Group 1: Market Overview - In 2026, small caps have shown their importance in a diversified portfolio, rebounding from a long period of underperformance compared to large caps [1][2] - A market rotation away from technology stocks has led to increased interest in small caps, as investors seek better value and momentum [2] Group 2: iShares Core S&P Small-Cap ETF - The iShares Core S&P Small-Cap ETF tracks the S&P 600 index, which includes a quality screen requiring positive earnings in the most recent quarter and the past four quarters [4][6][9] - The S&P 600 is more tilted towards larger companies compared to the Russell 2000, which captures a broader range of stocks without stringent quality requirements [5][6] Group 3: Sector Composition - The sector composition of the S&P 600 includes financials (18%), industrials (18%), consumer discretionary (14%), technology (13%), and healthcare (11%), making it more cyclically sensitive [11] - This different sector composition allows small caps to behave differently than large caps, providing a good diversification strategy [10][12] Group 4: Investment Strategy - Maintaining exposure to small caps can help balance a portfolio that is heavily weighted in large caps, reducing the need for market timing and improving overall performance [13][14] - The current market environment suggests that small caps may perform better during periods when large-cap tech stocks underperform, highlighting their role in risk management [12][14]

Short post.In the following chart I plotted out 5 different securities from the start of 2025: The first one is an ETF of stocks that is non-US but developed markets.The second one is the Avantis International Small Cap Value, which is a systematic active strategy on non-US developed small cap stocks but only selecting some of the cheapest and more profitable.The third is our STI ETF, which is a pretty concentrated index.The fourth is an emerging markets large, mid and small cap index.The last is Singapore ...

James Foord is an economist by trade and has been analyzing global markets for the past decade. He leads the investing group The Pragmatic Investor where the focus is on building robust and truly diversified portfolios that will continually preserve and increase wealth. The Pragmatic Investor covers global macro, international equities, commodities, tech and cryptocurrencies and is designed to guide investors of all levels in their journey. Features include a The Pragmatic Investor Portfolio, weekly market ...

The U.S. stock market has been a powerful engine of wealth creation. Trump has pointed to that strength, recently saying that “the only thing that’s really going up big? It’s the stock market and your 401(k)s (6).”Whether you’re thinking about shoring up your finances, preparing for uncertainty or putting that extra money to work, here are a few ways Americans may consider investing their potential windfall.For many households, that raises an immediate question: What’s the smartest way to use a sudden cash ...

X owner Elon Musk in an xAI employee meeting last week said the long-promised X-integrated digital payments platform "X Money" was being beta tested internally and is set for limited public testing "in the next month or two."Smart Cashtags is part of X’s broader push into financial services, which has been in the works since at least 2023, when "X Payments LLC" received money transmitter licenses from some U.S. states.Trending: Build your own AI-powered index in minutes — and earn an uncapped 1% match when ...

We saw employee engagement scores rise again to an all-time high, We completed the sale of Armada MGA and announced the sale of Acadian MGA which crystallized $390,000,000 of liquidity and almost $200,000,000 of off balance sheet value while agreeing long-term capacity deals on underwriting. Finally, it has been important to attract top talent to the company while growing talent internally. We have had great momentum, and in 2025, we welcomed 18 senior leaders to the company as well as promoting six from wi ...

It can be a one-stop shop for people wanting broad exposure.Many of the world's top companies are headquartered in the U.S., but there are plenty of worthwhile companies across the globe. That's why it's helpful to invest in international stocks to achieve a truly diversified portfolio.My preferred way to invest in international companies is through an international ETF, such as the Vanguard Total International Stock ETF (VXUS +0.24%). If you're interested in investing in an international ETF and considerin ...

Core Viewpoint - The article emphasizes the importance of building a balanced investment portfolio that includes both technology stocks and defensive options, highlighting the need for intrinsic value and strong catalysts in investment decisions [1] Group 1: Investment Strategy - The company focuses on diversifying portfolios to ensure clients benefit from technology stock growth while maintaining investments in defensive sectors [1] - There is a strong preference for established technology companies and those in consumer staples and discretionary goods, prioritizing company value over market circumstances [1] Group 2: Experience and Expertise - The company has been actively managing third-party portfolios for seven years, with a focus on macroeconomic trends, stock valuation, and the interplay between politics and markets [1] - A Master's degree in Economics and experience as a consultant for public and private organizations contribute to the company's analytical capabilities, particularly in financial and economic aspects [1] Group 3: Challenges and Insights - The company acknowledges the difficulty of the investment principle "buying low and selling high," particularly during market crises such as those in 2020 and 2022 [1] - The experience with public tenders has provided insights into the pressures of market fluctuations, akin to the stress of stock market declines [1] Group 4: Social Responsibility - The company promotes financial inclusion programs for women in finance, recognizing the challenges and the need for further contributions in this area [1] - There is a commitment to expanding opportunities for women within the financial sector, reflecting a broader social responsibility [1]

Core Viewpoint - European Lithium Ltd has significantly strengthened its cash position by adding A$45 million through the sale of shares in Critical Metals Corp, raising its cash reserves to approximately A$356 million while retaining a substantial stake in CRML [1][2]. Financial Position - The company sold 2.5 million ordinary shares of CRML, which is expected to increase its cash reserves to around A$356 million [2]. - Following the sale, European Lithium holds 45,536,338 ordinary shares in CRML, valued at an estimated US$689.4 million (approximately A$985 million) based on CRML's closing price of US$15.14 [3]. Strategic Actions - The partial sell-down of CRML shares is seen as a strategic move to bolster the company's financial position, with the executive chairman stating it reinforces the already robust balance sheet [4]. - The company does not plan to sell any additional CRML shares in the next four months, maintaining its strategic influence in potential corporate transactions [4]. Previous Transactions - This transaction follows a previous sale of 5 million CRML shares for about A$124 million, which has materially boosted the company's liquidity [4]. Broader Portfolio and Outlook - Beyond CRML, European Lithium is advancing a diversified portfolio of critical minerals assets, focusing on lithium and titanium exploration in Europe, including projects in Austria, Ukraine, and Ireland [5]. - The company also holds interests in Australian base metal projects and a 7.5% stake in the Tanbreez rare earth project in Greenland [5]. - In January, European Lithium announced a proposed all-scrip acquisition of US-based titanium producer Velta, aimed at broadening its exposure to strategic industrial minerals beyond lithium [6]. Growth Strategy - With a strengthened cash position and retained strategic holding in CRML, the company aims to balance liquidity with long-term upside from its CRML-linked rare earth and lithium exposure while progressing growth through diversified critical minerals opportunities [7].

Core Insights - The S&P 500 has increased by 18% since the beginning of 2025, indicating a positive trend for American stocks after a volatile year [1] - The Vanguard International High Dividend Yield ETF (NASDAQ: VYMI) has significantly outperformed the S&P 500, rising 41% since the start of 2025 [1] Investment Opportunity - VYMI focuses on international companies that provide above-average dividends, requiring firms to meet specific yield criteria and demonstrate the ability to maintain dividends [5] - The ETF includes over 1,500 stocks from both developed and emerging markets, offering a balance of stability and growth potential [5] - VYMI's top five holdings include Roche, HSBC, Novartis, Nestle, and Royal Bank of Canada, all of which are established companies known for being shareholder-friendly [6] Dividend Yield - VYMI currently has a dividend yield of approximately 3.4%, with an average yield of around 4.1% since the start of 2025, which is more than three times that of the S&P 500 [7] - Assuming a maintained yield of 4%, a $1,000 investment in VYMI would generate an annual payout of $40 [7] Portfolio Diversification - Investing in VYMI can enhance portfolio diversification by including international companies across various sectors and geographical locations [8] - While maintaining a majority of investments in American stocks (around 90%), VYMI provides exposure to different regions: Europe (44%), Pacific (25.9%), Emerging markets (20.9%), North America (8.2%), Middle East (0.8%), and Other (0.2%) [8]