Finance
Here’s what the federal government does for you
As pandemonium descended Tuesday after the Trump administration directed a freeze on federal funding, the chaos drove home a salient point: The federal government does a lot for you.
The administration targeted 2,623 federal programs for review in circulated instructions, ordering agencies to “temporarily pause all activities related to…all Federal financial assistance.” Funding for programs that provide health insurance, childcare, food assistance, housing aid, and much, much more remained uncertain.
Disrupting the federal government plumbing is a delicate process that, if done crudely, could hit vital lifelines for the American people. You simply can’t turn off the water — even temporarily.
“The government is involved in things that people don’t feel all the time, a lot of things we take for granted like safe drinking water,” said Bobby Kogan, senior director of federal budget policy at the left-leaning think tank Center for American Progress. “Except when it fails miserably.”
Few federal programs seemed exempt from the directive that came from the Office of Management and Budget. More than 50 agencies were tasked with conducting reviews during the freeze to make sure their programs complied with the president’s executive orders.
The ones that sparked the most outrage were programs that help America’s most vulnerable with funding deadlines looming over the next few days, such as Section 8 housing assistance, Medicaid, and the Head Start reimbursement program that gives low-income families money for their children’s education.
They were also some of the payment systems that went down on Tuesday.
“That could have truly harmed people — if you take away people’s nutrition, healthcare, housing, education — things people depend on,” Kogan said.
What may still be in the crosshairs: under-the-radar supports that millions of Americans rely on but may not recognize on a daily basis.
There are loans for farm storage, grants to ensure safe drinking water, funding to implement pool and spa safety laws, money for suicide prevention for veterans, and grants for AmeriCorps programs. The beneficiaries of this funding run the gamut: farmers, Native tribes, seniors, people with disabilities, those living in rural areas, children, veterans, and victims of mass violence and acts of terror.
There’s even a grant to Florida to reimburse citrus producers for the costs associated with recovering from the 2017 hurricane destruction.
What’s the federal government good for? Seems like a lot.
Harley-Davidson’s new CEO wants to transform how people think about the iconic motorcycle brand, so the company is trying something different.
This week, Harley announced a new strategy that focuses on lower-priced bikes, rather than relying on older, more affluent customers to buy its higher-margin touring models.
“Back to the Bricks builds on our core strengths and competitive advantages, harnessing the passion of our riders to deliver profitable growth for the Company and both our dealers and shareholders,” Harley CEO Artie Starrs said this week. “As we drive towards this new phase of growth, we remain committed to the craftsmanship and dedication that define our brand.”
Entry-level Harley-Davidsons cost about $13,000, while the higher-end Adventure Touring models average about $23,250, and the Premium Range &CVO models cost about $38,500, according to Reuters.
Harley’s new strategy targets a core profit of over $350 million from its motorcycle business by 2027 and over $150 million in cost reductions.
To kick off the new strategy, Harley is introducing Sprint, a new entry-level model powered by a smaller 440cc engine, later in the year.
What is Harley-Davidson’s “Back to the Bricks” strategy?
Harley’s new strategy relies on more than just pushing buyers toward cheaper vehicles to increase volume. The 123-year-old company has a set of five pillars on which it is building its future.
Harley-Davidson “Back to the Bricks” 5-point plan
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Deep appreciation of Harley-Davidson’s competitive advantages and legacy: The Company’s iconic brand, diversified and powerful revenue channels, and best-in-class dealer network provide a powerful foundation for growth.
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Renewed commitment to exclusive dealer network to drive enterprise profitability: Harley-Davidson’s dealers are a competitive advantage. The Company is planning actions to enable dealers to double profitability in 2026 and then double it again by 2029.
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Immediate actions to recapture share in areas where Harley-Davidson has right to win: Harley-Davidson has strong legacy equity in existing markets including new motorcycles, used motorcycles, Parts & Accessories, and Apparel & Licensing. The Company’s new strategy is focused on positioning the Company to regain share and drive meaningful volume growth in categories where it benefits from credibility, scale, and deep rider connection.
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Strong financial position with a path to stronger free cash flow and EBITDA margin: Cost and restructuring actions already underway support a path to stronger free cash flow and EBITDA margin over time.
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Bolstered management team with balance of fresh perspectives and institutional knowledge: Harley-Davidson has made a number of leadership appointments that support the Company as it leverages its innate strengths.
Written by Jitendra Parashar at The Motley Fool Canada
Dividend investing can be one of the simplest ways to build long-term wealth while creating a steady stream of passive income. But in my opinion, a good dividend stock is about much more than just a high yield. Beyond dividend yield, investors should also look for companies with durable businesses, reliable cash flows, and a history of rewarding shareholders consistently over time.
That’s exactly why many investors turn to financial stocks. Banks and asset managers often generate recurring earnings through lending, investing, and wealth management activities, allowing them to support stable dividend payments even during uncertain market conditions.
Two Canadian financial stocks that stand out right now are AGF Management (TSX:AGF.B) and Toronto-Dominion Bank (TSX:TD). Both companies offer attractive dividends backed by solid financial performance and long-term growth strategies. In this article, I’ll explain why these two financial stocks could be worth considering for income-focused investors right now.
AGF Management stock continues to reward shareholders
AGF Management is a Toronto-based asset manager with businesses across investments, private markets, and wealth management. Through these divisions, the company offers equity, fixed income, alternative, and multi-asset investment strategies to retail, institutional, and private wealth clients.
Following a 59% rally over the last 12 months, AGF stock currently trades at $16.67 per share with a market cap of roughly $1.1 billion. At current levels, the stock offers a quarterly dividend yield of 3.3%.
One reason behind AGF’s strong recent performance is its increasingly diversified business model. The company has expanded its investment capabilities and broadened its geographic reach, helping it perform well across varying market environments.
In the first quarter of its fiscal 2026 (ended in February), AGF posted free cash flow of $36 million, up 14% year over year (YoY), driven mainly by higher management, advisory, and administration fees. These fees climbed to $92.5 million as demand for the company’s investment offerings strengthened.
AGF has also been focusing on expanding its alternative investment business and introducing new investment products. With strong cash generation and growing demand for alternative investments, AGF Management looks well-positioned to continue rewarding investors over the long term.
TD Bank stock remains a dependable dividend giant
Toronto-Dominion Bank, or TD Bank, is one of North America’s largest banks, serving millions of customers through its Canadian banking, U.S. retail banking, wealth management and insurance, and wholesale banking operations.
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