Alones Creative/iStock via Getty Images Quantum Computing’s Meteoric Rise Quantum Computing ( NASDAQ: QUBT ) stock skyrocketed nearly 53% on Wednesday. The rally followed news earlier in the week that the photonics company won a contract with NASA to utilize Dirac-3, its entropy quantum optimization machine, to support I am Steven Cress, Head of Quantitative Strategies at Seeking Alpha. I manage the quant ratings and factor grades on stocks and ETFs in Seeking Alpha Premium. I also lead Alpha Picks , which selects the two most attractive stocks to buy each month, and also determines when to sell them. Steven Cress is VP of Quantitative Strategy and Market Data at Seeking Alpha. Steve is also the creator of the platform’s quantitative stock rating system and many of the analytical tools on Seeking Alpha. His contributions form the cornerstone of the Seeking Alpha Quant Rating system, designed to interpret data for investors and offer insights on investment directions, thereby saving valuable time for users. He is also the Founder and Co-Manager of Alpha Picks, a systematic stock recommendation tool designed to help long-term investors create a best-in-class portfolio. Steve is passionate and dedicated to removing emotional biases from investment decisions. Utilizing a data-driven approach, he leverages sophisticated algorithms and technologies to simplify complex, laborious investment research, creating an easy-to-follow, daily updated grading system for stock trading recommendations. Steve was previously the Founder and CEO of CressCap Investment Research until its acquisition by Seeking Alpha in 2018 for its unparalleled quant analysis and market data capabilities. Prior to that, he had also founded the quant hedge fund Cress Capital Management, after spending most of his career running a proprietary trading desk at Morgan Stanley and leading international business development at Northern Trust. With over 30 years of experience in equity research, quantitative strategies, and portfolio management, Steve is well-positioned to speak on a wide range of investment topics. Analyst’s Disclosure: I/we have no stock, option or similar derivative position in any of the companies mentioned, and no plans to initiate any such positions within the next 72 hours. I wrote this article myself, and it expresses my own opinions. I am not receiving compensation for it. I have no business relationship with any company whose stock is mentioned in this article. Seeking Alpha's Disclosure: Past performance is no guarantee of future results. No recommendation or advice is being given that any particular security, portfolio, transaction or investment strategy is suitable for any specific person. The author is not advising you personally concerning the nature, potential, value or suitability of any particular security or other matter. You alone are solely responsible for determining whether any investment, security or strategy, or any product or service, is appropriate or suitable for you based on your investment objectives and personal and financial situation. Steven Cress is the Head of Quantitative Strategy at Seeking Alpha. Any views or opinions expressed herein may not reflect those of Seeking Alpha as a whole. Seeking Alpha is not a licensed securities dealer, broker or US investment adviser or investment bank.The holidays loom large. Parties, gift-shopping, school programs, recitals, family gatherings — there’s really no time to cook.The electric vehicle market lost some juice earlier in 2024, but October showed a sector comeback with some serious battery power. According to Cox Automotive, new EV sales were up 2.3% for the month and have cleared one million units for the year to date. Cox attributed the growth to aggressive dealer incentives and attractive vehicle leasing deals. But that growth has yet to translate into success for sector portfolio players. A case in point is the benchmark Global X Autonomous & Electric Vehicles ETF (DRIV), which is losing ground, down -6.61% for the year. That's the trouble with EV stocks and funds, market mavens say. While the long-term glide path looks clear enough for electric vehicles, mile marker to mile marker, the sector isn't gaining much steam. Here’s why those troubles may continue in 2025 – with one huge potential exception. “There is a lot of opportunity in the EV market, but it still faces significant challenges, mainly geared around consumer confusion," says David Boice, CEO of Team Velocity, an automotive technologies firm in Washington, D.C. "The upsides are that EVs are changing how the government can incentivize vehicles, allowing OEMs to explore new tech, and cities are constantly expanding infrastructure for mass adoption and sustainability." The downsides, unfortunately, are stacking up right now. "A lack of resources leaves consumers uncertain; tax credits, charging time, and long-term savings are all things Americans need to understand before buying an EV," Boice says. "OEMs and dealers need to be providing clear messaging about their vehicles to make sure there is as little friction surrounding the EV purchasing process as possible.” Another issue vexing potential investors is how the Trump administration's EV policies will play out. "The biggest downsides right now have to do with affordability," says KC Boyce, vice president at Escalent, a global market research and data advisory firm. "If the EV purchase tax credit goes away under Trump 2.0 and automakers don't continue a relentless pursuit of affordable models, EV adoption will run out of juice." [Two-Week Free Access to Pro-Level Trading Tools] What the Experts Are Saying About EV Stocks With that framework in mind, where are EV stocks headed in what promises to be a tumultuous 2025? Here's a snapshot of what sector plays stand out and why. Tesla (TSLA). Elon Musk's favorite car company has seen its share price rise by 34% so far in 2024, comfortably ahead of the S&P 500 Index, which is up 26% for the year. When it comes to investing, companies that show they're in it for the long haul are almost always a good bet, and Tesla follows that script to the letter. "Tesla is an obvious choice as an EV favorite — they've practically defined the electric vehicles category," says Mark Whitley, founder and CEO at Whits Corporation, a sustainable technology firm in St. Louis, Mo. Investors shouldn't pay too much attention to the highly vocal Musk, but the Trump administration's aggressive stance on tariffs and EV credits is another story. "Despite Elon Musk saying he wants Trump to kill EV tax credits, Tesla benefits greatly from the current regulatory regime," Boyce says. Chargeback (CHPT). This Campbell, Cal.-based electric vehicle charging network provider went public last March via a special purchase acquisition company (SPAC) deal and has plummeted over 90% since the rollout. Yet the company operates 315,000 charging ports in the US and abroad, giving it a big advantage in a burgeoning industry. It also has over one million roaming charging points, which represents a robust number in another growing EV sector. The company's broad-based operational stance should eventually stabilize the stock price, but it also has other advantages. "Let's not forget the infrastructure part," Whitley says. "Companies like ChargePoint, which focuses on electric vehicle charging solutions, are a way to invest in the sector without betting on any specific vehicle." BHP Group, LTD (BHP). This nickel mining company is a good supply/demand stock right now, as nickel is one EV-linked commodity company that can take advantage of rising EV battery needs. The stock is down 24% for the year, but with production pressures pushing nickel demand up, BHP may make sense for sector investors over the long haul. "There's potential in businesses that develop EV infrastructure, like battery technology and charging networks," says Dre Villeroy, CEO at Beyorch, a private equity firm in Los Angeles, Cal. "They are essential to expanding the sector." Going Forward Ultimately, investors' short-term sector issues against long-term potential will matter most, and lead them to choose sector stocks accordingly. "I suspect EV sales will be very strong in December due to the prospect of the tax credit going away and may slow down for a bit as the ultimate resolution of the tax credit is under discussion in Washington," Boyce says. "Over time, however, EVs will continue a growth trajectory." "Just how quick a growth trajectory really depends on where we land with the regulatory and tax environment in Washington," he adds. Step up your trading with Benzinga Pro's advanced news alerts, scanners, and real-time market insights. Join over 6,000 traders who rely on these tools to spot opportunities first. Start your free trial and trade smarter today. Image via Shutterstock © 2024 Benzinga.com. Benzinga does not provide investment advice. All rights reserved.
iHeartMedia Reduces Debt Load, Extends Maturity DatesPresident-elect Trump wants to again rename North America's tallest peak
Predictive Safety Announces Partnership with DISA Global Solutions
Pete Hegseth, President-elect Donald Trump's nominee for Secretary of Defense, is continuing to meet with Senators who will decide whether to approve his elevation to the post. There are still questions about reported sexual misconduct allegations, allegations of mismanagement of funds while leading a veterans' charitable organization, and questions about alcohol and drinking issues that he reportedly had while working at Fox News. Those questions have reportedly come up with Hegseth's meetings with senators. Hegseth met Monday with Sen. Joni Ernst, a Republican from Iowa, who is herself a military veteran and a sexual assault survivor. Sen. John Cornyn on Tuesday told reporters he has learned more about Hegseth's reported history with alcohol. "[Hegseth] admitted that coming back from deployment he and a lot of his young single service members did enjoy drinking and partying. I don't find that unusual or abnormal," Cornyn said. "He doesn't currently believe that he has a problem. He has in the past consumed alcohol, but I don't think he would be unique here on Capitol Hill or in the Pentagon for having done that." RELATED STORY | Trump doubles down on support for Hegseth amid contentious nomination process Cornyn and other Republican senators have also reiterated that the allegations of sexual misconduct against Hegseth so far come from anonymous accusers. It's still not clear if accusers would come forward before or during confirmation hearings. Hegseth is expected to meet soon with Republican Sen. Lisa Murkowski of Alaska, another pivotal voice in the Senate who could lend crucial support to Hegseth's nominations. Republicans have a large enough majority in the next Congress to not need Democratic votes to confirm any of Trump's cabinet nominations — but that majority is still slim enough that the party can sustain only a few defections.
House Ethics Committee accuses Gaetz of 'regularly' paying for sex, including with 17-year-old girlGrad assistant coach suits up to fill QB void, sets Southern Illinois record with 7 TD passes
No decision on Sinner doping case before new year - WADAWhat do Reviews of Real Mitolyn Users Say About Purple Peel Exploit for Weight Loss?