A strong stock as of late has been Capital One (COF) . Shares have been marching higher, with the stock up 18.3% over the past month. The stock hit a new 52-week high of $244.82 in the previous session. Capital One has gained 34.3% since the start of the year compared to the 15.8% move for the Zacks Finance sector and the 58.1% return for the Zacks Financial - Consumer Loans industry.What's Driving the Outperformance?The stock has an impressive record of positive earnings surprises, as it hasn't missed our ...

Core Insights - The latest 13F filing from Lone Pine Capital indicates significant portfolio adjustments, particularly in large-cap technology, consumer platforms, and financial services, reflecting a more risk-balanced approach as year-end approaches [1] Portfolio Adjustments - **Meta Platforms Inc. (META)**: Reduced by 342,757 shares (20.59%), maintaining a substantial holding worth over $971 million, indicating profit-taking rather than a loss of conviction [2] - **Vistra Corp (VST)**: Trimmed by 1,770,478 shares (27.37%), likely locking in gains after significant appreciation driven by power-generation strength [3] - **Taiwan Semiconductor (TSM)**: Reduced by 383,520 shares (11.16%), remaining a core holding valued at $852 million amid cyclical uncertainty [4] - **AppLovin (APP)**: Reduced by 152,196 shares (12.07%), reflecting portfolio resizing rather than a fundamental shift [5] - **Microsoft Corp (MSFT)**: Trimmed by 646,251 shares (34.84%), still representing a large stake of $625 million, indicating profit-taking [10] - **Amazon.com Inc. (AMZN)**: Reduced by 2,221,628 shares (44.14%), with a remaining position valued at $617 million, reflecting reallocation within mega-cap tech [11] - **Capital One Financial (COF)**: Reduced by 511,142 shares (16.59%) following strong performance [12] - **KKR & Co (KKR)**: Trimmed by 1,141,208 shares (21.85%), appearing valuation-driven after appreciation [13] Notable Increases - **LPL Financial Holdings (LPLA)**: Increased by 383,466 shares (20.48%), expanding the position to $750 million, reflecting confidence in its scalable advisor platform [6] - **Philip Morris (PM)**: Increased by 1,856,749 shares (67.33%), bringing the position to $748 million, aligning with a strategy of investing in stable, cash-rich companies [7] - **Brookfield Corp (BN)**: Increased by 4,559,963 shares (81.12%), indicating a belief in the stock's undervaluation relative to its diversified asset management ecosystem [8] - **Broadcom Inc. (AVGO)**: New position established with 1,549,412 shares (100.00%), indicating a strong belief in AI infrastructure growth [14] Strategic Themes - **Selective Trimming of Mega-Cap Tech Winners**: Reductions in META, MSFT, AMZN, and TSM reflect disciplined risk management after substantial rallies, moderating concentration risk while maintaining core positions [15] - **Reallocation Toward Cash-Heavy Compounders**: Additions to PM, BN, and LPLA emphasize resilient earnings profiles and attractive valuations [16] - **New Conviction Bet on AI Infrastructure via Broadcom**: The initiation of a large AVGO position signals confidence in the accelerating demand for AI hardware [17] - **Active, High-Conviction Portfolio Rotation**: Lone Pine's approach involves selectively trimming oversized winners and reallocating to durable cash-flow engines while initiating new positions in strong long-term fundamentals [18] Summary - Lone Pine Capital's Q3 2025 13F reveals a portfolio recalibration focused on reducing oversized mega-cap exposures, reinforcing durable cash generators, and launching a significant new position in Broadcom to capture AI-infrastructure tailwinds, resulting in a portfolio geared toward long-term growth while balancing risk as year-end volatility approaches [19]

Core Viewpoint - Momentum investing focuses on following a stock's recent price trends, aiming to buy high and sell higher, with the expectation that established trends will continue [1] Company Overview: Capital One (COF) - Capital One currently holds a Momentum Style Score of B, indicating a positive outlook based on its price change and earnings estimate revisions [2] - The company has a Zacks Rank of 1 (Strong Buy), suggesting strong potential for outperformance in the market [3] Price Performance - Over the past week, COF shares increased by 3.12%, outperforming the Zacks Financial - Consumer Loans industry, which rose by 2.77% [5] - In a longer timeframe, COF's shares have risen by 20.78% over the past month, compared to the industry's 11.37% [5] - Over the last quarter, COF shares increased by 8.34%, and over the past year, they gained 33.35%, while the S&P 500 only moved 3.47% and 13.15%, respectively [6] Trading Volume - COF's average 20-day trading volume is 3,619,013 shares, which serves as a bullish indicator when combined with rising stock prices [7] Earnings Outlook - In the past two months, 7 earnings estimates for COF have been revised upwards, with no downward revisions, leading to an increase in the consensus estimate from $17.37 to $19.75 [9] - For the next fiscal year, 8 estimates have also moved upwards, indicating a positive trend in earnings expectations [9] Conclusion - Considering the positive price performance, strong earnings outlook, and favorable momentum indicators, COF is positioned as a 1 (Strong Buy) stock with a Momentum Score of B, making it a compelling investment option [11]

On CNBC's “Halftime Report Final Trades,” Malcolm Ethridge, managing partner at Capital Area Planning Group, named The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. (NYSE:GS) as his final trade.According to recent reports, Goldman Sachs agreed on Dec. 1 to acquire Innovator Capital Management for approximately $2.0 billion. The company expects to pay the amount in cash and equity. The deal is expected to close in the second quarter of 2026, pending regulatory approvals and customary closing conditions.Stephanie Link, chief inv ...

Core Viewpoint - Capital One Financial Corporation (COF) is assessed to have a strong bullish outlook based on its financial performance and forecasted strong growth [1] Financial Performance - The company has demonstrated robust financial performance, which is a key factor in the positive outlook [1] Growth Forecast - There is an expectation of strong growth for Capital One, contributing to the overall bullish sentiment surrounding the company [1]

Core Viewpoint - Capital One Financial Corporation (COF) is assessed to have a strong bullish outlook based on its financial performance and forecasted strong growth [1] Company Analysis - The company has demonstrated robust financial performance, which supports a positive investment outlook [1] - Forecasts indicate that Capital One is expected to experience significant growth in the near future [1] Analyst Background - The analyst has over a decade of experience in the stock market and a strong background in political economics, providing a unique perspective on macroeconomic impacts on assets [1] - The analyst emphasizes a comprehensive and fundamental approach to identifying investment opportunities [1]

Final trade. What do you got. >> Goldman Sachs.>> All right. ...

Industry Overview - The global payments industry is experiencing a positive growth environment, driven by the transition to digital and electronic payment methods, with consumer spending on the rise [1] - Cards, digital wallets, and online checkouts are steadily replacing cash, leading to a consistent volume boost and long-term revenue prospects for leading payment companies [1][10] - Monetary policy has become a modest tailwind, with the U.S. central bank lowering interest rates three times in 2025, which is expected to support consumer spending and improve credit conditions [2][3] Growth Drivers - Lower interest rates are anticipated to enhance consumer spending and credit conditions, which will positively impact payment volumes heading into 2026 [3][10] - Companies in the payment industry are pursuing mergers and acquisitions to diversify their revenue streams and stabilize their top line [4] - The quality of growth in the payments space is improving, with revenues increasingly driven by value-added services such as fraud prevention and data analytics [4] Company Highlights - Capital One Financial Corporation (COF) is expected to benefit from growing consumer loan demand, solid credit card operations, and opportunistic buyouts, with a projected earnings growth of 1.5% and revenue growth of 17.4% in 2026 [8][9] - OppFi Inc. (OPFI) is focusing on AI and machine learning to improve operational efficiency, with earnings and revenue growth estimates of 8.6% and 9.1% respectively for 2026 [12][13] - SoFi Technologies, Inc. (SOFI) is enhancing its digital financial ecosystem and is projected to see significant earnings growth of 62.9% and revenue growth of 25.4% in 2026 [16][17] Stock Performance - Capital One Financial shares have gained 32.4% over the past year, while the industry has risen by 54.5%, and it currently holds a Zacks Rank 1 [11] - OppFi's shares have increased by 38.4% in the past year, contrasting with the industry's decline of 9.6%, and it also holds a Zacks Rank 1 [13] - SoFi's shares have soared 55% over the past year, while the industry has fallen by 12.6%, and it carries a Zacks Rank 2 [17]

Here are three stocks with buy rank and strong value characteristics for investors to consider today, Dec. 16:Capital One Financial Corporation (COF) : This financial services company for the Capital One, National Association carries a Zacks Rank #1, and has witnessed the Zacks Consensus Estimate for its current year earnings increasing 14.3% over the last 60 days.Capital One has a price-to-earnings ratio (P/E) of 12.06, compared with 25.06 for the S&P 500. The company possesses a Value Score of A.Phibro An ...

Core Viewpoint - Capital One Financial Corporation (NYSE: COF) is positioned positively in the financial services sector, with a price target suggesting potential growth for investors [1][4]. Company Overview - Capital One offers a variety of financial products, including credit cards, auto loans, banking, and savings accounts, competing with major players like JPMorgan Chase and Wells Fargo [1]. - The company's market capitalization is approximately $152.88 billion, indicating a strong market presence [4]. Stock Performance - As of December 15, 2025, COF's stock price was $240.76, reflecting a positive outlook with a recent increase of 1.10% [2]. - The stock has fluctuated between $238.05 and $241 during the trading day, with a yearly high of $243.31 and a low of $143.22 [2]. Analyst Insights - Mihir Bhatia from Capital One set a price target of $268 for COF, indicating an 11.31% potential increase from its current price [1]. - Despite recent share sales by Representative Julie Johnson, the overall stock performance and analyst projections suggest a favorable outlook for COF [3][4].