The average one-year price target for Lotes Co. (TWSE:3533) has been revised to NT$1,931.41 / share. This is an increase of 16.69% from the prior estimate of NT$1,655.12 dated February 21, 2026. The price target is an average of many targets provided by analys
The average one-year price target for Lotes Co. (TWSE:3533) has been revised to NT$1,931.41 / share. This is an increase of 16.69% from the prior estimate of NT$1,655.12 dated February 21, 2026. The price target is an average of many targets provided by analys
welcomia/iStock via Getty Images The last few months have been a difficult time for shareholders of TopBuild ( BLD ). After I reaffirmed the company as a ‘hold’ candidate back in November of last year, shares of the business fell 16.3%. This is at a time when the S&P 500 is down 4.1%. This is disconcerting to say the least. And it comes at a time when financial performance for the business is mixe...
welcomia/iStock via Getty Images The last few months have been a difficult time for shareholders of TopBuild ( BLD ). After I reaffirmed the company as a ‘hold’ candidate back in November of last year, shares of the business fell 16.3%. This is at a time when the S&P 500 is down 4.1%. This is disconcerting to say the least. And it comes at a time when financial performance for the business is mixed. Revenue is actually rising, in large part because of acquisition activities. But profitability has, for the most part, declined. Long term, the company is positioned for success. But short-term concerns, not to mention how the stock is priced, justify more of a ‘hold’ rating than they do a ‘buy.’ Even though the stock is underperforming the market since I last wrote about it, that underperformance is smaller when we look at it from the time I originally rated it a ‘hold’ back in July of 2023. In that time, shares have risen 34.6%. That is below the 48.9% increase that the S&P 500 saw. But it's not drastically lower. My overall assessment is that it will continue to perform more or less along the lines of the market moving forward. And because of that, I believe that maintaining it as a ‘hold’ makes the most sense. Taking a Fresh Look at TopBuild Operationally speaking, I find TopBuild to be a fascinating business . Through the more than 200 installation service branches that it has throughout the US, as well as the more than 150 distribution centers that it boasts throughout North America, it operates as a provider of various solutions, most notably the installation of insulation. It also engages in services associated with the construction and repair of commercial roofs, the distribution of shingles, and other construction product distribution activities like those involving rain gutters. TopBuild In my previous article about the company, I talked about how a sizable housing shortage in the US would eventually bode well for the company. I also detailed management's plan...
As they fled an Iranian missile strike, some Israelis with Android phones received a text offering a link to real-time information about bomb shelters. But instead of a helpful app, the link downloaded spyware giving hackers access to the device’s camera, location and all its data. The operation, attributed to Iran, showed sophisticated coordination and is just the latest tactic in a cyber conflic...
As they fled an Iranian missile strike, some Israelis with Android phones received a text offering a link to real-time information about bomb shelters. But instead of a helpful app, the link downloaded spyware giving hackers access to the device’s camera, location and all its data. The operation, attributed to Iran, showed sophisticated coordination and is just the latest tactic in a cyber conflict that pits the US and Israel against Iran and its digital proxies. As Iran and its supporters seek...
XiXinXing/iStock Editorial via Getty Images Investment Thesis It's often heard nowadays that inefficiencies are more often found outside the US, and this time, I believe this seems to be proven right. JD.com ( JD ) is one of the biggest and most popular online retailers in China. As of late, there is significant pessimism surrounding it, mainly due to the high competition within its industry. JD.c...
XiXinXing/iStock Editorial via Getty Images Investment Thesis It's often heard nowadays that inefficiencies are more often found outside the US, and this time, I believe this seems to be proven right. JD.com ( JD ) is one of the biggest and most popular online retailers in China. As of late, there is significant pessimism surrounding it, mainly due to the high competition within its industry. JD.com must compete with strong players such as Alibaba Group, PDD Holdings, Suning.com, and Vipshop in China, and with Coupang in South Korea and global giant Amazon outside China. While the company had experienced a lot of growth from 2016 to 2021, growth has somewhat decelerated in the last few years. The company also reported disappointing operating margins of 0.28% for 2025, a margin growth deceleration of -90.27% compared to 2024. What is the main culprit? An increase of 76.16% in SGA expenses and R&D spending increase of 36.26% in AI initiatives and software development for customer satisfaction improvement and increase of partner productivity. A softening in consumer demand has also prevented JD from reaching pre-pandemic revenue growth, and while consumers are not distressed, they are more cautious about spending and are choosing to save money instead. The company also continues to invest heavily in its core business and in different projects (e.g., food delivery business), and investors are convinced these will be successful for the company and the investors over the long term. Despite the current headwinds and the stock sell-off, I believe the market is underestimating JD's potential and current economic worth. The company seems to be trying to develop a moat through economies of scale by investing heavily in infrastructure, technology, and acquisitions. The company is aiming to become the infrastructure (online and offline) that makes e-commerce possible in China. While this is an interesting proposition, what I like most about this idea is that, regardless of wheth...
War continues to escalate with Yemen’s Iran-backed Houthis confirming a second wave of attacks on Israel since they joined the war on Saturday Read the full report Syria’s assistant defence minister said Sunday that his country’s forces had repelled a drone attack from neighbouring Iraq targeting one of Syria’s last US military bases. “Earlier today, the US base in Qasrak, located on our territory...
War continues to escalate with Yemen’s Iran-backed Houthis confirming a second wave of attacks on Israel since they joined the war on Saturday Read the full report Syria’s assistant defence minister said Sunday that his country’s forces had repelled a drone attack from neighbouring Iraq targeting one of Syria’s last US military bases. “Earlier today, the US base in Qasrak, located on our territory, was attacked by four drones launched from Iraqi territory,” Sipan Hamo said on X, adding that “the drones were shot down without casualties”. Continue reading...