US Q4 GDP rose +1.4% (q/q annualized), weaker than expectations of +2.8%. The Q4 core PCE price index rose +2.7%, stronger than expectations of +2.6%.Geopolitical risks are bearish for stocks. President Trump on Thursday ramped up pressure on Iran to strike a deal over its nuclear program, saying he thought 10 to 15 days was “pretty much” the “maximum” he would allow for negotiations to continue, and “We’re either going to get a deal, or it’s going to be unfortunate for them.”Stocks initially moved lower on ...

Investors looking to take advantage of the volatility in tech stocks might find Amazon ( AMZN ) attractive. The e-commerce and cloud juggernaut has achieved dominant positioning at a global scale. The company is generating stunning e-commerce margins despite offering best-in-class shipping speeds. IJulian Lin is a financial analyst. He finds undervalued companies with secular growth that appreciate over time. His approach is to look for companies with strong balance sheets and management teams in sectors wi ...

The Progressive Corporation (NYSE:PGR) is one of the Best Dip Stocks to Buy According to Hedge Funds. On February 18, The Progressive Corporation (NYSE:PGR) reported its January 2026 results. The company grew its net premiums written by 4% year-over-year to $6.735 billion and net premiums earned by 5% to $6.921 billion. The total net income for the month came in at $1.163 billion, reflecting 4% increase year-over-year. ​The pretax net realized gains on securities totaled $103 million for the month, refle ...

​Marsh & McLennan Companies, Inc. (NYSE:MRSH) is one of the Best Dip Stocks to Buy According to Hedge Funds. On February 13, Marsh & McLennan Companies, Inc. (NYSE:MRSH) announced that Michael Lewis will now serve as President, Marsh Risk Canada, starting April 1. ​Lewis currently serves as Chief Commercial Officer for Arsh Canada and Head of Specialty and Industry for Marsh Risk Canada. The report highlighted that Lewis will keep the CCO role while a replacement is named for the other. Under his new role ...

Core Insights - The recent Spring Festival Gala showcased the integration of technology and traditional aesthetics, achieving record viewership and engagement, with peak online viewers exceeding 400 million and the highest TV market share in 13 years [1][2]. Group 1: Technological Integration - The gala featured stunning visual effects created using advanced technologies from ByteDance, including the Doubao model for video and image generation, which significantly enhanced the stage production [2][8]. - Seedance 2.0, a prominent AI tool, was utilized for the first time in the gala, demonstrating China's AI capabilities on a global stage [4][13]. - The visual quality of the gala was enhanced from 720P to 8K resolution, and frame rates improved from 24FPS to 50FPS, showcasing the power of ByteDance's technology [8][24]. Group 2: Audience Engagement - Doubao's AI interaction during the gala achieved 1.9 billion interactions, with a peak token per minute (TPM) of 63.3 billion, indicating high audience engagement compared to traditional methods [10][24]. - The gala's robot performances, powered by the Doubao model, contributed to a unique interactive experience, further enhancing viewer participation [9][10]. Group 3: Competitive Landscape - ByteDance's AI products, particularly Doubao, have maintained a leading position in the consumer market, outperforming competitors like Tencent and Alibaba, especially after their promotional strategies began to wane [15][18]. - The Doubao model's voice interaction capabilities support multiple dialects, making it particularly appealing to older demographics, which is crucial for user retention [18][20]. - The performance of Doubao and the Volcano Engine during the gala solidified ByteDance's stronghold in the B2B AI market, with significant partnerships across various industries [24][26]. Group 4: Future Outlook - The success of Seedance 2.0 in the gala suggests potential for rapid global market entry, with early feedback from international filmmakers indicating a transformative impact on animation and film production [26][28]. - The ongoing competition in the AI space among major tech companies will be critical in determining market leadership, with ByteDance currently positioned favorably [27][28].

Jonathan Kitchen/DigitalVision via Getty Images Listen below or on the go via Apple Podcasts and Spotify Walmart, Carvana and Blue Owl earnings; AI spending (0:20) Supreme Court strikes down Trump's global tariffs (9:30) Transcript Rena Sherbill: Welcome to another Friday. Apologies for those that were waiting and waiting for this morning's Wall Street Breakfast. We hope we can make it up to you with this extended version of Wall Street Roundup going into your weekend. So thanks for understanding and ...

Group 1: Market Overview - The market is reacting positively to a recent tariff decision, indicating potential trading opportunities [2][3]. - The focus is on short-term trading reactions rather than long-term economic implications [2]. Group 2: Applied Materials - Applied Materials is highlighted as a strong stock pick, showing a steady upward trend over the past year, currently trading at $373, up about 45% year-to-date [4][18]. - The technical analysis indicates an upside breakout from a bullish channel, with potential support levels around $341 to $340 [9][10]. Group 3: SanDisk - SanDisk is noted as a top performer, with a significant increase of nearly 170% year-to-date, driven by the growing demand for storage due to data creation [15][18]. - The stock is currently in a consolidation phase, which may set up for another upward movement if the trend continues [18][20]. Group 4: RTX (Raytheon Technologies) - RTX is positioned well in the defense sector, benefiting from increased defense spending, currently trading above $200 [29][30]. - Technical indicators show a rising wedge pattern, suggesting a potential bearish bias, but the stock is still holding above previous highs [34][35].

Core Insights - Sasol Limited (NYSE:SSL) is identified as one of the undervalued chemical stocks to consider for investment according to hedge funds [1] - Goldman Sachs downgraded Sasol from Buy to Neutral, setting a price target of ZAR 118, citing a weak product price outlook that may limit earnings revisions in the near term [2][3] Financial Performance - Sasol revised its FY26 fuel sales outlook upward to a growth of 5–10% compared to FY25, an increase from the previous forecast of 0–3%, supported by stronger Natref performance and additional production from Prax South Africa [4] - Gas production volumes were revised down to a range of 0–5% below FY25 due to delays and softer demand, while global chemical revenues remain pressured [5] Operational Highlights - The destoning plant in Southern Africa reached beneficial operation in December 2025, with average sinks tracking the lower end of the 12%–14% guidance range, marking a significant milestone in coal quality enhancement [4] - Chemicals Africa showed slight sales volume improvements supported by operational gains, with further ramp-up expected in the second half of FY26 [5] Company Overview - Sasol Limited is a South African energy and chemical company that produces fuels, chemicals, and energy solutions, focusing on innovation and sustainability while exploring advanced technologies to optimize production and reduce environmental impact [6]

Company Overview - Texas Roadhouse (TXRH) has experienced a strong start to the year, gaining 10% in less than two months, indicating positive market sentiment towards the company [1]. Investment Perspective - Investors are shifting their focus from AI hyperscalers and software companies to more traditional sectors like beef, suggesting a belief in the sustainability of the beef industry [1]. - The emphasis on sustained profitability, characterized by strong margins, stable and expanding free cash flow, and high returns on invested capital, is highlighted as a more reliable driver of returns than valuation alone [1]. Personal Investment Philosophy - The investment strategy focuses on undervalued growth stocks and high-quality dividend growers, reflecting a long-term investment approach [1]. - The goal of investment is not to escape work but to ensure the freedom to work in a fulfilling manner, emphasizing a balanced approach to asset management [1].

PPG Industries, Inc. (NYSE:PPG) is among the 9 Undervalued Chemical Stocks to Buy According to Hedge Funds. PPG Industries, Inc. (PPG) Gains Multiple PT Hikes Following Strong Market Reception to Earnings PPG Industries, Inc. (NYSE:PPG) is placed fifth on our list of best chemical stocks. On February 18, Evercore ISI raised its price target on PPG by $16. Similarly, on February 12, Mizhou also raised its price target for the stock by $15. Moreover, on January 30, Bernstein also raised its price target f ...