Latest Stock Buy or Sell? Make More Informed Decisions!

Today, Jim Lebenthal and Rob Sechan, Managing Partner, New Edge Capital commented about whether RIO, CDNS, CR, COP, UNH, COST are stocks to buy or sell.

COMMENT

He remains bullish, but isn't putting much stock into today's rally. The real test will come with inflation and employment data in the coming two weeks.

DON'T BUY

He sold it in late January. It was trading at a high 33x and growth was slowing. Free cash flow margins were cut in half. They do have a loyal following, but they can't sustain price increases. He doesn't want to own big-box retail and prefers luxury.

HOLD

He trimmed it last September to decrease his overall healthcare allocation. UNH has slowing topline and profits, but it's still growing with secular tailwinds, and rising enrollments, so he's holding on. UNH has outperformed all healthcare over the last 12 months by 40%.

BUY

Energy remains a favoured sector as oil and gas prices remain up from supply constraints. A large, diversified operator with lower production costs. Trades at 10x, a little expensive, but still high quality.

SELL

He had a small position. The valuation got extended as shares rallied 40% over the last 9 months. Free cash flow turned negative.

BUY

They're a dominant player in chip design software. Shares have been up 27% since October. They continue to execute in a difficult environment.

BUY

A UK company, leveraged to the China reopening and shares are cheap.

COMMENT

They won't be immune from consumer weakness, though it's still fine to own it. However, the phone companies subsidize Apple which absorbs some of that weakness.

BUY ON WEAKNESS

Likes it, but you can still buy it cheaper. He's watching and waiting.

COMMENT
the S&P

We won't return to 3,200 (his former target), but there will be rallies as well as more volatility. He has few regrets of what he has sold. We're in a bear market rally.

BUY ON WEAKNESS

He doesn't consider them big-box retail, because they have a unique brand. Can't see more competition coming besides Walmart. He'd loved to buy it when the PE declines, like to 25x. Incredible management.

BUY

They're saving Nike 100 basis points on their business. A fine performer and stock with growth ahead.

BUY

He bought a position this morning. There will be challenges, but it's cheap and they will be more efficient coming out of this cycle. He got comfort from the court hearings today.

PARTIAL SELL

She just trimmed MSFT and Apple. Still likes tech, but took profits to fund other stocks in industrials and health care, which could lead the second half of 2023. Interest rates will still pressure tech. Apple, a large holding at 5%, has near-term concerns regarding China. Long-term, she could re-buy these shares.

BUY

She just bought Intuit. PE isn't cheap, but it has a competitive advantage because they operate in tax and accounting, areas which are more resilient in a recession if enterprise spending slows. Also, they offer better margins in their online where most of their revenues lie.