We’re now a little more than a quarter of the way thru 2023, and the markets are off to a solid start.
Inflation and interest rates still remain a concern. But with inflation on the decline, and the Fed nearing the end of their interest rate hike cycle, things are looking even better for the rest of the year.
This year’s seasonals are also favorable for the market. For one, the 4-year Presidential Cycle shows that year 3 (that’s 2023), is the best year of all 4 years. Since 1950, stocks have always gone up in the year after midterms, with an average 12-month forward return of 18.6%. So, we are literally still near the beginning of one of the most bullish periods for the market.
And two, history shows a high probability of outsized gains following a down year for the market. The S&P was down by -19.4% last year. It was the first down year since 2018, and the worst down year since 2008, when it closed lower by -38.5%. As for 2009, it was up 23.5%. And there’s plenty of reason to believe we could see something like that again this year.
With plenty of year left to go, everyone should be thinking about how to take full advantage of it.
So, now is the perfect time to share with you one of the most powerful things I have ever read. It made me believe that anything was possible. And that whatever success I wanted to achieve I indeed could achieve it.
It would not be without hard work. But the concept was simple. And I instantly knew it to be true.
They called it a secret. In fact, it was literally called “the greatest secret in the world.” And that secret was this: the key to success was that you only needed to be a small, measurable amount better than mediocrity to succeed.
Is that really true? In its simplest form it is. The book went on to tell of why this was true. And in short, they described how most people give up on the meaningful things they hope to accomplish.
Success
Of course, I knew that true greatness would take a lot more than being just a few steps ahead of the pack. And that if you wanted to be the Michael Jordan of your profession, it would take a lifetime of dedication and being born with the right genes.
But most people don't need to be the Michael Jordan of anything in their life to have life changing success.
They only need to be a small, measurable amount better in the important things in their life.
Want to pass that test that will get you that promotion? Stick to your study times and don't blow them off for some silly TV show and you'll be better prepared to pass that test.
Want to lose weight? Have one less can of pop each day or one less sugary snack and watch how that can set in motion a metamorphosis.
Want to make more money in the stock market? If all you did was have one less loser each month, and replace it with one more winner, that could transform your portfolio.
You don't need to be as good as Warren Buffett to achieve your investment goals. By simply making a few changes in how you pick stocks, the extra results can quickly add up.
But you have to know where to begin.
Continued . . .
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Alert: Buy These Ultimate Four Stocks Now
There's still time to get in early. These aren't just 4 promising stocks. They were handpicked from hundreds of strong companies by Zacks experts because they present the greatest upside for Q2:
Stock #1: Cybersecurity firm outsmarts bad guys, and beats Zacks estimates 24 Qs in a row.
Stock #2: Still-undervalued food company increased their dividend 7 times in the last 5 years.
Stock #3: Looking for the next Amazon to dominate another continent? Start here.
Stock #4: Jump on a tech stock with sales have already multiplied more than 30X since 2017.Deadline to download our just-released Ultimate Four Special Report and get access to ALL of Zacks’ private buys & sells is midnight Sunday, April 9.
See Our “Ultimate” Stocks Now >>
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
One Less Loser
Setting a goal to have one less loser may not sound exciting, but the results can be dramatic.
There are over 10,000 stocks out there. So be choosey. One of the best ways to put the odds of success in your favor is to focus on the top industries. Why? Because roughly 50% of a stock's price movement can be attributed to the group that it’s in.
That's why, oftentimes, even a mediocre stock in a top industry can outperform the strongest stock in a weak industry. In fact, in my testing I have found that the top 50% of Zacks Ranked industries outperforms the bottom 50% by a factor of more than 2 to 1.
If your last loser was in an underperforming industry, you were betting against the odds.
Instead, stick with the best performing industries and put the odds of success in your favor.
And when you do find yourself in a losing trade, get out sooner.
Nobody likes to take a loss. But don't let your unwillingness to do so ruin your portfolio. Smaller losses are easy to overcome. But big losses, like -30%, -40%, and -50% losers can devastate your portfolio, not to mention your confidence.
If you found yourself driving the wrong way on a one-way street, you wouldn't keep driving the wrong way or speed up, you'd turn around and get off. Same thing with stocks. If you bought a stock expecting it to go up, and it's now doing the exact opposite, get out before you crash your portfolio.
One less loser, or even just deciding to take smaller losses, will immediately set you apart from the typical mediocre investor.
One More Winner
Now if you can replace that one less loser with one more winner, you'll compound your success even more.
First, stick with the investing style that's right for you. There are many different investing styles out there. The four main fundamental styles are Momentum, Aggressive Growth, Value, and Growth and Income. You can also apply Technical Analysis to any of these styles, and others as well.
But make sure you employ proven techniques to get the most out of each style.
If you're an Aggressive Growth investor; did you know that stocks with the highest growth rates perform almost as poorly as those with the lowest growth rates? It's true.
This is because the companies with the highest growth rates are often unsustainable. And once those sky-high growth rates start to come down, even though they may still be spectacular, the price of the stock will fall back down to earth as well.
For example, a company earning 1 cent a share that is now expected to earn 6 cents, has a 500% growth rate. But, if it receives a downward estimate revision to 5 cents, that’s a significant drop. Even though it still has a 400% growth rate, the estimates were just reduced by -16.7% and the price is likely to follow.
If you’ve ever wondered how a stock with a triple-digit growth rate could possibly go down -- that’s how.
Instead, stick with companies with growth rates above the median for their industry, but less than 50%. That range has produced some of the best results.
If you're a Value investor; do you know which valuation metrics produce the best results? Better yet, do you know what valuation ranges have the highest probability of success?
In my testing, I have found that the Price to Sales ratio (P/S) is one of the best valuation metrics out there. And that stocks with a P/S ratio of less than 1, by far, produce the highest returns. Between 1-2 still produce stellar results. And between 2-3 outperform the market. But once you get over 4, there is a higher probability of losing on that stock than winning.
That, of course, does not mean all stocks with a P/S ratio above 4 will go down. But if the odds of winning are greater below 1 (or at least below 3) and worse above 4, then by simply focusing on stocks in the optimum valuation range, you are now one step closer to having one more winner.
Don't worry whether you've picked the best stock on the planet. In fact, the best stock on the planet today may not be the best stock on the planet tomorrow. But it doesn’t matter.
All you need to focus on are good stocks. Or just slightly better stocks than you're picking now to start seeing the kind of success you've always wanted.
And one small better decision will set in motion other better decisions. And before you know it, you'll be achieving your goals.
Stock Picking Secrets of the Pros
Picking better stocks and making better decisions is a lot easier when there’s a proven, profitable way to do it.
For example, did you know that stocks with a Zacks Rank #1 Strong Buy have beaten the market in 29 of the last 35 years (an 82% annual win ratio) with an average annual return of more than 24% per year? That's more than 2 x the S&P, including 4 bear markets and 4 recessions. And consistently beating the market year after year can add up to a lot more than just two times the returns.
But you’re not there yet, as that one item alone will only narrow down a field of 10,000 stocks to the top 220 or so. Way too many to trade at once.
So the next step is to get that list down to a smaller, actionable list of stocks that you can buy.
And one of the best ways to do that is to see what stocks the pros, who use these methods, are picking.
Whether you’re a Growth investor, or a Value investor, prefer fast-paced momentum stocks, or mature dividend-paying income stocks, there are certain rules the experts follow to maximize their gains.
This applies to large-caps and small-caps, biotech and high-tech, ETFs, stocks under $10, stocks about to surprise, even options, and everything in between.
Regardless of which one fits your personal style of trade, just be sure you’re following proven profitable methods and strategies that work, from experts who have demonstrated their ability to beat the market.
The best part about these strategies and stock picks is that all of the hard work is done for you. There’s no guesswork involved. Just follow the experts and start confidently getting into better stocks on your very next trade.
The Pros’ Best Picks for Q2 (Grab Them Today)
Here's an easy way to find them:
Download our just-released Ultimate Four Special Report.
These are the 4 stocks hand-picked by our experts to shine brightest this quarter. Each has strong fundamentals and exceptional growth potential. They’re ideally suited to soar in current trading conditions.
Stock #1: A U.S. cybersecurity leader is engaging in a stunningly successful battle against bad actors. Profits build as the battle rages. Its cutting-edge solutions have propelled the company to exceed Zacks Consensus EPS estimates 24 quarters in a row.
Stock #2: Inflated commodity prices are generating immense profits from this small yet still-undervalued food company. Their product is always in demand, with a dividend increasing 7 times in the last 5 years.
Stock #3: Looking for the next Amazon to dominate another continent? It’s already a large-cap aiming to be a colossal-cap in traditional e-commerce, real estate platforms, and ads.
Stock #4: As the world digitizes, it’s time to jump on a tech stock in gaming, e-commerce, and financial services. After subsiding from a 4-digit boom, this company is now gaining traction for its next monster move. Sales have already multiplied more than 30X since 2017.
Plus, in addition to our Ultimate Four stocks for $1, you'll get full 30-day access to ALL of Zacks’ private buys & sells with that same dollar.
You can be one of the first to see these promising recommendations when you download this Special Report today. But don’t delay. This opportunity ends at midnight Sunday, April 9.
See our Ultimate Four stocks now >>
Thanks and good trading,
Kevin
Kevin Matras serves as Executive Vice President of Zacks.com and is responsible for all of its leading products for individual investors. He invites you to download the just-released Zacks Ultimate Four Special Report before this weekend's deadline.
Image: Bigstock
One Little Secret To Transform Your Portfolio
We’re now a little more than a quarter of the way thru 2023, and the markets are off to a solid start.
Inflation and interest rates still remain a concern. But with inflation on the decline, and the Fed nearing the end of their interest rate hike cycle, things are looking even better for the rest of the year.
This year’s seasonals are also favorable for the market. For one, the 4-year Presidential Cycle shows that year 3 (that’s 2023), is the best year of all 4 years. Since 1950, stocks have always gone up in the year after midterms, with an average 12-month forward return of 18.6%. So, we are literally still near the beginning of one of the most bullish periods for the market.
And two, history shows a high probability of outsized gains following a down year for the market. The S&P was down by -19.4% last year. It was the first down year since 2018, and the worst down year since 2008, when it closed lower by -38.5%. As for 2009, it was up 23.5%. And there’s plenty of reason to believe we could see something like that again this year.
With plenty of year left to go, everyone should be thinking about how to take full advantage of it.
So, now is the perfect time to share with you one of the most powerful things I have ever read. It made me believe that anything was possible. And that whatever success I wanted to achieve I indeed could achieve it.
It would not be without hard work. But the concept was simple. And I instantly knew it to be true.
They called it a secret. In fact, it was literally called “the greatest secret in the world.” And that secret was this: the key to success was that you only needed to be a small, measurable amount better than mediocrity to succeed.
Is that really true? In its simplest form it is. The book went on to tell of why this was true. And in short, they described how most people give up on the meaningful things they hope to accomplish.
Success
Of course, I knew that true greatness would take a lot more than being just a few steps ahead of the pack. And that if you wanted to be the Michael Jordan of your profession, it would take a lifetime of dedication and being born with the right genes.
But most people don't need to be the Michael Jordan of anything in their life to have life changing success.
They only need to be a small, measurable amount better in the important things in their life.
Want to pass that test that will get you that promotion? Stick to your study times and don't blow them off for some silly TV show and you'll be better prepared to pass that test.
Want to lose weight? Have one less can of pop each day or one less sugary snack and watch how that can set in motion a metamorphosis.
Want to make more money in the stock market? If all you did was have one less loser each month, and replace it with one more winner, that could transform your portfolio.
You don't need to be as good as Warren Buffett to achieve your investment goals. By simply making a few changes in how you pick stocks, the extra results can quickly add up.
But you have to know where to begin.
Continued . . .
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Alert: Buy These Ultimate Four Stocks Now
There's still time to get in early. These aren't just 4 promising stocks. They were handpicked from hundreds of strong companies by Zacks experts because they present the greatest upside for Q2:
Stock #1: Cybersecurity firm outsmarts bad guys, and beats Zacks estimates 24 Qs in a row.
Stock #2: Still-undervalued food company increased their dividend 7 times in the last 5 years.
Stock #3: Looking for the next Amazon to dominate another continent? Start here.
Stock #4: Jump on a tech stock with sales have already multiplied more than 30X since 2017.Deadline to download our just-released Ultimate Four Special Report and get access to ALL of Zacks’ private buys & sells is midnight Sunday, April 9.
See Our “Ultimate” Stocks Now >>
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
One Less Loser
Setting a goal to have one less loser may not sound exciting, but the results can be dramatic.
There are over 10,000 stocks out there. So be choosey. One of the best ways to put the odds of success in your favor is to focus on the top industries. Why? Because roughly 50% of a stock's price movement can be attributed to the group that it’s in.
That's why, oftentimes, even a mediocre stock in a top industry can outperform the strongest stock in a weak industry. In fact, in my testing I have found that the top 50% of Zacks Ranked industries outperforms the bottom 50% by a factor of more than 2 to 1.
If your last loser was in an underperforming industry, you were betting against the odds.
Instead, stick with the best performing industries and put the odds of success in your favor.
And when you do find yourself in a losing trade, get out sooner.
Nobody likes to take a loss. But don't let your unwillingness to do so ruin your portfolio. Smaller losses are easy to overcome. But big losses, like -30%, -40%, and -50% losers can devastate your portfolio, not to mention your confidence.
If you found yourself driving the wrong way on a one-way street, you wouldn't keep driving the wrong way or speed up, you'd turn around and get off. Same thing with stocks. If you bought a stock expecting it to go up, and it's now doing the exact opposite, get out before you crash your portfolio.
One less loser, or even just deciding to take smaller losses, will immediately set you apart from the typical mediocre investor.
One More Winner
Now if you can replace that one less loser with one more winner, you'll compound your success even more.
First, stick with the investing style that's right for you. There are many different investing styles out there. The four main fundamental styles are Momentum, Aggressive Growth, Value, and Growth and Income. You can also apply Technical Analysis to any of these styles, and others as well.
But make sure you employ proven techniques to get the most out of each style.
If you're an Aggressive Growth investor; did you know that stocks with the highest growth rates perform almost as poorly as those with the lowest growth rates? It's true.
This is because the companies with the highest growth rates are often unsustainable. And once those sky-high growth rates start to come down, even though they may still be spectacular, the price of the stock will fall back down to earth as well.
For example, a company earning 1 cent a share that is now expected to earn 6 cents, has a 500% growth rate. But, if it receives a downward estimate revision to 5 cents, that’s a significant drop. Even though it still has a 400% growth rate, the estimates were just reduced by -16.7% and the price is likely to follow.
If you’ve ever wondered how a stock with a triple-digit growth rate could possibly go down -- that’s how.
Instead, stick with companies with growth rates above the median for their industry, but less than 50%. That range has produced some of the best results.
If you're a Value investor; do you know which valuation metrics produce the best results? Better yet, do you know what valuation ranges have the highest probability of success?
In my testing, I have found that the Price to Sales ratio (P/S) is one of the best valuation metrics out there. And that stocks with a P/S ratio of less than 1, by far, produce the highest returns. Between 1-2 still produce stellar results. And between 2-3 outperform the market. But once you get over 4, there is a higher probability of losing on that stock than winning.
That, of course, does not mean all stocks with a P/S ratio above 4 will go down. But if the odds of winning are greater below 1 (or at least below 3) and worse above 4, then by simply focusing on stocks in the optimum valuation range, you are now one step closer to having one more winner.
Don't worry whether you've picked the best stock on the planet. In fact, the best stock on the planet today may not be the best stock on the planet tomorrow. But it doesn’t matter.
All you need to focus on are good stocks. Or just slightly better stocks than you're picking now to start seeing the kind of success you've always wanted.
And one small better decision will set in motion other better decisions. And before you know it, you'll be achieving your goals.
Stock Picking Secrets of the Pros
Picking better stocks and making better decisions is a lot easier when there’s a proven, profitable way to do it.
For example, did you know that stocks with a Zacks Rank #1 Strong Buy have beaten the market in 29 of the last 35 years (an 82% annual win ratio) with an average annual return of more than 24% per year? That's more than 2 x the S&P, including 4 bear markets and 4 recessions. And consistently beating the market year after year can add up to a lot more than just two times the returns.
But you’re not there yet, as that one item alone will only narrow down a field of 10,000 stocks to the top 220 or so. Way too many to trade at once.
So the next step is to get that list down to a smaller, actionable list of stocks that you can buy.
And one of the best ways to do that is to see what stocks the pros, who use these methods, are picking.
Whether you’re a Growth investor, or a Value investor, prefer fast-paced momentum stocks, or mature dividend-paying income stocks, there are certain rules the experts follow to maximize their gains.
This applies to large-caps and small-caps, biotech and high-tech, ETFs, stocks under $10, stocks about to surprise, even options, and everything in between.
Regardless of which one fits your personal style of trade, just be sure you’re following proven profitable methods and strategies that work, from experts who have demonstrated their ability to beat the market.
The best part about these strategies and stock picks is that all of the hard work is done for you. There’s no guesswork involved. Just follow the experts and start confidently getting into better stocks on your very next trade.
The Pros’ Best Picks for Q2 (Grab Them Today)
Here's an easy way to find them:
Download our just-released Ultimate Four Special Report.
These are the 4 stocks hand-picked by our experts to shine brightest this quarter. Each has strong fundamentals and exceptional growth potential. They’re ideally suited to soar in current trading conditions.
Stock #1: A U.S. cybersecurity leader is engaging in a stunningly successful battle against bad actors. Profits build as the battle rages. Its cutting-edge solutions have propelled the company to exceed Zacks Consensus EPS estimates 24 quarters in a row.
Stock #2: Inflated commodity prices are generating immense profits from this small yet still-undervalued food company. Their product is always in demand, with a dividend increasing 7 times in the last 5 years.
Stock #3: Looking for the next Amazon to dominate another continent? It’s already a large-cap aiming to be a colossal-cap in traditional e-commerce, real estate platforms, and ads.
Stock #4: As the world digitizes, it’s time to jump on a tech stock in gaming, e-commerce, and financial services. After subsiding from a 4-digit boom, this company is now gaining traction for its next monster move. Sales have already multiplied more than 30X since 2017.
Plus, in addition to our Ultimate Four stocks for $1, you'll get full 30-day access to ALL of Zacks’ private buys & sells with that same dollar.
You can be one of the first to see these promising recommendations when you download this Special Report today. But don’t delay. This opportunity ends at midnight Sunday, April 9.
See our Ultimate Four stocks now >>
Thanks and good trading,
Kevin
Kevin Matras serves as Executive Vice President of Zacks.com and is responsible for all of its leading products for individual investors. He invites you to download the just-released Zacks Ultimate Four Special Report before this weekend's deadline.