Hello,
Charles Payne here.
I've been analyzing markets, buying securities, and trading options for over 40 years.
I’ve hosted Making Money on Fox Business for nearly a decade.
And before all this, I worked on the trading floors of Wall Street.
I've seen every market cycle you can imagine — the dips, the drawdowns, the crashes, and the great bull runs of our time.
And what I'm watching right now: three straight weeks of losses, geopolitical tension, nervous money fleeing into safe havens… I've seen this before too.
What I've learned after 40 years is simple: the investors who do nothing during volatile markets are the ones who look back with the most regret.
That's why I'm hosting a free live Power of Options Masterclass. Because this market environment is exactly where a conservative options strategy proves its value… targeting high potential returns and protecting capital when most investors are just hoping for the best.
Now look, maybe you're thinking: "I can learn options from YouTube videos or books."
You're right. You can.
But here's my question: If you could do that, wouldn't you have already done it?
And if you did—are you consistently profitable with options now?
The problem isn't information. There's plenty of that. The problem is understanding how to actually apply it without blowing up your account.
In my free, upcoming Power of Options Masterclass, we’re covering:
- How options actually work (without the confusing jargon)
- Straightforward strategies I use to generate income and protect capital
- Why options reduce risk when used correctly—not increase it
- Real trades from my own experience
This is a live session. You can ask questions and get answers.
If you're serious about improving your investment results in 2026, sign up right here.
Charles Payne
S&P 500 Rebalancing: 3 Key AI Stocks Earn Their Spot in the Index
Submitted by Leo Miller. Originally Published: 3/26/2026.
Key Points
- Four are stocks in, and four stocks are out; the S&P 500 just got reshuffled.
- Three top AI stocks, LITE, COHR, and VRT, are among the names entering.
- Meanwhile, a name that has been working closely with Elon Musk's SpaceX is also entering the index.
- Special Report: Elon Musk already made me a "wealthy man"
The S&P 500 has completed its latest quarterly rebalancing, with four additions and four removals. Notably, three of the new entrants are closely tied to the artificial intelligence (AI) data-center buildout.
Here's a look at the names that were removed and the companies entering the index. These changes took effect before the market opened on March 23.
MTCH, MOH, LW, PAYC Get the Boot, SATS Gets In
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- Dating app operator Match Group (NASDAQ: MTCH)
- Low-income managed healthcare provider Molina Healthcare (NYSE: MOH)
- Frozen potato product company Lamb Weston (NYSE: LW)
- Payroll and human resources software company Paycom Software (NYSE: PAYC)
All four have fallen at least 60% from their all-time highs, shrinking market capitalizations to around or below $7 billion. S&P Dow Jones Indices notes that eligible additions must have a market capitalization of $22.7 billion or more. While that threshold is not required to remain in the index, companies below it are often considered for removal.
Even after these removals, many companies that remain in the S&P 500 have market caps below $22.7 billion. To avoid large, abrupt turnover, S&P Dow Jones Indices typically limits quarterly changes to roughly four additions and four removals.
Outside of the three AI-related names, the S&P 500 added EchoStar (NASDAQ: SATS). EchoStar, which is associated with Dish TV, has seen its stock rise roughly 300% over the past 52 weeks as it sold valuable spectrum licenses—primarily to Elon Musk's SpaceX.
Holding spectrum licenses gives a company the right to transmit signals over specific radio frequencies, which is essential for telecommunications. Reports indicate that through the deal with SpaceX, SpaceX now owns roughly 2.8% of EchoStar, so some investors view EchoStar as a way to gain indirect exposure to Musk's private space firm.
LITE & COHR: Optics Giants Enter the S&P After Massive Gains
AI-related stocks Lumentum (NASDAQ: LITE) and Coherent (NYSE: COHR) are joining the index after spectacular runs: Lumentum has gained nearly 1,000% in the past 52 weeks, while Coherent is up more than 250%. Both have benefited from a key shift in data-center networking.
Networking equipment connects data-center components and enables communication between them. Historically, much of this equipment has relied on copper cabling and electrical signaling. But as data centers handle ever-larger volumes of information, operators are shifting toward optical networking.
Optical equipment transmits signals using light, enabling higher speeds and better thermal performance compared with copper. It remains more expensive and, historically, less proven, so operators often delay the transition where they can. Over time, however, the trend toward optical is likely to continue—putting Lumentum and Coherent in strong positions as leaders in optical networking.
Notably, NVIDIA (NASDAQ: NVDA) recently committed $2 billion across agreements with Lumentum and Coherent to support R&D and help fund manufacturing capacity investments. Those deals also secure NVIDIA access to future capacity, underscoring the company's view of optical networking as critical to next-generation data-center architecture.
VRT: The "Coolest" Addition to the S&P 500
After gaining more than 180% in the past 52 weeks, Vertiv (NYSE: VRT) will also join the S&P 500. The company is a leader in data-center cooling solutions, particularly liquid cooling systems.
As data centers grow more powerful and energy-intensive, they generate more heat, increasing demand for effective cooling. Liquid cooling transfers heat more efficiently than air-cooled systems, making it attractive for high-performance infrastructure.
Vertiv's revenue grew nearly 28% in 2025—its fastest annual growth since going public. The company reported a strong backlog and demand outlook, posting a 2.9x book-to-bill ratio last quarter and ending the year with about $15 billion in backlog, roughly 1.5 times 2025 revenue.
Vertiv also recorded significant cash-flow improvement, with free cash flow up about 64% to roughly $1.9 billion for the year.
SATS, LITE, COHR, VRT: The S&P 500's New Kids on the Block
Inclusion in the S&P 500 is a milestone for SATS, LITE, COHR, and VRT, but it is not a guarantee of future results. These companies have, however, established themselves as significant players in their respective industries and will now be part of one of the most widely followed market benchmarks.
HP Is Positioning Itself for the AI Gold Rush's Second Act
By Jeffrey Neal Johnson. Posted: 3/25/2026.
Key Points
- HP Inc. is strategically pivoting to meet the massive demand for AI-powered workplace devices and secure enterprise hardware.
- Shares present a compelling value opportunity, trading at a significant discount compared to the broader market.
- The company provides a robust and growing income stream for shareholders through its consistent dividend payments and share buyback programs.
- Special Report: Elon Musk already made me a "wealthy man"
The market's attention has been captured by the meteoric rise of companies powering the artificial intelligence (AI) boom. Semiconductor and software firms have seen valuations soar as they build the digital infrastructure for this new era.
While this initial pick-and-shovel phase has created immense wealth, it has also pushed valuations to levels that leave many investors seeking a more grounded entry point. This raises a critical question: after the initial AI gold rush, where is the sustainable value?
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For businesses to truly harness the power of AI, they will need a new generation of intelligent, secure and powerful hardware. That sets the stage for a massive corporate upgrade cycle, creating a compelling opening for the legacy companies that build the tools of modern work. In that vein, HP Inc. (NYSE: HPQ) is positioning itself squarely in the path of this trend, offering a value-oriented way to invest in the tangible application of AI.
Rebuilding the Office: HP's AI-Powered Arsenal
The shift toward AI-powered business operations makes a hardware refresh cycle not just likely but inevitable. The concept of the AI PC is central to this transition. Running AI applications directly on a user's device provides clear advantages for businesses, including stronger data security by keeping sensitive information off the cloud, faster performance for real-time analysis and reduced latency.
As companies compete on efficiency, equipping their workforces with these next-generation tools will become a necessity, driving a multi-year replacement cycle for a global fleet of commercial computers.
HP has moved aggressively to meet this demand, using its recent HP Imagine 2026 event to unveil a blueprint for the AI-powered workplace. This strategy is built on several key innovations:
- AI-Powered Commercial PCs: HP is shipping a new portfolio of high-performance PCs engineered for demanding local AI workloads. This shift isn't happening in isolation; competitors like Dell (NYSE: DELL) are also gaining traction, validating the scale of the impending hardware trend and confirming that market-wide demand is building.
- Quantum-Resistant Security: In a forward-looking move, HP introduced a new LaserJet printer portfolio with quantum-resistant security designed to guard against the complex cyber threats that could emerge with quantum computing. For corporate buyers, where security is paramount, this positions HP as a trusted partner capable of future-proofing infrastructure—a differentiator that can command premium pricing.
- An Intelligent Ecosystem: With software like HP IQ, the company is creating a connected experience that allows devices to work together intelligently. That goes beyond a one-time hardware sale, opening opportunities for higher-margin software and services revenue while increasing customer loyalty within HP's ecosystem.
Why Wall Street's Caution Creates Opportunity
While HP builds hardware for the future, its stock valuation appears rooted in the past. That disconnect is where the investment opportunity lies. HP's price-to-earnings (P/E) ratio stood at roughly 7.5 in late March. By comparison, the S&P 500's average P/E often sits above 20, suggesting HP's stock is trading at a significant discount to the broader market.
Beyond its low valuation, HP offers a meaningful income component. The stock currently yields about 6%, roughly $1.20 per share annually, backed by a 15-year track record of consecutive dividend increases. HP has also shown a commitment to shareholder returns through a sizable stock buyback program. This shareholder-friendly profile contrasts with the current consensus analyst rating of Reduce — only two of 17 analysts covering the stock assign it a Buy. Much of that caution reflects near-term headwinds, such as cyclical memory chip costs that pressure industry profit margins.
A notable level of short interest indicates many are betting against the stock. For bullish investors, however, that can be a positive sign: high short interest raises the potential for a short squeeze, where positive news forces short sellers to cover and can rapidly lift the share price. Pessimistic sentiment is a primary reason for the stock's undervaluation, creating an opportunity for patient investors to buy into a solid company before the market recognizes its long-term AI catalyst.
A Unique Blend of Value, Income, and Growth
The widespread integration of AI into the business world is no longer a distant forecast; it is an active transition, and HP is supplying the essential tools. The company's strategic pivot toward AI-native PCs and enterprise-grade security positions it to capitalize on a durable, long-term growth trend that could reshape its revenue and profit streams for years to come.
The investment case rests on three pillars: (1) a clear strategic pivot into a massive growth market, (2) a fundamentally undervalued stock trading at a discount to peers, and (3) a robust and growing income stream for shareholders.
While short-term market sentiment remains cautious, the underlying fundamentals tell a different story. For investors seeking a sensible, high-yield entry into the next practical phase of the AI revolution, HP offers a compelling combination of value, income and long-term growth potential that is increasingly hard to find in today's market.
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