Fast-growing stocks and artificial intelligence (AI) seem to go hand in hand, and there are several examples of stocks growing their revenue at 50%, 100%, or even 200%. But none quite touch how rapidly Nebius (NASDAQ: NBIS) is growing. During its most recent quarter, revenue rose by a jaw-dropping 454% year over year. What's even more impressive is that this growth rate is expected to last through the rest of the year, and 2027's will also be elevated.
It's starting to make a lot of sense that Nvidia (NASDAQ: NVDA) is investing in Nebius, and there's still a great buying opportunity here for investors.
Missed Nvidia in 2009? This Rare Signal Is Flashing Again. In 2009, a "Double Down" signal flashed for a little-known chipmaker called Nvidia. For the first time in years, that same "Total Conviction" signal is flashing for a company 1/100th the size of Nvidia. Continue »
Nebius is a neocloud business that provides AI-focused cloud computing power to its clients. Among its biggest clients are Meta Platforms and Microsoft, each of which has signed multi-year deals with Nebius to expand capacity. Both Microsoft and Meta have their own data centers, and Microsoft rents out its capacity to others, so why are they renting from Nebius?
Nebius' deal with Nvidia provides it with leading hardware before others, so it's a way to gain early access to the best computing units. Furthermore, these companies like having a bit of flexibility and not having to build too many data centers, as well as getting their hands on as much computing capacity as quickly as possible.

#Microsoft

Interested in NVIDIA Corporation? Here are five stocks we like better.
NVIDIA released CUDA-Q Logical, an open-source software layer that links GPUs with quantum processors to solve practical error correction challenges.
Early testing by Fermilab and Sandia National Laboratories shows dramatic efficiency gains, including a seven-fold faster design cycle and reduced physical qubit requirements.
Quantum hardware firms IonQ, Rigetti Computing, and D-Wave Quantum could benefit as standardized software lowers development costs and enables deeper integration with NVIDIA's infrastructure.
Many investors view quantum hardware developers and classical semiconductor leaders as competing forces in high-performance computing. Recent developments demonstrate that the two architectures are becoming deeply interdependent.

#hardware #here

Auxier ******* et Management, an investment advisory firm, released its second-quarter 2026 investor letter. The letter can be downloaded here. Following a strong rebound from the first-quarter decline, the S&P 500 gained 15.2% as accelerating capital spending toward artificial intelligence infrastructure drove significant gains across technology hardware companies. Semiconductor and data-center-related businesses benefited from supply constraints and strong demand, while enterprise software remained under pressure as investors reassessed AI disruption risks and compressed valuations. In the quarter, Auxier Focus Fund's Investor Class gained 8.82% and 10.70% for the six months ended June 30, 2026. Despite strong earnings growth across the broader market, Auxier highlighted concerns around rising margin debt, increased leverage, and elevated capital flows into high-growth technology areas that could amplify future volatility. The firm continues to focus on identifying enduring businesses with strong competitive advantages, resilient cash flows, and sustainable long-term growth potential. Also, check the fund's top five holdings to see its best picks in 2026.
In its second-quarter 2026 investor letter, Auxier ******* et Management highlighted UnitedHealth Group Incorporated (NYSE:UNH) as a material contributor. UnitedHealth Group Incorporated (NYSE:UNH) is a multinational health benefits company based in Eden Prairie, Minnesota. On September 14, 2026, UnitedHealth Group Incorporated (NYSE:UNH) closed at $383.55 per share. Over the past month, UnitedHealth Group Incorporated (NYSE:UNH) declined 4.38%, while its shares gained 10.86% over the past 52 weeks. UnitedHealth Group Incorporated (NYSE:UNH) has a market capitalization of $344.27 billion with a 52-week trading range between $255.97 and $461.62.
Auxier ******* et Management stated the following regarding UnitedHealth Group Incorporated (NYSE:UNH) in its Q2 2026 investor letter:
"UnitedHealth Group Incorporated (NYSE:UNH) Leads the Way in Reshaping the Insurance Industry with AI UnitedHealth Group is among the companies that have successfully integrated AI into various parts of their operations. One of the most significant benefits has been in administrative functions, where AI has helped save tens of thousands of hours through increased automation and efficiency. As an example, automated transcription of patient encounters has contributed to lower levels of clinician burnout. Management reports that they are generating about $2 of value for every $1 spent on AI due to reductions in manual labor. We like this measured approach to implementing AI where it can provide clear operational benefits and attractive returns, which has been a key strategy of current CEO Stephen Hemsley. UnitedHealth's success in AI use highlights the technology's potential on the user side where companies can benefit without the high upfront cost of building the infrastructure. Cigna Group is projecting $200 million in

Auxier ******* et Management, an investment advisory firm, released its second-quarter 2026 investor letter. The letter can be downloaded here. Following a strong rebound from the first-quarter decline, the S&P 500 gained 15.2% as accelerating capital spending toward artificial intelligence infrastructure drove significant gains across technology hardware companies. Semiconductor and data-center-related businesses benefited from supply constraints and strong demand, while enterprise software remained under pressure as investors reassessed AI disruption risks and compressed valuations. In the quarter, Auxier Focus Fund's Investor Class gained 8.82% and 10.70% for the six months ended June 30, 2026. Despite strong earnings growth across the broader market, Auxier highlighted concerns around rising margin debt, increased leverage, and elevated capital flows into high-growth technology areas that could amplify future volatility. The firm continues to focus on identifying enduring businesses with strong competitive advantages, resilient cash flows, and sustainable long-term growth potential. Also, check the fund's top five holdings to see its best picks in 2026.
In its second-quarter 2026 investor letter, Auxier ******* et Management highlighted The Kroger Co. (NYSE:KR). The Kroger Co. (NYSE:KR) is a leading supermarket chain that operates combination food and drug stores, multi-department stores, marketplace stores, and price impact warehouses. On September 14, 2026, The Kroger Co. (NYSE:KR) closed at $60.91 per share. Over the past month, The Kroger Co. (NYSE:KR) returned 10.12%, but its shares are down 7.06% over the past year. The Kroger Co. (NYSE:KR) has a market capitalization of $37.32 billion, and its stock has traded within a 52-week range of $54.15 to $76.58.
Auxier ******* et Management stated the following regarding The Kroger Co. (NYSE:KR) in its Q2 2026 investor letter:
"Consumer staples underperformed during the quarter. Elevated inflation, high interest rates and rising gas prices contributed to lower consumer spending, impacting companies like The Kroger Co. (NYSE:KR) and PepsiCo. Although Kroger's stock has been weak, its new CEO Greg Foran brings exceptional leadership that promises positive change. While he was President of Walmart US from 2014-2019, the company achieved 20 consecutive quarters of same-store sales growth and scaled its online grocery pickup. Since joining Kroger he has aggressively reduced prices and boosted the growth in private label and organic offerings. The stock trades at a mere 12 times earnings which is a significant discount to both Costco and Walmart."

#Growth #asset

Auxier ******* et Management, an investment advisory firm, released its second-quarter 2026 investor letter. The letter can be downloaded here. Following a strong rebound from the first-quarter decline, the S&P 500 gained 15.2% as accelerating capital spending toward artificial intelligence infrastructure drove significant gains across technology hardware companies. Semiconductor and data-center-related businesses benefited from supply constraints and strong demand, while enterprise software remained under pressure as investors reassessed AI disruption risks and compressed valuations. In the quarter, Auxier Focus Fund's Investor Class gained 8.82% and 10.70% for the six months ended June 30, 2026. Despite strong earnings growth across the broader market, Auxier highlighted concerns around rising margin debt, increased leverage, and elevated capital flows into high-growth technology areas that could amplify future volatility. The firm continues to focus on identifying enduring businesses with strong competitive advantages, resilient cash flows, and sustainable long-term growth potential. Also, check the fund's top five holdings to see its best picks in 2026.
In its second-quarter 2026 investor letter, Auxier ******* et Management highlighted Caterpillar Inc. (NYSE:CAT). Caterpillar Inc. (NYSE:CAT) is a leading manufacturer of construction and mining equipment, off-highway diesel and natural gas engines, industrial gas turbines, and diesel-electric locomotives. On September 14, 2026, Caterpillar Inc. (NYSE:CAT) closed at $784.00 per share. Over the past month, Caterpillar Inc. (NYSE:CAT) declined 7.12%, but its shares are up 77.23% over the past year. Caterpillar Inc. (NYSE:CAT) has a market capitalization of $360.39 billion, and its stock has traded within a 52-week range of $423.32 to $1,073.46.
Auxier ******* et Management stated the following regarding Caterpillar Inc. (NYSE:CAT) in its Q2 2026 investor letter:
"Industrials were the strongest performing sector during the quarter. Tech-facing industrial players benefited from a shift in investor focus toward AI buildout rather than the development of AI models. Caterpillar Inc. (NYSE:CAT) and Gates also benefited indirectly from the expansion of AI infrastructure, particularly through increased demand for energy generation and cooling capacity in data centers."
Photo from Hycroft Mining website

#letter

Auxier ******* et Management, an investment advisory firm, released its second-quarter 2026 investor letter. The letter can be downloaded here. Following a strong rebound from the first-quarter decline, the S&P 500 gained 15.2% as accelerating capital spending toward artificial intelligence infrastructure drove significant gains across technology hardware companies. Semiconductor and data-center-related businesses benefited from supply constraints and strong demand, while enterprise software remained under pressure as investors reassessed AI disruption risks and compressed valuations. In the quarter, Auxier Focus Fund's Investor Class gained 8.82% and 10.70% for the six months ended June 30, 2026. Despite strong earnings growth across the broader market, Auxier highlighted concerns around rising margin debt, increased leverage, and elevated capital flows into high-growth technology areas that could amplify future volatility. The firm continues to focus on identifying enduring businesses with strong competitive advantages, resilient cash flows, and sustainable long-term growth potential. Also, check the fund's top five holdings to see its best picks in 2026.
In its second-quarter 2026 investor letter, Auxier ******* et Management highlighted Gates Industrial Corporation Ltd. (NYSE:GTES). Gates Industrial Corporation Ltd. (NYSE:GTES) is a leading manufacturer of engineered power transmission and fluid power solutions. On September 14, 2026, Gates Industrial Corporation Ltd. (NYSE:GTES) closed at $25.42 per share. Over the past month, Gates Industrial Corporation Ltd. (NYSE:GTES) declined 6.17%, and its shares gained 0.77% over the past 52 weeks. Gates Industrial Corporation Ltd. (NYSE:GTES) has a market capitalization of $6.44 billion, and its stock has traded within a 52-week range of $20.88 and $30.34.
Auxier ******* et Management stated the following regarding Gates Industrial Corporation Ltd. (NYSE:GTES) in its Q2 2026 investor letter:
"Industrials were the strongest performing sector during the quarter. Tech-facing industrial players benefited from a shift in investor focus toward AI buildout rather than the development of AI models. Caterpillar and Gates Industrial Corporation Ltd. (NYSE:GTES) Ltd. (NYSE:GTES) also benefited indirectly from the expansion of AI infrastructure, particularly through increased demand for energy generation and cooling capacity in data centers."
Gates Industrial Corporation Ltd. (NYSE:GTES) is not on our list of the 40 Most Popular Stocks Among Hedge Funds. As per our database, 36 hedge fund portfolios held Gates Industrial Corporation Ltd. (NYSE:GTES) at the end of the second quarter which was 37 in the previous quarter. While we acknowledge the potential of Gates Industrial Corporation Ltd. (NYSE:GTES) as an investment, we believe certain AI stocks offer greater upside potential and carry less downside risk. If you're looking for an extremely undervalued AI stock that also stands to benefit significantly from

Oracle Corporation (NYSE:ORCL) is increasing the expected cost of its fiscal 2026 restructuring plan by about $700 million to roughly $2.8 billion as it simultaneously ramps up spending to capture demand for AI cloud services. The additional costs include severance, contract terminations and other exit expenses, with some restructuring directly linked to adopting AI across parts of the organization.
Oracle had already recorded $1.8 billion of restructuring expenses in fiscal 2026, compared with $299 million in fiscal 2025, showing how materially the company is accelerating its operational transformation. The restructuring comes alongside an unusually large AI investment cycle. Oracle booked more than $30 billion of new AI cloud contracts in its latest quarter, lifting its remaining performance obligations/revenue backlog to $664 billion, while roughly half of that backlog is expected to convert into revenue over the next 36 months.
The strongest bull argument is that the additional restructuring expense is part of a broader shift toward a higher-growth cloud and AI business rather than simply a deterioration in cost control. Oracle Corporation (NYSE:ORCL)'s restructuring program is explicitly aimed at improving efficiency while reallocating resources toward cloud-based offerings and second-generation cloud infrastructure. If the $2.8 billion restructuring program reduces lower-growth costs and enables Oracle to redirect personnel and capital toward AI infrastructure, the near-term earnings pressure could support stronger operating leverage later as cloud revenue scales.
More importantly, the restructuring is occurring against evidence that AI demand is already translating into contracted revenue. Oracle added more than $30 billion of AI cloud contracts in one quarter, pushing its backlog to $664 billion, above the $639.89 billion ******* yst estimate. Management said most of the newly contracted revenue would not require substantial incremental capital because customers are using prepayments or supplying their own hardware. That is particularly important because Oracle's biggest weakness has been the mismatch between rapid infrastructure investment and current cash generation. If customer-funded capacity continues to reduce Oracle's upfront capital burden, the company could convert its huge backlog into revenue without proportionally increasing its cash burn.
The early financial evidence also supports the possibility that the AI strategy is beginning to improve Oracle's growth profile. Revenue in the recent quarter rose 30% year over year to $19.3 billion, adjusted EPS reached $1.92 versus the $1.74 ******* yst consensus, and Oracle Corporation (NYSE:ORCL) raised its fiscal 2027 adjusted EPS forecast from $8.05 to $8.10. Meanwhile, first-quarter free cash flow of negative $5.4 billion was substantially better than both the expected negative $9.56 billion and the previous-quarter negative $11.48 billion. If this trajectory continues, the $700

On September 13, Reuters reported that Anthropic is in talks to bring NVIDIA Corporation (NASDAQ:NVDA) in as an anchor investor in what could become one of the largest IPOs in history, potentially raising as much as $100 billion at a valuation of around $2 trillion. Nvidia is reportedly considering an investment of up to $10 billion. Anthropic's annualized revenue run rate has reportedly increased from about $9 billion in 2025 to more than $65 billion by mid-2026, with the company targeting as much as $200 billion of revenue by 2028.
The strategic significance for Nvidia is greater than the potential financial return from the investment: Anthropic is a major buyer and user of AI computing infrastructure, and Reuters reported that it has committed $30 billion to Microsoft Azure infrastructure powered by Nvidia chips. Anthropic is also pursuing major capacity agreements with other providers and developing custom chips, making its future hardware choices strategically important to Nvidia.
The move would also deepen an already established relationship. NVIDIA Corporation (NASDAQ:NVDA) has previously disclosed an investment and technology partnership with Anthropic, while its fiscal 2026 filing said it had entered into an agreement to invest up to $10 billion in Anthropic. Nvidia generated $215.9 billion of fiscal 2026 revenue, up 65%, with Data Center revenue up 68%, demonstrating the enormous economic leverage of continued AI infrastructure spending.
The strongest bullish argument is that an equity investment could help NVIDIA Corporation (NASDAQ:NVDA) protect and expand one of the fastest-growing sources of demand for its GPUs. Anthropic's reported annualized revenue growth from $9 billion to more than $65 billion in roughly 18 months implies a rapidly expanding need for training and inference capacity. Its reported $30 billion commitment to Microsoft Azure powered by Nvidia systems provides a particularly direct link between Anthropic's growth and Nvidia's infrastructure demand. Anthropic is also reportedly committing $45 billion to rent AI computing capacity from Nscale, with that infrastructure expected to use Nvidia's Vera Rubin chips, indicating that the relationship can translate into future-generation hardware demand rather than being limited to Nvidia's existing products.
The investment could also strengthen Nvidia's position as AI workloads shift from model training toward large-scale inference and agentic AI. Nvidia recently said Anthropic is evaluating its Vera CPU for CPU-intensive agentic workloads, while Nvidia has positioned Blackwell Ultra and the Vera Rubin platform around the rapidly expanding inference market. Nvidia has disclosed visibility into more than $1 trillion of ***** ulative Blackwell and Rubin revenue from the beginning of 2025 through 2027, with Anthropic among the model developers contributing to that ecosystem. A successful Anthropic IPO would therefore potentially create a well-capitalized AI customer capable o

Prosper Stars & Stripes, a long/short equity fund, recently released its second-quarter 2026 investor letter. The letter can be downloaded here. In Q2 2026, the portfolio delivered a strong net return of +30.1% compared to the Russell 2000 Index's +21.5% return and the HFRX Equity Hedge Index's +10.3% return. The long book drove performance, generating a 43.2% gross contribution, while average net exposure remained relatively modest at 47%. U.S. economic growth remained resilient despite inflation concerns, elevated energy prices, and geopolitical uncertainty. Markets rallied sharply after easing U.S.-Iran tensions pushed oil prices lower, supporting renewed risk appetite. Small-cap equities benefited significantly, with Information Technology, Industrials, and Health Care leading gains, while Energy declined as crude prices fell. Year to date, the Composite returned +23.7%, slightly ahead of the Russell 2000's +22.6% and well above the HFRI Equity Hedge Index's +9.7%. Additionally, you can review the Portfolio's top 5 holdings to see its best picks for 2026.
In its second-quarter 2026 investor letter, Prosper Stars & Stripes highlighted Logitech International S.A. (NASDAQ:LOGI). Logitech International S.A. (NASDAQ:LOGI) is a Swiss technology company that designs, manufactures, and markets software-enabled hardware solutions. On September 14, 2026, Logitech International S.A. (NASDAQ:LOGI) closed at $100.36 per share. Over the past month, Logitech International S.A. (NASDAQ:LOGI) returned 2.09%, and its shares lost 10.65% over the past 52 weeks. Logitech International S.A. (NASDAQ:LOGI) has a market capitalization of $14.14 billion; its stock has traded within a 52-week trading range of $83.32 to $129.66.
Prosper Stars & Stripes stated the following regarding Logitech International S.A. (NASDAQ:LOGI) in its Q2 2026 investor letter:
"This year's market rally has pressured short returns and narrowed the windows to successfully monetize shorts, as we would expect. Certain themes and short ideas do continue to resonate, however. One theme that has had success is the ongoing pressure caused by the investment boom in AI crowding out spending in other areas. We have shorted Universal Display Corp (OLED), Dolby Laboratories (DLB), and Logitech International S.A. (NASDAQ:LOGI) on this theme. We believe cost pressures on technology components such as DRAM to result in higher prices for consumer electronics. This would have a significant impact on back-to-school and holiday spending, the key periods for these companies' end markets. We expect the forecasts that these companies are providing at this time of the year to prove optimistic, as tech cost inflation is unusual. Further, we believe the so-called K-shaped economy, where consumers have felt the pressure of rising costs of living, will continue to squeeze discretionary purchases like these. Rising prices make it nearly impossible to use discounts to stimulate sales, compounding the pressure."

#na

Prosper Stars & Stripes, a long/short equity fund, recently released its second-quarter 2026 investor letter. The letter can be downloaded here. In Q2 2026, the portfolio delivered a strong net return of +30.1% compared to the Russell 2000 Index's +21.5% return and the HFRX Equity Hedge Index's +10.3% return. The long book drove performance, generating a 43.2% gross contribution, while average net exposure remained relatively modest at 47%. U.S. economic growth remained resilient despite inflation concerns, elevated energy prices, and geopolitical uncertainty. Markets rallied sharply after easing U.S.-Iran tensions pushed oil prices lower, supporting renewed risk appetite. Small-cap equities benefited significantly, with Information Technology, Industrials, and Health Care leading gains, while Energy declined as crude prices fell. Year to date, the Composite returned +23.7%, slightly ahead of the Russell 2000's +22.6% and well above the HFRI Equity Hedge Index's +9.7%. Additionally, you can review the Portfolio's top 5 holdings to see its best picks for 2026.
In its second-quarter 2026 investor letter, Prosper Stars & Stripes highlighted Dolby Laboratories, Inc. (NYSE:DLB). Dolby Laboratories, Inc. (NYSE:DLB) is a US-based technology company that designs and manufactures audio, imaging, accessibility, and other hardware and software solutions for television, broadcast, and live entertainment industries. On September 14, 2026, Dolby Laboratories, Inc. (NYSE:DLB) closed at $61.91 per share. Over the past month, Dolby Laboratories, Inc. (NYSE:DLB) returned 1.33%, and its shares lost 14.24% over the past 52 weeks. Dolby Laboratories, Inc. (NYSE:DLB) has a market capitalization of $5.79 billion, and its stock has traded within a 52-week range of $48.26 and $73.01.
Prosper Stars & Stripes stated the following regarding Dolby Laboratories, Inc. (NYSE:DLB) in its Q2 2026 investor letter:
"This year's market rally has pressured short returns and narrowed the windows to successfully monetize shorts, as we would expect. Certain themes and short ideas do continue to resonate, however. One theme that has had success is the ongoing pressure caused by the investment boom in AI crowding out spending in other areas. We have shorted Universal Display Corp (OLED), Dolby Laboratories, Inc. (NYSE:DLB), and Logitech International (LOGI) on this theme. We believe cost pressures on technology components such as DRAM to result in higher prices for consumer electronics. This would have a significant impact on back-to-school and holiday spending, the key periods for these companies' end markets. We expect the forecasts that these companies are providing at this time of the year to prove optimistic, as tech cost inflation is unusual. Further, we believe the so-called K-shaped economy, where consumers have felt the pressure of rising costs of living, will continue to squeeze discretionary purchases like these. Rising prices make it nearly impossible to use discounts to st

Auxier ****** et Management, an investment advisory firm, released its second-quarter 2026 investor letter. The letter can be downloaded here. Following a strong rebound from the first-quarter decline, the S&P 500 gained 15.2% as accelerating capital spending toward artificial intelligence infrastructure drove significant gains across technology hardware companies. Semiconductor and data-center-related businesses benefited from supply constraints and strong demand, while enterprise software remained under pressure as investors reassessed AI disruption risks and compressed valuations. In the quarter, Auxier Focus Fund's Investor Class gained 8.82% and 10.70% for the six months ended June 30, 2026. Despite strong earnings growth across the broader market, Auxier highlighted concerns around rising margin debt, increased leverage, and elevated capital flows into high-growth technology areas that could amplify future volatility. The firm continues to focus on identifying enduring businesses with strong competitive advantages, resilient cash flows, and sustainable long-term growth potential. Also, check the fund's top five holdings to see its best picks in 2026.
In its second-quarter 2026 investor letter, Auxier ****** et Management highlighted UnitedHealth Group Incorporated (NYSE:UNH) as a material contributor. UnitedHealth Group Incorporated (NYSE:UNH) is a multinational health benefits company based in Eden Prairie, Minnesota. On September 14, 2026, UnitedHealth Group Incorporated (NYSE:UNH) closed at $383.55 per share. Over the past month, UnitedHealth Group Incorporated (NYSE:UNH) declined 4.38%, while its shares gained 10.86% over the past 52 weeks. UnitedHealth Group Incorporated (NYSE:UNH) has a market capitalization of $344.27 billion with a 52-week trading range between $255.97 and $461.62.
Auxier ****** et Management stated the following regarding UnitedHealth Group Incorporated (NYSE:UNH) in its Q2 2026 investor letter:
"UnitedHealth Group Incorporated (NYSE:UNH) Leads the Way in Reshaping the Insurance Industry with AI UnitedHealth Group is among the companies that have successfully integrated AI into various parts of their operations. One of the most significant benefits has been in administrative functions, where AI has helped save tens of thousands of hours through increased automation and efficiency. As an example, automated transcription of patient encounters has contributed to lower levels of clinician burnout. Management reports that they are generating about $2 of value for every $1 spent on AI due to reductions in manual labor. We like this measured approach to implementing AI where it can provide clear operational benefits and attractive returns, which has been a key strategy of current CEO Stephen Hemsley. UnitedHealth's success in AI use highlights the technology's potential on the user side where companies can benefit without the high upfront cost of building the infrastructure. Cigna Group is projecting $200 million in me

Auxier ***** et Management, an investment advisory firm, released its second-quarter 2026 investor letter. The letter can be downloaded here. Following a strong rebound from the first-quarter decline, the S&P 500 gained 15.2% as accelerating capital spending toward artificial intelligence infrastructure drove significant gains across technology hardware companies. Semiconductor and data-center-related businesses benefited from supply constraints and strong demand, while enterprise software remained under pressure as investors reassessed AI disruption risks and compressed valuations. In the quarter, Auxier Focus Fund's Investor Class gained 8.82% and 10.70% for the six months ended June 30, 2026. Despite strong earnings growth across the broader market, Auxier highlighted concerns around rising margin debt, increased leverage, and elevated capital flows into high-growth technology areas that could amplify future volatility. The firm continues to focus on identifying enduring businesses with strong competitive advantages, resilient cash flows, and sustainable long-term growth potential. Also, check the fund's top five holdings to see its best picks in 2026.
In its second-quarter 2026 investor letter, Auxier ***** et Management highlighted The Kroger Co. (NYSE:KR). The Kroger Co. (NYSE:KR) is a leading supermarket chain that operates combination food and drug stores, multi-department stores, marketplace stores, and price impact warehouses. On September 14, 2026, The Kroger Co. (NYSE:KR) closed at $60.91 per share. Over the past month, The Kroger Co. (NYSE:KR) returned 10.12%, but its shares are down 7.06% over the past year. The Kroger Co. (NYSE:KR) has a market capitalization of $37.32 billion, and its stock has traded within a 52-week range of $54.15 to $76.58.
Auxier ***** et Management stated the following regarding The Kroger Co. (NYSE:KR) in its Q2 2026 investor letter:
"Consumer staples underperformed during the quarter. Elevated inflation, high interest rates and rising gas prices contributed to lower consumer spending, impacting companies like The Kroger Co. (NYSE:KR) and PepsiCo. Although Kroger's stock has been weak, its new CEO Greg Foran brings exceptional leadership that promises positive change. While he was President of Walmart US from 2014-2019, the company achieved 20 consecutive quarters of same-store sales growth and scaled its online grocery pickup. Since joining Kroger he has aggressively reduced prices and boosted the growth in private label and organic offerings. The stock trades at a mere 12 times earnings which is a significant discount to both Costco and Walmart."

#NYSE #quarter #Growth #strong

Auxier ****** et Management, an investment advisory firm, released its second-quarter 2026 investor letter. The letter can be downloaded here. Following a strong rebound from the first-quarter decline, the S&P 500 gained 15.2% as accelerating capital spending toward artificial intelligence infrastructure drove significant gains across technology hardware companies. Semiconductor and data-center-related businesses benefited from supply constraints and strong demand, while enterprise software remained under pressure as investors reassessed AI disruption risks and compressed valuations. In the quarter, Auxier Focus Fund's Investor Class gained 8.82% and 10.70% for the six months ended June 30, 2026. Despite strong earnings growth across the broader market, Auxier highlighted concerns around rising margin debt, increased leverage, and elevated capital flows into high-growth technology areas that could amplify future volatility. The firm continues to focus on identifying enduring businesses with strong competitive advantages, resilient cash flows, and sustainable long-term growth potential. Also, check the fund's top five holdings to see its best picks in 2026.
In its second-quarter 2026 investor letter, Auxier ****** et Management highlighted Caterpillar Inc. (NYSE:CAT). Caterpillar Inc. (NYSE:CAT) is a leading manufacturer of construction and mining equipment, off-highway diesel and natural gas engines, industrial gas turbines, and diesel-electric locomotives. On September 14, 2026, Caterpillar Inc. (NYSE:CAT) closed at $784.00 per share. Over the past month, Caterpillar Inc. (NYSE:CAT) declined 7.12%, but its shares are up 77.23% over the past year. Caterpillar Inc. (NYSE:CAT) has a market capitalization of $360.39 billion, and its stock has traded within a 52-week range of $423.32 to $1,073.46.
Auxier ****** et Management stated the following regarding Caterpillar Inc. (NYSE:CAT) in its Q2 2026 investor letter:
"Industrials were the strongest performing sector during the quarter. Tech-facing industrial players benefited from a shift in investor focus toward AI buildout rather than the development of AI models. Caterpillar Inc. (NYSE:CAT) and Gates also benefited indirectly from the expansion of AI infrastructure, particularly through increased demand for energy generation and cooling capacity in data centers."
Photo from Hycroft Mining website

#quarter #asset #management #focus

Auxier ******* et Management, an investment advisory firm, released its second-quarter 2026 investor letter. The letter can be downloaded here. Following a strong rebound from the first-quarter decline, the S&P 500 gained 15.2% as accelerating capital spending toward artificial intelligence infrastructure drove significant gains across technology hardware companies. Semiconductor and data-center-related businesses benefited from supply constraints and strong demand, while enterprise software remained under pressure as investors reassessed AI disruption risks and compressed valuations. In the quarter, Auxier Focus Fund's Investor Class gained 8.82% and 10.70% for the six months ended June 30, 2026. Despite strong earnings growth across the broader market, Auxier highlighted concerns around rising margin debt, increased leverage, and elevated capital flows into high-growth technology areas that could amplify future volatility. The firm continues to focus on identifying enduring businesses with strong competitive advantages, resilient cash flows, and sustainable long-term growth potential. Also, check the fund's top five holdings to see its best picks in 2026.
In its second-quarter 2026 investor letter, Auxier ******* et Management highlighted Gates Industrial Corporation Ltd. (NYSE:GTES). Gates Industrial Corporation Ltd. (NYSE:GTES) is a leading manufacturer of engineered power transmission and fluid power solutions. On September 14, 2026, Gates Industrial Corporation Ltd. (NYSE:GTES) closed at $25.42 per share. Over the past month, Gates Industrial Corporation Ltd. (NYSE:GTES) declined 6.17%, and its shares gained 0.77% over the past 52 weeks. Gates Industrial Corporation Ltd. (NYSE:GTES) has a market capitalization of $6.44 billion, and its stock has traded within a 52-week range of $20.88 and $30.34.
Auxier ******* et Management stated the following regarding Gates Industrial Corporation Ltd. (NYSE:GTES) in its Q2 2026 investor letter:
"Industrials were the strongest performing sector during the quarter. Tech-facing industrial players benefited from a shift in investor focus toward AI buildout rather than the development of AI models. Caterpillar and Gates Industrial Corporation Ltd. (NYSE:GTES) Ltd. (NYSE:GTES) also benefited indirectly from the expansion of AI infrastructure, particularly through increased demand for energy generation and cooling capacity in data centers."
Gates Industrial Corporation Ltd. (NYSE:GTES) is not on our list of the 40 Most Popular Stocks Among Hedge Funds. As per our database, 36 hedge fund portfolios held Gates Industrial Corporation Ltd. (NYSE:GTES) at the end of the second quarter which was 37 in the previous quarter. While we acknowledge the potential of Gates Industrial Corporation Ltd. (NYSE:GTES) as an investment, we believe certain AI stocks offer greater upside potential and carry less downside risk. If you're looking for an extremely undervalued AI stock that also stands to benefit significantly from

On September 13, Reuters reported that Anthropic is in talks to bring NVIDIA Corporation (NASDAQ:NVDA) in as an anchor investor in what could become one of the largest IPOs in history, potentially raising as much as $100 billion at a valuation of around $2 trillion. Nvidia is reportedly considering an investment of up to $10 billion. Anthropic's annualized revenue run rate has reportedly increased from about $9 billion in 2025 to more than $65 billion by mid-2026, with the company targeting as much as $200 billion of revenue by 2028.
The strategic significance for Nvidia is greater than the potential financial return from the investment: Anthropic is a major buyer and user of AI computing infrastructure, and Reuters reported that it has committed $30 billion to Microsoft Azure infrastructure powered by Nvidia chips. Anthropic is also pursuing major capacity agreements with other providers and developing custom chips, making its future hardware choices strategically important to Nvidia.
The move would also deepen an already established relationship. NVIDIA Corporation (NASDAQ:NVDA) has previously disclosed an investment and technology partnership with Anthropic, while its fiscal 2026 filing said it had entered into an agreement to invest up to $10 billion in Anthropic. Nvidia generated $215.9 billion of fiscal 2026 revenue, up 65%, with Data Center revenue up 68%, demonstrating the enormous economic leverage of continued AI infrastructure spending.
The strongest bullish argument is that an equity investment could help NVIDIA Corporation (NASDAQ:NVDA) protect and expand one of the fastest-growing sources of demand for its GPUs. Anthropic's reported annualized revenue growth from $9 billion to more than $65 billion in roughly 18 months implies a rapidly expanding need for training and inference capacity. Its reported $30 billion commitment to Microsoft Azure powered by Nvidia systems provides a particularly direct link between Anthropic's growth and Nvidia's infrastructure demand. Anthropic is also reportedly committing $45 billion to rent AI computing capacity from Nscale, with that infrastructure expected to use Nvidia's Vera Rubin chips, indicating that the relationship can translate into future-generation hardware demand rather than being limited to Nvidia's existing products.
The investment could also strengthen Nvidia's position as AI workloads shift from model training toward large-scale inference and agentic AI. Nvidia recently said Anthropic is evaluating its Vera CPU for CPU-intensive agentic workloads, while Nvidia has positioned Blackwell Ultra and the Vera Rubin platform around the rapidly expanding inference market. Nvidia has disclosed visibility into more than $1 trillion of **** ulative Blackwell and Rubin revenue from the beginning of 2025 through 2027, with Anthropic among the model developers contributing to that ecosystem. A successful Anthropic IPO would therefore potentially create a well-capitalized AI customer capable of

Oracle Corporation (NYSE:ORCL) is increasing the expected cost of its fiscal 2026 restructuring plan by about $700 million to roughly $2.8 billion as it simultaneously ramps up spending to capture demand for AI cloud services. The additional costs include severance, contract terminations and other exit expenses, with some restructuring directly linked to adopting AI across parts of the organization.
Oracle had already recorded $1.8 billion of restructuring expenses in fiscal 2026, compared with $299 million in fiscal 2025, showing how materially the company is accelerating its operational transformation. The restructuring comes alongside an unusually large AI investment cycle. Oracle booked more than $30 billion of new AI cloud contracts in its latest quarter, lifting its remaining performance obligations/revenue backlog to $664 billion, while roughly half of that backlog is expected to convert into revenue over the next 36 months.
The strongest bull argument is that the additional restructuring expense is part of a broader shift toward a higher-growth cloud and AI business rather than simply a deterioration in cost control. Oracle Corporation (NYSE:ORCL)'s restructuring program is explicitly aimed at improving efficiency while reallocating resources toward cloud-based offerings and second-generation cloud infrastructure. If the $2.8 billion restructuring program reduces lower-growth costs and enables Oracle to redirect personnel and capital toward AI infrastructure, the near-term earnings pressure could support stronger operating leverage later as cloud revenue scales.
More importantly, the restructuring is occurring against evidence that AI demand is already translating into contracted revenue. Oracle added more than $30 billion of AI cloud contracts in one quarter, pushing its backlog to $664 billion, above the $639.89 billion ****** yst estimate. Management said most of the newly contracted revenue would not require substantial incremental capital because customers are using prepayments or supplying their own hardware. That is particularly important because Oracle's biggest weakness has been the mismatch between rapid infrastructure investment and current cash generation. If customer-funded capacity continues to reduce Oracle's upfront capital burden, the company could convert its huge backlog into revenue without proportionally increasing its cash burn.
The early financial evidence also supports the possibility that the AI strategy is beginning to improve Oracle's growth profile. Revenue in the recent quarter rose 30% year over year to $19.3 billion, adjusted EPS reached $1.92 versus the $1.74 ****** yst consensus, and Oracle Corporation (NYSE:ORCL) raised its fiscal 2027 adjusted EPS forecast from $8.05 to $8.10. Meanwhile, first-quarter free cash flow of negative $5.4 billion was substantially better than both the expected negative $9.56 billion and the previous-quarter negative $11.48 billion. If this trajectory continues, the $700 mi

OpenAI acquired Glass Imaging, a startup developing AI-powered smartphone camera technology, in a deal valued at over $300 million, according to The Wall Street Journal. The purchase price represents a significant jump from the roughly $100 million valuation Glass Imaging carried in a funding round last year.
Glass Imaging was founded in 2019 by Ziv Attar and Tom Bishop, two former Apple engineers who worked on the company's Portrait Mode feature. The Los Altos, California-based company had raised about $30 million from investors including GV, Alphabet's venture arm, and Insight Partners before the acquisition.
Glass Imaging's approach differs from conventional AI photo editing: instead of processing images after the fact, the company teaches neural networks the specific optical properties of each camera system so that picture quality is improved as the shot is taken, according to The Wall Street Journal. The company's goal is to produce image quality comparable to a DSLR camera from a smartphone. Its zoom-imaging technology was featured in a line of phones from Chinese smartphone brand Honor.
OpenAI's plans for Glass Imaging are unclear. The company is also developing a device with Jony Ive, the former Apple designer behind the iPhone. OpenAI brought on Ive in 2025 through its $6.5 billion purchase of io Products, and his responsibilities span hardware development alongside broader efforts to define how AI products will look and function.
A spokesperson for OpenAI had not provided a statement by the time of publication, according to TechCrunch. The company has made several other acquisitions recently, including an internet talk show called TBPN and an open-source developer tools startup, according to The Wall Street Journal. OpenAI is also preparing for an initial public offering expected next year.

#according #journal

Prosper Stars & Stripes, a long/short equity fund, recently released its second-quarter 2026 investor letter. The letter can be downloaded here. In Q2 2026, the portfolio delivered a strong net return of +30.1% compared to the Russell 2000 Index's +21.5% return and the HFRX Equity Hedge Index's +10.3% return. The long book drove performance, generating a 43.2% gross contribution, while average net exposure remained relatively modest at 47%. U.S. economic growth remained resilient despite inflation concerns, elevated energy prices, and geopolitical uncertainty. Markets rallied sharply after easing U.S.-Iran tensions pushed oil prices lower, supporting renewed risk appetite. Small-cap equities benefited significantly, with Information Technology, Industrials, and Health Care leading gains, while Energy declined as crude prices fell. Year to date, the Composite returned +23.7%, slightly ahead of the Russell 2000's +22.6% and well above the HFRI Equity Hedge Index's +9.7%. Additionally, you can review the Portfolio's top 5 holdings to see its best picks for 2026.
In its second-quarter 2026 investor letter, Prosper Stars & Stripes highlighted Logitech International S.A. (NASDAQ:LOGI). Logitech International S.A. (NASDAQ:LOGI) is a Swiss technology company that designs, manufactures, and markets software-enabled hardware solutions. On September 14, 2026, Logitech International S.A. (NASDAQ:LOGI) closed at $100.36 per share. Over the past month, Logitech International S.A. (NASDAQ:LOGI) returned 2.09%, and its shares lost 10.65% over the past 52 weeks. Logitech International S.A. (NASDAQ:LOGI) has a market capitalization of $14.14 billion; its stock has traded within a 52-week trading range of $83.32 to $129.66.
Prosper Stars & Stripes stated the following regarding Logitech International S.A. (NASDAQ:LOGI) in its Q2 2026 investor letter:
"This year's market rally has pressured short returns and narrowed the windows to successfully monetize shorts, as we would expect. Certain themes and short ideas do continue to resonate, however. One theme that has had success is the ongoing pressure caused by the investment boom in AI crowding out spending in other areas. We have shorted Universal Display Corp (OLED), Dolby Laboratories (DLB), and Logitech International S.A. (NASDAQ:LOGI) on this theme. We believe cost pressures on technology components such as DRAM to result in higher prices for consumer electronics. This would have a significant impact on back-to-school and holiday spending, the key periods for these companies' end markets. We expect the forecasts that these companies are providing at this time of the year to prove optimistic, as tech cost inflation is unusual. Further, we believe the so-called K-shaped economy, where consumers have felt the pressure of rising costs of living, will continue to squeeze discretionary purchases like these. Rising prices make it nearly impossible to use discounts to stimulate sales, compounding the pressure."

#pr

On September 14, Coda Octopus Group (NASDAQ:CODA) reported third-quarter fiscal 2026 results that quietly crossed a threshold the company had never reached in its public history: positive retained earnings, after years of operating at an accumulated deficit. Revenue rose 9.2% year over year to $7.7 million, and pretax income climbed 16% to $1.8 million, even as instability in the Middle East knocked down the marine technology unit that has long been the company's calling card. The reason the quarter held together anyway comes down to where the growth actually showed up.
Defense engineering revenue jumped 68.3% to $2.7 million during the quarter, and the momentum did not look like a one-time ****** p. Sustainment spares orders have already topped $2.4 million year to date, and one prime contractor customer's new multiyear repair and sustainment award has since fed additional subcontract work back to Coda Octopus. On the newer end of the business, the company's US defense engineering team is now supporting several prime contractors building rugged, deployable RF electronic warfare systems for unmanned platforms, helicopters, airborne pods, and ground vehicles.
The DAVID diving system added its own proof points. Coda Octopus has delivered 24 DAVID systems to the US Navy to date, including 16 untethered units earlier in the year, and the Navy's authorization for use ****** sment on that untethered system was completed during the year, clearing it for full operational deployment. Since the quarter closed, the Navy has placed about $1.4 million in additional orders covering tethered systems and DAVID Flex adoption, including four units bought specifically for diving school and academy training. A European navy that already bought in is also expected to firm up a procurement roadmap later this year, while the new Nano sonar is being tested by subsea robotics OEMs and research groups for next-generation autonomous platforms. All of that arrived alongside $31.7 million in cash, no debt, and a balance sheet management says can fund acquisitions.
None of that offsets what happened in marine technology, the segment that still generates the largest share of revenue. Marine tech sales fell 15.2% to $3.4 million as customer activity slowed across the Middle East and parts of Asia, and hardware revenue specifically dropped 17.8% to $2.3 million. Improved rental utilization, with rental revenue up 131.1%, cushioned the blow but did not reverse it, and management has tied the weakness directly to geopolitical conditions it cannot control.

#revenue #david

Broadcom (NASDAQ: AVGO) has been one of the quieter top-performing investments throughout the AI arms race. If you invested $5,000 at the start of the AI arms race in 2023, that sum is now worth more than $32,000. However, investors must look forward, not backward. Luckily, Broadcom's future is brighter than ever, and I think a $5,000 investment now could lead to a much larger sum later.
While it won't be able to repeat the incredible performance it gave investors over the past three and a half years, I think it's still worth buying now.
Missed Nvidia in 2009? This Rare Signal Is Flashing Again. In 2009, a "Double Down" signal flashed for a little-known chipmaker called Nvidia. For the first time in years, that same "Total Conviction" signal is flashing for a company 1/100th the size of Nvidia. Continue »
Broadcom does a lot of different things as a company, ranging from software to virtual desktops to networking hardware. However, the most exciting product development over the past few years has been its custom AI chips. Instead of going head-to-head with companies in the GPU ***** e, which excel at all types of workloads, Broadcom is partnering directly with AI hyperscalers to develop chips purpose-built for their workloads. These units can provide better performance at a lower price tag than their GPU counterparts, but only when the workloads are properly configured.
Broadcom has several big-name clients, including Alphabet (NASDAQ: GOOG) (NASDAQ: GOOGL), Meta Platforms (NASDAQ: META), OpenAI, and Anthropic, to name a few. These companies have all chosen to partner with Broadcom over some other competitors in this ***** e, and the results have been simply incredible.

#NVIDIA #meta

AMD and Intel compete for processor customers, but they have a common interest in making developers comfortable staying with x86. A September 2 GCC commit added initial support for their AI Compute Extensions, or ACE, bringing that shared strategy into a widely used compiler's development code.
For Advanced Micro Devices, Inc. (NASDAQ:AMD) and Intel Corporation (NASDAQ:INTC), the potential payoff is broader software adoption. The immediate event is much narrower: compiler infrastructure, followed by instruction-support commits. It is not evidence that compatible processors have shipped or that GCC 17 is a finished release.
The x86 Ecosystem Advisory Group's April whitepaper describes a common matrix-acceleration architecture shaped by both companies. Matrix multiplication is central to many AI workloads. A shared instruction interface could reduce the effort needed to target those operations across future processors.
That matters commercially because buyers consider the software work required to use hardware, alongside its price and performance. If developers can support both suppliers more easily, a processor purchase may depend more on execution and less on maintaining separate software paths.
For Advanced Micro Devices, Inc. (NASDAQ:AMD), the bull case is an easier route for compatible future CPUs into AI-related workloads. The risk is that a shared standard also improves the rival's appeal. Compiler support alone cannot demonstrate AMD's eventual performance advantage, customer adoption or incremental profit.

#Intel

NVIDIA Corporation (NASDAQ:NVDA) has an argument against rapid hardware obsolescence: older accelerators still command rental prices. For CoreWeave, Inc. (NASDAQ:CRWV), which sells access to computing infrastructure, the harder question is how much of that rent becomes a return.
The September 7 settlement of a transaction-based GPU rental benchmark put NVIDIA's H100 SXM at $3.17 per GPU-hour and its older A100 SXM4 at $1.05. Those are market benchmarks, not CoreWeave's realized prices or the economics of its entire fleet.
The distinction matters because a chip can remain useful without every owner earning an attractive return on the equipment purchased around it.
NVIDIA benefits when buyers believe its systems can serve workloads across multiple product generations. A longer revenue-producing life can make the initial purchase easier to justify and reinforce confidence in its computing ecosystem.
That does not guarantee faster replacement demand. Customers able to run suitable tasks on older equipment may defer some upgrades. NVIDIA still needs new systems to offer advantages worth paying for, especially when power and facility capacity constrain deployment.

#NASDAQ #rental #computing #return

Meta jumped 7% and Nvidia dropped 8% after Amodei, Altman, and Musk publicly called for slowing frontier AI model development.
Microsoft held flat while ASML fell 10% and SoftBank dropped 11%, as markets rotated from AI hardware suppliers into enterprise software names.
With Fed rate hike odds at 85% and the 10-year yield near 5%, the rotation holds only if hyperscalers revise their massive capex plans.
Just released. Our **** ysts combed the entire stock market and named the ten best stocks to buy right now, and NVIDIA made the cut. Enter your email to see the other nine names and why NVDA earned its spot. The report is free. Enter your email and see the full list.
Shares of Meta Platforms (NASDAQ:META) climbed 7.12% over the past week to $660.71, while Alphabet (NASDAQ:GOOGL) added 2.09% and Microsoft (NASDAQ:MSFT) held roughly flat at $499.83. NVIDIA (NASDAQ:NVDA) fell 8.38% over the same stretch to $210.82, and Amazon (NASDAQ:AMZN) slipped 1.74%. Prices are delayed intraday as of the morning of September 14, 2026, according to NBC News.

#NASDAQ #flat #fell

Dell Technologies (DELL) and Hewlett Packard Enterprise (HPE) found themselves at the top of the S&P 500 on the back of Oracle's (ORCL) forceful reminder of how much money is still flowing into AI infrastructure.
Dell's stock soared 12% on Sept. 11, while HPE was another of the index's best performers. Investors quickly saw the connection: Oracle needs plenty of servers, networking gear, and other data center hardware to keep up with surging AI demand.
Oracle's fiscal first-quarter results supported this trend. Total revenue rose 30% to $19.3 billion, while cloud infrastructure revenue surged 121% to $7.4 billion. Even more impressive, remaining performance obligations rose $209 billion to $664 billion.
That backlog presents a potential strong read-through for Dell and HPE.
But there is another side to this tale. The businesses fueling the AI boom are more and more fixated on the costs of borrowing and the next actions by the Federal Reserve as they pour unusual amounts of resources into building enough data centers to translate Oracle's contracts into income.

#infrastructure #revenue

Dell Technologies (DELL) stock ripped higher and closed at a new all-time high on Sept. 11 after RBC Capital Markets initiated coverage of the tech-hardware giant with an "Outperform" rating. ***** yst David Paige ***** igned a $640 price objective to DELL, which signals potential for another 15% upside from current levels.
RBC's bullish call is significant given Dell shares have already been in a sharp uptrend in 2026, currently trading at more than 4x their price at the start of this year.
GME Stock Jumps as GameStop CEO Ryan Cohen Buys $20 Million Worth of Shares
Rocket Lab Stock Just Scored a New Bullish Rating
Cathie Wood Just Bet $45 Million on This Beaten-Down ***** e Stock. Wall Street Sees 70% Upside.

#bullish

High-performance computing is currently undergoing a massive generational shift. Deciding between Astera Labs Inc (NASDAQ:ALAB) and Applied Materials Inc (NASDAQ:AMAT) means choosing between a fast-growing connectivity specialist and an established ******* an of manufacturing equipment.
Astera Labs focuses on the internal plumbing of data centers, providing chips that move data between processors. Applied Materials builds the actual machines that make those chips possible. While both benefit from artificial intelligence, they occupy very different rungs on the technology ladder.
Astera Labs sells high-speed connectivity hardware and software designed for AI-heavy data centers. Its primary products include PCIe and Ethernet solutions that help hyperscale cloud providers manage massive data workloads. In its latest annual report, filed for the period ending December 31, 2025, the company noted that one end customer represented more than 70% of its revenue. Customer concentration like this adds a layer of risk to the business.
In FY 2025, revenue reached nearly $853 million, which is an increase of approximately 115% over the prior year. This growth resulted in a net income of roughly $219 million, compared to a net loss in the previous fiscal year. The company recorded a net margin of close to 26% during this period. Such expansion is notable among semiconductor stocks catering to the cloud market.
The company carries no debt, resulting in a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.0x. This metric compares total debt to shareholder equity to show how a firm finances its ******* ets. As of its December 2025 balance sheet, the so-called current ratio was nearly 10.2x, indicating a strong ability to cover short-term debts. Free cash flow was roughly $282 million. Note that stock-based compensation represented just about 50% of operating cash flow, which inflates reported cash generation since SBC is a non-cash expense added back in the cash flow statement.

#million #flow #NASDAQ

As artificial intelligence matures, investors must decide between the high-growth niche players and the foundational giants. Choosing between Astera Labs Inc (NASDAQ:ALAB) and Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co (NYSE:TSM) involves weighing explosive potential against established dominance.
Astera Labs provides the critical connectivity infrastructure that allows AI chips to communicate within data centers. Meanwhile, Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing operates as the world's largest dedicated chip foundry, producing the actual processors for almost every major tech firm. Both companies are central to the future of semiconductor stocks.
Astera Labs specializes in connectivity solutions designed to remove bottlenecks in high-performance data centers. The company sells hardware and software that helps AI accelerators, such as those made by major chip designers, communicate efficiently across servers. Its customer base is highly concentrated, primarily consisting of the largest cloud providers and system manufacturers. In 2025, one end customer accounted for over 70% of total revenue. Customer concentration like this adds a layer of risk to the business.
In FY 2025, revenue reached more than $852.5 million, representing an impressive increase of roughly 115% compared to the prior year. This rapid growth helped the company pivot from a loss in previous years to a net income of approximately $219 million. The net margin, which measures how much of each dollar of sales remains as profit, stood at nearly 26%. This trajectory highlights the surging demand for the specialized connectivity chips required for large-scale AI deployments.
As of its December 2025 balance sheet, the company reported a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.0x, indicating it holds no debt relative to its shareholder equity. Its so-called current ratio, which compares short-term ******* ets to short-term liabilities, was a robust 10.2x. Free cash flow, or the cash left over after paying for operations and equipment, was approximately $282 million. Note that stock-based compensation represented roughly 50% of operating cash flow, which inflates reported cash generation since this is a non-cash expense added back in the cash flow statement.

#company

Interested in Lam Research Corporation? Here are five stocks we like better.
Lam Research raised its 2026 wafer-fabrication equipment spending outlook to the low-$150 billion range from $135 billion-$140 billion, driven by sustained AI demand and expectations for eight to 10 new leading-edge fabs through 2027.
AI hardware is increasing equipment intensity, while advanced chip designs and packaging are expanding Lam's addressable market. The company cited growing opportunities in gate-all-around transistors, backside power delivery, advanced packaging and dry-resist technology.
Lam is accelerating capacity expansion, including a second Malaysia facility, as clean-room availability and supply-chain capacity constrain the industry. The company also expects NAND upgrades to accelerate, while targeting mid-50% gross margins and reporting record customer-support revenue.
From High Dividend Growth to High Yield, These 3 Stocks Just Boosted Dividend Payouts

#billion #Research #equipment #advanced

NVIDIA Corporation (NASDAQ:NVDA) is expanding its global AI infrastructure ambitions, with Australia emerging as an important new market for its growing portfolio of GPUs, CPUs, networking products, and AI software.
On September 9, it announced strategic partnerships with Australian NVIDIA Cloud Partners (NCPs) and AI infrastructure providers as it works with local partners toward an AI infrastructure buildout of up to 2 gigawatts by 2027.
The initiative will expand the availability of land, power, and data center shell capacity designed to host multiple generations of Nvidia's DSX AI factory infrastructure. While the buildout is designed to meet Australia's growing demand for AI computing, it could also create a significant new source of demand for Nvidia's hardware and software ecosystem.
The Australian buildout could benefit NVIDIA Corporation (NASDAQ:NVDA) beyond the initial sale of GPUs. Nvidia will provide its DSX platform, accelerated computing, networking, software, and ecosystem support to the emerging network of AI factories. DSX is also compatible with Nvidia's CUDA ecosystem.
As enterprises, universities, government agencies, and startups increasingly build AI workloads around Nvidia's architecture, the company could strengthen CUDA's position as the underlying software platform for AI development and deployment.

#NASDAQ #australian

Hewlett Packard Enterprise Company (NYSE:HPE) announced an expanded collaboration with Oracle Corporation (NYSE:ORCL) on September 2 to scale Oracle's global AI infrastructure using HPE Juniper Networking across Oracle Cloud Infrastructure (OCI) data centers. The partnership builds on over a decade of joint engineering, leveraging HPE's routing and switching platforms to support OCI's expanding gigawatt-scale GPU superclusters. To align long-term incentives, HPE issued stock warrants to Oracle.
Following the announcement, Wall Street delivered fast price target hikes: Barclays' Tim Long raised HPE's target by $12 to $79 (Overweight), citing server upside and robust margins, while Morgan Stanley's Sanjit Singh boosted Oracle's target by $3 to $210 (Equal Weight), noting a tactically positive setup driven by GPUaaS demand.
Hewlett Packard Enterprise Company (NYSE:HPE) and Oracle both delivered strong results, although Oracle operates at a significantly larger scale. HPE reported record Q3 2026 revenue of $12.2 billion, up 34% year over year, driven by strong server demand and a 74.9% increase in Networking revenue to $2.9 billion. GAAP diluted EPS reached $1.06, while strong execution led management to raise full-year FY26 revenue growth guidance to 34%-37% and its free cash flow target to at least $3.75 billion.
Oracle Corporation (NYSE:ORCL), meanwhile, ended fiscal 2026 with record Q4 revenue of $19.2 billion, up 21% year over year, and full-year revenue of $67.4 billion, up 17%. Q4 Cloud Infrastructure (IaaS) revenue surged 93% to $5.8 billion, while full-year GAAP EPS rose 34% to $5.83 and Remaining Performance Obligations (RPO) jumped 363% to $638 billion.
Overall, ORCL leads in hyper-growth and long-term backlog, reinforcing its position as the stronger software and cloud play, while HPE is demonstrating stronger near-term hardware momentum and attractive cash flow generation for value-oriented investors.

#billion #revenue #infrastructure