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...

In normal markets, news of a layoff can lead to a share price going higher. The market tends to interpret that as a company reducing headcount, especially if the company has been growing. Today, it may lead to a selloff, as traders may be concerned that the company is shrinking. But companies that are looking to streamline just parts of their business, particularly in its executive suites with cuts at the corporate level, can send a message that they’re concerned about costs. Apparel retailerThe Gap (GPS) is one company making such a move now. They’re eliminating 500 corporate jobs i...

The stock market will always be volatile. In today’s environment, big daily swings have been the norm. For investors who are using those swings to pick up quality companies at a reasonable price, they’ll be rewarded on top of any trading income as well. Right now, markets are fearful over a potential decline in corporate earnings. That’s already been the case for a few quarters, but high energy prices this year are causing higher prices in everything from electrical generation to shipping costs. The most recent company to warn on shipping costs has beenAutoZone (AZO). The automotive ...

Inflation continues to eat away at consumer’s purchasing power. And while it’s blindsided some investors, it’s also been tough to hedge right now. That’s because conventional hedges haven’t worked too well yet, as investors have gone through other alternatives first. However, gold is starting to look undervalued relative to other commodities. And it has a long history of holding up well compared to inflation, both expected and unexpected, over time. As gold prices look undervalued, so do prices for gold mining companies. These firms have been performing well operationally, but are do...

Inflation can be an insidious force, making investing a challenge. That’s because there are some areas where customers have to spend more due to inflation, whether they like it or not. Other businesses are more elastic, so higher prices can lead to a big drop in volume. Companies that have strong real demand now can likely perform well in the future as inflation starts to wane. The trick is in finding the right trend to track amid today’s high inflation. One trend gaining steam again is business travel. Largely shut down by the pandemic, it’s now coming back. Amid rapidly changing – ...