Andrés Cardenal

Both Yum! Brands and industry rival McDonald’s are reporting lackluster performance in the U.S. lately, but opportunities for growth in emerging markets look remarkably exciting. Is the recent dip in Yum! Brands a buying opportunity for investors?

While many investors were hoping Noodles and Potbelly could become the next high-growth leaders in the fast-casual restaurant industry, Chipotle continues outperforming the competition by a wide margin. Importantly, the company still has a lot of room to run.

Las Vegas Sands delivered lower-than-expected earnings for the second quarter of 2014. But the company is still performing strongly and is attractively valued in comparison to peers such as Melco Crown and Wynn Resorts. Is short-term weakness in Las Vegas Sands a buying opportunity?

Issuing debt to repurchase shares usually creates some concerns among investors, and for valid reasons. However, in the particular case of Bed Bath & Beyond, this looks like a smart decision.

A deal between Fox and Time Warner could dramatically change the U.S. media industry. What are the implications for investors?

The acquisition of Lorillard by Reynolds American is a game changer in the U.S tobacco market, and it represents a serious competitive threat to Altria. What are the implications for investors?

Groupon's transformation is generating impressive results when it comes to sales, but profitability is still scarce. Can Groupon sustain sales growth and increase profitability while competing against challengers such as Amazon and RetailMeNot?

Because of its smart business model and exciting growth prospects, the recent dip in Lions Gate could be a buying opportunity for investors.

Weakness from Lumber Liquidators may be foreshadowing harder times to come for Tile Shop, too. But it all comes down to short-term uncertainty versus long-term opportunity, and the recent dip in Tile Shop could easily turn out to be a buying opportunity for investors.

They say the house always wins -- and casino operators Melco Crown, Las Vegas Sands, and Wynn Resorts look well positioned to continue winning over the long term.

A merger between Reynolds American and Lorillard could be a positive move for both companies, and it would also create increased competitive pressure for Altria. However, that’s hardly enough reason to invest in a declining industry such as tobacco.

Lumber Liquidators crashed by a breathtaking 21.5% on Thursday. Why investors may want to closely monitor the company, as well as big industry players such as Home Depot and Lowe's in the coming months.

While most retailers are going through a challenging time, Costco, L Brands, and Rite Aid delivered strong sales figures in June. This says a lot about these companies and their fundamental strengths.

Priceline has produced explosive gains for investors over the last year. However, the past is only a prologue to the future. Does Priceline still offer upside potential, or is it too late to buy the stock?

While Under Armour is materially more expensive than competitors such as Nike and Lululemon, the company is performing remarkably well, and it still has plenty of room for expansion. This extraordinary growth story is far from over.

Macy's, Lowe's, and Walgreen are three retailers with extraordinary track records of dividend growth, and they have what it takes to continue raising dividends for years to come. This says a lot about these companies and their underlying fundamentals.

Even if J.C. Penney is still a risky proposition for investors, the company is clearly moving in the right direction. When compared to peers Macy's and Kohl’s, the stock looks significantly undervalued. Upside potential may outweigh the risks for investors in J.C. Penney.

Growth tends to slow down as companies become bigger over time, and competition from players like McDonald’s and Dunkin' Brands is a risk to watch. However, Starbucks still offers plenty of upside potential.

The Dow Jones may be at record highs, but companies such as Disney, Home Depot, and Procter & Gamble still have room for gains.

Hershey may not be an official Dividend Aristocrat, but that doesn't make it any less reliable as a dividend growth company than renowned names such as PepsiCo and Coca-Cola.