• Why Jumbo shares could be one to watch today

    jumbo share price - lottery ball numbers

    The Jumbo Interactive Ltd (ASX: JIN) share price will be in focus when the market opens today. This comes after the company released a contract-related update after Thursday’s close.

    Shares in the online lottery ticket seller and platform provider finished the session at $10.93, up 1.02%, with investors yet to digest the news during normal trading hours.

    Here are the key details.

    What was announced?

    According to the release, Lotterywest has awarded Brightstar Lottery PLC (NYSE: BRSL) a contract to deliver a new gaming and digital solutions platform.

    Under the proposed structure, Brightstar will act as the prime contractor, with Jumbo working alongside it under a subcontract arrangement. Jumbo will supply key digital components, including its website and mobile application technology, as well as elements of its Player Account Management capability.

    These features will be delivered through Jumbo’s proprietary Jumbo Lottery Platform (JLP), which already supports a range of government and charity lotteries globally.

    Jumbo also noted that its existing SaaS agreement with Lotterywest, which supports the Lotterywest by Oz Lotteries digital channel, will continue as normal.

    Why this matters for Jumbo investors?

    Jumbo hasn’t put any figures around the update, and the proposed subcontract is still subject to negotiation and board approval.

    That said, the announcement reinforces Jumbo’s position as a trusted digital partner in regulated lottery markets.

    Brightstar is one of the world’s largest lottery operators, and Jumbo’s inclusion in a long-term government platform rollout highlights the strength of its digital offering. The platform transition is expected to be delivered in phases, with a targeted go-live in Q3 2027.

    Jumbo said it will update the market once the subcontract terms are finalised.

    Looking at the bigger picture

    This update comes as Jumbo continues to progress on several parts of the business.

    The company has been expanding internationally, particularly in the US, following its Dream Car Giveaways acquisitions. Jumbo has also continued to be viewed by brokers as a cash-generative, dividend-paying business, supported by recurring revenue from long-term lottery contracts.

    Jumbo shares pulled back from recent highs earlier this year as the market focused on the cost of US expansion. Since then, the company has continued to add platform wins and partnerships that support its longer-term outlook.

    What to watch next for Jumbo

    In the near term, investors will be watching how the market responds today and whether any further detail emerges around the Brightstar subcontract.

    Over time, the update adds another data point, showing Jumbo’s platform continues to be used in large, regulated lottery systems.

    For now, I’ll be watching from the sidelines.

    The post Why Jumbo shares could be one to watch today appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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

    Before you buy Jumbo Interactive 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 Jumbo Interactive 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…

    * 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 positions in and has recommended Jumbo Interactive. The Motley Fool Australia has recommended Jumbo Interactive. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.

  • Guess how much $10,000 invested a year ago in these global ASX ETFs is worth today

    Kid with arms spread out on a luggage bag, riding a skateboard.

    There’s nothing wrong with investing in an ASX focussed ETF or Australian companies. 

    History tells us that the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) returns an average of 9-10% per annum. 

    That’s nothing to complain about. 

    However, it’s important to understand that returns aren’t linear. Rather, it isn’t as simple as 9% every year. 

    This year, statistically, has been a softer one for the ASX 200. 

    At the time of writing, with a couple weeks left to go in the year, Australia’s benchmark index has risen roughly 4.7%. 

    This is well below some other markets around the world. 

    So for investors looking to diversify beyond the Australian market, here is how a hypothetical investment in some overseas markets would have performed in 2025. 

    Betashares Capital Ltd – Asia Technology Tigers Etf (ASX: ASIA)

    This ASX ETF aims to track the performance of an index (before fees and expenses) comprising the 50 largest technology and online retail stocks in Asia (ex-Japan). 

    This includes global names like Samsung Electronics and Alibaba. 

    It also offers heavy exposure to the growing semiconductor industry fuelling the AI boom.

    It’s no surprise that exposure has helped this fund grow significantly in 2025. 

    Since the start of the year, it is up 37.82%. 

    That means a $10,000 investment at the start of the year would today be worth $13,782 today. 

    Global X Euro Stoxx 50 ETF (ASX: ESTX)

    As the name suggests, this ASX ETF invests in 50 of the largest companies across the eurozone.

    This includes global blue-chips like Dutch multinational corporation and semiconductor company ASML Holding N.V. (ENXTAM: ASML) and German software company SAP (ETR: SAP). 

    Some of the best performing markets in 2025 have been in Europe. 

    By country, the fund has its largest weighting towards: 

    • France 33.88%
    • Germany 29.98%
    • Netherlands 14.93%

    This ASX ETF has risen 24.6%, which means an investment of $10,000 at the start of the year would already be worth $12,460. 

    Betashares FTSE100 ETF (ASX: F100)

    Just across the pond lives the London Stock Exchange. 

    This ASX ETF tracks the performance of the FTSE 100 Index (before fees and expenses), which provides exposure to the largest 100 companies by market capitalisation traded on the London Stock Exchange.

    This fund includes U.K based global leaders such as HBSC, Diageo and Unilever.

    It has risen an impressive 21.10% this year. 

    That would have brought an investment of $10,000 in January to a healthy $12,110 right now. 

    The post Guess how much $10,000 invested a year ago in these global ASX ETFs is worth today appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

    Should you invest $1,000 in Betashares Capital Ltd – Asia Technology Tigers Etf right now?

    Before you buy Betashares Capital Ltd – Asia Technology Tigers 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 Capital Ltd – Asia Technology Tigers 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…

    * Returns as of 18 November 2025

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    HSBC Holdings is an advertising partner of Motley Fool Money. Motley Fool contributor Aaron Bell has positions in Betashares Capital – Asia Technology Tigers Etf. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has positions in and has recommended ASML. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has recommended Alibaba Group, HSBC Holdings, and SAP. The Motley Fool Australia has recommended ASML. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.

  • Macquarie tips more than 120% upside for this ASX mining stock

    Two young African mine workers wearing protective wear are discussing coal quality while on site at a coal mine.

    A new report from Macquarie has identified ASX mining stock St George Mining Ltd (ASX: SGQ) as one with plenty of upside. 

    It is a mining exploration company. Its main focus is its Mt Alexander Project in Western Australia and The Araxá Project in Minas Gerais, Brazil. 

    The company has evolved from a traditional nickel and copper explorer into a diversified critical mineral focused company post the acquisition of 100% of the Araxá Project in February 2025. 

    This transaction has allowed the company to strategically repositioned itself to capture value from the global energy transition.

    Macquarie’s report came after a visit to the Araxá project in Brazil. 

    Here’s what the broker had to say. 

    Resource upside

    In Macquarie’s report, the broker said the visit to the Araxá project in Brazil highlighted recent drill success, further resource potential, and the advantages of a good location.

    Macquarie believes Araxá is well-situated in an area endowed with existing infra and local mining /processing capabilities. It could become the next key niobium producer.

    It highlighted that the company has reported multiple drilling updates with assay results highlighting thick niobium and rare earths interceptions from surface as part of its current 10,000-meter drilling program (due for completion in 1HCY26). 

    Mineralisation remains open in all directions/at depth, with current drilling coverage representing less than 10% of the tenement area, presenting “significant upside potential for resource expansion.

    Macquarie also said the drilling program could be extended.

    Furthermore, Niobium processing is already well proven in the region, with CBMM (Brazilian mining company and the world’s largest producer of niobium) having produced niobium for around 50 years using standard techniques such as wet grinding, magnetic separation and flotation. 

    The company has also recruited team members with experience in rare earths and niobium processing. Macquarie believes this should further reduce development risk.

    Pilot plant update

    In the report, Macquarie also highlighted that in October, the company announced a partnership with CEFET.

    CEFET is a government-funded technology institute.

    The two have plans to build a large-scale pilot plant. 

    This pilot-first strategy should allow this ASX mining stock to apply for environmental and operating approvals on a smaller, lower-impact facility, potentially speeding up approvals and providing more flexibility when selecting an eventual mine site.

    The smaller footprint may enable a fast-tracked application process/flexibility for early stage mine site selection.

    Price target upside

    Based on this guidance, Macquarie has an outperform rating on this ASX mining stock. 

    It also has a price target of $0.20. 

    This indicates an upside of approximately 122% from yesterday’s closing price of $0.09. 

    The post Macquarie tips more than 120% upside for this ASX mining stock appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

    Should you invest $1,000 in St George Mining Limited right now?

    Before you buy St George Mining 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 St George Mining 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…

    * Returns as of 18 November 2025

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    Motley Fool contributor Aaron Bell 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.

  • 5 things to watch on the ASX 200 on Friday

    On Thursday, the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) fought hard and managed to record a very small gain. The benchmark index rose slightly to 8,588.2 points.

    Will the market be able to build on this on Friday and end the week on a high? Here are five things to watch:

    ASX 200 expected to rise again

    The Australian share market looks set to rise on Friday following a strong night in the United States. According to the latest SPI futures, the ASX 200 is expected to open 48 points or 0.55% higher this morning. In late trade on Wall Street, the Dow Jones is up 0.15%, the S&P 500 is 0.75% higher, and the Nasdaq is storming 1.3% higher.

    Oil prices rise

    It could be a decent finish to the week for ASX 200 energy shares such as Santos Ltd (ASX: STO) and Woodside Energy Group Ltd (ASX: WDS) after oil prices rose overnight. According to Bloomberg, the WTI crude oil price is up 0.3% to US$56.12 a barrel and the Brent crude oil price is up 0.2% to US$59.81 a barrel. Traders were buying oil in response to mounting supply risks.

    Dividend pay day

    Today is a good day to own ANZ Group Holdings Ltd (ASX: ANZ) and Westpac Banking Corp (ASX: WBC) shares. That’s because both big four banks are scheduled to pay their latest dividends. ANZ is paying a partially franked 83 cents per share dividend, whereas Westpac is paying a fully franked 77 cents per share dividend to shareholders.

    Gold price falls

    ASX 200 gold shares such as Evolution Mining Ltd (ASX: EVN) and Northern Star Resources Ltd (ASX: NST) could have a subdued finish to the week after the gold price edged lower overnight. According to CNBC, the gold futures price is down 0.15% to US$4,366.7 an ounce. The precious metal eased after nearing a record high on rate cut optimism.

    Jumbo update

    Jumbo Interactive Ltd (ASX: JIN) shares will be on watch today after the online lottery ticket sellers made an announcement after the market close yesterday. It advised that Lotterywest has awarded a contract for the development, implementation, and support of a gaming solution and digital solution to replace its existing gaming and digital solutions platform to Brightstar Lottery (NYSE: BRSL) (Brightstar). However, Jumbo revealed that it will work with Brightstar on a subcontractor arrangement to provide components of the solution.

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

    Should you invest $1,000 in Australia And New Zealand Banking Group right now?

    Before you buy Australia And New Zealand Banking 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 Australia And New Zealand Banking 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…

    * Returns as of 18 November 2025

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  • Are Computershare shares a buy after reaching new lows?

    Broker working with share prices on computers.

    Computershare Ltd (ASX: CPU) shares have been on a roller-coaster this year. Once the darling of tech-focused financial stocks, the share price has gone from running red hot early this year to slipping into a steady decline towards fresh lows.

    In the past 6 months Computershare shares have lost 16% of their value to $33.93 at the time of writing and they’re 21.5% down from their year-high in February.

    In 2025 the Computershare stock dropped 0.06%. To put it in context, the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX:XJO) rose 3.4% in the past 12 months.

    Now for the big question, is the sell-off a buying opportunity or a structural stumble?

    Trillion-dollar ledger keeper

    First let’s have a look at what the Melbourne based company does. At its core, Computershare is the behind-the-scenes backbone of the stock market. It manages share registries and related financial services for corporations around the world.

    The $20 billion ASX company is essentially the global ledger keeper for trillions of dollars in financial assets, earning fees from corporate clients and transaction activity.

    Computershare’s strengths are its scale, high switching costs, recurring fee base and wide moat in registry services. It’s the biggest player globally in what’s essentially a niche oligopoly.

    Squeezed margins, fewer mergers

    But it’s not without challenges. Computershare is heavily tied to the ebbs and flows of financial markets and interest rates, competitors and tech disruption.

    Some analysts question how much further earnings can grow if margins are squeezed. Margin income is particularly vulnerable as rates ease, and slower merger and acquisitions activity can dampen high-margin transaction fees.

    The flight of the shares

    In most of 2025, Computershare shares looked like a classic compounder. The solid growth in recurring fee revenue, combined with share buybacks and a healthy dividend, propelled the stock higher.

    But the market is telling a different story now with the Computershare shares in a steady decline. Some of this weakness reflects broader market headwinds.

    Cautious sentiment crept into financial stocks as trading volumes in corporate actions softened and interest-rate uncertainty weighed on margin income.

    What next for Computershare shares?

    The broker community’s views are mixed. Some upgrades have crept in, highlighting reasonable FY26 guidance and resilient revenue drivers.

    However, price targets have been trimmed or flagged as full, suggesting limited near-term upside. On the other hand, strong FY25 results and a solid balance sheet hint that the business fundamentals remain intact.

    The most positive analyst forecast has set a maximum 12-month price target of $41.08, which points to a 21% upside. However, most brokers are more conservative with an average 10% gain and a price target of $37.36 for the next 52 weeks.

    The post Are Computershare shares a buy after reaching new lows? appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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

    Before you buy Computershare 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 Computershare 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…

    * Returns as of 18 November 2025

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    Motley Fool contributor Marc Van Dinther 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.

  • Why experts think the Xero share price could rise 70% in 2026!

    Man ponders a receipt as he looks at his laptop.

    The Xero Ltd (ASX: XRO) share price has been one of the hardest-hit within the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) in the last six months, with the ASX tech share down by 40% over that time. When a strong business falls that far, it could be a clear opportunity.

    The cloud accounting provider may have continued to deliver subscriber, revenue, net profit and cash flow growth, but it hasn’t been enough to excite the market.

    The broker UBS has looked over Xero shares and decided how much the business could deliver in returns over the next 12 months. Let’s take a look at what UBS is seeing and the potential growth the business could deliver.

    Growth outlook intact

    UBS says that it remains positive on the medium term growth outlook and believes the current Xero share price is trading at an “attractive buying opportunity”.

    The broker notes that the core accounting business continues to see strong growth in the mid-to-high-teens, which is being driven by good growth of both subscribers and average revenue per user (ARPU). The ARPU is being driven by price increases and product mix.

    For the next three years, UBS forecasts a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 22% for revenue and 37% for operating profit (EBITDA).

    UBS believes that UK growth will be spurred by the third phase of ‘making tax digital’, while Australia could see “new use cases” that help growth. The broker believes ARPU growth will be supported by annual price rises along with higher product attachments (such as payments which grew 35% year-over-year).

    What about the US?

    The United States is a huge market if the company can get that right. Not too long ago, Xero acquired a US payments business called Melio.

    UBS believes the market remains “cautious” on Melio as operating profit (EBITDA) losses were largely flat despite revenue growth of 68%, which was well ahead of expectations. The broker does believe there is a pathway to profitability by FY29 on an EBITDA basis, thanks to a CAGR for revenue of 53% partly due to an improving rate of subscriber additions.

    The broker also thinks Melio could see growth in transaction revenue margins from 51 basis points (0.51%) to 58 basis points (0.58%) by FY28.

    UBS then said:

    We assume Melio achieves EBITDA breakeven by FY29e (prev FY30e), from an acceleration in top-line growth. We also remain conservative on potential upside from cross-sell between Melio and XRO. Management has communicated Melio Billpay will be available inside XRO from Dec-25 onwards along with Gusto payroll which is now in beta, which could drive potential upside to our conservative forecasts for avg +55k US Core accounting net adds over the next 3 years.

    Xero share price target

    UBS currently has a price target of $194 on the business. That implies a possible rise of just over 70%, if the broker ends up being right.

    The post Why experts think the Xero share price could rise 70% in 2026! 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…

    * Returns as of 18 November 2025

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    Motley Fool contributor Tristan Harrison 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 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.

  • 3 unstoppable ASX shares to buy with $3,000

    Calculator next to money.

    There is a group of wonderful ASX shares that have been among the best performers on the Australian stock market over the past decade.

    However, the last few months have been painful for the share prices of many of these businesses. I think this is presenting a great opportunity to buy shares at a much lower price/earnings (P/E) ratio.

    While these leading ASX growth shares still don’t trade on an earnings multiple similar to Commonwealth Bank of Australia (ASX: CBA) after the declines, the businesses below have a lot more earnings potential and they continue to grow profit. I’d happily buy them with $3,000.

    Pro Medicus Ltd (ASX: PME)

    This business is arguably the best company on the ASX. It describes itself as a global provider of medical imaging solutions, including radiology imaging solutions (RIS) and picture archiving and communication systems (PACS).

    The FY25 result was a perfect example of the businesses’ impressive financials. Revenue rose 31.9% to $213 million, net profit after tax (NPAT) jumped 39.2% to $115.2 million and the final dividend per share was hiked by 37.5% to 30 cents per share.

    A key enabler of the company’s strong financials is an underlying operating profit (EBIT) margin of 74%, which is exceptionally high. This helps turn a sizeable majority of new revenue into operating profit.

    The ASX share is winning new contracts with major customers in the northern hemisphere and it’s also successfully selling additional modules to existing customers.

    With the Pro Medicus share price down 35% since July, it looks like a good time to invest for the long-term. According to the forecast on Commsec, it’s now trading at 85x FY28’s estimated earnings.

    TechnologyOne Ltd (ASX: TNE)

    TechnologyOne is an ASX share I’ve put some of my own investing money into recently.

    The company provides enterprise resource planning (ERP) software, with customers like local, state and federal government, companies, universities and other organisations.

    This business is delivering consistent growth year after year. In FY25, the business delivered profit before tax (PBT) growth of 19% to $181.5 million, beating guidance of between 13% to 17%.

    TechnologyOne has been successful at providing subscribers with software improvements, unlocking more revenue from them over the years. It’s also winning new customers from competitors, such as the London boroughs of Islington London Borough Council and the Council of the Royal Borough of Greenwich. This is helping drive revenue.

    The business reached annual recurring revenue (ARR) of $554.6 million in FY25 and it has a goal to reach $1 billion of ARR by FY30, which would help it become significantly more profitable.

    According to the forecast on Commsec, the TechnologyOne share price is now valued at 39x FY28’s estimated earnings. That’s after a decline of 34% in the past six months.

    Xero Ltd (ASX: XRO)

    Xero is the leading cloud accounting provider in Australia and New Zealand. It also has built an impressive market share in markets like the UK, Singapore and South Africa.

    The company now has 4.5 million subscribers from across the world, which has given the company significant scale advantages. With its gross profit margin of almost 90%, new revenue is rapidly boosting the ASX share’s profit statistics.

    In the first half of FY26, net profit surged 42% to NZ$135.8 million and free cash flow jumped 54% to NZ$321 million.

    The Xero share price is down 43% in the past six months, which I think has been overdone. Tax reporting and digitalisation gives Xero pleasing earnings tailwinds for the years ahead.

    According to the forecast from UBS, the Xero share price is now valued at just 37x FY28’s estimated earnings following the heavy decline this year.

    The post 3 unstoppable ASX shares to buy with $3,000 appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

    Should you invest $1,000 in Pro Medicus right now?

    Before you buy Pro Medicus 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 Pro Medicus 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…

    * Returns as of 18 November 2025

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

  • My surprising top “Magnificent Seven” stock pick for 2026

    A delivery man wearing a cap and smiling broadly delivers two boxes stacked on top of each other at the door of a female customer whose back can be seen at the edge of a doorway.

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

     

    The “Magnificent Seven” is the name given to the group of Nvidia, Apple, Microsoft, Alphabet, Meta, Tesla, and Amazon (NASDAQ: AMZN). These seven companies are bundled together because they have driven much of the stock market’s gains in recent years. As of Dec. 15, they are seven of the world’s top nine most valuable companies and represent nearly 35% of the S&P 500.

    So far this year, every “Magnificent Seven” stock has produced double-digit returns except for one: Amazon.

    Once the face of growth stocks, Amazon has lagged over the past year, frustrating its investors along the way. Despite that retreat, Amazon may be positioned to bounce back in 2026.

    ^SPX data by YCharts.

    Why has Amazon’s stock been lagging?

    There hasn’t been one issue that’s caused Amazon’s underperformance. It’s more a combination of factors. First, Amazon has spent a lot of money this year, with capital expenditures (capex) of around $90 billion through the first nine months of 2025.

    Given how much Amazon has been spending (mostly on AI infrastructure), investors have been wanting more to show for it — especially when it comes to Amazon Web Services (AWS) growth. With many of the “Magnificent Seven” stocks making big splashes in AI, some people viewed Amazon as falling behind in the race.

    AMZN Capital Expenditures (Quarterly) data by YCharts.

    Amazon’s heavy spending has weighed on its free cash flow, and that’s not something investors typically like without seeing more immediate results. Add in how expensive Amazon’s stock has been, and there was little room for error in many investors’ eyes.

    AWS is positioning itself for the future

    AWS may not have been producing the results that we’ve grown used to seeing over the years, but investors jumping ship seems like a premature overreaction (which is no surprise if you know investors). Yes, AWS has been losing market share to Microsoft’s Azure and Alphabet’s Google Cloud, but it’s still the world’s largest cloud platform by far.

    Cloud platforms are, and will continue to be, crucial to AI training and scaling. That’s why Amazon has been focusing so much on building out more infrastructure and adding computing capacity. It has added more than 3.8 gigawatts in the past 12 months and plans to double its capacity through 2027.

    This investment is noteworthy because, according to calculations from investment bank Oppenheimer, each incremental gigawatt of capacity could add $3 billion in revenue. The high capex might be weighing on Amazon’s financials right now, but it’s poised to pay off in the long term.

    Amazon has an underrated profit machine

    There’s no doubt that AWS is Amazon’s profit engine, accounting for most of its operating income. However, advertising is a high-margin business that has been growing steadily over the past couple of years.

    On one hand, Amazon has access to data from its millions of customers and Prime members, making it more effective at helping advertisers with targeted ad campaigns. They know what customers buy, when they buy it, what they watch, what they listen to, what they browse, and other information that allows advertisers to target with greater precision. 

    On the other hand, Amazon’s massive reach means it has plenty of places to set these ads. Whether it’s online, when you search for a specific product, stream something on Prime Video, watch Twitch, or listen to music, there’s no shortage of real estate for advertisers looking to reach potential customers. Amazon also announced that it recently struck partnerships that allow its advertisers to buy ad space on Netflix, Spotify, and SiriusXM.

    In the third quarter, Amazon’s advertising services revenue grew 24% to $17.7 billion, outpacing its revenue from subscriptions ($12.5 billion). Beyond revenue growth, advertising is a high-margin business that can help Amazon boost its overall profitability. I expect the momentum to continue in 2026.

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

    The post My surprising top “Magnificent Seven” stock pick for 2026 appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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

    Should you invest $1,000 in Amazon right now?

    Before you buy Amazon 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 Amazon 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…

    * Returns as of 18 November 2025

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

    More reading

    Stefon Walters has positions in Apple and Microsoft. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has positions in and has recommended Alphabet, Amazon, Apple, Meta Platforms, Microsoft, Netflix, Nvidia, Spotify Technology, and Tesla. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. 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 Alphabet, Amazon, Apple, Meta Platforms, Microsoft, Netflix, and Nvidia. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.

  • 1 prediction for Nvidia in 2026

    A bald man in a suit puts his hands around a crystal ball as though predicting the future.

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

     

    Nvidia (NASDAQ: NVDA) has been a focal point of investment in the artificial intelligence (AI) sector this year. It’s the undisputed leader in accelerated computing. However, Nvidia’s chips aren’t the only reason why.

    The company’s graphics processing unit (GPU) stacks combine hardware, software, and platform solutions designed to support applications from gaming to professional visualization and accelerated computing. I believe Nvidia’s vast array of solutions will reaccelerate growth in the stock price next year. 

    AI solutions for the future

    Nvidia’s revenue soared to a record $57 billion in the recently reported fiscal third quarter. That was a remarkable 62% year-over-year jump.

    Some investors believe that this kind of growth is unsustainable. That seems like a sensible position considering that level of sales. I predict that another leg of sustainable growth lies ahead that investors will begin to recognize in 2026. Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang has already publicly signaled what it will be, too.

    Even if the AI data center buildout slows, as some believe will happen, Jensen Huang sees a long growth runway for his company over the next decade. In an interview earlier this year, Huang stated, “This is going to be the decade of AV [autonomous vehicles], robotics, autonomous machines.”

    Nvidia will supply both hardware and software to support that development. The company produces embedded systems for autonomous and robotic applications. Nvidia’s Drive ADX platform provides high-level compute performance for the highest level of self-driving technology.

    The company calls its Jetson platform “the ideal software for robotics and generative AI at the edge.” It’s powered by Nvidia’s leading Blackwell GPU, helping to generate more hardware sales, too.

    Investors should continue to monitor data center growth to track the state of Nvidia’s business. However, watching developments in robotics, autonomous vehicles, and machines should provide confidence that a new leg of sales growth for Nvidia is likely. That, in turn, should drive the stock higher after shares have consolidated over the past couple of months. 

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

    The post 1 prediction for Nvidia in 2026 appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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

    Should you invest $1,000 in Nvidia right now?

    Before you buy Nvidia 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 Nvidia 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…

    * Returns as of 18 November 2025

    .custom-cta-button p { margin-bottom: 0 !important; }

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

    More reading

    Howard Smith has positions in Nvidia and has the following options: short February 2026 $170 calls on Nvidia. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has positions in and has recommended Nvidia. The Motley Fool Australia has recommended Nvidia. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.

  • All 8 Blackstone holiday videos ranked

    A collage of Blackstone holiday videos showing Jon Gray, Steve Schwarzman, and Mr. Stone.
    A collage of the firm's holiday videos.

    • Blackstone released a new comedic holiday video on Thursday — its eighth since 2018.
    • How does this year's video compare?
    • Business Insider has watched and ranked them all — so you don't have to.

    Blackstone released its 2025 holiday video on Thursday — the latest installment in a tradition that began in 2018 as a way to liven up employees' spirits in lieu of the holiday party, which was canceled because the firm had grown too large.

    Since then, the video has become a viral sensation. Eight million people viewed 2023's video showing Blackstone's executives fumbling in their efforts to be more like Taylor Swift — the same year the Daily Mail wondered whether it might be "the most cringeworthy corporate video ever."

    Watching — and poking fun at — the video is now a Wall Street tradition, making Jay Gillespie, Blackstone's head of video, a hot commodity at 345 Park Avenue.

    "People come up to me throughout the year, and they're like, 'My daughter is helping me rehearse so I might get a line next year,'" Gillespie told Business Insider in 2024. "People are really into lobbying to be in it."

    If you don't get it, don't worry. We decided to help readers save time by watching and reviewing all of the firm's videos going back to 2018.

    No. 8: 2020
    Jon Gray in front of a large display of holiday decorations.
    Jon Gray waves from the video's holiday Zoom call.

    This video was released in December 2020, during the peak of the pandemic. It stuck to the theme it launched in 2018 of depicting Blackstone as a version of the NBC sitcom "The Office," but executives wore face masks and pandemic jokes featured prominently. In an early scene, one Blackstone executive struggles to recognize a colleague with unmanageably long hair. (Remember when all the barber shops were closed?)

    While it was a bleak time, the video ends on an upbeat note, with Blackstone employees cutting loose to "I'm Walking on Sunshine," kicking off a tradition of holiday video songs that has featured prominently since. Still, it's somewhat stuck in the pandemic era, hence its placement at No. 7.

    No. 7: 2022
    Blackstone executives in robes stand in front of scrolls with things like "global logistics" and "green energy transitions."
    Blackstone executives Byron Wien and Joseph Lohrer in robes, as they're about to present the secret to Blackstone's success.

    The conceit of this holiday season is a fake news station, "BX TV News," prompting Jon Gray to search for Blackstone's secret sauce. (It was a roundabout way for the firm to tout its plan to hit $1 trillion assets under management, which it has since achieved.)

    Schwarzman returns to a role he often plays in these videos, that of the sincere elder statesman, to explain that the firm's true secret sauce is its employees. However, he notes that a secret is hidden in the basement, setting two executives on an Indiana Jones-style quest to find the scroll containing the firm's secret. This weird twist is the highlight of the video.

    The video effectively makes several self-deprecating jokes about Blackstone's love of acronyms (BCRED, anyone?) and Wall Street's notorious work hours. By 2022, however, the company had been going with "The Office" theme for four years, hence its ranking.

    No. 6: 2021
    Jon Gray stands behind a podium at a fake award show, with a red carpet and screen behind him.
    Jon Gray at the fake award show.

    The budget for the holiday video clearly increased this year, with a storyline about the birth of BX TV, the firm's weekly video call that Gray is incredibly enthusiastic about (and employees, less so). There are animals, special effects, and a Reese Witherspoon cameo.

    The key joke is a fake award ceremony where Gray receives "Best Weekly Internal Zoom Call at an Alternative Asset Management firm." The hope is that it will convince the firm's president and chief operating officer that it's time to move on with John Finley, chief legal officer, saying, "I make one call to the FCC, and they'll cancel this clown car."

    Employees chant "end it" and celebrate, thinking Gray has decided to cancel the show after winning the award. It quickly becomes clear that the 2022 BX TV season is already being planned, and the internal video call remains a weekly requirement at the firm.

    No. 5: 2018
    Steve Schwarzman plays with a bedazzled Santa Claus hat.
    Steve Schwarzman wearing a bedazzled Santa hat.

    Scranton, Pennsylvania, is a long way from Park Avenue in Midtown Manhattan, and Dunder Mifflin would be among its smallest portfolio companies, yet Blackstone successfully riffed off the NBC sitcom "The Office" for its first annual holiday video. The video begins with the theme music from the television show, and like "The Office," there is hand-held camera work and plenty of "candid" interviews with executives. There's also a Michael Scott look-alike. As with all the holiday videos that follow, this one starts with Jon Gray calling his executive assistant, Laurie Carlson.

    This video started it all and set the tone for Blackstone's trademark style of mixing the firm's reality with jokes. The premise of the video is that Blackstone canceled its holiday party and replaced it with a video, which actually happened. And Jon Gray really does, sometimes, act a bit like Michael Scott in his enthusiasm for wild ideas, according to people who know him. There are fewer visual gags and no Hollywood cameos, but it's a classic.

    No. 4: 2023
    Steve Schwarzman dressed in a glittery shirt while pointing at the screen.
    Steve Schwarzman delivering the line "Not to be confused with BlackRock" in a sequin shirt.

    2023's holiday video marked the first time Blackstone moved away from being a parallel version of "The Office" (only the title card remains). Instead, it's an homage to Taylor Swift and the Eras tour, with Blackstone trying to replicate her success with its own song about alternative investments.

    This is the video that broke into the wider world, spawning mocking tabloid headlines. But for a video series whose main goal is to help the firm laugh at itself, that's a measure of success. Add that this immortal line: "Just this once, I do hope people confuse us with BlackRock." Also, you get to see Steve Schwarzman dancing while wearing a glittery fringe top.

    No. 3: 2025
    Blackstone's Steve Schwarzman getting ready to DJ.
    Blackstone's Steve Schwarzman getting ready to DJ.

    This year, Blackstone turned 40 years old, so it was only right that the firm lived out its midlife crisis in front of all of us. The birthday celebration begins with a Ken Burns documentary about the firm's origins, before Jon Gray asks for Burns to be fired in favor of some "pizzaz."

    Blackstone's execs are all dealing with their age in different ways: wearing nose rings and buying sports teams or Ferrari (the company). Steve Schwarzman's ambition to become a DJ leads to a cameo by actual DJ and Goldman Sachs CEO David Solomon.

    Another cameo from Jersey Mike's spokesperson Danny DeVito is a highlight, with his contract apparently requiring him to take on the challenging job of advertising "non-listed, semi-liquid, institutional-quality perpetual products."

    The video ends with a musical number, this time an age-appropriate 80s theme, alongside a dizzying array of 80s references and an executive pulling off the iconic Dirty Dancing lift. After a challenging year for the firm's employees, this year the firm leaned into embarrassing itself and having fun.

    No. 2: 2019
    Blackstone mascot running through an investment committee meeting.
    Mr. Stone running through an investment committee meeting.

    The 2019 holiday video revolves around Blackstone's absurd search for a company mascot, which turns out to be Mr. Stone, a mascot that looks like a cross of Hulk and Jon Gray. The international offices of Blackstone get cameos in this one, as does a plug for Steve Schwarzman's book, "What It Takes: Lessons in the Pursuit of Excellence."

    Gray told BI that this was his favorite in the series because of the mascot. The firm not only hired a company to build the mascot suit, but also made dozens of bobbleheads, which still show up in holiday videos and on some people's desks. We agree that the mascot joke is a highlight.

    This video also ends with one of the best Steve Schwarzman gags of the series, when it's revealed that Schwarzman has been the mysterious person inside Mr. Stone the whole time.

    No. 1: 2024
    Steve Schwarzman cutting a cucumber awkwardly on a granite countertop in an office kitchen.
    Steve Schwarzman cutting a cucumber while parodying Kendall Jenner.

    In 2024, the firm leaned into the cringe with a metaverse-like exploration of Blackstone executives as reality television stars, culminating in a country song-and-dance routine.

    It features appearances from famous friends. Larry Fink, CEO of BlackRock, which was originally part of Blackstone before spinning out in the 1990s, makes a joke about how the two firms are often confused for each other.

    Gray last year told Business Insider that the turn to country was inspired by Beyonce's own embrace of the genre on "Cowboy Carter."And just like Beyonce, some of the firm's best work comes when they don't let the critics stop them.

    Jeffrey Cane contributed to previous year's rankings.

    Read the original article on Business Insider