Stock Pick

  • Uber CEO says robotaxis are a ‘trillion-dollar-plus’ business — and one market will drive the boom

    uber ceo Dara Khosrowshahi
    Uber CEO Dara Khosrowshahi says robotaxis are a "trillion-dollar-plus" market and expects Asia to drive the wave of autonomous expansion.

    John Nacion/Getty Images

    • Uber CEO says one market will lead the robotaxi boom.
    • Dara Khosrowshahi said robotaxis are a "trillion-dollar-plus" industry and Asia has major potential.
    • The ride-hailing giant has been leaning hard into autonomous driving.

    Uber is preparing for a robotaxi surge, and its CEO says one market will drive it.

    Dara Khosrowshahi said in an interview with Bloomberg Television published Friday that robotaxis are a "trillion-dollar-plus" opportunity and Asia is a huge growth market for the ride-hailing giant.

    "I expect to be in 10-plus markets by next year. And we want those markets to be in the Asia-Pacific region as well," Khosrowshahi said. Uber has self-driving vehicles in the US and the Middle East.

    Analysts have long touted autonomous mobility as one of the biggest bets in the transportation industry. In 2023, McKinsey estimated that if robotaxis and roboshuttles scale, the shared-mobility market could reach $1 trillion by 2030.

    Khosrowshahi said Japan has "great potential" for its robotaxi push, despite being behind in regulation.

    "With an aging population, there's a real need for transportation, not just in the large cities but in the rural areas," he added. He also pointed to Hong Kong and Australia as potential key markets for its robotaxi services.

    Khosrowshahi said Uber now works with more than 20 autonomous-vehicle partners — including China's Baidu, WeRide, and Pony.ai, as well as Waymo in the US.

    "We will have access to autonomous technologies in the large cities and markets that really count," he added.

    With a market that large, Khosrowshahi said autonomous driving is unlikely to be a "winner-take-all" industry.

    "It's an exciting technology, but there are many players getting to the finish line," he said.

    "We just have to make sure that the players that we work with are safe and that again, we're working with the regulators in a constructive manner," he added.

    The hype around robotaxis

    Uber has been leaning hard into autonomous driving. During its third-quarter earnings call in November, Khosrowshahi said the company is already seeing signs that robotaxis can boost demand.

    "The biggest scale operations that we've got are with Waymo in Austin and Atlanta," Khosrowshahi said. "And what we are seeing is that those markets are growing faster than other US markets," he added.

    Other industry leaders have also been hyping the sector.

    Tesla CEO Elon Musk has repeatedly said that robotaxis will power the company's growth. In May, Musk said in an interview with CNBC that Tesla would hit one million self-driving cars by the end of next year, a claim he also made in 2019 that did not materialize.

    The path to profitability remains murky. HSBC analysts warned in July that the robotaxi market has been "widely overestimated," and said it could be years before fleets make real money.

    Even the most advanced players are burning cash. Alphabet's "Other Bets" division — which includes Waymo, as well as other subsidiaries — lost $1.42 billion in the third quarter.

    The cost of an autonomous driving vehicle is steep. Analysts estimate that each Waymo vehicle costs about $150,000 to produce. The high costs have squeezed some companies out of the robotaxi market, including Ford and General Motors.

    Read the original article on Business Insider

  • Canada is figuring out what to do with its stockpiles of US alcohol

    B.C. liquor stores remove U.S. alcohol in tariff retaliation
    Canadian provinces removed American liquor from store shelves earlier this year.

    Jennifer Gauthier/REUTERS

    • Most Canadian provinces pulled US booze off their shelves in March to protest Trump's tariffs.
    • Now, some are selling their stockpiles to raise money for food banks and charities ahead of the holidays.
    • Manitoba, Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island, and Newfoundland are four such provinces.

    Canada is coming up with ways to put its stockpiled American liquor to good use.

    Several provinces in the country halted imports of US booze and removed it from store shelves in March in response to President Donald Trump's tariffs.

    Now, at least four provinces are planning to sell the remaining inventory and donate proceeds to food banks.

    Canada's far eastern province, Prince Edward Island, told Business Insider that its government will put its stock of American booze, which it had pulled off the shelves, back in stores starting on December 11.

    A representative for the province's finance department said the government anticipates profits of $600,000 Canadian dollars, or about $434,000, from the sale. The proceeds will be distributed to food banks across the island. The province says it does not intend to place any further orders for American alcohol.

    The finance office of Newfoundland and Labrador told Business Insider it had made an upfront payment of $500,000 on Tuesday to 60 provincial food banks before the sales of any liquors, a move that will help more than 15,400 people. After the liquor is sold, more donations will go to the food banks for a total sum of up to $1 million.

    Manitoba and Nova Scotia have similar plans.

    Manitoba said it will sell its inventory through private retailers and restaurants, with the estimated $500,000 in net revenue going to food banks, holiday charities, children's organizations, and an advocacy group for First Nations.

    As for Nova Scotia, the province is making a $4 million upfront payment to groups that provide food access, and the money will be recouped when the $14 million worth of liquor is eventually sold.

    "We will not be ordering any more from the United States once this inventory is gone," the province's premier, Tim Houston, said in a statement. "But Nova Scotians have already paid for this product."

    He added, "We don't want it to go to waste. That's why we're selling it and using the proceeds to help those in need."

    In Canada, the sale of alcohol is mainly controlled by provincial governments, each of which establishes a board to oversee the matter. Only Alberta has a completely privatized alcohol retail system, while Saskatchewan has a partially privatized system.

    Canada mainly imports whiskey and bourbon, alongside beer and other spirits, from the US.

    Other provinces have different plans

    The provinces are not taking a one-size-fits-all approach to dealing with their stockpiles of American booze. Some are still undecided about what to do, while others have already sold off their inventory earlier in the year after ceasing imports.

    A spokesperson for Ontario's finance ministry told Business Insider that the province had no plans to put the booze on store shelves soon.

    "US alcohol will remain off shelves and is being held in storage until further notice," said the spokesperson. "We are currently exploring options for the products."

    Ontario did not disclose how much inventory it still has, but the province said the inventory it had pulled off the shelves in March was worth around C$80 million.

    A government representative from the Northwest Territories and a spokesperson of the British Columbia Liquor Distribution Branch both told Business Insider that they ceased US liquor imports in March, but will continue selling the stockpiled products until they are depleted.

    A Yukon government cabinet representative said Yukon has the same plan.

    However, the mountainous province of Alberta continues to import and sell American booze.

    "In June this year, Alberta lifted restrictions on the purchase of US alcohol from American companies, signalling a renewed commitment to open and fair trade with our largest partner," a spokesperson of Service Alberta and Red Tape Reduction told Business Insider.

    American distillers are hurting

    The matter of US booze has been fueling the trade tension between the two neighbors.

    The animosity started when Trump imposed a 25% tariff on Canada in March and commented that Canada should become a state of the US.

    Despite later walking back some of his broader tariffs and upholding a previous agreement that ensured most goods remain tariff-free, Trump's moves have drawn the ire of Canadians, who have canceled travel plans and boycotted American goods in stores.

    According to the Distilled Spirits Council, US spirits exports to Canada plummeted 85% in the second quarter of 2025, falling below $10 million in export value.

    "We hope both the US and Canada can address their respective concerns," said Chris Swonger, the CEO of the council. "And that our products can return to Canadian retail shelves as soon as possible."

    In March, Kentucky's bourbon makers said Canada's ban on American alcohol would hurt them.

    Eric Gregory, the president of the Kentucky Distillers' Association, said in March that retaliatory tariffs would have "far-reaching consequences across Kentucky, home to 95% of the world's bourbon."

    Read the original article on Business Insider

  • Lululemon is dialing back the in-store clutter

    Items are displayed in a Lululemon store on April 03, 2025 in Miami Beach, Florida.
    Lululemon's executives said the company would be improving its in-store experience.

    Joe Raedle/Getty Images

    • Lululemon is making changes to its inventory-packed stores.
    • Company executives said they would reduce the number of products in stores and highlight specific items.
    • In recent months, analysts have criticized Lululemon's bad store experience and fragmented assortment.

    Lululemon knows it's got a store layout problem, and it's rolling out a fix.

    During a Thursday earnings call, company executives announced plans to enhance the athleisure giant's in-store experience by reducing clutter and curating pieces better.

    "We plan to reduce the density of our assortment on a local basis to better highlight styles that are most relevant," Meghan Frank, Lululemon's finance chief, said.

    "This will enable improved visual merchandising for the styles we know are most important to the guest in each local market," she added.

    CEO Calvin McDonald added that the company was testing the new store experience in Los Angeles and Miami, working on "curating the stores, desorting, taking product out, so that we could put focus on the newness."

    Representatives for Lululemon did not respond to a query from Business Insider regarding when the changes will be implemented across all stores.

    The plan to improve store experience comes after analysts have criticized it for months.

    Jefferies analysts said in a November note that Lululemon's store layout "appeared disjointed, with an inconsistent color palette and lack of design cohesion."

    In an October note, they said the collection was "fragmented" and featured many "logo-heavy designs" that are not resonating with its core audience. An August note said that store inventory was "very high" as the brand tried to clear aged stock.

    A July Jefferies note, analysts said some of the stores they visited were missing critical stock, like the brand's yoga leggings without front seams.

    Lululemon reported a third-quarter revenue of $2.6 billion, a 7% increase from the same period last year. Its net revenue in the Americas decreased 2%, while its international sales increased 33%, buoyed by strong sales in China.

    McDonald announced in the call that he would be stepping down at the end of January. Frank, as well as the CCO, André Maestrini, will serve as interim co-CEOs until the company finds a replacement for McDonald.

    Its stock rose more than 10% in after-hours trading on Thursday after earnings and the announcement of McDonald's resignation. However, it's down about 50% since the start of the year.

    Read the original article on Business Insider

  • How much upside does Macquarie tip for REA Group shares?

    Business people discussing project on digital tablet.

    REA Group Ltd (ASX: REA) shares are ending the week reasonably positively.

    In afternoon trade, the property listings giant’s shares are up slightly to $188.73.

    Can the realestate.com.au operator’s shares rise further? Let’s see what analysts at Macquarie Group Ltd (ASX: MQG) are saying.

    What is the broker saying about REA Group?

    Macquarie has been busy looking at industry data and highlights that trading conditions aren’t too favourable at present. Following a 4% decline in Australian residential listings volumes in November, the broker estimates that financial year to date listings are down 6%. It said:

    Current trends are tracking slightly below expectations – 1H26 YTD listings are down 6%, albeit with the last three months down 4%. Assuming December continues or improves this recent trend (i.e. down 4% to flat), this suggests a 1H26 decline of 5 – 6% (MQe = 5% decline), albeit month-to-month listings can be volatile.

    Looking to 2026, the risk of Australian rate hikes could present a headwind, however comparable periods become easier to cycle in 2H26 (1Q-4Q25 = +7% / +4% / 0% / -8%). We are in line with REA’s guidance for flat FY26 volumes, last reiterated in early November. Sydney and Melbourne also continue to outperform, which should benefit geographical mix.

    The good news is that REA Group is no stranger to tough trading conditions and is able to use its powerful position to drive earnings growth. Macquarie expects this trend to continue. Though, it does have a few nagging concerns. It explains:

    We remain confident on REA’s ability to deliver +16% three-year EPS CAGR to FY28, more so driven by double-digit buy yield growth (MQe = +12.6%) and positive operating jaws (MQe = +3%pts). However, valuation has been under pressure given the threat of AI/Domain, trading on 36x 12m fwd P/E (vs 47x two-year avg); we remain cautious and are monitoring any potential structural threats to REA and the industry.

    REA Group shares tipped to rise

    According to the note, the broker has retained its neutral rating with a $220.00 price target.

    Based on its current share price, this implies potential upside of almost 17% for investors over the next 12 months.

    To put that into context, if Macquarie is on the money with its recommendation, a $10,000 investment would turn into approximately $11,700 by this time next year.

    In addition, it trades with a modest dividend yield of 1.4%, which adds an extra $140 cash return to the equation.

    The post How much upside does Macquarie tip for REA Group shares? appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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

    Before you buy REA 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 REA 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 positions in REA Group. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has positions in and has recommended Macquarie Group. The Motley Fool Australia has positions in and has recommended Macquarie Group. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.

  • Dividend investors: Premier ASX energy shares to buy in December

    $50 dollar notes jammed in the fuel filler of a car.

    Income investors often turn to energy shares because many of these companies have a track record of delivering reliable dividends, even when the broader market gets choppy. As we head towards the middle of December, a few well-known ASX energy names are standing out for their yields and long-term potential.

    Here are my top three shares that income seekers might want to consider buying this month.

    Woodside Energy Group Ltd (ASX: WDS)

    Woodside is still one of the biggest energy names on the ASX, producing oil, LNG, and other key energy products. At a recent share price of about $24.70, it is offering a fully franked dividend yield of roughly 6.7%. That is a standout number when you compare it to many of the large-cap stocks on the market today.

    In the last financial year, Woodside paid out approximately $1.65 per share in dividends, which is why its trailing yield remains above 6.5%. The company’s dividend approach has been to return a solid portion of underlying profits to shareholders, a strategy that income-focused investors tend to appreciate.

    Energy prices will always move around, and Woodside’s earnings move with them, but the company’s dividend policy aims to smooth out those fluctuations. For income investors willing to ride through the short-term market noise, this level of yield is hard to ignore.

    Santos Ltd (ASX: STO)

    Santos has had its fair share of challenges lately, including a softer profit result and a dividend cut in the last financial year. Despite that, the stock still sits on a respectable dividend yield of about 5.8% based on recent payouts and its current share price of $6.23.

    The company already pays out a meaningful share of its free cash flow and expects to lift those returns from 2026. That focus on rewarding investors has captured the attention of those seeking both income and long-term growth.

    However, Santos is also not without risk. Its earnings can be tied to commodity cycles, but the current yield makes it a contender for those focused on dividends rather than short-term price moves.

    Yancoal Australia Ltd (ASX: YAL)

    Yancoal is a bit different from the oil and gas producers above. It’s a coal producer, and its dividend track record has been more volatile. Recent results show Yancoal’s trailing yield can hit 10%, though that’s influenced by its uneven and unpredictable dividend payments.

    Based on a share price near $5.20, Yancoal’s historical dividends produce some eye-catching yields. The downside is that its payouts have moved around a lot, making them less reliable than those from Woodside or Santos. Investors need to be comfortable with that volatility before relying on Yancoal for income.

    Foolish Takeaway

    If you are seeking income, the energy sector still offers some attractive options. Woodside continues to deliver solid, well-backed dividends, Santos is shaping up to return more cash to shareholders, and Yancoal’s past payouts have produced some striking yields.

    Just keep in mind that a high yield only matters if the business can sustain it over the long haul.

    Nevertheless, I believe these ASX energy shares deserve a spot on the December watchlist for those dividend hunters.

    The post Dividend investors: Premier ASX energy shares to buy in December appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

    Should you invest $1,000 in Woodside Petroleum Ltd right now?

    Before you buy Woodside Petroleum 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 Woodside Petroleum 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 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.

  • Brokers name 3 ASX shares to buy today

    A female broker in a red jacket whispers in the ear of a man who has a surprised look on his face as she explains which two ASX 200 shares should do well in today's volatile climate

    It has been another busy week for many of Australia’s top brokers. This has led to the release of a number of broker notes.

    Three broker buy ratings that you might want to know more about are summarised below. Here’s why brokers think these ASX shares are in the buy zone right now:

    Flight Centre Travel Group Ltd (ASX: FLT)

    According to a note out of Citi, its analysts have retained their buy rating on this travel agent giant’s shares with an improved price target of $16.75. This follows news that the company has agreed to acquire online cruise platform Iglu for 122 million British pounds. This is the second cruise related acquisition the company has made in two years and appears to indicate that management is making a strategic push into higher-value and less volatile leisure segments. In response to the acquisition, Citi has lifted its earnings estimates and its valuation accordingly. The Flight Centre share price is trading at $14.84 on Friday afternoon.

    Netwealth Group Ltd (ASX: NWL)

    A note out of Bell Potter reveals that its analysts have upgraded this investment platform provider’s shares to a buy rating with an improved price target of $31.50. The broker believes that the company is on track to beat its funds guidance if its net flows are maintained. Outside this, it notes that Netwealth has continued to build platform functionality with additional managed account options, a new individual HIN offering, and expanded bond access through the trading desk. It believes that this will help increase its revenue share and sees a pathway to the usual +20% revenue growth story that historically has attracted value investors around these levels. The Netwealth share price is fetching $26.97 at the time of writing.

    WiseTech Global Ltd (ASX: WTC)

    Another note out of Citi reveals that its analysts have retained their buy rating on this logistics solutions technology company with a reduced price target of $109.15. The broker was pleased with WiseTech Global’s recent investor day event, noting that it has allowed investors to refocus on its growth drivers rather than recent controversies. While it acknowledges that delays with the new CTO offering are disappointing, it was pleased with the CargoWise Value Packs and DBSchenker rollout. Overall, this has led to a slight upgrade to revenue assumptions. But with the tech sector de-rating, it has reduced its valuation to reflect lower sector multiples. The WiseTech Global share price is trading at $71.96 on Friday.

    The post Brokers name 3 ASX shares to buy today appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

    Should you invest $1,000 in Flight Centre Travel Group Limited right now?

    Before you buy Flight Centre Travel Group 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 Flight Centre Travel Group 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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    Citigroup is an advertising partner of Motley Fool Money. Motley Fool contributor James Mickleboro has positions in WiseTech Global. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has positions in and has recommended Netwealth Group and WiseTech Global. The Motley Fool Australia has positions in and has recommended Netwealth Group and WiseTech Global. The Motley Fool Australia has recommended Flight Centre Travel Group. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.

  • 5 ASX shares to buy now: experts

    A group of young ASX investors sitting around a laptop with an older lady standing behind them explaining how investing works.

    S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) shares are having a ripper day, up 1.22% to 8,696.6 points at the time of writing.

    Let’s check out some ASX shares to buy, according to the experts.

    ASX shares to buy ahead of the new year

    South32 Ltd (ASX: S32)

    The South32 share price is $3.56, up 3.6% on Friday and up 2.8% in the year to date (YTD).

    Among the diversified ASX mining shares, Macquarie prefers South32 over all others.

    The broker raised its rating on South32 from neutral to outperform this week.

    Macquarie said:

    We upgrade S32 from Neutral to Outperform given prospects of an improved returns outlook and a favourable catalyst backdrop.

    South32 is benefiting from an increase in commodity prices for many of the metals and industrial materials it produces.

    The miner produces nine commodities, including silver, copper, and aluminium.

    The silver price is up 119% in the year to date, while copper is up 36% and aluminium 14%.

    Macquarie has a 12-month price target of $3.70 on South32 shares.

    Elders Ltd (ASX: ELD)

    Elders supplies farming products and provides advisory, financial, and real estate services.

    The Elders share price is $7, up 0.5% today and down 3% for 2025.

    Morgans retained its buy rating on Elders shares after the company released its FY25 results.

    The broker said:

    ELD’s FY25 result was in line with its guidance. As was well guided too, the 2H25 was weak due to drought.

    Outlook comments were optimistic, the 1Q26 is off to a strong start and FY26 should benefit from a positive rainfall outlook, higher selling prices, acquisitions and the transformation projects.

    The broker upgraded its price target on this ASX agricultural share from $8.50 to $8.65.

    Light & Wonder Inc. CDI (ASX: LNW)

    Light & Wonder is a US gaming machines manufacturer and software developer.

    The Light & Wonder share price is $151.61, up 0.02% on Friday and up 8.7% this year.

    Morgans has a buy rating on Light & Wonder shares with a price target of $175.

    After the company’s 3Q FY25 results, Morgans commented:

    LNW delivered record margin expansion across all three segments, with iGaming operating leverage the standout performer, while land-based margins surprised on favourable product mix as Grover scales and premium installed base momentum continues.

    Mineral Resources Ltd (ASX: MIN)

    Mineral Resources is a diversified ASX mining share that produces iron ore and lithium, and provides mining industry services worldwide.

    The Mineral Resources share price is $51.84, up 0.35% today and 49% in the YTD.

    Ord Minnett has a buy rating on Mineral Resources with a price target of $55.

    In a recent note, the broker said:

    Mineral Resources (MIN) has formed a joint venture with POSCO Holdings for its lithium assets that sees the giant Korean group pay US$765 million ($1.2 billion) cash for a 30% stake in the JV, with the Australian company holding the other 70%.

    The purchase price values the Australian company’s remaining stakes in the Wodgina and Mt Marion operations at circa $4 billion, versus a consensus valuation of $2.8 billion previously, and implies a long-term spodumene price of circa US$1600 a tonne, comfortably above market expectations centred on US$1240 a tonne.

    Find out whether Mineral Resources will resume paying dividends in FY26.

    Woodside Energy Group Ltd (ASX: WDS)

    Oil & gas giant Woodside is the largest ASX energy share.

    The Woodside share price is $24.69, down 0.3% today and 1.1% for the year.

    Morgans has a buy rating on Woodside with a share price target of $30.50.

    The broker recently commented:

    Growth to 2032 with net operating cash flow guided to ~US$9bn (+6% CAGR) with a pathway to ~50% higher dividends.

    Execution remains best-in-class: Scarborough, Sangomar and Trion all tracking on time and budget. Louisiana progressing under de-risked funding structure.

    The post 5 ASX shares to buy now: experts appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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

    Before you buy Elders 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 Elders 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 Bronwyn Allen has positions in South32. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has positions in and has recommended Light & Wonder Inc and Macquarie Group. The Motley Fool Australia has positions in and has recommended Macquarie Group. The Motley Fool Australia has recommended Elders and Light & Wonder Inc. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.

  • Alphabet just did something it hasn’t done in 7 years. Time to buy?

    A woman sits at her computer with her chin resting on her hand as she contemplates her next potential investment.

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

    Key Points

    • Alphabet has been on a winning streak, delivering revenue growth and stock price performance in recent weeks.
    • A court ruling also represented good news for the company and its shareholders.

    Alphabet (NASDAQ: GOOG) (NASDAQ: GOOGL), like other tech stocks, traveled through difficult times and better times this year. The stock slipped this spring amid concern about the impact of U.S. import tariffs on corporate earnings. But as President Donald Trump negotiated with other countries, this pressure eased.

    The company also faced the challenge of an antitrust suit in the U.S., but a ruling in September averted the worst-case scenario — and this decision offered Alphabet a significant boost. Since, the stock has gained nearly 50%, and just recently, Alphabet did something it hasn’t done in seven years. Is it time to buy this top tech stock? Let’s find out.

    90% market share

    First, though, let’s catch up on the Alphabet story so far. This is the company behind something you may use and rely on every day: I’m talking about Google Search, the world’s most popular search engine. It’s steadily held onto about 90% share of the market. Google, through advertising across its platform, fuels Alphabet’s revenue growth, but this isn’t the only revenue driver.

    Alphabet also is the owner of Google Cloud, one of the world’s major cloud service providers, and that business is growing in the double digits.

    On top of this, Alphabet’s investment in artificial intelligence (AI) is helping the company improve its business — for example, streamlining the advertising experience. Alphabet has developed its own large language model, Gemini, to apply to its own needs and offer to clients through Google Cloud. The cloud provider also offers many AI products and services, from chips to a fully managed service for the development of generative AI, and this has fueled growth in recent quarters.

    In the latest quarter, for example, Alphabet said demand for AI infrastructure and generative AI powered a 34% gain in cloud revenue.

    The elimination of a big risk

    The major weight on all of this was the U.S. antitrust suit — the risk was a potential breakup of revenue-driver Google. That risk was eliminated when a federal judge decided that Alphabet could maintain its ownership of its Google Chrome browser, and the company now faces lesser penalties.

    All of this, along with a reasonable valuation, has helped boost Alphabet shares in recent months — and help the company do something it hasn’t done in seven years. On Nov. 21, Alphabet’s market value soared past that of software giant Microsoft for the first time since 2018. Back then, both companies’ market capitalizations were about $800 billion — now, they’ve surpassed $3 trillion.

    GOOG Market Cap data by YCharts

    Alphabet has maintained its market cap gain, and now at $3.8 trillion, it’s the biggest company after Nvidia and Apple.

    Now, let’s return to our question: Does this make Alphabet a stock to buy? It’s key to keep in mind that a high market cap doesn’t automatically translate into a buying opportunity. A company may have reached such a level but could now be overvalued or face new headwinds — or it may not be the right fit for your portfolio.

    Why a high market cap may be positive

    Of course, recent gains in market cap might be positive — they could be the result of good news that prompted investors to pile into the stock. And maintaining a high market cap over time shows sustained demand for the shares.

    But, before investing, it’s most important to consider a company’s earnings track record, financial health, and future prospects — and also take a look at valuation. In the case of Alphabet, there’s reason to be optimistic about all of these points. The company has delivered growth in revenue and profit over time, the AI opportunity is in its early days so could spark significant growth in the quarters to come, and today, Alphabet still is reasonably priced — it trades for 30x forward earnings estimates, which is lower than many of its AI peers.

    All of this makes this stock that’s roared past Microsoft a fantastic buy right now.

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

    The post Alphabet just did something it hasn’t done in 7 years. Time to buy? 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 Alphabet right now?

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

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    Adria Cimino 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 Alphabet, Apple, Microsoft, and Nvidia. 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, Apple, Microsoft, and Nvidia. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.

  • An 8.7% special dividend sounds great, but there’s a catch!

    Man holding Australian dollar notes, symbolising dividends.

    Shareholders in junior listed investment company ECP Emerging Growth Ltd (ASX: ECP) could soon be in line for a healthy special dividend, but there’s a significant catch attached.

    The company on Friday said it wanted to pay a 10-cent fully-franked special dividend to its shareholders, but only if participation in the company’s dividend reinvestment plan (DRP) reached 80%.

    The 10-cent special dividend would constitute an extra 8.7% fully-franked yield for shareholders, on top of the company’s current yield of 4.84%, according to the ASX website.

    How to pay out dividends without depleting cash

    Speaking at the company’s annual general meeting in November, Chair Murray d’Almeida explained the conundrum facing the company.

    He said that one of the issues shareholders regularly brought up was the significant amount of franking credits accrued by the company, and how these could be passed back to shareholders.

    As Mr d’Almeida said:

    The franking account is accumulated through tax paid by the company and represents value that could be distributed to shareholders by way of dividends. ECP has accumulated a very robust franking balance after multiple years of strong returns, particularly utilising the leveraged portfolio from the convertible note raising. The franking account balance allows the board to maintain our fully franked dividend payments even during periods of lacklustre portfolio performance, however given the market movements over the last few years there has been substantial credits accumulated in excess of normal prudent management.

    But, Mr d’Almeida said, the challenge was how to distribute the franking credits without depleting the company’s cash balance for investment, “and therefore shrink the size of ECP”.

    As such, the company has come up with what it says is a “truly unique” approach.

    The company on Friday said it would pay out the special dividend, but only if 80% of its shares were enrolled in the company’s dividend reinvestment plan (DRP).

    As the company said:

    The rationale behind the DRP criteria is to ensure the company can continue growing its overall size yet still provide shareholders with access to the franking credits.

    Level well short at the moment

    The company stated that the DRP participation rate was currently at 36.7%, and it encouraged its shareholders to contact its share registry and sign up in an effort to reach the 80% mark.

    ECP added that it would keep its shareholders apprised of progress towards the 80% hurdle when it released its net tangible asset report each month.

    ECP shares were steady at $1.14 on Friday, with no trades going through by about noon. The company was valued at $21 million at the close of trade on Thursday.  

    The post An 8.7% special dividend sounds great, but there’s a catch! appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

    Should you invest $1,000 in ECP Emerging Growth Ltd right now?

    Before you buy ECP Emerging Growth 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 ECP Emerging Growth 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 Cameron England 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 Austal, Fenix Resources, Metcash, and Polynovo shares are falling today

    Bored man sitting at his desk with his laptop.

    The S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) is heading into the weekend in style on Friday. In afternoon trade, the benchmark index is up 1.15% to 8,690.9 points.

    Four ASX shares that have failed to follow the market higher today are listed below. Here’s why they are dropping:

    Austal Ltd (ASX: ASB)

    The Austal share price is down 1.5% to $6.33. This morning, the shipbuilder revealed that the Foreign Investment Review Board and Federal Treasurer Jim Chalmers have approved an application South Korean giant Hanwha Corporation to increase its direct equity shareholding in Austal from 9.9% to 19.9%. Not everyone is happy with the decision, with the ABC reporting that Japanese officials twice contacted the Department of Defence to raise concerns about the Hanwha bid.

    Fenix Resources Ltd (ASX: FEX)

    The Fenix Resources share price is down 3.5% to 48.2 cents. This may have been driven by profit taking from some investors after the iron miner’s shares jumped on Thursday. That was driven by the release of its three-year production plan. After delivering production of 2.4Mt in FY 2025, it is now aiming to increase this to between 4.2 million and 4.8 million tonnes in FY 2026, 4.7 million and 5.3 million tonnes in FY 2027, and then 5.4 million and 6 million tonnes in FY 2028.

    Metcash Ltd (ASX: MTS)

    The Metcash share price is down 3% to $3.25. This has been caused by the wholesale distributor’s shares going ex-dividend this morning for its latest payout. At the start of the month, Metcash released its half year results and reported a 5.9% decrease in underlying profit after tax to $126.7 million. Nevertheless, the Metcash board elected to maintain its fully franked interim dividend at 8.5 cents per share. Eligible shareholders can look forward to receiving this dividend late next month on 28 January.

    Polynovo Ltd (ASX: PNV)

    The Polynovo share price is down 1.5% to $1.22. This is despite the medical device company being the subject of a bullish broker note out of Morgans today. According to the note, the broker has upgraded Polynovo’s shares to a buy rating with a $2.03 price target. This implies potential upside of approximately 65% for investors over the next 12 months. Its analysts said: “Following changes to its Board and with the appointment of a new CEO, we see more stability and focus returning to the PNV business.”

    The post Why Austal, Fenix Resources, Metcash, and Polynovo shares are falling today appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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

    Before you buy Austal 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 Austal 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 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 PolyNovo. The Motley Fool Australia has recommended PolyNovo. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.