The Motley Fool
Search documents
FormFactor Director Sells 3,000 Shares Before Retirement Announcement
The Motley Fool· 2026-02-21 23:31
Company Overview - FormFactor is a global provider of semiconductor test and measurement technologies, offering devices such as probe cards, analytical probes, probe stations, metrology systems, thermal systems, and cryogenic systems [7] - Core clients include semiconductor companies, research facilities, and tech manufacturers [7] Financial Metrics - Current stock price is $94.56 with a market capitalization of $7.33 billion [3][4] - Revenue for the trailing twelve months (TTM) is $784.99 million [3] - The stock has experienced a 1-year price change of 151.62% [3] Recent Transactions - Seven different board directors, including Kevin J. Brewer, sold shares in February 2026, with Brewer selling 3,000 shares for approximately $289,000 [1][2] - This sale represented 27.01% of Brewer's direct holdings, reducing his shares from 11,105 to 8,105 [5] Market Performance - The stock is currently experiencing its highest gains in a single year since 2023, with significant activity from board directors [8] - The company is positioned for long-term growth due to the increasing reliance of semiconductor manufacturers and tech companies on its products [10]
Should You Forget Berkshire Hathaway Stock and Buy Lemonade Stock Instead?
The Motley Fool· 2026-02-21 23:05
Company Overview - Berkshire Hathaway is a holding company with a market cap of $1.1 trillion, owning around 190 companies and a $320 billion equity portfolio [2][3] - It is one of the largest companies globally and has a significant presence in the insurance industry, owning GEICO and other insurance products [3] Industry Dynamics - The insurance sector is facing disruption from digital insurance companies like Lemonade, which are growing rapidly compared to traditional insurers [4][6] - Lemonade's platform is designed as a connected ecosystem, giving it an edge over legacy insurers in terms of agility and data utilization [7] Financial Performance - Lemonade reported a 31% year-over-year increase in in-force premium in the fourth quarter of 2025, with an adjusted EBITDA loss reduced to $5 million [8] - Management projects Lemonade will achieve profitability on an adjusted EBITDA basis this year and expects to reach positive net income next year [7] Market Position - Lemonade is appealing to a younger demographic, positioning itself for growth as these customers enter major life stages like home and car ownership [7] - Despite its smaller size, Lemonade is seen as a potential growth stock, contrasting with Berkshire Hathaway's established model [12] Investment Considerations - While Lemonade presents a growth opportunity, it operates under a different model than Berkshire Hathaway, which has a more diversified portfolio [11] - Investors may consider Lemonade for growth potential, especially if they have a long-term investment horizon and a higher risk appetite [12]
5 Reasons Why I Believe the AI Market Is Just Getting Started
The Motley Fool· 2026-02-21 23:00
Numerous companies shared crucial information about AI and semiconductor trends.In today's video, I discuss recent updates affecting Micron Technology (MU +2.36%) and other AI stocks. To learn more, check out the short video, consider subscribing, and click the special offer link below. *Stock prices used were the after-market prices of Feb. 13, 2026. The video was published on Feb. 14, 2026. ...
The 1 Stock I'd Buy Before American Express Right Now
The Motley Fool· 2026-02-21 22:19
Core Viewpoint - American Express and Visa are strong investment options, with Visa being more compelling due to its business model and current valuation [1][11]. Group 1: Company Performance - American Express has increased by 160.4% over the last five years, outperforming the S&P 500's 73.7% gain [1]. - Visa has experienced a decline of 11.2% over the past year, while American Express has consistently outperformed the S&P 500 for five consecutive years [6]. Group 2: Business Models - Visa operates as a payment processor without bearing credit risk, partnering with banks like JPMorgan Chase, which issues cards and assumes credit risk [2]. - American Express functions as both a payment processor and card issuer, making it riskier due to its exposure to credit risk and high costs associated with rewards programs [4]. Group 3: Financial Metrics - Visa is characterized as a capital-light, high-margin business, with expenses primarily related to labor, cybersecurity, and marketing, allowing it to generate profits without significant capital investment [5]. - Visa is currently trading at a discount to its five-year median price-to-earnings (P/E) and price-to-free-cash-flow (FCF) ratios, while American Express is trading at a premium [6]. Group 4: Market Concerns - Visa, Mastercard, and American Express have seen declines between 8.8% and 10.4% year-to-date, attributed to consumer spending concerns and a proposed 10% cap on credit card interest rates [8]. - The proposed cap may lead to limited credit access for consumers with lower credit scores, potentially increasing reliance on higher-interest options like payday loans [9]. Group 5: Investment Appeal - Visa is well-positioned to navigate economic uncertainty and industry policy changes, making its current valuation attractive for investors [11]. - Visa is recognized as a leading card brand globally, with a solid balance sheet and international exposure, appealing to a wide range of investors [12][13].
History Says Now Is the Time to Buy These 2 Brilliant Stocks
The Motley Fool· 2026-02-21 22:19
Core Viewpoint - Microsoft and Nvidia are currently trading at historically low valuations, presenting a significant buying opportunity for investors [1][2]. Group 1: Stock Valuation - The price-to-forward earnings ratio is highlighted as the best metric for valuing companies in the rapidly evolving AI landscape, as it reflects future potential rather than past performance [4][5]. - Both Nvidia and Microsoft are currently valued at low levels compared to their historical performance, making them attractive investments [5][7]. Group 2: Company Performance and Growth - Nvidia is positioned to benefit significantly from AI spending, with its GPUs being essential for AI model training and inference, and analysts project a 65% growth in fiscal year 2027 [8]. - Microsoft is experiencing substantial growth in its cloud computing platform, Azure, which has risen 39% year over year in Q2 FY 2025, driven by demand from AI companies [10]. - The integration of AI features into Microsoft's core software suite is expected to contribute to its growth alongside its cloud services [10]. Group 3: Market Context - The recent tech sell-off is viewed as an opportunity for investors to acquire shares of Nvidia and Microsoft, which are seen as resilient and high-growth stocks [11].
Maestria Loads Up Shift4 Stock With 144,000 Shares Bought
The Motley Fool· 2026-02-21 20:32
Company Overview - Shift4 Payments provides integrated payment processing, point-of-sale systems, eCommerce solutions, and business intelligence tools for merchants across multiple channels, specifically targeting stadiums, entertainment venues, and eCommerce [9] - The company reported a total revenue of $3.88 billion and a net income of $170.20 million for the trailing twelve months (TTM) [4] - As of February 10, 2026, the stock price was $59.81, reflecting a one-year price change of -51.1% [4][8] Recent Developments - Maestria Partners LLC disclosed a significant investment in Shift4 Payments, increasing its holding by 143,763 shares valued at approximately $10.16 million during the fourth quarter of 2025 [2] - The value of Maestria's position in Shift4 rose by $3.68 million, influenced by both share purchases and stock price movements [2] - This investment comes at a pivotal time as founder Jared Isaacman has recently left the company to become the NASA Administrator [7] Financial Performance - Despite a decline in stock value, Shift4 Payments experienced a revenue increase of nearly $3.0 billion, which rose by 22% compared to the same period in 2024 [11] - Operating income increased by 39% over the same timeframe, indicating better operational performance despite a significant income tax benefit affecting net income [11] Competitive Position - Shift4 Payments differentiates itself from other fintech companies by specializing in services for the hospitality industry, providing a competitive advantage over more generalized providers like PayPal [10] - The company's strategy focuses on delivering seamless, secure, and omni-channel payment experiences, leveraging its proprietary technology stack and broad integration capabilities [6]
Whetstone Dumps 79,000 monday.com Shares Worth $15.3 Million
The Motley Fool· 2026-02-21 20:05
Core Insights - Whetstone Capital Advisors, LLC sold all its shares in monday.com Ltd., amounting to 79,172 shares valued at approximately $15.33 million, during the fourth quarter of 2025 [2][6] - The sale reflects a broader trend of divesting from SaaS stocks that may struggle in the evolving market landscape influenced by artificial intelligence [6][11] Company Overview - monday.com Ltd. is a cloud-based software provider specializing in work management solutions, with a market capitalization of $3.80 billion and a revenue of $1.23 billion for the trailing twelve months (TTM) [4][5] - The company reported a net income of $118.74 million (TTM) and offers a scalable SaaS platform to enhance organizational workflows and collaboration [4][5] Market Performance - As of February 12, 2026, shares of monday.com Ltd. were priced at $73.63, reflecting a significant decline of 76.8% over the past year, underperforming the S&P 500 Index by 89.7 percentage points [7][10] - The stock's price has fluctuated between $68.68 and $316.98 over the past 52 weeks, indicating high volatility [10] Investment Implications - The decision to sell monday.com was significant as it was the largest position closed by Whetstone in the fourth quarter, suggesting a strategic shift in the fund's investment approach [6][9] - Despite the sale, Whetstone maintains a substantial investment in technology stocks, indicating a selective approach rather than a complete withdrawal from the sector [10]
Down 97%, Should Investors Buy This High-Yield Dividend Stock in February?
The Motley Fool· 2026-02-21 20:00
Core Viewpoint - Sirius XM presents a compelling opportunity for income-seeking investors, especially given its high dividend yield compared to 10-year Treasuries [3][4]. Financial Performance - Sirius XM paid out $365 million in dividends in 2025 and generated $1.26 billion in free cash flow (FCF) last year, with expectations to reach $1.35 billion in 2026 [4]. - The company reduced total debt by $669 million during the year, including nearly $371 million in the fourth quarter [4]. Dividend Safety - The dividend is currently considered safe, with a commitment to returning capital to shareholders [5]. - The stock offers a dividend yield of 5.17%, translating to $517 in annual passive income on a $10,000 investment [3]. Market Position - Sirius XM has a market capitalization of $7.1 billion and generates 76% of its revenue from subscriptions, providing stability to its business model [7]. - The stock price is currently trading 97% below its peak, indicating potential for income-focused investors [1]. Challenges - The self-pay subscriber base declined by 301,000 in 2025, indicating a long-term cycle of decline attributed to technological advancements and increased competition from streaming platforms [8][9]. - Investors seeking capital gains may want to avoid this stock due to the challenges in expanding the user base and top line [8][9].
Down 25%, Should You Buy the Dip on Bristol Myers Squibb?
The Motley Fool· 2026-02-21 19:00
Core Viewpoint - The pharmaceutical industry is facing significant challenges due to patent expirations, particularly impacting Bristol Myers Squibb, which is experiencing a steep patent cliff that is affecting its stock performance [1][2][4]. Patent Cliff Impact - Bristol Myers Squibb's stock is down over 25% from its peak due to the impending patent expirations of key drugs, leading to a potential decline in sales [2][4]. - The company anticipates a 48.9% drop in Revlimid sales to $2.9 billion and a 61.7% decrease in Sprycel sales to $493 million by 2025 [4]. - The patents for top-selling drugs Eliquis and Opdivo will expire between 2027 and 2029, which together generated $24.4 billion in sales in 2025, approximately half of the company's total revenue [4]. Growth Potential - Excluding Opdivo, Bristol Myers Squibb's growth portfolio saw a 23% increase in sales, reaching $16.3 billion in 2025 [5]. - Cobenfy, a new antipsychotic drug for schizophrenia, is in phase 3 trials for Alzheimer's-related psychosis, with potential annual sales of $3.4 billion by 2030 if approved [5]. Financial Metrics - Bristol Myers Squibb has a market capitalization of $124 billion, with a current stock price of $60.66 and a dividend yield of 4.10% [6][7]. - Analysts project a decline in total sales from $48.2 billion in 2025 to $45.2 billion by the end of 2027, with earnings expected to remain flat in 2026 [7][8]. Investment Considerations - The current dividend is considered safe, costing less than half of the company's earnings, which may provide stability during business contractions [8]. - The stock is trading at less than 10 times this year's earnings estimates, reflecting the market's awareness of the patent cliff [8]. - If Cobenfy succeeds, it could offset the lost sales from Eliquis and Opdivo, potentially leading to business growth and a rise in stock valuation [9].
Energy Transfer's Units Surged Nearly 12% in January
The Motley Fool· 2026-02-21 18:00
Company Performance - Energy Transfer's units appreciated 11.9% in January, which is lower than the energy sector's overall performance of 14.4% [4] - The company operates pipelines for transporting and storing gas and oil, making it less sensitive to commodity price fluctuations compared to upstream companies [5] Financial Metrics - Energy Transfer has raised its distributions every quarter for several years, with the latest increase from $0.3325 to $0.335 per unit [6] - The current distribution yield is 7.3%, significantly higher than the S&P 500's yield of 1.2% [6] - For the first nine months of 2025, Energy Transfer generated $8.2 billion in adjusted distributable cash flow, compared to $4.6 billion in distributions to unit holders [8] Investment Appeal - Given its strong cash flow and attractive yield, Energy Transfer is positioned as an appealing option for income-focused investors seeking stability in the energy sector [9]