Sunday Edition: Can Oil Buy Some Time?

  

Sunday Edition: Can Oil Buy Some Time?

Political pundits are buzzing all over the memorandum on the U.S.-Iran desk that President Trump signed earlier.

Some for it, some against it. Many Americans seem to be left scratching their heads and saying:

"Huh?"

One factor is the condition of strategic oil reserves around the world.

With strategic reserves declining and Iranian oil production at risk of prolonged disruption, keeping the Strait of Hormuz open has become a priority.

The pragmatic part is getting oil flowing again.

The problematic part is Iran and the IRGC.

Indeed, strategic oil reserves around the world have been declining, including our own here in the United States. It is estimated that the U.S. Strategic Petroleum Reserve is roughly half of what it once was and sits near levels not seen since the early 1980s.

Viewed through that lens, the memorandum represents an effort to finalize a broader understanding while allowing oil to continue flowing through the Strait of Hormuz over the next sixty days.

Yet many see concessions that merely kick the can down the road while leaving the Islamic Republic as a dominant force in the region.

As events unfold, it remains to be seen whether the balance between pragmatic and problematic can be found in the pursuit of a more peaceful world.

History tends to breed skepticism.

But for now, the market may not be thinking that deeply.

Hope springs eternal.

And markets often prefer business as usual—at least until "it" hits the fan.

For now, we'll leave it there.

The memorandum has been signed.

And yet, it is already off to a shaky start with Iran claiming the Strait is closed again.

The debates are underway as to what the final agreement will ultimately cost.

Whether oil ultimately flows freely through the Strait of Hormuz, and whether the broader understanding holds together, remains an open question.

Can the behavior of the IRGC be trusted?

Will its long-stated hostility toward Israel and the United States ever truly end?

The market appears willing to give peace a chance.

But with hardliners still in the mix, peace remains something to watch, not trust.

Time will tell.

Pray for peace and stay watchful.

- Jones Report

This site is just for fun and insight, with no sponsors and no affiliations. If you like this free Jones Report, tell a friend. Why not?

________

If interested - scroll back and view notes on other stocks, we watch here at the Jones report.  Why not? With the caveat that things change and we try to stay aware - It's all FREE to read and make your own calls and decisions.  Finally - maintain some dry powder and trade or invest according to your own due diligence.

______________

More later so ....Stay tuned, if you dare!

For now, we close by noting that any view on the market and stocks on any particular day may change in the days to come. That is why we watch and see how our views match up with reality.  Looking ahead a few months may be a way to do things - but thinking too deeply about world events and the recent alliances forming, can make projecting ahead a dicey endeavor. 

All in all - we use the word maybe "some", not "too much" and play it accordingly.  Never get arrogant in our notions because things do change - and individual stocks are subject to many factors outside our control. So, we try to -stay aware.

With all the above caveats and attempted prognostications, I will close this post. Stay tuned for more opining on the market and stocks to watch.

___________

ALL in my humble opinion, scroll down and read more.  This site does NOT make Buy / Sell recommendations.

Miners Revisited — This Time with Nickel Too

 

Market Talk

So, there is a peace agreement on the table between the U.S. and Iran involving the Strait being opened (with no tolls) as more details are ironed out over the next sixty days.

Regardless of how anybody "feels" about it, the markets have no feelings. Stocks react to changing expectations and evolving projections.

Today, we see the market rallying as energy stocks fade somewhat on hopes of lower oil and gas prices ahead. If so, easing energy inflation could provide a tailwind for many sectors.

Will this optimism last?  That remains to be seen.

Hostilities could resume if the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), Hezbollah, Israel, or others decide differently. For now, however, the market appears willing to take the peace discussions at face value and is responding as though the risk of broader conflict has eased.

Stock Talk

The Jones Report has followed a few miners since they traded in the single digits and have since doubled and more. Specifically, Kinross Gold (KGC) and Hecla Mining (HL).

It may be time to revisit the story.

When gold and silver prices fade a bit, mining shares often trade off as though the entire story has changed overnight. Yet recent earnings reports suggest the underlying businesses remain quite healthy.

KGC has reported strong earnings and briefly traded into the 40s before profit taking, sector rotation, and concerns surrounding the Iran conflict contributed to a correction in the mining sector. Today, shares appear to be bouncing from the mid-20s.

Meanwhile, Hecla Mining recently eliminated its long-term debt following the sale of an aging Canadian mine. Management has shifted its focus toward silver and gold projects near existing operations in the United States. Hecla remains the largest silver miner in America.

One factor that appears to have weighed on mining shares is concern over rising oil and gas prices. Mining is an energy-intensive business, and higher fuel costs can impact profits. Perhaps after their corrections, both KGC and HL are due for a bounce. We shall see.

Watching KGC and HL.

Keeping in mind the notion of watching developing stories, it may also be time to put another name on the radar.

Talon Metals (TLOFF).

The stock trades under $5 and, unlike KGC and HL, the story revolves around nickel and copper.

Recently, Talon acquired the Eagle Mine along with the Humboldt processing facility in Michigan.

That changes the story.

The company now has an operating U.S. nickel and copper mine, a processing facility, and recently turned the corner to positive earnings.

From power grids and data centers to industrial equipment, military systems, electronics, batteries and transportation, nickel and copper remain essential materials in the modern economy.

A profitable miner with strategic resources in the United States trading under $5 has caught the attention of some investors.

TLOFF is a developing story and an interesting stock to put on the radar.

As a closing note, strategic resources within the United States are increasingly being viewed as a cornerstone of national strength, a point that appears to be receiving renewed attention.

Stay tuned. Stay watchful.

- Jones Report

This site is just for fun and insight, with no sponsors and no affiliations. If you like this free Jones Report, tell a friend. Why not?

________

If interested - scroll back and view notes on other stocks, we watch here at the Jones report.  Why not? With the caveat that things change and we try to stay aware - It's all FREE to read and make your own calls and decisions.  Finally - maintain some dry powder and trade or invest according to your own due diligence.

______________

More later so ....Stay tuned, if you dare!

For now, we close by noting that any view on the market and stocks on any particular day may change in the days to come. That is why we watch and see how our views match up with reality.  Looking ahead a few months may be a way to do things - but thinking too deeply about world events and the recent alliances forming, can make projecting ahead a dicey endeavor. 

All in all - we use the word maybe "some", not "too much" and play it accordingly.  Never get arrogant in our notions because things do change - and individual stocks are subject to many factors outside our control. So, we try to -stay aware.

With all the above caveats and attempted prognostications, I will close this post. Stay tuned for more opining on the market and stocks to watch.

___________

ALL in my humble opinion, scroll down and read more.  This site does NOT make Buy / Sell recommendations.

Here We Go Again ... GFS, VVX and NVTS

  

Here We Go Again ...

Market Talk

Following a U.S. bombing run in response to Iranian hostilities around the Strait of Hormuz, President Trump now claims an agreement has been reached to end the conflict.

Iran's foreign ministry says not everything has been resolved.

Hmmm ...

The devil sometimes lives in the details, hidden agendas, and intent.

For now, markets appear to be responding favorably.

Coincidentally, the SpaceX IPO begins trading today.

Lots going on.

Stock Talk

 To briefly touch on SpaceX...

There is no denying the long-term story has room to play out. There will likely be tradeable moments along the way.

However, near-term trading in high-profile IPOs can be dicey when exuberant retail investors rush in chasing momentum.

We recently saw a similar IPO frenzy with our test share of CRBS. Early hoopla carried the stock above $300 as retail investors rushed in.

Then reality set in. Volatility followed, and some near-term buyers were left holding the bag as early investors headed for the exits.

Time will play the stories out, and some may take longer than others. In the meantime, investors should remember that IPO floats often represent only a fraction of the total shares outstanding. In the case of SpaceX, more than 12 billion shares were not included in the IPO float.

So, enough said (for now) on IPO hoopla from the Jones Report.

With the market "reset" last Friday, buyers are stepping back in with hopes that the energy sector will return to normal.

For now, that appears to be enough.

Three stock symbols with significant U.S. operations, all previously covered here, with future growth stories still in the hopper:

VVX

GFS

NVTS

And others previously mentioned here, with more to come.

Stay tuned. Stay watchful.

- Jones Report

This site is just for fun and insight, with no sponsors and no affiliations. If you like this free Jones Report, tell a friend. Why not?

________

If interested - scroll back and view notes on other stocks, we watch here at the Jones report.  Why not? With the caveat that things change and we try to stay aware - It's all FREE to read and make your own calls and decisions.  Finally - maintain some dry powder and trade or invest according to your own due diligence.

______________

More later so ....Stay tuned, if you dare!

For now, we close by noting that any view on the market and stocks on any particular day may change in the days to come. That is why we watch and see how our views match up with reality.  Looking ahead a few months may be a way to do things - but thinking too deeply about world events and the recent alliances forming, can make projecting ahead a dicey endeavor. 

All in all - we use the word maybe "some", not "too much" and play it accordingly.  Never get arrogant in our notions because things do change - and individual stocks are subject to many factors outside our control. So, we try to -stay aware.

With all the above caveats and attempted prognostications, I will close this post. Stay tuned for more opining on the market and stocks to watch.

___________

ALL in my humble opinion, scroll down and read more.  This site does NOT make Buy / Sell recommendations.

  

Much More To V2X Than Meets The Eye

Recent reports described two downed helicopter pilots being rescued by an autonomous surface vessel. Developed by Saronic Technologies, the vessel successfully recovered the aircrew after the crash. The event is being described as the first known military rescue involving an autonomous surface vessel.

The rescue also highlights a broader trend. Autonomous systems are beginning to move beyond the realm of research projects and demonstrations into real-world military operations.

Recently, a YouTube video from the Ukraine conflict led us to a new Watch Stock: 

V2X, Inc. (VVX)

The vehicle shown above is a dune buggy-style platform known as Tempest. Developed in a rapid prototype by VVX, it has already been credited with defending against multiple drone attacks.

The cool buggy above got our attention. So we decided to look a little deeper into this self-described "scrappy company."

What we found was far more than a rapid prototype vehicle. VVX helps keep some of the military's most sophisticated aircraft and systems operational through aviation maintenance, logistics, training, readiness, and mission support activities. The company generates billions in annual revenue and recently reported a contract backlog approaching $14 billion.

As an aside, VVX appears to be operating in the right places at the right time, with defense needs increasing across multiple regions of the world.

From listening to their recent conference call, the CEO described VVX as "a scrappy company" that responds to client needs and can quickly adapt through rapid prototyping to meet evolving defense requirements.

While the Tempest buggy currently serves in an anti-drone defense role, the broader trend may be even more interesting. Autonomous systems are beginning to emerge across sea, land, and potentially air-based missions. The recent autonomous rescue at sea may be one example of where things are headed.

With VVX's rapid prototyping experience, aircraft maintenance expertise, and innovative land-based platforms, the company appears well positioned to respond quickly as new defense needs emerge.

Strong earnings and a growing backlog tell one part of the story. Tempest tells another.

Put the backlog, recent earnings performance, and rapid response capability together and three words come to mind with VVX:

Stability.

Performance.

Growth.

During the conference call, management also referred to certain "discreet operations." Perhaps part of the reason VVX remains under the radar in its growth areas.

It's almost funny that a YouTube video from a war zone led us to VVX.

What we found was a company operating largely under the radar while executing remarkably well.

Stay tuned. Stay watchful.

- Jones Report

This site is just for fun and insight, with no sponsors and no affiliations. If you like this free Jones Report, tell a friend. Why not?

________

If interested - scroll back and view notes on other stocks, we watch here at the Jones report.  Why not? With the caveat that things change and we try to stay aware - It's all FREE to read and make your own calls and decisions.  Finally - maintain some dry powder and trade or invest according to your own due diligence.

______________

More later so ....Stay tuned, if you dare!

For now, we close by noting that any view on the market and stocks on any particular day may change in the days to come. That is why we watch and see how our views match up with reality.  Looking ahead a few months may be a way to do things - but thinking too deeply about world events and the recent alliances forming, can make projecting ahead a dicey endeavor. 

All in all - we use the word maybe "some", not "too much" and play it accordingly.  Never get arrogant in our notions because things do change - and individual stocks are subject to many factors outside our control. So, we try to -stay aware.

With all the above caveats and attempted prognostications, I will close this post. Stay tuned for more opining on the market and stocks to watch.

___________

ALL in my humble opinion, scroll down and read more.  This site does NOT make Buy / Sell recommendations.

A Stock With No Name (For Now)

 

A Stock With No Name (For Now)

Long-time readers may recall a most understated stock.

This stock currently trades just under a buck a share.

Years ago, this company developed a way to amplify a naturally occurring virus first discovered during the polio era by Dr. Albert Sabin and known for its unique attraction to cancer cells.

Meanwhile, beneath the noise, awareness continues to build around a combination treatment approach aimed at addressing major unmet needs in advanced cancer.

Treatments that can result in even some durable responses while adding even a few Complete Responses can step into an entirely different realm.

Lives helped.

Lives extended.

Improved lives in some is what matters.

Unmet needs.

An ongoing CRC trial is underway.

The science continues.

The story continues.

Awareness often comes before broader recognition.

Some of the deciders are taking notice as well.

The stock trades where it trades.

So be it.

Some are aware.

Some are not.

And for those holding some conviction, some may be enough.

Reference:

 https://stockstowatch.blogspot.com/2025/09/the-trinity-missing-puzzle-piece-to.html

Stay tuned. Stay watchful.

- Jones Report

This site is just for fun and insight, with no sponsors and no affiliations. If you like this free Jones Report, tell a friend. Why not?

________

If interested - scroll back and view notes on other stocks, we watch here at the Jones report.  Why not? With the caveat that things change and we try to stay aware - It's all FREE to read and make your own calls and decisions.  Finally - maintain some dry powder and trade or invest according to your own due diligence.

______________

More later so ....Stay tuned, if you dare!

For now, we close by noting that any view on the market and stocks on any particular day may change in the days to come. That is why we watch and see how our views match up with reality.  Looking ahead a few months may be a way to do things - but thinking too deeply about world events and the recent alliances forming, can make projecting ahead a dicey endeavor. 

All in all - we use the word maybe "some", not "too much" and play it accordingly.  Never get arrogant in our notions because things do change - and individual stocks are subject to many factors outside our control. So, we try to -stay aware.

With all the above caveats and attempted prognostications, I will close this post. Stay tuned for more opining on the market and stocks to watch.

___________

ALL in my humble opinion, scroll down and read more.  This site does NOT make Buy / Sell recommendations.

Things Can Change Fast - Part 2

 

Things Can Change Fast - Part 2

Market Talk

Volatile times.

Just last week, market indices were reaching all-time highs. One day it's AI hoopla. The next day Iran and the Middle East remind markets that continued conflict in energy-rich regions can have consequences.

Stock watchers know all too well what happened next. Friday brought a swift reminder that things can change fast.

I don't care who you are. When you watch a stock fall ten points, it raises your eyebrows at a minimum.

Just about everything tied to the AI trade was punished. It was like Wall Street pulled the plug and said, "Poof."

Then again, perspective matters. Some stocks have enjoyed tremendous gains over the past year, largely driven by enthusiasm surrounding artificial intelligence. For some, Friday simply erased a few weeks of upside. For others, it marked a more meaningful setback. And for a number of names, investors were still sitting on sizable gains despite the selloff.

A day like that forces us to reconsider various narratives and how they match up with reality.

Let's tie together a few facts.

The markets had reached all-time highs. In retrospect, it would be natural for some fund managers to lock in profits. If enough chose to do so at the same time, it may have reflected a market that had been running hot for quite a while, especially among AI-related leaders.

Then there is the ongoing conflict in the Middle East. For months, investors seemed willing to believe that tensions would eventually cool and that diplomacy would prevail.

After months of back and forth, however, the situation remains unresolved, and uncertainty continues to linger.

When you combine possibly stretched valuations in AI-linked stocks, geopolitical risk, persistent inflation concerns, and the prospect of higher-for-longer interest rates, it is not difficult to see why the markets are showing signs of fatigue.

Stock Talk

Let's be real. A day like Friday caused some investors to pull the trigger and sell until they can reassess whether a broader correction lies ahead.

Maybe it was time for a breather anyway. Time to call in some dry powder and live to fight another day.

And yet, perhaps this is also where we discover where our individual convictions truly live.

It may also be important to note that a few stocks did not fall nearly as hard. Some even moved higher while the broader markets cascaded lower.

Sometimes the stocks that refuse to go down tell us as much as the ones that do.

A few we watched here were KMB, MO and a stock the Jones Report recently noted, VVX - all were up in a cascading market.

Trading with "some" as test positions can help get the feel without the pain.  Some watch stocks like ONCY remain speculative, but we already know not to have "too much."  But some, for those watching, may remain just enough if the Pela story plays out in the ongoing CRC trial.

One note to close on was that one-share test position on CBRS yielded a temporary conclusion - avoid big IPO offerings. From this vantage, caution may also be warranted on new IPO offerings that get run up while insiders bail.

Some of these narratives, like gold and semis, may in time prove stronger than others. We will revisit them as the stories unfold. 

Stay tuned. Stay watchful.

- Jones Report

This site is just for fun and insight, with no sponsors and no affiliations. If you like this free Jones Report, tell a friend. Why not?

________

If interested - scroll back and view notes on other stocks, we watch here at the Jones report.  Why not? With the caveat that things change and we try to stay aware - It's all FREE to read and make your own calls and decisions.  Finally - maintain some dry powder and trade or invest according to your own due diligence.

______________

More later so ....Stay tuned, if you dare!

For now, we close by noting that any view on the market and stocks on any particular day may change in the days to come. That is why we watch and see how our views match up with reality.  Looking ahead a few months may be a way to do things - but thinking too deeply about world events and the recent alliances forming, can make projecting ahead a dicey endeavor. 

All in all - we use the word maybe "some", not "too much" and play it accordingly.  Never get arrogant in our notions because things do change - and individual stocks are subject to many factors outside our control. So, we try to -stay aware.

With all the above caveats and attempted prognostications, I will close this post. Stay tuned for more opining on the market and stocks to watch.

___________

ALL in my humble opinion, scroll down and read more.  This site does NOT make Buy / Sell recommendations.

Things Can Change Fast

 

Market Talk

Volatile times.

One day it's AI hoopla. The next day Iran and the Middle East remind markets that continued conflict in energy-rich regions can have consequences.

The prevailing narrative remains that some near-term pain may be worth it if it leads to a more stable world. Markets, however, tend to focus on the immediate effects. Higher oil prices can eventually work their way through the economy, and inflation concerns begin to matter again.

Stock Talk

One area getting renewed attention is the PC and server side of the AI story. Both HP Inc. (HPQ) and Dell Technologies (DELL) surprised investors with earnings and continue to benefit from growing demand for AI-capable systems.

Part of the appeal is flexibility. Their hardware can incorporate processors from multiple vendors, including Intel and AMD, and potentially Nvidia's planned CPU offerings down the road. More competition may be coming, but it does not appear to be slowing enthusiasm for the sector at the moment.

Meanwhile, another AI story continues to develop behind the scenes.

As AI infrastructure expands, attention is increasingly turning toward power efficiency, electrical demand and faster computing. This brings several semiconductor manufacturers and designers into focus.

SkyWater Technology (SKYT) is in the process of being acquired. Wolfspeed (WOLF) remains unprofitable but is viewed by some as a leader in silicon carbide technologies. GlobalFoundries (GFS), meanwhile, remains profitable and continues expanding its manufacturing capabilities both in the United States and abroad.

The Jones Report previously discussed the relationship between GFS and Navitas Semiconductor (NVTS). Navitas designs gallium nitride (GaN) and silicon carbide (SiC) power semiconductors intended to improve electrical efficiency. GFS is expected to manufacture these devices at scale, supporting applications that range from AI infrastructure to industrial power systems.

As an aside, recent IPO Cerebras Systems (CBRS) has introduced a different approach to AI processing using a wafer-scale design roughly the size of a dinner plate. The stock initially surged above $300 following the IPO.

At the time, this report suggested letting the excitement settle and, if interested, considering no more than a single tracking share. The stock later faded below $220 and is floating back and forth.

Did CBRS find a bottom? Nobody knows at the moment.

However, one tracking share can remove much of the emotion while serving as a good "what if?" share to get the feel and follow the story. 

Another area we've been watching is the miners. Despite higher gold prices and some encouraging earnings reports, the group still seems challenged. One concern may be the effect higher energy costs could have on sustaining costs.

One other stock we've been watching is V2X (VVX). It does not receive the attention of many of today's popular stories, yet the stock has quietly earned some respect while continuing to climb. Sometimes steady execution matters.

Quantum computing remains worth watching as well. QBTS continues expanding beyond its traditional annealing roots while benefiting from growing government interest and investment in the sector.

The psychedelic biotech story also continues to develop. CMPS has quietly crept higher while ATAI and HELP remain among the companies attempting to address difficult problems such as addiction and depression. The stories remain speculative, but some continue to watch the space.

Looking at the broader picture, GFS appears to be developing into more than just a traditional chip foundry. The company serves the "electronics of everything" while also expanding into areas such as photonics and advanced power semiconductors.

With an additional $375 million in recent U.S. government funding support, GFS remains a stock that appears to be showing some legs.

As always, investors should size positions accordingly and stay aware.

Things change fast.

Stay watchful.

- Jones Report

This site is just for fun and insight, with no sponsors and no affiliations. If you like this free Jones Report, tell a friend. Why not?

________

If interested - scroll back and view notes on other stocks, we watch here at the Jones report.  Why not? With the caveat that things change and we try to stay aware - It's all FREE to read and make your own calls and decisions.  Finally - maintain some dry powder and trade or invest according to your own due diligence.

______________

More later so ....Stay tuned, if you dare!

For now, we close by noting that any view on the market and stocks on any particular day may change in the days to come. That is why we watch and see how our views match up with reality.  Looking ahead a few months may be a way to do things - but thinking too deeply about world events and the recent alliances forming, can make projecting ahead a dicey endeavor. 

All in all - we use the word maybe "some", not "too much" and play it accordingly.  Never get arrogant in our notions because things do change - and individual stocks are subject to many factors outside our control. So, we try to -stay aware.

With all the above caveats and attempted prognostications, I will close this post. Stay tuned for more opining on the market and stocks to watch.

___________

ALL in my humble opinion, scroll down and read more.  This site does NOT make Buy / Sell recommendations.