This year’s market returns have been heavily driven by companies working on artificial intelligence (AI). That includes big tech companies in the hardware and software space, as well as smaller companies with a hyperfocus on the new technology. While that trend is playing out, the market has picked the top players in the space, even with dozens of companies working on the trend. Investors who buy into these lesser-liked stocks can benefit from the long-term trend of AI, while also getting a value play today. In the hardware space, the interest inNvidia (NVDA) has sent shares soaring....

One of the truisms about investing is that holding shares of companies with steady, but low growth over time can lead to good results. While it may lack the excitement of getting into a top tech trend, having a few stocks of boring companies can round out a portfolio. These companies can include any good or service, but typically the most boring companies offering great returns will provide a service to businesses rather than having a consumer-facing operation. For instance, most consumers have some form of insurance. But for the industry, insurance brokering is a necessary back-end ...

The threat of a big lawsuit can cause a company’s valuation to tank. In an extreme case, like the tobacco companies in the 1990s, it can create an exceptional value, even at the risk of a further potential loss. Likewise, even companies that have made positive moves towards resolving big litigation can get a reasonable value. That’s because lawsuits take time to play out, as do the settlements for such lawsuits. Recently,Johnson & Johnson (JNJ) came under fire for litigation regarding its baby talc products. While some of that litigation is still pending, the company continues to...

Some sectors of the market are competitive with a number of companies working hard for market share. More mature industries often have fewer competitors, but can increase their business by improving the experience for customers. That’s especially true when it can do so without significantly raising prices or otherwise having a trade-off. By improving customer experience, a company can build long-term brand loyalty. That’s hard to measure in terms of a dollar valuation, but it does make a great company stand out. The past few years has seen the retail space get more competitive as bri...

Market trends change over time. The market often gets hyped over tech stocks. But that’s changed over the years in everything from lasers and personal computers to internet stocks to today’s interest in artificial intelligence. Many trends continue to play out, even after there’s been major adoption. And playing to that trend could lead to market-beating returns in an ignored space offering considerable value. For instance, the United States is still upgrading its infrastructure. And more rural areas are still connected to the rest of the country with copper wire, rather than fiber o...

Last year’s big market losers have been this year’s winners, at least so far. However, once a trend is underway, it’s unlikely to change unless there’s a big reason for doing so. That’s why a number of big tech companies look attractive going into earnings. That’s particularly true of companies that haven’t been associated with the rally in AI stocks this year. These companies likely have more upside and less volatility in the second half of the year. One clear example isNetflix (NFLX). The streaming platform surprised investors last quarter, showing subscriber growth following a cra...

Companies face uncertainties all the time. But when a big new fear comes out, prices drop first, and take time to recover. That can cause dividend companies to see their yields soar. Investors who take advantage of that opportunity can buy high yields. With a high dividend yield, investors get paid to wait for shares to recover. And if the company is operationally sound, the dividend can even grow during a time when the market has some sort of fear. Right now, telecom companies are taking ah it, following a report that they left lead-sheathed cables in the ground. That may be creatin...

In a bull market, investors want what’s going up. But fast-moving stocks can also quickly move down in a bear market. However, companies that have built strong brands tend to mostly just go up over time, even if the gains are more slow-and-steady. That’s why investors should consider strong brands as part of their portfolios. Especially when companies with strong brands are able to beat on earnings and raise estimates in uncertain times. For instance,PepsiCo (PEP) is best known for its beverages. But it’s also a big player in the snack industry. Potato chips in particular have helped...

Companies regularly announce all sorts of partnerships . Most are fairly humdrum affairs, and are hardly worth the ink spilled in a press release. But a big partnership that has the potential to create billions of dollars in value is rarer. When that happens, it may be prudent to look at that partnership, and determine which company is the better buy now. Sometimes, it may even be both. That could be the case with the deal inked betweenDomino’s (DPZ) andUber (UBER). By adding the pizza chain’s offerings to the Uber Eats menu, Domino’s remains in the mind of consumers looking to or...

Today’s regulation heavy world means that companies are often in the spotlight. That can include for actual wrongdoing or perceived wrongdoing. Big companies tend to get hit with seemingly large fines. But for companies that are large enough, even a big fine amounts to little more than a slap on the wrist. Investors in these companies may see a few hits from time to time, but it’s also a sign that a company can handle fines and fees. One recent fine was the $250 million levied againstBank of America (BAC) by the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFBP). The regulator based that on...