In this article, we will take a look at some of the best blue-chip stocks to invest in.Dividend stocks have fallen behind the broader market this year as investors have piled into tech and AI names. Still, that doesn’t take away from their long-term value. Kirsten Cabacungan, an investment strategist in the Chief Investment Office at Merrill and Bank of America Private Bank, points out that total return is about more than just share price moves. Dividend income matters too.She noted that dividend-paying sto ...

Core Insights - The consumer packaged goods sector, particularly Colgate-Palmolive, may see a rebound in 2026, but returns are expected to be modest compared to high-growth stocks like the "Magnificent Seven" [1][2][4] Company Overview - Colgate-Palmolive has experienced a 15% decline year-to-date, contrasting with broader market highs, yet it remains a potential rebound candidate due to its solid fundamentals [4][5] - The stock is currently viewed as trading at bargain levels, with a strong track record of meeting or exceeding organic sales growth targets of 3% to 5% for 24 consecutive quarters [6][9] Financial Performance - The company has demonstrated impressive free cash flow (FCF) growth, generating mid-teens FCF as a percentage of sales over the past five years, with potential for further improvement [9] - Colgate-Palmolive has a market capitalization of $63 billion, a gross margin of 60.15%, and a dividend yield of 2.65% [9][10] Market Conditions - A more favorable macroeconomic environment, particularly if inflation cools, could enhance Colgate-Palmolive's stock performance, as the company faces significant raw material costs [7] - Analysts note that middle-income consumers are currently in a stable financial position, which could lead to a shift back to Colgate-Palmolive's premium brands from lower-priced alternatives [8] Strategic Initiatives - The company has initiated a $5 billion share repurchase program, indicating management's belief in the stock's value [10] - Colgate-Palmolive is recognized as an AI winner among consumer staples firms, showing a commitment to leveraging technology for efficiency and profit improvements, although investors should not expect returns akin to high-growth tech stocks [11]

Colgate-Palmolive Company (NYSE:CL) is included among the 15 Best Stocks to Buy for the Long Term. Colgate-Palmolive (CL) Rated Outperform by RBC as Long-Term Growth Remains in Focus On December 9, RBC Capital raised its rating on Colgate-Palmolive Company (NYSE:CL) to Outperform from Sector Perform while keeping the price target at $88. The analyst noted that the stock has been under pressure recently as slower global category growth has weighed on expectations for the company. Even so, the firm thinks ...

Core Viewpoint - The report summarizes significant rating changes from Wall Street that are expected to impact the market, highlighting both upgrades and downgrades across various companies and sectors [1][6]. Upgrades - Synopsys (SNPS): Rosenblatt Securities upgraded the rating from "Neutral" to "Buy," lowering the target price from $605 to $560, anticipating that Q4 results will meet market expectations after a disappointing Q3 [5]. - Eaton Corporation (ETN): Wolfe Research upgraded the rating from "In-Line" to "Outperform," setting a target price of $413, expecting benefits from electrical business orders and easing cyclical factors in 2026 [5]. - Colgate-Palmolive (CL): Royal Bank of Canada upgraded the rating from "Sector Perform" to "Outperform," maintaining a target price of $88, noting that earnings expectations are at a reasonable low despite challenges in 2026 [5]. - RPM International (RPM): Royal Bank of Canada upgraded the rating from "Sector Perform" to "Outperform," raising the target price from $121 to $132, indicating that the stock price has "bottomed out" [5]. - Viking Holdings (VIK): Goldman Sachs upgraded the rating from "Neutral" to "Buy," increasing the target price from $66 to $78, citing the company's unique geographic business layout and high-income customer focus [5]. Downgrades - Warner Bros. Discovery (WBD): Harbor Research downgraded the rating from "Buy" to "Neutral" without providing a target price, following a hostile takeover bid from Paramount [5]. - Norwegian Cruise Line (NCLH): Goldman Sachs downgraded the rating from "Buy" to "Neutral," lowering the target price from $23 to $21, citing an unfavorable risk-reward ratio due to market conditions in the Caribbean [5]. - Confluent (CFLT): Royal Bank of Canada downgraded the rating from "Outperform" to "Sector Perform," raising the target price from $30 to $31, following an acquisition agreement with IBM at $31 per share [5]. - SLM Corporation (SLM): Compass Point downgraded the rating from "Buy" to "Sell," reducing the target price from $35 to $23, after revealing updated mid-term outlooks at an investor forum [5]. - Viavi Solutions (VRT): Wolfe Research downgraded the rating from "Outperform" to "In-Line," citing valuation issues as the stock price has increased 14 times since the last upgrade [5]. Initiations - Micron Technology (MU): HSBC initiated coverage with a "Buy" rating and a target price of $330, identifying the company as a core beneficiary of the storage chip supercycle [9]. - United Airlines (UAL): Montreal Bank Capital Markets initiated coverage with an "Outperform" rating and a target price of $125, noting improvements in the industry environment and recovery in business travel [12]. - Thermo Fisher Scientific (TMO): Goldman Sachs initiated coverage with a "Buy" rating and a target price of $685, expecting the market for life science tools to return to historical growth rates [12]. - Affirm (AFRM): Wolfe Research initiated coverage with a "Sector Perform" rating, setting a fair value range of $72-$82 for the end of 2026 [10]. - Urban Outfitters (URBN): Goldman Sachs initiated coverage with a "Neutral" rating and a target price of $83, acknowledging market positioning but cautioning against high valuation risks [10].

The most talked about and market moving research calls around Wall Street are now in one place. Here are today's research calls that investors need to know, as compiled by The Fly.Top 5 Upgrades: Goldman Sachs upgraded Viking Holdings (VIK) to Buy from Neutral with a price target of $78, up from $66. The firm says the company's "differentiated" geographic exposure and higher-income demographic have offset "choppier" broader cruise trends.RBC Capital upgraded RPM (RPM) to Outperform from Sector Perform with ...

Top Wall Street analysts changed their outlook on these top names. For a complete view of all analyst rating changes, including upgrades, downgrades and initiations, please see our analyst ratings page.Considering buying ETN stock? Here’s what analysts think: Read This Next:Photo via Shutterstock ...

December 8, 2025 05:01 AM GMT Thematic Alpha & Consumer | North America Consumer & Retail Conference Wrap Up: Thematic Takeaways and Answers to Key Questions Several key themes emerged from our consumer & retail conference including soft macro & the K-Economy, social & agentic commerce, AI adoption, health, wellness, & GLP-1s, and tariffs. We also include analyst takeaways on the health of the consumer by industry and answers to key questions. Last week, Morgan Stanley hosted its annual Global Consumer & Re ...

Core Viewpoint - The article highlights Colgate's leadership and innovation in the Chinese color repair whitening toothpaste market, confirmed by iResearch's market position statements based on comprehensive research [1][4]. Industry Background - The whitening toothpaste industry in China is undergoing a significant transformation driven by regulatory policies and technological innovations. The implementation of the "Cosmetics Supervision and Administration Regulations" in 2020 marked a new phase of standardization and transparency in the industry [2]. - The new regulations require toothpaste brands to provide evidence for efficacy claims and prohibit exaggerated advertising, establishing clear technical standards for emerging categories like color repair whitening toothpaste [2]. - Color repair whitening toothpaste utilizes optical complementary color principles to achieve visual whitening effects, appealing to consumers seeking immediate results and experiences [2]. Advantages Establishing Pioneer Status - iResearch's rigorous research demonstrated Colgate's pioneering status through three dimensions: - Product definition compliance, where Colgate's second-generation color repair locking toothpaste is the only product fully meeting all defined standards [4]. - Technological innovation and intellectual property advantages, with Colgate holding key patents reflecting ongoing investment in R&D [5]. - Outstanding technological advantages and validation data, showing significant efficacy in whitening and stain prevention [5]. Innovative Technology Leading Industry Change - Colgate's success is attributed to its unique technological innovations, including the vacuum locking technology and a three-bubble system that ensures stable ingredient activity under various conditions [7]. - The product features a precise release mechanism with a specific ratio of purple, blue, and gold bubbles, enhancing its whitening efficacy [7]. Industry Impact - Colgate's confirmed pioneering status has profound implications for the industry, providing a model for other brands and shifting competition from marketing concepts to technology-driven product competition [8]. - The strict technical standards and efficacy verification requirements are expected to promote a more standardized and transparent industry development [8]. - As regulatory policies continue to evolve and consumer awareness increases, more brands are anticipated to invest in R&D, driving the oral care industry towards higher quality and technological advancement [8].

Question-and-Answer SessionSo John, you recently moved from Hill's Division President to Chief Growth Officer. Can you discuss your new role, what your biggest priorities are, where you see the most room for driving growth going forward in the organization incrementally?John HazlinChief Growth Officer Yes. Thanks, Dara, and good morning, everybody. I did join as the Chief Growth Officer in July after having been at over at Hill's for a couple of years. The fundamental role that I'm occupying now is leading ...

Colgate-Palmolive Company (NYSE:CL) 2025 Conference December 02, 2025 09:30 AM ET Company ParticipantsJohn Hazlin - Chief Growth OfficerStan Sutula - CFOConference Call ParticipantsDara Mohsenian - Household Products and Beverage AnalystDara MohsenianGreat. Good morning, everyone. I'm Dara Mohsenian, Morgan Stanley's Household Products and Beverage Analyst. Just before we get started, a quick disclosure: please see the Morgan Stanley Research website at www.morganstanley.com for important research disclosur ...