Right now, there are only seven public companies that are trading at a market capitalization north of $1 trillion. The exclusive list of trillion-dollar stocks includes Apple, Microsoft, Nvidia, Amazon, Alphabet, Meta Platforms, and Berkshire Hathaway.

Beyond trillion-dollar stocks, the next three largest companies in the world as measured by market cap are Broadcom, Tesla, and Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing. Do you see any themes here?

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With the exception of Berkshire, each trillion-dollar or near-trillion-dollar business dominates the technology sector. The next largest company after those referenced above is retail specialist Walmart (NYSE: WMT). With a market value of approximately $760 billion, Walmart is the most valuable non-pure-play technology business on the planet besides Berkshire.

Image source: Getty Images.

What's interesting is that each company valued higher than Walmart could be facing some unwelcome deceleration across their various businesses thanks in large part to new tariff policies. A common fear in the stock market right now is that tariffs could lead to higher prices (inflation) for consumer goods and raw materials, thereby sparking an economic slowdown (recession).

As a contrarian, I think a tariff-induced slowdown could actually benefit Walmart. Let's explore why Walmart's business is ideally positioned to maneuver around any crises caused by tariffs. From there, I'll make the case for why Walmart could soon earn its entry into the trillion-dollar club.

Walmart's business is built for a tough economy

Walmart is primarily known as a brick-and-mortar powerhouse -- offering consumers a variety of goods across apparel, consumer electronics, produce, home remedies, and much more. While that might not sound too different from stores like Target or CVS, Walmart's main value proposition is its attractive prices. Cost-conscious shoppers tend to gravitate toward stores such as Walmart during periods underscored by rising prices or economic uncertainty.

To back this idea up, let's take a look at some key performance indicators for the retail juggernaut over the last few years.

US Inflation Rate data by YCharts

The chart above illustrates trends seen in Walmart's revenue and gross profit, indexed against inflation rates over the last five years. In addition, I've included the brief (but important) COVID-19 recession -- as illustrated by the grey column on the left. Let's unpack what's happening here.

Following the COVID-19 recession in early 2020, inflation levels started accelerating -- peaking at around 9% in mid-2022. During this period, Walmart's revenue and gross profit started to steadily climb. This is an impressive feat, considering many retailers were plagued by lower foot traffic during the pandemic.

Not only are Walmart's prices one way to attract to consumers, but the company has also done a stellar job complementing its physical retail storefronts with an e-commerce marketplace of its own -- providing it with multiple avenues to monetize shoppers.

Taking this a step further, let's analyze some important metrics retailers use to gauge the health of their business. During the fourth quarter of Walmart's fiscal 2025 (ended Jan. 31), the company recognized same-store sales growth of 4.6%, while transactions rose by 2.8% and average ticket size grew by 1.8%. This means that Walmart is seeing more people come to its stores and spending more money while they are there.

Although same-store sales, transaction volumes, and average order size can be variable in the retail space, I think any concerns related to this are mitigated by Walmart's ability to hold onto its shoppers. The big takeaway I gather from the chart above is that Walmart's revenue and gross profit continue to steadily rise, even as inflation levels have cooled over the last two years.

I think ongoing economic uncertainty from tariffs could wind up being a tailwind for Walmart and its ability to lure consumers in and keep them part of its ecosystem in the long run.

What would it take for Walmart to reach a $1 trillion valuation?

For the fiscal year ended Jan. 31, Walmart's earnings per share (EPS) totaled $2.42. Given the company's current share price of $95, Walmart stock trades for a price-to-earnings (P/E) ratio of approximately 39.

A $1 trillion market capitalization implies roughly a 32% increase Walmart's current valuation of $760 billion. This means in order to reach the trillion-dollar club, Walmart stock would need to be trading around $125 per share.

If I assume that the company expands both its EPS and P/E ratio by 15%, that would imply future earnings of $2.81 and a P/E ratio of 45 for Walmart. In turn, this results in a future share price of about $126, which would put Walmart just above a trillion-dollar market capitalization.

I think this level of EPS growth is attainable for Walmart, especially against the backdrop of a cloudy economic picture. The bigger question mark is whether investors will start applying a premium multiple to Walmart -- viewing it as a more essential player in the retail arena, all while giving the company credit for some of its higher-margin pursuits beyond brick-and-mortar sales.

While the exercise above is rooted in simple math, I am cautiously optimistic that Walmart could emerge as a member of the trillion-dollar club sooner rather than later. Investors looking for opportunities that may be slightly more insulated from tariffs or economic slowdowns may want to consider a position in Walmart right now.

Should you invest $1,000 in Walmart right now?

Before you buy stock in Walmart, consider this:

The Motley Fool Stock Advisor analyst team just identified what they believe are the 10 best stocks for investors to buy now… and Walmart 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 $594,046!* Or when Nvidia made this list on April 15, 2005... if you invested $1,000 at the time of our recommendation, you’d have $680,390!*

Now, it’s worth noting Stock Advisor’s total average return is 872% — a market-crushing outperformance compared to 160% 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 April 21, 2025

John Mackey, former CEO of Whole Foods Market, an Amazon subsidiary, is a member of The Motley Fool's board of directors. Suzanne Frey, an executive at Alphabet, is a member of The Motley Fool's board of directors. Randi Zuckerberg, a former director of market development and spokeswoman for Facebook and sister to Meta Platforms CEO Mark Zuckerberg, is a member of The Motley Fool's board of directors. Adam Spatacco has positions in Alphabet, Amazon, Apple, Meta Platforms, Microsoft, Nvidia, and Tesla. The Motley Fool has positions in and recommends Alphabet, Amazon, Apple, Berkshire Hathaway, Meta Platforms, Microsoft, Nvidia, Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing, Target, Tesla, and Walmart. The Motley Fool recommends Broadcom and CVS Health and recommends the following options: long January 2026 $395 calls on Microsoft and short January 2026 $405 calls on Microsoft. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.

Long-term investing is the key to sustainable returns in the market. But if you bet on the wrong company (without diversifying your portfolio), you might be better off leaving your cash in the bank. With shares down by 38% over the last decade, Ford Motor (NYSE: F) is an example of a company that has consistently failed to generate shareholder value.

That said, chaos can sometimes create opportunities. The U.S. automotive industry is in flux as major players shift toward electric vehicles (EVs), and dramatic shifts in trade policy could transform the world's second-largest auto market into a protected industry for domestic players. Let's dig deeper to explore how Ford might navigate these challenges.

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Could tariffs boost Ford's brand?

As an iconic American brand, Ford can be expected to benefit from consumer patriotism. Management has leveraged this advantage in the face of Washington's new 25% tariff on imported cars. Despite boasting a significant international supply chain, the company appears to be leaning into the resurgent "made in America" agenda.

According to the Detroit Free Press, Ford has launched an ad campaign touting its role in American manufacturing. The company is also offering employee pricing discounts on its 2024-2025 models, possibly in an effort to clear out inventory and capture market share ahead of potential disruptions. This move stands in stark contrast to European rival Volkswagen, which has halted some shipments to the U.S. and plans to put import-fee stickers on its cars to show the impact of the new policy.

However, while Ford's strategy appears promising in the near term, it will be challenging to sustain, especially if the planned 25% tariffs on auto parts are implemented. The company may not be as American as it appears on the surface.

How American is Ford, really?

Like many U.S. automakers, Ford has leveraged opportunities, such as the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA), to expand its supply chains and benefit from lower wages and healthcare costs in the U.S. and Canada. While the company claims to assemble nearly 80% of its vehicles in the U.S., its cars utilize manufactured parts from around the world. For example, Ford's iconic F-150 pickup truck has only around 60% domestic content, despite being assembled in Dearborn, Michigan.

Ford's reliance on imported parts could lead to increased prices across the board. And even if tariffs end up hurting its rivals more, the overall industry could shrink and margins could narrow until supply chains can be reworked. Furthermore, they could severely undermine Ford's EV strategy.

The company's popular Mustang Mach-E is assembled in Cuautitlán Izcalli, Mexico, making it vulnerable to the new 25% tariffs. Furthermore, a range of battery and electric car components rely on Chinese imports.

Image source: Getty Images.

Perhaps the biggest hit will be faced by Ford's luxury division, Lincoln, which made the disastrous decision (in hindsight) to manufacture its new Nautilus SUVs in China. China is currently subject to a 145% tariff that could more than double the vehicle's price. Lincoln CEO Dianne Craig has not revealed plans to stop importing the Nautilus, so Ford will likely absorb most of the immense import fee and sell the vehicles at a loss.

What could the next 5 years have in store?

While President Donald Trump's automotive tariffs could give Ford some advantages over foreign rivals in its home market, the policy's downsides outweigh the potential benefits. With prices projected to rise across the board, customers may purchase fewer cars, whether domestic or otherwise. Furthermore, the policy undermines Ford's EV strategy, as it relies heavily on international supply chains, particularly for its flagship Mach-E crossover SUV.

That said, uncertainty may be Ford's most significant long-term challenge. U.S. trade policy has become highly unpredictable. This will make it hard for management to commit to any long-term strategy, especially one related to growth opportunities, such as EVs. Investors seeking a bargain in the market should steer clear of Ford.

Should you invest $1,000 in Ford Motor Company right now?

Before you buy stock in Ford Motor Company, consider this:

The Motley Fool Stock Advisor analyst team just identified what they believe are the 10 best stocks for investors to buy now… and Ford Motor Company 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 $591,533!* Or when Nvidia made this list on April 15, 2005... if you invested $1,000 at the time of our recommendation, you’d have $652,319!*

Now, it’s worth noting Stock Advisor’s total average return is 859% — a market-crushing outperformance compared to 158% for the S&P 500. Don’t miss out on the latest top 10 list, available when you join Stock Advisor.

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Will Ebiefung has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool recommends Volkswagen Ag. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.

The Dow Jones Industrial Average is down 12% from its all-time high at the time of writing, as sweeping changes to U.S. trade policy usher in concerns regarding the economy's strength.

Despite these uncertainties, reliable and high-quality dividend income from a diversified portfolio can be a great option for investors to ride out stock market turbulence. By this measure, JPMorgan Chase (NYSE: JPM) and Goldman Sachs (NYSE: GS) deserve a closer look as two leading Dow Jones components, supported by robust fundamentals and global diversification that remain well-positioned to navigate any market environment.

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Let's discuss which of these financial titans is the better dividend stock to buy now.

Image source: Getty Images.

The case for JPMorgan: A fortress balance sheet

It's often said that it pays to be at the top. In this case, it's not a coincidence that shares of JPMorgan have outperformed the broader market, returning 30% over the past year. JPMorgan benefits from its dominant position as the largest U.S. bank, bolstered by a global financial services footprint.

Its size and scale, with $4.4 trillion in assets -- more than twice Goldman's $1.8 trillion total assets -- could be an advantage during economic turmoil, leveraging a broader deposit base and more diversified revenue streams to support profitability.

That was the message from JPMorgan CEO Jamie Dimon in the first quarter earnings report (for the period ended March 31), who cited "considerable turbulence" facing the U.S. economy amid looming impact of new trade tariffs, but reaffirmed that the bank's underlying business remains strong.

First quarter highlights included record trading revenues driven by market volatility, while resilient consumer spending at the start of the year boosted credit card services and auto lending. For 2025, JPMorgan expects $94.5 billion in net interest income, a 1.5% increase from last year.

The bank's recent 12% dividend increase to $1.40 per share quarterly is excellent news, resulting in a forward yield of 2.4%. With its rock-solid balance sheet, JPMorgan's steady growth and ability to consolidate market share make it a great dividend stock and a compelling portfolio addition.

The case for Goldman Sachs: More upside potential

While JPMorgan is built like a tank, Goldman Sachs stands out with its fighter jet-level sophistication and market agility. Goldman compensates for its limited exposure to consumer banking with a targeted approach in high-margin investment banking activities.

In the first quarter, Goldman set several operating and financial records, including top rankings in M&A, equity offerings, and record financing net revenue. The bank also marked its 29th consecutive quarter of capturing fee-based net inflows in asset and wealth management. Although Goldman's profile is more economically sensitive, this could be an advantage for shareholders if conditions improve, potentially driving stronger earnings growth than JPMorgan.

For bullish investors who believe recession fears are overblown, Goldman Sachs stock may offer more upside as a buy-the-dip opportunity.

Goldman has rewarded shareholders with significant dividend hikes in recent years, more than doubling its quarterly rate to $3.00 per share since 2021 and outpacing JPMorgan's dividend growth over the past five years. With a strong Q1 adjusted EPS jump of 22% from last year, there's a good chance Goldman will announce another dividend increase later this year, potentially in the double-digit range.

Furthermore, Goldman Sachs stock appears relatively undervalued with a forward price to earnings (P/E) ratio of 12 based on 2025 consensus EPS estimates, compared to JPMorgan's multiple near 13. By this measure, there's a case to be made that shares of Goldman are undervalued relative to its banking peer.

JPM Dividend Yield data by YCharts.

Decision time: Goldman is my pick

JPMorgan Chase and Goldman Sachs offer similar dividend yields and face the same macroeconomic headwinds, making it tough to choose the better dividend stock. Still, I give the edge to Goldman, believing its stock offers a better balance of value and dividend growth potential. For investors willing to ride out near-term volatility, Goldman is a great long-term buy-and-hold option in a diversified portfolio.

Should you invest $1,000 in Goldman Sachs Group right now?

Before you buy stock in Goldman Sachs Group, consider this:

The Motley Fool Stock Advisor analyst team just identified what they believe are the 10 best stocks for investors to buy now… and Goldman Sachs Group 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 $591,533!* Or when Nvidia made this list on April 15, 2005... if you invested $1,000 at the time of our recommendation, you’d have $652,319!*

Now, it’s worth noting Stock Advisor’s total average return is 859% — a market-crushing outperformance compared to 158% 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 April 21, 2025

JPMorgan Chase is an advertising partner of Motley Fool Money. Dan Victor has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has positions in and recommends Goldman Sachs Group and JPMorgan Chase. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.

• Shooting Star in Jackson Hole, Wyoming, has been ranked as one of the top golf courses in the US.
• The golf exclusive club requires an invitation and has a long waitlist for membership.
• From the golf course to the clubhouse, here's a look inside the private mountain oasis.

Nestled beneath the Grand Tetons in one of Jackson Hole, Wyoming's most expensive neighborhoods, PGA pros tee up at one of the most celebrated golf courses in the US, ranking no. 1 in Golf Digest's best in Wyoming and earning a spot on the top 100 US courses in 2023 and 2024.

I'm talking about Shooting Star, a members-only club in Teton Village. You have to be invited to join, and a representative of Shooting Star told Business Insider last year that the club had an extensive waitlist.

It's also not cheap. Shooting Star didn't share its current membership price with BI, but when the club opened in 2009, it had 189 members and a $100,000 membership fee.

During a trip to Jackson Hole in September 2024, I got an exclusive club tour, and it felt like a millionaire's playhouse. Take a look inside.

Welcome to the ultra-exclusive Shooting Star of Jackson Hole.

Shooting Star's history dates back to the 1930s when the Resor family created Snake River Ranch, now known as the largest working cattle ranch in Jackson Hole.

Shooting Star owner and operator John Resor transformed a section of the ranch into an exclusive golf course, club, and residential community. It was a $130 million project.

Shooting Star is in Jackson Hole's Teton Village neighborhood.

Roughly 22 miles from Jackson, Shooting Star is sandwiched between Snake River Ranch and Jackson Hole Resort.

The 1,300-acre space has a clubhouse, a golf course and shop, a pool deck, a barn, and residential lodges.

When I toured the property, I thought the clubhouse looked like a luxury ranch. The expansive building overlooked the golf course and a 25-meter lap pool.

The clubhouse opens to a grand foyer with a Western aesthetic.

I spotted nods to the American West when I stepped inside the clubhouse. An animal skull and realistic paintings of cattle at Snake River Ranch decorated the foyer walls.

I also noticed a range of natural textures, from the wood floors and ceiling moldings to the leather seats in front of the large stone fireplace.

Outside, the 18-hole golf course looked like a painting.

I'm no golfer, but it was instantly clear why Golf Digest ranked this a top 100 course in the US.

The 250-acre course looked dynamic, with aspen and evergreen trees dotting hills parted by 50 acres of water hazards, including ponds and streams. It was designed by Tom Fazio, who also designed Donald Trump's golf clubs in Westchester, New York, and Pine Hill, New Jersey.

Fazio also designed multiple courses at the exclusive Vintage Club in Indian Wells, California, where Bill Gates purchased a home for $12.5 million in 1999.

The golf course blended in so seamlessly with its surroundings that I thought it was a naturally occurring landscape, but the land was actually reformed with a design goal of making each hole unique.

According to a Shooting Star brochure, the process included moving 2 million cubic yards of dirt, planting more than 2,500 trees, and carving out 50 acres of lakes.

For a handful of PGA pros, including the golf club's director Ben Polland, Shooting Star is more than a home course — it's a day job.

From the course, I could see the resident cabins and lodges.

According to Jackson Hole Sotheby's International Realty, most homes didn't hit the market. However, the available listings include two-acre plots of land for $15.5 million and three-bedroom, four-bathroom cabins for $11.75 million.

Next to the clubhouse, the Alpine Barn is used in ski season.

In the winter, Shooting Star becomes a skier's haven, and the Alpine Barn is the hub.

Inside, there were nearly 200 lockers. During ski season, the barn shows movies and serves complimentary food. A shuttle takes skiers to the nearby Jackson Hole Mountain Resort to hit the slopes, but there's also a track around the course's perimeter for a short run.

Back inside, the second floor of the clubhouse houses a fitness center.

The 2,400-square-foot facility had smart cardio equipment with large screens overlooking the swimming pool and barn. A handful of workout studios offered classes like yoga and pilates.

Outside, there were also tennis and pickleball courts.

The spa was on the same floor.

I entered one of the six treatment rooms and thought it felt serene.

Limestone and wood moldings texturized the walls. There was a fireplace, cozy seating, and two treatment beds.

Natural light poured in from the window at the back of the room. There was a gigantic stainless steel tub in front of it.

Bathing in there with a view of the course and the surrounding Tetons would be a dream.

The spa bathroom had amenities akin to a luxury hotel.

I spotted glass jars containing toothbrushes, razors, hair ties, eye drops, and over-the-counter pain and allergy medication.

Back downstairs, there was a restaurant with indoor and outdoor dining.

The dining room had a wood-burning fire pit inside. Out on the patio, members could dine right next to the golf course.

Before I headed out, I got to check out a miniature version of the property inside the clubhouse.

The property feels vast, so seeing it all planned out on one table helped me better understand the course and development.

I left with a sense of what it might be like to be a member of such an exclusive club in an epic location.

Shares of AppFolio (NASDAQ: APPF) are tumbling on Friday. The company's stock fell 15.7% as of noon today, but was down as much as 16.9% earlier in the day. The decline comes as the S&P 500 and Nasdaq Composite were mostly flat.

The software-as-a-service (SaaS) company reported first-quarter results that narrowly missed expectations despite 16% year-over-year sales growth.

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Revenue is growing, but not quite as much as expected

AppFolio, which serves the real estate industry, reported first-quarter earnings per share (EPS) of $1.21, falling short of Wall Street's expectations of $1.23. Revenue came in at $218 million, slightly lower than the expected $220.94 million.

The company is also seeing its margins pressured, with its operating margin decreasing year over year from 18.2% to 15.5%. Despite the 16% growth in revenue, the decreasing margins and the slight misses on both the top and bottom lines were enough to lead many investors to sell.

It's a somewhat pricey stock

Still, there are bright spots in the report. It continues to see demand for its products as sales are growing in its core and peripheral businesses. The company expects 17% growth in revenue for 2025 as well as modest growth in its adjusted operating margin.

Its CEO was optimistic, saying "AppFolio's first-quarter results underscore that our ongoing commitment to delivering industry-leading innovation and exceptional service is driving new customer adoption of our products and services."

The company's stock trades at a premium, with a price-to-earnings ratio (P/E) of 36. While that's not unreasonable for a SaaS provider, it doesn't leave a lot of room for error. I'm not convinced it can continue to consistently deliver the growth it needs to.

Should you invest $1,000 in AppFolio right now?

Before you buy stock in AppFolio, consider this:

The Motley Fool Stock Advisor analyst team just identified what they believe are the 10 best stocks for investors to buy now… and AppFolio 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 $591,533!* Or when Nvidia made this list on April 15, 2005... if you invested $1,000 at the time of our recommendation, you’d have $652,319!*

Now, it’s worth noting Stock Advisor’s total average return is 859% — a market-crushing outperformance compared to 158% 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 April 21, 2025

Johnny Rice has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has positions in and recommends AppFolio. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.

Tesla's (NASDAQ: TSLA) stock has come down considerably since the year began. Shares are down roughly 30% in value so far this year, with the stock's price-to-sales ratio falling from over 15 to just 9.2.

On paper, Tesla's valuation looks compelling. But there's one factor that investors must understand before jumping in.

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Tesla's stock isn't as cheap as it looks

There's no doubt that Tesla's stock is much cheaper than it was just four months ago. But when you zoom out further, it becomes obvious that most of this crash simply reverted Tesla's valuation to its historical trading average.

In recent years, Tesla's valuation has typically ranged between 5 and 10 times sales. In the closing months of 2024, however, Tesla's valuation soared to more than 16 times sales. The recent correction simply brought the valuation multiple down toward historical norms. In fact, even after the correction, Tesla's price-to-sales multiple remains above its multiyear average, even when including the abnormal levels seen in late 2024 and early 2025.

TSLA PS Ratio data by YCharts. PS Ratio = price-to-sales ratio.

Tesla's growth forecast has picked up since the close of 2024. But even when looking at the company's forward price-to-sales multiple -- a metric that factors in this higher expected sales growth -- Tesla shares still trade a bit higher than their long-term average. And again, those long-term averages include the abnormal levels experienced at the end of 2024 and the start of 2025.

Does any of this mean that Tesla is a poor investment for long-term shareholders? Absolutely not. But the stock isn't as cheap as it seems following the correction, given that the correction began at abnormally high valuation levels.

Don’t miss this second chance at a potentially lucrative opportunity

Ever feel like you missed the boat in buying the most successful stocks? Then you’ll want to hear this.

On rare occasions, our expert team of analysts issues a “Double Down” stock recommendation for companies that they think are about to pop. If you’re worried you’ve already missed your chance to invest, now is the best time to buy before it’s too late. And the numbers speak for themselves:

• Nvidia: if you invested $1,000 when we doubled down in 2009, you’d have $276,000!*
• Apple: if you invested $1,000 when we doubled down in 2008, you’d have $39,505!*
• Netflix: if you invested $1,000 when we doubled down in 2004, you’d have $591,533!*

Right now, we’re issuing “Double Down” alerts for three incredible companies, available when you join Stock Advisor, and there may not be another chance like this anytime soon.

See the 3 stocks »

*Stock Advisor returns as of April 21, 2025

Ryan Vanzo has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has positions in and recommends Tesla. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.

A stock trading at a 52-week low is simply when the stock price is at its lowest point of the past 12 months. While this indicator does not guarantee that a stock is set to rebound and do well for shareholders, it can pay to look at a basket of 52-week low stocks and see if there are any high-quality businesses getting thrown out with the bath water. You might find some cheap stocks to buy for your portfolio.

As of this writing on April 23, few stocks are trading at their 52-week lows due to the massive broad market bounce we've seen in the last two weeks as investors try to navigate the tariff-based economic uncertainty. But there are a few strong growth stocks near their 52-week lows that look promising for investors who plan to buy and hold for many years. Here's why Coupang (NYSE: CPNG) and Airbnb (NASDAQ: ABNB) are two magnificent stocks to buy that fit this criterion.

Where to invest $1,000 right now? Our analyst team just revealed what they believe are the 10 best stocks to buy right now. Continue »

CPNG data by YCharts

Coupang's growing market share

E-commerce has been a massive tailwind for innovative businesses, such as Amazon, that are able to take advantage of this shift in consumer spending. Coupang is an Amazon clone taking over the South Korean market. In fact, one might argue that Coupang has a better e-commerce value proposition than Amazon.

Subscribers to Coupang's Rocket Wow service get free same-day and next-day delivery when ordering by midnight the night before, discounts on food delivery, fresh groceries delivered in hours, and streaming video options. The service is so good, Coupang representatives will even change your tires and install household appliances for free, as long as the products are ordered on the Coupang marketplace, of course.

Most households in South Korea now use Coupang. It generates $30 billion in annual revenue and $1 billion in free cash flow, even as it expands into new countries such as Taiwan and reinvests heavily to improve its offering with add-on services such as the luxury marketplace Farfetch it acquired on the cheap.

Gross profit increased 29% year over year last quarter, excluding changes in foreign currency conversions and inorganic revenue from acquisitions, an impressive growth rate for such a large company. At still a small percentage of overall retail spending in South Korea, I believe there is plenty of room for Coupang to keep growing quickly, especially when you include the expansion into Taiwan.

At today's price of around $22.50, Coupang is only slightly above its 52-week low of $19.76 hit earlier this year. At a market cap of just $41 billion and a long runway to grow its $30 billion in annual revenues, Coupang stock looks like a magnificent steal at today's prices.

Airbnb's expansion plans

Airbnb is a well-known brand around the world, with hundreds of millions of people trying its home-sharing marketplace as an affordable or unique way to travel. Over the years, it has become an increasingly important piece of the global travel pie. Last year, $81.8 billion was spent on the Airbnb marketplace, up 12% year over year.

Growth should continue from this original concept for years, even in Airbnb's more mature markets like North America and Western Europe. The concept is still only a small sliver of the gigantic global travel market. However, to supercharge growth in the years to come, Airbnb is deliberately expanding its marketplace, both geographically and with the products offered to customers.

Management is now custom-tailoring the Airbnb marketplace to unique travel markets such as Japan and Brazil, which is leading to fast growth in these regions. Latin America and Asia Pacific both saw 20%+ growth in nights and experiences booked in Q4 of last year, which is faster than overall Airbnb growth. On top of this global expansion, Airbnb has been prepping for years to add on new services to its marketplace. These will be new products for both guests and hosts on the Airbnb platform, and could possibly include travel packages, cleaning services, and other add-ons to improve the value proposition for both sides of the marketplace.

These growth prospects make Airbnb a great stock to buy at its current price of $118, not far off its 52-week low of $105.69. You can buy Airbnb stock at a reasonable price and hold it in your portfolio for the long term.

Should you invest $1,000 in Airbnb right now?

Before you buy stock in Airbnb, consider this:

The Motley Fool Stock Advisor analyst team just identified what they believe are the 10 best stocks for investors to buy now… and Airbnb 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 $591,533!* Or when Nvidia made this list on April 15, 2005... if you invested $1,000 at the time of our recommendation, you’d have $652,319!*

Now, it’s worth noting Stock Advisor’s total average return is 859% — a market-crushing outperformance compared to 158% 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 April 21, 2025

John Mackey, former CEO of Whole Foods Market, an Amazon subsidiary, is a member of The Motley Fool's board of directors. Brett Schafer has positions in Amazon and Coupang. The Motley Fool has positions in and recommends Airbnb and Amazon. The Motley Fool recommends Coupang. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.

President Trump's recent rollout of tariffs has caused chaos in the stock market and plenty of uncertainty among business leaders who are trying to map out the long-term strategy for their companies.

Some investors are looking for any signs that the Trump administration may take a softer approach to the industry. That's why it wasn't surprising to see investors jump on Trump's comments recently when he said he wants to "help some of the car companies" amid his 25% auto tariffs.

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Both Ford's (NYSE: F) and General Motors' stocks popped on that comment, with Ford's share price rising about 4% the same day Trump made his comments. However, buying Ford stock based on the shifting sentiment from the president is a terrible strategy. Here's why.

Image source: Ford.

Trump could change his mind

One reason why it's not a good idea to buy Ford or other auto stocks based on one comment is that President Trump could simply change his mind.

Earlier this month, the Trump administration announced, and then subsequently walked back, some of the harshest tariffs on most countries in only about 24 hours. Imports from China, however, are still at a staggering 145%.

If you're banking on the administration giving Ford (or other domestic automakers) a permanent reprieve on tariffs, you're essentially gambling with your money. President Trump could just as easily renege on his comments to help the automakers as quickly as he slapped steep tariffs on auto imports.

Even if the administration puts a permanent pause on some tariffs, there's no certainty they'll remain in place or for how long. It has become increasingly difficult to know which direction the administration is going on tariffs, and the constant shift means that buying stocks based on one comment is likely a terrible idea.

Even if auto tariffs temporarily go away, economic damage could already be done

President Trump's auto tariff goals seem to be focused on bringing automotive manufacturing back to the U.S., but the costs of doing so for Ford and other domestic automakers are tremendously high.

About 17% of Ford's North American production occurs in Mexico and Canada. If auto tariffs stay in place, the cost of new and used vehicles could increase by an average of 13.5%. But even if automotive tariffs disappear tomorrow, other substantial tariffs are in place, including 10% for most countries and 145% for China. While some new trade deals will be made, many economists and CEOs believe there will be substantial economic pain ahead.

A recent Wall Street Journal survey of economists put the risk of a recession at 45% over the next year. And more than half of CEOs in a separate survey think one is coming in the next six months.

History shows that Americans do not open their wallets for car purchases when the economy is doing poorly. During the Great Recession, new vehicle sales fell by 40% in just 12 months -- equal to $107 billion in sales declines. That doesn't mean they'll fall by that much again if a slowdown occurs, but it does show that when Americans are worried about their finances, they don't go out and buy new cars.

And Americans are worried about their finances. A recent CNBC survey found that 70% of Americans are stressed about personal finances, with the top-cited reasons being inflation, interest rates, and tariffs.

All of this adds up to a bad time to buy Ford

There is significant uncertainty among Ford, automakers, and the economy in general. There's no guarantee a recession is around the corner, but if a slowdown occurs because of tariffs, it could put a significant strain on Ford. The company's CEO, Jim Farley, said earlier this year:

"Let's be real honest: Long term, a 25% tariff across the Mexico and Canada borders would blow a hole in the U.S. industry that we've never seen."

There's also no guarantee that "help" from the Trump administration will fix Ford's predicament. Even if auto tariffs go away, the U.S. will be engaged in a trade war with China and still have significant tariffs against other trade partners that could slow the economy.

Instead of buying Ford or other stocks based on the hope that the company will eventually be immunized from the tariffs, it's probably best to sit this stock out until the dust settles and more concrete information is in place to make a wise decision.

Should you invest $1,000 in Ford Motor Company right now?

Before you buy stock in Ford Motor Company, consider this:

The Motley Fool Stock Advisor analyst team just identified what they believe are the 10 best stocks for investors to buy now… and Ford Motor Company 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 $566,035!* Or when Nvidia made this list on April 15, 2005... if you invested $1,000 at the time of our recommendation, you’d have $629,519!*

Now, it’s worth noting Stock Advisor’s total average return is 829% — a market-crushing outperformance compared to 155% 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 April 21, 2025

Chris Neiger has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool recommends General Motors. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.

Two stocks that could benefit from President Donald Trump's popularity this year are Trump Media & Technology Group (NASDAQ: DJT) and Newsmax (NYSE: NMAX). The former was launched by Trump in 2021 when he created the Truth Social platform, while the latter features a conservative cable channel that the president has endorsed in the past. Newsmax recently went public, but Trump Media's stock has been around for a little over a year after merging with Digital World Acquisition Corp.

Which of these two stocks is likely to perform better this year and over the long haul?

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The case for Trump Media

Trump Media stock is more closely aligned with President Trump's brand and image. It involves his Truth Social platform and streaming business.

The company has also been looking at crypto as a growth opportunity, recently partnering with crypto.com, which plans to offer exchange-traded funds comprising both digital and non-digital assets. Among the possible ETFs that could soon be available are a "Made in America" ETF and a "Bitcoin Plus" fund. While the details of those funds are not known, Trump Media has applied to trademark investment products with those names.

Trump Media is also well-funded, finishing last year with $777 million in cash and short-term investments. That liquidity can give the business lots of runway to grow even as it's still burning through cash. The company's net sales totaled just $3.6 million last year, but with plans to offer more services and greater opportunities for monetization ahead, there could be strong growth on the horizon for the company.

The case for Newsmax

Shares of Newsmax went public last month and at a market cap of less than $2 billion, it's a cheaper option than Trump Media stock (worth nearly $5 billion). And the company also has a much more established business today, centering around its cable channel and website.

Last year, Newsmax reported more than $171 million in revenue, with its top line growing by 26% year over year. The company incurred a loss of more than $72 million but with strong gross profit margins of around 50%, there may be hope for the business to one day turn a profit as it scales its operations and adds to its subscribers.

With the company focused on conservative news, it could stand to benefit from President Trump's strong popularity. Newsmax rose in prominence during Trump's first presidential term as he soured on once-favored Fox News, which he called "unwatchable" back in 2020.

Which stock is the better buy?

Although both media stocks present risks and neither is a safe buy, if you're deciding between the two, I'd go with Newsmax.

At this stage, Trump Media doesn't seem to be much more than a meme stock. It isn't generating much revenue, and simply having a strong cash balance doesn't make it an investable business. It's a speculative buy, and year to date, it has fallen more than 36%. What's concerning is that even amid that decline, it still looks egregiously overpriced and has plenty of room to fall even lower.

Almost by default, Newsmax looks to be the better option right now. Its valuation is lower, and its business is growing quickly. But with steep losses, it's not a safe stock to own either. However, with an established business and more modest valuation, I expect it'll outperform Trump Media this year and beyond.

Should you invest $1,000 in Newsmax right now?

Before you buy stock in Newsmax, consider this:

The Motley Fool Stock Advisor analyst team just identified what they believe are the 10 best stocks for investors to buy now… and Newsmax 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 $566,035!* Or when Nvidia made this list on April 15, 2005... if you invested $1,000 at the time of our recommendation, you’d have $629,519!*

Now, it’s worth noting Stock Advisor’s total average return is 829% — a market-crushing outperformance compared to 155% 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 April 21, 2025

David Jagielski has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.

• Private chefs shared tips for making post-work meals that are delicious and quick to prepare.
• Planning meals in advance can help reduce the amount of time spent in the kitchen.
• Wisely choosing which items to buy premade and dressing up basic meals, like pasta, can be great.

It can be tough for anyone to put together an impressive weeknight dinner after a long day at work, even private chefs.

They spend their whole workday cooking for others, so when they get home, crafting nutritious meals for themselves can feel like more of a stressor than a relief.

Because of this, many chefs have learned how to put together quick, satisfying dinners at home that feel elevated but aren't too much work to prepare.

Here are some of their top tips for elevating weeknight dinners without spending too much time and effort in the kitchen.

Learn how to dress up simple staples, like instant ramen or pasta.

A few extra ingredients can turn pantry basics, like pasta or instant ramen, into an interesting, exciting meal.

For example, Natalia Rudin, a former private chef, dresses up instant ramen using ingredients like chili crisp, lime, fried eggs, scallions, or cheddar cheese.

"Throw some sesame seeds on top, and it'll look like a gourmet meal," Rudin told Business Insider.

Overall, her upgrades vary based on what she has on hand and what sounds good that night.

For elevating a basic pasta dish, she recommends using fresh ingredients, like asparagus, garlic, or peas, and simple proteins, like chickpeas, lentils, ground beef, turkey, or chicken.

Even "a little bit of white wine" can elevate and balance a sauce, she added.

Keep your pantry and fridge stocked with flavorful ingredients.

A kitchen full of flavorful ingredients that can be added to just about any recipe is key to making weeknight dinners that stand out.

Rudin suggested trying miso, gochujang, and harissa paste because they can add umami and spice to a wide variety of meals. Capers, olives, or peanut butter can also add a punch of flavor to a dish.

Brooke Baevsky, a celebrity private chef, said she uses hot sauces to punch up a meal or tahini to add a creaminess and umami flavor to just about anything.

"Don't go shy on using your seasonings," Baevsky told BI. "You should be able to really see your seasoning on your food before you prep it."

Strategize your weeknight meals around key versatile ingredients.

Emily Ruybal, a professional private chef who works on charter yachts, said planning meals at the start of your week can help you save time later.

Think about what you're craving and plan to use some of the same ingredients in more than one meal so they don't go to waste.

For example, chicken is one of Rudin's favorite ingredients to use on repeat — it can easily be worked into three or four meals.

"You could roast it on a Monday and have just roast chicken with potatoes," she said. "The next day, you can take all the chicken off the bone and shred it and have it either in salads or put it in a wrap, in a sandwich, or in a pasta. Then, you can cook the bones with loads of vegetables and make the bone broth, and use that as a base for a chicken noodle soup or just a veggie soup."

If roasting a whole chicken sounds like too much effort, getting a rotisserie chicken from the grocery store works just as well, she said.

Prepare meals in advance to help save time, money, and stress.

Setting aside time on the weekends to meal prep for the days ahead can also help make busy weeknights smoother, Baevsky said.

Plus, you may feel less tempted to order takeout or eat unhealthy snacks if you have precut veggies or balanced meals waiting for you in the fridge.

Baevsky told BI she meal preps about once every five weeks, dedicating a full day to cooking enough food for herself. Her prep days include at least three breakfast options, four to five dinners, and a couple of lunches she can eat throughout the month.

When meal prepping, the freezer can be your best friend.

You can make your prepared meals last longer by freezing them.

"My fridge, weirdly enough, is always empty," Baevsky said. "I will make something for meal prep for myself and put it directly into the freezer."

That way, she said, she doesn't have to worry as much about her food going bad before she has time to eat it.

Some of her go-to meals to keep in the freezer include turkey meatballs, chicken burgers, egg bites, chia puddings, smoked salmon, and cooked grains.

When freezing meals and ingredients, she recommends dividing them into individual portion-sized containers with labels.

Use the mise en place technique to stay organized while cooking.

To save time in the kitchen, use mise en place, which is French for "everything in its place." It's a popular process chefs use for organizing, measuring, and preparing ingredients before they begin cooking.

Rudin said you'll want to keep all of your ingredients "lined up and ready" so you can stay on task and potentially make less of a mess.

If you're worried this technique will require too many dishes, try using a big chopping board to divide and organize your ingredients instead of individual bowls.

Use pre-prepared ingredients to save time.

Although it's not always cost-effective, buying pre-chopped vegetables or pre-cooked grains can significantly reduce the time you spend in the kitchen without compromising the quality of a meal.

"Time savers like that are really helpful," Rudin said.

But choose carefully what you make from scratch and what you buy at the store.

That said, not all premade and homemade ingredients are created equal.

When it comes to elevating your weeknight meals, knowing when to spend extra time making something from scratch and when to opt for a store-bought item is key. It might take some trial and error.

"One thing that I will say I never skip on for myself is always making my sauces and dressings from scratch," Ruybal said. "I just think they always taste better."

Make your dinners part of a self-care ritual.

Finally, one of the best ways to make your weeknight dinner feel more elevated and meaningful is to turn the cooking process into a nice experience for yourself.

Ruybal said this can be as simple as giving yourself an hour to plan and cook a meal. For some, cooking can even be a form of self-care.

"It's kind of an escape from your 9-to-5, too," she said. "You put your phone down and just start cooking in the kitchen, and you might make mistakes along the way, but that's kind of how you learn when you cook."

Shares of the large lender Capital One (NYSE: COF) were trading nearly 5% higher at noon today. The company reported its first-quarter earnings results after the market closed yesterday, delivering an earnings beat but a slight miss on revenue.

Solid earnings and merger approval

Capital One reported adjusted earnings per share of $4.06, well ahead of analyst estimates. However, revenue of $10 billion came up slightly short of estimates. Meanwhile, credit metrics held up well, with expected loan losses and 30-plus-day delinquencies falling from the previous quarter.

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Furthermore, Capital One recently received regulatory approval for its pending acquisition of Discover Financial Services. The acquisition will add a highly coveted payments arm to Capital One's repertoire while also bringing over a large consumer lending portfolio that will pair nicely with Capital One's current business.

On the earnings call, Capital One's CEO Richard Fairbank said the company expects to achieve the $2.7 billion of network and cost synergies it laid out when initially announcing the acquisition, which is now expected to close on May 18.

Gaining a significant moat

Overall, Capital One's earnings came in solid. While the company is certainly vulnerable to an economic downturn, management is experienced and knows how to navigate choppy waters.

Closing the Discover deal and adding a global payments network is a significant achievement for Capital One. It also makes the company that much more of a compelling buy because there aren't that many companies that can run a payments business at global scale, and this performance won't be easy for competitors to replicate.

Should you invest $1,000 in Capital One Financial right now?

Before you buy stock in Capital One Financial, consider this:

The Motley Fool Stock Advisor analyst team just identified what they believe are the 10 best stocks for investors to buy now… and Capital One Financial 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 $561,046!* Or when Nvidia made this list on April 15, 2005... if you invested $1,000 at the time of our recommendation, you’d have $606,106!*

Now, it’s worth noting Stock Advisor’s total average return is 811% — a market-crushing outperformance compared to 153% 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 April 21, 2025

Discover Financial Services is an advertising partner of Motley Fool Money. Bram Berkowitz has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool recommends Discover Financial Services. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.

Tesla (NASDAQ: TSLA) stock has climbed 8% after reporting what can only be described as a terrible first quarter of 2025. The company's sales dropped, and it was profitable only because of regulatory credit sales. Travis Hoium digs into the results in this video.

*Stock prices used were end-of-day prices of April 22, 2025. The video was published on April 23, 2025.

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Don’t miss this second chance at a potentially lucrative opportunity

Ever feel like you missed the boat in buying the most successful stocks? Then you’ll want to hear this.

On rare occasions, our expert team of analysts issues a “Double Down” stock recommendation for companies that they think are about to pop. If you’re worried you’ve already missed your chance to invest, now is the best time to buy before it’s too late. And the numbers speak for themselves:

• Nvidia: if you invested $1,000 when we doubled down in 2009, you’d have $256,447!*
• Apple: if you invested $1,000 when we doubled down in 2008, you’d have $37,869!*
• Netflix: if you invested $1,000 when we doubled down in 2004, you’d have $561,046!*

Right now, we’re issuing “Double Down” alerts for three incredible companies, available when you join Stock Advisor, and there may not be another chance like this anytime soon.

See the 3 stocks »

*Stock Advisor returns as of April 21, 2025

Suzanne Frey, an executive at Alphabet, is a member of The Motley Fool's board of directors. Travis Hoium has positions in Alphabet and Mobileye Global. The Motley Fool has positions in and recommends Alphabet and Tesla. The Motley Fool recommends General Motors and Mobileye Global. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. Travis Hoium is an affiliate of The Motley Fool and may be compensated for promoting its services. If you choose to subscribe through their link they will earn some extra money that supports their channel. Their opinions remain their own and are unaffected by The Motley Fool.

Old Dominion Freight Line (NASDAQ: ODFL) is feeling the pinch from global trade uncertainty, but the impact isn't as bad as investors had feared. Shares of Old Dominion were trading up 9% as of 10 a.m. ET after the company reported better-than-expected results Wednesday morning. But the stock had given all that back in the next 30 minutes.

Driving into headwinds

Trucking company Old Dominion earned $1.19 per share in the first quarter on revenue of $1.37 billion, beating Wall Street's $1.14 per-share consensus profit estimate and matching the top-line estimate. Revenue was down 6% year over year and net income fell by 13%, but investors had been bracing for far worse results.

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Old Dominion specializes in domestic less-than-truckload shipping, meaning it transports freight for multiple customers from distribution centers. CEO Marty Freeman said that the results "reflect the ongoing softness in the domestic economy."

This is a business that benefits from scale. Old Dominion's operating ratio-- a measure of expenses compared to revenue -- rose 190 basis points to 75.4%. Freeman said the decreased volumes had a "deleveraging effect on many of our operating expenses."

Is Old Dominion stock a buy?

Investors should not expect a quick turnaround for this business. Freeman said "there continues to be uncertainty" in the economy, and with the full impact of tariffs only now beginning to hit U.S. ports, there will likely be a further slowdown in domestic trucking up ahead.

The good news is Old Dominion has the wherewithal to survive a downturn, and its best-of-class operations should help it to recover along with the economy. But trading at 30 times forward earnings in the face of a near-term slowdown, the stock can hardly be called inexpensive.

Old Dominion is a solid hold right now, but there is no reason to jump in and buy in this environment.

Should you invest $1,000 in Old Dominion Freight Line right now?

Before you buy stock in Old Dominion Freight Line, consider this:

The Motley Fool Stock Advisor analyst team just identified what they believe are the 10 best stocks for investors to buy now… and Old Dominion Freight Line 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 $561,046!* Or when Nvidia made this list on April 15, 2005... if you invested $1,000 at the time of our recommendation, you’d have $606,106!*

Now, it’s worth noting Stock Advisor’s total average return is 811% — a market-crushing outperformance compared to 153% 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 April 21, 2025

Lou Whiteman has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has positions in and recommends Old Dominion Freight Line. The Motley Fool recommends the following options: long January 2026 $195 calls on Old Dominion Freight Line and short January 2026 $200 calls on Old Dominion Freight Line. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.

• When I was laid off from my job in 2019, I struggled to feel professional and personal value.
• I did freelance writing while I looked for full-time jobs, but then my business started booming.
• Five years later, I'm freelancing full-time — and I'm proud of the career I've built for myself.

The journalism industry is notoriously fickle, and I've watched many colleagues around me get laid off over the years. However, the same fate didn't reach me until I was 15 years into my career.

In 2019, I was called into a corporate office I'd never been to so a human-resources employee I'd never met could slide a packet of information about my layoff across the desk.

I didn't know it then, but this unfortunate situation would actually push me to create a far more fulfilling career for myself.

At first, I faced practical challenges and an even bigger identity crisis

Shortly after I was let go, I focused on logistics and practical concerns.

I was already over 40, and I feared I might never get another "real" job again. After all, younger talent can be desirable in many industries because they're often much cheaper to employ.

Thankfully, my two toddlers and I were able to move on to my spouse's insurance. Their group plan and stable income meant our short-term financials weren't as big of a pressing concern as they could've been.

Soon, I realized the hardest part of being laid off would be overcoming my new feelings of professional (and, by extension, personal) valuelessness.

Rather than remembering my career triumphs, I wondered what I'd done along the way to find myself in this situation. I forgot what my marketable skills were and felt like an imposter as I overhauled my résumé and applied to job after job.

Freelancing helped me find a new path

While job hunting, I started freelance writing as a stopgap measure to bring in some income and stay tethered to a sense of relevance.

Although I worked on some interesting projects, I took many assignments that I considered beneath my career experience in terms of content or compensation (or both).

A few months later, the coronavirus pandemic turned the world upside down. I still had no viable full-time job offers on the table.

The job market felt uncertain like many other things at that time. I assumed the worst outcomes for my work prospects — but the opposite reality bore out.

With so many people home, isolated, and glued to their screens, the demand for digital content seemed to soar, lifting my writing business right with it.

Work picked up steam until I was so booked I could pass on gigs that paid less and didn't feel very rewarding. I started really taking pleasure in full-time freelance writing.

From there, I began developing a brand identity, reading books for writing professionals, and enrolling in virtual conferences and classes for freelancers.

For the first time in a while, I felt enriched by my work and everything I was learning.

Eventually, I realized how much I loved my remade professional life

Within about a year, my business was booming, and I was even making more money than I'd made as a corporate employee.

I was thriving in a career I'd remade on my own terms. Eventually, I stopped applying for corporate jobs.

I like being independent and not stymied by a corporate setting, where shareholders can dictate policies that aren't in line with my values and bosses can control creative and business decisions that affect my work.

It's been over five years since I was laid off, and I'm still doing my thing. There are ebbs and flows and peaks of valleys, and the journalism industry is still far from stable.

However, I can still say with full sincerity that I love my job — and I feel gratitude when I remember the path that led me here.

Detroit automakers can run but they can't hide from the potentially devastating impacts tariffs could have on their business. The stocks have been hammered all year long, some worse than others, and the true impact is yet to be felt.

Amid the slew of analyst downgrades and lowered price targets there's a reality that is setting in for some investors: Tariffs could cause Ford Motor Company (NYSE: F) to alter how it returns value to shareholders. In other words, Ford may be forced to cut its coveted dividend.

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Lucrative dividend

Ford has no doubt faced its share of challenges lately. The company is working to cut costs at the same time it's attempting to improve quality issues that have dinged the company's bottom-line through warranty costs. It has challenges in a tough Chinese market, and it's also burning through billions of dollars churning out each electric vehicle at a loss currently.

Throw in the potential impact of tariffs and it's not farfetched to think that Ford may have to cut its lucrative dividend, which remains one of the largest reasons to own the stock. Ford's current dividend yield sits at a lofty 7.8% due to the stock's sell-off, and trades at a paltry price-to-earnings ratio of 5.8.

"It is time to confront some hard truths, once more: vehicle tariffs have commenced, and parts tariffs are likely to follow within a month," wrote Bernstein analyst Daniel Roeska, according to Barron's. "We extend our company analysis to Ford and find significant downside not priced by the market yet."

He could be exactly right when it comes to the downside not being priced into Ford stock yet. As you can see in the graph below, likely thanks to having more production capacity located in the U.S., Ford's stock has shed less value than its competitors so far in 2025.

TSLA data by YCharts

The good news is that Ford shouldn't have to cut the dividend right away, as the company has ample liquidity to wait and see if the tariff drama ends in the near term, one way or another. In fact, you can see in the graph below that Ford has steadily improved its cash position and can easily cover the dividend.

F Cash and Equivalents (Annual) data by YCharts

How costly could it be?

The pain from the tariffs won't be completely felt through the 25% tariff on imported vehicles, but rather next month when another 25% tariff is expected to be slapped on imported automotive parts. For example, Ford produces about 82% of its U.S. sales domestically, but only about a third of its cars are built using domestic parts.

The cost could end up being significant. J.P. Morgan analyst Ryan Brinkman wrote in a note to investors that the current tariff proposals could cost Ford around $6 billion -- rival General Motors fared worse with his estimated cost reaching around $14 billion.

If there's anything to take away from this assessment, it's just how serious these tariffs could be. Not only could they affect Ford's bottom line, but if the tariff pain is extended long-term it could jeopardize the company's lucrative dividend.

With that said, if the dividend is a core part of why you're considering owning shares of Ford, understand that it will always be a focus for the company. Even if it is temporarily cut to mitigate tariff costs, it will one day reach its full potential again as management is committed to returning value to shareholders in that manner.

Should you invest $1,000 in Ford Motor Company right now?

Before you buy stock in Ford Motor Company, consider this:

The Motley Fool Stock Advisor analyst team just identified what they believe are the 10 best stocks for investors to buy now… and Ford Motor Company 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 $495,226!* Or when Nvidia made this list on April 15, 2005... if you invested $1,000 at the time of our recommendation, you’d have $679,900!*

Now, it’s worth noting Stock Advisor’s total average return is 796% — a market-crushing outperformance compared to 155% 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 April 10, 2025

Daniel Miller has positions in Ford Motor Company and General Motors. The Motley Fool has positions in and recommends Tesla. The Motley Fool recommends General Motors and Stellantis. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.

With the return of market volatility, anxiety levels are rising for retirement savers, but if you're not going to be tapping into your savings for many years, there's no reason to worry. Stock market dips are historically the best time to invest, because lower share prices allow you to gain more of a company's earnings, which leads to great returns when the markets recover.

To help you in your search for undervalued growth stocks, here are two excellent candidates.

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1. Meta Platforms

Meta Platforms (NASDAQ: META) is coming off a year of strong growth as it continued to invest in artificial intelligence (AI) to bring more personalization to its social media platforms. The company is set for strong growth yet trades at a reasonable 24 times earnings.

Meta Platforms spends billions on technology every year to support the growth of its apps, and importantly, AI. More than 700 million monthly active users have tried its Meta AI assistant, and management expects that number to grow to 1 billion in 2025.

Meta AI is quickly scaling into one of the most used AI assistants. The growing adoption highlights the advantage the company has with more than 3.3 billion people using its services every day across Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp, Messenger, and Threads.

This large user base drives substantial advertising revenues. Last year, Meta Platforms earned $62 billion of net income on $164 billion of revenue, with the top line growing 22%. Other than Meta AI, the company also offers professional AI tools that improve ad targeting across its family of apps, which is benefiting the business. Over the long term, Meta could discover new revenue streams from offering premium AI services that pads the company's bottom line.

Analysts expect Meta to deliver 16% annualized earnings growth in the coming years. While no one has a crystal ball for the stock in the near term, investors that buy shares today should see returns that roughly follow the underlying growth of the business from here.

2. The Trade Desk

The Trade Desk (NASDAQ: TTD) is a leading digital ad-buying platform that is benefiting from the growth in digital advertising -- a market valued at $800 billion and growing.

A small revenue miss compared to expectations last quarter sent the stock plummeting, but nothing has changed the company's competitive position or long-term opportunity, which means investors have a great opportunity to buy shares on the cheap.

Ad agencies and brands love The Trade Desk because it offers a wide range of ad inventory, and it offers the technology to make profitable ad-buying decisions. For example, its Kokai AI platform can quickly sort through millions of ad impressions every second to help advertisers find the right deal. Better pricing, targeting, and ad performance is helping The Trade Desk gain more clients.

The Trade Desk generates revenue by charging a fee of the total amount its customers spend on ads and other services. Revenue grew 26% to $2.4 billion in 2024, and the business earned a healthy profit margin of 16%.

Connected TV continues to be one of biggest opportunities, where The Trade Desk has valuable partnerships with Roku and Disney. The connected TV ad market is estimated to reach $46 billion by 2026, according to Statista, providing tremendous upside for the company.

Revenue is expected to grow 18% this year, yet the stock is trading at its lowest valuation in years. Analysts expect earnings to reach $3.89 by 2028, which makes the current share price of around $50 look like a bargain. Investors that take advantage of the sell-off are likely looking at handsome gains down the road.

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Randi Zuckerberg, a former director of market development and spokeswoman for Facebook and sister to Meta Platforms CEO Mark Zuckerberg, is a member of The Motley Fool's board of directors. John Ballard has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has positions in and recommends Meta Platforms, Roku, The Trade Desk, and Walt Disney. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.