The Secret Winners in the AI Boom Nobody’s Talking About
-->-->Key PointsUtilities as hidden AI winners: The explosive demand for electricity from AI data centers makes utilities prime beneficiaries, especially those near major hubs like Washington, Virginia, and emerging regions such as the Dakotas and Michigan.Natural gas as key driver: Most of the new power supply will come from natural gas, with companies like EQT and pipeline operators such as Kinder Morgan positioned to benefit from rising demand.Investor opportunities: Both large and regional utilities (e.g., Constellation, Duke, Southern, DTE, Black Hills) as well as natural gas providers and pipeline firms are expected to see long-term growth as AI drives massive infrastructure expansion.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/2025/09/ARTICLE-AI-Utilities-Secret-Winners.mp400:0000:0000:00Use Up/Down Arrow keys to increase or decrease volume.The rapid expansion of artificial intelligence is driving unprecedented demand for electricity, positioning utilities as some of the biggest long-term beneficiaries. Companies serving major data hub regions like Washington, Virginia, and even smaller, cheaper land areas such as Michigan and the Dakotas are expected to see significant growth. Much of this demand will be met by natural gas, with EQT and pipeline operators like Kinder Morgan playing a central role in supplying and transporting energy. Rising reliance on natural gas could help stabilize electricity costs, though prices are still expected to climb over the next several years. For investors, this creates opportunities across both large and regional utilities, as well as natural gas producers and infrastructure firms that will power AI’s growth for the next decade. In this video, Doug and Lee discuss a few potential beneficiaries in the AI boom that aren’t being discussed as much as others, and what potential investors should look for if they hope to find hidden gems of their own.Doug McIntyre:Lee, to me the hidden winners in the AI boom are the utilities, because the need for electricity is going to be off the charts. You can’t even imagine. I mean, Eric Schmidt, who used to run Google said that 99% of all the electricity in the world would be used by AI after 2030. So who do you like in this space over the course of the next few years?Lee Jackson:Well, we’re big fans of Constellation and the stock has just been on fire. But any, any utility that is based near the huge hubs for AI data centers is gonna work. So like, it, it, there’s a huge concentration in the Washington DC and Alexandria, Virginia area of data centers. Well, anybody that serves that area, which can be Constellation or it can be Duke or Southern Company that are all in based kind of in the southeastern part of the country, but there’s all also Entergy will probably be a player. And then the company, strangely enough, like, up in, where they’re building up in places like where they were building shale moves are now becoming data centers up in North and South Dakota up through that region. And there’s, there’s smaller utilities based up there that are probably gonna get a big chunk of that business. So it typically, if you can look in areas where they’re building these gigantic centers, that’s where the utilities are gonna do good because they’re gonna have to use natural gas. They’re just not gonna come up with enough from other sources.Doug McIntyre:This is also a pollution play, but I mean, I’ll give people an example of why they should look at big utilities everywhere in the country. There will be a data center built in, a small township in northern Michigan just came out. It’s in the middle of nowhere. But the land is cheap and they have access to electricity. But the fact of the matter is, is that any large utility in the United States is going to be in the AI data center, uh, business because there’s too much demand. Any place they can find land and electricity. I mean, as you know, they just are putting up one in Louisiana.Lee Jackson:It’s huge, like a whole county.Doug McIntyre:Musk has one that is in the close to nowhere in Tennessee. So don’t, if you’re looking at utilities, don’t just look at ones that are near big cities. These guys are looking for places that aren’t near big cities where there’s a lot of real estate, cheap and electricity.Lee Jackson:Yeah. I think, and if I, if I would’ve researched this, so I think there’s one out in, in North and South Dakota. I think it’s Black Hills, I think it’s BKH is the symbol and they cover like the whole state because you know, north and South Dakota population for both states combined is probably what, a million? Two million? And if, if there’s one in up North Michigan, DTE probably does have that business. So that’s who Detroit Edison is, is the symbol. DTE. Yeah, I think it’s Black Hills or, you know, is, is in North Dakota and it’s, I think BKH and they’re a small one in that area. But yeah, any place like look and see where these companies are building and then you’re gonna find out which local electricity provider, and again, most of it’s gonna be nat gas and one stock that we do like, if you’re looking for the nat gas provider is EQT. They are the big players and the ones to own and they pay a small dividend. But EQT is expected to be the big natural gas player going forward.Doug McIntyre:And their CEO said last week that people who are residential electricity customers should look for a 35% increase in their electricity bills over the next few years unless natural gas is what’s being used to provide the electricity. So it’s like it’s a play to the audience. If you don’t want your electricity bill to go up, then everybody should go back to natural gas. We know it’s not that clean, but it’s gonna make sure that you can still afford your electricity.Lee Jackson:Well, yeah, and the, the good thing for American citizens is we can, we have more natural gas in the lower 48 and of course in Alaska than anybody. And the president has made, you know, drilling for more when he said drill, baby drill, now he’s talking about drill for gas, baby drill, because that’s where we need it. And gas is still cheap. Three, three and a three and a quarter, 3.50. But that could double over the next couple of years. But also, some of the other big players are the people that move the gas. You know, the MLPs that structure and the nice thing about most of them, um, Kinder Morgan is one, they have huge pipelines that move gas and they have contracts that are locked in for years. So if you wanna play natural gas and utilities, you can do Kinder Morgan, which is KMI. You can do EQT or buy the utilities or buy all the above, but you’re right, that’s gonna be a huge growth area for the next 10 years.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)
2 Amazing Dividend Stocks Hiking Payouts By More Than 15%
-->-->Key PointsDividend stocks deliver compounding income and have beaten non-payers historically.Hartford FundsshowsS&P 500dividend payers generating positive returns every decade since the 1930s.Recent hikes of 15% and 33%, respectively, from two dividend growth stocks signal buy-and-hold opportunities.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)-->-->Investors seeking to grow wealth over the long term should prioritize dividend stocks for their reliable income stream and compounding potential. These stocks provide regular cash payments that can be reinvested to buy more shares, accelerating portfolio growth without relying solely on price appreciation.Historically, dividend payers have outperformed non-payers. According toHartford Fundsdata from 1930 through 2024, dividend-paying stocks in theS&P 500have delivered positive returns in every decade since the 1930s, even during turbulent periods like the 2000s when the broader index posted negative total returns. This track record underscores their resilience and ability to cushion downturns while contributing significantly to total returns — dividends alone accounted for 34% of the S&P 500’s average annual return from 1940 to 2024. In today’s uncertain markets, this stability makes dividend stocks a cornerstone for buy-and-hold strategies. Two standout examples just announced hikes of 15% and 33%, respectively, signaling strong confidence in future cash flows and deserve a closer look for potential addition to your portfolio.Intuit (INTU)Intuit(NASDAQ:INTU) stands out as a dividend powerhouse in the financial software space, offering essential tools for small businesses and individuals through products like TurboTax, QuickBooks, and Mailchimp. For long-term buy-and-hold investors, INTU provides a blend of steady income, robust growth, and a competitive moat built on recurring revenue from subscriptions and cloud-based services. With the shift to digital finance accelerating, INTU benefits from high customer retention — over 90% for QuickBooks — and expanding markets like payroll and Credit Karma integration. This positions it to generate consistent free cash flow, supporting ongoing dividend increases while funding innovation in AI-driven accounting.Loading stock data...INTU’s dividend history reflects disciplined capital allocation. The company initiated payouts in 2011 and has now raised them annually for 14 straight years. Over the past decade, its dividend CAGR clocks in at 15%, turning a modest starting yield into a meaningful income source today. The five-year CAGR of 14% further highlights recent acceleration amid post-pandemic recovery and product expansions. At a current yield around 0.6%, the free cash flow payout ratio sits comfortably at 22%, leaving ample room for growth without straining earnings. For dividend investors, INTU offers low volatility compared to tech peers. Adding it to a portfolio diversifies into fintech, where demand for automated tax and bookkeeping solutions shows no signs of slowing, ensuring reliable hikes ahead.Royal Caribbean (RCL)Royal Caribbean Group(NYSE:RCL) has transformed from pandemic survivor to dividend dynamo, making it a compelling pick for patient buy-and-hold investors chasing leisure sector exposure. As a leader in experiential travel, RCL operates a fleet of innovative ships across brands like Royal Caribbean and Celebrity, tapping into pent-up wanderlust with record bookings and onboard spending. The cruise ship’s operator long-term appeal lies in its pricing power — yields are up 10% year-over-year — and operational efficiencies like LNG-powered vessels that cut costs and appeal to eco-conscious consumers. With global cruise penetration still under 3%, RCL has runway for fleet growth and market share gains, driving earnings recovery toward pre-COVID peaks.Loading stock data...RCL’s dividend journey is one of bold restarts. After suspending payouts in 2020 to preserve liquidity, it resumed in July 2024 at $0.40 per share quarterly and has rapidly been increasing it ever since. It raised it to $0.55 per share last December, to $0.75 in February, and just hiked it again this month to $1.00 per share — a 33% increase. This aggressive trajectory yields an 11.5% 10-year CAGR, factoring in the hiatus, while the five-year CAGR explodes to 38.7%, underscoring rapid rebuilding. The current yield hovers near 1%, backed by a FCF payout ratio of 5% on surging profits — earnings per share jumped 74% in 2024. For dividend portfolios, RCL adds cyclical upside with a safety net from $735 million in cash reserves. though the company maintains a high debt leverage. As travel rebounds, its commitment to shareholders positions it for sustained growth.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.
The Government Shut Down. Here’s What History Says Will Happen in the Stock Market Next
-->-->Key PointsThe government shutdown stems from a spending impasse, leading to the furloughing of 750,000 workers.Past shutdowns averaged 8 days, with the longest being 35 days in 2018-2019.TheS&P 500is up for five straight days, ignoring the government closure so far.It sounds nuts, but SoFi is giving new active invest users up to $1k in stock, see for yourself (Sponsor)-->-->The U.S. government shutdown, now in its third day since starting on October 1, stems from a partisan standoff over federal spending priorities. Republicans pushed for deeper cuts to non-defense programs, while Democrats demanded protections for social services and immigration reforms. With no resolution in sight, essential services continue, but about 750,000 federal workers face furloughs, delaying economic data releases like jobs reports. History shows these events average around 8 days, though the record-breaking 2018-2019 shutdown dragged on for 35 days, costing the economy billions. So far, markets have brushed it off: theS&P 500has risen each trading day since, including five straight gains. But history offers clear signals on what comes next. Shutdowns Aren’t New: A 50-Year RundownOver the past 50 years, the U.S. has seen 21 federal government shutdowns since the first in 1976 under President Gerald Ford. These lapses occur when Congress fails to pass funding bills by the fiscal year’s start on October 1. Early ones were brief, like the 11-day halt in 1976 over vetoed spending. Tensions peaked in the 1990s under divided government, with two multi-week shutdowns in late 1995 and early 1996 totaling 28 days combined.The 21st century brought more frequency amid polarization. From 2013 to 2019, shutdowns hit three times, including the 16-day one in 2013 over the Affordable Care Act and the marathon 35-day impasse in 2018-2019 tied to border wall funding. No major closures happened between 1996 and 2013, but recent years show rising risks. Each episode disrupts operations but rarely derails the economy long-term, as back pay and delayed work resume quickly.Loading stock data...History’s Bullish Hint for Stocks Post-ShutdownMarkets often rebound stronger after these disruptions. Data from the 21 shutdowns reveals the S&P 500 averaged nearly 13% returns in the 12 months following each end. Since 1980, the returns are even better, on average the S&P 500 gained 16.95%.During the events themselves, the index gained 0.3% on average, with gains in most cases. The 2018-2019 shutdown, despite its length, saw the S&P rise 10.3% while active, followed by a 24% surge over the next year.This pattern holds because shutdowns prove temporary, not structural shocks. Investors focus on earnings and growth, tuning out D.C. drama. With the current shutdown barely started, the S&P’s five-day winning streak — up 0.34% on day one, 0.06% on day two, and more since — mirrors that resilience. It suggests history could repeat, potentially fueling another leg higher if resolved soon.Why Stocks Keep Climbing Amid the NoiseEven with the shutdown, equities press on, driven by robust corporate momentum. Valuations look stretched — the S&P’s forward P/E ratio hovers near 22, above the long-term average of 17 — but gains persist. Key factors include cooling inflation, expected Federal Reserve rate cuts, and unrelenting artificial demand (AI) hype.Tech leaders dominate.Nvidia(NASDAQ:NVDA), the AI chip powerhouse, has surged 40% in 2025, pushing its market cap past $4.5 trillion. It’s locked in major deals, like a $100 billion investment inOpenAIannounced in September to build 10 gigawatts of AI data centers packed with millions of its GPUs. Nvidia also partnered withIntel(NASDAQ:INTC) on custom AI infrastructure, investing $5 billion in Intel stock to integrate NVLink tech. These moves solidify its grip on AI hardware, drawing billions in orders from cloud giants.Broader tailwinds also help: strong consumer spending, despite soft September job adds, and corporate buybacks. Energy and financials join the rally, betting on steady growth. TheDow Jones Industrial AverageandNasdaqindexes hit records too, showing broad participation.The Hidden Risks Lurking in the RallyBullish vibes aside, potential pitfalls are multiplying. Overextended valuations leave little margin for error; a prolonged shutdown could spike uncertainty, delaying hiring and capital expenditures. If it stretches past two weeks — and prediction markets say the adds of its happening are 40% — it might withhold key data, making Fed decisions hazier and rattling sentiment.AI’s promise also remains unproven. Hyped investments — hundreds of billions of dollars have poured into data centers and chips — have yielded scant returns so far. Although Nvidia’s deals dazzle, monetizing superintelligence is years off, with regulatory scrutiny rising on energy use and market dominance. Broader worries include tariff threats from recent policy shifts and softening private payrolls, hinting at economic wobbles. A debt ceiling fight could follow, amplifying volatility.Key TakeawayIrrational exuberance can endure far longer than expected, and forces like AI innovation and rate relief propel stocks upward. The market could climb much higher in the near term, shrugging off the shutdown as just another blip. Yet in this frothy setup, safeguarding against downside risk makes sense — history favors the bulls, but surprises happen.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. 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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].
3 Reasons to Buy Amazon Stock Before October 30
Of the magnificent seven stocks most investors spend a disproportionate of time assessing, Amazon (NASDAQ:AMZN) continues to be one of my top picks. In addition to providing market-beating returns for most years over the course of the past two decades, Amazon has grown into an absolutely dominant force in the key e-commerce, cloud and AI sectors.-->-->Key PointsAmazon is among the most-watched stocks in the market, and will drive plenty of attention heading into month end.The cloud and e-commerce giant is expected to report Q3 results on October 30 – here’s what the market expects from the Magnificent 7 giant.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)-->-->As such, investors who have continued to hold outsized weightings to AMZN stock over the past few decades have continued to outperform.There’s a long history that tells a story of scale in key industries, and why holding onto one’s winners (like Amazon) makes sense. But here’s why I still think Amazon is a buy as we head into the company’s next expected earnings release due October 30.Upcoming Earnings Report PivotalA businessman looking at an earnings reportEvery earnings report for a key company like Amazon, you’re likely to hear talking heads and so-called financial experts tout a given report as “the biggest in X company’s history.” That’s tended to be the case with Amazon and other key high-flying stocks driven by recent AI catalysts.At least for now, Amazon’s recent robust growth does appear to justify its premium valuation, particularly if the company’s AI efforts lead to even greater efficiency. In Amazon’s upcoming earnings report, analysts and market participants will undoubtedly be diving into the company’s margins and underlying growth (from specific segments) as indicators of whether this company’s valuation reflects its forward-looking growth picture.With strong Q2 results in the books (13% annualized growth as per this past quarter), driven by an 18% increase in AWS revenue and promising AI investments and partnerships, there are certainly high expectations for what’s to come. Current whisper numbers appear to be modestly above Wall Street’s consensus Q3 estimates for a range of between $177.5 and $177.9 billion in revenue and $1.57 in ESP (a 10% increase year-over-year).In other words, if Amazon can beat these numbers materially, this is a stock that could be headed much higher from here.What Would Drive a Higher Multiple?Question mark on a dinner plateLooking at Amazon’s trailing price-earnings and price-sales multiples (at 33.5-times and 3.5-times, respectively), Amazon isn’t a cheap stock by any means. However, this is a company that’s justified an above-market multiple for a long time. And that’s been precisely due to the fact that the cloud and e-commerce giant has been able to continuously grow its revenue and earnings at a much faster rate than companies of similar size (or even those with much smaller market capitalizations).I do think that there’s a fundamental bullish argument to be made for buying and holding Amazon stock here, particularly if the company can. grow its cash flow at a double-digit rate for the years to come. That’s what the company is projecting, with around 20% cash flow growth in its core AWS division doing most of the work.So long as cloud growth remains strong, and Amazon’s AI investments continue to pay off, there’s a lot to like about where this stock is positioned. A lot can change between now and the next quarter or two, and I’m sure we’ll be looking at a much different company a few years down the line.But given Amazon’s historical performance, the ability of the company’s management team to look ahead to future growth opportunities and invest aggressively, I like where this stock is trading today. Amazon remains a buy, at least in my books heading into this print.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.
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)
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.