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The past year has presented Intuitive Surgical with tribulations—tariff burdens and a nascent competition in the realm of robotic-assisted surgery. The company’s projections for 2026, while not catastrophic, lacked the exuberant optimism demanded by the market’s insatiable appetite. But to fixate on short-term fluctuations is to miss the deeper truth. Intuitive Surgical operates within a sphere of limited access—a surgical landscape where the tools of precision remain largely confined to those who can afford them. The da Vinci system, a name redolent of ambition, is more than a machine; it is a testament to the stratification of care.

I’ve been looking at the angles, turning over the stones. Here’s what I’ve found – three names that might just hold up under the pressure. They’re not guarantees, of course. This is the market. But they’re worth a look, if you’re willing to roll the dice.

Brookfield Renewable (BEPC +3.02%) (BEP +3.22%) and Oneok (OKE +1.78%) present themselves as such entities. Their growth, while not guaranteed against the caprice of fate, appears tethered to realities more substantial than mere speculation. To hold their shares, therefore, is not a gamble, but a calculated acknowledgement of their protracted viability – a long-term posture in a world obsessed with the ephemeral.

The question, of course, is not merely whether Rivian can survive, but whether it deserves to. The market, that merciless judge, demands not just innovation, but a soul. And in the cold light of quarterly reports, the soul is often the first casualty.

The weighted average price, a dull detail, was $26.27. Market close on the 6th? $26.38. One really does wish people would be a bit more decisive. Still, perfectly respectable figures.

IEMG and IEFA. They’re both from iShares, which is reassuring. It’s like choosing between two reasonably priced, well-reviewed hotels. IEMG dives into emerging markets – think Asia, Brazil, places that might, possibly, one day, be really big. IEFA, on the other hand, is all about developed markets. Europe, Australia… places that are already quite big, and mostly staying that way. It’s a bit like choosing between a high-risk startup and a solid, reliable accountant. Both have their appeal, but they require very different temperaments.

Both chase companies that reliably send out checks to shareholders. A noble pursuit, I suppose. But they go about it differently. VIG is a bit more…refined. SCHD, a little more…practical. It’s like choosing between a tweed jacket and a sensible raincoat. Both keep you from freezing, but one suggests a certain…optimism.

Succession. Such a vulgar word, really. But inevitable, nonetheless. For years, Buffett and the late Mr. Munger – a man of bracingly direct opinions – reassured the shareholders that a plan was in place. Vague, naturally. One doesn’t broadcast one’s strategies to the rabble. Then, in 2021, the announcement: Greg Abel was the designated heir. Quite sensible. Abel, it seems, has a knack for numbers and a temperament that won’t cause the markets to spontaneously combust. Buffett, bless his heart, has even gone so far as to suggest he’d trust Abel with his personal finances. A rather damning indictment of the rest of the financial industry, wouldn’t you say?

There exist, of course, a multitude of instruments by which one may participate in this quiet prosperity. Exchange-traded funds, or ETFs, are perfectly adequate, provided one exercises a modicum of discernment. The truly civilized investor, however, prioritizes economy. Why squander one’s gains on exorbitant fees when a penny saved is a character trait acquired? The Vanguard S&P 500 ETF (VOO +1.95%) presents itself as a particularly…reasonable choice.