Barron's Picks And Pans: Crispr, McDonald's, Nikola And More

• This weekend's Barron's cover story examines the prospects for electric truck makers.
• Other featured articles look at companies seeking a cure for sickle cell, risks associated with mortgage REITs and a bubble forming in hydrogen fuel-cell stocks.
• Also, the prospects for a troubled California utility, a tobacco pick, a fast-food giant and more.

Cover story "Electric Trucks Are the Future. The Stocks Are for the Bold." by Al Root suggests that though speculative fervor has sent shares of electric-truck makers like Nikola Corporation NKLA soaring, competition is stiff and Tesla-like returns may prove elusive.

Bill Alpert's "These Companies Are Seeking a Cure for Sickle Cell" points out that successful treatments would demonstrate the potential for gene therapy and boost biotech companies like Crispr Therapeutics AG CRSP.

In "PG&E Looks Undervalued After Exiting Bankruptcy," Alexandra Scaggs shows why California utility PG&E Corporation PCG is cheap relative to its peers, but it's difficult to assess how much of its discount is warranted.

The Chevron Corporation CVX acquisition of Noble Energy, Inc. NBL appears to be a one-off, according to "The Pandemic Has Hit Oil Stocks. Chevron's Deal Isn't Enough to Change That" by Avi Salzman.

In Bill Alpert's "There's a Bubble Forming in Hydrogen Fuel-Cell Stocks," see why Barron's thinks that stocks of Ballard Power Systems Inc BLDP, Plug Power Inc PLUG and other makers of hydrogen fuel cells are in danger of jackknifing.

See Also: Is Now The Time To Short Tesla's Stock?

"Tobacco and ESG? One Cigarette Maker Sees a Perfect Match" by Jack Hough takes a look at why Philip Morris International Inc. PM, aiming to build a smoke-free future, recasts itself as an ESG (environmental, social and governance) play. Will investors buy it?

Companies like Annaly Capital Management, Inc. NLY use leverage to boost returns, and some have cut dividends due to the pandemic. So says Lawrence C. Strauss's "Mortgage REITs Carry Double-Digit Yields — and the Risks That Come With Such Yields."

In "Americans Are Antsy. McDonald's Stock Could Get a Boost From the Drive-Through Window," Ben Levisohn makes a case that hard-hit Mcdonald's Corp MCD stock could see improvement as Americans get sick of staying at home.