XRP ( CRYPTO: XRP) is trading at $1.4731 on Monday, up 2.6% from where it traded a week ago. Overall, the token trades 19.6% below its January 1 price and 59% from where it traded during July. Looking across the broader crypto space, Bitcoin ( CYPTO: BTC) is trading at $68,674 after declining 2.3% for the week, while Ethereum fell 6.5% to $1,967.
The Core Tension: Income Stability vs. Cognitive Burden The real issue here isn't performance. It's decision fatigue. JNJ, VZ, PG, and KO represent classic dividend aristocrat territory-steady income, low volatility, minimal drama. JNJ's beta of 0.33 means it moves one-third as much as the broader market. VZ yields 7% but has grown earnings just 0.5% year-over-year. These stocks don't demand constant attention.
In December 2025, silver emerged as the more volatile asset over Bitcoin ( CRYPTO: BTC) , marking a sharp reversal of long-held assumptions about where macroeconomic risk manifests. While Bitcoin remained stuck near $87,000 in a tight range through late last year, silver surged to $84 per ounce , with gold pushing above $4,550 to all-time highs . The difference was in both prices and investor behavior. As inflation fears and geopolitical risks rose, investors moved into precious metals.
Either way, the monthly income ETFs out there can help investors smoothen those volatile potholes in the road a bit as we head into what might be a rough finish to the broad market on the year. As other retail investors get hyped about Santa Claus coming to town to lift the spirits of investors as well as share prices, it might be a good time to think about taking some risk off the table.
Newly-minted meme stock Opendoor ( NASDAQ:OPEN) has seen incredible volatility this year, with shares of OPEN stock surging from a low of around $0.50 per share to as high as $10.87 per share (better than a 20-bagger for investors who timed this move right). Much of this has to do with the company's inclusion in the Roundhill Investments meme stock ETF, which resulted in interest in this name from retail investors surge.
Shares of the maker of plant-based meat substitutes Beyond Meat ( NASDAQ:BYND) exploded higher by over 1,300% in a few days before crashing back to earth, shattering the quick gains that traders hoped to hang onto. Now that shares of Beyond Meat are right back in the gutter, now off close to 77% from the monthly spike, many investors might be wondering if the hyper-volatile play has any more bullish energy left in the tank and if the latest dip (more like an implosion) is a buying opportunity to get in ahead of meme traders who might be inclined to give the name a second look with the hopes of getting in before another meme-esque spike.
Apparel retailer American Eagle Outfitters ( NYSE:AEO) garnered some criticism earlier this year, and AEO stockholders have been on a roller-coaster ride. Yet, the company's loyal investors might choose to stay the course in anticipation of a share-price rebound. Along with all of that, it appears that American Eagle Outfitters stock got caught up in the summertime meme-stock frenzy. Consequently, a return to $25 looks like a real possibility.
The YieldMax Ultra Option Income Strategy ETF capitalizes on market volatility through options strategies, delivering substantial weekly cash payouts while maintaining an annual distribution rate of 86.04%.
"After yesterday's 'not as bad as it could have been' July Consumer Price Index report, the equity markets are now in full 'easing expectation' mode," said CFRA Research's chief investment strategist Sam Stovall.
