Making smart investments often requires you to not follow the crowd. In the semiconductor industry, you can't follow the crowd any less than buying Intel (NASDAQ: INTC) stock. While Intel is struggling right now,

Verizon is a telecommunications powerhouse renowned for its consistent dividend payments. As of January 21, 2025, its stock trades at $39.34, offering a yield of approximately 7%. Its robust cash flow and strong market position make it a go-to for income-focused investors.

Fintech, the broad term for financial technology, is expanding quickly as companies continue to merge their financial products with the latest tech innovations. Let's take a closer look at why American Express (NYSE: AXP) and SoFi Technologies (NASDAQ: SOFI) could be the right place for your money if you have $500 available to invest.

Back in 2016, the Singapore-based chipmaker Avago acquired the original Broadcom. It inherited its brand, relocated its headquarters to the U.S., and expanded into the infrastructure software market by acquiring CA Technologies in 2018, Symantec's enterprise security unit in 2019, and the cloud software giant VMware in 2023.

Finding genuinely cheap stocks in a pricey stock market can be tough. Some stocks may look cheap based on standard valuation metrics, but they're anything but once you factor in their growth prospects.