Core Insights - Reddit is experiencing strong profitability in 2025, but market sentiment reflects a cautious "show me" mentality towards its growth potential [1] - The company has shifted its focus to becoming a data engine, differentiating itself from other social media platforms [2] Financial Performance - Reddit's Q4 2025 earnings reached $726 million, marking a 70% year-over-year increase [5] - Full-year revenue for 2025 was reported at $2.2 billion, with digital advertising revenue increasing by 75% in Q4 [5] User Engagement and Data Utilization - Daily active unique users (DAUq) increased by 19% to 121 million, raising questions about the organic growth's impact on stock pricing [5] - Reddit is leveraging its 20 years of human conversation data to train AI models, generating high-margin revenue that is less reliant on traditional ad revenue [3][5] Insider Activity - Director Sarah Farrell made a significant insider purchase of $7.5 million in Reddit stock, acquiring 50,500 shares at varying prices [6]

Core Viewpoint - The SPDR Gold Trust provides direct exposure to gold prices, while the iShares Silver Trust is highlighted as a potentially better investment due to silver's broader industrial applications and recent price corrections [1][2]. Investment Performance - The SPDR Gold Trust has increased by over 70% in the past year and nearly tripled in value over the last five years [2]. - The iShares Silver Trust is suggested as a more favorable option following a significant price correction [2]. Industrial Demand for Silver - Silver has more industrial applications than gold, making it essential for sectors like artificial intelligence, electronics, medical devices, and 5G infrastructure [4][5]. - The artificial intelligence market is projected to grow at a 30.6% CAGR until 2033, while the 5G market is expected to maintain a 13.1% CAGR during the same period [5]. Price Potential - As demand from various industries increases, silver is anticipated to experience price rallies, benefiting the iShares Silver Trust [6]. - Silver serves as a store of value and an inflation hedge, similar to gold, but with additional industrial demand [7]. Market Correlation - Silver has a lower correlation to the stock market compared to other assets, although it still has some correlation due to its industrial uses [8]. - The industrial applications of silver are currently acting as significant tailwinds for its demand [9]. Risk and Upside - Silver is considered less risky than other lesser-known metals used in AI infrastructure, while offering higher potential upside compared to gold in a bullish economic cycle [9].

Core Insights - The U.S. parcel volume is projected to grow significantly, reaching 22.37 billion shipments in 2024, a 3.4% increase from 2023, with expectations to hit 30 billion by 2030 [1] - Revenue growth for shipping companies has not kept pace with the increase in parcel volume, with total revenue rising by only 2.7% from $197.9 billion in 2023 to $203.2 billion in 2024 [2] - Major carriers like FedEx and UPS are facing challenges due to rising consumer expectations for faster, cost-free shipping, leading to significant operational cuts [3] Industry Trends - FedEx's Network 2.0 plan aims to streamline operations and reduce delivery costs, involving the closure of over 200 stations [4] - Analysts express skepticism about whether FedEx's Network 2.0 will alleviate pricing pressures, citing competitive rate pressures and freight headwinds [5][7] - Rising parcel volumes outpacing revenue growth, along with increasing labor and energy costs, may lead to higher shipping costs for consumers [6] Company Actions - FedEx plans to close more than 475 stations by the end of 2027, representing about 30% of its facility footprint, in response to competitive pressures [9] - UPS is also implementing significant cuts, including facility closures and workforce reductions, as part of its Network of the Future initiative [10][12] - Both companies are focusing on automation and efficiency to handle higher volumes and improve profitability [13] Competitive Landscape - Smaller independent carriers are gaining market share from FedEx and UPS, with a nearly 40% volume growth in the last five years [15][20] - UPS has reduced its reliance on low-margin business, notably cutting its volume from Amazon by over 50% [16] - The U.S. Postal Service's new low-cost shipping option is contributing to pricing pressures in the market [15] Consumer Impact - Despite efforts to lower operational costs, FedEx and UPS are not expected to reduce prices for consumers, potentially leading to higher shipping costs [17] - A survey indicates that shipping and logistics are likely to see significant price increases, with 22% of procurement professionals reporting cost rises of over 10% by the end of 2025 [19][21]

Core Viewpoint - The Invesco Food & Beverage ETF (PBJ) and the First Trust Nasdaq Food & Beverage ETF (FTXG) provide exposure to the U.S. food and beverage industry, with differences in risk, income potential, and trading characteristics that may influence investor decisions [1] Cost & Size - PBJ has an expense ratio of 0.61% and FTXG has a slightly lower expense ratio of 0.60% - As of February 14, 2026, PBJ has a 1-year return of 7.50% while FTXG has a return of 6.87% - The dividend yield for PBJ is 1.62% compared to FTXG's 2.60% - PBJ has a beta of 0.55 indicating higher volatility compared to FTXG's beta of 0.42 - Assets Under Management (AUM) for PBJ is $103.9 million while FTXG has $20.10 million [2] Performance & Risk Comparison - Over the past five years, PBJ experienced a maximum drawdown of -15.84% while FTXG had a larger drawdown of -21.71% - An investment of $1,000 in PBJ would have grown to $1,296 over five years, whereas the same investment in FTXG would have grown to $925 [4] Holdings Composition - FTXG tracks a smart beta index with 31 holdings, including major positions in PepsiCo, Archer-Daniels-Midland, and Mondelez International - PBJ also holds 31 stocks, with top holdings in Hershey, PepsiCo, and Sysco [5] Investment Implications - For long-term investments, PBJ has shown a 31% return over the last five years, while FTXG has decreased by 6.94% during the same period - Despite FTXG's higher dividend yield, PBJ offers a higher quarterly dividend payout due to its higher fund price [7] - The choice of top holdings may influence investor preference, with FTXG's leading asset being PepsiCo and PBJ's being Hershey [8] - Both ETFs can serve as valuable portfolio additions during economic downturns, as they consist of consumer defensive stocks that provide essential goods [9]

Core Insights - Amazon's stock price has significantly declined following the announcement of a $200 billion spending projection for upgrading its AI-driven cloud data centers, raising concerns about the return on investment [1] - The forecast exceeded Wall Street's expectations by $50 billion, leading to increased competition with Google and Microsoft in the compute-power sector [2] - The stock's decline has resulted in a $470 billion reduction in Amazon's market capitalization, marking the longest losing streak since 2006 [2][4] Financial Metrics - Current stock price stands at $198.79, with a market capitalization of $2.13 trillion [9] - The forward price-to-earnings ratio is 24.5, and the price-to-sales ratio is 3 [9] - Total cash and equivalents amount to $123 billion, with 71.85 million shares short [10] Market Sentiment - The Relative Strength Index (RSI) indicates an oversold condition at 23.10, suggesting a potential for a short-term rally [8][10] - Historical context shows that previous significant investments, such as the creation of AWS, faced skepticism but ultimately proved successful [5][6]

Core Insights - A common misconception about retirement is that all expenses will decrease, but healthcare costs are likely to increase significantly during this period [1] Group 1: Healthcare Expenses in Retirement - Healthcare is a non-negotiable expense that can lead to financial strain if not managed properly [2] - There are strategies available to help reduce healthcare spending during retirement [3] Group 2: Strategies to Reduce Healthcare Costs - Annual assessment of Medicare plan choices is crucial, as changes during the open enrollment period can lead to significant savings [4] - Reviewing Part D plans can result in lower copays for new medications, highlighting the importance of annual plan evaluations [5] - Utilizing Medicare's preventive services can help avoid costly health issues, with some services available at no cost [6] - Inquiring about self-pay discounts for services not covered by Medicare can lead to reduced out-of-pocket expenses [7]

Core Viewpoint - Plug Power's stockholders approved an increase in authorized shares from 1.5 billion to 3.0 billion, while rejecting a proposal to amend voting requirements for future charter amendments [11][13]. Proposal Summaries - Proposal 1 aimed to amend the company's charter to align voting requirements for certain future amendments with Delaware law, but it was rejected by stockholders [6][13]. - Proposal 2 sought to increase the number of authorized shares of common stock from 1.5 billion to 3.0 billion, which was approved by stockholders [11][13]. Meeting Details - The special meeting of stockholders was held virtually on February 12, 2026, after being adjourned multiple times [5]. - A quorum was established with 463,878,415 shares represented, allowing the meeting to proceed [2]. Voting Process - Stockholders were able to vote online and submit questions during the meeting, with no formal questions submitted regarding the business [4][7]. - CEO Andy Marsh acknowledged the role of retail investors in the approval of Proposal 2 and emphasized the need for easier broker voting in the future [6][10]. Future Plans - The company plans to revisit the rejected Proposal 1 at the annual meeting and work with Nasdaq to facilitate its passage [6][13]. - An updated earnings call is scheduled for March, hosted by the company's president and chief revenue officer [15]. Company Overview - Plug Power specializes in hydrogen fuel cell systems, providing clean energy solutions for electric vehicles and material handling equipment [16]. - The company also develops backup power and off-grid energy solutions targeting telecommunications and utility applications [17].

Group 1: Market Overview - Recent weakness in the stock market has created buying opportunities, with some stocks at their lowest levels in years [1] - Investors are encouraged to act now rather than wait for better prices, as the market could reassess these stocks at any time [2] Group 2: Microsoft - Microsoft has seen its premium valuation in the tech sector diminish due to recent market weakness and a poorly received earnings report [3] - The company remains dominant in its industry and delivered strong growth in its latest quarter, presenting a rare buying opportunity [4] Group 3: The Trade Desk - The Trade Desk reported an 18% year-over-year growth in Q3, which is slower than previous quarters but still impressive [5] - Wall Street expects 17% revenue growth for 2026, indicating that the company's growth potential remains intact despite current challenges [6] - The stock is currently valued at a low level of 13 times forward earnings, making it an attractive investment opportunity [6]

Core Insights - Barrier Capital Management initiated a new position in Compass, purchasing 952,074 shares valued at approximately $10.06 million, representing 7.4% of its 13F reportable assets under management [1][2][6] Company Overview - Compass reported trailing twelve months (TTM) revenue of $6.64 billion and a net income of -$56.40 million, with a market capitalization of $7.54 billion [3] - As of February 13, 2026, Compass shares were priced at $10.41, reflecting a 37.3% increase over the past year, outperforming the S&P 500 by 25.54 percentage points [2] Business Model and Strategy - Compass offers real estate brokerage services and a cloud-based software platform that integrates CRM, marketing, and operational tools, targeting real estate agents and brokerages in the U.S. [8] - The company focuses on platform innovation and agent enablement, positioning itself competitively in the evolving U.S. real estate market [5] Financial Performance - In the third quarter, Compass achieved record revenue of $1.9 billion, marking a 24% year-over-year growth, with forecasts for fourth-quarter sales estimated between $1.6 billion and $1.7 billion, up from $1.4 billion the previous year [9] - Compass exited Q3 with total assets of $1.6 billion and total liabilities of $775 million, indicating a solid balance sheet [10]

Core Viewpoint - Riot Platforms is experiencing significant attention from investors due to its substantial Bitcoin holdings and the volatility in Bitcoin prices, which directly impacts its stock performance [1][2]. Group 1: Financial Performance and Earnings - Riot Platforms holds over 18,000 Bitcoin, valued at more than $1.2 billion, which is a critical asset influencing its market position [1]. - The company is set to release its Q4 earnings and full-year financial results on February 24, which is anticipated to be a significant event for investors [4]. - There is ongoing speculation regarding the company's transition from a Bitcoin miner to a data center and AI infrastructure provider, with mixed market sentiment about this shift [5]. Group 2: Strategic Developments - Riot has entered into a land purchase and lease agreement for approximately 200 acres in Texas with Advanced Micro Devices (AMD), which could enhance its long-term earnings potential [6]. - This partnership with AMD is expected to support Riot's high-performance computing needs and may positively influence investor perceptions of the company's future earnings and EBITDA guidance [6]. Group 3: Market Sentiment - Investors are currently adopting a relatively bullish outlook on Riot Platforms as it approaches its upcoming financial report, despite the broader market weakness in AI-related stocks [7].