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2026-10-03 12:08 • The Motley Fool Positive Axe Cap view: Selective

SpaceX successfully launched Starship Flight 14 on September 28, achieving orbital capability and deploying 26 Starlink satellites. With a 100+ metric ton payload capacity to Low Earth Orbit—four times greater than Falcon 9—Starship is positioned to replace aging launch systems. At potential launch costs of $10 million and customer prices starting at $90 million, Starship could generate massive revenue streams, though Elon Musk's prediction of hourly launches producing $788 trillion annually is unrealistic.

Axe note: SpaceX's Starship reaching orbit signals big shifts in aerospace, with mixed implications for South African investors.

2026-10-03 11:30 • The Motley Fool Positive Axe Cap view: Selective

Motley Fool analysts present their favorite long-term 'Inevitable' stocks—companies with durable competitive advantages suitable for 20-year holds. Four picks are featured: AerCap (aircraft leasing scale advantage), Microsoft (diversified services and AI leadership), Alphabet (AI integration in search and cloud growth), and Palantir (irreplaceable operational data platform). Part 2 coming later this month.

Axe note: Four global giants showcase what durable competitive edges mean for long-term investing—with a subtle nod to South African relevance.

2026-10-03 11:30 • The Motley Fool Positive Axe Cap view: Selective

UnitedHealth Group will report Q3 earnings on October 13. The key metric to watch is the medical care ratio (MCR), which measures the percentage of insurance premiums paid out for claims. A lower MCR improves profitability. UnitedHealth successfully reduced its MCR to 86.7% in Q2 from 89.4% a year earlier, driven by benefit design, pricing discipline, and member mix adjustments. Investors will closely monitor whether the company can maintain or further reduce this critical ratio.

Axe note: UnitedHealth’s ability to lower costs points to operational discipline investors rarely see from insurers.