NETFLIX KICKS OFF BIG TECH EARNINGS, MARKETS HIT ALL TIME HIGHS | MARKET CLOSE
4 hours agoAmit Kukreja@amitinvesting
YouTube3 hr 17 min
Quick Insights

Strong earnings from Interactive Brokers (IBKR) signal a bullish environment for the entire brokerage sector, making Robinhood (HOOD) an attractive investment ahead of its potential S&P 500 inclusion. Favorable US legislation is providing a major tailwind for crypto, with Ethereum (ETH) seen as a primary beneficiary of new stablecoin clarity. For a highly speculative play on this theme, consider BMNR, an Ethereum treasury stock that saw a significant insider purchase from a prominent analyst. Overseas, Southeast Asian super-app Grab (GRAB) is experiencing a surge in bullish options activity following news that its competitors are being removed from a key market. Finally, momentum traders are watching Rocket Lab (RKLB) after it decisively broke through the key psychological resistance level of $50.

Detailed Analysis

Netflix (NFLX)

  • Netflix reported earnings that beat analyst expectations on both earnings per share (EPS of $7.19 vs. $7.06 expected) and revenue ($11.08B vs. $11.05B expected).
  • The company provided strong future guidance, raising its full-year revenue forecast by $1 billion to a range of $44.8B to $45.2B.
  • Operating margins were a bright spot, expanding by 3% from the previous quarter to 34%.
  • Despite the solid results, the stock reaction was muted, as the market had already priced in a good quarter due to the success of shows like Squid Game.
  • A key disappointment for some investors was the company's decision not to announce a stock split.
  • The host described the earnings as an "air quarter" – not bad enough to sell, but not great enough to aggressively buy at its high valuation.

Takeaways

  • Netflix is executing well, growing revenue and improving profitability. However, with the stock near all-time highs, the bar for a positive surprise was very high.
  • Future growth catalysts to watch are the expansion of its advertising business and its push into live sports. The earnings call focused heavily on these areas.
  • The lack of a stock split removed a potential short-term catalyst. The stock's performance may be range-bound until the next major growth story becomes clearer.

NVIDIA (NVDA)

  • The stock hit a new all-time high of $174.16, pushing its market capitalization to $4.25 trillion.
  • The bullish momentum was fueled by two key factors:
    • Strong earnings from its key supplier, Taiwan Semiconductor (TSM), indicating robust demand for chips.
    • News from OpenAI about new "agentic workflows" (AI agents that can create spreadsheets and PowerPoints), which will require massive amounts of computing power, directly benefiting NVIDIA.
  • The sentiment is that "it all comes back to NVIDIA," reinforcing its position as the primary beneficiary of the AI revolution.

Takeaways

  • NVIDIA remains the undisputed leader in the AI space, and its stock performance is closely tied to the growth of the entire AI ecosystem.
  • Positive news from partners (TSM) or major customers (OpenAI) serves as a direct bullish catalyst for the stock.
  • While trading at all-time highs, the narrative supporting its valuation continues to strengthen with every new AI development that requires more processing power.

Crypto: Bitcoin (BTC), Ethereum (ETH), and XRP

  • The crypto market saw a significant rally, with Bitcoin pushing past $119,000 and Ethereum climbing towards $3,500. XRP also experienced a major move, surging over 12%.
  • The primary catalyst is major legislative progress in the U.S. House. Three pro-crypto bills passed, including the "Genius Act" for stablecoins, which provides much-needed regulatory clarity for the industry.
  • Another bullish development mentioned was a plan from the Trump administration to allow crypto to be included in 401k retirement accounts, which would dramatically increase potential investment inflows.
  • Tom Lee's thesis that the growth of stablecoins will be a massive tailwind for Ethereum was highlighted as a key reason for its outperformance.

Takeaways

  • Regulatory clarity has been the biggest overhang for the crypto market, and recent legislative wins are being viewed as a major de-risking event.
  • The potential for crypto inclusion in 401k plans represents a massive, long-term structural tailwind for the asset class.
  • Ethereum is seen as a key beneficiary of stablecoin regulation, as many stablecoins operate on its network, driving transaction fees (gas fees).

Ethereum Treasury Stocks: BMNR & SBET

  • These companies operate by holding large amounts of Ethereum on their balance sheets, aiming to be the "MicroStrategy of Ethereum."
  • BMNR saw its stock rise after it was disclosed that Fundstrat's Tom Lee, a major Ethereum bull, purchased 4,500 shares at $44—a significant vote of confidence after the stock had already run up 10x.
  • SBET announced a massive $5 billion stock offering to raise cash to buy more Ethereum. While such dilution would typically crush a stock, SBET's price held relatively firm.
  • This resilience suggests that investors in these companies understand and accept the business model: dilute shareholders to acquire more ETH, betting that the long-term appreciation of Ethereum will far outweigh the short-term pain of dilution.

Takeaways

  • These stocks are highly speculative, leveraged plays on the future price of Ethereum. Their performance is directly tied to ETH.
  • The business model is predicated on the belief that Ethereum's value will grow significantly. Investors should be comfortable with continuous share dilution as a core part of the strategy.
  • Insider buying from figures like Tom Lee adds a layer of credibility to the thesis, but the risks remain very high.

Brokerage Stocks: Interactive Brokers (IBKR), Robinhood (HOOD)

  • Interactive Brokers (IBKR) reported a stellar quarter, beating expectations on revenue and earnings, with customer accounts growing 32% year-over-year. The stock jumped over 5% in after-hours trading.
  • The strong results from IBKR are seen as a bullish signal for the entire brokerage sector, especially Robinhood (HOOD).
  • The IBKR CEO expressed extreme optimism, stating he sees "no dark clouds on the horizon" and expects the market rally to continue for years, powered by retail investors.
  • Robinhood (HOOD) closed above $105 and was mentioned as a strong candidate for inclusion in the S&P 500, which would be a major catalyst.

Takeaways

  • The current market environment of high volume and retail engagement is very profitable for brokerage firms.
  • Strong performance from an established leader like IBKR validates the business model and suggests a positive outlook for competitors like HOOD.
  • For Robinhood, the potential for S&P 500 inclusion in September is a key event for investors to watch.

Palantir (PLTR)

  • The stock showed strong momentum, trading as high as $155 during the day.
  • A new deal was announced for "clinical payment invoicing," showcasing the company's expansion into diverse commercial sectors beyond its government roots.
  • A key part of the bullish narrative is Palantir's role in the "reindustrialization of America," using its AI platforms to help bring manufacturing and other industries back to the U.S. at "warp speed."

Takeaways

  • Palantir's growth story is increasingly focused on diversifying its customer base and proving the broad applicability of its AI software.
  • The stock is benefiting from a powerful narrative that positions it as a critical tool for national and economic security.
  • Investors are rewarding the company for its successful expansion into new use cases, leading to strong stock performance.

Grab (GRAB)

  • The stock had a strong day, closing above $5.20.
  • There was a massive surge in bullish options activity. Over 176,000 call options were traded compared to just 17,000 put options.
  • One notable trade was a $134,000 purchase of $10 strike calls expiring in January 2027, indicating a very long-term bullish bet.
  • A positive news catalyst was the Malaysian government kicking out two of Grab's competitors due to fraud, which should increase Grab's market share.

Takeaways

  • Grab is experiencing a significant increase in investor interest and bullish sentiment, reflected in its stock price and options market activity.
  • The combination of positive fundamental news (less competition) and speculative options buying is creating strong upward momentum.
  • The long-dated call buying suggests some investors believe the company has substantial long-term growth potential.

High-Momentum & Speculative Stocks

  • Opendoor (OPEN): Was up as much as 40% in pre-market trading before settling, showing extreme volatility and retail interest.
  • Rocket Lab (RKLB): Gained 7% and broke through the key psychological level of $50, continuing its strong run.
  • Black Sky (BKSY): A cautionary tale. The stock fell 23% after the company announced a $125 million convertible note offering. This is a classic example of a company capitalizing on a recent stock run-up to raise cash at the expense of current shareholders.
  • BitOrigin (BTOG): A company that saw its stock jump 90% after announcing it would raise $500 million to create a Dogecoin treasury. This was widely seen by the hosts as a sign of speculative froth reminiscent of 2021.

Takeaways

  • The market is currently rewarding high-risk, high-growth companies with massive price swings, creating opportunities for momentum traders.
  • However, investors must be aware of the significant risks, especially share dilution. Companies with rapidly rising stock prices often issue new shares to raise capital, which can cause the stock to fall sharply, as seen with Black Sky.
  • The emergence of concepts like a "Dogecoin treasury" signals that extreme speculation is present in pockets of the market, warranting caution.
Video Description
twitter: https://x.com/amitisinvesting 00:00 - Headlines 15:00 - Netflix Earnings 40:00 - IBKR Founder 1:07:55 - Netflix Call 2:00:00 - Kris Joins
About Amit Kukreja

Amit Kukreja

By @amitinvesting

Breaking down stocks, business, tech. Thank you for following along the journey!

NETFLIX KICKS OFF BIG TECH EARNINGS, MARKETS HIT ALL TIME HIGHS | MARKET CLOSE - Amit Kukreja | Kazuha