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THE MONEY IDEA💡
4 Stocks to Buy in January 2026
Welcome, we are {{active_subscriber_count}} Money Masters and counting!
As 2026 gets underway, the market is still being driven by two forces at the same time. AI momentum is powerful, but valuations are no longer forgiving. That means the best opportunities are starting to show up in places where expectations are lower, cash flows are durable, and discounts to intrinsic value are easier to defend.
This is not a year to chase everything.
It is a year to build positions with intention.
Market Mood: Constructive but Selective 🔍
Conviction Level: ●●●●○ (4/5)
When markets are near fair value, your edge comes from pricing discipline.
We’ve opened the Money Masters Community for readers who want to think beyond weekly market moves and sharpen long term investing judgment.
It’s a focused space for disciplined investors who value clarity over noise.
Now let’s dive in↓
The best buys rarely look popular when you first start building them.
THE MONEY IDEA💡
4 Stocks to Buy in January 2026
Bottom Line: A narrow moat oilfield services leader with valuable data advantages trading at a discount in a sector that has quietly reset.
Rebuild Tailwind: Venezuela’s infrastructure needs long duration projects that favor scaled service providers.
Best Value in the Group: SLB screens cheaper than key peers even after a recent move higher.
Data Edge: Proprietary subsurface and production data becomes more valuable as AI improves drilling efficiency.
Moat Support: Switching costs and cost advantages help protect share in complex projects.
Cycle Exposure: High uncertainty comes with the commodity cycle, but the valuation helps cushion it.
Do This Next: Build SLB gradually and treat it as a discounted energy services compounder, not a short term oil trade.
Bottom Line: A wide moat global snacking leader trading at a meaningful discount with a dividend that pays you to wait.
Brand Strength: A large portion of the portfolio is holding or gaining share despite pressure on consumers.
Pricing Reset: Food companies have been in a margin fight, and Mondelez is positioned to normalize over time.
Emerging Markets Mix: Higher international exposure offers growth without needing perfection in the US consumer.
Earnings Setup: Morningstar expects earnings growth to improve as costs stabilize and volumes recover.
Income While You Wait: A solid dividend yield supports patience through the cycle.
Do This Next: Accumulate MDLZ as a defensive growth holding that can compound even if markets get choppy.
Bottom Line: A regulated utility with low uncertainty, an improving growth profile, and optional upside as data center demand expands.
Regulated Stability: Predictable returns make the business model more resilient than most sectors.
Capex Growth Plan: A larger multi year investment plan supports longer term earnings growth.
Data Center Benefit: Not a pure AI play, but the load growth backdrop is improving.
Dividend Support: A steady yield helps smooth total returns when volatility rises.
Rate Sensitivity: If long term yields ease, utilities often re rate higher.
Do This Next: Use LNT as a steady compounder and income anchor with upside if power demand accelerates.
Bottom Line: A discounted global ad agency with scale advantages in a consolidating industry where expectations are already low.
Valuation Gap: Shares trade at a large discount, reflecting disruption fears that may already be priced in.
Scale Matters: Advertising is getting more complex, and large platforms are better positioned to manage omnichannel needs.
Consolidation Tailwind: Industry consolidation favors firms with breadth, data, and client relationships.
Cash Flow Profile: Mature agency models can generate steady cash for dividends and buybacks.
AI Overhang: AI may pressure margins, but the stock price reflects a more cautious future already.
Do This Next: Treat OMC as a value position sized for uncertainty, where rerating can drive returns if fears cool.
MEME CORNER😁
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ACTION PLAN✅
Let’s Make Money Today!
Quick Money: January is for building positions while everyone else is still reacting to headlines.
$SLB ( ▼ 0.85% ): Add on weakness and let the energy services rebuild cycle do the heavy lifting.
$MDLZ ( ▲ 0.12% ): Accumulate as a defensive compounder with a dividend that rewards patience.
$LNT ( ▲ 0.3% ): Hold for steady cash flows and optional upside from rising power demand.
$OMC ( ▲ 0.82% ): Size small, buy cheap, and let valuation do the work if sentiment improves.
If you’re looking for more smart, actionable ideas beyond this week’s picks, we’ve gathered a short list of other high-quality newsletters worth your time.
See our curated picks here — practical insights on money, work, and life from trusted sources.
Optional Deep Dive
For those looking for a longer-term framework to navigate pullbacks, rate cycles, and uncertainty, The Money Path breaks down the process step by step.
QUOTE CORNER📄
Quote of The Week
-Philip Fisher
AI in HR? It’s happening now.
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The Content is for informational purposes only, you should not construe any such information or other material as legal, tax, investment, financial, or other advice.