How Clients Can Ensure Their 'Fur Babies' Are Cared for Long After They're Gone
Estate planners are increasingly using pet trusts to guarantee long‑term care for clients’ animals. A pet trust designates a human trustee, caregiver, and protector, and funds the pet’s needs, often ranging from $5,000 to $50,000. Without a trust, guardians can misuse assets, leaving pets vulnerable. Experts warn that underfunding and lack of oversight are the biggest pitfalls.
Morningstar DBRS Finalizes Its Provisional Credit Ratings on FIGRE Trust 2026-FL1
Morningstar DBRS finalized provisional ratings for FIGRE Trust 2026‑FL1 mortgage‑backed notes, assigning AAA to the $222.6 million Class A‑1 tranche and AA to the $28.7 million Class A‑2 tranche, among others. The transaction backs $274.6 million of first‑lien HELOCs originated by Figure, with...
SPMO: March Rebalance Brings 54% Portfolio Turnover, Added Earnings Risk
Invesco’s S&P 500 Momentum ETF (SPMO) received a “hold” rating after its March 2026 rebalance, which drove portfolio turnover to 54% and lifted technology exposure to 44% of assets. The fund now shows an estimated 26.93% EPS growth for the coming...
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Effective March 30, 2026, the Options Clearing Corporation announced that the National Securities Clearing Corporation will no longer accept settlement of Wix.com Ltd. (WIX) options, requiring all exercises and assignments to settle on a broker‑to‑broker basis. No exercise restrictions are imposed, and...
Here’s How Much L.A. and Silicon Valley High-Earners Could Save by Trading California for Miami
Wealthy Californians earning around $500,000 can save over $51,000 a year by relocating to Miami, thanks to Florida's 0% state income tax versus California's 10.3%‑11.3% rate for that income bracket. Miami’s median home price of $500,000 is roughly half that...
US Methanol Price Climbs to 4-Year High
US methanol spot prices hit a four‑year high of 135 cents per US gallon for April delivery, up 10 cents from the previous week. The surge follows a March‑long rally driven by the war in the Middle East Gulf, which has disrupted...
Lone Star Execs Break Down US Resi Thesis for Latest $1bn Credit Strategy
Lone Star executives Mike Droege and Jeff Kert outlined a new $1 billion credit strategy centered on U.S. residential mortgage loans. The fund will target more than $10 billion of newly originated, performing non‑agency mortgages, leveraging Lone Star’s private‑credit platform to earn...
This One Mistake Could Cost You ‘Tens of Thousands of Dollars’ When Buying or Selling a Home
Skipping a real‑estate agent may seem like a cost‑saving shortcut, but it often leads to far larger losses. The median home sold for $435,000 last year, while for‑sale‑by‑owner (FSBO) properties averaged $380,000—a $55,000 gap. Even after accounting for...
Trading Day: Growth Fears Snowball
Oil prices rose sharply as Brent crude briefly touched $115 per barrel after former President Donald Trump warned of potential attacks on Iranian energy infrastructure. Gold edged higher, buoyed by dip‑buying and reassuring comments from Fed Chair Jerome Powell. U.S....
Four IOCs Working on Lithium Extraction in US Smackover Play
After a 90% plunge in lithium carbonate prices from 2022 to 2025, U.S. brine projects in the Smackover Formation stalled, but a recent price rebound has revived interest. Equinor has secured an anchor off‑taker, while Exxon Mobil, Occidental Petroleum and Chevron...
U.S. Bank Extends Loan Terms in Bid to Address Affordability
U.S. Bank announced it will extend its home‑improvement loan terms from five years to six or seven years, targeting larger renovation projects. The move is designed to address growing affordability concerns among American households as home‑improvement spending stays above $600 billion...
Multifamily Development Site in Miami’s Wynwood Sells for $54M
Shoe brand owner David Sedaghati sold a 1.92‑acre development parcel in Miami’s Wynwood neighborhood for $54 million to Gary Krat. The site, currently holding 64,629 sq ft of 1950s‑era low‑rise commercial space, was slated for a 1,300‑unit, two‑tower project under the Live Local...
US Oil Tops $100 as War With Iran Escalates
U.S. West Texas Intermediate crude settled at $102.88 per barrel on March 30, the first time it crossed the $100 mark since the U.S. and Israel launched a war against Iran. The surge follows President Donald Trump’s threats to target Iranian...
This AI Power Company’s Trump-Named Power Project Still Has No Customers in Sight
Fermi, an AI‑focused power‑generation startup, saw its shares plunge to a record low of $5.36, roughly one‑quarter of its IPO price. The company’s flagship Project Matador, which includes the Donald J. Trump Generating Plant, still has no signed tenants and...
Stocks Pressured by Economic Fallout From Iran War
U.S. equity indexes closed mixed on March 30, with the S&P 500 slipping to a 7.5‑month low and the Nasdaq 100 to a 7.75‑month low, while the Dow edged higher. The decline was driven by heightened worries that the ongoing Iran‑Israel conflict...
Oil Wavers, Stocks Fall on Mixed Signals in Middle East Talks
Oil prices swung sharply on Monday as mixed signals emerged from U.S.–Iran negotiations, with Brent crude ranging between $111 and $115 per barrel and WTI holding near $104. U.S. equities slipped 0.4%, extending a five‑week decline, while European markets edged...
China Suppliers Warn of Higher Prices for Americans Due to Strait of Hormuz Closure
Chinese exporters warned that U.S. buyers will face higher prices as oil price volatility, sparked by the Iran war and the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, raises costs for petro‑based plastics. Manufacturers such as Huijin Trade have already lifted...
Europe Needs a 21st-Century Containment Strategy Toward Russia
Europe is debating whether to resume diplomatic talks with Russia as several EU capitals, notably France, Germany and Belgium, signal openness to engagement. At the same time, NATO is reshaping its command and burden‑sharing model, urging European allies to assume...
Tishman Speyer Acquires Central London Office Building in Off-Market Deal
Tishman Speyer has completed an off‑market purchase of a prime office building in central London, underscoring the firm’s aggressive push into Europe’s most resilient commercial market. The transaction, though undisclosed in price, reflects the growing appetite for core assets that...
The Chrysler Building’s Next Chapter Could Be Residential
Jeffrey Gural’s GFP Real Estate is in advanced talks to acquire the Chrysler Building’s ground lease, opening the door to a potential residential conversion of the iconic Art Deco skyscraper. The current lease costs about $32.5 million annually and is projected...
CNBC: Brent Oil Heads for Record Monthly Surge…
Brent crude is on track for a record‑breaking monthly surge, with prices climbing past $100 per barrel for the first time. The rally reflects tightening global supply, driven by OPEC‑plus output cuts and heightened geopolitical tensions in key producing regions....
Brent Slips as G7 Signals Action to Steady Volatile Oil Market
Brent crude slipped 0.5% to $112 per barrel on Monday after the Group of Seven finance ministers signaled they are ready to intervene to steady volatile energy markets. The decline followed a brief rally that had pushed Brent close to...
Chevron Corporation: Credit Rating Report
On March 20, 2026, DBRS, Inc. confirmed Chevron Corporation’s issuer rating at AA with a stable outlook. The rating underscores Chevron’s strong balance sheet, consistent cash generation, and disciplined capital allocation. Analysts view the AA rating as a vote of...
Why Does Chocolate Cost so Much This Easter, when Cocoa’s Price Is at a 3-Year Low?
Chocolate prices remain stubbornly high this Easter despite cocoa prices falling to roughly US$3,200 per ton in March 2025. Consumers are seeing smaller Easter eggs and premium‑priced treats, while the commodity that drives chocolate costs has dropped from a 2024...
LoanDepot Partners with Texas Builder for New Lender Launch
LoanDepot has launched Olive Branch Home Loans, a mortgage affiliate for West Texas builder Betenbough Cos., which sells over 2,000 homes annually across eight sales centers. The partnership gives Betenbough access to LoanDepot’s wholesale infrastructure, technology and customer‑service expertise while...
HSAs Are Being Touted as a Way to Make Healthcare More Affordable. But It...
Health savings accounts (HSAs) are being promoted by Republicans as a solution to rising healthcare costs, positioning them as a tool for smarter consumer spending. However, experts argue the tax‑advantaged accounts mainly benefit affluent Americans and may shift more expenses...
CCD: Convertibles Can Leverage Equity Exposure, Time To Buy The Dip
The Calamos Dynamic Convertible and Income Fund (CCD) has fallen 9.5% from its February 2026 high amid equity market volatility and supply‑chain disruptions linked to the Iranian conflict. The closed‑end fund delivers an 11.35% yield and a $2.34 per‑share annual...
Ginnie Mae Gives Issuers a Break, Adds New Prepayment Data
Ginnie Mae announced immediate relief for issuers filing annual audited financial statements by eliminating the 15‑day advance notice for extension requests, allowing submissions through Ginnie Mae Central on the due date. The change comes as issuers manage a new audit...
Magnifying Momentum: Month-to-Date Direxion Inflow Leaders
Direxion leveraged ETFs saw over $3.5 billion of net inflows in March, led by the 3X semiconductor fund SOXL with $1.98 billion. South Korea’s 3X bull ETF KORU attracted $765.6 million, while the homebuilders 3X fund NAIL added $245.3 million. Single‑stock leveraged products TSLL...
Attacks on Mideast Aluminum Plants Threaten Supply Crisis
Iranian drones and missiles struck the Emirates Global Aluminium plant in Abu Dhabi and Aluminium Bahrain, causing significant damage to two of the Middle East’s largest aluminum smelters. The attacks sent LME aluminum futures up 6% to $3,401 per ton...
Harvard Returns to Market with a $675 Million Bond Sale
Harvard University is pricing a $675 million tranche of unsecured general‑obligation revenue bonds, rated Aaa by Moody’s and AAA by S&P. The proceeds will fund campus construction, refinance 2016 bonds and repay commercial paper. The sale comes amid ongoing federal lawsuits,...
Jeffrey Sherman: Oil Price Causing Its Own Rate Hike | CNBC
Jeffrey Sherman of DoubleLine told CNBC that soaring oil prices are effectively creating a self‑inflicted rate hike, urging the Federal Reserve to look beyond commodity‑driven inflation and focus on labor‑market dynamics. He cautioned against aggressive cuts to the federal‑funds rate,...
The Guardian View on Trump’s Iran War: Escalation without End | Editorial
The Guardian editorial warns that Donald Trump’s fifth week of war against Iran lacks a coherent strategy, with U.S. strikes and Iranian missile attacks creating a stalemate. The closure of the Strait of Hormuz has driven oil prices above $80...
The Charts Show Semiconductor Stocks Are Vulnerable to a Big Pullback, Says Katie Stockton
Semiconductor stocks have been a bright spot this year, with the VanEck Semiconductor ETF (SMH) beating the S&P 500 by roughly 7 percentage points YTD. Technical analysis from Katie Stockton flags a nine‑month corrective phase, citing Tom DeMark’s TD Combo sell signals and...
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The Options Clearing Corporation (OCC) has finalized the cash‑in‑lieu amount for the adjusted Defiance Leveraged Long + Income MSTR ETF (MST) options, setting it at $14.24 per MST1 contract. The new deliverable consists of three MST shares plus the fixed cash payment,...
Flush With Cash, Universal Music Announces Share Buyback Plan
Universal Music Group announced a €500 million (≈ $575 million) share‑buyback, its first ever, signaling confidence in its strategy and long‑term growth. The programme follows a strong Q4 performance, with revenues of €3.605 billion (≈ $4.19 billion) and adjusted EBITDA of €810 million (≈ $942 million). Shares jumped over...
3 Stocks to Watch From the Booming Business Information Industry
The Business‑Information Services sector is accelerating as remote‑work adoption fuels demand for risk‑mitigation, cost‑reduction and productivity tools. Companies such as Iron Mountain, TransUnion and uCloudlink are posting solid metrics—IRM posted 8.8% organic storage‑rental growth, UCL generated $18.7 million in quarterly revenue...
These Four Stocks Flash Strength In Weak Market. One Is A Data Center Play.
Investor’s Business Daily’s screener highlights four stocks showing relative‑strength momentum despite a weak market. ESCO Technologies (ESE) is in a late‑stage flat base with a buy point near $291.31, while Riley Exploration Permian (REPX) approaches a $37.55 entry after a...
This Qualcomm Call Feels Like A Warning
Goldman Sachs initiated coverage of Qualcomm with a neutral rating and a $135 price target, citing progress in automotive, PCs and data centers but warning that its core smartphone business faces headwinds. The firm projects a 200‑basis‑point share loss to...
India Must Pursue Value-Driven Critical Minerals Diplomacy in Africa
The recent Strait of Hormuz disruption highlighted India’s vulnerability to energy chokepoints and underscored the need for a resilient critical‑minerals supply chain. A forthcoming CSEP paper proposes a value‑driven diplomacy with Africa, focusing on Zambia, Zimbabwe and Tanzania to secure...
Larry McMillan Stock Market Update Video 3/30/2026
Larry McMillan released a video update on March 30, 2026, outlining the current state of the U.S. stock market. He highlighted elevated volatility, persistent high‑interest rates, and the upcoming earnings season as key drivers. McMillan stressed the importance of disciplined...
All Eyes on the S&P 500 After Other Indexes Slip Into Correction Territory, Says NYSE Insider Jay Woods
After the Dow, Nasdaq and Russell 2000 slipped more than 10% from recent peaks, the S&P 500 sits just over 9% below its high, prompting market focus on a potential correction. NYSE insider Jay Woods highlighted two key technical thresholds—6,200, representing a...
Germany May Need Coal-Fired Power Plants Longer: Merz
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz warned that the country may need to keep existing coal‑fired power plants online longer than the 2038 phase‑out schedule if the energy crunch persists. He stressed that abandoning the target prematurely could jeopardise the reliability of industrial...
Abu Dhabi Power Play: L’Imad Emerges As $300 Billion Sovereign Force
Abu Dhabi has merged its state‑owned fund ADQ into the newly created sovereign wealth fund L Imad, boosting the latter’s assets to roughly $300 billion. The consolidation places the fund under the direct supervision of Crown Prince Sheikh Khaled bin Mohammed bin...
Coursera's Options Anomaly: A Big Bet on What's Next?
Coursera (NYSE: COUR) slid to $5.52, near its 52‑week low, as the stock fell 5.65% last week. Despite the weak price, call‑option volume exploded, rising roughly 1,591% above its daily average, suggesting a strong bullish bet from sophisticated traders. The...
BNP Paribas Buys Stakes in 4 Stocks via Block Deals; LG Electronics, Max Health & 2 More
BNP Paribas executed four block‑deal purchases on Indian exchanges, acquiring stakes in Siemens Energy India, GMR Airports, LG Electronics India and Max Healthcare Institute. The total outlay was roughly $20 million, with individual deals ranging from $3.7 million to $6.9 million. Despite the inflow...
Global Buyer Demand and Seller Supply Aggregation Platforms in Development
World Property Markets, a Miami‑based proptech firm, is building a dual AI‑driven platform that links global buyer demand with a borderless supply of real‑estate listings. The World Property Search engine will capture high‑intent buyer signals, while the upgraded Global Listings...
How the Dominican Republic Can Escape the ‘Middle-Income Trap’
The Dominican Republic has leveraged three decades of political stability and institutional continuity to transition from an agrarian economy to a diversified, open market that now grows at roughly 5% annually—well above the Latin American average. This steady growth has...
After Iran, Gold Is Looking Less Glittery
Gold’s allure as a safe‑haven asset is fading after recent geopolitical turbulence, notably the Iran situation, and a shift toward higher‑yielding investments. Unlike bonds or stocks, gold generates no cash flow, relying solely on price appreciation for returns. Rising real...
Will Trump Put Boots on the Ground in Iran? – The Latest
The United States has moved thousands of soldiers and Marines into the Middle East, signaling a shift toward a more forward‑deployed posture. Former President Donald Trump has reignited talk of a direct strike on Iran’s energy infrastructure, even suggesting seizure...