Editorial StaffWith valuations still sky-high by historical standards, some investors might be hesitant to buy into the stock market. And understandably so.
But according to CNBC’s Jim Cramer, there are still opportunities for those seeking value, especially after the COVID omicron variant rattled markets.
“For days I’ve told you we were waiting for the other shoe to drop and it just hit today,” he said this past Wednesday when the Dow Jones Industrial Average dropped 461 points.
Within that context, the Mad Money host offered viewers four value stock recommendations. He even warned that if you wait too long to buy them, you’ll probably kick yourself.
Here’s a quick look at Cramer’s group of “obvious” bargain-basement buying opportunities. One — or all — of them might be worth buying with some of your extra cash.
Disney (DIS)
It’s easy to understand why Disney made Cramer’s list of beaten down values.
While the S&P 500 has climbed a solid 22% year to date, Disney shares have tumbled 19% over the same time period and are off nearly 30% from their 52-week highs.
Theme parks and cruise lines still make up about 17% of Disney’s business, so it’s no surprise that new COVID variants significantly hurt the stock’s investor appeal.
Meanwhile, streaming service Disney+ added just 2.1 million subscribers in the most recent quarter, its slowest pace since launching two years ago.
“Right now, Disney’s being held down by the omicron variant and disappointing subscriber numbers for Disney+,” Cramer acknowledged.
But he also said that the stock won’t stay down forever because Disney is an “iconic company” with the best franchises. Prior to the pandemic, Disney consistently posted returns on equity around 20%.
PayPal (PYPL)
Financial technologist PayPal is another bruised behemoth, with its shares having fallen 21% in 2021.
On the bright side, PayPal’s core business continues to grow. In Q3, the company’s total payment volume rose 26% year over year to $310 billion. Meanwhile, net revenue increased 13% to $6.18 billion.
“I know some sellers are motivated by PayPal’s not-so-hot chart,” Cramer said. “I’m motivated by the fact that the stock’s down 131 points from its $310 high. Again, it’s a buy.”
To be sure, PayPal currently trades at around $182 per share. But you can get a piece of the company using a popular trading app that allows you to buy fractions of shares with as much money as you’re willing to spend.
Mastercard (MA)
Credit card companies aren’t investor favorites these days because the return of COVID restrictions and lockdowns threaten to slow down international travel — and, in turn, spending.
Mastercard shares, for instance, are off about 2% over the past month and down 9% in 2021.
But Cramer pointed out that the company is returning more cash to investors, typically a sign of financial strength.
On Nov. 30, Mastercard announced an $8 billion share repurchase program and boosted its quarterly dividend by 11%.
“I don’t think Mastercard’s quite ready to bottom at these levels, but it’s a lot closer to the bottom than it was a few months ago,” Cramer said.
Wynn Resorts (WYNN)
Wynn Resorts is the most battered name on this list. As the owner and operator of hotels and casinos in Las Vegas and Macau, Wynn shares are not only down 29% year to date, but remain well off their pre-pandemic levels.
Cramer calls Wynn “one of the most hated stocks” he’s ever seen, pointing out that the company’s current valuation is way too low given the value of its properties.
“I think this company could easily be acquired by an MGM or Las Vegas Sands — they know the physical properties and the brand are best in show. Believe me, the insiders would be delighted to cash in,” Cramer added.
Of course, with COVID variants continuing to make headlines, it’s fair to say that the concern surrounding Wynn shares — along with the volatility that comes with it — isn’t going away anytime soon.
If you’d like to take a more conservative approach, consider building a portfolio of blue-chip stocks just by using your leftover pennies.
A real alternative
Picking stocks isn’t easy. Even investment pundits like Jim Cramer get it wrong — a lot.
If you want an asset that provides solid upside without the volatile ups and downs of the stock market, consider fine art.
According to the Citi Global Art Market chart, contemporary artwork has outperformed the S&P 500 by a commanding 174% over the past 25 years.
Investing in fine art by the likes of Banksy and Andy Warhol used to be an option only for the ultra-rich. But with a new investing platform, you can invest in iconic artworks too, just like Jeff Bezos and Peggy Guggenheim.
Source: Yahoo Finance
