Market Signal Briefing

NuScale Power is working toward something huge that could potentially change the energy landscape forever.

If you hear the names Chernobyl, Three Mile Island, and Fukushima, you will most likely associate them with nuclear power. But not in a good way, since the notoriety of these names is because of nuclear meltdowns, or near misses.

NuScale Power (SMR -3.37%) is hoping it can change the nuclear power industry for the better by changing the way power plants are built. Not enough people are talking about this company or the nuclear technology change that it is helping develop.

Image source: Getty Images.

The "big" problem with nuclear power
Historically, nuclear power plants have been huge capital investment projects. Nuclear reactors have, so far, been site built, meaning that all of the construction basically takes place where the reactor is going to be located. The projects have also been massive, with nuclear power plants often meant to replace large coal or natural gas power plants.

It isn't uncommon for nuclear reactor projects to be delayed and over budget. For example, the most recent nuclear power plant built in the United States, by regulated utility The Southern Company, was seven years late and cost around $17 billion more than expected. Those are not good construction results, even though Southern will now have access to reliable nuclear power for decades into the future.

Given that backdrop, it is understandable that another company building the same style of nuclear power plant at roughly the same time simply gave up when its project manager, Westinghouse, went bankrupt. Southern, by contrast, took on the role of project manager from Westinghouse, which was also overseeing its reactors, so it could keep its power plant construction going.

Needless to say, the nuclear power industry isn't an easy industry in which to operate. And when things go wrong at a large, site-built nuclear power plant, they can go wrong in a massive way, noting the two meltdowns and one near miss highlighted above. That usually earns the entire industry a black eye despite a generally safe operating history for most nuclear power plants.

NuScale is changing the script by going "small"
This is where NuScale Power comes in, given that it is building small scale modular nuclear reactors (SMRs). These reactors are built in a factory, creating a more uniform product that also benefits from the cost efficiencies offered by an assembly line manufacturing approach.

They are small, so they can be easily transported to where they are needed, located more closely to population centers, and adverse events are expected to be easier to contain. In addition, by including the most modern technology, the safety of NuScale's SMRs is expected to be higher than for older reactors.

To be fair, NuScale isn't the only company working on SMR technology. However, it was "the first SMR to receive U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) design approval." It is currently the only SMR approved by the NRC, which the company believes gives it a bit of a leg up on the competition. But there's another important piece to the puzzle.

NuScale Power is working with RoPower, a Romanian electricity company, as it makes its final go/no go decision on a new nuclear power plant. That plant could end up being powered by six SMRs provided by NuScale Power that will be linked together. NuScale has already ordered parts that have long construction times for the six SMRs this project would require. But it has those same parts on order for another six reactors as well. In other words, the company is ready to hit the ground running.

The company's stock has risen around 200% or so over the past year. Wall Street clearly isn't ignoring the stock. However, with a final decision from RoPower expected sometime in the next year, NuScale Power could quickly change from a good idea to a real business. Notably, the second SMR sale should be much easier to get than the first, since the ice will have been broken. So NuScale Power could turn into a growth story very quickly.

Watch NuScale, even if you don't buy it
Nuclear power and SMRs aren't things that people talk about every day. But SMRs are a potential game-changing technology in the energy sector, with NuScale Power one of the companies leading the way into the future.

If that is interesting to you, and you are a more aggressive investor, you might want to consider buying before the first sale is inked. But even if you aren't interested in buying NuScale, it's worth learning about the huge energy opportunity that SMRs offer the world.

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William_Potter/iStock via Getty Images

Seeking Alpha News Quiz

Up for a challenge? Test your knowledge on the biggest events in the investing world over the past week. Take the newest Seeking Alpha News Quiz and see how you stack up against the competition.

With the U.S. government shutdown showing no signs of ending, thus delaying key economic data, and renewed trade war concerns, market participants will get a welcome new catalyst this week in the form of the kickoff of the third quarter earnings season.

Major U.S. banks will be in the spotlight, with the largest one, JPMorgan (JPM), set to announce its results on Tuesday. Joining it will be Goldman Sachs (GS), Wells Fargo (WFC), and Citi (C). On Wednesday, Bank of America (BAC) and Morgan Stanley (MS) will report. Investors will also get financial updates from Johnson & Johnson (JNJ) and American Express (AXP).

Traders will also be cautious after Wall Street experienced its worst selloff since the April tariff shock on Friday. Sentiment took a heavy beating after President Donald Trump accused China of "hostile" export controls on rare earths and said the U.S. would impose an additional 100% tariff on products from the Asian nation. Any further dialogue or back-and-forth between Trump and China will be closely watched.

Earnings

Earnings spotlight: Monday, October 13: Fastenal (FAST). See the full earnings calendar.

Earnings spotlight: Tuesday, October 14: JPMorgan (JPM), J&J (JNJ), Wells Fargo (WFC), Goldman Sachs (GS), BlackRock (BLK), Citigroup (C). See the full earnings calendar.

Earnings spotlight: Wednesday, October 15: Bank of America (BAC), Morgan Stanley (MS), Abbott Laboratories (ABT). See the full earnings calendar.

Earnings spotlight: Thursday, October 16: Charles Schwab (SCHW), Bank of NY Mellon (BK), U.S. Bancorp (USB). See the full earnings calendar.

Earnings spotlight: Friday, October 17: American Express (AXP), State Street (STT). See the full earnings calendar.

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In case you missed it

NEW YORK, Oct. 12, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Leading securities law firm Bleichmar Fonti & Auld LLP announces an investigation into Guess?, Inc.’s (NYSE: GES) board of directors and executive officers for potential breaches of their fiduciary duties to shareholders in connection with its pending sale to Authentic Brands Group LLC (“Authentic”) for $16.75 per share.

If you are a current shareholder of Guess, you are encouraged to obtain additional information by visiting: https://www.bfalaw.com/cases/guess-inc.

Why is Guess being Investigated?

Guess is a fashion retailer with global distribution and sales operations, including over 1,500 directly operated retail stores and distribution operations in approximately 100 countries. Guess was founded in 1981 by the Marciano family, who still own a significant portion of the Company’s stock. One of the founders, Paul Marciano, still sits on the Board and serves as the Chief Creative Officer of the Company.

Paul Marciano, along with other investors including Maurice Marciano (another founder who no longer serves on the Company’s board of directors) have negotiated to rollover their ownership in Guess to own up to 49% of the new intellectual property holding company post-closing, and 100% of the operating company post-closing.

BFA Law is investigating whether Guess’ board of directors, its executive officers, and/or any of the stockholders participating in the rollover have breached fiduciary duties to the stockholders in connection with the merger.

Click here for more information: https://www.bfalaw.com/cases/guess-inc.

What Can You Do?

If you are a current holder of Guess you may have legal options and are encouraged to submit your information to the firm.

All representation is on a contingency fee basis, there is no cost to you. Shareholders are not responsible for any court costs or expenses of litigation. The firm will seek court approval for any potential fees and expenses.

Submit your information by visiting:

https://www.bfalaw.com/cases/guess-inc

Or contact:
Ross Shikowitz
[email protected]
212-789-3619

Why Bleichmar Fonti & Auld LLP?

BFA is a leading international law firm representing plaintiffs in securities class actions and shareholder litigation. It has been named a top plaintiff law firm by Chambers USA, The Legal 500, and ISS SCAS, and its attorneys have been named “Elite Trial Lawyers” by the National Law Journal, among the top “500 Leading Plaintiff Financial Lawyers” by Lawdragon, “Titans of the Plaintiffs’ Bar” by Law360 and “SuperLawyers” by Thomson Reuters. Among its recent notable successes, BFA recovered over $900 million in value from Tesla, Inc.’s Board of Directors, as well as $420 million from Teva Pharmaceutical Ind. Ltd.

For more information about BFA and its attorneys, please visit https://www.bfalaw.com.

https://www.bfalaw.com/cases/guess-inc

Attorney advertising. Past results do not guarantee future outcomes.

NEW YORK, Oct. 12, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Leading securities law firm Bleichmar Fonti & Auld LLP announces an investigation into Jefferies Financial Group Inc. (NYSE: JEF) and Point Bonita Capital for potential violations of the federal securities laws.

If you invested in Jefferies or Point Bonita, you are encouraged to obtain additional information by visiting: https://www.bfalaw.com/cases/jefferies-financial-group-inc-class-action.

Why are Jefferies and Point Bonita being Investigated?

Jefferies is an investment banking and capital markets firm. Its trade finance arm is named Point Bonita Capital. Jefferies and Point Bonita were two of the closest banking and financing partners of First Brands Group, LLC, an auto parts supplier which collapsed into bankruptcy in September 2025.

On October 8, 2025, Jefferies announced that it and Point Bonita had approximately $715 million in exposure to First Brands’ receivables, which represents roughly 25% of Point Bonita’s trade finance portfolio. On this news, the price of Jefferies stock fell $4.66 per share, or about 8%, from $59.10 per share on October 7, 2025, to $54.44 per share on October 8, 2025. Investors are reportedly currently seeking redemptions from Point Bonita as well.

BFA is currently investigating whether Jefferies and/or Point Bonita made materially false and misleading statements to investors in connection with this significant exposure to First Brands.

Click here for more information: https://www.bfalaw.com/cases/jefferies-financial-group-inc-class-action.

What Can You Do?

If you invested in Jefferies or Point Bonita you may have legal options and are encouraged to submit your information to the firm.

All representation is on a contingency fee basis, there is no cost to you. Shareholders are not responsible for any court costs or expenses of litigation. The firm will seek court approval for any potential fees and expenses.

Submit your information by visiting:

https://www.bfalaw.com/cases/jefferies-financial-group-inc-class-action

Or contact:
Ross Shikowitz
[email protected]
212.789.3619

Why Bleichmar Fonti & Auld LLP?

BFA is a leading international law firm representing plaintiffs in securities class actions and shareholder litigation. It has been named a top plaintiff law firm by Chambers USA, The Legal 500, and ISS SCAS, and its attorneys have been named “Elite Trial Lawyers” by the National Law Journal, among the top “500 Leading Plaintiff Financial Lawyers” by Lawdragon, “Titans of the Plaintiffs’ Bar” by Law360 and “SuperLawyers” by Thomson Reuters. Among its recent notable successes, BFA recovered over $900 million in value from Tesla, Inc.’s Board of Directors, as well as $420 million from Teva Pharmaceutical Ind. Ltd.

For more information about BFA and its attorneys, please visit https://www.bfalaw.com.

https://www.bfalaw.com/cases/jefferies-financial-group-inc-class-action

Attorney advertising. Past results do not guarantee future outcomes.

NEW YORK, Oct. 12, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Leading securities law firm Bleichmar Fonti & Auld LLP announces that a lawsuit has been filed against Charter Communications, Inc. (NASDAQ: CHTR) and certain of the Company’s senior executives for potential violations of the federal securities laws.

If you invested in Charter, you are encouraged to obtain additional information by visiting: https://www.bfalaw.com/cases/charter-communications-inc-class-action-lawsuit.

Investors have until October 14, 2025, to ask the Court to be appointed to lead the case. The complaint asserts claims under Sections 10(b) and 20(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 on behalf of investors in Charter securities. The case is pending in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York and is captioned Sandoval v. Charter Communications, Inc., No. 1:25-cv-06747.

Why Was Charter Sued Under the Federal Securities Laws?

Charter is a leading broadband, or high-speed internet, connectivity company and cable operator. Charter participated in the FCC’s Affordable Connectivity Program (“ACP”), which provided funding to Charter in exchange for subsidizing high-speed internet plans for low-income households. In June 2024, lack of federal funding caused the ACP to end, which led to customer declines at Charter.

During the relevant period, Charter told investors that the Company was executing a plan to minimize and move beyond risks that the end of the ACP had on customer declines and earnings. The Company stated that it had “managed the end of the affordable connectivity program successfully” and that “[t]he impact of the elimination of the ACP is now behind us.” As alleged, in truth, the impact from the ACP’s elimination was not behind Charter as the Company continued to experience internet customer and revenue declines from the program’s end.

The Stock Declines as the Truth Is Revealed

On July 25, 2025, Charter announced its second quarter 2025 financial results. The Company reported that total internet customers decreased by 117,000 during the quarter, which included approximately 50,000 disconnects related to the end of the ACP, nearly double from the prior quarter. On this news, the price of Charter stock declined $70.25 per share, or 18.4%, from a closing price of $380.00 per share on July 24, 2025, to $309.75 per share on July 25, 2025.

Click here for more information: https://www.bfalaw.com/cases/charter-communications-inc-class-action-lawsuit.

What Can You Do?

If you invested in Charter you may have legal options and are encouraged to submit your information to the firm.

All representation is on a contingency fee basis, there is no cost to you. Shareholders are not responsible for any court costs or expenses of litigation. The firm will seek court approval for any potential fees and expenses.

Submit your information by visiting:

https://www.bfalaw.com/cases/charter-communications-inc-class-action-lawsuit

Or contact:
Ross Shikowitz
[email protected]
212.789.3619

Why Bleichmar Fonti & Auld LLP?

BFA is a leading international law firm representing plaintiffs in securities class actions and shareholder litigation. It has been named a top plaintiff law firm by Chambers USA, The Legal 500, and ISS SCAS, and its attorneys have been named “Elite Trial Lawyers” by the National Law Journal, among the top “500 Leading Plaintiff Financial Lawyers” by Lawdragon, “Titans of the Plaintiffs’ Bar” by Law360 and “SuperLawyers” by Thomson Reuters. Among its recent notable successes, BFA recovered over $900 million in value from Tesla, Inc.’s Board of Directors, as well as $420 million from Teva Pharmaceutical Ind. Ltd.

For more information about BFA and its attorneys, please visit https://www.bfalaw.com.

https://www.bfalaw.com/cases/charter-communications-inc-class-action-lawsuit

Attorney advertising. Past results do not guarantee future outcomes.

Hardware gets all the attention, but Apple's business depends on success in another area.

Apple (AAPL -3.40%) sells some of the most admired products on the face of the planet. Its iPhone, a device in the 18th year of its lifecycle, is still so successful that it generated $44.6 billion in revenue in the third quarter (ended June 28). Add this to more items in the lineup, and it's no surprise this business is a consumer favorite.

Without a doubt, hardware is important to Apple's success. But here's a number that every shareholder should keep an eye on.

Apple's services are a critical component of the business
Investors should be paying close attention to revenue trends within Apple's services segment.

During the third quarter, services, which include advertising, cloud, Music, Pay, and TV+ (among others), raked in $27.4 billion in sales, up 13% year over year. This revenue figure was 108% higher than the same period five years ago, a much faster pace of growth than the products division.

Services introduce recurring revenue, allowing the company to lower dependence on less predictable hardware sales. Services are also significantly more profitable, with a gross margin that's above 70%.

"We have well over 1 billion paid subscriptions across the Services on our platform," CFO Kevan Parekh said on the Q3 2025 earnings call. Ongoing success in services means that Apple's ecosystem is in strong shape, as users are increasingly interacting with its devices. This supports the company's economic moat.

Neil Patel has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has positions in and recommends Apple. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.

Bitcoin may be soaring, but these crypto stocks are doing even better.

This October has been good for cryptocurrencies so far. As I write this (Oct. 8), Bitcoin (CRYPTO: BTC) has gained 7% since the start of the month and 10% in the past 30 days. One driver was the government shutdown, which increased the appeal of alternative assets like crypto and gold that may act as safe havens.

Strong crypto performance is usually good news for cryptocurrency stocks and Bitcoin corporate treasury companies. Indeed, these two have outperformed Bitcoin in the past month.

Image source: Getty Images.

1. Bullish
Bullish (BLSH -9.44%) has gained almost 35% in the past 30 days, buoyed by several announcements. The institution-focused global digital asset platform launched a U.S. spot trading exchange and a crypto options platform for clients outside the U.S.

It also announced a corporate banking partnership with Deutsche Bank (NYSE: DB) that includes fiat deposits and withdrawals for clients in Hong Kong and Germany.

2. MARA Holdings
MARA Holdings (MARA -7.67%) is up over 30% in the past 30 days. It reported that September's Bitcoin production was up 4% month over month and showed it is taking a higher proportion of overall miner rewards.

MARA is a Bitcoin mining company with a twist: It reduces the cost of mining through renewable energy generation and clean energy conversion. It's also expanding into AI data centers, making it more than a one-trick Bitcoin pony.

Bitcoin corporate treasury companies can be risky
There are various ways to get exposure to Bitcoin, including buying it directly, investing in Bitcoin ETFs, and using corporate treasury companies. For some -- like the two above -- Bitcoin is a core part of their business.

For others, like Strategy (NASDAQ: MSTR), Bitcoin accumulation sits outside their original business activities. Strategy has led the way in using leverage, which can generate outsized returns. However, that also adds risk.

If you're considering investing in a Bitcoin treasury company, take a good look at the role crypto plays in their business. Consider how much Bitcoin it holds, what it paid for it, and how the business will handle any prolonged price drops.

Emma Newbery has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has positions in and recommends Bitcoin. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.

Investors are looking beyond the prolonged U.S. government shutdown and remain optimistic about growth drivers like the artificial intelligence boom and expectations of further interest rate cuts.

Ignoring the short-term noise, those looking for attractive investment opportunities can consider the stock picks of top Wall Street analysts, whose recommendations are based on a thorough analysis of a company's fundamentals and growth catalysts.

Here are three stocks favored by the Street's top pros, according to TipRanks, a platform that ranks analysts based on their past performance.

SnowflakeFirst on this week's list is Snowflake (SNOW), a cloud-native data platform. At the recently held Snowflake World Tour event in New York City, the company highlighted its product innovation and the vision for driving business transformation through data and artificial intelligence.

After attending this customer conference, Jefferies analyst Brent Thill reiterated a buy rating on SNOW stock with a price forecast of $270. Based on his conversations with customers and partners at the event, the analyst noted that Snowflake's product innovation and velocity are accelerating.

Thill highlighted that while traction for Snowflake's AI offerings is building, the inflection point is still ahead. For instance, the top-rated analyst noted that a retailer using Snowpark ML for demand forecasting, and a travel company integrating Snowflake ML models into its customer experience pipeline, both believe that broader usage across their organizations will take a few more quarters.

Another key takeaway was that Snowflake's unstructured data capabilities have strengthened, but there are still some gaps to address. Overall, Thill believes that while traction is building for Snowflake, the "AI Blizzard" still lies ahead.

"SNOW remains one of our favorite data & AI stories and stands to benefit meaningfully as enterprise AI strategies mature and AI driven data volumes grow exponentially in the coming years," concluded Thill. Interestingly, TipRanks' AI Analyst has a "neutral" rating on Snowflake stock with a price target of $255.

Thill ranks No. 251 among more than 10,000 analysts tracked by TipRanks. His ratings have been successful 65% of the time, delivering an average return of 14.1%. See Snowflake Ownership Structure on TipRanks.

Advanced Micro DevicesMoving on to chipmaker Advanced Micro Devices (AMD), which recently made headlines after announcing a game-changing partnership with OpenAI. Under this deal, OpenAI will deploy up to 6 gigawatts of AMD Instinct GPUs over multiple years, starting with a 1-gigawatt rollout in the second half of 2026. The agreement also involves a warrant for up to 160 million shares (vesting tied to certain milestones), which, if fully exercised by OpenAI, will give it about a 10% stake in AMD.

Following the news, Jefferies analyst Blayne Curtis upgraded AMD stock to buy from hold and boosted the price target to $300 from $170. Additionally, TipRanks' AI Analyst has an "outperform" rating on AMD stock with a price target of $232.

Curtis believes that AMD's deal with OpenAI clearly changed the AI narrative for the semiconductor company. While the chipmaker will still have to achieve some milestones, the 5-star analyst believes that this partnership is a solid confirmation of AMD's AI roadmap and a proof of robust AI demand in general.

Interestingly, Curtis recently raised his estimates for AMD following positive server checks. The analyst stated he was incrementally positive on AMD after his recent Asia trip, with the expectation of 500 basis points per year share gains in server CPUs with the company's Venice platform.

However, these recent checks hadn't helped Curtis grasp anything from the original device manufacturers (ODMs) in terms of AI ramps. "The announcement of OpenAI as a lead customer with the potential for $80-100B in revenue across 6GW of compute through 2030 materially changes that outlook," said Curtis.

Curtis ranks No. 68 among more than 10,000 analysts tracked by TipRanks. His ratings have been profitable 65% of the time, delivering an average return of 27.5%. See AMD ETF Exposure on TipRanks.

Dell TechnologiesIT infrastructure and personal computing solutions provider Dell Technologies (DELL) announced an increase in its long-term financial targets during its analyst meeting on Oct. 7. The improved outlook is backed by demand from the ongoing AI wave.

Following the event, Mizuho analyst Vijay Rakesh reiterated a buy rating on DELL stock and raised his price target to $170 from $160. Meanwhile, TipRanks' AI Analyst has a "neutral" rating on DELL stock with a price target of $135.

Rakesh noted management's commentary about momentum in enterprise and sovereign AI, with strong demand signals over 12-18 months. The top-rated analyst highlighted that the company raised its compound annual growth rate target for revenue for fiscal 2026 to 2030 to the range of 7% to 9%, with non-GAAP EPS expected to rise by 15% or more.

Furthermore, Rakesh noted that Dell's fiscal 2026 AI server revenue estimate of $20 billion is in line with the Street's consensus of $20.6 billion and reflects over 100% growth from $9.8 billion in the previous year. The company expects a 20% to 25% CAGR through Fiscal 2030, implying AI server revenue of $46 billion.

However, the analyst believes that this growth outlook could be conservative, as the company is involved in all at-scale AI cluster deployments and leads in T2 CSP (tier 2 cloud service providers) and enterprise AI deployments with more than 3,000 customers.

Rakesh ranks No. 81 among more than 10,000 analysts tracked by TipRanks. His ratings have been successful 65% of the time, delivering an average return of 24.3%. See Dell Technologies Hedge Fund Activity on TipRanks.

Summary3M (MMM) remains a core Industrials blue chip, delivering an 85% total return since October 2022, but currently trades near fair value.Q2 results were strong, with EPS and revenue beats, margin improvement, and raised guidance, though shares fell post-earnings.MMM's earnings outlook is steady, with high single-digit EPS growth expected and positive sellside sentiment, but tariff and inflation risks persist.I reiterate a hold rating on MMM, as technicals are mixed and valuation is fair, with potential upside if tariff risks abate. jetcityimage/iStock Editorial via Getty Images

The bull market turned three years old this past weekend. The S&P 500’s gain, including dividends, is 89% over that timeframe. While five of the 11 S&P 500 sector ETFs have compounded annualized growth rates below 10%, the Industrials sector

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.

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Gold Surge as U.S.–China Trade Tensions Escalate
The trade crisis between the United States and China intensified. China expanded its export controls on rare earth elements, adding five new materials and tightening scrutiny on semiconductor users. The move came just two weeks before a planned meeting between President Xi Jinping and President Donald Trump at the APEC summit in South Korea.

Beijing’s latest restrictions also target refining technologies and impose compliance requirements on foreign producers using Chinese materials. The U.S. administration quickly retaliated with new tariffs and technology export limits, reigniting fears of a broader trade confrontation.

President Trump described China’s move as a “real surprise” and questioned whether the upcoming meeting should proceed. This escalation rattled global markets, boosting demand for traditional safe-haven assets.

Trump’s Tariffs Shake Markets as Treasury Yields Drop
After markets closed on Friday, President Trump announced a 100% tariff on imports from China and new controls on any critical software. The announcement sent shockwaves through financial markets. Treasury yields dropped sharply, and the US dollar weakened, signalling renewed risk aversion among investors.

The chart below shows that the 10-year Treasury yield is approaching long-term support near 4.0%. This reflects expectations that investors will shift toward safer assets. Moreover, the inflation remains sticky at 3.0%, and a balanced yield curve would keep short-term rates near 4.0%.

The falling expectations, rising inflation concerns, and trade war fears have collectively weighed on household optimism. This erosion in confidence supports continued demand for defensive assets such as gold and silver (XAG), while risk appetite across equities remains fragile.

Trade War and Fiscal Expansion Fuel Inflation
The U.S. and China are now caught in a modern version of the “Thucydides Trap,” where a leading power and a rising rival are likely to clash. A direct war is unlikely, but both countries are using economic pressure to compete for global control.

The U.S. holds a military advantage, but China’s strength in manufacturing and resources gives it strategic leverage. Trump’s transactional style contrasts with Beijing’s long-term planning, adding uncertainty to how this economic standoff will play out.

The consequences will include larger fiscal spending programs, suppressed interest rates, and persistent inflation. These conditions have historically favored precious metals. The shift away from U.S. Treasuries toward gold as a global reserve hedge may accelerate as investors seek protection from policy instability.

Gold’s Parabolic Uptrend Strengthens Amid Geopolitical and Economic Uncertainty
Long-Term Momentum Builds as Gold Extends Its Multi-Year Bullish Trend
Gold has been trading in a parabolic uptrend for several decades, and this move has intensified over time. The yearly chart below shows that gold formed a major bottom in 2015, which triggered a strong upward surge.

Since then, prices have continued to advance each year, with bullish momentum accelerating after 2022. Gold gained around 13% in 2023 and more than 27% in 2024. This momentum was further increased in 2025 as the price had gained over 50% by October 2025.

This move would likely coincide with a strong rally in silver prices, possibly breaking above the key $50 level. This breakout in silver would support continued strength in the gold market as well, potentially driving gold prices higher and reinforcing the long-term momentum toward the $10,000 region.

Market Risks: Inflation, Policy Shifts, and Geopolitical Tensions Threaten Stability
Trade tensions between the U.S. and China may escalate further. Any breakdown in diplomatic talks or additional retaliatory measures could disrupt global supply chains and trigger sharp market reactions. Sudden policy changes, such as tariff increases or export restrictions, may create uncertainty and short-term volatility across commodity and equity markets.

The Federal Reserve faces a dilemma. Cutting rates to support growth may worsen inflation. However, holding rates steady could risk a deeper slowdown. The sticky inflation near 3.0% and rising fiscal spending may pressure bond markets and undermine confidence in monetary policy. This environment may fuel demand for gold, but it also increases the risk of financial instability.

Moreover, the falling consumer sentiment signals weak household confidence in the economy. If inflation stays elevated and wage growth remains soft, spending may decline. At the same time, political tensions ahead of the 2026 midterm elections could limit the government’s ability to respond effectively. These overlapping risks could hurt corporate earnings and lead to broader market stress, even as gold benefits.

Final Thought: Safe-Haven Demand and Trade Tensions Support Bullish Momentum
Gold continues to benefit from rising geopolitical and economic uncertainty. The escalation of the U.S.–China trade war, persistent inflation, and weakening consumer sentiment all support a defensive investment stance. Precious metals offer protection as policy risks and market volatility increase.

The long-term chart for gold shows a parabolic move, with prices rising steadily while respecting key short-term resistance levels. This surge reflects strong buying driven by geopolitical tensions and may extend toward the long-term target of $10,000. Investors may continue to buy on dips to capture potential new highs, as the strong yearly candle for 2025 suggests even greater momentum in 2026.

As global power struggles and fiscal expansion reshape the economic landscape, gold remains a key asset for preserving value and managing risk.

Bitcoin prices are consolidating around $111,000 following the heavy market losses on October 10, due to a trade war between the US and China. The asset’s price is presently down by 9.45% on its weekly chart and also 12.16% away from its all-time high amidst this corrective phase.

Bitcoin Logs First Negative Apparent Demand Flip Since July
In an X post on October 11, popular market analyst Ali Martinez shares on-chain data that shows that Bitcoin’s apparent demand has recently flipped into negative territory for the first time in three months, suggesting a short-term cooling in investors’ appetite.

For context, the apparent demand measures the net amount of Bitcoin being accumulated by active holders. In simpler terms, it reflects how much of the Bitcoin supply is being reactivated or moved relative to how much is newly created. A positive reading generally indicates growing market demand and accumulation, while a negative value suggests reduced appetite or selling pressure.

Data from on-chain analytics firm CryptoQuant shows that as of October 8, Bitcoin’s 30-day apparent demand has dropped to -13,707 BTC.  This development marks the first negative reading since July, when the metric last turned red before rebounding strongly alongside Bitcoin’s summer rally.

Source: @ali_charts on X
Throughout August and September, Bitcoin’s apparent demand remained firmly positive, even as prices moved between $108,000 and $122,000, suggesting steady accumulation. However, the latest data shows a sharp reversal. The drop into negative territory could mean that long-term holders have started realizing profits or that buying momentum has temporarily slowed as traders assess the macro environment.

Interestingly, the macro environment has also become a growing concern for investors, as the United States and China appear poised for a renewed tariff standoff. Notably, US President Donald Trump has announced plans to impose a 100% tariff on all Chinese imports, following China’s proposal to introduce a sweeping export tax on several key goods.

Given the historical reaction of market price to tariff news seen during the early days of Trump’s administration, investor sentiment may remain subdued if this trade showdown persists, with many likely adopting a cautious stance until a clearer policy direction emerges.

Bitcoin Price Overview
At the time of writing, Bitcoin trades at $111,800, reflecting a 0.47% decline over the past 24 hours. On a monthly basis, the asset is down 3.06%, underscoring the intensity of the current corrective phase in the market.

Related Reading: Dogecoin Price Taps IMB Zone – What This Means And Where The Price Is Headed

BTC trading at $111,709 on the daily chart | Source: BTCUSDT chart on Tradingview.com
Featured image from iStock, chart from Tradingview

Key NotesBNB price fell 9.6% but held above $1.000, on Saturday, outperforming rival large-cap cryptocurrencies.Data shows traders favored BNB and BTC in “flight-to-safety” trades amid $19 billion in liquidations.The exchange token sector proved more resilient, declining only 5.4% versus the 9% global crypto market drop.
BNB price held above $1,130 on Saturday, October 11, declining 9.6% in line with the broader market crash that wiped out $19 billion from the global crypto liquidation in 24 hours. Yet, key market data shows BNB displayed stronger resilience and remains better positioned for an early rebound than rival layer-1 tokens.

BNB and BTC Cut Losses to Single Digits Amid Flight-to-Safety Bets
BNB retraced from all-time highs of $1,330 on Monday to a weekly low of $1,043 during Friday’s crash before rebounding to $1,132 at press time. Notably, BNB’s 9.6% intraday loss outpaces its modest 7-day decline of only 1.7%, signalling strong buying pressure re-emerging at key psychological levels as weak hands exited.

Top 6 Cryptocurrencies performance on October 11, 2025 | Source: CoinMarketCap

Beyond that, Coinmarketcap data shows BNB’s limited drawdown places it alongside Bitcoin (-7.69%) as one of the only top-five cryptocurrencies keeping daily losses in single digits, despite market liquidations exceeding $19 billion in the past 24 hours. This highlights active “flight-to-safety” rotation toward BTC and BNB during the ongoing market dip.

Why Is BNB Price Holding Above $1,000?
BNB’s successful defence of the $1,000 during the crypto crash on October 11 can be attributed to improved sentiment after setting new all-time highs in three consecutive weeks, and incidental demand from the market turbulence.

As the native token of Binance, the world’s largest crypto exchange and second-largest DeFi ecosystem, BNB benefits from multiple demand catalysts, from trading fee discounts to increasing network revenue during heightened volatility.

Exchange Token Sector dips 5.4% as Global Crypto Market Cap plunges 9% on October 11, 2025 | Source: Coingecko

This dual function makes BNB an attractive hedge during market stress. Coingecko’s aggregate data on the crypto exchange tokens sector further reflects this narrative on Saturday. As seen above, the exchange token sector declined by only 5.4% to $221.4 billion in aggregate market capitalization on Saturday, outperforming the broader crypto market’s 9% contraction to $3.8 trillion.

Disclaimer: Coinspeaker is committed to providing unbiased and transparent reporting. This article aims to deliver accurate and timely information but should not be taken as financial or investment advice. Since market conditions can change rapidly, we encourage you to verify information on your own and consult with a professional before making any decisions based on this content.

Altcoin News, Cryptocurrency News, News

Ibrahim Ajibade is a seasoned research analyst with a background in supporting various Web3 startups and financial organizations. He earned his undergraduate degree in Economics and is currently studying for a Master’s in Blockchain and Distributed Ledger Technologies at the University of Malta.

Ibrahim Ajibade on LinkedIn

XRP headed south in the past seven days, so what's next?

Although bitcoin and BNB marked new all-time highs in the past week, Ripple’s native token failed to recapture its recently lost momentum and posted a painful loss, especially after the Friday evening meltdown.

As Uptober is almost halfway through, here’s what ChatGPT thinks could happen in the following week and whether XRP has the ability to rise above its current adverse state.

Will XRP Reverse the Trend?
XRP’s recent downfall is most evident in its decline in the market cap rankings. The asset held the third spot until not so long ago, but the impressive rise of BNB and USDT’s steady increase have changed the tides, and XRP is now down to the fifth.

The 21% weekly drop didn’t help either. ChatGPT also acknowledged the recent performances of BNB and even BTC, both of which tapped new records in the past several days. It noted that these two have sucked the liquidity out of “lagging” assets like XRP. It also mentioned the daily RSI sliding toward the neutral/oversold zone, which is a sign of a cooling momentum.

According to OpenAI’s chatbot, XRP has already dropped by a few crucial support levels at $2.70 and $2.50. The next ones are situated at $2.20 and $2.00. In contrast, the first resistance it has to overcome to resume its bull rally is at $2.70, followed by the one at $3.00-$3.10. Overall, ChatGPT concluded that the landscape around XRP is slightly worrying.

“Trendline: The short-term trend has turned slightly bearish after several weeks of sideways trading.”

Actual Numbers
The AI solution gave the best odds (45%-50%) for a bearish continuation in the week ahead, in which the asset’s price could drop gradually to $2.10, which would position it between the two major support levels mentioned above. Even if XPR doesn’t decline that much, ChatGPT sees the token remaining well below the crucial $3.00 level.

The neutral/consolidation probability is set to be somewhere around 30%-35%, the AI product said. This would be possible if XRP finds solid support at $2.20 but fails to overcome the $2.70 resistance and trades between the two for the next week.

You may also like:

Altcoin Bloodbath: ETH, XRP, SOL, DOGE Crumble as Liquidations Near $900M

XRP Whales Offload $50M Daily: Sell Pressure Threatens Price Drop

Why Ripple’s (XRP) $3 Support Could Be the Start of a New Rally

The least probable scenario in the AI’s view is a bullish rebound above $3.00. It gave just a 20%-25% chance for such a surge that could propel it toward $3.30, but only if strong volume returns and a new Ripple catalyst appears.

Radiant Capital (RDNT): Up over 100% in 24 hours; must hold $0.029 and close above $0.034 to confirm strength after its breakout.Morpho (MORPHO): Whales lifted holdings 5.34%; staying above $1.61 could support a move to $1.91–$2.85.Succinct (PROVE): Up 19%; a 4-hour close above $0.85 could target $0.94–$0.98, extending its post-crash rebound.While most of the market is still recovering from the steep tariff-driven crash, a few altcoins that beat the crypto market crash have already turned heads with 24-hour gains, even going as high as 100%. These tokens managed to rebound faster than others, showing strong on-chain activity and retail demand even as larger assets lag behind.

This article discusses those three crash-beating altcoins and how their price charts are shaping up amid the broader market weakness.

Radiant Capital (RDNT)Radiant Capital — a DeFi lending platform built to bridge liquidity across chains — has emerged as one of the few altcoins to beat the crypto market crash.

RDNT rallied nearly 100% in the past 24 hours, rebounding to around $0.029. The move is powered by an interesting split between retail excitement and cautious large-holder interest.

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The Chaikin Money Flow (CMF), which measures how much institutional or large-wallet money is flowing in or out of a token, remains just below zero.

However, it has started curling upward, suggesting that big players are slowly returning — but still trading carefully. For CMF to confirm full institutional conviction, it needs to cross decisively above the zero line.

In contrast, the Money Flow Index (MFI), which tracks trading volume and retail inflows, has surged to an overheated 94.68, reflecting intense retail buying.

This shows smaller investors are aggressively chasing every rise and dip, driving short-term euphoria around Radiant.

Money Flow Associated with RDNT: TradingViewTechnically, while RDNT’s 100% surge looks impressive, the chart flashes an early warning.

Between April 25 and October 11, the price made a higher high, but the Relative Strength Index (RSI) made a lower high — a bearish divergence that often signals a possible correction rather than a full trend reversal.

Want more token insights like this? Sign up for Editor Harsh Notariya’s Daily Crypto Newsletter here.

At the same time, the RDNT price has just broken out of a descending channel, a bearish structure it had traded in for months. The breakout is promising, but it’s not yet a confirmed bullish reversal.

RDNT Price Analysis: TradingViewFor the move to sustain, Radiant must hold above $0.029 and close a daily candle above $0.034 even. Failure to do so could invite selling pressure back toward $0.020 or lower.

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Morpho (MORPHO)Morpho has quietly become another DeFi token, beating the crypto market crash, showing that decentralized lending projects may be leading the recovery.

While most altcoins remain deep in red, MORPHO is down only 10% over the past week and up 4.2% in the past 24 hours, hinting that DeFi resilience might be returning to the market.

Over the past 24 hours, Morpho whales increased their holdings by 5.34%, taking their total stash to 4.6 million MORPHO tokens. At the current price of $1.68, that translates to a stash worth nearly $8 million.

MORPHO Whales In Action: NansenThis accumulation came even as exchange balances rose 2.66%, showing that selling is continuing across cohorts, primarily by retail and smart money.

MORPHO’s price chart also paints an interesting story. Before the crash, the token was trading inside a rising wedge, a structure often seen before short-term corrections.

The crash broke this wedge to the downside, but the current bounce has pushed the MORPHO price back above the lower trendline, showing early signs of stabilization.

The Bull Bear Power (BBP) indicator — which tracks the strength balance between buyers and sellers — supports that view. The bearish bars have shrunk sharply since October 10, suggesting that selling pressure is fading and that bulls might be regaining control.

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MORPHO Price Action: TradingViewAt press time, MORPHO trades around $1.69. For the recovery to continue, the price must hold above $1.61 and push through $1.91 to retest higher resistance levels at $2.47 and $2.85. If $1.61 fails, short-term support lies at $1.55 and $1.44.

Despite market-wide volatility, Morpho’s steady whale accumulation and fading bearish power suggest that it could remain one of the few DeFi altcoins outperforming during the crypto market crash, provided large money keeps backing the rebound.

Succinct (PROVE)Succinct’s PROVE token, which powers its zero-knowledge proof (ZK-proof) infrastructure network, has emerged as one of the altcoins beating the crypto crash.

Over the past 24 hours, PROVE is up nearly 19%, signaling renewed confidence in infrastructure-based DeFi projects even as most of the market struggles to recover.

On-chain data paints a clear picture of who’s driving the move. Whale holdings fell 22.38%, dropping to just over 1,171 tokens, while exchange balances rose 6.27% to 38.25 million tokens. This suggests large holders are taking profits.

PROVE Whales Haven’t Joined In Yet: NansenSponsored

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The Money Flow Index (MFI) — which tracks money entering or leaving the asset — currently stands near 73.22, moving toward overbought levels. This means buyers remain active, but the momentum is largely retail-driven, and may need fresh whale inflows to stay strong.

PROVE Retail Taking Positions: TradingViewTechnically, PROVE continues to respect a falling wedge pattern on the 4-hour chart, a structure that often hints at a trend reversal once confirmed.

Between September 26 and October 10, the price made a lower low while the Relative Strength Index (RSI) formed a higher low, showing bullish divergence and fading selling momentum.

Succinct (PROVE) Price Analysis: TradingViewAt press time, PROVE trades near $0.74. A 4-hour candle close above $0.85 could open the path toward $0.94 and $0.98, marking a potential 25% to 30% upside from current levels. However, a drop below $0.72 could push the price toward $0.67, where the next key support lies.

For now, retail enthusiasm continues to drive PROVE’s recovery, but whale re-entry will decide whether it can extend its lead among the altcoins already beating the crypto crash.

Honorary Mention: Zcash (ZEC)While these DeFi names impressed during the recovery, Zcash (ZEC) deserves an honorary mention for completely defying the crypto market crash. The privacy-focused token is up more than 74% this week and nearly 10% in the past 24 hours, trading close to $290.

Zcash Price Analysis: TradingViewBoth retail and institutional money continue flowing into ZEC, keeping the rally alive even as most other altcoins struggle to recover. For more insights, read our full Zcash analysis here.

Disclaimer

In line with the Trust Project guidelines, this price analysis article is for informational purposes only and should not be considered financial or investment advice. BeInCrypto is committed to accurate, unbiased reporting, but market conditions are subject to change without notice. Always conduct your own research and consult with a professional before making any financial decisions. Please note that our Terms and Conditions, Privacy Policy, and Disclaimers have been updated.

Journalist

Posted: October 12, 2025

Key Takeaways
Is ETH breaking its patterns?
Yes, unlike past bull cycles, exchange withdrawals are declining even as ETH’s price recovers.

Are whales still buying ETH?
Absolutely! Bitmine and other large players accumulated over $480 million in ETH.

Ethereum’s [ETH] recent price recovery is missing a familiar sign: Exchange Withdrawals. In past bull cycles, surging ETH prices were typically followed by a spike in tokens leaving centralized platforms.

This time, withdrawals are declining.

Still, smart money is unbothered and is perhaps even preparing for the next leg up.

A break in the pattern
Historically, Ethereum’s cycle tops coincided with withdrawal spikes above 250,000-300,000, seen in 2018, 2021, and early 2024. Each peak in Exchange Withdrawal Count aligned almost perfectly with a local or cycle high.

But at press time, the chart showed withdrawals trending lower, not higher.

The usual chaos that indicates overheated sentiment simply wasn’t there.

Source: Alphractal

This leaves two possibilities: either Ethereum is breaking from its long-standing behavioral norm, or the real top (the moment of euphoria and mass exits from exchanges) hasn’t yet arrived.

Whales buy the dip
Beneath it all, big buyers have been moving.

Source: X

Lookonchain reported that Tom Lee’s Bitmine Immersion Technologies accumulated 128,718 ETH (worth nearly $480 million) across six new wallets, withdrawing the tokens from FalconX and Kraken shortly after the crash.

Source: X

Analysts also spotted strong buy walls around the $3.3K-$3.5K zone, so whales defended these levels.

While ETH still looked technically weak, these inflows proved that there was confidence that the real rally (and possibly the cycle’s true ATH) may still be ahead.

Is ETH recovering?

Gold bug Peter Schiff (to no one's surprise) has been busy gloating over the most recent Bitcoin price crash. 

The infamous financial commentator has now predicted that the price of Bitcoin could collapse all the way to $75,000, which would be the lowest level since April. 

Strategy's gains in danger? The predicted drop, according to Schiff, will wipe out all of the paper gains recorded by Strategy.  

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Michael Saylor's Strategy is currently the largest Bitcoin holder, with its total balance surpassing 640,000 coins. 

Strategy's average cost basis currently stands at $73,981 following the most recent purchases.  

As reported by U.Today, the company's premium relative to Bitcoin has also dwindled to just 1.44 in late September amid backlash stemming from investor concerns about stock dilution. 

Schiff has repeatedly predicted that MSTR could soon start trading at a discount, meaning that selling the company's shares will produce a negative yield. 

In February, the financial commentator suggested that Saylor could potentially sell his company's Bitcoin holdings and buy back shares. However, this would crash the BTC price, which is why such a scenario remains unlikely. 

Finally vindicated? Schiff would routinely get mocked due to his overly optimistic gold forecasts in the past. However, as reported by U.Today, the gold bug finally feels vindicated after the yellow metal recently surpassed $5,000 for the first time. Gold is now on track to log its best year since 1979. 

"I've been right about more things than have happened over the past decade. You just don't realize that yet," Schiff said in his recent social media post. 

Bitcoin is retesting the “golden cross,” a bullish technical pattern that has historically preceded rallies, according to crypto market analyst Mister Crypto.

In a Sunday post on X, the analyst shared a chart noting that Bitcoin’s (BTC) previous golden crosses led to gains of 2,200% in 2017 and 1,190% in 2020. With BTC currently hovering near $110,000, he suggested that holding above the level could ignite another parabolic move.

“The setup looks incredibly strong,” he wrote, adding that a confirmed breakout could “absolutely explode” Bitcoin’s price in the coming weeks.

A golden cross is a bullish trading signal that happens when a short-term moving average, usually the 50-day, crosses above a long-term moving average, often the 200-day. It signals that momentum is shifting from bearish to bullish, meaning prices may start rising.

Bitcoin retests golden cross. Source: Mister CryptoBitcoin must hold $110K or cycle could end: AnalystCrypto analyst Mac also warned that Bitcoin must hold the $110,000 level to avoid signaling the end of the current cycle. In a post on X, he noted that the 4-hour Money Flow Index (MFI) is “deeply oversold,” suggesting that BTC could be due for a short-term bounce.

Mac added that the risk-to-reward setup looks favorable, though he doesn’t expect a major surge in the immediate term. Instead, he anticipates “a little more upward chop next week.”

Bitcoin needs to maintain $110,000 level. Source: MacMeanwhile, Fundstrat’s co-founder Tom Lee believes the recent stock market pullback “may be overdue to an extent,” noting that markets have risen 36% since April and that Friday’s drop was the biggest in six months.

He highlighted the sharp rise in the VIX, a measure of market volatility, which spiked by 1.29%, calling it “the 51st largest ever spike in the VIX,” suggesting that investors were seeking safety.

Lee argued that the volatility spike is typically a sign of a short-term market bottom, as traders rush to hedge rather than sell. “If someone says, ‘Are we higher a week from today?’ I’m going to say the odds are actually really good,” he said.

Trump announces 100% tariffs on Chinese importsThe latest market sell-off followed US President Donald Trump’s announcement that the US will impose 100% tariffs on all Chinese imports starting Nov. 1, in retaliation for Beijing’s new export restrictions on rare earth minerals.

China, which accounts for about 70% of global rare earth supply, recently introduced rules requiring an export license for any product containing more than 0.1% Chinese-sourced rare earths, set to begin Dec. 1.

Magazine: Worldcoin’s less ‘dystopian,’ more cypherpunk rival — Billions Network

Cover image via U.Today

Disclaimer: The opinions expressed by our writers are their own and do not represent the views of U.Today. The financial and market information provided on U.Today is intended for informational purposes only. U.Today is not liable for any financial losses incurred while trading cryptocurrencies. Conduct your own research by contacting financial experts before making any investment decisions. We believe that all content is accurate as of the date of publication, but certain offers mentioned may no longer be available.

Weekend trading turned into a full-blown liquidation storm worth, according to different estimates, from $16 to $19 billion. This happened as the U.S. hit China with 100% tariffs and slapped new export controls on "critical software," sending equities into panic mode and crypto straight into its hardest correction of all time.

Bitcoin crashed to around $100,600 before bouncing back toward $111,000, driven not by fresh buyers but by pure mechanical deleveraging. Billions in positions were wiped, with Hyperliquid confirming over 1,000 accounts liquidated and more than $1.2 billion in losses.

Bitcoin's best scenario right nowMarket participants are still trying to figure out the mess. Emotions apart, Bitcoin’s flash low at $100,600 came fast, but the rebound near $111,000 shows the floor held better than expected. The current road map is simple: hold $109,000-$111,000, reclaim $113,000-$114,000 on a daily close and don’t fall back into that liquidation crater that wiped out billions in open interest.

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Bitcoin Price by CoinMarketCapAs leverage is gone, only spot and ETF flows matter now. If macro headlines stop throwing curveballs, BTC has a path to crawl back into the $116,000-$118,000 pocket, with $120,000 as the line that flips this from recovery to revival. Anything below $109,000 and the wick zone comes right back into play.

Figure of day: 700% XRP trader did not sellThe trader who called XRP’s 700% run earlier this year came back online after the price of the altcoin lost 43% in one hourly candle. The message of "DonAlt" was just three lines: watch daily closes, ignore noise, hold your position until the structure breaks.

I only care about closes and I generally am not doing much until I'm fully tuned in the market again anyway

So no holding everything

— DonAlt (@CryptoDonAlt) October 11, 2025 In a market still shaking off billions in forced liquidations, that tone hit exactly where it needed to. The confirmation that he’s still holding XRP was enough to give the cryptocurrency market something human again — conviction. For XRP, that’s all it took. Price still has to fight its way back through the $3 range, but the community got what it needed — proof that the guy who nailed it before is not gone.

Chart of day - Shiba Inu (SHIB) refuses to add zeroDuring the recent collapse, SHIB pulled the meme coin special — dipped below $0.0000090, tripped every stop, then closed right back near $0.000010. One long lower wick, a clean recovery close, and the Shiba Inu community instantly knew: Digit defended.

Volume popped exactly at the bottom, meaning buyers were waiting for that panic wick. The structure is now binary — stay above $0.0000098 and the "no extra zero" story lives. But break below, and the meme loses its punch.

SHIB/USD by TradingViewClose above $0.0000105, and the next zone opens toward $0.0000113-$0.0000115, a clean 10% range for the brave ones still clicking buy.

Evening outlookBitcoin has one job — keep $109,000-$111,000 alive and close above $113,000-$114,000 before Asia wakes up. Lose the band, and the market retests the $100,000 wick in no time.

Secondary strength — DASH, ZEC, BNB — stays conditional on Bitcoin’s composure. Macro remains on alert — tariffs and export rhetoric run the headlines. Any new escalation resets the whole book instantly; silence gives crypto a shot at stabilizing into Monday.

Falling interest rates could spark a roaring recovery in the sluggish real estate market.

The U.S. Federal Reserve cut the federal funds rate (overnight interest rate) three times in the closing months of 2024, and on Sept. 17, it delivered the first cut of 2025. The Fed is scheduled to host its next two-day policy meeting on Oct. 28 and 29, and based on the central bank's latest forecast, another cut is on the table. Wall Street appears to agree because the CME Group's FedWatch tool predicts a 92% chance of a reduction.

The real estate sector is very sensitive to changes in interest rates. Rising rates can put the brakes on the housing market by constricting consumers' borrowing power, whereas falling rates typically drive a flurry of activity as mortgages become more attainable. Douglas Elliman (DOUG -1.14%) is the fifth-largest residential real estate brokerage company in the U.S., so it could experience a significant growth phase if interest rates continue trending lower.

Douglas Elliman stock is already up 75% this year, crushing some of the best stocks in the high-growth artificial intelligence (AI) industry -- including Nvidia, which has returned just 36%. Here's why it might still be a great buy ahead of the Fed's next meeting.

Image source: Getty Images.

A century-old real estate brand
Douglas Elliman was founded in 1911, so it has a century's worth of experience navigating peaks and troughs in the real estate market. Today, it employs around 6,600 agents across 111 offices across the U.S., specializing in high-end luxury markets in New York, California, Texas, and more.

Douglas Elliman sold $20.1 billion worth of real estate during the first half of 2025, so it's on track to exceed its 2024 total of $36.4 billion. That would be an impressive accomplishment considering U.S. existing home sales are near their lowest level in five years, which is a function of the Fed's aggressive interest rate hikes between 2022 and 2023.

US Existing Home Sales data by YCharts

It will take some time for the benefits of interest rate cuts to work their way through the economy, but they will almost certainly spark activity in the housing market eventually. However, Douglas Elliman isn't waiting around, because it has used this sluggish period in the real estate sector as an opportunity to diversify its business.

The company launched Elliman International in June, bringing its prestigious brokerage business to regions like the Middle East, Latin America, and Europe. It then announced Elliman Capital in July, which is an in-house mortgage platform designed to assist buyers with their financing needs, unlocking an entirely new revenue stream.

Douglas Elliman delivered strong financial results in the first half of 2025
Douglas Elliman generated $524.7 million in revenue during the first half of 2025, which was an 8% increase from the year-ago period. The company also carefully managed costs during the first six months of the year, driving an improvement in its bottom line.

Douglas Elliman still lost $28.6 million during the period on a generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP) basis, but that was much better than the $43.1 million loss it generated in the first six months of 2024.

After stripping out one-off and non-cash expenses, the company's adjusted (non-GAAP) EBITDA was actually positive to the tune of $260,000 in the first half of 2025 -- a big improvement from its adjusted EBITDA loss of $14.7 million a year ago.

Douglas Elliman stock looks like a bargain
Douglas Elliman is in a great financial position, because it has $136.3 million in cash on hand with just $50 million in debt -- but it's actually convertible debt that can be swapped for stock at just $1.50 per share in 2029. Since a single share trades for around $2.90 as I write this, Douglas Elliman probably won't have to repay the principal in cash (as things currently stand).

Based on the company's market capitalization of $252 million and its trailing 12-month revenue of $1.03 billion, its stock trades at a price-to-sales (P/S) ratio of just 0.23. If we factor in its net cash position, it looks even cheaper.

Douglas Elliman's P/S ratio peaked at around 0.8 during the last housing boom in 2021. I'm not suggesting it will return to that level, but if falling interest rates drive an acceleration in the company's revenue growth (which is probable), a higher valuation is certainly on the table.

DOUG PS Ratio data by YCharts

Plus, Douglas Elliman stock is cheap relative to some of its peers. Compass, which is America's largest residential real estate brokerage company, trades at a P/S ratio of 0.63. That's a 174% premium to Douglas Elliman's valuation. Plus, back in July, residential real estate brokerage powerhouse Redfin was acquired by Rocket Companies for $1.75 billion, representing a P/S ratio of around 1.7 at the time.

One interest rate decision probably won't change Douglas Elliman's fortunes, but it looks like a great buy ahead of Oct. 29 based purely on its attractive valuation, and the momentum in its business. Keep in mind the company reportedly rejected a takeover bid of around $5 per share earlier this year, suggesting management sees significantly more upside from that level.

Anthony Di Pizio has positions in Douglas Elliman. The Motley Fool has positions in and recommends Nvidia and Rocket Companies. The Motley Fool recommends CME Group. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.

This historically low-tech business is getting a digital upgrade.

In 2018, tech giant Apple became the first U.S. company to reach a market capitalization of $1 trillion. Since then, it's been joined by other companies such as Microsoft, Amazon, Alphabet, Meta Platforms, and Tesla. Of course, the list also includes the current market-cap leader, Nvidia.

It's becoming increasingly normal for a new company to join the $1 trillion club. But it remains an impressive feat nevertheless. At this pace, these tech titans could be joined by brick-and-mortar giant Walmart (WMT 0.10%) in 2026.

Over the past 15 years, Walmart stock has risen by 470%. The company has also been a steady dividend payer over this time. For investors who bought, held, and reinvested the dividends along the way, returns were even better with a 680% gain.

WMT data by YCharts.

Stocks that post strong long-term gains, as Walmart stock has, often decide to undergo stock splits, bringing the price per share down due to a higher number of shares overall. Walmart has done this many times in its history, including a 3-for-1 stock split in 2024.

As of this writing, Walmart has a market cap of $820 billion. Therefore, to reach $1 trillion in 2026, it would need to appreciate by about 22% in less than 15 months. Is this really possible? It's not a sure thing, but it may be easier than some investors think.

How Walmart can reach $1 trillion
At a high level, stocks tend to go up when profit potential goes up. Perhaps profit potential goes up because a business is about to reach a new scale thanks to new locations or an acquisition. Or perhaps profit potential goes up because management is about to unlock some operating leverage. But either way, for Walmart stock to go up another 22%, one would expect improvement to its operating income over the next year or so.

Walmart is known for selling millions of products. But retail sales aren't driving growth for the company's operating income. In the earnings call to discuss financial results for its fiscal second quarter of 2026, CFO John Rainey said: "Contributions to operating income are increasingly influenced by a diverse set of interrelated drivers, including improved e-commerce, economics, and business mix, most notably from higher margin areas like advertising and membership fees."

Rainey attributes much of Walmart's operating income growth to e-commerce, an area of the business that's absolutely booming. In Q2, e-commerce revenue was up a strong 25% year over year globally, far outpacing the company's overall revenue growth of about 5%. If e-commerce continues to boom in 2026, it could drive operating income, and the stock price, higher.

Walmart's e-commerce growth provides it with another opportunity: Digital advertising. The company has troves of consumer shopping data and strong relationships with top consumer brands. With more customers transacting digitally, it gives the retailer an opportunity to generate high-margin digital advertising revenue.

Additionally, Walmart recently completed its acquisition of connected-TV company Vizio. This is another channel with which the company can leverage its data and scale to advertise to consumers, which again drives operating income growth.

For what it's worth, Walmart's Q2 advertising revenue was up 46%. Granted, some of the growth was inorganic from the recent addition of Vizio. But the company is growing this revenue stream nonetheless.

In other words, Walmart's fastest-growing revenue streams also happen to be the ones that are driving growth in operating profit. Assuming these trends continue, which I do, Walmart's profits should continue to climb in 2026, providing a boost for the stock price.

To be clear, Walmart might not grow enough over the next 15 months to warrant a $1 trillion valuation before the end of 2026. But directionally, the business appears to be headed for the trillion-dollar club. It doesn't seem to be a matter of if, but rather of when.

Jon Quast has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has positions in and recommends Alphabet, Amazon, Apple, Meta Platforms, Microsoft, Nvidia, Tesla, and Walmart. The Motley Fool recommends the following options: long January 2026 $395 calls on Microsoft and short January 2026 $405 calls on Microsoft. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.

SummaryDell’s AI server momentum, record backlogs, and enterprise demand highlight a durable growth cycle, supporting revenue visibility and leadership in next-gen infrastructure amid accelerating AI adoption.Margin gains stem from AI-optimized mix, recurring services, and supply chain diversification, offsetting tariff risks while sustaining profitability despite elevated R&D and competitive intensity.Rerating outpaced earnings upgrades; backlog strength and pipeline growth suggest further revenue and EPS beats, keeping upside potential despite valuation stretch.Edge AI, IoT, and APEX services expand recurring streams; partial profit booking is prudent, yet catalysts justify maintaining a Buy for continued AI-led momentum. Thinglass/iStock Editorial via Getty Images

My Buy call on Dell Technologies (NYSE:DELL) in May not only benefited from a broader market rebound from the lows but also from the expected AI server-led narrative. With around 75% gains locked in

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.

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Despite its recent share price gains, this disruptive battery company is showing a big red flag for investors.

Electric vehicles have been going mainstream for a decade, but outside of China, they don't seem to be catching on as quickly as some had expected them to. While EVs accounted for half of China's vehicle sales in 2024, EV sales dropped in Europe, and their sales growth rate slowed markedly in the U.S. Globally, EVs only make up 4% of the total passenger car fleet, according to research from the International Energy Agency.

One of the biggest challenges in terms of getting car buyers to consider EVs relates to their batteries: Drivers are always seeking better range, faster charging, and lower costs. Meanwhile, automotive makers are also trying to reduce costs and make EVs more efficient. QuantumScape (QS -1.93%) may have a solution to all of these problems: Its next-generation solid-state batteries are expected to offer big improvements over the lithium-ion batteries now being used, and their better performance may in turn give a boost to EV sales.

While QuantumScape isn't turning a profit yet, its tech has shown enough promise to win it some key contracts. And the stock is up more than 200% so far this year, by far outperforming the S&P 500.

Should QuantumScape be on your buy list now? Or is the stock too hot to touch after its 2025 rally?

Image source: Getty Images.

QuantumScape and its contracts
California-based QuantumScape is a maker of electric vehicle batteries, but with a twist. It uses solid ceramic separators instead of polymers in its battery cells, which allows it to utilize pure lithium-metal anodes rather than carbon or silicon anodes. 

Those differences from legacy technology result in batteries with higher energy densities, faster charging, and longer lifespans. And when installed in EVs, that will mean cars with increased ranges and less recharging hassle. 

The stock made a giant move up this summer when the company announced in late June that it had successfully integrated its Cobra separator process into baseline cell production for its batteries. The company said the Cobra process is 25 times faster than its previous production process. That announcement sent QuantumScape stock up 200% in just a month.

The shares have had other tailwinds this year as well. QuantumScape has a long-standing relationship with giant German automaker Volkswagen, which made its first investment in the company back in 2012. Then in 2018, they formed a joint venture to develop solid-state battery technology for mass production.

In July, the companies made another announcement: QuantumScape expanded its partnership with Volkswagen's battery subsidiary, PowerCo, to accelerate the QSE-5 battery development pilot line. PowerCo will invest up to $131 million over and above the $130 million that had previously been committed so that it will be able to begin QSE-5 production and automation work.

Coupled with the Cobra production improvement, that deal seemed to portend a significant step toward QuantumScape mass-producing solid-state EV batteries.

Then on Sept. 30, QuantumScape made another big announcement, disclosing a deal with ceramic and glassmaker Corning to create a ceramic separator manufacturing process for its solid-state batteries. The goal, according to the companies, is high-volume production of ceramic separators for commercial use. News of that deal sent QuantumScape stock up another 23%.

So, the stock has been experiencing serious momentum. But can it last?

A look at QuantumScape stock
QuantumScape is a pre-revenue company, but it's not operating in an unreasonable way. Its cash burn hasn't spiraled out of control. It posted a net loss of $229.1 million in the second quarter, which was a slight improvement from its loss of $243.6 million a year ago. The loss per share was $0.20, better than the $0.25 per share it lost in the second quarter of 2024.

However, QuantumScape still has a decent cash position of $190.5 million, which is down from $214.4 million from a year ago. Between that cash and the company's other available and incoming funds, management said that it believes it will have enough cash resources to keep operating into 2029, so there are no significant impediments that would prevent it from continuing to develop and commercialize its technology.

But there is one significant red flag for investors: The stock now has short interest of 51%. In other words, just over half of QuantumScape's outstanding shares are being bet against it being successful. Any company with more than 30% short interest runs the risk of becoming a meme stock.

QS Short Interest data by YCharts.

Is QuantumScape a buy now?
You can look at this as both an opportunity and a huge risk. If QuantumScape can show progress with its Corning and Volkswagen partnerships, gain some momentum, and, ideally, add another partner or two, then this stock will take off.

But investors need to be careful, because that massive short interest will magnify the hills and valleys the stock moves through in response to positive and negative headlines. Any delays en route to commercializing its batteries could be devastating to QuantumScape stock -- its 2025 gains could rapidly vanish.

If you're going to climb aboard this train, I'd recommend taking only a small position. But based on my personal risk tolerance, QuantumScape is a pass.

Patrick Sanders has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool recommends Corning and Volkswagen Ag. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.

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.

Disclaimer: I am not an investment advisor, and this article is not meant to be a recommendation for the purchase or sale of stock. Investors are advised to review all company documents and press releases to see if the company fits its own investment qualifications.

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.

Even after the big run-up, there's still potential here.

After years of horrendous stock price performance, Warner Bros. Discovery (WBD -3.23%) has finally had its day in the sun. Year to date, this media conglomerate's shares are up by more than 75%, but most of these gains arrived over the last month, as shares surged from the low teens to nearly $20 per share.

Strategic alternatives, or at least the potential for strategic alternatives, has been the key factor behind this big run-up. The question now, however, is whether this stock has gone up too far, too fast, or if there's still opportunity for investors who have yet to make it a buy.

The answer? Yes, even as Warner Bros. Discovery's valuation went from bargain-basement to richly priced, suggesting this catalyst has already baked into the stock.

Here's why.

Image source: Getty Images

Split-up and takeover talk have sent Warner Bros. Discovery surging
In June, Warner Bros. Discovery, originally formed as the result of a corporate spinoff, announced spinoff plans of its own. At the time, the company's management detailed plans to become two separate publicly traded companies.

One of these companies will consist of the company's Warner Bros. film and TV studios, HBO, as well as the HBO Max streaming service. The other company will consist of its portfolio of cable television stations like CNN, TNT, and Discovery, along with the Discovery+ streaming service .

Investors reacted positively to this news, but excitement about this catalyst lost momentum during August. In September, however, a new, and arguably more significant, potential strategic alternatives catalyst came on the scene, as rumors emerged that Paramount Skydance (PSKY -5.40%) was preparing to make a takeover offer for the company.

Warner Bros. Discovery's stock popped from around $12 per share to as much as $20 per share in the day following the emergence of these takeover rumors, and in recent weeks, has held steady near that price.

Still undervalued, despite high earnings multiple
On the surface, Warner Bros. Discovery appears to have gone from undervalued to richly priced. Based on trailing-12-month (TTM) results, shares trade at a P/E ratio of around 38 . Compare that to Disney, another major media conglomerate, which trades for only 19 times TTM earnings.

However, Paramount Skydance may be willing to pay up for Warner Bros. Discovery, due to the significant cost and growth synergies that will likely arise. According to Peter Supino, a sell-side analyst at Wolfe Research, merging these two companies could mean $3 billion in potential annual cost savings.

This factor could also make this company a target of other possible strategic acquirers. A good example is Amazon, which already owns the MGM film studio and library, and could benefit from consolidating the operations of Warner with its film subsidiary. Wall Street is now speculating that there will be a bidding war for this company, possibly resulting in a sale in the low-to-mid-$20s per share.

Best of all, this may occur either ahead of the company's planned split or after the split, when the film library/streaming business completes its separation from the cable television network business.

Is it too late to buy Warner Bros. Discovery?
I wouldn't count on Warner Bros. Discovery stock to experience a rally similar to last month's rally anytime soon. That said, with Wall Street once again recognizing the underlying value of film studios and their libraries, I believe a win/win scenario for investors is taking shape.

In the months ahead, Paramount (or another strategic buyer) could make an offer for the company. If that fails to happen, shares could still rise, as investors anticipate the separation of Warner's most valuable assets from those that buyers are less interested in purchasing.

That said, keep in mind that while there may be moderately high upside potential here, there may be moderately high downside risk as well. If merger and acquisition rumors fizzle out, and if the company's film hot streak comes to an end, shares may be at risk of losing some of their latest gains.

Thomas Niel has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has positions in and recommends Warner Bros. Discovery. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.

This brand has fallen on hard times but still has a long history of revenue growth.

The market loves everything to do with artificial intelligence (AI) right now. Anything else? Not so much. That could be applied to Lululemon (LULU -3.42%) and its apparel brand, which has seen slowing revenue and a stock fall 66% from all-time highs set earlier this year. Investors are worried about increased competition in the athleisure space.

However, if you look at the underlying figures and Lululemon's international growth trajectory, it is clear that the best days are ahead for this storied brand.

Here's why Lululemon is a fantastic growth stock to buy with $1,000 right now.

Better growth in North America
Lululemon's stock price has been hurt because of a revenue slowdown in North America. The entire apparel space has been hit, with larger brands such as Nike seeing declining sales in the important United States and Canadian markets in recent quarters. While it is not immune from broader consumer spending trends, Lululemon's business is still growing, with Americas revenue up 1% year over year last quarter. This may not look like a growth stock, but it is much better than its peers.

For example, last quarter its competitor Athleta had a 9% decline in revenue. Management believes that the Lululemon brand is still gaining market share in the premium athleisure space, and it just signed a new marketing partnership with American Express that could drive wealthy customers to spend more on Lululemon products.

Once the consumer slowdown in athleisure ends, Lululemon is poised to accelerate its revenue growth in North America, which was still 70% of total net revenue as of last quarter.

Room for international expansion
Over time, North America is going to become less important for Lululemon. Why? Because of the huge runway the brand has for global expansion.

In China, the company's revenue is growing 24% year over year in constant dollar terms, which has exploded from $434 million in total revenue in 2021 to $1.5 billion in revenue over the last 12 months. With 1.4 billion people in the nation (going through a consumer recession at the moment), Lululemon is poised to keep expanding in China as well as other Asian countries.

Europe and Latin America have untapped potential. Lululemon just announced a flagship store in Milan, which could spur growth in the fashion-forward country. If brands like Nike and Adidas can do well globally, I see no reason why Lululemon would not have similar success. This provides Lululemon a much longer growth runway than investors are giving it credit for.

Total revenue was $10.9 billion over the last 12 months. With a recovery in North America, expansion in China and Europe, as well as general economic tailwinds, I think Lululemon can reach $20 billion and eventually $30 billion in annual sales within the next 10 years.

LULU Stock Buybacks (TTM) data by YCharts

Smart capital allocation and a cheap price
Lululemon's share price is in the gutter, and management is trying to take advantage of the situation with a smart share buyback program. Over the last 12 months, Lululemon repurchased $1.444 billion worth of stock, or a buyback yield of 7% versus the current market cap of $20 billion. If this continues, Lululemon's shares outstanding should fall at an accelerating rate, which will accelerate the growth in earnings per share (EPS), the key driver of stock performance over the long haul.

The stock looks cheap at today's levels. It has a price-to-earnings ratio (P/E) of 12, which is well below the S&P 500 Index average of 30. Lululemon will have tariff-related headwinds in future quarters, but it is not going to kill the business and will (hopefully) not last forever. Put it all together, and Lululemon looks like the ultimate growth stock right now. Take $1,000 and buy a few shares for your portfolio. You likely won't regret it a decade from now.

American Express is an advertising partner of Motley Fool Money. Brett Schafer has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has positions in and recommends Lululemon Athletica Inc. and Nike. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.