Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing will benefit from the same tailwinds in 2026 as it did in 2025.In January 2025, I predicted that Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing (TSM +2.21%) would rocket higher throughout the year. That prediction ended up being dead-on, as the stock soared nearly 54% higher throughout 2025. That's an impressive one-year return for the computer chip manufacturer and it would cause some investors to hesitate on the stock, thinking it has already had its run. But I'm not ready to give u ...

Company Overview - BETA Technologies is an electric aviation company focused on developing and manufacturing electric aircraft and supporting infrastructure, leveraging proprietary propulsion and battery technology for commercial and defense markets [6] - The company offers electric aircraft (ALIA-CTOL, ALIA VTOL, ALIA Defense VTOL), advanced propulsion systems, batteries, charging equipment, and ground support solutions [9] Financial Performance - As of January 23, BETA Technologies had a market capitalization of $5.55 billion, with a revenue of $28.92 million and a net income of -$672.35 million for the trailing twelve months [4] - Revenue for the latest quarter reached $8.9 million, nearly tripling year over year, driven by defense services and earlier-than-expected motor deliveries [10] - Cash and equivalents stood at approximately $688 million at quarter-end, with an additional $1.1 billion in IPO net proceeds expected to be recognized later [10] Investment Activity - Liberty Street Advisors, Inc. disclosed a new position in BETA Technologies, acquiring 999,202 shares valued at $28.19 million, representing 47.15% of its 13F reportable assets under management [2][3] - BETA shares were priced at $25.18 as of January 22, approximately 26% below their November IPO price of $34 [3] Market Position and Growth Potential - BETA Technologies serves various markets including cargo and logistics, medical, defense, and passenger sectors, with customers such as military agencies and commercial logistics operators [9] - The company has logged initial customer deliveries, secured FAA certification milestones, and has a civil aircraft backlog of 891 units valued at $3.5 billion [11] - A $300 million strategic equity investment from GE Aerospace further validates BETA's technology stack and hybrid roadmap [11]

Group 1 - Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (TSMC) is the world's largest semiconductor foundry with a market cap exceeding $1.7 trillion as of January 21 [1][5] - TSMC's stock has historically averaged 19% returns over the past 20 years, or 23% when including dividends, with a conservative estimate of 15% annual returns suggesting a $1,000 investment could grow to over $16,300 in 20 years [4][2] - The company has a gross margin of 59.02% and a dividend yield of 0.92%, indicating strong financial health [6][5] Group 2 - TSMC's chip manufacturing capabilities are significantly ahead of its closest competitors, making it a preferred supplier for various industries including smartphones, computers, TVs, data centers, and automotive [6][7] - The company has invested tens of billions in research and development to maintain its cutting-edge fabrication plants, ensuring its dominant market position is likely to continue [7][6] - TSMC's stock price increased by 2.21% on the day of reporting, with a current price of $334.61 [5][6]

Subtle differences in dividend yield and sector tilt set these two S&P 500 giants apart for investors weighing their options.The Vanguard S&P 500 ETF (VOO +0.04%) and iShares Core S&P 500 ETF (IVV +0.04%) both deliver low-cost exposure to the S&P 500, with matching expense ratios, similar performance, and only minor differences in dividend yield and sector allocation.For investors considering broad U.S. large-cap coverage, this comparison looks at VOO and IVV — two of the largest, most liquid S&P 500 index ...

Core Insights - The Vanguard Intermediate-Term Corporate Bond ETF (VCIT) and the iShares Core US Aggregate Bond ETF (AGG) are both low-cost options for income-focused investors, but they differ significantly in yield, risk, and portfolio breadth [1][2] Fund Characteristics - VCIT focuses on intermediate-term investment-grade corporate bonds, while AGG provides exposure to the entire U.S. investment-grade bond market, including government, mortgage-backed, and corporate bonds [2][6] - VCIT has a higher dividend yield of 4.6% compared to AGG's 3.9%, which translates to approximately $70 more in annual interest for every $10,000 invested [9] Performance Metrics - Both funds have an expense ratio of 0.03%, but VCIT has a one-year return of 4.36% versus AGG's 3.1% [3][4] - Over the past five years, VCIT experienced a maximum drawdown of -20.56%, while AGG had a drawdown of -17.83% [5] Portfolio Composition - AGG holds a highly diversified portfolio with 13,015 holdings, making it a core holding for investors seeking comprehensive fixed-income exposure [5][6] - VCIT, in contrast, holds only 343 securities, with significant investments in companies like Apple, Meta Platforms, and Pfizer, which may increase credit risk sensitivity [6][9] Investment Strategy - AGG is suitable for risk-averse investors seeking maximum diversification and stability, while VCIT appeals to yield-focused investors willing to accept higher volatility for better income [10]

Core Viewpoint - The price of lithium is increasing due to improving demand and decreasing inventory, with Albemarle's stock rising significantly as a result [1] Group 1: Analyst Upgrades - Albemarle received four analyst price target upgrades this week, ranging from $180 to $210, reflecting the company's strong fundamentals and improving end markets [1][2] - The combination of cost-cutting measures, a doubling in lithium carbonate prices over the past year, and a growing energy storage market positions Albemarle for significant profit increases by 2026 [2] Group 2: Financial Performance - The current stock price of Albemarle is approximately $189.51, with a market cap of $22 billion and a gross margin of 12.27% [3] - Analyst consensus predicts earnings per share for Albemarle to improve to $2.29 in 2026 from a loss of $0.84 in 2025, indicating a significant turnaround [3] Group 3: Market Dynamics - The lithium market experienced a boom due to increased demand from electric vehicle batteries, followed by a slump as automakers reduced investments due to lower-than-expected EV sales [3][5] - Major automakers like Ford and General Motors are increasing investments in battery manufacturing, while Tesla reports strong growth in its energy generation and storage business, contributing to a recovery in lithium demand [5] Group 4: Future Outlook - There is a strong expectation for recovery in the lithium market by 2026, which may lead to further upgrades in Albemarle's earnings estimates if lithium prices continue to rise [6]

Core Insights - The iShares National Muni Bond ETF (MUB) and the iShares Core US Aggregate Bond ETF (AGG) serve different investment strategies, with MUB focusing on U.S. municipal bonds and AGG covering a broader range of U.S. investment-grade bonds [1][2] Cost & Size Comparison - MUB has an expense ratio of 0.05% and an AUM of $42.0 billion, while AGG has a lower expense ratio of 0.03% and a significantly larger AUM of $136.5 billion [3][9] - The 1-year return for MUB is 1.9%, compared to AGG's 4.4%, indicating a higher yield from AGG [3] Performance & Risk Metrics - Over the past five years, MUB experienced a maximum drawdown of -11.88%, while AGG had a larger drawdown of -17.83% [5] - The growth of $1,000 invested over five years would result in $922 for MUB and $857 for AGG, showing MUB's relative stability [5] Investment Implications - AGG offers a yield of 3.9% that is fully taxable, while MUB provides a lower yield of 3.1% that is exempt from federal taxes, making MUB potentially more attractive for high earners in taxable accounts [9][10] - Investors in lower tax brackets or those using retirement accounts may prefer AGG for its higher taxable yield and broader diversification [10]

Core Insights - Serve Robotics is transitioning from a speculative venture to a mainstream alternative in delivery solutions, with over 2,000 delivery robots currently deployed [1][2] - The company is expanding its market presence across several U.S. cities and is moving beyond sidewalk delivery robots, although it remains under the coverage of fewer than 10 Wall Street analysts [2][4] Company Overview - Serve Robotics originated as a spinoff from Uber Technologies' robotics division, Postmates X, following Uber's acquisition of Postmates in 2020 [4] - The company's mission is to revolutionize last-mile delivery by utilizing sidewalk-navigating robots, which aim to lower delivery costs and reduce emissions compared to traditional methods [4] Technology and Innovation - Serve's robots are equipped with advanced sensors and machine learning capabilities, allowing them to safely navigate urban environments and interact with pedestrians [5] - The company is advancing its autonomous vehicle technology to improve the sustainability and efficiency of urban delivery [5] Recent Developments - Serve Robotics announced the acquisition of Diligent Robotics, which provides AI-powered robot assistants for the healthcare sector, marking its first foray into indoor environments [8] - Diligent's robot, Moxi, is already operational in over 25 hospital facilities across the U.S., supporting healthcare staff [9] Market Potential - The global humanoid robot market is expected to grow from $2.92 billion in 2025 to $15.26 billion by 2030, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 39.2%, driven by increased adoption in various sectors including healthcare [9] Analyst Sentiment - Despite being followed by a limited number of analysts, Serve Robotics has a positive consensus rating, with some analysts projecting a price target of $26 per share, indicating significant upside potential [7]

Core Insights - Energy companies are positioned as attractive investments for those looking to diversify their portfolios in the AI sector, particularly due to their solid dividend yields [1][2] Group 1: Energy Consumption and AI - AI is projected to significantly increase energy consumption, with data centers currently using 4.4% of all energy generated in the U.S. and expected to consume as much electricity as 22% of all U.S. households by 2028 [2] - The demand for energy is anticipated to rise, creating opportunities for energy companies that also offer dividends [2] Group 2: Constellation Energy - Constellation Energy is the largest nuclear power producer and clean energy provider in the U.S., contributing about 10% of the country's clean energy [4] - The company has a revenue CAGR of 3.14% over the past three years, with a gross profit margin of 20.13% and a net income margin of 11% [5] - Constellation has partnered with Microsoft to revitalize the Three Mile Island nuclear plant, which will enhance its nuclear capacity and secure a long-term buyer for its electricity, projecting an EPS growth rate of 10%-13% through 2030 [6] Group 3: NextEra Energy - NextEra Energy operates a 76-gigawatt capacity, with 65% derived from renewable and nuclear sources, and has a revenue CAGR of 9.85% over the past three years [8][10] - The company has partnered with Alphabet to bring the Duane Arnold Energy Center back online, which is expected to contribute to an 8% EPS CAGR through 2035 [9] - NextEra has a gross margin of 62% and a net income margin of 24.73%, with a dividend yield of 2.71% that has been growing for 30 years [10] Group 4: Duke Energy - Duke Energy operates in a strategic location between Virginia and Georgia, which are key states for new data centers, with Virginia's energy demand projected to grow by 153% by 2040 [13][15] - The company has a revenue CAGR of 5.29%, a gross margin of 52.4%, and a net margin of 15.97%, with a dividend yield of 3.57% that has been growing for 15 years [16] - Duke is well-positioned to meet the increasing energy demands from Virginia, which has become the largest energy importing state in the U.S. [15]

Core Insights - Courant Investment Management has completely exited its position in CarMax, selling 247,520 shares for an estimated value of $11.11 million, indicating a significant shift in investment strategy [1][2]. Company Overview - CarMax operates a nationwide network of used vehicle retail stores, generating revenue through vehicle sales, financing, and ancillary services, with a total revenue of $25.94 billion and a net income of $457.84 million [4]. - As of January 21, CarMax shares were priced at $48.75, reflecting a 38.7% decline over the past year, significantly underperforming the S&P 500 by 52.3 percentage points [3][4]. Recent Performance - In the third quarter, CarMax reported a 50% year-over-year decline in net earnings to $62 million, with earnings per share (EPS) dropping from $0.81 to $0.43, attributed to softer unit volumes and margin pressures [6]. - Comparable store used unit sales decreased by 9%, although CarMax Auto Finance income increased by 9% to $174.7 million, indicating challenges in the core retail operations [6]. Management Actions - The company is implementing cost-cutting measures, aiming for at least $150 million in reductions in selling, general, and administrative expenses (SG&A) by fiscal 2027, and has repurchased $201.6 million of stock in the last quarter [8].