Prediction: After Datadog's S&P 500 Debut, These Stocks Could Be Next in Line

Group 1: S&P 500 Inclusion Criteria - Inclusion in the S&P 500 is significant for companies, often leading to stock price increases due to demand from funds that replicate the index [1] - Companies must be U.S.-domiciled, have a plurality of assets in the U.S., and trade on a major U.S. exchange to qualify for inclusion [2] - A company must be GAAP profitable in the prior quarter and over the last 12 months to be considered for entry [2] Group 2: Datadog's Inclusion - Datadog has recently been added to the S&P 500, prompting speculation about which companies might be next [3] Group 3: Robinhood Markets - Robinhood has a market cap exceeding $80 billion and is profitable, generating $1.95 billion in net income for 2024 and $336 million in Q1 2025 [5][6] - The company experienced a 50% year-over-year revenue increase in Q1, reaching $927 million, driven by new product introductions and client acquisition strategies [6] - Robinhood is expanding its services with AI tools and a banking service, and its acquisition of Bitstamp for $200 million enhances its offerings [7][8] Group 4: AppLovin - AppLovin, with a market cap over $115 billion, is the largest U.S. company not currently in the S&P 500, and it generated nearly $1.6 billion in net income last year [9] - The company reported a 40% year-over-year revenue increase to $1.48 billion last quarter, with advertising revenue soaring 70% to $1.16 billion [11] - AppLovin's growth is driven by its AI-powered Axon-2 adtech solution, and it anticipates significant growth in its mobile video gaming segment [12][13] Group 5: Cheniere Energy - Cheniere Energy, with a market cap over $50 billion, is profitable and benefits from strong demand for liquefied natural gas (LNG) [14][15] - The LNG market is projected to grow by 60% by 2040, and Cheniere is expanding its export capabilities to capitalize on this growth [15] - Approximately 95% of Cheniere's volumes are contracted until the mid-2030s, providing strong visibility into future cash flows [16]