The whipping post

Why C3.ai Stock Soared 51% in November

Shares of C3.ai (NYSE: AI) were surging last month as investors cheered a new partnership with Microsoft, a sign that the AI software company may finally be turning the corner after years of wide losses. Additionally, the company benefited from a strong report from Palantir, the software company that has best proven the market for AI services thus far.

According to data from S&P Global Market Intelligence, the stock finished the month up 51%. As you can see from the chart below, the stock popped after the Microsoft news came out on Nov. 19.

^SPX Chart

^SPX data by YCharts

C3.ai is having a moment

C3.ai first scored gains on Nov. 5, tracking with Palantir, which posted strong results in its third quarter. C3.ai is much smaller than Palantir, but the two companies do have some things in common, including a focus on AI software and the fact that they derive a significant percentage of their business from the federal government.

C3.ai stock rose 7% on Nov. 5 and jumped another 5% on Nov. 6 in response to the U.S. election results.

However, the real surge in the stock came on Nov. 19 when the expanded Microsoft partnership was announced. The stock jumped 24.2% on the news and continued to gain from there. At the Microsoft Ignite conference, the two companies announced a strategic alliance to accelerate the adoption of C3.ai’s Enterprise AI platform on Microsoft’s Azure cloud infrastructure service.

The alliance includes technical integration that will make C3’s software like C3 Generative AI available on the Microsoft Commercial Cloud Portal, and include joint sales and marketing for C3’s Enterprise AI applications.

The two companies already had a partnership, but they called it a “significant milestone” in their relationship.

What’s next for C3.ai

The AI for the enterprise company is bringing a lot of momentum into its second-quarter earnings report, a sign that expectations are high after strong reports from Palantir and other software titans like Salesforce, and thanks to the expanded partnership with Microsoft.

See also  Riding the Wave: Stocks Poised to Surge Under a Kamala Harris Presidency Opportunities in Renewable Energy

If Democratic Party presidential nominee Kamala Harris clinches the victory in November, the stock market could witness significant shifts, with certain stocks positioned to capitalize on the potential changes. While the political sphere and Wall Street often dance to different tunes, the policies shaped by the incoming administration can sway the fortunes of corporations and subsequently impact the stock market milieu.

Image source: Official White House Photo by Lawrence Jackson.

Vice president and presidential hopeful Kamala Harris has put forth an array of proposals, inclusive of plans for expanded construction of starter homes, decreased food and drug expenses, and enhanced tax credits for middle-class families. Additionally, her proposition to raise the corporate tax rate by 33% could have repercussions that extend from Wall Street to Main Street.

While some companies may face challenges under Harris's proposed policies, there exist certain stocks that stand to gain considerably in the event of her victory. Here are three stocks that could see a surge if Kamala Harris emerges victorious in the upcoming election.

NextEra Energy: Leading the Charge

NextEra Energy, the nation's largest electric utility by market value, emerges as a formidable contender poised to soar should Kamala Harris secure the presidency. The company's unwavering focus on renewable energy sources sets it apart from its peers, with almost half of its 72 gigawatts of operational capacity attributed to renewables, specifically solar and wind power.

Despite the recent uptick in interest rates, NextEra Energy continues to forge ahead with clean-energy investments, committing billions of dollars to infrastructure projects. The company anticipates a substantial increase in new renewables and storage capacity, positioning itself as a frontrunner in the realm of clean energy.

NextEra Energy's proactive investments have not only driven down electricity generation costs but have also solidified its standing as a growth stock in an industry synonymous with sluggish growth trends.

Image source: Getty Images.

NVR: A Beacon in Homebuilding

If Kamala Harris's plan to oversee the construction of 3 million new homes materializes, it could spell good news for NVR, a company known for its focus on affordable, entry-level homes. NVR, particularly through its subsidiary Ryan Homes, stands to benefit from tax incentives for homebuilders catering to first-time buyers, as well as increased funding to incentivize local governments to ease zoning restrictions.

NVR's asset-light strategy, relying on lot purchase agreements instead of heavy capital investments in land acquisition, has been central to its remarkable success. By eschewing substantial capital outlays, NVR has outpaced larger competitors, boasting an impressive 23% annualized earnings growth rate over the past five years.

In addition, NVR's mortgage banking segment is primed to reap the rewards of a dovish Federal Reserve, aligning well with Harris's focus on addressing the housing shortage. The convergence of these factors paints a rosy picture for NVR and its stakeholders moving forward.

Mobileye Global: Driving Innovation

In the realm of autonomous driving technology, Mobileye Global is poised to make significant strides should Kamala Harris secure the presidency. With an emphasis on advancing road safety through cutting-edge solutions, Mobileye Global's innovative endeavors align closely with Harris's vision for a sustainable future.

As the landscape of transportation undergoes rapid evolution, Mobileye Global stands as a testament to technological innovation, offering investors a promising opportunity to ride the wave of progress under a Harris administration.

Unstoppable Stock poised for Growth Amidst Political Climate The Resilient Rise of Advanced Driver Assistance Systems Amidst Political Tides

C3.ai’s revenue growth has been improving, but the company is still significantly unprofitable. For its second-quarter report, which is due out on Monday, analysts expect revenue to increase 24.3% to $91 million and for its adjusted loss per share to widen from $0.13 to $0.16.

Given the recent surge, the stock is likely to have a big move one way or the other. Keep an eye out for commentary about the Microsoft partnership as well.

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Jeremy Bowman has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has positions in and recommends Microsoft, Palantir Technologies, and Salesforce. The Motley Fool recommends C3.ai 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.

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