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Two such entities currently warrant consideration: Axsome Therapeutics (AXSM +2.10%) and Madrigal Pharmaceuticals (MDGL +0.93%). They aren’t, as yet, household names (unless your household consists entirely of biotech analysts, in which case, apologies for stating the obvious). But they possess characteristics that, viewed through a macro lens, suggest potential for substantial growth. (It’s important to remember that ‘potential’ is a word frequently used by optimists immediately before being proven wrong. But we’re focusing on the probabilities, however slender, for now.)

One finds, upon closer examination, that the Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF (VYM +0.48%) presents itself as a particularly eligible candidate for this very purpose. Its reputation, as a provider of consistent returns, is not without foundation, and deserves, perhaps, a more detailed consideration than is often afforded.

As the late, great Benjamin Franklin observed, death and taxes are life’s only certainties. A rather gloomy thought, perhaps, but undeniably true. One might, however, add a third item to that list: rubbish. As long as humanity continues to inhabit this planet – and one sincerely hopes it shall – there will, inevitably, be a prodigious amount of detritus requiring disposal. It’s a rather unromantic notion, admittedly, but a remarkably dependable one for the investor with a discerning eye.

Garden Investment, founded by Ed Garden (who, incidentally, previously honed his skills at Trian Fund Management – a name that sounds suspiciously like a villainous organization in a science fiction novel), has been quietly building its position in Middleby. A recent filing shows they added another 102,903 shares in the last quarter of 2025, bringing the total value of their stake to around $66.88 million. That’s a substantial sum, enough to make you wonder if they’re planning a hostile takeover or simply have a fondness for commercial ovens. (It’s almost certainly the former, but one can dream.)

Figma, a provider of cloud-based design solutions, once held a favored position in the market’s esteem. It now finds itself subject to the same forces that have humbled so many others. The advent of artificial intelligence – that tireless, unblinking engine of automation – is perceived by some as a death knell for enterprises reliant on human ingenuity. This is not merely a question of technological displacement, but a symptom of a broader malaise: the relentless pursuit of efficiency at the expense of enduring value. The platform, designed to facilitate the creation of digital forms, has itself become a fragile construct, buffeted by the winds of change.