Core Insights - Costco and Dollar Tree are both performing well in a challenging economy, but Costco has a stronger track record of success [1] - Consumers are increasingly seeking bargains, with Dollar Tree attracting higher-income shoppers [1][6] - Costco operates on a membership model, which contributes significantly to its operating income and allows for lower product margins [1][11] Business Models - Costco is a club store requiring a yearly membership fee, which constitutes about half of its operating income [1] - Dollar Tree operates as a traditional retailer, relying on low price points to attract customers [3] - Dollar Tree faces higher risks of losing customers to other retail concepts compared to Costco [3] Recent Performance - Costco reported a 6.4% increase in same-store sales and a 3.1% increase in traffic for its fiscal second-quarter 2026 [4] - Dollar Tree's same-store sales rose by 4.2% in its third quarter of 2025, with an influx of higher-income shoppers [4][6] Customer Demographics - Dollar Tree gained approximately three million new households, with 60% earning over $100,000, indicating a shift from more premium retailers like Target [6] - Costco's model encourages long-term customer loyalty due to its curated selection of high-quality products [7] Economic Outlook - If the economy improves, Costco is likely to continue thriving, while Dollar Tree may lose its wealthier customers [8] - Dollar Tree's strategy to upgrade its product assortment could shift its low-price appeal [7] Valuation Metrics - Costco's price-to-earnings (P/E) ratio is 47, while Dollar Tree's is 24.5, indicating that both stocks are considered expensive relative to their historical averages [11] - Costco's five-year average P/E is approximately 44, and Dollar Tree's is about 21 [11] Investment Considerations - Costco's consistent business model and strong financial results make it appealing to investors, despite its high valuation [14] - Dollar Tree's recent attempts to expand its product range follow a problematic acquisition, which may affect its long-term viability [13]

Core Viewpoint - Opendoor Technologies has seen a significant stock increase of 237% over the past year despite facing challenges in the housing market and leadership changes [1] Company Overview - Opendoor operates primarily in the iBuying sector, aiming to digitally disrupt traditional home buying and selling processes through various services, including an online marketplace and partnerships with real estate agents [3][4] Current Challenges - The housing industry is under pressure due to high mortgage rates, causing homeowners to remain in their current homes and limiting the number of homes available for sale [4] - In the third quarter, Opendoor experienced a 34% year-over-year decline in sales, resulting in a net loss of $90 million [5] Leadership Changes - Kaz Nejatian was appointed as the new CEO in September, with a strategy focused on transforming Opendoor into an AI-driven software company [5][6] - Nejatian aims to shift the company's focus from finding cheap homes to acquiring quality homes and increasing sales volume [6] Strategic Initiatives - The new CEO plans to integrate more technology and AI into operations to streamline processes and reduce costs [7] - Nejatian envisions offering a comprehensive app that provides all necessary services for home buying, including closing and mortgage services [8] Financial Outlook - Opendoor's current market capitalization is $6.2 billion, with a stock price of $6.47, trading at 1.1 times trailing-12-month sales [9][11] - Nejatian has committed to achieving adjusted net income breakeven by the end of his first year, which hinges on increasing home purchases and improving transaction efficiency [9][10]

Company Overview - Itron, Inc. is a leading provider of integrated technology solutions for managing energy and water resources efficiently, leveraging hardware, software, and data analytics capabilities [5] - The company reported a total revenue of $2.41 billion and a net income of $257.5 million for the trailing twelve months (TTM) [4] Recent Performance - Itron's shares experienced a significant rally followed by a sharp pullback of approximately 20%, indicating a potential decision to lock in gains rather than a loss of confidence in the business [6] - The company's revenue declined by 5% year over year to $582 million, attributed to project timing and portfolio optimization, while gross margin expanded by 360 basis points to 37.7% [9] Financial Metrics - As of the latest report, Itron's free cash flow nearly doubled to $113 million, highlighting its ability to convert earnings into liquidity despite revenue pressures [9] - The company has a backlog of $4.3 billion and is experiencing growing recurring revenue in its Outcomes segment, positioning it well for long-term utility spending related to grid modernization and smart infrastructure [10] Market Position - Itron's stock price as of the latest report was $95.22, reflecting a 15% decline over the past year, underperforming the S&P 500, which increased by about 13% during the same period [3] - Following a sale of 123,119 shares by Aristotle Capital Boston, Itron now accounts for approximately 1.95% of the fund's reportable U.S. equity assets under management (AUM) [2][3]

Core Insights - Alphabet's stock has surged 63% in 2025, reaching a market cap of $3.7 trillion, indicating strong investor confidence and positive momentum [1][3] - The current forward price-to-earnings ratio of 28 is considered reasonable, supported by Alphabet's economic moat, innovation history, and substantial free cash flow [3] - The stock has outperformed the S&P 500 over the past five years and is expected to continue this trend through 2030, driven by new revenue streams such as advertising on the Gemini app [6] Financial Performance - Alphabet generated $74 billion in ad revenue in the third quarter, a figure expected to grow and enhance profitability [7] - The current stock price is $308.22, with a day's range between $304.88 and $311.42 [4] - The stock has a gross margin of 59.18% and a dividend yield of 0.27% [5] Market Position - Alphabet's shares have a 52-week range of $140.53 to $328.83, reflecting significant price movement and investor interest [5] - The company has a trading volume of 29 million, with an average volume of 37 million, indicating active trading [5]

The sale hints at profit-taking in a stock that’s executing operationally but facing tougher questions about durability and valuation.Aristotle Capital Boston disclosed in a November 14 SEC filing that it sold 503,122 shares of Supernus Pharmaceuticals (SUPN +0.25%), contributing to a reduction in its position by about $10.9 million.What HappenedAccording to a Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) filing dated November 14, Aristotle Capital Boston reduced its holdings in Supernus Pharmaceuticals (SUPN +0 ...

Core Viewpoint - Constellation Energy has demonstrated exceptional performance since its separation from Exelon, becoming the largest producer of carbon-free energy in the U.S. and leading in nuclear energy generation [1][5]. Performance Overview - Constellation Energy has achieved remarkable returns since going public in February 2022, with stock price returns of 47.2% over one year, 287.5% over three years, and 738% since its spinoff [4]. - When including reinvested dividends, total returns are 47.9% for one year, 296.7% for three years, and 765.7% since the spinoff, significantly outperforming the S&P 500 [4]. Market Position and Financials - The company has a current market capitalization of $110 billion, with a gross margin of 19.3% and a dividend yield of 0.44% [6]. - The stock price has fluctuated between $161.35 and $412.70 over the past 52 weeks, indicating strong market interest and volatility [6]. Drivers of Growth - A resurgence in demand for nuclear energy, particularly from AI data centers, has led to long-term power purchase agreements (PPAs) with major technology companies [7]. - Microsoft has signed a 20-year PPA for 100% of the future power from the Three Mile Island Unit 1 reactor, which is set to restart by 2028 [8]. - Meta Platforms has also entered into a 20-year PPA for power from the Clinton Clean Energy Center, ensuring the plant's operation through mid-2027 and beyond [9]. Strategic Acquisitions - Constellation Energy is set to acquire Calpine in a $26 billion deal, which will enhance its scale, diversify operations, and increase earnings potential [10]. - This acquisition, along with existing contracts, positions the company for over 10% annual earnings-per-share growth through 2028 [10]. Future Outlook - The company is expected to continue delivering robust returns and high earnings growth in the coming years, supported by its strategic initiatives and market demand [11].

Core Insights - The Vanguard Dividend Appreciation ETF (VIG) offers a solution for investors seeking dividend income, especially in a market characterized by record performance and increased risk-taking [2][4]. Dividend Growth and Capital Appreciation - In October, VIG paid a dividend of $0.8647 per share, requiring investors to own 155 shares to generate $500 in annual income, translating to an investment of $32,000 based on the price on December 11 [4]. - Over the past decade, VIG's dividend has increased by 82%, enhancing the income stream for shareholders, while the ETF's price has appreciated by 188% during the same period [5]. ETF Composition and Concentration - The Vanguard Dividend Appreciation ETF consists of 338 total stocks, providing broad diversification; however, the top 10 positions represent 34% of the portfolio's assets, indicating a degree of concentration [7].

Core Insights - The iShares Gold Trust (IAU) and iShares Silver Trust (SLV) provide direct exposure to precious metals, with differences in historical risk, recent returns, and ongoing costs [1][2] Cost & Size Comparison - IAU has an expense ratio of 0.25%, while SLV's is 0.50%, making IAU more affordable for long-term investors [3][4] - As of December 12, 2025, IAU's one-year return is 60.2%, compared to SLV's 98.9% [3] - IAU has assets under management (AUM) of $68.3 billion, while SLV has $33.4 billion [3] Performance & Risk Metrics - Over five years, IAU's maximum drawdown is -21.88%, while SLV's is -38.79% [5] - A $1,000 investment in IAU would grow to $2,322 over five years, while the same investment in SLV would grow to $2,532 [5] Fund Structure - Both IAU and SLV aim to mirror the prices of gold and silver, respectively, and do not hold traditional equities or distribute dividends [6][7] - SLV holds 100% exposure to real estate as classified in sector data, reflecting the underlying commodity rather than traditional property holdings [6] - IAU also shows 100% real estate sector exposure due to commodity classification [7] Market Context - Investors are increasingly turning to metal ETFs like IAU and SLV amid concerns about inflation and rising sovereign debt globally [8][13] - Both ETFs have outperformed the S&P 500's total return, with SLV significantly exceeding IAU's performance [10][13] Volatility Considerations - Silver is traditionally more volatile than gold, which can be advantageous in a bull market, as seen in the last five years [11]

Core Viewpoint - The article discusses the current state of the artificial intelligence (AI) stock market, highlighting that while many AI stocks have reached new highs, not all are justified by their fundamentals. It emphasizes that there are still investment opportunities available, even for those with limited capital, such as $200 [2][3]. Group 1: Datadog - Datadog provides IT system analysis to ensure smooth operations, crucial for e-commerce and customer service [5]. - The company has made significant strides in supporting the AI industry, with 500 AI-native companies among its 32,000 customers, contributing to a revenue increase from AI customers to 12%, up from 6% a year ago [6]. - Datadog reported a revenue growth of 28% last quarter, with remaining performance obligations increasing by 53%, indicating strong future results [8]. - Non-AI customer revenue also grew by 20%, supported by high customer retention metrics [9]. - Despite a high forward P/E ratio of 75, the company benefits from cloud migration and generative AI trends, suggesting long-term growth potential [10]. Group 2: Fortinet - Fortinet specializes in next-gen firewalls and software-based security solutions, with significant growth in its SASE and SecOps offerings, which grew by 19% and 33% respectively [12][13]. - The company is positioned to capture market share in the growing SASE and SecOps markets, projected to grow at 18% and 10% annually through 2029 [13]. - Fortinet's diversified security offerings enhance customer retention and improve its threat detection capabilities through machine learning [15]. - The stock's forward P/E of 31 and EV-to-sales ratio of 8.7 are considered attractive for a company with double-digit sales growth [16]. Group 3: Tencent - Tencent operates popular mobile games and the WeChat platform, also being a major cloud service provider in China [17]. - The company's AI advancements have led to a 21% increase in ad revenue, driven by improved targeting and campaign optimization tools [18]. - Despite supply constraints affecting its cloud computing growth, Tencent has sufficient GPUs for its needs and is developing AI tools to enhance productivity in game development [19]. - The stock trades at about $78, with a forward P/E of just over 17, making it appealing for investors looking for growth opportunities in AI [22].

Core Insights - Broadcom's stock experienced a decline despite strong earnings growth, attributed to CEO Hock Tan's response regarding customer-owned tooling risks [1][6] - The company is benefiting from increasing demand for AI infrastructure, with significant revenue growth projected [3][10] Financial Performance - Broadcom reported a 28% year-over-year revenue increase to $18.02 billion in fiscal Q4, with adjusted EPS rising 37% to $1.95, surpassing analyst expectations [7] - Total semiconductor solutions revenue grew by 35% year-over-year to $11.1 billion, while non-AI chip revenue increased only 2% [8] - Infrastructure software revenue increased by 19% to $6.9 billion [8] - Cash flow from operations was $7.7 billion, with free cash flow at $7.5 billion, ending the quarter with $16.2 billion in cash and equivalents [9] AI and Custom Chip Demand - AI revenue surged 74% to $6.5 billion in fiscal Q4, with expectations to double to $8.2 billion in fiscal Q1 [3][10] - Broadcom has a $73 billion AI backlog, indicating strong future demand for custom AI chips and networking components [3] - The company acquired a fifth custom AI chip customer, securing a $1 billion order for delivery in late 2026 [4] Market Position and Future Outlook - Broadcom forecasts fiscal Q1 revenue growth of 28% to $19.1 billion, with semiconductor revenue expected to rise 50% to $12.3 billion [10] - The company is positioned to capitalize on the growing trend of hyperscaler customers designing custom AI ASICs, with significant deals in place [11][13] - Broadcom's stock trades at a forward P/E ratio of approximately 39, indicating potential for explosive growth in the coming years [13]