Strong Conviction Buys for January

Navigating the stock market can be a high-stakes game. Choose incorrectly, and your portfolio might suffer. 

But the right choices? They could be your ticket to financial triumph. 

With thousands of stocks to choose from, pinpointing those poised for success is no small feat.

It’s a daunting task, requiring hours of market analysis and company research – time that many people simply don’t have.

That’s where we come in.

Each week, we delve deep into the market’s vast array of options, sifting through countless possibilities to bring you a select few. 

These are not just any stocks; they are carefully chosen based on solid research, current market trends, and potential for noteworthy growth.

This week, we’ve honed in on three stocks that stand out from the crowd. Our picks go beyond the mainstream; they’re strategic selections, crafted for significant impact in both the immediate future and over the long haul.

Snap Inc. (NYSE: SNAP)

As we navigate the market rally, one standout performer worth a closer look is Snapchat’s parent company, Snap Inc. Despite its impressive surge in recent months, SNAP still presents an attractive investment opportunity, particularly for those seeking value in the tech sector.

Snap’s remarkable ascent, nearly 80% since late October, is a testament to the company’s resilience and potential in the digital advertising space. This surge aligns with the broader trend in digital ad stocks, which have outperformed even the robust AI sector in the same period. However, despite this meteoric rise, SNAP remains undervalued. Trading at just 5.3X forward sales, SNAP is significantly below its five-year average sales multiple of 9.9X. This disparity indicates a potential undervaluation, offering an enticing entry point for investors.

The broader context for SNAP’s growth is the optimistic outlook for digital advertising spending in 2024. With consumer spending remaining strong, buoyed by favorable economic conditions like a robust labor market and falling inflation, advertising budgets are expected to grow. This environment is particularly beneficial for platforms like Snapchat, which are poised to capitalize on increased ad spending.

For investors, SNAP’s current valuation, combined with the positive trajectory of the digital ad market, positions it as a compelling choice. It’s not just the recent performance that’s noteworthy, but also the potential for sustained growth in a sector that’s rapidly gaining momentum. As we look ahead, SNAP stands out as a strong conviction buy, offering both value and growth prospects in the evolving tech landscape.


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Darling Ingredients (NYSE:DAR)

Darling Ingredients is a frontrunner in the renewable energy sectors, particularly in renewable diesel and biomethane. The company was named to a list of America’s Most Responsible Companies of 2024 as assessed by Newsweek and Statista.   Yet, its stock tells a story of undervaluation that savvy investors should not overlook.

Currently, DAR stock is trading at a significant discount – down 19% this year and priced at $49.99, which is a staggering 65% below the analysts’ consensus target of $83.60. This decline primarily stems from a series of missed earnings targets in 2023, with the most recent quarter showing a dip in both revenue and earnings compared to the previous year.

However, the insider activity in the last three months paints a different picture. With six purchases by five different insiders, there’s a clear signal that those in the know see DAR as undervalued. This insider confidence, coupled with an 18% increase in stock price over the past month and a 5% decrease in short interest, indicates a shift in market sentiment.

For investors looking for strong conviction buys, Darling Ingredients presents a unique opportunity. The discrepancy between its current market price and the insider buying activity suggests that the stock may be poised for a rebound. While past performance has been underwhelming, the recent positive movement in its stock price, backed by insider confidence, makes DAR a stock to watch closely in the week ahead.

MacroGenics (NASDAQ:MGNX) 

MacroGenics stands out in the biotech landscape but also presents a compelling case as an undervalued pick.

MacroGenics, a pioneer in cancer immunotherapy, is making significant strides in developing and commercializing monoclonal antibodies. The company has recently made headlines with its groundbreaking therapeutic teplizumab, the first FDA-approved disease-modifying therapy for type 1 diabetes. Additionally, MacroGenics is gaining traction with Margenza, a treatment for metastatic HER2-positive breast cancer. This focus is particularly noteworthy given the global treatment sector’s current valuation of $17.13 billion and projected growth to $41.74 billion by 2030.

What makes MacroGenics a standout is not just its clinical advancements but also its financial positioning. Despite a notable 28% gain in the trailing one-month period, MGNX is trading at only 4.75x trailing-year sales. This valuation is significantly lower than the sector median of 9.23x, highlighting its status as an undervalued biotech pick. Furthermore, analysts are currently rating MGNX as a strong buy, with a target of $12.86, indicating a potential 38% upside.

For investors looking for robust opportunities in the biotech sector, MacroGenics offers a compelling blend of clinical innovation and financial undervaluation. Its recent FDA approval and the large addressable market for its treatments add to the attractiveness of this stock. As we navigate through economic uncertainties, MGNX stands out as a strong conviction buy for the week ahead, offering both resilience and potential growth.



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