Most investors use the Dow Jones Industrial Average or the S&P 500 as shorthand for “the market.” These two benchmarks dominate headlines and shape daily sentiment. But together, they still represent only a narrow slice of the global equity landscape. Understanding how major indexes differ—and what drives their long-term returns—can give investors a much more accurate picture of how wealth… 

The Federal Reserve – as expected – lowered interest rates on Wednesday by a quarter point, but the decision included an unusual three dissents. Two of the naysayers favored no cuts at all, while a third wanted a larger decrease of a half point. The move will lead to lower borrowing costs for consumers on many categories of loans, as… 

If you’re curious how traders try to generate cash flow, options trading might be your secret weapon. Cash secured puts offer a great way to earn consistent returns while potentially acquiring stocks at a discount. I’ll show you how selling put options can transform your financial approach, generating steady cash flow with calculated risk. Want to learn how professional investors build predictable income streams? This… 

Broadcom (AVGO) has been one of the best stocks to hold over the past decade. It has rallied by almost 4,000% during that stretch, including a return of 10x over the past five years. Investors can’t expect those types of returns over the next decade. That’s why investors look for the next Broadcom. They want to be on the ground floor before a stock… 

I spent most of this morning perusing the National Retail Federation’s latest monthly sales report. It’s not exactly light reading – give me a Clive Cussler novel any day. Still, this spending barometer reveals quite a bit about the general state of the economy and carries broad implications that ripple far beyond the retail sector. In any case, the NRF… 

Despite concerns over bloated valuations, macroeconomic uncertainty, tariffs and geopolitical instability, the S&P 500 has rallied to new all-time highs in 2025. Unfortunately, there are plenty of stocks that have been left behind this year. Some of these underperforming stocks may be providing investors with an opportunity to buy the dip. Many, however, are simply struggling with stiff competition, broken… 

If you are looking to buy high-quality companies, these out-of-favor drugmakers should be on your short list in the healthcare sector. And they both happen to look undervalued right now, opening up an opportunity for buy-and-hold investors. Although they both face a similar headwind today, they have demonstrated that they can effectively address the challenges they encounter. Here’s a look… 

Last week, a reader asked me a deceptively simple question: “How are ordinary people supposed to invest with so much economic uncertainty looming?” It’s a fair concern—and one I think about every day. There is no shortage of potential triggers. The federal debt is rising at an exponential pace. Foreign governments are slowly diversifying away from the U.S. dollar. Those trends won’t… 

The best cheap stocks belong to companies that are fundamentally strong but experiencing a brief, temporary setback, says Steven Conners, founder and president of Conners Wealth Management in Scottsdale, Arizona. What you want to avoid are cheap stocks that don’t have a “catalyst to improve their valuation.” The bottom line on low-priced stocks – like the five highlighted here –… 

Do you want to swing for the fences with a promising growth stock to buy and hold? While many growth stocks may seem overpriced these days, you can find some decently priced mid-cap stocks, whose market caps are between $2 billion and $10 billion. There’s a bit more risk with these types of stocks, but the upside can also be…