Track market-moving stories before they get noisy

When a miner finally stops digging holes in the balance sheet and starts pulling consistent profit from the ground, the math usually catches up to the reality. Eldorado Gold (EGO -3.77%) is currently in that rare transition window. Operating a diverse portfolio of gold, silver, lead, and zinc mines across Turkey, Canada, Greece, and Romania, it has spent the better part of a half-decade wrestling with heavy capital requirements and complex jurisdictional hurdles. As of October 23, 2026, the stock trades at $31.67 and has posted a 1-year return of 26%, reflecting a market that is finally pricing in the output from its major infrastructure projects.

Our proprietary Hidden Gems scoring system assigns Eldorado Gold an overall Superscore of 80 out of 100, placing it in the Strong category. The Superscore is an AI-powered score that evaluates a company's overall strength by combining financial performance, product market position, technological capabilities, leadership quality, and relative valuation. It represents the unification of all our scores into a single score for public companies, with five rating bands: Exceptional (90-100), Strong (75-89), Above Average (60-74), Average (40-59), and Cautious (0-39). This 81 places the company in the Top ~9% of every company we score. This score-driven analysis is meant to serve as a research starting point; investors should weigh these operational strengths against the inherent risks outlined below before making an investment decision.

Why EGO Has an 80 SuperscoreRevenue breakout momentum: Revenue jumped 40% year over year in fiscal 2025, signaling that the company has moved past years of stagnation and effectively scaled production at its core assets.Operational margin expansion: Operating margins surged to 41% in fiscal 2025, proving that the company can turn its increased mining output into legitimate bottom-line results.Strategic commodity diversification: The acquisition of Foran Mining and the integration of the McIlvenna Bay operation provide a significant copper-zinc mix, reducing the company's historical reliance on gold price volatility alone.Why Is EGO's Superscore Not Higher?Capital expenditure burden: Aggressive spending on infrastructure projects like Skouries resulted in negative free cash flow of $195 million in fiscal 2025, which limits the company's short-term financial flexibility.Project execution risks: Unexpected $155 million capital overruns at Skouries demonstrate that management can struggle with labor productivity and cost forecasting when building in complex environments.Elevated price-to-sales multiple: The stock trades at a trailing price-to-sales ratio of 2.94, a level that leaves little margin for error if commodity prices cool or production targets slip.Commodity price sensitivity: The business remains a price-taker in liquid global markets, meaning its profitability is inherently tied to gold and copper cycles that the company cannot control.Eldorado Gold is a highly capital-efficient business, earning a top-tier rank for returns on net tangible assets. Because it produces outsized profits on a relatively small base of physical assets, the market tends to pay a premium for that efficiency, assuming the company can sustain its current operational leverage.

Table 1: Hidden Gems Database Scores for Eldorado Gold (EGO)ScoreScore (out of 100)RankSupporting Data PointProduct (1Y)85Top ~11%Exceptional momentum driven by the successful operational scaling of the Skouries project.Product (5Y)68Top ~34%Consistent 12.5% revenue CAGR reflects a stable transition from mid-tier volatility to a reliable producer.Financial (1Y)80Top ~13%Fiscal 2025 marked an inflection point where heavy development capital shifted into realized revenue growth.Financial (5Y)74Top ~16%Revenue expanded from $871 million in 2022 to $1.85 billion in 2025, showing sustained recovery.Leaders72Top ~39%Management demonstrates transparency in disclosing project overruns, though execution planning remains a variable.AI29Top ~35%The company's core extraction model is not positioned to capture value from the AI transition.Valuation Risk85Top ~2%The stock trades at a trailing P/E of 10.07, suggesting an attractive valuation relative to recent cash flows.Is EGO Right For Your Portfolio?This stock warrants a closer look if...

You want exposure to gold and copper producers that function as alternatives to typical gold ETFs.You are hunting for a mining operation that has successfully transitioned from negative cash flow to a scalable profit generator.You may want to keep researching before buying if...

You are uncomfortable with the risks associated with the high capital intensity and project ramp-up timelines inherent in the mining sector.You believe the stock's current valuation multiple is already fully pricing in the anticipated production gains from new copper-gold assets.This Superscore is one data-driven signal worth investigating, not a stand-alone buy recommendation; weigh it against your own research, financial goals, and risk tolerance.

My 5-year prediction for EGO stockAs with many mining names, Eldorado's defining risk for the past half-decade has been execution, but 2026 is the year that risk started converting into output. Skouries in Greece, the $2 billion-plus copper-gold project that absorbed years of capital and a $155 million overrun, produced its first concentrate on September 8 and is targeting commercial production this quarter. A stockpile of more than 4.6 million tonnes of above-reserve-grade ore covers over seven months of plant feed, and in mid-October the European Commission granted the mine strategic-project status, easing future permitting and financing.

Meanwhile, the firm's C$3.8 billion Foran Mining acquisition closed in April, and the McIlvenna Bay copper-zinc mine in Saskatchewan poured first copper concentrate in June, with commercial production also expected imminently. Together, the two assets are designed to transform Eldorado into a diversified gold and copper producer, and management is guiding for roughly 40% gold production growth in 2027 versus 2025 once Skouries reaches steady state.

Eldorado's history shows how budgets and timelines slip, and the valuation assumes its mines deliver. But with both projects past their riskiest construction phases and third-quarter results due within days, the setup favors patient shareholders, and Eldorado seems poised for outperformance over the next five years as two decades-long assets hit their stride at once.

The Hidden Gems Superscore reflects The Motley Fool's proprietary AI-driven evaluation of a company across product, financial, leadership, and valuation pillars as of the article date and may change over time. Performance figures are point-in-time. Past performance does not guarantee future results.

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The Home Depot's chief information officer told Business Insider that electronic price labels can help delivery workers work more efficiently. Brandon Bell/Getty Images Buying a screwdriver at Home Depot?

Well, you and your next-door neighbor should be paying the same price for the same product on the same day.

Angie Brown, the home improvement retailer's executive vice president and chief information officer, told Business Insider that it's exploring a larger rollout of its electronic shelf labels, or ESLs — the small digital placards that large retailers have been using to replace paper price tags.

When asked if those wireless-updatable tags could introduce dynamic pricing, Brown responded, "Absolutely not."

Instead, The Home Depot uses those tags to accurately inform customers when their store expects the next delivery of a specific product, Brown said.

Home Depot IT chief says its digital price tags won't give consumers different prices

"We love being able to show you on the sign, 'You can get this as soon as the next day,'" she said. "And we want that to be right."

Why those little shelf electronic labels have caused so much worry

An electronic shelf label in a Best Buy.  : Lindsey Nicholson/UCG/Universal Images Group via Getty Images Several major brands — including Walmart, Kroger, Best Buy, and Whole Foods — have rolled out electronic shelf labels in their stores.

Consumers have scrutinized the rollout amid fears that stores could quickly raise prices during busy shopping periods or use customer data to show different prices to separate shoppers.

Some state lawmakers have responded to that anxiety, too. New Jersey passed a yearlong moratorium on new implementation of the tech. Maryland passed legislation requiring grocery stores to keep electronically displayed prices unchanged for a full business day.

Concerns have prompted retailers to get ahead of dynamic pricing concerns: Walmart's CEO, John Furner, for example, wrote a memo in September to customers and employees, explicitly stating that the technology wouldn't be used to adjust prices.

"We don't set different prices based on who you are or the time of day, and we won't," he wrote. "We price the product, not the person."

Target also shared a similar statement this month, saying that the company "does not use personal information to raise prices."

Electronic signs in Home Depot

The Home Depot has been using ESLs for several years. They're common in the appliance section, Brown said.  Mario Tama/Getty Images Home Depot has been testing the technology for years. In its 2020 annual report, the retailer said it had initially used electronic shelf-label capabilities in the appliances section before trying them in additional merchandising departments.

Brown said Home Depot sees the labels as a tool for store operations, not a new pricing strategy.

As stores increasingly double as fulfillment hubs for delivery workers and pickup orders, she said, ESLs can light up to help gig workers and employees quickly locate a product — an update that Walmart rolled out in its stores earlier this month.

She also said the company is not using the technology in its garden department.

There are two important caveats.

First, Home Depot sells several commodities, such as building materials and garden goods. Brown said the ESLs will reflect the individual commodity markets.

Second, Home Depot's Pro customers can receive bulk discounts when they cross purchasing thresholds. Brown said those prices are set by transparent rules, not by a shopper's personal data.

Still, for everyone else walking through a Home Depot aisle, she said, the promise is simpler: The price one customer sees should be the same price another customer sees.

"Those are the use cases we're interested in, not in changing price more often because we have electronic shelf labels," she said. "We've never talked about changing our pricing strategy if we were to roll out ESLs."

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Business Insider tells the innovative stories you want to know

Business Insider tells the innovative stories you want to know

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Ben Shimkus is a reporter for the Business News desk. He writes about cars, transportation, retail, and jobs. Ben's reporting has appeared in Rolling Stone, The Verge, Automotive News, USA Today, AutoBody News, LGBTQ Nation, TopSpeed, and Out Magazine. He's also held staff writing positions at The U.S. Sun and the Daily Mail. He graduated from NYU with a Master's in journalism in 2024. Email Ben at [email protected] or message him privately on Signal at bshimkus.41. 

Spotify Technology (SPOT +0.10%) not only saw its third-quarter headline net income fall, but it also whiffed on the consensus analyst estimate. Given that, you'd imagine that investors would have reacted by aggressively selling the music streamer's stock. Well, you'd be very wrong.

The opposite occurred on Thursday after the company published its earnings release -- market players couldn't wait to buy its stock, and it handily beat the S&P 500 index, rising nearly 4%. On Friday, it ticked higher. Let's look at the company's numbers and tease out why it scored such a big win from an ostensibly losing quarter.

Image source: The Motley Fool.

Music to their earsSpotify's quarter was headed by a revenue line that hit almost 5 billion euros ($5.6 billion), for robust year-over-year growth of 16%. By far the bulk of the company's top line comes from its premium services; the take from these rose by 17% to nearly 4.5 billion euros ($5 billion). The remainder came from ad-supported offerings, which collectively rose 10% to 482 million euros ($540 million).

Spotify also managed to grow both its total user base and the crucial segment of that population, premium-service subscribers. The company's total monthly active user (MAU) count rose 11% to 788 million, while the premium subscriber tally increased 9% to 306 million.

Attributable net income, however, went in the opposite direction. It fell to 518 million euros ($580 million) from the year-ago profit of 899 million euros ($1 billion). On a per-share basis, the former result was 2.48 euros ($2.78).

While that revenue number was essentially in line with the consensus analyst estimate, Spotify fell short on profitability. Analysts tracking the stock were modeling net income of 2.84 euros ($3.18) for the quarter.

That bottom-line swoon looked ugly on paper, but it wasn't as grim as it appeared. In the third quarter of 2025, the company benefited enormously from significant finance income derived from share, bond, and warrant valuations, which affected the accounting. It also recorded a 72 million euro ($81 million) tax benefit during that period.

Spotify watchers are aware that these items distorted the 2025 frame's profitability, so the year-over-year drop wasn't particularly concerning to them. They were also impressed that the company topped its guidance for operating income, which came in at 672 million euros ($753 million), and notched a new record for gross margin at 33%. And for a stock increasingly evaluated on free cash flow (FCF), the 735 million euros ($823 million) in FCF it generated during the quarter was heartening.

$584.22+$0.56 (+0.10%)

NYSE · As of 4:00 PM ET 10/23/26

Streaming forwardSpotify has an enviably high number of growth opportunities. Management ticked off several major ones, including a major expansion of its relatively recent audiobook business, from the current 22 countries to over 180. Meanwhile, artificial intelligence (AI) is at a relatively early stage of deployment for the company; it plans to harness it to offer subscribers more and increasingly varied custom services -- AI playlists, anyone? -- to enhance the listening and music-curating experiences.

It's confident that this will keep those subscriber and fundamental numbers rising. It proffered guidance for its current (fourth) quarter of 818 million MAUs, which, if achieved, would be nearly 9% higher than in the same period of 2025. It's also counting on a sub-9% increase in premium subscribers (to 316 million). As for key financials, management is expecting another pop in revenue, by almost 15% to 5.2 billion euros ($5.8 billion). Operating income is projected to surge 17% to 820 million euros ($919 million). It did not provide a net income forecast.

I feel that, if anything, Mr. Market's reaction to Spotify's third quarter was muted and conservative. The company has established itself as the clear king of streaming music and, increasingly, other aural entertainment options like audiobooks. I feel it's building quite the imposing moat, which more than justifies the valuations that likely moderated investors' reaction to the earnings release (its forward P/E is approaching 52). Yet this company is becoming ever more powerful, and it clearly aims to tap into the numerous, high-potential growth opportunities before it. I'd be a buyer of this stock, even at its seemingly lofty level.

Berkshire Hathaway (BRKA -0.84%)(BRKB -0.87%) stock is finally back at a record. On Oct. 20, the Class B shares ended at $539.82, inching past a record close from May 2, 2025 -- the day before Warren Buffett told shareholders he planned to hand the CEO job to Greg Abel.

As I write, the shares trade near $548, up about 9% this year.

The new high comes in a year when Berkshire has gone back to buying its own stock. It repurchased nothing in 2025. In the first half of 2026, its buybacks came to around $4.8 billion. And it only buys if its CEO thinks the shares cost less than the business is worth.

But Berkshire paid around $476 to $488 a Class B share in May and June. With the stock at least 12% higher today, is it still a buy?

Image source: Getty Images.

Berkshire bought more as the year went byThe buying started small. In March, Berkshire repurchased around $234 million of stock at an average of about $487 a Class B share, according to its first-quarter 10-Q.

Then it sped up. After a quiet April, Berkshire spent around $740 million on shares in May at an average Class B price of about $476, and about $3.8 billion in June at about $488, for a second-quarter total of about $4.5 billion. And the cover of the second-quarter 10-Q suggests the buying kept going. Berkshire had around 4,550 fewer Class A-equivalent shares outstanding on July 29 than on June 30 (one Class A share equals 1,500 Class B shares).

At the $488 to $512 range where the Class B shares closed in July, these repurchased shares total about $3.4 billion of stock in under a month.

"We will buy back Berkshire shares when they trade below our estimate of intrinsic value, conservatively determined," Abel said in his first annual letter to shareholders in February.

Intrinsic value is Berkshire's term for what the whole business is worth, whatever the stock does day to day. Put another way, every month of buying was Abel saying the shares were cheap at around $476 to $488.

I'd argue these purchases tell Berkshire shareholders more about the stock's value than anything else from the company's filings this year.

A higher price tagAt around $548, the Class B shares cost about 12% more than Berkshire's average price in June and about 15% more than its average in May.

Berkshire reported $747.9 billion in shareholders' equity on June 30, up $30.5 billion from the end of 2025. That's around $348 of book value per Class B share (book value is what's left of a company's assets after subtracting its liabilities). June's average buyback price put Berkshire at about 1.4 times that book value. Today's price is nearly 1.6 times book value.

Of course, book value isn't fixed at its June figure, and more growth in the third quarter might shrink the gap.

Berkshire's third-quarter 10-Q should show how Abel sees that gap, because the filing lists buybacks month by month with the average price paid. The Class B shares closed over $500 on 44 of the 64 trading days from July through September.

If Berkshire kept buying in August and September, that might signal Abel's estimate of value has gone up with the business. If the buying ended, the prices Berkshire paid in May and June could be near the most Abel is willing to pay.

$542.19-$4.78 (-0.87%)

NYSE · As of 4:00 PM ET 10/23/26

Berkshire's earnings are still growingShowing why that estimate might have kept climbing, Berkshire's second-quarter operating earnings (which leave out the swings in its huge stock portfolio) rose 16% year over year, to around $13 billion. That's up from about $11.2 billion a year before and around $11.3 billion in 2026's first quarter. But currency shifts on Berkshire's foreign-currency debt flattered the comparison. They added an after-tax gain of $326 million in this year's second quarter, versus an $877 million loss in the second quarter of 2025. Excluding foreign exchange, operating earnings rose around 5%.

Mid-single-digit growth is still steady progress for a company this big.

Still, should you buy Berkshire stock at a record high?

I think it's worth considering, maybe a little at a time. The businesses keep growing, and Berkshire seems to have been buying its own shares as recently as July. But at almost 1.6 times book value, the stock isn't the bargain Berkshire was buying in June.

SummaryColumbia Banking System is rated BUY, offering a 5% yield and a $1.2 billion share buyback, supporting a compelling risk/reward profile.COLB's 3Q26 results exceeded expectations, with NIM above 4%, strong credit quality, and efficiency ratio at 51.34%, outperforming industry benchmarks.The Pacific Premier Bancorp acquisition expands COLB's geographic reach and is expected to be mid-teens EPS accretive, enhancing commercial relationships and non-interest income.Shares trade at a 20% discount to sector median P/B, with higher forward ROE and robust capital ratios, providing both income and growth appeal. J Studios/DigitalVision via Getty Images

Summary Columbia Banking System, Inc. (COLB) is rated a BUY. The stock is yielding 5% compared to the financial sector median of 2.8%. In addition, management just announced a $1.2 billion share buyback. 3Q26 results were stronger than expected, where

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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.

There's an easy sales pitch for software that can help organizations run their vehicles and equipment more effectively: Show clients how the product can save time or money. Samsara (IOT +2.60%) does just that, helping to bridge the gap between operational data and software.

Artificial intelligence (AI) can make these tools even more productive, but greater productivity alone doesn't make an investment thesis. For investors looking ahead to 2027, the real question is whether Samsara can turn its potential into fundamental growth that exceeds the expectations embedded in its stock. If it can, it's possible that this under-the-radar stock could soar, perhaps even matching the run of Palantir, a stock that skyrocketed more than 700% during the past five years. Let's dig in and see how realistic that scenario is.

Image source: Getty Images.

What Samsara actually does To understand Samsara's business, we must follow a hypothetical example. Imagine a factory. Tens of thousands of moving parts and hundreds of workers are hard at work, focused on the task at hand. There's one problem: A key piece of equipment is at risk of failure. Worse, this type of failure wouldn't just cause downtime; it could also pose a health and safety risk. Samsara's software is designed to catch these issues before they become critical. It keeps operations running smoothly, saves money, and protects key assets.

The company operates on a "land-and-expand" model. It sells its product platform once, then collects recurring revenue from clients. A key aspect of its business model is upselling -- selling additional modules to existing customers to generate more revenue.

IOT Samsara$44.92+$1.14 (+2.60%)

NYSE · As of 4:00 PM ET 10/23/26

Can 2027 be Samsara's breakout year? As for fundamentals, they've taken off recently. Samsara's revenue has increased from about $250 million in 2021 to more than $1.84 billion during the past 12 months. Free cash flow has also increased, swinging from about $150 million in cash burn in 2023 to $255 million in free cash flow during the past 12 months. What's more, the company recently turned the corner on profitability, generating about $91 million in net income during the past year.

Although these metrics are encouraging, Samsara will need to go further in 2027 for its stock to truly take off. The company recently noted that roughly 96% of its customers with more than $100,000 in annual recurring revenue (ARR) now use at least two of its products, and 70% use three or more. If the company can increase those numbers further while expanding its existing customer base, the stock market could take notice.

Is Samsara's valuation its final hurdle? If one factor is holding Samsara back, it could be its valuation. On a price-to-earnings (P/E) ratio basis, its stock trades at about 290. Granted, that is very high. However, Samsara is a young company that has only recently begun producing consistent profits. Therefore, the "E" (earnings) in the equation remains very modest. Consequently, it may be better to examine Samsara's price-to-sales (P/S) ratio instead.

IOT P/S Ratio data by YCharts.

As you can see, Samsara's P/S ratio tells a more nuanced story. While 13.5 is high compared to much of the stock market, it's still reasonable compared to its past readings. In fact, Samsara stock is currently trading for less than its lifetime average P/S ratio of 16.5. Nevertheless, these valuations underscore that Samsara will need to deliver more profit to lower its P/E multiple to levels that will attract more institutional interest.

Is Samsara a buy now? Samsara is a stock worth considering for growth-oriented investors with a bullish outlook on AI's impact on real-world operations. However, the stock still has challenges. Its margins remain thin, and it lacks a long history of consistent profitability. Therefore, the stock isn't for every investor.

Yet improving fundamentals, led by soaring revenue and free cash flow, point to a key tailwind: Organizations are beginning to view AI tools as a recurring operating expense. That bodes well for Samsara. Investors willing to buy and hold the stock could be rewarded in the long run, perhaps as soon as 2027.

Elon Musk just promised millions of people a gift. On Monday, the co-founder and CEO of Tesla (TSLA -0.63%) and Space Exploration Technologies (SPCX +1.89%) wrote in a post at X -- the social media platform formerly known as Twitter -- "Next year, I will give one of my SpaceX shares to every kid in America." He then added, "This will be the first of many."

It sounds good, particularly if you're one of those children about to receive the gift. But what will it cost, and who pays other than Musk?

Musk didn't add any other details. We can, however, make some reasonable assumptions about how this will work.

More than enough already in hand
Musk doesn't need to dilute existing shareholders by issuing new shares of SPCX to make good on his gift. Musk himself effectively controls or personally owns 6.4 billion A shares of the recently public company, in addition to 3.9 billion B shares. There's another 1.3 billion restricted B shares that could soon become his as well, plus 350 million more that he could purchase if he chooses to exercise his options.

For comparison, there are currently just over 72 million children under the age of 18 residing in the United States, according to The Annie E. Casey Foundation. Assuming Musk is using the same standard about who qualifies as a kid, he could give away a mere 1.8% of the 3.9 billion B shares he already owns and still fulfill his promise.

SpaceX and Tesla CEO Elon Musk. Image source: The White House.

His total net cost? At today's price, that's roughly $12 billion worth of SPCX stock, which, of course, is only a fraction of his estimated net worth of right around $1 trillion right now.

And it's almost certainly SpaceX's B shares that Musk intends to give away. Although he personally owns just a little less than half of the company, the A shares' voting power is 10 times that of B shares, effectively giving Musk 85% control of Space Exploration Technologies. He's not apt to give any of that up.

Barely a blip
As for what it means to every other SPCX shareholder, the answer is not a lot... at least not initially. Musk can personally afford to fund the entirety of this gift. No dilution is necessary. 

Longer-term, though, there is a slight conceivable impact. This will put a single share of SpaceX stock in 72 million different investors' hands, with little clarity as to how or even whether selling it will be restricted. Hopefully, most of these recipients will hang onto it indefinitely and use it as a seed for a retirement nest egg. Many of them will likely sell it at their first opportunity, however.

Fortunately, nearly 100 million shares of SPCX trade hands every single day. The market should be able to absorb such a disruption without too much turmoil.

Amazon (AMZN -0.95%) has been a poor stock to own recently. While it rose following its Q2 earnings release, the stock has slowly sold off since then and is now up about 8% for the year, trailing the S&P 500 (^GSPC -0.52%). However, I think this could all turn around once again after Oct. 29, when Amazon reports Q3 earnings.

The reason is fairly clear, and investors have already seen it cause Amazon's price tag to spike once already this year: cloud computing growth.

Image source: The Motley Fool.

Amazon is the industry leader in cloud computing
Amazon may not be the first name you think of when discussing huge tech companies, but it should be high on the list. While most consumers are familiar with Amazon's commerce site and delivery platform, Amazon Web Services (AWS) really steers the business. In fact, AWS -- which supplies cloud computing -- accounted for 60% of Amazon's operating income in Q2, despite making up only 21% of revenue.

How? AWS's operating margins are far superior to those of its commerce business, which is a notoriously razor-thin-margin industry.

While commerce still affects Amazon's investment picture, investors must realize that Amazon doesn't care much about it right now. Amazon is spending about $220 billion this year to expand its computing infrastructure and fuel AWS growth. It seems content with its current dominance in commerce and sees a major opportunity in cloud computing right now, thanks to booming demand for running AI workloads.

AMZN Amazon$248.00-$2.38 (-0.95%)

NASDAQ · As of 4:00 PM ET 10/23/26

These investments have so far paid off, as AWS's growth rate has significantly climbed over the past few quarters. Rewinding to Q4 2025, AWS's growth was 24% year over year. Then it accelerated to 28% in Q1 2026. Amazon surprised investors by reporting impressive 37% growth in Q2, which caused shares to skyrocket earlier this year before eventually selling off.

If Amazon continues to meaningfully accelerate its AWS growth rate, say to the mid-40% range, it could ignite another run-up in stock price, as it would have a positive effect on Amazon's operating margins. This, in turn, will cause earnings per share to rise faster, which the market will love.

If it can do that, Amazon's stock should be primed to rise, because it's actually pretty reasonably valued right now, at least compared to historical levels.

Amazon's stock isn't that expensive
Valuing Amazon's stock is a bit tricky. While the price-to-earnings (P/E) ratio is the gold standard for valuing stocks like Amazon, it's currently not applicable.

Amazon has been a major investor in private company Anthropic, whose valuation has risen substantially over the past year. Accounting rules require Amazon to report these investment gains as profits, even if it hasn't sold them yet. So, Amazon has a lot of profits on paper, but not as many in real life.

To adjust for this, I value Amazon on its operating income, which is one line item above net income. This metric doesn't account for gains on investment, taxes, depreciation, or other factors that could skew the results. It's just how the business itself is doing. From this standpoint, Amazon's price-to-operating-income ratio has declined substantially over the past few years.

AMZN Operating PE Ratio data by YCharts

While it has been slightly cheaper a handful of times this year, it is still pretty reasonably valued. I think now is the perfect time to load up on shares, as its valuation could increase following strong Q3 results likely be highlighted by impressive AWS growth.

I'm bullish on Amazon's future, and AWS will be the division that takes it to the next level as an investment.

Most of the attention on Berkshire Hathaway (BRKA -0.84%) (BRKB -0.87%) owes to its impressive investment portfolio. But Berkshire Hathaway stock is also worth watching on its own, and its shares did something this month that it hasn't accomplished in eight years.

The conglomerate, now led by Greg Abel after the retirement of its longtime leader, Warren Buffett, saw its Class B shares close higher for 10 consecutive trading sessions from Oct. 1 through Oct. 14. Berkshire's stock rose from about $498 to $526.

Berkshire snapped the streak on Oct. 15, but the stock is on another run higher, recently topping $547 and beating the record close of $539.89 set in May 2025.

Obviously, it's a great time to be a Berkshire Hathaway investor. But let's also look at the bigger picture about what happens when Berkshire stock goes on a 10-day winning run. This has happened only six other times since 1998 -- and in four of those six instances, the shares were trading higher 12 months later.

Does that mean investors should buy Berkshire stock today? History offers some encouragement, but there's a much stronger argument for owning Berkshire than its recent winning streak.

Image source: Getty Images.

What does a Berkshire winning streak mean?
Berkshire's earlier streaks of at least 10 consecutive higher closes occurred in 1998, 2003, 2014, twice in 2017, and in January 2018.

The longest came in August 2017, when the shares advanced for 15 consecutive sessions. Berkshire also recorded another extended winning streak in March of that year.

Let's be clear -- although it's a bullish signal that Berkshire posted 12-month gains on four separate occasions after those 10-day runs, that doesn't guarantee that the stock will be higher one year from now. After all, six previous occurrences are a small sample size.

The historical results suggest that an extended winning streak isn't automatically a warning that investors have missed their opportunity. But a 67% success rate doesn't establish that Berkshire has a two-thirds chance of rising during the next year.

Fortunately, investors have something more useful than historical trading patterns to help them make that decision.

$542.19-$4.78 (-0.87%)

NYSE · As of 4:00 PM ET 10/23/26

Berkshire has plenty going for it
One of the biggest questions surrounding Berkshire entering 2026 was how the company would perform after Buffett's retirement as chief executive officer.

So far, Abel has demonstrated that he's willing to put Berkshire's enormous financial resources to work.

Berkshire doubled down on its position in Alphabet, the parent company of Google, while also adding to positions in companies such as Delta Air Lines. The company has also resumed substantial share repurchases, buying back about $4.4 billion of its own stock.

The buybacks are a signal to investors -- Berkshire has always been cautious about buying its own stock and has a stated philosophy of buying only when the stock is trading below its intrinsic value.

Of course, a buyback isn't proof that Berkshire shares are undervalued today, particularly after their recent advance. But it's an encouraging indication of management's willingness to deploy capital when opportunities arise.

And Berkshire still has considerable financial flexibility. Its cash reserves provide ample flexibility for Abel to make acquisitions, invest in more companies, or buy back more of the company's own shares.

Meanwhile, Berkshire's collection of operating businesses, including insurance, railroads, utilities, and manufacturing operations, gives investors exposure to several important parts of the economy without having to purchase individual stocks.

That's a compelling combination for long-term investors.

Is Berkshire Hathaway stock a buy now?
There's another reason I like Berkshire that has little to do with its October winning streak.

Historically, Berkshire has demonstrated an ability to hold up relatively well during difficult markets. In fact, Berkshire outperformed the S&P 500 in 11 of the 13 calendar years when the index posted a negative return.

That doesn't mean Berkshire is immune to market declines. But its diversified businesses, financial resources, and disciplined approach to investing can make it an attractive long-term holding.

And that's where the historical winning-streak data becomes less important.

Berkshire's 10 consecutive gains this month -- or in any year -- don't guarantee positive returns 12 months from now, particularly with the shares trading at a record high. Investors buying today also need to recognize that a strong business isn't automatically an attractive investment at any price.

But I remain bullish on Berkshire's long-term prospects under Abel. The company's financial strength, diverse operations, and renewed willingness to deploy capital provide several avenues to reward shareholders over time.

The October winning streak may have caught Wall Street's attention. For long-term investors, though, Berkshire's underlying business is a much better reason to own the stock.

Longer-term data reflecting nearly 4 years of follow-up show a further reduction in the risk of death from 14% to 37% for those initially treated with Libtayo, despite an 88% crossover from the placebo arm upon recurrence 

New prospective analyses confirm sustained disease-free survival (DFS) benefit with adjuvant Libtayo, including in patients who are minimal residual disease (MRD) negative at baseline

The late-breaking data were presented during a rapid oral session at the European Society for Medical Oncology (ESMO) 2026 Meeting

TARRYTOWN, N.Y., Oct. 25, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (NASDAQ: REGN) today announced longer-term data reflecting nearly four years of follow-up from the Phase 3 C-POST trial evaluating PD-1 inhibitor Libtayo® (cemiplimab) as adjuvant treatment for patients with cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (CSCC) at a high risk of recurrence after surgery and radiation. The late-breaking results were presented in a rapid oral session at the European Society for Medical Oncology (ESMO) Congress 2026.

“As the Phase 3 C-POST trial data continue to mature, we are seeing an evolving and clinically meaningful overall survival benefit with adjuvant Libtayo in high-risk cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma, as well as sustained disease-free survival benefit regardless of whether minimal residual disease is detectable at baseline,” said Danny Rischin, M.D., M.B.B.S., F.R.A.C.P., Research Lead, Head and Neck Cancer and Cutaneous SCC, Department of Medical Oncology at the Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre in Melbourne, Australia, and lead investigator of the trial. "These data provide compelling evidence of the long-term, durable benefit of adjuvant treatment with Libtayo in high-risk CSCC after surgery and radiation, further supporting Libtayo as a transformative standard of care for these patients."

With a median follow-up of 44 months, efficacy results for Libtayo compared to placebo showed sustained benefits for the primary endpoint of disease-free survival (DFS), and notably, an increasing overall survival (OS) benefit, a secondary endpoint. Specifically, there was a 37% reduction in the risk of death (hazard ratio [HR]: 0.63; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.36-1.11) at a median follow up of 44 months, up from 22% at a median follow up of 30 months (HR: 0.78; 95% CI: 0.39-1.56) and 14% at a median follow up of 24 months (HR: 0.86; 95% CI: 0.39-1.90). Notably, patients randomized to placebo were able to cross over to Libtayo after recurrence, and 61 of 69 placebo patients (88%) with recurrence received subsequent Libtayo. The emerging OS benefit, despite the high crossover rate, therefore supports treating high-risk patients with Libtayo after surgery and radiation, rather than waiting for their disease to recur.

Additionally, an exploratory analysis of patients with baseline circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) data (Libtayo n=93; placebo n=98) was conducted. Compared to placebo, treatment with adjuvant Libtayo improved DFS regardless of baseline minimal residual disease (MRD) status, supporting the broad clinical utility of adjuvant Libtayo in high-risk CSCC. In particular, patients who were MRD negative at baseline – and thus had lower risk of recurrence – still had improved DFS with Libtayo (HR: 0.45; 95% CI: 0.22-0.95); patients who were MRD positive at baseline also had improved DFS with Libtayo (HR: 0.24; 95% CI: 0.07-0.86).

Safety results remained consistent with previously reported data. Treatment emergent adverse events (TEAEs) of any grade occurred in 94% of patients in the Libtayo arm and 91% of patients in the placebo arm. Grade ≥3 TEAEs occurred in 26% of patients (Libtayo) and 17% of patients (placebo). Treatment discontinuations due to TEAEs occurred in 10% of patients (Libtayo) and 3% of patients (placebo). TEAEs leading to death occurred in 2% of patients in each arm.

The longer-term C-POST data at ESMO expand on results shared at the 2025 ASCO Annual Meeting and simultaneously published in the New England Journal of Medicine. Libtayo has since been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (October 2025) and the European Commission (November 2025) as the first and only immunotherapy for this indication.

About the Phase 3 Trial
C-POST was a randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind, multicenter, global Phase 3 trial investigating Libtayo versus placebo as adjuvant treatment for patients with features associated with a high-risk of CSCC recurrence and who had completed surgery and post-operative radiation therapy. Trial participants were at high risk of recurrence due to nodal features (extracapsular extension or ≥3 involved lymph nodes) and/or non-nodal features (in-transit metastases, T4 lesion, perineural invasion, or locally recurrent tumor with ≥1 additional poor prognostic features).

The trial enrolled 415 patients who were randomized to receive either Libtayo (n=209) or placebo (n=206) for up to 48 weeks. For the first 12 weeks, Libtayo 350 mg or placebo was administered intravenously every three weeks, followed by Libtayo 700 mg or placebo administered intravenously every six weeks for 36 weeks. After disease recurrence, patients randomized to placebo could cross over to receive Libtayo, and patients randomized to Libtayo could receive Libtayo again, if recurrence was ≥3 months since the last dose of adjuvant Libtayo.

About Regeneron in Cancer
We aspire to turn revolutionary discoveries into medicines that can transform the lives of those impacted by cancer. Our team around the world is driven to solve the needs and challenges of those affected by one of the most serious diseases of our time.

Backed by our legacy of scientific innovation and a deep understanding of biology, genetics and the immune system, we’re pursuing potential therapies across more than 30 types of solid tumors and blood cancers. Our cancer strategy is powered by cutting-edge technologies and therapies that can be flexibly combined to investigate potentially transformative treatments for patients. Oncology assets in clinical development comprise nearly half of Regeneron’s pipeline, and include checkpoint inhibitors, bispecific antibodies and costimulatory bispecific antibodies. Our approved PD-1 inhibitor Libtayo serves as the backbone of many of our investigational combinations.

To complement our extensive in-house capabilities, we collaborate with patients, healthcare providers, governments, biopharma companies and each other to further our shared goals. Together, we are united in the mission to serve as a beacon of transformation in cancer care.

About Libtayo
Libtayo is a fully human monoclonal antibody targeting the immune checkpoint receptor PD-1 on T cells and was invented using Regeneron's proprietary VelocImmune® technology. By binding to PD-1, Libtayo has been shown to block cancer cells from using the PD-1 pathway to suppress T-cell activation. Libtayo has been approved by regulatory authorities in more than 30 countries in one or more indications, including for certain adult patients with advanced basal cell carcinoma (BCC), CSCC that is advanced or at high risk of recurrence, advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and advanced cervical cancer.

In the U.S., the generic name for Libtayo in its approved indications is cemiplimab-rwlc, with rwlc as the suffix designated in accordance with Nonproprietary Naming of Biological Products Guidance for Industry issued by the U.S. FDA. Outside of the U.S., the generic name of Libtayo in its approved indications is cemiplimab.  

The extensive clinical program for Libtayo is focused on difficult-to-treat cancers. Libtayo is currently being investigated in trials as a monotherapy, as well as in combination with either conventional or novel therapeutic approaches for other solid tumors. These potential uses are investigational, and their safety and efficacy have not been evaluated by any regulatory authority.

U.S. FDA-approved Indications
Libtayo is a prescription medicine used to treat:

Adults with a type of skin cancer called cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (CSCC): that has spread or cannot be cured by surgery or radiation, orto help prevent CSCC from coming back if your CSCC is at high risk of coming back after it has been removed by surgery and radiation. Adults with a type of skin cancer called basal cell carcinoma (BCC) when your BCC cannot be removed by surgery (locally advanced BCC) or when it has spread (metastatic BCC) and have received treatment with a hedgehog pathway inhibitor (HHI), or cannot receive treatment with a HHI.Adults with a type of lung cancer called non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). LIBTAYO may be used in combination with chemotherapy that contains a platinum medicine as your first treatment when your lung cancer has not spread outside your chest (locally advanced lung cancer) and you cannot have surgery or chemotherapy with radiation, or your lung cancer has spread to other areas of your body (metastatic lung cancer), and your tumor does not have an abnormal “EGFR,” “ALK,” or “ROS1” gene.LIBTAYO may be used alone as your first treatment when your lung cancer has not spread outside your chest (locally advanced lung cancer) and you cannot have surgery or chemotherapy with radiation, or your lung cancer has spread to other areas of your body (metastatic lung cancer), and your tumor tests positive for high “PD-L1,” and your tumor does not have an abnormal “EGFR,” “ALK,” or “ROS1” gene.
It is not known if Libtayo is safe and effective in children.

IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION FOR U.S. PATIENTS

What is the most important information I should know about LIBTAYO?
LIBTAYO is a medicine that may treat certain cancers by working with your immune system. LIBTAYO can cause your immune system to attack normal organs and tissues in any area of your body and can affect the way they work. These problems can sometimes become severe or life-threatening and can lead to death. You can have more than one of these problems at the same time. These problems may happen anytime during treatment or even after your treatment has ended.

Call or see your healthcare provider right away if you develop any new or worsening signs or symptoms, including:

Lung problems: cough, shortness of breath, or chest painIntestinal problems: diarrhea (loose stools) or more frequent bowel movements than usual, stools that are black, tarry, sticky or have blood or mucus, or severe stomach-area (abdomen) pain or tendernessLiver problems: yellowing of your skin or the whites of your eyes, severe nausea or vomiting, pain on the right side of your stomach-area (abdomen), dark urine (tea colored), or bleeding or bruising more easily than normalHormone gland problems: headache that will not go away or unusual headaches, eye sensitivity to light, eye problems, rapid heartbeat, increased sweating, extreme tiredness, weight gain or weight loss, feeling more hungry or thirsty than usual, urinating more often than usual, hair loss, feeling cold, constipation, your voice gets deeper, dizziness or fainting, or changes in mood or behavior, such as decreased sex drive, irritability, or forgetfulnessKidney problems: decrease in your amount of urine, blood in your urine, swelling of your ankles, or loss of appetiteSkin problems: rash, itching, skin blistering or peeling, painful sores or ulcers in mouth or nose, throat, or genital area, fever or flu-like symptoms, or swollen lymph nodesProblems can also happen in other organs and tissues. These are not all of the signs and symptoms of immune system problems that can happen with LIBTAYO. Call or see your healthcare provider right away for any new or worsening signs or symptoms, which may include: chest pain, irregular heartbeat, shortness of breath or swelling of ankles, confusion, sleepiness, memory problems, changes in mood or behavior, stiff neck, balance problems, tingling or numbness of the arms or legs, double vision, blurry vision, sensitivity to light, eye pain, changes in eyesight, persistent or severe muscle pain or weakness, muscle cramps, low red blood cells, or bruisingInfusion reactions that can sometimes be severe or life-threatening. Signs and symptoms of infusion reactions may include: nausea, vomiting, chills or shaking, itching or rash, flushing, shortness of breath or wheezing, dizziness, feel like passing out, fever, back or neck pain, or facial swellingRejection of a transplanted organ or tissue. Your healthcare provider should tell you what signs and symptoms you should report and monitor you, depending on the type of organ or tissue transplant that you have hadComplications, including graft-versus-host disease (GVHD), in people who have received a bone marrow (stem cell) transplant that uses donor stem cells (allogeneic). These complications can be serious and can lead to death. These complications may happen if you underwent transplantation either before or after being treated with LIBTAYO. Your healthcare provider will monitor you for these complications Getting medical treatment right away may help keep these problems from becoming more serious. Your healthcare provider will check you for these problems during your treatment with LIBTAYO. Your healthcare provider may treat you with corticosteroid or hormone replacement medicines. Your healthcare provider may also need to delay or completely stop treatment with LIBTAYO if you have severe side effects.

Before you receive LIBTAYO, tell your healthcare provider about all your medical conditions, including if you:

have immune system problems such as Crohn’s disease, ulcerative colitis, or lupushave received an organ or tissue transplant, including corneal transplanthave received or plan to receive a stem cell transplant that uses donor stem cells (allogeneic)have received radiation treatment to your chest areahave a condition that affects your nervous system, such as myasthenia gravis or Guillain-Barré syndromeare pregnant or plan to become pregnant. LIBTAYO can harm your unborn baby Females who are able to become pregnant:

Your healthcare provider will give you a pregnancy test before you start treatmentYou should use an effective method of birth control during your treatment and for at least 4 months after your last dose of LIBTAYO. Talk to your healthcare provider about birth control methods that you can use during this timeTell your healthcare provider right away if you become pregnant or think you may be pregnant during treatment with LIBTAYO are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed. It is not known if LIBTAYO passes into your breast milk. Do not breastfeed during treatment and for at least 4 months after the last dose of LIBTAYO Tell your healthcare provider about all the medicines you take, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements.

The most common side effects of LIBTAYO when used alone to treat CSCC that has spread or cannot be cured by surgery or radiation, BCC or NSCLC include tiredness, muscle or bone pain, rash, diarrhea, and low levels of red blood cells (anemia).

The most common side effects of LIBTAYO when used alone to help prevent CSCC from coming back include rash and itching.

The most common side effects of LIBTAYO when used in combination with platinum-containing chemotherapy to treat NSCLC include hair loss, muscle or bone pain, nausea, tiredness, numbness, pain, tingling, or burning in your hands or feet, and decreased appetite.

These are not all the possible side effects of LIBTAYO. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088. You may also report side effects to Regeneron Pharmaceuticals at 1-877-542-8296.

Please see full Prescribing Information, including Medication Guide.  

About Regeneron's VelocImmune Technology
Regeneron's VelocImmune technology utilizes a proprietary genetically engineered mouse platform endowed with a genetically humanized immune system to produce optimized fully human antibodies. When Regeneron's Co-Founder, President and Chief Scientific Officer George D. Yancopoulos was a graduate student with his mentor Frederick W. Alt in 1985, they were the first to envision making such a genetically humanized mouse, and Regeneron has spent decades inventing and developing VelocImmune and related VelociSuite® technologies. Dr. Yancopoulos and his team have used VelocImmune technology to create a substantial proportion of all original, FDA-approved or authorized fully human monoclonal antibodies. This includes Dupixent® (dupilumab), Libtayo, Praluent® (alirocumab), Kevzara® (sarilumab), Evkeeza® (evinacumab-dgnb), Inmazeb® (atoltivimab, maftivimab and odesivimab-ebgn), Veopoz® (pozelimab-bbfg) and Pasatru™ (garetosmab-grts). In addition, REGEN-COV® (casirivimab and imdevimab) had been authorized by the FDA during the COVID-19 pandemic until 2024. A total of 11 antibody and bispecific products have been approved or authorized worldwide that were invented or derived using VelocImmune technologies.

About Regeneron 
Regeneron (NASDAQ: REGN) is a leading biotechnology company that invents, develops and commercializes life-transforming medicines for people with serious diseases. Founded and led by physician-scientists, our unique ability to repeatedly and consistently translate science into medicine has led to numerous approved treatments and product candidates in development, most of which were homegrown in our laboratories. Our medicines and pipeline are designed to help patients with eye diseases, allergic and inflammatory diseases, cancer, cardiovascular and metabolic diseases, neurological diseases, hematologic conditions, infectious diseases, and rare diseases.

Regeneron pushes the boundaries of scientific discovery and accelerates drug development using our proprietary technologies, such as VelociSuite®, which produces optimized fully human antibodies and new classes of bispecific antibodies. We are shaping the next frontier of medicine with data-powered insights from the Regeneron Genetics Center® and pioneering genetic medicine platforms, enabling us to identify innovative targets and complementary approaches to potentially treat or cure diseases.

For more information, please visit www.Regeneron.com or follow Regeneron on LinkedIn, Instagram, Facebook or X.

Forward-Looking Statements and Use of Digital Media
This press release includes forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties relating to future events and the future performance of Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (“Regeneron” or the “Company”), and actual events or results may differ materially from these forward-looking statements. Words such as “anticipate,” “expect,” “intend,” “plan,” “believe,” “seek,” “estimate,” variations of such words, and similar expressions are intended to identify such forward-looking statements, although not all forward-looking statements contain these identifying words. These statements concern, and these risks and uncertainties include, among others, the nature, timing, and possible success and therapeutic applications of products marketed or otherwise commercialized by Regeneron and/or its collaborators or licensees (collectively, “Regeneron’s Products”) and product candidates being developed by Regeneron and/or its collaborators or licensees (collectively, “Regeneron’s Product Candidates”) and research and clinical programs now underway or planned, including without limitation Libtayo® (cemiplimab) as adjuvant treatment for patients with cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma at a high risk of recurrence after surgery and radiation; uncertainty of the utilization, market acceptance, and/or commercial success of Regeneron’s Products (such as Libtayo) and Regeneron’s Product Candidates and the impact of studies (whether conducted by Regeneron or others and whether mandated or voluntary), including the studies discussed or referenced in this press release, on any of the foregoing; the likelihood, timing, and scope of possible regulatory approval and commercial launch of Regeneron’s Product Candidates and new indications for Regeneron’s Products; the ability of Regeneron’s collaborators, licensees, suppliers, or other third parties (as applicable) to perform manufacturing, filling, finishing, packaging, labeling, distribution, and other steps related to Regeneron’s Products and Regeneron’s Product Candidates; the ability of Regeneron to manage supply chains for multiple products and product candidates and risks associated with tariffs and other trade restrictions; safety issues resulting from the administration of Regeneron’s Products (such as Libtayo) and Regeneron’s Product Candidates in patients, including serious complications or side effects in connection with the use of Regeneron’s Products and Regeneron’s Product Candidates in clinical trials; determinations by regulatory and administrative governmental authorities which may delay or restrict Regeneron’s ability to continue to develop or commercialize Regeneron’s Products and Regeneron’s Product Candidates; ongoing regulatory obligations and oversight impacting Regeneron’s Products, research and clinical programs, and business, including those relating to patient privacy; the availability and extent of reimbursement or copay assistance for Regeneron’s Products from third-party payors and other third parties, including private payor healthcare and insurance programs, health maintenance organizations, pharmacy benefit management companies, and government programs such as Medicare and Medicaid; coverage and reimbursement determinations by such payors and other third parties and new policies and procedures adopted by such payors and other third parties; changes to drug pricing regulations and requirements and Regeneron’s pricing strategy, including in connection with Regeneron’s April 2026 agreements with the U.S. government; other changes in laws, regulations, and policies affecting the healthcare industry; competing products and product candidates (including biosimilar products) that may be superior to, or more cost effective than, Regeneron’s Products and Regeneron’s Product Candidates; the extent to which the results from the research and development programs conducted by Regeneron and/or its collaborators or licensees may be replicated in other studies and/or lead to advancement of product candidates to clinical trials, therapeutic applications, or regulatory approval; unanticipated expenses; the costs of developing, producing, and selling products; the ability of Regeneron to meet any of its financial projections or guidance and changes to the assumptions underlying those projections or guidance; the potential for any license, collaboration, or supply agreement, including Regeneron’s agreements with Sanofi and Bayer (or their respective affiliated companies, as applicable), to be cancelled or terminated; the impact of public health outbreaks, epidemics, or pandemics on Regeneron's business; and risks associated with litigation and other proceedings and government investigations relating to the Company and/or its operations (including the pending civil proceedings initiated or joined by the U.S. Department of Justice and the U.S. Attorney's Office for the District of Massachusetts), risks associated with intellectual property of other parties and pending or future litigation relating thereto (including without limitation the patent litigation and other related proceedings relating to EYLEA® (aflibercept) Injection), the ultimate outcome of any such proceedings and investigations, and the impact any of the foregoing may have on Regeneron’s business, prospects, operating results, and financial condition. A more complete description of these and other material risks can be found in Regeneron’s filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, including its Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2025 and its Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended June 30, 2026. Any forward-looking statements are made based on management’s current beliefs and judgment, and the reader is cautioned not to rely on any forward-looking statements made by Regeneron. Regeneron does not undertake any obligation to update (publicly or otherwise) any forward-looking statement, including without limitation any financial projection or guidance, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise.

Regeneron uses its media and investor relations website and social media outlets to publish important information about the Company, including information that may be deemed material to investors. Financial and other information about Regeneron is routinely posted and is accessible on Regeneron's media and investor relations website (https://investor.regeneron.com) and its LinkedIn page (https://www.linkedin.com/company/regeneron-pharmaceuticals).

Nuclear energy stocks have been in the doldrums this year. The Global X Uranium ETF (URA +0.06%) is down around 15% so far this year, reflecting the sector's overall malaise.

The reason for the decline is that the sector became a little overheated due to enthusiasm for nuclear energy, with technology companies signing deals to secure nuclear electricity for artificial intelligence (AI) data centers. While this points to long-term growth, many newer nuclear energy companies face a long road to profitability.

Instead of focusing on nuclear companies that may eventually turn things around, it makes more sense to look at pick-and-shovel nuclear stocks that are already profitable and benefiting from the growth of nuclear energy. One of those stocks is Centrus Energy (LEU -1.63%), the lone publicly traded proven U.S. uranium enricher. While shares of Centrus have plummeted more than 52% so far this year, the company remains a solid buy, and the stock's valuation has become more reasonable, trading at about 33 times forward earnings.

Here are three reasons to consider Centrus Energy.

Image source: Getty Images.

It has a first-mover advantage Centrus operates the only U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC)-licensed facility capable of producing high-assay low-enriched uranium (HALEU), the specialized fuel enriched between 5% and 20% U-235 required for almost all next-generation advanced small modular reactors (SMRs) and microreactors. The company finalized its $900 million order to produce HALEU for the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) in July.

LEU Centrus Energy$102.45-$1.70 (-1.63%)

NYSE · As of 4:00 PM ET 10/23/26

With more companies racing to advance nuclear technologies, Centrus already has multi-year supply agreements with emerging reactor developers, such as X-energy, Radiant Industries, and Antares Nuclear. These partnerships, often backed by customer prepayments, make Centrus a central pick-and-shovel provider for the future nuclear tech boom.

It is showing dependable revenue growth In the second quarter, Centrus reported revenue of $176.1 million, up 13.9%, year over year. It is estimating full-year revenue between $450 million and $500 million, compared to $448.7 million in 2025.

Centrus has a $4.5 billion backlog, with work scheduled out to 2040. This shows that customers are locking in long-term orders for years to come. Of that total, $3.7 billion comes strictly from its primary fuel business of selling standard reactor fuel and uranium to power utilities.

These are mostly fixed, multi-year contracts for guaranteed future deliveries. In addition to its fixed orders, it has agreed to $3 billion in potential future sales of low-enriched uranium (LEU) and HALEU.

Adjusted net income was $38.7 million, up 12% over the same period a year ago, but adjusted earnings per share (EPS) were $1.95, flat compared to the second quarter of 2025.

It has a huge moat The United States hasn't had its own active facility to enrich uranium for national security and defense needs since the Paducah, Kentucky, plant closed in 2013. The DOE is relying on Cold War-era stockpiles. Because this supply is finite and shrinking, the U.S. will soon need a new domestic source of enriched uranium to replace it.

Due to long-standing government policies and international nonproliferation agreements, the U.S. military and national security agencies are forbidden from using foreign enrichment technology or foreign-sourced fuel for national defense purposes.

Centrus's proprietary technology, its AC100M centrifuge, is the only American-developed, deployment-ready uranium enrichment system available that complies with U.S. legal and national security requirements.

The company's first-mover advantage in uranium enrichment and growing backlog make the stock a solid buy. It is already growing revenue and is profitable, giving it a big advantage over other AI stocks. The stock's tumble appears related more to sector concerns than its financial health, which appears sound.

SummaryI reiterate my Strong Buy on Vicor after a record Q3, despite a 38% drawdown since my last article driven by sector-wide AI hardware selling.Q3 revenue rose 78.5% YoY to $197.1M, with product revenue up 47%, royalties up 207%, and gross margin reaching 68.3%.Vicor is supply-constrained rather than demand-constrained, with Fab 1 nearly full and two new fab sites targeting about 5x capacity from Q2 2027.Management expects to fund the expansion entirely from cash, in contrast with peers financing AI buildouts through debt or large equity raises.My FY27 scenarios range from -36% to +103%, with a base case of +44%. Thomas Barwick/DigitalVision via Getty Images

Investment Thesis Despite the volatility in the share price and negative returns over the last few months, I reiterate my Strong Buy rating on Vicor (VICR) based on fundamental improvements across many

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

Arrow Exploration Corp (TSX-V:AXL, AIM:AXL, OTC:CSTPF) has pushed production to a record high of more than 6,500 barrels of oil equivalent per day (boe/d), following successful drilling at its Icaco field in Colombia.

The milestone comes as two new wells, IC-8 and IC-7, contribute a combined 1,452 barrels of oil per day (bopd) gross, equivalent to 726 bopd net to Arrow, at restricted production rates.

IC-8, which began producing on 12 October, is delivering approximately 1,204 bopd gross from the Carbonera C7 formation, while IC-7 is producing 248 bopd gross from the Ubaque formation. Both wells are located on the Tapir Block, where Arrow holds a 50% beneficial interest.

Chief executive Marshall Abbott said the multi-zone quality of the Icaco discovery and its production rates had "surpassed initial expectations".

Arrow also reported progress at its IC-HZ9 well, the first horizontal well targeting the Carbonera reservoir on the Tapir Block. Drilling was completed on 20 October, with the company identifying what appears to be 950 feet of horizontal oil pay.

The company estimated its cash balance at more than US$28 million as of 1 October and said it continues to pursue an extension of the Tapir Block through discussions with Colombian regulators.

Arrow has built 16 well cellars at Icaco and plans to continue drilling across the Carbonera C7, Gacheta and Ubaque formations.

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There was plenty to like about Lockheed Martin's (LMT +2.42%) earnings report on Oct. 22. The aerospace and defense manufacturer raised its full-year guidance for the second quarter in a row while beating Wall Street's third-quarter estimates. While the stock has risen more than 20% year to date as of this writing, Lockheed remains a solid buy for long-term investors.

$604.18+$14.27 (+2.42%)

NYSE · As of 4:00 PM ET 10/23/26

First and foremost, Lockheed's third-quarter sales grew 11% to $20.7 billion. Earnings per share beat analysts' expectations by nearly $0.50 at $7.97. All four of Lockheed's segments grew, with the Missiles and Fire Control business having the greatest gain, increasing 14% from this quarter last year.

Lockheed's management now expects sales to top $80 billion and free cash flow of $7.8 billion to $8 billion in 2026. The free cash flow number increased by $800 million from last quarter. Lockheed also increased its dividend again, marking 24 consecutive years of increases.

Image source: Getty Images.

The stock is really a buy because of the growth in backlog, which provides substantial revenue visibility. The backlog grew 27% to $292 billion this quarter. In particular, Lockheed signed multiyear deals for a PAC-3 interceptor and 850 F-35 jets.

Of course, Lockheed's success depends on its ability to execute efficiently and effectively, but for buy-and-hold investors, the backlog, rising guidance, and consistently growing dividend are excellent reasons to purchase the stock. Shares are still trading at a reasonable price. The company's forward and trailing price-to-earnings ratios are in the teens, and the dividend yield is respectable, currently around 2.5%.

Catie Hogan has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has positions in and recommends Lockheed Martin. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.

Exelixis (EXEL -1.19%) has crushed the broader market this year, with its shares climbing 49%. However, the drugmaker recently hit a roadblock. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) decided to extend the review period for Exelixis' zanzalintinib, an investigational medicine for colorectal cancer. The health regulatory agency requested more data before it can decide whether to approve the drug. A decision is now expected by March 3, 2027, pushed back from the original deadline of Dec. 3, 2026. That's not great news for Exelixis, but despite this setback, the company's prospects look attractive. Here are three reasons why.

Image source: The Motley Fool.

1. Winning the Cabometyx patent battle Exelixis' most important driver of revenue and earnings growth is Cabometyx, a medicine approved for various cancers, including liver and kidney cancers. Cabometyx is a tyrosine kinase inhibitor -- tyrosine kinase is a protein that plays a role in cell growth and division, a mechanism that is sometimes hijacked by cancer cells to promote rapid growth. Cabometyx has been one of the top-prescribed medicines of its kind in renal cell carcinoma (RCC, the most common form of kidney cancer) for years.

It has also continued to grind out new indications, including as a combination therapy. Exelixis' financial results have been strong thanks to this drug. In the second quarter, the company's revenue increased by 10.6% year over year to $628.7 million. Exelixis' earnings per share grew by about 26% year over year to $0.82.

Exelixis has done its best to delay the entry of cheaper Cabometyx generics in the U.S., and so far, it has been successful. Thanks to a patent lawsuit it won, it should not face generic competition in the U.S. at least until January 2030, perhaps even later if the company wins another patent case that starts in November. That should give Exelixis enough time to develop newer medicines to replace its crown jewel.

EXEL Exelixis$64.53-$0.78 (-1.19%)

NASDAQ · As of 4:00 PM ET 10/23/26

2. Zanzalintinib could be a pipeline-in-a-drug The most promising drug Exelixis is developing is zanzalintinib, and that's despite the recent regulatory setback. Consider the medicine's potential in colorectal cancer. It is the second leading cause of cancer death worldwide, which implies that there is a large opportunity in the market, particularly for the indication Exelixis is targeting: once it has metastasized. Further, Exelixis won't stop at this indication.

The biotech company will seek to follow the same blueprint it used for Cabometyx. Exelixis is testing zanzalintinib across several other forms of cancer. The list includes RCC, some kinds of lung cancer, and more. Of course, zanzalintinib won't earn every indication it targets. Cabometyx didn't either. But even a handful or so could make the medicine a massive commercial success and help usher in the next phase of growth for Exelixis.

Some analysts have estimated that zanzalintinib could generate $4.5 billion in U.S. sales by 2033 across various indications. Note that last year, the company made $2.3 billion in revenue, mostly from Cabometyx. Provided the sales estimates for zanzalintinib are accurate, this drug could eventually more than offset the loss of Cabometyx.

3. Exelixis' deep pipeline Even if zanzalintinib alone isn't enough to replace Cabometyx once the latter starts facing generic competition, Exelixis has a plan. The company boasts several other pipeline candidates that could eventually contribute. Although these are mostly still in early stage studies, they could make significant progress over the next five years. Most early stage candidates never make it to the market, but there is a decent chance that at least a couple of Exelixis' brand-new therapies will.

And even if none does, the company has research collaborations in place that could supply additional, oncology-focused drug candidates to its pipeline. Exelixis' ability to carve out a niche in the ruthlessly competitive oncology market, which is typically dominated by pharmaceutical giants, is fairly impressive. And over the medium term, the company could, once again, launch one or two brand-new cancer drugs that will help it sustain strong financial results and deliver competitive stock market returns.

Palantir Technologies (PLTR +0.28%) stock has been on an incredible run. While the stock's gain of roughly 13.5% is roughly in line with the rally for the S&P 500 (^GSPC -0.52%), the artificial intelligence (AI) software specialist has absolutely crushed the market on a longer timeline.

Over the last five years, Palantir stock has risen roughly 714%. Meanwhile, the S&P 500's level has climbed 70.5%. With Palantir now trading at roughly $200 per share, is it likely that the company is gearing up for a stock split in the near future?

Image source: Getty Images.

Don't count on a stock split just yet
In recent years, stock splits have become highly anticipated, closely watched market events -- and for good reason. The announcements and implementations of splits have coincided with substantial valuation gains for many companies that have implemented them.

A stock split doesn't alter a business's fundamentals. It simply cuts the pie that is a company's share count into a larger number of pieces.

As a result, the stock price is reduced by a corresponding ratio. While this doesn't improve the underlying business, the lower share price has often made shares more attractive to retail investors. In turn, increased buying action pushes the stock higher. Palantir has yet to conduct a stock split across its roughly six-year history as a publicly traded company.

PLTR Palantir Technologies$196.75+$0.56 (+0.28%)

NASDAQ · As of 4:00 PM ET 10/23/26

While I think there's a good chance additional share price gains will prompt the company to split within the next few years, I don't think there's anything to suggest a split is imminent. Trading at roughly $200 per share, Palantir stock isn't yet at a pure-dollar pricing level that's likely to spur a split.

If the stock approaches $500 per share and continues to show strength at that level, I think a split becomes much more likely. That's a level that is historically more likely to encourage stock splits.

So for investors hoping that a near-term stock split will help push Palantir stock higher, I don't think that's a solid bet. The good news is that Palantir doesn't have to rely on a stock split to boost its valuation.

In its second-quarter report published in August, Palantir announced that sales grew 93% year over year to $1.935 billion. Meanwhile, non-GAAP (generally accepted accounting principles) adjusted operating income came in at $1.194 billion -- good for a 62% margin.

Palantir is growing sales at an incredible pace and posting margins that are extremely impressive, even by the standards of high-margin software companies. These characteristics could continue to support bullish momentum for the stock.

How the tables have turned for small-reactor developer Oklo (OKLO -2.44%). In less than a year, Wall Street has changed its tune, from the enthusiastic rally cry of "Nuclear!" to a much less confident, almost incredulous, "Nuclear?" That change has wiped out not only 25% of the VanEck Uranium and Nuclear ETF (NLR -0.51%) but erased more than 60% of Oklo stock this year.

Therefore, Oklo has been down and up, down and up, down and up, tumbling and rising, like a shoe tossed around in a washing machine. The punishing rout, however, isn't all there is to Oklo stock right now. And if you stop at share price alone, you might miss what's actually happening in the nuclear business.

While Wall Street loses faith, Oklo persists
Oklo is a small reactor developer whose biggest market opportunity is AI power deals. As a company that's trying to rethink how power is delivered -- replacing large grid power with small modular nuclear reactors -- Oklo's technology aligns with the power needs of AI companies, whose enormous appetite for electricity is already straining local grids.

Image source: Oklo.

Delivering AI power has been Oklo's primary tailwind, but lately, it's been a headwind. Investors have been questioning whether money poured into AI infrastructure will actually deliver big returns. And for a company like Oklo, whose future depends on major infrastructure spending, that uncertainty has made investors more hesitant about the stock.

Add to that the fact that Oklo doesn't have regulatory approval for its Aurora powerhouse, and the stock's dismal 2026 performance makes a lot of sense.

Despite what the stock has done or failed to do this year, the company has been making some decent progress. Take, for example, the first criticality of its Groves test reactor in Texas, which was achieved in August. First criticality marks that Oklo built and started a nuclear reactor, a crucial first step for any nuclear operator.

Or how about the NRC's approval of the principal design criteria for its Aurora powerhouse in May, or the Department of Energy's approval of a preliminary safety analysis for Oklo's reactor in Idaho? Each is a small but crucial step toward commercialization.

$26.35-$0.66 (-2.44%)

NYSE · As of 4:00 PM ET 10/23/26

Oklo is making progress, but is it worth an investment right now?
Oklo has made substantial progress, but we shouldn't confuse progress with finances -- Oklo still manages an unprofitable business. It's still burning cash as it works toward commercializing its reactors. And though its first Aurora is planned to go live in 2028, there's no guarantee it will be live by that target year. Indeed, I wouldn't put firm trust in that data until construction is well underway, as Oklo has a history of repeatedly pushing back the predicted launch date of its first reactor.

If none of the above makes you flinch, a small speculative position in Oklo might be consistent with your investing approach. Less aggressive investors, however, will probably want to look elsewhere for their next growth stock.

There's certainly no denying this technology ticker has been a powerhouse performer for the past couple of decades. And yes, Apple (AAPL -0.14%) is technically a dividend-paying stock.

These two details alone, however, don't inherently make this name a well-suited choice for income-seeking investors.

The numbers
Don't misread the message. Again, Apple pays its shareholders an ever-growing dividend. It's just not a particularly big one. The stock's current forward-looking yield stands at a mere 0.3%. That's not much... only about $1.08 per share. To put those numbers in perspective, to collect just $100 worth of income from a stake in this popular company in a year, you'd need 93 shares of its stock. If you were buying that number at today's price, it would cost you a little over $32,000.

Image source: Getty Images.

Moreover, even if the company continues raising its dividend at its recent pace, in 10 years that initial $32,000 investment would still only yield annual dividends of just under $160. That translates into opportunity cost with making such a sizable commitment to AAPL as an income investment.

Not suited for this purpose
This doesn't mean Apple is a bad stock pick, to be clear. It's just not a great pick for income investors needing their assets to generate recurring, spendable cash at a reasonable rate of return.

Rather, AAPL remains primarily a growth stock, albeit a good one, boosted by even more generous stock buybacks. The company spent $25.8 billion on repurchases during the quarter ending in June, for perspective, while only $4 billion was spent funding its dividend payments. This dynamic isn't apt to change much under new CEO John Ternus' leadership, either.

AAPL Apple$347.73-$0.50 (-0.14%)

NASDAQ · As of 4:00 PM ET 10/23/26

So, if you're looking for a solid all-around income investment, look elsewhere, and start your search with stocks that have a higher yield. While a dividend yield at any particular time is far from a stock's whole story, it's certainly an important part of every income investment's profile.

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

On its third quarter of 2026 earnings call, held on Oct. 22, 2026, Blackstone (BX -0.66%) reported $1.7 billion in distributable earnings, which is net cash available for dividends. Total assets under management, representing the market value of managed investments, reached $1.4 trillion. Three key takeaways from management highlight how the business is positioning for long-term growth.

1. Data Center Growth Relies on Long-Term Counterparty ContractsArtificial intelligence (AI) infrastructure requires massive capital to build computing capacity and power generation. The company mitigates execution risks by securing long-dated commitments from financially stable corporate clients before breaking ground.

At Blackstone, we approach investments in this area with the same rigor and focus on risk-adjusted returns that have defined our investment process for four decades. In AI infrastructure, for example, our data center portfolio is built on durable, long term contracts with highly creditworthy counterparties.
-- Stephen Allen Schwarzman, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer2. Wealth Channel Expansion Drives Steady InflowsIndividual investors are expanding allocations to alternative assets beyond traditional stock and bond portfolios. BXP, the company's flagship private equity vehicle for individual investors, reached $29 billion in net asset value (NAV), or total assets minus liabilities, in less than three years.

Of course, it is all about investment performance, and BXP has delivered, achieving an 18% net annualized return since inception.
-- Jonathan D. Gray, President and Chief Operating Officer3. Investment Grade Credit Captures Insurance DemandInsurance companies are turning to private markets to generate excess yield over public corporate debt. The company's investment grade private credit business, which provides high-quality debt financing, expanded 24% year over year to nearly $150 billion.

We have established the largest non-captive insurance platform in our industry, including 40 clients in our dedicated insurance solutions area representing leading global firms, of which over half expanded their relationship with us in the past 12 months.
-- Jonathan D. Gray, President and Chief Operating OfficerLooking AheadFee revenues and total assets under management are climbing across key investment strategies. Management is tracking the stabilization of real estate values alongside fee growth from new institutional funds amid surging bond yields and higher borrowing costs.

The firm delivered resilient financial results and overall fund performance in the third quarter, and for the first 9 months of the year, generated double-digit year-over-year growth across fee revenues, fee-related earnings, realized performance revenues, and distributable earnings -- all against a backdrop of significant external volatility.
-- Michael S. Chae, Vice Chairman and Chief Financial OfficerMassive scale across credit, infrastructure, and private equity provides structural advantages when originating complex deals. Long-term capital commitments give the firm steady management fees across market cycles.

I have learned the most important thing during these periods is to keep our focus on delivering great results for limited partners, pioneering new markets for investment, and expanding our fundraising channels, all of which are occurring now. Our firm has enormous earnings power, and we expect outstanding results in the years ahead
-- Stephen Allen Schwarzman, Chairman and Chief Executive OfficerThe Motley Fool has positions in and recommends Blackstone. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.

Vertex Pharmaceuticals' (VRTX -2.10%) stable of cystic fibrosis (CF) therapies is one of the biggest monopolies among biotech companies. The company was founded in 1989 and, after dabbling in infectious diseases, struck gold when it switched to genetic medicines.

Prior to Vertex's innovations, CF care was focused on clearing lung mucus, preventing infections, and managing symptoms. Vertex pioneered CFTR modulators, small-molecule drugs that target the underlying genetic defects in the CFTR protein that can cause cystic fibrosis.

Its first CF drug was CFTR modulator Kalydeco, which received Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval in 2012. The company now has four CF therapies, led by the Trikafta/Kaftrio combination, which brought in $4.8 billion in sales through the first six months, and Alyftrek, which brought in $998 million through that period.

Of its $3.33 billion in second-quarter revenue, $3.2 billion came from CF therapies, about 96%. That ratio should soon change, however.

Image source: Getty Images

A breakout is already in progress
Vertex has said it is expecting $500 million or more in 2026 sales from non-opioid pain reliever Journavx and Casgevy, a gene-editing therapy developed with CRISPR Therapeutics (CRSP -1.20%), a potentially curative one-time treatment for severe sickle cell disease and another genetic blood disease, beta-thalassemia.

$523.93-$11.24 (-2.10%)

NASDAQ · As of 4:00 PM ET 10/23/26

Vertex also just released positive Phase 2b trial data on APOL1-Mediated Kidney Disease (AKMD) therapy inaxaplin. The company found that the oral therapy reduced protein leaking in urine, a leading sign of kidney damage, with no serious side effects. The patient pool for AKMD is unknown but is considered to be in the millions. The therapy is also being tested in a separate trial on patients with diabetes-related kidney disease.

Because no FDA-approved therapies target the genetic cause of AMKD, inaxaplin is positioned to capture first-in-class, first-mover market share. Analysts see the therapy as having the potential for at least $1 billion in annual sales.

The results in AMKD patients with moderate proteinuria may allow for a broader label for inaxaplin than previously expected. Vertex has already tested it in patients with focal segmental glomerulosclerosis (FSGS), a rare, severe, and destructive form of kidney disease where scar tissue forms on the glomeruli, the tiny filtering units of the kidneys. In the study, patients experienced a 43.4% reduction in urine albumin-to-creatinine ratio (UACR) after 13 weeks.

Its focus on other rare diseases could soon pay off
Looking beyond its recent trial with inaxaplin, Vertex has a large pipeline with several other promising late-stage candidates.

Povetacicept, acquired through its $4.9 billion purchase of Alpine Immune Sciences in 2024, positions Vertex in autoimmune conditions such as IgA nephropathy and generalized myasthenia gravis. It is an affinity-optimized Fc fusion protein. The drug has a Prescription Drug User Fee Act (PDUFA) date of Nov. 30, so it could be approved later this year or early next year.

The company is also testing zimloceucel, a stem-cell-derived therapy to treat type 1 diabetes. Its goal is to restore endogenous insulin production and potentially cure type 1 diabetes without requiring lifelong immunosuppression.

Its financial strength supports its pipeline expansion
The company's second-quarter revenue of $3.33 billion represents a 12% year-over-year rise. Vertex also raised its full-year revenue target to $13.1 billion to $13.2 billion, up from earlier guidance of $12.95 billion to $13.1 billion.

Earnings per share (EPS) were $4.31 in the quarter, up 8% over the same period a year ago. The company has solid cash flows, allowing it to close its largest acquisition to date on Sept. 1, a $10 billion purchase of Crinetics Pharmaceuticals, known for its endocrine disease therapies.

Crinetics' lead therapy is Palsonify, the only oral therapy approved for adults with acromegaly, a rare hormonal condition that causes some bones, organs, and other tissues to grow larger.

The purchase of Crinetics also brings along another promising late-stage therapy. Atumelnant is a once-daily pill to treat congenital adrenal hyperplasia, a rare endocrine condition that adversely affects the adrenal glands, which produce hormones that help regulate metabolism, the immune system, blood pressure, and other key functions. Atumelnant is also being tested to treat Cushing's syndrome.

Vertex is ready for the next step
The company's shares are up more than 15% so far this year, but considering its growth potential, that doesn't appear to be just from hype. Vertex has increased annual revenue by more than 600% over the past decade and has used profits from its CF franchise to broaden its base into other rare-disease areas.

The Crinetics purchase is expected to take years to pay off, but Vertex is sticking to a proven game plan by purchasing therapies that target severe diseases in which the underlying biology is well understood, patient populations are concentrated, and existing treatment options are severely lacking.

This exact strategy is what turned its CF business into a massive financial success. Beyond aligning with its core philosophy, the acquisition provides Vertex with new revenue streams beyond its CF treatments.

Axon Body 5 delivers 25x the AI processing power of earlier-generation cameras, with upgraded connectivity, audio and battery life to support real-time situational awareness in the field

, /PRNewswire/ -- Axon (Nasdaq: AXON), the global leader in public safety technology, today announced Axon Body 5, its newest body-worn camera designed to bring more powerful intelligence, connectivity and real-time support directly to officers in the field.

For years, Axon body cameras have helped agencies capture critical evidence and create greater transparency. Body 5 is built to help officers during the call, with information, assistance and backup on the spot.

Axon is introducing two versions of its latest flagship camera: Axon Body 5 and Axon Body 5 Pro.

New Axon Body 5 delivers 25x the AI processing power of earlier-generation cameras. "Officers shouldn't have to choose between getting information and watching the scene. With Axon Body 5, they don't," said Rick Smith, Axon Founder and CEO. "They capture a license or document with the camera, keep their hands free and eyes up, and get information faster than writing it down and calling it in by radio. An officer fully engaged with the person in front of them, not down at a notepad, is a safer officer and a better-served community."

Axon Body 5: Built for the AI Era

Built from the ground up for the AI era, Axon Body 5 delivers 25x the AI processing power than earlier generation Axon body cameras, alongside advancements in connectivity, audio, video and battery life. Together, these upgrades give the camera the physical power to run smarter AI features — both today and as new AI tools are developed in the future — while also making it more dependable for officers to use every day. 

For the first time, Axon is also introducing two versions of its latest flagship camera: Axon Body 5 and Axon Body 5 Pro.

Both models feature several key advancements, including:

25x more processing power for AI: A powerful new computing architecture creates the capacity to support current and future AI features directly on the body camera. Enhanced video: Improved video captures clearer evidence across challenging environments, including better low-light performance. Improved connectivity: Seamless connectivity in urban and remote environments - and more precise location capability - helps officers, cameras and remote support teams stay connected when timely information matters most. Longer battery life: 20% more battery life than the previous generation helps keep the camera ready and connected throughout an officer's shift. The Axon Body 5 Pro will continue to gain new AI capabilities as they become available, growing along with the AI Era Plan. Additionally, new hardware features include:

A near-focus camera: An additional dedicated camera lens lets officers scan driver's licenses to check status and search for wants or warrants in seconds, without returning to the patrol vehicle, with relevant information sent to Axon Fusus to support real-time operations. Front-facing speakers: Four additional speakers project even more powerful audio toward the person an officer is speaking with, helping real-time translations from Axon Assistant carry more clearly over heavy traffic or crowd noise.  Additional memory: Extra space lets the camera run several AI tools at once, helping officers stay better informed and work faster. Bringing More of Axon's AI Era Into the Field

Axon Body 5 helps officers get more out of the Axon AI Era Plan by bringing smart tools right to the scene. Axon's portfolio already supports public safety professionals across a growing range of tasks. For example, Draft One helps officers turn body-camera audio into high-quality report drafts and Axon Assistant provides voice-based information access and real-time translation.

Increasingly, Axon is also bringing AI into real-time operations.

Axon Guardian is a new category of AI features within the AI Era Plan that was specifically created to work with an officer's field-based devices - starting with body cameras and in-car cameras - to improve safety. Guardian is designed to flag potential risks as situations unfold and create alerts when additional attention may be needed. Two of the first features include:

Escalation Detection: When an Axon Body 4 or Axon Body 5 camera is activated and recording, Guardian has the ability to detect potential conflicts in real time and create an alert in Axon Fusus. A human reviews the livestream and decides if additional support or action is needed. Approach Alert: When active on Axon Fleet 3, Guardian can detect if the door of a stopped vehicle opens and alert the officer through the in-car display and their body-worn camera. Combined, Axon Body 5 and the expanding AI Era portfolio demonstrate the importance of AI as a critical resource to assist public safety professionals before, during and after an incident — reducing administrative burden, improving situational awareness and helping protect more lives.

Innovating Responsibly

Axon's Responsible Innovation framework guides the development of all of its products. Designed with this in mind, Axon Body 5 and Guardian prioritize human oversight and maintain agency control over data. As a key part of the responsible innovation process, Axon's independent Ethics and Equity Advisory Council was created to help responsibly develop and deploy new technologies with transparency, while aligning with community expectations.

General availability dates for Axon Body 5 and Axon Guardian will be announced soon. Product features and capabilities vary by configuration. For more information on Axon's current products and services: Axon Product Catalog - Axon.com.

About Axon
Axon (Nasdaq: AXON) is the global leader in public safety technology supporting state, local, federal and international public safety agencies with technology designed to Protect Life. Complementing its mission, Axon's growing Enterprise market focuses on protecting critical infrastructure and frontline workers across multiple industries including corporate security, hospitality, retail and healthcare. Founder-led since 1993, Axon builds products with transparency and responsibility. From TASER energy devices to today's connected network of hardware - including cameras, drones, and robotics - cloud software, sensors, and AI-tools, the Axon ecosystem helps seamlessly protect people and places when it matters most. To ensure these technologies align with community expectations, Axon's independent Ethics & Equity Advisory Council guides the ethical, inclusive, and accountable design of its products and services. Learn more about the EEAC and Axon's Responsible Innovation framework at Axon Responsibility. 

Non-Axon trademarks are the property of their respective owners. Axon, TASER and the Delta Logo are trademarks of Axon Enterprise, Inc., some of which are registered in the US and other countries. For more information, visit www.axon.com/legal. All rights reserved.

Please visit https://investor.axon.com and https://www.axon.com/newsroom for more information.

Media Contact:
Kate MacKinnon
Vice President, Communications
[email protected]

SOURCE Axon

A stock split is a corporate action in which a company increases the number of shares it has outstanding by dividing existing shares into multiple shares and proportionately decreasing its share price. Stock splits don't change a company’s intrinsic value, but they can garner significant attention because they make each share more affordable, potentially increasing trading activity.

And the latest major corporation on Wall Street to announce a stock split is none other than Meta Platforms (META -0.96%). The tech leader has beaten the broader equity market since its 2012 IPO, gaining a little over 1,700%. Yet, the stock still has outstanding long-term prospects.

Image source: The Motley Fool.

Meta's strong third-quarter updateMeta Platforms announced its stock split alongside its third-quarter results. The split wasn't the best part of the company's update: Meta's financial performance during the period was pretty strong. Meta Platforms' revenue increased by 26% year over year to $64.6 billion.

True, the company's operating income dropped by 37% year over year to about $13 billion, but that was largely due to legal-related expenses. Meta recorded a $9.89 billion charge because of a recent legal settlement. Without that, the company's operating income would have increased by 11% year over year.

Besides, the legal settlement was worth the trouble. Meta Platforms agreed to pay up to $18 billion (with $12.7 billion guaranteed and $5.3 billion contingent on certain conditions) over 10 years to a bipartisan coalition of attorneys general representing dozens of U.S. states and territories in connection with lawsuits alleging that Meta's social media platforms have harmed consumers.

The amount is by no means catastrophic, especially considering the time frame. Returning to Meta's third-quarter results, the company posted earnings per share of $3.83, up 265% year over year, as the company's provision for income taxes dropped significantly. Meta also made progress elsewhere.

For instance, the company's daily active people across its websites and apps rose 3% year over year to 3.64 billion. Now turning to Meta's planned stock split, the company will create a new Class C non-voting common stock and issue one Class C share for each outstanding share.

The company emphasized that it is making this move to help raise capital. The tech giant could fund various activities by issuing Class C shares without diluting CEO Mark Zuckerberg's voting control. Meta's main motivation for doing this is clear: the company is looking to fund its aggressive artificial intelligence (AI) ambitions to tap into what it sees as a large market opportunity.

META Meta Platforms$642.62-$6.23 (-0.96%)

NASDAQ · As of 4:00 PM ET 10/23/26

The AI tailwindMeta made significant AI-related progress during the third quarter. For instance, the company released Muse, a consumer-facing AI agent that was an instant hit. Meta noted that more than 10 million people in the U.S. and Canada have set up Muse, and about 25% use it on any given day.

The company also reported that Muse is particularly popular as a shopping assistant, which is important given that one of Meta's plans to monetize the agent is to charge retailers small per-transaction fees.

Retailers only have an incentive to pay these fees if Muse-related shopping generates significant revenue for them. So, engagement with the personal agent will be critical to track. Meta still has a long way to go.

The company wants Muse to reach billions of people, and it will continue to invest to make that goal a reality. And if Meta can get there -- or even somewhere close to that target -- it will help boost the company's revenue and profits over the long run.

The company has also released a small-business version of Muse, as well as Muse Wonder and Muse Wonder Full, advanced AI agent models designed to handle tasks in expert domains, such as law and finance. Significant utilization here could also be a major boost to the business.

Of course, Meta's core ad business remains healthy and continues to generate most of the company's revenue. But Meta has a clearer path to a more diversified revenue stream than it has had in a long time, and that should excite investors.

Despite the fears that the company's AI investments would harm the business, the tech leader seems to have found a way to turn it into an advantage, and there is more where that came from. Meta isn't done delivering market-beating returns.

On its third quarter of 2026 earnings call, held on Oct. 22, 2026, Honeywell (HON +1.30%) raised its full-year profit and sales outlook after completing the spin-off of its aerospace business. The shift leaves the business as a pure-play automation enterprise holding an order backlog, or total value of unfulfilled customer bookings, of nearly $19 billion in Q3.

Shareholders now own a more focused operation with higher cash conversion and fewer overhead drags. Three things management said on the earnings call stand out.

1. Process Automation Order Backlog Signals a Multiyear Energy ExpansionIndustrial customers in the Middle East and Africa are pouring cash into plant upgrades. That investment drove double-digit backlog growth in process automation and technology, the segment that supplies industrial control systems. That accumulated pile of unfulfilled contracts gives the company multiyear sales visibility as energy producers build out refining capacity and liquefied natural gas (LNG), which is gas cooled to liquid for transport.

We continue to believe that the ongoing transition to LNG and renewables as a priority fueled increasing pipeline activity from refurbishment and rebuilds in Middle East, and the refining build out in Africa will drive a meaningful energy upcycle over the next several years.
-- Vimal Kapur, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer2. Eliminating Stranded Corporate Overhead Ahead of Schedule Expands MarginsManagement eliminated stranded costs, or corporate overhead expenses left behind after spinning off the aerospace unit, six months faster than original targets. That rapid fixed-cost takeout helped segment profit margins, or the percentage of revenue remaining after direct operating expenses, rise by nearly four percentage points to over 21%. Removing those corporate drags allows more gross revenue to flow straight to net profits.

Importantly, with accelerated progress this quarter, we now expect to eliminate all remaining stranded costs by the end of '26, just six months after the aerospace spin-off, demonstrating our strong execution capabilities.
-- Vimal Kapur, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer3. Data Center Infrastructure Demand Drives Double-Digit Order GrowthData center operators are expanding fast and doubled their year-to-date order volumes for process control systems and building management software. Honeywell is capitalizing on that boom by bundling its physical equipment with Forge, its internal software platform that monitors facility efficiency and maintenance. That software integration secures higher recurring revenue, which represents predictable subscription income, while deepening customer lock-in.

We saw year to date orders growth of more than 100%. Based upon the pipeline visibility we have, we expect very high growth in 2027 also.
-- Vimal Kapur, Chairman and Chief Executive OfficerLooking AheadOrder velocity across energy infrastructure and data centers is accelerating. That demand pushed free cash flow conversion, or net profit converted to cash, to 95% in Q3, and Honeywell expects this to be above 100% in Q4.

Rapid debt reduction expands balance sheet flexibility and gives leadership clear capital allocation choices, which includes possible mergers and acquisitions (M&A).

Importantly, the cash generation and continued reduction in our leverage will increase our capital allocation flexibility, including capacity to pursue disciplined M&A.
-- Michal Stepniak, Senior Vice President and Chief Financial OfficerLower corporate expenses and disciplined pricing position the business for sustained operational performance.

With our performance this quarter and backlog of nearly $19 billion, we are confidently raising our 2026 outlook across all metrics setting up for a strong start to 2027.
-- Vimal Kapur, Chairman and Chief Executive OfficerThe Motley Fool has positions in and recommends Honeywell Technologies. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.

A wave of investor enthusiasm for enterprise artificial intelligence workflow tools sent Appian (APPN +2.35%) soaring 24.2% this week.

Appian stock changed hands at $52.35 as of the close on Friday, Oct. 23, up 27.2% this week from Friday, Oct. 16's close, according to data provided by S&P Global Market Intelligence. Over the same period, the S&P 500 (^GSPC -0.52%) fell 0.5%, and the Nasdaq-100 fell 0.7%.

Image source: Getty Images.

AI agent controls and pre-earnings momentum drive the rallyAppian released product updates showcasing tools that give enterprise customers tighter control over automated AI agents, helping businesses run processes safely. The product news coincided with broader sector coverage highlighting Appian's strong operational momentum following its second-quarter performance, where the company generated $203.3 million in revenue--up 19.1% year over year--and delivered an elevated full-year outlook.

APPN Appian$52.35+$1.20 (+2.35%)

NASDAQ · As of 4:00 PM ET 10/23/26

Appian sells low-code software that allows businesses to build automated workflows and integrate artificial intelligence agents into their operations. Its platform connects data across disparate corporate systems, enabling enterprise clients, including financial institutions and government agencies, to automate complex operational tasks.

Appian trades at a price-to-sales (P/S) ratio of 4.9. The company generated $203.3 million in its last reported quarter ending June 30, 2026, but posted a net loss of $11.8 million, underscoring its ongoing push toward sustained profitability. This week's momentum shifts the near-term focus to whether Appian can convert its new enterprise AI features into accelerated subscription growth.

What to watch next for AppianInvestors will not have to wait long for an operational checkup. Appian plans to release its third-quarter 2026 financial results before the market opens on Thursday, Nov. 5, 2026.

Key items to watch include acceleration in subscription revenue and progress toward GAAP profitability. As of June 30, 2026, Appian held $167.9 million in cash and short-term investments against $295.3 million in total debt, including lease obligations, making consistent cash flow generation an important long-term milestone.

Is Appian stock a buy?While Appian stock powered higher this week, those who have had it on their radars shouldn't feel that the recent rise means that shares are too pricey to consider. Trading at 4.9 sales, Appian stock is priced at a slight premium to its five-year average P/S of 4.6 -- hardly a valuation that should preclude growth investors from clicking the buy button.

Of course, investors will want to see what the company reports for Q3 2026 financial results in the coming weeks. Either a slowdown in revenue growth or a significantly steeper net loss would both (or merely one of these) signal that an investment bears a lot more risk and that investors should proceed cautiously.

On its third quarter of 2026 earnings call, held on Oct. 22, 2026, CBRE (CBRE -6.05%) maintained its full-year core earnings per share (EPS) guidance range of $7.80 to $7.90. Understanding how the commercial real estate services enterprise navigates high interest rates provides a window into its shift toward contractual income sources. Three takeaways from management explain how the company is positioning itself for long-term growth.

1. Infrastructure Services Are Set to Reach $7 Billion in RevenueCBRE is expanding beyond traditional commercial real estate into technical infrastructure services like mechanical, electrical, and plumbing (MEP) projects for data centers. Management expects this expansion to drive total infrastructure revenue to nearly $7 billion in 2027.

Taking this work into account, we expect our total infrastructure services revenue to reach nearly $7 billion in 2027, growing more than 40% from this year.
-- Robert Sulentic, Chair and Chief Executive Officer2. Resilient Business Lines Neutralize Real Estate Capital Market HeadwindsHigher interest rates continue to depress property sales and mortgage origination across the commercial real estate sector. Contract-based operations in facilities and project management provide steady cash flow that offsets transaction volatility.

I do want to say this is a great example of how our business model is working the way we've intended and the way we've shaped it. Even in an environment where our capital markets businesses are slowing, our resilient businesses are able to offset that and deliver double-digit growth.
-- Emma Giamartino, Chief Financial OfficerManagement is prioritizing targeted mergers and acquisitions (M&A) in high-growth areas over buying back company stock. CBRE reduced share buybacks in the third quarter to fund transactions in the data center sector.

So we're always continuing to prioritize M&A. You saw that with Onnec. And you saw in Q3 that we did slow down our buyback somewhat in anticipation of this deal. And you should expect that to continue through the fourth quarter.
-- Emma Giamartino, Chief Financial OfficerLooking AheadInterest rate volatility is delaying property deals, yet stabilizing borrowing costs should eventually restore momentum across real estate capital markets.

What we really need is for rates to stabilize. The volatility and the uncertainty is what's driving a pause or a hold or even delaying deals to 2027. And we expect that stability to come in the back half of next year.
-- Emma Giamartino, Chief Financial OfficerGlobal scale, deep client ties, and broad service diversification allow CBRE to manage cyclical shifts while maintaining pricing discipline. Expanding data center capabilities and recurring facilities revenue reinforce long-term earnings durability despite the impact of rising interest rates.

We are seeing competing dynamics in our business. We expect to see continued outsized growth in our infrastructure businesses. This will be somewhat offset by lower growth in our real estate capital markets-driven businesses. As a result, we continue to see a path to 15% core EPS growth in 2027.
-- Emma Giamartino, Chief Financial OfficerThe Motley Fool has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.