August 2021 Stock Picks
Total Page:16
File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb
August 2021 Stock Picks TOP 25 STOCKS August-21 UPDATED RANK TICKER NAME SECTOR INDUSTRY 1 ADBE Adobe Inc 57 - Technology 57201020 - Software 2 ASML ASML Holding NV (ADR) 57 - Technology 57101020 - Semiconductor Equipment & Testing 3 MSFT Microsoft Corporation 57 - Technology 57201020 - Software 4 AMD Advanced Micro Devices, Inc. 57 - Technology 57101010 - Semiconductors 5 GOOGL Alphabet Inc 57 - Technology 57201030 - Online Services 6 NVDA NVIDIA Corporation 57 - Technology 57101010 - Semiconductors 7 AAPL Apple Inc 57 - Technology 57106020 - Phones & Handheld Devices 8 AMZN Amazon.com, Inc. 53 - Consumer Cyclicals 53402010 - Retailers - Department Stores 9 ISRG Intuitive Surgical, Inc. 56 - Healthcare 56101010 - Advanced Medical Equipment & Technology 10 COST Costco Wholesale Corporation 53 - Consumer Cyclicals 53402020 - Retailers - Discount Stores 11 V Visa Inc 57 - Technology 57201030 - Online Services 12 MA Mastercard Inc 57 - Technology 57201030 - Online Services 13 SBUX Starbucks Corporation 53 - Consumer Cyclicals 53301020 - Restaurants & Bars 14 BLDR Builders FirstSource, Inc. 53 - Consumer Cyclicals 53203020 - Construction Supplies & Fixtures 15 HD Home Depot Inc 53 - Consumer Cyclicals 53403020 - Retailers - Home Improvement Products & Services 16 GS Goldman Sachs Group Inc 55 - Financials 55102010 - Investment Banking & Brokerage Services 17 GM General Motors Company 53 - Consumer Cyclicals 53101010 - Auto & Truck Manufacturers 18 DIS Walt Disney Co 53 - Consumer Cyclicals 53302020 - Broadcasting 19 BAC Bank of America Corp 55 - Financials 55101010 - Banks 20 MAR Marriott International Inc 53 - Consumer Cyclicals 53301010 - Hotels, Motels & Cruise Lines 21 XOM Exxon Mobil Corporation 50 - Energy 50102030 - Oil & Gas - Refining and Marketing 22 AAL American Airlines Group Inc 52 - Industrials 52406010 - Airlines 23 EXPE Expedia Group Inc 53 - Consumer Cyclicals 53301040 - Leisure & Recreation 24 BA Boeing Co 52 - Industrials 52101010 - Aerospace & Defense 25 COIN Coinbase Global Inc 57 - Technology 57301030 - Fintech - Blockchain & Cryptocurrency As of July 29th, 2021 - Subject to change. August 2021 Growth Stock Picks As of June 29th, 2021. Subject to change. August 2021 Growth Stock Picks As of July 29th, 2021. Subject to change. August 2021 Growth Stock Picks As of July 29th, 2021. Subject to change. American Airlines Group Inc. (AAL) American Airlines Group Inc., through its subsidiaries, operates as a network air carrier. It provides scheduled air transportation services for passengers and cargo. As of December 31, 2019, the company operated a mainline fleet of 942 aircraft. It serves 365 destinations in approximately 61 countries, principally from its hubs and gateways in Charlotte, Chicago, Dallas/Fort Worth, London Heathrow, Los Angeles, Miami, New York, Philadelphia, Phoenix, and Washington, D.C. American Airlines Group Inc. has strategic partnership with JetBlue Airways Corp. The company was formerly known as AMR Corporation and changed its name to American Airlines Group Inc. in December 2013. American Airlines Group Inc. was founded in 1930 and is headquartered in Fort Worth, Texas. Source: FinViz.com, January 2021 American Airlines Group Inc. (AAL) POSITIVES: As coronavirus keeps majority of the customers away from air travel, the airline has permanently eliminated change fees for both domestic and long-haul international flights (in case travel originates from North or South America) to attract passengers. The offer is valid for all tickets, except Basic Economy. Thanks to significant reduction in costs, American Airlines’ average daily cash burn in the September quarter was $44 million per day, comparing favorably with the June-quarter’s figure of $58 million. The carrier expects average daily cash burn rate to be at the high end of $25-$30 million for the December quarter. Moreover, the current scenario of low fuel costs is a positive for the company. The second coronavirus relief package of $900 billion provides a big respite to American Airlines. Of the total amount, airlines are set to receive more than $12 billion as payroll support. As a condition to receiving the financial assistance, airlines are prohibited from laying off employees or reducing pays through Mar 31, 2021, as was the case with the first round of coronavirus aid worth $25 billion, approved in March, when airlines were barred from furloughing workers through Sep 30, 2020. With the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) having cleared American Airlines’ previously announced strategic partnership with JetBlue Airways, the key features of the alliance are set to be launched in the first quarter of 2021. The alliance is a major development for American Airlines and is expected to provide growth opportunities for the company by significantly expanding connectivity in the Northeast. Possible concerns: The sharp drop in air-travel demand is hurting passenger revenues, which comprise majority of its top line. The carrier incurred a loss in each of the first three quarters of 2020, mainly due to the 64.2% drop in passenger revenues in the first nine months of 2020. American Airlines expects system capacity for the December quarter to nosedive more than 50% year over year. Long-haul international capacity is estimated to be down roughly 75% in the final quarter of 2020. Fourth-quarter 2020 results are set to be released on Jan 28. Source: Zacks Research, January 2021 Apple Inc. (AAPL) Apple Inc. designs, manufactures, and markets smartphones, personal computers, tablets, wearables, and accessories worldwide. It also sells various related services. The company offers iPhone, a line of smartphones; Mac, a line of personal computers; iPad, a line of multi- purpose tablets; and wearables, home, and accessories comprising AirPods, Apple TV, Apple Watch, Beats products, HomePod, iPod touch, and other Apple-branded and third-party accessories. It also provides AppleCare support services; cloud services store services; and operates various platforms, including the App Store, that allow customers to discover and download applications and digital content, such as books, music, video, games, and podcasts. In addition, the company offers various services, such as Apple Arcade, a game subscription service; Apple Music, which offers users a curated listening experience with on-demand radio stations; Apple News+, a subscription news and magazine service; Apple TV+, which offers exclusive original content; Apple Card, a co-branded credit card; and Apple Pay, a cashless payment service, as well as licenses its intellectual property. The company serves consumers, and small and mid-sized businesses; and the education, enterprise, and government markets. It sells and delivers third-party applications for its products through the App Store. The company also sells its products through its retail and online stores, and direct sales force; and third-party cellular network carriers, wholesalers, retailers, and resellers. Apple Inc. was founded in 1977 and is headquartered in Cupertino, California. Source: FinViz.com, June 2020 Apple Inc. (AAPL) POSITIVES: Apple’s Services and Wearables businesses are expected to drive top-line growth in fiscal 2021 and beyond. Although Apple’s business primarily runs around its flagship iPhone, the Services portfolio has emerged as the company’s new cash cow. Apple’s endeavors to open up its ecosystem, through partnerships with the likes of Samsung and Amazon, are positive for the Services segment. The subscription-based video streaming, news and gaming services are expected to benefit from Apple’s strong installed base. Robust App Store sales coupled with solid adoption of Apple Pay and Apple Music helped Apple double its 2016 Services revenues six months ahead of its targeted 2020-end. Moreover, its wearables and hearables business is expected to be driven by solid demand for Apple Watch and Airpods. Apple currently has more than 585 million paid subscribers across its Services portfolio. The App Store continues to draw the attention of prominent developers from around the world, helping the company offer appealing new apps that drive App Store traffic. Apple Pay, designed on the basis of a contactless payment (NFC) technology, has been expanded to 49 markets. Further, Apple Music has more than 60 million paid subscribers. The service offers more than 60 million songs, with world class music experts and taste makers curating thousands of playlists and daily selections in 115 countries. Apple Music’s availability on Amazon Echo devices is expected to expand the iPhone maker’s footprint against Spotify, which is currently the dominant player in the paid, premium music streaming market. Apple is encouraging developers to use artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning in their apps. Apple’s focus on autonomous vehicles and augmented reality/virtual reality (AR/VR) technologies presents growth opportunity in the long haul. These are fast emerging as lucrative business opportunities. Apple has a strong balance sheet and generates significant cash flow. Possible concerns: Lackluster demand for iPhone due to Coronavirus, lack of a 5G-supported device, stiff competition, slowing economy in China and increasing regulatory hassles are major headwinds. Source: Zacks Research, January 2021 Adobe Inc. (ADBE) Adobe Inc. operates as a diversified software company worldwide. Its Digital Media segment provides tools and solutions that enable individuals, teams, and enterprises to create, publish, promote, and monetize their digital