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When you hear the name Amazon.com (NASDAQ: AMZN) , a couple of things probably pop to mind. E-commerce, first and most obviously -- after all, Amazon is the world's biggest e-commerce company -- and then cloud computing. At $90 billion in annual revenue, Amazon Web Services (AWS) is bigger than Microsoft 's (NASDAQ: MSFT) Azure, and far larger than Google Cloud.
The weekend is here! Pour yourself a mug of Colombia Tolima Los Brasiles Peaberry Organic coffee, grab a seat outside, and get ready for our longer-form weekend reads: You Want That Gift to Arrive Today? This Is What It Takes. Retailers like Amazon, Walmart and Target have figured out that if they get you your online order today, you will probably spend more tomorrow. ( New York Times ) Have we reached peak PreCheck?
Palantir Technologies (NASDAQ: PLTR) stock investors got some good news to start their weekends. On Friday at 8 p.m. ET, Nasdaq (NASDAQ: NDAQ) announced that the artificial intelligence (AI)-powered software company is being added to the Nasdaq-100 index. This move by Nasdaq -- which owns and operates its namesake stock exchange and others -- is part of its annual reconstitution of the Nasdaq-100 index, which comprises 100 of the largest non-financial companies listed on the Nasdaq Stock Market.
With 2025 approaching, it's time to start thinking about what stocks to add to your portfolio. While I'm a proponent of a well-diversified portfolio, I see a lot of potential in the tech realm right now, especially with how big artificial intelligence (AI) is becoming. If you're looking for a shopping list of stocks to buy in 2025, here's a solid bunch of 10 to pick from. 1.
Space industry leader SpaceX is reportedly shopping around a private auction of some of its employee shares at a $350 billion company valuation. Shares of Rocket Lab USA (NASDAQ: RKLB) look like actual rockets, after all, up 370% over the last 52 weeks. Spy satellite operators Planet Labs (NYSE: PL) and Spire Global (NYSE: SPIR) aren't looking too shabby either, with gains of 65% and 92%, respectively.
ExxonMobil (NYSE: XOM) is already the undisputed leader among international oil companies. The oil giant delivered industry-leading earnings, cash flow, and shareholder returns during the third quarter. It owes its leadership to its advantaged resource portfolio, which features several world-class assets that generate high margins. The oil company believes its best days lie ahead.
The Nasdaq Composite (NASDAQINDEX: ^IXIC) has been on a roll for more than two years now, with its gains fueled by improving economic conditions, the dawn of artificial intelligence (AI), an uncontested U.S. election, and recent interest rate cuts by the Federal Reserve Bank. After rising 43% in 2023, the tech-focused index has gained roughly 31% in 2024 (as of this writing).
Normally, you might expect to achieve significant gains from stocks if you invest in them for years, perhaps decades. But given how hot the stock market has been this year, some stocks have produced life-changing returns in much shorter time frames. While chipmaker Nvidia is an obvious example of a top growth stock to own given its more than 2,500% return over the past five years, there are many other stocks that have produced incredible gains in a short stretch.
Normally, you might expect to achieve significant gains from stocks if you invest in them for years, perhaps decades. But given how hot the stock market has been this year, some stocks have produced life-changing returns in much shorter time frames. While chipmaker Nvidia is an obvious example of a top growth stock to own given its more than 2,500% return over the past five years, there are many other stocks that have produced incredible gains in a short stretch.
When investors think of stocks that have tripled in the last five years, they're likely thinking of companies that are benefiting from hot trends like artificial intelligence (AI) or digital advertising. They're less likely to think of a brick-and-mortar retail chain like Tractor Supply (NASDAQ: TSCO). But Tractor Supply stock has indeed tripled in value over just the last five years.
Palantir Technologies (NASDAQ: PLTR) has been one of the hottest stocks on the market in 2024, logging amazing gains of 319% as of this writing. The company's artificial intelligence (AI) software platform has been in terrific demand from customers and governments looking to integrate generative AI into their data analysis. Palantir's revenue growth accelerated in recent quarters, and its sizable revenue pipeline suggests that it could maintain that momentum in 2025 as well.
As of Monday's close, the S&P 500 (SNPINDEX: ^GSPC) was up around 27% in 2024. That's a phenomenal performance after an already strong year in 2023 when it rose by 24%. It's impressive but at the same time, it also begs the question of whether the market is due for a correction. While the stock market has been doing well, there are three concerning numbers that investors should pay close attention to, as they could be indicative of just how inflated the index has gotten and why a crash may b
Nvidia (NASDAQ: NVDA) has been the foundation of the artificial intelligence (AI) boom. Its graphics processing units power virtually all of the most advanced AI systems, and the company has a strong presence in adjacent markets like AI networking equipment and software development tools. However, billionaire David Tepper sold Nvidia in the third quarter and bought a shocking AI stock: electric utility Vistra (NYSE: VST).
Investing in the right growth stocks can be game changers for your retirement goals. Ideally, you want to invest in companies benefiting from powerful megatrends in the economy. Here are two extraordinary companies doing exciting things that could deliver monster returns for patient shareholders over the next few decades. 1. Tesla Tesla (NASDAQ: TSLA) was one of the best-performing stocks over the last decade.
In 2021, the market was going crazy for electric vehicle (EV) stocks. Several EV makers went public that year with valuations that were through the roof. This exuberance didn't last for long. In the years that followed, several exciting electric vehicle start-ups saw their stock prices decline by 80% or more. Today, expectations for most EV makers are in the dumps.
The S&P 500 (SNPINDEX: ^GSPC) is the most widely recognized benchmark of stock market activity in the U.S., comprised of the 500 largest companies in the country. Because of its broad base of constituent businesses, it is considered by most investors to be the most reliable gauge of overall stock market performance. The index has consistently reached new heights over the past couple of years, driven by a flurry of positive developments: Advances in artificial intelligence (AI).
While it's still undoubtedly the most watched stock in tech, some of the heat surrounding Nvidia (NASDAQ: NVDA) seems to have cooled over the last few weeks. At this point, it's not enough for the company to post great numbers. It's not even enough to handily beat Wall Street's sky-high expectations. For Nvidia to really move the needle, it has to blow them out of the water.
Investing in the stock market right now may be both exciting and nerve-racking given how well it has been performing. You may want to buy into the rally, but at the same time, you may also be nervous that it may be getting overheated and due for a possible correction next year. While some stocks are indeed trading at excessive valuations and may be risky buys right now, there are pockets of the market where many types of stocks can still surge higher in value, and provide you with a lot of safet
Costco Wholesale (NASDAQ: COST) is not only a consumer favorite, but a top choice among the investment community as well. Shares of the warehouse club operator have risen 595% in the past decade. Including dividends, the total return is an exceptional 752% during that same period of time. That type of magnificent performance can draw in new investors to this retail stock , which continues to climb higher and now trades in record territory.
Oracle (NYSE: ORCL) has been a solid performer on the stock market so far this year with impressive gains of 80% as of this writing. But its impressive rally has come to a halt following the release of the company's fiscal 2025 second-quarter results (for the three months ended Nov. 30) on Dec. 9 as its numbers fell shy of Wall Street's expectations.
Artificial intelligence (AI) has been around in some form or another for more than five decades. However, the advent of generative AI early last year took the technology to the next level. These constantly improving and self-learning algorithms have the potential to streamline and automate many time-consuming tasks. Experts believe the resulting boost in productivity and efficiency will usher in the "fourth industrial revolution.
The Dow Jones Industrial Average (DJINDICES: ^DJI) does not typically include growth stocks. Instead, it tends to encompass the market's largest stocks, with less thought given to the potential for outsize growth. Names in this group tend to be mature and relatively slow-moving businesses. Nonetheless, a few stocks in the consumer sector have won inclusion in the index while still holding the potential for significant revenue increases.
New years always usher in changes. 2025 will be no different. Some of those changes shouldn't be surprises. For example, the Social Security Administration (SSA) has already revealed changes to Social Security that are coming next year. Some of those changes are good ones. Others are not so good. Here's the one Social Security change in 2025 that's going to hurt the worst.
Berkshire Hathaway (NYSE: BRK.A) (NYSE: BRK.B) is an unusual company in many ways. However, it has a long-term performance track record that is simply astounding, proving that its unique structure has worked out very well for investors over time. CEO Warren Buffett is taking actions now to prepare the company for the next big investment opportunity, which could allow this millionaire-maker stock to mint more millionaires in the future.
The last couple of years have been strong for the stock market, with the S&P 500 (SNPINDEX: ^GSPC) surging by just over 70% since late 2022, as of this writing. However, no bull market can last forever, and the market will inevitably take a turn for the worse. Just over 30% of U.S. investors are pessimistic about the market's six-month future, according to a December 2024 survey from the American Association of Individual Investors.
The U.S. economy has an incredible track record of producing the world's most valuable companies. United States Steel became the first-ever $1 billion company in 1901, and 117 years later in 2018, Apple became the first company in the world to reach a valuation of $1 trillion. Apple is now worth over $3.7 trillion, and six other technology companies have joined it in the trillion-dollar club: Microsoft , Amazon , Alphabet , Meta Platforms , Tesla , and Nvidia.
Over the last five years, Nvidia stock is up a staggering 2,500%. That means a $10,000 investment in Nvidia stock made five years ago would now be worth nearly $260,000. Yet the fact of the matter is that a lot of investors may have missed out on Nvidia's rise, or at least a significant portion of it, simply because they missed the early signs of a multibagger in the making.
The U.S. stock market posted a stellar performance in 2024, with the benchmark S&P 500 index reaching an all-time high closing value of 6,090.27 on Dec. 6. But things may turn even better in 2025. According to Charles Schwab, based on 14 interest rate cycles since 1929, the S&P 500 index has posted positive returns 12 months from the first rate cut in the cycle 86% of the time.
Archer Aviation (NYSE: ACHR) is a story stock. Management has, to its credit, been moving through the important early chapters and, thus, pushed the tale along in an admirable fashion. But, at the end of the day, Archer Aviation still doesn't have a product or service to sell. It's all just big ideas that might come to fruition. Here's what investors need to consider before they buy Archer Aviation, thinking that it will set them up for life.
Advanced Micro Devices (NASDAQ: AMD) stock has sold off in recent weeks. Weak PC sales and worries about competition in the artificial intelligence (AI) accelerator market seem to have weighed on the stock. On the surface, one can see why AMD has struggled. Its $18 billion in revenue for the first nine months of 2024 rose 10%, far below the triple-digit revenue increases of its main rival, Nvidia.
Investors are likely familiar with Block (NYSE: SQ) , the budding payments and technology enterprise. It caters to merchants with its Square platform, while Cash App targets individuals. Growth has been outstanding historically, but the fintech stock hasn't panned out as hoped. It's up just 49% in the past five years and currently trades 65% below its peak from August 2021.
Last year, it seemed like all anyone could talk about was how big tech was going to change the world with artificial intelligence (AI). Among the "Magnificent Seven" stocks -- Nvidia , Microsoft , Apple , Alphabet , Meta Platforms , Amazon , and Tesla -- it quickly became clear that AI would be the next megatrend, and these companies have been among its biggest influences.
Realty Income (NYSE: O) and NNN REIT (NYSE: NNN) are elite dividend stocks. The real estate investment trusts (REITs) have each increased their dividends for at least the last 30 years. They both currently offer dividend yields of around 5.5%, well above the S&P 500 's (SNPINDEX: ^GSPC) yield (1.2%). The retail-focused REITs share a few other similarities.
Stanley Black & Decker (NYSE: SWK) is a tool-maker titan. It owns well-known brands DeWalt, Craftsman, Irwin, and LENOX, and, of course, Stanley and Black & Decker. But the stock has been in the doghouse. It's down 61.7% from its all-time high (reached in 2021) and up less than 21% from its 10-year low reached on March 19, 2020, during the height of the COVID-19-induced stock market plunge.
If there is one thing that investors can expect when putting money to work in the energy sector, it is volatility. Oil and natural gas, as commodities, have a long history of swift, often dramatic price moves. This is why investors looking at the sector should probably consider sticking to the biggest and best companies, which generally means integrated energy giants like Chevron (NYSE: CVX) and TotalEnergies (NYSE: TTE).
A strong economy and excitement surrounding artificial intelligence (AI) have supercharged the stock market. The benchmark S&P 500 (SNPINDEX: ^GSPC) has returned nearly 27% so far in 2024, notching 57 record highs in the process. The index most recently peaked at 6,090 on Dec. 6, and it currently trades just below that level. Most investors are wondering the same thing: Is it smart to buy stocks right now?
All Social Security beneficiaries are getting a 2.5% cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) next year -- or at least they are on paper. This will increase monthly benefit amounts for all recipients, including those claiming spousal Social Security. At the same time, a crucial retiree expense is set to rise in 2025. It likely won't eat up your entire COLA, but it may leave you with less to spend than you anticipated.
Berkshire Hathaway , the conglomerate long headed by Warren Buffett, owns dozens of stocks in its massive public equities portfolio. Investors would be wise to look here for potential buying opportunities. One unstoppable financial stock with a 15% weighting in the Oracle of Omaha's portfolio has soared 58% in 2024 (as of Dec. 9). Should you invest $100 in this company right now?
The CEO is out, and the new management team is considering selling parts of the business. *Stock prices used were the afternoon prices of Dec. 11, 2024. The video was published on Dec. 13, 2024. Should you invest $1,000 in Intel right now? Before you buy stock in Intel, consider this: The Motley Fool Stock Advisor analyst team just identified what they believe are the 10 best stocks for investors to buy now and Intel wasnt one of them.
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