Happy Super Bowl Sunday to everyone on The Street. 

As a Chiefs fan (boo, hiss) I know you probably don’t need another reason to root against us. But much as I hate to admit it, a win for me tonight might just be a loss for the stock market.

Dating back to 1978, the stock market tends to rise in years when the NFC wins the big game, and fall when the AFC comes out on top.

Of course, in my book, a three-peat for the Chiefs surely means a three-peat for the S&P 500’s streak of >20% gains. But what does it matter? It’s superstition, not science.

(Now, please excuse me while I sit in my Pantone 186-C sweater at a precise 45° angle from the TV, and don’t get up to use the bathroom until halftime.)

Before we dive in, here’s a quick word from our sponsor:

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Dollar-Dollar General Ya'll

Barron's Says Buy Dollar General

Low prices are Dollar General's (DG) bread and butter. But the stock itself could also be a bargain.

Just a few years ago, Dollar General had a similar valuation to Walmart (WMT), but it's struggled in recent years. The stock is now about 70% down on its 2022 high. But Barron's argues you can bet your bottom dollar on a recovery. 

Million Dollar General Question

Some have written Dollar General off as a no-growth company. But Barron's stands by the business model itself.

With over 20,000 US stores, Dollar General has a bigger footprint than any other retailer. It is also well-placed to serve low-income consumers. Around 60% of its sales come from households earning less than $35,000 a year. 

To be sure, analysts aren’t expecting Dollar General to transform into a growth stock overnight. It’s more that the store has sunk so far into the bargain basement that even small changes could make a big difference.

Barron’s says the company is making those changes. Dollar General is working to improve margins, and its Back to Basics campaign includes steps to reduce shoplifting and improve operational efficiencies.

Walmart's Supermarket Sweep

Walmart remains a major threat, and some on Wall Street worry it will eat into the low-income market. Is small-town America big enough for both stores?

Analyst consensus is cautious. MarketBeat's roundup shows just 8 analysts rate Dollar General a Buy, while 14 say it's a Hold. One thinks it is a Sell. 

However, to hear Barron’s tell it, Dollar General may be poised for change — and investors might turn a nice dollar by buying Dollar General at today's low prices.

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TuneGO is a revolutionary company connecting musicians with their top fans through a B2C SaaS platform. Its patented platform looks poised to capitalize on an industry with loyal fans eager to be closer than ever to their favorite artists. And you can join the movement as an early investor.

In 2025, TuneGO is laying the groundwork for explosive growth with cutting-edge technology and strategic marketing. That means now could be the time to throw in with a brand that’s transforming the $100 billion-plus music industry.

Don’t just take our word for it. TuneGO’s CEO wants to speak directly with you to discuss this one-of-a-kind investment opportunity.

Royal Caribbean Makes a Splash in River Cruises

Cruising Into New Waters

Royal Caribbean (RCL) is setting sail on a new venture: river cruises.

The company recently announced plans to launch a European river cruise segment, ordering 10 ships with bookings opening this year and the first voyages departing in 2027.

While the expansion is expected to contribute only about $75 million to EBITDA — roughly 1% of Royal Caribbean’s total — it has left analysts feeling breezy about the cruise company’s future prospects.

Smooth Sailing

CEO Jason Liberty emphasized that river cruises complement, rather than compete with, ocean voyages, reinforcing the company’s goal of becoming a lifelong travel brand.

Analysts echoed Liberty’s optimism. In the wake of the announcement, Wells Fargo’s (WFC) Daniel Politzer raised his price target for RCL to $297, implying more than 12% upside from current levels.

Meanwhile, Barclays’ (BCS) Brandt Montour highlighted that the river cruise offering could help expand the company’s already growing customer base. The analyst sees the product as innovative and says it has the potential to disrupt the market.

Goldman Sachs’ (GS) Lizzie Dove also weighed in, calling the opportunity “compelling,” citing the higher return potential and relatively low capital investment required.

Viking Raid

On the flip side, Royal Caribbean’s expansion could spell trouble for Viking (VIK), a major player in river cruises. Dove noted RCL’s massive scale — over 8.5 million passengers annually — compared to Viking’s <700K, giving Royal Caribbean an edge in cross-selling.

Despite the optimism around the company’s new venture, some analysts see RCL’s valuation as a potential concern. Bank of America’s (BAC) Andrew Didora remains Neutral on RCL due to the stock’s premium valuation. The stock is already up nearly 15% in 2025, after rallying 78% in 2024.

Still, the consensus on Wall Street about Royal Caribbean remains bullish, with 14 Buy ratings and 4 Hold, per Tipranks. If the company successfully integrates river cruises into its broader ecosystem, it could further cement its position as a leader in the global cruise industry.

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KeyBanc's Zillow Talk

KeyBanc Upgrades Zillow

Despite housing market challenges, many analysts still view Zillow (Z) as prime real estate.

KeyBanc (KEY) upgraded the one-stop property shop from Sector Weight to Overweight ahead of this week's earnings release. In an accompanying note, analyst Sergio Segura set a new price target of $100, up almost 15% from Friday's close. 

Real estate is all about location, and Segura says the company is well-placed to generate mid-teens growth. He foresees "outsized margin expansion" and highlights Zillow's ability to integrate different aspects of home buying.

Zee Zee Top

The housing market has stagnated in recent years, in part due to high mortgage costs and low inventory. Segura expects this to shift in 2025 and 2026. 

But KeyBanc's upgrade isn't only based on hopes for a real estate recovery. It thinks Zillow will be home and dry even if sluggish property conditions continue. 

Segura says Zillow's tech and integrated app are catalysts for growth, particularly as the company expands further into rentals and mortgages. He also points to its penetration of enhanced markets, high incremental margins, and disciplined investment framework.

Mixed Zestimates

Analyst sentiment is mixed on Zillow. According to LSEG, a little more than half the analysts covering the stock (16 out of 28) rate it a Buy or a Strong Buy.

But even those on the fence about the property will want to tune into Zillow's earnings report this coming Tuesday. If its numbers equal or beat analyst expectations, it could say a lot about the strength of the company's foundations.

Last Week’s Poll Results

Are you bullish or bearish on Vera Therapeutics (VERA) over the next 12 months?

🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩 🐂 Bullish

🟨🟨🟨⬜️⬜️⬜️ 🐻 Bearish

Are you bullish or bearish on Victoria’s Secret (VSCO) over the next 12 months?

🟨🟨🟨🟨🟨⬜️ 🐂 Bullish

🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩 🐻 Bearish

And, in response, you said:

• 🐂 Bullish — “YES! How can I not go with lingerie having a promise of ‘Bringing Sexy Back’?”

• 🐻 Bearish — “I have cut my exposure in this stock in half and probably will sell the remaining amount and look elsewhere.”

Are you bullish or bearish on AMD (AMD) over the next 12 months?

🟨🟨🟨🟨🟨⬜️ 🐂 Bullish

🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩 🐻 Bearish