Articles for author: Ron Finklestien

Micro Cap Stocks

Barron’s Weekend Stock Picks: Semiconductor Stocks and Oil Giants Barron’s Weekend Stock Picks: Semiconductor Stocks and Oil Giants

Benzinga reviews this weekend’s top stories covered by Barron’s. Here are the articles investors need to read. In “BP Stock Has Been Ignored for Too Long. It’s Time to Buy,” Andrew Bary writes that BP plc BP is shifting its focus back to U.S. oil, planning a 50% production increase by 2030 and offering potential value for investors. In “Nokia and Ericsson Stocks Slump on Analyst Warning,” Eric J. Savitz says that Barclays downgraded Nokia NOK and Ericsson ERIC while warning of a 5G revenue slowdown and recommending investors to consider other options in the sector. In “Texas Instruments Stock Rises as Analyst Predicts Higher

January 20, 2024

MPLX: A Diamond in the Rough with a 9% Yield MPLX: A Diamond in the Rough with a 9% Yield

Attempting to constantly outwit the market is an arduous task and frankly not on my to-do list. It involves perpetual trading in and out of stocks to capture value, while also navigating the complex web of tax implications. I’d rather stick to a different strategy; buying and holding quality dividend payers that generate a consistent income stream, mirroring solid returns against the market average, all while cashing in. This brings me to MPLX LP (NYSE:MPLX), which I last covered here with a ‘Buy’ rating back in May of last year, citing robust operational fundamentals in its business segments as well

January 20, 2024

Regional Banks Face Ominous NII Outlook for 2024 Regional Banks Face Ominous NII Outlook for 2024

George Pachantouris/Moment via Getty Images As regional banks close the door on a year fraught with anxiety, stemming from the Federal Reserve’s aggressive interest-rate hikes, a shadow of concern looms over 2024. The distressing chapter featured the untimely demise of Silicon Valley Bank, Signature Bank, and First Republic Bank. However, with the tempestuous times and travails of the regional banking crisis somewhat behind, investors and industry stalwarts ponder: what lies in wait for the sector this year? In the annals of finance, the closing chapter of 2023 inscribed a tale of woe for mid-sized lenders. While the broader market reveled

January 20, 2024

The Resilient Rise of the Cruise Industry The Resilient Rise of the Cruise Industry

Gregor Roach/iStock Editorial via Getty Images The cruise industry has successfully navigated the economic storm of the COVID-19 pandemic. Emerging with record-breaking revenue, surging bookings, and robust forecasts for 2024, it’s evident that cruising has made an impressive comeback. No stranger to adversity, the cruise industry has triumphed over past challenges such as the SARS epidemic, the aftermath of the September 11 terrorist attacks, and the impact of the 2008 financial crisis. However, none of these previous crises compare to the monumental impact of COVID-19, perhaps the greatest challenge faced by cruise lines since the ill-fated RMS Titanic set sail

January 20, 2024

The Era of Mega-Cap Momentum: A Look at the Magnificent 7 The Era of Mega-Cap Momentum: A Look at the Magnificent 7

I’ve never been one to hop on bandwagons, whether in investing or in life in general. In my world, both personal and financial, I’m drawn to tried-and-true wisdom, the timeless things. Building my passive income as quickly as possible, I stick with high-quality, dividend-growing, low-risk compounders in my investment portfolio. No flash, no tricks—just the steady beat of dividends. Nonetheless, even a seasoned dividend investor like me can’t deny the sheer greatness of the 7 mega-cap corporations that dominate the stock market indexes. Since the Roundhill Magnificent Seven ETF (MAGS) was launched in the Spring of 2023, these 7 titans

January 20, 2024

Realty Income: Navigating Rising Bond Yields Realty Income: Navigating Rising Bond Yields

A Look Back Realty Income Corporation (NYSE:O) has seen a surprising surge since early November 2023, following a bottom in its performance as anticipated. The subsequent run of more than 35% (adjusted for dividends) until January 2024 has rewarded dip-buyers who seized the opportunity during the peak pessimism phase. Despite a total return of -10.4% over the past year, these investors have fared remarkably well. Bond Yields Resurgence This week, Realty Income experienced a dip due to concerns related to the recovery in the 10Y (US10Y) interest rates. The 10Y has risen to 4.16% after bottoming out at the 3.78%

January 20, 2024

Week’s Dismal End For REITs REITs experience another dismal week

May Lim/iStock via Getty Images When will the sun shine on Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs) again? Probably not anytime soon. It was an inauspicious end to the week, with REITs underperforming broader markets for the second consecutive week, ending lower in the absence of a positive catalyst. Market Performance The FTSE Nareit All Equity REITs index fell by 2.08%, while the Dow Jones Equity All REIT Total Return Index suffered a 2.07% decline. FTSE NAREIT Mortgage REITs were also down, dropping by 1.08%. The broader Real Estate Select Sector SPDR ETF mirrored this downtrend, declining by 2.12%. Meanwhile, the

January 20, 2024

The Top High-Dividend Yield Stocks of January 2024 – Uncovering Two Hidden Gems

Analyze Investment Opportunities Every month, investors face the dilemma of stretching their limited budgets across available investment options, making it crucial to single out the most attractive choices for their money. In this article, I will unveil two companies with compelling investment potential, specifically appealing to those in pursuit of a blend of dividend income and growth. Discovering Pearls in the Stock Market I consider Coca-Cola (NYSE:KO) and British American Tobacco (NYSE:BTI) as prime investment prospects due to their attractive Dividend Yield [FWD] of 3.05% and 9.30% respectively. Beyond these dividends, the companies boast remarkable dividend growth records and formidable

January 20, 2024