There's an energy crisis on the horizon, and it's mostly due to artificial intelligence (AI). The International Energy Agency (IEA) projects in its baseline model that energy consumption from data centers is set to double worldwide by the end of the decade. In the U.S., data centers are set to consume between 6.7% and 12% of all energy produced by 2028, according to some stats. The MIT Technology Review reports that by the end of 2028, AI could consume the same amount of electricity as 22% of all American ...

Core Insights - The CEO of Intelligent Alpha emphasizes that personal AI will be the dominant theme in 2026, with Google and Apple best positioned to lead this sector [1] Company Summaries Google (Alphabet Inc.) - Google has over 750 million monthly active users on its Gemini app, processing more than 10 billion tokens per minute [1] - The company's search business generated $63.07 billion in Q4 2025, with AI driving increased usage [1] - Google Cloud is running at an annualized rate exceeding $70 billion, and the company plans to invest $175 to $185 billion in capital expenditures for 2026, nearly doubling the previous year's spending [1] Apple - Apple has over 2.5 billion active devices, with iPhone sales reaching an all-time high of $85.27 billion in the latest quarter [1] - The services segment also hit a record of $30.01 billion, indicating strong monetization capabilities [1] - Apple's unique position at the intersection of hardware, software, and personal data provides a competitive advantage in the personal AI space [1] Infrastructure Players - Companies like GE Aerospace and Vistra are highlighted as key players benefiting from the AI trade and data center buildout [1] - GE Aerospace reported full-year 2025 revenue of $45.86 billion and has a backlog of approximately $190 billion [1] - Vistra secured a 20-year nuclear power purchase agreement with AWS for 1,200 MW and a separate deal with Meta for over 2,600 MW, indicating stable cash flows tied to AI infrastructure [1]

Core Viewpoint - Goldman Sachs identifies four technology, media, and telecommunications (TMT) stocks with significant upside potential, ranging from 40% to 100%, making them attractive for investors with higher risk tolerance [1][2]. Group 1: Goldman Sachs Conviction List - The Goldman Sachs Conviction List features top stock ideas that are expected to outperform the market, updated monthly to reflect market conditions and company performance [1]. - The list aims to highlight stocks where Goldman Sachs analysts have the highest level of conviction in their outperformance [1]. Group 2: Featured TMT Stocks - **Broadcom (NASDAQ: AVGO)**: Expected to report earnings that may exceed expectations, with a target price of $450, representing over 40% upside from current levels [1]. - **Celestica (NYSE: CLS)**: Engaged in hardware platform and supply chain solutions, with a target price of $430, indicating a potential 55% gain from current levels [1]. - **DoorDash (NASDAQ: DASH)**: A leader in food and retail delivery, with a target price of $286, which is 62% above current levels [2]. - **ServiceNow (NYSE: NOW)**: Provides an AI platform for business transformation, with a target price of $216, suggesting a remarkable 100% upside potential from current levels [2].

Core Viewpoint - XRP has faced significant downward pressure due to bearish market conditions, including the rise of stablecoins and increased demand for gold and silver, which have affected investor confidence in cryptocurrencies as stores of value and inflation hedges [1]. Price Performance - XRP's token price has decreased by 28% in 2026 and is currently down 62% from its all-time high reached last year [2]. - Over the past five years, XRP has delivered a return of 201%, meaning a $100 investment would be worth $301 today, significantly outperforming the S&P 500's 91% return and the Nasdaq Composite's 76% return during the same period [3]. Market Sentiment and Volatility - There is an increasing bearish sentiment surrounding cryptocurrencies, with valuations being tested as anticipated catalysts have not materialized to boost prices. Positive developments, such as the Clarity Act and potential interest rate cuts, have been delayed [4]. - The cryptocurrency market is known for its volatility, and while a rebound could lead to significant gains for XRP, pricing is expected to remain highly volatile in the near term [4].

Core Insights - The article discusses the emergence of AI agents in the cryptocurrency space, highlighting the launch of MoonPay Agents, which allows AI to autonomously trade and manage cryptocurrency assets [3][4][5]. Group 1: MoonPay and AI Agents - MoonPay has launched a platform called MoonPay Agents that enables AI agents to access cryptocurrency wallets for trading and transferring assets autonomously [4]. - The platform is positioned as a bridge between AI and financial transactions, leveraging cryptocurrency for its speed and efficiency [5]. - MoonPay claims to have 30 million users globally and has processed millions of transactions through its payment protocol targeted at AI agents [2][3]. Group 2: Investment Opportunities - Rad AI offers investors a chance to participate in early-stage AI innovation with a minimum investment of $1,000, allowing diversification into the AI sector [5]. - Paladin Power is addressing energy independence with a solid-state graphene battery technology, generating $185 million in contracted revenue since its launch in 2023 [6]. - Valley Center Wellness is creating a luxury behavioral health facility, targeting a $42 billion market, and offering equity crowdfunding opportunities for investors [9]. Group 3: Real Estate and Fractional Investing - Arrived Homes allows investors to buy fractional shares of real estate starting at $100, making real estate investing accessible to everyday investors [11]. - Atari is launching the first-ever Atari Hotel in Phoenix, offering investors a chance to own a stake in the project with targeted returns of a 15% preferred return and a projected 5.8x multiple [19]. Group 4: Alternative Assets and ETFs - Masterworks enables fractional ownership of blue-chip art, providing access to an alternative asset class with low correlation to traditional markets [12]. - REX Shares designs specialized ETFs that target specific income objectives and market themes, offering differentiated return drivers [13]. - Motley Fool Asset Management offers passive ETFs based on a rules-based investment philosophy, focusing on growth, value, and momentum strategies [14].

Group 1 - Bretton Fund returned 1.44% in Q4 2025, underperforming the S&P 500 Index which returned 2.66% during the same period [1] - For the full year 2025, the Fund achieved a return of 11.58%, compared to 17.88% for the S&P 500 Index [1] - The firm does not view the overall market as being in bubble territory but acknowledges it is modestly elevated, particularly concerning the artificial intelligence sector [1] Group 2 - UnitedHealth Group Incorporated (NYSE:UNH) is highlighted as a significant stock in the Bretton Fund's portfolio, with a market capitalization of $261.978 billion [2] - The stock closed at $289.21 per share on March 03, 2026, with a one-month return of 4.82%, but it has lost 39.24% over the past 52 weeks [2] - UnitedHealth's performance negatively impacted the Fund by -1.1% due to unexpected surges in health costs for its enrollees [3] Group 3 - UnitedHealth faced challenges in 2025, including a Department of Justice investigation into its Medicare Advantage coding practices [3] - Although UnitedHealth won a coding case from the Obama Administration, the situation highlighted the difficulties of navigating regulatory investigations [3]

Group 1: Bretton Fund Performance - Bretton Fund returned 1.44% in Q4 2025 compared to 2.66% for the S&P 500 Index [1] - For the full year 2025, the Fund returned 11.58% versus 17.88% for the Index [1] - The firm views the overall market as modestly elevated but not in bubble territory, allowing for a reduction in speculative elements of the AI boom [1] Group 2: AutoZone, Inc. (NYSE:AZO) Overview - AutoZone, Inc. is a retailer of automotive replacement parts and accessories, with a one-month return of -2.24% and a 52-week gain of 2.29% [2] - As of March 3, 2026, AutoZone's stock closed at $3,637.17 per share, with a market capitalization of $60.496 billion [2] Group 3: AutoZone's Performance and Challenges - AutoZone was the largest detractor for the Fund, reporting disappointing margins due to higher product costs, which took 1.5% from the Fund [3] - The company's earnings per share slipped 1%, and the stock returned a modest 6% [3] - The auto parts retail market is relatively consolidated, and the industry has historically been able to pass through price increases, indicating that current issues may be short-term [3] Group 4: Hedge Fund Interest and Revenue Growth - AutoZone is not among the 40 Most Popular Stocks Among Hedge Funds, with 74 hedge fund portfolios holding the stock at the end of Q4, up from 60 in the previous quarter [4] - In Q1 of fiscal 2026, AutoZone reported revenue of $4.6 billion, marking an increase of 8.2% compared to Q1 of 2025 [4] - While AutoZone has potential as an investment, certain AI stocks are viewed as offering greater upside potential and less downside risk [4]

Group 1: AI and Investment Opportunities - A report highlights a little-known company described as an "Indispensable Monopoly" that provides critical technology needed by Nvidia and Intel, suggesting potential for significant investment returns [1] - Exceptional stock growth can lead to transformative wealth for early investors, emphasizing the importance of identifying such opportunities for long-term portfolio growth [1] Group 2: Argan Inc. (NYSE: AGX) - Argan produces power plants and maintains these sites, resulting in steady revenue and long-term clients [4] - The company is involved in building AI data centers, with global data center capacity expected to grow at nearly 16% annually until 2030, providing a long-term growth tailwind [5] - Argan's backlog reached a record $3.0 billion at the end of Q3 2025, more than doubling over the past nine months, indicating strong revenue visibility [5] - The average revenue growth rate per share for Argan has been 28.1% over the past five years, suggesting continued potential for future gains [6] Group 3: Vertiv Holdings Co. (NYSE: VRT) - Vertiv addresses a critical issue in AI data centers by providing liquid cooling services that enhance energy efficiency and prevent chip overheating [7] - The company has been a partner of Nvidia for several years, ensuring that new Nvidia chips are compatible with Vertiv's cooling solutions, which is crucial for performance [8]

South Korea and Thailand stock market crash: Investors across Asia faced a turbulent trading week as stock markets in Thailand and South Korea plunged sharply, forcing trading halts and erasing massive market value amid escalating tensions in the Middle East.Thailand SET Index Falls 8%, Trading Halted After Circuit Breaker TriggeredIn Thailand, the benchmark SET Index dropped 8%, automatically triggering a circuit breaker on the Stock Exchange of Thailand. Trading was suspended for 30 minutes starting at 12 ...

Core Insights - Carillon Tower Advisers released its fourth-quarter 2025 investor letter for the Carillon Eagle Mid Cap Growth Fund, highlighting mixed results for midcap stocks, with the Russell Midcap® Growth Index decreasing by 3.70% and the Russell Midcap® Value Index increasing by 1.41% [1] - The firm anticipates a favorable year ahead for equity markets, identifying potential opportunities in sectors such as Cyclicals, Healthcare, Information Technology, Financials, and Consumer Spending through 2026 [1] Midcap Stock Performance - In 2025, midcap stocks generated positive returns but lagged behind 2024, with the Russell Midcap Growth Index rising by 8.66% compared to the Russell Midcap Value Index's 11.04% return [1] - Utilities recorded the highest absolute return in the growth index, up 29.40%, while materials achieved a return of 17.51% but had limited overall contribution due to their smaller weight in the index [1] Veeva Systems Inc. Overview - Veeva Systems Inc. (NYSE:VEEV) is a technology company providing a cloud-based software platform for the life sciences industry, with a market capitalization of $30.56 billion [2] - The stock closed at $185.91 per share on March 3, 2026, with a one-month return of -2.51% and a 52-week loss of 15.47% [2] Veeva Systems Inc. Performance Analysis - Veeva Systems faced challenges after its third-quarter results, with management acknowledging competitive losses despite solid performance [3] - The company has introduced a suite of AI products to mitigate these losses and aims to win back customers, leveraging its broad product portfolio and deep expertise in life sciences [3] Hedge Fund Interest - Veeva Systems Inc. was held by 75 hedge fund portfolios at the end of the fourth quarter, an increase from 57 in the previous quarter, indicating growing interest [4] - Despite its potential, certain AI stocks are viewed as offering greater upside potential and less downside risk compared to Veeva Systems [4]