Market Signal Briefing

Sandisk and Micron have a ton of momentum right now.

We're in a momentum market in the tech sector. Stocks that have positive momentum continue to climb, while segments of the market that are struggling, like software-as-a-service (SaaS) stocks, continue a downward spiral. As such, the smart move appears to be to buy the stocks that have momentum, and there is no hotter place in the tech sector than the memory market.

Let's look at two memory stocks to buy right now.

Image source: Getty Images.

Sandisk: No flash in the pan Sandisk (SNDK +3.85%) is a maker of NAND (flash memory). The company just recently returned to the market after being spun off from Western Digital back in February 2025. Meanwhile, since the start of the new year, the stock has been on fire.

The reason for Sandisk's hot stock is simple. NAND flash is in short supply, and the artificial intelligence (AI) buildout is only increasing demand, given the need for massive, high-performance solid-state drives (SSDs) that use flash memory. However, after NAND prices crashed just a few years ago and companies redirected their resources toward DRAM (dynamic random access memory) and, in particular, high-bandwidth memory (HBM), most big memory makers have been reluctant to push NAND production.

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As such, this has become an ideal environment for Sandisk, which is the only pure-play publicly traded U.S. flash memory maker. The current environment is causing its revenue to soar and gross margins to expand rapidly. While the company is increasing capacity, expect the NAND market to remain tight for the foreseeable future, with pricing being the main driver of the company's growth.

Micron Technology: An HBM leader NAND flash isn't the only memory market seeing strong price increases, with the DRAM market also seeing prices spike due to a dearth of supply. One of the best companies to play this dynamic is Micron Technology (MU +3.17%), which derives around 80% of its revenue from DRAM and the rest mostly from NAND.

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Micron is benefiting from surging demand for HBM, which is needed for graphics processing units (GPUs) and other AI chips to perform their best. The company sees HBM demand growing at a 40% annual clip over the next few years, and it is working to try to increase capacity to meet this growing demand. However, manufacturing HBM is much more complex, requiring upwards of three times the wafer capacity as regular DRAM, which is causing a DRAM industry shortage and pushing up prices.

Similar to Sandisk, Micron is seeing its revenue soar and gross margins balloon. Given the rapid growth of AI infrastructure, Micron remains extremely well positioned to keep benefiting from this current super-cycle for years to come.

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.

NEW YORK, Feb. 08, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) --

WHY: Rosen Law Firm, a global investor rights law firm, reminds purchasers of common stock of Integer Holdings Corporation (NYSE: ITGR) between July 25, 2024 and October 22, 2025, both dates inclusive (the “Class Period”), of the important February 9, 2026 lead plaintiff deadline.

SO WHAT: If you purchased Integer common stock during the Class Period you may be entitled to compensation without payment of any out of pocket fees or costs through a contingency fee arrangement.

WHAT TO DO NEXT: To join the Integer class action, go to https://rosenlegal.com/submit-form/?case_id=49170 or call Phillip Kim, Esq. toll-free at 866-767-3653 or email [email protected] for information on the class action. A class action lawsuit has already been filed. If you wish to serve as lead plaintiff, you must move the Court no later than February 9, 2026. A lead plaintiff is a representative party acting on behalf of other class members in directing the litigation.

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

DETAILS OF THE CASE: According to the lawsuit, defendants made materially false and/or misleading statements and/or failed to disclose that: (1) Integer materially overstated its competitive position within the growing electrophysiology (“EP”) manufacturing market; (2) despite Integer’s claims of strong visibility into customer demand, Integer was experiencing a sustained deterioration in sales relating to two of its EP devices; (3) in turn, Integer mischaracterized its EP devices as a long-term growth driver for its cardio and vascular (“C&V”) segment; (4) as a result of the above, defendants’ positive statements about Integer’s business, and operations, and prospects were materially false and misleading and/or lacked a reasonable basis at all relevant times. When the true details entered the market, the lawsuit claims that investors suffered damages.

To join the Integer class action, go to https://rosenlegal.com/submit-form/?case_id=49170 or call Phillip Kim, Esq. toll-free at 866-767-3653 or email [email protected] for information on the class action.

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

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

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

-------------------------------

Contact Information:

        Laurence Rosen, Esq.
        Phillip Kim, Esq.
        The Rosen Law Firm, P.A.
        275 Madison Avenue, 40th Floor
        New York, NY 10016
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        Toll Free: (866) 767-3653
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        www.rosenlegal.com

This nuclear energy ETF isn't grabbing many headlines, but it's beating its rivals, cementing its hidden gem status.

Proud Gen Xers (I'm one) and our parents remember a time when nuclear energy was, well, radioactive. The Cold War and the Chernobyl disaster, among other factors, fostered negative perspectives about atomic power.

Times change, and investors need to roll with those punches or risk missing out on potential gains. These days, the phrase "nuclear renaissance" is arguably overused. Still, it rings true because nuclear is not only considered clean energy, but it's also a key ingredient in the foundation of the artificial intelligence (AI) boom.

Image source: Getty Images.

Leave it to the always-inventive exchange-traded funds (ETFs) industry to bring nuclear energy investing to the masses. Today, there are nearly 10 dedicated nuclear or uranium miner ETFs on the market, one of which is the Range Nuclear Renaissance Index ETF (NUKZ +5.03%).

Apt ticker, significant returns From a marketing standpoint, this ETF got things right with a memorable ticker, but there's much more to the story. After all, a cute ticker doesn't explain why an ETF that's barely more than 2 years old has more than $808 million in assets under management (AUM).

To be sure, that's an impressive tally, especially given that it isn't an ETF tied to a behemoth issuer. Fortunately, the Range ETF is rewarding investors' faith as it has easily outpaced several of its more popular rivals.

NUKZ data by YCharts

Knowing that an ETF is outperforming its peers is only half the battle. Understanding how and why that upside is being generated is even more critical. In the case of the Range ETF, it's an index fund, so active management isn't the explanation, but the composition of the Range Nuclear Renaissance index sheds some light on why this ETF is delivering the goods for investors.

This ETF's advantages shine through at the sector level. While the fund is significantly overweight on energy stocks (13.20%) relative to the category average (2.14%), it has accrued significant benefit from its nearly 55% weight to industrial stocks, which is more than double the category average.

Looked at another way, this fund isn't as commodities-intensive as some investors might expect, but instead derives upside from some surprising names. For example, GE Vernova (GEV +5.67%) and Lockheed Martin (LMT +2.28%) probably aren't the names many investors would expect to see among the top five holdings in a nuclear ETF, but they make the cut for the Range ETF, and that's been positive for this fund's owners.

NYSEMKT: NUKZExchange Traded Concepts Trust - Range Nuclear Renaissance Index ETF

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Geographic diversification, defensive posture This ETF has other perks worth highlighting. For example, it's a global fund, as more than a third of its 45 holdings are shares of companies based outside the U.S. That may be a selling point for investors who want to maintain some domestic exposure while capitalizing on upside from ex-U.S. companies.

Then there's the fund's, albeit moderate, defensive positioning, with an almost-28% allocation to the utilities sector. Not only is that more than double what's found in competing funds, but that overweight to utilities could provide investors with some protection if the recent technology sell-off extends.

If there's a rub with the nuclear ETF, it's that 0.85% expense ratio. In ETF terms, that's not cheap, but if the atomic renaissance proves to be in its early innings, this ETF may be worth paying up for in the long run.

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

Seeking Alpha's Disclosure: Past performance is no guarantee of future results. No recommendation or advice is being given as to whether any investment is suitable for a particular investor. Any views or opinions expressed above may not reflect those of Seeking Alpha as a whole. Seeking Alpha is not a licensed securities dealer, broker or US investment adviser or investment bank. Our analysts are third party authors that include both professional investors and individual investors who may not be licensed or certified by any institute or regulatory body.

Azure is the star of Microsoft's report.

Microsoft (MSFT +2.00%) hasn't had a great start to 2026. Its stock recently was down 11% for the year, with the bulk of that fall coming after its second-quarter fiscal year 2026 earnings report, when it declined 10% in a single day.

This decline will make it difficult to outperform the market in 2026, as the stock doesn't get the benefit of starting at its current low price tag. It must make up the ground it has lost. The S&P 500 (^GSPC +1.97%) is up a mere 1%, so it doesn't have a ton to make up. Still, it won't be easy for Microsoft.

However, I think there's one clear reason why Microsoft can still outperform the market in 2026, and it all revolves around Azure.

Image source: Getty Images.

Cloud computing is the key to AI Azure is Microsoft's cloud computing division. Cloud computing plays a huge role in AI, as upstarts and developers cannot afford to build a massive data center filled with the necessary computing equipment to train and run an AI model properly. Instead, big tech companies like Microsoft are building excess computing capacity, then renting it to their clients. As long as Microsoft can build the data centers, buy the expensive computing units, and then operate them for less than what they charge, it's a huge opportunity for Microsoft.

Unfortunately, we don't know what the economics of Azure's business are, because Microsoft doesn't individually break out its profits by division. However, two of Azure's competitors, Amazon Web Services (AWS) and Alphabet's Google Cloud, do. During the first quarter, AWS delivered a 35% operating margin. Google Cloud's operating margins were 24% during the same period.

So I think it's safe to assume that Azure's operating margins are likely within 25% to 35%. Compared to Microsoft's overall operating margin of around 47%, this means that Azure could be a drag.

MSFT Operating Margin (TTM) data by YCharts.

However, Azure's operating margin may be better than its peers'. There's just no way to be certain. Regardless, Azure is Microsoft's fastest-growing segment, increasing its revenue at a 39% pace during Q2 (ended Dec. 31, 2025). Management also noted that Azure's growth rate could have been faster if it had used the computing capacity that came online during Q1 and Q2 for external use rather than internal.

Microsoft's overall growth rate for Q2 was 17%. The next-fastest-growing segment was Microsoft 365 Consumer Cloud at 29% growth. Clearly, cloud computing is leading the way for Microsoft, and I think it will continue to do so for many years. Microsoft can still rise to outperform the broader market, and if it does, it will be because of its cloud computing platform.

Keithen Drury has positions in Alphabet, Amazon, and Microsoft. The Motley Fool has positions in and recommends Alphabet, Amazon, and Microsoft. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.

Analyst’s Disclosure: I/we have a beneficial long position in the shares of BAM 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.

The information contained herein is for informational purposes only. Nothing in this article should be taken as a solicitation to purchase or sell securities. Before buying or selling shares, you should do your own research and reach your own conclusion or consult a financial advisor. Investing includes risks, including loss of principal.

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.

Broadcom is the least-well-known trillion-dollar company.

If you asked the average investor to name the top 10 largest companies by market cap or every $1 trillion company, they probably could do fairly well. However, I can nearly guarantee that the majority of investors would leave one company off the list: Broadcom (AVGO +7.22%). Broadcom isn't as well-known as some of the other household names at this threshold, and that makes it fly a bit under the radar, even if it's worth $1.5 trillion.

Over the next two years, Broadcom has a ton of growth in the pipeline that could push it from an obscure stock to one of the more well-known ones, similar to how Nvidia rose from niche knowledge to kitchen table talk. This rise in fame would also coincide with stock price appreciation, making Broadcom a fantastic option to consider buying now.

Image source: Getty Images.

Broadcom is Nvidia's only real challenger Nvidia has dominated the AI computing market and has secured a massive market share. However, its clients are constantly looking for ways to replace Nvidia's graphics processing units (GPUs), because they're so expensive.

Broadcom is trying to steal some of that market share by partnering directly with AI hyperscalers and designing custom AI chips suited for their needs. These chips are set up to run one function, so they aren't as flexible as a GPU. However, companies can buy more ASICs (application-specific integrated circuits) for their dollar than they can Nvidia GPUs, which leads to a more cost-effective solution.

The chipmaker already has several large clients using its chips, most notably Google with its Tensor Processing Unit. However, there are several other AI hyperscalers that are in the process of finishing their designs and purchasing chips throughout 2026 and 2027. This will lead to impressive growth, challenging Nvidia at the top of the computing food chain.

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For the first quarter, Broadcom expects its AI semiconductor revenue to double year over year. That's the fastest growth rate from any company in the AI computing space, showcasing Broadcom's ability to take market share. However, Broadcom is more than just a custom AI chip company. It has several other business units that aren't growing nearly as fast, which drags down Broadcom's overall growth rate.

Still, Wall Street analysts project 52% revenue growth companywide in fiscal year 2026, even with AI semiconductor revenue making up less than half of its current total. FY 2027 is also strong, with 39% revenue growth expected. That growth will vault Broadcom up the company rankings, allowing it to potentially reach the exclusive $3 trillion market cap club by the end of 2027.

That would result in the stock doubling in two years, making it a clear, no-brainer buy right now.

Luckin Coffee shas opened a premium flagship and is thought to be considering a bif for Costa Coffee. Photographer: Christian Monterrosa/Bloomberg

© 2025 Bloomberg Finance LP

Luckin Coffee is taking a direct swipe at Starbucks’ premium ambitions with the opening of a flagship store in Shenzhen, China that pushes the fast-growing chain beyond its roots as a seller of cut-price coffee.

It is also being linked with a possible bid for Coca Cola-owned U.K. coffee chain Costa Coffee.

The two-storey Origin Flagship, on the border with Hong Kong, offers pour-over and cold brew coffees alongside more elaborate drinks such as a tiramisu latte topped with a pastry.

Prices are higher than Luckin Coffee’s usual cut-price $1–$2 Americanos and lattes, for which it has built its reputation, and there have been wating times reported of up to three hours since the soft launch on January 20.

The move marks Luckin’s most obvious attempt yet to move in on territory long dominated by Seattle-based Starbucks, which has used its Reserve Roasteries to help define the idea of coffee as a premium experience in China.

Starbucks chose Shanghai in 2017 for only the second Reserve Roastery it opened, after hometown Seattle, betting early that China’s famously tea-drinking consumers would trade up. That bet is now under strain as competition intensifies from domestic chains such as Manner and Cotti, which often sell drinks at half Starbucks’ prices, as well as from Luckin’s relentless expansion.

MORE FOR YOU

Luckin Coffee Stores GrowthLuckin overtook Starbucks by store count in China several years ago on the back of its app-driven, kiosk-heavy model, and the Shenzhen opening, billed as its 30,000th store, underlines how far it has come since an accounting scandal in 2020 forced it to delist from the Nasdaq.

The company reported revenue of $1.55 billion for the three months to the end of September 2025, up nearly 48% year-on-year, driven largely by its self-operated stores, which make up the bulk of its Chinese footprint. By contrast, Starbucks has just over 8,000 stores in China, compared with about 16,900 in the U.S. market.

Starbucks’ response has been to retreat from full control. It is expected to complete a deal this spring to sell 60% of its Chinese business to Boyu Capital, valuing the operation at $13 billion including future licensing fees, while retaining a 40% stake. Comparable same-store sales in China have improved but remain modest, highlighting the difficulty of defending margins in an increasingly crowded market.

Luckin Coffee is diversifying from its cut price coffee offer.

getty

Luckin’s resurgence has been helped by aggressive marketing tie-ups, from premium spirits brand Moutai to popular cartoons and video games, and by its ability to funnel customers through its smartphone app rather than traditional counter service.

The strategy has allowed it to build a large pool of loyal users and to move quickly into new formats as consumer tastes evolve. Luckin is also rumored to exploring bolder inorganic growth, including a possible bid for U.K.-headquartered coffee chain Costa Coffee.

Luckin Coffee Brews Costa Coffee DealCenturium Capital, the Chinese private equity firm behind Luckin Coffee, is understood to be exploring a potential bid for the cafe chain currently being sold by owner Coca-Cola, which acquired Costa Coffee in 2019, with discussions believed to be at an early stage.

The potential sale has drawn interest from several buyout firms and strategic investors, with indicative offers valuing Costa Coffee at around $1.3 billion, although last month it appeared Coca Cola had decided to withdraw from any sale of the chain.

A deal would mark Centurium’s first major European investment and expand its exposure to the global coffee market.

Behind the scenes, investors are also said to be pushing for change and greater operational influence as the company considers a possible U.S. relisting, hinted at last year by chief executive Guo Jinyi.

Some bankers say a deeper hand from financial sponsors could help impose the discipline needed for international expansion, even as Luckin Coffee presses ahead with opening stores overseas, including a growing cluster in New York and a sizeable presence in Singapore and Malaysia.

The semiconductor industry will remain at the center of some of the most valuable technological revolutions.

Without advanced chips, networking equipment, and other hardware, we wouldn't have computers, smartphones, cloud computing, or artificial intelligence (AI). Plus, emerging innovations like quantum computing, robotics, and self-driving vehicles would remain nothing more than science fiction.

History suggests investing in the semiconductor industry tends to yield significant rewards over the long term. The iShares Semiconductor ETF (SOXX +5.34%) is an exchange-traded fund (ETF) that holds 30 of the world's most dominant semiconductor stocks, and it has delivered a return of 1,150% over the last decade. That was four times higher than the return in the S&P 500 over the same period.

SOXX data by YCharts.

Micron Technology (MU +3.17%), Advanced Micro Devices (AMD +8.32%), and Nvidia (NVDA +7.87%) are among the largest holdings in the iShares ETF, and they have made significant contributions to its historical returns. Looking ahead, here's how they can help the fund turn a consistent investment of $500 per month into $1 million over the long run.

Image source: Getty Images.

Nvidia, AMD, and Micron have experienced blistering growth The iShares Semiconductor ETF invests exclusively in U.S.-listed companies that design, manufacture, and distribute chips and components, with a special focus on those supplying the AI boom. As a result, it doesn't offer much in the way of diversification, so investors should buy it only as part of a diversified portfolio of other ETFs and individual stocks.

As I touched on earlier, Micron, AMD, and Nvidia are the three largest holdings in the ETF, accounting for 23.6% of the value of its entire portfolio on their own:

Stock

iShares ETF Portfolio Weighting

1. Micron Technology

8.82%

2. Advanced Micro Devices 

7.43%

3. Nvidia

7.37%

Data source: iShares. Portfolio weightings are accurate as of Jan. 30, 2026, and are subject to change.

Micron supplies high-bandwidth memory chips for use in a data center, and Nvidia and AMD have embedded the semiconductors in their latest graphics processing units (GPUs, the primary chips used in AI development). The company is also experiencing a surge in demand for memory and storage chips for personal computers and smartphones, where AI workloads are gradually migrating.

Nvidia's GPUs remain the top choice among AI developers, because they deliver best-in-class performance. But AMD will launch a new data center rack this year called Helios, which will be fitted with its latest MI450 GPUs, and it's expected to help the company close the gap to Nvidia.

These three companies are a big reason the iShares ETF consistently produces market-beating returns. Over the last 10 years, the worst performer of the group is Micron, which still soared by a staggering 3,690% -- or a multiple of almost 37 times:

NVDA data by YCharts.

I also want to mention a couple of other powerhouses that could make meaningful contributions to the future returns of the iShares ETF:

Broadcom: Its AI accelerators (data center chips) have become popular alternatives to GPUs because they can be fully customized to suit specific workloads. The company also supplies some of the best networking equipment for regulating how fast data travels between chips and devices in AI applications. Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing: This is the largest semiconductor fabrication company in the world. It manufactures around 90% of all advanced chips across the entire industry, including those designed by Nvidia and AMD. Turning $500 per month into $1 million The iShares Semiconductor ETF has delivered a compound annual return of 12.2% since its inception in 2001, and an accelerated annual return of 27.3% over the last decade specifically, thanks to soaring demand for chips from cloud providers and AI developers.

Here's how long it might take the iShares ETF to turn a consistent investment of $500 per month into $1 million, based on three different average annual returns:

Monthly Investment

Compound Annual Return

Time To Reach $1 Million

Total Deposits

$500

12.2%

25 years and 2 months

$151,500

$500

19.7% (midpoint)

18 years

$108,500

$500

27.3%

14 years and 2 months

$85,500

Calculations by author.

It isn't realistic to expect this ETF (or any fund) to deliver a blistering annual return of over 27% forever, because the law of large numbers eventually leads to some crazy math. For example, Nvidia is a $4.6 trillion company as I write this, but it would be worth $51 trillion a decade from now if it grew by 27.3% per year. For some perspective, the output of the entire U.S. economy was just $30.6 trillion in 2025.

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But per the table above, the iShares Semiconductor ETF could turn $500 a month into $1 million in 25 years even if its annual return reverted back to its more modest long-term average of 12.2%.

With that said, I think the ETF could deliver accelerated returns for at least the next few years based purely on the incredible demand for chips for AI. According to Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang, data center operators could be spending $4 trillion annually on AI infrastructure by 2030, which is a huge opportunity for his company, but also other market leaders like AMD and Micron.

Even when the AI build-out eventually slows down, I think newer innovations like quantum computing, robotics, and autonomous vehicles will pick up the slack. Each of those technologies will require a substantial amount of computing power, taking semiconductor demand to new heights.

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Wall Street sees another busy week of earnings and economic data ahead, but traders will also be keeping a close eye on crypto action after the huge risk-off move.

On the economic front, retail sales figures for December hit Tuesday, while the January jobs report, delayed due to the partial government shutdown, arrives Wednesday. The delayed January CPI hits Friday.

Another 78 S&P 500 (SP500) companies will report, including three Dow Industrials (DJI) components: Coca-Cola (KO), McDonald's (MCD), and Cisco (CSCO). The Dow topped 50K for the first time last week.

Other earnings of note: ON Semiconductor (ON), Ford (F), AstraZeneca (AZN), and Applied Materials (AMAT).

Earnings spotlight: Monday, February 9: ON Semiconductor and Loews (L). See the full earnings calendar.

Earnings spotlight: Tuesday, February 10: Coca-Cola, AstraZeneca, Gilead (GILD), Ford. See the full earnings calendar.

Earnings spotlight: Wednesday, February 11: McDonald's, Cisco, T-Mobile US (TMUS), TotalEnergies SE (TTE). See the full earnings calendar.

Earnings spotlight: Thursday, February 12: Applied Materials, British American Tobacco (BTI). See the full earnings calendar.

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In case you missed it

Amid declines over the last 12 months, Costco stock is rising again.

Costco Wholesale (COST +1.20%) lost value over the last 12 months, so it might surprise investors to see that the stock has risen 15% since the beginning of the year.

The increase is likely not news-driven. Retail stocks such as Walmart and Target have risen in similar proportions, and the company's earnings for the second quarter of fiscal 2026 do not come out until March 5.

Does this increase mean investors should buy Costco stock? Let's take a closer look.

Image source: Getty Images.

What drives Costco's stock Costco has long been a popular choice for customers and investors alike. It maintains a membership renewal rate of around 92%, an indicator of its consistently loyal following.

On the investor side, it was a longtime holding in Berkshire Hathaway's when Warren Buffett oversaw its investments, and Buffett partner Charlie Munger sat on Costco's board until his passing in 2023.

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Moreover, even though Costco does not grow rapidly, its revenue rose by 6% in the first quarter of fiscal 2026 (ended Nov. 23, 2025), and its $2.0 billion in net income for that quarter surged 11% higher. That was close to its fiscal 2025 results, when revenue increased by 8%, and its $8.1 billion profit was 10% above year-ago levels.

Additionally, Costco's warehouses have succeeded in one key area where most competitors have failed -- international expansion. Costco's approach has resonated both in Europe and Asia, markets where Walmart had little success with brick-and-mortar stores. That has given Costco a much larger addressable market.

The problem with Costco is its success itself, and it may be too late to buy. Amid the recent rise in the stock price, its P/E ratio is now 52, a level far surpassing Walmart, Target, and even Amazon. Unfortunately, with profits rising in the low double-digits, its growth likely does not justify its valuation.

COST PE Ratio data by YCharts

Furthermore, Berkshire Hathaway closed its Costco position in 2020, in part for this reason. Although Buffett later said that it was "probably a mistake," the valuation has risen since that time, making it more of a concern.

Stand pat on Costco stock Although long-term investors have good reason to hold Costco stock, investors should not add shares at this time. Indeed, Costco is a high-quality company, and its ability to continue growing its revenue and profits is unlikely to change.

Unfortunately, Costco's success is well known to investors and priced too much into the stock given its valuation. Until its earnings multiple is closer to that of its peers, this stock is probably not a buy.

Will Healy has positions in Berkshire Hathaway and Target. The Motley Fool has positions in and recommends Amazon, Berkshire Hathaway, Costco Wholesale, Target, and Walmart. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.

CME Group remains a Hold; shares reflect robust fundamentals but limited near-term upside at 25x forward earnings. CME posted record annual revenue and earnings, with Q4 operating margins near 67% and strong trading volumes in key segments. Recent fee hikes and product innovations provide incremental growth, but future returns hinge on sustained trading activity.

The latest earnings reports from major technology companies have revived investors' concerns about payoffs on elevated artificial intelligence (AI) spending.

While some companies failed to impress investors, others proved their ability to capitalize on solid growth opportunities offered by the ongoing AI boom.

With their expertise and in-depth analysis, top Wall Street analysts can help investors select stocks that can outperform the broader market and deliver impressive growth.

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

AppleiPhone maker Apple (AAPL) is this week's first pick. In a recent research note, Evercore analyst Amit Daryanani reiterated a buy rating on Apple stock with a price target of $330. TipRanks' AI Analyst is also bullish on AAPL stock, with an "outperform" rating and a price target of $289.

The five-star analyst noted that Apple's January App Store revenue rose 7% year over year. However, Daryanani pointed out that Gaming revenues fell on a year-over-year basis for a third consecutive month, with January revenues down 3%. He explained that this weakness was due to tougher year-over-year comparisons. He expects Gaming revenues to see easier comparisons through the rest of the first half of calendar year 2026.

Daryanani highlighted that despite ongoing weakness in the Gaming category, revenues from the other five categories of App Store revenue grew by double digits, led by Music (up 21%), Other (21%), Photo and Video (18%), Social Networking (11%) and Entertainment (10%).

The analyst stated that Apple continues to deliver robust growth in Services revenue despite subdued App Store data, with the December quarter seeing 14% growth compared to the App Store's 6.5% growth. Daryanani also noted that Apple's recently reported revenue and EPS (earnings per share) for the December quarter exceeded expectations, with the company delivering better-than-expected gross margin, driven by limited memory impact and robust Services growth.

"We expect AAPL to continue to benefit from faster growing areas (Apple Pay, iCloud, Licensing, etc.), helping to offset <10% growth in App Store revs," said Daryanani.

Daryanani ranks No. 160 among more than 12,000 analysts tracked by TipRanks. His ratings have been profitable 64% of the time, delivering an average return of 20.6%. See Apple Options Activity on TipRanks. 

MongoDBDatabase software provider MongoDB (MDB) is next on the list. Bank of America analyst Koji Ikeda is optimistic about the company's growth prospects. He recently reaffirmed a buy rating on MDB stock and raised his price forecast to $500 from $480. TipRanks' AI Analyst has an "outperform" rating on MongoDB stock with a price target of $380.

Commenting on concerns over whether MongoDB's Atlas revenue growth will keep accelerating, Ikeda sees the potential for continued strength. His optimism is backed by the success of the company's top-down enterprise and bottom-up product-led growth approach and an expanding product lineup for artificial intelligence (AI) and legacy app modernization. The analyst also expects MongoDB to gain from higher consumption, driven by rising enterprise workloads.

Ikeda highlighted the strengths of MongoDB database, saying it is fast, scalable and document-based, differentiating it from conventional relational databases like Oracle. The five-star analyst also noted the new features offered by the company, including vector search and application modernization capabilities, which bolster its position to win additional workloads.

While MDB stock is trading at a higher valuation compared to infrastructure software peers, Ikeda believes that a premium is justified, given the 30% Atlas growth compared to 11% for peers and MongoDB's leading position in the database market.

Ikeda ranks No. 689 among more than 12,000 analysts tracked by TipRanks. His ratings have been successful 57% of the time, delivering an average return of 11.7%. See MDB Ownership Structure on TipRanks.

Western Digital Data storage company Western Digital (WDC) recently announced better-than-expected fiscal second-quarter results and issued solid guidance. The robust demand for hard drives and flash storage amid the ongoing AI wave is boosting the company's business.

Following Western Digital's Innovation Day, Bank of America analyst Wamsi Mohan reaffirmed a buy rating on WDC stock with a price target of $345. TipRanks' AI Analyst has an "outperform" rating on Western Digital with a price target of $285.

Mohan noted that Western Digital expects the AI and cloud storage market to grow exabytes (EB), a measure of data storage, at a CAGR (compound annual growth rate) of over 25% through 2030. The five-star analyst also sees the possibility of hard disk drives (HDDs) gaining market share and accounting for more than 80% of storage in the cloud.

Additionally, Mohan emphasized Western Digital's revised long-term growth targets. Over the next three to five years, the company aims to grow its nearline exabytes at mid-20% CAGR, with overall revenue above 20% CAGR. Mohan highlighted that a favorable mix shift to higher capacity HDDs, stable pricing, and a focus on cost improvements could fuel gross margin above 50%, an operating margin of more than 40%, and EPS higher than $20.

Meanwhile, Western Digital is planning capital spending at 4% to 6% of annual revenue and a free cash flow margin of more than 30%. Overall, Mohan is bullish on WDC's prospects based on "secular growth of the HDD market," as well as further gross margin upside.

Mohan ranks No. 110 among more than 12,000 analysts tracked by TipRanks. His ratings have been successful 62% of the time, delivering an average return of 25.1%. See Western Digital Financials on TipRanks.

New York, New York--(Newsfile Corp. - February 8, 2026) - Leading securities law firm Bleichmar Fonti & Auld LLP announces that it has filed a class action lawsuit against Ardent Health, Inc. (NYSE: ARDT) and certain of the Company's senior executives for securities fraud after a significant stock drop resulting from potential violations of the federal securities laws.

If you invested in Ardent Health, you are encouraged to obtain additional information by visiting: https://www.bfalaw.com/cases/ardent-health-inc-class-action-lawsuit.

Investors have until March 9, 2026, 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 Ardent Health securities. The class action is pending in the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Tennessee. It is captioned Postiwala v. Ardent Health, Inc., et al., No. 3:26-cv-00022.

Why is Ardent Health Being Sued for Securities Fraud?

Ardent Health and its affiliates operate acute care hospitals and other healthcare facilities. A critical aspect of Ardent Health's operations is the collection of accounts receivable and the framework by which Ardent Health determines the collectability of such accounts. According to the lawsuit, Ardent Health stated that it employed an active monitoring process to determine the collectability of its accounts receivable, and that this process included "detailed reviews of historical collections" as a "primary source of information."

As alleged, in truth, Ardent Health did not primarily rely on "detailed reviews of historical collections" in determining collectability of accounts receivable, but instead "utilized a 180-day cliff at which time an account became fully reserved." This allowed Ardent Health to report higher amounts of accounts receivable during the Class Period, and delay recognizing losses on uncollectable accounts. The lawsuit alleges that Ardent Health's purported misrepresentations are a violation of the federal securities laws.

Why did Ardent Health's Stock Drop?

On November 12, 2025, after market hours, Ardent Health revealed it had completed "hindsight evaluations of historical collection trends" that resulted in a $43 million decrease in revenue for the quarter. Ardent Health also revealed that it increased its professional liability reserves by $54 million because of "adverse prior period claim developments" resulting from a set of claims between 2019 and 2022 "as well as consideration of broader industry trends."

This news caused the price of Ardent Health stock to drop $4.75 per share, or more than 33%, from a closing price of $14.05 per share on November 12, 2025, to $9.30 per share on November 13, 2025.

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

What Can You Do?

If you invested in Ardent Health, 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/ardent-health-inc-class-action-lawsuit

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/ardent-health-inc-class-action-lawsuit

Attorney advertising. Past results do not guarantee future outcomes.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/283057

Source: Bleichmar Fonti & Auld

Ready to Announce with Confidence? Send us a message and a member of our TMX Newsfile team will contact you to discuss your needs.

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New York, New York--(Newsfile Corp. - February 8, 2026) - Leading securities law firm Bleichmar Fonti & Auld LLP announces that a class action lawsuit has been filed against CoreWeave, Inc. (NASDAQ: CRWV) and certain of the Company's senior executives for securities fraud after significant stock drops resulting from the potential violations of the federal securities laws.

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

Investors have until March 13, 2026, 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 CoreWeave securities. The case is pending in the U.S. District Court for the District of New Jersey and is captioned Masaitis v. CoreWeave, Inc., et al., No. 2:26-cv-00355.

Why is CoreWeave Being Sued for Securities Fraud?

CoreWeave is an AI-focused cloud computing company that builds and operates data centers offering high-performance GPU infrastructure. CoreWeave relies on multiple partners to develop its data centers and provide the infrastructure needed for its AI computing operations, including Core Scientific, a large digital infrastructure company. On July 7, 2025, CoreWeave announced a merger agreement with Core Scientific.

During the relevant period, CoreWeave repeatedly assured investors it could capitalize on the "robust" and "unprecedented" demand for its services given its "competitive strengths," including its ability to "deploy" AI infrastructure "at massive scale" and "rapidly scale our operations."

As alleged, in truth, CoreWeave overstated its ability to meet customer demand and concealed significant construction delays at its data centers.

Why did CoreWeave's Stock Drop?

On October 30, 2025, Core Scientific announced it did not receive enough shareholder votes to approve the merger with CoreWeave and, as a result, terminated the merger agreement. This news caused the price of CoreWeave stock to drop $8.87 per share, or more than 6%, from $139.93 per share on October 29, 2025, to $131.06 per share on October 30, 2025.

Then, on November 10, 2025, CoreWeave lowered guidance for revenue, operating income, capital spending, and active power capacity for 2025 due to "temporary delays related to a third-party data center developer who is behind schedule." This news caused the price of CoreWeave stock to drop $17.22 per share, or more than 16%, from $105.61 per share on November 10, 2025, to $88.39 per share on November 11, 2025.

Finally, on December 15, 2025, The Wall Street Journal reported that the "completion date" for a "huge data-center cluster" in Denton, Texas to be leased by OpenAI, "has been pushed back several months," and that the site builder, Core Scientific, had flagged delays at the site months earlier. The Wall Street Journal also reported that Core Scientific had flagged additional delays at sites in Texas and elsewhere "since at least February." This news caused the price of CoreWeave stock to drop $2.85 per share, or more than 3%, from $72.35 per share on December 15, 2025, to $69.50 per share on December 16, 2025.

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

What Can You Do?

If you invested in CoreWeave, 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/coreweave-inc-class-action-lawsuit

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/coreweave-inc-class-action-lawsuit

Attorney advertising. Past results do not guarantee future outcomes.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/283060

Source: Bleichmar Fonti & Auld

Ready to Announce with Confidence? Send us a message and a member of our TMX Newsfile team will contact you to discuss your needs.

Contact Us

New York, New York--(Newsfile Corp. - February 8, 2026) - Leading securities law firm Bleichmar Fonti & Auld LLP announces an investigation into Hub Group Inc. (NASDAQ: HUBG) for potential violations of the federal securities laws.

If you invested in Hub Group, you are encouraged to obtain additional information by visiting: https://www.bfalaw.com/cases/hub-group-class-action-lawsuit.

Why is Hub Group Being Investigated for Violations of the Federal Securities Laws?

Hub Group is a supply chain solutions provider that offers transportation and logistics management services. Hub Group is one of the largest freight transportation providers in North America.

BFA is investigating whether Hub Group misrepresented its purchased transportation costs and accounts payable for the first nine months of 2025.

Why did Hub Group's Stock Drop?

On February 5, 2026, after market close, Hub Group announced that it would delay the full release of its fourth quarter and full year 2025 financial results and will restate its financial statements for the first three quarters of 2025 due to an error that understated purchased transportation costs and accounts payable. Hub Group did not estimate what the financial impact would be nor did it provide a date for when it would restate its financial statements.

On this news, the price of Hub Group stock dropped over 24% during the course of trading on February 6, 2026.

Click here for more information: https://www.bfalaw.com/cases/hub-group-class-action-lawsuit.

What Can You Do?

If you invested in Hub Group, 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/hub-group-class-action-lawsuit

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, "Litigation Stars" by Benchmark Litigation, 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/hub-group-class-action-lawsuit

Attorney advertising. Past results do not guarantee future outcomes.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/283062

Source: Bleichmar Fonti & Auld

Ready to Announce with Confidence? Send us a message and a member of our TMX Newsfile team will contact you to discuss your needs.

Contact Us

New York, New York--(Newsfile Corp. - February 8, 2026) - Leading securities law firm Bleichmar Fonti & Auld LLP announces an investigation into PennyMac Financial Services, Inc. (NYSE: PFSI) for potential violations of the federal securities laws.

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

Why is PennyMac Being Investigated for Violations of the Federal Securities Laws?

PennyMac originates and services home mortgages. Recently, PennyMac increased its capacity to originate loans to better retain borrowers seeking to refinance their mortgages-a process known as "recapture" -as interest rates declined. During the relevant period, PennyMac touted the success of its recapture efforts, representing to investors that its recapture rates were improving.

BFA is investigating whether PennyMac misrepresented its ability to recapture customers refinancing their mortgages as interest rates declined.

Why did PennyMac's Stock Drop?

On January 29, 2026, PennyMac reported disappointing 4Q 2025 financial results. During PennyMac's earnings call held the same day, PennyMac senior management revealed that although PennyMac had increased its origination capacity to recapture more refinance business, many competitors had also added capacity, creating a highly competitive origination environment that constrained PennyMac's ability to take advantage of refinance opportunities. This news caused the price of PennyMac stock to decline more than 37%, from $140.70 per share at the close of trading on January 29, 2026, to as low as $93.50 per share on January 30, 2026.

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

What Can You Do?

If you invested in PennyMac, 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/pennymac-class-action-lawsuit

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/pennymac-class-action-lawsuit

Attorney advertising. Past results do not guarantee future outcomes.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/283064

Source: Bleichmar Fonti & Auld

Ready to Announce with Confidence? Send us a message and a member of our TMX Newsfile team will contact you to discuss your needs.

Contact Us

The bond market is speaking more loudly than the stock market about the likely direction of the Federal Reserve.

What should investors make of President Trump's nomination of Kevin Warsh to be the next Federal Reserve chair? Don't look to the stock market for guidance. Instead, focus on the bond market.

We've seen two things occur since the announcement about Warsh last week. Shorter-duration U.S. Treasury bond yields have drifted lower. However, longer-dated yields have risen. These two factors translate to what's called a bear steepening yield curve.

Given this bearish steepening of the yield curve, it appears the bond market is flashing a clear warning to the Fed: Higher inflation is likely on the way. If this warning is correct (and I suspect it is), I think three stocks stand out for investors to buy right now.

Image source: Getty Images.

1. Berkshire Hathaway Janus Henderson expects greater market volatility under Warsh's leadership of the Fed. Few stocks are as well-positioned to navigate a turbulent market as Berkshire Hathaway (BRK.A +0.74%) (BRK.B +0.80%). And Warren Buffett's decision to step down as CEO doesn't change Berkshire's resilience in the slightest.

Buffett led Berkshire Hathaway to amass a record cash position of roughly $382 billion. Most of this amount is held in short-term U.S. Treasuries. If the Federal Reserve keeps short-term interest rates relatively steady while long-term rates rise, Berkshire will be able to continue earning safe and attractive yields on its Treasury holdings.

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If inflation surges and prompts the Fed to increase rates, the stock market would likely sink. Berkshire's huge cash position gives it plenty of financial flexibility to buy stocks on the cheap in this scenario.

Berkshire's insurance businesses would also benefit. Insurance companies collect premiums now and pay out claims later. They then invest this float, typically in bonds. Berkshire's investment income from its insurance units could grow in an environment of higher long-term yields.

2. Vertex Pharmaceuticals Higher long-term bond yields can be bad news for many growth stocks. However, Vertex Pharmaceuticals (VRTX +4.16%) stands out as an exception.

For one thing, Vertex doesn't need to borrow money to fund operations or advance its pipeline programs. The big biopharmaceutical company generates ample cash flow. Its cash stockpile also totaled $12 billion as of Sept. 30, 2025.

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Importantly, Vertex's business is largely immune to market volatility for both stocks and bonds. There aren't any other approved drugs that treat the underlying cause of cystic fibrosis other than Vertex's five CF therapies. Physicians aren't going to quit prescribing non-opioid pain medication Journavx because of macroeconomic factors, either.

Another reason this biotech stock can perform well even during a market downturn is that positive news from clinical studies and regulatory approvals can serve as strong catalysts. For example, Vertex expects to complete its rolling U.S. regulatory submission for accelerated approval of povetacicept in treating chronic kidney disorder IgA nephropathy in the first half of 2026. Approval of the drug could send shares flying higher, regardless of what's going on with the rest of the stock market.

3. Walmart You might not be surprised to see Walmart (WMT +3.42%) on the list. The stock has proven to be a safe haven in the past during market volatility.

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A steepening yield curve, in which long-term Treasury yields rise, usually translates into higher rates for car loans and mortgages. Consumers could feel pressure on their discretionary income in such an environment. As the largest discount retailer known for its low prices, Walmart could directly benefit as consumers watch their spending more closely.

If inflation increases across the board, it could also help Walmart. To be sure, higher inflation can raise the company's costs. However, higher costs also force many consumers to pinch pennies -- and drive them to Walmart's stores.

Explore how these two low-cost ETFs differ in risk, diversification, and income potential for global equity investors.

The iShares Core MSCI Emerging Markets ETF (IEMG +2.50%) and the State Street SPDR Portfolio MSCI Global Stock Market ETF (SPGM +2.16%) both deliver broad equity exposure at a low cost, but they differ in geographic coverage and risk profile.

This comparison explores how their expense ratios, performance, holdings, and sector tilts may appeal to investors looking for either pure emerging markets exposure or a more globally diversified approach.

Snapshot (cost & size)MetricSPGMIEMGIssuerSPDRiSharesExpense ratio0.09%0.09%1-yr return (as of Feb. 3, 2026)21.83%38.07%Dividend yield1.89%2.75%Beta (5Y monthly)1.020.96AUM$1.3 billion$138.8 billionBeta measures price volatility relative to the S&P 500. The 1-yr return represents total return over the trailing 12 months.

Both ETFs are equally affordable with a 0.09% expense ratio, but IEMG offers a substantially higher dividend yield, which may appeal to income-oriented investors.

Performance & risk comparisonMetricSPGMIEMGMax drawdown (5 y)-25.92%-37.11%Growth of $1,000 over 5 years$1,570$1,100What's insideIEMG targets large-, mid-, and small-cap equities across emerging markets, with 2,672 holdings. Technology (27%) and financial services (21%) dominate the sector mix, while top positions include Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing, Samsung Electronics, and Tencent. The fund’s massive asset base and trading volume support strong liquidity across market cycles, though its narrower focus means higher historical drawdowns.

SPGM, by contrast, blends exposure to both developed and emerging markets, with holdings across technology (26%), financial services (17%), and industrials (12%). Its largest positions — Nvidia, Apple, and Microsoft — anchor the ETF in global blue chips. With nearly 3,000 holdings, SPGM may appeal to those seeking broader diversification beyond just emerging economies.

For more guidance on ETF investing, check out the full guide at this link.

What this means for investorsInvesting in international ETFs can be a smart way to diversify your portfolio, and each of these funds offers unique advantages.

IEMG exclusively targets emerging markets, which can be lucrative but also higher risk. Emerging markets ETFs focus on companies in fast-growing economies, offering higher growth potential. However, they’re also more likely to experience volatility due to factors like political or economic instability.

Developed markets can be more stable, but these stocks may not have the same growth potential as those in emerging markets. SPGM offers access to both emerging and developed markets, offering greater diversification to help limit some risk.

IEMG has experienced more significant price fluctuations with a steeper max drawdown. While it’s significantly outperformed SPGM over the last 12 months, it’s fallen short with its five-year total returns. That may be in part due to IEMG’s potential for volatility, or it could be a result of heavy-hitting tech companies like Nvidia experiencing staggering returns in recent years.

If you’re seeking higher growth potential in international companies, IEMG’s emerging markets focus could be a good fit for your portfolio. On the other hand, if you’d prefer a more diversified approach, SPGM’s mix of emerging and markets might be a better option.

Katie Brockman has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has positions in and recommends Apple, Microsoft, Nvidia, Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing, and Tencent. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.

No one has ever accused Warren Buffett of being a gold bug. The legendary investor made his fortune by investing in stocks and acquiring businesses. He's never been a fan of buying gold.

During Berkshire Hathaway's (BRK.A +0.74%) (BRK.B +0.80%) 2018 annual shareholder meeting, Buffett famously trashed the idea of investing in gold instead of stocks. But how much money would you have today if you'd ignored the advice given by the "Oracle of Omaha" then?

Image source: The Motley Fool.

Buffett vs. bullion Before we get to the answer, let's first attempt to understand why Buffett dislikes gold so much. He made two key points about the precious metal at the 2018 Berkshire Hathaway meeting.

First, Buffett argued that gold has historically underperformed the stock market. He asked the audience at the shareholder meeting nearly eight years ago to guess how much $10,000 investments in an S&P 500 (^GSPC +1.97%) index fund and gold in 1942 would be worth then. Buffett selected 1942, by the way, because it was the year he made his first investment. It was also in the middle of World War II, when many people were worried about the future.

Buffett quickly revealed the answer. An initial investment of $10,000 in the S&P 500 in March 1942 would have grown to $51 million by the time of Berkshire's 2018 shareholder meeting. Meanwhile, the same amount invested in gold would have increased in value to around $400,000.

By the way, Buffett acknowledged that index funds didn't exist in 1942, yet he still made his point. He stated, "[F]or every dollar you could have made in American business, you'd have less than a penny of gain by buying into a store of value which people tell you to run to every time you get scared by the headlines."

Second, Buffett essentially called gold a do-nothing investment. He said:

While the businesses were reinvesting in more plants and new inventions came along, you would ... look into your safety deposit box, and you've have your 300 ounces of gold. And you would look at it, and you could fondle it, I mean, whatever you wanted to do with it. But it didn't produce anything. It was never going to produce anything. And what would you have today? You would have 300 ounces of gold just like you had in March of 1942, and it would be worth approximately $400,000.

A missed golden opportunity? I recently ran across Buffett's quotes about gold from that 2018 Berkshire Hathaway shareholder meeting. With gold prices soaring, I wondered whether or not Buffett's premise still held. How much money would you have today if you had invested $10,000 in gold on the day the Oracle of Omaha railed against gold -- May 5, 2018?

Since most people probably wouldn't buy gold bullion, I decided to use one of the most popular gold ETFs -- the SPDR Gold Shares (NYSEMKT: GLD)-- for the analysis. I also used the SPDR S&P 500 ETF Trust (SPY +2.02%) as a proxy for investing in the S&P 500. The following chart shows how a $10,000 investment in each would have panned out (no pun intended).

GLD data by YCharts

Even after the recent gold sell-off following President Trump's nomination of Kevin Warsh to the Federal Reserve, your initial $10,000 investment in this gold ETF would be up roughly 3.5x. That's nearly as much as gold returned during the period Buffett discussed (1942 through 2018) when he argued against investing in gold. More importantly, it's well above the $25,390 or so you would have if you invested in the S&P 500 ETF.

Was Buffett wrong about gold? Some might conclude that Buffett made a mistake. But was he really wrong about gold? Over the last eight years, yes.

I think it's important to note, though, that 2018 wasn't the first time Buffett criticized investing in gold during a Berkshire Hathaway shareholder meeting. He also made a similar argument at the annual meeting held on April 30, 2011. In case you're wondering, a $10,000 investment in the aforementioned SPDR Gold Shares ETF and SPDR S&P 500 ETF Trust on that date would be worth roughly $29,000 and $49,700 today.

The moral of the story: Buffett is usually right over the long term.

Between Sandisk and Pure Storage, most Wall Street analysts see the latter as the more attractive stock at current prices.

Sandisk (SNDK +3.77%) shares have advanced 1,560% in the past year as memory chip supply shortages have pushed prices higher. Meanwhile, Pure Storage (PSTG +10.44%) shares have traded sideways. But Wall Street sees Pure Storage as the better buy right now.

Among 24 analysts, Sandisk has a median target price of $717.50 per share. That implies 20% upside from its current share price of $598. Among 23 analysts, Pure Storage has a median target price of $100 per share. That implies 40% upside from its current share price of $71. Here's what investors should know about these artificial intelligence (AI) storage stocks.

Image source: Getty Images.

Sandisk Sandisk is a semiconductor company that develops NAND flash memory chips and storage solutions for data centers and edge devices such as personal computers. Core to its business is a partnership with Japanese manufacturer Kioxia. The companies realize cost efficiencies by sharing research and development (R&D) expenses and capital expenditures (capex) related to NAND memory development and wafer fabrication.

Sandisk has another important advantage in vertical integration. Beyond manufacturing flash memory wafers, the company packages wafers into chips and assembles chips into final products, like enterprise solid-state drives (SSDs). That lets Sandisk optimize performance and reliability to a greater degree than suppliers less focused on final products, like Micron Technology.

Compared to hard disk drives (HDDs), SSDs built on NAND flash technology are more expensive, but they are also faster and more durable, which makes them the better choice for artificial intelligence (AI) workloads. Consequently, Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang believes NAND flash memory "will likely be the biggest storage market in the world."

Sandisk is the fifth-largest supplier of NAND flash memory, behind Samsung, SK Hynix, Micron, and Kioxia. But Sandisk gained about 2 percentage points of market share in the past year, outpacing the other four companies. That trend may continue in the future because several hyperscalers are evaluating its enterprise SSDs.

Sandisk reported non-GAAP (generally accepted accounting principles) earnings growth of 404% in the last quarter, and Wall Street expects adjusted earnings to increase at 410% annually through the fiscal year ending in June 2027. That makes the current valuation of 81 times earnings look cheap.

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Pure Storage Pure Storage develops all-flash storage platforms comprising proprietary hardware built on 3D NAND (DirectFlash modules), management software, and subscription services. Compared to traditional SSDs, DirectFlash modules offer 2 to 3 times better storage density and consume about half as much power, making them ideal for AI workloads.

Pure Storage has another distinguishing trait in Evergreen architecture, which allows for continuous and nondisruptive hardware and software upgrades. The company monetizes that technology with subscription services that let customers unify file, block, and object storage across public clouds and private data centers.

Consultancy Gartner recently ranked Pure Storage as the technology leader in enterprise storage platforms, praising its unified data management, operational efficiency, and high customer satisfaction. Meta Platforms selected Pure Storage as a supplier last year, and the company also serves 63% of Fortune 500 companies.

Pure Storage reported non-GAAP earnings growth of 16% in the last quarter, and Wall Street expects adjusted earnings to increase at 23% annually through the fiscal year ending in February 2027. That makes the current valuation of 40 times earnings look reasonable, especially when the consensus estimate accounts for the increased R&D spending Pure Storage outlined in December.

Both stocks look attractive, but Pure Storage is less exposed to cyclical demand To summarize, Sandisk supplies NAND flash memory and storage devices, but its products are more easily commoditized. While Sandisk has generated better returns than Pure Storage in the past year, rising prices related to the ongoing (and unprecedented) memory chip supply shortage have factored heavily in the stock's performance.

Indeed, other memory chip stocks have also posted big returns. Micron shares have more than quadrupled. So, Sandisk's performance has (arguably) been less about a company-specific competitive moat and more about price increases caused by supply shortages. To that end, memory chip stocks may fall as a group when supply begins to outpace demand.

Comparatively, Pure Storage buys NAND flash chips from suppliers and builds integrated enterprise storage platforms comprising proprietary hardware, software, and services. Unlike Sandisk, its business generates recurring revenue, and its products are less easily commoditized. Pure Storage is less directly exposed to the cyclical nature of the memory chip industry.

Personally, I think both stocks are attractive, but I'd buy shares of Pure Storage before buying Sandisk.

HomeEarnings AnalysisConsumer 

SummaryBoyd Gaming remains a 'buy,' offering above-average margins, recession resilience, and strong capital returns.Q4 softness stemmed from Las Vegas visitation declines, especially in the Rooms segment, while the Midwest & South faced weather-related headwinds.FY 2026 marks a turning point: major renovations, relocations, and potential M&A, enabled by FanDuel stake sale and robust operating cash flow.Buybacks continue, but yield is compressing; management is open to OpCo M&A, expanding strategic flexibility amid a cleaner balance sheet. Jenelle Jacks/iStock via Getty Images

As I predicted in my last Earnings Preview on Boyd Gaming (BYD), this multi-operator could (as it has the last six times) report a double-beat. And that's exactly what happened.

Even so, the stock slipped

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.

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.

HomeStock IdeasLong IdeasTech 

SummaryNvidia is rated a strong buy with a $219 price target, offering 25% upside and countering bearish views of a potential AI bubble collapse.The company's competitive moat is built on vertical integration of hardware, networking, and a dominant CUDA software ecosystem with over 4.5 million active developers.Nvidia shows elite profitability through its fabless model, generating an industry-leading $2.76 million in net income for every employee on the payroll.Future growth is supported by strategic investments and the expansion of AI applications into robotics and medicine, moving beyond the current focus on large language models. BING-JHEN HONG/iStock Editorial via Getty Images

Introduction Since the release of ChatGPT on November 30, 2022, Nvidia's (NVDA) revenues, profits, and stock price have grown at an extraordinary rate. AI tailwinds have propelled Nvidia into the position as the world's most

Analyst’s Disclosure: I/we have a beneficial long position in the shares of NVDA 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.

I have owned NVDA since 2017. No plans to buy or sell shares in the near future.

Seeking Alpha's Disclosure: Past performance is no guarantee of future results. No recommendation or advice is being given as to whether any investment is suitable for a particular investor. Any views or opinions expressed above may not reflect those of Seeking Alpha as a whole. Seeking Alpha is not a licensed securities dealer, broker or US investment adviser or investment bank. Our analysts are third party authors that include both professional investors and individual investors who may not be licensed or certified by any institute or regulatory body.