Topics
Warner Music is now laying off an unspecified number of employees as part of a restructuring plan to cut costs. It already laid off 600 employees, or 10% of its workforce in 2024. Meanwhile, the company and global private investment firm Bain Capital are launching a joint venture for the purchase of up to $1.2 billion in music catalogues across both recorded music and music publishing.
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:
MERCK & CO. INC., $82.43, is a buy. The drugmaker (New York symbol MRK; TSINetwork Rating: Above Average) (www.merck.com; Shares outstanding: 2.5 billion; Market cap: $207.0 billion; Dividend yield: 3.9%), is now undertaking a major acquisition with its $10.5 billion purchase of U.K.-based Verona Pharma plc (ADR symbol VRNA on Nasdaq).
PagerDuty and Twilio were well positioned to gain during the pandemic, but since early 2021 they have dropped along with many other tech/platform stocks. Still, we think both have room to rebound as they continue to experience strong and growing demand. Both are buys.
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:
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:
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:
TRAVEL + LEISURE CO., $56.64, is a buy. The company (New York symbol TNL; TSINetwork Rating: Average) (www.travelandleisureco.com; Shares outstanding: 66.4 million; Market cap: $3.8 billion; Dividend yield: 4.0%) has just announced a long-term marketing partnership with Hornblower Group, a global leader in maritime hospitality and transportation.
ResMed’s sales and profits got a boost during the pandemic with a sharp rise in demand for its ventilators and other respiration devices. Even as the pandemic eased, the gains continued as the company introduced more products and expanded its software offerings. Today, ResMed’s outlook remains attractive—and not just for its CPAP machines. We think this Power Buy is poised to move even higher for you.
Computer Modelling offers software and consulting services to help conventional oil and gas producers create 3D models of reservoirs. And now, the company has reached an agreement with giant Baker Hughes (symbol BKR on New York) to further integrate its simulation and seismic technologies with that firm’s digital products.
MP MATERIALS, $58.55, is a buy. The stock (New York symbol MP; TSINetwork Rating: Extra Risk) (www.mpmaterials.com; Shares o/s: 163.5 million; Market cap: $9.6 billion; No divids.) has more than doubled since early July 2025. That’s after the U.S. Defense Department took a 15% stake in the company. The government has also committed to investing billions more of dollar in MP and to purchasong its output.