Markets

Insider Trading

Hedge Funds

Retirement

Opinion

12 Best NASDAQ Stocks Under $20

In this piece, we will take a look at the 12 best NASDAQ stocks under $20. If you want to skip details about how the NASDAQ has been the star of the market this year and want to see the top five stocks, then take a look at 5 Best NASDAQ Stocks Under $20.

The NASDAQ has been the best performing major stock market index in the U.S. this year. Led by the growth in mega cap technology stocks, the index has smashed worries of a market downturn as high interest rates dampened investor sentiment and grew capital flows to the money market and bank accounts to earn interest. The first half of the year saw the NASDAQ 100 index post its strongest gains in years, and the broader NASDAQ Composite also beat the S&P 500 and the NYSE in market performance. In terms of numbers, the NASDAQ 100 gained 40% during H1 2023 while the NASDAQ Composite was up by 33%. – more than twice the returns of the Dow Jones Industrial Average (DJIA) and the S&P500 which have gained 16.51% and 3.87%, respectively.

These gains have come on the back of several factors. Perhaps the most important of these is the current hype surrounding artificial intelligence following the massive success of the chatbot ChatGPT. The AI trend has significantly affected the NASDAQ index since our study of the top technology stocks that benefit from the AI boom shows that all of these belong to the NASDAQ index. Out of these, some of the biggest winners are Microsoft Corporation (NASDAQ:MSFT), Amazon.com, Inc. (NASDAQ:AMZN), Meta Platforms, Inc. (NASDAQ:META), and NVIDIA Corporation (NASDAQ:NVDA). Among these, NVIDIA benefits simply because its graphics processing units (GPU) are simply unavoidable when training artificial intelligence models; Microsoft benefits because it has a massive $10 billion investment in ChatGPT; Amazon’s Amazon Web Services (AWS) has numerous artificial intelligence tools for corporate customers; and Meta can use artificial intelligence to significantly upgrade its platform to provide better services to both consumers and advertisers.

Moving forward from the artificial intelligence stock market boom to the latest bit of market news, right now, it’s earnings season in America. And this season is special since investors have been left scratching their heads throughout this year. 2023, like 2022, has been beset with worries of a recession. However, so far, the American economy is far from contracting, and a slew of data releases have injected fresh optimism into the market. July saw four crucial data sets released by both the Labor Department and others. These were a private payroll report, the unemployment claims report, the broader payroll report, and the inflation report. Out of these, only the private payrolls report indicated that the Federal Reserve’s interest rate hiking cycle might continue. On the flip side, not only did the claims report show that the claims grew but the jobs report saw a major drop that was also the first time that the market had missed estimates in more than a year. The star of the show was the inflation report, which finally undershot estimates as well.

While we’ll get to the latest earnings in a bit, what you need to know before that is how the latest data releases have affected American sentiment. A fresh reading of the University of Michigan’s consumer sentiment index shows that optimism is the highest since September 2021, with the month over month increase of 12.7% being the largest jump for more than a decade and a half. The latest sentiment analysis is the second consecutive rise, and inflation expectations for the coming year sit at 3.4% – significantly lower than last year’s estimates of 5.4% taken in April. Currently, inflation sits at 3% and had stood at 4.93% in April. The latter reading shows that the inflation expectations nearly met the actual data, and given the time that it takes for interest rate hikes to make their way through the economy, it’s also possible that inflation in July 2024 is below the current expectations of 3.4%.

So, earnings. For NASDAQ stocks, during the first four days of the week that started on July 10th and ended on July 14th (weekend not included), 46 companies were slated to report earnings. Narrowing our analysis to 17 among these, ten beat analyst earnings per share estimates with the strongest beat coming from Daktronics, Inc. (NASDAQ:DAKT) whose EPS surpassed analyst estimates by 235%. Daktronics, which sells products such as display boards, saw its shares soar by 37% on the stock market, but it ended up losing nearly all of these in the coming days.

A crucial NASDAQ stock that reported earnings was PepsiCo, Inc. (NASDAQ:PEP). A consumer discretionary stock, Pepsi’s results are often indicative of broader spending trends in the market, and the firm pulled in $22 billion in revenue during Q2 2023 which marked a ten percent annual growth. At the same time, its EPS jumped by 93% and also beat consensus estimates by 6.5%. Crucially, Pepsi is also forecasting 10% revenue growth for 2023, increasing the estimates from an earlier 8% as well as a 12% EPS growth also higher than the previous 9%. This implies that the economic outlook is improving, and what that entails for the NASDAQ and the stock market, in general, is for you to decide.

But while Pepsi’s shares currently traded at $188, what NASDAQ stocks are worth looking at that trade below $20? Some top ones are First Citizens BancShares, Inc. (NASDAQ:FCNCP), Warner Bros. Discovery, Inc. (NASDAQ:WBD), and Hertz Global Holdings, Inc. (NASDAQ:HTZ) and you can check out the others below.

Our Methodology

To compile our list of the best NASDAQ stocks to buy under $20, we first made a list of the 50 largest NASDAQ stocks with the highest market capitalization and a share price under $20. Then, the number of investors that had bought their shares during 2023’s March quarter courtesy of Insider Monkey’s database of 943 hedge funds was determined, and the top 12 out of these are listed as the best NASDAQ stocks under $20.

12 Best NASDAQ Stocks Under $20

12. Lyft, Inc. (NASDAQ:LYFT)

Number of Hedge Fund Investors In Q1 2023: 31

Lyft, Inc. (NASDAQ:LYFT) is a ridesharing company that allows people to book rides on demand. The firm’s prospects are tied to the information technology industry and especially management’s ability to cut down costs and improve efficiency particularly since its shares have tumbled from all time highs of $70+ to below $20 right now.

Insider Monkey took a look at 943 hedge funds for the March quarter of 2023 shareholdings to find out that 31 had bought and owned the firm’s shares. Lyft, Inc. (NASDAQ:LYFT)’s largest hedge fund investor is Ken Fisher’s Fisher Asset Management with a $101 million investment.

Just like Warner Bros. Discovery, Inc. (NASDAQ:WBD), First Citizens BancShares, Inc. (NASDAQ:FCNCP), and Hertz Global Holdings, Inc. (NASDAQ:HTZ), Lyft, Inc. (NASDAQ:LYFT) is a great NASDAQ stock under $20.

11. Huntington Bancshares Incorporated (NASDAQ:HBAN)

Number of Hedge Fund Investors In Q1 2023: 31

Huntington Bancshares Incorporated (NASDAQ:HBAN) is a regional bank that is one of the oldest firms on our list since it was set up in 1866. Its Q1 2023 earnings showed resilience amidst a regional banking crisis this year, as both revenue and EPS beat analyst estimates.

Insider Monkey’s first quarter of 2023 hedge fund survey revealed that 31 out of the 943 had invested in Huntington Bancshares Incorporated (NASDAQ:HBAN). Among these, Ken Griffin’s Citadel Investment Group was the largest shareholder through a $167 million stake.

10. R1 RCM Inc. (NASDAQ:RCM)

Number of Hedge Fund Investors In Q1 2023: 32

R1 RCM Inc. (NASDAQ:RCM) provides software products to the healthcare industry. Its long term prospects will heavily be influenced by the propensity of hospitals to shift towards outsourcing – which in turn depends on cost and labor constraints.

As of Q1 2023, 32 of the 943 hedge funds part of Insider Monkey’s database had held a stake in R1 RCM Inc. (NASDAQ:RCM).

9. Gen Digital Inc. (NASDAQ:GEN)

Number of Hedge Fund Investors In Q1 2023: 32

Gen Digital Inc. (NASDAQ:GEN) is a cybersecurity company with well known products such as Avast and Norton. The growth in technology use would spell long term catalysts for the company; however, the average consensus rating is Buy which lingers towards Hold.

Insider Monkey dug through 943 hedge funds for their first quarter of 2023 shareholdings and found out that 32 had invested in Gen Digital Inc. (NASDAQ:GEN). Among these, the largest investor is Jeffrey Smith’s Starboard Value LP courtesy of a $324 million investment.

8. Grab Holdings Limited (NASDAQ:GRAB)

Number of Hedge Fund Investors In Q1 2023: 32

Grab Holdings Limited (NASDAQ:GRAB) is an Asian company with a platform for food delivery, payments, and other services. A major potential headwind against the stock will be growing competition as setting up an application is relatively less capital intensive. However, customer loyalty might be hard for competitors to win, but isn’t an infallible aspect.

As of March 2023, 32 out of the 943 hedge funds polled by Insider Monkey had bought and owned Grab Holdings Limited (NASDAQ:GRAB)’s shares. The firm’s largest hedge fund shareholder in our database is Stephen Mildenhall’s Contrarius Investment Management since it owns 29 million shares that are worth $89 million.

7. Freshworks Inc. (NASDAQ:FRSH)

Number of Hedge Fund Investors In Q1 2023: 34

Freshworks Inc. (NASDAQ:FRSH) is a software as a service (SaaS) company that offers customer relationship products to businesses. A growth in consumer relationship management demand, particularly from small and medium businesses can help the firm; however, it faces quite a threat from one of the largest CRM companies, Salesforce.

34 of the 943 hedge funds part of Insider Monkey’s database had invested in the firm during Q1 2023. Freshworks Inc. (NASDAQ:FRSH)’s largest hedge fund shareholder is Brian Ashford-Russell and Tim Woolley’s Polar Capital since it owns a stake worth $37 million.

6. Paramount Global (NASDAQ:PARA)

Number of Hedge Fund Investors In Q1 2023: 34

Paramount Global (NASDAQ:PARA) is one of the biggest media companies in America, owning large film channels and television networks. It created headlines earlier this year when it cut dividends from 24 cents to 5 cents, and over the long term, challenges can arise from the growth in internet based news and movie platforms.

Insider Monkey’s first quarter of 2023 survey covering 943 hedge funds revealed that 34 had bought and owned Paramount Global (NASDAQ:PARA)’s shares. Warren Buffett’s Berkshire Hathaway is the largest shareholder through a $2 billion investment.

First Citizens BancShares, Inc. (NASDAQ:FCNCP), Paramount Global (NASDAQ:PARA), Warner Bros. Discovery, Inc. (NASDAQ:WBD), and Hertz Global Holdings, Inc. (NASDAQ:HTZ) joins our list of top NASDAQ stocks under $50 according to hedge fund sentiment.

Click to continue reading and see 5 Best NASDAQ Stocks Under $20.

Suggested Articles:

Disclosure: None. 12 Best NASDAQ Stocks Under $20 is originally published on Insider Monkey.

AI, Tariffs, Nuclear Power: One Undervalued Stock Connects ALL the Dots (Before It Explodes!)

Artificial intelligence is the greatest investment opportunity of our lifetime. The time to invest in groundbreaking AI is now, and this stock is a steal!

AI is eating the world—and the machines behind it are ravenous.

Each ChatGPT query, each model update, each robotic breakthrough consumes massive amounts of energy. In fact, AI is already pushing global power grids to the brink.

Wall Street is pouring hundreds of billions into artificial intelligence—training smarter chatbots, automating industries, and building the digital future. But there’s one urgent question few are asking:

Where will all of that energy come from?

AI is the most electricity-hungry technology ever invented. Each data center powering large language models like ChatGPT consumes as much energy as a small city. And it’s about to get worse.

Even Sam Altman, the founder of OpenAI, issued a stark warning:

“The future of AI depends on an energy breakthrough.”

Elon Musk was even more blunt:

“AI will run out of electricity by next year.”

As the world chases faster, smarter machines, a hidden crisis is emerging behind the scenes. Power grids are strained. Electricity prices are rising. Utilities are scrambling to expand capacity.

And that’s where the real opportunity lies…

One little-known company—almost entirely overlooked by most AI investors—could be the ultimate backdoor play. It’s not a chipmaker. It’s not a cloud platform. But it might be the most important AI stock in the US owns critical energy infrastructure assets positioned to feed the coming AI energy spike.

As demand from AI data centers explodes, this company is gearing up to profit from the most valuable commodity in the digital age: electricity.

The “Toll Booth” Operator of the AI Energy Boom

  • It owns critical nuclear energy infrastructure assets, positioning it at the heart of America’s next-generation power strategy.
  • It’s one of the only global companies capable of executing large-scale, complex EPC (engineering, procurement, and construction) projects across oil, gas, renewable fuels, and industrial infrastructure.
  • It plays a pivotal role in U.S. LNG exportation—a sector about to explode under President Trump’s renewed “America First” energy doctrine.

Trump has made it clear: Europe and U.S. allies must buy American LNG.

And our company sits in the toll booth—collecting fees on every drop exported.

But that’s not all…

As Trump’s proposed tariffs push American manufacturers to bring their operations back home, this company will be first in line to rebuild, retrofit, and reengineer those facilities.

AI. Energy. Tariffs. Onshoring. This One Company Ties It All Together.

While the world is distracted by flashy AI tickers, a few smart investors are quietly scooping up shares of the one company powering it all from behind the scenes.

AI needs energy. Energy needs infrastructure.

And infrastructure needs a builder with experience, scale, and execution.

This company has its finger in every pie—and Wall Street is just starting to notice.

Wall Street is noticing this company also because it is quietly riding all of these tailwinds—without the sky-high valuation.

While most energy and utility firms are buried under mountains of debt and coughing up hefty interest payments just to appease bondholders…

This company is completely debt-free.

In fact, it’s sitting on a war chest of cash—equal to nearly one-third of its entire market cap.

It also owns a huge equity stake in another red-hot AI play, giving investors indirect exposure to multiple AI growth engines without paying a premium.

And here’s what the smart money has started whispering…

The Hedge Fund Secret That’s Starting to Leak Out

This stock is so off-the-radar, so absurdly undervalued, that some of the most secretive hedge fund managers in the world have begun pitching it at closed-door investment summits.

They’re sharing it quietly, away from the cameras, to rooms full of ultra-wealthy clients.

Why? Because excluding cash and investments, this company is trading at less than 7 times earnings.

And that’s for a business tied to:

  • The AI infrastructure supercycle
  • The onshoring boom driven by Trump-era tariffs
  • A surge in U.S. LNG exports
  • And a unique footprint in nuclear energy—the future of clean, reliable power

You simply won’t find another AI and energy stock this cheap… with this much upside.

This isn’t a hype stock. It’s not riding on hope.

It’s delivering real cash flows, owns critical infrastructure, and holds stakes in other major growth stories.

This is your chance to get in before the rockets take off!

Disruption is the New Name of the Game: Let’s face it, complacency breeds stagnation.

AI is the ultimate disruptor, and it’s shaking the foundations of traditional industries.

The companies that embrace AI will thrive, while the dinosaurs clinging to outdated methods will be left in the dust.

As an investor, you want to be on the side of the winners, and AI is the winning ticket.

The Talent Pool is Overflowing: The world’s brightest minds are flocking to AI.

From computer scientists to mathematicians, the next generation of innovators is pouring its energy into this field.

This influx of talent guarantees a constant stream of groundbreaking ideas and rapid advancements.

By investing in AI, you’re essentially backing the future.

The future is powered by artificial intelligence, and the time to invest is NOW.

Don’t be a spectator in this technological revolution.

Dive into the AI gold rush and watch your portfolio soar alongside the brightest minds of our generation.

This isn’t just about making money – it’s about being part of the future.

So, buckle up and get ready for the ride of your investment life!

Act Now and Unlock a Potential 100+% Return within 12 to 24 months.

We’re now offering month-to-month subscriptions with no commitments.

For a ridiculously low price of just $9.99 per month, you can unlock our in-depth investment research and exclusive insights – that’s less than a single fast food meal!

Space is Limited! Only 1000 spots are available for this exclusive offer. Don’t let this chance slip away – subscribe to our Premium Readership Newsletter today and unlock the potential for a life-changing investment.

Here’s what to do next:

1. Head over to our website and subscribe to our Premium Readership Newsletter for just $9.99.

2. Enjoy a month of ad-free browsing, exclusive access to our in-depth report on the Trump tariff and nuclear energy company as well as the revolutionary AI-robotics company, and the upcoming issues of our Premium Readership Newsletter.

3. Sit back, relax, and know that you’re backed by our ironclad 30-day money-back guarantee.

Don’t miss out on this incredible opportunity! Subscribe now and take control of your AI investment future!


No worries about auto-renewals! Our 30-Day Money-Back Guarantee applies whether you’re joining us for the first time or renewing your subscription a month later!

A New Dawn is Coming to U.S. Stocks

I work for one of the largest independent financial publishers in the world – representing over 1 million people in 148 countries.

We’re independently funding today’s broadcast to address something on the mind of every investor in America right now…

Should I put my money in Artificial Intelligence?

Here to answer that for us… and give away his No. 1 free AI recommendation… is 50-year Wall Street titan, Marc Chaikin.

Marc’s been a trader, stockbroker, and analyst. He was the head of the options department at a major brokerage firm and is a sought-after expert for CNBC, Fox Business, Barron’s, and Yahoo! Finance…

But what Marc’s most known for is his award-winning stock-rating system. Which determines whether a stock could shoot sky-high in the next three to six months… or come crashing down.

That’s why Marc’s work appears in every Bloomberg and Reuters terminal on the planet…

And is still used by hundreds of banks, hedge funds, and brokerages to track the billions of dollars flowing in and out of stocks each day.

He’s used this system to survive nine bear markets… create three new indices for the Nasdaq… and even predict the brutal bear market of 2022, 90 days in advance.

Click to continue reading…