The twists and turns of the FIFA World Cup, including the U.S. team's nail-biting win against Iran and Saudi Arabia's stunning victory over Argentina, is good news for sports betting giants. British sports betting and gaming group Entain (GMVHF) is one of those set to benefit from the most-watched global sporting event, Callum Keown writes in this week's edition of Barron's. It owns a number of brands, including Ladbrokes, Coral and PartyCasino, and has a joint venture - BetMGM - with MGM Resorts International (MGM). And the growth opportunity in the U.S. - one of the host nations of the next World Cup, in 2026 - can keep the momentum going, the author argues. Reference Link

The recent tumult over China's COVID policies may be creating an opportunity in the country's stocks, Reshma Kapadia writes in this week's edition of Barron's. After losing some $1.2 trillion in market value in the past two years, Chinese stocks are rebounding, with Alibaba jumping nearly 10% on Wednesday alone. Risks remain. The next couple of months could be bumpy, as China's transition to a less-restrictive COVID policy comes up against a winter surge in cases and the highly transmissible Omicron variant, the author notes. Reference Link

AbbVie's blockbuster drug Humira faces patent expirations, but there's a lot more to it than the immunosuppressive, Teresa Rivas writes in this week's edition of Barron's. The company has profitable products that have begun to fill the gap left by Humira's decline. Investors who preferred to wait out the transition from Humira may have erred -- AbbVie stock is up by more than 19%, to a recent $162, so far in 2022. Moreover, the stock looks cheap and has a handsome dividend yield. It's worth owning-now, the author argues. Reference Link

Shares of small-cap companies are selling at their lowest ratio of price/earnings in years, Jack Hough writes in this week's edition of Barron's. Further, while small-cap stocks and funds have had a rough few years, some analysts say they are set for years of outperformance over larger-caps, the author adds. The publication highlights Boot Barn (BOOT), Ceridian HCM Holding (CDAY), HubSpot (HUBS), Magnolia Oil & Gas (MGY), Saia (SAIA), SiteOne Landscape Supply (SITE), Stelco Holdings (STZHF), and Tapestry (TPR). Reference Link

Housing-related stocks have taken some big hits this year, but the stocks are now trading at attractive price/earnings ratios, Andrew Bary writes in this week's edition of Barron's. However, there remain many negatives, some bigger than others. Housing affordability measures have plunged for first-time buyers and even wealthier move-up purchasers. New orders are off sharply, with Toll Brothers reporting a 60% drop in the most recent quarter, the author notes. Much of the bad news-and little of the potential good-looks priced into housing stocks, and waiting for fundamentals to improve might mean waiting too long, Bary writes. Reference Link

Microsoft (MSFT) is prepared to fight for its proposed $69B takeover of Activision Blizzard (ATVI) if the U.S. FTC files a lawsuit aiming to block the transaction, Bloomberg's Dina Bass and Katharine Gemmell report, citing a person familiar with the matter. Microsoft has not had talks with the FTC about remedies or concessions meant to get the deal approved, the authors note. The FTC is wrapping up its probe into the deal and is anticipated to make a recommendation soon, the authors say.

Ubisoft's upcoming title "Assassin's Creed Mirage" is currently scheduled to release in August 2023, Insider Gaming's Tom Henderson reports. The date, which has not been publicly announced, is tentative and subject to change, the author notes. Reference Link