The stock market has had a very good 2025. With just a few trading days left in the year, the S&P 500 index has risen about 17% (as of Dec. 22), which is pretty strong considering the average annual gain for that index is about 10%. Three sectors outperformed the broad index during the year. They were information technology (IT), communication services,… 

Markets rarely turn on a single headline. More often, trouble builds through small inconsistencies, subtle shifts in behavior, and signals that do not quite line up with the optimism embedded in asset prices. As we close out 2025, a growing number of those cautionary signals are flashing simultaneously. None of this guarantees a downturn. But taken together, the risks heading… 

Despite a U.S. government shutdown that hit the “pause” button on new initial public offerings, the IPO market is expected to finish 2025 as it started, with a flurry of newly minted publicly-traded companies. Data from MicroVentures show that 371 U.S. companies went public through Dec. 4, a significantly faster pace than the 266 nationwide IPOs that went live in… 

For the last three years, the stock market has been heavily influenced by one key theme: artificial intelligence (AI). The rise of AI has spawned an unprecedented level of demand in the technology sector in particular. However, adjacent industries including energy and infrastructure are also beginning to benefit from AI-driven tailwinds. Against this backdrop, the S&P 500 posted a 70% gain throughout the AI revolution. As… 

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…