Fed officials were divided on whether to cut rates by half a point in September, minutes show

Warren Buffett's Berkshire Hathaway is investing in Nu Holdings, a fintech company addressing the banking needs of a largely unbanked population in Latin America. Despite a recent 37% decline in stock value from its peak, Nu has experienced significant growth, with a 43% revenue increase and a doubling of customers since 2021. The company's strong unit economics and potential for developing customer loyalty suggest an attractive investment opportunity, especially at a forward price-to-earnings ratio of...

Recent market sell-offs present opportunities for investors to buy shares of proven companies at discounted prices, with Shopify, RH, and Roblox among those down 51% to 77% from their peaks. Shopify, the largest U.S. e-commerce software company, is seeing profitable growth and expanding its offerings, while RH, a high-end home furnishings retailer, has been affected by tariffs and a weak housing market but shows resilience with strong cash flow prospects. Both stocks, despite current risks,...

Apple (AAPL 3.95%) has seen its stock fall nearly 30% since early 2025 due to concerns over increased tariffs impacting its manufacturing costs in Asia. With 58% of its sales generated internationally, retaliatory tariffs could severely affect Apple's revenue growth and margins, despite the company holding $141 billion in cash and marketable securities. Instead of investing in Apple, it may be wiser to consider tariff-resistant stocks like VeriSign (VRSN) and Palo Alto Networks (PANW), both...

Despite President Trump's suspension of most tariffs, those on Chinese goods remain high and are expected to rise, impacting companies like Amazon (AMZN). With approximately 62% of Amazon's items sold through third-party sellers, many of whom source from China, the tariffs could force price increases or seller exits, reducing product variety and revenue. Additionally, a slowdown in IT spending may adversely affect Amazon Web Services (AWS), making Amazon stock a risky investment amidst potential economic...

Your Social Security benefits can change after you start collecting them, influenced by factors like the annual COLA and work earnings. While working in your 60s may initially reduce benefits due to the earnings test, it can ultimately lead to a higher benefit if you replace lower-earning years with new earnings after age 60. This hidden rule emphasizes the importance of continued work in retirement, potentially resulting in increased monthly benefits despite initial reductions. Full...

Artificial intelligence (AI) is rapidly expanding across various sectors, but the competitive landscape remains uncertain, making specific investments risky. An effective strategy is to invest in an AI-focused ETF, such as Global X Robotics & Artificial Intelligence ETF or Vanguard Utilities ETF, which could benefit from increased energy demands driven by AI technologies. The Vanguard Utilities ETF, in particular, offers a diversified approach to investing in utility companies that will support AI's growth, with a...