Morgan Stanley, a financial holding company, provides various financial products and services to corporations, governments, financial institutions, and individuals in the Americas, Europe, the Middle East, Africa, and Asia. It operates through Institutional Securities, Wealth Management, and Investment Management segments. The Institutional Securities segment offers capital raising and financial advisory services, including services related to the underwriting of debt, equity, and other securities, as well as advice on mergers and acquisitions, restructurings, real estate, and project finance. This segment also provides equity and fixed income products comprising sales, financing, prime brokerage, and market-making services; foreign exchange and commodities; corporate and commercial real estate loans, commercial mortgage and secured lending facilities, and financing for sales and trading customers, and asset-backed and mortgage lending; and wealth management services, investment, and research services. The Wealth Management segment offers financial advisor-led brokerage, custody, administrative, and investment advisory services; self-directed brokerage services; financial and wealth planning services; workplace services, including stock plan administration; annuity and insurance products; securities-based lending, residential real estate loans, and other lending products; banking; and retirement plan services to individual investors and small to medium-sized businesses and institutions. The Investment Management segment provides equity, fixed income, alternatives and solutions, and liquidity and overlay services to benefit/defined contribution plans, foundations, endowments, government entities, sovereign wealth funds, insurance companies, third-party fund sponsors, corporations, and individuals through institutional and intermediary channels. The company was founded in 1924 and is headquartered in New York, New York.

Morgan Stanley appears to be a high-quality but no longer cheap financial asset: strong profitability is combined with a notable valuation premium to the industry. A P/E of 20.62, P/S of 4.92, and P/B of 3.12 are significantly above the sector median, which limits the potential for further upside without a new acceleration in earnings. At the same time, ROE of 15.62% and return on tangible equity of 19.62% are at a good level and have been improving over the years, while profit margins and operating margin have also been rising steadily. Revenue, operating profit, and net income are showing solid growth, which supports the fundamental case and reduces the risk of downward revisions. The balance sheet, however, remains sensitive: debt/equity of 3.22 is very high, debt is rising, and a current ratio of 0.77 and quick ratio of 0.00 indicate weak short-term liquidity by traditional standards. For a bank/investment bank this is not critical in itself, but in combination with a high valuation it calls for caution. ROA of around 1.22% looks acceptable and stable, but ROI is below the industry median, suggesting less-than-ideal returns on invested capital. Dividend yield is currently zero, and in previous periods it was moderate, so the dividend factor does not support the current re-rating. The strengths are earnings growth, high profitability, and increasing shareholder equity; the weaknesses are expensive multiples and a notable debt burden. Overall, the fundamentals rather justify maintaining a positive view on the company, but not an aggressive increase in the target price, since the current market valuation already reflects a significant portion of the improvements. Therefore, only a moderate, conservative downward adjustment to the forecast is appropriate.

Morgan Stanley

Сильный индекс, значительно упал. Оптимистичный взгляд на свои позиции резко сменился на неуверенность.

Strong index, significantly down. An optimistic view of his position suddenly changed to uncertainty.

Слабый индекс, значительно упал. Медведи продолжают терять уверенность.

Weak index, significantly down. Bears continue to lose confidence.

Сильный индекс, без изменений. Рынок не поддерживает быков.

Strong index, flat. The market does not support the bulls.

Сильный индекс, без изменений. Рынок на стороне медведей.

Strong index, flat. The market is on the bears' side.

Средний индекс, незначительно вырос. Отток средств из лонгов на высоком уровне.

Medium index, slightly up. Outflow of funds from longs at a high level.

Слабый индекс, незначительно упал. Приток средств в шорты снизился, но остается положительным.

Weak index, slightly down. The inflow of funds into shorts has decreased, but remains positive.

Strong profitability and growth in metrics support MS, but high valuation, large debt, and weak liquidity limit upside re-rating potential.

Key Points
The beverage titan posted a second quarter marked by strong growth figures.
On Wednesday, more than a few analysts raised their price targets on the shares.
One day after Coca-Cola (NYSE: KO) stock hit an all-time high price, the storied beverage conglomerate repeated the accomplishment on Wednesday. The company's shares inched higher on the back of several bullish new post-earnings analyst takes.
So refreshing
Coca-Cola reported a strong second quarter on Tuesday and, as so often happens following a blowout earnings release, a score of analysts raised their price targets on the stock.
Missed Nvidia in 2009? This Rare Signal Is Flashing Again. In 2009, a "Double Down" signal flashed for a little-known chipmaker called Nvidia. For the first time in years, that same "Total Conviction" signal is flashing for a company 1/100th the size of Nvidia. Continue »
One of the more bullish raisers was Dara Mohsenian of white-shoe investment bank Morgan Stanley. He not only cranked his fair value assessment to $100 per share from $89, he also reiterated (and emphasized) that Coca-Cola was a top pick at his company. Almost needless to say, he continued to rate the stock as an overweight (read: buy).
According to reports, he cited several impressive growth figures for the quarter. These included the company's unit case growth of 5% year over year (trouncing analyst projections of slightly more than 2%). Mohsenian added that growth in many areas would have been impressive even without the boost of the World Cup and the hotter-than-usual weather.
Other researchers lifting their price targets for the beverage sector king included analysts from such influential companies as JPMorgan Chase's J.P. Morgan and Wells Fargo.
The best in the business
To me, Coca-Cola's second quarter wasn't a one-off or fluke because of the above-mentioned factors.
Many advertisers were competing for attention during the World Cup, and American consumers in particular have plenty of choices when it comes to quenching their heat-induced thirst. The company's advertising and marketing efforts clearly struck a chord, illustrating one of its great and almost unbeatable strengths.
Coca-Cola is firing on nearly all cylinders these days, with a management team that knows the great value of the brand it's steering, and how to extract value from it. Plus, the stock is one of the best income plays on the market with its generous dividend. I've been a longtime Coke bull, and I can't imagine changing my stance, especially given its recent performance.
Should you buy stock in Coca-Cola right now?
Before you buy stock in Coca-Cola, consider this:
The Motley Fool Stock Advisor analyst team just identified what they believe are the 10 best stocks for investors to buy now… and Coca-Cola wasn’t one of them. The 10 stocks that made the cut could produce monster returns in the coming years.
Consider when Netflix made this list on December 17, 2004... if you invested $1,000 at the time of our recommendation, you’d have $390,394!* Or when Nvidia made this list on April 15, 2005... if you invested $1,000 at the time of our recommendation, you’d have $1,209,184!*
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*Stock Advisor returns as of July 29, 2026.
JPMorgan Chase is an advertising partner of Motley Fool Money. Wells Fargo is an advertising partner of Motley Fool Money. Eric Volkman has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has positions in and recommends JPMorgan Chase. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.
The views and opinions expressed herein are the views and opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of Nasdaq, Inc.

Why Coca-Cola Stock Was so Fizzy Today

Looking at the universe of stocks we cover at Dividend Channel, on 7/31/26, Morgan Stanley (Symbol: MS) will trade ex-dividend, for its quarterly dividend of $1.15, payable on 8/14/26. As a percentage of MS's recent stock price of $210.76, this dividend works out to approximately 0.55%, so look for shares of Morgan Stanley to trade 0.55% lower — all else being equal — when MS shares open for trading on 7/31/26.
In general, dividends are not always predictable; but looking at the history above can help in judging whether the most recent dividend from MS is likely to continue, and whether the current estimated yield of 2.18% on annualized basis is a reasonable expectation of annual yield going forward. The chart below shows the one year performance of MS shares, versus its 200 day moving average:
Looking at the chart above, MS's low point in its 52 week range is $136.17 per share, with $232.25 as the 52 week high point — that compares with a last trade of $206.31.
According to the ETF Finder at ETF Channel, MS makes up 16.08% of the iShares U.S. Broker-Dealers & Securities Exchanges ETF (Symbol: IAI) which is trading lower by about 0.2% on the day Wednesday. (see other ETFs holding MS).
According to Preferred Stock Channel, there are 10 series of preferred stock that are senior to MS — find out what they are ».
In Wednesday trading, Morgan Stanley shares are currently down about 0.4% on the day.
Click here to learn which S.A.F.E. dividend stocks also have preferred shares that should be on your radar screen »
Further MS Research:
The views and opinions expressed herein are the views and opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of Nasdaq, Inc.

Reminder - Morgan Stanley (MS) Goes Ex-Dividend Soon

Key Points
SpaceX will report its first earnings as a publicly traded company on Tuesday, Aug. 4.
Some insiders will be allowed to sell their shares after the report, potentially putting even more downward pressure on the SpaceX stock price.
With where the stock is trading, it could be an entry point, according to one analyst.
As of early-morning trading on July 27, the Space Exploration Technologies (NASDAQ: SPCX) stock price was trading below $110 per share. As it opened at $150 when it began trading to the public on June 12, this may not be the early result some shareholders were expecting.
With SpaceX set to report 2026 second-quarter earnings on Aug. 4, there's concern that some insiders may sell their shares, putting more downward pressure on the stock price. If SpaceX's stock price were to fall to $100, however, one analyst has a warning about what that would represent.
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Is SpaceX oversold?
In a note shared by Bloomberg, Morgan Stanley analyst Adam Jonas wrote to clients about a disconnect between investing sentiment around SpaceX and its fundamentals. And if the SpaceX stock price falls below $100 per share, it may be a warning that investors are undervaluing, or not valuing at all, SpaceX's artificial intelligence (AI) efforts.
"Most investors we speak with significantly discount Grok & Cursor," Jonas wrote in the note. "Many ascribe zero or even negative value for AI given the high capex requirements relative to Space & Connectivity, largely uncertain economics, and the high degree of management time devoted to the business."
Grok is an AI chatbot that was formerly a part of one of Elon Musk's other companies, xAI, which SpaceX acquired in February. To bolster its AI capabilities even further, SpaceX entered into a definitive agreement to acquire Cursor, an AI coding and software platform, in an all-stock transaction valued at $60 billion. The deal is expected to close in the third quarter of this year.
With where the stock is trading, Jonas added in his note that, "We see the current valuation as an attractive entry point."
The upside and risks ahead
According to Bloomberg data, 80% of analysts covering the company recommend buying shares. And with an average price target of $232, that suggests SpaceX may indeed be undervalued.
In addition to Grok and Cursor, SpaceX is also building out AI infrastructure assets, which are helping the company generate revenue as it scales up its broader plans. Anthropic, Alphabet, and Reflection AI are all renting compute capacity from SpaceX, with the deals from just Anthropic and Alphabet potentially generating a combined $26 billion annually for SpaceX. Eventually, SpaceX plans to launch data centers in space, furthering its ability to become a leader in AI infrastructure.
Of course, the risks are plentiful.
SpaceX's orbital data centers aren't expected to start launching until 2028, and it will need to spend aggressively to commercialize AI infrastructure in space.
It already is, as its AI division is easily its most capital-intensive. SpaceX spent $12.7 billion in 2025 on its AI segment, compared to $3.8 billion on the space segment and $4.1 billion on its connectivity division. For the first quarter of 2026, capital expenditures for the AI segment were already $7.7 billion.
For what's ahead, especially depending on the second-quarter results and how many insider shares are ultimately sold, the stock price could continue to drop. The upside is certainly there, but this is still a stock meant for more aggressive investors who can handle the jarring dips in exchange for potential long-term rewards.
Should you buy stock in Space Exploration Technologies right now?
Before you buy stock in Space Exploration Technologies, consider this:
The Motley Fool Stock Advisor analyst team just identified what they believe are the 10 best stocks for investors to buy now… and Space Exploration Technologies wasn’t one of them. The 10 stocks that made the cut could produce monster returns in the coming years.
Consider when Netflix made this list on December 17, 2004... if you invested $1,000 at the time of our recommendation, you’d have $379,662!* Or when Nvidia made this list on April 15, 2005... if you invested $1,000 at the time of our recommendation, you’d have $1,206,116!*
Now, it’s worth noting Stock Advisor’s total average return is 886% — a market-crushing outperformance compared to 206% for the S&P 500. Don't miss the latest top 10 list, available with Stock Advisor, and join an investing community built by individual investors for individual investors.
*Stock Advisor returns as of July 29, 2026.
Jack Delaney has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has positions in and recommends Alphabet. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.
The views and opinions expressed herein are the views and opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of Nasdaq, Inc.

If SpaceX Stock Falls Below $100, One Analyst Shares This Warning

Looking today at week-over-week shares outstanding changes among the universe of ETFs covered at ETF Channel, one standout is the Financial Select Sector SPDR Fund (Symbol: XLF) where we have detected an approximate $369.7 million dollar inflow -- that's a 0.7% increase week over week in outstanding units (from 987,145,427 to 993,645,427). Among the largest underlying components of XLF, in trading today Morgan Stanley (Symbol: MS) is down about 2.2%, Blackrock Inc (Symbol: BLK) is up about 1.9%, and Capital One Financial Corp (Symbol: COF) is up by about 0.6%. For a complete list of holdings, visit the XLF Holdings page » The chart below shows the one year price performance of XLF, versus its 200 day moving average:
Looking at the chart above, XLF's low point in its 52 week range is $47.67 per share, with $57.33 as the 52 week high point — that compares with a last trade of $57.31. Comparing the most recent share price to the 200 day moving average can also be a useful technical analysis technique -- learn more about the 200 day moving average ».
Exchange traded funds (ETFs) trade just like stocks, but instead of ''shares'' investors are actually buying and selling ''units''. These ''units'' can be traded back and forth just like stocks, but can also be created or destroyed to accommodate investor demand. Each week we monitor the week-over-week change in shares outstanding data, to keep a lookout for those ETFs experiencing notable inflows (many new units created) or outflows (many old units destroyed). Creation of new units will mean the underlying holdings of the ETF need to be purchased, while destruction of units involves selling underlying holdings, so large flows can also impact the individual components held within ETFs.
Further XLF Research:
The views and opinions expressed herein are the views and opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of Nasdaq, Inc.

Noteworthy ETF Inflows: XLF, MS, BLK, COF

Key Points
Nvidia's entry into server CPUs and the solid demand for its Blackwell and Vera Rubin processors should boost the company's earnings growth.
Nvidia's attractive valuation and the potential increase in its earnings indicate that it could jump by more than 2x within the next three years.
Nvidia's (NASDAQ: NVDA) tepid returns of 19% over the past year may lead investors to think that the artificial intelligence (AI) pioneer's best days on the stock market are now behind it. After all, the PHLX Semiconductor Sector index has clocked way more impressive gains of 109% during this period.
However, it would be wrong to think that Nvidia stock has peaked following stellar returns that it has clocked in recent years. That's because the AI infrastructure boom that has supercharged Nvidia's growth over the past four years isn't ending anytime soon. More importantly, the company has been diversifying into new AI niches that should strengthen its growth over the long run.
Missed Nvidia in 2009? This Rare Signal Is Flashing Again. In 2009, a "Double Down" signal flashed for a little-known chipmaker called Nvidia. For the first time in years, that same "Total Conviction" signal is flashing for a company 1/100th the size of Nvidia. Continue »
So, don't be surprised to see Nvidia emerging from its lull and going on a terrific bull run that could take its stock price beyond $500 by 2029. Let's see how that's possible.
AI-driven productivity gains should ensure strong demand for Nvidia's chips
According to a survey of 578 respondents carried out by Info-Tech Research Group, 94% of developers using AI tools to develop software have reported higher productivity. Meanwhile, 83% of respondents have witnessed a drop in defects. Even consulting giant PwC estimates that companies using AI are experiencing 40% higher productivity compared to companies least exposed to this technology.
Not surprisingly, capital expenditures needed to set up AI infrastructure are anticipated to hit $1.4 trillion by 2028, according to Morgan Stanley. The investment bank estimates a cumulative $2.1 trillion outlay on AI capex between 2025 and 2027. Nvidia is poised to corner a significant chunk of this lucrative opportunity, given its 80% share of the AI chip market.
The company is already anticipating $1 trillion in chip orders for its Blackwell and Vera Rubin systems in 2026 and 2027. That points to a major improvement over its $193.7 billion data center revenue in fiscal 2026 (which ended in January this year). Another immediate catalyst for Nvidia is its Vera server central processing unit (CPU), which the company believes will open a $200 billion total addressable market (TAM) opportunity.
The chip designer is projecting $20 billion in Vera CPU revenue this fiscal year, which is impressive considering that it has just started shipping this processor as a stand-alone product. Don't be surprised to see Nvidia's server CPU business get bigger over the next couple of fiscal years, considering that it is in solid demand from hyperscalers.
The math behind a $500 stock price
Analysts are projecting an 88% increase in Nvidia's earnings per share to $8.99 in fiscal 2027. This will be followed by robust double-digit growth over the next two fiscal years.
Analysts, however, may be underestimating Nvidia's growth potential, especially considering its solid revenue pipeline for the next two years. However, this AI stock has the potential to jump significantly even if its earnings per share increase to $15.98 in fiscal 2029 (which will end in January 2029). A price-to-earnings ratio of 33 (in line with the Nasdaq-100 index) at that time suggests that Nvidia's stock price could reach $527. That's 2.5x where Nvidia stock is right now, making it a no-brainer buy as it trades at an attractive 31.7 times earnings despite its outstanding growth potential.
Should you buy stock in Nvidia right now?
Before you buy stock in Nvidia, consider this:
The Motley Fool Stock Advisor analyst team just identified what they believe are the 10 best stocks for investors to buy now… and Nvidia wasn’t one of them. The 10 stocks that made the cut could produce monster returns in the coming years.
Consider when Netflix made this list on December 17, 2004... if you invested $1,000 at the time of our recommendation, you’d have $377,990!* Or when Nvidia made this list on April 15, 2005... if you invested $1,000 at the time of our recommendation, you’d have $1,269,518!*
Now, it’s worth noting Stock Advisor’s total average return is 896% — a market-crushing outperformance compared to 206% for the S&P 500. Don't miss the latest top 10 list, available with Stock Advisor, and join an investing community built by individual investors for individual investors.
Harsh Chauhan has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has positions in and recommends Nvidia. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.
The views and opinions expressed herein are the views and opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of Nasdaq, Inc.

Prediction: Nvidia Stock Hasn't Peaked. It Is Going to $500 by 2029

It doesn't matter your age or experience: taking full advantage of the stock market and investing with confidence are common goals for all investors. Luckily, Zacks Premium offers several different ways to do both.
The research service features daily updates of the Zacks Rank and Zacks Industry Rank, full access to the Zacks #1 Rank List, Equity Research reports, and Premium stock screens, all of which will help you become a smarter, more confident investor.
Zacks Premium also includes the Zacks Style Scores.
What are the Zacks Style Scores?
The Zacks Style Scores is a unique set of guidelines that rates stocks based on three popular investing types, and were developed as complementary indicators for the Zacks Rank. This combination helps investors choose securities with the highest chances of beating the market over the next 30 days.
Each stock is assigned a rating of A, B, C, D, or F based on their value, growth, and momentum characteristics. Just like in school, an A is better than a B, a B is better than a C, and so on -- that means the better the score, the better chance the stock will outperform.
The Style Scores are broken down into four categories:
Value Score
Value investors love finding good stocks at good prices, especially before the broader market catches on to a stock's true value. Utilizing ratios like P/E, PEG, Price/Sales, Price/Cash Flow, and many other multiples, the Value Style Score identifies the most attractive and most discounted stocks.
Growth Score
Growth investors, on the other hand, are more concerned with a company's financial strength and health, and its future outlook. The Growth Style Score examines things like projected and historic earnings, sales, and cash flow to find stocks that will experience sustainable growth over time.
Momentum Score
Momentum traders and investors live by the saying "the trend is your friend." This investing style is all about taking advantage of upward or downward trends in a stock's price or earnings outlook. Employing factors like one-week price change and the monthly percentage change in earnings estimates, the Momentum Style Score can indicate favorable times to build a position in high-momentum stocks.
VGM Score
What if you like to use all three types of investing? The VGM Score is a combination of all Style Scores, making it one of the most comprehensive indicators to use with the Zacks Rank. It rates each stock on their combined weighted styles, which helps narrow down the companies with the most attractive value, best growth forecast, and most promising momentum.
How Style Scores Work with the Zacks Rank
A proprietary stock-rating model, the Zacks Rank utilizes the power of earnings estimate revisions, or changes to a company's earnings outlook, to help investors create a successful portfolio.
It's highly successful, with #1 (Strong Buy) stocks producing an unmatched +23.94% average annual return since 1988. That's more than double the S&P 500. But because of the large number of stocks we rate, there are over 200 companies with a Strong Buy rank, plus another 600 with a #2 (Buy) rank, on any given day.
But it can feel overwhelming to pick the right stocks for you and your investing goals with over 800 top-rated stocks to choose from.
That's where the Style Scores come in.
You want to make sure you're buying stocks with the highest likelihood of success, and to do that, you'll need to pick stocks with a Zacks Rank #1 or #2 that also have Style Scores of A or B. If you like a stock that only has a #3 (Hold) rank, it should also have Scores of A or B to guarantee as much upside potential as possible.
Since the Scores were created to work together with the Zacks Rank, the direction of a stock's earnings estimate revisions should be a key factor when choosing which stocks to buy.
A stock with a #4 (Sell) or #5 (Strong Sell) rating, for instance, even one with Scores of A and B, will still have a declining earnings forecast, and a greater chance its share price will fall too.
Thus, the more stocks you own with a #1 or #2 Rank and Scores of A or B, the better.
Stock to Watch: Morgan Stanley (MS)
Founded in 1935 and incorporated under the laws of the State of Delaware in 1981, Morgan Stanley is the leading financial services holding company headquartered in New York. With 82,944 employees as of June 30, 2026, the company serves a diversified group of clients and customers, including corporations, governments, financial institutions and individuals, through offices across 41 countries.
MS is a #3 (Hold) on the Zacks Rank, with a VGM Score of B.
Momentum investors should take note of this Finance stock. MS has a Momentum Style Score of A, and shares are up 1.2% over the past four weeks.
Eight analysts revised their earnings estimate upwards in the last 60 days for fiscal 2026. The Zacks Consensus Estimate has increased $0.83 to $12.68 per share. MS boasts an average earnings surprise of +19.4%.
With a solid Zacks Rank and top-tier Momentum and VGM Style Scores, MS should be on investors' short list.
Research Chief Names "Single Best Pick to Double"
From thousands of stocks, 5 Zacks experts each have chosen their favorite to skyrocket +100% or more in months to come. From those 5, Director of Research Sheraz Mian hand-picks one to have the most explosive upside of all.
This company targets millennial and Gen Z audiences, generating nearly $1 billion in revenue last quarter alone. A recent pullback makes now an ideal time to jump aboard. Of course, all our elite picks aren’t winners but this one could far surpass earlier Zacks’ Stocks Set to Double like Nano-X Imaging which shot up +129.6% in little more than 9 months.
Free: See Our Top Stock And 4 Runners Up
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The views and opinions expressed herein are the views and opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of Nasdaq, Inc.

Why Morgan Stanley (MS) is a Top Momentum Stock for the Long-Term

(RTTNews) - Morgan Stanley (MS), Morgan Stanley Investment Management, through investment funds managed by Morgan Stanley Infrastructure Partners, on Monday agreed to acquire Epic Energy Ltd. (EPIC.BO), an Australian gas pipeline operator.
The financial terms of the transaction were not disclosed.
The transaction is expected to close in the second half of 2026.
Morgan Stanley Infrastructure Partners said the acquisition expands its portfolio of essential infrastructure assets with long-term strategic importance and resilient cash flows backed by longstanding customer relationships.
Epic Energy owns and operates the Moomba to Adelaide Pipeline System, a more than 50-year-old gas pipeline network connecting gas resources in northern Australia to Adelaide.
MAPS is one of only two pipeline systems serving Adelaide and supplies power generation, industrial and utility customers across South Australia.
Epic Energy closed trading 3.48% higher at INR 35.40 on the Bombay Stock Exchange.
In the pre-market trading, Morgan Stanley is 1.18% higher at $217 on the New York Stock Exchange.
The views and opinions expressed herein are the views and opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of Nasdaq, Inc.

Morgan Stanley Infrastructure Partners To Acquire Australia's Epic Energy

Key Points
The strong memory demand and the ongoing supply shortage point toward red-hot earnings growth for both Micron and Sandisk.
Investors have an easy choice to make if they are looking to buy one of these two memory stocks right now.
Micron Technology (NASDAQ: MU) and Sandisk (NASDAQ: SNDK) have recorded stunning gains on the stock market over the past year, primarily due to the favorable conditions in the memory market, where demand is substantially outpacing supply.
While Micron stock has jumped 728% during this period, Sandisk's gains are even more phenomenal at over 3,200%. However, both memory stocks have pulled back significantly. Shares of Micron are down by 24% over the past month, while Sandisk has taken a bigger hit by sliding 38%.
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However, the pullback in these stocks seems like a solid buying opportunity for investors. But if you had to choose one of these semiconductor stocks for your portfolio right now, which one should you be buying? Let's find out.
Sandisk and Micron's incredible growth is sustainable
Sandisk and Micron's earnings and revenue have increased at an exponential pace in recent quarters. This is primarily due to the artificial intelligence (AI)-fueled demand for memory chips in data centers. Morgan Stanley notes that memory chip prices have jumped by 6x over the past year, as demand has significantly exceeded supply.
The investment bank also points out that the memory supply crunch won't ease anytime soon despite new capacity additions. Memory manufacturer SK Hynix corroborated Morgan Stanley's concerns earlier this month, pointing out that memory demand will outstrip supply beyond 2030. So, it won't be surprising to see the strong pricing environment that's supporting Sandisk and Micron's remarkable growth continuing.
Even better, both companies are setting themselves up for durable long-term growth, as evidenced by the long-term agreements they are signing with customers. Micron, for instance, noted on the Juneearnings callthat it has signed 16 strategic customer agreements (SCAs), which have significantly increased its remaining performance obligations (RPO).
Specifically, Micron had $5 billion in RPO at the end of fiscal Q3, which ended in May. However, its RPO ballooned to $100 billion by the end of June, as customers scrambled to secure long-term memory supply. That number is likely to have increased further this month, as the company recently announced that it has signed SCAs with multiple companies serving the automotive industry.
RPO refers to the total value of contracts a company has to fulfill at the end of a period. So, Micron's improving revenue pipeline should allow the company to sustain its red-hot growth momentum and exceed analysts' expectations over the long run.
Similarly, Sandisk is also entering into multi-year supply agreements with customers as a part of its new business model. It signed five such agreements in the first four months of the year. Three of those agreements were worth a minimum revenue commitment of $42 billion, while it didn't disclose the value of the other two deals.
These agreements could significantly lift Sandisk's growth over the long run, considering that it has generated $13.2 billion in revenue over the past year. Not surprisingly, even Sandisk's revenue is projected to jump substantially from the recently concluded fiscal year's level of $19.8 billion.
Should you buy Sandisk or Micron, or both?
The strong top-line growth that Sandisk and Micron are poised to deliver should ideally translate into robust bottom-line growth as well, as the supply crunch should ensure prices remain favorable for both companies. Not surprisingly, analysts are forecasting a significant uptick in their earnings over the long run.
What's worth noting is that both these semiconductor stocks have really attractive forward earnings multiples.
The S&P 500 index, for some perspective, has a forward earnings multiple of 21.5. So, both are value stocks, as their forward price-to-earnings ratios are below the S&P 500's despite their red-hot growth potential.
So, you can't go wrong with either Sandisk or Micron, as both AI stocks are capable of delivering significant long-term upside thanks to favorable memory market dynamics.
Should you buy stock in Micron Technology right now?
Before you buy stock in Micron Technology, consider this:
The Motley Fool Stock Advisor analyst team just identified what they believe are the 10 best stocks for investors to buy now… and Micron Technology wasn’t one of them. The 10 stocks that made the cut could produce monster returns in the coming years.
Consider when Netflix made this list on December 17, 2004... if you invested $1,000 at the time of our recommendation, you’d have $377,990!* Or when Nvidia made this list on April 15, 2005... if you invested $1,000 at the time of our recommendation, you’d have $1,269,518!*
Now, it’s worth noting Stock Advisor’s total average return is 896% — a market-crushing outperformance compared to 206% for the S&P 500. Don't miss the latest top 10 list, available with Stock Advisor, and join an investing community built by individual investors for individual investors.
Harsh Chauhan has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has positions in and recommends Micron Technology. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.
The views and opinions expressed herein are the views and opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of Nasdaq, Inc.

Micron vs. Sandisk: Which Stock Is the Better Buy for the Memory Boom?

Key Points
The ongoing Iran war could negatively impact the S&P 500 in the second half of the year.
However, the continuing conflict should boost Enterprise Products Partners' fortunes.
Volatility has been the name of the game for the stock market so far this year. However, it hasn't prevented the S&P 500 (SNPINDEX: ^GSPC) from chalking up a respectable gain. Some stocks have delivered especially impressive returns.
Enterprise Products Partners LP (NYSE: EPD) is definitely one of them. The pipeline stock has soared more than 20%. Its total return is even better, thanks to a juicy 5.8% distribution yield.
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How will Enterprise Products Partners perform going forward? I'll make the call: the stock will crush the S&P 500 in the second half of 2026. Here's exactly why.
A conflict and a potential catalyst
The ongoing Middle East conflict is my top reason for being bullish on Enterprise Products Partners. Although the U.S. and Iran have attempted several times to forge a peace agreement, the two sides can't seem to fully get on the same page.
While continued hostilities won't be good news for American consumers, they should drive Enterprise Products Partners' unit prices higher. The midstream energy leader is a key player in the export of U.S.-produced oil and gas, with more than 50,000 miles of pipeline. As long as traffic through the Strait of Hormuz is disrupted, the global demand for U.S. fossil fuels will remain strong.
Enterprise is also scheduled to report its second-quarter earnings results on July 30. I view this Q2 update as a potential catalyst for the stock, with the momentum carrying through the rest of the year.
Wall Street is expecting the company to post adjusted earnings of $0.77 per unit, up 22% year over year. With the U.S. continuing to draw from its strategic petroleum reserve to export oil to international markets, my hunch is that Enterprise Products Partners could beat the consensus analyst earnings estimate.
A dissenting view
To be sure, not every Wall Street analyst is as bullish about Enterprise Products Partners as I am. Morgan Stanley (NYSE: MS) recently downgraded the stock to an "underweight" rating (which translates to a sell recommendation) and cut its 12-month price target from $43 to $40.
Should a lasting, peaceful resolution be reached between the U.S. and Iran, Morgan Stanley's pessimistic view could prove right. Importantly, though, Morgan Stanley's price target still reflects modest upside potential for Enterprise Products Partners despite the sell recommendation.
I think the odds are more in favor of the conflict continuing for months than ending soon. My hunch is that the S&P 500 could flounder in the second half of the year, while Enterprise Products Partners will flourish.
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Keith Speights has positions in Enterprise Products Partners. The Motley Fool recommends Enterprise Products Partners. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.
The views and opinions expressed herein are the views and opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of Nasdaq, Inc.

I'm Calling It: Enterprise Products Partners Will Crush the S&P 500 in the Second Half of 2026

Key Points
Independent analyst Mary Johnson recently slashed her 2027 Social Security COLA forecast.
Johnson's move was based on improved inflation numbers in June.
However, the positive inflation news for last month could prove to be only temporary.
Will Social Security beneficiaries receive a smaller "raise" than expected in 2027? If one top expert is right, the answer is "yes."
Last month, independent Social Security and Medicare analyst Mary Johnson projected a Social Security cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) of 4.7% for next year. However, Johnson recently slashed her forecast to 3.7%.
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Her downward revision has ample justification. But it could also be a mistake.
A ceasefire that has ceased
Johnson based her lower Social Security COLA outlook on the June inflation report released by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) on July 14. The Consumer Price Index (CPI) declined from 4.2% the previous month to 3.5% in June. The inflation metric on which the annual COLA is based, the Consumer Price Index for Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers (CPI-W), also rose 3.5% in June.
The June CPI decline was the largest one-month decrease since April 2020, according to the BLS. Johnson noted in a statement, "This is a significant drop in inflation, and one that we've rarely seen in the June CPI data over the past five years."
There's a simple reason behind the drop: the U.S. and Iran entered a ceasefire, which caused oil prices to fall. This resulted in the energy inflation index declining by 5.7% in June, following increases of 3.9% in May, 3.8% in April, and 10.9% in March.
However, the ceasefire that caused the unusual inflation improvement is no longer in effect. Hostilities have resumed between the U.S. and Iran. And oil prices have again risen.
What your 2027 COLA could be
It's possible that Johnson's estimate of a 3.7% COLA next year could prove to be in the ballpark of the actual figure. The Senior Citizens League (TSCL), a nonprofit organization that advocates for seniors, projects a similar COLA of 3.8%.
However, those forecasts could also be overly optimistic. There's a real chance that the conflict between the U.S. and Iran could continue for months.
Importantly, the increase in oil prices hasn't been as significant as it could have been. Both the U.S. and China have dipped into their strategic reserves for different reasons. The U.S. has increased exports, while China has used its stockpile internally.
But such artificial support of oil prices can only be sustained temporarily. Morgan Stanley (NYSE: MS) commodities analyst Martijn Rats believes that the U.S. could feel the pressure to stop using its strategic reserve sooner than China will.
If the U.S. and/or China reach the point where they can no longer draw down their reserves, oil prices would likely soar -- and so would inflation. We could very well see an actual 2027 Social Security COLA close to Johnson's previous projection of 4.7% in this scenario, which would reflect the highest increase in four years.
The waiting game
To be sure, any COLA forecasts are premature for now. We won't know the actual Social Security benefits increase until mid-October, after the September inflation data is available. That's because the Social Security Administration uses only third-quarter CPI-W numbers in its annual COLA calculation.
However, the COLA could be higher -- and perhaps much higher -- than Johnson's current projection of 3.7%. July and August are peak months for the summer driving season, when gasoline prices often exert significant upward pressure on inflation metrics. With a resumption in hostilities by the U.S. and Iran, gasoline prices could remain elevated through the rest of the summer.
Johnson, TSCL, and any other prognosticators could soon find themselves having to revise their Social Security COLA estimates upward. Meanwhile, the 75 million Americans whose January benefits depend on what happens next find themselves in the midst of a waiting game.
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Keith Speights has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.
The views and opinions expressed herein are the views and opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of Nasdaq, Inc.

Indicator	TTM Median
P/E	20.62 13.42
Price/Sales	4.92 2.20
P/B	3.12 1.24
P/FCF	0.00 10.90

Indicator	TTM Median
ROE	15.62 10.93
ROA	1.22 1.25
ROI	3.83 7.66
Net Worth	358.81 1.04
Quick Ratio	0.00 1.37
Current Ratio	0.77 0.98

Indicator	TTM Median
Net Profit Margin	23.82 17.42
Operating Margin	31.87 24.33
Gross Margin	93.59 71.15
Return on tangible equity	19.62 12.73

Indicator	TTM Median
EPS	3.46 0.71
EPS Forecast	2.89 0.72
Revenue	20.58B 89.00M
Gross Profit	19.32B —
EBITDA	7.73B —

Morgan Stanley

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