OT: Stock and Investment Thread

[T2Kplus20]

Some ideas for 2026:

All J.P. Morgan's top stock picks for 2026

J.P. Morgan identifies specific traits that define their Best Ideas for 2026.

These companies typically possess:

• Strong Financial Health: Robust balance sheets and strong free cash flow generation.
• Pricing Power: The ability to maintain margins and pricing leverage.
• Secular Growth Exposure: Direct ties to major trends like AI, data centers, and infrastructure.
• Operational Excellence: Management teams that execute well on efficiency and capital allocation, often leading innovation or benefitting from industry consolidation.
• Regulatory Alignment: Positioned to benefit from current policy or regulatory tailwinds.

Dominant Investment Themes for 2026

The report highlights three major thematic drivers for the upcoming year:

• AI & Data Center Expansion: Continued secular growth driven by artificial intelligence and the physical build-out of data centers.
• Infrastructure & Electrification: Tailwinds from necessary upgrades to power grids and physical infrastructure.
• Quality & Resilience: A shift toward "quality growth"—companies that can withstand macro and cyclical uncertainty.

Strategic Focus for Investors

• Be Selective: Maintain selectivity in the face of macroeconomic and regulatory uncertainty.
• Watch Capital Actions: Look for M&A activity and capital returns (dividends/buybacks) as key performance drivers.

 

[T2Kplus20]

LIST PART 1:

The top picks, all rated Overweight, with price targets:

1. Allstate (ALL) OW $260.00
2. Alphabet (GOOG) OW $385.00
3. Alphabet Inc. (GOOGL) OW $385.00
4. Amicus Therapeutics (FOLD) OW $19.00
5. Arista (ANET) OW $175.00
6. AT&T (T) OW $33.00
7. AutoZone, Inc. (AZO) OW $4,100.00
8. Avery Dennison (AVY) OW $195.00
9. Boeing Company (BA) OW $240.00
10. Boston Scientific Corporation (BSX) OW $135.00
11. Bright Horizons (BFAM) OW $160.00
12. Broadcom Inc (AVGO) OW $475.00
13. Canadian Pacific Kansas City (CP.TO) OW C$124.00
14. Carvana (CVNA) OW $490.00
15. Caterpillar Inc. (CAT) OW $730.00
16. CBRE Group, Inc (CBRE) OW $196.00
17. Celsius Holdings (CELH) OW $68.00
18. Charles Schwab (SCHW) OW $121.00
19. Citigroup Inc. (C) OW $124.00
20. Commercial Metals Company (CMC) OW $78.00
21. CRH Plc (CRH) OW $135.00
22. CVS Health (CVS) OW $101.00
23. Dana Inc (DAN) OW $28.00
24. Devon Energy (DVN) OW $44.00
25. Digital Realty Trust (DLR) OW $210.00
26. Disney (DIS) OW $138.00
27. DraftKings Inc. (DKNG) OW $42.00
28. Eli Lilly & Company (LLY) OW $1,150.00
29. Entergy Corp. (ETR) OW $108.00
30. Exxon Mobil Corp (XOM) OW $124.00

 

[T2Kplus20]

LIST PART 2 (due to ON3 posting limits):

1. GE Vernova (GEV) OW $1,000.00
2. Globe Life Inc (GL) OW $180.00
3. Guidewire Software (GWRE) OW $300.00
4. KLA Corporation (KLAC) OW $1,485.00
5. LendingClub Corp (LC) OW $25.00
6. McCormick & Co., Inc. (MKC) OW $79.00
7. Mohawk Industries (MHK) OW $152.00
8. Palo Alto Networks (PANW) OW $235.00
9. PPG Industries (PPG) OW $117.00
10. Ralph Lauren Corporation (RL) OW $430.00
11. Revolution Medicines (RVMD) OW $92.00
12. Roku (ROKU) OW $125.00
13. Salesforce Inc (CRM) OW $365.00
14. SLB (SLB) OW $43.00
15. Starbucks (SBUX) OW $95.00
16. Synopsys Inc (SNPS) OW $650.00
17. The Williams Companies, Inc. (WMB) OW $73.00
18. Thermo Fisher Scientific (TMO) OW $675.00
19. TPG RE Finance Trust (TRTX) OW $10.50
20. TransUnion (TRU) OW $107.00
21. United Airlines Holdings Inc (UAL) OW $156.00
22. Valley National Bancorp (VLY) OW $14.50
23. Valmont Industries (VMI) OW $480.00
24. Vertiv (VRT) OW $230.00
25. Viking Holdings (VIK) OW $74.00
26. Visa Inc. (V) OW $430.00
27. Xenon Pharmaceuticals (XENE) OW $60.00

 

[Bueller]

You are right, but $80 was where I felt good about selling stuff I've been sitting on since childhood. It's on the rise today, currently at $75.75. So I would have been pissed if I sold yesterday.

Silver has a glorious path ahead. Reliable experts predicted this time last year that silver would be around $75 at this time. Now they predict silver to hit around 130 by late spring and 150 by summer - 200 not long after that.

Unlike Hunt Bros gambit or various crashes, the rise in silver is not due to some singular oddity. Banks and others kept silver sandboxed manipulating "paper silver." Paper silver (no delivery and easy manipulation) is dying. Its said every 1 oz of silver has 350 contracts tied to it, That's a reason City of London is 6 weeks behind in delivery (it was usually one day). But under current times physical silver is where its at and that's the demand. City of London /LBMA controlling precious metals is probably over

China needs gobs of silver for batteries, panels, EVS et . When silver hit $80 Chinese were paying $90+ to make sure they had what they needed, They are buying raw ore to process themselves and get under the market price China used to encourage its people to hoard gold and silver but they have reversed that.

A couple of Chase precious metals brokers were convicted of manipulation even before the current runaway market. Paper silver wont cut it anymore. Between BRICS buying and industrial uses (AI data centers, EVs etc) silver is rising on its own. There will be fluctuations but different from stocks and gold. Good article about silver paper manip. Currently silver is being pushed by sober observers as a once in a lifetime "cant miss." $80 is nothing.

The Mechanics of Silver Price Suppression​

Learn how bullion banks like JP Morgan and UBS slam silver lower almost daily to suppress its price—and why it's likely to break free from the manipulation soon.​

The Mechanics of Silver Price Suppression

Learn how bullion banks like JP Morgan and UBS slam silver lower almost daily to suppress its price—and why it's likely to break free from the manipulation soon.

thebubblebubble.substack.com

 

[T2Kplus20]

Silver has a glorious path ahead. Reliable experts predicted this time last year that silver would be around $75 at this time. Now they predict silver to hit around 130 by late spring and 150 by summer - $200 not long after that.

Unlike Hunt Bros gambit or various crashes, the rise in silver is not due to some singular oddity. Banks and others kept silver sandboxed manipulating "paper silver." Paper silver (no delivery and easy manipulation) is dying. Its said every 1 oz of silver has 350 contracts tied to it, That's a reason City of London is 6 weeks behind in delivery (it was usually one day). But under current times physical silver is where its at and that's the demand. City of London controlling precious metals is probably over

China needs gobs of silver for batteries, panels, EVS et . When silver hit $80 Chinese were paying $90+ to make sure they had what they needed, They are buying raw ore to process themselves and get under the market price China used to encourage its people to hoard gold and silver but they have reversed that.

A couple of Chase precious metals brokers were convicted of manipulation even before the current runaway market. Paper silver wont cut it anymore. Between BRICS buying and industrial uses (AI data centers, EVs etc) silver is rising on its own. There will be fluctuations but different from stocks and gold. Good article about silver paper manip. Currently silver is being pushed by sober observers as a once in a lifetime "cant miss." $80 is nothing.

The Mechanics of Silver Price Suppression​

Learn how bullion banks like JP Morgan and UBS slam silver lower almost daily to suppress its price—and why it's likely to break free from the manipulation soon.​

The Mechanics of Silver Price Suppression

Learn how bullion banks like JP Morgan and UBS slam silver lower almost daily to suppress its price—and why it's likely to break free from the manipulation soon.

thebubblebubble.substack.com

So, buy the dip?
I have a blast trading GLD/gold futures, but haven't jumped into silver yet.

 

[rurahrah000]

Silver went back down today, but gold only with a modest pullback. Any thoughts for the start of 2026? Lots of folks talking about a software rally (MSFT, CRM, NOW, ADBE). I bought CRM calls today. Also have a few energy and turnaround plays (all leaps).

Otherwise, bought more SOUN for below $10 and continue to add to my long-hold custom stock basket.

People always have a desire to go after the losers from the previous years and software is a prime example of that. I am not sure if It is going to work next year. Of the ones you listed, MSFT, SOUN and maybe CRWD are the only ones I would consider. Next year will be tough to determine winners. I am going to wait until I have a clearer picture of the landscape.

 

[RU05]

Silver went back down today, but gold only with a modest pullback. Any thoughts for the start of 2026? Lots of folks talking about a software rally (MSFT, CRM, NOW, ADBE). I bought CRM calls today. Also have a few energy and turnaround plays (all leaps).

Otherwise, bought more SOUN for below $10 and continue to add to my long-hold custom stock basket.

I Bought ADBE.

DIS, and MSDL as well.

 

[RUAldo]

People always have a desire to go after the losers from the previous years and software is a prime example of that. I am not sure if It is going to work next year. Of the ones you listed, MSFT, SOUN and maybe CRWD are the only ones I would consider. Next year will be tough to determine winners. I am going to wait until I have a clearer picture of the landscape.

I hear a lot of analysts pumping software for 2026 but whenever I look at stocks like CRM, ADBE, NOW, etc. it’s hard to understand what products are going to fuel their growth especially when corporations/customers are chasing so many AI plays and competition in the space will be brutal. CRWD seems like the best of the bunch.

I’ve owned Alphabet for 15 years and think it could have another monster year unless the Gov’t harasses them or they go on a spending spree. Bought Apple this week. I’ve gotten that one wrong many times but 2026 seems to be the year they get AI done.

 

[RUAldo]

I Bought ADBE.

DIS, and MSDL as well.

I’ve gotten ADBE wrong in the past. What makes their digital media products special at this point? Seems like almost everything they sell can be replicated or has competition. Seems their moat has largely disappeared.

 

[RU05]

I’ve gotten ADBE wrong in the past. What makes their digital media products special at this point? Seems like almost everything they sell can be replicated or has competition. Seems their moat has largely disappeared.

Their growth has continued throughout the stock downturn. The hope is concerns of AI impinging on their business are overblown. So far that has been the case.

 

[T2Kplus20]

I Bought ADBE.

DIS, and MSDL as well.

My calls:
SLB, XLE, and XOM (all Jan 2027)
CRM also Jan 2027
SBUX and NKE are my turnaround plays (Jan 2028).

I own NOW but haven’t bought ADBE just yet. I keep eyeing DIS as well, which might become a nice turnaround play under the new CEO later this year.

FYI, this is a weekly show focused on technicals and questions from the chat. The last one was really good:

 

[T2Kplus20]

I hear a lot of analysts pumping software for 2026 but whenever I look at stocks like CRM, ADBE, NOW, etc. it’s hard to understand what products are going to fuel their growth especially when corporations/customers are chasing so many AI plays and competition in the space will be brutal. CRWD seems like the best of the bunch.

I’ve owned Alphabet for 15 years and think it could have another monster year unless the Gov’t harasses them or they go on a spending spree. Bought Apple this week. I’ve gotten that one wrong many times but 2026 seems to be the year they get AI done.

CRM has already broken out from a technical POV. Software might “regress to the mean” and catch up with tech. CRM has a great earnings report and the business is doing well. 2025 was rough due to sentiment which can change on a dime. Nobody ever knows what will happen, but I’ll make a play and take a swing.

Love GOOGL and AAPL this year! Speculation on a big partnership announcement with Gemini becoming Apple’s AI engine for upcoming iPhone applications. That would launch both stocks.

 

[T2Kplus20]

People always have a desire to go after the losers from the previous years and software is a prime example of that. I am not sure if It is going to work next year. Of the ones you listed, MSFT, SOUN and maybe CRWD are the only ones I would consider. Next year will be tough to determine winners. I am going to wait until I have a clearer picture of the landscape.

Own all three and been adding to MSFT and SOUN. $495 looks like an important level for MSFT. Once exceeded, might quickly rally to a new high. Maybe short term calls with MSFU?

 

[Jtung230]

Was up 14.9% this year. 8% cash 16% fixed come and 76% equities.

For 2026, will try to reduce equities to 70% and lower beta on equities.

 

[T2Kplus20]

Was up 14.9% this year. 8% cash 16% fixed come and 76% equities.

For 2026, will try to reduce equities to 70% and lower beta on equities.

Doing my calculations this morning. Been tracking to about 20% overall with my personal stock account nicely higher.

The big question is whether I should include my GLD futures trading? That was by far my most successful activities in 2025. I did this in COIN so it’s tricky to figure out a return.

 

[RUAldo]

CRM has already broken out from a technical POV. Software might “regress to the mean” and catch up with tech. CRM has a great earnings report and the business is doing well. 2025 was rough due to sentiment which can change on a dime. Nobody ever knows what will happen, but I’ll make a play and take a swing.

Love GOOGL and AAPL this year! Speculation on a big partnership announcement with Gemini becoming Apple’s AI engine for upcoming iPhone applications. That would launch both stocks.

Gemini is crazy impressive and Google offers best of all worlds…both search and AI right at your fingertips in one place with no subscription fees or BS.

 

[Rutgers Chris]

Gemini is crazy impressive and Google offers best of all worlds…both search and AI right at your fingertips in one place with no subscription fees or BS.

My 15 year old uses Gemini often, shows how well they’ve finally found a way to imbed it in search/phones already. I made the switch from ChatGPT to Gemini myself after continued hallucination issues with ChatGPT

 

[Postman_1]

 

[T2Kplus20]

Looking at that list I have one question:

WTF is Western Digital?

 

[T2Kplus20]

My 15 year old uses Gemini often, shows how well they’ve finally found a way to imbed it in search/phones already. I made the switch from ChatGPT to Gemini myself after continued hallucination issues with ChatGPT

Gemini 3 is awesome, but we all need to remember that the Blackwell models haven't been released yet. The current ChatGPT is still based on the Hopper chips (H200). The transition to Blackwell was monumental and took over 12 months. The next ChatGPT version might make Gemini 3 look like Netscape.

Check out the Blackwell portion of this interview (starting at the 5 min mark). Interesting thoughts on Elon/xAI:

 

[Postman_1]

Looking at that list I have one question:

WTF is Western Digital?

Lol, similar to Sandisk, computer hard drives etc.. I had no idea them two were having such a good year. I used to work in IT sales and always remember selling there stuff.
Another one on the list is Howmet. I worked at the one in Dover NJ off Rt 10 several times. They make metal products at that location, the last time I was there was inn 2022. I remember looking up the stock then and it was in the 40's. They have certainly done well.

 

[T2Kplus20]

Energy blowing up today! Software not so much.

 

[RU05]

Energy blowing up today! Software not so much.

Back in the green on DVN and SLB.

Added a little bit to ADBE.

 

[T2Kplus20]

Back in the green on DVN and SLB.

Added a little bit to ADBE.

XLE, XOM, and SLB calls all looking good for me! Down 15% with my CRM calls right off the bat. LOL! Haven't pulled the trigger on ADBE yet.....but at this price, I probably should.

 

[RUAldo]

XLE, XOM, and SLB calls all looking good for me! Down 15% with my CRM calls right off the bat. LOL! Haven't pulled the trigger on ADBE yet.....but at this price, I probably should.

Google and Microsoft will eventually crush some of these software companies like ADBE. Will I need ADBE Creative Cloud when I’ll be able to ask Gemini to take my five favorite photos and create a new logo for my business? Eventually only the Gov’t will be able to stop Mag 7 from all out domination.

 

[T2Kplus20]

Google and Microsoft will eventually crush some of these software companies like ADBE. Will I need ADBE Creative Cloud when I’ll be able to ask Gemini to take my five favorite photos and create a new logo for my business? Eventually only the Gov’t will be able to stop Mag 7 from all out domination.

That’s the sentiment going against ADBE right now, but I’m not sure the reality will be that cut and dry. Regardless, sentiment is a powerful thing and might rule the day.

 

[Bueller]

So, buy the dip?
I have a blast trading GLD/gold futures, but haven't jumped into silver yet.

Dips are good and so are "lulls" these days. Last time I bought silver it was at 60 last Nov and I wondered if I should have waited but that would have been a mistake. I was buying gold to keep in the 90s when it was around 5-600/oz. I never had much interest in silver but a couple of years ago it was clear that at some point silver would start to go up behind the gold rise (historically they match up relatively). Then the usual silver market tamps/slams stopped working and the markets responded. The US and China are working to kick the stool out from under LME. Bessant is a gangster that way.

Silver is very sensitive to industry and politics and there's a lot going on with the BRICS and muscular politics. If there is the predicted recession this year silver might feel some reduced demand for a bit. But many of the old chains are still off and not going back. Opening new silver mines wont help because it takes 10 years to show payoffs (and silver is a byproduct of mining for other metals like copper). Junk silver has been harder to sell currently (backlog choking refiners who melt)y but that's ok for your cheaper SHTF stash. Treasury and Fed both like higher metals prices.

I buy to keep and for metals news I like Vince Lanci (trader and prof at UConn) who is on Youtube a lot

"While technical diagnostics flag instability risks, they do not invalidate the broader structural case for silver. Healthy corrections remain possible, but model signals alone do not justify a call for trend exhaustion."

Is Silver in a Bubble?​

Is Silver in a Bubble? | Scottsdale Mint

Not until it hits $140 Is Silver in a Bubble? Framing the Question The question of whether silver is in a speculative bubble has re-emerged following its

www.scottsdalemint.com

I like Tom Luongo (an academic who teams up with Lanci) for his obscenity laced comments because he thinks around corners. He's been saying the people calling for US to leave NATO might be being steered by Euro NATO who are like lunatics these days and would like US out of their hair. UK/NATO have been threatening to dump US treasuries (over 2 trillion worth). That might be a pub threat but highlights growing tensions between long running allies. EU is tipping on the edge of the abyss and has a vibe of desperation. Everything is so tossed-up a lot of experts are saying its hard to anticipate whats going on and that's good for metals

2:20 in

https://rumble.com/v73r1yo-hold-on-flipping-the-strategic-chessboard-in-2026-tom-luongo-tfl1728.html?e9s=src_v1_clr%2Csrc_v1_ucp_a

​

 

[Bueller]

Lol, similar to Sandisk, computer hard drives etc.. I had no idea them two were having such a good year. I used to work in IT sales and always remember selling there stuff.
Another one on the list is Howmet. I worked at the one in Dover NJ off Rt 10 several times. They make metal products at that location, the last time I was there was inn 2022. I remember looking up the stock then and it was in the 40's. They have certainly done well.

Western Digital always made the best hard disk drives (spinners) and they are still popular for enterprise sector because spinners are bigger (capacity) and cheaper than SSDs. They can also be safer because SSDs can be wiped by electrical outages. A spinner is mechanical and can break but they work well in RAID (arrays) storage. With the AI thing its no surprise spinners are selling so well. Samsung recently said they will be diminishing enthusiast SSD market to focus on enterprise

 

[T2Kplus20]

Food for thought:

7 Stocks That Could Win Bigly from a US friendly Venezuela

Energy Sector

• ConocoPhillips (COP) Loss: In 2007, the Venezuelan government expropriated ConocoPhillips' significant stakes in the Hamaca and Petrozuata heavy crude oil projects after the company refused to agree to new terms that gave the state majority control. The company has spent over a decade fighting for compensation. Potential Gain: A friendly government could facilitate the payment of outstanding arbitration awards. ConocoPhillips has won awards totaling over $10 billion (including interest) from international tribunals (ICSID and ICC), most of which remains unpaid. A new administration could also offer the company a pathway to re-enter the country's vast oil fields under favorable terms to settle these debts.
• ExxonMobil (XOM) Loss: Similar to ConocoPhillips, ExxonMobil's assets in the Cerro Negro project were seized in 2007 after it rejected the government's demand to cede control to the state oil company, PDVSA. The company wrote off hundreds of millions in assets and has been locked in legal battles for compensation. Potential Gain: ExxonMobil has an outstanding arbitration award of approximately $1 billion (a portion of a larger claim that was reduced). A US-aligned government would likely prioritize settling these international legal obligations to restore investor confidence, providing a direct cash infusion to the company.
• Chevron (CVX) Loss: Unlike its peers, Chevron chose to stay in Venezuela, accepting minority stakes in joint ventures with PDVSA. However, it has suffered from operational restrictions, corruption, crumbling infrastructure, and the inability to repatriate profits. It is owed billions in unpaid debts by PDVSA. Potential Gain: Chevron is the only major US oil company still operating on the ground. A regime change would likely lift sanctions and operational restrictions, allowing Chevron to ramp up production, export freely to the US, and finally collect the billions in debt it is owed by the state oil company.
• The Williams Companies (WMB) Loss: The energy infrastructure company had its gas compression assets seized by the government. It initiated arbitration to recover the value of these investments. Potential Gain: Williams has an unpaid arbitration award recognized by US courts. A friendly government would be expected to honor these debts as part of a restructuring of Venezuela's external obligations.

Industrial & Consumer Goods

• O-I Glass (formerly Owens-Illinois) (OI) Loss: In 2010, Hugo Chavez ordered the expropriation of Owens-Illinois' two glass manufacturing plants in Venezuela, accusing the company of exploiting workers and damaging the environment. The company was the largest glass container supplier in the country at the time. Potential Gain: An international tribunal ordered Venezuela to pay over $370 million (plus interest) in compensation for the unlawful seizure. A new government would likely negotiate the payment of this award or potentially offer the return of the facilities to attract foreign manufacturing investment back to the country.
• The Clorox Company (CLX) Loss: Clorox exited Venezuela in 2014, shutting down its operations after the government imposed price controls that forced it to sell products at a loss. In response, the Maduro government seized the company's production facilities and turned them over to workers. Potential Gain: While Clorox wrote off the assets years ago, a US-friendly government could offer compensation for the seized factories or invite the company to reclaim its facilities and re-enter the market without the threat of price controls, tapping into a consumer base starved for basic household goods.
• Kimberly-Clark (KMB) Loss: In 2016, the Venezuelan government seized Kimberly-Clark's factories after the company halted operations due to the inability to obtain raw materials and high inflation. The regime took over the production of diapers and tissues. Potential Gain: Similar to Clorox, Kimberly-Clark could receive compensation for its seized assets or the opportunity to reclaim its production facilities to serve a market with severe shortages of personal care products.

 

[RUAldo]

Food for thought:

7 Stocks That Could Win Bigly from a US friendly Venezuela

Energy Sector

• ConocoPhillips (COP) Loss: In 2007, the Venezuelan government expropriated ConocoPhillips' significant stakes in the Hamaca and Petrozuata heavy crude oil projects after the company refused to agree to new terms that gave the state majority control. The company has spent over a decade fighting for compensation. Potential Gain: A friendly government could facilitate the payment of outstanding arbitration awards. ConocoPhillips has won awards totaling over $10 billion (including interest) from international tribunals (ICSID and ICC), most of which remains unpaid. A new administration could also offer the company a pathway to re-enter the country's vast oil fields under favorable terms to settle these debts.
• ExxonMobil (XOM) Loss: Similar to ConocoPhillips, ExxonMobil's assets in the Cerro Negro project were seized in 2007 after it rejected the government's demand to cede control to the state oil company, PDVSA. The company wrote off hundreds of millions in assets and has been locked in legal battles for compensation. Potential Gain: ExxonMobil has an outstanding arbitration award of approximately $1 billion (a portion of a larger claim that was reduced). A US-aligned government would likely prioritize settling these international legal obligations to restore investor confidence, providing a direct cash infusion to the company.
• Chevron (CVX) Loss: Unlike its peers, Chevron chose to stay in Venezuela, accepting minority stakes in joint ventures with PDVSA. However, it has suffered from operational restrictions, corruption, crumbling infrastructure, and the inability to repatriate profits. It is owed billions in unpaid debts by PDVSA. Potential Gain: Chevron is the only major US oil company still operating on the ground. A regime change would likely lift sanctions and operational restrictions, allowing Chevron to ramp up production, export freely to the US, and finally collect the billions in debt it is owed by the state oil company.
• The Williams Companies (WMB) Loss: The energy infrastructure company had its gas compression assets seized by the government. It initiated arbitration to recover the value of these investments. Potential Gain: Williams has an unpaid arbitration award recognized by US courts. A friendly government would be expected to honor these debts as part of a restructuring of Venezuela's external obligations.

Industrial & Consumer Goods

• O-I Glass (formerly Owens-Illinois) (OI) Loss: In 2010, Hugo Chavez ordered the expropriation of Owens-Illinois' two glass manufacturing plants in Venezuela, accusing the company of exploiting workers and damaging the environment. The company was the largest glass container supplier in the country at the time. Potential Gain: An international tribunal ordered Venezuela to pay over $370 million (plus interest) in compensation for the unlawful seizure. A new government would likely negotiate the payment of this award or potentially offer the return of the facilities to attract foreign manufacturing investment back to the country.
• The Clorox Company (CLX) Loss: Clorox exited Venezuela in 2014, shutting down its operations after the government imposed price controls that forced it to sell products at a loss. In response, the Maduro government seized the company's production facilities and turned them over to workers. Potential Gain: While Clorox wrote off the assets years ago, a US-friendly government could offer compensation for the seized factories or invite the company to reclaim its facilities and re-enter the market without the threat of price controls, tapping into a consumer base starved for basic household goods.
• Kimberly-Clark (KMB) Loss: In 2016, the Venezuelan government seized Kimberly-Clark's factories after the company halted operations due to the inability to obtain raw materials and high inflation. The regime took over the production of diapers and tissues. Potential Gain: Similar to Clorox, Kimberly-Clark could receive compensation for its seized assets or the opportunity to reclaim its production facilities to serve a market with severe shortages of personal care products.

I’m starting to think Venezuela could be a gold play. Legit gold and rare earth minerals that have been limited by the corrupt Gov’t. I believe Barrick tried and failed to get in on the action. Any of the goldbugs here have an opinion on starting a position in Barrick GOLD at this point?

 

[rurahrah000]

I’m starting to think Venezuela could be a gold play. Legit gold and rare earth minerals that have been limited by the corrupt Gov’t. I believe Barrick tried and failed to get in on the action. Any of the goldbugs here have an opinion on starting a position in Barrick GOLD at this point?

With all these possible wars… but PLTR and maybe BBAI

 

[Rutgers Chris]

This made me laugh @RUAldo

 

[T2Kplus20]

This made me laugh @RUAldo

So buy more NKE?

 

[T2Kplus20]

With all these possible wars… but PLTR and maybe BBAI

Obviously, that makes a lot of sense. Also, as of now, oil is pretty much unchanged.

 

[RUAldo]

This made me laugh @RUAldo

LOL…what can I say I don’t get the NKE brand strategy but then again the stock seems to indicate it’s not just me! I’ve asked my teenage kids (both serious athletes) about Jordan and Jumpman when I had NKE on my list and he/it meant nothing to them. As far as their top dogs LeBron…Curry…Jokic.

I should have bought ONON at $35 in November! I may revisit.

Kind of leaning towards Barrick this week. Also considering Corning since copper prices may push fiber especially as part of data center build-outs.

 

[Bueller]

I’m starting to think Venezuela could be a gold play. Legit gold and rare earth minerals that have been limited by the corrupt Gov’t. I believe Barrick tried and failed to get in on the action. Any of the goldbugs here have an opinion on starting a position in Barrick GOLD at this point?

James Rickards said he expects gold to hit 10K this year and silver $200. Rickards wrote "Currency Wars" and advisor to the CIA, Pentagon, White House, and Treasury on national security and global finance. His work with the intelligence community has involved using computers and data analysis, particularly related to financial threats and war games,

Jim Rickards SHOCKS: Gold to $10,000 by 2026 & Silver to $200 – “It's Just Getting Started”​

Silver vaults are described as "stressed" and silver as "a bubble" but its really like a suppressed beachball breaching the surface after artificial suppression for decades. "Stressed" vaults are better described as "empty" and institutions who owe "paper silver" will still have to pay investors in lieu of silver. Silver markets flipping from paper to physical as prices rise with no end in sight. Silver will dip but its not going back to the 20s. Some feel this situation could really unspool as it goes through systems. Takes over 0-12 years to mine more. Samsung has new battery teach that uses silver (best conductor).

Are Seeing the Scouring of Global Markets to Secure Physical Silver

 

[T2Kplus20]

James Rickards said he expects gold to hit 10K this year and silver $200. Rickards wrote "Currency Wars" and advisor to the CIA, Pentagon, White House, and Treasury on national security and global finance. His work with the intelligence community has involved using computers and data analysis, particularly related to financial threats and war games,

Jim Rickards SHOCKS: Gold to $10,000 by 2026 & Silver to $200 – “It's Just Getting Started”​

Silver vaults are described as "stressed" and silver as "a bubble" but its really like a suppressed beachball breaching the surface after artificial suppression for decades. "Stressed" vaults are better described as "empty" and institutions who owe "paper silver" will still have to pay investors in lieu of silver. Silver markets flipping from paper to physical as prices rise with no end in sight. Silver will dip but its not going back to the 20s. Some feel this situation could really unspool as it goes through systems. Takes over 0-12 years to mine more. Samsung has new battery teach that uses silver (best conductor).

Are Seeing the Scouring of Global Markets to Secure Physical Silver

Not sure about specific price levels/targets, but there is a massive macro tailwind pushing precious metals higher. I played gold and platinum all last year and I'm expanding my metals exposure for 2026. Great stuff!

 

[Rutgers Chris]

LOL…what can I say I don’t get the NKE brand strategy but then again the stock seems to indicate it’s not just me! I’ve asked my teenage kids (both serious athletes) about Jordan and Jumpman when I had NKE on my list and he/it meant nothing to them. As far as their top dogs LeBron…Curry…Jokic.

I should have bought ONON at $35 in November! I may revisit.

Kind of leaning towards Barrick this week. Also considering Corning since copper prices may push fiber especially as part of data center build-outs.

Their marketing seems to be working

 

[Bueller]

Not sure about specific price levels/targets, but there is a massive macro tailwind pushing precious metals higher. I played gold and platinum all last year and I'm expanding my metals exposure for 2026. Great stuff!

January is known as a month that can be unsteady in metals, Some metals have to be sold off by law. Its also "a thing" to sell higher priced silver to move the money into gold.

Ed Dowd (10 years at BlackRock) is also citing 10k gold. The higher the price the less dramatic a 10% rise is (10% of $1000 vs 10% of $5000). $200 silver is the tame estimate going around. China biggest refiner and they are keeping it all (no export). Countries are buying the mines. Also lots of resentment for UK regulation/manipulation of commodity markets when they don't produce much.

Dowd.

"Gold has fundamentally shifted from a speculative trade to a tier-one monetary asset following the global implementation of Basel III ‘Endgame’ banking rules earlier this year, setting the stage for a long-term move to $10,000 an ounce, according to Edward Dowd.

Dowd, a founding partner of Phinance Technologies and former BlackRock portfolio manager, told Kitco News that the yellow metal is now repricing the end of the "global sovereign debt bubble."

However, Dowd warned investors not to chase prices during speculative "blow-off" tops. He cautioned that if a liquidity crisis or "Lehman type moment" hits global markets in 2026, gold could initially be sold off alongside equities.

"If gold were to go down 20, 30, 40 percent, I'd be buying it hand over fist," Dowd said. "I think gold is something you just want to continually stack when it pulls back."

Edward Dowd: Gold ‘became money again’ under Basel III, charts point to $10,000

The Kitco News Team brings you the latest news, videos, analysis and opinions regarding Precious Metals, Crypto, Mining, World Markets and Global Economy.

www.kitco.com

Andy Schectman and Adam Taggert are Steady Eddies who don't blow smoke but they understand all the massive changes taking place. Schectman (metals dealer and friend of Steve Cohen) also warns about January but to hold on and things settle by mid Feb. The "big money" is surging into metals while MSM is mostly quiet about it (for now)

 

[T2Kplus20]

Outstanding advice:
However, Dowd warned investors not to chase prices during speculative "blow-off" tops. He cautioned that if a liquidity crisis or "Lehman type moment" hits global markets in 2026, gold could initially be sold off alongside equities.

"If gold were to go down 20, 30, 40 percent, I'd be buying it hand over fist," Dowd said. "I think gold is something you just want to continually stack when it pulls back."

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BTW, are you a former poster with a new username? Regardless, keep posting in this thread. Really appreciate the insights.