A Few Pennies Worth: Stocks for the Discerning Investor

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Now, a fellow can get a bit lost in the mists of the market, what with all the figures and forecasts flying about. One starts to believe that a sound investment is a bit like chasing a greased pig at a village fête – thrilling, perhaps, but ultimately exhausting. However, fear not! For even in these turbulent times, a keen eye can unearth a few shares that won’t leave one feeling entirely dashed. One needn’t a fortune, mind you – a modest thousand pounds will do nicely. We shall investigate a trio of companies, each possessing a certain… je ne sais quoi, that might just tickle the fancy of the discerning investor.

1. Sirius XM: Still Broadcasting, What!

It’s been two decades since young Howard Stern decided the airwaves needed a bit of spicing up with his satellite radio contraption. One might have thought, after all this time, that the whole affair would have faded into obscurity, a quaint relic of a bygone era. And, to a degree, one wouldn’t be entirely wrong. The subscriber numbers peaked some years ago, a bit like a particularly enthusiastic aunt at a garden party. They’ve dwindled a tad, from 34.9 million to a still-respectable 33 million. But here’s the rub: Sirius XM continues to generate a positively staggering amount of free cash. Enough to indulge in a spot of share buyback and distribution, a most sensible course of action, wouldn’t you agree?

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Remarkably, revenue has actually increased by ten percent over these six years. People are paying a bit more for their sonic entertainment, and advertisers, ever the opportunists, have flocked to this captive audience. And, with a dash of aggressive share repurchase, the number of shares in circulation has shrunk by a most impressive 23 percent. Revenue per share has blossomed from a mere £16.88 to a decidedly more robust £23.97 – a 42 percent increase! The company is, in a word, becoming more profitable. Analysts predict a return to growth in 2027, but even now, one can acquire Sirius XM for a mere 6.8 times this year’s profit target. A most agreeable yield of 5.1 percent is also on offer. Not a bad little earner, what?

2. Crocs: A Footwear Phenomenon, Dash It!

One rather thought Crocs had had their day. A passing craze, a whimsical fancy that would fade away like a summer romance. Yet, lo and behold, the maker of these… distinctive… footwear has managed to string together five years of double-digit revenue growth. A remarkable feat, wouldn’t you say? Alas, the good times stalled in 2024 and 2025, with top-line gains slowing and even dipping into negative territory. However, the stock rallied last week on the back of better-than-expected fourth-quarter results. A most encouraging sign, wouldn’t you agree?

Crocs is expected to return to revenue growth in 2026, and the current earnings projections imply a forward earnings multiple of just 7.1 to 7.5. While the company doesn’t offer a dividend, it’s wisely using its good fortune to reduce its share count and pay down its debts. A sensible strategy, indeed.

3. Comcast: A Media Mogul, By Jove!

Comcast is one of the Big Six media companies, a veritable titan of the industry. Its cash cow – the leader in cable TV and broadband connectivity – is, admittedly, in a gradual state of decline. A bit like a well-bred racehorse nearing retirement, what? However, the company possesses a rather splendid array of entertainment properties and a growing theme park empire that recently posted a 22 percent revenue increase. And, they’ve recently spun off some of their slower-growing cable assets, a bit like pruning a rose bush to encourage new growth.

The spinoff will result in a slight dip in revenue and earnings this year, but Wall Street pros are forecasting an 8 percent increase on both fronts in 2027. One can acquire Comcast stock for a forward earnings multiple of just 8.6, and a respectable yield of 4.2 percent is also on offer. A most promising investment, wouldn’t you say?

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2026-02-17 17:12