Group 1 - Snap Inc. is considered one of the best beaten down stocks to invest in, with Guggenheim reiterating a Neutral rating and an $8 price target [1] - Guggenheim's analysis indicates soft growth in November, impacted by an international slowdown, with global downloads down in 2025 due to persistent domestic usage declines [2] - The company is expected to have 474 million daily active users in Q4, a decline of three million users, aligning with management forecasts amid challenges like age verification requirements [3] Group 2 - Despite the challenges, Guggenheim is optimistic that Snap will reach 1 billion global monthly active users by the end of next year, supported by a 10% year-over-year revenue increase to $1.51 billion in Q3 [3] - Jefferies has reiterated a Buy rating with a $10 price target, while RBC Capital maintains a Hold rating with the same price target [4] - Snap Inc. generates revenue primarily from business ads through its Snapchat app, which focuses on visual communication features [4]

Core Viewpoint - The article identifies 13 beaten-down stocks recommended by analysts for investment, highlighting the potential for recovery amid a strong market outlook driven by the AI boom and favorable monetary conditions. Market Overview - The S&P 500 has shown strong double-digit gains, averaging 13% growth per year over the last decade, while the Nasdaq has increased by over 18% due to the performance of key tech stocks [2] - Wall Street strategists predict continued strong market performance in 2026, with JPMorgan forecasting a 13% to 15% rise in the S&P 500, supported by corporate earnings growth [2] - UBS Group AG anticipates the S&P 500 could exceed 7,500 next year, driven by robust US earnings growth and increased capital flow into tech stocks [3] Stock Performance Insights - Despite overall market gains, some stocks have underperformed, with certain stocks dropping to 52-week lows, losing over 30% of their value [3] - John Stoltzfus from Oppenheimer Asset Management suggests that recent declines in stock prices are minor adjustments rather than signs of a significant downturn [4] Methodology for Stock Selection - The selection of the 13 best beaten-down stocks involved screening companies trading within 0%–10% of their 52-week lows and down more than 30% year-to-date, focusing on those popular among hedge funds in Q3 2025 [6] Individual Stock Highlights - **Snap Inc. (NYSE:SNAP)**: Current share price is $7.60, with a year-to-date loss of -33.26% and an upside potential of 27.94%. Analysts expect Snap to reach 474 million daily active users in Q4, despite a slight decline [9][11] - **PayPal Holdings, Inc. (NASDAQ:PYPL)**: Current share price is $59.86, with a year-to-date loss of -30.17% and an upside potential of 30.19%. PayPal is seeking to establish a bank in the US to enhance its lending operations and reduce reliance on third parties [13][15][16]

Core Insights - Snap's stock price increased by 1.76% to $7.50, outperforming the S&P 500's decline of 1.16% on the same day [1] - Over the past month, Snap's shares have decreased by 10.67%, underperforming the Computer and Technology sector and the S&P 500 [1] Earnings Expectations - Snap is expected to report an EPS of $0.15, reflecting a decrease of 6.25% year-over-year [2] - Revenue is projected to be $1.7 billion, indicating a year-over-year increase of 9.12% [2] Fiscal Year Projections - For the fiscal year, earnings are estimated at $0.32 per share and revenue at $5.91 billion, representing increases of 10.34% and 10.31% respectively from the previous year [3] - Recent analyst estimate revisions suggest optimism regarding Snap's business and profitability [3] Zacks Rank and Valuation - The Zacks Rank for Snap is currently 2 (Buy), with an upward shift of 8.03% in the consensus EPS estimate over the past month [5] - Snap's Forward P/E ratio is 23.03, which is lower than the industry average of 28.79 [5] PEG Ratio - Snap has a PEG ratio of 1.06, compared to the Internet - Software industry's average PEG ratio of 1.88 [6] Industry Context - The Internet - Software industry is ranked 55 in the Zacks Industry Rank, placing it in the top 23% of over 250 industries [7] - Strong industry rankings correlate with better performance, with the top 50% rated industries outperforming the bottom half by a factor of 2 to 1 [7]

Summary of Key Points from J.P. Morgan's US Internet 2026 Outlook Industry Overview - The report focuses on the **US Internet** sector, providing insights into market performance, macroeconomic factors, and company-specific forecasts for 2026. Core Insights and Arguments 1. **2025 Performance Recap**: - The internet sector outperformed the S&P 500 by 17% in 2025, with average performance across market caps showing significant variation: - Large Cap: +19% - Mid-Cap: +42% - Small Cap: +21% - Smaller Cap (<$2B): -16% [12][13] 2. **2026 Macro Outlook**: - J.P. Morgan economists estimate a **35% risk of recession** in 2026, with expectations of resilient global growth driven by fiscal stimulus and capital expenditure [19][23]. - Key economic indicators include: - GDP Growth: 1.8% in 2026 - Inflation: Expected to remain above 3% CPI - Unemployment: Projected to peak at 4.5% in Q1 2026 [21][19]. 3. **Investment Recommendations**: - **Top Picks for 2026** include: - Alphabet (Overweight, $385 PT): Growth driven by AI and cloud services [46]. - Amazon (Overweight, $305 PT): Expected growth in AWS and retail segments [51]. - DoorDash (Overweight, $300 PT): Anticipated GOV growth of 18% CAGR from 2025-2028 [57]. - Spotify (Overweight, $805 PT): Projected revenue growth driven by premium subscriptions [66]. 4. **AI and Cloud Growth**: - AI is expected to significantly drive cloud growth, with Google Cloud projected to grow in the mid-40% range and AWS adding the highest estimated revenue in 2026 [101][102]. - The report highlights the importance of AI in enhancing operational efficiencies and driving revenue growth across various sectors [78]. 5. **Valuation Metrics**: - The S&P 500 is projected to have a price target of **$7,500** by the end of 2026, suggesting a 9% upside [26]. - Internet companies are trading at an average of **10.2x 2027E EV/EBITDA**, with expected revenue growth of approximately **13% CAGR** from 2025 to 2027 [40]. Additional Important Insights 1. **Market Dynamics**: - The report discusses the competitive landscape in the AI space, noting that leading model developers like Google and OpenAI are pushing the frontier, but competition remains intense [89][94]. - The potential for AI-driven advertising and e-commerce growth is highlighted, with expectations for significant market share shifts in the online ad market [112]. 2. **Company-Specific Catalysts**: - Alphabet's AI tools are expected to enhance productivity and revenue, while Amazon's AWS is set to double its capacity by 2027 [56][88]. - DoorDash is focusing on expanding its marketplace and improving unit economics, while Spotify is ramping up its free cash flow and operating margins [60][68]. 3. **Key Questions for 2026**: - The report raises critical questions regarding AI monetization, the impact of AI on cloud growth, and the potential for disruption in various sectors, including travel and e-commerce [76][124]. This summary encapsulates the essential insights and projections for the US Internet sector as outlined in the J.P. Morgan report, providing a comprehensive overview of the anticipated trends and investment opportunities for 2026.

Core Insights - Todd Combs' unexpected departure from Berkshire Hathaway has garnered significant attention, coinciding with Warren Buffett's impending transition of CEO responsibilities to Greg Abel [1][2] - Combs will join JPMorgan Chase to lead a $10 billion Strategic Investment Group as part of a $1.5 trillion initiative aimed at enhancing growth and innovation in U.S. companies [2][3] - The changes at Berkshire signal a shift towards a more conventional corporate structure as it prepares for its first leadership transition in decades [10][15] Personnel Changes - Todd Combs, who joined Berkshire in 2010, has been recognized for his contributions, particularly in improving GEICO's operations [3][4] - Nancy Pierce has been appointed as the new CEO of GEICO, moving up from her role as Chief Operating Officer [7] - The position of portfolio manager left by Combs remains unfilled, with uncertainty about how responsibilities will be distributed among existing managers [8][9] Management Structure - Greg Abel is expected to take on overall portfolio responsibility, but the extent of delegation to Ted Weschler is unclear [8] - Berkshire is moving away from its traditionally decentralized management style, with Abel exercising more oversight over non-insurance operations [10][12] - Adam Johnson has been appointed as President of Consumer Products, Service, and Retailing businesses, indicating a more structured management approach [12] Legal and Financial Changes - Berkshire has appointed its first general counsel, Michael O'Sullivan, marking a shift from reliance on external law firms [13] - Chief Financial Officer Marc Hamburg will retire next June after 40 years, with Charles Chang set to succeed him [14] Market Reaction - Berkshire's stock has shown resilience, with a slight decline of nearly 1% following the news, but remains down over 7% from its all-time highs in May [15][16]

Core Points - Australia has implemented a social media ban for users under 16, becoming the first democracy to do so, in response to concerns about the negative impacts of social media on minors [1][2] - The law mandates platforms like TikTok and Instagram to restrict access for under-16s or face significant fines, with penalties reaching A$49.5 million ($33 million) [2] - Other countries, including Indonesia, Denmark, and Brazil, are observing Australia's actions and considering similar regulations to protect young users [3][9] Industry Impact - Major social media platforms, including Snapchat, YouTube, and Reddit, are affected by the ban and have expressed intentions to comply, although some have raised concerns about the rushed nature of the legislation [3][4] - Following the ban, alternative platforms like Lemon8 and Yepo have seen a surge in popularity, indicating a shift in user behavior among young Australians [5][6] - The demand for virtual private networks (VPNs) has increased significantly, with a 103% rise in usage on the day of the ban, suggesting that some users may seek ways to bypass restrictions [7] User Reactions - Young users have expressed mixed feelings about the ban on platforms like TikTok, with some supporting the measure for its protective intentions, while others have voiced opposition [8] - The ban has prompted discussions among policymakers globally, with some countries already planning to implement similar measures to safeguard minors [9][10]

Core Insights - Snap's stock has significantly underperformed, dropping 30% this year and over 80% in the past five years, indicating a lack of recovery potential in the near term [1][2] - The company is struggling with low revenue growth, high losses, and fierce competition, particularly from Meta Platforms, which is outperforming Snap in various metrics [4][11] Financial Performance - Snap reported 477 million daily active users and $1.51 billion in revenue, translating to $3.14 per user, while Meta Platforms had 3.54 billion daily active users and $51.2 billion in revenue, equating to $14.46 per user [5][7] - Snap's revenue growth rate is significantly lower than that of Meta Platforms and other competitors like Pinterest, which generated $1.05 billion with 600 million monthly active users [7] Competitive Landscape - Snap is in a highly competitive social media industry, facing challenges from larger platforms like Meta Platforms, YouTube, and TikTok, which can easily replicate Snap's features [8][9] - The copycat model employed by competitors ensures that Snap struggles to differentiate itself, leading to slower growth despite being a large social network [10][11] Market Position - Snap's current market capitalization stands at $14 billion, with a stock price of $7.92, reflecting its status as a laggard in the stock market [6] - The company continues to incur losses while other social media platforms achieve profitability, highlighting Snap's unfavorable position in the industry [7][11]

Core Thesis - Snap Inc. is positioned as a misunderstood yet structurally improving platform with strong user growth and monetization potential, despite market perceptions of it as a declining social media app [2][4]. User Growth - In Q3 2025, Snap Inc. reported daily active users (DAUs) of 477 million and monthly active users (MAUs) of 943 million, reflecting year-over-year growth of 34% and 8% respectively [2]. - Over 180 million users engaged in gaming on the platform in Q3 2025, marking a 100% year-over-year increase, indicating a broadening ecosystem and user stickiness [5]. Monetization - Snap's monetization efforts are robust, with Snapchat+ revenue increasing by 54% year-over-year, achieving an annualized run rate exceeding $750 million [3]. - The company is shifting its focus from pure user growth to monetization strategies, introducing products like Sponsored Snaps and Lens+, aimed at increasing average revenue per user (ARPU) while maintaining user engagement [6]. Augmented Reality (AR) Engagement - Daily engagement with augmented reality (AR) features exceeds 8 billion lens uses, with over 350 million users interacting with AR experiences daily, highlighting the platform's scale and potential as a key differentiator in the AI era [4]. Strategic Direction - Snap is adopting a strategic flexibility akin to the "Costco Algorithm," aiming for higher value per dollar spent, suggesting a phase where sustained profitability and platform expansion can coexist [6]. - The company's fundamentals remain solid, with a focus on evolving its AR platform, which is seen as a critical component of its long-term investment case [7].

Core Insights - The AI-driven bull run of 2023 and 2024 continues into 2025, with AI-centric stocks poised for significant growth [1] Group 1: AI Stocks with Growth Potential - Several AI stocks have experienced double-digit negative returns in 2025, but five stocks with favorable Zacks Ranks show potential for growth [2] - The identified stocks are Marvell Technology Inc. (MRVL), Atlassian Corp. (TEAM), Adobe Inc. (ADBE), Workday Inc. (WDAY), and Snap Inc. (SNAP), all carrying Zacks Rank 1 (Strong Buy) or 2 (Buy) [3] Group 2: Marvell Technology Inc. (MRVL) - MRVL is a key player in the solid-state drive controllers market, benefiting from increasing demand due to growing data volumes [6] - In Q3 fiscal 2026, MRVL's revenues grew 36.8% year-over-year, driven by data center growth and recovery in enterprise networking [7] - MRVL's acquisition of Celestial AI, expected to close in Q1 fiscal 2027, will enhance its capabilities in optical interconnect technology [8] - The expected revenue and earnings growth rates for MRVL are 21.7% and 25.7%, respectively, for the next year [8] Group 3: Atlassian Corp. (TEAM) - TEAM is benefiting from the demand for remote working tools, with over 1 million monthly active users engaging with its AI features, a 25X year-over-year increase [11] - The company's focus on generative AI features is expected to drive long-term revenue growth [13] - Atlassian has an expected revenue and earnings growth rate of 20.8% and 29.4%, respectively, for the current year [14] Group 4: Adobe Inc. (ADBE) - ADBE has integrated AI applications across its products, including the introduction of generative AI-driven Adobe Firefly [15] - The company is diversifying into digital marketing services using its AI-driven cloud platform [16] - ADBE's expected revenue and earnings growth rates are 9.2% and 13.3%, respectively, for the current year [18] Group 5: Workday Inc. (WDAY) - WDAY's diversified product portfolio and cloud-based business model are key growth drivers, with strong customer wins across various sectors [19] - Significant investment from Elliott Investment Management is expected to drive innovation and AI integration [20] - WDAY has an expected revenue and earnings growth rate of 12.1% and 17.4%, respectively, for next year [21] Group 6: Snap Inc. (SNAP) - SNAP's integration of AI is transforming user interaction and creating monetization opportunities beyond traditional advertising [22] - The partnership with Perplexity will generate $400 million over one year, enhancing SNAP's AI capabilities [23] - SNAP has an expected revenue and earnings growth rate of 13.4% and 52.3%, respectively, for next year [25]

Core Insights - The article discusses the investment landscape and highlights the importance of understanding market dynamics and company fundamentals [1] Group 1 - The analysis emphasizes the need for investors to stay informed about market trends and economic indicators that can impact stock performance [1] - It suggests that thorough research and analysis can uncover potential investment opportunities [1] - The article points out that individual stock performance can be influenced by broader industry trends and macroeconomic factors [1]