Group 1 - UBS analysts raised their price targets on Meta Platforms stock to $635 per share, reaffirming their "buy" rating based on strong second-quarter earnings [1] - Meta earned $13.46 billion, or $5.16 per share, on revenue of $39 billion during the quarter ending in June, with earnings up 73% and revenue up 22% year-over-year, all exceeding analyst estimates [1] - META stock was trading at $502 per share, up about $30 or 6% on the day [1] Group 2 - Investors focused on Meta's gains in the digital ad market, which grew twice as fast as Google's parent Alphabet, despite warnings of significant capital expenditure increases next year [2] - Meta's expenses totaled $24.2 billion, including a $1.4 billion settlement with Texas over facial recognition data [2] - The company reported 3.27 billion daily active users across its platforms, benefiting from cost-cutting measures that resulted in 22,000 layoffs [2] Group 3 - CEO Mark Zuckerberg stated that Meta's AI software is on track to become the most used AI assistant globally by the end of the year, utilizing an open-source development model [2] - The positive results from Meta buoyed the entire market, indicating that substantial AI investments from the past year are yielding returns [3] - Despite challenges in the metaverse, Meta is positioned to succeed in AI, with Zuckerberg's fortune estimated at $177 billion [4]

Nasdaq is one of the world’s most active stock exchanges. The exchange takes pride in only allowing companies that meet its stringent requirements, including an aggregate earning of $11 million over the last three years and no net loss. Further, companies pay less to get listed on the Nasdaq than on the NYSE, making it more attractive.However, just because a stock has NASDAQ before its ticker symbol does not mean it’s immediately worth your money. Companies come and go, no matter the exchange, and there wil ...

Disney (NYSE:DIS) stock closed down just slightly today after the entertainment conglomerate announced job cuts. Specifically, the company’s Disney Entertainment Television division has confirmed that it will be laying off 140 people, which equates to roughly 2% of its staff. This includes staff from networks such as NatGeo and Freeform.News of the Disney layoffs didn’t impact share prices all day, although shares dipped into the red by the end of trading. Let’s dive into what investors should know about th ...

In the bustling world of biotechnology, innovation remains the cornerstone of growth. Some biotech stocks, known for their groundbreaking research and rapid adaptation to health challenges, are particularly well-positioned to do well in the future.The global biotechnology market, valued at $1.54 trillion in 2023, is expected to soar to $5.68 trillion by 2033. This growth is expected to be fueled by various factors, including strong government support, advancements in regulatory frameworks, and the rising po ...

In July, most AI stocks entered a correction as the rotation into sectors such as homebuilders and banks gained momentum. Still, any pullbacks in these stocks present a buying opportunity. We are in the early innings of a new technological era that could continue for decades.Nvidia’s (NASDAQ:NVDA) CEO Jensen Huang calls this ongoing shift to accelerating computing the next industrial revolution. Bloomberg Intelligence research shows that generative AI will grow at a 42% compounded annual growth rate over th ...

Catalysts are forming around a lot of the top stocks right now, making this a good time for investors to buy. Many companies are seeing a boost in their share price following strong earnings reports. Others are launching new products, winning approval from regulators and benefiting from increased consumer spending. Despite the market rotation that’s going on, a lot of companies are seeing momentum build in their share price.For investors, the current situation presents an opportunity to take positions in gr ...

The market rotation out of AI winners (mostly chip stocks) has gotten extreme in recent days. This change in investor sentiment comes after a period of significant outperformance by these companies, including the best chip stocks like Nvidia (NASDAQ:NVDA), AMD (NASDAQ:AMD), Broadcom (NASDAQ:AVGO) and Micron Technology (NASDAQ:MU), particularly over the past 12 to 18 months. This trend reversal has taken place over the last few days, with mega-cap stocks receding from their high valuations while the average ...

Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing (NYSE:TSM), the world’s largest chip manufacturer, reported very strong second-quarter results and is clearly benefiting tremendously from the proliferation of artificial intelligence. Moreover, the valuation of Taiwan Semiconductor stock is undemanding while the firm has multiple, strong, positive catalysts. But investors should be aware the stock does pose more geopolitical risk than any other popular stock in the U.S. equities market.Given the latter point, I rate the s ...

Former President Donald Trump wants to rebuild America. Frankly, that’s what every candidate says or some variation of that theme. It’s not original nor is it surprising. If I’m being truly blunt, the only thing that is surprising is that people get caught up in the message, even though again, it’s the same message from the left, right and middle of the road. Still, the topic opens up potential opportunities in manufacturing stocks.No matter who and what party wins out this November, the restoration of Amer ...

If all the major news agencies have their fingers on the pulse of monetary policy, it’s coming – interest rate cuts, that is. According to The Wall Street Journal, Federal Reserve officials will meet soon to discuss a potential September reduction in the benchmark interest rate. The central bank apparently has enough encouraging data in the inflation and labor market fronts to make the decision. And that bodes well for certain stocks to buy.Essentially, investors may assume that the equities space will favo ...