If you are an income-focused investor, big-dividend Business Development Companies (“BDCs”) are hard to ignore. However, not all BDCs are created equally. In this report, we review one BDC Capital Southwest (including its business strategy, dividend safety, valuation as compared to 40+ other BDCs, and the risks). We conclude with our strong opinion on investing in Capital Southwest in particular and BDCs in general.
This Payment Processing Software Company Looks Good
Top 10 High-Income NOW Securities
This note includes an update on our Top “High-Income NOW” securities, including a new Top 10 tear sheet and a link to the complete High-Income NOW Portfolio for April. The list remains dominated by one of the four main high-income food groups (CEFs, BDCs, REITs, big-dividend Blue Chips) based on current market conditions.
Top 10 Growth Stocks, Ranked (3 Megatrend Edition)
In case you’ve been living under a rock, Artificial Intelligence (“AI”) has been hot. Beneficiaries like Nvidia and Super Micro Computer have experienced truly incredible price rallies (thereby making lots of shareholders very happy). But the reality is, AI is not the only megatrend driving the market today (it’s not even the biggest one). In this report, we countdown our top 10 growth stock rankings, and we view them through the lens of three separate long-term megatrends (that could lead shares dramatically higher for many years to come). If you are a long-term growth investor, the ideas in this report are worth considering.
Snowflake: 20+ Top AI Stocks, Ranked
Fads come and go. Megatrends (such as urbanization and the internet) change the world. Certainly, megatrends can get ahead of themselves (there was an internet bubble in the early 2000s, and more recently China built entire cities expecting rapid pockets of urbanization that never happened). Some investors wonder if Artificial Intelligence (“AI”) is a fad, a megatend that has gotten ahead of itself, or still in its infancy. In this report, we address this question with a variety of data points (including comparative data on 20+ top AI stocks) and a special focus on big-data AI stock Snowflake (SNOW) (including its business, growth opportunity, valuation and risks). We conclude with our strong opinion on AI as a theme and Snowflake as an investment opportunity.
Alphabet, Big Risks: Bing AI, Apple DOJ, Meta-Like Spending
Alphabet (GOOGL) shares are up a measly 7.9% this year, and up 10.8% over the last two-years. That may not sound too bad, but compared to other mega-caps like Microsoft (MSFT) (+14.2% ytd, +45.9% 2yr) and Meta Platforms (META) (+44.1% ytd +141.2% 2yr), Alphabet has been lackluster (and some investors worry it’s increasingly going the way of Apple (AAPL) (-10.4% ytd). In this report, we review Alphabet’s business, its big risks (e.g. AI threats, challenges from being enormous, high spending) and its current valuation. We conclude with our strong opinion on investing.
Arbor Realty: 13.3% “Sucker Yield,” 3 Better Big Divided Strategies
If you are an income-focused investor, Arbor Realty Trust (ABR) may be extremely tempting because of its massive dividend yield (currently 13.3%) and long-term track record of success. However, this mortgage REIT checks all the boxes for a “sucker yield,” and there are far better investment opportunities if you like to generate high income. In this report, we share 10 reasons why Arbor Realty Trust may be a sucker yield (i.e. a dividend that is “too good to be true”), and then conclude with three superior big-dividend strategies for you to consider.
Realty Income: Despite Big Risks, 5.8% Yield Worth Considering
Commerical real estate has performed terribly, and popular retail REIT (Realty Income (O)) has not been spared. With interest rates now sharply higher and shopping habits permanently changed, a lot of investors see more risk than opportunity. In this report, we review Realty Income’s business strategy, valuation, 5.8% dividend yield (paid monthly) and the very big risk factors it is currently facing. We conclude with our strong opinion on investing.
Lithium Stock: The Yin to Nvidia's Yang, Big Upside Ahead
Chip stocks (such as Nvidia) are notoriously cyclical (50% to 80% declines are not uncommon). Somewhat similarly, the materials stock (lithium) we review in this report is likely near the bottom of an epic cyclical decline of its own (shares are down 66%). And like Nvidia, this materials stock is a leading beneficiary of another big secular trend (rather than AI, it benefits from technological advances in batteries). In this report, we review the materials stock (including it business, market opportunity, valuation and risks) and then conclude with a comparison of its massive price appreciation potential as compared to Nvidia’s with regards to where each one sits in its own massive secular market trend.
35 Big-Yield BDCs: Despite Climbing Risks, 3 Top Ideas Worth Considering
BDCs can be an excellent source of high income, but they are not the holy grail that some investors believe. The group faces mounting pressures as well as categorical drawbacks (that are often overlooked). In this report, we share updated data on over 35 big-yield BDCs, review our concerns with the group, highlight 3 top BDCs that standout as attractive, and then conclude with a few alternative high-income opportunities that are currently worth considering too.
Palantir Snubbed: 7 Top “AI” Stocks, Big Upside
Despite the Nasdaq hitting new all-time highs this week, select disruptive growth stocks still have massive long-term upside potential, particularly certain names benefitting from the Artificial Intelligence (AI) mega trend (which, by the way, is still just getting started). In this report, we share 7 top ideas, with a special focus on “Big Data” AI stock Palantir, and then conclude with our strong opinion on investing in disruptive growth stocks at this point in the market cycle.
Contrarian CEF: Attractive 8.8% Yield
The popular utility-sector closed-end fund (“CEF”) we review in this report is attractive for several reasons (e.g. big growing monthly distributions, evaporated premium and attractively priced), if you can handle the associated risks of investing. In this report, we run through all the details and then conclude with our strong opinion on investing in this big 8.8% yield CEF.
Nvidia: AI Meet Digital Revolution (5 Stocks Worth Considering)
When two of the economy’s biggest mega trends combine, you get Nvidia (+59% ytd) and offshoots like Super Micro Computer (+202% ytd). And if you’re wondering if its “too late” to invest in these two mega trends (i.e. Artificial Intelligence and/or the Digital Revolution) the answer is a resounding, no way! We’re still in the early innings and here are 5 stock ideas that could potentially ride these waves dramatically higher in the decade ahead (volatility haters need not read on).
Market Overheating? High-Income Strategies Worth Considering
The market continues to climb a wall of worry, and some investors believe it’s getting a bit ahead of itself. For example, the S&P 500 is up +6.9% this year and up +27.4% over the last 12 months, but we keep hearing stories about a sputtering economy. If you are concerned the market is ahead of itself, and we may be due for a healthy pullback, here are 3 high-income investment opportunities for you to consider.
PDI (13.8% Yield): Up Big, More Gains Likely Ahead (100 Big-Yield CEFs Compared)
If you like high income investments, two things are likely true: (1) you are aware of the big double-digit yields offered by PIMCO closed-end funds (“CEFs”) and (2) you’re likely disgusted by the returns of said bond funds over the last few years. However, the tide has shifted as interest rate hikes have ceased (and may reverse). And as we correctly predicted, the brief price discount on PIMCO’s PDI (versus NAV) has evaporated and the shares now trade at a premium. What’s special is BOTH the premium and share price will likely increase dramatically in the months, quarters and years ahead. We explain in this short report and also share data on 100 other big-yield CEFs (many also paid monthly) for comparison purposes.
Palantir: A Long-Term Play on Big Data and AI, But at What Price?
Palantir provides sophisticated software platforms for data analysis, leveraging advanced AI and machine learning techniques. Its software effortlessly integrates structured data like spreadsheets and unstructured data like images and social media posts into a single centralized database, enabling visualization and analysis of all information. The company is further leveraging its AI expertise with AIP, a novel platform that introduces support for large language models and generative AI to its current offerings. In this report, we analyze Palantir’s business model, its market opportunity, financials, valuation, risks, and then conclude with our opinion on investing.
Nvidia: 40 Top Chip Stocks (Ranked by Value)
With Nvidia shares now up more than 45% this year (and up over 1,870% in the last 5 years) some investors are again wondering if the stock is overpriced. On one hand, the semiconductor industry is notoriously cyclical, and big price pullbacks (60% to 80%) are not uncommon. On the other hand, Nvidia benefits enormously from two megatrends (artificial intelligence (“AI”) and the great cloud migration/ digitization), and the share price gains may still just be getting started. In this report, we take a closer look at Nvidia’s current valuation versus 40 other top chip stocks, share our views on what sets it apart, and then conclude with our strong opinion on investing.
Top 10 High Income NOW Securities (Feb 2024)
There is a new Top 10 in town with regards to our “High Income NOW” Portfolio. And the reshuffling is driven by two big themes (i.e. where the stock and bond markets are heading). No one has a working crystal ball, but the writing is on the wall for BDCs and Bond CEFs. In aggregate, the portfolio has 24 positions (including BDCs, stock and bond CEFs, REITs, dividend stocks and more) and the aggregate portfolio yield is 9.5%. Let’s get into the details.
Saratoga: Big-Yield, Big Leverage, Big Write-Downs (40 BDCs Compared)
Saratoga Investment Corp (SAR) is a small-cap BDC ($300 million market cap) with a big yield (12.4%) and some big risks. The company’s high leverage isn’t as bad as it seems (thanks to SBIC loans), but it could still become a problem considering continued depreciation/write-downs on a few of its larger investments. After comparing Saratoga to 40+ other big-yield BDCs, we review its business, valuation, dividend and risks. We conclude with our strong opinion on investing.
50 Top Growth Stocks: These 6 Worth Considering
For many investors, financial data alone is not enough. However, it can be a great place to start. This report shares updated data on over 50 top growth stocks with at least 20% expected revenue growth (for this year and next) and that have a “Strong Buy” rating from Wall Street analysts. We highlight six specific names from the list that are particularly interesting and worth considering.