Stock Market & Financial News
Should iShares Nasdaq Top 30 Stocks ETF (QTOP) Be on Your Investing Radar?
Launched on October 24, 2024, the iShares Nasdaq Top 30 Stocks ETF (QTOP) is a passively managed exchange traded fund designed to provide a broad exposure to the Large Cap Growth segment of the US equity market.
British American Tobacco: Deleveraging, Buybacks, 5% Yield Fuel Next Leg Of The Bull Run
I anchor my bull thesis on British American Tobacco's third FY25 revenue upgrade, 95% cash-flow conversion, planned 2.0–2.5x leverage, and an increased £1.3bn 2026 buyback despite deleveraging. H1 2025 US revenue grew 3.7% despite a 7.6% combustibles volume decline, with pricing lifting combustibles revenue 11.4% and Velo Plus lifting the modern oral segment. I also see vapour and heated products as headwinds. Vuse revenue faces a high-single-digit FY25 decline, glo revenue is flat, and heated share is down 1.2 ppt.
Bull of the Day: Monster Beverage (MNST)
Everyone is still drinking energy drinks.
Glencore downgraded on valuation grounds
UBS has downgraded Glencore PLC (LSE:GLEN) to 'neutral' after a strong run in the shares and a view that the next phase of returns will be harder to earn. The broker has lifted its 12-month price target to 425p from 410p, but with the shares already at 382p it sees limited upside of about 11%.
Coca-Cola announces its new CEO, company veteran Henrique Braun
Coca-Cola said Wednesday that its chief operating officer will become its next CEO in the first quarter of 2026.The Atlanta beverage giant said its board elected Henrique Braun as CEO effective March 31. James Quincey, Coke's current chairman and CEO, will transition to executive chairman of the company.Braun, 57, has worked at Coca-Cola for three decades.
Bear of the Day: Bassett Furniture (BSET)
Bassett Furniture Industries, Inc. BSET is waiting for the housing market recovery. Will it come in 2026?
Dividend Powerhouses: 3 Blue-Chip Stocks Built for the Long Haul
The wall of worry continues to grow as investors race into 2026. Concentration risk is one that may not get talked about enough.
AI shopping could drive $263 billion in holiday sales. Walmart and Target are racing to get in
AI could drive $263 billion in global holiday sales this year, representing 21% of all holiday orders, Salesforce predicts. Companies like Walmart and Target are overhauling their AI strategies to ensure they're meeting consumers where they're shopping.
Firefly Aerospace Stock Surges, But I Still See A Speculative Buy
Firefly Aerospace remains attractive for a speculative buy, despite a reduced price target of $37.38 and a recent 27% stock surge. Recent positives include Russell 2000/3000 index inclusion, a Volta Space partnership, and the appointment of an experienced COO from Boeing. FLY's valuation is now based on a 3x EV/Sales multiple for 2026, offering approximately 60% upside from current levels.
New Strong Sell Stocks for December 12th
FSI, EQNR and OTF have been added to the Zacks Rank #5 (Strong Sell) List on December 12, 2025.
New Strong Buy Stocks for December 12th
KSS, ECPG, WLDN, PD and FOXA have been added to the Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy) List on December 12, 2025.
Ceres upgraded as the risk-reward calculation turns positive
Panmure Liberum has upgraded Ceres Power Holdings PLC (LSE:CWR, OTC:CPWHF) to a 'buy' and stuck with a punchy target price of 420p after a sharp sell-off in the shares. The broker says the 28% fall since last month has swung the risk-reward back in favour of buyers.
Oracle Stock: Is Strong AI Demand Enough?
Oracle (ORCL) shares fell more than 11% in after-hours trading, following the Q2 fiscal 2026 report, a sharp repricing that seemingly contradicts the main narrative of booming AI demand.
Market Fetes Planet Labs' Earnings Beat, But High Multiples, Dilution Risks Loom
Planet Labs is downgraded from hold to sell due to unsustainable momentum and excessive valuation multiples. PL's Q3 revenue growth is driven almost entirely by Defense and Intelligence, with commercial and civil sectors stagnating or declining. Convertible notes pose imminent dilution risk, potentially increasing shares outstanding by 12% if current prices persist.
McDonald Takes The Fall As Investors Sweat On Gloomy Lululemon Results
For a decade, Lululemon defined – and arguably created – the modern athleisure category, commanding premium prices and customer devotion through its mix of product quality and lifestyle aspiration.
Enova International (ENVA) Surges 11.7%: Is This an Indication of Further Gains?
Enova International (ENVA) saw its shares surge in the last session with trading volume being higher than average. The latest trend in earnings estimate revisions may not translate into further price increase in the near term.
Fresnillo tops the FTSE 100 as silver hits new record
Precious metals stocks were given a lift on Friday. Fresnillo PLC (LSE:FRES) jumped 5%, topping the FTSE 100 risers.
Retirees Are Missing Out: MLPA Delivers Nearly 8% Income From Infrastructure Giants Like Energy Transfer
The Global X MLP ETF (NYSEARCA:MLPA) offers exposure to energy infrastructure through master limited partnerships and delivers an extremely high 7.2% dividend yield today.
Airbnb: Buy The Dip At Attractive FCF Multiples (Upgrade)
Airbnb is upgraded to Buy as bookings rebound, free cash flow surges, and valuation becomes attractive after recent underperformance. ABNB delivers 14% y/y gross bookings growth, outpacing most OTA peers, with product enhancements and flexible policies fueling demand acceleration. Expansion into services and disciplined share repurchases support long-term growth and shareholder value, with fully diluted share count down 3% y/y.
News Events Push Around AMD Stock
If you hold Advanced Micro Devices (AMD), this week has been unsettling. The stock hasn't plummeted like Oracle, but the pressure could be building.
Vodafone franchise reports lead government to examine 'power imbalance'
Vodafone Group PLC (LSE:VOD) shares showed no reaction to a spotlight being shone in Parliament about the treatment of franchisees. During business questions in the House of Commons, MP Justin Madders said: “I'm sure the department will have been aware of the coverage this week of some of the harrowing stories of the treatment of Vodafone franchisees,” and asked whether ministers would consider measures such as a statutory code or arbitration system to measures to redress a "power imbalance".
Recent Pullback Provides Opportunity In Southern Company
The Southern Company is rated a Buy after a 15% pullback, offering a stable, income-producing utility with multiple growth catalysts for 2026. SO projects 5–7% annual EPS growth, supported by 8% regulated rate base and electric load growth through 2029, with 90% of earnings from regulated utilities. The company's $76 billion capital plan is 77% equity-funded through 2029, and SO will become a Dividend Aristocrat in 2025, likely driving ETF demand.
Law Professor Sues Boeing After Alleged Exposure to Toxic Fumes on Flight
The lawsuit underscores the potential legal liability facing the industry as it grapples with a surge in fume events in recent years.
Will JPMorgan Continue To Outperform?
JPMorgan stock (NYSE: JPM) has increased by approximately 29% year-to-date, significantly surpassing the 17% gain in the S&P 500 index during the same timeframe. Thus, the question is clear: why is JPMorgan continuing to excel—and can this momentum be sustained?
PDD Holdings: My Top E-Com Pick For 2026
PDD Holdings is rapidly expanding its core e-commerce business, driven by strong online marketing and transaction services growth. The e-commerce company is cashed up and has considerable capital return potential in the future. Improving Chinese economic growth prospects in 2026 and potential market expansion into South Korea, Australia or Brazil are key catalysts for PDD in 2026.
FEPI: High Tech, High Income, Both Good Things For 2026
REX FANG & Innovation Equity Premium Income ETF offers a 25% annual distribution rate via a covered call strategy on the 'Magnificent 15' innovation stocks. FEPI's high income comes at the cost of capped upside, with lagging performance versus uncovered indexes, but provides high monthly distributions. The fund maintains equal-weighted, US-based large- and mega-cap holdings, with a heavy tilt toward technology and communication services.
Evolution AB: Competitive Advantage Remains Key
Evolution AB remains a 'strong buy' despite weak Q3 results and heightened volatility, supported by robust fundamentals and a defensible market position. EVVTY's Q3 saw a 2.4% revenue decline, driven by a 4% drop in Live Casino and significant weakness in Asia due to unresolved cybercrime issues. North America and Latin America continue to deliver double-digit growth, offsetting Asian headwinds, while share buybacks and a >4.3% dividend yield enhance shareholder value.
Tesla Stock Falls as EV Sales Plummet. Why Musk Has a Global Headache.
Tesla's U.S. sales fell to a three-year low in November, according to Reuters.
ITM Power up after winning more international contracts
ITM Power PLC (AIM:ITM) said it has secured two engineering contracts with a combined capacity of 70 MW, sending its shares up 6% to 66.3p. The first award is a basic design engineering package for an industrial customer in Australia, deploying multiple units of its Neptune V containerised green hydrogen plant.
Seagate: Why The HAMR Era Isn't Priced In Yet
I reaffirm my positive outlook on Seagate Technology (STX), given the HAMR ramp-up strategy into 2026. HAMR will position Seagate as a leader and unlock multiple opportunities for the company in 2026. STX posted a strong double-beat quarter, driven by HAMR ramp. Despite the stock price surge, STX trades at an FWD PEG below the sector median, remaining undervalued relative to peers and offering continued upside.
