As the month of October winds down, the S&P 500 is on track for gains. According to data compiled by Yardeni Research, the average return for the index in October since 1928 is 0.52%. As you might expect, a key factor driving market sentiment is the upcoming U.S. presidential election, although investors have other concerns as well. As the calendar… 

If you’re seeking regular income from your portfolio, sometimes using a blended investment strategy can make all the difference in the world. Historically, if you wanted to capture income you’d be told to focus on bonds.  They provide regular income and are historically lower risk. Some investors, willing to take on a bit more risk, will add dividend stocks to… 

Nvidia stock has been in stellar form on the market over the past couple of years thanks to the proliferation of artificial intelligence (AI), as the robust demand for the company’s graphics cards that are deployed in data centers has led to outstanding growth in its revenue and earnings. Nvidia’s dominant position in the AI chip market explains why its shares… 

As the conflict in the Middle East intensifies, rising oil prices have drawn significant interest from investors in the energy sector. Oil prices surged nearly 10% at the start of the month, reaching around $78 per barrel. Despite rumors of supply chain disruptions, the energy sector remains optimistic about its future. Amid this, these three undervalued energy stocks seem ready for a… 

In October, the administration of President Joe Biden issued a rule requiring drinking water systems across the U.S. to identify and replace lead pipes within 10 years. To go with that rule, the Environmental Protection Agency announced $2.6 billion in newly available drinking water infrastructure funding through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. But that’s just a drop in the bucket when… 

Last year, the White House published a blog post titled “As the US Consumer Goes, So Goes the US Economy.” No matter what your politics are, I think we can all agree that America’s economy depends on consumers buying things. For us income investors, then, the consumer’s health is a key thing to watch, as it ultimately sets the direction of stocks.… 

How richly valued are stocks right now? Legendary investor Warren Buffett has built Berkshire Hathaway’s cash stockpile up to roughly $277 billion. When Buffett is sitting on that much cash because he can’t find appealing investments to buy, you know stocks are expensive. There are exceptions, though. In a market that’s broadly speaking priced for perfection, three Motley Fool contributors have identified what… 

The rising prevalence of chronic diseases is driving demand for health insurance products and increasing investments in chronic disease management research. This trend is also shifting consumer preferences towards health-oriented goods, making the health and wellness sector a strong market opportunity. Against this backdrop, it could be wise to watch top health and wellness stocks. Let’s analyze the fundamentals of… 

Technology stocks have led the stock market to new all-time highs in 2024. In fact, the Technology Select Sector SPDR ETF (ticker: XLK) has significantly outperformed the S&P 500’s total return in the past five years. For more than a decade, brief periods of tech sector underperformance have consistently been long-term buying opportunities, and that trend is likely to continue for… 

Wall Street analysts have recently raised their price targets on three exciting stocks with significant upside potential. This building technology company is a major player in reducing carbon emissions and improving building efficiency. The prospects of this lithium extractor will improve as electric vehicle (EV) production grows. Lastly, this roofing, insulation, and door specialist would benefit from an improving housing market. Still, are…