Markets have pushed higher in recent sessions, but are off their highs for the year. Markets may yet re-test their recent lows and trend lower, or look to eventually move back up to all-time highs. No matter the short-term direction, buying great companies during a market pullback can often prove a solid winner over time. Focusing on industry leaders and getting a reasonable price for a great company ensures that short-term market opportunities are converted into long-term winners. For instance, seasoning and spice industry leader McCormick & Company (MKC), has pulled back nearly...

While the stock market correction has rattled investors, and while tariff fears remain, most companies are still executing on long-term plans. That includes the rollout of AI, which includes not just new software and AI models, but the hardware and infrastructure necessary to make it all work. One key element of that plan is power. Many big-tech companies have shifted to nuclear power for its high base-load generating capacity, and low operating cost. Today, while old nuclear plants are looking to be restarted, newer generations of nuclear power plants are also coming online. One suc...

Stocks don’t just move up or down. Sometimes, they’ll have a sideways pattern. And that may entail bouncing up and down in a narrow range. Oftentimes, once the range-bound trading ends, the stock will make a big move. The next move isn’t always known in advance. It can depend on market conditions, as well as a company’s operations and how they’re faring. But it’s more likely that a stock will move higher if earnings are strong. That could be the case with semiconductor company Micron (MU). The company reported strong second-quarter results, but shares were hit with a wave of market f...

The recent market selloff took stocks into correction territory in the span of a few weeks. It’s the fifth-fastest selloff. And while stocks are looking to settle down now, if not rebound later in the year, some areas have fared worse than others. Many widely-held tech names have seen their shares get cut by a quarter or even half over the past few months. However, that hasn’t changed their fundamentals. For most companies, it could be a case of falling too far, too fast. One such selloff play is payment company Block (XYZ). Formerly known as Square, Block has seen shares shed 25%...

Activist investors can be a mixed bunch. They’re on the hunt for companies that are undervalued, or could make some changes and kick off higher growth. By buying a large stake and petitioning management, these companies can effectively create their own positive returns. Investors who follow along with activist investors, particularly those with a strong track record, can also see great returns within the span of a few quarters as value hidden in plain sight is unlocked. For instance, Starboard Value, one of the most successful activist firms, has recently taken a stake in design soft...

Some companies are primed for growth. Investors can get fantastic returns, but can get burned if that growth slows, or even on hints that the growth may slow. Other companies offer investors a better value. While they tend to have lower volatility throughout the course of a year, there are times when markets are jittery and a slow-and-steady holding may be ideal. These companies tend to sell off less than the market, but in a big selloff, they could be solid long-term buys. One standout slow-and-steady returning group is the insurance companies. They’re highly regulated, and don’t fa...

Earnings season is winding down, and most companies that have seen big moves have done so thanks not to their actual earnings, but to their guidance. Companies that have gotten more cautious have been hit hard, even if that caution is warranted amid rising political and geopolitical changes. But companies that are reporting smooth sailing now are in a strong position to continue performing well. Especially if they’re showing both strong current earnings and future guidance. One such rare play right now is cybersecurity firm Rubrik (RBRK). Shares saw a 20% jump on upbeat guidance foll...

The current market selloff has hit high-flying AI plays hard. And shifting market sentiment may keep many AI players, particularly in the hardware space, from making new highs anytime soon. However, the software side is different. That’s because new software upgrades can be rolled out as they’re made. And companies incorporating AI tools can roll those out immediately too. Combined with a recurring-revenue model, it could make software-related AI plays the winner for the next upswing in tech stocks. One sign of this trend is with DocuSign (DOCU). The e-signature company has been push...

AI-related stocks have rallied the hardest over the past two years. So it’s not surprising that they’ve also declined the fastest in the latest market pullback. However, AI stocks have sold so quickly and so heavily that they’re now looking oversold. Markets could see anything from a V-shaped bounce, to a gradual recovery to new all-time highs if the news cycle gets less pessimistic. In the short-term, a bounce in stocks could be an ideal time to buy some AI plays. That especially applies to companies moving in the AI space that are beating on earnings right now. Software player A...

Markets are pricing in a higher chance of a recession. That’s led to fast deleveraging by hedge funds, sending the market into a tailspin. But some companies are more recession-resistant than others. Investors can hold up during a fearful market with more recession-resistant companies. That includes goods and services that have strong demand, no matter what the economy is doing. Investors who buy these companies during periods of fears can earn reasonable returns while the economy sorts itself out. For instance, plumbing-equipment distributor Ferguson (FERG) fell following its latest...