Welcome back to another edition of the Smart Wealth Newsletter, where our family shares what we are seeing in the financial markets, the stocks we follow closely, and the real estate strategies we believe can help investors build long-term wealth.

This newsletter continues to be a family project built around education, patience, and disciplined investing. I’m Chris McLaughlin, a real estate investor, market enthusiast, and long-term believer in ownership through both equities and real estate. My son Trip continues to study business and investing at the Freeman School of Business at Tulane University, where he spends significant time researching growth stocks, emerging technology companies, and market trends. Frankie will be attending Georgetown University’s McDonough School of Business this Fall, and he continues to focus heavily on higher-risk growth names, technology trends, and companies that may benefit from disruptive innovation over the next decade.

As a family, we do not pretend to predict every market move correctly. Instead, we focus on studying businesses, understanding cycles, and staying invested through volatility. We believe wealth is created through ownership, patience, and learning from mistakes. The purpose of this newsletter is to help readers think through market conditions while sharing what we personally follow and why.

Financial markets delivered another powerful week of recovery ending Friday, April 24th, as investors continued to move past geopolitical concerns and focused once again on earnings strength, artificial intelligence investment, and the belief that interest rates may eventually trend lower.

The week began with nervousness tied to geopolitical conflict, energy markets, and continued concern about inflation. However, by the end of the week, buyers stepped back into equities aggressively, particularly in technology and semiconductor stocks.

The Dow Jones Industrial Average closed Friday, April 24th at 49,230.71, down slightly on the day but remaining near record territory. The S&P 500 finished at 7,165.08, reaching another all-time high after gaining approximately 0.5% for the week. The Nasdaq Composite closed at 24,836.60, finishing with a strong weekly gain of roughly 1.5% as technology leadership returned.

These numbers matter because they show a clear shift in investor psychology. Markets are no longer trading solely on fear. Instead, investors appear willing to reward earnings growth, strong balance sheets, and companies tied to artificial intelligence, cloud infrastructure, semiconductors, and digital transformation.

This week’s rebound was particularly important because it followed a period of uncertainty tied to energy markets and Middle East conflict. Investors spent much of the week watching developments involving Iran, oil shipping lanes, and concerns around the Strait of Hormuz.

The Strait of Hormuz remains one of the most strategically important shipping routes in the world. Roughly one-fifth of global oil supply passes through this narrow corridor. Any disruption to shipping through the Strait of Hormuz has the potential to push crude oil sharply higher.

Why does that matter for markets?

Higher oil prices often create inflationary pressure. Inflation impacts consumer spending, business margins, and most importantly, interest rates. If oil spikes aggressively, bond markets often react quickly because traders begin to fear inflation will remain elevated.

When inflation expectations rise, Treasury yields can move higher. Higher yields generally pressure growth stocks because future earnings become discounted more heavily. In other words, the higher rates go, the less attractive long-duration growth companies become.

This week showed an interesting balance. Oil remained volatile, but investors began pricing in the possibility that the geopolitical situation may not spiral into a broader disruption. That created a window for equities to rally.

Technology once again became the leadership group.

Semiconductor companies led much of the advance, driven by enthusiasm around AI infrastructure spending. Large institutions appear convinced that artificial intelligence spending remains in the early innings rather than nearing a peak.

One of the strongest performers of the week was Intel (INTC), which surged after earnings surprised Wall Street. Investors rewarded stronger guidance and renewed confidence that Intel may be stabilizing after years of competitive pressure.

Several major stocks moved sharply higher during the week:

These moves reflected something important: institutional investors were not hiding in defensive sectors. They were actively rotating back into growth.

Financial stocks also participated. Banks benefited from stable credit conditions and the idea that the economy may avoid recession.

Meanwhile, bond yields remained relatively controlled despite geopolitical stress. That helped support equity multiples.

One of the most interesting developments was the market’s ability to rally despite uncertainty. Historically, markets dislike ambiguity. Yet investors increasingly appear willing to look through short-term headlines.

The labor market remains resilient. Consumer spending remains relatively stable. Corporate earnings have generally exceeded expectations. Together, those factors create a supportive backdrop for equities.

Another important piece of this week’s rally was positioning.

Many investors entered April defensively after concerns surrounding inflation and global conflict. When markets failed to break meaningfully lower, those defensive positions quickly unwound.

Short covering likely accelerated gains.

Funds that had reduced risk earlier in the month were forced to chase upside as indexes pushed toward new highs.

This creates what traders often call a “pain trade.”

The pain trade occurs when markets move opposite consensus expectations. Many investors expected weakness. Instead, the market delivered resilience.

Bitcoin also remained a conversation piece this week. Digital assets continued to stabilize after recent volatility. Crypto-linked equities and mining companies benefited from renewed risk appetite.

Gold held relatively firm despite the stock rally, signaling that investors still want some protection against geopolitical uncertainty.

Oil prices remain one of the biggest variables heading into May.

If crude prices rise sharply due to disruption through the Strait of Hormuz, inflation expectations could return quickly. That would likely place upward pressure on Treasury yields.

Higher yields could eventually slow equity momentum.

However, if oil stabilizes and earnings continue coming in strong, markets may have room to extend higher.

One reason the rally appears sustainable is participation.

This week’s gains were not limited to one or two mega-cap companies. Broader participation improved, which is usually healthier for long-term market strength.

Small caps also stabilized.

The Russell 2000 posted modest gains, which suggests investors may be expanding beyond only mega-cap technology.

The next major catalyst will likely be earnings season.

Markets will focus closely on guidance. Investors want to know whether AI spending remains strong, whether margins hold up, and whether companies continue seeing healthy consumer demand.

The market’s rebound this week sent a clear message.

Investors remain willing to buy weakness.

Fear still exists. Geopolitical tension remains real. Oil could become a problem. Inflation risks are not gone.

But the dominant force this week was optimism.

Markets rallied because investors believe earnings remain strong, the economy remains resilient, and innovation continues to create opportunities.

That combination remains a powerful driver for equities.

BitMine Immersion Technologies (BMNR) remains one of the more speculative positions we follow, and it fits into the category of stocks that can deliver massive upside but require patience and conviction.

Trip continues to follow BMNR closely and remains invested despite being down on the position. That is not always easy to do.

One of the hardest lessons for investors is learning how to separate price movement from conviction.

When a stock falls after purchase, emotions often take over. Investors begin questioning timing, thesis, and whether they made a mistake.

Trip’s perspective on BMNR is centered around long-term opportunity rather than short-term volatility.

BitMine Immersion Technologies operates in a niche tied to digital asset mining and infrastructure. The company focuses on immersion cooling systems and Bitcoin-related operational efficiency.

Immersion cooling is an increasingly important area because traditional mining operations face heat challenges, power consumption concerns, and operational inefficiency.

Rather than using standard cooling methods, immersion systems allow hardware to operate within a specialized liquid environment that helps dissipate heat.

This can improve performance, reduce energy waste, and potentially extend equipment lifespan.

For crypto miners, efficiency matters.

Bitcoin mining remains competitive. Margins can tighten quickly when Bitcoin prices decline or energy prices rise.

Companies capable of improving mining economics may benefit if adoption expands.

Trip believes BMNR fits into a category of “small-cap asymmetric opportunity.”

That means downside exists, but upside could be meaningful if execution improves.

Many small-cap technology companies struggle because they lack consistent institutional attention. They can move sharply in either direction.

The risk is obvious.

Smaller companies often face financing concerns, operational challenges, limited revenue, and high volatility.

However, speculative positions sometimes produce outsized returns when trends align.

The digital asset market continues evolving.

Bitcoin remains increasingly institutionalized. Spot Bitcoin ETFs, broader adoption, and growing infrastructure investment create a stronger backdrop than existed several years ago.

If Bitcoin prices remain firm over the coming years, companies connected to mining infrastructure could see renewed interest.

Trip continues holding BMNR because he believes volatility alone should not force an exit.

That mindset matters.

Too many investors sell purely because they feel discomfort.

Successful investing often requires sitting through periods where a thesis has not yet played out.

Trip understands BMNR is not a low-risk blue-chip stock.

It is speculative.

It requires patience.

But it also represents the type of company that can move dramatically if sentiment changes.

One of the key questions for BMNR moving forward will be scalability.

Can the company grow revenue?

Can adoption increase?

Can crypto infrastructure spending remain strong?

These questions matter because smaller companies often depend heavily on execution.

The company’s future likely depends on broader adoption of immersion cooling technology and sustained digital asset demand.

Trip’s willingness to continue holding despite being down reflects an important investing lesson.

Not every investment works immediately.

Conviction requires understanding why you own something.

If the reason for ownership remains intact, short-term volatility may simply be part of the process.

BMNR remains a higher-risk position, but it is also one that could reward patience if crypto infrastructure spending expands.

Flipping houses remains one of the fastest ways to build capital in real estate, but it is also one of the easiest ways to lose money when investors underestimate renovation costs, timelines, or market conditions.

Many people believe flipping is simple.

Buy a house, renovate it, sell it, and collect a profit.

The reality is more complicated.

Successful flips come from disciplined buying, accurate budgeting, and careful execution.

One of the biggest mistakes investors make is overpaying on the purchase.

You make money when you buy, not when you sell.

The purchase price determines everything.

If an investor pays too much upfront, the project often becomes impossible to save.

A strong flipping strategy starts with understanding after-repair value.

After-repair value, often called ARV, refers to what a property should realistically sell for once fully renovated.

Investors should study nearby comparable sales carefully.

Look for homes of similar size, condition, lot size, age, and neighborhood.

Accurate comparable analysis separates professional investors from amateurs.

Another major mistake involves underestimating repairs.

Contractor estimates often rise.

Unexpected plumbing, electrical, roof, foundation, or permitting issues can emerge.

Always build contingency into renovation budgets.

Many experienced flippers add 10% to 15% above expected costs.

That buffer can prevent a project from becoming a disaster.

Speed matters.

Time is money in flipping.

Every extra month adds carrying costs.

Those costs include taxes, insurance, interest, utilities, maintenance, and financing.

A project that takes six months instead of three can erase profit margins.

One of the smartest strategies is to focus on cosmetic renovations.

Paint, flooring, kitchens, bathrooms, lighting, landscaping, and curb appeal often create the biggest visual impact.

Heavy structural projects carry greater risk.

Unless investors have strong contractor relationships and significant experience, complex rehabs can become expensive quickly.

Another important flipping tip is understanding the buyer.

Who will purchase the home?

A flip should match the expectations of the neighborhood.

Over-improving can be just as dangerous as under-improving.

If nearby homes sell for $450,000, adding luxury finishes that only make sense in an $800,000 neighborhood may not increase resale value.

Design matters.

Neutral colors, clean lines, modern fixtures, and updated kitchens consistently attract buyers.

Buyers want move-in-ready homes.

Presentation also matters.

Professional staging can dramatically increase perceived value.

Good photography helps attract buyers online.

First impressions drive showing activity.

Another major advantage for flippers comes from relationships.

Strong contractor relationships reduce delays.

Reliable real estate agents provide accurate resale pricing.

Local wholesalers help source deals.

Title companies, lenders, inspectors, and attorneys can all impact project efficiency.

Networking matters.

Many successful flippers also create multiple exit strategies.

If the market softens, the property may still work as a rental.

That flexibility reduces risk.

Rather than being forced into a weak sale, investors maintain options.

Interest rates also play a role.

Higher rates can slow buyer demand.

Lower rates generally support housing activity.

Flippers must understand current mortgage affordability.

When rates rise sharply, buyers may become more selective.

Finally, emotional discipline matters.

Flipping should be treated as a business.

Numbers matter more than excitement.

Investors should avoid chasing projects simply because they like a property.

The deal must work mathematically.

Successful flipping comes down to:

Flipping properties can create strong returns when done correctly.

However, discipline is what separates profitable investors from those who struggle.

Alphabet (GOOG) closed the week at $342.32 and remains one of the largest positions in Chris’s Morgan Stanley portfolio. The stock is up approximately 99.33% since purchase. Wall Street analysts generally maintain a Strong Buy consensus on Alphabet, with price targets continuing to move higher due to the company’s leadership in search, cloud computing, YouTube advertising, and artificial intelligence. Chris’s personal rating on GOOG would remain a Strong Buy.

Chris owns Alphabet because it remains one of the strongest cash-flow businesses in the world with dominant market share across multiple industries. He also believes Alphabet’s AI investments position the company for continued long-term growth.

Amazon (AMZN) finished Friday at $263.99 and is up approximately 26.91% since purchase. Analysts generally maintain a Buy rating on Amazon, citing continued strength in AWS cloud services, logistics efficiency, and advertising growth. Chris’s personal rating would be a Buy.

Chris owns Amazon because of its dominant position in e-commerce and cloud infrastructure. He also believes Amazon’s scale gives it a competitive advantage that few companies can match globally.

Apple (AAPL) closed at $271.06 and has gained roughly 80.79% since purchase. Analysts continue to rate Apple as a Buy, supported by its services ecosystem, strong customer loyalty, and expanding recurring revenue. Chris’s rating would remain a Buy.

Chris owns Apple because it remains one of the most durable consumer brands in the world. He believes Apple’s ecosystem creates repeat customers and long-term pricing power.

Costco (COST) closed the week at $1,011.15 and is up approximately 114.67% since purchase. Analysts typically maintain a Buy or Outperform rating due to Costco’s membership model, resilient consumer demand, and consistent growth. Chris’s rating would remain a Strong Buy.

Chris owns Costco because of its predictable recurring membership revenue and customer loyalty. He believes Costco remains one of the strongest retail businesses during both strong and weak economic periods.

Deere & Company (DE) finished at $562.64 and is up approximately 60.49% since purchase. Analysts generally rate Deere as a Buy, supported by agricultural demand and automation trends. Chris’s rating would be a Hold/Buy on Pullback.

Chris owns Deere because agriculture remains a foundational industry that benefits from global food demand. He also believes Deere’s precision agriculture technology provides a competitive edge.

GE Aerospace (GE) closed at $284.60 and has gained roughly 188.64% since purchase. Wall Street analysts generally rate GE Aerospace as a Strong Buy, citing defense, aviation demand, and aerospace backlog strength. Chris’s personal rating remains a Strong Buy.

Chris owns GE Aerospace because the company has transformed itself into a more focused aerospace business. He believes long-term aircraft demand and defense spending provide strong tailwinds.

GE Vernova (GEV) closed at $1,149.19 and is up approximately 1,024.52% since purchase, making it one of the strongest performers in the portfolio. Analysts continue to rate GEV as a Buy, driven by power grid modernization, electrification, and renewable infrastructure demand. Chris’s rating remains a Strong Buy.

Chris owns GE Vernova because he believes energy infrastructure spending is still in the early innings. He views GEV as a long-term beneficiary of electrification and global grid upgrades.

Kroger (KR) closed at $67.23 and is up approximately 36.99% since purchase. Analysts typically rate Kroger as a Hold to Buy, citing stable grocery demand and defensive earnings consistency. Chris’s personal rating would be a Hold.

Chris owns Kroger because grocery demand remains stable even during economic slowdowns. He values Kroger’s predictable cash flow and defensive characteristics.

Meta Platforms (META) finished the week at $675.03 and is up approximately 16.43% since purchase. Analysts generally rate Meta as a Strong Buy, driven by advertising recovery, AI integration, and platform monetization. Chris’s personal rating would remain a Buy.

Chris owns Meta because of its dominant advertising platform and large global audience. He believes AI-driven advertising optimization will continue boosting revenue.

Microsoft (MSFT) closed Friday at $424.62 and has gained approximately 846.11% since purchase. Analysts overwhelmingly rate Microsoft as a Strong Buy, supported by Azure cloud growth, enterprise software leadership, and AI integration. Chris’s rating remains a Strong Buy.

Chris owns Microsoft because of its dominance across enterprise software, cloud infrastructure, and artificial intelligence. He believes Microsoft remains one of the most reliable long-term compounders in the market.

Palantir Technologies (PLTR) closed at $143.09 and is up approximately 2.07% since purchase. Analysts remain mixed but generally rate Palantir as a Moderate Buy, citing AI software adoption and government contracts. Chris’s rating would be a Buy.

Chris owns Palantir because he believes AI software adoption remains early and that Palantir has built a unique niche in data analytics. He also likes the company’s expanding commercial business.

Procter & Gamble (PG) closed the week at $148.18 and has gained approximately 81.88% since purchase. Analysts generally rate PG as a Hold to Buy, supported by stable dividends and strong consumer staples demand. Chris’s personal rating would be a Hold/Buy for Stability.

Chris owns Procter & Gamble because it provides defensive exposure during volatile markets. He believes PG remains a reliable dividend-paying company with durable brands.

Amazon (AMZN) closed at $263.99 and is up approximately 132.37% since purchase within the Fidelity Trust account. Analysts maintain a Buy to Strong Buy consensus due to Amazon’s continued dominance in cloud computing, e-commerce, logistics, and advertising. Chris’s personal rating remains a Strong Buy.

Chris continues to own Amazon because of its long-term growth potential and massive global footprint. He believes AWS cloud growth and advertising revenue remain underappreciated drivers of future value.

American Express (AXP) closed at $314.08 and has gained approximately 88.43% since purchase. Analysts generally maintain a Buy rating, supported by strong consumer spending, premium credit card demand, and high-income customer exposure. Chris’s personal rating would remain a Buy.

Chris owns American Express because it benefits from affluent spending trends and recurring card usage. He also values the company’s brand strength and ability to generate reliable cash flow.

Kinder Morgan (KMI) finished at $31.74 and is up approximately 112.82% since purchase. Analysts typically rate KMI as a Hold to Buy, supported by stable pipeline cash flow and attractive dividends. Chris’s personal rating would remain a Hold/Income Buy.

Chris owns Kinder Morgan because pipeline infrastructure produces recurring revenue regardless of short-term oil price fluctuations. He also appreciates the company’s dividend income and defensive energy exposure.

Exxon Mobil (XOM) finished Friday at $148.91 and is up approximately 77.47% since purchase. Analysts continue to rate Exxon Mobil as a Buy, driven by strong cash flow, global energy demand, and disciplined capital allocation. Chris’s personal rating would remain a Buy.

Chris owns Exxon Mobil because energy remains a critical component of the global economy. He believes higher oil prices and geopolitical risk could continue supporting strong profitability.

Tesla (TSLA) closed the week at $376.30 and is up approximately 18.33% since purchase inside Chris’s Roth IRA account. Analysts remain mixed on Tesla, with consensus generally ranging from Hold to Moderate Buy, depending on expectations for EV demand, autonomous driving progress, and energy storage growth. Chris’s personal rating would remain a Buy.

Chris owns Tesla because he believes the company remains one of the most disruptive innovators in the market. He also views Tesla as more than an electric vehicle company, seeing long-term upside tied to robotics, AI, autonomous driving, and energy infrastructure.

Apple (AAPL) closed the week at $271.06 and is up approximately 149.87% since purchase in this Fidelity Trust account. Analysts continue to rate Apple as a Buy, supported by strong ecosystem retention, services growth, and recurring revenue. Chris’s personal rating remains a Buy.

Chris owns Apple because it remains one of the strongest consumer technology franchises in the world. He believes Apple’s loyal customer base and product ecosystem provide durable long-term growth.

Nvidia (NVDA) closed at $208.27 and has gained approximately 110.94% since purchase. Analysts overwhelmingly rate Nvidia as a Strong Buy, driven by AI chip leadership, data center growth, and continued semiconductor demand. Chris’s personal rating would remain a Strong Buy.

Chris owns Nvidia because he believes AI remains one of the largest investment trends of the next decade. He views Nvidia as the dominant infrastructure provider powering artificial intelligence growth.

Lam Research (LRCX) closed the week at $267.78 and is up approximately 23.47% since purchase within Chris’s Fidelity SIMPLE IRA. Analysts generally maintain a Strong Buy rating on Lam Research, supported by semiconductor manufacturing demand, AI infrastructure spending, and wafer fabrication equipment growth. Chris’s personal rating would remain a Buy.

Chris owns Lam Research because semiconductor equipment demand tends to rise alongside AI and chip manufacturing expansion. He believes Lam Research benefits directly from long-term investment in advanced chip production.

Palantir Technologies (PLTR) closed at $143.09 and is down approximately 4.22% since purchase in the Fidelity SIMPLE IRA. Analysts generally rate Palantir as a Moderate Buy, supported by government contracts, expanding commercial adoption, and AI software growth. Chris’s personal rating would remain a Buy.

Chris owns Palantir because he believes enterprise AI adoption is still in the early innings. He views Palantir as one of the most unique data analytics and AI platforms available in public markets.

Plug Power (PLUG) closed at $3.14 and is up approximately 14.60% since purchase. Analysts generally rate Plug Power as a Hold to Speculative Buy, due to hydrogen adoption uncertainty and clean energy potential. Trip’s personal rating would remain a Speculative Buy.

Trip owns Plug Power because he believes hydrogen energy still has long-term upside if adoption accelerates. He views PLUG as a higher-risk turnaround opportunity tied to clean energy innovation.

Lightwave Logic (LWLG) closed at $12.67 and is up approximately 42.36% since purchase. Analysts tend to rate LWLG as a Speculative Buy, given its early-stage photonics technology and commercialization potential. Trip’s rating remains a Buy.

Trip owns Lightwave Logic because he believes optical networking and photonics could play a larger role in next-generation communications infrastructure. He sees LWLG as a long-term technology bet with significant upside potential.

Sidus Space (SIDU) finished the week at $3.42 and is down approximately 11.67% since purchase. Analysts generally consider SIDU highly speculative, with ratings leaning toward Hold/Speculative Buy. Trip’s personal rating remains a Hold.

Trip owns Sidus Space because he believes space infrastructure and satellite technology may become larger growth industries over time. He understands the position carries higher risk but sees upside if commercialization improves.

GE Vernova (GEV) closed at $1,149.19 and is up approximately 1,046.40% since purchase, making it one of the strongest positions in Trip’s account. Analysts maintain a Buy rating on GEV, citing energy infrastructure demand and grid modernization. Trip’s personal rating would remain a Strong Buy.

Trip owns GE Vernova because he believes electrification and power infrastructure remain long-term global themes. He views GEV as one of the strongest industrial growth stories available.

Alphabet (GOOGL) closed at $344.40 and is up approximately 24.46% since purchase. Analysts overwhelmingly rate Alphabet as a Strong Buy, supported by search dominance, AI expansion, and cloud growth. Trip’s rating remains a Strong Buy.

Trip owns Alphabet because of its strong advertising business and leadership in artificial intelligence. He believes Alphabet remains one of the safest large-cap growth companies available.

Nvidia (NVDA) closed the week at $208.27 and is up approximately 17.65% since purchase. Analysts maintain a Strong Buy consensus due to Nvidia’s AI chip dominance and data center leadership. Trip’s personal rating would remain a Strong Buy.

Trip owns Nvidia because he believes AI demand remains in the early innings. He views Nvidia as one of the most important companies enabling artificial intelligence infrastructure.

Palantir Technologies (PLTR) closed at $143.09 and is up approximately 10.05% since purchase. Analysts generally rate Palantir as a Moderate Buy, citing AI software demand and government contracts. Trip’s rating remains a Buy.

Trip owns Palantir because he believes AI software platforms will become increasingly important to businesses and governments. He sees Palantir as a company with strong long-term commercial expansion potential.

Amazon (AMZN) closed Friday at $263.99 and is up approximately 26.91% since purchase. Analysts generally rate Amazon as a Buy, supported by AWS cloud growth and advertising expansion. Trip’s personal rating remains a Buy.

Trip owns Amazon because of its dominant position in both e-commerce and cloud infrastructure. He believes Amazon continues to benefit from multiple revenue streams.

iShares Gold Trust (IAU) closed at $88.75 and is down approximately 1.22% since purchase. Analysts view gold exposure as a defensive allocation, particularly during periods of inflation or geopolitical uncertainty. Trip’s personal rating would remain a Hold.

Trip owns IAU because gold provides portfolio diversification and a hedge against inflation. He believes holding some precious metals exposure can help balance risk.

iShares Silver Trust (SLV) finished at $68.79 and is down approximately 0.45% since purchase. Analysts generally view silver exposure as a commodity hedge, supported by industrial demand and inflation protection. Trip’s rating remains a Hold.

Trip owns SLV because silver benefits from both industrial use and precious metal demand. He views it as a diversification asset within his portfolio.

BitMine Immersion Technologies (BMNR) closed at $22.14 and is down approximately 17.63% since purchase. Analysts generally consider BMNR highly speculative, with limited coverage but meaningful upside tied to crypto infrastructure. Trip’s personal rating remains a Speculative Buy.

Trip owns BMNR because he believes immersion cooling and crypto infrastructure remain underfollowed opportunities. Despite being down, he continues to hold because he believes the thesis remains intact.

Navitas Semiconductor (NVTS) closed the week at $17.28 and is up approximately 132.26% since purchase. Analysts generally rate Navitas as a Moderate Buy, supported by demand for next-generation power semiconductors and electric vehicle charging technology. Frankie’s personal rating would remain a Buy.

Frankie owns Navitas Semiconductor because he believes power efficiency and semiconductor innovation remain major long-term trends. He views NVTS as a smaller company with meaningful upside tied to electrification.

GE Vernova (GEV) closed at $1,149.19 and is up approximately 1,046.40% since purchase, making it the largest winner in Frankie’s portfolio. Analysts continue to rate GEV as a Buy, supported by electrification, renewable power, and infrastructure investment. Frankie’s personal rating would remain a Strong Buy.

Frankie owns GE Vernova because he believes global energy infrastructure investment remains in the early innings. He sees GEV as one of the strongest industrial growth stories available today.

Nebius Group (NBIS) finished the week at $147.16 and is up approximately 73.60% since purchase. Analysts generally consider NBIS a Speculative Buy, given its growth orientation and evolving business model. Frankie’s personal rating would remain a Buy.

Frankie owns Nebius Group because he believes emerging technology companies can deliver outsized returns over time. He is willing to tolerate volatility in exchange for higher growth potential.

Microsoft (MSFT) closed Friday at $424.62 and is up approximately 279.73% since purchase. Analysts overwhelmingly rate Microsoft as a Strong Buy, supported by cloud growth, enterprise software dominance, and AI integration. Frankie’s rating would remain a Strong Buy.

Frankie owns Microsoft because it combines stability with strong long-term growth potential. He believes Microsoft remains one of the safest ways to gain exposure to AI and cloud computing.

Amazon (AMZN) closed at $263.99 and is up approximately 26.91% since purchase. Analysts maintain a Buy rating due to AWS cloud growth, e-commerce leadership, and advertising expansion. Frankie’s personal rating would remain a Buy.

Frankie owns Amazon because he believes the company continues to dominate several major industries at once. He likes the company’s multiple revenue streams and long-term scalability.

Tesla (TSLA) finished the week at $376.30 and is up approximately 26.54% since purchase. Analysts remain divided on Tesla, with consensus ranging from Hold to Moderate Buy. Frankie’s rating would remain a Buy.

Frankie owns Tesla because he believes innovation in EVs, robotics, and autonomous driving creates long-term opportunity. He views Tesla as one of the most disruptive companies in the market.

Palantir Technologies (PLTR) closed at $143.09 and is down approximately 0.55% since purchase. Analysts generally rate Palantir as a Moderate Buy, supported by AI software demand and government contracts. Frankie’s personal rating remains a Buy.

Frankie owns Palantir because he believes data analytics and AI software adoption will continue expanding globally. He sees Palantir as a company with strong long-term upside despite short-term volatility.

Aurora Innovation (AUR) closed at $4.91 and is up approximately 25.90% since purchase. Analysts generally rate Aurora Innovation as a Speculative Buy, supported by autonomous driving technology and transportation innovation. Frankie’s personal rating would remain a Speculative Buy.

Frankie owns Aurora because he believes autonomous trucking and transportation automation may become major industries over time. He understands the risk but likes the upside potential if commercialization expands.

Meta Platforms (META) closed the week at $675.03 and is up approximately 16.81% since purchase. Analysts continue to rate Meta as a Strong Buy, driven by advertising strength, AI integration, and user engagement. Frankie’s personal rating remains a Buy.

Frankie owns Meta because he believes digital advertising and AI-driven monetization remain powerful growth drivers. He also likes Meta’s massive global user base and cash flow generation.

This week reminded investors that markets often climb when uncertainty feels highest.

Despite geopolitical risk, inflation concerns, and oil volatility, equities showed resilience. That strength reflects confidence in earnings, technology investment, and the belief that innovation remains a long-term driver of wealth creation.

As always, we remain focused on learning, staying patient, and continuing to build wealth through ownership.

This newsletter is for educational and informational purposes only and should not be considered financial, legal, tax, or investment advice. The opinions shared reflect our personal views and experiences and are not recommendations to buy or sell any security.

Investing involves risk, including the potential loss of principal. Always consult with a licensed financial advisor, tax professional, or attorney before making investment or real estate decisions. Past performance does not guarantee future results.