With so many new technologies unfolding today, big data is sometimes lost in the shuffle. But by using algorithms and artificial intelligence data can be processed in different ways, sometimes yielding different solutions to problems or a new view of data than human intelligence can provide. That has the potential to make huge changes to society. But it’s a story that’s somewhat out of favor right now. Consider the case ofPalantir Technologies (PLTR). The company beat on sales in its most recent earnings report, and revenue is up 49 percent over the past year, but its outlook came in...

Cryptocurrencies are trending higher, with Bitcoin and Ethereum hitting new all-time highs in the past week. One beneficiary from this trend has been any company that either facilitates crypto trading or holds cryptocurrencies. There’s now a short-term buying opportunity inCoinbase (COIN), the brokerage that went public when Bitcoin first peaked earlier this year. The company’s latest earnings showed last quarter’s slowdown, and user growth was lackluster, so shares are dropping. Revenue came in at $1.3 billion instead of $1.6 billion, and earnings hit $1.62 against expectations of $...

Earnings season can give a snapshot into how a company is doing. It can also give a view into how traders view a company’s prospects based on one-time events that may not have a massive bearing over the long haul. Case in point?PayPal (PYPL). The company reported earnings after the market close Monday, and the headline numbers were pretty solid. Shares dropped anyway. Shares of the payment giant are now slightly down for the year, having slid nearly 20 percent in the past three months alone. That’s in spite of a 13 percent rise in revenue and the company’s big growth in its Venmo div...

Typically, investors love companies with a strong brand, a loyal following, a recurring revenue model, and improving key metrics. In the streaming space, a number of companies have created tremendous value for shareholders over the years by better monetizing their intellectual property. Many of these companies trade at a high valuation, but one firm looks like a relative value not only in the sector, but in today’s market overall. That company isViacomCBS (VIAC). The merger between the two companies was completed just before the start of the pandemic. And while shares are higher sinc...

There are plenty of big picture tech ideas for investors in the years ahead. With many investors looking for the next big play in electric vehicles, biotech, space tourism, or the like, a number of existing areas in the tech space are attractively priced and capable of bigger growth. One such area? Smartphones. While 5G is all the rage, the increasing use of smartphones in general is fueling plenty of opportunities for investors to profit from.Qualcomm (QCOM) showed this trend at work perfectly. The company reported better-than-expected results thanks to strong smartphone demand, with r...

This week, global leaders flew in private jets and extensive motorcades to meet regarding the climate and how greenhouse gas emissions could be curbed. The meeting occurred as oil prices globally hovered near a seven-year high with no sign of abating. Those high prices are starting to show up positively for traditional hydrocarbon companies as well. Any stock that has an oil or gas well has been a strong performer in recent months. The latest winner is ConocoPhillips (COP). The company handily beat on earnings, hitting $1.77 per share against expectations of $1.50. The international ...

Every company navigates earnings season a bit differently, no matter what sector they’re in. However, few companies report on the weekend. One exception?Berkshire Hathaway (BRK-B). The company reports this Saturday. A likely economic rebound in many of the company’s fully-owned subsidiaries, appreciating stock portfolio, and share buybacks point to some big profits ahead. Going forward, the mix of improving earnings and reduced share could should continue to drive shares higher. Already, estimates are for a 32 percent rise in operating earnings, thanks to an economic rebound and bigg...

Last year, retail traders piled into shares ofHertz Global (HTZZ) as the company was still in bankruptcy. With the company largely in limbo due to the pandemic’s uncertainty regarding business and leisure travel, the notion of investors buying in seemed ridiculous. But those investors are having the last laugh. They pushed the share price higher, allowed the company to issue more shares and pay down debt, and now the world is facing a shortage of cars rather than a surplus. Last week, the car rental agency even announced that it was planning on buying 100,000 vehicles fromTesla Motor...

A number of companies have been warning this earnings season about potential supply chain shortages. While many retailers may see some partially bare shelves, those that have embraced a different business model are faring just fine. One such company isOverstock (OSTK). The company is an online-retailer. Its business model involves acquiring and selling inventory that other retailers have already tried to sell, although today it also carries new items. While many were expecting retail to struggle, the company’s most recent financials show only a 4 prevent drop in revenue compared to a...

Studies have shown that as much as half of an investor’s total return over a lifetime can come from receiving and reinvesting dividends. Combined with the timing of a trader, investors who buy into out-of-favor income stocks can lock in relatively high yields and see further capital gains. The pandemic caused a number of companies to reduce or even cut dividends entirely. Some have brought them back, some haven’t. The overall result? A fewer number of companies defined as dividend aristocrats. Investors should target this rare group, as they represent companies that have an unparalle...