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Trump Sues Jamie Dimon And JPMorgan Chase For ‘Political Debanking' After Jan. 6 Riot
Forbes· 2026-01-22 18:05
Core Viewpoint - President Donald Trump has filed a lawsuit against JPMorgan Chase and CEO Jamie Dimon, claiming the bank terminated his accounts for political reasons, seeking at least $5 billion in damages [1][2]. Group 1: Lawsuit Details - The lawsuit was filed in Florida state court and alleges that JPMorgan's actions violated state law prohibiting lenders from disengaging based on political opinions or affiliations [2]. - The lawsuit claims that JPMorgan and Dimon "unlawfully and unjustifiably" placed Trump's name and his entities on a blacklist accessible by regulated banks, which includes individuals and businesses noncompliant with banking rules [3]. Group 2: JPMorgan's Response - JPMorgan stated that the lawsuit "has no merit" and clarified that it does not close accounts for political or religious reasons, but rather due to legal or regulatory risks [1]. - The bank expressed regret over account closures, attributing them to rules and regulatory expectations [1].
A 6.3% Dividend Play Tailor-Made For 2026
Forbes· 2026-01-22 16:30
Group 1: Annaly Capital and Dynex Capital - Annaly Capital (NLY) offers a 12.9% dividend, supported by income, with potential for price gains as mortgage rates decline [2][3] - The mortgage REIT operates as a "financial landlord," owning government-backed mortgages that appreciate in value when long-term rates fall [3] - Since the recommendation, Annaly has returned 14% in two months (115% annualized), while Dynex Capital (DX) has provided 5% gains (56% annualized) [5] Group 2: AI and Power Generation - The Trump administration and Northeastern governors have proposed a plan requiring tech giants to fund new power plants, ensuring they pay for electricity regardless of usage [8] - This initiative is expected to generate approximately $15 billion in new power plant construction, creating long-term, contract-backed revenue for power generators and utilities [10] - Reaves Utility Income Fund (UTG) offers a diversified investment in power companies, providing a 6.3% monthly dividend, benefiting from the anticipated demand for electricity from AI data centers [11][12]
Should The U.S. Risk Its AI Edge By Letting Nvidia Sell Chips To China?
Forbes· 2026-01-22 16:30
Core Argument - The debate surrounding the sale of advanced AI chips to China highlights the tension between maintaining U.S. technological leadership and the risks of empowering a geopolitical competitor [4][6][10]. Group 1: National Security Concerns - Dario Amodei, CEO of Anthropic, likened the sale of Nvidia's AI chips to China to selling nuclear weapons, emphasizing the national security implications [2]. - Advanced AI chips are crucial for training and running powerful AI models, and access to these chips could enable China to enhance its military and technological capabilities [7][10]. - National security officials argue that allowing advanced chips into China could significantly shift U.S. technology policy and accelerate China's development of frontier AI [10]. Group 2: Economic and Competitive Implications - Nvidia views China as a major market and believes that restricting chip sales could diminish its competitive position in a region where it previously held dominance [6][9]. - Some experts argue that export controls may inadvertently boost China's domestic innovation, reducing U.S. influence in the AI market [8][9]. - The longer China is isolated from American technology, the more it will develop its own capabilities, potentially leading to separate technological ecosystems [9]. Group 3: Policy Recommendations - A nuanced export policy is necessary, balancing national security with the need for economic engagement and technological collaboration [13][15]. - The U.S. must invest in domestic semiconductor manufacturing to maintain its leadership in AI, as chip sales alone do not determine technological dominance [14][17]. - Policymakers should reevaluate export controls to ensure they protect national security while allowing for legitimate economic interactions [16][17].
Is Intuit Stock A Buy After Its 25% Fall?
Forbes· 2026-01-22 16:30
Core Viewpoint - Intuit (INTU) stock presents a solid investment opportunity due to its high margins and discounted price, indicating strong pricing power and cash generation capacity [2] Financial Performance - INTU stock is currently 25% cheaper based on its Price-to-Sales (P/S) ratio compared to a year ago [3] - Recent increases in QuickBooks Online pricing and a shift to higher-value products demonstrate sustained pricing power, contributing to revenue growth [4] - Intuit anticipates ongoing double-digit revenue growth and increasing margins for fiscal 2026 [5] Fundamental Strength - INTU has strong fundamentals, with nearly 33.4% operating cash flow margin and 26.7% operating margin for the last twelve months [11] - Long-term profitability averages approximately 32.3% operating cash flow margin and 24.2% operating margin over the last three years [11] - Revenue growth for Intuit was 17.1% in the last twelve months and an average of 13.5% over the last three years [11] Valuation - INTU stock is available at a P/S multiple of 7.5, reflecting a 25% discount compared to a year ago [11] Investment Criteria - The company meets several investment criteria, including a market cap greater than $10 billion, high cash flow from operations margins, and a significant decrease in valuation over the past year [12]
American Airlines Rebuts United Claims About Its Chicago Losses
Forbes· 2026-01-22 16:05
Core Viewpoint - United Airlines CEO Scott Kirby criticized American Airlines' performance at Chicago O'Hare, claiming American will incur a $1 billion loss while United expects to make over $500 million in profit this year [2][8]. Group 1: Competition and Market Share - Kirby stated that United has gained a significant advantage in Chicago, with a 22-point lead in Chicago-originating passengers and a 38-point lead in brand-loyal business customers compared to American [7]. - American Airlines responded to Kirby's claims, asserting that they are experiencing year-over-year gains in market share in Chicago and have invested billions in the region over nearly a century [3][4]. Group 2: Financial Performance - United Airlines reported a profit of $500 million in Chicago, with Kirby estimating that American Airlines will likely face losses of about $1 billion in the same market [8][9]. - Despite losses in Chicago, American Airlines remains profitable at its other major hubs, including DFW, CLT, and DCA, as well as through its credit card partnership with Citibank [10]. Group 3: Future Strategies - Kirby indicated that United will not allow American to gain any additional gates at O'Hare in 2026, emphasizing a strategy to maintain their current gate count while adding flights as necessary [9]. - American Airlines plans to continue its growth strategy in Chicago, having added nearly 30 new destinations from O'Hare this year [4][5].
Inflation Slowed Before Rising In November, Delayed Data Shows
Forbes· 2026-01-22 15:50
Core Insights - Inflation improved in October 2025, with annual inflation at 2.7%, before rising to 2.8% in November, aligning with Wall Street's expectations [1][2] - The Federal Reserve's preferred inflation measure, the core PCE price index, showed a similar trend, with core PCE at 2.8% for September and matching estimates for October and November [2] Economic Indicators - The Federal Reserve is expected to conclude its policymaking meeting on January 28, with only a 5% chance of interest rate cuts in the upcoming vote, following a reduction to between 3.5% and 3.75% in December [3] - Fed Chair Jerome Powell indicated a likely pause on further cuts, emphasizing a "wait and see" approach regarding economic developments [3] Contextual Background - President Donald Trump claimed significant cooling of inflation, stating there was "virtually no inflation" and that he had "defeated" inflation over the past year [4] - The Federal Reserve aims for a 2% annual inflation rate, which has been exceeded for 57 consecutive months, raising concerns about the labor market and the impact of high inflation on lower- and middle-income Americans [4]
Can Amazon Stock Overcome Its 2026 Headwinds?
Forbes· 2026-01-22 15:20
Core Insights - Amazon.com (AMZN) has faced significant stock declines exceeding 30% on three occasions in recent years, resulting in substantial market capitalization losses [2] - The company is currently under pressure from various risks, including cash flow issues, increasing competition, and legal challenges [3][4][5][6] Financial Performance - Amazon's free cash flow for the last twelve months has decreased to $14.8 billion, influenced by a $50.9 billion year-over-year increase in property and equipment acquisitions [9] - The company has raised its capital expenditure forecast for 2025 to $125 billion from $118 billion, with expectations for further increases in 2026 [9] - Revenue growth stands at 10.9% for the last twelve months and an average of 11.3% over the past three years, with a free cash flow margin of approximately 2.0% and an operating margin of 11.4% [10] Competitive Landscape - The North America segment is experiencing slowing revenue growth and margin compression due to rising logistics and marketing expenses [9] - Walmart's e-commerce sales have increased by 27% year-over-year, with marketplace revenue rising by 37%, indicating intensifying competition [9] Legal and Regulatory Environment - Amazon is facing ongoing legal costs and potential penalties, with a proposed class-action lawsuit regarding disability accommodations and an FTC lawsuit alleging anticompetitive practices [9] - The court has allowed the FTC case to proceed to trial, which is set for 2026 [9]
AppLovin's Path To $700
Forbes· 2026-01-22 15:20
Core Viewpoint - AppLovin (APP) shares have decreased by 5.8% recently, currently trading at $532.56, but the stock is viewed as an attractive investment opportunity with a potential target price of $700 due to its strong operational performance and financial health [2][4]. Valuation - The valuation of AppLovin appears very high compared to the broader market, indicating a premium pricing for the stock [5]. Growth - AppLovin has achieved an average revenue growth rate of 36.0% over the past three years, with revenues increasing by 86% from $3.6 billion to $6.6 billion in the last 12 months [7]. - Quarterly revenues rose by 68.2% to $1.4 billion from $835 million a year earlier [7]. Profitability - The operating income for AppLovin in the last 12 months was $3.5 billion, reflecting an operating margin of 52.5% [8]. - The company generated nearly $2.8 billion in net income, indicating a net margin of approximately 42.7% [8]. Financial Stability - AppLovin's debt stood at $3.5 billion, resulting in a Debt-to-Equity Ratio of 1.9% [9]. - The company has a Cash-to-Assets Ratio of 26.3%, with cash and cash equivalents amounting to $1.7 billion of total assets of $6.3 billion [9]. Downturn Resilience - AppLovin has shown significant underperformance compared to the S&P 500 during economic downturns, with a notable decline of 91.9% from its peak of $114.85 in November 2021 to $9.30 in December 2022 [10][12]. - The stock has since recovered to its pre-crisis peak by September 2024 and reached a high of $733.60 in December 2025 [12].
Tesla Stock Can Drop, And Here Is How
Forbes· 2026-01-22 14:40
Core Viewpoint - Tesla has experienced significant stock volatility, with drops exceeding 30% on multiple occasions, indicating potential for abrupt declines in market capitalization [1] Group 1: Production Expansion Plans - Tesla plans to expand production at its Gruenheide factory from approximately 250,000 cars per year to one million, which involves constructing a new assembly hall the size of 60 soccer fields [3] Group 2: Identified Risks - Risk 1: Escalating price wars could lead to major margin compression, impacting profitability [4] - Risk 2: There is a decline in market share in critical growth areas, particularly in China, where Tesla delivered 73,145 vehicles in November 2025, a slight decrease from 73,490 units sold a year earlier [5][10] - Risk 3: Production shortfalls related to the Cybertruck and 4680 battery technology could hinder revenue generation, with a key supplier writing down its $2.9 billion cathode supply deal for 4680 batteries by over 99% [6][10] Group 3: Historical Stock Performance - Tesla's stock has seen significant downturns in past corrections, plummeting approximately 54% in 2018, 61% during the Covid crash, and 74% during the inflation surge, highlighting its volatility [7] Group 4: Financial Metrics - Revenue growth has declined by 1.6% over the last twelve months, while the three-year average growth stands at 9.3% [11] - The company has a free cash flow margin of almost 7.1% and an operating margin of 5.1% for the last twelve months [11] - Tesla's stock is currently trading at a P/E ratio of 278.0, indicating a high valuation relative to earnings [11]
Why Amazon Seems To Be Skipping ‘God Of War’ For ‘Ragnarok’ In Its New Show
Forbes· 2026-01-22 14:39
Core Insights - Amazon's adaptation of the God of War series will focus on characters from God of War Ragnarok, such as Heimdall and Lady Sif, rather than the original game [2][3] - The adaptation is expected to condense the original game's narrative significantly, possibly covering only essential elements [4][5] Summary by Sections Adaptation Strategy - Amazon is likely to streamline the first game into its core components, potentially omitting characters like Mimir, who primarily serves as a narrator [5] - The adaptation may cover the Freya and Baldur storyline, leading into the larger conflicts with Norse gods like Thor and Odin [5][6] Season Structure - The first season may consist of half the original game and the initial third of Ragnarok, with a second season encompassing the remainder of Ragnarok [6] - This approach contrasts with other adaptations, such as The Last of Us, which expanded multiple games into several seasons [6] Future Potential - There is potential for further God of War adaptations, as the series has a rich history in ancient Greece, with multiple games set in that era [7] - The adaptation's focus on the Norse storyline raises questions about how Kratos' past will be integrated into the narrative [7] Casting Developments - The casting announcements have generated interest, particularly regarding the role of Atreus, which remains unfilled [8]