Is Valley National Bancorp (VLY) the Best Undervalued Stock Under $20 to Buy?

Core Insights - Artificial intelligence (AI) is identified as the greatest investment opportunity of the current era, with a strong emphasis on the urgency to invest in AI technologies now [1][13] - The energy demands of AI technologies are highlighted, with data centers consuming as much energy as small cities, leading to concerns about power grid capacity and rising electricity prices [2][3] Investment Opportunity - A specific company is presented as a critical player in the AI energy sector, owning essential energy infrastructure assets that are poised to benefit from the increasing energy demands of AI [3][6] - This company is not a chipmaker or cloud platform but is positioned to profit from the surge in electricity demand driven by AI data centers [3][7] Energy Infrastructure - The company owns significant nuclear energy infrastructure, making it central to America's future power strategy [7] - It is capable of executing large-scale engineering, procurement, and construction projects across various energy sectors, including oil, gas, and renewables [7][8] Financial Position - The company is noted for being debt-free and holding a substantial cash reserve, which is nearly one-third of its market capitalization [8][10] - It has an equity stake in another AI-related company, providing indirect exposure to multiple growth opportunities in the AI sector [9][10] Market Perception - Wall Street is beginning to recognize this company as it benefits from various market trends without the high valuations typical of many energy and utility firms [8][10] - The company is trading at less than 7 times earnings, indicating a potentially undervalued investment opportunity [10] Future Trends - The ongoing AI infrastructure supercycle, the onshoring boom due to tariffs, and a surge in U.S. LNG exports are all trends that the company is well-positioned to capitalize on [14] - The influx of talent into the AI sector is expected to drive continuous innovation and advancements, further solidifying the importance of investing in AI-related companies [12]