Many traders acquired chilly ft when COVID-19 hit in March and the market crashed, however long-term traders weren’t fazed by the dip. Even the best corporations generally falter, however shareholders who maintain on when instances are tough will see the rewards. PayPal (NASDAQ:PYPL), Nike (NYSE:NKE), and Amazon ((NASDAQ:AMZN)) are wonderful corporations that can journey out any waves and may set you up for all times.
Altering the best way you pay
Most individuals have used PayPal at the very least as soon as. The fee processing firm and peer-to-peer funds service is the dominant participant in on-line funds, which suggests it was completely poised to deal with the pandemic and are available out on high.
I need to get an electronic mail each single day from one other firm that is teaming up with PayPal to offer simpler fee choices. The corporate has tens of millions of companions along with purchasers. Complete fee quantity reached a report within the third quarter, rising 36% because the financial system moved on-line. Income additionally surged 25%.
Picture supply: Getty Pictures.
Shifting buying developments have made PayPal’s candy spot the brand new regular. That is nice information for shareholders. Adobe Analytics is predicting that as a substitute of Cyber Week this yr, November and December are going to be Cyber Months. It is forecasting $189 billion in vacation e-commerce gross sales, a 33% improve over the prior yr. Even when the pandemic involves an finish, digital buying isn’t going anyplace.
PayPal has additionally carried out an amazing job of moving into new companies. It has acquired varied corporations to maintain it rising in new instructions, akin to Venmo’s fashionable peer-to-peer fee app and Honey, a price comparability function.
PayPal stock is up 95% yr so far. Between its authentic enterprise and modern method to funds, it ought to proceed to rise sooner or later.
The chief in premium athletic put on
Nike is such a dominant model that it has gone past its activewear area of interest to turn out to be the main U.S. attire firm, with $37.four billion in gross sales throughout fiscal 2020. Whereas it was definitely harm by the pandemic — gross sales declined 38% within the fourth fiscal quarter, which ended on May 31 — it is also benefiting from the shift to informal put on that intensified throughout COVID-19.

Picture supply: Nike.
Nike flexed its digital muscle over the previous few months as buyers went on-line, and the corporate’s investments in direct-to-consumer gross sales turned a lifesaver. Gross sales by way of Nike’s e-commerce enterprise grew 83% within the first quarter of fiscal 2021, and digital accounted for 30% of complete gross sales.
Don’t be concerned about Nike’s future prospects, both. The corporate retains churning out new merchandise and strengthening its group of Nike followers. “On this dynamic atmosphere, nobody can match our tempo of launching modern product and our Model’s deep connection to shoppers,” CEO John Donahoe mentioned within the firm’s earnings report. “These strengths, coupled with our digital acceleration, are unlocking NIKE’s long-term market potential.”
Nike stock is buying and selling at 79 instances trailing-12-month earnings, which is a hefty valuation. However enterprise is enhancing, and with its sturdy administration, concentrate on product improvement, and digital prowess, traders can count on Nike to ship excessive positive factors.
The king of e-commerce
Amazon‘s takeover of retail has been nothing in need of spectacular. Increasing from books to virtually each product in existence, the corporate has grown to turn out to be the second-largest U.S. firm by income, proper behind rival Walmart.

Picture supply: Getty Pictures.
Amazon has been the go-to buying vacation spot in the course of the pandemic. Web gross sales grew 37% final quarter, as Amazon maintained its dominance of e-commerce within the U.S. Profitability grew as effectively, as earnings virtually tripled yr over yr, reaching $6.Three billion.
The net chief has been attempting to get into storefronts for a few years, particularly grocery: the primary spending class for American shoppers. It is making progress with its Go and Contemporary shops, which function cashierless know-how. It is nonetheless working with pilot packages and has an extended solution to go till shoppers totally embrace the idea, however Amazon has the facility to maintain going and make it work. It is also contemplating providing the know-how to different retailers, giving it extra methods to provide income effectively.
The e-commerce king branched out into cloud computing over a decade in the past with Amazon Net Companies, which powers many corporations’ internet choices. It grew 29% within the third quarter and contributed 12% of gross sales.
Amazon has been an amazing funding traditionally, and there is a lot extra to see because it continues to dominate retail. Whereas one share prices greater than $3,000, there’s nonetheless numerous upside for shareholders.