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SpaceX, a major federal contractor, 'has most likely paid little to no federal income taxes since its founding in 2002.'

SpaceX, a major federal contractor, 'has most likely paid little to no federal income taxes since its founding in 2002.'

The Verge17 hours ago
Posted Aug 15, 2025 at 10:20 PM UTC Follow topics and authors from this story to see more like this in your personalized homepage feed and to receive email updates. Jay Peters Posts from this author will be added to your daily email digest and your homepage feed. See All by Jay Peters
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This Growth Stock Is Up 100% in the Last Year, but Still Down 15% From All-Time Highs: Should You Buy Today?
This Growth Stock Is Up 100% in the Last Year, but Still Down 15% From All-Time Highs: Should You Buy Today?

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This Growth Stock Is Up 100% in the Last Year, but Still Down 15% From All-Time Highs: Should You Buy Today?

Key Points Shopify is growing quickly as it expands its commerce tools around the globe. It keeps adding new tools for customers, such as cryptocurrency payments and artificial intelligence (AI). Even though the business is great, the stock trades at an expensive valuation. 10 stocks we like better than Shopify › Shopify (NASDAQ: SHOP) is still in the middle of its 2021 hangover, as shares are down 15% from all-time highs set during the COVID-19 pandemic stock market bubble. The stock is up over 100% in the last 12 months, but still has not eclipsed previous highs after going through a brutal drawdown in 2022. At the same time, business performance has been rock-solid if not stellar, as management keeps adding new commerce tools and attracting new businesses to join the platform. With Shopify stock still down from all-time highs, should you buy shares in 2025 for your portfolio? Here's what the numbers say. Steady global expansion As a software and payments provider for online businesses, Shopify has grown to dominate the North American market. Now, it is moving internationally. Last quarter, growth in payments volume for its European division was 42%, outpacing overall growth. The company has built up a best-in-class set of tools for entrepreneurs and businesses of all sizes to sell and process payments online. Last quarter, even Starbucks signed a deal with Shopify, which shows the capabilities of the platform for online shopping. Overall revenue grew 31% year over year in the quarter, with strong growth expected for the rest of the year. Profit margins remain strong, with free cash flow margins of 16% in the quarter. This combination of growth and profitability is impressive and the key reason why Shopify's stock has soared in the last 12 months. As more and more businesses sign up for Shopify's software tools and payment processing, the more growth Shopify will achieve. Add new features such as advertising and the Shop Pay application for consumers, and it looks like growth will continue for many years into the future. AI, crypto, and new products Shopify is embracing new technologies as a way to leverage more usage from its business customers. It now has two artificial intelligence (AI) services called Sidekick and Magic that help analyze trends for a business, create content, and marketing products. Providing more value for enterprises will help customers stay entrenched within the Shopify ecosystem, leading to revenue growth and pricing power. What's more, Shopify is now beginning to expand and accept more forms of payment, such as Circle's stablecoin USDC. This should help with cross-border transactions and make it easier for shoppers who want to pay in different ways on Shopify's e-commerce storefronts. It will not only help drive new payment growth (which directly translates to revenue for Shopify), but also adoption of shopping across borders. On the whole, Shopify is building a huge ecosystem of products for businesses trying to sell things online. Its breadth of tools is unmatched in the software world, which is why so many commerce companies are signing deals with them. Expect this growth to continue for many years, as long as product innovation remains top tier. Should you buy Shopify stock? Shopify is a fast-growing business, but that does not necessarily make the stock a buy. Total revenue was $10 billion over the last 12 months. Revenue growth is expected to be over 20% for the rest of 2025. At the same time, 20%-plus growth cannot continue forever, no matter what company you are. On a long-enough timeline, a growth rate significantly above global economic growth would mean absorbing the entire global economy, which is not going to happen (no matter how good Shopify's commerce tools are). Revenue growth will be strong for many years, but it will eventually slow for Shopify. If Shopify's revenue grows at an average rate of 15% for the next five years, it will reach $20 billion in revenue by 2030. With a gross profit margin of 50%, I believe that Shopify can achieve a 20% net income margin once the business matures. This would turn $20 billion in revenue into $4 billion in annual net earnings five years from now. Today, Shopify has a market cap of $187 billion, which would give the stock a forward price-to-earnings ratio (P/E) of 47 based on these earnings growth projections. Despite how good of a business it is, this nosebleed P/E ratio means investors should avoid Shopify stock after its recent 100% run over the last 12 months. Should you invest $1,000 in Shopify right now? Before you buy stock in Shopify, consider this: The Motley Fool Stock Advisor analyst team just identified what they believe are the for investors to buy now… and Shopify wasn't one of them. The 10 stocks that made the cut could produce monster returns in the coming years. Consider when Netflix made this list on December 17, 2004... if you invested $1,000 at the time of our recommendation, you'd have $668,155!* Or when Nvidia made this list on April 15, 2005... if you invested $1,000 at the time of our recommendation, you'd have $1,106,071!* Now, it's worth noting Stock Advisor's total average return is 1,070% — a market-crushing outperformance compared to 184% for the S&P 500. Don't miss out on the latest top 10 list, available when you join Stock Advisor. See the 10 stocks » *Stock Advisor returns as of August 13, 2025 Brett Schafer has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has positions in and recommends Shopify and Starbucks. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This Growth Stock Is Up 100% in the Last Year, but Still Down 15% From All-Time Highs: Should You Buy Today? was originally published by The Motley Fool Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data

The Secret To Life On Mars Could Be Cosmic Rays, According To This New Study
The Secret To Life On Mars Could Be Cosmic Rays, According To This New Study

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The Secret To Life On Mars Could Be Cosmic Rays, According To This New Study

Life on Mars sounds like something from a "Doctor Who" episode. But a study published in the International Journal of Astrobiology challenges the science fiction notion of that idea. The research points out that Mars' atmosphere is thin and the planet lacks a magnetic field, therefore, it is constantly bombarded with powerful radiation from space, specifically, galactic cosmic rays. These high-energy particles come from outside of our solar system and are typically considered destructive as they can damage DNA and harm living cells. However, the publication's research suggests that under the right conditions, this same radiation might help life survive instead of destroying it. Already, Earth hosts a microbe that survives entirely on radiation. Deep in a South African gold mine, scientists discovered an organism that powers its metabolism using radiation-driven chemistry, without any sunlight at all. The research raises the question of whether similar life could be hiding beneath the surface of Mars, where cosmic rays interact with rock and ice in a way that could support life. Read more: What's Happening To Earth Right Now Can't Be Explained By Climate Models How Cosmic Rays Might Support Life On Mars When cosmic rays hit rocks or ice, they set off a chain reaction called radiolysis. This process splits water and other molecules into smaller parts, creating energy-rich compounds like hydrogen and oxidants. These are the kinds of chemicals that simple microbes could use as food. The study introduces a new idea referred to as the radiolytic habitable zone (RHZ). These are regions below the surface where cosmic ray–driven reactions might provide enough energy to support microbial life. Using simulations, the researchers estimated how deep this zone might go on Mars, as well as Jupiter's moon Europa and Saturn's moon Enceladus. The theory is that these RHZs could support simple, radiation-powered life forms in areas that are protected from the harsh surface conditions. However, this idea is still theoretical, so we are not setting up a base on Mars just yet. Researchers acknowledge that the models don't account for how temperature variations might affect underground chemistry, or what kinds of organic molecules can actually form there. Of course, because Earth doesn't get much cosmic ray radiation due to its protective atmosphere and magnetic field, there are no real-world examples of life evolving under these conditions. Where We Might Be Able To Live On Mars If the researchers' theory is right and life powered by cosmic rays does exist on Mars, there are a couple of promising places to look. These are beneath Mars' polar ice caps. The north pole is called Planum Boreum and the south pole is called Planum Australe. These massive ice caps on Mars are mostly made of water ice and a seasonal layer of carbon dioxide ice, also known as dry ice. They offer a unique environment where life might be shielded from the surface radiation while still getting enough cosmic ray exposure underground to fuel radiolytic chemistry. So far, no mission to Mars has explored these polar regions directly. However, future missions are in progress. The European Space Agency's ExoMars mission is set to launch in 2028, and NASA's Mars Life Explorer is planned for the 2030s. These will include drills capable of reaching about six feet below the surface, theoretically deep enough to reach the RHZ and test for possible signs of life. These two future missions, if successful, will be critical in discovering if the theory in the International Journal of Astrobiology has merit. While the idea is intriguing, there is still a long way to go before humans could potentially have their own settlements in other regions of our solar system. Read the original article on BGR. Solve the daily Crossword

Best semiconductor ETFs in 2025: Top chip companies for your portfolio
Best semiconductor ETFs in 2025: Top chip companies for your portfolio

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Best semiconductor ETFs in 2025: Top chip companies for your portfolio

If you're looking to invest in the ongoing rise of semiconductors, then buying a semiconductor exchange-traded fund (ETF) is an easy way to get started without the work of analyzing individual companies. With a semiconductor ETF, you can buy a cross-section of the industry and not have to pick the winners, making it more accessible for non-experts. Plus, an ETF offers the benefits of diversification, reducing your risk compared to investing in individual stocks. Invest in Gold Priority Gold: Up to $15k in Free Silver + Zero Account Fees on Qualifying Purchase Thor Metals Group: Best Overall Gold IRA American Hartford Gold: #1 Precious Metals Dealer in the Nation The semiconductor industry offers huge potential for growth. In particular, the rise of artificial intelligence (AI) is driving huge demand for chips, and semiconductor companies such as Nvidia and Broadcom have surged to become trillion-dollar companies. As AI continues to infiltrate more and more into the marketplace, semiconductor firms are selling the products that make it all possible. Of course, there's a huge range of other daily products that have chips inside, too. So a semiconductor ETF can be a great way to invest in what's likely to be one of the most dynamic sectors of the economy for years, if not decades. And you can buy one of these funds inside a retirement account such as a tax-free Roth IRA and take extra advantage of its benefits. Here are some of the best semiconductor ETFs, their performance and their cost. Overview of the best semiconductor ETFs Fund (ticker) 3-year performance (annualized) 5-year performance (annualized) VanEck Semiconductor ETF (SMH) 35.9% 29.6% Invesco PHLX Semiconductor ETF (SOXQ) 25.4% N/A iShares Semiconductor ETF (SOXX) 22.9% 21.6% First Trust Nasdaq Semiconductor ETF (FTXL) 18.4% 17.4% Invesco Semiconductors ETF (PSI) 17.9% 18.5% SPDR S&P Semiconductor ETF (XSD) 14.7% 18.2% 1. VanEck Semiconductor ETF (SMH) This fund tracks the MVIS US Listed Semiconductor 25 Index, which has heavy concentrations in the largest semiconductor firms. Its largest positions include Nvidia, Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing and Broadcom, and it charges an expense ratio that's in the middle of the pack. 5-year returns (annualized): 29.6 percent Expense ratio: 0.35 percent 2. Invesco PHLX Semiconductor ETF (SOXQ) This fund tracks the PHLX Semiconductor Sector Index, which measures the stock performance of the 30 largest semiconductor firms traded on U.S. exchanges. The fund has a strong three-year performance record, but has not existed long enough to have a five-year record. Key positions include Nvidia, Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing and Broadcom. The expense ratio here is notably lower than other top semiconductor funds. 5-year returns (annualized): N/A Expense ratio: 0.19 percent 3. iShares Semiconductor ETF (SOXX) This fund tracks the NYSE Semiconductor Index, which measures the performance of the stocks of the 30 largest semi stocks traded on the U.S. exchanges. Key positions include Advanced Micro Devices, Nvidia and Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing. 5-year returns (annualized): 21.6 percent Expense ratio: 0.34 percent 4. First Trust Nasdaq Semiconductor ETF (FTXL) This fund tracks the Nasdaq US Smart Semiconductor Index, which ranks companies based on return on assets, gross income and price momentum. This fund's largest positions include Broadcom, Nvidia and Micron Technology. 5-year returns (annualized): 17.4 percent Expense ratio: 0.60 percent 5. Invesco Semiconductors ETF (PSI) This fund tracks the Dynamic Semiconductor Intellidex Index, which evaluates companies based on price momentum, earnings momentum, value, management actions and quality. The fund includes 30 stocks, and its largest positions include Nvidia, Broadcom and Lam Research. 5-year returns (annualized): 18.5 percent Expense ratio: 0.56 percent 6. SPDR S&P Semiconductor ETF (XSD) This fund tracks the S&P Semiconductor Select Industry Index, and its portfolio includes 40 stocks, including its top positions of Astera Labs, Credo Technology and Advanced Micro Devices. 5-year returns (annualized): 18.2 percent Expense ratio: 0.35 percent What to look for in an ETF When you're investing in ETFs, you'll want to look at the ETF's features to ensure that you're buying what you want to buy. Here are three key things to analyze. The sub-sector: A sector ETF may have its investments focused in a specific sector, and those sub-sectors may respond differently to developments in the industry. Some industries may have a variety of sub-sectors with funds dedicated to the sub-sectors. The investment track record: How has the fund performed over time? Look at the annualized performance of the funds to help gauge how they might do in the future. The longer the performance period, the better view you'll have of how the ETF may perform. Any fund can be hot in a given year, but strong returns over five or 10 years may indicate that the fund can outperform in the future, too. The expense ratio: The fund's expense ratio tells you how much you'll pay in annual fees for owning a fund, as a percent of your total investment in it. Larger funds tend to charge lower expense ratios because they can spread the costs of the fund across more assets. Then they may try to lock in their advantage by keeping their expense ratio toward the lower end of the competition. The cheapest funds may often be the largest funds, and a low expense ratio is an important measure of what makes one of the best ETFs. The best brokers for ETFs can help you find attractive funds with strong long-term returns. Bottom line If you're looking for concentrated exposure to the semiconductor industry — one of the market's best sectors for years — then a semiconductor ETF is a great way to get it. With an ETF, you'll get some diversification and reduced risk by buying a wide swath of semiconductor companies — without having to do the heavy research and analysis to buy individual stocks. Editorial Disclaimer: All investors are advised to conduct their own independent research into investment strategies before making an investment decision. In addition, investors are advised that past investment product performance is no guarantee of future price appreciation.

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