Group 1 - The Federal Reserve implemented a 0.75% rate cut in 2025, following a 1% easing in 2024, indicating a significant shift in monetary policy [1] - The yields on 30-year U.S. treasuries are noteworthy in the context of these rate cuts, suggesting potential investment opportunities in fixed income [1] Group 2 - The author has a background in investing since high school, focusing on REITs, preferred stocks, and high-yield bonds, which reflects a long-term fundamental investment approach [1] - The investment strategy includes combining long stock positions with covered calls and cash secured puts, indicating a sophisticated approach to risk management [1] - The author primarily covers REITs and financials on Seeking Alpha, with occasional insights on ETFs and other stocks influenced by macroeconomic trends [1]

Core Viewpoint - Gold and silver prices are reaching all-time highs due to escalating geopolitical tensions and macroeconomic conditions that are expected to persist, driven by central bank diversification into gold and increased demand from ETFs [1][2][6]. Geopolitical Factors - Ongoing geopolitical tensions, such as the situation in Venezuela and rising militancy in Nigeria, are contributing to a renewed risk premium in the market [2][3]. - Concerns regarding the independence of the Federal Reserve and potential fiscal issues, including a Supreme Court tariff decision, could further impact market dynamics [3]. Market Dynamics - Central banks are expected to maintain a structural demand for gold as they diversify away from dollar assets, which is anticipated to support prices for years [2]. - White metals have been added to the critical minerals list, raising the possibility of tariffs that could influence market conditions [4]. Demand from ETFs - ETFs have significantly increased their purchases of gold, surpassing central bank buying for the first time in five years, indicating strong retail interest in the market [6][7]. - This influx of ETF investment is seen as a potential tailwind for gold prices, although it also poses risks of sharp market corrections if sentiment shifts [7][8]. Economic Considerations - A potential reacceleration of the economy, driven by tax reforms from the Trump administration, could positively impact industrial metals like platinum, silver, and copper [5].

Core Insights - Financial Serenity focuses on the asset management sector, providing in-depth analysis of market dynamics [1] - The initiative is managed by Tommaso Scarpellini, a seasoned financial researcher with experience in banking and financial analytics [1] - The goal is to deliver data-driven perspectives to assist investors in making informed decisions in a changing market [1] Industry Overview - The asset management market is characterized by evolving dynamics that require rigorous data analysis and actionable insights [1] - The column combines insights from data analysis with opinions and ratings on ETFs and trending instruments in the asset management space [1]

Group 1 - The focus is on income-producing asset classes such as REITs, ETFs, Preferreds, and 'Dividend Champions' that target premium dividend yields up to 10% [1][3] - iREIT®+HOYA Capital is highlighted as a premier income-focused investing service that offers sustainable portfolio income, diversification, and inflation hedging [2][3] - The investment group aims to help investors achieve dependable monthly income and provides research on various income-focused portfolios [3] Group 2 - The Charles Schwab Corporation operates in a different segment compared to traditional banks and insurance companies that dominate preferred stock issuers [3] - The investment strategies discussed include trading options with a focus on cash-secured puts, catering to long-only investors [3]

With a focus on REITs, ETFs, Preferreds, and 'Dividend Champions' across asset classes, members gain complete access to our research and our suite of trackers and portfolios targeting premium dividend yields up to 10%.iREIT®+HOYA Capital is the premier income-focused investing service on Seeking Alpha. Our focus is on income-producing asset classes that offer the opportunity for sustainable portfolio income, diversification, and inflation hedging. Get started with a Free Two-Week Trial and take a look at ou ...

Franklin Resources, Inc. (NYSE:BEN) is included among the Best Stocks for a Dividend Achievers List. Franklin Resources (BEN) Raises Dividend Again, Expands Share Buyback Program On December 17, Franklin Resources, Inc. (NYSE:BEN) declared a quarterly cash dividend of $0.33 per share. The payment is scheduled for January 9, 2026, for shareholders of record as of December 30, 2025. The new dividend reflects a 3.1% increase from both the prior quarter and the same period last year. The company has raised i ...

Core Viewpoint - The article emphasizes a non-traditional approach to income investing and highlights the importance of understanding market narratives rather than solely focusing on predictions for indices like the S&P 500 [1]. Group 1 - The founder of Sungarden Investment Publishing, Rob Isbitts, has been involved in investment analysis since the 1980s and has transitioned to focus on a community-based investing group [1]. - The Sungarden Investors Club aims to help members navigate the modern investment climate with humility and discipline [1]. - The article suggests that the market tells a story that investors need to learn to interpret effectively [1].

Group 1 - The article discusses the expertise of Sensor Unlimited, who has a PhD in financial economics and has been covering the mortgage market, commercial market, and banking industry for the past decade [2] - Sensor Unlimited focuses on asset allocation and ETFs related to the overall market, bonds, banking and financial sectors, and housing markets [2] - The investing group Envision Early Retirement, led by Sensor Unlimited, offers solutions for generating high income and growth with isolated risks through dynamic asset allocation [2] Group 2 - Envision Early Retirement features two model portfolios: one for short-term survival/withdrawal and another for aggressive long-term growth [2] - The group provides direct access via chat for discussing ideas, monthly updates on all holdings, tax discussions, and ticker critiques by request [2]

Predicting where the S&P 500 Index will land one year from now is a tall task for any analyst, even the most experienced ones on Wall Street. However, there are reasonable prediction bands we canThe Sunday Investor is focused exclusively on U.S. Equity ETFs. He has a strong analytical background, has received a Certificate of Advanced Investment Advice from the Canadian Securities Institute, and has completed all the educational requirements for the Chartered Investment Manager designation.Having covered hu ...

Core Insights - 2025 is identified as an inflection and transformational year for digital assets, with significant changes in the regulatory landscape and institutional interest [1][2][3]. Regulatory Developments - The regulatory environment in the US has advanced, with regulators becoming more supportive of the digital asset industry, particularly for institutional participation [3][16]. - The establishment of clearer regulations is seen as a foundational block for future growth in the digital asset space [3][16]. Institutional Participation - There has been a rise in Exchange-Traded Funds (ETFs) in both Europe and the US, providing a new entry point for institutional investors [4][16]. - Corporate treasuries are increasingly adopting digital assets, further enhancing institutional entry points [5][16]. - Institutions are beginning to allocate a small percentage of their portfolios to crypto, starting with Bitcoin and gradually moving towards Ethereum and other assets [15][16]. Market Trends and Utility - The emergence of tokenized funds, tokenization of real-world assets, and stablecoins are identified as mega trends that will disrupt traditional payment systems [6][12]. - The narrative around Ethereum is shifting, with potential to be viewed as "digital oil," emphasizing its utility and yield potential [10][21]. Price Dynamics - Despite a volatile market, there is optimism about the long-term price potential of Ethereum, with projections suggesting it could reach $25,000 by 2028, contingent on institutional demand and market maturation [11][12][17]. - Current price actions are seen as misaligned with the underlying fundamentals, with expectations that prices will decouple from macroeconomic trends in 2026 [20][22].