Core Scientific Investment Overview - DSC Meridian Capital increased its stake in Core Scientific by nearly 1.4 million shares, bringing total holdings to 2.3 million shares valued at approximately $40.9 million at quarter-end, reflecting a $25.4 million increase in position [1][2] - Core Scientific now represents 8.3% of DSC Meridian Capital's 13F assets under management [3] Company Performance Metrics - As of the latest report, Core Scientific shares are priced at $13.57, down 15% over the past year, underperforming the S&P 500, which is up 12% [3] - Core Scientific has a market capitalization of $4.2 billion, with a trailing twelve months (TTM) revenue of $334.2 million and a net income of -$768.3 million [4] Business Operations - Core Scientific operates digital asset mining facilities and provides blockchain infrastructure and digital asset mining services in North America, targeting institutional clients and enterprises [6][9] - The company reported a year-over-year revenue decline to $81.1 million, but high-density colocation revenue increased to $15 million from $10.3 million, indicating a strategic pivot towards AI and advanced compute infrastructure [10] Financial Stability - Core Scientific's gross profit turned positive at $3.9 million, a significant improvement from losses in the prior-year quarter, while net losses narrowed despite ongoing capital investments [10] - The company exited the quarter with approximately $695 million in liquidity, including cash and bitcoin holdings, which is crucial for its long-term strategy [10] Market Sentiment - Analysts have recently become more positive about Core Scientific, with firms like Macquarie, Clear Street, and Cantor Fitzgerald raising their price targets or issuing more favorable ratings [11]

Core Viewpoint - Oklo's stock is experiencing a significant decline despite the company's advancements in nuclear energy technology, with a 15% drop in December alone [1][6]. Group 1: Company Developments - Oklo is developing fast-fission nuclear energy plants named Aurora, which utilize repurposed fuel, setting it apart in the industry [2]. - The company has made progress in plutonium fuel fabrication, which is crucial for the U.S. nuclear energy industry's revival, as it addresses the shortage of domestic nuclear fuel [4]. - On December 16, the U.S. Department of Energy approved a preliminary safety analysis for Oklo's Aurora fuel fabrication facility at the Idaho National Laboratory, allowing construction to commence [5]. Group 2: Market Performance - Oklo's market capitalization stands at approximately $13 billion, with the stock price fluctuating between $75.38 and $85.55 on the day of reporting [7]. - The stock has seen a more than 50% decline from its peak in October, raising concerns among investors [9]. Group 3: Investor Sentiment - Investor interest appears to be waning, as recent announcements regarding fuel fabrication are perceived as routine, leading to expectations of further developments without immediate impact [7]. - Jim Cramer, a notable financial commentator, has expressed skepticism about the potential for a nuclear revolution in the U.S., advising that Oklo stock may be a sell [9].

Core Insights - Tesla's 2025 was characterized by strategic clarification rather than just vehicle sales or earnings surprises, indicating a shift in how the company is perceived by investors [1][4][18] - The focus has shifted from electric vehicles (EVs) as the future to autonomy and robotics as the core of Tesla's long-term vision [2][5][18] Electric Vehicles and Market Dynamics - While EV demand remains strong, growth has slowed due to increased competition and pricing pressures, highlighting the capital-intensive nature of the EV business [5][12] - Tesla's management has increasingly emphasized long-term opportunities in robotaxis and humanoid robots, reframing the company as an AI-driven platform rather than just an automaker [5][6] Autonomy and Robotaxi Developments - In 2025, Tesla launched a limited robotaxi pilot in Austin, marking a significant credibility milestone despite negligible revenue impact [10][11] - The conversation around robotaxis has shifted from feasibility to scalability, with CEO Elon Musk claiming driverless robotaxis could be available by year-end [11][12] - Regulatory hurdles and public trust issues remain significant challenges for the robotaxi initiative, indicating a long-term build-out rather than immediate revenue generation [12][13] Optimus and Long-Term Potential - Tesla's humanoid robot, Optimus, showed improvements but is not close to mass production or revenue contribution, positioning it as a long-term opportunity rather than a near-term catalyst [14][15][16] - The potential market for humanoid robots could extend beyond mobility into various sectors, but investors should manage expectations regarding its timeline for viability [15][16] Investor Implications - The transition from a straightforward EV growth narrative to a complex portfolio of long-term bets increases uncertainty but also broadens potential outcomes for investors [18][19] - For long-term investors, the focus is now on the maturation of autonomy and robotics as scalable, high-margin businesses rather than solely on vehicle sales [18][19]

Core Insights - The article discusses the investment landscape and highlights the importance of understanding market dynamics and company fundamentals [1] Group 1 - The investment analyst emphasizes the need for thorough research before making investment decisions [1] - It is noted that market conditions can significantly impact stock performance, making it crucial for investors to stay informed [1] - The article suggests that diversification can help mitigate risks associated with market volatility [1]

Core Viewpoint - Automatic Data Processing (ADP) is a stable and reliable company in the payroll processing industry, recognized as a Dividend King due to its consistent dividend increases over 51 years, making it an attractive option for income-focused investors [2][6][15] Company Overview - ADP operates in a mission-critical sector, providing payroll and human capital management services that are essential for businesses, leading to high switching costs and customer loyalty [3][7] - The company reported a revenue increase of 7% year-over-year to $5.2 billion and adjusted earnings per share growth of 7% to $2.49 in the first quarter of fiscal 2026 [8] Dividend Performance - In mid-November, ADP's board approved a quarterly dividend increase of $0.16 per share to $1.70, representing a 10% increase [5] - ADP's 51 consecutive years of dividend increases place it among a select group of Dividend Kings, highlighting its business durability [6] Growth Potential - ADP is implementing strategies to accelerate sales growth, including expanding within its existing customer base and attracting new customers through innovative channels [9][10] - The company is integrating payroll services into existing software platforms used by small businesses, reducing friction and enhancing distribution [10] - Management noted strong momentum for its ADP Lyric HCM platform, with new business bookings exceeding expectations [11] Financial Metrics - ADP has a market capitalization of $106 billion, a gross margin of 50.30%, and a dividend yield of 2.41% [13] - The company maintains a payout ratio of about 59%, indicating potential for future dividend growth alongside earnings momentum [13] Long-term Outlook - Management projects full-year fiscal 2026 earnings-per-share growth of 8% to 10% year-over-year, suggesting a positive long-term outlook for ADP [15]

Core Viewpoint - Ares Capital and Verizon Communications are highlighted as attractive dividend stocks for income investors, with Ares Capital currently being favored due to its higher dividend yield and favorable growth prospects [1][14]. Ares Capital - Ares Capital boasts an ultra-high dividend yield of 9.5% and has maintained stable or increasing quarterly dividends for 16 consecutive years [3][4]. - The company operates in a total addressable market estimated at approximately $5.4 trillion, with direct lending gaining popularity among borrowers [5]. - Ares Capital has outperformed its peers in terms of annualized total returns with lower volatility since its IPO in 2004 [6][8]. - Recent indications from CEO Kort Schnabel suggest a positive outlook, with an increase in transaction volume under review compared to previous periods [9]. Verizon Communications - Verizon offers a forward dividend yield of 6.8% and has increased its dividend for 19 consecutive years, supported by a rise in free cash flow from $14.5 billion to $15.8 billion year-over-year [10][12]. - Despite facing high competition and subscriber churn, Verizon's business is growing, and the new CEO plans to transform the cost structure for sustainable returns [12][13]. - Verizon is positioned as a leader in developing high-speed 6G technology, which is expected to be available by 2030, potentially enhancing its growth prospects [13]. Comparison - Ares Capital is considered the better dividend stock at the moment due to its higher dividend yield and more favorable growth outlook compared to Verizon [14]. - Both companies are recommended for income investors, allowing for diversification within high-yield dividend stocks [15].

Core Viewpoint - The market is skeptical about Netflix's proposed acquisition of Warner Bros. Discovery's streaming assets and film studios, fearing it may become a financial burden due to the high cost and potential debt involved [1][4][5] Financial Implications - Netflix plans to finance the $72 billion acquisition primarily through cash, despite having less than $9 billion in free cash flow over the past year, raising concerns about its financial stability [4] - The acquisition could necessitate a price increase for subscriptions, potentially leading to subscriber losses [7] Market Concerns - Investors are worried that Netflix's first large acquisition may be beyond its expertise, given the historical challenges of Hollywood mergers that often do not yield profitable outcomes [5][6] - The traditional film studio model, which relies on high-cost productions, contrasts with Netflix's successful subscription-based model, raising questions about operational integration [6] Management's Perspective - Netflix management believes the acquisition will enhance viewer experience by providing more content and potentially better value compared to separate subscriptions [10] - The company envisions leveraging its innovative approach to disrupt traditional media frameworks, aiming for cost efficiencies by combining fixed costs from both companies [11][12] Historical Context - Netflix has previously faced skepticism from investors but has consistently proven them wrong, maintaining its position as a leader in the streaming industry despite increased competition [13] - The outcome of this acquisition remains uncertain, with potential for both significant risks and rewards for shareholders [14]

Warren Buffett's Berkshire Hathaway bought stock in Google-parent Alphabet during the third quarter.Warren Buffett's Berkshire Hathaway (BRK.A 1.29%) (BRK.B 1.17%) had about $267 billion invested across 41 U.S. stocks as of the third quarter. Those totals changed very little from the previous quarter, but Buffett (and his fellow investment managers) made some trades worth exploring:Berkshire sold 41.7 million shares of Apple (AAPL +0.34%). it remains the largest holding at 21% of the portfolio, but Buffett ...

Core Insights - The article discusses the potential risks associated with the current AI market, particularly focusing on Nvidia and Palantir as leading companies in this sector [1][3][24] Company Analysis: Nvidia - Nvidia has become a dominant player in the AI space, recently surpassing a market cap of $5 trillion and holding over 90% market share in GPUs deployed in enterprise data centers [2][6] - The company is focused on innovation, with plans to release a new advanced AI chip annually, which may help maintain its competitive edge [7] - Nvidia's CUDA platform enhances customer loyalty by maximizing the potential of its GPUs, particularly in training large language models [9] Company Analysis: Palantir - Palantir's software platforms, Gotham and Foundry, have no direct competitors, providing a unique value proposition that drives sales and profit growth [10][11] - Gotham is utilized by the U.S. government for military planning and data analysis, while Foundry helps businesses streamline operations [10] - Palantir's strong operating cash flow and double-digit sales growth are supported by its competitive advantages in the market [11] Market Trends and Historical Context - The article draws parallels between the current AI boom and past technology bubbles, suggesting that overestimation of technology adoption rates could lead to a bubble-bursting event [13][14] - Historical data indicates that leading companies often experience unsustainable price-to-sales (P/S) ratios, with Nvidia and Palantir currently at P/S ratios of 23 and 120, respectively [19][21] - The article warns that while Nvidia's P/S ratio is below the unsustainable threshold of 30, Palantir's high ratio cannot be justified, indicating potential risks for both companies in the future [21][22]

Company Overview - Sibanye Stillwater Limited is a leading precious metals mining company with diversified operations across multiple continents, leveraging a broad asset base and integrated processing capabilities to supply gold and platinum group metals (PGMs) to global markets [6] - The company operates a vertically integrated mining and metallurgical business model, generating revenue from extraction, processing, and sale of precious and base metals, and also engages in PGM recycling [10] Financial Performance - As of December 12, 2025, the company's stock price was $13.29, with a market capitalization of $9.51 billion and a trailing twelve months (TTM) revenue of $6.15 billion [4] - The company reported an adjusted EBITDA of $560 million in the third quarter, a significant increase from $184 million in the prior year, benefiting from a 35% higher average gold price [11] - Despite the positive EBITDA, the company reported a net loss of $140.48 million over the TTM [4][11] Recent Developments - FNY Investment Advisers initiated a new position in Sibanye Stillwater by acquiring 429,100 shares valued at approximately $4.82 million, making it one of the top five holdings in the fund [2][7] - The stock reached a 52-week high of $14.08 on December 12, 2025, following the appointment of a new CEO, Richard Stewart, on October 1, and ongoing restructuring efforts [8] - As of December 14, 2025, shares had increased by 221.0% over the past year, significantly outperforming the S&P 500 by 195.4 percentage points [9]