$GOOG (+2,17 %)
$META (+1,22 %)
https://www.reuters.com/business/meta-signs-over-10-billion-cloud-deal-with-google-source-says-2025-08-21/?utm_source=chatgpt.com

I genuinely hope something happens in the next few days, otherwise I’ll have to give my thoughts on the entire S&P 500. These daily posts were supposed to include a macro story, plus a buy/sell or addition to the watchlist – not just that exclusively. Yeah, didn’t really work out that way.

Though, I assume that after tomorrow’s speech by Jerome Powell, we’ll finally have a new topic.

FICO ( $FICO (+2,94 %)
) – The King of Credit Scores

FICO might not be as well known as the stars of the market like Nvidia or Microsoft, but it’s just as important for keeping the system running. Roughly 90% of top U.S. lenders use the company’s credit scores when making lending decisions. That’s an incredible moat: banks, credit card issuers, and mortgage providers are effectively locked into FICO’s system.

What makes FICO so compelling is that it combines two strengths. First, its legacy scoring model, which is almost impossible to displace. Second, its growing analytics/software segment, which helps financial institutions with risk management and fraud detection. This second part of the business is often overlooked but has strong growth potential, especially as AI reshapes how banks evaluate customers and manage risk.

The company doesn’t grow like a high-flying tech stock, but it delivers steady, predictable earnings with pricing power – and that’s gold in today’s market.

The main concern, of course, is valuation. Even after the recent selloff, FICO trades at a forward P/E north of 50. And the drawdown didn’t happen in a vacuum. Management’s aggressive pricing strategies drew the attention of regulators – an unforced error. Still, when you consider the irreplaceable role FICO plays, the premium is at least somewhat justified.

For me, it’s not a buy right now. But if we ever move closer to $1000 a share, or a forward P/E of 30, I’d reconsider. For the moment, I’m quite content with my Equifax position, which operates in an adjacent space.

Meta ( $META (+1,22 %)
) – Not Just Facebook Anymore

What started out of a Harvard dorm room has turned into one of the most dominant success stories in social media. Mark Zuckerberg – the nerd turned free speech warrior – made this rise possible. His vision, together with a strong team, led to several highly successful acquisitions that were integrated seamlessly.

The two crown jewels of the “Metaverse,” WhatsApp and Instagram, weren’t built by Zuckerberg himself. They were bought. And today, they stand among the most successful acquisitions in business history. Very few companies can point to such a track record. Facebook – the company that began the journey – is pretty much dead now. Even among seniors, it isn’t what it once was. But that doesn’t matter much anymore, because Meta has become so much more.

Of course, the company has faced plenty of criticism over the years: scandals, regulatory pressure, and the huge bet on the metaverse. That last one even caused the stock to collapse so far in 2022 that not even Tom Lee could have stayed bullish. But it rebounded. The strategy paid off. And Meta now reports one record quarter after the next. Hands down, this is one of the best-managed and widest-moat companies worldwide.

There is no world where WhatsApp or Instagram are replaced. New challengers like TikTok haven’t dented Meta’s dominance. If anything, the platforms are more entrenched than ever.

Recently, the company has made headlines by hiring away the competition. Meta offered packages worth $100 million to the crème de la crème of AI engineers, poaching talent from top firms – including OpenAI. Zuckerberg is building an All-Star team. Let’s see what they can deliver.

I’m extremely bullish on the company, though after such a strong run I’d expect a pullback. If that happens, I’ll be the first to start building up a position again.

$NVDA (+0,78 %)
$MSFT (-0,35 %)
$EFX (+2,36 %)
$LYPS (+0,6 %)
$CSPX (+0,5 %)
$VUSA (+0,49 %)

🇺🇸 USA

$SPX500 slightly down (~–0.3%)

$DJ30 modestly higher

Tech snapshot:

• $NVDA (+0,78 %) ~USD 175.40 (–0.14%)

•$AVGO (+0,59 %) ~USD 291.17 (–1.28%)

🇪🇺 Europe

Markets cautious ahead of Powell’s Jackson Hole speech

$EUSTX50 futures ~–0.4%

$GER40 futures ~–0.3%

Selected Stocks:

• $RR. (-0,08 %) (Rolls-Royce) ~1,035 GBp (+0.9%)

•$LDO (-0,13 %) (Leonardo S.p.A.) ~€46.65 (+4.0%)

•$GOOGL (+2,32 %) (Alphabet) ~USD 168.20 (+0.5%)

•$META (+1,22 %) (Meta Platforms) ~USD 562.70 (+0.7%)

•$NVDA (+0,78 %) A (NVIDIA) ~USD 175.40 (–0.14%)

• $AVGO (+0,59 %) ~USD 291.17 (–1.28%)

🌏 Asia

Nikkei –0.6% — $JPN225

KOSPI +0.7%, Australia at record highs

China & Hong Kong flat

💱 Forex

$965275 (+1,03 %) EUR/USD ~1.163 — $EURUSD (USD steady pre-Powell)

🥇 Gold (ETF GLD)

$GLD (+0 %) ~ $304.80 (–0.2%) — gold softer, Jackson Hole in focus

🛢 Oil

$WTI ~ $79.50 (+0.8%) — boosted by lower US inventories

💰 Crypto

$BTC (-1,06 %) ~113,735 (–0.1%)

$ETH (-2,11 %) ~4,294 (+1.7%)

$TRX (-1,21 %) ~0.354 (+1.4%)

🔎 Crypto Insight:

Bitcoin is stabilizing after testing recent lows, showing resilience above the $110k level. Ethereum rebounded with strength, holding above $4,200, while TRON continues its steady climb, attracting attention for its strong on-chain activity. Overall, crypto sentiment remains cautiously bullish despite broader market volatility.

👉 Follow for daily market insights and updates! - https://www.etoro.com/people/farlys

I am looking to sharpen my knife and trim my portfolio down to only 15 stocks. Which stocks would you suggest I cut/sell and which ones would you put more emphasis on? Let me know in the comments!

Over the years, I’ve sharpened my strategy down to a focused portfolio built on true compounders. Here’s what guides my stock picking:

• High Capital Returns – I only want companies with top-tier ROIC & ROCE, not just “good” but best in class.
• Predictable Growth – earnings and free cash flow need to grow steadily, not in cycles.
• Strong Margins – wide gross margins, healthy operating margins, and high free cash flow conversion.
• Global Megatrends – every holding should profit from long-term, accelerating trends.
• Quality over Quantity – I’d rather own ~20 world-class businesses than chase diversification for its own sake.
• Long-Term Horizon – 5+ years minimum. Buy, hold, and compound.

here’s my current holdings:

$MSFT (-0,35 %)

$META (+1,22 %)

$MA (+0,33 %)

$BRK.B (-0,95 %)

$AMZN (+2,06 %)

$ASML (+1,56 %)

$MSCI (+0,34 %)

$MC (+1,54 %)

$BKNG (-0,77 %)

$SPGI (-0,93 %)

$ADBE (+1,88 %)

$NOVO B (+2,41 %)

$AIR (-0,17 %)

$CDNS (-0,98 %)

$OR (-0,14 %)

$IDXX (+0,97 %)

$EL (+0,18 %)

You have $5,000 to build a portfolio, how are you building it based on these prices:

$1,000 each - $AAPL (+0,28 %)
$TSLA (+5,25 %)
$NVDA (+0,78 %)

$MSFT (-0,35 %)
$META (+1,22 %)

$750 each - $HD (+2,45 %)
$SBUX (-1,09 %)
$LOW (+1,71 %)
$AVGO (+0,59 %)

$COST (-2,24 %)

$500 each - $JNJ (-0,91 %)
$ABBV (-0,99 %)
$CSCO (-0,36 %)
$UNH (+0,36 %)

$KO (-1,66 %)

🟢 $SPX500 – +1.13% Today, All-Time Highs

The S&P 500 is up +1.13% today, smashing fresh all-time highs as softer July CPI data (+2.7% YoY vs 2.8% expected) fuels Fed rate cut hopes for September.

Key Levels: Support 6,350–6,370, Resistance 6,460–6,480.

Momentum: RSI bullish, no extreme overbought signals yet.

🟢 $DJ30 – Blue Chips Powering Higher

The Dow Jones gains in line with the S&P, driven by cyclicals and financials. Price action remains comfortably above major moving averages.

Key Levels: Support 44,150–44,200, Resistance 44,500–44,650.

💡 AI & Big Tech Highlights

• $INTC (+3,61 %) : strong semiconductor rebound with political tailwinds 🖥️⚡
• $META (+1,22 %) , $LRCX (+0,94 %) , $SEA: strong buy signals after solid earnings
• Semiconductor subindex: +3% today — AI momentum remains alive and kicking

🏦 European Banks — Movers Today

• $UCG (-0,07 %) , +4.77% last 7 days — in a strong bullish trend, near yearly highs, riding solid earnings and aggressive buybacks
• $ISP (+0,42 %) — consolidating above key levels, with one of the highest dividend yields in the sector
• $BPE (+0,18 %) — extending recent weeks’ rally, backed by strategic acquisitions and ~7% dividend yield
• $BBVA (+0,57 %) −, H1 2025 net profit up +31% YoY with a sustainable payout and strong international footprint
• $$CE (+0,29 %) — highly capitalized and conservative strategy, appealing for stable yield-focused investors

The European banking sector retains a relative strength profile compared to other cyclicals, supported by resilient earnings, generous dividends, and strategic M&A. UniCredit and BPER stand out for technical momentum, BBVA for earnings growth, and Credem for long-term stability.

📍 My Take

US markets are in full post-CPI rally mode, with S&P 500 and Dow Jones posting strong trends. AI and Big Tech remain the growth engines, while European banks deliver a rare mix of yield, earnings power, and strategic positioning.

Follow my profile (https://www.etoro.com/people/farlys) for clear, data-backed breakdowns on top opportunities — from Wall Street growth leaders to high-yield European financials. 📈🚀💎

$SPX500 $DJ30 $INTC $META $UCG.MI $ISP.MI $BPE.MI $BBVA.MC $CE.MI