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build foundation models or design AI chips — they apply existing AI technology to transform inefficient industries and outdated processes.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…
Which exchange-traded funds have consistently beaten the stock market’s benchmark index and are still doing it in 2025? Not only have these stalwart ETFs outpaced the S&P 500 over the past decade, they’re also some of the best performers of the year so far. While there’s no guarantee that these funds will continue to win, especially given tech’s outsized influence…
Last week, I explained why I believe uranium will outperform gold over the remainder of this decade. As I noted then, “there is an energy crisis brewing due to rapidly increasing demand for data centers to support artificial intelligence (AI).” Without a doubt, demand for uranium will increase as this country expands its nuclear power capabilities. But there is another…
Semiconductor giant Intel (INTC) entered this year in a state of disarray. It had no permanent CEO until March, when industry veteran Lip-Bu Tan took over after former CEO Pat Gelsinger was forced out. Intel’s foundry business, a capital-intensive endeavor meant to open up Intel’s manufacturing technology and facilities to third-party customers, wasn’t winning meaningful customers. Tan made it clear that without significant…
Artificial intelligence has enhanced many industries, including health care, and health professionals now have access to a wider range of AI tools and additional data points on each patient. This information can help pinpoint conditions, help prevent diseases from spreading and aid in patient monitoring, as well as help manage prescriptions and tackle administrative tasks. AI will continue to enhance…
It’s easy to think of the major U.S. stock market indexes as permanent and unchanging over the decades. The financial equivalent of Mount Rushmore. But unlike that famous monument chiseled into the South Dakota hills, the corporate icons enshrined in the Dow Jones aren’t exactly set in stone. In fact, there have been 59 changes made over the years by…
Some prominent biotech companies tend to capture the majority of investors’ and analysts’ attention compared to their industry peers. aTyr Pharma (ATYR), a small-cap, clinical-stage biotech, doesn’t belong to that group. However, the drugmaker has performed well this year; its shares are up 40% year to date. What’s more, aTyr Pharma could have even more upside in the (very) near future. Is…