Rare earth metals are the unsung heroes of the modern economy. They’re essential for semiconductors, EVs, clean energy, defense systems… and most of all, for artificial intelligence. No rare earths, no AI hardware. No AI hardware, no AI Boom. And right now, China controls nearly the entire global rare earth supply chain — from mining to refining to processing. That’s a strategic chokehold,…
Buy Now, Pay Later (BNPL) programs have quickly gone from fintech novelty to mainstream payment method, reshaping how consumers shop and borrow. What began as an alternative to credit cards is now embedded across nearly every major retail platform—from Amazon (NSDQ: AMZN) and Walmart (NYSE: WMT) to countless online boutiques—promising flexibility, simplicity, and instant gratification. But as the sector grows, so does the debate:…
The Magnificent Seven refers to a group of innovative companies that have driven stock market gains in recent years. They are technology names you probably know well, from Nvidia to Meta Platforms, and they’re all involved in the high-growth area of artificial intelligence (AI). These players have helped the S&P 500 climb in the double-digits this year, too, and even reach record levels. But the Magnificent…
Autonomous vehicle technology is generally considered a can’t-miss long-term investment. Several companies have already launched fully autonomous vehicle services for the public in a handful of cities in the U.S. and around the world. Investors who bet on early AV market leaders could be handsomely rewarded, but the technology is still far from perfect. Bank of America has listed AV…
Artificial intelligence is starting to change the world for everyday people, not to mention for the businesses that use it. Nvidia is one of the biggest companies in the space, providing what amounts to the “brains” of AI with its high-performance computer chips. But that’s only one way to play the picks-and-shovels angle of AI, with two other great options being data…
Our representatives in Washington can’t agree on the color of the sky. So, when 102 House Democrats broke ranks earlier this year and publicly supported President Donald Trump’s “Project Yorktown”, it sent shockwaves through the Capitol. So, in today’s essay: Let’s take a look… This post originally appeared at InvestorPlace.
Common. By definition, it sounds plain. Ordinary. On the other hand, preferred has a much nicer connotation. It’s a descriptor indicative of an added perk or upgrade. The same is true in the financial world. Common and preferred stocks both convey equity ownership in a business. But while the former grants voting rights, the latter carries something even better: preferential dividend treatment.…
Most exchange-traded funds (ETFs) pay some form of distribution, and that stems from their legal structure. As most ETFs are regulated investment companies, they are required to pay out a vast majority of taxable income to shareholders by year-end. Over time, annual payouts have become less common in ETFs as investors increasingly prefer more consistent income. Since the launch of…
While Nvidia and Microsoft dominate artificial intelligence (AI) headlines, the smartest opportunities might lurk in smaller companies solving specific problems with the tech. These 10 hidden gems don’t build foundation models or design AI chips — they apply existing AI technology to transform inefficient industries and outdated processes. From insurance underwriting to drug discovery, each company uses AI as a competitive weapon rather than a marketing buzzword. Here’s why…
The big news of last week was the Federal Reserve cutting interest rates for the first time in 2025. But it didn’t move the needle much for stocks — in fact, the Nasdaq Composite sank, and the S&P 500 was flat. That’s because the 25 basis-point cut was likely already baked in, as just about everyone knew it was coming…