Q: What are your thoughts on the long-term prospects of Medtronics plc, a maker of medical devices including ventilators? Thanks.

A: Medtronic plc, $100.85, symbol MDT on New York, (Shares outstanding: 1.3 billion; Market cap: $135.0 billion; www.medtronic.com), develops, manufactures, distributes, and sells a wide range of healthcare-related  devices and equipment. Based on revenue, the company is the world’s largest medical device provider.

Medtronic operates in… Read More

Utilities can steer you to gains in this market

Below, we continue our look at industries and sectors that tend to reward investors in bear markets. That includes utilities, communications services, and healthcare ETFs. While those funds are generally less exposed to the ups and downs of the economic cycle, they also tend to… Read More

Q: Thank you, TSI, for all the great advice over the years. I’d like your opinion of Verisk (VRSK) on Nasdaq. Thank you.

A: Verisk Analytics, $136.39, symbol VRSK on Nasdaq (Shares outstanding: 163.1 million; Market cap: $21.2 billion; www.verisk.com), offers risk-assessment services for property/casualty insurers and other businesses. Its decision-analytics technology helps clients understand and manage risks through fraud detection and prevention. In addition to property/casualty insurers,… Read More

Q: Pat, with so many businesses and consumers increasingly vulnerable to hackers, what do you think about investing in the First Trust Nasdaq Cybersecurity ETF? Thanks.

A: The First Trust Nasdaq Cybersecurity ETF, $22.81, symbol CIBR on Nasdaq (Units outstanding: 46.3 million; Market cap: $1.1 billion; www.ftportfolios.com), gives you direct exposure to companies in the cybersecurity industry. Their products and services help protect the integrity of data in private and public… Read More

Q: Pat: Could I have your opinion on a stock: Intuitive Surgical. Thank you and I enjoy the Inner Circle.

A: Intuitive Surgical Inc., $517.36, symbol ISRG on Nasdaq (Shares outstanding: 116.0 million; Market cap: $59.2 billion; www.intuitive.com), develops, manufactures and markets the da Vinci Surgical System along with related accessories, training, and services. Intuitive Surgical is based in Sunnyvale, California.

Da Vinci is a computerized… Read More

Q: Hi, all. May I have TSI’s opinion on Stryker Corp.?

A: Stryker Corporation, $206.97, symbol SYK on New York (Shares outstanding: 373.1 million; Market cap: $76.8 billion; www.stryker.com), is one of the world’s leading medical technology companies. The firm is based in Kalamazoo, Michigan.

Stryker’s investors benefit from its three business segments:

The Orthopaedics segment (37% of total revenue)… Read More