Blue-chip non-fungible token (NFT) collections had steep weekly declines as Ether pulled back from all-time highs. 

Data from decentralized finance aggregator DefiLlama showed that top projects saw their floor prices sink by double digits in the last seven days. Blue-chip NFT collections like Pudgy Penguins, Bored Ape Yacht Club (BAYC) and Doodles were among the hardest hit.

Pudgy Penguins, the top NFT collection by 24-hour and 7-day volume, saw a 17.3% drop to a 10.32 Ether (ETH) floor price. BAYC shed 14.7% to 9.59 ETH, while Doodles recorded one of the sharpest corrections, dropping 18.9% to 0.73 ETH. Other major collections like Moonbirds and Lil Pudgys dropped 10.5% and 14.6%, respectively.

The NFT floor price drop followed a sharp ETH retracement after hitting new all-time highs. On Monday, CoinGecko data showed that ETH reached a new all-time high of $4,946. ETH dropped 12% on Tuesday to $4,342 before recovering slightly. At the time of writing, the crypto asset traded at $4,433.

CryptoPunks remain resilient despite the market crash

While many collections suffered heavy losses, not all NFT projects were in retreat. CryptoPunks, which remained the top NFT collection by market cap, showed relative resilience, dropping only 1.35% over the week. 

Despite the top collections showing floor price declines, trading volumes remained high. Throughout the week, Pudgy Penguins led the market with about 2,112 ETH (about $9.36 million) in trading volume. The collection was followed by Moonbirds, with 1,979 ETH ($8.77 million). 

CryptoPunks followed closely with 1,879 ETH (about $8.33 million) in volume, while BAYC had 809 ETH ($3.59 million). 

Related: 3D-printed housing company adopts Bitcoin, NFTs in blockchain pivot

NFT market capitalization drops to $7.7 billion

While blue-chip NFTs suffered double-digit declines, the broader NFT space also dropped almost 5% to $7.7 billion, according to data aggregator NFT Price Floor. 

On Aug. 13, NFT Price Floor showed that the overall NFT market capitalization peaked at $9.3 billion, up 40% from July’s $6.6 billion. The surge was fueled by an increase in NFT activity following an ETH surge. 

On Aug. 18, the NFT market cap dropped further to $8.1 billion, wiping out $1.2 billion from digital collectible valuations. 

Magazine: Ethereum’s roadmap to 10,000 TPS using ZK tech: Dummies’ guide

]]> https://earlybirdsinvest.com/blue-chip-nfts-sink-double-digits-as-eth-retreats-from-record-highs/feed/ 0 55187 https://earlybirdsinvest.com/why-blue-bird-stock-soared-more-than-27-higher-this-week/ https://earlybirdsinvest.com/why-blue-bird-stock-soared-more-than-27-higher-this-week/#respond Sat, 09 Aug 2025 05:39:54 +0000 https://earlybirdsinvest.com/why-blue-bird-stock-soared-more-than-27-higher-this-week/ The company is clearly managing the shift to alt-fuel vehicles very well.

A beat-and-raise fiscal third quarter was the fuel driving Blue Bird (BLBD 5.56%) stock forward this week. Thanks mostly to this the company’s shares motored over 27% higher during the period, according to data compiled by S&P Global Market Intelligence.

Blue’s success with yellow

That three-month period saw Blue Bird, a longtime manufacturer of school buses, hit new highs for both quarterly revenue and profitability. The former line item zoomed 19% higher to $398 million, while non-GAAP (adjusted) net income improved by more than 26% to $38.7 million ($1.19 per share).

Image source: Getty Images.

Analysts were expecting the quarter to be profitable, but not this profitable. As a group they were modeling only $1 per share for adjusted net income. They also underestimated revenue, as they predicted less than $378 million.

Although it’s identified — if at all — with the traditional gas-guzzling yellow school buses, Blue Bird has been busily upgrading its signature product over the years. It has pushed assertively into the alternative-fuel space, embracing greener solutions such as electric vehicle (EV) technology.

In its earnings release, Blue Bird referred to “expanding its leadership” in such alt-fuel offerings. It also mentioned that it was able to successfully side-step many of the tariffs recently imposed by the Trump administration, among other results-boosting factors.

A lift in guidance

With that solid quarter at its back, Blue Bird felt confident enough to raise its full-year-2025 guidance. The company now expects to earn roughly $1.45 billion in revenue and post an adjusted earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization (EBITDA) figure of $205 million to $215 million. It did not provide a net income estimate.

Investing in the stock market is one way to build enduring, long-term wealth. As an investor, you could choose to invest in high-flying growth stocks, dividend stocks that provide passive income, or more conservative investments that can preserve and grow your investments steadily over time.

One strategy you can consider is investing in blue chip companies. These companies have withstood the test of time thanks to sound business models that have led to solid returns for patient investors.

Blue chips typically offer reliable dividends and steady long-term growth, making them appealing to both seasoned investors and newcomers seeking to establish a solid financial foundation. Here are four blue chip stocks you can invest in today.

Image source: Getty Images.

Berkshire Hathaway

Berkshire Hathaway (BRK.A -0.62%) (BRK.B -0.52%) has thrived under the leadership of its longtime CEO, Warren Buffett. Since 1965, Buffett has led the conglomerate to 20% annualized returns, or enough to turn a $100 investment into $5.5 million today.

So when Buffett announced earlier this year he was stepping down at the end of 2025, it took the wind out of the sails of Berkshire Hathaway stock, which is down 12% since the announcement in early May.

However, Berkshire Hathaway is a widely diversified conglomerate with holdings across numerous industries, including insurance, transportation, materials, consumer goods, and energy. Its insurance operations help generate a steady stream of cash flow, which it can invest in treasuries or equities, or use to acquire companies outright.

What makes Berkshire appealing right now is its massive cash pile and positive tailwinds from higher interest rates. The Federal Reserve is cautious about cutting interest rates due to concerns about inflation stemming from higher tariffs. This has resulted in rates staying “higher for longer,” and Berkshire has benefited to the tune of $2.9 billion in interest income in the first quarter.

Berkshire will be under new leadership, led by CEO Greg Abel, with its investment portfolio managed by Todd Combs and Ted Weschler, the investing lieutenants tapped by Buffett and the late Charlie Munger over a decade ago. While the uncertainty around its future remains, I think it’s well-capitalized and diversified enough that it’s a buy at today’s price.

Progressive

Progressive (PGR -1.86%) is the second-largest automotive insurer in the United States. What sets this blue chip company apart is its disciplined underwriting, strong brand, and direct-to-consumer model.

The company relies heavily on technology and data to accurately price risk and was one of the original companies to adopt usage-based insurance, known as telematics. This approach utilizes driver data to price policies, which is one reason the company has outperformed its competitors.

Progressive’s track record of navigating underwriting cycles while maintaining profitability distinguishes it. Going back 23 years, the company’s combined ratio has averaged 92%, which is significantly lower than the industry average of 100%. Put differently, Progressive has earned an average of $8 in underwriting profit for every $100 in premiums.

As a stock, Progressive offers defensive characteristics with upside. Insurance is a stable industry that enjoys steady demand, and Progressive has demonstrated its ability to outperform its peers in underwriting profitability.

The company is also well-positioned to perform if inflation and interest rates were to remain elevated. That’s because it has pricing power, allowing it to adapt to rising costs, and it also earns interest on float (the cash it collects from premiums but hasn’t yet paid out in claims).

Its stellar long-term performance and ongoing strong underwriting make Progressive an excellent blue chip stock to consider adding to your portfolio today.

Chubb

Chubb (CB -0.89%) is one of the world’s largest publicly traded property and casualty insurers, recognized for its underwriting discipline, global diversification, and robust balance sheet. It operates across commercial and personal lines, with a reputation for serving high-net-worth individuals and complex corporate risks. Its conservative approach to risk, coupled with a broad international footprint, has enabled it to weather economic cycles well.

Chubb has been a solid dividend stock for investors, growing its payout for 32 consecutive years. With a yield of 1.4% and an average annual total return of 11.7% over the past two decades, the company offers investors a balanced combination of income and stock price appreciation. It also enjoys the benefits that Progressive does, such as pricing power and interest income, making it another solid blue chip stock to consider owning today.

S&P Global

S&P Global (SPGI -0.52%) plays a key role in markets. The company is perhaps best known for its S&P 500 index, but it also provides credit ratings, data, and analytics. Barriers to entry make it difficult to break into the credit ratings space, and S&P Global holds a 50% share of this market.

S&P Global’s business model is resilient and scalable. Credit rating demand rises with bond issuance, while its index and data segments enjoy recurring fees from ETF licensing and subscriptions. The company also has low capital requirements, which enables it to enjoy high margins, recurring revenue, and a global reach.

The company has raised its dividend payout for 53 years, making it an exclusive member of the Dividend Kings club. While it offers a modest dividend yield of 0.7%, when combined with its stock price appreciation, S&P Global has returned 15.3% annually over the past two decades. For investors, S&P Global offers growth and a wide moat along with steady cash flows, making it a quality blue chip stock to own today.