Core Insights - South Carolina ranks 40th in size among US states but boasts one of the best economies in the nation according to a federal study released in the latter half of the previous year [1] Group 1: Economic Performance - The state of South Carolina has been recognized for its strong economic performance, indicating potential investment opportunities within the region [1]

On December 16, First Community Bankshares ( FCBC ) declared a special dividend of $1 per share to be distributed to shareholders on January 16. This is the second year that the company has issued suchI have been involved in the financial world for over 20 years with experience as an advisor, teacher, and writer. I am a full believer in the free-market system and that financial markets are efficient with most stocks reflecting their real current value. The best opportunities for profits on individual stocks ...

Group 1 - Last year was favorable for many regional banks, with the State Street SPDR S&P Regional Banking ETF (KRE) achieving a low double-digit return when dividends are included [1] - Individual banks that are less widely followed by average investors may present the best opportunities for profits [1]

Core Insights - Last year saw significant gains for single-country international ETFs, with many countries experiencing increases of 50% or more, indicating a strong performance across various continents [1] Group 1: Market Performance - Almost every continent had at least one country that participated in the outsized gains of single-country international ETFs [1] Group 2: Investment Philosophy - The financial markets are believed to be efficient, with most stocks reflecting their real current value, suggesting that the best investment opportunities may lie in less-followed stocks or those not accurately reflecting market opportunities [1]

Core Viewpoint - Central Bancompany (CBC) has a long history dating back to 1902 but has only been publicly traded for about six weeks, with its stock debuting on NASDAQ on November 19 at the lower end of expectations [1]. Company Overview - CBC's stock has recently entered the public market, indicating a new phase in its corporate development [1]. Market Context - The financial world is characterized by the belief in the efficiency of markets, where most stocks reflect their real current value, suggesting that opportunities for profit may arise from less-followed stocks or those not accurately reflecting market opportunities [1].

Cathie Wood opened her most well-known fund, the ARK Innovation ETF ( ARKK ), in 2014. This fund has been praised and panned by a variety of sources since its inception, but there is no denying that itI have been involved in the financial world for over 20 years with experience as an advisor, teacher, and writer. I am a full believer in the free-market system and that financial markets are efficient with most stocks reflecting their real current value. The best opportunities for profits on individual stocks ...

Core Viewpoint - The article highlights the rising tensions between the US and Colombia, paralleling the situation in Venezuela, indicating a broader geopolitical concern in the region [1]. Group 1 - The US government has recently designated Colombia as a country of concern, reflecting deteriorating relations [1]. - The focus on Colombia suggests that the geopolitical landscape in Latin America is becoming increasingly complex, with implications for investment and economic stability [1].

Among the eight companies in the Diversified Financial Services industry that are scored by Seeking Alpha’s Quant rating, Alerus Financial Corporation ( ALRS ) is currently ranked at the top. The North Dakota-based firm is also one of the smallest, as one ofI have been involved in the financial world for over 20 years with experience as an advisor, teacher, and writer. I am a full believer in the free-market system and that financial markets are efficient with most stocks reflecting their real current value ...

This year has certainly been one for acquisitions in the banking sector. A recent update from earlier this month placed the total number of banking deals in 2025 at over 150, with the combined valueI have been involved in the financial world for over 20 years with experience as an advisor, teacher, and writer. I am a full believer in the free-market system and that financial markets are efficient with most stocks reflecting their real current value. The best opportunities for profits on individual stocks co ...

Just last week, I wrote an analysis of the Alger Mid Cap 40 ETF ( FRTY ), a fund that focuses on growth opportunities in mid-sized companies and had a strong performance in the thirdI have been involved in the financial world for over 20 years with experience as an advisor, teacher, and writer. I am a full believer in the free-market system and that financial markets are efficient with most stocks reflecting their real current value. The best opportunities for profits on individual stocks come from stocks t ...