News Classic

Market News and Data brought to you by Benzinga APIs

© 2024 Benzinga.com. Benzinga does not provide investment advice. All rights reserved.

If you’re joining Costco, you have a choice. You could pay $65 a year for a basic Gold Star membership that lets you shop at the warehouse club. Or, you could upgrade to the Executive membership at a cost of $130 per year. In exchange for the extra $65 an Executive membership costs, you get to earn 2% cash back on your Costco purchases.

TODAY’S TOP OFFER

Earn up to $845 cash back this year just by changing how you pay at Costco! Learn more here.

You may be on the fence about buying Costco’s more expensive membership. Or maybe you already took that leap. Either way, here are three interesting facts to know about the Executive membership and how it works.

1. You’re guaranteed your upgrade fee even if you don’t make it back

The problem with upgrading to Costco’s Executive membership is that you risk not spending enough to recoup the extra $65 it costs. It takes $3,250 a year in Costco spending to earn $65, since the Executive membership gives you 2% back on purchases. So once you’ve spent even $1 more, you’re ahead financially.

But here’s a little-known secret about the Executive membership. If you don’t spend enough to earn $65 back during the year, Costco will allow you to downgrade your membership and refund you the difference. For example, if you spend $2,700 at Costco one year and only earn $54 back on your Executive membership, when you go to downgrade, Costco will refund you $11 so you get your $65 back either way.

Meanwhile, if you do end up spending more than $3,250, you may pocket quite a lot of cash for the year — especially if you combine the Executive membership benefit with a credit card offering great rewards. Click here for a list of the best credit cards for Costco shoppers.

2. It’s Costco’s most popular membership despite costing double

Since an Executive membership at Costco costs twice as much as a Gold Star membership, you might assume that most people aren’t willing to pony up the extra money. But actually, the Executive membership is Costco’s most popular. The company says 52 million members are of the Executive variety, representing a little more than half.

Now, you might assume that if you’re only an occasional Costco shopper, it doesn’t make sense to pay extra for the Executive membership. But you never know when a one-time purchase might put you over the $3,250 mark, making it so the Executive membership pays off. Because there’s no risk involved, it’s worth giving it a try even if you’re doubtful you’ll make your money back.

Story continues

3. The maximum amount of cash back you can earn just increased

On Sept. 1, Costco raised the cost of an Executive membership from $120 to $130. At the same time, it increased the maximum amount of cash back you can earn per year from an Executive membership from $1,000 to $1,250.

That may seem like a positive change at first. But it’s also unlikely to affect you.

To earn $1,250 in cash back from an Executive membership, you have to spend $62,500 a year at Costco. That’s a lot of bulk groceries. For the average shopper, that change won’t have much of an impact. However, if you happen to have a lot of large purchases, it’s possible you could end up pocketing extra cash back.

For example, say you just bought a house and need to furnish every room. If you buy a living room set, several bedrooms sets, a kitchen table, chairs, accessories, patio furniture, and several TVs from Costco on top of your typical groceries and household supplies, then it’s conceivable that you could benefit from the new maximum reward.

But in general, your goal shouldn’t be to chase a higher Executive membership reward by making more purchases than you need to. Instead, shop like you normally do and see how much cash back you get at the end of the year — knowing that in a worst-case scenario, you’re going to break even on your $65 upgrade cost.

There’s a reason Costco’s Executive membership is so popular. Consider giving it a try and seeing how much you benefit from it.

Top credit card to use at Costco (and everywhere else!)

We love versatile credit cards that offer huge rewards everywhere, including Costco! This card is a standout among America’s favorite credit cards because it offers perhaps the easiest $200 cash bonus you could ever earn and an unlimited 2% cash rewards on purchases, even when you shop at Costco.

Add on the competitive 0% interest period and it’s no wonder we awarded this card Best No Annual Fee Credit Card.

Click here to read our full review for free and apply before the $200 welcome bonus offer ends!

We’re firm believers in the Golden Rule, which is why editorial opinions are ours alone and have not been previously reviewed, approved, or endorsed by included advertisers. The Ascent does not cover all offers on the market. Editorial content from The Ascent is separate from The Motley Fool editorial content and is created by a different analyst team.JPMorgan Chase is an advertising partner of The Ascent, a Motley Fool company. Maurie Backman has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has positions in and recommends Costco Wholesale and JPMorgan Chase. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.

I’ll Bet You Didn’t Know These 3 Things About Costco’s Executive Membership was originally published by The Motley Fool

When Elizabeth and her husband filed for Chapter 13 bankruptcy, they thought they were making a smart move to manage their growing debt. But fast-forward a few months and they’re having serious second thoughts. Elizabeth explained during a call with Dave Ramsey, “We panicked and did some stupid things,” and boy, has that panic come with a price –$91,000 in debt and two car payments they can barely handle.

Don’t Miss:

It all started when Elizabeth lost her job, leaving the couple to juggle everything on one income. Trying to stay afloat, they made what she describes as “some stupid decisions” to dig deeper into debt rather than step back and assess the situation. They filed for Chapter 13 bankruptcy, which, in their words, “seemed like the only way out” at the time. However, as Elizabeth shared, they quickly realized the payment plan tied to Chapter 13 was putting a strain on their monthly income, even after she landed a better job.

See Also: I’m 62 Years Old And Have $1.2 Million Saved. Is This Enough to Retire Stress-Free?

They’re working hard to turn things around – having yard sales and selling everything they can – but there’s one big obstacle they can’t shake: that Chapter 13 payment. It’s become an unwanted guest at the table, eating up their income and standing in the way of their debt-free dreams.

“You’ve Got a Hornet’s Nest in the Closet”

When Elizabeth called into the Ramsey Show for advice, Dave Ramsey painted quite the picture for her. “Pretend like you took a baseball bat and you hit a hornet’s nest and you threw the hornet’s nest in a closet and closed the door,” he said. If they dismiss their bankruptcy, “you’re getting ready to open the door” to all the creditors they owe money to – credit cards, personal loans and those pesky car payments.

Trending: Many are using this retirement income calculator to check if they’re on pace — here’s a breakdown on how on what’s behind this formula.

In other words, those creditors won’t be pleased. They’ll come after the couple “with everything they’ve got.” And Elizabeth knew it: “Oh Lord,” she responded, immediately grasping the gravity of what that meant. Filing for Chapter 13 might have put their creditors on pause, but dismissing the case would unleash the swarm and they’d need a solid plan to deal with the fallout.

Story continues

“Some Stupid Decisions” and $91,000 in Debt

Let’s breakdown the numbers. Elizabeth and her husband owe $30,000 on each of their two cars and have about $25,000 in credit card debt. On top of that, there’s $6,000 in personal loans hanging over their heads. The irony? According to Elizabeth, these cars aren’t even worth what they owe – probably closer to $26,000 or $27,000.

Now that she’s back to work and they’ve stabilized their income, they’re ready to take control and dump their debt, but the bankruptcy payments are still choking their budget. With a combined monthly income of $5,100 after taxes, health insurance and a $1,400 rent payment, those debts feel like an anchor they just can’t pull up.

Trending: Studies show 50% of consumers think Financial Advisors cost much more than they do — to debunk this, this company provides matching for free and a complimentary first call with the matched advisor.

The Path Forward: Opening the Door to the Hornets

Dave’s advice? If they want to voluntarily dismiss the Chapter 13 bankruptcy and avoid the hornets, they need a plan. “You’ve got to have a plan for taking care of every one of them if you’re going to open the door,” he explained. For starters, it’s time to sell those cars. And the good news is, Elizabeth and her husband have been saving up from their yard sales and hustling in gazelle mode. They’ve got enough to cover the difference and pay off the cars.

The personal loans, according to Dave, will be the toughest to deal with because those lenders are “bottom feeders” who will come after them hard and fast. On the other hand, credit card companies are “incompetent and inefficient,” giving them a bit more breathing room to set up payment plans. But once the bankruptcy protection is gone, the couple must stay on top of things and negotiate with creditors to keep the swarm at bay.

Trending: How do billionaires pay less in income tax than you? Tax deferring is their number one strategy.

Lesson Learned

Looking back, Elizabeth and her husband wish they hadn’t panicked and rushed into bankruptcy. Now, with a clearer head and some solid advice from Dave, they’re ready to dig out of debt the old-fashioned way – through hard work, sacrifice and patience. But one thing’s certain: they won’t forget Dave’s warning. They’ll be ready for whatever flies out when they open that door.

Read Next:

Up Next: Transform your trading with Benzinga Edge’s one-of-a-kind market trade ideas and tools. Click now to access unique insights that can set you ahead in today’s competitive market.

Get the latest stock analysis from Benzinga?

This article ‘You Threw A Hornet’s Nest In The Closet’ — Couple Buried In $91,000 Debt Turns to Dave Ramsey After Panicking, Making Their Situation Worse originally appeared on Benzinga.com

© 2024 Benzinga.com. Benzinga does not provide investment advice. All rights reserved.

Market News and Data brought to you by Benzinga APIs

© 2024 Benzinga.com. Benzinga does not provide investment advice. All rights reserved.

U.S. Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, a Republican from Georgia, is doggedly working toward rallying votes for the GOP on Election Day, but she’s certainly not losing sight of her investments. Greene continues to make additions to her portfolio as she has steadfastly done over the past few months.

Consistent with her previous rounds of buying activity, Greene recently added to her artificial intelligence (AI) exposure, picking up shares of Applied Materials (NASDAQ: AMAT), ASML (NASDAQ: ASML), Dell Technologies (NYSE: DELL), Lam Research (NASDAQ: LRCX), and Meta Platforms (NASDAQ: META). But it wasn’t only AI stocks that caught her attention. Greene also clicked the buy button on Costco Wholesale (NASDAQ: COST). Although the exact amounts that Greene invested in each of the stocks is not clear, her regulatory filing acknowledges that each transaction on Oct. 4 was valued between $1,001 and $15,000.

More of the same AI names — at lower prices

Taking even a cursory glance at Greene’s trading history, investors will find that the representative from the Peach State often builds positions over time, practicing a dollar-cost averaging approach. In July, for example, Greene bought shares of both semiconductor equipment manufacturer Applied Materials and Dell, a stalwart in building computers and data centers. On the day that Greene bought Applied Materials and Dell in July, they closed at $219.65 and $125.85, respectively, and it’s likely she lowered the average price she paid for them. On Oct. 4, Applied Materials closed at $201.97, while Dell ended the trading session at $120.42.

Similarly, Greene increased her position in semiconductor powerhouse ASML during her latest buying round. On June 24, when Greene first bought ASML stock, shares ended the day at $1,002.01, having climbed about 37% since the start of the year. The latest purchase, however, was considerably less expensive. Shares of the semiconductor equipment maker have suffered recently as analysts have espoused bearish stances of ASML stock. This helped Greene to lower her average price paid for the stock as she picked up shares on a day when the stock ended the trading session at $833.

Greene isn’t afraid of stocks that aren’t hanging on the discount rack

Not every repeat purchase for Greene during this latest buying round required a stock to be at a lower price. Initially, Greene gained exposure to Lam Research, which provides wafer fabrication equipment and services to semiconductor manufacturers, on Sept. 20, when shares closed at $77.32 (adjusted for the recent stock split). On Oct. 4, shares of Lam Research closed at $81.54.

Story continues

Like Lam Research, Greene paid a higher price for Costco stock in October than when she first bought shares of the membership warehouse company. When Greene first invested in Costco on June 24, shares closed at $848.16, yet when she bought shares on Oct. 4, they ended the trading session at $883.11. While Greene paid more for Costco stock, many analysts believe that the stock has additional room to run. Oppenheimer and Evercore ISI, for example, have price targets of $980 and $990, respectively.

A new name added to the portfolio

In addition to growing established positions, Greene bought Meta stock for the first time earlier this month. Expanding Greene’s AI exposure beyond semiconductor stocks, Meta is at the forefront of AI due to its diverse offerings such as its large language model, Llama, which Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang contends “has profoundly impacted the advancement of state-of-the-art AI.” Meta also offers content creators a valuable tool with its recently released generative AI product, Movie Gen.

Is now a good time to pick these stocks up for yourself?

For those of us outside the Beltway who are interested in AI stocks, all of Greene’s recent purchases are compelling options that are well worth deeper investigation. Investors who are keen on finding stocks in the bargain bin will find ASML appealing right now as shares are trading at 31.4 times operating cash flow — admittedly, a little pricey but a discount nonetheless considering their five-year average cash flow multiple of 38.2.

On the other hand, investors looking to generate passive income from their AI investments will want to consider Lam Research and Dell, which offer forward yields of 1.2% and 1.4%, respectively.

Should you invest $1,000 in ASML right now?

Before you buy stock in ASML, consider this:

The Motley Fool Stock Advisor analyst team just identified what they believe are the 10 best stocks for investors to buy now… and ASML wasn’t one of them. The 10 stocks that made the cut could produce monster returns in the coming years.

Consider when Nvidia made this list on April 15, 2005… if you invested $1,000 at the time of our recommendation, you’d have $831,707!*

Stock Advisor provides investors with an easy-to-follow blueprint for success, including guidance on building a portfolio, regular updates from analysts, and two new stock picks each month. The Stock Advisor service has more than quadrupled the return of S&P 500 since 2002*.

See the 10 stocks »

*Stock Advisor returns as of October 14, 2024

Randi Zuckerberg, a former director of market development and spokeswoman for Facebook and sister to Meta Platforms CEO Mark Zuckerberg, is a member of The Motley Fool’s board of directors. Scott Levine has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has positions in and recommends ASML, Applied Materials, Costco Wholesale, Lam Research, Meta Platforms, and Nvidia. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.

Marjorie Taylor Greene Continues Her Stock-Buying Bonanza; Here Are 6 Stocks She Just Bought was originally published by The Motley Fool

Market News and Data brought to you by Benzinga APIs

© 2024 Benzinga.com. Benzinga does not provide investment advice. All rights reserved.

Market News and Data brought to you by Benzinga APIs

© 2024 Benzinga.com. Benzinga does not provide investment advice. All rights reserved.

Westford, US, Oct. 18, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — SkyQuest projects that the global avocado oil market size will reach a value of USD 892.3 Million by 2031, with a CAGR of 5.82% during the forecast period (2024-2031). The market has witnessed substantial growth in the past years owing to the growing demand for organic and natural products and increasing awareness of health benefits. The market is majorly fueled by the rising trend toward sustainable sources and the progress of the food and beverage industry. The demand for avocado oil is surging as consumers are gaining awareness for better health choices, thus impacting advancements and competition among manufacturers.

Request Sample of the Report: https://www.skyquestt.com/sample-request/avocado-oil-market

Browse in-depth TOC on the “Avocado Oil Market” Pages – 197, Tables – 95, Figures – 76

Avocado Oil Market Overview:

Get Customized Reports with your Requirements, Free – https://www.skyquestt.com/speak-with-analyst/avocado-oil-market

Virgin Oil Segment to Hold Major Market Share Owing to its Increased Health Advantages

By type, the virgin oil segment captured majority share of the avocado oil market in 2023 owing to increased health benefits and flavor petite. Virgin avocado is least processed and hence contains more original nutrients, healthy fats, and antioxidants that appeal to a wider audience, mainly the health-conscious group. It also holds a strong and rich flavor that improves culinary dishes, increasing its prominence among home cooks and chefs. On the other hand, the refined oil segment is expected to be the second leading owing to its versatility and long shelf-life. Refined avocado oil holds a high smoke point that increases its preference in diverse cooking methods. This increases its popularity in food processing and commercial kitchens. The refining process increases the oil’s shelf life, increasing its convenience for both manufacturers and consumers.

Food and Beverages Segment to Lead Market Due to Growing Awareness for Benefits of Healthy Fats

By application, the food and beverages segment is expected to hold a larger share of the market owing to growing health consciousness and the increasing prominence of healthy fats. Growing consumer awareness for healthy consumption is notably driving the demand for avocado oil since it is regarded as a highly nutritious substitute for conventional cooking oils. Also, the trend towards integrating healthy fats in eatables is aiding the demand for avocado oil that contains healthy amounts of monounsaturated fats. Conversely, the personal care and cosmetics segment is expected to grow considerably due to rising demand for natural products like organic and natural skincare that drives the demand as safe and clean ingredient. Anti-aging benefits of avocado oil is also fueling the segment’s growth.

Growing Health and Wellness Trends to Lead Market in North America

Geographically, North America dominated the avocado oil market in the previous years and will lead in the future as well owing to growing wellness and health trends and culinary prominence. The majority of the population in the region is focused on wellness and health, thus impacting significant demand for natural and nutritious products, such as avocado oil. Also, its versatility in diverse cuisines and cooking, especially among health-conscious individuals, is driving its adoption in the region.

Is this report aligned with your requirements? Interested in making a Purchase – https://www.skyquestt.com/buy-now/avocado-oil-market

Asia-Pacific is expected to grow as the fastest-growing region over the estimated period owing to the growing health awareness and growing middle class population. Rising health awareness among consumers is propelling the demand for nutritious oils. The regional growth is further driven by the growing middle-class population with increased spending power, fueling the demand for premium foods and healthier cooking oils.

Avocado Oil Market Insight

Drivers:

1. Growing Trend for Organic and Natural Foods
2. Growing Use in Personal Care Applications
3. Increasing Demand for Plant-Based Foods

Restraints:

1. High Priced Avocado Oil
2. Limited Shelf-Life of Avocado Oil
3. Presence of Multiple Cooking Oils

Prominent Players in Avocado Oil Market

• Olivado
• Sesajal S.A. de C.V.
• The Grove Avocado Oil Co.
• Crofts Limited
• Chosen Foods LLC
• Grupo Industrial Batellero, S.A. de C.V.
• Tron Hermanos, S.A. de C.V.
• Proteco Oils
• La Tourangelle, Inc.
• Ahuacatlan Avocado Oil

Key Questions Answered in Global Avocado Oil Market Report

• What is the estimated value of avocado oil market by 2031, as per SkyQuest Technology?
• Which is the leading segment in market and why?
• Which region held a larger share in 2023 in the market?

This report provides the following insights:

Analysis of key drivers (growing preference for sustainable sourcing, expanding food industry, growing awareness for functional foods), restraints (low consumer awareness in some regions, expensive processing costs, variability in quality), opportunities (expanding health trends, growth of e-commerce for better reach, growing research and development), and challenges (price fluctuations, challenges with shelf-life and storage, cultural acceptance due to the strong presence of traditional cooking oils) influencing the growth of avocado oil market.

• Market Penetration: Comprehensive information on the product portfolios offered by the top players in the market.
• Product Development/Innovation: Detailed insights on the upcoming trends, R&D activities, and product launches in the market.
• Market Development: Comprehensive information on lucrative emerging regions
• Market Diversification: Exhaustive information about new products, growing geographies, and recent developments in the market
• Competitive Assessment: In-depth assessment of market segments, growth strategies, revenue analysis, and products of the leading market players.

Related Reports:

Food Container Market: Global Opportunity Analysis and Forecast, 2024-2031
Essential Oils Market: Global Opportunity Analysis and Forecast, 2024-2031
Black Seed Oil Market: Global Opportunity Analysis and Forecast, 2024-2031
Oilseeds Market: Global Opportunity Analysis and Forecast, 2024-2031
Grape Seed Oil Market: Global Opportunity Analysis and Forecast, 2024-2031

About Us:

SkyQuest is an IP focused Research and Investment Bank and Accelerator of Technology and assets. We provide access to technologies, markets and finance across sectors viz. Life Sciences, CleanTech, AgriTech, NanoTech and Information & Communication Technology.

We work closely with innovators, inventors, innovation seekers, entrepreneurs, companies and investors alike in leveraging external sources of R&D. Moreover, we help them in optimizing the economic potential of their intellectual assets. Our experiences with innovation management and commercialization have expanded our reach across North America, Europe, ASEAN and Asia Pacific.

Contact:

Mr. Jagraj Singh
SkyQuest Technology
1 Apache Way,
Westford,
Massachusetts 01886
USA (+1) 351-333-4748
Email: sales@skyquestt.com
Visit Our Website: https://www.skyquestt.com/