It may feel like déjà vu for Dollar General (DG -0.36%) investors these days. The stock was down 44% in 2024 in what was a near repeat performance of how badly it did in the previous year, when its shares fell by nearly 45%. The discount retailer is dealing with rising costs and increased competition, making it difficult for it to produce strong results.Has the stock bottomed out and can investors still trust it? Or is Dollar General simply too dangerous of an investment to be holding on to right now?Why ha ...

Analyst Background - Sensor Unlimited is an economist with a PhD in financial economics and has been a quantitative modeler for the past decade [2] - The analyst specializes in covering the mortgage market, commercial market, and banking industry, with a focus on asset allocation and ETFs related to the overall market, bonds, banking, financial sectors, and housing markets [2] Investment Strategy - The analyst contributes to the investing group Envision Early Retirement, which offers proven solutions for generating high income and high growth with isolated risks through dynamic asset allocation [1] - The group provides two model portfolios: one for short-term survival/withdrawal and another for aggressive long-term growth [1] - Additional features include direct access via chat for idea discussions, monthly updates on all holdings, tax discussions, and ticker critiques by request [1] Market Sentiment - The analyst has been cautioning readers against the prevailing sentiment surrounding AGNC Investment Corp (NASDAQ: AGNC) [1]

Market Overview - The Nasdaq Composite led major indexes higher last year, rising 29% after gaining 43% in 2023, with historical trends suggesting continued growth in 2025 [1][2] - In the 13 years following gains of 29% or more, the Nasdaq has been positive on 11 occasions, generating additional returns of 19% on average [2] PayPal Analysis - PayPal generated $7.8 billion in Q3 revenue, a 6% YoY increase, with adjusted EPS up 22% to $1.20 [4] - Total payment volume increased 9%, with payment transactions also up 9% [4] - Active accounts increased by 3 million sequentially, with transactions per active account jumping 9% [5] - PayPal Everywhere and Fastlane initiatives are driving growth, with the stock price up 44% over the past year [5][6] - PayPal is trading at 21 times earnings, a significant discount to its historical average of 45 and below the S&P 500's multiple of 30 [9] - Wall Street is bullish, with 26 out of 46 analysts rating the stock a buy or strong buy, and an average price target of $94, representing 7% potential upside [8] Shopify Analysis - Shopify's Q3 revenue grew 26% YoY to $2.16 billion, with operating income up 132% to $283 million [11] - Free cash flow margin increased to 19%, up from 16% in the prior-year quarter [11] - Monthly recurring revenue jumped 28%, and gross merchandise volume climbed 24% [11] - Shopify merchants achieved a record $11.5 billion in sales during Black Friday-to-Cyber Monday week, a 24% YoY increase [13] - Sales using Shop Pay increased 58% YoY, with over 76 million customers worldwide buying from Shopify-powered merchants [15] - Shopify Flow and AI tools are enhancing merchant productivity, contributing to a 32% increase in stock price over the past year [16][17] - Wall Street is bullish, with 31 out of 52 analysts rating the stock a buy or strong buy, and an average price target of $119, representing 12% potential upside [13]

Billionaire Stanley Druckenmiller of Duquesne Family Office outperformed the S&P 500 (^GSPC -1.54%) by 50 percentage points during the last three years. He purchased 239,980 shares of Broadcom (AVGO -2.18%) during the third quarter, and it now ranks among his top 15 holdings.Billionaire Steven Cohen of Point72 Asset Management outperformed the S&P 500 by 30 percentage points during the last three years. He bought 211,823 shares of Arista Networks (ANET -1.01%) in the third quarter, and it now ranks among hi ...

Company Performance - Shares of JAKKS Pacific surged following the release of a well-received quarterly earnings report in late October [1] Analyst Disclosure - The author of the article has no stock, option, or derivative positions in JAKKS Pacific or any other mentioned companies, and no plans to initiate such positions within the next 72 hours [1] - The article expresses the author's own opinions and is not influenced by any compensation or business relationships with the mentioned companies [1] Platform Disclosure - Seeking Alpha's analysts include both professional and individual investors who may not be licensed or certified by any regulatory body [2] - The views expressed in the article may not reflect those of Seeking Alpha as a whole [2]

Investment Strategy - The company specializes in identifying undervalued companies with strong fundamentals and significant growth potential [1] - The investment approach combines thorough fundamental analysis with a focus on companies trading below their intrinsic value [1] - Priority is given to businesses with robust cash flows, strong balance sheets, and competent management teams [1] - The company maintains a long-term investment horizon to allow investment theses to materialize [1] - The goal is to generate superior risk-adjusted returns and build lasting wealth through strategic value investments in quality businesses [1] Analyst's Position - The analyst holds a beneficial long position in the shares of TSCDF and MAKSF through stock ownership, options, or other derivatives [2] - The article expresses the analyst's own opinions and is not influenced by compensation or business relationships with the mentioned companies [2]

Company Overview - Linde plc (LIN) is the seventh largest firm in the industrial gases industry by market share and revenue, with approximately $33 billion in revenue as of 2023 [3] - The stock has shown steady growth over the past 10 years, indicating a strong long-term growth trajectory [3] Industry Position - Linde plc holds a significant position in the industrial gases industry, ranking seventh by market share and revenue [3] Financial Performance - The company's revenue stands at approximately $33 billion as of 2023, reflecting its substantial market presence [3] Stock Performance - Linde plc's stock has experienced consistent growth over the past decade, suggesting a robust investment opportunity [3]

Company Overview - Digital Turbine Inc (NASDAQ: APPS) has demonstrated impressive free cash flow growth in recent years [1] - The company appears to be undergoing a significant reorganization process, potentially exiting certain legacy AdColony platforms [1] Business Model and Strategy - The company's future success may depend on its ability to successfully reorganize its business model [1] - The reorganization process could involve strategic exits from certain legacy platforms [1] Analyst Perspective - The analyst has a beneficial long position in APPS shares through stock ownership, options, or other derivatives [2] - The analysis represents the analyst's personal opinion and is not influenced by compensation or business relationships [2] Note: The content does not provide specific financial data, percentage changes, or detailed industry analysis, so these aspects are not included in the summary

Investment Style and Strategy - The investor has a contrarian investment style, focusing on highly risky and often illiquid options, with a portfolio split approximately 50%-50% between shares and call options [1] - The investment timeframe typically ranges between 3-24 months, targeting stocks that have experienced recent sell-offs due to non-recurrent events, especially when insiders are buying shares at lower prices [1] - Fundamental analysis is used to assess the health of companies, including their leverage and financial ratios compared to sector and industry medians and averages [1] - Technical analysis is employed to optimize entry and exit points, primarily using multicolor lines for support and resistance levels on weekly charts [1] Screening and Analysis Process - The investor screens thousands of stocks, mainly in the US, but may also invest in international markets [1] - Professional background checks are conducted on insiders who purchase shares after a recent sell-off to ensure credibility [1] - Trend lines are occasionally drawn in multicolor patterns to identify potential trading opportunities [1] Personal Background and Preferences - The investor holds a BSc in aeronautical engineering and has over 6 years of experience as an engineering consultant in the aerospace sector, though this is unrelated to their investment style [1] - The investor prefers authentic and straightforward communication, avoiding unnecessary jargon and self-indulgent introductions [1]

Company Overview - First Interstate BancSystem Inc (NASDAQ FIBK) is a bank holding company founded in 1971 and headquartered in Billings Montana [1] - The company operates through its subsidiary First Interstate Bank providing financial services including consumercommercial banking wealth management and insurance offerings [1] Business Operations - The company primarily serves the financial needs of its customers through its comprehensive range of services [1] Analyst Disclosure - The analyst has no stock option or similar derivative position in any of the mentioned companies and no plans to initiate any such positions within the next 72 hours [1] - The article expresses the analyst's own opinions and is not receiving compensation other than from Seeking Alpha [1] - The analyst has no business relationship with any company whose stock is mentioned in the article [1] Seeking Alpha Disclosure - Seeking Alpha emphasizes that past performance is no guarantee of future results and does not provide recommendations or advice on investment suitability [2] - The views or opinions expressed in the article may not reflect those of Seeking Alpha as a whole [2] - Seeking Alpha is not a licensed securities dealer broker or US investment adviser or investment bank [2] - The analysts are thirdparty authors including both professional and individual investors who may not be licensed or certified by any institute or regulatory body [2]