Kiplinger's Retirement Report: Stocks That Could Take Off in the New Year

 By SIMON CONSTABLE

American stocks have performed well over the past three years, with annualized returns greatly exceeding the long-term average of 10.5%. That is true of both the S&P 500 index and the tech-heavy Nasdaq. The big question now is: What are the best bets in 2026?

"At the end of every year, I get the question of whether investors should buy stocks that have dropped or should I stick with my winners," says Sam Stovall, chief investment strategist at research company CFRA. "It depends on what happened the prior year."

Broadly speaking, if the market was loss-making in the previous year, then buy low. If the market is up, then keep those stocks that performed well, Stovall says. He bases this on deep analysis of how stocks have performed for decades. READ MORE HERE.

Julian Herzog (Website), CC BY 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Kiplinger's Retirement Report: Yes, artificial intelligence stocks are booming

By SIMON CONSTABLEch in 

Using new tech in the workplace and at home is nothing new. But the November 2022 introduction of ChatGPT, a generative artificial intelligence service, made the use of AI the norm, and at breakneck speed.

Since the end of 2022, anyone who purchased the so-called Magnificent Seven (Mag 7) stocks, all of which are embracing AI, should have profited handsomely. The stocks are Nvidia (NVDA), Alphabet (GOOGL), Amazon (AMZN), Apple (AAPL), Meta Platforms (META), Microsoft (MSFT) and Tesla (TSLA). Collectively, these stocks were worth about $20 trillion recently, up threefold from $7 trillion less than three years ago. But stock market professionals are divided on their prospects. 

Some are bullish, others see a bubble. Brian Glenn, chief investment officer at private wealth adviser Premier Path Wealth Partners, says the surge in AI-related stocks is not yet in a bubble. "If everyone is talking about a bubble, it probably isn’t," he says. He has a point. "No one rings a bell at the top of the market," says Wall Street veteran Art Cashin. READ MORE HERE.

Kurt Kaiser, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons

Kiplinger's Retirement Report: What Made Warren Buffett's Career So Remarkable

By SIMON CONSTABLE

Warren Buffett, 95, the so-called Oracle of Omaha, is set to step down by year-end as CEO of investment company Berkshire Hathaway. Over 60 years, he and his deputy, Charlie Munger, who died in 2023 at the age of 99, produced outstanding investment returns that made other investors’ returns pale in comparison.

Look at the numbers: From 1965, the year Buffett took over a struggling textile company, through the end of 2024, Berkshire’s shares rose 5,502,284%. That’s an annual compounded return of 19.9%. Over the same six decades, the S&P 500 index rose just 39,054% or 10.4% annually.

“Buffett is the most legendary investor in the history of investing,” says Adam Patti, CEO of exchange-traded fund company VistaShares. “And he has changed the way people invest.” READ MORE HERE.

Briefings Magazine: UK’s Magical Ride to AI Superpower

As if by magic, the UK now ranks third globally in artificial intelligence.

By SIMON CONSTABLE

When people think about mega-sized tech companies, they are likely to think of corporations that were created and grew huge in the US or China. Those have dominated the sector in ways that no other country has achieved. That is, until recently.

As if by magic, the UK now ranks third globally in artificial intelligence. Private investments in British AI totaled $28 billion from 2013 through 2024, trailing only China at $119 billion and the US at $471 billion, according to Visual Capitalist data. On the face of it, there’s no reason for the UK to be a magnet for artificial intelligence. But like it or not, much of it comes down to the government understanding that AI is the future. “It understands where things are going and is being proactive,” says Ted Mortonson, managing director and technology desk sector strategist at Baird, the investment firm. READ MORE HERE.

 

KORN FERRY: Are UK CEOs ‘Job Hugging’ Now Too?

The number of CEOs quitting FTSE 100 companies dropped to its lowest level in four years.

 

By SIMON CONSTABLE

It’s been all the rage across the pond: CEOs are exiting at record levels. A similar exodus in the UK appears to be over. 

For CEOs of companies in the FTSE 100 index of the UK’s largest stocks, turnover hit a four-year low of just 7% over the first nine months of 2025. It was the continuation of a slowdown that started last year, with the country’s firms focused increasingly on leadership stability. “There is just more reluctance to rapid change in the UK versus the US,” says Dominic Schofield, Korn Ferry’s chair of board and CEO services for the UK.

At public companies, some level of CEO turnover is normal. Over the five years through September, more than half of FTSE 100 companies (53) have seen their CEOs leave. Slow growth and post-pandemic burnout have led to a wave of voluntary and involuntary departures. “It’s probably a good thing they were moved on,” says Olivier Boulard, Korn Ferry senior client partner for board and CEO services. “When the board needs to replace the CEO, they do.” READ MORE HERE.

CBS Eye On The World: @REALConstable discusses the political troubles of UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer and the suspension of a US-UK tech deal due to clashes over AI regulation.

He explains that Britain’s “Online Safety Act” aims to tax and regulate tech giants.

By SIMON CONSTABLE

 

LISTEN HERE.

The Blitz, Australian armed forces, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

Simon Constable discusses the political troubles of UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer and the suspension of a US-UKtech deal due to clashes over AI regulation. He explains that Britain’s “Online Safety Act” aims to tax and regulate tech giants, which threatens to stifle American AI companies operating there.

CBS EYE ON THE WORLD: @REALConstable reports from France on high copper prices and slowing European energy demand.

Protests by French farmers burning hay to oppose government orders to cull cattle exposed to disease and notes a significant rise in electric vehicle sales.

 By SIMON CONSTABLE

LISTEN HERE.

Bibliothèque nationale de France , Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

Simon Constable reports from France on high copper prices and slowing European energy demand. He describes protests by French farmers burning hay to oppose government orders to cull cattle exposed to disease and notes a significant rise in electric vehicle sales across the European Union.

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