Core Viewpoint - Strive, Inc. has announced an increase in the annual dividend rate on its Variable Rate Series A Perpetual Preferred Stock to 12.25%, reflecting its commitment to enhancing shareholder value while managing its capital structure effectively [1][2]. Dividend Information - The new annual dividend rate of 12.25% is based on a stated amount of $100 per share, resulting in an annual dividend of approximately $12.25 per share [2]. - The next monthly dividend of $1.0208 per share is declared, payable on January 15, 2026, to holders of record as of January 1, 2026 [3]. Company Overview - Strive is the first publicly traded asset management Bitcoin treasury company, focusing on increasing Bitcoin per share to outperform Bitcoin over the long term [4]. - As of November 7, 2025, Strive holds approximately 7,525 bitcoins and has grown to manage over $2 billion in assets since launching its first ETF in August 2022 [4].

Core Insights - The prevailing sentiment among advisors and investors is shifting towards investment-grade corporate bonds and high-yield corporates, with 48% and 38% respectively considering them the most attractive segments of the bond market [1] Investment Grade Corporate Bonds - Investment-grade corporate bonds are favored for their consistent income and moderate risk profile, with solid recent performance; for example, the Vanguard Intermediate-Term Corporate Bond ETF (VCIT) was up 8.9% year-to-date through December 9, outperforming the iShares Core Aggregate Bond ETF (AGG) which gained 6.8% [2] - The VCIT has $58 billion in assets, offers a 4.8% yield, and has an average duration of 6.0 years, with 44% in A-rated and 50% in BBB-rated securities [3] High-Yield Corporate Bonds - There is notable confidence among advisors in high-yield bonds, with the iShares Broad USD High Yield Corporate Bond ETF (USHY) returning 8.0% for the year as of December 9 and offering a 6.8% yield; this $25 billion ETF primarily holds 54% BB-rated and 34% B-rated securities, with an average duration of 3.0 years [5] - The positive outlook for high-yield bonds is reinforced by a supportive technical backdrop, with credit quality holding firm and default rates below long-term averages, making it an attractive opportunity for fixed income allocators [6] Active High-Yield ETFs - The supply of actively managed high-yield ETFs is increasing, with the JPMorgan Active High Yield ETF (JPHY) managing $2.1 billion, having launched with $2 billion in June 2025; it has a different exposure profile compared to USHY, with 6% in BBB-rated securities and a net expense ratio of 0.45% [7] - The Vanguard High-Yield Active ETF (VGHY), launched in September, currently has $106 million in assets and offers a competitive fee of 0.22% [8]

Core Viewpoint - Mercer, a business of Marsh McLennan, is enhancing its UK Workplace Savings solutions by investing in the new Schroders Mercer Private Assets Growth Long-Term Asset Fund (LTAF) to provide members with greater access to private market investments [1] Group 1 - Mercer aims to help clients achieve their investment objectives and improve health and retirement outcomes [1] - The investment in the LTAF is part of a strategy to increase members' access to private market investments [1]

Core Insights - Aberdeen Investments has signed an agreement to acquire MFS' management of closed-end fund assets totaling £1.5bn ($2bn) [1] - The transaction will consolidate nine MFS funds and one Aberdeen CEF into two active CEFs, enhancing scale [1][2] - A new municipal bond fund with approximately $1bn in AUM will be created by merging four MFS municipal bond CEFs and one Aberdeen municipal bond CEF [1] - Five MFS taxable fixed income funds will combine to form a multi-sector fixed income closed-end fund, including private credit, with around $1.4bn in AUM [2] - Jonathan Mondillo, Aberdeen's fixed income global head, will manage both newly formed funds [2] - No employees or corporate entities will be transferred as part of the acquisition [2] - Aberdeen Group CEO Jason Windsor expressed satisfaction with the acquisition, highlighting its synergistic nature [2] - The firm aims to become the UK's leading Wealth and Investment group, focusing on areas of strength with significant growth potential [3] - As of September 30, 2025, Aberdeen Investments managed approximately £382bn on behalf of clients [3] - The acquisition reflects Aberdeen's strategy to enhance its US closed-end fund platform [2][3] - MFS has a historical significance in the mutual fund industry, having pioneered US mutual funds in 1924 [4] - Earlier in August, Aberdeen Group agreed to divest its financial planning unit to Ascot Lloyd [4]

Core Viewpoint - Janus Henderson Investors aims to assist clients in achieving their long-term financial goals through active management, emphasizing the importance of translating ideas into action and building partnerships for optimal client outcomes [1] Group 1: Company Overview - Janus Henderson Investors was formed in 2017 from the merger of Janus Capital Group and Henderson Global Investors [1] - The company promotes a collaborative team approach among its investment managers, allowing them to utilize strategies best suited to their expertise [1] Group 2: Investment Philosophy - The company’s investment philosophy is centered around active management, which is not only a strategy but also a commitment to empowering clients in making informed investment and business decisions [1] - The "Knowledge. Shared" ethos reflects the company's dedication to fostering dialogue across the business [1]

Core Viewpoint - Bernstein Liebhard LLP is reminding investors of Blue Owl Capital Inc. about a deadline related to a securities fraud class action lawsuit against the company [1]. Group 1: Lawsuit Details - A class action lawsuit has been filed in the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York on behalf of investors who purchased or acquired Blue Owl securities between February 6, 2025, and November 16, 2025, alleging violations of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 [3]. - The lawsuit claims that the defendants made misrepresentations regarding liquidity issues [3]. Group 2: Legal Participation - Investors wishing to serve as lead plaintiff must file papers by February 2, 2026, and participation as a lead plaintiff is not required to share in any recovery [4]. - All representation in the lawsuit is on a contingency fee basis, meaning shareholders will not incur any fees or expenses [4]. Group 3: Firm Background - Since 1993, Bernstein Liebhard LLP has recovered over $3.5 billion for its clients and has represented some of the largest public and private pension funds in the country [5]. - The firm has been recognized for its success in litigating class actions, being named to The National Law Journal's "Plaintiffs' Hot List" thirteen times and listed in The Legal 500 for sixteen consecutive years [5].

Core Viewpoint - The article discusses the most profitable NYSE stocks to buy currently, emphasizing the importance of earnings estimates over traditional valuation methods in stock selection [1][2][4]. Group 1: Market Outlook - Daniel McCormack from Macquarie Asset Management predicts a solid growth year in 2026, estimating global growth at 3.5%, aligning with long-term averages [3]. - The US economy is expected to remain strong, with gradual recoveries in Europe and the UK, contributing to a constructive environment for asset prices [4]. Group 2: Methodology - The list of profitable NYSE stocks was created using stock screeners, focusing on those with the highest trailing twelve months (TTM) net income and net income margins [6]. - The final selection included 11 stocks with the highest number of hedge fund holders as of Q3 2025, sourced from Insider Monkey's database [6][7]. Group 3: Company Highlights - **Novartis AG (NYSE:NVS)**: - TTM Net Income: $14.39 billion, Net Income Margin: 25.53%, Hedge Fund Holders: 33 [9]. - HSBC raised the price target to $112 from $106 while maintaining a Reduce rating, indicating a positive outlook for the pharma sector [10]. - Novartis announced positive Phase III trial results for ianalumab, showing a 45% extension in disease control for patients with primary immune thrombocytopenia [10][11]. - **BlackRock, Inc. (NYSE:BLK)**: - TTM Net Income: $6.1 billion, Net Income Margin: 26.64%, Hedge Fund Holders: 63 [12]. - Barclays reduced its price target to $1,340 from $1,360 but maintained an Overweight rating, reflecting a constructive market outlook for 2026 [13]. - BofA raised the price target to $1,464 from $1,456, reaffirming a Buy rating, favoring alternative asset managers due to a stronger macro backdrop [15].

Core Viewpoint - Chinese stocks are currently trading at a price-to-earnings (P/E) ratio of 12.7x, which is slightly above the 20-year average according to J.P. Morgan Asset Management data [1] Summary by Relevant Sections - **Valuation Metrics** - The P/E ratio of 12.7x for Chinese stocks indicates a valuation that is marginally higher than the historical average over the past two decades [1] - **Profit Expectations** - There is an improvement in profit expectations among companies, suggesting a potential positive outlook for earnings growth in the Chinese market [1]

Core Insights - The best performing income ETFs of 2025 are convertible bond strategies and emerging market local currency funds, despite convertible bonds typically yielding less compared to other fixed income options [1] - Convertible bonds behave like call options on equities, performing better in favorable equity markets while providing principal and low coupon returns in poor equity conditions [2] - Allianz Income and Growth fund's performance is analyzed, revealing its composition and returns over the years, with a focus on USD returns and income generation strategies [4][5] Fund Performance - Allianz Income and Growth fund has maintained a total return of 17.29% in 2023, 9.94% in 2024, and 10.60% year-to-date in 2025 [9] - The fund's income distribution is currently at 7.75%, which is significantly higher than the underlying portfolio yield of 2.8% [11][12] - The fund's composition remains approximately 33% in US Equity, US High Yield Bonds, and US Convertible Bonds [8] Income Generation - The fund pays out 61% from capital and 39% from income, raising questions about the sustainability of its high distribution yield [16] - Investors are often hesitant to sell units for income, yet they may end up in funds like Allianz Income and Growth that rely heavily on capital for distributions [16][18] - The fund manager's strategy may not align with individual investor income needs, as distributions are based on a systematic approach rather than personalized strategies [18] Market Context - Convertible bonds have performed well over the past two years, contributing to the income generation of funds like Allianz Income and Growth, despite not outperforming a composite portfolio of lower-cost ETFs [19]

Core Viewpoint - Japan's Nomura Holdings is actively seeking acquisitions in the private debt asset management sector to enhance its alternative assets business, as stated by CEO Kentaro Okuda in a Reuters interview [1] Group 1 - Nomura Holdings is focusing on expanding its alternative assets business through potential acquisitions [1] - The company is particularly interested in the private debt asset management market [1] - CEO Kentaro Okuda emphasized the strategic importance of these acquisitions for the company's growth [1]