Author: therawinformant

Occidental Petroleum Corporation (NYSE:OXY) shareholders will doubtless be very grateful to see the share price up 41…

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The shares of Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings Ltd (NYSE: NCLH), Carnival Corp. (NYSE: CCL), and Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd (NYSE: RCL) continued to dip in the after-hours session Thursday, as the Centers For Disease Control and Prevention extended its ban on cruise sailing in the United States.What Happened In an order Thursday, the CDC extended the suspension of "passenger operations on cruise ships with the capacity to carry at least 250 passengers in waters" through September 15."If unrestricted cruise ship passenger operations were permitted to resume, passengers and crew on board would be at increased risk of COVID-19 infection and those that work or travel on cruise ships would place substantial unnecessary risk on healthcare workers, port personnel and federal partners, and the communities they return to," the federal agency said in a statement.According to the CDC data between March and July, there have been 2,973 coronavirus or coronavirus-like illnesses on cruise ships since March, including 34 deaths.Why It Matters Cruise companies have been voluntarily delaying resuming their operations as well, with the risk of coronavirus spread remaining especially high in contained spaces.Norwegian announced last month it was suspending its voyages through October, and rival Carnival has also suspended its operations through mid-September at least.Miami-based Norwegian earlier in the day said it intended to raise $925 million via debt offerings and $250 million via stock offerings, as it looks to keep the business afloat during the pandemic.Price Action Carnival shares traded 1% lower in the after-hours session at $15.78 on Thursday, after closing the regular session 9.7% lower at $15.78.Royal Caribbean was down 0.4% at $53.94. It had closed the regular session 7.6% lower at $53.94.Norwegian dropped 0.7% further from the 15.6% lower close at $15.61 in the regular session.See more from Benzinga * iPhone Chipmaker TSMC Reports Massive Earnings Beat In Q2 * Biohaven Pharmaceutical's Migraine Drug To Be Promoted by Khloe Kardashian * GoHealth Shares Drop 9% On Day One Trading After 3M IPO(C) 2020 Benzinga.com. Benzinga does not provide investment advice. All rights reserved.

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With many brick-and-mortar stores closed in recent months thanks to the novel coronavirus, shipping companies like FedEx (NYSE:FDX) are seeing increased traffic and profits. FDX stock is up 20% in the last month.Source: Antonio Gravante / Shutterstock.com But I'm not looking for this ride to last. In fact, FedEx is living on borrowed time. Investors would be wise to take their profits now, before Amazon (NASDAQ:AMZN) reinstates its Amazon Shipping program and flexes its muscle once again.It's only a matter of time before the bubble of FDX stock pops.InvestorPlace – Stock Market News, Stock Advice & Trading Tips FedEx's Earnings at a GlanceTwo weeks ago, FedEx reported fiscal fourth-quarter 2020 earnings that sent the stock up 9%. Its revenue came in at $17.4 billion, which beat analysts' average estimate of $16.49 billion.Its earnings per share, excluding certain items, were $2.53, which was more than $1 per share better than analysts' mean estimate of $1.52. * 10 Work-From-Home Stocks That Are Beating the Pandemic The company said FedEx Ground's business grew 25% year-over-year. While the unit's business-to-business deliveries fell sharply because of the shutdowns, its business-to-consumer deliveries were more than enough to make up the difference.FedEx reported that it had made tweaks to improve its profit margins and offset higher costs in Q4.UBS analysts noted that FedEx's Q4 results had cleared "a low bar," as expectations for its earnings were modest. According to the firm, the company demonstrated that "the spread in profitability between their B2C and B2B business is likely not as wide as perceived."FedEx scored an earnings beat, but expectations were so low that the win isn't that impressive. FDX Stock Is on Borrowed TimeThe shadow that falls over FDX stock comes from Amazon, the e-commerce giant that seemingly has its hands in everything.Amazon is by far the biggest e-commerce player in the nation, with $280.5 billion of revenue last year. And it has its own delivery platform, bypassing FedEx and UPS (NYSE:UPS).Despite its incredible size and reach, even Amazon found itself overwhelmed in the early days of the Covid-19 outbreak. The giant's e-commerce sales exploded because consumers couldn't go to brick-and-mortar stores.Amazon hired 175,000 new workers to keep up with the demand, and it was forced to suspend its Amazon Shipping program. The pilot program let merchants who did their own warehousing also ship directly to customers, but it covered only a few major markets,Covid-19 cases are overwhelming many southern states and California now, but there is increasing pressure for states to reopen their doors as soon as possible to get the economy moving again.And happily, we may be closer to a vaccine than previously thought. Moderna (NASDAQ:MDRA) announced that its Covid-19 vaccine, which it's developing in partnership with the National Institutes of Health, performed well in a Phase 1 trial. The company is now moving on to Phase 3 tests.Remember, there's no love lost between Amazon and FedEx. The companies severed their air and ground relationships last year, and things have been tense between them ever since.Amazon barred companies enrolled in its "Seller Fulfilled Prime" program from using FedEx Ground and Home Delivery services. FedEx, meanwhile, purportedly told its employees not to order anything on Amazon's platform, even for personal use.Amazon won't even think twice about cutting into FedEx's business in the future.Amazon is too strong of a company to leave money on the table. You can bet that it will restart its Amazon Shipping program as quickly as possible, and that it will expand across the country as soon as Jeff Bezos & Co. determine that the investment is worth the return.That's going to take a bite out of FedEx. The Bottom Line on FDX StockDon't be fooled by FedEx's recent surge. The numbers are artificially inflated by Wall Street's overblown enthusiasm over its Q4 earnings and Amazon's temporary suspension of Amazon Shipping.Remember, the U.S. economy hummed along nicely for all of 2019. And in that same period, FDX stock fell more than 6%.That is more indicative of FedEx's growth prospects once Covid-19 vaccines are launched and Amazon restarts its pilot shipping program.If you've been holding FDX stock, then it's time to take your profits and move on to better opportunities. Shorting the shares could also be worthwhile.Patrick Sanders is a freelance writer and editor in Maryland, and from 2015 to 2019 was head of the investment advice section at U.S. News & World Report. Follow him on Twitter at @1patricksanders. As of this writing, he did not have a position in any of the aforementioned securities. More From InvestorPlace * Why Everyone Is Investing in 5G All WRONG * America's 1 Stock Picker Reveals His Next 1,000% Winner * Revolutionary Tech Behind 5G Rollout Is Being Pioneered By This 1 Company * Radical New Battery Could Dismantle Oil Markets The post Take Your Profits in FedEx Stock and Don't Look Back appeared first on InvestorPlace.

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The latest 13F reporting period has come and gone, and Insider Monkey is again at the forefront when it comes to making use of this gold mine of data. We at Insider Monkey have plowed through 821 13F filings that hedge funds and well-known value investors are required to file by the SEC. The 13F […]

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A well-diversified portfolio is one that's spread across asset classes. Within the equities segment, portfolio diversification can be in terms of high growth stocks and dividend stocks.In general, companies with robust cash flows and steady growth in dividends are from mature industries. These dividend stocks have relatively low beta and are a good defensive play. * 10 Work-From-Home Stocks That Are Beating the Pandemic Here are 4 high-yield dividend stocks to buy to ride out the storm:InvestorPlace – Stock Market News, Stock Advice & Trading Tips * Altria Group (NYSE:MO) * 3M Company (NYSE:MMM) * Chevron (NYSE:CVX) * AT&T Inc (NYSE:T)Besides a high dividend yield, I believe that these stocks are also trading at attractive valuations. This gives room for stock upside besides regular cash income. 4 High-Yield Dividend Stocks to Ride Out the Storm: Altria Group (MO)Source: Kristi Blokhin / Shutterstock.com Among high-yield dividend stocks, MO stock is attractive for several reasons.First, the stock offers a payout of $3.36, which implies a dividend yield of 8.18%. These dividends are sustainable, making the stock attractive for income investors.Second, equity markets have surged higher after the coronavirus driven meltdown. A broad market correction is likely before further upside. In this scenario, it makes sense to consider exposure to a stock with a low beta of 0.46.Another factor that makes MO stock attractive is the company's valuation. The stock trades at a price-to-earnings-ratio of 9.67. I believe that the stock can trend higher considering the valuations.From a business growth perspective, the company is in a stage of transformation that will yield results in the coming years. The company is focusing on non-combustible products including moist smokeless tobacco, oral nicotine pouches, heated tobacco and e-vapour. In addition, the company is leveraging on established brands like Marlboro to deliver steady cash flows.Its worth noting that the company is committed to a dividend pay-out target of 80% of the diluted earnings per share. As earnings grow in the coming years, the dividend will similarly increase. 3M Company (MMM)Source: r.classen / Shutterstock.com MMM stock is another name that investors should consider for their portfolios. Currently, the company has a dividend pay-out of $5.88, implying a dividend yield of 3.71%. MMM stock also has a low beta of 0.99 and this makes the stock suitable for low risk-taking income investors.In terms of earnings growth, the company's healthcare and consumer sector are likely to be game changers. With the novel coronavirus pandemic, consumer healthcare will likely see big growth. At the same time, sub-segments such as drug delivery, food safety and medical solutions are likely to drive growth in the healthcare segment.Another factor that could be a long-term growth driver is the company's presence in countries like China, India and Brazil. There is immense growth potential in these countries across sectors. In the near-term, the demand for respirators is likely to drive growth for the company. * 10 Work-From-Home Stocks That Are Beating the Pandemic Overall, 3M Company has a strong business model, high investments in research and a growing presence in emerging markets. These factors will ensure strong cash flows in the coming years and dividends that continue to grow. Chevron (CVX)Source: Trong Nguyen / Shutterstock.com The current year has been one of the most challenging periods ever for oil and gas companies. After the oil price meltdown, there was a relatively sharp recovery. Production cut agreements between OPEC and non-OPEC members has helped in terms of stabilizing oil prices.One of the most attractive names in the energy sector is Chevron. With low debt, quality oil assets and high dividends, the stock is worth considering for the core portfolio.Currently, CVX stock has a payout of $5.16 for a current dividend yield of 5.84%. The company has prioritized dividends and with a stress-free balance sheet, I don't see any reason for concern.In terms of assets, Chevron has 71bboe of 6P resources. This will ensure that production growth is steady in the coming years and cash flows swell. Further, with a total liquidity position of $30 billion, the company is fully financed for investments in the next 12-24 months.In the next three to five years, I expect CVX stock to pay higher dividends as free cash flow swells from assets like the Permian. Overall, the stock is worth holding and I believe that the worst might be over for oil prices. As oil trends higher and EBITDA margin expands, CVX stock will also gain momentum. AT&T Inc (T)Source: Roman Tiraspolsky / Shutterstock.com AT&T is another quality company with several reasons to be bullish. Starting with dividends, T stock has a current dividend pay-out of $2.08, which implies a dividend yield of 6.94%.Its also worth noting that T stock has declined by 23.3% for the year and I see this as a good buying opportunity. At a current P/E ratio of 9.4, the stock is indeed attractive for long-term investors.In terms of yield sustainability, the company reported $14.1 billion in free cash flow after dividends in FY2019. Currently, the company has $10 billion in cash and $15 billion in undrawn credit facility. Therefore, there are no concerns on the dividend front. Importantly, the liquidity allows the company to invest in technology and content for HBO Max. * 10 Work-From-Home Stocks That Are Beating the Pandemic Overall, the company's mobility business remains stable and I believe that the entertainment group can be a potential growth driver.Faisal Humayun is a senior research analyst with 12 years of industry experience in the field of credit research, equity research and financial modelling. Faisal has authored over 1,500 stock-specific articles with focus on the technology, energy and commodities sector. As of this writing, he did not hold a position in any of the aforementioned securities. More From InvestorPlace * Why Everyone Is Investing in 5G All WRONG * America's 1 Stock Picker Reveals His Next 1,000% Winner * Revolutionary Tech Behind 5G Rollout Is Being Pioneered By This 1 Company * Radical New Battery Could Dismantle Oil Markets The post 4 High-Yield Dividend Stocks to Buy to Ride Out the Storm appeared first on InvestorPlace.

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Any risk-tolerant investor will be hard pressed to find a penny stock that better embodies the description than Greek oil tanker operator Top Ships (TOPS). Shares are going for $0.11 apiece, after a multi-year ride to the bottom. In 2020 alone, the stock is down by 86% so far. Adding insult to injury, the only analyst on Wall Street keeping a close eye on the vessel operator recently downgraded his rating.Maxim analyst Tate Sullivan dropped his rating from Buy to Hold and also removed his price target, citing “potential for delays at shipyards delivering five new ships to TOPS in 2021” as the reason for the downbeat assessment. (To watch Sullivan’s track record, click here)The analyst further said, “While COVID-19 may continue to impact global shipping and shipyard activity in 2021, we note shipyards periodically have newbuild delivery delays even during more predictable operating environments. In addition to potential delays in 2021 generating revenue from five new ships, we also factor in the risk that some of TOPS' customers may not exercise options on contracts with ‘end of firm period’ contracts in 2021.”There are four ships in the company’s fleet that fall into this category. According to Tate, this could result in “lower daily rates and/or downtime between contracts if volatility in global shipping activity continues.”Therefore, Sullivan trimmed his 2021 revenue estimate from $68.7 million to $66.9 million, and slashed his previous 2021 EBITDA estimate from $31.4 million to $30.4 million.In order to raise additional cash, since the turn of the year, Top Ships has completed a series of equity offerings, with net proceeds coming in at about $113.7 million. Sullivan estimates that in the first half of 2020, $41.4 million went toward reducing the debt load, but he still expects debt to increase to $374.6 million by the end of 2021 (compared to the previous 2021 estimate of $348.3 million).In addition, Sullivan believes TOPS will preserve cash before paying for newbuilds, although the analyst expects TOPS to fund newbuild construction with proceeds from the equity offerings.Looking ahead, a revision of Sullivan’s outlook for the vessel operator is dependent upon the health of the global shipping industry.“We will continue to review our estimates as a meaningful increase in shipping activity in 2021 may lead customers for four of TOPS' ships to exercise options at higher daily contract rates,” the analyst concluded. (See TOPS stock-analysis on TipRanks)To find good ideas for stocks trading at attractive valuations, visit TipRanks’ Best Stocks to Buy, a newly launched tool that unites all of TipRanks’ equity insights. More recent articles from Smarter Analyst: * Celsion (CLSN) Stock Loses a Wall Street Supporter * $1000 Is the Number to Watch for Shopify Stock, Says 5-Star Analyst * Q2 Semiconductor Preview: What to Expect * Oppenheimer: These 2 "Strong Buy" Stocks Are Poised to Surge by Over 80%

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Stocks go up, stocks go down, you can't explain that…Or maybe you can, if the stock happen to be a biotech that just flunked a clinical trial. Which leads us nicely to Celsion Corporation (CLSN). Or not so nicely if you happen to be an investor.Shares cratered by a dispiriting 68% this week after the company announced that the independent Data Monitoring Committee (DMC) recommended it prematurely bring to an end its Phase 3 OPTIMA study evaluating ThermoDox in patients with primary liver cancer.Based on an interim safety and efficacy analysis, the DMC concluded the study was unlikely to achieve the primary endpoint after exceeding a futility threshold value.With Celsion still assessing the data, management have outlined 3 possible paths forward: “1) continuation of the study through final analysis, 2) discontinuation of the study for futility, and lastly 3) assessment of the study following some additional events (n=8–10).”For Oppenheimer analyst Hartag Singh, the well-designed study’s results were obviously “disappointing.”Although the analyst points out that Celsion management has indicated “a potential preference for the (inexpensive) third option,” it is doubtful the outcome will be any different.With ThermoDox likely to be discarded, attention will now turn to GEN-1, the biotech’s treatment for ovarian cancer – a notoriously hard to treat disease. GEN-1 has shown promise in the first part of a phase 1/2 trial and has been given the go ahead to continue with the second portion, which will be initiated in August. While it is still early days, Singh is piqued by the reaction to the initial data.The 5-star analyst said, “While we expect to see more on GEN-1, particularly as the Phase 2 program initiates in August, work may lay ahead on the manufacturing front, and we await a broader data set. Nonetheless, initial results have been intriguing: a 2x higher R0 resection rate in newly-diagnosed Stage III/IV ovarian cancer (over historical) generating significant physician enthusiasm for the approach.”However, for now, along with removing ThermoDox from his Celsion model, Singh drops his rating from Outperform (i.e. Buy) to Perform (i.e. Hold) and takes his price target off the table. (To watch Singh’s track record, click here)Overall, two other analysts recently reviewed Celsion’s prospects, one saying Buy, while the other suggesting Hold. (See Celsion stock analysis on TipRanks)To find good ideas for stocks trading at attractive valuations, visit TipRanks’ Best Stocks to Buy, a newly launched tool that unites all of TipRanks’ equity insights. More recent articles from Smarter Analyst: * $1000 Is the Number to Watch for Shopify Stock, Says 5-Star Analyst * Q2 Semiconductor Preview: What to Expect * Oppenheimer: These 2 "Strong Buy" Stocks Are Poised to Surge by Over 80% * Dynavax Teams Up With Mt Sinai On Universal Flu Vaccine

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