Citi's stocks to play the biggest themes of our time like automation and AI

Published Tue, Aug 9 20221:17 PM EDTUpdated Tue, Aug 9 20224:04 PM EDT

As markets remain saddled with short-term turmoil and recession fears, one top strategist recommends investors start seeking out stocks with long-term structural growth stories. Citi's Scott Chronert believes stocks that play into the biggest trends of our time, such as artificial intelligence and automation, could start outperforming from here. "Why are we considering themes now? The answer is twofold. First, we expect to gradually move from a macro driven trading environment to one with increased stock dispersion according to fundamentals on the other side of Fed rate hike concerns, inflation fears and recession worries," Chronert wrote in a note last week. "Second, and related, themes can help identify the next group of structural growers, which could provide fundamental tailwinds for related stocks in a lower growth regime," he added. Chronert believes stocks correlated to attractive themes will have an edge during a period of slowing economic activity, saying that they've already outpaced the S & P 500 over the past three years. Stocks with a high thematic focus are more likely to have higher revenue and earnings growth, as well as greater margins, the strategist said. "Themes are intended to identify structural growth drivers that should provide a tailwind to the fundamental trajectory of a given stock. Even now, there is an apparent difference in performance and fundamentals between S & P 500 stocks with theme exposure and those without (i.e. "anti-theme" stocks)," he wrote. The strategist identified the six most attractive themes that outperformed the broader market index over the last five years: automation/robotics, internet driven business models, artificial intelligence, EM consumer, top brands and net zero. He then screened out any negative earners and identified the buying opportunities. Here are 10 names that are port of Citi's themes portfolio. A top pick to play the automation trend could be General Motors . The automaker was identified by Wolfe Research as a clear beneficiary of the Inflation Reduction Act, along with Tesla, according to a Tuesday note. General Motors has a roughly 142% expected total return over the next 12 months. Amazon is an artificial intelligence pick. The e-commerce giant last month reported stronger-than-expected second quarter results, helped by strong revenues in Amazon Web Services, and gave a rosy outlook. Amazon is expected to have a total return of 31%, according to Citi. Booking Holdings is a play on the internet-driven business model theme. The company was recently considered "best positioned in a recession" because of its ability to gain share during a downturn, according to an Aug. 3 Oppenheimer note. Booking has an expected total return of 45%. Other companies included in this list are MGM Resorts , Nvidia , IPG Photonics , Walt Disney , PayPal , Domino's Pizza and Walmart .