Shares of African e-commerce leader Jumia Technologies (JMIA 5.05%) rallied 35% in September, according to data from S&P Global Market Intelligence.

Jumia didn’t have much in the way of company-specific news in the month, as it disclosed second-quarter earnings results back in early August.

However, Jumia’s management gave an interview and hosted analysts, explaining how the Trump administration’s tariffs are actually benefiting the African e-commerce company. Midway through the month, a Wall Street sell-side analyst more than doubled his price target on shares, leading to a 22% increase on the same day.

As U.S. levies tariffs on China, Jumia can buy for cheaper

Early in September, Jumia CEO Francis Dufay gave an interview with Bloomberg, highlighting a number of points. Jumia has undergone a cost-cutting restructuring effort, and some of the currency volatility it experienced over the past quarters and years has calmed down. More encouragingly, Dufay noted Jumia now has better negotiating power with Chinese vendors as a result of the United States’ recent tariff policies, which have raised prices to U.S. consumers.

As a result of Jumia’s lower costs and better bargaining power, on Sept. 16, RBC Capital’s Brad Erickson raised his price target on Jumia shares from $6.50 all the way to $15. As of Oct. 7, Jumia’s stock sits just a bit below $12 per share. Erickson noted that he sees Jumia’s newfound leverage with Chinese sellers enabling it to increase the “take rate” — or the fee that it’s able to charge its vendors — by a half to full point as a percentage of revenue annually over the next few years.

The only company-specific news item during the month was Jumia announcing the launch of electric bike delivery in Uganda. The initiative is meant to replace its fossil fuel-based fleet, helping Jumia lower fuel costs and achieve its ESG goals.

Jumia is a high-risk, high-reward international play

With the U.S. market trading at a significantly higher valuation than other markets around the world, international stocks like Jumia might have more upside than their U.S. counterparts.

Jumia isn’t very cheap, though, especially not after last month’s appreciation, trading at over 8 times sales, while the company is still losing money. However, the company is forecasting mid-teens GMV (gross merchandise volume) growth, with falling economic unit costs, and management predicts Jumia will get to breakeven by the end of 2026.

Jumia is still quite risky, but Africa has high growth potential, and profitability appears to be improving as the company grows.

Billy Duberstein and/or his clients have no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.

The end of the U.S. de minimis tariff exemption marks a major shift for both consumers and retailers, particularly those involved in cross-border e-commerce.

No, before you ask, e-commerce titan Amazon (AMZN 0.23%) has not bought struggling car rental company Hertz Global (HTZ 2.82%), nor has it gotten into the rental car business (at least, not yet). Instead, Amazon is offering used Hertz rental vehicles for sale through its Amazon Autos service.

Here’s why this looks like great news for Hertz and Amazon investors alike.

This is a test

Most potential car buyers won’t be able to run right out and buy a Hertz vehicle on Amazon Autos. This is essentially a pilot program being rolled out in just four cities. But if you’re one of the lucky few who live within 75 miles of Dallas, Houston, Los Angeles, or Seattle, you’ll be able to browse thousands of used Hertz vehicles on the Amazon Autos site, schedule a test drive, e-sign paperwork, and complete the entire purchase online, then pick up the vehicle at a nearby Hertz location.

Although the scope of this partnership is limited, it’s a big leap forward for Amazon Autos. When the site launched in December, it was limited to selling new Hyundai vehicles (and for most of us, still is). In early August, it began allowing Hyundai dealers in the Los Angeles area to list used and certified pre-owned vehicles on the site. As the site’s first fleet dealer, Hertz’s online offerings will allow Amazon to list cars from Toyota (TM -0.37%) and Ford Motor Company (F 0.72%), among others.

Why it’s good for Hertz

We don’t know exactly how many used vehicles Hertz sells each year, but the company says the number is in the “hundreds of thousands.” Assuming that means “more than 200,000,” that could mean Hertz’s annual sales approach Carvana‘s (CVNA -1.30%) 416,348. Both fall well short of CarMax‘s (KMX 4.19%) 1.3 million vehicle sales per year.

Some consumers shy away from buying used rental cars, arguing that drivers are more likely to put unnecessary wear and tear on a car they don’t own. Hertz should benefit from having its vehicles listed on a site that isn’t exclusively associated with its rental service. It also gains access to the hundreds of millions of customers who already shop on Amazon and trust the service. Given Hertz’s spotty profitability record, every opportunity to reach more customers is a benefit.

Why it’s good for Amazon

Like the rest of Amazon, Amazon Autos will operate better at scale.

Merchants offer their goods on Amazon’s e-commerce platform (despite the fees Amazon charges) because they know a lot of people look for certain types of products on Amazon first, only shopping elsewhere if they don’t find what they’re looking for. But if Amazon Autos never has many cars available, or only sells specific brands (like Hyundai), or is limited to new vehicles (which only represent about one-quarter of all U.S. auto sales), it’ll never be the first place people look when buying a car.

By partnering with Hertz (and with Hyundai and potentially with other car dealers), Amazon gets the best of both worlds: It dramatically increases its Amazon Autos offerings and doesn’t have to worry about managing, maintaining, or delivering an auto fleet of its own. It just lists the vehicles on its site (which costs next to nothing now that the site infrastructure is built) and takes a cut of any sales it generates.

If Amazon can continue to rapidly scale up its Amazon Autos service by making more deals, it could turn itself into the next CarMax. And CarMax, remember, pulls in tens of billions of dollars in revenue per year. The Hertz partnership is just the first step to achieving that scale, but I’m betting it won’t be the last.

John Bromels has positions in Amazon, CarMax, and Ford Motor Company. The Motley Fool has positions in and recommends Amazon and CarMax. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.

Alibaba Group (BABA 2.65%), China’s largest e-commerce and cloud infrastructure company, was once considered a great growth stock. From fiscal 2015 to fiscal 2022 (which ended in March 2022), its revenue and adjusted earnings per share (EPS) expanded at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 41% and 21%, respectively.

That explosive growth was driven by the strength of its Taobao and Tmall marketplaces in China, the rising usage of its cloud-based services, and the expansion of its ecosystem with its smaller brick-and-mortar retail, cross-border commerce, logistics, and media segments.

Alibaba went public at $68 per American depositary share (ADS) in September 2014, and its stock more than quadrupled to a record closing price of $310.29 on Oct. 27, 2020. At the time, it seemed like one of the safest and simplest plays on China’s booming e-commerce and cloud markets.

But today, Alibaba’s stock trades at around $120. That decline was caused by two major challenges. First, China’s antitrust regulators hit its e-commerce business with a record fine in 2021 and shackled it with new restrictions. Those setbacks eroded Alibaba’s defenses against fierce competitors like PDD Holdings and JD.com. Second, the macro headwinds in China disrupted the growth of its e-commerce and cloud businesses.

From fiscal 2022 to 2025, Alibaba’s revenue and adjusted net income both grew at a CAGR of 5%. That slowdown convinced many investors its high-growth days were over, but its stock now trades at just 16 times this year’s earnings. The bulls argue that the valuation is too cheap to ignore, while the bears claim its risks justify that lower multiple. Let’s see which argument makes more sense.

Is Alibaba’s business finally stabilizing?

Over the past year, Alibaba’s revenue growth broadly stabilized, its operating margin rose to the double digits, and its adjusted EPS growth turned positive again.

Data source: Alibaba. In CNY terms. YOY = Year-over-year. Fiscal years end March 31.

For the full year, its revenue and adjusted EPS rose 6% and 5%, respectively. That still represented a slowdown from its 8% revenue growth and 14% adjusted EPS growth in fiscal 2024, but it indicated its business was gradually stabilizing.

That stabilization was supported by the growth of its overseas e-commerce marketplaces (Lazada in Southeast Asia, Trendyol in Turkey, Daraz in South Asia, and AliExpress for its cross-border purchases), which offset Taobao and Tmall’s softer growth in China; the expansion of its logistics business for third-party customers, and AI-driven tailwinds for its cloud business. It also bought back 5.1% of its shares for $11.9 billion in fiscal 2025, and it plans to allocate a lot more cash to its future buybacks.

From fiscal 2025 to 2028, analysts expect Alibaba’s revenue and EPS to grow at a CAGR of 7% and 11%, respectively. That growth should be driven by its recent catalysts, new live streaming features and more competitive discount offerings for its domestic marketplaces, and potential spinoffs or initial public offerings (IPOs) for its cloud and logistics divisions. A favorable trade deal between the U.S. and China would also alleviate some pressure on the Chinese economy and ignite fresh consumer and cloud spending.

So is Alibaba’s stock too cheap to ignore?

Alibaba’s high-growth days are probably over, and it still faces plenty of macro, competitive, and regulatory challenges. But if you expect the trade tensions to eventually ease, China’s economy to keep growing, and for Alibaba to stay at the top of its expanding e-commerce and cloud markets, then its stock seems too cheap to ignore at these levels.

Leo Sun has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool recommends Alibaba Group and JD.com. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.

Investors understand that when you extend your time horizon into decades with high-quality businesses, the power of compound growth can work wonders. This is why it’s so beneficial to be a long-term owner of companies, allowing their improving fundamentals to positively impact your portfolio. This strategy is far more consistently reliable than constantly trying to time the market.

With this perspective in mind, there are definitely some businesses that have generated tremendous wealth for their long-term shareholders. In fact, here’s one stock that over the course of the past 28 years would have turned a $1,000 initial investment into a holding worth more than $1 million.

Becoming one of the world’s dominant enterprises

Since this company’s initial public offering in May 1997, its shares have produced an unbelievable return of 217,000%. Had you been able to allocate $1,000 to this stock when it went public, you’d be staring at a balance of nearly $2.2 million today. 

The company in question is none other than Amazon (AMZN -1.38%). Its journey — characterized by constant innovation and pushing the envelope — has been nothing short of spectacular.

Amazon started out in the mid-1990s selling books online. While this was a narrow focus, it was a revolutionary idea at the time. The company wanted to stick to a product category that was easy and low-risk to ship, and one that had a massive selection of items for shoppers to choose from.

Over time, Amazon evolved to start selling virtually anything under the sun, and it continues to expand its footprint. In December, for example, the business launched a partnership that allows consumers to buy new Hyundai vehicles on its e-commerce site. The entire car-buying process, from arranging financing to scheduling the delivery from a nearby dealer, can be handled on Amazon.  

The company enticed shoppers to spend more money on its site by pioneering fast, free shipping, and offering it as a perk of its Prime membership program in 2005. Today, it is estimated that there are more than 200 million Prime members across the globe.

In 2006, the company began offering Amazon Web Services (AWS) to external customers. Management realized that other businesses might need solutions to scaling IT infrastructure based on changing needs — the same issue Amazon faced with its e-commerce operation. In 2024, AWS generated $108 billion of revenue and $40 billion of operating income. It is the world’s largest cloud-computing infrastructure provider and a major artificial intelligence (AI) platform.

Thanks to the tremendous amount of traffic Amazon.com gets these days, as well as the success of the Prime Video streaming platform, Amazon has become an advertising juggernaut. During the first quarter of 2025, it collected $13.9 billion in digital ad revenue.

What the future might hold

With a market capitalization of $2.3 trillion and trailing-12-month revenue of $650 billion, Amazon has grown into a colossal entity and delivered incredible gains to its long-term shareholders. But it would be unreasonable to expect it to do anything similar in the future — it’s already one of the five largest companies in the world. Growth can’t continue at a rapid pace indefinitely, and given Amazon’s current scale, there are limited opportunities for it to do things that could move the financial needle.

That doesn’t necessarily mean Amazon isn’t a worthy investment candidate, though. According to Wall Street consensus analyst estimates, its revenue is projected to increase at a compound annual rate of 9.5% between 2024 and 2027. That’s certainly an encouraging sign.

Even better, its bottom line is soaring thanks to cost cuts and operational efficiencies. Diluted earnings per share (on a split-adjusted basis) went from $3.21 in 2021 — and a $0.27 loss in 2022 — to $5.53 in 2024. Those impressive gains make the current valuation reasonable, in my view. As of June 19, the stock trades at a forward price-to-earnings ratio of 34.3.

Amazon won’t turn a $1,000 investment into $2.2 million over the next 28 years. However, this business should be on every long-term investor’s radar.

John Mackey, former CEO of Whole Foods Market, an Amazon subsidiary, is a member of The Motley Fool’s board of directors. Neil Patel has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has positions in and recommends Amazon. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.

Online courses have transformed the way we learn, share knowledge, and acquire new skills. They’ve made learning accessible from anywhere in the world and opened up endless opportunities for people to monetize their expertise.

I’ve taken several online courses over the years and have seen countless examples of how online courses can transform the lives of both course creators and students looking to grow or sharpen their skills.

With the right idea and approach, building a profitable online course can be rewarding, empowering, and lucrative.

10 Profitable Online Course Ideas

There’s never been a better time to turn your expertise into a successful course. Here are some of the best course ideas to help you share your knowledge with others and grow a thriving online business.

If you’re wondering how to come up with a course idea, how to actually create a course that people want to buy, and then how to sell it…we have you covered! Click here to join our free Masterclass which shows you these 3 simple steps.

1. Digital Marketing Mastery

Digital marketing is one of the most lucrative online course niches. Businesses of all sizes are constantly looking for ways to strengthen their online presence, creating a huge demand for skilled professionals who know how to get results.

If you have expertise in areas like SEO, social media strategy, or email marketing, you could create a course that helps others to master these valuable skills. It’s a fairly competitive niche, but the key to success is offering clear, actionable guidance.

Be sure to include practical modules on keyword research, campaign analytics, and advanced advertising techniques for platforms like Google Ads. Focus on practical advice that your students can apply immediately, and give them tools to measure outcomes and monitor their improvement.

2. Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning

Artificial intelligence and machine learning are shaping the future, making them some of the most trending online course ideas for 2025. These technologies are all over the news right now, and they’re driving innovation in industries from healthcare to finance.

If you have expertise in AI and/or machine learning, you can create a course that equips students with the skills to thrive in this growing field. Focus on foundational topics such as algorithms, data analysis, and popular Python libraries such as TensorFlow and PyTorch.

To set your course apart, include hands-on projects where students can apply what they’ve learned in real-world scenarios. Practical learning opportunities not only make your course more engaging but also help students build a portfolio they can showcase to potential employers.

3. Coaching Courses

Coaching is one of the most rewarding online course niches. From health and wellness to career coaching, countless people are actively seeking guidance to improve their lives. It’s a field with huge potential for impact and profitability.

Coaching courses often resonate deeply with audiences because they offer tangible, life-changing benefits. Your course could combine practical advice, actionable tools, and support systems that empower learners to achieve their personal or professional objectives.

Turn your unique expertise into passive income. Click here to find out more about our Creator Kickstarter Course.

4. Personal Finance and Investing

Personal finance is one of the online course topics that sells because it addresses a universal need that many people find difficult: managing money effectively. Courses that empower people to take control of their finances can be profitable and genuinely impactful.

The demand for financial literacy courses is high among people from all walks of life. Your course could cover topics such as building a budget, understanding credit, how mortgages and other forms of debt work, and the principles of investing in the stock market or cryptocurrency.

Be careful though – in many places, financial services are strictly regulated. The rules depend on what country you’re in, but in many places – including the U.S. and the UK – it’s illegal to give certain types of financial advice if you don’t hold the necessary licenses and certifications.

5. Coding and Software Development

Technology powers the modern world, making coding and software development some of the most successful online course topics today. There’s a huge demand for skilled programmers to create websites, applications, and other automated solutions.

If you’re proficient in programming languages like Python and JavaScript, or have experience in app development, why not design a course that helps beginners gain confidence in these topics? You’ll appeal to a wide audience eager to learn and upskill in this ever-evolving area.

Focus on step-by-step tutorials, real-world projects, and actionable skills that students can immediately put into practice. To help your course stand out, I recommend structuring it around practical applications, such as building a simple website or automating everyday tasks.

6. Graphic Design and Digital Art

Graphic design and digital art are highly sought-after skills, which makes them popular online course subjects. From marketing materials to branding and social media content, visually appealing designs are essential in a range of different fields.

You don’t need to be a professional graphic designer or artist to teach in this niche. As long as you have solid skills and practical knowledge, there’s a market for your expertise and you can make good money sharing your experience.

You could create a course (or multiple courses) on many different topics, from mastering tools including Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator, or Canva, to teaching fundamental design principles and portfolio-building strategies.

7. Language Learning Courses

Language learning is one of the most versatile online course ideas for beginners. If you’re reading this, I assume you can speak at least one language, and – luckily for you – English is one of the most popular languages people want to learn worldwide.

Other widely spoken languages like Spanish, Mandarin, and French are always in high demand too, but you could create language courses on whichever language(s) you speak. It’s a broad and potentially lucrative niche, with a practically limitless audience.

To create a successful language course, focus on practical and engaging content. Interactive lessons, quizzes, and real-world dialogues can make your course more effective and enjoyable. Courses that emphasize conversational skills and cultural insights tend to resonate most with learners.

The riches are (often) in the niches, so consider tailoring your course to meet the individual needs of specific groups of people. Businesspeople wanting to learn basic Mandarin for work. Students wanting to learn Spanish for a year abroad. French for backpacking. You get the picture.

8. E-commerce and Online Business

If you know a thing or two about e-commerce and online business, you could have a massive pool of aspiring entrepreneurs and business owners as potential students. With the right guidance, your course could help people all over the world create and grow successful online businesses.

Your course could cover whatever you’re knowledgeable about and have experience with. Think along the lines of essential skills such as product sourcing, website creation, tips for selling through online marketplaces and platforms like Etsy and Amazon, as well as digital marketing strategies.

Whatever topics you decide to cover, focus on providing actionable steps that empower learners to take their ideas from concept to execution. By offering practical tools and expert advice, your course can inspire and equip your students to turn their entrepreneurial dreams into reality.

As a great example, Dariece and Nick, the founders of Goats On The Road, offer a course & community to help online creators identify, conceptualize, and launch a life-changing remote business. These guys are super experienced when it comes to online businesses, so it’s a natural fit for them. Click here to learn more about that program.

9. Photography and Videography

Given the popularity of social media and content creation, more people than ever are looking to improve their skills behind the camera or in the editing room. If you have these skills, photography and videography could be some of the best online course ideas for you to create.

This niche offers endless opportunities, from teaching landscape photography to advanced video editing techniques. Your course could include modules on essential topics like camera settings, lighting, and using post-production software such as Lightroom or Premiere Pro.

If there are particular types of photos or videos you enjoy taking, editing, and creating, I recommend focusing on these to help differentiate your course from the others. Enjoy shooting portraits? Landscape photography? What about adventure travel vlogging? Lean into what makes you stand out and the areas you love most.

10. Remote Work Productivity and Management

As remote work becomes more common, productivity and remote management skills are becoming increasingly important. This makes it a high-demand online course idea, especially in a post-pandemic world where remote work is the norm for many people.

I know plenty of folks who wish they were better at being productive, efficient, and effective when working remotely. You could help equip them with time management techniques, creating ergonomic workspaces, or how to improve work-life balance when working from home.

To help you define your ideal customer, think about creating tailored courses catering to certain types of remote workers, like freelancers, digital nomads, or remote teams looking for better work-life balance or increased efficiency.

SEE ALSO: 6 Signs You’re Ready to Start Your Own Online Business

In Conclusion

If you’re good at things that other people want to be good at, chances are you can create profitable online courses around those topics. By tapping into popular demand and tailoring them to your audience, you can build a successful course that stands out and provides real value.

From digital marketing and AI to fitness, finance, and language learning, the possibilities for creating profitable online courses are endless. Be sure to do thorough market research, study the competition, and if you feel you have something useful to add, get started on creating an awesome course.