Markets surged on Monday, but any hopes for a Santa Claus rally will have to wait until next week. After Monday’s spike, stocks didn’t do much in a shortened trading week defined by light volume. A similar setup is in place next week, as the market will be closed on January 1.
Despite the recent pullback, there is still upward pressure on stock prices. This trend is particularly noticeable in small-cap stocks and the Russell 2000 index. That could mean the market is setting up for a significant January effect.
We hope you’re enjoying the Holiday season. Whether you’re actively trading or not, you can count on the MarketBeat team to keep you updated on the stocks and trends moving the market. Here are some of our most popular stories from this week.
Articles by Jea Yu
Investors are familiar with the fear of missing out (FOMO) as it relates to buying stocks that are moving higher. Jea Yu reminded investors this week that FOMO can also happen when stocks are falling. And just like stocks can get overbought, they can also get oversold. That’s the setup that Yu sees with two stocks that may offer investors a bullish setup as they continue to move lower.
Yu also looked at cybersecurity stocks. This sector is expected to continue to outperform in 2025, and Yu offered investors one stock to buy now and one stock that investors should have on their watchlist as a buy-the-dip opportunity.
The talk of drone activity over the skies of New York and New Jersey has quieted down, but the mystery remains. This week, Yu offered up a theory that may explain at least some of the drone activity and remind investors about a sector with strong potential to outperform in 2025.
Articles by Thomas Hughes
In 2025, investors will hear a lot about companies trying to monetize artificial intelligence (AI). This week, Thomas Hughes highlighted two companies that are already doing that. That’s boosting their respective stocks now, possibly leading to triple-digit growth in 2025.
It’s been a strong year for stock buybacks, and three companies are leaving the year by announcing large stock buybacks. This week, Hughes explained why the buybacks will likely do more than just support their respective stock prices.
If your holiday plans got off to an early start, you may have missed the earnings report from FedEx Corp. (NYSE: FDX). The company’s stock surged after announcing a bold restructuring plan that included selling off non-performing assets, most notably its freight business.
Articles by Gabriel Osorio-Mazilli
Adobe Inc. (NASDAQ: ADBE) hasn’t just lagged behind technology stocks this year; it’s actually down 24%. However, Gabriel Osorio-Mazilli explained why investors should take a second look at the company’s business model and fundamentals. That’s why bullish sentiment is rising among analysts and institutional investors heading into 2025.
While Adobe has been a laggard, Reddit Inc. (NYSE: RDDT) stood out among tech stocks in 2024. This week, Osorio-Mazilli explained why the company’s momentum and bullish sentiment means the rally can continue.
It’s been a lousy year to own energy stocks, but 2025 is looking to be a different story. To support that thesis, Osorio-Mazilli writes about the institutional buying that’s happening in the oil sector and why that means now may be a good time to own oil stocks.
Articles by Leo Miller
In a tough year for automotive stocks, particularly electric vehicle (EV) stocks, the recent rally in Rivian Automotive Inc. (NASDAQ: RIVN) stock is noteworthy. This week, Leo Miller took a closer look at Rivian and helped investors understand the risks and possible rewards involved in chasing RIVN stock higher.
Miller also wrote about the recent price movement in Warner Bros. Discovery Inc. (NASDAQ: WBD). Similar to FedEx, analysts are re-evaluating the company after it announced a restructuring plan. Miller helped investors assess if the recent 12% price drop is a buy-the-dip opportunity.
The best dividend stocks are the ones that not only consistently offer a dividend but increase that dividend every year. This week, Miller highlighted three companies that recently increased their dividends and why that isn’t the only reason investors should consider buying these big-name companies.
Articles by Nathan Reiff
This week, Nathan Reiff did what many investors will do over the next week. That is, he looked at three sectors and identified three stocks that may be strong buying opportunities. In the retail sector, analysts still believe 2025 may be a challenging year. However, Reiff highlighted three retail stocks and why they may be worth a closer look.
Reiff also looked at the industrial chemicals sector, which has struggled due to increasing regulation and soft demand. However, a change in policy in Washington is one reason to believe the fortunes of these three companies may be bullish in 2025.
Reiff also looked at mining stocks. While bullish sentiment around precious metals is likely to remain strong, Reiff explained why the mining sector faces outside pressures that make the outlook for the sector unclear. However, if you’re looking to speculate, he offered three mining stocks to watch for possible upside.
