Ford Could Make $500 Million From AI. Is Now the Time to Buy?

I’m Raising Young Kids While Losing My Dad to Alzheimer’s

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June 20, 2026

I'm Raising Young Kids While Losing My Dad to Alzheimer's

In December 2018, my mom sent a group text to hop on a call. She was holding the results of my dad’s test. He has asked my mom to deliver the news.

My dad, who spent his entire life showing up for other people, couldn’t bring himself to deliver the news to his kids. His cognitive test came to 17 out of 30.

By November 2019, the results were official. I was living in Brooklyn, eight months pregnant with my first baby, standing in my kitchen with my husband making dinner, when we got the call. My dad had Alzheimer’s.

He was 66 when he was diagnosed

My dad was a quiet man. Deeply humble. A highly respected otolaryngologist who built a free clinic for people without health insurance, traveled to Guatemala to build an orphanage and provide medical care for remote villages, and volunteered at the local homeless shelter. He did it all without fanfare.

The author’s dad was an otolaryngologist.

Courtesy of the author

He kept his emotions to himself, but he read and wrote constantly. Journals, notes, and margins filled with his thoughts. Writing was his private place to process the world. And exercise was his outlet for mental health. He had a place for everything. Told us we’d never lose something if we always put it back. I hear his voice every time I repeat it as I’m cleaning up with my kids.

He was healthy. And only six years into his early retirement, at age 66, he faced Alzheimer’s.

My dad did so many great things quietly. And it wasn’t until I sat down at his desk that I realized how much more there was about him I didn’t know.

My dad is losing himself

Last Thanksgiving, we went back to my childhood home to clean it out before the sale. I asked my dad if he wanted to go through his desk together. He looked at a few papers and quietly walked away. So I sat down on the floor next to it.

A big white desk, neat the way he always kept everything. A corkboard covered in cards, phrases, and sayings. Trinkets from his hospital office. A whole life, carefully arranged.

The author is stuck in the sandwich years.

Courtesy of the author

I started opening folders. Each one had a very specific title: quotes, book ideas, Bible study, purpose of life, patient thank-yous. I read everything he wrote, underlined, circled, scribbled in the margins. I had become his memory holder, discovering him in a way I couldn’t get from our conversations anymore. And there was so much more I wanted to learn about him.

My dad was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s when I was pregnant with my first child. Now I’m pregnant again with my third, raising two kids who are discovering themselves, while caring for a dad who is losing himself.

I am parenting in both directions

At dinner, I’m cutting up food for my 3-year-old, reminding him to sit and eat. Then turning to do the same for my dad.

I’m signing my kids up for school and setting up care for my dad.

Making sure everyone is safe, fed, and not left alone. Witnessing development and decline simultaneously. I feel like I need to be in two places at once, because sometimes life actually depends on it.

My dad no longer creates interactions naturally. So I curate them. I put toys on the table. I place Beckett next to Papa with a book. I cling to the five minutes they have together before someone loses interest.

The author sets up activities for her dad and kids.

Courtesy of the author

When my dad colors with my 6-year-old, my mind flashes between the respected surgeon he was and the man struggling to stay within the lines. Violet looks up and asks why Papa colors like that. I tell her that’s how creativity looks; everyone does it differently. Protecting my dad from shame and interpreting for my daughter.

My kids see his quirks as cute and funny, and I try to see them that way too. But when we are alone, they ask harder questions. Will you get old like Papa? Why does Papa put his knife in his water? I’ve become the translator of confusing behavior.

I’m stuck between beginnings and endings

Last summer at my childhood lake house, my parents could only stay a short while. When it was time to leave, our whole family stood in the driveway. We watched their car pull away. Just as my kids are starting to make memories there, I don’t think my dad will ever come back. And as chapters are opening in my life, I am constantly closing others in his. Stretched between beginnings and endings.

The author wears a facade so her dad doesn’t see her sad all the time.

Courtesy of the author

Most days, I wear a facade, mourning privately while performing stability publicly. I don’t want my dad to see me always sad. I want my kids to feel the joy of being together. So I hold it.

But one night after my parents left our house, I was putting the kids to bed, crying. Violet asked me why. I told her I was sad about Papa.

She looked at me and said, “Mom, let me tell you something. You have a heart, and Papa is going to look in there.”

I hugged her a little tighter and whispered, “You’re right.”

My dad used to say relationships are everything. I’m making sure my kids know it too.

Ripple gains academic recognition as XRPL activity grows – Will utility help XRP?

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June 20, 2026

Ripple gains academic recognition as XRPL activity grows - Will utility help XRP?

XRP is gaining academic attention as researchers now study tokens as working parts of digital platforms.

Instead of merely investigating the pricing value of these tokens, a June 2026 working paper from the Hong Kong Institute for Monetary and Financial Research (HKIMR) used Ripple [XRP] as an example of “token embedding” within a tokenized economy.

In addition to providing evidence of how XRP has lowered the cost of cross-border settlements and payments through the XRP Ledger.

This working paper demonstrated a paradigm shift toward understanding the practical application of digital tokens in creating a better overall economic system.

Furthermore, placing XRP alongside other major platforms such as Ethereum [ETH] demonstrates its relevance to the broader discussion regarding blockchain-based economies.

Therefore, while recognition does not necessarily equate to adoption, it does demonstrate that there is going to be increasing interest in the uses and applications of XRP in a long-term economic environment.

Payment activity supports XRP growth

XRP’s role within cross-border payments is still drawing attention from institutions looking for faster and cheaper settlement infrastructures. Transactions settle on the XRPL in about 3 to 5 seconds, while the transaction fees hover around 0.0002.

Moreover, increased use of the XRPL has led to increased network activity, with some days printing between 2.7 and 3 million transactions.

Institutional interest has grown beyond payments. Spot XRP ETFs have gained over $1 billion in net inflow since their launch as institutions hold around 927 million XRP.

The academic attention and the ETF’s growth nuance the growth, but further growth will be dependent upon increasing payment volume, treasury allocation, and actual physical infrastructure development across the XRPL ecosystem.

Ecosystem growth reinforces XRP’s utility case

As the growing academic interest in XRP increases awareness of the asset, ecosystem growth portrays the clear picture of adoption of the token. Ripple USD [RLUSD] has expanded across the XRPL network resulting to billions of dollars of transfer volume per month.

Moreover, tokenized real-world assets reached a high of $2.25 billion during Q1 2026. TRWA experienced a 124% increase in their total amount for one quarter. As the levels of liquidity continue to grow and expand, so too does the importance of XRP being used for settlements.

More to that, the number of transactions hiked by 35% even as XRP faced downward price pressure.

This divergence suggests utility continues expanding. Therefore, long-term value depends less on recognition and more on sustained economic activity across the XRPL ecosystem.

Final Summary

Ripple is gaining academic and institutional recognition, yet sustained adoption still depends on real-world network usage.
XRP ecosystem growth, rising transaction activity, and expanding tokenization continue strengthening its utility-driven narrative.

Should You Buy Abbott Labs Stock Hand Over Fist Before July 16?

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June 20, 2026

Should You Buy Abbott Labs Stock Hand Over Fist Before July 16?

Abbott Laboratories (NYSE: ABT) reports second-quarter earnings on July 16, and some investors are trying to determine whether to buy the stock before the report is released or wait for the results.

But you can’t make a proper determination about this without first understanding what drives Abbot’s growth. So let’s take a closer look.

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The diversification factor

Unlike some healthcare companies that depend heavily on a single blockbuster product, Abbott operates across four major business segments: medical devices, diagnostics, nutrition, and established pharmaceuticals. That diversification has helped the company remain resilient through changing healthcare and economic environments for nearly 50 years.

Now the company’s largest growth engine is its medical device business. During Q1, medical device revenue reached approximately $5.5 billion, accounting for roughly half of Abbott’s total sales. Within that segment, diabetes care continues to stand out.

Abbott’s FreeStyle Libre continuous glucose monitoring platform generated roughly $2 billion in quarterly sales. Libre has become one of the most widely used glucose-monitoring systems in the world, with more than 7 million users across over 60 countries. This is not insignificant as diabetes remains one of the fastest-growing chronic diseases globally.

The International Diabetes Federation’s data indicate more than 589 million adults worldwide are currently living with diabetes, a figure expected to exceed 850 million by 2050. As adoption of continuous glucose monitoring technology expands, Abbott has a significant opportunity to continue growing this franchise.

Heart repair sales are increasing

Abbot’s cardiovascular business is also contributing, with its structural heart segment generating roughly $578 million in Q1 revenue. Products such as MitraClip and TriClip are helping the company capture a growing share of the minimally invasive heart repair market, which analysts expect to expand significantly over the next decade as populations age.

Image source: Getty Images.

Beyond devices, Abbott also continues to generate steady revenue from diagnostics and nutrition. Its diagnostics segment produced approximately $2.1 billion in Q1 sales, while nutrition generated about $2 billion. Brands such as Ensure, Glucerna, Pedialyte, and Similac continue providing recurring revenue streams that help offset fluctuations elsewhere in the business.

What to watch for on July 16

First, FreeStyle Libre growth will likely be front and center. The platform has become one of Abbott’s most important products, and you’ll want to see whether sales growth remains above 20%. Because if that growth rate begins to slow, investors may start questioning how much longer Abbott can rely on its diabetes care business to drive overall revenue and earnings growth. I’m not particularly concerned about it, but it would be foolish to ignore this possibility, however small it may be.

Second, updates on the company’s cardiovascular device portfolio could be important. Abbott has invested heavily in structural heart technologies, and continued adoption of these products could support years of future growth. Third, pay close attention to guidance.

Management’s outlook for the remainder of 2026 may ultimately matter more than whether the company beats quarterly estimates by a few cents. While a small earnings beat might move the stock temporarily, changes to full-year guidance can signal whether growth in key businesses like FreeStyle Libre and cardiovascular devices is accelerating or slowing, which has a much bigger impact on the company’s long-term value.

Competition remains intense

While Abbott is no slouch, it still faces stiff competition. DexCom continues to compete aggressively in continuous glucose monitoring, while a number of other medical device companies are pursuing opportunities in cardiovascular care and diagnostics.

Still, Abbott’s strengths are difficult to ignore. The company has increased its dividend for more than 50 consecutive years, making it a member of the Dividend Kings. It generated nearly $9.57 billion in free cash flow during 2025 and maintains one of the strongest balance sheets in the healthcare sector. That’s why focusing too heavily on a single earnings report may be missing the bigger picture.

Could the stock move after July 16? Absolutely. Earnings surprises often create short-term volatility. But Abbott’s long-term investment case isn’t built on one quarter. It’s built on a diversified healthcare business, a market-leading diabetes franchise, growing cardiovascular device sales, and the financial resources to continue investing in innovation.

If you’re in it for the long haul, those factors are probably more important than whatever happens on July 16.

Should you buy stock in Abbott Laboratories right now?

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Jeff Siegel has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has positions in and recommends Abbott Laboratories. The Motley Fool recommends DexCom and recommends the following options: long January 2027 $65 calls on DexCom and short January 2027 $75 calls on DexCom. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.

Should You Buy Abbott Labs Stock Hand Over Fist Before July 16? was originally published by The Motley Fool

Is Cosan (CSAN) One of the Penny Stocks With Explosive Growth Potential?

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June 20, 2026

Is Cosan (CSAN) One of the Penny Stocks With Explosive Growth Potential?

Cosan (NYSE:CSAN) is one of the penny stocks with explosive growth potential. On May 14, Cosan announced its Q1 2026 earnings report, with a net loss of R$1.6 billion, an improvement from the R$1.8 billion loss in the same period last year. The results were impacted by R$1 billion in costs from early bond prepayments, though these were balanced by improved performance across the company’s investment portfolio.

The company ended the quarter with an expanded net debt of R$11.5 billion, an 18% increase from the previous quarter. This rise is primarily attributed to lower dividend inflows and one-time payments related to debt management. However, when compared to Q1 2025, net debt has decreased by 34% due to capitalization efforts completed late last year.

Operating metrics show steady growth in Adjusted EBITDA across several business segments, with Rumo and Compass reporting gains of 7% and 2%, respectively. Meanwhile, the Debt Service Coverage Ratio/DSCR declined to 0.4x, largely due to the shift in the trailing twelve-month period excluding previous capital reduction effects from Compass.

Is Cosan (CSAN) One of the Penny Stocks With Explosive Growth Potential?

photo by Business-laptop-campaign-creators on Unsplash

Cosan (NYSE:CSAN) is engaged in the fuel distribution business and in the production of bioethanol, sugar, and energy. The company operates through five segments: Raízen, Compass, Moove, Rumo, and Radar.

While we acknowledge the potential of CSAN as an investment, we believe certain AI stocks offer greater upside potential and carry less downside risk. If you’re looking for an extremely undervalued AI stock that also stands to benefit significantly from Trump-era tariffs and the onshoring trend, see our free report on the best short-term AI stock.

Disclosure: None. Follow Insider Monkey on Google News.

Polkadot sentiment crashes to monthly lows: Will extreme fear help DOT rebound?

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June 20, 2026

Polkadot sentiment crashes to monthly lows: Will extreme fear help DOT rebound?

Polkadot [DOT] returned to the center of crypto discussions, though not for the reasons bulls would have preferred.

Growing concerns about adoption, competition, and long-term growth prospects dominated conversations, pushing sentiment toward fear levels rarely seen in recent months.

Traders increasingly questioned whether Polkadot could convert its strong developer activity into stronger user growth and price performance.

The shift in sentiment became evident over the past month.

On the 18th of May, DOT recorded a bullish comment ratio of 6.39. By the 18th of June, however, that figure had fallen to just 1.18, marking a sharp deterioration in confidence.

The reading also remained well below the 3.0 crowd-greed threshold, placing sentiment firmly in fear territory. Despite the negativity, discussion volume remained elevated, making DOT one of crypto’s most debated assets.

DOT outflows persisted despite growing attention

Exchange flow data showed capital continued leaving exchanges despite the increase in social activity surrounding DOT.

At the time of writing, Spot inflows reached approximately $718,980, while outflows totaled about $787,370. This left a negative netflow of roughly $68,390.

The imbalance suggested holders continued withdrawing slightly more tokens than they deposited onto trading platforms.

Although persistent outflows can reflect reduced selling intentions, the margin between inflows and outflows remained relatively small.

As a result, exchange activity did not point to aggressive accumulation or heavy distribution.

Instead, investors appeared cautious while monitoring whether Polkadot’s growing visibility could translate into stronger market demand.

DOT defend support but resistance remain intact

At the time of press, DOT traded near $0.966 after stabilizing above the $0.916 support level that halted its recent decline.

Buyers prevented a deeper breakdown and helped price recover modestly from June lows. However, DOT remained below the key $1.044 resistance zone, leaving the broader structure under pressure.

The DMI indicator showed bearish control persisted despite signs of stabilization. The ADX stood at 32.70, confirming a strong prevailing trend.

Meanwhile, the -DI measured 22.78, comfortably above the +DI reading of 12.18, indicating sellers still held the advantage.

If buyers reclaim $1.044, sentiment could improve further. Yet a break below $0.916 would likely place renewed pressure on the market.

Liquidity zones highlight the next targets

Liquidation data revealed notable liquidity concentrations above and below the current price. The strongest upside cluster sat between $0.98 and $1.00, creating a potential attraction zone if buyers extended the recovery.

Another significant liquidity pocket appeared near $1.008, reinforcing resistance overhead. Below the market, substantial liquidity remained concentrated around $0.94 and $0.93.

These levels could attract price if support weakened and sellers regained control. The heatmap therefore presented a balanced setup rather than a clearly directional one.

Should DOT move above $0.98, liquidity around $1.00 could come into focus. If bearish pressure strengthens, the clusters below current price could become the next downside targets.

Final Summary

Polkadot remained heavily discussed even as investor confidence weakened sharply.
DOT held key support, but resistance continued limiting recovery attempts.

AI is making crypto security cheaper, faster and harder to ignore

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June 20, 2026

Solana, Sui and Aptos wallet data targeted in TrapDoor package attack

Urbelis said he believes AI could eventually reshape the standard of care around smart contract development. Historically, teams could point to the cost and complexity of audits as a reason certain reviews were not performed. That argument becomes more difficult when sophisticated security analysis is available on demand.

“A clean AI report will be seen as no defense,” he said. “A plaintiff may well argue it the other way: the tool existed, it was cheap, and you should have caught it.”

The prospect raises broader questions for the industry: if AI-powered security reviews become ubiquitous, will investors expect them before funding projects, and could failing to run AI-assisted audits eventually be viewed as negligence?

Despite the technology’s promise, neither researcher said he believes AI is poised to replace human auditors.

While machines excel at identifying coding flaws, Urbelis said they remain weaker at spotting the economic and incentive-based vulnerabilities that have contributed to some of crypto’s largest losses. “The bugs that drain treasuries often turn on intent and adversarial incentives,” he said. “Those still need an experienced human in the room.”

Schwed offered a similar warning. “‘Claude, audit my smart contract, make no mistakes’ is not a security program,” he said. “If the person running the tool can’t evaluate what comes back, you haven’t bought security, you’ve bought a false sense of it.”