President-elect Trump's Stance and Ohio's Response
Currently, President-elect Trump has largely condemned electric vehicles, advocating for their removal from mandates. Ohio Senator-elect Bernie Moreno stated during his election acceptance speech in November that EV mandates should be abolished at the federal level, allowing consumers to choose the cars they want. In Ohio, if you buy an all-electric vehicle, you face an additional $200 fee each time you register and renew your vehicle. This fee was set several years ago as hybrids and electric cars don't require frequent trips to gas stations, and the gas tax is the main source of funding for road maintenance.Arguments for and against EV FeesGrace Gallucci, executive director and CEO at the Northeast Ohio Area Coordinating Agency (NOACA), explained the dilemma. "There is an argument on both sides. We should ensure everyone pays their fair share for using the road network throughout the state. On the other hand, we want to encourage EVs due to their positive impact on air quality. Perhaps the fees should be lowered or even removed altogether," she said.NOACA is using state and federal dollars to add more than 100 EV charging stations along popular roadways over the next several years. This shows Ohio's efforts to catch up and become more competitive in the modern infrastructure era.The Role of Electrical ContractorsJose Ramos and his team at Alternalite, an electrical contractor specializing in EV charging installations, are playing a crucial role. They are helping install dozens of chargers as part of the effort to eliminate charging deserts and keep up with the market. Currently, more than 50% of their business is EV installations. Ramos noted that Ohio is somewhat behind in this regard and there is still a long way to go to make EV drivers feel comfortable enough to make the purchase.EV Ownership Experience of Brandon AndrewBrandon Andrew made the switch to an EV two months ago and is now adapting to the lifestyle. He finds it a bit challenging but also fun to think differently. He has to be more forward-thinking and know in advance if there are chargers in certain places and the current battery status. However, he has done the math and still expects to save more by not buying gas. He doesn't see the fundamental differences as others do; he believes the car drives like a regular car, just drawing power from a different source.Ohio's Ranking in EV RegistrationOhio ranks 17th in the nation when it comes to registered EVs on the road, with over 50,000 registered EV vehicles. This indicates the growing popularity and potential of EVs in the state.Clay LePard is a special projects reporter at News 5 Cleveland. Follow him on Twitter @ClayLePard, on Facebook Clay LePard News 5 or email him at Clay.LePard@WEWS.com.Download the News 5 Cleveland app now for more stories and alerts. Download on your Apple device here and your Android device here. You can also catch News 5 Cleveland on Roku, Apple TV, Amazon Fire TV, YouTube TV, DIRECTV NOW, Hulu Live and more. We're also on Amazon Alexa devices. Learn more about our streaming options here.Lotus Leads the Charge in Electric Mobility
Vision80 Strategy: Integrating Advanced Technologies
Part of Lotus's Vision80 Strategy, the brand is integrating a plethora of cutting-edge technologies. The Internet of Things (IoT), machine learning, generative AI, and connected car features such as autonomous driving, infotainment, and fast charging are all set to be incorporated into its lineup by 2028. AWS will serve as the behind-the-scenes cloud provider, enabling seamless integration and enhanced functionality.Lotus already has a diverse range of EV options. The Eletre Carbon SUV starts at $229,900, and the upcoming 2025 Emeya Hyper-GT sedan is on the horizon. Additionally, the company's first EV, the $2.3 million Evija hypercar with only 130 examples, showcases its commitment to luxury and performance. A few months ago, Lotus presented its Theory 1 EV concept performance car, and there are plans for a hybrid version of the $99,900 Emira sports car, which serves as a farewell to the company's connection with internal combustion engine vehicles introduced in 2021.Geely, a Chinese company with stakes in Volvo and Polestar, acquired Lotus in 2017, marking a new era of electrification for the brand. AWS will primarily focus on Lotus's self-driving software, called ROBO, which is designed for autonomous highway driving and self-parking. This includes real-time traffic data and mapping, ensuring a safe and efficient driving experience. There is also ROBO Galaxy for fleet management, providing comprehensive control and optimization.Lotus Connect will run on AWS, enabling a wide range of connected vehicle features. From remote control and digital keys to geofencing, status monitoring, vehicle tracking for maintenance, roadside assistance, and stolen vehicle recovery, AWS works seamlessly with iPhone and Apple Watch users to provide the Lotus Digital Key from their Apple Wallet.On the more practical side, Lotus will utilize AWS for analytics and web services. This includes online car shopping with a 3D configurator, allowing customers to visualize different trim packages, colors, accessories, and designs. Connected cars have become the norm, with more than 90% of cars sold in the U.S. being connected as of 2020, especially in conjunction with all-electric vehicles like the upcoming and new Lotus models.The integration of these advanced technologies and the partnership with AWS position Lotus at the forefront of the electric vehicle revolution. It showcases the brand's commitment to innovation, luxury, and performance, setting it apart in the highly competitive automotive market. Lotus is not just building cars; it is creating a new era of mobility.Uncover the Value in Undervalued Stocks
Murphy Oil (MUR)
The stock price of Murphy Oil Corporation currently stands at $30.02. It boasts a forward PE ratio of 8.7, a PB ratio of 0.88, and a ROE of 10.3%. With a debt/equity ratio of 0.40 and a forward dividend yield of 4%, it also shows a remarkable TTM free cash flow growth of 55.6% and a price target upside of 36.3%. Murphy Oil explores and produces crude oil, natural gas, and natural gas liquids. The company has production assets in offshore and onshore Canada, the Gulf of Mexico, and Texas. Its exploration efforts are focused on the Gulf of Mexico, Vietnam, and Cote d’Ivoire. Murphy Oil is in the process of transitioning to reduce debt, improve production efficiency, enhance exploration results, and increase shareholder returns. The company recently restructured senior debt and increased its unsecured credit availability while seeing promising exploration results in Vietnam. Although some analysts have lowered their MUR price targets in recent months, the consensus price target is still about 30% higher than the stock’s trading price. The company pays a good dividend yield above 3.5% and has repurchased $300 million of stock so far in 2024.
Investors considering Murphy Oil should understand the business model and potential volatility associated with the company. As a mid-cap in the oil and gas industry, it offers unique opportunities and risks.
Star Bulk Carriers (SBLK)
Star Bulk Carriers has a stock price of $15.88. It has a forward PE ratio of 8.7, a PB ratio of 0.77, and a ROE of 14.0%. With a debt/equity ratio of 0.59 and a forward dividend yield of 15.1%, it also shows a TTM free cash flow growth of 24.9% and a price target upside of 57.4%. Star Bulk Carriers is a large dry bulk shipping company that transports large quantities of unpackaged commodities. The company recently merged with former competitor Eagle Bulk in April 2024, solidifying its leadership position in dry bulk shipping. With an optimistic outlook on market conditions, Star Bulk remains focused on efficiency and smart capital allocation. The company recently sold off part of its fleet to capitalize on high vessel values and used the proceeds to repurchase shares for less than book value. SBLK also pays a huge dividend yield of about 17%. However, it’s important to note that the company’s dividend has fluctuated between $0.22 quarterly and $0.75 quarterly in the last two years.
Investors should carefully evaluate the potential and risks of investing in Star Bulk Carriers, considering its position in the dry bulk shipping industry.
Dorian LPG Ltd. (LPG)
The stock price of Dorian LPG Ltd. is $22.61. It has a forward PE ratio of 7.9, a PB ratio of 0.92, and a ROE of 23.9%. With a debt/equity ratio of 0.69 and a forward dividend yield of 17.7%, it also shows a TTM free cash flow growth of 24.3% and a price target upside of 90.2%. Dorian LPG transports liquified petroleum gas through owned gas carriers called VLGCs. The company’s 25-ship fleet has a carrying capacity of roughly 2.1 million cbm and has locations in the U.S., Greece, Denmark, and Singapore. LPG stock has lost half its value since May 2024 due to consecutive quarters of sales and earnings declines. Extreme weather incidents and overcapacity issues in China have influenced the decline. However, the pullback creates a buying opportunity for thick-skinned investors. As with every pick on this list, LPG is trading below book value and pays a generous dividend. The company has been paying quarterly “irregular” dividends of $1 or more since early 2022. At the current stock price, the yield is 17%.
Investors should assess the risks and potential of Dorian LPG Ltd. in the context of the LPG shipping market.
Global Ship Lease, Inc. (GSL)
Global Ship Lease has a stock price of $22.25. It has a forward PE ratio of 2.4, a PB ratio of 0.57, and a ROE of 26.0%. With a debt/equity ratio of 0.49 and a forward dividend yield of 8.1%, it also shows a TTM free cash flow growth of 105.7% and a price target upside of 30.3%. Global Ship Lease owns small and mid-sized containerships that are leased to shipping companies under fixed-rate time charters. The company has outpaced earnings expectations for six consecutive quarters, with similar revenue performance except for a slight miss in the most recent quarter. GSL’s fixed-rate contract business model provides reasonable visibility, enables high utilization rates for its fleet, and supports a healthy dividend. GSL currently has contracts for 76% of 2025 and 49% of 2026. Fleet utilization year to date in 2024 is 96.7%. The go-forward quarterly dividend of $0.45 equates to an 8% yield, and given the company’s reasonable payout ratio of 20%, the dividend looks to be sustainable.
Investors should analyze the prospects and risks of Global Ship Lease, Inc. in the shipping industry.
Berry (BRY)
The stock price of Berry is $3.90. It has a forward PE ratio of 5.8, a PB ratio of 0.44, and a ROE of 11.6%. With a debt/equity ratio of 0.59 and a forward dividend yield of 3.1%, it also shows a TTM free cash flow growth of 23.0% and a price target upside of 28.2%. Berry is a California-based oil and gas explorer that primarily develops premium assets with low geologic risk in California’s San Joaquin Basin and Utah’s Uinta Basin. The company has recently refinanced its upcoming debt maturities, brought new wells online to increase production, and increased its free cash flow. However, three consecutive quarters of disappointing earnings have beaten down the stock price. Berry does pay a dividend, but it has been inconsistent. The most recent quarterly dividend of $0.03 equates to a yield of 2.9%.
Investors should consider the potential and challenges of Berry in the oil and gas exploration sector.
Undervalued stocks can be a valuable addition to a portfolio, but careful analysis and diversification are essential. These five stocks offer unique opportunities in different sectors of the financial markets. By understanding their business models and potential, investors can make informed decisions and potentially benefit from the undervalued nature of these stocks.