The company as it is today was formed through the merger of retail bank Chase Manhattan and investment bank J.P. Morgan. The firm has many operating divisions, including investment and corporate banking, asset management, retail financial services, commercial banking, credit cards and financial transaction services.
Top analysts are quite positive on the stock, largely because the industry titan faces a continued broad recovery in nearly every aspect of its business:
- Its leading M&A advisory and capital markets product set and market share.
- The massive footprint of corporate and commercial banking customers.
- Its sizable wholesale payments businesses.
The company has proven that it has the wherewithal to continually invest in people, products and platforms to further its market share base, extending its competitive advantage versus most peers.
Investors receive a 2.69% dividend. The Goldman Sachs price objective is $173, and JPMorgan Chase stock has a consensus target of $154.43. The shares closed on Friday at $148.97.
Macy’s
The venerable retailer has held its own this year and has big upside potential, especially as we approach the fall and holiday season. Macy’s Inc. (NYSE: M) is an omnichannel retail organization that operates stores, websites and mobile applications in the United States.
The company sells a range of merchandise, such as apparel and accessories for men, women and kids; cosmetics; home furnishings; and other consumer goods under the Macy’s, Bloomingdale’s, and bluemercury brands. It also operates in Dubai, the United Arab Emirates, and Al Zahra, Kuwait, under license agreements.
Shareholders receive a 4.40% dividend. The $23 Goldman Sachs target price is higher than the consensus target of $17.18. Macy’s stock closed on Friday at $15.12 a share.
Merck
This remains a leading health care pick for conservative investors. Merck & Co. Inc. (NYSE: MRK) operates as a health care company worldwide through the following two segments.
The Pharmaceutical segment offers human health pharmaceutical products in the areas of oncology, hospital acute care, immunology, neuroscience, virology, cardiovascular and diabetes, as well as vaccine products, such as preventive pediatric, adolescent and adult vaccines.
The Animal Health segment discovers, develops, manufactures and markets veterinary pharmaceuticals, vaccines and health management solutions and services, as well as digitally connected identification, traceability and monitoring products.
Merck serves drug wholesalers and retailers, hospitals and government agencies as well as managed health care providers, such as health maintenance organizations, pharmacy benefit managers and other institutions. It also serves physicians and physician distributors, veterinarians and animal producers. The company has collaborations with AstraZeneca, Bayer, Eisai, Ridgeback Biotherapeutics and Gilead Sciences.
Merck stock comes with a 2.68% dividend. It is the top health care play on the Goldman Sachs Conviction List. The firm’s $131 target price compares with a consensus target of $123.87 and Friday’s closing print of $109.30.
Republic Services
Despite the economy’s ups and downs, somebody has to pick up the trash and recyclables each week, and this is a leader in the business. Republic Services Inc. (NYSE: RSG) offers environmental services in the United States, including collection and processing of recyclable materials; collection, transfer and disposal of non-hazardous solid waste; and other environmental solutions.
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