Market Signal Briefing

Bitcoin breaks $125k in one of the quietest rallies ever Christina Comben · 36 mins ago · 2 min read

A new Bitcoin all-time high above $125,000, with no FOMO or euphoria, just strong institutional flows and more upside in sight.

Oct. 5, 2025 at 12:21 pm UTC

2 min read

Updated: Oct. 5, 2025 at 12:58 pm UTC

Cover art/illustration via CryptoSlate. Image includes combined content which may include AI-generated content.

Bitcoin has smashed through the $125,000 level, setting a new Bitcoin all-time high in one of the most subdued rallies the market has ever witnessed. Sure, the barrier was broken on a sleepy Sunday, but still, the notable lack of memes, comments, and euphoria was palpable. As Vijay Boyapati, author of The Bullish Case for Bitcoin, stated:

“Quietest Bitcoin all-time high ever. No news. No interest. No FOMO. We’re going much, much higher.”

But behind the scenes, macro ripples are already influencing the next chapter for the world’s favorite decentralized asset (even if retail traders seem to be sleeping through it).

A new Bitcoin all-time high, but no euphoriaMarkets love narratives. Yet October’s historic Bitcoin price action is notably lacking the “mania” or retail frenzy of previous peaks. Spot ETF flows and subdued but consistent “whale” accumulation are doing the heavy lifting, while retail sentiment remains strikingly cool. Perhaps the lack of frenzied headlines is also a sign that this cycle’s buyers are different. They’re seasoned, institution-heavy, and more strategic than before.

As The Wealth Coach on X mused:

“It absolutely blows my mind Bitcoin is the 7th largest asset in the world

And I don’t know a single person in real life who owns any or directly invests in it… or even cares to hear about it”

Rate cuts, government shutdown, and fresh liquidity on the horizonBehind the Bitcoin all-time high and the lack of retail FOMO is a wave of anticipation for Federal Reserve rate cuts. The markets have now priced in a near-certainty of a cut in October.

Major banks like Bank of America and JPMorgan are moving up their forecasts on soft labor data and the impact of the government shutdown. Goldman is even calling for two more cuts before the end of the year. Lower rates mean cheaper dollar liquidity and a softer environment for hard assets (exactly the catalyst that tends to send Bitcoin to new highs).

Fueling the macro backdrop is President Trump floating the idea of providing Americans with $1,000–$2,000 payments funded by new tariff revenues, calling them “distributions” or “dividends.” While ‘stimulus checks’ remain a proposal, not a policy or law, the idea of fresh liquidity entering the market is like kerosene to risk-on assets.

Institutional calm amid rising tideUnlike previous bull runs, there’s little panic buying or sudden retail influx this time. ETF inflows continue steadily, there’s higher open interest on major derivatives platforms, and the “quiet rally” is being driven by asset allocators rather than retail FOMO.

Bitcoin is behaving more like a high-conviction, macro-sensitive asset in big portfolios. And the latest Bitcoin all-time high is flying under the radar.

Latest Bitcoin Stories

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.

On the charts, Shiba Inu is about to enter a pivotal point as bulls and bears wrestle over a possible breakout that might determine the next significant market direction. Following weeks of sideways consolidation and declining volatility, SHIB looks to be finally waking up.

Taking chancesOn the daily time frame, a notable volume spike and a potential 100 EMA (orange line) breakthrough are forming. Bulls’ attempts to regain momentum have been consistently rejected by the 100-day exponential moving average, which has long served as dynamic resistance for SHIB. The price action, however, appears to be regaining strength this time.

SHIB/USDT Chart by TradingViewNear $0.0000120, the coin recently recovered from its ascending trendline and pushed upward toward the $0.0000135 zone, which is where the upper boundary of the symmetrical triangle and the 100 EMA converge. Volume, which is an important confirmation metric for breakouts, has also started to rise noticeably, suggesting that large-scale or institutional traders may be setting up for a directional move.

HOT Stories

It is important to pay attention to this level of activity, because in the past, comparable volume surges have preceded significant upward rallies or violent rejections in SHIB’s price history. The months-long downward trend that has dominated since mid-summer could be put to an end if SHIB is able to decisively break above $0.0000135, which could lead to $0.0000140-$0.0000150.

Shiba Inu's technical stateAt roughly 55, the RSI is still moderate, indicating that more upside is possible before overbought conditions develop. That being said, there is no guarantee of a bull market. If the $0.0000125-$0.0000120 support range is not maintained, sentiment may swiftly turn bearish once more, pushing the token back toward the $0.0000115 region and potentially resuming the downward grind.

The fight for momentum is currently taking place in real time. Whether Shiba Inu’s most recent recovery attempt becomes the start of a bull run or just another false breakout in a tightening consolidation zone will be determined by the last few daily closes. Traders should be ready for increased volatility in the upcoming sessions, in either case.

Welcome to Latam Insights, a compilation of the most relevant crypto news from Latin America over the past week. In this week's edition, Brazil registers record crypto transaction flows, the Argentine Congress fails to advance its Libra probe, and Brazil's Finance Minister claims a CBDC will bring transparency to the nation.

MetaMask has introduced a points-based system that rewards trading and cross-chain activity on its platform.The initiative has drawn mixed reactions, with users accusing the wallet provider of prioritizing fees over fairness.Meanwhile, new security concerns emerged after researchers warned that MetaMask’s Google login feature could expose users’ private keys.MetaMask has announced a new reward initiative worth over $30 million in LINEA tokens to incentivize activity ahead of its long-awaited token launch.

The program introduces a structured points system for participants. It determines users’ eligibility for rewards based on their trading behavior and overall engagement across the MetaMask ecosystem.

Sponsored

According to a recent GitHub commit, MetaMask has quietly integrated a “Ways to Earn Rewards” feature into its platform, though it is yet to go live.

The documentation shows that users will earn 80 points per $100 in spot trades, 10 points per $100 in perpetual trades, and 250 points per $1,250 in historical volume.

gm foxes 🦊

Yes, a rewards program is on the way. 👀

Any of the details you've previously seen/heard are not indicative of what is to actually launch. Let's talk a little bit about what the actual MetaMask Rewards program WILL be.

This program will yield referral rewards, mUSD…

— MetaMask.eth 🦊 (@MetaMask) October 4, 2025
In addition, activities conducted on the LINEA network will earn double points. This signals that MetaMask intends to drive more cross-chain interaction toward LINEA, the Consensys-backed layer-2 protocol.

This approach, however, has divided the crypto community. Some users argue that MetaMask is prioritizing fee generation over fairness.

Sponsored

One user on X, Taco, remarked that MetaMask “could have made everyone happy with a simple airdrop,” calling the points program a “stupid system” that pushes people to pay higher fees.

Another influencer complained that platforms rolling out reward systems after years of operation risk alienating loyal users who supported them long before farming incentives became common.

However, MetaMask emphasized that the program is not intended as a yield-farming mechanism. The company described it as a long-term community rewards system that will eventually tie into the launch of its native token.

It also assured long-time users that they will receive special benefits as part of the rollout.

Sponsored

Security Concerns EmergeThe reward program launch coincided with a wave of security concerns about MetaMask’s new Google account login feature.

On October 3, Yu Xiang, co-founder of blockchain security firm SlowMist, raised alarms after discovering the issue.

He found that mnemonic phrases and private keys imported into MetaMask could be encrypted and automatically backed up to the wallet service provider’s servers.

Sponsored

According to him, this poses significant risks as a compromised Google account could expose users and potentially wipe their wallets.

“If you log in to MetaMask using Google/Apple methods, then the mnemonic phrase/private key within it, including those imported later, will by default be encrypted and uploaded to the web3auth[.]io server under MetaMask, and decryption requires Google/Apple authentication to pass and the correct wallet unlock password to be entered,” he stated.

MetaMask security lead Taylor Monahan acknowledged the community’s unease but defended the system’s architecture.

She said the encryption and authentication process offers stronger security than it seems and helps simplify onboarding for new users.

“I looked hard at first [because] it seemed like a terrible idea but the mechanism is more robust than the current state and team was well aware of the potential pitfalls. That said, it’s not necessarily for everyone. Advanced users and power users are fine to not use it,” Monahan explained.

Disclaimer

In adherence to the Trust Project guidelines, BeInCrypto is committed to unbiased, transparent reporting. This news article aims to provide accurate, timely information. However, readers are advised to verify facts independently and consult with a professional before making any decisions based on this content. Please note that our Terms and Conditions, Privacy Policy, and Disclaimers have been updated.

Crypto asset manager Bitwise filed an S-1 registration for an Aptos ETF to formalize its proposal following initial administrative steps to register the trust entity in Delaware, as Bitwise CEO Hunter Horsley confirmed the filing citing that Aptos Layer-1 blockchain has led development activities among new blockchain entrants by over 897% while expressing enthusiasm about "the momentum in the Aptos ecosystem."

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.

On Oct. 5, Bitcoin hit an all-time high of $123,200. A few hours later, one wallet made a transfer that almost eclipsed the record. Address "3NVeX" sent out 1,550 BTC in two installments: 800 BTC first and then 750 BTC. The wallet sent both of them straight to Binance. At market prices, the combined weight was just under $200 million.

When the transfers cleared, the wallet balance showed a bit more than 1 BTC. What was a nine-figure position was down to almost nothing in less than an hour.

Binance became the landing ground for the entire move. On-chain explorers recorded the deposit tags as belonging to the exchange, leaving no doubt about where they were going.

Nothing in the transactions suggested any internal changes or intermediary addresses, presenting a rare direct deposit of this scale without additional routing or masking structures attached.

HOT Stories

Bitcoin price outlookPrice data was key to understanding the move. Bitcoin had reached $125,559 before dropping back to $122,900. That was the market situation that led to the wallet being emptied, a backdrop that reinforced how large transfers often arrive during extreme levels of activity, when record prices open windows for decisive action by significant holders.

One address, two transactions, $200 million, balance down to almost nothing. It's a perfect example of how a whale moves: not secretly, not in lots of small jumps, but in broad daylight at the exact moment Bitcoin hit a new price high.

Singapore — Max Crown, the new chief executive of the TON Foundation, says the blockchain tied to messaging giant Telegram is moving beyond infrastructure to become a full-fledged “super app” ecosystem — and South Korea will be central to that expansion.

“TON isn’t just another Layer-1 chain,” Crown said in an interview with TokenPost at Token2049 in Singapore. “It’s the foundation for a global ecosystem built directly on Telegram, where messaging, payments, gaming, and digital assets all converge.”

A former co-founder and CFO of crypto payments firm MoonPay, Crown took over as TON Foundation CEO in 2023. With Telegram’s 900 million users and a wallet now natively embedded in the app, he believes TON can onboard “the next billion users” without requiring them to download a separate application. More than 150 million wallets have already been created, a figure Crown aims to double within a year.

Korea Strategy: Localization, Listings, and Pop Culture Tie-Ins

Crown called South Korea “a natural fit” for TON’s ambitions, citing the country’s familiarity with “super app” models such as KakaoTalk. TON is already listed on Bithumb, and the foundation is pursuing additional listings and regional campaigns.

“Korea’s digital culture — stickers, fandoms, and IP — is a powerful tool for adoption,” Crown said, hinting at plans to collaborate with K-pop artists and to launch localized wallet and NFT integrations. He also noted that the country’s tight foreign exchange rules could make it a valuable testbed for stablecoin-based remittances and asset transfers.

Max Crown, CEO of the TON Foundation, poses for a photo after an interview with Sonny Kwon, Founder of TokenPost during the Token2049 conference in Singapore.

Focus on Real Utility Over Hype

While Telegram-based mini-games drove early awareness, Crown stressed that the next phase is about real-world use cases. “The goal is to make crypto as easy as sending a text,” he said. “People shouldn’t even need to know it’s blockchain under the hood.”

TON’s current grants target five verticals — GameFi, payments, DeFi, AI, and Telegram’s in-app economy — with an emphasis on quality over quantity. Crown said the foundation will soon announce a global card partnership with a “major brand” and is integrating with protocols such as Aave, Chainlink, and Wormhole to expand its DeFi footprint.

Global Push: From U.S. Payments to Emerging Market Remittances

In the U.S., TON plans to mirror models like Cash App and Venmo through peer-to-peer and split-payment features using stablecoins. “Our wallet is fully non-custodial, so it’s compliant and easy to use,” Crown said.

Emerging markets, however, may see TON’s fastest traction. “In Indonesia, the Philippines, and parts of Africa, demand for cheap cross-border transfers is exploding,” he said. “We’re working with Visa veterans and local payment partners to solve that last-mile problem.”

Tokenized Assets and DeFi OS Ambitions

TON is also entering the tokenized asset race. Through xStocks, a collaboration with Kraken and Backed, TON will enable fractional trading of 60 U.S. equities and ETFs directly within Telegram, starting in emerging markets. The project follows the foundation’s earlier Libre initiative to tokenize real-world assets such as Telegram bonds.

“In the future, anyone will be able to buy a slice of Tesla stock through their TON wallet,” Crown said. “TON is evolving into a decentralized financial operating system — one that could power securities, prediction markets, and even AI-driven finance.”

Looking Ahead

Crown projects that Telegram could reach 1.5 billion users within three years. By then, he envisions TON as “the non-China super app infrastructure” — a single environment for messaging, payments, games, and asset management.

“Korea will likely be the first place this vision comes to life,” he said. “It’s where culture, technology, and community meet.”

<Copyright ⓒ TokenPost, unauthorized reproduction and redistribution prohibited>

Shiba Inu is sitting at a critical price level just as the U.S. government shutdown cuts off key economic data.

Some experts expect EV demand to fall sharply next year.

Tesla (TSLA -1.41%) investors should prepare for a rocky 2026. At least that's what certain experts think. "Next year could be a pretty dreadful year for EVs in this country," warns Adam Jonas, an analyst for Morgan Stanley. Tesla is already struggling with sluggish sales growth. But as we'll see, meager sales growth could get even worse starting this week.

Expect EV demand to drop sharply starting this week
Why is Adam Jonas so bearish on EVs in 2026? Last month, tax credits for EV buyers were eliminated. That essentially adds up to $7,500 to the price tag of most EV purchases. Don't underestimate the upcoming impact. While more consumers are interested in an EV for their next vehicle purchase, these consumers are also increasingly cost conscious. According to Eric Bradlow, an expert on EV demand at The Wharton School, "consumers considering an EV or hybrid are more pragmatic and cost-conscious than current EV owners."

Image source: Getty Images.

Due to social pushback against its mercurial CEO, Elon Musk, as well as a relatively stale product lineup, Tesla is already struggling to maintain positive sales growth. Revenue is expected to fall by nearly 5% this fiscal year. Next year, however, sales are expected to grow by nearly 20%. If experts like Eric Bradlow and Adam Jonas are correct, however, Tesla's actual results in 2026 could disappoint.

Investors should be prepared for lumpy sales results. Prospective EV buyers may have accelerated their purchase plans in order to take advantage of tax incentives before they expired in September. This could make next quarter's results look promising. But investors should expect a steep drop-off in sales in the quarters to follow.

Ryan Vanzo has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has positions in and recommends Tesla. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.

The 2025 gold rush is in effect as the price of bullion climbs to new heights and capital flows quickly into gold-focused exchange-traded funds (ETFs).

Analyst’s Disclosure:I/we have a beneficial long position in the shares of APA either through stock ownership, options, or other derivatives. 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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Oracle is making a massive bet on OpenAI and it could put the company in danger.

Oracle (ORCL -0.91%) is the hottest name in AI, but the company isn't a guaranteed winner in the space. Larry Ellison's bet on OpenAI is risk and the company's balance sheet is already stretched, so investors need to be aware of the risk.

*Stock prices used were end-of-day prices of Sept. 26, 2025. The video was published on Oct. 4, 2025.

Travis Hoium has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has positions in and recommends Nvidia and Oracle. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.

Firefly's revenue growth seems stellar, but expenses are acting as a gravity well, dragging the company's profits straight down.

Firefly Aerospace (FLY 2.13%) reported Q2 2025 earnings last week, its first official earnings report since holding an amazingly (if only temporarily) successful initial public offering (IPO) in August.

Firefly, you may recall, IPO'ed at $45 last month and quickly rocketed, closing its first day of trading up 33%. A stock's success can only be driven by pure momentum for so long, however, and Firefly stock began giving back its gains just as quickly, closing last week below $36 per share -- then falling 20% more on Tuesday after news that a Firefly rocket had exploded during testing drove the stock lower.

By Tuesday's close, Firefly stock was trading just over $29 a share -- and 36% below its IPO offer price.

The explosion was obviously bad news -- but Firefly's earnings report last week was arguably even worse.

Photo of Earth taken from Firefly's Blue Ghost lunar lander. Image source: Firefly Aerospace.

Firefly Aerospace Q2 earnings
What went wrong with this rocket stock last week? Let's start with revenue.

Firefly booked nearly $60 million in revenue in Q1 2025, the quarter in which it accomplished an astoundingly successful landing on the moon with its Blue Ghost spacecraft for NASA. The company's been hired to conduct three more such landings over the next four years, but even so, that's an event that can't recur every quarter.

Without revenue from Blue Ghost to boost it, Q2 2025 revenue fell steeply to just $15.5 million. Year over year, that worked out to a 26% revenue decline.

The good news is that with no lander to build, Firefly incurred a lower cost of sales in the quarter. As a result, gross profit grew 35% year over year.

The bad news is that Firefly has several irons in the fire beyond just building lunar landers. The cost of investing in multiple new products, from Eclipse medium-lift rockets to Elytra spacecraft, while at the same time growing the company to support a faster cadence of rocket launches and spacecraft missions, added expenses that quickly drained away all gross profit -- and left Firefly Aerospace with a big net loss on the bottom line.

All those darned expenses
As revenue fell, selling, general, and administrative spending grew 2% in Q2. Research and development costs rose 16%, offsetting the savings from the lower cost of goods sold. Factor in 40% greater interest paid on the company's debt and a fivefold increase in "other" expenses, and Firefly ended up with an $80.3 million loss on the bottom line -- $5.78 per share.

Ultimately, Firefly's sales fell 26% in Q2, and the company's losses increased by 26%.

Not all bad news
That's the bad news. Now here's the good.

Turning to guidance, Firefly management predicted that, despite the weak performance in Q2, total revenue this year will reach $133 million to $145 million, up as much as 138% year over year. What's more, with year-to-date sales now at $71.4 million, the company is still trending toward the top of that range.

Growth of 100%-plus is great news for Firefly. According to the analysts who've begun weighing in, the company's growth rate isn't just fast -- it's accelerating. Analysts polled by S&P Global Market Intelligence see Firefly's revenue tripling next year after just doubling in 2025.

Admittedly, because Firefly has numerous expenses, analysts don't expect the company to turn profitable in 2026, despite the rapid revenue growth. However, by 2027, revenue is expected to pass $765 million (and revenue growth will finally begin slowing down a bit, to 77%), and analysts are forecasting that Firefly will finally turn the corner and earn its first profit of $0.33 per share. Then that number is expected to double in 2028, to $0.73 per share.

Is Firefly stock a buy?
Admittedly, $0.33 a share (or even $0.73) still isn't a lot of profit to support Firefly's expensive price. Still, Firefly's 35% stock price decline since its IPO makes this space stock a lot cheaper than it used to be. If Firefly can figure out and fix the problem that caused its rocket to explode this week, it could present a pretty remarkable bargain, relative to how expensive the stock was on IPO day.

At 89 times projected earnings two years away, Firefly isn't an obvious buy yet -- but it's getting there.

Rich Smith has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.

Analyst’s Disclosure:I/we have a beneficial long position in the shares of CP either through stock ownership, options, or other derivatives. 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.

CoreWeave announced several massive deals over the past few weeks.

CoreWeave (CRWV -2.30%) is making some big moves. Recently, it signed a deal to rent out $14 billion of its computing capacity to Meta Platforms (META -2.29%). It also expanded its agreement with OpenAI, the makers of ChatGPT, by $6.5 billion. These monster deals are pushing the stock higher, and CoreWeave's stock is up almost 34% since September started.

CoreWeave's business goal is to become the artificial intelligence (AI) cloud king. To do that, it will need to buy a lot more computing capacity, including chipsets from Nvidia (NVDA -0.77%). That leads to the question: Is it better to buy CoreWeave stock, or are you better off owning Nvidia? Let's take a look.

Image source: Getty Images.

CoreWeave's servers are filled with Nvidia GPUs
As mentioned above, CoreWeave's goal is to become the go-to cloud computing platform for artificial intelligence computing. This is an attractive business model for CoreWeave and clients alike. While most clients are building out their own computing infrastructure, having some flexibility to run workloads on CoreWeave's servers when demand is higher or not needing to build out AI computing capacity all at once is a smart move. On CoreWeave's side, the business model is fairly simple: Rent out the computing power for more than it costs to replace and operate the equipment.

For Nvidia, its graphics processing units (GPUs) are the most flexible computing units available and are a top option for AI companies to run workloads on. However, custom AI chips are starting to increase the competition that Nvidia has to deal with, but it's still the most commonly used computing unit due to its flexibility. Nvidia sells its GPUs to cloud providers like CoreWeave or its competitors because they have no idea what type of workload their computing units will see. AI hyperscalers can purchase their own custom AI chips because they know what workload will be run across them. This is a key distinction for Nvidia, so it's crucial for its success that CoreWeave and other cloud competitors continue buying up Nvidia's GPUs to meet capacity.

In a way, both companies are critical for each other's success, but there's one option that stands out as a much better pick.

CoreWeave isn't profitable during a once-in-a-lifetime boom
CoreWeave is growing at a rapid rate as demand for AI computing capacity explodes. During its most recent quarter, CoreWeave's revenue rose 207% year over year to $1.2 billion. Considering CoreWeave signed a $14 billion agreement through the end of 2031 with Meta and the total value of the OpenAI contract (which runs through 2029) is now $22.4 billion, there's a massive backlog for CoreWeave to churn through.

However, what remains unclear is what will happen after those contracts expire. Both Meta and OpenAI are building out internal computing capacity to meet AI demand. If they build out enough to satisfy capacity, using CoreWeave as a third-party cloud provider may be unnecessary. This would cause CoreWeave to lose substantial business.

For Nvidia, a complete AI computing capacity buildout may sound scary, but it really isn't. GPUs utilized for AI computing are run incredibly hard and can have lifespans of one to three years. This means that current computing capacity must be replaced every couple of years, which will allow Nvidia to maintain a strong revenue base. CoreWeave has no similar guarantee, and I think that's a key point investors must understand.

Furthermore, right now is about as good as it's going to get for CoreWeave. Demand for AI computing capacity is high, and although it's still growing, it's hard to imagine this growth lasting over the long term, say five to 10 years out. The current problem is that CoreWeave isn't profitable. It posted a net loss margin of 24% during Q2. CoreWeave losing money during arguably its best time to be making profits is a huge red flag, and it makes sense why companies like Meta and OpenAI are renting computing capacity from them; they can likely rent it from CoreWeave for cheaper than they can build it. If CoreWeave increases prices to become profitable, this may no longer be the case. At that point, customers will likely build their own.

This makes the future precarious for CoreWeave, and I'd much rather own Nvidia stock than CoreWeave as a result.

Keithen Drury has positions in Meta Platforms and Nvidia. The Motley Fool has positions in and recommends Meta Platforms and Nvidia. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.

UiPath stock could have a strong upside if these partnerships can help reaccelerate revenue growth.

UiPath (PATH 1.14%) finally gave the market something to get excited about. The stock popped after the company laid out a series of new collaborations with Nvidia, Alphabet, Snowflake, and OpenAI. For a business that has been slogging through a multiyear turnaround, this was great news, as it shows a company ready to play a central role in how enterprises actually use artificial intelligence (AI).

Going down a new path
UiPath is no longer trying to be just a robotic process automation (RPA) company that uses software bots to automate rule-based tasks such as data entry. Instead, it is shifting to agentic automation, where its AI agent orchestration platform can coordinate how humans, bots, and different AI agents all work together. These new partnerships are about pushing that vision into the real world.

Image source: Getty Images

The deal with Nvidia focuses on industries that have little room for error. UiPath will use Nvidia's Nemotron models and NIM microservices to power agents that can run on-premises in regulated environments like healthcare and fraud detection, where data can't leave secure systems. Meanwhile, it will bring Alphabet's Gemini models into its platform, so people can use automation with voice commands.

In addition, by linking up with Snowflake, it will tie Snowflake's Cortex AI to its orchestration platform to help customers act on data insights in real time. And finally, its OpenAI partnership adds a ChatGPT connector that lets customers weave advanced large language models (LLMs) right into their workflows without rebuilding everything from scratch.

When you look at these moves together, UiPath is trying to position itself as the Switzerland of enterprise AI agents: integrating with everyone and letting customers pick whichever models they want without locking themselves into a single vendor. That pitch resonates because companies are wary of vendor lock-in, and having one orchestration platform that can handle all these AI agents could become a valuable advantage. The collaboration with Snowflake looks particularly compelling because the combination should be able to offer an alternative approach to Palantir that can deliver similar data-driven automation and real-world insights using a customer's data that is already warehoused inside Snowflake servers.

Meanwhile, even before announcing these partnerships, UiPath was already seeing early signs that its turnaround was starting to take hold.

In its most recent quarter, the company's annual recurring revenue (ARR) climbed 11% to $1.72 billion, beating the high end of guidance. Cloud ARR jumped 25% to cross the $1 billion mark, proving that the migration to the cloud is moving along. Net revenue retention stabilized at 108% after several quarters of slippage, which is important because it suggests existing customers are still spending more. Its public sector business, which had been frozen earlier in the year, is starting to come back, and adjusted operating margins jumped to 17% as the company's past cost cuts and restructuring efforts began to show up in its numbers.

Is the stock a buy?
While UiPath still has plenty to prove, there are other encouraging signs. The return of founder Daniel Dines as CEO has given the company a steadier hand and clearer focus on its agentic automation vision. More than 450 customers are already building AI agents on its platform, and 95% of new customers are adopting its core automation products too, suggesting the new AI tools are complementing rather than replacing its traditional offerings.

Trading at a forward price-to-sales (P/S) ratio of roughly 4.1 times expected 2026 revenue, the stock's valuation is inexpensive for a business with improving fundamentals. If these partnerships can further help accelerate growth, UiPath's stock could have plenty of upside ahead.

That said, this is not a low-risk story, and there will likely be bumps along the way. However, for investors willing to bet on a company that looks like it is getting its act together and has some powerful partners lined up, the stock looks like an interesting buy.

Geoffrey Seiler has positions in Alphabet and UiPath. The Motley Fool has positions in and recommends Alphabet, Nvidia, Palantir Technologies, Snowflake, and UiPath. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.

Following some strategic acquisitions during the past year, this mortgage company looks like an attractive investment opportunity.

Rocket Companies (RKT -2.99%) has been a roller coaster ride since its initial public offering (IPO) on the stock market in 2020. After rising as high as $43 per share in March 2021, Rocket's journey went into reverse in 2022 as rising interest rates contributed to a slowdown in the housing market.

At one point, the stock plummeted as low as $6 per share. However, there has been a notable bounce back, and shares are currently priced at about $18, which is 58% off its all-time high (as of Oct. 2). Here's why Rocket stock may be worth a closer look.

Image source: Getty Images.

Higher interest rates have weighed on Rocket's business
Rocket Companies went public in August 2020 as the largest retail mortgage originator in the U.S. Initially buoyed by low interest rates and a pandemic-driven mortgage refinancing boom, Rocket posted strong earnings and solid growth.

However, interest rates climbed in response to inflationary pressures, and mortgage demand cooled as a result. Rocket's operating earnings fell sharply, exposing its reliance on cyclical mortgage origination activity. Investors grew skeptical, and the stock struggled to maintain momentum as Rocket's volumes declined.

RKT Revenue (TTM) data by YCharts

The housing market and mortgage rate volatility have left it in a tough spot, and Rocket has made some big moves to diversify its earnings and be more resilient across different market environments.

How Rocket looks to become more resilient
Rocket Companies has a strong position with its digital-native home lending products. However, this hasn't prevented it from being subject to the cyclical nature of the business. As a result, Rocket has made several moves to expand from being a mortgage originator to a platform company focusing on controlling the entire home-buying experience, from search through closing and servicing, angling to maintain a lifetime relationship with its customers.

The company has made two significant acquisitions in recent years: Mr. Cooper Group and Redfin. These acquisitions transformed it into a fully integrated real estate and mortgage company.

Earlier this year, Rocket announced its acquisition of Mr. Cooper Group, which closed on Oct. 1. The acquisition gives Rocket the nation's largest mortgage servicing platform -- over $2.1 trillion in unpaid principal balances. This generates stable, recurring fee income that cushions Rocket against some of the fluctuations in its mortgage origination business.

It also provides constant customer contact, opening doors for cross-selling, refinancing, insurance, and personal loan products. For shareholders, this stabilizes cash flows and reduces earnings volatility, making Rocket less sensitive to interest rate swings.

Meanwhile, its Redfin acquisition, which closed in July, adds to the top of the funnel. Redfin's brokerage and widely used real estate search platform bring millions of potential home buyers directly into Rocket's ecosystem.

Pairing Redfin's agent network and property listings with Rocket's origination, title, and servicing capabilities creates a one-stop shop for buying, financing, and managing a home. This vertical integration improves margins by capturing a larger share of the transaction value, while reducing acquisition costs.

Rocket has made its business more resilient
Rocket will continue to be sensitive to changes in interest rates and the conditions surrounding the housing market. However, the company has made strategic acquisitions to strengthen its position in the housing market and expand its revenue streams, making it more resilient in the cyclical industry.

If interest rates do fall in the coming years, Rocket could benefit from a thawing housing market and the potential for a refinancing boom for any homeowners who took out high-interest mortgages during the past couple of years.

With its digital platform and growing scale, as well as recurring revenue in the Mr. Cooper Group, Rocket has done a good job of making it a one-stop shop for customers' mortgage needs, which is why the stock is a solid buy today.

Courtney Carlsen has positions in Rocket Companies. The Motley Fool has positions in and recommends Rocket Companies. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.

The cloud computing giant is on track to become a much bigger company over the next three years.

Oracle (ORCL -0.91%) has made investors significantly richer in the past three years, turning an investment of $1,000 into the stock into almost $4,600, as of this writing. The stock's remarkable jump of 358% during this period has significantly outpaced the 84% gains clocked by the S&P 500 (^GSPC 0.01%).

Oracle's market-beating gains in the past three years have taken its market cap to $802 billion. Investors may now be wondering if this technology giant is capable of delivering more gains considering its massive market cap, which has now made it the 14th-largest company in the world. However, the good part is that Oracle has the ability to become a much bigger company in the next three years.

Let's look at the reasons why.

Oracle's business is primed for a massive liftoff over the next three years
Oracle concluded its fiscal 2025 on May 31 this year. The company ended the year with $57.4 billion in revenue, an increase of 8% from the prior year. What's worth noting is that Oracle's revenue at the end of fiscal 2022 was $42.4 billion. So, its top line increased at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of just more than 10.6% in the past three years.

The cumulative revenue generated by the company in fiscal years 2023, 2024, and 2025 stood at more than $160 billion. There is a solid chance that Oracle's growth could take off impressively over the next three years. Analysts are expecting its top-line growth rate to double in fiscal 2026. It is expected to finish the year with $67 billion in revenue.

Looking ahead, that growth rate is likely to accelerate in the next couple of fiscal years. That's because Oracle has started the current fiscal year with an astronomical revenue backlog. It reported a whopping $455 billion in remaining performance obligations (RPO) at the end of fiscal Q1, an increase of 359% from the prior year. That number is nearly thrice the revenue generated by the company in the last three fiscal years combined.

The massive size of this backlog is a result of the rapidly growing demand for Oracle's cloud infrastructure, which is being used by its customers to build, train, and deploy artificial intelligence (AI) applications. Oracle's wide presence in 51 regions across 26 countries where it is offering more than 150 cloud-based services, as well as its multicloud offerings through which customers can run apps on popular cloud services such as Microsoft Azure, Amazon's AWS, and Alphabet's Google Cloud, have made this company one of the best ways to capitalize on the cloud infrastructure boom.

Importantly, Oracle is ramping up its infrastructure at an aggressive pace. It plans to increase the number of multicloud data centers for its three hyperscale customers to 71 from the current reading of 34. It also plans to double the number of dedicated Oracle data centers this year to almost 60. In all, Oracle is going to build more data centers than all of its competitors combined, as chairman Larry Ellison pointed out earlier this year.

This puts Oracle well on its way to converting a significant chunk of its revenue backlog into actual revenue. And that's precisely the reason why this tech stock is likely to head higher in the next three years.

The company's accelerating revenue growth will result in more upside
Investors have already seen that Oracle's revenue growth rate is expected to pick up significantly this year. The good part is that this trend is expected to continue in the next couple of fiscal years. This is evident from the chart.

ORCL Revenue Estimates for Current Fiscal Year data by YCharts

By fiscal 2028, Oracle's revenue is expected to close in on almost $120 billion. That will be a significant jump from its projected revenue in the next fiscal year. This jump in Oracle's revenue growth after a couple of years can be attributed to its capacity-building efforts. As the company rolls out more data centers, it should be able to accelerate its revenue growth given its huge RPO.

If Oracle indeed generates $120 billion in revenue after three years and trades at 9 times sales at that time (in line with the U.S. technology sector's average sales multiple), its market cap could jump to $1.08 trillion. That points toward a potential jump of 34% from current levels. Oracle, however, could deliver a stronger jump if the market continues to reward it with a premium valuation (its current sales multiple is 14) on account of the bump in its growth.

Harsh Chauhan has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has positions in and recommends Alphabet, Amazon, Microsoft, and Oracle. 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.

Warren Buffett's growing cash pile speaks volumes about the current state of the stock market.

One of the qualities that makes Warren Buffett one of the most successful investors in history is his patience.

He noted the importance of waiting for opportunities in his most recent letter to Berkshire Hathaway (BRK.A 0.70%) (BRK.B 0.68%) shareholders.

"Understandably, really outstanding businesses are very seldom offered in their entirety, but small fractions of these gems can be purchased Monday through Friday on Wall Street and, very occasionally, they sell at bargain prices. ... Often, nothing looks compelling."

Buffett's willingness to wait for compelling prices has led him to sell more stocks than he bought for Berkshire Hathaway in each of the last 11 quarters. As a result, Buffett now sits on nearly $340 billion of investable cash and cash equivalents (excluding cash held in the railway business), looking for an investment opportunity.

Unfortunately, the stock market is sending a strong signal that there might not be very many compelling opportunities to find right now, and certainly not in Berkshire's investable universe. As a result, Berkshire's cash pile keeps growing.

Image source: The Motley Fool.

The massive warning to stock investors
Over the last few years, investors have pushed the prices of large-cap S&P 500 (^GSPC 0.01%) stocks significantly higher. However, fundamentals have failed to keep up.

As a result, stock valuations are now approaching record highs. Buffett's preferred valuation indicator, total U.S. stock market value divided by GDP, dubbed the Buffett Indicator, has climbed above 200%. When the indicator reaches that level, as it did in 1999 and 2000, Buffett says, "You are playing with fire."

Another indicator is also flashing similar warnings as the turn of the century. The Shiller P/E ratio has topped 40. The metric takes the 10-year moving average of inflation-adjusted earnings for the S&P 500, and divides that number into the current index value. The only other time valuations were this high was amid the dot-com bubble.

Here's what history says happens next
History is quite clear about what happens when the Shiller PE has exceeded 40. Every single time, it has produced negative 10-year annualized returns.

There's just one caveat: We've only ever had one prior period where the S&P 500 valuation climbed above a Shiller PE of 40. The dot-com bubble popping was followed in quick succession by the global financial crisis, which led to the so-called "lost decade."

Data by YCharts.

History doesn't repeat itself, but it often rhymes. And there's no denying the fact that the Shiller P/E ratio is inversely correlated with 10-year forward returns. As such, as the S&P 500 valuation continues to climb higher, the expected returns going forward become worse and worse.

Considering Buffett is a value investor and heavily prefers large-cap U.S. equities, it's no wonder he's found very little to invest in over the last few years as valuations climbed. That said, that doesn't mean there aren't other opportunities that he's found that could be even more beneficial for smaller retail investors.

The hidden message under Buffett's $340 billion warning
It's important to put Buffett's position in context. Berkshire Hathaway is a $1 trillion U.S. company. Its marketable equity portfolio exceeds $300 billion. And when you combine that with its $340 billion cash position, there's practically no other investment fund with as much cash to move as Berkshire. That's severely limiting.

Buffett's investable universe is only the biggest stocks in the market. And since he's heavily focused on U.S. stocks, that means mostly S&P 500 companies.

That said, he's found several excellent opportunities outside the S&P 500 recently. He's notably invested billions in the five Japanese trading houses, including adding over $40 million to Berkshire's investments in August. Despite the strong performance of the Japanese stock market in recent years, the Shiller P/E ratio remains well below its 25-year average. That led Shiller to maintain his projection for relatively strong returns from the Japanese stock market over the next 10 years in his most recent market forecast.

Even in the U.S., there remain ample opportunities for investors. While the S&P 500 has seen its valuation climb, the mid-cap and small-cap index hasn't followed suit. What's more, a handful of companies have driven the S&P 500 P/E ratio higher, while earnings haven't necessarily followed suit.

There are still a good number of stocks with compelling valuations in the S&P 500 itself. Buffett has been a buyer when the opportunity arises, notably buying UnitedHealth last quarter, along with nine other stocks, most of which were on the smaller end of the Buffett's investable universe.

The message for investors to take away is that many of the biggest companies in the United States look expensive right now. That's weighing on the future expected returns of popular indexes like the S&P 500. But if you look beyond the biggest names in the U.S., there are still a lot of compelling opportunities that could produce better returns than the most commonly used benchmark index.

Adam Levy has positions in UnitedHealth Group. The Motley Fool has positions in and recommends Berkshire Hathaway. The Motley Fool recommends UnitedHealth Group. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.

Every investor wants to see their portfolio increase substantially in value over time.

There might be a common misconception out there that investors must be skillful at picking individual stocks for their portfolios to achieve success. This just isn't true. A ton of available exchange-traded funds (ETFs) can provide investors with a passive strategy to take advantage of.

Many asset management firms offer these products. Vanguard is one of the most reputable. It's been around since 1975, and it had $11 trillion in assets under management (AUM) as of July 31. It might be a good idea to pick an ETF from this financial institution.

Investors should realize that serious wealth can still be generated by going the passive route. But can one of these Vanguard ETFs make you a millionaire one day?

Image source: Getty Images.

Impressive track record
The most popular investment vehicle offered by Vanguard is the Vanguard S&P 500 ETF (VOO -0.02%). It has $1.4 trillion in AUM, which showcases its gargantuan scale. As the name suggests, the ETF follows the performance of the S&P 500 Index. This benchmark consists of 500 leading companies that trade on U.S. stock exchanges.

The Vanguard S&P 500 ETF's performance is worth highlighting. In the past decade, it has produced a total return of 314%, which includes dividends. This translates to a fantastic 15.3% gain on an annualized basis.

It's clear how someone could've become a millionaire by owning this ETF. Had you invested $3,750 per month in the Vanguard S&P 500 ETF over the past decade (between September 2015 and September 2025), making a total of 120 allocations, you'd have $1 million today. This is the power of compounding and dollar-cost averaging. Extending the time horizon would result in more robust gains.

You would immediately think that to achieve such a stellar performance, the costs would be extreme. That's not the case, as the Vanguard S&P 500 ETF carries a low expense ratio of 0.03%. On a hypothetical $10,000 investment, just $3 would go to servicing the yearly fee.

Betting on American companies
Besides understanding the Vanguard S&P 500 ETF's performance and fee structure, it's extremely important that investors learn what exactly they'd be owning. The S&P 500 is the most-watched gauge of the stock market's performance. It provides exposure to all the sectors of the economy. Investors immediately gain solid diversification in their portfolios in a hassle-free way. The benefit gained by buying this ETF is that investors can avoid having to choose individual stocks that will be the winners of tomorrow.

In the past decade, there probably hasn't been a tailwind as impactful as the rise of global technology businesses. The stock market's returns are being driven by these dominant enterprises. The "Magnificent Seven" constitutes 34% of the Vanguard S&P 500 ETF's asset base, so there is some concentration at the top. Investors will have exposure to powerful secular trends that are lifting these companies, most notably artificial intelligence.

Patience is key
The Vanguard S&P 500 ETF's trailing-10-year returns have been incredible. There's no telling what sort of performance it will achieve in the decades ahead. However, I believe this investment product can turn you into a millionaire. Its long-term track record of compounding capital speaks for itself.

Just don't expect to get rich overnight. Successful investing, no matter what your exact strategy is, requires patience, maybe more than any other trait. Generating wealth takes time. Having the right mindset is critical.

It's also important to keep your emotions in check when there's heightened volatility or a market correction, things that are inevitable and can't be avoided. Keeping the attention fixated on the long term, as opposed to the next month or quarter, will also lead to success.

Neil Patel has positions in Vanguard S&P 500 ETF. The Motley Fool has positions in and recommends Vanguard S&P 500 ETF. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.

Success with this collaboration could secure Altria's ultra-high dividend for years to come.

Altria Group (MO -0.03%) is not only a Dividend King with over 50 consecutive years of dividend growth. The parent of Marlboro maker Philip Morris USA is currently the highest-yielding Dividend King out there, with a forward yield of 6.45%.

Altria's forward yield has been even higher in the past, prior to the stock's recent surge from around $40 a share at the start of 2024 to around $66 per share this month. Much of this run-up has been due to factors unrelated to the company's smoke-free diversification efforts. In fact, Altria has so far had mixed success capitalizing on the shift to tobacco-free nicotine pouch products like Zyn. Ironically, Zyn is owned by Philip Morris International (PM -2.14%), which, back in 2008, was a spin-off from Altria Group.

Future runup, though, may be directly related to the company's smoke-free diversification efforts. Last week, there was news of a major collaboration with its South Korean counterpart. The deal could help Altria bring to market products that not only help to partially offset declines in traditional tobacco products but also get the company back on track in terms of revenue and earnings growth.

Image source: Getty Images. 

Altria, dividend security, and a recent major announcement
Oddly enough, with Altria's shares rising since 2024, it appears that investors have grown more confident that the company's high-yielding dividend is secure. Admittedly, a closer look at Altria Group's financials calls this into question. During Q2 2025, its net revenue fell 3.6% year over year, with GAAP earnings per share falling 36.2%.

Even as the company's On! tobacco pouch product saw a big jump in sales recently, volumes still pale in comparison to those from market leader Zyn. For instance, last quarter, On! reported shipments of 52.1 million cans, whereas Philip Morris International shipped out 190.2 million cans of Zyn during that same time frame.

Yet while On! has so far failed to serve as a silver bullet for Altria's growth issues, a recent development could be the prelude to a much more successful smoke-free strategy. On Sept. 23, Altria announced that it has a memorandum of understanding to enter a non-binding global collaboration with South Korean tobacco giant KT&G.

This multifaceted deal includes plans for Altria and KT&G to collaborate on the development of non-tobacco nicotine pouches. Also, as part of the deal, Altria will acquire an equity stake in Another Snus Factory Stockholm AB, makers of Loop nicotine pouches. KT&G is in the process of purchasing Another Snus Factory.

How partnering with KT&G could pay off for Altria
Philip Morris International may be beating its former corporate parent on its home turf, but what if Altria starts to return the favor? That is, via the KT&G partnership, Altria could roll out On! worldwide. There may also be international expansion plans for the Loop brand.

For Altria, stronger non-U.S. growth coupled with continued modest market share gains in the U.S. nicotine pouch market may just well turn the tide, stabilizing net sales and securing modest earnings and dividend growth for years to come.

If this occurs, the impact on Altria's valuation could be meaningful. Right now, the company's shares trade for 11.7 times forward earnings. Philip Morris International trades for nearly 20 times forward earnings.

I'm not saying that this valuation gap could be fully bridged, but perhaps a partial catch-up in terms of valuation could be in the cards in the coming years.

Should you buy this stock today?
Although this recent announcement is promising, only time will tell whether it leads to a return to growth for Altria Group. Philip Morris International's first-mover advantage could limit Altria and KT&G's ability to grab a meaningful global share of the nicotine pouch market.

In my view, the combination of a high dividend yield plus potential for further multiple expansion makes Altria an attractive opportunity today. However, be well aware of the risks. If Altria's latest smoke-free gambit fails to move the needle, uncertainty about future dividends will likely spike once again. In turn, this could lead shares back toward prior lows.

Thomas Niel has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool recommends Philip Morris International. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.

Every technological leap comes with its own unique risks and downsides. The looming advent of quantum computing is no exception.

Artificial intelligence (AI) has obviously taken existing computer hardware to a whole new level. The biggest-ever computing leap, however, has yet to come.

That's the looming explosion of quantum computing -- a new kind of platform that's completely different from binary code-based processors used by nearly every kind of computer today. See, quantum computers utilize the unique properties of subatomic particles -- broadly referred to as qubits -- making them shockingly fast. Problems that would take years (if not decades, or even centuries) for conventional AI to solve can be completed in a matter of minutes with a quantum computing platform.

As you might imagine, though, this power can be used for nefarious purposes just as easily as it can be for good. For instance, industry experts widely expect quantum computers to be used to unencrypt what are supposed to be individuals' encrypted connections to the internet, as well as simply figure out user passwords.

The solution to the impending problem? Finding new ways to secure the data, connections, and networks that will soon be very vulnerable.

One surprising company is leading the charge.

An oldie but a goodie
If you guessed Nvidia or Microsoft or one of its AI peers, you didn't guess poorly. These names have certainly been at the forefront of artificial intelligence's ongoing development. Most of them are also working with quantum computing tech in one way or another.

However, that's not the company in question. Rather, it's International Business Machines (IBM 0.65%) -- or IBM -- that will redefine cloud security in the era of quantum-powered hacking and cyberattacks.

Although you've likely heard little about it, this technology company has been pre-solving digital security problems that don't technically yet exist. It's called Quantum Safe™, which is just an IBM arm helping organizations create and execute a plan to defend themselves from quantum-based cyberthreats.

So far, this division's efforts are mostly aimed at encryption, which is where most enterprise-level institutions are most immediately vulnerable. It's worth noting, however, that the company's work has inched its way into the purpose-built hardware realm as well.

For instance, IBM's z16 and z17 AI-capable mainframe computers are the world's first and still-only servers of their type to be "quantum safe" thanks to their built-in Crypto Express security cards.

IBM's got the chops
And it's not like IBM is out of its depth. Remember, IBM was technically one of the very first players to enter the artificial intelligence race when it first introduced a commercial version of its Watson AI platform back in 2013. (although it first turned heads back in 2011, when Watson won on television game show Jeopardy!).

Watson's since been surpassed by far better solutions -- including IBM's own improvements -- like OpenAI's consumer-facing ChatGPT or Palantir's institution-focused lineup, having never become the commercial success IBM had hoped it would become.

Still, it's not been a waste. The company's learned a lot from its own artificial intelligence successes and flops.

It also merits mentioning that IBM has been working on its own quantum computing tech for some time, and technically speaking, introduced the world's very first commercial quantum computing system back in 2019. Again, it was likely before its time, and not quite ready to provide the sort of computing firepower that was really beginning to be needed at the time; the COVID-19 pandemic didn't help either. Nevertheless, it's a starting point, and IBM has since gone on to build a 1,121-qubit quantum computing chip, which at the time it was unveiled back in 2023 was the world's highest-qubit platform.

More qubits, of course, means more computing power.

Setting the standards
With all that being said, perhaps the chief reason IBM will be the leading name in quantum cybersecurity by 2030 -- when the company expects quantum-based hacks and attacks to really begin ramping up -- isn't so much a developmental one as it is a logistical one rooted in sheer presence. That is, IBM is heavily involved in setting the current and future standards of cybersecurity solutions in the quantum era.

Case in point: The National Institute of Standards and Technology, or NIST.

Just as the name suggests, this organization helps ensure that all companies within a particular industry manufacture their goods in a way that at least makes them reasonably compatible with components that may be used or made by other companies. The end result is production efficiency, and ultimately, a more functional end product.

Well, IBM doesn't just comply with NIST standards. It helps make many of them. For instance, just last year, three of IBM's algorithms for post-quantum encryption became NIST standards that other players in the industry should follow. In other words, the direction this business goes from here will ultimately reflect IBM's solutions.

And it's not just the National Institute of Standards and Technology. IBM is also a member of the Organization for the Advancement of Structured Information Standards, or OASIS. Earlier this year, IBM joined Microsoft, Cisco, Intel, and a handful of other technology outfits to create OASIS's Data Provenance Standards Technical Committee, which will help standardize the handling of digital data in the AI era, which will soon become the quantum computing era.

IBM can't establish these minimum developmental expectations on its own, to be clear; other members of these organizations also contribute ideas and ultimately approve industrywide standards. It's got a seat at the table though, so to speak, and has been able to leverage its name and rich history as a means of exerting influence on the developmental direction that technology industries take.

Worth adding to your watch list, if not your portfolio
It's admittedly difficult to see where things are headed on this front, largely because quantum computer-powered artificial intelligence itself is still so new. Investors don't yet know where it's headed, so it's impossible to predict what it will take to secure it and the cloud-based connections that most users will almost certainly need to utilize it.

There's also no denying IBM hasn't exactly been a prominent player in the global AI revolution to date, making it a little difficult to see it becoming an important name in the business in the near future.

Nevertheless, IBM is quietly doing more on the quantum security front than any other company, and is equipped to remain the leading solutions developer in this area. In light of Dimension Market Research's expectation that the worldwide quantum-based cybersecurity market is poised to grow at an average annual rate of 32% between now and 2034, it wouldn't be crazy to pick up a little long-term exposure to this opportunity by buying a stake in IBM here.

James Brumley has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has positions in and recommends Cisco Systems, Intel, International Business Machines, Microsoft, Nvidia, and Palantir Technologies. The Motley Fool recommends the following options: long January 2026 $395 calls on Microsoft, short January 2026 $405 calls on Microsoft, and short November 2025 $21 puts on Intel. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.

By Reuters

October 5, 20258:10 AM UTCUpdated ago

The logo of Italian multinational energy company Eni is displayed at their booth during the LNG 2023 energy trade show in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada, July 12, 2023. REUTERS/Chris Helgren/File Photo Purchase Licensing Rights, opens new tab

CompaniesTRIPOLI, Oct 5 (Reuters) - The North African branch of Italian energy company Eni

(ENI.MI), opens new tab has resumed its exploration drilling in an offshore area northwest of Libya after a five-year hiatus, the Libyan state-run National Oil Corporation (NOC) said on Sunday.

In 2024, Eni and British oil giant BP

(BP.L), opens new tab have resumed exploration in Libya after onshore drilling was halted in 2014, the year when the North African country's civil war erupted and divided the country between two administrations.

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Eni resumed operations in a well where drilling operations were halted in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, NOC said.

Reporting by Ahmed Elumami, writing by Jaidaa Taha
Editing by Tomasz Janowski

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It's time to look well beyond your own borders for affordable opportunities worth plugging into.

If you're hesitant to put $1,000 into a new trade in any of the stock market's most popular picks right now, you're not crazy. The S&P 500 (SNPINDEX: ^GSPC) is now priced at a frothy 25 times its trailing earnings, while data from Yardeni Research indicates the "Magnificent Seven" stocks that have led the market higher since 2023 sport an average forward-looking price/earnings ratio of more than 30. That's a lot, leaving them -- along with the overall market -- vulnerable to weakness. Factor in the tariff wars that don't appear to be cooling off, and it's easy to justify staying on the sidelines.

The situation doesn't require you to sit out altogether, though. It just means you should make a point of investing that $1,000 in growth companies with few (if any) direct ties to the United States, and stocks with more reasonable valuations relative to their potential growth.

One name worth a $1,000 investment comes to mind above all the rest.

 
What's MercadoLibre?
If you've ever heard of MercadoLibre (MELI -3.18%), then there's a good chance you've heard it called the "Amazon (AMZN -1.34%) of Latin America." And it's not an unfitting description. It isn't a perfectly accurate one, though. Yes, MercadoLibre helps companies sell goods online. Unlike Amazon, though, this company also operates a major digital payments business that looks more like PayPal's, yet also manages a logistics arm that supports its e-commerce, provides a range of banking and bank-like services to merchants, and even helps brick-and-mortar stores handle inventory and payments. It's a proverbial soup-to-nuts business.

And it's growing. Last quarter's revenue growth of 34% carried its top line to nearly $6.8 billion, accelerating long-established bigger-picture uptrends, and pumping up profits by almost as much.

Data source: Simply Wall St. Chart by author.

All of it's just happening in Latin America, with the bulk of its business taking shape in Brazil, Mexico, and Argentina.

The thing is, this is exactly where you'd want one of your holdings to focus right now in the way MercadoLibre is positioning itself for the future.

Plugging into the continent's connectivity revolution
Getting straight to the point, where North America's internet connectivity industry was 20 years ago is in many ways where South America's is now. Although the internet has existed there since its infancy, it's only now becoming commonplace. For perspective, whereas Pew Research says 96% of U.S. adults now have access to broadband internet, Standard & Poor's reports that less than 60% of Latin American and Caribbean households are likely to even have the option of fixed broadband service before the end of this year.

There's a geographically unique nuance worth noting, however. That is, a wide and growing swath of the region's population uses their smartphones as their primary -- and sometimes only -- point of access to the World Wide Web. GSMA Intelligence suggests Latin America's 2023 count of 418 million mobile internet users should reach 485 million by 2030. Even then, though, there's room for continued growth. At 485 million, that would still only be a penetration rate of 72% of the region's population.

And just like here, it's not taking South America's consumers very long to figure out that their handheld devices are great tools for shopping online, and even making digital payments. Industry research outfit Payments and Commerce Market Intelligence expects the continent's e-commerce industry to grow 21% year over year in 2025, en route to nearly doubling in size between 2023 and 2027. Simultaneously, the research outfit reports 60% of consumer spending in Latin America is now facilitated by digital and electronic payments, led by Brazil -- where MercadoLibre is a force.

The company is simply riding this growth trend. Analysts expect MercadoLibre's top line to more than double between last year and 2027, more than doubling its bottom line with it.

Just focus on the bigger picture
There is some drama. Investors keeping tabs on this company may recall that shares tumbled in early August in response to the company's disappointing Q2 profit. Despite the strong sales growth, per-share earnings of $10.39 fell short of analysts' estimates of $11.93, falling 1.6% from the year-ago comparison. Blame free shipping, mostly. Taking a page out of Amazon's playbook, MercadoLibre spent more on free shipping in Brazil than investors were anticipating.

Now, just take a step back and look at the bigger picture that most investors seem to be seeing again, nudging the stock higher as a result. The free shipping strategy worked out all right for Amazon. It might work out even better for MercadoLibre in the long run, given just how fragmented the region's e-commerce market currently is. In this vein, eMarketer says MercadoLibre's market-leading share of the region's e-commerce business still only accounts for about one-third of the industry's total sales, with no other player accounting for more than 5% of the regional market's online shopping.

In other words, there's an opportunity for an enterprise that's willing and able to act on it. MercadoLibre seems to be that enterprise. Current and interested investors are just going to need to be patient, as the world was with Amazon.

This might help: Despite the added expense of free shipping that's likely to linger for a while as a means of turning consumers into regular customers, the analyst community isn't dissuaded. The vast majority of them still rate MercadoLibre stock as a strong buy, maintaining a consensus target of $2,920.91, which is 17% above the ticker's present price. That's not a bad tailwind to start out a new trade with if you have $1,000 available to invest.

James Brumley has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has positions in and recommends Amazon, MercadoLibre, PayPal, and S&P Global. The Motley Fool recommends the following options: long January 2027 $42.50 calls on PayPal and short September 2025 $77.50 calls on PayPal. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.

These stocks are poised for a comeback.

As the major market indices hit new highs, investors can still find undervalued stocks set up for attractive returns. We'll look at two discounted growth stocks trading between 60% to 80% below their previous peaks. These businesses are experiencing growing demand for their services and trade at low valuations relative to expected earnings.

Image source: Getty Images.

1. Carnival
Despite rising 62% over the last year, Carnival (CCL -1.04%) stock remains deeply undervalued and trading 60% off its all-time high before the pandemic. Management has already raised its full-year guidance three times this year, as demand for cruises remains red-hot.

Carnival is a global leader in the cruise industry, with a portfolio of brands that include Costa Cruises, Aida, Seaborn, Holland America Line, Princess Cruises, P&O Cruises, and Carnival Cruise Line. Strong demand is lifting ticket prices and leading to record revenues and profitability.

Carnival generated $4.3 billion in operating profit on $26 billion of revenue over the last year. In the most recent quarter, it reported another quarterly record in revenue and profitability, yet the stock is trading at just 14 times this year's consensus earnings estimate.

This is a cheap valuation, considering that Carnival just reported its 10th consecutive quarter of record quarterly revenue. The company is set to drive further demand by investing in exclusive destinations, such as the recent debut of Celebration Key and next year's launch of Half Moon Cay in the Bahamas.

These destinations are strategically positioned to be short trips from Carnival's ports, and, therefore, keep fuel costs down. This will benefit the bottom line and drive excellent earnings growth over the next few years. Analysts expect Carnival's earnings to grow at an annualized rate of 21%.

With nearly half of 2026 sailings already booked, demand is not fading. Carnival stock's low P/E with solid demand visibility should support a rising share price.

2. Roku
Roku (ROKU) is well positioned to capture a sizable share of advertising shifting from traditional TV to digital streaming platforms. It has more than 150 million total viewers starting their daily TV watching through Roku's connected TV platform, which is a valuable asset.

Connected TV is transforming the TV landscape, according to Nielsen, with nearly 44% of total TV watching time in the U.S. happening on streaming platforms. Consistent with that trend, ad spending in the connected TV market is estimated to hit $33 billion this year and grow to $47 billion by 2028, according to eMarketer. Roku's recent growth shows it is poised to benefit.

Roku earns a small amount of revenue from selling streaming devices, but the bulk of its business comes from platform monetization. Its platform revenue, which includes ads, subscription revenue sharing, and other services, grew 18% year over year last quarter.This shows ad spending following the viewers. This is the key signal that Wall Street has been missing the last few years, where the stock has significantly underperformed and is still down 80% from its all-time high.

The connected TV market is competitive, with Roku competing against Apple (Apple TV) and other providers. But Roku has an advantage as a budget-friendly alternative and also doesn't try to steer users to a walled garden of services like big tech companies. It offers free ad-supported content through The Roku Channel, which has been one of the most watched apps on the platform.

The stock is up 34% year to date, which is outpacing the broader market. Investor sentiment appears to be turning more positive, which is a good sign. Wall Street analysts expect the company's free cash flow to grow at an annualized rate of 42% to reach $1.2 billion by 2029. Assuming Roku meets these expectations, the stock could deliver market-beating returns over the next five years.

John Ballard has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has positions in and recommends Apple and Roku. The Motley Fool recommends Carnival Corp. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.