 Dear Reader, If there's one thing I've learned over three decades of investing, it's this: What you don't own matters just as much as what you do. That's why I've always been drawn to the idea of "upgrading" your portfolio — replacing overhyped or outdated names with stronger, lesser-known opportunities. It's the thinking behind a strategy I've come to rely on...
One I call "Sell This, Buy That." I've used it for years to show my followers how to move out of big name, well-loved stocks that are on the verge of melting down... and into ones with the potential to deliver serious upside. It's the strategy that helped me win the Portfolios with Purpose investing competition... beating out some of the most respected names on Wall Street and outperforming the market by more than 10-fold. And it's the same kind of thinking that's helped me build a long-term track record — including 41 recommendations that have gone on to return 1,000% or more. I've put together a brand-new presentation where I walk through some of my latest "Sell This, Buy That" pair trades that you can view today at no cost. These calls are a little contrarian... I'll be the first to admit that. But if you're open to viewing the markets through a different lens, here's a quick preview of what I'm recommending today: SELL Amazon. BUY [Click to Reveal]
SELL Bank of America. BUY [Click to Reveal]
SELL Tesla. BUY [Click to Reveal] Each trade comes with the full name, ticker, and analysis right here at no cost. 
Watch my "Sell This, Buy That" broadcast now and get 7 free trade ideas Sincerely, Eric Fry
Senior Macro-Investment Analyst, InvestorPlace
Tuesday's Bonus News Investors Have WING. Do They Need a Prayer?Submitted by Thomas Hughes. Publication Date: 2/20/2026. 
Key Points- Wingstop is on track to accelerate growth in 2026 and sustain a robust capital return.
- High debt is offset by cash flow, coverage, and growth.
- Analysts are raising targets, leading this market toward record highs.
- Special Report: Introducing "Elon Musk's Day-One Retirement Plan" (From Brownstone Research)
Wingstop (NASDAQ: WING) investors got what they wanted with the Q4 2025 earnings release and 2026 guidance. Q4 comps beat expectations, margins were stronger than anticipated, and the guidance points to accelerating growth. The company forecasts low-single-digit domestic comps and 15% global store count growth. Given last year's 20% increase in store count, consensus estimates may be conservative. The price rebound after the release may be just the start of a larger move back toward record levels, driven by an outperformance–bullish revision cycle. Analyst activity ahead of the release was largely bullish, with upgrades and target increases up to the day before; coverage expanded even while the share price declined. The consensus Moderate Buy rating is firming, and price targets are clustering around a level that implies more than 20% upside from critical support. Reaching the consensus would mark a six-month high and set the market up to retest all-time highs later in the year. 
Wingstop Leans Into Store Count GrowthWingstop offset weak domestic comps in Q4 and 2025 with store count expansion. Revenue rose 8.6% year-over-year and systemwide sales increased 9.3%, despite a 5.8% decline in domestic comps. Store count grew by 124 in the quarter, up about 20% on a full-year basis, and is expected to remain robust in the coming year, improving operational leverage when consumer habits shift. Digital sales were another standout, up nearly 75%, underscoring the effectiveness of the Smart Kitchen concept. Wingstop's Smart Kitchen is an AI-driven tool that organizes and prioritizes off‑premise orders, cutting ticket times by as much as 50%. Margins were a key catalyst for the stock's move. Investors had braced for margin pressure but were relieved by the results. Adjusted net income was roughly flat year over year, while adjusted EBITDA margin expanded by about 950 basis points, both above forecasts. More importantly, adjusted EPS came in at $1 and beat estimates by a wide margin, and guidance for the current year is solid. Aggressive Capital Return Underpins Wingstop's Stock Price OutlookWingstop uses debt to fund growth and is moderately to highly levered. Still, margin strength and cash flow support coverage and aggressive capital returns that benefit shareholders. The dividend yield is modest—just under 0.5% as of mid‑February—but the payout is sustainable at under 30% of earnings and is expected to grow at a double‑digit rate in coming years. Buybacks are more meaningful: share count fell roughly 4.9% in Q4 and 4.4% for the fiscal year. The company does carry negative equity, but healthy cash flow and a solid growth outlook help offset that deficit. If buybacks continue, the deficit may widen even as outstanding shares decline. Institutional activity shows sustained buying: MarketBeat data records a bullish balance for six consecutive quarters through Q1 2026. Institutions stepped up purchases in 2025 as WING's price fell and appear on track to set a record in Q1 2026, which underpins recent price action. Institutions provide a solid support base, owning a large percentage of shares outstanding and offering a robust tailwind with their buying. The biggest risk for investors is short interest, which remains relatively high at about 14%. Short sellers could cap near-term gains, but short covering is also likely to help lift the stock over time. Wingstop Confirms Bottom With February Price ActionThe stock fell to long-term lows ahead of the release and then rebounded sharply. That pattern suggests support at a key level consistent with prior lows and raises the probability of a sustained rebound. The move pushed the price above a cluster of EMAs, which are now acting as support. If that support holds, WING could move into the $320–$360 range—consistent with analyst estimates—before the Q1 2026 earnings release scheduled for mid‑spring.
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