What are the key issues facing McDonald's in 2026?The stock market has been volatile this year, including a swoon in March and April after the Trump administration announced tariffs. However, equities have bounced back, with the S&P 500 (^GSPC 1.16%) up 16.1% through Dec. 12.Turning to individual stocks, it's a good time to review how they've done and what to look for in 2026. Turning to ubiquitous fast-food chain McDonald's (MCD +1.33%), it has been an eventful year.It's time to take a look back at how McD ...

Among Nvidia, Apple, Alphabet, Microsoft, Amazon, Meta Platforms, and Tesla, there's a differentiated company primed for a forward split in the new year.For three years, artificial intelligence (AI) has dominated the conversation on Wall Street -- and with good reason. Empowering software and systems with the tools to make split-second decisions is a potential game changer for a host of global industries.But there's more than AI stocks fueling Wall Street's robust rally. Investor euphoria regarding stock sp ...

Core Insights - Semiconductor stocks have experienced significant growth over the past decade, largely driven by their essential role in the artificial intelligence sector [1] Group 1: Investment Opportunities - Investing in a semiconductor ETF, such as the Invesco Semiconductors ETF, offers a diversified approach to gaining exposure in the semiconductor market, containing 30 stocks linked to the sector [2] - The Invesco Semiconductors ETF has delivered an impressive total return of 820% since December 2015, compared to the S&P 500's total return of approximately 233% during the same period [3] - A hypothetical investment of $100 in the Invesco Semiconductors ETF ten years ago would have grown to around $920, while a $500 investment would have increased to about $4,600 [3] Group 2: Risk Considerations - The Invesco Semiconductors ETF, while providing some diversification, carries more risk compared to broader market funds like the S&P 500 ETF due to its focus on a niche subsector [5]

The soon-to-be-retiring Oracle of Omaha has set his trillion-dollar company up to enter 2026 with nearly $184 billion invested in four brand-name businesses.In less than two weeks, iconic billionaire Warren Buffett will retire from the CEO role at Berkshire Hathaway (BRK.A +0.93%)(BRK.B +0.89%) and hand the reins over to the trillion-dollar company he helped build.But just because the Oracle of Omaha is hanging up his work coat, it doesn't mean he hasn't been positioning his company's $318 billion investmen ...

Focused on monoclonal antibody therapies for autoimmune diseases, this biotech just reported a significant insider buy in public filings.Immunovant (IMVT +1.39%) spun out of Roivant Sciences Ltd., which reported an open-market purchase of 16,666,666 shares in the biotech company on Dec. 12, 2025, for a total value of ~$350.0 million according to the SEC Form 4 filing.Transaction summaryMetricValueShares traded16,666,666Transaction value$350.0 millionPost-transaction shares (direct)113,317,007Post-transactio ...

Chevron is a well-oiled cash-producing machine.Chevron (CVX +1.89%) is one of the world's biggest oil and gas producers. As a result, energy prices have a big impact on the company's earnings and cash flow. It can make a lot more money when prices are higher.While Chevron can weather lower prices better than most of its rivals, it could really thrive if they stay elevated through 2030. Built for lower oil pricesChevron has built one of the most resilient upstream oil and gas portfolios in the energy sector. ...

Core Viewpoint - The recent decline in Bitcoin's price has led to a significant drop in MARA Holdings' stock, prompting investors to consider whether to invest in MARA instead of Bitcoin due to its current lower valuation [1][2]. Group 1: Bitcoin Market Overview - Bitcoin peaked at $124,774 on October 7, 2025, but has since fallen 31% to $86,413 as of December 16, 2025 [1]. - The market capitalization of Bitcoin is currently $1.7 trillion, with a trading volume of $50 billion [14]. Group 2: MARA Holdings Performance - MARA Holdings has seen a 53% decline in stock price since mid-October, with a current price of $9.93 and a market cap of $3.8 billion [2]. - The stock has a gross margin of -2663.89%, indicating significant financial challenges [2]. Group 3: Company Evolution and Strategy - MARA Holdings, originally known as Marathon Patent Group, transitioned to a cryptocurrency mining specialist in early 2021, investing $150 million in Bitcoin and mining equipment [3]. - The company has shifted its business model to include selling electric energy and data center space, capitalizing on the AI boom while still maintaining its Bitcoin mining operations [12][14]. Group 4: Mining Operations and Economic Factors - The correlation between MARA's stock and Bitcoin's price has weakened since spring 2024, with MARA's production of Bitcoin decreasing from 28.8 per day in March 2024 to 24.5 per day 18 months later [9]. - Despite a 37% increase in quarterly crypto-mining revenue due to rising Bitcoin prices, the cost of production surged by 82% [9][11]. Group 5: Competitive Landscape - MARA is entering a competitive market for AI computing, facing challenges from larger companies and other former Bitcoin mining specialists [15]. - The company is still primarily focused on Bitcoin-related activities, and its future success may depend on balancing its operations between AI and Bitcoin mining [14][17].

Alpha Metallurgical Resources, a major U.S. coal supplier, reported a significant insider buy following a year of share price declines.Kenneth S. Courtis, a member of the Board of Directors at Alpha Metallurgical Resources (AMR +6.21%), acquired 37,000 shares in multiple open-market transactions between Dec. 9 and Dec. 12, 2025, for a total consideration of $6,694,202.54, as disclosed in the SEC Form 4 filing.Transaction summaryMetricValueShares traded37,000Transaction value~$6.7 millionPost-transaction sha ...

Core Insights - The concerns regarding an AI bubble have been overstated, as evidenced by Micron's strong earnings report, which indicates that the AI boom is robust and ongoing [1][2]. Company Performance - Micron's revenue surged by 57% in the first quarter, reaching $13.6 billion, surpassing analyst expectations of $12.9 billion, driven by increased AI demand and effective execution [3][4]. - The company's gross margin improved from 38.4% a year ago to 56%, while the operating margin rose from 25% to 45%, marking the highest rate in seven years [4]. - Adjusted earnings per share increased significantly from $1.79 to $4.78, exceeding the consensus estimate of $3.94, leading to an 8% rise in stock price after hours [4]. AI Market Dynamics - Micron's cloud memory segment, which is heavily exposed to AI, saw its revenue double to $5.3 billion, achieving an operating margin of 55%, highlighting the significant impact of AI on its business [5]. - The company forecasts a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 40% for the high-bandwidth memory (HBM) total addressable market, projecting growth from $35 billion in 2025 to around $100 billion by 2028, indicating a tripling of the AI memory chip market in three years [6]. Future Guidance - For the fiscal second quarter, Micron anticipates revenue of approximately $18.5 billion, well above the consensus of $14.4 billion, with adjusted earnings per share expected to reach around $8.42, nearly double the estimates of $4.71 [7]. - This optimistic forecast is attributed to higher demand than supply for DRAM and NAND, along with increased prices and a favorable product mix [7]. Industry Trends - A divergence is occurring within the AI sector, where chip manufacturers like Micron and Nvidia are experiencing significant revenue and profit growth due to strong demand for AI chips, while AI infrastructure companies face challenges and skepticism regarding their profitability [8][10]. - Companies like Oracle, CoreWeave, and Nebius are struggling with negative cash flow and high spending without clear paths to profitability, leading to substantial stock declines [10][11]. - The AI infrastructure sector appears riskier compared to chip manufacturing, which is yielding record revenues and profits, suggesting that any potential bubble in AI is primarily confined to the infrastructure segment [12]. Investment Implications - Micron's strong growth and favorable guidance position it as an attractive investment opportunity, trading at a forward P/E of just 13, with analyst estimates likely to increase following the earnings report [13]. - For investors navigating volatility in the AI sector, focusing on chip stocks like Micron and Nvidia is recommended, while caution is advised regarding AI infrastructure stocks until clearer profitability prospects emerge [14].

Core Viewpoint - The S&P 500 is a strong long-term investment, but there are ETFs that are expected to outperform it in the coming year [1][2] Group 1: iShares Russell 2000 ETF - The S&P 500 has significantly outperformed the Russell 2000 index since the end of 2022, nearly doubling its gains [4] - The iShares Russell 2000 ETF is expected to outperform the S&P 500 in 2026 due to the broadening of gains in a maturing bull market [6] - The Russell 2000 ETF is currently trading at a price-to-earnings ratio of 18.3, which is nearly 40% cheaper than the Vanguard S&P 500 ETF at 28.7 [7] Group 2: VanEck Semiconductor ETF - The VanEck Semiconductor ETF has increased by 44% year-to-date, significantly outperforming the S&P 500 [9] - Over the last decade, the VanEck Semiconductor ETF has surged by 1,180%, driven by the booming semiconductor sector [9] - The ETF is well-positioned for continued success, trading at a P/E ratio of 39.7, comparable to other tech-heavy ETFs [10] - Key holdings in the VanEck Semiconductor ETF include leading companies in the AI boom, such as Nvidia and Taiwan Semiconductor, which are experiencing substantial revenue growth [11]