Two Stocks the Grown-Ups Missed

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Now, listen closely. The grown-ups, the ones who think they know everything about the Stock Market (which is a terribly silly place, really), are all bustling about, convinced the whole shebang is zooming upwards. A bit like lemmings, if you ask me. But they’ve missed a trick, you see. A rather splendid, profitable trick. Certain corners of this market are looking a bit…wobbly. The software lot, in particular. They’re all in a fluster about this newfangled ‘Artificial Intelligence’ – a sort of electronic brain, they say – gobbling up their profits. Poppycock, I say! A bit of a scare, perhaps, but a golden opportunity for those with a clear head…and a fondness for a bargain.

These two companies, Motorola Solutions and Roper Technologies, have been unfairly thumped about like old boots. The grown-ups are selling, convinced doom is nigh. But I, being a rather observant sort, see something different. I see value. I see…potential. Let’s have a look, shall we?

Motorola Solutions: Not Just Walkie-Talkies, You Know

Motorola Solutions, now, they’ve been around a while. Not just making those walkie-talkies your grandfather used (though they still do a roaring trade in those, apparently – very handy when the electricity goes pop!). They’ve become rather clever, actually. They’re building systems for emergencies, for police, for anyone who needs to communicate when things get a bit…sticky. They’ve got these marvelous networks, more than 13,000 of them, all over the world. If a hurricane blows the cell towers to smithereens, these networks keep chugging along. Very sensible. And they’re moving into video security and command centers – watching over things, keeping an eye on the mischief. They’re becoming the dependable sort, like a sturdy old bulldog.

And the best part? They’re rather good at spending money. They’ve gobbled up 30 smaller companies, all sorts of clever little bits and bobs, and somehow managed to make a handsome profit from each one. It’s a bit like a magpie collecting shiny things, but with a purpose. They even pay a dividend – a little something for shareholders – and they’ve been increasing it for 14 years. A very generous bird, indeed.

They’re expanding, you see, into all sorts of new markets. And their video and command center businesses are growing at a tremendous rate. They’re only 28% international, which means there’s plenty of room for growth. Their shares have dipped 20%, making them a bargain for those of us who aren’t afraid of a little risk. And 72% of their orders are for software and services – the good stuff. A solid investment, I’d say. A very solid investment.

Roper Technologies: A Shape-Shifting Marvel

Now, Roper Technologies has had a bit of a bumpy ride. The grown-ups have been muttering about AI threats, and the share price has tumbled a good 32%. They earn most of their money from software, you see, and the grown-ups are convinced that AI will gobble it all up. Nonsense, I say! Roper is a shape-shifter, a clever chameleon. They’ve been around for ages, and they’ve reinvented themselves time and time again.

They’re a bit like collectors, Roper are. They buy up smaller software companies, all sorts of specialized little businesses. They recently bought Subsplash, which helps churches manage their finances (rather important, that), and CentralReach, which helps people with autism. They don’t make flashy gadgets, Roper. They make the things that keep the world ticking over, quietly and efficiently. They’ve been around since 1992 and turned a single pound into 254! That’s quite a trick.

And they pay a dividend, too. They’ve been increasing it for 33 years! And it’s growing at 15% a year. They’ve even got $3 billion to buy back their own shares – a clever way of boosting the price. So, while the grown-ups are panicking, I’m happily snapping up shares. It’s a discount, you see. A perfectly splendid discount.

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2026-01-23 13:55