Podcast: Analysts' Impact, ESG, and Healthcare Stock, Picks

Ethical & Sustainable Investing News to Profit By!

Analysts' Impact, ESG, and Healthcare Stock Picks. Includes unusual climate tech stock recommendations and terrific analyst picks in other sectors.

Transcript & Links, Episode 120, December 15, 2023

Hello, Ron Robins here. So, welcome to this podcast episode 120 titled “Analysts' Impact, ESG, and Healthcare Stock, Picks.” It’s presented by Investing for the Soul. Please note that I’m taking a break over the holidays so my next podcast will be Friday, January 12th, 2024.

Investingforthesoul.com is your site for vital global ethical and sustainable investing mentoring, news, commentary, information, and resources. And look at my newly revised website at investingforthesoul.com! Tell me what you think.

Now, remember that you can find a full transcript, and links to content – including stock symbols and bonus material – on this episode’s podcast page located at investingforthesoul.com/podcasts.

Also, a reminder. I do not evaluate any of the stocks or funds mentioned in these podcasts, nor do I receive any compensation from anyone covered in these podcasts. Furthermore, I will reveal to you any personal investments I have in the investments mentioned herein.

Additionally, quotes about individual companies are brief. Please go to this podcast's webpage for links to the actual articles for more company and stock information. Also, some companies might be covered more than once and there are also 11 article links below that time didn’t allow me to review them here.

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1) Analysts' Impact, ESG, and Healthcare Stock, Picks

Now, I’m always trying to find articles with new investing ideas with an ESG and sustainable focus. In that vein, I’m presenting this article titled These 8 Small-Cap Impact Stocks Tap into the Rapidly Growing Climate Tech Market in Support of a Net-Zero Future. It’s by Ari Zoldan and found on nasdaq.com.

Here’s some of what Mr. Zoldan says about his picks.

“1. FuelCell Energy (FCEL)

manufactures stationary fuel-cell platforms to help with decarbonizing power and producing hydrogen using fuel cells… The company specifically targets large industrial sources like factories and other large facilities that produce significant amounts of carbon dioxide.

2. Gevo (GEVO)

produces decarbonized fuels and chemicals… The company states it is ‘commercializing the next generation of renewable gasoline, jet fuel and diesel fuel with the potential to achieve zero carbon emissions…

Gevo… sees commercial opportunities for other renewable hydrocarbon products like renewable natural gas and other fuels, chemicals, and plastics.

3. Ideal Power (IPWR)

has developed and patented a bidirectional semiconductor power switch designed for use in electric vehicles, EV chargers, renewable energy, energy storage, data centers, solid-state circuit breakers, and other industrial and military applications… two examples utilizing the company’s technology (are:) improves the range of EVs and the kilowatt hours harvested from a renewable energy installation.

4. Mullen Automotive (MULN)

is an EV manufacturer that designs and builds commercial trucks, passenger vehicles and solid-state polymer battery technology. Interestingly, while most other EV makers build cars that use lithium-ion batteries, Mullen actually uses lithium-sulfur batteries, describing them as being ‘lighter, more efficient,’ and having ‘greater range than most EVs in the market.’

At this stage, it's still the very early days for Mullen Automotive, although it did see its first recorded revenue in June from the sale of 22 electric cargo vans to the Randy Marion Automotive Group.

5. OPAL Fuels (OPAL)

provides complete renewable natural gas solutions for landfills, dairies, and fueling station construction and service. The company uses a vertical waste-to-energy model that combines the upstream production and downstream marketing and distribution of renewable natural gas, providing a scalable, low-cost solution to decarbonize heavy-duty transportation…

So far, OPAL Fuels has completed more than 350 fueling stations, renewable natural gas landfills, and dairy projects across the U.S.

6. Sunworks (SUNW)

describes its mission as ‘to help businesses and homeowners take control of their electric costs while championing the future of solar.’ The company serves customers in 15 states and provides solar services via partner organizations…

Sunworks also provides energy storage solutions that work with its commercial solar systems.

7. The Metals Company (TMC)

The company describes its mission as ‘to build a carefully managed metal commons that will be used, recovered and reused again and again…’

The company mines polymetallic nodules, which are rich sources of the base metals required for battery making and building the infrastructure needed to make the energy transition… They are found unattached to the bottom of the abyssal seafloor, and they don’t contain toxic levels of heavy elements like land ores do…

Polymetallic nodules are also known as manganese nodules, although they also contain three additional critical metals used in batteries. In addition to manganese, these nodules contain cobalt, nickel and copper, all in a single ore.

The Metals Company believes mining these nodules could have a much lower environmental footprint than other forms of mining necessary to obtain the metals needed for making batteries.

8. Workhorse Group (WKHS)

stands apart from the generalists in the space by manufacturing electric trucks and drones to support last-mile deliveries…

In September, Workhorse announced that it had received approval from the Internal Revenue Service as a qualified manufacturer for the Commercial Clean Vehicle Credit. The approval means Workhorse customers are eligible for a credit of up to $40,000 on their purchases of all Workhorse vehicles in 2023 and beyond.” End quotes.

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2) Analysts' Impact, ESG, and Healthcare Stock, Picks

This next article is titled 7 Best ESG Stocks to Buy Now. It’s by Matt Whittaker and found on money.usnews.com. Now some quotes and details.

“If ESG investing interests you, consider these seven ESG stocks, several of which have turned in an impressive year-to-date performance:

ESG STOCK YTD RETURN AS OF NOV. 30 Cadence Design Systems Inc. 70.1% Panasonic Holdings Corp. 23.1% Tesla Inc. 94.9% Intel Corp. 73.1% These last three stocks may fall into the category of bargains for buy-and-hold investors, as renewable energy companies have been in a slump but may have a bright future.

First Solar Inc.

5.3% Sunrun Inc. -46.3% Orsted A/S -46.9% 1. Cadence Design Systems Inc. (CDNS)

provides software, hardware and intellectual property used to design electronic systems…

Trends including artificial intelligence and autonomous driving are fueling electronic design activities and demand for the company's products.

2. Panasonic Holdings Corp. (OTC: PCRFY)

This Japanese multinational electronics company is focused on its automotive battery business. It's also involved in green hydrogen, which, unlike the majority of hydrogen produced today, is made with renewably produced electricity instead of fossil fuels…

Although Panasonic's stock took a big dip in October, it has been recovering and is now up 23.1% year to date as of Nov. 30.

3. Tesla Inc. (TSLA)

this company is the world's biggest EV manufacturer based on its market capitalization of about $758 billion.

During the third quarter, the company produced more than 430,000 electric vehicles and delivered more than 435,000.

Its revenue grew by 9% on increased vehicle deliveries and growth in other parts of the business. But its net income dropped 44%, in part because of increased operating expenses connected with its Cybertruck and artificial intelligence projects and lower average selling prices.

3. Intel Corp. (INTC)

This semiconductor company scores highly on governance and overall ESG metrics in the 2023 JUST Capital ESG rankings…

The company also ‘commits to an independent and diverse board governed by 90% independent directors and led by an independent board chair,’ JUST Capital says.

4. First Solar Inc. (FSLR)

Solar and wind companies have been hit by inflation… [and] rising interest rates…

First Solar's shares are down 8.5% over the past 12 months, but they have begun to rebound.

In addition to being a renewable energy company, First Solar's ESG chops include that it uses cadmium telluride technology for its solar cells in a process that has a smaller carbon footprint than that of other manufacturers who use polysilicon. Additionally, First Solar isn't reliant on Xinjiang, a polysilicon-producing region in China where the U.S. says Muslim minorities are forced to work against their will.

5. Sunrun Inc. (RUN)

This photovoltaic solar and battery storage company hasn't fared as well as First Solar… Its shares are down about 46% year to date as of Nov. 30.

But the clouds may part for the stock. According to Stock Analysis, the average 12-month price forecast from 22 stock analysts for Sunrun is $24.95, or roughly double where shares are trading now.

During the third quarter, the company added nearly 34,000 customers, a 19% increase year on year.

Also, Sunrun is shifting its focus to installing more storage systems, which have better margins than solar panels.

6. Orsted A/S (OTC: DNNGY)

which is the largest offshore wind developer in the world, has certainly been facing headwinds. Its shares are down 46.9% so far in 2023.

In addition to having trouble with inflation and rising interest rates, Orsted has been hit by supply chain disruptions, especially in the U.S…

The company has had to cancel plans for two U.S. offshore wind projects as tax credit and construction permit issues also hampered the plans. But it is continuing with a third.

In the long run, the U.S. is relying on offshore wind farms to help power coastal cities, and Orsted is well positioned if industry dynamics change.”

End quotes.

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3) Analysts' Impact, ESG, and Healthcare Stock, Picks

A favorite sector for ethical and sustainable investors is healthcare. So, I thought this article would interest many of you. It’s titled 3 healthcare companies whose social impact is the key to financial performance. It’s by Faizan Farooque and seen on equities.com. Here are some brief quotes.

“1. Abbott Laboratories (ABT)

which emphasizes patient-focused healthcare.

2. Johnson & Johnson (JNJ)

which is dedicated to achieving net zero carbon emissions and prioritizing environmental health equity.

3. UnitedHealth Group (UNH)

which focuses on ‘zero distance’ from patients.

Central to these companies’ ethos is the focus on patient-centric healthcare… This patient-first approach is often complemented by green healthcare technology, ensuring that advancements in health solutions also consider environmental sustainability.”

End quotes.

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4) Analysts' Impact, ESG, and Healthcare Stock, Picks

From another potentially profitable perspective, we have this article titled Investing in the Circular Economy: 3 Sustainable Stocks. It’s by Will Ashworth and seen on investorplace.com. Here are some key quotes from the article.

“I’m selecting my three sustainable stocks from the holdings of a Canadian mutual fund — the IA Clarington Inhance Global Equity SRI Class (CCM5010.CF).

1. LVMH (OTCMKTS:LVMUY)

is the 8th-largest holding of the mutual fund…

‘The percentage of women in key positions at LVMH [grew] from 23% to 45% between 2007 and 2022,’ Bloomberg reported earlier this year. Even better, 65% of its executives and managers are women.

2. Costco (NASDAQ:COST)

is the 17th-largest holding…

As for the 15 United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), the company has committed to the ones that most closely align with its business.

3. Autodesk (NASDAQ:ADSK)

is the 23rd-largest holding...

Autodesk provides cloud-based and desktop software products that help companies design and make things. Businesses using its products include architecture, engineering, construction, media, entertainment and manufacturing…

From a sustainability standpoint, Autodesk believes its software products help construction-related businesses save time, energy and costs while reducing waste and carbon emissions.” End quotes.

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Other Honorable Mentions – not in any order.

1) Title: 3 Top-Rated ESG Stocks That Analysts Are Loving Now on investorplace.com. By Steve Booyens.

2) Title: You Don't Have to Pick a Winner in Clean Energy. Here's Why. On fool.com. By Travis Hoium.

3) Title: Harness the Sun: 3 Must-Own Stocks in the Solar Industry on investorplace.com. By Rick Orford.

4) Title: Green Energy Innovators: 3 Stocks Leading the Sustainable Revolution on investorplace.com. By Steve Booyens.

5) Title: 3 Wind Stocks to Buy for a Sustainable and Profitable Future on investorplace.com. By Rick Orford.

6) Title: Best Clean Energy Stocks — December, 2023 on cleantechnica.com. By Carolyn Fortuna.

7) Title: Green Technology Stocks That Look Cheap on morningstar.com. By Muskaan Hemrajani.

8) Title: America's Most Responsible Companies 2024 on newsweek.com. Cover article by Nancy Cooper.

9) Title: The 3 Most Undervalued Renewable Energy Stocks to Buy in December on investorplace.com. By Chandler Capital.

UK Articles

1) Title: The sustainable global funds so good they’re worth adding ahead of mainstream funds on trustnet.com. By Emma Wallis.

2) Title: Our Pick Of The Best Ethical Stocks And Shares ISAs on .forbes.com/uk/. By Jo Thornhill and Kevin Pratt.

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Ending Comment

Well, these are my top news stories with their stock and fund tips -- for this podcast titled: “Analysts' Impact, ESG, and Healthcare Stock, Picks.”

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Please note that I’m taking a break over the holidays so my next podcast will be Friday, January 12th, 2024!

Have a wonderful time over the holidays.

Bye for now.

© 2023 Ron Robins, Investing for the Soul