Articles for tag: Investing, Stocks, US Markets

January 22, 2024

Ron Finklestien

Microsoft Stock Analysis Post Q2 Earnings Strong Outlook for Microsoft Stock Post Q2 Earnings

Microsoft (NASDAQ: MSFT) is set to announce its fiscal Q2 2024 results on Tuesday, January 30, 2024. Analysts predict that the company will outperform market expectations for both revenues and earnings. In the last quarter, net revenues surged 13% year-over-year to $56.5 billion, driven by a 13% rise in the productivity & business processes unit and a 19% growth in the intelligent cloud segment. Furthermore, the company achieved a favorable decrease in total expenses as a percentage of revenues. This positive trend is expected to continue into the upcoming results. Our in-depth analysis on Microsoft’s Earnings Preview further details this forecast.  Over

January 18, 2024

Ron Finklestien

SLB Stock: A Look Ahead to Potential Q4 Recovery SLB Stock: A Look Ahead to Potential Q4 Recovery

SLB’s stock (NYSE: SLB), formerly known as Schlumberger, provides oil field services including drilling, completion, and production solutions to upstream oil & gas companies in the U.S. and abroad. As SLB is set to report its fiscal fourth-quarter results on Friday, January 19, shareholders wonder if it can bounce back from a 7% decline since the start of the year. The company’s international and offshore markets continue to experience a strong resurgence of activity, driven by resilient long-cycle development and capacity expansion projects, while the North American land market faces potential headwinds due to lower-than-expected natural gas prices and capital

January 15, 2024

Ron Finklestien

Alliant Energy (LNT) Dividend Hike Delights Shareholders Alliant Energy (LNT) Dividend Hike Delights Shareholders

Exceptional Dividend Boon Alliant Energy Corporation LNT has been a beacon of consistency, rewarding its shareholders with a 6.1% surge in its quarterly dividend rate. The sought-after company has been steadfastly paying dividends for 313 consecutive quarters since 1946, instilling a sense of trust and dependability in investors. Harnessing this momentum, the new dividend rate of 48 cents per share, compared with the previous quarter’s 45.25 cents, is due to be disbursed on Feb 15, 2024, to stockholders of record as of Jan 31, 2024. This hike reflects an annualized dividend of $1.92 per share, up from the previous $1.81.

January 11, 2024

Ron Finklestien

Is Delta Air Lines Stock Outperforming Southwest Airlines Stock? Rising Above the Clouds: Delta Air Lines Stock Outshines Southwest Airlines Stock

Given its more promising future, we firmly believe that Delta Air Lines (NYSE: DAL) is a superior investment choice compared to its competitor, Southwest Airlines (NYSE: LUV). At present, LUV stock is trading at a marginally higher valuation multiple of 0.7x revenues, in contrast to 0.5x for DAL, partly due to its stronger financial standing. In this commentary, we scrutinize the reasons why we anticipate DAL to yield greater returns than LUV over the coming three years. Our analysis encompasses an array of factors such as historical revenue growth, stock returns, and valuation, as detailed in an interactive dashboard analysis

January 9, 2024

Ron Finklestien

Why Campbell Stock is a Better Choice Than PepsiCo Why Campbell Stock is a Better Choice Than PepsiCo

We believe Campbell stock (NYSE: CPB) is a better pick than its sector peer, PepsiCo stock (NYSE: PEP), for the next three years. PEP stock trades at a slightly higher valuation multiple of 2.5x revenues compared to 1.4x for CPB due to its superior revenue growth and better financial position, as discussed below. 1. PEP Stock Has Outperformed CPB In Recent Years PEP stock has witnessed gains of 15% from levels of $150 in early January 2021 to around $170 now, while CPB stock has seen little change, moving slightly from levels of $50 to around $45 over the same

January 9, 2024

Ron Finklestien

RTX: The Better Bet Over Textron Stock After A 17% Fall In 2023 Will RTX Outperform Textron Stock?

Amidst a tumultuous economic landscape, investors are grappling with the question of which stock to place their bets on – RTX or Textron? It’s been quite a roller-coaster ride for both stocks in recent years, and as we embark on a new phase in the market, it’s crucial to weigh the contenders meticulously. In this analysis, we delve into the high stakes game of determining which stock will emerge victorious in the next three years – RTX or Textron. A Bumpy Ride to 2023 In the ever-unpredictable world of stock markets, both RTX and Textron have experienced their fair share

January 5, 2024

Ron Finklestien

A Rocky Road Ahead: Navigating Enphase Energy’s Stock Amidst a Sharp Decline

Riding the Rollercoaster: Enphase Energy’s Stock Enphase Energy’s stock (NASDAQ: ENPH) has taken a steep downturn, currently trading at $131 per share, representing a 59% plunge from its pre-inflation shock high of $321 in September 2022. The company, specializing in solar micro-inverters, battery energy storage, and EV charging stations for residential customers, has seen its stock battered by escalating interest rates and significant cost cuts. The company’s Q3 performance was underwhelming, with a 13% year-over-year drop in revenues to $551 million, largely due to volatile macroeconomic conditions and softened demand in key markets. Looking ahead, Enphase Energy faces an uphill

January 4, 2024

Ron Finklestien

After An 11% Fall Last Year Is Humana A Better Pick Over UnitedHealth Stock?

Humana’s Attractive Valuation Indicates a Superior Pick Over UnitedHealth Group Stock The Battle of Titans: Humana vs. UnitedHealth Group Investing in stocks is akin to picking a prized racehorse at the Kentucky Derby. It takes a sharp eye to discern the steed with the most potential for a triumphant gallop. Such keen acumen is currently being put to the test as investors scrutinize the prospects of Humana and its counterpart, UnitedHealth Group. Market Performance and Historical Context The stock market, like the unpredictable weather, has demonstrated capricious behavior of late. From the stormy tempests of 2022 to the sunny skies