The Big Picture

DECEMBER 13, 2023

Tyler Cowen and his colleague Alex Tabarrok write some interesting posts over at Marginal Revolution. Sometimes I agree with them, sometimes I disagree with them. Recently, a post utterly perplexed me: “One doesn’t get a favorable impression of crypto from Number Go Up but in fact one doesn’t learn much about crypto at all. Indeed, Faux’s book isn’t really about crypto it’s about the rise and collapse of a bubble and the consequent madness of crowds.

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A Wealth of Common Sense

DECEMBER 17, 2023

After suffering drawdowns of 21%, 25% and 35% in the bear market of 2022, the Dow, S&P 500 and Nasdaq 100 all broke even on a total return basis this week: Sure that means these markets went nowhere for nearly two years but just look at the returns since the start of 2020: Considering everything we’ve lived through those returns are not bad at all.

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Financial Times: Moral Money

DECEMBER 26, 2023

France’s stipulation for its sustainable ISR label could lead to billions of euros of divestments by pan-European vehicles

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Funds 145

Private Equity Insights

DECEMBER 15, 2023

EQT AB is leading the bidding as private equity firms compete for a stake in the media rights business of the Bundesliga, Germany’s main football competition, people with knowledge of the matter said. The Nordic investment firm has so far presented the highest offer with an initial proposal valuing the unit at about €12.7bn ($14bn), according to the people.

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Bidding Private Equity Firms Private Equity Firms Stakes 276

Private Equity Info

DECEMBER 6, 2023

For years, the private equity industry has been moving down market, as firms invest in smaller deals in the middle market and lower middle market. However, our most recent review of the data suggests that trend is reversing.

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Investing 276

The Motley Fool

DECEMBER 16, 2023

Image source: Getty Images For many people, a new year is a time for growth. It's also a popular time to make resolutions. Research from The Ascent shows that 67% of Americans hope to tackle financial resolutions next year. Now is the perfect time to sit down and plan what goals you want to reach. You can do it no matter how big or small your goals are.

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The Motley Fool

DECEMBER 30, 2023

Whether you realize it or not, Social Security is an essential source of income for most retirees. It's responsible for pulling roughly 21.7 million people out of poverty each year, including almost 15.4 million adults aged 65 and above. If America's top retirement program didn't exist, the senior poverty rate would be an estimated 38%, as compared to 10% with Social Security (as of March 2022), according to the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities.

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Accounting Companies Investing 264

The Motley Fool

DECEMBER 27, 2023

After a dismal performance last year, growth stocks came roaring back in 2023 thanks to several tailwinds such as cooling inflation, the Federal Reserve's pause on interest rate hikes, a strong economy, and the reduced probability of a recession. That rally is expected to continue in 2024 as well. Personal finance news provider Kiplinger estimates that S&P 500 companies could witness an 11% increase in earnings in 2024, up significantly from this year's growth of 2.3%.

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Finance Financing Returns Stock Market 264

The Motley Fool

DECEMBER 24, 2023

According to the official definition of the "Santa Claus rally," the time of year when it occurs hasn't even happened yet. The Santa Claus rally refers to gains in the market that frequently occur during the last five days of a calendar year and the first two days of the following year. However, investors may have gotten an early present from Santa Claus this year.

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Stock Market Stock Market Financial Services Capital 264

The Motley Fool

DECEMBER 24, 2023

Warren Buffett has achieved financial success on a colossal scale, both personally and professionally. His net worth currently exceeds $120 billion, making Buffett the sixth-richest person on the planet. Additionally, Berkshire Hathaway has grown about 38,000 times in value under his leadership. Those accomplishments suggest Buffett is a good source of financial insight, and he once said the surest path to success is "to be exceptionally good at something.

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Funds Education Stock Market Stock Market 264

The Motley Fool

DECEMBER 24, 2023

Image source: Getty Images If you're someone who's been trying to buy a home since the start of 2023, you may not be shocked to have arrived at the end of the year without being successful. The past 12 months have been downright torturous for would-be buyers. At this point, it's best to look forward to 2024. But will things change dramatically in January?

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Taxes 264

The Motley Fool

DECEMBER 29, 2023

The chips weren't down for DraftKings (NASDAQ: DKNG) in 2023. The sports wagering and fantasy sports speedster has more than tripled this year, one of the market's biggest gainers with a 215% surge heading into the final trading day of 2023. It's easy to steer clear of a big winner, fearing that it's due for a breather after a hot run. DraftKings doesn't fit that bill.

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The Motley Fool

DECEMBER 25, 2023

Image source: Getty Images You've probably heard that bundling your auto and home insurance will save you money, but do you know how much you can save? Typically, the discount is at least 5%, with some companies rewarding you with a discount of up to 25%. That discount represents a significant chunk of money you can divert to an emergency savings account or other financial need.

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Accounting Companies Investing 264

The Motley Fool

DECEMBER 24, 2023

Image source: Getty Images Automakers continue to add more models to their growing list of electric vehicles, giving consumers more EV options than ever before. And while many electric vehicles aren't exactly budget-friendly, a handful of 2024 models are relatively affordable. Here are four great options that won't break the bank. 1. Nissan Leaf MSRP: starts at $28,140 EV enthusiasts are acquainted with the Leaf, considering that Nissan launched the vehicle all the way back in 2010.

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Banks Companies 264

The Motley Fool

DECEMBER 16, 2023

In just a couple of weeks, every retiree who receives Social Security benefits will get a raise. Beginning in 2024, monthly payments will increase by 3.2%. This is an annual rite of passage for Social Security recipients. The Social Security Administration (SSA) calculates the cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) for the next year in October, with the increase going into effect in the following January.

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Law Firms Banks Accounting Funds 264

The Motley Fool

DECEMBER 27, 2023

It's hard to believe, but we're just days away from 2024 and all the major retirement rule changes that come with it. This includes several important Social Security tweaks for workers and beneficiaries alike. Here's a look at five of them and how they could affect you. 1. Benefits are climbing Social Security beneficiaries will see their January Social Security checks climb by 3.2% thanks to the latest cost-of-living adjustment (COLA).

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Taxes Accounting 264

The Motley Fool

DECEMBER 25, 2023

The market has been pleased with top memory chipmaker Micron Technology 's (NASDAQ: MU) mounting comeback. Memory chip inventories skyrocketed in 2022 as PC and smartphone sales dropped and Micron's customers pared back spending to manage their cash during the downturn. However, as the generative AI hype has developed into a full-fledged industry with massive growth potential, demand for bleeding-edge memory has ratcheted back up.

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Returns Companies Portfolios Investors 264

The Motley Fool

DECEMBER 16, 2023

When the S&P 500 is up big on the year, it's easy to miss the value of reliable dividend stocks. After all, what good is a 3% yield if the market is up nearly 20%? But the value of quality dividend stocks isn't how they perform during a strong market -- it's that they deliver regular quarterly payments no matter what the market is doing. The best dividend-paying companies take it a step further by raising their dividends every year, even during recessions.

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Capital Returns Portfolios Investors 264

The Motley Fool

DECEMBER 13, 2023

When to sign-up for Social Security is a highly personal decision. It's also an important one. Your age at sign up determines how much money you get for the rest of your life. There's no wrong age, but there are definitely some that could give you a lot more money than others. Below, we'll look at some of the most popular claiming ages and who they're a good fit for so you can decide which one is right for you.

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Debt Finance Financing 264

The Motley Fool

DECEMBER 11, 2023

Image source: Getty Images Electric cars are becoming increasingly popular, but their high price tags are enough to give even some of the most environmentally conscious drivers pause. Add in the cost of financing and auto insurance , and an electric vehicle can feel completely out of reach. But if you can stomach the initial costs, there are several ways that electric cars can save you money.

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Taxes Finance Financing Accounting 264

The Motley Fool

DECEMBER 18, 2023

Image source: Getty Images Teslas are appealing options for environmentally-conscious drivers and those who like to keep up with the latest tech, but they have a big drawback: those insurance premiums. The cars contain a lot of rare components that are costly to replace, and there aren't a lot of repair shops that know how to do the work. Some traditional insurance companies charge Tesla owners an arm and a leg for coverage, so the idea of getting a more affordable policy from Tesla itself seems

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Companies 264

The Motley Fool

DECEMBER 31, 2023

Image source: Getty Images A personal loan can be a great way to borrow for essential purchases you have to finance over time. With a lower interest rate than your typical credit card plus a fixed schedule for repayment, you can go into a personal loan knowing how much you'll pay over time. Plus, your financing charges will likely be affordable. But while taking out a personal loan can be a good financial move if you're doing it for the right reasons, there are also some circumstances where you

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Debt Finance Financing Accounting 263

The Motley Fool

DECEMBER 24, 2023

2023 has been an ugly year for Enphase (NASDAQ: ENPH) , which just announced big cost cuts and a 25% reduction in manufacturing capacity. In this video, Motley Fool contributors Jason Hall and Tyler Crowe take a closer look at a struggling solar industry and Enphase's steps to cut costs. *Stock prices used were from the morning of Dec. 19, 2023. The video was published on Dec. 23, 2023.

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Returns Portfolios Investors Investing 263

The Motley Fool

DECEMBER 27, 2023

One of the most outspoken investors on Wall Street is Ark Invest Chief Executive Officer Cathie Wood. Wood is known for unconventional, maybe even outlandish, predictions for trends in emerging technology. Across all of her exchange-traded funds (ETFs), her largest holding is cryptocurrency trading platform Coinbase (NASDAQ: COIN). Given Wood's extremely bullish stance on Bitcoin , it makes sense that she would acquire such a large position in Coinbase.

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Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) Initial Public Offering Exchange-Traded Funds Mutual Funds 263

The Motley Fool

DECEMBER 12, 2023

Image source: Getty Images If you've been struggling to cover the cost of auto insurance , you're not alone. A May survey by Policygenius found that 43% of insured drivers were paying more for car insurance during the spring of 2023 than they were a year prior. If you're tired of having to cut back on other bills to keep up with your auto insurance premiums, don't just resign yourself to the high costs you're facing today.

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Companies 264

The Motley Fool

DECEMBER 25, 2023

Social Security benefits are not subject to federal income taxes for some retirees, but they are for others. Those who have higher incomes will be taxed on part of their benefits. Unfortunately, because of the way that the rules for Social Security taxation were set up, a growing number of retirees are taxed on their benefits every year. Here's why more seniors will have to give up a part of their benefits to Uncle Sam in 2024.

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Taxes Accounting 262

The Motley Fool

DECEMBER 13, 2023

Nio (NYSE: NIO) and Rivian (NASDAQ: RIVN) both saw their shares skyrocket to all-time highs during the buying frenzy in growth stocks in 2021. However, both electric vehicle (EV) makers subsequently shed nearly 90% of their value as their revenue growth cooled off and rising interest rates popped their bubbly valuations. The broader slowdown of the EV market exacerbated that pain.

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Mergers and Acquisitions Stakes Investors Returns 262

The Motley Fool

DECEMBER 27, 2023

Roku (NASDAQ: ROKU) has had a great year. The widely followed streaming service stock has skyrocketed 133% in 2023 through Tuesday's close. Can it double again next year? It's never an easy feat to double in back-to-back years, and some feel that even this year's beefy gains aren't warranted. A pair of analysts downgraded Roku two weeks ago, concerned that the stock's big step up this week isn't warranted.

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Accounting Returns Investors Portfolios 260

The Motley Fool

DECEMBER 31, 2023

Warren Buffett loves a good dividend growth stock. Such companies consistently grow their profits year after year and elect to return those higher profits to shareholders. A business that's able to do that likely has a lot of the characteristics Buffett looks for in a company. And when those stocks trade at a fair value, they can provide exceptional returns for shareholders.

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Shareholders Debt Portfolios Returns 257

The Motley Fool

DECEMBER 31, 2023

The granddaddy of the colas is The Coca-Cola Company , with the Coca-Cola brand launching in 1886. The Pepsi-Cola Company, now PepsiCo (NASDAQ: PEP) , wasn't far behind with its own Pepsi-Cola drink in 1898. And the two have locked horns for cola supremacy ever since. Neither Coke nor Pepsi was able to take down its cola competitor. So it wasn't long before these two companies upped the ante by developing comprehensive soda-brand portfolios.

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Mergers and Acquisitions Buyout Shareholders Portfolios 246

The Motley Fool

DECEMBER 31, 2023

If you think Wall Street had a phenomenal year, take a closer look at how the cryptocurrency space fared in 2023. As of the early morning hours on Dec. 28, the aggregate value of all listed cryptocurrencies on CoinMarketCap.com had increased by a cool 115% year to date. Though there are thousands upon thousands of digital currencies to choose from, it's Bitcoin (CRYPTO: BTC) and Ethereum that have done most of the heavy lifting.

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Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) Exchange-Traded Funds Financial Institutions Stock Market 246

The Motley Fool

DECEMBER 31, 2023

Investing in crypto has made many people rich in recent years, even millionaires. Shiba Inu (CRYPTO: SHIB) took off in popularity in 2021 as meme stocks and coins rocked the markets. With crypto rising in popularity of late, could there be another strong bull run for Shiba Inu in the future? Is there the possibility that it could still make even more millionaires?

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Exchange-Traded Funds Assets Portfolios Returns 246

The Motley Fool

DECEMBER 31, 2023

Investors have a lot to celebrate. The stock market will end 2023 near all-time highs after a fierce rebound that saw the Nasdaq Composite surge more than 40% this year, one of its best performances in decades. It sets a high bar for 2024 as investors seek ways to continue the momentum. Three Fool.com contributors sifted through their top ideas to identify Amazon (NASDAQ: AMZN) , Super Micro Computer (NASDAQ: SMCI) , and SentinelOne (NYSE: S) as AI stocks with the right stuff to outperform a hot

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Stock Market Stock Market Investors Capital 246

The Motley Fool

DECEMBER 31, 2023

If you want your investment portfolio to outperform the way Warren Buffett's has, it's important to hold stocks for long periods the way he does. When asked what an ideal holding period is for the stocks he adds to Berkshire Hathaway 's (NYSE: BRK.A) (NYSE: BRK.B) equity portfolio, the Oracle of Omaha confidently says " forever " to anyone who will listen.

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Portfolios Investing Stakes Returns 246