BUSINESS

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Noah Cameron and Riley O’Brien are among the top options to consider on the fantasy baseball waiver wire for Week 3.

IBM has always been synonymous with technology, from buzzy corporate mainframes to boxy personal computers, rewarding shareholders handsomely over many decades.  Arizona State University finance professor Hendrik Bessembinder crunched the numbers and discovered that IBM created $525.9 billion in shareholder equity between July 1926 and December 2019, which places it among the top 10 firms of all time in terms of shareholder wealth creation (SWC).According to CNBC, IBM spent the majority of the 1980s as the largest single component of the S&P 500, and it dominated its industry with a 70% market share.But times — and trades — change. Due to missteps in the early 2000s, including missed opportunities in internet technology and cloud computing, IBM ceded market share to Apple (AAPL) and Microsoft (MSFT), and investors shifted focus.However, over the next decade, under the leadership of Arvind Krishna, who would eventually become CEO, IBM transformed itself into a major player in the hybrid cloud and AI spheres. For example, in 2019, it acquired Red Hat, the world’s largest open-source software company.Since the July 2019 acquisition, IBM’s shares have risen 78% — gaining 35% in 2025 alone — yet analysts remain cautious about its long-term outlook.So, why the hesitation? Here’s what you need to know about whether IBM stock should be a long-term component of your buy-and-hold portfolio. Why is IBM’s stock down in 2026?One announcement from Anthropic PBC explains why. On February 23, 2026, the upstart generative AI company reported that its Claude LLM could speed up the process of modernizing legacy COBOL systems.This system-level engineering work is a core part of IBM’s business, as COBOL code is used in everything from ATM transactions to Social Security payments. IBM shares fell 13% after the announcement, marking its largest single-day decline since 2000.In addition, between January and March 2026, IBM plummeted 20.6% — not only due to disruptions from its AI competitors, but also from a broader tech-sector correction driven by the Iran War and inflationary concerns.Related: What does IBM do? Inside its AI, cloud & consulting businessIs IBM a good long-term buy?Despite short-term turbulence, IBM’s 2025 performance shows that its emergence as a leader in hybrid cloud, AI, and quantum computing should continue to accelerate revenue growth — and help it resonate with investors.On the subject of quantum computing, CEO Krishna, a PhD-holding quantum computing expert, told The Wall Street Journal that IBM is poised to be “a winner” in the quantum computing race, and that the company was recently recognized by Gartner as the “Company to Beat” in the sector.On January 28, 2026, IBM released its Q4 and 2025 earnings, revealing that software growth and continued adoption of its AI platforms were to thank for its strong results.IBM reported fourth-quarter earnings of $19.69 billion, beating the $19.23 billion consensus. Its adjusted earnings per share (EPS) rose 15% to $4.52, which exceeded analyst estimates of $4.32. Dow company histories:History of Microsoft: Company timeline & factsHistory of Coca-Cola: Timeline, facts & milestonesHistory of Nike: Company timeline and factsBy the end of 2025, IBM had booked $12.5 billion worth of AI business, a sharp increase from just $5 billion in early 2025.For the full year, IBM reported revenue of $67.5 billion, up 8% from 2024. Its free cash flow increased by $2 billion to $14.7 billion, and the company expects this to increase by $1 billion in 2026. This signifies stability as well as the potential for even more future growth.Despite these strengths, skepticism remains.Related: How many employees work at IBM in 2026? Job locations & recent layoffs explainedWhy should investors be cautious?You could say that IBM’s fundamentals may have improved, but that doesn’t discount its decades of uneven performance.Some even refer to the 2000s as IBM’s “lost decade,” when the company was simply left behind by the rise of cloud computing.According to Kiplinger, over the 20 years from 2005 to 2025, IBM generated an annualized return of about 10.3%, slightly below the S&P 500’s 11.2% annualized return, which suggests its long-term trend doesn’t always beat the market.And let’s not forget about Anthropic. According to Zacks, the AI company’s Claude is both a disruptor and a “potent threat” that could “redefine the entire competitive landscape” in the tech sector, forcing IBM to “fine-tune its business model” to stay competitive.All in all, with a company like IBM, the safest bet may be to stay cautious, although its fundamentals do seem to be proving that its pivot is working.It also has generations of innovation behind it. After all, the company was founded in the 1900s — not the 2000s.Related: Nvidia’s stock split history: Everything you need to know

Your day-ahead look for April 3, 2026

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 dealAs a younger woman, I wore high heels and sandals a lot more often than I do now. These days, it’s all about my sneakers, whether I’m running errands, going to the park for my daily walk, or even stopping by a friend’s house. I choose comfort over fashion a lot more than I used to, because I’d rather be comfortable than have back pain from wearing non-supportive shoes.If you need a new pair of sneakers and like the comfort of Nike, check out Amazon’s deal on the Nike Air Max Fire shoes. Originally $105, they’re on sale right now for $63, taking an impressive 40% off. That’s a great deal for a new pair of sneakers, but when you factor in that these are Nike quality, it makes the price tag even sweeter.Nike Air Max Fire Shoes, $63 (was $105) at Amazon

Courtesy of Amazon

Shop at AmazonWhy do shoppers love it?If you like a well-cushioned shoe, the Nike Air Max Fire will be a great fit for you. The foam midsole gives this shoe a pleasant, bouncy feel, and the rubber outsole adds an extra layer of cushioning and provides grip. It’s all topped off by a synthetic leather upper with mesh panels for breathability and a padded collar for comfort. Several shoppers mention that the shoe felt a bit tight in their regular size and suggest sizing up, so keep that in mind when you select your size.These shoes come in a total of seven colors, but only the White/White Black/White colorway is on sale. It’s worth noting that the $63 is much lower than the price on Nike’s official website for the same shoe. It’s currently $84 there with a $20-off code, so the Amazon deal saves you an extra $21.While Nike doesn’t get specific on its website about the best uses of this shoe, shoppers say it’s best used as a shoe for walking and everyday comfort, rather than a running shoe. Nike has quite a few shoes on sale via its Amazon page, so take a look at that if you’re in the market for something to jog in.Details to knowColors: Seven, but only the White/White Black/ White colorway is on sale.Material: Synthetic leather upper with a rubber outsole.Sizes: Women’s 5 through 12, including half sizes. Related: Amazon is selling Nike Court Legacy shoes for just $56 during its Big Spring SaleShoppers have lots of good things to say about the Air Max Fire. “So comfy with that Air Max bounce in my step,” one wrote. “10/10 would recommend, and will likely buy again, especially if more colorways are released. If you’ve been eyeing this shoe, go for it. You won’t regret it.”A second shopper wrote, “These shoes are extremely comfortable! I have hip issues and lower back issues. The cushion is perfect! Worth the price.”Shop more deals Nike Air Max Excee Shoes, $80 (was $100) at AmazonNike Run Swift 4 Running Shoes, $64 (was $80) at AmazonNike Court Vision Low Next Nature Shoes, $65 (was $85) at AmazonIf you’re looking for a casual shoe perfect for walking, errands, and living that comfy life, the Nike Air Max Fire shoes are the way to go. Grab a pair from Amazon and save 40%.

There are dividend stocks. And then there are dividend stocks that also happen to be among the best-performing stocks of the past decade.Broadcom falls into that second, very rare category.Most investors know Broadcom (AVGO) as a semiconductor and infrastructure software giant. Fewer realize what it’s done for long-term shareholders, not just in price appreciation, but in growing income over time.The numbers tell a striking story. And if you had $1,000 sitting in AVGO stock back in 2016, you’d be looking at a very different number in your brokerage account right now.AVGO is a long-haul dividend stock winnerLet’s start with the raw return. A $1,000 investment in AVGO stock in 2016 would be worth approximately $20,000 today on price appreciation alone, notes Stock Titan. That’s a gain of roughly 1,890%.Factor in dividends reinvested over that period, and the total climbs to around $25,600: a cumulative return of about 2,460%.But the story gets better when you zoom in on what the dividend itself has done.Back in 2016, $1,000 bought you about 63 shares of AVGO. The annualized dividend at the time was $0.20 per share. So those 63 shares generated just $12.60 in annual dividend income — a yield of 1.26% on your original investment. Not exactly eye-catching.More on dividend stocks:Morningstar is bullish on 2 AI dividend stocksMacy’s new AI tool drives 400% sales jump for the dividend stockEnergy Transfer stands out as high-yield dividend stockFast forward to today. Broadcom now pays $2.60 per share annually. Those same 63 shares now generate $163.80 per year in dividends. That’s a yield-on-cost of 16.38%.Put simply, the income alone from that original $1,000 investment now exceeds what many savings accounts pay by a wide margin.Broadcom’s dividend growth by the numbersHere’s a snapshot of the key dividend metrics every income investor should know about AVGO stock.2016 annualized dividend per share: $0.20Current annualized dividend per share: $2.60Dividend growth (2016 to present): 1,200%+Original yield on $1,000 investment (2016): 1.26%Current yield-on-cost (same $1,000 investment): 16.38%Annual dividend income from 63 shares today: $163.80Annual dividend income from 63 shares in 2016: $12.60Dividend payout cadence: QuarterlyThe annual dividend expense for Broadcom stock is around $12.3 billion, while the company is projected to report a free cash flow of $49.5 billion in fiscal 2026, indicating a payout ratio of roughly 25%. AI is turbocharging AVGO’s growth engineBroadcom isn’t just coasting on past success. The company’s most recent earnings report showed why analysts and investors remain bullish on its future.In Q1 fiscal 2026, Broadcom posted record total revenue of $19.3 billion, up 29% year over year. AI semiconductor revenue more than doubled to $8.4 billion.Broadcom CEO Hock Tan guided Q2 fiscal 2026 revenue to approximately $22 billion, a 47% YoY increase. AI semiconductor revenue for Q2 is projected to reach $10.7 billion, up 140% YoY.Broadcom’s adjusted EBITDA (earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization) came in at $13.1 billion for Q1, or 68% of revenue. That kind of margin gives Broadcom stock significant room to keep rewarding shareholders.Related: Broadcom could sustain its eye-popping 2026 dividend hikeThe company also returned$10.9 billion to shareholders in Q1 through dividends and share repurchases, and its board authorized an additional $10 billion share repurchase program.During the Q1 earnings call, CFO Kristin Spears stated:”We ended the first quarter with $14.2 billion of cash. Today, we are announcing our Board of Directors has authorized an additional $10 billion for our share repurchase program effective through the end of calendar year 2026.”

Broadcom is bullish on AI growth.NurPhoto/ Getty Images

Why Broadcom dividend stock still has runwayOne thing that stands out about Broadcom is its positioning inside the artificial intelligence infrastructure buildout. The company designs custom AI accelerators, called XPUs, for six major customers, including Google and Anthropic.On the most recent earnings call, Tan said the company has “line of sight” to exceed $100 billion in AI chip revenue in 2027. A company generating this level of AI-driven cash flow has a strong foundation for continued dividend growth, which Broadcom consistently maintained for a decade. The lesson here isn’t just about what $1,000 in 2016 is worth now. It’s about what patience, reinvested dividends, and a compounding dividend yield can do over time.That’s the real story behind AVGO, and it’s one worth understanding before writing off any quality dividend stock as “not exciting enough.”Related: Mega-cap dividend stock targets $9 trillion valuation

The security risks we face are constantly morphing. Criminals are relentless in their attempts to break into your email, your brokerage account, your retirement fund, and your bank account. You name it, they want it.

They have two main goals: either to take over your entire digital life through your phone or to swipe access to individual accounts one by one. I want to share a few simple housekeeping tips that will go a long way in keeping your hard-earned money safe.

The iPhone Threat: “Dark Sword” Spyware

Right now, there is a specific security threat geared toward iPhone users. Hackers are using a type of spyware known as “Dark Sword” to dig deep into your device and gain access to virtually everything you have stored on it.

The solution is incredibly simple, yet so many people — whether they are on iPhone or Android — never get around to doing it: Update your software.

Dark Sword exploits known vulnerabilities. If you aren’t on the latest version of iOS, criminals can essentially live on your phone and access anything they want.

Why Are Hackers Targeting iPhones?

While the U.S. market is split roughly 50/50 between iPhone and Android, hackers in the United States specifically target iPhones for a calculated reason. Generally speaking, iPhone users in the U.S. tend to have higher incomes and more assets. To a criminal, that makes an iPhone a higher-value target for identity theft and financial fraud.

My advice: Check your settings right now to see if there is an update waiting for you. Don’t wait; get it done today.

Moving Beyond Passwords: The Power of Passkeys

For a long time, two-factor authentication (2FA) usually meant getting a one-time code via text message. But today, the gold standard is something called Passkeys. Traditional passwords are easily compromised, forgotten, or stolen. Passkeys, on the other hand, are a digital method of verifying who you are that is far safer.

What’s truly great about this technology is that it was a cooperative effort. Some of the largest tech companies in the world actually worked together to create a safer environment for you and your accounts.

You don’t need to worry about the complex tech happening “behind the curtain.” All you need to know is:

When a site or app asks, “Would you like to use passkeys for this?” the answer is YES.

Using them is ultra-easy. Essentially, your phone becomes your “friend” to verify your identity instantly.

Final Thoughts

Criminals are getting smarter, but you can stay ahead of them. Perform those software updates the moment they are available and ditch the weak passwords in favor of passkeys. These simple steps are the best defense for your wallet and your peace of mind.
The post This Simple iPhone Update Stops Dangerous Spyware From Stealing Your Data appeared first on Clark Howard.

Bitcoin holds a tight range as altcoins rally on low liquidity, but derivatives data and options skew suggest traders are bracing for downside.

With shipments of natural gas trapped behind Hormuz, desperate nations are looking for dirty coal. That’s good news for America’s biggest coal miner.

If you opened social media today and found the name Mark Lee trending alongside words like “heartbroken,” or “end of an era”, here is what you need to know.