The obesity drug producer has taken some hits throughout the past year, but it is beginning to punch back. Over the past several years, GLP-1 agonist weight-loss drugs have evolved from a celebrity trend to arguably the hottest growth opportunity in the pharmaceutical industry. Novo Nordisk (NVO +0.07%) jumped out to an early lead with the immense popularity of its Ozempic and Wegovy (semaglutide), used to treat type 2 diabetes and obesity. However, a shortage in 2022 spurred competition from compounding ph ...

Despite Carnival's success, Viking is gaining increased investor attention.Carnival (CCL +4.90%) has drawn investor interest for many reasons. Travel stocks remain popular, and the company's market lead in the cruise line industry and the continued strength in bookings undoubtedly contribute to its popularity.Nonetheless, amid the focus on the large cruise stocks, Viking (VIK +3.76%) launched its IPO. The company's immense success and advantages in the cruise industry could ultimately deliver higher returns ...

FS KKR Capital ( FSK ) missed Wall Street’s estimates for the BDC's core earnings by $0.01/share earlier this month as its NII remained under pressure from high non-accruals. In response to falling dividend coverage, the investment firmAnalyst’s Disclosure:I/we have a beneficial long position in the shares of FSK, ARCC, BXSL either through stock ownership, options, or other derivatives. I wrote this article myself, and it expresses my own opinions. I am not receiving compensation for it (other than from See ...

These stocks could enrich investors' portfolios in the coming decades.Becoming a long-term investor is a smart strategy for building wealth, but it's not without its challenges, especially for those just starting out. Finding the right stocks for your investment portfolio takes time, patience, and research. You need to make sure you understand the fundamentals of the companies you want to buy, the long-term growth tailwinds for those businesses, and whether those elements fit into the overall risk preferenc ...

Core Insights - FS KKR Capital (FSK) missed Wall Street's estimates for core earnings by $0.01 per share due to pressure on net investment income (NII) from high non-accruals [1] Financial Performance - The investment firm's dividend coverage has fallen, indicating potential concerns regarding its financial stability [1]

AppLovin and Shopify could top Palantir's current market value within three years.Shares of Palantir Technologies (PLTR 0.57%) are up 150% in the past year, and the company is currently worth $369 billion. I think AppLovin (APP 0.11%) and Shopify (SHOP +2.24%) can top that figure within three years. Here's what that would mean for shareholders:AppLovin is worth $176 billion. The stock must increase by 110% for that figure to reach $370 billion. If that happens in three years, the implied return is 28% annua ...

Core Viewpoint - The article discusses the investment potential of Netflix and Alphabet, highlighting that while both companies are benefiting from shifts in video consumption and internet usage, their business models and valuations suggest different investment prospects [3][12]. Group 1: Netflix Overview - Netflix's Q3 revenue increased by 17% year over year to approximately $11.5 billion, with expectations for similar growth in Q4 [4]. - The company anticipates its full-year operating margin to rise to around 29%, up from 27% the previous year [4]. - Netflix's advertising-supported plans are growing rapidly, with management projecting that advertising revenue will more than double by 2025 [6]. Group 2: Alphabet Overview - Alphabet's Q3 revenue grew by 16% year over year to about $102.3 billion, driven by strong performance in Google Search, YouTube, subscriptions, and cloud computing [8]. - The company's cloud business is experiencing significant growth, with a 46% increase in cloud backlog quarter over quarter, reaching $155 billion [11]. - AI is positively impacting Alphabet's business, particularly in its cloud segment [10]. Group 3: Comparative Analysis - Netflix is heavily reliant on subscription video, requiring substantial investment in original and licensed content, while Alphabet benefits from user-generated content on YouTube, reducing funding needs [7][11]. - Netflix has a price-to-earnings ratio of around 44, whereas Alphabet's is closer to 29, indicating that investors pay less for each dollar of Alphabet's earnings [12]. - Alphabet's diversified business model and lower valuation make it appear as the more attractive investment option compared to Netflix [12].

Core Insights - The interest in dating apps is declining among younger generations, particularly Gen Z, who are increasingly turning to social media platforms like Instagram and TikTok, as well as offline events, for dating opportunities [1] Group 1: Company Strategies - Bumble is launching a heartfelt campaign featuring real couples and their love stories, aiming to promote genuine connections through its platform [3] - Tinder is adopting a more humorous approach with its 'Dating Scaries' campaign, which highlights negative dating behaviors through the lens of iconic villains from Hindi films and TV shows [4] Group 2: Market Performance - Bumble's stock has significantly dropped to $3 since its Nasdaq listing in February 2021, indicating a severe decline in market confidence [5] - The Match Group, which owns Tinder and Hinge, has seen a 3.3% increase in stock value over the past year, but its market cap remains less than a third of what it was in 2020 [5] Group 3: Campaign Messages - Both Bumble and Tinder's campaigns convey a similar message that true love can be found through dating apps, but they differ in their approach—Bumble focuses on inspiration from real love stories, while Tinder emphasizes avoiding negative dating habits [6]

Core Viewpoint - StubHub, a ticket resale marketplace, has struggled since its IPO in September, with its stock price declining significantly from its initial offering price of $23.50 to under $11 by mid-November [4][11]. Company Overview - StubHub has been a market leader in the ticket resale industry since its inception in 2000 and was previously acquired by eBay for $310 million [7]. - The company operates a scalable business model that generates revenue through fees on sales in a two-sided marketplace [8]. Financial Performance - In its first results as a public company, StubHub reported gross merchandise sales (GMS) of $2.43 billion, an 11% increase, with revenue rising 8% to $468.1 million, surpassing analyst expectations [9]. - Adjusted EBITDA increased by 21% to $67.5 million, with the adjusted EBITDA margin improving from 13% to 14% [10]. Market Challenges - The lack of fourth-quarter guidance disappointed Wall Street, leading to analysts lowering their price targets for the stock [11]. - Regulatory pressures in the U.K. could significantly impact StubHub's business, including a potential ban on selling tickets above face value and an investigation into its pricing practices [12]. Valuation and Future Outlook - With a market cap of $4 billion, StubHub's stock is currently valued at 15 times its run-rate EBITDA, suggesting it is reasonably priced [14]. - The company must address growth concerns to reassure investors and recover its stock price amid pressures in the U.K. and potential consumer weakness in the U.S. [14].

Core Insights - The article emphasizes the potential of dividend stocks as a source of passive income for investors, highlighting their ability to provide regular income and contribute significantly to overall stock market returns [1][2]. Dividend Stocks Performance - Research indicates that dividends have accounted for 85% of the cumulative return of the S&P 500 since 1960, primarily through reinvested dividends [3]. - Dividend-paying companies have outperformed non-dividend payers over a 50-year period, with average returns of 9.2% compared to 4.3% [4]. - Companies that consistently grow their dividends have achieved annualized returns of 10.2% with lower volatility [4]. Company Profiles - **BlackRock (BLK)**: The world's largest asset manager with a market cap of $166 billion and a dividend yield of 2.04%. BlackRock has raised its dividend for 16 consecutive years, benefiting from long-term trends like growing asset prices and rising 401(k) contributions [6][9]. - **Chubb (CB)**: A leading global insurer with a market cap of $117 billion and a dividend yield of 1.26%. Chubb has increased its dividend payout for 32 consecutive years, showcasing its strong business model and capital management [10][13]. - **S&P Global (SPGI)**: A major player in credit ratings with a market cap of $149 billion and a dividend yield of 0.77%. S&P Global has raised its dividend for over 53 years and is well-positioned to benefit from rising global debt issuance [14][17]. - **Ares Capital Corporation (ARCC)**: The largest business development corporation in the U.S. with a market cap of $14 billion and a high dividend yield of 9.68%. Ares Capital has a stable portfolio and has been lending to middle-market companies for over two decades [18][22].