Updated Buy Limits, For a Portfolio on a Tear
It’s time to accommodate the spoils of success.
The Breakthrough Tech Profits portfolio picks in the third quarter have handed us robust operating results, as well as outsized capital appreciation.
That’s why I’m recalibrating the portfolio right now to accommodate the spate of stock price run-ups that we’ve enjoyed in recent months. I’m also selling a big winner, to pocket market-thumping gains.
Let’s roll up our sleeves and get to work. The following stocks have shot past their price limits, but most of them have further to run. That’s particularly true for our recommendations in the virtual reality/augmented reality (VR/AR) space.
Here are the new buy limits and advice, as now reflected in the portfolio. Stocks not mentioned here retain their existing limits/advice.
- Amphenol (NYSE: APH)
Amphenol exceeded earnings forecasts in the third quarter. Adjusted earnings per share (EPS) came in at 88 cents, blowing past the consensus estimate of 79 cents. I expect the electronics maker to continue growing on the strength of new acquisitions and increased innovation of its products.
I’m raising APH’s buy limit to $95.
- Cognex (NSDQ: CGNX)
The consensus expectation is for Cognex to rack up year-over-year earnings growth this year of 58.50%. My own calculations call for the machine vision product maker to generate five-year earnings growth of at least 23.41%, on an annualized basis.
I’m raising CGNX’s buy limit to $145.
- Himax Technologies (NSDQ: HIMX)
Himax continues to be a standout investment in the VR/AR industry. Himax currently supplies display circuits to the most popular brands in VR/AR reality headsets. The company’s third-quarter results were largely positive.
This company is tapped into one of the biggest investment themes you can find. In an industry dotted with tiny, fly-by-night start-ups, Himax boasts a solid balance sheet that will ensure its competitiveness even during unexpected economic shocks.
I’m upgrading HIMX from a “hold” to a “buy” with a new limit of $20.
- IPG Photonics (NSDQ: IPGP)
The laser maker delivered record quarterly results, posting 48% year-over-year revenue growth. Both revenue and EPS exceeded the high end of management’s guidance. I expect year-over-year earnings growth for full-year 2017 to come in at 46.60%.
I’m raising IPGP’s buy limit to $250.
- Microsoft (NSDQ: MSFT)
Microsoft’s strength continues to lie in its strategically imperative cloud computing segment. In the third quarter, the company’s business cloud segment generated $20 billion in annualized revenue, reaching that threshold well ahead of the goal that the company set two years ago.
That said, we’ve had a sharp run up in MSFT and I think it’s due for a breather. The stock now rates “hold.”
- NVIDIA (NSDQ: NVDA)
NVIDIA blew the doors off expectations that were already high on Wall Street. The VR/AR chip maker posted huge beats on its top and bottom line for the fiscal third quarter. Fueling growth were expansions in its gaming, data center and auto chips divisions.
Silicon Valley superstar NVIDIA dominates its VR/AR markets. As it turns science fiction into fact, the company continues to churn out profits and there is still time to get on board. I expect NVDA to generate year-over-year earnings growth this fiscal year of at least 60%.
I’m raising NVDA’s buy limit to $250.
- Silicon Laboratories (NSDQ: SLAB)
This fabless semiconductor company has richly rewarded investors. Since we added SLAB to the portfolio on April 18, 2016, the stock has more than doubled. Increasing competition indicates potential new headwinds for our winner. It’s time to pocket profits.
Sell SLAB for a total return of more than 102%.
- Taiwan SemiConductor Manufacturing (NYSE: TSM)
This chipmaker continues to be integral to Apple’s (NSDQ: AAPL) iPhone. Demand for Apple’s smartphones remains strong around the world, which should continue to lift the Cupertino giant’s favorite chipmaker.
New buy limit for TSM: $50.
- Tencent Holdings (OTC: TCEHY)
The China-based Internet services and gaming company has been making inroads into the U.S. market; it’s also racking up fast international growth. But after the stock’s run-up, I think Tencent could be due for consolidation.
TCEHY is now a “hold.”
- Teradyne (NYSE: TER)
Teradyne announced blow-out third quarter earnings and revenue, with a 59% gain in profit. Revenue rose 22.6% to $503.38 million, up from $410.48 million last year. Demand for the company’s automated test equipment is strong, as global economic growth continues apace.
New buy limit for TER: $50.
- Texas Instruments (NSDQ: TXN)
TXN topped Wall Street estimates for the third quarter. The chip maker reported earnings of $1.29 billion, or EPS of $1.26, compared with $1.02 billion, or EPS of 98 cents, in the same year-ago period. Revenue rose to $4.12 billion from $3.68 billion in the year-ago period. Analysts had expected EPS of $1.12 on revenue of $3.91 billion. This stock has plenty of gas left.
New buy limit for TXN: $105.
- Trimble (NSDQ: TRMB)
Third-quarter revenue came in at $670 million, a year-over-year increase of 15%. Revenue was up significantly an all segments. Earnings came in at $55.7 million, up 42% compared to the third quarter of 2016. EPS reached 22 cents compared to EPS of 15 cents in the same year-ago quarter.
New buy limit for TRMB: $50.
- USA Technologies (NSDQ: USAT)
The payment technology service provider racked up total quarterly record revenue of $26.5 million, a year-over-year increase of 30%. That number, for the most recent quarter, represents the 30th consecutive quarter of growth. That said, the company posted a net loss of $(0.2) million, or $(0.01) per share, compared to a net loss of $(2.5) million, or $(0.07) per share for the prior year period.
USAT continues to dominate the fast-growing niche of wireless, cashless payment and machine-to-machine payment solutions for small, self-serve retailers. But until I see better earnings performance, the stock has gotten a bit pricey.
USAT is now a hold.
- YY (NSDQ: YY)
The China-based Internet streaming platform continues to grow at breakneck speed. The average analyst expectation is that year-over-year earnings growth will reach 28.30% in the current quarter and 5.20% next quarter. By my own calculations, I expect YoY earnings growth to reach about 40% in the current fiscal year.
New buy limit for YY: $110.
John Persinos is chief investment strategist of Breakthrough Tech Profits.
Stock Talk
Martin Vetter
It’s a strong portfolio, and doing very well – nicely done, and thank you to you and the rest of the team.
John Persinos
Thanks, Martin! Our number one job is to make money for our readers. Keep the feedback coming.
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Maria R
Is CGNX buy target still $145? Is this adjusted for the 2 for 1 split?
Thank you.
John Persinos
Maria: Yes, the buy limit is the same, for now. Since the stock split, I’ve been watching the price carefully. I think the stock split is a strong buying indicator, signaling robust potential upside. I’m very bullish on the stock. I’ll provide my latest views on CGNX in my next portfolio update. (Today, the stock is up sharply.)
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John Persinos
Maria: For a more detailed answer to your question, I direct you to my latest Portfolio Update, published this morning: https://www.investingdaily.com/breakthrough-tech-profits/articles/40422/portfolio-news-the-latest-moves-to-make
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