Utilities Are Havens as War Erupts. 4 Stocks With High Dividend Yields and Growth.
One reason for utilities' success is investors appear to be gravitating toward defensive, hard-asset stocks.
Market News
U.S. economy expanded at just 0.7% in fourth quarter
The U.S. economy, hobbled by last fall's 43-day government shutdown, advanced at an unexpectedly sluggish 0.7% annual rate from October through December, the Commerce Department reported Friday in a big downgrade of its initial estimate.
How Will Markets React If The U.S. Deploys Ground Troops In Iran?
A potential U.S. ground invasion in Iran could trigger an 8%-10% S&P 500 correction, with the market already pricing in some conflict risk. Prolonged conflict may sustain oil above $80-$90/barrel, with logistical risks at the Strait of Hormuz possibly pushing prices toward $150 in a worst-case scenario.
Week Ahead for FX, Bonds: Central Bank Decisions in Focus After Jump in Energy Prices
Decisions by major central banks, including the U.S. Federal Reserve, will take center stage in the coming week as investors watch how policymakers react to the recent jump in oil and gas prices.
The Social Security Trust Fund Is Rapidly Approaching Insolvency
Social Security's Old Age and Survivors Insurance Trust Fund is projected to be depleted by fiscal year 2031, accelerating previous insolvency forecasts. The annual Social Security deficit is rapidly growing due to demographic shifts, high COLA adjustments, and legislative changes reducing revenue.
Dividend stocks are catching up to tech stocks on a key earnings metric at a critical time for the market
Dividend-paying stocks are closing the earnings growth gap with technology stocks in the Nasdaq 100. Strong operating performance and improving margins have helped boost profits for many companies across the market in more defensive sectors.
Macro Matters: A Look at What 3 Market Indicators Are Telling Investors
Charts like the 10-year Treasury yield, the copper-to-gold ratio, and the VIX help reveal shifts in risk appetite, economic momentum, and investor sentiment.
Fed's preferred inflation gauge show prices increased even before Iran war began
Excluding the volatile food and energy categories — which the Fed pays closer attention to — core prices rose 3.1%, up from 3% in the prior month and the highest in nearly two years.
Q4 2025 U.S. GDP Growth Rate Drops Unexpectedly
It's Friday the 13th and ahead of the Ides of March this weekend. Not sure this is apropos of anything, but this morning brings us a heap of economic data. We can decide for ourselves whether we need to beware of anything. Pre-market futures are up following the release of this data, bringing in a spring green a week ahead of the season's change.
Stocks mixed, oil holds above $100 after temporary lift on Russian energy sanctions
US stocks were mixed and oil ticked back up to $100 a barrel after earlier dips in the session as investors braced for a possibly prolonged war in Iran and the White House announced a temporary lift on Russian energy sanctions.
The U.S. economy is less exposed to oil shocks today than in prior decades
Previous Mideast conflicts have caused recession. Today's economy has more insulation from oil shock, but is showing some strains.
Is the Economy in Trouble? Warning Signs Are Piling Up.
The latest batch of economic data raises the question: Is the U.S. economy heading somewhere bad?
Stock Market Falls In Volatile Week As Oil Prices Surge; Oracle, Nvidia Buoy AI Plays: Weekly Review
The stock market largely fell in a volatile week as oil prices surged amid the Iran war. Oracle and Nvidia helped support AI stocks.
GDP Revision Shock, Sticky Inflation Fan Stagflation Fears: What's Moving Markets Friday?
U.S. equities traded in mixed territory Friday morning as Wall Street weighed a stark downward revision to fourth-quarter economic growth against a sticky inflation reading prior to the oil shock of the war in Iran.
Consumer Fears Of Inflation Spike After Iran War, University Of Michigan Says
The University of Michigan's preliminary consumer sentiment reading for March 2026 came in at 55.5, a modest 1.9% decline from February's 56.6 and the lowest level in three months.
Focus on Friday's Close, SPX Levels at $6800 & Implied Volatility
With markets slightly higher in early Friday trading, @CharlesSchwab's Joe Mazzola asks the question: "Are we able to hold these gains into the end of the day?" He says staying above $6800 is important for the S&P 500 (SPX).
US economy grew meager 0.7% in Q4 in big downgrade from initial estimate — here's why
Consumer spending grew at a 2% clip, down from 3.5% in the third quarter and the 2.4% the government had initially estimated.
JP Morgan sees crude supply cuts nearing 12 million bpd as tanker halt tightens markets
Crude oil supply cuts are on track to reach nearly 12 million barrels per day by the end of next week, intensifying deficits in physical markets as tanker movements through a key Middle Eastern waterway face a two-week disruption, JPMorgan said in a note on Friday.
Wall Street Bankers Offered Lucrative Access to Join the Pentagon
A presentation from a headhunting firm aimed to recruit Wall Street investors to the Pentagon by offering “unmatched access” to government officials and fund-raising opportunities among foreign sovereigns.
This MarketWatch portfolio of hated stocks is crushing the stock market in 2026
Pariah Capital's strategy is one thing that's been winning during the Iran conflict.
