Core Viewpoint - Berkshire Hathaway's asset composition has shifted, with controlled companies now exceeding public equity holdings, and cash and marketable securities surpassing stock investments [1] Company Overview - American Express remains a significant holding for Berkshire Hathaway, constituting 14.5% of its equity portfolio, second only to Apple [2] - The company has consistently outperformed the market over the long term, although it has underperformed the S&P 500 and Nasdaq Composite year to date [2] Business Model - American Express operates a unique business model compared to Visa and Mastercard, issuing its own cards and bearing the risk of defaults [4][7] - The company targets affluent customers, which allows for higher fees and greater spending potential, despite the inherent risks [7][8] Financial Performance - American Express has shown steady revenue and earnings growth, with a notable increase post-pandemic as it appeals to younger demographics [9] - The stock has declined 22.9% from its all-time high, presenting a potential buying opportunity for long-term investors [13] Valuation Metrics - The current price-to-earnings (P/E) ratio for American Express is 17.9, slightly below its five-year average of 18.4, indicating it may be undervalued [13] - The price-to-free cash flow ratio stands at 14.8, further suggesting that American Express is a good value [13] Share Buybacks - American Express has reduced its share count by 30% over the last decade, enhancing earnings per share (EPS) growth through buybacks [15][17] - The company has a history of significant dividend increases, with a recent 17% hike in its quarterly payout [17] Investment Thesis - American Express exemplifies quality over quantity in the payment processing sector, with affluent customers leading to higher average spending [19] - The stock is considered a strong buy amid broader market sell-offs, offering both value and passive income potential [20]

The last few weeks may feel like months for investors trying to make sense of huge swings to the upside and the downside in the broader market. The Nasdaq Composite's (^IXIC 0.64%) over 12% pop on April 9 pole-vaulted the index out of bear market territory -- which is a decline of over 20% from a recent high. However, a subsequent sell-off on Thursday pushed the Nasdaq within striking distance of being back in a bear market.Bear markets have historically been phenomenal times to put hard-earned savings to w ...

Group 1: Dividend Reliability - ExxonMobil has raised its dividend for 42 consecutive years, demonstrating resilience despite economic downturns in the oil and gas industry [3][4] - The company maintained its dividend during the 2020 economic collapse, relying on a strong balance sheet [4] Group 2: Financial Health - ExxonMobil's net total long-term debt is $14.7 billion, with a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.08 and a debt-to-capital ratio of 12.5%, indicating reduced dependence on debt [5][6] - The company has the lowest debt-to-capital ratio among major integrated U.S. and European oil and gas companies [6] Group 3: Cost Structure and Future Outlook - ExxonMobil has improved its cost structure and technological advancements, allowing it to support dividends even if oil and gas prices decline [7] - The company has a long-term plan through 2030, expecting a cash surplus of $110 billion even at a pessimistic Brent crude price of $55 per barrel [8][9] Group 4: Competitive Advantages - ExxonMobil's diversified oil and gas production portfolio and significant refining business position it well to navigate market slowdowns [11] - The company is not reliant on a single geographic region, allowing it to capture market share during downturns [11][12] Group 5: Dividend Yield - ExxonMobil offers a dividend yield of 4%, providing a reliable source of passive income for investors [14]

The Nasdaq-100 index is home to 100 of the largest non-financial companies listed on the Nasdaq stock exchange, including each of the "Magnificent Seven" stocks, which have a combined value of $14.7 trillion:Apple: $3 trillion.Microsoft: $2.9 trillion.Nvidia (NVDA -0.18%): $2.7 trillion.Amazon: $2 trillion.Alphabet (GOOG 1.21%) (GOOGL 1.12%): $1.9 trillion.Meta Platforms: $1.4 trillion.Tesla: $811 billion.Their size is just one of the reasons Wall Street named these stocks the Magnificent Seven in 2023. Eac ...

Core Insights - The content emphasizes the importance of conducting personal due diligence before making any financial decisions [1] Group 1 - The website provides general news, personal analysis, and third-party content for educational and research purposes [1] - It explicitly states that the information does not constitute any recommendation or advice for investment actions [1] - Users are encouraged to consult competent advisors and consider their financial situation before making decisions [1] Group 2 - The website includes information about complex financial instruments such as cryptocurrencies and contracts for difference (CFDs) [1] - It highlights the high risk associated with these instruments and the potential for significant financial loss [1] - Users are advised to perform their own research and understand the risks involved before investing [1]

About this content About Oliver Haill Oliver has been writing about companies and markets since the early 2000s, cutting his teeth as a financial journalist at Growth Company Investor with a focusing on AIM companies and small caps, before a few years later becoming a section editor and then head of research. He joined Proactive after a couple of years freelancing, where he worked for the Financial Times Group, ITV, Press Association, Reuters sports desk, the London Olympic News Service, Rugby World Cup ...

Core Viewpoint - The recent volatility in Wall Street, driven by tariff and trade uncertainties, has created opportunities for investors to capitalize on industry leaders during a bear market, particularly with a small investment amount like $300 [1][3][4]. Market Overview - The Dow Jones Industrial Average, S&P 500, and Nasdaq Composite experienced significant fluctuations, with the Nasdaq entering a bear market, sitting 18.8% below its all-time high as of April 10 [2][3]. - The Nasdaq's volatility included its largest single-session point gain followed by one of its largest declines, indicating extreme market conditions [2]. Investment Opportunities Alphabet (GOOGL) - Alphabet, the parent company of Google, YouTube, and Google Cloud, is highlighted as a strong investment despite concerns over a potential recession impacting advertising revenue, which constitutes 75% of its sales [6][7]. - Historically, U.S. recessions have been short-lived, and Alphabet's dominant market position in internet search (89% to 93% share) supports its advertising pricing power [8][9]. - The growth of Google Cloud and its cash-rich balance sheet ($95.7 billion) position Alphabet well for future investments and stock buybacks, making it an attractive buy at a forward earnings multiple of 15 times [10][11][12]. AstraZeneca (AZN) - AstraZeneca is presented as a resilient investment in the pharmaceutical sector, which remains stable during market volatility due to consistent demand for medications [13][14]. - The company has shown strong sales growth across its core areas, particularly in oncology (24% growth) and cardiovascular (20% growth) sectors [15]. - AstraZeneca's acquisition of Alexion Pharmaceuticals enhances its portfolio in rare diseases, providing pricing power and long-term cash flow stability, with the stock trading at less than 11 times forecast EPS [16][17]. The Trade Desk (TTD) - The Trade Desk, an adtech company, is noted for its potential despite the challenges posed by market volatility and recession fears affecting advertising budgets [18][19]. - The company is positioned to benefit from the shift towards digital advertising, with expected revenue growth of around 20% annually and a historically low valuation at 22 times forward-year EPS [21][23]. - The adoption of Unified ID 2.0 technology by digital companies enhances The Trade Desk's role in the evolving advertising landscape, particularly in connected TV platforms [22].

Group 1: Market Overview - The market experienced a sharp rebound due to President Trump's announcement of pausing tariffs and implementing a flat 10% rate, except for China, but the Nasdaq remains in a bear market, defined as a 20% drop from its all-time high [1] - Despite the bear market, there are still investment opportunities available, with Amazon and The Trade Desk highlighted as top buys for the next three to five years [2] Group 2: Amazon - Amazon is often viewed as vulnerable due to its reliance on Chinese goods, but this perspective overlooks its diverse revenue streams [3] - The company has multiple segments, including e-commerce, advertising services, and Amazon Web Services (AWS), with the latter two being less affected by potential tariff increases [4] - In 2024, AWS accounted for 58% of Amazon's operating profit while only representing 17% of sales, indicating the strength of its ancillary segments [6] - The advertising segment is estimated to have generated $11.2 billion, contributing significantly to Amazon's overall profitability [6][7] - The current market conditions present a favorable opportunity to invest in Amazon, as its core profit-generating segments remain robust [7] Group 3: The Trade Desk - The Trade Desk's stock has declined over 50% in 2025 due to both internal challenges and broader market sell-offs, leading to a significant drop in stock price [8][9] - Despite missing revenue guidance for the first time and providing a weak outlook, The Trade Desk is expected to grow revenue at an 18% pace in 2025 and 20% in 2026, making it an attractive investment opportunity [9][11]

Core Viewpoint - The Nasdaq Composite index has experienced significant volatility, recently entering a bear market but showing signs of recovery, presenting potential buying opportunities for long-term investors in select stocks [2][3]. Group 1: Alphabet - Alphabet's share price is down approximately 25% from its all-time high earlier this year, creating a favorable buying opportunity for long-term investors [4]. - The company has a price-to-earnings-to-growth (PEG) ratio of 1.04, indicating reasonable valuation based on five-year earnings growth projections [4]. - Google Cloud is the fastest-growing major cloud services provider, and the rollout of its Gemini large language model has positioned it competitively against OpenAI's ChatGPT [5]. - Google Search has integrated generative AI features, leading to increased search usage and user satisfaction, which is expected to drive robust growth [6]. - Future revenue growth is anticipated from Alphabet's Waymo self-driving car technology unit [6]. Group 2: Intuitive Surgical - Intuitive Surgical's share price is down about 6% from the beginning of the year, but it remains a strong long-term investment [7]. - The company has over 10,670 robotic surgical systems installed globally, with nearly 2.7 million procedures performed last year, showcasing its market leadership [8]. - A significant 84% of Intuitive Surgical's total revenue in 2024 is expected to come from recurring sources, up from 71% in 2017, indicating strong cash flow [9]. - The company estimates that there are 8 million procedures annually that it can target, which is nearly three times its current procedure volume, with additional potential in 22 million procedures under development [10]. Group 3: Vertex Pharmaceuticals - Vertex Pharmaceuticals has achieved a 17.5% gain so far in 2025, indicating strong momentum [12]. - The company holds a virtual monopoly in treating cystic fibrosis, bolstered by the FDA approval of Alyftrek, which offers more convenient dosing and potentially higher profitability [13]. - Vertex's new drug Journavx, approved in January, is the first new class of pain medication in over 20 years, expected to be commercially successful due to its non-addictive properties [14]. - The company is also advancing the rollout of Casgevy, a gene-editing therapy for sickle cell disease, and has a promising pipeline with four late-stage programs, including one aimed at curing severe type 1 diabetes [15].

Core Viewpoint - The content emphasizes the importance of conducting personal due diligence and consulting competent advisors before making any financial decisions, particularly in the context of investments and trading activities [1]. Group 1 - The website provides general news, personal analysis, and third-party content intended for educational and research purposes [1]. - It explicitly states that the information does not constitute any recommendation or advice for investment actions [1]. - Users are advised to perform their own research and consider their financial situation before making decisions [1]. Group 2 - The website includes information about complex financial instruments such as cryptocurrencies and contracts for difference (CFDs), which carry a high risk of losing money [1]. - It encourages users to understand how these instruments work and the associated risks before investing [1].