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This Artificial Intelligence (AI) Giant Is Up 72% Since the Start of 2025, and It Looks Even More Attractive in 2026 (Hint: Not Nvidia)
The Motley Fool· 2026-01-31 18:15
Core Viewpoint - Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (TSMC) has significantly raised its long-term outlook due to strong performance and demand in the semiconductor industry, particularly driven by artificial intelligence (AI) growth [1][2]. Group 1: Company Performance - TSMC's stock price has increased by 72% since the beginning of 2025, bolstered by impressive fourth-quarter earnings results [2]. - The company holds a dominant 72% market share in the semiconductor manufacturing sector, benefiting from high demand from major clients like Nvidia and Broadcom [3]. - TSMC's technology leadership is recognized as unmatched, allowing it to attract significant contracts and invest in further capacity and R&D [3]. Group 2: Financial Outlook - Management has projected capital expenditures for 2026 to be between $52 billion and $56 billion, representing a 32% increase at the midpoint [6]. - The five-year compound annual growth rate outlook has been raised from 20% to 25%, indicating continued annual growth of approximately 22.4% through the end of the decade [7]. - TSMC's gross margin stands at 59.02%, and the company is expected to maintain high pricing power, leading to improved operating margins and faster earnings growth [7]. Group 3: Market Position - TSMC's stock is currently trading at less than 24 times forward earnings expectations, making it attractive compared to competitors like Broadcom and Nvidia, which trade at 41 and 32 times earnings, respectively [8]. - Despite a strong performance in 2025, TSMC is not expected to experience a significant slowdown in 2026, indicating potential for further stock price appreciation [8].
Bitcoin falls out of global top 10 assets by market capitalization, below Elon Musk's Tesla
Yahoo Finance· 2026-01-31 18:14
Bitcoin’s market capitalization is now around $1.57 trillion, making it the 13th-largest asset by this metric, behind Saudi Aramco and Tesla stock. The move came after its price dropped sharply from around $90,000 to $78,500, a loss of more than 11% over the last 7-day period. The recent price decline comes amid geopolitical tension, a breakdown in the precious metals rally, the nomination of a "Hawkish" next Federal Reserve chair and a partial government shutdown. Bitcoin falling out of the top 10 asse ...
Bitcoin price plunges below $80,000 as $1.6b liquidation wave intensifies selloff
Yahoo Finance· 2026-01-31 18:12
Bitcoin on Saturday dropped below $80,000 per coin for the first time since April as a crypto selloff intensified. The biggest and oldest cryptocurrency was recently priced at $79,113 after dropping 4% over a 24-hour period, according to CoinGecko. Over the past week, it has dropped by more than 11%. Year-to-date, the leading digital asset is also down 11%. The selloff comes as investors this week pulled nearly $1.5 billion out of US Bitcoin exchange-traded funds, according to data from Farside Investo ...
Home Depot makes pressing workforce decision amid struggles
Yahoo Finance· 2026-01-31 18:07
Core Insights - Home Depot is facing challenges due to a significant shift in consumer behavior, particularly in the home improvement sector, as consumers reduce spending amid housing market uncertainties [1][3] - The company's U.S. comparable sales saw a minimal increase of 0.1% year over year in Q3 2025, while foot traffic at same-store locations decreased by 0.4% compared to Q3 2024 [2] - CEO Ted Decker highlighted ongoing pressures in the housing market, with housing activity at 40-year lows, exacerbated by high interest rates and affordability concerns [3] Housing Market Performance - December 2025 home sales were the strongest in nearly three years, with tight inventory levels and fewer sellers eager to move [5] - The average 30-year fixed-rate mortgage in December was 6.19%, down from 6.24% in November, while the median existing-home sales price reached $405,400, reflecting a 0.4% year-over-year increase [8] Workforce Changes - Home Depot has laid off nearly 800 employees in its store support center in Atlanta due to weak consumer demand [6] - The company is requiring its corporate workforce to return to the office five days a week starting April 6, 2026, after previously allowing four days of in-person work [7] Corporate Strategy - Home Depot is simplifying its corporate operations to better support stores and customers, aiming for greater agility and closer connections with frontline associates [9] - The company has also scaled back its supply chain, leading to job cuts at distribution facilities, including a recent closure in La Vergne, Tennessee, resulting in 108 layoffs [10] Industry Trends - Home Depot's layoffs are part of a broader trend in corporate America, with other companies like Amazon and Meta also announcing significant job cuts [12] - A survey indicated that 6 in 10 companies plan to cut jobs in 2026, with many organizations reducing higher-cost roles and investing in growth and automation [13][14]
If I Could Buy Only One High-Yield Infrastructure Investment: UTG
Seeking Alpha· 2026-01-31 18:05
Core Points - High Yield Investor is celebrating its five-year anniversary with a special offer that includes a 30-day money-back guarantee and a 15% discount for new members [1][2] - The company has released its Top Picks for 2026, providing an opportunity for potential investors to join risk-free [1][2] - High Yield Investor invests significant resources, approximately $100,000 annually, into identifying profitable investment opportunities, which has resulted in 200 five-star reviews [1]
Even Near an All-Time High, This Dividend ETF Looks Extremely Cheap
The Motley Fool· 2026-01-31 18:03
Core Viewpoint - There are still attractive investment opportunities in dividend stocks, particularly in international markets, despite the S&P 500 reaching new highs [1][2]. Group 1: Investment Opportunities - The Vanguard International High Dividend Yield ETF (VYMI) is highlighted as a strong option for dividend investors, even though its shares are near all-time highs [2]. - This ETF tracks an index of international stocks that pay above-average dividends, with a low expense ratio of 0.17% [3]. - The fund provides broad exposure to over 1,500 stocks from both emerging and developed markets, with no single stock exceeding 1.8% of the portfolio [4]. Group 2: Performance Metrics - The average stock in the VYMI portfolio trades at a price-to-earnings (P/E) ratio of 13.5, with an average earnings growth rate of 12.8% annually [7]. - In comparison, the U.S.-focused Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF (VYM) has a P/E ratio of over 20 and a slower earnings growth rate of 11.6% [7]. - The current dividend yield for the Vanguard International High Dividend Yield ETF is approximately 3%, making it a potential addition for diversification and income [7].
Bit Digital CEO discusses pivot to AI and Ethereum - ICYMI
Proactiveinvestors NA· 2026-01-31 18:02
Core Insights - Bit Digital Inc has made a significant strategic shift in 2025, moving away from bitcoin mining to focus on Ethereum and high-performance computing (HPC) [1][4] - The HPC division has been spun off into a new company called WhiteFiber, in which Bit Digital retains a 70% stake [1][4] - The company has sold all its bitcoin holdings and invested approximately half a billion dollars in Ethereum [4] Strategic Goals - The company is not satisfied with its current share price performance and aims to pursue mergers and acquisitions (M&A) or other strategies to generate proper EBITDA by 2026 [5][6] - The goal is to enable investors to apply earnings multiples rather than solely valuing the company based on net asset value (NAV) [6] Self-Funding and Shareholder Value - Bit Digital has decided not to sell its shares in WhiteFiber despite the lock-up expiration, believing in the future potential of WhiteFiber [7] - The company is exploring business acquisitions or operational strategies to achieve self-funding, as current Ethereum staking yields are insufficient [8] AI Business Development - WhiteFiber, which focuses on AI, has been performing well since its IPO in August last year, with increasing reverse inquiries [9] - The company has a competitive edge in retrofitting facilities into data centers quickly and cost-effectively, recently signing an $865 million contract with Nscale [10]
Bitcoin falls below $80,000, continuing decline as liquidity worries mount
Yahoo Finance· 2026-01-31 18:02
Jan 31 (Reuters) - Bitcoin (BTC-USD), the world's largest cryptocurrency by market value, was down by 6.53% at $78,719.63 at 12:48 p.m. ET (1748 GMT) ​on Saturday, continuing its decline from the previous session. On Friday, bitcoin ‌fell to as low as $81,104, the lowest since November 21, while the U.S. dollar gained ‌after former Federal Reserve Governor Kevin Warsh was selected as the next Fed chair. Some investors and traders are concerned he might tighten up on cash in the financial system. Warsh ...
Dave Ramsey Says Your Income Can't Build Wealth If You're Sending It To Car Loans And Credit Cards. 'It's Almost Impossible Mathematically'
Yahoo Finance· 2026-01-31 18:01
Core Insights - Personal finance expert Dave Ramsey emphasizes that many Americans struggle to build wealth not due to insufficient income, but because a significant portion of their earnings is allocated to car loans and credit card payments [1][2] Group 1: Debt Impact on Wealth Building - Ramsey identifies income as the most powerful tool for wealth accumulation, stating that when income is directed towards debt payments, it cannot be invested effectively [2] - He highlights credit card debt as particularly damaging, causing emotional distress and feelings of shame among individuals [2][3] - Many individuals rationalize car payments as necessary expenses, despite the financial burden they impose [3] Group 2: Generational Debt Challenges - Ramsey expresses concern that Gen Z and millennials are disproportionately affected by debt, with financial institutions exploiting their income and limiting future opportunities [4] - He shares his personal experience of achieving significant wealth at a young age, only to face bankruptcy due to mismanaged debt [5] Group 3: Financial Principles for Recovery - A turning point in Ramsey's financial journey came when he adopted biblical principles regarding money management, such as living within means, avoiding debt, and budgeting [6] - He notes that implementing these principles led to a positive emotional shift and a sense of financial security [6]
Realty Income's A- Rating Is The Real Story Behind Its 5.3% Yield
Seeking Alpha· 2026-01-31 18:01
Core Insights - The article introduces Dividend Forensics Bureau as a new contributor to Seeking Alpha, inviting others to share investment ideas for publication and potential earnings [1] Group 1: Structural Credit Analysis - Structural Credit Analysis focuses on quantitative credit risk assessment and regulatory framework analysis, emphasizing objective data over traditional narratives [2] - The research highlights the impact of structural shifts, such as the 2025 NAIC regulatory changes, on market liquidity and forced selling mechanics [2] - The analysis specializes in identifying "mechanical triggers" in the fixed-income market, particularly concerning the transition of BBB- rated securities [2] Group 2: Research Methodology - The approach utilizes advanced data modeling and forensic credit metrics to provide early warning signals that may precede rating agency actions [2] - The research is dedicated to capital preservation and understanding the relationship between credit ratings, risk-based capital charges, and institutional mandates [2] - The aim is to offer sophisticated investors data-driven, contrarian perspectives that challenge conventional market wisdom [2]