Geopolitical tensions are rising, and with the Strait of Hormuz still closed to most ships, energy prices have remained elevated. Oil is now above $100 a barrel as of this writing and will likely go up even further if the strait is closed for longer.If the prices of oil and natural gas remain elevated, it will likely induce inflation in markets such as the U.S. and increase the risk of a recession. And if you are worried about how these developments may affect your portfolio, here are two energy stocks you ...

Today, amid fears of recession driven by the war in Iran, trade policy uncertainty due to tariffs and concerns over an AI-driven tech bubble, gold may indeed be seen as a safer place to invest.Historically, gold has served as a hedge against inflation and market volatility. Many investors turn to “safe haven” assets like gold during periods of economic and geopolitical instability to preserve their wealth.The Bank of America survey revealed that among wealthy young investors, 45% own gold as a physical asse ...

While global markets panic over rising Oil Prices and geopolitical tension in the Middle East, Bitcoin is doing something unexpected. Typically, when crude oil spikes past $100 per barrel, risk assets like tech stocks and cryptocurrencies sell off hard as fear grips the market. Yet, as the Strait of Hormuz, a chokepoint for roughly 20% of the world’s daily oil supply, remains effectively blocked by military action, Bitcoin is holding its ground. This divergence has reignited the ‘Digital Gold’ thesis am ...

New York Post may receive revenue from affiliate and advertising partnerships for sharing this content and/or when you make a purchase. The gold rush of 2025 didn’t happen in a mine — it happened in brokerage accounts, as prices soared 74% and gold IRA searches hit their highest levels in well over a decade.Millions of Americans are still racing to get in to protect their retirement savings against the risks of inflation and now the war in Iran. Gold is often seen as a hedge against economic uncertainty be ...

Like other IRAs, gold IRAs follow standard tax rules. Depending on whether the account is traditional or Roth, investors may receive tax-deferred growth or tax-free qualified withdrawals, and RMDs apply to traditional accounts (2).“Gold IRAs are often considered ‘patient’ money, meaning that an asset can be acquired and held for a relatively long period of time until market or personal circumstances indicate it is time for liquidation and/or distribution,” Scott Maurer, vice president at Advanta IRA, told U ...

Core Insights - The article emphasizes the potential of alternative dividend ETFs yielding over 5%, suggesting that investors should consider options beyond the Schwab US Dividend Equity ETF (SCHD) due to its significant gains and limited future upside [2][5]. Group 1: Alternative Dividend ETFs - The Invesco KBW Premium Yield Equity REIT ETF (KBWY) is highlighted for its strong performance, with a current dividend yield of 9.49% and an expense ratio of 0.35%. The ETF is expected to benefit from rising real estate prices and declining interest rates, projecting double-digit gains in the coming quarters [10][9]. - The Harbor Commodity All-Weather Strategy ETF (HGER) is noted for its 5.74% dividend yield and an expense ratio of 0.68%. It tracks a broad range of commodities and has matched the S&P 500's performance since its launch in February 2022, making it a noteworthy option for investors seeking inflation hedges [14][12]. - The Pacer Metaurus US Large Cap Div Multiplier 400 ETF (QDPL) offers a 5.79% dividend yield with a monthly distribution frequency and an expense ratio of 0.60%. It aims to provide strong dividend yields while allowing for upside participation without aggressively capping potential gains [18][15]. Group 2: Market Context and Trends - The current market environment, characterized by declining interest rates and rising asset prices, is creating opportunities in underappreciated sectors such as REITs and commodities, making these alternative dividend ETFs attractive [2][4]. - The article suggests that the performance of dividend ETFs like SCHD may be limited moving forward, as it has already seen significant gains, and it is unlikely to exceed a 20% increase by year-end [5][4].

Miami’s coastal appeal must have something to do with it. Beyond that, its favorable tax environment is also still drawing high-net-worth newcomers from across the U.S. — particularly since Florida does not impose a state income tax.But one corner of Miami’s housing market is still booming: billionaire real estate.On top of that, insurance premiums are surging, driven by mounting environmental risks such as flooding and hurricanes. These combined costs are prompting more owners to sell, adding to the pressu ...

Core Insights - The article discusses the shift in financial focus for retirees from wealth accumulation to wealth preservation, emphasizing the importance of safe, income-generating assets that can hedge against inflation while covering living expenses [1] Group 1: Investment Preferences of Retirees - Retirees typically invest in four major asset categories, with a strong preference for fixed-income assets due to their predictable payments [2][3] - A significant portion of retirees' portfolios, specifically 35% to 45%, is held in cash or cash equivalents to cover two to three years of living expenses, allowing them to avoid selling stocks during market downturns [5] Group 2: Fixed-Income Assets - Treasury Inflation-Protected Securities (TIPS) are favored for their inflation-adjusted principal value and government backing, making them a safe investment choice for retirees [6] - Bonds, including U.S. Treasurys, municipal bonds, and corporate bonds, are commonly used by retirees, often through bond ladders to ensure annual cash flow [7] - Annuities provide retirees with a "guaranteed paycheck" for life, addressing concerns about outliving their savings [7] Group 3: Equity Investments - Retirees favor dividend-paying stocks, particularly Dividend Aristocrats, which are blue-chip companies that have consistently increased dividends for 25 or more years [8] - Real estate investment trusts (REITs) are also popular, allowing retirees to invest in real estate without the responsibilities of active management, as they are required to distribute 90% of taxable income as dividends [8] Group 4: Health and Savings Accounts - Health savings accounts (HSAs) are considered "super-IRAs" for retirees, providing tax-free funds for rising healthcare costs [9]

Group 1: Market Movements and Investor Behavior - Up to $1 billion in precious metals were liquidated at the end of the month due to falling cryptocurrency prices, indicating a trend of investors de-risking their portfolios by selling gold and silver [1] - Gold prices reached a peak of $5,608.35 per ounce in late January 2026 before dropping to $4,660 in early February [2][4] - Michael Burry's bearish outlook on gold does not necessarily indicate that it is time to sell, as gold prices are showing signs of recovery [6] Group 2: Investment Strategies and Portfolio Adjustments - Burry sold all holdings in Sprott after making a modest profit of approximately $1 million, despite the potential for much larger gains had he held longer [3][4] - In Q1 2024, Burry's Scion Asset Management made significant portfolio adjustments, including increasing stakes in Chinese companies like JD.com and Alibaba while selling stakes in Amazon and Alphabet [5] - Gold is often viewed as a hedge against inflation and economic uncertainty, making it a potential defensive asset for portfolios [10][22] Group 3: Gold Investment Options - Investors can gain exposure to gold through various methods, including physical gold, mining stocks, and Gold ETFs, each with its own risk and reward profile [11][12][13] - Gold IRAs allow investors to include physical gold in their retirement savings, offering tax advantages similar to traditional and Roth IRAs while diversifying portfolios with tangible assets [21][22][23] - It is recommended that gold investments should only constitute a small part of a diversified portfolio, typically between 5% and 10% [24]

Core Insights - The long-term sustainability of Social Security is heavily influenced by legislative decisions in Washington, and individuals are encouraged to create additional income streams for retirement security [1] - A significant portion of seniors, specifically 39%, rely entirely on Social Security for their income, highlighting the program's critical role in their financial stability [2] - The Congressional Budget Office projects that the Old-Age and Survivors Insurance Trust Fund will deplete its funds by 2032, leading to potential benefit reductions of 7% in 2032 and average cuts of about 28% annually from 2033 to 2036 [3][4] Social Security Dependence - Approximately 68 million Americans receive Social Security payments monthly, indicating the program's extensive reach and importance [6] - The average monthly benefit for a retired worker was reported at $2,071 as of January 2026, which only replaces about 40% of pre-retirement earnings on average [2] Investment Opportunities - Real estate is presented as a viable strategy for generating passive income in retirement, offering both rental income and capital appreciation [7] - Real estate serves as a hedge against inflation, with property values and rental income typically rising during inflationary periods [8] - Crowdfunding platforms like Arrived allow individuals to invest in real estate with minimal capital, starting from as little as $100, thus providing an accessible entry point into real estate investment [10] Financial Products - High-yield savings accounts, such as the Wealthfront Cash Account, offer competitive interest rates, currently at a base variable APY of 3.30%, with potential boosts for new clients [16] - Wealthfront Cash Account balances are insured by the FDIC, providing security for investors [17] Advisory Services - The importance of personalized financial advice is emphasized, with platforms like Advisor.com connecting individuals to vetted financial advisors to tailor investment strategies [19]