It can be a one-stop shop for people wanting broad exposure.Many of the world's top companies are headquartered in the U.S., but there are plenty of worthwhile companies across the globe. That's why it's helpful to invest in international stocks to achieve a truly diversified portfolio.My preferred way to invest in international companies is through an international ETF, such as the Vanguard Total International Stock ETF (VXUS +0.24%). If you're interested in investing in an international ETF and considerin ...

Core Viewpoint - SoFi Technologies faced significant challenges in January 2026, primarily due to a capital raise that led to stock dilution, impacting shareholder value and stock performance [6][11]. Company Overview - SoFi Technologies was established in 2011, initially focusing on student loan refinancing and later expanding into various financial products [1]. - The company went public in 2021, still largely recognized as a student loan provider [1]. Financial Challenges - The suspension of federal student loan payments and interest accrual from March 2020 to September 2023 resulted in SoFi losing an estimated $300 million to $400 million in revenue and $150 million to $200 million in profit during that period [2]. - SoFi's stock has experienced volatility, spending most of its time below its initial public offering price of $22.65 [3]. Recent Developments - In January 2026, SoFi's stock dropped by 17% following the announcement of a $1.5 billion stock offering priced at $27.50 per share, which diluted existing shares and created selling pressure [6][7]. - The current stock price is $19.51, with a market capitalization of $25 billion [8][9]. Future Outlook - For Q1 2026, SoFi expects a net income of $160 million, representing a 125% increase from Q1 2025, and a projected net income of $825 million for the entire year, a 72% increase from 2025 [10]. - The current price/earnings-to-growth (PEG) ratio is 1.51, indicating that SoFi is technically overvalued relative to its expected earnings growth, although this ratio is more modest compared to previous quarters [10][12]. - Selling pressure may persist in the near term, but if SoFi effectively utilizes its new capital and meets or exceeds expectations, the outlook for 2026 could improve [11].

Core Insights - Quantum computing stocks, particularly IonQ, Rigetti, and D-Wave, have seen extraordinary returns, with trailing 12-month gains ranging from 670% to 6,217% [2] - The technology is expected to create significant economic value, with estimates ranging from $450 billion to $850 billion by 2040, and a $1 trillion addressable opportunity by 2035 [7] Company Performance - Insiders at IonQ, Rigetti, and D-Wave have sold approximately $615 million more in shares than they have purchased over the past year, indicating potential concerns about stock valuation [14][20] - IonQ's market cap stands at $12 billion, while Rigetti's is at $5.1 billion, reflecting their positions in the market [13][16] Market Trends - The rise of quantum computing has been fueled by significant investments, including JPMorgan Chase's $1.5 trillion Security and Resiliency Initiative, which identifies quantum computing as a key area for future financing [8] - Major companies like Amazon are already utilizing quantum computing through services like Braket, which enhances the credibility and market presence of IonQ, Rigetti, and D-Wave [9] Insider Activity - No insiders at Rigetti have purchased shares in the past year, while D-Wave had minimal insider buying, suggesting a lack of confidence in stock valuation [17] - In contrast, two directors at IonQ have invested approximately $2.1 million in their own company, indicating some level of confidence [17] Industry Outlook - Quantum computing is still in its early commercialization stages, and historical trends suggest that new technologies often face significant challenges and corrections during their growth phases [19] - Analysts caution that the high price-to-sales ratios of quantum computing stocks may not reflect their long-term potential, as the technology is still being optimized for practical applications [18]

Core Viewpoint - Vertex Pharmaceuticals has demonstrated its ability to develop successful drugs and generate earnings growth, positioning itself as a strong investment opportunity regardless of market conditions [1][2]. Company Overview - Vertex is the global leader in cystic fibrosis (CF) treatment and has expanded into gene editing for blood disorders and pain management, which supports sustained earnings growth [2][5]. - The company produces CFTR modulators that address approximately 90% of genetic mutations associated with CF, significantly improving the quality of life for patients [5][6]. Financial Performance - Vertex expects its non-CF products, including the gene editing treatment Casgevy and pain drug Journavx, to contribute over $500 million to revenue this year [7]. - The total revenue guidance for Vertex for the year is projected to reach as high as $13.1 billion [7]. Investment Strategy - Vertex is characterized as a "compounder," indicating its potential for long-term value appreciation, making it a suitable addition to a diversified investment portfolio [4]. - The company's strong intellectual property portfolio is expected to support its leadership in CF treatment for the coming decade, providing stability and growth for investors [6].

Group 1: The Trade Desk - The Trade Desk is perceived as undervalued by Wall Street analysts, with a median target price of $50 per share, indicating a 100% upside from the current price of $25 [8][10] - The company specializes in adtech software that utilizes artificial intelligence to optimize digital advertising campaigns, providing a competitive edge due to its independent business model [3][4] - The Trade Desk's lack of ownership over media content allows for better data sharing from publishers, enhancing the effectiveness of its targeting and measurement tools across the open internet [5][6] - Despite a significant decline of 80% from its peak, the stock is expected to see adjusted earnings growth of 13% annually through 2026, making its current valuation of 15 times earnings appear attractive [6][7] Group 2: Datadog - Datadog is also considered undervalued, with a median target price of $180 per share, suggesting a 50% upside from its current price of $120 [15] - The company develops observability and security software that integrates signals from various enterprise technology components, featuring an AI engine for anomaly detection and incident management [11][12] - Datadog has been recognized as a leader in its market segments, with significant growth potential projected at approximately 16% annually for digital experience monitoring and 15% for AI in IT operations through 2030 [12][13] - The company reported a 20% growth in adjusted earnings in the fourth quarter, although its current valuation of 60 times earnings is considered high; however, ongoing investments in R&D may lead to accelerated earnings growth in the future [14]

While Klarman was loading up on shares of e-commerce and cloud infrastructure service titan Amazon, he was sending shares of a trillion-dollar competitor to the chopping block.Nothing is more valuable on Wall Street than data -- and investors are rarely hurting for information that can guide their decision-making. Between earnings season and near-daily economic data releases, it's easy for something of importance to fall through the cracks.For example, Feb. 17 marked the deadline for institutional investors ...

Nvidia doesn't have to miss Wall Street's Q4 estimates for its share price to fall.Many Nvidia (NVDA +1.12%) investors have probably circled Feb. 25, 2026, on their calendars. That's the date the giant chipmaker is scheduled to announce its fiscal 2025 fourth-quarter results. Nvidia plans to release its results following the market close and hold its quarterly conference call with analysts shortly afterward. It's easy to predict that Nvidia's share price will surge after its Q4 update. The company's results ...

Core Viewpoint - The S&P 500's high valuation poses a risk of significant stock price declines, particularly if tariffs negatively impact economic growth [1][2] Group 1: Tariffs and Economic Impact - President Trump's tariffs have increased the average tax on U.S. imports to approximately 13%, the highest level in 90 years [4] - Studies indicate that U.S. companies and consumers are primarily bearing the costs of tariffs, with estimates suggesting they paid 94% to 96% of the tariff burden [6] - The Congressional Budget Office (CBO) predicts that tariffs will lead to lower real GDP, negatively affecting corporate earnings and stock valuations [8] Group 2: Stock Market Valuation - The S&P 500's forward price-to-earnings (PE) ratio was reported at 22.2, significantly above the 10-year average of 18.8, indicating an elevated valuation [9] - Historical comparisons show that similar high valuations occurred during the dot-com bubble and the Covid-19 pandemic, both of which resulted in substantial market declines [9] - If forward earnings estimates are overestimated due to tariffs, a sharp decline or crash in the stock market could occur [10]

Core Insights - Domino's Pizza has experienced a remarkable increase of over 6,000% since its IPO in July 2004, including dividends, making it a significant investment for Berkshire Hathaway [8] Investment Activity - In the last quarter of Warren Buffett's tenure as CEO of Berkshire Hathaway, the company purchased shares of Domino's Pizza for the sixth consecutive quarter, accumulating a 9.9% stake in the company [5][14] - The number of shares purchased over the last six quarters includes 1,277,256 in Q3 2024, 1,104,744 in Q4 2024, 238,613 in Q1 2025, 13,255 in Q2 2025, 348,077 in Q3 2025, and 368,055 in Q4 2025, totaling 3,350,000 shares held [6] Company Strengths - Domino's Pizza has built consumer trust through transparent marketing, notably with a campaign in the late 2000s that acknowledged past shortcomings and committed to improvement [9] - The management team has a history of exceeding growth expectations, with a new five-year plan called "Hungry for MORE" that incorporates artificial intelligence to enhance operations and brand value [10] - The company has a strong commitment to shareholder value, regularly repurchasing stock and increasing its annual dividend for over a decade [12] Valuation Metrics - Domino's Pizza's forward price-to-earnings (P/E) ratio has decreased to 19, representing a 29% discount compared to its average forward P/E over the past five years, indicating a favorable valuation for potential investors [13]

Core Viewpoint - The recent sell-off of Apple stock is primarily driven by concerns over AI feature delays and a warning letter from regulators, but long-term prospects remain strong with upcoming product launches and solid financial performance [1][2][4]. Financial Performance - Apple reported a 16% year-over-year increase in revenue for Q1 2026, totaling $143.8 billion, largely driven by strong iPhone sales [5]. - Diluted earnings per share increased by 19% during the same period [5]. - The company announced a quarterly cash dividend of $0.26 per share, reinforcing its appeal to investors [6]. Market Reaction - Apple stock is down nearly 6% year-to-date and experienced an 8% drop in the past week due to short-term concerns [1][2]. - The stock's current price is $263.88, with a market cap of $3.9 trillion [3]. Product Outlook - Apple is expected to launch several key products in 2026, including Siri 2.0 powered by Google Gemini, the iPhone 18, a cheaper MacBook, a smart home device, smart glasses, and the M5 chip [3][10]. - The company needs to demonstrate its leadership in design and technology to maintain consumer confidence [4]. Regulatory Concerns - The warning letter from federal regulators was related to perceived bias in Apple News and reflects potential fraying relations between Tim Cook and the Trump Administration [9]. - The letter is viewed as primarily criticism rather than a significant threat to the company's operations [9].