Can Nasdaq index funds still be bought?

Without Apple’s contribution, those high-quality internet companies simply could not have developed. Moreover, back in 2010, the U.S. Federal Reserve cut interest rates to an extraordinary degree—U.S. interest rates actually fell below 1%, which significantly fueled the Nasdaq’s explosive rally. During the pandemic, the Nasdaq experienced a sharp decline—this requires no further explanation. Here’s the key point: In 2022, the Nasdaq plunged sharply (due to the Fed’s aggressive rate hikes). But in 2023, OpenAI’s sudden emergence propelled NVIDIA upward, and subsequently the entire AI supply chain lifted the Nasdaq to new highs. So, buying the Nasdaq index today essentially means betting that another company akin to Apple or OpenAI will emerge in 2027, 2028, 2029, or 2030—and lift the Nasdaq once again. In summary: If another Apple- or OpenAI-level company emerges, the Nasdaq will indeed continue its explosive rally. But if no such company appears, will the Nasdaq merely consolidate sideways after its crash—or keep rising? Relying on Google, Microsoft, Amazon, Meta, or NVIDIA won’t suffice. None of these firms has ever produced a technology capable of igniting an entire industry. Google spends heavily on R&D every year, yet it has never delivered a product like the iPhone or ChatGPT—one that spawns an entirely new, thriving industry. As for Microsoft, Amazon, and Meta, their R&D innovation falls far short even of Google’s. And NVIDIA? It’s merely the Cisco of the AI era. Overhyping NVIDIA truly reveals a fundamental misunderstanding. In fact, only two companies are truly great: Apple and OpenAI. It is these two that have elevated the Nasdaq to near-mythical heights; all others—including Google and Anthropic—are merely riding the coattails. Oh—and besides Apple and OpenAI, there’s one other institution that has greatly contributed to the Nasdaq’s rise: the Federal Reserve. Every time the Fed cuts rates, the Nasdaq inevitably surges. Rate hikes don’t always cause declines, however—because if a ‘god-tier’ company emerges, the Nasdaq will rise even amid tightening. So—the question is: Which company will be the next ‘god-tier’? SpaceX, clearly, is not it. Despite its achievements, SpaceX has yet to catalyze prosperity across an entire industry. Companies capable of transforming entire industries (like Apple and OpenAI) are those that fundamentally disrupt traditional production relationships. Apple revolutionized daily life (before Apple, no one imagined managing all aspects of everyday life with just one device); OpenAI dramatically boosts human productivity—especially cognitive labor.

Which stocks are suitable for holding long-term—say, for 10 years?

Or put another way: Which company stocks do you believe could serve as ‘heirloom investments’—passed down from yourself to your daughter, then to your grandchildren—continuing to grow and appreciate along the way? If we restrict ourselves to China’s A-share market, the answer is frankly unconvincing. Many responses list monopolistic firms like banks or oil companies. While these firms will likely still exist decades from now, holding their stocks may not be a sound choice. Their profit growth is either mediocre, fraught with hidden risks, or highly cyclical—meaning their stock prices may fluctuate over ten years without any clear, upward trajectory. Others recommend dividend stocks—not necessarily bad, but functionally similar to bank deposits: offering little to no profit growth and extremely limited returns. The companies worth holding long-term, in my view, must possess compounding characteristics—capable of growing steadily and increasingly along a clear path. Truly finding such companies in China’s A-share market is difficult. But if we expand our horizon globally, several candidates genuinely qualify as ‘heirloom investments.’ Berkshire Hathaway (BRK): Yes—Warren Buffett’s company. Many perceive Berkshire as merely a diversified ‘fund’ that buys stocks, with Buffett acting as its fund manager—implying the firm’s entire value hinges on his investment acumen, and would lose its soul upon his departure. That may have been true early on. Yet deeper analysis reveals Berkshire’s true ‘soul’ isn’t its CEO’s stock-picking skill—but rather its ability to build a compounding machine capable of weathering economic cycles. Compared to ordinary investors who buy stocks, Berkshire enjoys an endless supply of ‘ammunition’: its insurance and railroad businesses generate steady, abundant cash flow. Berkshire’s earnings aren’t limited to stock purchases—it can buy bonds, acquire entire companies outright, or simply hold cash, waiting for crises to strike and pounce opportunistically. This diversification provides strong resilience—even during stock-market crashes. Also critical is Berkshire’s reputation and creditworthiness. A prime example: its dealings with Japan’s five major trading houses. Berkshire issued low-interest yen-denominated debt in Japan and used those funds to negotiate with the trading houses—pressuring them to raise dividend payouts. Effectively, Berkshire profits from the spread between its borrowing costs and the dividend yields on those stocks. Few individuals—and even fewer investment gurus—can replicate this strategy. Recently, Berkshire has underperformed the S&P 500, drawing ridicule from some. Yet what’s truly unsettling is that, despite holding massive cash reserves and avoiding heavy exposure to AI stocks, Berkshire has only slightly trailed the S&P 500—a remarkable achievement. Anyone familiar with U.S. equities knows how difficult it is to outperform the S&P 500—even with concentrated bets on AI companies. Objectively speaking, as Berkshire’s capital base grows ever larger, outperforming broad indices becomes increasingly difficult. So why still hold Berkshire? As noted above: its defensive strength surpasses that of the S&P 500. Even during a market crash, Berkshire’s railroads and other cash-generating subsidiaries provide stability. Moreover, Berkshire currently holds enormous cash reserves. Should AI valuations truly collapse—as some pessimists warn—Berkshire stands ready to ‘buy the dip,’ much as it did during the 2008 financial crisis. S&P 500 & Nasdaq: As mentioned earlier, the second compelling long-term holding is simply the passive, ‘no-brainer’ choice: the S&P 500 and Nasdaq indices. Anyone who’s traded U.S. equities knows that, after all the effort, you’re highly likely to underperform these indices. Even if you beat them occasionally, consistently outperforming them over many years is exceedingly rare. So—if you can’t beat them, join them.

Is Kronos Worldwide Stock Still a Buy After a 36% YTD Rally?

Aug 3, 2026

Kronos Worldwide shares surged 36.2% year-to-date driven by strong titanium dioxide demand and favorable pricing. Zacks Investment Research recommends the stock as a Buy citing attractive valuation and healthy earnings growth prospects.