MMN Editor

The podcaster opened up about the incident on Tuesday’s episode of “Two Ts in a Pod.”

The podcaster opened up about the incident on Tuesday’s episode of “Two Ts in a Pod.”

FIRST ON FOX— The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) will vote on a proposal to improve customer service at call centers by encouraging onshoring and strengthening accountability for certain U.S. businesses, Chairman Brendan Carr announced on Wednesday. The FCC will vote on reforms that can encourage businesses to bring call center jobs back to the U.S. as Carr believes that “Americans get frustrated when they call a U.S. business and end up connecting with a call center located abroad.” The FCC will also explore ways to improve customer service at existing call centers, including a proposal to require call takers to be proficient in American Standard English, and will address illegal robocalls that originate abroad by seeking comment on the targeted use of tariffs or bonds.FCC BOSS WANTS TO MAKE LIFE LESS FRUSTRATING FOR SPORTS FANS, SAYS STREAMING SHIFT A ‘REAL PAIN FOR CONSUMERS’”Today, nearly 70 percent of U.S. businesses outsource at least one department, including customer service and call center operations to locations abroad. As a result, too many Americans have struggled to resolve an issue with a representative due to cultural and language barriers,” Carr told Fox News Digital. “Overseas customer service centers also raise concerns about protecting consumers’ personal information. Foreign call centers have also contributed to the rampant influx of overseas scam calls, training staff that later use those skills to defraud consumers,” Carr continued. “Our proposal would require disclosure when calls are routed overseas, give consumers the option to switch to a U.S.-based representative, and add stronger safeguards for personal data—all while improving service and creating new economic opportunities here at home. To further discourage illegal robocalls from abroad, the item also seeks comment on the use of targeted tariffs or bonds.”Many corporations shifted their customer service and call center operations from America to a range of foreign countries within the past few decades – with nearly 70 percent of U.S. companies outsourcing at least one department, according to the FCC. FCC CHAIR BRENDAN CARR SETS THE RECORD STRAIGHT ON STEPHEN COLBERT CENSORSHIP CLAIMSThe Commission believes the practice takes jobs away from communities across the country and causes customer service issues for Americans in the process. Carr also believes the overreliance on foreign call centers is a risk to privacy, data protection, and even national security.The Notice of Proposed Rulemaking will seek comment on ways to encourage and facilitate the onshoring of call centers, steps the FCC can take to improve the customer service and security of communications between an American and any call center that remains abroad and how to address illegal robocall scams that originate inside foreign call centers. The announcement is the latest attempt by Carr to make life less frustrating for Americans. FCC CHAIR RIPS COLBERT ‘HOAX’ AFTER CBS DENIED BLOCKING TALARICO INTERVIEW, SAYS MEDIA FELL FOR ITLast month, the FCC announced it would seek public comments on the ongoing shift of live sports from broadcast channels to streaming services. The comment period runs through March 27 and replies to the comments are due April 13. The move comes as the NFL, NBA, MLB and other major sports have moved many games from broadcast and cable television to streaming services. “From a consumer perspective, they were used to, for a long time, you sit down, you flip on the TV and you find your favorite sports game right there,” Carr told Fox News Digital at the time. “It was either free, or it was already part of the TV package that you already purchased. In the last couple of years, we’ve seen a movement of a significant number of games behind paywalls. I think that’s been really frustrating for so many consumers.”Carr was appointed by President Donald Trump.

In her first press briefing since the onset of Operation Epic Fury, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt ripped into CNN reporter Kaitlan Collins – the same woman President Trump recently labeled the “worst reporter” whom he’d never seen smile.
Leavitt criticized Collins and CNN for it’s anti-Trump coverage, saying, “You know you’re being disingenuous. … The press only wants to make the president look bad. That’s a fact.”
Continued Leavitt: “Listen to me! Especially you and especially CNN.”
WATCH:

HOLY CRAP! Karoline Leavitt just NUKED CNN for having Stage 5 TDS that prevents them from EVER giving Trump positive press coverage:
“But you and your network know that you take every single thing this administration says and tries to use it to make the president look bad. That… pic.twitter.com/8o5ZRjYhyJ
— Gunther Eagleman (@GuntherEagleman) March 4, 2026

‘She’s a young woman’: Trump humiliates ‘worst reporter’ for ‘never smiling’ in past 10 years

Nothing is more frustrating for shoppers than checking a retailer’s website, seeing an item marked “in stock,” and then arriving at a store only to find an empty shelf.At that point, customers are left to choose a competing brand, if one is available, or head to another location, possibly a different retailer altogether. For businesses, those moments don’t just mean a missed sale. Repeated stock-outs can damage brand trust and slowly take away market share. Manual inventory tracking has long been standard practice across retail. But it is often labor-intensive, time-consuming, and increasingly difficult to execute accurately, especially when staff is limited.Human error can lead to overstocking or understocking, both of which cost businesses valuable time and revenue. That’s the operational gap Walmart, one of the world’s largest physical retailers, is aiming to close.Walmart launches Scintilla In-StoreWalmart (WMT) is introducing Scintilla In-Store, a tool that provides supplier field representatives with unified real-time store-level data and performance metrics to reduce out-of-stock items by identifying products that may be running low and require replenishment. Scintilla In-Store brings together essential tools, real-time inventory data, actionable metrics, and supplier-assignemd tasks in a single app. By combining these functions, Walmart aims to shorten the distance between identifying a problem on the shelf and fixing it.”They can also help ensure that items shifted on the shelf during busy shopping periods are accurately reflected in Walmart’s inventory systems, addressing common challenges in dynamic store environments,” said Walmart in a press release.The system helps streamline operations at the shelf level while supporting a more seamless omnichannel shopping experience, keeping shelves stocked and customers satisfied. While the company has yet to disclose specific performance metrics of the launch, it appears to be reducing execution gaps that traditional forecasting systems often miss.Formerly known as Volt, Scintilla In-Store is the newest addition to Walmart’s Scintilla portfolio and builds on the innovation of Volt, which Walmart acquired in 2022.”We are excited Walmart is continuing to invest in new, innovative capabilities that will help empower our ways of working, and ultimately, ensure our products make their way into customers’ hands,” said The Coca-Cola Company North America Retail Chief Customer Officer Pamela Stewart in a company press release.Benedict Enterprises LLCScott Benedict, a retailing executive with more than three decades of experience spanning retailing, e-commerce, omnichannel, and international retail merchandising and operations, said Walmart’s move effectively connects insight directly to in-store action.”This is exactly where many out-of-stocks originate—not from forecasting alone, but from breakdowns in communication, replenishment timing, and in-store execution,” said Benedict.”Tools like Scintilla In-Store don’t shift responsibility as much as they create alignment, giving both parties access to the same version of the truth and the ability to act on it,” he added. “In that sense, this is less about vendors ‘doing more’ and more about both sides doing better together, supported by better data and workflows.”Still, implementation success will likely depend on supplier adoption and execution consistency.

Walmart unveils Scintilla In-Store to fix out-of-stock problems.Shutterstock

Why inventory management matters in the food industryInventory management is one of the most critical factors in running a successful business, especially in food and consumables, where margins can be thin, and spoilage risk is high. When done effectively, it reduces waste, controls costs, maintains quality standards, and supports customer loyalty.However, when not managed properly, the costs can be high. Stock-outs cost retailers over $1.2 trillion in lost sales annually, according to IHL Group. Ongoing supply chain disruptions tied to geopolitical instability, tariffs, labor shortages, and extreme weather events have made inventory accuracy even more difficult in recent years. More Retail Business News:Walmart makes a surprising in-store move with its online marketplaceShein invests $42 million as Amazon’s growth raises the stakesStarbucks is rolling out two big changes to 1,000 stores in 2026″Repeated stockouts are a clear sign of poor brand reliability and directly impact this trust,” said Mirakl Senior Corporate Manager Sal Trifilio. “Consistent unavailability makes a brand seem disorganized or poorly managed, signaling to customers that their needs are not a priority.”Analysts at LIS said technology now plays a major role in preventing those breakdowns.”By integrating advanced stock management tools, businesses can automate reordering processes, track inventory across multiple channels, and receive alerts for low stock levels,” said LIS analysts. “A comprehensive inventory tracking system enhances decision-making and ensures businesses are prepared for demand changes while reducing manual errors in the supply chain.”Inventory management across retailWalmart is not alone in investing in inventory management technology as retailers look to improve accuracy and protect margins. Other companies are making similar moves.Other retailers using inventory management technologyStarbucks: Rolled out AI-powered automated inventory counting across U.S. stores in September 2025, according to a company press release.Target: Has used its Inventory Ledger system since 2023, according to a company press release.Amazon: Operates multiple proprietary inventory management platforms, Brightpearl reported.Kroger: Piloted autonomous inventory scanning robots in 2025, as reported by Grocery Dive.Costco: Uses real-time inventory tracking systems across its warehouses, as reported by The Street. As retailers continue to implement inventory management technology, competition may increase depending on how quickly teams can adapt.Related: Sam’s Club revives shuttered activewear brand, offers lower prices

Wall Street just handed Nvidia (NVDA) a major vote of confidence. Morgan Stanley analyst Joseph Moore reinstated Nvidia as the firm’s top semiconductor pick on Monday, knocking Micron Technology (MU) off that spot after memory stocks delivered a jaw-dropping 300% to 900% run since the call was made months ago.The stock closed at $177.19 on Friday and rallied roughly 3% on Monday to about $182.94 as the note landed on desks. Nvidia is down about 3% so far in 2026, even as its underlying business has kept growing at a remarkable pace. Moore says that gap between performance and stock price is exactly the opportunity.The firm maintained its Overweight rating and $260 price target, implying about 47% upside from Friday’s close. Moore called the current valuation a “surprisingly good entry point,” noting that Nvidia trades at roughly 18 times projected 2027 earnings despite continued strengthening fundamentals.Why Morgan Stanley made the switch nowMoore’s core argument is straightforward: Nvidia’s stock has been flat for two straight quarters while its business has kept growing. He attributes that disconnect to two investor fears: whether Nvidia’s growth cycle will peak in 2026, and whether custom chips from hyperscalers and rivals are quietly eroding its dominance.His answer to both: the evidence points the other way. Moore noted that hyperscalers are signing three-year supply contracts, some with full upfront prepayments, locking in GPU demand well beyond 2026. He called those prepayments a durability signal that is hard to square with the idea that spending is about to slow.Key reasons behind the upgradeMemory stocks surged 300% to 900% since Morgan Stanley made Micron its top pick, raising serious sustainability questions about further gainsNvidia’s earnings expectations for the current quarter were revised upward 38% over the past six months, yet the stock barely movedHyperscalers are projected to spend over $660 billion on AI infrastructure in 2026, nearly double the $443 billion deployed in 2025Moore’s market share analysis shows Nvidia holds roughly 85% of AI processor revenue, with AMD below 5% and custom ASICs just above 10%Even the largest ASIC and AMD users are each expected to grow their Nvidia-based business by more than 80% in 2026The numbers backing the callThe fundamental case for Nvidia does not require much imagination. Just last week, the company reported a record quarterly revenue of $68.1 billion, up 73% year over year and ahead of the $66.2 billion Wall Street had expected. Data center revenue alone hit $62.3 billion, up 75% from a year ago and accounting for over 91% of total company sales.More Nvidia:Nvidia stock gets major reality check on ‘$100B’ numberNvidia CEO delivers blunt 7-word rebuttal on software stocksBank of America resets Nvidia price target after earningsFor all of fiscal 2026, Nvidia booked $215.9 billion in revenue, up 65% from the prior year. Full-year net income topped $120 billion. Free cash flow for the year came in at $97 billion.Q1 guidance was equally striking. Nvidia told investors to expect roughly $78 billion in revenue for the current quarter, in revenue for the current quarter, well ahead of the $72.6 billion analysts had penciled in. The company added that it is not assuming any data center revenue from China in that outlook, meaning any China sales would represent upside.GTC is the next major catalystMoore and the broader market are now watching Nvidia’s GTC conference, running March 16 through 19 in San Jose. Jensen Huang’s keynote is scheduled for March 16. Moore expects it to resemble the 2024 event, where Nvidia laid out a detailed multi-year product roadmap that helped shift investor skepticism into optimism.The conference is expected to address market share concerns head-on and provide a fuller picture of the Vera Rubin platform roadmap. Vera Rubin samples have already shipped to early customers, with full production scheduled for the second half of 2026. The new platform is expected to deliver dramatically better performance per watt than Blackwell, a critical selling point as data centers wrestle with power constraints.

Photo by NurPhoto on Getty Images

Moore’s view is that once visibility into Nvidia’s 2027 earnings trajectory improves, the stock tends to make sharp, concentrated moves higher. He sees the same setup unfolding now as in each of the past three years, when early-year skepticism gave way to strong outperformance once GTC cleared the air.What about the competition?The competitive picture is more nuanced than it was a year ago. Bloomberg Intelligence projects that Nvidia will hold 70% to 75% of the AI accelerator market through 2030, but custom ASIC shipments from cloud providers are growing faster than GPUs on a percentage basis in 2026. Google’s TPU, Amazon’s Trainium, and Meta’s internal chips are all scaling up.Moore does not dismiss this dynamic. He acknowledges that Nvidia may give up one to two percentage points of market share in 2026 as hyperscalers take a more vendor-flexible approach. But his checks show that Nvidia remains the preferred choice in the vast majority of deployments, and that competitive experimentation is happening alongside continued Nvidia expansion, not in place of it.The bigger structural argument is about ecosystem lock-in. Nvidia’s CUDA software platform, NVLink interconnects, and rack-scale systems create switching costs that chip specs alone do not capture. Moore argues this full-stack advantage is what separates Nvidia from any challenger on a multi-year horizon.The bottom line for investorsMorgan Stanley’s move reflects a broader argument that the market has been pricing in too much pessimism about Nvidia’s durability at exactly the wrong moment. With over $660 billion in hyperscaler AI spending locked in for this year, Vera Rubin on the way, and GTC just two weeks out, the catalysts are lined up.Moore’s message is clear enough. The stock spent two quiet quarters building a base while the business kept getting stronger. With Vera Rubin systems already confirmed by Microsoft, Google, Oracle, and CoreWeave, Morgan Stanley just put Nvidia back at the top of its conviction list.Related: Nvidia bull drops shocking take on upside

TheStreet aims to feature only the best products and services. If you buy something via one of our links, we may earn a commission.Why we love this dealSpring is almost here, and we’re so close to warmer weather, sunny days, and plenty of outdoor gatherings. But if you’re planning on spending more time outside, we recommend getting a pop-up canopy tent to make the experience that much better. Whether you plan on having backyard barbecues, camping trips, or beach days in the summer, a pop-up tent can provide much-needed shade and shelter to keep you comfortable.The Olixis 10×10 Pop-Up Canopy Tent is an Amazon bestseller, and it’s on sale now for $60. During a limited-time deal, you can get the $100 outdoor essential for 40% off. However, with limited stock on this massive discount, you’re going to want to add it to your cart before it’s gone.Olixis 10×10 Pop-Up Canopy Tent, $60 (was $100) at Amazon

Courtesy of Walmart

Why do shoppers love it?No need to search for shade when you have a canopy like this. Measuring 10 feet by 10 feet, it gives you a total of 100 square feet of shelter from the sun and can create a cozy, designated space outdoors. It has three adjustable heights, ranging from 8.2 feet to 8.8 feet at its highest point. The top cover is made from UV-blocking and water-resistant fabric, and it has a dual-vented top that increases air circulation, which you’ll be grateful to have during warm spring and summer days. The cover is paired with a powder-coated steel frame that’s durable and sturdy.But one of our favorite features of this tent is its one-push design that’s meant to be so easy to set up that one person can do it. (If you’ve ever set up a standard canopy tent before, it often takes a few people to set up and can involve finger pinches and a lot of patience, so this is a dream come true.) It has a central button that expands the frame, making the setup as easy as can be.The canopy tent comes with eight ground spikes, four ropes, and four sandbags to keep it secure and steady even during windy weather. It also comes with a wheeled storage bag that makes it easy to travel with and take on the go.Related: Craftsman’s 30-drawer organizer is selling fast for just $17 at Amazon, and it’s perfect for DIYersDetails to knowDimensions: 10 feet long by 10 feet wide.Adjustable height levels: Three, from 8.2 feet to 8.8 feet at its highest point.Setup: Has a one-push design that only requires one person.Colors: White, blue, and gray.Many shoppers highlighted how simple the pop-up tent is to use, saying it’s “so easy” to not just set up but also break down. “This is probably the first canopy I’ve ever owned that I could put up and take down myself,” one shopper said, adding that everything from the top cover and frame to the accessories fit perfectly into its carrying case. Shop more dealsSekey 10×10 Pop-Up Canopy Tent, $70 (was $110) at AmazonOneofics 10×10 Pop-Up Canopy Tent, $70 (was $80) at AmazonNewbulig 10×10 Pop-Up Canopy Tent, $70 (was $100) at AmazonThe bestselling Olixis 10×10 Pop-Up Canopy Tent is on sale for just $60, but as a limited-time deal, it won’t last for much longer.

The majority of Americans still rely on one of the “Big Three” carriers — AT&T, T-Mobile or Verizon Wireless — for cell phone service. For a single line, prices typically start around $50 per month. Even with multiline discounts on a family plan, it’s easy to end up paying over $200/month for cell phone service.

But here’s what many people don’t realize: You don’t have to pay those prices to get reliable coverage. Mobile virtual network operators (MVNOs) use the exact same networks at a much lower cost. Unlimited plans can start as low as $22.50 per month, and light data users can pay even less.

To put these prices into perspective, here are a few statistics published in a recent study by WhistleOut:

59% of customers with a single-line phone plan spend over $50/month. 

Customers with AT&T, T-Mobile and Verizon spend an average of $76/month. 

The average cost of an unlimited data plan for American families is $244/month. 

A family using a major carrier instead of an MVNO is overpaying by $2,200+ per year for the exact same coverage.

Taking this data into account, how much should your cell phone bill actually be?

The Ideal Price Range for Your Monthly Cell Phone Bill

Depending on how much mobile data you use (when you aren’t connected to Wi-Fi) and how many lines you need on your account, here’s how much you should aim to spend on your cell phone plan per month:

These ranges are based on plans we rank among the best, most affordable options for cell phone service at Clark.com. If you find a plan within these ranges that meets your needs, you’ve found a great deal!

If you’re paying a higher price, be sure you’re getting your money’s worth out of your phone plan’s included benefits. Otherwise, you may be overpaying for cell phone service. I’ll talk more about this later in the article.

The best way to reduce your cell phone bill is to switch to a more affordable service provider, or at least to a cheaper plan.

A recent Consumer Reports (CR) study revealed: “Of the CR members who changed service providers in the past year, more than half shrank their monthly bill— and 26 percent managed to save more than $40 per month.” 

Below, you’ll find cheaper plan recommendations based on your mobile data usage. If you aren’t sure how much mobile data you actually need, find out how to check your past usage here.

Unlimited Data ($25-$40/line)

Consistently use more than 35GB/month

Not regularly connected to Wi-Fi

Need access to faster download speeds

Unlimited data plans vary greatly in both pricing and features. If you use more than 35GB of mobile data each month, you’ll likely need an unlimited plan. If that’s your only requirement, you can find single-line options as low as $25/month with Visible or US Mobile, or get a 4-line postpaid unlimited plan for the same price per line with T-Mobile. 

For more options, check out all of our top picks for the best unlimited data plans.

 

Visible

US Mobile Unlimited Starter

T-Mobile Essentials Saver

 

Price
$25/month (taxes & fees included)
$25 monthly (taxes & fees included); $270 for 12 months ($22.50/month)
$50 per month (plus taxes & fees)

Multiline Discounts
No
None
$80/month for 2, $90/month for 3, $100/month for 4, $125/month for 5

Network
Verizon
AT&T, T-Mobile or Verizon
T-Mobile

Data
Unlimited
Unlimited
Unlimited

Data Cap Overage
None, but speeds may slow during congestion.
70GB Premium Data on Warp & Light Speed; Unlimited on Dark Star
50GB

   

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Moderate Data ($20-$30/line)

Consistently use between 10GB and 30GB/month

Frequently away from Wi-Fi

Need access to consistently reliable download speeds

Moderate data users can get a 10GB data plan for $20/month with US Mobile and add more data as needed for $2/GB. Plus, you can add additional lines for $8 each and share the data between lines. For slightly more data, RedPocket offers a $20 plan with 20GB of 5G premium data.

Alternatively, cheap unlimited plans begin at only $25/month. If you occasionally use more than 10-20GB of data in a month, an unlimited plan at this price (like Visible) is still an excellent deal.

For more options, check out our best cheap phone plans.

 

US Mobile Shareable Data 10GB

RedPocket

Visible

 

Price
$20/month (taxes & fees included)
$20 per month (plus taxes & fees)
$25/month (taxes & fees included)

Multiline Discounts
$8/month per additional line
$20/month per additional line
No

Network
AT&T, T-Mobile or Verizon
 
Verizon

Data
10GB
Unlimited
Unlimited

Data Cap Overage
10GB
20GB
None, but speeds may slow during congestion.

   

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Light Data ($8-$15/line)

May use between 1GB and 5GB/month

Regularly connected to Wi-Fi

Periodically need mobile data for simple tasks

Monthly plans for light data users begin at only $9 for 1GB of high-speed data with Tello Mobile. For $10/month, US Mobile offers a 2GB plan. If you prepay annually, you can get the same plan for $96 ($8/month). Alternatively, if you need slightly more data, consider Mint Mobile. Plans start at $15/month for 5GB with a multimonth prepayment.

For more options, check out all of our top picks for the best light data plans.

 

Tello Economy

US Mobile Light Plan

Mint 5GB

 

Price
$9/month (plus taxes)
$10 monthly (taxes & fees included); $96 for 12 months ($8/month)
$15/month (plus taxes & fees)

Multiline Discounts
No
No
No

Network
T-Mobile
AT&T, T-Mobile or Verizon
T-Mobile

Data
1GB
2GB
Unlimited

Data Cap Overage
1GB
2GB
5GB

   

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Talk & Text Only ($5-$15/line)

If you exclusively use your cell phone for calling and texting (no mobile data), you can get coverage for as low as $5/month with H2O Wireless’ $60 annual plan.

Tello Mobile’s 1GB plan costs $9/month, or you can drop the data and keep unlimited talk & text for $8/month. Finally, Twigby offers a new-customer deal for those who switch: $5/month for the first three months, then $10/month for unlimited talk and text.

For more options, check out all of our top picks for talk & text only plans.

 

H2O Wireless Talk & Text

Tello Economy

Twigby

 

Price
$60 for 12 months (plus taxes & fees)
$9/month (plus taxes)
$5/month for the first 3 months, then $10/month (plus taxes & fees)

Multiline Discounts
No
No
No

Network
AT&T
T-Mobile
Verizon

Data
None
1GB
None

Data Cap Overage
None
1GB
N/A

   

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Shop Now!

Shop Now!

How To Avoid Overpaying for Cell Phone Service

The simplest way to stop overpaying is to switch plans — or switch providers altogether. New customers qualify for the lowest introductory rates and best promotions.

If your phone is paid off and unlocked, you’re what money expert Clark Howard calls a “free agent.” That means you can change carriers anytime to chase a better deal.

Here’s what you should expect to pay:

Talk-and-text-only plans: as low as $5/month

Basic unlimited data plans: $25–$40/month is a strong value

Yes, unlimited plans can cost $100+ per line. For a small group of users, that price may make sense, especially if you regularly use premium perks like international roaming. In that case, $65–$80 per month could be justified if you’re actually using the benefits.

The key is knowing what you’re paying for. Ask yourself whether these features are worth the extra cost:

Amount of high-speed data

Network access (4G, 5G, 5G+)

Premium data (whether network congestion affects download speeds)

Mobile hotspot

Additional perks (streaming services, international connectivity, digital storage, etc.)

Use our free phone plan finder to select the features you need and directly compare plans that will work for you.

For more information on lowering your cell phone bill, check out these additional resources from Clark.com:

7 Easy Ways To Lower Your Cell Phone Bill

How To Switch Phone Carriers: 9 Easy Steps

Do You Really Need an Unlimited Phone Plan?

How much do you currently pay for cell phone service? Let us know in our Clark.com Community!

The post How Much Should You Be Paying for Cell Phone Service? appeared first on Clark Howard.

Stock exchange-traded funds, or equity ETFs, are often low-cost, tax-efficient instruments for investors to track popular indexes or leverage experienced manager choices to beat the market. The best ones serve as low-cost building blocks in a portfolio, and unlike open-end mutual funds, all ETFs are traded throughout the day on an exchange.In February 2026, the worst-performing stock ETFs included large growth fund ALPS O’Shares Global Internet Giants ETF Shares OGIG and mid-cap growth fund ARK Next Generation Internet ETF ARKW. Data in this article is sourced from Morningstar Direct.Screening for the Worst-Performing ETFsWhen evaluating ETFs, investors should focus on long-term returns across multiple years and market cycles. However, short-term returns can provide valuable information about biases within strategies.We screened the Morningstar US equity category for ETFs that trade within the United States. We excluded exchange-traded notes and ETFs with less than $100 million in total assets. Seven funds on our list fell into the large growth category, where the average name fell 2.68% in February.The 10 Worst-Performing ETFs for February 2026ALPS O’Shares Global Internet Giants ETF Shares OGIGARK Next Generation Internet ETF ARKWDana Unconstrained Equity ETF DUNKPolen Focus Growth ETF PCLGTrenchless Fund ETF RVERAkre Focus ETF AKREPrincipal Focused Blue Chip ETF BCHPERShares Private-Public Crossover ETF XOVRYieldmaxtm Magnificent 7 Fund Of Option Income ETFs YMAGFirst Trust Innovation Leaders ETF ILDRMetrics for the Worst-Performing Stock ETFsALPS O’Shares Global Internet Giants ETF SharesMorningstar Rating: ★Expense Ratio: 0.48%Morningstar Category: Large GrowthThe worst-performing ETF in February was the $112.2 million ALPS O’Shares Global Internet Giants ETF Shares. The passively managed ALPS ETF declined 10.03%, falling further than the average large growth fund, which dropped 2.68%. Over the last year, the fund has fallen 10.53%, underperforming the 13.04% gain on funds in its category, placing it in the 100th percentile for the period.The Neutral-rated ALPS O’Shares Global Internet Giants ETF Shares launched in June 2018.ARK Next Generation Internet ETFMorningstar Rating: ★★★Expense Ratio: 0.76%Morningstar Category: Mid-Cap GrowthThe $1.6 billion ARK Next Generation Internet ETF was the second-worst-performing ETF in February, with a 8.54% loss. The actively managed ARK ETF lagged the 1.62% gain on the average fund in Morningstar’s mid-cap growth category for the month. Over the last year, the fund has gained 18.68%, outperforming the 12.03% gain on funds in its category, placing it in the 23rd percentile for the period.The Neutral-rated ARK Next Generation Internet ETF launched in September 2014.Dana Unconstrained Equity ETFMorningstar Rating: N/AExpense Ratio: 0.75%Morningstar Category: Large BlendThe third-worst-performing ETF in February was the $123.8 million Dana Unconstrained Equity ETF. The actively managed Dana ETF declined 8.00%, falling further than the average large blend fund, which dropped 0.16%. The fund launched in September 2025 and does not have a one-year record.The Dana Unconstrained Equity ETF has not yet been awarded a Morningstar Medalist Rating.Polen Focus Growth ETFMorningstar Rating: N/AExpense Ratio: 0.49%Morningstar Category: Large GrowthThe $101.7 million Polen Focus Growth ETF ranked fourth for the month, falling 7.09%. The Polen Capital ETF, which is actively managed, fell further than the 2.68% loss on the average large growth fund. The fund launched in September 2025 and does not have a one-year record.The Polen Focus Growth ETF has a Morningstar Medalist Rating of Gold.Trenchless Fund ETFMorningstar Rating: N/AExpense Ratio: 0.66%Morningstar Category: Large GrowthThe fifth-worst-performing ETF in February was the $121.5 million Trenchless Fund ETF. The actively managed River1 Asset Management ETF declined 6.74%, falling further than the average large growth fund, which dropped 2.68%. Over the last year, the fund has fallen 1.47%, underperforming the 13.04% gain on funds in its category, placing it in the 96th percentile for the period.The Neutral-rated Trenchless Fund ETF launched in April 2024.Akre Focus ETFMorningstar Rating: ★★Expense Ratio: 0.98%Morningstar Category: Large GrowthThe $7.5 billion Akre Focus ETF was the sixth-worst-performing ETF in February, with a 6.59% loss. The actively managed Akre ETF fell further than the 2.68% loss on the average fund in Morningstar’s large growth category for the month. Over the last year, the fund has dropped 18.44%, underperforming the 13.04% gain on funds in its category, placing it in the 100th percentile for the period.The Neutral-rated Akre Focus ETF launched in August 2009.Principal Focused Blue Chip ETFMorningstar Rating: N/AExpense Ratio: 0.58%Morningstar Category: Large GrowthThe $193.7 million Principal Focused Blue Chip ETF ranked seventh for the month, falling 6.14%. The Principal ETF, which is actively managed, fell further than the 2.68% loss on the average large growth fund. Over the past year, the fund has risen 1.36%, underperforming the 13.04% gain on funds in its category, placing it in the 93rd percentile for the period.The Silver-rated Principal Focused Blue Chip ETF launched in July 2023.ERShares Private-Public Crossover ETFMorningstar Rating: ★Expense Ratio: 0.75%Morningstar Category: Large GrowthThe eighth-worst-performing ETF in February was the $592.1 million ERShares Private-Public Crossover ETF. The actively managed EntrepreneurShares ETF declined 6.03%, falling further than the average large growth fund, which dropped 2.68%. Over the last year, the fund has fallen 0.57%, underperforming the 13.04% gain on funds in its category, placing it in the 95th percentile for the period.The Neutral-rated ERShares Private-Public Crossover ETF launched in November 2017.Yieldmaxtm Magnificent 7 Fund Of Option Income ETFsMorningstar Rating: N/AExpense Ratio: 1.34%Morningstar Category: Large BlendThe $313 million Yieldmaxtm Magnificent 7 Fund Of Option Income ETFs was the ninth-worst-performing ETF in February, with a 5.94% loss. The actively managed ETF fell further than the 0.16% loss on the average fund in Morningstar’s large blend category for the month. Over the last year, the fund has gained 19.65%, outperforming the 15.42% gain on funds in its category, placing it in the 14th percentile for the period.The Neutral-rated Yieldmaxtm Magnificent 7 Fund Of Option Income ETFs launched in January 2024.First Trust Innovation Leaders ETFMorningstar Rating: ★★★Expense Ratio: 0.75%Morningstar Category: Large GrowthThe tenth-worst-performing ETF in February was the $217.1 million First Trust Innovation Leaders ETF. The actively managed First Trust ETF declined 5.42%, falling further than the average large growth fund, which dropped 2.68%. Over the last year, the fund has climbed 19.78%, outperforming the 13.04% gain on funds in its category, placing it in the 18th percentile for the period.The Neutral-rated First Trust Innovation Leaders ETF launched in May 2021.What Are ETFs?Exchange-traded funds trade throughout the day on stock exchanges, much like individual stocks. They differ from traditional mutual funds—known as open-end funds—which can only be bought or sold at a single price each day. Historically, ETFs have tracked indexes, but in recent years, more ETFs have been actively managed. ETFs cover a range of asset classes, including stocks, bonds, commodities, and most recently cryptocurrency.ETFs offer investors an efficient way to gain exposure to the markets, often with low fees and an ease of buying and selling. They also generally offer higher tax efficiency than open-end funds.How to Find Top ETFs for the Long TermETFs are often equated with low-cost indexing. However, the marketplace has grown increasingly complicated. Some ETFs track a very narrow part of the market or pursue specific themes. Some invest based on a particular factor or a combination of them. And now there are actively managed ETFs.Use these Morningstar resources to help find the best ETFs for the long term:Learn about the types of exchange-traded funds, their costs, and how to invest in them by reading Morningstar’s Guide to ETF Investing.Find the highest-rated ETFs across all investment categories in The Best ETFs and How They Fit in Your Portfolio.Review Morningstar director of personal finance Christine Benz’s suggested ETF portfolios for those saving for or already in retirement, including Tax-Efficient Retirement-Saver Portfolios for ETF Investors, Tax-Sheltered Retirement-Saver Portfolios for ETF Investors, ESG Tax-Sheltered Retirement-Saver Portfolios for ETF Investors, Tax-Sheltered Retirement-Bucket Portfolios for ETF Investors, and Tax-Sheltered ESG Retirement-Bucket Portfolios for ETF Investors.Research ETFs based on your personal selection criteria by using our Morningstar Investor Screener. The tool, which is available to Morningstar Investor members, allows investors to screen ETFs based on various criteria, including asset class, Morningstar Category, Medalist Rating, and fee level.Visit Morningstar’s ETF page for the latest articles and videos from our ETF specialists.

Typical US Homeowners Stay 12 Years In Their Homes – 20 Years In Los Angeles

Authored by Mary Prenon via The Epoch Times (emphasis ours),

U.S. homeowners stayed in their houses for about 12 years as of 2025—the longest median time since 2022.
A view of houses in a neighborhood in Los Angeles on July 5, 2022. Frederic Brown/AFP via Getty Images

In a March 4 report, Redfin noted that the “stay put” trend peaked at 13.4 years in 2020, then gradually declined every year until 2024, when it hit 11.8 years. Last year’s rising home costs and interest rates led to an uptick to 12 years.

“High mortgage rates and home prices perpetuate a cycle that locks up housing inventory,” Redfin’s head of economics research, Chen Zhao, said in the report.

“It can keep existing homeowners in place and financially discourage them from moving to a different home or a different neighborhood, which drives prices up even higher for first-timers trying to break into the market.”

However, Zhao noted that there has been a slight improvement in housing affordability as interest rates recently dipped below 6 percent for the first time in more than three years. Freddie Mac reported the average rate as of Feb. 26 at 5.98 percent for a 30-year, fixed mortgage and 5.44 percent for a 15-year fixed rate loan.

Still, homeowners are holding onto their houses for almost twice as long as they were in the early 2000s. In 2005, for example, the typical homeowner stayed for just 6.5 years before selling.

Over the next two decades, Americans began to stay longer as the population grew older. Now, the report indicates, baby boomers and Gen Xers may be more likely to want to age in place because of financial incentives such as being mortgage-free or having much lower mortgage payments than new homeowners starting out today. Older generations are also less likely to relocate for a new job or to grow their families.

A 2024 Redfin analysis found that empty-nest baby boomers owned 28 percent of America’s three-bedroom-plus homes—twice as many as millennials with children.

In ultra high-priced regions such as Los Angeles, homeowners stayed in their houses even longer, with an average of 20 years—the longest in the nation. This represents an increase from 19.4 years in 2024. Redfin put the median home price in Los Angeles at $975,000 as of January.

Redfin’s analysis of other major California metro areas shows similar results. In San Jose, homeowners stayed an average of 18.7 years, and in San Francisco, 16.5 years. Median home prices for January in these metros stood at $1.62 million and $1.3 million, respectively.

In San Diego, where the median home price was $970,000, residents spent an average of 14.5 years in their homes. Riverside homeowners stay for about 12.4 years. Median home prices there were reported at $600,000 as of January.

“California’s tax laws incentivize homeowners to stay in their homes for a long time,” the report states.

“Proposition 13, which was adopted in 1978, locks owners into low property taxes, discouraging them from moving and taking on a higher tax rate.”

As a result, the supply of homes is limited and tends to push prices higher.

The report showed that homeowner tenure increased from 2024 to 2025 in 28 of the 41 metros analyzed. Raleigh, North Carolina, and Denver experienced the biggest hikes in tenure during the same period.

Additional metros with home stays surpassing 15 years include Cleveland, New Orleans, Philadelphia, New York City; Memphis, Tennessee; Richmond, Virginia; and Providence, Rhode Island.

At the opposite end, Louisville, Kentucky, had the shortest home tenure of the 41 metros at 8.3 years, followed by Las Vegas at 8.8 years. Charlotte, North Carolina; Tampa and Orlando in Florida, and Nashville all recorded home stays of a little over nine years.

“When home prices are lower, it’s typically easier for homeowners to sell and move on because they’re not taking on an ultra-high mortgage payment on their next house,” the report states.

Tyler Durden
Wed, 03/04/2026 – 14:55