In this, the last of this multi-part, shallow dive into investing and my own investments in the stock market, I highlight those industries in the following two sectors:
Technologies – This sector, which I understand makes up a significant ~25% of the market, is seemingly not only the most valuable, but apparently one of the most volatile, consisting of those businesses that make it possible to present this post to my Make More Monie mentees.
This sector’s industries include those from manufacturing software and hardware, to cloud computing, artificial intelligence and semiconductors, each with its own spectacular disruption and extreme growth potential, on a domestic and global scale.
Factors such as changes in industry and consumer trends, not to mention government regulations, can turn the fortunes around of any of this sector’s Fortune 500 favorites like Microsoft (Software – Infrastructure) and Apple (Consumer Electronics), both of which I have followed all my life but don’t directly invest in, due to the inherent volatility of their stocks, except through a NASDAQ ETF.
Fortunately for me, I’ve owned it for some time, so despite not directly owning shares of any of the “Magnificent Seven” – many of which are found atop my ETF – or those other tech companies benefiting from the A.I. hype, such as my personal favorite, Oracle, I find myself benefiting from it all.
Utilities – This defensive, stable, capital-intensive sector, which, like Energies, Real Estate and materials, makes up ~3% of the market, consists of businesses that enable our lights to come on, stoves to heat and water to run. As there are very high barriers to entry, they are de facto monopolies, albeit highly regulated ones. This ensures relatively safe, solid dividends, which is why I’m invested in this sector in both the US and Canada, through Duke Energy, Southern Co, Canadian Utilities, Fortis and Emera.
There are a number of segments in this sector, and the companies involved in electricity generation, transmission and distribution operate power plants and electrical grids, and deliver electricity to their customers. Those engaged in natural gas supply and distribution to customers, own and maintain gas pipelines and infrastructure. Water utilities companies provide water supply and wastewater treatment services, delivering clean water while also managing wastewater treatment facilities.
Rounding out the companies here as well as in this entire eight-part post, are those that operate in multiple utility sectors; providing a combination of electric, gas and/or water services, as well as those – noted also in the Energies sector – involved in establishing and/or harnessing renewable power on geothermal, hydroelectric, solar and/or wind, and even oceanic levels.
The last bit of ‘fun’ancial counsel I can offer to my mentees, is that if nothing else, the price-to-earnings ratio of a company, which is calculated by dividing the market value price per share of a stock by the company’s earnings per share, can be found in the simplest of internet searches. In knowing that a high P/E ratio compared to the stock’s sector can mean that a stock’s price is high relative to earnings – and possibly overvalued for it – and, that a low one might mean that the company’s stock price is low relative to earnings – and possibly undervalued for it – I try to buy stocks with a reasonable P/E ratio for its sector. A second, and just as simple internet search can be made to determine exactly what those reasonable P/E ratios for each of those companies in each sector are. Happy hunting – and gathering!
Note: When you have made the conscious decision to really succeed, Make More Monie will endeavor to provide you with plenty of real-world examples of individuals that have “made more monie”, and who are happy to share exactly how they did it. No throbbing music, no pounding of chests and no primal screaming. Only top-of-the-line ‘fun’ancial mentorship with bottom-line results!
Disclaimer: The information contained herein should not be construed or considered professional advice. Nonetheless, thanks for reading! If it resonates, there’s “plenty more where that came from” on Facebook, Instagram, YouTube ‘n’ Twitter.