We continue to own shares of this disruptive specialty chemicals company (thermal barrier materials) as growth continues to accelerate courtesy of government regulations forcing electric vehicle growth.
PDI: The Case for Bond CEFs, PIMCO Leads
If you have been invested heavily in the stock market for the last few years, congrats—you’ve made a lot of money. But if your stage in life suggests now is the time to “de-risk,” your options might seem limited. In particular, bonds (the traditonal de-risking methodology) currently offer low yields (for example Vanguard’s popular bond ETF (BND) only yields 3.4%) and rates may be about to go even lower (i.e. the fed seems ready to cut). One bond alternative that offers several unique advantages is PIMCO’s 13.9% yield Dynamic Income Fund (PDI). In this report, we review the advantages of bond closed-end funds with a detailed focus on PDI. We conclude with our strong opinion on current bond CEF opportunities and PDI in particular.
Members Mailbag: PAXS and ROC
Members Mailbag (Quick Note): If you are familiar with PIMCO Bond Funds, you know (1) they are popular for providing big monthly income payements to investors, but (2) Few people actually want to know “How the sausage is made.” Here is a quick question from a member about “Return of Capital” (“ROC”) on PIMCO’s 11.5% yield PAXS, followed by a reply from me. Hopefully, it’s a helpful piece of info for you to “stir into the pot” as you manage your investments.
50+ Top Semiconductor Stocks, Compared
Quick Note: Sharing updated data on 50+ top semiconductor stocks (such as Nvidia, Broadcom and AMD). The data is sorted by market cap, and you can see performance has been quite weak over the last month (despite strong analyst ratings, which are also included). Hopefully this data is helpful as you research ideas.
Nvidia: Too Much, Too High
If you are like just about every single person I talk to, you own shares of Nvidia. And you probably love to tell your story of how you got in early, or how you should have bought more. But what about Nvidia's valuation? And what about your "position sizing" of Nvidia within your aggregate investment portfolio? After reviewing Nvidia's business, growth trajectory and risks, we discuss its current valuation and prudent position sizing within your personal investment portfolio. We conclude with our strong opinion about owning Nvidia shares ahead of the upcoming earnings announcement.
Top Growth Stocks (Updated): Top 10 Tear Sheet + Disciplined Growth Portfolio
Our Top 10 Growth Stocks Tear Sheet has been updated. And so has our complete Disciplined Growth Portfolio. There have been two main new purchases, and one prominent complete sale (as well as a handful of rebalancing trades, plus the liquidation of several smaller positions). You can also access “buy under” prices relative to current market prices, plus additional aggregate and security-specific data.
VOO: Easy Alpha, Big Income, Chi
This report is about generating easy alpha and big steady income from a balanced core portfolio of ETFs (such as Vanguard’s S&P 500 ETF (VOO)) and augmented with optional satellite single-stock investments as per your personal preferences (we give multiple top idea examples). This strategy will beat the pants off your peers and create an easier life for you (“chi”). After reviewing the details and advantages of VOO (and a balanced core-satellite portfolio), we conclude with our strong opinion on how best to implement this highly-customizable strategy to achieve your personal investment goals.
BDCs (Big Yields): Prices Weak as Credit Spreads Widen, Rate Cuts Loom
Sharing Updated Data: Big-yield BDCs have been particularly weak over the past few weeks (following earnings), especially in light of widening credit spreads (i.e. lending risk) and a looming rate cut by the fed (which will negatively impact some floating rate recipients more than others). Sharing updated comparison data on 35+ big-yield BDCs, plus a brief opinion on whether now is the time to buy or head for the hills.
High Income NOW: Updated Top 10 Tear Sheet, 23-Position Portfolio (9.7% Yield)
Our Top 10 “High Income NOW” Tear Sheet has been updated. And so has our complete 23-position “High Income NOW” Portfolio (aggregate yield is 9.7%). There have been several new positions added, two complete sales and some rebalancing of existing positions. You can also access “buy under” prices relative to current market prices, plus additional aggregate and security-specific data.
SCHD Part 2: Easy Alpha
In part one of this report, we explained why the Schwab US Dividend Equity ETF (SCHD) is for winners (including its growing dividend, low volatility and more). In this part two, we explain how SCHD can easily add big alpha to investor returns (in four very specific ways). In the conclusion of this report, we explain why many “SCHD haters” are usually barking up the wrong tree (they’re typically earning no alpha anyway) as well as our strong opinion on who should consider investing.
SCHD: Built for Winners
If you are looking to hit it big—move on, this article is not for you. If you are looking for healthy returns, healthy dividend income and healthy diversification (especially as certain mega cap growth stocks may seem precipitously overvalued), keep reading, this article might be for you (especially if you also like low fees, low volatility and tow taxes). In fact, all of these things, and more, combine to make the Schwab US Dividend Equity ETF (SCHD) a compelling opportunity for “emotionally intelligent” investors. And after reviewing the fund in detail (including the risks), we conclude with our strong opinion on investing.
Forget High Growth: Top 10 Big Yields Worth Considering (August Edition)
There comes a time in every investor’s life when they realize chasing high growth stocks makes absolutely no sense whatsoever. Sure, if you’re 25 and want to roll the dice (on “the next big thing”) go for it. But if you’ve built a nest egg, and you just want your investments to produce big steady income, this report is for you. We countdown our top 10 big yield investments (including REITs, BDCs, CEFs and more) with a special focus on why each opportunity is uniquely attractive right now.
A Top CEF: Big Steady Income, AI and Fed Tailwinds, Tax Advantages
The closed-end fund (“CEF”) we review in this report offers a big, steadily-growing, monthly-paid, tax-advantaged distribution (currently yielding 8.2%). And the fund does so by owning utility-sector stocks (known for lower volatility and steady dividend payments). In this report, we review the fund (overview, philosophy, investment process), its advantages (tax favorability, monetary policy impacts and artificial intelligence tailwinds) as well as risks (expenses, leverage, price premium). We conclude with our strong opinion on who might want to consider investing.
Quick Note: NXP Semiconductors Earnings Note
Rough Week for Stocks: Do This Now
In a major market reversal, leading mega-cap and semiconductor stocks have sold off hard over the last week (see table), and a lot of investors are concerned this may be the beginning of something much worse. We’ve been hearing for months, even years, these names were over-extended, and some investors are flummoxed about what to do (i.e. is it time to dump growth and tech stocks, and dive headfirst into value stocks—or even bonds?). In this quick market snapshot report, we share our strong opinion about what investors should be doing right now.
PDI: PIMCO Vs. BlackRock, 10 Big-Yield CEFs Compared
If you are an income-focused investor, you’ve likely considered PIMCO’s popular big-yield bond funds (often yielding in excess of 10%, paid monthly). You may have also considered BlackRock funds (although many perceive them as second rate to PIMCO). In this report, we compare high-level data on 10 big-yield bond funds (from PIMCO and BlackRock), and then dive deeper into PIMCO’s 14% yielding Dynamic Income Fund (PDI), including a discussion of its risks (such as leverage, interest rates, insufficient distribution coverage, confounding interest rate swaps and the potential for delayed recognition of “Return of Capital” that was previously taxed as ordinary income). We conclude with our strong opinion on investing.
Software Application Stocks: Interest Rates, Market Rotation and 3 Attractive Opportunities
So the latest reports of cooling inflation triggered some market rotation this week, and there could be more to come. One group that may be particularly well-positioned for gains is select software application stocks. For example, the group has been underperforming the market, but the fundamentals have remained strong. In this report, we briefly review changing interest rate expectations, sector rotation, and 3 top software application stocks, especially as the AI boom proliferates beyond just phase one hardware/semiconductors).
ADX: New 8.0% Distribution, Shrinking Discount to NAV (Tender Offer)
Quick Note: As we wrote about previously, this attractive CEF recently announced initiatives to shrink its discount to NAV (good for shareholders). The initiatives include a newly increased distribution, plus a public market tender offer to acquire up to 10% of the shares at 98% of NAV. And as you can see in the chart below, things are going well.
Experiential REIT: Despite Risks, 6.0% Yield Worth Considering
If you are an income-focused investor, Real Estate Investment Trusts (“REITs”) can be attractive. And one REIT that stands out for its growing dividend yield (and growing funds from operations) is VICI Properties (an “experiential” REIT best known for its Caesar’s Palace and MGM Grand properties on the Las Vegas strip). In this report, we review VICI’s business (including what makes it special), dividend safety, valuation and risks. We conclude with our opinion on investing.
Top 10 Growth Stocks (July Edition): Market Rotation Opportunities
Owning top businesses for the long-term doesn’t mean turning a blind eye to the risks and rewards of market rotation. While Main Street is just now hearing about Nvidia for the first time (it’s up nearly 3,000% over the last 5-years), most investors know chip stocks (like Nvidia) are notoriously cyclical and (despite powerful long-term megatrends, like AI) 50% pullbacks are not uncommon. In this report, we countdown our top 10 growth stocks (July edition) with a special focus on market cycle risks and outstanding opportunities with big long-term upside.