We've got Stephanie Link, chief investment strategist and portfolio manager at High Totower Investors as well as a CNBC contributor. Uh she is working. She is not a government worker and she's got data or at least some information to impart to us about how you're thinking about playing this market right now.Yeah, we've I've got some data. Um the uh economy, Andrew, is running at 3.8% GDP. in the face of all these unknowns with regards to the government shutdown and tariffs, inflation, geopolitical issues, t ...

Core Insights - Artificial intelligence (AI) is identified as the greatest investment opportunity of the current era, with a strong emphasis on the urgency to invest now [1] - The energy demands of AI technologies are immense, with data centers consuming as much energy as small cities, leading to concerns about power grid capacity and rising electricity prices [2] - A specific company is highlighted as a key player in the AI energy sector, owning critical energy infrastructure assets that are essential for supporting the anticipated surge in energy demand from AI [3][7] Investment Opportunity - The company in focus is not a chipmaker or cloud platform but is positioned to benefit significantly from the increasing energy needs of AI data centers [3] - It operates in the nuclear energy sector, which is crucial for America's future power strategy, and is capable of executing large-scale engineering projects across various energy sectors [7] - The company is debt-free and has a substantial cash reserve, equating to nearly one-third of its market capitalization, making it financially robust compared to other energy firms [8] Market Position - The company is involved in U.S. LNG exportation, which is expected to grow under the current administration's energy policies, positioning it favorably in the market [7] - It has an equity stake in another AI-related company, providing investors with indirect exposure to multiple growth opportunities in the AI sector [9] - The stock is currently undervalued, trading at less than seven times earnings, which presents a compelling investment case [10] Industry Trends - The AI infrastructure supercycle, driven by onshoring trends and tariff policies, is creating a unique investment landscape [14] - The influx of talent into the AI sector is expected to lead to rapid advancements and innovative ideas, further solidifying AI's role as a transformative force in various industries [12] - Companies that adapt to and embrace AI technologies are likely to thrive, while those that resist change may struggle to survive [11]

Core Insights - New Jersey Resources Corporation (NJR) is recognized as a strong contender for the Best Dividend Stocks and has achieved its 30th consecutive year of dividend growth [1][3] Company Overview - NJR operates a mix of regulated and unregulated energy businesses, primarily through New Jersey Natural Gas, serving approximately 588,000 customers in affluent and rapidly growing counties [2] - The company also engages in wholesale and retail gas marketing, solar project development, and owns natural gas storage and transportation assets [2] Dividend Information - On September 10, NJR announced a 5.6% increase in its quarterly dividend, raising it to $0.475 per share, resulting in a dividend yield of 4.05% as of October 2 [3] - NJR has maintained a consistent dividend payment since 1952, highlighting its reliability as a dividend champion [3] Future Outlook - The company's future growth is contingent on favorable regulatory decisions and the expansion of its utility business, alongside investments in clean energy projects [4] - Changes in state and federal energy policies are expected to significantly influence the company's performance [4]

Key TakeawaysCalifornia has enacted new legislation aimed at stifling hedge fund speculation on wildfire insurance subrogation claims, dealing a significant legal blow to investors in this niche market.The California Earthquake Authority (CEA), administrator of the California Wildfire Fund, has vehemently criticized these transactions as "opportunistic, profit-driven investment speculation" and is actively working to block potential payouts to investors.The state's intervention has already impacted the mark ...

Core Viewpoint - Investor sentiment is currently affected by fears of a government shutdown, a slowing labor market, and high stock valuations, leading to a potential interest in dividend stocks for stable returns [1] Group 1: Brookfield Infrastructure Partners (BIP) - Brookfield Infrastructure Partners is a global infrastructure company with diversified assets in utilities, transport, midstream, and data sectors [3] - BIP paid a dividend of 43 cents per unit on September 29, marking a 6% year-over-year increase, with an annualized dividend of $1.72 per unit, resulting in a dividend yield of 5.2% [3] - BMO Capital analyst Devin Dodge reiterated a buy rating on BIP with a price target of $42, citing strong organic growth trends expected to become more evident in upcoming quarters [4] - Dodge noted an increase in high-growth platforms within BIP's portfolio and highlighted significant investment opportunities, particularly in digital infrastructure, with hyperscalers' capital spending projected to rise by 50% this year [5] - BIP's funds from operations per unit (FFO/unit) growth is nearing an inflection point, with a compound annual growth rate of about 10% over the past five years, despite challenges [6] - Dodge believes that as FFO/unit growth increases, it will positively impact distribution growth and valuation [7] Group 2: Ares Capital (ARCC) - Ares Capital is a specialty finance company providing direct loans and investments to private middle-market companies, offering a quarterly dividend of 48 cents per share, equating to an annualized dividend of $1.92 per share and a yield of 9.4% [8] - RBC Capital analyst Kenneth Lee reiterated a buy rating on Ares Capital with a price target of $24, favoring it along with other stocks in the current market scenario [9] - Lee emphasized Ares Capital's competitive advantage through its access to the Ares global credit platform and its potential for above-peer-average return on equity [10] - The experienced senior management team and core earnings per share generation back Ares Capital's dividends, contributing to its strength [11] Group 3: ONE Gas (OGS) - ONE Gas is a regulated natural gas utility serving over 2.3 million customers in Kansas, Oklahoma, and Texas, with a quarterly dividend of 67 cents per share, leading to an annualized dividend of $2.68 per share and a yield of 3.3% [12] - Mizuho analyst Gabe Moreen upgraded OGS to buy from hold, raising the price forecast to $86, citing benefits from Texas legislation and lower interest rates [13] - Moreen anticipates that the Texas HB 4384 legislation could generate an incremental EPS benefit of about 18 cents in fiscal 2026, which will grow with OGS's capital spending [14] - Elevated short-term interest rates previously forced OGS to revise its guidance, but expected Federal Reserve interest rate cuts could ease interest expenses [15] - Moreen highlighted growth opportunities for OGS due to rising natural gas demand from data centers and advanced manufacturers, making it an attractive investment at current valuations [16]

Core Insights - Artificial intelligence (AI) is identified as the greatest investment opportunity of the current era, with a strong emphasis on the urgency to invest in AI technologies now [1][13] - The energy demands of AI technologies are highlighted as a critical concern, with data centers consuming as much energy as small cities, leading to potential crises in power supply [2][3] Investment Opportunity - A specific company is presented as a unique investment opportunity, positioned to benefit from the increasing energy demands of AI, owning critical energy infrastructure assets [3][7] - This company is not a chipmaker or cloud platform but is essential for supplying electricity, which is becoming the most valuable commodity in the digital age [3][6] Energy Infrastructure - The company is described as a "Toll Booth" operator in the AI energy boom, collecting fees from energy exports and poised to capitalize on the surge in demand for energy due to AI [4][5] - It owns significant nuclear energy infrastructure, making it a key player in the future of clean and reliable power in the U.S. [7] Financial Position - The company is noted for being debt-free and having a substantial cash reserve, equating to nearly one-third of its market capitalization, which positions it favorably compared to other energy firms burdened with debt [8][10] - It also holds a significant equity stake in another AI-related company, providing indirect exposure to multiple growth engines in the AI sector [9] Market Perception - Wall Street is beginning to take notice of this company, which is described as undervalued, trading at less than seven times earnings, indicating a potential for significant upside [10][12] - The company is characterized as delivering real cash flows and owning critical infrastructure, distinguishing it from speculative stocks in the AI space [11] Future Trends - The ongoing trends of AI infrastructure development, onshoring due to tariffs, and a surge in U.S. LNG exports are all interconnected, with this company positioned to benefit from these dynamics [14][6] - The influx of talent into the AI sector is expected to drive continuous innovation, further solidifying the importance of investing in AI-related companies [12]

Core Insights - Artificial intelligence (AI) is identified as the greatest investment opportunity of the current era, with a strong emphasis on the urgent need for energy to support its growth [1][2][3] - A specific company is highlighted as a key player in the AI energy sector, owning critical energy infrastructure assets that are essential for meeting the increasing energy demands of AI technologies [3][7] Investment Landscape - Wall Street is investing hundreds of billions into AI, but there is a pressing concern regarding the energy supply needed to sustain this growth [2] - AI data centers, such as those powering large language models, consume energy equivalent to that of small cities, indicating a significant strain on global power grids [2] Company Profile - The company in focus is not a chipmaker or cloud platform but is positioned as a crucial player in the energy sector, set to benefit from the rising demand for electricity driven by AI [3][6] - It owns significant nuclear energy infrastructure assets, making it integral to America's future power strategy [7] Financial Position - The company is noted for being completely debt-free and holding cash reserves that amount to nearly one-third of its market capitalization, providing a strong financial foundation [8] - It is trading at less than 7 times earnings, which is considered undervalued given its strategic position in the AI and energy markets [10] Market Trends - The company is poised to capitalize on the onshoring trend driven by tariffs, as well as the surge in U.S. LNG exports under the current administration's energy policies [5][14] - There is a growing recognition on Wall Street of this company's potential, as it quietly benefits from multiple market tailwinds without the high valuations typical of other firms in the sector [8][9] Future Outlook - The influx of talent into the AI sector is expected to drive continuous innovation and advancements, reinforcing the importance of investing in AI-related companies [12] - The overall sentiment is that investing in AI is not just about financial returns but also about participating in a transformative technological revolution [15]

Core Insights - Artificial intelligence (AI) is identified as the greatest investment opportunity of the current era, with a strong emphasis on the urgent need for energy to support its growth [1][2][3] - A specific company is highlighted as a key player in the AI energy sector, owning critical energy infrastructure assets that are essential for meeting the increasing energy demands of AI technologies [3][7][8] Investment Opportunity - Wall Street is investing heavily in AI, but there is a looming energy crisis as AI technologies require vast amounts of electricity, comparable to the energy consumption of small cities [2][3] - The company in focus is positioned to benefit from the surge in demand for electricity driven by AI data centers, making it a potentially lucrative investment [3][8] Company Profile - The company is described as a "toll booth" operator in the AI energy boom, collecting fees from energy exports and benefiting from the onshoring trend due to tariffs [5][6] - It possesses significant nuclear energy infrastructure assets, which are crucial for America's future power strategy, and is capable of executing large-scale engineering projects across various energy sectors [7][8] Financial Health - The company is noted for being debt-free and having a substantial cash reserve, amounting to nearly one-third of its market capitalization, which positions it favorably compared to other energy firms burdened with debt [8][10] - It also holds a significant equity stake in another AI-related company, providing investors with indirect exposure to multiple growth opportunities in the AI sector [9][10] Market Trends - The article discusses the broader trends of AI, energy, tariffs, and onshoring, indicating that this company is strategically aligned with these developments [6][14] - The influx of talent into the AI sector is expected to drive continuous innovation and advancements, further solidifying the importance of investing in AI-related companies [12][13]

Core Insights - Big Tech companies are investing over $350 billion in AI infrastructure, significantly impacting the American economy by 2025 [1] - UBS forecasts AI infrastructure spending to increase to $500 billion next year, indicating a growing reliance on the tech sector [2] Economic Impact - The economic growth driven by AI investments introduces risks to everyday finances, particularly if the AI surge slows unexpectedly [1] - Retirees and workers may face instability due to Big Tech's influence on the stock market and employment [2] Investment Strategies - Financial experts recommend diversifying retirement portfolios beyond Big Tech's AI stocks to mitigate risks associated with potential deceleration in the AI boom [4] - Adding defensive assets like bonds and dividend-paying stocks can provide consistent income during tech sell-offs, protecting principal and fostering long-term growth [5] Emergency Preparedness - Building an emergency cash reserve of three to six months of essential expenses is crucial for retirees nearing retirement age to manage economic uncertainty linked to AI sector fluctuations [6] - A cash buffer outside retirement accounts offers stability during unexpected job disruptions or market declines, allowing retirees to weather short-term shocks [7]

Core Viewpoint - Scotiabank downgraded DTE Energy from Sector Outperform to Sector Perform with a revised price target of $147.00, while maintaining a positive long-term EPS growth outlook of approximately 7.5% annually, which is above consensus and management's guidance [1] Summary by Relevant Sections EPS Growth Outlook - DTE Energy's long-term EPS growth is projected at about 7.5% annually, which is favorable compared to consensus and management's guidance [1] - The guidance range for EPS growth is between 6% and 8%, but Scotiabank believes the upside potential is limited [2] Market Sentiment and Regulatory Environment - The regulatory environment in Michigan remains favorable for DTE Energy [1] - There is a current market trend where investors show less interest in defensive utilities, impacting sentiment towards DTE [2] - Michigan's challenges in attracting data center customers are seen as a headwind to sentiment [2] Valuation and Financial Expectations - A positive financial update is expected in the third quarter, but valuation is likely to remain rangebound compared to peers [2]