Archive

2026-07-17 21:29 • The Motley Fool Positive Axe Cap view: Bullish GDX

The article compares VanEck Gold Miners ETF (GDX) and iShares Silver Trust (SLV), two popular precious metals investment vehicles with different mechanics. While SLV provides direct exposure to physical silver bullion, GDX offers equity-based exposure to gold mining companies. Over five years, GDX delivered superior returns ($2,339 vs $2,196 on a $1,000 investment) with lower volatility. The article recommends GDX as the better buy, citing dividend income, favorable tax treatment compared to collectibles, and expectations for continued gold miner outperformance in 2026.

Axe note: Gold mining stocks edge silver bullion in returns and risk, making miners preferable for South African investors.

2026-07-17 21:24 • The Motley Fool Positive Axe Cap view: Selective NOW PATH

ServiceNow and UiPath are both positioned to capitalize on the growing agentic AI market, which is forecasted to grow at 46.2% CAGR through 2030. ServiceNow has faster revenue growth (22% YoY) and higher-paying customers, while UiPath recently achieved profitability and has better margin expansion potential. Both trade at similar P/E ratios, but UiPath offers better value for investors focused on margin improvement.

Axe note: Comparing UiPath and ServiceNow through a South African lens highlights UiPath’s margin upside against ServiceNow’s revenue strength.

2026-07-17 21:13 • The Motley Fool Mixed Axe Cap view: Selective NVDA AMD INTC GOOG GOOGL GOOGM GOOGN TRV PGR ALL ALLPB ALLPH ALLPI ALLPJ

Major stock indices declined on July 17, 2026, as a semiconductor sell-off deepened amid geopolitical tensions and concerns about AI spending sustainability. The Nasdaq fell 1.40%, S&P 500 dropped 1.01%, and Dow Jones slipped 0.77%. Travelers Companies surged 9% on strong earnings, while chip stocks including Nvidia, AMD, and Intel tumbled. The PHLX Semiconductor Index has fallen over 13% in the past month despite being up 63% year-to-date.

Axe note: US chip stocks plunged on AI spending doubts, dragging global sentiment and weighing on the rand.

2026-07-17 21:04 • The Motley Fool Positive Axe Cap view: Selective DELL NVDA AMD AMZN TSM

Dell Technologies and NVIDIA represent different plays on the AI boom. Dell has surged over 200% in 2026 with strong server sales driven by AI adoption, while NVIDIA remains the dominant chip leader with superior financials and a 55.6% net margin. Though Dell appears cheaper on valuation metrics, NVIDIA is recommended as the better long-term investment due to its market leadership, CUDA software dominance, and stronger balance sheet.

Axe note: NVIDIA's market dominance and profitability make it a stronger AI play than Dell despite Dell's impressive recent gains.

2026-07-17 21:02 • The Motley Fool Neutral Axe Cap view: Selective STT STTPG XLF

The article compares two precious metals ETFs: SPDR Gold Shares (GLD) and ABRDN Physical Silver Shares ETF (SIVR). While GLD offers lower volatility with a 0.40% expense ratio, SIVR is more cost-effective at 0.30% and has outperformed gold over the past 1, 3, 5, and 10 years. The author recommends SIVR as the better buy for 2026, citing silver's higher industrial demand from renewable energy applications and superior long-term performance.

Axe note: Silver ETFs show stronger performance and industrial demand, but gold remains a safer hedge.

2026-07-17 20:31 • The Motley Fool Positive Axe Cap view: Selective CRWD DELL MSFT AMZN

The article compares CrowdStrike and Dell Technologies as investment options for 2026. CrowdStrike offers cloud-native cybersecurity growth with 22% revenue growth but trades at a steep 167x forward P/E and faces reputational damage from the July 2024 IT outage. Dell Technologies, trading at a cheaper 21x forward P/E, benefits from massive AI server demand with expected 51% revenue growth and $60 billion in AI server sales projected for FY 2027. The author recommends Dell due to its stronger AI-driven growth trajectory and more attractive valuation despite CrowdStrike's competitive positioning.

Axe note: Dell Technologies' AI-driven growth and valuation edge make it a smarter pick than CrowdStrike for local investors.

2026-07-17 20:25 • The Motley Fool Mixed Axe Cap view: Selective SPCX CAT

The article compares SpaceX and Caterpillar as investment options in 2026. SpaceX shows impressive 33.2% revenue growth but operates at a $4.9 billion net loss with negative $14 billion free cash flow, trading at a 197.7x forward P/E ratio. Caterpillar generates $10.3 billion in annual free cash flow with 13.1% net margins and trades at 34.7x forward P/E. The author recommends Caterpillar as the safer choice due to profitability, dividend payments, and exposure to AI-driven data center construction, while SpaceX represents a speculative bet on long-term space economy growth.

Axe note: Caterpillar’s solid profits and cash flow trump SpaceX’s speculative rocket ride this year.

2026-07-17 20:19 • The Motley Fool Negative Axe Cap view: Selective PNR

Pentair stock plummeted 18.5% to a 52-week low after the company slashed its full-year sales guidance from +2-4% growth to -4-7% decline, citing pool inventory destocking and worsening business conditions. The decline was compounded by the abrupt departure of CFO Nicholas Brazis after just four months, analyst downgrades, and securities fraud investigations into the company's disclosure practices.

Axe note: Pentair’s sharp sales downgrade and CFO exit sent the stock crashing, signaling deeper troubles beyond pool inventory challenges.

2026-07-17 20:09 • The Motley Fool Negative Axe Cap view: Selective META

Meta is planning massive AI data center spending of $125-145 billion in 2026 alone, but CEO Mark Zuckerberg has not provided concrete details on expected returns on investment. While the company's advertising business is performing well, analysts question whether these unprecedented capital expenditures will generate adequate returns. Meta's recent announcement to lease excess compute capacity suggests potential overbuilding.

Axe note: Meta’s huge AI-driven data center investments raise doubts about returns, leaving investors cautious.

2026-07-17 20:03 • The Motley Fool Positive Axe Cap view: Selective ACHR ACHR.WS ASTS UAL STLA BA BAPA AMZN GOOG GOOGL GOOGM GOOGN T TBB TPA TPC VZ

The article compares two aerospace technology stocks: Archer Aviation, developing electric vertical takeoff and landing aircraft for urban air mobility, and AST SpaceMobile, building a space-based cellular broadband network. While Archer faces regulatory certification hurdles and slower revenue generation, AST SpaceMobile shows stronger revenue growth trajectory and competitive moats through partnerships with major telecom operators. The analyst recommends AST SpaceMobile as the better buy for 2026 due to its faster path to profitability and established partnerships, despite higher capital expenditures.

Axe note: AST SpaceMobile’s faster growth and telecom partnerships make it a more compelling option than Archer Aviation’s speculative urban air ambitions.

2026-07-17 19:33 • The Motley Fool Mixed Axe Cap view: Selective KBWB UYG BAC BACPB BACPE BACPK BACPL BACPM BACPN BACPO BACPP BACPQ BACPS BMLPG BMLPH BMLPJ BMLPL MERPK AMJB JPM JPMPC JPMPD JPMPJ JPMPK JPMPL JPMPM VYLD WFC WFCPA WFCPC WFCPD WFCPL WFCPY WFCPZ BRK.A BRK.B

The Invesco KBW Bank ETF (KBWB) and ProShares Ultra Financials (UYG) offer different approaches to financial sector exposure. KBWB provides straightforward banking exposure with a 0.35% expense ratio and delivered a 39.43% one-year return, while UYG uses 2x daily leverage with a higher 0.94% expense ratio and returned 14.08% over the same period. KBWB is recommended for buy-and-hold investors, while UYG is better suited for short-term traders, though leveraged ETFs carry daily reset risks and tax inefficiency concerns.

Axe note: KBWB offers cleaner, long-term financial exposure compared to UYG's risky leveraged structure.

2026-07-17 19:30 • The Motley Fool Positive Axe Cap view: Selective AAPL

Apple has committed $851 billion to share buybacks since 2012 under Tim Cook's leadership, reducing outstanding shares by over 40% and boosting diluted earnings per share by 373% over 13 years. Despite sitting out the AI boom, Apple's stock has risen 22% in 2026 and 1,250% over the past decade, demonstrating the effectiveness of its capital allocation strategy focused on returning cash to shareholders rather than major acquisitions.

Axe note: Apple’s massive share buybacks have outpaced any major acquisition strategy, driving huge returns despite sitting out the AI boom.

2026-07-17 19:19 • The Motley Fool Positive Axe Cap view: Selective SPCX ASTS T TBB TPA TPC VZ GOOG GOOGL GOOGM GOOGN TSLA

SpaceX and AST SpaceMobile are competing in the satellite communications space with different business models. SpaceX dominates rocket launches and operates Starlink with 10.3 million subscribers but faces massive capital requirements and negative free cash flow of -$14 billion in FY 2025. AST SpaceMobile is building a direct-to-device cellular network with partnerships from major carriers and expects profitability by 2027, though it currently has negative free cash flow of -$1.1 billion. The article recommends AST SpaceMobile as the better 2026 buy due to its more focused business plan and earlier path to profitability.

Axe note: A look at SpaceX and AST SpaceMobile’s 2026 outlook and their relevance for South African investors.

2026-07-17 18:30 • The Motley Fool Positive Axe Cap view: Selective NVO LLY

Novo Nordisk's oral Wegovy launch has regained market share in the GLP-1 weight-loss drug market, capturing ~89% of oral weight-loss medication prescriptions in the U.S. However, Eli Lilly's Foundayo has potential advantages including fewer food restrictions and upcoming label expansions for multiple indications. Both companies remain well-positioned in the fast-growing anti-obesity market with strong pipelines.

Axe note: Novo Nordisk’s oral Wegovy dominates the weight-loss pill market, yet Eli Lilly’s pipeline and label expansions keep it firmly in the race.

2026-07-17 18:29 • The Motley Fool Negative Axe Cap view: Bearish PINS

Pinterest co-founder and director Benjamin Silbermann sold 93,750 shares worth $2.1 million on July 14-15, 2026, reducing his indirect equity stake by 87% through a pre-planned Rule 10b5-1 trading arrangement. Despite maintaining over 1.2 million derivative securities, the large sale size and Pinterest's 35% stock decline over the past year amid advertising headwinds have raised investor concerns about confidence in the company.

Axe note: Pinterest co-founder dumps significant stock amid ad revenue pressures.

2026-07-17 18:27 • The Motley Fool Neutral Axe Cap view: Neutral WDFC

WD-40 earns a Superscore of 79 out of 100 for its strong operational efficiency, robust margins (56.6%), and disciplined focus on high-margin maintenance products. However, the stock trades at a stretched valuation (P/E of 37.7) with limited growth prospects, structural headwinds from commoditization and the EV transition, and is expected to underperform the S&P 500 over the next five years.

Axe note: WD-40’s operational strengths don’t justify its high valuation or future growth potential.

2026-07-17 17:30 • The Motley Fool Positive Axe Cap view: Selective CVX

Chevron has signed memorandums of understanding with Iraq to enter two major oilfields—the Nassiriya project (potential 600,000 barrels per day) and West Qurna 2 (460,000 barrels per day). The company is also evaluating pipeline routes to bypass the Strait of Hormuz, addressing export challenges caused by regional instability. These moves could significantly enhance Chevron's long-term growth prospects.

Axe note: Chevron’s Iraq oil deal and pipeline plans could reshape global energy flows and impact local markets via oil prices and the rand.

2026-07-17 17:28 • The Motley Fool Positive Axe Cap view: Selective ADBE ADSK

Adobe demonstrates stronger revenue momentum with eight consecutive quarters of growth, reaching $6.6 billion in Q2 2026, while Autodesk recorded its first revenue decline to $1.9 billion in Q2 2026 due to sales team reorganization. Despite leadership transitions at Adobe and market concerns about AI impact, the company maintains its competitive advantage with broader market reach compared to Autodesk's niche industry focus.

Axe note: Adobe’s steady revenue growth contrasts with Autodesk’s recent hiccup amid sales restructuring.

2026-07-17 17:23 • The Motley Fool Mixed Axe Cap view: Selective AMD NVDA

KeyBanc set a $725 price target on AMD, implying a 40% gain, but analyst Keithen Drury argues this is overly optimistic. AMD trades at a premium valuation despite lagging Nvidia in AI accelerators and lacking the profit margins to justify current prices. Even under highly optimistic scenarios, AMD would trade at 36x forward earnings, making Nvidia the better investment.

Axe note: A recent Wall Street price target on AMD seems more wishful thinking than grounded analysis.

2026-07-17 17:12 • The Motley Fool Neutral Axe Cap view: Selective SPCX

SpaceX stock fell below its IPO price on Friday, dropping 4% to $125.93 per share. Despite near-term headwinds including competition from China, delayed Starship tests, and AI sector selloffs, analysts project 152% annual earnings growth over five years, suggesting the stock may be approaching fair value.

Axe note: SpaceX shares fell below their IPO price amid delays and competition, but strong long-term earnings growth forecasts keep the story interesting.