Solid – LSD News

Greg Abel earns solid scorecard from Berkshire shareholders after first annual meeting

LSD News Szerkesztőség — Sun, 03 May 2026 23:38:41 +0000

Greg Abel, CEO of Berkshire Hathaway, speaks during the Berkshire Hathaway Annual Shareholders Meeting in Omaha, NE on May 2, 2026.

CNBC

OMAHA, Nebraska — In his debut running Berkshire Hathaway‘s annual meeting, Greg Abel delivered what many shareholders came to see: a steady hand, a firm grasp of the sprawling conglomerate and just enough of his own style to reassure investors the post-Warren Buffett era is on solid footing.

The reviews from longtime shareholders and professional investors were broadly positive, even as many acknowledged the notable absence of Buffett, whose wit, storytelling and investing acumen have long defined the event.

“Very solid. No misspoke words. Thorough answers,” said Steve Check, founder of Check Capital Management. “Nice guy, but we sure don’t have the laughs that we had with Warren and Charlie [Munger].”

“Greg and company delivered on content, examination of businesses and confidence in outlook,” Macrae Sykes, a portfolio manager at Gabelli Funds.

David Kass, a finance professor at University of Maryland and a decades-long Berkshire shareholder, said he grew more confident in Berkshire after seeing firsthand Abel’s performance. He pointed to the firm’s “deep bench” — including executives like vice chairman of Berkshire’s insurance operations Ajit Jain; Adam Johnson, president of Berkshire’s consumer products, service and retailing businesses; and BNSF Railway CEO Katie Farmer — as evidence that leadership continuity runs well beyond a single figure.

“Greg demonstrated the knowledge of and passion for running all of Berkshire’s businesses,” Kass said. “His main focus is that of operations. By contrast, Buffett focuses more on the investment side of Berkshire.”

Granular insights

That shift in emphasis was evident throughout the Q&A session, where Abel leaned into detailed discussions of Berkshire’s subsidiaries, a level of specificity that resonated with shareholders seeking reassurance about execution under new leadership.

“The answers were really good as they gave granular insights,” said Tilman Versch, a German shareholder and founder of investor community Good Investing. “Everybody misses Warren. His clear, consistent and funny answers are hard to replace. But with more practice, I hope Greg can find his own style.”

Abel opened the session with a near hourlong presentation walking investors through the inner workings of Berkshire’s major businesses. He drilled into performance and outlook across its railroad unit, energy operations, insurance arm and retail subsidiaries, offering a level of operational detail that shareholders said felt more akin to an investor day than the freewheeling, anecdote-driven format of past meetings.

Greg Abel and Ajit Jain speak during the Berkshire Hathaway Annual Shareholders Meeting in Omaha, NE on May 2, 2026.

CNBC

Leaning into tech

Artificial intelligence emerged as a central theme at the meeting. Abel said Berkshire is already exploring AI-driven tools to improve operations at BNSF Railway, and spoke fluently about technologies like large language models, emphasizing their potential to enhance the company’s existing businesses.

He also pointed to the surge in data center development as a major tailwind for Berkshire’s utility operations, with rising power demand creating a significant growth opportunity for its energy grid assets.

“He was clearly very comfortable with technology and AI, as opposed to Warren, who typically avoided technology-oriented investments outside of Apple and, more recently, Google,” said Adam Patti, chief executive of VistaShares and manager of an ETF tracking Berkshire’s largest holdings. “Perhaps that lends insight into how the portfolio may evolve over time.”

Buyback disappointment

Berkshire’s pace of share repurchases was a point of frustration for some shareholders.

The firm repurchased $235 million of stock in the first quarter, according to the earnings report. The company had already disclosed that it purchased $226 million in stock on March 4, so this means it only slightly increased its buying as the quarter came to a close.

“The only missing piece was any real guidance on additional buybacks,” Patti said. “I was hoping that they would get more aggressive about this.”

“I’m disappointed in the lack of significant buybacks,” Check said. “I guess they’re waiting for a lower price, but they bought much more at this valuation before.”

The crowd may still be adjusting to a Berkshire meeting without Buffett at center stage. But after this first outing, investors appear increasingly willing to give Abel the room and time to define the next chapter on his own terms.

“They really incorporated more of the businesses than they ever have because it used to always just be Warren answering Warren questions,” said Susan Chan, a longtime shareholder who along with her friend Wanda Lee decided to skip the meeting this year. They watched it from Chan’s home in New Jersey instead, and found that the new format instilled confidence in Berkshire’s future direction. “And now, it’s really more of a ‘Our shareholders are our family. And we’re going to show you exactly what we’re invested in, and what we’re doing.'”

“We made the conscious decision not to go this year,” Chan said. “But we just said to each other, ‘Let’s go next year.'”

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Novo Nordisk shares rise 8% after Wegovy obesity pill has ‘solid’ launch

LSD News Szerkesztőség — Sun, 18 Jan 2026 08:36:12 +0000

A pharmacist displays a box of Wegovy pills at a pharmacy in Provo, Utah, Jan. 15, 2026.

George Frey | Bloomberg | Getty Images

Shares of Novo Nordisk rose more than 8% on Friday after early prescription data showed an encouraging start to the U.S. launch of the company’s new GLP-1 pill for obesity.

In a Friday note, TD Cowen analysts called it a “solid start” for the first-ever weight loss pill, but said “one data point does not make a trend.” They cautioned that they need to see more data to fully assess early demand for the Wegovy pill, which officially launched Jan. 5 after winning approval in late December.

Still, the initial data is a boost to the Danish drugmaker’s hopes of winning back more share from its chief rival, Eli Lilly, this year in the booming obesity and diabetes drug market. Eli Lilly won the majority market share in early 2025 and is trailing closely behind Novo Nordisk in the pill space, as it prepares for the upcoming launch of its own oral drug for obesity.

In a Friday note, Leerink Partners analyst David Risinger said around 3,100 prescriptions for the Wegovy pill were filled in the first week of the launch, citing IQVIA data for the week ending Jan. 9. In the first week of the commercial launch of Eli Lilly’s popular obesity injection, Zepbound, around 1,300 prescriptions were filled, and roughly 8,000 were filled in the second week, he noted. That injection won U.S. approval in late 2023.

The TD Cowen analysts cited somewhat different data published by Symphony through Bloomberg.

The analysts said around 4,290 prescriptions were filled for Novo Nordisk’s pill during its first full week of launch, with the majority being for the starting dose of the drug. They added that the data from their source or IQVIA likely don’t include prescriptions through Novo Nordisk’s direct-to-consumer pharmacy or its telehealth partners.

The analysts said that compares with the roughly 1,900 prescriptions filled for Zepbound during its first full week on the market.

Assuming the Symphony data is accurate, the pill “is already outstripping its injectable counterparts at the same stage of their launch,” TD Cowen analyst Michael Nedelcovych wrote in the note. A more direct comparison between the pill and the injections can be made based on available data early next week, though the figures may not prove more useful for another two to three quarters, he added.

Nedelcovych said he wants to see the full picture on the direct-to-consumer channel, which holds “significant promise” for the pill’s launch.

Demand could also shift once Eli Lilly’s pill, orforglipron, enters the market in the next few months, he added.

While Novo Nordisk’s drug has a head start, it is a peptide medication with dietary requirements — no food or drink for 30 minutes after taking the pill with water — that may hinder uptake. Eli Lilly’s pill is a small-molecule drug and not a peptide, meaning it does not have those restrictions.

Tenneco Clean Air Listing Tomorrow: GMP hints at solid market debut for the Rs 3,600-crore IPO

LSD News Szerkesztőség — Tue, 18 Nov 2025 08:28:53 +0000

The highly anticipated Rs 3,600 crore initial public offering (IPO) of Tenneco Clean Air will make its market debut on Wednesday, November 19, with expectations of a bumper listing. Grey market trends indicate the stock could open at an impressive 29% premium to its issue price of Rs 397 per share, potentially listing at Rs 512 per share.

The IPO drew exceptionally strong interest, closing with an overall subscription of 61.79 times, making the allotment highly competitive. Retail investors bid 5.37 times their allotted quota, while QIB participation soared to 174.78 times.

The NII segment, too, was robust at 42.79 times. In the grey market, the issue is trading near Rs 123, indicating a potential listing gain of about 31% over the upper price band of Rs 397.

According to brokers, sentiment is likely to remain upbeat thanks to the company’s dominant position in emission-control and ride-technology products, its solid margin profile, and a balance sheet that is almost debt-free.

Tenneco Clean Air manufactures emission-control, powertrain and suspension systems for auto OEMs, supported by 12 plants across India. Its revenue for FY25 stood at Rs 4,931.45 crore, while net profit rose to Rs 553.14 crore, reflecting strong double-digit margins and a high ROCE of 56.78%.

The IPO allotment is also out. For applicants, they can check their status by following the steps below.Here’s how to check the allotment:Registrar’s website (MUFG Intime India)

Visit – https://www.mufgintime.com/ipo/

Select Tenneco Clean Air from the dropdown.

Enter your PAN or application number and click on Submit to view allotment status.

On the BSE website

Visit – https://www.bseindia.com/investors/appli_check.aspx

Choose Equity, select Tenneco Clean Air and enter your application details or PAN.

You will be able to see if shares have been allotted to you.

Also read | PhysicsWallah shares soar 13% in debut trade after solid listing pop. Should you buy, sell or hold?

(Disclaimer: Recommendations, suggestions, views and opinions given by the experts are their own. These do not represent the views of Economic Times.)

Why defensive names and bitcoin could be solid plays over the next six months

LSD News Szerkesztőség — Sun, 20 Jul 2025 10:02:16 +0000

It may be a strategic time to pivot away from this year’s Big Tech winners.

Bob Elliott, who runs Unlimited Funds, suggests building portfolios designed to withstand a slowing economy over the next six months should be a priority.

“You’re talking about positions long bonds, long gold and short the U.S. dollar,” the firm’s CEO and chief investment officer told “ETF Edge” this week. “That’s a very non-consensus view that is also favored by some of the smartest financial minds in the world [and] in the hedge fund community.”

Elliott’s firm Unlimited Funds uses proprietary technology to create accessible alternative investment strategies, including four Unlimited ETFs.

According to Elliott, stock and bond market investors are pricing in a near-perfect scenario over the short and medium term. He thinks President Donald Trump’s tariffs and an inflation acceleration could expose market vulnerabilities.

“Being able to flexibly respond to the policy environment as it evolves… is really important in terms of building a portfolio and getting away from the long-only mega cap tech stock mindset and get to something that’s flexible that can navigate through this sort of environment,” said Elliott.

Meanwhile, Strategas Securities’ Todd Sohn thinks underperformers have potential for upside as earnings season gets underway.

“The bar is so low for some of these defensive companies,” the firm’s technical strategist said in the same interview – noting it’s “basement bottom pickings.”

Sohn’s contrarian ideas include health care.

“There’s been a mass exodus of outflows from health care sector ETFs,” he said. “Folks are scared of the administration. I get that, but I wonder if you can start to nibble in certain areas.”

Healthcare ETF

Bitcoin ‘here to stay’

Sohn also finds bitcoin an attractive play right now. The House of Representatives is looking at a series of bills tied to cryptocurrencies this week.

“We’re about three months off the S&P 500 low back on April 8. The leading category, I like to dig a little level deeper here, has been crypto. Investors are just latching on to this move in crypto,” he said. “I think investors are realizing it’s an asset that’s here to stay.”

After hitting an all-time high on Monday, bitcoin fell and was below $117,000 as of Tuesday evening.

Solid Labor Market Gives Fed Cover to Extend Rate Pause

LSD News Szerkesztőség — Fri, 07 Feb 2025 13:50:00 +0000

Less than six months ago, Federal Reserve officials were wringing their hands about the state of the labor market. No major cracks had emerged, but monthly jobs growth had slowed and the unemployment rate was steadily ticking higher. In a bid to preserve the economy’s strength, the Fed took the unusual step of lowering interest rates by double the magnitude of its typical moves.

Those concerns have since evaporated. Officials now exude a rare confidence that the labor market is strong and set to stay that way, providing them latitude to hold rates steady for awhile.

The approach constitutes a strategic gamble, which economists by and large expect to work out. That suggests the central bank will take its time before lowering borrowing costs again and await clearer signs that price pressures are easing.

“The jobs data just aren’t calling for lower rates right now,” said Jon Faust of the Center for Financial Economics at Johns Hopkins University, who was a senior adviser to the Fed chair, Jerome H. Powell. “If the labor market seriously broke, that may warrant a policy reaction, but other than that, it takes some progress on inflation.”

Across a number of metrics, the labor market looks remarkably stable even as it has cooled. Monthly jobs growth has stayed solid and the unemployment rate has barely budged from its current level of 4.1 percent after rising over the summer. The number of Americans out of work and filing for weekly benefits remains low, too.

“People can get jobs and employers can find workers,” said Mary C. Daly, president of the San Francisco Fed, in an interview earlier this week. “I don’t see any signs right now of weakening.”

Thomas Barkin, who heads the Richmond Fed, told reporters on Wednesday that the economy overall was “solid, but not overheating.”

These conditions — plus a rapidly changing mix of policies spearheaded by the Trump administration — have helped to support the Fed’s case for pausing rate cuts and turning more cautious on when to resume. The consensus is that the Fed will cut twice more this year, totaling half a percentage point, although confidence in those estimates has whipsawed in recent weeks.

Some economists have scaled back their expectations on the basis that inflationary pressures will resurface as policies like tariffs come into effect. Others have moved in the opposite direction on fears that the labor market is not as sound as it appears.

“There’s a lot of complacency out there about what the economy really looks like,” said Neil Dutta, head of economics at Renaissance Macro Research. “Whenever the Fed says they have time, they never have so much.”

One measure that has generated attention is the hiring rate, which remains subdued. Since the beginning of the summer, the share of unemployed Americans who have been out of work for about six months or longer has also steadily risen.

Samuel Tombs, chief U.S. economist at Pantheon Macroeconomics, said he was bracing for a pickup in layoffs as well, estimating that there has been a 5 percent increase compared with December’s level based on datathat tracks written notices for large-scale layoffs at companies with 100 or more full-time employees.

Right now, those developments warrant no more than a note of caution, most economists said. Steven Kamin, who previously ran the division of international finance at the Fed and is now a senior fellow at the American Enterprise Institute, said the central bank would worry if monthly payrolls growth consistently hovered below 100,000 and the unemployment rate moved significantly higher. So long as inflation is in check, the Fed could restart rate cuts before the middle of the year, he added.

The biggest unknown for the labor market is immigration. Mr. Trump has begun to deport migrants, but not yet at the scale he pledged on the campaign trail. If net immigration falls to zero or turns negative, it could result in some combination of slower employment growth, higher wages in the most affected sectors and a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a shrinking labor force.

Julia Coronado, a former Fed economist who now runs MacroPolicy Perspectives, is among those primarily concerned about the hit to growth from these policies. Immigrants are “complements not substitutes” for domestic workers, she said, such that “if you lose construction workers, construction activity just goes slower.”

Coupled with the looming threat of tariffs, businesses are unsurprisingly on edge. If those nerves translate to a broader retrenchment, that could dent hiring more significantly.

“If I were a C.E.O. of any company right now, what would I be doing? For almost any investment I can think of, the best answer is to wait three months,” said Justin Wolfers, a professor of public policy and economics at the University of Michigan.

This shift in the Treasury market may set investors up for solid gains

LSD News Szerkesztőség — Sat, 24 Feb 2024 20:07:30 +0000

Investor sentiment toward intermediate-term Treasury bonds may be changing.

Schwab Asset Management’s David Botset is seeing more flows into bonds with maturity rates typically between three and five years — and sometimes out to 10 years.

“People are starting to realize that we’re kind of at the peak of interest rate increases,” the firm’s head of innovation and stewardship told CNBC’s “ETF Edge” this week. “So, they’re looking to reposition the fixed-income portion of their portfolio to take advantage of where interest rates are likely to go next.”

It’s a shift from last year when short-term bonds and money market funds saw large inflows. Unlike 2023, more investors are trying to come up with a game plan for when the Federal Reserve lowers rates — which could happen as soon as this year.

“When interest rates come down at such point, you not only get the income from that [intermediate-term] bond, you get price appreciation because yields and prices of bonds are the inverse,” said Botset.

In the middle of the yield curve, he added, it’s “less likely for [rates] to come down, and you’ll be able to capture that yield for a longer period of time.”

But Nate Geraci, The ETF Store president, cautions against betting too heavily on the Fed’s next move.

“Taking on some duration risk makes sense, but I wouldn’t go too far out on the curve,” he said. “The risk-return dynamics [of] getting too far out on the long end don’t make a ton of sense to me.”

‘Not a sure thing’

Geraci believes the Fed’s battle against inflation isn’t over, and that could change the timeline for rate cuts.

“If you’re starting to go out on the curve, you’re making the bet that the Fed is actually going to get everything right this time. And they very well may… but that’s not a sure thing,” Geraci said. “Inflation data could still continue to come in hot. The last print we saw was higher than the market anticipated. So, the Fed may stay higher for longer, and I just think you have to be cognizant of that as an investor.”

Disclaimer

Need a solid travel rewards credit card? Earn a whopping bonus with the Venture Card from Capital One.

LSD News Szerkesztőség — Wed, 21 Feb 2024 18:33:33 +0000

Fortune Recommends has partnered with CardRatings for our coverage of credit card products. Fortune Recommends and CardRatings may receive a commission from card issuers.

Our take: The Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card earns at least 2x miles on every purchase, redeemable rewards for travel, cash back and more. Transfer miles to 15+ airline and hotel partners for potentially even higher value.

Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card

Intro Bonus

Earn 75,000 miles after spending $4,000 on purchases within 3 months from account opening

Annual fee	$95
Regular APR	19.99%–29.99% variable

Capital One Venture Rewards: Overview

Earning rewards with the Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card is like hitting the easy button. It offers 2x miles on every purchase, plus 5x miles on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel. . New cardholders also receive 75,000 miles after spending $4,000 on purchases within 3 months from account opening.

Redeeming rewards is also simple, although travel redemptions tend to be the best option. You can book travel using miles, cover previous travel purchases or transfer to 15+ airline and hotel partners. Miles can also be redeemed for cash back, gift cards, shopping and more, but those tend to offer less value. The card also includes other travel benefits, like two lounge passes each year, basic travel protections and reimbursement for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck fees.

Who is a Capital One Venture Card good for?

The Capital One Venture Card is ideal for budget-conscious travelers who want to earn bonus miles on every purchase. While the card does not have specific bonus categories, it earns an unlimited 2x miles on every purchase compared to the standard 1x of most travel credit cards.

People who prefer earning flexible points will also appreciate this card. Rewards earned from airline and hotel credit cards typically can only be redeemed with those brands. With flexible rewards, you have multiple ways to redeem your miles based on what’s most important to you at that moment. Experienced travelers will also enjoy the 15+ transfer partners, so they can search out the best value redemptions based on where they’re traveling.

Who shouldn’t get a Capital One Venture Card?

People who want to take advantage of bonus categories to maximize their purchases will be disappointed with the Capital One Venture Card. While it earns an unlimited 2x miles on every purchase, it does not offer bonus rewards on everyday purchase categories, like groceries, gas or dining. The card does earn 5x miles on hotel and rental car reservations made through Capital One Travel. However, many hotel loyalty programs do not offer points, status credits or elite benefits when booking through a third party.

Capital One has numerous airline and hotel transfer partners, but many of them may be unfamiliar to the average U.S. traveler. Because of that, some customers may have difficulty unlocking the maximum value of their rewards.

Capital One Venture: How to earn rewards

Cardholders have three primary ways to earn Venture Miles with the Capital One Venture Card, including earning a welcome bonus, miles on everyday purchases and when booking travel through the bank’s travel portal.

Earn a welcome bonus

When you’re a new cardholder, you have the opportunity to earn 75,000 miles after spending $4,000 on purchases within 3 months from account opening. Those miles are worth $750 towards travel booked through Capital One Travel or as statement credits covering recent travel purchases.

Unlimited 2x miles on everyday purchases

Instead of bonus categories, the Capital One Venture Card offers an 2x miles on every purchase. You don’t need to remember which merchants offer bonus rewards or register for special promotions. There are no spending caps, so you can earn an unlimited number of miles every year.

Booking travel through Capital One Travel

Cardholders earn 5x miles on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel. Unfortunately, you won’t earn extra rewards on flights, cruises or other travel reservations booked through the travel portal.

How to redeem Capital One Venture rewards

Redeeming Capital One Venture Miles is easy through the bank’s website or mobile app. You can book travel, cover travel purchases, get gift cards and more. Additionally, you can transfer miles to airline and hotel partners for a potentially higher value.

Book a trip

Cardholders can book flights, hotels, rental cars and more through the Capital One Travel portal. Points are worth one cent each and can be used to cover some or all of your reservation. Unlike traditional airline miles and hotel points, there are no blackout dates or restrictions on which airline or hotel you can book with.

Cover travel purchases

If you’d rather book directly with the airline, hotel or other merchant, your Venture Miles can be used to cover travel purchases. As long as the purchase codes as travel, your miles can be redeemed toward that purchase. Capital One allows cardholders to go back up to 90 days when covering travel purchases. This means you can book travel today and then have almost three months to earn additional rewards toward that purchase.

Transfer to airline and hotel partners

Capital One has relationships with 15+ airline and hotel partners where you can transfer your miles to their loyalty programs. When you transfer Venture Miles, the miles or points you receive combine with the balance in your loyalty account. You can use those rewards to book flights or hotels for a potentially higher value, like a first class flight, five-star hotel or holiday travel.

Participating partners include Flying Blue, Cathay Pacific, Qantas and Wyndham Rewards. However, not all transfers are on a 1:1 basis. Take note of the transfer ratios to ensure that the redemption makes sense. Once you transfer miles, the transaction cannot be reversed. With this in mind, make sure that the award space is available before transferring your miles.

Buy gift cards

Whether you’re buying a gift card for yourself or someone else, your miles can cover the cost. Cardholders have dozens of popular merchants to choose from. The values vary by merchant, but most start at just $25. Your miles are generally worth 0.8 cents each when redeeming for gift cards. Occasionally, Capital One runs promotions where it costs fewer miles to buy a gift card.

Redeem for merchandise and experiences

One of the lowest-value redemptions is swapping your rewards for merchandise, like Apple products. Portals tend to have high prices on items, and you’ll receive a value of just 0.8 cents per mile. These redemptions can make sense in certain situations, but you’re better off booking travel if you want the most value for your miles.

An exception to this rule is the exclusive experiences that Capital One offers. These experiences are typically not available to the general public, so it can be hard to assign a specific value to them. When you’re able to meet a childhood hero, attend an intimate concert with your favorite musician or learn how to cook from a celebrity chef, the experience can be priceless. Before redeeming for one of these packages, consider how much the miles would be worth otherwise to decide whether it is worth it.

Capital One Venture Card rates and fees

Annual fee: $95
Foreign transaction fee: None
Purchase APR: 19.99%–29.99% variable

Additional benefits

Aside from valuable rewards on spending, the Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card also comes with the following perks:

Global Entry or TSA PreCheck® credit: Cardholders can get up to $100 in a statement credit to cover their Global Entry or TSA PreCheck application fee. You must use your Venture card to pay the application fee to receive this credit. One statement credit is available per account every four years.
Travel accident insurance: As long as you purchase your travel fare using your Venture card, you receive automatic insurance for a covered loss at no extra charge.
Extended warranty: Eligible items that you purchase with your card receive additional warranty protection at no charge. Get double the original manufacturer’s written U.S. repair warranty, up to one full year, on eligible warranties of three years or less.
Auto rental collision damage waiver: When you use your card to pay for the entire cost of an eligible rental vehicle and decline the rental company’s collision damage waiver, you will be covered for damage due to collision or theft.
Airport lounge access. Capital One Venture cardholders get two complimentary visits per year to Capital One Lounges or Plaza Premium lounges through December 31, 2024.

Credit cards similar to Capital One Venture

The Venture card from Capital One isn’t your only option if you’re in the market for a travel rewards card. Here are a couple of other similar cards to consider.

Chase Sapphire Preferred vs. Capital One Venture

The Chase Sapphire Preferred^® Card is another flexible rewards card with a price tag under $100. Instead of earning 2x miles per dollar on all purchases, the Preferred Card has different bonus categories for cardholders to maximize rewards. You’ll earn 3X points on dining, online grocery orders and select streaming services. Travel booked through Chase earns 5X points, and all other travel purchases earn 2X. Plus, everything else earns 1X.

Ultimate Rewards points can be redeemed for travel, cash back and more, and when you book travel through Chase, your points are worth 25% more. Capital One doesn’t offer bonus value when booking travel through its portal. Chase also has 14 airline and hotel partners that transfer at a 1:1 ratio.

Capital One VentureOne vs. Capital One Venture

The Capital One VentureOne Rewards Credit Card is a more affordable version of the Venture. Though it doesn’t charge an annual fee, the base rewards rate is lower at 1.25 miles per dollar spent vs. the Venture’s 2 miles per dollar. The VentureOne also lacks some of Venture’s perks, like the credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck. Overall, the Venture card is a better option for those who don’t mind spending a bit upfront to get more value from their card.

Is the Venture card right for you?

The Capital One Venture Card is an excellent choice for people who want to earn flexible rewards but don’t want to spend a lot of money. It has a $95 annual fee, but cardholders receive adequate value for their money, including two airport lounge passes per year and complimentary travel protections. You’ll earn 2x miles on every purchase you make without having to remember bonus categories or register for additional rewards. Miles can be redeemed in numerous ways, including to book travel, cover travel purchases or transfer to partners.

While this card has value, some travelers are better off selecting a different card. If you spend large amounts with certain vendors, a card that offers bonus rewards for that category is a better option. Although Capital One has 15+ partners, you may not like those hotels or airlines. In that case, select a card that partners with those loyalty programs.

Frequently asked questions

Is it hard to get a Capital One Venture Card?

The Capital One Venture Card requires Excellent credit, so some consumers may have difficulty getting approved. Credit scores are available for free from many banks and websites. Check your credit before applying, and if your score is too low, take steps to boost your score to improve your approval odds.

Is Capital One Quicksilver or Venture better?

Both of these credit cards offer rewards on your purchases, and the best choice depends on the features and benefits most important to you. The Quicksilver card earns 1.5% cash back that can be spent however you like, and it includes an intro APR offer on purchases and balance transfers that eliminates interest charges. The Venture Card gets 2x miles on every purchase and includes travel benefits, but its rewards are best used toward travel.

How many credit cards should you have?

Typically, consumers should have at least three credit cards to maximize benefits and rewards. Having credit cards from different banks allows you to take advantage of the best offers from each bank and diversifies your credit. If you like to travel, getting a card from your favorite airline and hotel provides exclusive benefits on vacation and a general travel card provides flexibility when redeeming rewards.

Fortune Recommends has partnered with CardRatings for our coverage of credit card products. Fortune Recommends and CardRatings may receive a commission from card issuers.

Please note that card details are accurate as of the publish date, but are subject to change at any time at the discretion of the issuer. Please contact the card issuer to verify rates, fees, and benefits before applying

Southwest Premier Card Review: Solid Card for Southwest Loyalists

LSD News Szerkesztőség — Fri, 02 Feb 2024 14:38:03 +0000

Our take: The Southwest Rapid Rewards® Premier Credit Card is a solid choice for people who prefer Southwest Airlines. Its earning power and benefits easily cover the card’s annual fee.

Pros

Receive 6,000 anniversary points each year
Valuable benefits for Southwest travelers
Earns Companion Pass and A-List qualifying points

Cons

Does not include travel protections
Limited redemption options for Southwest points
Cannot book premium cabin flights

Southwest Rapid Rewards® Premier Credit Card Highlights

Card type: Airline, Southwest, Travel
Welcome Bonus: 50,000 bonus points after spending $1,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening
Annual Fee: $99

Rewards: Earn 3X points on Southwest® purchases, 2X points on Rapid Rewards® hotel and car rental partners, 2X points on local transit and commuting, including rideshare, 2X points on internet, cable, and phone services; select streaming, 1X points on all other purchases.

Southwest Rapid Rewards® Premier Credit Card Overview

The Southwest Rapid Rewards® Premier Credit Card is a solid choice for people who “LUV” to fly Southwest. It has a reasonable fee of under $100, and its benefits can easily cover the cost when you fly Southwest regularly. The card earns bonus points on purchases with Southwest and its hotel and rental car partners, plus extra points on local transit and streaming, cable, internet and phone services. Plus, your spending can earn points towards qualifying for A-List status and the airline’s Companion Pass. Cardholders are rewarded for renewing their card each year with anniversary points and EarlyBird Check-in credits.

Who is the Southwest Rapid Rewards® Premier Credit Card card good for?

The Southwest Premier Card is ideal for travelers who like to fly Southwest but aren’t ready to commit to the higher annual fee of the Southwest Priority Card. While this card’s annual fee of $99 is higher than the Southwest Plus Card (the airline’s entry-level card), the card’s 6,000 anniversary points each year, higher earnings and other perks are worth the extra money. The extra 3,000 points are worth a little over $40, which exceeds the difference in price by itself.

For travelers flying to Southwest’s international destinations, you’ll save money with the Premier Card because it doesn’t charge foreign transaction fees. If you stick with the lower-cost Plus Card, you’ll have to pay those fees. Additionally, Southwest travelers who want to earn A-List status are also better off with the Premier Card. It earns 1,500 tier qualifying points for every $10,000 you spend, but the Plus Card does not.

Who shouldn’t get the Southwest Rapid Rewards® Premier Credit Card card?

People who want to travel internationally may be disappointed with the Southwest Premier Card. While Southwest offers limited flights to Mexico, Central America and the Caribbean, it doesn’t fly to Europe, Asia, Africa or South America. It also doesn’t fly to Canada, which borders the U.S. to the north. Instead, those travelers should apply for a credit card from an airline that flies internationally or partners with airlines that do.

Southwest Rapid Rewards® Premier Credit Card: How to earn rewards

The Southwest Premier card offers four primary ways to earn rewards for cardholders. These opportunities allow cardholders to turn every purchase into Rapid Rewards points towards future travel.

Welcome bonus

As a new cardholder, you can earn a welcome bonus of 50,000 bonus points after spending $1,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. Spending just under $350 per month during the promotional period enables you to earn the welcome bonus on this card. This card’s minimum spending requirement is also much lower than the $3,000 to $4,000 typically required from a travel credit card.

Category bonuses

Southwest Premier cardholders can earn up to 3X points when making purchases in the card’s bonus categories. This highest bonus category of 3X points on Southwest® purchases, which includes flights, upgrades to another fare class, fees, inflight purchases and more.

When you book hotels and rental cars with Southwest partners, you’ll earn 2X points. The card also earns 2X points on local transit and commuting, including rideshare. The final 2X categories are select streaming services and internet, cable and telephone services.

Everyday purchases

Not all of your purchases earn bonus points, but they will earn at least 1X points. With Southwest points worth an average of 1.4 cents each, you’re earning the equivalent of 1.4% back toward travel. There are no limits on the number of Rapid Rewards points you can earn each year.

Referring others to the card

Chase Refer A Friend gives cardholders the opportunity to earn Rapid Rewards points when they refer friends and family. Each successful referral earns 20,000 points, up to a maximum of 100,000 points per year. The bank may send a Form 1099 for the value of the points, which can increase your taxable income.

How to redeem Southwest Rapid Rewards® Premier Credit Card rewards

Like many rewards programs, Southwest Rapid Rewards points can be redeemed in many ways. Redemption options include Southwest flights, gift cards, merchandise, hotels, experiences, events and more. However, many of these options offer subpar value, so we’re highlighting those that provide the biggest return.

Book Southwest flights

Southwest is popular among travelers because of its low fares, two free checked bags and lack of change or cancellation fees. Rapid Rewards members can redeem points for any seat on any flight without blackout dates. If there’s a cash ticket available, you can book it with points. However, the downside is that Southwest does not offer business or first class flights, so you can’t get extreme value for its points. Instead, each point is worth about 1.4 cents each toward Wanna Get Away fares. You can book other fares, but they generally offer lower value.

Pay Yourself Back

Cardholders may be familiar with the Pay Yourself Back feature from other Chase credit cards. With Pay Yourself Back, you can redeem points for statement credits that cover annual fees or eligible purchases made within the last 90 days on your card. Through March 31, 2024, cardholders can redeem up to $300 worth of points toward grocery purchases. When you redeem points with Pay Yourself Back, you’ll receive 0.8 cents per point. This isn’t a high-value redemption, but it is a good way to turn points into cash when you don’t have immediate travel plans.

Rapid Rewards Access Events

It is hard to place a specific value on exclusive events since many aren’t available for sale to the general public. These events vary throughout the year, and they often have a limited number of tickets for sale. At the time of this article, options included private concerts with Eli Young Band and Echosmith, a Live in the Vineyard event and a golf and pickleball getaway in Cabo San Lucas. For example, tickets to the Echosmith concert were available for 5,000 points (worth approximately $70) and included complimentary cocktails, appetizers and a seated dinner.

Southwest Rapid Rewards® Premier Credit Card rates and fees

Annual fee: $99
Foreign transaction fee: None
Purchase APR: 21.49%–28.49% variable

Additional benefits

In addition to earning and redeeming points, the Southwest Premier Card offers benefits that enhance the card’s value.

Anniversary bonus. When you renew the card, you’ll receive 6,000 anniversary points each year worth approximately $84.
EarlyBird Check-ins. Check into your flights before the 24-hour window with EarlyBird Check-in. Cardholders get two EarlyBirds free per year that avoid extra fees starting at $15.
Discount on inflight purchases. Get 25% back on inflight purchases of WiFi, drinks and snacks.
Lost luggage reimbursement. Your checked or carry-on luggage is covered against loss or damage for up to $3,000 per passenger.
Baggage delay insurance. When your baggage is delayed by six hours or longer, you’ll receive up to $100 per day for each passenger (maximum of three days).
No foreign transaction fees. When making purchases outside the U.S., you won’t be charged hidden fees that can be up to 3%.
Purchase protection. New purchases are covered against damage or theft for 120 days after the purchase date. Submit claims up to $500 per item, with a maximum of $50,000 per account.
Extended warranty protection. Receive an extra year on manufacturer warranties on eligible items.
Earn A-List points. For every $10,000 you spend each year, you’ll receive 1,500 A-List tier qualifying points toward elite status.
Companion Pass. All points earned on purchases, including the welcome bonus, count toward earning the Southwest Companion Pass. Plus, cardholders get a boost of 10,000 points each year, which makes it easier to qualify.
Complimentary DashPass. Receive free DoorDash DashPass membership through December 31, 2024. This is a value of $9.99 per month.

Credit cards similar to Southwest Rapid Rewards® Premier Credit Card

The Southwest Premier Card offers attractive benefits to travelers who prefer Southwest Airlines, but there are other cards that may be a better fit based on their spending habits, goals and travel plans.

Chase Sapphire Preferred^® Card vs. Southwest Rapid Rewards® Premier Credit Card

Travelers who like Southwest but want more redemption options should consider the Chase Sapphire Preferred^® Card. Its points transfer to 14 airlines and hotels, including Southwest, at a 1:1 ratio. Additionally, points can be redeemed for cash back, travel, gift cards and more. When you book travel through Chase, you’ll get 25% more points.

The Sapphire Preferred earns 3x points on dining, online grocery purchases and select streaming services, plus 2x points on travel purchases. These bonus categories focusing on everyday purchases may earn more points on everyday purchases than the limited category bonuses of the Southwest Premier Card. Sapphire travel protections also offer greater peace of mind since the Premier Card’s benefits only protect your luggage. With the Sapphire card, you’ll get trip cancellation, interruption and delay protection, plus primary rental car coverage, baggage delay insurance, purchase protection and an extended warranty.

Southwest Rapid Rewards® Priority Credit Card vs. Southwest Rapid Rewards® Premier Credit Card

Frequent Southwest travelers may be better off with the Southwest Rapid Rewards® Priority Credit Card. While it has a higher annual fee than the Southwest Premier Card ($149 vs. $99), its $75 annual Southwest credit and four Upgraded Boardings more than makeup for the difference. The welcome bonus, earning power and bonus categories of both cards are the same, so you’ll earn the same number of points no matter which of these cards you use.

Upgraded Boardings start at $30 per segment and claim the best boarding position available between A1 and A15. The Early Bird Checkins that come with the Premier Card start at $15, but they don’t guarantee a boarding position in the A group. Both programs are subject to availability, and you may not be able to use either benefit on your flight.

Is the Southwest Rapid Rewards® Premier Credit Card right for you?

The Southwest Premier is an excellent option for travelers who want to earn Rapid Rewards points but aren’t ready to commit to the higher annual fee of the Southwest Priority Card. It earns 3X points on Southwest® purchases and includes numerous benefits for Southwest flights, elite status and the Companion Pass. This card is a keeper year after year because of its anniversary bonus and two complimentary EarlyBird Check-ins each year more than cover the cost of its annual fee.

Frequently asked questions

How much is the Southwest Rapid Rewards® Premier Credit Card annual fee?

The annual fee for the Southwest Premier Card is $99. To offset this cost, it includes 6,000 anniversary points each year worth $84 toward flights and two EarlyBird Check-ins that are worth at least $15 each. If you enjoy flying Southwest Airlines, these benefits are worth the annual fee.

Can I upgrade from Southwest Plus to Premier?

Yes, you can contact Chase customer service and request an upgrade from Southwest Plus to the Premier Card. However, you generally won’t earn a welcome bonus when upgrading. For this reason, many customers close their Plus Card and apply for a new Premier Card for the opportunity to earn a bonus.

Is upgrading to the Southwest Priority Card worth it?

People who travel on Southwest frequently will find value in upgrading to the Southwest Priority Card. Although it has a $149 annual fee, it includes four Upgraded Boardings and an annual $75 Southwest credit. The credits reduce your net out-of-pocket cost to just $74, which is lower than what you’ll pay for the Premier Card.

10 smallcap stocks with high dividend yields for your portfolio – Solid Payout!

LSD News Szerkesztőség — Sun, 17 Dec 2023 21:19:35 +0000

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In a week of solid IPO debuts, who sustained gains and who fell away post listing? – IPOs in focus

LSD News Szerkesztőség — Sun, 03 Dec 2023 02:51:20 +0000

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Need a solid travel rewards credit card? Earn a whopping bonus with the Venture Card from Capital One.

Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card

Intro Bonus

Capital One Venture Rewards: Overview

Who is a Capital One Venture Card good for?

Who shouldn’t get a Capital One Venture Card?

Capital One Venture: How to earn rewards

Unlimited 2x miles on everyday purchases

Booking travel through Capital One Travel

How to redeem Capital One Venture rewards

Book a trip

Cover travel purchases

Transfer to airline and hotel partners

Buy gift cards

Redeem for merchandise and experiences

Capital One Venture Card rates and fees

Additional benefits

Credit cards similar to Capital One Venture

Chase Sapphire Preferred vs. Capital One Venture

Capital One VentureOne vs. Capital One Venture

Is the Venture card right for you?

Frequently asked questions

Is it hard to get a Capital One Venture Card?

Is Capital One Quicksilver or Venture better?

How many credit cards should you have?

Southwest Premier Card Review: Solid Card for Southwest Loyalists

Pros

Cons

Southwest Rapid Rewards® Premier Credit Card Highlights

Southwest Rapid Rewards® Premier Credit Card Overview

Who is the Southwest Rapid Rewards® Premier Credit Card card good for?

Who shouldn’t get the Southwest Rapid Rewards® Premier Credit Card card?

Southwest Rapid Rewards® Premier Credit Card: How to earn rewards

Welcome bonus

Category bonuses

Everyday purchases

Referring others to the card

How to redeem Southwest Rapid Rewards® Premier Credit Card rewards

Book Southwest flights

Pay Yourself Back

Rapid Rewards Access Events

Southwest Rapid Rewards® Premier Credit Card rates and fees

Additional benefits

Credit cards similar to Southwest Rapid Rewards® Premier Credit Card

Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card vs. Southwest Rapid Rewards® Premier Credit Card

Southwest Rapid Rewards® Priority Credit Card vs. Southwest Rapid Rewards® Premier Credit Card

Is the Southwest Rapid Rewards® Premier Credit Card right for you?

Frequently asked questions

How much is the Southwest Rapid Rewards® Premier Credit Card annual fee?

Can I upgrade from Southwest Plus to Premier?

Is upgrading to the Southwest Priority Card worth it?

10 smallcap stocks with high dividend yields for your portfolio – Solid Payout!

In a week of solid IPO debuts, who sustained gains and who fell away post listing? – IPOs in focus

Chase Sapphire Preferred^® Card vs. Southwest Rapid Rewards® Premier Credit Card