The first three months of 2025 have been marked by higher-than-expected market volatility, with investors navigating a surge in uncertainty. As of March 17, the CBOE Volatility Index (VIX) – often called Wall Street’s “fear index” – hovered around 22, after hitting a 2025 peak of 27.9 a week earlier. Despite the uncertainty, there’s no need to panic-sell. Market timing…
The mood in markets is dimming as economic growth slows, inflation persists, and market volatility worsens. What does this mean for you, the individual investor? It means opportunity if you know where to look. Don’t run for the hills; implement the following playbook instead. Even during the darkest times, you should always stay invested. Now, it would be easy to tell…
Investor interest in artificial intelligence (AI) stocks surged in 2024, but it looks to be cooling off in 2025. At the time of this writing, powerhouse chipmaker Nvidia (NVDA) was down nearly 20% and Broadcom fell by 26% since January 1. Advanced Micro Devices is also struggling, down 23%. Uncertainty about the outlook for the U.S. economy as President Donald Trump implements his tariff plans has contributed to the…
In times of uncertainty and market volatility, many investors seek the dependability of owning high-dividend stocks. Regular dividends help temper the ups and downs of the market and can act as a hedge against persistent inflation. Companies that pay consistent dividends are often viewed as more stable and financially sound than companies that don’t distribute income regularly. In the final…
Many people believe they need at least $1 million to have a comfortable retirement. But for many Americans, reaching that milestone is unrealistic. The good news? You don’t need a seven-figure portfolio to enjoy a secure and fulfilling retirement. With strategic planning and smart financial decisions, you can retire comfortably with less than $1 million. These seven steps will help…
The stock market has historically delivered an average annual return of about 10% going back decades. To double your money in five years, you need a 15% annualized return. It can be easier to achieve than you think. To hit that rate of return, investors should focus on exceptional businesses that can maintain above-average growth for several years. Here are two elite…
Residential real estate is particularly attractive to investors during periods of stock market volatility. Real estate classes like multifamily and single-family rental property provide stable cash flow because quality housing is always in demand. Housing is not a luxury, it’s a basic human need. While other sectors like technology and consumer discretionary can see large revenue swings during turbulent times,…
To take profits effectively, you’ll need a well-structured trading plan with clear exit strategies. Set specific profit targets between 20-25% at key support and resistance levels, and use trailing stops to protect your gains. Calculate your profits by subtracting fees from the difference between selling and purchase prices. Stay disciplined with your predetermined rules and avoid emotional decisions. What strategies help decide when to take…
Sometimes, the headline numbers don’t tell the whole story. That’s definitely the case with the following two stocks. Both companies have excellent underlying growth rates in their recurring revenue, resulting in excellent cash flow generation in the coming years. As such, they represent two hidden growth stocks that would make an excellent addition to a long-term investor’s portfolio. This post…
One of President Donald Trump’s first actions in his second term was to put controversial Tesla Inc. (ticker: TSLA) CEO Elon Musk in charge of the new Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE). DOGE has been tasked with implementing aggressive federal spending cuts across several government agencies. The goal of DOGE is to streamline government operations and save taxpayer dollars, but large…