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Netflix Doubled Your Money in 12 Months After Years of Lagging the Market

By Robert Brown

Netflix(NASDAQ: NFLX) went from mailing DVDs in red envelopes to dominating global streaming. That transformation created one of the most compelling investment stories of the past decade, but the path wasn’t smooth. The company weathered subscriber losses in 2022, fierce competition from Disney+ and HBO Max, and persistent questions about whether it could sustain growth after saturating major markets.

The answer came through strategic pivots. Netflix doubled down on international expansion, launched an ad-supported tier in late 2022, and cracked down on password sharing in 2023. These moves reignited subscriber growth and drove revenue acceleration. By 2024, the company reported $39.00 billion in revenue and $8.71 billion in net income. The most recent quarter (Q3 2025) delivered $11.51 billion in revenue, up 17% year over year, with a 28% operating margin despite a $619 million Brazilian tax dispute.

The stock reflected this evolution. After touching lows around $48 in late 2019 and early 2020, shares climbed steadily through the pandemic and beyond, recently trading near $93.47 in early December 2025.

Your $1,000 Turned Into $1,920 in One Year

Here’s what a $1,000 investment would look like across different time horizons:

1-Year Return (December 2024 to December 2025)

Initial Investment:$1,000
Current Value:$1,920
Total Return:92.0%
S&P 500 (same period):Approximately $1,250 (25% estimated)

5-Year Return (December 2020 to December 2025)

Initial Investment:$1,000
Current Value:$1,927
Total Return:92.7%
Annualized Return:14.0%
S&P 500 (same period):Approximately $1,850 (85% estimated)

10-Year Return (December 2015 to December 2025)

Initial Investment:$1,000
Current Value:$1,927
Total Return:92.7%
Annualized Return:6.8%
S&P 500 (same period):Approximately $3,200 (220% estimated)

The 10-year picture reveals Netflix underperformed the broader market, largely due to the brutal 2022 drawdown when the stock lost over half its value. Investors who held through that period needed conviction. The recent surge, particularly in 2024 and 2025, came from operational execution: net income jumped 61% in 2023 to $5.41 billion as the company scaled subscribers while optimizing content spending.

Timing mattered significantly. Those who bought in 2022 during the panic saw far better returns than decade-long holders.

Market Outlook and Analyst Perspectives

Analysts remain largely bullish on Netflix, with 34 buy ratings versus just 2 sells. The forward P/E of 32.68 suggests expectations for earnings acceleration compared to the current P/E of 41.77. The company’s return on equity of 42.9% demonstrates strong operational efficiency.

However, the stock’s beta of 1.71 indicates high volatility, meaning shares can move sharply in either direction. The recent Q3 2025 earnings miss—reporting $0.59 versus $0.70 expected—has raised questions about potential margin pressure ahead, particularly given the $619 million Brazilian tax dispute that impacted operating margins.

Key factors analysts are monitoring include whether the company can maintain its 17% revenue growth trajectory and how successfully the ad-supported business scales. The valuation leaves limited room for disappointment, with the current multiple pricing in continued strong execution.

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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 OptionsInvesting 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 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.

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3 Low-Risk ETFs That Smoke the S&P 500’s Long-Term Gains

-->-->Key PointsTheS&P 500‘s 2.7% drop on Friday expose its tech-heavy tilt. Top 10 stocks represent 37% of the index’s weight, while the Magnificent 7 account for about 35% of YTD gains. The overrepresentation amplifies losses, eroding the index’s broad-market status.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)-->-->Friday’s market meltdown laid bare the vulnerabilities of theS&P 500. The index plunged 2.7%, erasing weekly gains amid President Trump’s threat of massive new tariffs on Chinese imports. This sharp drop — its worst single-day loss since April — stemmed directly from the index’s heavy reliance on a handful of tech giants. The top 10 stocks now command nearly 37% of the S&P 500’s market capitalization, up from 27% during the 2000 dot-com peak. Among them, the Magnificent 7 hold an outsized sway, accounting for about 35% of the index’s weight.This concentration has fueled impressive returns, but also amplified risks. Year-to-date, the S&P 500 gained 12.5%, yet the Mag 7 contributed 42% of those gains. Their influence was even starker last year when the group drove nearly 70% of the index’s 23% advance. This highlights how the S&P has morphed from the broad-based benchmark it was decades ago into a proxy for a few high-flying names.This shift makes the classic set-and-forget strategy of buying the S&P far riskier than before. Volatility spikes, like Friday’s, can wipe out months of progress if those top holdings falter. Yet investors seeking steady, long-term compounding need not abandon passive approaches. By layering in quality controls — filters for profitability, low debt, and earnings stability — the three exchange-traded funds (ETFs) below deliver superior risk-adjusted returns. They outperform the S&P 500 over a decade while dialing down volatility, offering a smarter path to durable gains.iShares MSCI USA Quality Factor ETF (QUAL)TheiShares MSCI USA Quality Factor ETF(CBOE:QUAL) targets U.S. large- and mid-cap stocks exhibiting strong fundamentals. It tracks theMSCI USA Sector Neutral Quality Index, which scores companies on return on equity, stable year-over-year earnings growth, and low financial leverage. These metrics weed out speculative plays, favoring resilient firms like those in healthcare and industrials alongside select tech leaders. The result: a portfolio of about 125 holdings, sector-neutral to avoid overexposure to any one area, and weighted by quality score multiplied by market cap.Loading stock data...This approach has delivered robust long-term performance with tempered risk. QUAL’s 10-year annualized total return stands at 14.2%, topping the S&P 500’s 12.1% over the same stretch. Its edge comes from consistent outperformance during downturns while allowing for quicker recoveries. On the risk front, the ETF’s three-year standard deviation clocks in at 13.2%, below the S&P 500’s 17.8%. This lower volatility stems from avoiding debt-laden or erratic earners, yielding a superior Sharpe ratio of 1.30 compared to the benchmark’s 1.27. For buy-and-hold investors, QUAL proves quality screens enhance returns without the wild swings of cap-weighted indexes.JPMorgan U.S. Quality Factor ETF (JQUA)TheJPMorgan U.S. Quality Factor ETF(NYSEARCA:JQUA) emphasizes profitability and earnings consistency across roughly 250 U.S. stocks. Drawing from the Russell 1000, it selects holdings via a composite score blending return on assets, gross margins, and earnings variability — prioritizing companies that generate cash efficiently without excessive debt. To promote diversification, JQUA caps sector weights at 30% and integrates a stability buffer, ensuring no single stock exceeds 5% of assets. This setup balances blue-chip stability with growth potential, including names likeEli Lilly(NYSE:LLY) in pharma andVisa(NYSE:V) in financials.Loading stock data...Over the long haul, JQUA has beaten the benchmark index while keeping drawdowns in check. Since its November 2017 inception, annualized return hits 14.2%, surpassing the index by 150 basis points annually. This stems from its focus on high-margin leaders that weathered 2022’s bear market with a mere 13.5% decline, versus the S&P’s deeper 19.4% hit. Risk metrics underscore the appeal: the three-year standard deviation measures 12.4%, a good notch below the benchmark’s 15.9%, reflecting smoother paths through volatility spikes like Friday’s tariff-fueled rout. With a Sharpe ratio of 1.30 — higher than the S&P’s — JQUA suits those chasing compounded growth minus the gut-wrenching dips.Invesco S&P 500 Quality ETF (SPHQ)TheInvesco S&P 500 Quality ETF(NYSEARCA:SPHQ) hones in on the S&P 500’s top tier, selecting the 100 highest-quality constituents based on return on equity, accrual ratios (to spot earnings manipulation), and leverage. Weighted by a blend of quality score and market cap, it amplifies proven performers while muting laggards — thinkMastercard(NYSE:MA) for steady financials orAccenture(NYSE:ACN) for consulting prowess. This intra-index filter keeps broad S&P exposure but elevates it, with semi-annual rebalances to refresh the roster.Loading stock data...SPHQ’s track record highlights quality’s compounding power at reduced risk. The ETF boasts a 10-year annualized return of 14.6%, outpacing the S&P 500’s 12.1% by more than two percentage points. It shone in choppy periods, limiting 2022 losses to 15.8% against the index’s 19.4%, thanks to its aversion to overleveraged firms. Volatility remains contained, with a three-year standard deviation of 15% — under the S&P’s 15.9% — delivering a Sharpe ratio of 1.39. For S&P loyalists wary of concentration, SPHQ refines the formula, capturing upside while buffering against the mega-cap maelstrom.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)

Investing

This High-Yield Stock Has Paid Dividends for Half a Century

Of the stocks that pay large dividends, the safest is probably the tobacco company Altria Group Inc. (NYSE: MO). Its 6.45% yield is based on a forward dividend of $4.24. Over the past 56 years, it has raised its dividend 60 times. The median age of Americans is 39 years.-->-->24/7 Wall St. Key Points:Altria Group Inc. (NYSE: MO) is probably the safest high-yield stock.The tobacco company has raised its dividend annually for over 50 years.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)-->-->Loading stock data...So far this year, Altria has offered another benefit, which is relatively unusual for high-yield stocks. The share price has risen 26% since the start of the year. The S&P 500 is 13% higher in that time. Megacap tech companies are considered the stock market leaders this year. However, Amazon.com Inc. (NASDAQ: AMZN) is flat in 2025 and Apple Inc. (NASDAQ: AAPL) is up 1%.In terms of decades-long high yields, the two most often mentioned in the same breath as Altria are Dow Inc. (NYSE: DOW) and Pfizer Inc. (NYSE: PFE). Pfizer’s stock is down 10% this year. Dow’s is down 42% this year, and it recently cut its dividend.In total, Altria has paid out $32 billion in dividends over the fiscal years 2020 to 2024. It has also purchased $8 billion of its shares during the same period.In the most recently reported quarter, Altria’s revenue was down 6% to $5.3 billion. However, its adjusted diluted earnings per share (EPS) were up 6% to $1.23. It affirmed its guidance of a 2% to 5% increase in EPS for the full year. Its success in the most recent quarter came from its legacy business: Billy Gifford, Altria’s chief executive officer, commented, “Our highly profitable traditional tobacco businesses performed well in a challenging environment in the first quarter.”Almost all of Altria’s revenue comes from sales of cigarettes, and there is a theory that many investors are hesitant to buy its stock for this reason. However, the dividend is a significant incentive to offset that.Another Reason to InvestAnother reason to consider investing in Altria is the potential risk to the global economy. People typically do not cut back on cigarette smoking in tough economic times. Altria’s dividend is unlikely to disappear, as the company’s balance sheet is very solid.The stock market has become perilous, according to those who believe it has reached its peak. President Trump has threatened to impose high tariffs on imports from several major nations, which could drive up U.S. inflation. His latest threat is a 30% tariff on Mexican imports. Mexico is the second-largest trading partner of the United States.An increase in tariffs and the effects on inflation mean American consumers’ buying power will be hit. That, in turn, threatens U.S. gross domestic product (GDP). Under those circumstances, Altria may be the best stock to own. That is, if investors can ignore its tobacco business.Altria Stock Price Prediction and Forecast 2025-2030Get 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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These Stocks Have The Vanguard S&P 500 ETF Back In The Green Today

TheVanguard S&P 500 ETF(NYSEMKT: VOO)  is up 0.56% at midday trading and back in positive territory The uptick comes after a modest pullback yesterday, where shares closed down 0.34%, effectively halting a robust five-day winning streak that had propelled the benchmark-tracking fund to fresh highs.The Vanguard S&P 500 ETF has been a barometer for broader market sentiment and is a good gauge on investor confidence in large-cap U.S. equities. The government shutdown which is now in its second week is starting to have minimal impact on investors, but AI demand is again sparking more enthusiasm in large tech companies.Top  Vanguard S&P 500 ETF WinnersDell(NYSE: DELL) is up 7.14% today after raising its long-term revenue growth forecast to 7-9% from 3-4% and boosting its full-year diluted EPS growth projection to at least 15% from 8%. Dell has been on a strong run over the past 6 months, up 122%, and received a upgrade today from Citi analyst Asiya Merchant who raised Dell’s price target from $160 to $175. Merchant sees the company was “constructive” on its outlook, market share and earnings growth. Citi now has more confidence in Dell’s ability to capitalize on the opportunity ahead.AMD(Nasdaq:AMD)is again moving higher as more analyst take a more favorable look at the company after it offered 10% of its company to OpenAI as part of a multibillion-dollar partnership released on Monday. In return OpenAI plans to deploy up to 6 gigawatts of AMD Instinct GPUs beginning early this next year. AMD is now up 35% over the past 5 trading days and DZ Bank sees more room to run with a new price target of $250.Freeport-McMoRan(NYSE:FCX) is up 5.22% despite Morgan Stanley reduced Freeport-McMoRan’s price target from $48 to $46 while maintaining an Overweight rating. The firm adjusted targets and estimates across its mining coverage, incorporating updated commodity price forecasts and forex assumptions, anticipating higher metal prices due to a weaker dollar and supply disruptions at major copper producers.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)

Investing

Coinbase CEO Sees Bitcoin at $1 Million by 2030—Is This a Realistic Target?

We’ve heard some pretty outrageous longer-term price targets onBitcoin(CRYPTO:BTC) and other cryptocurrencies (think Ethereum) in recent years. And while it seems absurd to envision a single Bitcoin going for $1 million one day, let’s just say anything is possible in the wild world of crypto. In any case, Bitcoin goes for just north of $114,000 today, so a run to the million-dollar mark would entail just shy of a 900% rise from current levels. That’s quite obscene, but then again, I was wrong about Bitcoin passing the $100,000 mark when they were going for closer to $20,000.In any case,Coinbase(NASDAQ:COIN) CEO Brian Armstrong is nothing short of upbeat about Bitcoin and its potential over the next five years. While I wouldn’t rule out Bitcoin at $1 million in 30 years from now, I do think that the five-year target is a tad aggressive, to say the least. Indeed, I’d imagine that such bullish comments might inspire some to bet the farm on the cryptocurrency, especially on the latest dip.-->-->Key PointsCoinbase CEO Brian Armstrong has a lofty price target for Bitcoin in the next five years.I’m not nearly as bullish on Bitcoin and would encourage investors to buy steep dips and manage downside risks.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)-->-->Coinbase CEO is incredibly bullish on Bitcoin’s trajectory from hereAs a part of Armstrong’s prediction, he thinks that macro tailwinds and increased adoption of Bitcoin as some sort of “digital gold” could help power further gains from here. In any case, Bitcoin would need to really gain momentum if it’s to have a chance of reaching the $1 million mark by 2030. And while the target could pan out in a bull-case scenario (it’s certainly not outside the realm of possibility, especially if the stock market boom continues without a bear market moment over the next five years), I’d be more inclined to view Bitcoin as correlated to tech stocks (think the Nasdaq 100) than a risk-off asset like gold.Though there are plenty of other crypto bulls with lofty price targets and expectations for the coming years (notably, Cathie Wood and Jack Dorsey are major bulls on Bitcoin), I do think that there’s as much downside risk as upside risk, especially given the potential for Bitcoin to plunge if a so-called “AI bubble” were to burst at some point. In any case, I don’t think overvaluation concentrated in AI stocks has to end in a spectacular bursting of a bubble.Indeed, not all paths lead to a repeat of the 2000-01 dot-com bust, at least in my humble opinion. In any case, as a prospective crypto investor, I’d look more into a base-case scenario while being mindful of a potential bear-case to pan out (think a tech-focused sell-off that spreads through the crypto markets).Bitcoin could continue to be a choppy ride. Buying up the dips incrementally could be a way to counter volatilityEven if Bitcoin is destined for another meteoric rise, there are sure to be bumps in the road. And I’d much rather be a net buyer on such dips than when most others are upbeat and pound-the-table bullish. So, is Bitcoin at $1 million by 2030 realistic? I don’t think it is. Such a move would entail a lot of things going right, and while, in theory, such a scenario could play out, I’d be more focused on riding out the bumps and bear markets along the way and buying incrementally than backing up the truck with a specific target in mind.Even if Bitcoin were to blast off in the coming years, shares of Coinbase might be a better way to play the move. The shares are up more than 104% in the past year, beating the price of Bitcoin, which has gained just north of 87%. Additionally, I’d also be inclined to give some of the other cryptocurrencies out there some more love. Ethereum, XRP, and others might have more runway over the next five years, and increased interest in the entire crypto asset class, I believe, could be a boon for shares of the major crypto exchange platform.So, Bitcoin at $1 million by 2030? I wouldn’t count on it. But that doesn’t mean crypto and crypto-related stocks can’t continue to do well from here.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)

Investing

Lucid Sold Almost No Cars

Lucid Group Inc. (NASDAQ: LCID) sold a tiny number of vehicles in the third quarter. The $7,500 tax credit on electric vehicles (EVs) probably made that number less tiny. However, the expiration of the credit will likely reduce the tiny number in the fourth quarter and beyond. The news drove the stock down 10%, adding yesterday’s trading to the morning’s.Lucid Group IncNASDAQ:LCID$21.67▼ $6.62(30.54%)3MPre-Market1D5D1M3M6M1Y5YMAX-->-->24/7 Wall St. Key Points:Lucid Group Inc. (NASDAQ: LCID) said it sold few vehicles in the third quarter.The EV maker’s announcement was awful for three reasons.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)-->-->The company announced that it delivered 4,078 vehicles and produced 3,891. About 1,000 were assembled in Saudi Arabia. The kingdom is Lucid’s largest shareholder, via various investment companies.Barron’s listed three reasons the announcement was awful. Wall Street was looking for a better number. Another reason is that Lucid vehicles are too expensive to qualify for the tax credit, though people can still receive it when they lease. Either way, the credit is gone. The third reason is its reverse stock split.Lucid is too small to survive and too expensive to acquire. Based on its finances, no one would pay close to the stock price anyway. Although it had declined by almost 90% over the past five years, Lucid still has a market capitalization of nearly $7 billion. Ford’s value is approximately $50 billion, but it is one of the largest car companies in the world.Finally, as mentioned, Lucid cars are too expensive. The base price of its least expensive model is $70,000. Its higher-end cars cost more than $100,000. Who would buy a car from a company that loses billions of dollars and may not be around much longer?Lucid Stock Price Prediction and Forecast 2025-2030If 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)

Investing

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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Solving the ‘Tower of Babel’ problem of data transparency for investors

What would it take to get essential human capital data in the hands of every investor? One of the easiest answers to that question is: transparency. With better disclosure of human capital, we will have greater access to data and the insight that comes from them.Recommended VideoRight now, there are clear rules and regulations around capital disclosures that help investor decisions. These are the “10-K” annual and “10-Q” quarterly reports that all public companies must release to disclose their financial information and capital structure. Right now, there are no equally strict requirements for human capital. Every few years or so, there is a push for more transparent human capital disclosures. Sometimes, there’s some movement on the issue, but usually the policy lands in some form of voluntary disclosure. Currently, companies are required to report on various aspects of total number of FTEs, employee types, turnover rates, and similar metrics, but these have not reached the level of capital disclosures. Unfortunately, even with expectations around transparency, little can be learned because there is no way to compare the data that companies release. Transparency is not enough. Instead, we need clear standards so that all the data can talk to each other. Think about it this way: Even if there was mandatory reporting on job hiring, the reported data would be mostly meaningless outside the context of that one company. If Meta says that they have about 75% of their workforce employed as engineers, for example, what does that actually tell us? What kind of engineers are they? What work do they do each day? And, more importantly, how does that level of employment of the specific type of engineers compare to other companies? Is it the same? Is it different? Has it changed much over the years?Without standards, we end up with a “Tower of Babel” situation: Each company’s data is speaking a different language. There’s no way to know whether a “sales” position in one company is fundamentally the same thing as a “sales” position in another company.Take, for example, the position of an “economist.” I myself am an economist. But when I introduce myself as such, no one knows what that means. It’s ambiguous. Even so, my company hires many economists. So do major companies like IBM and Amazon. Amazon, in particular, is well known for hiring a lot of economists. However, all of these positions are completely different across companies. At IBM, the economists all work on macro-level reports, such as how the geopolitical situation in China will affect mainframe computing exports. They are basically collecting and analyzing trends that would affect the business and sharing those trends with the relevant staff. This might be more similar to a reporter than anything else, or some kind of industry analyst. At my company, we hire economists to basically fill two roles: a hybrid role of data science consultant and client success manager, in which they take the data from our products and help companies understand what this data means. In this way, they are client-facing, almost like customer service representatives. But they also take that data and write articles for our newsletter about trends – similar to the IBM economist focused on trends, but at a micro level, or maybe even a marketer. Amazon, however, hires economists to do three different things: forecasting, testing out new business policies, and assessing the market structure. The forecasters have backgrounds in macro and finance, and time series analysis, and support analyses that consider coming trends. The business policy roles are basically applied statisticians, using data to solve micro business problems. Those that assess the market structure are using different modeling designs to create pricing schemes and other things related to the online market to support business growth. In hiring these types of roles, Amazon is essentially using a data-driven approach to the company’s business practices, helping to maximize decision making in a number of ways. Currently Amazon hires more economists than any organization other than the Federal Reserve. All of these people leverage the position of “economist” to get work done, but comparing the data related to these positions across companies to identify trends would be a worthless endeavor. If an investor was to try to understand workforce trends or even company trends from changes in these positions, any conclusion that would be drawn would be inexplicable or counterintuitive. An investor may look at my team of economists and say we are over investing in research, without understanding that this economist team has a direct influence on our clients happiness (by helping them understand our data) and gaining new clients (by supporting our marketing efforts).I know these nuances between the economist roles across IBM, Amazon, and my company, but that’s because I have direct, qualitative experience in how those companies operate. I have acquired that knowledge through many conversations – and in the case of working at IBM and my own company, direct experience. Very few people have that kind of understanding of how different companies’ workforces are arranged and leveraged. Workforce taxonomies solve this problem. With appropriately designed taxonomies, we can give more accurate titles to positions, or have a deeper understanding of what a position title means. We can see if a company is hiring a macroeconomist that specializes in forecasting or a microeconomist that will help with client success. We can say with high levels of certainty that two jobs are indeed alike, across companies or even industries, and make analyses based on those comparisons. That is because the job titles are not based on arbitrary labels, but systematically determined and categorized through a robust data analysis process. They are developed through a combination of activities, which are the essential building block of work. With these taxonomies in place, investors can make strong inferences about the behavior and health of companies, and invest accordingly. For example, if a corporation makes a big announcement about investing in one area – like AI or VR – with the goal of becoming a market leader, we can look at the workforce data to understand how committed they are to this investment. If the company data shows that the salary they are looking to pay for engineers with an AI or VR speciality is way below market rate, you know that they are not going to obtain the top talent to execute on their bold vision. An investor interested in AI or VR might not want to put too much time or money into a company that isn’t serious about their commitment. Excerpted with permission from the publisher, Wiley, from Job Architecture: Building a Language for Workforce Intelligence by Ben Zweig. Copyright © 2026 by John Wiley & Sons, Inc. All rights reserved. This book is available wherever books and eBooks are sold.Join us at the Fortune Workplace Innovation SummitMay 19–20, 2026, in Atlanta. The next era of workplace innovation is here—and the old playbook is being rewritten. At this exclusive, high-energy event, the world’s most innovative leaders will convene to explore how AI, humanity, and strategy converge to redefine, again, the future of work. Register now.

Investing

3 Reasons You Can’t Live on Social Security Alone

nextstayCCSettingsOffArabicChineseEnglishFrenchGermanHindiPortugueseSpanishFont ColorwhiteFont Opacity100%Font Size100%Font FamilyArialText ShadownoneBackground ColorblackBackground Opacity50%Window ColorblackWindow Opacity0%WhiteBlackRedGreenBlueYellowMagentaCyan100%75%50%25%200%175%150%125%100%75%50%ArialGeorgiaGaramondCourier NewTahomaTimes New RomanTrebuchet MSVerdanaNoneRaisedDepressedUniformDrop ShadowWhiteBlackRedGreenBlueYellowMagentaCyan100%75%50%25%0%WhiteBlackRedGreenBlueYellowMagentaCyan100%75%50%25%0%There are many older Americans today who get the majority of their retirement income from Social Security. And there are plenty of people whoseonlysource of retirement income is Social Security.You do not want to end up in that predicament. Here’s why you can’t live on Social Security alone — and what you can do to avoid that fate.1. Social Security will only replace about 40% of your paycheckOnce you retire, you can expect to need less income than you did while you were working. Part of this stems from the fact that there’s no need to save for retirement while you’reinretirement. But also, some of your largest costs, like housing and transportation, may shrink.Still, you should expect to need about 70% to 80% of your former income to live comfortably once retirement begins. Social Security, however, will only replace about 40% of your former wages if you earn an average salary.Now if you’re willing to work longer, you could boost your monthly Social Security checks by delaying your claim past full retirement age. But still, you should not expect Social Security to replace your paycheck in its entirety, nor should you assume it’ll replace 70% to 80% of what you used to earn.2. Social Security is facing cutsIf you’ve been hearing rumors about Social Security going bankrupt, you should know that they’re bogus. Social Security is not in danger of disappearing completely since it’s funded primarily by payroll taxes.That said, Social Security is facing the possibility of benefit cuts in the near term. And if lawmakers don’t intervene, you may end up in a situation where Social Security replaces much less than 40% of your pre-retirement paycheck.While lawmakers do have solutions to prevent Social Security cuts, each one seems to have its own set of drawbacks. So it’s not a given that benefit cuts will be avoidable, even though lawmakers know they need to try.3. Rising healthcare costs will likely outpace your Social Security COLAsSocial Security benefits are eligible for a COLA, or cost-of-living adjustment, every year. The purpose of COLAs is to help recipients maintain their buying power as inflation drives costs upward.But there’s one expense that tends to outpace broad inflation —  healthcare. The combination of Medicare premiums, deductibles, and copays could render future Social Security COLAs pretty useless. Without other income at your disposal, you might quickly fall behind.How to avoid financial struggles in retirementAt this point, you’re hopefully convinced that retiring on Social Security alone is not a good idea. So let’s talk about solutions to avoid that.One is to save well for retirement. Contributing just a few hundred dollars a month to an IRA or 401(k) could lead to a nice nest egg over time, especially if you invest that money wisely.Another option is to consider an annuity. An annuity is a financial tool that could end up paying you money on a regular basis for the rest of your life. Setting yourself up with an annuity on top of Social Security is a great way to not have to worry about outliving your savings.There are different types of annuities you can look at, so your best bet is to speak to a trusted financial advisor who can walk you through your options.Either way, make sure that you have more than just your monthly Social Security paycheck to spend in retirement. Even if you delay your claim for larger monthly benefits, Social Security is unlikely to be able to cover all of your bills, especially as healthcare costs rise. Setting yourself up with supplemental income could help you avoid a world of financial stress.Guaranteed Income With As Little as $1,000Most Americans don’t know where to turn for guaranteed income today. Savings accounts are a joke, bonds aren’t what they used to be, and even Treasuries look like they’re on shaky ground. But there is one good option many are overlooking. An annuity could grow your money steadily while you earn guaranteed income at a fixed rate. No stock-market risk involved.Earn a guaranteed 5.0% APY1 or more when you open a FastBreak™ annuity and contribute a minimum of $1,000.It basically takes no extra work at all other than opening the account and making your first contribution. It’s a. straightforward way to lock inguaranteed income for 3-10 years, with zero market risk. Even better, it’s self-directed, simple to open, flexible terms, and even comes with a 30-day window to change your mind. Get started.Disclosures: 24/7 wall st may receive compensation for actions taken from links provided here. 1Annual Percentage Yield (APY) rates subject to change at any time, and the rate mentioned may no longer be current. Please visit Gainbridge.io/fastbreak for current rates, full product disclosures and disclaimer. All guarantees are based on the claims-paying ability of the issuing insurance company. FastBreak™ is issued by Gainbridge Life Insurance Company in Zionsville, Indiana. Gainbridge Life Insurance Company is currently licensed and authorized to do business in 49 states (all states except New York), the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico.

Investing

Constellation Holds Margin Lead as Vistra Expands With Gas Plants and Buybacks

Constellation Energy(NASDAQ: CEG) andVistra Energy(NYSE: VST) reported Q3 earnings this month, exposing two fundamentally different approaches to power generation. Constellation doubled down on premium nuclear assets and clean energy positioning. Vistra leaned into growth through fossil fuel acquisitions and aggressive capital returns.nextstayCCSettingsOffArabicChineseEnglishFrenchGermanHindiPortugueseSpanishFont ColorwhiteFont Opacity100%Font Size100%Font FamilyArialText ShadownoneBackground ColorblackBackground Opacity50%Window ColorblackWindow Opacity0%WhiteBlackRedGreenBlueYellowMagentaCyan100%75%50%25%200%175%150%125%100%75%50%ArialGeorgiaGaramondCourier NewTahomaTimes New RomanTrebuchet MSVerdanaNoneRaisedDepressedUniformDrop ShadowWhiteBlackRedGreenBlueYellowMagentaCyan100%75%50%25%0%WhiteBlackRedGreenBlueYellowMagentaCyan100%75%50%25%0%Clean Premium vs. Diversified Growth MachineConstellation missed Q3 revenue estimates at $6.57B versus $6.63B expected, but fundamentals tell a steadier story. Nuclear production climbed to 46,477 gigawatt-hours from 45,510 in the prior year quarter, and renewable capture rate improved to 96.8%. The company operates nearly 90% carbon-free generation, positioning itself as infrastructure backbone for data centers and AI workloads demanding reliable, emissions-free power. CEO Joe Dominguez emphasized that “momentum continues to build around reliable, clean nuclear energy as a cornerstone of America’s energy strategy.”Vistra missed revenue more dramatically at $4.97B against a $6.16B estimate. Net income dropped 66.7% year-over-year to $652M, hurt by lower unrealized mark-to-market gains on derivatives and the Martin Lake Unit 1 outage. But Vistra is playing a different game. The company completed acquisition of seven natural gas plants during the quarter, started building two new gas units in West Texas, and secured a 20-year power purchase agreement for its Comanche Peak nuclear facility. CEO Jim Burke described the quarter as “marked by disciplined growth and a focus on meeting customer needs across key markets.”Business DriverConstellationVistraCore Asset FocusNuclear and renewables (90% carbon-free)Diversified gas, nuclear, coal, solar, storageQ3 StrategyOperational excellence, premium positioningM&A expansion, new buildsProfit Margin11%6.7%Market Cap$112.41B$56.64BCapital Allocation Shows the Real DivideConstellation carries a 0.41% dividend yield and trades at 41.17 times trailing earnings, reflecting its status as a quality asset with predictable cash flows. The company narrowed full-year 2025 adjusted operating earnings guidance to $9.05 to $9.45 per share.Vistra authorized an additional $1B in share repurchases through 2027 and trades at a 60.13 trailing P/E but just 17.92 times forward earnings. That compression suggests the market expects significant earnings acceleration. The company initiated 2026 adjusted EBITDA guidance of $6.8B to $7.6B, well above 2025’s $5.7B to $5.9B range. Institutional ownership sits at 92.7%, higher than Constellation’s 85%, indicating professional money managers favor the growth trajectory over the premium stability play.Which Model Holds Up When Power Demand SurgesBoth companies benefit from rising electricity demand driven by data centers and AI infrastructure buildout. Constellation captures that demand through existing nuclear capacity that can’t be easily replicated. Vistra captures it by building new gas plants and acquiring distressed assets at attractive multiples.Valuation and Growth Trajectory ComparisonThe two companies trade at significantly different valuation multiples. Constellation trades at 32.15 times forward earnings, reflecting its premium positioning and stable nuclear asset base. Vistra trades at 17.92 times forward earnings despite management guidance for significant EBITDA growth from $5.7B-$5.9B in 2025 to $6.8B-$7.6B in 2026. The valuation gap reflects different risk profiles: Constellation offers operational stability with 90% carbon-free generation, while Vistra pursues growth through acquisitions and new capacity additions. Institutional ownership stands at 92.7% for Vistra versus 85% for Constellation, indicating professional investors have positioned for both strategies.Constellation Energy CorpNASDAQ:CEG$359.82▲ $73.25(20.36%)6MPre-Market1D5D1M3M6M1Y5YMAXKEY DATA POINTS−Previous Close$368.62Market Cap112.41BDay's Range$357.12 - $370.0752wk Range$160.75 - $412.23Volume2.02MP/E Ratio41.17Gross Margin11.00%Dividend Yield0.41%ExchangeNASDAQGuaranteed Income With As Little as $1,000Most Americans don’t know where to turn for guaranteed income today. Savings accounts are a joke, bonds aren’t what they used to be, and even Treasuries look like they’re on shaky ground. But there is one good option many are overlooking. An annuity could grow your money steadily while you earn guaranteed income at a fixed rate. No stock-market risk involved.Earn a guaranteed 5.0% APY1 or more when you open a FastBreak™ annuity and contribute a minimum of $1,000.It basically takes no extra work at all other than opening the account and making your first contribution. It’s a. straightforward way to lock inguaranteed income for 3-10 years, with zero market risk. Even better, it’s self-directed, simple to open, flexible terms, and even comes with a 30-day window to change your mind. Get started.Disclosures: 24/7 wall st may receive compensation for actions taken from links provided here. 1Annual Percentage Yield (APY) rates subject to change at any time, and the rate mentioned may no longer be current. Please visit Gainbridge.io/fastbreak for current rates, full product disclosures and disclaimer. All guarantees are based on the claims-paying ability of the issuing insurance company. FastBreak™ is issued by Gainbridge Life Insurance Company in Zionsville, Indiana. Gainbridge Life Insurance Company is currently licensed and authorized to do business in 49 states (all states except New York), the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico.

Investing

Tesla Shares Recover All Their 2025 Losses

Extreme optimism about Tesla Inc. (NASDAQ: TSLA) founder Elon Musk’s relationship with President Trump pushed Tesla’s stock to $400 at the start of 2025. The breakup of that relationship and a sharp drop in the overall market sent the stock to $217 in March. It has recovered, and then some, from the start of the year, and is now up 8% year to date. The S&P 500 is 15% higher in the same period. Additionally, the run has made Tesla the 10th-most-valuable publicly traded company in the world, with a market cap of $1.45 trillion.Tesla IncNASDAQ:TSLA$435.15▲ $422.09(97.00%)1Y1D5D1M3M6M1Y5YMAXKEY DATA POINTS−Previous Close$429.24Market Cap1.45TDay's Range$426.33 - $440.5152wk Range$212.11 - $488.54Volume71.56MP/E Ratio256.20Gross Margin6.34%Dividend YieldN/AExchangeNASDAQ-->-->24/7 Wall St. Key Points:Tesla Inc. (NASDAQ: TSLA) stock has recovered and is now up 8% year to date.The sales decline may have bottomed, and Tesla is shifting focus to AI and robotics.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)-->-->Because of the breakup with the president and overall sales figures, the recovery is particularly unexpected. Tesla’s sales in most EU nations are down double-digit percentages this year. Depending on the analysis, Tesla’s market share in China, by far the largest electric vehicle (EV) market share in the world, has dropped to number five. Its U.S. market share fell to 46% through the first three quarters of the year. A decade ago, the number was closer to 80%.Recent data show that Tesla’s car sales decline may have bottomed and that it may be in the early stages of a recovery. Tesla’s third-quarter production and deliveries were higher than expected. Production hit 447,450, and deliveries totaled 497,099. Those figures were both an annual increase of about 7%.The third-quarter results were not good when viewed through the lens of the end of the U.S. EV tax credit of $7,500. The expectation is that the lack of the incentive now will cause an EV sales slump in the current quarter.Tesla’s share price reflects Musk’s pitch for its future: Tesla is not a car company anymore but an artificial intelligence (AI) and robotics company. Its AI strength will help it build the first truly self-driving cars, ones in which passengers can forget the road and what is on it. However, this field is becoming crowded, particularly in China.A look at Tesla’s robotics business shows it is in early stages. Its Optimus has only basic robot functions. However, Musk says eventually it will be the world’s most advanced robot.Tesla’s stock has collapsed and risen before. In each case, it was because of Musk’s magic.Tesla Stock Price Prediction and Forecast 2025–2030Get 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.