Stock Pick

  • $5,000 to invest? Consider 4 no-brainer ASX dividend shares with over 20 years of growth

    Man holding Australian dollar notes, symbolising dividends.

    When it comes to passive income, ASX dividend shares are a no-brainer for any investors’ portfolio.

    By holding onto a quality stock for a long period of time, investors can benefit from the power of compounding and long-term business growth.

    But finding ASX dividend shares which have grown their dividends consistently over a long period of time is harder than you’d think.

    The Aussie sharemarket doesn’t have many “long-timers”, but the few that do exist have proven they can keep paying, and increasing, their dividends even amid market crashes, covid-incuded recessions and sharemarket lulls. 

    Here are 5 ASX dividend shares with over 20 years of growth.

    Washington H. Soul Pattinson and Co Ltd (ASX: SOL)

    Soul Patts is Australian dividend royalty. The company has increased its annual ordinary dividend every year since 1998, which is the longest-running record of dividend growth on the ASX. That’s 27 years of consecutive dividend growth. 

    The diversified Australian investment house pays its fully-franked dividends twice per year and has offered a consistent yield of 2.3% to 2.4% since 2016. In FY25, it paid a total $1.03 per share, 100% fully franked. 

    APA Group (ASX: APA)

    Energy infrastructure group APA is a quiet achiever when it comes to passive income. The gas and energy infrastructure pipeline owner and operator also hiked its out semi-annual dividends consistently for over 20 years. Its yield is usually much higher than the wider market, too, which makes it an appealing option for investors seeking an ongoing passive income.

    In FY25, the company increased its annual dividend distribution by 1.8% to 57 cents per security. Dividend growth is never guaranteed to continue, but it looks like increases are likely for FY26 and beyond.  

    Computershare Ltd (ASX: CPU)

    Computershare has a history of paying consistent dividends to its shareholders and has not lowered its dividend payment for 25 years. The difference is that unlike Sol Patts and APA, there have been some years where Computershare has kept its dividend payment stable, meaning that while overall its dividends have generally been rising, there hasn’t been a strict 20+ number of year-on-year increases.

    For FY25, the ASX dividend share has paid out a final dividend of 48 cents per share, and its total FY25 dividend was 93 cents, up 14.3%.

    Sonic Healthcare (ASX: SHL)

    In terms of the dividend, Sonic has grown its payout in most (not all) years over the past 30 years. There were a few years between 2010 and 2012 where the Aussie passive income stock maintained its dividend at 59 cents, although they’ve increased each year ever since.

    The company paid a total total dividend of $1.07 per share in FY25, a 1% increase from FY24. This consisted of a 44-cent interim dividend paid in March 2025 and a 63-cent final dividend paid in September 2025. 

    The post $5,000 to invest? Consider 4 no-brainer ASX dividend shares with over 20 years of growth appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

    Should you invest $1,000 in APA Group right now?

    Before you buy APA Group shares, consider this:

    Motley Fool investing expert Scott Phillips just revealed what he believes are the 5 best stocks for investors to buy right now… and APA Group wasn’t one of them.

    The online investing service he’s run for over a decade, Motley Fool Share Advisor, has provided thousands of paying members with stock picks that have doubled, tripled or even more.*

    And right now, Scott thinks there are 5 stocks that may be better buys…

    See the 5 Stocks

    * Returns as of 18 November 2025

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    Motley Fool contributor Samantha Menzies has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has positions in and has recommended Washington H. Soul Pattinson and Company Limited. The Motley Fool Australia has positions in and has recommended Apa Group and Washington H. Soul Pattinson and Company Limited. The Motley Fool Australia has recommended Sonic Healthcare. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.

  • 2 ASX 200 shares that could be top buys for growth

    Four piles of coins, each getting higher, with trees on them.

    I’m a big advocate for owning growing businesses because rising profit over time is likely to turn into a higher share price (and bigger dividends). There are some great S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) shares available for Aussies to invest in.

    However, a number of the ASX’s best businesses have seen their share prices drop, which undoubtedly has made them cheaper on an earnings multiple basis, also known as the price/earnings (P/E) ratio.

    Buy-the-dip investing won’t always lead to incredible results, but I think it makes a lot of sense with growing businesses like the two below.

    Xero Ltd (ASX: XRO)

    Xero is one of the world’s leading cloud accounting businesses with a very impressive presence in English-speaking countries. It now has over 4.5 million subscribers across countries like Australia, New Zealand, the UK, the US, South Africa and so on.

    It has an incredibly high gross profit margin of 88.5%, which means most of the new revenue it creates can turn into gross profit which can be used for growth spending or fall onto the bottom line.

    In the FY26 first-half result, it reported revenue growth of 20% to $1.2 billion, net profit growth of 42% to $135 million and free cash flow growth of 54% to $321 million.

    If the ASX share can successfully crack the competitive, but huge, US market in a major way, Xero could become significantly more profitable.

    The ASX 200 share looks a lot better value after the Xero share price’s fall of more than 40% over the past six months, as the chart below shows. I think it looks much better value today.

    Guzman Y Gomez Ltd (ASX: GYG)

    The Mexican food business is another Australian company that has successfully captured a good market share in the local market, and now it’s growing overseas.

    It has over 220 locations in Australia, as well as 22 in Singapore, five in Japan and seven in the US. The business has ambitious plans to roll out dozens of restaurants each year in Australia and eventually reach 1,000 locations, implying strong growth ahead.

    The ASX 200 share’s total network sales are growing at a strong rate in Australia and overseas, with growth of 18.5% to $330.6 million in the three months to September 2025, supported by mid-single-digit comparable sales growth from existing restaurants.

    GYG is expecting its profit margins to increase as it becomes larger, partially thanks to the power of operating leverage. I think this will help the company’s bottom line significantly, while it continues investing for long-term growth.

    If the ASX 200 share can become profitable in the US and continue expanding its overall location count and network sales, I believe the business will have a very positive future.

    As the above chart shows, the GYG share price has declined by more than 40% in 2025 to date.

    The post 2 ASX 200 shares that could be top buys for growth appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

    Should you invest $1,000 in Xero Limited right now?

    Before you buy Xero Limited shares, consider this:

    Motley Fool investing expert Scott Phillips just revealed what he believes are the 5 best stocks for investors to buy right now… and Xero Limited wasn’t one of them.

    The online investing service he’s run for over a decade, Motley Fool Share Advisor, has provided thousands of paying members with stock picks that have doubled, tripled or even more.*

    And right now, Scott thinks there are 5 stocks that may be better buys…

    See the 5 Stocks

    * Returns as of 18 November 2025

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    Motley Fool contributor Tristan Harrison has positions in Guzman Y Gomez. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has positions in and has recommended Xero. The Motley Fool Australia has positions in and has recommended Xero. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.

  • These are the ASX ETFs I would buy if the market crashed tomorrow

    A stressed businessman in a suit shirt and trousers sits next to his briefcase with his head in his hands while the ASX boards behind him show BNPL shares crashing

    Market crashes are uncomfortable, but they are also where some of the best long-term opportunities are created.

    History shows that share markets have always recovered from major downturns, even though it rarely feels that way at the time.

    If the ASX and global markets were to suffer a sharp sell-off, I wouldn’t be trying to pick the bottom or trade in and out. Instead, I would be looking to deploy capital into high-quality exchange-traded funds (ETFs) that offer diversification, resilience, and strong long-term growth potential.

    These are the ASX ETFs I would be buying if markets fell sharply.

    iShares S&P 500 ETF (ASX: IVV)

    The first ASX ETF I would reach for is the iShares S&P 500 ETF. It provides exposure to 500 of the largest and most profitable stocks in the United States, many of which have proven their ability to survive and thrive through multiple market cycles.

    Its holdings span industries such as technology, healthcare, consumer goods, and industrials. This includes names such as Microsoft (NASDAQ: MSFT), Johnson & Johnson (NYSE: JNJ), Costco Wholesale Corp (NASDAQ: COST), Visa Inc (NYSE: V), and Nvidia Corp (NASDAQ: NVDA).

    A market crash often hits even the strongest businesses indiscriminately. Buying this fund during those periods has historically given patient investors exposure to world-class stocks at far more attractive valuations.

    Vanguard Australian Shares ETF (ASX: VAS)

    Closer to home, I would also be looking at the Vanguard Australian Shares ETF. This fund tracks the broader Australian share market and provides instant exposure to the country’s 300 largest stocks.

    Its portfolio includes Commonwealth Bank of Australia (ASX: CBA), BHP Group Ltd (ASX: BHP), CSL Ltd (ASX: CSL), Coles Group Ltd (ASX: COL), and Wesfarmers Ltd (ASX: WES). These businesses dominate their respective industries and play a central role in the Australian economy.

    For long-term investors, a market crash can be an opportunity to buy into the Australian market at valuations that don’t come around very often.

    Betashares Global Cybersecurity ETF (ASX: HACK)

    Finally, I would want some exposure to a long-term structural growth theme that is unlikely to disappear in a downturn.

    The Betashares Global Cybersecurity ETF invests in stocks that are providing cybersecurity software and services. This includes Palo Alto Networks (NASDAQ: PANW), CrowdStrike Holdings (NASDAQ: CRWD), Fortinet (NASDAQ: FTNT), and Zscaler (NASDAQ: ZS).

    As digital threats continue to rise, spending on cybersecurity remains a priority for governments and businesses regardless of economic conditions.

    If the market crashed, high-growth thematic ETFs like HACK would likely be hit hard. But for investors with a long time horizon, that volatility could present an opportunity to buy into an essential industry at discounted prices.

    The post These are the ASX ETFs I would buy if the market crashed tomorrow appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

    Should you invest $1,000 in BetaShares Global Cybersecurity ETF right now?

    Before you buy BetaShares Global Cybersecurity ETF shares, consider this:

    Motley Fool investing expert Scott Phillips just revealed what he believes are the 5 best stocks for investors to buy right now… and BetaShares Global Cybersecurity ETF wasn’t one of them.

    The online investing service he’s run for over a decade, Motley Fool Share Advisor, has provided thousands of paying members with stock picks that have doubled, tripled or even more.*

    And right now, Scott thinks there are 5 stocks that may be better buys…

    See the 5 Stocks

    * Returns as of 18 November 2025

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    Motley Fool contributor James Mickleboro has positions in CSL. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has positions in and has recommended BetaShares Global Cybersecurity ETF, CSL, Costco Wholesale, CrowdStrike, Fortinet, Microsoft, Nvidia, Visa, Wesfarmers, Zscaler, and iShares S&P 500 ETF. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has recommended Johnson & Johnson and Palo Alto Networks and has recommended the following options: long January 2026 $395 calls on Microsoft and short January 2026 $405 calls on Microsoft. The Motley Fool Australia has recommended BHP Group, CSL, CrowdStrike, Microsoft, Nvidia, Visa, Wesfarmers, and iShares S&P 500 ETF. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.

  • This ASX 200 share is being labelled one of the market’s most undervalued by brokers

    Two IT professionals walk along a wall of mainframes in a data centre discussing various things

    NextDC Ltd (ASX: NXT) shares came under pressure on Tuesday, finishing 2% lower to $12.70.

    The pullback extends a broader decline that has seen the data centre operator’s shares fall nearly 15% from their 5 December peak of $14.90.

    This has occurred despite no material downgrade to the company’s long-term outlook. While short-term sentiment has cooled, broker confidence appears to be improving.

    NextDC is currently rated a strong buy, with analysts pointing to meaningful upside from current levels.

    What are brokers saying?

    Broker consensus points to an average price target of around $19 to 22 per share, implying potential upside of roughly up to 70% from yesterday’s closing share price.

    Support for NextDC remains widespread among brokers. The majority of covering analysts’ rate NextDC as a buy, with no sell recommendations currently on the table. Several brokers have also reaffirmed or lifted price targets in recent weeks, even as market volatility has increased.

    Why the NextDC investment case remains strong

    NextDC owns and operates some of Australia’s most critical digital infrastructure, servicing hyperscalers, government agencies, and large enterprises. While the business is capital intensive, earnings visibility continues to improve as new capacity is contracted.

    At its latest update, the company reported pro-forma contracted utilisation of more than 300MW, alongside a forward order book exceeding 200MW. Much of this capacity is expected to convert into revenue between FY26 and FY29, supporting broker forecasts for accelerating earnings growth.

    Management has also maintained FY26 guidance, helping to reassure the market around execution risk.

    The AI tailwind the market may be underestimated

    A key driver behind broker optimism is NextDC’s growing role in Australia’s sovereign AI infrastructure. The company recently announced it had joined OpenAI as an infrastructure partner, with plans to develop and operate a GPU supercluster in Sydney.

    Brokers believe AI-related workloads could materially lift long-term demand for high-density data centres, with NextDC well positioned to benefit. Several analysts have also noted that this opportunity is unlikely to be fully reflected in near-term earnings models.

    Why the share price has fallen?

    The recent sell-off appears driven by short-term concerns around capital expenditure, funding requirements, and valuation multiples, rather than any deterioration in operating performance.

    With earnings growth weighted towards later years, some investors have chosen to step aside. Many brokers, however, argue that this disconnect between near-term costs and long-term cash flows is exactly why NextDC looks undervalued today.

    The bottom line

    While near-term volatility remains, broker sentiment suggests the market may be overlooking a high-quality infrastructure business with powerful long-term tailwinds.

    For investors willing to take a longer-term view, NextDC is increasingly being labelled by brokers as one of the ASX 200’s most undervalued growth opportunities, and one I’ll be adding to my watchlist.

    The post This ASX 200 share is being labelled one of the market’s most undervalued by brokers appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

    Should you invest $1,000 in NEXTDC Limited right now?

    Before you buy NEXTDC Limited shares, consider this:

    Motley Fool investing expert Scott Phillips just revealed what he believes are the 5 best stocks for investors to buy right now… and NEXTDC Limited wasn’t one of them.

    The online investing service he’s run for over a decade, Motley Fool Share Advisor, has provided thousands of paying members with stock picks that have doubled, tripled or even more.*

    And right now, Scott thinks there are 5 stocks that may be better buys…

    See the 5 Stocks

    * Returns as of 18 November 2025

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    Motley Fool contributor Aaron Teboneras has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool Australia has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.

  • Inside xAI’s all-hands: Elon Musk says if the company can survive the next 2 to 3 years, it will come out on top

    elon musk in a crowd

    Joe Raedle/Getty Images

    • Elon Musk addressed xAI staff during an all-hands last week, several sources with knowledge of the meeting said.
    • Musk said xAI will beat competitors if it can survive the next two to three years.
    • Musk highlighted xAI's rapid data center growth and funding access.

    Elon Musk appears to be feeling upbeat about the future of his AI company.

    At a companywide meeting at xAI's San Francisco headquarters last week, Musk told staff that if the company could survive the next two to three years, xAI would triumph over its competitors, several sources with knowledge of the meeting said.

    The xAI CEO said that the company's ability to rapidly scale its power and data capacity would be a key ingredient in the race to achieve superintelligence — which surpasses human intelligence — and become the most powerful AI company.

    Musk said that xAI could achieve artificial general intelligence, which matches or exceeds human intelligence, in the next few years, even as soon as 2026, sources said.

    Musk said in November that xAI had a 10% likelihood of achieving AGI with its Grok 5 model, which he has said the company plans to release early next year.

    The CEO also told staff that xAI would have an advantage over other AI companies because it would have access to around $20 billion to $30 billion in funding per year, and it could benefit from its proximity to his other companies, sources said. Tesla integrated Grok into its vehicles earlier this year.

    Overall, workers said Musk appeared happy with the company's progress. One insider described the meeting as "peppy."

    Musk also theorized about building data centers in space and his plans to colonize Mars, the sources said. He said that Tesla's Optimus humanoid robot could eventually man such extraterrestrial data centers, the people said.

    Musk has previously said that Optimus could provide support for SpaceX missions as soon as next year. Google CEO Sundar Pichai and OpenAI CEO Sam Altman have publicly talked about the possibility of building data centers in space, though Pichai acknowledged that it is a "moonshot."

    In response to Business Insider's request for a comment, the company responded with an automated message: "Legacy Media Lies."

    Over the past year, xAI has rapidly expanded the footprint of its data centers, a project it has named Colossus. Earlier this year, the company said it had around 200,000 GPUs, and Musk has said it plans to expand to 1 million GPUs.

    xAI is one of many companies racing to build AGI and justify valuations worth hundreds of billions of dollars. Despite Musk's outsize profile, xAI is still a relatively new player in a race dominated by giants like OpenAI and Google.

    The AI race shows no signs of slowing down. Earlier this month, OpenAI entered a state of emergency as it raced to push out its latest model, according to reports. Google released a new Gemini model in November, and xAI has pushed new versions of Grok in rapid succession.

    During the all-hands, xAI leads demonstrated several updates to existing products, such as Grok Voice, the company's app for Tesla owners, and its agents, sources said. Some of the updates included improvements to Grok's ability to predict outcomes, better listening functions for Grok voice, and video editing, the people said.

    Do you work at xAI or have a tip? Contact this reporter via email at gkay@businessinsider.com or Signal at 248-894-6012. Use a personal email address, a nonwork device, and nonwork WiFi; here's our guide to sharing information securely.

    Read the original article on Business Insider

  • 5 things to watch on the ASX 200 on Thursday

    A male investor wearing a white shirt and blue suit jacket sits at his desk looking at his laptop with his hands to his chin, waiting in anticipation.

    On Wednesday, the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) was out of form again and ended the day slightly lower. The benchmark index fell 0.15% to 8,585.2 points.

    Will the market be able to bounce back from this on Thursday? Here are five things to watch:

    ASX 200 expected to edge lower

    The Australian share market looks set to fall again on Thursday following a poor night on Wall Street. According to the latest SPI futures, the ASX 200 is expected to open the day 5 points lower this morning. In late trade in the United States, the Dow Jones is down 0.3%, the S&P 500 is down 0.95%, and the Nasdaq is 1.5% lower.

    Oil prices rise

    ASX 200 energy shares Beach Energy Ltd (ASX: BPT) and Santos Ltd (ASX: STO) could have a good session on Thursday after oil prices rebounded overnight. According to Bloomberg, the WTI crude oil price is up 1.3% to US$55.97 a barrel and the Brent crude oil price is up 1.25% to US$59.65 a barrel. This follows news that Donald Trump has ordered a Venezuelan oil tanker blockade.

    Boss Energy update

    Boss Energy Ltd (ASX: BOE) shares will be on watch on Thursday when the uranium producer returns from its trading halt. On Wednesday, it requested the halt while it prepared an announcement regarding the conclusion and outcomes of the Honeymoon Review. Short sellers have been loading up on Boss Energy’s shares on the belief that this review could fall well short of the market’s expectations.

    Gold price rises

    ASX 200 gold shares Newmont Corporation (ASX: NEM) and Northern Star Resources Ltd (ASX: NST) will be on watch on Thursday after the gold price pushed higher. According to CNBC, the gold futures price is up 0.9% to US$4,373.3 an ounce. Soft US labour market data boosted rate cut chances.

    Buy DroneShield shares

    Bell Potter thinks that investors should be buying DroneShield Ltd (ASX: DRO) shares ahead of a potentially big year in 2026. This morning, the broker has reiterated its buy rating with a trimmed price target of $4.40. It said: “We expect 2026 will be an inflection point for the global counter-drone industry with countries poised to unleash a wave of spending on RF detect and defeat solutions. Consequently, we believe DRO should see material contracts flowing from its $2.5b potential sales pipeline over the next 3-6 months as defence budgets roll over to FY26e.”

    The post 5 things to watch on the ASX 200 on Thursday appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

    Should you invest $1,000 in Boss Energy Ltd right now?

    Before you buy Boss Energy Ltd shares, consider this:

    Motley Fool investing expert Scott Phillips just revealed what he believes are the 5 best stocks for investors to buy right now… and Boss Energy Ltd wasn’t one of them.

    The online investing service he’s run for over a decade, Motley Fool Share Advisor, has provided thousands of paying members with stock picks that have doubled, tripled or even more.*

    And right now, Scott thinks there are 5 stocks that may be better buys…

    See the 5 Stocks

    * Returns as of 18 November 2025

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    Motley Fool contributor James Mickleboro has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has positions in and has recommended DroneShield. The Motley Fool Australia has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.

  • 3 ASX dividend shares worth holding forever

    A family drives along the road with smiles on their faces.

    When it comes to building long-term wealth, few strategies are as powerful as owning high-quality ASX dividend shares and holding them through thick and thin.

    The best shares don’t just pay income today. They adapt, grow, and keep rewarding shareholders across economic cycles, commodity booms, recessions, and everything in between.

    Here are three ASX dividend shares that I think stand out as businesses you could buy, hold, and rely on for decades.

    BHP Group Ltd (ASX: BHP)

    It is hard to talk about long-term dividend investing on the ASX without mentioning BHP Group. As one of the world’s largest diversified miners, the Big Australian sits at the heart of global demand for iron ore, copper, and other critical commodities.

    What makes BHP especially attractive for long-term income investors is its scale and cost position. Its assets are among the lowest-cost producers globally, which allows it to remain profitable even when commodity prices fall. During stronger cycles, excess cash is returned to shareholders through generous dividends (including special dividends).

    While BHP’s payouts can fluctuate with commodity prices, its balance sheet strength and disciplined capital management have made it one of the ASX’s most reliable long-term dividend payers. I expect this to remain the case over the next decade and beyond.

    Macquarie Group Ltd (ASX: MQG)

    Macquarie Group has quietly built one of the strongest dividend records on the ASX.

    It operates a globally diversified financial services business, spanning asset management, infrastructure investing, commodities trading, and specialist banking. This diversity helps smooth earnings across market cycles and provides multiple growth engines.

    Over time, the company has steadily increased its payout as earnings expanded, rewarding long-term shareholders who stayed the course. And while there have been many ups and downs, the overall trajectory is up.

    Combined with a conservative capital approach, this arguably makes Macquarie a compelling option for income investors.

    Wesfarmers Ltd (ASX: WES)

    Finally, Wesfarmers could be a great buy and hold option. It is one of Australia’s highest-quality conglomerates with a portfolio including Bunnings, Kmart, Priceline, Officeworks, and a growing industrial and chemicals division.

    What sets Wesfarmers apart from rivals is the quality and experience of its management. The company has repeatedly shown an ability to allocate capital intelligently, exit underperforming businesses, and reinvest in higher-return opportunities. That discipline has underpinned steady earnings growth and dependable dividends over many years.

    And while Wesfarmers may not always offer the highest yield, its strong cash generation and defensive retail exposure make it well suited to long-term income investors.

    The post 3 ASX dividend shares worth holding forever appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

    Should you invest $1,000 in BHP Group right now?

    Before you buy BHP Group shares, consider this:

    Motley Fool investing expert Scott Phillips just revealed what he believes are the 5 best stocks for investors to buy right now… and BHP Group wasn’t one of them.

    The online investing service he’s run for over a decade, Motley Fool Share Advisor, has provided thousands of paying members with stock picks that have doubled, tripled or even more.*

    And right now, Scott thinks there are 5 stocks that may be better buys…

    See the 5 Stocks

    * Returns as of 18 November 2025

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    Motley Fool contributor James Mickleboro has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has positions in and has recommended Macquarie Group and Wesfarmers. The Motley Fool Australia has positions in and has recommended Macquarie Group. The Motley Fool Australia has recommended BHP Group and Wesfarmers. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.

  • Should you buy this “Magnificent Seven” stock before 2026?

    A woman looks questioning as she puts a coin into a piggy bank.

    This article was originally published on Fool.com. All figures quoted in US dollars unless otherwise stated.

    The “Magnificent Seven” stocks have produced the lion’s share of the S&P 500‘s long-term gains. This group of stocks represents 35% of the S&P 500, and if these seven stocks continue to outperform the index, their presence in the S&P 500 will grow.

    Although each of these stocks has been a long-term winner, Alphabet (NASDAQ: GOOG) (NASDAQ: GOOGL) may be the most promising pick of the bunch.

    It looks like a promising buy in 2026 due to strong financials and long-term artificial intelligence (AI) tailwinds. Alphabet has been a cloud computing and search leader for many years, but it might just become a physical AI leader as well.

    These are some of the reasons investors may want to take a closer look at Alphabet in 2026.

    High cash flow lets Alphabet invest in more ventures 

    Alphabet isn’t the only company that’s investing in physical AI, but few companies can compete with its cash flow and steady profits. Alphabet’s strong financial position gives it the flexibility to endure losses on start-ups for multiple years before turning a profit.

    That’s part of the reason why Alphabet has silently emerged as an autonomous vehicle leader through Waymo. Alphabet recently started offering its AI chips to third parties, and it can become a multibillion-dollar segment.

    Alphabet has $98.5 billion in cash, cash equivalents, and marketable securities on its balance sheet. The tech giant also brought in $35 billion in net profits in Q3, which was up by 33% year over year.

    Google Cloud used to be a small part of Alphabet’s overall business. Now, it’s one of the three giant cloud providers. Alphabet can experience similar success with Waymo, AI chips, and other parts of its business.

    Alphabet has multiple high-growth business

    Alphabet doesn’t just rely on online ads, which is one of the few downsides of fellow Magnificent Seven stock Meta Platforms (NASDAQ: META). Google’s parent company has several businesses like search, cloud, and subscriptions, and they’re all growing.

    “Alphabet had a terrific quarter, with double-digit growth across every major part of our business,” Alphabet CEO Sundar Pichai said in the company’s Q3 earnings release.

    It was also the first quarter that Alphabet earned $100 billion in revenue. Google Cloud was a major highlight, with revenue up by 34% year over year. That part of the business also has a $155 billion backlog.

    Cloud computing makes up roughly 15% of the company’s total revenue. As this segment grows, it will make up a larger percentage of total revenue, which can boost Alphabet’s total revenue growth rate.

    The Gemini app was another key business segment. Alphabet’s AI model now has 650 million monthly active users. Alphabet has multiple growth drivers that work well with each other and have delivered excellent results over several years.

    Most Magnificent Seven stocks are less diversified

    Alphabet is one of the Magnificent Seven stocks driving the S&P 500 to new highs, and it’s one of the most diversified companies among the group.

    Tesla (NASDAQ: TSLA) heavily relies on automobile sales, with humanoid robots offering significant potential. Apple (NASDAQ: AAPL) heavily relies on iPhone sales, while Meta Platforms generates almost all of its cash flow from online ads. Nvidia (NASDAQ: NVDA) relies on AI chips and software that revolves around its chips.

    Amazon (NASDAQ: AMZN) and Microsoft (NASDAQ: MSFT) are the other two well-diversified members of the Magnificent Seven. Both tech giants have competing cloud computing providers and multiple revenue streams.

    However, Alphabet is experiencing double-digit growth rates across all of its key businesses. Amazon’s online store sales were only up by 8% year over year, excluding foreign exchange rates. That part of Amazon’s business accounts for more than one-third of total sales.

    Meanwhile, Microsoft only delivered 4% year-over-year revenue growth for its more personal computing segment in Q1 FY26, which made up almost 30% of total revenue.

    Alphabet’s key businesses are still gaining market share, and AI should accelerate growth rates while resulting in new high-growth segments making a meaningful difference in future earnings results.

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  • Photos show how White House Hanukkah celebrations have changed through the years

    Donald Trump at the White House Hanukkah party in 2025.
    President Donald Trump participates in a Hanukkah Reception in the East Wing of the White House, Tuesday, December 16, 2025.

    Official White House Photo by Molly Riley

    • Jimmy Carter was the first president to recognize Hanukkah with a menorah lighting in 1979.
    • The first official White House Hanukkah party took place in 2001, hosted by George W. Bush.
    • Presidents Barack Obama, Joe Biden, and Donald Trump have continued to host Hanukkah receptions.

    The White House hasn't always marked the Festival of Lights with menorah lightings and musical performances.

    Official Christmas celebrations date back to the 1800s, but celebrating Hanukkah at the White House is a fairly recent development in US history.

    President John Adams hosted the first White House Christmas party in 1800, and President Calvin Coolidge held the first National Christmas Tree lighting in 1923. Jacqueline Kennedy began the tradition of choosing a theme for the White House Christmas decorations in 1961.

    Still, the first official White House Hanukkah reception wasn't held until 2001.

    Take a look at the fascinating history of how the White House Hanukkah party came to be.

    President Jimmy Carter was the first president to recognize Hanukkah by lighting a menorah in 1979.
    President Jimmy Carter lights a menorah at the White House in 1979 as a rabbi looks on.
    President Jimmy Carter lights a menorah at the White House in 1979.

    White House Photo

    The menorah lighting was held on the Ellipse, a lawn south of the White House.

    The secretary of the interior under Carter initially refused to issue a permit for a menorah on the White House lawn, citing the First Amendment, The Washington Post reported. But Stu Eizenstat, one of Carter's advisors, argued that the National Christmas Tree's permit should also be denied on the same grounds, and the event was allowed to proceed.

    Since then, every US president has marked Hanukkah in one way or another.

    A delegation of rabbis brought President Ronald Reagan a menorah during a Hanukkah visit in 1984.
    Ronald Reagan greets rabbis and receives a menorah at the White House on Hanukkah in 1984.
    Ronald Reagan greets rabbis at the White House on Hanukkah in 1984.

    Jean-Louis Atlan/Sygma via Getty Images

    Reagan maintained contact with Rabbi Menachem Mendel Schneerson, leader of the Chabad Lubavitch Hasidic movement, throughout his presidency, even declaring his 80th birthday a National Day of Reflection, according to Chabad.org.

    President George H.W. Bush and first lady Barbara Bush learned to play dreidel, a traditional Hanukkah game, in 1990.
    President George H. W. Bush and first lady Barbara Bush participate in a Hanukkah celebration by playing the children's holiday game of dreidel at the White House in 1990.
    Pres. George H. W. Bush, second from right, and First Lady Barbara Bush, second from left, participate in a Hanukkah celebration by playing the childrens holiday game of dreidel at the White House, Wednesday, Dec. 12, 1990, Washington, D.C. With the President are from left, Pamela Kasenetz, Vice President Dan Quayle, Mrs. Bush, Marilyn Quayle, and Ben Cooper.

    Barry L. Thumma/AP

    Bush invited children to light Hanukkah candles and play dreidel at the Old Executive Building, which sits adjacent to the White House.

    President Bill Clinton also celebrated Hanukkah by hosting groups of children in the Oval Office.
    President Bill Clinton speaks with a group of children on Hanukkah.
    President Clinton and Cantor Laura Croen watch as children from Washington's Temple Sinai Nursery School spin their dreidels during a Menorah lighting ceremony in the Oval Office of the White House Thursday, December 5, 1996, to start the Hanukkah holiday season.

    Greg Gibson/AP

    Children from local schools and synagogues were welcomed into the Oval Office to light the menorah and play dreidel with Clinton.

    President George W. Bush and first lady Laura Bush hosted the first White House Hanukkah party in 2001. It was the first time a menorah lighting ceremony had been held in the White House residence.
    President George W. Bush and first lady Laura Bush watch 8-year-old Talia Lefkowitz light the menorah in celebration of the second day of the Hanukkah in 2001.
    398431 03: US President George W. Bush and First Lady Laura Bush, watch Talia Lefkowitz, 8, light a candle during the lighting of the Menorah, in celebration of the second day of the Hanukkah, at the White House December 10, 2001 in Washington, DC.

    Manny Ceneta/Getty Images

    The Bushes invited members of their staff and their children to participate in the ceremony, according to the archived Bush White House's website. The menorah was lit in the Booksellers' room on the ground floor, and a kosher buffet was served upstairs, The New York Times reported.

    "Tonight, for the first time in American history, the Hanukkah menorah will be lit at the White House residence," Bush said at the ceremony. "It's a symbol that this house may be a temporary home for Laura and me, but it's the people's house, and it belongs to people of all faiths."

    The White House kitchen was made kosher for Hanukkah celebrations starting in 2005.
    First lady Laura Bush with rabbis and the White House kitchen staff as they make the White House kitchen kosher in 2005.
    WASHINGTON – DECEMBER 6: First lady Laura Bush (6th R) poses with Rabbi Binyomin Taub, Rabbi Hillel Baron and Rabbi Mendy Minkowitz and the kitchen staff as they make the White House kitchen kosher December 6, 2005 in Washigton, DC. The kitchen was made kosher in preparation for the Hanukkah Ball being held December 6.

    Shealah Craighead/White House via Getty Images

    Making the White House kitchen kosher involves Saran Wrap, tin foil, and vats of boiling water to cover and purify non-kosher surfaces. The chefs use only certified kosher ingredients.

    Matt Nosanchuk served as the White House's associate director of public engagement and liaison to the American Jewish community during Obama's second term. He told Business Insider that there used to be separate tables for kosher and non-kosher food at Bush's Hanukkah parties, but one year, the labels were accidentally switched.

    Rabbi Levi Shemtov, a Chabad rabbi in Washington, DC, who worked closely with the White House staff to prepare kosher food, suggested making the entire reception kosher to avoid confusion in the future, Nosanchuk said.

    "Apparently, President Bush said, 'Do whatever you need to do, it's fine,' and Rabbi Shemtov was like, 'Well, you're going to have to stay out of the kitchen for 24 hours before the party,'" Nosanchuk said.

    Bush also began inviting different Jewish choirs and a cappella groups to perform at the event.
    President George W. Bush poses with members of the Kol Zimra a cappella choir in 2004.
    WASHINGTON, UNITED STATES: US President George W. Bush (C) poses with members of the Kol Zimra a cappella choir during a Menorah lighting ceremony before a Hanukkah reception at the White House in Washington 09 December 2004.

    LUKE FRAZZA/AFP via Getty Images

    The Kol Zimra a cappella choir performed at a menorah lighting ceremony before the White House Hanukkah reception in 2004.

    President Barack Obama continued hosting the White House Hanukkah party every year. In 2013, the party was split into two receptions: one in the afternoon and one in the evening.
    Barack and Michelle Obama watch the menorah lighting at one of the White House's Hanukkah receptions in 2013.
    WASHINGTON, DC – DECEMBER 05: Lainey Schmitter (3rd L) lights a Menorah as U.S. President Barack Obama (2nd L), first lady Michelle Obama (R) and Lainey's mother Drew (L) look on during a Hanukkah reception at the Grand Foyer of the White House in Washington, DC. President Obama hosted members of the Jewish community to celebrate the annual festival.

    Alex Wong/Getty Images

    The two identical receptions were hosted on the same day, so that the White House kitchen only has to be made kosher once.

    "Given how crowded the previous parties had become, they decided to have two," Nosanchuk said.

    That was also the year Thanksgiving coincided with Hanukkah. Obama was presented with a turkey-shaped menorah known as a "menurkey."
    President Barack Obama holds a "menurkey," a combination of a menorah and turkey.
    US President Barack Obama speaks about a Menurkey, a combination of a menorah and turkey honoring this year's shared dates of Thanksgiving and Hanukkah during a Hanukkah reception in the Grand Foyer of the White House December 5, 2013 in Washington, DC. Obama addressed the event behind held on the last day of Hanukkah

    BRENDAN SMIALOWSKI/AFP via Getty Images

    In 2013, then-10-year-old Asher Weintraub invented a "menurkey," a menorah shaped like a turkey. He raised over $48,000 on Kickstarter to produce and sell them.

    "Of course, I said we gotta invite this kid to the White House Hanukkah party," Nosanchuk said. "We didn't use the menurkey onstage, but we made sure the kid was up front on the rope line so that he could say hello to President Obama and present him with a menurkey. And President Obama loved the menurkey."

    Obama continued the tradition of inviting college and professional a cappella groups to sing at the event.
    Mike Boxer (back row, second from the right) and fellow members of Jewish a cappella group Six13 with the Obamas in 2016.
    Jewish a capella group Six13 with the Obamas in 2016.

    Courtesy of Mike Boxer

    Mike Boxer performed with the Jewish a cappella group Six13 at the White House Hanukkah reception in 2016. He told Business Insider the performers usually sing in the foyer outside the party for about an hour, welcoming guests as they enter, and then have a private audience with the president and first lady.

    Before meeting the Obamas, Boxer and his group were told to prepare 45 seconds of a song to perform for them. They chose a snippet from "A Hamilton Chanukah," a medley of songs from the Broadway musical "Hamilton" rewritten with Hanukkah-themed lyrics.

    Boxer said that their private concert featured some unexpected guests.

    "We look over, and Ruth Bader Ginsburg and Sonia Sotomayor are peering through the door," he said. "Barack Obama goes, 'Come in, come in.' One of them said, 'I love this stuff.'"

    Notable American Jewish leaders and rabbis were also invited to deliver remarks at the two ceremonies.
    Rabbi Rachel Isaacs speaks during a White House Hanukkah reception in 2016.
    Rabbi Rachel Isaacs delivers remarks during a Hanukkah reception in The East Room at The White House on December 14, 2016 in Washington, DC.

    ZACH GIBSON/AFP via Getty Images

    In his public engagement role at the White House, Nosanchuk was responsible for the guest list of the Hanukkah reception. Every year, the list was built from scratch to include as many new people as possible.

    "I went out of my way to invite people who had never been before, who had done interesting and important and valuable work in the Jewish community or in their broader community," he said. "There were a wide array of constituencies and groups and individuals who we wanted to engage with and touch during these holiday receptions. The Hanukkah receptions were a subset of that larger group."

    Mordechai Levovitz attended the White House Hanukkah party twice during Obama's presidency and was impressed with the event's broad representation of the Jewish community.
    Mordechai Levovitz, founder of the nonprofit Jewish Queer Youth, takes a selfie at the White House Hanukkah party in 2015.
    Mordechai Levovitz, founder of the nonprofit Jewish Queer Youth, at the White House Hanukkah party in 2015.

    Courtesy of Mordechai Levovitz

    Levovitz is the founder of Jewish Queer Youth, a nonprofit serving LGBTQ+ youth from Orthodox, Hasidic, and Sephardic homes. He was invited as a representative of the Jewish LGBTQ+ community, along with other leaders of Jewish LGBTQ+ organizations.

    "It was really nice to see great LGBTQ representation there," he said of the Hanukkah parties he attended. "I felt seen. I saw leaders of every Jewish LGBTQ organization there, and they saw me."

    He told Business Insider that the White House knows how to throw a good Hanukkah party.

    "Any Orthodox Jew knows that kosher food can really go either way, especially kosher catering. This caterer does an amazing job," he said. "There's a room with a huge smorgasbord of food, and then there's a cutting board on the side giving out the lamb chops, and that's where the line is. They are delicious."

    President Donald Trump continued hosting Hanukkah receptions at the White House during his first term, but didn't invite Democratic lawmakers.
    Arabella Kushner lights the menorah as Jared Kushner and Ivanka Trump look on during a Hanukkah reception in the East Room of the White House in 2017.
    WASHINGTON, DC – DECEMBER 07: Arabella Kushner lights the menorah as Jared Kushner and Ivanka Trump look on during a Hanukkah Reception in the East Room of the White House on December 7, 2017 in Washington, DC. (Photo by

    Olivier Douliery/Getty Images

    Ivanka Trump, the president's daughter, is Jewish. She converted before marrying her husband, Jared Kushner.

    The New York Times reported in 2017 that Trump broke with tradition by excluding Democratic lawmakers from the guest list of what had previously been a bipartisan event. 

    In 2020, the Trump White House held indoor Hanukkah parties despite CDC warnings against large gatherings. Trump only attended the evening reception.
    A Hanukkah reception at the White House in 2018.
    Hunter Pollack (R), whose sister Meadow was killed in the February mass shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida, is flanked by his father Andrew Pollack (3rd L) and his stepmother Julie Phillips Pollack (4th L) as he lights a menorah while U.S. President Donald Trump and first lady Melania Trump host a Hanukkah reception at the White House in Washington, U.S., December 6, 2018.

    Jonathan Ernst/Reuters

    Then-chief of staff to first lady Melania Trump, Stephanie Grisham, told Business Insider in a statement that masks would be required and provided at the events, hand-sanitizing stations would be set up, chefs would serve food from behind plexiglass barriers, and that the guest lists were "smaller." She did not respond to Business Insider's questions about the exact number of invited guests. 

    The Times of Israel reported that Trump attended only the evening Hanukkah reception, where he falsely claimed that with the help of "certain very important people, if they have wisdom and if they have courage, we are going to win this election." Joe Biden had already been declared the winner the previous month.

    Three days after the party, vice chairman of the Massachusetts Republican State Committee Tom Mountain was hospitalized with COVID-19, which he attributed to his attendance at the event.

    "Let's put it this way: When I went down to Washington, DC, for the White House Hanukkah event, I was perfectly fine," Mountain told NBC affiliate WJAR. "And three days later after that event, I was in the hospital … ready to be put on a lifesaving ventilator."

    In 2021, second gentleman Doug Emhoff led the menorah lighting at the White House Hanukkah party and spoke about his Jewish heritage.
    Kamala Harris and Doug Emhoff at the White House Hanukkah party in 2021
    Vice President Kamala Harris and her husband Doug Emhoff take part in a menorah lighting ceremony in celebration of Hanukkah in the East Room of the White House in Washington, DC on December 1, 2021.

    MANDEL NGAN/AFP via Getty Images

    "To think that today, I'm here before you as the first Jewish spouse of an American president or vice president celebrating Hanukkah, in the people's house, it's humbling, and it's not lost on me that I stand before you all on behalf of all the Jewish families and communities out there across our country," Emhoff said. "I understand that, and I really appreciate it."

    The Jewish Telegraphic Agency's Ron Kampeas reported that invitations to the in-person White House Hanukkah party on December 1 were sent out a week before the event, and that holiday plans took shape relatively last-minute due to COVID-19 concerns surrounding in-person events.

    In 2022, the Bidens added a Hanukkah menorah to the White House Christmas decorations for the first time.
    A menorah on display at the White House
    A menorah that was built by White House carpenters from wood that was removed during a Truman-era renovation is on display in Cross Hall of the White House during a press preview of holiday decorations at the White House, Monday, Nov. 28, 2022, in Washington.

    Patrick Semansky/AP

    Located in the Cross Hall, the menorah was built by White House carpenters using leftover wood from a Truman-era White House renovation.

    In addition to the regular White House Hanukkah gathering on Monday, Vice President Kamala Harris and Doug Emhoff hosted the first-ever Hanukkah party at the vice president's residence.

    Trump once again hosted the White House Hanukkah reception in 2025 when he returned for his second non-consecutive term.
    Donald Trump and Miriam Adelson at the White House Hanukkah reception.
    President Donald Trump participates in a Hanukkah Reception in the East Wing of the White House, Tuesday, December 16, 2025.

    Official White House Photo by Abe McNatt

    "As president of the United States, I will always support Jewish Americans," Trump said during the celebration, "and I will always be a friend and a champion of the Jewish people."

    Outside the White House, menorah lightings are still held on the Ellipse, and the event has continued to grow in scale.
    The annual national Hanukkah menorah lighting ceremony at the White House Ellipse in 2010.
    (From left) Rabbi Levi Shemtov, Washington Director, American Friends of Lubavitch; White Houe Budget Director Jacob Lew and Rabbi Abraham Shemtov, Director, American Friends of Lubavitch, take part in the annual national Hanukkah menorah lighting ceremony at the White House Ellipse December 01, 2010 in Washington, DC.

    MANDEL NGAN/AFP via Getty Images

    The National Menorah is now a 30-foot-tall structure that requires a lift from a cherry picker to light.

    This year's National Menorah Lighting, broadcast on C-SPAN, took place on December 14.

    Read the original article on Business Insider

  • The head of Amazon’s AGI team is leaving

    Amazon's SVP and head scientist Rohit Prasad
    Amazon's SVP and head scientist Rohit Prasad

    Bruno de Carvalho/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images

    • Rohit Prasad launched Amazon's AGI team two years ago.
    • Prasad led Amazon efforts to develop leading AI models.
    • Amazon will reorganize its AGI and AI model work under AWS executive Peter DeSantis.

    The executive who led Amazon's efforts to build top AI models is out.

    Rohit Prasad, SVP and head scientist, is leaving two years after launching a new Artificial General Intelligence group.

    CEO Andy Jassy said Prasad plans to depart at the end of the year. Prasad was elevated to report directly to Jassy in 2023 to lead the AGI team, which was tasked with developing Amazon's "most ambitious" AI models, Business Insider reported at the time.

    Since then, Prasad helped launch Amazon's Nova family of AI models. Although Nova models earned some praise for their efficiency, they still trail frontier models such as OpenAI's GPT offerings, Anthropic's Claude Opus, and Google's Gemini.

    As part of the shake-up, Amazon is creating a new organization under Peter DeSantis, AWS's SVP of Utility Computing, Jassy said. The group will oversee Amazon's AGI and AI model initiatives as well as its silicon chip and quantum computing efforts.

    Jassy also said that Pieter Abbeel, the co-founder of robotics startup Covariant, who joined Amazon last year, will now lead the company's frontier AI model research team.

    Prasad's departure is the latest in a series of leadership changes at AWS. Over the past year, the company has seen several executives depart, including VP of AI Matt Wood and VP of generative AI Vasi Philomin, while bringing in new talent such as former Microsoft executive Julia White as chief marketing officer.

    AWS also recently hired David Richardson as VP of AgentCore and Joe Hellerstein as Vice President and Distinguished Scientist, and added Chet Kapoor as VP of security services and observability.

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    Read the original article on Business Insider