In June 2025, I had described the Invesco S&P 500 Momentum ETF ( SPMO ) as a tactical momentum vehicle rather than a buy-and-forget allocation. The core of the thesis was that SPMO excelsI am a stock analyst with over 20 years of experience in quantitative research, financial modeling, and risk management. My focus is on equity valuation, market trends, and portfolio optimization to uncover high-growth investment opportunities. As a former Vice President at Barclays, I led teams in model validation, stress ...

I am a stock analyst with over 20 years of experience in quantitative research, financial modeling, and risk management. My focus is on equity valuation, market trends, and portfolio optimization to uncover high-growth investment opportunities. As a former Vice President at Barclays, I led teams in model validation, stress testing, and regulatory finance, developing a deep expertise in both fundamental and technical analysis. Alongside my research partner (also my wife), I co-author investment research, com ...

Core Viewpoint - The finance sector is experiencing rising earnings estimates, with a solid start to the Q4 earnings season, despite some initial market reactions suggesting disappointment from major banks like JPMorgan, Bank of America, and Citigroup [2][5]. Finance Sector Performance - Citigroup shares have outperformed peers and the broader market over the past year due to investor confidence in the new management's restructuring plans, while JPMorgan benefits from its reputation for operational excellence [3]. - Despite recent underperformance since the start of the year, the Q4 earnings results have contributed to a downtrend in shares for Citigroup, Bank of America, and JPMorgan [4]. Earnings Trends - The Q4 earnings season shows a growth pace acceleration, with total earnings for 51 S&P 500 members up by +17.2% year-over-year, driven by +7.5% higher revenues, and 88.2% of companies beating EPS estimates [5]. - For the finance sector, earnings are up +13.9% year-over-year with +7.0% higher revenues, and 90.5% of companies beating EPS estimates [5]. Management Outlook - Management teams are providing reassuring macroeconomic commentary, indicating favorable consumer spending and stable credit quality trends, with a positive outlook for loan demand and investment banking advisory services [7]. - The overall outlook remains positive despite headwinds from policy uncertainties and administration plans regarding credit cards [7]. Sector Contributions - The tech sector is projected to contribute 36% of the S&P 500 index's total earnings over the next four quarters and currently represents 42.5% of the index's total market capitalization, highlighting its significant role in the overall earnings picture [16].

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 need for greater opportunities in this area [1] - There is a commitment to contributing to the expansion of opportunities for women within the financial sector [1]

Core Insights - The Lazard Global Total Return and Income Fund Inc (LGI) has experienced significant benefits from a prolonged bull market in equity over the past five years, leading to a stable net asset value (NAV) [1] Group 1: Fund Performance - The unprecedented bull run in equity markets has positively impacted LGI's performance, maintaining its NAV [1] Group 2: Analyst Background - The article highlights the expertise of the analyst, who has over 20 years of experience in quantitative research, financial modeling, and risk management, focusing on equity valuation and market trends [1]

Core Insights - The article emphasizes that comparing dividend ETFs solely based on total returns overlooks important factors, particularly highlighting the positioning of the Schwab U.S. Dividend Equity ETF (SCHD) in relation to broader market indices like SPY [1]. Group 1: Investment Strategy - The analysis suggests that SCHD often catches up with broader market performance, indicating its potential as a strategic investment choice for long-term value creation [1]. Group 2: Analyst Background - The author has over 20 years of experience in quantitative research, financial modeling, and risk management, with a focus on equity valuation and market trends [1]. - The author previously held a Vice President position at Barclays, leading teams in model validation and stress testing, which contributes to a deep expertise in both fundamental and technical analysis [1]. - The research approach combines rigorous risk management with a long-term perspective, aiming to provide actionable investment ideas [1].

I am a personal investor specializing in equities and diversified portfolios. In this diversification, I like to build a balanced portfolio where no client misses out on the rise of technology stocks -for example- but at the same time, they can keep a portion of their savings invested in more defensive options.I'm very fond of established technology companies and those focused on consumer staples and discretionary goods, always prioritizing company value over circumstances, which can sometimes be adverse. T ...

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 equities and diversified portfolios, ensuring clients benefit from technology stock growth while maintaining investments in defensive options [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 seven years of active investment experience, managing third-party portfolios and analyzing 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 "buying low and selling high," drawing parallels between the pressures of public tenders and the stress of market crises [1] - The company actively promotes financial inclusion programs for women in finance, recognizing the challenges and the need for further contributions in this area [1]

Core Viewpoint - The article emphasizes the importance of building a balanced investment portfolio that includes both technology stocks and defensive options, highlighting the intrinsic value of companies as a key focus for investment decisions [1] Group 1: Investment Strategy - The company specializes in equities and diversified portfolios, aiming to ensure clients benefit from technology stock growth while maintaining investments in defensive options [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 an active investor for seven years, managing third-party portfolios and focusing 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," drawing parallels between the pressures of public tenders and market crises experienced in 2020 and 2022 [1] - The company also emphasizes the importance of promoting financial inclusion programs for women, recognizing it as a significant challenge and an area for further contribution [1]

Core Insights - Plug Power has transitioned from a focus on financing to making significant strides in margin and cash flow improvement, indicating a positive shift in its operational strategy [1] - The company appears to have gained some time to address its cash burn issues, although concerns regarding repeated dilution remain prevalent [1] Financial Performance - The article highlights the importance of margin and cash flow repair as key areas of focus for Plug Power, suggesting that these improvements are critical for the company's future sustainability [1] Market Position - Plug Power's narrative has evolved, reflecting a more mature approach to its financial challenges, which may enhance investor confidence in the company's long-term prospects [1]