8 Stocks to Buy That Will Never Go Out of Style

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First, it was the shocking news that Donald Trump became the 44thperson to become president. Then came the avalanche of controversies: Russia, China, Sessions, the “wall” and currently, Kavanaugh. I’m missing about 50 other scandals, but this is a family-friendly website!

And under this environment, it’s hard to figure out which stocks to buy.

I propose that now is a time to stop overanalyzing the granularity and to consider companies which have indefinite demand. Some of the best stocks to invest in are secular picks that will enjoy consumer dollars no matter the situation. Because let’s face it: we can all use a little stability and predictability in our finances, especially right now.

At the same time, don’t expect every name on this list to be the usual suspects. Next-generation challenges call for next-generation solutions. Therefore, some of my ideas for best stocks to invest in will likely surprise you.

So without any more delay, here are the eight best stocks to buy featuring products (or services) that you’ll always use:

Facebook (FB)

Best Stocks to Buy for Virtually-Guaranteed Demand: Facebook (FB)

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Without hesitation, Facebook (NASDAQ:FB) has suffered one of the worst overall rides in the market this year. At its peak, FB stock gained over 22% against the January opener. But after a “devastating” earnings report, Facebook had to pick itself off the ground. Currently, its staring at double-digit losses.

No matter. I’m stilling putting the social-media giant on my list of stocks to buy. In previous write-ups, I made some detailed arguments, including that Facebook’s earnings report wasn’t nearly as bad as advertised. Moreover, user-growth statistics indicated that grassroots efforts to hurt the company didn’t make much of an impact.

But let’s think in broader strokes. FB stock remains one of the best stocks to invest in because it will likely forever dominate social media. And social media taps into a universal human longing: to connect with other people.

My friends, that’s the very definition of a product that you’ll always use!

Procter & Gamble (PG)

They say the only certainties are death and taxes. But if you look a little below those absolute certainties you find plenty of near-certainties.

People are still going to wash their clothes. Wash their dishes. Brush their teeth. And as long as they’re doing that, Procter & Gamble (NYSE:PG) stands to profit. Disposable razors, toilet paper, shampoo … none of this stuff is going away, and PG stock is the purveyor of many of the most trusted brands in their spaces.

PG stock is an investment in everything you purchase that you completely take for granted. And that demand should keep PG stock solid.

Johnson & Johnson (JNJ)

Johnson & Johnson (JNJ)

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Johnson & Johnson (NYSE:JNJ) is one of the best stocks to invest in among cradle-to-grave companies. Obviously, when most people consider JNJ stock, they immediately think about their mom. The iconic organization is a permanent fixture in parenthood. And as kids become adults, they too will depend on Johnson & Johnson.

But the other component of life is the inevitability of death. Because sometimes, prior to death comes cancer. According to multiple medical journals, your chance of getting cancer at least once in your lifetime is roughly around 50% (or at least they are in the UK). That’s startling news. Fortunately, Johnson & Johnson has a robust pharmaceutical division, with oncology a prime specialty.

Better yet, the company has several drugs in late-stage clinical trials. With JNJ stock, you’re taking out the speculative nature of many healthcare-related stocks to buy. Finally, JNJ pays out a fairly generous 2.6% dividend yield.

Microsoft (MSFT)

Microsoft (MSFT)

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When investors discuss tech stocks to buy with indefinite demand, Apple (NASDAQ:AAPL) is usually the go-to name. The first trillion-dollar company, Apple’s rise to the stratosphere seemingly has no bounds. But the biggest concern I have for AAPL is that it’s vulnerable to commoditization. I can’t say the same about Microsoft (NASDAQ:MSFT).

Yeah, yeah, get the pitchforks out and call me a paid shill for Microsoft (full disclosure: I’m not). Instead, I’m looking at reality. While Apple makes incredibly attractive devices, Microsoft focuses on sheer functionality. I can get infinitely more stuff done on Microsoft computers. Plus, they don’t take away buttons from the mouse for aesthetic reasons. That’s one reason to buy MSFT stock.

The other? This dominance isn’t going to fade anytime soon. Microsoft-based operating systems represent the runaway leader in PC market share. And in the professional world, Microsoft Office programs are the universal standard.

Have you heard of anyone requesting a Pages document? Don’t even get me started with Numbers, which is a dumbed-down version of Excel made worse with Apple’s mouse-button deficiencies.

Bottom line, if you use computers for any legitimate reason, you’re going to use Microsoft. Therefore, buy MSFT stock with confidence.

Amazon (AMZN)

Amazon (AMZN)

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Amazon (NASDAQ:AMZN) is an easy one. Among the most dominant stocks to buy, the-commerce giant lives up to the title “disruptor.” After a stunning year in 2017, AMZN stock is back at it again. Year-to-date, shares are up over 60%. It will eventually join Apple as the other trillion-dollar company.

But as I discussed this past summer, I like AMZN stock to take the $2 trillion benchmark first. The reason is that Apple doesn’t appear to have too many great ideas in the tank. They risk commoditization as manufacturers produce equivalently advanced but cheaper alternatives.

Amazon, on the other hand, isn’t levered to consumer whims. So long as people want to buy anything, they’ll come to the e-commerce company. What’s more, AMZN isn’t just limited to retail, as its acquisitive nature has demonstrated. With its influence stretching into multiple, disparate industries such as cloud computing and groceries, management has guaranteed itself future relevance.

Home Depot (HD)

Home Depot (NYSE:HD) is another easy one to place on the best stocks to buy list. As a secular investment, HD stock isn’t subject to market or even economic whims. Unless we experience cataclysmic devastation, Home Depot will find ways to generate sales, particularly because sales will come to them.

Consider these points: in a bullish real-estate market like we’re experiencing now, home owners will request renovations to drive up prices. On the other end of the scale, a down market is still bullish for HD stock. So long as you own property in at least a somewhat desirable location, renovations represent money well spent.

Best of all, Home Depot is Amazon-proof. Construction and home improvement are hands-on projects. You have to see, touch, and try your desired tools and components before purchasing them. And if they don’t work out, you need a physical outlet for quick and easy returns or exchanges.

Alphabet (GOOG, GOOGL)

Alphabet (GOOG, GOOGL)

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The internet is a wonderful place. And when you use it, chances are extremely high that you utilize Alphabet’s (NASDAQ:GOOG, NASDAQ:GOOGL) Google search engine. According to the latest reading, Google levers an insurmountable market share at 92.3% of all search engines across all platforms. You can take GOOG stock to the bank.

To give you an idea of how utterly dominant Alphabet is, take a look at search-engine rankings in ChinaBaidu (NASDAQ:BIDU) understandably ranks in first place, but at a comparatively low 66.3%. Baidu can’t convincingly put away its Chinese rivals. Moreover, Google puts up a respectable 2.7% market share in hostile territory.

This is another way of saying that Alphabet, and by logical extension, GOOG stock, owns the internet. Bullish analysts will cite other factors, such as the Waymo self-driving vehicle. That’s wonderful and all, but the most compelling argument for Alphabet is the search engine. It demonstrates perhaps eternal demand.

Marimed (MRMD)

Marimed (MRMD)

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According to the Pew Research Center49% of Americans admitted to trying marijuana. This survey was conducted more than three years ago. A survey from last year suggests that the figure has bumped up to 52%. Whatever. I’m sure the actual percentage is substantially higher.

At any rate, I firmly believe that marijuana companies are the best stocks to buy at this juncture. I’m especially optimistic about Marimed (OTCMKTS:MRMD). Over the next several years, various state legislations will incentivize “weedpreneuers” to set up shop. The problem is, legal marijuana is a complicated endeavor. You need advisors to assist you, which is what Marimed provides.

From permit applications to facilities planning, MRMD stock offers a compelling, diversified exposure to cannabis. Because the company is not tied to any one segment within the industry, this reduces market risk. Indeed, shares have been flying. Just in this month, Marimed is up 25%.

Of course, MRMD stock has its risks. Like other sector players, Marimed’s financials aren’t the most robust. And technically, draconian federal mandates could squash legal cannabis.

But in all likelihood, that’s not going to happen. If you want a potentially explosive opportunity that has somewhat flown under the radar, consider MRMD stock. I know I have!

As of this writing, Josh Enomoto was long MRMD.

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8 Stocks to Buy That Are Growing Faster Than Amazon

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Do you think Amazon.com (NASDAQ:AMZN) is a growth machine like no other, one of the best stocks to buy? It’s a beast to be sure, with the most recently reported quarterly top line up a healthy 22% … a pace that’s pretty much been the norm for a while now. Profits are growing nicely as well, as its AWS (Amazon Web Services) division — the company’s fastest-growing segment — produces high-margin revenue.

Amazon.com certainly isn’t the only growth name worth owning, however. There are several other stocks that you should buy with even better sales growth, better earnings growth or both. It’s just a matter of going out there and finding them.

Just to help you move down that path a little faster, here’s a closer look at the best stocks to buy if you’re looking for a little more kick (or a little more value) than Amazon can offer.

Some are familiar, while some aren’t. But all of these stocks to buy merit consideration.

Exelixis (EXEL)

Exelixis, Inc. (NASDAQ:EXEL)

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Biotech stocks are a tricky bunch to bother with, and Exelixis, Inc. (NASDAQ:EXEL) is no exception. It’s arguably worth the trouble, though.

Exelixis has been bearing revenue for several years, but it didn’t fan its revenue flames in earnest until the middle of 2016. That’s when its renal cell carcinoma (kidney cancer) drug Cabometyx was approved.

EXEL is not one of those stocks to buy for traders that can’t stomach volatility — shares tumbled more than 40% since the start of 2018.

Stocks to Buy for Breakneck Growth: Yelp (YELP)

Yelp Inc (YELP) Stock Isn't as Costly as It Looks... But It's Still Pricey

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Calling a spade a spade, online review and rating site/directory Yelp Inc (NYSE:YELP) hasn’t been a stock to buy since early 2014. That’s when it peaked, and even with a 170%-plus rally off of its early 2016 lows, YELP shares are still down roughly 50% from their peak price hit in 2014.

And yet, there it is. Yelp mustered a 30% improvement in last year’s top line and — oh yeah — swung to a profit three quarters ago. That profit has been widening ever since. Analysts are looking for similar growth going forward, projecting next year’s profit per share to ramp up from this year’s 8 cents to 37 cents.

Looks like the once-questionable premise is a viable business model after all.

Stocks to Buy for Breakneck Growth: Tableau Software (DATA)

Tableau Software Inc (NYSE:DATA)

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Just for the record, Tableau Software Inc (NYSE:DATA) isn’t growing quite as quickly as Amazon.com is. DATA still is one of a handful of hot growth stocks to buy, however, because the pace of its bottom-line growth is leaving Amazon’s profit growth in the dust.

The name might ring a bell. Tableau Software has been rumored to be a buyout candidate off and on for some time now, with the most recent big suitor pegged as none other than Salesforce.com, Inc. (NYSE:CRM).

No such deal has been consummated yet, but it’s not tough to see why a potential buyer would be interested in the data-analytics outfit. The next five years look promising for DATA stock — earnings are expected to grow at an annual rate of 85.8%. You could do a lot worse.

Stocks to Buy for Breakneck Growth: JD.com (JD)

What better alternative to Amazon.com than one of the Chinese copycats of the popular e-commerce giant — JD.Com Inc (ADR) (NASDAQ:JD)? Yes, Alibaba Group Holding Ltd(NYSE:BABA) is the bigger and arguably better-established player on the landscape of China’s e-commerce industry, but it has become a bit unwieldy with its size.

JD.com is smaller, and therefore more nimble, and the company is using that to its advantage. Don’t worry about the lack of income or even the lack of clarity regarding its profitability. Like Amazon.com in its early days, JD is mostly just focused on spreading its footprint, which it’s doing quite well.

The top line is expected to grow at a 27.8% clip for the current quarter, and JD.com has been driving that kind of growth for quite some time now — with 115.4% growth in the bag for next year.

Stocks to Buy for Breakneck Growth: Ctrip.com (CTRP)

Not unlike the United States’ online travel agent market, China’s OTA space started out with many players, but has been whittled down to just a few, and just one dominant name that effectively controls the market. That’s Ctrip.Com International Ltd (ADR) (NASDAQ:CTRP), which has either acquired its competition or crushed it.

Either way, the company is taking advantage of its dominance. Its top line is expected to grow at a 16.1% clip for the current year and a 25.1% clip in 2019.

Better yet, the company’s management expects to see revenue growth of between 40% and 45% for the foreseeable future.

The reason CTRP has earned a spot on a list of the best stocks to buy for growth fans is now that the company has plenty of scale, it’s looking for its profit margins to rise to a range of 20% to 30%. And yet, nobody’s really looking.

Stocks to Buy for Breakneck Growth: Sinclair Broadcast Group (SBGI)

Sinclair Broadcast Group Inc (NASDAQ:SBGI)

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This list of top stocks to buy for big growth is packed with some recognizable heavy hitters. Sinclair Broadcast Group Inc (NASDAQ:SBGI) isn’t one of them. That doesn’t make the $14 billion company any less impressive, however, particularly in light of its long string of revenue and earnings growth.

Sinclair Broadcast Group does a little of everything in the world of television. Not only does it create some of its own content for syndication, it owns a handful of stations, and provides services to several others. Its most compelling feature is its ability to assimilate other media players, and when appropriate, leverage its properties into other mediums. For example, it’s the owner of the Tennis Channel, and soon will be the owner of tennis.com and Tennis Magazine.

The proof of the premise is in the numbers. Sinclair is expected to turn in growth of 76.7% this quarter, followed by 222.5% the following quarter. Analysts see 20% upside in the shares, too. The long-term looks a bit bumpy, so you may want to consider swing trading SBGI into that momentum.

Stocks to Buy for Breakneck Growth: Abiomed (ABMD)

ABIOMED, Inc. (NASDAQ:ABMD)

Finally, put Abiomed, Inc. (NASDAQ:ABMD) on your list of hot growth stocks to buy sooner than later. Abiomed is self-described as a “leading provider of medical devices that provide circulatory support.” Its products enable the heart to rest by improving blood flow and/or performing the pumping of the heart.

The description doesn’t quite do the company justice, however. Its Impella is the world’s smallest heart pump, and as of last month, more than 50,000 of them had been implanted in the U.S. market.

Those who know the Abiomed story well, however, will know the Impella is nothing new. What’s new is a couple of approvals for the Impella 2.5 and Impella 5.0, for expanded use in the United States (as of December), and for use in Japan (as of September).

Even with just the approval in Japan, we saw a strong acceleration of revenue. Q4’s top line was up 33%, and it still has yet to reach full penetration with the previously approved uses and markets. The device was only given its first FDA green light in early 2015, which makes it an infant by biomedical device standards.

As of this writing, James Brumley did not hold a position in any of the aforementioned securities.


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Market Preview: Interest Rates Spook Markets, Earnings from the Big Banks Next Friday

One word could be used to describe the performance of the equity markets on Friday: bonds. Rising interest rates, combined with the lowest unemployment rate since the ‘60s, spooked markets. Both the DJIA (-.68%) and Nasdaq (-1.16%)  fell, rallying off of lows into the close. Traders worry that the Feds balancing act may prove difficult as the economy either picks up steam too quickly, or rising rates put a brake on what many believe are the beginnings of a normalization of the economy. The fear of deteriorating relations with China, both political and economic, meant there was no good news on the tariff front either. Deals with both Mexico and Canada have helped keep the rally in motion the past few weeks. China trade issues will likely take a more prominent role Monday as bond markets are closed for Columbus Day.

Given the holiday, there are no earnings reports on Monday, but earnings start rolling in for the second week of October on Tuesday. Helen of Troy (HELE) and AZZ, Inc. (AZZ) both report Tuesday morning. Helen of Troy is expected to show a revenue decline of just over 7% from the previous year’s quarter, but earnings are expected to tick up slightly. The household and personal goods provider is up over 30% in 2018. AZZ is expected to report a 40% increase in year-over-year earnings. The stock had been performing well this year until the last month in which it has fallen almost 10%. Rising interest rates may be spooking investors in the energy and metal coatings industrial company.

Monday we’ll see the release of the TD Ameritrade investor sentiment index. Analysts will be interested to see if rising rates have begun to show up in the index which measures retail investor exposure to the equity markets. Tuesday analysts will parse the small business optimism numbers as well as Redbook retail data. Wednesday will see investors turn back to talk of interest rates as mortgage application and the Atlanta Fed business inflation expectation numbers are released.  Mortgage applications are expected to be flat. CPI data and weekly jobless claims will be released on Thursday. CPI is expected to move up .2% month-over-month. We’ll close out next week with import-export prices and consumer sentiment numbers on Friday.

Fastenal (FAST) reports earnings on Wednesday, along with VOXX International (VOXX) and Saratoga Investment Corp. (SAR). Thursday Delta Airlines (DAL) and Walgreens Boots Alliance (WAL) take the earnings spotlight. Walgreens recently announced a $34.5 million fine from the SEC for misleading investors in the midst of its merger with Boots Alliance in 2013-14. Friday will be the most anticipated earnings day next week. Several big banks, including Citibank (C), Wells Fargo (WFC), and JP Morgan (JPM) are among those reporting. Analysts will be keen to hear the banks’ take on rising rates and how they will impact future earnings. All three banks have shown positive price action the last few days.   

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Buffett could see this new asset run 2,524% in 2018. And he's not the only one... Mark Cuban says "it's the most exciting thing I've ever seen." Mark Zuckerberg threw down $19 billion to get a piece... Bill Gates wagered $26 billion trying to control it...
What is it?
It's not gold, crypto or any mainstream investment. But these mega-billionaires have bet the farm it's about to be the most valuable asset on Earth. Wall Street and the financial media have no clue what's about to happen...And if you act fast, you could earn as much as 2,524% before the year is up.
Click here to find out what it is.