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The 5 Best Growth Stocks to Buy Right Now for 2026
The Motley Fool· 2025-12-21 20:40
Core Insights - A group of five growth stocks is highlighted as potential multibaggers for long-term investors, despite recent declines of 22% to 55% from their 52-week highs [1][2] Group 1: Rocket Lab USA - Rocket Lab USA has seen its sales increase nearly tenfold since its IPO in 2021, positioning it as the No. 3 player in the launch services industry [4][5] - The company is expected to launch its Neutron rocket in Q1 next year, which could enhance its competitive stance against larger peers like SpaceX [4] - The space industry is projected to grow from $630 billion in 2023 to $1.8 trillion by 2035, indicating significant growth potential for Rocket Lab, which has a current market cap of $28 billion [7] - Rocket Lab's gross margin stands at 28.93%, and shares are currently 20% below their high, making it an attractive investment opportunity [9] Group 2: Kinsale Capital - Kinsale Capital Group has delivered a 39% total return since its 2016 IPO, with a combined ratio of 77%, outperforming peers with an average of 92% [10][11] - The company focuses on small, hard-to-assess risks, which has allowed it to carve out a profitable niche, although its revenue growth slowed to 19% in the latest quarter due to increased pricing competition [12] - Kinsale's stock is down 24% due to this growth slowdown, presenting a potential buying opportunity [13] Group 3: MercadoLibre - MercadoLibre has transformed from $85 million in sales at its 2007 IPO to $26 billion today, making it a 70-bagger [14] - The company operates in a market where online buying penetration in Latin America is only half that of the U.S., indicating further growth potential [15] - MercadoLibre's logistics network supports its e-commerce and fintech operations, and the stock has dipped 23% from its July 2025 highs, making it a favorable buy [16] Group 4: SPS Commerce - SPS Commerce has delivered 18% annualized returns since 2010, with sales growing 26 times in value during that period [17] - The company has achieved 99 consecutive quarters of positive sales growth, although its growth rate has decelerated, leading to a 55% drop in stock price over the last year [18] Group 5: Dutch Bros - Dutch Bros has seen a 14% annual stock price increase since 2021 and aims to expand from 1,089 locations to 2,029 by 2029 [20] - The company plans to buy back shares using at least half of its free cash flow, marking a shift from previous reliance on issuing new shares [21][22] - Despite trading at 40 times cash from operations, the growth potential could make it a multibagger if expansion goals are met [23]
If You'd Invested $500 in Netflix stock 10 Years Ago, Here's How Much You'd Have Today
The Motley Fool· 2025-12-21 20:30
Core Viewpoint - Netflix is pursuing a significant acquisition of Warner Bros. Discovery's assets, indicating a strategic shift for the company in the streaming industry [1] Company Overview - Netflix has a history of pivoting into adjacent businesses and leading new media directions, showcasing its adaptability and innovation [2] - Originally a DVD rental service, Netflix transitioned to streaming in 2007 and launched its first original content in 2012, establishing itself as a major player in the media landscape by 2015 [4] Investment Performance - An investment of $500 in Netflix stock in late 2015 would have grown to $3,869 today, reflecting a 674% gain, significantly outperforming the S&P 500's total return of 301% over the same period [5] - As of the latest data, Netflix's market capitalization stands at $431 billion, with a current stock price of $94.33 [6] Market Position and Future Outlook - Despite its growth, it is unlikely that Netflix will replicate the same level of returns over the next decade, as it is no longer a small, emerging company [7] - Nevertheless, Netflix has consistently shown the ability to influence trends and evolve within the media industry, suggesting it could remain a valuable asset in a diversified investment portfolio [7]
1 Top Stock to Buy Instead of Ford in 2026
The Motley Fool· 2025-12-21 16:50
The Detroit automaker has done a great job winning over investors this year.For investors in the U.S., Ford Motor Company (F +1.13%) is probably a household name, especially these days. That's because its shares have performed extraordinarily well, producing a total return of 48% in 2025 (as of Dec. 17). That gain almost triples the performance of the S&P 500.The Detroit carmaker has had a phenomenal year, giving it due credit. Investors should have no complaints. However, there's one automotive stock you s ...
Vanguard vs. iShares: Is VWO or IEMG the Better Emerging Markets ETF?
The Motley Fool· 2025-12-21 16:48
Core Insights - The Vanguard FTSE Emerging Markets ETF (VWO) and iShares Core MSCI Emerging Markets ETF (IEMG) differ in expense ratios, holdings, and recent performance, with VWO offering broader stock coverage while IEMG has shown stronger one-year returns [1][2] Cost & Size Comparison - VWO has an expense ratio of 0.07%, while IEMG's is slightly higher at 0.09% [3] - As of December 19, 2025, VWO's one-year return is 23.1%, compared to IEMG's 29.2% [3] - VWO has a dividend yield of 2.83%, slightly higher than IEMG's 2.80% [3] - VWO has a beta of 0.88, indicating lower volatility compared to IEMG's beta of 0.97 [3] - VWO has assets under management (AUM) of $141 billion, while IEMG has $117 billion [3] Performance & Risk Comparison - Over the past five years, VWO experienced a maximum drawdown of 34.3%, while IEMG had a drawdown of 37.1% [5] - The growth of $1,000 invested over five years would result in $1,255 for VWO and $1,250 for IEMG [5] Holdings Overview - IEMG holds approximately 2,725 stocks, with major sector allocations in technology (26%), financial services (21%), and consumer cyclicals (12%) [6] - VWO has a broader portfolio with 6,146 holdings, with similar sector weightings led by technology (23%), financial services (21%), and consumer cyclicals (13%) [7] Investment Implications - Both ETFs have delivered nearly identical annualized total returns since 2012, with VWO at 4.8% and IEMG at 5% [8] - Their sector allocations, expense ratios, and dividend yields are very similar, trading at around 15 times earnings [9] - IEMG includes South Korea in its portfolio, which may appeal to investors looking for exposure to that economy [10]
Better Broad-Market ETF: ITOT vs. SPTM
The Motley Fool· 2025-12-21 16:47
Fund size, stock coverage, and trading flexibility set these two ultra-low-cost ETFs apart for investors prioritizing scale and liquidity.The State Street SPDR Portfolio S&P 1500 Composite Stock Market ETF (SPTM +0.88%) and the iShares Core SP Total US Stock Market ETF (ITOT +0.90%) stand out for their broad U.S. equity exposure, near-identical costs, and very similar performance and sector makeup, with ITOT offering greater scale and liquidity.Both SPTM and ITOT aim to track the total U.S. stock market acr ...
Prediction: Marvell Stock Could Rise 80 Percent in 2026
The Motley Fool· 2025-12-21 16:30
Core Insights - Marvell Technology is positioning itself as a key player in AI infrastructure, driven by increasing demand for high-speed data movement and efficient power delivery [1] - The company reported a record quarter, indicating strong performance and growth potential [1] - New photonic interconnects and expanding opportunities in data centers are expected to contribute to substantial long-term upside for Marvell's stock [1]
The 3 Deep Learning Stocks That Could Be Worth 50% More by 2027
The Motley Fool· 2025-12-21 15:50
2025 was a solid year, and valuations aren't cheap, yet there is still significant upside left in these three AI leaders.2025 is nearly over, and despite the strong year, many investors are biting their fingernails over the prospects for 2026. Will the artificial intelligence (AI) boom continue despite talks of a bubble and debt investors recently balking at funding large-scale data centers? Whom will President Donald Trump pick as the new Federal Reserve chair, and will the new nominee be independent?Short ...
Prediction: Joby Aviation Could Lead the Global Air Taxi Market by 2026
The Motley Fool· 2025-12-21 15:30
Core Insights - Joby Aviation is experiencing significant momentum due to government programs, global partnerships, and major demonstrations that are advancing its air taxi vision [1] - Despite the positive developments, there are notable risks related to dilution and certification that investors should monitor closely [1] Group 1: Company Progress - Joby Aviation is making strides towards its air taxi goals, driven by various catalysts [1] - The company is actively engaging in global partnerships that enhance its operational capabilities [1] - Major demonstrations are showcasing the potential of Joby's technology and business model [1] Group 2: Risks - Investors need to be aware of dilution risks that may affect the company's stock performance [1] - Certification risks remain a significant concern as the company navigates regulatory requirements [1]
The Best Artificial Intelligence (AI) Stock To Buy in 2026 (Hint: It's Not Nvidia)
The Motley Fool· 2025-12-21 14:45
Core Viewpoint - The strong demand for artificial intelligence (AI) is leading investors to identify potential winners, with Alphabet positioned to dominate the future of AI alongside established semiconductor companies [1][2]. Company Overview - Alphabet has built a robust AI infrastructure, which is expected to enhance its market position as AI investments continue to grow [2][18]. - The company has seen a significant increase in its Google Cloud revenue, which is projected to exceed $50 billion annually, marking a shift from previous unprofitability [8][18]. Market Performance - Alphabet's stock is currently valued at $307.16, with a market capitalization of $3.7 trillion and a forward price-to-earnings (P/E) ratio around 28, indicating strong investor confidence [7][13]. - The stock has shown a price increase of 1.55% recently, reflecting positive market sentiment towards its operational performance and future growth potential [6][15]. AI Developments - Alphabet's Gemini, its own large language model (LLM), has gained over 650 million monthly active users, with search queries increasing threefold quarter over quarter [9][10]. - The company is also commercializing custom hardware through application-specific integrated circuits (ASICs), which have begun to gain traction with major clients like Apple and Anthropic [11][12]. Competitive Positioning - Alphabet's diverse ecosystem, which includes search, cloud computing, and consumer electronics, provides a competitive edge over other tech giants [16]. - The company is expected to benefit more from rising investments in AI infrastructure compared to singular chip designers or software developers [17][18].
The Best S&P 500 ETF to Buy: Vanguard S&P 500 ETF vs. iShares Core S&P 500 ETF
The Motley Fool· 2025-12-21 14:30
Core Insights - The primary distinction between the iShares Core S&P 500 ETF (IVV) and the Vanguard S&P 500 ETF (VOO) lies in their scale and investor preferences, as both have similar costs and performance metrics [1][4]. Cost and Size Comparison - Both IVV and VOO have an expense ratio of 0.03% and deliver a similar dividend yield of approximately 1% [3][4]. - As of the latest data, IVV has assets under management (AUM) of $680.6 billion, while VOO has a significantly larger AUM of $1.5 trillion [3]. Performance and Risk Metrics - The one-year total return for IVV is 16.5%, compared to VOO's 18% [3]. - Over a five-year period, the maximum drawdown for IVV is -24.53%, while VOO's is slightly lower at -24.52% [5]. - The growth of $1,000 invested over five years is $1,845 for IVV and $1,842 for VOO [5]. Portfolio Composition - VOO holds 505 stocks with a sector mix led by technology (34.6%), followed by financials and consumer discretionary [6]. - IVV has 503 holdings with a similar sector allocation, with technology at 34.02% [7]. Investment Implications - Investing in S&P 500 ETFs like IVV and VOO provides a cost-effective way to gain exposure to the performance of the 500 largest publicly traded companies in the U.S. [9]. - The recent surge in the S&P 500 index to record highs has also led to record highs for both IVV and VOO [10]. - Investors can benefit from dividends paid by S&P 500 companies, which are collected and passed on by the ETFs [11]. Investor Considerations - Retail investors can choose between VOO and IVV, with VOO's larger size and higher trading volumes potentially offering better liquidity for high-volume traders [12].