Best stocks to buy for the week ending June 20, 2014: Each week our experts dish out the latest profit plays and asset-protection moves for our Money Morning Members - all for free.
Last week, Money Morning's best stocks to buy included a top pick to profit from the booming software industry, a new way to play the liquefied natural gas (LNG) sector, and a big-cap stock that's set to soar on the tech rebound. We also featured two semiconductor stocks with major potential, "Bitcoin stock winners," and more.
Here's the full list of our best stocks to buy now...
Money Morning's Best Stocks to Buy Now (Update)
- Throughout the United States' current natural gas boom, Money Morning experts have been recommending LNG stocks to capitalize on the U.S. energy industry's growth. Many of those recommendations have paid off handsomely. For instance, Money Morning's Global Energy Strategist Dr. Kent Moors first told readers about Cheniere Energy Inc. (NYSE: LNG) back in 2010. In the past four years, that stock is up an incredible 2,241%. But growth in this sector isn't finished. There are still profits to reap from LNG stocks, and this LNG subsector play just posted a year-over-year revenue increase of 393% in its first quarter alone...
- In 2013, the software industry hit $407.3 billion in sales, growing nearly 5%, in spite of a long-term decline in PC sales - thanks to robust sales of commercial software. Investing in software is a no-brainer, but choosing the best firms to profit from the boom is not. That's why Money Morning Defense & Tech Specialist Michael A. Robinson highlighted for readers last week a way to profit from the stability of software mega-cap leaders in addition to the growth of smaller, forward-looking firms...
- Biotech is still the best way to profit from the overall tech rebound. And on Thursday, Robinson had a rarity for readers - a big-cap stock that's selling at a discount and yet is priced for growth. In fact, shares of this company have already shot up nearly 23% since April. Robinson believes its rebound could soon turn into a rocket launch...
Money Morning Members - keep reading. If you aren't already a Money Morning Member, sign up to get the rest of our best stocks to buy list - and you'll get our free guide: The Absolute Beginner's Guide to Trading and Investing...
- General Motors Co. (NYSE: GM) announced another set of recalls this week that brings the company's 2014 recall total to 44, covering nearly 18 million vehicles. But amid the continuing recall fiasco, GM stock has actually gained 5% in the last three months. Robinson joined FOX Business' "Varney & Co." last week to discuss how he would play GM stock given the recent news and the stock's performance.
- The Semiconductor Industry Association has recently reported that worldwide sales of semiconductors reached $78.47 billion during the first quarter of 2014 - the highest-ever total for the first three months of a year. "This really isn't a surprise, since semiconductors have become central elements of almost every device we use," Money Morning's Executive Editor Bill Patalon said. "You'll find them in LEDs, smartphones, Wi-Fi routers, tablets, gaming consoles, digital camcorders, and new cars and trucks." Additionally, Research and Markets has indicated that global semiconductor sales should increase 4.4% this year. As the semiconductor industry continues to gain momentum, here are two semiconductor stocks that have made our "stocks to buy" list...
- Investing in Bitcoin may go against the grain - it's anything but a conventional investment. But sometimes that's what it takes to maximize your returns. And these Bitcoin stock winners - companies that will exploit the digital currency for the benefit of their own businesses - are found in several industries. Some are reaping a benefit now, while others will need to wait a few years until Bitcoin "goes mainstream" and everyday people start using it.
- A total of 421 companies in the Standard & Poor's 500 Index currently pay a cash dividend - the most since September 1998's tally of 423. And barring any unexpected cuts, S&P 500 dividend stocks are on track to post a 10.5% increase in annual cash dividends paid in 2014, according to Howard Silverblatt, S&P Dow Jones Indices senior index analyst. Silverblatt estimates that S&P 500 members will pony up $38.7 billion in dividends this year, more than double the $16.3 billion shelled out in 2001. We compiled a list of the 25 dividend enrichments announced during the week ending June 13, including 19 companies that sweetened their payouts, two that declared stock dividends, and four that reported special dividends.
Don't forget to download your free Member report: The Absolute Beginner's Guide to Trading and Investing