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Long-time readers know that we aim to keep you informed of important news about the stocks we cover. That means highlighting developments and plans that promise to bolster investor gains. Here are two buys that stand out this month:


SHOPIFY, $103.54, remains a buy. The company (Toronto symbol SHOP; TSINetwork Rating: Extra Risk) (www.shopify.ca; Shares outstanding: 1.2 billion; Market cap: $133.4 billion; No dividends paid) continues to attract merchants to its platform....
EXPEDIA GROUP INC., $133.19, is a Power Buy. The company (Nasdaq symbol EXPE; TSINetwork Rating: Average) (www.expediagroup.com; Shares outstanding: 142.6 million; Market cap: $17.6 billion; No dividends paid) has announced a multiyear agreement with Wells Fargo and Mastercard to launch two new co-brand...
ACI Worldwide and Fair Isaac have winning business models, especially in today’s expanding financial markets. We believe that will lead to strong growth in future years. Both are hitting new highs, but we still see them as buys.


ACI WORLDWIDE, $48.08, is a buy. The firm (Nasdaq symbol ACIW; TSINetwork Rating: Extra Risk) (Shares o/s: 104.7 million; Market cap: $5.0 billion; No dividends paid) is the leading software provider for processing transactions by credit cards, debit cards, automated teller machines, point-of-sale terminals and interbank systems....
You should remain wary of stocks that attract broker/media attention because of high-profile products or services, and their business models. Here’s a closer look at one stock with risks that prospective investors should take into consideration:


POLLARD BANKNOTE, $22.00, (Toronto symbol PBL; TSINetwork Rating: Extra Risk) (pollardbanknote.com; Shares o/s: 27.1 million; Market cap: $595.2 million; No divids.) is a Winnipeg-based specialty printer, and lottery and charitable gaming product provider....
Artificial intelligence (AI) is an example of an investment idea that could boost your investment returns, or, more likely, end up costing you money. All in all, we think that the biggest, surest gains from AI will come from investing in established businesses that are already profitable and growing, and that can gain all the more by applying AI to their operations.


Here are two companies that are already profitably taking advantage of AI, and they should be among the leaders in the push to extend AI’s use:


PAGERDUTY INC., $19.68, is a buy. The company (New York symbol PD; TSINetwork Rating: Extra Risk) (www.pagerduty.com; Shares outstanding: 95.6 million; Market cap: $1.9 billion; No dividends paid) operates a platform that collects real-time data from software systems and devices and then notifies its IT customers of any incident that could harm their operations.


The PagerDuty platform sits on top of a company’s technology systems, taking in data....
Barrick has moved up recently, along with gold prices—now hitting new all-time highs. The gains likely reflect growing belief among investors that easing inflation eliminates the need for any more interest-rate increases. That should push up investor demand for gold as the appeal of interest-bearing investments and the U.S....

Goodyear’s outlook is positive. This includes making significant investments in future tire technologies, including for EVs. Meantime, its involvement with activist Elliott Management draws attention to its prospects.


GOODYEAR TIRE & RUBBER, $8.68, is a buy. The manufacturer (Nasdaq symbol GT; TSINetwork Rating...
RESMED INC., $224.30, is a buy. The company (New York symbol RMD; TSINetwork Rating: Average) (www.resmed.com; Shares outstanding: 146.9 million; Market cap: $33.0 billion; Dividend yield: 1.0%) fell in June 2024 from around $215 to as low as $180.


The stock dropped after drugmaker Eli Lilly said that its weight-loss drug Zepbound sharply reduced the restriction, or blocking, of air flow in patients with obesity and obstructive sleep apnea (interrupted breathing during sleep).


In our June 28, 2024, hotline, we wrote that the threat was overblown, and, that all things considered, ResMed’s outlook remains positive....
Alimentation Couche-Tard has made some major acquisitions over the last decade or so—it just announced a couple more. Growth by acquisition adds risk. However, the company has a long record of successfully integrating those businesses. Meanwhile, it’s well-positioned to keep prospering in both its core and newly acquired markets....
23ANDME HOLDING CO. $0.33 is a hold. The company (Nasdaq symbol ME; Consumer sector; Shares outstanding: 339.5 million; Market cap: $112.0 million; No dividend paid; Takeover Target Rating: Highest; www.23andme.com) provides consumers with genetics testing.


The stock began trading on Nasdaq in June 2021 at $10....