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The stock itself, having already appreciated by some 18% in the early weeks of 2026, sits at a curious juncture. Is it, one wonders, a peak already scaled, or merely a stepping stone to further heights? The gain, substantial as it is, follows a prior ascent of 46% in 2025, and, viewed over the longer arc of five years, reveals a staggering increase of 340%. Such relentless upward momentum invariably invites skepticism, a cautious assessment of the foundations upon which this edifice is built.

The stock dipped 5.8% today, which, okay, it could be worse. It actually recovered a bit yesterday after the initial drop. But still. It’s exhausting. It’s like, will anything ever just…go up steadily? Is that too much to ask? I’ve been trying to be a rational investor, you know? Diversify, long-term thinking… but then something like this happens and I just want to sell everything and buy gold bullion and hide it under the mattress.

The big question now, of course, is whether we’re looking at another year of gains, or if we’ve reached peak AI euphoria. Because let’s face it, everything is a bubble until it pops. I’m not saying it will pop, just that I’ve already started mentally preparing my resignation speech.

Nvidia, of course, has already done rather well out of all this. A truly impressive performance, and one that’s left a good many people feeling rather clever. But the AI story is far from over, and there are other players poised to benefit. Two in particular, if you’re inclined to be optimistic, look particularly interesting. They’re not necessarily household names – yet – but they’re worth a closer look, especially if you’re hoping to outperform the S&P 500 in the coming years.

Let us examine this spectacle, for it offers a diverting lesson in the vagaries of commerce and the boundless capacity of mankind to both innovate and, occasionally, to err.

I’ve been watching these AI companies, and it feels a bit like watching a toddler attempt a complex construction project. Lots of enthusiasm, a few impressive blocks stacked, and then, inevitably, a spectacular collapse. Meanwhile, over there, in the beige corner of the market, UPS and Verizon are just…delivering things and making phone calls. It’s almost insulting how stable they are.

Come February the tenth, they’ll be holdin’ a confab to talk over the latest reckonin’ for the fourth quarter. A bit of a showin’ of hands, if you will, to see which way the wind’s blowin’ for the year ahead. The question, then, is this: should a body go and buy a piece of CVS Health before they spill the beans, or is it wiser to sit tight and watch the cards fall?

Everyone agrees Costco’s a solid business. That’s boring. The real question isn’t if it’s good, it’s if it’s still worth the hype. Investors are basically saying, “Impress us. We’ve seen the free samples, now show us the long-term plan.” Here’s what they’re quietly obsessing over – and what I, as someone who actively seeks out companies everyone else is overpaying for, am paying attention to.

To discern the true vessels, those capable of weathering the storms and reaching a lasting prosperity, one must look beyond the surface. Seek out those companies with a unique bearing, a first-mover’s grace, and a valuation rooted in something more substantial than mere hope. Three such contenders present themselves: Nebius, Symbotic, and Strategy. Each, in its way, a seed holding the promise of an extraordinary ascent.