Group 1 - Coca-Cola and Monster Beverage have been partners since 2014, with Coca-Cola investing $2.2 billion in Monster and securing an exclusive distribution deal [2] - Monster Beverage has outperformed the market since the partnership, driven by significant growth in the energy drink sector [8] - Coca-Cola's diversification across various beverage segments positions it well to adapt to changing consumer preferences [5][6] Group 2 - Coca-Cola boasts a strong brand presence, with its name synonymous with soft drinks in many regions, and offers a wide range of products beyond just soda [4] - The company has a stable long-term investment profile, supported by a dividend yield of 3.1% and a modest valuation of 23.5 times earnings [6][7] - While Coca-Cola has faced slow revenue growth and modest profits recently, it has a history of recovering from setbacks, making it a potential buy for stability and dividends [7]

Group 1 - Garmin Ltd. is recognized as one of the 10 Best S&P 500 Dividend Stocks to invest in, highlighting its strong position in the market [1] - The company employs a diversification strategy to mitigate risks by spreading its revenue sources across various sectors, including fitness trackers and automotive navigation systems [2] - Innovation is a key driver of Garmin's growth, supported by significant investment in Research and Development, and a vertically integrated manufacturing setup that allows for rapid product introduction while maintaining high quality [3] Group 2 - Garmin currently offers a quarterly dividend of $0.90 per share, which was increased by 20% in June, extending its dividend growth streak to 23 years [4] - The stock has a dividend yield of 1.53% as of September 21, making it an attractive option for dividend investors [4]

Benzinga and Yahoo Finance LLC may earn commission or revenue on some items through the links below. Billionaire investor and founder of Bridgewater Associates, Ray Dalio, has issued a stark warning about the economic future. He appeared in a podcast with Steven Bartlett, titled “very, very dark times,” and warned of an uncertain future for major Western economies, including the United States and the United Kingdom. Ray Dalio Helps Investors Navigate Uncertainty Citing unsustainable debt levels, deep in ...

Core Viewpoint - Flanigan's Enterprises, Inc. has shown strong stock performance with a 37.7% increase over the past six months, significantly outperforming the industry and major indices despite challenges in the restaurant sector [1][7]. Financial Performance - For the 13 weeks ended June 28, 2025, Flanigan's reported robust improvements in both revenue and net income, with notable strength in restaurant food and bar sales, package store sales, and franchise-related revenues [2]. - The company has successfully offset higher food and liquor costs and rising labor expenses through pricing actions taken over the past year, with expectations for continued benefits in food and bar sales through fiscal 2025 [3]. Market Position and Strategy - Flanigan's operates 32 establishments, including restaurants and liquor stores, and franchises five units, indicating strong growth potential [8]. - The dual business model of restaurants and liquor stores provides steady revenue streams and enhances brand recognition, which supports resilience during economic downturns [10]. - The company has a long-standing presence in South Florida, leveraging community ties and brand loyalty to maintain a competitive edge [11]. Cost Management - Flanigan's employs strategic procurement practices, such as locking in key food supply agreements, to mitigate cost volatility and maintain stable margins despite inflationary pressures [12]. Challenges - The company faces rising labor costs and staffing shortages, which could pressure margins if not managed effectively [13]. - Intense competition from national restaurant chains and discount liquor superstores poses a threat to market share and pricing power [13]. Valuation - Flanigan's trailing 12-month EV/Sales ratio is 0.29X, lower than the industry average of 4.45X but higher than its five-year median of 0.25X, indicating potential for growth [16]. - Compared to peers like Ark Restaurants and Nathan's Famous, Flanigan's valuation suggests superior performance expectations [18]. Investment Outlook - The company's strong core business strength and financial footing present a compelling case for both existing and new investors to consider holding or adding shares [19][20].

Group 1 - iREIT+HOYA Capital focuses on income-producing asset classes that provide sustainable portfolio income, diversification, and inflation hedging [1] - The S&P 500 has an average annual return of 9-10% over an extended period, but it is not guaranteed to produce this return every year [2] Group 2 - The article emphasizes the importance of defensive stocks with a medium- to long-term investment horizon [2]

Core Insights - Ray Dalio, founder of Bridgewater Associates, warns of a bleak economic future for major Western economies, particularly the U.S. and the U.K. [1][3] - He emphasizes the importance of diversification in investment strategies to navigate economic uncertainty [2][5]. Economic Concerns - Dalio cites unsustainable debt levels, political divisions, and geopolitical conflicts as significant risks facing Western economies [2][4]. - He describes the U.S. as engaging in a "risky game" due to its increasing financial liabilities, identifying the "debt money economy problem" as a critical issue [4][6]. Investment Strategy - Dalio advocates for financial and geographical flexibility as essential strategies for managing risk [4][5]. - He uses the Chinese proverb "A smart rabbit has three holes" to illustrate the need for diversification beyond traditional investment portfolios [5][6]. - Maintaining liquidity and mobility is crucial to reducing risk without sacrificing returns, a principle that has been fundamental to Dalio's success [5][6]. Market Performance - The SPDR S&P 500 ETF Trust (SPY) and Invesco QQQ Trust ETF (QQQ) saw increases, with SPY up 0.47% at $666.84 and QQQ up 0.59% at $602.20 [7].

Alternative Investments Landscape - Alternative investments have seen explosive interest in recent years, prompting the creation of matching ETF offerings [1] - The growing role of alternatives is manifesting in exchange-traded funds [3] - Advisors and their clients are driving the narrative around the increasing demand for alternative investments [9][10] Drivers of Alternative Investment Growth - The rise of alternatives is driven by the behavior of stocks and bonds, particularly the shift to positive correlation between them [4] - Investors are seeking unique sources of risk and return beyond traditional stocks and bonds to build more resilient portfolios [5] - The need for alternative income sources is growing, especially as interest rates are expected to decline [11] Types of Alternative Investments - Gold has traditionally been a way to gain exposure, with strong demand for ETFs like GLD and GLDM [8] - New products offering alternatives include autocallable income ETFs and funds in the hedge fund-like space [8][9] - Bitcoin, accessible through spot Bitcoin ETFs, is considered an alternative for many investors [9] - Covered call strategies and private credit are viable methods to obtain income outside of traditional equities or bonds via the ETF wrapper [20] Income Generation Strategies - Equity income solutions can deliver double-digit yields through selling options, potentially reaching 10-15% [12] - Active managers can navigate low volatility premiums by identifying opportune times to capture heightened levels of volatility premiums [15][16] - Simplify offers strategies like levered gold with an income overlay (WIDE Gold) and a Bitcoin ETF with an active income overlay (Bitcoin ETF MAXI) to address the lack of income potential in some alternative assets [22] Investor Preferences and Trends - High income levels generated by a strategy capture investors' attention, especially at the retail level, even if they don't fully understand the underlying options or derivative components [26] - Sophisticated high-net-worth clients are increasingly interested in true diversifiers like trend-following strategies with low correlation to stocks and bonds [27] - The ETF wrapper has become a comfortable way for advisors and investors to gain exposure to diversification through managed futures, commodities, and Bitcoin [31] - Finding alternative ways to get income is expected to persist for the foreseeable future, with continued traction in products like JPM's JEPI [34][35]

[Music] All right. Hello and welcome to Asking for a Trend. I'm Miles Oven.And for the next half hour, we're breaking down the trends of today that'll move stocks tomorrow. There's a lot to keep track of, so we're focusing on what you need to know to get ahead of the curve. Here are some of the trends that we'll be diving into on this Monday.Markets closing today at record highs. Will the rally last into the end of the month and the quarter. Credit scores are falling for the second year in a row, and accord ...

Core Insights - Financial literacy is a significant issue in the U.S., costing individuals an average of $1,015 and totaling over $243 billion in 2024 [1] - A majority of Americans, 62%, own stocks, indicating a growing interest in investing despite existing confusion [1] Investment Strategies for Middle-Class Investors - Middle-class investors are encouraged to take investing seriously without assuming substantial risks [2] - Simple, passive, long-term investing is recommended, focusing on three ETFs: the Vanguard Total Stock Market ETF (VTI), Vanguard Total International Stock ETF (VXUS), and Vanguard Total Bond Market ETF (BND) [4][5] - Low-beta, dividend-paying blue-chip stocks are suggested for capital preservation and modest growth, with recommendations including Johnson & Johnson (JNJ), PepsiCo (PEP), and Procter & Gamble (PG) [6] - Sector-specific ETFs are highlighted as a means to achieve diversification, which is essential for minimizing risk [7]

European equity markets are drawing fresh interest from global investors, as resilient returns and cheaper valuations offer a compelling case for diversification beyond Wall Street. ...