We recently compiled a list of the 7 Best Stocks for Beginners with Little Money According to Analysts. In this article, we are going to take a look at where Chevron Corporation (NYSE:CVX) stands against the other beginner stocks.

On one hand, some investors view the status quo as a bear market, and on the other, some analysts hold a bullish view. While caution is necessary, blue chip stocks with historically solid results have an edge in the risk department.

The Status Quo Calls for Safer Investing

Geopolitical tensions on the one hand and economic turmoil on the other, have created a concerning situation for investors. On September 3, Tom Lee, Fundstrat Global Advisors managing partner and head of research, appeared in an interview on CNBC to share his outlook of the market. Lee is particularly concerned about the job market, the surprise inflation has in store for the economy, and weak growth projections.

Lee emphasized that investors must remain cautious for the next eight weeks or so, especially with elections and rate cuts, he predicts that the general public is bound to be nervous and confused. While his timeline may not be exact, he expects economic conditions and political turmoil to settle within the suggested time frame.

He further added that it is safer to be cautious than to make hasty decisions at the moment. He also stated that the oil industry is particularly weak due to geopolitical tensions despite a massive rise in production. Lee added that increasing production levels does not indicate a booming global economy, because, previously, production increased only because prices were rising which led to more drilling and activity in the sector.

Lee recommended that investors will be able to buy long, and therefore it is best to remain cautious. He further added that we already had 7% corrections twice this year, and there is a possibility of another 7% to 10% correction in the market. He did agree that the market is currently testing investors’ patience and he predicts something close to a 5% pullback.

How Must Investors Navigate Moving Forward?

On September 6, Liz Ann Sonders, Charles Schwab’s chief investment strategist, appeared in an interview on CNBC to discuss how investors should navigate the market right now. Sonders held a particularly bullish view of the market. She further added that while there has been significant weakness and churn on the surface, it is concealed by cap-weighted index returns.

Sonders suggested that the market level declines were most likely a set-up for the broadening out we have witnessed. She shared her point of view on the market, which is rather bullish, and emphasized that stocks in the consumer discretionary, technology, and communication services sectors are doing particularly well. Sonders, however, did point out that the market may see an exhaustion in the mega-cap tech trade.

She then suggests that investors must let go of the perception that to succeed they must invest in mega-cap tech stocks. She states that there are a myriad of opportunities outside of the mega-cap tech that are high quality. Finally, Sonders believes that a recession is not on the cards and that the current situation is nothing more than a growth scare.

Now that we have assessed the market, let’s take a look at the 7 best stocks for beginners with little money according to analysts. You can also take a look at the best defensive stocks to buy.

Our Methodology

To come up with the 7 best stocks for beginners with little money according to analysts we sifted over multiple similar rankings and ETFs to come up with safe and blue chip stocks. The rationale behind this was that investors with little money don’t afford to lose a lot and are more likely to invest in stocks that are safer or risk-free. We then sorted our stocks based on their upside potential. We have also included the hedge fund sentiment around each stock, as of Q2 2024.

Why are we interested in the stocks that hedge funds pile into? The reason is simple: our research has shown that we can outperform the market by imitating the top stock picks of the best hedge funds. Our quarterly newsletter’s strategy selects 14 small-cap and large-cap stocks every quarter and has returned 275% since May 2014, beating its benchmark by 150 percentage points (see more details here).

Chevron Corporation (NYSE:CVX)

Analyst Upside as of September 10: 23%

Number of Hedge Fund Folders: 64

Chevron Corporation (NYSE:CVX) ranks fourth on our list of the best stocks for beginners to buy with little money according to analysts. The energy and petroleum company is headquartered in California, United States, and is present in more than 180 countries.

In the second quarter of 2024, Chevron Corporation (NYSE:CVX) grew global production by 11%, year-over-year. Such is attributable to the integration of PDC Energy and the deal with Permian and Denver-Julesburg (DJ) Basins. The company also forged alliances in Namibia, Brazil, Equatorial Guinea, and Angola to expand its exploration base and enhance its acreage position. As for the United States, Chevron’s (NYSE:CVX) net oil-equivalent production increased by  353,000 barrels a day from a year ago. Again, the company attributes this to its successful acquisitions and strategic alliances.

Chevron Corporation (NYSE:CVX) is also making strides in clean and renewable energy. Previously in May, the company operated a gas turbine on a 60% hydrogen fuel blend, significantly reducing emissions. Moreover, the company also owns a 16.5-megawatt wind farm that can power more than 13,000 homes annually.

Overall, Chevron Corporation (NYSE:CVX) reported revenue worth $51.8 billion, up by 4.67% year-over-year, and ahead of market consensus by $453.45 million, in this quarter. The stock has huge potential in the clean energy industry, making it one of the best stocks to buy with little money.

Analysts are bullish on CVX and their 12-month median price target of $175 points to a 23% upside from current levels. In Q2 2024, there were 64 hedge funds that held positions in the stock with total stakes amounting to $22.41 billion. As of June 30, Berkshire Hathaway was the largest shareholder with a position worth $18.55 billion.

Overall CVX ranks 4th on our list of the best beginner stocks to buy according to analysts. While we acknowledge the potential of CVX as an investment, our conviction lies in the belief that AI stocks hold greater promise for delivering higher returns, and doing so within a shorter time frame. If you are looking for an AI stock that is more promising than CVX but that trades at less than 5 times its earnings, check out our report about the cheapest AI stock.

READ NEXT: $30 Trillion Opportunity: 15 Best Humanoid Robot Stocks to Buy According to Morgan Stanley and Jim Cramer Says NVIDIA ‘Has Become A Wasteland’.

Disclosure: None. This article is originally published at Insider Monkey.