BOSTON — Hall of Famer Kevin McHale, a cornerstone of the Boston Celtics’ 1980s dynasty alongside Larry Bird, believes his former teammate would outperform Los Angeles Lakers star Luka Doncic in the modern NBA, citing Bird’s greater size, strength, speed and competitiveness.

McHale made the comments in a recent interview with The Boston Globe, reflecting on how current NBA defenders struggle against Doncic and imagining Bird’s even greater impact. The remarks have sparked debate among fans and analysts about generational talent comparisons in a league transformed by spacing, analytics and rule changes favoring offensive creativity.

“These are the same dudes that can’t guard Luka Doncic, and Luka Doncic is lighting them up,” McHale said. “And I’m thinking, ‘Larry is bigger, stronger, faster, and meaner than Luka Doncic. And if Luka is lighting these dudes up, it’d be a five-alarm fire what Larry would do.’”

McHale continued his praise for Bird’s physical attributes and driving ability. “Larry would go by you a hell of a lot faster than Luka would go by you. He was a straight-line driver, and he was also just a horse.”

Bird’s Legendary Career and Legacy

Larry Bird, widely regarded as one of the greatest players in NBA history, anchored the Celtics during their dominant run in the 1980s. The 6-foot-9 forward won three NBA championships with Boston in 1981, 1984 and 1986, earning three consecutive Most Valuable Player awards from 1984 to 1986 — a feat matched by only Bill Russell and Wilt Chamberlain.

Known for his exceptional shooting, court vision, clutch performances and fierce competitiveness, Bird thrived in an era of physical, bruising basketball. His rivalry with Magic Johnson and the Lakers defined the decade, elevating the league’s popularity. McHale, a fellow Hall of Famer and three-time champion, played alongside Bird and witnessed his dominance firsthand.

Bird’s all-around game made him a versatile threat capable of scoring from anywhere, passing with precision and rebounding effectively despite not relying on explosive athleticism. His mental toughness and trash-talking added to his aura, often willing his team to victories in high-stakes moments.

Luka Doncic’s Rise and Current Form

Luka Doncic, the 27-year-old Slovenian phenom now with the Lakers, has established himself as one of the NBA’s premier players. In the 2025-26 season, he led the league in scoring for the second time in three years, averaging 33.5 points per game while adding 7.7 rebounds and 8.3 assists.

A six-time All-NBA selection, Doncic has dazzled with his step-back threes, playmaking vision and ability to create offense in isolation or pick-and-roll situations. Though he has yet to win an NBA title or MVP award, his European success with Real Madrid and consistent excellence have drawn comparisons to legendary forwards like Bird due to similarities in style — both excel as big guards/forwards with elite basketball IQ and scoring versatility despite lacking elite vertical explosiveness.

Doncic’s transition to the Lakers has brought new expectations, pairing him with veterans in pursuit of championship contention. His ability to “light up” defenses, as McHale noted, highlights his mastery in today’s spacing-oriented, three-point-heavy game.

The Generational Comparison Debate

McHale’s comments tap into ongoing discussions about how all-time greats would fare in the modern NBA. Rule changes emphasizing perimeter play, freedom of movement and reduced physicality could theoretically benefit skilled players like Bird, who possessed elite fundamentals.

Analysts often note stylistic parallels between Bird and Doncic: both are crafty operators who use pace, fakes and anticipation rather than raw speed. However, McHale argues Bird’s physical edge — described as being “bigger, stronger, faster, and meaner” — would amplify his effectiveness against contemporary defenders.

Critics of such hypotheticals point out the evolution of training, nutrition and strategy, which might level the playing field. Yet Celtics loyalists and older observers frequently champion Bird’s unmatched competitive fire and versatility.

Context Within Celtics and Lakers History

The Celtics-Lakers rivalry adds intrigue to McHale’s remarks. Bird’s battles against Magic Johnson’s Lakers in the 1980s produced some of the NBA’s most memorable Finals. Today, with Doncic in purple and gold, the franchises’ legacies continue to intersect.

McHale’s perspective carries weight as a direct contemporary of Bird. As a forward known for his low-post mastery and defensive prowess, he contributed significantly to three titles and later coached in the league, providing a broad view of its evolution.

Broader NBA Landscape in 2026

The 2025-26 season has featured shifts, with Doncic’s scoring title underscoring individual brilliance amid team pursuits. The Lakers, bolstered by his presence, eye deeper playoff runs, while the Celtics remain a benchmark for sustained excellence.

Discussions like McHale’s enrich fan engagement, blending nostalgia with current stars. They highlight how the NBA’s product has changed — from hand-checking eras to perimeter emphasis — while core elements of skill and will endure.

Younger fans defend Doncic’s unprecedented production at his age, while veterans emphasize intangibles that defined players like Bird. Such debates drive viewership and analysis across platforms.

Impact and Reactions

McHale’s interview has circulated widely, prompting responses from analysts and social media users. Some praise it as insightful tribute to Bird’s greatness, while others view it as generational bias common among former players.

Regardless, it underscores Bird’s enduring legacy. Even decades later, his name surfaces in conversations about the best to ever play, a testament to his impact on and off the court.

For Doncic, being measured against legends like Bird affirms his elite status while motivating further growth. His continued development could fuel more such comparisons in coming seasons.

As the NBA evolves with new talents and strategies, perspectives from icons like McHale provide valuable context. They remind observers that while statistics and styles shift, the essence of competition remains rooted in players who elevate their games and teams through exceptional skill and determination.

Bird’s hypothetical dominance in today’s league, as envisioned by McHale, paints a picture of a transcendent talent whose blend of physicality, savvy and heart would indeed set defenses ablaze. Whether one agrees or not, the discussion celebrates basketball excellence across eras.

SPYT Fast Facts

Defiance S&P 500 Target Income ETF (SPYT) is an actively managed options income ETF launched on 3/7/2024. SPYT has a distribution rate of 20% and a total expense ratio of 0.92%. Distributions are paid on a monthly basis. It is a small ETF, with $149 million in assets under management (“AUM”). Nonetheless, the average daily trading volume of $2.6 million is sufficient for long term investment and tactical allocation as well. The issuer Defiance ETFs is an asset management firm founded in 2018 with 80 ETFs in three categories: leveraged, income, and thematic funds.

Strategy

As described in the prospectus by Defiance ETFs, the fund primarily invests in an ETF tracking the S&P 500 Index, and sells daily credit call spreads on the Index.

A covered call strategy consists of investing in an asset and selling one or more call options on it for a premium. The fund’s call spread strategy adds a long call with a higher strike price for the same expiration date. Buying an additional call reduces the premium income, but also limits the risk of loss on the short call should the underlying asset price surge beyond expectations. Such a strategy enhances income with option premium, and also limits the gains from the underlying index.

In SPYT, call spreads are rolled on a daily basis with near-term expiration. The fund may also gain synthetic exposure to the index by using call options.

The fund targets net premiums of 1.7% per month and an annual cash distribution of approximately 20%. There is no guarantee to reach the target, though. Distributions may include a significant part of return of capital (“ROC”). Distributions in excess of the fund’s earnings will reduce the net asset value, and therefore the dollar amount of future distributions. The portfolio turnover rate was 31% in the most recent fiscal year. I will use State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF Trust (SPY) as a benchmark.

Portfolio

As an example from 6/5/2026, the fund has 99.9% of net asset value in iShares Core S&P 500 ETF (IVV), and two positions in S&P 500 Index calls (one short and one long) expiring the same day, with strike prices of 7584.31 (short) and 7599.48 (long). The index was at 7553.68 at the previous daily close, meaning the income-generating short call is 0.4% above the closing price, and the protective long call is 0.6% above the closing price. Options will have been rolled if you read this on a later date, and these percentages may change depending on market conditions.

Performance

SPYT has underperformed SPY by 4.1% annualized from 3/14/2024 to 6/5/2026, with slightly lower volatility and similar maximum drawdown.

Data: Portfolio123

Like for most, if not all, buy-write ETFs, the high yield doesn’t offset price underperformance. Excluding distributions, SPYT has lost 11.6% from inception to 6/5/2026, while SPY is up 47%.

Monthly distributions have been on a slow downtrend following the share price, as plotted below.

Based on the fund’s 19a-1 notice for May 2026, the distribution of that month was 100% Return of Capital (“ROC”). High ROC may have a negative impact on a shareholder’s tax payment. For example, non-resident aliens (“NRA”) may be initially submitted to withholding tax, with an adjustment at year-end that is not always automatic, depending on the broker.

Competitors

The next table compares characteristics of SPYT and four income ETFs based on daily rolled S&P 500 options:

• ProShares S&P 500 High Income ETF (ISPY)
• Roundhill S&P 500 0DTE Covered Call Strategy ETF (XDTE)
• TappAlpha S&P 500 Growth & Daily Income ETF (TSPY)
• Defiance S&P 500 Weekly Distribution ETF (WDTE)

This list is not intended to be exhaustive. In particular, ETFs with less then $50 million in AUM have been excluded. I have also added two non daily-rolled S&P 500 options income ETFs:

• NEOS S&P 500^® High Income ETF (SPYI)
• Goldman Sachs S&P 500 Premium Income ETF (GPIX)

* calculated with Portfolio123 from 8/21/2024 to match inception dates.

SPYT is ranked third in yield, sixth in total return between 8/21/24 and 6/5/26, and fourth in Sharpe ratio (a measure of risk-adjusted performance). Investors focused on yield may prefer WDTE or XDTE (with the inconvenient of higher volatility and faster price erosion), while risk-averse investors may choose SPYI or GPIX for total return, lower volatility and asset preservation.

Takeaway

Defiance S&P 500 Target Income ETF (SPYT) aims at a 20% yield with a daily options strategy on the S&P 500 Index. SPYT is best-suited for investors seeking a high and stable yield and accepting significant erosion in asset value, which may be offset by reinvesting a part of distributions.

• Pro: High and stable yield, sufficient liquidity.
• Cons: high expense ratio, high ROC, price erosion.

This article answers three main questions about SPYT:

1. What criteria does SPYT have for its holdings selection?
2. How does SPYT compare to similar ETFs?
3. Which investors is SPYT suitable for?

Editor’s note: This article is intended to provide a general overview of the ETF for educational purposes only and, unlike other articles on Seeking Alpha, does not offer an investment opinion about the ETF.

Chinese car maker Chery has signed a non-binding memorandum of understanding with Nissan to potentially build its Omoda and Jaecoo cars at the Sunderland facility, with production possible from 2027

Chinese automotive manufacturer Chery may soon begin producing its vehicles at Nissan’s Sunderland facility following a fresh agreement. The manufacturer, which owns the Omoda and Jaecoo marques, has entered into a non-binding memorandum of understanding with Nissan to assemble its vehicles at the Sunderland site.

The facility would continue to be owned by Nissan under the proposed arrangement, with staff operating it remaining employed by the Japanese manufacturer, though Chery would utilise the plant’s available production capacity for its passenger vehicles.

Should the agreement proceed, Chery vehicles could begin emerging from the Sunderland production line during the 2027 financial year. A statement released in May by Nissan revealed that the marque would be consolidating its manufacturing operations onto a single production line to ‘assess future opportunities to secure full plant utilisation’.

The restructuring would lead to approximately 900 job losses across Europe, although the specific impact on the Sunderland facility – which currently employs around 6,000 staff – was not disclosed at that juncture.

Massimiliano Messina, chairperson Nissan, commented: “This is an important step forward for our operations. We are looking forward to working with Chery International UK in the coming months to finalise a position that is optimal for both companies.”

Nissan has confirmed that the present agreement remains non-binding and that ‘discussions are ongoing between the two companies, with no further details to be made public at this stage.’

Unite national officer Steve Bush said: “This is very good news for Nissan’s Sunderland workers and the UK’s automotive industry in general at a time of uncertainly for the sector. Chinese vehicles are increasingly visible on British roads so it makes sense for UK workers to build them here as well.”

“To ensure the UK auto sector’s future remains a positive one, Unite is working with industry and government on reforming the ZEV mandate. Without this, car production volumes will be kept artificially low.”

The announcement comes as Nissan battles tough trading conditions – including competition from Chinese rivals and the switch to electric vehicles – which have prompted a massive restructuring of its global operation, including plant closures and job losses.

Sunderland has escaped much of that upheaval and is seen as one of the manufacturer’s most productive sites. In May, it came to light that about 900 jobs could be cut by Nissan in Europe but manufacturing posts on Wearside were said to be protected by the combining of the plant’s two production lines.

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The company in April this year announced that each of its eligible shareholders will get one share of Vedanta Aluminium Metal (VAML), one share of Talwandi Sabo Power (now renamed to Vedanta Power), one share of Malco Energy (to be renamed to Vedanta Oil and Gas) and one share of Vedanta Iron and Steel, for every share held in Vedanta, marking one of the biggest corporate restructuring in India’s metals and mining space.

Vedanta had set May 1 as the record date for the much-awaited demerger. Since it was a market holiday on account of Maharashtra Day, the shares of the company adjusted to the demerger on April 30, appearing to have crashed more than 63% in one single day.

Also read: At what price will each of the four new Vedanta companies list? Check cost of acquisition

Vedanta’s dividend history

In March this year, Vedanta shares turned ex-record date for an interim dividend of Rs 11 per equity share for FY26, with the dividend payout cumulatively amounting to Rs 4,300 crore. The company has so far declared 49 dividends since July 23, 2001, according to Trendlyne data. At the current share price, Vedanta’s dividend yield stands at more than 10%.Last year, the company announced two interim dividends, Rs 16 in August and Rs 7 in June. 2024 was a bumper year for dividend payouts, as the company announced four dividends cumulatively worth Rs 43.5 per share.

What happens to Vedanta’s dividend payout after mega demerger?

From a dividend perspective, the Vedanta demerger may change the yield for residual Vedanta (which houses Hindustan Zinc, Zinc International and base metal business), said Sunny Agrawal, Head of Fundamental Research at SBI Securities. He explained that the company will likely remain a dividend‑paying entity, but its absolute dividend per share (DPS) can decline structurally as several large cash‑generating businesses have been carved out.

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Also read: What recent large demergers of Tata Motors, ITC and others tell us about possible Vedanta’s listing timeline?
“Post‑demerger, Vedanta’s dividend payout will be driven primarily by Hindustan Zinc’s (60.71% stake) earnings (led by LME Zinc and silver prices), increasing commodity sensitivity. Investors who previously viewed Vedanta as a single, high‑yield proxy will now need to own a basket of the demerged entities to approach similar aggregate yields—where mature Aluminium and Oil & Gas businesses are most likely to offer consistent dividends, while Power and Iron & Steel are expected to prioritise deleveraging and growth before increasing distributions. Over time, improved capital allocation and governance across standalone entities could support healthy group‑level cash returns, but dividends will be more volatile, more cycle‑dependent, and more business‑specific, requiring an active allocation strategy rather than reliance on Vedanta,” the analyst said.
The metals business may sustain higher payouts in case commodity pricing remains supportive and leverage is managed down, according to Harshal Dasani, Business Head at INVasset PMS. He believes that the oil and gas segment could follow a more conservative policy, given the capital intensity and exploration cycle. Power and aluminium will likely reinvest more heavily in the near term, which would weigh on immediate distributions, the analyst said.
“What changes is the dividend story itself. It moves from a single consolidated number to four separate cash flow engines, each with its own balance sheet priorities and growth appetite. Investors who held Vedanta purely for yield will now need to evaluate each entity on its free cash flow generation, debt trajectory, and management’s appetite for distributions versus reinvestment. The sum of the parts may not replicate the headline yield the parent offered, especially in the first year or two post-listing as each business establishes its capital allocation rhythm,” he added.

What dividend-focused investors should do?

Dividend-focused investors should assess whether all four holdings still fit their income requirement or if selective exits make sense once the entities list, Dasani said, adding that the demerger is a portfolio recalibration: what was one holding becomes four, each requiring a fresh risk-reward lens. The aggregate yield will emerge over time, but expecting continuity from day one would be misplaced, he concluded.

(Disclaimer: Recommendations, suggestions, views and opinions given by the experts are their own. These do not represent the views of The Economic Times)

NEW YORK — Oracle Corp. continues to draw investor attention in 2026 as the enterprise software giant capitalizes on surging demand for cloud infrastructure, artificial intelligence solutions and database technologies. Despite broader market volatility, Oracle’s strategic positioning in high-growth areas supports a constructive outlook for the stock.

Here are 10 key reasons investors are considering Oracle shares this year.

1. Explosive Cloud Revenue Growth Oracle Cloud Infrastructure (OCI) has emerged as one of the fastest-growing major cloud platforms. The company reported strong double-digit revenue increases in its cloud segment in recent quarters, driven by hyperscaler partnerships and enterprise migrations to its next-generation cloud services.

2. Leadership in AI and Database Technologies Oracle’s Autonomous Database and AI-powered offerings are gaining significant traction. The integration of generative AI tools across its stack positions the company at the forefront of enterprise AI adoption, helping clients reduce costs while improving performance and security.

3. Strong Financial Performance and Guidance Oracle delivered robust results in fiscal 2026, with total revenue exceeding expectations and consistent earnings beats. The company raised its full-year outlook, citing sustained momentum in cloud and license revenues, which analysts view as a sign of durable growth.

4. Expanding Partnership Ecosystem Strategic alliances with major technology players, including Microsoft, Google and NVIDIA, have expanded Oracle’s reach. These collaborations enhance its cloud offerings and open new revenue streams in AI infrastructure and hybrid cloud deployments.

5. Attractive Valuation Relative to Growth Oracle trades at reasonable forward multiples compared to other large-cap software peers when factoring in its projected earnings growth. The combination of steady cash flow and disciplined capital allocation supports shareholder returns through dividends and buybacks.

6. High Switching Costs and Customer Retention Oracle’s enterprise database dominance creates significant stickiness. Once integrated into mission-critical systems, customers face high costs and risks in switching, providing Oracle with predictable recurring revenue and pricing power.

7. Momentum in Multicloud and Hybrid Strategies Businesses increasingly demand flexible multicloud solutions. Oracle’s interoperability with other major clouds gives it an edge, allowing enterprises to avoid vendor lock-in while leveraging Oracle’s specialized strengths in data management and analytics.

8. Robust Free Cash Flow Generation The company generates substantial free cash flow, enabling continued investment in innovation and shareholder-friendly policies. This financial flexibility provides a buffer during economic uncertainty and supports long-term strategic initiatives.

9. Analyst Optimism and Upward Revisions Wall Street analysts maintain predominantly positive ratings on Oracle, with several raising price targets in 2026. Consensus estimates highlight sustained earnings growth and market share gains in cloud and AI-related services.

10. Long-Term Secular Tailwinds Global digital transformation, data explosion and AI proliferation create structural demand for Oracle’s core competencies. As enterprises modernize IT infrastructure, Oracle is well-placed to benefit from multi-year spending cycles in cloud migration and intelligent applications.

Oracle’s transformation under CEO Safra Catz and Chairman Larry Ellison has shifted the company from a traditional software provider to a comprehensive cloud and AI powerhouse. Recent quarters have shown accelerating momentum, particularly in its higher-margin cloud services, which now represent a growing portion of total revenue.

The company’s focus on cost efficiency while investing heavily in capacity expansion has improved profitability metrics. Gross margins in the cloud business have expanded, reflecting economies of scale and operational improvements.

Geographic diversification also supports resilience. Strong performance in international markets, particularly in Asia and Europe, helps offset any regional slowdowns and provides exposure to emerging digital economies.

Risks remain, including intense competition from AWS, Microsoft Azure and Google Cloud, as well as potential macroeconomic headwinds that could delay enterprise spending. However, Oracle’s differentiated offerings in autonomous databases and industry-specific solutions provide competitive insulation.

Analysts project continued revenue growth in the mid-teens for the foreseeable future, with operating margins expected to expand further as cloud adoption scales. This combination of growth and margin improvement supports higher valuation multiples over time.

For long-term investors, Oracle offers exposure to essential enterprise technology with a proven management team and strong balance sheet. The stock’s dividend yield adds appeal for income-oriented portfolios, while share repurchases demonstrate confidence in future prospects.

As artificial intelligence becomes central to business operations, Oracle’s investments in AI infrastructure and applications position it to capture a meaningful share of this transformative opportunity. The company’s ability to deliver secure, high-performance solutions for regulated industries further strengthens its moat.

Market sentiment has improved as Oracle consistently meets or exceeds expectations. Upcoming earnings reports will be closely watched for continued cloud momentum and guidance updates that could catalyze further investor interest.

Oracle’s strategic evolution demonstrates adaptability in a rapidly changing technology landscape. By focusing on cloud, AI and customer success, the company has built a foundation for sustained value creation.

Investors considering Oracle stock should evaluate their risk tolerance and time horizon, as technology stocks can experience volatility. However, the underlying business fundamentals and market positioning provide compelling reasons for consideration in diversified portfolios for 2026 and beyond.

This article was written by

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Analyst’s Disclosure: I/we have no stock, option or similar derivative position in any of the companies mentioned, and no plans to initiate any such positions within the next 72 hours. I wrote this article myself, and it expresses my own opinions. I am not receiving compensation for it (other than from Seeking Alpha). I have no business relationship with any company whose stock is mentioned in this article.

Lawrence Fuller is the Principal of Fuller Asset Management (FAM), a state-registered investment adviser. He is also the manager of the Focused Growth portfolio on the copy-trading platform Dubapp.com. Information presented is for educational purposes only intended for a broad audience. The information does not intend to make an offer or solicitation for the sale or purchase of any specific securities, investments, or investment strategies. Investments involve risk and are not guaranteed. FAM has reasonable belief that this marketing does not include any false or materially misleading statements or omissions of facts regarding services, investment, or client experience. FAM has reasonable belief that the content as a whole will not cause an untrue or misleading implication regarding the adviser’s services, investments, or client experiences. Past performance of specific investment advice should not be relied upon without knowledge of certain circumstances or market events, the nature and timing of investments, and relevant constraints of the investment. FAM has presented information in a fair and balanced manner. FAM is not giving tax, legal, or accounting advice.
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