Core Viewpoint - A class action securities lawsuit has been filed against Perrigo Company plc, alleging securities fraud that affected investors between February 27, 2023, and November 4, 2025 [1] Group 1: Allegations of Fraud - The lawsuit claims that Perrigo's infant formula business, acquired from Nestlé, suffered from significant underinvestment in maintenance and operational improvements [2] - It is alleged that Perrigo needed to make substantial capital and operational expenditures beyond previously stated cost estimates to remediate issues in the infant formula business [2] - The complaint states that there were significant manufacturing deficiencies in the facility for the infant formula business [2] - As a result of these issues, Perrigo's financial results, including earnings and cash flow, were overstated [2] - The positive statements made by the defendants regarding the Company's business and prospects were materially misleading and lacked a reasonable basis [2] Group 2: Legal Process and Participation - Investors who suffered losses during the relevant time frame have until January 16, 2026, to request to be appointed as lead plaintiff [3] - Class members may be entitled to compensation without any out-of-pocket costs or fees [3] Group 3: Firm Background - Levi & Korsinsky has a history of securing hundreds of millions of dollars for shareholders and has extensive expertise in complex securities litigation [4] - The firm has been recognized in ISS Securities Class Action Services' Top 50 Report for seven consecutive years as one of the top securities litigation firms in the United States [4]

Core Insights - Vanguard 500 Index Fund ETF Shares (NASDAQ:VOO) leads the ETF market with $1.5 trillion in assets and a low expense ratio of 0.03%, but ProShares S&P 500 Dividend Aristocrats ETF (NYSEARCA:NOBL) offers superior cash flow with a yield of 2.1% compared to VOO's 1.09% [2][4] Group 1: NOBL's Income Generation - NOBL generates income solely from dividends of 68 blue-chip Dividend Aristocrats, which have a history of increasing dividends for over 25 years [3][4] - The ETF employs an equal-weighting methodology, with sector allocations of 22.5% in Industrials and 20.9% in Consumer Staples, minimizing concentration risk while maximizing exposure to reliable dividend payers [3][4] Group 2: Dividend Safety Analysis - Albemarle Corporation, with a 2.06% weighting, faces risks due to negative earnings of -$1.59 per share but maintains a $1.62 annual dividend [5] - Caterpillar, holding a 1.68% weighting, shows strong performance with a 46.3% return on equity and a 14.3% profit margin, supported by a $5.84 annual dividend and $19.49 in earnings [5] - Johnson & Johnson, with a 1.51% weighting, offers a 2.37% yield and has a 74% payout ratio, backed by a 27.3% profit margin and over 60 years of consecutive dividend increases [5] - Walmart and Procter & Gamble, with weightings of 1.56% and 1.33% respectively, maintain conservative payout ratios of 32% and 60%, generating significant free cash flow to support dividend growth [5]

Core Insights - A significant number of Chinese consumer brands are expanding into the American retail market to take advantage of higher profit margins and to compensate for slow domestic spending in China [1] Group 1 - The expansion of Chinese consumer brands into the U.S. retail sector is driven by the potential for richer margins [1] - This trend reflects a strategic response to sluggish consumer spending in China [1]

Upgrades - Morgan Stanley upgraded Rollins (ROL) to Overweight from Equal Weight with a price target of $72, up from $58, citing the company as a "best-in-class" operator with durable demand drivers and structural tailwinds [2] - DA Davidson upgraded Guidewire (GWRE) to Buy from Neutral with an unchanged price target of $246, viewing the recent 20% pullback as an opportunity for investors seeking high-quality application software leaders [3] - Jefferies upgraded Procter & Gamble (PG) to Buy from Hold with a price target of $179, up from $156, noting a stabilizing consumer backdrop and easier comparisons entering 2026 [4] - Wells Fargo upgraded Texas Roadhouse (TXRH) to Overweight from Equal Weight with a price target of $195, up from $170, believing in the sustainability of comparable sales momentum [5] - RBC Capital upgraded Airbnb (ABNB) to Outperform from Sector Perform with a price target of $170, up from $145, highlighting an attractive brand monetization story in the evolving consumer AI landscape [6] Downgrades - Jefferies downgraded Constellation Brands (STZ) to Hold from Buy with a price target of $154, down from $170, due to prolonged fears among Hispanic consumers affecting top-line results [7] - JPMorgan downgraded CyberArk (CYBR) to Neutral from Overweight with a price target of $474, up from $443, following the announcement of its takeover by Palo Alto Networks expected to close in the first half of 2026 [7] - JPMorgan downgraded Fortinet (FTNT) to Underweight from Neutral with a price target of $75, down from $85, as the company faces headwinds from ongoing platform consolidation trends [7] - Jefferies downgraded Keurig Dr Pepper (KDP) to Hold from Buy with a price target of $32, citing heavy debt, coffee price volatility, and a new financing structure [7] - Barclays downgraded MGM Resorts (MGM) to Equal Weight from Overweight with a price target of $38, down from $42, expressing mixed views on various gaming sectors and a negative outlook on Las Vegas [7]

Core Viewpoint - Dividend investing in Singapore offers a pathway to financial independence and a reliable income stream for retirement through strategic portfolio management and reinvestment of dividends [1]. Group 1: Building a Portfolio - The first step in creating a reliable retirement income is to build a portfolio of dependable dividend-paying companies, focusing on their balance sheets, free cash flows, and growth indicators [2]. - A payout ratio between 40%-70% is ideal, indicating a balance between dividend payments and retained earnings for reinvestment [2]. - Companies with a history of increasing dividends, such as Parkway Life REIT, CapitaLand Integrated Commercial Trust, and DBS Group Holdings, are recommended for a strong dividend-focused portfolio [3]. Group 2: Reinvesting Dividends - Reinvesting dividends instead of cashing them out accelerates compounding, leading to increased future dividends from newly acquired shares [5]. - Compounding can transform modest yearly returns into significant wealth over time, and strategies like Dollar-Cost Averaging can be employed for reinvestment [6]. Group 3: Diversification - Diversifying income streams across various sectors reduces reliance on any single industry, helping to stabilize income during economic fluctuations [7]. - A balanced portfolio should include financial institutions like DBS and Oversea-Chinese Banking Corporation, REITs like Parkway Life REIT, and defensive consumer stocks such as Sheng Siong Group and SBS Transit [8]. Group 4: Transitioning to Income Mode - As retirement approaches, investors should shift from reinvesting dividends to withdrawing them for living expenses, while maintaining an emergency fund covering 12 to 24 months of expenses [9]. - A systematic withdrawal plan is essential to ensure continued compounding and a stable income stream during retirement [10]. Group 5: Financial Independence through Dividends - Dividend investing is a methodical approach to achieving financial independence, focusing on selecting reliable dividend payers, regular reinvestment, diversification, and strategic withdrawals [11].

Core Viewpoint - Investors are advised to consider dividend ETFs as a defensive strategy during potential market downturns, with historical performance indicating resilience during recessions [1][2]. Group 1: Dividend ETFs Overview - The State Street Consumer Staples Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLP) focuses on companies selling essential goods, providing stability during economic downturns due to inelastic demand for consumer staples [3][4]. - The State Street Health Care Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLV) includes large healthcare companies, benefiting from consistent demand for medical services regardless of economic conditions [6][7]. - The iShares TIPS Bond ETF (TIP) offers exposure to U.S. Treasury Inflation-Protected Securities, serving as a hedge against inflation and providing liquidity [9][10]. Group 2: Performance and Characteristics - XLP has 40 holdings, with Walmart (11.64%), Costco (9.08%), and Procter & Gamble (7.67%) as its largest components, featuring a 2.66% dividend yield and a low expense ratio of 0.08% [5]. - XLV has outperformed the S&P 500 during past downturns, showing a 12% increase over the past year, with a 1.58% dividend yield and an expense ratio of 0.08% [8]. - TIP has a dividend yield of 3.29%, which fluctuates with inflation, and an expense ratio of 0.18% [10][11].

Jim Cramer, the Mad Money host and former hedge fund manager, is known for his hot financial takes, but some of his latest investment recommendations might still surprise you. Here, we’ve covered two relatively underlooked stocks Cramer is still crazy about, based on his investment club discussions over the past few days.Procter & Gamble (PG)During the December 16 episode of Mad Money, Cramer singled out Procter & Gamble (NYSE: PG) as his favorite tech stock right now:“If you ask me what tech stock I like r ...

This monthly article offers a top-down view of the consumer staples sector based on value, quality, and momentum metrics. It may also help analyze sector ETFs such as the State Street® Consumer Staples Select Sector SPDR® ETF (Fred Piard, PhD. is a quantitative analyst and IT professional with over 30 years of experience working in technology. He is the author of three books and has been investing in data-driven systematic strategies since 2010. Fred runs the investing group Quantitative Risk & Value where ...

Market Overview - The market is currently experiencing a downturn, with many stocks in the red despite positive economic data from the previous week [1][4] - The AI sector has seen a sell-off, raising questions about the monetization capabilities of mega-cap companies involved in this trade [2] Economic Data - Recent economic indicators show an increase in job openings and a decrease in continuing unemployment claims, suggesting a mixed but generally positive outlook for consumers [3][7] - The Federal Reserve's recent rate cut has contributed to market volatility, with ongoing uncertainty regarding economic data due to a government shutdown [5][6] Labor Market Insights - The labor market presents a mixed picture, with initial jobless claims rising while continuing claims have fallen significantly [7][9] - Holiday season dynamics are influencing job openings and claims, making it difficult to assess the true health of the consumer [9][10] Company Insights - Alphabet is positioned as a value play among the "Magnificent 7," with its Gemini models and control over its technology stack giving it a competitive edge in the AI space [11][12][13] - Meta is highlighted as a leader in applied AI, with a focus on monetization strategies that leverage improved ad targeting capabilities [15][16][17] - Costco is viewed as a hedge against the K-shaped economy, benefiting from increased membership pricing and serving higher-income consumers effectively [19][20][21]

NEW YORK, Dec. 15, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- WHY: Rosen Law Firm, a global investor rights law firm, reminds purchasers of securities of Perrigo Company plc (NYSE: PRGO) between February 27, 2023 and November 4, 2025, both dates inclusive (the “Class Period”), of the important January 16, 2026 lead plaintiff deadline. SO WHAT: If you purchased Perrigo securities during the Class Period you may be entitled to compensation without payment of any out of pocket fees or costs through a contingency fee arrangemen ...