Newly released complaints describe surprise prescription renewals and rejected refunds. The company had already set aside $15 million over the FTC investigation.
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Most Asset Managers Already 'Use AI.' Few Turn It Into Alpha
Most Asset Managers Already 'Use AI.' Few Turn It Into Alpha
Trump tries again to fire Fed governor Lisa Cook, renewing battle over central bank independence
The Trump administration is moving ahead with its efforts to fire Federal Reserve governor Lisa Cook, two months after the Supreme Court allowed her to retain her job while she fights the president’s effort to terminate her over mortgage fraud allegations that she has denied.
The justices in a 5-4 decision in June said Cook, who was nominated to the Fed’s Board of Governors by President Joe Biden, could remain in her post at least as long as her lawsuit challenging her firing goes on. The Trump administration is appealing a lower-court ruling in Cook’s favor.
Supreme Court Chief Justice John Roberts wrote in a footnote in his opinion that nothing forbids President Donald Trump from “trying again” to fire Cook provided she is given proper notice and a chance to contest it. Trump indicated after the opinion that he would do just that, vowing to “take appropriate action immediately.”
In a letter this week obtained by The Associated Press, White House aide Dan Scavino told Cook that Trump was “considering removing you from your position” but cited the Supreme Court’s requirement of proper notice in giving her until August 26 to challenge it.
The attempt to fire Cook is rooted in a criminal referral made last August by Bill Pulte, the director of the Federal Housing Finance Agency, that accused her of committing mortgage fraud by declaring two different homes – one in Ann Arbor, Michigan, and one in Atlanta – as “primary residence.’’ Homebuyers can get lower mortgage rates or smaller down payments on their primary homes compared to second or vacation homes.
Cook has aggressively defended herself against the allegations, saying the president had attempted to oust her “on a manufactured pretext because I refused to bow to political pressure and continued to set interest rates based only on what would best serve the American people.’’
Her lawyer, Abbe Lowell, argued in a November letter that Cook has mostly lived in the Ann Arbor property since first purchasing it in 2005. As a result, it was accurate for her to refer to it as her “primary residence” in a June 2021 application to refinance its mortgage, the letter said.
A month later, she purchased a condominium in Atlanta and, in a July 2021 document, also referred to it as her “primary residence.” Lowell said that it was an “isolated notation” that did not reflect an intent to defraud. An earlier mortgage application to the same lender in May 2021 had referred to the Atlanta condo as a “vacation home,” Lowell said. Cook also referred to it as a second home in federal filings during her confirmation process to become a Fed governor.
The latest White House letter largely rehashes the year-old allegations.
“These allegations are as baseless now as they were a year ago when President Trump tried to remove Governor Cook and interfere with the independence of the Federal Reserve,” Lowell said in a statement.
“No matter what President Trump tries to do next, this much is clear under the facts and Supreme Court precedent — there is no valid cause for removing Governor Cook. As we did before, we will challenge this latest pretext and preserve her position and the historic role of the Fed,” he added.
Trump renews push to oust Fed’s Cook over mortgage fraud
The move arrives six weeks after the Supreme Court’s 5-4 ruling that blocked Cook’s immediate dismissal.
Chief Justice John Roberts noted in a footnote that nothing in the opinion prevented Trump from “trying again,” provided Cook receives proper notice and a meaningful opportunity to contest the allegations.
The Federal Reserve declined to comment on the White House’s letter.
Primary residence declarations under scrutiny
The fraud allegations center on mortgage applications Cook signed before joining the Fed’s Board of Governors. In a June 2021 application to refinance a property in Ann Arbor, Michigan, Cook listed it as her primary residence. One month later, she purchased a condominium in Atlanta, Georgia, and a July 2021 document also referred to it as her primary residence.
Borrowers who designate a property as a primary residence can qualify for lower mortgage rates and smaller down payments than buyers of a second or vacation home.
Why Marketing Agencies Must Shift From Deliverables to Strategy
Catch the Full Episode
Overview
9 out of 10 agency clients say their agency helps them succeed. 4 out of 10 also plan to shrink that relationship within a year. Brian Gerstner has the research to explain how both are true, and it’s less dire than it sounds.
Gerstner co-founded Agency Core, which surveyed 579 agency leaders and 400 clients in 2026 on how AI is changing agency work. He and I talk through why agencies are landing in different camps: some have built real authority and charge more for it, some are still figuring out where AI fits, and plenty have room to move from routine deliverables toward strategy work.
This one’s for agency owners and marketing consultants feeling the ground shift under AI. They cover niching down without shrinking your whole business, why pricing power still exists for the right positioning, and the marketing leadership gap AI has exposed.
Guest Bio
Brian Gerstner is co-founder of Agency Core, an independent research initiative studying how agencies are adapting their business models in the AI era. He’s also president of White Label IQ, a 90-person team that works exclusively with agencies on outsourced production and development work. Gerstner has spent more than 20 years in the agency business and built Agency Core to surface the attitudes and behaviors driving agency success, in addition to the tactics.
Key Takeaways
- Only 13 to 16% of agency owners fully execute on the strategic priorities they name as most important.
- Niching down doesn’t require picking an industry. A region, attitude, or strategic approach can build the same “confident differentiator” status.
- Client demand for agencies hasn’t dropped. The questions clients ask have changed, from “can you build this” to “should we do this.”
- Commoditized deliverables (brochures, basic content, routine reports) are losing pricing power fast. Strategy, judgment, and direction are not.
- 29% of clients expect fee reductions tied to AI, while clients working with a differentiated, authoritative agency are willing to pay more, not less.
- Chasing AI as a standalone offer is a shrinking window. It’s already table stakes, and clients want it used intentionally rather than pitched as the product.
Great Moments
- [02:43] – What separates a “confident differentiator” agency from the rest
- [05:49] – Only 13 to 16% of agency owners fully execute their own top priorities
- [07:56] – Gerstner reconciles the two seemingly contradictory client statistics
- [14:07] – What the pricing data shows about fees, AI, and expertise
- [17:49] – Niching down doesn’t mean picking one industry, it means having a focus and sticking to it
- [20:17] – The hidden challenge: retraining an existing team that isn’t built for the work agencies need now
Memorable Quotes
- “There’s a reason the compass was invented before the clock. It’s because it’s more important to know where you’re going.” — Brian Gerstner
- “There is still probably more opportunity than ever before if you can take the time to see it.” — Brian Gerstner
- “If you focus down, if you niche in, if you lean into an area, it is an investment. It’s hard. Growth is painful.” — Brian Gerstner
- “Coming in the strategy door is a far better relationship than coming in the vendor door.” — John Jantsch
- “The moment other people start saying these people have a great reputation in this area, that’s when you’re truly establishing that confident differentiating position.” — Brian Gerstner
- “You’re gonna have to hire a strategic thinker who can become a leader, because the doers, we can outsource.” — John Jantsch
Resources
Agency Core, agency pricing, agency strategy, AI marketing, Brian Gerstner, niche marketing, White Label IQ
Marriott Bonvoy Bevy Card Bonus: 125K Points and $150 Credit
Amex Marriott Bevy Card Bonus: 125K Points + $150 Credit
The Marriott Bonvoy Bevy™ American Express® Card is offering an improved welcome bonus of 125,000 Marriott Bonvoy points plus a $150 credit.
There’s also a new link for Bonvoy Bevy (previous link stopped working) that has the lifetime language but it’s working as NLL for many of our Facebook Group members. So it’s more like a magic link. It’s worth noting that the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant American Express Card also has an elevated offer for 150K points and $250 credit that’s possibly NLL as well. Let’s go over the offer details.
Welcome Offer
- Earn 125,000 Marriott Bonvoy® bonus points and a $150 Statement Credit after you use your new Card to make $5,000 in purchases within the first 6 months of Card Membership.
- Offer ends 09/30/2026.
- Annual Fee: $250 (See Rates and Fees; terms apply)
- APPLICATION LINK
Card Details
- Earn:
- 6X Marriott Bonvoy points on eligible purchases at participating Marriott Bonvoy hotels.
- 4X Marriott Bonvoy points at restaurants worldwide and U.S Supermarkets (on up to $15,000 in combined purchases in these two categories per calendar year, then 2X points).
- 2X Marriott Bonvoy points on all other eligible purchases.
- Earn 1 Free Night Award after spending $15,000 in a calendar year. Award can be used for one night, up to 50,000 Marriott Bonvoy points. You can top it up with 25K points.
- Marriott Bonvoy® Gold Elite Status
- Each calendar year you can receive 15 Elite Night Credits towards the next level of Marriott Bonvoy Elite status. Limitations apply per Marriott Bonvoy member account.
- Earn 1,000 Marriott Bonvoy® bonus points per paid eligible stay booked directly with Marriott Bonvoy
- No Foreign Transaction Fees
- Baggage, Trip Cancellation, Interruption and Delay Insurance
- Access to Amex Offers.
- Annual Fee: $250 (See Rates and Fees; terms apply)
About Marriott Bonvoy
The Marriott Bonvoy program is one of the largest hotel rewards programs in the world, counting 30 brands spread out around the world. Brands very from budget hotels to luxurious properties in exotic locations. Marriott Bonvoy points are worth about 0.6 cents each. You earn 10 base Bonvoy rewards points per dollar spent at Marriott properties. So if you spend $100, you’ll earn 1,000 points. But, some budget brands have lower base earning rates. Bonvoy elite status holders earn additional points:
- Silver members earn 10% more.
- Gold members earn 25% more.
- Platinum members earn 50% more.
- Titanium and Ambassador members earn 75% more.
You also get extra points for holding a Marriott Bonvoy credit card. Marriott is a transfer partner for Chase Ultimate Rewards and American Express Membership Rewards, giving you more options to accrue points. When it comes to using points, Marriott now uses dynamic pricing, with award rates varying between 7,500 and 100,000 points per night. A few luxurious properties can go much higher than that. Credit cards will also earn you free nights, which you can top up with up to 25,000 points.
Guru’s Wrap-up
This is a solid welcome offer for the Marriott Bonvoy Bevy Card. You get 125,000 bonus points plus a $150 statement credit after spending $5,000 within the first six months.
The statement credit helps offset a large portion of the card’s $250 annual fee during the first year. Also the six-month spending window makes the $5,000 requirement more manageable. Still, applicants should compare this offer with the current Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant Card bonus, which comes with a higher annual fee but is offering 150,000 points plus a $250 credit and some valuable perks.
The Bevy Card can make sense for Marriott loyalists who want a mid-tier premium card without paying the Brilliant Card’s much higher annual fee. Just be sure to review Amex’s Marriott welcome-bonus eligibility restrictions before applying.
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In diesem Video geht es um einen der größten Investment-Trends der kommenden Jahrzehnte, der aus meiner Sicht von den meisten Anlegern noch immer massiv unterschätzt wird.
Ich zeige Euch, warum hier gerade die Grundlagen für enormes Wachstum entstehen und weshalb sich dadurch Chancen eröffnen könnten, die viele Investoren heute noch gar nicht auf dem Schirm haben. Dabei geht es nicht um einen kurzfristigen Hype, sondern um einen langfristigen Mega-Trend, der die Weltwirtschaft in den nächsten 20 Jahren spürbar verändern könnte. Die zugrunde liegenden Treiber sind unter anderem Demografie, Urbanisierung und wirtschaftliche Entwicklung.
Außerdem spreche ich darüber, wie man von diesem Trend profitieren kann, welche Chancen sich daraus ergeben und welche Risiken Anleger trotz der vielversprechenden Perspektiven nicht unterschätzen sollten.
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Inhaltsverzeichnis:
00:00 – Intro & Begrüßung
00:15 – Der Megatrend, den niemand auf dem Schirm hat
02:58 – Warum jetzt der richtige Zeitpunkt sein könnte
07:07 – Das Wirtschaftswachstum nimmt Fahrt auf
10:08 – So könnt ihr von diesem Megatrend profitieren
15:10 – Mein Favorit dürfte viele überraschen
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Zum Zeitpunkt der Erstellung dieses Beitrags/Videos war der Autor, Sebastian Hell, in folgenden der besprochenen Finanzinstrumente selbst investiert: siehe Video | Geplante Änderungen: Keine. Weitere Informationen entnehmen Sie bitte unserem Transparenz-Hinweis zum Umgang mit Interessens-Konflikten →
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Circle Internet Group vs. Salesforce: Which Technology Stock Is a Better Buy in 2026?
Investors choosing between high-growth fintech and established software giants face a unique dilemma. Should you bet on Circle Internet Group (CRCL +5.36%) or the proven cloud dominance of Salesforce (CRM +3.20%)?
Circle provides the infrastructure for digital dollars, while Salesforce offers a comprehensive suite of customer relationship tools. While both leverage modern technology to disrupt traditional business models, they operate in very different corners of the economy. One focuses on the future of digital currency, while the other centers on global business productivity.
CRCL & CRM: Performance Comparison
Key Financial Metrics
CRCL – Circle Internet Group
$66.67
+5.36% (+$3.39)
CRM – Salesforce
$192.74
+3.20% (+$5.97)
Market Cap
$16B
52wk Range
$49.90 – $189.92
Gross Margin
18.38%
P/E Ratio
38.08
EPS (TTM)
$1.66
Dividend & Yield
N/A
Market Cap
$153B
52wk Range
$146.32 – $269.11
Gross Margin
75.12%
P/E Ratio
21.62
EPS (TTM)
$8.64
Dividend & Yield
$1.71 (0.92%)
CRCL – Circle Internet Group
$66.67
+5.36% (+$3.39)
Market Cap
$16B
52wk Range
$49.90 – $189.92
Gross Margin
18.38%
P/E Ratio
38.08
EPS (TTM)
$1.66
Dividend & Yield
N/A
CRM – Salesforce
$192.74
+3.20% (+$5.97)
Market Cap
$153B
52wk Range
$146.32 – $269.11
Gross Margin
75.12%
P/E Ratio
21.62
EPS (TTM)
$8.64
Dividend & Yield
$1.71 (0.92%)
The case for Circle Internet Group
Circle issues USDC, a stablecoin backed by dollar-denominated assets. It targets businesses, developers, and financial institutions looking for blockchain-based settlement. Notable partners include BlackRock, which manages its reserve fund, and BNY, acting as custodian.
In the fiscal year ended Dec. 31, 2025, revenue reached nearly $2.7 billion. This represented a growth rate of roughly 63.9% compared with the prior fiscal year. However, the company reported a net loss of approximately $69.5 million, leading to a negative net margin of about 2.5%.
Circle carries a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.0x, which means it has no debt relative to its equity. Its current ratio, which measures the ability to pay short-term debts with short-term assets, is roughly 1.0x. Note that stock-based compensation represented roughly 104.4% of operating cash flow, meaning reported cash generation is heavily inflated by this non-cash add-back. Free cash flow, or the cash left after capital expenditures, was close to $529.7 million in its most recent fiscal year.
The case for Salesforce
Salesforce is a titan among tech stocks, providing tools for sales, service, and marketing. Its platform now integrates artificial intelligence to help businesses analyze customer data more effectively. The company serves a global base and does not rely on any single customer for more than 10% of its revenue.
In the fiscal year ended Jan. 31, 2026, revenue reached approximately $41.5 billion. This was an increase of nearly 9.6% year over year. The company reported a net income of close to $7.5 billion, resulting in a healthy net margin of roughly 18.0%.
As of its January 2026 balance sheet, the debt-to-equity ratio was about 0.3x, showing a low level of debt compared to shareholder equity. The current ratio stands at approximately 0.8x. Note that stock-based compensation represented roughly 23.4% of operating cash flow, which inflates reported cash generation since it is a non-cash expense added back in the cash flow statement. Free cash flow was nearly $14.4 billion in its latest annual report.
Risk profile comparison
Circle faces intense competition from established enterprises and new start-ups, alongside a shift toward yield-bearing assets that could lower demand for USDC. The company must also navigate regulatory uncertainty following the GENIUS Act and potential stablecoin reclassification. Cybersecurity threats and ongoing litigation with Financial Technology Partners add further layers of risk.
Salesforce operates in a crowded market against rivals like Microsoft, Alphabet, and Amazon. Integrating large acquisitions like Informatica carries execution risks that could strain management resources. Additionally, the company faces legal hurdles, including an antitrust lawsuit against Microsoft that could impact the broader industry landscape.
Valuation comparison
Salesforce appears significantly cheaper based on Forward P/E, which measures price against future earnings estimates, and its P/S ratio, which compares market value to total revenue.
| Metric | Circle Internet Group | Salesforce |
|---|---|---|
| Forward P/E | 44.9x | 13.2x |
| P/S ratio | 5.8x | 3.7x |
Valuation metrics sourced from Financial Modeling Prep (FMP) and may differ from other data providers.
Which stock would I buy in 2026?
I’d go with Salesforce. But to be fair to Circle, it is building something that could matter enormously in the long run. USDC is growing rapidly as a stablecoin and the Circle Payments Network is gaining early traction with financial institutions. The regulatory environment for stablecoins is becoming more favorable.
But Circle’s revenue is heavily dependent on interest rates and stablecoin reserve yields, which creates a fragility that is hard to plan around. The stock has declined sharply since its IPO, and net income is falling even as revenue grows.
Salesforce is running a tighter, more focused operation and delivering at a high level. Its most recent quarter was a strong beat. Agentforce has closed thousands of paid deals since launch, and the AI and data cloud business more than doubled year over year.
For a long-term investor, Salesforce offers a proven, profitable business with a clear AI growth story. Circle is still working to prove its model can hold up across different market conditions.