Core Insights - Baidu is positioned as a leader in multiple high-growth tech sectors, including AI, cloud computing, and autonomous vehicles, similar to the role of Alphabet in the US market [2][15] - The company has shown strong earnings momentum, surpassing consensus estimates by an average of 21.98% over the past four quarters, driven by a recovering Chinese economy and a growing AI sector [8][9] Company Overview - Baidu, often referred to as the "Google of China," holds approximately 75% of the Chinese search engine market and has diversified into various tech areas such as video, ads, and AI [2] - The company remains heavily reliant on advertising revenue but is expanding into high-growth sectors like AI, which is expected to excite investors [2] AI Leadership - Baidu's AI initiatives include ERNIE, its version of ChatGPT, which is government-approved, providing a competitive edge in China [4] - The Baidu AI Cloud has transitioned to an AI-centric model, allowing for higher profit margins and better integration with ERNIE [5] - Baidu operates the world's largest robotaxi fleet through its Apollo Go platform, with plans for international expansion [6] Competitive Advantage - Baidu benefits from an existing ecosystem and preferred access to government contracts, reducing competition from foreign companies [7] - The company is leveraging its in-house AI for ad optimization, enhancing its legacy search business [5] Earnings Performance - Baidu has consistently beaten Wall Street earnings estimates, with reported earnings showing significant surprises in recent quarters [10] - The stock is considered undervalued compared to US AI leaders, trading at a low valuation of 13.44x [11] Investment Opportunity - Following a price increase from approximately $90 to $150, Baidu shares are currently retreating to a key moving average, presenting a favorable risk/reward scenario for investors [12]

Market Sentiment - The concept of "double-edge fear" reflects a mix of fear of missing out (FOMO) on the AI growth wave and concerns about geopolitical risks, particularly related to China and government shutdowns [1][2]. - Investors are eager to participate in the market despite these fears, indicating a strong interest in tech and AI sectors [4]. Economic Indicators - Earnings reports from major banks are crucial as they provide insights into the overall economy, especially in the absence of key economic data like CPI and job statistics [4][5]. - The performance of big banks, such as JP Morgan, serves as a barometer for consumer health and economic conditions [5]. Bank Performance - There is a notable divergence in performance between big banks and regional banks, with big banks outperforming by double digits percentage-wise [6]. - Regional banks may present more upside potential due to factors like deregulation and mergers and acquisitions, as seen with Fifth Third Bank's acquisition of America [7]. Investment Strategy - The company is adjusting its bond holdings, increasing exposure to longer-duration bonds while previously maintaining a short position, indicating a shift in risk management strategy [8]. - The rationale for this adjustment includes expectations of lower inflation and increased productivity driven by AI advancements [9]. Stock Selection - The company is focusing on growth at the right price (GARP) strategy, identifying undervalued growth opportunities [10]. - NetApp (ticker NTA) is highlighted as a potential investment, trading at a 30% discount to the S&P with a price-to-earnings ratio of 14.6 times, indicating it is under the radar compared to more popular AI stocks [11][12].

Core Insights - The Lazard US Systematic Small Cap Equity ETF (SYZ) has an annualized total return of 3.56% since its inception, outperforming the benchmark Russell 2000 Index, which has a return of -0.04% [1] - The ETF was converted from a mutual fund on September 12, 2023, and has been trading for 17 days as an ETF [1] - The ETF's portfolio consists of 427 small-cap stocks selected through a proprietary automated process, with market caps ranging from $54.5 million to $15.9 billion [6] Investment Opportunities - The ETF's valuation metrics show an average price-to-cash flow ratio of 9.93x, significantly lower than the Russell 2000's 15.07x, and a free cash flow yield of 6.57%, compared to the index's 1.98% [7] - Notable holdings in the ETF include Mueller Industries (MLI), which has nearly doubled its market cap from $5.5 billion to $10.9 billion in 22 months, and is trading at 14.6 times its 2025 earnings per share estimate of $6.75 [9] - Perimeter Solutions (PRM), the ETF's seventh-largest holding, has seen a 73% increase in its stock price in 2025, with sales growth of 26% to $234.7 million in the first half of 2025 [10][11] - Willdan Group (WLDN) has a market cap of $1.4 billion and reported a 27.5% increase in net revenues to $180.3 million in the first half of 2025, with a full-year revenue guidance of $345 million [17][19] Market Context - The ETF's recent performance is set against a backdrop where U.S. stocks experienced a decline for the first time in eight trading sessions, while gold prices reached a record high of over $4,000 [5] - The small-cap sector is gaining attention as large-cap stocks have become expensive, prompting a shift in focus towards smaller companies [4]

Group 1 - The SoFi Select 500 ETF (NYSEARCA: SFY) was previously described as a "moderately aggressive large-cap growth ETF worth watching" and has shown significant performance since that assessment [1] - The Sunday Investor has completed educational requirements for the Chartered Investment Manager designation and is on track to become a licensed options and derivatives trading advisor, focusing on U.S. Equity ETFs [1] Group 2 - The Sunday Investor maintains a comprehensive ETF Database that tracks performance and fundamentals for nearly 1,000 funds, indicating a robust analytical framework [1]

Group 1: Market Overview - The market is experiencing a "micro-dip," which is viewed as a healthy pause in a strong bull market, providing opportunities for long-term investors to buy at better prices [1] - Resilient stocks during market corrections are likely to emerge as future leaders, making them attractive for investment [2] Group 2: Stock Analysis - Celsius (CELH) has shown a significant recovery after a valuation reset, with sales expected to surge by 75% this year and 25% in 2026, alongside a 34.6% increase in FY25 earnings estimates [5][6] - CommScope (COMM) is gaining attention as a player in AI infrastructure, with earnings projected to grow by 23.8% annually over the next three to five years, and a Zacks Rank of 1 indicating strong buy sentiment [9][10] - Stride (LRN) operates in the education sector, with a Zacks Rank of 1 and earnings estimates raised by up to 12% in the last month, while profits are expected to grow at a 20% annual rate [12][14] Group 3: Investment Sentiment - The three highlighted stocks—Celsius, CommScope, and Stride—combine strong fundamentals, favorable analyst sentiment, and supportive technicals, making them compelling opportunities for investment [17]

Core Insights - Altria Group, Inc. is recognized for its perceived safety in investments, often associated with phrases like "Sleep well at night" and "Like Clockwork" [1] Group 1 - The company is known for its dividends, appealing to long-term investors through Dividend Growth Investing (DGI) and Dividend Reinvestment Plans (DRIP) [1] - Altria is also considered a viable option for short-term trading, indicating its versatility in investment strategies [1]

Core Viewpoint - The AI trade is gaining consensus on Wall Street, with major companies like Nvidia, Taiwan Semiconductor, and Vertiv trading at reasonable valuations despite the hype surrounding AI innovation [1][2]. Company Summaries Taiwan Semiconductor (TSM) - TSM plays a critical role in the global semiconductor supply chain, particularly in AI chip production, reporting nearly a 40% year-over-year increase in monthly revenue due to high demand for AI chips [3][4]. - Full-year sales are expected to grow by 28.2% in 2025 and 14.8% in 2026, with long-term earnings projected to grow at a 20.8% annual rate over the next three to five years [4]. - The stock trades at 23.1x forward earnings, aligning with its five-year median, making it an attractive investment given its strategic importance and growth potential [5]. Nvidia (NVDA) - Nvidia is the leader in AI hardware design, with its GPUs being essential for AI training and inference systems, and is expanding into robotics and quantum computing [7]. - Earnings are projected to grow at 28.2% annually over the next three to five years, with sales expected to increase by 51.4% this year and 25.1% next year [8]. - The stock trades at 36x forward earnings, significantly below its five-year median of 55x, presenting a buying opportunity for a high-growth company at a discounted valuation [9]. Vertiv (VRT) - Vertiv provides critical power and thermal management solutions for data centers, which are essential for the AI infrastructure [10][11]. - Sales are projected to grow in the high teens for the next two years, with earnings expected to rise at 27.2% annually over the next three to five years [14]. - The stock trades at 30.6x forward earnings, a premium to its five-year median of 23.3x, justified by its strong growth profile and a PEG ratio just above 1 [14]. Investment Considerations - Nvidia, Taiwan Semiconductor, and Vertiv are essential to the AI supply chain and offer reasonable valuations compared to other speculative AI investments, making them compelling options for investors [15][16].

Group 1: Olo - Olo is a software-as-a-service (SaaS) provider that assists restaurants with digital ordering, delivery, and customer engagement, transitioning from unprofitable growth to a turnaround story with positive earnings [4][5] - Currently holds a Zacks Rank 2 (Buy), with revenue expected to grow by 19.1% this year and 17.6% next year, while earnings are forecasted to rise by 41% this year and 18.3% next year [5] - The stock is showing technical momentum, with a potential breakout above the $8.95 resistance level, indicating strong investor interest [6] Group 2: Palomar Holdings - Palomar Holdings is a specialty insurer focused on property and casualty risks, particularly in underserved markets like earthquake and hurricane insurance [8] - Currently holds a Zacks Rank 1 (Strong Buy), with EPS expected to grow by 39.9% this year and 17% in 2025, and revenue forecasted to rise by 42.3% this year and 26.4% next year [10] - Despite a 180% gain over the last 18 months, the stock is experiencing a healthy pullback, presenting a potential buying opportunity for investors [11] Group 3: Exelixis - Exelixis is a biotechnology company focused on developing cancer treatments, with a strong oncology pipeline and a commitment to profitability [14] - Currently holds a Zacks Rank 2 (Buy), with FY25 EPS estimates raised by 13% and FY26 estimates up by 7.1%, indicating growing confidence in the company's growth outlook [15] - The stock is showing signs of technical momentum, with a potential breakout above the $43.70 level, supported by a favorable fundamental backdrop [16] Group 4: Investment Considerations - Exelixis, Olo, and Palomar Holdings present a compelling mix of strong fundamentals, favorable earnings revisions, and attractive valuations, making them worthy of investor attention [18]

Company Overview - Great Lakes Dredge & Dock (NASDAQ: GLDD) is the largest dredging company in the U.S. and operates in a niche but critical infrastructure segment [1] Market Position - Despite its leadership position, Great Lakes Dredge & Dock is often overlooked by the market, indicating a potential undervaluation [1] Investment Focus - Stork Research, a private investor, specializes in overlooked and undercovered markets, focusing on micro-cap and small-cap equities that exhibit strong growth at reasonable valuations [1] - The research emphasizes deep, fundamentals-based analysis in sectors such as industrials and technology, which are historically rich in multi-bagger potential [1] Geographic Scope - The investment focus of Stork Research spans the U.S., Canada, and select European markets, including Poland and Germany [1] Investment Strategy - Stork Research typically avoids highly cyclical industries but occasionally targets recovery-phase opportunities or contrarian plays in severely overvalued names where sentiment diverges from long-term value [1]

Group 1 - Stork Research focuses on micro-cap and small-cap equities that exhibit strong growth at reasonable valuations, emphasizing a GARP (Growth at a Reasonable Price) strategy [2] - The analysis covers sectors such as industrials and technology, which are historically rich in multi-bagger potential [2] - The geographic scope of Stork Research includes the U.S., Canada, and select European markets, specifically Poland and Germany [2] Group 2 - Stork Research aims to uncover inefficiencies in the market and identify unique, high-conviction investment ideas that are often overlooked [2] - The firm typically avoids highly cyclical industries but may target recovery-phase opportunities or contrarian plays in overvalued names [2]