At Spike Invest, we believe that everyone should have the opportunity to invest wisely and grow their wealth, regardless of experience. We simplify the world of investing by focusing on Exchange Traded Funds (ETFs) and Index Funds—two of the most powerful tools for building a long-term, balanced portfolio.
By supporting industries aligned with your passions, values, and
vision, you contribute to positive change
while potentially reaping the rewards of growth in areas you're
truly passionate about.
Sharia-compliant ETFs are designed to meet the ethical and financial principles of Islamic law (Sharia), making them suitable for Muslim investors. These ETFs follow specific guidelines, such as avoiding investments in businesses related to alcohol, gambling, pork, and interest-based financial services. Instead, they focus on sectors and companies that align with Islamic principles.
When you’re just starting out as an investor, the world of stocks, bonds, and mutual funds can feel overwhelming. For many new investors, the idea of picking individual stocks or constantly monitoring the market seems daunting. This is where Exchange-Traded Funds (ETFs) come in—a simple, effective way to invest in a wide range of assets without the complexity.
When people think of making money in the stock market, they often imagine two things: quick, high returns and big risks. This thinking confuses two very different approaches to building wealth: investing and speculation. While both can be profitable, they carry distinct risks, goals, and strategies. Understanding these differences is key to making smart financial decisions, especially for people looking to grow their money steadily and securely over time.
The Surge in the AI Sector: Why NVIDIA is Leading the Charge In recent years, the technology sector has witnessed tremendous growth, with one particular area standing out as a game-changer: Artificial Intelligence (AI). AI, once a futuristic concept, is now a driving force behind innovations across industries. From self-driving cars and healthcare diagnostics to smart home devices and financial algorithms, AI is transforming how we live and work. The recent surge in AI development has sparked excitement among investors, and one company has emerged as a leader in this space: NVIDIA. In this article, we’ll explore why the AI sector is booming, NVIDIA’s critical role in this growth, and what it means for investors and the future of technology. Why AI is Experiencing a Boom AI’s rapid rise can be attributed to several factors converging at the right time: 1. Increased Computing Power: AI requires vast computational resources to process data, run algorithms, and learn from patterns. Advances in hardware, especially GPUs (Graphics Processing Units), have made it possible to handle the immense processing needs of AI systems. As these technologies evolve, they allow AI models to become more sophisticated and effective. 2. Big Data Availability: AI systems thrive on data. With the explosion of data from smartphones, social media, cloud computing, and the Internet of Things (IoT), there’s more information than ever for AI algorithms to analyze and learn from. This data drives improvements in everything from recommendation engines to predictive analytics. 3. Enterprise and Consumer Demand: Companies across all sectors are seeking ways to leverage AI to improve efficiency, enhance customer experiences, and innovate in their products. AI’s ability to automate processes, make sense of large datasets, and provide insights is creating demand in industries like healthcare, finance, manufacturing, and beyond. 4. Breakthroughs in Machine Learning: Advances in machine learning (ML) and deep learning—subfields of AI—are allowing machines to perform tasks that once seemed impossible, like understanding human speech, recognizing images, and even generating creative content. These breakthroughs are pushing the boundaries of what AI can achieve. Why NVIDIA is Leading the AI Revolution As AI grows, NVIDIA has positioned itself as a dominant force in this rapidly expanding sector. Originally known for its role in the gaming industry, NVIDIA’s Graphics Processing Units (GPUs) have become the backbone of AI computing. But why has NVIDIA emerged as such a key player? 1. GPUs are Essential for AI: While traditional processors (CPUs) handle general computing tasks, GPUs are designed for parallel processing—meaning they can handle multiple tasks simultaneously. This capability is critical for AI and machine learning, where vast amounts of data need to be processed at once. NVIDIA’s GPUs are considered the gold standard in AI research and development, powering everything from self-driving cars to natural language processing models. 2. NVIDIA’s CUDA Platform: Beyond hardware, NVIDIA’s CUDA (Compute Unified Device Architecture) platform has become a vital tool for developers and researchers working on AI and machine learning. CUDA enables software to leverage the full power of NVIDIA’s GPUs, making it easier for developers to build and scale AI applications. This integration of hardware and software has helped NVIDIA carve out a unique and dominant position in the AI ecosystem. 3. Data Center Expansion: While NVIDIA started in the gaming space, the company has rapidly expanded into data centers, which are critical for AI processing. NVIDIA’s A100 and H100 GPUs are now widely used in data centers around the world, powering AI applications for major tech companies and research institutions. These high-performance GPUs are designed to handle AI workloads with efficiency, making NVIDIA the go-to provider for AI infrastructure. 4. Partnerships and Acquisitions: NVIDIA has strategically invested in AI-related partnerships and acquisitions. Its acquisition of Mellanox Technologies (for data center connectivity) and Arm Holdings (for chip design) has expanded its influence in the AI hardware space. By creating an ecosystem that supports AI development from chip design to cloud infrastructure, NVIDIA has secured its place as a key player in the AI surge. What’s Driving NVIDIA’s Recent Surge? NVIDIA’s recent stock surge is directly tied to the explosion of interest in AI. Several key developments have contributed to this rise: - AI Adoption Across Industries: NVIDIA’s GPUs are essential for AI, and as companies in healthcare, finance, automotive, and other sectors integrate AI into their operations, NVIDIA’s hardware is in high demand. The company’s products power the AI systems used in self-driving cars, predictive analytics, and personalized recommendation engines, to name a few. - The AI Arms Race: With AI becoming a competitive advantage, businesses are investing heavily in AI infrastructure to stay ahead. Tech giants like Google, Amazon, and Microsoft are pouring billions into AI research and development, and they rely on NVIDIA’s GPUs to build their AI systems. This “AI arms race” is fueling growth in the demand for NVIDIA’s products. - ChatGPT and Generative AI: The emergence of Generative AI technologies, like OpenAI’s ChatGPT, has driven further interest in AI. These AI models require massive computational resources to operate, and NVIDIA’s GPUs are the industry standard for training and running these large-scale models. As AI continues to advance, NVIDIA’s role in powering these systems solidifies its dominance. - Strong Financial Performance: NVIDIA’s impressive earnings reports have validated its growth story. The company has posted record revenue, driven by AI-related demand, and continues to show strong financial results in key sectors like data centers and gaming. Investors see NVIDIA as a leader in AI, and its stock performance reflects this confidence. What Does the Future Hold for AI and NVIDIA? The surge in AI is not a short-lived trend. AI is expected to continue transforming industries, and NVIDIA’s position as a leader in the field means it will likely benefit from this growth for years to come. - Expanding AI Use Cases: AI will continue to find new applications in areas like healthcare, robotics, and autonomous vehicles. NVIDIA is well-positioned to provide the hardware and software solutions necessary for these innovations. - Growth in AI Cloud Services: As more companies shift to cloud-based AI solutions, NVIDIA’s products will be essential in powering these services. Partnerships with cloud providers like Amazon AWS, Google Cloud, and Microsoft Azure further solidify NVIDIA’s influence in this space. - Innovations in AI Hardware: As AI models become more advanced, the demand for cutting-edge hardware will grow. NVIDIA’s continued investment in R&D ensures it remains at the forefront of AI technology, driving innovation in GPUs and other AI infrastructure. Conclusion The surge in the AI sector is one of the most exciting developments in the technology world, and NVIDIA is at the center of this transformation. With its powerful GPUs, software platforms, and strategic investments, NVIDIA has become the go-to company for AI computing. As AI continues to reshape industries and drive innovation, NVIDIA is positioned to be a key player in the future of technology, making it a stock to watch for investors and a company leading the charge in AI’s next frontier.
One of the key advantages of Exchange-Traded Funds (ETFs) is their tax efficiency, which can help investors keep more of their returns. Here's why ETFs are more tax-efficient compared to other investment vehicles like mutual funds
ETFs offer a simple and cost-effective way to gain exposure to global markets, allowing you to invest in companies and economies worldwide with just a few trades. Here's how: Broad Global ETFs: ETFs like VT (Vanguard Total World Stock ETF) provide exposure to thousands of companies across both developed and emerging markets, giving you instant diversification without needing to pick individual stocks from multiple countries. Regional and Country-Specific ETFs: If you want more targeted exposure, there are ETFs that focus on specific regions or countries. For example, EFA (iShares MSCI EAFE ETF) focuses on developed markets outside North America, while FXI (iShares China Large-Cap ETF) gives access to leading Chinese companies. Emerging Market ETFs: For those looking to invest in fast-growing economies, ETFs like VWO (Vanguard FTSE Emerging Markets ETF) provide exposure to countries such as China, India, and Brazil, where rapid economic development offers significant growth potential.
The U.S. stock market broadened its rally this week, with all S&P 500 sectors booking weekly gains, as investors appeared relieved by interest rates in the bond market reversing some of their recent startling climb.
Coffee chain Starbucks’s promised overhaul may require cutting jobs as it tries to work more efficiently, CEO Brian Niccol said.
CNBC's Jim Cramer guided investors through next week on Wall Street, highlighting President-elect Donald Trump's inauguration.
With the incoming pro-business Trump administration, Wall Street needs people willing to ask hard questions and look into whether there’s substance behind bold corporate predictions.
Incoming President Donald Trump’s second administration kicks off as the U.S. debt-ceiling debate enters another critical juncture.
The pharmacy “allowed millions of opioid pills and other controlled substances to flow illegally out of Walgreens stores,” the Justice Department said.
Experts say consumers may end up paying more if food and drink products are reformulated.
Retirees suffer more from depression as it is. Binge drinking makes it worse.
U.S. stocks are about to close out the Biden era on a high note as the president bids farewell to the White House.
Electric vehicles made up about 9% of cars sold in the U.S. last year. Even with tax credits, they were too expensive for many middle-income households.
The volatility seen in oil prices in the new year has a lot to do with Donald Trump — and he doesn’t even officially become the president of the United States until Monday.
Every weekday, the Investing Club releases the Homestretch; an actionable afternoon update just in time for the last hour of trading.
A new lawsuit alleging that Capital One cheated savers out of larger yields is a wake-up call for people who want to wise up and get the most out of their deposits, experts say.
Tesla’s stock surges ahead of Inauguration Day, as investors bet on CEO Elon Musk’s ability to influence Federal rule making.
Major cryptocurrencies rallied on Friday, with bitcoin back on track toward its record high days ahead of the second inauguration of crypto-friendly President-elect Donald Trump.
Construction of new homes jumped in December, but a look at 2024 overall shows builders weren’t ramping up construction despite strong demand.
Volatility is the “new norm,” market pro Jeff Bierman predicts.
The FAA grounded SpaceX's Starship pending an investigation into the failure that caused the rocket to break apart midflight after launching on Thursday.
Whatever happens over the weekend, Jim is firm that Meta is a strong buy.
On his X account, Sam Altman posted a letter signed by Democratic senators concerned about the ways tech companies appear to be bending to Trump's wishes.
Presidents get too much credit or too much blame for the economy, it’s often said, but the public never fails to render its own judgment. They gave Joe Biden and Kamala Harris a failing grade and put Donald Trump back in the White House. Here are the high-water marks — and biggest low points — during the Biden/Harris administration.
As more companies require remote employees to return to the office, working parents are struggling not only with upended schedules, but with the added expense of of additional child care.
The Unrivaled basketball league will play its first games, airing on TNT, on Friday. It's poised to capitalize on growing national interest in women's sports.
A tech publication writes of the “near certainty” that a company is interested in buying Intel. But it’s not clear which one might fit the bill.
“Don’t hold your breath,” for deficit reduction, says a Bank of America economist.
The purchase will increase the stock's weighting in our portfolio to more than 2%.
Also: Value stocks, the start of earnings season, retirement planning for people of all ages and a new development in the space race.
Do we really want to live in a country without Nvidia, Tesla or Viggo Mortensen?
Carriers with greater exposure to premium travel will fare better this year, analysts say.
The Investing Club holds its "Morning Meeting" every weekday at 10:20 a.m. ET.
Bank’s stock price hits record high this week and board awards Solomon stock bonus to vest in 2030.
The U.S. Supreme Court has upheld a bipartisan law that aims to ban TikTok on Sunday if the video-sharing app continues to be controlled by its Chinese parent company, ByteDance Ltd.
Just in time, clean-energy companies Rivian Automotive Inc. and Plug Power Inc. have closed loan agreements with the Biden administration that will fund the construction of manufacturing plants in the United States.
Companies are expediting cargo shipments into the U.S. ahead of new tariffs from President-elect Trump, with Chinese trade the biggest on the move.
Software companies like Salesforce are marketing their newest generative artificial-intelligence products as “agents” and “digital labor” — but analysts doubt agentic AI’s ability to take jobs or make a lot of money anytime soon.
The U.S. economy has separated itself from the global pack — and its lead could widen in the new year.
Volatility trader and founder of Kai Volatility Cem Karsan believes the Fed could provoke a sharp stock fall if it’s not careful.
Now that the largest six U.S. banks have reported their fourth-quarter results, it is clear that investors are continuing to celebrate the group’s performance. And although the banks have varying business models, a comparison can be made to show how well each has been operating as a whole.
Inflation worries remain despite strong earnings as JPMorgan Chase’s Jamie Dimon and David Solomon of Goldman Sachs weigh risks.
Analysts at Argus Research say the stock is now trading at 22 times its estimated 2025 earnings.
SpaceX CEO Musk has described the explosion of the company’s Starship spacecraft during its seventh flight test Thursday as “barely a bump in the road,” underlining the momentum behind the commercial space giant.
Oil futures were slightly lower early Friday, but on track for a fourth straight week of gains after wider sanctions against Russia’s energy industry tightened supply.
Older consumers are a largely ignored — and very lucrative — group.
Fund-manager cash levels are rising, one of a number of indicators showing that last year’s frothy market conditions have subsided and that sentiment has become more sober, Bank of America strategists say.
If you know what’s coming, you can plan ahead to mitigate some of the pain.
The stock of SLB, the oil services company formerly known as Schlumberger Ltd, rose 3% early Friday after the company posted better-than-expected earnings for the fourth quarter, driven by strength in its international business.
Germany’s central bank, the Bundesbank, on Friday became the latest of the country’s institutions to stop posting on X, formerly known as Twitter, the messaging platform owned by Elon Musk, after the German government expressed concern that social media is distorting political discourse ahead of national elections on February 23rd this year.
German stocks have been the stars of the young new year, ripping higher on Friday to a fresh record high.
U.S. Treasury bond yields were mostly pointing to a fourth day of declines, with disappointing U.K. economic data helping to extend this week’s decline.
Stocks are very vulnerable to news of harsher-than-hoped-for tariffs
The Bank of England on Friday said it will delay key rules on bank capital for a year while the U.S. decides what to do, a sign of how the incoming Trump administration will impact financial regulation throughout the globe.
Europe’s cream of the crop stocks have fallen on some tough times, and for U.S. investors, the lesson is clear, says Goldman Sachs.
“Six months after we married, we had planned to get pre-qualified for a mortgage with the intention of selling both our homes.”
After 17 years on the show, Kotb’s final on-air day was Jan. 10, as she plans to spend time with her two daughters.
Nintendo stock fell sharply on Friday, after having rallied to a record high, as the company was coy about its plans for the Nintendo Switch 2 gaming device.
Britain’s debt turmoil was easing in a dramatic way on Friday after data showing U.K. retail sales actually fell during the busiest shopping month of the year.
The new year is a good time to make long-term plans for your money and finances.
Small-cap ETFs have been on a roller-coaster ride in the first two weeks of the new year.
Winning back shoppers and reviving the luxury-goods industry’s sales will depend in part on ditching the plain, understated tones of the “quiet luxury” trend, BofA analysts said.
CNBC's Jim Cramer highlights the regional bank space, talking with First Horizon CEO Bryan Jordan.
CNBC's Jim Cramer on Thursday mused about how President Joe Biden impacted the market.
For the bulls to reassert control, the S&P 500 would have to rally to all-time highs.
U.S. regulators took aim at General Motors and its OnStar unit late Thursday, saying that they had taken their first-ever action related to connected-vehicle data.
A new Treasury Department analysis looks at how climate-related disasters affected 246 million insurance policies.
SpaceX is set to launch the seventh test flight of its Starship rocket on Thursday.
U.S. state and local pension funds are looking at speculating on cryptocurrencies to solve their funding crisis.
Price spikes happen in bear markets more often than in bull markets.
Scott Turner, a former NFL player who served in the first Trump administration, fielded questions from lawmakers as the potential next Housing and Urban Development secretary.
Some landlords lowered rents after MarketWatch asked about increases that appeared to violate laws against price gouging.
CDC officials say medical professionals are seeing more patients whose illness cannot be traced back to an infected animal or bird.
Every weekday, the Investing Club releases the Homestretch; an actionable afternoon update just in time for the last hour of trading.
President Joe Biden’s administration and the incoming Trump administration both appear to be looking into preventing a potential U.S. ban on TikTok that could start Sunday.
Shares of Philip Morris extended their recent bounce Thursday after the U.S. Food and Drug Administration authorized the marketing of 20 of the tobacco company’s Zyn nicotine pouches.
Wealth disparity in the U.S. has grown since 2009, according to Fed data, with a significant increase in the share of the nation’s wealth held by the 238,000 richest people.
Natural disasters can give you little time to act, making it essential to have your most important documents collected in one place.
DuPont stock lagged Thursday despite positive developments.
Analysts say deregulation, lower taxes under Trump could spur small-business investments and more shipments — but tariffs could weigh down volumes.
The Amazon founder’s space company marked a major milestone Thursday with the first test flight of its New Glenn rocket.
A new study found a 43% drop in the odds of depression among retired people with this habit.
In a CNBC interview, the policymaker said he expects the first cut could come in the first half of the year.
The 30-year mortgage rate inched up for the fifth week in a row, Freddie Mac says, making it more expensive to take on a mortgage.
The Investing Club holds its "Morning Meeting" every weekday at 10:20 a.m. ET.
A survey found that Gen Z intends to invest in cash assets and bonds more than older generations.
Wolfe Research expects AMD’s AI business to disappoint this year relative to current market expectations.
LIV Golf announced a media rights agreement with Fox Sports to broadcast the pro golf tour to U.S. viewers just one day after naming a new CEO.
Most of the lingering problem with U.S. inflation is coming from within the nation’s borders. Not outside of it.
The creator of a fund designed to punish companies engaging in diversity, equity and inclusion activities says the Republican sweep hasn’t really deterred companies as much as has been suggested.
Many of these funds are trading at deep discounts and may have tempting distribution yields
Claims up to 217,000 above forecast of 210,000
Retail sales rose at a solid pace in the final month of 2024, capping off a good holiday shopping season and suggesting the economy entered the new year with some momentum.
Morgan Stanley beats earnings expectations amid strength in its equity and bond businesses.
Southwest Airlines Co.’s stock fell 3% early Thursday, after Citigroup downgraded the stock to sell from neutral, arguing that the valuation has risen while earnings quality and free cash flow conversion have deteriorated.
The U.S. government buying bitcoin at inflated prices would do nothing to pay off America’s debt.
Target Corp.’s stock soared 3.7% early Thursday, after the retailer raised guidance for a key metric in an update on its holiday sales, after achieving records for both Black Friday and Cyber Monday promotional events.
Indian outsourcing giant Infosys on Thursday raised its sales outlook for the third time this year as the company said clients were increasingly adopting its artificial-intelligence services.
China dominates the global market for “rare earth” minerals crucial for everything from stealth jets to smartphones.
Oil futures were modestly lower early Thursday, pulling back after ending the previous session at four-month highs following data that showed a large drop in U.S. crude inventories.
The Palisades, Eaton and Hurst wildfires in Southern California have destroyed more than 12,000 structures, raising the likelihood of a spike in demand for lumber in the months and years ahead.
Five overlooked stocks that the Oakmark Fund unearthed last year.