Typically, a new industry will start dozens if not hundreds of companies before consolidating over time. Although many industries tend to consolidate into just a few companies, those remaining firms will then start to compete with each other based on how they keep customers happy in a fully developed market. Having a choice can ensure that quality doesn’t slip, and that businesses find ways to deliver better results at lower prices for their customers over time. For instance, the US airline industry often has low fares to keep customers coming back. But there are other ways to compet...

While stocks have had a strong start to the year, corporate earnings show a slowdown. And interest rates are still on track to rise. Investors should generally be cautious about long-side ideas right now. One way to find the best opportunities is to look at where big-name players are going. Besides making large purchases of shares, which can help the price rise, some companies may attract interest from activist investors. These investors can help management make more profitable decisions. Currently, activist investors have shown an interest inThe Walt Disney Company (DIS). Billionair...

The stock market is not the economy. However, many trends can play out with exaggerated moves both up and down in the stock market. That’s especially true with tech trends. While technology continues to transform, how investors view the investment opportunities can rapidly change. That can create times when it’s wise to step aside, as values are too high. At other times, it may make sense to buy, even when things look ugly. That latter case may be playing out today… The top play for most tech trends comes down to semiconductors. These chips power all of today’s technological tools, a...

Many companies expanded during the past few years, amid unprecedented government stimulus checks and easy money policies. Now, many companies have found that rapid growth is a bit more elusive over the long haul. They’re cutting back on employees. That trend is right-sizing companies that may have over-expanded on employees in recent years. That’s been seen primarily with big tech. But the current slowdown is also starting to be seen with financial companies as well. The latest is asset managerBlackRock (BLK). They’re looking to lay off about 500 employees, or 3 percent of staff. The...

It’s clear the market won’t hit new highs anytime soon. But before investors throw in the towel, it may be prudent to instead look at how great companies are acting today. Many are starting to invest with the future in mind. Some of these investments may be relatively small, but over time, they could prove transformative to the companies making them today. They could even ensure big growth for companies that already lead in their respective industries. Case in point?Microsoft (MSFT). The tech giant has a number of different businesses today. And now it’s working to integrate artifici...

The market selloff last year has led to a significant drop in prices for technology firms. While many of these companies have traded at high valuations in expectations of high growth, the selloff last year may have pushed a few companies with promising technologies into value territory. Investors who look at the top tech trends of the next decade can likely find some solid pockets of value today, even among large, established players. One trend is in artificial intelligence (AI). The concept is still in its early stages, but early AI programming is being used already to find opportun...

When one part of the market is hot, some names can soar far higher. But some companies may not go along for the ride. That can create a valuation mismatch, which may allow investors to earn a decent profit as overpriced companies in the sector see a relative decline. In the past year, only one sector has seen a strong move higher. That space is the energy sector. And it’s not entirely played out yet. Many energy stocks saw high-double or low-triple-digit gains in 2022. However, many big European oil majors did not. That’s created a relative value play for investors. For instance,Shel...

One way for investors and traders alike to make consistent profits is to simply follow trends. If a stock is going up, it may be worth buying for further gains. As long as you’re out by the time the trend ends, you can lock in some gains. Many see energy as a continued winner, given how energy stocks fared last year. But oil prices peaked last spring, and could fall with a slowing economy. Yet one commodity continues to quietly rise… That commodity is gold. The yellow metal is at a seven month high. And it only posted a slight loss for 2022, beating out stocks and bonds as an asset c...

There are many ways to play consumer trends. When the market pulls back and the economy slows, it may make sense to focus on companies that can offer users the best price available. However, companies that cater to luxury markets tend to face less of a slowdown. Even better, these companies tend to see their profit margins hold up, even as lower markets are in decline. A slow economy and a down market tends to make for a good time to invest in companies catering to higher-end consumers. That can even play out in the housing market.Toll Brothers (TOL), a homebuilder focusing on the lu...

In a volatile market, it may seem that no sector is safe. That’s especially true as both stocks and bonds sold off by double-digits last year. But other asset classes are more mixed. Commodities held up fairly well last year, and some specific plays look set to fare well into 2023 and possibly beyond. That’s because the rules of the commodity space can come down to supply and demand. Any change in those factors can lead to big prices swings. While investor focus in the commodity space is often on gold or oil, some of the best winning plays could come from elsewhere. One such place is...