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2 Top Healthcare Stocks to Buy in February
The Motley Fool· 2026-02-07 17:39
Core Viewpoint - The healthcare sector is expected to rebound and deliver above-average returns, with Intuitive Surgical and Vertex Pharmaceuticals identified as attractive investment opportunities for the long term [1]. Group 1: Intuitive Surgical - Intuitive Surgical has faced challenges such as high tariffs and increased competition in the robotic-assisted surgery (RAS) market, but its long-term outlook remains strong due to its leadership in the underpenetrated RAS market [3]. - The company develops leading robotic surgery devices, including the da Vinci system, which supports minimally invasive procedures [3]. - Intuitive Surgical has a market cap of $173 billion, with a current price of $488.46 and a gross margin of 65.99% [4][5]. - The installed base of Intuitive Surgical's devices increased by 12% year-over-year, reaching 11,106 units, which is expected to drive procedure volume and growth [5]. - Despite a 13% decline over the past year, Intuitive Surgical's stock is considered a top pick for buy-and-hold investors due to its long-term prospects [6]. Group 2: Vertex Pharmaceuticals - Vertex Pharmaceuticals is expanding its portfolio beyond its successful cystic fibrosis treatments, with plans to submit regulatory applications for zimislecel, a therapy for type 1 diabetes [7]. - The company has several upcoming catalysts, including late-stage data readouts for inaxaplin, targeting APOL-1 mediated kidney disease, and top-line data for povetacicept, aimed at IgA nephropathy [9]. - Vertex's market cap is $121 billion, with a current price of $477.91 and a gross margin of 86.29% [8]. - The anticipated success of new therapies, alongside the continued growth of its core cystic fibrosis franchise, positions Vertex's shares as attractive investments [10].
This Low-Cost Vanguard Fund Can Be a No-Brainer Option for Long-Term Investors
The Motley Fool· 2026-02-07 17:09
Core Insights - The Vanguard S&P 500 ETF is highlighted as a low-cost investment option that allows investors to easily track the performance of the S&P 500 index, which consists of the largest U.S. companies [1][2] Investment Strategy - Long-term investors should prioritize low-cost funds to minimize fees, which can significantly impact overall returns [2][4] - The Vanguard S&P 500 ETF has an expense ratio of just 0.03%, making it one of the most efficient options available [4] Fee Impact - A difference of just one percentage point in annual returns can lead to substantial differences in investment value over time; for example, a $50,000 investment could grow to approximately $872,000 at a 10% return over 30 years, compared to about $663,000 at a 9% return, resulting in a nearly $210,000 difference [5][6] Market Performance - The Vanguard S&P 500 ETF is suitable for various investment strategies and can serve as a foundational investment, providing stability while allowing for riskier investments elsewhere [8][9] Current Data - The current price of the Vanguard S&P 500 ETF is $635.24, with a daily change of 1.95% [7]
Will Berkshire Hathaway Be the Same After Buffett -- or Better?
The Motley Fool· 2026-02-07 17:09
Core Insights - Berkshire Hathaway is transitioning leadership from Warren Buffett to Greg Abel, raising investor concerns about the company's future performance [2][5] - Buffett's long tenure has set high expectations for Abel, who is expected to maintain the company's legacy of excellence [2][6] Leadership Transition - The succession plan has been a topic of interest for shareholders, with Buffett and Charlie Munger previously assuring investors that a plan was in place [5] - In 2021, Berkshire's board unanimously supported Abel as Buffett's designated successor, indicating a structured transition [5] Financial Position - Berkshire Hathaway has positioned itself financially for Abel's leadership, accumulating a record cash reserve of $382 billion by the end of 2025 [7] - This substantial cash reserve provides Abel with significant flexibility for capital allocation, including potential acquisitions or share repurchases [8] Investment Strategy - Analysts suggest that Abel may consider strategies that were previously unthinkable under Buffett, such as initiating dividends for shareholders [8] - Despite not adding Berkshire stock to a specific portfolio, the company remains a top individual stock holding, indicating confidence in its long-term value [10] Market Performance - Berkshire Hathaway's market capitalization stands at $1.1 trillion, with a current stock price of $507.92 and a gross margin of 24.85% [9] - The company often performs well when tech-focused peers struggle, providing stability for long-term investors [11]
Is Viavi Solutions Stock a Buy or Sell After Its CEO Sold Shares Worth $1.9 Million?
The Motley Fool· 2026-02-07 17:02
Core Insights - Viavi Solutions, a technology firm specializing in network testing and optical security, reported a significant insider sale by CEO Oleg Khaykin amid strong stock performance, with shares up 106.1% over the past year [1][4][10] Transaction Summary - Oleg Khaykin sold 70,566 shares for approximately $1.9 million, with a post-transaction direct ownership of 1,708,871 shares valued at about $45.1 million [2][6] - The transaction occurred at a market close price of $26.38, reflecting a weighted average purchase price of $26.27 [2][6] Company Overview - Viavi Solutions has a market capitalization of $6.10 billion and generated $1.24 billion in revenue over the trailing twelve months, although it reported a net loss of $41.7 million [4] - The company experienced a 1-year price change of 106.1%, indicating strong capital appreciation [4] Company Operations - Viavi Solutions provides network test, monitoring, and assurance solutions, including hardware, software, and optical security products across three segments: Network Enablement, Service Enablement, and Optical Security and Performance Products [7][8] - The company serves a diverse customer base, including communications service providers, enterprises, and government agencies, focusing on both legacy and next-generation networks [8][9] Market Context - The sale by Mr. Khaykin does not raise concerns as he retains a significant stake in the company, and the transaction aligns with his historical trading patterns [6][10] - The company's stock reached a 52-week high of $26.83 shortly before the sale, reflecting strong market performance [10][11] - Despite the strong sales growth of 36% year-over-year in the fiscal second quarter, the company remains unprofitable, with a net loss of $48.1 million, although this shows significant improvement from the previous year [11]
The Best Stocks to Invest $5,000 in Right Now
The Motley Fool· 2026-02-07 16:45
Investment Opportunities in AI Sector - The AI sector presents several strong investment opportunities, particularly for stocks that are expected to benefit from significant AI spending [1] - Companies identified as excellent buys include Nvidia, Broadcom, Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing (TSMC), and Microsoft, all of which are positioned to outperform the market [2] Nvidia - Nvidia is the world's most valuable company by market cap, driven by high demand for its GPUs, which are essential for training and running AI models [4] - The company has a market cap of $4.5 trillion, with a current price of $185.65 and a gross margin of 70.05% [5][6] - Analysts project a 52% growth for Nvidia in fiscal 2027, indicating strong long-term potential despite concerns about an AI bubble [6] Broadcom - Broadcom is competing with Nvidia in the AI chip sector by focusing on ASICs, which are optimized for specific workloads and can outperform GPUs in certain applications [7] - The company has a market cap of $1.6 trillion, with a current price of $333.06 and a gross margin of 64.71% [8][9] - Broadcom expects its AI semiconductor revenue to double year over year, indicating rapid growth potential [9] Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing (TSMC) - TSMC is a leading chip foundry with unmatched technology and capacity, making it a key player in the AI industry [10] - The company has a market cap of $1.8 trillion, with a current price of $348.85 and a gross margin of 59.02% [11] - Analysts forecast a 31% growth for TSMC this year and 22% next year, supported by sustained AI spending [11] Microsoft - Microsoft operates in both AI application and infrastructure markets, with its Azure cloud platform experiencing significant revenue growth of 39% year over year [13] - The company has a substantial backlog of $625 billion in its cloud business, indicating further growth potential [13] - Despite a recent stock decline, Microsoft is viewed as a buying opportunity, trading at 25 times forward earnings, the lowest in some time [14][16]
Wheaton Precious Metals Shares Are Cheaper Than Before Silver's Surge: Here's Why
The Motley Fool· 2026-02-07 16:45
Core Viewpoint - Despite volatility in silver prices, Wheaton Precious Metals has shown significant growth, with shares up 11.4% year-to-date and a remarkable 98% return over the past 12 months [1] Group 1: Company Performance - Wheaton Precious Metals has a current price-to-earnings (P/E) ratio of 59, which appears high compared to the S&P 500 average of 29.6, yet it may be undervalued due to its business model [2] - The company does not mine metals but finances mining projects in exchange for the right to purchase future output at discounted prices [3] - The market capitalization of Wheaton Precious Metals is $62 billion, with a gross margin of 68.52% and a dividend yield of 0.49% [3] Group 2: Business Model and Deals - A recent deal with Waterton Copper allows Wheaton to buy silver at an 82% discount to the spot price for $300 million in upfront financing [5] - The company also secured rights to purchase up to 18 million ounces of silver from the Blackwater mine at the same discount, for $141 million in financing [5] - This business model enables Wheaton to outperform precious metals returns over various time frames [6] Group 3: Valuation Metrics - The price-to-earnings-growth (PEG) ratio is a critical metric, currently below 1, indicating that the stock may be undervalued relative to its growth potential [8][11] - The PEG ratio dropped significantly in mid-2025 after the company reported a doubling of Q2 net income, making the stock appear cheaper despite its high P/E ratio [10]
Grading Bob Iger's Performance in His Second Term as Disney's CEO
The Motley Fool· 2026-02-07 16:27
Core Viewpoint - Bob Iger has officially announced his retirement again, with the current head of theme parks and cruise lines set to take over as CEO by the end of 2026, prompting discussions on Disney's current position compared to when Iger returned from retirement [1]. Group 1 - Disney's current CEO, Bob Iger, will retire at the end of 2026, marking a significant leadership transition for the company [1]. - The new CEO will be the head of theme parks and cruise lines, indicating a focus on these segments moving forward [1]. - Discussions among Disney fans reflect on whether the company is in a better position now than it was when Iger returned from retirement [1].
Is AMD's 17% Decline a Warning for Nvidia Shareholders Ahead of Feb. 25?
The Motley Fool· 2026-02-07 16:15
Core Insights - Nvidia and AMD are leading players in the AI chip market, experiencing significant growth during the AI boom [1][2] - AMD reported record revenue and strong profitability, with a 34% increase in revenue to over $10 billion, and a gross margin expansion to 54% [6][7] - Nvidia is expected to report a 67% year-over-year revenue increase, surpassing $65 billion for the quarter, with strong demand for its GPUs [8][9] AMD Performance - AMD's quarterly earnings showed a record revenue and profitability, with expectations of significant sales growth this year [3][6] - Despite positive earnings, AMD's stock fell 17% following the report due to a disappointing first-quarter forecast, although revenue predictions of $9.8 billion exceeded expectations [4][7] - CEO Lisa Su indicated a multiyear demand super cycle for high-performance and AI computing [7] Nvidia Outlook - Nvidia is set to report its fiscal 2026 fourth-quarter and full-year earnings, with a strong track record of exceeding analyst estimates [8] - The average analyst estimate for Nvidia's revenue is projected to climb 67% year over year, reflecting strong demand for its products [8][9] - Concerns about high valuations and potential AI spending slowdowns may impact stock performance despite positive earnings [10][11] Market Sentiment - The semiconductor industry, including TSMC, has reported strong demand, contributing to optimism for Nvidia's upcoming earnings [9] - Short-term stock performance may not reflect the positive earnings report, similar to AMD's situation, but long-term prospects for Nvidia remain strong [11][12] - AMD's stock drop may serve as a cautionary signal for Nvidia shareholders regarding potential short-term turbulence [12]
Prediction: The Quantum Stock Could Surge 78% in 2026
The Motley Fool· 2026-02-07 16:00
Core Viewpoint - D-Wave Quantum is positioning itself for significant growth, potentially transforming its future and offering substantial returns for investors willing to accept volatility [1] Group 1: Company Developments - D-Wave Quantum is making a bold move that could redefine its future [1] - The stock price of D-Wave Quantum increased by 20.19% as of January 27, 2026 [1] Group 2: Market Context - The discussion revolves around whether the market is prematurely optimistic about D-Wave Quantum's potential [1] - The video highlights the catalysts driving this optimism, as well as the associated risks [1]
Why This Stock's January Slump Could Be a Gift for Patient Investors
The Motley Fool· 2026-02-07 15:53
Core Insights - Intuitive Surgical's stock is currently considered expensive with a P/E ratio of 60, compared to the S&P 500 average of 28, but presents a potential opportunity for long-term growth investors following a recent price drop [2][6] - The company manufactures the da Vinci surgical robot, which has seen a 12% year-over-year increase in operational systems and an 18% rise in surgeries performed, indicating strong demand in the market [3] - Only 25% of the company's revenue comes from robot sales, with the majority derived from services, instruments, and accessories, creating a recurring income stream that grows with each new robot sold [5] Financial Performance - The stock has experienced significant volatility, with frequent drawdowns of 25% to 30%, suggesting potential buying opportunities for long-term investors [7] - The current P/E ratio of 60 is below its five-year average of 71, indicating a relative decrease in valuation due to the January drawdown [6] - The stock is approximately 19% below its 2026 high and 21% below its all-time high reached in late 2025, highlighting potential for recovery [6] Market Position - Intuitive Surgical is well-positioned in the healthcare sector, benefiting from advancements in AI and improved surgical outcomes through robotic assistance, which may enhance its long-term growth prospects [5] - The company’s market capitalization stands at $173 billion, with a gross margin of 65.99%, reflecting strong profitability [7]