This year has been challenging for investors. A slowing economy and high inflation are creating a poor outlook for markets. Yet buying during challenging moments can be a solid time to invest. That’s particularly true when investors sell as soon as skies are clear. Many companies are facing challenges right now. But companies with a long operating history of succeeding in different environments should get through today’s troubles with ease… although it may take some time. One company struggling now isTarget (TGT). The “cheap chic” retailer has been cutting prices to clear inventory a...

Typically, it’s taken two quarters of negative GDP growth to officially mark a recession. By the time that’s announced, some short or shallow recessions are already over. We’ve seen two negative quarters so far this year, but many are looking to change the definition given the strong job market and other factors. As the definition of a recession seems to be changing, it might be a good idea to rethink the idea of a recession-resistant company. Those are typically firms that engage in safe, highly-regulated sectors. But some companies that aren’t in heavily regulated industries seem t...

The stock market trended down in the first half of the year. Then, starting in late June, investors enjoyed a summer rally. Given the continuing strength in the economy and high inflation numbers, it’s likely that stocks will trend down as interest rates continue to rise. However, some assets can see a move higher here. That’s specifically true with assets that moved higher in the first half of the year, then took a breather when stocks rallied. One standout asset to perform well as markets decline is oil. Crude prices spiked in the spring to nearly $120 per barrel, and today are aro...

Many companies are coming off of strong earnings reports from the past year. Those numbers were influenced by the prior year, where pandemic shutdowns made things look horrific. Now, with the added challenge of a slowing economy and high inflation, investors need to weed through those companies likely to lose market share amid current market conditions and those that can eke out a larger stake in their sector. As the retail space looks to condense, a few big box stores look like they’ll grab more market share. One potential big winner isCostco (COST). The warehouse club mostly breaks...

There’s an old saying that the Chinese character for “crisis” can also be interpreted as “opportunity.” That’s often the case in the stock market, where a big selloff can lead investors to years of profits relatively quickly when the fears fade and prices rebound. Right now, some tech stocks are getting hit hard on news that the US government is limiting chip exports to China. That can have an impact on a number of companies, but two look to be hit the hardest. One of those chipmakerAdvanced Micro Devices (AMD). AMD notes that the ban doesn’t appear to impact their current exports, y...

Some companies lead their sectors to new areas of growth. Others may hold back, to determine where the best prospect for growth is right now. Both can have their merits, if successful. A handful of today’s top tech trends should benefit all companies. That includes the rollout of the 5G network, the ongoing growth of electric vehicles, and the digitization of the economy. In the EV space, the past few years has seen a big shift by traditional automakers into the EV space. The latest to make the move isToyota Motors (TM). The automaker has been the leading producer of hybrid vehicl...

Typically, the fall season isn’t good for the stock market. Much like a harvest season, it’s a time for reaping, not sowing. But in some parts of the economy, the fall can be a favorite time of year. Why? Because the pumpkin spice must flow. A favorite flavor of the fall season, pumpkin-themed flavoring in a variety of foods and beverages has exploded in recent years. That tends to bode well for the bottom line for a number of companies. The most obvious beneficiary isStarbucks (SBUX). The coffee chain has decided to release its fall flavors this week, well before the calendar hits a...

Inflation is still running hot. While that may change in the coming months, it will still take a long time to get back to a pre-pandemic level. Investors who are mindful of inflation know that they have a few ways to protect their wealth. One way is with commodities. These are physical goods that have a real use as the building blocks of the economy, in everything from construction to food to energy. While demand for these goods may decline in a recession, they always have an underlying value. And with improving technologies, they can find new ways to be used. Right now, high ener...

Investors expecting a turnaround in stocks this fall just had their hopes dashed. But investors who continue to stick with companies with great long-term potential can fare well. In today’s environment, companies that play to a defensive nature – where consumers tend to spend no matter how the economy performs—offer good returns relative to today’s risks. Investing in these companies now, with share prices down, can offer moderate gains with less potential downside going forward. One traditional place where investors can be defensive is with telecom companies. Right now, the rollout ...

It’s a challenging market, but a few themes have been playing out in recent weeks. Great companies are holding up better than lower-quality ones in the same industry. And even with all the uncertainty out there right now, investors are willing to buy great companies well off of last year’s highs. That theme is playing out this earnings season. Companies that have been reporting poor numbers may be selling of, but investors have been swooping in to buy. One such players is graphics processing giantNvidia (NVDA). The company’s quarterly numbers came in poorly – but the company provided...