My name is Porter Stansberry.

I'm the founder of one of the largest financial research firms in the world.

Over the last 26 years, we've helped investors navigate almost every major economic cycle, and we've been on the forefront of every big financial story from the rise of Bitcoin and mRNA vaccines to robotics and artificial intelligence.

But today, I'm breaking what I believe is the biggest story of my career.

Because one of the most famous historians alive — a man whose books have sold over 45 million copies in 65 languages — recently issued a warning that should stop every American dead in their tracks.

He warned of a coming wave that would create what he calls the "Useless Class."

Not the unemployed. The unemployable.

An entire segment of American society — including many white-collar professionals who earn six figures — rendered permanently irrelevant.

Not by a recession. Not by a policy mistake. But by a structural shift so large, so fast, and so irreversible that it has only one historical parallel.

1776.

That is not hyperbole.

As you'll see today, the last, and only, time a force this powerful reshaped the economic order was 250 years ago.

Now, on the eve of America's 250th anniversary, it's happening again.

One famous Stanford economist is even calling it:

"The biggest change ever… bigger than electricity… bigger than the steam engine."

And the aftershock could reset not just your personal wealth, but the entire U.S. economic system — how you work, how you earn, how you protect everything you've built.

Because as you'll discover, everything from the government quietly taking stakes in companies like Intel, Lithium Americas, and MP Materials…

To Trump's moves on Venezuela and Greenland… his never-ending executive orders… and his increasingly centralized grip over the economy…

All the way to the surging popularity of radical socialist politicians like Bernie Sanders, AOC, and Zohran Mamdani…

It's all deeply connected. All part of the same story.

A story that one Nobel Prize winner says is dividing not just the economy but our entire society.

And whether you end up on the winning side of this moment – or find yourself part of the historian's "Useless Class" – comes down to the decisions you make starting now.

The stocks to buy… the stocks to sell… and the three money moves to ensure you and your loved ones aren't left behind by what's coming.

It's all laid out here.

Good investing,

Porter Stansberry

3 Companies That Could Thrive While the Fed Holds Rates Steady

Written by Nathan Reiff. Article Posted: 8/11/2026.

Though many investors started 2026 assuming that the Federal Reserve would eventually lower interest rates, another trajectory has emerged amid conflict in the Middle East and renewed inflation concerns. The Fed has appeared comfortable keeping interest rates elevated until inflation can be brought under control, and some analysts have even predicted that rate increases could be in store. The Fed kept its benchmark rate in a target range of 3.5% to 3.75% at its July 29 meeting, while three voting members preferred a quarter-point increase. Fortunately, some companies have consistent cash flow, strong balance sheets and limited dependence on inexpensive financing. Those traits can matter even more when rates remain steady or rise.

That shifts the focus away from companies waiting for borrowing costs to ease and toward companies that can continue compounding without help from lower rates. Businesses tied to transaction volume, recurring revenue or essential demand are better positioned than those whose growth depends on cheaper financing.

Visa's Execution Continues Despite Interest Rates

Few companies in or adjacent to the financial sector are as insulated from interest-rate changes as Visa Inc. (NYSE: V). Banks that make loans or take on credit risk are heavily affected by these changes. Visa, on the other hand, collects fees from each transaction consumers or businesses make on its payment network.

This transaction-fee model has allowed Visa to generate consistent revenue and earnings growth even as the broader economic environment shifts. With the secular shift toward cashless payments worldwide and the continued growth in cross-border payment volumes, Visa is a prime beneficiary.

A look at Visa's latest earnings report helps confirm that trend. For Q3 2026, the company reported strong net revenue growth of 14% year over year (YOY), alongside earnings per share (EPS) growth of 11% over the same period; both topped analyst expectations. The growth was driven by 10% increases in payments volume and processed transactions. What's more, the company has benefited from a combination of improving commercial payments volume, Visa Direct transaction growth and increased revenue from value-added services. It is not relying on a single part of its business to fuel gains.

Visa's excellent financial profile, including robust free cash flow, allows it to pay a stable dividend while also making aggressive share repurchases and ongoing investments in new technologies to support its growing payments network. This could be why the company has 31 Buy ratings and not a single Sell or Hold, signaling unanimous analyst support.

Spotify Combines Financial Improvement With a Loyal Premium Subscriber Base

Spotify Technology (NYSE: SPOT) is the dominant music-streaming platform, with a market capitalization close to $100 billion. The company spent years prioritizing subscriber growth over profitability, but significant improvements in operating efficiency have led to stronger financial results, even as many artists have spoken out against the company's payment practices.

In the company's Q2 2026 earnings report, Spotify highlighted several improvements, including 14% YOY revenue growth, a 21% YOY increase in gross profit and gross margins that rose to 33.4% from 31.5% a year earlier. Free cash flow also climbed 14% YOY to 797 million euros, or approximately $920 million. These results were driven by a combination of improving profitability and subscriber growth, with total monthly active users climbing 12% YOY.

What helps Spotify thrive despite higher interest rates is the combination of margin, earnings and free cash flow gains with continued Premium subscriber growth, a sign that customers have generally accepted the company's price increases. Subscription-based models like Spotify's generate predictable recurring revenue, while the company's advertising arm provides an additional avenue for longer-term growth.

An impressive 20 out of 26 analysts have rated SPOT shares a Buy, and the company has nearly 25% upside potential.

UnitedHealth Stands Out for Stability Despite Medicaid, Reimbursement Hurdles

As one of the most defensive sectors, health care includes companies that are practically built for high-rate environments. UnitedHealth Group Inc. (NYSE: UNH), a major diversified health care company, stands out for its reliability.

Because health care utilization tends to remain mostly stable throughout economic cycles, a company like UNH can generate steady revenue regardless of interest-rate movements. This is not to discount the impact of reimbursement trends, regulatory changes and other factors, though these challenges can often be managed by a company of UNH's size and scope.

This is perhaps why UNH was recently able to raise its full-year 2026 outlook for adjusted EPS and operating earnings even as commercial medical costs remain elevated and Medicaid remains under significant pressure. It could also explain why the company retains strong analyst support, with 22 Buys against five Holds, despite those external challenges.