September

TOKYO — President Trump opened his visit to Japan on Monday with greetings from the emperor a day before he meets new Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi, who is banking on building a friendly personal relationship with the U.S. leader to ease trade tensions.

One key to this strategy might lie in an idea floated by Japan’s government to buy a fleet of Ford F-150 trucks, a meaningful gesture that may also be impractical given the narrow streets in Tokyo and other Japanese cities.

It’s an early diplomatic test for Takaichi, the first woman to lead Japan. She took office only last week, and has a tenuous coalition backing her.

Trump instantly bought into the idea of Ford trucks as he flew to Asia aboard Air Force One.

“She has good taste,” Trump told reporters. “That’s a hot truck.”

Japanese Emperor Naruhito welcomed Trump at the Imperial Palace after the president’s arrival, and the two spoke for about 30 minutes. Trump straightened his jacket as he stood next to Naruhito for photos before the two sat across a round table, with flowers in the middle, for their talks.

“A great man!” he said twice while pointing to the emperor. Trump last saw the emperor in 2019, soon after Naruhito ascended the Chrysanthemum Throne, becoming the first foreign dignitary invited to the palace.

Trump and Takaichi spoke over the phone while the president was mid-flight on Saturday. Takaichi stressed her status as a protege of the late Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, a favorite of Trump’s from his first term, and said she praised him for brokering the Gaza ceasefire that led to the return of hostages held by Hamas.

“I thought [Trump] is a very cheerful and fun person,” she said. “He well recognizes me and said he remembers me as a politician whom [former] Prime Minister Abe really cared about,” she said. “And I told the president that I extremely look forward to welcoming him in Tokyo.”

Trump spent Sunday in Malaysia, where he participated in a regional summit, and departed Monday morning for Japan. While on Air Force One on Monday, he said he planned to talk in Tokyo about the “great friendship” between the U.S. and Japan.

Resetting the trade relationship

Beneath the hospitality is the search for a strategy to navigate the increasingly complex trade relationship that Trump shook up earlier this year with tariffs.

Trump wants allies to buy more American goods and also make financial commitments to build factories and energy infrastructure in the U.S.

The meetings in Japan come before Trump’s sit-down with Chinese leader Xi Jinping on Thursday in South Korea.

Both the U.S. and Japan have sought to limit China’s manufacturing ambitions, as the emergence of Chinese electric vehicles, artificial intelligence and advanced computer chips could undermine the American and Japanese economies.

“In light of the planned meeting between Trump and Xi Jinping shortly afterward, Trump may also be considering how he might strengthen his hand by demonstrating the robustness of the U.S.-Japan relationship,” said Kristi Govella, Japan chair at the Center for Strategic and International Studies, a Washington think tank.

Japan’s previous administration agreed in September to invest $550 billion in the U.S., which led Trump to trim a threatened 25% tariff on Japanese goods to 15%. But Japan wants the investments to favor Japanese vendors and contractors.

Japan’s economy and trade minister, Ryosei Akazawa, has said his ministry is compiling a list of projects in computer chips and energy to try to meet the investment target.

“As far as I know, I’m hearing that there are a number of Japanese companies that are showing interest,” he told reporters Friday, though he did not give further details.

Ford trucks in Tokyo would be a powerful symbol

Japanese officials are looking at the possibility of buying more American soybeans, liquefied natural gas and autos. The U.S.-China trade conflict has shut American soybeans out of the Chinese market, leading China to seek more Brazilian supply. China reported no U.S. soybean imports in September, a first since November 2018.

For Trump, the prospect of Ford trucks in the skyscrapered streets of Tokyo would be a win. The administration has long complained that American vehicles were being shut out of a market that is the home of Toyota, Honda, Nissan, Isuzu, Mitsubishi and Subaru. In a September interview on CNBC, Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick said Japan wouldn’t buy U.S.-branded vehicles because “Chevys” were popular with Japanese gangsters.

Takaichi may arrange for Ford F-150 trucks to be showcased in a place Trump gets to see them, Japan’s Nikkei newspaper reported. The government is considering importing the trucks for its transport ministry to use for inspecting roads and infrastructure, though there are concerns that the F-150 could cause congestion on narrow Japanese streets.

“We appreciate President Trump’s advocating for American made products,” Ford spokesperson Dave Tovar said. “We would be excited to introduce America’s best-selling truck to work and government customers in Japan.”

Japanese media have reported that Toyota Motor Corp. Chairman Akio Toyoda could announce plans to import his company’s American-made cars back to Japan during a dinner with Trump and other business leaders on Wednesday.

The gestures — combined with Takaichi’s connection to Abe — should help her deal with Trump, who seems predisposed to like her.

“I think she’s going to be great,” Trump said aboard Air Force One. “She’s a great friend of Mr. Abe, who was a great man.”

In 2016, Abe gave Trump a high-end golf club to celebrate his first election, and the leaders bonded over their love of golf. Trump often expresses sadness about Abe’s 2022 assassination.

But there are risks for Takaichi in emphasizing her ties to Abe, said Rintaro Nishimura, who specializes in Japan at the advisory firm The Asia Group.

“Because it’s Takaichi’s first diplomatic engagement I think she wants to start with sort of a bang,” Nishimura said. “Succeeding the Abe-line rhetoric is definitely going to be part of this engagement, although some also suggest that leaning too heavily on the Abe line might not exactly be good for her for creating her own kind of portfolio, her status as Japan’s leader.”

Following his meeting with Takaichi on Tuesday, Trump will give a speech aboard the USS George Washington aircraft carrier anchored in Japan, then hold a dinner with business leaders. Trump plans to leave for South Korea on Wednesday.

But aboard Air Force One on Monday, he told reporters that he was also ready to meet with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, should that be an option.

“If he wants to meet, I’ll be in South Korea,” Trump said.

Boak and Yamaguchi write for the Associated Press. AP writer Chris Megerian contributed to this report from Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

Rapper Cardi B is willing to get “nasty” when it comes to defending her kids.

Following the release of her second full-length album “Am I the Drama?” in September, the “I Like It” singer publicly feuded with Nicki Minaj. Both rappers’ children were also pulled into the fracas.

In a recent interview with Paper magazine, Cardi B opened up about the combative exchange.

“This week I showed the world that I will get the most nasty about mine. I never had to get that nasty for my kids. But I did, and I really feel like a lioness,” she said. “This has been one of the moments I got tested the most about being a parent.”

The beef between music’s biggest female rappers has been an ongoing saga dating back to 2017. The most recent spat took place on X in late September, when Minaj belittled Cardi B’s record sales. The two proceeded to tear apart each other’s personal and professional lives.

Cardi B called out Minaj for feuding with her on X instead of celebrating her son’s birthday. Minaj called Cardi B’s 7-year-old daughter “ugly,” among other mean-spirited names, and started to question her son’s brain development. The spat ended with Cardi B asking to meet up with Minaj — they have not posted about each other since.

Cardi described her behavior as that of a “mother warrior” and explained the lengths she would go to protect her kin. The 33-year-old performer is currently pregnant with her fourth child, her first with New England Patriots wide receiver Stefon Diggs. The “WAP” performer shares three children — Kulture, Wave and Blossom — with rapper Offset.

“Am I the Drama?” is Cardi B’s first full-length project in seven years. The 23-track album debuted at No. 1 on Billboard 200 and hit platinum 10 days after its initial release. Her debut, “Invasion of Privacy,” earned her a Grammy for rap album in 2019 and made her the first solo female artist to win in that category.

While doing press for her newest LP, Cardi B hasn’t strayed away from talking about parenthood. She told Paper that she aims to instill a hardworking mentality in her children.

“You have to hope that your kids have that work ethic in them, and I just pray that they do,” she said. “I don’t want one of them to feel they’re behind their siblings. You just got to work and not think too much. … Procrastination is what kills you. It’s what slows you. Don’t ask too much questions. Just go and f— do it.”

Shares of used car giant CarMax (KMX -1.11%) plunged 26.9% in September, according to data from S&P Global Market Intelligence, drastically underperforming an otherwise positive month for the markets.

Not only is CarMax not a part of the AI tech stock cohort that saw massive interest in September, but the company also reported earnings during the month, which fell well short of expectations.

Image source: Getty Images.

CarMax reports declines and announces cost cuts

In its second quarter, CarMax reported revenue declines of 6% to $6.59 billion, and an earnings per share decline of 24.7% to $0.64. Both figures missed analysts’ expectations.

Management acknowledged the challenges of the current quarter, but pointed to new initiatives it anticipates will turn things around. The first is a cost-cutting initiative, by which management is seeking $150 million in selling, general, and administrative cost cuts over the next 18 months.

The second is on the marketing front, where CarMax unveiled its new “Wanna Drive?” campaign in August. The “Wanna Drive?” campaign highlights CarMax’s new omnichannel capabilities, a competitive reaction to online-first competitors such as Carvana (CVNA -2.22%) and others.

But while that all may sound promising, CarMax is fighting against an unfavorable macroeconomic environment. Late in September, the Conference Board reported a worse-than-expected decline in consumer confidence, with a reading of 94.2, down from 97.8 in the prior month and well below the 96.0 reading expected by economists.

Automobile purchases are big-ticket items, so consumers may hold off purchases if their confidence in the economy and their future prospects darkens. While the Federal Reserve did commence cutting interest rates in September for the first time in nine months, it likely did so in reaction to a weakening job market and economic outlook, even as inflation remains above its target.

Can CarMax turn it around?

After the September decline, CarMax looks somewhat cheap on the surface, now trading at 14 times this year’s earnings estimates and just 11.8 times next year’s earnings expectations.

It therefore appears CarMax may be a value stock that could be appealing to investors shying away from the high valuations of the AI and technology sector.

Of note, CarMax does have over $16.4 billion in debt, but that debt is backed up by roughly the equivalent amount of CarMax auto finance loans, which CarMax holds on its balance sheet, and from which it generates a positive interest rate spread.

So while CarMax shouldn’t be considered “heavily indebted,” its business is very economically sensitive, in that used cars are big-ticket items, while the auto loan financing business essentially functions like a bank. Overall, CarMax is also a low-margin business, with a net profit margin of just 1.4% last quarter.

So CarMax looks like a cheap stock at the moment, but investors need to bank on a cyclical recovery or stabilization in consumer spending for the stock to deliver on that promise.

Shares of EchoStar (SATS -2.14%) rallied another 23.6% in September, according to data from S&P Global Market Intelligence.

EchoStar’s rally was all the more notable, given that EchoStar had already rallied nearly 90% in the prior month, when it managed to sell a big slug of its wireless spectrum at prices much higher than the market had anticipated.

September saw a repeat occurrence, with EchoStar selling even more of its wireless spectrum assets, bringing in even more cash, as well as shares of Elon Musk’s SpaceX. Management also gave a presentation regarding what it has done with all the cash, as well as its operational plan going forward.

EchoStar unloads more spectrum to SpaceX, with even more to go

Early in September, EchoStar announced it had agreed to sell another $17 billion worth of wireless spectrum to Elon Musk’s SpaceX. That deal followed EchoStar’s blockbuster $23 billion sale of wireless spectrum to AT&T (T 1.02%) in August.

Unlike the all-cash AT&T sale, the SpaceX sale was split between $8.5 billion in cash and $8.5 billion in SpaceX stock. The AT&T sale had essentially been enough to wipe out all of EchoStar’s debt, so a cash infusion wasn’t necessarily needed.

Meanwhile, EchoStar is now a SpaceX shareholder, which, though private, appears to be an exciting growth company that should serve the space economy for decades to come. That may be a refreshing “upside” play for EchoStar shareholders, whose main other businesses are the declining DISH TV satellite TV and broadband, as well as the low-growth Boost Mobile wireless service.

In a mid-month presentation, EchoStar management said that it will immediately pay down $11.4 billion in debt right away, taking out its highest-yielding notes that go up to an 11.75% yield. That should greatly lower the company’s interest expense, while leaving EchoStar with $24.1 billion in cash against just $13.4 billion in debt after the debt paydown. In addition, EchoStar will have its $8.5 billion stake in SpaceX also on the balance sheet.

EchoStar also still had about 45 MHz of spectrum remaining at the end of the month, down from the 140 MHz or so before the AT&T deal. On the last day of September, Bloomberg reported Verizon (VZ -0.01%) was interested in the remaining spectrum still held by EchoStar. That caused another jump in the stock, capping another great month for shareholders.

Image source: Getty Images.

Could EchoStar still be cheap?

EchoStar’s market cap has risen to about $21.6 billion. While that is a lot higher than early in the year, EchoStar now has $10.7 billion in net cash, along with $8.5 billion in SpaceX shares, and some extra spectrum of unknown market value.

That means the remaining “legacy” businesses are only valued at $2.4 billion — even valuing the remaining spectrum at zero. And while the remaining businesses technically are “losing” money, they have made $15.5 billion in revenue over the past 12 months. Meanwhile, the retirement of EchoStar’s debt should relieve lots of interest expense and could also enable lower capital spending.

EchoStar chairman and co-founder Charlie Ergen is a savvy operator, as evidenced by his purchase of wireless spectrum that later turned out to be very valuable. It wouldn’t be crazy to assume that he and his team will create more value going forward with the greater financial flexibility they have to work with today.

Shares of database and cloud giant Oracle (ORCL -0.47%) rallied 24.4% in September, according to data from S&P Global Market Intelligence.

Oracle named two new co-CEOs to succeed current CEO Safra Katz, and the Donald Trump Administration also gave its approval to the general terms for Oracle to acquire part of TikTok U.S., and to also manage the app.

Normally, those would have been fairly consequential events, but they weren’t really the reason for Oracle’s September rise. While the CEO change was significant, Chairman Larry Ellison is still heavily involved in Oracle’s operations and strategy.

Rather, the main event was Oracle’s second quarter earnings call Sept. 9, when the company disclosed an absolutely massive increase in its cloud unit’s remaining performance obligations (RPO). That sent Oracle’s stock up nearly 40% the following day — an astonishing rally for a company of that size — before the stock settled back into a 24.4% gain.

Image source: Getty Images.

Oracle’s RPO goes parabolic

Interestingly, when Oracle reported first fiscal quarter earnings, it missed expectations on both the top and bottom lines, with revenue growing a solid-but-not-spectacular 12.3%.

But of course, it wasn’t the prior quarter but rather the future that got investors incredibly excited. To that end, Oracle recorded a massive 359% increase in its cloud unit’s remaining performance obligations (RPO), which is contracted capacity to be used in future years.

It was subsequently reported the massive growth was due to OpenAI, which signed a $300 billion agreement to rent AI compute capacity from Oracle for five years starting in 2027.

OpenAI is the creator of ChatGPT, the first mover in AI large language models. So while the massive increase in Oracle’s RPO was great to see, some might have been skeptical about where the money-losing OpenAI would find all the cash needed to fulfill the contract.

The question was partially answered later in the month, when Nvidia (NVDA 1.25%) and OpenAI agreed to a long-term funding agreement. Under that agreement, Nvidia will invest up to $100 billion in OpenAI in order to fund 10 gigawatts of data centers, with the first tranche set to come online in late 2026.

So, it appears that Nvidia will help OpenAI pay for its massive new cloud contract with Oracle, which likely alleviated at least some of the potential funding concerns for Oracle’s RPO.

Can the Oracle-OpenAI-Nvidia trio take on the rest of the Magnificent Seven?

The artificial intelligence wars are heating up, with the major cloud computing companies in the Magnificent Seven spending tens of billions or even $100 billion-plus this year to win the AI race, and perhaps even achieve artificial general intelligence.

Coming into the month, Oracle was an AI player, though not one of the biggest as a distant fourth-place cloud provider. OpenAI, the first mover in LLMs, is still a startup, growing fast but still losing billions every year. And while Nvidia dominates in AI GPUs today, all the big clouds are also developing their own custom AI chips.

So these three players, which all have strengths but lack the all-in-one breadth of the leading cloud infrastructure players, appeared to team up in September. It will be very interesting to see if the three-way alliance can outpace the rest of the cloud giants in the AI races, which should get very interesting through the rest of this decade.

Applied Materials (AMAT 2.93%) was among several semiconductor equipment companies to gain last month, as the company, known for making equipment to produce chips and display panels, benefited from several macroeconomic and sector-level news items last month.

While there was no major company-specific news out on Applied Materials last month, the related items were enough to drive the stock up 27%, according to data from S&P Global Market Intelligence.

As you can see from the chart, much of the gains came in the middle of the month.

AMAT data by YCharts

A new semiconductor boom

While the artificial intelligence (AI) boom has propelled stocks like Nvidia to multibagger gains, the semiconductor equipment sector, which operates on a different cycle, has lagged behind due to weaker growth and challenges in areas like China.

However, investors responded positively to news out of the sector last month, indicating that a new spending cycle could be afoot in semiconductor equipment.

First, Applied Materials benefited from the Federal Reserve’s 25-basis point rate cut on Sept. 17, and its forecast for two more cuts over the rest of the year. Semiconductor equipment, such as what Applied Materials sells, tends to be very expensive, so lower rates should make it easier for the company to borrow money so they can buy products from Applied Materials. The stock gained 2.6% that day.

Applied Materials then jumped the following session after Nvidia and Intel announced their partnership. The move helped boost Applied Materials and its semi equipment peers, since Intel is a major fab, and Nvidia’s $5 billion investment into Intel was expected to fuel spending on chip equipment. It also improves Intel’s prospects over the long term. The stock jumped 6.5% that day. Applied Materials is a major supplier for Intel, and even received Intel’s EPIC Supplier Award this year.

Finally, Applied Materials jumped 5.4% on Sept. 22 after it received an upgrade to overweight from Morgan Stanley. The investment bank hiked its wafer fab equipment sales growth forecast from 5% to 10%, seeing increased demand in memory. As a result, it boosted EPS estimates for Applied Materials.

Image source: Getty Images.

What’s next for Applied Materials?

A strong earnings report from Micron toward the end of the month also seemed to boost Applied’s prospects.

Like ASML, Applied Materials’ business strength hasn’t been in question, but cyclical demand is a major factor, as revenue rose just 8% in its most recent quarter.

Still, the news around Intel and broader growth in AI is promising. If that momentum continues, Applied Materials has room to move higher.

Shares of Sezzle (SEZL 0.77%), the high-flying BNPL (buy now, pay later) stock, were pulling back in September as part of a broader retreat among fintech stocks.

Investors sensed a weakening in the credit market as downbeat employment data and a pair of bankruptcies in the auto sector sent Sezzle and a number of its peers lower last month, even as the broad market gained. Sezzle is a recent IPO, and investors have yet to see it go through a full credit cycle. Therefore, it’s not surprising for it to show some sensitivity to rising credit risk.

According to data from S&P Global Market Intelligence, Sezzle stock finished the month down 16%. As you can see from the chart below, the stock was volatile but steady through the first few weeks of the month before sinking toward the end, following the Federal Reserve’s rate cut.

SEZL data by YCharts

Sezzle pulls back again

Sezzle has been a standout performer in the BNPL sector, though the stock is now down more than 50% since its peak in July, as concerns about its ability to maintain its growth rate seem to have taken over.

In addition to worries about rising credit risk on the macro level, one Wall Street analyst weighed in on the stock last month.

TD Cowen initiated coverage of the stock with a hold rating and a price target of $82. Cowen noted the company’s rapid growth, but credited that to the strength of the BNPL sector, and said that the sector is trading in a narrow valuation range. Based on the price target, the analyst expected a pullback in the stock, and Sezzle stock fell 1.6% on Sept. 11, the day the report came out.

Additionally, Shopify asked a judge to dismiss a lawsuit filed against it by Sezzle which alleges that Shopify’s BNPL product is anticompetitive and violates antitrust laws.

That news seemed to contribute to the sell-off at the end of the month as the Fed rate cut and other macro-level news added to worries about rising credit risk.

Image source: Getty Images.

What’s next for Sezzle?

Sezzle continues to grow at breakneck speed, with the company forecasting 60%-65% revenue growth for 2025. However, growth in charge-offs outpaced revenue growth in the second quarter, rising from $8.2 million to $20.3 million. That could be a sign that its customers are having more challenges in paying Sezzle back, but it still seems too early to tell.

While its revenue growth and profitability are impressive, rising delinquency rates would spoil the bull case for the stock.

Even before Micron‘s (MU 2.28%) earnings report on Sept. 23, shares of the memory chip manufacturer had already logged an impressive month-to-date gain. Strong results and guidance ultimately led the stock even higher to close out September. Micron stock gained 40.6% last month, according to data provided by S&P Global Market Intelligence, largely thanks to booming demand for artificial intelligence data centers.

Image source: Getty Images.

Scrambling for AI computing capacity

Two things related to AI are happening within the memory chip market. First, demand for high-bandwidth memory, a special type of dynamic random-access memory critical for AI accelerators, is exploding. Mega-deals involving OpenAI, Oracle, Nvidia, and other tech giants to build massive AI data centers will require equally massive quantities of HBM chips.

Micron sold $2 billion worth of HBM chips in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2025, which ended on Aug. 28, and it’s working on bringing its next-generation HBM4 chips to market. Nearly all of its HBM3 chip supply for calendar 2026 is spoken for, and the company is talking to customers about HBM4 commitments. For the time being, Micron is easily selling every bit of HBM that it can make.

The second development is related to standard DRAM memory chips. While AI data centers also need commodity server DRAM chips, manufacturers including Micron are aggressively prioritizing HBM production. Even with somewhat weak demand for PCs and smartphones, which both require DRAM chips, overall supply is now tight. This situation has pushed up prices, boosting Micron’s bottom line further.

Together, these trends pushed up Micron’s revenue by 46% year over year in the fourth quarter to $11.3 billion. Non-GAAP gross margin expanded by more than 9 percentage points to 45.7%, and adjusted earnings per share more than doubled.

Micron expects both trends to continue into fiscal 2026. The company expects to generate around $12.5 billion in revenue during the first quarter, along with a non-GAAP gross margin of roughly 51.5%. That gross margin is historically high for Micron.

Micron stock looks cheap, but be careful

Based on the average analyst estimate for fiscal 2026 adjusted earnings per share, Micron trades at a price-to-earnings ratio of just above 11. That may look incredibly inexpensive for a company growing so quickly and benefiting so greatly from the AI boom, but investors need to be careful.

The memory chip market is cyclical, and pricing is largely determined by supply and demand. Every single boom, marked by demand outpacing supply, has been followed by a bust. Micron makes a lot of money during booms, but the bottom line can plunge deep into negative territory during severe downturns.

Amazon founder Jeff Bezos called AI a bubble on Friday, joining a chorus of high-profile voices warning of overexuberance. If AI infrastructure is overbuilt, which looks likely given the massive investments being made, demand for memory chips could fall off a cliff once the reckoning arrives. That’s the big risk with Micron stock. Despite how amazing things look right now, a downturn is always coming.

After driving more than 30% higher in August, Chinese electric vehicle (EV) maker Nio (NIO -2.41%) continued powering higher last month. Investors found good news bookmarking September, with the company reporting strong quarterly earnings early in the month, through the end of the month, when Nio posted encouraging September sales.

According to data provided by S&P Global Market Intelligence, shares of Nio rose 19.4% in September.

Image source: Getty Images.

Strong vehicle deliveries was only one of several green flags investors

From the starting line in September, Nio gave investors a reason to cheer. The company reported 31,205 vehicle deliveries for August, a 55.2% year-over-year increase. Nio’s performance was especially impressive considering it grew vehicle deliveries in July a mere 2.5% compared to July 2024.

Further good news came on Sept. 2, when Nio reported second-quarter 2025 financial results. In addition to growing revenue 10% year over year, the company reported a slimmer net loss. Nio posted an adjusted loss per share of $0.25 in Q2 2025 compared to an $0.30 adjusted loss per share in Q2 2024.

Management also charged up investors’ excitement for the EV maker’s stock with an auspicious outlook for the third quarter: vehicle deliveries of 87,000 to 91,000. Should the company achieve this forecast, it will represent a year-over-year increase of 40.7% to 47.1%.

In response to its Q2 2025 financial report, Wall Street grew increasingly bullish on Nio. Mizuho raised its price target on Nio stock to $6 from $3.50, while Bank of America bumped its price target up to $7.10 from $5.

Growing increasingly optimistic about Nio stock’s upside over the ensuing weeks, Bank of America revisited the price target two weeks later and raised it to $7.60. Citigroup took the pole position for the most bullish on Nio stock in September, however; it raised it price target to $8.60 from $8.10, keeping a buy rating on the stock

Is Nio stock a buy now?

While Nio stock was in reverse for the first half of 2025, shares have shifted gears and driven higher in the second half of the year as the company continues to report growth — growth that extended into September. The company recently reported 34,749 vehicles deliveries for September 2025, a year-over-year increase of 64.1% and a new monthly record.

Impressive as the company’s performance may be, the company is still consistently unprofitable, making it an undesirable option for investors looking to mitigate their risk exposure. Fortunately, there are plenty of other EV stocks to consider.

Shares of Lyft (LYFT -2.21%) were moving higher last month after the No. 2 ride-hailing company took some significant steps in offering an autonomous vehicle service with two key partnerships.

Additionally, earlier momentum in the stock seemed to carry over to September as Wall Street’s perception of the business’s prospects has improved. Lyft earned a number of bullish notes and price target hikes last month in response to things like its acquisition of Freenow, improving financials, and innovative products like Lyft Silver.

According to data from S&P Global Market Intelligence, the stock finished the month up 36%. As you can see from the chart below, shares surged in the first half of the month before levelling off later.

LYFT data by YCharts

Lyft is going autonomous

The biggest piece of news on Lyft last month was a new partnership with Alphabet‘s Waymo, the leading autonomous vehicle platform, to launch an autonomous vehicle service in Nashville.

As part of the deal, Waymo will use Lyft’s fleet management service, Flexdrive, to handle vehicle maintenance, infrastructure, depot operations, and related services in Nashville. The service will launch exclusively on the Waymo app in 2026, but is expected to become available through the Lyft app later next year.

Lyft stock jumped 13% on the news on Sept. 17 as partnering with Waymo in Nashville could pave the way to a larger partnership. Shares of rival Uber, which has also teamed up with Waymo, fell on the news, as it shows Waymo is interested in working with both companies.

Earlier in the month, The Wall Street Journal reported that Lyft was teaming up with May Mobility to launch an autonomous vehicle service in Atlanta. May Mobility, a start-up based in Michigan, plans to start its minivan-based autonomous vehicle services with a small number of vehicles in a limited part of the city.

Image source: Lyft.

Can Lyft stock keep gaining?

The gains in September added to what’s already been a banner year for the ridesharing stock, which is up 73% so far this year as I write this.

Lyft is delivering solid growth and improved profitability, and initiatives like Flexdrive seem to have been overlooked by investors thus far. In Nashville, Lyft is building out a custom AV fleet management facility with charging and service capabilities. If it can do that successfully, there could be a long runway of growth in that business, especially if its partnership with Waymo expands.

The company still has a lot of ways it can grow and disrupt the broader transportation market. At a market cap of just $9 billion, there’s still a lot of upside potential for the stock.

Shares of Rigetti Computing (RGTI 18.29%) skyrocketed 83.6% in September, according to data from S&P Global Market Intelligence. Quantum computing stocks generally surged last month, with gains ranging from Quantum Computing‘s 17% jump to D-Wave Quantum‘s 58% spurt, but they couldn’t keep up with Rigetti.

Image source: Getty Images.

Government contracts and quantum orders fueled Rigetti’s recent rise

The stocks mentioned above often move as a group. When one quantum computing expert announces a technology breakthrough, all of them bask in that glory for a while.

September saw some of that effect play out. For example, Rigetti’s stock jumped 14% on Sept. 11, driven by IonQ restructuring its business to meet higher demand from the federal sector.

But Rigetti cooked up most of its own market-moving fuel last month. The flashpoint for a 48% price surge in the third week of September was a three-year contract from the U.S. Air Force Research Laboratory.

Rigetti and Air Force researchers will explore superconducting quantum networking together. This technology seeks to transfer the quantum state of qubit computing units over long distances, resulting in faster and more accurate data transfer.

At the very end of September, Rigetti also posted two purchase orders for its top-of-the-line Novera systems, sparking a single-day stock jump of 16.5%. The upgradable systems should be delivered in the first half of 2026.

The customers in this two-part deal are not arms of the American government. One is an as-yet-unidentified technology manufacturer headquartered in Asia. The other is a California-based start-up in the field of artificial intelligence and applied physics. Both will focus their Rigetti systems on noncommercial tasks such as internal training and hands-on error correction research.

Is Rigetti’s quantum leap worth the risk?

Rigetti’s blossoming sales and contracts are exciting, and the quantum computing industry as a whole is making big strides toward long-term commercial success at the moment. However, the financially sustainable future of the technology is still many years away. And it’s a risky ride.

The two Novera orders boosted Rigetti’s market cap from $9.66 billion to $11.22 billion. That’s a $1.56 billion boost from two sales worth (checks notes) a total of $5.7 million. That’s a lot of investor optimism based on a pair of fairly small contracts.

And that’s not a rare example. Stocks like Rigetti (and IonQ, and D-Wave, and…) often make big moves on tiny bits of news. Investors are looking for the next big thing, hoping to capture huge long-term returns before everyone else gets in on the same secret.

But Rigetti isn’t a secret anymore, and the company still faces huge risks on the road to profitable quantum computing operations. I’m watching this space with trillion-dollar tech titans in my quantum portfolio — not risky early-stage challengers with small revenue streams and huge bottom-line losses.

Shares of AppLovin (APP -3.57%) rose 50.1% in September, according to data from S&P Global Market Intelligence. The climb reflected growing optimism ahead of the company’s Oct. 1 product event, which unveiled a self-serve ads platform aimed at e-commerce and other non-gaming advertisers (the company already has a strong foothold in gaming).

Leading up to the event, a string of bullish analyst actions late in the month bolstered investor sentiment for shares of the advertising technology company. In addition to boosting their price targets for the stock, the analysts expressed optimism for the upcoming expansion of its platform.

Image source: Getty Images.

Expanding its addressable market

Late last month, Wall Street leaned in. Multiple analysts raised price targets and highlighted AppLovin as a top idea, citing strong demand for the company’s next wave of AI-powered ad tools and a broader push beyond gaming advertisers. The anticipation centered on “Axon Ads Manager,” a self-serve portal designed to reduce manual onboarding and open the platform to more e-commerce brands.

That anticipation culminated on Oct. 1, when AppLovin began rolling out Axon Ads Manager on a referral or invitation basis — a timely move aimed at capturing holiday-season budgets and making it easier for non-gaming marketers to buy on the platform. The company also emphasized Axon as the artificial intelligence (AI) engine powering its ad matching.

The setup followed solid summer fundamentals. In early August, AppLovin reported 77% year-over-year top-line growth in the second quarter. In addition, its net income margin expanded from 44% in the year-ago period to 65%, helping its bottom line soar 164% year over year to a substantial $820 million for the quarter.

Looking ahead

After September’s rally, AppLovin now trades at an extremely high valuation. Shares trade at a price-to-earnings multiple of 88 as of this writing. Clearly, there are high expectations for Axon’s adoption, e-commerce penetration, and continued margin expansion for the overall company.

From here, investors should watch three things. First, the Axon Ads Manager rollout pace — particularly how quickly referral-only access broadens and how many non-gaming advertisers start spending meaningfully. Second, investors should focus on fundamentals, looking for sustained revenue and free cash flow growth at high rates throughout the holiday quarter and beyond. Finally, keep an eye out for competitive response across ad tech — especially as rivals court the same e-commerce budgets with their own AI-assisted tools. If the uptake of the new Axon Ads Manager is slower than expected, or the macroeconomic environment prompts markets to tighten ad budgets, shares could underperform; the valuation multiple leaves little room for disappointment.

Shares of SoundHound AI (SOUN 0.31%) rose 23.5% in September 2025, according to data from S&P Global Market Intelligence. It wasn’t a smooth ride for the artificial intelligence (AI) expert, with several big jumps and a couple of painful drops along the way — but it’s hard to complain about a monthly gain of more than 20%.

The meme stock crowd is back in action

Unfortunately, it looks like SoundHound AI is sliding back into the meme stock phenomenon again.

The big swings in September’s stock chart seem more closely correlated to online discussion volumes than to broader stock market trends — and the spikes didn’t really line up with SoundHound AI’s handful of business-related announcements. It’s an “all talk and no action” sort of thing.

I mean, the company isn’t sitting on its hands. Its business moves just aren’t inspiring bullish price moves. Social media posts are doing more of that work.

Let’s look at the three press releases SoundHound AI shared last month:

• On Sept. 4, the company released a custom AI agent for Primary Health Solutions, a regional healthcare network near Cincinnati and Dayton, Ohio. The Denise agent delivers quick answers to common questions, online or over the phone. SoundHound AI’s stock rose 7% that day — not too shabby!

• Sept. 9 saw a 5.4% stock price drop as SoundHound AI acquired Interactions, an agentic AI specialist. This deal should boost the company’s operating profits from the get-go and expand its market reach into new sectors such as retail management and insurance. For what it’s worth, the S&P 500 (^GSPC 0.34%) index rose 0.3% the same day.

• Finally, Red Lobster ordered a systemwide SoundHound AI solution for its phone ordering services on Sept. 23. This announcement should have started a victory march at SoundHound AI’s headquarters, but the stock didn’t move at all on the news. Instead, a 13% price drop followed over the next two market days. The S&P 500 held steady across this period.

The market reaction on Sept. 4 made sense, but I see the opposite effect around the (arguably more significant) announcements that followed.

Image source: Getty Images.

Great company, but the stock valuation is getting silly again

The meme stock action kind of makes sense. I understand that investors are getting excited about SoundHound AI’s high-quality voice controls and related AI tools. I’m convinced that the company has a bright future, and the shares I’ve been holding since the spring of 2024 should serve me well in the long run.

But the recent market action is too optimistic. People are jumping to conclusions, long before SoundHound AI gets a chance to prove its actual market value. On Oct. 1, the stock is up 238% over the last year and 424% in three years. It’s also trading at the nosebleed-inducing valuation of 50 times trailing sales. Profit-based metrics don’t make sense, because the company is deeply unprofitable so far.

So I’m holding on to my existing SoundHound AI shares for the long haul, but I’m not tempted to buy any more at these lofty prices. Check again when this meme-stock rally fades out. It’s too early to ask for stronger sales or positive profit margins.

The U.S. economy will be hampered by the Trump administration’s tariffs in the coming months, which along with interest rate cuts could lead to a “stagflation-lite” scenario of modestly elevated inflation and unemployment, according to the UCLA Anderson Forecast released Wednesday.

The fourth-quarter estimate also predicts that rising layoffs could lead to a recession, and if President Trump is successful in exerting more control over the Federal Reserve, a “full blown stagflation scenario becomes a more significant risk.”

“This forecast is being produced at a time when more extreme scenarios have become increasingly plausible, even though they do not yet represent our baseline outlook,” states the report by Clement Bohr, senior economist at the forecast.

UCLA’s report notes that the labor market “deteriorated notably” in June while inflation pivoted away from a path of “gradual normalization” onto a rising trajectory.

The quarterly forecast does not take into account the government shutdown that began Wednesday that could results in thousands of layoffs, but predicts third-quarter GDP growth will come in at just 1% on a seasonably adjusted basis, and it will weaken further as the full cost of the tariffs takes hold.

It expects growth to recover in the middle of next year and reach 2% by the fourth quarter, remaining there throughout 2027.

Driving the stagflation prediction is an effective tariff rate of about 11%, with the risk of future levies on pharmaceuticals and the potential lack of a resolution of the China trade dispute. The report notes the political pressure on Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell and the decision by the bank to cut the federal funds rate by a quarter point in September. UCLA predicts a similar rate cut this month.

Trump’s “big beautiful” budget reconciliation bill passed in July, which included $703 billion in temporary tax cuts over the next four years starting in 2026, also will provide substantial stimulus. The Consumer Price Index is expected to peak at 3.6% in the first quarter of next year before easing.

However, the economy will be held back by a tightening labor supply caused by retiring baby boomers and restrictive immigration policies. The unemployment rate has crept up to 4.3% and is expected to peak at 4.6% early next year.

Also Wednesday, closely watched ADP Research released figures showed private-sector payrolls decreased by 32,000 in September with job growth slowing across many industries.

The billions of dollars being invested in artificial intelligence by large technology firms has helped prop up the economy, the forecast noted, which should result in productivity gains — but the capital expenditures should tail off as a “trough of disillusionment” sets in when revenue gains don’t meet expectations.

The report also expects consumer consumption to weaken following a surge in electric-vehicle purchases in the third quarter due to the expiration of federal tax credits last month.

Mark Zandi, chief economist at Moody’s Analytics, said if the government shutdown lasts a week or two it won’t have a “meaningful economic impact.” However, if it lasts for a month or more and is accompanied by mass federal layoffs, it would have a profound effect on the economy, Zandi said.

“It would wreak havoc on the financial markets as global markets and investors begin to wonder if we can govern ourselves,” he said. “That would mean higher interest rates and lower stock prices.”

OUR much-loved astrologer Meg sadly died in 2023 but her column will be kept alive by her friend and protégée Maggie Innes.

Read on to see what’s written in the stars for you today. 

♈ ARIES

March 21 to April 20

Your day starts with fresh emotional energy – lean into this and use it well.

You may feel it’s too hard to approach someone special but your chart suggests otherwise.

Plan your words and get started. You have such positive Mars power to transform yourself, so this can speed up a physical goal.

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♉ TAURUS

April 21 to May 21

This is a day for romance.

Do your best to let old grudges go and give your whole heart to a partner at any level of love.

If you’re single, choosing to believe in fate can draw you towards the right person at exactly the right time – but it’s your own natural ability to talk to anyone that will make this new bond stick.

Get all the latest Taurus horoscope news including your weekly and monthly predictions

♊ GEMINI

May 22 to June 21

All the aspects of a family that you adore may have got lost in a long-drawn-out situation.

Mark a change by stepping away from facts and figures and focusing 100 per cent on feelings.

This can include forgiveness, but also a tougher take on the future that refuses to give up more than you should.

Luck wears pale pink.

Get all the latest Gemini horoscope news including your weekly and monthly predictions

♋ CANCER

June 22 to July 22

The moon and Neptune add so many emotions into a deal which you may have been trying to keep purely business-like.

This can be a positive thing when you realise you feel very differently inside to the mask you wear.

Be bold to bring emotions into line. Passion is words-based and so intriguing.

Get all the latest Cancer horoscope news including your weekly and monthly predictions

♌ LEO

July 23 to August 23

The sun’s words are hot, especially at work, and you should try to control them.

There may be one key piece of information that you are missing, but it can be revealed when you bide your time.

As for love, the more trustworthy you show yourself to be, the more a partner can relax and open up to you.

Get all the latest Leo horoscope news including your weekly and monthly predictions

♍ VIRGO

August 24 to September 22

You are the leading love light of the zodiac, but don’t overlook the small things that make a bond special.

It can be tempting to keep looking at tomorrow when today is where you can find your true joy.

Single? Firming up your own sense of who you really are is a key move towards drawing the right love closer.

Get all the latest Virgo horoscope news including your weekly and monthly predictions

♎ LIBRA

September 23 to October 23

The foundations of your chart may tremble a little thanks to the moon and Mars – but this is telling you that they may not be built on solid ground.

Instead of taking promises for granted, get them refreshed.

If you’re single, the match you need may be the complete opposite of who you think you want.

Get all the latest Libra horoscope news including your weekly and monthly predictions

♏ SCORPIO

October 24 to November 22

Your personal boost from Mars is renewed energy to push for outcomes you want, but take a moment to check that these still fit your future profile.

A desire to impress may have changed into a need for inner fulfilment which calls for your attention.

Passion links two people with secret lives.

Get all the latest Scorpio horoscope news including your weekly and monthly predictions

♐ SAGITTARIUS

November 23 to December 21

Simply expecting cash changes to go your way may have worked in the past, but this is a day to depend on judgement rather than luck.

When you see yourself in control, you can see patterns emerge, plus the best ways to put them to work.

Partners may seem opposed but deep down both want the same thing.

Get all the latest Sagittarius horoscope news including your weekly and monthly predictions

♑ CAPRICORN

December 22 to January 20

Turning off your logical mind and switching on your instinctive heart can be a challenge but you are ready to tackle it.

So much may be passing you by that it could be exactly what you need – and allowing yourself to recognise this is such a step forward.

A love journey may seem without direction, but you can find one.

Get all the latest Capricorn horoscope news including your weekly and monthly predictions

2

♒ AQUARIUS

January 21 to February 18

Keeping plans for a big change to yourself is a sound plan, at least at first.

Give yourself space to work out the details and map out a timeline – then when you do share your ideas, you can stay on top of discussions.

Not everyone who loves you may love what you want to do, but your chart is strong in charm.

Get all the latest Aquarius horoscope news including your weekly and monthly predictions

♓ PISCES

February 19 to March 20

You have such a sociable chart, and the introductions that initially seem routine that could carry the biggest long-term impact.

Give everyone you meet your full attention.

If you’re in love, your happy-ever-after zone is strong, and a date can start to firm up.

Single? The One can be an unconventional teacher.

Get all the latest Pisces horoscope news including your weekly and monthly predictions

OUR much-loved astrologer Meg sadly died in 2023 but her column will be kept alive by her friend and protégée Maggie Innes.

Read on to see what’s written in the stars for you today. 

♈ ARIES

March 21 to April 20

A connection of the moon and Mars is unsettling as it can challenge everything you think you know about yourself.

But being braver is your natural state and you can make this a success.

Changes might not work first time, but you can sense their deep Aries potential. At work, Venus helps you pass a test.

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♉ TAURUS

April 21 to May 21

Your long-time love chart is a mix of energy and emotion that can lead to big talks or time-based decisions.

The way you approach new love can surprise everyone – especially you.

It’s a day for Taurus tricks and temptations, so savour every ­second.

An old item destined for the bin can benefit from a fresh look.

Get all the latest Taurus horoscope news including your weekly and monthly predictions

♊ GEMINI

May 22 to June 21

It’s time to be really honest about a work opportunity – and whether you only want it because someone else does.

Trying to separate your thoughts on this is not easy, but this is the day to do it.

In a family, creating distance is not your usual response, but it could work.

Love is hot and happening when you meet “L”.

Get all the latest Gemini horoscope news including your weekly and monthly predictions

♋ CANCER

June 22 to July 22

Prizes can find you when you least expect them. So maybe ask a trusted friend to keep an eye out for you, just for today.

What they choose can be a challenge, but one that chips away at a new set of barriers you’ve put around your future.

The chattiest member of your family could go quiet – check they are OK.

Get all the latest Cancer horoscope news including your weekly and monthly predictions

♌ LEO

July 23 to August 23

Indecision over property can fast turn to action, so make sure all documents and details are in order.

The right address may not be perfect, but you sense it could work for you.

Romantically, you might have to pick between a luxury love that offers everything on a plate or a deeper bond that rewards patience.

Get all the latest Leo horoscope news including your weekly and monthly predictions

♍ VIRGO

August 24 to September 22

A whisper can turn into a shout before you are ready, but this can be the way to get your genuine thoughts expressed or to hear the truth from someone who you sense has been bending or limiting it.

Even if your instincts for silence kick in, try to resist.

The luck factor helps identify key words in a prize sentence.

Get all the latest Virgo horoscope news including your weekly and monthly predictions

♎ LIBRA

September 23 to October 23

If you usually hesitate around money matters, you can seem so decisive today as power planets make you bolder.

But it’s important to take your time and double-check calculations. If you are pushed too hard, push back.

A recent “J” introduction, who may seem unimpressed, can be protecting a heart of passion.

Get all the latest Libra horoscope news including your weekly and monthly predictions

♏ SCORPIO

October 24 to November 22

You are the sign to watch today for outrageous moves and the kind of up-for-it attitude that inspires everyone you meet.

But act only on your own sense of what you need.

Don’t let others jump on your energy bandwagon.

In love? That secret needs to be shared.

Single? The One wears clothes you admire.

Get all the latest Scorpio horoscope news including your weekly and monthly predictions

♐ SAGITTARIUS

November 23 to December 21

You can’t keep secrets at the best of times and today’s planet combinations could make you even less discreet.

If there’s information you must not share, take steps to protect it.

Your own heart, however, is an open book – and meeting a fellow Sagittarius can prove it.

Luck doubles up numbers, letters or colours.

Get all the latest Sagittarius horoscope news including your weekly and monthly predictions

♑ CAPRICORN

December 22 to January 20

It’s not easy to stop offering the advice you assume ­people need, but there’s a wildcard element to your chart today that could make you less tactful than usual.

So weigh your words, spoken or written, and keep them kind.

This includes the way you talk to yourself. Your soulmate shares a music passion.

Get all the latest Capricorn horoscope news including your weekly and monthly predictions

2

♒ AQUARIUS

January 21 to February 18

Do you often see brilliant opportunities, but rarely follow them? Well, not today.

There’s a call to action in your chart that is irresistible, and can find you making major plans by tonight.

In love, this can change your status, maybe even twice.

At work, your ideas can cut through so many levels between you and a boss.

Get all the latest Aquarius horoscope news including your weekly and monthly predictions

♓ PISCES

February 19 to March 20

The way the richness of the sun and the rebellion of Uranus operate in your chart is a lesson in flexibility – that you are ready to lead.

People who never seem to listen ­properly to you can be all ears, while VIP eyes are ready to see what you can do.

In love, instead of running to catch up, you forge ahead and others follow.

Get all the latest Pisces horoscope news including your weekly and monthly predictions

Tech giants continue to announce more capital investment in artificial intelligence (AI) technology. Demand remains strong from large enterprises looking to gain better insights from their data using AI-powered services in the cloud.

Two companies that are benefiting from these trends are Alphabet (GOOG 1.27%) (GOOGL 1.23%) and Amazon (AMZN 0.23%). These companies are in a strong competitive position to bring AI innovation to consumers and enterprises, and better yet, their stocks are reasonably valued relative to their earnings potential.

Image source: Getty Images.

1. Alphabet 

Shares of Alphabet have surged in 2025 as investors begin to recognize Google as an AI juggernaut. Google’s Gemini AI model powers intelligent features across all the company’s services, including Search, Google Cloud, and other apps. With 2 billion people using services like Google Search and Gmail every day, that makes Google one of the top consumer brands profiting from AI.

Google Search is having a strong year, all thanks to AI. Search revenue grew 12% year over year in Q2. New features like AI Overviews and AI Mode are driving more search frequency and new use cases for Search that is fueling more advertising revenue.

On the enterprise side, Google Cloud is seeing tremendous demand for AI services. Businesses are migrating their data to leading cloud platforms to access AI-powered analytics and application-building tools. This drove an impressive 32% year-over-year increase in cloud revenue last quarter, while the segment’s operating profit more than doubled.

AI is also bringing internal improvements to Google’s operations, such as automating more than 30% of its code. This frees up time for Google’s engineers to work on new ideas that can speed up its product development. This has the potential to accelerate its growth over the next decade, which isn’t reflected in the stock’s valuation.

Management plans to spend $85 billion in capital expenditures in 2025, up from the previous estimate of $75 billion. This is to meet the growing demand for cloud and other services, signaling that Google’s future growth is undervalued.

Even after the recent climb, the stock still trades at a forward price-to-earnings (P/E) multiple of 23 based on 2026 estimates. This is attractive for an AI-first company that should deliver double-digit annualized earnings growth over the long term.

2. Amazon

Amazon is another tech juggernaut that would make a solid addition to any investor’s portfolio right now. Its financial results have been solid this year, with improving sales and profitability in its largest business, e-commerce. But Amazon is also the leading cloud services provider, which is raking in billions in annualized revenue for enterprise AI services.

Amazon Web Services (AWS) generates $116 billion in annualized revenue. This represents 18% of the company’s total revenue, but produces most of the company’s profit. While AWS is facing greater competitive pressure from Microsoft Azure and Google Cloud, it continues to sign major deals with global brands. Last quarter, AWS signed new agreements with PepsiCo, Peloton, and Warner Bros. Discovery, among others.

Demand for AI is so great it is stretching AWS’ computing capacity. Specifically, generative AI solutions are experiencing triple-digit year-over-year growth. This means as Amazon invests in bringing more compute capacity online, AWS revenue could accelerate in 2026.

AI is also benefiting Amazon’s e-commerce operations through more intelligent delivery routing, inventory placement, and faster order processing, with more than 1 million robots at its warehouses. This shows a valuable synergy taking shape where AI improves the efficiency of the e-commerce business, while higher revenues from e-commerce help fund more investment in research and development for AI innovation in cloud services.

In many ways, Amazon has become an AI-first business, making it a solid choice for investors looking for a relatively safe business to invest in AI for the long haul.

The stock is trading at a forward P/E of 30 times, using next year’s earnings estimate. This is reasonable for a business that just posted a year-over-year earnings increase of 33%, partly driven by AI-driven cost efficiencies in e-commerce. Analysts expect the company to deliver 17% annualized earnings growth, which could double the stock by 2030.

OUR much-loved astrologer Meg sadly died in 2023 but her column will be kept alive by her friend and protégé Maggie Innes.

Read on to see what’s written in the stars for you today.

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TAURUS

APRIL 21 – MAY 21

🔵 Read our horoscopes live blog for the latest readings

1

You have all the Venus tricks up your love-sleeve to surprise partners with everything from extra pleasure to unexpected proposals.

While your work chart benefits from the sun’s optimism, helping you see past obstacles with grace and generosity.

You can operate so well, even in tough circumstances.

The new moon points to new starts in a family, no matter what.

DESTINY DAYS

Turn back time at work on Tuesday—step back into your old shoes.

Calculate numbers carefully on Wednesday.

Find a way to say “sorry” on Friday.

Horoscope traits

What does your star sign mean for you?

Aries – The best and worst characteristics of the head of the zodiac
Aquarius – The traits you need to know for the air sign
Capricorn – What does this star sign mean for your personality?
Cancer – The key traits for the sign include a keen love of food
Gemini – The traits to be aware of for the sign with a symbol of twins
Leo – The best and worst characteristics of the fire sign
Libra – What does the seventh star sign mean for your personality?
Pisces – The key traits for the sign include an interest in the arts
Sagittarius – The traits you need to know for the fire sign
Scorpio – What does this star sign mean for your personality?
Taurus – The best and worst characteristics of the earth sign
Virgo – The key traits for the sign include loyalty and kindness

LUCKY LINKS

A family who run a business together.

Numbers that link to your own birth date.

A building with a set of very ornate gates.

TAURUS PEACE DAY

On this International Day of Peace, what does true peace mean for you?

You may be tempted to shut yourself away from the world and stay in a bubble of comfort and safety.

This may seem peaceful on the surface, but deep down you do need human connection.

Be more choosy about who and what you allow into your inner sanctum to calm your mind and heart.

Enjoy luxury that doesn’t break the bank, like scented candles and warm baths, and do choose your political and personal battles carefully.

Fabulous is the home of horoscopes, with weekly updates on what’s in store for your star sign as well as daily predictions.

You can also use our series of guides to find out everything from which star sign to hook up with for the steamiest sex to what it’s like to live your life totally by your horoscope.

OUR much-loved astrologer Meg sadly died in 2023 but her column is being kept alive by her friend and protégée Maggie Innes.

Read on to see what’s written in the stars for you today. 

♈ ARIES

March 21 to April 20

Venus and Mars add spice and sensual pleasure to your love and marriage chart.

So if you get the chance to drop everything and be together, this is a great day for it.

If you’re starting the day single, someone you assume is attached could be recently free, so make enquiries. Aries luck links to slot six.

2

♉ TAURUS

April 21 to May 21

You can be funnier and sunnier as the moon and Jupiter unite and make all you say and do extra impactful.

But it’s still important to do your research and only say what you know to be true.

Someone who never seems to play by the rules – yet you can’t seem to dislike – can be the home your heart longs for.

Get all the latest Taurus horoscope news including your weekly and monthly predictions

♊ GEMINI

May 22 to June 21

The moon and sun could signal a split in a family or close group – the key is to avoid taking sides and listen carefully to all points of view.

Someone you usually dismiss could be the one to speak most sense. In love? Try important words in a new order, or at a different time. Single?

A chatty Pisces could charm your heart.

Get all the latest Gemini horoscope news including your weekly and monthly predictions

♋ CANCER

June 22 to July 22

As Jupiter jumps in, you can be so great at selling yourself and your ideas – so even if you feel you’re not ready, this can be a great day to take a key meeting or call.

Hiccups in technology learning may be frustrating, but you can deal with them when you keep cool.

Three initials combined could be a prize finder.

Get all the latest Cancer horoscope news including your weekly and monthly predictions

♌ LEO

July 23 to August 23

Mars has strong feelings today and Venus helps uphold them – so if you need to make a stand, you can.

However persuasive people may be, you know deep down what you think, and why.

This is what you should stick to.

Passion that answers secret questions in your heart is so close, and initial “F” can be a clue.

Get all the latest Leo horoscope news including your weekly and monthly predictions

♍ VIRGO

August 24 to September 22

Maybe the faces around you feel too serious or stuck in their ways, but party planet Jupiter can introduce you to a more fun-loving group.

There may be a travel or study link but, best of all, you all share the same values.

A love intro you consider a hard no could still be the key to unlock your deepest emotions.

Get all the latest Virgo horoscope news including your weekly and monthly predictions

♎ LIBRA

September 23 to October 23

Swapping out serious goals for lighthearted ones can be the theme of your day – and a meeting in a “J” month can be at the heart of this process.

So check back for missed messages or invitations.

Your career chart could feel stagnant due to Saturn’s retrograde, but the chances are there when you let yourself see them.

Get all the latest Libra horoscope news including your weekly and monthly predictions

♏ SCORPIO

October 24 to November 22

Yes, total truth is important, but how far are you willing to go for it?

It’s a day to weigh up a situation and calculate if you should stay or leave.

The answer can be simple when you switch off the stubborn part of your heart.

A stop-start creative or music project can get a boost from someone sharing your initial.

Get all the latest Scorpio horoscope news including your weekly and monthly predictions

♐ SAGITTARIUS

November 23 to December 21

Your spiritual self wants and needs to be heard – try limiting the action and giving yourself a chance to reconnect with the “true you”.

Then you can start to see exactly how to handle a challenging new friend or colleague.

A house with a lot of books can be part of your future – this is somewhere you can really relax.

Get all the latest Sagittarius horoscope news including your weekly and monthly predictions

♑ CAPRICORN

December 22 to January 20

Serious Capricorn zooms in on the nuts and bolts of a contract or deal, and this can leave you stuck in neutral.

But as Jupiter adds optimism and enthusiasm to your approaches, you can start to see the bigger picture, including what, and who, you can let go.

Passion is deep, with a tantalising taste of the unknown.

Get all the latest Capricorn horoscope news including your weekly and monthly predictions

2

♒ AQUARIUS

January 21 to February 18

Finding ways to enjoy fitness may be out of your comfort zone, but it can be done.

Someone who has become a bigger influence in your life can open a door – and while your first response may be negative, it’s worth a chance.

In love, your marriage chart is Venus-led for two more days – don’t waste it!

Get all the latest Aquarius horoscope news including your weekly and monthly predictions

♓ PISCES

February 19 to March 20

Blending business sense with creative ideas may not be your natural approach – but you have skills and support lining up for you.

Your next step could surprise everyone, yet make perfect sense in your mind.

In love? Tackling a health change together can be bonding.

Single? The One is a natural winner.

Get all the latest Pisces horoscope news including your weekly and monthly predictions