Group 1: Microsoft (MSFT) - MSFT stock has increased by 18.46% year-to-date (YTD) and is trading 6.2% lower than its all-time high of $467, indicating a reasonable valuation [2] - The company is recognized for its ability to navigate various market conditions while achieving decent revenue growth and exposure to disruptive technologies [3] - Azure, a key revenue driver for Microsoft, is experiencing impressive growth, supported by a strategic partnership with OpenAI [15] Group 2: Meta Platforms (META) - Meta stock has shown a remarkable YTD return of 75.50%, trading at $607.75 per share, following a successful cost-cutting program and increased advertising revenue [16] - The company has a significant historical footprint in tech and has secured stellar returns since its IPO in 2012 [11] - Despite a previous downtrend where shares lost up to 75.11% of their value, Meta's lean structure and dominance in online advertising position it well for future performance [28][27] Group 3: Royalty Pharma (RPRX) - RPRX stock offers exposure to potential biotech breakthroughs by acquiring royalty rights on drug sales in exchange for financing late-stage research, mitigating typical risks [9] - The stock experienced a 10.75% loss in 2024, but is considered a balanced risk-reward profile with a trailing P/E ratio of 9.8 and a forward P/E ratio of 5.6, making it an appealing biotech value play [29] Group 4: ASML Holding NV (ASML) - ASML stock has decreased by 0.93% in 2024, but its valuation remains reasonable when considering growth prospects [6] - The company holds a unique position in the semiconductor industry, being the sole manufacturer of machines necessary for extreme ultraviolet lithography, crucial for advanced chip production [19] - ASML is recommended for long-term investors due to its unique edge in the ongoing AI transformation [6] Group 5: Bunge Global SA (BG) - BG stock prices have decreased by 22.07% YTD, but it is identified as a value play due to two key catalysts [32] - The company sold a 50% stake in its biofuel business for $800 million to focus on core competencies [32] - Bunge is set to merge with Viterra in a $34 billion deal, creating one of the largest agricultural companies globally [32]

Core Viewpoint - Nvidia has experienced significant stock fluctuations following a period of strong performance, with a notable decline in late November after reaching all-time highs [1][3]. Group 1: Stock Performance - Nvidia stock was trading at $147.01 before the earnings call, subsequently dropping to $135 and later reaching as low as $128.91 [3]. - Year-to-date, Nvidia stock has increased by 191.50%, recovering to a price of $140.41 recently [6]. - The stock has seen a monthly high in short interest, with the short volume ratio reaching 57.55 on December 23 [4][7]. Group 2: Market Sentiment - Despite the recent downturn, Wall Street equity researchers remain largely bullish on Nvidia, with projections typically focused on 12-month price targets [5]. - Jim Cramer, a prominent Nvidia supporter, suggests that there is long-term upside potential but advises investors to wait for a more favorable entry point [5]. - The trading period around Christmas is often characterized by a "Santa Rally," which could influence Nvidia's stock positively despite the current bearish sentiment [8].

In 2024, semiconductor stocks generally saw outsized returns on account of the artificial intelligence boom. Well, most of them did, anyway — with notable exceptions including Intel (NASDAQ: INTC) and Advanced Micro Devices (NASDAQ: AMD).While Intel’s woes are relatively straightforward — abrupt leadership changes, restructuring, and delay after delay with regard to bootstrapping manufacturing, all occurring while losses continued to mount, the reasons why AMD stock failed to capitalize on the ongoing AI ra ...

Core Viewpoint - Meta Platforms has demonstrated consistent growth throughout the year, outperforming analyst expectations for five consecutive quarters, with a significant year-to-date stock return of 73.22% [2][3]. Financial Performance - The company's Q3 2024 earnings call highlighted its financial outperformance, contributing to a stock price of $599.85 [3]. - Meta's stock has risen due to a long-term cost-cutting plan initiated in 2023 and continued financial success [5]. Insider Trading - CEO Mark Zuckerberg sold $67 million worth of Meta shares in December, followed by an additional sale of approximately $25.88 million [8]. - Despite these sales, Zuckerberg retains 488,360 shares, and the sales were part of a pre-scheduled plan [10]. Analyst Sentiment - Following the latest earnings call, analysts have generally adopted a bullish outlook, with KGI Securities setting a price target of $725 (20.86% upside) and Piper Sandler targeting $670 (11.69% upside) [11]. - There is an expectation that increased AI spending may pose challenges in early 2025, but long-term prospects remain strong, suggesting a buying opportunity [11][12].

Core Insights - Berkshire Hathaway, led by Warren Buffett, has been actively trading Occidental Petroleum (OXY) stock, with significant purchases made in December 2024, including nearly 9 million shares [3][4][10] - The investment in Occidental Petroleum has shown mixed results, with the stock initially purchased at an average price of $47, dropping below $10 during the COVID-19 crisis, but currently trading at $48.08, indicating a slight profit for Buffett [4][5] - Despite the recent stock price increase, Occidental Petroleum shares are down 19.94% year-to-date in 2024, reflecting ongoing challenges in the market [5][10] Company Activity - Berkshire Hathaway owns approximately 10% of Occidental Petroleum, with the stake valued at over $13 billion as of the end of the last trimester [9] - The company has been diversifying its portfolio, with additional investments in SiriusXM and Verisign, indicating a broader strategy beyond just oil investments [10][11] - The stock performance of Occidental Petroleum has been relatively weak, with only a minor rally observed following political events, such as Donald Trump's re-election [7]

Core Viewpoint - Nvidia's stock is projected to reach a target of $150 by 2025, driven by its leadership in AI chips and strong revenue growth, despite facing regulatory and geopolitical challenges [4][5][6]. Financial Performance - Nvidia's stock closed at $135.92, reflecting a year-to-date increase of 182%, with a modest 11% rally needed to reach the $150 target [6]. - In Q3 FY2025, Nvidia's revenue surged 94% year-over-year to $35.1 billion, with the data center segment growing 112% to $30.8 billion [8]. - For the twelve months ending October 31, 2024, Nvidia's revenue reached $113.27 billion, up 152%, with projections for Q1 2025 averaging $38.03 billion and full-year 2025 revenue forecast at $129.13 billion [8][9]. Market Position and Growth Drivers - Nvidia's data center business has become its largest revenue driver, surpassing gaming since early FY2023, fueled by AI semiconductors like the H100 and H200 [9]. - The upcoming Blackwell chips are expected to significantly enhance cash flow, with production anticipated to scale rapidly in Q4 FY2025 [9]. Analyst Ratings and Price Targets - Analysts have a mixed outlook, with Citi's Atif Malik maintaining a 'Buy' rating and a $175 target, while Truist Securities raised its target from $169 to $204 [4]. - Benchmark Capital's Cody Acree also reiterated a 'Buy' rating, increasing the price forecast from $170 to $190, highlighting the company's data center revenue [4]. Technical Analysis - Nvidia's stock is showing potential for long-term growth despite near-term volatility, with bullish patterns indicating a possible rally towards the end of the year [10][11]. - A technical analysis indicated that the stock could reach over $158 by January 15, 2025, supported by institutional investments [11][12].

As 2024 comes to a close, the share price of semiconductor giant Nvidia (NASDAQ: NVDA) has exhibited some volatility, impacting the stock’s potential push toward the $150 mark.The chipmaker ended the December 20 trading session up 3%, valued at $134.70. On the weekly chart, NVDA’s share price has posted modest gains of about 0.37%. Meanwhile, the company’s dominance in artificial intelligence (AI) has helped Nvidia record a 179% growth year-to-date in 2024. NVDA YTD stock price chart. Source: Google Finance ...

Tesla’s (NASDAQ: TSLA) stock has been on an upward tear in the fourth quarter, with technical indicators suggesting sustained momentum as the year ends.The stock received a significant boost from Donald Trump’s election victory, with investors optimistic about his close ties with CEO Elon Musk. Additionally, better-than-expected Q3 2024 earnings pushed the stock to new highs.However, the recent rally has encountered resistance at $500, and short-term weakness has emerged. At the close of the last session, T ...

Through Berkshire Hathaway (NYSE: BRK.A), Warren Buffett has built a reputation for picking long-term stock market winners and building a portfolio that thrives in different economic phases.However, even his most trusted investments remain susceptible to short-term technical signals that suggest possible trouble ahead.Now, Coca-Cola (NYSE: KO), one of Buffett’s favored stocks, accounting for 8.4% of his portfolio, has formed a ‘death cross‘ for the first time since July 2023 – a bearish signal when the 50-d ...

Through Berkshire Hathaway (NYSE: BRK.A), Warren Buffett has built a reputation for picking long-term stock market winners and building a portfolio that thrives in different economic phases.However, even his most trusted investments remain susceptible to short-term technical signals that suggest possible trouble ahead.Now, Coca-Cola (NYSE: KO), one of Buffett’s favored stocks, accounting for 8.4% of his portfolio, has formed a ‘death cross‘ for the first time since July 2023 – a bearish signal when the 50-d ...