Bitcoin fell 2% while gold and silver saw sharper declines as oil prices surged and the Fed flashed hawkish signals.
Meet The Billionaire Boosters Behind March Madness 2026
Many of the teams in the NCAA men’s basketball tournament are bankrolled by super-rich superfans. Here is this year’s C-Suite 16, with a combined net worth of $365 billion.
A Once-Proud Small-Growth Fund’s Big Problems
In mid-2021, Brown Capital Management Small Company was flying high. Performance was great. Its management team was stable and clicking. Its atypical approach was working well. Sure, the fund was large (by total assets), and it concentrated around high-growth technology and healthcare companies, but Brown Capital had handled those issues well in the past. The future looked bright, and the fund earned a Gold Morningstar Medalist Rating. My, how things have changed. Performance has turned abysmal. Investors have fled. Even some of the Brown Capital team have moved on, leaving the rest to rethink things and make some adjustments. The fund’s Morningstar Medalist Rating is now Neutral. What happened? The answer offers a cautionary tale of what can happen to a fund when it hits a perfect storm. And the story isn’t finished.The RiseBrown Capital Management Small Company launched in July 1992. Its unique approach became its hallmark. Instead of sizing companies by market capitalization, its managers looked at operating revenues. For many years, it defined small companies as those with revenues of $250 million or less. (Brown Capital updated that to $500 million in April 2021 to account for inflation and companies going public at more mature stages.) Since-inception manager Keith Lee and his team had a simple goal: They wanted companies whose products or services saved time, lives, money, or headaches. Healthy growth prospects didn’t hurt, either. Lee and his colleagues proved adept at finding good opportunities, investing patiently, and reaping the rewards over time. Even so, it wasn’t a steady rise to greatness. Small, high-growth companies are often highly susceptible to economic conditions, interest rates, and competitive pressures. So, their share prices can be volatile. The fund went into a funk in the mid-2000s, for example, but that didn’t faze Lee. He urged his colleagues to keep investing as they had always done and wait for a turnaround. It worked. The rebound began in earnest in 2006 and continued with few interruptions until mid-2021. As investors flocked to it, the fund prudently closed to new clients in 2013. From January 2006 through June 2021, its investor share class posted a 14.9% annualized gain, besting 97.0% of the small-growth Morningstar Category and outpacing the Russell 2000 Growth Index by a wide margin. Fund assets peaked at nearly $7.5 billion in January 2021. The FallAs the covid pandemic waned, however, so did Brown Capital Management Small Company. One of its key strengths—its focus on high-growth companies—became a weakness in 2022 when growth stocks sold off. Rising inflation spurred interest rate hikes, and higher rates can ravage shares of growing companies—especially when it’s just the prospect of growth, rather than earnings and dividends from established businesses, which draws investors to those stocks. The fund didn’t escape this pain. Eighteen months of poor performance doesn’t mean something is fundamentally wrong, though. At the time, the fund’s struggles looked like the price of its investing style. In fact, the fund’s improved showing in 2023—when growth stocks generally rallied—suggested things were back on track. But new troubles arose early in 2024. A major client withdrew from the strategy, hitting the fund with massive outflows. Because the fund traffics in smaller-cap stocks and is often a major shareholder in its companies, Brown Capital’s selling to raise cash weighed on many of its holdings—hurting the fund’s performance in turn. Throughout 2024, the fund endured sizable monthly outflows. Its managers had to trim or exit long-held positions and realize capital gains, which the fund then had to distribute at year-end. Taxable investors closed the year with a disappointing holiday gift: a distribution worth about one-third of its net asset value. It was during that pivotal year that the fund’s challenges began to hit the Brown Capital team itself. In August, manager Andrew Fones resigned. By itself, the departure wasn’t too worrisome because six other managers—including Lee and his successor as the firm’s CIO, Damien Davis—remained on the Small Company team, and the fund was its only charge. Yet, the problems continued into 2025. A rally in lower-quality growth stocks following April’s tariff troubles largely passed by the fund. Underwhelming performance and continued outflows prompted another massive year-end distribution. An ugly start to 2026 offered no relief. The portfolio’s hefty, long-standing stake in application software companies took a beating as investors fretted about the threat of artificial intelligence on those firms’ businesses. In another blow to the team, manager Daman Blakeney left at the end of February 2026. The fund’s total assets fell below $700 million that month—more than 90% below its mid-2021 peak. An Uncertain FutureBrown Capital Management Small Company has had a humbling fall from grace. Its problems have seemed to snowball. Yet, Brown Capital has started to respond. The still-experienced five-person management team is taking promising steps. The firm hired a “chief innovation and digital strategy officer” in August 2025 whose tasks include increasing oversight of Brown Capital’s portfolios and monitoring their risks. A multiyear project to introduce AI tools into the research process could help the team generate more ideas and position its portfolio better. But these efforts are in their early stages. The fund’s reduced size—let alone continued outflows—could make it harder to implement changes quickly and effectively. What’s more, such moves—which are some of the most significant in the fund’s long history—could spur more departures or push the portfolio into unfamiliar sectors or higher turnover. So, Brown Capital Management Small Company is at a crucial juncture. A perfect storm of events—only some of which were under Brown Capital’s control—has pummeled a once-proud offering. The firm is taking steps to address key weaknesses, but a lot of damage has already occurred. It will take time to rebuild confidence in the fund—and time is increasingly precious for an offering that has fallen so far, so fast.
The Best iShares ETFs to Buy and Hold That Invest in US Stocks
With more than $14 trillion in assets under management, BlackRock is the largest asset manager in the world. Passive strategies make up about two-thirds of those assets. In particular, the firm’s well-known iShares exchange-traded funds are low-cost solutions for both advisors and individual investors building well-diversified portfolios. Morningstar’s list of the best iShares ETFs to buy and hold for US equity exposure features top-rated passive funds that we expect to outperform their competitors over a full market cycle. Investors can confidently buy and hold these funds in a long-term portfolio.The 21 Best iShares ETFs to Buy that Invest in US StocksTo find the best iShares ETFs to buy that focus on US stocks, we screened for those earning a Morningstar Medalist Rating of Silver or Gold with 100% analyst coverage. All the ETFs on the list fall into Morningstar’s US equity category group and practice passive strategies. All data is as of March 13, 2026.iShares Core S&P 500 ETF IVViShares Core S&P Mid-Cap ETF IJHiShares Core S&P Small-Cap ETF IJRiShares Core S&P Total US Stock Market ETF ITOTiShares Core S&P US Growth ETF IUSGiShares Core S&P US Value ETF IUSViShares ESG Aware MSCI USA ETF ESGUiShares ESG Aware MSCI USA Small-Cap ETF ESMLiShares ESG MSCI USA Leaders ETF SUSLiShares MSCI USA Min Vol Factor ETF USMViShares MSCI USA Momentum Factor ETF MTUMiShares MSCI USA Quality Factor ETF QUALiShares MSCI USA Value Factor ETF VLUEiShares Russell 1000 ETF IWBiShares Russell 1000 Growth ETF IWFiShares Russell 1000 Value ETF IWDiShares Russell 3000 ETF IWViShares Russell Mid-Cap ETF IWRiShares S&P 500 Growth ETF IVWiShares S&P 500 Value ETF IVEiShares S&P Mid-Cap 400 Growth ETF IJKMorningstar expects the highly rated US equity iShares ETFs on this list to outperform their peers over a full market cycle. But even though all the funds on our list invest in US stocks, they practice different strategies and therefore behave differently from each other. Investors need to do some homework to understand exactly what a particular ETF invests in before buying.Here’s a quick look at the two Gold-rated picks from the list of the best iShares US equity ETFs. Be sure to review a fund’s complete report for more details.iShares Core S&P 500 ETFMorningstar Category: US Fund Large BlendMorningstar Medalist Rating: GoldIShares Core S&P 500 ETF provides exposure to US large-cap stocks at a low cost. The ETF replicates the S&P 500, which is a market-cap-weighted index of 500 of the largest US stocks that are chosen by an index committee based on liquidity and profitability standards. Management has done a good job of tracking its index, using derivatives to manage its cash, and employing securities lending to generate additional income to help keep the ETF’s expense ratio low.IShares S&P 500 accurately represents the large-cap US stock market, allowing its low fee and efficient portfolio to carve out a long-term edge.The fund tracks the S&P 500. A committee selects 500 of the largest US stocks, or roughly 80% of the US stock market, and weights them by the market cap. The index committee has discretion over selecting companies that meet its liquidity and profitability standards. While a committee-based approach may lack clarity, it adds flexibility to reduce unnecessary changes during reconstitution, taming transaction costs compared with more rigid rules-based indexes.Assigning position sizes based on a stock’s market cap is a simple and efficient method to weight the portfolio. Since US stocks are highly traded, they quickly reflect new information, and carving an edge is difficult. Market-cap weighting naturally adjusts to price changes without frequent rebalancing, generating lower trading costs. That, and lower fees, give large-blend index funds a long-term performance advantage over most actively managed peers.The fund holds a broad, well-diversified portfolio. It typically includes around 500 stocks, and the top 10 represented around 40% of the portfolio at year-end 2025. Still, market-cap weighting can contribute to portfolio concentration when a few stocks dominate the market. This has been the case lately with a handful of mega-cap technology stocks growing to prominence and commanding a greater share of the portfolio.When a few richly valued companies or sectors power most of the market gains, market-cap weighting may overexpose the strategy to the fluctuations of one stock or sector. But this is not a fault in design, as it simply reflects the market’s composition. Its low turnover, low fee, and broad diversification across the US market more than offset these risks.The US exchange-traded fund returned 14.8% annualized over the past 10 years through year-end 2025. It holds little cash, which should help it outperform cash-saddled active peers during market rallies. Likewise, low cash drag could hurt this fund when the stock market declines, but long-term positive returns give this efficient approach a clear edge. Performance across share classes will vary on account of differences in fees and currency exchange rates for non-US investors.Brendan McCann, associate analystRead Morningstar’s full report on the iShares Core S&P 500 ETF.iShares Core S&P Total US Stock Market ETFMorningstar Category: US Fund Large BlendMorningstar Medalist Rating: GoldThis iShares ETF to buy and hold in 2026 offers exposure to the entire investable US stock market. It tracks the S&P Total Market Index, which includes all US-domiciled stocks that trade on a major US exchange and pass S&P’s minimum liquidity threshold. Although iShares Core S&P Total US Stock Market ETF lands in the large-blend Morningstar Category, it provides exposure to small and mid-size companies. That being said, the largest stocks in the US make up the bulk of this ETF’s portfolio due to the index’s market-cap weighting.IShares Core S&P Total Market accurately represents the US stock market, allowing its low fee and efficient portfolio to carve out a long-term edge.The fund tracks the S&P Total Market Index, which selects all investable US stocks and weights them by market cap. As a result, the index experiences little turnover because of the minuscule average size of additions or deletions to the existing portfolio. The fund holds a representative basket of stocks within the index, which further reduces unnecessary trading costs.Assigning position sizes based on a stock’s market cap is a simple and efficient method to weight the portfolio. Since US stocks are highly traded, they quickly reflect new information, and carving an edge is difficult. Market-cap weighting naturally adjusts to price changes without frequent rebalancing, lowering trading costs. That, and lower fees, give large-blend index funds a long-term performance advantage over most actively managed peers.The portfolio is broad and well-diversified. It typically holds around 2,500 stocks, and the top 10 represented 34% of the portfolio as of January 2026. Still, market-cap weighting can contribute to portfolio concentration when a few stocks dominate the market. This has been the case lately with a handful of mega-cap technology stocks growing to prominence and commanding a greater share of the portfolio.When a few richly valued companies or sectors power most of the market’s gains, market-cap weighting may overexpose the strategy to the fluctuations of one stock or sector. But this is not a fault in design, as it simply reflects the market’s composition. Its low turnover, low fee, and broad diversification across the US market more than offset these risks.The US exchange-traded fund share class returned 15.1% annualized over the past 10 years through January 2026. It holds little cash, which should help it outperform cash-saddled active peers during market rallies. Likewise, low cash drag could hurt this fund when the stock market declines, but long-term positive results for the US market have given this efficient approach an edge. Performance across share classes will vary owing to differences in fees and currency exchange rates for non-US investors.Brendan McCann, associate analystRead Morningstar’s full report on the iShares Core S&P Total US Stock Market ETF.What Are US Equity Funds?US equity funds exclusively invest in US stocks. These portfolios do not focus on a particular equity sector. Instead, they may target a particular market cap or equity style, such as value or growth. This group contains the following categories:Large blendLarge growthLarge valueLeveraged net longMid-cap blendMid-cap growthMid-cap valueSmall blendSmall growthSmall valueHow to Find More of the Best ETFs to Buy for the Long TermGiven their high Morningstar Medalist Ratings, we expect the top-rated funds on our list to outperform over a full market cycle. That being said, investors may want to expand their search beyond this list, using parameters that matter to them. Here are more ways to find more ETFs and mutual funds:Use the Morningstar Investor screener to create your own list of funds to investigate further.Explore Morningstar Medalist funds on our Best Investments page.Read our latest ETF insights and analysis on Morningstar.com.
Oil prices surge after Iran attacks Middle East energy facilities
U.S. President Trump warns of devastating response if Tehran persists in targeting the region’s oil and gas production.
Oil Breaches $115 As Qatar Says Iranian Attack On Energy Hub Caused ‘Extensive Damage’
The surge in global crude oil prices continued on Thursday after Qatar reported “extensive damage” from an Iranian attack on its energy infrastructure.
Alec and Hilaria Baldwin are still trying to sell $20 million Hamptons mansion—now on social media
Hilaria Baldwin is attempting to leverage her Instagram following to help her and Alec Baldwin in their desperate hunt for a buyer for their $20 million Hamptons mansion.
Amazon is selling a henley long sleeve shirt that comes in 16 colors for as low as $15
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 dealIt seems like these days it’s pretty hard to find quality clothing at an affordable price. You either stay under budget and risk itchy fabric or pieces of apparel that don’t last more than five wears and washes, or you opt for long-lasting quality that runs $60 or $70 a piece on a good day. Clothing is a necessity, and when you have to choose between cost and quality, you end up with a closet full of mismatched clothing that brings more irritation than excitement. That said, just because it’s harder to find those better-made, inexpensive items doesn’t mean it’s impossible. In fact Amazon has a pretty great deal on a cozy men’s long sleeve right now. For a limited time, the Coofandy Men’s Henley Shirt is 50% off its original $30 price. Save $15 and score the shirt for as little as $15 in one of 16 colors and a variety of sizes at Amazon. Prices vary slightly between colors, but even the more expensive discounted versions are still only $18 instead of that full $30. Coofandy Men’s Henley Shirt, $15 (was $30) at Amazon
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Shop at AmazonWhy do shoppers love it?Lightweight but warm, this henley is perfect for this transitional time where the weather is warming up but there’s still quite a chill in the air. Wear it by itself or use it as a base layer with a jacket thrown over top for those volatile days where it’s hot in the afternoon and cold by nighttime. Made with a polyester, viscose, and spandex fabric blend, this henley is super soft, very stretchy, and made for lots of long-term wear. The polyester provides insulation and heat retention and is what helps the top keep its shape even after multiple washes, whereas the viscose and spandex provide elasticity, a silky smooth feel, and breathability.Available in 16 colors, with prices varying slightly depending on which hue you’re purchasing, the shirt has a cotton-like feel that provides all-day comfort through winter, spring, summer, and fall. The long sleeve has a three-button placket that gives the shirt a casual, crew-neck style with a little more flair than a basic long sleeve t-shirt. The buttons can be adjusted for your comfort. Button them all up for a warmer, firmer fit or leave a few undone for a relaxed look. The convenience of the henley comes from the way it can be wearable in casual and more formal environments. Throw it on with a pair of workout pants or shorts to go run errands or dress it up with a pair of jeans and some loafers for a nice dinner out or gathering with friends. It has a simple, classic look that works on a variety of silhouettes and pairs well with pretty much anything. Related: Amazon is selling cooling bamboo boxer briefs that rival luxury brands for under $7 apieceIn addition to the 16 colors it comes in, the shirt is available in a variety of sizes ranging from small through 3X-Large. It is also machine washable which makes for easy cleaning. Details to knowMaterial: Polyester, viscose, and spandex. Sizes: Small through 3X-Large.Colors: 16. Care: Machine washable.Shoppers can’t stop gushing over how nice the shirt actually feels. It’s super soft, with just the right thickness to make it warm without it being overly heavy. The shirt feels lightweight and well-made, and shoppers are impressed with how the quality holds up after multiple washes. It is a more form-fitting shirt because of the fabric, so shoppers advise that if you like a bit of a looser feel or look you should size up. One shopper referred to the shirts as “too good for its low price.” Shop more deals Hanes EcoSmart Fleece Hoodie, $13 (was $26) at AmazonUnder Armour Tech 2.0 T-Shirt, $16 (was $25) at AmazonQosoq Sweater Pullover, $29 (was $38) at AmazonThe weather might still be a bit chilly, but the time for overly heavy layers and sweaters is long gone. A nice lightweight shirt that still provides warmth like the Coofandy Men’s Henley Shirt is the perfect transitional top to get you through this transitional time as we move forward into spring.
Analysis Of Newly Crafted AI Laws And Underway Bills At The State-Level Reveals Quite Eyebrow-Raising Insights
In the U.S., states are rapidly pursuing all sorts of new AI laws. A new analysis usefully looked at them. I recap the analysis and add my thoughts. An AI Insider scoop.
Walmart’s ‘top-notch’ $180 Android 15 tablet with ‘fast processing’ is on sale for just $90
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 dealIf you’re spending your downtime being absorbed on your smartphone, consider treating yourself to a tablet upgrade. Maximizing the screen size so it’s easier on the eyes, a tablet has a much larger display, comparable to that of a smaller laptop, but without the added heft. Its sleek design is ultra-portable and perfect for lounging on the couch at the end of a long day. Whether you like to unwind by scrolling through TikTok, catching up with friends on Facebook, or streaming the latest shows on Netflix, the device can elevate your everyday entertainment experience.Like any electronic, tablets can be expensive, but right now, one of Walmart’s bestselling options is 50% off. Normally retailing for $180, the Headwolf Android 15 10-Inch Tablet is now available for just $90, making it a great time to invest in this popular device for yourself or a loved one. It’s not impossible to find tablets under $100, but this one comes packed with features you’d expect on a more expensive model, making the half-off deal especially enticing. Headwolf Android 15 10-Inch Tablet, $90 (was $180) at Walmart
Courtesy of Walmart
Shop at WalmartWhy do shoppers love it?Equipped with a high-definition 10.1-inch touchscreen display, this tablet delivers stunning visuals with vibrant colors and sharp details. Not to be outdone, the audio is just as impressive with the dual-box suspended stereo speakers and enhanced amplification. Paired together, you’ll be fully immersed when playing games like Minecraft or Roblox, streaming movies on Disney+, or watching videos on YouTube. “The picture and graphics are phenomenal,” raved one reviewer who called the tablet “top-notch” for its “fast processing.”The user experience was put at the forefront of this tablet design. Powered by Android 15, navigation is intuitive and should be quick to learn for those who have some computing experience. It’s also compatible with the Google Play Store, so you can download the most popular applications, including those for productivity and entertainment. For smooth and speedy processing, the tablet comes with 8 gigabytes (GB) of RAM and 128 GB of ROM. Related: Walmart is selling a Windows 11 laptop for $283 that comes with lifetime Microsoft Office app useIt’s the little details that take this tablet’s performance to the next level. If you use this device on the go, the long-lasting battery that can run up to 12 hours on a single charge will be extremely handy. The tablet also has two built-in cameras, including one on the front and one on the back, so you can take photos or video calls.Pros and cons of a $90 tabletPros:It’s reliable for basic tasks: With 8 GB of RAM and 128 GB of ROM, this tablet is efficient for basic computer tasks, like sending emails, browsing the internet, or looking at social media.It’s affordable: On sale for $90, this is a budget-friendly tablet option, and its specifications are a bit more upgraded than what you’d expect, thanks to the current Walmart deal.Shoppers are happy with the performance: The quality of this tablet is backed by hundreds of perfect five-star ratings. “The speed is fantastic,” wrote one shopper, who called it “one of the best tablets I’ve owned.” They also reported that it “runs smoothly.”Cons:It’s not capable of advanced tasks: Since this is a budget-friendly tablet, it’s not well-suited for computing that requires a lot of power, like constant multitasking or advanced gaming with large graphic files.It doesn’t have a keyboard: Typing on a tablet can be tricky, and while some options come with Bluetooth keyboards, this one does not. You could add it separately.Shop more dealsDigiland 10.1-inch Android 14 Tablet, $75 (was $100) at WalmartHeadwolf Android 16 10-Inch Tablet, $100 (was $200) at WalmartTabwee Android 16 AI Tablet, $90 (was $150) at WalmartAdd the Headwolf Android 15 10-Inch Tablet to your cart for just $90 at Walmart. Tablet deals this good rarely last long, so don’t miss your chance to save.