The Cheapest Stocks in America

11 Apr 2026 · 34 min
Episode

11 Apr 2026 · 34 min

0:00

In this episode of the Baron Streetwise Podcast, host Jack Hough (with producer Jackson Cantrell) opens with a VanEck Real Assets ETF advertisement and a light‑hearted discussion about Fireball candy, capsaicin, and the controversy over artificial food colorants. The conversation pivots to a deep dive into the shift from synthetic dyes to natural alternatives, highlighting Sensient Technologies (SXT) and its vertical integration, the insect‑derived carmine dye, and the broader market pressure from consumers, regulators, and retailers to phase out Red 40 and Yellow 5. The core of the episode is a screen of the ten lowest price‑to‑earnings (PE) stocks in the S&P 500. Hough explains the methodology, warns that low PE is not a guarantee of performance, and shares historical back‑testing results that show outsized returns over the past decade. He then reviews each stock, providing context on why they appear cheap, recent earnings growth, sector trends, and potential risks: - Micron Technology (memory chips) – AI‑driven demand, earnings exploding, PE ~4.4. - Western Digital – storage demand from AI data centers, historic 1,000% gain. - United Rentals – equipment‑leasing model benefiting from borrowing trends (now off the list). - General Motors – low PE, strong cash flow from trucks/SUVs. - Delta and United Airlines – cash‑rich airlines despite jet‑fuel price spikes. - Global Payments & Fiserv – fintech payment processors with high debt but free cash flow. - Prudential Financial & Everest Re – insurance firms where PE is less informative than price‑to‑book. - Charter Communications – cable/broadband transition pressures. - GenDigital – merged cybersecurity firms, high debt, AI‑related risk. - AES – utility with a pending BlackRock‑led buyout. - Viatris – former Mylan/EpiPen company, rebranded, modest earnings growth. Throughout, Hough mixes humor, personal anecdotes (Fireball consumption, childhood red‑coat costume), and occasional side‑bars (Anthropic AI security bug story). The episode ends with a call for listener questions, a playful “Wicked Tuna” video‑game recommendation, and a final VanEck Real Assets pitch. The content provides a blend of macro commentary, specific company fundamentals, and the host’s personal perspective, aimed at individual investors seeking contrarian ideas.

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