5 Powerhouse Stocks to Fuel Your 2024 Portfolio

The S&P 500 has demonstrated a robust rally in 2023 and the true champions emerged in the form of Apple (NASDAQ:AAPL), Amazon (NASDAQ:AMZN), Alphabet (NASDAQ:GOOGL) (NASDAQ:GOOG), Meta (NASDAQ:META), Microsoft (NASDAQ:MSFT), Nvidia (NASDAQ:NVDA) and Tesla (NASDAQ:TSLA), propelling the index to new heights through their significant surges.

The anticipation on Wall Street is that the winners of 2024 will closely resemble this year's winners. However, in our pursuit of constructing an optimal portfolio for 2024, this post will delve into five stocks and examine the reasons behind their inclusion.

Stay tuned for the analysis of the remaining stocks, which will be covered next week on Wednesday, January 10. I will use the professional tool InvestingPro to access intriguing data and insights.

1. Gilead/h2

Gilead Sciences (NASDAQ:GILD) portfolio is based on oncology drugs whose data will be delivered later this year.

At the time it was the most popular biotech company curing hepatitis C. It has a robust balance sheet and can easily cover its $10 billion in net debt with its expected earnings.

It is now testing the use of Trodelvy in the treatment of lung cancer, and the results will be published later this year.

At 11 times expected earnings per share, the stock is cheaper than the S&P 500 index.

Its dividend yield is +3.59%.

Source: InvestingPro

On February 6, we will know its results for the quarter and revenue is expected to increase by +5.21% and EPS by +3.60%.

For 2024, the increase is +2.1% and +7% respectively. Annual sales growth is also expected to reach $28 billion by 2025. Not least interestingly, margins are expected to increase.

Source: InvestingPro

Its shares are up +9% in the last 3 months. The market sees potential at $90.15 after a year from now and InvestingPro models put it at $102.47.

Source: InvestingPro

2. Alphabet/h2

Alphabet is expected to grow as fast as Microsoft, and earnings are forecast to rise +15% by 2024, three times faster than Apple's +5% growth.

However, its shares trade at only 20 times earnings, a discount to Microsoft and Apple's 30 times, despite rising strongly in 2023.

It has over $100 billion in net cash, plenty of money to buy back shares, and maybe even start paying dividends.

On February 1 it presents its results and is expected to increase earnings per share (EPS) by +8.76%. Looking ahead to 2024 the increase could be +16.1% and revenue +11.3%.

Source: InvestingPro

Its shares are up +57% in the last year. The market sees potential at $154.98, while InvestingPro's models pretty much come to the same conclusion giving it potential at $153.83.

Source: InvestingPro

3. Barrick Gold/h2

Barrick Gold's (NYSE:GOLD) stock has been unable to keep pace with prices on gold, due to higher costs and lower gold production.

But this may be the year that changes that fact. It has several issues on its side, such as the company has some of the best mines in the world, is Africa's leading gold producer, and aims to increase its mine production.

It also has a balance sheet with no net debt. The stock trades at around 16 times next year's projected earnings.

Its dividend yield is +2.31%.

Source: InvestingPro

On February 14 it presents its accounts for the quarter and earnings per share are expected to increase by +42.89% and revenue by +14.41%. For 2024 the expected increase is +30.8% and +10.3% respectively.

Source: InvestingPro

It has 23 ratings, of which 17 are buy and 6 are hold. The market gives it a potential at $21.65.

Source: InvestingPro

4. Berkshire Hathaway (NYSE:BRKa)/h2

Berkshire Hathaway's (NYSE:BRKb) Earnings are growing, with the after-tax operating earnings up nearly +20% in 2023. They could reach $40 billion this year, driven by higher interest income on cash.

The stock trades at about 18 times the projected earnings for the year. Class B shares, at $362, trade at a discount to Class A shares.

On February 26, their numbers and earnings per share are expected to increase by +8.62% and revenue by +2.86%. By 2024 the expected increase is +3.7% EPS.

Source: InvestingPro

Its shares are up +16.98% in the last year and +5.68% in the last 3 months. The 12-month forward potential given by Investing's model stands at $462.99.

Source: InvestingPro

5. BioNTech/h2

BioNTech (NASDAQ:BNTX), like all Covid vaccine makers, has been hit in 2023.

Covid vaccine suppliers, including BioNTech, its partner Pfizer (NYSE:PFE), and competitor Moderna (NASDAQ:MRNA), have slumped amid growing doubts about demand for the shots.

However it is still expected to be profitable in 2024, and the company's oncology-focused pipeline could prove more promising than some believe. Plus, it has plenty of cash, more than $18 billion.

On March 20, we will have its financial results. The previous ones it presented in November were tremendous with EPS up +200.5% and revenue up +15.5%.

Source: InvestingPro

Market potential stands at $131.893, while InvestingPro models are more optimistic and see it at $152.37.

Source: InvestingPro

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Disclaimer: This article is written for informational purposes only; it does not constitute a solicitation, offer, advice, counseling or recommendation to invest as such it is not intended to incentivize the purchase of assets in any way. As a reminder, any type of asset is evaluated from multiple perspectives and is highly risky, and therefore, any investment decision and the associated risk remains with the investor.