Safety is never guaranteed in the financial markets. However, it’s a reasonably safe bet that Mastercard (NYSE:MA) will continue to reward its loyal investors with dividend distributions, quarter after quarter. Mastercard is a premier, blue-chip company that respects its shareholders, so my top dividend-grower pick for this year is MA stock. At the same time,
Stocks to buy
The streaming industry continues to struggle. The race to develop content and gain market share has left many companies overstretched and unprofitable. At the same time, the need to raise prices has forced consumers to pick and choose which streaming platforms they will keep, jettisoning many subscriptions and leading to a loss of revenue. The
Growth stocks made a big comeback in 2023, outperforming value stocks by 31%. This is the second biggest outperformance on record (data goes back to 1979) — only 2020 saw a bigger outperformance. Can the rally in high-growth stocks continue into 2024? With the economy remaining strong, interest rates poised to move lower and a
Stability and income are two things that often go overlooked by investors, so it may be time to focus on some income stocks. Time and again, statistics show that those investors who choose stability outperform those who seek higher returns in the long run. Few things better represent stability than the ability of a company to pay
Cybersecurity stocks continue to be one of the hottest parts of the technology trade. While artificial intelligence (AI) has been getting all of the attention in the business press over the last year, most cybersecurity stocks have more than doubled in that time, trouncing the returns of the broader market. Best of all, analysts see
Financial technology can help transform an economy and it has emerged as a strong sector in 2023. The industry did face some volatility throughout the year, but with inflation easing, it looks like better days are ahead. Now is the time to look for growth stocks that have the potential to soar as the fintech
Like other high-profile growth stocks, last month’s Santa Claus rally morphed into a New Year’s sell-off for SoFi Technologies (NASDAQ:SOFI). The market’s general direction is not the only factor contributing to the weakness of SOFI stock. The fintech firm/neobank has been affected by an analyst downgrade. Despite recent focus on the bear case for SoFi,
In 2021, Meta Platforms (NASDAQ:META) rebranded from Facebook to focus on the burgeoning metaverse. However, the subsequent year brought challenges with the end of pandemic-related benefits and a shift towards fiscal conservatism, leading to a decline in the META stock share price. Despite fluctuations, Meta Platforms, a top-tier tech stock, appears fairly valued with room
In 2023, Joby Aviation (NYSE:JOBY) emerged as a prominent flying car stock to watch, making a number of key advancements. Collaborating with NASA, JOBY stock demonstrated its vehicles’ ability to conduct 120 flights per hour in busy airport environments. The Air Taxi sector, including companies like Joby, displays promising potential with strategic partnerships and route
Hydrogen stocks are likely to continue to be in focus this year thanks to continued worries about global warming. Countries around the world remain committed to reaching net zero, which will require a combination of energy-saving measures, a push for renewable energy development, and the development and deployment of low-carbon solutions like hydrogen energy. It’s
Biotech is still one of the most exciting investments on the market, creating substantial opportunities for some of the best biotech stocks. Look at obesity drug stocks, like Eli Lilly (NYSE:LLY) for example. The stock exploded from about $460 to a high of $626 just over excitement with its obesity treatment. After all, with obesity bursting at the
Shipping companies enable the transport of raw materials and finished products across oceans and borders. The global marine vessel industry is set to expand over the coming years to reach a market value of $188.57 billion by 2028. Though the industry faces high fuel costs and port congestion, shipping stocks remain resilient. They offer significant
With a new investing year upon us, investors are on the hunt for the best bargain stocks to buy. Last year was certainly a great year for investing, making it even more pronounced to be extremely selective in 2024. There exists a class of companies that have been largely overlooked with the increased focus and
If you are an investor like me, your goal is to generate passive income as soon as you start investing. While it is possible to enjoy capital appreciation on your investment, you must consider the different ways you can make money while you remain invested. Picking dividend stocks is one way of taking home steady income but
With generative artificial intelligence (AI) taking the world by storm last year, many investors seem to be leaving other game-changing technological trends behind. In 2024, I expect AI to continue to be a top trend that gets investors excited. However, the so-called metaverse could return to glory as competition in the headset market kicks into
Favorable conditions with lower interest rates are advantageous for growth stocks. These companies often surpass market performance during periods of reduced borrowing costs, showcasing robust revenue and earnings growth. Last year’s unexpected growth stock rebound has investors questioning whether 2024 will follow suit. Regardless of the broader market’s uncertainty, potential opportunities abound. Some 2023 standouts
Historically, investors have gained a handful during election years from buying certain election stocks, but re-election years catch stronger returns. Since 1952, the S&P 500 has gained an average of 7% in election years, compared to 12.2% in re-election. This reflects presidents’ willingness to stimulate economic growth through fiscal and regulatory policies during re-election bids.
The aerospace and defense stocks sector was a huge laggard in 2023, but investors might see an uptick in momentum this year. Geopolitical tensions across the globe, including the most recent Israel-Hamas War, highlight the importance of increased portfolio protection. Investors can never be sure what will happen next, and planning ahead might be the
Technology continues to advance and offer businesses and consumers more possibilities. Cloud computing is one major development that has seen tremendous growth over the years. Many shareholders who initiated positions in cloud computing companies early on have seen their investments significantly outperform the S&P 500. Cloud computing started to become mainstream in 2006 and continues to expand each
There’s no arguing against the fact that 2023 was a fantastic year for tech stocks – and AI stocks in particular. But here in early 2024, there seems to be a lot of debate surrounding the AI Boom’s sustainability. Was 2023 a one-year fluke or the start of a big multi-year boom in AI stocks?