Apple Inc (NASDAQ:AAPL) is one of the best stocks to buy for the AI boom in the second half of 2026. Since the year began, Apple shares have returned more than 48%, and analysts expect them to keep rising. Elite investors continue to show confidence in Apple as the company leverages AI to make its products better.
» Read more about: Apple (AAPL) Rides Growing Demand for AI-Enabled Smartwatches »
Nvidia (NVDA +2.93%) was a relatively obscure chipmaker specializing in gaming technology before artificial intelligence (AI) exploded a few years ago, sending the stock to the No. 1 spot as the world’s most valuable company. It held on to that title for most of 2025 as Nvidia enjoyed outstanding growth,
Most people who receive Social Security retirement benefits will see their monthly payments in August 2026 as usual — with checks and direct deposits distributed according to the Social Security Administration’s standard schedule.
Here’s more on payments, including the August payment for Supplemental Security Income (SSI) recipients, which will not see a payment issued within the month of August since the monthly payment was instead issued on July 31.
Tesla (TSLA +0.76%) is not having a good year. The company’s shares took a major dip after it reported its second-quarter earnings on July 22, and they are down 28% to date. Tesla’s results weren’t terrible, but the company’s capex is growing rapidly and squeezing profits and margins.
Passive index investing has continued to gain popularity over the past few years, and it’s easy to see why: It’s hard to beat the market. However, there are many more reasons passive index investing is such a winner among investors, including Warren Buffett himself, who has beaten the market and has been recommending this model for decades.
July 31 (Reuters) – Cboe Global Markets reported a jump in second-quarter profit on Friday, topping Wall Street expectations, as it benefited from strong options trading volumes at a time of elevated …
» Read more about: Cboe profit beats estimates as elevated volatility spurs options trading boom »
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You just hit age 59 1/2, and the 10% early withdrawal penalty on your 401(k) quietly evaporated overnight. The money is finally yours to touch without a tax slap. You now get to decide, deliberately, how to position the piece you might actually use in the next decade.
Social Security’s trust fund runs dry by late 2032, which would trigger an automatic 22% cut to benefits without congressional action.
Congress could raise the 12.4% payroll tax, eliminate the $184,500 wage cap, or push back the full retirement age beyond 67.
» Read more about: The 3 Biggest Social Security Changes Congress Could Make Before 2032 »
Earnings season is in full swing, and recently, the three largest hyperscalers released their quarterly updates. Of course, we are talking about the “Big Three” in the cloud computing industry: Amazon (AMZN +15.32%), Microsoft (MSFT +3.02%),
» Read more about: Amazon vs. Microsoft vs. Alphabet: Which Is the Best Cloud Stock to Buy Now? »
For five consecutive quarters, Meta Platforms did something that very few companies at its scale manage to pull off. It beat earnings expectations every single time, while simultaneously ramping one of the most aggressive AI spending programs in corporate history.
The market rewarded both things. The stock climbed. The narrative held together.
» Read more about: Bank of America sends strong verdict to Meta stock investor »