The first ASX dividend stock that could be a buy next week is Aurizon.
Each year, it transports more than 250 million tonnes of Australian commodities, connecting miners, primary producers and industry with international and domestic markets. This includes providing customers with integrated freight and logistics solutions across an extensive national rail and road network that traverses Australia.
Ord Minnett is positive on the company’s outlook and has an accumulate rating and $4.70 price target on its shares.
As for dividends, its analysts are forecasting partially franked dividends of 17.8 cents per share in FY 2024 and then 24.3 cents per share in FY 2025. Based on the latest Aurizon share price of $3.78, this will mean yields of 4.7% and 6.4%, respectively.
Another ASX dividend stock that could be a buy according to analysts this month is Centuria Industrial.
It offers investors the opportunity to invest in industrial property via a real estate investment trust. It is also Australia’s largest domestic pure play industrial property investment vehicle with a portfolio of 88 high-quality, fit-for-purpose industrial assets worth a collective $3.8 billion. These assets are situated in key in-fill locations and close to key infrastructure.
UBS currently rates the company’s shares as a buy and has a $3.71 price target on them.
As for income, the broker is expecting Centuria Industrial to pay dividends per share of 16 cents in both FY 2024 and in FY 2025. Based on the current Centuria Industrial share price of $3.25, this represents dividend yields of 4.9% for income investors in both years.
A final ASX dividend stock that could be a buy is Telstra.
Telstra is of course Australia’s leading telecommunications and technology company. It offers a full range of communications services and currently provides 22.5 million retail mobile services and 3.4 million retail bundle and data services in Australia.
Goldman Sachs thinks the telco giant would be a top buy right now. It has a buy rating and $4.55 price target on Telstra’s shares.
In respect to dividends, its analysts are forecasting fully franked dividends of 18 cents per share in FY 2024 and 19 cents per share in FY 2025. Based on the current Telstra share price of $3.67, this represents yields of 4.9% and 5.2%, respectively.
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The best Fire TV devices include streaming sticks and smart TVs.
Steven Cohen/Business Insider
The best Amazon Fire TV devices deliver easy access to popular streaming services. Fire TV products are some of our favorite streaming solutions thanks to their snappy speed and affordable prices, and you can choose between stick, cube, and full-fledged smart TV models.
Entry-level Fire TV options, like the standard Fire TV Stick, offer full HD playback, while the best Fire TV models, like the latest Fire TV Stick 4K Max, support Ultra HD video and Dolby Vision for enhanced color and contrast. Amazon also sells its own smart TVs that have the Fire TV operating system (OS) built in. Though these sets don't rank among the top TVs you can buy, they're decent budget options for fans of Amazon's ecosystem.
But with so many different Fire TV models to consider, it can be tricky to determine which is right for your needs. To help you pick the best Fire TV for your setup, we've detailed all the ins and outs of each model.
How to get a great deal on the best Fire TV devices
The best Fire TVs and Fire TV Sticks often drop to all-time low prices during sales on Black Friday, Cyber Monday, and Amazon Prime Day, though smaller discounts pop up throughout the year outside these big events.
When on sale during major holidays, you can snag Fire TV Sticks for as much as 50% off. The next big deal event will be Amazon Prime Day, which historically occurs in July.
Fire TV Stick Lite
The Fire TV Stick Lite is the best Fire TV you can snag on a budget. Like the company's other stick models, this compact dongle plugs into your TV's HDMI port. Once powered on, you can navigate through the stick's interface to access all of the best streaming services.
The Fire TV Stick Lite matches the video quality of the more expensive standard Fire TV Stick. The only notable difference between this model and the regular Stick is its remote. The Lite includes an Alexa Voice Remote Lite, which lacks TV controls, like power and volume buttons. Other than that, both models are essentially the same.
The Fire TV Stick Lite can stream videos at up to 1080p resolution, which makes it ideal for an HDTV. The device also supports high dynamic range (HDR) using the HDR10 and HDR10+ formats. This feature delivers enhanced colors and contrast when streaming HDR videos through apps like Disney Plus. That said, most TVs that support HDR are 4K models, and if you have a 4K TV, we highly recommend you pay a bit more for one of Amazon's 4K sticks.
If your TV doesn't support 4K, the Fire TV Stick Lite will suit your streaming needs just fine. Keep in mind, however, that the standard Fire TV Stick occasionally goes on sale for even less than the Lite. When that happens, there's no reason to consider this model.
Fire TV Stick
The standard Fire TV Stick matches the 1080p streaming quality of the Lite model but has an improved remote with controls for your TV, like power and volume.
The base Fire TV Stick will meet the HD streaming needs of most people unless you own a 4K TV, in which case we recommend spending the extra money on one of Amazon's more advanced 4K streaming devices.
Fire TV Stick 4K
As the name suggests, the Fire TV Stick 4K streams at a higher resolution than the Fire TV Stick or Stick Lite. With 4K support, you'll get a sharper, more detailed image when watching 4K videos on a 4K TV.
This model also carries over HDR playback but adds support for the more advanced Dolby Vision format, which is missing on the Lite and standard Fire TV Stick. Dolby Vision can give your TV more detailed guidance for displaying HDR images, but only when watching Dolby Vision content on a compatible display. Check out our HDR TV guide for more details about different HDR formats.
The latest version of the Fire TV Stick 4K was released in September 2023, and it has a slightly tweaked design with rounded edges, more memory, and an improved processor. Amazon says it's around 25% faster than the first-gen model. It also now supports WiFi 6 when used with a compatible router.
This model is a good fit if you have a 4K TV. However, if you're willing to spend $10 more, the Fire TV Stick 4K Max offers slightly better performance.
Fire TV Stick 4K Max
The Fire TV Stick 4K Max is one of our picks for the best streaming devices you can buy. It carries over everything you'll get on the regular Fire TV Stick 4K while offering a faster processor and GPU, as well as more storage. This makes navigation a little snappier and lets you save more apps and games.
Amazon released the latest version of its Fire TV Stick 4K Max in September 2023, and compared to the previous-generation edition, this new model has an upgraded processor, double the amount of storage, and new support for WiFi 6E routers. It also has a revised design with rounded edges. And unlike other Fire TV Sticks, the 4K Max supports Amazon's Fire TV Ambient Experience, which lets you display art, photos, and widgets for things like the weather and your calendar.
The Fire TV Stick 4K Max is typically just $10 more than the standard Fire TV Stick 4K, so we think it's the best Fire TV option for people with 4K TVs.
Fire TV Cube
The Fire TV Cube is the best Fire TV for pure processing power. It incorporates all the features of the Fire TV Stick 4K Max but has a beefier CPU and is meant to be a more traditional home theater device. Instead of a dongle that hangs out of your TV's HDMI port, the Cube is a compact box that sits on your TV stand.
One of the Fire TV Cube's biggest benefits is its support for hands-free Alexa voice control without a remote. In other words, the Cube can act like an Echo device. The newest model also has an HDMI passthrough port to control cable boxes, twice as much storage space as the stick models, 4K upscaling to make HD videos look better, and overall faster performance.
The Fire TV Cube is a premium streaming box designed to compete with devices like the Apple TV 4K and the Roku Ultra, so it's best suited for home theater enthusiasts who want the brand's absolute best quality and fastest technology.
Fire TV 2-Series
Amazon also sells its own lineup of full-fledged smart TVs, which all use a built-in version of the Fire TV OS. This means you can stream your favorite apps without an extra device. Though Amazon's displays don't make our guide to the best TVs, they're still worthwhile budget options if you're a fan of the Fire TV ecosystem. The 2-Series is Amazon's entry-level HDTV model designed for people who just want a basic smart TV for casual viewing.
The 2-Series is available in 32 inches with a 720p screen or 40 inches with a 1080p screen. Both models support HDR processing using the standard HDR10 format, but the 2-Series can't deliver the brightness or color needed to really take advantage of high-dynamic-range playback. For this reason, we only recommend this model for people who want a cheap TV that doesn't take up too much space.
Fire TV 4-Series
The 4-Series steps things up from HD to Ultra HD with a 4K resolution screen. Models are available in 43-, 50-, and 55-inch sizes.
Though it supports 4K playback, the 4-Series is still limited to ver basic HDR performance and lacks advanced features like wide color support and Dolby Vision. It's a decent TV for buyers who want a smaller, affordable 4K display for a bedroom, but it's not suited for home theater use.
Fire TV Omni Series
The Omni Series Fire TV adds support for hands-free Alexa voice control without using the remote. You can control power, volume, navigation, and search with spoken commands through the TV's built-in microphones. And the TV can also serve as an Alexa smart home hub even when the display is off.
Models range in size from 43 to 75 inches. Every model supports 4K resolution and HDR10, and the 65- and 75-inch models add support for Dolby Vision.
Unfortunately, the TV's picture quality and navigation speed are underwhelming for its price. There are simply better-looking displays from brands like TCL and Hisense that cost around the same. That said, the Omni is a decent buy when it's on sale during deal events like Black Friday and Prime Day. We only recommend picking up the 65-inch model when you can snag it for under $500.
Amazon's Omni QLED is the best Fire TV display you can buy, and it offers a big step up from the regular Omni Series. It carries over hands-free Alexa support while adding advanced picture features like quantum dots and local dimming. These features enable it to deliver much better color and contrast performance.
The TV also has an ambient mode that can display art and widgets when it senses someone has walked into the room. Sizes range from 43 to 75 inches, but the 43-inch model does not include local dimming.
The 65-inch model's list price of $800 is high for what you get, and the set doesn't match the overall performance of the very best 4K TVs in this class. However, we've seen it drop to $600 during big sales events, offering much better value at that price.
Amazon's latest Fire TV-branded product isn't actually a streaming device at all. Instead, it's a soundbar.
The Fire TV soundbar is a compact 2.0-channel speaker designed to rest in front of your TV. It features an HDMI eARC and optical port for easy connection to most modern displays, and it also supports Bluetooth for wireless music playback from a mobile device.
At 24 inches wide, the soundbar is relatively small, which should make it easy to set up on most TV stands. Though it doesn't include a subwoofer or offer advanced features like up-firing audio drivers with Dolby Atmos support, the Fire TV Soundbar does support DTS Virtual:X to simulate surround sound. That said, at this price range and performance class, buyers shouldn't expect too much from this feature.
And despite the Fire TV branding, this is a soundbar only. It does not feature built-in support for streaming video apps. The base model only includes a standard remote, but you can pay more for a package with an Alexa Voice Remote Pro.
Based on the specs and affordable $120 price tag, Amazon is positioning this as an entry-level soundbar for people who just want a simple, compact, and inexpensive upgrade for their TV's speakers.
Anthony Mackie in Marvel's Disney+ show "The Falcon and the Winter Soldier."
Chuck Zlotnick/Marvel Studios
Disney wants to unmask an Instagrammer who leaked portions of its new "Captain America" film.
So it wants to subpoena Instagram.
Bob Iger has pledged to reduce Marvel's output to focus on quality.
Disney isn't taking its latest leaks lying down.
The company and its Marvel subsidiary want to subpoena Instagram to obtain the identity of an account holder who's leaked portions of its upcoming "Captain America: Brave New World" film, according to a petition filed in federal court.
The account @canwegetsometoast has 15,000 followers on Instagram and is known for leaking footage of superhero movies. Now, Disney and Marvel want to get to the bottom of who's behind the account.
"The purpose for which this subpoena is sought is to obtain the identities of the alleged infringer(s) who have exploited MVL's exclusive rights in its copyrighted works," reads a court declaration from Disney's VP of global security and content protection Matthew Slatoff.
The studio has taken great pains to protect its IP in the past, according to The Wrap. Last year, it issued a copyright takedown to Google after the script for "Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania" was shared on Reddit. The script was removed.
Disney, Marvel, and Instagram's parent company, Meta, didn't immediately respond to a request for comment from Business Insider.
influencers are creating content about gambling and casinos.
Amaya Edwards/Las Vegas Review-Journal/Tribune News Service via Getty Images
At the SBC Summit in May, gambling influencers broke down how they make money from content.
They described their revenue from affiliate marketing and YouTube advertising.
The creators also opened up about the challenges of promoting gambling and working with operators.
The expansion of legal gambling in the US has kickstarted the growth of gambling influencers who play and promote sports betting, slots, and other casino games online.
Josh Duffy, known for his gaming channel Slotaholic, plays slot machines on YouTube for his 27,000 subscribers. Kelly Koffler, who has nearly 60,000 subscribers across her YouTube channels Casino Kelly and Beyond Blackjack, plays casino games such as slots and Blackjack. And, Jon Della Terza, also known as the "NJ Slot Guy," creates content on high-limit slots.
On Wednesday at the SBC North America Summit in New Jersey, the three gambling influencers broke down how they make money from their content and the challenges of promoting gambling online.
The creators said they generated revenue mainly from affiliate-marketing deals with gambling brands and advertising on their YouTube channels.
Unlike some other content niches, restrictions on gambling content can limit the ways influencers earn and how much they can make. Platforms like YouTube and Twitch restrict gambling on certain sites, while others, including Instagram and TikTok, limit how gambling content is distributed.
With affiliate deals, where influencers are paid for referring customers to gambling operators, the creators said they preferred to be paid flat fees instead of signing revenue-share agreements. They said they did not want to profit directly from someone's losses.
"It's a flat rate for me," said Koffler. "I did not personally want to take a rev share or a per click because I just felt gross about that. I felt like it would be me preying on my audience."
Even with flat rates, the influencers said affiliate contracts typically brought in more revenue than YouTube, which requires creators to have at least 1,000 subscribers and a certain number of watch hours to earn a cut of the ad revenue from their videos.
"You typically get maybe $8 to $12 per a thousand views, depending on your content and what commercial ads get placed," Duffy said.
While YouTube can be a steady revenue source, the revenue these influencers generate from the platform doesn't always cover the cost of creating the content — they're gambling, after all.
Duffy said he has two affiliate deals to supplement his YouTube income, for example. He creates game-review videos for Light & Wonder's SidePlay, which makes instant-win games for lottery and gambling operators. He also does weekly livestreams where he plays casino games on sites like McLuck.com and Wow Vegas, which pay him a flat monthly fee.
The pros and cons of affiliate deals for gambling influencers
Duffy said he likes doing affiliate deals because he can be a positive influence in the industry.
"It shows us that we're appreciated in this arena, that they can rely on us to be a good influence and market their product," Duffy said. "I feel like I'm doing a service to the industry that's respected and my viewers understand it's coming from a good place."
But, while affiliate jobs can be fruitful, the influencers said some contracts could promote activities that are ethically murky.
For example, the companies often include time restrictions in contracts that dictate how long the influencer has to spend gambling, which could encourage harmful gambling behaviors.
"It takes away from the responsible gaming aspect, for sure, because let's say you lose within 30 minutes your full bankroll that you started with, you're having to keep rebuying and rebuying. And as a gambler, we all know you can't predict the outcome," said Koffler. "So putting those time restraints on whoever you are working with is not the best idea."
Koffler said gambling companies should instead trust their influencer partners more to create content that benefits them, the brand, and the audience.
This 10-foot-wide house in Washington, DC, is for sale for $581,903.
Courtesy of Jennifer Young.
A 10-foot-wide, one-bedroom home was built in Washington, DC, on what used to be a driveway.
Zoning law changes forced tight measurements for the 0.02-acre property, requiring many iterations.
The home is listed for $581,903 and is attracting investors who may use it as a rental property.
A developer in Washington, DC, had a small canvas — about the width of a driveway — to build a modern home that's on the market for $581,903.
Now, there's a 10-foot-wide, one-bedroom home on what used to be a driveway.
According to the listing agent, Jennifer Young of Keller Williams Chantilly Ventures, the zoning laws changed shortly after the developer purchased the 0.02-acre property, so they had to scrap the idea of building a home or tighten their floor plan.
"It literally came down to sometimes a centimeter of getting the exact measurements right to both comply with DC zoning and build a really nice home that was functional," Young told Business Insider.
Nady Samnang, the contractor tasked with figuring out how to build a home on a driveway in between two alleys, told the Washington Post that the design went through many forms and took nearly seven months to get approved by the city permit office.
"I wanted to quit so many times," he told the Washington Post.
While the price has fluctuated since being listed for $799,900 in July 2023, according to Zillow, it's garnered interest from many across the country.
"It's one of the most-viewed homes on Zillow that I've ever seen in my career," Young said. "We do have quite a bit of looky-loos, but we have a lot of first-time buyers looking and investors — people that want to Airbnb it or rent it to college kids."
Nady Samnang and his brother Dean purchased the 700-square-foot lot at the beginning of 2021 with plans to build a four-story home.
Originally, they were going to build a four-story house, double the width, but DC zoning restrictions changed shortly after he bought the land.
The home is built on what used to be a driveway.
Courtesy of Jennifer Young.
"They changed zoning right after he bought it so they were kind of screwed and they either were going to scrap a deal or try to build a tiny home," Young said.
Construction was difficult with such a narrow space, and the materials had to be brought in by hand.
A view of the kitchen upon entry.
Courtesy of Jennifer Young.
"All the materials had to be brought in by hand versus pulling a truck up to the site because it is a very condensed area," Young said. "There's a road, but big work trucks can't come through and it's a very tight space to work in."
Even with a width of six feet at it’s most-narrow point, there are still a number of amenities that you would find in any modern home.
The outdoor patio.
Courtesy of Jennifer Young.
It even has a fenced patio big enough for an intimate seating area.
Bringing materials in was not the only challenge. Samnang also had to get creative when finding space for basics inside.
The powder room underneath the stairs.
Courtesy of Jennifer Young.
Samnang told the Washington Post that the powder room under the stairs was an "extreme challenge" due to DC code requiring toilets and sinks to be at least 15 inches apart. He had to opt for a skinny sink to fit.
Lucky for the future buyer, the skinny home comes fully furnished.
The living room with windows on both sides.
Courtesy of Jennifer Young.
No need to haul in a bed upstairs or search for a couch that fits — those items come with the home.
"They just went pretty modern and they chose all the right finishes that are popular now," Young said. "They had to do something that made it as luxury and contemporary and high-end as they could within these restrictions."
It first hit the market at $799,900, according to Zillow, making it $1,333 per square foot.
A view of the bedroom.
Courtesy of Jennifer Young.
It's 45 feet long and 10 feet across at its widest point.
The price has since been dropped to as low as $581,903 in April.
The upstairs bathroom with a washer and dryer.
Courtesy of Jennifer Young.
"It's definitely hard to price," Young said. "There's not one single comparable because everything around it is condos — and it's not comparable to condos.
The Zillow listing has nearly 50,000 views and over 900 saves — numbers that Young say are rare for the area.
A look at the kitchen.
Courtesy of Jennifer Young.
"It's probably the most-viewed DC listing in years right now," Young said.
Investors have taken an interest in using the house as a rental unit for students or as an Airbnb.
The built-in seating in the kitchen.
Courtesy of Jennifer Young.
There are no condo or HOA fees, according to Young, which could be enticing to someone renting it out.
People are drawn to the spectacle, Young said, but there are plenty of interested buyers as well.
A hallway flanked by the glass door leading to the outdoor patio.
Courtesy of Jennifer Young.
"It's a very popular building," she said. "I think half the people are looky-loos, and half are very interested."
Many time-tested quality companies are within the top 50 ASX shares, known as the S&P/ASX 50 Index (ASX: XFL). On the flip side, I’d also argue there’s a fair number of mediocre to poor businesses within the mix that I’d rather not own.
Sure, I could buy the entire bunch through an exchange-traded fund (ETF) and call it a day. But I believe that a little fundamental analysis goes a long way. It doesn’t take a rocket scientist to work out that an extremely indebted business with declining revenue may not have as bright of a future as some of its peers.
I’ve flipped through the top 50 big dogs of Australian equities. After doing a little digging, two companies are a strong buy this month at the current prices, in my opinion.
Detecting for top value shares on the ASX
Being a stock picker is all about ‘finding value’ — discovering the companies with upside where others see none.
Uncovering a misunderstood business with solid fundamentals is the holy grail of stock picking. Investing in such a stock can grow a person’s wealth well beyond the market average.
I believe Aristocrat Leisure Limited (ASX: ALL) is one top ASX share that fits the bill this month.
A pioneer in gaming technology, Aristocrat knows the industry well. Yet, investors have shied away from this top ASX share amid softness in pokie machine sales. Concerns have pushed the Aristocrat Leisure price-to-earnings (P/E) ratio down to its lowest since 2020, during the pandemic, at around 18 times earnings.
A net cash position of $845 million, a net income margin of 21%, and an expanding presence in the United States haven’t won over the market. The chart below shows that shares in Aristocrat Leisure are flat versus a year ago.
In my opinion, Aristocrat Leisure has appealing fundamentals and a hard-to-ignore valuation.
Moving along, Origin Energy Ltd (ASX: ORG) is also catching my attention in May. The largest listed utility company on the Australian market might be up 18.8% over the last 12 months, but I still think there is value to be found.
First, Origin easily touts the healthiest balance sheet out of the three largest ASX utility companies. Debt-to-equity has been drastically reduced from 80% to 30% over the last decade. Whereas AGL Energy Ltd (ASX: AGL) has increased slightly (41% to 45%), and APA Group (ASX: APA) has ballooned (117% to 364%).
My two cents are that Origin Energy appears to be skillfully positioning itself for the energy transition. The combination of gas production, renewable energy assets, and its finger in smart grid technology via its Octopus Energy stake is a future-proof mix.
I think it’s an undervalued combination of assets, even at a market capitalisation of $17.1 billion.
Honourable mention goes to
I won’t be calling the bottom for Pilbara Minerals Ltd (ASX: PLS) just yet. Still, the most shorted stock on the ASX could be starting to show signs of value for anyone brave enough to face the ocean of short sellers.
Sitting on nearly $1.7 billion of net cash, the top ASX lithium share is positioned to ride out subdued lithium demand. Given the quality of its resources and low cost of production, Pilbara Minerals is one miner that can make it through the lull.
While I won’t be rushing out to buy shares in this lithium company, it’s certainly a top 50 ASX share I’ll watch closely.
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Indeed draws more than 250 million people from around the world each month, making it the largest job site.
SOPA Images / Getty Images
Careers site Indeed will lay off roughly 1,000 employees, or 8% of its workforce.
In a memo, CEO Chris Hyams said the company is profitable, but not set up for sustainable growth.
Hyams said the cuts are more targeted than last year's across-the-board reduction of 2,200 workers.
Careers site Indeed says it will lay off roughly 1,000 employees as it looks to simplify its organization.
In a memo released publicly on Monday, CEO Chris Hyams took responsibility for "how we got here," but said the company is not yet set up for growth after last year's global slowdown in hiring caused multiple quarters of declining sales.
Unlike last year's across-the-board reduction of 2,200 workers, Hyams said the latest cuts will be more concentrated in the US and primarily affect R&D and Go-to-Market teams.
The move is also aimed at reducing "too many organizational layers" at the company. That echoes Mark Zuckerberg's move last year, in which the Facebook cofounder said that he sought to "flatten" the org-chart at Meta.
"We have been working to simplify every aspect of our business, but without meaningful change, we can't get where we need to go," Hyams said.
Hyams also said the company worked with HR, Legal, and DEI teams to ensure that underrepresented groups were not disproportionately affected by the cuts.
The company will hold an internal town hall Tuesday and provide an updated org chart Wednesday, Hyams said.
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The best 50-inch TVs include models from brands like Hisense, TCL, Vizio, and LG.
Amazon
While big-screen TVs get a lot of attention, some spaces aren't large enough to fit a massive display. If you have a smaller living room or are shopping for a secondary TV to put in a bedroom, a 50-inch set is a great option. Though there are fewer midrange and high-end models to choose from at this size, the best 50-inch TVs still offer a reliable viewing experience, and they're often a lot more affordable than their larger counterparts.
Our top pick is the LG C3, one of the few OLED TVs you can buy in under 55 inches. When it comes to premium performance on smaller screens, this model is an outlier since it delivers top-notch contrast and perfect black levels in a compact form factor. But if you want a budget-friendly set, we recommend the Hisense U6HF, which has features like quantum dots and local dimming that are missing on most competing 50-inch displays in this price range.
Below, you can find all our picks for the best 50-inch TVs, including an entry-level LED display for casual viewing and a QLED designed with gaming in mind.
Note: LCD-based TVs (including LED and QLED models) are usually sold in a 50-inch screen size, while OLED TVs are sold in a slightly smaller 48-inch size. For that reason, we've included a 48-inch OLED in this guide.
The 48-inch LG C3 is the ideal TV for people who want a smaller display that doesn't skimp on picture quality. It uses an OLED panel, which is rare for TVs smaller than 55 inches. This type of screen gives it key benefits over the cheaper LED and QLED sets that round out the rest of our guide.
The C3 offers all the perks that OLED screens are known for, including pixel-level contrast control and wide viewing angles. On LED and QLED displays, black levels can look elevated when you watch TV with the lights off, and colors and contrast can distort if you sit to the side of the panel. But on the C3, black levels disappear into a dark room without any blooming around bright objects, and picture quality remains consistent even if you're off-center from the display.
The 48-inch C3's peak brightness of around 600 to 700 nits is very respectable, especially compared to other displays in the 48-to-50-inch class. Though Sony and Samsung sell brighter OLED TVs that use quantum dot filters, that feature is only available in larger sizes. Simply put, there are few TVs this small that look this good.
Outside picture performance, the C3 offers solid smart TV streaming via LG's webOS platform. The interface isn't our favorite, but it still provides reliable access to all of the best streaming services, along with built-in support for Alexa voice control. The C3 is equipped well for the latest consoles, too, with a 120Hz refresh rate that can support smooth gaming on a PS5 and Xbox Series X. However, unlike Samsung's OLED TVs, the C3 does not support a 144Hz refresh rate when paired with a PC.
At a typical sale price of just under $1,000, the C3 is pricey for a 48-inch TV, but the jump in picture quality you get over our other picks is substantial. Buyers should note that LG does sell a 2024 edition of this display, called the C4. The new model can get brighter, but it costs a lot more. For now, we think the C3 remains the better value for most people.
Best budget
Hisense's U6HF is an older version of its U6K QLED. The newer U6K is the top budget pick in most of our best TV guides, but it's unavailable in sizes under 55 inches. However, the U6HF is still sold in 50 inches, and it remains a great option for the money.
Like the U6K, the U6HF uses a QLED panel with quantum dots to produce a wide color gamut and a solid peak brightness of about 600 nits. It also has local dimming to help control the TV's contrast, enabling it to brighten and darken across specific areas. But unlike newer U6 TVs, this model uses regular-sized LEDs instead of Mini LEDs in its backlight. This means it has fewer zones to work with, which makes it a bit more prone to halos around bright objects on dark backgrounds.
Still, for the money, few 50-inch TVs can achieve this level of image quality. Most competing models at this price are missing local dimming entirely and many lack quantum dots as well, so they're limited to a more narrow range of colors.
However, the U6HF can't avoid other common pitfalls of TVs in this class. Most notably, it has subpar viewing angles, so contrast and colors fade if you sit off-center from the display. It's also limited to a 60Hz refresh rate, so you can't get high frame rate support when paired with a console or PC.
The U6HF uses the Fire TV interface and features Alexa voice control. Hisense used to sell a version of this set, simply called the U6H, that used Google TV instead, but that edition is now hard to find in stock. Though we prefer the Google TV model since it has more picture calibration options, there's no denying how much value this set offers. For a typical sale price of under $400, the U6HF is the best 50-inch TV you can snag on a budget.
Best entry-level
The TCL S4 is the best 50-inch TV for buyers who want an affordable display for casual viewing. This entry-level model lacks advanced picture quality features, but it's an inexpensive option for basic smart TV needs.
The S4 uses a regular LED panel without quantum dots or local dimming. This means it can't produce a wide color gamut, and it can't control its light output across different segments of its screen. As a result, black levels will veer toward gray or slightly blue when watching movies in a dark room, and HDR movies and shows won't play with the same peak brightness and color accuracy as they would on a QLED or OLED TV. And like most TVs in this class, viewing angles are poor, so colors will look faded if you sit to the side of the screen.
All those cons might make it sound like the S4 is a bad TV, but that's not really the case. It's just that this isn't a model geared toward videophiles, home theater buyers, or serious games. It cuts costs to offer the bare necessities for a decent image at an affordable price, and in that sense, it's a worthwhile set. This is a display meant for people who want a cheap but reliable 50-inch TV that gets the job done but nothing more.
The S4 is available in Roku TV, Fire TV, or Google TV variants, so you can choose which smart TV interface you like best. We like Roku for its simple navigation, but the Fire and Google options have the benefits of built-in support for Alexa or Google Assistant, respectively.
Best midrange for gaming
Vizio's MQX is designed with gaming in mind. This midrange TV is one of the few 50-inch QLED models available that supports a 120Hz refresh rate in 4K, and it can even support up to 240Hz if you game in 1080p on a computer.
This enables a smooth experience when you play games with frame rates higher than 60 frames per second on a PS5, Xbox Series X, or PC. The TV also uses a QLED panel with wide color support and local dimming to help control contrast and black levels. However, the display only uses 16 dimming zones, which is low and can cause more noticeable blooming (halos around bright objects) than you'd see on QLEDs with more zones or on OLED TVs with pixel-level contrast.
At a peak of around 400 to 500 nits, the MQX's brightness is decent for a TV in this class but a bit under the minimum of 600 nits that we recommend for entry-level high dynamic range performance. If you're buying a 50-inch TV with HDR movie-watching in mind, we think you're better off with the Hisense U6HF since it can get a little brighter and has double the number of dimming zones. However, the U6HF only has a 60Hz refresh rate, so the MQX has a clear edge when it comes to gaming. Both TVs have subpar viewing angles, so neither has an advantage there.
How we pick 50-inch TVs
To choose the best 50-inch TVs, we use a combination of testing and research bolstered by more than a decade's worth of expertise covering the home entertainment product industry.
When we test TVs, we usually evaluate 65-inch models since most brands consider that the flagship size. However, if a specific TV model is offered in multiple sizes, that model's overall performance usually remains similar across different sizes. For example, a 48-inch LG C3 OLED and a 65-inch C3 OLED have the same basic specs and features. The only major differences are the sizes of their screens and their peak brightness.
However, it is important to note that the best 50-inch TVs with have local dimming, like the Hisense U6HF and Vizio QMX, use fewer dimming zones in their smaller variations versus larger options. This can result in differences in contrast performance when comparing a 50-inch model to another size. Sometimes, there are bigger variations in features and design across sizes, so we note those instances when they pop up.
When evaluating TVs, we consider factors like clarity/sharpness, contrast, peak HDR brightness, color gamut, off-angle viewing, refresh rate, smart TV interface, and general value for the money. We use an X-Rite iDisplay Plus colorimeter to assess brightness when we review a TV and use test patterns on the Spears & Munsil UHD HDR Benchmark 4K Blu-ray disc to check other objective image elements.
We also watch plenty of real-world content on every TV we test and get a feel for what it's like to use a TV daily. We play key scenes from movies and TV shows to examine local dimming, HDR performance, upscaling, and more. Sources include Blu-ray discs, streaming services, and live TV in various levels of quality, from standard definition to 4K. Testing is conducted in bright and dark rooms to see how TVs perform in different conditions.
50-inch TV FAQs
Most 50-inch TVs range in price from $200 to $1,000.
Vizio
Is 50 inches a good size for a TV?
The best 50-inch TVs are a good option for buyers who need a compact display for a smaller room, but the selection of midrange and high-end TVs offered in this size is limited compared to what you'd find when shopping for a larger display.
For instance, many of the best OLED TVs are only available in 55, 65, and 77 inches. Likewise, several of our favorite QLED TVs from brands like Hisense and TCL, like the U7K and QM8, are unavailable in 50 inches.
However, there are a few high-end exceptions, like our top pick in this guide, the LG C3, one of the few OLED TVs made in smaller sizes. But generally speaking, most 50-inch TVs are built with entry-level and lower-midrange performance in mind.
If you want a larger selection of mid-tier and premium display models to choose from, check out our guides focusing on larger TVs:
The best 50-inch TVs will set you back between $200 to $1,000, depending on what type of display you buy.
Entry-level LED models from value-friendly brands like TCL, Hisense, and Vizio can be found for around $200 to $250. These options are good for casual viewing but often lack advanced features like quantum dots and local dimming. Lower-midrange QLED sets range from $300 to $550, and these options will deliver better color, higher contrast, and brighter panels. However, many of our favorite upper-midrange QLED models are unavailable in 50 inches.
Likewise, high-end 50-inch TVs are hard to come by, but you can find a couple of OLED models, like the LG C3, and top-tier QLED models, like the Samsung QN90C, in this size for around $1,000 to $1,200.
Is 4K worth it on a 50-inch TV?
Though the benefits of 4K resolution are best appreciated on larger TV sets, 50 inches is still big enough to make 4K worthwhile, especially if you plan to sit close to your display.
However, the debate about whether 4K is worth it on a TV this size has become a moot point since major brands no longer sell 50-inch HDTVs. Most HDTV models are now restricted to 43 inches and under. If you're buying a 50-inch or larger TV in 2024, 4K is the standard.
For more 4K display recommendations in multiple sizes, check out our guide to the best 4K TVs.
Recessions can wreak havoc on your share portfolio. They are a sign that the economy is contracting, and business conditions are getting tougher. Unemployment is high, consumer confidence is low, and households are finding it harder to pay their bills. Some companies, particularly junior companies with high debt, might even go kaput. Share prices, on the whole, are in the toilet.
Sounds scary, right?
Well, don’t get too despondent. There are some quick and easy ways to recession-proof your ASX share portfolio. In this article, I’ll cover 3 of them.
Diversify
The quickest and easiest way for any investor to recession-proof their portfolio is simply through diversification. Spreading your investments out over a range of different companies, industries, and even asset classes is one of the easiest ways to ensure your portfolio can ride out a recession.
At heart, diversification relies on the fact that, depending on the nature of their business operations, different shares will respond differently to the same macroeconomic event. One share might increase in price, while another might fall. If you only own one, there’s a 50% chance you’ll lose money. But if you owned both, you’ll have a better chance of coming out even â or maybe even on top. Either way, being diversified has limited your downside risk.
For example, a higher global oil price is a risk for airlines because it increases fuel costs â bad news for you, too, if you’re a Qantas Airways Limited (ASX: QAN) shareholder. But if you also had some stock in an oil company like Woodside Energy Group Ltd (ASX: WDS), which will benefit from higher oil prices, you could potentially offset some (or maybe even all) of the losses on your Qantas shares.
The same holds true in a recession. Although a recession will likely cause share prices to fall pretty much right across the board â and may even result in a prolonged bear market â not all shares will be impacted equally. Some will fall a lot less than others, and a lucky few might even rise. This means that an investor with a diversified portfolio has a much better chance of limiting their downside losses and beating the market.
Buy some defensive shares
It’s all good to diversify, but if you want to recession-proof your portfolio, you need to diversify in the right places. And one of the best places to start is defensive shares.
Defensive shares are a group of shares that tend to outperform in an economic downturn. These are companies that people view as being essential, like consumer staples, healthcare, and utilities. Even when times are tough, households still spend money on them, which allows these companies to continue to be relatively profitable, even in a recession.
There are differing opinions about what makes an ideal defensive share, and you never quite know how a stock will really perform under pressure. But some common ASX examples include supermarket chain Woolworths Group Ltd (ASX: WOW), telco Telstra Group Ltd (ASX: TLS), and toll road operator Transurban Group (ASX: TCL).
Buy safe-haven assets
Investing a portion of your portfolio in safe-haven assets is probably the best way to protect your portfolio from a recession. Throughout history, safe-haven assets have proven themselves to be the most reliable stores of value. In other words, the prices of these assets don’t decline (in fact, they may even rise) during a financial crisis.
Safe haven assets include some major global currencies (like the Swiss franc or the US dollar â the jury’s still out on Bitcoin), government bonds, and precious metals. But the granddaddy of all safe-haven assets is gold.
Adding some gold exposure to your portfolio has never been easier â check out our useful guide for investing in gold if you want some tips. One great option for ASX investors to access gold is through an exchange-traded fund (ETF) like the Global X Physical Gold ETF (ASX: GOLD). And because the fund is backed by physical gold (as opposed to futures contracts), the Global X ETF returns should replicate those of gold quite closely.
The Foolish bottom line
There are some easy ways you can fortify your portfolio against the adverse effects of a recession. In this article, I’ve covered diversification, defensive shares, and safe-haven assets.
However, also keep in mind that you are giving up some growth opportunities by investing only in defensive shares and safe haven assets. These are low-risk, low-reward investments. So, although these assets are more likely to outperform in a recession, they are almost certain to underperform when the economy is booming.
A well-balanced portfolio that caters to your personal risk appetite and growth objectives is the optimal scenario. So, at the end of the day, don’t fixate too much on recession risks â you want a portfolio that can benefit when the economy is strong too!
Wondering where you should invest $1,000 right now?
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Motley Fool contributor Rhys Brock has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has positions in and has recommended Transurban Group. The Motley Fool Australia has positions in and has recommended Telstra Group. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.
Tesla is walking back offers of employment for full time staff.
Brandon Bell via Getty Images
Tesla is rescinding job offers for incoming full-time employees.
The move is part of broader cuts at Tesla, which plans to eliminate over 10% of its workforce.
The company began rescinding internship offers shortly after the layoffs started.
Tesla has begun clawing back job offers for incoming full time employees, according to two sources with knowledge of the issue, amid sweeping job cuts at the EV maker.
"Tesla has made changes to our hiring growth plans," emails sent from Tesla to the workers and seen by Business Insidersaid. "Unfortunately, this change impacts your future employment with the company. We regret to inform you that we have made the difficult decision to rescind your offer of employment with Tesla. This means that you will no longer be joining the company on the previously agreed start date. We understand the inconvenience this may cause; this was not an easy decision. We will circulate your credentials internally should there be an opportunity for you to join the company in the future."
Two other workers posted online about having their full-time offers rescinded, including one who wrote on social media that Tesla walked back their offer two days before their start date after they'd entered the US on a work visa.
The rescinded offers are part of broader cuts at the company. On April 15, CEO Elon Musk told staff that Tesla planned to eliminate more than 10% of its workforce in preparation for the next growth phase.
Tesla also sent out another round of layoff notices over the weekend, according to four people impacted by the cuts. Workers at the automaker are entering their fifth straight week of layoff notices.
A spokesperson for Tesla did not immediately respond to a request for comment from BI.