Market Trends

It may be wise to start preparing your portfolio for volatility.

After a strong multiyear run, the S&P 500 now trades at a lofty valuation.

Buffett is a big fan of low-cost index funds for everyday investors.

Fed Chair Kevin Warsh and the Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) may be at a crossroads come the September FOMC meeting.

VTI and ITOT are identical in most meaningful ways, but there are a couple of subtle differences for investors to consider.

Here's how the two funds stack up on factors like price, risk, returns, and diversification.

The unemployment rate remains near historically low levels.

Both funds hold 2,000+ investment-grade bonds with matching 4.9% yields and virtually identical five-year returns. Vanguard edges ahead with a lower 0.03% expense ratio.

EUFN provides broader geographic diversification across developed Europe with lower volatility, while KBWB concentrates on U.S. banks for more concentrated exposure.

AMLP offers a 7% dividend yield and lower volatility, while TAN delivers higher growth potential and 41% one-year returns.

Small-cap growth fund ISCG delivered stronger returns over the last 12 months, while mega-cap fund MGK had the higher return over the last five years.

Fidelity's broader 104-stock portfolio and lower 0.08% expense ratio deliver superior returns and a 2.2% dividend yield.

The Iran war isn't just an energy supply issue any longer.

On Aug. 11, 2026, crude climbed amid Middle East tensions while tech stocks struggled despite a major AI infrastructure financing push.

The biggest winners of the AI boom might be found in unexpected places -- like value stocks and small-caps.

Vanguard's ultra-low 0.05% fee trails iShares' 33.7% one-year gain, forcing investors to weigh long-term savings against recent outperformance.

iShares U.S. Consumer Staples offers broader diversification with 53 holdings versus PBJ's 31, plus a lower 0.38% expense ratio and higher 2.6% dividend yield for income investors.

Vanguard's concentrated tech portfolio delivered 18.1% returns with a 0.05% fee, while iShares' diversified small-cap basket posted 33.7% gains but costs 0.24% annually.

Why are the indexes red when the typical stock is green? Alphabet and Amazon account for nearly the whole decline, and Wednesday's inflation report is the week's real event.

Buffett is widely considered the greatest investor of all time.