Retirement: What Happens If a Spouse Dies?

You don't automatically get your spouse's IRA, 401(k), and other accounts when he or she dies. Here's how to plan so the right survivors get the funds.

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  Is a Vanguard SEP IRA Account Right for You?

  Investopedia
• 
  Edward Jones IRA and Roth IRA Review

  Investopedia

‘Kids that don’t fail are normally frugal.' Wealth advisers say Meghan and Harry’s lifestyle already raises red flags

Meghan and Harry Windsor aren’t the first people to try to quit the safety of a rich family and try to go it alone, and they won’t be the last. Chief among them: Reports that the couple is looking to buy a mansion in Vancouver on the market for $36 million Canadian dollars ($27 million in U.S. dollars), already dubbed a “Megha-Mansion” by the British press. “That is a red flag,” writes Elizabeth Windisch, a financial planner at Aspen Wealth Management in Centennial, Colo., in an email, “they really couldn’t find a nice, secure home for, say, $15 million.” Others agree.

• 
  Meghan & Harry Wearing Beanies Outside Marks The Dawn Of A New Era

  Refinery29
• 
  Thomas Markle says he had no idea who Prince Harry was when Meghan first told him they were dating

  INSIDER

3 Top Dividend Stocks with Over 7% Dividend Yield

Last year was volatile for the stock markets, but overall growth was strong. Stocks have hit record highs – the S&P 500 gained 28% for 2019, and has started 2020 with continued growth. The broad-based gains have investors feeling good – but a look ahead has them nervous.Wall Street’s analysts don’t see the record-breaking growth run lasting much longer. In fact, the consensus among the top financial investment firms is that markets will gain a paltry 2% over the next twelve months. For investors who have grown used to reaping rewards from share appreciation, this is an unwelcome wake-up call. It also calls for a switch in strategy.Dividends are the logical way to turn. These profit-sharing payments give investors a steady income stream – even when market gains are sluggish. As an added appeal, there is no upper limit to a dividend’s yield. After three Fed rate cuts in 2019, Treasury bonds are down to the 1.5% to 1.75% range – while the average dividend yield among S&P-listed companies is just about 2%. And there are plenty of stocks with higher yields.Finding the right investment is key here. Just a high dividend yield won’t always cut it – investors should still seek a stock that will outperform. TipRanks, with its library of market and analyst performance data, has the perfect research tool to find just the right investment. The Smart Score brings together data from eight different sources and gives every stock in the database a single-digit score, on a scale of 1 to 10, to let you know at a glance how that stock is likely to move in the year ahead. The higher the number, the stronger the likelihood of outperformance.We’ve used TipRanks’ search tools to pull three stocks for the year ahead. These are investments that are likely to outperform – and are already paying out high dividend yields. The details tell some interesting stories; let’s dive in, and take in the details.Capital Product Partners (CPLP)Capital Product Partners is shipping company, specializing in seaborne transport of cargo – mainly of containerized goods. The shipping container – those giant metal boxes used that have standardized ocean-going freight, rail transport, and trucking – has revolutionized freight cartage, and CPLC operates a fleet of 10 container ships. The company also operates one dry bulk carrier.CPLP’s operations have been profitable, and in 2019 the company streamlined its operations by divesting its tanker fleet. The move, done in partnership with DSS Holdings, gives CPLP part ownership of the tankers without the direct costs of operations. On most of its container and bulk carriers, CPLP has operating agreements in place until 2022 and 2023, putting the company in a firm position to maintain both its carriage and its income stream. In Q4, the company announced an upcoming expansion of the fleet, with the purchase of three new container ships.However, the recent Q3 results were mixed. Removal of two vessels from the fleet forced a 17% decline in revenue from Q3 2018, with the quarterly total coming in at $26.87 million. EPS was well below expectations, at just 18 cents, but was much improved year-over-year from a $1.33 per share loss.Investors were not scared off by the quarterly report. Shares have registered gains since the earnings release, and the company has maintained its high dividend payment. The yield is 10.5%, more than 5x the market average. The absolute payment is modest, at 35 cents quarterly, but it annualizes to $1.40 per share – a reliable income for investors.Writing on CPLP, B. Riley analyst Liam Burke points out the fleet expansion as reason for optimism on this stock. Burke notes, “The announced acquisition of the container assets provides a nice complement to the MLP's existing container vessels and Capesize vessels which are operating under medium- and long-term contracts, creating predictable underlying cash flows and stable distribution.”Burke reiterated his firms Buy rating on CPLP shares and set a $14 price target, indicating a ~5% upside potential. (To watch Burke’s track record, click here)CPLP’s most recent analyst reviews are all Buys, giving the stock a unanimous Strong Buy consensus rating. Shares sell for a bargain price, $13.31, and the $14.67 average price target suggests room for an upside of 10%.CPLP holds a Smart Score of 8, indicating that outperformance likely lies ahead for the stock. Aside from a bullish analyst outlook, technical indicators show a positive trend in the moving averages along with a 73% positive momentum change over the past 12 months. (See CPLP stock analysis at TipRanks)Broadmark Realty Capital (BRMK)Next up on our list is a Real Estate Investment Trust (REIT) with a ‘perfect 10’ Smart Score. The REIT niche is popular with dividend investors. Due to tax laws, these firms are required to return a high percentage of their profits back to shareholders, and usually choose dividends as the vehicle. It makes these stocks a reliable income generator for investors.Broadmark occupies the mortgage segment of the REIT sector, holding and investing in mortgages and mortgage-backed securities in the construction and development areas of the real estate industry. The company is new to the markets, as it was formed this past November through a merger between Trinity Merger Corporation and Broadmark real estate lending. The new company, ticketed as BRMK, started trading publicly on November 15. Since then, BRMK stock has gained almost 17% in share value.While investors will like the appreciation generated so far, the company’s dividend is also top-notch. The company announced its first regular dividend in December, at 12 cents per share, and paid it out on January 15. And even better: Broadmark announced earlier this month a second dividend payment, of 8 cents per share, making its payout monthly rather than quarterly. At the current payout, the yield is a high 7.57%. Being a new stock, Broadmark has not had a chance to develop a long history of dividend payments – but it has made an excellent start. Income-minded investors should take note of this stock.5-star analyst Tim Hayes, another financial expert from B. Riley FBR, is bullish on the future of Broadmark. He notes important developments in the US housing market and construction industries, writing, “The NAHB released its Housing Market Index (HMI), which exceeded economists' estimates and indicated that homebuilder sentiment is strongest in the West and South, regions that encompass BRMK's core markets… U.S. Housing Starts came in much stronger than economists' expectations... We believe both sets of data support the demand for construction debt capital, which should bolster BRMK's pipeline and pace of capital deployment…”Hayes set a $13 price target on BRMK, suggesting a modest 2.5% upside potential alongside his Buy rating. (To watch Hayes’ track record, click here.)So far, Broadmark has received two analyst reviews, and both are Buys. The stock’s fast share appreciation has pushed the price above the average target. That said, the Smart Score of 10 bodes quite well for Broadmark. The analyst ratings and technical factors are all positive, and market watchers should also take close note of the investor sentiment. This measures the stance of individual investors toward the stock – and it is highly positive. (See Broadmark stock analysis at TipRanks)Enviva Partners LP (EVA)The final stock on our list, Enviva, is a manufacturer of processed biomass fuel – wood pellets that are sold to industrial customers and used for power generation. They are a cleaner-burning alternative to coal as a fuel, with the added bonus of recycling a common waste product. The pellets can be manufactured from sawdust, woodchips, and other common debris from any wood-working industry.The company’s production plants are located mainly in the Southeastern US, and manufacture over 3 million tons of wood pellets every year. The pellets are mainly exported, to customers in the UK and mainland Europe, and contribute to an overall 80% reduction in powerplant carbon footprints. A mark of Enviva’s success is its share appreciation: the stock grew 43% in 2019.Q3 2019, the company’s most recent reported, showed strong revenue. At $157.4 million, it was up over 9% year-over-year. Total product sold, at 811,000 metric tons, was up 6.4% from the year-ago quarter. At the same time, net income slipped to $8.9 million. And for income investors, EVA declared its Q3 dividend at 67 cents. That annualized to $2.68 per year, for a yield of 7.13%. As discussed above, this puts the yield well over triple the S&P 500 average, and over four times the yield of Treasury bonds. Even better, EVA has been steadily raising its dividend since 2017.Elvira Scotto, 5-star analyst with RBC Capital, reiterated her Buy rating on the stock after the earnings report. She wrote, “EVA's tightened 2019 guidance range implies slightly lower 2019 EBITDA vs previous guidance. However, we believe the slight reduction represents a slight shift in timing of shipments. We believe EVA and its sponsors' contract backlog provides significant visibility into long-term cash flow growth.”Scotto’s price target, $39, suggests a modest upside of 4% from current levels. (To watch Scotto’s track record, click here)This stock’s fast appreciation has limited its room for growth – but the strong dividend promises continued income for investors. It also doesn't hurt that EVA has a high Smart Score. The ‘8’ rating indicates likely outperformance is in store for the stock. Technical factors weigh strongly on the outlook, as they are highly positive. Analyst ratings, blogger opinion, and hedge fund interest also give the stock a boost. (See Enviva stock analysis at TipRanks)

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  Is Global International Credit Group Limited (HKG:1669) A Great Dividend Stock?

  Simply Wall St.
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  Are You Looking for a High-Growth Dividend Stock? Peoples Bancorp (PEBO) Could Be a Great Choice

  Zacks

Investors Are Hammering The No. 1 Robotic Surgery Outlet — Here's Why

Intuitive Surgical stock skidded in high volume Friday after the robotic surgery company issued a conservative 2020 outlook for procedure growth following a slowdown in the fourth quarter.

Inovio’s stock soars after receiving grant to develop coronavirus vaccine

As the coronavirus out of China spreads and gets deadlier, shares of health care companies that announce plans to take part in finding a vaccine, or identifying patients with the new strain, have rallied sharply in very active trading.

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  Moderna Announces Funding Award from CEPI to Accelerate Development of Messenger RNA (mRNA) Vaccine Against Novel Coronavirus

  Business Wire
• Russia is developing vaccine against coronavirus - RIA cites regulator

  Reuters

Tesla will mark the beginning of the end for this bull market, warns Ralph Nader

Tesla shares — unsafe at any speed? Apparently so, according to the consumer advocate and former presidential candidate, who issued a stark warning this week, not only on the pricey stock, but on the market as a whole.

Student loan servicer appeals landmark $220,000 bankruptcy ruling

A student loan servicer involved in a bankruptcy case is appealing a New York judge’s decision to discharge $220,000 of student debt held by a navy vet.

You’ve been a good saver. Can you transform yourself into a happy spender?

Upon retirement, you’ll likely find it tough to transform yourself into a happy spender. The fact is, most folks struggle their entire life to control their spending, only to reach retirement with too little saved. If you exclude the value of Social Security and pensions—but count real estate—the typical household approaching retirement age has a net worth of just $175,000.

How to Set Up a Backdoor Roth IRA

High earners can’t contribute directly to a Roth IRA, but thanks to a tax loophole they can still contribute indirectly.

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  Transfer IRA Money to an HSA

  Investopedia
• 
  Why Roth IRAs Make Sense for Millennials

  Investopedia

Goldman Sachs: These 3 Stocks Are Poised to Surge by at Least 15%

The stock analysts at Goldman Sachs have been busy. The bank – one of the world’s largest and most influential investment and financial services organizations, with alumni in government positions throughout the major Western nations – maintains a cadre of Wall Street experts, who keep close tabs on the constant shiftings of the stock markets. The result is a wealth of expert opinion, backed by data, on the current go-to investments.All of this is bread and butter for TipRanks, a platform that makes financial recommendations accountable, and expensive institutional datasets available, to all investors. We’ve pulled up three of Goldman’s recent tech sector stock picks, and run them through TipRanks' Stock Screener tool to confirm that Goldman is in the majority on Wall Street in recommending these equities.So, here are the results. Three tech stocks that usually fly under the radar – but Goldman sees them all with more than 15% upside potential in the coming year.GSX Techedu, Inc. (GSX)First on our list is an education-related tech stock from China. GSX is a software company, providing educational packages for after-school tutoring. The company is a leader in the K-12, large-class, after-school market in China, an important segment in a culture that puts a premium on education.A combination of factors worked to push GSX shares sharply upward in December – as much as 24%. While’s China’s overall economic growth has been slowing in recent years, and the trade tensions with the US have put pressures on most sectors of the Chinese economy, Chinese parents still put a premium on giving their kids the best possible education. That cultural imperative helped insulate GSX, and the company showed a tremendous 460% year-over-year revenue gain in Q3, posting 557 million yuan in sales – approximately $80 million in US currency. Total student enrollment rose by 240%, to 820,000.When news broke of the Phase 1 trade agreement between the US and Chinese governments last month, however, Chinese markets experienced a broad rally – and that included GSX. Investors were suddenly bullish after the trade agreement was announced and the signing was scheduled, and more willing to invest – and a company with GSX’s proven recent growth was sure to attract plenty of investor attention.Goldman’s Christine Cho reviewed GSX, and outlined the major advantages of the stock for investors. First, regarding the educational market generally in China, she wrote, “We expect online AST penetration will grow from 15% of the total AST market to 41% over the same period, as we believe online AST courses have a wider reach given their scalability, lack of physical constraints and better affordability…” And, looking at GSX specifically, Cho laid out her firm’s line: “We believe its competitive moat lies in its technology DNA and ROI mindset, scalable business model via well-managed star teachers, and best-in-class operating efficiency…”Cho initiated coverage of this stock for Goldman, giving it a Buy rating and setting an aggressive price target of $45. Her target indicates confidence in an upside potential of 28% for the next 12 months. (To watch Cho’s track record, click here)Overall, investors and analysts are bullish on this stock. The price run-up in December pushed the share price to $35.25, well above the consensus price target. However, Cho’s new coverage, with her higher target, indicate the potential available in GSX shares. (See GSX stock analysis at TipRanks)Avaya Holdings Corporation (AVYA)The next two stock on our list are related, operating in the same sector and, more importantly, having just entered a strategic partnership. First up is Avaya Holdings, a holding company whose main subsidiary, Avaya, Inc., provides software in the business communication and collaboration niche. Avaya’s products offer services to unify communications, contact centers, and real-time video systems.Business communications is an essential niche; no company can do without an efficient system for managing its analog, digital, and online communications. Avaya has ridden that need, and put up strong revenue numbers from filling it. In Q4 of fiscal 2019, reported in November, the company showed $723 million in quarterly revenues, and $2.89 billion in annual revenues. These numbers reflect GAAP figures, and the annual total shows a 1.4% year-over-year gain. The company’s cash on hand has shown steady increases in the past year, and stands at $752 million.During the quarter, Avaya announced a partnership with RingCentral (more below), through which Ring will become Avaya’s sole provider of UCaaS solutions. In addition, Ring committed to paying $500 million to Avaya in return for stock shares and licensing rights. The move brings Avaya’s services and migration capabilities into combination with Ring’s UCaaS platform, for both companies’ benefit.Goldman Sachs sees plenty of reason for optimism in Avaya’s current situation. Writing for the firm, 4-star analyst Rod Hall says, “We believe the economics of the announced RingCentral deal are likely to drive Avaya’s revenue and profitability above consensus expectations… In our central case, we estimate that ACO conversions could add ~$28m in revenue to Avaya in the first full year of its availability…”Hall puts a Buy rating on AVYA shares and his price target of $18 suggests an upside of 28% for stock. (To watch Hall’s track record, click here)Shares in AVYA are priced at $14, and the average target of $16.25 suggests room for 16% growth in the coming year. The Moderate Buy analyst consensus rating is based on 6 reviews, including 4 Buys and 2 Holds. (See Avaya stock analysis at TipRanks)RingCentral, Inc. (RNG)Third on our list is Avaya’s new partner, RingCentral. RNG brings cloud computing to the realm of business communications, with software packages combining two staples of the modern office: telephone and computer systems. RingCentral Office, the company’s flagship product, is sync-compatible with popular business applications like Salesforce, Outlook, Google Docs, and DropBox, plus it provides RNG’s unique features in call forwarding, multiple telephone extensions, video conferencing, and screen sharing.RingCentral’s strong product, solving real problems and improving business efficiencies, has brought the company equally strong profits. Revenues and earnings were both up in Q3 2019, the most recent reported. EPS, at 22 cents, was up 15% year-over-year, and beat the forecast by 15%. Revenues came in at $222 million, showing an impressive 34% year-over-year growth. Strong profits and earnings, in turn, powered RNG’s share appreciation – the stock gained 108% in 2019.Heather Bellini, 5-star analyst with Goldman, was impressed enough by RNG’s performance to upgrade the stock from Neutral to Buy, while setting a $230 price target. Her target suggests a about 15% upside to the stock.In her comments, Bellini noted RNG’s fast-paced growth, and recent AVYA partnership’s potential to drive further growth. She writes, “We see continued runway for outperformance driven by secular growth from UCaaS adoption, enterprise traction, and continued evolution in the companies go-to-market strategy, most notably RingCentral’s recently announced partnership with Avaya.” (To watch Bellini’s track record, click here)RNG holds a Strong Buy rating from the analyst consensus, with 14 Buy ratings and just a single Hold. Shares are priced high, at $197.75, reflecting the stock’s recent gains. The average price target is $201.36, implying a 2% upside for the stock – but as cited above, Goldman analyst sees a 15% upside ahead for RingCentral. (See RingCentral stock analysis at TipRanks)

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  Goldman Sachs Will No Longer Take Companies Public Unless They Have at Least One ‘Diverse’ Board Member

  National Review
• 
  Goldman Sachs to companies: Hire at least one woman director if you want to go public

  Reuters

FICO scores, the 'most important numbers in your financial life,' are about to change

Consumers who miss credit payments or amass more debt will see falling credit scores under new FICO standards. On-time payers will get a boost.

• 
  What Democrats are doing to get the Social Security vote out

  Yahoo Finance Video
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  DC AG sues presidential inaugural cmte, alleging abuse of funds

  Yahoo Finance Video

Store closings pile up: With 1,200 closures already announced, retailers face another grim year

Any hope retailers would extinguish the fires consuming them in 2020 is fading fast, with closures by Macy's, J.C. Penney, Express, Pier 1 and others.

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  Retail Store Closures: All the Companies That Are Downsizing in 2020

  Footwear News
• American greeting card stores shredded amid retail struggles

  Fox Business

Comcast Stock: New Twist In Wireless Services Push Could Involve AT&T

As cable TV companies like Comcast make more inroads in wireless phone services, there could a new partnership twist in 2020, with AT&T; looking to replace Verizon as a network capacity provider.

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  'Cats' was a massive failure that hurt Comcast earnings

  Yahoo Finance
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  Comcast Earnings Top Views On Broadband Growth; Stock Falls On Outlook

  Investor's Business Daily

Transfer IRA Money to an HSA

You can fund a health savings account (HSA) to pay medical expenses by rolling over money from your IRA, tax-free.

• 
  Why Roth IRAs Make Sense for Millennials

  Investopedia
• 
  Can I Have More Than One IRA?

  Investopedia

Aurora Cannabis Could Recover in 2020 if the Stars Align

The Canadian cannabis sector has never marketed itself as a stable, worry-free opportunity. However, some names are worse than others -- as is the case with Aurora Cannabis (NYSE:ACB). Once a bright spot in legal marijuana due to its massive international footprint, ACB stock plummeted in 2019 as fiscal concerns weighed more heavily than the company's potential opportunities. With shares off to a rocky start to 2020, is there any hope here?Source: Shutterstock Investors have every right to be concerned. Since the last session of 2019, ACB stock appeared determined to kill every holding hands' patience. At one point, the markets feared that shares could fall below $1. However, some positive notes -- or at least, non-overtly negative notes -- brought some life back into the embattled shares.In a note to clients, Cowen analyst Vivien Azer described attending an investors conference, where Aurora Cannabis' management team disclosed that it was working with creditors to restructure its debt. Also, Cantor Fitzgerald analyst Pablo Zuanic called for the company to find a better CEO.InvestorPlace - Stock Market News, Stock Advice & Trading TipsClearly, ACB stock can use any help that it can get, and these suggestions are steps in the right direction. But, will it be enough to convince observers to speculate on the company? * The Top 5 Dow Jones Stocks to Buy for 2020 If you're even mildly risk averse, ACB stock is not for you. Although I see optimistic catalysts for the organization and the industry, time is the biggest enemy; And don't mistake the present situation: although management is trying to restructure its debt, what they're really asking for is more digits on the clock.If they get it, ACB stock could fly higher in 2020. However, as with anything cannabis related, that's a big "if." The Possible Case for a Recovery in ACB StockBefore we get into it, let's reiterate once again: Aurora Cannabis is only for speculators at this point. While it has a chance for recovery, many things have to go right -- and in time.With that out of the way, the catalyst for ACB stock is the possible improvement of the Canadian cannabis market's supply-chain issues and licensing backlogs. Specifically, Canada needs to approve more cannabis retail outlets and dispensaries to effectively feed demand. Failing that, it needs to feed demand based on efficiency metrics.Interestingly, Azer pointed out that Aurora's disappointing fiscal first-quarter revenue was at least partially attributable to "congested channel inventory…from initial inventory loading in anticipation of Ontario opening additional locations that has yet to occur."Importantly, this channel-inventory congestion isn't a lame excuse. In the third calendar quarter of 2019, Ontario had over two million adult cannabis users. However, it only had 75 stores open to serve this demand. Put differently, there are nearly 27,000 users per each store. Click to Enlarge Source: Chart by Josh Enomoto Unfortunately, this metric just won't do. Currently, Canada has nearly 5.2 million cannabis users total and only 363 stores nationwide. Doing the simple math, this breaks down to 14,318 stores per one cannabis user.Now, this last figure pales in comparison to the state of Colorado: it has approximately one store per every 10,000 residents! Be that as it may, the issue with the Canadian province of Ontario is that compared to other provinces, it's incredibly inefficient. Of course, what's really glaring is that Ontario is home to Canada's largest population of cannabis users.However, it's not just Ontario. Provinces like Quebec, Nova Scotia and Manitoba have relatively sizable cannabis user communities -- yet these markets too are grossly inefficient.Nonetheless, any improvement here could do wonders for ACB stock. Can the U.S. Improve Aurora's Chances?Another factor that could play a vital role for Aurora Cannabis is the legalization momentum in the U.S. Although marijuana remains a Schedule I drug, the federal government legalized hemp and hemp derivatives like cannabidiol, or CBD. This suggests that full legalization is becoming more of a reality than a pipe dream.Furthermore, the upcoming 2020 presidential election presents an interesting wrinkle for ACB stock. Primarily, the Democratic party has generally moved toward supporting both marijuana legalization and decriminalization initiatives. Senator Bernie Sanders has gone a step further, indicating that he'll legalize marijuana via executive action if necessary -- and at 4:20pm ET, no less.However, not everyone is quite onboard with such a proposal. For instance, former Vice President Joe Biden has flip-flopped on the legalization question. And if he wins the election, he probably wouldn't be the most supportive of that idea. Plus, President Donald Trump could win another term -- and as such, full legalization would clash with his law-and-order image.Still, a few powerful catalysts are poised to launch ACB stock, that much is for sure. The question is whether they can actually do so, and in quick enough time.As of this writing, Josh Enomoto did not hold a position in any of the aforementioned securities. More From InvestorPlace * 2 Toxic Pot Stocks You Should Avoid * 10 Stocks to Buy as the 2020 Presidential Election Approaches * 5 Dividend Stocks With Low Payout Ratios and High Yields * 4 Post-Holiday Retail Stocks Still Worth a Look The post Aurora Cannabis Could Recover in 2020 if the Stars Align appeared first on InvestorPlace.

Don’t worry about an overbought stock market because the Fed is here to help

Today’s stock market invites an easy comparison with 1999 after the S&P 500 Index has rallied for some 13 months. Some stocks look bubbleicious, but I do not believe the stock market is in bubble territory. Look at many marijuana stocks and you will see what I mean.

Square Options Sizzle After Bull Note

Credit Suisse is all-in on Square stock

Analysts: These 3 “Strong Buy” Penny Stocks Could Gain Over 50%

Penny stocks are controversial, to say the least. When it comes to these under $1 per share investment opportunities, Wall Street observers usually either love them or hate them. The penny stock-averse point out that while the bargain price tag is tempting, there could be a reason shares are trading at such low levels like poor fundamentals or insurmountable headwinds.However, the other side of the coin has merit as well. Naturally, with these cheap tickers, you get more bang for your buck in terms of the amount of shares. On top of this, other more expensive and well-known names aren’t as likely to produce the colossal gains that penny stocks are capable of.Given the nature of these investments, Wall Street analysts recommend doing some due diligence before pulling the trigger, noting that not all penny stocks are bound for greatness.With this in mind, we set out on own search for compelling investments that look like a steal. Using TipRanks’ Stock Screener tool, we filtered the results by current share price, analyst consensus and price target upside to track down 3 penny stocks that have amassed enough analyst support to earn a “Strong Buy” consensus rating. Adding to the good news, each pick boasts over 50% upside potential. Let’s dive in.Lineage Cell Therapeutics (LCTX)Like the name implies, this biotech uses its proprietary cell-based therapy platform to develop specialized, terminally-differentiated human cells. These cells can potentially replace or support cells that are dysfunctional or absent as a result of a degenerative disease or traumatic injury, or even help the body defend itself against cancer. On the heels of its recent data readout, one analyst argues that the $0.81 price tag is a steal.The company just released data from the Phase 1/2a study for OpRegen, its retinal pigment epithelium cell transplant for advanced dry age-related macular degeneration (dry AMD). According to the results, the therapy produced significant improvements in vision, with no unexpected complications or serious adverse events reported. Not to mention for some patients, structural improvements in the retina and decreases in drusen density have been maintained, and there is evidence of the continued presence of transplanted OpRegen cells three years after the therapy was administered.Based on this outcome, Dawson James analyst Jason Kolbert stated, “The data continues to demonstrate improvements in visual acuity, pointing to what may be a robust new therapy for Dry Age-Related Macular Degeneration.” On top of this, he believes the fact that the Orbit Subretinal Delivery System (Orbit SDS) and a new Thawand-Inject (TAI) formulation of OpRegen have already demonstrated signs of success “continues to support the use of retinal pigment epithelial (RPE) cells.”With the analyst estimating that macular degeneration is a multi-billion dollar market opportunity, he thinks OpRegen is the lead product and the performance driver for LCTX. In line with his optimistic take, Kolbert maintained a Buy rating as well as the $6 price target. This brings the potential twelve-month gain to a whopping 641%. (To watch Kolbert’s track record, click here)It turns out that the rest of the Street wholeheartedly agrees with the Dawson James analyst. With 4 Buys and no Holds or Sells, the message is clear: LCTX is a Strong Buy. The $4.25 average price target puts the upside potential below Kolbert’s forecast at 431%. (See Lineage Cell price targets and analyst ratings on TipRanks)Great Panther Mining (GPL)Intermediate gold and silver mining and exploration company Great Panther operates three mines including the Tucano Gold Mine in Amapá State, Brazil and two primary silver mines in Mexico: the Guanajuato Mine Complex and the Topia Mine as well as owns the Coricancha Mine in Peru. At only $0.60 per share, some members of the Street see an attractive entry point.Part of the excitement surrounding the company is related to its recent production beat. On January 13, GPL announced that fourth quarter 2019 consolidated production reached 146,853 gold equivalent ounces, blowing expectations out of the water. Management stated that this strong result was driven primarily by a better-than-expected quarter in Tucano, with production landing at 34,181 ounces. While Roth Capital’s Jake Sekelsky acknowledges that the company beat his conservative estimate at Tucano thanks to additional tonnage from the Urucum North and Urucum South pits, he sees the geotechnical review at the UCS pit as an inflection point for shares.Also encouraging is management’s decision to raise non-dilutive cash at the end of Q4 and early Q1 2020 via two separate transactions. “Given the company's increased cash balance, we believe the company possesses the necessary working capital to move forward with the technical review at Tucano aimed at bringing the UCS pit back into production in 2021,” Sekelsky explained. He adds that this approach also de-risks GPL.To this end, the analyst stays on the bulls’ side. Along with his bullish call, Sekelsky bumped up the price target from $0.80 to $1, implying shares could be in for a 67% gain in the next twelve months. (To watch Sekelsky’s track record, click here)What does Wall Street have to say? It has been relatively quiet when it comes to analyst activity. That being said, the two other analysts that published a review in the last three months were also bullish, making the consensus rating a unanimous Strong Buy. To top it all off, the $1.38 average price target suggests that 128% upside could be in the cards. (See Great Panther price targets and analyst ratings on TipRanks)Auryn Resources, Inc. (AUG) The last penny stock on our list is another player in the metal mining and exploration space. Auryn currently has seven projects including two flagships: the Committee Bay high-grade gold project in Nunavut and the Sombrero copper-gold project in southern Peru. With the price per share landing at $1.27, Heiko Ihle of H.C. Wainwright tells investors to get on board before it takes off.After the company broke the news that the intrusives related to mineralization at its Sombrero project in Peru are from the same metallogenic event that previously created many of the top deposits in the Andahuaylas-Yauri belt, Ihle likes what he’s seeing. “We believe that the Sombrero project could host a world-class deposit within its 130,000-hectare land package,” he commented.Additionally, the analyst sees the Curibaya site as particularly promising. The asset’s initial sampling program delivered solid results, including 7,990 grams per tonne (gpt) silver, 17.65 gpt gold and 6.97% copper. According to Ihle, this outcome demonstrates the magnitude of precious and base metal grades at Curibaya.“As Auryn’s surficial data at Curibaya continues to line up, the firm intends on further refining its drill targets through geophysical surveys to provide the necessary resolution for subsurface drilling. Auryn plans to apply for drill permitting at the end of 1Q20 with the ultimate goal of drilling the project in 4Q20,” the analyst noted.Given that 2020 could see some important discoveries for AUG, it makes sense, then, that the analyst takes a bullish approach, leaving both a Buy rating and the $2 price target as is. Should the target be met, shares could be in for a 57% twelve-month climb. (To watch Ihle’s track record, click here)All in all, the rest of the Street has been impressed by AUG. Out of 3 total analysts, 102% see the stock as a Buy, making the Street consensus a Strong Buy. At $2.49, the average price target suggests 96% upside potential, surpassing Ihle’s estimate. (See Auryn price targets and analyst ratings on TipRanks)

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Save $1,000 a year. Retire with millions

There’s a song that was a No. 1 hit in 1954 called “Little Things Mean a Lot.” Its title could sum up today’s simple lesson. By saving less than $100 a month, adjusting the savings for inflation, and investing well, a young person can retire with millions.

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