Key Points ASML just closed out a record 2025, but the stock's premium valuation leaves little room for error. Broadcom's artificial intelligence semiconductor revenue more than doubled in its most recent quarter. There's a clear winner when comparing the two AI stocks. 10 stocks we like better than Broadcom › The boom in artificial intelligence (AI) has pushed many semiconductor stocks to dizzyin...
Key Points ASML just closed out a record 2025, but the stock's premium valuation leaves little room for error. Broadcom's artificial intelligence semiconductor revenue more than doubled in its most recent quarter. There's a clear winner when comparing the two AI stocks. 10 stocks we like better than Broadcom › The boom in artificial intelligence (AI) has pushed many semiconductor stocks to dizzying heights over the last few years. Two of the most important companies enabling this technological shift are ASML (NASDAQ: ASML) and Broadcom (NASDAQ: AVGO). While ASML builds the complex lithography machines required to manufacture cutting-edge chips, Broadcom designs the critical networking silicon and custom accelerators that allow data centers to process massive AI workloads. Both companies are executing well and generating billions of dollars in profit. But when you compare their underlying business momentum to their current valuations, the choice for investors -- when comparing the two -- becomes surprisingly clear. 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 » ASML: A monopoly priced for perfection There is no denying that ASML is a phenomenal business. The Netherlands-based company virtually has a monopoly on extreme ultraviolet (EUV) lithography systems, which are essential for manufacturing the world's most advanced semiconductors. This dominant market position was on full display in the company's recent financial results. ASML reported total net sales for 2025 of 32.7 billion euros -- an increase of roughly 15% year over year. The company's bottom line also showed strength, with net income reaching 9.6 billion euros for the year, driving 28% year-over-year earnings-per-share growth. Further, the equipment manufacturer closed out 2025 with an incredible backlog of 38.8 billion euros, providing...
Earlier this week I interviewed Cathie Wood of Ark Invest for the Merryn Talks Money podcast. We talked about the great acceleration and convergence in technology. How artificial intelligence, robotics, energy storage and blockchains are becoming interdependent while changing our worlds faster than we thought possible. We talked driverless cars, data centers in space, reusable rockets, her ideas o...
Earlier this week I interviewed Cathie Wood of Ark Invest for the Merryn Talks Money podcast. We talked about the great acceleration and convergence in technology. How artificial intelligence, robotics, energy storage and blockchains are becoming interdependent while changing our worlds faster than we thought possible. We talked driverless cars, data centers in space, reusable rockets, her ideas on the revamping of the global monetary system (yes, it is all about Bitcoin) and the tokenization of everything. This stuff is exciting; tech brilliance is hugely energizing (you can listen to our chat on Monday) and makes for a pleasant change of pace from my standard chats with fund managers more interested in mildly beating benchmarks. But, all the fun aside, is this high flying stuff really the right thing for your portfolio right now? That’s another matter altogether. Markets have seemed remarkably relaxed this year. Even after three weeks of war and intense energy disruption, at the start of this week most developed markets were barely down on the year. Across the board, earnings forecasts for listed companies have barely budged. As Ed Yardeni notes, S&P 500 companies’ aggregate forward earnings rose to a record high last week of $328.80 per share. Sure, the latest Bank of America survey shows managers have cut their risk levels a little, but they are pretty confident in their companies and generally not as worried as they were after Donald Trump’s tariff rollout last April. The overall look? It has all been a bit “not much to see here.” If you genuinely expected the war in the Middle East to end fast, with the Strait of Hormuz quickly reopened, calm fully restored and no major damage to crucial bits of energy infrastructure, maybe that made some sense. But after a couple of weeks of bombs, missiles and drones, not to mention thousands dead across the region, that perspective is beginning to look overly optimistic . This week, markets are beginning to get it. The last...
智創未來｜冷暖穿著裝置 To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video 【有線新聞】極端氣候現象變得愈來愈普遍，天氣變化也更難以捉摸。有大專院校與初創企業合作，研發出一種冷暖調節衣物裝置，可適合在任何天氣穿著。這款產品不但注重...
智創未來｜冷暖穿著裝置 To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video 【有線新聞】極端氣候現象變得愈來愈普遍，天氣變化也更難以捉摸。有大專院校與初創企業合作，研發出一種冷暖調節衣物裝置，可適合在任何天氣穿著。這款產品不但注重時尚設計，更加入中醫理論，能夠有效地為身體降溫或保暖。
When Uzma Naveed discovered she was a finalist for a global award in Paris, it should have been the proudest moment of her life. Instead, she met the news with what she described as “mixed feelings”. The 37-year-old refugee from Pakistan was chosen from a pool of 1,500 nominees from 97 different jurisdictions for the “national impact” category of the 2026 Women Changing the World Awards, an annual...
When Uzma Naveed discovered she was a finalist for a global award in Paris, it should have been the proudest moment of her life. Instead, she met the news with what she described as “mixed feelings”. The 37-year-old refugee from Pakistan was chosen from a pool of 1,500 nominees from 97 different jurisdictions for the “national impact” category of the 2026 Women Changing the World Awards, an annual event meant to celebrate women’s achievements. Uzma, who first came to Hong Kong seeking asylum with her family in 2015, has spent recent years speaking about the experience of refugees in the city in a bid to build empathy among the public and help change the typically negative portrayal of her community. Advertisement But even as she pored over the details of the award, scheduled for April 21 to 24, a more sober reality set in – even though her case had been substantiated three years ago, her status in Hong Kong means she is not allowed to leave the city. “I was telling my friends that I couldn’t believe it. Me, a ‘woman changing the world,’ I’ve never thought of myself like that,” she told the South China Morning Post, describing the initial amazement she felt upon finding out she was a finalist. Advertisement “And then it just struck me – I cannot go,” she said, “and I wish I could go because this is one of the biggest opportunities for anyone to be seen in this kind of global forum.”
In late 2022, Syed Musheer Ahmed packed his bags and departed Hong Kong. The founder of fintech advisory firm FinStep Asia headed for Dubai, where he joined the founding team of the Gulf city’s new digital-asset regulator, Virtual Assets Regulatory Authority (VARA). Like many in Hong Kong’s crypto scene at the time, Ahmed was drawn by the Middle East’s regulatory clarity – a stark contrast to the ...
In late 2022, Syed Musheer Ahmed packed his bags and departed Hong Kong. The founder of fintech advisory firm FinStep Asia headed for Dubai, where he joined the founding team of the Gulf city’s new digital-asset regulator, Virtual Assets Regulatory Authority (VARA). Like many in Hong Kong’s crypto scene at the time, Ahmed was drawn by the Middle East’s regulatory clarity – a stark contrast to the uncertainty and Covid-19 restrictions still lingering in his adopted home. “Dubai came up as a good alternative” at that time, Ahmed recalled, noting that few places were offering crypto licensing for a large enough market then. Advertisement Now, Ahmed is back – and the Hong Kong he has returned to is very different from the one he left. 01:25 What’s the hype about stablecoins? What’s the hype about stablecoins? As Hong Kong’s Web3 regulations take shape and the city pushes to revive its digital-asset industry after a prolonged slump, Ahmed’s return reflects a broader shift. Industry insiders said Hong Kong now had a prime opportunity to leverage its unique status as a “superconnector” and provide the regulatory certainty that highly mobile crypto firms were searching for in a fragmented global landscape. Advertisement
This is the forum for daily political discussion on Seeking Alpha. A new version is published every market day. Please don't leave political comments on other articles or posts on the site. The comments below are not regulated with the same rigor as the rest of the site, and this is an 'enter at your own risk' area as discussion can get very heated. If you can't stand the heat... you know what the...
This is the forum for daily political discussion on Seeking Alpha. A new version is published every market day. Please don't leave political comments on other articles or posts on the site. The comments below are not regulated with the same rigor as the rest of the site, and this is an 'enter at your own risk' area as discussion can get very heated. If you can't stand the heat... you know what they say... More on Today's Markets: Moderation Guidelines: We remove comments under the following categories: Personal attacks on another user account Anti-Vaxxer or covid related misinformation Stereotyping, prejudiced or racist language about individuals or the topic under discussion. Inciting violence messages, encouraging hate groups and political violence. Regardless of which side of the political divide you find yourself, please be courteous and don't direct abuse at other users. For any issue with regards to comments please email us at : moderation@seekingalpha.com. Seeking Alpha's Disclosure: Past performance is no guarantee of future results. No recommendation or advice is being given as to whether any investment is suitable for a particular investor. Any views or opinions expressed above may not reflect those of Seeking Alpha as a whole. Seeking Alpha is not a licensed securities dealer, broker or US investment adviser or investment bank. Our analysts are third party authors that include both professional investors and individual investors who may not be licensed or certified by any institute or regulatory body.
AdrianHancu/iStock Editorial via Getty Images SLB N.V. ( SLB ) is the world's largest Oil & Gas Equipment and Services company. In recent weeks the stock has rallied significantly as the market has become excited about the new opportunity in Venezuela and as oil and gas prices have risen. Higher oil and gas prices are typically a leading indicator to higher production activity, which benefits oilf...
AdrianHancu/iStock Editorial via Getty Images SLB N.V. ( SLB ) is the world's largest Oil & Gas Equipment and Services company. In recent weeks the stock has rallied significantly as the market has become excited about the new opportunity in Venezuela and as oil and gas prices have risen. Higher oil and gas prices are typically a leading indicator to higher production activity, which benefits oilfield services companies. That said, as I research this article, SLB has just issued a press release saying its “revenue for the first quarter will be lower than expected, and the company expects to incur additional costs” from the unfolding situation in the Middle East. My thesis on SLB isn't about the first quarter of 2026. SLB turns 100 years old in 2026, and as the press release states, SLB “has dealt with numerous geopolitical crises throughout its 100-year history.” I am not brave enough to predict the next 100 years, but a quick back-of-the-envelope calculation suggests the next 100 years of free cash flow prices in essentially no growth. Taking the average of 2023, 2024, and 2025's full-year free cash flow, defined as cash flow from operations minus capital expenditures, gives us a $4.72 billion figure. Growing that at 2% per year and discounting at the weighted average cost of capital of 7.72% gives us an enterprise value of $83.7 billion. Today SLB has an enterprise value of just under $80 billion. SLB's average 10-year median WACC is 8.35%, so if we take around 8% WACC with an FCF growth rate of 2%, we get an enterprise value of $80 billion. Now, these are nominal numbers, growing at 2%. That's just like compensation for inflation, so in real terms, SLB's enterprise value is pricing in no growth whatsoever. At 100 years, we are discounting cash flows by 99.94%, so let's not worry too much about the present value of cash flows after 100 years. So, to be clear, SLB's current valuation is pricing in long-term free cash flow growth of only 2% per year in nominal terms...
The boom in artificial intelligence (AI) has pushed many semiconductor stocks to dizzying heights over the last few years. Two of the most important companies enabling this technological shift are ASML (ASML 3.60%) and Broadcom (AVGO 2.99%). While ASML builds the complex lithography machines required to manufacture cutting-edge chips, Broadcom designs the critical networking silicon and custom acc...
The boom in artificial intelligence (AI) has pushed many semiconductor stocks to dizzying heights over the last few years. Two of the most important companies enabling this technological shift are ASML (ASML 3.60%) and Broadcom (AVGO 2.99%). While ASML builds the complex lithography machines required to manufacture cutting-edge chips, Broadcom designs the critical networking silicon and custom accelerators that allow data centers to process massive AI workloads. Both companies are executing well and generating billions of dollars in profit. But when you compare their underlying business momentum to their current valuations, the choice for investors -- when comparing the two -- becomes surprisingly clear. ASML: A monopoly priced for perfection There is no denying that ASML is a phenomenal business. The Netherlands-based company virtually has a monopoly on extreme ultraviolet (EUV) lithography systems, which are essential for manufacturing the world's most advanced semiconductors. This dominant market position was on full display in the company's recent financial results. ASML reported total net sales for 2025 of 32.7 billion euros -- an increase of roughly 15% year over year. The company's bottom line also showed strength, with net income reaching 9.6 billion euros for the year, driving 28% year-over-year earnings-per-share growth. Further, the equipment manufacturer closed out 2025 with an incredible backlog of 38.8 billion euros, providing management with excellent visibility into future customer demand. Expand NASDAQ : ASML ASML Today's Change ( -3.60 %) $ -49.14 Current Price $ 1317.25 Key Data Points Market Cap $527B Day's Range $ 1291.10 - $ 1370.00 52wk Range $ 578.51 - $ 1547.22 Volume 2.6M Avg Vol 1.7M Gross Margin 52.80 % Dividend Yield 0.56 % Looking ahead, management expects the momentum to continue. For 2026, ASML guided for total net sales between 34 billion and 39 billion euros. At the midpoint, that implies 11.6% growth. But the problem for investors ...
It's been a brutal stretch for Nike (NKE 2.00%) shareholders. The stock has fallen sharply this year, bringing shares down to levels not seen in years. The athletic apparel and footwear giant has been grappling with intense competition from newer upstart brands and a challenging macroeconomic environment that has pressured discretionary spending. But despite the market's pessimism, the company's r...
It's been a brutal stretch for Nike (NKE 2.00%) shareholders. The stock has fallen sharply this year, bringing shares down to levels not seen in years. The athletic apparel and footwear giant has been grappling with intense competition from newer upstart brands and a challenging macroeconomic environment that has pressured discretionary spending. But despite the market's pessimism, the company's recently reported fiscal second-quarter results provided some glimmers of hope that a turnaround is taking root. So, with the stock down 18% in 2026 alone and about 56% over the past three years, even as the business is showing some signs that its turnaround is working, is this a buying opportunity? Let's take a closer look at the business to see whether this beaten-down stock might actually be a good opportunity. Wholesale momentum returns Nike's fiscal second quarter of 2026 (ended Nov. 30, 2025) showed a company that is beginning to stabilize its top line. Total revenue for the period was $12.4 billion -- up 1% year over year on a reported basis. This top-line performance represents a notable stabilization compared to recent quarters, where sales had been declining. The most encouraging detail from the quarter was the strength in Nike's wholesale channel. For years, the company aggressively prioritized its direct-to-consumer business, sometimes at the expense of its retail partners. But management has recently pivoted to repair those relationships. And the strategy appears to be working. Wholesale revenue in fiscal Q2 rose 8% year over year to $7.5 billion. "The geography that is leading the way for NIKE right now is North America," explained Nike chief financial officer Matthew Friend in the company's fiscal second-quarter earnings call. He noted that the team's effort to reconnect with partners led to "over 20% wholesale growth in North America with meaningful growth coming from existing partners." But the company still has some work to do with its direct-to-consumer bu...
Key Points Nike's wholesale revenue jumped 8% year over year in its most recent quarter. The company's gross profit margin contracted by 300 basis points. Trading near multi-year lows, the stock offers a historically high dividend yield. 10 stocks we like better than Nike › It's been a brutal stretch for Nike (NYSE: NKE) shareholders. The stock has fallen sharply this year, bringing shares down to...
Key Points Nike's wholesale revenue jumped 8% year over year in its most recent quarter. The company's gross profit margin contracted by 300 basis points. Trading near multi-year lows, the stock offers a historically high dividend yield. 10 stocks we like better than Nike › It's been a brutal stretch for Nike (NYSE: NKE) shareholders. The stock has fallen sharply this year, bringing shares down to levels not seen in years. The athletic apparel and footwear giant has been grappling with intense competition from newer upstart brands and a challenging macroeconomic environment that has pressured discretionary spending. But despite the market's pessimism, the company's recently reported fiscal second-quarter results provided some glimmers of hope that a turnaround is taking root. 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 » So, with the stock down 18% in 2026 alone and about 56% over the past three years, even as the business is showing some signs that its turnaround is working, is this a buying opportunity? Let's take a closer look at the business to see whether this beaten-down stock might actually be a good opportunity. Wholesale momentum returns Nike's fiscal second quarter of 2026 (ended Nov. 30, 2025) showed a company that is beginning to stabilize its top line. Total revenue for the period was $12.4 billion -- up 1% year over year on a reported basis. This top-line performance represents a notable stabilization compared to recent quarters, where sales had been declining. The most encouraging detail from the quarter was the strength in Nike's wholesale channel. For years, the company aggressively prioritized its direct-to-consumer business, sometimes at the expense of its retail partners. But management has recently pivoted to repair those relationships. And the strategy appears to be working...
M.photostock/iStock via Getty Images In 2016, I made a life-changing decision: I took a sabbatical, put my family in a small RV, and we drove all the way to Costa Rica. Upon my return in 2017, I officially quit my job as a private banker at National Bank and started working full-time on my baby: Dividend Stocks Rock. I also decided to manage my pension account held at the National Bank. I’ve built...
M.photostock/iStock via Getty Images In 2016, I made a life-changing decision: I took a sabbatical, put my family in a small RV, and we drove all the way to Costa Rica. Upon my return in 2017, I officially quit my job as a private banker at National Bank and started working full-time on my baby: Dividend Stocks Rock. I also decided to manage my pension account held at the National Bank. I’ve built and managed this portfolio publicly since 2017 to create and track a real-life case study. In August 2017, I received $108,760.02 in a locked retirement account. Locked means I can’t add capital to the account, and growth is only generated through capital gains and dividends. I don’t report this portfolio’s results to brag about my returns or to suggest you follow my lead. My purpose has been solely to share with our members how I manage my portfolio with all the good and the bad that inevitably takes place each month. I hope you have learned and will continue to learn from my experiences managing this portfolio. The Two Forces Reshaping Your Portfolio Right Now I’m gone for a week on a quick break, and now it costs me $30 more to fuel my Jeep. What went wrong? There is a lot of noise these days. More than usual. I know because I receive more emails than usual (keep them coming!). Two major forces are hitting the market simultaneously, and I want to cut through the chaos and give you a clear framework for what this means for your portfolio. Here is what we are dealing with: AI is disrupting entire sectors, and the market is repricing stocks fast. The war in Iran has sent oil prices surging past $110 a barrel (for a split second), and inflation is back on the table. Neither of these is a reason to panic. Both require a clear head and a process. Let’s go over these events one at a time. But first, the results! Performance in Review Let’s start with the numbers as of March 9, 2026 (before the bell): Original amount invested in September 2017 (no additional capital added): $10...
Dmitry Vinogradov/iStock Editorial via Getty Images We have maintained a position in Intercontinental Exchange ( ICE ) for years, and it aligns with our investment philosophy perfectly. It has a wide moat and operates as a natural single seller in the financial markets. The business model is capital-light, where growing revenue quickly translates into free cash flow (FCF). ICE has declined signifi...
Dmitry Vinogradov/iStock Editorial via Getty Images We have maintained a position in Intercontinental Exchange ( ICE ) for years, and it aligns with our investment philosophy perfectly. It has a wide moat and operates as a natural single seller in the financial markets. The business model is capital-light, where growing revenue quickly translates into free cash flow (FCF). ICE has declined significantly from its August highs and is caught in a perfect storm of events . Between the AI-driven software sell-off , conflict in Iran, and inflation fears picking up, we believe this is the perfect opportunity to reassess a high-quality company trading at a discount from a year ago (P/E, EV/EBIT). We will first take a look at the durability of ICE's competitive advantages through this sell-off and then proceed with creating a DCF model to quantify the value of the company. Data by YCharts Data by YCharts Data by YCharts Competitive Advantages ICE has, through acquisitions and strategic decisions, carved out an immense competitive edge in the market over the past decades . Its three business segments all contain durable competitive advantages; some are highlighted below: Exchange & Clearing Network Effect: ICE dominates the global regulated exchanges, leveraging century-old brand names like the NYSE. The competitive edge is not only massive barriers to entry, but also the self-reinforcing network effect. Deep market liquidity creates tighter spreads and attracts more participants, thus generating even more liquidity. By controlling the clearinghouses, the company creates high switching costs for its participants, as contracts bought need to be sold in the same market. This ecosystem has granted ICE a near 90% market share in the energy derivative markets. Mortgage Infrastructure: ICE has, through a series of strategic acquisitions like Ellie Mae and Black Knight , built an ecosystem that is unparalleled in the financial markets. The massive cash flow from its operations is us...
Richard Drury/DigitalVision via Getty Images By Elior Manier Week in review – A new market order After all these talks throughout the beginning of the year about a New World Order, what fundamentally changed was the actual shift in market pricing, which came progressively since the late January FOMC and kept looming over investors until this fateful week. This week marked a new turn in central ban...
Richard Drury/DigitalVision via Getty Images By Elior Manier Week in review – A new market order After all these talks throughout the beginning of the year about a New World Order, what fundamentally changed was the actual shift in market pricing, which came progressively since the late January FOMC and kept looming over investors until this fateful week. This week marked a new turn in central banking, with no less than 8 rate decisions across majors, including the Bank of Japan, Bank of England, Royal Bank of Australia, the People's Bank of China, the Federal Reserve, Bank of Canada, the Swiss National Bank, and the European Central Bank. The verdict? Only one actual change: a rate hike for the RBA. But the true verdict was the swift repricing for hikes all around the globe, which brought headwinds to virtually all asset classes. Add to it longer expectations for the ongoing US-Iran-Israel War, and you get a spicy combo. Prediction-Markets War Ending Date – Source: Polymarket – March 20, 2026 Neither stocks, metals, nor bonds eat spicy, so they all puked. Global assets were only temporarily rejoicing in more optimistic hopes for the war just yesterday (Thursday 19th), but that faded quickly with President Trump's latest plan to occupy Iran's Kharg Island to apply pressure on Iran to stop blocking the Strait of Hormuz. The idea shouldn't be too bad for markets, but the issue here is that this would lengthen the Iran operations much longer. Strait of Hormuz Traffic – Source: Hormuz Strait Monitor – March 20, 2026 Traffic is barely picking up after 20 days of conflict, and many large importers like Japan, India, and South Korea (including many others) are facing heavy pressure. The largest market visualization for such is the widening spreads between WTI (North American) and Brent (London) crude. WTI vs Brent Spread – Source: Barron – March 20, 2026 After the FOMC meeting, which was neither hawkish nor dovish all things considered, Fed members have started to reappear...
Key Points Oil shocks have led to recessions in the past. There are other concerning signs for the economy, such as a weak labor market. Over the long term, the S&P 500 has always returned to all-time highs. 10 stocks we like better than S&P 500 Index › We're now three weeks into the war in Iran, and the signs for the global economy continue to look worse. In the last few days, Israel and Iran hav...
Key Points Oil shocks have led to recessions in the past. There are other concerning signs for the economy, such as a weak labor market. Over the long term, the S&P 500 has always returned to all-time highs. 10 stocks we like better than S&P 500 Index › We're now three weeks into the war in Iran, and the signs for the global economy continue to look worse. In the last few days, Israel and Iran have traded on key energy infrastructure, causing another spike in oil and natural gas prices. As of March 20, Brent crude oil, the global benchmark, was trading around $105 a barrel, up 50% from where it was before the war broke out. 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 » It's unclear how long oil prices will remain elevated. That depends on whether the Strait of Hormuz reopens and what lasting damage there is to energy infrastructure in the Gulf region. Stocks have already started to pull back in response to the war. The S&P 500 (SNPINDEX: ^GSPC) is down 5% so far this month, and just finished its fourth straight losing week, and the Nasdaq Composite is approaching correction territory, defined as a pullback of 10% or more. This isn't the first time that oil prices have spiked rapidly in modern history, and it makes sense for investors to consider what the typical impact is. Let's take a look at what's happened to the stock market when oil prices have soared at other times. Why a bear market could be coming Since the oil crisis of 1973, there have been seven periods when oil has spiked 40% or more. Those include: The 1973 oil crisis, driven by the Arab oil embargo in response to the Yom Kippur War The 1979 oil crisis caused by the Iranian Revolution A brief spike in 1990 after Iraq invaded Kuwait 1999-2000 from OPEC production cuts A surge in 2007-2008, driven by speculation ahead of the global fi...
BlackJack3D/iStock via Getty Images Planet Labs ( PL ), an earth imaging company, just reported its Fiscal Q4-2026 earnings results. The stock is soaring in after-hours trading, up 14.4% as I write this, and for good reason. PL's results came in well ahead of expectations. Q4 revenue (for the period ended January 2026) grew 41% year-over-year to $86.8 million, beating the $78.17 million consensus ...
BlackJack3D/iStock via Getty Images Planet Labs ( PL ), an earth imaging company, just reported its Fiscal Q4-2026 earnings results. The stock is soaring in after-hours trading, up 14.4% as I write this, and for good reason. PL's results came in well ahead of expectations. Q4 revenue (for the period ended January 2026) grew 41% year-over-year to $86.8 million, beating the $78.17 million consensus estimate. Analysts' Q4 FY2026 Revenue Estimates For Planet Labs (Seeking Alpha) Meanwhile, Q4 non-GAAP EPS was $0.00, which was ahead of the -$0.05 consensus and an improvement compared to Q4-2025's non-GAAP EPS of -$0.02. Analysts' Q4 FY2026 EPS Estimates For Planet Labs (Seeking Alpha) Even more important, the company's FY2027 revenue forecast is $415-440 million. At the midpoint, that's 13.25% higher than the $377.5 million that analysts were expecting. It also implies a ~38.9% increase for the full year when compared to Fiscal 2026 revenues of $307.7 million. Planet Labs' 25.9% revenue growth for Fiscal 2026 (shown below) is an acceleration compared to Fiscal 2025's growth rate of 10.7%, and the new revenue guidance suggests even more acceleration. Planet Labs' Revenue Growth History (Author Using Company Financials) The backlog is exploding, too. It grew 79% for the full year to $900.4 million, and the SEC filing states that 37% of it will be recognized within 12 months, while 67% will be recognized within 24 months, and the rest after. Planet Labs' Backlog Growth (PL's Q4-2026 Investor Presentation) For all the company's growth, it's good to see that Fiscal 2026 was an FCF-positive year, with free cash flow of $52.865 million compared to a negative $63.99 million in Fiscal 2025 and more losses in the prior years. Management also stated during the earnings call that it expects to have positive FCF again this year, although an actual number wasn't given. Planet Labs' Free Cash Flow (PL's Q4-2026 Investor Presentation) On top of all this, the stock has a Strong Buy ratin...
cokada/iStock via Getty Images The iShares MSCI Brazil ETF ( EWZ ) gives investors a dedicated play on the large- and mid-cap stocks of Brazil, thus placing investors firmly at the crossroads of emerging market volatility and the most resource-rich economy in Latin America. Brazil is rapidly emerging as a favorable trading partner for both China and the EU, while the monetary easing cycle is just ...
cokada/iStock via Getty Images The iShares MSCI Brazil ETF ( EWZ ) gives investors a dedicated play on the large- and mid-cap stocks of Brazil, thus placing investors firmly at the crossroads of emerging market volatility and the most resource-rich economy in Latin America. Brazil is rapidly emerging as a favorable trading partner for both China and the EU, while the monetary easing cycle is just beginning and presents a significant potential tailwind for Brazilian capital markets. Data by YCharts My main goal will be reviewing these factors, the fund characteristics, as well as valuation risks, and coming to a conclusion. The Fund The iShares MSCI Brazil ETF has a goal to provide exposure to a broad range of companies in the Brazilian equity market. The ETF passively tracks the benchmark MSCI Brazil 25/50 Index , which is designed to track the performance of approximately 85% of the free-float-adjusted market cap in Brazil. The weighting methodology is market cap based, and around three quarters of the holdings are classified as large cap (above $10 billion), and 20% are mid-cap companies, with a market cap between $2 billion and $10 billion. The total number of companies constituents is 46. The fund is not currency hedged, so the investors face currency risk. The 25/50 Concentration Constraint in the name of the index means that the maximum weight any single issuer can have is 25%, and the cumulative weight of all issuers with weight above 5% cannot exceed 50%. Regarding the fund itself, the expense ratio is 59 basis points, and it earns a C Seeking Alpha Expense grade. Liquidity is excellent, with an average daily dollar volume on a 3-month basis around $1.35 billion and an AUM of $9.2 billion, ranking it with an A+ Seeking Alpha Liquidity grade. The fund's dividend profile is satisfactory, with an above-average dividend yield of 4.2% and a track record of 25 years of consecutive dividend payments. A positive trait from a diversification point of view is the fund...