Sat.Nov 30, 2024

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The S&P 500 Is Poised to Do Something That's Only Happened 8 Times in 74 Years -- and It Could Signal a Big Move for the Stock Market in 2025

The Motley Fool

The S&P 500 (SNPINDEX: ^GSPC) is the most universally recognized benchmark of stock market activity in the U.S., made up of the 500 largest companies in the country. Because of its broad base of constituent businesses, it is considered by most investors to be the most reliable gauge of stock market performance. The index has charged steadily higher since the start of 2023, fueled by a flurry of positive market drivers: Increasing corporate profits Improving economic conditions The advent of

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Sale of UK tech gem Arm was ‘big mistake’, says Nick Train

Financial Times M&A

UK fund manager says Rightmove’s rejection of takeover shows lessons have been learnt

Funds 108
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I Started My First Retirement Account at 40 and I'm Here to Tell You It's Never Too Late

The Motley Fool

Image source: Getty Images Investing for retirement is one of those things that's best done as early as possible. Ideally when you start your career and are still in your 20s. But there are many reasons why that might not work out. I'm a brand-new retirement investor, having opened my first-ever retirement account just a few months ago at age 40. Here's how I arrived at this place -- and what I intend to do now that I'm here.

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Carlyle-backed life sciences investor launches $1.5bn clinical trials fund

Financial Times M&A

Abingworth wants to pursue royalty-based partnerships with major pharma groups

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Could Buying Rivian Stock Today Set You Up for Life?

The Motley Fool

Rivian (NASDAQ: RIVN) hasn't had the best year in 2024. The stock has lost around half its value year to date as of this writing. But it wasn't because the company didn't try. In fact, the problems are more likely growing pains than anything else, given that the upstart electric vehicle (EV) company is focused squarely on reaching profitability as soon as possible.

Capital 245
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World’s largest caterer Compass chases further deals in Europe

Financial Times M&A

Group has recently spent $1.

Returns 78
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Meet the Beaten-Down Biotech Stock Cathie Wood Loves and Wall Street Says May Soar More than 65%

The Motley Fool

Ark Invest chief Cathie Wood is known for scooping up shares of innovators early in their growth stories and holding on for the long term. The idea is to get in on these players for a bargain price, and then benefit as they launch products and revenue gains momentum. This takes time, but patient investors could score a major win by following Wood's strategy -- and by picking up a couple of her favorite stocks.

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3 Things All Retirees Need to Know About Medigap Plans

The Motley Fool

There's a big misconception about Medicare that tends to throw retirees for a loop. Many people go into retirement thinking their healthcare needs under Medicare will be covered at no cost to them. But there's a world of expenses you might incur as a Medicare enrollee outside of your premiums. As a Part A enrollee, you're looking at an inpatient deductible of $1,632 per hospital visit this year.

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AIH Capital buys significant minority stake in cast iron foundry

Africa Capital Digest

To read this article, you must be a paid subscription member. (Current members login here) [.] The post AIH Capital buys significant minority stake in cast iron foundry first appeared on Africa Capital Digest.

Stakes 52
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Palantir Stock vs. Nvidia Stock: Billionaires Buy One and Sell the Other

The Motley Fool

Palantir Technologies (NASDAQ: PLTR) shares have soared by 285% this year, while Nvidia (NASDAQ: NVDA) shares have advanced by 175%. Both companies play important roles in the burgeoning artificial intelligence (AI) economy, but several billionaire fund managers sold some of their Palantir stakes and bought more shares of Nvidia during the third quarter.

Stakes 245
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10 Weekend Reads

The Big Picture

The weekend is here! Pour yourself a mug of Danish Blend coffee, grab a seat outside, and get ready for our longer-form weekend reads: • Get in, Loser—We’re Chasing a Waymo Into the Future : Tailing a robotaxi for hours and hours is weird. And revelatory. And jealousy-inducing. But a driverless world is coming for all of us. So close the door and buckle up. ( Wired ) • The slow, steady, frustrating, relentless, remarkable rise of Reddit : After nearly two decades, Reddit is breaking out into th

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3 Great Reasons to Work at Costco

The Motley Fool

Image source: Getty Images Of the various places I buy groceries, Costco happens to be my favorite. And it's not just because of the savings I get to enjoy on everything from produce to pantry staples. I happen to be a fan of the way Costco runs its business, as evidenced by how well it treats its employees. Whether you're looking for your first job, a part-time job, or a career change, here are a few good reasons to work at Costco. 1.

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Is Snowflake a Buy After Its Stock Soared 30%?

The Motley Fool

Snowflake (NYSE: SNOW) isn't having the best of years. The stock is down 11% in 2024, by far underperforming major indices. But it used to be much worse. Snowflake stock is actually up big in the last month after it reported blowout figures for its third quarter of fiscal year 2025 (ending Oct. 31). After that report, the stock surged over 30% the following trading day.

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Why Does Warren Buffett See Opportunity in This Highly Valued Pizza Giant?

The Motley Fool

Ninety-four-year old Warren Buffett is still investing, but the biggest news he's made this year has actually been his massive stock sales and the rising cash pile at his conglomerate Berkshire Hathaway (NYSE: BRK.A) (NYSE: BRK.B). But Berkshire hasn't only been selling stocks; it's been buying some too, even if the buys have been in more modest amounts.

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Could Buying Nu Stock Today Set You Up for Life?

The Motley Fool

Shareholders of Nu Holdings (NYSE: NU) had a hard time during the first year or so that the company was public. But it's been a fantastic story after the lows. Since the start of 2023, this fintech stock has soared 243% (as of Nov. 26). And the momentum has continued into 2024, although it's been a volatile journey. Could buying Nu today set you up for life?

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Down 12.3% at One Point in a Single Trading Session, Is Amgen Stock Still a Buy?

The Motley Fool

The market didn't appreciate Amgen 's (NASDAQ: AMGN) latest clinical data update, with the biopharma's shares falling more than 12% at one point on Nov. 26 from the previous day's close, though they recovered to close just 4.7% down for the day. And, with shares of certain direct competitors, such as Eli Lilly (NYSE: LLY) , rising, the prevailing assumption seems to be that one company's stumble is another's gain.

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If I Could Only Buy and Hold a Single Stock, This Would Be It

The Motley Fool

We all know the phrase, "don't put all your eggs in one basket." That's because it's a simple way to express an abstract idea: Too much concentrated risk can lead to disaster. Nowhere is this more true than in the world of investing. It's why countless finance gurus have sung the praises of diversified portfolios. By spreading your bets among many stocks, the risk of one bad selection wrecking your life savings is greatly reduced.

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Could Buying Block Stock Today Set You Up for Life?

The Motley Fool

From their initial public offering in November 2015 to their all-time high in August 2021, shares of Block (NYSE: SQ) have skyrocketed an impressive 2,060%. That gain easily trounced the broader indexes. Since then, the market has adopted a more subdued perspective on this fintech stock , as well as other once high-flying growth enterprises. As a result, shares trade 68% off that peak from more than three years ago.

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Even With CD Rates at 4% -- You Could Lose $45,000 by Opening One

The Motley Fool

Image source: The Motley Fool/Upsplash A lot of people are rushing to open CDs while rates are still strong. And thankfully, many banks are still paying 4% or more on CDs -- even in light of the Federal Reserve's pair of interest rate cuts this year. You may be tempted to open a CD while rates are still as high as they are. But even with rates at 4%, you could lose out on serious money by turning to CDs right now.

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I Always Buy Gas With a Credit Card -- Here's Why You Should Too

The Motley Fool

Image source: Getty Images Gassing up your vehicle is the great equalizer -- no matter the weather, when you pull into a gas station, you're likely to see folks of all kinds standing next to their cars, nozzle in hand. There's one way to make your gas purchases safer, more rewarding, and more convenient: paying with a credit card. Here's why I always buy gas with a credit card and why you should follow my lead.

Banks 130
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Is Medical Properties Trust Stock a Buy?

The Motley Fool

With a high forward dividend yield of 7.4%, Medical Properties Trust (NYSE: MPW) is of natural interest to investors seeking an income stream in their portfolios. Its business model, if executed conservatively, could indeed lead to steady and long-lived returns. But this is probably not the right stock to buy if you're looking for dividend income. Here's why.

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Have a Health Savings Account? Most Participants Aren't Taking Advantage of a Key Feature That Could Help Set Them Up for a Financially Secure Retirement

The Motley Fool

Healthcare expenses are almost unavoidable -- we all have to grapple with them at times. But thankfully, there are ways to set money aside for those bills in a tax-advantaged manner. One account it pays to use, if you can, is a health savings account , or HSA. Eligibility to participate hinges on your health insurance plan: You need to meet deductible and out-of-pocket maximum requirements that change yearly.

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Nvidia's Growing Faster Than You Think. This Table Proves It.

The Motley Fool

Like clockwork, Nvidia (NASDAQ: NVDA) delivered another round of explosive growth in its third-quarter earnings report, but investors seemed to be missing the most impressive part of the performance. The company didn't mention it in the earnings call or press release, consigning it instead to the "CFO Commentary" section of its earnings report. By now, most investors know that the data center segment is driving Nvidia's growth.

Returns 130
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2 Important IRA Changes Coming in 2025 That Investors Must Know

The Motley Fool

In November, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) published its updated 2025 rules for individual retirement accounts (IRAs). Importantly, the annual contribution limits will remain the same: $7,000 for taxpayers under 50, and $8,000 for taxpayers 50 and older. However, the IRS did announce two important changes that are coming next year. The income limits for traditional IRA and Roth IRA contributions will be revised upward to account for changes in the cost of living.

Investors 130
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Meet the Monster Stock That Continues to Crush the Market

The Motley Fool

You can grow a lot richer by investing in the S&P 500. That broad market index has delivered an 11% annualized total return over the last 30 years. Because of that, a $1,000 investment made three decades ago into an S&P 500 index fund would have grown over 2,000% to more than $22,250 today. That's a great return. However, it pales compared to the monster 18% annualized return (over 13,800% in the last 30 years) produced by Brookfield Corporation (NYSE: BN).

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Lucid Stock: Buy, Sell, or Hold?

The Motley Fool

Electric vehicle marker Lucid Group (NASDAQ: LCID) has created an award-winning Air sedan and is on the verge of producing its stunning Gravity SUV. But despite its impressive products, the company's shares have plunged 96% over the past three years. The steep drop has no doubt left Luid shareholders wondering if it's time to give up on the stock, and prompting some to wonder if it's time to buy this EV stock at a discount.

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Should You Buy Visa While It's Below $320?

The Motley Fool

Visa 's (NYSE: V) share price is trading near its all-time high of around $312 per share as I write this. Is it worth buying at these levels? If you have a value bias, the answer will probably be no. But if you are willing to buy good companies at fair prices, the answer might be a little different. And if you appreciate dividend growth, well, your convictions about buying might be even stronger.

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Is Bank of America Stock a Buy?

The Motley Fool

With a $364 billion market cap and an asset base (as of Sept. 30) that totals a gargantuan $3.3 trillion, Bank of America (NYSE: BAC) is a leader in the financial services industry. It has its hands in numerous areas, from consumer and commercial banking to capital markets and asset management. Shares of this large financial stock have produced a fantastic 62% return just in the past 12 months.

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Meet the Monster Stock That Continues to Crush the Market

The Motley Fool

GE Vernova 's (NYSE: GEV) stock is up 166% since its listing in the spring, marking an incredible turnaround for a business that was once the problem child of the former General Electric. Here's why the stock has outperformed, and what to expect from the company in the coming years. GE Vernova is set for a bright future Successful investments often occur when a stock's narrative changes regarding its long-term growth outlook.

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Here's the Biggest Problem With Social Security Cuts

The Motley Fool

Social Security is in financial trouble. No, the program is not going bankrupt. That's virtually impossible based on the way Social Security is funded. Rather, in the coming years, Social Security expects to owe more in benefits than it collects in revenue as baby boomers retire in droves. Social Security can tap its trust funds to keep up with the benefits it's on the hook for -- at least until those trust funds run dry.

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If the Fed Keeps Cutting Interest Rates, This Stock Could Be a Winner

The Motley Fool

UPS (NYSE: UPS) continues to struggle through a difficult period. The small package delivery market is over capacity, pressuring pricing power at a time when a weak economy is encouraging customers to shift to cheaper delivery options. It all adds up to a difficult period for UPS, and the company will end 2024 with significantly lower earnings than management anticipated at the start of the year.

Returns 130
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The Average American Spends $12,000 on Annual Car Expenses. How Do You Compare?

The Motley Fool

Image source: Upsplash/The Motley Fool The cost of car ownership has become one of the biggest sources of inflation -- and one of the most frustrating household expenses -- in American life. According to the 2024 Your Driving Costs study from AAA, the average cost of owning a new car is $12,297 per year. Auto insurance, auto loan costs, rising costs of car maintenance, and depreciation are all factors in the sky-high costs of car ownership.

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1 Super Stock Down 80% You'll Regret Not Buying on the Dip

The Motley Fool

Upstart (NASDAQ: UPST) went public in December 2020 priced at $20 per share. In less than 12 months, its stock rocketed 20-fold to $401 on the back of historically low interest rates, which were a tailwind for its artificial intelligence (AI)-powered loan origination platform. That tailwind turned into a headwind in 2022 when the U.S. Federal Reserve aggressively hiked interest rates, which plummeted consumer demand for loans.

Banks 130
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Is Another Big Special Dividend Coming Up for Costco Wholesale Investors in December?

The Motley Fool

Over the years, Costco Wholesale (NASDAQ: COST) investors have become accustomed to collecting special dividends when the company has a strong year. However, special dividend payments are even less of a guarantee than regular dividend payments as they don't follow a schedule. Just because a company makes them one time doesn't mean it will again. But Costco has made special dividend payments multiple times in the past several years.

Investors 130
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Warning: This Skyrocketing Stock Has a Hidden Risk

The Motley Fool

Up 860% in the last 12 months alone, Summit Therapeutics (NASDAQ: SMMT) is a skyrocketing stock that likely has more upside in store. Nonetheless, rapid gains like that tend to imply some downside risk for new investors, and this biotech is no exception. So, let's uncover the hidden risk here and what you need to know about it. This company's fate isn't entirely in its own hands Since it doesn't have any revenue yet, Summit's strategy is to license its pipeline assets from Akesobio , a larger bi

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A Bull Market Is Here: 2 Brilliant Stocks Down 31% and 12% to Buy Right Now

The Motley Fool

The S&P 500 (SNPINDEX: ^GSPC) has soared nearly 26% higher so far across 2024's trading, and its level sits quite near a record high. The stock market has benefited from improving macroeconomic conditions, excitement surrounding artificial intelligence (AI), and the possibility that next year could bring a new round of corporate tax cuts. But while many high-profile stocks have managed to reach new highs this year, some high-quality companies still trade at substantial discounts compared to

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Prediction: 400 Starship Launches in 4 Years, as SpaceX Abandons Its Most Popular Rocket

The Motley Fool

Elon Musk's Martian fever dream is growing by leaps and bounds. October marked arguably the best performance by Musk's still-under-development Starship, when Flight Test 5 of the SpaceX Starship featured a successful mid-air capture of the returning Super Heavy booster by mechanical "chopsticks" on the rocket's launch-and-landing tower. One month later, Flight Test 6 saw a tower capture abort -- a disappointment -- but picture-perfect water landings by both Super Heavy and the rocket's Starship

Returns 246