In fact, there’s one stock (not Tesla) that should be on every investor’s radar right now.
Months ago, we predicted:
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As January comes to a close, the S&P 500 and other major indexes traded near record highs, pointing to a broadening rally beyond mega-cap tech. The Russell 2000 and several niche ETFs—ranging from drone-technology to precious metals plays—are outpacing the S&P so far this month.
Corporate moves and the economy offered mixed signals. Dow Inc. said it will cut about 4,500 jobs, citing a push into AI and automation and booking $600–$800 million in severance. Labor-market data stayed firm, with initial unemployment claims modestly down to 209,000. Mortgage rates ticked up to a 30-year average of 6.1% but remain near a three-year low, and the IRS expects higher average tax refunds this season, potentially boosting consumer spending.
Commodities and geopolitics added texture: crude oil and gold futures climbed, supporting energy and miners, while U.S. officials warned of China’s growing manufacturing dominance—a risk to global supply chains that investors are watching.
Texas Instruments (NASDAQ: TXN) is on track to break out of a long-term trading range, set a new high, and embark on a significant rally. The company’s Q4 2025 earnings release and 2026 outlook not only affirmed the recovery in analog semiconductor markets but also the importance of those ma…READ THE FULL STORY
A widely followed Wall Street analyst is highlighting AES Corp (AES) as a stock to watch right now, based on signals from his proprietary Power Gauge system. The model tracks factors like momentum, financial strength, and institutional activity across thousands of U.S. stocks.
He breaks down the full reasoning in a short briefing, including why AES is showing unusual strength at this stage of the market.SEE THE FULL ANALYSIS HERE
Following a year that was generally good for utilities stocks, it is surprising that NextEra Energy Inc. (NYSE: NEE) is “only” up about 24% over the last 12 months. In fact, a significant amount of that growth has come in 2026. NEE stock is up 9.2% in the first month of the year, with about …READ THE FULL STORY
Carvana Co. (NYSE: CVNA) shares experienced extreme volatility in trading during the last days of January 2026. The stock dropped approximately 14%, trading near $408 per share and erasing a significant portion of its gains from earlier in the year. This sharp decline creates a confusing picture…READ THE FULL STORY
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U.S. automotive giant General Motors (NYSE: GM) just saw its historic rally get another boost. In 2025, shares of GM delivered a total return of over 54%, marking the stock’s best calendar year performance since its 2010 relisting on the NYSE. The stock saw its latest surge on Jan. 27. Shar…READ THE FULL STORY
Microsoft Corp. (NASDAQ: MSFT) was one of the first “Magnificent 7” stocks to report earnings this season. Despite beating on the top and bottom lines, concerns about the return on investment from Microsoft’s robust capital expenditures (CapEx) plans have sent the stock plummetin…READ THE FULL STORY
A growing number of investors are paying attention to developments around private space companies and potential future public listings.
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Capital One Financial (NYSE: COF) stock is down approximately 6% one week after the bank’s earnings report on Jan. 22. For the fourth quarter of 2025, the company delivered $15.62 billion in revenue, beating expectations for $15.49 billion. However, the bottom line was a miss with earnings p…READ THE FULL STORY
2026 is well underway and off to a bullish start. The S&P 500 and other major indices are ending January at record highs, and the Russell 2000 (INDEXRUSSELL: RUT), which tracks small-cap stocks, is leading the charge. The main point is that the sector rotation seen over the past 18 months is s…READ THE FULL STORY
After months of being down and out, Meta Platforms (NASDAQ: META) may have just changed the narrative around its business in a big way. In October, the Magnificent Seven stock tanked 11% after its Q3 earnings report, driven by fears of out-of-control artificial intelligence (AI) spending. However…READ THE FULL STORY
Electric vehicle king Tesla Inc (NASDAQ: TSLA) looks set for fresh gains after its Q4 earnings report dispelled fears that its best days were behind it. With a major source of uncertainty removed, the bulls should now have more than enough ammunition to get this rally back on track. Shares of TS…READ THE FULL STORY
European video game developer UbiSoft Entertainment (OTCMKTS: UBSFY) saw its stock plummet last week following a wave of cancellations, most notably of the “Prince of Persia: Sands of Time Remake.” UbiSoft cancelled six games in total and announced a major business reset to shrink its studio coun…READ THE FULL STORY
Wells Fargo & Co. is a diversified and community-based financial services company, which engages in the provision of banking, insurance, investments, mortgage, and consumer and commercial finance products and services. It operates through the following segments: Consumer Banking and Lending, Commercial Banking, Corporate and Investment Banking, and Wealth and Investment Management. The Consumer Banking and Lending segment offers consumer and small business banking, home lending, credit cards…
Should I Buy Wells Fargo & Company Stock? WFC Bull and Bear Case Explained
These insights were generated using artificial intelligence. They are based on proprietary MarketBeat data, news articles, and custom LLM A.I. algorithms. This analysis of Wells Fargo & Company was last updated on Wednesday, January 28, 2026 at 6:13 PM.
Wells Fargo & Company Bull Case
The current stock price is around $88, which may present a buying opportunity for investors looking for value in the financial sector.
The company reported a strong earnings per share (EPS) of $1.76, exceeding analysts’ expectations, indicating robust financial performance.
Wells Fargo & Company has shown a year-over-year revenue growth of 4.5%, suggesting a positive trend in its business operations.
The firm has a solid return on equity of 12.90%, reflecting effective management and profitability relative to shareholders’ equity.
With a dividend yield of 2.1% and a payout ratio of 28.71%, Wells Fargo & Company offers a reliable income stream for investors seeking dividends.
Wells Fargo & Company Bear Case
The company’s revenue of $11.97 billion for the latest quarter fell short of the consensus estimate, raising concerns about future growth potential.
Wells Fargo & Company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.05, which may indicate higher financial risk compared to its peers.
Despite a positive EPS, the overall market sentiment towards bank stocks has been cautious, which could impact stock performance.
Analysts have mixed ratings, with some maintaining a “hold” rating, suggesting uncertainty about the stock’s future trajectory.
The stock has a 52-week high of $97.76, indicating that it may be trading closer to its peak, which could limit upside potential for new investors.
The Early Bird is a daily email newsletter powered by MarketBeat that covers the top stories that will impact the stock market each day. Read your copy every morning at 7:00 AM Eastern so that you can “catch the worm” when the market opens.
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3 Large Cap Stocks Announce Big Buyback Boosts Amid +20% Falls
Written by Leo Miller on January 28, 2026
Article Highlights
Automatic Data Processing, CoStar Group, and Paychex all expanded buyback capacity after steep share-price declines.
Each authorization equals a meaningful slice of market cap, suggesting management confidence at current levels.
CoStar stands out for pairing a large repurchase plan with updated forward commentary as it ramps investment.
Several large-cap stocks just issued big-time buyback capacity increases. These buyback boosts come as all three stocks have taken huge tumbles over the past several months, down 20% or more from their highs. The combination of these factors suggests that management teams at these companies may view their shares as undervalued.
Have you ever seen a stock explode before the opening bell?
It happens when major news hits and a surge of capital floods into a narrow group of stocks all at once. FDA approvals, surprise deals, or breakthrough announcements can trigger what I call a premarket burst—a rapid move that often continues once regular trading begins. The key is spotting that burst as it forms, before most traders are even paying attention.
I recently uncovered a way to track these premarket capital waves in real time, without relying on options. I’ve broken down how it works, shared recent examples, and even revealed my top stock to watch heading into 2026. There are no guarantees in trading, but if you want to understand how these premarket moves develop, it’s worth a look.Get the full breakdown here
Slow Hiring Hurts ADP, Fires Back With Big Repurchase Plan
First up is Automatic Data Processing (NASDAQ: ADP). Since hitting an all-time closing high near $321 in June of 2025, ADP shares have retreated significantly, dropping 20%. The company’s fiscal Q1 earnings report was strong, but its shares still fell by almost 7% the day following. (Note that ADP’s fiscal year and calendar year are not aligned).
ADP beat estimates on sales and adjusted earnings per share (EPS) and forecasted steady growth going forward, combined with margin expansion. However, the company indicated weakness in the job market.
In aggregate, ADP clients did not increase their headcount last quarter, suggesting a weak hiring environment.
ADP often charges customers per employee, so this is a headwind for the company.
However, it is possible that ADP believes the sell-off in its shares is overdone.
On Jan. 14, the company announced a $6 billion share buyback program. This program is very sizable, equal to around 5.8% of the company’s $104 billion market capitalization.
This gives the company a significant ability to lower its outstanding share count, spreading its value over fewer shares. With the buyback program and the Jan. 28 earnings report as potential near-term catalysts, this is a stock to watch going forward.
CoStar hit its 52-week closing high back in August of 2025 near $97, a figure that was just a few dollars below its all-time closing high from 2021. Since then, the stock has lost 32% of its value, with a notable 10% loss coming after CoStar’s latest earnings. The company also beat estimates on sales, adjusted EPS, and even boosted its full-year 2025 guidance.
CoStar is investing aggressively to compete with Zillow, allocating significant resources toward artificial intelligence tools. This seems to have scared off many investors, as these investments will weigh on margins.
With shares down big, CoStar announced a $1.5 billion share buyback program on Jan. 7. This is equal to 5.4% of the company’s market capitalization, a signal of management confidence going forward. Notably, the company also increased its 2026 guidance and said that investment would moderate during the year.
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PAYX Approves $1B Buyback With Shares Down +30%
Paychex (NASDAQ: PAYX) is another company in the payroll, human resources, and benefits solutions space. However, Paychex tends to focus more on small and medium-sized businesses, while ADP’s clients are often much larger. Like ADP, Paychex hit its 52-week and all-time closing high back in June of 2025, trading near $157. Shares have moved steeply in the opposite direction since, down around 32%.
The stock’s biggest stumble came after its earnings report in late June, when shares dropped almost 10% in one day. The firm met or exceeded estimates on sales and adjusted EPS. However, around $146 million in costs related to Paychex’s acquisition of Paycor caused non-adjusted operating income to fall by 11%. Additionally, hiring market uncertainties have put pressure on the stock, as they have on ADP.
On Jan. 16, Paychex announced a $1 billion share repurchase program, a potential sign that management sees value in the stock. The program is equal to a solid 2.6% of Paychex’s $38 billion market capitalization.
Notably, the company repurchased $290 million in shares over the past 12 months. Thus, the company has the capability to greatly increase its buyback spending pace now.
Watchlist Add: CoStar
These three names are all flashing confident signals to investors through their new buyback authorizations. Among this group, CoStar is particularly interesting. The company has already established itself as a stalwart in the commercial real estate space. The possibility of doing the same in retail would make the firm a very formidable force. The company’s huge buyback announcement and updated guidance are encouraging signs.
Microsoft Drops After Earnings—Why the Bull Case Holds
Written by Chris Markoch on January 29, 2026
Key Takeaways
Microsoft stock plunged after earnings despite beating estimates, as investors reacted to heavy AI infrastructure spending.
Azure’s 39% growth and continued demand signal Microsoft is investing aggressively to secure long-term leadership.
Analysts still see roughly 40% upside, suggesting the sell-off may be a buying opportunity rather than a trend reversal.
Microsoft Corp. (NASDAQ: MSFT) was one of the first “Magnificent 7” stocks to report earnings this season. Despite beating on the top and bottom lines, concerns about the return on investment from Microsoft’s robust capital expenditures (CapEx) plans have sent the stock plummeting.
In fact, MSFT stock was down about 11% in midday trading on Jan. 29, the day after the report. That was the largest intraday loss since March 16, 2020—a wild reversal of fortunes for a stock that was trading at an all-time high (ATH) just three months prior to the earnings report.
Microsoft reported earnings per share (EPS) of $4.14 on revenue of $81.27 billion. Both numbers were higher than expectations for EPS of $3.86 on revenue of $80.28 billion. However, investors believe that much of Microsoft’s growth is already reflected in the stock price. Even year-over-year (YOY) growth of 39% in its Azure cloud computing business wasn’t good enough to spark a rally.
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The concern is that the AI applications at the top of the AI stack may never develop as expected. If that’s the case, then all this spending will prove to be an unnecessary drag on corporate profits for these technology stocks.
What gets lost in this “circular debate” about circular financing and future growth is that Microsoft is playing a long game. And it’s telling investors exactly what the likely outcome will be.
The company is committing to its current and future capital expenditure spending for one reason. It can’t build fast enough to meet demand.
The takeaway is that MSFT stock may look very different for traders and investors. Traders have likely already positioned for earnings volatility and the institutional reaction that follows.
But for investors, this does not seem like a time to panic.
Analysts Are Still Bullish on MSFT Stock
The day after earnings, the headlines say analysts are lowering their price targets for MSFT stock.
That’s true, but context matters. In many cases, the revised targets are still well above the Street’s consensus price target of $597.41, which implies about 40% upside from the stock’s price as of this writing.
That doesn’t guarantee a 40% return. But it suggests Wall Street still sees meaningful upside even after trimming expectations. In that light, the earnings sell-off looks more like a timing issue than a broken thesis.
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MSFT Stock Drop Is More Likely a Pause Than a Reversal
In midday trading the day after the earnings report, MSFT stock showed signs that the sell-off was abating. Having said that, timing a stock’s reversal is tricky in any environment, and especially after a market-moving event, like the company’s earnings report.
That means that Microsoft may still have further to fall. However, MSFT stock was up approximately 10% in the five trading days prior to earnings. The sell-off has erased those gains and pushed the stock down to levels not seen since May 2025.
That’s where the opportunity may lie. Microsoft stock is now flashing strong oversold signals. That supports the idea that the price actionfollowing the report is more of a pause to the recovery than a reversal.
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The FBI carried out a raid of an election office in Fulton County, Georgia. This was allegedly related to the 2020 elections and is part of an ongoing investigation.
Today, let’s go through a few recent developments with the Trump administration: the escalating war of words with Canada, the citizenship verification order by the Department of Housing and Urban Development, as well as the effort to denaturalize recently naturalized U.S. citizens whose conduct justifies such an action.
Chen Zhi faces an indictment in federal court in New York on charges of swindling millions of dollars from Americans as part of a global cryptocurrency scam.
Dr. Joanna Moncrieff is a British psychiatrist and author of “Chemically Imbalanced: The Making and Unmaking of the Serotonin Myth.” She challenges the long-held belief that depression is caused by a lack of the hormone serotonin.
California’s fuel system is under pressure, not because demand has fallen, but because the path from oil to fuel has narrowed. What happens when pipelines shut down and oil that once flowed underground now requires nearly 100 trucks a day on Kern County roads?
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And he brought more than just savvy marketing skills…
Remember, Niccol successfully turned around other fast-food names at Yum Brands (YUM). He also got the burrito chain Chipotle Mexican Grill (CMG) back on its feet before he went to Starbucks.
From the day Chipotle announced that Niccol would be joining the company to the day it announced his departure, CMG shares soared an incredible 927%.
It’s easy to see why investors are searching for the first signs of Starbucks’ revival. No one wants to miss more stock gains crafted by Niccol.
So let’s take a closer look today. And we’ll see what the Power Gauge thinks, too…Recommended Links:
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The ‘Smart Money’ Places New Bets on Starbucks’ Stock
On Wednesday, Starbucks reported earnings for the first quarter of its 2026 fiscal year. The company touted year-over-year growth of 3% in net revenue for its North America segment.
Now, the company saw its operating margins and income shrink. Starbucks says that this was due to two factors…
The first was labor investments to support its “Back to Starbucks” plan. You see, Starbucks is putting its money where its mouth is. The company knows it needs to invest in itself in order to change.
And the second factor was inflationary pressures. Starbucks said this was due to higher than usual coffee pricing and tariffs.
To be clear, Starbucks also missed its earnings per share (“EPS”) estimates by about 5% for the quarter.
That said, this was the closest Starbucks came to beating expectations in the past four quarters. And the earnings misses have been shrinking over the past three quarterly periods.
Meanwhile, the Power Gauge has picked up on some changes in the stock. You’ll see what I mean in the chart below…As I said earlier, Starbucks’ stock has been struggling in recent months.
But earlier this month, Starbucks’ relative strength versus the broad market jumped higher. And so did its Chaikin Money Flow – which measures the so-called “smart money” activity on Wall Street. Institutional investors started piling into the stock.
You see, on January 15, Starbucks announced a new goal for its coffeehouses in America. The company said it planned to add at least one “coffeehouse coach” to nearly every U.S. store by the end of the year.
In 2024, Bloomberg reported that about 8% of customers waited between 15 and 30 minutes to get their orders. It’s no surprise that those kinds of wait times would drive folks to other options.
Starbucks’ leadership knew that couldn’t last. The coffeehouse coach is meant to train and support both partners and leaders when they need it most.
The plan to expand this role seems to have excited the smart money on Wall Street. As I said, institutional investors started scooping up Starbucks’ stock in the wake of the announcement.
It’s the second and largest surge of smart-money buying activity in six months. And thanks to these big investors, Starbucks’ relative strength ticked into positive territory for the first time since last April.
Now, this may sound like Starbucks’ recovery is in its past. But the Power Gauge says that isn’t the case…
Starbucks gets a “neutral-” overall rating in our system right now. This rating happens when a “bearish” or worse stock is trading above its long-term trend line.
Put simply, the Power Gauge has picked up on some positive signs recently. But those aren’t enough to save the stock’s overall rating. Our system still sees plenty of red flags “under the hood.”
Of course, there’s a lot that could go wrong before the stock takes off. But for now, the smart money sees something in part of Niccol’s “Back to Starbucks” plan.
The Power Gauge says that it’s too early to bet on a full-on recovery just yet. However, I’ll have an eye on Starbucks for some stronger positive signals in our system. Keep the stock on your radar.
Good investing,
Ethan Goldman
Market View
Major Indexes and Notable Sectors # HLD: BULLISH NEUTRAL BEARISHDow 30
+0.02%719 4S&P 500
-0.2%113263 124Nasdaq
-0.6%2750 29Small Caps
+0.03%631947 311Bonds
+0.02%Communication Services
+2.6%00 0
— According to the Chaikin Power Bar, Small Cap stocks are more Bullish than Large Cap stocks. Major indexes are mixed.* * * *
Sector Tracker
Sector movement over the last 5 daysEnergy+3.27%Communication+3.05%Utilities+1.45%Information Technology+1.37%Materials+0.97%Real Estate+0.56%Industrials+0.22%Consumer Staples-0.17%Financial-0.48%Consumer Discretionary-1.17%Health Care-2.82%* * * *
Industry Focus
Health Care Equipment Services93421
Over the past 6 months, the Health Care Equipment subsector (XHE) has underperformed the S&P 500 by -0.09%. Its Power Bar ratio, which measures future potential, is Weak, with more Bearish than Bullish stocks. It is currently ranked #17 of 21 subsectors and has moved up 1 slot over the past week.Indicative StocksAORTArtivion, Inc.ZBHZimmer Biomet HoldinBAXBaxter International* * * *
Earnings SurprisesIP International Paper Company Q4 $-0.08 Missed by $-0.33DOW Dow Inc. Q4 $-0.34 Beat by $0.17WY Weyerhaeuser Company Q4 $-0.09 Beat by $0.04HIG The Hartford Insurance Group, Inc. Q4 $4.06 Beat by $0.84VLO Valero Energy Corporation Q4 $3.82 Beat by $0.55* * * *
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Any brokers mentioned constitute a partial list of available brokers and is for your information only. Chaikin Analytics, LLC, does not recommend or endorse any brokers, dealers, or investment advisors.
Chaikin Analytics forbids its writers from having a financial interest in any security they recommend to our subscribers. All employees of Chaikin Analytics, LLC (and affiliated companies) must wait 24 hours after an investment recommendation is published online – or 72 hours after a direct mail publication is sent – before acting on that recommendation.
This work is based on SEC filings, current events, interviews, corporate press releases, and what we’ve learned as financial journalists. It may contain errors, and you shouldn’t make any investment decision based solely on what you read here. It’s your money and your responsibility.
The air in the financial districts turned heavy today as a months-long game of political musical chairs appeared to reach its crescendo.
Investors, who had spent the better part of the year trying to decipher the future of U.S. monetary policy, found themselves reacting to a sudden shift in the winds blowing from the White House.
The day began with a flurry of speculation that Kevin Warsh, a former Federal Reserve governor known for his historically disciplined stance on inflation, had become the frontrunner to succeed Jerome Powell.
This wasn’t just idle chatter; the rumor mill kicked into high gear following reports that Warsh had visited the White House on Thursday.
Kevin Warsh (Photo: Tierney L. Cross/Bloomberg)
As the news spread, the bond market—the often-sober sibling to the more excitable stock market—suffered a sudden bout of nerves.
Treasury yields pushed higher as traders began to price in the possibility of a “Warsh Fed.” While President Trump has openly signaled his desire for a leader who will cut rates “further and faster,” the market’s memory of Warsh is one of a hawk who prioritizes policy discipline over easy money. Sean Callow, a senior analyst at ITC Markets, summed up the tension perfectly, noting that whatever may be said now, Warsh has a long hawkish history that markets haven’t forgotten, which pushed the dollar and yields upward.
The equity markets didn’t escape the turbulence.
The S&P 500 and the tech-heavy Nasdaq were already under pressure following a disappointing earnings signal from Microsoft, which suffered its worst drop in years. The added uncertainty of a leadership transition at the world’s most powerful central bank provided little comfort. President Trump, speaking at a premiere for the documentary “Melania,” confirmed he would make his formal announcement on Friday morning.
The weight of that looming decision felt palpable across trading floors, especially as betting markets like Polymarket saw the odds of a Warsh nomination leap to over 85%.
In the world of alternative assets, the narrative of “digital gold” faced a brutal reality check.
While traditional gold reached staggering heights near $5,600 earlier in the day before experiencing a “flash crash” and settling lower, Bitcoin suffered a far more consistent rout. The leading cryptocurrency slumped to fresh two-month lows, sliding toward $81,000.
For many, the breakdown in Bitcoin’s correlation with gold during a period of geopolitical upheaval was telling. Alex Kuptsikevich, chief market analyst at FxPro, observed that cryptocurrencies no longer appeared to be the alternative to fiat money or the hedge they were once claimed to be.
As the sun set on today’s session, the financial world remained in a defensive crouch, waiting for the President’s Friday morning reveal.
The shift in sentiment was underscored by $4.8 billion in outflows from Bitcoin ETFs over the last three months, a streak that suggests the appetite for high-risk “digital havens” is being eclipsed by a return to traditional safety—or simply the safety of cash.
With liquidity expected to be lower over the weekend, analysts like Adam McCarthy at Kaiko are warning that the slide could continue, with a break below $80,000 looking increasingly likely if the bearish mood persists.
The Digital Backbone of China’s Industrial Heartland
Today’s Stock Pick: Full Truck Alliance (YMM)
In the sprawling industrial heartland of China, where over 30 million trucks crisscross highways carrying everything from fresh produce to factory components, Full Truck Alliance is powering the marketplace.
It is the digital freight platform that connects shippers with truckers to keep the logistics industry humming.
(Source: Full Truck Alliance)
Besides matching orders, truckers can buy fuel, purchase trucks, secure insurance, and even access credit without ever leaving the app. Gas station operators pay to be featured. Truck manufacturers get sales leads. Highway toll operators tap into the network. Each of these revenue streams compounds the platform’s profitability while deepening user lock-in.
(Source: Bloomberg)
The business was good in the second quarter. Revenue climbed 10.8% year-over-year to RMB 3.36 billion (roughly $450 million), while net income surged 64.2%.
(Source: Full Truck Alliance)
The platform is large and growing: Full Truck Alliance is a big player. Just look at the second quarter’s volume numbers. An average of 3.16 million shippers posted orders on the FTA platform each month, matched with 4.34 million active truckers who fulfilled shipping orders over the trailing twelve months.
All in all, the platform facilitated 60.8 million fulfilled orders during the quarter alone, representing a 22.3% jump from the previous year.
(Source: Full Truck Alliance)
However, this is NOT just about volume.
It’s about network effects, which is a classic Silicon Valley playbook.
As more shippers join the platform seeking trucks, more truckers sign up seeking loads. As the trucker base expands, the platform becomes even more attractive to shippers who need reliable, quick matches.
It’s a virtuous cycle that’s extraordinarily difficult for competitors to replicate.
(Source: Full Truck Alliance)
More importantly, some estimates suggest Full Truck Alliance controls approximately 60% of the digital freight matching market in China.In a country where the road transportation market was worth an estimated $1.5 trillion in 2023, even a modest slice represents enormous opportunity.Best of all, the company’s gross profit margins hover near 90%, a testament to the capital-light nature of the business model. Unlike traditional logistics companies weighed down by trucks, warehouses, and fuel costs, Full Truck Alliance simply facilitates matches and takes a cut. It may create a strong operating leverage for the company.Bottom line: Full Truck Alliance is trading at a forward P/E ratio around 14. The valuation is solid when we consider that analysts have set average price targets around $10 per share.
View in your browser #MYTRILOGYLIFE Encanterra® Encanterra Leaderboard Jan 30, 2026 Featured Events Dancing with the Encanterra StarsSat, Jan 31 7:00 PM – 9:00 PM Other: Mallorca Event Center
Who doesn’t love a good dance competition?! The Utah Ballroom Dance Company will be bringing their Dancing Pros to Encanterra, pairing our Members with these professional dancers to entertain and compete to be crowned winner of Dancing with the Encanterra Stars on Saturday, January 31st at 7:00pm. Doors open at 6:00pm….View EventTribute Concert, featuring Keith Ormrod, a Tribute to Kenny ChesneySat, Feb 7 4:00 PM – 5:30 PM Other: Algarve
We are keeping the country music vibe going with our Tribute to Kenny Chesney on Saturday, February 7th, at 4:00pm, featuring Keith Ormrod and the Left of Center Band. Grab your boots and hats and scoot on down to the Algarve for a great night of music and dancing.
Kenny Chesney is an American country sing…View EventComedy Night at the ClubTue, Feb 10 7:00 PM – 9:00 PM Mallorca Events Center Room A
Comedy at the Club has been a hit with our Members for a long time, have you been to one yet? Join us on Tuesday, February 10th at 7:00pm in the Mallorca Events Center.
The comedians are superb, each bringing their own personal and unique style of comedy to the Club. And what is better than a night of laughter! Get r…View EventJukebox Bingo | Pinks & Reds NightThu, Feb 12 5:00 PM – 7:30 PM Other: Mallorca Events Center
Please be advised of an important update regarding credit card payments at the Business Ce…View PostWeekly Specials through February 1stPosted: Jan 27, 2026
Join us for these delicious weekly specials at any one of our Encanterra restaurants, good through Sunday, February 1st .
Gold Breaks Above $5,500 as Trust Becomes the New Currency — and Why Small-Cap NASDAQ Company SMX Is Emerging as the Infrastructure Play Behind the Precious Metals Rally!
As Gold and Silver Trade at Record Levels,SMXIs Positioning Itself as the Verification Backbone of a New Enforcement-Driven Metals Economy
Gold has surged to a record high above $5,500, and silver continues to trade near historic levels, driven by geopolitical risk, expectations of U.S. interest rate cuts, and persistent currency pressure.
Yet beneath the price action, a deeper structural shift is unfolding. Precious metals are no longer judged solely on scarcity and demand — they are now evaluated on verifiability.
Origin, custody, recycled content, and ESG compliance have moved from optional disclosures to enforceable requirements.
As gold rallies into this new era, companies built for transparency under scrutiny stand to matter more than ever. One of them is SMX (NASDAQ: SMX).
Gold’s Rally Is About More Than Price — It’s About Proof
Gold and silver have returned to the center of global capital flows as safe-haven assets, but today’s environment is fundamentally different from past cycles. Regulators, refiners, industrial users, and institutional investors are demanding verifiable proof of origin and custody, not reconstructed narratives.
Traditional paper-based systems struggle under audits, inspections, and cross-border enforcement. In precious metals, trust is no longer assumed — it is tested. This shift is creating a new kind of infrastructure demand, and it is exactly the environmentSMXwas designed for.
What Makes SMX Different: Infrastructure, Not Hype
SMX is a small-cap NASDAQ company quietly building something far more durable than a sustainability add-on. Its mission is to become a global standard for material verification, connecting physical materials directly to blockchain-enabled digital identities. Using patented molecular identity technology, SMXembeds an invisible, chemical-based “barcode” directly into materials themselves — including gold and silver. That identity travels with the material through refining, handling, recycling, and resale, creating continuous, tamper-resistant verification that does not rely on trust, paperwork, or intermediaries.
Silver as the Proving Ground
Silver is one of the most demanding environments for verification. It is heavily traded, tightly regulated, custody-sensitive, and intolerant of error. Substitution risk, undocumented recycling, and custody gaps are not theoretical — they carry real financial and legal consequences.
SMX’stechnology was built for precisely this level of scrutiny.
Verification persists through repeated handling and inspection, making silver not just a use case, but a proving ground. SMX has designed its platform to pass where traditional systems fail.
Gold: Where Regulation, ESG, and Provenance Converge
Gold faces mounting pressure from ethical sourcing mandates, carbon accountability, recycled content requirements, and geopolitical oversight. As enforcement tightens globally, proof can no longer be retroactively assembled — it must exist at the material level.
SMX enables gold to carry its verified history from origin or recycling through refining and downstream use. Because identity is embedded directly into the metal and recorded on blockchain, verification is always present. As regulation escalates, systems that already meet enforcement standards gain relevance without needing to pivot.
From Verification Tool to Verification Platform
Most companies treat verification as a feature. SMX treats it as infrastructure.
The same core technology applies across precious metals, plastics, textiles, agriculture, electronics, and non-ferrous metals. Each deployment strengthens the platform and reduces friction for the next, allowing SMX to expand horizontally rather than chasing one-off verticals. This is how infrastructure scales — quietly, steadily, and with rising switching costs.
Why Regulation Is Becoming SMX’s Largest Catalyst
Markets shaped by regulation do not reward speed; they reward endurance. Enforcement does not arrive all at once, but once it does, participation requires compliance. SMXwas built for inspection, not persuasion.
By embedding proof directly into materials, it aligns naturally with enforcement-driven markets where liability follows the supply chain. As sustainability rules shift from voluntary reporting to mandatory compliance, entire markets become addressable almost overnight.
A Trillion-Dollar Circular Economy Opportunity
The global circular economy is estimated at $4.5 trillion, and SMX is positioning itself as a foundational enabler. By allowing materials to carry verified data on origin, recycling history, and carbon impact, SMX transforms verification from a compliance cost into a measurable asset.
The platform even enables carbon and plastic credits to be directly linked to physical materials, aligning sustainability goals with economic incentives.
Why Investors Are Paying Attention Now
SMX is not an early-stage concept. Its technology has been operational at national scale for more than a decade,originally developed by the Israeli Atomic Energy Commission and deployed by the Israeli government.
Its leadership team brings deep experience in commercialization and global execution. While blockchain has already produced multiple billion-dollar companies at the digital layer, SMXrepresents a different opportunity: blockchain embedded directly into the physical economy, where materials like gold and silver demand absolute certainty.
The Bottom Line
As gold breaks above $5,500 and silver continues its historic run, markets are demanding more than belief — they are demanding proof.
SMX does not need to convince the market of its relevance; it is already aligned with where regulation, enforcement, and capital are moving. From precious metals to plastics, SMX is turning verification into infrastructure. And infrastructure, once embedded, tends to last.
5 Stocks to Buy in February: Last Year’s Winners Aren’t Done Yet
By Thomas Hughes. Publication Date: 1/29/2026.
Summary
Many of 2025’s top-performing stocks remain well-positioned for 2026 as key trends continue to strengthen.
Analysts broadly expect double-digit upside for these names, with several positioned to challenge or set new highs.
Forward expectations may still be conservative, leaving room for a cycle of outperformance and upward revisions as catalysts play out.
2026 is well underway and off to a bullish start. The S&P 500 and other major indices are ending January at record highs, and the Russell 2000 (INDEXRUSSELL: RUT), which tracks small-cap stocks, is leading the charge. The main point: the sector rotation seen over the past 18 months is accelerating. While tech and big tech remain central to the outlook, leadership is broadening to include a wider range of names and risk profiles. Five stocks that led in 2025 still have momentum heading into 2026—and February could offer better entry points.
Advanced Micro Devices (NASDAQ: AMD) is ending January up more than 25% from its early-month lows. The move, which confirms support at last year’s key resistance level, reinforces the growth outlook implied by the MI450 launch. That launch, scheduled for later in the year, could produce an NVIDIA (NASDAQ: NVDA)-like outcome: a triple-digit surge in datacenter revenue and potentially systemwide growth.
A widely followed Wall Street analyst is highlighting AES Corp (AES) as a stock to watch right now, based on signals from his proprietary Power Gauge system. The model tracks factors like momentum, financial strength, and institutional activity across thousands of U.S. stocks.
He breaks down the full reasoning in a short briefing, including why AES is showing unusual strength at this stage of the market.See the full analysis here
Based on forecasts, the stock appears to be trading at a deep discount to analysts’ estimates, which may be conservative. Sentiment is nevertheless bullish, with numerous January coverage initiations, a firming Moderate Buy rating, and rising price targets. Sentiment trends suggest the stock could reach the high end of the range—roughly 35% upside as of early 2026—and that high-end targets may be raised further by year-end.
Amprius Technologies Cements Production Capacity Ahead of Q4 Release
Amprius Technologies (NYSE: AMPX) is up about 50% from recent lows as investors prepare for its Q4 FY2025 earnings release, slated for late March. The report is expected to confirm a strengthening order pipeline, ramping production, and a clearer pathway to profits.
Recent news includes the addition of three South Korean battery manufacturers to its production alliance, putting Amprius ahead of schedule and well on track to meet its goals for cost reduction and lower cash burn. Analysts are optimistic, rating the stock a Moderate Buy with roughly 35% upside toward the critical resistance level near $12.
Credo Technologies Pulls Back Into Buying Opportunity
Credo Technologies (NASDAQ: CRDO)is pulling back, presenting a clear buying opportunity. The retreat runs counter to accelerating operational results and improving analyst trends. MarketBeat data show that coverage increased significantly over the trailing 12 months, sentiment firmed to Buy from Moderate Buy, and price targets trended higher.
The stock is up about 5% month-over-month in January, while consensus estimates are up nearly 200% year-over-year, implying roughly 70% upside, with many forecasts targeting the high end of the range. A potential catalyst is the Q3 FY2026 report, scheduled for early March. Credo remains central to advanced datacenter technology, AI and model inference, which should support continued strength.
Bloom Energy Blossoms Under Data Center Demand
Bloom Energy (NYSE: BE) makes low-emission, high-efficiency fuel cells that are well-suited for targeted applications, including data centers where traditional grid connections can be a constraint. Its technology enables quick, lower-cost deployment and operations. While not ideal for the largest sites, rising demand is driving revenue growth and improving margins.
Bloom Energy accelerated sequential and year-over-year growth to more than 50% in Q3 and is expected to sustain high double-digit growth into Q4 FY2025 and 2026. Profit growth should outpace revenue, supporting a rapidly improving analyst outlook. The 26 MarketBeat-tracked analysts currently rate the stock as a Hold, but coverage has increased substantially over the past year, sentiment is firming (verging on Moderate Buy), and the consensus price target has risen sharply—by roughly 400%. Though it has lagged the market, January forecasts point to about 20% upside this year.
Applied Digital Breaks Out After Solid Results
Applied Digital (NASDAQ: APLD)delivered Q2 FY2026 results that the market clearly welcomed, with revenue nearly doubling year-over-year and beating consensus estimates. The strong quarter reinforced a bullish outlook that includes the completion of its second campus, expected to start coming online this year.
The second campus is largely sold out, and new contracts—such as one with CoreWeave (NASDAQ: CRWV) —suggest demand will require a third campus sooner rather than later. Analysts reacted positively, with coverage initiations, upgrades, and price-target increases pointing toward the high end of the range and implying as much as 50% upside from the breakout point.
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As I said earlier, Starbucks’ stock has been struggling in recent months.
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Dancing with the Encanterra Stars
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Tribute Concert, featuring Keith Ormrod, a Tribute to Kenny Chesney
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