While passive index funds mirror the broader market, selecting individual winners can dramatically boost returns. Citi Trends (NASDAQ: CTRN) shares have surged 77% over the past year, far exceeding the market's 14% gain, as investors bet on a potential revival despite ongoing profitability challenges.
While index funds offer market-average returns, picking the right stock can yield significantly more. Itron, Inc. (NASDAQ: ITRI) has proven just that, delivering a 71% return to shareholders over the past three years—outperforming broader indices—as it transitioned to profitability. However, recent headwinds have tempered the rally, raising questions about its near-term trajectory.
As trillion-dollar AI infrastructure spending fuels concerns of a market bubble, long-term investors are questioning whether broad index funds like the Vanguard S&P 500 ETF still offer a safe harbor.
Investment firm Giverny Capital highlights insurance distributor TWFG as a key holding in its latest letter, revealing a challenging year where its value-focused strategy lagged the AI-fueled market rally.
After a prolonged period of U.S. dominance, international equities are staging a comeback. Analysts point to shifting fundamentals, attractive valuations, and a weakening dollar as tailwinds for emerging markets, with one Vanguard ETF positioned at the center of this transition.
Focused Wealth Management significantly reduced its stake in a short-term Treasury ETF, signaling a strategic pivot towards equities as stock markets reach new highs. The move highlights a broader trend of capital rotation in response to shifting risk appetites.
While geopolitical tensions have rattled regional markets, a closer look reveals resilient smaller companies in the GCC and Turkey offering unique value propositions. We analyze three firms with market caps under $900 million in the education, packaging, and industrial sectors.
As regional markets navigate post-oil volatility and geopolitical shifts, a closer look reveals three penny stocks—from Turkish media to Saudi healthcare—that combine resilient balance sheets with high-risk, high-reward potential for the discerning investor.
Precious metals markets experienced one of their most volatile weeks on record, with silver plummeting 26% and gold dropping 9% in a dramatic reversal. The sell-off, triggered by shifting U.S. policy expectations, laid bare the market's recent dependence on speculative flows from China, raising questions about stability ahead of the Lunar New Year.
Dover Corporation (DOV), the diversified industrial manufacturer, continues to attract heavy institutional investment, driving a remarkable long-term share price appreciation. Strong quarterly earnings and bullish guidance underscore the fundamental strength behind the sustained Big Money inflows.
Swedish investment giant EQT is expanding its footprint through a strategic partnership in the private equity secondaries market with Coller Capital, while its foundation launches a science grant program targeting substitutes for critical minerals. The dual moves signal a broader strategy to tap into new fee streams and align with long-term sustainability trends, even as the firm's shares trade at levels some analysts consider undervalued.
President Trump's surprise nomination of former Fed Governor Kevin Warsh to lead the central bank sends mixed signals to investors, stirring debate over future monetary policy and market stability.
While Q3 earnings reflect challenging market conditions, the chemical giant reports strong North American performance and accelerates its strategic shift, breaking ground on a flagship advanced recycling plant in Germany and planning a larger facility in Houston.
As equity markets show signs of fatigue after a prolonged bull run, defensive sectors like utilities are gaining attention. The Vanguard Utilities ETF (VPU), with its low cost and stable dividend yield, presents a compelling option for investors seeking to buffer their portfolios against potential volatility.
Hotchkis & Wiley's value fund outperformed benchmarks in 2025, with FedEx highlighted as a key contributor. The logistics giant's shares rose over 20% in the past year, buoyed by strong domestic package performance, even as the fund remains selective in a top-heavy market.
ARK Invest's founder capitalized on recent market weakness to increase holdings in three of her flagship disruptive innovation picks, signaling continued conviction despite sector volatility.
Kevin Warsh, a leading candidate for Federal Reserve Chair, has historically framed Bitcoin not as a threat but as a crucial policy signal. His past comments labeling it 'the new gold' for younger investors stand in stark contrast to the cryptocurrency's recent 3% decline, highlighting the volatile intersection of regulatory sentiment and digital asset markets.
Amphenol Corporation (NYSE: APH), a key player in electronic connectors, received concurrent price target increases from Seaport Research and Citi. While analysts highlight growth potential, the stock's post-earnings dip underscores a cautious market stance toward the company's traditionally conservative guidance.
Pzena Investment Management's Focused Value Strategy lagged behind its benchmark in Q4 2025, with semiconductor firm Skyworks Solutions cited as a key detractor. The fund's commentary highlights the challenges for value investing in a market dominated by AI and mega-cap stocks.
The investment giant Vanguard has cut management fees on 53 of its mutual funds and ETFs, a move projected to save investors nearly $250 million in 2026 and marking the latest salvo in an industry-wide race to lower costs for everyday savers.
