Stocks

2 Smart Stock Picks to Enrich Your Portfolio in 2024 and Beyond

Published November 20, 2023

The excitement of a surging stock market might have you dreaming about wealth accumulation. While the notion of striking it rich quickly or with a single stock is alluring, such events are rare. Instead, there exists a superior approach to building wealth that anybody can tap into.

This alternative strategy is none other than long-term investing. It's superior because it has the potential to yield sustainable wealth rather than fleeting profits that could vanish with a market shift. Embracing long-term investing encompasses purchasing shares from a variety of dependable companies, potentially amassing a portfolio of 25 or more, and holding these investments for a decade or longer. No matter your budget, even if it means acquiring fractional shares of pricier stocks, your investment has a good chance of appreciating over time.

Among the plethora of stocks to consider, there are two e-commerce behemoths that are wise choices because of their commanding market presence, proven earning capabilities, and the likelihood of their continued success. Here's an overview of these two wealth-generating stocks you should consider investing in now.

Shopify

Shopify, a powerhouse in the e-commerce industry, fuels many of the online stores we frequent. Millions of merchants globally rely on Shopify for a comprehensive array of services, including website creation, sales and payment processing, marketing, and business management. Despite the substantial costs associated with its logistics business development, Shopify has come out ahead, having sold this division while still benefiting from its services. This strategic move is already paying off, as evidenced by the company's rising earnings.

Recent financial reports show Shopify enjoying a sustained increase in revenue and gross profit, marking the fourth consecutive quarter of positive free cash flow. This turnaround has led to a promising rise in the company's free cash flow margin. With a dominant 28% share of the U.S. e-commerce software market and a vibrant e-commerce sector propelling growth, Shopify's future appears bright.

Despite a significant rise in stock price this year, Shopify's market capitalization is below previous levels, even as their revenue has surged. This indicates that Shopify's stock has significant potential to scale even further.

Amazon

Amazon has recently navigated through challenging economic conditions that have affected both consumer spending and operational costs. However, by implementing cost reduction strategies and making strategic investments, Amazon has returned to profitability with impressive gains in revenue, operating income, and cash flow.

Key business adjustments are likely to sustain Amazon's leadership in e-commerce and cloud computing. On the e-commerce front, the transition to a regional fulfillment system from a national one stands to offer faster, more cost-effective delivery solutions. Meanwhile, significant investments in artificial intelligence by Amazon Web Services position the company for success in this innovative technology space.

At the current valuation, Amazon presents a reasonable buy for a growth stock, especially compared to its higher valuation in the recent past. With continuous improvement initiatives, Amazon's stock has significant growth potential, making it another top pick for long-term investors.

Investing, E-commerce, Wealth