Stock Opinions by Sarat Sethi, Managing Partner, Douglas C. Lane & Assoc.

BUY
Morgan Stanley

Will benefit if indeed the capital markets business is back, as GS says. Their overhang is their wealth management business, their strongest business, which the SEC is examining. Will listen to the CEO's call about capital markets and backlog. The large banks should do well, not the regionals which look uncertain. It reports tomorrow.

investment companies / funds
BUY
Bank of America

They have a combination that works, including capital markets and wealth management. Should deliver a good report.

banks
BUY

Was upgraded today. Likes it long term given its dividend growth. They did a great job in 2023 during the Bud Light debacle by growing market share, led by Modelo beer. is well-run.

breweries / beverages
WATCH

They report this week. Listen for what they say about their cyber hack and the recent Medicare announcement (will this overhang endure?).

medical services
BUY
Johnson & Johnson

They report this week. Listen to what they say about the recent spin-off. A defensive play with a strong balance sheet and pays a 3% dividend.

biotechnology / pharmaceutical
BUY

The best way to play copper which is seeing demand going up and supplies limited.

non-base metal mining
PARTIAL SELL
First Republic Bank

Down 25% this morning and shares halted. The situation is changing constantly. He's watching it. Depositers are safe. Who will the bank merge with, etc? He has sold part of his position to a small holding. He will eventually decide whether to keep it or dump it.

Financial Services
DON'T BUY
Amazon.com, Inc.

They're different from other megatechs, because they have many pressures on them--cloud and retail. This is not a cheap stock, close to 40x PE. This is a pure show-me story in a decelerating economy. AWS's market share in 2016 was 74% but 51% today. There will be margin pressure.

specialty stores
BUY
PepsiCo

They sell snacks and not just the drinks. Are raising prices as input prices decline. A tailwind will be the USD when it eventually weakens. Well-run company and defensive that you need in this market.

food processing
BUY
Morgan Stanley

Well-capitalized bank. Boast a great management business.

investment companies / funds
BUY
Apple Inc
Goldman upgraded it

In this market, fundamentals matter and Apple has good fundamentals and can increase earnings. This upgrade is a positive signal for the wider market. You can be safe in Apple, but fundamentals will determine where the market goes.

electrical / electronic
BUY
Johnson & Johnson

Stock is down 12% this year. They will spin off their consumer business. It pays a 3% dividend. The lawsuit is an overhang (https://www.forbes.com/sites/korihale/2023/02/07/appeals-court-clears-the-way-for-38000-johnson--johnson-baby-powder-lawsuits/?sh=45077c8ed7fc). But the valuation is cheap, good balance sheet, and catalysts lie ahead. Likes it.

biotechnology / pharmaceutical
BUY
American Express

Gas prices are coming down and consumer spending remains strong.

investment companies / funds
BUY
Chevron Texaco
He owned it when people hated it. There's not enough supply, so even if there's a recession these oil companies will do well. Has a solid balance sheet. Defensive.
integrated oils
BUY
Microsoft Corp
Next week, FAANG reports. Even if they report positively, will the market believe it, because their PE's are above the S&P's. That said, he likes MSFT for its recurring revenues from enterprise cloud, a high-margin business.
computer software / processing
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