Affordable Stock Picks: 2 Must-Buy Options Under $30

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Affordable Stocks: Investing in Pfizer and Adyen Under $30

Having significant capital in the bank can be helpful when investing in equities, but it isn’t necessary. You can start investing with a modest amount, like $30, to buy a whole share of a top corporation expected to perform well in the long run. Patience is key; by holding through market volatility and occasionally purchasing more shares, investors can achieve promising returns.

Today, we will examine two valuable stocks trading for less than $30 per share: Pfizer (NYSE: PFE) and Adyen (OTC: ADYE.Y).

1. Pfizer

Pfizer’s stock price has seen a decline from nearly $60 per share in late 2021, currently sitting just under $22. The pharmaceutical giant is no longer generating substantial revenues from its COVID-19 portfolio and is facing important patent expiration issues, including that of Eliquis, a blood thinner. Despite launching new products recently, none seem promising enough to regain investors’ confidence.

Nevertheless, patience is likely to pay off with Pfizer. Over the past few years, the company has developed a robust pipeline, particularly in oncology, where it is expected to report significant clinical and regulatory successes soon. Additionally, Pfizer has expanded into areas such as mRNA vaccines.

Financially, Pfizer’s results are better than the stock performance suggests. The company has reversed a period of declining year-over-year revenue:

PFE Operating Revenue (Quarterly YoY Growth) Chart

PFE Operating Revenue (Quarterly YoY Growth) data by YCharts.

Pfizer’s coronavirus products still contribute significantly to its revenue and will in the foreseeable future, as COVID-19 is here to stay. Solid financial performance alongside a deep pipeline of potential blockbusters indicates that Pfizer can regain its standing. Furthermore, the company offers a compelling dividend program with a forward yield of 7.8%, which is significantly higher than the S&P 500’s average of 1.3%. While growth-oriented investors may look elsewhere, income seekers should consider Pfizer as a strong blue-chip option.

2. Adyen

Adyen is a Netherlands-based fintech company offering various services, including payment gateways, processing, and risk management. It provides an integrated platform that eliminates the need for multinational companies to rely on multiple region-specific providers. Consequently, Adyen counts major clients like Microsoft, Uber Technologies, and Spotify Technology among its partners.

In recent years, Adyen’s stock has experienced volatility due to economic challenges affecting its financial results. A slowdown in economic activity has lowered the number of transactions needing processing, directly impacting the company’s top-line growth.

Additionally, while competing fintech companies have reduced spending and hiring in response to economic conditions, Adyen has opted to invest, leading to reduced margins and earnings.

Despite these challenges, Adyen presents a strong investment opportunity. Its shares trade for under $16 apiece, and the company enjoys a significant competitive advantage due to high switching costs. Clients depend on Adyen’s services, making it difficult for them to switch to competitors. This positions Adyen to retain its existing customers while attracting new ones, particularly as it continues expanding its presence in North America.

The growing demand for e-commerce and digital payments also offers a substantial growth trajectory for Adyen. Although its recent performance hasn’t met Wall Street’s expectations, the stock is now attracting attention as a potential buy after lagging the market for nearly three years.

Should You Invest $1,000 in Pfizer Right Now?

Before purchasing stock in Pfizer, consider the insight from the Motley Fool analyst team. They recently identified the 10 best stocks to buy right now, and Pfizer did not make the list. Those identified stocks could see significant returns in the coming years.

For example, when Netflix was recommended on December 17, 2004, a $1,000 investment would have grown to $561,046!* Similarly, if you had invested $1,000 in Nvidia on April 15, 2005, your investment could now be worth $606,106!*

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*Stock Advisor returns as of April 21, 2025

Prosper Junior Bakiny has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has positions in and recommends Adyen, Microsoft, Pfizer, Spotify Technology, and Uber Technologies. The Motley Fool recommends the following options: long January 2026 $395 calls on Microsoft and short January 2026 $405 calls on Microsoft. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.

The views and opinions expressed herein are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of Nasdaq, Inc.

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