Latest Market News

2026-10-23 13:55 • The Motley Fool Positive Axe Cap view: Selective MRNA MRK

Moderna stock dropped 17% after leaked data from its phase 3 cancer vaccine trial, despite the data showing positive results (42% reduction in recurrence/death risk for melanoma patients). The stock has surged over 500% this year and trades at $200, well above Wall Street's $135 price target. While the dip may present a buying opportunity for long-term investors, the stock remains volatile and sensitive to clinical trial announcements.

Axe note: Moderna’s share price slid sharply despite positive cancer vaccine results, raising questions about buying the dip from a South African perspective.

2026-10-23 13:45 • The Motley Fool Positive Axe Cap view: Selective CRDO NVDA MU

Credo Technology Group (CRDO) designs connectivity chips and active electrical cables that link AI accelerators in data centers. The company's stock has tripled over three years while remaining relatively unknown. In October 2026, Credo unveiled a 1.6-terabit optical cable using silicon photonics technology acquired from DustPhotonics, positioning itself for a transition from copper to optical connectivity in data centers.

Axe note: Credo's niche in data center connectivity could make it a rare winner in the AI hardware upgrade cycle.

2026-10-23 13:31 • The Motley Fool Neutral Axe Cap view: Selective SPCX

SpaceX delivered strong Q3 2026 results with revenue soaring 161% YoY to $14.6B, driven by exceptional growth in its Super Intelligence (830% YoY) and Connectivity (69.5% YoY) segments. The company posted $4.4B net income versus a $1.1B loss in the prior year. CEO Elon Musk's $1 trillion revenue target by 2029-2030 appears more achievable, supported by growing AI cloud services demand and the development of the reusable Starship rocket. However, the stock's 68.5 price-to-sales ratio remains extremely high, and risks include Starship development delays and potential slowdown in AI industry growth.

Axe note: Exceptional AI and connectivity gains boost SpaceX earnings, but valuation and execution risks keep caution warranted.

2026-10-23 13:30 • The Motley Fool Positive Axe Cap view: Selective VFH IYF AMJB JPM JPMPC JPMPD JPMPJ JPMPK JPMPL JPMPM VYLD V BRK.A BRK.B

Vanguard Financials ETF (VFH) offers lower costs (0.09% expense ratio), broader diversification (404 holdings), and higher dividend yield (1.8%), while iShares U.S. Financials ETF (IYF) provides more concentrated large-cap exposure (143 holdings) with superior five-year performance (59% total return vs. 51%). VFH is favored for cost efficiency and income, while IYF appeals to investors seeking concentrated large-cap financial stock exposure.

Axe note: VFH offers broader, cheaper exposure with higher income, while IYF delivers stronger recent returns via large-cap focus.

2026-10-23 13:26 • The Motley Fool Negative Axe Cap view: Selective FPS PWR EME NVT

Forgent Power Solutions stock plunged 21.3% this week following the unexpected departure of CFO Ryan Fiedler less than nine months after the company's IPO. Despite management raising Q1 2027 guidance, the executive exit sparked investor concerns about leadership stability. The stock trades at a steep 132.9 P/E ratio premium to peers, making it vulnerable to transition risks.

Axe note: Forgent Power shares tumbled after their CFO left abruptly, highlighting risks in high-valuation stocks.

2026-10-23 13:26 • The Motley Fool Positive Axe Cap view: Selective CRM SNOW MSFT AMZN

Salesforce and Snowflake represent different investment profiles in the AI-driven data economy. Salesforce is a profitable, mature CRM leader with strong cash generation and Agentforce adoption, trading at a conservative 14.9x forward P/E. Snowflake is a high-growth data cloud specialist with 29.2% revenue growth but still unprofitable, trading at 141.5x forward P/E. The author favors Snowflake for long-term investors, believing AI expansion increases demand for data infrastructure more than traditional software.

Axe note: Snowflake’s rapid AI-driven growth beats Salesforce’s steady profits, but high valuation and risks mean South African investors should tread carefully.

2026-10-23 13:17 • The Motley Fool Positive Axe Cap view: Selective KRE KBE

KRE (regional banking ETF) delivered stronger 1-year returns of 15.2% compared to KBE's 11.7%, but KBE showed better long-term resilience with a 33% 5-year return versus KRE's 14%. Both funds have identical 0.35% expense ratios and 2.3% dividend yields, but differ in composition—KRE focuses exclusively on regional banks while KBE includes major money-center banks, resulting in different risk-return profiles.

Axe note: Short-term outperformance by regional banks contrasts with long-term stability from larger financial institutions.

2026-10-23 13:15 • The Motley Fool Positive Axe Cap view: Selective FDVV NVDA AAPL MSFT HDV

The Fidelity High Dividend ETF (FDVV) stands 4.2% below its all-time high with a 2.8% dividend yield. Unlike traditional high-dividend ETFs that focus on consumer staples, energy, and utilities, FDVV takes a unique approach by allocating 31.2% to technology stocks, offering growth potential alongside income. The fund's low 0.15% expense ratio and diversified holdings make it an attractive option for buy-and-hold investors seeking both dividend income and long-term appreciation.

Axe note: High dividend funds with tech exposure bring growth and income but South Africa’s market offers a local twist.

2026-10-23 13:12 • The Motley Fool Neutral Axe Cap view: Neutral ASST SATA

Strive stock surged 20.5% this week after completing a $630 million preferred stock offering to fund Bitcoin acquisitions. The company purchased 4,045 Bitcoins, bringing total treasury holdings to 36,818 coins worth approximately $3 billion. However, analysts caution that the stock trades at a 40% premium to its net asset value, making direct Bitcoin ETF investments a potentially better option for most investors.

Axe note: Strive’s Bitcoin buyout boosted shares, yet elevated valuation and debt raise red flags.

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.