Review of the stock market week – 16.12 – 20.12 News ad

Stocks were mostly lower this week after the Federal Reserve confirmed it was planning smaller rate cuts in 2025. The market had priced in a slower pace of rate cuts, but confirmation that the number of cuts would be fewer than expected gave investors a reason to profit in an expanded market.

Investors got some good news late in the week when the Personal Consumer Expenditures (PCE) index came in slightly below expectations. However, the report did not contradict the Fed’s decision.

Given much of the economic data, investors will continue to look for direction in the holiday-shortened week. Markets will close at 1:00 pm EST on Christmas Eve and will remain closed on Christmas Day. MarketBeat’s team of analysts will still be watching for signs of Santa Claus’s arrival and will be ready to point you to any opportunities that exist.

Jea Yu looked at semiconductor stocks from two different perspectives. Yu introduced to some investors Semtech Corp. NASDAQ: SMTSwhich produces analog and mixed-mode chips that are in growing demand from artificial intelligence (AI) applications. That put the stock back into growth mode after bottoming earlier this year, and Yu explained why there could be even more upside potential ahead.

Yu also wrote about the potential impact of tariffs proposed by the new Trump administration on the chip sector and, in particular, on two chipmakers with extensive ties to Taiwan and China.

Articles by Thomas Hughes

Hughes also highlighted another promising candidate. Sintas company. NASDAQ:CTAS has rarely provided investors with a buying opportunity over the past decade. After earnings were good but not great, Hughes explained the technical and fundamental arguments for owning the stock at these levels.

But instead of buying the dip, what about a stock that’s having a good year but analysts think there’s more growth ahead? Hughes gave investors the three most modernized stocks in 2024 and explained why everyone could have more job opportunities.

If you owned Salesforce Inc. New York Stock Exchange: CRM throughout the year you celebrate good returns on these investments. Sam Quirk checked out the CRM software giant and found that if you missed out on a purchase in 2024, you still have chance of getting about 20% winnings and maybe more.

Articles by Chris Markoch

The end of the year is a time for investors to rebalance their portfolios. And for those who are looking growth stocks up to $100Markoc presented three names to investors for consideration.

Utility stocks Investors are generally known to flee there for safety. As Ryan Hasson noted, that didn’t happen in December, as one of the sector’s leading ETFs fell about 7%. However, investors may want to use this drop as an opportunity access one of the nuclear reserves which Hasson emphasized.

Articles by Gabriel Osorio-Masilli

The oil price has become a major headwind for oil stocks in 2024. But Gabriel Osorio-Masilli explained why the flight to share prices is likely to make 2025 best time to invest in oil stocks.

At a time when many stocks are considered overvalued, it is interesting that many companies continue to carry out share buybacks. Osorio-Masilli reminded investors that buybacks are a strategy a company uses when it believes its shares are undervalued. And right now three companies announce aggressive buyback plans.

Artificial intelligence will still be a major investment theme in 2025. But it might be time to pay attention to small-cap stocks. This week Leo Miller analyzed three small-cap AI stocks they are forecast to have strong earnings growth, which could lift their stock prices.

Data centers will continue to be a big focus in 2025, but Miller reminded investors to keep natural gas stocks in mind when considering how to invest in the sector. Miller identified three companies that occupy leading positions in supplying data centers with natural gas.

New competition in the weight loss market has cleared out Novo Nordisk A/S New York Stock Exchange: HBO It received most of its explosive growth in 2023 and 2024. Miller explained why the company has several catalysts that could make NVO stock a 2025 buy.

Changes in tax policy, as well as a more favorable regulatory environment, are expected to boost industrial stocks in 2025. This week, Nathan Reiff gave long-term investors three industrial stocks which can offer attractive entry points.

Aerospace and defense stocks are also expected to rise in 2025. three low-profile promotions which could be poised to generate significant returns for investors.

Finally, artificial intelligence is very popular, but if you’re looking for the next big thing, it might come in quantum computing. The sector appears to be at or near its ChatGPT moment, with Reiff highlighting: two quantum computing stocks which risk-tolerant investors may want to buy in 2025.