Luis Alvarez Analyst Oliver Rodzianko has upgraded Harley-Davidson ( HOG ) to Buy, citing a cultural resurgence and operational turnaround for the iconic motorcycle brand. Similarly, Ronald Ferrie sees Valero Energy ( VLO ) as a prime beneficiary of current energy market disruptions, upgrading the refiner on its strategic positioning. On the downgrade side, Louis Gerard has moved Occidental Petrol...
Luis Alvarez Analyst Oliver Rodzianko has upgraded Harley-Davidson ( HOG ) to Buy, citing a cultural resurgence and operational turnaround for the iconic motorcycle brand. Similarly, Ronald Ferrie sees Valero Energy ( VLO ) as a prime beneficiary of current energy market disruptions, upgrading the refiner on its strategic positioning. On the downgrade side, Louis Gerard has moved Occidental Petroleum ( OXY ) to Hold after the stock reached fair value following a strong run tied to geopolitical tailwinds. Meanwhile, Hunting Alphas has downgraded Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company ( TSM ) to Hold, warning of emerging competitive threats from Intel and Samsung that could pressure the foundry giant’s market share. Upgrades Harley-Davidson ( HOG ): Upgrade to Buy by Oliver Rodzianko . The analyst identifies a pivotal turnaround moment for the company, driven by operational synergies and a shift toward a culture-centric, rider-first strategy that is revitalizing the dealer network and showing real demand growth. “I'm targeting a bull-case two-year annualized CAGR of 35% from the investment, but the downside 12-month risk from pure execution is about a -30% loss. If you're comfortable with that asymmetry and believe in the turnaround dynamics, this could make for a strong investment.” Valero Energy ( VLO ): Upgrade to Buy by Ronald Ferrie . The analyst positions Valero as a top beneficiary of global supply disruptions, noting its industry-leading cost structure and robust Gulf Coast crude sourcing that enable superior margin expansion during the current refining bull cycle. “The company is the lowest-cost provider of refined fuels, allowing it to reap the largest margins as we head into the next bull for refining. This, in addition to an unrivaled balance sheet, makes VLO an easy BUY recommendation.” Downgrades Occidental Petroleum ( OXY ): Downgrade Buy to Hold by Louis Gerard . Following a 24.67% total return since September that outperformed the S&P 500, the ana...
Kohei Hara/DigitalVision via Getty Images Don't forget about us! Many advisors and asset allocation models put a small cap slice into investor's portfolios ( VTWO ) by training and habit. The truth is, small caps have not provided a non-correlated hedging strategy to large cap indexes ( VOO )( IVV )( SPY )( QQQ )( DIA ), nor have they provided alpha for the extra volatility. In fact, they've been ...
Kohei Hara/DigitalVision via Getty Images Don't forget about us! Many advisors and asset allocation models put a small cap slice into investor's portfolios ( VTWO ) by training and habit. The truth is, small caps have not provided a non-correlated hedging strategy to large cap indexes ( VOO )( IVV )( SPY )( QQQ )( DIA ), nor have they provided alpha for the extra volatility. In fact, they've been quite the portfolio drag over the last decade plus: Data by YCharts Using three index fund proxies in DIA, QQQ and SPY to represent the major market indexes vs. the small cap Russell 2000 proxy in VTWO, we can see small caps underperforming quite significantly. In this situation the other question would be, how is the risk adjusted return of small caps vs the large cap indexes? Sometimes lower standard deviations and adequate return can create a solid Sharpe Ratio for the risk adjusted return factor. Jan 2016 - YTD Portfolio Visualizer The Sharpe Ratio is calculated by dividing the excess average return over a period above the risk free rate and dividing that by the standard deviation. The standard deviation being how much a fund or stock moves above and below it's mean. A standard distribution curve estimates that 68% of the time these data points [in this case index funds] will stay within one standard deviation. In a perfect world we would like to just get the average every year. Unfortunately no world is perfect and returns are often very lumpy. VTWO, as a representative of small caps broadly, had the highest standard deviation [most volatile], lowest annualized CAGR and lowest Sharpe Ratio of the group at 0.49 this past decade. The Nasdaq 100, as represented by QQQ had the best risk adjusted return with a Sharpe Ratio of 0.94, followed by the S&P 500 proxy SPY at 0.84. The question here is, are small caps not worth owning at all? I wouldn't say that is the case at all. Owning the Dow came in next to last for these indexes on a risk adjusted basis at 0.73. Adding book y...
The World Health Organization insisted on Thursday that a deadly hantavirus outbreak on a cruise ship in the Atlantic did not mark the beginning of a Covid-like crisis. “This is not the start of an epidemic. This is not the start of a pandemic,” WHO epidemic and pandemic preparedness and prevention director Maria Van Kerkhove told reporters, insisting: “This is not Covid.” The WHO also said it exp...
The World Health Organization insisted on Thursday that a deadly hantavirus outbreak on a cruise ship in the Atlantic did not mark the beginning of a Covid-like crisis. “This is not the start of an epidemic. This is not the start of a pandemic,” WHO epidemic and pandemic preparedness and prevention director Maria Van Kerkhove told reporters, insisting: “This is not Covid.” The WHO also said it expected the outbreak on the MV Hondius, currently sailing from Cabo Verde (formerly known as Cape...
Panoramic Investment Advisors disclosed on May 6, 2026, a new position in Oaktree Specialty Lending (NASDAQ:OCSL) , acquiring 1,241,204 shares in an estimated $14.86 million trade based on average first-quarter 2026 pricing. Oaktree Specialty Lending provides tailored credit and capital solutions to middle-market companies across North America. According to a Securities and Exchange Commission (SE...
Panoramic Investment Advisors disclosed on May 6, 2026, a new position in Oaktree Specialty Lending (NASDAQ:OCSL) , acquiring 1,241,204 shares in an estimated $14.86 million trade based on average first-quarter 2026 pricing. Oaktree Specialty Lending provides tailored credit and capital solutions to middle-market companies across North America. According to a Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) filing dated May 6, 2026, Panoramic Investment Advisors initiated a new position in Oaktree Specialty Lending by purchasing 1,241,204 shares. The estimated transaction value is $14.86 million, based on the mean unadjusted closing price during the first quarter of 2026. At quarter’s end, the position was valued at $14.03 million, reflecting price movement during the period. Continue reading
designer491/iStock via Getty Images Fastly ( FSLY ) shares shed more than 35% of their value during Thursday trading, free falling after a first-quarter report that surpassed estimates but also demonstrated a slowdown in growth over the course of the year. Financial analysts were mostly neutral on the results. "The company raised full-year revenues modestly (to +15% YoY), but given 1Q revenue perf...
designer491/iStock via Getty Images Fastly ( FSLY ) shares shed more than 35% of their value during Thursday trading, free falling after a first-quarter report that surpassed estimates but also demonstrated a slowdown in growth over the course of the year. Financial analysts were mostly neutral on the results. "The company raised full-year revenues modestly (to +15% YoY), but given 1Q revenue performance (+20% YoY), it implies deceleration through the year," said Oppenheimer analysts Param Singh and Jake Heimowitz in an investor note. "The guide embeds double-digit traffic growth, partly offset by a mid-single-digit pricing headwind, for an expected 9-10% growth in delivery/network." Oppenheimer maintained its Perform rating on the stock as it awaits to see revenue benefits materialize from agentic AI traffic before turning bullish. "The disappointment was in the core delivery business that saw lower Q/Q volumes than most were expecting, as pricing remained stable (but will face tougher compares as we go throughout the year)," said Piper Sandler analysts, led by James Fish, in a note. "We are encouraged by Fastly getting larger minimum commitments, the competitive environment remaining fairly favorable, and even potential entry into the broader Inferencing-as-a-Service market , but we expect shares to be hampered by concerns around if growth has peaked already, especially as it trades at a premium on an EV/Rev/Growth basis compared to other growth-assets," Fish added. Piper Sandler reiterated its Neutral rating and reduced its price target to $27 from $30. Meanwhile, RBC Capital Markets maintained its Sector Perform rating and lowered its price target to $18 from $20. "Stepping back, Q1 was solid/we're encouraged by accelerating security growth and continued profitability improvements," said RBC analysts, led by Rishi Jaluria, in a note. "That said, we continue to look for signs of further stabilization in Network Services before becoming more constructive." Finally...
Dutch Bros (NYSE: BROS) stock tumbled 9.6% through 10:45 a.m. Thursday despite beating on Q1 earnings report last night. Analysts expected the coffee chain to earn $0.15 per share, pro forma, but the Bros poured out a $0.16 profit. Sales that were supposed to be $449.4 million came in at $464.4 instead. Image source: Getty Images. Continue reading
Dutch Bros (NYSE: BROS) stock tumbled 9.6% through 10:45 a.m. Thursday despite beating on Q1 earnings report last night. Analysts expected the coffee chain to earn $0.15 per share, pro forma, but the Bros poured out a $0.16 profit. Sales that were supposed to be $449.4 million came in at $464.4 instead. Image source: Getty Images. Continue reading
Latin American equities have quietly become one of the strongest regional trades of 2026, and three exchange-traded funds capture the move from very different angles. iShares MSCI Brazil ETF (NYSEARCA:EWZ) is up about 26% year to date on a wave of commodity strength and improving fiscal signals. iShares MSCI Mexico ETF (NYSEARCA:EWW) has added roughly ... How EWZ and EWW Investors Are Riding Commo...
Latin American equities have quietly become one of the strongest regional trades of 2026, and three exchange-traded funds capture the move from very different angles. iShares MSCI Brazil ETF (NYSEARCA:EWZ) is up about 26% year to date on a wave of commodity strength and improving fiscal signals. iShares MSCI Mexico ETF (NYSEARCA:EWW) has added roughly ... How EWZ and EWW Investors Are Riding Commodity and Supply Chain Tailwinds
Piper Sandler analyst James Fish lowered his price target on Fastly (NYSE:FSLY) stock to $27 from $30, while keeping a Neutral rating after a Q1 FY2026 print the firm described as “more in-line vs. expectations for a larger beat.” The price target cut landed as Fastly stock slid roughly 25% after-hours following the report. The ... Piper Sandler Cuts Fastly Price Target as Core Delivery Slowdown C...
Piper Sandler analyst James Fish lowered his price target on Fastly (NYSE:FSLY) stock to $27 from $30, while keeping a Neutral rating after a Q1 FY2026 print the firm described as “more in-line vs. expectations for a larger beat.” The price target cut landed as Fastly stock slid roughly 25% after-hours following the report. The ... Piper Sandler Cuts Fastly Price Target as Core Delivery Slowdown Crushes the Q1 Print
Markets can handle bad news. What they struggle with is uncertainty. That’s why investors have spent much of 2026 reacting just as much to geopolitical headlines as to earnings reports — from Iran tensions to tariff threats to the growing militarization of trade routes. Now President Donald Trump has opened another front investors may need ... Trump Says U.S. Ground Forces Will Fight Mexico’s Drug...
Markets can handle bad news. What they struggle with is uncertainty. That’s why investors have spent much of 2026 reacting just as much to geopolitical headlines as to earnings reports — from Iran tensions to tariff threats to the growing militarization of trade routes. Now President Donald Trump has opened another front investors may need ... Trump Says U.S. Ground Forces Will Fight Mexico’s Drug Cartels: ‘If They’re Not Gonna Do the Job, We Will.’
James Pintar/iStock via Getty Images I initiate coverage on Astera Labs ( ALAB ) with a strong buy, despite the fact that the stock sits at an uncomfortable point in the AI trade, as it’s no longer undiscovered (as noted by its forward P/E multiple of 72x). As the market is bidding up the semiconductor industry, I considered reviewing some of the names that I think may still have some “juice” left...
James Pintar/iStock via Getty Images I initiate coverage on Astera Labs ( ALAB ) with a strong buy, despite the fact that the stock sits at an uncomfortable point in the AI trade, as it’s no longer undiscovered (as noted by its forward P/E multiple of 72x). As the market is bidding up the semiconductor industry, I considered reviewing some of the names that I think may still have some “juice” left. By juice, I mean growth potential beyond the Street’s models. In fact, that’s how I first found out about Astera Labs, after I was screening stocks based on the highest analyst revenue revisions in the last 6-months. What caught my eye is the fact that the stock is up by “only” 31% in the last 6 months. I say only because the growth story of the company is nothing far from impressing. As I discuss in this piece, I am not that excited by the Amazon deal, as I see those warrants effectively acting as a customer discount program. That’s why my position in this stock is still small, as I favor some of its peers, like Marvell or Broadcom. Overall, I find the setup quite interesting. On one hand, I find the stock expensive, concentrated, and execution-sensitive (particularly for the Scorpio product line). On the other hand, it’s also one of the few public companies where the AI infrastructure thesis is moving through the income statement quickly enough to force estimate revisions. My rating is a cautious buy. Below, I explain why. Strong Q2 guidance and the 2H26 Scorpio ramp First, how do I know that the guidance for the second quarter was strong? First, the Street was looking at $309.7M in sales for Q2 vs the $360M guide. For reference, I considered including below the outlook (GAAP and non-GAAP) for the second quarter: Astera Labs Second, the Street revised (once again) its revenue models for the top line of the company after the Q1 print: KoyFin That jump in revisions after the Q1 print is exactly what I want to see in a growth stock. Why? Because it is my view that the shar...
The MacBook Neo might lose its most appealing trait thanks to the ongoing RAM shortage. According to analyst Tim Culpan , Apple could discontinue the budget-priced $599 base configuration of the Neo, leaving only the $699 model with 512GB of storage. Earlier this week, Apple similarly stopped selling the most affordable configuration of the Mac mini , effectively bumping its starting price up to $...
The MacBook Neo might lose its most appealing trait thanks to the ongoing RAM shortage. According to analyst Tim Culpan , Apple could discontinue the budget-priced $599 base configuration of the Neo, leaving only the $699 model with 512GB of storage. Earlier this week, Apple similarly stopped selling the most affordable configuration of the Mac mini , effectively bumping its starting price up to $799. In March, Apple removed the option for 512GB of RAM in the Mac Studio, likely also as a result of RAM shortages. Ironically, the MacBook Neo could face similar pricing changes because of its huge initial success. The Neo arrived right as the RA … Read the full story at The Verge.
Gold is shining, with the PHLX Gold/Silver Sector (^XAU) jumping roughly 4% as spot gold climbed 1.5% and silver ripped 6.5% higher. New York gold futures pushed above $4,750 an ounce, gaining roughly 1.6% to $4,771, as a sliding dollar, falling Treasury yields, and renewed optimism around U.S.-Iran peace talks reignited bullion demand. The PHLX ... Gold Surges Past $4,770 as Geopolitical Optimism...
Gold is shining, with the PHLX Gold/Silver Sector (^XAU) jumping roughly 4% as spot gold climbed 1.5% and silver ripped 6.5% higher. New York gold futures pushed above $4,750 an ounce, gaining roughly 1.6% to $4,771, as a sliding dollar, falling Treasury yields, and renewed optimism around U.S.-Iran peace talks reignited bullion demand. The PHLX ... Gold Surges Past $4,770 as Geopolitical Optimism Cools Inflation Fears