PODCAST: Alternative Energy Picks and Surprises. Plus…

Alternative Energy Picks and Surprises. Plus… Equinor, Covanta Holdings, Evergy, Ocean Power Technologies, Torchlight Energy Resources Inc., SunHydrogen Inc., Vanguard ESG U.S. Stock ETF, Fidelity Sustainability Bond Index Fund, Calvert US Large-Cap Core Responsible Index Fund, Evoqua Water Technologies Corp., AECOM, BlackRock U.S. Carbon Transition Readiness ETF, BlackRock World ex U.S. Carbon Transition Readiness ETF

PODCAST: Alternative Energy Picks and Surprises. Plus…

Transcript & Links, Episode 56, April 23, 2021

Hello, Ron Robins here. Welcome to podcast episode 56 published on April 23, titled “Alternative Energy Picks and Surprises. Plus…”— and presented by Investing for the Soul. investingforthesoul.com is your site for vital global ethical and sustainable investing news, commentary, information, and resources.

Remember that you can find a full transcript, links to content – including stock symbols, quotes, and bonus material – at this episode’s podcast page located at investingforthesoul.com/podcasts.

And Google any terms that are unfamiliar to you.

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1. Alternative Energy Picks and Surprises. Plus…

In this podcast, we return to alternative energy picks. The first article is titled 3 Alternative Energy Stocks Defying Industry Challenges. It’s by Zacks analyst Aparajita Dutta and is on the Zacks site. As usual, I’ll mention the company name followed by select quotes from Ms. Dutta.

“1) Equinor (EQNR)

Based in Stavanger, Norway, is one of the premier integrated energy companies in the world… The company is investing actively in renewable energy projects, comprising power generation from solar and wind energy…

The company currently holds a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy).

2) Covanta Holdings (CVA)

Based in Morristown, NJ, Covanta offers waste and energy solution to its customers by processing the waste and generating energy out of it…

The company delivered an average earnings surprise of 267.90% in the last four quarters. The company currently holds a Zacks Rank #2.

3) Evergy (EVRG)

Based in Kansas, MI, Evergy provides clean, safe and reliable energy to 1.6 million customers in Kansas and Missouri. It is home to the largest electric vehicle charging network in the United States and has one of the top 10 wind portfolios of electric utilities in the country…

The company currently carries a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold).” End quotes.

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2. Alternative Energy Picks and Surprises. Plus…

Continuing on the theme of alternative energy is Top Penny Stocks To Buy Now? (with a BIG question mark!) 4 Alternative Energy Stocks To Watch by D. Marie. The author isn’t giving outright buy recommendations but as stocks to look at. Each stock offers different perspectives on what you might consider being in the speculative alternative energy space. The article is on pennystocks.com.

Again, I’ll mention the company followed by a few quotes by the author on each company. Now, before I begin, some might want to skip the first one as it involves uranium mining!

“1) Denison Mines Corp. (NYSE: DNN)

Denison is a uranium exploration and development company. Its main project is the Wheeler River Uranium project located in the Athabasca Basin region in Saskatchewan… its stock price has nearly tripled in the last 6 months.

2) Ocean Power Technologies (NASDAQ: OPTT)

This company specializes in the development and commercialization of renewable electricity generating systems using ocean waves.

3) Torchlight Energy Resources Inc. (NASDAQ: TRCH)

Energy Resources was an oil and gas company. However, it is now working towards meeting regulations to consummate its previously announced business combination with Metamaterial Inc. It develops high-performance materials and nanocomposite products used in things like solar energy and auto applications.

4) SunHydrogen Inc. (OTC: HYSR)

The final energy penny stock to watch just saw a massive price increase. SunHydrogen is a solar technology company based in California. It is developing solar-powered nanoparticle systems to act as photosynthesis, to separate hydrogen from water.” End quotes.

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3. Alternative Energy Picks and Surprises. Plus…

In this next article, I return to ESG ETF recommendations. These are from two analysts -- Paulina Likos and Matt Whittaker -- who wrote an article titled 7 Best Socially Responsible Funds. It was on the Yahoo! Finance site. Again, I’ll first mention the fund’s name followed by quotes from the authors concerning that particular fund. Quote:

“1) Vanguard ESG U.S. Stock ETF (ESGV)

According to Vanguard, (this) ETF excludes stocks of certain companies that don't meet standards of U.N. global compact principles and companies that don't meet certain diversity criteria. Stefano Safaei, managing director of investments at Wedbush Securities, highlights (a) low expense ratio and impressive performance as attractive features for investors.

2) 1919 Socially Responsible Balanced Fund (SSIAX)

Some of the fund's criteria include excluding companies that have significant direct exposure to fossil fuel real assets, investing in companies with fair employment practices and seeking assets that have respect for human rights.

3) Fidelity International Sustainability Index Fund (FNIDX

Most of its securities are a part of the MSCI ACWI ex USA ESG Index, a capitalization-weighted index that offers investors exposure to large and midcap companies in developed and emerging markets with high ESG performance.

4) Fidelity Sustainability Bond Index Fund (FNDSX)

This Fidelity fund follows the Bloomberg Barclays MSCI U.S. Aggregate ESG Choice Bond Index, which includes investment-grade debt securities.

5) Calvert US Large-Cap Core Responsible Index Fund (CISIX)

According to the fund's fact sheet, its holdings had 88% lower fossil fuel reserves, 100% lower tobacco exposure and 83% lower toxic emissions than the Russell 1000.

6) SPDR S&P 500 Fossil Fuel Reserves Free ETF (SPYX)

The fund, made up of large-cap U.S. equities, tracks the performance of the S&P 500 Fossil Fuel Free Index.

7) Shelton Green Alpha Fund (NEXTX)

… seeks environmentally conscious companies that have demonstrated their ability to manage environmental risk and have above-average growth potential."

End quotes.

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10 Best Stocks That Will Gain From Biden’s Job and Infrastructure Plan

Infrastructure continues to gain interest from ethical and sustainable investors. So, I’ve got one more article here. It’s titled 10 Best Stocks That Will Gain From Biden’s Job and Infrastructure Plan. It’s by Usman Kabir and appeared on Yahoo! Finance.

So, I’ll mention the stock and follow it with a few select quotes from Mr. Kabir. Quote, starting with no. 10.

10) Cleveland-Cliffs Inc. (NYSE: CLF)

… is an Ohio-based company in the mining and steelmaking business… (and) the largest steelmaker in the country.

9) Quanta Services, Inc. (NYSE: PWR)

Quanta Services, Inc. is a Houston-based company that provides infrastructure services for communications, industries, electric power companies and pipeline projects… it is one of the key players in the American market that focuses on modernization of the electrical grid using renewable energy.

8) Vulcan Materials Company (NYSE: VMC)

In the US, the firm is the largest producer of construction aggregates, namely gravel, crushed stone, sand, and concrete.

7) American Tower Corporation (REIT) (NYSE: AMT)

American Tower Corporation (REIT) is a Boston-based real-estate investment trust that owns and operates mobile phone towers across the world. American Jobs Plan envisions spending more than $100 billion to widen the high speed broadband nest in the country.

6) Applied Materials, Inc. (NASDAQ: AMAT)

Applied Materials, Inc. is a California-based firm that supplies equipment, services and software for the manufacturing of semiconductor chips… As broadband occupies a top priority in the American Jobs Plan, the digital acceleration of the economy from high-speed internet is expected to drive the demand for these chips.

5) American Electric Power Company, Inc. (NASDAQ: AEP)

American Electric Power Company, Inc. is an Ohio-based electric company meeting the electrical needs of millions of American citizens in more than ten states across the country. President Joe Biden has marked $100 billion to modernize the American electrical infrastructure.

4) Union Pacific Corporation (NYSE: UNP)

Union Pacific Corporation is a Nebraska-based railroad holding company. It is one of the largest rail providers in the Western US, posting strong profits that it expects to grow by 31% over the next two years.

3) Evoqua Water Technologies Corp. (NYSE: AQUA)

The firm offers capital systems and related recurring services for treating industrial process water, utility water, and wastewater… Evoqua also makes products that filter and separate clean and dirty water. Since the American Jobs Plan envisions the provision of clean water to every American household, the firm could benefit from it.

2) Activision Blizzard, Inc. (NASDAQ: ATVI)

… is one of the largest game companies in North America and Europe. US President (Biden) has pushed for increased access to high-speed broadband across the country… The COVID-19 pandemic pushed the stock of the firm higher owing to increased video-game demand.

1) AECOM (NYSE: ACM)

… is a California-based American engineering firm. Since infrastructure spending forms the biggest chunk of the American Jobs Plan, the firm will stand to gain a lot from the multitude of new projects that will be initiated by the US government… It also operates an environmental and risk management department for big projects. 

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4. Alternative Energy Picks and Surprises. Plus…

Now a quick piece of interesting news titled BlackRock Launches Two Carbon Transition ETFs, ‘LCTU’ & ‘LCTD’ by Aaron Neuwirth. Published on etftrends.com. Quote, “The BlackRock U.S. Carbon Transition Readiness ETF (LCTU) and the BlackRock World ex U.S. Carbon Transition Readiness ETF (LCTD) invest in large- and mid-cap companies. The two funds raised more than $1.5 billion… The day-one investments into the BlackRock U.S. Carbon Transition Readiness ETF make it the largest ETF launch ever.” End quotes.

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Ending Comment

Well, these are my top news stories with their stock and fund tips -- for this podcast: “Alternative Energy Picks and Surprises. Plus… “

To get all the links, stock symbols, or to read the transcript of this podcast -- and more -- go to investingforthesoul.com/podcasts and scroll down to this episode.

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Talk to you next on May 7. Bye for now.

© 2021 Ron Robins, Investing for the Soul.