Gold's Big Move Could Be Opening the Next Phase
Gold has pushed through levels few expected just a year ago.
Major institutions are adjusting forecasts upward.
In cycles like this, attention often shifts from bullion to the companies positioned to benefit most from rising prices.
Early-stage explorers in proven districts tend to see renewed interest - particularly when they're actively drilling.
One such junior still trades under $1.
Gold has already moved.
This phase of the story is still developing.
See the company positioned for the next leg >
Campbell Soup Company Is High-Priority for Income Watch Lists
Author: Thomas Hughes. Published: 3/11/2026.
Key Points
- Campbell's Soup Company is diving to long-term lows, opening up a high-yield opportunity for income investors.
- Analysts pressure the market amid margin pressures, but institutional data reveal accumulation.
- The stock belongs on a watch list because a bottom is near, the dividend is reliable, and catalysts ahead could trigger a rebound.
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Campbell Soup Company (NASDAQ: CPB) stock is a high priority for income watch lists because the recent price plunge has pushed the yield markedly higher — and the market bottom may be nearer than many expect. Technicals and analysts' trends suggest the stock could fall as low as $20 before rebounding.
Other factors, including institutional buying, indicate a rebound could form at or above that level. Timing is uncertain, but this scenario could play out before year-end.
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The fiscal Q2 2026 earnings release and guidance update triggered another price drop, despite some positive catalysts still in place.
Signs of a snack-food recovery could emerge and strengthen as the year progresses. Cost reductions may produce better-than-expected results and improved trends for this dividend-paying company.
Campbell’s Dividend Is a Good Reason to Buy Stock
While not as generous as some other consumer staples, Campbell's has a strong record of paying and increasing dividends that looks durable. Revenue and earnings are under pressure in 2026, but the payout ratio remains manageable; the main risk is that dividend increases could be paused until a recovery is evident. The recent price plunge pushed the yield above 6.7%, with the potential to climb higher.
Campbell’s balance sheet remains healthy and does not raise immediate red flags for 2026. At the end of Q2, cash and assets declined but were offset by reductions in liabilities and debt. Equity rose slightly, keeping leverage low. Long-term debt is roughly 1.5x equity and total debt about 2x, leaving the company in a flexible position to invest in its future. CEO Mick Beekhuizen is taking what the company calls “decisive” action to sharpen the focus on value, innovation, and execution.
Analysts Push CPB Price Lower: Institutions Buy It
Analyst activity has been both a headwind and a potential catalyst. Early-2026 trends were bearish, with conviction in Reduce ratings and falling price targets. The stock currently trades around $23, more than 35% below the consensus price.
CPB trades about 5% below the lowest analyst target, suggesting a potential deep-value opportunity. Recent target revisions were reductions, but many cluster in the high-$20s, which could serve as a base for a rebound.
Institutional trends are more clearly bullish. Institutions own more than half the shares and were net buyers on a trailing 12-month (TTM) basis. Selling increased in early Q1 2026, but a larger rise in buying offset that selling, leaving the overall trend intact.
It is likely that institutions will continue to add shares and may accelerate accumulation as the share price declines. Accelerating institutional accumulation can be a leading indicator that a market bottom is forming.
Campbell’s Undercuts Market Confidence With Guidance Reduction
Campbell’s reported a tough quarter: revenue fell nearly 5% and missed expectations. Management cited weaker consumer trends and tariff impacts, with the snacks segment underperforming other areas. Margins contracted, accelerating earnings declines, though not enough to threaten the dividend. While the payout ratio is somewhat elevated, it remains sustainable thanks to solid free cash flow, which also supports distributions and debt reduction.
Guidance cuts were another setback and have encouraged short-sellers to increase positions. Short interest is likely to remain a headwind until a stronger catalyst appears. For now, CPB is best kept on a watch list until clearer catalysts emerge; the next visible catalyst is the fiscal Q3 release, expected in late spring.
Competition is another risk. While Campbell’s snack business struggles, market leader PepsiCo (NASDAQ: PEP) continues to grow and take share. Given that dynamic, investors should not be surprised if Campbell’s explores strategic alternatives, including asset sales, spin-offs, or other portfolio moves to unlock value.
Worried About Volatility? These 3 ETFs Have You Covered
Author: Nathan Reiff. Published: 3/9/2026.
Key Points
- In a turbulent market, ETFs focused on low-volatility stocks, value names, and free cash flow leaders may help to build a strong defensive position.
- USMV, VLUE, and COWZ have all outperformed the S&P 500 year-to-date, and all provide dividends as a bonus.
- These funds take different approaches to defensive portfolio building, providing a variety of approaches for investors concerned about volatility.
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After a prolonged rally throughout much of 2025—despite mounting geopolitical uncertainty, shifting tariff policies, and other headwinds—the S&P 500 cooled its momentum early in 2026. With the market moving increasingly erratically, the index is down about 2% year-to-date (YTD). Many investors may feel they can no longer count on a continued upward trajectory.
When volatility looms, a defensive exchange-traded fund (ETF) can offer greater stability. ETFs that screen holdings for volatility factors may identify companies better able to hold steady as the broader market shifts. Other funds screen by alternative metrics, such as free cash flow, to find firms with stronger fundamentals. The funds below provide not only a defensive play for investors concerned about volatility this year but also a chance for growth when the broader market may be faltering.
Low-Volatility Fund With Stability and a Dividend Bonus
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The iShares MSCI USA Min Vol Factor ETF (BATS: USMV) tracks an index that screens companies for low volatility, resulting in a portfolio of more than 170 U.S. stocks across the market-cap spectrum. Volatility is often overlooked by investors, and USMV is among a relatively small group of funds focused on that characteristic. It still holds sizable assets under management of more than $23 billion and a one-month average trading volume near 3 million shares.
USMV's portfolio may not be broad enough for some investors to use as their only U.S. equity exposure. It is also overweight information technology, which accounts for more than a quarter of the fund. The main advantage of USMV is concentrating U.S. stock exposure in companies that tend to experience smaller share-price fluctuations than the broader market.
Lower volatility typically means smaller downside moves but also potentially smaller gains, so USMV may appeal most when investors are concerned about a market downturn. Its expense ratio is 0.15%, which is modest given the fund's approach. With a YTD return of around 5%, it has outperformed the market despite limited upside potential overall. Add in a dividend yield of 1.48%, and the case for USMV becomes stronger.
A Value Fund Outperforming the Market by a Fair Margin This Year
Although not as defensive as low-volatility funds, value stocks can be better positioned to withstand volatility because they already trade at lower valuations. The iShares MSCI USA Value Factor ETF (BATS: VLUE) targets large- and mid-cap value names. Like USMV, it is skewed toward information technology, which makes up roughly 37% of the portfolio.
VLUE's portfolio is more concentrated than USMV's, with about 150 holdings and heavier weightings in a few positions. Semiconductor giant Micron Technology Inc. (NASDAQ: MU) accounts for close to 10% of the fund, so investors should be mindful of potential overlap if they hold VLUE alongside individual tech stocks.
VLUE's expense ratio is 0.15%, matching USMV's, and the fund has outperformed with returns of about 8% YTD. It also offers a compelling dividend yield of 2.07%.
Free Cash Flow Stocks May Also Provide Some Stability in Tough Times
Free cash flow isn't a guaranteed shield against share-price swings, but companies that generate ample cash tend to have stronger operations and fundamentals, which can help them withstand market turbulence.
The Pacer US Cash Cows 100 ETF (BATS: COWZ) targets U.S. firms in the Russell 1000 with high free cash flow yield. As of the end of 2025, COWZ's portfolio had a collective free cash flow yield of 6.08%, versus 3.01% for the broader Russell 1000.
For its specialized approach, COWZ charges a higher expense ratio of 0.49%. Many investors may find that cost worthwhile: the fund has outperformed the market YTD with returns of about 6%. Like the other funds noted here, COWZ also provides passive income, with a dividend yield of 1.39%.
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