Some companies are cyclical. Others are not, having steady demand for their products. While the former can have bigger moves during the right part of the cycle, slow-and-steady players tend to reward investors well over time. Examples include defensive companies like consumer goods. In that orbit are a number of similar industries that tend to have steady demand, even in a slowing economy. One such space is the restaurant industry. Consumers tend to downshift on dining out before giving it up entirely. And while many may be skipping on going out altogether, pizza delivery tends to ha...

Consumers tend to find companies they like, and then stick with them. That allows successful consumer companies to build an ecosystem of products, including those that need to be upgraded every few years. Investors who target these companies in a market downturn can fare well thanks to lower prices. And they can also get in ahead of a new piece of consumer tech, which may give shares a quick lift higher. One consumer tech leader isSony Group (SONY). The electronics conglomerate has a number of high-margin items. The most promising for more revenue in the next year is its PlayStation ...

The economy is slowing. But it’s not ending. While some companies may have liquidity issues or lose market share in the coming months from a slowdown, great companies will build on their success to thrive in the next bull market ahead. Investors looking to go long today should consider industry-leading companies that have leading brands. These companies tend to get better pricing, and therefore better protection from inflation. And they tend to have higher profit margins. Those are the perfect trends to buy during a time when markets are moving down. One industry leader isNike (NK...

There are few surefire ways to profitably invest in the short-term. But investors who target companies whose shares are being rapidly bought by institutional investors can likely see a big win in a short amount of time. That’s because some companies become known as acquisition candidates well before an official announcement. And those who buy early can own shares ahead of a buyout. The return from such a trade may not be huge, but it will likely be more consistent than buying a non-target company. Right now, oil giantOccidental Petroleum (OXY) is seeing its shares being quietly ought...

Right now, the US dollar is rapidly appreciating against other currencies. International investors are moving to the dollar as a safe-haven, which is weakening other currencies. That also makes US exports more expensive on a relative basis, which tends to be bad news for multinational companies headquartered in the United States. However, not all trends last forever. And those who get into the trend at the right time can make big profits when the trend shifts. That’s particularly true when investing in multinational companies that offer a product or service with low production costs ...

The stock market is retesting its June lows. It may head lower, or it may bounce from here. While the data most likely suggests a push lower, we’re starting to see some companies get so oversold that they’re looking like attractive long-term buys amid this latest dip. Investors who buy now may have to deal with some volatility, but given the steep discounts to last year’s highs, it’s clear that buyers today can make big returns when markets get bullish again. Many chip plays are in oversold territory. They’re seeing demand growth despite a slowing economy. And they’re taking a beatin...

A number of companies are developing new and innovative technologies. While older companies may get overlooked during a bull market, many companies can use proven new technologies to improve their business lines. That’s why, while banking hasn’t fundamentally changed, the rise of ATMs has led to a decrease in tellers. And online banking has further reduced the need for a physical location for banking services. In retail,Walmart (WMT) has been an early adopter of technologies like RFID tags to keep a tight eye on inventory. Now, the company is joining the ranks of the metaverse. Th...

The market is a series of sectors. Investors who invest in the right sectors at the right time can capture a big part of the market’s performance. Those who pick the wrong sector risk being on the losing end of the market. And within a sector, there will be times when some companies fare better than others. That’s when it becomes a stock picker’s market.  Those who can navigate the challenge can make better returns, even in a sector that’s no longer completely going up. The energy market has become a stock picker’s market. That’s because oil prices have come back down, so the space a...

The world is in the grip of an energy crisis. Shortages in Europe could lead to brownouts this winter, or reduced energy available for things like home heating. In the meantime, the US faces a number of potential issues like wildfires, heat waves, and hurricanes, which can wreak havoc on the power grid. While improvements will continue over time, power interruptions are a way of life. And they could continue to be so for some time. A handful of companies are looking to benefit from this trend by providing a solution in the form of backup power generators. The leading name in the US i...

People need to move, no matter what the economy is doing. And many will move to areas with lower taxes, higher growth, and better job opportunities. That’s been playing out slowly over the past decade, with the pandemic causing a faster migration rate as many looked to move to lower-density areas. While that trend is slowing, it isn’t stopping. And companies that cater to this trend will likely continue to fare well in the years ahead. One company benefitting from this trend is rental and leasing service firmAmerco (UHAL). Best known for its U-Haul line of trucks and services, it’s t...