In this article, we will look at the 25 high-paying jobs that don’t require math. If you want to skip our indepth analysis of emerging trends in jobs, head straight to the 10 High Paying Jobs That Don’t Require Math. While the world was already at the crossroads of changing times, COVID-19 accelerated the pace […] In this article, we will look at the 25 high-paying jobs that don’t require math. If you want to skip our indepth analysis of emerging trends in jobs, head straight to the 10 High Paying Jobs That Don’t Require Math. While the world was already at the crossroads of changing times, COVID-19 accelerated the pace with which the change was embraced. Not only did the world observe a transition of work settings in the form of remote work, but the values associated with conventional educational backgrounds like college degrees were also observed to reduce. Moreover, for a fair number of people who never imagined learning any skills online, e-learning became the only alternative, and hence, the new normal. It was indeed fascinating to observe how this also democratized access to technical roles, irrespective of one’s traditional educational background or mathematical abilities.  Before diving into the list of high-paying non-technical jobs, let’s explore the trends that have been facilitating individuals to transition into technical roles from nontech backgrounds. Growing Popularity of Low-Code/No-Code Development The relationship between mathematical ability and coding ability has also been explored empirically and some research also establishes a connection between the two abilities. While not a 100% conclusive, the explored connection, if true, suggests that individuals who don’t go along well with math, might also not enjoy coding or excel at it. However, distaste for certain fields of study should not be a hinderance in one’s career in Software. This is where low-code/no-code platforms come in. These platforms provide visual interfaces and prebuilt components that simplify the coding process and allow individuals with little to no coding experience to create applications quickly. The allure of low-code/no-code platforms lies in their ability to democratize application development for what are often referred to as “citizen developers.” Microsoft Corp (NASDAQ:MSFT)’s Power BI is a popular business analytics tool that simplifies data analysis and visualization with its user-friendly, no-code interface. Users can generate interactive reports and dashboards without extensive coding expertise and thus, business professionals can extract insights from data efficiently. Similarly, Excel, a widely used spreadsheet application, incorporates low-code functionalities through features like Power Query and Power Pivot that allow users to manipulate data and perform complex calculations with ease. There is no denying that Microsoft Corp (NASDAQ:MSFT) is among the top players in technological advancements especially in the field of technology as it is also one of the top AI companies in America. In fact, it has also been called the leader in generative AI. Harding Loevner Global Equity Strategy made the following comment about Microsoft Corporation (NASDAQ:MSFT) in its Q2 2023 investor letter: “Most notably, Microsoft Corporation (NASDAQ:MSFT) was able to gain an immediate leadership position in generative Al by making a US$10 billion investment in OpenAI, the company behind ChatGPT, earlier this year. Microsoft’s Bing search engine has since introduced ChatGPT into its web index data-a collection so large that it is rivaled by the dataset of only one other business in the world, Alphabet’s Google. Data are the feedstock of Al models, and an Al-enhanced search engine trained on so much data may attract more users to Bing, allowing Microsoft to sell more ads on the service. Microsoft is also adding generative Al to other products, including the Azure cloud service, enabling business customers who use Azure to easily integrate OpenAl models to glean more insights from their data and automate functions such as certain IT tasks. These added capabilities should motivate more businesses to migrate their data to the cloud and make Azure more competitive with Amazon.com’s AWS and Google Cloud.” Teachable Machine by Alphabet Inc (NASDAQ:GOOG) represents another facet of the low-code/no-code development. This platform utilizes machine learning to make creating custom models accessible to a broader audience. Users can train machine learning models without coding. Teachable Machine enables individuals to interact with AI and machine learning and reduce the technical barriers that once limited their participation in this field.  Chatbots and AI Conversation Tools Chatbots have also facilitated coding for non-coders as generative Ai tools like chatGPT or Bard AI can write any code if provided with the correct prompt and instructions. According to market analysis by Technavio, the global live chat software market is projected to grow at a CAGR of 8.91% between 2022 and 2027, driven by the increasing customer expectations for real-time support and personalized interactions.  This trend reflects the evolving nature of online customer engagement. As today’s consumers demand immediate support and personalized experiences when interacting with online businesses, Chatbots and AI-powered conversation tools have stepped in to meet these expectations. How the Rise of E-Learning is Recreating Interest in Dry Subjects The National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) reported that in the fall of 2020, 75% of all postsecondary students in the US — over 14 million learners — enrolled in online classes as the pandemic restricted in-person learning. This marked a substantial increase from the 36% enrolled in distance education in the preceding year. These statistics are not just numbers, they represent a fundamental shift in how education is delivered. E-learning has become the new normal and its advantage lies in the visual aspect integral to it. Math is an incredibly dry subject, but various of its branches like geometry and topology can be made remarkably intuitive using interactive visuals. This is where E-learning has an advantage for subjects like Math over traditional learning. One of the biggest platforms of e-learning has been Udemy Inc (NASDAQ:UDMY), with 64 million students and 75,000 instructors that offer over 210,000 courses. Moreover, 50% of Fortune 100 companies are Udemy Inc (NASDAQ:UDMY) Business clients who access a repository of 24,000 courses. Udemy Inc (NASDAQ:UDMY) is primarily famous for providing an opportunity to upskill and offers certain courses that can even lead to technical certifications.  ImageFlow/Shutterstock.com Our Methodology To list the high-paying jobs that don’t require math, we targeted jobs with little to no math, no steep learning curve and technical expertise. After extensive internet research, we shortlisted a total of 40 jobs. Out of those, the 25 highest paying were finally selected. To rank these jobs in order, we have utilized data on average salaries from Indeed.com and Glassdoor.com.  Here is a list of high-paying jobs that don’t require math 25. Influencer Average Salary: $67,332 Influencers continue to boost businesses by expanding reach and driving engagement for them through authentic and targeted content which ultimately increases brand visibility and sales. 24. Virtual Assisstant Average Salary: $67,785  Different companies hire virtual assistants to handle administrative tasks which allows businesses to focus on core operations and reduce overhead expenses. Owing to the flexibility of the job with many remote opportunities available, it can be considered one of the part-time jobs that don’t require math.  23. Truck Driver Average Salary: $67,874 Truck drivers have an important job as they ensure timely deliveries of essential goods. Without truck drivers, supply chains would grind to a halt, affecting businesses and consumers alike. It is one of the high paying jobs that don’t require math. 22. Graphic Designer Average Salary: $69,231 Companies often hire graphic designers to boost the company’s image while attracting customers and conveying their messages effectively. To read more about graphic designing, check out our article about the highest paying countries for graphic designers.  21. Art Director Average Salary: $69,264 Art directors essentially shape the visual identity and aesthetics of advertisements, films, and other creative projects. They oversee design teams to ensure that visuals align with the project’s vision. It is also one of the fun jobs that pay well. 20. Interpreter and Translator Average Salary: $69,800 Interpreters and translators are highly valued professionals for businesses because they facilitate effective communication with global clients, partners, and customers. They bridge language barriers and ensure accurate understanding that can help with successful negotiations.  19. Food Stylist Average Salary: $72,421 Food stylists are hired to make food look visually appealing for advertisements, menus, and cookbooks. They arrange and present dishes in a way that enhances their aesthetics to entice customers. It is one of the jobs that require no math at all.  18. WordPress Developer Average Salary: $81,294 WordPress developers create and maintain wordpress websites, crucial for businesses in the digital age. Although it can involve coding, there are various alternatives to coding for wordpress developers with drag and drop options. Owing to the vast number of remote jobs available for this role, it is one of the jobs for introverts that don’t require math as it involves no social interaction 17. Compliance Manager Average Salary: $87,936 Compliance officers are important for ensuring businesses adhere to laws and regulations. It is one of the high paying jobs that don’t require math.  16. Registered Nurse Average Salary: $90,568  Registered nurses provide healthcare services like administering medications, assessing patients’ conditions, offering medical advice, and collaborating with healthcare teams to deliver treatment and support to patients in different clinical settings. To read more about nurses, check out our article about the countries that need nurses the most.  15. Postsecondary Teacher Average Salary: $91,760 Post-secondary teachers, often referred to as professors or lecturers, hold a pivotal role in the education system. They are responsible for imparting specialized knowledge and skills to students pursuing higher education, typically at colleges, universities, and technical institutions. If math is not one’s cup of tea, one can specialize in any non-mathematical subject and become a professor.  14. Makeup Artist Average Salary: $93,850 Makeup artists are usually highly paid because of their artistic skills and ability to enhance appearances. It is one the jobs that don’t require math or science.  13. Real Estate Agent Average Salary: $95,016 Real estate agents assist clients in buying, selling, or renting properties. Their job is to provide market expertise, negotiate deals and guide clients through real estate transactions.  12. Dental Hygienist Average Salary: $98,530 Dental hygienists usually earn competitive salaries because of their specialized skills in oral health care. They perform essential duties such as teeth cleaning and examining patients for oral diseases. It is one of the high-paying jobs that don’t require math.  11. Justice Court Judge Average Salary: $108,506  Justice court judges play a crucial role in the legal system by presiding over cases. They ensure fair trials, and uphold the law at the local level. It is one of the most important jobs that don’t require math.  Click here to see the 10 Highest Paying Jobs that Don’t Require Math. Suggested Articles:  25 High-Paying Jobs for 18 Year Olds with no Experience 15 Part-Time Jobs for 18 Year Olds with no Experience Required 16 Jobs that will Disappear in the Future Due to AI Disclosure: None. 25 Highest Paying Jobs that Don’t Require Math is originally published on Insider Monkey. .....»»

Governments Start Calling For Price Controls, Rationing & CBDCs Come Next Authored by Brandon Smith via Alt-Market.us, Last month in the middle of the surreal “Bidenomics” hype I published an article titled ‘Nothing Is Over: Inflation Is About To Come Back With A Vengeance.’  I outlined the misconceptions surrounding CPI and how it is not an accurate model for the effects of inflation.  I also noted that the index had been manipulated downwards by Joe Biden as he flooded the market with oil from the strategic reserves.  Because so many elements of the CPI are connected to energy, Biden had created an artificial drop in CPI using this strategy. I argued that as the strategic reserves ran out and Biden lost his leverage, CPI would rise again and prices on a number of necessities would climb.  This is happening now, with the biggest jump in CPI in 14 months and gas prices clawing back towards all-time highs. Inflation is not going away anytime soon, but the bigger issue at hand is who benefits most from inflation and rising prices? The answer might be obvious to some but many people are oblivious to the root cause of inflationary dysfunction and often see it as a consequence of random economic chaos rather than a product of clever engineering. The truth is, banking oligarchs and political authorities revel in the inflationary tidal wave because it is a perfect opportunity to institute far reaching socialist controls over resources. In most cases central bankers are the primary culprits behind the creation of an inflationary event, and the word “creation” best applies because it is nearly impossible for overt inflation to occur without them. While money supply is not the only factor when dealing with inflation (sorry purists, but there are indeed other causes), it is the most important. More money chasing less resources triggers supply-side instability and prices go up. Central banks have a number of excuses as to why they “need” to conjure up more dollars or pesos or pounds or marks, but there is no doubt that they know what the ultimate end result will be. It’s happened too many times for them not to know… These inflation events trigger a predictable set of dominoes in society as well as in economy and finance. Price spikes, diminished savings, rising poverty, rising crime, and rising interest rates – This is then followed in most cases by failed rate hikes, more inflation, then more hikes, diminishing foreign investment in debt, foreign currency dumps (causing more inflation), plunging consumer spending and job losses. This same pattern has been witnessed from 1920s Weimar Germany to 1970s America to 1990s Yugoslavia to 2000s Argentina and Venezuela and beyond. But what happens next? In each case the trend leads first to price controls on producers and distributors, which ultimately fail. Then comes government rationing and the complete takeover of necessities including the food supply. Think it can’t happen in the US? It already has. In 1971 Richard Nixon issued Executive Order 11615, (under the Economic Stabilization Act which was established in 1970); the order demanded a 90 day freeze on wages and prices in order to counter inflation. It was an exceedingly rare action outside of a world war and conveniently took place during the election cycle. Keep in mind, the real inflationary crisis had not happened yet, but the price controls gave markets a short term boost and gave Nixon an election win. In 1973, controls returned during the Arab Oil Embargo. They failed and resulted in long term gas price inflation. Gerald Ford then called for American businesses to institute price controls under his “Whip Inflation Now” campaign; it was the subject of ridicule and was even made fun of by a young Joe Biden (who now falsely claims to have solved his own inflation problem with his useless Inflation Reduction Act). Finally, Jimmy Carter introduced price and wage “guidelines” (controls) which rewarded businesses that raised prices below a set percentage. Any businesses that raised prices above the percentage and made a pre-tax profit above the previous two years would be penalized. In no case could a firm increase its dollar profit by more than 6.5 percent unless the excess was attributable to increased unit sales volume. This plan, of course, also failed to stop inflation. Ultimately, the Fed had to jack rates up to around 20% in 1980-1981 to stop exponential inflation, which led to considerable business losses and high unemployment. The problem is simple, price controls lead to lost profit incentive which leads to less production. Less production leads to less supply and less supply leads to rising prices. This is on top of the root cancer that is fiat money creation. Politicians will rarely if ever address the actual cause of an inflationary crisis:  The government and the central banks. Instead, they try to blame free markets, “greedy” businesses and profit taking in times of distress. Sadly, the pattern is repeating again today as it is now becoming clear to the public that central bank interest rate hikes are not having a significant effect and the public is still paying between 25%-50% more on the majority of goods they purchase compared to three years ago. As inflation grinds forward, multiple leftist governments are now openly discussing price controls. Recently, Canada’s Justin Trudeau ordered top grocery chains in the country to cut prices while admonishing them for making higher profits, insinuating that they are the cause of inflation.  In Canada, profit margins among grocers are actually flat due to rising costs. If one looks only at raw profits without taking into account inflation in producer costs as well as transportation, distribution and wages, then it might look like these companies are pulling in the cash. There is zero evidence to support this claim. What Trudeau is doing is pretending to be stupid while engaging in a very clever strategy of scapegoating. It’s the government and the central bankers that are the foundational cause of inflation, but by blaming individual business sectors he sets the stage for government enforced price controls. When these fail and create a crisis in supply he will then introduce rationing, and once the government has conditioned the public to accept rationing the elites then control the entire population’s access to food and necessities. Some people may say “Well that’s Canada, what about the US?” The same agenda is in progress in America, but is being pursued at a city and state level. For example, the socialist Mayor of Chicago, Brandon Johnson, just announced a plan for the city (using state and federal tax funds) to build government run grocery stores in “food deserts.” These are places where a combination of inflation and shoplifting has forced grocers to leave certain areas of the city. The Chicago program would include price control measures and there’s ample opportunity for these institutions to use rationing in the future. Similar projects are also being considered in other cities across the country. In other words, leftist cities are scaring away businesses while planning to replace “essential services” with government run operations. I wrote about the inevitability of government rationing after price controls last year in my article ‘The Stagflation Trap Will Lead To Universal Basic Income And Food Rationing.’  Rationing generally comes when price controls fail. It’s been a long time since the US has faced these kinds of conditions but we are likely to in the near future. This time around, I believe that if the establishment is given rationing power they will never let go again. Rationing could also be used to lure the public into accepting Universal Basic Income (UBI) and Central Bank Digital Currencies (CBDCs).  Government run food centers can easily restrict purchases of goods to a limited list of items, and also demand payment using specific methods (like digital currencies).  In a short period of time, cash would be removed because retailers, pressured by government, will refuse to accept it. It’s hard to say what the future will bring in terms of politics, given that the next presidential campaign is looking like a complete circus. Historically speaking, though, both Democrat and Republican presidents have tried price controls in the past. Public pressure must be applied (at the state level at minimum) to stop this from happening. As convenient as it might seem to blame producers and distributors, the real threat is coming from governments and banks. We cannot let the people who caused the crisis also benefit from it by giving them even more power. * * * If you would like to support the work that Alt-Market does while also receiving content on advanced tactics for defeating the globalist agenda, subscribe to our exclusive newsletter The Wild Bunch Dispatch.  Learn more about it HERE. Tyler Durden Fri, 09/22/2023 - 23:40.....»»

Featured stocks include Coinbase Global and Robinhood Markets. The Federal Reserve left its policy interest rate unchanged, as widely expected, in its September meeting. However, all three major indexes declined as the Fed hinted at another rate hike this year as concerns grew that inflationary pressures will prove to be stubborn. The cryptocurrency market also suffered following the announcement. Cryptocurrencies have been suffering lately after staging a solid rebound this year that saw Bitcoin (BTC) trading past $31,500 at the beginning of July. However, things have changed drastically since then, and Bitcoin hovered around the $26,600 mark on Sep 21. The Fed’s aggressive interest rate hikes have been affecting markets for more than two-and-a-half years now. This took its toll on all major cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin, Ethereum (ETH), Cardano (ADA), Dogecoin (DOGE) and Litecoin (LTC). Despite the pressure, cryptocurrencies rallied in the first half of 2022 due to a number of positive developments in the space. In 2023, a pivotal event in the Bitcoin ecosystem was a major legal victory in the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit, involving Grayscale and the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The court ruled in favor of Grayscale in its lawsuit against the SEC, which had previously denied the company’s application to transform the Grayscale Bitcoin Trust into an Exchange-Traded Fund (ETF). This ruling stands as a major victory for Grayscale and sets a precedent that could have far-reaching implications for other companies aspiring to launch Bitcoin ETFs, including prominent industry players. Moreover, the growing interest in cryptocurrencies within the financial sector is expected to propel the prices of Bitcoin and other digital currencies in the coming months. Notably, financial giants like BlackRock, Inc. BLK are advocating regulatory approval for a spot Bitcoin ETF, a move that has the potential to increase retail investor participation significantly. Similarly, The Charles Schwab Corporation SCHW is backing a new exchange named EDX Markets, underlining the expanding institutional interest in the crypto space. These collective developments signal a growing acceptance of cryptocurrencies within traditional finance and could contribute to a favorable trajectory for the overall cryptocurrency market.Top of Form The Fed’s recent decision to keep interest rates unchanged, however, didn’t lift investors’ sentiments because the central bank hinted at another rate hike this year. Then again, the Fed also said that it would end its monetary tightening campaign in November and start cutting rates in 2024. This definitely bodes well for cryptocurrencies. Historically, the price of Bitcoin has exhibited a notable correlation with the performance of the tech-heavy Nasdaq 100 stock index. This correlation exists because both tech stocks and cryptocurrencies are considered to be relatively risky assets, leading investors to respond in a similar manner when evaluating their investment strategies based on prevailing market conditions. Thus, a pause in rate hikes bodes well for the cryptocurrency market in the near term. Stocks in Focus Robinhood Markets, Inc. HOOD operates a financial services platform in the United States. Its platform allows users to invest in stocks, exchange-traded funds, options, gold and cryptocurrencies. HOOD buys and sells Bitcoin, Ethereum, Dogecoin and other cryptocurrencies using its Robinhood Crypto platform. Robinhood Markets expected earnings growth rate for the current year is 57.3%.The Zacks Consensus Estimate for current-year earnings has improved 16.7% over the last 60 days. Robinhood Markets currently has a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy). Coinbase Global, Inc. COIN offers financial infrastructure and technology to support the global cryptocurrency economy. COIN provides a main financial account for consumers in the crypto space, a marketplace with liquidity for institutional crypto asset transactions, and technology and services for developers to build crypto-based applications and accept cryptocurrencies securely as payment. Coinbase Global’s expected earnings growth rate for the current year is 84.8%. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for current-year earnings has improved 21.7% over the last 60 days. Coinbase currently has a Zacks Rank #3. NVIDIA Corporation NVDA is a major player in the semiconductor industry and has been one of the standout success stories of 2023. As a leading designer of graphic processing units (GPUs), the value of the NVDA stock tends to surge in a thriving crypto market. This is primarily due to the crucial role that GPUs play in data centers, artificial intelligence and the mining or production of cryptocurrencies. NVIDIA’s expected earnings growth rate for the current year is 219.5%. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for current-year earnings has improved 36.8% over the last 60 days. NVIDIA currently sports a Zacks Rank #1. Accenture plc ACN is a worldwide system integrator that offers consulting, technology and various services. The company promotes Ethereum-based blockchain solutions to businesses, aiming to simplify payment processing. Accenture’s expected earnings growth rate for the current year is 8.2%. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for current-year earnings has improved 0.1% over the last 60 days. ACN currently carries a Zacks Rank #3. Accenture PLC (ACN): Free Stock Analysis Report BlackRock, Inc. (BLK): Free Stock Analysis Report The Charles Schwab Corporation (SCHW): Free Stock Analysis Report NVIDIA Corporation (NVDA): Free Stock Analysis Report Coinbase Global, Inc. (COIN): Free Stock Analysis Report Robinhood Markets, Inc. (HOOD): Free Stock Analysis Report To read this article on Zacks.com click here. Zacks Investment Research This article originally appeared on Zacks Sponsored: Find a Qualified Financial Advisor Finding a qualified financial advisor doesn’t have to be hard. SmartAsset’s free tool matches you with up to 3 fiduciary financial advisors in your area in 5 minutes. Each advisor has been vetted by SmartAsset and is held to a fiduciary standard to act in your best interests. If you’re ready to be matched with local advisors that can help you achieve your financial goals, get started now......»»

Since the fate of energy players is highly dependent on oil and gas prices, investors can play the current situation with MLP ETFs. Oil prices have been in great shape as OPEC+ supply cuts tighten the market. The global benchmark Brent crude oil made strides toward $95 per barrel recently, following three weeks of successive gains that have boosted prices by about 10%. This surge comes as Saudi Arabia and Russia extend supply curbs until the end of the year, per a Bloomberg article, as quoted on Yahoo. Crude oil in London has seen a nearly 10% increase year to date. This uptrend is attributed to the production cuts led by OPEC+ and an improving demand outlook caused by hopes that the United States may avoid a recession and the fact that Chinese refineries are operating at full capacity. Amid these factors, crude oil stockpiles have fallen, and speculators have increased their net-bullish bets on Brent and US benchmark West Texas Intermediate to a 15-month high. Since the fate of energy players is highly dependent on oil and gas prices, investors can play the current situation with MLP ETFs. The space has gained about 2.9% in the past month versus 1.9% gains in the S&P 500. We’ll tell you why. Lure of Dividends MLPs are known for their high-yielding nature as they do not pay taxes at the entity level and can thus pay out most of their income (more than 90%) in the form of dividends like the REIT firms. While most traditional income asset classes produced miniscule yields, MLPs lured investors with their higher payouts. The MLP segment yields a 7.94% annually versus 1.83% dividend yield offered by the S&P 500. MLPs Are Undervalued than the S&P 500 Forward price/earnings ratio of MLP stands at 14.99X (versus 17.60X possessed by the S&P 500). Price/Sales of the MLP segment stands at 1.35X (versus 2.45X possessed by the S&P 500). Debt-to-Equity ratio of the segment is 0.02X versus 0.64X of the S&P 500. Return of Equity of the segment is 33.97% versus 17.34% of the S&P 500. Strong Industry Rank The dual benefits of upbeat oil prices and a high-yielding nature might favor MLP ETF investing at the current level. Investors should note that the Zacks Industry Rank of the energy and pipeline MLPs is in the top 9% (at the time of writing). ETF Choices Below, we highlight a few MLP ETFs that were in the green in the past month and have decent dividend yields. Global X MLP & Energy Infrastructure ETF MLPX – Up 1.6% Past Month; Yields 5.31% annually InfraCap MLP ETF AMZA – Up 4.62% Past Month; Yields 7.49% annually First Trust North American Energy Infrastructure Fund EMLP – Up 1% Past Month; Yields 3.68% annually Alerian MLP ETF AMLP – Up 2.8% Past Month; Yields 7.74% annually Bottom Line Despite the bullish momentum, some market markers suggest the possibility of a pullback in oil prices. Brent’s 14-day relative-strength index has been above 70 for the past few sessions, implying that the rally may halt anytime. If it happens at all, then also MLP ETFs should be in a sweet spot. Stocks belonging to midstream MLPs have lower exposure to volatility in the underlying commodity prices. This is because midstream players generate stable fee-based revenues since the transportation and storage assets are being booked by shippers for the long term. Thus, their business model is relatively low-risk, signifying considerably lower exposure to both oil and gas price and volume risks. Alerian MLP ETF (AMLP): ETF Research Reports InfraCap MLP ETF (AMZA): ETF Research Reports Global X MLP & Energy Infrastructure ETF (MLPX): ETF Research Reports First Trust North American Energy Infrastructure ETF (EMLP): ETF Research Reports To read this article on Zacks.com click here. Zacks Investment Research This article originally appeared on Zacks Sponsored: Find a Qualified Financial Advisor Finding a qualified financial advisor doesn’t have to be hard. SmartAsset’s free tool matches you with up to 3 fiduciary financial advisors in your area in 5 minutes. Each advisor has been vetted by SmartAsset and is held to a fiduciary standard to act in your best interests. If you’re ready to be matched with local advisors that can help you achieve your financial goals, get started now......»»

Since the fate of energy players is highly dependent on oil and gas prices, investors can play the current situation with MLP ETFs. Oil prices have been in great shape as OPEC+ supply cuts tighten the market. The global benchmark Brent crude oil made strides toward $95 per barrel recently, following three weeks of successive gains that have boosted prices by about 10%. This surge comes as Saudi Arabia and Russia extend supply curbs until the end of the year, per a Bloomberg article, as quoted on Yahoo. Crude oil in London has seen a nearly 10% increase year to date. This uptrend is attributed to the production cuts led by OPEC+ and an improving demand outlook caused by hopes that the United States may avoid a recession and the fact that Chinese refineries are operating at full capacity. Amid these factors, crude oil stockpiles have fallen, and speculators have increased their net-bullish bets on Brent and US benchmark West Texas Intermediate to a 15-month high. Since the fate of energy players is highly dependent on oil and gas prices, investors can play the current situation with MLP ETFs. The space has gained about 2.9% in the past month versus 1.9% gains in the S&P 500. We’ll tell you why. Lure of Dividends MLPs are known for their high-yielding nature as they do not pay taxes at the entity level and can thus pay out most of their income (more than 90%) in the form of dividends like the REIT firms. While most traditional income asset classes produced miniscule yields, MLPs lured investors with their higher payouts. The MLP segment yields a 7.94% annually versus 1.83% dividend yield offered by the S&P 500. MLPs Are Undervalued than the S&P 500 Forward price/earnings ratio of MLP stands at 14.99X (versus 17.60X possessed by the S&P 500). Price/Sales of the MLP segment stands at 1.35X (versus 2.45X possessed by the S&P 500). Debt-to-Equity ratio of the segment is 0.02X versus 0.64X of the S&P 500. Return of Equity of the segment is 33.97% versus 17.34% of the S&P 500. Strong Industry Rank The dual benefits of upbeat oil prices and a high-yielding nature might favor MLP ETF investing at the current level. Investors should note that the Zacks Industry Rank of the energy and pipeline MLPs is in the top 9% (at the time of writing). ETF Choices Below, we highlight a few MLP ETFs that were in the green in the past month and have decent dividend yields. Global X MLP & Energy Infrastructure ETF MLPX – Up 1.6% Past Month; Yields 5.31% annually InfraCap MLP ETF AMZA – Up 4.62% Past Month; Yields 7.49% annually First Trust North American Energy Infrastructure Fund EMLP – Up 1% Past Month; Yields 3.68% annually Alerian MLP ETF AMLP – Up 2.8% Past Month; Yields 7.74% annually Bottom Line Despite the bullish momentum, some market markers suggest the possibility of a pullback in oil prices. Brent’s 14-day relative-strength index has been above 70 for the past few sessions, implying that the rally may halt anytime. If it happens at all, then also MLP ETFs should be in a sweet spot. Stocks belonging to midstream MLPs have lower exposure to volatility in the underlying commodity prices. This is because midstream players generate stable fee-based revenues since the transportation and storage assets are being booked by shippers for the long term. Thus, their business model is relatively low-risk, signifying considerably lower exposure to both oil and gas price and volume risks. Alerian MLP ETF (AMLP): ETF Research Reports InfraCap MLP ETF (AMZA): ETF Research Reports Global X MLP & Energy Infrastructure ETF (MLPX): ETF Research Reports First Trust North American Energy Infrastructure ETF (EMLP): ETF Research Reports To read this article on Zacks.com click here. Zacks Investment Research This article originally appeared on Zacks Sponsored: Tips for Investing A financial advisor can help you understand the advantages and disadvantages of investment properties. Finding a qualified financial advisor doesn’t have to be hard. SmartAsset’s free tool matches you with up to three financial advisors who serve your area, and you can interview your advisor matches at no cost to decide which one is right for you. If you’re ready to find an advisor who can help you achieve your financial goals, get started now. Investing in real estate can diversify your portfolio. But expanding your horizons may add additional costs. If you’re an investor looking to minimize expenses, consider checking out online brokerages. They often offer low investment fees, helping you maximize your profit......»»

Upstart Holdings, Inc. (UPST) closed the most recent trading day at $26.55, moving -1.99% from the previous trading session. Upstart Holdings, Inc. (UPST) closed at $26.55 in the latest trading session, marking a -1.99% move from the prior day. This change lagged the S&P 500's 0.23% loss on the day. Meanwhile, the Dow lost 0.31%, and the Nasdaq, a tech-heavy index, lost 0.09%.Prior to today's trading, shares of the company had lost 10.8% over the past month. This has lagged the Computer and Technology sector's loss of 1.69% and the S&P 500's loss of 1.43% in that time.Upstart Holdings, Inc. will be looking to display strength as it nears its next earnings release. On that day, Upstart Holdings, Inc. is projected to report earnings of -$0.02 per share, which would represent year-over-year growth of 91.67%. Meanwhile, our latest consensus estimate is calling for revenue of $139.52 million, down 11.26% from the prior-year quarter.UPST's full-year Zacks Consensus Estimates are calling for earnings of -$0.31 per share and revenue of $545.42 million. These results would represent year-over-year changes of -247.62% and -35.26%, respectively.Investors might also notice recent changes to analyst estimates for Upstart Holdings, Inc.These revisions typically reflect the latest short-term business trends, which can change frequently. As a result, we can interpret positive estimate revisions as a good sign for the company's business outlook.Our research shows that these estimate changes are directly correlated with near-term stock prices. To benefit from this, we have developed the Zacks Rank, a proprietary model which takes these estimate changes into account and provides an actionable rating system.The Zacks Rank system ranges from #1 (Strong Buy) to #5 (Strong Sell). It has a remarkable, outside-audited track record of success, with #1 stocks delivering an average annual return of +25% since 1988. The Zacks Consensus EPS estimate remained stagnant within the past month. Upstart Holdings, Inc. is currently a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold).The Computers - IT Services industry is part of the Computer and Technology sector. This group has a Zacks Industry Rank of 96, putting it in the top 39% of all 250+ industries.The Zacks Industry Rank gauges the strength of our industry groups by measuring the average Zacks Rank of the individual stocks within the groups. Our research shows that the top 50% rated industries outperform the bottom half by a factor of 2 to 1.Make sure to utilize Zacks.com to follow all of these stock-moving metrics, and more, in the coming trading sessions.Want the latest recommendations from Zacks Investment Research? Today, you can download 7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days. Click to get this free report Upstart Holdings, Inc. (UPST): Free Stock Analysis ReportTo read this article on Zacks.com click here.Zacks Investment Research.....»»

In the latest trading session, Rambus (RMBS) closed at $53.66, marking a +1.23% move from the previous day. In the latest trading session, Rambus (RMBS) closed at $53.66, marking a +1.23% move from the previous day. This change outpaced the S&P 500's 0.23% loss on the day. Meanwhile, the Dow lost 0.31%, and the Nasdaq, a tech-heavy index, lost 0.09%.Heading into today, shares of the memory chip designer had gained 0.09% over the past month, outpacing the Computer and Technology sector's loss of 1.69% and the S&P 500's loss of 1.43% in that time.Rambus will be looking to display strength as it nears its next earnings release. In that report, analysts expect Rambus to post earnings of $0.41 per share. This would mark a year-over-year decline of 10.87%. Meanwhile, the Zacks Consensus Estimate for revenue is projecting net sales of $130.99 million, down 9.35% from the year-ago period.For the full year, our Zacks Consensus Estimates are projecting earnings of $1.76 per share and revenue of $562.78 million, which would represent changes of +0.57% and -1.56%, respectively, from the prior year.Any recent changes to analyst estimates for Rambus should also be noted by investors. These revisions typically reflect the latest short-term business trends, which can change frequently. As such, positive estimate revisions reflect analyst optimism about the company's business and profitability.Based on our research, we believe these estimate revisions are directly related to near-team stock moves. We developed the Zacks Rank to capitalize on this phenomenon. Our system takes these estimate changes into account and delivers a clear, actionable rating model.Ranging from #1 (Strong Buy) to #5 (Strong Sell), the Zacks Rank system has a proven, outside-audited track record of outperformance, with #1 stocks returning an average of +25% annually since 1988. Over the past month, the Zacks Consensus EPS estimate remained stagnant. Rambus is currently a Zacks Rank #4 (Sell).In terms of valuation, Rambus is currently trading at a Forward P/E ratio of 30.2. Its industry sports an average Forward P/E of 26.21, so we one might conclude that Rambus is trading at a premium comparatively.Meanwhile, RMBS's PEG ratio is currently 2.05. This popular metric is similar to the widely-known P/E ratio, with the difference being that the PEG ratio also takes into account the company's expected earnings growth rate. Electronics - Semiconductors stocks are, on average, holding a PEG ratio of 4.56 based on yesterday's closing prices.The Electronics - Semiconductors industry is part of the Computer and Technology sector. This industry currently has a Zacks Industry Rank of 188, which puts it in the bottom 26% of all 250+ industries.The Zacks Industry Rank gauges the strength of our industry groups by measuring the average Zacks Rank of the individual stocks within the groups. Our research shows that the top 50% rated industries outperform the bottom half by a factor of 2 to 1.Be sure to follow all of these stock-moving metrics, and many more, on Zacks.com.Want the latest recommendations from Zacks Investment Research? Today, you can download 7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days. Click to get this free report Rambus, Inc. (RMBS): Free Stock Analysis ReportTo read this article on Zacks.com click here.Zacks Investment Research.....»»

Wingstop (WING) closed the most recent trading day at $169.36, moving +0.68% from the previous trading session. Wingstop (WING) closed the most recent trading day at $169.36, moving +0.68% from the previous trading session. This change outpaced the S&P 500's 0.23% loss on the day. Meanwhile, the Dow lost 0.31%, and the Nasdaq, a tech-heavy index, lost 0.09%.Coming into today, shares of the restaurant chain had gained 2.45% in the past month. In that same time, the Retail-Wholesale sector lost 2.81%, while the S&P 500 lost 1.43%.Investors will be hoping for strength from Wingstop as it approaches its next earnings release. On that day, Wingstop is projected to report earnings of $0.51 per share, which would represent year-over-year growth of 13.33%. Our most recent consensus estimate is calling for quarterly revenue of $108.31 million, up 16.88% from the year-ago period.Looking at the full year, our Zacks Consensus Estimates suggest analysts are expecting earnings of $2.17 per share and revenue of $434.5 million. These totals would mark changes of +17.3% and +21.53%, respectively, from last year.It is also important to note the recent changes to analyst estimates for Wingstop. Recent revisions tend to reflect the latest near-term business trends. As a result, we can interpret positive estimate revisions as a good sign for the company's business outlook.Research indicates that these estimate revisions are directly correlated with near-term share price momentum. We developed the Zacks Rank to capitalize on this phenomenon. Our system takes these estimate changes into account and delivers a clear, actionable rating model.The Zacks Rank system ranges from #1 (Strong Buy) to #5 (Strong Sell). It has a remarkable, outside-audited track record of success, with #1 stocks delivering an average annual return of +25% since 1988. The Zacks Consensus EPS estimate has moved 0.15% higher within the past month. Wingstop is holding a Zacks Rank of #3 (Hold) right now.Investors should also note Wingstop's current valuation metrics, including its Forward P/E ratio of 77.44. This represents a premium compared to its industry's average Forward P/E of 20.83.Investors should also note that WING has a PEG ratio of 3.87 right now. This popular metric is similar to the widely-known P/E ratio, with the difference being that the PEG ratio also takes into account the company's expected earnings growth rate. The Retail - Restaurants was holding an average PEG ratio of 1.69 at yesterday's closing price.The Retail - Restaurants industry is part of the Retail-Wholesale sector. This group has a Zacks Industry Rank of 62, putting it in the top 25% of all 250+ industries.The Zacks Industry Rank gauges the strength of our industry groups by measuring the average Zacks Rank of the individual stocks within the groups. Our research shows that the top 50% rated industries outperform the bottom half by a factor of 2 to 1.Be sure to follow all of these stock-moving metrics, and many more, on Zacks.com.Want the latest recommendations from Zacks Investment Research? Today, you can download 7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days. Click to get this free report Wingstop Inc. (WING): Free Stock Analysis ReportTo read this article on Zacks.com click here.Zacks Investment Research.....»»

Fiverr International (FVRR) closed at $24.25 in the latest trading session, marking a +1.85% move from the prior day. Fiverr International (FVRR) closed at $24.25 in the latest trading session, marking a +1.85% move from the prior day. This change outpaced the S&P 500's 0.23% loss on the day. Meanwhile, the Dow lost 0.31%, and the Nasdaq, a tech-heavy index, lost 0.09%.Coming into today, shares of the online marketplace for freelance services had lost 13.7% in the past month. In that same time, the Retail-Wholesale sector lost 2.81%, while the S&P 500 lost 1.43%.Fiverr International will be looking to display strength as it nears its next earnings release. The company is expected to report EPS of $0.49, up 133.33% from the prior-year quarter. Our most recent consensus estimate is calling for quarterly revenue of $91.11 million, up 10.38% from the year-ago period.Looking at the full year, our Zacks Consensus Estimates suggest analysts are expecting earnings of $1.84 per share and revenue of $361.94 million. These totals would mark changes of +159.15% and +7.28%, respectively, from last year.Investors should also note any recent changes to analyst estimates for Fiverr International. Recent revisions tend to reflect the latest near-term business trends. As a result, we can interpret positive estimate revisions as a good sign for the company's business outlook.Research indicates that these estimate revisions are directly correlated with near-term share price momentum. We developed the Zacks Rank to capitalize on this phenomenon. Our system takes these estimate changes into account and delivers a clear, actionable rating model.The Zacks Rank system, which ranges from #1 (Strong Buy) to #5 (Strong Sell), has an impressive outside-audited track record of outperformance, with #1 stocks generating an average annual return of +25% since 1988. The Zacks Consensus EPS estimate remained stagnant within the past month. Fiverr International currently has a Zacks Rank of #3 (Hold).In terms of valuation, Fiverr International is currently trading at a Forward P/E ratio of 12.94. This represents a discount compared to its industry's average Forward P/E of 20.66.The Internet - Commerce industry is part of the Retail-Wholesale sector. This industry currently has a Zacks Industry Rank of 70, which puts it in the top 28% of all 250+ industries.The Zacks Industry Rank includes is listed in order from best to worst in terms of the average Zacks Rank of the individual companies within each of these sectors. Our research shows that the top 50% rated industries outperform the bottom half by a factor of 2 to 1.Be sure to follow all of these stock-moving metrics, and many more, on Zacks.com.Want the latest recommendations from Zacks Investment Research? Today, you can download 7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days. Click to get this free report Fiverr International (FVRR): Free Stock Analysis ReportTo read this article on Zacks.com click here.Zacks Investment Research.....»»

T-Mobile (TMUS) closed the most recent trading day at $139.35, moving -0.46% from the previous trading session. T-Mobile (TMUS) closed the most recent trading day at $139.35, moving -0.46% from the previous trading session. This change lagged the S&P 500's daily loss of 0.23%. Meanwhile, the Dow lost 0.31%, and the Nasdaq, a tech-heavy index, lost 0.09%.Heading into today, shares of the wireless carrier had gained 5% over the past month, outpacing the Computer and Technology sector's loss of 1.69% and the S&P 500's loss of 1.43% in that time.Investors will be hoping for strength from T-Mobile as it approaches its next earnings release, which is expected to be October 25, 2023. In that report, analysts expect T-Mobile to post earnings of $1.99 per share. This would mark year-over-year growth of 397.5%. Meanwhile, our latest consensus estimate is calling for revenue of $19.43 billion, down 0.23% from the prior-year quarter.Looking at the full year, our Zacks Consensus Estimates suggest analysts are expecting earnings of $7.31 per share and revenue of $78.55 billion. These totals would mark changes of +254.85% and -1.28%, respectively, from last year.Investors might also notice recent changes to analyst estimates for T-Mobile. Recent revisions tend to reflect the latest near-term business trends. With this in mind, we can consider positive estimate revisions a sign of optimism about the company's business outlook.Based on our research, we believe these estimate revisions are directly related to near-team stock moves. Investors can capitalize on this by using the Zacks Rank. This model considers these estimate changes and provides a simple, actionable rating system.The Zacks Rank system ranges from #1 (Strong Buy) to #5 (Strong Sell). It has a remarkable, outside-audited track record of success, with #1 stocks delivering an average annual return of +25% since 1988. Within the past 30 days, our consensus EPS projection has moved 0.02% lower. T-Mobile currently has a Zacks Rank of #3 (Hold).Valuation is also important, so investors should note that T-Mobile has a Forward P/E ratio of 19.15 right now. For comparison, its industry has an average Forward P/E of 10.8, which means T-Mobile is trading at a premium to the group.The Wireless National industry is part of the Computer and Technology sector. This industry currently has a Zacks Industry Rank of 187, which puts it in the bottom 26% of all 250+ industries.The Zacks Industry Rank gauges the strength of our industry groups by measuring the average Zacks Rank of the individual stocks within the groups. Our research shows that the top 50% rated industries outperform the bottom half by a factor of 2 to 1.You can find more information on all of these metrics, and much more, on Zacks.com.Want the latest recommendations from Zacks Investment Research? Today, you can download 7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days. Click to get this free report T-Mobile US, Inc. (TMUS): Free Stock Analysis ReportTo read this article on Zacks.com click here.Zacks Investment Research.....»»

In the latest trading session, Fastly (FSLY) closed at $18.50, marking a +1.7% move from the previous day. Fastly (FSLY) closed at $18.50 in the latest trading session, marking a +1.7% move from the prior day. The stock outpaced the S&P 500's daily loss of 0.23%. Meanwhile, the Dow lost 0.31%, and the Nasdaq, a tech-heavy index, lost 0.09%.Heading into today, shares of the cloud software developer had lost 10.57% over the past month, lagging the Computer and Technology sector's loss of 1.69% and the S&P 500's loss of 1.43% in that time.Fastly will be looking to display strength as it nears its next earnings release. The company is expected to report EPS of -$0.07, up 50% from the prior-year quarter. Our most recent consensus estimate is calling for quarterly revenue of $126.65 million, up 16.72% from the year-ago period.Looking at the full year, our Zacks Consensus Estimates suggest analysts are expecting earnings of -$0.23 per share and revenue of $506.94 million. These totals would mark changes of +61.02% and +17.15%, respectively, from last year.Investors should also note any recent changes to analyst estimates for Fastly. Recent revisions tend to reflect the latest near-term business trends. As a result, we can interpret positive estimate revisions as a good sign for the company's business outlook.Our research shows that these estimate changes are directly correlated with near-term stock prices. We developed the Zacks Rank to capitalize on this phenomenon. Our system takes these estimate changes into account and delivers a clear, actionable rating model.The Zacks Rank system, which ranges from #1 (Strong Buy) to #5 (Strong Sell), has an impressive outside-audited track record of outperformance, with #1 stocks generating an average annual return of +25% since 1988. Within the past 30 days, our consensus EPS projection remained stagnant. Fastly currently has a Zacks Rank of #3 (Hold).The Internet - Software industry is part of the Computer and Technology sector. This industry currently has a Zacks Industry Rank of 90, which puts it in the top 36% of all 250+ industries.The Zacks Industry Rank gauges the strength of our individual industry groups by measuring the average Zacks Rank of the individual stocks within the groups. Our research shows that the top 50% rated industries outperform the bottom half by a factor of 2 to 1.Make sure to utilize Zacks.com to follow all of these stock-moving metrics, and more, in the coming trading sessions.Want the latest recommendations from Zacks Investment Research? Today, you can download 7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days. Click to get this free report Fastly, Inc. (FSLY): Free Stock Analysis ReportTo read this article on Zacks.com click here.Zacks Investment Research.....»»

In the latest trading session, Coterra Energy (CTRA) closed at $26.05, marking a -0.19% move from the previous day. Coterra Energy (CTRA) closed at $26.05 in the latest trading session, marking a -0.19% move from the prior day. This change was narrower than the S&P 500's daily loss of 0.23%. Meanwhile, the Dow lost 0.31%, and the Nasdaq, a tech-heavy index, lost 0.09%.Heading into today, shares of the independent oil and gas company had lost 6.12% over the past month, lagging the Oils-Energy sector's gain of 2.43% and the S&P 500's loss of 1.43% in that time.Coterra Energy will be looking to display strength as it nears its next earnings release. The company is expected to report EPS of $0.45, down 68.31% from the prior-year quarter. Our most recent consensus estimate is calling for quarterly revenue of $1.38 billion, down 45.4% from the year-ago period.Looking at the full year, our Zacks Consensus Estimates suggest analysts are expecting earnings of $2.28 per share and revenue of $5.87 billion. These totals would mark changes of -53.85% and -35.19%, respectively, from last year.Investors should also note any recent changes to analyst estimates for Coterra Energy. Recent revisions tend to reflect the latest near-term business trends. As a result, we can interpret positive estimate revisions as a good sign for the company's business outlook.Our research shows that these estimate changes are directly correlated with near-term stock prices. We developed the Zacks Rank to capitalize on this phenomenon. Our system takes these estimate changes into account and delivers a clear, actionable rating model.The Zacks Rank system, which ranges from #1 (Strong Buy) to #5 (Strong Sell), has an impressive outside-audited track record of outperformance, with #1 stocks generating an average annual return of +25% since 1988. Within the past 30 days, our consensus EPS projection remained stagnant. Coterra Energy currently has a Zacks Rank of #3 (Hold).Investors should also note Coterra Energy's current valuation metrics, including its Forward P/E ratio of 11.45. Its industry sports an average Forward P/E of 9.26, so we one might conclude that Coterra Energy is trading at a premium comparatively.Also, we should mention that CTRA has a PEG ratio of 0.21. The PEG ratio is similar to the widely-used P/E ratio, but this metric also takes the company's expected earnings growth rate into account. The Oil and Gas - Exploration and Production - United States was holding an average PEG ratio of 0.47 at yesterday's closing price.The Oil and Gas - Exploration and Production - United States industry is part of the Oils-Energy sector. This group has a Zacks Industry Rank of 170, putting it in the bottom 33% of all 250+ industries.The Zacks Industry Rank includes is listed in order from best to worst in terms of the average Zacks Rank of the individual companies within each of these sectors. Our research shows that the top 50% rated industries outperform the bottom half by a factor of 2 to 1.To follow CTRA in the coming trading sessions, be sure to utilize Zacks.com.Want the latest recommendations from Zacks Investment Research? Today, you can download 7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days. Click to get this free report Coterra Energy Inc. (CTRA): Free Stock Analysis ReportTo read this article on Zacks.com click here.Zacks Investment Research.....»»

The prospects for a potential Microsoft (MSFT) and Activision Blizzard (ATVI) deal looks promising for both parties at the moment. In a turn of events, the United Kingdom’s Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) now views Microsoft’s MSFT restructured deal to acquire game developer Activision Blizzard ATVI as a positive for the nation's merger and acquisition sector (M&A).This comes after the E.U. and U.S. have already approved the deal with the U.K.’s provisional decision likely to be the final nod. Today’s news of such has Activision Blizzard’s stock up roughly +2% and near Microsoft’s acquisition offer of $95 a share with the deal valued at $68.7 billion.As for Microsoft, shares are virtually flat upon the announcement although MSFT’s +33% YTD performance has still topped ATVI’s +23% and the broader indexes.Image Source: Zacks Investment ResearchRestructured Deal  The CMA’s provisional agreement to accept Microsoft’s acquisition of Activision Blizzard is reliant upon the transfer of cloud gaming rights to UbiSoft Entertainment UBSFY which has seen its stock pop over +4% today.Ubisoft is a French video game publisher and all of Activision Blizzard’s cloud gaming rights will be shared with the company over the next 15 years so that Microsoft can’t exclusively release the games on its Xbox Cloud.This includes rights to the iconic Call of Duty brand, in return, Ubisoft will compensate Microsoft for the rights with a one-time payment based on usage.Growth Potential With Microsoft addressing the CMA’s monopoly concerns investors can start to gravitate toward the growth conversation of a potential Activision Blizzard takeover.Taking a look at total sales, we can ponder the prospects. Microsoft’s sales are forecasted to rise 10% in its current fiscal 2024 to $233.80 billion with Activision Blizzard sales expected to jump 13% this year at $9.66 billion.Theoretically, the nearly $10 billion revenue boost would give Microsoft a 70% growth increase over the last five years with sales at $143.01 billion in its fiscal 2020.Image Source: Zacks Investment ResearchThis would easily eclipse Apple’s AAPL 47% sales growth over the last five years with AAPL having the largest market cap on U.S. stock exchanges just ahead of Microsoft. Furthermore, it’s likely that Microsoft’s growth will be substantially compounded considering Activision Blizzard has seen a 49% increase in sales since 2019 which also beats Apple’s top-line expansion rate.  Image Source: Zacks Investment ResearchEPS Outlook & P/E ValuationsRegarding their bottom lines, Microsoft’s earnings are projected to rise 11% in FY24 and leap another 14% in FY25 to $12.42 per share. Microsoft’s stock trades at 29.3X forward earnings which is above the S&P 500’s 20.2X but mostly on par with the Zacks Computer-Software Industry average and the company is a historical leader in the space.Image Source: Zacks Investment ResearchPivoting to Activision Blizzard, annual earnings are expected to climb 23% this year and rise another 4% in FY24 at $4.37 per share. Plus, Activision Blizzard’s stock trades at a 21.9X forward earnings multiple which is closer to the benchmark and not a stretched premium to its Zacks Toys-Games-Hobbies Industry average of 17.6X and is a leader in its market as well.Image Source: Zacks Investment ResearchTakeawayThe prospects for a potential Microsoft and Activision Blizzard deal looks promising for both parties at the moment. Microsoft will reap the long-term benefits with its stock landing a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold) and Activision Blizzard’s stock sports a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy) as it edges closer to its acquisition price.Want the latest recommendations from Zacks Investment Research? Today, you can download 7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days. Click to get this free report Microsoft Corporation (MSFT): Free Stock Analysis Report Activision Blizzard, Inc (ATVI): Free Stock Analysis Report Apple Inc. (AAPL): Free Stock Analysis Report UbiSoft Entertainment Inc. (UBSFY): Free Stock Analysis ReportTo read this article on Zacks.com click here.Zacks Investment Research.....»»

InterDigital (IDCC) closed at $81.01 in the latest trading session, marking a +0.97% move from the prior day. InterDigital (IDCC) closed at $81.01 in the latest trading session, marking a +0.97% move from the prior day. The stock outpaced the S&P 500's daily loss of 0.23%. Meanwhile, the Dow lost 0.31%, and the Nasdaq, a tech-heavy index, lost 0.09%.Heading into today, shares of the wireless research and development company had lost 3.95% over the past month, lagging the Computer and Technology sector's loss of 1.69% and the S&P 500's loss of 1.43% in that time.Wall Street will be looking for positivity from InterDigital as it approaches its next earnings report date. On that day, InterDigital is projected to report earnings of $1.19 per share, which would represent year-over-year growth of 60.81%. Meanwhile, our latest consensus estimate is calling for revenue of $98.94 million, down 13.79% from the prior-year quarter.IDCC's full-year Zacks Consensus Estimates are calling for earnings of $7.91 per share and revenue of $503.81 million. These results would represent year-over-year changes of +157.65% and +10.05%, respectively.Investors should also note any recent changes to analyst estimates for InterDigital. Recent revisions tend to reflect the latest near-term business trends. As a result, we can interpret positive estimate revisions as a good sign for the company's business outlook.Research indicates that these estimate revisions are directly correlated with near-term share price momentum. To benefit from this, we have developed the Zacks Rank, a proprietary model which takes these estimate changes into account and provides an actionable rating system.Ranging from #1 (Strong Buy) to #5 (Strong Sell), the Zacks Rank system has a proven, outside-audited track record of outperformance, with #1 stocks returning an average of +25% annually since 1988. Over the past month, the Zacks Consensus EPS estimate has moved 0.15% lower. InterDigital is holding a Zacks Rank of #3 (Hold) right now.Looking at its valuation, InterDigital is holding a Forward P/E ratio of 10.14. For comparison, its industry has an average Forward P/E of 12.99, which means InterDigital is trading at a discount to the group.Meanwhile, IDCC's PEG ratio is currently 0.73. The PEG ratio is similar to the widely-used P/E ratio, but this metric also takes the company's expected earnings growth rate into account. The Wireless Equipment was holding an average PEG ratio of 1.33 at yesterday's closing price.The Wireless Equipment industry is part of the Computer and Technology sector. This industry currently has a Zacks Industry Rank of 97, which puts it in the top 39% of all 250+ industries.The Zacks Industry Rank includes is listed in order from best to worst in terms of the average Zacks Rank of the individual companies within each of these sectors. Our research shows that the top 50% rated industries outperform the bottom half by a factor of 2 to 1.To follow IDCC in the coming trading sessions, be sure to utilize Zacks.com.Want the latest recommendations from Zacks Investment Research? Today, you can download 7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days. Click to get this free report InterDigital, Inc. (IDCC): Free Stock Analysis ReportTo read this article on Zacks.com click here.Zacks Investment Research.....»»

Builders FirstSource (BLDR) closed the most recent trading day at $121.84, moving +0.68% from the previous trading session. In the latest trading session, Builders FirstSource (BLDR) closed at $121.84, marking a +0.68% move from the previous day. This change outpaced the S&P 500's 0.23% loss on the day. Meanwhile, the Dow lost 0.31%, and the Nasdaq, a tech-heavy index, lost 0.09%.Heading into today, shares of the construction supply company had lost 8.9% over the past month, lagging the Retail-Wholesale sector's loss of 2.81% and the S&P 500's loss of 1.43% in that time.Builders FirstSource will be looking to display strength as it nears its next earnings release. On that day, Builders FirstSource is projected to report earnings of $4.05 per share, which would represent a year-over-year decline of 22.12%. Our most recent consensus estimate is calling for quarterly revenue of $4.87 billion, down 15.49% from the year-ago period.BLDR's full-year Zacks Consensus Estimates are calling for earnings of $13.69 per share and revenue of $17.44 billion. These results would represent year-over-year changes of -26.83% and -23.26%, respectively.Investors should also note any recent changes to analyst estimates for Builders FirstSource. Recent revisions tend to reflect the latest near-term business trends. As a result, we can interpret positive estimate revisions as a good sign for the company's business outlook.Based on our research, we believe these estimate revisions are directly related to near-team stock moves. We developed the Zacks Rank to capitalize on this phenomenon. Our system takes these estimate changes into account and delivers a clear, actionable rating model.Ranging from #1 (Strong Buy) to #5 (Strong Sell), the Zacks Rank system has a proven, outside-audited track record of outperformance, with #1 stocks returning an average of +25% annually since 1988. The Zacks Consensus EPS estimate has moved 3.87% higher within the past month. Builders FirstSource currently has a Zacks Rank of #1 (Strong Buy).Investors should also note Builders FirstSource's current valuation metrics, including its Forward P/E ratio of 8.84. For comparison, its industry has an average Forward P/E of 11.18, which means Builders FirstSource is trading at a discount to the group.The Building Products - Retail industry is part of the Retail-Wholesale sector. This industry currently has a Zacks Industry Rank of 58, which puts it in the top 24% of all 250+ industries.The Zacks Industry Rank gauges the strength of our industry groups by measuring the average Zacks Rank of the individual stocks within the groups. Our research shows that the top 50% rated industries outperform the bottom half by a factor of 2 to 1.Make sure to utilize Zacks.com to follow all of these stock-moving metrics, and more, in the coming trading sessions.Want the latest recommendations from Zacks Investment Research? Today, you can download 7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days. Click to get this free report Builders FirstSource, Inc. (BLDR): Free Stock Analysis ReportTo read this article on Zacks.com click here.Zacks Investment Research.....»»

In the latest trading session, M.D.C. Holdings, Inc. (MDC) closed at $41.23, marking a -0.43% move from the previous day. M.D.C. Holdings, Inc. (MDC) closed at $41.23 in the latest trading session, marking a -0.43% move from the prior day. This move lagged the S&P 500's daily loss of 0.23%. Meanwhile, the Dow lost 0.31%, and the Nasdaq, a tech-heavy index, lost 0.09%.Coming into today, shares of the company had lost 9.88% in the past month. In that same time, the Construction sector lost 4.72%, while the S&P 500 lost 1.43%.M.D.C. Holdings, Inc. will be looking to display strength as it nears its next earnings release. On that day, M.D.C. Holdings, Inc. is projected to report earnings of $1.18 per share, which would represent a year-over-year decline of 40.4%. Meanwhile, the Zacks Consensus Estimate for revenue is projecting net sales of $1.12 billion, down 22.18% from the year-ago period.MDC's full-year Zacks Consensus Estimates are calling for earnings of $4.94 per share and revenue of $4.59 billion. These results would represent year-over-year changes of -35.59% and -19.67%, respectively.Investors might also notice recent changes to analyst estimates for M.D.C. Holdings, Inc.These revisions help to show the ever-changing nature of near-term business trends. With this in mind, we can consider positive estimate revisions a sign of optimism about the company's business outlook.Research indicates that these estimate revisions are directly correlated with near-term share price momentum. Investors can capitalize on this by using the Zacks Rank. This model considers these estimate changes and provides a simple, actionable rating system.The Zacks Rank system ranges from #1 (Strong Buy) to #5 (Strong Sell). It has a remarkable, outside-audited track record of success, with #1 stocks delivering an average annual return of +25% since 1988. The Zacks Consensus EPS estimate has moved 0.05% higher within the past month. M.D.C. Holdings, Inc. currently has a Zacks Rank of #1 (Strong Buy).Looking at its valuation, M.D.C. Holdings, Inc. is holding a Forward P/E ratio of 8.39. For comparison, its industry has an average Forward P/E of 8.22, which means M.D.C. Holdings, Inc. is trading at a premium to the group.The Building Products - Home Builders industry is part of the Construction sector. This industry currently has a Zacks Industry Rank of 5, which puts it in the top 2% of all 250+ industries.The Zacks Industry Rank includes is listed in order from best to worst in terms of the average Zacks Rank of the individual companies within each of these sectors. Our research shows that the top 50% rated industries outperform the bottom half by a factor of 2 to 1.Make sure to utilize Zacks.com to follow all of these stock-moving metrics, and more, in the coming trading sessions.Want the latest recommendations from Zacks Investment Research? Today, you can download 7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days. Click to get this free report M.D.C. Holdings, Inc. (MDC): Free Stock Analysis ReportTo read this article on Zacks.com click here.Zacks Investment Research.....»»

The Federal Reserve chose not to raise interest rates this week, but policymakers' hawkish signaling sent bond yields soaring. REUTERS/Brendan McDermid US stocks ended slightly higher Friday to close out a losing week. Bond yields climbed on the week following the Fed's hawkish signaling Wednesday. Policymakers did not adjust interest rates this week, but another hike is on the table before 2024. US stocks closed lower on Friday to cap off a losing week that saw the Federal Reserve choose to keep interest rates unchanged but maintained a hawkish outlook for the rest of the year. Major indexes ended their fourth consecutive day in the red Friday. Both oil prices and bond yields surged over the course of the week, with the 10-year Treasury hitting 4.49%, its highest mark since 2007.The two-year Treasury, meanwhile, also climbed to its highest since 2006.Policymakers at the central bank signaled that another rate hike remains on the table before 2024, sowing doubt among investors that this year's stock market rally can last. Add in a potential government shutdown, which could weigh on consumer confidence and hurt the economy, and there's even more reason for concern. "While September is living up to its reputation as being a weak month for stocks, seasonality cannot take all the blame for the selling pressure," Adam Turnquist, chief technical strategist for LPL Financial said. "In addition to a rally in crude oil, a nine-week winning streak in the dollar, and a 'hawkish pause' from the Federal Reserve this week, stocks have had to contend with nearly a 40-basis point surge in 10-year yields this month, which are now trading near 4.50%. Once again, the move in rates has proven to be too much too fast for equity markets to handle."Here's where US indexes stood as the market closed 4:00 p.m. on Friday: S&P 500: 4,320.00, down 0.23%Dow Jones Industrial Average: 33,964.31, down 0.31% (-106.38 points)Nasdaq Composite: 13,211.81, down 0.09%Here's what else is going on: Dollarization would eliminate Argentina's future inflation risk, a former IMF board member said.Investors pulled $19 billion from stocks in the last week, the highest outflow all year.'Shark Tank' investor Kevin O'Leary warned of more pain coming for the economy.Falling job openings raise red flags for the stock market.Legendary investor Jeremy Grantham called Elon Musk a 'wonderful propagandist.'In commodities, bonds, and crypto: Oil prices climbed, with West Texas Intermediate up 0.9 to $90.46 a barrel. Brent crude, the international benchmark, inched higher 0.45% to $93.72 a barrel.Gold edged higher 0.27% to $1,944.90 per ounce.The 10-year Treasury yield fell four basis points to 4.432%.Bitcoin inched lower 0.07% to $26,573.Read the original article on Business Insider.....»»

U.S. stocks capped off a rocky week by finishing lower on Friday after erasing their gains from earlier in the session as the Federal Reserve’s warning that it plans to keep interest rates higher for longer continued to reverberate across global markets. The S&P 500 SPX fell 10.17 points, or 0.2%, to finish Friday at 4,319.93, according to preliminary closing data from FactSet. It marked the fourth-straight session in the red, the longest streak of daily losses since early August. Also, the benchmark index fell 2.9% on the week, its biggest such drop since the week ended March 10, when the collapse of Silicon Valley Bank sparked a painful but short-lived selloff. The Nasdaq Composite COMP fell 12.18 points, or 0.1%, to 13,211.81, capping off a weekly loss of 3.6%, also the index’s worst since March 10. The Dow Jones Industrial Average DJIA fell 106.38 points, or 0.3%, to 33,964.44, falling 1.9% on the week, its worst in about a month. The S&P 500 and Nasdaq have now fallen during six of the last eight weeks. Market Pulse Stories are Rapid-fire, short news bursts on stocks and markets as they move. Visit MarketWatch.com for more information on this news......»»

We see the seemingly hawkish Fed posture as nothing more than an insurance policy that will come in handy should the recent favorable momentum on the inflation front start stalling. The market’s reaction to the ‘higher-for-longer’ view of interest rates following the latest Fed dot plot suggests that many had been banking on a relatively earlier onset to the easing cycle than the central bank’s guidance.We see the seemingly hawkish Fed posture as nothing more than an insurance policy for the central bank that will come in handy should the recent favorable momentum on the inflation front start stalling.It is prudent on the Fed’s part to have complete confidence on the inflation question before changing course, though we remain of the view that the enduring trend on the inflation front remains favorable even as the macroeconomic backdrop remains far more resilient relative to earlier expectations.The economy’s resilience has been showing up in the positive turn in the earnings outlook that we have been flagging in this space in recent months. Specifically, the earnings estimates revisions trend notably stabilized in early April this year after steadily decreasing for almost a year.Had it not been for the Energy sector weakness, aggregate earnings estimates would be modestly up since early April 2023.Sectors enjoying positive estimate revisions in this time period include Tech, Construction, Autos, Consumer Discretionary, Industrial Products, and Retail.We are seeing a similar revisions trend at play concerning estimates for 2023 Q3, whose advanced results have started coming out already.The expectation currently is of S&P 500 earnings declining by -1.8% in Q3 from the same period last year on +0.8% higher revenues. This would follow the -7.1% decline on +1.1% higher revenues in 2023 Q2.The chart below highlights the year-over-year Q3 earnings and revenue growth in the context of where growth has been in recent quarters and what is expected in the next few periods.Image Source: Zacks Investment ResearchAs you can see here, 2023 Q3 is expected to be the last period of declining earnings for the index, with positive growth resuming from 2023 Q4 onwards. In fact, had it not been for the Energy sector drag, earnings growth in 2023 Q3 would be positive.You can see this in the chart below that shows the index’s year-over-year earnings growth on an ex-Energy basis.Image Source: Zacks Investment ResearchThe chart below shows the year-over-year change in net margins, with Q3 currently expected to be the 7th quarter in a row of declining margins.Image Source: Zacks Investment ResearchExcluding the Energy sector, however, net margins would be modestly up from the year-earlier period.One sector that has made significant progress on the margins front is the Tech sector, whose year-over-year comparison turned positive in the preceding period and is expected to expand further this quarter, as the chart below shows.Image Source: Zacks Investment ResearchThe chart below shows the earnings and revenue growth picture on an annual basis.Image Source: Zacks Investment ResearchLook at current expectations for next year and the year after to understand the disconnect between the reality of current bottom-up aggregate earnings estimates and the seemingly never-ending worries about an impending economic downturn. That said, most economic analysts have been steadily lowering their recessionary odds in recent months.This Week’s Notable Earnings ReleasesThe Q3 earnings season will really get going when the big banks start coming out with their quarterly numbers in mid-October. But the reporting cycle has actually gotten underway already, with results from 8 S&P 500 members out as of Friday, September 22nd.These 8 S&P 500 members include bellwethers like FedEx FDX, Adobe ADBE, and others. We have another 8 S&P 500 members on deck to report results this week, including Nike NKE, Costco COST, and others.FedEx, Adobe, Nike, and all of these other early reporters are coming out with their fiscal August-quarter results, which we and other research organizations count as part of the Q3 tally. We will have seen roughly two dozen such August-quarter results by the time JPMorgan comes out with its quarterly results on October 13th.For the 8 S&P 500 members that have reported already, total earnings and revenues are up +8% and +0.09% from the same period last year, with 87.5% beating both EPS and revenue estimates.The comparison charts below put the Q3 earnings and revenue growth rates at this very early stage in a historical context.Image Source: Zacks Investment ResearchFor a detailed look at the overall earnings picture, including expectations for the coming periods, please check out our weekly Earnings Trends report >>>> Current Earnings Outlook Reflects Stability  Want the latest recommendations from Zacks Investment Research? Today, you can download 7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days. Click to get this free report NIKE, Inc. (NKE): Free Stock Analysis Report Costco Wholesale Corporation (COST): Free Stock Analysis Report Adobe Inc. (ADBE): Free Stock Analysis Report FedEx Corporation (FDX): Free Stock Analysis ReportTo read this article on Zacks.com click here.Zacks Investment Research.....»»

InvestorPlace - Stock Market News, Stock Advice & Trading Tips The PCE index is the U.S. Federal Reserve's preferred measure of inflation and can be expected to influence the central bank's views on where interest rates should go from here. Markets will be watching the latest PCE reading closely. The post Stock Market Crash Alert: Mark Your Calendars for Sept. 29 appeared first on InvestorPlace. More From InvestorPlace ChatGPT IPO Could Shock the World, Make This Move Before the Announcement Musk’s “Project Omega” May Be Set to Mint New Millionaires. Here’s How to Get In. The Rich Use This Income Secret (NOT Dividends) Far More Than Regular Investors.....»»