Stifel Financial Corp., a financial services and bank holding company, provides retail and institutional wealth management, and investment banking services to individual investors, corporations, municipalities, and institutions in the United States and internationally. It operates in three segments: Global Wealth Management, Institutional Group, and Other. The company provides private client services, including securities transaction and financial planning services; institutional equity and fixed income sales, trading and research, and municipal finance services; investment banking services, such as mergers and acquisitions, public offerings, and private placements; and retail and commercial banking services comprising personal and commercial lending programs, as well as deposit accounts. It participates in and manages underwritings for corporate and public finance; and offers financial advisory and securities brokerage services. The company was founded in 1890 and is headquartered in Saint Louis, Missouri.

Stifel Financial looks like a high-quality financial business with strong capital returns, but the market is already clearly pricing that in. ROE of 20.9%, ROA of 2.91%, and ROI of 16.62% are well above the industry median, and return on tangible equity of 28.26% confirms highly efficient capital use. At the same time, EPS, net income, and operating income remain consistently strong and have generally improved in recent periods, supporting intrinsic value. The balance sheet looks acceptable: debt/equity of 0.29 is below the industry median, and cash on hand and equity are sufficient for operational stability. However, liquidity is not ideal, since the quick ratio of 0.80 and current ratio of 0.88 are below comfortable levels, which requires caution for a financial company. The main limiting factor is the expensive valuation: P/E is above the median, P/B is noticeably higher, and P/FCF and P/S do not look cheap relative to the sector either. This means investors are already paying a premium for earnings and capital quality, so the re-rating potential is limited. Profit margin and operating margin remain solid, but below industry benchmarks, which does not provide a strong case for aggressively raising the target. Revenue, assets, and equity are growing, which is positive for long-term resilience, although growth in liabilities and long-term debt requires monitoring. The dividend yield of around 0.43% is too low to materially support the investment case through cash returns. Overall, the fundamentals justify a moderately positive view of the business, but not a strong enough one to significantly raise the target price. Therefore, the adjustment should be small and conservative, reflecting the company’s high quality alongside a market valuation that is no longer cheap.

Stifel Financial Corporation

High profitability and profit growth support SF, but premium valuation multiples and weak liquidity limit re-rating potential.

The DividendRank formula at Dividend Channel ranks a coverage universe of thousands of dividend stocks, according to a proprietary formula designed to identify those stocks that combine two important characteristics — strong fundamentals and a valuation that looks inexpensive. Stifel Financial Corporation (Symbol: SF) presently has an excellent rank, in the top 25% of the coverage universe, which suggests it is among the top most "interesting" ideas that merit further research by investors.
But making Stifel Financial Corporation an even more interesting and timely stock to look at, is the fact that in trading on Tuesday, shares of SF entered into oversold territory, changing hands as low as $70.32 per share. We define oversold territory using the Relative Strength Index, or RSI, which is a technical analysis indicator used to measure momentum on a scale of zero to 100. A stock is considered to be oversold if the RSI reading falls below 30. In the case of Stifel Financial Corporation, the RSI reading has hit 29.9 — by comparison, the universe of dividend stocks covered by Dividend Channel currently has an average RSI of 43.0. A falling stock price — all else being equal — creates a better opportunity for dividend investors to capture a higher yield. Indeed, SF's recent annualized dividend of 1.36/share (currently paid in quarterly installments) works out to an annual yield of 1.93% based upon the recent $70.63 share price.
A bullish investor could look at SF's 29.9 RSI reading today as a sign that the recent heavy selling is in the process of exhausting itself, and begin to look for entry point opportunities on the buy side. Among the fundamental datapoints dividend investors should investigate to decide if they are bullish on SF is its dividend history. In general, dividends are not always predictable; but, looking at the history chart below can help in judging whether the most recent dividend is likely to continue.
Click here to find out what 9 other oversold dividend stocks you need to know about »
Further SF Research:

Stifel Financial Enters Oversold Territory

Key Points
That pundit now believes it's a buy.
He cited positive sales momentum, especially in a key market overseas.
Staar Surgical (NASDAQ: STAA) was indisputably a star stock for many investors on Tuesday. Those folks eagerly bought into the eyecare company's equity on the back of a bullish analyst update. This propelled Staar shares to a nearly 8% increase across that trading session.
A fresh look at the company
This was more than an update; it was an upgrade. Well before market open, Stifel's Thomas Stephan pushed his recommendation on Staar stock up to buy from his previous hold. He also raised his price target to $31 per share from $28.
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According to reports, Stephan wrote in his update that Staar should see higher sales than anticipated in the current half of 2026. He feels that sales of the company's small, surgically implanted lenses will rise notably, particularly in China.
He also believes that Staar is underappreciated as both a potential acquisition for a larger healthcare company, and as a developer of new products.
Seeing significant value
Staar has much going for it, not least a set of U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) products that offer elegant solutions to common vision problems. China is indeed a large and rather high-potential market, and while it's unwise to buy stock in a company on the basis that it might be acquired, Staar would fit nicely in the portfolios of numerous healthcare peers.
This company is lean, focused, and operates very effectively in its niche. It's well worth considering for a buy.
Should you buy stock in STAAR Surgical right now?
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Why Staar Surgical Zoomed Almost 8% Higher on Tuesday

Key Points
Microsoft is adding new agentic AI features to Copilot.
The tech stock's shareholders could be in store for even more gains.
Shares of Microsoft (NASDAQ: MSFT) rallied on Friday after the technology titan unveiled new artificial intelligence (AI) capabilities for its redesigned Copilot app.
Missed AI’s "Act 1"? Act 2 Could Be 15x Bigger. Most investors think they missed the AI boat because they didn't buy Nvidia in 2005. But according to our analysts, we’re only at the end of "Act 1"—the R&D phase. "Act 2" is the global rollout. Continue »
Microsoft's new AI tools are designed to boost workplace productivity
Copilot users will now have access to the full functionality of Word, Excel, and PowerPoint within the app. There's also a new starting point called Home that integrates Chat and Cowork, an agentic AI-powered tool that can execute multi-step tasks.
Microsoft is also bringing intuitive, natural language coding tools to Copilot. Additionally, Autopilot, which Microsoft bills as a digital teammate, will add personal agent-like functionality to the app.
Analysts are getting more bullish on Microsoft's stock
Wall Street is becoming more optimistic about Microsoft's AI-fueled growth prospects. Stifel analyst Brad Reback upgraded his rating on the tech stock from hold to buy and raised his share price forecast from $530 to $575. His new price target implies potential gains of 11% for investors who buy shares near Friday's closing price of $516.17.
Reback expects Microsoft's new Copilot features to help it grow revenue by at least a mid-teens rate in the coming years. At the same time, he expects Microsoft's Azure cloud infrastructure platform to see efficiency gains as semiconductor chips, opens-source AI models, and software improve.
Should you buy stock in Microsoft right now?
Before you buy stock in Microsoft, consider this:
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Joe Tenebruso has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has positions in and recommends Microsoft. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.
Founded in 1993 in Alexandria, VA., by brothers David and Tom Gardner, The Motley Fool is a multimedia financial-services company dedicated to building the world's greatest investment community. Reaching millions of people each month through its website, books, newspaper column, radio show, television appearances, and subscription newsletter services, The Motley Fool champions shareholder values and advocates tirelessly for the individual investor. The company's name was taken from Shakespeare, whose wise fools both instructed and amused, and could speak the truth to the king -- without getting their heads lopped off.

Why Microsoft Stock Is Up Today

Key Points
The Metals Company reported Q2 2026 financial results in August.
Stifel initiated coverage on The Metals Company stock.
At this point, only investors with high risk thresholds should consider The Metlas Company stock.
Encountering some rough seas earlier this summer, shares of The Metals Company (NASDAQ: TMC) sank 19.6% in July. Last month, however, the deep-sea mining specialist found calmer waters -- and its stock thrived as investors celebrated the company's reporting of second-quarter 2026 financial results. Plus, an analyst's bullish take on the stock provided a catalyst at the end of the month, propelling shares higher.
According to data provided by S&P Global Market Intelligence, shares of The Metals Company rose 34% in August.
Missed Nvidia in 2009? This Rare Signal Is Flashing Again. In 2009, a "Double Down" signal flashed for a little-known chipmaker called Nvidia. For the first time in years, that same "Total Conviction" signal is flashing for a company 1/100th the size of Nvidia. Continue »
Management believes the company's sailing in the right direction
Announcing Q2 2026 financial results on Aug. 13, The Metals Company reported earnings per share (EPS) of negative $0.14 -- a slimmer loss than the $0.20 it reported during the same period in 2025.
In the press release accompanying the Q2 2026 financial results, Gerard Barron, the company's CEO, reassured investors that The Metals Company is advancing steadily toward achieving the necessary certifications. Barron stated, "The regulatory picture is becoming clearer as our applications continue to progress through NOAA's [National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration] review process." Moreover, Barron commented that despite encountering some delays, the company remains "confident that the permit will arrive well in advance of offshore vessel commissioning by the end of 2027, which we believe remains the critical path for production start."
Towards the end of the month, investors found another reason to click the buy button. Assigning a buy rating, Stifel initiated coverage of The Metals Company stock on Aug. 27 with a $10 price target. Based on shares of The Metals Company closing at $5.01 on Aug. 26, the Stifel price target implies upside of 96%.
What's a critical metals-minded investor to do now?
While the Sifel price target is certainly noteworthy, potential investors should take it with a grain of salt. The more pressing issue for The Metals Company right now is continuing to progress toward obtaining the requisite certifications to commence commercial deep-sea mining operations for copper, nickel, and other critical metals. Investors, therefore, should be on the lookout for any updates.
Beyond updates on the company's certification applications, investors should look for news on its offshore vessel development, since securing the necessary certifications to conduct deep-sea mining operations means little if the company doesn't have the proper infrastructure in place. The Metals Company expects to award contracts for several components of its offshore system through the second half of 2026, including navigation equipment as well as a storage and offloading system.
Even if the company remains on schedule with contract awards and makes further progress toward achieving certifications, it's important to recognize that The Metals Company stock remains a largely speculative investment, as profitability may remain elusive for some time. Those with lower risk tolerances who are interested in copper stocks and nickel stocks, therefore, may want to consider other options at this point.
Should you buy stock in TMC The Metals Company right now?
Before you buy stock in TMC The Metals Company, consider this:
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Scott Levine has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.
Founded in 1993 in Alexandria, VA., by brothers David and Tom Gardner, The Motley Fool is a multimedia financial-services company dedicated to building the world's greatest investment community. Reaching millions of people each month through its website, books, newspaper column, radio show, television appearances, and subscription newsletter services, The Motley Fool champions shareholder values and advocates tirelessly for the individual investor. The company's name was taken from Shakespeare, whose wise fools both instructed and amused, and could speak the truth to the king -- without getting their heads lopped off.

Why The Metals Company Stock Soared in August

Key Points
Alnylam's stock has plunged due to a revenue guidance cut and other concerns.
However, the full story for this biotech innovator is more positive than meets the eye.
Alnylam's future still looks bright.
Alnylam Pharmaceuticals (NASDAQ: ALNY) looks like an investor's nightmare at first glance. The drugmaker's shares have lost more than half their value over the past 12 months. The biotech stock is down more than 20% over the past four weeks.
Some Alnylam shareholders could be sorely tempted to throw in the towel. However, I think there's a strong case that the sell-off is way overdone. And I believe that many investors are missing a bigger story with Alnylam.
Missed Nvidia in 2009? This Rare Signal Is Flashing Again. In 2009, a "Double Down" signal flashed for a little-known chipmaker called Nvidia. For the first time in years, that same "Total Conviction" signal is flashing for a company 1/100th the size of Nvidia. Continue »
Why Alnylam's stock has been a dumpster fire
Alnylam gave what appears, in retrospect, to be an early warning of a significant problem in its 2025 fourth-quarter results, announced in February 2026. Sales for the company's transthyretin-mediated (ATTR) amyloidosis therapy, Amvuttra, were lower than Wall Street expected.
But the full extent of the issue became apparent when Alnylam released its 2026 second-quarter results on July 30. Amvuttra's sales were again below expectations. The big story, though, was that Alnylam lowered its full-year sales guidance for its TTR products (which include Amvuttra and Onpattro) by $200 million.
Alnylam CEO Yvonne Greenstreet said that the reduced guidance reflected "a better understanding with hindsight" of Amvuttra's launch in the transthyretin amyloid cardiomyopathy (ATTR-CM) market. She noted that the initial exceptionally strong sales growth in the ATTR-CM indication last year "benefited significantly from pent-up demand for a new therapy that has since normalized."
Meanwhile, rival BridgeBio's (NASDAQ: BBIO) ATTR-CM drug, Attruby, is gaining momentum. Attruby's sales more than tripled year over year in Q2 to $222.4 million -- better than analysts expected. This growth makes Alnylam's disappointment with Amvuttra sting even more.
To make matters worse, a cloud hovers over Alnylam's next-generation ATTR therapy, nucresiran, which is currently in late-stage clinical testing. AstraZeneca (NYSE: AZN) and Ionis Pharmaceuticals (NASDAQ: IONS) reported in July that their experimental ATTR-CM drug, eplontersen, failed to meet the primary endpoint in a Phase 3 study. This clinical setback raised questions about whether the chances of success for nucresiran are lower than anticipated.
The rest of the story
You might think that Amvuttra's sales are struggling based on the market's reaction to Alnylam's Q2 update. However, that isn't the case at all. Sales for the drug more than doubled year over year in Q2 to $1.01 billion. This marked the first quarter in which Amvuttra raked in more than $1 billion.
Sure, management overestimated how strong Amvuttra's growth trajectory would be. But Alnylam should now be able to more accurately forecast sales for the blockbuster drug -- and growth should remain robust. Importantly, Amvuttra remains the only therapy approved for the full spectrum of TTR amyloidosis.
I'm not worried about comparisons with BridgeBio's Attruby, either. It makes sense that Attruby's growth would be stronger at this point. The drug won its first U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval in November 2024. Alnylam secured the first FDA approval for Amvuttra in more than two years earlier and added an ATTR-CM approval in March 2025.
As for the concerns about AstraZeneca's and Ionis' setback for eplontersen, I agree with Stifel (NYSE: SF) analyst Paul Matteis' take that it's "a huge positive" for Amvuttra. I don't think that Eplontersen's failure makes it more likely that nucresiran will flop, either. The two drugs use different mechanisms for silencing genes. If anything, Alnylam should be able to learn from any mistakes made with eplontersen's clinical trial design.
Last but not least, Pfizer's (NYSE: PFE) Vyndaqel/Vyndamax (tafamidis) will no longer face a generic rival in the U.S. until mid-2031. This gives Alnylam and Amvuttra more runway for growth. Between this delay and eplontersen's late-stage disappointment, the competitive landscape has shifted dramatically in Alnylam's favor.
Alnylam's future still looks bright.
I noticed one word repeated throughout Alnylam's Q2 update: confidence. The company is confident about Amvuttra's growth. It's confidence about continued leadership in ATTR. It's confident about nucresiran. Greenstreet said that she's "more confident about our future outlook" than before. Management's confidence extends to its goal of generating at least 25% compound annual growth in total revenue through 2030.
Sure, Alnylam faces risks. All stocks do. But many investors appear to be missing the fact that Alnylam's future still looks bright.
Many are also overlooking Alnylam's valuation. No, it isn't a stock that would appeal to most value investors. However, Alnylam's price-to-earnings-to-growth (PEG) ratio, which is based on analysts' five-year earnings growth projections, is a super-low 0.41.
The recent sell-off is overdone, in my view. That creates a great buying opportunity for forward-looking investors.
Should you buy stock in Alnylam Pharmaceuticals right now?
Before you buy stock in Alnylam Pharmaceuticals, 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 Alnylam Pharmaceuticals wasn’t one of them. The 10 stocks that made the cut could produce monster returns in the coming years.
Consider when Netflix made this list on December 17, 2004... if you invested $1,000 at the time of our recommendation, you’d have $421,511!* Or when Nvidia made this list on April 15, 2005... if you invested $1,000 at the time of our recommendation, you’d have $1,381,960!*
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Keith Speights has positions in Pfizer. The Motley Fool has positions in and recommends Alnylam Pharmaceuticals, AstraZeneca Plc, Ionis Pharmaceuticals, and Pfizer. The Motley Fool recommends BridgeBio Pharma. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.

Why the Alnylam Sell-Off Looks Overdone -- and What Investors Are Missing

In trading on Wednesday, shares of Stifel Financial Corporation's 6.25% Non-Cumulative Preferred Stock, Series B (Symbol: SF.PRB) were yielding above the 7% mark based on its quarterly dividend (annualized to $1.5625), with shares changing hands as low as $22.24 on the day. This compares to an average yield of 9.86% in the "Investment Brokerages" preferred stock category, according to Preferred Stock Channel. As of last close, SF.PRB was trading at a 10.60% discount to its liquidation preference amount, versus the average discount of 31.73% in the "Investment Brokerages" category. Investors should keep in mind that the shares are not cumulative, meaning that in the event of a missed payment, the company does not have to pay the balance of missed dividends to preferred shareholders before resuming a common dividend.
Below is a dividend history chart for SF.PRB, showing historical dividend payments on Stifel Financial Corporation's 6.25% Non-Cumulative Preferred Stock, Series B:
In Wednesday trading, Stifel Financial Corporation's 6.25% Non-Cumulative Preferred Stock, Series B (Symbol: SF.PRB) is currently off about 0.5% on the day, while the common shares (Symbol: SF) are down about 2.1%.
Further SF.PRB Research:
The views and opinions expressed herein are the views and opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of Nasdaq, Inc.

Stifel Financial's Preferred Stock, Series B Yield Pushes Past 7%

The Charles Schwab Corporation (SCHW) came out with quarterly earnings of $1.62 per share, beating the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $1.53 per share. This compares to earnings of $1.14 per share a year ago. These figures are adjusted for non-recurring items.
This quarterly report represents an earnings surprise of +5.88%. A quarter ago, it was expected that this company would post earnings of $1.39 per share when it actually produced earnings of $1.43, delivering a surprise of +2.88%.
Over the last four quarters, the company has surpassed consensus EPS estimates four times.
Charles Schwab, which belongs to the Zacks Financial - Investment Bank industry, posted revenues of $7.07 billion for the quarter ended June 2026, surpassing the Zacks Consensus Estimate by 2.71%. This compares to year-ago revenues of $5.85 billion. The company has topped consensus revenue estimates three times over the last four quarters.
The sustainability of the stock's immediate price movement based on the recently-released numbers and future earnings expectations will mostly depend on management's commentary on the earnings call.
Charles Schwab shares have added about 2.6% since the beginning of the year versus the S&P 500's gain of 8.7%.
What's Next for Charles Schwab?
While Charles Schwab has underperformed the market so far this year, the question that comes to investors' minds is: what's next for the stock?
There are no easy answers to this key question, but one reliable measure that can help investors address this is the company's earnings outlook. Not only does this include current consensus earnings expectations for the coming quarter(s), but also how these expectations have changed lately.
Empirical research shows a strong correlation between near-term stock movements and trends in earnings estimate revisions. Investors can track such revisions by themselves or rely on a tried-and-tested rating tool like the Zacks Rank, which has an impressive track record of harnessing the power of earnings estimate revisions.
Ahead of this earnings release, the estimate revisions trend for Charles Schwab was favorable. While the magnitude and direction of estimate revisions could change following the company's just-released earnings report, the current status translates into a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy) for the stock. So, the shares are expected to outperform the market in the near future. You can see the complete list of today's Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here.
It will be interesting to see how estimates for the coming quarters and the current fiscal year change in the days ahead. The current consensus EPS estimate is $1.63 on $7.09 billion in revenues for the coming quarter and $6.27 on $27.52 billion in revenues for the current fiscal year.
Investors should be mindful of the fact that the outlook for the industry can have a material impact on the performance of the stock as well. In terms of the Zacks Industry Rank, Financial - Investment Bank is currently in the top 11% of the 250 plus Zacks industries. Our research shows that the top 50% of the Zacks-ranked industries outperform the bottom 50% by a factor of more than 2 to 1.
Another stock from the same industry, Stifel Financial (SF), has yet to report results for the quarter ended June 2026. The results are expected to be released on July 22.
This brokerage and investment banking firm is expected to post quarterly earnings of $1.35 per share in its upcoming report, which represents a year-over-year change of +18.4%. The consensus EPS estimate for the quarter has been revised 0.3% lower over the last 30 days to the current level.
Stifel Financial's revenues are expected to be $1.41 billion, up 9.7% from the year-ago quarter.
Should You Invest in The Charles Schwab Corporation (SCHW)?
Before you invest in The Charles Schwab Corporation (SCHW), want to know the best stocks to buy for the next 30 days? Check out Zacks Investment Research for our free report on the 7 best stocks to buy.
Zacks Investment Research has been committed to providing investors with tools and independent research since 1978. For more than a quarter century, the Zacks Rank stock-rating system has more than doubled the S&P 500 with an average gain of +24.08% per year. (These returns cover a period from January 1, 1988 through May 6, 2024.)
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The views and opinions expressed herein are the views and opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of Nasdaq, Inc.

The Charles Schwab Corporation (SCHW) Tops Q2 Earnings and Revenue Estimates

Key Points
Trump wants the Senate to pass the bill before its recess in early August.
Experts believe passing the bill after this window could be difficult.
If the Democrats take control of the Senate during the midterm elections, that could also complicate passage of the legislation, at least in its current form.
President Donald Trump is increasingly urging the U.S. Senate to pass landmark crypto legislation known as the Clarity Act.
In a Truth Social Post, Trump said the Senate should pass the bill in honor of the late Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-SC) and to stay ahead of other countries in terms of crypto.
Missed Nvidia in 2009? This Rare Signal Is Flashing Again. In 2009, a "Double Down" signal flashed for a little-known chipmaker called Nvidia. For the first time in years, that same "Total Conviction" signal is flashing for a company 1/100th the size of Nvidia. Continue »
Trump and proponents of the bill are up against an increasingly tight window. Here's the most likely scenario of what happens next.
What is the Clarity Act?
The Clarity Act is one of several pieces of legislation that Trump has pushed to support the crypto sector. The bill is intended to provide a broad policy framework to help clarify regulatory gray areas.
The bill accomplishes this on a few fronts. It attempts to more clearly state where regulatory jurisdiction lies, notably stating that the Commodities Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) will have oversight of the crypto-spot markets.
The bill also defines what a "mature blockchain" is, a key term that will set legal criteria and could ultimately determine whether tokens are treated as securities or cryptocurrencies. This is important because securities are subject to tighter regulation under the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).
The Clarity Act also contains important stablecoin language that defines when yield can be paid on stablecoins. This is a key topic because banks are concerned that too much leeway on this matter could drain deposits.
Specifically, the bill would not allow yield to be paid on idle stablecoins but would permit rewards on certain stablecoin activities or transactions. The bill also seeks to add consumer protections related to crypto and stablecoins.
Facing a tight window
The Senate will break for recess on Aug. 11 and won't return until mid-September, leaving only a few weeks before both the Senate and House are out of session until the midterm elections.
"In order to pass a cryptocurrency market structure bill this year, we think Congress needs to finish the bill before the August recess," Sitfel's Chief Washington Policy Strategist Brian Gardner said in a research note at the end of June, according to The Hill. He added:
Passing a bill during the lame duck session following the midterm elections is hypothetically possible, but unlikely... We expect that talks will continue, but the calendar is the enemy. Time is running short.
Odds of passage
The good news for hopefuls like Trump is that Kalshi paces a 73% likelihood of a Senate vote on the Clarity Act before its August recess (as of July 16).
The bad news is that the Senate has a thin majority and needs seven Democrats to help Republicans pass the bill. Although the legislation is viewed as bipartisan, the partisan nature of Congress makes passing any bill difficult.
There are also several concerns about the bill from various Senators and stakeholders. Some Democrats want more language to prevent members of Congress from making money on crypto. Notably, Trump has reportedly made more than $1 billion on various crypto ventures in 2025, according to his financial disclosures.
There are also concerns about the extent to which the legislation would permit criminal investigations into crypto-related matters, and banking trade groups continue to push back on the stablecoin language.
Interestingly, as of this writing, Kalshi assigned a 70% likelihood that the Clarity Act would receive at least 60 votes in the Senate, which are needed for passage. However, this number changes frequently and was only at 21% a few days ago.
So the most likely scenario is that a vote happens before the Senate's August recess and that the bill passes, although I still wouldn't call passage a guarantee.
Where to invest $1,000 right now
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Bram Berkowitz has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.
The views and opinions expressed herein are the views and opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of Nasdaq, Inc.

President Donald Trump Just Told Congress to Pass the Clarity Act. Here's the Most Likely Scenario for What Happens Next.

Key Points
Pentair expects sales to fall this year as business conditions worsen.
Its CFO abruptly left within months of appointment.
If you want a masterclass in how to lose almost $2 billion in market value in a single week, just look at Pentair (NYSE: PNR). The stock slumped 18.5% at its lowest point in trading this week and hit a new 52-week low of $57.60 per share, according to data provided by S&P Global Market Intelligence.
What went wrong? Try a sudden C-suite exit, a brutal guidance cut, analyst downgrades, and a swarm of securities fraud investigations. It's a trainwreck.
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Everything that went wrong with Pentair
It all started with a gut-punch of a preliminary earnings report. Pentair, which designs and manufactures water solutions from filtration and softening systems to swimming pool equipment, missed its own second-quarter revenue estimates. It expects Q2 sales to be down 17% against its previous guidance of 1% growth.
A pool inventory destocking is to blame. Basically, there's so much inventory out there that the distributors and retailers aren't buying more, hurting Pentair's pool segment's sales and income by $170 million and $105 million, respectively.
Pentair now sees full-year sales falling 4% to 7%. It earlier estimated sales to rise by 2% to 4% this fiscal year. With management also blaming inflation and high interest rates and explicitly stating that business conditions have worsened, the pain is unlikely to fade anytime soon.
Then came the panic-inducing update of Pentair's Chief Financial Officer, Nicholas Brazis, abruptly quitting to join a private firm. Since he was named CFO just this March, the short stint and sudden exit spooked investors.
Analysts went into panic mode too, slashing their price targets for Pentair stock. Notable downgrades include Deane Dray from RBC Capital slashing the stock's price target from $101 per share to $74 apiece, and Nathan Jones from Stifel cutting the price objective to only $65 per share from $103 a share.
What's next for Pentair stock?
Shareholder rights law firms immediately launched investigations into possible securities law violations, questioning internal controls surrounding Pentair's sales forecasts and disclosure of the true health of its sales channels, as well as the circumstances of the CFO's exit.
Where things stand now, it will be an uphill task for Pentair to regain investor confidence.
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Neha Chamaria has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.
The views and opinions expressed herein are the views and opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of Nasdaq, Inc.

Why Pentair Stock Suddenly Plunged to a 52-Week Low This Week

In trading on Tuesday, shares of Stifel Financial Corporation (Symbol: SF) crossed above their 200 day moving average of $100.42, changing hands as high as $101.49 per share. Stifel Financial Corporation shares are currently trading up about 1.7% on the day. The chart below shows the one year performance of SF shares, versus its 200 day moving average:
Looking at the chart above, SF's low point in its 52 week range is $73.27 per share, with $120.64 as the 52 week high point — that compares with a last trade of $101.22.
Click here to find out which 9 other dividend stocks recently crossed above their 200 day moving average »
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The views and opinions expressed herein are the views and opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of Nasdaq, Inc.

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