Most Popular Stocks Right Now: The financial markets are a constantly evolving landscape, with some companies rising to the top while others fall out of favor.
However, some businesses always seem to be in vogue. These stocks tend to be associated with well-known, successful companies sporting strong track records and attractive valuations.
In this article, we’ll take a look at some of the most highly traded firms in the world right now, examining what makes them so likable – and what investors should consider when deciding whether or not to buy.
1. Tesla
The apparent halo enveloping Tesla’s automotive and clean energy business has started to shine a little less bright over the last few months.
For instance, the firm’s been beset by a flurry of negative developments recently, including “controversial headlines” targeting Elon Musk’s much-anticipated Twitter takeover, and a situation where the company has been producing more electric vehicles than it can sell.
Consequently, TSLA’s share price has fallen almost 70% year-to-date, with the business being the “most shorted stock” at one point in 2022. In fact, such interest has seen the brand register the highest volume of market activity of any enterprise, with close to 160 million shares traded in just one day.
However, as the company attempts to right the ship, there are opportunities for potential investors. Cathie Wood is buying the dip – but could it be the bears who ultimately prevail?
Source: Unsplash
2. Palisade Bio
It might be surprising to find that a relatively unknown micro-cap biopharmaceutical outfit is the world’s second most heavily traded stock today. And yet that’s precisely the case with Palisade Bio, a clinical-stage therapeutics manufacturer whose share price skyrocketed more than 170% during the last few days of December.
Indeed, the company focuses on developing and commercializing innovative interventions for the treatment of gastrointestinal disorders. The firm’s lead product candidate, LB1148, is intended to be used as a remedy for post-operative digestive enzyme damage and the reduction of intra-abdominal adhesions.
In addition to its product development efforts, Palisade is also engaged in research activities that identify and characterize novel target pathways involved in the proliferation and progression of gastrointestinal diseases. The company aims to use this research to inform the creation of new therapies for these conditions.
The mystery behind PALI’s recent stock rise probably has something to do with its announcement of a $2.5 million agreement with institutional investors to buy 1,052,631 shares of its common stock.
How this plays out remains to be seen. But for now, shareholders will be happy with Palisade’s massive price surge – and will no doubt be hoping that future clinical trials prove the efficacy of the firm’s pipeline of potential blockbuster drugs.
3. Apple
Propelled by the success of its innovative range of electronic consumer products, Apple now reigns as the most valuable company in the world. Clearly, its stock is in high demand, and it shouldn’t be a shock to see it placed third in our list of most popular businesses.
In fact, one of the reasons why Apple is so favored right now is because of the company’s stout financial performance. AAPL has consistently reported robust earnings and revenue growth, which has attracted a lot of attention from investors. The firm has also maintained high profit margins, which has helped drive its stock price even higher.
Another contributing factor behind Apple’s ascendency is the brand’s sticky ecosystem. Indeed, AAPL’s products are designed to work seamlessly together, which encourages customers to buy more of its offerings and stay within the company’s software and services universe. This has resulted in strong customer loyalty, making it difficult for competitors to gain a foothold in the markets that Apple operates in.
Moreover, smartphones, which are one of Apple’s main products, have become an integral part of our daily lives. They are no longer considered luxury items but essential tools that we use for communication, entertainment, and various other tasks. This has helped to spike demand for Apple’s products and has contributed to the company’s unrivaled success.
4. Amazon
Despite the fact that Amazon’s stock market value tanked by around 40% recently, the company’s shares continue to exchange hands at a fairly rapid clip.
Admittedly, much of that volume increase was driven by a widespread sell-off, although it seems that many investors remain convinced of the firm’s worth, even at today’s volatile price point.
But what’s the exact cause of AMZN’s present woes? Well, the prime reason is almost certainly the company’s inability to generate meaningful profits. While Amazon has consistently reported strong revenue growth, it has struggled to turn that revenue into bottom-line cash, leading to concerns among shareholders about the company’s ability to generate long-term shareholder value.
Another factor that may have contributed to the decline in Amazon’s stock price is the company’s susceptibility to a drawn-out recession. Amazon relies heavily on consumer spending, and a prolonged slump could lead to a decrease in demand for the company’s products and services. This could negatively impact the company’s financial performance and put downward pressure on its stock price.
Furthermore, the company’s reliance on its cloud business may also be a source of concern for some investors too. For example, although AWS has been a key driver of Amazon’s growth and profitability in recent years, it’s possible that investors may worry about the company’s ability to maintain its dominant position in the cloud computing market. AWS faces competition from other major players in the industry, and there is always the risk that the business could lose market share – or see a decline in demand for its services.
On top of that, the fact that Amazon’s other business segments have generally lagged behind AWS in terms of profitability may also be a source of concern. Indeed, suppose Amazon were to lose its competitive edge in the cloud computing sector. In that case, it may not have other substantial sources of profitability to rely on, meaning Amazon’s dependence on its cloud operations may spook some investors, causing them to lose confidence in this once high-flying company.
5. Verizon
The Internet is a critical part of modern life, and telecommunications companies like Verizon are vital to its proper functioning.
For example, businesses rely on the World Wide Web for collaboration and commerce, and it has become an essential tool for national defense and law enforcement.
As one of the largest telecommunication companies in the world, Verizon is uniquely positioned to capitalize on this wealth of demand. The business operates in more than 150 countries and is responsible for managing over one million miles of global fiber.
In fact, Verizon, like other telecommunications companies, oversees a vast physical infrastructure supporting its communication networks. This includes a combination of telephone lines, cellular towers, and satellite systems.
Maintaining this infrastructure is crucial to America’s economy. It enables people to communicate freely, which is vital for businesses, government agencies, and other organizations. It also allows people to access information and connect to the Internet, which isn’t just important but critical in today’s digital age.
As a result, Verizon’s services will never go out of fashion, making the stock a perennial staple in many a quality portfolio.
Interestingly, VZ’s share price has fallen by a quarter in 2022, suggesting it could be incredibly cheap at its current valuation. Indeed, as the fifth most bought and sold company on the market, there appears to be no shortage of investors willing to snap it up.
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