Having significant capital in the bank when investing in equities is helpful, but is by no means necessary. Even with a relatively modest sum, like $30, it's possible to acquire one whole share of a top corporation that's likely to perform well in the long run. If you're patient and hold on to it through the kind of market volatility we're experiencing, while occasionally purchasing more shares, that should result in excellent returns.
Which stocks trading for less than $30 per share are worth investing in today? Let's consider two great options: Pfizer (PFE 1.10%) and Adyen (ADYE.Y 0.30%).
NYSE: PFE
Key Data Points
1. Pfizer
After hitting about $60 per share in late 2021, Pfizer's stock price has been in free fall, currently standing at just under $22. The pharmaceutical giant is no longer generating tens of billions of dollars in sales from its COVID-19 portfolio. It will soon face important patent cliffs, including that of Eliquis, a blood thinner. And though Pfizer has developed and launched some brand-new products in recent years, none looks quite promising enough for the company to get back in the good graces of investors.
However, this is a case where patience will be rewarded. Pfizer has steadily built a deep pipeline over the past few years, especially in oncology, where it will likely report significant clinical and regulatory wins in the (relatively) near future. It also expanded its arsenal of tricks by getting into areas such as mRNA vaccines.
Meanwhile, Pfizer's financial results aren't as bad as its stock-market performance might suggest. After a period of declining year-over-year revenue, the drugmaker turned that around:
PFE Operating Revenue (Quarterly YoY Growth) data by YCharts.
It turns out that Pfizer's coronavirus products are still contributing a meaningful amount to its top line, and that will continue for the foreseeable future, since COVID is here to stay. Solid financial results and a deep pipeline that will lead to new blockbusters: That's how Pfizer can get back on track.
And the company has a strong dividend program. It currently offers a forward yield of 7.8%, which compares extremely favorably to the S&P 500's average of 1.3%. Pfizer may not be for everyone; growth-oriented investors should look elsewhere. But income seekers looking for a solid blue chip investment to hold on to over the long run should look no further.
2. Adyen
Adyen is a Netherlands-based fintech specialist that provides multiple offerings, including payment gateways, payment processing, and risk management. Its services are particularly valuable to multinational companies, as they would otherwise have to rely on a clunky collection of region-specific companies to get everything Adyen offers on a single, integrated platform. That's why its list of clients features some big names including Microsoft, Uber Technologies, and Spotify Technology.
Adyen's stock price has been volatile in the past few years, for at least two reasons. First, economic problems impacted the company's financial results. With a pullback in economic activity, there are fewer transactions to process. Adyen's top-line growth declined as a result.
OTC: ADYE.Y
Key Data Points
Second (and relatedly), even as competing fintechs cut back spending and hiring amid economic challenges, Adyen did the opposite, which led to lower margins and earnings.
Even so, there are excellent reasons to invest in Adyen, especially since its shares can be had for just under $16 apiece. The company benefits from a strong moat from switching costs. Since its clients depend on its services for their day-to-day activities, switching to another service won't be easy. This should allow Adyen to keep most of its customers while acquiring new ones. (The company generates a significant portion of sales from Europe, but it has been expanding its presence in North America in recent years.)
Second, there is still a vast runway for growth. The increased shift to e-commerce and the growth of digital payment methods should create a long-term tailwind for Adyen. It might not have performed as well as Wall Street expected over the past few years -- its success was arguably already reflected in its stock price. But after lagging the market for the better part of 36 months, Adyen now looks like a no-brainer buy.
