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Intel’s B580 was called “the new $249 GPU champion” by reviewers at Tom’s Hardware. The company has greatly improved its software drivers and brought enough performance gains to the table to make its new midrange graphics card a highly attractive option for gamers on a budget. The B580 wipes the floor with AMD’s similarly priced RX 7600, and it even edges out the pricier RX 7600 XT on average.

Intel also offers the $219 B570, which reviewers at Ars Technica called “the cheapest good graphics card.” Intel has packed in enough performance at a low-enough price to make the B570 a compelling option for the most cost-conscious PC gamers.

This is the environment that AMD finds itself in as it prepares to launch its new RX 9000 graphics cards. The company will likely start with higher-end cards and then fill in its lineup over time, giving Intel months as the undisputed budget gaming king. While Intel won little market share last time around, its Battlemage graphics cards are poised to be big winners. They’re reportedly selling out everywhere, and prices are elevated due to high demand.

AMD is far more diversified today than it was even a few years ago. The gaming business is still important, but the company’s PC CPU, server CPU, and AI accelerator businesses are capable of driving growth even if gaming sales continue to lag.

Still, gaming could continue to drag down the company’s results this year, even with the RX 9000 launch looming. With Nvidia dominant in the high end and Intel making a play for the low end, AMD could see its graphics market share contract further in 2025.

Ever feel like you missed the boat in buying the most successful stocks? Then you’ll want to hear this.

On rare occasions, our expert team of analysts issues a “Double Down” stock recommendation for companies that they think are about to pop. If you’re worried you’ve already missed your chance to invest, now is the best time to buy before it’s too late. And the numbers speak for themselves:

• Nvidia: if you invested $1,000 when we doubled down in 2009, you’d have $346,349!*

• Apple: if you invested $1,000 when we doubled down in 2008, you’d have $43,229!*

• Netflix: if you invested $1,000 when we doubled down in 2004, you’d have $454,283!*

Right now, we’re issuing “Double Down” alerts for three incredible companies, and there may not be another chance like this anytime soon.

See 3 “Double Down” stocks »

*Stock Advisor returns as of January 13, 2025

Timothy Green has positions in Intel. The Motley Fool has positions in and recommends Advanced Micro Devices, Intel, Microsoft, and Nvidia. The Motley Fool recommends the following options: long January 2026 $395 calls on Microsoft, short February 2025 $27 calls on Intel, and short January 2026 $405 calls on Microsoft. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.

AMD’s Struggling Gaming Business Could Take Another Hit This Year was originally published by The Motley Fool

That said, management is aware of the problem and is specifically looking to reduce the REIT’s exposure to movie theaters. It owns some very high-performing theaters, however, so this isn’t an effort that can be rushed. It requires some finesse, which is complicated by the fact that selling properties can take a little time to complete. On the other side, buying new assets is also a time-consuming process.

The key is that EPR Properties sees the problem and has a plan to do something about it. If you can handle a little uncertainty while it works through the repositioning process, which could take years to complete, the high yield on offer could be quite attractive.

EPR Properties is what might be described as a time arbitrage play. There is risk here over the short term, given the changes being made to the portfolio and the still-heavy reliance on the weak theater property niche. Risk-averse investors and those with short time horizons might want to sidestep this one.

But if you don’t mind sitting through a turnaround, collecting a lofty yield along the way, you might find this a very attractive opportunity. That is buttressed by the fact that the dividend is back and growing again, the business’ underlying performance is solid, and there’s a realistic plan that management is working on to improve long-term results. If you wait too long, however, this opportunity might pass you by.

Before you buy stock in EPR Properties, 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 EPR Properties 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 $818,587!*

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 January 13, 2025

Reuben Gregg Brewer has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool recommends EPR Properties. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.

3 Reasons to Buy EPR Properties Stock Like There’s No Tomorrow was originally published by The Motley Fool

You can take a significant amount in capital gains before you have to start paying a penny of taxes. In 2025, joint filers with $96,700 or less in taxable income won’t pay anything in long-term capital gains taxes. Individuals are capped at $48,350.

It can be very tempting to take some gains on your investments, especially after the market produced such strong returns over the last two years. But you’ll need to keep in mind the effect on your combined income and how it will make Social Security benefits taxable.

If you max out the 0% long-term capital gains tax bracket, for example, you could make up to 85% of your Social Security benefits taxable. If you failed to take that into account, you might find some of your capital gains will end up getting taxed at 15% rather than 0%. In other words, what you thought was an opportunity to take gains at 0% tax might have just turned into a much bigger tax bill.

Withdrawals from an IRA or 401(k) are usually one of the main sources of income for retirement. Any amount withdrawn from retirement accounts counts as regular income for tax purposes.

You can avoid paying taxes on your retirement account withdrawals if you have enough deductions to offset the amount you take from your accounts. In 2025, the standard deduction for a couple age 65 or older is $33,200.

Keep in mind, however, that any amount you withdraw from your retirement accounts will also count toward your adjusted gross income and combined income by extension. That means a couple taking full advantage of the standard deduction could end up pushing some of their Social Security benefits into taxable territory.

The effect could be greater if retirees look to take advantage of the low tax brackets currently available, whether through withdrawals or Roth conversions. While you might only pay 10% on your additional distribution, you could also increase your taxes on Social Security benefits at the same time. That could make your real marginal tax rate much higher.

Many states have gotten rid of taxes on Social Security, but nine states will still tax your benefits in some cases. The following states still impose taxes on some Social Security beneficiaries:

• Colorado

• Connecticut

• Minnesota

• Montana

• New Mexico

• Rhode Island

• Utah

• Vermont

• West Virginia

If you live in one of these states, it’s worth exploring the rules your state government uses to determine how much you’ll owe in taxes on your Social Security benefits. Many will exempt households that keep their adjusted gross income below a certain level, which is often different than the combined income thresholds the federal government uses. Understanding the details and how federal and state tax strategies can conflict with one another could save you a lot of money come tax time.

It’s worth noting that the state laws are constantly changing, and many states have gotten rid of taxes on Social Security benefits. West Virginia is currently sunsetting its taxes on Social Security, and it won’t tax benefits at all starting next year.

Tax planning in retirement becomes much more complex once you start collecting Social Security. It might be worth paying the extra taxes in some instances to lower your potential tax burden in the future. As long as you remain mindful of how different income sources will affect your overall taxes, you can make the most of your Social Security income and your retirement savings.

If you’re like most Americans, you’re a few years (or more) behind on your retirement savings. But a handful of little-known “Social Security secrets” could help ensure a boost in your retirement income. For example: one easy trick could pay you as much as $22,924 more… each year! Once you learn how to maximize your Social Security benefits, we think you could retire confidently with the peace of mind we’re all after. Simply click here to discover how to learn more about these strategies.

View the “Social Security secrets” »

The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.

Paying Taxes on Social Security Benefits: 3 Pitfalls for Retirees to Avoid in 2025 was originally published by The Motley Fool

It isn’t going to exit China without a fight. The automaker announced it would record two noncash charges totaling more than $5 billion on its joint venture there. For investors, that essentially means the restructuring costs will affect net income but not adjusted earnings before interest and taxes.

There was a silver lining as GM’s sales rebounded in China during the fourth quarter. But make no mistake: This is a huge problem for automakers and their profits. Investors should keep a close eye on fourth-quarter results in China, and throughout 2025.

Ever feel like you missed the boat in buying the most successful stocks? Then you’ll want to hear this.

On rare occasions, our expert team of analysts issues a “Double Down” stock recommendation for companies that they think are about to pop. If you’re worried you’ve already missed your chance to invest, now is the best time to buy before it’s too late. And the numbers speak for themselves:

• Nvidia: if you invested $1,000 when we doubled down in 2009, you’d have $346,349!*

• Apple: if you invested $1,000 when we doubled down in 2008, you’d have $43,229!*

• Netflix: if you invested $1,000 when we doubled down in 2004, you’d have $454,283!*

Right now, we’re issuing “Double Down” alerts for three incredible companies, and there may not be another chance like this anytime soon.

See 3 “Double Down” stocks »

*Stock Advisor returns as of January 13, 2025

Bank of America is an advertising partner of Motley Fool Money. Daniel Miller has positions in General Motors. The Motley Fool has positions in and recommends Bank of America. The Motley Fool recommends General Motors and recommends the following options: long January 2025 $25 calls on General Motors. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.

The Silver Lining in GM’s Big China Problem was originally published by The Motley Fool

Analysts estimate Taiwan Semiconductor will grow earnings by an average of 31% annually over the long term. That makes the stock a compelling value at just 32 times earnings, a PEG ratio of just 1.

Part of the reason why the stock isn’t more expensive is the geopolitical dispute between Taiwan and China. The latter has long claimed Taiwan (where Taiwan Semiconductor operates) belongs under its control, even threatening force to make it happen. The dispute adds some uncertainty to owning the stock, though the value becomes too compelling to pass up at some point. Taiwan Semiconductor has begun expanding into the United States, Japan, and Germany to mitigate its geopolitical risks, so this may become less of an issue.

Lastly, let’s shift from AI chips to almost everything else AI. Alphabet (NASDAQ: GOOG) (NASDAQ: GOOGL), Google’s parent company, might be the closest thing to a do-it-all AI company. Alphabet still counts on its search engine for much of its profits, but it has branched out into various other industries, including a heavy tilt into AI. Alphabet has the third-largest cloud computing platform, Google Cloud. It has developed and deployed an AI model (Gemini) to enhance its existing products and services. It’s also among the leaders in autonomous vehicle technology and is making breakthroughs in quantum computing. I mean, what doesn’t Alphabet do?

When people think of AI today, most think of generative AI, software that creates content. However, over the coming decades, AI should become much more, including self-driving cars and robotics — whatever technology makes possible.

Alphabet’s financial resources, innovative background, and leadership in existing fields give it a great shot at competing in almost any market AI creates in the future. Analysts expect the business to grow earnings by 16% annually. At a P/E of only 25 today, Alphabet is one of the most intelligent AI stock buys you can make.

Before you buy stock in Lam Research, 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 Lam Research 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 $818,587!*

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 January 13, 2025

Suzanne Frey, an executive at Alphabet, is a member of The Motley Fool’s board of directors. Justin Pope has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has positions in and recommends Alphabet, Lam Research, Nvidia, and Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.

3 Top AI Stocks to Consider Right Now (Hint: Nvidia’s Not One) was originally published by The Motley Fool

That’s not completely true; every company has to shift to meet changing needs, and Costco’s doing a fabulous job at staying the course with what it does best while embracing new opportunities to create more value for shoppers and shareholders. It offers self-checkout counters for quicker shopping, and it’s been experimenting with the best way to integrate e-commerce into its platform. For example, it offers store pickup for many items, a service Amazon can’t offer. It also allows customers to check store inventory for many products. In the 2025 fiscal first quarter (ended Nov. 24), e-commerce sales increased 13% over last year. Traffic, order value, and conversion rates all increased year over year.

Costco also releases monthly results, and e-commerce picked up even more, 34% year over year. Management says that was due to Thanksgiving-related sales happening a week later than last year, but it was a strong result nontheless.

But Costco is dependable because it has a reliable membership model that customers love. You might say that Costco’s main business isn’t selling products but selling memberships. Paid households increased 7.6% year over year to more than 77 million in Q1, and membership fee income increased 7.8% to $1.2 billion. Renewal rates were high, as usual, at 92.8% in the U.S. and Canada and 90.4% worldwide.

Costco also pays a dividend, which has a low yield of 0.48% at the current price. But it also pays an attractive special dividend occasionally that was $15 in 2023.

Neither of these stocks is cheap, but Costco is more expensive, trading at a price-to-earnings (P/E) ratio of 55 vs. 47 for Amazon.That makes it harder to call Costco a better value.

For most investors, Amazon is going to be the better buy. It’s growing faster and has more opportunities. However, investors who are looking for a solid, reliable stock and passive income, like a retiree, might choose Costco instead.

Before you buy stock in Amazon, 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 Amazon 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 $818,587!*

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 January 13, 2025

John Mackey, former CEO of Whole Foods Market, an Amazon subsidiary, is a member of The Motley Fool’s board of directors. Jennifer Saibil has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has positions in and recommends Amazon, Costco Wholesale, and Walmart. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.

Best Stock to Buy Right Now: Amazon vs. Costco was originally published by The Motley Fool