1. Utilities are in high demand due to power needs and shareholder returns, driven by onshoring trends; 2. Algonquin Power & Utilities Corp. (AQN) has significantly outperformed the broader market; 3. The article questions whether the new CEO can sustain the company's strong performance amid evolving market dynamics.

1. U.S. equity markets reached new highs, with the S&P 500 and Nasdaq setting records; 2. Tensions between Trump and Powell over Fed policies emerged ahead of the FOMC meeting, with rates expected to remain unchanged; 3. Bitcoin surged above $117,000 amid regulatory optimism from the GENIUS Act, while Alpha Picks' portfolio stocks outperformed earnings expectations.

1. U.S. stock markets hit record highs driven by strong June jobs data and trade deals, including a new agreement with Vietnam. 2. President Trump signed a major legislative bill and announced plans to enforce tariffs on trading partners post-July 9. 3. Key indices (S&P 500, Nasdaq, Dow) rose 1.6%-2.3%, while commodities like gold and oil saw gains, and healthcare stocks faced declines.

1. Lululemon has consistently reported double-digit revenue growth since its IPO in 2007; 2. Despite skepticism in 2024, the company achieved double-digit growth; 3. The 2025 top-line guidance suggests a slower growth rate.

1. The Global X NASDAQ 100 Covered Call ETF (QYLD) offers a straightforward buy-write strategy with high income but at the cost of capital gains. 2. Despite its competitive distribution, QYLD has underperformed the Nasdaq 100 index and newer competing ETFs in terms of total returns and yield. 3. Newer ETFs like GPIQ and QDTE offer better upside potential and higher returns, making QYLD less attractive for aggressive income investors.

1. The Janus Henderson Opportunistic Alpha Managed Account Portfolio returned -0.81% (gross), underperforming the S&P 500® Index's 2.41% return. 2. Stock selection in the industrials and information technology sectors positively impacted performance, while consumer discretionary and healthcare positions detracted. 3. The firm expects continued strength in artificial intelligence and a broadening of market returns with easing monetary conditions and a healthy economy.

1. Upstart Holdings has shown significant growth with a 56% YoY revenue increase and improved net income, despite remaining unprofitable. 2. The AI-powered lending platform has automated over 90% of loans, leading to higher approval rates and lower APRs compared to traditional lenders. 3. UPST's Q4 earnings exceeded expectations, with revenue at $219M and a smaller-than-expected net loss, driving the stock up 20%.

1. The technology sector has outperformed the broader market with the Nasdaq delivering 126.5% returns over the last 5 years. 2. SCHG, a large-cap tech fund, has underperformed the Nasdaq with 13% returns since July 2024 due to defensive holdings and reduced tech exposure. 3. Despite its lower risk profile, SCHG's defensive sectors and reduced tech holdings will likely continue to underperform compared to the Nasdaq and aggressive growth funds.

1. AMD has lost more than a third of its value over the past year, disappointing investors compared to Nvidia's growth. 2. Concerns about AMD's AI growth and lackluster PC sales have led to consistent cuts in bottom line forecasts. 3. The Q4 earnings report showed a decent revenue beat and current quarter guidance was ahead of expectations.

1. Anheuser-Busch InBev's stock performance has been a disaster for shareholders in recent years; 2. The S&P 500 appreciated by more than 80% during the same period, while the consumer staples sector as a whole had a lower return; 3. The author maintains a 'Sell' rating on the stock for several years but is now optimistic about BUD's potential for satisfactory shareholder returns.

1. QQQ has outperformed the S&P 500, offering higher total and risk-adjusted returns. 2. However, its tech concentration and high valuations introduce risks. 3. An optimal addition to QQQ is presented to enhance the Sharpe ratio and optimize risk-adjusted returns.

1. The stock market surged to its best weekly performance since November 2024, driven by favorable inflation data and strong bank earnings. 2. The S&P 500, Dow, and Nasdaq all posted significant gains. 3. Investors are watching for the impact of President-elect Trump's policies, including tariffs, on the market.

1. The Schwab U.S. Dividend Equity ETF (SCHD) is advised against due to its underperformance compared to broader market indices. 2. Despite focusing on high-dividend yielding stocks, SCHD's returns have lagged behind the S&P 500, NASDAQ, and Dow Jones Industrial Average. 3. Alternative portfolios with individual high-yield stocks offer better returns and yields than SCHD.

1. Liberty All-Star Equity offers a unique blend of high dividend yield (10%) and substantial tech exposure, including Microsoft, Nvidia, and Amazon. 2. The fund's 2024 performance was strong, with a 20.7% market price return and a 14.1% net asset value gain. 3. The fund is selling at a low 1.16% premium to NAV, with significant re-rating potential if tech continues to perform well in 2025.

1. Since 1950, the S&P 500 has logged net gains during the first five days of the year 47 times. 2. The first five days of January and the 'January Barometer' are statistically notable, but its failure rate as an indicator for bearish outcomes is also noteworthy. 3. While Wall Street analysts continue to expect another bullish return year for stocks, December and January have been rather weak as markets consolidate the gains following the election.

1. Liberty All-Star Equity has underperformed compared to a DIY portfolio using the SPY ETF, confirming the author's 2023 prediction. 2. Some US 'value' managers hold high P/E stocks, making the fund vulnerable to market shocks. 3. The author recommends high-yield alternatives like QDPL and JAAA for better returns. 4. Given the fund's poor historical performance and high valuations, the author advises a relative sell and better-performing alternatives.

1. Penguin Solutions, Inc. (PENG) reported strong Q1 2025 earnings, boosting its stock by over 15% and proving skeptics wrong. 2. The company focuses on AI infrastructure and large-scale data center clusters, positioning itself well for future AI adoption. 3. Despite expected revenue growth moderation in H2 2025, the company is likely to exceed Q2 2025 revenue estimates, supporting a 15x EPS valuation.

1. Despite positive returns in 2024, ARK Innovation ETF (ARKK) underperformed compared to VOO and QQQ, with high turnover and volatility being key concerns. 2. VOO offers a safer investment with low turnover, and QQQ provides a balanced risk-reward profile with less volatility than ARKK. 3. ARKK's focus on disruptive innovation and speculative bets on Bitcoin proxy plays and genomics remains high-risk; the author prefers VOO, high-quality businesses, and Bitcoin for 2025.

1. After months of gains, gold's upward momentum has slowed since early November; 2. Despite recent weakness, gold remains a top-performing asset with YTD returns of 22% in INR and 29% in USD; 3. Jewellery demand has been lacklustre since the peak Diwali season, and gold price fluctuations have kept consumers on the sidelines.