Market Overview - The U.S. markets ended the final trading week of 2025 on a mixed note, with optimism over AI growth offset by caution regarding Federal Reserve policy signals [1] - Despite thin year-end liquidity, late pullbacks in all three major benchmark indexes kept the broader bull trend intact as market participants positioned for 2026 [1] Macroeconomic Indicators - Initial jobless claims fell unexpectedly by 16,000 to a seasonally adjusted 199,000 for the week ended Dec. 27, the lowest since the end of November, signaling continued labor market strength [2] - Pending home sales unexpectedly rose 3.3% in November, marking the largest seasonal rise since 2023 [2] Federal Reserve Policy - The Fed has successfully kept inflation stable and near its 2% target, with a current overnight borrowing rate in the range of 3.50-3.75% [3] - The pace of further easing may slow, even though markets are expecting two additional quarter-point cuts in 2026 [3] Dividend-Paying Stocks - Investors looking to diversify their portfolios can consider dividend-paying stocks, which indicate a healthy business model and can counter market upheavals [4] - Stocks that have raised dividends recently tend to outperform non-dividend-paying entities in a highly volatile market [4] Company Highlights The Ensign Group - The Ensign Group provides health care services in the post-acute care continuum and has a Zacks Rank 2 (Buy) [5] - On Dec. 19, ENSG declared a dividend of 7 cents a share, with a dividend yield of 0.1% [5] - Over the past five years, ENSG has increased its dividend five times, with a payout ratio of 4% of earnings [6] Invesco Mortgage Capital - Invesco Mortgage Capital is a real estate investment trust with a Zacks Rank 1 (Strong Buy) [7] - On Dec. 18, IVR declared a dividend of 36 cents a share, reflecting a dividend yield of 17.3% [7] - IVR has increased its dividend four times in the past five years, with a payout ratio of 58% of earnings [8] ABM Industries - ABM Industries is a provider of integrated facility solutions with a Zacks Rank 3 (Hold) [9] - On Dec. 17, ABM announced a dividend of 29 cents a share, yielding 2.5% [9] - Over the past five years, ABM has increased its dividend six times, with a payout ratio of 31% of earnings [11] Franklin Resources - Franklin Resources is a global investment management company with a Zacks Rank 3 [12] - On Dec. 17, BEN declared a dividend of 33 cents a share, yielding 5.5% [12] - Over the past five years, BEN has increased its dividend five times, with a payout ratio of 58% of earnings [13] Norwood Financial - Norwood Financial is a bank holding company with a Zacks Rank 3 [14] - On Dec. 16, NWFL announced a dividend of 32 cents a share, yielding 4.4% [14] - Over the past five years, NWFL has increased its dividend six times, with a payout ratio of 47% of earnings [14]

Invesco is an independent investment management firm dedicated to delivering an investment experience that helps people get more out of life.Be the first to know! Sign up for Invesco US Blog and get expert investment views as they post.Disclosure for all Invesco US articles: Before investing, carefully read the prospectus and/or summary prospectus and carefully consider the investment objectives, risks, charges and expenses. The information provided is for educational purposes only and does not constitute a ...

Core Viewpoint - Invesco is an independent investment management firm focused on enhancing the investment experience for individuals [1] Group 1 - Invesco offers expert investment views through its US Blog, encouraging individuals to stay informed [1] - The firm emphasizes the importance of reading the prospectus and considering investment objectives, risks, charges, and expenses before investing [1] - Invesco does not provide tax advice and highlights the complexity and variability of federal and state tax laws [1] Group 2 - The opinions expressed by Invesco's authors are based on current market conditions and may change without notice [1] - Invesco's investment advisory services are provided by affiliated investment advisers, and they do not sell securities [1] - Invesco Unit Investment Trusts are distributed by Invesco Capital Markets, Inc., and other broker-dealers [1]

Core Viewpoint - Neuberger High Yield Strategies Fund Inc. has declared a distribution of $0.0905 per share, payable on January 30, 2026, with a record date of January 15, 2026, and an ex-date of January 15, 2026 [1] Distribution Policy - The Fund plans to maintain regular monthly distributions of $0.0905 per share, subject to market conditions, unless a different amount is determined [2] - The ability to sustain the current distribution rate depends on factors such as income stability from investments, leverage costs, and other fees and expenses [2] Distribution Composition - Future distributions may include net investment income, net realized capital gains, and return of capital to maintain a stable distribution amount [3] - A notice will be provided for any distribution not solely consisting of net investment income, detailing estimated portions of the distribution [3] Company Overview - Neuberger Berman is an independent investment manager founded in 1939, managing $558 billion across various asset classes for global institutions and individuals [4] - The firm emphasizes active management, fundamental research, and engaged ownership, and has been recognized as a top workplace in the money management sector [4]

Core Viewpoint - Wilmington Capital Management Inc. announced changes to its Board of Directors as part of a transition plan aimed at supporting long-term growth [1][2][3] Board Changes - Messrs. Joseph Killi, Christopher Killi, and Marc Sardachuk have stepped down from their roles as Directors and Officers of the Corporation, with gratitude expressed for their significant contributions during their tenure [2] - New appointments to the Board include Messrs. Irfhan Rawji, Francis Cooke, and Matt Rachiele, who bring diverse experience to support the Corporation's growth strategy [3] Company Overview - Wilmington is a Canadian investment company focused on seeking investment opportunities in alternative asset classes for long-term capital appreciation rather than current income returns [4] - The Corporation invests its own capital alongside partners and co-investors in hard assets and private equity funds, managing these assets through operating entities [4]

Key Points Despite the market being near all-time highs, investors shouldn't delay starting to invest. Growth and tech stocks have helped lead the market for much of the past decade. The Invesco QQQ Trust is one of the best ETFs to invest in AI and other growth trends. 10 stocks we like better than Invesco QQQ Trust › While the market is trading near all-time highs, that is no reason to delay starting to invest. In fact, waiting for a pullback can be one of the biggest traps that investors can f ...

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Group 1: Company Overview - DigitalBridge (DBRG) shares increased by 9.6% to $15.26 in the last trading session, with a notable trading volume, and have gained 43.4% over the past four weeks [1][2] - The company has entered into an acquisition deal with SoftBank Group valued at $4 billion, with SoftBank set to acquire all outstanding common stock of DigitalBridge for $16 per share in cash, representing a 15% premium to the closing price on December 26, 2025, and a 50% premium to the unaffected 52-week average closing price as of December 4, 2025 [2] Group 2: Financial Performance - DigitalBridge is expected to report quarterly earnings of $0.08 per share, reflecting a year-over-year decline of 27.3%, with revenues projected at $100.26 million, down 1.3% from the previous year [3] - The consensus EPS estimate for DigitalBridge has remained unchanged over the last 30 days, indicating a lack of upward revisions which typically correlate with stock price movements [5] Group 3: Industry Context - DigitalBridge is part of the Zacks Financial - Investment Management industry, which includes other companies like MSCI, that closed 0.1% higher at $585.76 and has returned 3.8% in the past month [6] - MSCI's consensus EPS estimate for its upcoming report is $4.58, showing a year-over-year increase of 9.6%, with its Zacks Rank also at 3 (Hold) [7]

Invesco is an independent investment management firm dedicated to delivering an investment experience that helps people get more out of life.Be the first to know! Sign up for Invesco US Blog and get expert investment views as they post.Disclosure for all Invesco US articles: Before investing, carefully read the prospectus and/or summary prospectus and carefully consider the investment objectives, risks, charges and expenses. The information provided is for educational purposes only and does not constitute a ...

Invesco is an independent investment management firm dedicated to delivering an investment experience that helps people get more out of life.Be the first to know! Sign up for Invesco US Blog and get expert investment views as they post.Disclosure for all Invesco US articles: Before investing, carefully read the prospectus and/or summary prospectus and carefully consider the investment objectives, risks, charges and expenses. The information provided is for educational purposes only and does not constitute a ...