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Palantir Technologies (PLTR) saw a remarkable 123% growth in 2025, spurred by a surge in demand for AI-driven data analytics platforms among both governments and businesses.
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Western Digital (WDC) reported a 51% revenue increase to $9.52 billion in FY2025, primarily due to its supply of bulk storage for AI data centers.
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Newmont (NEM) benefitted from rising gold prices from Tier 1 mines; meanwhile, Warner Bros. Discovery (WBD) achieved 128 million HBO Max subscribers, managing to reduce its debt from $38 billion to $35.6 billion.
Palantir Technologies (NYSE:PLTR) has successfully harnessed the momentum of artificial intelligence throughout 2025, offering a critically underused data analytics platform to governments and enterprises. Conversely, Nvidia (NASDAQ:NVDA) has struggled with chip shortages and valuation issues, yet Palantir’s stock has surged, showing an impressive 123% increase this year.
This positions Palantir as one of the top performers in the S&P 500, clearly demonstrating the unrelenting demand for actionable insights in AI. However, three lesser-known players—Western Digital (NASDAQ:WDC), Newmont (NYSE:NEM), and Warner Bros. Discovery (NASDAQ:WBD)—have stepped into the spotlight with even stronger rallies. The question remains: can they sustain this momentum and outperform Palantir and the broader market in 2026?
Western Digital’s impressive growth in 2025 was fueled by the increasing appetite for AI data. The company met the escalating demand for hyperscale data center storage with their hard drives and flash systems. The need for high-capacity nearline HDDs has skyrocketed as major cloud providers expand their server farms for training large-scale models.
Earlier this year, the company separated its flash business into a distinct entity, which has been well-received by investors, allowing it to concentrate on HDDs. As a result, fiscal 2025 sales rose by 51% to $9.52 billion, and profitability improved rapidly, transitioning free cash flow into the positive. The upward trend has continued into fiscal 2026, with Q1 sales jumping 27% and profits soaring 367%, surpassing expectations.
Such strategic execution, alongside innovations like UltraSMR technology for high-density storage, firmly establishes Western Digital as a critical player in AI infrastructure, edging beyond pure software solutions such as Palantir.
Looking forward to 2026, if investment in AI stays robust, this positive trend should persist. Analysts currently give a Buy rating, expecting an average price target of around $181 per share—which would suggest about a 10% rise from the current $163 price. Some are even predicting it might hit $250.
Government AI initiatives and expanded corporate data lakes could offer support—but risks loom, such as potential supply chain issues and declining NAND prices post-spinoff. If Western Digital captures market share from competitors like Seagate Technology (NYSE:STX), their AI-optimized storage solutions could save billions and fortify Palantir’s hardware advantage over the analytics level.
In 2025, Newmont benefited from the perfect storm of soaring gold prices—over $3,000 per ounce—and a rising demand from a new sector: AI data centers. As hyperscale companies rush to set up facilities, gold has become a critical component in next-gen AI chips and reliable data center infrastructure.
As the world’s largest gold producer, Newmont reported record profits while advancing its Tier 1 mines. Sites like Cadillac in Canada, the Tanami Expansion 2 in Australia, and Ahafo North in Ghana began production ahead of schedule. Good cost management maintained all sustaining costs below $1,600 per ounce, even as production neared 7 million ounces annually. This included a free cash flow of over $4 billion, a $2 billion share buyback, and a 1% dividend yield.
Looking ahead to 2026, the outlook shines, especially if gold rises further—potentially past $4,200 an ounce—with growth in AI-related industrial demand. Analysts expect the expansion of the Nevada gold mining joint venture and the addition of low-cost ounces from Yanacocha’s sulfide resources could yield an extra $2.5 billion to $3 billion in free cash flow at present prices. Newmont’s financial health—with under $3 billion in net debt—offers flexibility for acquisitions in the sector. This gold miner looks well-positioned to continue leading in profitability, leveraging tangible assets aligned with ongoing megatrends.
Meanwhile, Warner Bros. Discovery turned around its approach in 2025, transforming previous challenges into recovery success through astute streaming strategies and careful cost management. HBO Max’s subscriber count reached 128 million, and profitability improved alongside a 23% rise in adjusted revenue and impressive box office performance.
Aggressive debt reduction lowered liabilities from $38 billion to $33.3 billion, while a proposed spin-off aims to unlock more value, separating studio/HBO from cable entities like CNN and HGTV. Warner Bros. is also eyeing partnerships with Paramount Skydance (NASDAQ:PSKY), Comcast (NASDAQ:CMCSA), and Netflix (NASDAQ:NFLX), potentially igniting a bidding war.
Next year may prove to be a standout for Warner Bros. Discovery, with CEO David Zaslav hinting at expansion in Europe along with a Gremlin reboot and robust TV content output.
While analysts suggest a target of $22.47, this could rise significantly should a sale or divestiture occur, alongside any further debt reduction through asset separation. Challenges remain, such as regulatory hurdles for acquisitions, the impact of cord-cutting, and revenue stagnation in a competitive streaming landscape. Yet, with increased free cash flow and a shift toward quality content, Warner Bros. may well offset any of Palantir’s struggles in the B2B arena.
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