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Should You Buy Nvidia Stock Before Feb. 25? A Mountain of Evidence Is Piling Up That Provides a Crystal Clear Answer
The Motley Fool· 2026-02-08 07:50
Core Viewpoint - Nvidia's growth trajectory is under scrutiny as it prepares to report its financial results, with significant interest from investors regarding the future of AI and its impact on the company's performance [2][3][12]. Company Insights - Nvidia's stock has experienced a remarkable increase of 780% over the past three years, although it is currently more than 10% below its peak [2]. - The company is set to release its fiscal 2026 fourth-quarter financial report on February 25, which is anticipated to provide critical insights into its future growth [3][12]. - Nvidia holds a dominant position in the data center GPU market, commanding 92% market share, positioning it as a primary beneficiary of increasing capital expenditures in AI [10]. Industry Trends - Major tech companies are significantly increasing their capital expenditures to support AI initiatives, with Microsoft planning to spend $88.2 billion in 2025 and exceeding that in 2026, while Alphabet is set to double its capex to $180 billion [6][7]. - Amazon has announced a staggering $200 billion in capex for 2026 to meet high demand, indicating robust growth in the AI sector [8]. - Meta Platforms is also investing heavily, with a capex outlook of $125 billion, leveraging AI to enhance user engagement and advertising revenue [9]. Customer Dynamics - Nvidia's largest customers, which account for 40% of its sales, include Microsoft (15%), Meta Platforms (13%), Amazon (6.2%), and Alphabet (5.8%), all of which are committed to substantial capex spending [11]. - The demand for Nvidia's GPUs is driven by the increasing need for computational power in AI applications, as evidenced by the supply constraints reported by major clients [5][7]. Financial Outlook - Nvidia is guiding for a year-over-year revenue growth of 65% for its upcoming quarter, an increase from 62% in the previous quarter, suggesting strong performance expectations [12]. - The stock is currently priced at 24 times forward earnings, which is considered attractive for long-term investors [15].
Nvidia Stock Is Interesting, But Here's What I'd Buy Instead
The Motley Fool· 2026-02-08 07:05
Core Viewpoint - Oracle is investing heavily in AI infrastructure, which presents both challenges and opportunities for growth, especially in comparison to Nvidia's market dominance [1][5]. Company Overview - Oracle has a market capitalization of approximately $440 billion, significantly smaller than Nvidia's over $4 trillion [4][2]. - The stock has experienced a decline of more than 52% from its September highs [4]. Financial Performance - For fiscal Q2 2026, Oracle reported revenue of $16.05 billion, a 14% increase year-over-year, with net income rising 95% to $6.13 billion, largely due to a $2.7 billion pre-tax gain from the sale of Ampere Computing [8][10]. - The cloud segment showed significant growth, with revenue reaching $7.977 billion, a 34% increase from the previous year [10]. Investment and Debt - Oracle's debt exceeds $100 billion, primarily due to a $58 billion investment in data center projects across Texas, Wisconsin, and New Mexico [5]. - The company has a $300 billion deal with OpenAI for AI infrastructure and cloud services, with projected infrastructure needs of about $156 billion starting in 2027 [5]. Valuation - Oracle's forward price-to-earnings ratio is currently at 19.8, marking the lowest valuation in over two years, indicating a potentially attractive investment opportunity [12].
The AI Memory Crunch Is Creating Winners and Losers. Here Are the Stocks to Buy
The Motley Fool· 2026-02-08 06:41
Core Insights - The demand for memory, particularly DRAM, HBM, and NAND storage, significantly exceeds supply, benefiting companies like Micron, Western Digital, and SanDisk [2][3][16] Company Summaries Micron Technology - Micron is experiencing a substantial increase in revenue, with a reported $13.6 billion, a nearly $5 billion increase from the previous year, and anticipates $18.7 billion in the next quarter [7] - The company is shifting focus from low-margin consumer memory to higher-margin enterprise customers and is sold out for all of 2026, indicating strong demand [6] - Micron's stock has shown significant growth, with a market cap of $444 billion and a gross margin of 45.53% [4] Western Digital - Western Digital is a leader in advanced 3D NAND flash memory, crucial for AI workloads and data centers, and has seen its stock rise over 50% as of early February 2026 [8][10] - The company announced a $4 billion share repurchase, signaling confidence in its future performance [10] - Western Digital's market cap stands at $96 billion, with a gross margin of 42.68% [10] SanDisk - SanDisk, now independent after separating from Western Digital, is thriving in the NAND technology market, with a reported 31% increase in revenue and a 64% increase in data center revenue [11][13] - The company anticipates an additional billion or more in revenue next quarter, reflecting strong demand for its products [13] - SanDisk's stock has surged nearly 150% year-to-date, with a market cap of $88 billion and a gross margin of 34.81% [12][14] Industry Trends - The memory market is currently experiencing a significant upswing after years of depression, driven by overwhelming demand in the AI sector [15] - Only a few companies are positioned to meet the increasing demand for memory and storage, suggesting a prolonged cycle of growth for these stocks [15]
QQQ vs. SPY: QQQ Has Delivered Superior Gains, But It Comes With Higher Risk
The Motley Fool· 2026-02-08 04:37
Core Insights - The State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF Trust (SPY) and Invesco QQQ Trust, Series 1 (QQQ) are significant exchange-traded funds (ETFs) in the U.S., each tracking large-cap indices but differing in portfolio composition, risk-return profiles, and costs [2][8] Cost & Size - SPY has an expense ratio of 0.09%, while QQQ charges 0.20%, making SPY more cost-effective [3][4] - As of February 4, 2026, SPY's one-year return is 14.0% and QQQ's is 15.5%, with SPY offering a higher dividend yield of 1.1% compared to QQQ's 0.5% [3][4] - SPY has assets under management (AUM) of $709.2 billion, while QQQ has $405.7 billion [3][9] Performance & Risk Comparison - Over the past five years, SPY experienced a maximum drawdown of 24.49%, while QQQ faced a more significant drawdown of 35.12% [5][10] - An investment of $1,000 in SPY would have grown to $1,770 over five years, compared to $1,828 for QQQ [5] Portfolio Composition - QQQ tracks the NASDAQ-100 Index, with a heavy concentration in technology (55% of assets), and its largest holdings include NVIDIA Corp (8.46%), Apple Inc (7.69%), and Microsoft Corp (5.90%) [6] - SPY tracks the S&P 500, providing broader diversification across 502 companies, with its largest holdings being Nvidia Corp (7.42%), Apple Inc (6.74%), and Microsoft Corp (5.17%) [7] Investment Implications - Both SPY and QQQ are well-regarded ETFs, suitable for various investment strategies, with SPY appealing to those seeking stability and QQQ attracting risk-tolerant investors [8][11] - Both funds have significant exposure to major tech companies, which influences their performance trends [9][10]
Think AWS Is Losing To Azure and Google Cloud? You Need To Hear This Quote From Amazon CEO Andy Jassy
The Motley Fool· 2026-02-08 04:30
Core Insights - Amazon remains the leader in cloud computing despite losing market share to Google Cloud and Microsoft Azure, with AWS reporting a 20% growth compared to Google Cloud's 36% and Azure's 39% in 2025 [1][2][5] Group 1: Market Position and Growth - Amazon's AWS generated over $21.2 billion in revenue in 2025, significantly outpacing Google Cloud's $15.5 billion growth and Azure's approximately $19 billion growth [5] - AWS's annualized run rate reached $142 billion, with a year-over-year growth of 24%, marking its fastest revenue growth in 13 quarters [3][6] - AWS's chips business, focused on AI, achieved a $10 billion annual revenue run rate, growing at triple digits [3] Group 2: Financial Performance - In 2025, AWS operating income rose to $45.6 billion, compared to $13.9 billion for Google Cloud, highlighting AWS's profitability advantage [6] - Amazon's total revenue for the quarter increased by 14% to $213.4 billion, with operating income up 18% to $25 billion [10] Group 3: Capital Expenditure and Future Outlook - Amazon plans to invest $200 billion in capital expenditures in 2025, primarily for AWS and AI workloads, indicating a commitment to maintaining its leadership position [6] - The company generated $139.5 billion in operating cash flow in 2025, suggesting that the $200 billion target may lead to negative free cash flow in 2026 [10] - The stock trades at a price-to-earnings ratio of less than 30, with adjustments indicating it is fairly valued, though the spending boom may limit short-term upside potential [11]
Will Taking Over Apple's Credit Card Business Boost JPMorgan Chase Stock?
The Motley Fool· 2026-02-08 04:30
Core Insights - JPMorgan Chase has been selected as the new issuer of the Apple Card, taking over from Goldman Sachs, marking a significant transition in Apple's consumer finance strategy [1][5] - Goldman Sachs' decision to step down is aimed at narrowing its business focus, while the implications for JPMorgan Chase remain uncertain [2][5] - JPMorgan Chase is the largest card issuer in the U.S. by total credit card purchase volume, indicating its capability to manage the Apple Card [6][9] Company Analysis - Goldman Sachs has historically functioned as an investment bank and struggled to establish itself in consumer banking, leading to its retreat from the Apple Card [4][5] - The Apple Card has over 12 million users, which, while not a significant addition to Chase's existing customer base of approximately 150 million cards, still presents opportunities for cross-selling [7][9] - The typical Apple Card user is aged 20 to 40, a demographic that represents about 70% of the user base, making them prime candidates for Chase's higher-end products [9] Financial Implications - The financial specifics of the deal between JPMorgan Chase and Apple regarding the Apple Card are not yet disclosed, making it difficult to assess the potential impact on Chase's financial performance [10] - The addition of new customers from the Apple Card is expected to provide numerous cross-selling opportunities, which could positively influence Chase's stock performance [10]
The Hidden Gem AI Networking Stock That Could Own the Next 5 Years
The Motley Fool· 2026-02-08 03:30
Core Viewpoint - Arista Networks is positioned as a key player in the AI data center networking sector, benefiting from the ongoing AI boom and significant investments from major cloud companies [1][3]. Growth Catalysts - Major cloud providers like Microsoft and Meta Platforms are investing tens of billions into AI infrastructure, with the total addressable data center networking market projected to reach approximately $120 billion by 2028 [4]. - Arista is capitalizing on the shift towards high-speed, open-source Ethernet in AI networks, allowing clients to avoid vendor lock-in associated with Nvidia's proprietary InfiniBand [5]. Company Performance - Arista Networks has a market capitalization of $173 billion, with a current stock price of $137.49, reflecting a 6.86% increase [6][7]. - The company is experiencing over 20% revenue growth and maintains gross margins exceeding 60%, supported by a strong cash position [8]. - Revenue projections indicate growth from an estimated $8.9 billion in fiscal 2025 to nearly $21 billion by fiscal 2030, with a potential market cap of around $323 billion by 2030 based on a conservative price-to-sales multiple [9]. Strategic Initiatives - Arista is heavily investing in enterprise and campus networking as part of its comprehensive strategy to address networking needs across various environments, including cloud and AI centers [8].
1 Warning Sign for Tesla Stock Investors in 2026
The Motley Fool· 2026-02-08 03:15
Core Viewpoint - Tesla has experienced significant stock performance, with shares increasing by 3,300% over the past decade, but faces major risks due to its high valuation and pressure on core operations [1][4]. Valuation Concerns - Tesla's shares are trading at a price-to-earnings ratio of 375, indicating an inflated valuation that poses downside risk if the company fails to meet expectations [4]. - The market capitalization of Tesla is approximately $1.5 trillion, nearly five times that of the next most valuable carmaker, Toyota [4]. Business Operations - Tesla's automotive revenue decreased by 10% in 2025, and net income fell by 46%, highlighting challenges in the core EV business amid increasing competition [8]. - The company is focusing on future technologies such as robotaxis and robotics, with plans to introduce a mass-market robot, Optimus Gen 3, expected this quarter [6]. Investor Sentiment - Tesla's shareholder base resembles that of venture capitalists, focusing on future potential rather than current fundamentals, which may account for a small portion of the company's valuation [9]. - There is a high expectation for the success of robotaxis and robotics, which could lead to substantial profits if realized [9][10].
FBTC vs. NCIQ: The Big Bitcoin ETFs That Share Many Similarities
The Motley Fool· 2026-02-08 02:50
Core Viewpoint - The article discusses two ETFs, the Hashdex Nasdaq Crypto Index U.S. ETF (NCIQ) and the Fidelity Wise Origin Bitcoin Fund (FBTC), which provide indirect exposure to cryptocurrencies for investors who prefer not to purchase digital tokens directly [1] Group 1: Snapshot (Cost & Size) - Both NCIQ and FBTC have an expense ratio of 0.25%, making them equally affordable in terms of cost [2] - As of February 7, 2026, NCIQ has a one-year return of -32.66%, while FBTC has a return of -28.30% [2] - NCIQ has assets under management (AUM) of $155.3 million, whereas FBTC has a significantly larger AUM of $14.03 billion [2] Group 2: Performance & Risk Comparison - The maximum drawdown over one year for NCIQ is -36.10%, compared to -33.28% for FBTC [3] - A $1,000 investment would have grown to $869 in NCIQ and $796 in FBTC over the past year [3] Group 3: What's Inside - FBTC, launched less than two years ago, focuses solely on Bitcoin, which constitutes 1.64% of its holdings [4] - NCIQ, on the market for nearly a year less than FBTC, aims to represent a broader crypto market, with Bitcoin making up 77% of its holdings, alongside other tokens like Ethereum (ETH), XRP, and Solana [4] Group 4: Implications for Investors - The article highlights the volatility of the crypto market, which can lead to rapid price movements affecting both ETFs [6] - It also notes the risks associated with the unregulated cryptocurrency market, including potential price manipulation by large holders of Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies [7] - Despite the current downturn in the crypto market, these ETFs may be suitable for investors who remain optimistic about Bitcoin and the overall market in the long term [8]
EEM vs. VXUS: Should Investors Favor Emerging Markets Upside or Broad International Stability?
The Motley Fool· 2026-02-08 02:39
Core Insights - The Vanguard Total International Stock ETF (VXUS) and iShares MSCI Emerging Markets ETF (EEM) differ significantly in cost, yield, and market exposure, with VXUS providing broader global diversification at a lower price compared to EEM's focus on emerging markets at a higher fee [1][2] Cost & Size Comparison - VXUS has an expense ratio of 0.05%, while EEM's expense ratio is 0.72% [3][4] - The one-year return for VXUS is 29.5%, compared to EEM's 36.8% [3] - VXUS offers a dividend yield of 3.0%, whereas EEM has a yield of 2.0% [4] - VXUS has assets under management (AUM) of $135.2 billion, significantly higher than EEM's $27.5 billion [3] Performance & Risk Comparison - Over five years, VXUS has a maximum drawdown of -29.43%, while EEM's maximum drawdown is -39.82% [5] - An investment of $1,000 in VXUS would grow to $1,297 over five years, compared to $1,079 for EEM [5] Portfolio Composition - EEM focuses on emerging markets, with major sector exposures in technology (28%), financial services (22%), and consumer cyclical (12%), holding 1,214 stocks [6] - VXUS diversifies across 8,602 stocks, with significant sector weights in financial services, industrials, and technology, featuring top positions like Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co Ltd and Tencent Holdings Ltd [7] Investment Implications - VXUS provides stable exposure to international stocks at a low cost, making it suitable for conservative investors [12] - EEM offers higher potential returns but comes with increased risk and higher costs, appealing to investors with a greater risk appetite [12]