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2 Dominant Tech Stocks to Buy in January and Hold for 5 Years
The Motley Fool· 2026-01-11 20:15
Core Viewpoint - The "Magnificent Seven" companies, including Amazon and Alphabet, are positioned for significant growth driven by advancements in artificial intelligence (AI), which is projected to create trillions in economic value in the coming years [1]. Group 1: Amazon - Amazon has generated substantial wealth for investors over the past 20 years, benefiting from diverse revenue streams such as advertising, merchant services, and subscriptions, while leading the $390 billion cloud computing market [3][4]. - In Q3, Amazon's total revenue increased by 13% year over year, reaching $180 billion, although free cash flow has declined due to increased capital expenditures aimed at supporting growth [4][6]. - The company spent nearly $120 billion on capital expenditures over the trailing 12 months, a 72% year-over-year increase, raising concerns about margin pressure, but historical trends suggest higher profitability following such investment cycles [6][7]. - Amazon's stock has delivered a 700% return over the last decade, with free cash flow expected to grow from $7 billion in 2015 to $20 billion in 2025, and analysts project it will exceed $142 billion by 2029, indicating a 63% annualized growth rate [8]. Group 2: Alphabet - Alphabet is experiencing growth from the rising demand for AI cloud services and advertising, with revenue expected to increase by 14% in 2026, reaching $455 billion [9]. - The company has been investing in AI since 2015, enhancing the effectiveness of ad spending across its platforms, which has resulted in more personalized ads for its 2 billion users [10]. - Google Search revenue surged by 16% year over year in Q3, with the recent launch of AI Max expected to further enhance ad relevance by matching advertisers with a broader range of search queries [11]. - Alphabet's stock has returned 783% over the last decade, with free cash flow projected to grow from $16 billion in 2015 to $65 billion in 2025, and analysts expect it to reach $157 billion by 2029, potentially doubling the share price within five years [14].
Week in review: The Fed lowered interest rates, 2 portfolio stocks hit milestones
CNBC· 2025-11-01 15:17
Market Overview - The stock market experienced volatility due to third-quarter earnings reports, the Federal Reserve's interest rate decision, and developments in the China-U.S. trade war, yet all three major indexes (S&P 500, Nasdaq, and Dow) ended the week positively [1] - The Federal Reserve cut interest rates by a quarter-point for the second time this year, with Chairman Jerome Powell emphasizing a commitment to reducing inflation to 2% [1] - The S&P 500 increased by 2.3% and the Nasdaq advanced by 4.7% in October, while the Dow achieved its sixth consecutive month of gains with a return of 2.5% [1] Corporate Earnings - Nvidia became the first U.S. company to surpass a $5 trillion market capitalization, driven by strength in generative AI and partnerships with Nokia and T-Mobile [1] - Apple reached a $4 trillion market capitalization, supported by strong demand for the iPhone 17 and positive analyst ratings [1] - Microsoft reported decent quarterly earnings but faced pressure due to high expectations and increased AI spending, leading to an upgrade in stock rating to a buy-equivalent 1 [1] - Meta Platforms' stock declined by 10% after raising its expense outlook and reporting a significant tax charge, which was viewed as a buying opportunity [1] - Eli Lilly's earnings report led to a price target increase from $800 to $925 due to strong revenue and earnings performance [1] - Amazon's cloud computing unit reported impressive results, prompting an increase in the price target from $250 to $275 while maintaining a buy-equivalent 1 rating [2] Trade Developments - The U.S. and China reached a one-year trade agreement, reducing fentanyl-linked tariffs on China from 20% to 10%, lowering overall levies on Chinese goods to approximately 47% [1] - China agreed to a one-year pause on rare earth export controls, which had been announced earlier in October [1] Company Specific Developments - Corning reported better-than-expected earnings but saw a decline in stock price as investors took profits; the company is viewed positively due to its AI-related products [1] - Boeing faced a mixed quarter with a $9 billion charge-off, leading to a stock decline [1] - Honeywell's Advanced Material business split and began trading under the ticker "SOLS," with shares rising by 6% on the first trading day [2] - DuPont's electronics business, Qnity, is set to begin trading on the S&P 500 [2]