March 25, 2026

What You Need to Know Today:

CPI inflation “subdued” in February–but the numbers are sooo out of date

U.S. inflation stayed subdued in February, the month leading up to the war in Iran. Which makes the data basically meaningless. February’s report, which was released by the Bureau of Labor Statistics on Wednesday, covers the period up until the United States and Israel first struck Iran on the final day of the month. The Consumer Price Index report showed that headline inflation steadied at a 2.4% annual rate in February, matching January’s annual rate of increase. On a monthly basis, prices ticked up 0.3%. Core inflation, which excludes volatile food and energy prices registered a 2.5% year-over-year increase. The month to month increase was 0.2%

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Private credit stress just keeps on building

Private credit stress just keeps on building

Two of the biggest names in private credit, Ares Management and Apollo Global Management, blocked investors from getting even half of the money they wanted out of their funds. Yep, the $1.8 trillion private credit market continues to show signs of strain.

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Yes, they’re talking but…. Trying to read the tea leaves in the Iran war

Yes, they’re talking but…. Trying to read the tea leaves in the Iran war

There are talks. But not direct talk between the U.S. and Iran. And we don’t know if anyone is serious about finding a way to end this war. We do know that not everyone in the Israeli government thinks it’s time to put an end to the conflict. And that some outside but important players–such as Saudi Arabia–don’t think the job of restructuring the Middle East is done. Egypt, Pakistan and Turkey have taken the lead in efforts to broker a peace deal between the United States and Iran, serving as intermediaries in talks between Trump administration envoy Steve Witkoff and Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, according to U.S. and foreign officials.

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For half a day, it’s TACO time again–as Trump extends deadline for expanding Iran war

For half a day, it’s TACO time again–as Trump extends deadline for expanding Iran war

So who to believe? For half of Monday, financial markets believed President Donald Trump’s statements to reporters told that the United States and Iran were engaging in “very strong talks” toward ending the war. The talks he said had produced “many, like 15 points,” of agreement. He said he was postponing until Friday his threat to attack Iranian power plants while talks take place. The Standard & Poor’s 500 gained 2.2% on the reports. trades who had placed their TACO bets were happy. (TACO stands for Trump Always Chickens Out.) Those gains even survived a denial from the speaker of Iran’s Parliament that any such negotiations were underway. He accused President Trump of issuing false statements to calm rattled energy markets. Iranian officials said their country would continue to fight. But as the day’s trading wore on, the gains diminished.

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Special Report: The Next Big Things and how to invest in them–Part 1 Quantum Computing; Part 2 Nuclear Fusion

Special Report: The Next Big Things and how to invest in them–Part 1 Quantum Computing; Part 2 Nuclear Fusion

A suggested quantum computing portfolio. If you want a piece of this Next Big Thing, but with less risk and less upside than a pure-play quantum stock, I’d suggest Alphabet/Google (GOOG). Among pure plays I’d include D‑Wave Quantum (QBTS), up about 235% year‑to‑date as of late 2025; Rigetti Computing (RGTI), up34% YTD by late December; and IonQ (IONQ), up around 25% year-to-date by late December.

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Special Report: 3 Stock Market Bubbles: When will they burst? What to do now? Part 1, the AI bubble, Part 2, the debt market bubble, and Part 3, the cheap money bubble

Special Report: 3 Stock Market Bubbles: When will they burst? What to do now? Part 1, the AI bubble, Part 2, the debt market bubble, and Part 3, the cheap money bubble

This is a very difficult stock market. Even as stocks climb to new record highs. On the one hand, even investors who are all in, maybe even overweight to the long side, worry that this rally isn’t sustainable for much longer. By most historical standards valuations are off the charts. I get a steady stream of stories and posts asking whether XYZ stock has climbed to faro fast. Volatility on somedays can be downright scary with relatively minor events leading to big market moves. It’s simply very hard to stay on board this rally. On the other hand, it’s very hard to get off the train. I see lots of Wall Street analysts cutting recommendations from “buy” to “hold” on valuation fears, but I see almost no one saying “sell.” FOMO–fear of missing out–is just too strong. Which is totally understandable. The Standard & Poor’s 500 index was up 25.02% in 2024 and was up another 18.11% in 2025 to date through October 27. Market leaders have racked up even bigger gains. AI chip icon Nvidia (NVDA) was up 171% in 2024 and has gained another 39% in 2025 through October 27. It’s insanely difficult to walk away from those kinds of gains. So what’d you do?

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Special Report: How to invest in our 3 energy crises–First 8 picks JCI, BEPC, LNG, SMNEY, GNRC,  CCJ, EQNR and GVE

Special Report: How to invest in our 3 energy crises–First 8 picks JCI, BEPC, LNG, SMNEY, GNRC, CCJ, EQNR and GVE

You don’t need the Department of Energy or the Energy Information Administration to tell you we have an energy crisis. (Good thing since they’re shut down with the rest of the Federal government today.) All you need to do is look at your electricity bill. This summer monthly home electric bills jumped in Trenton, New Jersey, for a typical home by $26. In Philadelphia, it increased about $17. And in Columbus, Ohio, it spiked $27. And your monthly bill doesn’t capture the full damage. In California,residential electric rates are up 62% in five years. In Maryland residential rates are up 54% in five years. Most frustratingly–and most importantly for investors–those bills don’t explain the nature of the crisis.
Or more accurately “crises.” Because we’re the middle of three, overlapping and interlocking energy crises. That are playing out on different timeframes that range from NOW to the next 5 to 10 years. It’s that last point that’s critically important for investors. Because to make money–and let’s be clear: like in all crises there’s money to be made investing in these three crises–you’ve got to understand the nature of each crisis and buy into it at the right time. Not so early that you sell in disappointment because your profits haven’t arrived yet. Not so late that all themes tasty profits are gone. This Special Report is about untangling the 3 energy crises, giving you a timeline for investing in each, and then calling out 10 picks you cause to profit from theses crises. Ya, ready?

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Special Report: “10 better dividend stocks for a dangerous market”–Part 1 with 6 sells, Part 2 first buy COLD

Special Report: “10 better dividend stocks for a dangerous market”–Part 1 with 6 sells, Part 2 first buy COLD

You remember what The Rolling Stones sing? “You can’t always get what you want”?

In this historically expensive market with a slowing economy, with a falling dollar and a climbing government deficit, where no one knows what the Trump tariffs regime we lookalike in 60 days, and where stagflation where inflation rises even as the economy’s growth rate slows I know what I want: some safe dividend stocks to take some of the risk out of my portfolio, with tasty 8% dividend yields, with solid financials and low debt, and with relatively low exposure to any downturn in the economic cycle. Is that too much to ask? Well, apparently, Yes. Because I can’t find any stocks that fit the bill. Stocks paying anywhere near that yield, for example, come with more rick than I want to take on in this market and this economy. Especially because the last thing I want to do is add high-risk, go-for-broke dividend stocks to the “safe” side of my portfolio. But the Stones go on to advise “but if you try sometimes, you’ll find/You get what you need.” And that’s what this Special Report “10 better dividend stocks for a dangerous market” is all about.

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