GXO Logistics Valuation After Dolce & Gabbana Renewal and Luxury Warehouse Expansion
October 20, 2025, 8:40 AM EDT. GXO Logistics (NYSE:GXO) renewed its Dolce & Gabbana Beauty partnership and added a new dedicated warehouse in Italy, underscoring a focused push in luxury logistics and sustainable operations. The stock shows growth this year: a year-to-date return around 28%, but a 1-year TSR of −11% and a 3-year TSR of about 66% keep the longer trend intact. Analysts' fair value sits at $61.94, above the $55.22 close, supported by automation, AI, and the GXO IQ platform driving margin expansion. However, the stock trades at a rich P/E around 100x, prompting caveats about valuation. Potential headwinds include the Wincanton integration and executive transitions-factors that could test whether today's optimism proves durable or is already priced in.
Gold rebounds as HSBC eyes $5,000 by 2026; oil slips on supply surplus and US-China tensions
October 20, 2025, 8:38 AM EDT. Gold prices edged higher in early Europe on Monday after a late-week retreat from record highs above $4,300. Gold futures rose about 1.3% to around $4,270/oz, with spot near $4,257/oz. HSBC warns prices could reach $5,000/oz by 2026, citing persistent geopolitical risk and growing investor participation. Goldman Sachs meanwhile lifted its December 2026 forecast to about $4,900/oz on strong ETF inflows and anticipated central-bank buying. The rally paused as Trump signaled a softer stance toward Beijing, tempering safe-haven demand. In energy, Brent fell to about $60.87 and WTI to $57.17 amid a projected global supply surplus and US-China tensions. The IEA flags a widening surplus into 2026.
SoFi's Hidden $1.6 Trillion Opportunity: What Investors Need to Know
October 20, 2025, 8:22 AM EDT. Summary: SoFi Technologies (SOFI) is framed as a growth story built on rapid customer acquisition, an upcoming cryptocurrency trading platform, and a surge in fee income. The Motley Fool analysts also discuss a Trump administration plan that could become a meaningful tailwind for fintech lenders and their banking partners. The piece contrasts past picks highlighted by Stock Advisor (e.g., Netflix and Nvidia) with SoFi's prospects. It notes standard disclosures about analyst positions. For investors, the key questions are how regulatory shifts, crypto activity, and the broader fintech cycle may affect SoFi's growth trajectory, fee mix, and competitive position in the quarters ahead.
What $10,000 in Rigetti Computing Would Be Worth Today: A Quantum Stock Run
October 20, 2025, 8:20 AM EDT. One year after you bought into Rigetti Computing (RGTI), a $10,000 stake would be worth roughly $700,000 today, per YCharts data. The surge reflects a broader wave in quantum computing equities, even as the group faced a pullback early in 2025. Rigetti has begun selling its Novera quantum units-two deals totaling about $5.7 million-a sign the company is inching toward real revenue before the 2030-2040 boom. Analysts note the long runway: the research/academic market alone could run $1-2 billion annually before 2030, with total addressable value climbing to $30 billion by the late decade and beyond. If Rigetti can capture a 25% market share by 2035 in a $30 billion market, that implies about $7.5 billion in annual revenue for Rigetti. Still, this remains an early-stage, high-uncertainty play in a volatile sector.
3 Reasons to Buy Alphabet Stock Before Oct. 29: AI Search, Cloud Growth and Valuation
October 20, 2025, 8:18 AM EDT. Alphabet's core business is delivering resilient revenue growth despite AI competition. The Google Search platform shows continued strength as AI enhancements boost monetization, and the company could spark a Q3 catalyst ahead of earnings on Oct. 29. The Google Cloud division is accelerating, with 32% revenue growth year over year and margins expanding from 11% to 21%, underscoring a higher-growth cloud story. Lastly, the stock trades at a valuation discount relative to peers, even after a 30% rally post-Q2, with upside from the upcoming report. These factors combine to make Alphabet an attractive buy before the earnings event.
Wells Fargo Aims High ROTCE: Could It Challenge JPMorgan?
October 20, 2025, 8:16 AM EDT. Wells Fargo is stepping up its game. On the latest earnings call, management set a target of 17%-18% ROTCE, a level that parity with JPMorgan Chase was traditionally seen as a benchmark for the best-in-class. After years under an asset cap tied to regulatory issues, Wells Fargo is expanding the balance sheet and aiming to lift net interest income and margins in wealth management and lending. CEO Charles Scharf has driven a broad transformation-cutting costs, refocusing on core U.S. banking, and sharpening high-return businesses. With a more favorable regulatory backdrop, Wells Fargo could narrow the gap with JPMorgan if it sustains the mid-teens ROTCE and margin gains. The key test will be whether management can translate this lofty target into durable earnings power.
Gold Stocks Are Supercharging This Forgotten Fund
October 20, 2025, 8:14 AM EDT. Investors are turning to a little-known fund that leverages gold stocks to tap into the metal's rally. The strategy blends exposure to bullion-linked equities with a disciplined approach to risk, aiming to deliver upside from gold's price strength while offering diversification away from traditional equities. As inflation expectations creep higher and central banks reassess policy, the fund seeks to ride miners' earnings leverage and potential production costs benefits. The article examines how a portfolio tilt toward precious metals can act as a hedge during risk-off periods, while headwinds include rising rates and regulatory risks for miners. For investors seeking a play on the gold ecosystem, this forgotten fund could offer serial alpha in a commodity cycle.
Asian Markets Close Higher as U.S.-China Tensions Ease; Japan Optimism, China GDP Beats
October 20, 2025, 8:12 AM EDT. Asia's stock markets closed higher after a Wall Street rally and signs of easing U.S.-China tensions. In China, the Shanghai Composite rose 0.63% to 3,863.89 and the Shenzhen Component gained 0.98%. China's GDP data beat expectations. Japan's Nikkei 225 jumped 3.5% to 49,235 as sentiment improved on expectations that Sanae Takaichi could secure the premiership. SoftBank surged 8.5%, with Yaskawa Electric up 7.2%, and Fanuc, Mizuho Financial, and Resona rising more than 6%. Korea's Kospi gained 1.8% to 3,814.69, while Hong Kong's Hang Seng rose 2.4% to 25,858.83. Australia's ASX 200 edged up 0.41% to 9,031.90. The NZX 50 added 0.42% to 13,344.96. Wall Street closed higher Friday after President Trump signaled a cooling of trade fears, with the Dow and Nasdaq up about 0.5%.
Grail Plans Private Placement for 4.64 Million Shares at $70.05; Shares Rally Pre-Market
October 20, 2025, 8:10 AM EDT. Grail, Inc. has struck a securities purchase agreement for a private placement to issue and sell 4,639,543 shares of common stock or pre-funded warrants at $70.05 per share, with closing expected on October 21. The company aims to raise about $325 million in gross proceeds, before fees and expenses. Net proceeds will support commercial activities, reimbursement efforts, working capital, and general corporate purposes. The deal includes participation from new and existing investors such as Deep Track Capital, Farallon Capital Management, Hims & Hers, and Braidwell LP, among others. Grail expects cash and investments to fund operations into 2030, excluding a separate $110 million investment from Samsung C&T and Samsung Electronics. In pre-market, shares were up about 6.42% at $83.01 on the Nasdaq.
AWS Global Outage Impacts Services as Amazon Stock Holds Steady Ahead of Earnings
October 20, 2025, 8:04 AM EDT. An AWS global outage centered in the US-EAST-1 region disrupted popular services, impacting Amazon.com, Prime Video, Alexa, Ring, and even the McDonald's app. AWS says the issue is active worldwide with ongoing investigations and updates every 45 minutes or sooner, but no ETA yet. The outage has caused widespread access problems, including Alexa device unresponsiveness and services like Perplexity going offline. Despite the disruption, Amazon's stock has moved little so far, even as shares lag Nasdaq 100 and S&P 500 year-to-date. Investors are focused on Thursday's quarterly earnings report, which could set a clearer path for the stock amid AWS headwinds.
Where Will Rivian Be in 1 Year? Production, Costs, and New Models to Watch
October 20, 2025, 7:58 AM EDT. Rivian's 2024 results were mixed: production fell 13.5% to 49,476 vehicles and deliveries rose 3% to 51,579, highlighting a difficult near-term backdrop. Management says component shortages no longer constrain output, suggesting a path to production growth in 2025 if demand holds. Ongoing cost cuts-including about a 35% reduction in material costs for vans and similar savings across other vehicles-could improve gross profit margins as the year progresses. The company has framed the upcoming R2 and R3 as long-term growth catalysts, with production starting in early 2026 and price points around $45,000 (R2) and about $40,000 (R3) to widen appeal. Over the next 12 months, investors will dial in on demand momentum, 2025 output, and whether lower costs translate into meaningful profitability.
Three Critical Lessons From the 2025 Crypto Flash Crash: Leverage, Demand, and Risk Management
October 20, 2025, 7:56 AM EDT. Crypto's Oct. 10-11 flash crash marked the most severe unwind in history, shrinking liquidity and triggering record liquidations. The episode underscores three critical lessons for investors. First, avoid leverage: when prices slide, borrowed exposure can cascade into catastrophic losses as exchanges liquidate collateral. Second, don't rely on buy-the-dip demand from altcoins: many coins depend on market makers rather than genuine buyer interest, leaving them exposed during stress. Third, stick to sober risk management and long-term strategy; buy-and-holdspot crypto with position sizing that keeps volatility survivable. While major networks like BTC and ETH held up better than many meme and lesser coins, the crash exposed fragility across the ecosystem and the danger of chasing high risk with leverage.
Two Growth Stocks to Sell Before They Drop 46%-75%, According to Wall Street Analysts
October 20, 2025, 7:54 AM EDT. Analysts see two high-flying growth names at risk of meaningful declines this year. Palantir Technologies (PLTR) has driven AI-enabled growth via its AI Platform and broad data-software footprint, posting strong second-quarter sales but carrying a lofty valuation. RBC's price target implies about 75% downside from current levels, highlighting a tense risk/reward even as the firm shows 46% adjusted operating margin and a robust Rule of 40 score. Coinbase Global (COIN), the leading crypto exchange, also faces a 46% downside scenario as crypto cycles cool and regulatory dynamics weigh on earnings. Both cases illustrate how rapid gains in AI-driven software and crypto-linked platforms can reverse quickly when investors reprice growth.
Rarely Discussed Money Mistakes It's Easy to Make in Retirement
October 20, 2025, 7:52 AM EDT. In retirement, learning never stops and mistakes become part of the process. The piece flags overlooked hurdles like medical costs, the drag of taxes, and how inflation can quietly erode budgets. It also warns about practical traps such as reusing passwords, which undermines financial security; adopting a password manager (Bitwarden, Proton Pass, Zoho, Dashlane, Keeper) helps. Another pitfall is being overly generous, potentially depleting savings when funds are tight. The article also hints at stock ideas from Stock Advisor, where analysts call out top stocks to buy now. Overall, careful planning, security, and mindful generosity are key to safeguarding a solid retirement plan.
Cleveland-Cliffs Q3 Loss In Line With Estimates; Revenue Rises 3.6%
October 20, 2025, 7:48 AM EDT. Cleveland-Cliffs (CLF) reported a Q3 GAAP loss of $251 million, or -$0.51 per share, essentially in line with estimates. On an adjusted basis, losses were $223 million or -$0.45 per share, with analysts expected -$0.45 per share. Revenue rose 3.6% to $4.734 billion from $4.569 billion a year earlier. Year-ago results were -$244 million in GAAP earnings and -$0.52 per share. The top line's gain highlights improved sales, even as profits remained negative for the quarter.
OneConnect Announces NYSE ADS Halt Linked to Privatization Timeline
October 20, 2025, 7:46 AM EDT. OneConnect Financial Technology Co., Ltd. said its ADSs on the NYSE are expected to be halted on October 30, 2025 at 9:30 a.m. New York time, as it moves toward privatization by a scheme of arrangement. The company, Bo Yu Limited and Ping An Group filed Amendment No. 3 to Schedule 13E-3 with the SEC, outlining the privatization under the Cayman Islands act. A Hong Kong Court Meeting and an Extraordinary General Meeting are set for October 28, 2025, with results announced the same day. If approved, the NYSE halt will occur before the market open on October 30; the HKEx last trading day for ordinary shares is October 30. If sanctioned and effective in November 2025, NYSE trading of the ADSs will not resume, with October 29 as the last trading day.
CAC 40 mixed after positive start; BNP Paribas plunges on US verdict; Kering rises on L'Oréal deal
October 20, 2025, 7:44 AM EDT. The CAC 40 turned mixed after an earlier rally, slipping 0.09% to 8,166.72 as investors digest S&P Global Ratings' France downgrade. BNP Paribas plunged more than 10% after a US jury ruled it helped sustain Omar al-Bashir's Sudan regime, with plaintiffs awarded over €20 million. Credit Agricole fell about 3.5% and Societe Generale around 2.8%. Veolia shed about 1.4%, while Orange, Vinci, Unibail Rodamco, Bouygues, AXA, Engie and TotalEnergies slipped 0.5-1%. On the upside, Kering rose nearly 3.5% after agreeing to sell its beauty division to L'Oréal for €4 billion, with L'Oréal edging higher. Thales gained about 2.5% and Safran 2.1%. STMicroelectronics and Legrand added roughly 1.5% and 1.2%, respectively, while others like Airbus, Hermes, Accor, Saint-Gobain, ArcelorMittal, Michelin and Schneider Electric posted modest gains.
IO Biotech Positive Phase 3 Results for Cylembio + Keytruda in First-Line Advanced Melanoma; PFS Endpoint Missed
October 20, 2025, 7:40 AM EDT. IO Biotech reported positive Phase 3 results for Cylembio in combination with Merck's Keytruda (pembrolizumab) as a first-line treatment for unresectable/metastatic melanoma. In the randomized Phase 3 trial of 407 patients, the combination achieved a clinically relevant median progression-free survival (mPFS) of 19.4 months versus 11.0 months for pembrolizumab alone, but narrowly missed the PFS primary endpoint for statistical significance. Management said results, along with Phase 2 basket data, bolster Cylembio's potential across tumor types when paired with anti-PD-1 therapy. CEO Mai-Britt Zocca highlighted the potential as a first-line option. Details were disclosed at the 2025 ESMO Congress in Berlin. The trials are sponsored by IO Biotech in collaboration with Merck, which supplies pembrolizumab; IO Biotech holds global rights.
US stock futures edge higher as AWS outage and cyber-attack fears grip S&P 500, Dow, Nasdaq
October 20, 2025, 7:38 AM EDT. Stock-index futures edged higher Monday even as an AWS outage and suspected cyber-attack fears dominated headlines ahead of the open. In premarket trading, Dow E-minis rose about 0.27%, S&P 500 E-minis ~0.35% and Nasdaq 100 E-minis ~0.77%. The VIX jumped to its highest in six months on Friday amid renewed US-China tensions and a flight to safety. The cloud outage hit services from Amazon Prime to Reddit and Snapchat, underscoring systemic risk. Investors will watch earnings from Tesla, Ford, GM, Netflix, Procter & Gamble, Coca-Cola, IBM and Intel this week. Political chatter on tariffs and the rare-earth export debate, plus banking-sector fragility, add to volatility as traders await guidance.
Stock markets rebound as China-US trade fears ease; Tokyo hits record
October 20, 2025, 7:32 AM EDT. Stock markets gained on Monday after Trump signaled a softer stance on China and the two sides agreed to renewed talks, easing a fresh round of trade fears. Asian equities were led by Tokyo, which rose to a fresh peak as expectations of a new coalition government in Japan boosted risk appetite. Hong Kong and Shanghai also advanced after data showed China's economy grew in line with forecasts in Q3, even as the pace cooled. Traders cited the possibility of concessions on rare-earth exports and the extension of the current 30% tariff truce for another 90 days. Still, investors watched for a final resolution ahead of Beijing's four-day meeting and ongoing negotiations. Analysts noted the mood shift from earlier tension to a more constructive stance.
Can Palantir Reach a $1 Trillion Valuation by 2030?
October 20, 2025, 7:30 AM EDT. Palantir Technology's stock has surged about 600% since early 2024 and roughly 35% in 2025, fueling talk that the firm could reach a $1 trillion market cap by 2030-the view of Wedbush's Dan Ives. Growth hinges on AI software, with Palantir expanding from primarily government work to a broader commercial footprint. In Q4, government revenue was $455 million vs. commercial$372 million, with government up 40% YoY and commercial up 31%. The company's AI Platform (AIP) enables enterprise-wide AI deployment and automation through AI agents. Yet achieving a $1T valuation would require sustained double-digit revenue growth (e.g., ~32% in 2025, ~26% in 2026) and robust profitability, since Palantir's P/E is skewed and the P/S ratio signals high valuation relative to peers. The stock remains expensive by traditional metrics.
Nvidia, Microsoft, and Alphabet Poised to Hit $5 Trillion Market Cap Before Apple, Analyst Says
October 20, 2025, 7:28 AM EDT. The race to a $5 trillion market cap is narrowing to Nvidia, Microsoft, and Alphabet, with Apple unlikely to cross first. Nvidia only needs about a 14% lift on its current roughly $4.4T valuation, riding AI-focused GPU demand. Microsoft is benefiting from its AI-enabled cloud, with Azure growth around 39% YoY in Q4 FY2025, propelling the Intelligent Cloud to $29.9B in revenue. This momentum supports a path toward $5T in 2026. Alphabet is a potential dark horse that could beat Apple to the milestone, though Apple has struggled to sustain high revenue growth. The core drivers remain AI adoption, cloud services, and relentless valuation expansion among the leading tech mega-caps.
This Vanguard Utilities ETF Could Be a Buying Opportunity Amid the AI Boom
October 20, 2025, 7:26 AM EDT. U.S. utility stocks have surged this year, and the Vanguard Utilities ETF (VPU) has led the way with a 30% YTD return, beating the S&P 500. The rally rests on expectations that AI-driven energy demand will rise, supported by Goldman Sachs' view of 2.4% annual electricity growth through 2030. While outperformance in utilities is not guaranteed, the sector has historically benefited during periods of higher power demand. VPU offers broad exposure to electric utilities, water and gas distributors, and independent power producers, with a 0.1% expense ratio. Major holdings include NextEra Energy, Southern Company, and Duke Energy. Beyond generation, data-center power consumption is set to climb, potentially lifting demand for electricity as cloud computing expands. If AI accelerates adoption, VPU could remain a convenient proxy for the AI-powered utility thesis.
Sandvik Q3: Profit Rises, Adjusted EBITA Declines; Revenue Drops but Order Intake Advances
October 20, 2025, 7:24 AM EDT. Sandvik reported Q3 results with headline profit of 3.5 billion SEK, up from 3.2 billion, and EPS of 2.82 SEK vs 2.58. However, adjusted EBITA declined to 5.5 billion SEK from 5.9 billion, and adjusted EPS eased to 2.81 from 2.94. Revenues fell to 29.22 billion SEK from 30.31 billion, though growth at fixed exchange rates was about 5%. Order intake rose to 30.77 billion SEK from 28.80 billion, with fixed FX growth around 16%. The mix points to resilient demand and stronger top-line momentum, but margin pressure remains evident in the adjusted metrics as the company navigates FX and cost effects.
Datavault AI and Max International Launch Swiss Digital RWA Exchange to Tokenize Real World Assets
October 20, 2025, 7:20 AM EDT. Datavault AI (NASDAQ: DVLT) and Max International AG are launching a Switzerland-based Swiss Digital RWA Exchange aimed at institutional tokenization of Real World Assets (RWAs) and NIL rights. The venture leverages Datavault AI's patent portfolio and AI valuation tools (DataValue, DataScore) alongside Max International's Swiss domicile, regulated issuance networks, and fiduciary expertise. The platform seeks to overcome regulatory, scalability, and fiduciary barriers to enable the first regulatory-compliant trades on stablecoin platforms and anchor tokenization activity in Zurich's gold hub – which handles over 70% of global gold refining and trading. This move could accelerate mainstream adoption of asset tokenization for institutions.
Two Dividend Kings Every Income Investor Should Own: JNJ & PepsiCo
October 20, 2025, 7:18 AM EDT. Dividend Kings like Johnson & Johnson (JNJ) and PepsiCo (PEP) stand out for income stability. JNJ just raised its dividend, extending its streak to 63 years, with a current yield around 2.7% and a AAA credit rating that supports a resilient payout. PepsiCo also backs its dividend with a sound financial profile and a history of annual increases. Both names offer high-quality cash flow and room to grow dividends amid economic volatility. As foundational holdings, they provide ballast to an income-focused portfolio while maintaining potential capital appreciation through strong R&D and portfolio diversification. If you're building a reliable income stream, JNJ and PEP deserve consideration for the long run as Dividend Kings with dividend growth credentials.
SoFi vs PayPal: Which Stock Is the Better Buy in October 2025?
October 20, 2025, 7:16 AM EDT. Investors debating SoFi Technologies (SOFI) vs PayPal (PYPL) get guidance from The Motley Fool's Stock Advisor, which ranks the 10 top stocks to buy now. Notably, SoFi wasn't included in the current list, while PayPal features in the Fool's positions and option recommendations. The piece recalls dramatic historical returns from timely picks like Netflix and Nvidia, illustrating how $1,000 invested at the right moment could grow substantially. It also highlights Stock Advisor's track record of outsized gains versus the S&P 500. Readers are reminded of disclosed positions (e.g., Parkev Tatevosian in PayPal) and specific PayPal options suggested by The Motley Fool. The takeaway: perform due diligence, assess risk and timing, and consider how a $1,000 allocation fits your portfolio before choosing between these two fintech leaders.
Two Top AI Stocks to Buy in October: TSMC and Meta Platforms
October 20, 2025, 7:14 AM EDT. AI could drive substantial gains over the next decade, and you don't need risky bets to tap it. The two names highlighted here give broad AI exposure at reasonable valuations. 1) Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing (TSMC) supplies advanced AI chips to Nvidia and AMD, with AI-driven demand potentially boosting over 40% annualized revenue growth in coming years. The stock trades around a forward P/E near 24 (2026), offering upside as orders compound. 2) Meta Platforms (META) leverages AI infrastructure to monetize its vast social network and ad tech, with revenue seen rising about 19% this year to ~$196B and EPS around $28.19, supported by ongoing data-center and chip investments. Together these stocks provide AI exposure via established, cash-generating businesses.
3 Best Tech Stocks to Buy in October: Nvidia, Microsoft, and Meta
October 20, 2025, 7:12 AM EDT. Tech leadership remains with Nvidia, Microsoft, and Meta Platforms. Nvidia's explosive growth centers on GPUs and its CUDA moat, with data-center revenue surging to over $40B and a major OpenAI partnership that could sustain AI demand. Microsoft benefits from AI momentum across Azure, Copilot, and a diversified revenue mix, delivering about 18% top-line growth to over $76B last quarter. Meta Platforms is expanding its advertising ecosystem while pursuing longer-term bets that could reshape monetization. With hyperscaler AI spend and robust cloud demand, the trio appears well-positioned into earnings season, though valuations and macro factors warrant careful watching.
XRP Rollercoaster: Opportunities, Risks, and the Payroll Pivot
October 20, 2025, 7:10 AM EDT. XRP remains a volatility-driven ride, where traders grapple with fear and greed, FOMO, and cognitive biases like overconfidence, anchoring, and loss aversion that skew judgments. The XRP Rich List highlights how wallets holding roughly 8,000-10,500 XRP sit in the top 5%, with XRP near $2.48 translating to entry points around $21k-$27k. As prices swing, more wallets join the top tier, suggesting shifting dynamics for newcomers. Analysts offer mixed signals: some see long-term targets near $10 per XRP, contingent on timing and sentiment. Regulatory progress-most notably Ripple's SEC win-along with payroll-use cases in Asia fuels optimism, though volatility complicates stability-critical applications like payroll, where stablecoins and XRP may coexist.
Stocks End Higher as Bank Worries Subside and China Trade Tone Eases
October 20, 2025, 7:08 AM EDT. Stocks closed higher as traders digested a softer stance on U.S.-China talks and tried to move past bank-credit worries. The Dow rose 238.37 points to 46,190.61, the S&P 500 gained 0.53% to 6,664.01, and the Nasdaq climbed 0.52% to 22,679.98. A tone from Treasury and a possible late-month meeting with Xi Jinping soothed tariffs fears, dampening talk of new 100% tariffs on China. Bank routs from Thursday retraced, with Zions Bancorp up about 6% after an upgrade, and Jefferies rebounding on a similar lift. Fifth Third Bancorp posted better-than-expected earnings, easing some credit jitters tied to Tricolor and First Brands. The regional-banking ETFKRE finished up 1.6% on Friday.
Stocks Settle Higher as Bank Worries Ease and Trade Tensions Subside
October 20, 2025, 7:04 AM EDT. U.S. stocks closed higher Friday as the S&P 500 (+0.53%), Dow (+0.52%), and Nasdaq 100 (+0.65%) climbed, with December futures firming. Gains followed stronger-than-expected earnings from regional lenders like Truist Financial and Fifth Third Bancorp, easing earlier regional-bank fears linked to fraud-related loan losses at Zions Bancorp and Western Alliance. A softer tone in China-US trade tensions supported risk assets after Trump signaled talks with Xi Jinping. A dovish Fed official kept rate-cut hopes alive. Gold and silver eased after earlier gains as haven demand cooled. The ongoing government shutdown delays key data, including the CPI release now set for Oct 24.
Logical Pull-Back on Tariff Talk, But Mortgages Outperform
October 20, 2025, 7:02 AM EDT. Markets pivoted on a White House tariff comment, with stocks and bond yields spiking before a partial retracement. Despite the pull-back, mortgage rates held firm, keeping lenders near September lows and at multi-year lows. In-session moves showed MBS trading modestly weaker at times, while the 10-year yield hovered around 4.00% after morning volatility. The NY Fed Manufacturing index came in at 10.7 vs -1.0 forecast, underscoring ongoing activity. Overall, Friday delivered a pull-back but mortgage rates and MBS resilience could keep rate sheets favorable relative to Treasuries.
China's Q3 growth slows to 4.8% as fixed-asset investment contracts; industrial output beats forecasts
October 20, 2025, 7:00 AM EDT. China's economy expanded 4.8% year-on-year in the third quarter, the slowest in a year and broadly in line with analyst expectations. However, fixed-asset investment fell 0.5% in the first nine months (through September), underscoring a slide in infrastructure and manufacturing spending. Property investment dropped 13.9% through September, with economists warning weakness may persist and weigh on Q4 growth. Industrial production rose 6.5% in September, beating the 5% forecast, while private investment outside real estate rose modestly for the year. Retail sales rose 3% in September, signaling subdued consumer demand despite subsidies. Analysts say the investment gap could push policymakers to recalibrate support measures and consider leveraging growth from other sectors.
Asian shares climb as Japan coalition boosts pro-growth bets; Nikkei hits record
October 20, 2025, 6:56 AM EDT. Asian stocks rose Monday after a solid week on Wall Street. Japan's Nikkei 225 jumped 2.9% to a record 48,970.40 as the Liberal Democrats formed a new coalition, supporting Sanae Takaichi to become Japan's first female prime minister and hinting at pro-growth policies like low interest rates and higher spending. Hong Kong's Hang Seng and China's Shanghai Composite advanced, while China posted 4.8% quarterly growth-the slowest in a year amid a stubborn property downturn. In Korea, the Kospi rose on strong semiconductor demand, and Australia's market edged higher. U.S. indices finished the week higher, helped by stabilizing bank earnings. Investors await China's party gathering and the NPC in March for policy signals.
China's growth slows to 4.8% as US-China tensions flare and rare-earth controls loom
October 20, 2025, 6:54 AM EDT. China's economy expanded 4.8% year-on-year in the third quarter, the weakest pace in a year, as the property market struggles and trade tensions with the United States flare up. Official data show quarterly growth cooled from 5.2% in Q2, even as technology, business services and export momentum provide some resilience. Beijing's rare-earth export controls have added uncertainty to the trade truce with Washington, complicating the outlook for a growth path near the government's around-5% target this year. Industrial output rose, led by 3D printing, robotics and electric vehicles, while the service sector expanded. Some analysts say stronger policy stimulus or a new Five-Year Plan may be needed to shield growth amid real estate stress and weak investment signals.
Dave Ramsey Warns Debt Could Derail Your Retirement
October 20, 2025, 6:50 AM EDT. Finance guru Dave Ramsey warns that sustained debt can derail your retirement. His message: you can't build security if you're in debt as you age. He frames debt as the biggest obstacle to wealth and urges living on a strict budget, paying with cash, and avoiding credit cards. Inflation isn't an excuse to overspend, he says; instead, trim lifestyle costs. To safeguard retirement, build an emergency fund, aggressively reduce debt before claiming Social Security, and adopt a cash-first strategy to keep interest from eroding your nest egg.
DAX Rises Over 1% on Easing US Bank Concerns, U.S.-China Trade Talks
October 20, 2025, 6:46 AM EDT. German stocks advanced, with the DAX up about 1.13% to around 24,115 as markets rebound from last session's losses. The move is supported by easing US banking-sector concerns and bets on closer US-China trade relations ahead of new talks this week. President Trump signaled that higher tariffs on Chinese imports would be unsustainable, helping sentiment. In data, Destatis showed producer prices fell 1.7% year-on-year in September, with a slim MoM drop of 0.1%. Among blue chips, Rheinmetall surged ~4%, Infineon ~2.3%, and Siemens Energy, Daimler Truck, Commerzbank, Deutsche Telekom, SAP and Heidelberg Materials rose 1.5-2%. Laggers included Mercedes-Benz, Vonovia, VW and Porsche; Thyssenkrupp tumbled more than 20% after spinning off a minority stake in its Marine Systems unit.
Should US investors lean into Chinese tech and AI stocks?
October 20, 2025, 6:42 AM EDT. Takeaway: US investors should consider Chinese tech stocks. One strategist says China Tech has outperformed US tech for years, with KWEB up about 40% year-to-date vs the QQQ under 20%. Chinese tech is bigger, faster-growing, and trading at roughly a one-third to one-half discount to US tech. The stance: overweight Chinese equities in a global multi-asset model. Catalysts cited include potential US-China rapprochement and China's efforts to fight deflation, which could boost global growth, corporate earnings, and stock multiples.
Tyler Technologies (TYL) Valuation Boosted by Major Contract Wins and Acquisition
October 20, 2025, 6:32 AM EDT. Tyler Technologies (TYL) is riding a wave of growth news after a $54 million Department of State contract, the acquisition of Rapid Financial Solutions, and a new Iowa Department for the Blind contract. Despite a -12% stock return, the three-year total shareholder return sits near 50%, hinting at momentum if growth initiatives deliver. A recent narrative argues the stock is undervalued, with a fair value around $678.78 versus a last close near $505.60, underpinned by expanded integrated product suites, cross-sell/upsell, and the One Tyler client experience boosting average revenue per account. Risks include reliance on government spending and cyclicality of awards. On multiples, the 71.3x P/E is well above software peers; a more balanced view points to a fair multiple around 35x if margins and recurring revenue rise as expected.
Dow, S&P 500 Open Higher on U.S.-China Trade Hopes; Nvidia, Tesla, Palantir Among Movers
October 20, 2025, 6:30 AM EDT. Stock futures pointed higher Monday as signs of easing U.S.-China trade tensions soothed risk appetite, helping markets look past fears of bank losses. Dow futures rose 155 points (0.3%), S&P 500 futures gained 0.4%, and Nasdaq-100 contracts added 0.5%. President Trump signaled the U.S. will "do fine with China," as negotiators prepare for talks in Malaysia. Traders eye upcoming inflation data and a key Fed decision later this month. Earnings highlights include Coca-Cola, Netflix, and Tesla over the next five days. The 10-year yield nudged to 4.02%, the dollar edged higher, and gold jumped about 1.4% to $4,274 an ounce.
Three Obesity-Drug Stocks Poised to Soar This Fall and Beyond
October 20, 2025, 6:28 AM EDT. Stock-market takeaway: Eli Lilly (LLY) currently leads the obesity-drug push with Mounjaro and Zepbound and promising trials for forglipron and retatrutide. Novo Nordisk (NVO) remains a major international force, with Wegovy and Ozempic driving long-term growth, though it faces headwinds from generic and telehealth pressures. Viking Therapeutics offers high-risk, high-reward exposure on its experimental obesity candidate. Morgan Stanley projects obesity-drug sales could explode from about $15B to $150B by 2035, underscoring a rising addressable market and potential catalysts as oral GLP-1 options advance and regulatory milestones approach. Investors should watch for near-term catalysts, including regulatory decisions and competitive dynamics in the oral formulations and telehealth channel threats.
Market Minute: Tech's Global Grip on Indices and Policy Risks
October 20, 2025, 6:24 AM EDT. Tech firms dominate equity gains beyond the U.S., with Asian markets showing outsized returns as tech drives major indices. In Japan and South Korea, technology weights push the Nikkei and Kospi higher, while Europe's chipmakers face tariffs that mute gains elsewhere. Investors face whether this rally can endure as concerns rise about credit events, risk, and the fragility of the financial system. The classic trio-low rates, liquidity, and leverage-could destabilize if conditions reverse, potentially sending lofty tech valuations lower in a flight to safety. For now, tech leadership remains a key market driver, but vigilance around risk and policy shifts remains warranted.
3 Dividend King Stocks Down 9%-14% to Buy in October
October 20, 2025, 6:22 AM EDT. Despite a tough backdrop for consumer staples, the trio of Dividend Kings stocks-Procter & Gamble (P&G), Colgate-Palmolive, and Kimberly-Clark-have pulled back 9%-14% and now sit as compelling values for October. Each company benefits from steady, in-demand brands and broad international distribution, helping earnings resilience even as consumer confidence wanes. The slowdown in household spending is prompting shoppers to seek value, smaller packs, and promotions-a dynamic that benefits the discount and club channels and keeps these names competitive. While the sector is challenged, the durable demand, strong balance sheets, and long-term dividend visibility make P&G, Colgate, and Kimberly-Clark attractive yields for income-focused investors in October.
OpenAI Signs With Nvidia, AMD, and Broadcom: Who Benefits Most?
October 20, 2025, 6:20 AM EDT. OpenAI has signed multi-year deals with Nvidia, AMD, and Broadcom to scale its AI infrastructure. Nvidia plans to invest up to $100 billion as it deploys a 10 gigawatt compute footprint, with deployment beginning in the second half of next year. AMD will deploy six gigawatts of its chips over several years, and has issued OpenAI a warrant for up to 160 million shares. Broadcom, a specialist in networking chips and XPUs, is also part of the rollout. The trio's deals underscore strong demand for AI hardware, suggesting a durable tailwind for chipmakers even as OpenAI builds out its global compute backbone.
3 Brilliant Growth Stocks to Buy Now and Hold for the Long Term
October 20, 2025, 6:18 AM EDT. Growth stocks can compound wealth when held for the long term, letting earnings and cash flows drive higher share prices. The article argues for holding quality businesses through volatility rather than chasing short-term profits. Key attributes to seek: a durable competitive edge, a history of growing revenue and net income, and ample free cash flow to reduce financing risk. Set your sights on companies that can sustain growth without heavy reliance on banks or the bond market. Intercontinental Exchange (ICE) is highlighted as an example: a data-services and technology provider for mortgages, equities, futures, and fixed income, with rising revenue and net income, and strong free cash flow and a growing dividend. It also notes tailwinds from energy-market globalization and growing demand for data analytics.
SoFi Technologies (SOFI): A Growth Stock to Invest $1,000 in Right Now
October 20, 2025, 6:16 AM EDT. SoFi Technologies (SOFI) sits at the intersection of a trusted bank and a digital neobank, combining traditional financial services with innovative, tech-driven products. The stock has surged ~72% in 2025 and is supported by rapid account growth and cross-selling. In Q2 2025, SoFi added 850,000 new accounts (34% YoY) and expanded its Tech Platform and financial services portfolio, driving higher margins through fee-based, low-cost revenue. While the stock trades at a premium, management's focus on scale and a bank charter via Golden Pacific Bancorp broadens product access. The company serves young professionals and students, with strong growth in non-lending services and ongoing platform expansion-positioning SoFi as a compelling growth play for a $1,000 investment.
Alphabet Could Hit a $4 Trillion Market Cap in 12-18 Months, Says One Wall Street Analyst (Not Nvidia)
October 20, 2025, 6:14 AM EDT. One analyst argues Alphabet could approach a $4 trillion market cap within 12-18 months, potentially joining Nvidia and Microsoft in the exclusive club. Scotiabank analyst Nat Schindler raised Alphabet's 12-month target to $310, implying ~ $3.75 trillion today and a path to $4 trillion with under 7% upside. The thesis hinges on advertising momentum, YouTube Shorts monetization, and a stronger Google Cloud (up 32% YoY in Q2 2025 to $13.6B). The new TPU iteration (Ironwood) could sharpen AI hardware competition versus Nvidia GPUs. Risks include an economic slowdown and mixed target prices from other analysts. Still, the bull case envisions Alphabet near or above $4T in the next 12-18 months, aided by continued AI adoption and cloud growth.
Oct. 24: SSA to Announce 2026 Social Security COLA After Shutdown Delay
October 20, 2025, 6:12 AM EDT.Oct. 24 marks the moment the Social Security Administration will reveal the 2026 COLA after the federal shutdown delayed critical data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). The COLA depends on the CPI-W for Q3 2025 versus 2024, and SSA still needs the September CPI-W to finalize the figure. With the BLS releasing the data at 8:30 a.m., SSA plans to post an update on its site shortly after. Expect a press release like "Social Security Announces N.N Percent Benefit Increase for 2026," outlining the benefit increase and other details. Retirees should check the SSA Communications Corner for the official announcement and next steps.
Nelnet: The Off-the-Radar Dividend Stock With Hidden Assets and 2026 Upside
October 20, 2025, 6:10 AM EDT. Nelnet is transitioning from a student-loan financier to a diversified financial services company with hidden assets and scalable software. The stock today offers a low dividend yield, but its earnings power is poised for meaningful dividend growth as residual loan cash flow supports shareholder returns. Beyond lending, Nelnet is expanding with the federally chartered Nelnet Bank and a strong education software and payments processing division that generated nearly $500 million in revenue in 2024. The investment thesis favors patient investors who buy low-yield, high-growth potential stocks. With steady cash flow, a growing payout, and a transition to higher-margin businesses, Nelnet could become a safer anchor for a 2026 dividend strategy.
Prediction: Vanguard Developed Markets ETF Could Beat the S&P 500 Again in 2026
October 20, 2025, 6:08 AM EDT. Although the S&P 500 climbed 13% in 2025, momentum may fade as top holdings become pricey. The author argues that the Vanguard Developed Markets Index Fund (VEA) has rallied about 25% and could keep outperforming in 2026. A more diversified approach-investing outside the U.S.-is highlighted via the Vanguard FTSE Developed Markets ETF. The fund allocates ~53% to Europe, ~35% to the Pacific, and ~11% to North America, with around 3,900 stocks and top holdings such as SAP, AstraZeneca, and Roche. Its average P/E of just under 17 aligns with a lower valuation than the S&P 500's ~26, potentially offering a margin of safety and upside as tariffs pin U.S. equities. The piece suggests international exposure may mitigate downside while providing growth opportunities amid tariff headwinds.
The Best Crypto to Buy With $500 Right Now: Bitcoin Dominates
October 20, 2025, 6:06 AM EDT. Bitcoin remains up nearly 15% for the year, outperforming most top cryptos. Over the last 30 days, broader markets are red, but Bitcoin has held up better than peers-hardly a clear signal to swing to riskier bets. The piece frames Bitcoin within a debasement trade-the move away from fiat currencies into assets like gold and Bitcoin. Institutional investors view Bitcoin as digital gold with genuine scarcity: 21 million max supply and a cadence of new issuance that slows at each halving. In contrast, major altcoins such as Ethereum, Solana, and XRP are down 15-30%, and meme coins are battered. If you're considering $500, Bitcoin offers potential for both near-term resilience and long-term upside as a store of value in a debasing fiat environment.
U.S. Stock Futures Rise Ahead of Key Earnings Week, Tesla in Focus
October 20, 2025, 6:04 AM EDT. U.S. stock futures edged higher as markets brace for a busy earnings week, with Tesla (TSLA) set to report first among the Magnificent Seven. Nasdaq-100, Dow, and S&P 500 futures were up about 0.21%, 0.28%, and 0.48% respectively as trading opens. The week features major results from Netflix, Coca-Cola, GE Aerospace, General Motors, IBM, Lam Research, Intel, and more, with investors focused on Friday's CPI print and the ongoing data blackout amid the government shutdown. Yields steadied near 4.02%, oil hovered around $60.90, and gold slipped. European and Asia-Pacific markets also rose on improving sentiment and chatter of progress on U.S.-China trade relations. Expect heightened volatility as earnings, macro data, and policy headlines drive moves.
Will Your Tax Bracket Change for the 2026 Filing Year? Here's What to Know
October 20, 2025, 6:02 AM EDT. Tax brackets are changing for the 2026 filing year, as the IRS updates thresholds. For 2026, you'll need more income to reach a higher bracket, with higher thresholds across all rates. For example, the amount you can earn in 2025 before hitting the 12% rate is moving from $11,925 to $12,400 for single filers. The top 37% bracket won't trigger until income climbs past $640,600 for single filers. Importantly, these changes apply to 2026 taxes, not 2025 taxes. You'll file your 2025 taxes in 2026 using the 2025 brackets, and your 2026 taxes (due in 2027) will use the new 2026 brackets. The U.S. system remains progressive, so only the income within each range is taxed at that bracket's rate.
Is It Too Late to Buy Rigetti Computing Stock (RGTI)?
October 20, 2025, 6:00 AM EDT. In this market update, the host discusses recent developments surrounding Rigetti Computing (NASDAQ: RGTI) and whether it's too late to buy. The video, published Dec 30, 2024, cites Dec 27 pricing and promotes hype around "Double Down" stock alerts from The Motley Fool. It also references big historical gains from names like NVIDIA, Apple, and Netflix to illustrate upside potential, while noting that opinions and sponsorships may affect recommendations. Investors should perform independent due diligence on Rigetti's fundamentals, the quantum computing landscape, and risk before acting, rather than relying solely on promotional pitches or timing gambles.
