The Fed's Meeting Minutes Just Echoed Concerns Not Heard Since Alan Greenspan in 1996. History Says This Could Be Both Great and Terrible for the S&P 500

If you will be 73 or older in 2025 and have non-Roth IRAs, you must start making taxable withdrawals known as required minimum distributions (RMDs). The amount you need to withdraw annually increases with age, with specific calculations based on your IRA's value, reaching 50% at age 120. Want More Context? 🔎

NextEra Energy (NYSE: NEE) is the largest utility stock by market capitalization, valued at over $150 billion, surpassing its closest competitor by more than $30 billion, according to The Motley Fool. Despite its size, analysts believe the utility could potentially double in value in the coming years, driven by various growth factors. Want More Context? 🔎

Palantir (NASDAQ: PLTR) stock experienced a 1% decline in Monday's trading, having dropped as much as 5.9% earlier in the day, amid broader market pressures that affected the S&P 500 and Nasdaq Composite. Over the past week, Palantir's stock has decreased by 10% and is now 16% below its all-time high, although no significant business news appears to have influenced this downturn. Want More Context? 🔎

First Guaranty Bancshares (NASDAQ:FGBI), a regional bank operating in Louisiana, Texas, Kentucky, and West Virginia, reported disappointing results on July 31, 2025, primarily due to increased provisions for loan losses despite improvements in risk management and expenses. The bank is shifting focus from commercial real estate to residential, consumer, and agricultural lending while emphasizing expense control and maintaining strong capital and liquidity to navigate market volatility. Want More Context? 🔎

Shiba Inu (CRYPTO: SHIB), a meme coin created as a parody of Dogecoin (CRYPTO: DOGE), has seen a remarkable increase in value, turning a $100 investment in November 2020 into $2.35 million today, fueled by its association with Dogecoin, listings on major exchanges like Coinbase and Binance, and endorsements from celebrities like Elon Musk. Want More Context? 🔎

Apple (NASDAQ: AAPL) hit an all-time high of $260.10 per share on December 26, 2024, but has since declined to around $228, reflecting a drop of over 12%. Meanwhile, the S&P 500 has risen by 7%, indicating that Apple has significantly underperformed compared to the broader market since its peak. Want More Context? 🔎