Group 1 - The Flaherty & Crumrine Preferred Securities Income Fund (NYSE: FFC) is a fixed-income closed-end fund (CEF) that leverages preferred equities [1] - Binary Tree Analytics (BTA) specializes in providing transparency and analytics for capital markets instruments, focusing on CEFs, ETFs, and Special Situations [1] - BTA aims to deliver high annualized returns with a low volatility profile, backed by over 20 years of investment experience [1]

Core Viewpoint - The stock market experienced a significant bull run from late 2022 through the end of 2024, primarily driven by the "Magnificent Seven" stocks, also referred to as Mag 7 stocks [1] Group 1: Market Trends - The bull run was characterized by a strong performance of high-yield income stocks and funds, including Business Development Companies (BDCs), Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs), Closed-End Funds (CEFs), and Exchange-Traded Funds (ETFs) [1] - The article highlights the importance of understanding market psychology alongside financial metrics, indicating a dual focus on behavioral and financial analysis in investment strategies [1] Group 2: Investment Strategy - The focus is on income-oriented investing, particularly in dividend-paying stocks, to enhance retirement income beyond traditional sources like pensions and Social Security [1] - The narrative emphasizes the need for individual investors to conduct their own due diligence before making investment decisions, reflecting a cautious approach to stock market participation [1]