Stock Market and Diversification - The stock market has historically delivered wealth-building returns, but diversification is crucial to mitigate uncertainty [1] Amazon (AMZN) - Amazon stock surged 1,300% over the last decade and 45% in the past year, driven by its dominance in US e-commerce with over 200 million Prime members [3] - Amazon's core business includes online and physical stores, generating 4.1 trillion [4] - Advertising is one of Amazon's fastest-growing revenue streams, contributing 47 billion, with potential for further profitable growth [6] Alphabet (GOOG, GOOGL) - Alphabet boasts 2 billion users across products like Gmail, Google Search, and YouTube, generating billions in advertising revenue [7] - Alphabet's free cash flow totaled 339 billion in revenue, with growth prospects supported by AI-powered search and advertising tools [8] - Google Cloud revenue grew 35% YoY, outpacing Amazon's 19%, and contributed 37 billion in operating earnings in 2023 from businesses like GEICO and Burlington Northern Santa Fe [12] - Berkshire's equity portfolio totaled 320 billion in cash and short-term investments, providing flexibility during market downturns [13] - From 1965 to 2023, Berkshire's share price returned 4,384,748%, or 20% annualized, showcasing Buffett's value investing success [14] - Post-Buffett, Berkshire is expected to remain a solid investment under Greg Abel's leadership, with a strong portfolio of businesses [15]
3 Unstoppable Stocks to Build a Portfolio Around for 2025 and Beyond