Welcome back to Smash, Trash, or Stash – the no-BS series where I run through five tickers 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:

ASML Holding (ASML) – SMASH the Buy Button

ASML is the most important tech company you’ve probably never heard of.

They make the machines that make the chips that power everything from smartphones and AI data centers to military systems.

Specifically, they’re the only company in the world that can build extreme ultraviolet (EUV) lithography machines, which are used to manufacture the most advanced semiconductors.

No ASML = no cutting-edge chips.

Recently, there’s been some market concern about how much of ASML’s growth depends on EUV tool demand.

But let’s be clear – these tools are essential to the future of chips, and customers will need to invest in them to stay competitive.

As the next generation of chips roll out, ASML is in a strong position to benefit.

Despite the noise, this remains one of the most critical players in the entire AI and tech supply chain.

Verdict: SMASH.

Talen Energy Corporation (TLN) – SMASH the Buy Button

Nuclear power isn’t just back. It’s booming.

And TLN is riding that wave in a big way.

This company owns nuclear and natural gas assets, including the highly profitable Susquehanna plant in Pennsylvania.

Just look at the numbers: Talen is projected to earn $6.23 per share this year… and a whopping $20.71 next year.

That’s more than 3x earnings growth.

Even after its huge run, the stock trades at just 38x next year’s earnings.

Given the growth expectations and the world’s shift toward cleaner baseload energy, it probably deserves an even higher multiple.

There’s risk here, sure.

But for those with a longer-term mindset, this rocket might still have fuel.

Verdict: SMASH.

Main Street Capital (MAIN) – SMASH the Buy Button

MAIN was a new name brought to my attention. And I’m glad it was.

This is a business development company (BDC) that lends to and invests in small and mid-sized businesses.

It’s not flashy, but it’s financially sound, consistently profitable, and trades at a reasonable valuation.

What makes it stand out? That monthly dividend.

It’s paid one every month since its IPO in 2007… and it’s never cut it. Not once.

Not even during the 2008 financial crisis or COVID.

Including all declared dividends through Q4 2025, investors have received over $46.85 per share in cumulative payouts.

Keep in mind, the stock IPO’d at just $15.

This is a true “set it and forget it” kind of holding for income investors.

Verdict: SMASH.

Dogecoin (DOGE) – TRASH

Dogecoin might look like it fits into my “own crypto or risk getting left behind” thesis…

But it doesn’t.

This coin was literally created as a joke back in 2013.

Two software engineers slapped together a light-hearted spin on Bitcoin with the Shiba Inu meme and launched Dogecoin for fun.

It was never supposed to have utility and it still doesn’t.

There’s no cap on supply. No serious development roadmap. No ecosystem.

Yes, it’s still around.

Yes, Elon Musk occasionally tweets about it.

But that’s not a thesis.

It’s a meme—and that’s not enough for me.

Verdict: TRASH.

Joby Aviation (JOBY) – STASH for Later

I like Joby. I really do.

This company is building electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft – basically flying taxis.

And their recent acquisition of Blade’s helicopter taxi business gives them a real-world foothold in New York’s airspace.

But here’s the issue: the opportunity is still years away.

And in that time, volatility is inevitable – both from the overall market, which tends to punish unprofitable, high-growth names during drawdowns, and from Joby’s own execution risks.

There are still FAA certification hurdles to clear. Regulatory timelines that are anything but predictable. Infrastructure that needs to be built out in every market they want to serve. And a brand-new technology that the public will need to learn, trust, and adopt.

That doesn’t mean the opportunity isn’t real.

It just means there will be better entry points.

The stock is already up 140% this year.

I like it. Just not at $16 billion with nearly no revenue.

Verdict: STASH. Let’s keep our eyes on this one.

Have a Stock or Crypto You Want Covered?

That’s it for this edition of Smash, Trash, or Stash.

If you’ve got a stock you want my take on, email me at AskDavis@paradigmpressgroup.com and I’ll include it in a future edition.