 financial crisis and the pandemic [2]. - The response to rising debt has historically been increased spending and debt issuance, raising concerns about the sustainability of this approach [3]. Interest Rate Projections - Higher debt levels suggest that more debt issuance will occur, which could lead to rising long-term interest rates, potentially exceeding market expectations [6][7]. - The current market appears complacent regarding long-term interest rates, not pricing in significant risks associated with rising debt levels [7]. Investment Opportunities in Insurance Sector - In a rising interest rate environment, life and retirement insurers like Prudential Financial, MetLife, and Corebridge Financial may perform well, as they can invest in higher-yielding assets [8]. - These insurers typically hold a significant portion of their assets in low-risk investments, which will be affected by rising rates but will also allow them to purchase new assets at higher rates [10]. Asset Composition of Insurers - Prudential Financial holds 54.9% of its general account assets in publicly available fixed maturities, while MetLife has 31.6% in investment-grade corporate debt [12][13]. - Corebridge Financial has a substantial 97% of its assets in fixed income or short-term investments, positioning these companies favorably in a higher interest rate scenario [13]. Strategic Investment Considerations - While the debt issue is concerning, predicting interest rates remains challenging; however, investing in the insurance sector may be a prudent strategy for those worried about future public debt servicing costs [14].