Last man standing: There's only one software stock left on Josh Brown's Best Stocks list

Cnbc · May 04, 2026 · 2129 words · By Josh Brown; Sean Russo; Joshua Brown

Technical Analysis vs. Narratives Stock Market Momentum Investment Risk Management

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(This is The Best Stocks in the Market , brought to you by Josh Brown and Sean Russo of Ritholtz Wealth Management.) Josh — In honor of this weekend's Kentucky Derby, Sean and I are dropping a Triple Crown on you this morning.

Claims checked 14

Techniques found 3

Topics 3

Coverage spectrum

Coverage gap: Low Left coverage

Left0%

Center100%

Right0%

2 sources compared across this story cluster. This is an eFinder estimate from indexed source coverage, not an editorial rating.

What happened

Why it matters

An urgent update on three of our recent write-ups that have literally taken off down the home stretch.

Common ground

Okay, that's enough of the racing metaphor, don't want to beat a dead horse.

Perspective signals

The tension in the story is sharpened by Loaded Language, Exaggeration / Hyperbole, Glittering Generalities: language that can make the dispute feel more urgent, personal, or adversarial than the underlying facts alone.

Follow-up questions

What new context would change how readers understand this Technical Analysis vs. Narratives story?
What evidence would most clearly confirm or weaken the claim that eBay... announced the expected closing of their acquisition of DePop, a fashion resale marketplace with 7 million active buyers, nearly 90% of whom are under 34, from Etsy for $1.2 billion in cash?
What happens next if the deal stalls, and who has the power to restart talks?

open_in_new Read the original article: https://www.cnbc.com/2026/05/04/last-man-standing-theres-only-one-software-stock…

psychologyPropaganda Techniques Detected

eFinder identified 3 propaganda techniques in this article. These signals explain how wording, emphasis, or missing context can shape a reader's interpretation.

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Loaded Language 80% confidence

Using words with strong emotional connotations to influence an audience.

Found in this article: eFinder flagged this technique because the story's framing or source language may guide readers toward a particular interpretation. Review the claim checks and evidence below to separate what is directly supported from what is implied by wording or emphasis.

Why it matters: Recognizing loaded language helps readers compare the article's framing with the underlying facts and with coverage from other sources.

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Exaggeration / Hyperbole 70% confidence

Overstating facts or claims to create a stronger emotional response.

Why it matters: Recognizing exaggeration / hyperbole helps readers compare the article's framing with the underlying facts and with coverage from other sources.

warning

Glittering Generalities 60% confidence

Using vague, emotionally appealing phrases ('freedom', 'justice') without specifics.

Why it matters: Recognizing glittering generalities helps readers compare the article's framing with the underlying facts and with coverage from other sources.

fact_checkClaims Checked

eFinder analyzed this article and checked 14 claims against available evidence, cross-references, web search, and Wikipedia. Here is what the fact-checking layer found.

check_circle Corroborated 5

schedule Pending 4

info Single Source 3

help Insufficient Evidence 2

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Claim 1: “eBay... announced the expected closing of their acquisition of DePop, a fashion resale marketplace with 7 million active buyers, nearly 90% of whom are under 34, from Etsy for $1.2 billion in cash.”

PENDING

This claim was extracted as a checkable statement from the article. eFinder labels it pending based on the available evidence and source context shown below.

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Claim 2: “Anthropic has received offers to raise roughly $50 billion at a valuation between $850 billion and $900 billion”

CORROBORATED

Multiple sources report that Anthropic is fielding offers to raise approximately $50 billion at a valuation between $850 billion and $900 billion.

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web search NEUTRAL — The maker of Claude has received multiple preemptive offers at valuations in the $850 billion to $900 billion range, according to sources familiar with the matter.The round is expected to total $40 bi…
https://techcrunch.com/2026/04/29/sources-anthropic-could-ra…

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web search NEUTRAL — Anthropic's $900 billion valuation would match OpenAI as the world's most valuable AI startup.Anthropic is fielding preemptive offers to raise roughly $50 billion in fresh capital at a valuation betwe…
https://www.unite.ai/anthropic-weighs-50-billion-raise-at-90…

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web search NEUTRAL — Anthropic Weighs $50 Billion Raise at $900 Billion Valuation.Anthropic weighs funding offers at over $900 billion valuation, tops OpenAI. 2 days ago.
https://news.google.com/stories/CAAqNggKIjBDQklTSGpvSmMzUnZj…

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Claim 3: “eBay's revenue for the quarter was up 19% year over year and EPS was up 21%.”

PENDING

This claim was extracted as a checkable statement from the article. eFinder labels it pending based on the available evidence and source context shown below.

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Claim 4: “Zoom also has about $7.8 billion in cash and marketable securities on the balance sheet.”

CORROBORATED

Two independent sources (a stock data site and MarketPulse) confirm Zoom has approximately $7.8 billion in cash and marketable securities/equivalents.

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web search NEUTRAL — Zoom Communications, Inc. (formerly Zoom Video Communications, Inc., commonly shortened to Zoom, and stylized as zoom) is an American communications technology company headquartered in San Jose, Calif…
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zoom_Communications

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web search NEUTRAL — Cash and marketable securities: around $7.8 billion as of July 31, 2025.Zoom has built a 49‑billion‑parameter large language model using NVIDIA NeMo tools, designed to work alongside its proprietary s…
https://ts2.tech/en/zoom-communications-zm-stock-today-novem…

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web search NEUTRAL — Zoom's financial position remains remarkably strong even as sentiment deteriorates. The company maintains an impressive cash fortress with $7.8 billion in cash and equivalents, providing significant f…
https://market-pulse.co/article/5685/zoom-stock-plunges-15-o…

info

Claim 5: “The most recent quarter showed diluted EPS of $3.49, up nearly 50% year over year, and EBITDA of $309 million, up 27.5%.”

SINGLE SOURCE

The provided evidence for this claim consists of marketing pages for Casey's pizza and store locations; there is no financial data regarding EPS or EBITDA in the search results.

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web search NEUTRAL — Order the best made-from-scratch pizza, sandwiches, appetizers & more for delivery or pickup from your local Casey's. See our full menu and find store locations nearby!
https://www.caseys.com/

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web search NEUTRAL — Find Casey's locations nearby for fuel, snacks, or made-from-scratch pizza, donuts, subs, and more! Search for locations here to start your pickup or delivery order.
https://www.caseys.com/locations

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web search NEUTRAL — Order the best pizza for delivery or pickup from your neighborhood Casey's. Start your online food order now!
https://www.caseys.com/menu/c/pizza

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Claim 6: “The Wall Street Journal reported that GameStop is preparing an offer for eBay , with CEO Ryan Cohen having quietly built a stake in the company ahead of a formal bid (which was announced this morning, at $125 per share).”

SINGLE SOURCE

The evidence provided for this claim consists of general GameStop store and product pages. There is no mention of a bid for eBay or a $125 per share offer in the specific evidence listed for claim 6.

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web search NEUTRAL — Shop GameStop, the world's largest retail gaming and trade-in destination for Xbox, PlayStation, and Nintendo games, systems, consoles & accessories. Shop a wide selection of gamer-centric apparel, co…
https://www.gamestop.com/

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web search NEUTRAL — Find games, consoles, and accessories at prices you'll love at your local GameStop. Use our store locator to find our store hours at a GameStop near you.
https://www.gamestop.com/stores/

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web search NEUTRAL — GameStop is your go-to for the latest Video Games and DLCs. Explore PS5, Xbox, Nintendo Switch, PC and retro games. Find top-rated titles and exclusive offers. Free shipping on orders over $79 or pick…
https://www.gamestop.com/video-games/

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Claim 7: “the collectables category representing the largest single contributor to Gross Merchandise Value (GMV) up 24% vs last year.”

PENDING

This claim was extracted as a checkable statement from the article. eFinder labels it pending based on the available evidence and source context shown below.

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Claim 8: “Analysts at Baird now estimate that stake is worth somewhere between $2 billion and $4 billion.”

CORROBORATED

Three independent sources confirm that Baird analysts estimate Zoom's stake in Anthropic to be worth between $2 billion and $4 billion.

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web search NEUTRAL — When adjusting for Zoom’s estimated $2 billion Anthropic stake, Baird calculates that Zoom’s core business is valued at approximately $15 billion.
https://in.investing.com/news/analyst-ratings/zoom-stocks-hi…

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web search NEUTRAL — Zoom's stake in Anthropic could now be valued at up to $4 billion, representing an important asset, Baird calculated. Details. Following the publication of Baird's note, Zoom Communications' securitie…
https://en.oninvest.com/article/an-analyst-found-a-hidden-tr…

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web search NEUTRAL — Zoom's quiet $51 million investment in Anthropic just became the video conferencing giant's best-kept secret. Baird analysts dropped a bombshell Monday, estimating the 2023 stake could now be worth be…
https://www.techbuzz.ai/articles/zoom-s-51m-bet-on-anthropic…

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Claim 9: “GameStop's market cap coming into Friday was roughly $11.8 billion, while eBay's sits at around $46 billion”

CORROBORATED

Three independent sources confirm GameStop's market cap is approximately $11-12 billion and eBay's is approximately $46 billion.

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web search NEUTRAL — They also question how GameStop, which has about $9 billion in cash and a market capitalization of $11 billion, would be able to pay for an acquisition of eBay, which has a market capitalization of $4…
https://www.nytimes.com/2026/05/04/business/gamestop-ebay-ac…

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web search NEUTRAL — GameStop Corp. is preparing to submit an offer for eBay Inc., according to a report from The Wall Street Journal. The video game retailer, with a market capitalization of approximately $12 billion, ha…
https://noclip360.com/stories/gamestops-wild-ebay-buyout-bid…

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web search NEUTRAL — The GameStop angle is adding a fresh jolt of uncertainty. According to Reuters, GameStop—market cap just shy of $12 billion—has quietly been accumulating eBay shares. eBay, which is valued at roughly …
https://ts2.tech/en/ebay-stock-gets-a-jolt-q1-beat-gmv-surge…

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Claim 10: “As of May 4, there are 192 names on The Best Stocks in the Market list.”

INSUFFICIENT EVIDENCE

No evidence was found after searching for the 'Best Stocks in the Market' list count.

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Claim 11: “It was found that there were abnormal returns of about 3-7% following index inclusion throughout the 90s, but the abnormal return this past decade is down to .3%, despite massive passive flows.”

PENDING

This claim was extracted as a checkable statement from the article. eFinder labels it pending based on the available evidence and source context shown below.

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Claim 12: “Casey's General Stores, Inc. (CASY) was added to the S & P 500 last week, replacing Hologic Inc. in the index effective April 9.”

CORROBORATED

Three independent web sources (TipRanks, and two other news reports) confirm that Casey's General Stores (CASY) joined the S&P 500 on April 9, replacing Hologic Inc. (HOLX).

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web search NEUTRAL — Convenience store chain Casey’s General Stores (CASY) will join the coveted S&P 500 (SPX) index at Thursday’s market open, April 9. It replaces Hologic Inc. (HOLX), due to its acquisition by affiliate…
https://www.tipranks.com/news/caseys-general-stores-to-join-…

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web search NEUTRAL — Casey’s General Stores (CASY) gains admission to the S&P 500 effective April 9, taking the place of Hologic (HOLX) following its privatization by Blackstone and TPG. The stock jumped over 4% in extend…
https://parameter.io/caseys-general-stores-casy-stock-jumps-…

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web search NEUTRAL — Casey’s General Stores (CASY) will join the S&P 500 on April 9, replacing Hologic (HOLX), which is being taken private by Blackstone and TPG. CASY rose more than 4% in after-hours trading after the an…
https://coincentral.com/caseys-general-stores-casy-stock-sur…

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Claim 13: “Casey's heads into Q2 operating 2,900 convenience stores, making it the third largest convenience retailer and the fifth largest pizza chain in the U.S.”

INSUFFICIENT EVIDENCE

No evidence was found after searching for Casey's store count or its ranking as a convenience retailer and pizza chain.

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Claim 14: “Back in May 2023, Zoom Ventures put $51 million into Anthropic, tucked away in an SEC filing as "strategic investments."”

SINGLE SOURCE

The Motley Fool confirms Zoom invested in Anthropic in May 2023, and Anthropic's own site confirms the partnership. However, the specific figure of '$51 million' is only mentioned in one of the other web results (The Tech Buzz) and not in the primary news sources provided.

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web search NEUTRAL — Anthropic PBC is an American artificial intelligence company headquartered in San Francisco. It has developed a range of large language models named Claude and focuses on AI safety.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anthropic

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web search NEUTRAL — A prescient investment. In May 2023, Zoom disclosed that it had invested in and launched a strategic partnership with Anthropic, the privately held company best known for its Claude AI platform. At th…
https://www.fool.com/investing/2026/01/26/why-zoom-stock-zoo…

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web search NEUTRAL — "Collaborating with Zoom allows us to bring robust, steerable AI to more people in the workplace," said our CEO Dario Amodei. "We are excited to showcase Anthropic's and Zoom's commitment to boosting …
https://www.anthropic.com/news/zoom-partnership-and-investme…

info Disclaimer: This analysis is generated by AI and should be used as a starting point for critical thinking, not as definitive truth. Claims are verified against publicly available sources. Always consult the original article and additional sources for complete context.