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Apple's Action Tells Me That Another "Magnificent Seven" Stock Is the Best AI Investment Opportunity in 2026 and Beyond
The Motley Fool· 2026-01-26 10:21
Apple is figuring out how to participate in the AI race by leaning on its fellow California-based tech peer.Apple has drawn criticism for falling behind in the artificial intelligence race (AI). But the consumer tech heavyweight's latest move signals a calculated approach to push the business forward.Investors looking to gain more exposure to the revolutionary technology in their portfolios might want to consider the company Apple just partnered with. It's the best AI opportunity in 2026 and beyond. Leanin ...
Yeti Holdings: Is the Post-Q3 Rally Pricing in Margin Recovery?
The Motley Fool· 2026-01-26 10:00
Core Viewpoint - Yeti Holdings' stock has increased by 44% since reporting Q3 2025 earnings, despite a significant decline in gross margins and operating margins, indicating market optimism about the company's future potential [1]. Financial Performance - Yeti's stock is currently trading at approximately $48 per share, nearing levels not seen since December 2023 [1]. - The company reported a gross margin decline from 58.2% to 55.9% and adjusted operating margins at 13.7%, the lowest in years [1]. - Current gross margin stands at 57.79% [2]. Market Dynamics - The decline in gross margin is attributed to tariff impacts on China-sourced goods and a shift in product mix, with higher-margin drinkware sales declining by 4% while lower-margin coolers grew by 12% [5][6]. - Drinkware now constitutes about 54% of sales, down from previous levels, while coolers account for 44% [6]. Supply Chain and Manufacturing - Yeti is reducing its reliance on Chinese manufacturing, projecting that exposure will be less than 5% of cost of goods sold by 2026 [5]. - The company is diversifying its supply chain across countries like Vietnam, the Philippines, and Mexico [5]. Growth Opportunities - Direct-to-consumer sales have increased from 8% to 60% of total revenue over the past decade, providing a scalable platform for growth [8]. - International sales grew by 14% in Q3 2025, now representing about 20% of revenue, with significant growth potential in Asia [9]. Strategic Initiatives - Yeti is targeting new customer segments beyond outdoor enthusiasts, including partnerships in sports and entertainment [10]. - The company has acquired Helimix for $38 million to expand into the sports nutrition market [10]. Competitive Landscape - Competition in the drinkware segment has intensified, with rivals like Stanley gaining market share among younger consumers [11]. - The domestic tumbler category shows signs of saturation, which may prolong pressure on gross margins [11]. Financial Health and Shareholder Returns - Yeti has repurchased $150 million of stock in Q3 2025 and raised its buyback target for the year from $200 million to $300 million, indicating strong cash generation [13]. - The company expects to generate $200 million in free cash flow for 2025 and has a solid balance sheet with approximately $90 million in net cash [14]. Valuation - At around $48 per share, Yeti trades at about 19.5 times management's 2025 earnings and free cash flow expectations, which is considered reasonable given the company's growth potential [15].
This $25 Dividend Stock Could Be Your Ticket to Financial Freedom
The Motley Fool· 2026-01-26 09:30
Core Viewpoint - VICI Properties offers a high dividend yield, currently over 6%, which is significantly above the S&P 500 average of 1.2%, making it an attractive option for passive income investors [1]. Group 1: Dividend Stability and Growth - VICI Properties owns a diverse portfolio of experiential real estate, including casinos and entertainment complexes, and leases these properties under long-term, triple-net leases, ensuring stable cash flows [2]. - The company pays out approximately 75% of its stable cash flow in dividends, with a history of increasing its dividend for eight consecutive years at a compound annual growth rate of 6.6%, outpacing the 2.3% average of other NNN-focused REITs [5]. Group 2: Investment Strategy and Growth Potential - VICI Properties engages in sale-leaseback transactions, recently completing a $1.2 billion acquisition of seven gaming properties, which enhances its cash flow to support dividend payments [3]. - The company has a significant total addressable market opportunity exceeding $400 billion for U.S. gaming properties, positioning it for continued growth and the ability to increase dividends [6].
Micron Stock Is Up Over 260%. Here's Why It Could Go Even Higher
The Motley Fool· 2026-01-26 08:47
Core Viewpoint - Micron Technology is experiencing significant momentum, driven by the increasing demand for high-bandwidth memory (HBM) in artificial intelligence (AI) applications, with a potential for further growth in its stock price [2][4][11] Company Performance - Micron's stock has surged over 260% in the last 12 months, outperforming other AI stocks [2] - Current market capitalization stands at $450 billion, with a price range of $390.76 to $412.22 for the day [3] - The company has a gross margin of 45.53% and a dividend yield of 0.12% [3] Market Dynamics - The total addressable market for HBM is projected to grow from approximately $35 billion last year to around $100 billion by 2028, reflecting a compound annual growth rate of about 40% [6] - Strong demand for HBM is expected to persist, with supply constraints likely continuing beyond 2026 [6][7] Demand Drivers - AI applications are expanding beyond data centers to edge devices, including smartphones and vehicles, increasing the need for memory [3][4] - Developers of large language models are increasing context windows, which require more memory, specifically HBM [4][5] Earnings Potential - Analysts predict that Micron's earnings could nearly quadruple over the next two years due to favorable supply-demand dynamics [8] - The stock is currently trading at 12.5 times forward earnings, with a low price-to-earnings-to-growth (PEG) ratio of 0.7, indicating potential for significant growth [9] Analyst Sentiment - Despite a strong performance, the consensus 12-month price target for Micron is 12% below the current share price, reflecting a cautious outlook among analysts [10] - 37 out of 43 analysts rated Micron as a "buy" or "strong buy," indicating overall positive sentiment despite the lower price target [10]
The Stock Market This Week: President Trump's Tariffs, the Fed's Interest Rate Decision, and Big Tech Earnings
The Motley Fool· 2026-01-26 08:25
Market Overview - The U.S. stock market is experiencing volatility due to President Trump's tariff threats, the Federal Reserve's interest rate decision, and earnings reports from major tech companies [1][2][11] - The S&P 500 index had a 2% increase before a drop of over 2% following tariff announcements [1] Federal Reserve Interest Rate Decision - The Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) is expected to maintain the federal funds rate at 3.5% to 3.75% during its meeting on January 28 [3] - The likelihood of a 25-basis-point cut is only 4% according to CME Group's FedWatch tool [3] - Recent economic data suggests a resilient jobs market, with the unemployment rate improving to 4.4% in December from 4.5% in November [4][5] Earnings Reports from "Magnificent Seven" - Four companies from the "Magnificent Seven" will report earnings this week: Tesla, Microsoft, Meta Platforms, and Apple [6][11] Tesla - Expected revenue for Tesla in Q4 is $24.9 billion, a 3% decrease, with non-GAAP earnings projected to drop 45% to $0.40 per diluted share [6] - Focus will be on CEO Elon Musk's comments regarding physical AI initiatives [7] Microsoft - Anticipated revenue increase of 15% to $80.3 billion, with non-GAAP earnings expected to rise 20% to $3.86 per diluted share [8] - Investors will pay attention to Azure's revenue growth and generative AI adoption [8] Meta Platforms - Expected revenue growth of 21% to $58 billion, with non-GAAP earnings projected to increase 3% to $8.23 per diluted share [9] - Investors are looking for continued trends in engagement and advertising conversion rates due to AI investments [9] Apple - Expected revenue increase of 11% to $138 billion, with GAAP earnings also projected to rise 11% to $2.67 per diluted share [10] - Market focus will be on iPhone sales and updates regarding AI innovation [10]
3 Things Investors Need to Know About TRX Gold Corporation in 2026
The Motley Fool· 2026-01-26 08:05
Core Viewpoint - Investors interested in gold may find TRX Gold Corporation an attractive option due to its significant stock price increase and the overall rise in gold prices, which have surged 87% since the start of 2025, with TRX Gold's stock rising 178% since September [1]. Group 1: Company Performance - TRX Gold has a market capitalization of $327 million and has seen its stock price increase by 12.87% to $1.14, with a 52-week range of $0.27 to $1.14 [2]. - The company reported an average gold price of $3,860 per ounce in the first quarter, leading to an increase in its adjusted EBITDA margin from 35.2% to 52.5% [4]. - TRX Gold generated record revenue of $25.1 million in the first quarter and is transitioning from a negative to a positive working capital position, aiming to fund future expansions through operational cash flow rather than equity sales [7]. Group 2: Operational Risks - TRX Gold operates primarily from a single project, the Buckreef Gold Project in Tanzania, which exposes the company to risks such as technical failures, weather events, and political issues [5][6]. - The company operates as a joint venture with the Tanzanian government, which may limit its control over certain operational decisions [6]. Group 3: Future Outlook - The capital cost for the planned plant expansion is estimated at $30 million, which the company expects to finance entirely through internally generated cash flow over the next 18 to 24 months [8]. - TRX Gold is not hedged, providing it with full exposure to rising gold prices, making it a speculative investment for those bullish on gold [9].
This Controversial AI Stock Could Shock Investors in 2026
The Motley Fool· 2026-01-26 06:23
Core Viewpoint - AppLovin is positioned for potential strong growth in 2026 despite facing ongoing short-seller allegations and a recent stock decline [2][5][7] Company Overview - AppLovin has been accused by short-sellers of installing apps without user consent and being involved in money laundering linked to criminal syndicates [2][3] - The company has maintained strong growth, with a revenue increase of 68% and adjusted EBITDA growth of 79% in the last quarter [5] Financial Performance - AppLovin's stock is currently trading at a forward price-to-earnings (P/E) ratio of just under 38, which is considered more attractive than previous valuations [5] - The company has a market capitalization of $177 billion and a gross margin of 82.06% [4] Growth Opportunities - AppLovin has introduced a self-serve ad manager to attract small and midsize advertisers and is expanding its platform to international markets [6] - The management forecasts a 20% to 30% annual growth in the gaming market, driven by industry growth and improvements in its AI-based advertising technology [6] Investor Sentiment - Notable investors, including billionaire hedge fund managers, hold significant stakes in AppLovin, indicating confidence in the company's potential [4]
The AI Stock With a Monster Revenue Backlog Heading Into 2026
The Motley Fool· 2026-01-26 05:09
Core Insights - Oracle's backlog increased by $68 billion in Q2 of fiscal 2026, resulting in a total remaining performance obligations (RPO) of $523 billion, positioning the company for significant revenue growth in the AI sector [1][2] - The company's revenue grew 14% year over year, reaching $16 billion in the same quarter, with a notable 438% increase in backlog attributed to new commitments from major clients like Meta and Nvidia [3][5] Financial Metrics - Current market capitalization of Oracle is $509 billion, with a stock price of $177.16, and a gross margin of 65.40% [2] - The stock has experienced a 5% decline over the past year, but has gained 200% over the last five years, outperforming the S&P 500's 80% gain [5] Competitive Landscape - Oracle faces competition from major players such as Amazon Web Services, Microsoft Azure, and Google Cloud, which adds pressure to convert its backlog into revenue [7] - The company's forward price-to-earnings (P/E) ratio has decreased from the low 30s to approximately 26, indicating a potential buying opportunity for investors [8] Operational Considerations - The substantial backlog represents multiple years of revenue, but fulfilling these orders will require significant capital investment in data centers and infrastructure, raising concerns among investors [6]
I Predicted Micron Would Soar Last September. What Happened Was Even Better
The Motley Fool· 2026-01-26 04:30
Core Insights - Micron has experienced significant stock growth, nearly doubling in value over the last three months with a 93% increase, and a 165% rise since last September [2][4] - The company is benefiting from a supply crunch in the memory subsector, leading to increased prices and a favorable market for major players like Micron [4] - Micron's latest earnings report indicates a $100 billion total addressable market (TAM) for high-bandwidth memory (HBM) expected to be reached by 2028, two years earlier than previously anticipated [5] Industry Dynamics - The compound annual growth rate for HBM is projected at 40% through 2028, which may alleviate concerns regarding the cyclicality of the memory sector [5] - Micron's fiscal second quarter guidance shows expected revenue of approximately $18.7 billion, significantly above the consensus estimate of $14.3 billion, with earnings per share forecasted at a midpoint of $8.42, nearly double the expected $4.71 [6] - The ongoing memory shortage is expected to favor Micron and its peers, as indicated by Intel's struggles with growth due to the same shortage [7] Valuation Perspective - Micron is currently valued as a high-risk, cyclical stock, trading at a forward P/E of 12 based on fiscal 2026 consensus [8] - Given the low valuation and persistent memory shortage amid the AI boom, Micron is viewed as a strong buy for 2026 [8]
Why a $3 Million Shift Toward International Equities Stands Out in a Mega-Cap Portfolio
The Motley Fool· 2026-01-26 04:04
Core Insights - Atwater Malick disclosed a purchase of 42,862 shares of the iShares MSCI ACWI ex U.S. ETF, valued at approximately $2.84 million, indicating a strategic investment in international equity markets [1][2]. Fund Overview - The iShares MSCI ACWI ex U.S. ETF has an Assets Under Management (AUM) of $7.87 billion and a current price of $70.15, reflecting a 32% increase over the past year [4][5]. - The ETF offers a yield of 2.8% and has achieved a total return of 32.48% over the last year, making it an attractive option for investors seeking international diversification [4]. Investment Strategy - The fund aims to track the MSCI ACWI ex U.S. Index, providing exposure to both developed and emerging markets outside the United States, with at least 80% of assets invested in component securities of the underlying index [7]. - The portfolio consists of approximately 1,750 large- and mid-cap companies, with significant exposure to financials, industrials, and global technology sectors [9]. Recent Transactions - Following the recent purchase, the fund's holding in ACWX rose to 4.2% of its 13F reportable assets, indicating a strategic allocation towards international equities [2][3]. - The transaction appears to serve as a counterweight to existing U.S. mega-cap holdings, suggesting a balanced approach to asset allocation amid changing market conditions [6].