XRP has dropped more than 50% from its peak, but I want more than just a lower price tag. Here's what needs to happen before I'd consider buying this cryptocurrency again. Back in 2024, XRP (XRP 5.10%) looked like a great investment. Parent company Ripple Labs was wrapping up its long-running legal troubles, and the election results pointed to a more crypto-friendly administration. And XRP traded ...
XRP has dropped more than 50% from its peak, but I want more than just a lower price tag. Here's what needs to happen before I'd consider buying this cryptocurrency again. Back in 2024, XRP (XRP 5.10%) looked like a great investment. Parent company Ripple Labs was wrapping up its long-running legal troubles, and the election results pointed to a more crypto-friendly administration. And XRP traded at just $0.70 per coin in early November that year, making its total market value a fairly modest $41 billion. Things changed at that point. XRP started to skyrocket, soaring to $2.70 by Dec. 2 and $3.30 in mid-January 2025. At that point, XRP was a crypto giant. With a market value of $182 billion, only Bitcoin (BTC +0.67%) and Ethereum (ETH +2.15%) had a larger footprint. Expand CRYPTO : XRP XRP Today's Change ( -5.10 %) $ -0.08 Current Price $ 1.40 Key Data Points Market Cap $85B Day's Range $ 1.39 - $ 1.53 52wk Range $ 1.14 - $ 3.65 Volume 7.5B That jump was too much, too fast. XRP was priced for absolute perfection, leaving little room for further gains and a steep downside. The coin was no longer a top choice, in my view. The price chart has been diving since July, primarily due to macroeconomic uncertainty. The downturn applies to most of the crypto market, but XRP took a deeper six-month dive than Ethereum or Bitcoin. It's down more than 50% from the peak, and valuation isn't really holding me back anymore. All told, XRP has roughly doubled from 2024's election week, which looks appropriate, given the lawsuit resolution. But I'm still not buying XRP until people and financial institutions actually start to use it. Show me the money (moving through XRP) XRP was designed to facilitate cross-border payments. Ripple Labs pitched it as a faster, cheaper alternative to the SWIFT network (Society for Worldwide Interbank Financial Telecommunication) that banks use for this purpose today. The idea is compelling; international wire transfers can take days and cost a fortune i...
New York, Feb 7, 2026, 09:33 (EST) — Market is closed. Nvidia finished Friday’s session up 7.87%, hitting $185.41, with chip stocks broadly higher heading into the weekend. Hardware stocks got a boost as Big Tech ramped up spending on AI data centers, though profit concerns weighed on a handful of customers. Next up for traders: the overdue U.S. jobs and inflation numbers. After that, Nvidia’s res...
New York, Feb 7, 2026, 09:33 (EST) — Market is closed. Nvidia finished Friday’s session up 7.87%, hitting $185.41, with chip stocks broadly higher heading into the weekend. Hardware stocks got a boost as Big Tech ramped up spending on AI data centers, though profit concerns weighed on a handful of customers. Next up for traders: the overdue U.S. jobs and inflation numbers. After that, Nvidia’s results land on Feb. 25. Nvidia (NVDA) finished Friday with a 7.87% gain, ending the session at $185.41. Shares saw a range from $174.60 to $187.00 during the day. With U.S. markets now closed for the weekend, attention turns to Monday’s open for the next move. 1 Investors piled into chip stocks after Amazon announced plans to boost capital expenditures by more than 50% this year. Nvidia surged 7.8%. Advanced Micro Devices tacked on 8.3%, and Broadcom added 7.1%. The PHLX semiconductor index wrapped up the day 5.7% higher. 2 Why care now? The flood of spending has reignited the “AI build-out” narrative, but it’s also throwing valuation questions into sharper relief. Tech giants are gearing up to pour $600 billion into AI in 2026, a figure that’s stoking investor nerves. Andrew Wells, chief investment officer at SanJac Alpha, says the market’s already “pulled forward” years’ worth of earnings, with current prices banking on profits that are still a long way off. “Got too pricey,” he said, framing it as a “de-risking trade.” Nvidia’s Jensen Huang, in a CNBC interview, countered that demand remains “sky-high” and described the spending surge as both justified and sustainable. 3 Huang didn’t mince words, calling demand “going through the roof” and labeling AI adoption as being at an “inflection point”—that stage where things suddenly accelerate. He cast the surge as a large-scale infrastructure drive, fueled by cloud heavyweights loading up on Nvidia gear. 4 The Dow pushed past 50,000 and finished there Friday, marking its first-ever close above that level—a psychological mileston...
New York, Feb 7, 2026, 09:33 EST — Market closed Microsoft finished Friday at $401.14, gaining 1.9% despite what was a tough week for mega-cap tech stocks. Investors remain stuck on AI capital spending and the big question: can Azure keep expanding without putting pressure on margins? The U.S. jobs report lands Feb. 11, with CPI inflation data following on Feb. 13—two near-term hurdles for markets...
New York, Feb 7, 2026, 09:33 EST — Market closed Microsoft finished Friday at $401.14, gaining 1.9% despite what was a tough week for mega-cap tech stocks. Investors remain stuck on AI capital spending and the big question: can Azure keep expanding without putting pressure on margins? The U.S. jobs report lands Feb. 11, with CPI inflation data following on Feb. 13—two near-term hurdles for markets. Shares of Microsoft Corp (MSFT.O) climbed 1.9% Friday, finishing the session at $401.14. That move helped stabilize the stock following a choppy period for Big Tech. 1 Microsoft finds itself at the heart of the AI investment debate—who’s spending, and who’s profiting. Software stocks have been losing steam, prompting investors to look elsewhere. “Rotation is the dominant theme this year,” Edward Jones senior global investment strategist Angelo Kourkafas said. 2 The sector’s facing headwinds tied to hefty capital spending plans—think data centers, chip investments, all the long-term stuff. A $600 billion AI spending wave set for 2026, flagged by Reuters, has investors on edge about short-term profits. “It got too pricey,” said Andrew Wells, chief investment officer at SanJac Alpha. 3 Shares of Microsoft slipped roughly 5% on Thursday, pressured by concerns over AI spending that hit the Nasdaq following Alphabet’s warning of increased costs. The stock later steadied on Friday as risk sentiment rebounded. 4 Analyst sentiment isn’t providing relief. Stifel downgraded Microsoft, shifting to “hold” from “buy” and hacking its price target down to $392 from $540. Brad Reback, the analyst, described it as “time for a break,” noting investor unease over Azure’s growth rate and stiffer AI competition. 5 It’s not just tech ramping up. WEC Energy plans to tack on $1 billion in capital spending across five years to scale up power for Microsoft’s Wisconsin data centers. “We have energy flowing to the site,” CEO Scott Lauber told investors, adding that the first phase should be running t...
Erik Isakson/DigitalVision via Getty Images Our Bond ( OBAI ), also known by its official corporate moniker TG-17, Inc., provides preventative personal security products and services delivered via a proprietary mobile application and backed up by live agents. Called the Bond Preventative Personal Security Platform , the application is accessed on a mobile device like a phone or tablet to engage a ...
Erik Isakson/DigitalVision via Getty Images Our Bond ( OBAI ), also known by its official corporate moniker TG-17, Inc., provides preventative personal security products and services delivered via a proprietary mobile application and backed up by live agents. Called the Bond Preventative Personal Security Platform , the application is accessed on a mobile device like a phone or tablet to engage a remote agent when the user is worried about their situation. The user can ask the agent to stand by until they feel safe again or track the user until a safe location is reached. The user can also ask the agent to monitor the situation on video and even warn off suspicious characters through the user’s mobile device microphone. If necessary, the agent can summon police or an ambulance using the 911 system. The platform is not just for emergency situations. Users can also plan ahead for a bodyguard or secure car service. Medical or roadside assistance can also be summoned. The company boasts over 1.4 million cases handled since its inception in 2020, including over 10,000 emergencies where lives were at stake. ourbond.com Source: Our Bond Corporate Website at ourbond.com Spot-on market timing for new security services as global tensions rise and local communities experience rising theft and assault rates Proprietary suite of personal security services using a mobile application branded the Bond Preventative Personal Security Platform Early entrance to the security market allows time to capture market share and establish a deep moat around the Our Bond brand and the platform’s robust suite of features and options Integrated artificial intelligence technology drives platform differentiation and effective service execution Ubiquitous availability of smartphones and cellular networks affords a widespread addressable market around the world Proven product marketability and user satisfaction through zero subscription cancellations since inception Efficient product marketing and de...
Microsoft (NASDAQ:MSFT - Get Free Report)'s stock had its "buy" rating reissued by Barclays in a research note issued on Friday,MarketScreener reports. MSFT has been the subject of several other reports. Evercore cut their price target on Microsoft from $640.00 to $580.00 and set an "outperform" rating for the company in a research note on Thursday, January 29th. Raymond James Financial cut their ...
Microsoft (NASDAQ:MSFT - Get Free Report)'s stock had its "buy" rating reissued by Barclays in a research note issued on Friday,MarketScreener reports. MSFT has been the subject of several other reports. Evercore cut their price target on Microsoft from $640.00 to $580.00 and set an "outperform" rating for the company in a research note on Thursday, January 29th. Raymond James Financial cut their target price on Microsoft from $630.00 to $600.00 and set an "outperform" rating for the company in a research report on Thursday, October 30th. Guggenheim restated a "buy" rating and issued a $586.00 price target on shares of Microsoft in a research report on Thursday, January 22nd. Robert W. Baird set a $540.00 price target on Microsoft and gave the company an "outperform" rating in a research note on Thursday, January 29th. Finally, The Goldman Sachs Group reduced their price objective on shares of Microsoft from $655.00 to $600.00 and set a "buy" rating on the stock in a research note on Thursday, January 29th. Two equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, thirty-nine have given a Buy rating and three have given a Hold rating to the company's stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the company presently has a consensus rating of "Moderate Buy" and a consensus target price of $596.95. Get Microsoft alerts: Sign Up Get Our Latest Report on MSFT Microsoft Stock Performance Shares of NASDAQ MSFT opened at $401.14 on Friday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.09, a quick ratio of 1.38 and a current ratio of 1.39. The stock has a 50 day moving average price of $468.42 and a 200 day moving average price of $496.24. The stock has a market capitalization of $2.98 trillion, a PE ratio of 25.09, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.54 and a beta of 1.08. Microsoft has a 52 week low of $344.79 and a 52 week high of $555.45. Microsoft (NASDAQ:MSFT - Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, January 28th. ...
Actor Austin Butler attends the 16th Governors Awards at the Ray Dolby Ballroom at Ovation Hollywood in Los Angeles, Nov. 16, 2025. Valerie Macon | AFP | Getty Images With an affordability crisis taking hold, financial stability is in fashion . Whether it's wearing a quarter-zip sweater or the latest "401(k) mullet" hairstyle, young men, especially, are leaning into styles that give an air of mone...
Actor Austin Butler attends the 16th Governors Awards at the Ray Dolby Ballroom at Ovation Hollywood in Los Angeles, Nov. 16, 2025. Valerie Macon | AFP | Getty Images With an affordability crisis taking hold, financial stability is in fashion . Whether it's wearing a quarter-zip sweater or the latest "401(k) mullet" hairstyle, young men, especially, are leaning into styles that give an air of monetary responsibility. "Men not only found a voice but are finding their place through these trends," said Thomaï Serdari, professor of marketing and director of the fashion and luxury program at New York University's Stern School of Business. Clothing, hairstyles, music and even underwear have often been seen as leading economic indicators . For example, former Federal Reserve Chairman Alan Greenspan believed that men's buying habits regarding underwear were a good indication of whether consumers were making fewer discretionary purchases. Here's what experts say these new trends show about how consumers feel toward the U.S. economy and the job market. The '401(k) mullet' The old 401(k) is now cool. These employer-sponsored retirement savings plans have been steadily gaining steam for years, but in 2026, they've tapped into the zeitgeist. A new NerdWallet survey found that 15% of adults wouldn't date someone who didn't have a retirement account. According to Vogue, the " 401(k) mullet " is catching on, which is a more grown-up version of its shaggy predecessor. Jacob Elordi attends the premiere of "Wuthering Heights" at TCL Chinese Theatre in Hollywood, California, Jan. 28, 2026 Unique Nicole | Filmmagic | Getty Images Unlike previous iterations, "the 401(k) haircut is very contained," Serdari said. "We are finally moving away from the time of the tech entrepreneur who drops out of college and yet will make tons of money," she said. "People are slowly returning to a more put-together version of themselves with the intention of finding a job." Men want to "emulate the lifestyl...
Paper Boat Creative/DigitalVision via Getty Images I previously covered Digital Realty Trust, Inc. ( DLR ) in October 2025, discussing the data center REIT's outperformance in the FQ3'25 earnings call, with the raised FY2025 guidance and the promising FY2026 commentary already highlighting its robust growth prospects over the next few years. With the growing backlog/rental at higher rates and the ...
Paper Boat Creative/DigitalVision via Getty Images I previously covered Digital Realty Trust, Inc. ( DLR ) in October 2025, discussing the data center REIT's outperformance in the FQ3'25 earnings call, with the raised FY2025 guidance and the promising FY2026 commentary already highlighting its robust growth prospects over the next few years. With the growing backlog/rental at higher rates and the increased cash renewal spreads providing great insights into its future top/bottom-line performance, I had believed that the REIT's turnaround from the prior FY2022 debacle had materialized, resulting in my reiterated Buy rating then. In this article, I shall discuss why I am reiterating my Buy rating for the DLR stock here, thanks to the excellent margin of safety from the ongoing consolidation since September 2024, the accelerating profitable growth prospects, and the promising cloud mega trends over the next few years. This is significantly aided by the healthier balance sheet, the dual pronged return prospects across capital appreciation/dividend incomes, and the emergence of a potential uptrend support line since the May 2023 bottom. DLR's Proves That AI Demand Remains Robust DLR 1Y Stock Price ( TradingView ) Since my last Buy rating, DLR has been rather volatile indeed, attributed to the prior Q3'25 earning season bringing forth valuation risks and elevated debt risks , as the market entered a period of correction/consolidation in late 2025 after the overdone AI-related exuberance since the April 2025 bottom. This is worsened by the mixed optics from the US government's increased scrutiny on the higher " residential electricity bills " by +7% YoY arising from the outsized "A.I. data centers' energy usage" - a situation that may be further exacerbated by the projected data center electricity consumption growth to 12% of the US overall consumption by 2028, up notably from the 4.4% reported in 2023. Otherwise, DLR has already benefitted from the ongoing market rotation ...
Key Points Intellia Therapeutics recently announced an important regulatory development. The company estimates a large addressable market for its two leading candidates. Even so, the stock remains risky. 10 stocks we like better than Intellia Therapeutics › Cathie Wood, the CEO of Ark Invest, is known for investing in companies with strong innovative potential. That includes biotechs that speciali...
Key Points Intellia Therapeutics recently announced an important regulatory development. The company estimates a large addressable market for its two leading candidates. Even so, the stock remains risky. 10 stocks we like better than Intellia Therapeutics › Cathie Wood, the CEO of Ark Invest, is known for investing in companies with strong innovative potential. That includes biotechs that specialize in gene editing, a group of techniques that could revolutionize medicine by helping researchers develop therapies for diseases they previously couldn't treat. Intellia Therapeutics (NASDAQ: NTLA), a gene-editing company, is currently 25th on Ark Invest's complete list of holdings list. The biotech is off to a strong start, with its shares already up 41%. But could it keep that momentum going? Let's find out whether this Cathie Wood pick is worth investing in. Will AI create the world's first trillionaire? Our team just released a report on the one little-known company, called an "Indispensable Monopoly" providing the critical technology Nvidia and Intel both need. Continue » Why Intellia Therapeutics' shares are soaring Intellia Therapeutics' two leading candidates, lonvo-z and nex-z, both target rare diseases. The latter was undergoing a pair of phase 3 studies last year when the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) placed them under clinical hold following the death of a patient from liver damage. The good news is that the FDA has now lifted the clinical hold on one of those two studies. After the company's shares dropped due to this regulatory setback late last year, it's not surprising to see the stock recovering these losses as nex-z gets the all-clear from regulators. And even though Intellia Therapeutics' other phase 3 study is still under clinical hold, with the first being lifted, there is a good chance the second will be, too. That's one of the reasons the stock has performed well this year. The stock is still risky Intellia Therapeutics' recent struggles hi...
Explore how differences in cost, diversification, and portfolio focus set these two consumer staples ETFs apart for investors. The Vanguard Consumer Staples ETF (VDC +1.35%) and the Invesco Food & Beverage ETF (PBJ +1.33%) both target defensive sectors, but VDC's broader coverage, lower cost, and higher yield stand out, while PBJ offers a more concentrated bet on food and beverage makers. Both VDC...
Explore how differences in cost, diversification, and portfolio focus set these two consumer staples ETFs apart for investors. The Vanguard Consumer Staples ETF (VDC +1.35%) and the Invesco Food & Beverage ETF (PBJ +1.33%) both target defensive sectors, but VDC's broader coverage, lower cost, and higher yield stand out, while PBJ offers a more concentrated bet on food and beverage makers. Both VDC and PBJ give investors access to companies that tend to be resilient through economic cycles, though their approaches differ. VDC tracks a wide consumer staples index, while PBJ narrows in on the food and beverage industry, using a rules-based methodology to select 31 stocks. This comparison highlights cost, performance, risk, and portfolio makeup to help investors decide which may better fit their needs. Snapshot (cost & size) Metric VDC PBJ Issuer Vanguard Invesco Expense ratio 0.09% 0.61% 1-yr return (as of 2026-01-30) 4.6% (1.2%) Dividend yield 2.1% 1.7% Beta 0.55 0.65 AUM $8.5 billion $94.0 million Beta measures price volatility relative to the S&P 500; beta is calculated from five-year weekly returns. The 1-yr return represents total return over the trailing 12 months. VDC is notably more affordable, charging just 0.09% in annual fees compared to PBJ's 0.61%. VDC also offers a slightly higher dividend yield, paying 2.1% versus PBJ's 1.7%, which may appeal to income-focused investors. Expand NYSEMKT : VDC Vanguard World Fund - Vanguard Consumer Staples ETF Today's Change ( 1.35 %) $ 3.19 Current Price $ 239.32 Key Data Points Day's Range $ 236.15 - $ 239.68 52wk Range $ 202.96 - $ 239.68 Volume 177K Performance & risk comparison Metric VDC PBJ Max drawdown (5 y) (16.55%) (15.84%) Growth of $1,000 over 5 years $1,359 $1,279 Expand NYSEMKT : PBJ Invesco Exchange-Traded Fund Trust - Invesco Food & Beverage ETF Today's Change ( 1.33 %) $ 0.66 Current Price $ 50.20 Key Data Points Day's Range $ 49.59 - $ 50.46 52wk Range $ 42.57 - $ 50.46 Volume 15K What's inside PBJ holds...
A woman has been arrested on suspicion of illegally importing 112 birds estimated to be worth about HK$15,000 (US$1,920) into Hong Kong. The government said on Saturday that the suspect, aged 26, was allegedly found with a trolley of cages holding multiple birds each as she tried to pass through the Lo Wu border crossing. The birds were seized by customs as the woman was arrested. Authorities esti...
A woman has been arrested on suspicion of illegally importing 112 birds estimated to be worth about HK$15,000 (US$1,920) into Hong Kong. The government said on Saturday that the suspect, aged 26, was allegedly found with a trolley of cages holding multiple birds each as she tried to pass through the Lo Wu border crossing. The birds were seized by customs as the woman was arrested. Authorities estimated the avians were worth HK$15,000. Advertisement The case is currently under investigation by the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department. It is an offence to import birds into Hong Kong unless they are accompanied by valid health certificates. The maximum penalty upon conviction is a fine of HK$25,000. Advertisement Last October, authorities seized 10 parrots, believed to be endangered, and 43 other birds at the same control point. The birds were estimated to be worth about HK$11,000.
Soros Praises Spain's Sánchez For Mass Amnesty Of 500,000 Illegals Authored by Steve Watson via Modernity.news, Alex Soros, son of billionaire George Soros, has lavished praise on Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez for granting legal status to up to 500,000 illegal migrants, stating that Sánchez shows “what real leadership looks like” by confronting issues with policies that are “both principled...
Soros Praises Spain's Sánchez For Mass Amnesty Of 500,000 Illegals Authored by Steve Watson via Modernity.news, Alex Soros, son of billionaire George Soros, has lavished praise on Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez for granting legal status to up to 500,000 illegal migrants, stating that Sánchez shows “what real leadership looks like” by confronting issues with policies that are “both principled and pragmatic.” Soros added, “We need more elected leaders like him!” This endorsement comes amid widespread backlash against Sánchez’s open-borders agenda, which critics slam as a betrayal of Spanish citizens. In a post on X, Alex Soros highlighted Sánchez’s approach, quoting the prime minister’s own words: “They care for aging parents, work in small and large companies, and harvest the food on our tables. On weekends, they walk in our parks and play on the local amateur soccer team….” Soros praised the Prime Minister of Spain, Pedro Sánchez, for granting legal status to 500,000 illegal aliens, says "we need more elected leaders like him" pic.twitter.com/5wHXPTJUHL — Daily Romania (@daily_romania) February 6, 2026 The amnesty, implemented via a royal decree bypassing parliament, targets undocumented migrants who arrived before the end of 2025 and can prove at least five months of residence in Spain. As The New York Times reported , the Socialist-led government describes it as essential for Spain’s economy, where migrant labor supports agriculture and tourism. Yet, this move has ignited fury across Spain, with opponents decrying it as an incentive for further illegal entries from North Africa and Latin America. As we detailed in our earlier coverage, Spaniards face the prospect of integrating another half-million migrants amid rising tensions and massive resource strains. The timing of Soros’s praise is telling, as Sánchez’s regime grapples with corruption scandals and probes into his inner circle. Facing a firestorm of criticism on X, where users label the amnesty “treaso...
assalve/E+ via Getty Images Initially, I bought Oracle ( ORCL ) as a short-term sentiment trade. Since that thesis began, the stock has cratered -30% in price. But, as a financial tactician and strategist, I have converted the original sentiment-value thesis into an intrinsic-value tranche position, which I am now gradually building. As a result, my average cost basis is $178 per share, compared t...
assalve/E+ via Getty Images Initially, I bought Oracle ( ORCL ) as a short-term sentiment trade. Since that thesis began, the stock has cratered -30% in price. But, as a financial tactician and strategist, I have converted the original sentiment-value thesis into an intrinsic-value tranche position, which I am now gradually building. As a result, my average cost basis is $178 per share, compared to about $200 at the time of my last article, and I am targeting a $320 share price at some point in 2028 (at the latest, 2029). The implied total return if my tranching strategy is fully executed at a final average cost basis of $160 per share will be +100% over roughly 2.5 years. That is the reward for conviction in a currently noisy AI trade that, while somewhat fragile across the board in the short term, has already deflated significantly for ORCL. Admittedly, I wish my initial position was instigated now, but perhaps I can take that as a lesson moving forward to focus more on value over sentiment at all times, for the risk-to-reward is far better in aggregate (even if the latter can be more fun). Backlog & Capex The last 10-Q showed total RPO of $523B, rising $68B sequentially . Revenue rose to $31B in the first half of FY26, which was up from $27.4B in the prior-year period. Management has stated that capital expenditures are expected to uptrend through the remainder of the next few years. The business model has a foundation of a legacy installed base where substantially all customers renew software support , which provides a durable cash engine. This separates the forward growth engine into cloud application subscriptions and Oracle Cloud Infrastructure consumption. The multicloud database business is up 817% as of the last quarter, indicating demand is booming and capacity is thus constrained. Over the next 12 months, management expects 10% of the $523B RPO to be recognized, with 30% over the next 13 to 36 months, and a further 35% from months 37 to 60, with the rema...
assalve/E+ via Getty Images Initially, I bought Oracle ( ORCL ) as a short-term sentiment trade. Since that thesis began, the stock has cratered -30% in price. But, as a financial tactician and strategist, I have converted the original sentiment-value thesis into an intrinsic-value tranche position, which I am now gradually building. As a result, my average cost basis is $178 per share, compared t...
assalve/E+ via Getty Images Initially, I bought Oracle ( ORCL ) as a short-term sentiment trade. Since that thesis began, the stock has cratered -30% in price. But, as a financial tactician and strategist, I have converted the original sentiment-value thesis into an intrinsic-value tranche position, which I am now gradually building. As a result, my average cost basis is $178 per share, compared to about $200 at the time of my last article, and I am targeting a $320 share price at some point in 2028 (at the latest, 2029). The implied total return if my tranching strategy is fully executed at a final average cost basis of $160 per share will be +100% over roughly 2.5 years. That is the reward for conviction in a currently noisy AI trade that, while somewhat fragile across the board in the short term, has already deflated significantly for ORCL. Admittedly, I wish my initial position was instigated now, but perhaps I can take that as a lesson moving forward to focus more on value over sentiment at all times, for the risk-to-reward is far better in aggregate (even if the latter can be more fun). Backlog & Capex The last 10-Q showed total RPO of $523B, rising $68B sequentially . Revenue rose to $31B in the first half of FY26, which was up from $27.4B in the prior-year period. Management has stated that capital expenditures are expected to uptrend through the remainder of the next few years. The business model has a foundation of a legacy installed base where substantially all customers renew software support , which provides a durable cash engine. This separates the forward growth engine into cloud application subscriptions and Oracle Cloud Infrastructure consumption. The multicloud database business is up 817% as of the last quarter, indicating demand is booming and capacity is thus constrained. Over the next 12 months, management expects 10% of the $523B RPO to be recognized, with 30% over the next 13 to 36 months, and a further 35% from months 37 to 60, with the rema...
A Hong Kong bus driver has earned public praise for making an urgent detour to take an ill child to hospital before resuming the route. Citybus said on Saturday that the route 79X bus was travelling along Tolo Highway at about 10pm the previous day when a passenger noticed a child was unwell and sought help from the driver. “Deeming the situation urgent, the driver arranged for the bus to stop nea...
A Hong Kong bus driver has earned public praise for making an urgent detour to take an ill child to hospital before resuming the route. Citybus said on Saturday that the route 79X bus was travelling along Tolo Highway at about 10pm the previous day when a passenger noticed a child was unwell and sought help from the driver. “Deeming the situation urgent, the driver arranged for the bus to stop near Alice Ho Miu Ling Nethersole Hospital in Tai Po to allow the passengers to disembark for medical attention before continuing the journey,” it said. Advertisement “Citybus is currently looking into the incident and thanks the passengers for their understanding.” The driver’s actions were described in a social media post on Friday by another passenger, who said the bus was heading towards its destination in Fanling when it made a sudden turn to Tai Po. Advertisement “At first, I thought the bus had gone the wrong way, but then I found out that a baby on the bus had a sudden seizure,” the passenger with the username kaga_ss wrote.
Chung Sung-Jun/Getty Images News Kevin Warsh, President Trump's nominee to become the next chairman of the Federal Reserve, will resign from his position as a director on UPS' ( UPS ) board if confirmed by the Senate. A UPS SEC filing stated that his decision was " not due to any disagreement with the Company on any matter relating to the Company’s operations, policies or practices." More on UPS U...
Chung Sung-Jun/Getty Images News Kevin Warsh, President Trump's nominee to become the next chairman of the Federal Reserve, will resign from his position as a director on UPS' ( UPS ) board if confirmed by the Senate. A UPS SEC filing stated that his decision was " not due to any disagreement with the Company on any matter relating to the Company’s operations, policies or practices." More on UPS United Parcel Service: 2026 Is The Year To Accumulate United Parcel Service, Inc. (UPS) Q4 2025 Earnings Call Transcript United Parcel Service, Inc. 2025 Q4 - Results - Earnings Call Presentation America’s strongest brands in 2026, ranked Market Voices: Medicare Advantage, UPS layoffs, EU vs. Starlink
Getty Images Back in August 2024, I issued an article on Oaktree Specialty Lending ( OCSL ) arguing that going forward the odds for NAV destruction are greater than the odds of experiencing good risk-adjusted returns. Since then, OCSL has contracted ~25% - way more than the BDC index ( BIZD ) - and delivered an unpleasant dividend cut. Part of the reason behind OCSL's correction has been linked to...
Getty Images Back in August 2024, I issued an article on Oaktree Specialty Lending ( OCSL ) arguing that going forward the odds for NAV destruction are greater than the odds of experiencing good risk-adjusted returns. Since then, OCSL has contracted ~25% - way more than the BDC index ( BIZD ) - and delivered an unpleasant dividend cut. Part of the reason behind OCSL's correction has been linked to systematic risk or system-wide headwinds - i.e., lower base rates and tighter spreads. However, much bigger part of the reason is associated with OCSL-specific challenges in the form of ballooning non-accruals, unrealized losses or markdowns, and unfavorable debt refinancings. As is usually the case, increased challenges and risks come with a penalty to the valuation multiple, which, in turn, forms a favorable ground for bargain and long-term investors to step in and deploy their patient capital. Based on the most recent NAV data (from the Q1 2026 earnings report ), the P/NAV stands at 0.74x, which makes OCSL very cheap relative to other peers - sector average is 0.86x. Since the multiple is so depressed relative to NAV and NII per share generation, the base dividend yield has jumped to a very attractive level of 13.2%. So, the million-dollar question is whether this dividend is reliable and whether the NAV bleed has stopped (actually, both of these aspects are intertwined). Let's explore that by assessing the recently published earnings data. Thesis review I have to say that the Q1 2026 report (covering the Q4 2025 calendar period) came in weaker than I expected. On the NII per share front, the result was actually improved a bit, going from $0.40 in the previous quarter to $0.41 per share now. Theoretically, this could be considered a decent accomplishment given the headwinds from the last three base rate cuts, which have pushed the overall portfolio yield lower. However, if we peel back the onion a bit, we will quickly notice that the top-line (i.e., interest income) is ...
J Studios/DigitalVision via Getty Images Overview With market indices retreating from their highs this earnings season, it can be a scary time to accumulate shares of high quality positions. However, I believe that this is where the real wealth can be built and established. By accumulating shares of Goldman Sachs Nasdaq-100 Premium Income ETF ( GPIQ ) during a period where the Nasdaq-100 is pullin...
J Studios/DigitalVision via Getty Images Overview With market indices retreating from their highs this earnings season, it can be a scary time to accumulate shares of high quality positions. However, I believe that this is where the real wealth can be built and established. By accumulating shares of Goldman Sachs Nasdaq-100 Premium Income ETF ( GPIQ ) during a period where the Nasdaq-100 is pulling back from its highs, is beneficial for investors that plan to implement a long-term buy-and-hold strategy. When I previously covered GPIQ, I issued a buy rating due to the fund's suitability for retirees. However, I wanted to revisit GPIQ to highlight why the market's volatility is actually an opportunity. Looking at the performance over the last twelve months, we can see that GPIQ's share price has increased by about 4.55%. When including all distributions that were paid out to shareholders, the total return jumps up to 13.77% over the same time frame. The fund now offers investors a starting dividend yield of 10.3%, while issuing payouts on a monthly basis. GPIQ continues to demonstrate why it can be an efficient long-term holding for investors seeking income stability. In order to generate amplified income that can support this high yield, the fund utilizes a dynamic option writing strategy. Data by YCharts The downside is that the inclusion of an option writing strategy means that GPIQ is structurally incapable of fully participating in market rallies or rebounds. Meanwhile, the fund can still experience the full downside risk of the market. So by adding when shares are discounted, investors are increasing their odds of long-term success by taking advantage of this structural flaw. While there are some risks to consider, I believe that GPIQ is a great position for investors that are optimistic about the outlook of the Nasdaq-100 over the next ten years. So let's start by reviewing the strategy that GPIQ implements to generate its income for shareholders. Fund Strategy...
The Rest is History podcast started playing from the phone of one of the justices during a hearing at the UK supreme court last week. The music briefly interrupted the hearing before the judge turned it off and apologised, telling the court: 'It was switched to silent' Continue reading...
The Rest is History podcast started playing from the phone of one of the justices during a hearing at the UK supreme court last week. The music briefly interrupted the hearing before the judge turned it off and apologised, telling the court: 'It was switched to silent' Continue reading...
Amazon.com (AMZN) just wrapped up FY 2025 with Q4 revenue of US$213.4b and basic EPS of US$1.98, alongside Q4 net income of US$21.2b, all set against trailing 12 month revenue of US$716.9b and basic EPS of US$7.29. The company has seen quarterly revenue move from US$187.8b in Q4 2024 to US$213.4b in Q4 2025, while basic EPS went from US$1.90 to US$1.98 over the same period. Trailing net profit mar...
Amazon.com (AMZN) just wrapped up FY 2025 with Q4 revenue of US$213.4b and basic EPS of US$1.98, alongside Q4 net income of US$21.2b, all set against trailing 12 month revenue of US$716.9b and basic EPS of US$7.29. The company has seen quarterly revenue move from US$187.8b in Q4 2024 to US$213.4b in Q4 2025, while basic EPS went from US$1.90 to US$1.98 over the same period. Trailing net profit margin at 10.8% versus 9.3% a year earlier frames a story of earnings power that investors will likely weigh against how sustainable current margins look. With the headline numbers on the table, the next step is to see how this earnings picture lines up with the most common narratives around Amazon.com, and where the data may push investors to rethink the story. NasdaqGS:AMZN Earnings & Revenue History as at Feb 2026 Advertisement Margins Build On 10.8% Profit Level Trailing 12 month net income is US$77.7b on US$716.9b of revenue, which works out to a 10.8% net profit margin compared with 9.3% a year earlier in the same trailing window. What supports a bullish angle here is that earnings over the last 12 months rose 31.1% while this 10.8% margin sits above the prior 9.3% level, yet: That 31.1% earnings growth is slightly below the 5 year average of 32.8% a year, so bulls have to argue the margin step up matters more than the slower pace. The basic EPS trend from US$4.78 to US$7.29 over the last six trailing quarters backs the view that profitability has scaled, even if future growth is forecast at a lower 16.8% a year. Valuation Sits Between P/E Premium And DCF Gap At a share price of US$210.32 and trailing EPS of US$7.29, the P/E is about 29.1x, above the 18.4x North American Multiline Retail average but a bit below the 30.9x peer group. The DCF fair value supplied is US$421.06, roughly double the current price. What makes the bullish case interesting is this mix of a premium P/E and a large DCF gap, because: The stock trades around 50% below the US$421.06 DCF fair value, whi...
Recent spending plans from Alphabet and Amazon for AI infrastructure, along with Broadcom (AVGO) launching its Wi‑Fi 8 platform for AI heavy enterprise networks, have pushed the chipmaker back into the center of the AI buildout story. Despite some sharp swings around sector wide selloffs and export headwinds, investors have kept Broadcom firmly tied to the AI infrastructure story. Recent AI capex ...
Recent spending plans from Alphabet and Amazon for AI infrastructure, along with Broadcom (AVGO) launching its Wi‑Fi 8 platform for AI heavy enterprise networks, have pushed the chipmaker back into the center of the AI buildout story. Despite some sharp swings around sector wide selloffs and export headwinds, investors have kept Broadcom firmly tied to the AI infrastructure story. Recent AI capex announcements from Alphabet and Amazon have helped the share price rally 7.22% in the last day, while a 1 year total shareholder return just under 50% and a very large 5 year total shareholder return show how powerful the longer term compounding has been even after recent pullbacks. If this AI infrastructure surge has your watchlist feeling a bit narrow, it could be worth scanning our screener of to see which other names are plugged into the same buildout theme. With Broadcom shares still below recent highs despite a 1 year total return near 50% and analysts’ average price target sitting above the current US$332.92 level, investors may be asking whether the recent AI pullback is creating an opening or if future growth is already fully reflected in the price. Advertisement Most Popular Narrative: 30.6% Undervalued According to the most followed narrative, Broadcom’s fair value sits at $480, well above the last close at $332.92, which puts a spotlight on how the author is thinking about its AI and software engine. Broadcom is a pick‑and‑shovel AI infrastructure giant disguised as a chip roll-up plus VMware boo. With dual engines, custom ASICs for hyperscale customers and high-margin software from VMware, it offers exposure to the AI boom with operational discipline and deep enterprise penetration. If you want exposure to long‑term AI infrastructure (not just flashy GPUs) with strong cash flow and shareholder returns, Broadcom is one of the rare plays offering both scale and diversity. Curious how that $480 figure comes together? The narrative leans heavily on surging AI chip ...
The most recent gold rush in weight loss drugs isn't done just yet. Despite the last few years of remarkable advances in medicine, for investors considering buying healthcare stocks in 2026, this isn't a year to go on autopilot. Valuations of healthcare stocks aren't cheap, winning investments of yesteryear are quite crowded, and the U.S. system's pricing politics keep trending toward disruptive c...
The most recent gold rush in weight loss drugs isn't done just yet. Despite the last few years of remarkable advances in medicine, for investors considering buying healthcare stocks in 2026, this isn't a year to go on autopilot. Valuations of healthcare stocks aren't cheap, winning investments of yesteryear are quite crowded, and the U.S. system's pricing politics keep trending toward disruptive change happening in the future. So if you're looking to invest, there are three things you need to know. 1. Trending stocks are rarely bargains The U.S. stock market is still pricing in a lot of optimism regarding earnings growth this year. The S&P 500's forward 12-month price-to-earnings (P/E) ratio is presently around 22.2. Healthcare looks somewhat less stretched, with the S&P 500 healthcare sector's forward P/E at 18.7. But that doesn't mean the healthcare stocks investors are clamoring to buy are undervalued. For instance, Eli Lilly (LLY +3.53%), one of the biggest winners of the GLP-1 weight-loss drug boom, currently has a forward P/E of 30.6, and the market has broadly treated its growth story like it'll go on forever without interruption. This means buying at its current price is riskier than it might seem. Expand NYSE : LLY Eli Lilly Today's Change ( 3.53 %) $ 35.99 Current Price $ 1056.83 Key Data Points Market Cap $1.0T Day's Range $ 1034.00 - $ 1060.00 52wk Range $ 623.78 - $ 1133.95 Volume 225K Avg Vol 3.5M Gross Margin 85.40 % Dividend Yield 0.57 % Less mature participants in the weight-loss drugs market, like Viking Therapeutics (VKTX +8.10%), are often instructive examples of what happens to those who invest at the peak of a stock's popularity. After some worse-than-expected clinical trial results in late 2025, Viking's stock crashed after a meteoric rise, and it's now down by 8.6% over the last 12 months. 2. Healthcare is neither cyclical nor unbreakable Healthcare demand often holds up better than discretionary spending when consumers start to feel like the...