Market Signal Briefing

This week, the crypto market tested investor conviction. 

The BOJ rate hike, combined with November’s softer-than-expected inflation reading, kept Bitcoin [BTC] volatile. The result? Macro FUD pushed fear levels higher, showing that the risk-off mood is still present.

However, a few coins still managed to grab the spotlight.

Canton [CC] — Smart-contract reclaimed key levels in one decisive move
Canton [CC] topped this week’s gainers with a sharp 50% rally from the $0.07 open. In fact, the rally has pushed CC back to mid-November levels, clearly reclaiming multiple resistance zones in one clean move.

That said, the “overheating” question is now on the table. From the technical front, CC’s RSI jumped from 60 to nearly 80 in just a week, highlighting strong momentum but also flashing overbought conditions.

Consequently, after such a fast, decisive move, some cooling wouldn’t be surprising, especially with Canton now pressing into the $0.10 supply zone, a level it couldn’t crack last month.

Source: TradingView (CC/USDT)

Notably, this is where Canton’s recent strategic roadmap comes into play. 

Initially, CC’s weekly rally was largely “hype-driven,” sparked by an SEC-linked boost, as AMBCrypto recently noted. However, as that momentum has continued, key fundamentals have started to align.

As a result, what began as speculative enthusiasm is now evolving into a more structurally supported move, making a sustained breakout for Canton look increasingly likely.

Audiera [BEAT] — Creator-economy token reinforced bullish conviction
Audiera [BEAT] emerged as the second-biggest weekly gainer, rallying 40% from the $2 open. In doing so, BEAT showed strong technical resilience, breaking through a key overhead resistance.

Moreover, this move marked BEAT’s seventh consecutive green weekly close, reinforcing a bullish market structure. That said, the rally is unfolding alongside a few important variables. 

For one, the broader market remains in a risk-off environment. Meanwhile, BEAT’s Futures liquidity appears to be overheating. So, looking ahead, what happens once the market flips back to risk-on? 

With BEAT nearing the $3 level, sentiment could turn cautiously optimistic.

Uniswap [UNI] — DEX token showed early signs of bottoming out 
Uniswap [UNI] secured third place on this week’s gainers list with a 20% run. Notably, much like Canton, UNI had an eventful week, with three back-to-back developments helping spark renewed FOMO.

From a technical standpoint, the timing couldn’t have been better. 

After four straight red weekly closes pushed UNI’s RSI deep into oversold territory, this week, price responded with a sharp bounce, naturally raising questions around a potential bottom.

That said, it’s still too early to confirm a full trend reversal. 

However, as AMBCrypto noted, bullish signals are building. If UNI can break the $7 level in the coming days, then a V-shaped recovery could start to take shape, making UNI one of the more compelling setups to watch.

Other notable winners
Outside the majors, altcoin rockets stole the spotlight this week.

BitLight [LIGHT] led the charge with a massive 274% jump, followed by Luxxcoin [LUX] climbing 214%, and Fasttoken [FTN] rounding out the leaderboard with a strong 139% gain.

Weekly losers
XDC Network [XDC] — Enterprise-focused blockchain couldn’t hold key support
XDC Network [XDC] topped this week’s losers chart with an 8% dip. At first glance, the move doesn’t look dramatic. However, when seen weekly, the dip further confirms that bearish control remains firmly intact.

Since topping out at $0.10 in mid-July, XDC has printed four lower lows, indicating that bulls have failed to defend key levels. Naturally, a reversal has struggled to materialize, which is why even an 8% dip holds weight.

Zooming in further, the bearish structure becomes even more apparent. Notably, three of those four lower lows have formed in Q4 alone, effectively dragging XDC back to mid-November territory.

Source: TradingView (XDC/USDT)

That means XDC has wiped out all of its post-election gains. 

From an investor standpoint, that likely means many hype-driven buyers have either exited or are stuck holding unrealized losses. Because of this, holding and confirming a solid support zone is now critical. 

Otherwise, if conviction continues to weaken, XDC could easily drift back toward pre-election levels near $0.02.

Hyperliquid [HYPE] — Derivatives platform erased its Q4 gains
Hyperliquid [HYPE] emerged as the second-biggest weekly loser. Notably, just like XDC, HYPE continues to signal a bearish market outlook, with back-to-back red weekly closes indicating weak investor conviction.

As a result, stress is rising among HODLers. 

For instance, AMBCrypto reports that a major HYPE whale is now sitting on about $22 million in unrealized losses. Because of this, maintaining key support levels is critical to reignite FOMO and prevent broader capitulation.

Looking at the price, HYPE is hovering near the $20 level, with RSI pushing deeper into oversold territory. If bulls step in, price could chop sideways. However, if support fails, HYPE risks sliding back to its April lows.

MemeCore [M] — Meme-focused L1 saw bears regain control
MemeCore [M] took the third spot on this week’s losers list. However, unlike its counterparts, M is showing relatively strong resilience. From a technical perspective, bulls haven’t fully abandoned the altcoin.

In fact, this week’s drawdown comes right after last week’s 40% rally, indicating that buyers quickly stepped in around the $1.20 level. As a result, this zone has become a key support to watch.

Looking at the daily chart, strong bullish intervention hasn’t yet emerged, with only a minor 0.4% intraday gain. That said, if buying pressure ramps up next week, M could quickly reinforce $1.20 as a solid bottom.

Other notable losers
In the broader market, downside volatility hit hard.

FOLKS [FOLKS] led the losers with a steep 75% drop, followed by TOMI [TOMI] falling 73%, and Legacy Token [LGCT] slipping 59% as momentum sharply cooled.

Conclusion
This week was a rollercoaster. Big pumps, sharp dips, and nonstop action. As always, stay sharp, do your own research, and trade smart.

Final Thoughts

Canton [CC], Audiera [BEAT], Uniswap [UNI] led the week in gains.
XDC Network [XDC], Hyperliquid [HYPE], MemeCore [M] saw significant declines.

Fund size, stock coverage, and trading flexibility set these two ultra-low-cost ETFs apart for investors prioritizing scale and liquidity.

The State Street SPDR Portfolio S&P 1500 Composite Stock Market ETF (SPTM +0.88%) and the iShares Core SP Total US Stock Market ETF (ITOT +0.90%) stand out for their broad U.S. equity exposure, near-identical costs, and very similar performance and sector makeup, with ITOT offering greater scale and liquidity.

Both SPTM and ITOT aim to track the total U.S. stock market across large, mid, and small caps, making them popular options for investors seeking broad, low-cost diversification. This matchup highlights the subtle but important differences that could matter for those prioritizing fund size, trading needs, or slight nuances in risk and performance.

Snapshot (cost & size)MetricSPTMITOTIssuerSPDRISharesExpense ratio0.03%0.03%1-yr return (as of 2025-12-19)15.7%15.9%Dividend yield1.1%1.1%AUM$11.9 billion$79.1 billionBeta measures price volatility relative to the S&P 500; beta is calculated from five-year weekly returns. The 1-yr return represents total return over the trailing 12 months.

Both SPTM and ITOT are priced at an extremely low 0.03% expense ratio, making them among the most affordable options for broad U.S. stock market exposure, and both offer a 1.1% dividend yield as of the latest data.

Performance & risk comparisonMetricSPTMITOTMax drawdown (5 y)-24.14%-25.36%Growth of $1,000 over 5 years$1,822$1,744What's insideITOT covers nearly the entire investable U.S. equity universe, holding 2,490 stocks as of Dec. 2025. Its largest sector weights are technology (34%), financial services (13%), and consumer cyclicals (11%), with top holdings concentrated in Nvidia (NVDA +3.80%), Apple (AAPL +0.17%), and Microsoft (MSFT +0.40%). With $79.1 billion in assets under management (AUM) and a fund history stretching almost 22 years, ITOT is one of the most established and liquid total market ETFs available. There are no leverage, currency, or ESG quirks to watch for.

SPTM offers a nearly identical sector profile and top holdings, also led by Nvidia, Apple, and Microsoft, but holds a slightly smaller basket of 1,511 stocks. Its focus remains on the broad U.S. market, but with less depth in the smallest companies. SPTM is considerably smaller in AUM and may appeal to investors already using the State Street SPDR suite for portfolio building blocks.

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

What this means for investorsThe State Street SPDR Portfolio S&P 1500 Composite Stock Market ETF (SPTM) and the iShares Core SP Total US Stock Market ETF (ITOT) are very similar, including the expense ratio, making a choice between the two a tough one.

ITOT has a few key differences compared to SPTM. Its AUM is far greater, offering more liquidity. Moreover, ITOT has a longer track record, and its larger set of holdings provides exposure to nearly the entire U.S. stock market.

SPTM may be younger than ITOT, but it still encompasses the top 1,511 U.S. stocks. This provides investors with broad market exposure, while helping it achieve a lower drawdown than ITOT. As a result, SPTM can be seen as offering a bit higher quality, but lower growth potential compared to ITOT, as it isn't exposing you to some smaller companies.

Still, these two ETFs are very much comparable for investors looking for broad market exposure. ITOT is for those who like an ETF with a longer history and larger AUM. SPTM is for investors who want a greater concentration in the largest U.S. stocks.

GlossaryETF: Exchange-traded fund; a fund that trades on stock exchanges and holds a basket of securities.
Expense ratio: The annual fee, as a percentage of assets, charged by a fund to cover operating costs.
Dividend yield: Annual dividends paid by a fund or stock, expressed as a percentage of its current price.
Beta: A measure of an investment's volatility compared to the overall market, typically the S&P 500.
AUM: Assets under management; the total market value of assets that a fund manages.
Liquidity: How easily and quickly an asset can be bought or sold without affecting its price.
Max drawdown: The largest observed percentage drop from a fund's peak value to its lowest point over a period.
Sector allocation: The distribution of a fund's investments across different industry sectors.
Total return: The investment's price change plus all dividends and distributions, assuming those payouts are reinvested.
Composite index: An index that combines multiple market segments or asset classes into a single benchmark.
Small caps: Companies with relatively small market capitalizations, typically considered higher risk and higher growth.
Leverage: The use of borrowed money or financial derivatives to increase the potential return of an investment.

Robert Izquierdo has positions in Apple, Microsoft, Nvidia, and iShares Trust - iShares Core S&P Total U.s. Stock Market ETF. The Motley Fool has positions in and recommends Apple, Microsoft, and Nvidia. The Motley Fool recommends the following options: long January 2026 $395 calls on Microsoft and short January 2026 $405 calls on Microsoft. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.

The Detroit automaker has done a great job winning over investors this year.

For investors in the U.S., Ford Motor Company (F +1.13%) is probably a household name, especially these days. That's because its shares have performed extraordinarily well, producing a total return of 48% in 2025 (as of Dec. 17). That gain almost triples the performance of the S&P 500.

The Detroit carmaker has had a phenomenal year, giving it due credit. Investors should have no complaints. However, there's one automotive stock you should not hesitate to consider buying before Ford in 2026.

Image source: Getty Images.

Positive developments at Ford don't cover up what's under the hood
This year, Ford has been hit by tariffs, warranty costs, and a supplier factory fire. But investors have become more bullish. The stock started 2025 trading at a price-to-earnings (P/E) ratio of 6.8. Today, that multiple has climbed to 11.5.

The market is likely focusing on the success of Ford Pro. This segment sells vehicles, software, and services to commercial clients. It posted double-digit revenue growth and an 11.4% operating margin in Q3 (ended Sept. 30). It supports Ford's ability to generate predictable and recurring high-margin sales.

Management has also refocused its strategy with respect to electric vehicles (EVs). Efforts are being scaled back, with an emphasis on hybrids and smaller, more affordable EV models.

It's still easy to argue that Ford is a subpar business, though. Its long-term growth prospects are weak, profits are low, capital expenditures are significant, and demand is cyclical.

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This luxury carmaker is a much better business
A much better business that investors should look at is Ferrari (RACE +1.52%). The one knock investors may have is that the valuation is never really cheap. Ferrari's stock price is down 29% from its peak, pressured by a softer-than-expected long-term outlook provided by executives in October, but it still trades at a rich P/E ratio of 37.

That valuation can be justified. Ferrari is an outstanding company that is nothing like its peers. It has an incredibly powerful brand that commands pricing power, supported by intentionally limited volume prediction. Ferrari caters to the ultra-wealthy, a group that is recession-resilient, leading to durable demand.

Its revenue has increased at an annualized rate of 12% in the past three years. And the business boasts an unbelievable trailing-12-month average operating margin of 29%. These factors are impossible to ignore.

In the past decade, Ford shares generated a total return of 65%, not even in the same ballpark as Ferrari stock's impressive gain of 726%. Looking to 2026 and beyond, the Italian car brand is without a doubt the better investment opportunity, as business quality matters. It's poised to significantly outperform again going forward.

Iren has outpaced most stocks this year, but a 50% drop over the past few weeks has some investors on edge.

Iren (IREN +11.58%) has more than tripled this year, comfortably outpacing the S&P 500, due to its pivot to AI infrastructure. However, the growth stock has lost more than 50% of its value in less than two months. Misguided concerns about an artificial intelligence (AI) bubble have put considerable pressure on leaders like Iren, and the recent drop looks like an attractive buying opportunity.

Image source: Getty Images

What's driving the current drop
Some of Iren's recent losses and declines in the broader AI market are based on questionable rumors. For instance, an article came out saying that Oracle's $10 billion data center was in limbo after financing talks with Blue Owl stalled. However, Oracle told investors the same day that its Michigan data center project is still on track, even without financing from Blue Owl. Oracle also had to push back on a report that its OpenAI data centers would be delayed.

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The Oracle rumor mill had an impact on most AI stocks, including Iren. Rising capital expenditures and questions about sustainable debt also emerged, but not all AI stocks are in that situation. Iren has a pristine balance sheet that features a 5.52 current ratio, which means it can comfortably keep up with current obligations.

Iren also has a five-year deal with Microsoft, so worries about how OpenAI can afford to pay Oracle don't apply to Iren.

Declining Bitcoin (BTC +0.18%) prices are a short-term headwind for Iren. While its long-term future revolves around AI infrastructure, the company made 97% of its revenue for the first quarter of fiscal year 2026 (ended Sept. 30) from crypto mining. It's still the main revenue driver that helps fund its data centers, and any drop in Bitcoin prices translates into lower revenue and profits.

AI data infrastructure is the future
Iren has still outperformed Bitcoin year to date, but the recent drop for both of these assets suggests they are still linked. However, that link should weaken over time, giving Iren the opportunity to rally even if Bitcoin prices stay flat.

That's because the AI data center provider anticipates $3.4 billion in annual recurring revenue (ARR) by the end of 2026. All of this revenue will come from AI cloud demand. For the sake of comparison, Iren brought in $501 million in fiscal 2025 (ended June 30), with approximately 97% of it coming from crypto mining.

The jump to $3.4 billion in ARR has a good foundation due to the Microsoft deal. Iren has enough energy to support multiple deals like the Microsoft one, which can boost ARR even quicker.

Although the AI trade hasn't looked good over the past month, chipmakers have still reported exceptional demand for their AI products. Broadcom delivered 74% year-over-year revenue growth for its AI semiconductors in the fourth quarter of fiscal year 2025 (ended Nov. 2), while Micron Technology crushed expectations and delivered optimistic guidance. Micron's revenue increased by 56.6% year over year in the first quarter of fiscal year 2026 (ended Nov. 27).

Both earnings results suggest that AI demand is still surging despite a temporary slowdown in the AI trade. As more investors realize the recent disconnect and the Oracle drama recedes into the past, Iren can rally and become a promising stock in 2026. Investors just have to remain patient during this challenging stretch. Even the best stocks have bad months and quarters.

Marc Guberti has positions in Broadcom and Iren. The Motley Fool has positions in and recommends Bitcoin, Microsoft, and Oracle. The Motley Fool recommends Broadcom and recommends the following options: long January 2026 $395 calls on Microsoft and short January 2026 $405 calls on Microsoft. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.

Deagreez/iStock via Getty Images

Listen below or on the go via Apple Podcasts and Spotify

After two down years in a row, history suggests Santa will return this week. (0:17) Q3 GDP is due. (1:15) Bill Ackman wants to help SpaceX go public. (1:36)

The following is an abridged transcript:

It’s the most wonderful time of the year – for stock market bulls.

Here comes Santa Clause right down Maiden Lane, then left on Nassau heading straight for Wall and Broad.

The Santa Claus Rally — the last five trading days of December and the first two of January — is set to kick off Wednesday, with markets closing early for Christmas Eve and shut on Thursday for Christmas.

Historically, the S&P 500 has been higher 77% of the time during the Santa Rally, according to Subu Trade.

They note the last two were negative — but there’s never been a third straight down Santa Rally.

Alexander Guiliano, CIO at Resonate Wealth Partners, says despite choppy trading over the past six weeks, the backdrop remains strong, and the recent valuation pullback is creating opportunities for under-invested bulls.

So far in December, the S&P is slightly lower, the Nasdaq is down about 0.25%, and the Dow is up 1%.

The earnings calendar is light, but traders won’t be bored.

The key data point is the Q3 GDP report on Tuesday. Wells Fargo says while the headline number may be stale, the details matter.

They’re expecting 3.6% annualized growth, boosted by a pullback in imports. Consumers rebounded strongly in the second half, though construction remains a drag.

In the news this weekend, Bill Ackman floated a novel idea for taking SpaceX public, pitching a merger with Pershing Square SPARC that would distribute special investment rights to Tesla shareholders, giving them first crack at a SpaceX IPO — or the option to sell those rights. Ackman called it a way to “democratize” the IPO process.

Out west, power was restored to most of San Francisco late Saturday after a major outage. Roughly 130,000 customers lost service at the peak, with most restored by late evening.

For income investors, Broadcom (AVGO) and Vistra Energy (VST) go ex-dividend on Monday. Both pay out on New Year’s Eve.

Altria (MO) and Philip Morris (PM) go ex-dividend on Friday. Altria has a Jan. 9 payout date and Philip Morris pays out on Jan. 14.

In the Wall Street Research Corner, JPMorgan picked 11 standout tech stocks for 2026.

On the list are Arista (ANET), Guidewire (GWRE), Broadcom (AVGO), Salesforce (CRM) and LendingClub (LC).

Oklo has soared 280% on the year. Can the run continue into 2026?

Oklo (OKLO +7.29%) has crushed the market this year.

After a lackluster 2024, in which it dropped more than 50% at the end of its first day of trading (May 10), Oklo shares went nuclear (pun intended) in 2025. At one point, the stock was up well over 700% on the year.

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Since hitting about $193 a share in October, Oklo has fallen to just $83, as worries over an AI bubble have soured sentiment toward nuclear stocks.

With a pullback like that, an investment of $1,000 in Oklo stock might seem like an opportunity. Before you consider this pre-revenue start-up, though, it's worth weighing the bull case against the bear case.

Image source: Getty Images.

Oklo: Hype, or tomorrow's power?
The bull case for Oklo is easy to understand: AI needs round-the-clock power, and nuclear energy has the potential to supply it.

It can do this through its microreactor design, the Aurora powerhouse. Smaller and cheaper to build than traditional nuclear power plants, these powerhouses are expected to deliver up to 75 megawatts of continuous power. The reactor will be factory-built and assembled on-site to cut down construction time.

Oklo is targeting clients who need off-grid power, like AI data center operators. It has announced collaborations with big names in the field, such as Equinix, Vertiv, and Liberty Energy.

The bear case for Oklo is just as easy to understand.

The company has no revenue. More importantly, it lacks regulatory approval to operate its powerhouses commercially. While it's been making progress on that front (thanks to the Pilot Reactor Program), the lack of commercial revenue makes its current $12 billion market valuation seem outlandish.

Sure, investors are betting on future cash flow in an era of AI. But with no revenue expected next year, and about $16 million projected for 2027, I'd expect Oklo to need a fresh cash injection (read: dilution) before it generates meaningful revenue.

OKLO Revenue Estimates for Current Fiscal Year data by YCharts

As such, a $1,000 investment in Oklo is best for money you can afford to lose.

The purveyor of premium athletic apparel just beat Wall Street estimates.

Lululemon Athletica (LULU 2.63%), the pioneer of the athleisure fashion trend, recently reported financial results for its fiscal 2025's third quarter (ended Nov. 2). The company posted revenue of $2.6 billion and earnings per share of $2.59. Both of these figures were ahead of consensus estimates from Wall Street sell-side analysts.

This growth stock has soared 22% in the past month (as of Dec. 17). If you're looking to hop on the Lululemon bandwagon, here are three things you need to know first.

Image source: Getty Images.

Lululemon's brand is its differentiator
Put your consumer cap on, and think of all the different places you could shop when searching for sportswear like yoga pants, shorts, joggers, hoodies, or shoes. The industry is very competitive, with companies targeting customers at all price points with a wide range of options. It's also hard to predict how consumer tastes will change.

That's why it's so important for businesses to differentiate themselves. Lululemon's strategy from the beginning has been to develop products with high-quality fabrics that its customers will value. As a result, the company positions itself at the premium end of the market. For instance, its women's pants sell for well over $100, while one of its men's best-selling shirts can be purchased for $78. These items certainly aren't cheap.

But Lululemon has historically been able to leverage this pricing power. It doesn't depend much on third-party retailers, which gives it tighter control over distribution. The brand's strength is evident in the company's impressive sales per square foot of almost $1,600 in fiscal 2024. When it comes to profitability, during the latest fiscal quarter, Lululemon reported a fantastic gross margin of 55.6% and operating margin of 17%, despite tariffs introducing a headwind.

Financial results differ based on geography
Lululemon's Q3 year-over-year revenue growth of 7% doesn't tell investors the whole story. The bright spot was China, where sales skyrocketed 46%. Lululemon is rapidly opening new stores in the country to target a massive consumer base that is clearly drawn to its merchandise assortment.

Sales in the U.S. fell 3% in the quarter, continuing a weak trend. Consumer confidence has been pressured, and it's at the lowest levels in at least the past decade. People are feeling squeezed by inflationary pressures, something other well-known consumer brands, like Chipotle Mexican Grill and Home Depot, are seeing as well.

That subdued demand in the U.S., also driven by a lack of product newness, could be the main reason why the stock has performed so poorly. Since hitting a peak in December 2023, it's down 59%. Without question, the domestic market still matters the most to the business. Any improvements in the U.S. could work wonders to boost shareholder confidence.

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Low expectations can lead to positive surprises
Over the past five years, the S&P 500 has returned 98%, a very favorable outcome. Lululemon, on the other hand, is down a stomach-churning 42%.

That can be blamed on disappointing sales trends in the U.S. But Lululemon's overall revenue growth has slowed. Between fiscal 2019 and 2024, the top line increased at a compound annual growth rate of 21.5%. Between fiscal 2024 and 2027, consensus estimates call for yearly growth of just 4.5%. CEO Calvin McDonald will be stepping down at the end of January, which could be due to those lackluster sales gains.

There's no arguing with the fact that Lululemon's stock is cheap. The forward price-to-earnings ratio of 15.4 is a bargain in today's market environment. Value investors might favor these kinds of opportunities because it signals that market expectations are currently low, creating an easy bar for Lululemon to clear should financial results start to improve.

Lululemon shares will probably remain volatile, but they deserve a closer look.

2025 was a solid year, and valuations aren't cheap, yet there is still significant upside left in these three AI leaders.

2025 is nearly over, and despite the strong year, many investors are biting their fingernails over the prospects for 2026. Will the artificial intelligence (AI) boom continue despite talks of a bubble and debt investors recently balking at funding large-scale data centers? Whom will President Donald Trump pick as the new Federal Reserve chair, and will the new nominee be independent?

Short-term concerns always dominate headlines and investors' mindsets in the moment, but real long-term outperformance comes from taking a broader mindset and looking at the big picture.

Assuming the AI buildout continues apace and AI usage increases over the next several years -- and there's no evidence AI adoption is slowing at all -- these three artificial intelligence stocks still look like they have upside. In fact, there's a case for 50% upside for each in 2026.

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1. Microsoft
Microsoft (MSFT +0.22%) is up a solid 15% year to date in 2025 but has pulled back in recent months. Investors have grown nervous over OpenAI's technical moat and ability to fund massive spending commitments. That's important for Microsoft, which is both a 27% owner of OpenAI and a cloud provider for $250 billion of OpenAI cloud computing commitments -- a result of the 2025 negotiations by which OpenAI converted into a for-profit company.

That ownership and cloud pipeline would be highly bullish for Microsoft, but doubt has crept in regarding OpenAI's lead in generative AI in recent months. Rival Anthropic has shown significant enterprise growth, and Alphabet (GOOG +1.55%) (GOOGL +1.47%) released its impressive Gemini 3 model in November.

Still, the fear may be misplaced. It doesn't seem likely that the AI revolution would be dominated by a single model builder, but rather by a cohort of winners in an oligopoly. That's how both the semiconductor and cloud computing sectors have evolved. The AI large language model (LLM) market will likely follow a similar path.

After all, Alphabet was regarded as a loser in the AI race as recently as this year, only to retake the lead. OpenAI is certainly not going away, and this week's investment in OpenAI by Amazon appears to indicate that at least some astute executives and investors still believe in the company.

Meanwhile, Morgan Stanley sell-side analyst Keith Weiss just upgraded Microsoft stock, giving it a $650 price target, good for 35% upside from the current price. His analysis and conversations with management indicated that Azure AI demand is stronger than initially thought and that Azure AI's gross margins can expand with scale as more revenue is generated over the next two years. Furthermore, Weiss noted that his estimates don't even contemplate the full OpenAI contract, which could lead to further upside.

2026 should also see the introduction of Microsoft's next-generation AI chip, named Braga. According to reports this past summer, the chip was initially planned for 2025, but a redesign pushed back its introduction by six months. If Microsoft can develop an impressive in-house-designed chip, as Alphabet and Amazon have, that could lead to even more optimism.

2. Alphabet
Speaking of Alphabet, it would definitely be possible for both Microsoft and Alphabet to appreciate 50% in 2026. While Alphabet has had the best year of the "Magnificent Seven" stocks, up 62% on the year, Alphabet also entered the year as the cheapest of the bunch. In fact, despite this year's rise, it's still the second-cheapest of the bunch.

Coming into the year, investors were nervous that AI chatbots could disrupt Alphabet's Search business. However, that doesn't seem to be happening. Search paid clicks grew by 2%, 4%, and 7% in the first, second, and third quarters, respectively, showing a reacceleration after Alphabet introduced AI Mode into Search in May.

Image source: Getty Images.

With the November release of Gemini 3, Alphabet has seemingly taken the lead for the moment in the AI race across several benchmarks. What's even better is that Gemini 3 was trained on Alphabet's homegrown Tensor Processing Units (TPUs). Following the Gemini release, other major companies are now looking to buy or lease TPUs from Alphabet or its cloud unit, Google Cloud.

Even Alphabet rival Meta Platforms is reportedly considering using TPUs, according to late-November press reports. And just last Friday, Reuters reported a massive cloud deal worth over $10 billion between cybersecurity giant Palo Alto Networks and Google Cloud.

That all bodes very well for Google Cloud, which has been an incredibly underrated part of Alphabet's business. Google Cloud has now reached scale, with a $60 billion revenue run-rate and an almost $5 billion operating profit run-rate as of the last quarter. Growth accelerated by 34% for that business in Q3, accompanied by margin expansion.

So not only could the Cloud unit become a second major profit center beyond ad revenue, but 2026 could also bring exciting developments for Waymo. Waymo is now delivering over 1 million autonomous rides per month, with a significant lead over competitors in scaling. Next year could bring about more disclosure around Waymo's revenue or valuation, which could add yet another major business to Alphabet's expanding empire.

3. Intel
Intel (INTC +1.49%) has had an even better year than Alphabet or Microsoft, up 83.6% on the year thus far. Of course, Intel was trading at a practically distressed price heading into 2025, below its book value and without a CEO. And despite the 2025 surge, its market cap is still far, far lower than all the supposed AI winners of today.

Meanwhile, 2026 is shaping up to be an exciting year. New CEO Lip-Bu Tan, who joined the company in March, will begin to make his presence felt more noticeably. The all-important 18A node -- the node at which Intel predicts it will either equal competitors or regain its technology leadership in the industry -- will begin to deliver product. 18A has just begun high-volume manufacturing this quarter, with the first 18A product, Panther Lake, set to enter the laptop market in January.

Success on 18A in the form of better revenue and margins could yield external customer wins for future nodes 18AP and 14A. Already, technology pundits are reporting that major companies such as Apple, Nvidia, and even Intel rival Advanced Micro Devices are looking to potentially use the 14A node for their server central processing units (CPUs), according to analysts for China research firm GF Securities.

If an external customer were to commit to Intel's 14A node, which is expected to be released in 2027 or 2028, there could be confirmation of the customer win during 2026. After all, there has already been a flurry of positive reports on 14A technology and the adoption of Intel's EMIB packaging technology over the past month or so.

If investors come to believe that Intel has pulled even or ahead in terms of process technology, financial results improve with 18A manufacturing, and/or Intel announces a significant external 18AP or 14A customer win for its foundry, there is still considerable upside left in the stock.

Discover why Marvell could become one of the most important AI infrastructure players of the decade and what could drive the stock much higher.

Marvell Technology (MRVL 0.45%) is strengthening its position in AI infrastructure as demand for high-speed data movement and efficient power delivery accelerates. With a record quarter, new photonic interconnects, and expanding data center opportunities, Marvell stock could deliver substantial long-term upside if it executes well.

Stock prices used were the market prices of Dec. 15, 2025. The video was published on Dec. 20, 2025.

Rick Orford has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool recommends Marvell Technology. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. Rick Orford is an affiliate of The Motley Fool and may be compensated for promoting its services. If you choose to subscribe through their link, they will earn some extra money that supports their channel. Their opinions remain their own and are unaffected by The Motley Fool.

, /PRNewswire/ -- Bronstein, Gewirtz & Grossman, LLC, a nationally recognized investor-rights law firm, announces that a class action lawsuit has been filed against Coupang, Inc. (NYSE: CPNG) 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 Coupang securities between August 6, 2025 and December 16, 2025, both dates inclusive (the "Class Period"). Such investors are encouraged to join this case by visiting the firm's site: bgandg.com/CPNG.

Coupang Case Details

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

Coupang had inadequate cybersecurity protocols that allowed a former employee to access sensitive customer information for nearly six months without being detected;
this subjected Coupang to a materially heightened risk of regulatory and legal scrutiny;
When defendants became aware that Coupang had been subjected to this data breach, they did not report it in a current report filing (to be filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC")) in compliance with applicable reporting rules; and
as a result, defendants' public statements were materially false and/or misleading at all times. When the true details entered the market, the lawsuit claims that investors suffered damages.

What's Next for Coupang 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/CPNG. 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 Coupang you have until February 17, 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 Coupang 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 Coupang 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.

SOURCE Bronstein, Gewirtz & Grossman, LLC

Italy's Saipem said on Sunday it had been awarded an offshore engineering, procurement, construction and installation (EPCI) contract by QatarEnergy LNG in partnership with China's Offshore Oil Engineering Co (COOEC).

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Faruqi & Faruqi, LLP Securities Litigation Partner James (Josh) Wilson Encourages Investors Who Suffered Significant Losses In Rezolute To Contact Him Directly To Discuss Their Options

If you suffered significant losses in Rezolute stock or options and would like to discuss your legal rights, call Faruqi & Faruqi partner Josh Wilson directly at 877-247-4292 or 212-983-9330 (Ext. 1310).

[You may also click here for additional information]

NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Faruqi & Faruqi, LLP, a leading national securities law firm, is investigating potential claims against Rezolute, Inc. (“Rezolute” or the “Company”) (NASDAQ: RZLT).

Faruqi & Faruqi is a leading national securities law firm with offices in New York, Pennsylvania, California and Georgia. The firm has recovered hundreds of millions of dollars for investors since its founding in 1995. See www.faruqilaw.com.

Rezolute, Inc. shares tumbled sharply on December 11, 2025, as investors reacted to disappointing topline results from its Phase 3 sunRIZE clinical trial for ersodetug, its lead drug candidate for treating congenital hyperinsulinism. The study failed to meet both its primary and key secondary endpoints, with the highest dose showing reductions in hypoglycemia events that were not statistically significant versus placebo.

To learn more about the Rezolute investigation, go to www.faruqilaw.com/RZLT or call Faruqi & Faruqi partner Josh Wilson directly at 877-247-4292 or 212-983-9330 (Ext. 1310).

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

Attorney Advertising. The law firm responsible for this advertisement is Faruqi & Faruqi, LLP (www.faruqilaw.com). Prior results do not guarantee or predict a similar outcome with respect to any future matter. We welcome the opportunity to discuss your particular case. All communications will be treated in a confidential manner.

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Faruqi & Faruqi, LLP Securities Litigation Partner James (Josh) Wilson Encourages Investors Who Suffered Losses In Gauzy To Contact Him Directly To Discuss Their Options

If you purchased or acquired securities in Gauzy between March 11, 2025 and November 13, 2025 and would like to discuss your legal rights, call Faruqi & Faruqi partner Josh Wilson directly at 877-247-4292 or 212-983-9330 (Ext. 1310).

[You may also click here for additional information]

NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Faruqi & Faruqi, LLP, a leading national securities law firm, is investigating potential claims against Gauzy Ltd. (“Gauzy” or the “Company”) (NASDAQ: GAUZ) and reminds investors of the February 6, 2026 deadline to seek the role of lead plaintiff in a federal securities class action that has been filed against the Company.

Faruqi & Faruqi is a leading national securities law firm with offices in New York, Pennsylvania, California and Georgia. The firm has recovered hundreds of millions of dollars for investors since its founding in 1995. See www.faruqilaw.com.

As detailed below, the complaint alleges that the Company and its executives violated federal securities laws by making false and/or misleading statements and/or failing to disclose that: (1) three of the Company’s French subsidiaries lacked the financial means to meet their debts as they became due; (2) as a result, it was substantially likely insolvency proceedings would be commenced; (3) as a result, it was substantially likely a potential default under the Company’s existing senior secured debt facilities would be triggered; and (4) as a result of the foregoing, Defendants’ positive statements about the Company’s business, operations, and prospects were materially misleading and/or lacked a reasonable basis.

On November 14, 2025, before the market opened, Gauzy Ltd. shocked investors by announcing that the Commercial Court of Lyon had commenced Redressement Judiciaire—French insolvency proceedings—against three of the Company’s French subsidiaries. According to Gauzy, Redressement Judiciaire is intended to preserve operations and employment while formulating a recovery plan; however, the Company further acknowledged that the initiation of these proceedings constitutes a default under its existing senior secured debt facilities and, if not cured, could trigger an event of default. Gauzy also disclosed that it would not release its third-quarter 2025 financial results on November 14 as previously scheduled due to these developments.

In response to this news, Gauzy’s share price declined precipitously, falling $2.00 per share—or nearly 50%—over two trading days to close at $2.02 on November 17, 2025, on unusually heavy trading volume.

The court-appointed lead plaintiff is the investor with the largest financial interest in the relief sought by the class who is adequate and typical of class members who directs and oversees the litigation on behalf of the putative class. Any member of the putative class may move the Court to serve as lead plaintiff through counsel of their choice, or may choose to do nothing and remain an absent class member. Your ability to share in any recovery is not affected by the decision to serve as a lead plaintiff or not.

Faruqi & Faruqi, LLP also encourages anyone with information regarding Gauzy’s conduct to contact the firm, including whistleblowers, former employees, shareholders and others.

To learn more about the Gauzy class action, go to www.faruqilaw.com/GAUZ or call Faruqi & Faruqi partner Josh Wilson directly at 877-247-4292 or 212-983-9330 (Ext. 1310).

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

Attorney Advertising. The law firm responsible for this advertisement is Faruqi & Faruqi, LLP (www.faruqilaw.com). Prior results do not guarantee or predict a similar outcome with respect to any future matter. We welcome the opportunity to discuss your particular case. All communications will be treated in a confidential manner.

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Faruqi & Faruqi, LLP Securities Litigation Partner James (Josh) Wilson Encourages Investors Who Suffered Significant Losses In Tvardi To Contact Him Directly To Discuss Their Options

If you suffered significant losses in Tvardi stock or options and would like to discuss your legal rights, call Faruqi & Faruqi partner Josh Wilson directly at 877-247-4292 or 212-983-9330 (Ext. 1310).

[You may also click here for additional information]

NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Faruqi & Faruqi, LLP, a leading national securities law firm, is investigating potential claims against Tvardi Therapeutics, Inc. (“Tvardi” or the “Company”) (NASDAQ: TVRD).

Faruqi & Faruqi is a leading national securities law firm with offices in New York, Pennsylvania, California and Georgia. The firm has recovered hundreds of millions of dollars for investors since its founding in 1995. See www.faruqilaw.com.

On Monday, October 13, 2025, Tvardi Therapeutics, Inc. saw its shares plummet over 80% after disappointing preliminary data from the Phase 2 REVERT clinical trial of TTI-101 in idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis. The study was designed to assess safety, pharmacokinetics, and exploratory outcomes related to lung function. After reviewing the preliminary safety data and exploratory efficacy results, including changes in Forced Vital Capacity (FVC), the Company concluded that the study did not meet its goals. Preliminary data demonstrated patients’ baseline characteristics were similar across treatment arms, with the exception of percent predicted FVC, which was lower in the placebo-treated patients compared to the TTI-101-treated arms.

To learn more about the Tvardi investigation, go to www.faruqilaw.com/TVRD or call Faruqi & Faruqi partner Josh Wilson directly at 877-247-4292 or 212-983-9330 (Ext. 1310).

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

Attorney Advertising. The law firm responsible for this advertisement is Faruqi & Faruqi, LLP (www.faruqilaw.com). Prior results do not guarantee or predict a similar outcome with respect to any future matter. We welcome the opportunity to discuss your particular case. All communications will be treated in a confidential manner.

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Faruqi & Faruqi, LLP Securities Litigation Partner James (Josh) Wilson Encourages Investors Who Suffered Losses In Telix To Contact Him Directly To Discuss Their Options

If you suffered losses in Telix and would like to discuss your legal rights, call Faruqi & Faruqi partner Josh Wilson directly at 877-247-4292 or 212-983-9330 (Ext. 1310).

[You may also click here for additional information]

NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Faruqi & Faruqi, LLP, a leading national securities law firm, is investigating potential claims against Telix Pharmaceuticals Limited (“Telix” or the “Company”) (NASDAQ: TLX).

Faruqi & Faruqi is a leading national securities law firm with offices in New York, Pennsylvania, California and Georgia. The firm has recovered hundreds of millions of dollars for investors since its founding in 1995. See www.faruqilaw.com.

On July 22, 2025, Telix Pharmaceuticals revealed that it "received a subpoena from the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission . . . seeking various documents and information primarily relating to the Company's disclosures regarding the development of the Company's prostate cancer therapeutics candidates."

On this news, the price of Telix Pharmaceuticals American Depositary Shares ("ADSs") fell more than 13% over two trading sessions, according to the complaint.

Then, on August 28, 2025, the complaint further alleges that Telix Pharmaceuticals disclosed that it received a Complete Response Letter from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration ("FDA") for the Biologics License Application for its product TLX250-CDx, which identified "deficiencies relating to the Chemistry, Manufacturing, and Controls (CMC) package." The FDA additionally "documented notices of deficiency (Form 483) issued to two third-party manufacturing and supply chain partners that will require remediation prior to resubmission."

The Telix Pharmaceuticals class action lawsuit alleges that on this news, the price of Telix Pharmaceuticals ADSs fell more than 21% over two trading sessions.

To learn more about the Telix Pharmaceuticals investigation, go to www.faruqilaw.com/TLX or call Faruqi & Faruqi partner Josh Wilson directly at 877-247-4292 or 212-983-9330 (Ext. 1310).

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

Attorney Advertising. The law firm responsible for this advertisement is Faruqi & Faruqi, LLP (www.faruqilaw.com). Prior results do not guarantee or predict a similar outcome with respect to any future matter. We welcome the opportunity to discuss your particular case. All communications will be treated in a confidential manner.

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HomeDividends AnalysisDividend Quick Picks

SummaryPreferred shares are a 200-year-old income-focused hybrid of stocks and bonds.Long-term interest rates are keeping preferred prices low, ensuring high coupons.Heads, we collect high dividends; tails, we collect dividends and price upside. choochart choochaikupt/iStock via Getty Images

Co-authored with Beyond Saving.

Preferred shares have been around for over 200 years. In 1878, the Pennsylvania Railroad Company issued perpetual preferreds at a 6% coupon, to raise capital without diluting its shareholders, and without taking on any more

Analyst’s Disclosure:I/we have a beneficial long position in the shares of HPS, PMT PREFERRED SHARES AND BABY BONDS 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.

Beyond Saving, Philip Mause, and Hidden Opportunities, all are supporting contributors for High Dividend Opportunities. Any recommendation posted in this article is not indefinite. We closely monitor all of our positions. We issue Buy and Sell alerts on our recommendations, which are exclusive to our members.

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

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Faruqi & Faruqi, LLP Securities Litigation Partner James (Josh) Wilson Encourages Investors Who Suffered Losses In Alexandria To Contact Him Directly To Discuss Their Options

If you purchased or acquired securities in Alexandria between January 27, 2025 and October 27, 2025 and would like to discuss your legal rights, call Faruqi & Faruqi partner Josh Wilson directly at 877-247-4292 or 212-983-9330 (Ext. 1310).

[You may also click here for additional information]

NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Faruqi & Faruqi, LLP, a leading national securities law firm, is investigating potential claims against Alexandria Real Estate Equities, Inc. (“Alexandria” or the “Company”) (NYSE: ARE) and reminds investors of the January 26, 2026 deadline to seek the role of lead plaintiff in a federal securities class action that has been filed against the Company.

Faruqi & Faruqi is a leading national securities law firm with offices in New York, Pennsylvania, California and Georgia. The firm has recovered hundreds of millions of dollars for investors since its founding in 1995. See www.faruqilaw.com.

As detailed below, the complaint alleges that the Company and its executives violated federal securities laws by making false and/or misleading statements and/or failing to disclose that: Defendants provided overwhelmingly positive statements to investors while, at the same time, disseminating materially false and misleading statements and/or concealing material adverse facts concerning the true state of its Long Island City (LIC) property; notably, the Company’s claims and confidence about the leasing value of the LIC property as a life-science destination aligning with ARE’s Megacampus™ strategy.

Alexandria issued a press release on October 27, 2025, reporting its financial results for the third quarter of 2025. Among other items, Alexandria reported third quarter earnings that fell short of analyst expectations, a 5% decline in revenue, and a 7% decline in adjusted funds from operation. Alexandria also reported a decline in its average occupancy rate from 94.8% in the prior year to 91.4%.

Following this news, Alexandria's stock price fell over 19% on October 28, 2025.

The court-appointed lead plaintiff is the investor with the largest financial interest in the relief sought by the class who is adequate and typical of class members who directs and oversees the litigation on behalf of the putative class. Any member of the putative class may move the Court to serve as lead plaintiff through counsel of their choice, or may choose to do nothing and remain an absent class member. Your ability to share in any recovery is not affected by the decision to serve as a lead plaintiff or not.

Faruqi & Faruqi, LLP also encourages anyone with information regarding Alexandria’s conduct to contact the firm, including whistleblowers, former employees, shareholders and others.

To learn more about the Alexandria Real Estate Equities class action, go to www.faruqilaw.com/ARE or call Faruqi & Faruqi partner Josh Wilson directly at 877-247-4292 or 212-983-9330 (Ext. 1310).

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

Attorney Advertising. The law firm responsible for this advertisement is Faruqi & Faruqi, LLP (www.faruqilaw.com). Prior results do not guarantee or predict a similar outcome with respect to any future matter. We welcome the opportunity to discuss your particular case. All communications will be treated in a confidential manner.

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Faruqi & Faruqi, LLP Securities Litigation Partner James (Josh) Wilson Encourages Investors Who Suffered Losses In Synopsys To Contact Him Directly To Discuss Their Options

If you suffered losses in Synopsys and would like to discuss your legal rights, call Faruqi & Faruqi partner Josh Wilson directly at 877-247-4292 or 212-983-9330 (Ext. 1310).

[You may also click here for additional information]

NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Faruqi & Faruqi, LLP, a leading national securities law firm, is investigating potential claims against Synopsys, Inc. (“Synopsys” or the “Company”) (NASDAQ: SNPS).

Faruqi & Faruqi is a leading national securities law firm with offices in New York, Pennsylvania, California and Georgia. The firm has recovered hundreds of millions of dollars for investors since its founding in 1995. See www.faruqilaw.com.

On September 9, 2025, after market hours, Synopsys released its third quarter 2025 financial results, revealing the Company’s “IP business underperformed expectations.” The Company reported quarterly revenue of $1.740 billion, missing its prior guidance of between $1.755 billion and $1.785 billion, and reported net income of $242.5 million, a 43% year-over-year decline from $425.9 million reported for third quarter 2024. Moreover, the Company reported its Design IP segment accounted for approximately 25% of revenue and came in at $426.6 million, a 7.7% decline year-over-year. Finally, management provided guidance which implied that Design IP revenues will decline by at least 5% on a full-year basis in fiscal 2025.

On this news, Synopsys’s stock price fell $216.59, or 35.8%, to close at $387.78 per share on September 10, 2025, on unusually heavy trading volume.

To learn more about the Synopsys investigation, go to www.faruqilaw.com/SNPS or call Faruqi & Faruqi partner Josh Wilson directly at 877-247-4292 or 212-983-9330 (Ext. 1310).

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

Attorney Advertising. The law firm responsible for this advertisement is Faruqi & Faruqi, LLP (www.faruqilaw.com). Prior results do not guarantee or predict a similar outcome with respect to any future matter. We welcome the opportunity to discuss your particular case. All communications will be treated in a confidential manner.

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Costco shares have performed poorly in 2025, which is a surprising occurrence.

Costco (COST 0.21%) has historically been a wonderful investment. Shares have significantly outperformed the S&P 500 in the past three decades. But that track record hasn't held up recently, with the retail stock dropping 14% in the past 12 months (as of Dec. 16). The index is up double digits at the same time.

Where will Costco be one year from now?

Image source: Getty Images.

Valuation matters more in the short run
Over a shorter time horizon, market sentiment has the biggest impact on stock prices. This is reflected in valuation. Costco doesn't look cheap, as it trades at a price-to-earnings (P/E) ratio of 45.8, in line with the trailing five-year average. That has come down considerably since the start of this year, though.

Today's Change

(

-0.21

%) $

-1.77

Current Price

$

855.82

Costco is a superb business
This valuation looks pricey, but it's worth highlighting that the market typically rewards Costco with an elevated P/E multiple. That's because the investment community understands that this is an exceptional business.

Costco constantly posts same-store sales growth, regardless of economic conditions. It has an extremely loyal customer base. And its scale provides it with a major cost advantage, allowing it to sell merchandise at low prices. Plus, new store growth indicates opportunity ahead.

The stock is about to finish 2025 with a loss. Looking at the next 12 months, I expect the market to once again appreciate the company's dominant industry position and solid financial results. I wouldn't be surprised to see Costco shares post a double-digit gain in 2026.

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

Analyst’s Disclosure:I/we have a beneficial long position in the shares of TBB either through stock ownership, options, or other derivatives. I wrote this article myself, and it expresses my own opinions. I am not receiving compensation for it (other than from Seeking Alpha). I have no business relationship with any company whose stock is mentioned in this article.

I also have a long position in T.PR.C, and I am planning to write put options on the common stock with strike prices close to the current share price.

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.

The northeast United States wasn't the only region gripped by bitter cold this month—a new winter has also hit the cryptocurrency market. Weak sentiment and choppy trading threaten Bitcoin with its worst yearly performance since 2022.

Key Takeaways
Analysts at Bank of America and Jefferies said they’re still bullish on semiconductor stocks heading into 2026. AI stocks have pulled back lately amid worries about an AI bubble, but the analysts said semiconductor shares are likely to keep benefiting from spending on data centers.

AI stocks have had a tough time lately. Some analysts say they're sticking by their favorite chip stocks anyway.

AI is "still the place to be" heading into 2026, with chip stocks among the best ways to play the AI boom, Bank of America analysts told clients in a note last week, anticipating growing sales as cloud-computing giants continue to buy up hardware to build out data centers.

While shares of many of the bank's top large-cap picks for 2026 have taken hits in recent weeks during a broader pullback in tech, they remain leaders in a space that has already seen substantial gains this year, far outperforming the S&P 500. Many of them also overlap with semiconductor stocks highlighted by Jefferies analysts, who said they're "sticking with AI into 2026."

Why This Is Significant
Worries about an AI bubble have weighed on the tech sector in recent weeks, though some stocks have fared better than others. Jefferies and Bank of America suggested they see some of this year's biggest beneficiaries still being winners next year.

While shares of AI chip leader Nvidia (NVDA) have slipped over 12% from their October highs, they're still up more than 30% this year through Friday's close, as demand for its most advanced chips sent sales to new records.

Bank of America analysts said they see Nvidia's torrid growth continuing next year, pointing to a strong pipeline of new products. They called Nvidia a top large-cap pick for 2026, along with custom AI chipmaker Broadcom (AVGO), Lam Research (LRCX), KLA (KLAC), Analog Devices (ADI), and Cadence Design Systems (CDNS).

Jefferies also highlighted Nvidia, Broadcom, Lam Research, and KLA in a note last week, along with semiconductor manufacturing equipment company Applied Materials (AMAT) and inspection equipment provider Camtek (CAMT).

Jefferies said Broadcom remains its top AI pick after replacing Nvidia earlier this year. "We haven’t given up on [Nvidia] given the technology moat and valuation," Jefferies said, but suggested Broadcom could have more room to rise based on expected growth in its custom chip business.

Jefferies said longtime Broadcom customer Google's recent decision to sell its custom chips to third parties such as Meta (META) and Anthropic could represent a "greenfield opportunity" for Broadcom, along with a growing number of custom chip customers that could include Apple (AAPL).

Shares of Broadcom have added close to half their value in 2025 through Friday's close just above $340, with Jefferies' Street-high target of $600 suggesting over 75% upside.

Do you have a news tip for Investopedia reporters? Please email us at

[email protected]

, /PRNewswire/ -- The law firm of Kessler Topaz Meltzer & Check, LLP (www.ktmc.com)  informs investors that a securities class action lawsuit has been filed against Sprouts Farmers Market, Inc. ("Sprouts") (NASDAQ: SFM) on behalf of those who purchased or otherwise acquired Sprouts securities between June 4, 2025, and October 29, 2025, inclusive (the "Class Period"). The lead plaintiff deadline is January 26, 2026.

CONTACT KESSLER TOPAZ MELTZER & CHECK, LLP:

If you suffered Sprouts losses, contact KTMC at: https://www.ktmc.com/new-cases/sprouts-farmers-market-inc?utm_source=PR_Newswire&mktm=PR   

You can also contact attorney Jonathan Naji, Esq. by calling (484) 270-1453 or by email at [email protected]. 

DEFENDANTS' ALLEGED MISCONDUCT:

The complaint alleges that, throughout the Class Period, Defendants made false and/or misleading statements and/or failed to disclose that: (1) Sprouts' optimistic reports of growth and stability in the face of macroeconomic instability fell short of reality; (2) Sprouts' consumer base was not as resilient to macroeconomic pressures as the company contended and ultimately reduced spending; (3) the perceived tailwinds from such pressures failed to manifest, and Sprouts' ability to lap its prior comparables was well overstated, ultimately resulting in Sprouts being unable to meet its lofty growth projections; and (4) as a result of the foregoing, Defendants' positive statements about the company's business, operations, and prospects were materially false and misleading and/or lacked a reasonable basis.

YouTube Video: https://www.youtube.com/shorts/yxEVhruAmaE 

THE LEAD PLAINTIFF PROCESS:

Sprouts investors may, no later than January 26, 2026, seek to be appointed as a lead plaintiff representative of the class through Kessler Topaz Meltzer & Check, LLP or other counsel, or may choose to do nothing and remain an absent class member. A lead plaintiff is a representative party who acts on behalf of all class members in directing the litigation.  The lead plaintiff is usually the investor or small group of investors who have the largest financial interest and who are also adequate and typical of the proposed class of investors. The lead plaintiff selects counsel to represent the lead plaintiff and the class and these attorneys, if approved by the court, are lead or class counsel. Your ability to share in any recovery is not affected by the decision of whether or not to serve as a lead plaintiff.

Kessler Topaz Meltzer & Check, LLP encourages Sprouts investors who have suffered significant losses to contact the firm directly to acquire more information.

SIGN UP FOR THE CASE AT: https://www.ktmc.com/new-cases/sprouts-farmers-market-inc?utm_source=PR_Newswire&mktm=PR  

ABOUT KESSLER TOPAZ MELTZER & CHECK, LLP:

Kessler Topaz Meltzer & Check, LLP (KTMC) is a leading U.S. plaintiff-side law firm focused on securities-fraud class actions and global investor protection. The firm represents individual investors as well as institutions, such as major pension funds, asset managers, and international investors. KTMC has led some of the largest recoveries in securities litigation and has been recognized by peers and the legal media with numerous accolades, including The National Law Journal's Plaintiff's Hot List and Trailblazers in Plaintiffs' Law, BTI Consulting Group's Honor Roll of Most Feared Law Firms, The Legal Intelligencer's Class Action Firm of the Year, Lawdragon's Leading Plaintiff Financial Lawyers, and Law360's Titans of the Plaintiffs Bar.  The firm operates globally with offices in Pennsylvania and California.  For more information about Kessler Topaz Meltzer & Check, LLP, please visit www.ktmc.com.

CONTACT:

Kessler Topaz Meltzer & Check, LLP

Jonathan Naji, Esq.

(484) 270-1453

280 King of Prussia Road

Radnor, PA 19087

[email protected] 

May be considered attorney advertising in certain jurisdictions.  Past results do not guarantee future outcomes.

SOURCE Kessler Topaz Meltzer & Check, LLP

, /PRNewswire/ -- Rosen Law Firm, a global investor rights law firm, reminds purchasers of securities and sellers of put options of Sprouts Farmers Market, Inc. (NASDAQ: SFM) between June 4, 2025 and October 29, 2025, both dates inclusive (the "Class Period"), of the important January 26, 2026 lead plaintiff deadline.

So what: If you purchased Sprouts securities and/or sold put options during the Class Period you may be entitled to compensation without payment of any out of pocket fees or costs through a contingency fee arrangement.

What to do next: To join the Sprouts class action, go to https://rosenlegal.com/submit-form/?case_id=48630 or call Phillip Kim, Esq. toll-free at 866-767-3653 or email [email protected] for information on the class action. A class action lawsuit has already been filed. If you wish to serve as lead plaintiff, you must move the Court no later than January 26, 2026. A lead plaintiff is a representative party acting on behalf of other class members in directing the litigation.

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

Details of the case: According to the lawsuit, defendants provided investors with material information concerning Sprouts' growth potential for the fiscal year 2025. Defendants' statements included, among other things, confidence in Sprouts' customer base to remain resilient to macroeconomic pressures and that Sprouts would instead benefit from the perceived tailwinds from a more cautious consumer. Defendants provided these overwhelmingly positive statements to investors while, at the same time, disseminating materially false and misleading statements and/or concealing material adverse facts concerning the true state of Sprouts' growth potential; notably, that a more cautious consumer could result in significant slowdown in sales growth and the purported tailwinds would be unable to dampen the slowdown or would otherwise fail to manifest entirely. When the true details entered the market, the lawsuit claims that investors suffered damages.

To join the Sprouts class action, go to https://rosenlegal.com/submit-form/?case_id=48630 or call Phillip Kim, Esq. toll-free at 866-767-3653 or email [email protected] for information on the class action.

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

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

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

Contact Information:

      Laurence Rosen, Esq.
      Phillip Kim, Esq.
      The Rosen Law Firm, P.A.
      275 Madison Avenue, 40th Floor
      New York, NY 10016
      Tel: (212) 686-1060
      Toll Free: (866) 767-3653
      Fax: (212) 202-3827
      [email protected]
      www.rosenlegal.com

SOURCE THE ROSEN LAW FIRM, P. A.

, /PRNewswire/ --

Why: Rosen Law Firm, a global investor rights law firm, reminds purchasers of securities of Telix Pharmaceuticals Ltd. (NASDAQ: TLX) between February 21, 2025 and August 28, 2025, both dates inclusive (the "Class Period"), of the important January 9, 2026 lead plaintiff deadline in the securities class action first filed by the Firm.

So what: If you purchased Telix securities during the Class Period you may be entitled to compensation without payment of any out of pocket fees or costs through a contingency fee arrangement.

What to do next: To join the Telix class action, go to https://rosenlegal.com/submit-form/?case_id=43778 or call Phillip Kim, Esq. toll-free at 866-767-3653 or email [email protected] for information on the class action. A class action lawsuit has already been filed. If you wish to serve as lead plaintiff, you must move the Court no later than January 9, 2026. A lead plaintiff is a representative party acting on behalf of other class members in directing the litigation.

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

Details of the case: According to the lawsuit, defendants throughout the Class Period made materially false and/or misleading statements and/or failed to disclose that: (1) defendants materially overstated the progress Telix had made with regard to prostate cancer therapeutic candidates; (2) defendants materially overstated the quality of Telix's supply chain and partners; and (3) as a result, defendants' statements about Telix's business, operations, and prospects were materially false and misleading and/or lacked a reasonable basis at all relevant times. When the true details entered the market, the lawsuit claims that investors suffered damages. 

To join the Telix class action, go to https://rosenlegal.com/submit-form/?case_id=43778 or call Phillip Kim, Esq. toll-free at 866-767-3653 or email [email protected] for information on the class action.

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

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

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

Contact Information:

Laurence Rosen, Esq.
Phillip Kim, Esq.
The Rosen Law Firm, P.A.
275 Madison Avenue, 40th Floor
New York, NY 10016
Tel: (212) 686-1060
Toll Free: (866) 767-3653
Fax: (212) 202-3827
[email protected]
www.rosenlegal.com

SOURCE THE ROSEN LAW FIRM, P. A.