We recently compiled a list of the 7 Cheap New Stocks To Invest In Now. In this article, we are going to take a look at where Kenvue Inc. (NYSE:KVUE) stands against the other cheap new stocks.

Capital Markets Buzz Amid Fed Rate Cuts

In light of the recent Fed decision, there is growing optimism regarding increased capital markets activity. Analysts have expressed growing confidence in a soft landing for the economy despite ongoing market volatility. This perspective suggests that supportive monetary policies could create favorable conditions to enhance valuations and drive investment, making it an opportune time for firms to pursue IPOs and M&A. As borrowing costs decrease, investor interest in tech startups and growth-oriented companies is likely to rise. This trend is particularly relevant given the recent performance of the S&P 500, which has rebounded from earlier declines, indicating resilience in the market.

As we approach the end of the year, the combination of lower interest rates and positive economic data sets the stage for a potential surge in IPOs and increased market engagement. Investors may look to diversify their portfolios by exploring new opportunities in, let’s say, emerging tech firms, which could lead to heightened activity in capital markets as these companies capitalize on the favorable economic backdrop. As the current landscape presents an encouraging scenario for both established and young companies looking to enter the public market or expand through strategic partnerships, we covered Stephanie Link’s sentiments on this scenario in our article about the 10 Best Young Stocks To Buy Now. Link, Chief Investment Strategist and Portfolio Manager at Hightower, highlighted a contrasting perspective amidst market volatility and uncertainty. Here’s an excerpt from the article:

“…She believes that the Fed is skillfully guiding the economy towards a soft landing, even amidst the expected market fluctuations before the elections.

Just 3 weeks ago, the S&P 500 had dropped by 4%. Still, it rebounded by 4% the following week. It rose another 1% last week, reaching new highs, and expressed optimism about buying opportunities during any market weakness, citing better-than-expected economic growth driven by recent data, including improved retail sales and manufacturing figures, as well as a decline in weekly jobless claims to a 4-month low. This positive economic backdrop supports an estimated growth rate of 2.9%, which is expected to benefit corporate earnings.

…Link noted a broadening market trend over the past couple of months, indicating that while tech has taken the lead, other sectors such as financials, industrials, materials, and discretionary stocks are also showing strength. She advised investors to remain selective in their choices amidst ongoing volatility…”

On October 3, Tiffany McGhee, CEO and CIO at Pivotal Advisors highlighted the convergence of macro events that may spark market volatility, emphasizing the concept of “convergence” as her word of the day. She noted that this week is marked by a convergence of significant events that could lead to increased volatility in the short term. With macroeconomic factors at play, including a potential port strike and major job reports scheduled for release, Tiffany highlighted that these elements are creating what she described as a “perfect storm.”

Tiffany pointed out that the ongoing conflict in the Middle East and the recent vice presidential debate are critical factors influencing market reactions. She observed that bond prices experienced a sell-off earlier in the week but stabilized as investors sought safety amid rising geopolitical tensions. As the election approaches, she anticipates further short-term volatility due to these developments.

In terms of strategy, Tiffany encouraged investors to reassess their portfolios, particularly those with a heavy concentration in equities. With the S&P 500 up 20% year-to-date and sectors like technology and consumer discretionary having performed well, she suggested that now is an opportune time to take some profits off the table and consider reallocating those funds into different areas of the market.

Tiffany also discussed her investment pick, the mutual fund with ticker AISGS, which is currently outperforming small-cap companies. She expressed a preference for focusing on size and style rather than specific sectors at this moment. By investing in small and mid-cap stocks through active management, such as with the Aerial Fund (ARGFX), investors can capitalize on opportunities created by lower analyst coverage in these segments. This lack of information allows skilled managers to identify undervalued stocks and consistently outperform indices.

Tiffany’s insights underscore the importance of strategic asset allocation and proactive portfolio management during periods of heightened market volatility. By recognizing the convergence of macroeconomic events and adjusting investment strategies accordingly, investors can better navigate potential market fluctuations while positioning themselves for future opportunities.

Methodology

We used the Finviz stock screener to compile a list of 20 new stocks that went public recently in the past 2 years and have a forward P/E ratio under 20. We then selected the 7 cheap new stocks that were the most popular among elite hedge funds and that analysts were bullish on. The stocks are ranked in ascending order of the number of hedge funds that have stakes in them, as of Q2 2024.

Why are we interested in the stocks that hedge funds pile into? The reason is simple: our research has shown that we can outperform the market by imitating the top stock picks of the best hedge funds. Our quarterly newsletter’s strategy selects 14 small-cap and large-cap stocks every quarter and has returned 275% since May 2014, beating its benchmark by 150 percentage points (see more details here).

Kenvue Inc. (NYSE:KVUE)

Forward Price-to-Earnings Ratio: 18.83

Market Cap as of October 1: $44.30 billion

Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 58

Kenvue Inc. (NYSE:KVUE) is a consumer health company, formerly the Consumer Healthcare division of Johnson & Johnson. It operates through three segments: the Self Care segment offers cough, cold, and allergy, pain care, digestive health, smoking cessation, and eye care products; the Skin Health and Beauty segment provides face and body care, hair, and sun products; the Essential Health segment offers oral and baby, women’s health, and wound care products.

Self-care growth slowed, but China’s weak market impacted Dr. Ci:Labo. Tylenol performed well with new products and market share gains. Despite increased marketing investments, essential Health and Listerine saw strong organic growth, 7.6% and 10% respectively. The company expanded its in-store presence and increased media, driving overall growth. Allergy sales recovered in June.

Overall, Q2 2024 revenue was down 0.27% year-over-year. Organic growth in Q2 was 1.5%. Value realization contributed 2.1% to growth. Volume declined slightly in Self Care and Skin Health and Beauty, with a 0.6% year-over-year decrease.

The company has strong financials, including $1 billion in cash and equivalents, a 60% gross margin, and a 17.8% operating margin. Management raised full-year sales guidance to a high end of 3% after Q2 results. Consumer staples stocks like this company have held up well during recession fears, and future growth could be fueled by increased beauty spending, positioning it well for future growth.

Oakmark Fund stated the following regarding Kenvue Inc. (NYSE:KVUE) in its first quarter 2024 investor letter:

“Kenvue Inc. (NYSE:KVUE) became the largest standalone consumer health company following its split-off from Johnson & Johnson in May 2023. The company’s highly recognizable brands, such as Neutrogena, Listerine, Tylenol and Band-Aid, have been market share leaders in their respective categories for generations. However, Kenvue’s first year as a public company was clouded by litigation and market share losses in certain categories. As a result, Kenvue now trades for just 16.5x trailing earnings, a substantial discount to the market and other consumer health and packaged goods companies. We see an opportunity for the company to improve efficiency and re-invest the cost savings into increased product development and marketing, which should help improve its growth and brand equity.”

Overall KVUE ranks 1st on our list of the cheap new stocks to invest in. While we acknowledge the potential of KVUE as an investment, our conviction lies in the belief that AI stocks hold great promise for delivering high returns and doing so within a shorter timeframe. If you are looking for an AI stock that is more promising than KVUE but that trades at less than 5 times its earnings, check out our report about the cheapest AI stock.

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Disclosure: None. This article is originally published at Insider Monkey.