The big market rally of the past few weeks will likely slow down into the final weeks of the year. And we may see a pullback at the start of 2024. Rising interest rates may finally scare investors away from growth stocks in general. The good news? As long as a company can report strong growth, its shares should be able to rise, even in a bear market or under a slowing economy. Investors looking for growth should look for companies that are posting strong numbers in their most recent earnings. And for companies that can continue to grow partnerships that will lead to more revenues dow...

It’s no secret that artificial intelligence has been the top investment trend of the past year. And that it’s helped big-name tech companies soar higher. In turn, that’s helped the overall market recover sharply from the 2022 bear market. With all of the focus on those big names, many smaller players in the AI space still look like a bargain now. They may have also had a great run this year, but their small market cap makes them better long-term growth plays. One such AI name isC3.ai (AI). The AI application development company has inked a number of major deals to provide software se...

The economy may be showing some signs of a slowdown, but consumers continue to break out their wallets for unique and memorable experiences. That’s in contrast to the pandemic, which featured a focus on buying needed or wanted goods. Consequently, investors likely still have upside as long as consumers are looking to spend on experiences. That can include anything from travel to catching a tour, to enjoying live sports. Related experiences, such as gambling on sports, also remain popular. That’s helpedPENN Entertainment (PENN) nab an upgrade now. Besides owning online sports betting,...

Earnings season is winding down, following the statements from many big-name companies. But a company that’s been trending higher, combined with strong earnings, can trend even higher. Add in the high likelihood of a seasonal rally, and investors should target these companies to find a winner. The power of seasonality, stock momentum, and improving fundamentals from earnings is hard to argue against, even for a stock making a new 52-week high. One compelling opportunity now isRoss Stores (ROST). The discount retailer reported better-than-expected earnings last week, which sent shares...

Every year, a few former market darlings can’t seem to catch a break. The shares get hit hard. And business slows down, leading to a massive price and valuation compression. After a while, however, the market finds new stocks to dislike, and what’s hated can start on the path to becoming loved again. This can happen to any stock in any sector. Often, it happens to an industry leader that gets passed up by a new leader, even if they’re still a strong business. The market is starting to show some love forIntel Corporation (INTC). The chipmaker was once the industry leader, but has long...

Just as the autumn months are weak for the market, the final few weeks of the year tend to bode well for stocks. They tend to fare best for retailers, amid the rush of the holiday season. December has historically made the difference for a retailer earning a profit for the year or not. Many retailers are starting to come heavily off their lows, but have more upside ahead through the holiday season. That’s especially true for the most beaten-down companies. Among the big-box retailers,Target (TGT) has been hit the hardest. Yet in their most recent earnings, the company fared better th...

Markets often start to create narratives about different sectors. That can lead to some sectors flying high on hope, while others start to trade out of favor. This year has seen semiconductor stocks rally thanks to the rollout of new AI technologies. Other sectors have fared differently. Interest-rate sensitive stocks like utilities and telecoms have taken a hit. Media stocks have been out of favor. And so have many retailers, as consumers have focused more on experiences than buying goods. However, that trend isn’t entirely dead yet. While sales slowed atHome Depot (HD), the home im...

Wall Street is dominated with short-term thinking. Daily market moves and quarterly earnings reports can cause companies to make all sorts of moves that help the share price in the short-term, but not the long-run. That’s why investors should focus on companies that can deliver great returns over the long-term. That avoids much short-term uncertainty that tends to dominate markets. And it’s why long-term investors should be willing to pay up for a stake in industry leaders. One industry leader isExxonMobil (XOM). The energy giant is expanding its operations in the natural gas space. ...

The past few years have seen soaring wages due to strong worker demand. Today, some workforces are pushing wages higher following the latest bout of inflation. While wins for workers sound bad for companies in the short-term, there’s a long-term benefit. Happy workers are more likely to stick around. That lowers the costs of hiring new employees. And a happier workforce is one that can be more productive and attentive to protecting a company’s brand. Recent pay deals include workers in Las Vegas. The news didn’t helpWynn Resorts (WYNN) when the casino operator reported earnings last ...

High interest rates have led to a standstill in the housing market. And it’s also led to car payments soaring, which in turn has reduced activity there. More parts of the economy could likewise freeze up as interest rates stay higher for longer. However, while some areas freeze up, opportunities can emerge in other parts of the market. Investors who lean into those trends now can likely see solid returns, even as other places continue to trend lower. For instance,Copart (CPRT), an auctioneer of salvaged vehicles, is able to obtain cars at a low price. Those can be sold off for parts,...