We recently published a list of 10 Cheapest Stocks to Buy On Robinhood. In this article, we are going to take a look at where Vale S.A. (NYSE:VALE) stands against other cheapest stocks to buy on Robinhood.
While the market has been on an upward trajectory for nearly two years now, the combination of seasonal trends, strong retail, and corporate activity, and positive market momentum following the November election still suggests a potential for continued growth in U.S. equities.
Goldman Sachs’ Scott Rubner predicts a year-end rally that will push the S&P to 6,200 points as reported by Bloomberg on November 25. He attributes this potential rally to growing retail enthusiasm in equities and crypto, seasonal trading patterns, and increasing corporate buyback demand.
Rubner noted that the recent consolidation phase is typical, and highlighted significant inflows into U.S. equities, with the broader market gaining over 3% since the November 5 presidential vote and the Russell 2000 rising 6.5%. Historically, strong market performance in election years tends to extend into January, with the capital being deployed at the start of the new year.
READ ALSO: Jim Cramer’s Lightning Round: 9 Stocks in Spotlight and 10 Best Renewable Energy Penny Stocks to Invest In.
Strategic Investment Moves in a Shifting Economy
In an interview with Seana Smith and Madison Mills of Yahoo Finance, Jim Smigiel, SEI’s Chief Investment Officer, highlighted several key insights for investors, in light of President-elect Donald Trump’s pro-growth policies. He warned that these policies could lead to higher inflation and rising interest rates, which may impact investment strategies. For investors, the focus should be on understanding how inflation and rates can affect different assets and staying prepared for potential shifts in the market.
Smigiel sees opportunities in small-cap stocks, value stocks, and financials, which are expected to benefit from the current reflationary environment. He suggested investors consider diversifying their portfolios to reduce reliance on highly concentrated growth sectors like tech. Active management, where professional fund managers select investments, could also be a useful strategy to broaden exposure and adapt to market changes.
While higher rates could eventually pose challenges, Smigiel noted that small-cap stocks remain attractive for now due to improved debt structures, providing a window of opportunity until around 2026. Investors should keep an eye on rising yields, as it might signal a need to shift toward more defensive investments. Diversification remains critical in managing risks during this period.
Our Methodology
For this article, we checked all the large-cap companies trading on Robinhood with at least 50% positive analyst ratings. We narrowed our list to nearly 40 stocks that were trading below a forward price-to-earnings multiple of under 15. We also skipped the stocks that were trading above or at their industry median despite trading below a PE ratio of 15. Finally, we chose the 10 cheapest stocks to buy based on their average analyst price target upside as of November 25 (pre-market open). These stocks are also popular among hedge funds.
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).
Aerial view of a giant iron ore mine, showcasing the mineral deposits of the company’s Ferrous Minerals segment.
Vale S.A. (NYSE:VALE)
Market Cap: $43.2 billion
FWD PE Ratio: 4.97
Average Price Target Upside: 41.72%
Vale S.A. (NYSE:VALE) is a Brazilian mining company that produces and sells iron ore, iron ore pellets, nickel, and copper both domestically and internationally. It operates through two segments: Iron Solutions, which focuses on iron ore, pellets, and related logistics, and Energy Transition Materials, which deals with nickel, copper, and by-products like gold, silver, and cobalt.
Vale S.A.’s (NYSE:VALE) stock has experienced a beat-down throughout the year and has severely underperformed the market. However, its Q3 2024 results showed strong operational performance and strategic advancements under new CEO Gustavo Pimenta, who emphasized safety, cost efficiency, portfolio optimization, and stakeholder trust as priorities for Vale’s 2030 vision.
Iron ore production hit its highest level since 2018, with pellet production increasing 13% year-over-year. The Vargem Grande project, adding 15 million tons of capacity, started ahead of schedule, while the Capanema project, 91% complete, is expected to begin operations in early 2025. The company reduced its iron ore cash costs by 17% this quarter, bringing them to $28.6 per ton, and expects to hit the low end of the $21.5-$23 guidance range for 2024.
Moreover, as discussed in our oversold blue chip stocks article, Vale (NYSE:VALE) holds a strong position in global mining, especially in iron ore production. The company’s Value-Based Management (VBM) approach is aimed at driving long-term growth, with a recent review indicating benefits that could extend into 2028 and beyond.
Analysts see Vale’s ability to generate healthy free cash flow (FCF) as key to sustaining its growth. The company’s focus on increasing production, reducing costs, and improving efficiency through VBM initiatives is expected to enhance profitability and strengthen its market position. These strategies should lead to continued earnings growth and greater shareholder value.
Overall, VALE ranks 6th on our list of cheapest stocks to buy on Robinhood. While we acknowledge the potential of VALE as an investment, our conviction lies in the belief that AI stocks hold greater promise for delivering higher returns and doing so within a shorter time frame. If you are looking for an AI stock that is more promising than VALE 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.