In 2025, the S&P 500 had a total return of 17.88%, with a three-year total return of 86.11%. Stock market gains have people seeking stock ideas, but one analyst, now retired, shares a list of stock ideas from contacts. However, he cautions against blindly following them without doing your own research.

Investment professionals share their thoughts on potential growth in 2026. Nvidia is seen as a key player in the AI revolution, with optimistic earnings growth projections. Other companies like Palantir and Broadcom are also discussed, with differing opinions on their potential returns and market positions.

Despite the excitement around specific stocks like Nvidia, experts advise investors to do thorough research and consider a diversified approach to AI investments. Companies like Alphabet are seen as more stable investments, while newcomers like Nextdoor are leveraging AI to provide unique services in the local news and advertising space.

Nextdoor, a local news provider, is utilizing AI to enhance its services and create new opportunities for targeted advertising and lead generation. With 100 million verified users, the platform offers personalized recommendations and services based on users’ activities and preferences, making it a more powerful tool in the local neighborhood market. 1. The United Nations released a report warning of the urgent need to address climate change, highlighting the devastating impacts already being felt around the world. The report called for immediate action to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and mitigate the effects of global warming.

2. A new study found that the use of plastic packaging has surged during the COVID-19 pandemic, with a significant increase in single-use plastics. The study urged consumers and businesses to prioritize sustainable packaging options to reduce environmental harm.

3. The latest data from the CDC shows a concerning increase in opioid overdoses during the pandemic, with a 29% rise in overdose deaths in 2020 compared to the previous year. Experts are calling for increased access to treatment and prevention programs to address the opioid crisis.

4. In economic news, the US unemployment rate fell to 5.4% in July, with 943,000 jobs added last month. The positive job growth signals a strengthening economy as businesses continue to recover from the impact of the pandemic.

Read more at Yahoo Finance: 5 tech stocks that could bring gains to your portfolio in the new year