Core Viewpoint - Wall Street is shifting focus beyond 2025, anticipating the next phase of the artificial intelligence (AI) boom, with an emphasis on the "AI ripple effect" winners beyond just chipmakers [1] Group 1: AI Stock Picks - Nvidia Corp. is highlighted as a top AI name heading into 2026, with significant upside expected from companies benefiting from the AI boom rather than solely from chip sales [1] - Top AI-driven stock picks for early 2026 include Tesla Inc., Microsoft Corp., Palantir Technologies Inc., CrowdStrike Holdings, Inc., and Apple Inc., with every dollar spent on Nvidia chips generating an $8 to $10 multiplier across the tech ecosystem [2] Group 2: Company Insights - Microsoft is leading the enterprise AI race through Azure, with a potential stock upside of $100 as demand for cloud and AI accelerates [3] - Apple is expected to experience a major shift in AI adoption in 2026, potentially enhanced by a partnership with Google, which could add $75 in incremental value to its stock [3] - Tesla is entering a crucial year driven by advancements in autonomous driving and robotics, with autonomy alone potentially adding $1 trillion to its valuation, positioning it at the forefront of "physical AI" [4] Group 3: Investment Focus - Investors are advised to concentrate on AI derivatives, software, platforms, autonomy, and cybersecurity, as these areas are expected to yield the most significant gains in the upcoming AI cycle [4]

Core Viewpoint - Artificial intelligence (AI) is expected to be the dominant investment theme in global markets by 2025, with a shift in focus towards companies that can leverage AI for sustained revenue growth as 2026 approaches [1][2] Group 1: Companies Benefiting from AI Adoption - Microsoft (NASDAQ: MSFT) is anticipated to be a primary beneficiary as enterprises expand AI workloads in cloud environments, with Azure's growth trajectory expected to strengthen [3] - Apple (NASDAQ: AAPL) is included due to rising expectations that AI will significantly enhance its ecosystem, leading to new revenue streams and deeper user engagement [5] - Tesla (NASDAQ: TSLA) is positioned as an AI-driven growth story, with advancements in autonomous systems and robotics expected to influence market valuation [6] - Palantir Technologies (NASDAQ: PLTR) has emerged as a strong performer in enterprise AI adoption, with demand for its platforms driving a significant re-rating [8] - CrowdStrike (NASDAQ: CRWD) is highlighted as cybersecurity spending increasingly intersects with AI, with a growing demand for AI-enhanced security solutions [10][13] Group 2: Stock Performance - Microsoft shares were trading at $487, having rallied over 15% year-to-date [3] - Apple shares were trading at $272, with an 11% year-to-date gain [5] - Tesla shares traded at $460, reflecting a 21% year-to-date increase [6] - Palantir shares surged to $183, marking a 143% increase [8] - CrowdStrike shares were trading at $475, having rallied over 36% [10]

Group 1 - Wedbush identifies Microsoft, Palantir, Apple, Tesla, and CrowdStrike as the top five companies to invest in AI, excluding Nvidia, by 2026 [1] - The report suggests that Wall Street has underestimated the growth prospects of Microsoft Azure and the AI-driven transformation, with FY2026 being a pivotal year for Microsoft's AI growth [1] - Wedbush forecasts Tesla's market value to reach $2 trillion in the coming months, potentially hitting $3 trillion by the end of 2026 due to advancements in autonomous vehicles and robotics [1] Group 2 - Apple is expected to leverage its global base of over 2.4 billion iOS devices and 1.5 billion iPhones to profit from AI, potentially increasing its per-share value by $75 to $100 in the coming years [1] - The report anticipates that Tim Cook will remain in his position at least until the end of 2027 to guide Apple through this critical AI technology transition [1]

Group 1 - Wedbush identifies Microsoft, Palantir, Apple, Tesla, and CrowdStrike as the top five companies to invest in the AI sector by 2026, alongside Nvidia [1] - The analyst team led by Dan Ives believes that Wall Street has underestimated Azure's growth prospects and the AI-driven transformation that Microsoft will undergo by 2026, making it a favored large-cap tech stock for the coming year [1] - Palantir is expected to progress towards a $1 trillion market cap as it continues to achieve significant advancements in government and commercial sectors [1] Group 2 - CrowdStrike is anticipated to benefit from AI as its product suite expands in the enterprise market, with Ives noting that cybersecurity is a secondary beneficiary of the AI revolution [2] - Wedbush projects Tesla's market cap could reach $2 trillion in the coming months, and potentially $3 trillion by the end of 2026 due to advancements in autonomous vehicles and robotics [2] - Apple is expected to leverage its vast consumer base of over 2.4 billion iOS devices and 1.5 billion iPhones to profit from AI, with potential increases in share value of $75 to $100 in the coming years [2]

Group 1: Key Tech Names and Trends - Wed Bush Securities has identified top tech names for investment in the upcoming year, including Microsoft, Apple, Tesla, Palantir, and CrowdStrike, while notably excluding Nvidia [1] - Nvidia remains a significant player in the AI sector, but the focus is shifting towards how to leverage AI across hyperscalers and consumer markets, particularly with companies like Apple and Palantir [3][6] - The AI revolution is expected to drive substantial growth in the tech sector, with predictions of Palantir's revenue potentially doubling over the next 3 to 4 years, leading to a projected trillion-dollar valuation [6][7] Group 2: Robotics and Autonomous Technology - Robotics, particularly in delivery services, is highlighted as a key area of growth, with companies like Serve AI being recognized for their advancements in true autonomous technology [8] - The CES event is anticipated to showcase significant developments in autonomous robotics, which are expected to play a crucial role in the tech landscape [9] Group 3: Oracle and Future Revenue Projections - Oracle's recent $500 billion purchase obligation has raised questions among investors, but there is optimism regarding a potential renaissance in Oracle's growth trajectory, with expectations of revenue growth accelerating from 18% to 30% to 45% [10][12] - The market's skepticism towards Oracle's RPO is noted, but there is a belief that a significant portion of these contracts will materialize, reinforcing Oracle's position in the AI revolution [12][13]

Core Viewpoint - CrowdStrike Holdings (CRWD) is highlighted as a top tech investment for 2026, benefiting from the AI cybersecurity trend and the popularity of its Falcon platform [1][2]. Company Overview - CrowdStrike is headquartered in Austin, Texas, and specializes in cloud-based endpoint security and threat intelligence services [3]. - The company operates a unified Falcon platform that integrates endpoint detection, analytics, and response capabilities to protect enterprises from evolving cyber threats [3]. Financial Performance - For Q3 FY2026, CrowdStrike reported revenue of $1.23 billion, a 22.2% year-over-year increase, surpassing Wall Street's expectation of $1.21 billion [7]. - The company's market capitalization stands at $121.31 billion [4]. Stock Performance - Over the past 52 weeks, CrowdStrike's stock has increased by 34.23%, although it has declined by 4.57% in the last six months [5]. - The stock reached a 52-week high of $566.90 in November but is currently down 18.7% from that peak [5]. Valuation Metrics - CrowdStrike's stock is trading at a high valuation, with a price-to-non-GAAP earnings multiple of 114.76x, significantly above the industry average of 24.55x [6]. Analyst Ratings - Wedbush analysts maintain an "Outperform" rating on CrowdStrike's stock with a price target of $600, indicating a potential upside of 24.7% from current levels [2]. - Jim Cramer considers CrowdStrike one of the "best of breed" stocks in the cybersecurity market, suggesting it as a viable investment option [2]. Strategic Initiatives - The company is actively integrating AI into its platform to adapt to the evolving threat landscape, which is expected to enhance its market position [2]. - Robust demand for cybersecurity tools has driven stock performance, as businesses increase spending in response to rising cyber risks [4].

Core Viewpoint - The year 2026 is anticipated to be a pivotal inflection point for the AI revolution, with significant investor interest and anxiety regarding the scale of AI deployment across enterprises and consumers [2]. Company Summaries Nvidia - Nvidia is highlighted as one of the top technology stocks, benefiting from the AI boom [3]. Microsoft - Microsoft is expected to experience substantial AI-driven growth, particularly in its Azure cloud business, with 2026 being the true inflection year for AI growth as deployments increase [4]. - The market is currently underestimating the potential of Azure's growth story [4]. Apple - Apple's AI strategy is seen as crucial, with its large installed base of 2.4 billion iOS devices and 1.5 billion iPhones providing significant leverage for AI monetization [5]. - AI monetization could potentially add $75 to $100 per share to Apple's valuation in the coming years [6]. Tesla - Tesla is viewed as entering a transformative phase in 2026, focusing on autonomous driving and robotics, which could unlock significant AI valuation [7]. - The company could reach a market capitalization of $2 trillion within the next year, with a bullish case suggesting $3 trillion by the end of 2026 [8]. Palantir - Palantir is experiencing unprecedented demand for its AI platform among commercial and government clients, positioning itself for significant growth [9]. - The company is on a "golden path" to potentially becoming a trillion-dollar market cap player as it expands its valuation [10]. CrowdStrike - CrowdStrike is identified as a key beneficiary of AI adoption in cybersecurity, with growing deal momentum and an expanding product suite [11]. - The market is underestimating CrowdStrike's growth potential, as cybersecurity is seen as a secondary beneficiary of the AI revolution [12].

Core Viewpoint - CrowdStrike Holdings, Inc. is recognized as a significant player in the cybersecurity sector, with a strong performance noted in recent discussions, particularly highlighting its 41% increase in stock value [1]. Group 1: Company Performance - CrowdStrike's stock has increased by 41%, indicating strong market performance compared to other cybersecurity stocks [1]. - The company is part of the Charitable Trust portfolio, emphasizing its importance and reliability in the cybersecurity market [2]. - CrowdStrike reported a strong quarterly performance, which has been positively received by analysts [2]. Group 2: Industry Outlook - The cybersecurity industry is expected to continue its growth trajectory, driven by the increasing need for businesses to protect against hacking threats [1]. - Despite the overall positive outlook, there will be variability among companies within the cybersecurity sector, leading to potential winners and losers [1]. - The integration of artificial intelligence tools by malicious actors heightens the importance of robust cybersecurity solutions, positioning CrowdStrike favorably in the market [2].

Core Insights - 180 Wealth Advisors LLC increased its position in CrowdStrike by 227.9% in Q3, owning 14,024 shares valued at $6,877,000, making it the 23rd largest holding in their portfolio [2] - Several institutional investors have also made new purchases in CrowdStrike, with 71.16% of the stock owned by institutional investors [3] - CEO George Kurtz sold 17,550 shares at an average price of $481.38, totaling $8,448,219, resulting in a 0.83% decrease in his ownership [4] - CrowdStrike reported Q3 earnings of $0.96 EPS, beating estimates, with revenue of $1.23 billion, a 21.8% increase year-over-year [6] - Analysts have raised price targets for CrowdStrike, with a consensus target price of $555.10 and a majority rating of "Moderate Buy" [8] Institutional Activity - 180 Wealth Advisors LLC's holdings in CrowdStrike increased significantly, reflecting strong institutional interest [2] - New positions were established by AlphaQuest LLC, Howard Hughes Medical Institute, and Financial Gravity Companies Inc. during Q2, indicating growing confidence in the stock [3] - Financial Management Professionals Inc. increased its position by 91.9%, now owning 71 shares valued at $36,000 [3] Insider Transactions - CEO George Kurtz's sale of shares indicates a minor reduction in his stake, while CAO Anurag Saha also sold shares, reflecting insider activity [4] - Insiders sold a total of 117,559 shares valued at $59,246,587 over the last quarter, with insiders owning 3.32% of the stock [4] Financial Performance - CrowdStrike's stock opened at $481.19, with a market cap of $121.31 billion and a P/E ratio of -381.90 [5] - The company has a 1-year low of $298.00 and a high of $566.90, with moving averages of $514.28 (50-day) and $482.74 (200-day) [5] - The company has set FY 2026 guidance at 3.700-3.720 EPS and Q4 2026 guidance at 1.090-1.110 EPS [6] Analyst Ratings - Morgan Stanley, Truist Financial, Needham & Company, Stifel Nicolaus, and KeyCorp have all raised their price targets for CrowdStrike, reflecting positive sentiment [7][8] - The stock has received 32 Buy ratings, 18 Hold ratings, and 2 Sell ratings from analysts [8]

Market Overview - The three major indices closed lower on Friday, with the S&P 500 reaching an intraday high of 6945.77 points, marking a historical peak. The Dow Jones increased by 1.2%, the Nasdaq by 1.22%, and the S&P 500 by 1.4%, achieving its fourth weekly gain in five weeks [1] - At the close, the Dow fell by 20.19 points (0.04%) to 48710.97 points, the Nasdaq dropped by 20.21 points (0.09%) to 23593.10 points, and the S&P 500 decreased by 2.11 points (0.03%) to 6929.94 points [1] Cryptocurrency Insights - Bitcoin rose by 0.31% to $87494.88, with a low of $86653 during the day, while Ethereum increased by 0.94% to $2931.32. Market sentiment has turned cautious since mid-October, with traders speculating on a potential pressure phase in 2026 [3] - The report from Matrixport indicates that the market is transitioning from a phase of "downside risk dominance" to one where "downside is limited, and upside still requires catalysts" [3] Precious Metals - Spot gold increased by 1.12% to $4531.1, with an intraday high of $4549.95, while silver surged over 10% to $79.212, reaching a historical peak of $79.338 [4] - Analysts suggest that despite the silver surge, gold remains a safer investment due to its scarcity and higher per-ounce value. Predictions indicate silver could reach $80 by year-end, while gold's next target is $4686.81 per ounce, potentially hitting $5000 in the first half of next year [4][5] Individual Company News - Google announced that it will allow users to change their Gmail addresses without affecting account data, with the original address becoming an alias [8] - Coinbase has been rated as one of the top three fintech stocks for 2026 by Clear Street analysts, with a target price of $415, indicating a potential 70% upside from its current price of $234.5 [9] - Wedbush highlighted CrowdStrike as a key investment in the intersection of cybersecurity and AI, maintaining a "outperform" rating with a target price of $600 for 2026 [10] Economic Developments - Japan is projected to achieve its first basic fiscal surplus in 28 years in the 2026 fiscal year, with a record budget of 122.3 trillion yen (approximately $782 billion) approved by the cabinet [6]