2017 saw a spike in investor confidence and complacency, as volatility fell significantly and appetite for risk fueled many stocks higher. Chad Morganlander, Portfolio Manager at Washington Crossing Advisors, was with us to discuss whether he expects more of the same for the year ahead.
Morganlander says we are at point in the market cycle where global growth is predictable in the short-term. His firm is somewhat optimistic, but aware that valuations are becoming quite stretched, he adds. Morganlander believes markets are entering a period of low growth for next several years, predicting a 4% to 6% return in U.S. equities.
One of Morganlander's top picks for the year is Hershey’s. He suggests investors stick with "big and boring" companies. With Hershey's, investors can go to sleep for 3-5 years and wake up with tremendous returns, according to Morganlander. Hershey's has also entered a bid for Nestle's U.S. confectionary business, which includes brands such as Butterfunger and Baby Ruth. The potential acquisition is not baked in to Washington Crossing Advisor's outlook. He also recommends shares of Hormel Foods and Dr Pepper Snapple.
Tesla reported a surprise increase in sales in the third quarter as the electric car maker likely benefited from a rush by consumers to take advantage of a $7,500 credit before it expired on Sept. 30. The company reported Thursday that sales in the three months through September rose 7% compared to the same period a year ago. The gain follows two quarters of steep declines as people turned off by CEO Elon Musk’s foray into right-wing politics avoided buying his company’s cars and even protested at some dealerships. Sales rose to 497,099 vehicles, compared with 462,890 in the same period last year.
Tom’s Guide Editor-in-Chief Mark Spoonauer breaks down Apple & Amazon's latest product drops—what's hot, what's hype, and what really matters for users.
InnerPlant CEO Shely Aronov reveals how engineered crops like soybeans and corn emit signals when stressed—offering farmers early warnings to boost yields.
Payoneer CEO John Caplan discusses the implications of $100K H1B visa requirements—and how they could reshape tech talent, hiring, and U.S. competitiveness.
Electronic Arts, the video game maker of “Madden NFL,” “The Sims,” and other popular titles, is being acquired and taken private for about $52.5 billion in what could become the largest-ever buyout funded by private-equity firms.
