Market Signal Briefing

Journalist

Posted: December 27, 2025

Bitcoin has continued to trend lower on the back of selling pressure building across the market. In fact, the world’s largest cryptocurrency is now well off its all-time high of close to $126k, with BTC valued at $87.4k at press time.

However, selling pressure might be fading now. Structural patterns point to exhaustion, while improving liquidity conditions suggest capital could begin to re-enter the market. Such a shift would also strengthen the broader recovery outlook.

Bitcoin hits structural exhaustion
Bitcoin’s [BTC] recent decline has been driven by several converging bearish factors that struck the market in succession.

The downturn began on 29 October, following a major liquidation cascade that forced approximately $19 billion out of the market.

This was reinforced by a hawkish Federal Open Market Committee outlook. It pushed institutional investors to reduce exposure, resulting in a record $903 million Bitcoin outflow.

According to 10xResearch, this environment pushed investors towards assets with stronger near-term return potential. This likely explains the recent rallies in traditional safe-haven assets such as gold and silver, both of which hit record highs.

Source: 10xResearch

Despite this backdrop, however, market analysis now suggests Bitcoin may be approaching a bullish inflection point and could attempt a multi-week recovery.

In fact, structural patterns at press time indicated that a breakout above the descending resistance trendline could trigger a renewed upside move.

Will conditions support a rebound?
There is a high probability that Bitcoin stages a rebound as the market approaches the new year.

Consider this – Milk Road’s recent analysis compared one-year inflation swaps with the five-year forward breakeven five-year inflation swap and highlighted a widening divergence in long-term inflation expectations.

According to the report, this divergence could turn constructive for Bitcoin, even though such setups are relatively rare.

“Inflation is likely to cool through the first half of 2026, giving the Fed room to cut rates further.”

Source : MilkRoad

Cooling inflation would likely return liquidity to risk assets such as Bitcoin. That being said, persistent long-term inflation risks could still limit the pace of capital inflows.

Milk Road also noted that the recent U.S government shutdown drained liquidity from markets. Even so, the firm emphasized that recovery odds remain elevated. It added that reverse repo management could see the Federal Reserve inject up to $40 billion into markets monthly through April.

Finally, the analysis pointed out that quantitative easing has begun. If inflation continues to ease, additional rate cuts could follow – A development that would likely increase capital flows into crypto markets.

Spot investors remain active
Finally, spot investors have continued to accumulate Bitcoin despite recent price weakness – Signaling underlying demand.

Data from CoinGlass revealed that since the first week of December, spot market participants have consistently added to their holdings. In fact, total spot purchases over the past four weeks now amount to approximately $3.72 billion.

Source: CoinGlass

Sustained spot accumulation, combined with improving macro and structural conditions, could support Bitcoin’s recovery. This will also increase the likelihood of a move back towards its previous all-time high of $126,000.

Final Thoughts

Bitcoin’s structural pattern revealed signs of exhaustion, supporting the likelihood of a relief rally.
Inflation and employment data suggested liquidity could rotate back into financial markets during the first half of 2026.

Five more days left on X, he said.

Citing the overall direction X (formerly Twitter) is heading, IOHK’s leader, Charles Hoskinson, said he would be leaving the platform in less than a week, when a “digital twin” takes over the account.

He didn’t give any further details about his replacement to his million followers on X, but promised to do so in the first YouTube stream of the new year.

Five more days on X.

Come January, a digital twin takes over this account—I’ll explain what that means on the first YouTube stream of the new year.

Where to find me: Midnight Discord for weekly AMAs, YouTube for livestreams, and the long-form writing I’ve owed myself for a… pic.twitter.com/QnDMNqZ5DM

— Charles Hoskinson (@IOHK_Charles) December 27, 2025

Hoskinson to Leave X?
Starting from January 1, Hoskinson’s fan base will be able to engage with him on Midnight Discord for weekly AMAs, YouTube for livestreams, and he also said he will focus on long-form writing that has been a decade in the making.

The person behind Cardano and, in parts, Ethereum believes X “rewards outrage,” while the work that they are building, including Africa, Midnight 1.0, and Cardano governance, “rewards building.”

The comments below his post were split. Some were quick to praise his move, agreeing that this is a decision many are “contemplating, given the direction of the platform.” Others were a bit more dismissive, saying that Hoskinson didn’t have to announce his departure as X is not an airport.

ADA Price Impact?
Hoskinson’s most important engagements on X have sometimes impacted the price of ADA, including on multiple occasions last year when he said he would work with the Trump administration in 2026 to establish clear crypto regulations. Or, when he hinted that Cardano might partner with Elon Musk’s SpaceX. Both of these led to immediate double-digit price pumps.

You may also like:

Santiment: Crypto Bloodbath Is Creating Major Buy Zones for BTC, ETH

Cardano Holder Loses 87% of $6.9M in Botched USDA Swap

Cardano (ADA) News Today: September 4th

The situation now seems rather different, though. He has taken sabbaticals from X in the past, which didn’t really affect ADA. Even if he doesn’t return this time, he would still be available on other platforms.

Nevertheless, ADA has been dropping hard in the past several months. It’s down by over 5% weekly and 18% monthly, and sits well below the cycle peak of over $1, currently trading at $0.35.

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HomeETFs and Funds AnalysisETF Analysis

SummaryThe Unusual Whales Subversive Democratic Trading ETF systematically mirrors trades disclosed by Democratic members of Congress and their spouses.NANC's outperformance since inception stems from heavy, disclosure-driven allocations to Big Tech leaders like Nvidia, Microsoft, Alphabet, Amazon, and Apple.Momentum could persist if AI-driven tech spending remains dominant, but high concentration and lagged disclosures pose structural risks.Potential regulatory changes restricting lawmakers’ trading or shifts in political dynamics could undermine NANC’s core strategy and future performance. arlutz73/iStock Editorial via Getty Images

I don't know about you, but I personally find it HILARIOUS (and disturbing) that apparently all it takes to beat the stock market is to monitor the trades of politicians. Not a day goes by where on X

Analyst’s Disclosure:I/we have no stock, option or similar derivative position in any of the companies mentioned, and no plans to initiate any such positions within the next 72 hours. I wrote this article myself, and it expresses my own opinions. I am not receiving compensation for it (other than from Seeking Alpha). I have no business relationship with any company whose stock is mentioned in this article.

The Lead-Lag Report is provided by Lead-Lag Publishing, LLC. All opinions and views mentioned in this report constitute our judgments as of the date of writing and are subject to change at any time. Information within this material is not intended to be used as a primary basis for investment decisions, and should also not be construed as advice meeting the particular investment needs of any individual investor. Trading signals produced by the Lead-Lag Report are independent of other services provided by Lead-Lag Publishing, LLC, or its affiliates, and the positioning of accounts under their management may differ. Please remember that investing involves risk, including loss of principal, and past performance may not be indicative of future results. Lead-Lag Publishing, LLC, its members, officers, directors, and employees expressly disclaim all liability with respect to actions taken based on any or all of the information in this writing.

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.

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SummaryMicron Technology (MU) has transformed from a cyclical commodity player into a structurally defensible leader in the memory semiconductor oligopoly.MU's Q4 FY25 results showed record-high gross (46%), operating (35%), and net (31%) margins, driven by high-margin HBM and limited price competition.The company's hybrid EUV and deep ultraviolet lithography strategy, capital efficiency, and accumulated expertise create a widening moat against competitors.Fair value for MU is estimated at $251.12, offering 43.9% upside, with risks mitigated by diversified HBM demand and a fast-follower innovation approach.Editor's note: Seeking Alpha is proud to welcome Vega North as a new contributing analyst. You can become one too! Share your best investment idea by submitting your article for review to our editors. Get published, earn money, and unlock exclusive SA Premium access.

Analyst’s Disclosure:I/we have no stock, option or similar derivative position in any of the companies mentioned, and no plans to initiate any such positions within the next 72 hours. I wrote this article myself, and it expresses my own opinions. I am not receiving compensation for it (other than from Seeking Alpha). I have no business relationship with any company whose stock is mentioned in this article.

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.

This tech stock impressed investors in 2025, as it delivered soaring revenue and substantial profits.

AppLovin (APP 1.88%) has been one of the market's biggest winners in 2025, with the tech stock up 120% year to date as of this writing. The move comes as the advertising technology company has not only delivered impressive top-line growth but soaring profits.

Why should investors care?

Because the same set of facts can lead to two different conclusions for investors: The business looks meaningfully stronger than it did a year ago, but the price investors are being asked to pay now is much less forgiving.

AppLovin is a classic example of a great business with an unattractive stock.

Image source: Getty Images.

What powered AppLovin's 2025 run
Results are even more impressive when looking at AppLovin's year-to-date quarterly results in aggregate. Trailng-9-month revenue as of Sept. 30 was about $3.8 billion, up 72% year over year. And the company earned over $2.2 billion of net income (up 128% year over year) on these sales. Adjusted EBITDA for the period rose 90% year over year to $3.1 billion.

With this being said, one detail investors should not gloss over is the direction of growth. Third-quarter revenue growth of 68% was still fast, but it was lower than the 77% year-over-year growth AppLovin posted in the second quarter.

Still, the broader takeaway is clear: in 2025, AppLovin has looked less like a niche ad-tech name and more like a scaled platform with unusual profitability.

An unforgiving valuation
When a stock more than doubles, the question is rarely whether the company is doing well. In this case, AppLovin is firing on all cylinders. The harder part is whether the current price leaves any room for error.

With a price-to-sales ratio of about 40 and a price-to-earnings ratio of 50 as of this writing, investors clearly expect strong growth to persist.

While there's no indication that growth will come down substantially anytime soon, it is worth noting that management expects a further deceleration in Q4. AppLovin guided to revenue of $1.57 billion to $1.60 billion and adjusted EBITDA of $1.29 billion to $1.32 billion. That guidance implies 57% to 60% year-over-year revenue growth -- impressive but a marked deceleration from 68% growth in Q3.

AppLovin's bulls would likely point out that the company's initiatives to ramp up capabilities for self-service advertisers could help the company keep its growth rates high. But it may take time for these efforts to move the needle.

"We're already seeing spend from these self-service advertisers grow around roughly 50% week-over-week," said AppLovin CEO Adam Foroughi in the company's third-quarter earnings call. Though he also noted that it's "too soon for this to be significant..." and proceeded to acknowledge that it does show promise for the platform's potential success in "being an open platform to any type of advertiser."

Given the stock's high valuation, investors should proceed carefully. The valuation leaves very little room for error. Adding in the risks facing any advertising platform business, such as how an uncertain macroeconomic environment could reduce advertiser budgets, or how technological changes can impact ad tracking and measurement, narrows the margin for error further.

Even so, there's a lot to like. AppLovin is executing, and the guidance suggests this momentum will continue. But given the stock's big run-up, staying on the sidelines and hoping for a better price is probably wise.

, /PRNewswire/ -- ClaimsFiler, a FREE shareholder information service, reminds investors that they have until January 26, 2026 to file lead plaintiff applications in a securities class action lawsuit against Sprouts Farmers Market, Inc. ("Sprouts" or the "Company") (NasdaqGS: SFM), if they purchased or otherwise acquired the Company's securities between June 4, 2025 and October 29, 2025, inclusive (the "Class Period"). This action is pending in the United States District Court for the District of Arizona.

Get Help

Sprouts investors should visit us at https://claimsfiler.com/cases/nasdaq-sfm-2/ or call toll-free (844) 367-9658. Lawyers at Kahn Swick & Foti, LLC are available to discuss your legal options.

About the Lawsuit

Sprouts and certain of its executives are charged with failing to disclose material information during the Class Period, violating federal securities laws.

On October 29, 2025, the Company announced its third quarter fiscal 2025 results, disclosing comparable stores sales growth below expectations as well as disappointing fourth quarter guidance and cuts to its full year estimates, despite raising them only one quarter prior, due to "challenging year-on-year comparisons as well as signs of a softening consumer."

On this news, the price of Sprouts' shares fell from a closing market price of $104.55 per share on October 29, 2025 to $77.25 per share on October 30, 2025, a decline of about 26.11% in the span of just a single day.

The case is Singh Family Revocable Trust u/a dtd 02/18/2019 v. Sprouts Farmers Market, Inc., et al., No. 25-cv-04416.

About ClaimsFiler

ClaimsFiler has a single mission: to serve as the information source to help retail investors recover their share of billions of dollars from securities class action settlements. At ClaimsFiler.com, investors can: (1) register for free to gain access to information and settlement websites for various securities class action cases so they can timely submit their own claims; (2) upload their portfolio transactional data to be notified about relevant securities cases in which they may have a financial interest; and (3) submit inquiries to the Kahn Swick & Foti, LLC law firm for free case evaluations.

To learn more about ClaimsFiler, visit www.claimsfiler.com.

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, /PRNewswire/ -- ClaimsFiler, a FREE shareholder information service, reminds investors that they have until February 2, 2026 to file lead plaintiff applications in a securities class action lawsuit against Bitdeer Technologies Group ("Bitdeer" or the "Company") (NasdaqCM: BTDR), if they purchased or otherwise acquired the Company's securities between June 6, 2024 and November 10, 2025, inclusive (the "Class Period"). This action is pending in the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York.

Get Help

Bitdeer investors should visit us at https://claimsfiler.com/cases/nasdaq-btdr/ or call toll-free (844) 367-9658. Lawyers at Kahn Swick & Foti, LLC are available to discuss your legal options.

About the Lawsuit

Bitdeer and certain of its executives are charged with failing to disclose material information during the Class Period, violating federal securities laws.

On November 10, 2025, despite prior positive statements to investors regarding its research and technology roadmap for its SEALMINER Bitcoin mining machine, the Company announced its financial results for the third quarter of 2025, disclosing a net loss that had widened to $266.7 million or $1.28 per share, due to increased operating expenses related to the "R&D of our ASICs roadmap."

On this news, the price of Bitdeer's shares fell from a closing market price of $17.65 per share on November 10, 2025 to $15.02 per share on November 11, 2025, a decline of more than 14%.

The case is Ismail N. Sakar v. Bitdeer Technologies Group, et al., No. 25-cv-10069.

About ClaimsFiler

ClaimsFiler has a single mission: to serve as the information source to help retail investors recover their share of billions of dollars from securities class action settlements. At ClaimsFiler.com, investors can: (1) register for free to gain access to information and settlement websites for various securities class action cases so they can timely submit their own claims; (2) upload their portfolio transactional data to be notified about relevant securities cases in which they may have a financial interest; and (3) submit inquiries to the Kahn Swick & Foti, LLC law firm for free case evaluations.

To learn more about ClaimsFiler, visit www.claimsfiler.com.

SOURCE ClaimsFiler

, /PRNewswire/ -- ClaimsFiler, a FREE shareholder information service, reminds investors that they have until February 9, 2026 to file lead plaintiff applications in a securities class action lawsuit against Integer Holdings Corporation ("Integer" or the "Company") (NYSE: ITGR), if they purchased or otherwise acquired the Company's shares between July 25, 2024 and October 22, 2025, inclusive (the "Class Period"). This action is pending in the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York.

Get Help

Integer Holdings investors should visit us at https://claimsfiler.com/cases/nyse-itgr/ or call toll-free (844) 367-9658. Lawyers at Kahn Swick & Foti, LLC are available to discuss your legal options.

About the Lawsuit

Integer and certain of its executives are charged with failing to disclose material information during the Class Period, violating federal securities laws.

On October 23, 2025, the Company disclosed a lower full-year 2025 sales guidance to a range between $1.840 billion and $1.854 billion, well short of analysts' estimates, as well as expected net sales growth of -2% to 2% and organic sales growth of 0% and 4% for the full year of 2026, among other things, due to the market adoption of its products being slower than anticipated.

On this news, the price of Integer's shares fell $35.22 per share, or more than 32%, from a closing price of $109.11 per share on October 22, 2025, to a closing price of $73.89 per share on October 23, 2025.

The case is West Palm Beach Firefighters' Pension Fund v. Integer Holdings Corporation, et al., No. 25-cv-10251.

About ClaimsFiler

ClaimsFiler has a single mission: to serve as the information source to help retail investors recover their share of billions of dollars from securities class action settlements. At ClaimsFiler.com, investors can: (1) register for free to gain access to information and settlement websites for various securities class action cases so they can timely submit their own claims; (2) upload their portfolio transactional data to be notified about relevant securities cases in which they may have a financial interest; and (3) submit inquiries to the Kahn Swick & Foti, LLC law firm for free case evaluations.

To learn more about ClaimsFiler, visit www.claimsfiler.com.

SOURCE ClaimsFiler

Analyst’s Disclosure:I/we have no stock, option or similar derivative position in any of the companies mentioned, but may initiate a beneficial Long position through a purchase of the stock, or the purchase of call options or similar derivatives in ANGI over the next 72 hours. I wrote this article myself, and it expresses my own opinions. I am not receiving compensation for it (other than from Seeking Alpha). I have no business relationship with any company whose stock is mentioned in this article.

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.

A sell-off presents an opportunity for investors.

Heading into 2026, the stock market is coming off one of its best three-year runs in history, up roughly 75%.

The AI boom that kicked off with the Nov. 2022 launch of ChatGPT has led to some concerns about a bubble in AI, and the S&P 500 is now trading at a historically high price-to-earnings ratio. In such an environment, finding a growth stock isn't so easy. Ideally, investors will want to find a company that not only offers strong long-term growth potential but also trades at a reasonable valuation.

One such stock that fits the bill is MercadoLibre (MELI +0.50%), the Latin American e-commerce leader, whose business covers verticals like fintech and logistics, and if you're looking to invest $2,000, then you have just enough to afford one share as the stock is trading at $1,998 a share as of Dec. 26. MercadoLibre has already made early investors rich. Keep reading to see why it still has a lot of growth potential.

Image source: MercadoLibre.

A track record of success
MercadoLibre has long been a top growth stock on the market. In fact, since its 2007 IPO, the stock is up 6,950%, which is based on its closing price from that day. However, based on its $18 IPO price, the stock has returned more than 100 times to IPO buyers. The chart below shows the performance.

MELI data by YCharts

MercadoLibre has delivered those kinds of results through consistently high revenue growth and a business model that has reinforced the company's competitive advantages as it's scaled up. Much like Amazon, the company has layered on complementary businesses such as MercadoPago, its fintech business, MercadoEnvios, its logistics business, and MercadoCredito, a financing business, to find success.

However, as you can see from the chart below, MercadoLibre is now down 23% from its peak in June as the stock has struggled.

Among the investor concerns that have weighed on the stock are increasing competition from the likes of Amazon, Temu, and Sea Holdings' Shopee. That's led to margin compression at MercadoLibre as it's had to offer shipping discounts in order to protect its market share.

In the third quarter, MercadoLibre's revenue jumped 39% to $7.4 billion, which marked its 27th consecutive quarter with revenue growth above 30%. However, its operating margin fell to 9.8% due to investments like lowering the free shipping threshold in Brazil, ramping up spending on the first-party e-commerce business, investing in social commerce, and expanding its credits business.

Today's Change

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Current Price

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2008.27

Why MercadoLibre is a top buy for 2026
The margin and competitive concerns facing MercadoLibre are valid, but they aren't entirely new. Amazon has been operating in Brazil for years, as has Shopee, though both companies are making a renewed push in the market.

However, MercadoLibre's consistently strong revenue growth and advantages include its MELI+ membership program, which offers a package of benefits similar to Amazon Prime.

There's also enough room in the market for more than one company to be successful. Management said that e-commerce penetration rates are still in just the mid-teens in Latin America, and even lower in fintech, giving it a long runway of growth as it can take market share from traditional forms of retail and banking.

After the recent pullback, the stock has also gotten more affordable, trading at a price-to-earnings ratio of 49. MercadoLibre has bounced back from adversity before, and the business is strong enough to recover again. Wall Street, meanwhile, expects margins to expand in 2026 as products like its credit card in Brazil begin to mature.

Overall, taking advantage of the recent sell-off in MercadoLibre looks like a smart move as the Latin American superstar still has a long growth path ahead of it.

Analyst’s Disclosure:I/we have no stock, option or similar derivative position in any of the companies mentioned, and no plans to initiate any such positions within the next 72 hours. I wrote this article myself, and it expresses my own opinions. I am not receiving compensation for it (other than from Seeking Alpha). I have no business relationship with any company whose stock is mentioned in this article.

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.

Director Edward Harris Fenster sold 32,787 shares for a transaction value of $655,740.00 on Dec. 22, 2025. The sale represented 2.15% of Mr.

HomeDividends AnalysisDividend Quick Picks

SummaryChevron (CVX) is expected to extend its dividend growth streak to 39 years, but with a muted 3–4% increase amid lower oil prices.CVX's earnings remain under pressure from declining oil prices despite cost-saving initiatives and the Hess acquisition, leading to subdued dividend growth.Dividend increases in January will generally be modest, with select companies like Fastenal, S&P Global, and Cincinnati Financial likely to deliver higher single-digit boosts.Dividend growth for many long-term payers is slowing, reflecting earnings pressures, cost initiatives, and sector-specific headwinds. Energy giant Chevron will extend its dividend growth streak to 39 years in January.

JHVEPhoto/iStock Editorial via Getty Images

This is the latest in my series of articles where I provide predictions of annual dividend increases for long-term dividend

Analyst’s Disclosure:I/we have no stock, option or similar derivative position in any of the companies mentioned, and no plans to initiate any such positions within the next 72 hours. I wrote this article myself, and it expresses my own opinions. I am not receiving compensation for it (other than from Seeking Alpha). I have no business relationship with any company whose stock is mentioned in this article.

I may take a position in any of the stocks mentioned in this article in the near future.

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.

, /PRNewswire/ -- ClaimsFiler, a FREE shareholder information service, reminds investors that they have until January 5, 2026 to file lead plaintiff applications in a securities class action lawsuit against Six Flags Entertainment Corporation f/k/a CopperSteel HoldCo, Inc. (NYSE: FUN), if they purchased or otherwise acquired the Company's common stock pursuant or traceable to the company's registration statement and prospectus issued in connection with the July 1, 2024 merger of legacy Six Flags Entertainment Corporation ("Legacy Six Flags") with Cedar Fair, L.P. ("Cedar Fair"), and their subsidiaries and affiliates (the "Merger"). This action is pending in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Ohio.

Get Help

Six Flags investors should visit us at https://www.claimsfiler.com/cases/nyse-fun-1 or call toll-free (844) 367-9658. Lawyers at Kahn Swick & Foti, LLC are available to discuss your legal options.

About the Lawsuit

Six Flags and certain of its executives are charged with failing to disclose material information in the registration statement for the Merger, violating federal securities laws.

Specifically, the Registration statement failed to disclose that (i) despite the Company's claims that it had pursued transformational investment initiatives in the years leading up to the Merger, Legacy Six Flags in fact suffered from chronic underinvestment and its parks required millions of dollars in additional capital and operational expenditures above the company's historical cost trends in order to maintain or grow Legacy Six Flags' share in the intensely competitive amusement park market; (ii) following defendant Selim Bassoul's appointment as CEO in November 2021, the company implemented aggressive cost-cutting measures, including significant reductions in employee headcount, which materially degraded operational competence and guest experience; (iii) as a result, Legacy Six Flags required a substantial and undisclosed capital infusion to stabilize and revitalize its business, and these acute capital needs fundamentally undermined the rationale for the Merger as presented in the registration statement.

On the Merger closing date, July 1, 2024, Six Flags stock traded above $55 per share. The price of Six Flags stock subsequently fell as low as $20 per share, a nearly 64% decline.

The case is City of Livonia Employees' Retirement System v. Six Flags Entertainment Corporation, No. 25-cv-02394.

About ClaimsFiler

ClaimsFiler has a single mission: to serve as the information source to help retail investors recover their share of billions of dollars from securities class action settlements. At ClaimsFiler.com, investors can: (1) register for free to gain access to information and settlement websites for various securities class action cases so they can timely submit their own claims; (2) upload their portfolio transactional data to be notified about relevant securities cases in which they may have a financial interest; and (3) submit inquiries to the Kahn Swick & Foti, LLC law firm for free case evaluations.

To learn more about ClaimsFiler, visit www.claimsfiler.com.

SOURCE ClaimsFiler

, /PRNewswire/ -- ClaimsFiler, a FREE shareholder information service, reminds investors that they have until January 26, 2026 to file lead plaintiff applications in a securities class action lawsuit against Alexandria Real Estate Equities, Inc. ("Alexandria" or the "Company") (NYSE: ARE), if they purchased or otherwise acquired the Company's securities between January 27, 2025 to October 27, 2025, inclusive (the "Class Period"). This action is pending in the United States District Court for the Central District of California.

Get Help

Alexandria Real Estate Equities investors should visit us at https://claimsfiler.com/cases/nyse-are/ or call toll-free (844) 367-9658. Lawyers at Kahn Swick & Foti, LLC are available to discuss your legal options.

About the Lawsuit

Alexandria and certain of its executives are charged with failing to disclose material information during the Class Period, violating federal securities laws.

On October 27, 2025, post-market, the Company disclosed financial results for the third quarter of fiscal year 2025 that were below expectations, including cuts to its FFO guidance for the full-year 2025, due to lower occupancy rates, slower leasing activity and most notably, a real estate impairment charge of $323.9 million with $206 million attributed to its LIC property.

On this news, the price of Alexandria's shares fell from a closing market price of $77.87 per share on October 27, 2025 to $62.94 per share on October 28, 2025, a decline of about 19% in the span of just a single day.

The case is Warren Hern v. Alexandria Real Estate Equities, Inc., et al., No. 25-cv-11319.

About ClaimsFiler

ClaimsFiler has a single mission: to serve as the information source to help retail investors recover their share of billions of dollars from securities class action settlements. At ClaimsFiler.com, investors can: (1) register for free to gain access to information and settlement websites for various securities class action cases so they can timely submit their own claims; (2) upload their portfolio transactional data to be notified about relevant securities cases in which they may have a financial interest; and (3) submit inquiries to the Kahn Swick & Foti, LLC law firm for free case evaluations.

To learn more about ClaimsFiler, visit www.claimsfiler.com.

SOURCE ClaimsFiler

In the latest close session, SM Energy (SM - Free Report) was down 2.17% at $18.51. The stock fell short of the S&P 500, which registered a loss of 0.03% for the day. Elsewhere, the Dow saw a downswing of 0.04%, while the tech-heavy Nasdaq depreciated by 0.09%.

The independent oil and gas company's shares have seen an increase of 1.01% over the last month, surpassing the Oils-Energy sector's gain of 0.61% and falling behind the S&P 500's gain of 2.57%.

The upcoming earnings release of SM Energy will be of great interest to investors. The company's upcoming EPS is projected at $0.89, signifying a 53.40% drop compared to the same quarter of the previous year. In the meantime, our current consensus estimate forecasts the revenue to be $792.61 million, indicating a 6.99% decline compared to the corresponding quarter of the prior year.

For the full year, the Zacks Consensus Estimates project earnings of $5.42 per share and a revenue of $3.28 billion, demonstrating changes of -20.29% and +21.92%, respectively, from the preceding year.

Any recent changes to analyst estimates for SM Energy should also be noted by investors. These recent revisions tend to reflect the evolving nature of short-term business trends. Consequently, upward revisions in estimates express analysts' positivity towards the business operations and its ability to generate profits.

Our research reveals that these estimate alterations are directly linked with the stock price performance in the near future. To benefit from this, we have developed the Zacks Rank, a proprietary model which takes these estimate changes into account and provides an actionable rating system.

The Zacks Rank system, which ranges from #1 (Strong Buy) to #5 (Strong Sell), has an impressive outside-audited track record of outperformance, with #1 stocks generating an average annual return of +25% since 1988. Over the past month, there's been a 0.56% rise in the Zacks Consensus EPS estimate. At present, SM Energy boasts a Zacks Rank of #3 (Hold).

In terms of valuation, SM Energy is presently being traded at a Forward P/E ratio of 3.49. This represents a discount compared to its industry average Forward P/E of 10.37.

The Oil and Gas - Exploration and Production - United States industry is part of the Oils-Energy sector. With its current Zacks Industry Rank of 189, this industry ranks in the bottom 24% of all industries, numbering over 250.

The Zacks Industry Rank gauges the strength of our individual industry groups by measuring the average Zacks Rank of the individual stocks within the groups. Our research shows that the top 50% rated industries outperform the bottom half by a factor of 2 to 1.

To follow SM in the coming trading sessions, be sure to utilize Zacks.com.

Ares Capital (ARCC - Free Report) ended the recent trading session at $20.20, demonstrating a +1% change from the preceding day's closing price. This change outpaced the S&P 500's 0.03% loss on the day. Elsewhere, the Dow saw a downswing of 0.04%, while the tech-heavy Nasdaq depreciated by 0.09%.

Heading into today, shares of the private equity firm had lost 2.49% over the past month, lagging the Finance sector's gain of 4.37% and the S&P 500's gain of 2.57%.

The upcoming earnings release of Ares Capital will be of great interest to investors. It is anticipated that the company will report an EPS of $0.5, marking a 9.09% fall compared to the same quarter of the previous year. Meanwhile, the latest consensus estimate predicts the revenue to be $795.35 million, indicating a 4.79% increase compared to the same quarter of the previous year.

Regarding the entire year, the Zacks Consensus Estimates forecast earnings of $2 per share and revenue of $3.06 billion, indicating changes of -14.16% and +2.25%, respectively, compared to the previous year.

Investors should also note any recent changes to analyst estimates for Ares Capital. These revisions help to show the ever-changing nature of near-term business trends. With this in mind, we can consider positive estimate revisions a sign of optimism about the business outlook.

Our research suggests that these changes in estimates have a direct relationship with upcoming stock price performance. To benefit from this, we have developed the Zacks Rank, a proprietary model which takes these estimate changes into account and provides an actionable rating system.

The Zacks Rank system, stretching from #1 (Strong Buy) to #5 (Strong Sell), has a noteworthy track record of outperforming, validated by third-party audits, with stocks rated #1 producing an average annual return of +25% since the year 1988. Over the last 30 days, the Zacks Consensus EPS estimate has witnessed an unchanged state. Ares Capital is holding a Zacks Rank of #3 (Hold) right now.

From a valuation perspective, Ares Capital is currently exchanging hands at a Forward P/E ratio of 10.01. Its industry sports an average Forward P/E of 8.26, so one might conclude that Ares Capital is trading at a premium comparatively.

The Financial - SBIC & Commercial Industry industry is part of the Finance sector. Currently, this industry holds a Zacks Industry Rank of 164, positioning it in the bottom 34% of all 250+ industries.

The Zacks Industry Rank evaluates the power of our distinct industry groups by determining the average Zacks Rank of the individual stocks forming the groups. Our research shows that the top 50% rated industries outperform the bottom half by a factor of 2 to 1.

Remember to apply Zacks.com to follow these and more stock-moving metrics during the upcoming trading sessions.

Is SharkNinja the next big player in home appliances? Join us as we break down its strengths, management, and financial outlook in this insightful episode.

Explore the exciting world of SharkNinja (SN +0.99%) with our contributing expert analysts in this Motley Fool Scoreboard episode. Check out the video below to gain valuable insights into market trends and potential investment opportunities!
*Stock prices used were the prices of Nov. 19, 2025. The video was published on Dec. 26, 2025.

Anand Chokkavelu has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. Jason Hall has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. Travis Hoium has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has positions in and recommends SharkNinja. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.

In the latest trading session, AngloGold Ashanti (AU - Free Report) closed at $91.25, marking a +1.49% move from the previous day. The stock outperformed the S&P 500, which registered a daily loss of 0.03%. At the same time, the Dow lost 0.04%, and the tech-heavy Nasdaq lost 0.09%.

Heading into today, shares of the gold miner had gained 1.12% over the past month, lagging the Basic Materials sector's gain of 9.22% and the S&P 500's gain of 2.57%.

Analysts and investors alike will be keeping a close eye on the performance of AngloGold Ashanti in its upcoming earnings disclosure. In that report, analysts expect AngloGold Ashanti to post earnings of $1.9 per share. This would mark year-over-year growth of 113.48%. Our most recent consensus estimate is calling for quarterly revenue of $3.03 billion, up 73.03% from the year-ago period.

For the full year, the Zacks Consensus Estimates are projecting earnings of $5.51 per share and revenue of $9.85 billion, which would represent changes of +149.32% and +70.08%, respectively, from the prior year.

It's also important for investors to be aware of any recent modifications to analyst estimates for AngloGold Ashanti. Such recent modifications usually signify the changing landscape of near-term business trends. Therefore, positive revisions in estimates convey analysts' confidence in the business performance and profit potential.

Our research reveals that these estimate alterations are directly linked with the stock price performance in the near future. To take advantage of this, we've established the Zacks Rank, an exclusive model that considers these estimated changes and delivers an operational rating system.

The Zacks Rank system, which ranges from #1 (Strong Buy) to #5 (Strong Sell), has an impressive outside-audited track record of outperformance, with #1 stocks generating an average annual return of +25% since 1988. Over the past month, the Zacks Consensus EPS estimate has moved 3.51% lower. AngloGold Ashanti is currently sporting a Zacks Rank of #3 (Hold).

Digging into valuation, AngloGold Ashanti currently has a Forward P/E ratio of 16.33. This signifies a discount in comparison to the average Forward P/E of 17.73 for its industry.

The Mining - Gold industry is part of the Basic Materials sector. This industry, currently bearing a Zacks Industry Rank of 47, finds itself in the top 20% echelons of all 250+ industries.

The strength of our individual industry groups is measured by the Zacks Industry Rank, which is calculated based on the average Zacks Rank of the individual stocks within these groups. Our research shows that the top 50% rated industries outperform the bottom half by a factor of 2 to 1.

Be sure to follow all of these stock-moving metrics, and many more, on Zacks.com.

In the latest close session, MakeMyTrip (MMYT - Free Report) was down 1.72% at $83.25. The stock trailed the S&P 500, which registered a daily loss of 0.03%. Elsewhere, the Dow saw a downswing of 0.04%, while the tech-heavy Nasdaq depreciated by 0.09%.

Heading into today, shares of the online travel company had gained 20.48% over the past month, outpacing the Computer and Technology sector's gain of 1.66% and the S&P 500's gain of 2.57%.

The upcoming earnings release of MakeMyTrip will be of great interest to investors. In that report, analysts expect MakeMyTrip to post earnings of $0.43 per share. This would mark year-over-year growth of 10.26%. Our most recent consensus estimate is calling for quarterly revenue of $313.62 million, up 17.3% from the year-ago period.

For the full year, the Zacks Consensus Estimates are projecting earnings of $1.62 per share and revenue of $1.11 billion, which would represent changes of +3.85% and +13.49%, respectively, from the prior year.

Investors might also notice recent changes to analyst estimates for MakeMyTrip. These latest adjustments often mirror the shifting dynamics of short-term business patterns. As a result, upbeat changes in estimates indicate analysts' favorable outlook on the business health and profitability.

Our research shows that these estimate changes are directly correlated with near-term stock prices. To utilize this, we have created the Zacks Rank, a proprietary model that integrates these estimate changes and provides a functional rating system.

The Zacks Rank system, which varies between #1 (Strong Buy) and #5 (Strong Sell), carries an impressive track record of exceeding expectations, confirmed by external audits, with stocks at #1 delivering an average annual return of +25% since 1988. Over the last 30 days, the Zacks Consensus EPS estimate has witnessed an unchanged state. As of now, MakeMyTrip holds a Zacks Rank of #3 (Hold).

Digging into valuation, MakeMyTrip currently has a Forward P/E ratio of 52.29. Its industry sports an average Forward P/E of 14.39, so one might conclude that MakeMyTrip is trading at a premium comparatively.

The Internet - Delivery Services industry is part of the Computer and Technology sector. Currently, this industry holds a Zacks Industry Rank of 202, positioning it in the bottom 19% of all 250+ industries.

The Zacks Industry Rank is ordered from best to worst in terms of the average Zacks Rank of the individual companies within each of these sectors. Our research shows that the top 50% rated industries outperform the bottom half by a factor of 2 to 1.

Ensure to harness Zacks.com to stay updated with all these stock-shifting metrics, among others, in the next trading sessions.

Fiverr International (FVRR - Free Report) closed the most recent trading day at $19.76, moving -1.05% from the previous trading session. The stock trailed the S&P 500, which registered a daily loss of 0.03%. Meanwhile, the Dow lost 0.04%, and the Nasdaq, a tech-heavy index, lost 0.09%.

Shares of the online marketplace for freelance services have depreciated by 2.68% over the course of the past month, underperforming the Retail-Wholesale sector's gain of 1.47%, and the S&P 500's gain of 2.57%.

The investment community will be closely monitoring the performance of Fiverr International in its forthcoming earnings report. In that report, analysts expect Fiverr International to post earnings of $0.76 per share. This would mark year-over-year growth of 18.75%. Our most recent consensus estimate is calling for quarterly revenue of $108.71 million, up 4.86% from the year-ago period.

For the entire fiscal year, the Zacks Consensus Estimates are projecting earnings of $2.9 per share and a revenue of $432.45 million, representing changes of +21.85% and +10.47%, respectively, from the prior year.

It is also important to note the recent changes to analyst estimates for Fiverr International. These revisions typically reflect the latest short-term business trends, which can change frequently. As such, positive estimate revisions reflect analyst optimism about the business and profitability.

Our research reveals that these estimate alterations are directly linked with the stock price performance in the near future. Investors can capitalize on this by using the Zacks Rank. This model considers these estimate changes and provides a simple, actionable rating system.

The Zacks Rank system, which varies between #1 (Strong Buy) and #5 (Strong Sell), carries an impressive track record of exceeding expectations, confirmed by external audits, with stocks at #1 delivering an average annual return of +25% since 1988. Over the last 30 days, the Zacks Consensus EPS estimate has witnessed an unchanged state. Fiverr International presently features a Zacks Rank of #1 (Strong Buy).

Looking at its valuation, Fiverr International is holding a Forward P/E ratio of 6.89. For comparison, its industry has an average Forward P/E of 19, which means Fiverr International is trading at a discount to the group.

The Internet - Commerce industry is part of the Retail-Wholesale sector. At present, this industry carries a Zacks Industry Rank of 81, placing it within the top 33% of over 250 industries.

The Zacks Industry Rank is ordered from best to worst in terms of the average Zacks Rank of the individual companies within each of these sectors. Our research shows that the top 50% rated industries outperform the bottom half by a factor of 2 to 1.

Keep in mind to rely on Zacks.com to watch all these stock-impacting metrics, and more, in the succeeding trading sessions.

In the latest trading session, Pan American Silver (PAAS - Free Report) closed at $55.39, marking a +2.9% move from the previous day. This change outpaced the S&P 500's 0.03% loss on the day. Elsewhere, the Dow saw a downswing of 0.04%, while the tech-heavy Nasdaq depreciated by 0.09%.

The stock of silver mining company has risen by 26.39% in the past month, leading the Basic Materials sector's gain of 9.22% and the S&P 500's gain of 2.57%.

The investment community will be paying close attention to the earnings performance of Pan American Silver in its upcoming release. The company is expected to report EPS of $0.87, up 148.57% from the prior-year quarter. Meanwhile, the latest consensus estimate predicts the revenue to be $1.09 billion, indicating a 33.53% increase compared to the same quarter of the previous year.

Looking at the full year, the Zacks Consensus Estimates suggest analysts are expecting earnings of $2.21 per share and revenue of $3.52 billion. These totals would mark changes of +179.75% and +24.81%, respectively, from last year.

Additionally, investors should keep an eye on any recent revisions to analyst forecasts for Pan American Silver. These revisions help to show the ever-changing nature of near-term business trends. As a result, we can interpret positive estimate revisions as a good sign for the business outlook.

Our research shows that these estimate changes are directly correlated with near-term stock prices. Investors can capitalize on this by using the Zacks Rank. This model considers these estimate changes and provides a simple, actionable rating system.

The Zacks Rank system, which ranges from #1 (Strong Buy) to #5 (Strong Sell), has an impressive outside-audited track record of outperformance, with #1 stocks generating an average annual return of +25% since 1988. Within the past 30 days, our consensus EPS projection has moved 2.55% higher. At present, Pan American Silver boasts a Zacks Rank of #1 (Strong Buy).

Looking at its valuation, Pan American Silver is holding a Forward P/E ratio of 24.31. This indicates a discount in contrast to its industry's Forward P/E of 25.42.

It's also important to note that PAAS currently trades at a PEG ratio of 0.51. Comparable to the widely accepted P/E ratio, the PEG ratio also accounts for the company's projected earnings growth. The average PEG ratio for the Mining - Silver industry stood at 0.51 at the close of the market yesterday.

The Mining - Silver industry is part of the Basic Materials sector. With its current Zacks Industry Rank of 30, this industry ranks in the top 13% of all industries, numbering over 250.

The Zacks Industry Rank gauges the strength of our individual industry groups by measuring the average Zacks Rank of the individual stocks within the groups. Our research shows that the top 50% rated industries outperform the bottom half by a factor of 2 to 1.

To follow PAAS in the coming trading sessions, be sure to utilize Zacks.com.

Hasbro (HAS - Free Report) ended the recent trading session at $82.56, demonstrating a +1.14% change from the preceding day's closing price. The stock exceeded the S&P 500, which registered a loss of 0.03% for the day. Meanwhile, the Dow experienced a drop of 0.04%, and the technology-dominated Nasdaq saw a decrease of 0.09%.

The toy maker's stock has dropped by 1.26% in the past month, falling short of the Consumer Discretionary sector's gain of 2.33% and the S&P 500's gain of 2.57%.

The investment community will be closely monitoring the performance of Hasbro in its forthcoming earnings report. The company's upcoming EPS is projected at $0.97, signifying a 110.87% increase compared to the same quarter of the previous year. Meanwhile, the Zacks Consensus Estimate for revenue is projecting net sales of $1.29 billion, up 16.78% from the year-ago period.

For the annual period, the Zacks Consensus Estimates anticipate earnings of $5.01 per share and a revenue of $4.54 billion, signifying shifts of +24.94% and +9.82%, respectively, from the last year.

Investors should also take note of any recent adjustments to analyst estimates for Hasbro. These recent revisions tend to reflect the evolving nature of short-term business trends. As such, positive estimate revisions reflect analyst optimism about the business and profitability.

Our research demonstrates that these adjustments in estimates directly associate with imminent stock price performance. To benefit from this, we have developed the Zacks Rank, a proprietary model which takes these estimate changes into account and provides an actionable rating system.

The Zacks Rank system, which ranges from #1 (Strong Buy) to #5 (Strong Sell), has an impressive outside-audited track record of outperformance, with #1 stocks generating an average annual return of +25% since 1988. The Zacks Consensus EPS estimate remained stagnant within the past month. As of now, Hasbro holds a Zacks Rank of #3 (Hold).

Investors should also note Hasbro's current valuation metrics, including its Forward P/E ratio of 16.29. For comparison, its industry has an average Forward P/E of 13.94, which means Hasbro is trading at a premium to the group.

Also, we should mention that HAS has a PEG ratio of 1.59. Comparable to the widely accepted P/E ratio, the PEG ratio also accounts for the company's projected earnings growth. As the market closed yesterday, the Toys - Games - Hobbies industry was having an average PEG ratio of 1.96.

The Toys - Games - Hobbies industry is part of the Consumer Discretionary sector. Currently, this industry holds a Zacks Industry Rank of 231, positioning it in the bottom 7% of all 250+ industries.

The strength of our individual industry groups is measured by the Zacks Industry Rank, which is calculated based on the average Zacks Rank of the individual stocks within these groups. Our research shows that the top 50% rated industries outperform the bottom half by a factor of 2 to 1.

You can find more information on all of these metrics, and much more, on Zacks.com.

, /PRNewswire/ -- Rosen Law Firm, a global investor rights law firm, reminds purchasers of securities and sellers of put options of Sprouts Farmers Market, Inc. (NASDAQ: SFM) between June 4, 2025 and October 29, 2025, both dates inclusive (the "Class Period"), of the important January 26, 2026 lead plaintiff deadline.

So what: If you purchased Sprouts securities and/or sold put options during the Class Period you may be entitled to compensation without payment of any out of pocket fees or costs through a contingency fee arrangement.

What to do next: To join the Sprouts class action, go to https://rosenlegal.com/submit-form/?case_id=48630 or call Phillip Kim, Esq. toll-free at 866-767-3653 or email [email protected] for information on the class action. A class action lawsuit has already been filed. If you wish to serve as lead plaintiff, you must move the Court no later than January 26, 2026. A lead plaintiff is a representative party acting on behalf of other class members in directing the litigation.

Why Rosen Law: We encourage investors to select qualified counsel with a track record of success in leadership roles. Often, firms issuing notices do not have comparable experience, resources, or any meaningful peer recognition. Many of these firms do not actually litigate securities class actions, but are merely middlemen that refer clients or partner with law firms that actually litigate the cases. Be wise in selecting counsel. The Rosen Law Firm represents investors throughout the globe, concentrating its practice in securities class actions and shareholder derivative litigation. Rosen Law Firm achieved the largest ever securities class action settlement against a Chinese Company at the time. Rosen Law Firm was Ranked No. 1 by ISS Securities Class Action Services for number of securities class action settlements in 2017. The firm has been ranked in the top 4 each year since 2013 and has recovered hundreds of millions of dollars for investors. In 2019 alone the firm secured over $438 million for investors. In 2020, founding partner Laurence Rosen was named by law360 as a Titan of Plaintiffs' Bar. Many of the firm's attorneys have been recognized by Lawdragon and Super Lawyers.

Details of the case: According to the lawsuit, defendants provided investors with material information concerning Sprouts' growth potential for the fiscal year 2025. Defendants' statements included, among other things, confidence in Sprouts' customer base to remain resilient to macroeconomic pressures and that Sprouts would instead benefit from the perceived tailwinds from a more cautious consumer. Defendants provided these overwhelmingly positive statements to investors while, at the same time, disseminating materially false and misleading statements and/or concealing material adverse facts concerning the true state of Sprouts' growth potential; notably, that a more cautious consumer could result in significant slowdown in sales growth and the purported tailwinds would be unable to dampen the slowdown or would otherwise fail to manifest entirely. When the true details entered the market, the lawsuit claims that investors suffered damages.

To join the Sprouts class action, go to https://rosenlegal.com/submit-form/?case_id=48630 or call Phillip Kim, Esq. toll-free at 866-767-3653 or email [email protected] for information on the class action.

No Class Has Been Certified. Until a class is certified, you are not represented by counsel unless you retain one. You may select counsel of your choice. You may also remain an absent class member and do nothing at this point. An investor's ability to share in any potential future recovery is not dependent upon serving as lead plaintiff.

Follow us for updates on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-rosen-law-firm, on Twitter: https://twitter.com/rosen_firm or on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/rosenlawfirm/.

Attorney Advertising. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.

Contact Information:

      Laurence Rosen, Esq.
      Phillip Kim, Esq.
      The Rosen Law Firm, P.A.
      275 Madison Avenue, 40th Floor
      New York, NY 10016
      Tel: (212) 686-1060
      Toll Free: (866) 767-3653
      Fax: (212) 202-3827
      [email protected]
      www.rosenlegal.com

SOURCE THE ROSEN LAW FIRM, P. A.

Electric vehicles were supposed to disrupt the auto industry, but sales are down, subsidies are going away, and Ford is pivoting away from EVs and taking $19.5 billion in charges to shift to hybrids. What strategy is the right one long-term?

In this podcast, Motley Fool contributors Travis Hoium, Lou Whiteman, and Rachel Warren discuss:

Ford's $19.5 billion EV writedown.
Does Detriot have the right strategy?
What's next for Rivian and Tesla.

To catch full episodes of all The Motley Fool's free podcasts, check out our podcast center. When you're ready to invest, check out this top 10 list of stocks to buy.

A full transcript is below.

This podcast was recorded on Dec. 17, 2025.

Travis Hoium: Has the EV Revolution ended before it even really got started? Motley Fool Money starts now. Welcome to Motley Fool Money. I'm Travis Hoium, joined by Lou Whiteman and Rachel Warren. As a big topic this week is electric vehicles, and Ford is really the one that is the impetus for this conversation, even though you don't necessarily think about them as an EV company, but they are getting more or less getting out of the EV game, taking a $19.5 billion write off. Look, Lou, EVs were the future of the auto industry a few years ago. Every single company said that they were going to basically go 100% to EVs. You have Tesla, Rivian, Lucid, and others were thought to be disrupting Detroit. It's only been four years since a lot of those bets were made, and now we're really backing off. Tesla's sales are in decline. GM has pulled back. Now, Ford is doing the same. Were EVs over hyped, or what changed in the last few years, because this seems like a huge about-face?

Lou Whiteman: What changed? Four years and one administration, shall we say. But look, I am hesitant to say it was over hyped, but I do think we definitely got ahead of ourselves. I still believe EVs are the future. I believe that is where we're going. But I think the timeline was probably likely always going to be longer than we had hoped, and honestly, that we priced in. There was a new administration, and some of the incentives did change, which I think is part of what happened now. I don't want to put too much on the administrations. The subsidies, they were nice. But I think that if we're to take from this that the subsidies were the only reasons that these were selling, that the dependency is what makes EVs work, that's the wrong lesson. The subsidies were necessary, because the tech just isn't ready for prime time. It's not ready for anyone except the early adopters now.

Travis Hoium: Is it the tech or is it the cost? Because one of the things that I always go back and forth on is, people talk about range anxiety and infrastructure and things like that. I actually think those are pretty good for 99% of travel, and now we've got fast charging and things like that. But when I go look at an EV and go, could we replace our Volkswagen Atlas, a three-row SUV for a family of five with a dog? It just doesn't make any financial sense. Is it the technology, or is it the cost structure just isn't quite there yet, and really, the comparison in the industry is not to cars. It's to SUVs and trucks, and that's what people buy when they buy ice vehicles today.

Lou Whiteman: I think you're splitting hairs on cost versus tech, because I think part of the answer on cost is tech. Solid state, yes, will alleviate range anxiety. I think you're overly dismissive on that. I think whether or not it is practically a problem, I think if you could sit down and talk people through it, it's less of a problem than people think, but I do think it is the big bugaboo in people's heads why they dismiss it. But look, part of what solid state or whatever next generation batteries could do is mean that you can pack more storage energy density into them, fewer batteries, less cost. I think technology is the answer to the cost problem. It's pick your flavor, but I think it comes down to the fact that, the technology, as we have it today, is not sufficient for mass market sales in and of itself.

Travis Hoium: Rachel, when you look at these companies stepping back from electric vehicles, what are you thinking about, because these big trends, we're talking about trillions of dollars in value that is up for grabs for investors, either on the plus side or the downside.

Rachel Warren: I do think it is a combination of tech and costs. There's regulatory elements here, too. We want to think about this from a holistic perspective. We know that EVs generally remain more expensive than comparable internal combustion engine vehicles, and I think at a time, as well, with high interest rates, affordability, it's a major barrier for the mass market. That's on top of the existing challenges we've seen. I do think range anxiety is a real thing. There is a real lack of confidence in the current public charging networks' reliability and availability. But I think it's really important to note. These automakers are not giving up on EVs entirely. They're really recalibrating their strategies, and I think that's to align with current market realities and consumer demand. It doesn't spell the end of EVs, but I do think that there is a certain extent to which we have to recalibrate our expectations for where this industry is going to grow in the next 5-10 years. We look at Ford. You mentioned that nearly $20 billion write-down. That's a massive charge to cancel several pure EV models. The fully electric version of the F-150 is being fully discontinued. They're going to be working on the F-150 Lightning extended-range electric vehicle. It uses a gas-powered generator to recharge the battery.

Travis Hoium: That's really the trend is toward hybrids instead of pure EV.

Rachel Warren: Absolutely, and a lot of that, again, is really focusing on that lower-cost universal EV platform. Ford now expects their EV division is going to reach profitability by 2029. That is a three-year delay from their previous 2026 target. But I think that this is a trend that we're seeing across the industry. Don't discount the impact of regulatory elements, either. Major one was the $7,500 federal consumer tax credit that expired on September 30th. I think that is having an impact. It's really a perfect storm in some ways, but I also think that this means that we're just seeing shifts in where the EV industry is going, how it's evolving. It's not following maybe the trajectory that some analysts thought. But I do think that there is significant opportunity in this space for investors and for these auto makers, both traditional and otherwise, over the next decade.

Travis Hoium: There's a lot of changes going on in electric vehicles, but what is Detroit maybe getting right? We'll talk about that when we come back. You're listening to Motley Fool Money.

One of the great things about Apple products is that it's really easy for us to handle the security, the updates, the pre-installed applications. We've been able to do that without a dedicated IT support team.

Welcome back to Motley Fool Money. Detroit has gone from being all in on EVs to backing off. I want to focus on Detroit here first. We'll get to the full electric vehicle companies like Tesla and Lucid in just a second. But GM was really the first one to step back. They didn't make a big announcement like this, Lou, but they did pull back on their ambitions for electric vehicles. They've built their lines to be a little bit more flexible so you can build EV, or you can build a nice vehicle, or hybrid, anything in between. Ford has essentially said that his future is hybrid, at least for now. Is this a short-term strategy for these companies, or is this long-term the right thing for them to do?

Lou Whiteman: I think it's both. The nice thing about these companies is they have the scale. They have the balance sheets and the resources to do both, to have their cake and eat it too. I think it's right for right now, but it's also the right long-term strategy. Look, at the end of the day, they are trying to sell vehicles for a profit. Whether or not the power train doesn't matter. Ford is investing in hybrids because right now the hybrids is what they can do with a profit. We talked before about the Tech. The battery technology works a lot better in conjunction with a gas burning or a nice engine, or at least some lawn mower engine to keep it going. As the tech improves, as EVs improve, as batteries improve, it's only a half step to get there. They're not abandoning that. Look, I don't see this as giving up on EVs. I think this is recognizing the reality that we got ahead of ourselves, and what we can sell for a profit today is what we're going to focus on. Look, a lot of that effort, a lot of just the integrating batteries and battery power trains into automobiles, which they have to do with the EVs, that is at least halfway there to when EVs are ready. I think they'll be just fine long-term.

Travis Hoium: Rachel, the other piece of this is that Detroit companies are making money. Ford, General Motors, they are profitable. Is this the right thing to say? You know what? That's the profitable piece of the business. We have competitors like Rivian, but they're losing money. Tesla, their margins are in decline. Volumes are in decline. We just heard that they have a four-month low in sales in the month of November. Maybe this is the right thing. If you were allocating capital today, maybe you would be putting that money into ICE vehicles or at least hybrids and not into EVs. Is that the right thing for Detroit?

Rachel Warren: I think so, at least for now, but I also want to note, Detroit is certainly looking at the future of EVs as different than maybe we thought a few years ago, but they're not giving up on EVs entirely. I think they're really more recognizing the current limitations of the existing market and putting those financial powerhouses and that manufacturing infrastructure to work rather than just scrapping that altogether. You have to think about that. The market for the initial wave of electric vehicles was made up of early adopters. The next phase really requires these companies to win over the more cost-conscious, the more skeptical consumers. But many current models they're very high-end, they're expensive. I think the current situation we're seeing indicates that the transition to EVs, it's more of a marathon in certain times than a sprint. Sales volumes are still growing globally. I will note this, particularly in China, but the rate of growth has slowed significantly compared to what many analysts were projecting a few years ago. I think the reality remains that there's a large segment of consumers that are hesitant. About pure EVs hybrids are more profitable for automakers than many fully electric models. They require less drastic changes to existing manufacturing processes and supply chains. We've heard from Ford's CEO Jim Farley in the past that hybrids shouldn't be viewed as just transitional technology, that they're a permanent part of a future lineup. I think that's the case, that contrasts a little bit from GM CEO Mary Barra. She said that hybrids are more of an interim solution. But I do think hybrids deserve really significant investment focus for at least the next several years until those next generation EVs become more affordable. I think that's a reality we're going to keep seeing from automakers, at least for the near term.

Travis Hoium: I want to get a feeling on whether both of you are bullish or bearish on the future of Detroit. Lou, I'm going to have you go first.

Lou Whiteman: I'm bullish on the future, but don't take that as investment advice, because I don't want to own these companies.

Travis Hoium: Even at a 5, 6, 7 PE ratio, they're just that attractive enough.

Lou Whiteman: But go back and find when they did much better than that. I think that there are natural limits to this business. There is not a more complex supply chain in all of industry. Back at forward, back in the day, $10 billion was zero. That way, if they got below $10 billion in cash on the balance [OVERLAPPING] sheet, and that speaks to the cash flow. The way money flows between suppliers to suppliers. This is just such a complex business, such a tough business. I think they are survivors, but over time, you have not in the long run beaten the market with these companies, and I don't see that changing, no matter what they're valued today. I think they are valued-based on the complexity of business, and I think there are easier ways to make money than investing in automakers.

Travis Hoium: Rachel, are you bullish or bearish?

Rachel Warren: I would say I'm bullish, but I do tend to agree with Lou. The economics of these businesses don't particularly compel me as a long-term investor, and I do think that speaks to a lot of the mechanisms and complexities of how these businesses run. But I do think that there is a role for these companies to play in the long-term in the EV space. Overall, they are financially sound businesses, so that's something to know.

Lou Whiteman: What I think, Charles to note is whether or not we're right or wrong, we are speaking conventional wisdom, and you can be right by yourself, but if the market hates automakers, and so I think part of it is that even if your take is right and they are good values here, I don't trust that a critical mass in the market will agree with you and bid up the shares to make it worth the bet.

Rachel Warren: I think it's a great point.

Travis Hoium: It'll be interesting to see over the past year, GM stock, this one that I follow more closely, up 58%, Tesla is only up 2%. Even over the past five years, Tesla's beating GM but only 124% to 92%. Depending on your time frame and how these companies do, eventually, making money seems like it matters. Lou is right that typically, the market does not like automakers, but they do still love EV makers. We're going to get to that next. You're listening to Motley Fool Money.

Welcome back to Motley Fool Money. As much as EVs may be in decline right now, EVs' stocks certainly aren't, Tesla is one of the most valuable companies in the world. A $1.6 trillion valuation is recording. Rivian has been on a tear recently. They're worth over $20 billion. Is this segment of the market, can it live up to the hype in these valuations, Rachel? Or does Detroit actually have this right in that EV's maybe aren't the future right now, and we should be focusing elsewhere?

Rachel Warren: I think we need to be really careful with some of the hype that's surrounding a lot of these businesses. We do know that EVs look to be a part of the future. I think that's very much the case. But it's interesting to compare these models. I think a lot of people assume that traditional automakers would have a built-in advantage over these newer entrance to the EV space. That hasn't necessarily been the case. Traditional automakers have faced their own challenges, even though they are more financially bolstered, and we've seen a lot of these newer entrants, like the Rivians of the world, that are burning through cash. They're not profitable. They're struggling in their own way, but the market seems excited about them. I think we as investors need to take a really measured approach to understand where the opportunity lies. I think investors are betting on a lot of advancements in things like battery technology, software that could provide some very high-margin revenue streams for these businesses in the future.

Meanwhile, as we've talked about, legacy automakers they're really focusing heavily on hybrids, and I think that one of the things when we take an example of these companies, you look at Tesla as a sustainably profitable business that essentially created the EV market. Tesla is often valued not just as a car company but as a tech and energy company. You look at Rivian, which has been on quite a tear up over the last year. They're still in the growth phase. They're not yet consistently profitable. They're operating at a net loss. I think you look at these valuations, it really represents a belief in the market of a substantial long-term shift in the global auto industry. Will that come to fruition? I think that remains to be seen.

Lou Whiteman: I think it's really important. Rachel, I think it's really important, though, to separate out Tesla from the rest of these companies because I do think it's different. Travis, as you said, Tesla sales are down, but they are also gaining market share in the US. [OVERLAPPING]

Travis Hoium: That's because the EV space overall is shrinking.

Lou Whiteman: Exactly.

Travis Hoium: Tesla is taking a bigger piece of a small.

Lou Whiteman: Elon said we think that actually the subsidy is going away. I might help us relative to competition. The reason for that is Tesla's just further along on the growth curve. They have cash in the bank. They have established sales channels, all of that. I do think Tesla is relatively fine. Look, and as far as the stock, this is a stock that Rachel says never traded on current day automotive, and you cannot begin to justify it based on current day automotive. It's always been about what is to come. It doesn't surprise me the stock is held up. I still think that there is a compelling bullcase that is a long-term case that isn't tied to current-day EV sales. As for the Rivians and the rest of the world, I am surprised the stocks have held up. We talked about before with some of the more diversified automakers, the power of a balance sheet, or the need for a balance sheet in this industry. This is a really cutthroat industry. They are younger than Tesla and not as established. They don't have the diverse product line, I think they need. I think this could be a problematic year for young companies that are still cash-starved. I might be selling Rivian short. Cost of good sales is going the right direction. Other metrics are going in the right direction. Maybe the market is right, and that they have gotten over the hump, and they can get through this time. I think that's possible. I just don't think it's a given, and I'm surprised at how excited the investors remain about this, given what I think are risks.

Travis Hoium: You brought up scale earlier with the Detroit Automakers. That's one thing that Rivian has really struggled with. Their normal Illinois facility has never run at full capacity. They're upgrading some of their lines to be able to make the R2 there. There's going to be I think it's 215,000 units of capacity. Even when that's completed, that'll be in 2026. It's really hard to run the numbers to them to get to profitability with 215,000 units of capacity. They have to build a new facility in Georgia down the road from you. That's going to add 400,000 units. They don't have the cash to do that. That cash is debt that is supposed to be coming from the US government. This seems like a lot of things need to go right for these companies that, like you said, are not named Tesla because it's not just Rivian, Lucid's in the same boat. Basically, every other and a whole bunch of other companies have already fallen by the wayside. It seems like scale matters in this business. Detroit has it, and they're choosing to go away from EVs.

Lou Whiteman: I think that's all fair. I will say the one thing, and maybe this is wish casting. But there's a lot of some costs. You mentioned Georgia. There's a lot of investment from Georgia. These are long-term projects. We could have elections before things really come to shove and I think in our case with Rivian, the state of Georgia is invested, so there might be more levers than a skeptic who might want to short the stock would think, which is why I wouldn't short it either. But yes, I think if nothing else, I'm surprised it's not trading based on at least some of the potential headwinds or potential risk out there because they do look significant to me.

Travis Hoium: Well, Detroit is definitely placing their bets, but investors still think EVs are the future, so we'll see how this one plays out. Obviously, something to watch because this is a big jobs driver. Is a huge expense for people. Depending on what happens with consumers, 2026 is going to be a big year. As always, people on the program may have interest in the stocks they talk about in the Motley Fool, may have formal recommendations for or against sodomy or sell stocks based solely on what you hear. All personal finance content follows the Motley Fool's editorial standards, and it's not approved by advertisers. Advertisements are sponsored content and provided for informational purposes only. See our full advertising disclosure. Please check out our Show. For Lou Whiteman, Rachel Warren, Dan Boyd, behind the glass, and the entire Motley Fool Team. I'm Travis Hoium. Thanks for listening to Motley Fool Money.