Articles for author: Ron Finklestien

April 18, 2025

Ron Finklestien

“Opportunities Amidst Fluctuations: 2 AI Stocks Still Worth Investing In”

Investing Insights: Why Alphabet and CrowdStrike Shine in a Struggling Market The year 2025 has not started favorably for several U.S. stock market indexes and major tech companies. The S&P 500 narrowly avoided a correction, while the Dow Jones has seen declines. Meanwhile, the Nasdaq Composite has officially entered a correction phase, following a brief bear market. Several factors contribute to these market challenges, including President Donald Trump’s new tariff strategy and the expected backlash associated with it. The market’s response indicates that investors are not optimistic about a favorable outcome. Where should you invest $1,000 right now? Our analyst

April 18, 2025

Ron Finklestien

Evaluating AGNC Investment’s 17% Yield: A Deep Dive into Sustainability and Risks

Assessing AGNC Investment: A Cautionary Note for Dividend Seekers For dividend investors, it can sometimes be difficult to look beyond a high yield and assess the underlying business. This challenge is particularly evident with AGNC Investment (NASDAQ: AGNC), which boasts a notable dividend yield of 17%. However, if you rely on consistent income to cover your expenses, AGNC may not be the right choice for you. Here’s why. What are the best investment options for $1,000 now? Our analysts have uncovered the 10 best stocks for potential growth at this time. Learn More » Understanding AGNC Investment’s Operations To evaluate

April 18, 2025

Ron Finklestien

Nio Stock Predictions: What to Expect in One Year

Nio’s Struggles: A Deep Dive into the EV Manufacturer’s Future Nio (NYSE: NIO), a prominent electric vehicle (EV) producer in China, is currently valued over 40% below its initial public offering (IPO) price of $6.26 per American depositary receipt (ADR) from September 12, 2018. Furthermore, it has plummeted approximately 90% from its previous peak of $62.84 per ADR on February 9, 2021. Nio first captured investor interest through its rapid expansion and innovative swappable battery technology, which promised quicker alternatives to traditional charging stations. However, growth has since decelerated due to increased competition, a sluggish economy in China, and higher

April 18, 2025

Ron Finklestien

Potential Impact of President Trump’s Proposed Social Security Changes on Retirees

Trump’s Tax Proposals May Threaten Social Security Funding Stability During his recent presidential campaign, Donald Trump reassured voters that he would not alter Social Security. However, he also proposed eliminating federal income tax on benefits, overtime pay, and tips. These elements are essential for funding the Social Security program. This issue is critical as the program has been facing annual deficits. Currently, projections indicate that the Social Security Trust Funds, which finance benefit payments, could be depleted by 2034. If this occurs, benefits will automatically be reduced. Any changes in tax law that decrease revenue for the program would exacerbate

April 18, 2025

Ron Finklestien

Mild Spring Weather in the US Leads to Decline in Natural Gas Prices

Natural Gas Prices Decline Amid Warm Weather Forecasts May Nymex natural gas (NGK25) closed down by -0.002 (-0.06%) on Thursday. Market Pressures and Inventory Update This drop in natural gas prices marks a 2-1/2 month low, as forecasts for warmer spring temperatures across the U.S. dampen heating demand while allowing inventories to recover. Atmospheric G2 announced that warmer conditions are expected in the eastern U.S. for the period of April 22-26. However, a wave of short-covering in natural gas futures helped prices bounce back, nearly erasing their earlier losses after the weekly EIA report showed inventories rose by +16 billion

April 18, 2025

Ron Finklestien

Revised 2026 Social Security COLA Estimate: Understanding the Impact of Tariffs on Your Benefits

Future Social Security COLA Forecast May Disappoint Seniors Millions of American seniors depend on Social Security for their financial well-being. According to data reviewed by the Social Security Administration, half of households with an individual aged 65 or older rely on this government program for the majority of their income. This reliance makes the annual cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) critical for these households striving to cope with rising costs of goods and services. As we look ahead to 2026, early indicators suggest that seniors may be facing modest increases in their Social Security benefits next year, which could lead to disappointment.

April 18, 2025

Ron Finklestien

“Shiba Inu’s 2025 Downturn: Time to Buy the Dip or Escape Fast?”

2025 Start Challenges Cryptocurrencies, Shiba Inu Faces Major Decline Cryptocurrencies have encountered significant challenges as 2025 begins. The total market value of all digital coins and tokens has dropped to $2.7 trillion, marking a 20% decline year-to-date. Bitcoin, the leading cryptocurrency by market cap, is down 11% since the start of the year. Small market cryptocurrencies are particularly struggling amid a wave of investor caution fueled by ongoing global trade tensions. This climate of uncertainty has shifted investor preferences towards safer assets like cash. For example, the meme token Shiba Inu (CRYPTO: SHIB) has plummeted by an astonishing 46% in

April 18, 2025

Ron Finklestien

“Mark Zuckerberg’s Total Compensation for 2024 Sees Significant Increase”

Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg’s 2024 Compensation Details Revealed CEO Compensation Overview (RTTNews) – According to a recent SEC filing, Meta Platforms (META) reported that Mark Zuckerberg, the CEO, received total compensation of $27.22 million for the year ending December 31, 2024. This marks an increase from his 2023 compensation, which was $24.4 million. Notably, the ratio of Zuckerberg’s annual total compensation to the median compensation of all other employees stands at 65:1. Breakdown of Zuckerberg’s Compensation In 2024, Zuckerberg opted for a symbolic salary of just $1. He also chose not to participate in the company’s Bonus Plan nor did

April 18, 2025

Ron Finklestien

“Top 2 AI Stocks Worth Investing in Today”

Investing Insights: AI Stocks to Consider Amid Market Uncertainty Stocks across various industries have faced declines recently, largely due to concerns surrounding President Trump’s tariffs on imports. Investors are particularly unsettled about technology firms, including those heavily reliant on overseas production. The tariffs may impose additional import duties, thereby cutting into profit margins for these companies. Recently, Trump announced a temporary exemption for electronics products from these tariffs, although this exemption may not last. This uncertainty could weigh heavily on the market. However, history shows that technology firms have navigated similar headwinds successfully, and established companies possess the capability to

April 18, 2025

Ron Finklestien

“CMS Laser by Laser Photonics Wins Major Contract with Top Manufacturing Services Provider for High-Reliability OEM Solutions”

Laser Photonics’ CMS Laser Secures Major Order for Advanced Marking System Laser Photonics Corporation (LPC) LASE, a prominent global creator of industrial laser systems for various material processing needs, announced a significant order from its subsidiary, Control Micro Systems (CMS Laser). This order comes from a major global manufacturer specializing in high-reliability original equipment manufacturing (OEM) sectors. The customer, well-known for supporting OEMs in demanding industries, chose CMS Laser’s custom Laser Plastics Marking System to achieve exceptional throughput and precision for marking plastic components. This system utilizes a high-precision 30-watt CO2 laser paired with a dual-position rotary table, enabling efficient