Core Viewpoint - Michael Kramer, founder of Mott Capital, is a long-only investor focusing on macro themes and trends to identify investment opportunities and exit points in a long-term thematic growth strategy [1] Group 1: Investment Strategy - The investment strategy involves analyzing market technicals, fundamentals, and options to guide investment decisions [1] - Kramer leads the investing group "Reading the Markets," providing insights on trading drivers and market direction for both short and long-term perspectives [1] Group 2: Features of the Investing Group - The group offers daily written commentary and videos that analyze price action and macro trends, helping members make informed decisions based on market conditions [1] - Members have access to community dialogue through chat and regular Zoom sessions for discussing current ideas and answering questions [1] - The subscription price for access to this expertise is significantly lower than similar technical coaching services [1]

Core Viewpoint - Apple's conservative AI strategy, characterized by limited capital expenditure and reliance on partnerships, may position it advantageously against competitors who are heavily investing in AI infrastructure [1]. Group 1: Capital Expenditure and Investment Strategy - Apple plans to allocate $14 billion in capital expenditures (capex) for 2026, significantly lower than the combined $700 billion planned by Amazon, Microsoft, Meta, and Alphabet [1]. - Competitors are projected to increase their capex from $500 billion in 2025 to over $700 billion in 2026, with Amazon planning $200 billion, Alphabet between $175 billion to $185 billion, Meta between $115 billion to $135 billion, and Microsoft around $145 billion [1]. Group 2: AI Strategy and Partnerships - Apple has opted to outsource its AI development, partnering with companies like Alphabet's Gemini instead of building proprietary AI infrastructure [1]. - The company initially collaborated with OpenAI to enhance Siri but later shifted to using Alphabet's technology for better performance while maintaining privacy standards [1]. Group 3: Financial Position and Shareholder Returns - With over $130 billion in cash reserves, Apple maintains flexibility in its financial strategy, allowing it to avoid unnecessary spending during the AI boom [1]. - In fiscal 2025, Apple returned $106.1 billion to shareholders and reduced its share count by nearly a third over the past decade, demonstrating a strong commitment to shareholder value [1]. Group 4: Risks of Heavy Investment - Heavy investments in AI infrastructure by competitors may lead to rapid depreciation of assets, as seen with GPUs losing half their value in 18 months [1]. - Apple's asset-light approach, which includes renting cloud capacity and using its M-series chips for on-device processing, helps avoid the pitfalls of high fixed costs associated with heavy infrastructure investments [1]. Group 5: Long-term Strategy and Market Position - Apple's strategy hinges on the belief that AI models will become interchangeable commodities, reducing the competitive advantage of owning proprietary infrastructure [1]. - By focusing on user experience and integrating external AI models, Apple aims to achieve higher margins while avoiding the capex arms race [1].

Core Insights - The iShares MSCI Global Silver and Metals Miners ETF (SLVP) and VanEck Gold Miners ETF (GDX) provide distinct investment opportunities in the metals and mining sector, with SLVP focusing on silver and diversified metals while GDX targets gold miners [1][2]. Cost and Size Comparison - SLVP has a lower expense ratio of 0.39% compared to GDX's 0.51% - SLVP offers a higher dividend yield of 1.5% versus GDX's 0.6% - As of February 20, 2026, SLVP has $1.3 billion in assets under management (AUM), while GDX has $33.5 billion [3][4]. Performance and Risk Metrics - Over the past five years, SLVP experienced a maximum drawdown of -56.18%, while GDX had a drawdown of -49.79% - An investment of $1,000 would have grown to $2,718 in SLVP and $3,246 in GDX over the same period [5]. Portfolio Composition - GDX consists of 55 holdings focused solely on gold mining, with major positions in Agnico Eagle Mines (9.73%), Newmont Corp (9.11%), and Barrick Mining Corp (6.65%) [6]. - SLVP holds 30 companies, with a concentration in silver mining, featuring top holdings such as Hecla Mining (15.38%), Indust Penoles (11.9%), and Fresnillo Plc (10.94%) [7]. Market Context - Precious metals have gained significant momentum, with gold and silver prices reaching all-time highs in January 2026, influencing investor decisions between SLVP and GDX based on desired metal exposure [8]. Investment Strategy - GDX is noted for its liquidity and diversification within the gold mining sector, making it a suitable choice for investors seeking exposure without the complexities of individual stock analysis [9][10]. - SLVP is recognized as a leading silver ETF, providing access to top-tier global silver mining companies, which may appeal to investors looking for higher dividend yields and lower costs [12][13].

Group 1 - Microsoft has experienced a significant stock decline of over 25% from its October highs in 2026, with most of this drop occurring in the same year [1] - The current market cap of Microsoft is $2.9 trillion, and its stock is trading at $397.24, which is considered a buying opportunity [7][8] - Microsoft has shown strong performance in its core software business and artificial intelligence, with Azure experiencing rapid growth and a substantial backlog of workloads [8] Group 2 - In Q2 of fiscal year 2026, Microsoft reported a 17% year-over-year revenue growth, indicating strong operational performance despite the stock decline [9] - The company's forward earnings valuation is at 24 times, the lowest in nearly three years, making it an attractive investment compared to the S&P 500's 21.9 times [9] - Investing in Microsoft now could potentially yield mid-teens returns, accelerating wealth accumulation for investors [11]

Group 1 - Rithm Property Trust (RPT) executed a one-for-six reverse stock split due to a significant decline in its stock price, which now trades at a 54% discount to its book value [1] - The equity market is highlighted as a powerful mechanism for wealth creation or destruction over the long term, emphasizing the importance of price fluctuations [1] - Pacifica Yield is focused on long-term wealth creation by targeting undervalued high-growth companies, high-dividend stocks, REITs, and green energy firms [1]

Core Viewpoint - A class action lawsuit has been filed against Oracle Corporation for alleged misleading statements regarding its AI infrastructure strategy and its impact on capital expenditures and financial health during the Class Period from June 12, 2025, to December 16, 2025 [1][5]. Group 1: Lawsuit Details - The lawsuit claims that Oracle's AI infrastructure strategy would lead to significant increases in capital expenditures without corresponding near-term revenue growth [5]. - It alleges that the increased spending poses risks to Oracle's debt, credit rating, free cash flow, and project funding capabilities [5]. - The lawsuit asserts that the defendants' statements about Oracle's business and prospects were materially false and misleading, resulting in investor damages when the truth was revealed [5]. Group 2: Participation Information - Investors who purchased Oracle common stock during the Class Period may be eligible for compensation without any out-of-pocket fees through a contingency fee arrangement [2]. - To join the class action, interested parties can visit the provided link or contact the law firm directly for more information [3][6]. - A lead plaintiff must file a motion with the court by April 6, 2026, to represent other class members in the litigation [1][3]. Group 3: Law Firm Credentials - The Rosen Law Firm specializes in securities class actions and has a strong track record, having achieved significant settlements for investors, including over $438 million in 2019 [4]. - The firm has been recognized for its success in securities class action settlements, ranking No. 1 in 2017 and consistently in the top 4 since 2013 [4].

Core Viewpoint - Pagaya Technologies (NASDAQ:PGY) is identified as one of the small-cap software infrastructure stocks with significant upside potential despite recent price target reductions by analysts [1]. Group 1: Analyst Insights - Benchmark analyst Mark Palmer reduced the price target for Pagaya Technologies from $48 to $33 while maintaining a Buy rating, indicating an upside potential of over 168% [1]. - Citizens JMP analyst David Scharf lowered his target price from $35 to $22 but kept an Outperform rating, suggesting an upside potential of nearly 79% from current levels [3]. - Both analysts noted that the recent selloff was disconnected from management's expectations, with no operational issues or credit stress reported by the company [2]. Group 2: Company Overview - Pagaya Technologies is a product-focused technology company that aims to reduce manual effort and enhance accuracy in business workflows through data science and proprietary AI-enabled technology [4]. - The company serves a variety of clients, including financial institutions, fintech companies, banks, and real estate service providers [4]. Group 3: Market Context - Management's guidance for 2026 reflects a cautious growth forecast amid credit tightening, but there are potential entry points due to near-term market fluctuations [3].

Core Viewpoint - PowerFleet Incorporated (NASDAQ:AIOT) is recognized as one of the small-cap software infrastructure stocks with significant upside potential, reporting strong financial results and positive market sentiment [1][4]. Financial Performance - For the third quarter, PowerFleet reported total revenue of $113.5 million, exceeding consensus estimates of $111.69 million [1][3]. - The company achieved an 11% year-over-year increase in high-value services, which now constitutes 80% of total revenue [3]. Market Sentiment and Ratings - Northland Securities assigned an Outperform rating to PowerFleet with a target price of $10, indicating a potential upside of nearly 164% [3][4]. - The firm has labeled PowerFleet as a "Top Pick for 2026," citing the successful execution of its post-combination strategy and positive developments in new logo acquisitions and AI Video growth [4]. Company Overview - PowerFleet is a SaaS provider specializing in artificial intelligence-of-things (AIoT), offering the Unity platform that integrates AIoT devices and business systems [5]. - The company provides various SaaS-based unity modules, including solutions for vehicles, video, and in-warehouse IoT [5].

Core Viewpoint - Appian Corporation (NASDAQ:APPN) is recognized as a small-cap software infrastructure stock with significant upside potential, with analysts projecting substantial price increases based on strong performance and growth prospects in the federal segment [1][2]. Group 1: Analyst Ratings and Price Targets - Citi analyst Steve Enders maintained a Buy rating on Appian Corporation, forecasting a target price of $48, indicating an upside potential of over 108% [1]. - Morgan Stanley analyst Sanjit Singh upgraded Appian from Equal Weight to Overweight, with a price target of $45, suggesting an upside potential of more than 95% [2]. Group 2: Company Performance and Growth Prospects - Appian's fourth quarter results and guidance for 2026 reflect continued strength, particularly in the federal segment, presenting a compelling risk/reward opportunity for investors [1]. - Singh anticipates mid-teens growth driven by customer adoption of AI-linked subscription tiers and improved sales productivity [2]. Group 3: Company Overview - Appian Corporation is a global cloud-based platform-as-a-service (PaaS) provider, enabling enterprises to design and automate business processes through an integrated automation platform that includes features like AI, data fabric, and process automation & mining [3].

Group 1 - Five9 Incorporated (NASDAQ:FIVN) is identified as one of the small-cap software infrastructure stocks with significant upside potential, with a current upside of more than 59% despite a price target reduction from $30 to $26 by Morgan Stanley [1][3] - Barclays analyst Raimo Lenschow also reduced his target price on Five9 from $29 to $25 while maintaining an Overweight rating, indicating an upside potential of over 53% based on steady macro and IT spending [4] - The company operates as a contact center as a service (CCaaS) provider, offering a cloud-based CX platform that includes applications for customer service, sales, and marketing, featuring services like virtual assistance and AI insights [5] Group 2 - Application SaaS companies, including Five9, have shown weaker returns in 2025 compared to the broader software segment, although AI-related risks may be less severe than expected, leading to a more favorable outlook for the segment [3] - The software sector is currently out of favor, with depressed valuations and limited signs of increased software spending, prompting analysts to be cautious and selective in their outlook [4]