The stock market has enjoyed a robust rally to this point in 2024. The S&P 500 index has risen 14.5%, and the far more technology-heavy Nasdaq Composite has risen 18% across the stretch. Due to encouraging earnings results and excitement surrounding artificial intelligence (AI) and other trends, high-profile stocks including Apple, Nvidia, and Amazon have rocketed to latest valuation highs.
A number of of the market’s hottest stocks could proceed to march even higher, nevertheless it will probably be a mistake to overlook opportunities in corporations that also trade far below their previous valuation peaks. Within the event you’re on the hunt for investments that provide attractive valuations and robust long-term prospects, read on to see why two Idiot.com contributors identified Altria Group (NYSE: MO) and Walt Disney (NYSE: DIS) as top stocks to buy directly.
Altria is a robust defensive stock with a terrific dividend profile
Keith Noonan: Altria stock has risen roughly 13% 12 months so far, but the company’s share price continues to be down roughly 41% from its peak. Regardless that the tobacco giant continues to guide the U.S. market with its Marlboro brand, it’s facing some secular headwinds. Customers proceed to maneuver away from cigarettes, and this trend appears vulnerable to proceed.
The company’s revenue and non-GAAP (generally accepted accounting principles) adjusted earnings each fell roughly 2.5% attributable to declining unit sales inside the smokable tobacco category. Total cigarettes sold inside the period declined roughly 10% 12 months over 12 months. Nonetheless, management reaffirmed its guidance for annual adjusted earnings per share to increase between 2% and 4.5%.
Due to pricing increases and stock buybacks, Altria has actually managed to increase its earnings per share by roughly 26% throughout the last five years. While the company faces long-term headwinds attributable to declining unit volumes, the stock continues to be attractively valued.
Altria trades at under 9 times this 12 months’s expected profits and pays a dividend yielding 8.6% based on the company’s current share price. What’s more, there may be an excellent probability that investors who buy the stock today won’t must wait long to enjoy a superb larger yield.
Last August, Altria raised its dividend by roughly 4.3%. The payout hike marked the 58th dividend increase implemented by the company throughout the last 54 years.
The tobacco giant undoubtedly faces difficult trends inside the cigarette market, nevertheless it’s continuing to take a position and construct in smokeless product categories, and its dividend payout should remain safely covered for the foreseeable future. With a robust earnings base despite demand headwinds and an enormous, sustainable dividend, Altria is an appealing defensive stock that also offers compelling capital appreciation potential.
Investors are getting smitten by Disney again
Jennifer Saibil: Disney continues to be the company to beat in entertainment, with a powerful slate of flicks, unparalleled global theme parks, an unmatched content library, and plenty of other gold-star assets. It took in $89 billion in trailing-12-month revenue throughout the last three years, putting it at No. 47 inside the Fortune rankings of largest corporations inside the U.S. That may be a 40% increase over the past three years. So why is its stock down 51% from its highs?
Mostly a variety of volatility. Disney has made a shocking comeback from pandemic lows, but its different segments have been far and wide since then.
Parks were closed and sales were nonexistent, but that’s modified now, and parks are back to strong momentum. Parks revenue increased 10% 12 months over 12 months inside the 2024 fiscal second quarter (ended March 30). That’s been the trend historically, and barring one other global pandemic or other upheaval, it should proceed.
Streaming has skyrocketed over the past few years and now makes up greater than half of the entertainment segment revenue, along with 1 / 4 of total company revenue. That comes from a mix of subscription and ad revenue. Streaming profitability without ESPN+ became profitable for the first time inside the second quarter, and management is guiding for full profits by the tip of the fiscal 12 months. That should bring an unlimited boost to the stock.
The alternative parts of Disney’s content business, including linear networks and box office movies, are still struggling. Viewers proceed to cord-cut, or switch from cable TV to streaming, hurting cable revenue, and in order that they’re also moving away from traditional broadcast TV, hurting its ad business.
Having Bob Iger back within the recent seat as CEO has relieved shareholders and brought the company some stability. Investors have quite a few confidence in Iger, who led the company for 15 years through an incredible growth phase before walking away from the CEO role in 2020. He returned for what’s meant to be an interim role as the company clarifies its direction, but his tenure has already been rendered through 2026. Disney has focused on generating profitability from Disney+, bringing magic back to the parks, and giving more freedom to the creatives that make your entire system work.
Disney stock is climbing this 12 months, up 13% as investors are cautiously constructing enthusiasm. Long term, it should get back to beating a market-beating winner.
Do you’ve got to take a position $1,000 in Altria Group directly?
Before you buy stock in Altria Group, consider this:
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John Mackey, former CEO of Whole Foods Market, an Amazon subsidiary, is a member of The Motley Idiot’s board of directors. Jennifer Saibil has positions in Walt Disney. Keith Noonan has positions in Walt Disney. The Motley Idiot has positions in and recommends Amazon, Apple, Nvidia, and Walt Disney. The Motley Idiot has a disclosure policy.
A Bull Market Is Here: 2 Good Stocks Down 41% and 51% to Buy Right Now was originally published by The Motley Idiot