“All of this goes to my son.” (Photo subject is a model.) - Getty Images/iStockphoto Dear Quentin, I’m 80 and I need to get my financial ducks in a row. I have $650,000 in investments, $250,000 in life insurance and about $150,000 equity in my home, plus good long-term-care insurance. All of this goes to my son. What’s the best way to protect him from heavy taxes when he inherits? Octogenarian Mom Most Read from MarketWatch Don’t miss: ‘I’m terrified I’ll be homeless when my husband, 76, stops working’ ...

Core Insights - The transportation industry is experiencing a significant shift towards autonomous vehicle (AV) technology, with electric vehicles gaining market share, primarily led by Tesla [1] - Investors may need to recalibrate their expectations for Tesla, especially in light of comments from competitors regarding the future of AVs [2] Group 1: Tesla - Tesla's current market cap stands at $1.5 trillion, with a price-to-earnings ratio of 382, indicating high investor expectations [8] - The company aims to launch a global robotaxi fleet to generate high-margin, recurring revenue, but faces numerous technical, regulatory, and safety challenges [6][7] - As of the end of last year, Tesla's robotaxis were operational in limited areas, suggesting that significant progress is still required to meet ambitious AV goals [7] Group 2: Uber - Uber is the leader in the ride-hailing market, boasting 202 million monthly active users and completing 3.8 billion trips in Q4 [4] - The CEO of Uber, Dara Khosrowshahi, predicts that by 2029, the company will be the largest facilitator of AV trips globally, although he cautions that AVs will remain a small part of the rideshare market for years [5] - Uber's partnerships and extensive user base provide a competitive advantage, allowing it to scale quickly in the AV space [9] - Khosrowshahi envisions a hybrid system of AVs and driver-enabled rides, which aligns with fluctuating demand and benefits Uber's business model [10]

Core Viewpoint - Merck (NYSE: MRK) presents a compelling investment opportunity due to its attractive dividend yield and strong business fundamentals, despite the focus on GLP-1 weight-loss therapies in the pharmaceutical sector [1]. Dividend Attractiveness - Merck's current dividend yield is 2.8%, significantly higher than the S&P 500's yield of 1.1% and the average pharmaceutical stock yield of 1.7%, making it over 60% higher than the average drug stock [2]. - The company has a history of steadily increasing its dividend over the past 35 years, enhancing its appeal to dividend investors [3]. - Although there have been periods of steady dividends, this reflects management's commitment to supporting dividends during challenging times, recognizing their importance to investors [4]. Future Dividend Growth - Over the past decade, Merck's dividend has nearly doubled, with a current payout ratio of 45%, indicating potential for future dividend growth and compounding through reinvestment [5]. - The company is well-positioned to continue supporting its dividend while investing in new innovations [6]. Business Strengths - Merck has strong positions in cardiometabolic disease, cancer, and infection care, with ongoing developments to extend patent protections for its oncology drug Keytruda beyond the 2028 U.S. patent expiration [6]. - The company is working on a pill version of Keytruda, which could further extend patent protections into the 2030s [6]. Investment Opportunity - While not as high-profile as competitors like Eli Lilly, Merck offers a steady investment opportunity for those looking to build wealth through dividends [7]. - The company is recognized as a well-run drugmaker that rewards dividend investors for their loyalty [7].

Core Insights - The State Street SPDR Portfolio S&P 600 Small Cap ETF (SPSM) and the Schwab U.S. Small-Cap ETF (SCHA) provide diversified exposure to U.S. small-cap stocks but differ in their index tracking and methodologies [1][2] Group 1: Cost and Size Comparison - SPSM has a lower expense ratio of 0.03% compared to SCHA's 0.04% [3] - As of February 20, 2026, SPSM's one-year total return is 18.4%, while SCHA's is 22.3% [3] - SPSM offers a higher dividend yield of 1.5% compared to SCHA's 1.2% [3] - SPSM has an AUM of $14.8 billion, while SCHA has $20.8 billion [3] Group 2: Performance and Risk Comparison - Over five years, SPSM's maximum drawdown is (27.94%), while SCHA's is (30.79%) [5] - The growth of $1,000 over five years is $1,244 for SPSM and $1,223 for SCHA [5] Group 3: Portfolio Composition - SCHA tracks a broad small-cap index with 1,724 stocks, emphasizing diversification across sectors such as financial services (17.9%), industrials (17.2%), and healthcare (15.8%) [6] - SPSM covers 607 stocks with sector tilts towards industrials (18.1%), financial services (18%), and consumer discretionary (14%) [7] - SCHA's largest holding is Sandisk Corp at 2%, while SPSM's top holdings are less than 1% each [6][7]

Palo Alto's business is going from strength to strength as it prepares customers for an increasingly dangerous cyber landscape.Artificial intelligence (AI) is a revolutionary technology, but it can also be extremely dangerous in the wrong hands. According to Palo Alto Networks' (PANW 1.52%) Unit 42 research division, some of the most severe cyberattacks are now happening four times faster than they were a year ago, with the best hackers successfully breaching networks and stealing valuable data in under one ...

Core Insights - The discussion revolves around the volatility of Bitcoin and the implications of selling personal assets, such as cars, to invest in it, highlighting a mix of conviction and caution among investors [1][6][7]. Group 1: Investment Sentiment - Some investors express strong belief in Bitcoin's long-term potential, suggesting that it will continue to rise against fiat currencies, with predictions of reaching $250,000 within ten years [1][2]. - A Reddit user shared their decision to sell their car to invest in Bitcoin, indicating a willingness to take significant risks for potential future gains [5]. - The sentiment among long-term Bitcoin holders is generally positive, with claims that no one has lost money if they held Bitcoin for an extended period [2]. Group 2: Cautionary Perspectives - Many commenters advise against selling essential assets like cars for speculative investments, emphasizing the importance of practicality and opportunity cost [4][6]. - The recent drop in Bitcoin's price by approximately 28% over the past month, falling to around $68,000, raises concerns about the timing of investments [5][6]. - Suggestions for dollar-cost averaging are made as a more cautious approach to investing in Bitcoin, allowing investors to mitigate risks without liquidating significant assets [2]. Group 3: Practical Considerations - The practicality of selling a car for Bitcoin is questioned, with arguments that a car is often necessary for income and flexibility, especially in the U.S. [3][4]. - Comments reflect a consensus that selling a $10,000 car for a speculative asset may not be a sound financial decision, as the potential gains from Bitcoin may not justify the loss of a necessary asset [4][6].

Core Viewpoint - Amazon's stock has been declining, down 12% over the past year, despite strong performance and significant investment in artificial intelligence (AI), creating potential buying opportunities for investors [1][8] Investment in AI - Amazon plans to invest $200 billion in AI this year, the highest among major competitors, with CEO Andy Jassy emphasizing the company's expertise in understanding demand signals and generating returns on invested capital [3] - The company's cloud division, Amazon Web Services (AWS), has a run rate of $142 billion, with a 24% year-over-year sales increase in the fourth quarter, marking the highest growth rate in years [3][6] Market Position and Growth - Amazon is transitioning clients from on-premises solutions to cloud services, positioning itself to capitalize on this shift [4] - The company continues to lead in e-commerce, launching services like Amazon Now for rapid delivery, which has significantly increased shopping frequency among Prime members in markets like India [6] Advertising and Future Growth - The advertising segment is experiencing high growth, with a 22% year-over-year sales increase in the fourth quarter, and Prime Video ads attracting 315 million viewers [7] - Amazon is also advancing in its satellite business and other areas, providing additional avenues for future growth [7] Market Sentiment - Despite current market challenges, Wall Street analysts largely view Amazon as a buy, with a consensus target suggesting a potential 42% gain over the next 12 to 19 months, and one analyst predicting a 79% increase [1][8]

Core Viewpoint - Rosen Law Firm is investigating potential securities claims on behalf of shareholders of Trip.com Group Limited due to allegations of materially misleading business information [1] Group 1: Investigation and Legal Action - Investors who purchased Trip.com Group securities may be entitled to compensation through a class action lawsuit without any out-of-pocket fees [2] - The Rosen Law Firm is preparing a class action to seek recovery of investor losses related to Trip.com [2] Group 2: Stock Performance and Regulatory Issues - Trip.com stock fell 17% on January 14, 2026, after the company disclosed it is under investigation by China's market regulator for potential antitrust violations [3] Group 3: Rosen Law Firm's Credentials - Rosen Law Firm has a strong track record in securities class actions, having achieved the largest securities class action settlement against a Chinese company [4] - The firm has been ranked No. 1 for securities class action settlements in 2017 and has recovered hundreds of millions of dollars for investors over the years [4]

Core Insights - Nio is a leading Chinese electric vehicle manufacturer known for its smart SUVs and sedans, utilizing proprietary battery swapping technology and integrated service solutions to differentiate itself in the competitive EV market [5][8] Financial Performance - For the trailing twelve months (TTM), Nio reported revenue of $10.50 billion and a net income loss of $3.30 billion [3] - As of February 13, 2026, Nio's stock price was $4.95, reflecting a one-year price change of 16.20% [3] Recent Developments - In 2025, Nio introduced two new brands, Firefly and Onvo, which contributed to record sales and helped the company achieve significant EV delivery milestones [6] - Nio recorded its two highest monthly unit deliveries in October and December, surpassing 40,000 deliveries in each month [7] Investor Insights - RWC Asset Advisors sold its entire stake in Nio, amounting to 10,467,320 shares, with an estimated trade value of $79.76 million [2] - The decision to sell may have been influenced by a sharp increase in Nio's stock price, which rose over 25% in late Q3 due to a surge in vehicle deliveries [9] - Nio issued a "profit alert" indicating expectations of achieving its first-ever adjusted operational profit in Q4, projected between $100 million and $172 million, excluding share-based compensation expenses [10]

Core Viewpoint - The article emphasizes the importance of understanding market narratives and adapting investment strategies accordingly, particularly through a simple 2-ETF portfolio consisting of SPY and T-bills [1]. Group 1 - The founder of Sungarden Investment Publishing has extensive experience in investment advising and fund management, having been active in the field since the 1980s [1]. - The new investing group, Sungarden Investors Club, focuses on a non-traditional approach to income investing, promoting humility and discipline in navigating the investment climate [1]. - The author encourages subscribers to listen to market stories to make informed investment decisions [1]. Group 2 - The author holds a beneficial long position in SPY through various financial instruments, indicating a personal investment interest in the stock [2]. - The article is presented as an expression of personal opinion without any compensation from companies mentioned, ensuring an unbiased perspective [2].