In this illustration, the Claude AI app is seen in the app store on a phone on February 16, 2026 in New York City. According to reports from the Wall Street Journal, the Defense Department used Anthropic's Claude Ai, via its Palantir contract, to help with the attack on Venezuela and capture former President Nicolás Maduro. Anthropic's Claude artificial intelligence assistant app jumped to the No. 2 slot on Apple's chart of top U.S. free apps late on Friday, hours after the Trump administration sought to bl ...

What The Attacks on Iran Mean for Oil and Stocks - Barron'sSkip to Main ContentThis copy is for your personal, non-commercial use only. Distribution and use of this material are governed by our Subscriber Agreement and by copyright law. For non-personal use or to order multiple copies, please contact Dow Jones Reprints at 1-800-843-0008 or visit www.djreprints.com.# What The Attacks on Iran Mean for Oil and StocksBy [Laura Sanicola]and [Reshma Kapadia]ShareResize---ReprintsIn this article[BRN00]A plume of s ...

Core Insights - The article discusses various options available for borrowers facing financial hardship, particularly in relation to auto loans, emphasizing the importance of communication with lenders to explore relief programs. Group 1: Hardship Programs - Many lenders offer hardship programs to assist borrowers during financial emergencies, allowing for options such as payment deferment, reduced interest rates, and smaller monthly payments [5][18]. - Specific lenders, such as Alliant Credit Union and CarMax, provide tailored programs that may include lower interest rates or payment extensions [16]. - It is crucial for borrowers to contact their lenders as soon as they anticipate difficulties in making payments to explore available options [4][12]. Group 2: Fees and Costs - Borrowers should be cautious of lenders that impose high upfront fees, as some may charge processing fees or monthly fees for hardship options [2][3]. - For example, VyStar Credit Union charges a $15 monthly fee for its Skip a Pay Option, highlighting the need for borrowers to inquire about potential costs beforehand [3]. Group 3: Application Process - The process for applying for hardship assistance varies by lender, but generally involves submitting documentation that verifies the borrower's financial situation [14][17]. - Documentation may include loan details, proof of income, and personal identification [20]. Group 4: Alternative Options - If borrowers do not qualify for hardship programs, they may consider alternatives such as auto loan refinancing, debt suspension, or seeking assistance from family or nonprofits [19][21]. - It is advised that borrowers review their budgets and consider selling or downgrading their vehicles if payments become unmanageable [21].

Core Thesis - First Solar, Inc. is positioned as a key beneficiary of the global shift towards renewable energy, yet its current valuation does not reflect its growth potential, resembling that of a low-growth utility despite strong structural advantages [2]. Company Overview - First Solar, Inc. specializes in photovoltaic (PV) solar energy solutions and operates internationally, including in the U.S., France, India, and Chile [2]. - The company utilizes proprietary Cadmium Telluride (CdTe) technology for its advanced thin-film solar modules, differentiating itself from conventional silicon panel manufacturers [2]. Competitive Advantages - First Solar's manufacturing approach offers cost advantages, durability, and performance benefits in high-temperature environments, supported by over 1,600 patents that create a significant competitive moat [3]. - The company benefits from U.S. Section 45X manufacturing tax credits, projected to contribute approximately $1.6 billion to operating income in 2025, helping to maintain gross margins in the 40%–45% range despite global module price pressures [3]. Growth Catalysts - Strong domestic policy support, tariffs on Chinese competitors, and a substantial backlog of 54–64 GW extending into 2029 provide revenue visibility [4]. - Expansion of facilities in Louisiana and South Carolina represents key growth opportunities, although there are execution risks involved [4]. - Potential upside may arise from favorable outcomes in ongoing TOPCon patent litigation and increasing electricity demand driven by AI data centers and hyperscalers pursuing renewable energy targets [4]. Financial Position - The company has a strong balance sheet with approximately $1.5 billion in net cash, leading sector margins, and rapid revenue and EPS growth, supported by conservative leverage [5]. - Despite these strengths, the stock trades near 10× forward earnings, indicating substantial undervaluation compared to higher industry multiples [5]. - Valuation frameworks suggest significant upside potential, with share appreciation possibilities toward the mid-$300 range as growth materializes and policy tailwinds continue [5].

Core Insights - The rising cost of homes may not be due to a housing shortage, but rather linked to income growth, challenging the assumption that more construction is the solution to housing affordability [1][1][1] Group 1: Research Findings - An analysis by the Federal Reserve Bank of San Francisco indicates that housing supply has grown faster than population in many cities, including expensive markets like San Francisco [1][1] - The research suggests that home prices are more closely related to rising incomes rather than a lack of housing supply [1][1] - The study led by Schuyler Louie posits that the affordability crisis is driven by income inequality, with high earners pushing prices beyond the reach of average workers [1][1] Group 2: Implications for Policy - Current efforts to address housing costs focus on increasing supply, but the research implies that this may not effectively resolve the affordability crisis [1][1] - Legislative initiatives like the Housing for the 21st Century Act aim to facilitate new construction, but may not address the underlying issue of income distribution [1][1] - A more effective approach might involve targeting the labor market and addressing the income gap between high earners and the rest of the population [1][1]

Core Insights - Generation X is approaching retirement but feels unprepared financially, with over half indicating insufficient savings for retirement [1] Group 1: Financial Challenges - Generation X was significantly impacted by the Great Recession starting in 2007, which hindered their ability to build a solid financial foundation [1] - Many Gen Xers are part of the "sandwich generation," balancing financial responsibilities for both aging parents and children, with 61% living in multi-generational homes [1] - Unexpected caregiving costs, including medical expenses and long-term care, are diverting resources away from retirement savings [1] Group 2: Unique Characteristics of Generation X - Unlike baby boomers, fewer Gen Xers have access to pensions, making them the first generation responsible for saving independently for retirement [1] - Generation X is likely to be the first affected by potential changes to Social Security, with funding expected to fall short beginning in 2034 [1] - The median net worth of Gen X households fell by 38% from $63,000 to $39,000 between 2007 and 2010, marking the largest percentage loss among generations [1] Group 3: Post-Recession Financial Priorities - Following the recession, 12% of Gen X reported being laid off, and a quarter experienced reduced work hours or wages, leading to a focus on debt repayment and basic living expenses rather than retirement savings [1] - Only about a quarter of Gen X indicated that saving for retirement was their greatest financial priority post-recession [1] - A well-designed financial plan is suggested to help Gen X address their unique challenges and work towards a stable retirement [1]

Company Overview - Gen Digital Inc. is a global consumer cybersecurity leader serving over 500 million users, positioning itself as a comprehensive "Digital Freedom" platform that includes device security, identity protection, and fintech services [1] - The company has transitioned from its origins as Symantec to a consumer-focused ecosystem following the divestiture of its enterprise business and a transformative merger with Avast, significantly expanding its global user base [1] Product Portfolio - Gen Digital's portfolio includes flagship brands such as Norton, LifeLock, Avira, and the recently acquired MoneyLion, which allows the company to address various aspects of the cyber threat lifecycle, including prevention, detection, recovery, and financial remediation [2] - The acquisition of MoneyLion extends Gen Digital into the fintech sector, creating cross-selling opportunities and enhancing its value proposition beyond traditional antivirus offerings [2] Market Dynamics - The consumer cybersecurity market is projected to grow at approximately 10% annually over the next decade, driven by rising cybercrime, increasing device connectivity, and regulatory pressures around data privacy [3] - Competition from built-in security solutions offered by large technology platforms remains a structural headwind for the industry [3] - Gen Digital has responded to these challenges by expanding into higher-value categories such as identity protection and financial services, while also integrating AI capabilities like Norton Genie for enhanced real-time threat detection [3] Financial Performance - The company demonstrates strong fundamentals, including approximately 26% revenue growth, gross margins near 80%, and over $1 billion in free cash flow [4] - However, acquisition-related debt of roughly $8 billion is a key risk factor [4] - Management aims to reduce leverage to below 3x debt-to-EBITDA by fiscal 2027, supported by high recurring cash generation and minimal capital expenditure requirements [4] Valuation and Investment Thesis - Valuation appears compelling, with the stock trading near 13x free cash flow despite growth prospects and margin strength [5] - A discounted cash flow framework suggests meaningful upside potential if acquisitions are successfully integrated and AI-driven product expansion continues to drive growth [5] - The investment thesis centers on Gen Digital's market leadership, platform breadth, and cash generation, with upside driven by successful execution on integration and deleveraging [5]

uh you know and it what the lesson I took away from that was one a lot of the internet winners didn't end up being winners you know they didn't really have the wherewithal to take advantage of some of the things that they had on offer and some of the losers took a little longer to play out than people anticipated and what really happened was the whole market shifted towards asset heavy businesses the period of 2002 to 2007 in particular, those five years, >> the value stocks had a great run. So, I don't kno ...

Core Insights - The article emphasizes the importance of adapting investment strategies in response to market changes, drawing parallels to Intel's historical shift from memory chips to microprocessors [1][2][3][4][5][6] Market Context - The S&P 500 has shown minimal growth of less than 1% in 2026, following three strong years with returns of +24% in 2023, +23% in 2024, and +16% in 2025 [5] - Investors are cautioned against expecting continued success from past winners, as market dynamics are shifting [6][10] Investment Strategy - The article suggests that investors should consider what a new portfolio manager would do, potentially moving away from popular AI stocks to identify emerging opportunities [7][10] - The current market phase is characterized as a rotation from application-focused investments to infrastructure investments, particularly in AI [8][10] Infrastructure Investment - Major companies like Microsoft, Amazon, Meta, and Alphabet are investing heavily in infrastructure, with plans to enhance data centers and networks, indicating a significant capital expenditure trend [9][10] - InterDigital (IDCC) is highlighted as a key player in the infrastructure space, with a 28% year-over-year sales increase and a strong financial rating, showcasing the demand for efficient data transmission as AI workloads grow [12][13][14] Conclusion - The article concludes that successful investors are not retreating from AI but are repositioning to capitalize on the next phase of growth, focusing on infrastructure rather than just application-based stocks [14][15]

Group 1 - Liberty Global Ltd. is trading at a significant discount, with a market capitalization of approximately $3.75 billion against an estimated underlying asset value of $11–15 billion, indicating a potential upside of 3–4 times if the value is realized [2] - The company's major assets include Virgin Media O2, VodafoneZiggo, and Telenet, which contribute to strong EBITDA and synergies, with Virgin Media O2 exploring a NetCo infrastructure separation that could enhance valuations [3][4] - The persistent discount in Liberty Global's valuation is attributed to structural challenges in the European telecom market, including regulatory fragmentation and high leverage, although potential regulatory reforms could act as long-term catalysts [5] Group 2 - Liberty Global has shown strong operational performance, generating billions in EBITDA and cash flows, even during heavy investment cycles, supported by liquid assets exceeding current market value [6] - The company has executed significant capital returns and asset disposals, with further actions expected in 2025, including aggressive buybacks that have meaningfully reduced shares outstanding [5][6] - The telecom infrastructure market is experiencing private transactions at higher multiples than public valuations, highlighting an arbitrage opportunity for Liberty Global's assets [4]