Undervalued Staples Can Still Make Market-Beating Returns this Year

The market rally since late 2022 has been driven by tech stocks, particularly large cap tech stocks developing artificial intelligence (AI) opportunities. That’s caused other sectors of the market to lag. Over time, improving earnings from these sectors is creating a better value. Investors may want to take some profits in high-flying tech stocks now that markets are soaring to all-time highs. Other companies can likely help push stock indices higher this year as they play catch-up with the overall market. For ...
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Insider Activity Report: Estee Lauder (EL)

Jennifer Hyman, a director at Estee Lauder (EL), recently bought 1,350 shares. The buy increased her stake by 135 percent, and came to a total cost of $198,045. This marks the first insider buy over the last two years. Otherwise, company insiders have been regular and steady sellers of shares, mostly in 2022 and early 2023, in particular the company’s President and CEO. Most sales from other executives have come following the exercise of stock options. Overall, Estee Lauder insiders own ...
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Unusual Option Activity: Micron (MU)

Semiconductor producer Micron Technologies (MU) have had a strong year, rallying 42 percent. One trader sees further upside in the coming months. That’s based on the May $100 calls. With 93 days until expiration, 14,221 contracts traded compared to a prior open interest of 354, for a 40-fold rise in volume on the trade. The buyer of the calls paid $2.19 to make the bullish bet. Micron shares recently traded for about $85, so shares would need to rise $15, or over ...
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Invest With Industry Leaders Meeting Customer Demand

Customers can have rapidly changing tastes. A company needs to provide products or services that meet those tastes, but can also be flexible over time. Sometimes, a company will be behind the curve in adoption to changes. Once they figure it out, however, shares may start to trend higher. As that happens, market expectations for a company can shift, resulting in a company going from being out of favor with the market to moving in favor. The latest company making the right ...
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Insider Activity Report: NextEra Energy (NEE)

Kirk Hachigian, a director at NextEra Energy (NEE), recently bought 20,000 shares. The purchase increased his stake by 44 percent, and came to a total cost of $1,116,700. This is the first insider activity of the year. Several company directors, as well as the company President and CEO, bought shares last year. Two company insiders sold shares in the past year as well, with one of those sales coming from the exercise of stock options. In total, NextEra insiders own ...
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Unusual Option Activity: Advance Auto Parts (AAP)

Auto parts chain store Advance Auto Parts (AAP) is down over 56 percent in the past year. One trader is betting on further downside ahead in the coming weeks. That’s based on the March 15 $42.50 puts. With 31 days until expiration, 8,859 contracts traded compared to a prior open interest of 211, for a 42-fold rise in volume on the trade. The buyer of the puts paid $0.36 to make the bearish bet. Advance Auto Parts shares recently traded for about ...
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Companies With Strong Growth Can Continue Trending Higher

While the market may take a pause in the coming weeks based on seasonal trends, it’s clear from earnings season that many companies are growing. And that they can continue to do so. That’s growth as measured by an increasing number of customers or an increasing number of sales. With investors still worried about the economy, companies delivering real growth can likely trend higher, and be a solid buying opportunity in the coming weeks. Uber Technologies (UBER) is one such growth play ...
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Insider Activity Report: Aflac (AFL)

Karole Lloyd, a director at Aflac (AFL), recently bought 1,000 shares. The buy increased her position by 2 percent, and came to a total cost of $77,280. Her buy came a day after another director bought 1,500 shares, also increasing his position by 2 percent. That buy came to a total cost of $114,000. These two buys are the first since last April. Otherwise, company executives and directors have been regular sellers of shares. In total, Aflac insiders own 9.8 percent ...
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