July 24th, 2026 | Netflix Losing Its Edge, U.S. Oil Running Low, Bank Stocks Worth Buying? Cheaper New Homes, Trading Frenzy Continues, Investment Scam Warning, Conservation Easements & More

Netflix Is Struggling to Stay on Top…. and the Stock Reflects ItFor years, Netflix has been the dominant force in streaming, consistently taking market share from its competitors. However, recent data suggests the competition is beginning to chip away at that lead… U.S. oil supplies are falling to concerning levelsU.S. oil inventories have fallen to levels that should be a concern. The current U.S. oil stockpile is just under 410 million barrels. On a seasonal basis, we have not seen inventories this low since 2018. The seasonal comparison is important because summer is one of the highest-consumption periods of the year… Banks Had a Great Quarter, Is It Time to Invest?Last week, the banks reported financial results that topped estimates for both earnings and revenue. They also showed improved efficiency as expenses declined as a percentage of revenue. After such a strong quarter, you might think the coast is clear and it’s time to invest in the banking sector…Are new homes actually a better deal than existing homes?There is an interesting trend developing in the housing market: the median price of a newly built home is now lower than the median price of an existing home. Historically there has been about a 20% premium for new homes…Stock Trading Is Off the Charts!There is a frenzy happening in the stock market right now. With individuals buying and selling stocks, along with institutional investors constantly trading, Wall Street is generating enormous trading fees. But one has to ask the question: Does all of this activity make…If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is!A recent story in Barron’s highlights a warning that applies to everyone, not just professional athletes. Several current and former professional athletes reportedly invested in an online business opportunity that sounded too good to be true…Financial Planning: Conservation Easements: Valuable Planning Tool or Tax Trap?Conservation easements are a tax planning strategy that allows a landowner to permanently donate certain development rights to a qualified conservation organization in exchange for a charitable income tax deduction equal to the reduction in the property's value…Companies Discussed: Fiserv, Inc. (Ticker: FISV)