Why Paychex (PAYX) Stock Should Be in Every Investor’s Portfolio

Unheralded PAYX stock is poised for strong gains in 2016

Paychex, Inc. (PAYX) isn’t a company that’s typically on the tongues of stock analysts and investors, but it sure is this year. PAYX is beating the pants off the market — and competitor Automatic Data Processing (ADP) — with 14% gains, and is trading at decade-plus highs.

But better yet for new money: This payroll and human resources provider looks set to be among 2016’s most exciting stocks.

Investors can thank a strengthening job market, solid fundamentals and management’s innovative expansion efforts that include both acquisitions and new service offerings.

The November jobs report, which saw payrolls expand at a promising pace, implies general improvement in the state of the U.S. economy. That steady job growth — particularly for small- and medium-sized companies –has helped PAYX remain at the top of the payroll services industry. A strengthening job market means more employers will require payroll processing services, as well as human resources assistance.

Plus, confusion and complications involving Obamacare have been a boon for Paychex stock.

2015 marked the first year in which non-payroll services accounted for more than $1 billion in revenue, as an increasing number of PAYX clients require assistance navigating the new, often-complicated health insurance reforms.

Why GoPro Inc (GPRO) Stock Is a Rally Play for 2016

GoPro's Q3 earnings hiccup and Hero5 delay

Investors in action sports camera maker GoPro Inc (GPRO) have watched in horror as shares of GPRO stock have tumbled nearly 74% over the past year. Now, reports that the much-anticipated Hero5 camera won’t be available in time for this year’s holiday season make a swift GoPro stock recovery even less likely.

There’s no denying that GPRO makes a solid action sports video camera, but positive investor sentiment around GoPro stock has all but disappeared.

Among things holding down GoPro: GPRO shares were crushed following an abysmal third-quarter earnings report. The company failed to meet analyst expectations for both revenue and earnings, citing lower-than-expected sales of its Hero4 Session camera. Management took some responsibility, admitting the camera “was initially priced too high, leading to a price cut, and didn’t have a big enough marketing budget.”

Following the earnings release, GoPro CEO Nick Woodman told CNBC, “If Session had been stronger out of the gates, if we hadn’t mispriced it, and if we had backed it up with the marketing it deserved, I think we would have had a very different earnings call yesterday.”

Still, there at least was hope that GPRO stock might be able to turn things around with a strong 2015 holiday shopping season — but those hopes were in part based on the idea that a Hero5 would be popping up before the close of 2015.

And yet … GoPro might not be completely doomed, and in fact, might be worth picking up on the cheap right now.

Traditional IRA vs. Roth IRA – Which is Better for You?

Would you rather pay the taxes now or later?

Source: StockMonkeys.com

The individual retirement account is the most common — and most often misunderstood — retirement savings arrangement. The confusion usually stems from the fact that there are two different types of IRAs: a traditional IRA and a Roth IRA.

Both types of retirement investments share a number of characteristics. And both IRA types offer individuals a dedicated, tax-favored account into which retirement money can be deposited. Within the IRA account may be any number and type of investment vehicles such as stocks, bonds, CDs or mutual funds. The total value of the investments within in an IRA grows on a tax-deferred basis once funds are in the retirement account.

Annual contribution limits have been placed on IRAs by the Internal Revenue Service, as well as eligibility criteria and withdrawal restrictions. For the 2015 tax year, the aggregate total of all contributions to IRAs, regardless of whether those accounts are traditional, Roth, or a combination of both, cannot exceed the lesser of $5,500 or 100% of your earned income. Those 50 and older can save an extra $1,000.

Will This Company Beat AMZN to Drone Deliveries?

Starship Technologies' drones may be grounded, but their implementation is anything but

Source: Starship Technologies

In the race to create the ultimate package delivery system, several companies — most notably, Amazon (AMZN) — have been investigating and developing drones that could eliminate the need for humans in the last-mile leg of the shipping process.

Starship Technologies, a London-based tech startup founded last year by Skype co-founders Ahti Heinla and Janus Friis, is the latest to hit the front page.

Starship Technologies has been all the buzz this week thanks to the company’s reveal of a new delivery drone prototype.

However, unlike the drones being developed by AMZN and Alphabet (GOOGL, GOOG), this particular model doesn’t fly.

According to a press release by Starship Technologies, these drones will be environmentally friendly and have the capacity to deliver packages as large as two grocery bags. Their operating radius is expected to be 5 to 30 minutes from a retail outlet or local hub.

Retirement Savings: Fixed Annuities vs. Dividend Stocks

Fixed annuities and dividend stocks offer unique opportunities to create retirement income

Source: StockMonkeys.com

For conservative investors, particularly those approaching (or having already entered) retirement, protecting the money they’ve worked so hard to earn and save over the years is of the utmost importance.

However, eventually that nest egg will likely be needed to supplement — or create — other retirement income streams to maintain a standard of living. The use of fixed annuities and dividend stocks is often considered, as both present a viable solution.

The choice to use either fixed annuities or dividend stocks is entirely a personal decision, one that requires consideration of a number of factors including the investor’s goals, time horizon and risk tolerance.

While both annuities and stocks are capable of producing a satisfactory retirement income, the fundamental differences between these two investment types may have a dramatic and profound effect on the total value of a portfolio. The pros and cons of saving for retirement via fixed annuities or dividend stocks must be carefully examined, as each method carries unique risks.

Apple TV Could Be the Key to AAPL Stock’s Future

The Apple TV will become an all-in-one device for the Internet of Things

Today, Apple (AAPL) officially opened the door for preorders of the much-touted fourth-generation Apple TV.

After the early-September reveal of the upgraded device, many AAPL fans have waited anxiously for the opportunity to jump in and place their order.

Who can blame them? The Apple TV is more than just a streaming television device — much more. AAPL has seemingly created a device that combines the best aspects of a number of other products on the market.

In true Apple fashion, the company has taken what competitors have developed and added its own AAPL flair, releasing a device that is more capable and, frankly, slicker than the rest.

So far, in the war for your living room, the undisputed leader has been Roku. Since 2002, Roku has released several iterations of its streaming set-top box, allowing users to cut the cord and free themselves from a unanimously hated evil — the cable company.

Over the past 13 years, Roku has perfected those little purple boxes, offering free access to thousands of channels, as well as access to a number of paid content providers such as Netflix (NFLX) and Amazon (AMZN).

Variable Annuities vs. Mutual Funds

Breaking down the similarities and differences between two common investments

Source: TaxCredits.net

Variable annuities and mutual funds are some of the most common investment vehicles for retirement savings. While both products contain a number of identical features that often make it challenging for inexperienced investors to distinguish between the two, they are actually quite different.

Understanding these differences is essential to ensuring that your future financial situation is given the best possible opportunity to thrive.

Both types of investments involve participation in existing portfolios of stocks, bonds, or other securities.