Nasdaq Stocks

Looking at the underlying holdings of the ETFs in our coverage universe at ETF Channel, we have compared the trading price of each holding against the average analyst 12-month forward target price, and computed the weighted average implied analyst target price for the ETF itsel

Looking at the underlying holdings of the ETFs in our coverage universe at ETF Channel, we have compared the trading price of each holding against the average analyst 12-month forward target price, and computed the weighted average implied analyst target price for the ETF itsel

Looking at the underlying holdings of the ETFs in our coverage universe at ETF Channel, we have compared the trading price of each holding against the average analyst 12-month forward target price, and computed the weighted average implied analyst target price for the ETF itsel

In recent trading, shares of Edwards Lifesciences Corp (Symbol: EW) have crossed above the average analyst 12-month target price of $77.45, changing hands for $78.47/share. When a stock reaches the target an analyst has set, the analyst logically has two ways to react: downgrade

In recent trading, shares of Dr. Reddy's Laboratories Ltd. (Symbol: RDY) have crossed above the average analyst 12-month target price of $71.67, changing hands for $71.95/share. When a stock reaches the target an analyst has set, the analyst logically has two ways to react: down

Looking at the underlying holdings of the ETFs in our coverage universe at ETF Channel, we have compared the trading price of each holding against the average analyst 12-month forward target price, and computed the weighted average implied analyst target price for the ETF itsel

In recent trading, shares of Ashland Inc (Symbol: ASH) have crossed above the average analyst 12-month target price of $90.11, changing hands for $93.62/share. When a stock reaches the target an analyst has set, the analyst logically has two ways to react: downgrade on valuatio

March S&P 500 E-Mini futures (ESH24) are up +0.33%, and March Nasdaq 100 E-Mini futures (NQH24) are up +0.59% this morning as investors looked ahead to a new round of U.S. economic data and earnings reports from tech behemoths Apple, Amazon, and Meta Platforms.

March S&P 500 E-Mini futures (ESH24) are up +0.38%, and March Nasdaq 100 E-Mini futures (NQH24) are up +0.57% this morning as investors looked ahead to a new round of U.S. economic data and earnings reports from tech behemoths Apple, Amazon, and Meta Platforms.

One stock that might be an intriguing choice for investors right now is Badger Meter BMI. This is because this security in the  Instruments - Control space is seeing solid earnings estimate revision activity, and is in great compa

A financial product that enables banks to shed risk from loan portfolios is gaining more popularity among lenders in the United States, with investors and lawyers devising new structures to broaden its appeal.

Immunocore Holdings PLC Sponsored ADR (IMCR) shares ended the last trading session 6.9% higher at $72.29. The jump came on an impressive volume with a higher-than-average number of shares changing hands in the session. This compar

Cardinal Health CAH is a multinational healthcare services and products company based in the United States. It operates as a crucial player in the pharmaceutical and medical supply chain, providing a range of services to healthcar

RH RH, also known as Restoration Hardware, is a luxury home furnishings company known for its high-end and curated collections of furniture, lighting, textiles, and décor. RH is well known for its impressive retail locations and c

Indonesian markets, after a period of relative calm, are showing signs of concern about the prospect of a drawn out national election and the possibility of the country's highly regarded finance minister, Sri Mulyani Indrawati, departing.

Just five months before elections to the European Parliament, the revolt is fuelling a narrative that the EU is riding roughshod over farmers, who are struggling to adapt to stringent environmental regulations amid an inflation shock.

A financial product that enables banks to shed risk from loan portfolios is gaining more popularity among lenders in the United States, with investors and lawyers devising new structures to broaden its appeal.

Tankers carrying Russian oil have continued sailing through the Red Sea largely uninterrupted by Houthi attacks on shipping and face lower risks than competitors, according to shipping executives, analysts and flows data.

Investors hoping for imminent rate cuts by the Federal Reserve received a sobering reminder of the U.S. central bank’s focus on fighting inflation, after Chairman Jerome Powell poured cold water on bets policymakers would lower borrowing costs in March.

Wendy’s ( NASDAQ:WEN ) stock has underperformed the market, but the stock has a lot of potential, starting with its 5.2% dividend yield. Contrarian investors will find that there’s quite a bit to like here. I’m bullish on the $3.9 billion fast food stock, given its juicy dividend yield, its relatively inexpensive valuation compared to its restaurant stock peers, and several catalysts that could lead to a turnaround, such as a new CEO taking over and new involvement from activist investors who could push for further changes. New CEO, New Activist Investors  Wendy's stock has slumped to a 14.0% loss over the past year, at a time when the S&P 500 ( SPX ) surged to a 21.8% gain, so some changes are likely needed, and changes are coming. Wendy’s recently announced that a new CEO, Kirk Tanner, will take the helm on February 5. Tanner has been at Pepsi ( NASDAQ:PEP ) for over 30 years and is currently leading the company’s massive North American beverage business. While it’s too early to say what Tanner’s strategy will be, he appears to have the right kind of background for this role, and a fresh start under a new CEO could help to reinvigorate the business and the stock price.  There’s certainly precedent for this in the restaurant industry. For example, former Taco Bell CEO Brian Niccol took over as Chipotle ( NYSE:CMG ) CEO in 2018 and has created tremendous value for shareholders in that time. Chipotle's stock price has more than tripled since he took over. I’m not saying that this move by Wendy's will necessarily have the same level of impact, but the example shows that a change in leadership can be a catalyst for stocks in this industry. In terms of other potential catalysts (or wildcards), Wendy’s is also facing renewed pressure from activist investors, which could benefit shareholders.  While legendary investor Nelson Peltz (who is now Wendy's Chairman of the Board) dropped his efforts to take the company private, a new activist is engaging in saber-rattling of its own. In December, Reuters reported that Blackwells Capital, an activist hedge fund, has plans to challenge Wendy’s Board of Directors (namely Peltz) and to push for various improvements, although it's unclear what they are at this time.  It’s too early to say what the dynamic between the new CEO, Peltz, and the new activists will be, but with all of these new elements in play, more changes are likely on the horizon.    Tasty Dividend  What I really like about Wendy’s stock is that it packs a punch with its dividend. Shares of Wendy’s currently yield an attractive 5.2%.  This yield is well above that of the average yield for the S&P 500 ( SPX ), which currently sits at 1.5%.  Not only that, but Wendy’s also yields significantly more than its closest peers like McDonald’s ( NYSE:MCD ) and Restaurant Brands International ( NYSE:QSR ) ( TSE:QSR ), the parent company of Burger King, which yield 2.1% and 2.8%, respectively. Wendy's yield is also significantly higher than that of Taco Bell parent Yum! Brands ( NYSE:YUM ), which currently yields just 1.9%. Wendy’s doubled its dividend payout in 2023 (from $0.125 per quarter to $0.25), a strong signal that it is committed to creating value for its shareholders. In addition to this big-time dividend, Wendy’s is also returning capital to shareholders via share repurchases. In 2023, Wendy’s committed to buying back $500 million worth of shares through 2027, a significant amount for a company with a $3.9 billion market cap.  Cheaper Than the Market and Fast Food Peers  Trading at 19.3 times earnings and 17.3 times projected 2024 earnings, shares of Wendy’s aren’t so cheap that value investors are going to be pounding the table over it, but they are cheaper than the broader market and those of its closest peers.  The S&P 500 currently trades at 22.1 times earnings. McDonald’s trades at 24.7 times trailing earnings and 23.3 times forward earnings. Meanwhile, Restaurant Brands International trades at 23.7 times trailing earnings and 22.4 times forward earnings. Similarly, YUM! Brands trades at 24.3 times trailing earnings and 22.2 times forward earnings. These comparisons illustrate that there is plenty of room for Wendy’s to attain a higher multiple in line with its restaurant peers and for shares to trade higher if the new management team can right the ship.     Is WEN Stock a Buy, According to Analysts? Turning to Wall Street, WEN earns a Hold consensus rating based on three Buys, 11 Holds, and zero Sell ratings assigned in the past three months. The average WEN stock price target of $21.73 implies 13.9% upside potential. The Takeaway: Wendy’s Stock Looks Attractive   Shares of Wendy’s look attractive based on its 5.2% dividend yield and the possibility that changes driven by its new CEO or by activist investors could help bring its valuation more in line with those of its peers.  Disclosure