Sat.Dec 30, 2023 - Fri.Jan 05, 2024

article thumbnail

What Comes After a Good Year in the Stock Market?

A Wealth of Common Sense

2023 was a good year for the stock market. Bad years in the stock market are typically followed by good years (but not always): The obvious follow-up here is: What happens after good years? Or how often do we see good years followed by good years? There are, of course, bad years that follow good years, just like there are good years that follow bad years.

article thumbnail

7 Social Security Changes That Take Effect Today

The Motley Fool

For more than eight decades, Social Security has been providing a financial foundation for those who need it most. An estimated 21.7 million people, including close to 15.4 million adults aged 65 and over, are pulled out of poverty by America's top retirement program each year. What's particularly interesting about Social Security is that it's constantly evolving, with a number of significant changes announced annually.

Taxes 264
Insiders

Sign Up for our Newsletter

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.

Trending Sources

article thumbnail

Digital Nomad Essentials: Tech and Tools for Working Anywhere in the World

FinSMEs

The rise of the digital nomad lifestyle has revolutionized the way we work and travel. Combining the freedom of travel with the ability to work remotely, digital nomads need to be equipped with the right technology and tools to ensure productivity and connectivity. From high-speed internet solutions to portable workstations, the right gear can make […] The post Digital Nomad Essentials: Tech and Tools for Working Anywhere in the World appeared first on FinSMEs.

125
125
article thumbnail

KKR completes acquisition of remaining 37% of Global Atlantic

Private Equity Wire

KKR & Co has closed its previously-announced acquisition of the remaining 37% of Global Atlantic, increasing its ownership of the insurance company, which caters for both individual and institutional clients, to 100% in the process. KKR has acted as Global Atlantic’s asset manager since acquiring a majority stake in the business in 2021. Global Atlantic will continue to be led by its management team and operate under the Global Atlantic brand.

article thumbnail

2023: It Was a Good Year

A Wealth of Common Sense

2022 was one of the worst years ever for financial markets. Over the past 100 years: It was the third worst year for a 60/40 portfolio. It was the seventh worst year for the S&P 500. It was the worst year ever for the Barclays Aggregate Bond Market Index. It was the worst year ever for the 10 year Treasury bond. Here’s what I wrote last year at this time: Expected returns are now higher.

article thumbnail

3 of the Smartest Ways Baby Boomers Can Increase Their Social Security Benefit in 2024

The Motley Fool

For most retired Americans, their Social Security benefit represents an indispensable source of income. Over 20 years of annual surveys from national pollster Gallup have consistently shown that between 80% and 90% of then-current retirees lean on their monthly payout in some capacity to cover their expenses. Considering how vital Social Security is to the financial well-being of our nation's aging workforce, it's ideal to get as much out of America's top retirement program as possible.

More Trending

article thumbnail

60 Years of Stock Market Cycles

The Big Picture

Source: Visual Capitalist The post 60 Years of Stock Market Cycles appeared first on The Big Picture.

article thumbnail

Private equity groups hunt for new exit strategies as cash piles up

Financial Times M&A

Investors must get creative to get out of ‘a towering backlog’ of older investments and put new funds to work

article thumbnail

Better Artificial Intelligence (AI) Stock: AMD vs. Microsoft

The Motley Fool

The artificial intelligence (AI) market exploded last year, becoming one of the fastest-growing industries. Data from Grand View Research shows the AI market is projected to expand at a compound annual growth rate of 37% through 2030, which would see it exceed a value of $1 trillion before the end of the decade. So it's no surprise that companies worldwide have restructured their businesses to focus on the budding sector, presenting a variety of investment opportunities.

Stakes 262
article thumbnail

Moonwalk Biosciences Closes $57M in Seed and Series A Financing

FinSMEs

Moonwalk Biosciences, a San Francisco and San Diego, CA-based genomic medicine company, raised $57M in Seed and Series A funding. The rounds saw participation from Alpha Wave Ventures, ARCH Venture Partners, Future Ventures, GV, Khosla Ventures and YK Bioventures. The company intends to use the funds to support continued advancement of its epigenetic profiling and […] The post Moonwalk Biosciences Closes $57M in Seed and Series A Financing appeared first on FinSMEs.

Financing 109
article thumbnail

10 New Years Day Reads

The Big Picture

Happy New Year! Kick it off right with our first day of the year reads: • Everything Wall Street Got Wrong in 2023 : Stocks were supposed to slump and bonds rally as the Fed drove the US into a recession. It didn’t play out as strategists expected. ( Bloomberg ) • Crypto Animal Spirits Are Back. What’s Ahead for 2024. Bitcoin backers are looking forward to an ETF and other catalysts that could lift prices in 2024. ( Barron’s ) see also Stocks Beat the Odds This Year.

Assets 106
article thumbnail

Here's the Average Social Security Benefit at Ages 62, 66, and 70

The Motley Fool

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.

article thumbnail

4 Signs You Absolutely Shouldn't Get a Personal Loan

The Motley Fool

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

Debt 263
article thumbnail

3 Artificial Intelligence (AI) Stocks to Buy Hand Over Fist in January

The Motley Fool

The artificial intelligence (AI) market exploded in 2023 and shows no signs of slowing. The debut of ChatGPT reignited interest in the sector and forced many to rethink what they thought was currently possible with the technology. As a result, countless companies pivoted their businesses to developing the industry. Data from Grand View Research shows the AI market is projected to expand at a compound annual growth rate of 37% through 2030.

Prospects 262
article thumbnail

3 Top U.S. Stocks to Watch in January

The Motley Fool

Some companies tell you a lot about the state of the economy. Three of those companies -- industrial supplier MSC Industrial (NYSE: MSM) , banking giant Wells Fargo (NYSE: WFC) , and appliance stalwart Whirlpool (NYSE: WHR) -- will give earnings in January. Here's why what they say is so vital to monitoring the economy and how you invest in 2024. MSC Industrial: First-quarter earnings on Jan. 9 This company distributes metalworking and maintenance, repair, and operations (MRO) products and servi

Banks 258
article thumbnail

3 Warren Buffett Dividend Growth Stocks to Buy Now and Hold Forever

The Motley Fool

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.

article thumbnail

3 Millionaire Habits to Adopt in 2024

The Motley Fool

Image source: Getty Images The last few years have been tough financially for many households. It is hard to even think about achieving millionaire status when you're unsure about how you'll pay your bills or worried about the rising cost of groceries or gas. Even so, it is possible for many of us to build wealth. Moreover, you don't need to invent a time machine, earn megabucks, or inherit a fortune to do it.

article thumbnail

5 Money Moves to Make in 2024 That Will Set You Up for Early Retirement

The Motley Fool

Image source: Getty Images Retirement has been happening later for Americans, and that trend is likely to continue. The average retirement age is 61, up from 57 in the 1990s. But the full retirement age (when you can get full Social Security benefits) is 67 for those born in 1960 or later. While some people are fine with retiring on the typical timeline, not everyone wants to wait that long.

Taxes 246
article thumbnail

Walgreens Is Cutting Its Big-Time Dividend. Time to Buy the Beaten-Down Dow Stock?

The Motley Fool

Walgreens Boots Alliance (NASDAQ: WBA) got the bad news out early in 2024. The pharmacy company is cutting its dividend by nearly 50%. That ended a streak of 47 years of dividend growth. That reduction will enable Walgreens to retain more cash to fund its growth and strengthen its balance sheet. Here's a look at whether now's the time to buy the beaten-down member of the Dow Jones Industrial Average , which lost 30% of its value last year compared to the iconic index's nearly 14% rise.

Stakes 246
article thumbnail

The Ultimate Cryptocurrency to Buy With $1,000 Right Now

The Motley Fool

In the past 10 years, the total value of the cryptocurrency asset class has grown significantly from around $12 billion to almost $1.7 trillion today. Not all cryptocurrencies have survived in this competitive market, and only the strongest have managed to survive. Throughout this evolution, one asset has risen to become the epitome of a cryptocurrency and is unequivocally the most robust, resilient, and valuable asset on the market today.

article thumbnail

Could Beyond Meat Stock Help You Become a Millionaire?

The Motley Fool

If Beyond Meat (NASDAQ: BYND) is America's best-known plant-based food manufacturer, then Ethan Brown, the company's founder and CEO, might be considered the face of the U.S. meatless protein industry. He's confident and charismatic, and deserves much of the credit for building Beyond Meat into a famous brand. Just as Brown developed a dream into a well-known business, investors may harbor dreams of making millions from simply buying and holding Beyond Meat stock.

article thumbnail

2 Unstoppable Warren Buffett ETFs to Buy Hand Over Fist in 2024

The Motley Fool

Fool.com contributor Parkev Tatevosian elaborates on the Vanguard S&P 500 ETF (NYSEMKT: VOO) and the SPDR S&P 500 ETF Trust (NYSEMKT: SPY) and offers his thoughts on why Warren Buffett may have chosen these. *Stock prices used were the afternoon prices of Jan. 3, 2024. The video was published on Jan. 5, 2024. Should you invest $1,000 in SPDR S&P 500 ETF Trust right now?

Returns 246
article thumbnail

Forget Microsoft, Here's a Better Artificial Intelligence (AI) Stock to Buy

The Motley Fool

Investors piled into both Microsoft (NASDAQ: MSFT) and Adobe (NASDAQ: ADBE) in 2023. The software giants outperformed a rallying Nasdaq Composite index last year, mainly thanks to soaring optimism about artificial intelligence (AI) and its ability to boost the value of creative and productive software platforms in the years ahead. While Microsoft has its advantages in this arena, it's far from an ideal growth stock.

article thumbnail

Here's the Average Social Security Benefit for Men and Women at Ages 62 to 70

The Motley Fool

The Social Security Administration says retirement benefits typically replace about 40% of pre-retirement income, but the precise payout depends on several variables. Understanding those variables can help workers and retired workers alike score a bigger benefit. Read on to see the average Social Security benefit for retired men and women at ages 62 through 70, and to learn how lifetime earnings, work history, and claiming age impact the payout.

246
246
article thumbnail

1 Fantastic Dividend Stock Yielding 5.2% for Passive Income Investors to Buy in Bunches in 2024

The Motley Fool

Fool.com contributor Parkev Tatevosian discusses why this dividend stock is a good match for passive income investors. *Stock prices used were the afternoon prices of Jan. 3, 2024. The video was published on Jan. 5, 2024. Should you invest $1,000 in Verizon Communications right now? Before you buy stock in Verizon Communications, consider this: The Motley Fool Stock Advisor analyst team just identified what they believe are the 10 best stocks for investors to buy now. and Verizon Communications

Investors 246
article thumbnail

3 "Magnificent Seven" Stocks Billionaires Are Piling Into as We Head Into 2024

The Motley Fool

As we look back on 2023, a few things stand out. One is how quickly generative artificial intelligence (AI) rose to prominence. OpenAI's ChatGPT was virtually unheard of as the year began but quickly became the rallying cry for a generation of tech investors. Another was the emergence of the so-called "Magnificent Seven" group of stocks, which outperformed the broader market by a wide margin (presented in order of stock price percentage gains): Nvidia : Up 239% Meta Platforms (NASDAQ: META) : Up

article thumbnail

Aiming to Retire in 2034? Make These Moves in 2024.

The Motley Fool

Retirement is a milestone many people plan for and look forward to. And if you're aiming to retire in 2034, you're just 10 years away from wrapping up your career for good. How exciting! If you want your plans to come to life, though, it's important to be on track to end your workforce stint in 10 years. With that in mind, make sure to tackle these essential moves in 2024.

Financing 246
article thumbnail

Will the Fed Cut Interest Rates in 2024? Here's What We Know

The Motley Fool

Image source: Getty Images Surging inflation has been a persistent problem for Americans since 2021. And in 2022, things really came to a head, with annual inflation rising to 9.1% that June. Thankfully, inflation cooled steadily in 2023. And with any luck, it will continue to do so in 2024. If that happens, there's a good chance the Federal Reserve will move forward with interest rate cuts.

Banks 246
article thumbnail

AMD Seeks to Boost Artificial Intelligence (AI) Chip Capacity in 2024 -- Should Nvidia Investors Be Worried?

The Motley Fool

In today's video, I discuss recent updates impacting Advanced Micro Devices (NASDAQ: AMD). Check out the short video to learn more, consider subscribing, and click the special offer link below. *Stock prices used were the market prices of Jan. 4, 2024. The video was published on Jan. 5, 2024. Should you invest $1,000 in Advanced Micro Devices right now?

Investors 246
article thumbnail

Got $3,000? 2 Growth Stocks to Double Up on Right Now.

The Motley Fool

Growth stocks can be great assets for your portfolio, especially if you can stomach the volatility that usually comes with them. The journey could be a little rocky for some, but patience can pay off big for investors. If you have $3,000 available to invest (meaning you don't need it for an emergency fund or to pay off high-interest debt), putting your money into these two growth stocks is a good choice.

Legal 246
article thumbnail

The Smartest Artificial Intelligence (AI) Stock to Buy With $500 Right Now

The Motley Fool

Artificial intelligence (AI) took some massive steps forward in 2023. Following the release of OpenAI's ChatGPT in late 2022, practically every executive was talking about how they were applying the advancements in technology to their businesses. While start-ups like OpenAI and Anthropic garnered a lot of attention and massive investments from Microsoft and Amazon , respectively, one company has been building advanced AI applications for well over a decade.

Capital 246
article thumbnail

If I Could Buy Just 1 FAANG Stock in 2024, This Would Be It

The Motley Fool

Since the acronym was first coined more than a decade ago, FAANG has become synonymous with big tech, representing some of the best-performing stocks of a generation: Facebook, which changed its name to Meta Platforms Apple Amazon Netflix Google, now known as Alphabet (NASDAQ: GOOGL) (NASDAQ: GOOG) Data by YCharts. It's easy to understand the attraction.

article thumbnail

2 Growth Stocks Have Cathie Wood's Ark Invest Betting Big in 2024

The Motley Fool

Cathie Wood, founder and CEO of Ark Invest, has become a famous figure in the financial world. Her asset management company eschews traditional investment strategies, which often seek short-term gains in safe benchmarks. Instead, Ark focuses on long-term capital appreciation created by disruptive technology companies. Specifically, Wood and her team run six thematic index funds constructed around innovative technologies such as automation, the blockchain, fintech, and robotics.

Investing 246
article thumbnail

History Favors More Upside for the S&P 500 in 2024. Here's How High the Stock Market Could Soar.

The Motley Fool

Historical data is a guiding light for investors during uncertain times. The S&P 500 (SNPINDEX: ^GSPC) index was established in 1957, so its 66 years of performance history can be helpful in predicting the stock market's next move. For example, the S&P 500 suffered a brutal drop in 2022, but the odds were in favor of a comeback in 2023 because consecutive annual losses are incredibly rare.