A multimillion-barrel oil glut weighed on results at industry giants Exxon Mobil (XOM) and Chevron (CVX) in 2025, with both companies reporting annual profit declines but talking up diversification efforts as the US AI build-out and potential regime change in Venezuela opened opportunities for the global energy sector. Exxon reported adjusted annual profits that tallied $30.1 billion, down from $33.5 billion a year ago, while Chevron reported an adjusted profit of $13.5 billion, down from $18.3 billion ...

Core Viewpoint - The discussion highlights five stock picks for February, emphasizing a mix of growth and value stocks, all of which are components of the Dow Jones Industrial Average, suggesting a focus on diversification in investment strategies [1][2]. Group 1: Stock Picks - Microsoft has seen a significant decline, down 23% from its recent high, making it an attractive buy opportunity [3][5]. - Merck is identified as a healthcare value play that has recently broken out of a downtrend, presenting a potential investment opportunity [5][6]. - Honeywell is noted as a solid name with good dividend payouts, although investors should be strategic about entry points based on chart analysis [7][8]. - Procter & Gamble, despite a poor one-year trend, is suggested as a defensive investment in a potentially anxious market environment [10][11]. - JP Morgan, down about 5% in January, is considered a best-in-class bank, with the potential for investors to initiate positions as it is viewed as a strong investment [12][13]. Group 2: Market Outlook - The market is expected to experience a pullback of 10-15% due to midterm election uncertainties, which could create opportunities for strategic investments [16][17]. - The first half of the year may see turbulence, but there is optimism for a recovery and overall market growth in the latter half [23][24]. - The S&P 500 is projected to return 10-12%, while the NASDAQ may outperform with returns in the high teens, around 15-18% [26][27]. - Small and mid-cap stocks are already showing strong performance, up about 9% in the first month, indicating a favorable outlook for these segments [25].

Index investors and so-called Bogleheads (those who love the Vanguard ETFs) may not be all too fond of the sector ETFs, especially when you consider that simply buying the S&P 500 covers most of one's bases when it comes to diversification. ...

And let's dive into the Fed's rate decision and comments from Jerome Pal with our next guest Christian Salomone, chief investment officer of Balance Rock Private Wealth. Hello to you Christian. So obviously we got a hold as widely expected.Fed watch advisers thinking that the commentary has skewed bullish hawkish particularly with respect to the upgrade to the economy, the upgrade to jobs, less worried about things on both sides of the dual mandate, avoiding questions around Fed independence, Lisa Cook and ...

Core Viewpoint - The increasing national debt in the U.S. is a significant concern, with experts warning of potential economic strain and a "debt death spiral" if growth does not improve [1][4]. Group 1: National Debt Concerns - U.S. national debt has surged from $7 trillion to over $38 trillion in the last 15 years, with projections indicating it could reach the low 40s in the coming decade if current trends continue [3][5]. - The reliance on foreign buyers for debt financing is diminishing, which could lead to Americans bearing a larger burden of the debt [2][6]. - Experts like Jamie Dimon and Ray Dalio emphasize that the current debt levels are unsustainable and could lead to currency erosion and inflation [4][5]. Group 2: Economic Growth and Adjustments - Solomon warns that without stronger economic growth, the U.S. may face a painful adjustment period [3]. - The need for aggressive fiscal stimulus has become entrenched in the U.S. economy, making it challenging to cut spending [2]. - The Committee for a Responsible Federal Budget estimates that new legislation could add over $5.5 trillion to the national debt by 2034 [7]. Group 3: Investment Strategies Amid Economic Uncertainty - Experts recommend diversifying investments, particularly into gold, which is viewed as a safe haven during economic turmoil [8][9]. - Real estate is also highlighted as a protective asset class during inflationary periods, with property values and rental income typically rising [12][13]. - Alternative investments, such as art, are gaining attention for their potential to provide unique portfolio diversification and returns [22][24].

The investing landscape looks very different now from the post-pandemic rebound phase. Interest rates are normalising, liquidity is tighter, and the quick, effortless gains investors once enjoyed are harder to find.Instead of speculation, investors are rewarded for their time in the market and a clear understanding of fundamentals.  If you want to become a better investor, this playbook will guide you through the 2026 landscape, showing you what’s working and what’s not now.What’s Working in 2026Quality Inc ...

Core Insights - The article discusses the importance of low-risk investments for retirement portfolios, emphasizing the need for stability and income protection as individuals approach retirement. Retirement Planning and Financial Challenges - A significant majority of retiree households, approximately 83%, encounter unexpected expenses annually, averaging around $6,000, which constitutes about 10% of their yearly income [2] - Only 58% of households have sufficient cash reserves to cover a year of unplanned expenses, while 16% would need to access retirement accounts, and 27% would still fall short even after utilizing both cash savings and retirement assets [3] Investment Strategy and Methodology - Advisors recommend constructing portfolios with lower-risk options, highlighting that diversification can help manage risk even within conservative investments [4] - The article outlines a methodology for selecting stocks, focusing on dividend companies with strong financials and a minimum dividend yield of 3%, while also considering stocks with a beta of less than 1.0, indicating lower volatility compared to the market [7] Company Analysis: The Mosaic Company (NYSE:MOS) - The Mosaic Company has a beta of 0.94 and a dividend yield of 3.06%, making it a suitable candidate for retirement portfolios [9] - Wells Fargo analyst Michael Sison reduced the price target for Mosaic from $28 to $27, maintaining an Equal Weight rating due to weaker fourth-quarter volumes and production curtailments [10] - The company reported a significant drop in fertilizer demand in Q4, leading to a 4% decline in stock value, with North American phosphate shipments down approximately 20% year-over-year [11][12] - For the full year 2025, Mosaic's sales volumes remained around 9 million tonnes, consistent with a soft market [12] Company Analysis: Old Republic International Corporation (NYSE:ORI) - Old Republic International Corporation also has a beta of 0.81 and a dividend yield of 3.06%, positioning it as a strong option for retirement portfolios [14] - Piper Sandler downgraded Old Republic to Neutral from Overweight, lowering the price target from $51 to $38 following its Q4 earnings report, citing concerns over loss cost reserve issues [15] - The company reported a decline in consolidated pretax operating income to $236 million from $285 million year-over-year, with a worsened combined ratio of 96% compared to 92.7% previously [16] - Premium and fee revenue for Old Republic reached $789 million for the quarter, reflecting a 12% increase from the same period last year [17]

Wilson Research seeks to provide investors with focused insights on predominantly exchange-traded funds, or ETFs, with a blend between growth potential and dividend yield. The analysis provided emphasizes fundamental analysis while including macro-level factors such as industry trends, economics, geopolitics, and a variety of other influential factors. Wilson Reseach includes an MBA graduate and independent financial coach who seek to provide actionable information for long-term investors who value diversif ...

Core Insights - The article discusses the psychological barrier many individuals face when approaching retirement, specifically the "just one more year" syndrome, which leads them to delay retirement despite having sufficient savings [2][3][5]. Financial Planning - A healthy 60-year-old woman with $1.5 million in retirement savings is above the average target of $1.26 million, yet she hesitates to retire due to various concerns [3]. - The 4% rule suggests that a $1.5 million portfolio could yield approximately $60,000 annually for 30 years, but actual returns depend on market conditions [6]. Retirement Strategies - Working with a financial advisor can potentially increase net returns by about 3% over time, which could significantly enhance a retirement portfolio's growth [10]. - Services like Advisor.com can connect individuals with licensed financial professionals to help assess their financial situation and retirement goals [11][12]. Investment Options - Acorns is highlighted as a platform that automates micro-investments from everyday purchases, allowing users to save for retirement without feeling guilty about spending [15][16]. - Gold IRAs are presented as a way to diversify retirement investments, combining tax advantages with the protective benefits of gold [20].

Core Insights - The Schwab U.S. Broad Market ETF (SCHB) provides broader market exposure with a technology emphasis, while the Vanguard Value ETF (VTV) focuses on large-cap value stocks, offering higher yield and lower volatility, catering to different investor priorities [2][10] Cost & Size Comparison - VTV has an expense ratio of 0.04% and assets under management (AUM) of $217.8 billion, while SCHB has a lower expense ratio of 0.03% and AUM of $38.9 billion [4] - The one-year return for VTV is 15.3%, compared to SCHB's 16.9%, and VTV offers a higher dividend yield of 2.0% versus SCHB's 1.1% [4][5] Performance & Risk Metrics - Over five years, VTV has a maximum drawdown of 17.04%, while SCHB has a higher drawdown of 25.36% [6] - A $1,000 investment in VTV would grow to $1,622, while the same investment in SCHB would grow to $1,697 over five years [6] Holdings Composition - SCHB holds 2,401 stocks with a significant tilt towards technology (33%), followed by financial services (14%) and consumer cyclicals (11%), with top positions in Nvidia, Apple, and Microsoft [7] - VTV focuses on large-cap value with major sectors being financial services (23%), healthcare (15%), and industrials (17%), featuring top holdings in JPMorgan Chase, Berkshire Hathaway, and Exxon Mobil, which collectively represent about 8% of its net assets [8] Summary of Investment Characteristics - SCHB captures the entire U.S. equity market with a heavier technology focus, while VTV offers a higher dividend yield and lower volatility [10] - SCHB is more diversified with over 2,400 holdings, whereas VTV is larger in terms of assets under management [10]