AMC Networks (AMCX)

So you’re trying to figure out how to win your class stock market game, and you’re searching for the next “top stock” to crush the competition? Let’s talk about a stock that’s flying under the radar but could be the game-changer you need—AMC Networks. No, not the meme stock AMC Entertainment where people got confused and bought the wrong stock. I’m talking about AMC Networks, the one responsible for shows like The Walking Dead and Better Call Saul. You’ve probably never thought about it, but this could be the stock that takes you to the top of your class leaderboard.

Why AMC Networks? For starters, it’s ridiculously cheap. Right now, it’s trading at less than four times this year’s projected earnings, while its competitors in the media space are going for five times as much. Sure, some analysts aren’t hyped about it, but that’s exactly why this might be the underdog stock that wins you the game. “When stocks are priced this low, there’s a lot of potential for a bounce back,” says media analyst Josh Kline. And if you’re playing a short-term, high-risk, high-reward strategy (which is what you need to win), AMC Networks might be your ticket.

Now, let’s get real. A high-risk, high-reward strategy like this isn’t what you’d want for long-term investing. In real life, you’d want a more stable, diversified portfolio to build wealth over time. A diversified portfolio means spreading your investments across different types of stocks, so you’re not risking it all on one pick. A good example is an S&P 500 index fund, which includes 500 of the biggest companies in the U.S. That way, if one company tanks, your entire portfolio doesn’t go down with it. But you’re playing a game here, and the name of the game is to win in the short term.

Now back to AMC Networks. The stock has been beaten down, but that could be your opportunity. Why? The Dolan family owns a big chunk of the company and calls most of the shots. And yes, James Dolan is known for some questionable moves in the sports world (ever heard of the New York Knicks?), but AMC Networks is still producing content that keeps people hooked. In fact, they just added 1.3 million new subscribers to their streaming service in the last quarter alone, bringing the total to 10.8 million subscribers. And while Netflix has been struggling, AMC Networks is building loyal audiences with niche content like Shudder (for horror fans), Acorn (for British TV), and ALLBLK (for African-American shows).

Could AMC Networks get sold? Maybe. After all, they have a new CEO and a finance guy who knows his way around mergers and acquisitions from his time at CBS and Goldman Sachs. If they do sell, that could send the stock price soaring, which would be a massive win for you. But even without a sale, AMC Networks has been quietly buying back its own shares, reducing the number of shares in the market from 73 million to less than 43 million. Fewer shares out there mean the ones you own could be worth more.

Of course, there are risks. Advertising dollars could shrink if the economy takes a hit, and their cable channels are losing viewers thanks to cord-cutting. Plus, it’s tough to replace mega-hits like Better Call Saul when shows like that end. But all of these challenges are already baked into the stock price, meaning that if they even slightly outperform, you could see a big win.

“Investors looking for short-term gains in volatile markets often go for underappreciated stocks like AMC Networks,” says Kline. And let’s face it, in the stock market game, you’re not trying to retire. You’re trying to win, and that’s why a stock like AMC Networks, with its crazy-low price and potential for a comeback, could be your secret weapon.

To wrap it up: if you want to win your stock market game, sometimes you have to make bold moves. AMC Networks might not seem like an obvious pick, but that’s exactly why it could help you stand out. Just remember, this high-risk, high-reward strategy isn’t what you’d want for long-term investing. For the real world, you’d aim to build wealth slowly and steadily with a diversified portfolio, like investing in an S&P 500 index fund. But for now, in your class stock market game, it’s all about taking that risk—and possibly walking away with the win. So, are you ready to go all in?