The holiday season is underway, and already travel numbers are closing in on their 2019 record levels. While they likely won’t exceed that prior peak for 2021, 2022 could be a big winner. And companies in the transportation sector are set to continue to benefit. That’s being seen in the bottom line of companies as well, with many increasing their estimates for how they’ll perform financially this year. While rising fuel costs are a yellow flag, improving travel numbers bode well for airline firms. And for those that are cost-conscious, likeSouthwest Airlines (LUV), improving travel n...

The concept of the metaverse has been around for a while. However, the past few months have seen a few big names starting to shift into the space. There’s plenty of room for many companies to work in the space, whether in providing hardware, software, or ancillary services such as currencies. But one company that’s already dominating in one industry is looking to do the same in this new digital world. That company isMeta Platforms (FB), which was recently renamed from its better-known social media division, Facebook. In the past few weeks since the company announced it was changin...

Retail is a tough business, with low profit margins and cranky customers who expect a lot for the least amount of money. With the rise of a new Covid variant and high inflation rates, the space may not seem like the most attractive going into what’s usually the best few weeks of the year for retail companies. Fortunately, there are a number of safe-haven plays in the space, largely in big-box stores offering consistent and low prices for customers. With economic fears on the horizon, it’s hard to see many putting off investing in their homes. That may be why Oppenheimer Research stil...

Markets don’t just react to events, they over-react. That means that a stock in an uptrend may head far higher than expected in a rally. Or a stock that’s selling off may get too oversold as stop losses keep getting hit, setting off new waves of selling. Earnings season can sometimes cause some larger-than-expected moves in a stock if there’s a miss on either earnings or forward outlook. The latest example isDocuSign (DOCU). Shares dropped 42 percent in trading on Friday, after the company reported an earnings miss and lowered its forecast. The e-signature verification company has...

Market sentiment has shifted from bullish to mixed in the past week with the rise of the Omicron variant, inflation fears, and how the Fed might be acting too little, too late. However, even with those fears, some trends are still continuing no matter what short-term fears pop up. One of those trends is the growth of microchips in a variety of technologies. Rising uses still means a shortage now, but companies are rising to the occasion. Case in point?Marvell Technology (MRVL). The company reported better-than-expected earnings last week with earnings up 61 percent, and provided a st...

One of the top performing spaces to be in during the pandemic was in video conferencing services, withZoom Communications (ZM) being a clear winner. However, other companies offer services, including free services, that could provide a better offering for users amid the latest variant. One company getting into the space has a history of dominating in the top positions of every tech category it gets into. That company isMicrosoft (MSFT), and its Team program has already been a strong player. Now, the company is unveiling Teams Essentials, a new version designed for smaller businesses....

It’s no surprise why investors love tech stocks. Their ability to outperform the rest of the stock market can help boost portfolio returns and create life-changing wealth. But there’s a downside. Traders who buy at the wrong time and get caught up in short-term volatility sometimes have to deal with losses until the next move higher. That can be painful, at least in the short-term. The latest victims in the tech stock space have been investors inSalesforce.com (CRM). The company just reported earnings after the close of trade on Tuesday. Shares had already been falling but fell more ...

Most company executives want to leave at what they view as the top. Many aren’t fortunate in that regard. But those who succeed can also leave a company before building problems can come to the forefront, and potentially damage shareholder value. In the short-term, the market may give the thumbs-up to a leaving CEO by giving shares a boost on optimism the next CEO will fare better. That could be the case withTwitter (TWTR). CEO and co-founder Jack Dorsey announced his sudden departure on Monday, and the market liked the news. But social media companies are coming under scrutiny fr...

As a tech trend, quantum computing, a new and innovative way of processing information much more efficiently than traditional models, comes in and out of favor with investors. That hasn’t stopped a number of startup and old companies alike from working in the space. Yet one company that’s been a recent laggard in tech is now leading the way. And it could lead to a renewed surge in lackluster share prices. The company isInternational Business Machines (IBM). The tech giant best known for computer mainframes has built up a research division with 3,000 employees, and is making strides t...

The rise of metaverse networks has the potential to reshape how people interact with each other in digital realms. While a number of companies large and small are investing heavily in the space, a number of existing companies could stand to profit from making a partial pivot into the space. That includes existing media companies, but also hardware companies supplying the key tech to building out the metaverse. One such player for this potential “Web 3.0” universe is a key builder of the current Internet and its earlier versions. That includesCisco Systems (CSCO), a company that creat...