Articles by Kate Stalter

Kate Stalter is a Series 65-licensed asset manager, with more than two decades of experience in various areas of financial services. As an investment advisor and financial planner, Kate personally manages client portfolios, with a focus on successful retirement, including asset allocation, income generation and tax strategies. Kate also serves as a capital-markets contributor at Forbes.com, and is an expert columnist for the investment advisory channel at U.S. News & World Report. Contact Kate Stalter via email at [email protected]

Pandemic lockdowns boosting business among digital sales platforms. By now, we’re all familiar with the theme of pandemic lockdowns boosting business among digital sales platforms, such as Shopify (NYSE: SHOP), Etsy (NASDAQ: ETSY), and Fiverr (NYSE: FVRR). 

Digital media companies Pinterest (NYSE: PINS), Snapchat (NYSE: SNAP) and Sea Limited (NYSE: SE) are all forming corrections after strong run-ups in 2020.  Much has been written lately about pullbacks in techs, Internet companies, and growth stocks in general, following big gains in 2020.

Frenzy in the homebuilding market is sending stocks like Hovnanian Enterprises (NYSE: HOV), Century Communities (NYSE: CCS) and Beazer Homes (NYSE: BZH) to new highs. 

Semiconductor manufacturers such as Amkor Technology (NASDAQ: AMKR), ON Semiconductor (NASDAQ: ON) and United Microelectronics (NYSE: UMC) are benefiting from strong demand for electronics gear, combined with a global chip shortage..

Financial technologies are extending their reach into more aspects of life, all over the world, opening more doors for companies like NCR (NYSE: NCR), ACI Worldwide (NASDAQ: ACIW) and Fiserv (NASDAQ: FISV). 

Buyers are snapping up new homes, often sight unseen and paying with cash, generating booming business for companies such as Owens Corning (NYSE: OC), Builders FirstSource (NASDAQ: BLDR) and Cornerstone Building Brands (NYSE: CNR). 

Despite bar and restaurant closures a little over a year ago, various factors helped alcoholic beverage companies, such as Boston Beer Company (NYSE: SAM), Constellation Brands (NYSE: STZ) and Willamette Valley Vineyards (NASDAQ: WVVI), stay on top like an olive garnishing a martini. 

Furniture companies thrived during the era of Covid, as consumers bought new homes and updated their existing dwellings. Furniture retailers Wayfair (NYSE: W), Natuzzi (NYSE: NTZ) and Bassett (NASDAQ: BSET) are among stocks benefiting as Americans relocate during the pandemic. 

individual investors may find it’s best to wait out this initial pullback and wait for the stock to emerge from a constructive chart pattern before buying.  Here's a look at three companies showing strong price movement after their 2020 IPOs.

Online education is becoming a bigger business all the time, which is why shares of Houghton Mifflin Harcourt (NASDAQ:HMHC), Chegg (NYSE: CHGG) and GP Strategies (NYSE: GPX) are racing higher. Digital learning was already on the upswing when the pandemic hit; Covid only accelerated that trend.

Telecom infrastructure stocks aren't among the glamorous tech names, but they've been on strong uptrends the past year. Analysts see benefits from both the work-from-home trend, as well as an upcoming back-to-the-office trend.

Hotel stocks were slammed in 2020, with earnings skidding along with occupancy. However, a rebound seems at hand, and Wall Street expects better things ahead.

Chalk it up as another one of those pandemic surprises: Shipping companies, such as Matson (NYSE: MATX), ZIM Integrated Shipping Services (NYSE: ZIM) and Danaos (NYSE: DAC) are among the fastest-moving stocks these days. 

Best Buy (NYSE: BBY) is a little like the character from “Monty Python and the Holy Grail,” who shouts, “Not dead yet” as undertakers try to cart him away. Best Buy is pivoting toward a new environment where shoppers are increasingly online, and the workforce will demand greater flexibility.

In an era of streaming videos and podcasting, who would have expected television- and radio-industry stocks like Gray Television (NYSE: GTN), Townsquare Media (NYSE: TSQ) and Entravision (NYSE: EVC) to show technical strength? 

Signet Jewelers (NYSE: SIG) is trading at its best levels since October 2018. The stock has soared to a year-to-date return of 109.42% and a one-year return of 637.86%. 

The energy sector is on the rise, as demand increases, but some producers are keeping a lid on supply. Here are three energy stocks trading near highs.

It’s safe to say that just about every adult in the U.S. is familiar with Avery Dennison’s (NYSE: AVY) labels that you can pick up at any office supply store.

Landstar System found strong support at its 50-day average recently, and rebounded to new highs. The stock is now extended from a proper buy point, but investors should watch for the next pullback.

Raymond James Financial outperformed analysts' earnings expectations in its most recent report, and is now forming a sideways price consolidation. The stock is trading at new highs.

The Covid-19 pandemic hasn’t stopped Americans from moving, and that’s benefited Skyline Champion (NYSE: SKY). The Michigan-based company specializes in various categories of manufactured homes, including the currently popular “tiny homes.”

Shares of digital media buying platform The Trade Desk (NASDAQ: TTD) remain off December highs, but rallied back last week. The stock closed Friday at $751.22.

Darling Ingredients (NYSE: DAR) is a company that works magic: It transforms foodservice waste into fuel and other products. As numerous states, as well as the federal government, are implementing new clean energy targets, demand for a service like Darling’s is flying high.

Diagnostic test maker Fulgent Genetics (NASDAQ; FLGT) closed Wednesday at $97.20, down 11.28%, or $12.36. It’s hovering near its 50-day moving average.

Shares of mattress maker Purple Innovation (NASDAQ: PRPL) are waking up after tumbling more than 32% on March 4, following a disappointing earnings report.

While augmented reality is a hot topic among gamers, West Henrietta, New York-based Vuzix (NASDAQ: VUZI) has its eyes on the industrial and enterprise markets.

One factor affecting Tesla and its industry compatriots: A spike in Treasury yields caused investors to switch out of techs. In addition, growing optimism about a post-pandemic world means a shift toward the energy and industrial sectors.

Who would have guessed that the clunky, colorful clogs made by Crocs (NASDAQ: CROX) would be a fashion item in 2021? The stock is trading near all-time highs, on the heels of a lengthy rally.

Americans shopped for household goods, auto parts, and casual clothing. For some retailers, online channels were strong; others continue to rely more on walk-in traffic.

Beyond Meat (NASDAQ: BYND), maker of plant-based meat alternatives, got a boost from its fourth-quarter earnings report, despite some disappointing results.