Stock Watch Lists

3 Oil Stocks w/ Dividends & Upside to Buy and Hold Now!

Today, we’ll look at stocks representing firms in the oil/natural gas sector. These businesses locate, extract, process, and provide the economy with oil, natural gas, and NGLs (natural gas liquids). The worth of their undeveloped oil and gas reserves contributes significantly to their overall value. Oil has seen some good runs on the stock exchange recently. Companies have continued to invest in supply, and even with the transition to electric vehicles, daily usage levels will likely remain stable for many years. 

As offshore production increases, the industry shift tells us that oilfield services businesses can make for ideal long-term growth bets. U.S. oil corporations continue to practice caution with their financial resources. They understandably fear a price drop similar to the one that occurred between mid-2014 and 2016, which led several oil producers and others in the industry to declare bankruptcy. However, worries fade as drillers and service providers make larger in-house investments. Several of these oil companies will proceed with their projects and are likely to see success despite volatility in commodity prices. Let’s not forget, either, that these firms tend to offer robust quarterly dividend payouts. 

Let’s look at three oil stocks that I like right now. I picked these from the pack while looking for strong earnings, growth, sustainability, and analyst sentiment— they’re telling us to buy: 

EOG Resources Inc. (EOG) 

EOG Resources, Inc. (EOG) is an American energy company engaged in oil exploration. EOG operates in Delaware and is headquartered in the Heritage Plaza building in Houston, TX. EOG is well-ranked on the Fortune 500 and on the Forbes Global 2000. EOG was founded in 1999 by Mark G. Papa. Nearing the bottom of its 52-week range and down by 11.73% YTD, EOG has a market cap of $67.2 billion. EOG shows TTM revenue of $25.6 billion at $13.21 per share, from which it profited $7.8 billion through its 30.28% net margin. EOG has a P/E ratio of 7.14x, most recently beating analysts’ EPS and revenue projections by 8.08% and 14.83%, respectively. EOG boasts year-over-year growth in EPS (+414.93%), net income (+418.72%), and profit margin (+528.35%). EOG presently has a dividend yield of 2.89%, with a quarterly payout of 83 cents ($3.30/yr) per share. With a 10-day average trading volume of 3.48 million shares, EOG has a median price target of $146, with a high of $171 and a low of $115. This represents a potential price increase of almost 50%; the analyst consensus gives EOG 27 buy ratings and 6 hold ratings.

BP PLC (BP) 

BP plc (BP) is a multinational oil and gas company. BP is regarded as one of the oil “supermajors” and is one of the world’s largest companies measured by revenues and profits. BP was founded on April 14th, 1909, in London, United Kingdom, by William Knox D’Arcy and Charles Greenway, and it is headquartered in London, U.K. BP stock is currently up YTD by 5.98%; it has a market cap of $108 billion, an enterprise value of $140 billion, and a safe beta score of 0.73. BP reports a TTM revenue of $248 billion at $8.40 per share, offering an ROE (return on equity) percentage of 38.67%. BP has a P/E ratio of 20.63x, a forward P/E of 6x, a P/S (price to sales) ratio of 0.48x, and a P/B (price to book) of 1.60x. At its last earnings call, BP surpassed analysts’ EPS projection by a 17.55% margin and shows year-over-year growth in revenue (+14.27%), EPS (+193.27%), net income (+140.32%), and profit margin (+135.28%). BP has a dividend yield of 4.28%, with a quarterly payout of 40 cents ($1.60/yr) per share. With a 10-day average volume of 10.27 million shares, BP has been assigned a median price target of $45.61, with a high of $74.76 and a low of $40, representing a potential 102% price jump. BP has 19 buy ratings and 12 hold ratings.

Schlumberger NV (SLB) 

Schlumberger Ltd. (SLB) is an oilfield services company. As of 2022, SLB was noted as the world’s largest offshore drilling company and the world’s largest offshore drilling contractor by revenue. SLB was founded in 1926 in Paris, France, by the Schlumberger brothers Conrad and Marcel, and is currently headquartered in Houston, TX. SLB, considered undervalued by some on Wall Street, is currently down by 12.81% YTD. SLB has a market cap of around $70 billion and an enterprise value of $81.3 billion. SLB shows $29.8 billion in TTM revenue at $2.68 per share, making a $3.4 billion profit with a net margin of 12.21%. SLB has a P/E ratio of 18.5x, a forward P/E of 16.5x, and a PEG ratio of 1.12x. SLB has had success with its earnings reports, most recently surpassing analysts’ projections for EPS and revenue by 3.67% and 3.76%, respectively— the quarter prior, by margins of 4.90% and 1.17%. SLB has an operating free cash flow of $3.92 billion and a 10-day average trading volume of 9.27 million shares. SLB has a dividend yield of 2.15%, with a quarterly payout of 25 cents ($1.00/yr) per share. SLB has a median price target of $65, with a high of $75 and a low of $49, representing a potential price increase of 61%. Analysts are bullish on this one; SLB has 30 buy ratings and 2 hold ratings.

– Adam @ Wall St. Watchdogs

Three Promising Biotech Stocks to Watch for Rapid Growth

Biotech, defined as using technology to change, manipulate, and harness biological processes to fulfill a medical need, has vast and diverse applications ranging from genetically modifying foods to creating vaccines. Despite being a relatively new industry, biotech has rapidly evolved into one of healthcare’s most innovative and important sectors. Generally speaking, biotech stocks offer investors an excellent opportunity for significant upside success. Grand View Research reports that the global market size for the industry was $1.02 trillion in 2021, and it is expected to grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 13.9% from 2022 to 2030, reaching $3.88 trillion by the end of the forecasted period.

While biotech stocks saw a dip earlier this year due to market uncertainties, the sector is once again regaining popularity as investors seek out growth opportunities. With renewed optimism in the market, there’s no better time to explore the potential of investing in biotech.

In this watchlist, we focus on highlighting three biotech stocks that, for various reasons, offer a compelling narrative for investors. Although the sector can be volatile, careful analysis of the biotech industry can help investors find promising opportunities. So, let’s take a closer look at some of the most exciting and promising biotech stocks to buy.

CRISPR Therapeutics (CRSP)

CRISPR Therapeutics is a leading gene editing company on the brink of commercializing the first-ever CRISPR gene therapy this year. The therapy will act as a functional cure for sickle cell disease and beta-thalassemia, with a high probability of success. As such, the risk/reward scenario for the stock is attractive, considering the potential for a transformational year ahead.

On April 3, the company announced that it had completed the rolling biologics license applications (BLAs) to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The BLAs seek to gain approval for the investigational treatment exagamglogene autotemcel in order to treat sickle cell disease and transfusion-dependent beta-thalassemia.

CRSP is up 23% year to date and has an average price target of $84.19 among all 26 analysts with coverage of the stock. That implies an upside of about 67%. Shares rose this week by about 12% as a result of a more than 60,000 share purchase by Cathie Wood’s ARK Invest.

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Kymera Therapeutics (KYMR)

Kymera Therapeutics is a promising example of a biotech stock worth considering, with the market showing faith in its potential. KYMR’s share price has gained over 25% since the start of the year.

Zooming out, KYMR has lost 17% of its value over the past 12 months, but it has been forming a series of higher lows since June of last year. Moreover, the company enjoys a strong balance sheet, with a cash-to-debt ratio of 23.49 times and an equity-to-asset ratio of 0.81 times, both of which outperform the majority of its peers.

Analysts have a consensus moderate buy rating on KYMR, with an average price target of $58, suggesting an upside potential of almost 87%.

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Axsome Therapeutics (AXSM)

Axsome Therapeutics has two approved drugs on the market. Sunosi, a dopamine-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor and the only one of its kind to treat narcolepsy, and Auvelity, a fast-acting oral treatment for depression, also the first of its kind. The latter launched in October and is being evaluated to treat agitation in people with Alzheimer’s disease and to help people quit smoking. For the treatment of central nervous system disorders and two others, it plans to submit for FDA approval this year.

Share price sank more than 10% last month following the release of disappointing fourth-quarter earnings. The company incurred an adjusted loss of $1.28 per share and generated $24.4 million in revenues. Spending was up 227% year over year. But this increase was due to higher commercial activities for Sunosi and Auvelity, including sales force onboarding and marketing spending, which should pay off in the coming quarters.

Other potential tailwinds include Axsome’s two other drugs — AXS-07 for treating migraines and AXS-14 for fibromyalgia — that it plans to submit for FDA approval this year.

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Weekly Radar: Our Top Picks for The Coming Week

Despite Friday’s rally, The major indices posted modest weekly declines following less than inspiring comments from Fed Chair Jerome Powell regarding the course of interest rate hikes.  The S&P 500 and the Dow fell roughly 1% and the Nasdaq was essentially flat.   Although stocks made sizable daily movements in the latest week, they’ve traded in a relatively narrow range since early April.

With around 85% of S&P 500 companies having reported first-quarter results so far, key metrics this earnings season have come in better than their one-year averages, according to FactSet. The research firm also reports that the overall earnings outlook for full-year 2023 has improved in recent weeks. In the coming days we can expect earnings from PayPal, Airbnb, Disney, Electronic Arts, and automakers Toyota and Honda, among others.

Market participants will also be tuned in for the Consumer Price Index (CPI) report scheduled to be released on Wednesday to find out whether the recent moderation in inflation extended into April. In March, inflation fell to a 5.0% annual rate from 6.0% the previous month, bringing inflation to the lowest level in nearly two years. 

For anyone looking to stay ahead of the curve when it comes to investments our weekly stock watchlist is the perfect way to do just that. Our team of expert analysts scours the market to bring you the three top stocks that you need to be watching in the coming week. Don’t miss this week’s picks – click this link to access our latest watchlist now!

2022’s energy sector  tailwinds will be almost impossible to replicate. Still, certain sparks – including China’s reopening, continued conflict in Ukraine and possibility of  more surprise output cut announcements from OPEC+ – could sustain a floor under oil prices.  While the odds are against energy repeating as the S&P leader this year, there is reason to believe energy still has more gas in the tank.  Our first recommendation lets you profit from energy sector tailwinds without having to pick individual stocks.

Energy Select Sector SPDR Fund (XLE)

The Energy Select Sector SPDR Fund is the largest energy ETF on the market by far. At $38 billion, XLE has roughly 5x as much in assets under management than No. 2, the Vanguard Energy ETF (VDE) ~$8 billion in assets under management.

XLE, which will celebrate its 25th birthday next December, is pretty cut-and-dry.  It’s a collection of the energy-sector stocks found within the S&P 500.  In other words, you’re getting a concentrated heap of big, blue-chip, U.S.-based oil-and-gas exposure.  The fund is weighted by market cap, which means the bigger the stock, the larger the stake.  Currently its positions in Exxon Mobil (XOM) and Chevron (CVX) combined account for well over 40% of XLE’s assets.  So if concentration is a concern, a different strategy may be more appropriate.   The fund has a desirable 0.10% expense ratio and offers a 3.8% dividend yield.  

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LPL Financial Holdings (LPLA) 

San Diego-based independent investment advisory LPL Financial generates revenue through a small percentage of the fees and commissions of the 21,000 financial advisors using its technology. In other words, it makes a little from a lot of advisors. 

In the first quarter LPL added $21 billion in net new assets, an annualized organic growth rate of 7.5%.  Additionally, it recently made two strategic acquisitions for around $150 million, providing a sizeable boost to the number of advisors using its products and services.  As of March 31, 2023, LPL Financial’s total brokerage and advisory assets were $1,175.2 billion.The current consensus among 15 polled analysts is to Buy LPLA, with no  recommendations in the group.  A median price target of $242.50 leaves room for a 27% upside.

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Microvast Holdings, Inc. (MVST)

Headquartered in Stafford, Texas, Microvast Holdings, Inc. designs, develops, and manufactures various Li-ion battery solutions for electric vehicles and energy storage systems. The company’s continued focus on R&D and technology investments offers improved battery performance at highly competitive prices. Microvast’s MV-C Gen 4 high-energy lithium-ion battery packs have been specifically designed for commercial vehicle applications, offering a high energy density of 53.5Ah, a long cycle life of 5,000+ cycles, and a modular pack design for easy installation. 

Microvast’s high-performance battery technologies provide the required high energy density, enabling us to deliver the high power and performance our industrial vehicles require to move heavy loads and perform demanding industrial applications,” explained Sven Woyciniuk, Head of Electrical Engineering at MAFI & TREPEL.  

Analysts are only starting to take notice of MVST, with only two covering the stock. Nonetheless, both analysts see the stock as a Strong Buy and see a median increase of nearly 600% over the next twelve months. Microvast is a speculative play and may not be for everyone. Investors with a high tolerance for risk may want to consider this ticker for potential 6x gains.     

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Three Mining Stocks w/ Upside Potential & Dividends

Today, investors could find success in buying stocks in the mining industry, given not only recent market behavior but the fact that we will never have a problem with a demand for energy— it has been and will remain a potent force on our stock exchange, some of them very profitable. For this list, I looked through a lot of individual mining stocks. Gold excites me too, for instance, and I’ll probably be taking a look at gold very soon. I found some favorites in the coal mining industry, so I thought I’d embrace coal in particular. With further research, I was a little surprised to learn there are still great opportunities in coal. Having been a crucial energy resource and vital to the economy throughout our country’s history, the U.S. still relies on coal as an energy source today, and more so than one would think. 

Coal is, in ways, the most important energy source for creating and powering electricity, utilizing iron and steel, and cement on a global scale, making it a focal point in matters concerning not only climate change but energy in general. Additionally, it produces the most carbon dioxide emissions of any major energy source. While are climate and energy goals are firmly in place, numerous countries have increased their reliance on coal as a result of the continuing energy crisis. Why? Well, it’s reliable. It stands to reason, then, that its stock would be performing well, and that it would be considered naturally stable. That just happens to be the case in this instance. 

That said, join me while I break down the three mining stocks I like best, accounting for overall performance. The analysts agree, and are telling us to buy these timely tickers: 

CONSOL Energy Inc (CEIX) 

Founded in 1894 and presently headquartered in Canonsburg, PA, CONSOL Energy Inc. (CEIX) is a global miner of bituminous coal, and is responsible for the extraction, preparation, and marketing of said coal to manufacturers and refineries. CEIX has a market cap of $2.04 billion, while its stock is down -6.52% YTD. CEIX has trailing-twelve month revenue of $2.3 billion at an EPS of $13.05, from which it profited $467 million, with a 25.34% margin. CEIX has a P/E of 4.57x, a forward P/E of 2.76x, showing YOY revenue and EPS growth of +80.10% and +64.50%, respectively. CEIX has a dividend yield of 7.38%, with a quarterly payout of $1.10 ($4.40/yr) per share. Analysts give CEIX a median price target of $80, with a high of $84 and a low of $75. With even its low point representing upside, the median indicates a +31.67% jump from its current price. Analysts are uncontested in their buy rating for CEIX

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Teck Resources Ltd (TECK) 

Teck Resources Ltd. (TECK) explores Asia, North America, and Europe in search of natural resources, which it also produces. TECK‘s output consists of steelmaking coal, along with copper, lead, silver, chemicals, fertilizers, and more. TECK was established in Vancouver in 1913. TECK looks to be one of the safer, stabler options among its peers, with a P/E of 7.75x, a P/S (price to sales) ratio of 1.83x, trailing twelve month revenue of $17.3 billion, profiting $4.09 billion with a net margin of 23.50%. TECK boasts operating cash flow of $8 billion, and levered free cash flow of $845 million. TECK has a dividend yield of 0.85% yield, with a quarterly payout of 9 cents ($0.36/yr) per share. Analysts have tagged TECK with a median price target of $49.51, with a high of $55.38 and a low of $42. This represents upside potential of 30% over TECK’s most recent price, and analysts are in agreement regarding its buy rating

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Ramaco Resources Inc (METC) 

Ramaco Resources, Inc. (METC) is in the business of selling, developing, and operating metallurgical coal, servicing the U.S. primarily. METC was founded in 2015 and is headquartered in Lexington, KY. METC’s stock has performed pretty well when taking into account that it’s down YTD, at the very bottom of its 52-week range. METC has a market cap of roughly $378 million, a beta score of 1.11, a P/E ratio of 3.25x, and a forward P/E of 2.56x. With a return on equity margin of 44.61%, METC reports about $565 million in TTM revenuealmost $200 million more than its valuation—at $2.59 per share, from which it profited $116 million with a net profit margin of 20.51%. METC has a dividend yield of 5.88%, with a quarterly payout of 12 cents ($0.48/yr) per share. METC shows forecasted 5-year EPS growth of +35.23%, and has a median price target of $12, with a high of $13 and a low of $10. This represents a potential price upside of anywhere from 39% to 51% for METC, and its robust buy rating has earned our attention.

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Special Report: Three Very Bright Gold Stocks to Buy Now and Hold!

Gold is one of the first known forms of currency and has long been a reputable asset. It has its believers and skeptics among investors, but few would argue against its worth in the overall market, where it acts as a store of value unlike any other asset. No matter your stance on the precious metal, experts agree that gold equities can always add value to a diverse portfolio. Exactly how good of an inflation hedge is gold? That’s debatable, but its consistency in value and overall stability certainly can’t be denied. 

Buying and keeping actual gold is a difficult and costly endeavor. For this reason, diversifying into gold stocks is a smart move for individual investors who want exposure to the market. Strong fundamentals and excellent value are indicators of the finest gold stocks, which is what we always try to focus on when looking at precious metals (or any type of investment opportunity, for that matter). It’s helpful when our favorite gold tickers pay dividends, too, because the payouts are usually pretty consistent. 

For today’s purposes, I’m looking at gold stocks that, whether engaging more in mining or royalties, are up YTD (some recently hitting 52-week highs) while still boasting upside potential, decent dividends, and strong analyst sentiment. Let’s have a look: 

Osisko Gold Royalties Ltd (OR) 

Osisko Gold Royalties Ltd. (OR) focuses on acquiring, mining, and exploring a variety of precious metals, as well as dealing in gold royalties and streaming. OR has a stake in the Malartic mine in Canada. Montreal, Canada, was the birthplace of OR on April 29th, 2014. OR is up YTD by 45.69%, yet still shows a price upside to be had and a 0.65 beta score. OR has a market cap of just over $3 billion and shows TTM revenue of $217 million at $0.35 per share, profiting $149 million via a 68.74% net margin. OR shows very positive YOY growth in revenue (+22.18%), EPS (+192.31%), net income (+205.78%), and net profit margin (+186.56%). For its last two earnings reports, OR exceeded analysts’ EPS projections by wide margins— most recently by 45.75% and by 49.55% the quarter prior. OR has a dividend yield of 0.94%, with a quarterly payout of 5 cents ($0.20/yr) per share. With a 10-day average trading volume of 1.03 million shares, OR has a median price target of $20.06, with a high of $22.33 and a low of $14, representing a potential 27% jump from its current pricing. Analysts also give OR 11 buy ratings and one hold rating.

OR (Year-to-Date)

Franco-Nevada Corp (FNV) 

Franco-Nevada Corporation (FNV) is a Canadian mining, royalty, and streaming firm situated in Toronto, Ontario. FNV was founded in 1986. FNV has a broad portfolio of cash-flow-generating assets centered on the gold industry. The New York Stock Exchange and the Toronto Stock Exchange both host stock trading for FNV, which is currently up YTD by 16.07%. FNV, which recently hit a new 52-week high, boasts a 0.29 beta and a market cap nearing $30 billion. FNV has a TTM revenue of $1.71 billion, from which it made $1.14 billion in net income at an EPS of $3.64 per share. For the current quarter, FNV is forecasted to show $336.1 million in sales at 91 cents per share. With a 10-day average trading volume of 543,000+ shares, FNV shows quarterly EPS and revenue growth of 15.06% and 21.65%, respectively. FNV has an annual dividend yield of 0.87%, with a quarterly payout of 35 cents ($1.40/yr) per share. FNV has a median price target of $162.50, with a high of $190 and a low of $127. The high end of this range would represent an almost 20% upside, and analysts are a little split; FNV has 6 buy ratings and 4 hold ratings.

FNV (Year-to-Date) 

Newmont Corporation (NEM) 

Newmont Corporation (NEM) is a well-regarded American gold mining firm. NEM mines more gold than any other mine in the world. NEM has successfully operated gold mines in a large number of countries spanning the globe. William Thompson founded NEM in 1921, and it is based in Denver, Colorado. NEM 

isn’t on quite the rally its peers on this list seem to be on and sits at the bottom half of its 52-week range, but the stock is up YTD by 4.66%. While it’s considered undervalued, it comes with an attractive 0.35 beta figure, a market cap of over $39 billion, a forward P/E (price to earnings) ratio of 21.89x, a D/E (debt to equity) percentage of 31.58%, and TTM revenue of $11.57 billion. NEM most recently surpassed Wall Street analysts’ EPS projection by a 24.80% margin and shows $3 billion in operating free cash flow. NEM is forecasted to post $3 billion in sales for the present quarter, with an EPS of $0.53 per share. NEM has an annual dividend yield of 3.24% and a quarterly payout of 40 cents ($1.60/yr) per share. With a 10-day average trading volume of 6.97 million shares, NEM has been assigned a median price target of $60, with a high of $69.31 and a low of $42.61. The high mark of this price range would give NEM a more than 40% price leap, and analysts seem to agree that it is a ticker we should probably already own— hence, perhaps, NEM’s 12 buy ratings and 9 hold ratings.

NEM (Year-to-Date)

Three Stocks to Avoid or Sell Next Week

Seeking out great stocks to buy is important, but identifying quality investments is only half the battle.  Many would say it’s just as essential for investors to know which stocks to steer clear of.  A losing stock can eat away at your precious long-term returns.  By taking a proactive approach to avoiding losing stocks, you can set yourself up for greater success in your investing journey.

Even the best gardens need pruning and our team has spotted a few stocks that seem like prime candidates for selling or avoiding.  Read on to find out why we believe these particular stocks are poor investment choices and learn how to apply our analysis to your own portfolio management strategy…

Meta Materials (MMAT) 

Semiconductor company Meta Materials develops and produces functional materials and nanocomposites, particularly in lithium battery materials.  The micro-cap company is losing far more money than it’s bringing in.  In the fourth quarter MMAT reported revenues of $1.4 million and operating expenses of $24.8 million. The company posted a net earnings loss of $79.1 million for the entire year.

Not to mention, the company is  embroiled in litigation on accusations of involvement in “spoofing, naked short selling, market manipulation, and fraud.” Meta Materials share price is down 81% this year, falling to less than 25 cents per share.

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Gap Inc. (GAP)

Interest rates in America are now at their highest level in 16 years. While higher rates might tame inflation in the long run, they are likely to slow the economy in the near term and negatively impact certain areas of the market.  Clothing retailers such as Gap Inc. tend to suffer when consumers cut back on discretionary spending.  This reality has been reflected in Gap’s earnings performance, which have disappointed over multiple quarters. The current high-interest rate climate has proven to be a double whammy for The Gap, coming on the heels of two years of pandemic restrictions at its stores.

The retailer is likely to continue struggling while rates remain high and consumers tighten their purse strings. Slowing sales and poor financial results, coupled with pressure from higher interest rates have pushed GPS stock 32% lower in the last year. The company’s share price is now down nearly 70% over the past five years.  The current consensus among 20 polled analysts is to Hold Gap shares.  

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Fisker (FSR)

Fisker remains committed to following through with delivery of 5,000 of its award-winning debut model, the Fisker Ocean, by September despite serious production headwinds.  A primary supplier to Fisker, Magna International, has significant supply chain problems that will increase the cost of production.  Obviously the company can’t pass those costs on to customers who’ve already reserved their vehicles.  Instead the EV maker will have to eat those costs, which will cut into crucial revenue from its first real production run.  At one point, Fisker looked like a potential leader in the EV race, now it seems like another stock to get rid of while you can. 

FSR is one of the most heavily shorted stocks today.  Short interest on the stock increased by 12% to 68 million shares from March 31 to April 14, FactSet data shows. That’s nearly 40% of Fisker’s free float of shares, or the stock available for trading.

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Three Lithium Stocks to Supercharge Your Long-Term Returns

After a tough few months, lithium — a crucial element in electric vehicle batteries— is back in focus as prices rebound.

Lithium futures on the LME were down over 45% year-to-date by the end of April and well off their record highs seen in late 2022. But this week, however, lithium prices started to bounce back for the first weekly increase since November 2022. Battery-grade lithium carbonate prices in China rose around 10% on the week, according to Refinitiv data.

Though falling spot prices have raised red flags for investors over the long-term outlook of lithium miners, analysts believe spot prices will rise again as we get closer to the end of the year. “We expect pricing to find a bottom through the course of 2023 on the back of strong demand,” said Reg Spencer of Canaccord Genuity.

In the long run, the supply and demand story for the silver-white light metal seems to be in the miner’s favor, and now may be the perfect time to strike on some of the beaten-down names from the industry.  

Sigma Lithium (SGML)

Last month Sigma Lithium achieved its first production of Green Lithium, officially transitioning the company from developer to producer. The company announced that it has successfully achieved first production of spodumene concentrate at its flagship Grota do Cirilo project in Brazil. Sigma reached production on time, which is a rare achievement for a lithium development project. As the project ramps to full production capacity, high-quality Green Lithium will be stockpiled and prepared for sale, with an inaugural first shipment of approximately 15,000 tons expected in May. 

The company also recently announced that it had obtained its environmental operating license to sell all Green Lithium products from current and future production, including any stockpiled product. SGML currently holds a 75% buy rating from the 8 analysts that cover it. A median price target of $46.96 indicates an upside potential of 27%. 

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Microvast Holdings, Inc. (MVST)

Headquartered in Stafford, Texas, Microvast Holdings, Inc. designs, develops, and manufactures various Li-ion battery solutions for electric vehicles and energy storage systems. The company’s continued focus on R&D and technology investments offers improved battery performance at highly competitive prices. Microvast’s MV-C Gen 4 high-energy lithium-ion battery packs have been specifically designed for commercial vehicle applications, offering a high energy density of 53.5Ah, a long cycle life of 5,000+ cycles, and a modular pack design for easy installation. 

Microvast’s high-performance battery technologies provide the required high energy density, enabling us to deliver the high power and performance our industrial vehicles require to move heavy loads and perform demanding industrial applications,” explained Sven Woyciniuk, Head of Electrical Engineering at MAFI & TREPEL.  

Analysts are only starting to take notice of MVST, with only two covering the stock. Nonetheless, both analysts see the stock as a Strong Buy and see a median increase of nearly 600% over the next twelve months. Microvast is a speculative play and may not be for everyone. Investors with a high tolerance for risk may want to consider this ticker for potential 6x gains.     

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Lithium Americas Corp (LAC)

Lithium Americas Corp has full ownership of two development-stage operations in Argentina. One of which is approaching initial production, expected to come later this year. The timeline has been disrupted on LAC’s US project –The Thacker Pass, Nevada lithium mine – due to ongoing legal and regulatory discrepancies. However,  a US judge recently said she would rule “in the next couple of months” on whether former President Donald Trump erred in 2021 when he approved the company’s right to begin mining the US’s largest-known lithium resource. It seems likely that the outcome of the case will be positive for LAC, considering Washington’s push to boost domestic production of metals crucial to the green energy transition and wean the country off of Chinese supplies.  

The high-growth -potential small-cap has been gaining the attention of the pros on Wall Street. “We believe 2023 could be an eventful year as there could be several key announcements on growth projects and Argentina divesture, which could be catalysts for the share price,” explained HSBC analyst Santhosh Seshadri. To this end, Seshadri recently initiated coverage of LAC with a Buy rating, backed by a $36 price target.

Most analysts agree with Seshadri’s thesis. LAC claims a Strong Buy consensus rating, based on 15 Buys vs. 1 Hold and no Sell ratings. At $37, the average price target makes room for 12-month gains of 87%.

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Shining Bright Despite Challenges–Top Solar Picks for Exponential Growth

The solar industry has had a bumpy twelve months as supply chain disruptions, rising production costs, and labor shortages have hampered the sector, but there’s no denying its long-term exponential growth. Over the last decade, solar energy has witnessed an average annual growth rate of 49%. This phenomenal growth is due partly to strong federal policies like the Solar Investment Tax Credit, which provides a 30% tax credit on solar investments.

Another factor that is fueling growth in the industry is declining prices for solar components and installation. The cost of solar has plunged 90% over the past decade, along with falling equipment and infrastructure prices. An average-sized residential system has dropped from a price of $40,000 in 2010 to roughly $20,000 today.  

The growth in solar is hardly restricted to the residential sector. Solar power has helped many Fortune 500 companies cut back on costs. Apple, Amazon, Target, and Walmart have all invested heavily in solar production at various locations around the country. Apple is leading the way with more than 390 MWs of commercial capacity, and Amazon is a close second with 329 MWs.

Solar power isn’t going anywhere anytime soon, so continued growth can be expected in the long term. Business Insights projects that the $163 billion global solar industry will reach $194.75 billion by 2027, exhibiting a CAGR of 6%. This article will compare some of the top solar investments available.   

The Invesco Solar ETF (TAN)

The Invesco Solar ETF is a great way to gain exposure to solar without investing in just one stock. The fund seeks to track the MAC Global Solar Energy Index and comprises about 35 individual components — including U.S. and international stocks. The fund follows a blended strategy, investing in value and growth stocks with various market caps.  

TAN’s share price peaked in mid-February 2021 and has fallen 43% since. However, it could be an excellent opportunity to get in at a more attractive price, as growth in the solar industry will likely gain strength in the long term.

ETFs, by their nature, are often considered a less risky investment as they tend to be much less volatile than individual stocks. If you’re unsure about which solar stocks to buy and want to cut back on potential risk, TAN is a relatively safe way to add solar energy to your investment portfolio. 

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Canadian Solar Inc. (CSIQ)

Founded in 2001, Canadian Solar is a leading manufacturer of solar photovoltaic modules and a provider of solar energy solutions. CSIQ has delivered around 52 GW of solar modules to thousands of customers in more than 150 countries through the end of 2021, reaching approximately 13 million households. Canadian Solar derives roughly 47% of its revenue from Asia, 35% from the Americas, and 18% from Europe and everywhere else.

Canadian Solar is one of the most bankable companies in the solar and renewable energy industry, having been publicly listed on the NASDAQ since 2006. The company has the potential to advance in the upcoming months based on its continued business growth, favorable earnings, and revenue outlook.

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SolarEdge Technologies (SEDG)

Israel-based SolarEdge Technologies operates in more than 30 markets, providing inverters, optimizers, monitoring equipment & tools, and accessories for harvesting and converting solar energy.  

SolarEdge technology is some of the most respected in the industry, mostly due to the fantastic job they’ve done in reinvesting in R&D.  This is especially true when it comes to its inverters, where it is hands down the market leader. Its solar photovoltaic (PV) inverter systems are being installed in more than 133 countries across five continents. Climate change is an important global issue right now. SEDG share price will likely rise even more over the next few years as more residential and solar properties switch to solar power.  

The current consensus among 35 polled analysts is to Buy SEDG stock. The 29 analysts offering 12-month price forecasts have a median target of $370, representing a 41% increase from its current price. SEDG is down 8% YTD.

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Weekly Radar: Our Top Picks for The Coming Week

Generally strong earnings results from the biggest technology companies overshadowed news that might otherwise have sent stocks lower last week. First Quarter GDP data released on Thursday showed that economic growth slowed markedly from the previous quarter and fell short of most economists’ forecasts. By Friday’s close, more than 50% of the S&P 500 reported Q1 2023 earnings, and 80% of those beat EPS expectations, per data from FactSet. The major indexes managed to eke out modest weekly gains of around 1% for a positive close to April. The S&P 500 added 1.5%, the Dow rose 2.5%, and the Nasdaq posted a tiny monthly gain.  

Next week will be busy on the earnings front, with reports from Starbucks, Apple, and Berkshire Hathaway, among others, expected. Still, focus will shift to the Federal Reserve for the announcement of its next move on interest rates on Wednesday.   Market participants expect the Fed to lift its key benchmark by a quarter of a percentage point to a range of 5.00% to 5.25% in what will likely be the Fed’s final rate hike of the current tightening cycle.

Anyone who keeps up with digital currency markets has heard about the major event slated for April 2024. Our first recommendation this week is a leveraged asset that’s set to benefit and is gaining attention from institutional investors ahead of this once-every-four-years event. 

Microstrategy (MSTR)

Bitcoin is up 76% since the start of the year, and it may be just getting started as the highly anticipated 2024 “bitcoin halving” draws near. Cloud-based service provider, Microstrategy, has been gaining attention from institutional investors who cannot invest directly in cryptocurrencies.  

The bitcoin halving, which occurs every four years, reduces rewards for successfully mining new bitcoin by 50%. The aim is to reduce the supply of Bitcoin over time. Before the last halving, on May 11, 2020, the price of Bitcoin increased by 19% from the same day a year earlier. Bitcoin’s price reached record highs after each of the last three halvings; its price has tended to bottom out and start to rally 15 months prior to each halving. The next halving event is slated for April 2024.  

Microstrategy offers “the most attractive means” through which equity investors can take advantage of the event, according to Berenberg Capital Analyst Mark Palmer, who cites its correlation of 0.90 to the crypto asset to support his stance. Year-to-date, MSTR stock has risen by 126.44%. Wall Street’s consensus rating for the stock is a Moderate Buy, with an average analyst price target of $415.00, implying an upside potential of 26.38% from current levels. Microstrategy is scheduled to report first-quarter earnings on May 1 after the market close.  

Our following recommendation is an oil and gas midstream company, which like Microstrategy, is one to watch in the coming days ahead of its Q1 earnings report. 

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ONEOK (OKE)

ONEOK not only posted strong growth in the fourth quarter but expects higher 2023 results. In Q4, ONEOK posted adjusted EBITDA growing by 14% year-over-year. For 2023, it expects adjusted EBITDA of $4.575 billion at the midpoint. This year, it will support its growth by allocating capital to high-return organic projects that will lead to more substantial earnings as the company realizes high returns. This should enable ONEOK to increase its dividend, currently an impressive 5.81%.

OKE is set to report first-quarter 2023 earnings on May 2, after the market close. This oil and gas midstream company’s first-quarter earnings are likely to have benefited from long-term natural gas storage contracts and expansions, as well as rising natural gas and NGL production volumes. OKE is definitely a ticker to keep an eye on as its earnings date nears.  

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Axsome Therapeutics (AXSM)

Axsome Therapeutics has two approved drugs on the market. Sunosi, a dopamine-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor and the only one of its kind to treat narcolepsy, and Auvelity, a fast-acting oral treatment for depression, also the first of its kind. The latter launched in October and is being evaluated to treat agitation in people with Alzheimer’s disease and to help people quit smoking.   

Share price sank more than 10% last month following the release of disappointing fourth-quarter earnings. The company incurred an adjusted loss of $1.28 per share and generated $24.4 million in revenues. Spending was up 227% year over year. But this increase was due to higher commercial activities for Sunosi and Auvelity, including sales force onboarding and marketing spending, which should pay off in the coming quarters.

Other potential tailwinds include Axsome’s two other drugs — AXS-07 for treating migraines and AXS-14 for fibromyalgia — that it plans to submit for FDA approval this year.

The stock is down 19% year to date but is up 78% over the past 12 months. Given the potential of Axsome’s therapies, the company’s $2.7 billion market cap may not adequately reflect its long-term potential.

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Three Stocks to Avoid Like the Plague

Seeking out great stocks to buy is important, but identifying quality investments is only half the battle. Many would say it’s just as essential for investors to know which stocks to steer clear of. A losing stock can eat away at your precious long-term returns. By taking a proactive approach to avoiding losing stocks, you can set yourself up for greater success in your investing journey.

Even the best gardens need pruning, and our team has spotted a few stocks that seem like prime candidates for selling or avoiding. Read on to find out why we believe these particular stocks are poor investment choices and learn how to apply our analysis to your own portfolio management strategy…

Lemonade (LMND)

Thus far, the self-proclaimed insurance industry disruptor has gained a healthy following. But in all of the enthusiasm surrounding its  AI-based underwriting technology, investors may be turning a blind eye to its laundry list of flaws.

In 2022 Lemonade generated a 116% increase in premiums. By contrast, the company expects just 12% year-over-year growth in 2023. Aside from the dramatic slow-down in overall business, the company is bleeding cash, posting an adjusted EBITDA loss of $225 million last year. This year’s EBITDA loss is expected to come in at around $242 million.

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JetBlue (JBLU)

With airline stocks currently trading at extremely low multiples, value seekers may be eyeing the group, wondering which ticker is the better buy. Some airlines will be more suitably positioned to withstand a slowing economy and possible recession, while JetBlue does not seem well-equipped for further negative impact. Anyone considering JBLU at less than eight times earnings would do better to consider a more stable name. 

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Fisker (FSR)

Fisker remains committed to following through with the delivery of 5,000 of its award-winning debut model, the Fisker Ocean, by September despite serious production headwinds. A primary supplier to Fisker, Magna International, has significant supply chain problems that will increase the cost of production. Obviously, the company can’t pass those costs on to customers who’ve already reserved their vehicles. Instead, the EV maker will have to eat those costs, which will cut into crucial revenue from its first real production run. At one point, Fisker looked like a potential leader in the EV race. Now it seems like another stock to get rid of while you can. 

FSR is one of the most heavily shorted stocks today. Short interest on the stock increased by 12% to 68 million shares from March 31 to April 14, FactSet data shows. That’s nearly 40% of Fisker’s free float of shares, or the stock available for trading.

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Shining Bright Despite Challenges–Top Solar Picks for Exponential Growth

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The solar industry has had a bumpy twelve months as supply chain disruptions, rising production costs, and labor shortages have hampered the sector, but...