LOS ANGELES (AP) — For years, retail investors were dismissed by some on Wall Street as “dumb money.” That typically referred to those prone to trading on hype, or chasing trends rather than company or industry fundamentals, or responding late to big market moves. That's no longer the case. An analysis of where retail investors put their money last year shows they outperformed two of the most popular, professionally managed index funds, SPY and QQQ, whose goal is to mirror the performance of the S&P 500 ...

Group 1 - The article discusses the current cash yield opportunities available for investors, highlighting that many options offer yields above 4% [1] - It emphasizes the importance of selecting the right accounts for cash to maximize earnings, with top savings accounts, CDs, brokerage cash accounts, and Treasuries providing solid returns with minimal risk [1] - The Federal Reserve's current stance suggests that cash yields will remain steady in the near term, making it a favorable time for investors to explore high-yield options [1] Group 2 - The article provides a breakdown of potential earnings on different cash balances, showing that a $10,000 deposit at a 4% account could yield approximately $200 in interest over six months [1] - It categorizes the best cash options into three main types: U.S. Treasury products, brokerage and robo-advisor products, and bank and credit union products, each with distinct characteristics and yields [1] - Current rates for savings accounts, CDs, and Treasury securities are analyzed, indicating that competitive yields are still available across various financial institutions [1]

In an environment where cash is paying again, Moomoo is rolling out a welcome bonus that combines high-yield savings with free stock incentives for new customers.Through a limited-time promotion running through March 12, eligible users can earn up to 8.1% APY on uninvested cash and receive up to $1,000 in fractional shares of Nvidia Corp. (NASDAQ:NVDA) based on their initial deposit.The offer is available to first-time users of Moomoo and customers who have opened an account but have not yet made their firs ...

Core Insights - The article emphasizes the importance of identifying high-yield investment opportunities for individual investors, aiming to simplify complex financial concepts into actionable insights [1] Group 1 - The focus is on uncovering investment opportunities that can lead to better returns for individual investors [1] - The background of the author in professional prop trading is highlighted, indicating a strong foundation in investment strategies [1] Group 2 - There is a mention of a beneficial long position in the shares of IBKR, suggesting a positive outlook on the stock [2] - The article expresses personal opinions of the author without any external compensation, indicating independence in analysis [2] Group 3 - The article clarifies that past performance does not guarantee future results, emphasizing the need for careful consideration in investment decisions [3] - It notes that the views expressed may not reflect those of Seeking Alpha as a whole, highlighting the diversity of opinions among analysts [3]

Core Viewpoint - The report highlights significant concerns in equity markets due to the disruptive potential of artificial intelligence (AI), leading to a sell-off across various sectors, reminiscent of the Dot-com Bust 2.0 [3][4]. Sector Impact - **Insurance and Financial Services**: Stock prices for insurance companies fell after the introduction of an AI app by OpenAI that could provide homeowners insurance quotes. Similarly, AI capable of advising on tax strategies negatively impacted asset managers and brokerage firms [5]. - **Software Sector**: The release of Anthropic's Claude AI, which can perform legal research and specialized financial tasks, caused a decline in software stocks, affecting companies like PayPal, Salesforce, and Thomson Reuters [6]. - **Tech Stocks**: Amazon experienced its eighth consecutive losing day following a significant increase in its capital budget for AI data centers, while Apple's market value decreased by 5% [7]. - **Commercial Real Estate**: Stocks in commercial real estate plummeted as investors moved away from high-fee, labor-intensive business models perceived as vulnerable to AI disruption. Major firms like CBRE and Cushman & Wakefield saw stock price drops of 12.8% and 14%, respectively [11][12]. Market Sentiment - Investors are exhibiting panic and confusion regarding AI's potential impacts, leading to a flight to safer stocks in consumer staples and energy sectors [8]. - Analysts noted that the sell-off in financial services and real estate was an "AI scare trade," with fears of job losses and business model disruptions driving excessive selling [15][16]. Global Impact - **India's Tech Sector**: The Indian technology sector faced its worst weekly performance since April 2025, with the Nifty IT index dropping 8.2% and erasing approximately $50 billion in value [18][20]. - Concerns are growing that AI could disrupt India's $283 billion information technology services industry, potentially leading to missed growth targets for IT companies [20]. Analyst Perspectives - Some analysts argue that the reaction to AI threats is overly simplistic, emphasizing that IT companies will remain relevant, albeit with a leaner workforce [22]. - The long-term outlook suggests that companies slow to adopt AI may face severe challenges, as AI agents could replace human-led processes [17].

Retail brokerage Robinhood announced plans to launch a fund that would give individual investors access to a basket of private companies. The initiative is positioned as an effort to address persistent imbalances in access to capital markets. However, the structure has drawn comparisons to the initial coin offering (ICO) era. Though the fund will be regulated, it carries several material risks. Opening Private Markets To Retail Robinhood formally announced its Robinhood Ventures Fund I (RVI) on Tuesday, ...

EToro Stock Is Jumping. Earnings Surprised Despite Crypto Slump. - Barron'sSkip to Main ContentThis copy is for your personal, non-commercial use only. Distribution and use of this material are governed by our Subscriber Agreement and by copyright law. For non-personal use or to order multiple copies, please contact Dow Jones Reprints at 1-800-843-0008 or visit www.djreprints.com.# EToro Stock Is Jumping. Earnings Surprised Despite Crypto Slump.By [Andrew Welsch]ShareResize---ReprintsIn this article[ETOR][C ...

Core Insights - Robinhood has demonstrated its ability to operate profitably at scale, marking a significant turning point in 2025 [1] - The company is transitioning from a brokerage model to a comprehensive financial platform, focusing on deepening customer relationships rather than just facilitating transactions [4][14] - The next phase for Robinhood will be crucial in determining its long-term strategy and ability to compound growth [1][15] Business Model Evolution - Robinhood started as a disruptive trading app with zero commissions, but this is no longer a unique selling point as major brokerages have adopted similar models [3] - In 2025, Robinhood expanded its subscription services, enhanced its Gold Card, broadened its cryptocurrency offerings, and introduced tokenized stock trading in Europe, indicating a shift towards a more integrated ecosystem [3][9] - The company aims to transition from transaction facilitation to owning financial relationships, which is essential for generating long-term shareholder wealth [4] Customer Demographics and Engagement - Robinhood's customer base is relatively young compared to traditional brokerages, which positions the company to benefit from long-term asset accumulation and financial complexity [6][7] - Retaining younger users can significantly increase customer lifetime value, allowing Robinhood to grow alongside its customers' evolving financial needs [7][8] Strategic Initiatives - The exploration of tokenized equities and other financial innovations positions Robinhood at the forefront of emerging financial infrastructure [9][10] - The company is building operational experience in tokenization and digital assets, which could enhance its long-term upside potential [10] Revenue Stability and Challenges - Despite demonstrating maturity, Robinhood faces challenges in reducing earnings volatility, as trading-driven revenue is subject to market fluctuations [11] - The company is in the process of transitioning to a revenue model that relies more on recurring income sources, which would provide more predictable financial results [11][12] - Strategic discipline will be crucial for Robinhood to ensure that its expansion enhances margins rather than dilutes focus [13] Investor Implications - Robinhood has established a strong user base and diversified revenue streams, but it must now focus on deepening customer relationships to achieve durable economics [14] - The next decade will be critical for the company as it seeks to evolve from a brokerage app to a full-stack financial platform [14][15]

Key Insights - The article emphasizes the importance of selecting the right savings accounts to maximize returns, especially in the context of current inflation rates [1] - It highlights that many cash options are offering yields between 3% and 5%, which can help savers stay ahead of the current inflation rate of 2.4% [1] - The article provides a comparison of various cash products, including savings accounts, CDs, brokerage cash accounts, and U.S. Treasuries, showcasing their competitive yields [1] Group 1: Cash Yield Opportunities - Top savings accounts and CDs are noted for offering standout rates, with some accounts providing yields above 4% [1] - The article presents a chart detailing potential earnings on different balances ($10K, $25K, and $50K) at various annual percentage yields (APYs) [1] - For example, a $10,000 deposit in a 4% account could yield approximately $200 in interest over six months [1] Group 2: Types of Cash Products - The article categorizes cash options into three main types: U.S. Treasury products, brokerage and robo-advisor products, and bank and credit union products [1] - U.S. Treasury securities, including T-bills and I bonds, are highlighted for their safety and interest payments through maturity [1] - Brokerage cash management accounts and money market funds are also discussed, noting their variable yields and potential for competitive returns [1]

Core Viewpoint - Robinhood Markets has experienced a significant decline in share price, losing over a third of its value in 2026 due to Q4 revenue falling short of expectations [1] Financial Performance - Q4 revenue increased by 27% to $1.28 billion, but was below the $1.35 billion analyst estimate [2] - Transaction revenue rose by 15% to $776 million, with options revenue soaring 41% to $314 million and equity revenue climbing 54% to $94 million [3] - Cryptocurrency revenue fell sharply by 38% to $221 million, while net interest revenue jumped 39% to $411 million [3] - Total platform assets surged 68% to $324 billion [3] Growth Prospects - The company aims for at least 20% net deposit growth in 2026 and targets $1 trillion in assets in the coming years [4] - Robinhood has launched a banking product with over $400 million in assets and 25,000 funded customers, offering 3.5% interest on deposits [5] - The predictions market is also a focus, with volumes doubling in Q4, reaching a $300 million annual run rate [6] Investment Consideration - Despite challenges in cryptocurrency revenue, the stock is considered attractively valued with a forward P/E ratio of about 29 times based on 2026 estimates, suggesting a potential buying opportunity [8][9]