5 Top Stocks for April

Also check out three approaches to investing in the CBD trend, brush up on changes to retirement accounts, and more. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ [View this email in your browser]( Although we just finished celebrating our favorite holiday here at Fool HQ — April Fools' Day — a new month means new suggestions for stocks to watch. This week, you can also check out three different approaches to investing in the CBD trend, brush up on changes to retirement accounts, and more. — Katie Carrera, Stock Up Editor 5 Top Stocks for April --------------------------------------------------------------- Here are a few companies that our contributors are keeping a close eye on this month. - Disney ([NYSE:DIS]( Its recently completed acquisition of Fox's entertainment assets puts all the pieces in place for Disney to dominate entertainment for another generation. By the end of the year it will have three streaming services under its umbrella: ESPN+, Disney+, and Hulu, which it now owns 60% of thanks to the Fox deal. Its cable and broadcasting businesses have struggled, but Disney's theme parks and studio segments continue to experience strong growth. - ExxonMobil ([NYSE:XOM]( buying stocks when they're down and out is a well-established way to find long-term success, and the oil giant has certainly been going through a rough patch. The multiple to tangible book value on the company's shares has dropped to its lowest levels in 30 years. But ExxonMobil is fighting back, boosting capital expenditures and moving in pursuit of its long-term (2025) goals. April has traditionally provided a catalyst for the company's shares in the form of a dividend increase as well. - LGI Homes ([NASDAQ:LGIH]( Roughly a year ago most on Wall Street ran away from homebuilders as fast as they could amid signs that pointed to a weakening housing market. In recent weeks, though, mortgage interest rates have dropped and other macroeconomic tailwinds make LGI Homes compelling. Despite the better outlook and management's solid track record of growing sales in any environment, its shares still trade at only nine times earnings. [Read the rest]( for more on these companies and two other stocks to consider. --------------------------------------------------------------- Already subscribed to a premium service? [Click here]( to view your subscriptions. Not a member yet? [Click here]( to sign up! --------------------------------------------------------------- Watch: Tax Tips for 2018 and 2019 --------------------------------------------------------------- [Watch: Last Minute Tax Tips]( Tax day is fast approaching and our in-house tax experts Megan Brinsfield and Robert Brokamp recently offered tips and answered audience questions about everything from where to find forms, how IRAs impact tax situations, and more. This is for educational use only and should not be considered tax advice. For individualized tax advice and planning, please consult your personal accountant. --------------------------------------------------------------- [Green Jester Cap Logo] This success metric changes everything! Companies are getting more creative when it comes to reframing the narrative around their results. For our annual April Fools' Day joke, we offered up some [innovative ideas for metrics companies can use]( when the usual ones aren't painting a picture that management likes. --------------------------------------------------------------- 3 Ways to Invest in the CBD Craze Within the broad marijuana industry are several subcategories that could grow at a faster pace than the overall market itself. Cannabidiol (CBD) products is one of those key niches. Global sales of CBD, a nonpsychoactive cannabinoid known for its perceived health benefits, are expected to soar from $591 million last year to $22 billion by 2022. CBD extracts command a higher price point and create a better profit margin than traditional dried cannabis, making them particularly appealing to companies and investors. Here are three companies that offer different approaches, depending on how much you want to wade into this trend. - The direct player: Charlotte's Web Holdings ([NASDAQOTH:CWBHF]( is a hemp-derived CBD producer and distributor. It's also one of only a few marijuana stocks that are profitable on an operating basis. - The ancillary player: For investors who would rather not jump into the middle of the market, consider KushCo Holdings ([NASDAQOTH:KSHB]( which provides packaging and branding for more than 5,000 marijuana growers worldwide. It also manufactures hydrocarbon gases and solvents, which are necessary to produce cannabis oils and concentrates. - The arm's-distance player: On the other end of the spectrum, there's CVS Health ([NYSE:CVS](. America's largest pharmacy chain plans to sell CBD products in 800 locations in eight states. But CBD products will only generate a small fraction (less than 1%) of sales, so be sure to examine the company's other initiatives as well. [Read the rest]( for more on each of these companies. --------------------------------------------------------------- [Smart Speaker] Not sure what to ask your smart speaker? Keep up with what's happening in the market by adding our daily flash briefing to your home assistant. Just look for The Motley Fool on your Amazon Alexa or Google Home app, click subscribe, and then you're good to go. --------------------------------------------------------------- Long Read: 9 Changes for 401(k)s and IRAs in 2019 If you're saving for retirement, chances are you have a 401(k) or IRA account. The tax advantages they offer can boost the final size of your nest egg by tens or even hundreds of thousands of dollars, while giving you flexibility for how to invest over the long term. But every year, there are rule changes that affect these two popular types of retirement plan accounts. While some are minor adjustments, some can have a substantial impact on the way you use your retirement accounts. To help you make the most of your savings, [we're breaking down the myriad changes]( in place for this year including contribution limits, income limits for tax deductions on certain accounts, and more. --------------------------------------------------------------- FEATURED PODCAST --------------------------------------------------------------- [Industry Focus]( An Interview With Sallie Krawcheck The Ellevest CEO and co-founder joined host Jason Moser to discuss her time working on Wall Street, and her efforts to empower women in business and as investors. [Subscribe on iTunes]( --------------------------------------------------------------- Easily track your favorite stocks with our new browser extension for Google Chrome. [Add it to Chrome by going here]( then open a new tab and use the "Manage Tickers" button to customize the page with your favorite stocks. --------------------------------------------------------------- Quick Reads - [One investor's case against Chipotle:]( A longtime shareholder explains why he's ready to move on from the fast-casual chain. - [These 3 ETFs are soaring:]( Examine the best-performing ETFs from the first quarter of 2019. - [How Ford is making GM's CEO look smart:]( One automaker decided to shut down operations underperforming global markets. The other pushed forward in search of growth. Only one paid off. --------------------------------------------------------------- TWEET OF THE WEEK --------------------------------------------------------------- [Focus on managing risk and accept the returns that go along with your tolerance for it. #FoolishAdvice]( [See all our Tweets]( Join the 1,300,000+ people who follow us! 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