Stock Hotlist: Three Picks for the Week Ahead

Picking the wrong stocks can decimate your portfolio.

They’re pure portfolio poison.  

But the right stocks…

If you pick the right stocks, you could find yourself jumping for joy on top of an enormous pile of cash.

With over 4000 tickers to choose from, finding the right stock at the right time can prove to be nearly impossible… 

Unless you’re spending hours each day combing the markets and researching companies.  

That’s why we’ve done the legwork for you.  

We sort through thousands of stock ideas and whittle them down to a few top choices that are primed for solid price action in the coming days, weeks and months.  

This week, we’ve narrowed it down to three stocks that could be getting significant attention in the near future.

Kroger (KR)

Kroger shines as a sturdy defensive stock due to the essential nature of its offering. Whether interest rates climb or economic challenges arise, people need to eat. As the largest revenue-generating supermarket operator in the U.S., with annual sales nearing $140 billion and a presence in 35 states, Kroger is deeply rooted in American households.

Even in times of budget-conscious spending, food remains a non-negotiable expense, making Kroger a reliable investment. While KR stock has stayed relatively flat this year (down >1%), it’s worth noting that the company’s shares have appreciated by 60% over the past five years.

Some uncertainty hangs over Kroger due to its $20 billion acquisition of rival grocery chain Albertsons (ACI). To address antitrust concerns, Kroger and Albertsons agreed in September to divest about 400 stores. Once this acquisition is resolved, KR stock is expected to regain momentum and provide rewards for long-term investors.

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Walmart (WMT)

Walmart stands proudly as one of the newest dividend kings in the S&P 500, having raised its dividend annually for 50 consecutive years. Currently, it offers a quarterly dividend of 57 cents per share, yielding 1.43%.

Walmart’s resilience in consistently prioritizing dividends reflects its unwavering commitment to shareholders, regardless of internal or external challenges. The company’s robust performance in recent times underscores its enduring strength in both grocery and online sales. For instance, in the second quarter of this year, Walmart reported earnings of $1.84 per share, beating Wall Street’s expectations of $1.71. The company’s revenue for the same period reached $161.63 billion, outpacing analysts’ consensus of $160.27 billion, driven by strong grocery and e-commerce sales.

With WMT stock posting a 20% gain over the past year, Walmart continues to demonstrate its influence in the retail sector.

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Visa (V)

Visa is positioned for continued success, and if you’ve been tracking the stock in the past year, you already know. Despite the constant stream of news about economic challenges and concerns over consumer savings, Visa’s prospects remain strong.

One might expect that cross-border travel would slump given the current economic circumstances, but the reality is different. International travel is robust, and Visa’s processing fee growth is anticipated to remain robust as well. This might seem like a contradiction, but it highlights the resilience of the payment industry.Visa’s revenue is projected to surge by over 11% in 2023.This growth isn’t solely driven by travelers; cash-strapped consumers are increasingly relying on their cards for essentials. While this may result in higher financing charges for cardholders, it translates to a more lucrative income stream for Visa.

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