Portfolio Update: Our Picks Soar on Tech Tailwinds
Un-stop-a-bull. That’s the only word for this bull market. The first trading week of 2018 showed that the market’s momentum isn’t over. The new year has started on a positive note. The Dow shot past 25,000 for the first time.
Leading the way: technology. Our holdings are clear beneficiaries of the trend. Let’s take a look at the latest developments concerning our portfolio holdings.
- 22nd Century Group (NYSE: XXII)
U.S. Attorney General Jeff Sessions on Thursday rescinded Obama administration policy that had taken a stance of non-interference with marijuana-friendly state laws. Marijuana biotech 22nd Century Group fell 4.60% on the news.
The GOP claims to be a champion of state’s rights. But as we witnessed on Thursday, not always.
Sessions’ move shifts federal policy away from Obama’s hands-off approach. Now federal prosecutors are free to crack down on pot possession, distribution and cultivation in states where it is legal.
Many states have legalized marijuana. The drug remains illegal under federal law. Thursday’s decision hammered pot stocks.
My take? Sessions is posturing for Trump’s ultra-conservative base. The AG’s action will amount to nothing.
Jeff Sessions views marijuana as the “demon weed.” But marijuana is a multi-billion-dollar business. Whether you approve of marijuana or not, it’s here to stay as a money-maker. You should view policy-related dips in XXII as buying opportunities.
22nd Century Group remains a buy up to $7.00.
- Himax (NSDQ: HIMX)
Semiconductor maker Himax has been on a wild ride. Readers have raised concerns. HIMX shares lost 24.1% of their value in December. What gives?
The sell-off was triggered by a tweet from Citron Research. The blog has a history of attacking companies at the behest of short sellers. I believe that’s the case here. Citron alleged that Himax’s management was guilty of fraud. But Citron didn’t supply evidence. Not one shred.
Himax remains a solid bet. Despite December’s decline, the stock rose 73% in 2017.
The company makes chips that are used in facial recognition, displays, and smartphone cameras. Apple (NSDQ: AAPL), Alphabet (NSDQ: GOOGL), and Qualcomm (NSDQ: QCOM) are clients. The firm is expanding production to handle orders in the pipeline for 2018.
The company enters the new year on a growth path. Himax’s 3D chips are integrated into an expanding range of devices. Tune out the white noise. Buckle up for volatility. But hang on for the long-term ride.
The numbers tell the story. The average analyst expectation is that Himax’s year-over-year earnings growth in the current quarter will reach 366.70%. For the next quarter, the estimate is 300%. I expect five-year earnings growth of at least 25% on an annualized basis.
Himax remains a buy up to $20.00.
- Helmerich & Payne (NYSE: HP)
Shares of oilfield services firm Helmerich & Payne fell in 2017 as the energy patch gyrated. But the company is on solid footing for the coming year.
Energy prices are rising. However, many firms that went into debt during the go-go days grapple with poor balance sheets. The key to profiting from energy’s resurgence is to pinpoint energy players that have been financially prudent.
Helmerich & Payne fits the bill. The company boasts a current ratio of 3.6 times. HP’s debt to total capitalization ratio is 10%, among the lowest of its peers.
OPEC production curbs are holding firm. The energy patch is off the ropes. HP’s management expects the amount it earns per rig to soar 40% between 2018 and 2020.
Helmerich & Payne remains a buy up to $80.00.
- Trimble Navigation (NSDQ: TRMB)
Trimble this week announced that CalAmp (NSDQ: CAMP) will supply tracking systems for Trimble’s Field Service Management (FSM) vehicle monitoring solutions. This partnership should help Trimble expand its presence in the booming fleet management field.
Forget the myths spread by country songs. There’s little freedom of the road for truck drivers these days.
Drivers with trucking fleets spend their time behind the wheel under strict management from corporate headquarters. Almost every movement is planned and monitored to make that trip as cost-effective as possible. Trimble exploits this growth opportunity.
Trimble will benefit from the trucking industry’s resurgence this year. Economic activity continues to improve in key markets such as North America. The trucking industry is a leading indicator for the overall economy.
The average analyst expectation is that Trimble’s year-over-year earnings growth in the current quarter will reach 19.40%. For the next quarter, the estimate is 21.20%. I expect five-year earnings growth of at least 11% on an annualized basis.
Trimble remains a buy up to $50.00.
- Vuzix (NSDQ: VUZI)
An influential showcase for breakthrough technology is the International Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas. It’s coming up on the calendar. Portfolio holding Vuzix will be a star performer.
CES is a venue for a parade of gee-whiz gadgets. CES this year occurs January 9-12. One technology is poised to steal the show’s spotlight: augmented reality (AR) smart glasses.
AR smart glasses are taking the world by storm. Vuzix is a pioneer of smart glasses. The company released the first commercially available model, the M100, in 2014. At CES, Vuzix will unveil its latest model of AR smart glasses called the Vuzix Blade.
CES attracts technology pioneers. CES is a magnet for consumers eager to buy the latest tech products. Last year, CES attendance topped 184,000. More than 4,000 companies exhibited.
At CES next week in Las Vegas, the world will get a close look at Vuzix’s Blade. The product is likely to be the “buzz” among attendees.
The Vuzix Blade entails a wearable smart display, enhanced with see-through viewing capability. The Blade is powered by Vuzix’ proprietary waveguide optics.
The Vuzix Blade is like having your computer or smartphone screen information with you wherever you go. The full-color display provides heads-up access to data that wearers would ordinarily have to view by peering down at their smartphone, smartwatch or laptop.
The Blade is a game-changer. For the first time, wearers can view overlaid data related to inventory, logistics, medical patients, GPS navigation, accounting, email, social media, smartphone alerts — you name it. All without looking at a second screen. The data you need is displayed in front of your eyes, in real time.
The Vuzix Blade supports Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connectivity. It can run with an Apple smartphone or Alphabet’s Google Android software. The Blade incorporates a high definition camera, head-motion tracker, touch pad, haptic feedback, noise cancelling mics, and built-in batteries. The Blade weighs less than 3 ounces. It’s available in enterprise and consumer models.
The average analyst expectation is that Vuzix’s year-over-year earnings growth in the current quarter will reach 54.10%. For the next quarter, the estimate is 34.80%. I expect the stock to pop in coming days due to the company’s favorable exposure at CES.
Vuzix remains a buy up to $12.00.
- Evolent Health (NYSE: EVH)
Health care network Evolent Health announced this week the completion of its acquisition of assets from New Mexico Health Connections (NMHC). The combined entity is called True Health New Mexico. It will tap into exploding demand for hospital and physician services in the region.
Evolent bought NMHC’s assets for $10.25 million in cash. The assets include a commercial plan and health plan management organization.
Evolent’s move is part of the health industry’s consolidation. More and more health players are looking for economies of scale. They seek to break into growing markets with favorable demographics. They’re doing it through acquisitions. True Health New Mexico should be a growth catalyst for Evolent in 2018 and beyond.
Evolent remains a buy up to $26.00.
John Persinos is chief investment strategist of Breakthrough Tech Profits.
Stock Talk
Edward Getchell
John, re VUZIX, what do people who have to use corrective glasses do?
Ed
John Persinos
ED: It’s simple. The company’s smart glasses are available in a prescription capable safety glass format.
You must be logged in to post to Stock Talk OR create an account
You must be logged in to post to Stock Talk OR create an account
Rick Kingsley
Despite the slander by the Blogger, it would seem that Himax is more of a buy than ever as the stock was pushed low. They have an A-list of clients. Do you think that they are ripe for takeover?
John Persinos
Rick: Yes, indeed, one of the main appeals of Himax is its suitability — indeed, it’s likelihood — of an eventual takeover by a deep-pocketed client. This scenario is even more likely now that U.S. tax overhaul has been signed. The bill will allow lower domestic taxation of the cash that tech giants have stashed overseas to avoid U.S. taxation. This windfall will in turn fuel a wave of mergers and acquisitions in the tech sector. I anticipate that some of our small-cap portfolio holdings will get caught up in this wave, to the benefit of shareholders.
You must be logged in to post to Stock Talk OR create an account
You must be logged in to post to Stock Talk OR create an account
Michael Dunn
Feb 2 I bought 200 shares of HIMX at $8.42 It seems for near future to be stuck between $8 and $9.
I also sold 2 march 4th week covered calls for $124.94 and Sold 2 March Put for $117. 92
If the stock drops below $8 I will get 200 more shares at a discount from the current price & will do the same type of Put/Call trade on them,
If it goes above $9 I can add the 6% profit on the stock or roll the covered call.
And then start the whole process over again.
If I figured it correctly that is about a 14% return in about 50 days or 84% APR. Plus 6% if it goes above $9.
Thank you John for pointing out this stock.
Mike
John Persinos
My pleasure, Mike. Thanks for your feedback. I value engaged readers. Feel free to comment or ask questions, anytime. BTP is here to serve your investing needs.
You must be logged in to post to Stock Talk OR create an account
You must be logged in to post to Stock Talk OR create an account
Add New Comments
You must be logged in to post to Stock Talk OR create an account