The oil market continues to look for direction. After running up above $85 a barrel to start the year, West Texas Intermediate crude oil, the American standard, is back below $80 as tensions in the Middle East ease and on growing signs that the U.S. economy is slowing. At the same time, a warmer than
Blue-chip stocks all have common denominators that set them apart from other, lesser stocks. They tend to be big, successful businesses that consumers and investors hold in high regard. Their financial statements are typically exemplary, indicating a level of consistency and stability that can allow shareholders to sleep soundly. Look over the higher-end market caps
Oil prices continue to be volatile and hard to predict, which is why finding undervalued energy stocks can be hard, too. After rising steadily for most of March and April, crude prices just suffered their biggest weekly decline in three months as tensions in the Middle East ratchet down and global demand softens. Brent crude
Depending on where you look, there has been quite a tough crowd of investors to please this earnings season. Indeed, some companies still managed to blow away the numbers. But many firms ran into a road bump, with softer guidance causing investors to sell, even as the quarterly numbers came in just fine (or even
You’ve surely heard the adage, “sell in May and go away.” While this investing trope is popular for investors who believe that the summer season is commonly a down time for stocks, it doesn’t hold true for the best stocks in the market. Buying A-rated stocks for May makes a lot of sense for several
Following a monumental run year or so, the stock market is now in a cooling-off period. Consequently, tech stocks that drove the market to record gains have dipped, creating an excellent entry point for investors. Valuations in cybersecurity are down, making it an opportune time for investors to load up on the best cybersecurity stocks
The Dow Jones Industrial Average, an index of 30 blue-chip stocks meant to act as a bellwether for the American economy, has been moving in fits and starts this year. So far in 2024, the index is up a ho-hum 3%. As is often the case, the Dow 30 is lagging behind the other two
My view is that expansionary monetary policy in the second half of 2024 is likely to be a major catalyst for a broad-based market rally. It’s therefore a good time to accumulate high-quality growth stocks. At the same time, risk taking investors can consider exposure to undervalued penny stocks that can potentially go ballistic. While
Healthcare is a basic human need that can withstand economic downturns. Indeed, this important endeavor receives a huge amount of funds in developed countries globally and the West in particular. Roughly $8.3 trillion annually is devoted to global healthcare, and nearly 50% of that amount is spent in the U.S. Moreover, healthcare spending is increasing
The stock market is off to a washing machine kind of start for 2024, with gains and lulls that keep investors guessing. In this type of market, it’s equally important to identify not only the best stocks to buy, but F-rated stock picks to avoid a summer slump. The benchmark Dow Jones Industrial Average is
Intel (NASDAQ:INTC) stock continues to decline, making it the worst performer in the S&P 500 index this year. Since January, INTC stock has fallen nearly 40%, placing it at the bottom of 503 companies listed in the benchmark S&P index. Today, the share price of Intel is 35% lower than where it was in 2019.
Whether you’re a staunch environmentalist or an electric vehicle enthusiast, the current state of the lithium industry is concerning. That’s because the lithium commodity’s dreadful impact on landscapes and its lackluster performance. For investors, lithium was not always the most exciting play, after all, it supported the steady smartphone and rechargeable battery industry. Yet, in
Although 5% up over one year, the S&P Biotechnology Select Industry Index is down .22% year-to-date. This seems to be a normalization period. Following the investment splurge during the viral scare, the biotech sector experienced the proverbial renaissance. In this context, identifying biotech stocks to sell is essential, as some may falter despite the sector’s
There are several stocks to sell now that are clinging to life support. These companies have been diluting their shares and burning cash at an alarming rate, making a successful comeback an increasingly unlikely prospect. Rather than accepting reality, management has resorted to desperate measures to keep the lights on, effectively kicking the can down
If there’s one thing that Shell (NYSE:SHEL) likes to do, it’s return capital to the company’s loyal shareholders. They do this through buybacks and dividends. Every passive-income investor needs to take a look at Shell stock and take advantage of the undeniable buy-and-hold opportunity. I sincerely hope that my message reaches as many U.S. investors as
What’s more important — thrills, or actual profits? This is a gut-check question that you need to answer if you’re thinking about investing in Reddit (NYSE:RDDT). The countdown has begun, and even if you’re a thrill seeker, you’d better sell your Reddit stock before an upcoming disastrous event takes place. It won’t happen soon, but
Ford (NYSE:F) delivered respectable first-quarter results that missed Wall Street’s top line expectations and beat bottom-line forecasts. The automaker also kept its full-year guidance in place, leaving the market holding its breath about where Ford stock heads next. The auto industry isn’t running as strong as it once was, and government electric vehicle mandates keep
Dividend investing has a long, successful track record that makes it one of the best strategies investors can use. The best dividend growth stocks to buy tend to be those that regularly raise their shareholder payout. The asset managers at Hartford Funds looked at the performance of the benchmark S&P 500 going all the way
When nested within a comprehensive and well-rounded portfolio, private equity and venture capital are often seen as the Holy Grail of diversified investing. Though illiquid and with a few other negative traits, private equity and venture capital investing offer uncorrelated assets and, with venture capital specifically, access to tomorrow’s biggest companies before they go public—if
An investor needs to be looking for stocks that can ride out a period of general downturn in the market. Three key players come to mind, each offering its own investment opportunity as a store of value in turbulent market environments. The first one exemplifies outstanding organic revenue growth and shows evidence of the importance of core