March 8, 2026

Welcome back to another edition of the Smart Wealth Newsletter, where we break down the most important developments in the financial markets, highlight compelling investment opportunities, and share strategies for building long-term wealth through both stocks and real estate.

This newsletter is written by Chris McLaughlin, along with his sons Trip McLaughlin and Frankie McLaughlin.

Chris has spent many years studying the markets and investing in both equities and real estate, and he enjoys sharing those lessons with the next generation of investors.

Trip McLaughlin currently attends the Freeman School of Business at Tulane University, where he is studying finance and developing a strong understanding of macroeconomics, markets, and corporate strategy. Trip has developed a particular interest in energy markets, artificial intelligence companies, and emerging technology trends that are shaping the future of the global economy.

Frankie McLaughlin is a senior at All Saints Academy and has already demonstrated tremendous academic excellence as a National Merit Scholarship Finalist. Frankie has developed a strong interest in the stock market and enjoys researching companies involved in artificial intelligence, semiconductors, and advanced software platforms.

Together, the three of us analyze markets each week and share what we are learning as investors.

Financial markets experienced another volatile week as investors navigated a complicated mix of geopolitical tensions, energy price volatility, and uncertainty about the direction of global economic growth.

By the close of trading on Friday, March 6, 2026, the major U.S. stock market indexes finished lower as geopolitical concerns intensified and investors moved toward more defensive sectors of the market.

The Dow Jones Industrial Average closed at 47,501.55, the S&P 500 finished at 6,740.02, and the Nasdaq Composite ended the week at 22,387.68. All three indexes declined during the week as investors reacted to rising tensions involving Iran, Israel, and the United States, along with concerns about the potential impact on global energy markets.

When geopolitical conflicts escalate, financial markets tend to react quickly because uncertainty increases dramatically. Investors begin to reassess risk across the entire global economy. Supply chains can be disrupted, energy prices can spike, and governments may increase military spending.

This week, the rapidly escalating tensions in the Middle East triggered exactly that kind of reaction.

One of the primary concerns for global markets involves the Strait of Hormuz, a narrow waterway located between Iran and the Persian Gulf. This shipping route is one of the most strategically important energy corridors in the world because approximately 20% of global oil supplies pass through it each day.

Any disruption to that shipping lane would have immediate consequences for the global energy market.

As tensions escalated during the week, traders began pricing in the possibility that oil shipments could be disrupted if the conflict intensifies. As a result, crude oil prices surged toward $90 per barrel, the highest levels seen in several months.

Energy markets are particularly sensitive to geopolitical events because oil supply disruptions can create immediate shortages. Even the perception of risk can cause oil prices to move rapidly.

Higher oil prices have ripple effects throughout the global economy.

Transportation costs increase, manufacturing expenses rise, and consumers may face higher gasoline prices. These increases can contribute to inflation, which remains one of the most closely watched economic indicators by policymakers.

For the Federal Reserve, rising energy prices present a significant challenge.

The central bank has been attempting to gradually bring inflation back toward its long-term target, but higher oil prices could reverse some of that progress. If energy prices continue rising, inflation could begin to move higher again.

This creates a difficult balancing act for the Fed.

If interest rates remain too high for too long, economic growth could slow more sharply than expected. However, if the Fed cuts interest rates prematurely while inflation is still elevated, price pressures could accelerate again.

Investors are watching this situation carefully because interest rate policy plays a major role in determining stock market valuations.

Technology companies in particular are sensitive to interest rates because much of their value is tied to expected future earnings growth. When interest rates rise, those future earnings are discounted more heavily, which can pressure stock prices.

Despite the volatility, not all sectors of the market struggled this week.

In fact, several industries historically perform well during periods of geopolitical tension.

One of those sectors is energy.

Large oil companies such as Chevron, Exxon Mobil, and ConocoPhillips often benefit when oil prices rise because their revenue is directly linked to the price of crude oil. Higher oil prices translate into stronger cash flow and improved profitability for these companies.

Another sector that often performs well during geopolitical conflict is defense and national security technology.

When global tensions increase, governments frequently expand their military budgets. Defense contractors that produce aircraft, surveillance systems, cybersecurity tools, and intelligence software may see rising demand.

Companies such as Lockheed Martin, Northrop Grumman, L3Harris Technologies, and Palantir Technologies have become increasingly important suppliers to defense agencies around the world.

Modern warfare relies heavily on advanced technology.

Artificial intelligence, satellite imagery analysis, predictive data systems, and real-time intelligence platforms are now critical tools for military operations. The ability to collect massive amounts of information and analyze it instantly can provide strategic advantages on the battlefield.

This shift toward data-driven warfare is one reason why companies like Palantir have attracted significant attention from investors.

Beyond the geopolitical landscape, investors are also closely watching the broader economic outlook.

While the U.S. economy remains relatively strong, there are signs that growth may be moderating slightly after several years of expansion. Consumer spending has slowed modestly, and some companies are becoming more cautious with hiring and capital investment.

However, several powerful long-term economic trends continue to drive investment activity.

One of the most important is the rapid expansion of artificial intelligence.

Businesses across nearly every industry are investing heavily in AI technology in order to improve productivity, automate processes, and analyze data more effectively. This has created enormous demand for computing power, which benefits companies involved in semiconductors, data centers, and advanced software platforms.

Another major theme is the global electrification of the economy.

Electric vehicles, renewable energy systems, and artificial intelligence data centers all require significant amounts of electricity. As a result, the world’s power infrastructure must expand dramatically over the next decade.

Companies involved in power generation, energy transmission, and grid modernization are likely to play a major role in meeting that demand.

Looking ahead over the next two months, the outlook for oil prices will largely depend on developments in the Middle East conflict.

If tensions between Iran, Israel, and the United States escalate further and shipping through the Strait of Hormuz becomes threatened, oil prices could rise significantly. Some analysts believe oil could potentially move above $100 per barrel if supply disruptions occur.

However, if diplomatic efforts reduce tensions and shipping routes remain secure, oil prices could stabilize or move back toward the $80 range.

For investors, the key takeaway is that geopolitical events can create both risks and opportunities.

Periods of uncertainty often lead to market volatility, but they can also highlight sectors that benefit from changing global conditions.

Energy companies, defense contractors, artificial intelligence platforms, and infrastructure providers are all positioned to play important roles in the evolving global economy.

Despite short-term volatility, innovation and technological progress continue to drive long-term economic growth.

Investors who focus on companies with strong competitive advantages, durable business models, and leadership positions in emerging industries are often best positioned to navigate uncertain market environments.

One company that has captured significant investor attention recently is Palantir Technologies, which operates at the intersection of artificial intelligence, data analytics, and national security software.

Both Chris McLaughlin and Frankie McLaughlin currently own Palantir shares, reflecting their belief that the company could become one of the most strategically important software providers in the world over the next decade.

Palantir was originally founded to help intelligence agencies analyze massive data sets in order to identify potential security threats. Over time, the company expanded its technology to serve both government agencies and large corporations.

Today Palantir operates several powerful software platforms, including Gotham, Foundry, and its newer Artificial Intelligence Platform (AIP).

The Gotham platform is primarily used by government agencies and defense organizations. It allows analysts to integrate data from numerous sources and uncover patterns that would be nearly impossible to detect manually.

Foundry, on the other hand, is designed for corporate clients and helps companies manage large data systems, optimize operations, and improve strategic decision making.

More recently, Palantir has expanded its capabilities through its Artificial Intelligence Platform, which allows organizations to deploy advanced AI models directly within their data infrastructure.

This technology has become increasingly valuable as governments and corporations seek to harness artificial intelligence while maintaining strict control over sensitive data.

In the context of the current geopolitical environment, Palantir’s technology is particularly relevant.

Modern military operations depend heavily on real-time intelligence and data analysis. Software platforms that can process massive quantities of information and deliver actionable insights are becoming critical tools for national defense.

Palantir already works with numerous government agencies, including the U.S. Department of Defense and various intelligence organizations.

As global tensions increase and governments invest more heavily in defense technology, demand for advanced intelligence platforms could continue growing.

At the same time, Palantir’s commercial business is expanding rapidly as corporations adopt artificial intelligence tools to improve operations.

Companies across industries are using Palantir software to manage supply chains, monitor manufacturing processes, and analyze business performance.

By combining artificial intelligence with advanced data analytics, Palantir has positioned itself at the center of one of the most powerful technological shifts of our time.

For investors who believe that artificial intelligence, national security technology, and advanced software platforms will shape the future of the global economy, Palantir remains one of the most fascinating companies to watch.

Before moving into this week’s real estate discussion, it is worth reiterating one important point from our Stock Spotlight on Palantir (PLTR) in Part 1. Both Chris and Frankie currently own Palantir shares in their investment portfolios. The company sits at the intersection of several powerful trends including artificial intelligence, advanced data analytics, and national security technology. As global geopolitical tensions increase, software platforms capable of analyzing massive datasets and providing real-time intelligence are becoming increasingly valuable.

While stocks are one of the most powerful tools for long-term wealth creation, real estate offers another extraordinary advantage that many investors overlook: tax efficiency.

One of the most significant advantages real estate investors have compared to traditional stock investors is the ability to take advantage of depreciation.

Depreciation is a tax concept that allows property owners to deduct the cost of a building over time, even if the property is actually increasing in value in the real world. The IRS assumes that buildings wear out over time, and because of that assumption, investors are allowed to deduct a portion of the building’s value every year.

For residential rental property, the IRS allows investors to depreciate the building over 27.5 years. Commercial properties are depreciated over 39 years.

This means that even if a property is generating positive rental income each year, the owner may be able to offset a portion of that income with depreciation deductions.

To understand how powerful this can be, consider a simple example.

Imagine an investor purchases a rental property for $500,000, and the land portion of the property is valued at $100,000. Since land cannot be depreciated, only the building value is eligible for depreciation.

This leaves $400,000 of depreciable value.

If the property is residential, the investor can divide that amount over 27.5 years, which produces an annual depreciation deduction of approximately $14,545 per year.

That deduction can reduce the taxable income produced by the rental property, allowing the investor to keep more of the cash flow.

However, many experienced real estate investors take this strategy even further through a powerful technique known as cost segregation.

A cost segregation study breaks down a property into its individual components instead of treating the entire building as one asset. Many elements inside a property have shorter useful lives and can therefore be depreciated faster.

For example, items such as:

• Flooring
• Appliances
• Cabinets
• Electrical systems
• Plumbing fixtures
• Carpeting
• Landscaping
• Parking areas

may qualify for shorter depreciation schedules of 5, 7, or 15 years instead of 27.5 years.

By accelerating the depreciation of these components, investors can take much larger deductions during the early years of owning a property.

This strategy becomes even more powerful when combined with bonus depreciation.

Bonus depreciation allows investors to deduct a large percentage of certain qualifying property components in the first year the property is placed into service. In many cases, a cost segregation study can generate a very large depreciation deduction in the first year of ownership.

This means that an investor who purchases a property may actually generate a large paper loss for tax purposes, even while the property is producing positive cash flow.

These paper losses can offset other income depending on the investor’s tax situation.

For investors who qualify as real estate professionals, the tax benefits can be even greater because depreciation losses may be used to offset active income rather than only passive income.

This is one reason why many high-net-worth investors allocate significant portions of their capital to real estate.

Real estate provides three powerful financial advantages that rarely exist together in other asset classes.

First, rental properties can generate consistent monthly cash flow.

Second, property values historically tend to appreciate over time, particularly in areas experiencing population growth and economic expansion.

Third, the tax benefits associated with depreciation and cost segregation can significantly reduce the taxes owed on that income.

When these three elements work together — cash flow, appreciation, and tax efficiency — real estate becomes one of the most powerful wealth-building tools available.

For younger investors like Trip and Frankie, understanding these tax advantages early can provide a tremendous long-term advantage. Many people assume that real estate investing is simply about collecting rent and waiting for property values to increase.

In reality, the tax strategy behind real estate ownership is often where the biggest financial benefits exist.

Investors who learn how to properly use depreciation and cost segregation can often grow their portfolios more quickly because they retain more after-tax income.

As housing demand continues to increase across many regions of the United States and population growth drives long-term real estate demand, investors who understand these tax strategies will likely continue to benefit.

Real estate has helped create wealth for generations of investors, and when combined with smart tax planning, it remains one of the most powerful investment tools available today.

Chris McLaughlin’s Morgan Stanley portfolio reflects a long-term strategy built around owning dominant global companies with durable competitive advantages and strong cash flow generation. As of the close of trading on March 6, 2026, the portfolio has produced a remarkable +183.23% overall gain, demonstrating the power of owning high-quality companies over long periods of time.

Alphabet (GOOG) closed the week at $585.91, representing a +73.79% gain in Chris’s portfolio. Wall Street analysts maintain an average rating of Buy, and Chris’s rating on the stock is Buy. Chris owns Alphabet because Google remains the dominant search engine in the world while expanding aggressively into artificial intelligence and cloud computing. Its enormous data advantage and leadership in digital advertising create a powerful long-term competitive moat.

Amazon (AMZN) finished the week at $124.00, generating a +2.50% gain in the portfolio. Analysts maintain a Strong Buy rating, and Chris also rates the stock Buy. Chris owns Amazon because it continues to dominate global e-commerce while operating one of the most profitable cloud computing platforms through Amazon Web Services. Its logistics network and AI-driven operations give the company a massive competitive advantage.

Apple (AAPL) closed the week at $257.46, producing a +71.72% gain in the portfolio. Analysts maintain an average Buy rating, and Chris’s rating is Buy. Chris owns Apple because the company operates one of the most powerful technology ecosystems in the world. The combination of hardware, software, and services creates recurring revenue and exceptional customer loyalty.

Costco (COST) finished the week at $998.10, generating a +111.90% gain in the portfolio. Analysts maintain a Buy rating, and Chris also rates the stock Buy. Chris owns Costco because it operates one of the most efficient retail business models in the world. Its membership-based structure produces consistent revenue and extremely loyal customers.

Deere & Company (DE) closed the week at $589.77, producing a +68.23% gain in the portfolio. Analysts maintain a Buy rating, and Chris’s rating is also Buy. Chris owns Deere because the company sits at the center of global agricultural productivity and precision farming technology. As the global population grows, demand for efficient food production equipment should continue rising.

GE HealthCare (GEHC) closed the week at $74.27, representing a −9.79% decline in the portfolio. Analysts currently rate the stock Hold, and Chris also rates the stock Hold. Chris owns GE HealthCare because the company operates in the rapidly expanding global medical imaging market. Long-term demand for advanced healthcare diagnostics should continue to grow.

GE Vernova (GEV) closed the week at $789.23, generating an extraordinary +675.68% gain in the portfolio. Analysts maintain a Buy rating, and Chris rates the stock Strong Buy. Chris owns GE Vernova because the company is positioned at the center of global electrification and power infrastructure expansion. Rising electricity demand from artificial intelligence data centers and economic growth could drive long-term expansion.

General Electric (GE) finished the week at $323.11, producing a +227.70% gain in the portfolio. Analysts maintain a Buy rating, and Chris also rates the stock Buy. Chris owns GE because the company has transformed itself into a focused aerospace powerhouse. The long-term growth of global air travel supports strong demand for aircraft engines and services.

Kroger (KR) closed the week at $74.11, producing a +51.01% gain in the portfolio. Analysts maintain a Hold rating, while Chris rates the stock Buy. Chris owns Kroger because grocery demand remains stable even during economic slowdowns. The company’s strong private-label brands and regional footprint support steady profitability.

Meta Platforms (META) finished the week at $644.86, producing an +11.23% gain in the portfolio. Analysts maintain a Strong Buy rating, and Chris also rates the stock Buy. Chris owns Meta because it controls several of the most powerful social media platforms in the world. Its AI-driven advertising platform continues to improve monetization of its massive user base.

Microsoft (MSFT) closed the week at $408.96, generating an incredible +827.93% gain in the portfolio. Analysts maintain a Strong Buy rating, and Chris rates the stock Strong Buy. Chris owns Microsoft because the company sits at the center of the artificial intelligence revolution. Its cloud platform Azure and partnership with OpenAI provide enormous long-term growth potential.

Procter & Gamble (PG) finished the week at $153.63, producing a +88.57% gain in the portfolio. Analysts maintain a Buy rating, and Chris also rates the stock Buy. Chris owns Procter & Gamble because the company operates one of the most stable consumer goods businesses in the world. Its global brands generate consistent cash flow and reliable dividends.

Chris also manages several Fidelity accounts that complement his growth portfolio with dividend income, energy exposure, and emerging technology investments.

Amazon (AMZN) closed at $124.00, representing an +87.67% gain in Chris’s Fidelity portfolio. Analysts maintain a Strong Buy rating, and Chris rates the stock Buy. Chris owns Amazon because of its leadership in e-commerce and cloud computing. Its logistics network and AI infrastructure create powerful long-term growth opportunities.

American Express (AXP) closed at $301.00, producing an +80.59% gain. Analysts maintain a Buy rating, and Chris rates the stock Buy. Chris owns American Express because of its strong brand and focus on high-spending premium customers. The company benefits from global travel and consumer spending growth.

Kinder Morgan (KMI) closed at $33.58, generating a +125.16% gain. Analysts maintain a Hold rating, while Chris rates the stock Buy. Chris owns Kinder Morgan because pipeline infrastructure produces stable cash flow regardless of short-term oil price fluctuations. Energy transportation remains essential to the global economy.

Verizon (VZ) closed at $51.12, producing a +1.34% gain. Analysts maintain a Hold rating, and Chris also rates the stock Hold. Chris owns Verizon because telecommunications infrastructure remains essential to the digital economy. The company provides strong dividend income.

Exxon Mobil (XOM) closed at $151.21, generating an +80.21% gain. Analysts maintain a Buy rating, and Chris also rates the stock Buy. Chris owns Exxon Mobil because it is one of the world’s most powerful integrated energy companies. Rising geopolitical tensions and higher oil prices could support strong earnings.

Tesla (TSLA) closed at $396.73, generating a +24.75% gain in Chris’s Roth IRA. Analysts maintain a Hold rating, while Chris rates the stock Buy. Chris owns Tesla because the company remains one of the most innovative leaders in electric vehicles, robotics, and artificial intelligence.

Apple (AAPL) closed at $257.46, producing a +137.33% gain in Chris’s trust account. Analysts maintain a Buy rating, and Chris rates the stock Buy. Chris owns Apple because of its dominant consumer technology ecosystem and recurring services revenue.

NVIDIA (NVDA) closed at $177.82, generating an +80.10% gain. Analysts maintain a Strong Buy rating, and Chris rates the stock Strong Buy. Chris owns NVIDIA because its chips power the global artificial intelligence infrastructure boom.

Palantir (PLTR) closed at $157.16, producing a +3.16% gain in Chris’s SIMPLE IRA. Analysts maintain a Buy rating, and Chris rates the stock Strong Buy. Chris owns Palantir because its artificial intelligence and data analytics platforms are becoming critical tools for both governments and corporations.

Trip McLaughlin’s Schwab portfolio reflects a younger investor’s strategy focused on technology, artificial intelligence, space innovation, and global energy markets. As a student at the Freeman School of Business at Tulane University, Trip actively studies macroeconomic trends while building a diversified portfolio that includes emerging technology companies as well as traditional energy and infrastructure businesses.

Alibaba (BABA) closed the week at $130.79, producing a +68.76% gain in Trip’s portfolio. Wall Street analysts maintain an average Buy rating, and Trip also rates the stock Buy. Trip owns Alibaba because it remains one of the dominant e-commerce and cloud computing companies in China with enormous scale. As China’s consumer economy stabilizes, Alibaba’s logistics and cloud platforms could drive strong long-term growth.

Strategy Inc. (MSTR) closed at $133.53, representing a −23.09% decline in Trip’s portfolio. Analysts currently maintain a Hold rating, while Trip rates the stock Speculative Buy. Trip owns Strategy because the company provides leveraged exposure to Bitcoin through its large cryptocurrency holdings. If Bitcoin experiences another major bull market, the company’s balance sheet structure could amplify gains.

New Gold (NGD) closed the week at $11.21, producing a −12.69% decline in Trip’s portfolio. Analysts maintain an average Hold rating, and Trip rates the stock Buy. Trip owns New Gold because gold mining companies can perform well during periods of geopolitical uncertainty and inflation. Precious metals often act as a hedge when global tensions rise.

NextEra Energy (NEE) finished the week at $91.02, producing a +3.76% gain in Trip’s portfolio. Analysts maintain a Buy rating, and Trip also rates the stock Buy. Trip owns NextEra Energy because it is one of the world’s largest renewable energy companies with major investments in wind and solar power. As the global transition toward clean energy accelerates, NextEra’s infrastructure could benefit significantly.

GE Vernova (GEV) closed the week at $789.23, generating an extraordinary +687.31% gain in Trip’s portfolio. Analysts maintain an average Buy rating, and Trip rates the stock Strong Buy. Trip owns GE Vernova because the company sits at the center of the global electrification trend. Artificial intelligence data centers and electric vehicles are dramatically increasing electricity demand, which benefits companies building power infrastructure.

Rocket Lab (RKLB) finished the week at $70.11, representing a −19.15% decline in Trip’s portfolio. Analysts maintain a Buy rating, and Trip rates the stock Buy. Trip owns Rocket Lab because it is one of the most innovative companies in the private space industry. The rapid expansion of satellite launches and space infrastructure could create significant growth opportunities.

L3Harris Technologies (LHX) closed the week at $366.61, producing a +2.63% gain in Trip’s portfolio. Analysts maintain a Buy rating, and Trip also rates the stock Buy. Trip owns L3Harris because defense technology companies often benefit during periods of geopolitical conflict. The company develops advanced communications and surveillance systems used by the U.S. military.

Apple (AAPL) finished the week at $257.46, producing a remarkable +121.81% gain in Trip’s portfolio. Analysts maintain a Buy rating, and Trip also rates the stock Buy. Trip owns Apple because the company operates one of the most powerful technology ecosystems in the world. Its combination of hardware, software, and services generates enormous recurring revenue.

AST SpaceMobile (ASTS) closed at $89.47, representing a −21.18% decline in Trip’s portfolio. Analysts maintain an average Buy rating, and Trip rates the stock Speculative Buy. Trip owns AST SpaceMobile because the company is building a space-based cellular broadband network. If successful, the technology could provide mobile service anywhere on Earth.

NVIDIA (NVDA) finished the week at $177.82, generating a +51.81% gain in Trip’s portfolio. Analysts maintain a Strong Buy rating, and Trip also rates the stock Strong Buy. Trip owns NVIDIA because its GPUs power the global artificial intelligence boom. Demand for AI computing infrastructure continues to grow rapidly.

IREN Ltd (IREN) closed the week at $36.70, producing a −38.83% decline in Trip’s portfolio. Analysts maintain a Hold rating, and Trip rates the stock Speculative Buy. Trip owns IREN because the company operates large-scale Bitcoin mining and renewable energy data centers. If cryptocurrency markets strengthen again, the company could benefit significantly.

Adobe (ADBE) finished the week at $283.62, producing a +6.07% gain in Trip’s portfolio. Analysts maintain a Buy rating, and Trip also rates the stock Buy. Trip owns Adobe because the company dominates the digital creative software industry. Artificial intelligence tools integrated into its products could drive future growth.

Chevron (CVX) closed the week at $189.94, generating a +14.71% gain in Trip’s portfolio. Analysts maintain a Buy rating, and Trip rates the stock Buy. Trip owns Chevron because it is one of the most financially disciplined oil producers in the world. Rising geopolitical tensions and strong energy demand support the company’s long-term outlook.

BitMine Immersion Technologies (BMNR) finished the week at $18.88, representing a −27.38% decline in Trip’s portfolio. Analysts maintain a Hold rating, while Trip rates the stock Speculative Buy. Trip owns BitMine because the company operates cryptocurrency mining infrastructure. If digital asset markets expand again, the company could benefit from increased demand for mining capacity.

Frankie McLaughlin’s Schwab portfolio reflects a focus on artificial intelligence, semiconductors, and emerging software platforms. As a National Merit Scholarship Finalist and senior at All Saints Academy, Frankie has developed a strong interest in the technology companies that are building the next generation of computing systems and AI infrastructure.

Navitas Semiconductor (NVTS) closed the week at $8.20, producing a +10.21% gain in Frankie’s portfolio. Analysts maintain a Buy rating, and Frankie also rates the stock Buy. Frankie owns Navitas because the company develops advanced gallium nitride semiconductor technology used in high-efficiency power systems. These chips are increasingly important for electric vehicles and AI data centers.

GE Vernova (GEV) finished the week at $789.23, producing a remarkable +687.31% gain in Frankie’s portfolio. Analysts maintain a Buy rating, and Frankie rates the stock Strong Buy. Frankie owns GE Vernova because global electricity demand is rising rapidly due to artificial intelligence infrastructure and electrification. Companies building power generation and grid equipment could see massive growth.

Nebius Group (NBIS) closed the week at $89.33, generating a +5.38% gain in Frankie’s portfolio. Analysts maintain a Buy rating, and Frankie rates the stock Buy. Frankie owns Nebius because it focuses on artificial intelligence computing infrastructure and cloud platforms. As demand for AI computing power increases, companies building this infrastructure could benefit.

Microsoft (MSFT) finished the week at $408.96, producing a remarkable +265.73% gain in Frankie’s portfolio. Analysts maintain a Strong Buy rating, and Frankie also rates the stock Strong Buy. Frankie owns Microsoft because it sits at the center of the artificial intelligence revolution. Azure cloud computing and AI integration across Microsoft products provide powerful growth opportunities.

Tesla (TSLA) closed the week at $396.73, producing a +33.41% gain in Frankie’s portfolio. Analysts maintain a Hold rating, and Frankie rates the stock Buy. Frankie owns Tesla because it remains one of the most innovative companies in electric vehicles, robotics, and artificial intelligence. Its advances in autonomous driving and robotics could create entirely new industries.

Palantir Technologies (PLTR) finished the week at $157.16, generating a +9.23% gain in Frankie’s portfolio. Analysts maintain a Buy rating, and Frankie rates the stock Strong Buy. Frankie owns Palantir because its artificial intelligence and intelligence software platforms are used by governments and corporations around the world. As geopolitical tensions rise, demand for advanced data analytics platforms could increase.

Aurora Innovation (AUR) closed the week at $4.49, producing a +15.13% gain in Frankie’s portfolio. Analysts maintain a Buy rating, and Frankie rates the stock Speculative Buy. Frankie owns Aurora because the company is developing autonomous driving technology for trucking networks. If autonomous logistics becomes widely adopted, the company could disrupt the transportation industry.

Meta Platforms (META) finished the week at $644.86, producing an +11.59% gain in Frankie’s portfolio. Analysts maintain a Strong Buy rating, and Frankie also rates the stock Buy. Frankie owns Meta because the company operates some of the largest social media platforms in the world. Its AI-driven advertising engine continues to improve monetization across billions of users.

The information contained in the Smart Wealth Newsletter is for educational and informational purposes only and should not be considered financial, investment, tax, or legal advice.

Investing in stocks, real estate, or other financial assets involves risk, including the possible loss of principal. Past performance is not indicative of future results. Readers should conduct their own research and consult with qualified financial, tax, and legal professionals before making investment decisions.

The opinions expressed in this newsletter reflect the views of Chris McLaughlin, Trip McLaughlin, and Frankie McLaughlin at the time of publication and may change without notice. Any securities mentioned in this newsletter may be owned by the authors or their affiliated accounts.

This newsletter is not intended to provide personalized investment advice or recommendations. All investment decisions should be made based on an individual’s financial situation, risk tolerance, and consultation with professional advisors.