Latest Stock Buy or Sell?

Stockchase Research Editor: Michael O'Reilly We reiterate WMT - a conservative holding offering upside and a defendable dividend - as a TOP PICK. Recently reported earnings beat analyst expectations. We also like how it is aggressively paying down debt and buying back shares, while still increasing cash reserves. The dividend grows by about 5% each year and has been increased for 47 consecutive years. Although a little expensive on current PE ranges, it trades at 21x forward earnings, compared to peers at 27x. We recommend trailing up the stop to $124 (from $115), with upside potential towards $171 -- over 19%. Yield 1.56% (Analysts’ price target is $170.39)

Stockchase Research Editor: Michael O'Reilly SNY is a French biotech that produces a wide range of vaccines and pharmaceuticals by prescription and is reiterated as a TOP PICK. Its new management team has improved its internal drug pipeline and expanded margins and EPS since joining in 2018. It beat recent analyst earnings expectations by 16% and is managing a 25% ROE. It pays an annual dividend that should be announced in the next couple of months with a yield backed by a payout ratio under 50% of cash flow. We recommend trailing up the stop (from $45) to $47, looking towards an initial target of $64.50 -- 27% upside. Yield 3.85% (Analysts’ price target is $64.12)

Stockchase Research Editor: Michael O'Reilly As oil prices continue to stabilize and the economy edges forward, this is a good value entry point to again reitereate BP as a TOP PICK. Recently reported earnings beat analyst expectations and it trades near book value. It pays a good dividend, backed by a payout ratio under 67% of cash flow. It has paid down significant amounts of debt and is buying back shares, while keeping cash reserves relatively steady. We recommend keeping the stop $20, looking to achieve $35 -- upside potential over 28%. Yield 4.75% (Analysts’ price target is $35.05)

(A Top Pick Oct 07/21, Up 1%)Stockchase Research Editor: Michael O'Reilly Our PAST TOP PICK with BCS is progressing well. We now recommend trailing up the stop (from $8.25) to $9.50.