A federal judge said the Trump administration can move ahead with a $100,000 fee on new H-1B visa applications, providing a setback for US technology companies that rely on hiring skilled foreign workers.US District Judge Beryl Howell said in a ruling Tuesday that President Donald Trump’s effort to radically increase the cost of the popular visa is lawful. The decision gives a boost to the administration’s campaign to restrict immigration and push demand for US workers. The US Chamber of Commerce, which sue ...

Key Takeaways It was a rollercoaster of a year on Wall Street. Most experts think the ride isn't over. The S&P 500 is on track to post its third consecutive year of double-digit gains, putting the benchmark index up more than 90% since the current bull market started in October 2022. Strategists expect 2026 to be another good—if more modestly so—year for the stock market. As of mid-December, the average 2026 year-end S&P 500 price target was 7,269, according to an LPL Financial analysis. That implies about ...

The US economy expanded in the third quarter at the fastest pace in two years, bolstered by resilient consumer and business spending and calmer trade policies. Bloomberg's Emily Graffeo joined Caroline Hyde and Romaine Bostick on 'Bloomberg Businessweek Daily' to break down the impacts of AI on the markets in 2026, consumer confidence data, and gains in mega-cap tech stocks. ...

How much is $318 billion in the scheme of things? It's a tiny fraction of the world's economic output. It's about equal to the $320 billion that Meta, Amazon, Alphabet and Microsoft collectively planned to spend on AI research and data center expansion in 2025 according to a report by CNBC early this year. And the researchers noted that it's far less than the 2.2% of global GDP that's spent on alcoholic beverages each year. Key Takeaways It would take $318 billion per year, or 0.3% of the world's economic o ...

The Magnificent Seven stocks continue to be among the most closely followed by investors, analysts and market experts. In an interview with Benzinga, Freedom Capital Markets Chief Market Strategist Jay Woods shares his favorite Magnificent 7 stocks heading into 2026 and which of the seven he's avoiding.Favorite Magnificent 7 StocksDuring an interview with Benzinga in September 2025, Woods said to stick with what was working when it came to big tech stocks and the Magnificent 7 stocks heading into the fourth ...

Core Viewpoint - The investment landscape heading into 2026 is characterized by a need for investors to balance optimism with caution amid a K-shaped economic recovery, where high-income households thrive while lower-income workers face challenges [1][2][3] Economic Environment - The U.S. economy remains fragmented due to post-pandemic fiscal and monetary measures, leading to uneven outcomes across income groups [2] - Job openings are declining, wage growth is moderating, and employers are signaling caution, indicating a cooling labor market [3] AI Influence - Artificial intelligence is expected to be a significant driver of market performance in 2026, with capital expenditures from major tech companies projected to rise from $400 billion in 2025 to approximately $520 billion in 2026, representing about 1.6% of U.S. GDP [7][8] - The "Magnificent Seven" tech stocks have contributed to over half of the S&P 500's earnings growth in recent quarters, a trend anticipated to continue into 2026 [9] Market Strategy - A disciplined and diversified investment approach is recommended to manage risks and seek new sources of return, emphasizing the importance of spreading investments across various asset classes and regions [6] - The Federal Reserve is expected to cut rates by 75–100 basis points in 2026, with core inflation projected to decelerate to 2.5% by year-end [10] Investment Opportunities - Transitional market phases are seen as favorable entry points into equities, with strong potential for continued equity performance into 2026 [11]

If you have invested in the market, so far, so good, as you have been able to enjoy the financial benefits of a 16% market increase. The market has, as it often does, rewarded those who go full force ahead, all while punishing those who were too cautious and missed out on these returns.Additionally, you have the Federal Reserve and its efforts to shift from rate hikes to rate cuts, which is helping to improve the situation for equity investments by making future earnings more valuable and reducing the compe ...

Economic Growth - U.S. GDP grew 4.3% in Q3, significantly surpassing the consensus estimate of 3.2% year-on-year, indicating strong economic performance [1] AI Investment Trends - Analysts express concern that the GDP growth is heavily reliant on AI-related spending, with private fixed investment rising primarily due to this sector, while other investments are declining [2] - Deutsche Bank highlights that without tech-related spending, particularly in AI, the U.S. economy would be close to recession, as other spending has stagnated post-Covid [3] Capital Expenditure in AI - Capital expenditure (capex) in AI is projected to be substantial, with estimates from Bank of America indicating that AI capex from five major tech companies will reach $399 billion this year and exceed $600 billion in subsequent years [4] - The funding for this AI capex is increasingly expected to come from debt, as major tech firms have strong cash flows and balance sheets, allowing them to take on additional debt without negatively impacting their financial health [5] Debt Market Dynamics - The net supply of new debt from AI-related issuers in the USD credit market has surpassed $200 billion in 2025, more than doubling the previous year's total, with 30% of this year's net supply being AI-related [6] - Companies are targeting $1 trillion in incremental revenues over the next five years, with significant contributions expected from cloud services, digital advertising, and AI subscriptions [7]

Lumentum ( LITE ) has risen dramatically since my buy recommendation on Oct. 11, 2025, to its Dec. 12 closing price of $324.35, mainly because of its excellent earnings on Nov. 4 that quieted some doubts about the company’s lack of profitability while highlighting several reasonsI have been a Merchant Seaman that has traveled the world for over 30 years. Within the last 15 years, I developed a very intense interest in investing. I learned a lot of what I know about investing from The MF. Also because I have ...

Core Insights - Lumentum (LITE) has experienced a significant price increase, reaching a closing price of $324.35 on December 12, 2025, following a buy recommendation on October 11, 2025, primarily due to strong earnings reported on November 4, which alleviated concerns regarding the company's profitability [1] Company Performance - The excellent earnings report on November 4 highlighted several positive aspects of Lumentum's business, contributing to the stock's rise and addressing previous doubts about its profitability [1]