Summary Points: - Will Warren Buffet save the day, again? - I will highlight three things that investors should be closely monitoring in 2018 - The Good, The Bad, The Ugly. - I plan to stay long General Electric. General Electric ($GE) is a beaten-up industrial conglomerate that cannot seem to find its footing (and this is putting it lightly), but GE shares jump by over 4% on rumors that Warren Buffett may be interested in initiating a stake in the company. It is hard to chee

Summary Points: - Accenture recently reported better-than-expected Q2 2018 operating results (top- and bottom-line beats). - However, the market is concerned about the company's operating margins and the potential for additional margin pressure over the next few quarters. In my opinion, these concerns are overblown. - Accenture is a long-term buy at today's price. Accenture ($ACN) has been a top-performer for the R.I.P. portfolio for several years now but the company's most r

Summary Points: - Under Armour reported strong operating results to end 2017, and I believe that 2018 could be a game-changing year for the company. - Even after considering the uncertainties, I plan to stay long Under Armour. - Under Armour is a long-term buy at today's price. I have held an Under Armour ($UAA) ($UA) position (the C shares to be specific) in the R.I.P. portfolio for well-over a year, and it would be an understatement to say that I have been disappointed in m

Summary Points: - KeyCorp's Q4 2017 results were nothing to brag about, but the bank has great, long-term business prospects and several catalysts in place. - This regional bank has a great, long-term story to tell, and the thesis is already playing out. - KeyCorp is a long-term buy at today's price. KeyCorp ($KEY) rarely ever gets mentioned when analysts talk about regional banks that have promising, long-term business prospects but, in my opinion, there is a lot to like abo

Summary Points: - Synchrony Financial's stock has been under-pressure over the last year due to asset quality concerns but SYF shares are now trading at an attractive valuation. - Based on estimated 2018 and 2019 earnings, SYF shares are trading at a steep discount to its 'peer' group. - Synchrony Financial is a long-term buy. Synchrony Financial ($SYF) is a private-label credit card company that has largely flown under the radar since going public in mid-2014 but, more recen

Summary Points: - KMG Chemicals' stock has outperformed the broader market over the last 1, 2 and 5 year time periods. However, this company is still not widely followed by the Street. - The company recently reported better-than-expected Q2 2018 financial results, and raised its full-year 2018 guidance. - KMG Chemicals is a long-term buy at today's price. KMG Chemicals ($KMG) is a small-cap speciality chemicals manufacturer that not many people have heard of, but the company'

Summary Points: - Four companies are showing General Electric's management team what they need to do to create value in 2018/2019. - After considering the risks, I believe General Electric is still worth a look. - I'm staying long General Electric. General Electric ($GE) is a company in turmoil, as this once great industrial conglomerate has had to fend off the bears while at the same time try to reassure investors that the boat is not sinking. To say that the bears have been

Summary Points: - Xinyuan reported strong top- and bottom-line results for Q4 and Full-year 2017. - The company has significantly grown its revenue over the last five years, and I see no signs of a slow down. - Xinyuan is a long-term buy at today's price. Xinyuan Real Estate's ($XIN) stock has taken shareholders on a roller coaster ride over the last 12 months, but let's not forget that XIN shares are still outperforming the broader market by a wide margin over this period of