We’re already in the early part of March in the year 2022. The stock market is in a state of extreme uncertainty. Are you, by chance thinking about long-term stocks you should buy right now? It certainly can’t hurt.
The market is being shaped by several significant forces this year. To be sure, the pandemic remains a powerful market force. Without a doubt, it will help steer the market in whatever direction it goes. But it’s far from the only problem to solve. The economy is now battling supply chain difficulties that have impacted our everyday lives. Then came Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, which sent oil prices to new highs.
People are very well aware of the real-world implications that this year’s events will have. For example, we see it in automobile costs. The average new automobile price has surpassed $47,000, an all-time record. Then there’s the matter of groceries. In 2021, the price of kitchen staples grew by 9%. Experts predict that costs will climb much more now that Russia has declared war on Ukraine. These costs are a result of inflation, which is at 40-year highs. Markets will remain tumultuous, but choosing the finest long-term equities to invest in is a plan for surviving the storm.
I’ve narrowed it down to three stocks with positive outlooks during these uncertain times. The experts also agree that these would make for smart additions to our portfolios:
ASML Holding NV (ASML)
Those who aren’t familiar with ASML Holdings (ASML) and its role in the semiconductor sector should pay attention. As semiconductors become more crucial in modern society, investors are getting more interested in chip stocks. In fact, global semiconductor revenues are predicted to reach $680.6 billion in 2022, up 11% from a great year in 2021. ASML was formed on April 1st, 1984, headquartered in the Netherlands.
Investors concerned about missing out on early semiconductor gains should not be concerned. And ASML is a firm that long-term stock investors should explore. ASML most recently beat analysts’ EPS predictions by 4.63% and has very impressive year-over-year numbers to boot; It indicates revenue growth of 17.19% and diluted EPS growth of 35.6%. ASML currently pays a dividend yield of 0.66%, with a quarterly payout of 99 cents per share. Until it reports again, ASML shows us $4.2 billion in sales, with an EPS of $2.30 per share. The consensus price target for ASML from analysts that provide 12-month predictions is 940.50, with a high of 975.00 and a low of 640.00. The median estimate is up 56.75% from current pricing, and the consensus gives ASML a solid buy rating.
Louisiana-Pacific Corp (LPX)
Louisiana Pacific Corp (LPX) is a firm to keep an eye on because of its housing market position. LPX creates engineered wood products used in the construction and refurbishment of new homes. This is significant since the housing market is now experiencing a supply shortage. Builders are rushing to narrow the gap, putting LPX in a good position to profit. The company was founded in 1972 and is based in Nashville, Tennessee.
LPX had an outstanding fiscal 2021 as far as earnings and stock profitability are concerned. LPX crushed the experts’ predictions on both EPS and revenue for the past four consecutive quarters, most recently by 12.56% and 8.68%, respectively. Until LPX reports again in May, it shows us $1.2 billion in sales, with an impressive EPS of $4.18. LPX shows year-over-year revenue growth of 15.35%. LPX currently pays a dividend yield of 1.34%, with a quarterly payout of 22 cents per share. The consensus price target for LPX from the analysts that provide 12-month predictions is 82.50, with a high of 105.00 and a low of 77.00. The forecast is up 25.93% from the most recent price, and analysts are telling us to buy LPX.
Mastercard Inc (MA)
Mastercard (MA) is well-known and widely accepted. Millions of retailers take it in more than 210 countries. MA is likely to be popular everywhere debit or credit cards are accepted. MA makes money by acting as a payment processor and collecting a charge for each transaction. MA’s revenues typically increase as the economy becomes more open. Put another way, the stronger the economy is, the more powerful MA is. Although the in-person economy was mainly shut down during the pandemic, MA‘s stock price performed admirably. That is a tribute to the company’s continued strength.
It should be no surprise that, like LPX, MA bested analyst projections on both EPS and revenue for the last four consecutive quarters. Most recently, they beat EPS projections by 6.23%, and their year-over-year numbers are outstanding. They’re all in the green, which indicates growth in essential areas. Revenue is growing year-over-year by 26.6%, and EPS is increasing by 35.39%. Until MA reports again in May, the current quarter gives us $5 billion in sales, at $2.21 per share. MA currently pays a dividend yield of 0.60%, with a 49 cents per share quarterly payout. MA has a consensus 12-month price target of 433.00, with a high of 480.00 and a low of 360.00 among analysts that provide price forecasts. The median estimate is up 33.43% from recent pricing, and MA’s buy rating is strong enough to command investors’ attention.
