Editor’s Note: Tech legend Jeff Brown picked Nvidia in 2016 before it jumped 23,000% higher. Today, he’s recommending another explosive opportunity. While everyone has been focusing on Nvidia and other popular AI stocks, he believes a little-known company with a virtual monopoly in a key “AI metal” could hold the key to the $100 trillion AI boom. Click here for detailsor read more below.
Dear Reader,
As you can see in the picture below…
I recently traveled to a ghost town in the middle of an American desert…
Guidewire’s Buyback Could Be the Clue the Sell-Off Is Ending
Written by Thomas Hughes. Originally Published: 1/16/2026.
Article Highlights
Guidewire’s new $500M share buyback supports investor confidence and could accelerate its path to equity gains despite a rising share count.
Institutional selling in late 2025 has given way to early‑2026 accumulation, setting the stage for a potential rebound after a deep price correction.
Analyst sentiment remains bullish with a Moderate Buy consensus and upside forecasts driven by cloud migration, AI integration, and product expansion.
Share buyback authorizations, such as the one recently issued by Guidewire Software (NYSE: GWRE), are an important signal for investors and can influence stock movement because they reflect management’s confidence in growth and cash flow. The company authorized an additional $500 million, extending an earlier program that has now completed. That amount represents roughly 3.4% of Guidewire’s market capitalization, providing potential equity leverage in addition to a sentiment boost.
One caveat: the recent buybacks have not yet reduced outstanding shares meaningfully because share-based compensation has offset some repurchases. For 2025 overall, activity (including share-based comp) resulted in about a 1.5% increase in outstanding shares, though 2026 may change that trend. Q1 of fiscal 2026 (FY2026) saw only a 0.6% increase in the share count, and the company is continuing to grow while strengthening its financial position.
Institutions Are the Key to Unlocking Guidewire’s Share Price Rebound
Warren Buffett is sitting on $344 billion, the biggest cash position of his career. Meanwhile, CEOs behind America’s most powerful tech companies are selling billions in shares even as Wall Street tells everyday investors to buy the AI dip. After 46 years tracking institutional money flows, one pattern stands out: money is leaving crowded AI trades and flooding into an ignored corner of the market. The reason is power. A single AI data center uses as much electricity as a small city, and the grid can’t handle what’s coming. Institutions are quietly loading up on companies upgrading America’s power backbone.See the stocks flagged to lead the next leg of this market.
Guidewire experienced a painful price correction in Q4 2025, with the stock falling roughly 30% from its highs. MarketBeat data show that much of this was a natural profit-taking cycle that became overextended and is now poised to reverse. The Q4 selling pressure was primarily institutional; institutions (including hedge funds) — which account for the vast majority of ownership — sold heavily through 2025, coinciding with the market top.
The most likely trigger for a rebound is a reversion from distribution back to accumulation, a shift that appears to have begun. MarketBeat’s data show institutional buying of GWRE in the first two weeks of 2026, and that activity will likely accelerate as Q1 FY2026 progresses.
Valuation concerns contributed to the sell-off. At the 2025 peak the stock traded at about 65x current-year earnings and still changed hands near 58x in early 2026. Those multiples imply expectations of robust growth, and investors may remain cautious until that growth proves durable.
Guidewire’s Q1 FY2026 results delivered both top- and bottom-line beats, accelerated earnings growth, and a favorable outlook for the year. If the company continues to execute on its go-to-market strategies, there appears to be upside: investors can reasonably expect a sustained, bullish analyst revision cycle. At a modest multiple on forward earnings, the stock has room to close the gap with insurance-related peers and potentially more broadly with higher-quality tech names.
Analysts Agree Guidewire Software Looks Undervalued in Early 2026
Analyst responses to the Q1 FY2026 report were mixed — including one price-target cut, two reaffirmations, one price-target increase, and an upgrade — but the overall takeaway is constructive. Consensus among 17 analysts is a Moderate Buy, with a roughly 70% buy-rating bias and meaningful conviction behind the consensus target. Current consensus estimates imply roughly 60% upside versus the stock’s trading level.
Key 2026 catalysts for Guidewire include accelerating cloud migration, ongoing AI integration and new product development, and an expanding partner ecosystem. Cloud adoption is gaining momentum across verticals and supports the company’s revenue runway. AI features are especially appealing to insurers, who can realize operational and customer-facing efficiencies. On the partner front, Guidewire removed education fees in 2025, which has accelerated the number of platform-certified professionals and should increase platform stickiness over time.
Oversold Signals Suggest Guidewire Is Near a Turning Point
Price action in 2025 and early 2026 pushed GWRE down toward the $170 level, bringing it into alignment with its longer-term moving averages. Technical indicators such as the MACD and stochastic readings suggest the stock is deeply oversold at these levels, which coincide with the low end of analysts’ expectations and point to a potential rebound. The primary risk is a break below key support, which could extend the sell-off toward $150 before any recovery.
Thank you for subscribing to TickerReport, where we work around-the-clock to bring you the latest market-moving news.
This email message is a sponsored email sent on behalf of Brownstone Research, a third-party advertiser of TickerReport and MarketBeat.
(CVKD) Comes Backed By 7 Must See Potential Catalysts
Full Coverage Will Be Starting Early
Pull Up (CVKD) Before Tomorrow Morning…
January 26, 2026
Tuesday’s Watchlist | See Why (CVKD)Just Hit Tomorrow’s Radar
Dear Reader,
At Street Ideas, we’re always hunting for the under-the-radar names that can force their way onto the screen—especially when they’re taking aim at a space long controlled by the giants.
In the race to solve one of medicine’s longest-running challenges—preventing dangerous clots without increasing bleeding risk—one emerging player keeps stacking developments that could shift how this category evolves.
And in a $40B global market that has seen limited true innovation for decades, those kinds of steps don’t stay quiet for long.
That company is Cadrenal Therapeutics, Inc. (Nasdaq: CVKD).
And it’s just one of the reasons why (CVKD) will be topping our watchlist tomorrow morning—Tuesday, January 27, 2026.
We’re covering it for the first time, and its expanded clinical assets, operational milestones, and broader pipeline footprint have put it on our watchlist.
What caught our attention is the technical setup of (CVKD).
(CVKD) has less than 2M shareslistedas available to the public. When a company has a small float like this, the potential exists for big moves if demand begins to shift.
We have already seen this momentum in action, as (CVKD) made an approximate 20% move this month, from $6.81 on January 2 to $8.21 today, January 26, 2026.
Analyst Target Suggests Over 500% Upside Potential
Noble Capital Markets: Senior Analyst Robert LeBoyer recently reiterated a Bullish rating with a $45 target on (CVKD).
From its recent $7.36 range, this suggests a potential upside of over 500%. LeBoyer specifically cited the$3B+ peak annual revenue potential of the targeted indications.
Now here’s the key point: the recent attention isn’t coming from a single headline or a one-off catalyst—it’s coming from what the company is building underneath the surface.
In a category where most names are still fighting the same old tradeoffs, (CVKD)is pushing into areas where better tools are still badly needed.
And the further you go into the story, the clearer it becomes why this one could start showing up on more screens right now.
Targeting Unmet Cardiovascular Needs
Cadrenal Therapeutics, Inc. (Nasdaq: CVKD) is a late-stage biopharmaceutical companyfocused on addressing unmet needs in the anticoagulation and thrombosis space.
While the broader market is saturated with therapies, many patient populations remain underserved due to high bleeding risks or unpredictable metabolism.
(CVKD) is specifically targeting these gaps with a platform that spans chronic care, acute procedural risk, andimmune-mediated thrombosis.
The company’s primary focus has long beentecarfarin, a next-generationvitamin K antagonist designed for patients with End-Stage Kidney Disease (ESKD) and atrial fibrillation. These patients often cannot use modern therapies like DOACs because they are primarily eliminated by the kidneys.
By developing a therapy that is metabolized outside the major hepatic pathways, (CVKD) aims to provide more stable andpredictable anticoagulation for those who need it most.
In late 2025, (CVKD) transformed from a single-asset company into a multi-program clinical powerhouse.
The company recentlyacquired first-in-class assets that address acute care and rare immune-driven clotting conditions. This expansion has positioned (CVKD) as a versatile player in cardiovascular care, targeting conditions where current therapeutic options often fall short.
A Pipeline With Range
The core thesis for (CVKD) rests on itsdiversified pipeline, which now features three distinct late-stage programs.
The VLX-1005 Breakthrough:
On December 11, 2025, (CVKD)announced theacquisition of VLX-1005, a first-in-class Phase 2 12-LOX inhibitor. This candidate targets Heparin-Induced Thrombocytopenia (HIT), a serious immune-mediated complication of heparin therapy that can lead to life-threatening clots.
VLX-1005 is the first and only potent, highly selective inhibitor of human 12-LOX in clinical testing. This asset carries both FDA Orphan Status and Fast Trackdesignations, which are intended to expedite the development of therapies for rare and serious conditions.
During the January 2026,J.P. Morgan Healthcare Conference, management highlighted the high incidence of thrombotic complications in HIT, underscoring the urgent need for a therapeutic solution like VLX-1005.
Expanding with Factor XIa Inhibition:
The company alsoadded frunexian and EP-7327 to its portfolio in September 2025.Frunexian is a Phase 2-ready intravenous Factor XIa inhibitor designed for acute procedural scenarios, such as bypass surgery or mechanical device support where contact activation triggers clotting.
Factor XIa inhibition is a closely watched mechanism because it may reduce clotting risk whilelimiting bleeding, a major hurdle for existing anticoagulants.
Detailed Program Breakdown:
To appreciate the scale of what (CVKD) is building, one must look at the specific indications and the science driving each program.
And this is where the story starts to shift from “interesting pipeline” to “company people are suddenly paying attention to.”
(CVKD) isn’t just assembling programs on paper—it’s stacking clinical and operational signals that the market tends to notice when they show up together.
When a little-known company, like (CVKD), begins pairing late-stage readiness with fresh assets in high-need settings, visibility can change fast.
Strategic Milestone: The J.P. Morgan Healthcare Conference
Management used this stage to emphasize that HIT is not just a rare condition but a high-incidence complication that lacks a “gold standard” treatment.
By positioning VLX-1005 as the first and only selective 12-LOX inhibitor, (CVKD is effectively claiming leadership in a niche but highly critical segment of hospital-based medicine.
Furthermore, the company has emphasized itsmanufacturing progress. Completing cGMP manufacturing for tecarfarin is a major hurdle cleared.
This move signals that (CVKD is not just a research house but an operationally ready late-stage clinical developer capable of moving intopivotal trials.
Targeted Response System
As noted in recent updates, the CVKDpipeline is beginning to look less like a typical biotech and more like an “emergency response system” for the cardiovascular ward.
Whether it is a patient suffering from HIT, a patient undergoing a CABG procedure, or an ESKD patient needing long-term protection from AFib, CVKD is developing specific tools for specific crises.
This “layered approach” is something few emerging companies can match, as most focus on a single mechanism or a single indication.
7 Reasons Why (CVKD) Will Be Topping Our Watchlist Tomorrow Morning —Tuesday, January 27, 2026
1. Analyst Coverage: Analyst’s $45 target on (CVKD) suggests over 500% upside potential from recent levels.
2. Razor-Thin Float: With fewer than 2M shares available to the public, (CVKD)’s small float could witness the potential for big moves if demand begins to shift.
3. Massive Market Potential: By targeting underserved niches within the $40B anticoagulation market, (CVKD)is positioning itself where few emerging companies have comparable breadth.
4. Triple-Asset Platform: Following its recent acquisitions, (CVKD) now advances three late-stage clinical programs spanning chronic, acute, and immune-mediated cardiovascular risk.
5 First-in-Class: By adding VLX-1005, (CVKD) now holds the only selective 12-LOX inhibitor currently in clinical testing, aimed at HIT.
6. Late-Stage Readiness: With tecarfarin progressing toward a pivotal study in ESKD, (CVKD is entering a phase that could determine outcomes for high-need patient groups.
7. Regulatory Fast Tracking: The Orphan and Fast Track designations for VLX-1005 help (CVKD) push forward in a rare condition with limited therapeutic options.
Pull Up (CVKD) Before Tomorrow Morning…
(CVKD) checks multiple boxes that tend to draw serious attention when they appear together: analyst coverage pointing to a $45 target, a razor-thin float with fewer than 2M shares available to the public, and a focus on underserved niches inside a $40B anticoagulation market.
What makes the story even more compelling is the broadened three-program platform across chronic, acute, and immune-driven clotting risk—so it isn’t a one-shot narrative.
Add in VLX-1005, described as the only selective 12-LOX inhibitor currently in clinical testing for HIT, along with Orphan and Fast Track designations, and it’s easy to see why (CVKD) keeps rising on watchlists.
Pair that with tecarfarin moving toward a pivotal study in ESKD, and you have a company entering a higher-visibility phase where execution starts to matter more than promises.
We will have all eyes on (CVKD)tomorrow morning—Tuesday, January 27, 2026.
Take a look at (CVKD) before you call it a night.
Also, keep a lookout for my morning update.
Have a good night.
Sincerely,
Paul Prescott Co-Founder & Managing Editor Street Ideas Newsletter
Street-Ideas.com (“Street-Ideas” or “SI” ) is owned by 147 Media LLC, a single member limited liability company. Data is provided from third-party sources and SI is not responsible for its accuracy. Make sure to always do your own research and due diligence on any day and swing profile SI brings to your attention. Any emojis used do not have a specific defined meaning, and may be used inconsistently. We do not provide personalized in-vest-ment advice, are not in-vest-ment advisors, and any profiles we mention are not suitable for all in-vest-ors.
Pursuant to an agreement between 147 Media LLC and TD Media LLC, 147 Media LLC has been hired for a period beginning on 01/26/2026 and ending on 01/27/2026 to publicly disseminate information about (CVKD:US) via digital communications. Under this agreement, 147 Media LLC has been paid eight thousand USD (“Funds”). These Funds were part of the funds that TD Media LLC received from a third party who did not receive the Funds directly or indirectly from the Issuer and does not own stock in the Issuer but the reader should assume that the clients of the third party own shares in the Issuer, which they will liquidate at or near the time you receive this communication and has the potential to hurt share prices.
Neither 147 Media LLC, TD Media LLC and their member own shares of (CVKD:US).
Few market signals are watched as closely as the trading activity of Representative Nancy Pelosi. Over the years, the portfolio attributed to her and her husband, Paul Pelosi, has developed a near-mythical status among investors. Dubbed the Queen of Capitol Hill by traders, her disclosures are often treated as a roadmap for where smart money believes the market is heading.
A new Periodic Transaction Report, filed with the House of Representatives on Jan. 23, 2026, has just provided the first major roadmap for the new year. At first glance, the headlines might look bearish: the report shows sales of millions of dollars’ worth of major technology stocks. However, savvy investors know that headlines often obscure the truth. A detailed analysis of the filing reveals that the Pelosi portfolio is not exiting the tech market. Instead, it is executing a sophisticated reloading strategy.
The data, covering trades from late December 2025 through mid-January 2026, outlines a clear, three-part playbook. The strategy involves taking profits for tax purposes, establishing a massive defensive position in the financial sector, and using high-level leverage to double down on the artificial intelligence (AI) revolution.
The Yield Shield: A Multi-Million Dollar Bet
The most surprising twist in the 2026 portfolio update is a heavy rotation into the financial sector. On Jan. 16, 2026, the filing reveals the purchase of 25,000 shares of AllianceBernstein Holding L.P. (NYSE: AB). The value of this transaction is listed between $1 million and $5 million.
For years, the Pelosi portfolio has been defined by high-growth, high-volatility technology stocks. AllianceBernstein is the opposite. It is a global asset management firm, a traditional business model focused on managing money for others. So, why the sudden shift?
The answer likely lies in yield. AllianceBernstein is a favorite among income investors because it pays a massive dividend, historically ranging from 8% to 9%. By parking millions of dollars in this specific stock, the portfolio creates a yield shield.
However, a position like AllianceBernstein pays the investor to wait. The quarterly dividend payments provide a steady, reliable stream of cash flow that cushions the portfolio against losses in riskier sectors. This purchase signals a prudent, defensive mindset: hoping for growth, but ensuring that the portfolio gets paid regardless of what the stock market does next.
The Infrastructure Play: Why She Kept the Shares
While the portfolio added defensive armor with AllianceBernstein, it simultaneously went on the offensive in the AI sector. The filing shows that the investor exercised call options on two specific companies: Vistra Corp (NYSE: VST) and Tempus AI (NASDAQ: TEM).
To understand the significance of this, investors must understand the mechanics. When you own a call option, you have the right to buy a stock at a certain price. Often, traders will simply sell the option to pocket the cash profit. Exercising the option is different. It means the investor is choosing to pay cash to acquire the actual shares. On Jan. 16, 2026, the Pelosi portfolio took delivery of 5,000 shares of Vistra and 5,000 shares of Tempus AI.
Vistra Corp – The Power Play:This trade confirms a high-conviction belief in the AI Energy narrative. Data centers running AI models are power-hungry beasts, consuming exponential amounts of electricity. Vistra, with its robust fleet of nuclear and natural gas power plants, is a key supplier for this demand. By taking ownership of the stock, the portfolio is betting that the energy crunch is a long-term reality that will drive Vistra’s value for years to come.
Tempus AI – The Healthcare Play: This position sits at the cutting edge of science. Tempus uses artificial intelligence to analyze clinical and molecular data to help doctors make real-time decisions. The decision to hold these shares suggests confidence in the company’s recent performance. With analysts pointing to improved earnings and revenue growth, the portfolio views Tempus as a company graduating from a speculative startup to a foundational AI healthcare leader.
Immediately after selling the shares, likely a move to harvest old profits and pay tax bills, the portfolio re-entered these same positions using a financial instrument called LEAPS (Long-Term Equity AnticiPation Securities). Specifically, the portfolio bought call options expiring in January 2027.
This strategy acts as a leveraged roll. Here is the logic:
Capital Efficiency: Owning 20,000 shares of a tech giant requires millions of dollars of upfront cash. By switching to Deep-In-The-Money options, the investor can control the same number of shares for a fraction of the cost.
The Bullish Signal: You do not buy options expiring a year from now if you think the market is crashing. By purchasing contracts that run through 2027, the portfolio is effectively betting that the AI super-cycle is far from over.
Whether it is NVIDIA’s next-generation Blackwell chips, the upcoming iPhone super-cycle, or Amazon’s cloud dominance, the Pelosi portfolio has positioned itself to capture all the upside of 2026 without tying up as much cash as before.
Pelosi Portfolio Management: Don’t Exit, Optimize
The latest disclosures from the Queen of Capitol Hill provide a masterclass in portfolio construction. The 2026 Pelosi portfolio is not retreating; it is evolving. It is leaner, using options to control tech exposure efficiently, but it is also broader, diversifying into critical infrastructure and high-yield finance.
For the everyday investor, the lesson is clear. In a maturing bull market, you do not need to sell everything and go to cash. Instead, look for opportunities to optimize. Consider taking some profits from high-flying tech stocks and redeploying that capital into defensive assets like AllianceBernstein that pay dividends. At the same time, keep your exposure to the themes that matter, specifically the power and data infrastructure, building the future of artificial intelligence. READ THIS STORY ONLINE
For the electric aviation sector, 2026 has ushered in a defining market theme: the flight to quality. In the early years of the industry, investors spread capital across dozens of startups, treating the sector like a venture-capital lottery ticket. Today, that speculative phase has largely ended. The market is now ruthlessly separating winners from losers based on a single criterion: who has the resources to survive the valley of death.
For eVTOL organizations, the valley of death will be the perilous period between building a functional prototype and receiving final government certification to carry passengers. It is a phase of high cash burn and zero revenue. As this separation occurs, retail investors are looking to the smart money for clues. Institutional investors (think pension funds, sovereign wealth funds, and massive asset managers) do not typically gamble on hype. They rely on rigorous auditing, risk analysis, and deep-dive due diligence. When these giants take a significant position in a pre-revenue company, it signals that the company has passed the most stringent financial and technical tests that Wall Street offers.
For the eVTOL investor, the specific type of filing matters. Passive investors, those who believe the company is being run well and simply want to own a piece of its future growth, file a Schedule 13G. This is distinct from activist investors, who buy shares to pressure management to make changes. BlackRock’s purchase is a tacit endorsement of Archer’s current leadership and roadmap.
Owning nearly 10% of a company creates a level of stability that Archer’s press releases cannot manufacture. But why is BlackRock buying now? The answer likely lies in Archer’s resilience. In the aerospace industry, companies don’t usually fail because their technology doesn’t work; they fail because they run out of money before they can prove it works.
The Financial Fortress: $2 Billion in Protection
Archer Aviation enters 2026 with a financial profile that is arguably best-in-class for the sector. The company boasts a total liquidity position hovering near $2 billion. However, the most telling metric for risk-averse investors like BlackRock is the current ratio.
Archer reports a current ratio of 18.19. For context, a ratio of 1.0 is considered safe, meaning a company has one dollar in assets for every dollar of bills due within a year. A ratio of 18.19 is exceptional. It implies that for every dollar of short-term debt, Archer holds over $18 in liquid assets. This effectively removes the near-term risk of emergency fundraising, which often destroys shareholder value.
This financial fortress is heavily fortified by Archer’s strategic partnership with automotive giant Stellantis (NYSE: STLA).
In a typical aerospace startup, the company must burn hundreds of millions of dollars building a factory. In Archer’s case, Stellantis is absorbing the bulk of the capital costs and providing the manufacturing expertise for the high-volume facility in Covington, Georgia. This allows Archer to direct its cash almost exclusively toward research, flight testing, and certification, resulting in highly efficient capital allocation that appeals to institutional analysts.
Archer And Joby: Why Money Is Moving
The significance of the BlackRock purchase is amplified when viewed against the broader sector. A clear divergence has formed between Archer and its primary competitor, Joby Aviation (NYSE: JOBY). For years, these two companies have traded in lockstep, but 2026 has brought a decoupling.
While Archer is attracting institutional inflows, Joby has faced headwinds regarding its stock valuation. In December 2025, analysts at Goldman Sachs initiated coverage on Joby Aviation with a Sell rating. This was followed in late January 2026 by a reiteration of a sell rating from Weiss Ratings. The analysts cited concerns that Joby’s valuation was too high relative to its near-term growth prospects.
This contrast has created a classic pair trade scenario. In financial markets, a pair trade involves selling a stock that appears overvalued while buying a direct competitor that appears undervalued. The recent market data suggests a rotation of capital is underway, moving out of the premium-priced Joby and into Archer, which is increasingly viewed as a value play in the eVTOL sector. BlackRock’s timing aligns perfectly with this broader rotation, suggesting they see Archer as an undervalued asset in the space.
Friction in the Float: Bears vs. Bulls
The heavy institutional accumulation by BlackRock and Stellantis creates an interesting friction in the stock’s market mechanics, specifically regarding short sellers. Currently, short interest in Archer Aviation is high, with approximately 15% of the available shares (the float) sold short. This equates to roughly 90.4 million shares that must eventually be repurchased.
This setup creates the potential for short squeeze mechanics to play out. Here is how the mechanism would work:
Locked Supply: When long-term giants like BlackRock and Stellantis buy shares, they typically hold them for years. This removes those shares from the daily trading supply.
The Trap: If positive news drives Archer’s stock price up, short sellers start losing money. To stop the losses, they must buy shares to close their positions.
The Squeeze: Because institutions are not selling, fewer shares are available to buy. This scarcity forces short sellers to bid the price higher and higher to exit their trades, creating a feedback loop of buying pressure.
With 15% of the float shorted and supply tightening due to the BlackRock purchase, the stock is coiled like a spring.
A Convergence of Catalysts
Market reaction to these developments has already begun. Archer’s stock has shown upward mobility over the past 30 days, gaining approximately 8% before a late January sector-wide slump. Despite the sector’s downward trend in the last days of January, Archer has demonstrated resilience. This sustained strength suggests a firm price floor is being established through institutional buying.
From a technical perspective, the momentum is confirmed. The TradeSmith Health Indicator recently placed Archer in the Green Zone, a technical signal indicating that the stock has stabilized and entered a healthy, positive trend.
The investment thesis for Archer Aviation in 2026 is becoming clear. The company has secured the technology throughNVIDIA (NASDAQ: NVDA), the manufacturing capacity through Stellantis, and the financial runway through a massive liquidity pile.
Now, with BlackRock’s 8.1% stake providing the ultimate institutional seal of approval, the risks associated with the valley of death appear significantly lower.
For investors, the combination of smart money validation, comparative value against competitors, and potential short-squeeze mechanics makes Archer a standout candidate in the race for the skies. READ THIS STORY ONLINE
We’re entering a rare quiet stretch before what many expect to be a much more active IPO cycle in 2026, and this is often when early investors position themselves long before Wall Street turns its attention back to private companies. We’ve put together a straightforward guide showing how the early-stage landscape works, where opportunities are typically found, what to look for long before an IPO is announced, and which risks actually matter so you can approach this space with realistic expectations.GET INSTANT ACCESS TO THE FULL REPORT HERE
The best offense is sometimes a good defense, and that’s especially true in markets when stocks turn volatile. Defensive stocks can preserve capital in a declining market by limiting losses and supplementing portfolios with dividend income. Some market sectors offer better protection than others, and today we’ll look at one of the common defensive sectors: consumer staples.
Consumer Staples Stocks Can Protect Capital in Volatile Markets
Most investors think of gold or U.S. Treasuries (at least for now!) when the discussion turns to safe haven assets, but capital doesn’t necessarily need to exit the stock market to be protected. Some sectors are less volatile than others, while others offer income through dividends in addition to equity appreciation. And then some offer a combination of both, such as consumer staples.
Consumer staples are considered a ‘safe’ sector because they comprise companies that sell necessities rather than discretionary goods. Consumers purchase items like groceries and toiletries in a consistent, timely manner, which limits upside but offers predictable, reliable revenue. Other factors that make staples a popular investment during volatile markets include:
Steady Dividend Income – Predictable revenue leads to reliable profits, and these companies often return these profits to shareholders as dividends. Reliable earnings are key to dividend safety, and consumer staples stocks are rarely at risk of dividend cuts.
Pricing Power – The ability to pass rising costs onto consumers is crucial in the age of tariffs and inflation. Consumer staples possess a unique ability to pass on costs since there’s no substitute or ‘trade down’ for life’s necessities. A family can choose to get takeout instead of eating at a steakhouse, but they can’t forgo or substitute toilet paper, toothpaste, or soap.
Low Beta – Beta is a useful heuristic for measuring a stock’s volatility relative to a broader index or market. Low beta stocks are less volatile than the broader market, and these are the types of stocks institutional investors look for when markets get turbulent. Consumer staples often offer relief from market volatility, preserving investor capital during steep drawdowns.
3 Consumer Staples With Inelastic Product Demand
The following three stocks all have inelastic demand for their products and services, though they aren’t the traditional grocery-store items you might expect. Each company has a foothold in its niche market, offering steady income and strong dividends.
Waste Management: Strong Dividend and Irreplaceable Infrastructure
Whoever coined the phrase “one man’s trash is another man’s treasure” probably didn’t have actual trash in mind, but Waste Management Inc. (NYSE: WM)depends on American households and businesses throwing away tons of stuff every week. But Waste Management’s moat doesn’t come from trash removal as an essential service; it’s the company’s vast network of landfills that gives it a near-monopoly in many of the locations it operates.
Environmental regulations make landfill permitting extremely difficult and time-consuming to obtain, so Waste Management’s hold on market share is as safe as its dividend, which has a 52% dividend payout rate (DPR) and a 22-year history of annual payout increases.
WM shares are also in the midst of a breakout, with the price eclipsing the 200-day simple moving average (SMA) for the first time since last September. The bullish trend actually began in November when the Moving Average Convergence Divergence (MACD) initiated a bullish cross, and now a second cross has confirmed the next leg up in the rally.
British American Tobacco: Deep Value With Premium Dividend
Cigarette smoking may be in secular decline, but British American Tobacco plc (NYSE: BTI)’s pivot to smokeless products like e-cigs, vapes, and nicotine pouches has reinvigorated the company’s revenue in the U.S. But, as with most tobacco companies, the appeal lies in the dividend, and BTI currently yields more than 5% with a 63% DPR. The company has raised payouts for 19 straight years, but the low growth rate means the stock often functions like a bond in bull markets.
In this current bull market, BTI shares have returned nearly 60% in the last 12 months, and the stock could be ready for its next move up after a period of consolidation. A bullish wedge has formed on the chart, with the upper bound forming resistance at the previous all-time high and the lower bound making higher lows.
Traditionally, a new uptrend begins when the stock price breaks above this upper level, and the MACD and Relative Strength Index (RSI) signal that bullish momentum is gathering strength.
Service Corporation International: A Necessary Service That Can’t Be Outsourced
Here’s a company where the clients never actually know when they’re using the service. Service Corporation International Inc. (NYSE: SCI) is the largest provider of funeral and cemetery services in North America, where an aging population faces some unfortunate demographic inevitabilities. If you’re lucky enough to be unfamiliar with this business model, Service Corp accepts payment upfront for future funeral and burial arrangements, as most clients want to offload the burden of ‘deathcare’ from their loved ones before they pass. Pre-payment allows the company to build a large pool of capital that can be deployed in interest-earning vehicles.
SCI’s cash position allows it to sustain a healthy dividend, currently yielding 1.68% with a 36.7% DPR. The dividend has grown at a 10.57% annualized rate over the last five years, and the company has raised the payout for 15 consecutive years. The company also raised its 2025 cash flow guidance to the $915 million to $950 million range during its Q3 earnings report, which should help support another year of payout increases.
Companies like SCI usually don’t offer outsized stock returns. Still, a little capital appreciation on top of a steady dividend is ideal in volatile markets, and the chart here shows some promise. The RSI bounced off the Oversold level in December and has been trending higher ever since, and the share price has now broken through the 50-day and 200-day SMAs for the first time since late October.
Love steady payouts? This free report reveals 7 high-yield dividend stocks you need to know about. From Company #3, a tobacco giant innovating with smokeless products, to Company #4, famously known as “The Monthly Dividend Company,” these picks deliver steady income you can count on. PERFECT FOR INCOME-FOCUSED INVESTORS.
The Night Owl is a financial newsletter that provides in-depth market analysis on stocks of interest to individual investors. Published by MarketBeat and Early Bird Publishing, The Night Owl is delivered around 9:00 PM Eastern Sunday through Thursday. If you give a hoot about the market, The Night Owl is the newsletter for you.
Big Risk, Potentially Bigger Return For These 3 Leveraged ETF’s
Written by Nathan Reiff on January 18, 2026
Summary
Despite a climb of 17% in the last year in the S&P 500, market turbulence may present opportunities for leveraged ETFs to shine.
2x leveraged funds focused on silver or crude oil futures can capitalize on the precious metals rally and on quick changes in the oil market driven by geopolitical developments.
A narrowly focused leveraged play on the FANG stocks and several other major tech names provides a bet that some of these leaders will return to outperforming in 2026.
With the S&P continuing its upward climb into 2026 despite broad economic uncertainty, investors who feel bullish may be able to capitalize on ascending stocksand commodities with the help of leveraged exchange-traded funds (ETFs).
At the same time, these ETFs present an unusually high level of risk and require active investor engagement, so they’re likely not right for everyone. Two commodities funds—focused on the red-hot silver market and on crude oil, respectively—and one targeting major tech and internet companies might appeal to investors willing to make a high-risk, potentially high-reward play.
Double Leverage on Silver For Those Betting the Rally Will Continue
Active traders bullish on the day-to-day price movements of silver bullion may find it worthwhile to take a chance on the ProShares Ultra Silver ETF (NYSEARCA: AGQ). AGQ provides 2x leverage on the Bloomberg Silver Subindex, with a daily reset that ensures positions turned over each day do not suffer from compounding.
Because of the limited options for investors seeking direct exposure to silver via futures contracts, AGQ can be a useful tool for increasing access without spending additional cash. As a rolling index, the Bloomberg Silver Subindex does not own any commodities directly, but rather focuses exclusively on futures.
AGQ’s fee is on par with many other 2x leveraged commodities funds at 0.95%, so investors can expect to spend a bit more on this ETF compared to non-leveraged funds for the opportunity for greater returns.
The fund is not huge, with about $3 billion in assets under management (AUM), but it does have strong liquidity based on a one-month average trading volume above 7 million.
As a leveraged fund that resets daily, it may not make sense for investors to focus on returns over longer periods. However, given that the price of silver has nearly tripled in the last year during an incredible and sustained rally, investors expecting this trend to continue might consider AGQ a risk worth taking.
Equal-Weight Exposure to FANG+ Names, But Trading Volumes Are Low
2025 was a volatile year for the so-called FANG stocks (and many other companies adjacent to them in the tech space), but Alphabet Inc. (NASDAQ: GOOG) emerged as one standout with returns of about 65% for the year. The MicroSectors FANG+ Index 2X Leveraged ETN (NYSEARCA: FNGO) may appeal to investors expecting some of the most prominent tech names in the country to gain momentum in the new year.
Like the underlying index, FNGO assigns relatively equal weight to each holding, ensuring that the largest names by market value don’t exert an outsized influence on the fund’s performance.
Like AGQ above, FNGO has an expense ratio of 0.95% and has 2x leverage that resets on a daily basis.
Investors should consider FNGO a targeted, short-term access point to this group of companies that might perform especially well on a day in which the tech space enjoys a unique upward price catalyst. Beware, however, that liquidity may be a concern given the fund’s low average trading volume.
Gold Above $5,000 per Ounce in 2026! Here’s How to Play It…
With so many strange events happening across the economy (consumer confidence plummeting, credit-card delinquencies soaring, and more), it’s no wonder the richest investors are loading up on gold. But what you might not realize is that there’s a much better way to profit from rising gold prices – WITHOUT ever touching an ETF, mining stock, or even bullion.Get the full details here.
Despite High Cost and Risks, UCO Can Magnify Oil Gains
The beginning of 2026 could be a particularly volatile time for the oil market, as the potential for continued U.S. intervention in Venezuela and Iran is likely to keep prices moving.
Investors seeing the possibility of a big one-day increase in the price of oil should consider the ProShares Ultra DJ-UBS Crude Oil ETF (NYSEARCA: UCO), which can pay off in these cases despite its high 1.43% expense ratio.
With a healthy level of trading activity, active investors should not find it prohibitive to trade the UCO on a short-term basis, which is also necessary in the case of this fund due to its daily reset.
UCO also focuses on oil futures, which means it mostly moves in connection with the spot price of oil but will not necessarily do so all of the time.
Nonetheless, its 2x leverage is a powerful way to potentially amplify positive price changes in the oil market at a time when those are likely to be comparatively easy to find.
On January 19th, 2026, President Trump is expected to sign an executive order that will reshape the global economy.
No Congressional approval needed.
Just one signature…
And he will ban exports of something every tech company on Earth desperately needs.
It’s not semiconductors.
It’s not AI chips or quantum computers.
But none of these technologies can exist without it.
Trump’s vision is clear: “unquestioned and unchallenged global technological dominance.“
And this ban is how he’ll do it.
When he does, I believe every major tech company on the planet will be forced to relocate to U.S. soil.
Apple, NVIDIA, Amazon, and others have already committed over $2 trillion—because they see what’s coming.
This is an opportunity to get ahead of the crowd.
You have mere weeks to position yourself ahead of the crowd.
For details on what he’s about to ban—and how you can profit from this developing situation, just go here now…
To Your Profits,
Adam O’Dell Chief Investment Strategist, Money & Markets
Monday’s Featured Content
The 3 Penny Stocks You Swore You’d Never Buy (But You’ll Check Anyway)
Authored by Chris Markoch. First Published: 1/18/2026.
Key Takeaways
Vaxart is a clinical-stage biotech developing oral vaccines that could transform global immunization if its platform proves effective.
Microvision develops cost-effective lidar technology for autonomous vehicles, with upside tied to industry adoption and potential partnerships.
Datavault AI focuses on monetizing digital data through AI and blockchain tools, offering speculative exposure to the emerging data-as-an-asset theme.
Penny stocks attract speculative investors seeking high-risk, high-reward opportunities. That often means targeting companies with disruptive technologies, those tied to emerging trends, or firms with compelling turnaround stories. Many of these businesses will never scale or survive, but if even one succeeds, investors can see outsized returns.
For investors who believe strength lies in numbers, MarketBeat offers a tool that lists the 100 Most Popular Penny Stocks, ranked by how many MarketBeat subscribers follow each company. While follower count isn’t a guarantee of success, it can give investors additional conviction in a stock’s potential.
A former hedge fund manager known for cutting through market noise is briefly opening access to his flagship trading strategy. In a short demo, he explains how his “One Ticker” approach works — and how readers can access the full service for a year at a steep discount.Watch the brief demo here
Definitions vary, and some investors call any stock trading at $5 or less a penny stock. The stocks highlighted by this screener, however, use the traditional definition: i.e., shares priced below $1. These issues are highly volatile — do your own research and know your risk tolerance before opening a position.
Vaxart: A Potential Game-Changer for Global Immunization Efforts
Vaxart Inc. (NASDAQ: VXRT) is a clinical-stage biotechnology company developing oral vaccines for influenza, norovirus, COVID-19, and other infectious diseases. Unlike traditional injectable vaccines, Vaxart’s tablet-based platform is designed to simplify distribution and improve global accessibility.
The bull case for Vaxart centers on that innovative delivery approach. If the company secures FDA approval and can scale production, its oral vaccines could reduce logistical barriers for mass immunization and create attractive licensing opportunities. Positive trial data or a commercial collaboration could quickly shift sentiment and valuation, especially given the stock’s low base.
Clinical risk is the chief challenge. Vaxart has not yet brought a product to market, and vaccine development is expensive and unpredictable. Competition from established players with much larger R&D budgets also constrains visibility. For now, Vaxart is a long-term speculative bet on platform validation rather than near-term profitability.
The MarketBeat analyst ratings show only one analyst covering Vaxart — not uncommon for microcap biotechs, but something investors should note. Institutional ownership is only about 18%, while short interest is roughly 2%, which may temper some volatility.
Microvision: Developing Cost-Effective LiDAR Units for Autonomous Driving
Microvision Inc. (NASDAQ: MVIS) develops LiDAR (light detection and ranging) sensors used in autonomous vehicles, smart infrastructure, and industrial sensing. Its hardware and software aim to enable precise 3D mapping needed for self-driving and advanced driver-assistance systems (ADAS), with a focus on compact, cost-effective units that could appeal to automakers seeking scalable sensors.
The bullish thesis rests on two things: the ongoing shift toward vehicle automation and the potential for partnerships with major automotive manufacturers. If Microvision can demonstrate performance or cost advantages, it could win supply agreements or licensing deals that boost revenue visibility. Its technology also has potential applications in robotics and smart cities, adding optionality to the growth story.
That said, Microvision faces intense competition from LiDAR specialists such as Luminar (NASDAQ: LAZR), Innoviz (NASDAQ: INVZ), and Ouster (NYSE: OUST). Profitability remains uncertain, and recurring delays in LiDAR adoption have frustrated investors.
MVIS is covered by three analysts and carries a consensus price target of $2.50 — about a 169% increase from its Jan. 15 close. Still, it has relatively low institutional ownership (around 30%) and high short interest (around 21%), which means investors should be prepared for considerable volatility.
Datavault AI: Trying to Democratize Data Ownership
Datavault AI Inc. (NASDAQ: DVLT) operates at the intersection of artificial intelligence, data monetization, and digital asset management. The company’s patented Datavault platform helps organizations convert raw data into tradable, revenue-generating assets by combining AI, blockchain, and analytics tools. Datavault AI’s stated goal is to democratize data ownership and unlock monetization opportunities overlooked by traditional systems.
The bullish case hinges on a niche focus and potential scalability. As data becomes more valuable, businesses — and individuals — are seeking ways to monetize digital information securely. Datavault’s technology could benefit from broader AI adoption and rising interest in data sovereignty. Early traction or strategic partnerships could act as catalysts for investor confidence.
Still, Datavault AI sits in a highly experimental space. Its business model is evolving, and a sustainable path to significant revenue is unproven. Institutional ownership is under 1%, and short interest exceeds 16% at the time of writing. Investors should treat DVLT as a long-term, speculative position based on belief in data-as-an-asset innovation rather than near-term earnings potential.
This message is a sponsored message provided by Banyan Hill Publishing, a third-party advertiser of MarketBeat. Why was I sent this email content?.
This ad is sent on behalf of Banyan Hill Publishing. P.O. Box 8378, Delray Beach, FL 33482.
If you have questions about your account, please don’t hesitate to contact MarketBeat’s U.S. based support team at contact@marketbeat.com.
Now that Elon Musk is racing to launch his Optimus robot masterplan…
…which he claims will be “mind blowing” and could make him the world’s first trillionaire, starting in early 2026…
One of the world’s most respected financial research firms just issued its official Optimus Playbook.
All 10 of the biggest money managers in the world have followed this team’s work, including professionals from huge names like Goldman Sachs and JP Morgan.
Since the start of last year, you could have doubled your money TWENTY-THREE TIMES by following their buy calls.
Put simply, the same Wall Street insiders who predicted the 2008 and 2020 crashes say millions of investors are about to miss a huge opportunity to see 1,000%+ gains from the Optimus launch.
But it’s not Tesla stock they’re pounding the table on today…
Elon Musk is rushing ahead with his Optimus plans – ahead of a full scale launch anticipated in 2026.
Which means your window of time to buy this stock is closing fast.
Best,
Kelly Brown Senior Researcher, Altimetry
This ad is sent on behalf of Altimetry, 110 Cambridge Street, Cambridge, MA 02141. If you would like to optout from receiving offers from Altimetry please click here .Stockguru LLC (dba InvestingDistrict), 2563 cherry hill ln, Hermitage, PA 16148, United StatesYou may unsubscribe or change your contact details at any time.
P.S. This claim belongs to American citizens – but the first profits will go to those who move early. See the full briefing here.
Special Report
Micron: Accelerating HBM Ramp Extends Growth Into 2027
Authored by Thomas Hughes. Date Posted: 1/14/2026.
In Brief
Micron’s HBM memory supply is fully booked through 2026, with demand expected to exceed supply well into 2027 or beyond.
Strategic global expansion and pricing power position Micron to outperform conservative revenue forecasts, especially in AI-driven markets.
Analyst upgrades and bullish sentiment support continued upside, with high-end price targets implying significant room for further gains.
If you’re thinking, “2027? That’s a long way off,” you might not realize that Micron’s (NASDAQ: MU) key product is already fully booked through 2026. It’s the 2027 forecasts—still uncertain among analysts—that are likely to have an outsized influence on this stock in 2026.
HBM memory, the high-bandwidth memory that powers the GPUs running AI workloads, is sold out. That shortage presents both a global supply problem and an opportunity for Micron to expand production and take share. Micron is a leading supplier of advanced HBM components. The recent groundbreaking at its Clay, N.Y., site is important, but it’s a multi‑year catalyst: the Clay megafab won’t phase into production for several years, so nearer-term projects will have the bigger impact on supply and results.
Warren Buffett is sitting on $344 billion, the biggest cash position of his career. Meanwhile, CEOs behind America’s most powerful tech companies are selling billions in shares even as Wall Street tells everyday investors to buy the AI dip. After 46 years tracking institutional money flows, one pattern stands out: money is leaving crowded AI trades and flooding into an ignored corner of the market. The reason is power. A single AI data center uses as much electricity as a small city, and the grid can’t handle what’s coming. Institutions are quietly loading up on companies upgrading America’s power backbone.See the stocks flagged to lead the next leg of this market.
In the near term, Micron has several capacity expansions underway, with the first expected to go live this year. An advanced packaging facility in Singapore will speed and scale packaging of critical HBM products, strengthening Micron’s role in the AI supply chain. This expansion also shifts part of Micron’s footprint away from China and Taiwan while positioning the company to gain market share. Additional facilities in Boise and Japan are due online by mid‑2027 and late‑2028, respectively, further increasing HBM capacity. The Boise program includes two fabs (Fab 1 and Fab 2), which will both raise supply and bolster Micron’s domestic AI manufacturing capabilities.
HBM Demand Drives Higher Prices; Supply Won’t Catch Up Soon
Demand for HBM is so intense that most suppliers, not just Micron, are sold out. The result shows up in pricing—contract prices jumped by as much as 60% in 2025—and in Micron’s revenue, which produced a blowout Q1 for fiscal 2026. HBM4, the next-generation product expected to ramp at scale this year, is already contracted heavily as well.
Optimistic forecasts expect HBM shortages to persist at least until early 2027, and downside scenarios push shortages into 2028 as data-center demand remains strong. Micron says it can meet roughly 60% of its HBM demand in 2026, implying supply will still struggle to keep pace with demand in 2027 as new capacity phases in.
Analysts expect Micron’s revenue to surge in 2026—roughly doubling year over year. The company will likely exceed near-term consensus; the bigger question is 2027. MarketBeat’s consensus for 2027 currently implies only about 20% revenue growth, which looks conservative given 2026 shortfalls, rising contract prices, and HBM4 contributions. A more likely scenario is stronger revenue growth driven by ramping production and higher pricing.
Analyst Sentiment Is Bullish and Lifting the Stock
Analyst sentiment is strongly bullish and likely to remain supportive through the year. In fact, all analysts have been raising their price targets, with the biggest impact so far on near-term expectations (2026 and 2027). Longer-term forecasts have risen too, but not as quickly, leaving room for continued upward revisions.
Among the Most Upgraded Stockstracked by MarketBeat, Micron ranks second for sentiment and price-target momentum. Thirty-seven analysts currently give it a consensus Buy rating. As of mid‑January the market was trading roughly 10% above the consensus price target, but that target has climbed more than 100% over the past 12 months—providing material support—while high-end analyst forecasts still show more than 30% upside.
Micron’s Uptrend Looks Intact
Micron peaked in late December 2025/early January 2026, but the technical uptrend appears to be continuing. The MACD indicates bullish momentum and is converging near the recent highs, suggesting the potential for higher highs. The immediate pattern looks like consolidation through January; a decisive move to new highs would be the bullish trigger and could clear the way for another roughly $100 advance toward some analysts’ high-end targets.
Thank you for subscribing to MarketBeat!
MarketBeat empowers individual investors to make better trading decisions by offering real-time financial information and independent investment analysis.
This email message is a sponsored email for Behind the Markets, a third-party advertiser of MarketBeat. Why was I sent this message?.
If you need help with your account, please feel free to email our South Dakota based support team at contact@marketbeat.com.
RJ Hamster 