The stock market might be set for another positive year in 2026 thanks to megatrends like artificial intelligence (AI).The S&P 500 (^GSPC 0.16%) index is made up of 500 companies from 11 different sectors of the economy. It's weighted by market capitalization, so its largest constituents -- which include artificial intelligence (AI) powerhouses like Nvidia and Alphabet -- have a much greater influence over its performance than the smallest.The S&P 500 set a new record high last Thursday on the back of a 16% ...

These investments combine high yields and low volatility.Volatile market swings can rattle investors who focus on growth stocks, but there's a type of stock whose prices don't tend to swing as widely as shares do in the broader market: real estate investment trusts (REITs).REITs give investors exposure to various types of real estate holdings. Some exclusively invest in data centers, while others focus on multifamily housing or triple-net retail properties. And most offer relatively high yields.Not all REIT ...

Core Insights - The digital banking landscape is evolving, with neobanks like Nu Holdings aiming to penetrate new markets and challenge traditional banks [1][2] Company Expansion - Nu Holdings has successfully onboarded over 60% of Brazil's adult population and is expanding into Mexico and Colombia, targeting the unbanked population [2][4] - The company has applied for a banking charter in Mexico, which could enhance its growth potential in a fragmented banking system [5][9] - Nu is also planning to apply for a banking charter in Brazil by 2026, following recent regulatory changes that affect payment companies [7][8] Market Potential - Despite having a majority of the addressable population as customers in Brazil, Nu only captures about 5% of the addressable market for gross profit, indicating significant growth opportunities [8] - The company is exploring international opportunities, including a potential bank charter in the U.S. and investments in the Philippines [9] Financial Performance - Nu Holdings reported a 39% year-over-year increase in sales (currency neutral) in Q3 2025, adding 4 million new customers, positioning itself for sustained growth in 2026 [10]

Core Insights - Nvidia is facing increased competition in the accelerated computing chip market as AMD is gaining market share in 2025, with expectations for continued improvement in 2026 [1] Company Summary - AMD's market share growth in 2025 has generated positive sentiment among investors, indicating a potential shift in the competitive landscape of the accelerated computing chip industry [1]

SoFi Technologies could have another banner year, assuming the growth story stays intact for the fintech rising star.Since the start of 2025, the share price of SoFi Technologies (SOFI 5.35%) has jumped over 75%. This strong price appreciation outpaced major indexes like the S&P 500 (up 17% over this same time frame).But new and existing investors are generally more interested in future potential than past performance. Can shares in this fast-growing fintech continue to perform well over the next 12 months? ...

Core Insights - Costco Wholesale reported strong fiscal Q1 earnings, with revenue increasing by 8% to $67.31 billion and adjusted EPS rising by 11% to $4.50, surpassing analyst expectations [5] - Despite strong sales momentum, Costco's stock has declined nearly 5% year-to-date and is about 11% lower over the past year [1] Sales Performance - E-commerce sales surged by 20.5%, with traffic increasing by 24% and average order value up by 13% [2] - Same-store sales grew by 6.4% when adjusted for gasoline prices and foreign currency, with U.S. same-store sales rising by 5.9% and Canadian comparable-store sales climbing by 9% [6] - Membership-fee revenue increased by 14% year-over-year to $1.33 billion, supported by a price hike in September 2024 [8] Membership Dynamics - Paid memberships rose by 5.2% to 81.4 million households, with higher-cost executive memberships increasing by 9.1% to 39.7 million [8] - Membership renewal rates were 92.2% in North America and 89.7% worldwide, although younger consumers showed lower renewal rates [9] Expansion and Future Outlook - Costco opened eight new locations in the quarter, bringing the total to 921 stores, but reduced its new store outlook to 28 for the fiscal year due to delays [10] - The stock's forward P/E ratio is currently at 43.5, which is below its earlier valuation this year but still higher than historical averages [12] - The company is expected to remain range-bound in stock performance over the next year as it works to align its valuation with its strong operational performance [14]

Core Insights - The article highlights the increasing interest of billionaire money managers in AI stocks as a significant investment trend for the upcoming year, with a focus on three key companies: Alphabet, Nvidia, and Meta Platforms [1][2][4]. Group 1: Alphabet (GOOGL) - Alphabet has been a consistent choice among billionaire fund managers, with notable purchases including 17,846,142 Class A shares by Warren Buffett and additional stakes by Coatue Management [5][6]. - The company holds a dominant position in the internet search market, capturing 89% to 93% of global market share over the past decade, and benefits from strong advertising pricing power [8]. - Alphabet's Google Cloud is integrating generative AI solutions, contributing to a revenue growth rate of around 30%, positioning it as a potential primary revenue source in the future [9][10]. Group 2: Nvidia (NVDA) - Nvidia is recognized as a leading player in the AI revolution, with significant share purchases by investors like David Tepper and Dan Loeb, indicating strong confidence in the company's future [12][13]. - The company dominates the AI-GPU market, with no significant competition challenging its hardware capabilities, and plans to introduce advanced chips annually [14]. - Nvidia's CUDA software platform enhances customer loyalty and maximizes the performance of its GPUs, further solidifying its market position [16]. Group 3: Meta Platforms (META) - Meta Platforms has seen increased investment from billionaire fund managers, with multiple new positions and additions to existing stakes during the third quarter [18][19]. - The company generates approximately 98% of its net sales from advertising across its popular platforms, which attract a daily average of 3.54 billion users [20][21]. - Meta is leveraging generative AI in its advertising solutions, potentially improving ad performance and pricing power, while maintaining a strong cash position of nearly $44.5 billion [22].

Core Viewpoint - The resurgence of stock splits and the impact of artificial intelligence (AI) on the stock market have created significant investment opportunities, particularly in companies like Broadcom and AppLovin, which have shown remarkable stock performance and growth potential [1][2][3]. Group 1: Stock Market Trends - Stock splits are becoming more common again as a strategy to keep high-value stocks accessible to investors [1] - The bull market driven by AI advancements and strong corporate earnings has led major indices like the Dow Jones, S&P 500, and Nasdaq to reach record highs [2] - Historical data indicates that bull markets lasting over three years tend to continue for an average of eight years, suggesting further growth potential [3] Group 2: Broadcom - Broadcom's stock has increased by 337%, driven by the demand for application-specific integrated circuits (ASICs) as alternatives to energy-intensive GPUs [5][6] - The company has secured a multibillion-dollar deal with OpenAI to supply 10 gigawatts of ASICs over the next four years, with expectations of AI-related revenue growth to reach between $60 billion and $90 billion by 2027 [7] - Broadcom's current market cap is $1.6 trillion, with a gross margin of 64.71% and a PEG ratio of 0.43, indicating it may be undervalued despite a high price-to-earnings ratio [9][11] Group 3: AppLovin - AppLovin's stock has surged by 1,780%, attributed to its innovative advertising technology that aids app developers in marketing and monetization [12][13] - The company reported a 68% year-over-year revenue growth of $1.4 billion in the third quarter, with a diluted EPS increase of 96% [15] - AppLovin's market cap stands at $228 billion, with a PEG ratio of 0.63, suggesting it is attractively priced given its rapid growth [15][17]

Energy Transfer has a lot going for it these days.Units of Energy Transfer (ET 0.21%) have fallen below $17 over the past month. As a result, the master limited partnership (MLP) now yields more than 8%. Here's a look at whether it's time to buy the high-yielding MLP. Why is Energy Transfer down?Units of Energy Transfer are down over 15% year-to-date. That slump has come at a time when the S&P 500 has rallied over 16%. The main factor fueling Energy Transfer's underperformance is its slowing growth rate. Th ...

Core Insights - Amazon has experienced a remarkable growth of over 230,000% since its IPO nearly 30 years ago, evolving from an online bookstore to a technology-driven powerhouse across multiple industries [1][12]. Group 1: Business Operations and Market Position - Amazon is recognized as a dominant player in e-commerce, with expectations for continued growth as online shopping penetrates the retail sector [5]. - The company has diversified into streaming services with Prime Video, capitalizing on the decline of traditional cable TV [5]. - Amazon's advertising revenue grew by 24% year-over-year to $17.7 billion in Q3, positioning it as a leader in the digital advertising market [6]. - The company holds a strong position in cloud computing and artificial intelligence, primarily through the success of Amazon Web Services (AWS) [6]. Group 2: Competitive Advantages - Amazon's economic moat is reinforced by a powerful network effect in its marketplace, cost advantages in logistics, switching costs for AWS, and strong brand recognition [7]. - The company's operational efficiencies have significantly improved its margins, contributing to its competitive strength [11]. Group 3: Financial Performance and Valuation - Amazon's shares are currently trading at 18.8 times trailing-12-month operating cash flow, the lowest multiple in a decade, presenting an attractive valuation for investors [10]. - The company has shown a dramatic turnaround in earnings, moving from a $241 million net loss in 2014 to a projected $59 billion net income in 2024, with a compound annual growth rate of 20% expected from 2024 to 2027 [11]. Group 4: Investment Considerations - Long-term investors are encouraged to consider Amazon due to its favorable combination of secular trends, economic moat, valuation, and earnings growth potential [13]. - Despite its historical success in creating millionaire investors, the company's size may limit future explosive growth [13].