BusinessFintech

Evernorth Pursues $1 Billion SPAC to Offer Public XRP Investment Vehicle

Evernorth, founded by former Ripple executive Asheesh Birla, plans to go public via SPAC merger with Armada Acquisition Corp II. The company aims to provide investors with transparent exposure to XRP through institutional lending and DeFi yield opportunities.

Evernorth’s Strategic Move into Public Markets

Nevada-based financial firm Evernorth has announced plans to go public through a special purpose acquisition company merger that reportedly could generate approximately $1 billion, according to company statements released Monday. The merger with Armada Acquisition Corp II represents a significant development in the digital asset investment space, sources indicate.

FinancePolicy

Regulators Face Test With Proposed 5x Leveraged ETFs Amid Government Shutdown

Volatility Shares has filed for regulatory approval of 27 leveraged ETFs, including the first-ever 5x leveraged single-stock and crypto funds. The SEC’s ability to review these high-risk products is complicated by the ongoing government shutdown, according to reports.

Unprecedented Leverage Proposed for ETF Market

The ETF market, traditionally known for relatively conservative investment vehicles tracking broad market indices, could be heading toward significantly riskier territory. According to recent filings, asset management firm Volatility Shares has submitted applications for 27 leveraged ETFs, including what would be the first-ever 5x leveraged single-stock and cryptocurrency funds.

BusinessDigital Markets

Pre-Market Movers: Regional Banks Rebound, Earnings Drive Financials, Tech Faces Headwinds

Regional banking stocks showed signs of recovery in pre-market trading following Thursday’s sell-off, with several institutions posting better-than-expected earnings. Meanwhile, technology and pharmaceutical stocks faced pressure from regulatory concerns and geopolitical developments, creating a mixed landscape for investors.

Regional Banking Sector Shows Recovery Signs

Regional bank stocks ticked higher in pre-market trading Friday, attempting to recover from Thursday’s broad market decline, according to market analysis. Zions Bancorporation rose more than 1% following an upgrade by Baird, while Western Alliance gained less than 1%. The SPDR S&P Regional Banking ETF (KRE) advanced 0.4%, indicating a modest sector recovery.

BusinessTelecom

Verizon Dividend Yield Tops 7%: What Investors Need to Know

Verizon Communications stock now yields over 7% based on its $2.76 annual dividend. The telecommunications giant has grown its dividend for 20+ consecutive years. Discover whether this high yield represents a buying opportunity for income investors.

Verizon Communications Inc (NYSE:VZ) has crossed a significant threshold for income investors, with its dividend yield pushing past 7% as shares traded as low as $39.41 during Monday’s session. This substantial yield, based on the company’s quarterly dividend annualized to $2.76 per share, places the telecommunications giant among the highest-yielding components of the S&P 500 Index. According to recent analysis from Forbes contributors, such yield levels warrant careful examination of both opportunity and sustainability factors that could impact total returns for dividend-focused portfolios.

Understanding Dividend Yield and Total Returns

BusinessEconomy and Trading

Global Government Bonds: BlackRock Expert Reveals Strategy to Boost Income and Reduce Volatility

BlackRock’s Tom Becker advocates for diversifying into global government bonds to enhance portfolio income while reducing volatility. The iShares Global Government Bond USD Hedged Active ETF offers 2.56% yield with currency risk management. International diversification helps offset country-specific economic shocks.

Investors seeking to boost income while reducing portfolio volatility should consider global government bonds according to BlackRock fund manager Tom Becker. While many investors venture into international equities, most remain US-focused for fixed income, missing significant diversification benefits and yield opportunities. Becker, portfolio manager for the iShares Global Government Bond USD Hedged Active ETF (GGOV), emphasizes that global sovereign debt exposure provides crucial ballast against domestic economic cycles and interest rate fluctuations.

Why Global Bond Diversification Matters