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.
Financial markets are not just focused on what the Federal Reserve says about the future path of interest rates on Wednesday. The markets are also on alert for changes to the Fed’s ongoing runoff of its balance sheet, known as “quantitative tightening,” or QT.
KBW maintained its buy-equivalent rating on Capital One, calling Monday's market reaction to the report "overblown."
Momentum stocks have historically beaten the stock market by a large margin — until recently.
Despite excitement over Intel’s new CEO, shares are still below the company’s year-to-date highs — in February, when investors were expecting an imminent breakup.
Apple's refused to comply with a UK government demand for a backdoor into encrypted iPhone data, leaving users exposed. Other governments may press the issue.
The Investing Club holds its "Morning Meeting" every weekday at 10:20 a.m. ET.
With retail investors in the grip of stock-market turmoil, a fund that protects against all kinds of financial risks seems like a good idea. Is it?
Construction of new homes rose 11.2% in February as builders ramped up new projects after a harsh winter. The increase is not expected to last.
The Social Security Administration announced earlier this year it intended to cut its 57,000-person workforce by about 12%.
March Madness numbers to know include $3.1 billion in wagers and nearly $5 million in earnings for one player.
Investors welcome prospect of hundreds of billions of euros to be spent on infrastructure and defense
AI, annuity options, stickier enrollment and more comprehensive advice are setting the new standards for workplace retirement savings plans
Copper topped $5 a pound Tuesday on Comex for the first time since May, but the industrial metal’s ability to offer signals about the health of the economy has been clouded by the trade war sparked by the Trump administration’s changing tariff policies.
Jason Alexander plays Jerry's neurotic friend who is constantly fumbling romantic courtships. While filming the show his love life was playing out differently.
Industrial production rose 0.7% in February, the Federal Reserve reported Tuesday, above economists’ expectations.
For those who start with $100,000, Medicaid is not an easy option
The company said that more than 800 people have been treated with Elevidys, with only one experiencing liver failure.
Wiz was founded only five years ago but has a compelling executive team and offers an increasingly important cloud-security service as cyber risks grow.
Institutional investors who trade through Bank of America are pulling money from U.S. stocks at the fastest pace on record, according to a closely followed survey produced by a team of strategists at the bank.
Jeffrey Bland, known as the "father of functional medicine," has studied how lifestyle impacts health for more than 30 years.
Google makes largest acquisition to date, and Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang gives his big keynote at GTC.
The cost of imports rose faster than usual in February, perhaps a result of U.S. companies rushing to bring in foreign goods ahead of President Donald Trump’s tariffs.
Hospice nurse and palliative care professional Suzanne O'Brien, RN, shares the most common "deathbed regret confessions" she has heard throughout her career. Here's what we can learn from them about living happy, meaningful lives.
The amount you receive from Social Security when you retire depends on your age, work and earnings history. Here's how much beneficiaries receive in each state.
Elon Musk, the chief executive of Tesla and SpaceX and the brainchild behind the Department of Government Efficiency, went onto Sen. Ted Cruz’s podcast to discuss what he’s learned in Washington.
Utah is the least expensive state to start a new business, according to a new ranking from online small business advisor SimplifyLLC.
Budget carrier Frontier Airlines is offering free checked luggage and economy bundles that come with seat assignments and carry-on bags.
RBC Capital Markets cut Tesla’s expected price mark to $320 from $440 on lower projections for robotaxi and self-driving software.
Trump campaigned on bringing prices down. If tariffs spike inflation and slow U.S. growth, his popularity could suffer.
Oil futures rose Tuesday, on track for a third straight gain, as investors monitored rising Middle East tensions following U.S. attacks on Iran-backed Houthi rebels in Yemen over the weekend that drew threats of retaliation.
Cadillac expects up to 35% of its U.S. sales this year to be EVs, as it continues to expand its lineup despite industrywide slower-than-expected adoption.
Deutsche Bank is now alone with the second-highest S&P 500 price target on Wall Street.
Fund managers have had all the optimism drained out of them, and rapidly as well.
The messaging app's business services are driving revenue growth.
Shares of BYD, the world’s largest electric-vehicle maker by deliveries, rose on Tuesday after the Chinese company said it’s rolling out a system that will recharge a vehicle in about the same time as it takes for people to fill up a car with gasoline.
Will Arnett has sold his Beverly Hills home to none other than Paris Hilton’s brother-in-law just 6 weeks after putting it on the market.
Bond yields inched higher as investors waited to see how the U.S. central bank may address recent signs of a slowing economy.
Two NASA astronauts are heading home on a SapceX ship after about nine months at the International Space Station.
In a Monday interview with CNBC's Jim Cramer, Papa John's CEO Todd Penegor described how the pizza franchise tweaked its methods to focus on value.
CNBC's Jim Cramer on Monday parsed recent market action.
World Liberty Financial said it completed its second token sale, bringing in $550 million.
Wells Fargo & Co. on Monday said that regulators had terminated a 2021 enforcement order related to loss-mitigation issues in its home-lending business, marking the latest such order to be lifted from the bank.
Change afoot at Lucid might be a chance to play a bigger role in EVs and AI.
John Fisher, managing partner of the Oakland A's, is offering new shares in his MLB team at a $2 billion valuation, according to sources.
White House tariffs have some investors on edge that a trade war risks triggering a recession, potentially pushing U.S. stocks into a bear market after their recent correction.
When stocks fall, it can be a good time to get money out of tax-deferred accounts to avoid a ticking tax time bomb.
Reddit’s growth is vulnerable to the whims of search giant Google, according to Redburn Atlantic, which has slapped a sell rating on the stock.
Every weekday, the Investing Club releases the Homestretch; an actionable afternoon update just in time for the last hour of trading.
President Donald Trump raised eyebrows Monday by claiming that pardons issued by President Joe Biden are “invalid” because they were signed using an autopen, an electronic device that replicates a person’s signature.
Nvidia’s annual developer conference will be an exuberant affair. But is that enough to calm an anxious market?
The average price for gasoline at the pump has declined for a fourth straight week and may fall below $3 a gallon to the lowest level in years, but that’s no reason to celebrate, according to fuel-price tracker GasBuddy.
The Investing Club holds its "Morning Meeting" every weekday at 10:20 a.m. ET.
Builder sentiment fell to the lowest level in seven months, the National Association of Home Builders said.
Forever 21 blamed its second bankruptcy on rising competition from upstarts like Shein and Temu and their use of the de minimis exemption, a trade law loophole.
Guess Inc.’s stock soared 27% early Monday after the maker of clothing, footwear and accessories said it received an offer from New York-based investment company WHP Global to take it private for $13 a share in cash.
The Federal Reserve will hold its benchmark interest rate steady at its meeting this week, economists say, as it remains in a “wait-and-see” mode until the effects of President Donald Trump’s policies on the economic outlook become clearer.
“When inheriting a Roth, are there different rules for the spouse versus children?”
Analyst firm MoffettNathanson is raising its price target for Netflix, saying it sees huge upside for the platform’s new advertising model as well as continued profit-margin growth.
A VIX spike can be bullish — but comes with the volatility that can shake investors out of the market.
PepsiCo said Monday it will pay about $1.7 billion for a soft-drink company that built up a social-media following after being featured on “Shark Tank,” as the beverage giant works to appeal to millennials and Gen Z with healthier offerings.
Law students are scrambling after having offers rescinded due to the government's hiring freeze. How law schools and industry professionals are responding.
Lip-Bu Tan will purchase about $25 million in stock shortly after taking over as CEO, giving him immediate financial alignment with the moves he makes at Intel.
Before you go in for a job interview, send everyone you're interviewing with an email expressing your excitement, says Jenny Wood.
Student debt is pretty common. But average balances tend to be higher in certain states.
Minimizing language like "I think" can "dilute your credibility," says communication expert Lorraine K. Lee, author of "Unforgettable Presence."
Cruise stocks have been falling, but J.P. Morgan says buy because there have been no signs of reduced demand despite all the macro noise.
All eyes are on Nvidia's GTC this week.
Retail sales barely rose in February in another sign the economy might be weakening as businesses and consumers digest rapid-fire changes in Washington by the Trump White House.
Lululemon is gaining traction from introducing more new products and a favorable comparison to a softer performance last year, a Truist analyst notes.
The Financial Conduct Authority is looking to fine and ban Crispin Odey, alleging he “repeatedly” tried to frustrate investigations into his behavior.
Mizuho lowers its price target by 16.5% to reflect all of the EV maker’s current woes.
QinetiQ shares lost all their gains this year after a profit warning.
"You don't want to compete with someone who has an AI at their shoulder," says Steve Blank. He has co-founded four startups, one of which sold for $329 million.
Oil futures were modestly higher Monday, finding support after the U.S. over the weekend launched U.S. strikes on Houthi rebels in Yemen.
The last two bearish crossovers led to further sharp selloffs, but there are some differences in the stock’s chart this time.
UBS’s chief investment office has lifted its gold price forecast to $3,200 from $3,000, saying it could reach that threshold by June.
Emerging markets may be helped by a weaker dollar and lower U.S. interest rates
The U.S. economic growth outlook — and even more so, Canada’s and Mexico’s — was lowered on Monday by the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development due to policy uncertainty and the possible impact from tariffs.
Bond yields fell on Monday as investors awaited data on retail sales and as the market adopted a risk-off tone.
“I have no clue how the funds in my 401(k) are invested.”
Three is a trend, as RBC Capital Markets joined Goldman Sachs and Yardeni Research in slashing S&P 500 price targets.
“They have spent thousands of dollars taking month-long earthship-building classes.”
Rosie O’Donnell has revealed that she has moved away from the U.S. and won’t return until it is once again “safe for all citizens.”
Wide receiver DK Metcalf hails from Oxford, Miss. He’s now ready to say goodbye to Washington and head to Pennsylvania.
EsoBiotec’s platform has the potential to transform cell therapy, according to AstraZeneca, by empowering the immune system to attack cancers
‘They charge us and we charge them and then in addition to that on autos on steel on aluminium we are going to have additional tariffs’
In his Sunday column for Club subscribers, Jim Cramer examines whether large-cap tech stocks could once again act as safe-haven names.
U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said Sunday that he’s not worried about a market downturn, despite a miserable stretch for Wall Street.
Less than one-third of 1% are erroneously reported deaths that need to be corrected, according to the Social Security Administration
President Donald Trump signaled to stock-market investors last week that they’re on their own. Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell will likely deliver a similar message when monetary policymakers meet this week.
Despite consumer sentiment hitting a 29-month low by one measure, executives have focused less on inflation — and more on AI — during their quarterly earnings calls.
A 2023 layoff inspired Melanie Ehrenkranz to launch Laid Off, a newsletter to share all the things you want to spill about a layoff but can't post on LinkedIn.
Katharine Esty expected to face new challenges when she turned 90 years old — and she as. But what truly surprised her was the unexpected number of joys she's experiencing experiencing. Here's what she wants young people today to know about old age.
While $1,400 stimulus check money is real, getting texts from the IRS about it isn't.
“Normally I’d offer to cover a meal or a portion of the gas.”
Young people are looking to unplug now more than ever before.
Penny Linn Designs CEO Krista LeRay turned her barely profitable side hustle into a business that brings in millions in annual revenue. Here's how she did it.
Mark Cuban says AI is already dominating the business world, just like personal computers once did — and companies that don't understand it will be left behind.
In Hawaii, $1.5 million in savings may not last through retirement, but in West Virginia, it could stretch for 54 years.