Welcome back to Smash, Trash, or Stash.

This is the no-BS series where I run through stocks/cryptos suggested by readers and give my recommendation.

• SMASH the Buy button → Strong Buy / High-Conviction Stock

• TRASH that stock → Hard Pass / Avoid for now

Or…

• STASH that stock on the watchlist → Keep on watchlist / Not ready yet but worth tracking

Let’s get to it:

Advanced Micro Devices (AMD) – Begrudgingly Smash the Buy Button

I say “begrudgingly” because AMD’s valuation is now somewhat reasonable.

The stock trades around 32x 2026 earnings and about 20x 2027 earnings.

If you believe the AI buildout continues for several more years, as I do, that valuation isn’t outrageous.

That said, if you’re betting on the AI revolution, why settle for the second-best chipmaker?

AMD is a strong company with a real role in the AI ecosystem. But Nvidia still has superior products, stronger demand, a wider moat, and trades at a cheaper valuation.

AMD will likely benefit from the AI wave over the next decade. But if I have to choose between two AI leaders and one is better, cheaper, and more dominant, I know where I’m putting my money.

So go ahead and smash the buy button on AMD, but don’t forget NVDA.

Walmart (WMT) – Trash It

Walmart just joined the $1 trillion market cap club, a group typically reserved for hypergrowth technology companies.

The problem? Walmart isn’t a hypergrowth company.

Revenue and earnings are both expected to grow slower than the average S&P 500 company, yet the stock trades around 48x 2026 expected earnings and 43x 2027 earnings.

That’s a tech-style valuation without tech-style growth.

Sorry, Walmart. I’ll keep shopping at your stores.

But as a stock? TRASH.

Rigetti Computing (RGTI) – Trash It

Rigetti is a quantum computing company that builds specialized computers designed to solve complex problems, such as advanced simulations, optimization, and cryptography.

The technology works, but it’s still in the early stages.

And that’s the problem.

Quantum computing is likely five to ten years away from widespread commercial use, yet many quantum stocks trade as if revenue and profits are about to take off.

They’re not.

Most of the revenue these companies generate today comes from research contracts and partnerships with institutions trying to develop quantum technology themselves.

Here’s my pro tip: if you want exposure to quantum computing, wait.

Give it months or even years. Wait until the hype dies down and nobody is talking about these stocks anymore. Then buy and hold.

At some point, we’ll likely see another explosive move higher.

But for now, Rigetti and most quantum names are TRASH.

Robinhood Markets (HOOD) – Smash the Buy Button

I like Robinhood here.

The company operates an investing platform that lets users trade stocks, ETFs, options, crypto, and even bet in prediction markets.

What I really like now is that Robinhood is proving it can keep those customers as they grow wealth, not just attract beginners.

The company is expanding beyond trading with retirement accounts, strong cash yields for Gold subscribers, and even financial advisory services.

In other words, Robinhood is turning into a full financial platform, not just a trading app.

Meanwhile, the stock trades around $85, well below its roughly $150 peak last October, even as the business continues to grow.

Smash the buy button.

Have a Stock or Crypto You Want Covered?

Send me an email at AskDavis@paradigmpressgroup.com with your pick.

No filters. No fluff.

Just real analysis from someone who watches markets every single day.