Small-Cap Defense-AI Platform VWAV is Positioned at the Center of Surging U.S. Military Spending, Autonomous Warfare, and the Global Race for Real-Time Decision Dominance
As U.S. and global defense budgets accelerate into a new era, the nature of warfare is shifting rapidly toward artificial intelligence, autonomous systems, RF sensing, and edge-based decision-making where milliseconds matter. Defense is no longer about future concepts—it is about deployable, validated technology that can operate in denied, contested, and bandwidth-constrained environments.
VisionWave Holdings (NASDAQ: VWAV) is emerging as one of the most compelling small-cap players aligned with this transformation.
With its proprietary Evolved Intelligence™ platform, VWAV delivers battlefield-ready AI designed to operate at the edge, integrating sensor fusion, RF intelligence, and autonomous reasoning without reliance on cloud connectivity. This architecture directly addresses the operational gaps facing modern militaries as drones, ground systems, and multi-domain platforms become central to defense doctrine.
What sets VWAV apart is execution. The company has transitioned from platform formation into active commercialization through disciplined acquisitions, IP consolidation, and real-world defense pilots across the U.S., Europe, the Middle East, and beyond.
Strategic moves such as the acquisition of QuantumSpeed™ to collapse decision latency, the majority stake in SaverOne to consolidate RF engineering talent, and the expansion of autonomous capabilities through Solar Drone and ground systems testing position VWAV as a full-spectrum autonomy and sensing platform.
Backed by capital strength, third-party validation, elite military and diplomatic advisors, and milestone-driven integration, VWAV is no longer a speculative idea—it is a defense-AI company approaching an inflection point as pilots convert to contracts and adoption accelerates.
See why Wall Street is beginning to recognize this under-the-radar defense technology platform!
MarketBeat Week in Review – 02/16 - 02/20
Authored by MarketBeat Staff. First Published: 2/21/2026.
If investors are waiting for less market volatility, they’ll have to wait a little longer. The markets continued to oscillate between losses and gains as investors digested the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision striking down the emergency tariffs imposed by the Trump administration.
Ultimately, the ruling was just one data point among several economic releases this week, and the story is far from over. The larger focus remains on technology stocks, specifically those tied to artificial intelligence (AI). Investors are also weighing geopolitical concerns amid the United States' continued buildup of its military presence in the Middle East.
The takeaway is that while volatility may remain elevated, opportunities will persist for both traders and long-term investors. MarketBeat analysts are here to help you find them. Here are some of our most popular articles from the week.
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Key Points
- Markets are still volatile as investors weigh court-driven tariff uncertainty, mixed economic data, and geopolitical risk.
- Artificial intelligence-linked technology stocks remain a primary market driver, with earnings and CapEx narratives in focus.
- Across sectors, institutional buying and contrarian setups are creating selective opportunities for traders and long-term investors.
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Articles by Thomas Hughes
NVIDIA Corp. (NASDAQ: NVDA) will deliver its headline earnings report on Wednesday. Most analysts expect a strong result, but is the growth already priced in? This week, Thomas Hughes highlighted technical indicators showing that institutional investors are buying ahead of the report in anticipation of a significant move higher.
Oracle Corp. (NYSE: ORCL) has also been caught up in the AI spending backlash. While concerns about debt have surfaced, Hughes argued investors should focus on the backlog, which could make ORCL stock a generational buying opportunity before its earnings in March.
Institutional buying is also a catalyst for Medtronic (NYSE: MDT). The medical-device maker’s shares have been under pressure, but its latest earnings highlighted an attractive combination of value and yield.
Articles by Sam Quirke
Tesla Inc. (NASDAQ: TSLA) exemplifies a stock whose price reflects what investors are willing to pay. This week, Sam Quirke highlighted Elon Musk’s “Amazing Abundance” mission, which repositions Tesla as a robotics and autonomy company. Many shareholders have already embraced that vision, but near-term success will require broader investor participation.
Qualcomm Inc. (NASDAQ: QCOM) has surrendered two years’ worth of gains amid a recent tech sell-off that has spread into chip stocks. Although analysts have expressed doubts, Quirke noted that the contrarian signals may be too strong to ignore.
Another contrarian opportunity may be Verisk Analytics Inc. (NASDAQ: VRSK), which has fallen sharply since June 2025. Quirke pointed out that sentiment appears washed out and at least one analyst has upgraded VRSK to bullish.
Articles by Chris Markoch
Retail stocks have underperformed overall, but discount retailers have held up relatively well. Many retailers will report in the coming weeks, and Chris Markoch highlighted three discount retailers with upside despite elevated valuations.
One of the biggest stories this week came from Booking Holdings Inc. (NASDAQ: BKNG), which announced a 25-for-1 stock split, effective April 2. Markoch explained why the move reduces friction for retail investors and may offset concerns about AI’s impact on the business.
Markoch also examined the energy sector and suggested two stocks that offer options for investors seeking growth or value.
Articles by Ryan Hasson
Alphabet Inc. (NASDAQ: GOOGL) was one of the strongest performers among the Magnificent Seven in recent years. Concerns about CapEx spending have interrupted the bull run, and Ryan Hasson explained why this pullback could be a second chance for long-term investors who missed the initial rally.
It won’t draw the same attention as NVIDIA, but Rocket Lab (NASDAQ: RKLB) reports earnings next week, and investors will be watching closely. Hasson highlighted the core issue: the timeline for the maiden launch of its Neutron rocket.
Fears of an AI bubble have spread into software, and some top names in the sector are down 25% or more in 2026. With that in mind, Hasson identified five beaten-down software stocks that look too cheap to ignore.
Articles by Leo Miller
AEHR Test Systems (NASDAQ: AEHR) is up about 59% in 2026. The company plays a key role in stress-testing semiconductor chips, and that pick-and-shovel positioning has insulated it from broader tech uncertainty. Miller wrote about a major hyperscaler deal that analysts believe will support further upside.
Meta Platforms Inc. (NASDAQ: META) drew negative headlines this week, but Miller explained how one major investor is betting that AI will be a springboard for Meta’s core advertising business.
The Warner Bros. Discovery Inc. (NASDAQ: WBD) acquisition saga remains on investors’ radar. Miller summarized the latest: Warner Bros. continued to endorse the current offer from Netflix Inc. (NASDAQ: NFLX), but is still waiting for Paramount Skydance (NASDAQ: PSKY) to provide its “best and final offer”.
Articles by Nathan Reiff
The quantum computing sector remains volatile. This week, Nathan Reiff highlighted Quantum Computing Inc. (NASDAQ: QUBT), which has been “less bad” than other quantum stocks like D-Wave Quantum Inc. (NASDAQ: QBTS). Reiff noted the company’s distinctive positioning but also pointed out lingering risks.
For some investors, Corning Inc. (NYSE: GLW) has been a surprise winner in the AI trade. The shift to photon-based data transfer has boosted demand for the company’s fiber-optics products. With the stock up more than 50% in 2026, Reiff examined the catalysts and headwinds investors should consider.
Risk-tolerant investors who are bearish on Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies may want to look at an inverse cryptocurrency ETF. The more the underlying crypto asset falls, the higher these funds move. There’s plenty of risk, but Reiff highlighted three funds speculative traders may consider.
Articles by Dan Schmidt
Even beaten-down sectors can offer opportunities. This week, Dan Schmidt explained why McDonald’s Corp. (NYSE: MCD) and Texas Roadhouse Inc. (NASDAQ: TXRH) posted earnings that showed strength despite a difficult environment.
Surprises are inevitable during earnings season; the key is knowing what to do next. That’s what Schmidt addressed in an article highlighting three under-the-radar stocks that delivered upside surprises that could signal a shift in investor sentiment.
Articles by Jeffrey Neal Johnson
Logistics stocks have been under pressure recently, and many analysts expect industry consolidation. Jeffrey Neal Johnson covered ZIM Integrated Shipping Services (NYSE: ZIM), whose shareholders received a pleasant surprise with an announced definitive agreement to be acquired, delivering a substantial premium and a possible merger-arbitrage opportunity.
Investors should watch what institutional buyers are doing, as it often bucks broader momentum. That’s the case with news that BlackRock Inc. (NYSE: BLK) took a substantial position in Nebius Group (NASDAQ: NBIS), a move that supports the AI-infrastructure company.
Joby Aviation Inc. (NYSE: JOBY) shares are under pressure, but Johnson noted positive developments that should improve manufacturing efficiency as the company prepares to enter production.
Articles by Jordan Chussler
Dividend stocks often appeal to investors, especially as interest rates move lower. Looking ahead to 2026, Jordan Chussler highlighted two dividend ETFs that offer reliable income and capital appreciation and have outperformed the S&P 500 year-to-date.
To close out this week’s review, Chussler made the bull case for Cameco Corp. (NYSE: CCJ). The simple takeaway: if the world embraces nuclear power, it will need Cameco to meet growing uranium demand.
Is AI Really Eating Software? A Wall Street Veteran Says No—Here's Why
Written by Bridget Bennett. Date Posted: 2/13/2026.
Key Points
- Generative AI is pressuring software valuations by lowering barriers to entry and raising “build it yourself” fears.
- Chaikin isn’t buying the dip in battered software names yet—he wants the dust to settle first.
- The strongest tech momentum he sees right now is tied to the AI buildout: chip reliability, testing, packaging, and energy.
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For more than a decade, software was the market’s favorite growth story. Lately, it’s become the market’s punching bag.
In a recent MarketBeat conversation, Marc Chaikin, founder of Chaikin Analytics, explained why the software selloff may be more than a quick shakeout and why investors should avoid trying to “buy the dip” too soon. His message was direct: even if the largest software platforms survive, the market may no longer award them the same premium valuations.
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At the same time, Chaikin argues the AI boom is still alive and well. It’s just pulling capital toward the parts of tech that make AI run, rather than the software apps investors have typically chased.
Why Software Is Getting Hit
Chaikin traces the market anxiety to a shift in perception.
For years, the “software is eating the world” thesis held because SaaS companies built sticky products, scaled quickly, and delivered strong margins. Now, tools like ChatGPT and Claude have investors wondering: what if more software is easier to replicate than previously assumed?
That concern doesn’t mean major software companies will disappear. Chaikin expects the biggest, most entrenched platforms—those embedded in business workflows with large installed bases—are likelier to survive. But survival won’t necessarily translate into robust stock performance.
The central question, he says, is what investors will be willing to pay for those businesses if growth cools and competition becomes easier to create.
Would He Buy Software on This Dip?
Not yet.
Chaikin likens buying software today to “catching the javelin.” He believes a recovery is possible, but it’s too early to confidently identify the winners, the losers, and how AI will reshape pricing power.
His advice: wait for the market to stabilize, let analysts re-examine fundamentals, and don’t assume a sharp rebound just because prices have fallen.
Where the Momentum Has Rotated Instead
If software is under pressure, where is the strength?
Chaikin says the AI boom is still being fueled by data centers, and data centers require chips—yet chips have a major vulnerability: they can fail. Heat and stress can knock them out, and the cost of downtime is enormous.
That’s why Chaikin is focused on nuts-and-bolts tech: companies tied to chip reliability, testing, packaging, and the energy infrastructure that supports the entire buildout.
Here are the three names he highlighted.
1) Onto Innovation: A “Quality Control” AI Play
Onto Innovation (NYSE: ONTO) is Chaikin’s favorite tech name right now because it offers a clear way to participate in the AI buildout without relying on a software narrative.
The company makes tools and systems that test and verify chip reliability and quality. In a market racing to build more data centers, reliability is a must-have, not a luxury.
Chaikin also likes Onto’s mid-cap profile, a size he believes currently offers better opportunity than mega-cap tech while avoiding some of the riskier fundamentals common in small caps.
From a chart perspective, he described ONTO as in a strong uptrend with enough volatility to provide second-chance entries. He isn’t inclined to chase a double top; he’s watching for a pullback.
2) Amkor Technology: Testing and Packaging Exposure
Amkor Technology (NASDAQ: AMKR) sits in a similar space but with a slightly different mix.
In addition to test services, Amkor handles outsourced semiconductor packaging—another critical piece of the chip supply chain as demand ramps.
Chaikin pointed to the sector-wide surge after strong results from Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (NYSE: TSM), when many chip-related names moved together. What he likes about Amkor is that after a spike-and-pullback, the stock rallied back toward prior highs, suggesting demand and accumulation may be more durable than a one-day headline move.
His broader point: the semiconductor group is behaving like the opposite of software right now. Instead of breaking down, it’s showing broad strength, supported by solid industry fundamentals.
3) Enphase: A Turnaround With a Data Center Energy Angle
Enphase (NASDAQ: ENPH) is the most unconventional pick on the list, and Chaikin acknowledged that.
He usually avoids tech turnarounds, but he’s watching Enphase because energy demand is becoming a larger part of the AI story. As data centers expand, power costs and alternative energy options matter more—creating potential new markets.
What changed for him wasn’t just the narrative; it was the stock’s behavior. Enphase showed bullish indicators for a while but wasn’t outperforming the market. Recently, its relative strength improved, and a screening program flagged it as a “strong stock in a strong group.”
The stock reacted sharply after earnings, then cooled and consolidated—often the kind of setup technical investors look for when a new uptrend is forming without the stock being at an all-time high.
The Takeaway
Chaikin’s view isn’t that tech is dead; it’s that leadership is shifting.
Software may still produce winners, but he isn’t trying to call the bottom yet. Instead, he’s following the money into the infrastructure behind AI: chip reliability, testing, packaging, and power.
In a market defined by rotation, his approach is straightforward: avoid the javelin-catching trades and focus on the charts and sectors that are still acting like leaders.
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