This era of artificial intelligence and cloud computing has led to companies pouring billions into the segment. Cloud computing service providers have benefitted from the AI hype, where they provide the cloud infrastructure where AI systems can be used. Companies have successfully managed to save millions in data center costs, and some of the biggest tech giants are aggressively building new data centers to cater to the rising demand. This calls for a focus on the top cloud computing stocks of the year.With ...

You don’t have to buy real estate to generate cash flow from your assets. Not only is it easier to buy the best dividend stocks with any amount of capital, but it also takes less work to stay on top of these investments.Dividend-paying corporations often distribute dividends each quarter and raise their dividends each year. Some companies have kept their dividend programs intact for decades, while others have only been paying dividends for a few years. Most dividend investors reinvest their dividends unless ...

Although down slightly in the pre-market, Intel (NASDAQ:INTC) stock rose yesterday following a much-needed insider buy. The company’s shares are currently trading at prices last seen in late 2012 following a disappointing earnings report.On Aug. 5, CEO Pat Gelsinger purchased 12,500 shares of INTC stock at average per share prices ranging between $19.91 and $20.31. In total, the transaction was worth $251,946 and brought Gelsinger’s stake to 631,307 shares.At the same time, Gelsinger’s insider purchases of ...

The trade in technology stocks is getting more difficult. The mega-cap tech names known collectively as the “Magnificent Seven” lost a combined $1 trillion of value amid the global market rout that occurred on August 5. Chipmaker Nvidia (NASDAQ:NVDA) lost $168 billion in market capitalization as its stock fell 6.4%, while Apple (NASDAQ:AAPL) and Amazon (NASDAQ:AMZN) ended down 4.8% and 4.1% respectively on the day. As you can see, market volatility is impacting even the biggest names, helping identify the t ...

Group 1 - Iteris is being acquired by Almaviva for $335 million, valuing shares at $7.20 each, which is a 68% premium over the previous closing price [1][2] - The acquisition has received unanimous support from Iteris' board of directors and is pending approval from regulators and shareholders [2] - As of Friday morning, ITI stock has increased by 64%, and the shares will go private once the deal is finalized [3] Group 2 - Joe Bergera, president and CEO of Iteris, expressed confidence in the acquisition, stating it aligns with their vision for digital mobility and innovation [2] - The deal is expected to close sometime this year if all approvals are obtained [2]

Despite the AI-dominated tech rally over the past year, Adobe (NASDAQ:ADBE) has been a laggard in the industry. The stock is down by more than 11% year-to-date and 3.0% over the past twelve months. The sell-off in Adobe’s stock stems from its high valuation as concerns about its ability to sustain growth remain a huge question mark. Adobe’s fundamentals are solid and the company remains the industry standard for creative professionals. It also shows real profitability from generative AI, something not every ...

It may not be the most exciting sector in which to invest, compared to tech and biotech. However, the best financial services stocks can offer a layer of stability to an investor’s portfolio like no other. But why?First, the industry itself is a multiplier of money. Firms compete for the best opportunities to expand investments while using cash to leverage future growth.Moreover, the financial services industry is deeply reliant on broader economic trends to remain solvent. Thus, with a global economic slow ...

Intel (NASDAQ:INTC) certainly faced its fair share of headwinds in recent years. The company’s share price dropped 60% year-to-date as investors are looking past Intel stock to other semiconductor names with much better long-term growth forecasts.There’s plenty of precedent for such a decision. AI is real, and Intel isn’t participating in this rally as it probably should.The company recently received unexpected support from the U.S. government. Intel secured $8.5 billion in grants to bolster domestic semico ...

Industry Overview - Artificial intelligence (AI) is experiencing significant growth, with 22% of companies aiming to integrate AI into their products and 33% currently utilizing AI applications to enhance service and product delivery [1] - The AI sector is still in its early stages, presenting substantial investment opportunities as various technology applications are being explored [1] Company Analysis: Nvidia (NVDA) - Nvidia has transitioned from a graphics card manufacturer to a leader in AI chip production, with CEO Jensen Huang instrumental in this shift [2] - The stock has appreciated 116.42% year-to-date and 129.52% over the past 12 months, despite a recent decline [2] - Nvidia reported an EPS of $5.98, reflecting a 629% year-over-year increase, and has a trailing P/E ratio of 59.59 [2][3] - The company has a robust buyback program and increased its dividend payout by 150% to $0.10 per share [3] - Over the past five years, Nvidia's stock has risen over 2500%, making it a top AI investment [3] Company Analysis: Arista Networks (ANET) - Arista Networks is a key player in cloud computing and data center software, benefiting from the AI boom due to its ability to manage large data requirements [4] - The stock has gained 39.72% year-to-date and over 80% in the past 12 months, with a nearly 500% increase over the last five years [4][5] - Arista's revenue rose 15.9% in Q2 2024 to $1.69 billion, with a GAAP net income of $665.4 million, up from $491.9 million the previous year [5] - The company has a trailing P/E ratio of 42.69, justified by its strong earnings growth [4][5] Company Analysis: Meta Platforms (META) - Meta Platforms is a major tech company investing heavily in AI, planning to allocate up to $40 billion for research, including AI initiatives [6] - The company reported a net income of $13.47 billion, significantly up from $7.79 billion the previous year, while its stock has risen 42.68% this year and 56% over the last 12 months [6][7] - Meta's financial strength and commitment to AI development position it as a promising investment in the AI sector [7]

Economic Overview - The S&P 500 is currently below its all-time highs, influenced by a disappointing jobs report and fears regarding the U.S. economy's condition, despite expectations of a 0.50% rate reduction by the Federal Reserve [1] - There is a growing concern that companies with poor financials will experience significant declines if market conditions worsen, prompting a focus on the fundamentals of growth stocks [2] Company Performance Analysis Silicom Ltd. (SILC) - Silicom Ltd. experienced a revenue decline from $150.6 million to $124.1 million in 2023, with a net loss of $0.44 per share compared to a profit of $2.73 per share the previous year, marking a 116% drop [5] - Q2 FY2024 results showed further revenue decline from $38.1 million to $14.5 million, with a loss of $0.25 per share compared to a profit of $0.56 per share in the same quarter last year, attributed to excess customer inventory and a slowdown in global demand [6] - The stock is down 34% year-to-date and is considered a candidate for growth stocks to sell [7] Stepan Company (SCL) - Stepan Company reported a 16% year-over-year decrease in net sales in 2023, with operating income falling by 72% and net income decreasing by 73% [9] - Q2 FY2024 results indicated a 10% drop in net sales and a 19% decrease in net income year-over-year, impacted by rising corporate expenses and competitive pressures [10] - Despite analysts rating SCL stock as a buy, the declining financial metrics suggest it may also belong on a sell list [11] Schneider National (SNDR) - Schneider National's FY2023 results showed a 17% decrease in operating revenues and a 51% drop in income from operations, with net income falling by 48% [12] - Q2 FY2024 results revealed a 5% decrease in operating revenue, but a significant 69% contraction in net income due to increased spending [12] - Although Wall Street analysts rate SNDR stock as a consensus buy, the deteriorating financials indicate it may be prudent to consider it for a sell list [13]