Stock Market Live September 30: S&P 500 (VOO) Ascent Pauses as Investors Await Shutdown

2025-10-15 06:05:12 By Jane Brown

Key Points

  • Start the shutdown clock. Absent Congressional action, the US government will shut down in less than 15 hours.
  • The Department of Labor will stop issuing jobs reports if that happens. Speaking of which, Paychex just reported strong earnings as it begins its fiscal 2026.
  • Are you ahead, or behind on retirement? SmartAsset’s free tool can match you with a financial advisor in minutes to help you answer that today. Each advisor has been carefully vetted, and must act in your best interests. Don’t waste another minute; get started by clicking here.(Sponsor)

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Tuesday Wrap-up

Sep 30, 2025 4:15 PM

Live The Vanguard S&P 500 ETF closed Tuesday at 612.36, up 0.4%.

Freeport Upgraded

Sep 30, 2025 11:46 AM

Live

BofA analyst Lawson Winder upgraded S&P 500 component companyFreeport-McMoRan(NYSE: FCX) to buy with an unchanged price target of $42 this morning.

Winder came away from a meeting with Freeport CEO Kathleen Quirk feeling increasingly confident that key risks to the stock are already priced in, and says there’s now less downside risk. In particular, the analyst says estimates to repair the company’s Grasberg mine look “conservative,” and the cost could be lower than projected.

Freeport stock is up 2.6% on the upgrade. The Voo however is now down 0.2%.

Pfizer's Prices Will Drop -- and Pfizer Stock Rises

Sep 30, 2025 10:43 AM

Live

The Washington Post is reporting that the Trump Administration has struck a deal withPfizer (NYSE: PFE), whereby the drugs giant will sell medicine through Medicaid at reduced prices. The President signed an executive order in May ordering the government to negotiate lower prices — or impose them.

Pfizer is a component of the S&P 500. Despite the likely hit to profits, its stock is up 2.3%.

Celsius is Cool Again

Sep 30, 2025 10:05 AM

Live

Morgan Stanley analyst Eric Serotta upgraded energy drink-makerCelsius Holdings (Nasdaq: CELH) to overweight with a $70 price target.

“Brand Celsius has returned to growth following last year’s share slowdown, and we expect further improvement, with much easier comps from December through early June,” said the analyst. Furthermore, Alani sales, which account for 40% of Celsius’s total sales, “remain robust ahead of the December 1 transition to the Pepsi system, which should accelerate growth for the brand. We expect both brands to benefit from improved alignment with PEP.”

Half an hour into the day’s trading, Celsius stock is up more than 3%. The Voo is still down 0.1%.

This article will be updated throughout the day, so check back often for more daily updates.

It’s Tuesday, September 30 — and the U.S. government is about to run out of money.

Unless Congress passes a new continuing resolution by the end of the day, the government will “shut down” at midnight, causing turmoil in the economy. Not the smallest threat, President Trump has threatened to fire a certain number of federal workers if a shutdown happened, adding to unemployment. Investors are holding their breath waiting to see what happens, and theVanguard S&P 500 ETF(NYSEMKT: VOO) is retreating 0.1% premarket.

Adding to the uncertainty, CNBC reports this morning that if a shutdown does happen, the government will cease issuing certain data that investors depend upon to gauge the health of the economy, Friday’s scheduled payrolls report for September, for example. And of course, the absence of jobs reports will make it harder to calculate unemployment trends and, by extension, gauge the likelihood of a second Federal Reserve interest rates cut in October.

Long story short, the market hates uncertainty, and things could get a whole lot less certain really, really soon.

Earnings

In earnings news,United Natural Foods(Nasdaq: UNFI) beat earnings by a nickel this morning, reporting a fiscal Q4 2025 loss of $0.11 per share where analysts were expecting a 16-cent loss. Revenue was also better than expected at $7.7 billion.

Rounding out the good news, United Natural Foods forecast fiscal 2026 earnings per share of $1.50-$2.30, versus the consensus of $1.46. Good earnings news plus good guidance has United Natural Foods stock trading up nearly 6% this morning.

Payroll processorPaychex(Nasdaq: PAYX) also reported earnings this morning, beating by two cents with a $1.22 per share fiscal Q1 2026 profit. Revenue matched analyst forecasts at $1.54. Paychex forecast adjusted earnings growth between 9% and 11% this year, and investors seem disappointed with that number, though.

Paychex stock is down more than 5% premarket.

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Wall Street Insiders Are Loading Up on These 3 Stocks

-->-->Key PointsInsiders have been buying these three stocks recently.The volume and the number of buys are unusually high.The management of these companies likely see more upside ahead.Are you ahead, or behind on retirement? SmartAsset’s free tool can match you with a financial advisor in minutes to help you answer that today. Each advisor has been carefully vetted, and must act in your best interests. Don’t waste another minute; learn more here.(Sponsor)-->-->People don’t like to throw money into a sinking ship, and by that logic, insider buys in Wall Street can be an easy way to gauge how well a company might do in the coming quarters. An “insider buy” is the legal purchase of a company’s stock by its own executives, directors, or major shareholders.These buys are considered legal if they areproperly disclosed to the Securities and Exchange Commission. The public can freely view these insider trades. Research shows that insider purchase patterns are often good signals for buying and selling, with stocks that have insider buying outperforming the overall market by 6% to 10.2% per year.As such, it pays to look into stocks with a high number of insider buys. Here are three such stocks:Scholar Rock Holding (SRRK)Loading stock data...Scholar Rock (NASDAQ:SRRK)is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company for diseases where protein growth factors play a central role. It does not yet have commercial products. It generates revenue primarily through collaboration and licensing agreements with larger pharmaceutical partners.The company’s Director Srinivas Akkaraju made three buys of the stock in early October, all filed this Tuesday. His first buy was worth $14.44 million, followed by two more worth $697.71k and $3.67 million, respectively. He is a non-employee director but has deep biotech credentials.This is a very strong vote of confidence, as previous insider trades have been planned and pre-announced sales from other officers and directors.The likely rationale comes from Phase 3 SAPPHIRE data showing apitegromab improved motor milestones in a statistically significant way. Approval is possible in both Europe and the U.S. next year.This could push the stock up even higher.CarMax (KMX)Loading stock data...CarMax (NYSE:KMX)is America’s largest used-car retailer.It operates CarMax Sales Operations and CarMax Auto Finance (CAF). The company also wholesales trade-ins via on-site auctions, sells extended-service plans, and performs reconditioning and repair work.KMX stock has been in a rather sorry state since 2021. It went through a significant decline from late 2021 to late 2022 that more than halved KMX’s value. It was on a sustained recovery from then to early 2025.This year, it has again entered into a second phase of selloffs, with the stock down 45% year-to-date.Insiders are betting against the trend. Director Oneil Mark F bought $499.81k worth of shares on the 2nd of October. The same day, Director Steenrod Mitchell D bought $91.14k worth of shares.Earlier this year, CarMax withdrew its long-term unit-growth algorithm, “citing a lack of clarity,” which the Street read as “we don’t know how low this cycle goes.”But these insider buys show that management sees light at the end of the tunnelInventories have come down from $3.94 billion at the start of the year to $3.15 billion in the most recent quarter. Plus, the Federal Reserve’s rate cut in September and two more planned rate cuts this year can give the company a surprisingly fast snap-back in 2026-27.If you can tolerate 6 to 12 months of choppy numbers, the risk is worth the eventual payoff.Sportsman’s Warehouse (SPWH)Loading stock data...Sportsman’s Warehouse Holdings (NASDAQ:SPWH)is a specialty retailer focused on outdoor recreation gear. The company operates a chain of stores across the United States offering a one-stop shopping experience for hunting, fishing, camping, and shooting enthusiasts.There has been a flurry of insider buying activity in the past week. Director Mcbee Richard D bought $61.75k of the stock on October 2, along with CEO Stone Paul buying $20.42k of the stock. The next day, Paul bought $167.94k more, with Director Tucci Michael D joining in by buying $140.5k worth of SPWH.The insiders seem to be betting that the worst of the margin squeeze and liquidity scare is behind SPWH, the new merchandising strategy is taking hold, and the shares discount an outcome far worse than they now expect.The stock seems to have bottomed and is up 219% from its trough. It is a penny stock, so multibagger returns are possible if management can keep executing.If You’ve Been Thinking About Retirement, Pay Attention (sponsor)Retirement planning doesn’t have to feel overwhelming. The key is finding expert guidance, and SmartAsset’s simple quiz makes it easier than ever for you to connect with a vetted financial advisor. Here’s how:Answer a Few Simple Questions. Get Matched with Vetted Advisors Choose Your  Fit Why wait? Start building the retirement you’ve always dreamed of.Get started today! (sponsor)

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Should You Buy META Stock Now?

-->Key PointsAI is turning out to be Meta’s Platforms’ Golden Goose.META stock has plateaued in recent months, but financials haven’t.Here’s what can start the rally back on.It sounds nuts, but SoFi is giving new active invest users up to $1k in stock, see for yourself (Sponsor)-->-->Meta Platforms (NASDAQ:META)has had a terrific past few years, and the company has found what it was missing the most: growth. In 2022, META stock was down 76% from its peak at one point. Back then, the problem seemed too big to solve.Zuckerberg was pouring money into the Reality Labs segment, thinking the Metaverse would be the future. This cash came from the profitable “Family of Apps” segment, which itself was seeing waning growth, with monthly active users growth turning negative.Analysts believed Facebook was on its way out, as the older demographic used it the most, with younger people turning to TikTok and Snapchat. And with Reality Labs turning out to be a money pit, META stock kept declining in 2022.META stock auspiciously started recovering right as ChatGPT was first released in November 2022. The company’s fortunes quickly followed suit, as Zuckerberg dumped cash into AI instead of Reality Labs. And this time, Wall Street loved it.META stock is up over 680% from that $90 low back in November 2022.But the question is, how long can the momentum keep going?Loading stock data...Stellar Q2 earnings will likely carry over positive momentum to Q3Meta’s July 30 release of Q2 2025 metrics was the kind of beat-and-raise that reminds investors why the stock has tripled in two years. Revenue came in at $47.5 billion, up 22% year-over-year and a full $2.8 billion ahead of the consensus that had already been nudged higher through the spring.Ad impressions rose 11% and the average price per ad rose 9%. Margins are also on an uptrend, and even Reality Labs narrowed its loss to $4.5 billion. In fact, Ray-Ban Meta glasses may find a new niche, as paired up with AI and a digital display, these are becoming extremely powerful devices.Management guided Q3 revenue to $47.5-50.5 billion, the midpoint of which implies 20% year-over-year growth. Analysts have coalesced around $6.62 in Q3 EPS, but that number has been creeping higher, and several desks have begun to model something closer to $7 on the back of still-robust ad checks and a weaker dollar.The buy-side whisper is that guidance could again prove conservative.And in turn, META stock may soar another leg up.Should you buy or sell META stock today?The narrative has shifted from “Can Zuckerberg stop the bleeding?” to “How big can the AI moat become?” A recent $14.2 billion infrastructure partnership withCoreWeave (NASDAQ:CRWV)will boost its AI cluster significantly. AI is already leading to an ad boom, and the assistant has crossed 1 billion active users according to Meta.You’re paying 25.7 times earnings for META stock today. If you strip out the extra net cash, the earnings multiple rounds to 25 times. This is rather inexpensive for a tech company expected to grow revenue at ~16% annually in the coming years. EPS is also expected to grow by ~11.6% due to AI investments, but it is still impressive for a mature company like Meta.Unless October 29’s call guide dramatically disappoints, momentum from the June quarter should carry straight into the holiday period and set up another beat-and-raise cadence for 2026.The average price target of $853 already implies 20.2% upside potential from here. The highest price target is $1.1k, which it is likely to hit next year if AI continues to boost financials.And even if Meta Platforms does not beat analyst estimates in the coming quarters, it should still perform well. If Meta meets analyst estimates and Wall Street holds the multiple, the gains will be satisfactory.As such, buying makes much more sense. I expect Q3 to go well and restart the rally for META stock later this month.Want Up To $1,000? SoFi Is Giving New Active Invest Users up to $1k in StockLooking to grow your money but unsure where to begin? SoFi Active Invest is offering a limited-time promotion—open an account, fund it with $50 or more, and you could receive up to $1,000 in complimentary stock for Active Invest accounts.From $0 commission trading to fractional shares and automated investing, this app is designed to simplify investing for everyone, whether you’re just starting or already experienced. Its easy to sign up and secure your bonus.(sponsor)DISCLOSURE:INVESTMENTS ARE NOT FDIC INSURED • ARE NOT BANK GUARANTEED • MAY LOSE VALUEBrokerage and Active investing products offered through SoFi Securities LLC, member FINRA(www.finra.org)/SIPC(www.sipc.org).Advisory services are offered by SoFi Wealth LLC, an SEC-registered investment adviser. Information about SoFi Wealth’s advisory operations, services, and fees is set forth in SoFi Wealth’s current Form ADV Part 2 (Brochure), a copy of which is available upon request and at www.adviserinfo.sec.gov.Probability of Member receiving $1,000 is a probability of 0.026%; If you don’t make a selection in 30 days, you’ll no longer qualify for the promo. Customer must fund their account with a minimum of $50.00 to qualify.Other fees, such as exchange fees, may apply. Please view our fee disclosure to view a full listing of fees.Investing in alternative investments and/or strategies may not be suitable for all investors and involves unique risks, including the risk of loss. An investor should consider their individual circumstances and any investment information, such as a prospectus, prior to investing. Interval Funds are illiquid instruments, the ability to trade on your timeline may be restricted. Brokerage and Active investing products offered through SoFi Securities LLC, Member FINRA(www.finra.org) /SIPC(www.sipc.org).There are limitations with fractional shares to consider before investing. During market hours fractional share orders are transmitted immediately in the order received. There may be system delays from receipt of your order until execution and market conditions may adversely impact execution prices. Outside of market hours orders are received on a not held basis and will be aggregated for each security then executed in the morning trade window of the next business day at market open. Share will be delivered at an average price received for executing the securities through a single batched order. Fractional shares may not be transferred to another firm. Fractional shares will be sold when a transfer or closure request is initiated. Please consider that selling securities is a taxable event.Options involve risks, including substantial risk of loss and the possibility an investor may lose the entire investment Before trading options please review the Characteristics and Risks of Standardized Options [HYPERLINK: https://www.theocc.com/getmedia/a151a9ae-d784-4a15-bdeb-23a029f50b70/riskstoc.pdfInvesting in an Initial Public Offering (IPO) involves substantial risk, including the risk of loss. Further, there are a variety of risk factors to consider when investing in an IPO, including but not limited to, unproven management, significant debt, and lack of operating history. For a comprehensive discussion of these risks please refer to SoFi Securities’ IPO Risk Disclosure Statement [HYPERLINK https://www.sofi.com/iporisk/]. This should not be considered a recommendation to participate in IPOs and investors should carefully read the offering prospectus to determine whether an offering is consistent with their investment objectives, risk tolerance, and financial situation. New offerings generally have high demand and there are a limited number of shares available for distribution to participants. Many customers may not be allocated shares and share allocations may be significantly smaller than the shares requested in the customer’s initial offer (Indication of Interest). For more information on the allocation process please visit IPO Allocation [HYPERLINK https://support.sofi.com/hc/en-us/articles/360058602892-How-does-SoFi-allocate-IPO-shares].

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Prediction: These 2 Stocks Will Split in 2026

It can be pretty tough to predict when the next share split will be for any given name. Undoubtedly, some stocks can continue flying into the high hundreds and even settle into the thousands for many years at a time. And while stock splits are great for accessibility, I do think that with the rise of partial share purchases that stock splits are becoming less of a critical factor for managers.Arguably, letting a stock run its course into the three- or four-figures may be a trait that separates a stock from the pack. Either way, in this piece, we’ll look at some stock-split candidates that have a relatively decent chance of making an announcement. Of course, only time will tell when the following names, which trade in the four figures, will finally make an announcement that’d be sure to get the smaller retail crowd more interested in stepping in as a buyer.While I wouldn’t get my hopes up for a split in the following names, I do think that they’re long overdue for a big announcement, if not next year, perhaps within the next three years, especially if they continue to appreciate further into the four figures.-->-->Key PointsIf there are stocks that are in need of a split, it’s NFLX and MELI, in my opinion.Both NFLX and MELI look poised to soar further, making them worthy stock-split candidates going into 2026.Are you ahead, or behind on retirement? SmartAsset’s free tool can match you with a financial advisor in minutes to help you answer that today. Each advisor has been carefully vetted, and must act in your best interests. Don’t waste another minute; learn more here.(Sponsor)-->-->NetflixNetflix(NASDAQ:NFLX) stock hasn’t been in the four-figure zone for very long. And it might dip below $1,000 per share in the coming weeks and months if Elon Musk’s calls for Netflix subscription cancellations pave the way for a rough quarter. I think the selling pressure is now a bit overdone, and I think investors are underestimating the company’s ability to enhance its content library and margins with a bit of help from generative AI. Indeed, Sora 2 is here, and it’s taken the world by storm. While Netflix hasn’t quite made a massive splash in generative AI content quite yet, I do think that it’s worth thinking about the possibilities today, especially as models like Sora get better by the year. Looking ahead to 2026, Netflix is poised to use AI to help generate ads. If effective, the ad-based tier might be in for a massive boost.Of course, there will always be a place for human stories, but in a decade or so, I wouldn’t be surprised if AI were to augment and automate more aspects of content production. In any case, I also envision a scenario where the rise of AI could lower the barriers to producing original content. As such, Netflix will need to stay on its toes to retain the streaming crown.Either way, I think the name is long overdue for a split. Perhaps a 10-to-1 split would make the name more of a household name among beginning investors who might be a bit off-put if they don’t have the proceeds to pick up a single share.MercadoLibreMercadoLibre(NASDAQ:MELI) stock has been gaining traction, now up 74% in two years. The Latin American e-commerce firm is continuing to grow at a comfortable double-digit pace. And with the financial technology segment pulling more than its fair share of weight, it doesn’t look like the growth is about to slow anytime soon, even amid macro pressures.As the stock continues its ascent, shares look to be getting further out of the reach of everyday retail investors. Today, shares go for over $2,100 per share, making a single share quite a hefty investment for a lot of people. Though time will tell, I do think the firm could attract a lot of young market newcomers if it were to move ahead with a 20-to-1 stock split.Will a big split happen in 2026? I hope it does. However, I also wouldn’t be too surprised if management would rather keep things as they are, so that the name can reach the $3,000 mark, a milestone that not many stocks reach these days!If You have $500,000 Saved, Retirement Could Be Closer Than You Think (sponsor)Retirement can be daunting, but it doesn’t need to be.Imagine having an expert in your corner to help you with your financial goals. Someone to help you determine if you’re ahead, behind, or right on track. With SmartAsset, that’s not just a dream—it’s reality. This free tool connects you with pre-screened financial advisors who work in your best interests. It’s quick, it’s easy, so take the leap today and start planning smarter!Don’t waste another minute; get started right here and help your retirement dreams become a retirement reality.(sponsor)

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Nvidia (NVDA) Investors Are Playing With Fire

-->-->Key PointsDoug McIntyre argues that Nvidia and AMD are overvalued, claiming their relationships with OpenAI—where Nvidia invests in OpenAI and OpenAI buys Nvidia’s chips—amount to questionable “revenue recognition” that could trigger scrutiny from regulators.Doug and Lee Jackson compare the situation to practices from the dot-com era, suggesting that today’s inflated AI valuations and circular investments resemble the “funny money” that fueled the early 2000s tech bubble.Both hosts warn that if the Financial Accounting Standards Board or the SEC challenges these accounting practices, it could lead to a significant market correction, particularly within the AI and semiconductor sectors.Are you ahead, or behind on retirement? SmartAsset’s free tool can match you with a financial advisor in minutes to help you answer that today. Each advisor has been carefully vetted, and must act in your best interests. Don’t waste another minute; learn more here.(Sponsor)-->-->Video Playerhttps://videos.247wallst.com/247wallst.com/2025/10/Nvidia.mp400:0000:0005:23Use Up/Down Arrow keys to increase or decrease volume.Can it be that Nvidia is being extremely overvalued? In a recent podcast, Doug McIntyre discussed why he believes questionable financial arrangements could eventually catch up to them. Doug argues that by investing in OpenAI while openAI in turn buys Nvidia chips, a relationship between the two companies is artificially boosting revenue and misrepresenting the company’s financial health. Doug cites a Wall Street Journal report noting that OpenAI received warrants for up to $160 million AMD shares at just one cent per share, calling the deal “bogus” and potentially in violation of accounting standards. He says he has written to both the Financial Accounting Standards Board and the SEC, arguing that these transactions amount to “buying revenue.” Doug and Lee compare the situation to the early 2000s dot-com bubble, when companies inflated value through creative accounting and inter-company deals and express serious doubts that OpenAI’s valuation rivals ExxonMobil’s. Doug warns that if regulators challenge this behavior, it could spark a major correction similar to the 2001–2002 Nasdaq crash. Lee agrees, adding that money is simply being cycled between tech firms rather than generated through genuine business growth.Doug McIntyre:Lee, I think the value of Nvidia is overstated by maybe double AMD about the same. And here’s why. And I’ve seen some analysts write about this. This isn’t me just, you know, going off like a nut. It is not okay for Nvidia to invest money in OpenAI and for OpenAI to buy chips from them. Now I’m gonna read you the latest of these, because to me this one is maybe the, it looks like a good arrangement though. Listen to this. This is from the Wall Street Journal. Okay. OpenAI will receive warrants for up to $160 million AMD shares. Roughly 10% of the chip company or 1 cent a share.Lee Jackson:That’s a good deal.Doug McIntyre:Are there some bogies they have to hit? Yes, but I listen, I wrote just a few minutes ago to the Financial Accounting Standards Board, to their chairman and to the chairman of the SEC. I’m not the only person who thinks that this is bogus. This is basically buying revenue, you know, some of it balance sheet transaction, you know, if you look at. If you look over the p and l and the balance sheet and you put those down, you say, what’s the relationship between these two things? I’m telling you right now that that revenue recognition is bogus. And if the Financial Accounting Standards Board or the SEC says what I just said, the price, forget Nvidia’’s $4 trillion valuation. You can just watch that go down by half. Can watch AMD fall apart, you know, they can get away with it over at OpenAI because you know, the valuation’s a joke. It’s $500 billion.Lee Jackson:The OpenAI is ridiculous.Doug McIntyre:It’s the same as Exxon. It’s the same as Exxon. Can you believe it’s the same as Exxon? Seriously?Lee Jackson:No, I can’t because Exxon’s a gigantic corporation that prints money.Doug McIntyre:So, if you said to me right now what will cause a stock market collapse, what will cause a 2001, 2002 cratering? When you and I remember this, the NASDAQ dropped. NAS dropped 78% from the peak to the trough, 78%. Are we gonna get a, a correction that size? Probably not. Are we gonna get a real, real, real correction? Mostly because of this bogus revenue? You know, back then it was companies running outta money. That’s fine. Now it’s, it’s the questionability of revenue.Lee Jackson:And that’s a lot bigger than just. And that’s really not having any revenue. It really is because it’s almost like it’s manufactured. Again, OpenAI doesn’t make any money. They just have a huge valuation. They keep getting money poured into them, which is how they buy chips, you know, for chat and all that. But it’s like, isn’t there a point when, when this is kinda like funny money and it’s not really kosher?Doug McIntyre:I don’t know if you remember this. But it used to be that when you were a partner with AOL, they would invest in your company and then you would buy traffic from them. So it, listen, this is, I don’t wanna say that this is like the internet bubble. It’s not, but the practices here, I don’t like.Lee Jackson:Yeah, and somebody’s gonna have to address this because it just can’t, you know, you can’t continue to build these gigantic companies on money that’s really just shifted back and forth, you know? It’s, it’s, it’s just and, and granted, Nvidia has other clients and, and other people buying their chips, but they’re investing in a lot of other companies. So it, it, it’s gonna be interesting to see how this plays out.Doug McIntyre:I’ll leave people with this thought. General Motors invests in Avis, and Avis buys a bunch of GM cars, right? I want to tell everybody right now, these transactions are very similar to what I just described. Keep an eye on us. Keep an eye on the newspapers. This, this, what we’re talking about right now. This debate is just starting and it’s gonna be settled by the government. Or the Financial Accounting Standards Board. If you had to say, who will render the first opinion on this? They are the ones, and they are basically, when it comes to accounting, they’re the only store in town.Lee Jackson:Yep. They are. And like you said, it, it, it’s just now starting to get around in, in the major media and financial media you’re starting to see this now. You’re starting to see it. People are talking about it. Is there an AI boom bust bubble? You know, and it’s like, okay, well now they’re starting to talk about it. They’ll get serious about it in about six months.Doug McIntyre:They will.If You have $500,000 Saved, Retirement Could Be Closer Than You Think (sponsor)Retirement can be daunting, but it doesn’t need to be. Imagine having an expert in your corner to help you with your financial goals. Someone to help you determine if you’re ahead, behind, or right on track. With SmartAsset, that’s not just a dream—it’s reality. This free tool connects you with pre-screened financial advisors who work in your best interests. It’s quick, it’s easy, so take the leap today and start planning smarter!Don’t waste another minute; get started right here and help your retirement dreams become a retirement reality.(sponsor)

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5 Best Dividend Stocks in the S&P 500

Key PointsThese dividend stocks have blue-chip businesses.Their payout ratios are low and cash flows are reliable.Each stock is in a different sector and is a leading name.Are you ahead, or behind on retirement? SmartAsset’s free tool can match you with a financial advisor in minutes to help you answer that today. Each advisor has been carefully vetted, and must act in your best interests. Don’t waste another minute; learn more here.(Sponsor)Income investors rarely chase the loudest headlines. They look for companies that mail out checks, no matter what the talking heads predict for next quarter, and the S&P 500 is still the most convenient hunting ground for that kind of reliability.The index has been shifting more towards growth due to the mega-cap stocks doing extremely well over the past three years, and then being joined in by a new group of AI stocks that have ballooned into the top rankings. However, it also has some of the best dividend stocks you can find.The challenge is that the highest yields often sit on businesses whose earnings are shrinking faster than their share price, so a fat number on the screen can be a trap rather than a treat. The following five dividend stocks get you a greatyield that is both rising and sustainable.Realty Income (O)Realty Income (NYSE:O)is called “The Monthly Dividend Company” for good reason. It has been consistently returning cash to its shareholders while increasing the payout. The company is a real estate investment trust. Nevertheless, its clients are often stable retail companies that can weather downturns and keep growing.Realty Income has been able to declare 664 consecutive monthly dividends and is recognized as a Dividend Aristocrat stock for that long record.On top of that, Realty Income’s occupancy rate is among the highest in the REIT industry. Even in 2008, the occupancy rate stood at 97%. If it can pay dividends through the most intense recession to hit the real estate market in modern history, it can keep them rising during good times.You get a 5.39% dividend yield. The payout ratio is very sustainable at 75.45%.Verizon (VZ)Many would scoff atVerizon (NYSE:VZ)if it were portrayed as a good dividend stock two years ago. Today, the scenario has completely shifted. This telecom company had a boatload of debt on its balance sheet during one of the most aggressive periods of interest rate hikes, but managed to keep dividends flowing.Now, as interest rate cuts go down and the AI rally becomes the market’s main focus, VZ stock is becoming a very lucrative opportunity. Its stock has traded sideways year-to-date, but interest rate cuts directly help the company’s bottom line, plus the AI build-out is leading to more demand for Verizon’s extensive infrastructure.I expect VZ stock to follow in the footsteps ofAT&T (NYSE:T)stock in the coming quarters.In the meantime, you get a 6.85% forward dividend yield that has grown for 21 consecutive years. The icing on the cake is that Verizon’s dividend payout ratio is just 57.66%. As debt servicing eases, Verizon will be left with even more room for dividend hikes.Duke Energy (DUK)Duke Energy (NYSE:DUK)is a big electric and gas company that keeps the lights on and the gas flowing for its 7.5 million electric customers and 1.6 million gas customers across six states, mainly in the Southeast and Midwest.It’s one of the best dividend stocks you can buy in the current environment, thanks to tariffs plus interest rate cuts. Lower Treasury yields are making the 3.32% forward yield increasingly juicier when you consider the rate base growth.It has a 5-year CapEx plan of $87 billion to boost growth and margins, with regulators being wooed to approve better rates in exchange for those investments in their states.Furthermore, the Trump-2 admin wants “energy dominance” and is expediting transmission projects to keep up with demand from AI data centers.The payout ratio is 66.45%, and the company has had 14 consecutive years of dividend growth on record.Coca-Cola (KO)Coca-Cola (NYSE:KO)is a no-brainer pick for any portfolio of blue-chip dividend stocks. This company is often the first that comes to mind when you think about dividend payers with lasting power. Coca-Cola’s presence is worldwide, and the moat is too strong to ever crack.KO stock has been on a consistent trajectory for the past two decades. In all likelihood, the next two decades will bring more of the same, which is exactly what you want if you plan to buy, reinvest, and snowball your dividend investments.It also acts as a ballast for your portfolio due to how defensive the business is. Having a Coke after every meal is a habit not many people can give up on.You get a 2.86% dividend yield with a payout ratio of just 16.33%, meaning there’s massive room for significant payout hikes. There are 62 consecutive years of dividend growth on record.Merck (MRK)Merck (NYSE:MRK)makes and sells prescription medicines and vaccines. The company’s financial footing is strong, and you get a great buying opportunity today, as MRK stock trades at a 33%-plus discount from early 2024.Investors are increasingly concerned about the impending patent expiration of KeytrudaGardasil sales have also declined in China, and the guidance given in Q4 2024 for this year was disappointing.Merck is preparing prematurely by accelerating drug development, with a pipeline of 20 “potential new blockbuster drugs… could generate over $50 billion in future revenue”. Plus, its ADC platform is turning out to be a significant growth driver.This is a quality name, and analysts expect 16.25% EPS growth in 2025. That’s along with sales growing 1% this year and accelerating growth to 4.88% next year.You get a 3.7% forward dividend yield with a payout ratio of just 41.36%. There have been 14 consecutive years of dividend growth.If You’ve Been Thinking About Retirement, Pay Attention (sponsor)Answer a Few Simple Questions. 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1 No-Brainer Stock-Split Stock to Buy With $2000

-->Key PointsThis stock-split stock is up 52% in 2025 and 81% in 12 months.The stock has the potential to hit new highs and it has a dividend yield of 0.46%.Are you ahead, or behind on retirement? SmartAsset’s free tool can match you with a financial advisor in minutes to help you answer that today. Each advisor has been carefully vetted, and must act in your best interests. Don’t waste another minute; learn more here.(Sponsor)-->-->We are less than three months from 2026, and it can be safe to say that if you haven’t met your investment goals this year, there’s no need to panic. There are still plenty of stocks worth buying now that could take you closer to your annual investment goals. The market is rife with tariff fears and their impact on the economy. 2025 has been different; there’s been a lot of uncertainty in the market, and enough companies didn’t announce a stock split this year.While stock splits do not change anything about the company, it becomes easier and more affordable for investors to own stocks. Whenever the demand is high, stock splits can become a way to build wealth. This is how stocks make you a millionaire.Here’s one no-brainer stock-split stock to buy with $2,000 this month.Interactive Brokers GroupInteractive Brokers Group, Inc.(NASDAQ: IBKR)is based in Connecticut and has offices across the world. It has been around for five decades and offers trading services for stocks, bonds, options, futures, crypto, currencies, gold, and more. The company has a strong global presence and is well positioned for international expansion.It has a reach across 36 countries and operates in 28 currencies. About 80% of its customers reside outside of the U.S., giving it a solid position in the global market. Interactive Brokers completed a 4-for-1 stock split this June, after a massive multiyear run. It was the first split since going public in 2007.Since it operates electronically, it manages to keep the costs down and generate a solid profit margin. It is a pure-play brokerage business that runs on automation. As a result of the business structure, IBKR enjoys the best in-class profit margins. Strong fundamentals have boosted the stock’s valuation, and it could continue soaring in the near term.Impressive fundamentals Exchanging hands for $69, the stock is up 52% year-to-date and 87% in a year. If you missed out on the stock during the split, now is the time to load up on the top performer.Loading stock data...It reported an impressive second quarter, with a commission revenue of $516 million, a 27% year-over-year jump, and the net interest income hit a quarterly record of $860 million.The brokerage added 250,000 net new accounts in the quarter. The daily active revenue trades jumped 49%, and the customer accounts in the quarter jumped 32%. It has incredible momentum in customer account growth. Notably, the company saw a 170% year-over-year jump in overnight trading volumes. The increased customer activity is also helping the business.Its total daily average revenue trades saw a 47% jump in September to 3.86 million while the total number of client accounts reached 4.12 million in September. As the stock market continues to soar higher, IBKR is set to keep growing. Besides the impressive rally, Interactive Brokers is a dividend stock with a yield of 0.46%.Growth stock with tremendous upside potentialThe growth stock has an explosive upside potential and has reported an impressive 22.7% annual revenue growth in the last five years. It is set to continue winning market share in the near term.Analysts are bullish on the stock. BMO Capital has an outperform rating with a price target of $82. The company has no long-term debt and is sitting on plenty of cash on hand.While there is a risk of competition, Interactive Brokers has nailed the recipe for success through automation. It will be tough for any other brokerage to hit the same level of automation. IBKR is a profitable stock to own for the long term. If You’ve Been Thinking About Retirement, Pay Attention (sponsor)Retirement planning doesn’t have to feel overwhelming. The key is finding expert guidance, and SmartAsset’s simple quiz makes it easier than ever for you to connect with a vetted financial advisor. Here’s how:Answer a Few Simple Questions. Get Matched with Vetted Advisors Choose Your  Fit Why wait? Start building the retirement you’ve always dreamed of.Get started today! (sponsor)

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2 Mid-Cap Growth Stocks Dan Loeb Bought Up Last Quarter

SharkNinja(NYSE:SN) andPrimo Brands(NYSE:PRMB) are two stocks Dan Loeb of Third Point, who is one of my favorite professional money managers to follow closely, recently purchased.Just look underneath the hood of his portfolio, and you can see some very interesting names, many of which have impressive growth runways and reasonable (or perhaps unreasonably depressed) valuations. Perhaps most intriguingly, Loeb’s fund has some mid-cap gems, which might be a source of outsized long-term gains.-->-->Key PointsDan Loeb and Third Point made some interesting moves in the second quarter. Investors might wish to follow their coattails.SN and PRMB stand out as low-cost mid-cap hidden gems for value investors looking to diversify further.Are you ahead, or behind on retirement? SmartAsset’s free tool can match you with a financial advisor in minutes to help you answer that today. Each advisor has been carefully vetted, and must act in your best interests. Don’t waste another minute; learn more here.(Sponsor)-->-->SharkNinjaSharkNinja, has a relatively interesting name and one that growth investors should familiarize themselves with, given its disruption potential in the kitchen and around the home. The company makes home appliances and various other handy products under the Shark and Ninja brands. Even if you’ve never heard of the stock, you might already have a Shark or Ninja product in your closet or kitchen.Now, SharkNinja is more than just a maker of vacuums and kitchen goods; it’s more of a technology firm that thrives at finding new ways to do things better. Whether that involves cleaning, cooking, or something else, SharkNinja designs products with customer feedback in mind.The company’s tech and consumer-focused approach has been a success, to say the least. Just look at the stock, which has more than doubled in the last two years despite the more recent 22% correction in shares. I think the latest dip is nothing more than a buying opportunity as the firm unlocks the power of reviews by actively listening and revisiting the drawing board if needed.Like a shark or a ninja, the company is agile and able to adapt to changing consumer tastes and preferences. At 25.7 times trailing price-to-earnings (P/E), the $13.7 billion firm stands out as a cheap growth play to keep tabs on. With the firm teaming up with Kevin Hart and David Beckham, I do think SharkNinja is entering a golden age of growth as brand awareness looks to kick things up a few notches.Primo BrandsBet you’ve probably never heard ofPrimo Brands, formerly Primo Water, a Canadian-American firm in the business of bottled water. Whether we’re talking about hydrating the entire office with the company’s dispensers or consumer-facing brands such as Pure Life, Poland Springs, or Arrowhead, Primo is a hidden gem in the bottled water scene.Of late, things have been quite leaky for shares of Primo, which are down over 30% so far this year. Indeed, water sales have been under pressure of late, but with a strong portfolio of brands and stickiness in its subscription business, I think the latest dip is more than buyable.As more consumers turn away from sugary sodas and towards healthier beverage options (it doesn’t get much healthier than water), I suspect the long-term trend will be a friend of Primo. In the meantime, there’s a lot of work for management to do as they drive further efficiencies across the business. The $8 billion bottled water play may not be exciting, but it does have highly predictable cash flows. And with a mere 11.8 times forward P/E multiple, perhaps it’s not a mystery why Third Point was a buyer in the second quarter. Get Ready To Retire (Sponsored)Start by taking a quick retirement quiz from SmartAsset that will match you with up to 3 financial advisors that serve your area and beyond in 5 minutes, or less.Each advisor has been vetted by SmartAsset and is held to a fiduciary standard to act in your best interests.Here’s how it works:1. Answer SmartAsset advisor match quiz2. Review your pre-screened matches at your leisure. Check out the advisors’ profiles.3. Speak with advisors at no cost to you. Have an introductory call on the phone or introduction in person and choose whom to work with in the future.

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SPY Got Beat 3-To-1 By This ETF This Year

-->-->Key PointsThe S&P 500 has performed well this year.However, some ETFs have still trounced its gains.This one ETF is “boring” in nature but is outperforming even most tech stocks.Are you ahead, or behind on retirement? SmartAsset’s free tool can match you with a financial advisor in minutes to help you answer that today. Each advisor has been carefully vetted, and must act in your best interests. Don’t waste another minute; learn more here.(Sponsor)-->-->iShares Gold Trust ETF (NYSEARCA:IAU)had significantly outperformedSPDR S&P 500 ETF Trust (NYSEARCA:SPY)this year. While SPY has posted impressive gains of nearly 15% year-to-date—making this a stronger-than-average year for the S&P 500 with almost three months remaining—gold spot prices have made iShares Gold Trust a better investment so far in 2025. A new gold rush is brewingSpot gold prices have been explosive this year and have trounced even big-name tech stocks likeNvidia (NASDAQ:NVDA)year-to-date. For the long-term, cost-conscious investor, iShares Gold Trust ETF  is a great bet. It has $61.5 billion in total assets and low fees at just 0.25%, or $25 per $10,000.Loading stock data...Each share of IAU constitutes a fractional undivided interest in physical gold held in secure vaults by JPMorgan Chase Bank as the custodian. The gold is allocated, meaning it is specifically identified and held in the name of the trust.It’s ideal for investors who want direct gold price exposure without the hassle of buying, storing, or insuring bullion.IAU may not even be at its peak potential, as trends say that gold is set to continue going up. As of this writing, gold broke through $4,000/oz. Two years ago, this was a fantasy.Why a gold surge can continue for yearsThere is a “perfect storm” underway for the yellow metal. First, the Federal Reserve is restarting interest rate cuts, with one already going through last month. Two more rate cuts are expected by the end of this year. Each tick lower in real yields automatically makes non-coupon gold more attractive as it lowers the opportunity cost for holding growth.Second, the U.S. dollar has softened significantly this year. This translates over into a higher price and then demand for gold. Central banks worldwide are expected to buy over 1,000 tonnes of gold in 2025 in a bid to diversify away from dollar-heavy reserves. Central banks have bought over 1,000 tonnes of gold for three consecutive years.On top of that, geopolitical fog, tariffs, and a U.S. government shutdown and hot conflicts in two regions have revived gold’s oldest use-case: the asset you own when nothing else feels safe.Reserve diversification is a multi-year theme, mine supply is flat despite the price incentive, and recycling flows have actually fallen as consumers hold old jewellery in anticipation of even higher quotes. Add the fact that global debt-to-GDP is still rising and real yields are still modest, and the floor under bullion looks more solid than usual.Can IAU keep trouncing the SPY?Analysts are constantly upping their price targets to follow the uptrend. UBS says $4,200 by year-end, with some having their price targets at $4,500 or more. Goldman Sachs says $5,000 next year. This implies a 25% gain from here, something that the S&P 500 is unlikely to match.For holders of IAU, the implication is that the ETF may still be in the early innings of a structural repricing rather than the late stages of a cyclical burst.Gold can and likely will correct sometime in the future, but holding cash and waiting for it to happen is not a smart idea today.If You have $500,000 Saved, Retirement Could Be Closer Than You Think (sponsor)Retirement can be daunting, but it doesn’t need to be. Imagine having an expert in your corner to help you with your financial goals. Someone to help you determine if you’re ahead, behind, or right on track. With SmartAsset, that’s not just a dream—it’s reality. This free tool connects you with pre-screened financial advisors who work in your best interests. It’s quick, it’s easy, so take the leap today and start planning smarter!Don’t waste another minute; get started right here and help your retirement dreams become a retirement reality.(sponsor)

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5 Stocks Under $10 With Huge Dividends and King-Size Upside Potential

While mostof Wall Street focuses on large and mega-cap stocks, as they provide a degree of safety and liquidity, many investors are limited in the number of shares they can buy. Many of the most significant public companies, especially the technology giants, trade at prices up to $1,000 per share, while many are in the low to mid-hundreds. It is hard to get decent share count leverage at those steep prices. Many growth and income investors, especially more aggressive traders, look to lower-priced stocks to generate good returns and increase their share count. That can help the decision-making process, especially when you are on to a winner, as you can always sell and keep half.-->-->24/7 Wall St. Key Points:Falling interest rates could be a significant tailwind for stocks that pay high dividends.Despite the government shutdown, there is a good chance the Federal Reserve will cut rates again at its October meeting.Lower-priced stocks, although not suitable for everyone, can offer significant total return potential for investors with a higher risk tolerance.Are you ahead, or behind on retirement? SmartAsset’s free tool can match you with a financial advisor in minutes to help you answer that today. Each advisor has been carefully vetted, and must act in your best interests. Don’t waste another minute; learn more here.(Sponsor)-->-->Low-price stockskeptics should bear in mind that many of the world’s largest companies, including Apple, Amazon, Netflix, and Nvidia, all traded in the single digits at one time. We identified five stocks trading around the $5 to $10 level that offer investors substantial, ultra-high-yield dividends. The added value for investors is that if the stocks trade sideways, you are still paid a massive dividend for being patient.Why do we cover ultra-high-yield stocks?While only suited for some, those trying to build strong passive income streams can do exceptionally well by having some of these companies in their portfolios. Paired with more conservative blue-chip dividend giants, investors can use a barbell approach to get passive income streams that make a significant difference.BlackRock Innovation and Growth Term TrustLoading stock data...This fundhas lowered the dividend, which is a massive positive for shareholders who buy now. BlackRock Innovation and Growth Term Trust (NYSE: BTX) has investment objectives to provide total return and income through a combination of current income, current gains, and long-term capital appreciation. The trust will invest, under normal market conditions, at least 80% of its total assets in a combination of equity securities issued by U.S. and non-U.S. technology and privately held companies.BTX holdswell-known tech stocks, including Spotify Technology S.A. (NASDAQ: SPOT) and Reddit Inc. (NYSE: RDDT). The most prominent position is in AI chip giant Nvidia Inc. (NASDAQ: NVDA). It also holds a collection of private-equity holdings that give it hedge fund-type qualities. Think of this fund as a Cathie Wood-style vehicle for new technology with a massive dividend yield.Tradingat a small 2% discount to the fund’s net asset value, those seeking a substantial monthly income with growth potential should consider purchasing these shares now, which yield a substantial 13.91% dividend.PermRock Royalty TrustLoading stock data...This trustacquires, develops, and operates oil and natural gas properties in the Permian Basin. With a substantial 11.32% dividend, this energy trust makes sense as spot oil prices appear poised to rebound. PermRock Royalty Property Trust (NYSE: PRT) is a statutory trust. It owns a net profits interest representing the right to receive 80% of the net profits from the sale of oil and natural gas production from the underlying properties. T2S Permian Acquisition II owns and operates the underlying properties.The underlyingproperties comprise about 31,354 gross (22,394 net) acres in the Permian Basin, which extends over 75,000 square miles in West Texas and southeastern New Mexico.The underlyingproperties consist of four operating areas:The Permian Clearfork area consists of about 2,434 net acres on the Central Basin Platform of the Permian Basin in Hockley and Terry Counties, Texas.The Permian Abo area consists of about 1,667 net acres on the Central Basin Platform of the Permian Basin in Terry and Cochran Counties, Texas.The Permian Shelf area consists of 14,390 net acres on the Eastern Shelf of the Permian Basin.The Permian Platform area consists of 3,903 net acres.Prospect CapitalLoading stock data...Prospect CapitalCorp. (NASDAQ: PSEC) is a leading provider of flexible private debt and equity capital. Hedge funds love this top business development company, and the gigantic 19.57% dividend makes it a potential total return home run. Prospect Capital specializes in:Middle market, mature, mezzanine financeLater stage, emerging growth, leveraged buyouts, refinancing, acquisitions recapitalizations, turnaround, growth capital, developmentCapital expenditures and subordinated debt tranches of collateralized loan obligationsCash flow term loans, marketplace lending, and bridge transactionsIt also investsin the multi-family residential real estate asset class. The fund invests in secured debt, senior debt, senior and secured term loans, unitranche debt, first-lien and second-lien debt, private debt, private equity, mezzanine debt, and equity investments in private and microcap public companies.Prospect Capitalfocuses on both primary origination and secondary loans/portfolios. It invests in debt financing for private equity sponsors, acquisitions, dividend recapitalizations, growth financings, bridge loans, cash flow term loans, and real estate financings/investments.The companyinvests in the following sectors and business silos:Aerospace and defenseChemicalsConglomerate and consumer servicesEcologicalElectronicsFinancial servicesMachinery and ManufacturingMediaPharmaceuticalsRetailSoftwareSpecialty MineralsTextiles and leatherTransportationOil, gas, and coal productionIn additionto favoring materials, industrials, consumer discretionary, information technology, utilities, pipeline, storage, power generation and distribution, renewable and clean energy, oilfield services, health care, food and beverage, education, and business services.Townsquare MediaLoading stock data...This off-the-radarstock boasts significant total return potential, complemented by its substantial 12.20% dividend yield. Townsquare Media Inc. (NYSE: TSQ) is a community-focused digital and broadcast media and digital marketing solutions company.The company’ssegments include:Subscription Digital Marketing SolutionsDigital AdvertisingBroadcast AdvertisingThe DigitalAdvertising segment, marketed as Townsquare Ignite, encompasses digital advertising on its programmatic advertising platform, as well as its owned and operated digital properties.The SubscriptionDigital Marketing Solutions segment includes its subscription digital marketing solutions business, Townsquare Interactive.The BroadcastAdvertising segment encompasses local, regional, and national advertising products and solutions delivered through terrestrial radio broadcasts. Townsquare Interactive partners with small and medium-sized businesses to help manage their digital presence by providing a SAAS business management platform, website design, creation, and hosting, search engine optimization, and other digital services.Tronox HoldingsLoading stock data...Some ofWall Street’s largest banks are very bullish on this company, which is another notable dividend-paying stock with a 12.30% yield to consider. Tronox Holdings PLC (NYSE: TROX) is a producer of titanium products, including titanium dioxide pigment (TiO2), specialty-grade titanium dioxide products, high-purity titanium chemicals, and zircon.The companyis a vertically integrated manufacturer of TiO2. It mines titanium-bearing mineral sands and operates upgrading facilities that produce high-grade titanium feedstock materials, pig iron, and other minerals, including the rare-earth-bearing mineral monazite.It operatestitanium-bearing mineral sand mines and beneficiation and smelting operations in Australia and South Africa to produce feedstock materials that can be processed into TiO2 for pigment, high-purity titanium chemicals, including titanium tetrachloride, and ultrafine TiO2 used in specific specialty applications.Tronoxsupplies and markets TiO2 under the brand names TIONA and CristalActiv. It has nine pigment facilities located in these countries and others:United StatesAustraliaBrazilUnited KingdomFour Stocks That Yield 12% and Higher Are Passive Income KingsGet Ready To Retire (Sponsored)Start by taking a quick retirement quiz from SmartAsset that will match you with up to 3 financial advisors that serve your area and beyond in 5 minutes, or less.Each advisor has been vetted by SmartAsset and is held to a fiduciary standard to act in your best interests.Here’s how it works:1. Answer SmartAsset advisor match quiz2. Review your pre-screened matches at your leisure. Check out the advisors’ profiles.3. Speak with advisors at no cost to you. Have an introductory call on the phone or introduction in person and choose whom to work with in the future.

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Two Income ETFs Outperforming the S&P 500 This Year

I’m generally not a fan of chasing returns, whether they be in individual stocks or in mutual funds or exchange traded funds (ETFs). However, I also know that investors look for above-market returns, and want to at least check out the funds that outperformed broader indexes to see what companies these funds are invested in, and why there’s some sort of outperformance differential. -->-->Key PointsCreating passive income via investing in ETFs can seem like a good idea, but many don’t beat benchmarks like the S&P 500.Here are three that have, and why they look like buying opportunities here.Are you ahead, or behind on retirement? SmartAsset’s free tool can match you with a financial advisor in minutes to help you answer that today. Each advisor has been carefully vetted, and must act in your best interests. Don’t waste another minute; learn more here.(Sponsor)-->-->To be honest, I’m a creature of curiosity as well, so this is one educational exercise I thought I’d dive into to provide some value to readers as well. I’m looking for income-focused ETFs that have outperformed the S&P 500 on a year-to-date basis (I put the end of September as the cut off date, for simplicity’s sake). As of Sep. 30, the S&P 500 produced a year-to-date return of around 14.5%, so let’s dive into three income ETFs that managed to beat this benchmark and why. Laffer Tengler Equity Income ETF (TGLR)Loading stock data...One ETF I haven’t touched on in the past, but which has clearly been a winner thus far this year, is the Laffer Tengler Equity Income ETF (TGLR). Shares of TGLR are up more than 20% at the time of writing, providing investors with a spread of around 6% over and above the performance of the benchmark S&P 500 index. What’s impressive about this performance is the fact that the Laffer Tengler Equity Income ETF is concentrated on large-cap U.S. stocks. Given the high concentration of mega-cap stocks within the S&P 500 (indices are typically weighted by market capitalization), one might expect to see much more consistent performance. Now, both funds do provide investors with very high correlation to the same assets. But for a fund like TGLR that has an even more aggressive size and quality tilt, one can expect to see outperformance and underperformance, depending on the point in the market cycle we’re in. For those who think this rally can continue, and want to invest in an ETF that uses a 12-factor model to pick stocks on the basis of valuation and dividend potential, this is a great way to go. Franklin U.S. Core Dividend Tilt ETF (UDIV)Loading stock data...Another top dividend-focused ETF which managed to beat the market (excluding its dividend yield of 1.5%, still higher than the S&P 500’s) is the Franklin U.S. Core Dividend Tilt ETF (UDIV). This ETF is up approximately 15.5% this year, driven by strong growth seen in the a wide range of sectors.Unlike the other ETFs on this list that have tilted their portfolios more aggressively toward tech stocks, UDIV has a more balanced and moderate portfolio of a range of companies in varying industries. Now, these companies clearly have outsized growth potential, or this fund would not have beaten the overall S&P 500 since the beginning of the year. But I also think this fund’s core holdings having higher dividend yields than other comparable income ETFs does signal a trend which could be coming to the surface – more investors want to own income-paying equities as interest rates come down.For investors who think the Federal Reserve will cut interest rates again, this is a top ETF to consider right now. At least, that’s my view. ProShares S&P Technology Dividend Artistocrats ETF (TDV)Loading stock data...Last, but certainly not least on this list of income ETFs that have outperformed the broader market is the ProShares S&P Technology Dividend Aristocrats ETF (TDV). This ETF has posted a year-to-date performance of around 16.5%, so investors in this fund have had even better of a run than those in SPY, at least thus far in 2025.That shouldn’t make too many investors confused, since this ETF is almost entirely tech focused. As is the case with other market-beating funds, it’s really impossible to beat the S&P 500 without being even more overweight tech than the broader index. That’s the case here, with the TDV ETF tracking the S&P 500 Technology Dividend Aristocrats, a group of companies that have maintained dividends for at least seven years. What’s interesting about this fact is that many of the “Magnificent 7” and similar mega-cap tech stocks either don’t pay a dividend, or haven’t for seven years. Thus, the quality of companies within this portfolio, and the selection process behind the scenes does appear to be world-class. If You have $500,000 Saved, Retirement Could Be Closer Than You Think (sponsor)Retirement can be daunting, but it doesn’t need to be.Imagine having an expert in your corner to help you with your financial goals. Someone to help you determine if you’re ahead, behind, or right on track. With SmartAsset, that’s not just a dream—it’s reality. This free tool connects you with pre-screened financial advisors who work in your best interests. It’s quick, it’s easy, so take the leap today and start planning smarter!Don’t waste another minute; get started right here and help your retirement dreams become a retirement reality.(sponsor)

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