A senior Vanguard executive this week likened Bitcoin to a speculative toy, even as the asset manager moved to allow clients to trade crypto-linked exchange-traded funds—underscoring continued skepticism toward digital assets despite recent national policy shifts. According to a report by Bloomberg, John Ameriks, Vanguard’s global head of quantitative equity, said Bitcoin lacked the cash flow and compounding characteristics the firm sought in long-term investments. Speaking at Bloomberg’s ETFs in Depth co ...

NEW YORK, Dec. 12, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Levi & Korsinsky, LLP notifies investors in Blue Owl Capital Inc. ("Blue Owl Capital Inc." or the "Company") (NYSE: OWL) of a class action securities lawsuit. CLASS DEFINITION: The lawsuit seeks to recover losses on behalf of Blue Owl Capital Inc. investors who were adversely affected by alleged securities fraud between February 6, 2025 and November 16, 2025. Follow the link below to get more information and be contacted by a member of our team: https://zlk.com/ps ...

Group 1 - The abrdn Global Income Fund, Inc. (FCO) is proposing a reorganization into the abrdn Asia-Pacific Income Fund, Inc. (FAX), with a special shareholder meeting scheduled for March 12, 2026, for FCO shareholders to vote on the matter [1] - The Proxy Statement related to the proposed reorganization was filed with the SEC on September 17, 2025, and its issuance was delayed due to a federal government shutdown [2] - The investment objectives and policies of FAX will remain unchanged post-reorganization, which is intended to be a tax-free reorganization for U.S. federal income tax purposes, expected to close in the second quarter of 2026 if approved [3] Group 2 - Shareholders of FAX are not required to vote on the reorganization, and the Proxy Statement will only be distributed to FCO shareholders once it is declared effective by the SEC [4] - Aberdeen Investments is one of the largest asset management firms globally, managing approximately $515 billion in assets as of September 30, 2025, including 15 U.S. closed-end funds and 13 non-U.S. closed-end funds totaling $26.1 billion [6]

Core Insights - The S&P 500 Index is reaching new highs, prompting advisors to seek ways to maintain equity exposure while managing valuation risks. Free cash flow (FCF) is highlighted as a crucial tool for identifying high-quality investment opportunities in the current market [1][2]. Group 1: Importance of Free Cash Flow - Free cash flow is essential for cutting through market noise characterized by high valuations and concentration in mega-cap stocks, particularly in the context of rising AI-related capital expenditures [2][5]. - Companies with strong and sustainable cash generation are positioned for long-term growth, enhancing portfolio resiliency [2]. - Historical trends show that growth and value investing come in cycles, with current allocations being 23% towards growth and 15% towards value [3]. Group 2: FCF Mechanics and Evaluation - The evaluation of FCF involves analyzing a company's cash flow relative to its enterprise value, aiming to identify companies with attractive valuations based on profitability [8][16]. - Key metrics include FCF yield and return on invested capital (ROIC), which provide a comprehensive measure of profitability [8]. Group 3: FCF ETF Strategies - Victory Capital offers several ETFs focused on FCF, including: - VictoryShares Free Cash Flow Growth ETF (GFLW), which targets U.S. companies with high FCF profitability [9]. - VictoryShares Free Cash Flow ETF (VFLO), focusing on large-cap U.S. stocks with favorable growth prospects [9]. - VictoryShares Small Cap Free Cash Flow ETF (SFLO), investing in profitable small-cap companies with high FCF yields [9]. - International options include VictoryShares International Free Cash Flow ETF (IFLO) and VictoryShares International Free Cash Flow Growth ETF (GRIN) [10]. Group 4: FCF Flexibility and Market Resilience - A FCF strategy is beneficial during economic slowdowns, as companies with substantial cash reserves can better withstand market downturns [11]. - The emphasis on diversifying portfolios with a focus on free cash flow is recommended for navigating various market conditions [12].

Core Viewpoint - VivoPower International PLC has announced a significant digital-asset joint venture with Lean Ventures to access private equity in Ripple Labs without using its own capital [1][5]. Group 1: Joint Venture Details - VivoPower's digital asset subsidiary, Vivo Federation, has signed a definitive joint venture agreement with Lean Ventures, a licensed asset manager in Seoul [2]. - The joint venture aims to create a special-purpose investment vehicle to acquire and hold up to $300 million in Ripple Labs shares [2][4]. Group 2: Investment Strategy - Lean Ventures has already assessed interest from qualified institutional and retail investors in South Korea, managing capital for government-linked entities and private limited partners [3]. - Vivo Federation will source Ripple Labs shares for the investment vehicle and has received written approval from Ripple to purchase an initial block of preferred shares [4]. Group 3: Financial Projections - Under the agreement, Vivo Federation will earn management fees and performance carry, targeting net economic gains of $75 million over three years [5]. - The joint venture allows VivoPower to gain exposure to Ripple Labs and XRP-linked assets without committing balance sheet capital, improving risk-adjusted returns [5]. Group 4: Market Focus - South Korea is a key market for this strategy, being one of the largest XRP holder bases globally [6]. - The partnership aims to provide structured access to Ripple Labs shares at a discount to public market valuations, reflecting significant demand from South Korean investors [6]. Group 5: Market Reaction - Following the announcement, VivoPower International shares increased by 14.96%, reaching $2.91 [7].

Core Insights - The article discusses the impact of the Trump administration's trade directives on global markets, particularly highlighting the challenges in identifying high-yield investment opportunities outside the US as of 2026 [1]. Group 1: Market Impact - The Trump administration's new trade directives are influencing global markets, making it difficult to find attractive high-yield opportunities outside the US [1]. Group 2: Analyst Background - The author has a Master's in Banking & Finance from Université Paris 1 Panthéon-Sorbonne and possesses a diverse investment background that includes corporate finance, M&A, and investment analysis, with a focus on real estate, renewable energy, and equity markets [1]. - The author specializes in financial modeling, valuation, and qualitative analysis, with practical experience in private equity, asset management, and real estate [1].

Faced with these realities, Vanguard capitulated. The firm still won't launch its own crypto funds, sticking to its core indexing philosophy. However, it now serves as a gateway for clients to buy crypto ETFs from other issuers like BlackRock, Fidelity, and Bitwise.Externally, regulations around crypto developed significantly. Under a more innovation-friendly administration, the SEC eased its stance and approved multiple spot crypto ETFs. Competitors like Fidelity, Charles Schwab, and traditional banks move ...

Faruqi & Faruqi is a leading national securities law firm with offices in New York, Pennsylvania, California and Georgia. The firm has recovered hundreds of millions of dollars for investors since its founding in 1995. See www.faruqilaw.com. As detailed below, the complaint alleges that the Company and its executives violated federal securities laws by making false and/or misleading statements and/or failing to disclose that: (1) that Blue Owl was experiencing a meaningful pressure on its asset base from B ...

Group 1 - The core issue involves Zhejiang Youce Investment Management Co., Ltd. facing severe administrative penalties for illegal activities, including misappropriation of fund assets and submission of false information [1][2] - The total penalties imposed on Youce Investment and related personnel exceed 35 million yuan, marking the heaviest punishment in the history of private equity funds [2] - The China Securities Regulatory Commission (CSRC) has increased the penalties significantly since the implementation of the Private Equity Fund Supervision and Administration Regulations, aiming to enhance the cost of illegal activities [2] Group 2 - The CSRC has revoked the management registration of Youce Investment and will transfer any criminal-related issues to law enforcement agencies [2] - Over the past five years, the CSRC has eliminated more than 8,000 illegal and zombie institutions in the private equity sector, leading to a more optimized industry structure and reduced risks [2] - The regulatory authorities will continue to crack down on illegal activities in the private equity sector, including misappropriation of fund assets and other violations that harm investors' rights [2]

Core Insights - High-rolling investors are bullish on KKR, indicating potential privileged information influencing their trading decisions [1] - The sentiment among major traders shows 55% bullish and 22% bearish positions, with a notable disparity in the volume of call and put options [2] - The projected price targets for KKR are between $125.0 and $145.0, based on recent options activity [3] Options Activity Analysis - In the last 30 days, KKR has seen significant options activity, with a total of 9 trades identified, including 8 calls and 1 put [1][2] - The notable options trades include a bullish sentiment for calls with strike prices of $135.00 and $145.00, indicating strong interest in upward price movement [7] - The total trade volume for KKR options reflects a mix of bullish and neutral sentiments, with substantial financial commitments from traders [7] Company Overview - KKR is a leading alternative asset manager with $723.2 billion in total managed assets, including $585.0 billion in fee-earning AUM as of September 2025 [8] - The company operates in two main segments: asset management and insurance, with diverse investment strategies across private and public markets [8] - An industry analyst has set an average target price of $176.0 for KKR, reflecting positive expectations for the stock [9][12] Current Market Position - KKR's stock price is currently at $142.55, showing a slight decline of -0.15% with a trading volume of 249,856 [11] - The next earnings report for KKR is scheduled in 53 days, which may influence future trading activity [11]