Industry Overview - The artificial intelligence (AI) industry is poised for significant growth, with spending on AI infrastructure expected to rise from $500 billion in 2022 to $1.4 trillion by 2030, reflecting an annualized growth rate of over 20% [2] - The AI infrastructure market is still in its early stages, with the potential for substantial expansion as platforms become more accessible to users [1] Company Analysis Vertiv - Vertiv is positioned to benefit from the growth of AI data centers, focusing on cooling solutions to manage heat generated by advanced computing equipment [4][5] - The global data center cooling market is projected to grow at an average rate of over 10% per year through 2034, with Vertiv's liquid cooling solutions at the forefront [5] - Vertiv's revenue has increased nearly 30% in the first three quarters of 2025, with profits more than doubling during this period [9] Digital Realty Trust - Digital Realty Trust operates as a real estate investment trust (REIT), owning over 300 data center facilities and generating nearly $1.6 billion in revenue in the last quarter, marking a 10% year-over-year increase [13][14] - The company has a strong track record of 20 consecutive years of revenue growth and offers a dividend yield of 3.1%, providing a stable income component for investors [14] Nebius Group - Nebius Group specializes in data centers designed for AI developers, reporting a remarkable year-over-year revenue growth of 355% to $146 million in Q3 2024, although it also experienced a significant increase in losses [16][19] - The company secured a multibillion-dollar, multiyear deal with Microsoft for AI infrastructure services, indicating strong potential despite current financial volatility [19][20] - Analysts maintain a positive outlook on Nebius, with a consensus target price of $158.50, suggesting a potential upside of nearly 70% from its current price [21]

Group 1: Amazon - Amazon is leveraging artificial intelligence (AI) across its core businesses—retail e-commerce, digital advertising, and cloud computing—to enhance revenue and profitability, with a non-GAAP operating margin increase of nearly 2 percentage points over the past year due to efficiency gains from generative AI tools [2] - Amazon Web Services (AWS) holds a dominant 41% market share in the cloud infrastructure and platform services market, with cloud revenue growth accelerating to 20% in Q3, driven by AI demand [3] - Retail e-commerce sales are projected to grow at 10% annually through 2030, ad tech spending is expected to increase at 14% annually, and cloud services spending is forecasted to rise at 22% annually, indicating strong growth drivers for Amazon's core businesses [4] - Wall Street consensus predicts Amazon's earnings will grow at 19% annually over the next three years, making its current valuation of 34 times earnings reasonable, with potential market value reaching $5 trillion by late 2028 if it continues to beat estimates [5] - Amazon's autonomous driving subsidiary Zoox has launched a ride-sharing service and plans to expand, which could lead to a higher P/E multiple if it gains traction [6] - Amazon's current market value is $2.6 trillion, requiring a 92% increase to reach $5 trillion by 2028, implying annual returns of 24% over the next three years [7] Group 2: Alphabet - Alphabet's Google is the largest ad tech company globally, utilizing platforms like Google Search and YouTube to engage users and collect data, while introducing AI features to adapt to changes in the search landscape [8] - New AI-powered advertising tools have been introduced, allowing for personalized ads, which could enhance Google's competitive edge in the advertising market [9] - Google ranks as the third largest public cloud provider, having gained market share due to its AI capabilities, with Forrester Research recognizing it as a leader in AI infrastructure [10] - Wall Street consensus forecasts Alphabet's earnings to grow at 15% annually over the next three years, with a current valuation of 32 times earnings, suggesting a potential market value of $5 trillion by 2028 if it continues to exceed earnings estimates [11] - If Alphabet maintains its current P/E ratio of 32, its market value could reach $6.7 trillion, supported by its leading position in autonomous driving through its subsidiary Waymo [12]

Core Viewpoint - Mirum Pharmaceuticals is positioned for significant growth, with its share price having more than doubled in the past year and expectations for further increases in 2026 due to key developments in its pipeline and financial performance [1]. Financial Performance - Mirum achieved positive cash flow from operations in 2025, marking a significant milestone for the company [2]. - Net product sales for Livmarli increased by 69% year over year in 2025, reaching $359 million, while sales for Cholbam and Ctexli rose by 31% to $161 million. The company anticipates overall revenue guidance of $630 million to $650 million for the current year [5]. Regulatory Approvals - The company received two FDA approvals in the previous year: Ctexli for treating cerebrotendinous xanthomatosis and a tablet formulation of Livmarli for cholestatic pruritus in patients with Alagille syndrome and Progressive Familial Intrahepatic Cholestasis [3]. Pipeline Developments - On January 26, 2026, Mirum completed the acquisition of Bluejay Therapeutics, adding brelovitug to its pipeline, which targets chronic hepatitis delta virus, a rare liver disease with no current approved treatment in the U.S. [4]. - The company is expecting results from a Phase 2B clinical study of volixibat for primary sclerosing cholangitis in the second quarter of 2026, with plans to file for accelerated approval in the second half of the year [6]. - Results from a Phase 3 study of brelovitug for HDV treatment are anticipated in the latter half of 2026, with potential filing for approval in early 2027 if results are positive [8]. - The timing of the Phase 3 study of Livmarli for pruritus in rare cholestatic conditions has been accelerated, with enrollment expected to complete in the first half of 2026 and topline data to be reported by year-end [9].

Core Viewpoint - Apple is positioned as a low-risk, high-reward investment compared to SoundHound AI, which has shown significant stock growth but may not be as sustainable in the long term [1][12]. Company Comparison - Apple and SoundHound AI operate in different segments; Apple focuses on consumer technology and services, while SoundHound targets B2B applications for voice AI [3]. - Apple is set to enhance its voice AI capabilities with an upgraded version of Siri, leveraging Google's advanced language model [4]. Market Position - The automotive sector is a key battleground, with SoundHound partnering with car manufacturers like Stellantis and Hyundai, while Apple has a broader integration with its CarPlay system [5]. - Apple can also compete in the restaurant sector by positioning its technology for mobile ordering, potentially overshadowing SoundHound's drive-through solutions [6]. Financial Performance - In the latest quarter, Apple reported revenue of $102.5 billion, significantly outpacing SoundHound's $42 million [9]. - SoundHound posted a net loss of $109.3 million, while Apple achieved a profit of $14.7 billion [9]. - Apple holds a cash position of approximately $54.7 billion, compared to SoundHound's $269 million [10]. Growth Metrics - SoundHound's year-over-year revenue growth of 68% in Q3 is notable, but Apple's growth rate is around 8% [10]. - SoundHound has no debt, while Apple carries a debt of $112.4 billion [10]. Investment Outlook - Despite SoundHound's impressive technology and growth, Apple is viewed as the better long-term investment due to its broader market opportunities and established presence [12][13]. - Apple's advancements in CarPlay and potential in the smart glasses market are expected to enhance its competitive edge [13].

Industry Overview - Real estate investment trusts (REITs) paid out over $70 billion in dividends in 2024, with expectations for continued growth in 2026 [1] - Prologis and American Tower are predicted to lead the sector in total dividend payments in 2026 [1] Prologis (PLD) - Prologis has a market capitalization of nearly $120 billion and paid almost $3.9 billion in dividends last year, supported by $5.6 billion in core funds from operations (FFO) [2] - The current quarterly dividend is $1.01 per share, annualized to $4.04, with a 5% increase implemented last February [3] - Prologis expects core FFO per share to rise from $5.86 last year to a range of $6.05 to $6.25 in 2026, indicating a 3% to 7% increase [5] - A further 5% dividend increase is anticipated in 2026, leading to an estimated total payout of around $4.1 billion [5] American Tower (AMT) - American Tower has a market capitalization of nearly $84 billion and currently pays $1.70 per share in dividends, totaling about $3.2 billion annually [6] - The company generated $984 million in free cash flow after capital expenditures in the third quarter, indicating strong cash flow to support dividends [6] - American Tower aims for mid-single digit annual dividend growth and is expected to raise its dividend by about 5% this year, increasing total outlay to nearly $3.4 billion [11]

Core Insights - Costco is a significant player in the global retail market with fiscal 2025 net sales of $270 billion, showcasing its strong long-term performance [1] - The stock has appreciated 540% over the past decade, although it is currently trading 9% below its peak as of January 23 [2] Group 1: Same-Store Sales - Same-store sales (SSS) are crucial for measuring organic revenue growth and management effectiveness [3] - Costco has maintained a positive SSS track record over the last six fiscal years, demonstrating resilience despite economic challenges such as the pandemic and inflation [4] Group 2: Membership Renewal Rates - Costco has 81.4 million members, contributing to a high-margin recurring revenue stream of $1.3 billion in Q1 2026 [5] - The membership renewal rate was 92.2% in the U.S. and Canada and 89.7% globally, though slightly down from the previous quarter due to digital member renewals [6] Group 3: New Warehouse Openings - Costco operates 921 warehouses globally and plans to add 28 net new locations in fiscal 2026, aiming for 30 or more openings annually [8] - New warehouses opened in fiscal 2025 generated an average of $192 million in annualized net sales, reflecting a 28% increase from those opened in fiscal 2023 [9]

Core Insights - Interactive Brokers is experiencing significant growth as client activity in financial markets increases, with a record number of client accounts and trading activity [1][3][5] Company Performance - Interactive Brokers was admitted to the S&P 500 in August due to its rapid growth, with a current market capitalization exceeding $130 billion [2] - The company's stock surged by 45.6% last year, outperforming the S&P 500's 16.4% increase [2] - The company reported a record revenue of $6.2 billion in 2025, marking a 19.5% increase from the previous year [7] - Earnings per share reached $2.22, reflecting a 28.3% increase year-over-year [8] Client Metrics - The number of client accounts reached 4.4 million by the end of 2025, a 32% increase from the previous year [3] - Customer equity rose by 37% to $779.9 billion, indicating a strong increase in the total value of cash and securities held in client accounts [4] Trading Activity - Average daily transactions on the platform increased by 30% year-over-year, reaching 4.04 million transactions [5] - The value of outstanding margin loans increased by 40% to $90.2 billion, suggesting strong client confidence in the market [6] Revenue Breakdown - Commission revenue grew by 26.6% to $2.1 billion, driven by robust trading activity [12] - Net interest income increased by 13.2% to $3.5 billion, benefiting from the growth in interest-earning assets [12] Market Position - The stock trades at a price-to-earnings ratio of 34.9, higher than the S&P 500's 26.6 and the Nasdaq-100's 32.6, indicating investor confidence in the company's growth potential [9] - The stock has already increased by 20% in January, outperforming the S&P 500's 1% gain [13]

Core Viewpoint - D-Wave Quantum Inc. has experienced significant stock volatility, with a 300% increase over the past year but a 6% decline in early 2026, raising questions about its future performance [1]. Financial Performance - D-Wave reported a 100% revenue growth in the third quarter and a year-to-date revenue increase of 235% compared to 2024 [3]. - The company achieved its highest cash balance of $836 million, providing a strong financial foundation [3]. - Current market capitalization stands at $8.9 billion, with a gross margin of 82.82% [2]. Business Development - The formation of a governmental business unit aims to secure contracts with government agencies, potentially enhancing D-Wave's competitive position [4]. - D-Wave's technology is applicable in various sectors, including pharmaceutical development, manufacturing, and retail, indicating a diversified commercial strategy [5]. - The acquisition of Quantum Circuits for $550 million is expected to advance D-Wave's capabilities in delivering commercially viable gate-model quantum computers [6]. Market Position and Competition - D-Wave is recognized as a significant player in the quantum computing industry, competing with larger companies like IBM, Google, and Microsoft, while holding a first-mover advantage in annealing quantum computing [8]. - The quantum computing market is still in its early stages, with widespread adoption expected to take several years [7][9].

Core Viewpoint - Energy Transfer offers a 7.3% yield and aims to grow its distribution steadily, despite past concerns regarding trust due to a canceled merger and a dividend cut [1][7]. Company Overview - Energy Transfer operates in the midstream segment of the energy sector, managing infrastructure for oil and natural gas transportation and charging fees for asset usage [2]. - The company’s performance is less affected by volatile energy prices and more reliant on the volume of fuels transported [2]. Financial Performance - Energy Transfer's distributable cash flow supports its distribution at a ratio of 1.8x through the first nine months of 2025, indicating a secure distribution [3]. - The company targets an annual distribution growth rate of 3% to 5% for the foreseeable future [3]. Capital Investment Plans - In 2026, Energy Transfer plans to invest up to $5.5 billion to support distribution growth, focusing on enhancing its natural gas operations as a transition fuel [4]. - Additional projects are in the pipeline, providing growth opportunities extending to 2029 [4]. Market Position - Current market data shows Energy Transfer's stock price at $17.96, with a market cap of $62 billion and a dividend yield of 7.32% [6]. - The combination of the 7% yield and a 3% distribution growth rate suggests a potential total return of 10%, aligning with broader market expectations [6]. Management Changes - The previous dividend cut was a strategic move to reduce leverage, positioning Energy Transfer for more consistent performance under new leadership [7]. - The company is perceived to be entering a new phase, potentially transforming into a reliable income stock for investors [7].

Core Insights - The booming AI sector presents investment opportunities, particularly in companies like SoundHound AI and Navitas Semiconductor, each representing different segments of the AI industry [1][2] SoundHound AI - SoundHound specializes in consumer-facing, voice-activated AI technology, allowing users to perform tasks through voice commands [2][3] - The company launched its Vision AI product in January, which enhances vehicle capabilities by integrating with cameras to interpret surroundings [4] - A partnership with Bridgepointe Technologies aims to expand SoundHound's market reach, with clients including Marriott and Toyota, potentially boosting sales [5] - Revenue for Q3 2025 reached a record $42 million, marking a 68% year-over-year increase, driven by expanding platform capabilities and acquisitions [6] - Despite revenue growth, operating costs surged by 243% year-over-year to $115.9 million, raising concerns about sustainability [6] - SoundHound forecasts full-year sales for 2025 between $165 million and $180 million, nearly doubling from $84.7 million in 2024 [7] Navitas Semiconductor - Navitas develops gallium nitride integrated circuits for power conversion, which are advantageous for AI data centers due to their energy efficiency [9][10] - The company shifted focus from consumer-related components, which previously accounted for 60% of revenue, to AI, resulting in a significant revenue decline [11] - In Q3 2025, Navitas reported revenue of $10.1 million, down from $21.7 million in 2024, and a net loss of $19.2 million [11][12] - Operating expenses were reduced to $23.2 million in Q3 from $37.6 million the previous year, but sales are expected to continue declining in Q4 2025 [12] - Navitas anticipates gradual revenue growth in 2026 as it focuses on AI, despite current challenges [12] Investment Considerations - Investing in SoundHound requires confidence in its ability to maintain sales growth while managing costs, whereas Navitas investors must believe in the success of its AI pivot [14] - Both companies are currently unprofitable, making valuation assessments based on forward price-to-sales (P/S) ratios relevant [15] - SoundHound's forward sales multiple is at a low point, while Navitas' is significantly higher, suggesting that SoundHound may be the more attractive investment at this time [17][18]