Market Signal Briefing

One did really well, while the other stayed flat.

Last year, I took two Buffett stocks and put them head to head: Coca-Cola (KO +1.88%) and Domino's Pizza (DPZ +0.80%). Coca-Cola is Buffett's longest-held stock, and Domino's is a fairly new addition. And while their business models are different and they operate in different industries, they're both leading consumer goods stocks that offer value to investors.

I suggested that Coca-Cola was likely to be the winning stock in 2025, and I was right. Can it continue? Let's revisit the debate and see who might win in 2026.

Image source: Domino's.

Why Coca-Cola won the match last year Neither Coca-Cola nor Domino's beat the market last year, but Coke stock came pretty close, while Domino's remained nearly flat.

KO Total Return Level data by YCharts

When I chose it last year, I noted the company's longer track record of reliability and its higher dividend yield. I felt at the time that those features would be important to the market in 2025, as it was entering a new year after two years of double-digit gains.

In the end, growth won out, and the market delivered a third consecutive year of double-digit gains, but Coca-Cola got high marks anyway for its stability and local production in the face of rising tariffs.

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Matchup 2026 Now that the market is entering a new year after three years of double-digit gains, does this thesis still hold true?

Coca-Cola has been performing well over the past year, and its localized production is earning it a thumbs-up from the market.

In the most recent quarter, which was the 2025 third quarter (fourth-quarter earnings will be released on Feb. 10), sales increased 5% year over year, and comparable operating margin rose from 30.7% to 31.9% year over year. The company has pricing power, and it has been able to keep up with higher costs by raising prices as well as changing packaging and size. It continues to see ways to become more efficient and launch new products, and its model of acquiring global brands adds new revenue sources.

It also stands out for its dividend. Coca-Cola is a Dividend King, and it has raised its dividend for the past 63 years straight, rain or shine. The dividend typically yields around 3%, but today it's 2.9% because the stock has performed so well.

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Domino's has been reporting similar mid-single-digit sales growth recently, but the market hasn't rewarded it. Global retail sales increased 6.3% year over year in the 2025 fiscal third quarter (ended Sept. 7), with comparable sales up 5.2%. Restaurants in general have been under pressure in the high-inflation environment, even though pizza is a food that's cheap and resilient. The market may be seeing more limited upside for Domino's right now given continued pressure.

One thing I will say in Domino's favor is that not having moved last year gives it a nice springboard starting out in 2026. However, even in this feature, Coca-Cola may have an edge because it's slightly cheaper than Domino's, trading at 24 times trailing-12-month earnings versus Coke's 23.

I think this is a tough call for 2026, but the edge might go to Domino's this year. It continues to grow, and the market might recognize its resilience.

Moog Flying High On Exceptional Growth And Sector Popularity

There are a number of valid reasons Ford is an attractive long-term investment, but it must fix these two things for investors.

There are a host of reasons to be drawn to shares of Ford Motor Company (F 0.86%) these days.

Some investors might decide to scoop them up because they see the stock as a value proposition with a price-to-earnings ratio of only 11. Others could be lured by Ford's lucrative dividend which yields almost 4.5%, with annual special dividends sprinkled in when cash flow is strong.

Still other investors might bet on Ford's strength in highly profitable full-size trucks, SUVs, and its commercial Ford Pro business that generates recurring revenue. And finally, some may see long-term potential through artificial intelligence and driverless vehicles.

Whatever the reason, Ford investors should also keep an eye on two challenges that the automaker needs to fix. Here's what they are.

An award no auto wants Recalls are simply part of the business in the automotive industry and companies are no stranger to spending capital on warranty and recall costs. Unfortunately for Ford investors, the automaker has grown increasingly accustomed to recalls and not only recorded a significant 89 recalls in 2024 but obliterated that with its newly set record of 153 recalls last year that spanned roughly 13 million vehicles.

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These recall developments have been known to rear their ugly head during Ford's earning reports, including during the second quarter of 2024 when Ford's warranty costs spiked $800 million and caused the automaker to miss Wall Street estimates. Further, beyond the direct numbers, leading the industry in recalls for numerous years has a detrimental impact on the company's brand image and ability to "conquest" customers from a competing brand -- one of the most difficult and expensive things to do in the loyal automotive industry.

While Ford has increased its efforts on quality in recent years after CEO Jim Farley made it a focus, and most of the issues are blamed on much older vehicles in the global fleet, you can see the chart shows it's been a trend for some time.

Data source: Ford SEC filings. Chart by author. 

Reversing steep losses After seeing markets in Europe and China surge ahead in electric vehicle adoption, the U.S. industry jumped on the opportunity to hype EVs and the future. Companies touted multibillion-dollar investments in electrification, battery development, and infrastructure buildout, but the market didn't gain traction nearly as quick as automakers hoped.

The lack of a quickly developing market has dinged many automakers on the bottom line, with Ford's Model-e division, responsible for its EVs, losing over $5 billion in 2024 alone. That's a massive loss, but also a massive opportunity for investors if Ford can quickly reverse those losses into profits.

Image source: Ford Motor Company.

Ford intends to do just that, and through assembly line innovations as well as a new low-cost Universal EV Platform, it will launch a more affordable midsize electric pickup in 2027 with a price tag of around $30,000. The crucial part of that development is that Ford expects the new pickup to be profitable early in its life cycle.

Further, Ford took a large $19.5 billion special charge to pivot its strategy away from full-electric vehicles until they are more profitable, and instead focus on hybrids that can sometimes be even more profitable than their gasoline-powered counterparts.

What it all means There are plenty of reasons for investors to take a hard look at Ford as a long-term investment. It has a solid balance sheet, a lucrative dividend, and high upside with a future increasingly linked to AI and driverless vehicles. But investors need to keep an eye on current events, too, such as Ford's costly recalls and heavy EV losses in the near term. As Ford turns those problems around, it'll be a more sound long-term investment.

Investors have been waiting for that blowout earnings report. It just might have come in a place they weren't expecting.

NEW YORK, Feb. 01, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Bronstein, Gewirtz & Grossman, LLC, a nationally recognized investor-rights law firm, announces that a class action lawsuit has been filed against Ardent Health, Inc. (NYSE: ARDT) and certain of its officers.

This lawsuit seeks to recover damages against Defendants for alleged violations of the federal securities laws on behalf of all persons and entities that purchased or otherwise acquired Ardent securities between July 18, 2024 and November 12, 2025, both dates inclusive (the “Class Period”). Such investors are encouraged to join this case by visiting the firm’s site: bgandg.com/ARDT.

Ardent Case Details

The Complaint alleges that throughout the Class Period, Defendants made materially false and misleading statements and/or failed to disclose that:

(1) Ardent Health’s third quarter 2025 revenue was overstated due to inadequate determinations of accounts receivable collectability following the Company’s transition to a new revenue accounting system and “recently completed hindsight evaluations of historical collection trends”; 

(2) the Company’s 2025 EBITDA guidance was overstated and would be reduced by $57.5 million at the midpoint, or approximately 9.6%, due to “persistent industry-wide cost pressures,” including “payer denials”; and 

(3) as a result, Defendants’ statements about the Company’s business, operations, and prospects were materially false and misleading and/or lacked a reasonable basis at all relevant times.

What's Next for Ardent Investors?

A class action lawsuit has already been filed. If you wish to review a copy of the Complaint, you can visit the firm’s site: bgandg.com/ARDT. or you may contact Peretz Bronstein, Esq. or his Client Relations Manager, Nathan Miller, of Bronstein, Gewirtz & Grossman, LLC at 917-590-0911. If you suffered a loss in Ardent you have until March 9, 2026, to request that the Court appoint you as lead plaintiff. Your ability to share in any recovery doesn't require that you serve as lead plaintiff.

No Cost to Ardent Investors

We, Bronstein, Gewirtz & Grossman LLC, represent investors in class actions on a contingency fee basis. That means we will ask the court to reimburse us for out-of-pocket expenses and attorneys’ fees, usually a percentage of the total recovery, only if we are successful.

Why Bronstein, Gewirtz & Grossman, LLC for Ardent Securities Class Action?

Bronstein, Gewirtz & Grossman, LLC is a nationally recognized firm that represents investors in securities fraud class actions and shareholder derivative suits. Our firm has recovered hundreds of millions of dollars for investors nationwide. More at www.bgandg.com

"Our practice centers on restoring investor capital and ensuring corporate accountability, which serves to uphold the essential integrity of the marketplace," said Peretz Bronstein, Founding Partner of Bronstein, Gewirtz & Grossman, LLC.

Follow us for updates on LinkedIn, X, Facebook, or Instagram.

Contact Info

Peretz Bronstein, Esq. or Nathan Miller
Bronstein, Gewirtz & Grossman, LLC
917-590-0911 | [email protected]

Attorney advertising.
Prior results do not guarantee similar outcomes.

NEW YORK, Feb. 01, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Bronstein, Gewirtz & Grossman, LLC, a nationally recognized investor-rights law firm, announces that a class action lawsuit has been filed against BellRing Brands, Inc. (NYSE: BRBR) and certain of its officers.

This lawsuit seeks to recover damages against Defendants for alleged violations of the federal securities laws on behalf of all persons and entities that purchased or otherwise acquired BellRing securities between November 19, 2024 and August 4, 2025, both dates inclusive (the “Class Period”). Such investors are encouraged to join this case by visiting the firm’s site: bgandg.com/BRBR.

BellRing Case Details

The Complaint alleges that throughout the Class Period, Defendants made materially false and misleading statements and/or failed to disclose materially adverse facts. Specifically, the Complaint alleges that:
      (1)   the Defendants failed to disclose to investors that its strong sales results did not reflect increased end-consumer demands or brand momentum;
      (2)   rather, customers accumulated excess inventory as a safeguard against product shortages that had previously constrained BellRing’s supply;
      (3)   once customers gained confidence that product shortages were a thing of the past, they promptly reduced their inventory by selling through existing products and cutting back on new orders; and
      (4)   following the destocking, the Company admitted that competitive pressures were materially weakening demand.

What's Next for BellRing Investors?

A class action lawsuit has already been filed. If you wish to review a copy of the Complaint, you can visit the firm’s site: bgandg.com/BRBR. or you may contact Peretz Bronstein, Esq. or his Client Relations Manager, Nathan Miller, of Bronstein, Gewirtz & Grossman, LLC at 917-590-0911. If you suffered a loss in BellRing you have until March 23, 2026, to request that the Court appoint you as lead plaintiff. Your ability to share in any recovery doesn't require that you serve as lead plaintiff.

No Cost to BellRing Investors

We, Bronstein, Gewirtz & Grossman LLC, represent investors in class actions on a contingency fee basis. That means we will ask the court to reimburse us for out-of-pocket expenses and attorneys’ fees, usually a percentage of the total recovery, only if we are successful.

Why Bronstein, Gewirtz & Grossman, LLC for BellRing Securities Class Action?

Bronstein, Gewirtz & Grossman, LLC is a nationally recognized firm that represents investors in securities fraud class actions and shareholder derivative suits. Our firm has recovered hundreds of millions of dollars for investors nationwide. More at www.bgandg.com

"Our practice centers on restoring investor capital and ensuring corporate accountability, which serves to uphold the essential integrity of the marketplace," said Peretz Bronstein, Founding Partner of Bronstein, Gewirtz & Grossman, LLC.

Follow us for updates on LinkedIn, X, Facebook, or Instagram.

Contact Info

Peretz Bronstein, Esq. or Nathan Miller
Bronstein, Gewirtz & Grossman, LLC
917-590-0911 | [email protected]

Attorney advertising.
Prior results do not guarantee similar outcomes.

Tom Yeung here with your Sunday Digest. 

It would have been easy to overlook Nvidia Corp. (NVDA) in 2022, the year ChatGPT was launched. Chipmakers were notoriously cyclical beasts, and Nvidia had its own history of losing money. Any investors who bought Nvidia in 2021 would have been sitting on 50% losses by the time ChatGPT hit the market. 

Or in 2000… 2004… 2009… 2011… or 2018.  

In fact, Nvidia fell at least 50% in 13 of the 26 years since the firm went public. PC demand is extremely lumpy. So, much like autos and airlines, the chipmaking industry was marked by high investment costs, cyclical demand, and a regular parade of high-profile bankruptcies. 

However, ChatGPT has created a lasting significant change in chip appetite. Unlike regular PC users, data centers that run these AI models demand more… more… more computing power every day and are willing to pay for it.  

Nvidia’s latest GB200 Blackwell Superchip now sells for up to $70,000 apiece… provided you can get your hands on one. Even its last-generation H100 chips routinely exchange hands for over $20,000 on the secondary market. 

No PC gamer – Nvidia’s pre-2022 main clients – would ever spend those sums on a graphics card for their home computer. 

In addition, every cloud computing giant has become terrified of falling behind in the AI race. America’s (and China’s) largest tech firms are paying top dollar for the best hardware, pushing prices of AI chips to sustained record prices. 

That’s caused operating margins at Nvidia to quintuple to 62% from its pre-ChatGPT average. When you’re selling high-end chips for $70,000 that only cost $17,000 to produce, it’s hard not to print money. Analysts are projecting profits to triple by 2028, which could send Nvidia’s justified value per share into the $250 range. (I had previously projected a $160 split-adjusted value by 2027 when the stock was still at $72.) 

Still, I know that many of you have not yet jumped in on Nvidia. The stock is wildly expensive on a traditional basis, and besides, who wants to buy a stock that’s already risen 1,050% with only another 32% upside to fair value? Any investor over 40 will remember what happened to 1999 tech stock valuations, 2007 Florida real estate prices, and 2014 energy companies. 

That’s why Luke’s latest presentation is so interesting. On January 27, he unveiled his Genesis Portfolio, an eight-stock portfolio designed to ride the next leg of AI-led innovation even higher. Nvidia might only have 32% upside from here… but Luke’s eight picks are only getting started. In fact, some of these are household AI names that are sitting right under Wall Street’s noses. You can catch up with that free broadcast here. 

In the meantime, I’d like to illustrate this potential with two of my own picks that are leading the way in semiconductor innovation.  

And much like Nvidia at $72, these two have incredible upside that Wall Street hasn’t fully realized yet… 

The Broadcom Alternative  Broadcom Inc. (AVGO) is often talked about as “the next Nvidia.” The high-profile company has become a leader in custom AI accelerator chips, and Wall Street analysts are quick to point out that AI data centers would be impossible to build without Broadcom’s networking chips. 

It doesn’t matter how quickly a GPU can process data if there’s a data bottleneck preventing it from reaching the processor. 

However, Broadcom’s visibility on Wall Street has pushed shares to unusual heights, limiting future gains. The stock has risen 500% since ChatGPT’s launch, and my models calculate just another 52% upside to $506 if things go the company’s way. You would need cash-flow assumptions that border on fantasy to get much higher. 

Instead, my award for fantastic potential returns is Marvell Technology Inc. (MRVL), a Broadcom rival that’s starting from a far smaller base. The company trades at just a third of its larger rival on a price-to-sales basis, and my models project a 76% upside to a $147 justified value on relatively conservative assumptions. Using more aggressive figures suggests potential 100% upside. 

In short, Marvell has assembled a broad portfolio of networking and processing chips. Its optical chips (which use light waves instead of electrical signals) are considered world class, and its processing products are among the best in the business. Microsoft Corp.’s (MSFT) North American data centers currently source 100% of their optical chips from Marvell. 

The Silicon Valley-based company is also a leader in custom chips – something that put Broadcom on the map. Data centers are increasingly seeking to lower inference costs (the costs associated with running existing AI models) and often build custom chips that are designed specifically for the task.  

Marvell’s custom silicon has been particularly popular with Amazon.com Inc (AMZN), and management expects the company’s custom chip business to grow 20% next year as more customers sign on. In addition, Marvell plans to acquire Celestial AI for roughly $3.3 billion, which will help the combined firm further expand optical chip products. 

Together, that means Marvell’s profits will grow far faster than Broadcom’s in the coming years. And given Marvell’s discount to its larger rival, it becomes clear which innovator to buy. 

The AI Chip Builder  At this point, virtually everyone knows Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. Ltd. (TSM), the company that makes chips for Nvidia, Apple Inc. (AAPL), Broadcom, Intel Corp. (INTC), and more. In fact, the Taiwanese firm is the only company in the world that can consistently produce at the 4-nanometer (nm) node – the microscopic technology that powers every chip in Nvidia’s latest Blackwell series (including that $70,000 GB200 Superchip).  

It’s a monopoly hiding in plain sight. 

What most people don’t realize is that TSM shares have risen only 300% since ChatGPT was launched and are only up 180% in the past five years. Shares trade at just 24 times forward earnings, giving TSM a potential 110% upside to $705 in my longer-range models. 

The investment thesis here is clear: Taiwan Semiconductor makes the world’s best chips, and no company comes close. 

For instance, the only other firm that can produce 4nm nodes at scale is Samsung Electronics. However, the advanced technology has been a – as one tech writer recently put it – “nightmare for the Korean giant” to implement. According to industry analysts, Samsung barely achieves a 60% yield on 4nm chips, which means 40% of its production must get scrapped. 

The performance gap is even starker at the more advanced 3-nanometer node. Here, Taiwan Semi achieves a 90% yield, compared to under 50% at Samsung. Alphabet, Advanced Micro Devices Inc. (AMD), and Qualcomm Inc. (QCOM) reportedly switched their 3nm chips to TSM, and other firms are reportedly considering the same. Analysts expect Nvidia’s next-generation “Rubin” GPUs to rely entirely on TSM production. 

In fact, TSM has already begun volume production of its next generation 2nm technology – years ahead of its closest rivals. 

These results were on full display during TSM’s latest earnings call on January 15, where financial figures crushed Wall Street forecasts. Management now expects revenue to grow in the mid-20% annually (up from previous forecasts of 20%) through 2029, and that AI revenues should jump 50% annually (up from mid-40%). 

That’s why it makes little sense for TSM to be valued as a commoditized contract manufacturer. Chip manufacturing has turned into a high-end winner-takes-all market, and investors are belatedly realizing the true value of Taiwan Semi. 

The Six Sectors of Innovation  Last week, I talked about two biotech companies and a drone maker at the cutting edge of American innovation. These companies represent two key areas that the U.S. government has identified as crucial technologies to fund, no matter the cost. 

Marvell and Taiwan Semi represent another area of intense government investment. Under the Biden administration, TSMC alone received $6.6 billion in grants and $5 billion in low-cost loans to build three chip factories in Arizona. It might receive even more funding indirectly under the Trump administration through Project Stargate, a $500 billion project aimed at building American AI infrastructure. 

Luke believes this is only the start. In his latest presentation, he outlines six core sectors that should receive enormous amounts of government funding in the coming years as America races to stay ahead: 

Artificial Intelligence   Quantum Computing   Nuclear Energy   Biotech   Semiconductors   Advanced Manufacturing  And to capitalize on this surge, Luke has created what he’s called the Genesis Portfolio – a group of eight elite companies that focus on these sectors. 

He outlines all this and more in that free broadcast. Check it out.  

Until next week, 

Thomas Yeung, CFA 

Market Analyst, InvestorPlace 

Thomas Yeung is a market analyst and portfolio manager of the Omnia Portfolio, the highest-tier subscription at InvestorPlace. He is the former editor of Tom Yeung’s Profit & Protection, a free e-letter about investing to profit in good times and protecting gains during the bad.

HomeETFs and Funds AnalysisETF Analysis

SummaryLeveraged ETFs often underperform their underlying index due to beta-slippage.Monthly and yearly drift can be monitored to assess the performance of leveraged ETFs relative to their underlying index.UDOW's average 12-month drift is -2.43%, with compounding volatility eroding returns, especially during market whipsaws.UDOW is best used for short-term trading strategies, not as a buy-and-hold vehicle.Quantitative Risk & Value members get exclusive access to our real-world portfolio. See all our investments here » trendobjects/iStock via Getty Images

ProShares UltraPro Dow30 ETF (NYSEARCA:UDOW) is quite popular among short term traders, with about 43% of assets under management changing hands every trading day on average. However, it is not a long-term investment: its 3X daily leverage factor on

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.

Technology stocks are likely to continue leading the broader market higher in 2026, fueled by the artificial intelligence boom.

The benchmark S&P 500 index returned 16.4% during 2025, far outpacing its average annual gain of 10.6% dating back to its inception in 1957. However, had investors bought the Vanguard Information Technology ETF (VGT 1.69%) at the start of last year instead, they would have earned a much higher return of 21.2%.

This Vanguard exchange-traded fund (ETF) exclusively invests in companies from the information technology sector, which includes many of the artificial intelligence (AI) powerhouses that have propelled the broader market higher over the last few years.

The Vanguard ETF has beaten the S&P 500 every year since it was established in 2004, so its outperformance last year certainly wasn't a one-off. Here's why I think it will crush the market again in 2026.

Image source: Getty Images.

Hundreds of leading tech stocks packed into one ETF The Vanguard Information Technology ETF holds 320 stocks from 12 different subsegments of the technology industry. The semiconductor subsegment is the largest by far, representing 32.4% of the value of the ETF's entire portfolio. That shouldn't come as a surprise considering top AI chipmakers like Nvidia, Broadcom, Micron Technology, and Advanced Micro Devices have a combined value of $7 trillion.

Systems software is the second largest subsegment in the Vanguard ETF, with a 17.7% portfolio weighting. It features companies like Microsoft and Palantir Technologies, which sell AI software primarily to enterprise customers. It also includes Oracle, which is a hybrid software and AI infrastructure company, in addition to AI cybersecurity powerhouses like Palo Alto Networks and CrowdStrike.

As you can tell, the Vanguard ETF offers exposure to the entire AI space, from hardware suppliers to software developers. But it doesn't stop there, because it also invests in consulting companies, application developers, internet service providers, and suppliers of equipment and components other than chips specifically, all of which are also playing a key role in the AI revolution.

I mentioned nine stocks above by name. Since the AI boom started gathering momentum at the beginning of 2023, each one of them has at least doubled, with an average return of 655% (and a median return of 353%). The S&P 500 climbed by 81% over the same period, so having such a high exposure to those stocks is a key reason for the Vanguard ETF's consistent outperformance.

PLTR data by YCharts

The Vanguard ETF can beat the S&P 500 again in 2026 The Vanguard Information Technology ETF has produced a compound annual return of 14.1% since its inception in 2004, so it has outperformed the S&P 500, which climbed by an average of 10.6% annually over the same period.

AI stocks are likely to drive another strong return for the Vanguard ETF during 2026. Semiconductor fabricators and equipment suppliers like Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing, Texas Instruments, and ASML Holding each reported their latest quarterly operating results over the last couple of weeks, and they revealed a continued surge in demand.

This implies chip suppliers like Nvidia, AMD, Broadcom, and Micron are experiencing significant demand from major data center operators like Microsoft, so the entire AI value chain continues to fire on all cylinders.

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Before AI burst onto the scene, the Vanguard ETF sourced its incredible returns from other tech revolutions like the dawn of the smartphone, cloud computing, and enterprise software. And like every technology that came before it, AI will eventually take a back seat to make way for the next big thing, with quantum computing, autonomous vehicles, and robotics being the obvious candidates right now.

Simply put, the technology sector is extremely versatile, which is why the Vanguard Information Technology ETF could be a great addition to a diversified portfolio. All signs point to another outperformance relative to the S&P 500 in 2026, so investors who lack exposure to the tech sector might want to consider making a move.

Anthony Di Pizio has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has positions in and recommends ASML, Advanced Micro Devices, CrowdStrike, Micron Technology, Microsoft, Nvidia, Oracle, Palantir Technologies, Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing, and Texas Instruments. The Motley Fool recommends Broadcom and Palo Alto Networks. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.

The YieldMax MSTR Option Income Strategy ETF has a huge yield and is focused solely on Strategy Inc.

If you're a dividend investor, buying cryptocurrencies probably won't be very appealing. However, the YieldMax MSTR Option Income Strategy ETF (MSTY +3.86%) offers you a way to get exposure to Bitcoin while also providing you with dividends. That sounds great, until you hear the dividend yield. But the problem isn't that the yield is too low. Read on before you make your final investment decision.

What does the YieldMax MSTR Option Income Strategy ETF do? From a big-picture perspective, the YieldMax MSTR Option Income Strategy ETF is an option-income exchange-traded fund (ETF). Its options approach focuses on just one company: Strategy (MSTR +4.73%). Strategy makes AI-powered enterprise analytics software, but the real reason investors buy and sell the stock is likely the fact that it also describes itself as "the world's first and largest Bitcoin treasury company." In other words, it's a way to invest in Bitcoin without having to buy Bitcoin.

Image source: Getty Images.

That said, the YieldMax MSTR Option Income Strategy ETF doesn't actually own any Strategy stock. It uses a complex options strategy to generate income and provide investors with exposure to the performance of Strategy stock. However, the ETF is clear that the options strategy "will cap its potential gains if MSTR shares increase in value." So the real goal here is to generate income from a cryptocurrency-linked stock.

That sounds great until you see the yield. If you annualize the weekly dividend paid on Jan. 21, 2026, the yield comes out to 75%. That's a shockingly high number, and one that most dividend investors would treat with extreme caution.

MSTY data by YCharts.

Not a great fit for most investors That caution would be warranted. The ETF explains: "Previous distributions have included a combination of ordinary dividends, capital gain, and return of investor capital, which may decrease a fund's NAV and trading price over time. As a result, an investor may suffer significant losses to their investment." The ETF's total return over the past year was negative 42%. One year isn't a particularly long time if you are a long-term investor, but that's a truly horrible return. 

It gets worse. Total return includes reinvested dividends. If you had spent the dividends, you would have watched the ETF's value decline by nearly 80%. Note, too, that the dividend can change dramatically from payment to payment. If anything, the YieldMax MSTR Option Income Strategy ETF looks like an overrated crypto play, particularly if you're trying to generate a reliable and sustainable income stream.

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

Combined, NIO, Li, and XPeng sold 74,861 in January, up 1% from a year ago, but the slowest growth since January 2023

Company Retains Ludlow Consulting to Elevate Institutional-Grade Messaging, Media Relations and AI-Enabled Investor Engagement

SUNNY ISLES BEACH, FL / ACCESS Newswire / February 1, 2026 / Elektros Inc. (OTC PINK:ELEK), a hard-rock lithium mining developer with operations in Sierra Leone, today announced it has retained Ludlow Consulting as its strategic communications advisor to enhance corporate messaging, media visibility, and shareholder engagement.

For investors evaluating opportunities in critical minerals and the clean energy supply chain, Elektros believes its current market positioning represents a compelling entry-level opportunity within the lithium sector. The Company is focused on building the communications and advisory foundation needed to support long-term visibility and execution milestones.

The engagement is designed to support the Company's next phase of growth through the development of an integrated public relations, media relations, and investor relations framework aligned with public company best practices and compliance standards.

Under this advisory mandate, Elektros will be guided in modernizing shareholder communications through AI-enhanced investor relations solutions. This includes strategic support for retrieval-augmented generation (RAG) knowledgebase integration for virtual investor-facing communications, institutional-grade investor materials, and targeted digital outreach to mining-sector stakeholders.

Ludlow Consulting will also advise on establishing a corporate advisory board comprised of mining, critical minerals, and institutional resources expertise to support Elektros' long-term corporate positioning and execution strategy.

"In today's market, strong communications and disciplined stakeholder engagement are essential to building credibility and long-term shareholder value," said Thomas Bustamante, Founder of Ludlow Consulting. "Our mission is to help Elektros create consistent, professional messaging and a modern investor relations foundation that can scale alongside the Company's operational progress."

"We feel incredibly fortunate to be developing our lithium opportunity in Sierra Leone at a moment when demand for critical minerals is accelerating worldwide," said Shlomo Bleier, CEO of Elektros. "We have an exceptional team with boots on the ground, and we're proud of the coordination, discipline, and commitment it takes to build a special company around a resource that is becoming increasingly vital to the clean energy transition. We believe Elektros is positioned on the forefront of hard-rock lithium development, and we're grateful - and we thank God - to have the people, partners, and momentum to move forward into the next phase, including initial stockpiling efforts. This is only the beginning. We look forward to providing updates as milestones are achieved, and we are proud to have Ludlow Consulting on our team as we advance in the clean energy sector."

For more information, visit www.elektros.energy/investors.

About Elektros, Inc.

Elektros Inc. (OTC PINK: ELEK) business plan is to develop an artisanal mining operation based in Sierra Leone, Africa. This operation focuses on hard-rock lithium exploration, development, and the eventual exportation of mined material to lithium refineries in the United States. www.elektros.energy

Why Lithium Matters Now

Lithium is a critical ingredient in modern rechargeable batteries, powering electric vehicles and enabling grid-scale energy storage. As EV adoption expands and energy security becomes a central priority worldwide, access to reliable lithium supply is increasingly viewed as strategic.

Selected Industry Commentary on Lithium's Importance

Reuters: "Lithium [is a] key element for electric vehicle ramp up."

Bloomberg: "Lithium ... [is] a key ingredient in the batteries that power electric vehicles."

Financial Times: "Lithium price squeeze adds to cost of the energy transition."

Benzinga: "Lithium - a critical battery metal."

Wall Street Journal: "Lithium is the new gasoline for the electric-vehicle era."

Elektros believes Sierra Leone and the broader African region have an important role to play in responsibly developing critical mineral supply chains, including lithium resources needed to support EV manufacturing and energy storage worldwide.

Cautionary Language Concerning Forward-Looking Statements

This release contains "forward-looking statements" that include information relating to future events and future financial and operating performance. The words "may," "would," "will," "expect," "estimate," "can," "believe," "potential," and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance or results and involve risks and uncertainties.

Contact

Elektros, Inc.
IR and Media Inquiries
Email: [email protected]
Ludlow Consulting
Email: [email protected]

Elektros Inc. is a small company today, but we aspire to build toward the scale, discipline, and market leadership demonstrated by leading companies in the lithium sector - and we aim to join that peer group in the near future.

SOURCE: Elektros, Inc.

Bitcoin treasuries are designed to look uncomfortable in drawdowns, because the trade they're running is simple: take a volatile asset, put it on a corporate balance sheet, and finance more of it through capital markets. When Bitcoin drops, the mark-to-market hit is the point, not the punchline.

The real question is whether the company can keep its funding machine running long enough for volatility to swing back the other way.

Bitcoin's price of about $78,500 on Feb. 1 turns the conversation about unrealized losses into a stress test for everyone who bought closer to the cycle highs, and a reminder that early adopters still sit on large buffers even when headlines look ugly.

Strategy holds 712,647 BTC at an average cost of about $76,037 per BTC, putting it roughly $1.76 billion in the green on paper.Metaplanet holds 35,102 BTC at $107,716, roughly $1.03 billion underwater.Trump Media holds 11,542 BTC at $118,529, roughly $462 million underwater.Tesla holds 11,509 BTC at $33,539, roughly $517 million in the green.Coinbase holds 14,548 BTC at $71,465, roughly $102 million in the green.CompanyBTC holdingsAvg cost per BTCRough unrealized P/LNotesStrategy712,647$76,037+$1.76 billionAverage cost disclosed.Metaplanet35,102$107,716-$1.03 billionAverage cost disclosed.Trump Media11,542$118,529-$462 millionAverage cost disclosed.Tesla11,509$33,539+$517 millionAverage cost disclosed.Coinbase14,548$71,465+$102 millionAverage cost disclosed.Bullish24,300N/A (estimate)~-$723 millionNo cost basis shown on BitcoinTreasuries. Estimate assumes an average entry near the Aug. 31, 2025, close of $108,248.American Bitcoin Corp5,843N/A (estimate)~-$153 millionNo cost basis shown on BitcoinTreasuries. Estimate anchors to the May 31, 2025, close of $104,654 (proxy around “held since” timing).For companies where BitcoinTreasuries shows the balance but not the average cost, any “unrealized loss” math becomes an estimate.

Bullish, for example, is listed at 24,300 BTC with no cost basis. If you treat the August 31, 2025, close of $108,248 as a rough proxy for the period when late-cycle treasuries were building positions, that would imply something like $621 million of paper losses at today’s price, but that's just a very rough and very pessimistic assumption.

American Bitcoin Corp is listed at 5,843 BTC with no disclosed average cost. If you anchor to the May 31, 2025, close of $104,654 as a proxy around its “held since” date, you get an estimated $128 million drawdown.

MARA is listed at 53,250 BTC with no disclosed average cost, which makes any full-position loss estimate speculative.

That discomfort is why the framing around “unrealized losses” keeps coming back. It takes a volatile treasury asset and forces it through a quarterly scoreboard. But that scoreboard is also what these companies chose when they decided to run Bitcoin as a balance-sheet strategy rather than a trade.

Paper losses are normal because volatility is the productIf a company wants Bitcoin’s upside, it has to accept Bitcoin’s downside in public. That is the trade-off for having an asset that can move tens of thousands of dollars inside a year. When the market's weak, the paper losses grow fast, and they look even larger if the buyer came late.

Metaplanet is a good example of this because its disclosed average cost is still above the current price. At 35,102 BTC and $107,716 per coin, it's carrying a large mark-to-market gap as Bitcoin sits near $78,500.

Trump Media shows the same pattern, with an even higher average cost per coin and a smaller stack. In both cases, the headline number can look like failure when the market is down, even though the strategy never promised smooth quarters.

Tesla and Coinbase can weather a drawdown with more ease because their average costs are far below today’s market price. That difference in entry point is often treated like luck, but it also describes a structural divide: early adopters get time, while late adopters need financing as their cushion.

Strategy sits somewhere in the middle. Its overall average cost is below the current spot price, so the base position is still positive. But its recent purchases have been happening at far higher levels than that average, which is why the company can be up on the lifetime stack while still adding fresh tranches that go underwater quickly.

That's why unrealized losses aren't the core risk here. The core risk is whether the company can keep financing purchases and servicing obligations through the downcycle without being forced to sell.

The real risk is the funding stack, not the red number

A Bitcoin treasury strategy is a funding strategy with a Bitcoin wrapper. Once you accept that, riding out volatility stops being a motivational line and becomes a balance-sheet problem.

Strategy is the clearest case because it has a steady cadence of buys. It reported 22,305 BTC purchased between Jan. 12 and Jan. 19, and disclosed another 2,932 BTC purchased between Jan. 20 and Jan. 25, bringing holdings to 712,647 BTC.

Those purchases are what's keeping the market assured that the machine keeps running. That kind of confidence is valuable when price is up because it supports the story that the equity can be used as a bridge to more Bitcoin. But it becomes fragile when price is weak, because it shows the bridge is getting more and more expensive.

If the stock price falls faster than Bitcoin, dilution becomes heavier per unit of BTC acquired. If capital markets tighten, the cost of raising money climbs. If the equity trades at a discount to the underlying BTC value, issuing stock feels punitive and can feed a loop where each raise weakens the per-share claim.

That's because what forces selling is a mismatch between cash needs and financing options, not the losses themselves. In theory, a company can sit on large paper losses indefinitely if it has time, liquidity, and no hard maturities that demand action at a bad moment.

However, a company's paper losses can also be cornered if it has a near-term obligation that can't be refinanced, or if it relied on a market premium that disappeared.

Miners complicate the picture because they can add BTC through production rather than purchases, but they still face the same funding problem through a different channel: operating costs.

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For example, MARA is listed at 53,250 BTC, and it also disclosed a direct market purchase of 400 BTC last October.

If you treat that October price regime as representative of late-cycle buys, the paper loss on high-cost tranches can be large even if the company's full stack has a much lower average cost from earlier mining and accumulation.

The point here isn't to pin MARA to a single loss number. The point is that miners also end up managing timing risk when they choose to hold through a drawdown instead of selling to smooth cash flow.

For newer entrants to the Bitcoin treasury game, the same logic applies with fewer cushions.
Bullish is listed at 24,300 BTC and shows no public average cost on BitcoinTreasuries. If that stack was largely assembled around late-2025 price levels, the mark-to-market hit can be brutal at $78,500, but what matters is whether the company’s operating cash flows and financing runway can tolerate that hit.

“Ride it out” is a policy choice that shows up in the next buyThe best way to understand a company's Bitcoin treasury strategy is to watch what happens when it gets the chance to buy while it's underwater.

Metaplanet bought 4,279 BTC on Dec.30, 2025, and sits with an average cost above the Jan. 30 spot price. If it continues to buy into weakness, it's choosing to widen exposure while the scoreboard is negative, betting that the long-duration payoff matters more than short-term optics.

If it slows down, it means it's choosing to protect liquidity and reduce the chance that funding needs collide with price weakness. Neither choice is better; they're just different risk budgets.

Trump Media sits in the same late-entry category on BitcoinTreasuries’ data, with a high average cost and a large unrealized loss at current prices.

The practical question is whether it treats Bitcoin as a long-duration treasury reserve that can be ignored through volatility, or as a market-facing strategy that has to be defended through continuous capital market support.

That's almost completely opposite from Strategy, which keeps buying even when the market's spiraling down, because stopping will most likely be seen as the machine breaking. That's the hidden contract treasury firms sign with their investors: volatility is fine, but inconsistency is expensive.

Meanwhile, Tesla and Coinbase show how some companies remain virtually unaffected by a market that's deep in the red.

When a company’s average cost sits below spot, drawdowns don't produce the same existential narrative, even though Bitcoin is just as volatile for them as it is for everyone else. Those companies can afford to wait a little longer because the market isn't asking them to explain why they bought the top.

Paper losses matter because they test whether the strategy was built for survival or for optics. A Bitcoin treasury strategy only fails in a drawdown when the company loses the ability to wait.

Everything else, including the red number, is just the cost of playing the game.

Mentioned in this articlePosted in

Timothy Morano Feb 01, 2026 16:58

PEPE Price Prediction Summary • Short-term target (1 week): $0.00000524 • Medium-term forecast (1 month): $0.0000070-$0.0000072 range • Bullish breakout level: Above current resistance • Critical...

PEPE Price Prediction Summary • Short-term target (1 week): $0.00000524 • Medium-term forecast (1 month): $0.0000070-$0.0000072 range
• Bullish breakout level: Above current resistance • Critical support: Current technical support levels

What Crypto Analysts Are Saying About Pepe While specific analyst predictions from major crypto influencers are limited in the current market cycle, recent institutional analysis provides concrete targets for PEPE's trajectory.

According to CoinDCX's analysis from January 29, 2026, "Pepe's price is forecast to rise by nearly 30–35%, reaching approximately $0.0000070–$0.0000072 by the end of January 2026." This represents a significant upside potential from current levels.

DigitalCoinPrice offers a more conservative near-term Pepe forecast, stating that "Pepe's price prediction for January 31, 2026, is $0.00000524, representing a 5.10% increase from the current price." This suggests immediate upside momentum could materialize within days.

According to on-chain data platforms, PEPE's trading volume remains robust at $63,343,517 over the past 24 hours on Binance alone, indicating sustained retail and institutional interest despite the recent price consolidation.

PEPE Technical Analysis Breakdown The current PEPE price prediction must account for mixed technical signals that suggest the meme coin is at a critical juncture.

The RSI reading of 33.91 places PEPE in neutral territory with a slight oversold bias, which historically has preceded recovery rallies for the token. This technical indicator suggests accumulation opportunities may be emerging.

PEPE's MACD histogram at 0.0000 with bearish momentum signals short-term selling pressure, but the convergence toward zero suggests this downtrend may be losing steam. The MACD signal line alignment indicates a potential momentum shift could occur in the coming sessions.

The Bollinger Band position at 0.0921 shows PEPE trading near the lower band, which typically acts as dynamic support. This positioning often precedes bounce reactions, especially when combined with oversold RSI conditions.

Stochastic indicators show %K at 21.47 and %D at 17.18, both in oversold territory below the critical 20 level. This technical setup frequently generates reversal signals when both indicators begin trending upward.

Pepe Price Targets: Bull vs Bear Case Bullish Scenario The bullish PEPE price prediction scenario aligns with analyst targets suggesting 30-35% upside potential. Key technical confirmation would come from RSI breaking above 40 and MACD histogram turning positive.

If PEPE can establish support above its current levels and break through immediate resistance, the path toward the $0.0000070-$0.0000072 target range becomes viable. Volume expansion above the current $63 million daily average would provide additional confirmation.

The Pepe forecast becomes increasingly bullish if the token can reclaim its middle Bollinger Band, which would signal a return to normal trading ranges and potentially attract momentum traders.

Bearish Scenario The bearish case for PEPE centers on the current MACD bearish momentum and the risk of breaking below critical support levels. If selling pressure intensifies, PEPE could test lower Bollinger Band support more aggressively.

A breakdown below current support with increasing volume would invalidate the bullish analyst targets and potentially trigger a deeper correction. In this scenario, PEPE price prediction models would need significant downward revision.

Risk factors include broader meme coin sector weakness, regulatory concerns, or a general crypto market downturn that could override individual technical setups.

Should You Buy PEPE? Entry Strategy Current technical conditions suggest a cautious accumulation strategy may be appropriate for risk-tolerant investors. The oversold RSI and lower Bollinger Band positioning provide potential entry opportunities.

Consider dollar-cost averaging into positions if PEPE holds current support levels, with initial entries targeting the conservative $0.00000524 forecast level. This approach allows participation in potential upside while managing downside risk.

Stop-loss levels should be placed below recent swing lows to limit potential losses if the bearish scenario unfolds. Position sizing should reflect the high-risk nature of meme coin investments.

Risk management remains critical given PEPE's volatility profile. Never invest more than you can afford to lose, and consider this a speculative allocation within a broader crypto portfolio.

Conclusion The PEPE price prediction presents a compelling risk-reward setup with analyst targets suggesting 30-35% upside potential by month-end. Technical indicators show oversold conditions that could support a recovery rally toward the $0.0000070-$0.0000072 target range.

However, current bearish momentum and mixed technical signals require careful position management. The Pepe forecast remains constructive for patient investors willing to navigate short-term volatility for potential medium-term gains.

Disclaimer: Cryptocurrency price predictions are inherently speculative and subject to extreme volatility. Past performance does not guarantee future results. Always conduct your own research and consider your risk tolerance before making investment decisions.

Image source: Shutterstock

pepe price analysis pepe price prediction

The Ethereum price has been under intense bearish pressure over the past few weeks, reflecting the overall fragile state of the cryptocurrency market. The altcoin lost nearly 20% of its value in the past week, free-falling under the psychological $3,000 level since Thursday, January 29th. 

With the market still showing signs of further downside risk, there is no telling how deep the Ethereum price will fall in the current bearish setup. However, the latest on-chain data has offered insights into the next critical levels for the second-largest cryptocurrency.

ETH’s Next Support Stands At $2,475: Glassnode In a recent post on the X platform, crypto analyst Ali Martinez identified the next three on-chain support levels for the Ethereum price. This on-chain evaluation revolves around the UTXO Realized Price Distribution (URPD) metric, which helps to pinpoint strong resistance and support levels based on investor cost bases.

For context, an investor’s cost basis refers to the actual price at which they purchased a particular cryptocurrency (Ethereum, in this scenario). Typically, the ability of a price level to function as an on-chain support or resistance zone depends on the number of investors who have their cost basis at the given level. 

As inferred earlier, the UTXO Realized Price Distribution tracks the amount of a particular cryptocurrency that was acquired at a specific price level. Now, the price levels below the present spot value with significant trading activity are often considered as major support zones, as shown in the chart below.

Source: @ali_charts on X The reasoning behind this expectation is that investors with their cost bases around these price levels are likely to double down on their positions and purchase more coins. This increased buying activity will, hence, offer a cushion for the Ethereum price to stay afloat and potentially bounce back.

Highlighting data from Glassnode, Martinez identified the $2,623, $2,475, and $1,881 levels as the next crucial support zones for the Ethereum price after losing the $2,772 mark. However, it appears that the altcoin’s price has also lost the $2,623 and $2,475 support following its latest decline over the weekend.

Ethereum Price Overview As of this writing, the price of ETH stands at around $2,410, reflecting an over 10% decline in the past 24 hours. With this latest decline, the altcoin’s price seems to be hovering around the support cushion at around $2,475.

If ETH’s stay below this support level is sustained, investors could see the Ethereum price fall to as low as $1,881. A fall of this magnitude would represent a 25% decline from the current price point and an over 60% correction from the cycle high.

The price of ETH on the daily timeframe | Source: ETHUSDT chart on TradingView Featured image from iStock, chart from TradingView

Story HighlightsThe live price of Flare crypto is  $ 0.00977442.Price predictions for 2026 range from $0.008 to $0.014.FLR could extend toward $0.30 by 2030, if recovery structure holds.Flare (FLR) is a smart contract–enabled blockchain focused on cross-chain data access and interoperability. Since its initial listing phase, the token has spent a significant amount of time repricing, moving from early volatility into a prolonged period of range-bound trading.

Recently, however, the nature of price action has begun to change. Instead of sharp declines, FLR has started forming more stable reactions around established demand zones. Volatility has eased, and price swings have become narrower. From a market structure standpoint, these conditions often appear when an asset is transitioning from distribution into base formation, raising questions about whether FLR could be approaching a turning point as 2026 draws closer.

Flare Price TodayCryptocurrencyFlareTokenFLRPrice$0.0098 2.60% Market Cap$ 825,613,775.5224h Volume$ 9,755,635.0299Circulating Supply84,466,754,268.5018Total Supply104,826,407,121.66All-Time High$ 0.0797 on 10 January 2023All-Time Low$ 0.0083 on 19 October 2023Looking further ahead, 2026 could prove to be a defining year for FLR if the current base resolves to the upside. Long periods of sideways movement often precede stronger directional moves once key resistance levels are cleared. Should FLR break above the $0.015–$0.018 resistance region and maintain acceptance, price could gradually work its way toward the $0.03–$0.04 zone. This area represents a prior congestion range and would likely attract increased trading activity.

If momentum remains constructive and broader market conditions cooperate, FLR could extend its advance toward $0.06 before the end of 2026. A cross of this level would mark a clear shift away from consolidation and into trend development. However, a drop below $0.0075 would undermine the recovery structure and delay bullish expectations.

Flare Crypto Price Prediction 2026 – 2030YearPotential Low ($)Potential Average ($Potential High ($)20260.0100.0300.06020270.0250.0600.09520280.0500.1150.17520290.0900.1900.24520300.1500.2400.300FLR Price Prediction for 2026The Flare price range in 2026 is expected to be between $0.010 and $0.060.

FLARE Price Forecast for 2027Flare (FLR) price range can be between $0.025 to $0.095 during the year 2027. 

FLARE Price Outlook for 2028In 2028, Flare price is forecasted to potentially reach a low price of $0.050 and a high price of $0.175.

FLR Price Forecast for 2029Thereafter, the Flare (FLR) price for the year 2029 could range between $0.090  and $0.245.

Flare Price Prediction 2030Finally, in 2030, the price of Flare is predicted to maintain a steady positive. It may trade between $0.150 and $0.300.

Flare Price Prediction 2031, 2032, 2033, 2040, 2050Based on the historic data and trend analysis of the cryptocurrency along with the market sentiments, here are the possible Flare  price targets for the longer time frames.

YearPotential Low ($)Potential Average ($)Potential High ($)20310.1800.2900.39020320.2200.3600.48020330.2200.4300.56020400.4500.7201.0020500.7001.101.50Flare (FLR) Price Prediction: Market Analysis?Year202620272030Changelly$0.054$0.090$0.250CoinCodex$0.060$0.108$0.270WalletInvestor$0.037$0.080$0.280CoinPedia’s Flare Price PredictionBased on current technical structure and observed market behavior, Coinpedia’s price outlook implies that Flare (FLR) price is expected to trade between $0.010 and $0.060 in 2026, assuming support levels remain intact. Over the longer horizon, continued recovery could allow FLR to move toward the $0.20-$0.30 range by 2030, subject to overall market conditions.

YearPotential Low ($)Potential Average ($)Potential High ($)20260.0100.0300.060Never Miss a Beat in the Crypto World!Stay ahead with breaking news, expert analysis, and real-time updates on the latest trends in Bitcoin, altcoins, DeFi, NFTs, and more.

FAQsIs Flare (FLR) a good investment for 2026?

FLR could be promising if it breaks key resistance and holds support. Its long consolidation suggests base formation, but outcomes depend on market conditions.

What price can Flare (FLR) reach in 2026?

In 2026, Flare is projected to trade between $0.010 and $0.060, with upside potential if it clears the $0.015–$0.018 resistance zone.

What is the long-term outlook for Flare (FLR)?

Long term, Flare shows potential for gradual growth, with forecasts suggesting higher highs through 2030 and beyond if development and usage expand.

How much will the Flare coin be worth in 2030?

By 2030, Flare could trade between $0.15 and $0.30 if network adoption grows and broader crypto markets remain supportive.

What is the Flare crypto price prediction for 2040?

Long-term projections suggest FLR may range from $0.45 to $1.00 by 2040, assuming sustained ecosystem growth and real-world utility.

Disclaimer and Risk WarningThe price predictions in this article are based on the author's personal analysis and opinions. CoinPedia does not endorse or guarantee these views. Investors should conduct independent research before making any financial decisions.

TLDR: BitMine holds over 4.24 million ETH, facing a $6 billion unrealized loss as Ethereum trades below acquisition cost.  Ethereum currently trades near $2,300, about 40% below BitMine’s average purchase price of roughly $3,800 per ETH.  The firm continues accumulating ETH, adding 40,302 coins in late January 2026 despite the ongoing market downturn.  Approximately 1.84 million ETH are staked, generating projected annual revenue of over $400 million before taxes. BitMine Ethereum Loss continues to grow as the firm faces a $6 billion unrealized loss. Despite Ethereum trading near $2,300, the company maintains accumulation and staking strategies, signaling a commitment to long-term network exposure.

BitMine’s Ethereum Exposure and Market Position BitMine Immersion Technologies, chaired by Tom Lee, currently holds over 4.24 million ETH, representing about 3.5% of the total circulating supply. Total invested capital surpasses $15.6 billion, while the current portfolio value sits near $9.7 billion. 

This places the unrealized loss at around $6 billion. Despite market volatility, BitMine continues strategic accumulation. 

In late January 2026 alone, the firm purchased an additional 40,302 ETH, worth roughly $117 million at current prices. Analysis of transaction data shows this acquisition pattern, suggesting deliberate treasury construction rather than opportunistic buying.

While some reports cite the unrealized loss as high as $6.9 billion, official portfolio tracking places it closer to $5.95 billion. Analyst @CryptoNobler emphasizes the scale of the position and potential market sensitivity if liquidation were ever required.

🚨 BREAKING

TOM LEE’S BITMINE IS CURRENTLY SITTING ON A $6.9 BILLION LOSS ON ETHEREUM.

THEIR STOCK DUMPED 84% AND IS NOW AT RISK OF DELISTING AND FULL LIQUIDATION.

THE SCARY PART?

WE HAVEN’T EVEN ENTERED THE BEAR MARKET YET… pic.twitter.com/jfveZnPWmW

— 0xNobler (@CryptoNobler) January 31, 2026

Unlike leveraged traders, BitMine’s Ethereum holdings are primarily on the balance sheet. This reduces the immediate risk of forced liquidation and allows the firm to continue accumulation without margin pressures. 

This long-term approach highlights the firm’s focus on surviving market volatility and generating returns through network participation rather than short-term price movements.

Staking and Strategic Long-Term Focus Nearly half of BitMine’s Ethereum, approximately 1.84 million ETH, is staked to generate recurring revenue. Staking income is projected to surpass $400 million annually before taxes, providing a buffer during price declines. 

This strategy allows BitMine to monetize its position while holding through a prolonged drawdown. Technical and on-chain data suggest the firm’s accumulation coincided with broader market stress.

Arkham analytics indicate smooth, consistent ETH accumulation, with no major spikes or distribution phases. Such behavior is consistent with large institutional actors or entities preparing Ethereum for staking and long-term deployment.

Despite Ethereum trading about 40% below the firm’s average acquisition price of roughly $3,800, BitMine maintains its strategy. Analysts expect that the company’s capital structure and stakeholder revenue could provide resilience against further market turbulence.

This ongoing approach emphasizes endurance. BitMine is focused on absorbing volatility while continuing to build Ethereum exposure. The strategy reflects a conviction-based investment method that prioritizes network yield and the long-term role of Ethereum as programmable financial infrastructure.

Peter Zhang Feb 01, 2026 17:15

Lido DAO (LDO) shows oversold signals at $0.41 with analyst targets suggesting potential 83-108% upside to $0.75-$0.85 range by February 2026. LDO Price Prediction Summary • Short-term target (1 w...

Lido DAO (LDO) shows oversold signals at $0.41 with analyst targets suggesting potential 83-108% upside to $0.75-$0.85 range by February 2026.

LDO Price Prediction Summary • Short-term target (1 week): $0.45-$0.48 • Medium-term forecast (1 month): $0.75-$0.85 range
• Bullish breakout level: $0.45 • Critical support: $0.36

What Crypto Analysts Are Saying About Lido DAO Recent analyst coverage suggests significant upside potential for Lido DAO despite current bearish momentum. According to blockchain.news reports, analyst Darius Baruo noted in January that "Lido DAO (LDO) trades at $0.52 with bearish momentum but analyst targets suggest 45-64% upside to $0.75-$0.85 range by February 2026 based on MACD signals."

Similarly, analyst Terrill Dicki maintained that "Lido DAO (LDO) trades at $0.53 amid bearish momentum, but analysts maintain bullish outlook targeting $0.75-$0.85 range by early February 2026."

These predictions align with technical indicators showing potential oversold bounce conditions, though LDO has since declined to current levels around $0.41.

LDO Technical Analysis Breakdown The current technical picture for Lido DAO presents a mixed but potentially constructive setup for the LDO price prediction. At $0.41, LDO is trading significantly below all major moving averages, with the 7-day SMA at $0.48, 20-day SMA at $0.54, and 200-day SMA at $0.90.

The RSI reading of 23.62 indicates severely oversold conditions, typically suggesting a potential bounce or consolidation period. This oversold reading supports the bullish Lido DAO forecast from analysts targeting higher levels.

MACD momentum remains bearish with the histogram at 0.0000, indicating neutral to slightly bearish momentum. However, the convergence of MACD lines suggests potential momentum shift could be approaching.

Bollinger Bands positioning shows LDO at 0.0155, meaning the token is trading very close to the lower band at $0.40, while the upper band sits at $0.67. This positioning often precedes mean reversion moves back toward the middle band at $0.54.

Key resistance levels stand at $0.43 (immediate) and $0.45 (strong), while support levels are established at $0.39 (immediate) and $0.36 (strong).

Lido DAO Price Targets: Bull vs Bear Case Bullish Scenario The optimistic LDO price prediction scenario targets the analyst consensus range of $0.75-$0.85, representing 83-108% upside from current levels. This scenario requires several technical confirmations:

First, LDO needs to reclaim the $0.45 strong resistance level, which would signal the beginning of trend reversal. A sustained break above $0.48 (7-day SMA) would provide additional bullish confirmation and open the path toward $0.54 (20-day SMA).

The oversold RSI reading provides fundamental support for this bullish case, as extreme RSI levels often precede significant rebounds. Volume confirmation above the current $7.47 million daily average would strengthen the upside momentum.

Bearish Scenario The bearish Lido DAO forecast centers on a breakdown below the critical $0.36 support level. This scenario could see LDO testing lower support zones around $0.30-$0.32, representing additional 17-22% downside risk.

Risk factors include the significant distance from major moving averages, particularly the 200-day SMA at $0.90, which indicates a strong longer-term downtrend. The bearish MACD configuration also supports potential further weakness if oversold bounce fails to materialize.

Should You Buy LDO? Entry Strategy Based on current technical conditions, a strategic approach to LDO involves waiting for oversold bounce confirmation. The optimal entry point appears to be a break above $0.43 with volume confirmation, targeting the $0.45-$0.48 range initially.

For aggressive traders, current levels around $0.41 present risk-reward opportunities with tight stop-losses below $0.36. Conservative investors should wait for trend reversal confirmation above $0.48 before establishing positions.

Risk management suggests position sizing of no more than 2-3% of portfolio given the high volatility (ATR of $0.04) and current technical uncertainty.

Conclusion The LDO price prediction presents a compelling risk-reward setup with analyst targets suggesting substantial upside potential to the $0.75-$0.85 range by February 2026. However, technical indicators show mixed signals with oversold conditions potentially supporting a bounce, while bearish momentum persists.

The probability of reaching analyst targets appears moderate to high given the extreme oversold conditions, but requires confirmation through key resistance breaks above $0.43-$0.45. Investors should approach with appropriate position sizing and risk management given the volatile nature of cryptocurrency markets.

Disclaimer: Cryptocurrency price predictions involve significant risk and uncertainty. Past performance does not guarantee future results. Always conduct your own research and consider your risk tolerance before making investment decisions.

Image source: Shutterstock

ldo price analysis ldo price prediction

Sun, 1/02/2026 - 16:21

Bitcoin just plunged 10.1% in January and sits at $78,713, but February's history tells a different story — it is one of Bitcoin's most bullish months with a +13.4% average return.

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

Bitcoin started February 2026 with a 10.1% drop, and now it is sitting at around $78,700 — which is over $45,000 less than the cycle high. But if CryptoRank's price history data is anything to go by, February might not be the disaster everyone is preparing for. Actually, it is the opposite: Bitcoin did great in February.

It had one of the best average and median gains of any month on record, with an increase of +13.4% and +11.6%, respectively. Only April and October have better numbers.

Source: CryptoRankFor the past 12 years, BTC has had a February gain 9 times out of 13. The outliers — 2020, 2014, 2012 — are rare and often linked to big events in the economy. But even then, it is not unusual to have a deep January red followed by a green February.

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After a weak -0.28% in January, February still had a +5.64% print in 2018. In 2023, February barely moved at -0.01%, but then March went up by a whopping +23.1%.

Saylor and Strategy show way for BitcoinBitcoin's weekly candle shows a 9.18% drop right now, but it is the retest of the $73,000-$76,000 support zone that could change the tempo. This is where Michael Saylor's Strategy has its average purchase price on a crazy 712,647 BTC stack — so it is only logical to set traps here. And February's seasonal stats back that up.

It is interesting to note that 2013, 2014, 2015 and 2021 all had double-digit rallies in February, even after tough conditions in January. In 2021, February's growth spurted by a whopping 36%, following January's modest 14.3% uptick. This mirrors the 2025 trend, where the year kicked off with a 9.54% gain.

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The breakdown on Feb. 1 might just be the shakeout needed to reframe a textbook bullish setup. If history repeats itself, we could see a shift back to $90,000-$98,000 before March.

Even though everyone is panicking, February does not play out the same as January. It rarely collapses twice in a row — and when it doesn't, the snapbacks are violent. Don't let the red fool you.

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Amazon's "Melania" earned $7 million at the domestic box office during its debut this weekend, the highest opening for a non-music documentary in more than a decade.

Documentaries are not typically major ticket sales drivers, with the majority of releases over the last 10 years opening under $5 million and grossing $10 million to $20 million worldwide, according to data from Comscore. Documentaries and concert films by popular musical artists often outperform these numbers because of their built-in fan bases.

Notably, Michael Moore's "Fahrenheit 9/11" retains the record for the highest-opening political documentary with $23.9 million. The film, which opened in 2004, also holds the record for the highest domestic haul for a political documentary with $119 million.

"We're very encouraged by the strong start and positive audience response, with early box office for 'Melania' exceeding our expectations," said Kevin Wilson, head of domestic theatrical distribution at Amazon MGM Studios. "This momentum is an important first step in what we see as a long-tail lifecycle for both the film and the forthcoming docu-series, extending well beyond the theatrical window and into what we believe will be a significant run for both on our service."

The Melania Trump documentary was acquired by the tech giant, which operates the streaming service Prime Video, for an estimated $40 million, and reports suggest the company spent nearly the same price tag on marketing for the film.

Ticket sales were driven by women and moviegoers over 55, with both demographics accounting for 70% or more of receipts. Additionally, rural theaters represented 46% of total box office grosses, according to EntTelligence data. Typically, these theaters, which operate in areas with populations of fewer than 500,000 people, account for around 30% of movie ticket sales.

EntTelligence estimates that 600,000 moviegoers saw the film over the weekend.

While review sites have been flooded with strong audience reviews — Rotten Tomatoes' "Popcornmeter" stands at 99% from more than 500 users — critical responses were more scathing. "Melania" holds an 11% rating on Rotten Tomatoes from 19 reviews, with many critics calling the documentary "propaganda."

Disclosure: Versant Media is the parent company of Rotten Tomatoes and CNBC.

MicroStrategy Doubles Down on Bitcoin Despite Recent Price StrugglesStrategy signaled it may buy more Bitcoin even as its 712,647 BTC position, worth about $55 billion, sits only slightly above its $76,037 average cost.To fund additional purchases, the company raised the dividend on its STRC Series A perpetual preferred stock by 25 basis points to 11.25% for February.However, market critics warn that the higher payout could squeeze the firm's cash flow if Bitcoin stalls or falls below Strategy’s breakeven price.MicroStrategy, an enterprise software firm turned Bitcoin treasury powerhouse, signaled its intention Sunday to deepen its bet on the flagship digital asset.

This move comes as the company’s massive $55 billion hoard hovers just above its average purchase price.

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Strategy Hikes STRC Dividend to 11.25% to Fuel Bitcoin SpreeIn a post on the social media platform X, Executive Chairman Michael Saylor shared a graphic captioned “More Orange.” Over the past months, the billionaire has long used similar phrases to hint at upcoming BTC acquisitions.

Notably, the company recently marked a milestone of 2,000 days since adopting its “Bitcoin Standard.”

Meanwhile, this potential acquisition comes as the firm’s balance sheet faces its most significant test in months.

Strategy’s current holdings of 712,647 BTC were acquired at an average cost of $76,037 per coin. With BTC trading at approximately $78,000 on Sunday—a sharp retracement from the six-figure highs seen last autumn—the firm’s unrealized gains have narrowed to less than 3%.

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To fund the next phase of its purchases, Strategy moved to attract fresh capital by hiking the dividend on its Series A Perpetual Stretch Preferred Stock (STRC) by 25 basis points. This adjustment brings the yield to 11.25% for February 2026.

The 11.25% payout represents a major premium over typical corporate bonds, reflecting both the company’s hunger for capital and the inherent volatility of its bitcoin-centric model.

Notably, STRC is a variable-rate security that is part of a “fixed-income” suite that includes products like Strike, Stride, and Strife, has become the primary engine for the firm’s capital raises.

Data shows that STRC sales alone have funded the acquisition of over 27,000 BTC since the product’s November debut.

Strategy’s Bitcoin Purchases from STRC. Source:STRC.liveHowever, critics warn that the high cost of servicing these dividends could create a significant cash-flow squeeze. This risk is particularly acute if the BTC’s price remains stagnant or dips below the firm’s $76,000 waterline.

For now, Strategy appears undeterred. The firm still has billions in available capacity under its at-the-market offerings, and Saylor’s latest signal suggests that for Strategy, the only response to market volatility is to buy more.

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Ripple was mentioned in the newly released Epstein files. The former Ripple CTO has addressed claims linking Ripple, Stellar and XRP to Epstein.

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

Shiba Inu fell to lows last seen in October 2023 as the crypto market deepened a sell-off that has persisted in recent weeks.

A total of $2.45 billion has been liquidated alone in the last 24 hours following a weekend drop, with significant losses recorded among most digital assets. Long positions accounted for the majority of liquidations, coming in at $2.27 billion, with shorts accounting for only $180 million.

This imbalance points to traders being caught unawares by the crash while staying optimistic about a rebound after weeks of range-bound price action in the markets.

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Amid the price drop, Shiba Inu saw its open interest crash, falling 11%. According to CoinGlass, Shiba Inu's open interest came in at $75.74 million, with futures flow dropping 193% in the last 24 hours, suggesting traders reducing exposure in the derivatives market.

Thin weekend liquidity increased selling pressure as trading volumes declined into the weekend, a setup that might boost volatility.

SHIB price dropsShiba Inu saw a sharp price drop on Saturday, falling to a low of $0.00000617 last seen nearly three years ago, in a four-day drop.

Shiba Inu team member Lucie reacts to the market crash, which has seen $2.45 billion in positions wiped out, saying: "these crashes all follow the same script. Over-leverage, panic, forced selling, repeat. Survival in crypto is not about timing every move. It is about a strong community and staying present when everything shakes." "But we got this," Lucie added.

The thin liquidity hanging over the market alongside risk appetite waning might suggest more of a reset.

Shiba Inu has broadly declined since the Jan. 5 high of $0.00001008; meanwhile, RSI indicators are nearing oversold levels at 30, hinting at the possibility of a relief rally in the coming sessions.

In the event of a rebound, Shiba Inu might target $0.00000785, $0.00001008 and then $0.00001047. Support lies next at $0.0000055 if the declines continue.

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

The end of the week is bearish for most of the coins, according to CoinMarketCap.

Top coins by CoinMarketCapSHIB/USDThe price of SHIB has dropped by 0.17% over the last 24 hours.

Image by TradingViewOn the hourly chart, the rate of SHIB keeps going down after a false breakout of the local support at $0.00000671. If the daily bar closes below that mark, there is a chance to see a test of the $0.00000650 range shortly.

Image by TradingViewOn the bigger time frame, there are also no reversal signals so far. In this case, one should pay attention to the nearest level of $0.00000678.

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If a breakout happens, traders may witness a further decline to the $0.00000600 zone over the next few days.

Image by TradingViewA similar picture is on the weekly time frame. If sellers' pressure continues, the accumulated energy might be enough for a dump to the next support level at $0.00000543.

SHIB is trading at $0.00000671 at press time.

This ETF has tech companies leading the way with a built-in hedge.

In the past two decades, the tech sector has expanded to include dozens of industries. Instead of investing in many different companies to gain exposure to these industries, a more efficient approach is to invest in a tech exchange-traded fund (ETF).

A good tech ETF can be a one-stop shop for investors looking for tech companies without the hassle of picking the "right" winners. With $2,000 available to invest, I'd consider investing in the Invesco Nasdaq 100 ETF (QQQM 1.19%). It checks a lot of the boxes investors should look for, with a built-in hedge.

Image source: Getty Images.

The primary companies leading the way QQQM mirrors the Nasdaq-100, an index tracking around 100 of the largest non-financial companies on the Nasdaq stock exchange. This means you won't see banks, insurance companies, or real estate investment trusts (REITs). What you will see, though, is many of the world's top tech companies.

The tech sector accounts for over 63% of QQQM, and nine of its top 10 holdings are tech companies (Walmart is the lone exception):

Nvidia: 8.63% of the ETF Apple: 7.19% Microsoft: 6.65% Amazon: 4.85% Meta: 3.76% Alphabet (Class A): 3.69% Tesla: 3.67% Alphabet (Class C): 3.43% Walmart: 3.02% Broadcom: 2.92% Having nearly 48% of a 104-stock ETF in just 10 stocks isn't the textbook definition of diversification, but it's ideal if you're looking for exposure to some of the world's most notable tech companies and growing industries. Between just the above tech companies, you have leaders in software, consumer hardware, semiconductors, digital advertising, cloud computing, electric vehicles, and artificial intelligence.

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And since QQQM isn't 100% tech companies, there's a natural hedge against tech-specific issues, such as regulations. The top three non-tech sectors are consumer discretionary (17.9%), healthcare (5.4%), and industrials (3.8%).

A history of impressive results Over the past decade, the Nasdaq-100 has averaged over 19% annual returns. A single $2,000 investment in the index back then would be worth around $12,250 as of market close on Jan. 27. QQQM just began trading in October 2020 and has averaged 15.5% annual returns since then. I wouldn't invest in QQQM expecting that to be the long-term norm, but it's got all the tools to be a consistent market-beating ETF.

^NDX data by YCharts

Even averaging a "modest" 10% annual return would mean doubling your investment every 7.2 years. Of course, nothing is guaranteed in the stock market, and past performance doesn't guarantee future results. However, the companies leading the way for QQQM are some of the most thorough that you'll find in any sector.

A little difference, but potentially a lot of money If you've been thinking QQQM looks familiar, it's probably because you've seen its predecessor, the Invesco QQQ Trust ETF (QQQ 1.20%). They're essentially the same, since they both mirror the Nasdaq-100, but one key difference is the fee. QQQM's expense ratio is 0.15% compared to QQQ's 0.18%.

Granted, the difference looks small on paper, but over time it can truly make a difference. For perspective, let's assume you invest $500 monthly into both ETFs and average 10% annual returns. Below are the differences in fees paid over various numbers of years.

Years InvestedInvestment Value Without FeesFees Paid With QQQMFees Paid With QQQ10$95,920$990$1,12015$190,630$2,250$2,70020$343,650$5,800$6,95025$590,080$13,150$15,74030$986,960$27,600$33,020 Table by author. Values rounded to the nearest 10.

You're able to invest in the same thing (the Nasdaq-100) and save money over time by doing so. Although it's not a pure-play tech ETF, QQQM is one of the better tech ETFs on the market right now.

Stefon Walters has positions in Apple, Microsoft, and Walmart. The Motley Fool has positions in and recommends Alphabet, Amazon, Apple, Meta Platforms, Microsoft, Nvidia, Tesla, and Walmart. The Motley Fool recommends Broadcom. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.