Dollar-Cost Averaging (DCA) Definition and Mechanics - Dollar-cost averaging involves investing a fixed amount of money at regular intervals, regardless of market conditions [1] - This strategy promotes consistency in investing rather than focusing on specific investment choices [1] - It can be implemented manually or through automated recurring investments in stocks, ETFs, or mutual funds [3] Benefits of Dollar-Cost Averaging - DCA helps establish a consistent investing routine and a strong financial foundation [5] - It can potentially lower the average cost of investments by buying more shares when prices are low and fewer when prices are high [9][10] - DCA can help remove emotion from investing, promoting adherence to a plan and reducing the temptation to time the market [7][8] - Staying invested in the market for the long term is generally better than trying to time the market [8] Considerations and Potential Drawbacks - DCA does not guarantee profit or protect against loss in declining markets and requires continuous investment [7] - If a lump sum is available and the market rises, DCA may result in missing out on potential growth [10] - Regular transactions can lead to increased commission or fee charges from brokerage companies [11] - DCA requires a commitment to consistent investing [11] Practical Application - Many 401(k) plans utilize dollar-cost averaging through automatic paycheck contributions [2] - Setting up recurring investments allows for automated share purchases of stocks, ETFs, or mutual funds [3] - Fidelity offers resources to help investors set up recurring investments [12] Illustrative Example - Investing $100 per month into an S&P 500 Index fund with an average 7% return could result in $7,200 after five years [5] - Continuing this investment for ten years could potentially double the money to $17,300 [6]

Product Features - A2Z is now available for recurring buys in the app [1] - Users can automate purchases daily, weekly, bi-weekly, or monthly [1] - The app offers dollar-cost averaging strategy [1] - The app helps reduce market-timing risks [1]

Core Idea - Nvidia holds equity investments in various AI businesses, including CoreWeave, which has emerged as a significant player in the AI infrastructure market [1][2][3] Company Overview - CoreWeave operates as a "neocloud," providing access to GPU architecture through cloud-based infrastructure, appealing to businesses unable to purchase GPUs directly due to rising prices [6] - The company has attracted high-profile customers and secured multiyear, billion-dollar deals by offering a more flexible and potentially affordable model compared to major cloud providers [8] Financial Performance - For the quarter ended March 31, CoreWeave generated $982 million in revenue, reflecting a 420% year-over-year increase [10] - Despite a widening net loss, management raised guidance for revenue and capital expenditures, indicating a focus on long-term growth in AI infrastructure [12] Market Position and Valuation - CoreWeave's valuation is compared to Oracle's on a price-to-sales basis, with CoreWeave trading at a premium due to its high-growth potential in the AI sector [15][18] - The company completed an IPO earlier this year and has secured significant deals, including an $11.2 billion agreement with OpenAI, contributing to investor enthusiasm [18] Investment Strategy - The recommendation for investors is to consider dollar-cost averaging when investing in CoreWeave stock to mitigate risk over time [19] - CoreWeave is viewed as a compelling opportunity in the AI infrastructure space, particularly as a Nvidia-backed data center stock [20]

Core Insights - Warren Buffett is recognized as one of the greatest investors due to his successful capital allocation at Berkshire Hathaway, achieving nearly 20% annualized returns over six decades [1] - Buffett advises average investors to consider investing in an S&P 500 index fund, highlighting that even small investments can grow significantly with patience and discipline [2] Investment Strategy - Investors are encouraged to consider the Vanguard S&P 500 ETF, which could potentially grow a monthly investment of $1,000 into $252,000 over 10 years [3][7] - The S&P 500 index has delivered a total return of 255% over the past decade, translating to an annualized return of 13.5%, exceeding its long-term average of 10% [5] ETF Characteristics - The Vanguard S&P 500 ETF tracks the performance of S&P 500 stocks and is managed by a reputable firm with trillions in assets, providing investor confidence [6] - The ETF has a low expense ratio of 0.03%, aligning with Buffett's preference for low-cost investment options [8] Future Performance Considerations - While past performance does not guarantee future results, if the next decade mirrors the last, a consistent investment strategy could yield substantial returns [7] - Current high valuations, indicated by a CAPE ratio of 37.8, suggest that future returns may be lower than historical averages [10] - Factors such as rising government spending and liquidity could potentially support asset prices, leading to returns that match or exceed the previous decade [12]

Core Viewpoint - The article discusses the rise of new ETFs introduced by BlackRock to provide investors with alternatives to traditional S&P 500 ETFs, addressing concerns over the heavy concentration of megacap stocks in the index [2][6]. Group 1: ETF Overview - The largest ETFs tracking the S&P 500 include the Vanguard S&P 500 ETF (VOO), SPDR S&P 500 ETF Trust (SPY), and iShares Core S&P 500 ETF (IVV) [1]. - BlackRock has launched the iShares S&P 500 3% Capped ETF and the iShares S&P 500 ex Top 100 ETF to allow investors to invest in the S&P 500 with reduced exposure to megacap stocks [3][4]. Group 2: ETF Features - The iShares S&P 500 3% Capped ETF limits each holding's weighting to a maximum of 3%, redistributing excess weight to companies below this cap [3]. - The iShares S&P 500 ex Top 100 ETF tracks the S&P 500 performance excluding the 100 largest stocks, allowing for a balanced exposure to megacap stocks [4]. Group 3: Performance and Costs - The iShares S&P 500 ex S&P 100 ETF has an expense ratio of 0.2%, while the iShares S&P 500 3% Capped ETF has a ratio of 0.15%, which can be reduced to 0.09% until April 2026 [7]. - In contrast, the Vanguard 500 S&P ETF has a much lower expense ratio of 0.03% and has shown strong long-term performance, with an average annualized return of 16.6% over the past five years [8]. Group 4: Market Dynamics - The S&P 500's performance is attributed to its market-cap-weighted structure, allowing successful companies to grow and dominate the index [9]. - A study by J.P. Morgan indicated that two-thirds of stocks in the Russell 3000 underperformed the index from 1980 to 2020, highlighting the importance of megacap stocks in driving market gains [10].

Core Viewpoint - The Vanguard Growth ETF (VUG) is a popular choice for investors, tracking the CRSP US Large Cap Growth Index, which includes growth stocks from the S&P 500 [1] Group 1: ETF Composition and Performance - The Vanguard Growth ETF holds approximately 166 stocks, while its value counterpart, the Vanguard Value ETF (VTV), contains 331 stocks [2] - The Vanguard Growth ETF is heavily weighted in technology, with tech stocks making up 58.5% of its portfolio, and its top three holdings—Microsoft, Nvidia, and Apple—account for nearly 32% of its total holdings [3] - Over the past decade, the Vanguard Growth ETF has achieved an average annual return of 15.3%, outperforming the Vanguard S&P 500 ETF (12.8%) and the Vanguard Value ETF (10%) [5] Group 2: Comparison with Invesco QQQ Trust - The Invesco QQQ Trust has outperformed both the Vanguard 500 ETF and the Vanguard Growth ETF over the past decade, generating an average annual return of 17.7% [7] - The Invesco QQQ Trust is also tech-heavy, with 57.2% of its portfolio in the technology sector, but is less top-heavy than the Vanguard Growth ETF, with its top three holdings representing less than 25% of its portfolio [10] - The top holdings of the Vanguard Growth ETF and Invesco QQQ Trust are similar, but the weightings differ, with Microsoft at 11.3%, Nvidia at 10.3%, and Apple at 10.1% for Vanguard Growth, compared to 8.8%, 8.7%, and 7.3% for Invesco QQQ [11] Group 3: Investment Strategy - Both the Vanguard Growth ETF and Invesco QQQ Trust are suitable for growth investors, but the Invesco QQQ Trust is preferred due to its superior performance and less concentration in top holdings [12]

Core Viewpoint - Chipotle Mexican Grill reported adjusted earnings per share of $0.29 for Q1, exceeding Wall Street estimates, but its revenue of $2.9 billion fell short of expectations [1] Financial Performance - The company experienced a same-store sales decline of 0.4% in Q1, marking its first year-over-year drop since Q2 2020, contrasting with a 7% gain in Q1 2024 [4] - Revenue rose by 102% and net income surged by 338% from 2019 to 2024, showcasing a strong long-term financial performance [8] Market Conditions - U.S. consumer sentiment is low, with the University of Michigan Consumer Sentiment Index at its second lowest level on record, impacting discretionary spending [2][3] - The company’s outlook anticipates same-store sales to increase in the low single-digit range for the full year [5] Strategic Positioning - Chipotle maintains a value proposition with an average cost of below $10 for its chicken burritos and burrito bowls, which is 20% to 30% below comparable fast-casual meals [6][7] - The company aims to expand its physical footprint, with plans to open about 273 new locations by the end of the year, bringing its total to 3,781 [9] Future Growth Potential - Management is confident in reaching a long-term target of 7,000 stores in North America and aims for an annual revenue of $28 billion [10] - The stock, currently trading 28% off its peak, presents an opportunity for long-term investment despite a forward P/E ratio of 39 [12]

Company Overview - Costco and Home Depot are two of the largest retailers globally, with a combined market cap of $770 billion as of April 21 [1] - Costco focuses on general merchandise, while Home Depot specializes in DIY and professional home improvement products [1] Costco Performance - In fiscal Q2 2025, Costco reported a 6.8% year-over-year increase in same-store sales, driven by increased foot traffic and strong growth in categories like home furnishings, gold and jewelry, and appliances [3] - Costco's membership model has resulted in a loyal customer base, with 78.4 million households contributing to $1.2 billion in membership fee income [4] - The company has a consistent profit generation capability, offering regular dividends and special one-time payouts, the latest being $15 per share in January 2024 [5] Home Depot Performance - Home Depot generated $159.5 billion in revenue in fiscal 2024, significantly outperforming competitors like Lowe's [6] - The company is facing challenges, with same-store sales expected to rise only 1% this fiscal year after a decline of 1.8% in fiscal 2024 [7] - Home Depot's long-term prospects are supported by the aging U.S. housing stock and significant untapped home equity for upgrades [8] Comparative Analysis - Costco is viewed as a more resilient business compared to Home Depot, as its demand is less sensitive to macroeconomic conditions, while Home Depot's performance is closely tied to the housing market [9] - Despite Costco's perceived strength, Home Depot is considered a better investment based on valuation, with a price-to-earnings ratio of 23.2 compared to Costco's 55.9 [10] - Some investors may prioritize owning high-quality businesses regardless of valuation, suggesting a dollar-cost averaging strategy for purchasing shares [11]