Past Stories

2026-10-23 13:05 • The Motley Fool Neutral Axe Cap view: Selective USAR MP

While USA Rare Earth has potential as a rare-earth mining company with domestic supply chain advantages, a $10,000 investment is unlikely to turn into $1 million. The company would need to reach a $380 billion valuation to deliver a 100-fold return, which is unrealistic given market demand constraints and competition from MP Materials. However, the stock could still provide solid long-term returns as part of a diversified portfolio.

Axe note: USA Rare Earth’s potential won’t turn $10,000 into $1 million anytime soon.

2026-10-23 12:50 • The Motley Fool Positive Axe Cap view: Selective BE GOOG GOOGL GOOGM GOOGN

Bloom Energy raised its full-year 2026 revenue guidance to $4.4-4.6 billion (from $3.9-4.2 billion), driven by surging AI data center demand for on-site fuel cell power generation. Q3 revenue reached $1.24 billion with 138% year-over-year growth, while operating expenses grew only 26%, expanding non-GAAP operating margins to 23.1% from 8.9%. The company is expanding manufacturing capacity and partnering with utilities like American Electric Power on carbon capture-enabled projects.

Axe note: Bloom Energy’s blockbuster Q3 and raised guidance hint at shifts relevant to South African energy and USD/ZAR storylines.

2026-10-23 12:49 • The Motley Fool Mixed Axe Cap view: Selective ADBE CRWD NVDA AMZN

The article compares Adobe and CrowdStrike as software investment options for 2026. Adobe maintains dominant market position with strong profitability and cash flow but faces headwinds from generative AI threatening its creative software business. CrowdStrike is recommended as the better buy, benefiting from growing enterprise demand for AI security solutions despite past operational challenges. The author favors CrowdStrike because AI expansion creates new security vulnerabilities, while AI threatens to commoditize Adobe's core creative offerings.

Axe note: CrowdStrike’s AI-driven cybersecurity edge makes it a more compelling tech investment than Adobe despite Adobe’s solid cash flow and market share.

2026-10-23 12:48 • The Motley Fool Positive Axe Cap view: Selective BA BAPA EADSY

The FAA's certification of Boeing's 737 MAX 10 marks a major milestone for the company's recovery. The certification is expected to boost near-term earnings and cash flow as Boeing begins delivering the 737 MAX 10s already in production. With approximately 30% of its 737 backlog consisting of MAX 10s, the company stands to benefit from improved profit margins and enhanced competitiveness against Airbus's A321neo. Tangible benefits are anticipated to become visible in 2027.

Axe note: Boeing’s progress with the 737 MAX 10 lifts its outlook but has only a modest direct impact on South African markets.

2026-10-23 12:45 • The Motley Fool Positive Axe Cap view: Selective XLE XOP CVX COP

The article compares two energy ETFs: XLE (State Street Energy Select Sector SPDR ETF) and XOP (State Street SPDR S&P Oil & Gas Exploration & Production ETF). XLE emerges as the better choice for most investors due to its significantly lower expense ratio (0.08% vs 0.35%), higher dividend yield (2.2% vs 1.6%), and superior 5-year performance (178% total return vs 106%). While XOP offers broader diversification across 51 holdings including refining and exploration companies, XLE's concentrated focus on large-cap energy giants like ExxonMobil and Chevron has delivered better risk-adjusted returns with lower volatility.

Axe note: Lower fees and stronger dividends make XLE the smarter energy ETF play.

2026-10-23 12:30 • The Motley Fool Positive Axe Cap view: Selective NVDA MU LITE COHR GEV BE VRT

As AI infrastructure expands, companies face multiple bottlenecks beyond chip production, including memory, power, cooling, and connectivity. Seven companies addressing these constraints—Nvidia, Micron, Lumentum, Coherent, GE Vernova, Bloom Energy, and Vertiv—are positioned to benefit as the industry shifts from one bottleneck to another.

Axe note: As the AI boom strains more than just chips, several niche plays stand to gain.

2026-10-23 12:13 • The Motley Fool Positive Axe Cap view: Selective ASB ASBA ASBPE ASBPF

Associated Banc-Corp reported strong Q3 2026 results with net interest margin expansion driven by $700 million in core deposit growth over seven consecutive quarters. The bank resumed share buybacks with a $100 million repurchase program and expanded its commercial loan pipeline by nearly 40% year-over-year, signaling management confidence in sustainable organic growth.

Axe note: US regional lender Associated Banc-Corp shows earners expansion and deposit strength that echo risks and opportunities for SA banks like FirstRand and Standard Bank.

2026-10-23 12:13 • The Motley Fool Neutral Axe Cap view: Selective MU SKHY

Micron Technology's stock surged over 850% between June 2025 and June 2026 due to AI data center demand and memory shortages, but has since fallen 25% from its peak. While the company has grown revenue 256% and earnings 879%, market concerns about oversupply, competition from Chinese manufacturers, and historical precedent of memory price crashes are keeping valuations modest despite strong fundamentals.

Axe note: Micron’s remarkable growth is tempered by familiar memory market risks, a lesson South African investors should weigh carefully.

2026-10-23 12:09 • The Motley Fool Positive Axe Cap view: Selective DUOL S CRWD PANW ZS

AI stocks are experiencing a significant sell-off, with the Nasdaq-100 down 5.5% last week. The article identifies Duolingo and SentinelOne as potential bargain opportunities during this market downturn, as both companies are well-positioned to benefit from long-term AI adoption despite current market pressures.

Axe note: A sharp pullback in AI stocks has left some quality growth names trading at more reasonable prices.

2026-10-23 12:05 • The Motley Fool Mixed Axe Cap view: Selective RIVN LCID

Rivian's $4.5 billion Department of Energy loan provides favorable financing for its Georgia factory construction with low interest rates and delayed repayment starting in 2030-2031. While the loan itself isn't directly dilutive, it indirectly required a $1.3 billion capital raise in July that diluted shareholders. The loan offers significant advantages including hundreds of millions in annual interest savings compared to other debt instruments and breathing room before repayment begins, though early Georgia plant production may initially be less profitable than the Illinois facility.

Axe note: Rivian’s government-backed loan offers attractive terms that ease short-term pressures but comes with indirect dilution and execution risks.

2026-10-23 12:02 • The Motley Fool Positive Axe Cap view: Selective MU

Micron Technology has emerged as a major AI success story with revenue surging 379% and stock price tripling this year, reaching a $1 trillion market cap. With the stock trading near $900, speculation arises about a potential stock split to make shares more accessible to retail investors. However, the author suggests a split is unlikely in the near term given the stock's recent pullback from its $1,200 peak, despite the company's strong AI-driven growth prospects.

Axe note: Micron’s blockbuster AI-driven growth raises questions about South Africa’s appetite and timing for exposure via USD/ZAR or local tech proxies.

2026-10-23 11:52 • The Motley Fool Positive Axe Cap view: Selective PYPL

PayPal stock has declined over 80% from its 2021 peak of $310 as pandemic-era e-commerce tailwinds faded and growth slowed to single digits. However, the author argues the stock presents a compelling value opportunity, trading at 10x forward earnings with strong free cash flow generation ($1.8B last quarter) and aggressive share buybacks. Despite modest 5% revenue growth and flat user base, the combination of modest profit growth and share count reduction could drive double-digit EPS growth.

Axe note: PayPal has lost over 80% from its peak but still offers value on cheap earnings and cash flow.

2026-10-23 11:46 • The Motley Fool Positive Axe Cap view: Selective OMC

Omnicom reported strong Q3 2026 results with ~5% organic revenue growth and 7.2% Q3 organic growth. The company is realizing $900 million in cost synergies from its Interpublic acquisition, expanding adjusted EBITA margins by 2 percentage points to 18.2%. Management is completing portfolio pruning of non-core assets and executing a $5 billion share buyback program that has already reduced shares by 12% since year-end 2025, positioning the company for reinvestment in digital services and AI technology.

Axe note: Omnicom’s strong growth and cost savings signal smart capital allocation amid digital transformation.

2026-10-23 11:40 • The Motley Fool Positive Axe Cap view: Selective QQQ NVDA AAPL MSFT

The Invesco QQQ Trust (QQQ) is recommended as a core holding for long-term investors. Tracking the Nasdaq-100 index of the 100 largest non-financial stocks, QQQ has delivered average annualized returns of 10.6% since 1999, outperforming the S&P 500's 8.6%. Over the past 20 years, QQQ returned 16.1% versus 11.1% for the S&P 500, with the ETF heavily concentrated in technology stocks (68%) that have historically driven market growth.

Axe note: The Nasdaq-100 ETF offers unique tech exposure that South African investors can't easily replicate locally.

2026-10-23 11:33 • The Motley Fool Positive Axe Cap view: Selective WDC

Western Digital reported 55% year-over-year revenue growth to $4.4 billion in Q1 FY2027, driven by expanding cloud storage demand from AI. The company is leveraging ePMR technology to increase storage capacity without additional factory investments, expanded gross margins to 58% through higher-capacity drives and pricing discipline, and has improved customer visibility through 2030 as AI workloads drive demand across cloud, enterprise, and neocloud markets.

Axe note: Western Digital’s cloud storage surge and margin gains highlight a strong tech play amid AI expansion.

2026-10-23 11:30 • The Motley Fool Mixed Axe Cap view: Selective META SPCX TSLA WMT AMZN NET CRM BRZE ISRG NFLX CSCO GLW EQT MELI

Meta, SpaceX, and Tesla posted strong revenue but are spending heavily on AI infrastructure with uncertain cash flow outcomes. Walmart opened AI shopping to approved agents while Amazon blocked them. Salesforce acquired Braze for a 58% premium but analysts expect modest returns. Netflix and Intuitive Surgical face pricing power challenges. Old-economy companies like Cisco, Corning, and EQT benefit from AI buildout demand.

Axe note: Global tech firms ramp up AI investments with mixed cash flow results, hinting at cautious positioning for JSE investors amid rand volatility.

2026-10-23 11:30 • The Motley Fool Negative Axe Cap view: Selective VOO VXUS

The IMF raised its global growth forecast to 3.1% for 2026 and 3.7% for 2027, driven largely by AI investment. However, the report warns that growth is concentrated in just 32 economies and heavily dependent on AI spending. If AI investment slows, global GDP could decline by 1.1% by 2028. Investors should be cautious about adding tech and semiconductor stocks, and recognize that international diversification may not fully mitigate AI exposure since major Asian economies are also heavily invested in the AI boom.

Axe note: IMF lifts growth forecast driven by AI, but warns of fragile concentration in few economies, calling for caution.

2026-10-23 11:23 • The Motley Fool Positive Axe Cap view: Selective CRWD S AMZN NVDA

The article compares two leading cybersecurity companies: CrowdStrike, which dominates with its unified Falcon platform, cloud-native architecture, and profitability, versus SentinelOne, which offers AI-powered Singularity platform with high-speed automated response but remains unprofitable. CrowdStrike is recommended as the stronger long-term investment due to its scale, profitability, accelerating growth, and deep integration into enterprise AI infrastructure, despite facing reputational risks from a 2024 incident. SentinelOne shows promising momentum and improving economics but is still in heavy investment phase with significant losses.

Axe note: CrowdStrike’s profitable growth and AI integration make it a stronger pick than SentinelOne’s high-burn approach.

2026-10-23 11:20 • The Motley Fool Positive Axe Cap view: Selective NEM

Newmont reported $1.9 billion in free cash flow for Q3 2026 and reduced its full-year gold production cost guidance by 10% to $1,520 per ounce. The company expanded its Nevada Gold Mines joint venture by acquiring three previously excluded properties for $1.95 billion. Production is expected to resume growth in 2027 following a planned production low point in 2026.

Axe note: Newmont’s Q3 results show cost cuts, strong cash flow, and expansion setting up production growth in 2027.

2026-10-23 11:15 • The Motley Fool Neutral Axe Cap view: Neutral ONON

On Holding's stock has declined 23% in 2026 due to an intentional slowdown in wholesale shipments to promote full-price sales. Despite the near-term headwinds, the company maintains strong fundamentals with 34.3% direct-to-consumer sales growth, 65.4% gross margins, and 56.2% apparel sales growth. Management projects low-20% constant-currency sales growth for 2026 and is expanding into football and golf with a $7 billion sales target. The stock trades at a reasonable 21x trailing earnings with a PEG ratio of 0.49, below analyst consensus price target of $43.55.

Axe note: On Holding’s share price has faced a sharp drop, but its core business remains remarkably healthy.