CANADA - 2025/08/25: In this photo illustration, the CVS Health Corporation logo is seen displayed on a smartphone screen. (Photo Illustration by Thomas Fuller/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images)SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty ImagesOver the past ten years, CVS Health stock (NYSE: CVS) has returned $31 billion to shareholders in the form of cash through dividends and buybacks. This shareholder-focused strategy has delivered exceptional results in 2025, with the stock posting a remarkable 81% year-to ...

Photo by Cheng Xin/Getty ImagesGetty ImagesAlthough Dell Technologies has experienced a 17% increase in the past month, its competitor Hewlett Packard Enterprise might be a more favorable option. Regularly assessing alternatives is fundamental to a robust investment strategy. Hewlett Packard Enterprise (HPE) shares demonstrate superior revenue growth during key periods, enhanced profitability, and a relatively lower valuation compared to Dell Technologies (DELL) shares, indicating that investing in HPE coul ...

Core Insights - NVIDIA has returned $83 billion to investors through dividends and buybacks over the past decade, with expectations for increased payouts as it leads in the AI silicon market, generating over $75 billion in operating cash flows in the last 12 months [1][3] - NVIDIA stock ranks as the 25th largest total return to shareholders in history, indicating strong management confidence in financial stability and sustainable cash flows [3][5] - The aggregate capital returned to shareholders as a percentage of market capitalization appears inversely proportional to growth potential, with companies like Meta and Microsoft showing faster growth but returning less capital [5][6] Financial Performance - NVIDIA has demonstrated significant revenue growth of 71.6% over the last twelve months and 92.0% over the last three-year average [10] - The company has a free cash flow margin of nearly 43.6% and an operating margin of 58.1% for the last twelve months [10] - The lowest annual revenue growth for NVIDIA in the past three years was 9.9% [10] Valuation Metrics - NVIDIA stock is currently trading at a P/E ratio of 50.7, indicating a higher valuation compared to the S&P [10] - The company offers greater revenue growth and improved margins relative to the S&P [10] Historical Performance and Risks - NVIDIA has experienced significant declines in the past, including a 68% drop during the Dot-Com bubble and an 85% drop during the Global Financial Crisis [7] - The stock also faced declines of 66% during inflation surges and 56% and 38% during corrections in 2018 and the COVID pandemic, respectively [7][8]

AppLovin (APP) stock has dropped by 21.2% in under a month, from $718.54 on 9/30/2025 to $565.94 now. Is this a dip worth buying? Purchasing during dips can be a practical strategy for quality stocks that have shown a pattern of recovering from downturns.It appears that APP stock meets essential quality criteria. However, the concerning news is that the stock has experienced a median return of -44% over one year, and a 76% peak return after significant dips (>30% in 30 days) historically. To provide some co ...

CANADA - 2025/08/11: In this photo illustration, the AppLovin Corporation (App Lovin) logo is seen displayed on a smartphone screen. (Photo Illustration by Thomas Fuller/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images)SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty ImagesAppLovin (APP)’s stock surged 64%, fueled by solid earnings and a sharp revenue rise—but behind the headlines lie analyst upgrades, a bold expansion, the S&P 500 inclusion, and even an SEC probe. What sparked this whirlwind? Let’s dig into the forces reshaping ...

Core Insights - Gold prices have surged, surpassing $4,000 per ounce on October 6, with a year-to-date increase of 51%, significantly outpacing the S&P 500's 15.3% gain [1] - Over the past two years, gold has risen by 116%, compared to a 60% gain in the S&P 500, indicating strong demand for gold as an investment [2] Factors Driving Gold Prices - Central banks are diversifying their reserves by increasing gold holdings to reduce reliance on the U.S. dollar, which is weakening against other currencies [3][4] - Retail investors are also contributing to the demand for gold, with increased purchases of gold ETFs and jewelry [6] - The technology sector is driving additional demand for gold due to its applications in high-performance semiconductors, particularly in AI [7] Investment Opportunities in Gold ETFs - Recommended gold ETFs include SPDR Gold Shares (GLD) and iShares Gold Trust (IAU), which hold significant amounts of physical gold [10] - The combined net asset value of these ETFs exceeds $183 billion, highlighting the role of retail investors in the gold market [11] - Expense ratios for these ETFs are relatively low, with SPDR Gold Shares at 0.4% and iShares Gold Trust at 0.25%, making them attractive for investors seeking liquidity and security [12] Gold Mining ETFs - The VanEck Gold Miners ETF (GDX) has seen a remarkable 127% increase year-to-date, although it underperformed gold and the S&P 500 last year [13] - Investing in gold mining ETFs spreads risk across various companies and regions, with only 17.6% of assets in U.S. gold miners [15] - The VanEck Gold Miners ETF offers an annual dividend, which may appeal to investors looking for income [16] Long-term Outlook and Strategy - Given the strong demand from central banks and retail investors, gold prices may continue to rise in the long term [17] - Investors are advised to approach gold investments cautiously, considering their preferred method of investment (physical, digital, or mining) and to build positions gradually [18]

Group 1 - Motorola Solutions Inc. has appreciated by 12% over the last six months, underperforming compared to the S&P 500's 17% gain, with the stock priced at about $475 per share, only 6% shy of its 52-week peak of $508 [2] - The company is characterized by consistent demand, robust customer relationships, and efficient execution, with operational strength reflected in margins, cash flows, and backlog [3] - The stock is considered pricey, trading at a trailing P/E of 38x and a forward P/E of 32x, necessitating strong growth to justify its high valuation [3] Group 2 - In Q2 FY2025, Motorola Solutions achieved a revenue increase of 5.2% year-over-year to $2.8 billion, driven by a 15% growth in Software & Services, while non-GAAP EPS reached $3.57, exceeding expectations [4] - The company finalized a $4.4 billion acquisition of Silvus Technologies, enhancing its technology portfolio, and has a dividend of $4.36 annually, indicating long-term dedication to shareholders [5] - Over the last three years, revenues have increased at an average annual rate of 9.5%, with a solid operating margin of 25% and net income of $2.1 billion [5] Group 3 - The balance sheet shows mixed results, with debt at $8.3 billion, approximately 10 times equity, but liquidity remains strong with $3.2 billion in cash, representing 20% of assets [6] - Historical performance indicates volatility during downturns, with significant declines in 2022 (27.8%), 2020 (33.1%), and 2008 (84.9%), highlighting the stock's sensitivity to market conditions [7] - Despite strong fundamentals and recurring revenue, the elevated valuation and historical sensitivity to downturns suggest a cautious investment approach [8]

Core Insights - Social Security recipients may receive an "extra" check in a month due to calendar adjustments or cost of living adjustments (COLA) [1] Investment Strategies - Investing the extra Social Security check can help grow funds if not needed for immediate expenses [2] - Opening a Self-Directed IRA allows diversification into alternative assets like real estate and precious metals, but requires ongoing contributions for significant growth [3] - Adding the extra check to a high-yield savings account (HYSA) is recommended to backfill emergency funds, especially for retirees with low liquid reserves [4][5] - The extra check should ideally cover three months of baseline expenses, estimated between $6,000 to $9,000, before considering market exposure [5] - Contributing to a Health Savings Account (HSA) is advisable for those with a high-deductible health plan, providing a way to finance healthcare costs before Medicare eligibility [6] - Paying down high-interest debt, particularly credit card debt with rates between 20% and 29%, can save significant amounts of money [7]

Offering low-cost access to virtually every corner of the market, ETFs allow investors big and small to build institutional-caliber portfolios with lower costs and better transparency than ever before. But what exactly is an ETF? And how does it provide these benefits? Start With Mutual Funds To understand how ETFs work, the best place to start is with something familiar, like a traditional mutual fund. Imagine half a dozen investors, sitting at home, each trying to figure out the best way to invest in ...

Group 1 - The core buying demographic for housing has shifted from the 70s and 80s generations, totaling over 400 million, to the younger 90s and 00s generations, which only comprise around 300 million [2] - The number of newborns has significantly declined, with 2023 witnessing fewer than 9 million births, half of the figure from 2016, indicating a shrinking future demand for housing [2] - The effectiveness of various housing market stimulus policies since 2021, such as lowering down payments and interest rates, has diminished, suggesting that these measures can only provide temporary support rather than create a robust market [4][5] Group 2 - The economic growth rate has slowed from around 10% to approximately 5%, leading to a shift in perception of real estate from an appreciating asset to a necessity for living [7][8] - By 2030, housing prices in different cities are expected to diverge significantly, with core urban areas like Beijing and Shanghai maintaining stability, while secondary cities may experience declines of 10-15% or more [10][13] - The risk of price depreciation is particularly high in lower-tier cities due to population outflow and insufficient industry, with potential declines of up to 30% by 2030 [13] Group 3 - The decision to buy or sell property is highly individual, with recommendations for first-time buyers to focus on manageable monthly payments and for investors to consider divesting from lower-tier properties [15] - The era of real estate as a wealth-building tool is perceived to be over, with future investment opportunities likely to arise in sectors such as technology, consumption, and health [15][17] - The analysis serves as a reminder that the era of widespread price increases in real estate has concluded, and future adjustments will be necessary, emphasizing the importance of informed decision-making in the housing market [17]