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Billionaire David Tepper Sells Oracle, Micron, and Intel, and Buys an AI Stock Up 31,000% Since Its IPO
The Motley Fool· 2026-01-25 21:16
Core Viewpoint - Billionaire David Tepper is focusing on turnaround stories in the tech sector, particularly in AI-related stocks, as he adjusts his investment portfolio to capitalize on emerging opportunities [1][3]. Group 1: Investment Strategy - Tepper's recent 13F filing revealed significant sales of stocks that have surged due to the AI trend, including Micron Technology, Oracle, and Intel [2]. - Tepper reinvested profits from these sales into another AI stock that has not yet gained traction but has potential as a key supplier of AI chips [3]. - Tepper's strategy reflects a contrarian approach, seeking undervalued assets in a high-demand semiconductor market [4]. Group 2: Company Performance - Intel's stock experienced a significant drop despite high semiconductor demand, prompting Tepper to purchase shares when they appeared undervalued [4]. - Following a U.S. government investment in Intel, the stock price increased, allowing Tepper to realize gains, although the stock is now viewed as risky due to valuation concerns [5]. - Oracle's stock rose significantly due to strong earnings and a major contract with OpenAI, but its reliance on OpenAI's success and high debt levels raises concerns about future profitability [8]. Group 3: Emerging Opportunities - Qualcomm is highlighted as a promising AI chipmaker, with a growing portfolio beyond its traditional wireless connectivity products [12]. - The company is set to release new AI chips designed for large language model inference, which could enhance its market position [14]. - Qualcomm's automotive segment is also expected to grow, driven by increasing demand for advanced AI features in vehicles, despite losing a major baseband chip customer [17][18].
3 Safe Dividend Stocks Yielding At Least 3% to Buy Without Hesitation Right Now
The Motley Fool· 2026-01-25 21:10
Core Viewpoint - The article highlights three high-quality dividend stocks—Brookfield Infrastructure, ExxonMobil, and Prologis—that offer attractive yields above 3% and are expected to continue increasing their dividends due to strong business fundamentals and financial profiles [1][14]. Group 1: Brookfield Infrastructure - Brookfield Infrastructure has a dividend yield of approximately 3.8% and operates a diverse portfolio across utilities, transportation, energy midstream, and data sectors, generating stable cash flows backed by long-term contracts [2][5]. - The company aims to distribute 60% to 70% of its stable cash flows as dividends while retaining the rest for reinvestment, with a backlog of $7.8 billion in capital projects expected to be completed in the next two to three years, primarily in the data segment [3][5]. - Brookfield has secured $1.5 billion in new business deals over the past year and anticipates growing its funds from operations by over 10% annually, which should drive dividend increases of 5% to 9% each year [5][14]. Group 2: ExxonMobil - ExxonMobil has a dividend yield of just over 3% and benefits from a large-scale, integrated business model that mitigates the impact of oil price volatility on earnings [6][8]. - The company expects to achieve $25 billion in earnings growth and $35 billion in cash flow growth by 2030, driven by structural cost savings and high-return capital projects [8][9]. - ExxonMobil plans to generate approximately $145 billion in cumulative surplus cash over the next five years, allowing for continued dividend increases, having raised its dividend for 42 consecutive years [9][14]. Group 3: Prologis - Prologis offers a dividend yield of 3.2%, supported by stable cash flows from long-term leases that typically include annual rental escalations [10][12]. - The REIT maintains a conservative dividend payout ratio and a strong balance sheet, providing financial flexibility for portfolio expansion through development projects and acquisitions [12][13]. - Prologis primarily invests in logistics properties and aims to leverage its land bank and expertise in developing data centers, which should facilitate ongoing dividend growth, having increased its payout at a 13% compound annual rate over the last five years [13][14].
You Can Do Better Than Rocket Labs With This 1 ETF
The Motley Fool· 2026-01-25 20:45
Core Insights - Rocket Lab has shown significant stock performance, with a 360% increase in 2024 and 174% in 2025, turning a $10,000 investment three years ago into $186,880 [2] - The Defiance Drone and Modern Warfare ETF (JEDI) is recommended as a better investment option, providing exposure to Rocket Lab and other companies in related industries [3][15] Company Overview - Rocket Lab specializes in launch services, rockets, space vehicles, and satellite equipment, becoming a key player in both U.S. and international space programs [2] - The company has secured substantial contracts, including an $816 million contract for missile-tracking satellites and a $515 million contract for a satellite communications network for the U.S. military [12] ETF Details - The JEDI ETF focuses on companies involved in military drones, AI-driven warfare, space products, military robotics, and cybersecurity, with at least 50% of revenue coming from these sectors [5] - Rocket Lab is the top holding in the JEDI ETF, accounting for 8.66% of the fund, which includes 26 stocks with a maximum 10% weighting per stock to ensure diversification [6][7] Performance Metrics - The JEDI ETF has shown strong performance, with Rocket Lab's one-year performance at 180.8%, while other top holdings like Saab AB and Kratos Defense have outperformed Rocket Lab [7][8] - The ETF's expense ratio is 0.69%, which is considered reasonable given the potential returns [15] Market Context - The U.S. defense budget is projected to increase from $900 billion in 2026 to $1.5 trillion in 2027, contributing to the profitability of Rocket Lab and other companies within the JEDI ETF [14]
Nvidia's 85% GPU Market Share Faces Growing Competition: Is This AI Stock Still a Buy for 2026?
The Motley Fool· 2026-01-25 20:45
Core Viewpoint - The AI hardware market is becoming increasingly competitive, yet Nvidia remains a dominant player with significant market share and growth potential [1][2]. Company Overview - Nvidia's graphics processing units (GPUs) are integral to AI applications, achieving an impressive 85% market share, positioning the company nearly as a monopoly [2]. - The company has experienced substantial growth, with a market capitalization of $4.6 trillion and a stock price increase of 1,252% over the past five years [5][7]. Financial Performance - In Q3 2025, Nvidia reported revenue of $57 billion, reflecting a 62% year-over-year increase, while net income surged by 65% and diluted earnings per share (EPS) grew by 67% [7]. - Cash reserves increased from $43.2 billion in January 2025 to $60.6 billion by October 2025, allowing the company to cover its $10.82 billion debt nearly six times over [8]. - Nvidia boasts a gross profit margin of 70% and a net income margin of 53%, indicating strong profitability [8]. Competitive Landscape - Competitors such as Advanced Micro Devices (AMD) and Qualcomm are emerging, with AMD holding a 7% market share and Qualcomm targeting lower-end AI users [2][4]. - Despite AMD's growth of only 0.8% in Q3 2025, it remains a slow-growing rival, while Qualcomm's new chips are expected to enter the market in the near future [4]. Market Influence - Nvidia is the preferred choice for major AI software developers, including OpenAI and Microsoft, which further solidifies its market position [5]. - The company has consistently exceeded earnings expectations in the last five quarters, indicating strong market confidence [9].
This Bond ETF Has a Special Tax Advantage Over One of Fidelity's Top Bond Fund
The Motley Fool· 2026-01-25 19:25
Core Viewpoint - Fidelity's bond market investments are compared with iShares' municipal bond ETF, highlighting differences in risks and tax profiles for income-seeking investors [1] Cost & Size Comparison - MUB has an expense ratio of 0.05% while FBND has a higher expense ratio of 0.36% - As of January 25, 2026, MUB's 1-year return is 1.22% compared to FBND's 2.6% - MUB offers a dividend yield of 3.13%, whereas FBND provides a higher yield of 4.7% - MUB has an AUM of $41.85 billion, significantly larger than FBND's $23.91 billion [2] Performance & Risk Comparison - Over the past five years, MUB experienced a max drawdown of -11.88%, while FBND had a larger drawdown of -17.23% - An investment of $1,000 in MUB would have grown to $922, compared to $862 for FBND over the same period [4] Fund Composition - FBND, launched in 2014, holds 4,459 assets with 67% rated AAA, but also invests up to 20% in lower-quality debt securities like BBB-rated bonds [5] - MUB tracks a mix of investment-grade U.S. municipal bonds with 6,163 holdings, holding no U.S. government bonds and approximately 61% rated AA [6] Investor Implications - Bond ETFs like FBND and MUB behave differently from stock ETFs, with a slow recovery from the 2022 market crash - FBND may yield higher returns over time due to its inclusion of riskier B-rated bonds, while MUB offers tax benefits due to its municipal bond structure [7][9]
Want to Invest Globally? IEFA Offers Broader Diversification Than EEM.
The Motley Fool· 2026-01-25 19:15
Core Insights - The iShares MSCI Emerging Markets ETF (EEM) has shown recent outperformance with a focus on emerging markets, while the iShares Core MSCI EAFE ETF (IEFA) offers lower costs, higher yield, and broader developed-market diversification [1][2] Cost and Size Comparison - IEFA has an expense ratio of 0.07%, significantly lower than EEM's 0.72% - IEFA's one-year return is 31.8%, while EEM's is 33.3% - IEFA offers a dividend yield of 3.5%, compared to EEM's 2.1% - IEFA has assets under management (AUM) of $170.4 billion, while EEM has $25.1 billion [3][4] Performance and Risk Comparison - Over five years, IEFA's maximum drawdown is -30.41%, while EEM's is -39.82% - A $1,000 investment in IEFA would grow to $1,307 over five years, compared to $1,044 for EEM [5] Portfolio Composition - EEM holds 1,214 stocks, with significant allocations in Technology (30%), Financial Services (21%), and Consumer Discretionary (12%) - Top holdings in EEM include Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing (12.6%), Tencent Holdings (4.5%), and Samsung Electronics (4.5%) [6] - IEFA contains 2,591 developed-market stocks, with major sector weightings in Financial Services (23%), Industrials (20%), and Healthcare (11%) - Leading positions in IEFA include ASML Holding (2.1%), Roche Holding (1.3%), and HSBC (1.2%), indicating a more diversified approach [7] Investment Implications - IEFA serves as a low-cost index fund for global stock market exposure, with over 2,500 stocks and minimal concentration risk - EEM focuses on higher-risk emerging markets with greater growth potential but also higher fees and concentration risk [10][11]
Should You Buy United Parcel Service Stock While It's Below $110?
The Motley Fool· 2026-01-25 18:45
Core Viewpoint - United Parcel Service (UPS) is undergoing a significant business turnaround after experiencing a decline in stock value, with early signs of improvement in its operations and financial metrics [1][6]. Group 1: Business Operations - UPS operates a complex, capital-intensive package delivery service, which includes a vast network of retail stores, sorting and distribution facilities, and a large fleet of delivery vehicles [2]. - The company has been focusing on streamlining operations and prioritizing more profitable customers, which includes reducing reliance on Amazon, a key customer with low profit margins [4][5]. Group 2: Financial Performance - In the second quarter of 2025, UPS reported a 5.5% increase in revenue per piece in the U.S. market, despite a 0.8% decline in overall revenue for that division [7]. - The third quarter showed further improvement, with revenue per piece in the U.S. jumping 9.8% while overall revenue fell 2.6%, and the adjusted operating margin improved by 110 basis points year over year [8]. Group 3: Market Reaction - UPS's share price has increased by 24% over the past three months, indicating that investors are optimistic about the company's turnaround efforts [9]. - The current stock price is around $107.98, with a market capitalization of $92 billion and a dividend yield of 6.08%, although the dividend payout ratio exceeds 100% [8][10].
2 "Magnificent Seven" Stocks That Are Virtually Unassailable Because of This Powerful Trait
The Motley Fool· 2026-01-25 18:30
Core Insights - The article highlights the "Magnificent Seven" stocks, which are innovative companies leading various secular trends and capturing a larger share of the stock market capitalization [1] Group 1: Company Characteristics - Alphabet (GOOGL) and Meta Platforms (META) are identified as standout companies within the "Magnificent Seven" due to their significant network effects [2][4] - Alphabet has a market capitalization of $4.0 trillion, with a gross margin of 59.18% and a dividend yield of 0.25% [3][4] - Meta Platforms has a market capitalization of $1.7 trillion, with a gross margin of 82.00% and a dividend yield of 0.32% [6] Group 2: Network Effects - Both companies benefit from strong network effects, where increased usage enhances the quality of their platforms, creating a positive feedback loop that strengthens their competitive positions [5] - The extensive user base of Alphabet and Meta makes it extremely challenging for new entrants to disrupt their services, as building a widely adopted search engine, video streaming service, or social media app from scratch is nearly impossible [7]
These International ETFs Can Add Unique Diversity to Your Portfolio
The Motley Fool· 2026-01-25 18:21
Core Insights - The article compares two international ETFs, iShares Core MSCI EAFE ETF (IEFA) and iShares MSCI ACWI ex U.S. ETF (ACWX), highlighting their differing approaches to international equity exposure [1] Cost & Size - IEFA has a lower expense ratio of 0.07% compared to ACWX's 0.32% [2] - IEFA's one-year return is 28.66%, while ACWX's is 31.86% [2] - IEFA offers a higher dividend yield of 3.4% versus ACWX's 2.7% [2] - IEFA has assets under management (AUM) of $170.35 billion, significantly higher than ACWX's $8.6 billion [2] Performance & Risk Comparison - Over five years, IEFA's maximum drawdown is -30.41%, slightly worse than ACWX's -30.06% [4] - A $1,000 investment in IEFA would grow to $1,302 over five years, compared to $1,267 for ACWX [4] Portfolio Composition - ACWX holds 1,796 companies across developed and emerging markets, with a focus on financial services, industrials, and technology [5] - IEFA focuses on developed markets with 2,619 stocks and a lighter allocation to technology [6] - The largest holdings in ACWX include Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing, Tencent Holdings, and ASML Holding, while IEFA's largest holdings are ASML, Roche Holding, and HSBC Holdings [5][6] Investor Considerations - Both ETFs exclude U.S. stocks, and their international holdings may behave differently from U.S. equities [7] - ACWX's top holdings are primarily based in Asia, while IEFA's are mainly in Europe, suggesting that U.S. investors should monitor relevant foreign events [8] - IEFA outperforms ACWX in terms of expense ratio, dividends, and five-year returns, but ACWX remains a viable option for exposure to both emerging and developed markets [9]
Why Parker-Hannifin Rallied 38.2% in 2025
The Motley Fool· 2026-01-25 18:07
Core Viewpoint - Parker-Hannifin Corporation had a strong performance in 2025, with shares increasing by 38.2%, making it an attractive investment opportunity for industrial investors during pullbacks [1]. Financial Performance - The aerospace segment, which is the largest for Parker-Hannifin, experienced significant growth, contributing to margin expansion and multiple earnings beats [2]. - In fiscal 2025, the aerospace division grew by 13% and expanded operating margins by 300 basis points, offsetting a 3% decline in the general industrial segment [4]. - The first fiscal quarter of 2025 saw revenue growth accelerate to 3.7%, or 5% when accounting for divestitures, with adjusted earnings per share increasing by 16% [5]. Acquisitions and Strategy - Parker-Hannifin made two notable acquisitions in 2025: Curtis Instruments for $1 billion and Filtration Group for $9.25 billion, enhancing its presence in the electric vehicle and industrial filtration markets [6]. - The successful integration of Meggitt PLC, acquired for approximately $7.3 billion, contributed to the company's strong performance and cost synergies [4]. Market Position and Valuation - Parker-Hannifin is recognized as a high-performing company with a "Win 3.0" business excellence strategy, which has proven effective in a challenging macroeconomic environment [7]. - Currently, shares are trading at 33 times earnings, which is at the high end of the valuation range for the past decade, indicating that while the company may be fairly valued to over-valued, it remains a high-quality investment option [8].