Amazon Is Rising While the Market Falls—Here’s Why
Amazon’s stock has rallied about 12% since mid‑February, outperforming a 5% decline in the S&P 500. Analysts have upgraded forecasts, with consensus price targets around $287, implying up to 35% upside. The company disclosed a $200 billion AI capital‑expenditure plan for 2026, sparking margin worries but also long‑term growth potential. Technical indicators now show bullish momentum as the share price stabilizes above the $200 support level.
Truist Trims PT on Veeva (VEEV) Following Strong Q4 Results
Veeva Systems reported strong Q4 results and billings that beat expectations, prompting analysts to adjust price targets while keeping Buy ratings. Truist lowered its target to $262 from $275, and TD Cowen cut its target to $300 from $380, citing the...
Mizuho Cites Booking (BKNG) As Top Internet Pick
Mizuho upgraded Booking Holdings to its top internet pick, replacing Airbnb, after OpenAI scaled back direct checkout plans in ChatGPT. Analysts set an average price target of $5,900, implying roughly a 30% upside, with 83% maintaining bullish views. The endorsement...
Morgan Stanley Revisits MercadoLibre (MELI) Amid Higher Logistics and Marketing Spending
Morgan Stanley kept an Overweight rating on MercadoLibre (MELI) but lowered its price target to $2,800, down from $2,950. The bank also cut its 2026 EBIT‑margin forecast to 10.1% from 11.5%, citing higher logistics and marketing expenditures. Management frames the...
Transcript: The Economic Fallout of the Iran War
The US‑Israeli strikes on Iran prompted Tehran to shut the Strait of Hormuz, cutting roughly a fifth of global oil flows and pushing Brent crude above $100 a barrel. The surge in oil and LNG prices is spilling into gasoline,...
Heineken Doubles Down on India, Eyes 'Biggest Untapped Beer Market'
Heineken announced it will intensify its focus on India, calling the country the world’s biggest untapped beer market. The brewer, which controls United Breweries and the Kingfisher brand, already commands close to 50% of Indian beer sales. It cites structural...
Thai Refiner Makes Rare Purchase of North Sea Crude
Thai refiners have secured a rare cargo of North Sea Forties crude, purchasing roughly 700,000 barrels from Trafigura for a late‑March shipment. This marks the first Thai acquisition of North Sea oil since Bloomberg began tracking in 2019, highlighting a...
Top Chinese Entrepreneurs Commit to Middle East Expansion Despite Iran War
Chinese tech magnates, including the founders of TCL and Xpeng, announced plans to double their outbound investment, targeting the Middle East and Latin America. The pledge comes as the US‑Israel conflict with Iran escalates and Washington intensifies pressure on Venezuela....
Boosting China-India Ties Should Be Pillar of Hong Kong’s Five-Year Plan
Hong Kong’s upcoming five‑year plan proposes making the Sino‑Indian partnership a strategic pillar. The proposal calls for extending visa‑free entry for Indian nationals, leveraging the Indian diaspora for scholarships and AI talent, and offering tax incentives to attract Indian firms...
Wall Street Drops, Set for Weekly Loss as War on Iran Fuels Inflation Worries
Wall Street closed lower on Friday, with the Dow, S&P 500 and Nasdaq all in the red, putting the week on a negative trajectory. The decline was driven by heightened tensions in the war on Iran, which pushed crude oil above...
Solar Panels and EVs: A Smart Investment or Just Panic Buying?
Rising fuel prices in the Philippines have sparked a surge in consumer interest for electric vehicles and rooftop solar installations. Experts caution that the rush is driven more by panic than sound financial analysis, emphasizing that true value lies in...
These 4 Cybersecurity Stocks Are Wall Street’s Favorite AI-Proof Plays
Wall Street is betting on cybersecurity firms as AI agents expand enterprise traffic. Analysts highlight CrowdStrike, Palo Alto Networks, Cloudflare and Okta as the top AI‑proof plays, citing strong platform capabilities and favorable valuation metrics. The iShares Cybersecurity ETF outperformed...
U.S. Officials Have Discussed Trading Oil Futures, Burgum Says
U.S. officials, including Interior Secretary Doug Burgum, confirmed that the Trump administration has discussed using oil futures contracts to temper soaring crude prices amid the escalating Iran‑Israel conflict. While the idea was explored, Burgum said no concrete market intervention has...
Brent Tops $103 as Traders Shun Risk Before Weekend
Brent crude futures climbed above $103 a barrel on Friday, extending their run into triple‑digit levels. The rally was driven by traders’ concerns over a potential prolonged disruption of Gulf oil supplies amid the ongoing regional conflict. Simultaneously, several governments...
European Power Prices Held Hostage to High Gas Costs
European power markets are experiencing a sharp price surge as gas costs climb sharply following the outbreak of war in the Middle East. Major gas hubs across Europe have seen prices more than double, pushing gas‑fired electricity tariffs to roughly...
Centre Flags War Risk to Thai Growth
The Center for Economic and Business Forecasting at UTCC outlined three Middle‑East war scenarios, estimating that a prolonged, wide‑scale conflict could shave 2.31 percentage points off Thailand’s GDP. In the worst case, energy‑cost burdens would rise above 200 billion baht, exports could...
BOJ Seen Waiting Till April for Rate Hike Amid Iran War Turbulence
The Bank of Japan is expected to keep its policy rate at 0.75% at the March 2026 meeting, postponing any hike until at least April. Market participants cite heightened volatility from the Iran‑Israel conflict and surging energy prices as key...
Video: Mar. 13, 2026, Economic and Housing Market Update
The Senate passed the 21st Century Road to Housing Act, targeting increased supply and tighter rules on institutional investors. Inflation eased to 2.4% in February, prompting the Federal Reserve to likely hold rates at its March meeting, while mortgage rates rose...
#58540
Effective March 13, 2026, the National Securities Clearing Corporation will no longer accept exercise and assignment activity for ClearSign Technologies Corp. (CLIR) options, forcing all such transactions to settle on a broker‑to‑broker basis through the Options Clearing Corporation. The OCC...
NPCG Closes Sale of Windsor Locks Apartments in Rebounding Hartford Market
Northeast Private Client Group closed a $4.375 million sale of 21 Spring St., a 31‑unit multifamily building in Windsor Locks, Connecticut. The buyer and seller were not disclosed, and NPCG’s investment VPs represented the seller and sourced the buyer. The property, known as...
US Warned of China Rare Earth Curbs if Section 301 Tariffs Expand
The U.S. Trade Representative announced Section 301 investigations into 16 countries, including China, and separate probes into 60 economies over forced‑labor concerns. In response, Chinese officials warned they could reinstate rare‑earth export restrictions and halt soybean purchases if Washington proceeds with...
IYM: A Solid ETF To Capitalize On Gases, Gold, Copper, Other Materials' Blistering Upside
Analyst Komal Sarwar initiates coverage of the iShares US Basic Materials ETF (IYM) with a buy rating, highlighting its 35% total return over the past twelve months. The fund’s targeted exposure to industrial gases, gold, copper and other metals drives outperformance versus peers such...
The Best 3 Consumer Staples Stocks to Buy and Hold for Decades
Consumer staples represent just 5.3% of the S&P 500 but offer defensive characteristics such as low volatility and above‑average dividend yields. The article highlights three buy‑and‑hold candidates: Coca‑Cola Consolidated, Coca‑Cola Europacific Partners, and Keurig Dr Pepper. Both Coca‑Cola bottlers benefit from...
Will US LNG Exporters Defer Maintenance to Free Up Supply?
U.S. liquefied natural gas (LNG) exporters are considering postponing scheduled maintenance to increase available cargoes amid a tightening global gas market caused by the Middle East conflict. Current export terminals are operating near peak capacity, leaving little slack for unexpected...
Financial Services Roundup: Market Talk
European bank credit default swap (CDS) spreads rose as risk‑off sentiment intensified amid the ongoing Middle East war, according to Swissquote analyst Ipek Ozkardeskaya. The iTraxx Europe Senior Financial index climbed 2 basis points to 69 bps, while the sub‑financials index...
Morningstar DBRS Confirms the Kingdom of Norway at AAA, Stable Trend
Morningstar DBRS confirmed Norway’s long‑term sovereign ratings at AAA for both foreign and local currency on March 13, 2026, while its short‑term ratings were affirmed at R‑1 (high). All four ratings retained a stable trend, indicating no change in outlook....
Morningstar DBRS Confirms Republic of Ireland at AA, Stable Trend
Morningstar DBRS reaffirmed Ireland’s long‑term sovereign rating at AA with a stable outlook, and its short‑term rating at R‑1 (high). The agency highlighted a 4.9% rise in real modified domestic demand and a 12.3% surge in real GDP in 2025,...
What Happens at $200 a Barrel?
Economists warn that a sustained $200 per barrel WTI price would trigger a systemic shock to the U.S. economy. At that level, gasoline could top $7 per gallon, eroding over $400 billion in discretionary consumer spending and deepening energy poverty. The...
Hawley Questions Top Fertilizer Companies on Price Spikes
Senator Josh Hawley sent letters to the five largest U.S. fertilizer producers—CF Industries, Mosaic, Koch Fertilizer, Nutrien and Yara—demanding an explanation for a sharp two‑week price surge. He warned that any exploitation of the Iran conflict to justify higher prices...
How Advisers, Pre-Retirees Can Resist Volatility-Inspired Trades
Financial advisers are increasingly worried about U.S. fiscal policy and geopolitics, prompting a stronger emphasis on long‑term vehicles such as target‑date funds (TDFs), which grew 20.3% in 2025 to $4.8 trillion and now represent roughly 40‑50% of defined‑contribution allocations. Research shows...
Here's How Much $100 Invested In United States Oil Fund 5 Years Ago Would Be Worth Today
The United States Oil Fund (USO) posted an average annual return of 22.29% over the past five years, outpacing the broader market by 11.45% on an annualized basis. Its market capitalization now sits at $1.88 billion. A $100 stake made five...
Is a Transcontinental Highway the Key to Unlocking Trade in Latin America?
The Inter‑American Development Bank is backing the Bi‑Oceanic Corridor—a 2,300‑mile road and rail link from Brazil to Chile—with a $200 million loan for the critical Paraguay segment. The corridor, slated for completion in late 2026, promises to shave roughly two‑and‑a‑half weeks off...
Home Equity Dips $78.8B as Appreciation Weakens
Home equity fell $78.8 billion in Q4 2025, a 0.5 % year‑over‑year decline, marking the second consecutive quarter of losses. The average homeowner lost $8,500 of equity, reducing total accumulated equity to about $295,000 per borrower. Slower price appreciation—annual gains of only...
PEY: Weighing High Dividend Yield And High Quality Earnings
PEY, Invesco’s High Yield Equity Dividend Achievers ETF, delivers a high dividend yield and sector‑diversified exposure, appealing to value‑focused investors amid prolonged growth‑stock premiums. The fund trades at a 14.35× price‑to‑earnings multiple, reflecting a discount but its yield‑centric screening sacrifices...
Here’s a Rare Chance to Invest Before Big Stock-Index Funds and Wall Street Dive In
FTSE Russell plans to reclassify Vietnam from a frontier market to the secondary‑emerging category, a move that will trigger substantial index‑fund inflows. Analysts estimate up to $5 billion could be redirected into Vietnamese equities once the change is implemented in September. Retail...
An Impact-First Strategy That Reimagines the Global Core
The Adasina Social Justice All‑Cap Global ETF (JSTC) launches as an impact‑first product that prioritizes community‑sourced social‑justice metrics over traditional ESG scores. It mandates at least 40% non‑U.S. exposure, holds more than 600 diversified stocks, and keeps its top‑10 holdings...
LISTEN: Who’s Buying Rent-Stabilized Buildings?
New York’s 2019 Housing Stability and Tenant Protection Act capped rent increases on rent‑stabilized buildings, turning them from value‑add opportunities into income‑only assets. As a result, institutional investors and private‑equity firms have largely exited, leaving local families as the primary...
Triad Wealth CIO: We Want to Introduce More Cyclicality in Our Models
Triad Wealth Partners, an institutional RIA founded in 2023, has scaled to over $1 billion in assets under management while focusing on mass‑affluent investors. The firm’s CIO Brent Coggins says the firm is tweaking its model portfolios to add more cyclicality...
Markets End Another Week Down—Dropping Over 1%—As Oil Still Above $100 Amid Iran War
U.S. equity markets closed the week in the red, with all three major indexes falling at least 1.3% as the United States and Israel escalated their conflict with Iran. The Dow Jones Industrial Average led the declines, slipping nearly 2%...
How Paying Off Your Mortgage Early Can Affect Your Taxes
Paying off a mortgage early eliminates interest payments but also removes the mortgage interest deduction, potentially increasing taxable income. Homeowners must weigh the loss of that deduction against the interest savings, especially if they currently itemize. Property tax deductions remain,...
Sky-High Oil Prices Are About to Hit Puerto Rico’s Grid
The ongoing Iran‑Israel conflict has effectively closed the Strait of Hormuz, pushing global crude to around $100 a barrel. Puerto Rico, which generates roughly 60 % of its electricity from aging oil‑fired plants, will see its regulated power rates rise when...
UPRO: Use Leverage To Reduce Risk, Here's How
USP500 fell about 4 % from recent peaks amid geopolitical tension and persistent inflation. ProShares UltraPro S&P 500 (UPRO) delivers three‑times the index’s daily return, magnifying both gains and losses. The ETF is positioned as a short‑term tactical tool that can boost...
EXCLUSIVE: Cyprus Acts as a “Third Force” In EU Sanctions Extension Vote
Cyprus, currently holding the EU presidency, has moved from a neutral position to actively opposing the removal of sanctions on Russian billionaire Alisher Usmanov, citing historic disputes with Turkey. The shift follows a letter from Turkish President Recep Erdoğan to Slovak...
U.S. Debt Is Like a Hallmark Movie Boyfriend Who Eventually Gets Dumped for a Small Town Firefighter, Budget Watchdog Warns
U.S. publicly held debt has ballooned to roughly the size of the nation’s GDP and is set to surpass the post‑World War II record as baby‑boomers retire and entitlement spending climbs. Yale Budget Lab’s Martha Gimbel warned that investors currently accept...
Exelon Powers Up As Defense Stock Hits New High
Exelon’s stock surged to $50.94, a peak not seen since April 2022, after the utility reported an 8% drop in fourth‑quarter earnings despite beating analyst estimates. The company’s full‑year 2026 profit is projected to rise modestly 3%, with a stronger 7%...
Long-Term Stock Investments: Tax Rules and Growth
The article outlines how long‑term stock investing leverages lower capital‑gains taxes, compounding returns, and reduced trading costs to build wealth. Holding assets for more than a year qualifies gains for 0‑15‑20 % rates versus higher ordinary‑income taxes, and a 7 % annual...
Asian Buyers Eye Floating Russian Barrels After US Waiver
On Thursday, the U.S. Treasury issued a one‑month waiver permitting the sale and purchase of Russian crude and refined products stored on floating vessels. The exemption, intended to alleviate market bottlenecks, sparked immediate criticism from European officials who argue it...
The IRS May Owe You Money From the Pandemic Years—But You Have to Claim It
A February 2025 U.S. Court of Federal Claims ruling in Kwong v. United States broadened the interpretation of IRC Section 7508A, extending tax filing, payment and refund deadlines to July 11, 2023. The decision means the IRS may have improperly...
Mississippi's Outlook Revised up to Stable by S&P
S&P Global Ratings lifted Mississippi’s general‑obligation bond outlook to stable from negative and reaffirmed its AA rating, citing structurally balanced budgets and healthier reserves. The state posted an 8% revenue surplus in fiscal 2025 and its cash‑stabilization reserve reached $667 million,...
Trump Account Tax Benefit: Here’s What Tax Pros Need to Know About the New IRS Guidance
The IRS and Treasury issued proposed regulations outlining the new Trump account, a child‑focused, tax‑advantaged retirement vehicle created by the One Big Beautiful Bill Act. Eligible newborns born between 2025 and 2028 receive a one‑time $1,000 federal pilot contribution, and...