At The Motley Fool, we're buy-and-hold investors, but before we can hold a stock, we have to pick the stock. So our analysts are always on the hunt for strong new investment ideas. Every week, some businesses stand out from the crowd, which is why every Motley Fool Money episode includes host Chris Hill asking his guests -- this time, senior analysts Andy Cross, Emily Flippen, and Jason Moser -- which companies they have their eyes on and why.
Their picks for this episode: in-app communications specialist Twilio (TWLO -0.57%), augmented-reality tech player Lumentum Holdings (LITE 14.89%), and holistic cybersecurity company Tenable Holdings (TENB 0.38%).
To catch full episodes of all The Motley Fool's free podcasts, check out our podcast center. A full transcript follows the video.
This video was recorded on April 26, 2019.
Chris Hill: All right, let's get to the stocks on our radar. Our man behind the glass, Steve Broido, is going to hit you with a question. Andy Cross, you're up first. What are you looking at?
Andy Cross: I'm looking at Twilio, Steve and Chris, ticker TWLO. It makes in-app communication tools for lots of large companies. Amazon, Netflix, Uber. They report next Tuesday. They just made a big acquisition last year of SendGrid, which helps them in the email communication. Not growing as fast as Twilio's core business is growing. So I want to see what Jeff Lawson and his team say about SendGrid.
Hill: Steve, question about Twilio?
Steve Broido: What's a good example of a specific product that Twilio has built for one of these platforms?
Cross: Well, anything for Netflix communications, or if you get an Uber alert, that's all from Twilio.
Hill: Jason Moser, what are you looking at?
Jason Moser: Chris, I'm up to my neck in augmented reality. Putting together an augmented reality report for us here at The Fool. I've got Lumentum here on my radar, ticker LITE. For augmented reality, there is a technology called VCSEL, it stands for vertical cavity surface emitting lasers. Get all that, Steve? Lumentum, believe it or not, is the market leader when it comes to this technology. That technology is used for 3D sensing, which is a core technology behind augmented reality. The fundamentals of the business are very strong. It's profitable, it's cash flow positive. Good leadership, taking a long view. I've got this one under a microscope.
Hill: Steve?
Broido: Is it possible this could go the way of 3D movies, all this VR stuff?
Moser: I really don't think so. We're seeing so many practical applications for augmented reality today, particularly in the healthcare market. I think it's only making these markets more robust.
Hill: Emily Flippen, what are you looking at?
Flippen: My favorite cybersecurity company is actually reporting next Tuesday. Its name is Tenable, TENB. I'm really interested in the business. They're basically the only people out there right now doing holistic cybersecurity. It's been around for 20 years. Really wonderful innovator.
Hill: Steve, question about Tenable?
Broido: Is this something that I would use personally? Or is this for corporate?
Flippen: It's a little bit for both. They have enterprise solutions. But if you're a cybersecurity professional, you likely grew up, whether that be in college or any work that you're pursuing, using at least one of their products. Enterprise or individual, they supply to both.
Hill: Three very different businesses, Steve. You got one you want to add to your watch list?
Broido: It's going to be weird, but I'm going to go with Lumentum. I think Jason may be onto something there.
Moser: It's going to result in some real profits for you, Steve! Real profits! Not augmented, real!