U.S. used electric vehicle sales surged recently as the September 30 deadline for the $7,500 federal EV tax credit puts the industry on high alert.Used EV Sales Jumped 59% In AugustPre-owned EVs are almost as affordable as their ICE-driven counterparts, with the average transaction price for a used EV in the U.S. reaching $34,700, according to Bloomberg on Saturday. The same data suggests 40,960 used EV units were sold in August, up 22% month over month and 59% YoY."It was just a matter of time until people ...

Core Viewpoint - Growth stocks are regaining popularity among investors due to decreased market volatility and optimism surrounding artificial intelligence and economic conditions, with the S&P 500 recovering all losses from previous trade tariff shocks [2][3] Group 1: Market Trends - The Cboe Volatility Index has decreased from a peak of 60 in April to 17, indicating market stabilization [2] - U.S. small-cap equities have slightly outperformed European counterparts, with the S&P 500 increasing by 7% in the last quarter [3] - Weekly inflows into U.S. stock funds reached approximately $58 billion, marking a year-to-date high and reflecting strong investor demand [3] Group 2: Investment Methodology - The evaluation of companies for potential doubling in value over the next five years is based on current-year EPS growth, five-year EPS growth, and hedge fund sentiment [5] - Hedge fund sentiment is gauged using Q2 2025 13F filings from over 900 hedge funds, focusing on companies with significant earnings growth and growing institutional interest [5] Group 3: Featured Stocks Flutter Entertainment plc (NYSE:FLUT) - Flutter has 87 hedge fund holders, with an EPS growth this year of 3,498.60% and expected 5-year EPS growth of 154.77% [7] - The company reported a strong Q2 2025 performance with 15.63% year-over-year revenue growth to $14.89 billion and EBITDA of $2.2 billion [10] - Flutter is expanding its operations in the U.S. and strengthening its international positions, supported by innovations and strategic acquisitions [9][11] Carvana Co. (NYSE:CVNA) - Carvana has 91 hedge fund holders, with an EPS growth this year of 216.91% and expected 5-year EPS growth of 51.40% [12] - The company raised its price target to $425, citing strong fundamentals and market share expansion despite facing challenges [13] - Carvana operates an online marketplace for buying and selling used automobiles, offering various services including financing and logistics [14] EQT Corporation (NYSE:EQT) - EQT has 96 hedge fund holders, with an EPS growth this year of 609.89% and expected 5-year EPS growth of 51.40% [15] - The company announced the sale of GlobalConnect, expected to be valued at approximately €8 billion, reinforcing its growth potential [16] - EQT produces and transmits natural gas and liquids in the Appalachian Basin, benefiting from favorable pricing conditions and strong financial health [17]

Core Viewpoint - BKV is experiencing a bullish rebound, breaking past a new buy point as oil prices have rallied, indicating potential growth in the natural gas sector [1]. Company Overview - BKV is a Denver-based company focused on U.S. onshore natural gas exploration, development, and production [1]. - The company operates four business lines: natural gas production, natural gas gathering, processing, and transportation, and power generation [1]. Market Performance - BKV stock is featured on Investor's Business Daily's IPO Leaders screen, highlighting its strong market performance [1]. - The stock has received a technical rating upgrade, indicating rising relative price strength [4].

Core Insights - Opendoor Technologies (OPEN) stock has experienced significant growth in 2025, with a rise of over 450% this year, driven by positive market sentiment and management changes [2][5] - The company is benefiting from a shift in its business model and external factors such as the Federal Reserve's interest rate adjustments [2][4] Company Developments - Management changes include the appointment of Kaz Nejatian, former COO of Shopify, as CEO, and the return of two founders to the board [2] - The company has transitioned to a sales agent model in some markets, allowing sellers to choose between cash offers or listing their homes on the open market, which has resulted in increased cash offers for customers [4] Market Performance - Opendoor has outperformed other iBuyer stocks, achieving a 468% gain in 2025, significantly surpassing competitors like Offerpad Solutions (55.4%), Compass (36%), and Zillow (5%) [5] - Investment firm Jane Street disclosed a 5.9% passive stake in Opendoor, contributing to a 4% increase in stock price following the announcement [3] Valuation Metrics - Despite the stock's dramatic price increase, Opendoor remains unprofitable, with a price-to-sales (P/S) ratio of 322, which is notably higher than Palantir Technologies and other competitors [6]

Group 1 - European stocks gained as investor sentiment improved due to better-than-expected US personal spending data, despite President Trump's plans to impose tariffs on patented drugs [1] - The Stoxx Europe 600 Index rose at the close, with the healthcare sector recovering to gain 0.1% after Trump's announcement of a 100% duty on patented drugs effective Oct. 1, unless producers build manufacturing plants in the US [1] - Novo Nordisk A/S and Zealand Pharma A/S experienced declines following the tariff announcement [1] Group 2 - European equities have been fluctuating within a narrow range as investors assess the outlook for US interest-rate cuts, with resilient consumer behavior noted [2] - The Federal Reserve's preferred inflation gauge showed slower growth in August compared to the previous month [2] Group 3 - Equity strategist Wolf von Rotberg suggested that the lack of detail in the tariff announcement and the potential limited impact on drug prices may not warrant a reduction in pharma exposure [3] - Portfolio manager Sophie Huynh indicated that the situation could present a good entry point for adding to European stocks rather than shorting them, emphasizing the need to consider the broader context despite potential nervousness in the pharma sector [4]

Core Viewpoint - Opendoor Technologies has gained significant attention as a potential meme stock, with its stock price rising dramatically after being compared to Carvana, which saw a massive increase after a near bankruptcy [1][2] Company Overview: Opendoor Technologies - Opendoor's stock surged over 2,000% at one point, although it has since experienced a modest pullback [2] - The company underwent a leadership change, with CEO Carrie Wheeler stepping down and Shopify COO Kaz Nejatian appointed as the new CEO [2] - Co-founders Eric Wu and Keith Rabois have returned to the board, with Rabois taking on the role of chairman [2] Company Overview: Better Home & Finance - Better Home & Finance is a digitally native homeownership company offering mortgage, insurance, and real estate services [4] - The company utilizes an AI technology platform, Tinman, to provide customers with mortgage rates and preapproval in as little as three minutes [4] - Funded loan volume increased by 25% to $1.2 billion in Q2, while overall revenue rose by 37% to $44.1 million, although the company reported a loss of $36.3 million in the same quarter [5] Market Position and Growth Potential - Both Opendoor and Better are attempting to disrupt the housing market through digital-first approaches [5] - Better's revenue is projected to be less than $200 million for the year, indicating it has not yet reached significant scale [10] - Jackson has suggested that Better could potentially become a 350-bagger in two years, similar to Opendoor's trajectory [8] Investment Considerations - The business models of both companies are considered unproven, with Opendoor never having generated a profit [9] - Opendoor's reliance on selling homes for more than their purchase price raises concerns, especially in a market with stretched home prices [9] - The current movements in both stocks appear to be driven by meme-based speculation, leading to expected volatility [11]

Core Insights - The company reported a disappointing quarter with all key metrics falling below expectations, including earnings per share (EPS) of 99 cents compared to the expected $1.05 and revenue that also missed forecasts [1] - Vehicle sales decreased by 4.1% year-over-year, affecting both wholesale and retail segments [2] Financial Performance - Loan loss provisions for the quarter increased by 26.3% compared to the previous year, indicating potential issues with loans written in 2022 and 2023 [2][3] - The average used auto loan payment is currently $529 per month, reflecting the challenging financial environment for consumers [5] Market Concerns - There are rising concerns about delinquencies in the auto loan market, with current delinquency rates reported at 2.54%, which is an increase from the second quarter of 2023 but still below the levels seen during the 2008-2009 recession [3][4] - The negative performance of CarMax has led to pressure on other companies in the used auto market, such as Carvana and Group One, although some of these stocks recovered later in the trading day [4][5]

Core Insights - CarMax shares fell over 20% after missing quarterly earnings and revenue expectations, reporting earnings per share of 99 cents and revenue of approximately $6.6 billion, a 6% decline year-over-year [1][2] - The company's vehicle sales decreased by 4.1% compared to the same period last year, contributing to a 28% drop in net income to $95.4 million [2] - Other car retailers' shares also declined following CarMax's results, indicating the company's performance is viewed as a barometer for the industry [3] Financial Performance - Earnings per share: 99 cents, below the expected 1.05 [1] - Revenue: Approximately $6.6 billion, down 6% from the previous year, while analysts expected $7.01 billion [1] - Net income: $95.4 million, a decrease of 28% year-over-year [2] Market Reaction - CarMax's disappointing results led to a significant drop in its stock price, impacting other car retailers such as Group 1 Automotive, Penske Automotive Group, Sonic Automotive, Lithia Motors, AutoNation, and Carvana, which saw declines of around 2% to 4% [3]

Core Insights - Duke Energy has selected three properties in Southwest Ohio and Northern Kentucky for its 2025 Site Readiness Program, aimed at preparing high-potential business and industrial sites for economic development investments [1][4]. Group 1: Economic Impact - Since 2010, Duke Energy's Site Readiness Program has evaluated 42 sites in Ohio and Kentucky, resulting in 20 companies committing to grow on these sites, which collectively bring over $2 billion in capital investments and 5,400 new jobs to the region [2][6]. - In 2024 alone, Duke Energy facilitated the recruitment of $548 million in new capital investment and over 1,000 jobs across Ohio and Kentucky [4]. Group 2: Program Details - The Site Readiness Program helps communities enhance their competitiveness for economic development, leading to new jobs and a broader tax base [3]. - Duke Energy collaborates with the Site Selection Group, Bayer Becker, REDI Cincinnati, BE NKY Growth Partnership, and local governments to implement the program [3]. Group 3: Selected Properties - The three properties selected for the 2025 program include: 1. Frick Family Farms in Monroe, Ohio (Butler County) 2. Union Ren Farms in Middletown, Ohio (Warren County) 3. Commonwealth Commerce Center in Northern Kentucky (Pendleton County) [4]. Group 4: Recognition - Duke Energy has been recognized for 21 consecutive years by Site Selection magazine as one of the "Top Utilities in Economic Development" [4].

Core Insights - Waymo has launched "Waymo for Business," a service aimed at corporations to facilitate employee access to robotaxis in cities like Los Angeles, Phoenix, and San Francisco [1][2] Group 1: Service Overview - The new service allows businesses to subsidize employee rides or purchase promo codes in bulk for distribution [2] - Waymo for Business rides will be priced the same as the regular service [2] - Carvana is one of the first companies to utilize this service [2] Group 2: Target Market - This initiative marks Waymo's first coordinated commercial effort to target corporations and organizations [3] - Nearly one in six local riders in San Francisco, Los Angeles, and Phoenix use Waymo for commuting to work or school [3] Group 3: User Experience - Employees of companies enrolled in Waymo for Business will continue to use the Waymo One app or Uber app to hail rides [4] - Companies will gain control over their ride programs, including geographic areas, pickup and drop-off locations, and budget monitoring [5] Group 4: Expansion Plans - Waymo plans to expand the business service to additional cities like Washington DC and Miami after launching commercial operations there [7] - The company has significantly ramped up operations, becoming the dominant robotaxi service provider in the U.S. [7] Group 5: Competitive Positioning - Waymo has gained access to major airports, including Phoenix Sky Harbor, San Jose Mineta International, and soon San Francisco Airport, enhancing its competitive stance against Uber and Lyft [8] - Partnerships with public transit services and opening robotaxis to teens are part of Waymo's strategy to attract more customers [8]