Short interest for Ollie's Bargain Outlet gives investors a sense of the degree to which investors are betting on the decline of Ollie's Bargain Outlet's stock. Short interest data is updated every two weeks.

Ollie's Bargain Outlet Stock (NASDAQ:OLLI), Short Interest Report

Ollie's Bargain Outlet

Ollie's Bargain Outlet Holdings Inc is a retailer of brand-name merchandise at drastically reduced prices. It offers customers a selection of brand-name products, including housewares, food, books and stationery, bed and bath, floor coverings, toys, and hardware. It operates stores across the Eastern half of the United States. Its differentiated go-to-market plan is characterized by a fun, and engaging treasure hunt shopping experience, compelling customer value proposition, and witty, humorous in-store signage and advertising campaigns. These attributes have driven rapid growth and consistent store performance for the company.

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Top Wall Street analysts changed their outlook on these top names. For a complete view of all analyst rating changes, including upgrades and downgrades, please see our analyst ratings page.

Netflix To Rally Around 24%? Here Are 10 Top Analyst Forecasts For Friday

Strength in Ollie&#39;s Bargain Outlet (NASDAQ: OLLI) results, including market-leading growth and broader margins, suggests this stock is a buy on post-release weakness. Nothing in the report was bad, but strength was expected, so a sell-the-news event caused a marginal reduction in the price.

Is Ollies Bargain Outlet a Smart Buy-On Post-Release Weakness?

Earnings

Ollie’s Bargain Outlet Holdings Inc (NASDAQ: OLLI) reported better-than-expected earnings for its fourth quarter on Wednesday.

These Analysts Revise Their Forecasts On Ollie&#39;s Bargain Outlet Following Q4 Results

Ollie's Bargain Outlet Holdings, Inc. - Common Stock

Ollie's Bargain Outlet Holdings Inc

Sales growth is now expected to be 19% to 27% at CER. Given the current exchange rates versus the Danish krone, sales growth reported in DKK is now expected to be in line with CER. The updated sales outlook at CER reflects gross-to-net sales adjustments related to prior years in the US.
The guidance reflects expectations for sales growth in both North America Operations and International Operations, &nbsp;mainly driven by volume growth of GLP-1-based treatments for Obesity and Diabetes care. Continued pricing pressure within Diabetes and Obesity Care are included in the guidance. &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;
Operating profit growth is now expected to be 22% to 30% at CER. Given the current exchange rates versus the Danish krone, growth reported in DKK is expected to be in line with CER. The increased expectation for operating profit growth is reflecting the increased sales outlook, partially countered by an expected loss on Other operating income and expenses (net).
The expectation for operating profit growth primarily reflects the sales growth outlook and continued investments in future and current growth drivers within Research, Development and Commercial. Within R&amp;D, investments are related to the continued expansion and progression of the early and late-stage pipeline. Commercial investments are mainly related to Obesity care market development activities as well as increased spend related to GLP-1 diabetes care.
Novo Nordisk now expects financial items (net) to amount to a loss of around DKK 0.7 billion, mainly reflecting losses associated with foreign exchange hedging contracts.
The effective tax rate for 2024 is still expected to be in the range of 19-21%.
Capital expenditure is still expected to be around DKK 45 billion in 2024 reflecting the expansion of the supply chain, including the previously communicated expansions of the manufacturing facilities in Kalundborg and Hiller&oslash;d, Denmark, and Chartres, France.

Guidance

Novo Nordisk Updates 2024 Outlook, Now Expects Sales Growth Of 19%-27% (Prior 18%-26%) And Operating Profit Growth Of 22%-30% (Prior 21%-29%)

Following Florida Governor&nbsp;Ron DeSantis&#8216; implementation of&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/23/04/31801754/desantis-quietly-slips-6-week-abortion-ban-into-law-despite-florida-residents-opposing-it-were-proud" rel="noreferrer noopener">a six-week abortion ban</a>, clinical psychologist&nbsp;Mary Trump, niece of former President&nbsp;Donald Trump, weighed in on the development and its potential impact on Republicans.
What Happened: Mary Trump criticized the Republican Party, describing the ban as a &#8220;chilling reminder of the precarious state of women's rights in this country as long as the Republican Party – and Donald Trump's Supreme Court – has any power at all.&#8221;
She emphasized that such legislation not only infringes on women&#8217;s autonomy but also poses serious safety risks. &#8220;Making abortions difficult or impossible to attain puts women's lives in jeopardy,&#8221; she said.
Following the Supreme Court&#8217;s overturning of the Roe Vs. Wade verdict in 2022, Florida banned abortion after 15 weeks. It, nevertheless, was less extreme than what was implemented in most of Florida&#8217;s neighboring states, and therefore people from elsewhere traveled to the Sunshine State for abortion care, Mary Trump noted.
Therefore, the latest legislation in Florida will be felt beyond Florida&#8217;s border, the psychologist said. &#8220;Loss of autonomy and control over their own bodies can cause feelings of helplessness and depression leading in severe cases to self-harm and suicide,&#8221; she said.&nbsp;
See Also: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/24/04/38194448/trump-expects-arizona-abortion-law-will-be-straightened-out-biden-campaign-says-ex-president-owns-th">Trump Expects Arizona Abortion Law Will Be &#8216;Straightened Out&#8217; — Biden Campaign Says Ex-President &#8216;Owns The Suffering And Chaos&#8217;</a>
Trump&#8217;s Role: Mary Trump noted that her uncle had said he took responsibility for the overturning of the Roe v. Wade verdict. &#8220;This development in Florida presents another opportunity to make sure people tie the draconian anti-abortion legislations being enacted in red states throughout the country directly to Donald's policies and to his Supreme Court majority,&#8221; she said.
&#8220;His appointment of three illegitimate religious extremists to the Supreme Court led directly to the ability of 24 U.S. states to enact laws banning nearly all abortions by January 2023.&#8221;
Mary Trump noted that her uncle has been opportunistic. &#8220;Donald has no ideology and his shifting stance on abortion rights is purely opportunistic,&#8221; she said. 
Last month, after the abortion ban was thrown up as a key election issue by several opinion polls, Donald Trump said he wanted the issue to be left to the states. His niece had then said in a post that l<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/24/04/38234866/trumps-niece-says-ex-presidents-legal-team-taking-stroll-in-minefield-every-step-triggers-another-se">eaving the decision to the states is an &#8220;invitation for more draconian abortion bans.&#8221;</a>
The author and podcaster said Wednesday that &#8220;Florida's law will only galvanize Democrats in a crucial swing state inspiring them to turn out in even greater numbers.&#8221; Citing survey results, she said 61% of U.S. adults&nbsp;believe&nbsp;that abortion should be legal in all or most cases, with young voters feeling it even stronger. 
&#8220;About three-quarters of 18- to 29-year-olds&nbsp;say&nbsp;abortion should generally be legal, and in the 2022 midterms, young voters&nbsp;cited&nbsp;abortion as the top issue influencing their vote,&#8221; she said.
&#8220;The 6-week abortion ban in Florida is a significant development in the ongoing assault on abortion rights in the United States. Donald's role in this narrative is undeniable,&#8221; Mary Trump said.
Read Next: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/money/how-to-invest-in-startups">How To Invest In Startups</a>

Politics

Media

Trump's Niece Says Her Uncle's Role In DeSantis-Led Florida Abortion Ban Is Undeniable: 'Chilling Reminder Of Precarious State Of Women's Rights...'

Novo Nordisk (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/NVO#NYSE">NVO</a>) reported quarterly earnings of DKK 5.68 per share which beat the analyst consensus estimate of DKK 5.15 by 10.29 percent. This is a 29.38 percent increase over earnings of DKK 4.39 per share from the same period last year. The company reported quarterly sales of DKK 65.349 billion which beat the analyst consensus estimate of DKK 63.229 billion by 3.35 percent. This is a 22.45 percent increase over sales of DKK 53.367 billion the same period last year.

Earnings Beats

Novo Nordisk Q1 2024 GAAP EPS DKK 5.68 Beats DKK 5.15 Estimate, Sales DKK 65.349B Beat DKK 63.229B Estimate

In the face of attempts by allies of former President Donald Trump to undermine the Federal Reserve&#8217;s political independence, Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen is stepping up to defend it.
What Happened: Yellen, who previously served as the Fed chair, is set to deliver a speech at the McCain Institute's Sedona Forum on Friday, Politico <a href="https://www.politico.com/news/2024/05/01/yellen-fed-independence-attacks-trump-allies-00155408">reported</a> on Wednesday. She will underscore the crucial role of the Fed&#8217;s autonomy in fostering financial stability and driving economic growth.
"As Chair of the Federal Reserve, I insisted on the Fed's independence and transparency because I believe it matters for financial stability and economic growth," Yellen plans to say, according to excerpts of the speech released by the Treasury Department. 
"Recent research has been consistent with my belief: It has shown that greater central bank independence is associated with greater price stability, which contributes significantly to long-term growth." 
Yellen&#8217;s move comes amid reports that <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/24/04/38450570/secretive-trump-allies-plan-to-curtail-federal-reserves-independence-report">Trump&#8217;s allies are exploring ways</a> to curtail the Fed&#8217;s independence and bolster the White House&#8217;s control over the central bank.
See Also: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/general/macro-notification/24/04/38526201/is-hawkish-shift-on-inflation-imminent-wall-street-analysts-traders-brace-for-fed-impa?itm_source=parsely-api" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Is Hawkish Shift On Inflation Imminent? Wall Street Analysts, Traders Brace For Fed Impact</a>
Trump, during his presidency, departed from the customary practice of presidents avoiding public commentary on the Fed&#8217;s monetary policy decisions. He openly chastised Fed officials and Chair Jerome Powell, blaming them for stunting economic growth by keeping interest rates high.
Yellen&#8217;s address will also touch upon the repercussions of attacks on democracy, such as the Jan. 6 Capitol riot, on the country&#8217;s economic well-being. She contends that any attempt to undermine democracy poses a threat to sustainable and inclusive growth.
Why It Matters: Trump&#8217;s supporters have been devising plans that could disrupt the independence of the Federal Reserve, should Trump be re-elected. This includes a controversial proposal that the president should have a say in setting interest rates.
Earlier, Trump was presented with a list of <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/24/03/37770466/if-trump-returns-these-three-candidates-will-be-the-top-choice-to-replace-jerome-powell-say-ex-presi">potential candidates to replace Powell</a> as the head of the Federal Reserve. This move was seen as an attempt to increase the White House&#8217;s control over the central bank.
Recently, the Federal Reserve <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/econ-s/24/05/38561640/fed-keeps-interest-rates-steady-announces-slower-than-expected-pace-of-balance-sheet-runoff">decided to maintain the federal funds</a> rate at 5.25% to 5.5%.
Read Next: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/24/04/38521425/un-confirms-north-korean-ballistic-missile-landed-in-ukraines-kharkiv-in-january-amid-war-with-russi?itm_source=parsely-api" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">UN Confirms North Korean Ballistic Missile Landed In Ukraine&#8217;s Kharkiv In January Amid War With Russia</a>
Photos via Shutterstock and Flickr
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Janet Yellen Stands Up For Fed's Autonomy As Trump Allies Plan To Gain More Control

Tesla Inc.&nbsp;(NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/TSLA#NASDAQ">TSLA</a>) has reportedly abandoned&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/23/11/35614677/toyota-up-in-arms-against-teslas-groundbreaking-gigacasting-technique-in-ev-production-report" rel="noreferrer noopener">its pioneering manufacturing process</a>, indicating a shift in strategy for the EV behemoth as it grapples with falling sales and mounting competition.
What Happened: Tesla has stepped back from its ambitious gigacasting plan, Reuters reported, citing two sources familiar with the matter.&nbsp;
The company&#8217;s objective was to streamline manufacturing and cut costs by casting large sections of the car's underbody in one piece.&nbsp;
However, Tesla has now reportedly paused this initiative, choosing to continue with its established method of casting vehicle underbodies in three sections.
This move to delay the potential manufacturing breakthrough is another instance of Tesla cutting short-term expenditure as it adapts to declining sales, shrinking profit margins, and escalating competition from rival EV manufacturers such as China's&nbsp;BYD Co.&nbsp;(OTC:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/BYDDY#OTC">BYDDY</a>) (OTC:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/BYDDF#OTC">BYDDF</a>).
See Also:&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.benzinga.com/analyst-ratings/analyst-color/24/04/38511618/tesla-researcher-thinks-ev-giants-biggest-challenge-in-q2-comes-from-one-of-its-cas?itm_source=parsely-api" rel="noreferrer noopener">Tesla Researcher Thinks EV Giant&#8217;s &#8216;Biggest Challenge&#8217; In Q2 Comes From One Of Its Cash Cows Due To A Tax Twist</a>
Not A Recent Plan?&nbsp;The gigacasting reversal reportedly took place last fall, before Tesla&#8217;s decision in late February to cease development of an all-new affordable car, often referred to as the Model 2, which would have been the first vehicle it built with one-piece gigacasting.
During the second-quarter earnings call with analysts, Tesla revealed a simpler, faster plan for manufacturing "more affordable" cars after abandoning plans for the Model 2. Instead, Tesla officials stated, it would produce affordable models using an existing platform and production lines.
Reuters&#8217; sources suggest that Tesla has not entirely discarded the small-vehicle platform it had planned for the Model 2. Instead, it will proceed with the development of a <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/analyst-ratings/analyst-color/24/04/38500447/teslas-robotaxi-plans-potential-threat-or-future-partner-for-uber">self-driving robotaxi</a> on the same platform.
Why It Matters: Tesla&#8217;s gigacasting technique, first used in 2020 for its Model Y SUV, revolutionized the vehicle manufacturing process by casting sizable aluminum body components with casting machines, as opposed to conventional assembly techniques that required welding or stamping of several parts.&nbsp;
This innovation had put Tesla ahead of competitors like&nbsp;Toyota Motor Corp&nbsp;(NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/TM#NYSE">TM</a>), who&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/equities/23/09/34720319/revolutionizing-the-road-toyota-unveils-new-approach-to-manufacturing" rel="noreferrer noopener">found themselves struggling</a>&nbsp;to keep pace with Tesla&#8217;s production efficiency.&nbsp;
Read Next: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/24/04/38518177/29-year-old-tesla-worker-who-got-fired-says-he-slept-in-parking-lot-showered-at-factory-and-ate-micr?itm_source=parsely-api" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">29-Year-Old Tesla Worker Who Got Fired Says He Slept In Parking Lot, Showered At Factory And Ate Microwaved Food</a>
<a href="https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Tesla_auto_bots.jpg">Photo</a> via Wikimedia Commons
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BYDDF

BYDDY

TSLA

Giga Pause: Elon Musk's Tesla Reportedly Backs Down On Ambitious EV Manufacturing Technique Amid Hardcore Cost-Cutting Drive

Outlook&nbsp;
Overall economic sentiment remains subdued with customers maintaining a "wait and see" approach with no restocking yet apparent. Nevertheless, sentiment appears to have reached a floor and given the low inventory environment (particularly Europe) as soon as real demand begins to gradually improve, apparent demand is expected to rebound.&nbsp;
The Company continues to forecast World ex-China apparent steel consumption ("ASC") to grow +3.0% to +4.0% in 2024, including: +1.5% to +3.5% in US; +2.0% to +4.0% in Europe; +0.5% to +2.5% in Brazil and +6.5% to +8.5% in India.&nbsp;
The Company remains positive on the medium/long-term steel demand outlook and believes that it is optimally positioned to execute its strategy of growth with capital returns.&nbsp;
&nbsp;Capex in 2024 is expected to remain within the $4.5-$5.0 billion range (of which $1.4-$1.5 billion is expected as strategic growth capex).&nbsp;

ArcelorMittal Positive On The Medium/Long-Term Steel Demand Outlook; Expects 2024 Capex To Remain Within $4.5B-$5B

ArcelorMittal (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/MT#NYSE">MT</a>) reported quarterly earnings of $1.16 per share which beat the analyst consensus estimate of $0.92 by 26.09 percent. This is a 9.38 percent decrease over earnings of $1.28 per share from the same period last year. The company reported quarterly sales of $16.282 billion which beat the analyst consensus estimate of $16.238 billion by 0.27 percent. This is a 11.99 percent decrease over sales of $18.501 billion the same period last year.

ArcelorMittal Q1 2024 Adj EPS $1.16 Beats $0.92 Estimate, Sales $16.282B Beat $16.238B Estimate

Macro Economic Events

Econ #s

Reported Earlier, Australia Building Approvals (MoM) For March 1.9% Vs. 3.5% Est.; -0.9% (Revised) Prior

Reported Earlier, Australia Trade Balance 5.024B Vs. 7.190B Est.; 6.591B (Revised) Prior

Tesla and SpaceX CEO Elon Musk has seemingly supported Rep. Jim Jordan (R-Ohio) in his criticism of the Joe Biden administration&#8217;s alleged <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/23/03/31152736/china-says-us-hurting-its-own-credibility-by-rehashing-covid-19-lab-leak-theory-respect-science-and">suppression of the lab leak theory</a>.
What Happened: On Wednesday, the tech billionaire reacted to Jordan&#8217;s thread on X, formerly Twitter. 
In his post, Jordan spoke about the Biden White House&#8217;s alleged <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/23/02/31062165/us-energy-department-says-this-was-the-likely-chinese-source-of-covid-19-pandemic-report">censorship of the lab leak theory</a>, which suggests that the COVID-19 virus may have originated from a laboratory in Wuhan, China.
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true">THE FACEBOOK FILES PART 6 THE BIDEN WHITE HOUSE CENSORSHIP OF THE LAB LEAK THEORY &#x1f9f5; Thread:
&mdash; Rep. Jim Jordan (@Jim_Jordan) <a href="https://twitter.com/Jim_Jordan/status/1785753836532978067?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 1, 2024</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
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Jordan&#8217;s posts included an alleged 2021 message from Mark Zuckerberg, the CEO of Meta Platforms, Inc. to other high-ranking Facebook executives, including Sheryl Sandberg, Nick Clegg, and Joel Kaplan.
See Also: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/24/04/38482489/ukrainian-troops-retreat-as-conflict-with-russia-intensifies-in-eastern-front-zelenskyy-urges-us-for?itm_source=parsely-api" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Ukrainian Troops Retreat As Conflict With Russia Intensifies In Eastern Front, Zelenskyy Urges US For Swift Arms Deliveries</a>
He said, &#8220;On July 16, 2021, Mark Zuckerberg texted Sheryl Sandberg, Nick Clegg, and Joel Kaplan. Three of the highest ranking executives at Facebook. Could Facebook tell the world that &#8216;the [Biden] WH put pressure on us to censor the lab leak theory?'&#8221;
Responding to Jordan&#8217;s post, Musk called the situation a &#8220;Smoking gun First Amendment violation.&#8221; The First Amendment of the U.S. Constitution protects freedom of speech and the press, among other rights.
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true">Smoking gun First Amendment violation
&mdash; Elon Musk (@elonmusk) <a href="https://twitter.com/elonmusk/status/1785851259523576284?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 2, 2024</a></blockquote>
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Why It Matters: The lab leak theory has been a <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/23/02/31109887/xi-jinpings-mouthpiece-warns-elon-musk-against-pushing-china-covid-19-lab-leak-theory">contentious issue since the start</a> of the COVID-19 pandemic. The theory suggests that the virus may have accidentally leaked from a laboratory in Wuhan, China, rather than originating from a wet market, as initially believed. 
Last year in March, <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/23/03/31152736/china-says-us-hurting-its-own-credibility-by-rehashing-covid-19-lab-leak-theory-respect-science-and">China strongly criticized this theory</a> saying, &#8220;By rehashing the lab-leak theory, the U.S. will not succeed in discrediting China, and instead, it will only hurt its own credibility.&#8221;
Musk&#8217;s stance on COVID-19-related matters has been a topic of interest. The billionaire entrepreneur has been critical of the COVID-19 vaccines and <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/general/biotech/23/03/31334008/did-elon-musk-just-put-his-skepticism-behind-and-warm-up-to-mrna-tech-that-powers-most-covid-19-v">vocal about his skepticism</a> towards them. However, he has also acknowledged the potential of mRNA technology in treating other diseases, such as cancer.
Read Next: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/24/04/38539846/hillary-clinton-on-another-trump-presidency-it-wouldnt-be-as-bad-as-it-was-last-time-it-would-be?itm_source=parsely-api" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Hillary Clinton On Another Trump Presidency: &#8216;It Wouldn&#8217;t Be As Bad As It Was Last Time, It Would Be&#8230;&#8217;</a>
Disclaimer: This content was partially produced with the help of&nbsp;<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/author/benzinga-neuro" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Benzinga Neuro</a>&nbsp;and was reviewed and published by Benzinga editors.

Elon Musk Finds 'Smoking Gun' Constitutional Violation As Jim Jordan Challenges Mark Zuckerberg's Facebook To Tell Truth Behind White House Censorship Of Lab Leak Theory

Jim Cramer, the host of CNBC&#8217;s &#8220;Mad Money,&#8221; has advised investors to trust Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell&#8216;s recent statement that a rate hike is unlikely, despite ongoing inflation concerns.
What Happened: Cramer urged investors to take Powell&#8217;s word seriously when he indicated that a rate hike is not imminent, despite persistent inflation, <a href="https://www.cnbc.com/2024/05/01/cramer-says-not-to-second-guess-fed-chief-powells-wednesday-remarks.html">reported</a> CNBC.
He highlighted that Powell&#8217;s comments, made after the Federal Reserve&#8217;s two-day meeting, have temporarily eased Wall Street&#8217;s concerns. 
However, Cramer warned that investor anxiety could resurface ahead of the upcoming employment data release, which could provide insights into the economy&#8217;s trajectory.
"There's only one person worth listening to in this entire universe when it comes to this stuff, and that happens to be the plain-speaking Fed chief himself, Jay Powell. He's been consistent the whole time," Cramer said. "He raised rates until he feared he could tip us into a recession, then he stopped raising rates and the economy got hot again. But then interest rates went higher on their own and now we've gotten some brown shoots that are helping to slow the economy."
Cramer emphasized Powell&#8217;s consistency in managing the economy, stating that the Fed chief has taken the possibility of a rate hike &#8220;off the table.&#8221; He also noted the Fed&#8217;s decision to slow the pace of bond sales as a &#8220;dovish sign.&#8221;
Despite Powell&#8217;s remarks, Cramer stressed that the employment data could still impact market sentiment. He also appreciated Powell&#8217;s assurance that there are no signs of stagflation in the economy, a concern that many have raised.
See Also: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/asia/24/04/38481213/breaking-tesla-reportedly-teams-up-with-baidu-to-roll-out-fsd-in-china?itm_source=parsely-api" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Musk&#8217;s China Mission Pays Off? Tesla Reportedly Inks FSD Deal With Internet Giant Baidu</a>
Why It Matters: The Federal Reserve&#8217;s decision to keep the federal funds rate unchanged at 5.25% to 5.5% on Wednesday, as widely expected, <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/econ-s/24/05/38561640/fed-keeps-interest-rates-steady-announces-slower-than-expected-pace-of-balance-sheet-runoff">reaffirmed its commitment</a> to steering the economy towards sustainable growth and controlling inflation. 
The Fed also noted a lack of further progress towards its 2% inflation objective in recent months.
This stance has been <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/24/05/38571981/ray-dalio-gives-a-nod-to-larry-summers-contention-that-federal-reserve-in-a-treacherous-environment">questioned by investors</a> like Larry Summer, who have warned against potential rate cuts in the current economic climate.
Meanwhile, renowned economist Peter Schiff has <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/24/05/38571216/peter-schiff-blasts-jerome-powell-for-not-seeing-the-stag-in-stagflation-same-type-of-blindness-that">criticized Powell&#8217;s dismissal</a> of stagflation concerns, comparing it to previous Federal Reserve misstatements. Schiff expressed skepticism over Powell&#8217;s inability to recognize the signs of stagflation.
Despite the ongoing inflation concerns, the market has been experiencing <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/cryptocurrency/24/05/38571663/bitcoin-tops-returns-in-all-asset-classes-amid-repeatedly-disappointing-inflation-data-moh">significant volatility</a>, with Bitcoin topping returns in all asset classes in April amid repeatedly disappointing inflation data.
Read Next: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/analyst-ratings/analyst-color/24/04/38479312/watershed-moment-says-tesla-analyst-as-elon-musk-makes-surprise-china-visit-to-repo?itm_source=parsely-api" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">&#8216;Watershed Moment,&#8217; Says Tesla Analyst As Elon Musk Makes Surprise China Visit To Reportedly Discuss FSD Rollout And Data Transfer Overseas</a>
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Global

Federal Reserve

Jim Cramer Says Don't Doubt Fed Chair Powell's Assurance Of No Rate Hike, 'He's Been Consistent The Whole Time'

In a daring move, independent candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has called on President Joe Biden to step down from the presidential race, in an attempt to prevent former President Donald Trump from reclaiming the presidency.
What Happened: Kennedy, despite lagging behind Biden by 30 points in recent polls, held a press conference in Brooklyn. He contended that he is the sole candidate who can defeat Trump and proposed a &#8220;No Spoiler Pledge&#8221; for Biden. This pledge would necessitate Biden&#8217;s withdrawal from the race if he underperforms Kennedy in a head-to-head poll with Trump in mid-October, <a href="https://www.politico.com/news/2024/05/01/robert-f-kennedy-jr-spoiler-pledge-biden-trump-00155600">reported</a> Politico.
"We only have one chance to beat Donald Trump, and we need a nominee who can get the job done. And that would be me," Kennedy declared during his presentation.
Kennedy&#8217;s campaign manager, Amaryllis Fox Kennedy, presented a poll from John Zogby Strategies as proof of their claim. The poll demonstrated Kennedy defeating Trump in a scenario without Biden or any other Democratic candidate in the race.
"Is there any scenario in which President Trump participates in the election and doesn't win it? Yes, there is exactly one. And that scenario is that President Biden acknowledges that he cannot win," Fox Kennedy stated.
See Also: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/24/04/38508828/edward-snowden-releases-genie-out-of-the-bottle-his-ongoing-poll-shows-people-want-neither-trump-nor?itm_source=parsely-api" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Edward Snowden Releases &#8216;Genie&#8217; Out Of The Bottle, His Ongoing Poll Shows People Want &#8216;Neither Trump Nor Biden&#8217;</a>
However, Democratic National Committee spokesperson Matt Corridoni dismissed Kennedy&#8217;s proposal, asserting that it is &#8220;as deeply unserious as his campaign is.&#8221;
The Kennedy campaign did not present any results for a three-way race. According to a RealClearPolitics polling average, Kennedy currently holds about 11 percent support in national polls when pitted against both Biden and Trump.
Why It Matters: The latest <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/24/04/38349825/trumps-voters-enamored-with-robert-kennedy-jr-not-bidens-shows-latest-poll">NBC News poll</a> reveals that Kennedy is eroding Trump's support more than Biden's. Interestingly, a larger portion of Trump voters in the direct matchup are switching their support to Kennedy in the expanded ballot.
Former President Trump has <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/general/24/03/37991340/trump-slams-robert-f-kennedy-jr-great-for-maga-but-most-radical-left-candidate-in-the-race-because-o">criticized</a> Kennedy for his environmental stances and other policies, labeling him as "the most radical left candidate in the race".
Many election polls point to a close race between Biden and Trump in the <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/general/politics/24/04/38537950/trump-vs-biden-former-president-holds-lead-in-all-7-swing-states-which-candidate-does-robert-f-k">2024 election</a>, suggesting that Kennedy&#8217;s role in the race could be a decisive factor.
Photo courtesy: Shutterstock
Read Next: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/24/04/38539846/hillary-clinton-on-another-trump-presidency-it-wouldnt-be-as-bad-as-it-was-last-time-it-would-be?itm_source=parsely-api" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Hillary Clinton On Another Trump Presidency: &#8216;It Wouldn&#8217;t Be As Bad As It Was Last Time, It Would Be&#8230;&#8217;</a>
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 Engineered by 
 Benzinga Neuro, Edited by 
 
 <a href="None" target="_blank" rel="noopener" style="color: #225aa9;text-decoration: none"> 
 Shivdeep Dhaliwal</a> 
 
 
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 The GPT-4-based Benzinga Neuro content generation system exploits the 
 extensive Benzinga Ecosystem, including native data, APIs, and more to 
 create comprehensive and timely stories for you. 
 <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/author/benzinga-neuro" target="_blank" rel="noopener" style="color: #225aa9;text-decoration: none">Learn more.</a>
 
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 </div>

Robert F. Kennedy Jr Says He's The One That Can Beat Trump, Urges Biden To Drop Out: 'We Only Have One Chance'

The traditional Wall Street adage &#8220;sell in May and go away&#8221; may not hold water this year, as analysts debunk the myth with strong evidence of positive stock market performance during the historically weak May-October period.
What Happened: The six-month period from May to October is often considered the worst for stock market performance. However, LPL Financial&#8216;s chief technical strategist Adam Turnquist pointed out that the average returns for the S&amp;P 500 during this period have been positive since 1950, <a href="https://markets.businessinsider.com/news/stocks/stock-market-may-performance-sell-wall-street-seasonal-outlook-2024-5">reported</a> Business Insider on Monday.
Turnquist&#8217;s data shows an average return of +1.7% for the past 10 years, which jumps to +4.0% for the last decade. This suggests that selling stocks in May based on historical trends might not be the best strategy.
&#8220;Unless investors can seek superior returns in other asset classes, being out of the equity market may not have been the best strategy, with stocks still delivering positive six-month returns, on average, over all the May-October periods studied,&#8221; Turnquist said in a recent note.
Tom Lee of Fundstrat also ran the calculations and discovered that since 1985, &#8220;May has been a surprisingly good month.&#8221; 
Market strategist Ryan Detrick of Carson Group also noted the positive returns during this period, particularly in May, which has seen positive stock market returns in nine of the past ten years, with an average gain of 0.7%.
In conclusion, Detrick discovered that in years where there is a presidential election, such as 2024, the stock market typically experiences a summer rally prior to the November surge. The period from May to October typically sees gains of 2.3% and higher 78% of the time.
See Also: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/analyst-ratings/analyst-color/24/04/38519395/goldman-sachs-tempers-investor-excitement-on-tesla-self-driving-not-yet-an-eyes-off?itm_source=parsely-api" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Goldman Sachs Tempers Investor Excitement On Tesla Self-Driving Tech In China: &#8216;Not Yet An Eyes-Off, Unsupervised Product&#8217;</a>
Why It Matters: The potential irrelevance of the &#8220;Sell in May and go away&#8221; adage comes in the wake of recent statements by the Federal Reserve which has decided to <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/econ-s/24/05/38561640/fed-keeps-interest-rates-steady-announces-slower-than-expected-pace-of-balance-sheet-runoff" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">keep interest rates steady</a>, emphasizing the need to allow more time for restrictive monetary policies to bring inflation towards the Fed's 2% goal. This decision has had a significant impact on market dynamics.
"The inflation data received so far this year have been higher than expected," Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell said today, adding that it is likely that gaining <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/equities/24/05/38563545/powell-keeps-hawks-at-bay-says-interest-rate-hike-unlikely-stocks-gold-rally-while-treasury-yiel" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">greater confidence in disinflation</a> will take longer than previously thought.
This stance has been <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/24/05/38571981/ray-dalio-gives-a-nod-to-larry-summers-contention-that-federal-reserve-in-a-treacherous-environment">questioned by investors</a> like Larry Summer, who have warned against potential rate cuts in the current economic climate.
These developments follow earlier predictions of a <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/analyst-ratings/analyst-color/24/04/38273842/s-p-500-due-for-classic-10-correction-wall-street-veteran-warns-why-they-expect-zer">&#8220;classic 10% correction&#8221;</a> in the S&amp;P 500 index by Wall Street veteran investor Ed Yardeni, who noted that &#8220;rising yields are starting to weigh on the stock market.&#8221; 
Despite these concerns, other experts have remained confident in the <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/analyst-ratings/analyst-color/24/04/38284811/wall-street-experts-dismiss-rate-cut-fears-middle-east-tensions-predict-bull-market">continuation of the bull market</a>, citing a robust U.S. economy and the potential of artificial intelligence (AI) as key drivers.
Read Next: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/24/04/38489087/jim-cramer-likes-palantir-recommends-pioneer-natural-resources-i-want-you-to-ka-ching-ka-ching?itm_source=parsely-api" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Jim Cramer Likes Palantir, Recommends Pioneer Natural Resources: &#8216;I Want You To Ka-Ching, Ka-Ching&#8217;</a>
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Analyst Color

'Sell In May And Go Away': A Fading Tradition In Stock Market?

Twitter co-founder&nbsp;Jack Dorsey has appears to disagree with Vice President&nbsp;Kamala&nbsp;Harris&#8216;s&nbsp;statement on&nbsp;women&#8217;s&nbsp;trust, but could he have misinterpreted her meaning?
What Happened: On Wednesday, Harris took to X, formerly Twitter, and posted&nbsp;&#8220;Trust women.&#8221; Her remark&nbsp;was met&nbsp;with a response from Christopher Stanley,&nbsp;X&#8217;s&nbsp;senior director of security engineering, who shared the post on the platform commenting, &#8220;I&nbsp;don&#8217;t&nbsp;blindly trust anyone.&#8221;
Responding to Stanley&#8217;s post, Dorsey&nbsp;then&nbsp;weighed in, saying,&nbsp;&#8220;Don&#8217;t&nbsp;trust, verify.&#8221;
See Also:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/24/04/38509476/while-mark-zuckerberg-led-meta-battles-advertiser-complaints-elon-musk-continues-to-thrash-facebook?itm_source=parsely-api" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">While Mark Zuckerberg-Led Meta Battles Advertiser Complaints, Elon Musk Continues To Thrash Facebook, Instagram For Allegedly Stealing &#8216;Credit For Traffic&#8217;</a>
<figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"> 
<div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true">don&#39;t trust, verify.
&mdash; jack (@jack) <a href="https://twitter.com/jack/status/1785747127550812536?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 1, 2024</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
</figure>
Subscribe to the&nbsp;<a href="https://bztechtrends.beehiiv.com/subscribe" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Benzinga Tech Trends newsletter</a>&nbsp;to&nbsp;get&nbsp;all the latest tech developments&nbsp;delivered&nbsp;to your inbox.
One user in the comment section said that Harris&nbsp;wasn&#8217;t&nbsp;advocating for blind trust, but asking women to trust their own bodies. And the user is right. 
<figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"> 
<div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true">Only concrete thinking nerds would consider that statement by VP Harris to be encouraging people to blindly trust anybody. Y'all KNOW it is referring to the bodily autonomy of women and trusting them with their own bodies.
&mdash; &#x1f1fa;&#x1f1f8; 
</blockquote></div></figure>

Jack Dorsey Doesn't Agree With VP Kamala Harris' 'Trust Women' Statement —Says 'Verify' — But Has He Got It Right?

ConocoPhillips (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/COP#NYSE">COP</a>) is set to release earnings results for its first quarter before the <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/COP/earnings">opening bell on May 2, 2024.</a>
Analysts expect the Houston, Texas-based company to report quarterly earnings at $2.04 per share, down from $2.38 per share in the year-ago period. ConocoPhillips is projected to report quarterly revenue of $15.05 billion, compared to $15.74 billion in the year-earlier quarter, according to data from <a href="https://pro.benzinga.com/dashboard">Benzinga Pro</a>.
On Feb. 8, ConocoPhillips said fourth-quarter revenue of $15.307 billion missed the consensus of $15.942 billion, while adjusted EPS of $2.40 beat the consensus of $2.09.
ConocoPhillips shares fell 1% to close at $124.34 on Wednesday.
Benzinga readers can access the latest analyst ratings on the <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/analyst-ratings/analyst-color/22/09/28888638/exclusive-study-finds-benzinga-analyst-ratings-data-yields-market-beating-strategie">Analyst Stock Ratings</a> page. Readers can sort by stock ticker, company name, analyst firm, rating change or other variables.
Let's have a look at how Benzinga's most-accurate <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/COP/analyst-ratings">analysts have rated the company</a> in the recent period.
<ul>
<li>Jefferies analyst Rob Dickerson maintained a Hold rating and cut the price target from $55 to $54 on March 11. This analyst has an accuracy rate of 67%.</li>
<li>DA Davidson analyst Brian Holland initiated coverage on the stock with a Buy rating and a price target of $67 on March 1. This analyst has an accuracy rate of 60%.</li>
<li>Piper Sandler analyst Michael Lavery maintained a Neutral rating and raised the price target from $59 to $60 on Feb. 12. This analyst has an accuracy rate of 70%.</li>
<li>JP Morgan analyst Ken Goldman maintained a Neutral rating and increased the price target from $53 to $59 on Feb. 9. This analyst has an accuracy rate of 81%.</li>
<li>Wells Fargo analyst John Baumgartner maintained an Equal-Weight rating and boosted the price target from $56 to $58 on Feb. 9. This analyst has an accuracy rate of 66%.</li>
</ul>
Read This Next: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/earnings/24/05/38550761/how-to-earn-500-a-month-from-intel-stock-following-q1-earnings-report">How To Earn $500 A Month From Intel Stock Following Q1 Earnings Report</a>

Pre-Market Outlook

ConocoPhillips Likely To Report Lower Q1 Earnings; Here Are The Recent Forecast Changes From Wall Street's Most Accurate Analysts

Comstock Resources (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/CRK#NYSE">CRK</a>) reported quarterly losses of $(0.03) per share which beat the analyst consensus estimate of $(0.04) by 25 percent. This is a 109.09 percent decrease over earnings of $0.33 per share from the same period last year. The company reported quarterly sales of $335.77 million which missed the analyst consensus estimate of $362.94 million by 7.49 percent. This is a 31.42 percent decrease over sales of $489.58 million the same period last year.

Earnings Misses

Comstock Resources Q1 Adj $(0.03) Beats $(0.04) Estimate, Sales $335.77M Miss $362.94M Estimate

Preformed Line Products (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/PLPC#NASDAQ">PLPC</a>) reported quarterly earnings of $1.94 per share. This is a 54.67 percent decrease over earnings of $4.28 per share from the same period last year. The company reported $140.90 million in sales this quarter. This is a 22.51 percent decrease over sales of $181.82 million the same period last year.

PLPC

Preformed Line Products Q1 EPS $1.94 Down From $4.28 YoY, Sales $140.90M Down From $181.82M YoY

AssetMark Financial Hldgs (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/AMK#NYSE">AMK</a>) reported quarterly earnings of $0.60 per share which missed the analyst consensus estimate of $0.61 by 1.64 percent. This is a 13.21 percent increase over earnings of $0.53 per share from the same period last year. The company reported quarterly sales of $190.27 million which beat the analyst consensus estimate of $146.60 million by 29.79 percent. This is a 7.76 percent increase over sales of $176.56 million the same period last year.

AssetMark Financial Hldgs Q1 Adj $0.60 Misses $0.61 Estimate, Sales $190.27M Beat $146.60M Estimate

Northwest Pipe (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/NWPX#NASDAQ">NWPX</a>) reported quarterly earnings of $0.52 per share which beat the analyst consensus estimate of $0.31 by 67.74 percent. This is a 126.09 percent increase over earnings of $0.23 per share from the same period last year. The company reported quarterly sales of $113.22 million which beat the analyst consensus estimate of $103.34 million by 9.56 percent. This is a 14.25 percent increase over sales of $99.10 million the same period last year.

NWPX

Northwest Pipe Q1 EPS $0.52 Beats $0.31 Estimate, Sales $113.22M Beat $103.34M Estimate

NACCO Industries (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/NC#NYSE">NC</a>) reported quarterly earnings of $0.61 per share. This is a 19.74 percent decrease over earnings of $0.76 per share from the same period last year. The company reported $53.29 million in sales this quarter. This is a 6.28 percent increase over sales of $50.14 million the same period last year.

NACCO Industries Q1 EPS $0.61 Down From $0.76 YoY, Sales $53.29M Up From $50.14M YoY

Companies in the Consumer Cyclical sector have received a lot of coverage today as analysts weigh in on Topgolf Callaway Brands (MODG – Research Re...

Analysts Have Conflicting Sentiments on These Consumer Cyclical Companies: Topgolf Callaway Brands (MODG), Light & Wonder (LNW) and Ollie's Bargain Outlet Holding (OLLI)

Ollie's Bargain Outlet Holding (OLLI – Research Report), the Consumer Cyclical sector company, was revisited by a Wall Street analyst today. Analys...

Analyst Maintains Sell Rating on Ollie's Bargain Outlet Amid Declining Store Metrics and Modest Growth Forecasts

Village Farms, Lifeway Foods, and Beyond Meat among consumer staples movers

Top 7 buy-rated stocks in Consumer Discretionary - Citi

Analysts have been eager to weigh in on the Consumer Cyclical sector with new ratings on Stellantis (STLA – Research Report) and Ollie's Bargain Ou...

Analysts' Opinions Are Mixed on These Consumer Cyclical Stocks: Stellantis (STLA) and Ollie's Bargain Outlet Holding (OLLI)

<a href="https://investorplace.com">InvestorPlace - Stock Market News, Stock Advice &amp; Trading Tips</a>
The case for boring stocks to buy stems from good news that could actually be bad news. Yes, we&rsquo;re playing that silly game again.



As InvestorPlace&rsquo;s Shrey Dua mentioned, Wall Street is <a href="https://investorplace.com/2024/04/recession-vs-rate-cut-what-does-the-march-jobs-report-means-for-stocks/">divided over the March jobs report</a>. On one hand, the latest print &ndash; 303,000 nonfarm payrolls added &ndash; demonstrates continued strength in the economy. That was more than 100,000 jobs above analysts&rsquo; expectations. But on the other hand, the robust figures also mean that the Federal Reserve might not lower interest rates.



Yes, the central bank claimed earlier that inflation was tracking along encouragingly. However, with gold and oil prices rising, that might not be the case any longer. For those who are feeling jittery about the potential paradigm shift, these are the boring stocks to buy.



<h2>Grocery Outlet (GO)</h2>



<div><img width="300" height="169" src="https://investorplace.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/comsumer-goods-grocery-store-1600-300x169.png" alt="Empty grocery cart in a grocery store aisle. Consumer goods."><div>Source: gyn9037 / Shutterstock</div></div>Fundamentally, Grocery Outlet (NASDAQ:<a href="https://investorplace.com/stock-quotes/go-stock-quote/">GO</a>) aligns with a irrefutable logic: we all have to eat. Not only that, GO stock aligns with a financial logic. Many of us have to eat as cheaply as possible. Given that the company offers consumable and fresh products through an independent operated store system along with discounted prices, the business model is exceptionally compelling.



I understand that the analysts don&rsquo;t particularly care for it. Right now, they rate shares as a <a href="https://www.tipranks.com/stocks/go/forecast">consensus hold</a>. I&rsquo;m not entirely sure why that is. On the financial performance front, it&rsquo;s doing quite well. For one thing, the company beat all its quarterly bottom-line targets for fiscal 2023. Further, the average positive earnings surprise landed at nearly 17%.



For the current fiscal year, experts believe that earnings per share will come in at $1.17. That&rsquo;s an improvement over last year&rsquo;s result of $1.07. Further, they&rsquo;re looking at a sales target of $4.34 billion, up 9.2% from 2023&rsquo;s haul of $3.97 billion. With the relevant business, GO is one of the boring stocks to buy.



<h2>Ross Stores (ROST)</h2>



<div><img width="300" height="169" src="https://investorplace.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/ROST1600-300x169.jpg" alt="Photo of the storefront of a Ross store"><div>Source: Shutterstock</div></div>A discount retailer, Ross Stores (NASDAQ:<a href="https://investorplace.com/stock-quotes/rost-stock-quote/">ROST</a>) definitely belongs on your list of boring stocks to buy. Primarily, it rises to the forefront because of its business model. The company takes overstock brand-name products and sells them to customers at discounted prices. It&rsquo;s a symbiotic relationship, with the brand names happy to move not-moving inventory while customers get quality products for less.



I like to think that everyone wins and that may especially be the case if inflation continues to rise higher. That&rsquo;s because with higher costs, companies will be looking to cut overhead. We&rsquo;ve already seen major technology enterprises issue pink slips despite the innovation ecosystem benefiting from major equity booms. Bottom line, people will be out looking for new jobs. So, they&rsquo;re going to need to dress up their office attire &ndash; and cheaply.



For me, Ross Stores is practically a no-brainer investment. Last fiscal year, the company&rsquo;s average positive earnings surprise came out to nearly 9%. This year, experts are looking for EPS of $5.94, an improvement over last year&rsquo;s $5.56. Also, revenue should hit $21.25 billion, up 4.3% year-over-year.



<h2>Costco (COST)</h2>



<div><img width="300" height="169" src="https://investorplace.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/cost1600-300x169.jpg" alt="A Costco Wholesale (COST) warehouse in Auburn Hills, Michigan."><div>Source: ilzesgimene / Shutterstock.com</div></div>In my opinion, membership-only big-box retailer Costco (NASDAQ:<a href="https://investorplace.com/stock-quotes/cost-stock-quote/">COST</a>) practically sells itself as one of the boring stocks to buy. If you visit any Costco, it absolutely is boring. It&rsquo;s a suburban utopia or perdition, depending on your perspective. Still, what I love about COST stock is that the underlying enterprise commands a high-income membership base.



If inflation gets out of control, Costco shoppers will likely be the last to be impacted severely. These are not paycheck-to-paycheck type of folks. Rather, they&rsquo;re rebalancing their 401K people. It&rsquo;s a more sophisticated consumer base, to put it diplomatically. And that often equates to higher educational attainment along with bigger salaries.



Now, Costco did incur a bum note for the quarter ended May 30, 2023. However, in the three quarters since then, the average positive earnings surprise came out to 4.83%. Looking to the current fiscal year, experts project EPS of $16.16, above last year&rsquo;s $14.16.



Also, revenue should hit $254.17 billion, up 4.9% YOY. And fiscal 2025&rsquo;s revenue could be $272.34 billion. It&rsquo;s a compelling example of boring stocks to buy.



<h2>Ollie&rsquo;s Bargain Outlet (OLLI)</h2>



<div><img width="300" height="169" src="https://investorplace.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/olli-stock-1-300x169.jpg" alt="The exterior of an Ollie's Bargain outlet retail location"><div>Source: George Sheldon / Shutterstock.com</div></div>Of course, not everyone has the luxury of shopping at Costco or wants to. And as we&rsquo;ve seen with the <a href="https://techcrunch.com/2024/04/05/tech-layoffs-2023-list/">tech layoffs</a>, even lifelong Costco shoppers might not be so safe. For these and myriad other reasons, we have Ollie&rsquo;s Bargain Outlet (NASDAQ:<a href="https://investorplace.com/stock-quotes/olli-stock-quote/">OLLI</a>). If you&rsquo;re worried about the impact that inflation might have on your portfolio, OLLI stock should be watched closely.



Yes, there are competing discount dollar stores. Arguably, most of them stink when stacked against Ollie&rsquo;s. In part, that&rsquo;s because the company features <a href="https://www.tipranks.com/news/article/why-ollies-bargain-outlet-stock-nasdaqolli-is-outperforming-its-rivals">higher margins</a> compared to pure-play discount dollar stores. Stated differently, the discount specialists may be discounting too much, thus ironically hurting the business. Also, Ollie&rsquo;s has the advantage of offering name-brand products but at a cheaper price.



Predictably, the financial performance is strong. In fiscal 2023, Ollie&rsquo;s posted an average earnings surprise of 8.6% above analysts&rsquo; expectations. For the current fiscal year, experts believe that EPS will reach $3.18, above last year&rsquo;s result of $2.91.



Lastly, revenue could hit $2.27 billion, 7.7% above last year&rsquo;s $2.1 billion in sales. It&rsquo;s one of the boring stocks to buy.



<h2>Microsoft (MSFT)</h2>



<div><img width="300" height="169" src="https://investorplace.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/msft1600-1-300x169.png" alt="Microsoft logo close up. Microsoft (MSFT) Flagship Store Fifth Avenue, Manhattan, NYC."><div>Source: The Art of Pics / Shutterstock.com</div></div>There are many reasons to acquire shares of Microsoft (NASDAQ:<a href="https://investorplace.com/stock-quotes/msft-stock-quote/">MSFT</a>). Not only that, some might object to calling MSFT one of the boring stocks to buy because of its investments. Microsoft has poured in billions in artificial intelligence and that has clearly paid dividends (in a metaphorical sense &ndash; no one&rsquo;s celebrating its measly 0.7% forward yield).



However, the reason that I do like MSFT under the context of this article is very much boring. Yes, AI, schmay-I&hellip;what I&rsquo;m looking at is its Software as a Service (SaaS). Specifically, its Microsoft Office 365 may see increased demand due to the expansion of the gig economy. You see, with many people being laid off, some might not be so eager to climb the corporate ladder again.



Indeed, I bet that many folks will instead look to forging their own path as independent contractors. It&rsquo;s one of the many reasons why the gig economy could expand at a compound annual growth rate of 16.18% to <a href="https://www.businessresearchinsights.com/market-reports/gig-economy-market-102503">hit a valuation of $1.86 trillion by 2031</a>.



Analysts are looking for Microsoft to produce EPS of $11.65 on revenue of $244.22 billion. These numbers may be foregone conclusions.



<h2>Sempra (SRE)</h2>



<div><img width="300" height="169" src="https://investorplace.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/sre-sempra-energy-1600-300x169.png" alt="The logo for Sempra (SRE) is seen at the top of an office building."><div>Source: Michael Vi / Shutterstock.com</div></div>One of the easy names to consider when it comes to boring stocks to buy, Sempra (NYSE:<a href="https://investorplace.com/stock-quotes/sre-stock-quote/">SRE</a>) is a utility giant. It focuses on key markets in Southern California, particularly San Diego. Fundamentally, Sempra benefits from two bullish catalysts. Number one, it enjoys a natural monopoly. The business is entrenched and would-be competitors face a mountain of barriers such as regulatory considerations.



Number two, Sempra benefits from favorable population dynamics. Yes, the Southern California real estate market is red hot, arguably overpriced. Yet San Diego in particular continues to see <a href="https://www.macrotrends.net/global-metrics/cities/23129/san-diego/population#:~:text=The%20current%20metro%20area%20population,a%200.7%25%20increase%20from%202021.">rising population growth</a> and this expansion <a href="https://www.axios.com/local/san-diego/2023/08/14/san-diego-population-decline-forecast">might not abate until 2042</a>. You know what that means? A darn long upside pathway.



So, when analysts project current fiscal year EPS to hit $4.80 (an improvement over last year&rsquo;s $4.61), I believe it. When they state, though, that revenue will decline 1% year-over-year to $16.55 billion, I don&rsquo;t believe it. The fundamental stats suggest otherwise.



Even if you don&rsquo;t assume growth, Sempra&rsquo;s forward yield of 3.53% adds to the overall bullish case. It&rsquo;s one of the boring stocks to buy.



<h2>Philip Morris (PM)</h2>



<div><img width="300" height="169" src="https://investorplace.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/pm-1600-300x169.png" alt="Philip Morris factory offices in Lithuania. PM stock."><div>Source: Vytautas Kielaitis / Shutterstock</div></div>Ah yes, the controversial Philip Morris (NYSE:<a href="https://investorplace.com/stock-quotes/pm-stock-quote/">PM</a>). As a tobacco giant, Philip Morris may be one of the boring stocks to buy. However, it generates excitement in the political realm (though not of the good kind). With anti-tobacco advocacy groups performing an excellent job of awareness of the underlying commodity&rsquo;s health risks, PM stock seems an unusually silly investment.



Yes, traditional cigarette-smoking stats don&rsquo;t necessarily augur well for the tobacco ecosystem. However, the fading prevalence doesn&rsquo;t mean that there are no tobacco users whatsoever. Further, as the world becomes more diverse, prevalence rates may change due to shifting cultural standards. Also, Philip Morris stands to benefit from the <a href="https://www.aafp.org/news/health-of-the-public/young-adults-e-cigarettes.html#:~:text=Estimates%20of%20annual%20National%20Health,from%2015.5%20million%20products%20per">enormous popularity of vaping</a>. Like it or not, that&rsquo;s a big catalyst for PM.



Subsequently, analysts are calling for EPS of $6.40 on sales of $37.24 billion for the current fiscal year. Last year, the stats were $6.01 EPS on revenue of $35.25 billion. That&rsquo;s a decent improvement and believable based on elements such as vaping.



Plus, the company pays a nice forward dividend of 5.64%.



On the date of publication, Josh Enomoto did not have (either directly or indirectly) any positions in the securities mentioned in this article.&nbsp;The opinions expressed in this article are those of the writer, subject to the InvestorPlace.com&nbsp;<a href="https://investorplace.com/corporate/investorplace-publishing-guidelines/" target="_blank">Publishing Guidelines</a>.
<div>A former senior business analyst for Sony Electronics, Josh Enomoto has helped broker major contracts with Fortune Global 500 companies. Over the past several years, he has delivered unique, critical insights for the investment markets, as well as various other industries including legal, construction management, and healthcare. Tweet him at @EnomotoMedia.</div><h3>More From InvestorPlace</h3>
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Ollie's Bargain Outlet: Beneficiary Of This Tough Macro Backdrop

Craig-Hallum analyst Jeremy Hamblin maintained a Buy rating on Ollie's Bargain Outlet Holding (OLLI – Research Report) today. The company's shares ...

Craig-Hallum Remains a Buy on Ollie's Bargain Outlet Holding (OLLI)

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Press Releases

Ollie's Bargain Outlet Holdings, Inc. Reports Second Quarter Fiscal 2023 Financial Results

Ollie's Bargain Outlet Holdings, Inc. Announces Participation in the Piper Sandler Growth Frontiers Conference

OLLIE'S CELEBRATES CONSTRUCTION MILESTONE AT NEW PRINCETON DISTRIBUTION CENTER

OLLIE'S OPENS FIRST IOWA STORE AND RAISES MONEY FOR UNIVERSITY OF IOWA STEAD FAMILY CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL

OLLIE'S CELEBRATES 500th STORE OPENING AND CONSTRUCTION MILESTONE OF ITS NEW ILLINOIS DISTRIBUTION CENTER

Ollie's Bargain Outlet Holdings, Inc. Announces Third Quarter Fiscal 2023 Release Date and Conference Call Information

Management

Ollie's Bargain Outlet Holdings, Inc. Expands Board of Directors with the Appointment of Mary Baglivo

Ollie's Bargain Outlet Holdings, Inc. Reports Third Quarter Fiscal 2023 Financial Results

Ollie's Bargain Outlet Holdings, Inc. Announces Fourth Quarter and Full-Year Fiscal 2023 Release Date and Conference Call Information

Ollie's Bargain Outlet Holdings, Inc. Reports Fourth Quarter and Fiscal 2023 Financial Results

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Ollie's Bargain Outlet Stock (NASDAQ:OLLI), Short Interest Report

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