Investors often have a choice that breaks down between growth stocks and value plays. Right now, the soaring demand for AI technology is giving many slow-growth companies some unexpected kickers. That includes utilities, but can also include companies related to hardware, software, and connectivity. Investors can likely see above-average returns playing to this trend in the years ahead. And more old-school companies may offer consistent returns rather than the big jumps and drops of a growth play. For instance, telecom giantAT&T (T) is looking to grow itself as the leading wirele...

Consumers may be slowing on spending overall, but they continue to reach into their wallets to spend money on experiences such as travel and tourism. That bodes well for a number of subsectors of the market. That’s also why hotel, airlines, and other travel-related companies continue to fare well. But there’s another part of the market that could also see continued strength into next year. That market? The cruise liners. Thanks to strong booking demand and energy prices remaining lackluster over the past year, the space is ripe for further rallies in the months ahead. In the cruis...

Recent data suggests that there’s a global slowdown in spending on high-end luxury goods, such as handbags and clothing. However, that trend hasn’t yet worked its way to experiences for higher-income spenders. That, combined with strong travel trends as the holiday season kicks off, suggests that companies that cater to these experiences still have more room to run. And that today’s investors can likely see solid returns on these companies well into next year. For instance, hospitality data shows that travel and vacations remain strong. That bodes well for companies providing such an...

The AI trend still has room to run. Companies continue to spend on developing AI programs, and hardware companies are rushing to meet the demand. So are power companies, given the high power requirements for AI programs. But except forApple (AAPL) creating a hybrid product for its iPhone, AI has yet to go fully mobile. It will take a new and ultra-advanced chip design to make that happen. One company can deliver on that concept. The player?Qualcomm (QCOM). Their chips are in nearly every smartphone today, and the company’s library of patents allows it to dominate communications chips...

The stock market continues to shift away from big gains in tech and towards other sectors. That’s a healthy sign that stocks can trend higher into next year. One underperforming sector has been consumer goods companies, thanks to the combination of surging inflation and consumer fears. But consumer confidence is soaring higher, and inflation has moderated over the past year. That’s allowing consumer goods companies to start moving towards a catch-up rally. One consumer goods player that looks attractive now isJ.M. Smucker (SJM). The producer of peanut butter, jams, packaged snacks, a...

With the holiday season underway, it won’t be long until consumers start to think about how much they ended up consuming during the holidays. And while gym memberships spike in early January only to fade out in a few weeks, spending on healthy food options tends to persist for much longer. Investors can play to that trend by owning shares of packaged food companies now, ahead of a move higher after the holidays. One play isTheSimply Good Foods Company (SMPL). They provide several ready-to-drink shakes, protein bars, and low-calorie or low-carb food. That includes products under the Q...

Sometimes, a company will look to unlock value by spinning off part of its business. That may prove a more logical approach, particularly for a company that has built a diverse number of business segments. Part of that move could also be driven by regulators. The U.S. government broke up Standard Oil into seven different oil-related companies, many of which have survived and grown to this day. Ditto with telecom companies, which survived the breakup of Ma Bell, akaAT&T (T). Today, federal regulators are eyeing a breakup ofGoogle (GOOG). Their proposed solution is to break up the ...

Retailers have been a mixed bag based on third-quarter earnings. Some retailers have reported strong numbers while others have seen a big miss. That’s true whether the retailer is a big box store, a specialty retailer, or an apparel retailer. Investors looking for guidance this holiday season should look for a retailer that is still inexpensive but can continue to grow. One indication of further growth is a company that’s already seeing positive momentum going into the final weeks of the year. For instance, retailerThe Gap (GAP) just beat on earnings, and also raised its guidance for...

Every industry can go in and out of favor with the markets. And every industry has its peaks and troughs at different times. Investors who pick up shares of industry-leading companies during a trough can see substantial returns over time. But the key is over time. A changing cycle takes time to play out, and may not even be noticeable at first. A great company will likely be able to start trending higher before the cycle becomes clear. For instance, agriculture has been a poorly-performing sector for some time. That’s in spite of the investment needed to till land, grow and harvest c...

Traders take a short-term view. That means that investors can take a longer-term view that may be different depending on a situation. When a company takes a hit because it’s facing a problem, even an easily-solvable one, traders tank the stock. But in time, a successful company can overcome any short-term problem and trend higher. Investors who buy during periods of short-term fear can earn big profits as the fear subsides. Concerns over consumer spending are nothing new. But the retail outlook has been mixed. On the downside, retailer Target (TGT) reported some supply chain issues a...