2023 has been a great year for big-cap tech companies, particularly those investing heavily in artificial intelligence (AI). That’s especially true for hardware companies that can provide the tools necessary to run today’s latest AI programs. Most of these massive companies are priced for perfection, however. Smaller companies, which haven’t had the investor interest yet, could be better players in the AI space, as they catch up to the big names that moved first on the AI news. For instance, memory chip manufacturerMicron (MU) is soaring, following better-than-expected quarterly resu...

AI has been the major market theme of 2023. It’s easy to see why. AI technologies can improve a company’s operations at a significantly low cost. For big-tech companies, small improvements can mean billions of dollars in extra revenues and profits. That’s why the trend has been great for big tech stocks. One big tech stock has already started to benefit from rolling out AI technology. That company isSalesforce (CRM), a producer of customer relationship management software that is provided to companies on a recurring revenue business model. The company’s digital operations are alre...

Recent economic data shows that inflation is slowing. And that consumers are holding up well, as is the job market. That suggests the economy could trend higher next year. Should that happen, there are a number of companies that stand to benefit. That includes companies that cater to the movement of goods and services across the economy. These companies have seen a drop with a slowdown in spending on goods in 2023, but stand to see improving conditions next year. Among global logistics leaders,FedEx (FDX) is the key player. While the company’s operations have fluctuated heavily ov...

Great companies are few and far between. They offer investors an opportunity to invest for long-term growth. And they generate tremendous cash flows, which can provide the capital for new ideas, while still rewarding shareholders along the way. That’s a lot to ask for. But over time, many companies have delivered on that promise. One company, however, has managed to stand head and shoulders over the rest while doing so. That company?Apple (AAPL). The leader in consumer technology is one of the best money-making machines in history. But it just hit what will likely be a tiny speed bum...

Despite a strong market rally in the past year, some sectors haven’t performed well at all. Many have even continued trending lower, even after taking a hit in 2022. Most of the market’s return has been dominated by big-cap tech stocks. But with the market starting to rotate and non-big-cap tech stocks are taking the lead, they may be a big winner in the months ahead. That includes solar energy companies, which have substantially lagged markets in 2023. In the space, a number of players are starting to come off one-year or longer lows. That includesFirst Solar (FSLR), the industry...

Buying a great company sounds easy in theory. But over time, a company’s fortunes can ebb and flow. That also leads to big changes in valuations. Investors who target an up-and-coming company that still trades like a value stock can potentially see great returns. That’s especially true for a company that can tap into one of today’s many high-growth trends. Combining high growth with a reasonable value is a recipe for finding great stocks to buy and hold. One up-and-coming player in the tech space isIntel (INTC). The former leader in the semiconductor space, they’ve lost ground in ...

Money follows eyeballs. That’s been true since the age of the newspaper. In the digital age, applications and platforms that can get users to spend time will attract advertisers and find ways to profit. Of course, tastes can change over time. And what looks like a poor investment opportunity may change into a great one as rising users and more eyeballs on a tech platform create an opportunity. One surprising winner could beRoblox (RBLX). Best known as a gaming platform designed for all ages, the platform may be undervalued relative to its potential for delivering advertising. That...

There are many ways to invest in the market. One strategy is to follow stocks that have been going up. This is known as momentum trading. While many investors expect the market to potentially change with the start of a new calendar year, it’s likely that momentum will carry forward into the first months of 2024. That means that many of 2023’s big winners still have some upside in the coming months. The runaway winner for 2023 has been graphic processing unit designerNvidia (NVDA). Even with a recent pullback, shares have sported triple-digit gains this year. Next year may see a lo...

In the tech space, many moves are cyclical. A new trend pops up, then dies out, only to pick back up again in the future. Investors can do well with these trends, provided they buy at the right point, make a quick profit, and then look for the next cycle ready to move. In the tech space, the personal computer (PC) market has been out of favor. It last surged at the start of the pandemic. But thanks to the increase in AI usage, it may see a surge next year. That trend won’t be huge compared to the overall AI trend. But for the few PC manufacturers, it could been a great 2024. That’s w...

Companies are constantly merging with other companies, or selling off divisions to other companies. This news will typically lead to one company seeing its shares rise, and another fall. Usually, the company making the offer to buy a company or a division will decline. But over time, owning an additional source of revenue can be additive to the bottom line. That’s why many big-cap tech companies have grown through acquisitions in recent years. Other sectors are doing the same. One example isHoneywell (HON) buying the security business fromCarrier (CARR). Honeywell shares dropped on t...