Core Insights - AT&T is recognized as a solid company with strong dividend payments, but it is not considered a growth stock despite expected profit improvements in the near future [1] Group 1: Business Growth Drivers - The primary driver of AT&T's anticipated growth is its fiber-optic broadband segment, which has seen significant investment, including a recent $5.8 billion acquisition of Lumen's fiber business [4] - AT&T plans to expand its fiber service footprint to over 40 million customer locations by the end of this year, marking a 25% increase from 32 million locations at the end of 2025 [4] Group 2: Revenue Composition - Approximately 70% of AT&T's revenue is derived from wireless services, while less than 15% comes from fiber-optic connectivity for consumers and businesses [5] - Despite being a smaller segment, the fiber business is projected to be a significant profit growth engine, with 40% of consumers who can subscribe to AT&T's broadband service doing so [6] Group 3: Customer Growth Potential - An additional 8 million locations are expected to lead to 3.2 million new paying broadband customers, increasing the customer base from 10.6 million to 13.6 million, representing a 30% growth [6] - The average fiber customer pays around $73 per month, which could result in nearly $3 billion in additional annual revenue [6] Group 4: Financial Projections - AT&T's CFO provided guidance indicating adjusted EPS is expected to be in the range of $2.25 to $2.35 by 2026, with a projected double-digit compound annual growth rate (CAGR) through 2028 [7] - Analysts predict a low-double-digit growth rate for AT&T's per-share profits, estimated to increase by just over 10% annually through 2028 [7]

Core Insights - WeRide Inc. and Uber Technologies, Inc. are expanding their strategic partnership to deploy at least 1,200 Robotaxis across the Middle East, targeting completion by 2027 [1] - The deployment will cover major cities including Abu Dhabi, Dubai, and Riyadh, enhancing existing driverless operations in these areas [2] Deployment Details - All 1,200 Robotaxis will be accessible through the Uber app, building on current fully driverless operations in Abu Dhabi and passenger services in Dubai and Riyadh [2] - The fleet will be scaled progressively, with Uber committing to add more vehicles as regulatory approvals and performance milestones are met [2] Executive Commentary - Dr. Tony Han, Founder and CEO of WeRide, emphasized that this announcement represents the largest Robotaxi commercial commitment in the MENA region, aiming for tens of thousands of Robotaxis globally in the next five years [3] - Sarfraz Maredia, Global Head of Autonomous Mobility & Delivery at Uber, highlighted the strong performance of existing deployments and the excitement of introducing more riders to autonomous mobility [4] Economic and Operational Model - The expanded deployment is part of a prior agreement aiming for operations in 15 cities by 2030, following WeRide's asset-light model where Uber or local partners manage fleet operations [6] - WeRide currently operates over 200 Robotaxis in the region, with services in Abu Dhabi averaging dozens of daily trips per Robotaxi and on track to achieve breakeven unit economics [6]

Core Viewpoint - The launch of single-stock leveraged ETFs presents both opportunities for speculators and risks for uninformed investors [1] Group 1 - Single-stock leveraged ETFs can amplify returns, making them attractive to traders looking for high-risk, high-reward scenarios [1] - These financial instruments can also lead to significant losses, particularly for those who do not fully understand their mechanics [1] - The market reaction to the introduction of these ETFs can be volatile, impacting stock prices and investor sentiment [1]

Earnings Reports - Coca-Cola, McDonald's, and Cisco are among the 78 S&P 500 companies reporting earnings this week, with Coca-Cola expected to maintain steady growth and protect margins despite a challenging macro environment [4] - Other notable companies reporting include AstraZeneca, Gilead, Ford, T-Mobile US, Applied Materials, and British American Tobacco [10] Market Trends - The Dow Jones Industrial Average surpassed 50,000 for the first time last week, indicating a significant milestone in market performance [4] - The Nasdaq-100 index showed signs of a technical recovery, with momentum potentially shifting back toward bullish trends [11] Economic Indicators - A trifecta of jobs data indicated labor market weakness, with claims and layoffs increasing while job openings decreased; however, nonfarm payrolls are expected to rise by approximately 70,000, keeping the unemployment rate steady at 4.4% [2] - The Consumer Price Index (CPI) is forecasted to show a 0.3% monthly gain, with annual rates about 0.5% above the Federal Reserve's 2% target [3] Corporate Actions - Hims & Hers Health has decided to stop offering a compounded version of Novo Nordisk's Wegovy pill for weight loss following pressure from the FDA [6][7] - Will Lewis, CEO of The Washington Post, stepped down after the company reduced its workforce by about one-third, aiming for a sustainable future for the publication [8]

Core Insights - The iShares Core S&P 500 ETF (NYSEARCA:IVV) generates income by holding the stocks of the 500 largest U.S. companies [1]

Ocado layoffs: British supermarket technology firm Ocado Group Plc is looking to cut up to 1,000 employee jobs as the grocery technology firm renews efforts to cut costs, reported the news portal The Sunday Times, citing people aware of the development on Sunday, 8 February 2026. According to the agency report, Ocado's job-cut move to lay off up to 1,000 jobs marks nearly 5% of the company's global headcount, but the talks of the same are still in the early stages and a final decision is yet to be decided. ...

Core Insights - Small-cap growth stocks are known for their volatility, but the Vanguard Russell 2000 Growth Index Fund ETF Shares (NYSEARCA:VTWG) provides a different option with broad exposure to the Russell 2000 Growth Index at a low annual expense ratio of 0.10% [1] Company Overview - Vanguard Russell 2000 Growth Index Fund ETF Shares (VTWG) offers investors a way to gain diversified exposure to small-cap growth stocks [1] - The fund's low expense ratio of 0.10% makes it an attractive option for cost-conscious investors [1] Industry Context - The small-cap growth stock segment is characterized by higher volatility compared to larger-cap stocks, which may deter some investors [1] - The Vanguard fund aims to mitigate this concern by providing a diversified investment vehicle within the small-cap growth category [1]

Core Insights - The wireless industry has seen significant changes in competition and pricing strategies, particularly after T-Mobile's acquisition of Sprint, leading to a "big three" of carriers: T-Mobile, AT&T, and Verizon [2][15] - Verizon's new CEO, Dan Schulman, emphasizes a turnaround strategy focused on customer satisfaction and sustainable growth rather than short-term price increases [3][6][12] Financial Performance - In Q4 2025, Verizon reported an EPS of $0.55 and an adjusted EPS of $1.09, with total operating revenue of $36.4 billion and consolidated net income of $2.4 billion [8] - The company achieved total postpaid phone net additions of 616,000, marking the best quarter since 2019, and wireless service revenue increased by 1.1% year over year to $21.0 billion [8] Strategic Changes - Schulman has committed to avoiding price increases that do not correspond with added value, acknowledging that previous price hikes contributed to customer churn [5][6] - The company aims to enhance subscriber growth through a value-based pricing strategy and improved customer experience [4][12] Analyst Perspectives - Analysts express confidence in Schulman's strategy, noting that the reset in pricing aligns with Verizon's C-Band spectrum strategy and is expected to attract more subscribers [10][11] - Concerns remain about potential ARPU dilution as the company shifts focus towards unit growth, which may impact financial metrics in the short term [11][12] Future Guidance - Verizon's 2026 guidance indicates a focus on sustainable growth, projecting adjusted EPS of $4.90 to $4.95, representing a year-over-year growth of 4% to 5% [16] - The company anticipates total mobility and broadband service revenue growth of 2% to 3%, with wireless service revenue growth expected to be flat as it transitions to a volume-based growth model [16]

Harris Associates L.P. was founded in 1976 by dedicated investment professionals who believed that delivering successful investment results for clients requires a consistent investment philosophy, a commitment to superior investment research and a high level of customer service. Our roster of clients has grown over the years, but these basic beliefs remain unchanged. We are value investors who believe that, over time, the price of a stock will rise to reflect the value of the underlying company. In construc ...

Core Viewpoint - Venture Global Inc. is highlighted as a highly profitable stock with a strong growth outlook in the US LNG market, supported by recent analyst ratings and price targets [1][3]. Group 1: Analyst Ratings and Price Targets - Raymond James initiated coverage of Venture Global with an Outperform rating and set a price target of $11, emphasizing the company's rapid growth as a US LNG provider [1]. - RBC Capital lowered its price target for Venture Global from $13 to $11 while maintaining an Outperform rating, citing commodity prices and production curtailments as reasons for the adjustment [3]. Group 2: Company Operations and Market Position - Venture Global develops, constructs, and operates natural gas liquefaction and export projects located near the US Gulf Coast in Louisiana, engaging in natural gas transport, shipping, and regasification [4]. - The company's innovative and scalable development model enables faster project delivery compared to industry standards, positioning it favorably in the market [2]. Group 3: Market Outlook and Risks - Despite acknowledging near-term macro and arbitration risks, analysts believe these concerns are largely priced in, with expanding contracts and long-term global gas demand supporting a resilient growth outlook for Venture Global [2]. - The natural gas growth story is expected to remain significant, particularly during the upcoming earnings season, despite recent underperformance attributed to broader market concerns [3].