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FIRST ON 13: Spa City finance commissioner running for state Senate

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FIRST ON 13: Spa City finance commissioner running for state Senate

Spa City finance commissioner running for state senate

Saratoga Springs Finance Commissioner Minita Sanghvi is running for state Senate.

Sanghvi, a Democrat, is seeking to unseat Republican Sen. Jim Tedisco in the 44th Senate District. She is set to make her official announcement on Monday.

The Indian-American became the first person of color and first openly gay member of the Saratoga Springs City Council when she was elected in 2021.

Sanghvi is also an author and professor at Skidmore College. She said us a statement saying her campaign “promises to focus on infrastructure and economic growth by fostering an environment of entrepreneurship and innovation in District 44.”

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The 44th Senate District covers all of Saratoga County and parts of Schenectady County.

Tedisco, a longtime state lawmaker, was re-elected to the seat in 2022. He sent a statement saying: “I look forward to this year’s election and continuing to serve as Senator for the 44th Senate District and standing up each day and fighting for the people.”

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3 Safe Dividend Stocks Yielding At Least 3% to Buy Without Hesitation Right Now | The Motley Fool

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3 Safe Dividend Stocks Yielding At Least 3% to Buy Without Hesitation Right Now | The Motley Fool

These top dividend stocks should continue increasing their already lucrative payouts.

The S&P 500‘s dividend yield is around 1.2% these days, which is near its all-time low. However, that doesn’t mean there aren’t attractive income opportunities today. Several high-quality companies currently offer dividend yields that are much higher.

Here are three safe dividend stocks with yields of at least 3% that you can confidently buy right now.

Image source: Getty Images.

Brookfield Infrastructure

Brookfield Infrastructure‘s (BIPC +0.78%)(BIP +1.61%) dividend yield is around 3.8% these days. The global infrastructure operator has a diverse portfolio of critical infrastructure businesses across the utilities, transportation, energy midstream, and data sectors. Most of those businesses generate durable cash flows backed by long-term contracts or government-regulated rate structures (85% of its funds from operations) that either index rates to inflation or protect its earnings from its impact. As a result, Brookfield generates steadily rising cash flow to support its dividend.

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The company aims to pay out 60% to 70% of its stable cash flows in dividends, retaining the remainder to reinvest in expanding its operations. Brookfield currently has about $7.8 billion in capital projects in its backlog, which it expects to complete over the next two to three years. The bulk is in its data segment (nearly $6 billion) and includes its investments in a U.S. semiconductor foundry and multiple global data center projects.

Brookfield Infrastructure Stock Quote

Brookfield Infrastructure

Today’s Change

(0.78%) $0.35

Current Price

$45.54

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Brookfield Infrastructure also acquires new businesses. It has secured $1.5 billion of deals over the past year, including investments in a U.S. refined products pipeline system, a bulk fiber network, and an advanced fuel cell system to power data centers. The company’s growth catalysts support its expectations of growing its funds from operations by more than 10% annually, which should drive dividend increases of 5% to 9% each year. Brookfield has grown its payout at a 9% compound annual rate since 2009.

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ExxonMobil

ExxonMobil (XOM +0.94%) has a dividend yield of just over 3%. The global oil and gas giant supports its dividend with a large-scale, globally integrated business. That helps mute some of the impact of oil price volatility on its earnings. Exxon also has a fortress balance sheet.

ExxonMobil Stock Quote

Today’s Change

(0.94%) $1.26

Current Price

$134.90

The oil and gas giant is already the most profitable company in the industry. It expects to make even more money in the future. Exxon anticipates delivering $25 billion in earnings growth and $35 billion in cash flow growth, compared to 2024’s levels, on a constant-price, constant-margin basis by 2030. It aims to deliver that incremental profitability through a combination of structural cost savings and high-return growth capital projects.

Exxon’s plan would enable it to generate about $145 billion in cumulative surplus cash over the next five years at an average oil price of around $65 per barrel. That would give the oil company plenty of fuel to continue increasing its dividend, which it has done for a sector-leading 42 consecutive years.

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Prologis

Prologis (PLD +0.38%) has a 3.2% dividend yield. The real estate investment trust (REIT) backs its dividend with the stable cash flows produced by the long-term leases securing its properties. Most of its leases contain annual rental escalation clauses, enabling it to earn steadily rising rental income.

Prologis Stock Quote

Today’s Change

(0.38%) $0.48

Current Price

$127.15

The REIT has a conservative dividend payout ratio and one of the sector’s strongest balance sheets. That gives it the financial flexibility to expand its portfolio. It invests in development projects and makes acquisitions.

Prologis primarily invests in logistics properties. However, it sees a significant opportunity to leverage its vast land bank, its experience installing solar panels and battery storage at its sites, and its expertise in constructing building shells to develop data centers. These growth drivers should enable Prologis to continue increasing its dividend. It has grown its payout at a 13% compound annual rate over the last five years, well above the S&P 500’s 5% average.

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High-quality dividend stocks

Brookfield Infrastructure, ExxonMobil, and Prologis all pay dividends yielding more than 3% backed by strong businesses and financial profiles. They also have excellent dividend growth track records, which should continue. Those features make them safe dividend stocks you shouldn’t hesitate to buy right now.

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35% of Warren Buffett’s $309 Billion Berkshire Hathaway Portfolio Is Invested in These 5 Financial Stocks. Here’s the Best of the Bunch for 2026. | The Motley Fool

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35% of Warren Buffett’s 9 Billion Berkshire Hathaway Portfolio Is Invested in These 5 Financial Stocks. Here’s the Best of the Bunch for 2026. | The Motley Fool

All of these financial stocks should be great long-term picks, but one appears to be the best choice for 2026.

I still think of Berkshire Hathaway‘s (BRK.A 0.72%) (BRK.B 1.14%) portfolio as Warren Buffett’s portfolio. The legendary investor’s decision to pass the baton as CEO to Greg Abel hasn’t changed my view in the slightest. After all, Buffett is still Berkshire’s board chairman and its largest shareholder.

Even with Buffett no longer the official public face of Berkshire Hathaway, his fingerprints remain all over the conglomerate’s holdings. For example, a whopping 35% of Berkshire’s $309 billion portfolio is invested in five financial stocks that Buffett likes.

Image source: The Motley Fool.

Berkshire’s top five financial stocks

It probably won’t come as a surprise that American Express (AXP 1.72%) ranks as Berkshire’s largest financial services holding, accounting for 17.3% of the company’s portfolio as of its latest 13-F filing. AmEx is one of Buffett’s longest-held positions. He included it among several stocks that he told Berkshire Hathaway shareholders in 2024 that he expected the conglomerate to “maintain indefinitely.”

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Sure, Buffett is not as big a fan of bank stocks as he once was. However, Bank of America (BAC 1.34%) is Berkshire’s second-largest financial stock position and third-largest holding overall. It comprises 9.6% of the company’s portfolio.

Bank of America Stock Quote

Today’s Change

(-1.34%) $-0.70

Current Price

$51.74

Moody’s (MCO 1.26%) has two core businesses. It provides risk management services to institutional investors. The company is also one of the largest credit ratings agencies. I suspect that Buffett finds both units appealing. Moody’s ranks as Berkshire’s sixth-largest holding, accounting for 4.1% of its portfolio.

Chubb (CB +0.00%) is one of Buffett’s more significant new positions over the last couple of years. The “Oracle of Omaha” no doubt thoroughly understands Chubb’s property and casualty insurance business. Chubb is among Berkshire’s top 10 holdings and makes up 3.1% of its portfolio.

Visa (V 0.06%) is another financial stock that seems to be a logical fit for Buffett. The credit card processing giant accounts for roughly 0.9% of Berkshire’s portfolio.

How they compare

None of these stocks stands out as head and shoulders above the pack in performance over the last 12 months. American Express, Bank of America, and Chubb are running neck and neck.

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But while Visa has delivered the lowest gains over the last 12 months, it’s Wall Street’s favorite over the next 12 months. The consensus price target for the stock reflects a potential upside of over 20%. Bank of America doesn’t lag far behind Visa, though, with a price target that’s nearly 20% above its current share price.

Visa Stock Quote

Today’s Change

(-0.06%) $-0.18

Current Price

$326.18

Bank of America is the clear winner when it comes to dividends. The company’s forward dividend yield of 2.1% is well above the yields of the other top four financial stocks in Berkshire’s portfolio.

What about valuation? Chubb comes out on top on one metric. Its forward price-to-earnings ratio is 11.3, below the 12.1 forward earnings multiple of second-place Bank of America. However, Bank of America is the winner on valuation with growth factored in. Its price-to-earnings-to-growth (PEG) ratio, which includes analysts’ earnings growth projections over the next five years, is 1.0, well below the PEG ratios of the other four stocks.

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Chubb Stock Quote

Today’s Change

(-0.00%) $-0.01

Current Price

$300.91

The best of the bunch for 2026

My view is that all of Berkshire’s top five financial stocks are solid long-term picks. I don’t think investors would go wrong buying any of them. But which is the best of the bunch for 2026?

Bank of America appears to be the most attractive overall. It ranked either first or second in each of the categories used to compare the five stocks. If the market declines significantly, though, Chubb would likely hold up better than BofA. Still, I’ll go with BofA as the best of these five Buffett stocks for the new year.

Bank of America is an advertising partner of Motley Fool Money. American Express is an advertising partner of Motley Fool Money. Keith Speights has positions in Berkshire Hathaway. The Motley Fool has positions in and recommends Berkshire Hathaway, Moody’s, and Visa. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.

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Asian Financial Forum 2026 Set for January Return With Focus on Finance, Technology, and Regional Growth – FinTech Weekly

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Asian Financial Forum 2026 Set for January Return With Focus on Finance, Technology, and Regional Growth – FinTech Weekly

The Asian Financial Forum 2026 will take place on January 26–27 in Hong Kong, bringing together global leaders to discuss economic trends, fintech, AI, green technology, and cross-border collaboration, alongside expanded deal-making sessions.

 


 

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Asian Financial Forum Confirms 2026 Dates and Program Direction

The Asian Financial Forum (AFF) will return on January 26 and 27, 2026, bringing together government officials, financial executives, investors, and business leaders from around the world. The event is Asia’s first major financial gathering of the year, positioning it as an early venue for discussions on economic trends and policy priorities.

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The forum will once again serve as a meeting point for decision-makers focused on global markets and regional development. AFF has built its reputation as a platform where public and private sector leaders exchange views on finance, trade, and innovation while forming new international business connections.

The 2026 edition will focus on cooperation between policymakers and the business community in response to changing economic conditions and shifting trade patterns. The program will also give attention to sectors linked to digital transformation and sustainability.

 

Participation Expected From Thousands of Global Delegates

Organizers expect more than 3,600 participants from over 60 countries and regions. The speaker lineup is projected to include more than 130 global speakers from government, finance, and industry.

Senior leadership representation remains a key feature of the event. Data from the forum indicates that about 81 percent of attendees come from CEO-level or senior decision-making roles. This includes executives from financial institutions, multinational companies, and technology firms.

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The exhibition segment is also set to expand. Organizers report that more than 140 exhibitors, startups, and service providers are expected to take part, reflecting the forum’s role as both a policy discussion platform and a business networking venue.

 

Program Theme Highlights Joint Efforts Across Markets

The theme selected for AFF 2026 centers on cooperation between global business communities and policymakers. Organizers say the goal is to examine how coordinated efforts can support growth across regions and industries during a period of economic adjustment.

Rather than focusing on a single region or sector, the forum plans to address shared challenges that affect international markets. Topics include financial stability, cross-border investment flows, digital infrastructure, and sustainable development.

The agenda is expected to include panel discussions, keynote sessions, and closed-door meetings designed to promote practical exchanges between public officials and private sector leaders.

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Focus on Technology-Driven Sectors

Technology will again play a central role in the 2026 program. Organizers confirmed that several high-growth sectors will receive dedicated attention, including fintech, artificial intelligence, robotics, green technology, new energy solutions, and web3-related applications.

Financial technology remains a key area of interest as banks, payment providers, and regulators continue to adapt to digital services. Sessions are expected to address topics such as digital payments, regulatory compliance, and cross-border transaction systems.

AI and robotics will also be discussed in the context of productivity and labor markets. Business leaders and policymakers are expected to review how automation tools affect manufacturing, logistics, and service industries.

Green technology and energy transition initiatives will form another core part of the agenda. Discussions are expected to focus on financing models that support low-carbon projects and infrastructure development.

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Linking Finance With the Real Economy

AFF organizers said the forum will continue to examine the relationship between financial systems and real economic activity. This includes how capital markets, banking services, and investment tools support small businesses, infrastructure projects, and regional trade.

The program aims to highlight ways financial institutions can improve access to funding for companies operating in emerging sectors. Attention will also be given to risk management and regulatory frameworks that influence lending and investment behavior.

Participants are expected to review how financial policy decisions affect employment, supply chains, and long-term economic stability across Asia and beyond.

 

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AFF Deal-Making Program Expands Business Matching

Alongside policy discussions, AFF will host its dedicated deal-making segment designed to connect investors with project owners and companies seeking funding.

According to figures released by the forum, the deal-making platform is expected to facilitate more than 720 business meetings. Participation is projected to include more than 280 investors, over 560 projects, and approximately 510 project owners.

Organizers describe the program as a structured matchmaking environment where participants can explore partnerships and investment opportunities. Meetings are typically arranged in advance, allowing investors and businesses to hold targeted discussions over the two-day event.

This component reflects the forum’s dual role as both a discussion venue and a practical business exchange platform.

 

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Government and Institutional Participation

AFF traditionally attracts senior government representatives and officials from regulatory bodies. Organizers say this participation allows for direct dialogue between policymakers and private sector leaders.

Government involvement also provides insight into regulatory developments and economic policy priorities. These discussions are particularly relevant for international investors seeking clarity on market access rules and compliance requirements.

Financial institutions and multilateral organizations are also expected to play a visible role in the 2026 event. Their presence supports conversations around regional integration and cross-border financial cooperation.

 

Asia’s Position in Global Finance

The forum takes place at a time when Asia continues to expand its role in global trade and investment. Regional financial centers remain active in areas such as capital markets, asset management, and digital payments.

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AFF organizers emphasize the importance of presenting economic trends from an Asian perspective. This approach reflects the region’s growing influence in technology development, manufacturing, and infrastructure investment.

Participants from outside Asia also attend the forum to better understand regional market conditions and identify partnership opportunities.

 

Industry Representation Across Multiple Sectors

Beyond financial services, the forum draws participation from a wide range of industries. Technology firms, energy companies, logistics providers, and manufacturing groups are among those represented.

This broad industry mix allows discussions to cover topics that affect multiple sectors. Examples include supply chain financing, digital transformation strategies, and cross-border trade logistics.

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The exhibition area provides companies with an opportunity to present products and services related to financial infrastructure, data analytics, compliance tools, and enterprise software.

 

Preparing for Policy and Market Developments

The timing of AFF early in the calendar year positions it as a venue for setting priorities and reviewing economic forecasts. Business leaders often use the forum to assess market conditions and prepare for upcoming regulatory changes.

Discussions typically address monetary policy trends, interest rate outlooks, and geopolitical factors that influence investment decisions. These sessions provide participants with context for planning corporate strategies and capital allocation.

For policymakers, the forum offers feedback from the private sector on regulatory proposals and market conditions.

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Digital Infrastructure and Cross-Border Connectivity

Another area of focus for AFF 2026 involves digital infrastructure and international connectivity. Topics include payment systems, data sharing standards, and cybersecurity frameworks.

Cross-border transactions remain a priority for businesses operating across Asia and global markets. Sessions are expected to examine how digital tools can improve transaction speed, transparency, and cost efficiency.

This part of the program reflects growing interest in modernizing financial infrastructure to support international commerce.

 

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Role of Startups and Emerging Companies

Startups and emerging companies will also feature in the 2026 forum. Organizers expect a strong presence from technology firms offering new financial and enterprise solutions.

These companies often use AFF as a platform to meet investors, form partnerships, and explore expansion into new markets. Their participation adds a practical business dimension to the event alongside policy discussions.

The presence of service providers and technology vendors further supports knowledge sharing across the financial ecosystem.

 

What to Watch Ahead of the Forum

As the event approaches, attention will turn to the final speaker lineup and detailed program schedule. Market participants will watch for announcements related to policy themes and industry priorities.

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Investors and corporate executives are likely to focus on sessions addressing digital finance, sustainability, and regional trade integration. Government representatives are expected to use the platform to communicate policy directions and regulatory updates.

The deal-making program will also draw interest from companies seeking funding and partnerships.

 

A Platform for Regional and Global Dialogue

AFF 2026 is set to continue its role as a meeting place for public and private sector leaders. The combination of policy discussion, business matching, and technology-focused sessions reflects the forum’s broad scope.

Organizers aim to provide a structured environment for dialogue on economic trends and practical business cooperation. With thousands of participants expected, the event will once again serve as a focal point for financial and business activity at the start of the year.

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Further details about the forum are available through the official Asian Financial Forum website: https://www.asianfinancialforum.com/conference/aff/en

 

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