Conservation Awareness
Benefits of wildlife conservation – Report: U.S. Imports Trending Down 5% but China Recovers and Vietnam Climbs
InvestopediaWho Killed Sears? Fifty Years on the Road to RuinThe company announced in a statement that CEO, Edward Lampert, would step down, with day-to-day operations managed by three high-ranking executives. Where is Sears Today? A bankruptcy judge approved the sale of the company’s assets for $5.2 billion to Lampert in a bankruptcy auction.SmartAssetWhat Is the Rule of 70,…
Benefits of wildlife conservation –
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Investopedia
Who Killed Sears? Fifty Years on the Road to Ruin
The company announced in a statement that CEO, Edward Lampert, would step down, with day-to-day operations managed by three high-ranking executives. Where is Sears Today? A bankruptcy judge approved the sale of the company’s assets for $5.2 billion to Lampert in a bankruptcy auction.
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SmartAsset
What Is the Rule of 70, and How Do You Use It?
The rule of 70 is used to determine about how long it will take an investment to double in size while growing at a consistent rate of return. The rule is far from exact, but it can nonetheless help you … Continue reading ->The post What Is the Rule of 70, and How Do You Use It? appeared first on SmartAsset Blog.
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Reuters
Nikola Corp’s founder purchased truck designs from third party – FT
Nikola Corporation’s founder Trevor Milton purchased the original design for the company’s flagship truck from a Croatia-based designer, the Financial Times reported https://on.ft.com/3mWv2s7 on Saturday, citing people with knowledge of the matter. Nikola One, the company’s flagship hydrogen-powered truck truck, is at the centre of a design patent infringements lawsuit that Nikola filed against Tesla Inc in 2018. Nikola claimed, Tesla’s Semi, its first electric heavy duty truck, is “substantially” similar to Nikola’s design.
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InvestorPlace
3 Fallen Tech Stocks to Scoop From the Wreckage
In a sudden and sharp reversal that many were warning about for weeks, red-hot tech stocks fell off a cliff in September, with the tech-heavy Nasdaq index falling into correction territory over the course of roughly one week. Now where are all the good tech stocks to buy?While many out there are comparing the current tech stock climate to the dot-com boom of the late 1990s, all that bubble talk is just hot air.InvestorPlace – Stock Market News, Stock Advice & Trading TipsThe reality is that the current climate for tech stocks is nothing like that in the late 1990s.Valuations in tech stocks back in 2000 were 80% higher than where they sit today (50-times forward earnings, versus 28-times forward earnings). Profit margins across the sector in 2000 were below 10%. Today, they are above 20%. The effective Federal Funds rate was 6.5% in 2000 and climbing. Today, it’s basically 0% and falling.Plus, above all else, the companies investors were hyping up to change the world back then — like Pets.com — had zero chance of actually changing the world. The companies investors are hyping up today — like Shopify (NYSE:SHOP) and Square (NYSE:SQ) — are already changing the world and have billions of dollars in revenue to prove it.So, no, this is not the dot-com bubble 2.0.And the recent weakness in tech stocks is nothing more than a longer-term buying opportunity. * 10 Companies With Top-Notch Women CEOs With that in mind, here’s three tech stocks to buy on the dip in September: * Alteryx (NASDAQ:AYX) * Vroom (NASDAQ:VRM) * PayPal (NASDAQ:PYPL) Fallen Tech Stocks to Buy: Alteryx (AYX)First up on this list of tech stocks to buy in September is data science company Alteryx.Alteryx stock has been absolutely crushed amid the Covid-19 pandemic because, when economic activity slowed in the second quarter of 2020, many enterprises tightened their budgets and cut back on discretionary spending. For some companies, data science is mission-critical. For others, it is discretionary spend. So, amid the pandemic, some companies cut back on data science spend, and that showed up in Alteryx’s weak Q2 numbers.But, zooming out, Alteryx is still a leader in providing easy-to-use tools which enable companies to glean valuable insights from data. Considering we are entering a world wherein data-driven decision making is increasingly becoming ubiquitous at the enterprise level, data science platforms like Alteryx which enable such data-driven decision making will only become more and more important.Couple this reality with the fact that economic activity and enterprise spending are already rebounding big, and it increasingly appears that Alteryx’s second quarter dud will prove to be a one-time-thing. Q3 and Q4 numbers will be much better than expected. The growth outlook for 2021 will improve.And, as all that happens, AYX stock will rebound. Vroom (VRM)Next up on this list of tech stocks to buy in September is e-commerce automotive platform Vroom.Vroom — alongside Carvana (NYSE:CVNA) — is attempting to digitize the automotive shopping process. Only 0.9% of used car sales happen in the online channel today, versus 30% of apparel sales and 40% of consumer electronics sales. Vroom and Carvana are hoping to leverage technology like augmented reality, all-in-one platform convenience and a seamless delivery process to connect this gap.During Covid-19, Vroom has done just that, mostly because car dealerships shut down.But as car dealerships are opening back up, investors are concerned that Vroom’s hyper-growth trajectory will fizzle out, hence the recent weakness in VRM stock.Spoiler alert: it won’t.The car market is increasingly being driven by Millennials — young consumers who grew up in the era of Amazon (NASDAQ:AMZN) and inherently prefer to the online shopping experience. These Millennial car buyers will continue to use platforms like Vroom to buy cars, and as they do, we will increasingly enter a world wherein most cars are bought and sold online.In that world, VRM stock only drives higher. So buy today’s dip. PayPal (PYPL)Last, but not least, on this list of tech stocks to buy in September is PayPal.Much like Vroom, PayPal has thrived during the Covid-19 pandemic, because we are all shopping online, all the time, and using digital payment methods to facilitate that shopping.But, also much like VRM stock, PYPL stock has come under pressure recently on worries that as stores open back up, consumers will decrease their online shopping frequency, and PayPal’s growth rates will moderate.Sure. This will happen. But is it of any importance?Taking a step back, we are in the midst of a huge transition from offline shopping to online shopping, and from physical payments to digital payments. This transition existed long before Covid-19 ever arrived. It will persist long after the pandemic disappears, too.To that extent, while PayPal’s growth rates will moderate somewhat in the second-half of 2020, they will remain robust for the next few years — a stretch in which PYPL stock will only go higher.On the date of publication, Luke Lango did not have (either directly or indirectly) any positions in the securities mentioned in this article. The New Daily 10X Stock Report: 98.7% Accuracy – Gains Up to 466.78%. InvestorPlace’s brand-new and highly controversial newsletter… is rocking the industry… delivering one breakthrough stock recommendation each and every trading day… delivered straight to your inbox. 98.7% Accuracy to Date – Gains Up to 466.78%. Now for a limited time… you can get in for just $19. Click here to find out how. More From InvestorPlace * Why Everyone Is Investing in 5G All WRONG * America’s 1 Stock Picker Reveals His Next 1,000% Winner * Revolutionary Tech Behind 5G Rollout Is Being Pioneered By This 1 Company * Could Tiny “Super” Battery Kill Big Tech? The post 3 Fallen Tech Stocks to Scoop From the Wreckage appeared first on InvestorPlace.
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InvestorPlace
7 Debt-Free Stocks to Buy For Peace of Mind In Volatile Markets
During times of uncertainty, investors crave a sure thing. There are times to be “risk-on” and there are times to be “risk-off.” When investors flock to the latter, they often look for companies with no debt.That doesn’t mean these stocks won’t fluctuate with the overall market. But there is a level of comfort in owning stocks with financial stability.Look back at how most individual stocks performed in March. The market threw a tantrum and nearly every name was punished. But those that were punished the most are those with the shakiest financials.InvestorPlace – Stock Market News, Stock Advice & Trading TipsPlus, who wants to own a stock with poor financial positioning? There’s a reason people say “cash is king.” * 7 Hot Stocks to Buy on Robinhood Now Here are 7 companies with no debt you need to know about: * Intuitive Surgical (NASDAQ:ISRG) * Pinterest (NYSE:PINS) * Monster Beverage (NASDAQ:MNST) * DraftKings (NASDAQ:DKNG) * Lululemon Athletica (NASDAQ:LULU) * Progyny (NASDAQ:PGNY) * Fastly (NYSE:FSLY)At the end of the day, the companies with the biggest bank accounts have the most flexibility, and can better withstand long economic disruptions. They can lean on M&A, taking investments stakes in other companies and outmuscling their debt-ridden peers. Companies With No Debt: Intuitive Surgical (ISRG)Source: Sundry Photography / Shutterstock.com Rarely do you see a balance sheet like that of Intuitive Surgical, making it a great candidates to kick off our list of stocks with no debt.The company has $10.1 billion in total assets with just $1.3 billion in total liabilities. A robust balance sheet may boast a five-to-one ratio between total assets and total liabilities, but there aren’t many companies in that category. Intuitive Surgical’s asset-to-liability ratio sits at nearly 10.Of those assets, almost $4.5 billion is held in cash. Not only does that give the company flexibility in a time of uncertainty, it should also give investors relief knowing that it will not suffer a liquidity event. The downside to Intuitive Surgical is this year’s growth estimates. Analysts expect sales and earnings to decline this year, before snapping back to very strong results in 2021.Known mostly for its Da Vinci Device, the health field is one that will continue to grow and innovate over time. Admittedly, the novel coronavirus has disrupted the medical industry, but ultimately procedures will go on.As CEO Gary Guthart said in the most recent earnings report, “We’ve seen hospitals with adequate supplies of staff, PPE and physical resources returned to above 90% of pre-COVID procedure run rates over a few months period.” Pinterest (PINS)Source: Nopparat Khokthong / Shutterstock.com Pinterest is one of my favorite names on this list. Considered a social media stock, it’s not just the conventional social online platform we’ve come to know.The company is one of the most efficient at turning ad dollars into revenue, something that makes Pinterest a very lucrative platform for businesses. That’s also helped to fuel its top-line growth. Despite the slowdown from the novel coronavirus, Pinterest still found a way to grow sales last quarter. Analysts are forecasting more than 26% growth for the year despite the economic uncertainty.But the real beauty lies in the way management handles its finances. Pinterest is expected to swing to profitability this year, from roughly break-even operations in 2019. The company is also free cash flow positive on a trailing basis. * 7 Hot Stocks to Buy on Robinhood Now With no debt, $1.7 billion in cash and plenty of long-term growth potential, Pinterest is a stock to own for long-term investors. Monster Beverage (MNST)Source: Domagoj Kovacic / Shutterstock.com Everyone looks to tech when thinking about the biggest long-term winners. Few think of Monster Beverage.While shares are up modestly over the past few years, this stock has been a beast over the long term. Monster Beverage is up 942% over the last 10 years and an unimaginable 80,000% over the last 20 years.Obviously we’re not going to get those returns again, but that doesn’t make Monster one to avoid. The stock is forecast to have steady growth in 2020 and 2021. Analysts expect 7% sales growth this year and an acceleration to 10.7% growth next year. For earnings, estimates call for 10.3% and 13.3% growth this year and next year, respectively.On top of it, the balance sheet is enviable. Monster boasts $5.15 billion in total assets, more than five-fold the $979 million it holds in total liabilities. Of course, it’s a stock with no debt.Finally, Coca-Cola (NYSE:KO) acquired a 16.7% stake in the company in 2015. That stake has climbed to almost 20% thanks to Monster’s buybacks. Perhaps Coca-Cola is content with its stake — but perhaps it will be interested in an eventual takeover too. DraftKings (DKNG)Source: Lori Butcher / Shutterstock.com DraftKings is the youngest public company on the list. The company went public via a SPAC offering earlier this year and it has been on fire ever since.While newness doesn’t automatically equate to riskiness, investors have to size up everything about DraftKings.Its positives include the secular trend toward legalizing online gaming and sports gambling. It has surprisingly solid growth given the massive disruption we’ve seen in the world this year.DraftKings is also a play on the economy reopening and a return to sports. The latter catalyst is also a risk, though. Should sports leagues postpone again and/or should the economy begin to lock down, DraftKings could find itself on the wrong side of the bet.Further, as of the most recent quarter, the company was not cash flow positive, nor is profitable yet. That said, some of those concerns are alleviated when considering the current circumstances. That includes realizing that the prior quarter came off the one of the quietest sporting periods in decades. * 7 Hot Stocks to Buy on Robinhood Now Further, one must realize that DraftKings can bide its time through the unrest. With minimal cash burn, $1.2 billion in cash and no debt, there’s no need to worry about a liquidity situation. Lululemon Athletica (LULU)Source: Richard Frazier / Shutterstock.com Lululemon Athletica probably isn’t a name many investors expected on this list. Years ago, the retailer had trouble finding the sweet spot. However, that’s all changed as Lululemon is now a premiere retailer on Wall Street. The company has strong growth, in-demand products and, naturally, a robust balance sheet.The company’s deep liquidity will allow it to restart its buyback plan, a move the retailer announced on September 22. Further, that liquidity allowed Lululemon to scoop up Mirror for $500 million earlier this year. The startup is an in-home fitness company and should help Lululemon expand into a new growth avenue.While that deal may slightly add to company debt, it’s not something investors will need to worry about. At a time where retailers are dropping like flies and under severe pressure due to the coronavirus, Lululemon continues to thrive. Aside from its balance sheet strength, it continues to boast strong growth.Lululemon also continues to see direct-to-consumer (DTC) strength. DTC sales were up 157% year-over-year last quarter, representing more than 60% of all revenue. Progyny (PGNY)Source: Shutterstock A rarely discussed name, Progyny may be a stock investors want to keep on their radar.The company focuses its work on infertility, a trend that has been growing for quite some time now. That has translated to frustrated couples who have difficulty conceiving. That’s where Progyny comes in to help — and it’s also where it has found solid growth.Coronavirus-related costs have weighed on Progyny this year, which is expected to earn just 12 cents per share this year. That’s only up a penny from 11 cents per share in 2019. However, estimates call for a big-time acceleration in 2021, with more than 230% earnings growth to 40 cents per share.Further, revenue growth is no joke. Estimates call for almost 50% growth this year followed by 60% growth in 2021. Progyny is free-cash flow positive over the trailing 12 months, is profitable and has no debt. * 7 Hot Stocks to Buy on Robinhood Now This stock has had its ups and downs, falling almost 60% from its February high to the March low. However, the dip gives investors an opportunity to take a closer look at this name. Fastly (FSLY)Source: Pavel Kapysh / Shutterstock.com Let me preface this by saying that Fastly does technically have some debt. However it’s very minute compared with its market cap and cash position.Fastly, a recent Wall Street darling, has $5.2 million in current debt and long-term debt of just $20.1 million. $25.3 million in combined debt vs. $385 million in cash and a market cap pushing $10 billion is nothing.Detractors will say that Fastly is just an edge-computing company in a commoditized market. Bulls would argue that it offers a superior product compared to its peers. Thanks to its superb management, Fastly is carving out a dominant position in an area that’s rapidly becoming important in our Covid-19 world.As traffic grows and as data demand increases, more and more companies are moving to the edge. With the company’s latest acquisition of Signal Science, it’s also making a push into cybersecurity. This should open up another growth avenue for the company, driving long-term value. The cash and stock deal should also prevent a notable strain on the balance sheet.While Fastly stock may be a bit pricey due to its monstrous run, shares should still be primed for more upside in the future. The recent demand from increased internet and cloud use isn’t going to subside overnight — or in some bulls’ estimates, at all.On the date of publication, Bret Kenwell held long positions in PINS and FSLY.Bret Kenwell is the manager and author of Future Blue Chips and is on Twitter @BretKenwell. More From InvestorPlace * Why Everyone Is Investing in 5G All WRONG * America’s 1 Stock Picker Reveals His Next 1,000% Winner * Revolutionary Tech Behind 5G Rollout Is Being Pioneered By This 1 Company * Could Tiny “Super” Battery Kill Big Tech? The post 7 Debt-Free Stocks to Buy For Peace of Mind In Volatile Markets appeared first on InvestorPlace.
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InvestorPlace
6 Potential Bankrupt Companies to Watch Thanks to Pandemic Woes
This year has accelerated emerging trends leading to many bankrupt companies. Prior to the novel coronavirus pandemic, sectors like energy and oil were falling out of favor to a degree. Clean energy and technology trends led to that shift. Price wars and the pandemic supercharged the decline in oil. Retail has been absolutely crushed, and the same is true of entertainment stocks. This has accelerated the decline of weaker stocks in those respective sectors. The result is that multiple equities are now on bankruptcy watch. * The 7 Best Stocks to Buy for the Fourth Quarter Investors have shown a lot of propensity for risk and somewhat surprisingly have flocked to these equities. What follows is a discussion of stocks that are in dire straits. This includes the following:InvestorPlace – Stock Market News, Stock Advice & Trading Tips * Oasis Petroleum (NASDAQ:OAS) * Remark Holdings (NASDAQ:MARK) * Twinlab Consolidated Holdings (OTCMKTS:TLCC) * CBL & Associates Properties (NYSE:CBL) * Dave & Buster’s (NASDAQ:PLAY) * AMC Entertainment (NYSE:AMC)None of these names are truly bankrupt companies yet. In fact, some of them may bounce back. But if you’re betting on a comeback in these stocks, remember that they will need to change fundamentally. Let’s take a closer look at what’s going on with each of these companies now. Future Bankrupt Companies: Oasis Petroleum (OAS)Source: Shutterstock Oasis Petroleum is in dire straits. After hiring bankruptcy lawyers and missing debt payments the indicators couldn’t be any clearer. OAS stock has been in decline for the past 5 years. Most recently, it skipped a $30 million interest payment on convertible 2022 notes. Oil and gas producers have been particularly hard hit during the pandemic. This continues a trend in the sector, which has seen price wars, growing green energy interest and demand bottom as people shelter in their homes. The trend doesn’t show any signs of abating. According to BloombergLaw:”Oil and gas bankruptcies have accelerated this year as the coronavirus slows the economy and tamps demand. At least 36 companies have sought Chapter 11 protection in the first three quarters of 2020, according to a report from law firm Haynes and Boone LP. More than 240 producers have filed for bankruptcy since 2015.”The company has been in distress for several years having had an operating loss for each of the past 3 years. During that same period, the firm issued $430 million in new debt. It also warned that it might be a going concern should it not be able to restructure its current debt. Remark Holdings (MARK)Source: Angyalosi Beata / Shutterstock.com According to its investor relations page, Remark Holdings is developing on AI focused software and business solutions. These are certainly areas that investors are interested in. But MARK stock might be one of the next bankrupt companies of 2020. Notably, the company has been on shaky footing for the past decade. It has been volatile but traded in the range of $5. It spiked above $14 in early 2018 and has been in sharp decline thereafter. The company plans to hold a vote Oct. 21 to increase the number of authorized common stock shares to 175,000,000. The company also dismissed its previous auditor on Aug. 31. * 10 ESG Stocks to Buy for a Brighter Future Remark has incurred $359.1 million in losses since its inception. The company’s Altman-Z score is -22.9, which indicates extreme distress. Anything under 1.81 indicates bankruptcy is a serious possibility. Twinlab Consolidated Holdings (TLCC)Source: Shutterstock If you take nutritional supplements, there’s a decent chance you’ll be familiar with the next company on this bankruptcy list. TwinLabs sells supplements and has been active in the nutrition space since 1968. In the company’s most recent 10-Q filing it raised questions about its own ability to continue as a going concern. Shares are traded on the pink markets at a current price of 10 cents. Given that larger, more well-known vitamin retailer GNC filed for bankruptcy and Twinlab has raised its own warnings, signs look dire. GNC will close more than 1,000 of its brick-and-mortar locations. CBL & Associates Properties (CBL)Source: Shutterstock Technically CBL & Associates is not on bankruptcy watch as it has already signaled its intent to file for Chapter 11 protection on Oct. 1. Under the agreement $900 million of debt and $600 million of other obligations were eliminated. Maturity on other outstanding debt was pushed out to later dates. As a commercial real estate investment trust operating commercial mortgages it was particularly hurt by the pandemic. CBL CEO Stephen D. Lebovitz was positive regarding restructuring, stating:”We also appreciate the confidence in the CBL organization and leadership team shown by the noteholders as we’ve worked collaboratively to find a solution that benefits all company stakeholders. Our goal is for this process to proceed as smoothly and as quickly as possible with no disruption to CBL’s operations. Once the process is complete, we will emerge as a stronger and more stable company, with an enhanced ability to execute on our key strategies of diversifying our sources of revenue and transforming our properties from traditional enclosed malls to suburban town centers. As a result, we will be better positioned to grow our business over the near and long term.”However, CBL stock has remained in the 20 cent range even after the news. So while the company likely has the financing to continue operations into the future, investors are not impressed that the restructuring will lead to positive results moving forward. * The 7 Best Stocks to Buy for the Fourth Quarter This doesn’t bode well for the company as other companies nearing bankruptcy have seen a lot of investor interest during the pandemic. Dave & Buster’s (PLAY)Source: Jeff Bukowski/Shutterstock.com PLAY stock recently jumped on news that a few analysts rated it a buy. Such news can easily spur a buying run by the markets. But the company has the same problems it had prior to that vote of confidence. In fact, the issues have been magnified due to the pandemic.”The hospitality industry has been and will be hit the hardest by the pandemic,” wrote Antoinette Tessmer, professor of practice in the Finance Department, Broad College of Business, Michigan State University, in an email to InvestorPlace. “Think of what our families have done over the last six months: we cancelled vacations, we restrain from eating out, we avoid large crowds and unfamiliar surroundings. Think of how conducting business has evolved in the last six months: we work from and eat at home, virtual meetings are the new normal, we do not “travel for business” any longer. Those behaviors have directly impacted restaurants, hotels, casinos, resorts, i.e., the hospitality industry.”The company is in a period of volatility and has warned that it needs to restructure debt. As per Dave & Buster’s most recent 10-Q filing, it has $224 million in cash and equivalents, and $731 million in long-term debt. In the current operating environment such imbalances can spiral. It reported an operating income loss of $142.5 million through Aug. 2. Total comprehensive income was $68 million through the 26 weeks prior to Aug. 2, 2019 for the firm. In the same period in 2020 debt has increased by $99 million. That means the company has to have a 26 week period to erase roughly $70 million of that $99 million. The company would then be $30 million short of erasing new debt. Despite the trading volatility that has seen PLAY stock pop, investors should be aware that the company is getting worse, not better. All of that long-term debt is more than a minor problem. It is cause for a company to become insolvent. Dave & Buster’s has stated going concern issues and essentially needs that debt to be forgiven, and or restructured. But then what? It isn’t exactly the sexiest company is it? Arcades and fast casual dining are lots of fun, but not exactly an area ripe for investment returns. AMC Theatres (AMC)Source: Helen89 / Shutterstock.com AMC opened over 35 theatres last week and has more than 460 open nationwide. This is of course a positive from a revenue and operational perspective. The company is highlighting its cleanliness standards amid the pandemic stating: “AMC is coming off our most successful weekend since reopening, thanks in large part to Warner Bros. release of TENET. And now, with more than 35 more AMC theatres opening this week, we will be showing movies in nearly 80 percent of our U.S. circuit. That is another encouraging sign that our industry is beginning its way back … [N]ew AMC Safe & Clean safety protocols are clearly resonating with our guests. We’re seeing record-high guest scores for the cleanliness of our theatres, far exceeding the marks we’ve received in the decades we’ve been tracking guest feedback.”Yet, the company has serious problems that extend beyond the coronavirus. And that issue makes it one of the next potential bankrupt companies to watch. To be sure, the company’s problems have been exacerbated by the pandemic, but they existed long before. AMC stock will benefit by adhering to new cleanliness standards. But the company must tackle debt. Based on the figures that I see, that may be impossible.AMC has massive corporate debt and massive operating lease liabilities. Based on cash flows and current cash on hand, the math looks murky at best. In fact, it looks downright bad. Simply consider the firm’s operating activity cash flows as they relate to debt and lease liabilities and as an investor you’ll see why this firm is on bankruptcy watch. Last year (2019) was a very bad year for AMC. This year has been an absolute catastrophe. In the first six months of 2019, AMC showed an operating loss of $80.8 million. Pretty bad. It then had $265 million in cash and corporate debt of $4.73 billion. Operating lease liabilities were nearly $5 billion at that time. The company now has nearly $500 million in cash. But the $80.8 million loss it posted in the first half of 2019 looks like nothing now. The company posted a net operating loss of $2.73 billion in the first half of 2020. AMC’s accumulated deficit for the first half of 2020 is $3.46 billion. That’s a lot of movie tickets, popcorn and soda that needs to be sold. * 10 Companies With Top-Notch Women CEOs Joking aside, it seems insurmountable. On the date of publication, Alex Sirois did not have (either directly or indirectly) any positions in the securities mentioned in this article.Alex Sirois is a freelance contributor to InvestorPlace whose personal stock investing style is focused on long-term, buy-and-hold, wealth-building stock picks. Having worked in several industries from e-commerce to translation to education and utilizing his MBA from George Washington University, he brings a diverse set of skills through which he filters his writing. More From InvestorPlace * Why Everyone Is Investing in 5G All WRONG * America’s 1 Stock Picker Reveals His Next 1,000% Winner * Revolutionary Tech Behind 5G Rollout Is Being Pioneered By This 1 Company * Could Tiny “Super” Battery Kill Big Tech? The post 6 Potential Bankrupt Companies to Watch Thanks to Pandemic Woes appeared first on InvestorPlace.
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SmartAsset
What Is the Highest Credit Score You Can Have?
Having a good credit score is beneficial, and an excellent score is even better. But what if you could achieve the perfect credit score? To attain the highest credit score there is, you’ll need to have outstanding credit practices, meet … Continue reading ->The post What Is the Highest Credit Score You Can Have? appeared first on SmartAsset Blog.
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TipRanks
These 2 Small-Cap Tech Stocks Are Grossly Undervalued, Says Needham
Markets are volatile this month, with the magnitude of the shifts most pronounced in the tech-heavy NASDAQ. That index fell 7.5% from its peak – reached on September 2 – a slide pronounced enough to have investors questioning whether this is just a correction, or a true reversal of the bull market we saw through the summer. But in recent sessions, the index has been gaining; it entered the weekend on a high note, having added 2.3%. The fast rise in the NASDAQ during the summer was no fluke. It was based on the real contributions that tech companies are making to the economy and our lives. From the 5G rollout, to improvements in semiconductor chips, to the expansion of IoT and smart device capabilities – tech is everywhere, and it’s growing fast. The best part is, you don’t need to buy into the tech giants to take part. There are plenty of lower cost tech stocks out there with clear paths forward – sometimes, even paths to triple-digit share appreciation. Investment banking firm Needham, which earns a top spot on TipRanks’ list of Top Performing Research Firms, has pointed out two such stocks. Using TipRanks’ Stock Comparison tool, we were able to evaluate these stock picks alongside each other to get a sense of what the analyst community has to say.Applied Optoelectronics (AAOI)Applied Optoelectronics is a leader in the fiber-optic cable market, providing high-end networking cables and ancillary equipment for the telecommunications, fiber-to-the-home, cable tv, and internet data center markets. These are major markets, with varying needs – and plenty of demand.AO’s revenues reflect the high demand. The company reported $65.2 million in Q2, up 61% from the previous quarter and 50% year-over-year. Margins have been fluctuating, but came in at 21% for Q2. The company showed a 40-cent per share net loss for the quarter, but that was a 33% improvement sequentially.Alex Henderson, a 5-star analyst with Needham, is impressed with Applied Optoelectronics’ results, and says so bluntly. While acknowledging some concern about margins, Henderson writes, “AOI posted a huge beat and an even bigger 3Q guide with trends that appears to be accelerating into the fourth quarter and into CY21. The CATV business, Telecom 5G chips, and Data Center 100G products all delivered way ahead of expectations… The combination of improved volumes of 100G, ramping CPRI 25G chip sales, rebounding CATV Revenues provide upside potential to Revenues, improving Gross Margins and a clearer path to Cash Flow and EPS profitability.”With such bullish comments, it’s no wonder that Henderson rates AAOI shares a Buy, nor that his $22 price target implies a 105% upside for the next 12 months. (To watch Henderson’s track record, click here)While Henderson is bullish, Wall Street is more cautious. The analyst consensus rating on AAOI is a Hold, based on 7 recent reviews breaking down to 1 Buy, 4 Holds, and 2 Sells. Shares are selling for $10.73 and the average price target of $16.43 suggests a 55% one-year upside potential. (See AAOI stock analysis on TipRanks)Viomi Technology Company (VIOT)Next up is a Chinese tech firm, Viomi. This is a holding company, controlling a network of holding companies in the IoT sector. Viomi’s products include ‘smart home’ enabled devices, from fans and refrigerators to water heaters and washing machines. The company’s subsidiaries develop and market the devices to a domestic Chinese customer base – and with an urban population of 831 million and growing in size and wealth, that customer base is huge.Like most countries, China saw an economic slowdown in 1H20 due to the coronavirus pandemic. Viomi, whose revenues and earnings had been increasing in 2019, saw both slip in the first half of this year. In Q2, revenues were at US$238.4 million. That was way down from the $1.74 billion recorded in 4Q19. EPS, which fell from 20 cents to 6 cents in Q1, was up slightly to 8 cents in Q2.Even though the financial results were iffy, Viomi reported that customer growth remained steady. For the second quarter, the company reported cumulative household reach at 4.2 million. This was up from 3.7 million in Q1, and 2.3 million in 2Q19. And, Viomi is seeing repeat customers – the company reports that 19% of household users have at least two connected devices, compared to 16% one year ago.Reviewing Viomi for Needham, analyst Vincent Yu believes the company has a fairly standard pathway to retailer success.“With the introduction of new product lines such as smart TVs, and air conditioners, we believe Viomi has hit a milestone in terms of category expansion. We expect to see the introduction of new SKUs with higher ASPs, and roll-backs in discounts for newly launched product categories,” the analyst opined. “We think Viomi’s gross margin was in-line with industry trends during 1H20. The home appliance industry as a whole experienced a material headwind due to Covid 19 […] We believe the demand recovery for the industry and consumer demand that started in June will boost the gross margin in 2H20.”Yu’s Buy rating here comes with a price target of $12.50. This suggests a 117% one-year upside potential for the stock, which is currently selling for $5.76 per share. (To watch Yu’s track record, click here)Overall, Viomi is considered a “Moderate Buy” on Wall Street, with one Buy and one Hold rating from analysts. The consensus price target of $9.40 shows a 63% upside from current levels. (See VIOT stock analysis on TipRanks)To find good tech ideas for stocks trading at attractive valuations, visit TipRanks’ Best Stocks to Buy, a newly launched tool that unites all of TipRanks’ equity insights.Disclaimer: The opinions expressed in this article are solely those of the featured analysts. The content is intended to be used for informational purposes only. It is very important to do your own analysis before making any investment.
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Investopedia
What to Expect in the Markets This Week
This week: Palantir Technologies goes public, the U.S. unemployment numbers for September are released, and as well as consumer sentiment and expectations.
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TheStreet.com
Bearish Bets: 2 Healthcare Stocks You Should Consider Shorting This Week
Using recent actions and grades from TheStreet’s Quant Ratings and layering on technical analysis of the charts of those stocks, Trifecta Stocks identifies five names each week that look bearish. While we will not be weighing in with fundamental analysis we hope this piece will give investors interested in stocks on the way down a good starting point to do further homework on the names. Perrigo Co. recently was downgraded to Hold with a C+ rating by TheStreet’s Quant Ratings.
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Bloomberg
Hedge Fund Bets on Lithium Miner After Big Electric Vehicle Win
(Bloomberg) — Formidable Asset Management LLC, a hedge fund that bet on electric-vehicle maker Workhorse Group Inc., and battery maker Nano One Materials Corp. is now putting its money on a lithium mining company.The Cincinnati-based fund sees Lithium Americas Corp. as a “differentiated operator” within the sector that has imminent production, a strategic location for some of its operations and undervalued assets, the fund wrote in a research report on Friday.“Based on the valuation of its competitors (relative to their potential production/earnings) as well as recent prices paid for assets by its competitors, LAC’s current market cap is well below what we believe the value of its assets to be,” firm said in its report.The estimated fair value for the stock is between $15 and $22, which is significantly higher than its Sept. 24 close of $7.18. The stock gained 19% in U.S. trading on Friday and closed at $8.54 with a market cap of about $771 million. Formidable didn’t specify the size of its position in the miner.The hedge fund also noted that its fair value analysis excludes the potential for a higher share price if the market valued Lithium Americas as a battery company, as opposed to just a producer of the raw material.“Even at ‘normal’ lithium prices, the company is being given almost no credit for its Thacker Pass opportunity, which has the potential to be twice as valuable as its Argentinian operation,” it said.Formidable’s bet on electric-vehicle maker Workhorse Group earlier this year, helped the fund rally about 25% in June, beating the S&P 500. The main contributor to the fund’s June performance was its stake in Workhorse, according to a letter seen by Bloomberg. Workhorse surged 600% in the month of June, making it the second-best performing stock on the Nasdaq Composite Index. Since then, Workhorse has climbed another 43%.For more articles like this, please visit us at bloomberg.comSubscribe now to stay ahead with the most trusted business news source.©2020 Bloomberg L.P.
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InvestorPlace
4 Top Stock Trades for Monday: RAD, NCLH, PENN, UNH
After a tough week, stocks put together a decent rally on Friday. Let’s look at a few top stock trades going into next week, the last week of September. Top Stock Trades for Monday No. 1: Rite Aid (RAD) Click to EnlargeSource: Chart courtesy of StockCharts.comRite Aid (NYSE:RAD) shares are under significant pressure for the second straight day. The stock ended the day down about 9% on Friday, after falling almost 18% on Thursday on earnings.The stock made a decisive close below the September low on Thursday and the selling is continuing on Friday. Now, there are two levels to keep an eye on.InvestorPlace – Stock Market News, Stock Advice & Trading TipsThat puts the March low in play at $9.24, followed by the December gap-fill at $8.36. * 7 Hot Stocks to Buy on Robinhood Now On the upside, investors must see if RAD stock can reclaim $11. If so, it puts the 20-day moving average in play, followed by the 50-day and 200-day moving averages. However, at current levels shares are sort of in no man’s land until it can either reclaim some higher levels or decline further. Top Stock Trades for Monday No. 2: Norwegian Cruise Line (NCLH) Click to EnlargeSource: Chart courtesy of StockCharts.comOn Monday, Norwegian Cruise Line (NYSE:NCLH) gapped below the 50-day moving average, then struggled to reclaim that mark all week.On Friday, though, Norwegian gapped higher by more than 13% and reclaimed the 50-day moving average and uptrend support (blue line). Reclaiming a key area is attractive, but this one is no layup.From here, let’s see if bulls can reclaim the 20-day moving average. If so, it puts the $18.75 area in play, followed by the 23.6% retracement at $19.48. Above that opens the door to a possible rally toward the 200-day moving average and the June high near $27. On the downside, however, be cautious on a close below the 50-day moving average. Below this week’s low (at $14.15) puts the August low in play at $12.56. Top Stock Trades for Monday No. 3: Penn National Gaming (PENN) Click to EnlargeSource: Chart courtesy of StockCharts.comPenn National Gaming (NASDAQ:PENN) has been volatile lately. No, it’s not because of the volatility in the overall market, but rather, thanks to a secondary offering. In fact, shares had been holding up well before that news.For now, though, shares are rebounding and reclaiming the 10-day moving average. On the upside, I want to see if shares can back push up to $75. That’s around the two-times range extension and the current all-time highs.Above that may open the door to a longer term price target near $96.50 — the 261.8% extension. * 3 Small-Cap Stocks To Buy For Large Cap Potential On the downside, a break of the two-day low at $62.25 and the 161.8% extension could put the 50-day moving average in play. Below that may open the door to a larger correction down toward $40. To get to $40 would likely take a broader market correction as well. Top Stock Trades for Monday No. 4: United Health (UNH) Click to EnlargeSource: Chart courtesy of StockCharts.comUnitedHealth Group (NYSE:UNH) has been under pressure this month. However, it’s been carving out a low near $292 this week. Look at the last five days of action. Shares had a responsive bounce back to $300 on Monday. Then slowly churned its way down toward $290 and gave us a doji stick on Thursday, which can be indicative of a reversal. Once we got the doji-and-up — when UNH took out Thursday’s high (the doji day) on Friday — momentum began to return. Buyers drove it to the 10-day moving average, where we now wait for a decision. Above $300 opens the door to the 50-day moving average. Above that and $320 is on the table. If UNH can’t reclaim the 10-day moving average it keeps $290 and the 200-day moving average in play. A close below the 200-day moving average could put $275 on the table, the double-bottom low from May and June. On the date of publication, Bret Kenwell did not have (either directly or indirectly) any positions in any of the securities mentioned in this article.Bret Kenwell is the manager and author of Future Blue Chips and is on Twitter @BretKenwell. More From InvestorPlace * Why Everyone Is Investing in 5G All WRONG * America’s 1 Stock Picker Reveals His Next 1,000% Winner * Revolutionary Tech Behind 5G Rollout Is Being Pioneered By This 1 Company * Could Tiny “Super” Battery Kill Big Tech? The post 4 Top Stock Trades for Monday: RAD, NCLH, PENN, UNH appeared first on InvestorPlace.
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Bloomberg
Ray Dalio Sees Enemy Within as He Ponders U.S.-China Clash
(Bloomberg) — Ray Dalio used the latest installment of his ongoing series on the changing world order to identify clear red lines that, if crossed, could result in a deadly war between China and the U.S., but the real enemy in the conflict may lie within.“Our greatest war is with ourselves because we have the most control over how strong or weak we are,” the billionaire founder of Bridgewater Associates wrote in the essay published on LinkedIn. “The internal wars and challenges in both China and the US are more important and bigger than external wars and challenges.”While Dalio doesn’t think the current trade war has been “taken very far,” any attempt by China to restrict American access to rare earth elements, or by the U.S. to restrict China’s access to semiconductors from Taiwan or crude oil, for example, could signal that the current conflict was about to get a lot worse.Culture, meanwhile, may be the one frontier where the two countries should try and make some inroads.“The main challenge the Chinese and Americans have with each other arises from some of them failing to understand and empathize with the other’s values and ways of doing things, and not allowing each other to do what they think is best,” Dalio wrote in the 17,000-word essay that also pondered the future of the U.S. dollar as a global reserve currency. “Some of these cultural differences are minor and some of them are so major that many people would fight to the death over them.”Key Quotes“Destiny and the way the global power cycle works have now put the United States in the unfortunate position of having to choose between a) fighting to defend its position and its existing world order and b) retreating”“The successes of all countries depend on sustaining the strengthening forces without producing the excesses that lead to their declines. The really successful ones have been able to do that in a big way for 200-300 years. None has been able to do it forever”“In order to prevent these from escalating out of control, it will be important for leaders of both countries to be clear about what the ‘red lines’ and ‘trip wires’ are that signal changes in the seriousness of the conflict”“Beyond the elections, a lot hinges on who wins and how they will approach this conflict. That will be a big influence on how Americans and the Chinese approach the Big Cycle destinies that are in the process of unfolding”“Regarding the trade war I believe that we have pretty much seen the best trade agreement that we are going to see and that the risks of this war worsening are greater than the likelihood that it will improve”“If the United States shuts off Chinese access to essential technologies that would signal a major step up in war risks”“Sovereignty, especially as it relates to the Chinese mainland, Taiwan, Hong Kong, and the East and South China Seas, is probably China’s biggest issue”“Perhaps the most interesting relationship to watch is between China and Russia”“The United States’ greatest power comes from being able to print the world’s money and all the operational powers that go along with that. The United States is at risk of losing some of this power while the Chinese are in the position of gaining some of it”Read More: Dalio Sheds Light on Chinese Thinking on Trade Deal: China TodayFor more articles like this, please visit us at bloomberg.comSubscribe now to stay ahead with the most trusted business news source.©2020 Bloomberg L.P.
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Benzinga
Barron’s Picks And Pans: Peloton, Truist, Western Digital And More
* This weekend’s Barron’s cover story offers roundtable picks for the health care revolution. * Other featured articles discuss who could benefit from a conservative Supreme Court and how to find reliable dividend stocks in emerging markets. * Also, the prospects for a recently merged regional bank stock, a pair of restructuring companies, a pandemic winner and more.Cover story “The Pandemic Speeds Up the Health-Care Revolution” by Lauren R. Rublin offers Moderna Inc (NASDAQ: MRNA) and other Barron’s roundtable expert picks for the most promising developments and best investment bets in the sector.Daren Fonda’s “A Right-Leaning Supreme Court Will Tackle Some Big Business Cases” suggests that a more conservative court may cut back regulation. Is that good news for likes of Facebook, Inc. (NASDAQ: FB) and Ford Motor Company (NYSE: F)?In “Herbalife Faces a Fresh Legal Hurdle,” Bill Alpert discusses how a lawsuit that has gathered steam targets 44 of the top distributors of Herbalife Nutrition Ltd (NYSE: HLF). What’s next for this Los Angeles-based multilevel marketing company?See why North Carolina-based Truist Financial Corp (NYSE: TFC) could enjoy the fruits of its merger and deliver hefty upside in coming years, according to “Deal Synergies Should Lift This Southern Bank” by Lawrence C. Strauss.In Al Root’s “Fortive Is Spinning Off a Business. It’s Time to Buy the Stock,” find out why Barron’s believes breaking up is what industrial technology conglomerate Fortive Corp (NYSE: FTV) needs to get out of a rut.See also: Analyst: Here’s Where The S&P 500 Could Be In 20 Years”How to Find Dividends in Emerging Market Stocks” by Lawrence C. Strauss makes a case for emerging markets as a place for investors to find reliable and growing dividend stocks. Is Taiwan Semiconductor Mfg. Co. Ltd. (NYSE: TSM) worth a look now?A Western Digital Corp (NASDAQ: WDC) reorganization could be the prelude to a separation of its disk drive and flash memory businesses. So says Eric J. Savitz’s “Western Digital Could Be Worth a Whole Lot More.” Would that unlock significant shareholder value?In “Why Rival Bike Peddlers Are a Plus for Peloton,” Connor Smith reveals all the things Peloton Interactive Inc (NASDAQ: PTON) has going for it and why investors have been willing to award the exercise equipment maker’s stock a nosebleed multiple.Also in this week’s Barron’s: * Wealth managers who embrace ESG investing * Short sellers who aim to “oust bad actors” * The bright side of the market’s bad week * Why credit tightening matters for the economic recovery * How to invest for election chaos * How to recognize zombie companies * Milton Friedman 50 years later * The future of travelAt the time of this writing, the author had no position in the mentioned equities.Keep up with all the latest breaking news and trading ideas by following Benzinga on Twitter.See more from Benzinga * Options Trades For This Crazy Market: Get Benzinga Options to Follow High-Conviction Trade Ideas * Bulls And Bears Of The Week: Chevron, Oracle, Twitter And More * Barron’s Picks And Pans: Ackman Picks, Albertsons, Nvidia And More(C) 2020 Benzinga.com. Benzinga does not provide investment advice. All rights reserved.
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FX Empire
Is Gold About to Move Higher?
Gold prices are being influenced by a number of different contradictory factors, some traditionally good for bullion, others not.
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