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2026-10-03 11:30 • The Motley Fool Positive Axe Cap view: Selective

Motley Fool analysts present their favorite long-term 'Inevitable' stocks—companies with durable competitive advantages suitable for 20-year holds. Four picks are featured: AerCap (aircraft leasing scale advantage), Microsoft (diversified services and AI leadership), Alphabet (AI integration in search and cloud growth), and Palantir (irreplaceable operational data platform). Part 2 coming later this month.

Axe note: Four global giants showcase what durable competitive edges mean for long-term investing—with a subtle nod to South African relevance.

2026-10-03 11:30 • The Motley Fool Positive Axe Cap view: Selective

UnitedHealth Group will report Q3 earnings on October 13. The key metric to watch is the medical care ratio (MCR), which measures the percentage of insurance premiums paid out for claims. A lower MCR improves profitability. UnitedHealth successfully reduced its MCR to 86.7% in Q2 from 89.4% a year earlier, driven by benefit design, pricing discipline, and member mix adjustments. Investors will closely monitor whether the company can maintain or further reduce this critical ratio.

Axe note: UnitedHealth’s ability to lower costs points to operational discipline investors rarely see from insurers.

2026-10-03 11:15 • The Motley Fool Positive Axe Cap view: Selective

The author argues that dividend-focused investing will become increasingly important by 2030, offering stability during market volatility and providing tangible cash returns for retirees. Rather than choosing between growth and value stocks, investors can use dividend stocks as a balanced approach that provides both income and potential capital appreciation.

Axe note: Dividend stocks offer a safer, income-generating path as market growth slows toward 2030.