It’s been a rough few weeks for the S&P 500 as well as other major American economic indicators. The S&P 500 hit its lowest level in four months on Tuesday, erasing its election gains. The tech-heavy Nasdaq Composite index is struggling to a similar degree, down almost 6% in the past six months.  

While most traders prefer bull markets, bear markets present unique price opportunities that long-term investors can take advantage of to build a more price-efficient portfolio. This dip in tech stock prices may be especially inviting for anyone looking to snatch up stocks making waves in the microchip and AI industries currently dominating the news cycle. These four major tech ETFs, trading near 50-day lows, could be worth considering for long-term portfolio goals.

Big Tech Weighs on XLK—Why Institutions Are Still Buying

The Technology Select Sector SPDR Fund NYSEARCA: XLK is one of the largest American tech ETFs, investing in some of the largest technology companies in the S&P 500. Managed by State Street Global Advisors and holding more than $68 billion in assets, XLK is a top pick for investors looking for broad technology sector exposure. 

The fund’s largest holdings include Apple, Microsoft and NVIDIA, which make up more than 40% of its weight. Because of this weighting, the current dip in major tech shares has hit XLK especially hard. In March, shares traded at around $220 per share—nearly 10% below their 52-week high of $242 per share. 

XLK holdings have an aggregate rating of Moderate Buy, with insider buying supporting analysts’ confidence. In the last quarter, institutional investors have purchased more than $3.4 billion in XLK shares while selling only $679 million. Retail investors looking for a solid, broad tech market ETF to hold in the long term may see a bargain with XLK. 

XSW ETF: A Diverse Software & Services Play Near 50-Day Lows

For a fund that moves beyond Apple and Amazon.com, consider the SPDR S&P Software & Services ETF NYSEARCA: XSW. This fund’s underlying index represents the software and services segment of the S&P Total Market Index, encompassing sub-industries like application software, interactive home entertainment, IT consulting and other smaller service sectors. 

Investors looking for IT-heavy funds that focus less on consumer tech may find XSW to be a valuable hold. The fund’s top holdings are D-Wave Quantum, Palantir Technologies and AppLovin, making up just 4% of its total assets. No individual stock held more than 1.25% weight in March 2025, making XSW an exceptionally diverse choice. 

XSW is trading near its 50-day low price of $171 per share following the tech crash, with institutional investors purchasing $45 million in shares of the fund in Q4. While this fund is a lower capitalization choice, its wide selection of holdings offers instant diversification. 

$27M in Institutional Buys—Is FINX a Bargain at This Level?

The Global X FinTech ETF NASDAQ: FINX is another tech ETF for investors looking to buy beyond blue chips. FINX offers diversified exposure to the fintech industry, with top holdings in Fiserv and PayPal that make up about 14.6% of the fund’s weighting.

This fund also includes comparatively more exposure to international tech picks, with 23% of FINX’s exposure held outside of the United States. 

This ETF is the lowest-priced option on our list, trading near its 50-day low of $29 per share. Short interest trends on FINX are exceptionally positive, falling by more than 12% in the last month.

Institutional purchasing was also up in the last quarter, with more than $27 million bought in total. 

SMH ETF: A Semiconductor Play Near 50-Day Lows

The VanEck Semiconductor ETF NASDAQ: SMH is a mid-size fund with 25 holdings. It offers a competitive entry point into the semiconductor industry.

Top holdings include NVIDIA, Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing and Broadcom, which make up about 39% of the fund’s weight.

Holdings in SMH have a Moderate Buy average consensus rating, indicating analyst optimism. 

In early March, SMH is trading near a new 50-day low price of $223 per share. While short interest on this ETF rose 10% last month, investors looking to capitalize on the growth potential of the semiconductor sector may soon find a suitable entry point into this lower-cost ETF. 

Before you consider Global X FinTech Thematic ETF, you’ll want to hear this.

MarketBeat keeps track of Wall Street’s top-rated and best performing research analysts and the stocks they recommend to their clients on a daily basis. MarketBeat has identified the five stocks that top analysts are quietly whispering to their clients to buy now before the broader market catches on… and Global X FinTech Thematic ETF wasn’t on the list.

While Global X FinTech Thematic ETF currently has a Hold rating among analysts, top-rated analysts believe these five stocks are better buys.

View The Five Stocks Here

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The CBOE Market Volatility Index (VIX) shot to its highest level in 2025 on March 4 as the Trump administration tariffs went into effect. The VIX is colloquially known by traders as the “fear index,” and it loosely reminds investors of Warren Buffett’s adage to “be fearful when others are greedy and to be greedy when others are fearful.”

If you follow Mr. Buffett’s advice, then now may be an attractive time to buy stocks. However, a value investor like Buffett would be the first to say that getting greedy with stocks doesn’t mean being reckless.

Many of the technology stocks that were the best performers in 2023 and 2024 are still good choices for long-term investors, but they may not be the best choices if you’re looking to start a position in 2025. With that in mind, here are three stocks with catalysts that make them the rising stars in 2025.

AI Is Likely to Keep Momentum Strong in FFIV Stock

Some investors may know F5 Inc. NASDAQ: FFIV as a cybersecurity company. However, the company is also known for providing distributed cloud services, networking, and application management solutions. In January, the company delivered its quarterly earnings with a beat on the top and bottom lines. And 72% of the company’s recurring revenue came from subscriptions, SaaS (software-as-a-service), managed services, and maintenance.

More importantly, it raised its guidance for both the current quarter and for the full year. A key to that growth will be the company’s BIG-IP Next Cloud-native Network Functions (CNFs), which will help companies meet the demands of on-device AI (i.e., the edge). The CNFs are deployed on NVIDIA Corp. NASDAQ: NVDA BlueField-3 data processing units (DPUs) and expand the company’s partnership with the tech giant.

Before falling back in February, FFIV stock was one of the top performers in the last 12 months. Even with the drop, the stock is up 49% in 2025, and analysts continue to raise their price targets.

Nuclear Energy Is Only One Part of Constellation Energy’s Story

Constellation Energy Corp. NASDAQ: CEG shot higher in September 2024 as Microsoft Corp. NASDAQ: MSFT announced a partnership with the company to restart the Three Mile Island nuclear power plant in Pennsylvania. The stock continued to surge in 2025 as investors got carried away by all things nuclear energy.

That story has legs, but it’s a long-term play. It will be years, for example, before the Three Mile Island plant is back in operation. But even a regulated utility like Constellation has value for investors in 2025. To begin with, electric demand is expected to increase for the rest of the decade. This isn’t simply about data centers; the nation’s entire electric grid needs updating.

Beyond electricity, Constellation has natural gas, hydroelectric, nuclear, wind, and solar operations. This diversified portfolio should set a high floor for the stock, which appears to have made a double-bottom pattern in December 2024.

Despite a 27% gain in the last 12 months, analysts maintain a Moderate Buy rating on CEG stock. Their consensus price target is $293.43, which is an additional 27% higher than its closing price on March 5, 2025.

CrowdStrike Is Recovering From a High-Profile Failure

When a cybersecurity company is the focus of a major incident, as CrowdStrike Inc. NASDAQ: CRWD was in summer 2024, it can be hard to recover. But after hitting a 52-week low in August 2024, CRWD stock is up 52%.

A key reason for the stock’s performance is two earnings reports, which have shown that the outage is “mostly in the rearview mirror” and demand for the company’s products and services remains strong.

CRWD stock has been falling since mid-February and continued to drop even after the company reported a double beat in earnings. However, CRWD stock had soared to over $400 a share in early 2025, so this is likely just a healthy pullback that long-term investors shouldn’t be too concerned about.

As evidence of that, analysts were quick to raise their price targets on CRWD stock immediately after the earnings report.

Before you consider CrowdStrike, you’ll want to hear this.

MarketBeat keeps track of Wall Street’s top-rated and best performing research analysts and the stocks they recommend to their clients on a daily basis. MarketBeat has identified the five stocks that top analysts are quietly whispering to their clients to buy now before the broader market catches on… and CrowdStrike wasn’t on the list.

While CrowdStrike currently has a Moderate Buy rating among analysts, top-rated analysts believe these five stocks are better buys.

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As the U.S. stock market stumbles into March 2025, the mood has quickly shifted from soft landing to bracing for impact. Fueled by tariff threats and tit-for-tat rhetoric, a brewing trade war has slammed the brakes on investor confidence while murky economic signals stoke recessionary dread. 

Add to that the air hissing out of high-flying growth stocks, with the Magnificent Seven, those once-unstoppable tech titans, taking a brutal hit from fears of significant AI CapEx spending and whispers of overvaluation, and it’s no wonder portfolios are feeling the pinch. The Dow’s wobbles and the Nasdaq’s nosedive aren’t just noise; they might be a wake-up call.

Chasing the next big stock or theme, whether AI disruptors or space stocks, might thrill the speculators, but for those who’d rather sleep peacefully at night than sweat every headline or price movement, it’s a non-starter. That’s where high-quality ETFs with an income twist come in—a steady, no-drama way to secure long-term growth while collecting or reinvesting reliable dividends without constantly second-guessing market swings. 

Warren Buffett, the S&P 500 index fund’s biggest cheerleader, has long preached this gospel: “For most people, the best thing to do is own the S&P 500 index fund.” That wisdom hits harder than ever in today’s market environment of significant uncertainty. 

So, let’s unpack three ETFs that shine for cautious investors. Blending broad market exposure with reliable income, they’re built for the long game and offer a lifeline to stability amid the recent turbulence in the stock market.

SCHD: A Flagship Dividend ETF From Charles Schwab

The Schwab US Dividend Equity ETF NYSEARCA: SCHD stands as one of Charles Schwab’s flagship offerings. It is designed to expose investors to high-quality U.S. companies known for their consistent dividend payouts.

The fund tracks the Dow Jones U.S. Dividend 100 Index, which comprises 100 high dividend-yielding U.S. companies. 

What sets SCHD apart is its rigorous selection process, prioritizing companies with a strong commitment to rewarding shareholders through sustained and growing dividends. To qualify, a company must have at least ten consecutive years of uninterrupted dividend payments, effectively filtering out businesses with inconsistent dividend histories or those vulnerable to economic volatility.

SCHD maintains a well-balanced portfolio, with its top three sectors being healthcare (17%), consumer staples (15%), and financials (14%). The ETF currently boasts an impressive 9.17% dividend yield and an annual dividend of $2.56 per share, making it an attractive option for income-focused investors seeking reliable returns.

VYM: A Strategic Play on High-Dividend U.S. Stocks

The Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF NYSEARCA: VYM offers investors a strategic way to access high-dividend-paying U.S. companies.

It tracks the FTSE High Dividend Yield Index, which selects companies with substantial dividend payouts while excluding REITs. The ETF weights its holdings by market capitalization. 

With $60 billion in assets under management (AUM), VYM is slightly smaller than SCHD by about $10 billion. It also features a low net expense ratio of 0.06% and a solid dividend yield of 2.5%.

Despite broader market challenges, with the S&P 500 dipping into the red year-to-date, VYM’s defensive appeal has allowed it to remain resilient, posting a modest gain of nearly 2%.

The ETF’s top holdings include Broadcom, JPMorgan, and Exxon Mobil, collectively accounting for almost 12% of the fund’s total weighting. Analysts covering more than 61% of VYM’s portfolio have assigned an aggregate rating of Moderate Buy, reinforcing its reputation as a stable option for dividend investors.

SPHD: A Balanced Approach to High Dividends With Low Volatility

The Invesco S&P 500 High Dividend Low Volatility ETF NYSEARCA: SPHD focuses on large-cap equities, tracking a dividend-yield-weighted index of the least volatile, highest dividend-yielding stocks within the S&P 500.

This ETF combines steady income with reduced market risk, offering investors a balanced approach to dividend investing. 

SPHD delivers a noteworthy 3.45% dividend yield and has demonstrated its defensive nature by falling just 4.37% from its 52-week high, outperforming the broader S&P 500, which has declined nearly 6% from its peak.

SPHD’s top holdings include Altria Group, Verizon Communications, Pfizer, and Realty Income, reflecting the fund’s low-volatility strategy. It has a net expense ratio of 0.3% and manages $3.47 billion in AUM.

Liquidity-wise, SPHD has an average daily trading volume of around 500,000 shares, noticeably lower than SCHD and VYM, which average well over one million traded daily.

Before you consider Invesco S&P 500 High Dividend Low Volatility ETF, you’ll want to hear this.

MarketBeat keeps track of Wall Street’s top-rated and best performing research analysts and the stocks they recommend to their clients on a daily basis. MarketBeat has identified the five stocks that top analysts are quietly whispering to their clients to buy now before the broader market catches on… and Invesco S&P 500 High Dividend Low Volatility ETF wasn’t on the list.

While Invesco S&P 500 High Dividend Low Volatility ETF currently has a Hold rating among analysts, top-rated analysts believe these five stocks are better buys.

View The Five Stocks Here

Stocks had another down week despite the February Jobs report coming in lighter than expected. The details of the report were generally bullish, with government jobs taking the biggest hit, as expected. It’s just another log on the fire of uncertainty that is torching stocks, and there’s no immediate catalyst to see a March rally.

Next week, investors will get the latest reading on inflation as the Consumer Price Index (CPI) and Producer Price Index (PPI) are released before the market opens on Wednesday and Thursday, respectively. If the numbers come in hot, stocks could fall even more.

Despite the volatility, this may be a time for long-term investors to find bargains. The MarketBeat team continues to watch the market for opportunities and will continue to point you to stocks that could be profitable during these times. Here are some of our most popular stories from this week.

Articles by Jea Yu

CAVA Group Inc. NYSE: CAVA delivered a solid earnings report this week, particularly strong same-store sales growth. But the stock dropped after the report, likely due to a slight miss in earnings per share (EPS) and soft guidance. Jea Yu explained why the best of the build-your-own-bowl (BYOB) companies may be lowballing their numbers and why investors may want to buy this dip.

Investors are starting to understand what the Trump administration tariffs mean for energy stocks. This week, Yu looked into the sector and came out with one Canadian and one U.S. energy stock for investors looking to play both sides of the tariff uncertainty.

Defense stocks have been sliding on concerns over budget cuts driven by the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE). This week, Yu analyzed two of the biggest names in the defense sector and helped investors understand how budget cuts at the Department of Defense (DoD) could affect the respective stocks.

Articles by Thomas Hughes

As investors continue to focus on NVIDIA Corp. NASDAQ: NVDA, Thomas Hughes reminded investors not to forget about Advanced Micro Devices Inc. NASDAQ: AMD. The stock has been falling for the last 12 months, but Hughes explained why institutional buying and analyst sentiment suggest the stock is setting up for a strong rally.

The DevOps platform GitLab Inc. NASDAQ: GTLB has been trying to find direction early in 2025. The stock dropped after a solid earnings report. As Hughes explained, expectations were so high that a good report wasn’t good enough, but analyst sentiment and institutional ownership suggest the stock is set to recover.

Oil stocks are under pressure from lower oil prices. This week, Hughes revisited one of Warren Buffett’s new favorite stocks, Occidental Petroleum Corp. NYSE: OXY. The stock price is drifting into Buffett’s buy zone. Given the company’s solid fundamentals, OXY stock looks like a Buy near its 52-week low.

Articles by Sam Quirke

Investors who have tried to learn a foreign language may give Duolingo Inc. NASDAQ: DUOL positive reviews as a company. But what about DUOL stock? This week, Sam Quirke looked at the stock’s recent downturn after mixed earnings and explained why the underlying revenue strength may have gotten lost in translation.

Chipotle Mexican Grill Inc. NYSE: CMG has gone from market leader to market laggard. Quirke noted that the stock is down 20% from its December 2024 peak as investors cite slowing growth that doesn’t match the company’s premium valuation. Quirke explained why the company’s upcoming earnings report will either confirm analysts’ bullish outlook, which could move the stock 30% higher, or accelerate the selling pressure.

Elastic NV NYSE: ESTC is a tech stock that many investors may not be familiar with, even though it has been a strong performer since September 2024. However, this may be the time to learn about this under-the-radar AI stock. Quirke wrote that a drop of over 15% this week had pushed the ESTC stock price down to an attractive entry point.

Articles by Chris Markoch

Tesla Inc. NASDAQ: TSLA stock is down more than 30% in 2025 as Elon Musk has become a lightning rod working against the stock. This week, Chris Markoch analyzed the Musk effect and other reasons why it may take some time before TSLA stock finds a bottom.

With so much uncertainty weighing on stocks, it’s important to maintain discipline and take a diversified outlook. This week, Markoch pointed investors to three stocks that are likely to move higher even as tariffs take effect.

As Palantir Technologies Inc. NASDAQ: PLTR stock continues to fall, investors could be looking at the stock round-tripping its January 2025 gains. However, the sell-off is continuing despite Palantir announcing three big wins, which could put a floor on the price for now.

Articles by Ryan Hasson

Market sell-offs can be uncomfortable, but they can also create solid buying opportunities. This week, Ryan Hasson was laser-focused on oversold stocks, starting with the Magnificent Seven. Not surprisingly, these stocks, which have premium valuations, have been among the hardest hits. Hasson highlighted three Mag 7 stocks that are trading near a key technical support level, which could indicate a reversal is coming.

Hasson also looked at the fintech sector and pointed investors to two fintech stocks that are oversold despite strong earnings reports. The sector may be out of favor, but Hasson explained the catalysts that could push each stock higher.

Investors can’t seem to get enough of space stocks. But investors are starting to take a closer look at individual stocks amidst a broader market sell-off. That hasn’t been good for shares of Rocket Lab USA Inc. NASDAQ: RKLB. Hasson analyzed the reasons for the sell-off while also pointing out that analysts continue to be bullish on the company’s long-term outlook.

Articles by Gabriel Osorio-Mazilli

Stock buybacks can be a controversial topic, but this week, Gabriel Osorio-Mazilli explained that they typically signal management’s belief that the stock is undervalued and that repurchasing shares is an efficient use of capital. This week, Osorio-Mazilli pointed investors to three stocks that are solid buying opportunities based on recent massive buybacks. 

As this earnings season winds down, NVIDIA continues to be the talk of the tech sector. However, Osorio-Mazilli suggested to investors that a better strategy may be to look at three stocks that are similar to NVIDIA but may provide strong gains with less volatility.

The recent surge in Hims & Hers Health Inc. NYSE: HIMS stock shows that the digital transformation of healthcare is well underway. If you missed the rally in HIMS stock, Osorio-Mazilli explained why investors might get a second chance with Clover Health Investments Inc. NASDAQ: CLOV.

Articles by Leo Miller

One of this week’s biggest stories came from Intuitive Machines Inc. NASDAQ: LUNR, which was scheduled to make its second lunar landing this week. Leo Miller explained the stock’s performance after last year’s successful lunar landing and what a successful landing could mean for the company’s long-term mission.

Super Micro Computer Inc. NASDAQ: SMCI made news last week by avoiding delisting. Miller analyzed the price action since that announcement and what that means for the stock’s short- and long-term outlook.

Eli Lilly & Co. NYSE: LLY has been one of the market’s strongest performers due to its market-leading position in the weight-loss category. However, the company delivered bullish news of another sort this week. Miller wrote about the company’s planned $27 billion investment in U.S. expansion in an effort to avoid the harmful effects of the Trump administration’s tariff program.

Articles by Nathan Reiff

Diversification among different types of stocks (e.g., growth, value, and momentum) becomes popular in times of market volatility. This week, Nathan Reiff gave investors one growth, one value, and one momentum stock that will give them compelling options in early 2025.

Reiff also reminded investors that momentum stocks and high-yield dividend stocks aren’t always incompatible. This week, Reiff analyzed three high-yield dividend stocks with strong momentum due to near-term catalysts.

Fees are a key consideration for ETF investors, which is why many avoid actively managed ETFs. However, this week, Reiff highlighted three actively managed ETFs delivering returns that can allow investors to overlook their high fees.

Articles by Sarah Horvath

With so many stocks trading at historically high valuations, savvy investors may want to look for stocks that offer a more reasonable price. This week, Sarah Horvath pointed investors to three S&P stocks that are trading at low P/E ratios compared to the S&P 500 and their respective sectors.

The announcement of a strategic Bitcoin reserve will keep Bitcoin and cryptocurrency top of mind for investors. If you’re looking for ways to invest in Bitcoin’s underlying blockchain technology without investing in Coinbase Global Inc. NASDAQ: COIN, Horvath offered up four blockchain stocks to consider.

Warren Buffett has been making a lot of moves this year. One of Buffett’s latest moves involves selling the entire position Berkshire Hathaway NYSE: BRK.B held in the Vanguard S&P 500 ETF NYSEARCA: VOO while adding shares of Domino’s Pizza Inc. NASDAQ: DPZ. The move to sell VOO may be viewed as a move against the index fund’s lofty valuation, but the addition of DPZ is consistent with Buffett’s advice to bet on the American economy.

Before you make your next trade, you’ll want to hear this.

MarketBeat keeps track of Wall Street’s top-rated and best performing research analysts and the stocks they recommend to their clients on a daily basis.

Our team has identified the five stocks that top analysts are quietly whispering to their clients to buy now before the broader market catches on… and none of the big name stocks were on the list.

They believe these five stocks are the five best companies for investors to buy now…

See The Five Stocks Here

In today’s uncertain market, Akron, Ohio-based diversified manufacturer and distributor Myers Industries NYSE: MYE may represent a compelling investment opportunity.

The company recently experienced a surge in share price driven by a stronger-than-expected fourth-quarter earnings report, a consistent dividend payout, and the introduction of its “Focused Transformation” program aimed at driving growth and efficiency.

In addition, its latest financial results and strategic initiatives indicate a focus on enhancing shareholder value and showcase its ability to adapt to changing market conditions.

Wall Street Wins: Myers Industries’ Q4 Earnings Surprise 

Myers Industries’ Q4 2024 earnings report exceeded expectations with adjusted earnings per share (EPS) at 19 cents and GAAP earnings per share at 11 cents, both surpassing the estimated 10 cents.

The company also reported a 6.7% increase in net sales, reaching $203.9 million, slightly above the projected $203.10 million. Gross margin expanded to 32.3%, and adjusted EBITDA increased by 26.2% to $27.5 million, indicating improved operational efficiency and profitability.

The Material Handling segment’s net sales surged by 20.3% to $152.7 million, driven by the acquisition of Signature Systems. However, the Distribution segment faced a 20.2% decline in net sales to $51.2 million due to volume and pricing pressures.

Myers Industries’ Strategic Roadmap 

The “Focused Transformation” program has generated investor optimism beyond the encouraging quarterly results. 

Under new leadership, the strategic initiative aims to enhance long-term performance and strengthen the company’s competitive position. The program’s goals are ambitious yet well-defined: optimize the business structure, improve cost competitiveness, and enable sustainable growth.

The program is centered on a targeted cost-savings initiative, with a targeted $20 million reduction in SG&A expenses by 2025. These savings are projected to boost profitability and free up resources for strategic investments.

Additionally, the company is conducting a comprehensive business portfolio review to identify opportunities for value creation and market differentiation.

CEO Aaron Schapper emphasized accountability and transparency in implementing the “Focused Transformation” program. He highlighted the program’s focus on prioritizing high-value opportunities while implementing a disciplined cost optimization plan.

While the company has temporarily suspended its 2025 annual guidance for a business assessment, the “Focused Transformation” program signals a strategic shift toward greater efficiency, resource optimization, and a sharper focus on core strengths—laying the groundwork for sustained financial growth.

A Sweet Spot for Income Investors?

Myers Industries has shown a consistent commitment to returning value to shareholders through dividends.

In conjunction with the earnings release, the company declared its upcoming quarterly cash dividend payment of $0.135 per share, which translates to an annualized dividend of $0.54 per share. Based on Myers Industries’ current stock price, this dividend represents an attractive yield of approximately 4.40%.

This consistent dividend payout, particularly when paired with a rising stock price, can be a significant draw for income-focused investors.

The trailing dividend payout ratio, based on the past year’s earnings, appears high at approximately 125% and could raise concerns about the dividend’s long-term viability. However, analysts project its dividend payout ratio to drop to a more sustainable level of around 46.2%. This significant decrease suggests that as earnings are anticipated to grow, the dividend will be more comfortably covered, enhancing its sustainability.

Analysts’ Reaction to Myers’ Earnings

The MYE stock price surged by approximately 27% on March 6, 2025, in response to the company’s positive earnings release. This increase, coupled with higher trading volume, indicates strong investor confidence in the company’s “Focused Transformation” program.

Despite the positive market reaction, analysts currently maintain a Hold rating on the stock. The consensus price target of $22.00 suggests a potential upside of over 75%, even after today’s gain of more than 25%.

This discrepancy may indicate that analysts are cautiously optimistic about the company’s future and are waiting for tangible results from the “Focused Transformation” program before upgrading their ratings. Alternatively, it could suggest that the current stock price undervalues the company’s future earnings potential.

The limited analyst coverage also leaves room for future rating adjustments as the company progresses and its strategy takes shape. 

A Balanced Investment Perspective

Myers Industries presents a compelling investment opportunity due to its significant rebound potential. This potential is supported by its exceeding Q4 earnings expectations, commitment to enhanced shareholder returns, initiation of a strategic overhaul, positive market reaction, and a considerable gap between the current stock price and analyst targets.

Investors should track the performance of both segments, stay informed about future earnings and strategic updates, and pay close attention to the successful execution of the new strategy.

Addressing the challenges within the Distribution segment is of particular importance, as the company’s potential is heavily reliant on these factors.

Before you make your next trade, you’ll want to hear this.

MarketBeat keeps track of Wall Street’s top-rated and best performing research analysts and the stocks they recommend to their clients on a daily basis.

Our team has identified the five stocks that top analysts are quietly whispering to their clients to buy now before the broader market catches on… and none of the big name stocks were on the list.

They believe these five stocks are the five best companies for investors to buy now…

See The Five Stocks Here

BigBear.ai Holdings, Inc.’s NYSE: BBAI stock price significantly dropped after its latest earnings report was released.

The stock fell by over 12% during the day on March 6, 2025, in anticipation of the earnings release and continued to decline in the aftermarket, reaching a total drop of close to 25%. This extended the company’s losses to over 35% since mid-February, reversing a significant rally from earlier in the year.

Many investors are now wondering if this presents a buying opportunity or if the downward trend will continue due to a change in market sentiment.

BigBear.ai: What Do They Really Do?

BigBear.ai provides artificial intelligence (AI)-powered decision intelligence solutions. This means the company develops and deploys AI systems to analyze vast, complex datasets and provide actionable insights to its clients.

These are not simple AI rollouts; BigBear.ai designs for high-stakes environments where timely and accurate decision-making is paramount. The company’s primary focus is on serving the national security sector, and it has extensive collaborations with the U.S. government’s defense and intelligence agencies.

The Slump: BigBear.ai’s Price Reversal

BigBear.ai’s recent stock price decline is a sharp reversal from its earlier 2025 gains, but it is not attributable to a single cause.

Multiple factors are exerting downward pressure on investor sentiment and the company’s perceived near-term prospects, creating a bearish case for the AI firm and moving its stock price downward.

The key driver of BigBear.ai’s stock decline is the Trump administration’s announcement of a $50 billion defense budget cut, which directly impacts BigBear.ai’s core business. Because the company’s revenue stream is heavily reliant on securing government contracts, reduced DOD spending creates significant uncertainty about BigBear.ai’s ability to secure new contracts and sustain revenue levels.

In addition, a series of bearish indicators have spooked investors across the market, particularly in growth-oriented sectors like technology. Weak sales growth guidance, declining consumer confidence, and disappointing U.S. economic data all point toward an economic slowdown. This “risk-off” environment negatively impacts companies like BigBear.ai, which are not yet consistently profitable.

BigBear.ai’s persistent unprofitability is also a crucial factor contributing to the stock’s decline. Net losses surged to $149 million in the first three quarters of 2024, up from $39.1 million the prior year. Although some of this loss can be attributed to non-cash items related to warrant valuations, the overall trend of operating at a loss raises concerns about the company’s ability to achieve sustainable profitability, especially in a tightening budget environment. 

Revenue Growth vs. Widening Losses 

BigBear.ai’s earnings report for Q4 2024 and FY 2024 paints a concerning picture for investors.

While the company reported an 8% year-over-year revenue increase for the fourth quarter, reaching $43.8 million, this figure fell significantly short of analyst expectations, which had projected $53.84 million.

The adjusted earnings per share (EPS) also missed the mark, coming in at a loss of 43 cents compared to the anticipated loss of six cents. 

These misses underscore challenges in translating revenue growth into bottom-line results.

For the full year of 2024, BigBear.ai reported a total revenue of $158.24 million, representing modest growth compared to 2023’s $155.16 million.

Even more troubling was the net loss for 2024, which widened to $257.1 million. Though a significant portion of this loss is attributable to non-cash charges, specifically a $93.3 million charge related to the fair value of derivative liabilities linked to convertible notes and warrants, the sheer magnitude of the loss is difficult to ignore. 

The company’s forward-looking guidance for 2025 added to investor concerns. BigBear.ai projects full-year revenue to be between $160 million and $180 million. This range falls short of analyst expectations, which were closer to $193.9 million.

The company also warned that a U.S. government shutdown or shifting security priorities could further impact its weak guidance.

Selling, general, and administrative costs (SG&A) rose for the quarter as compared to Q4 of 2023. SG&A was reported to be $22.2 million, up from the previous year’s $18.2 million.

BigBear.ai: Opportunity or Trap Door?

BigBear.ai stands at a crossroads.

Its sharp stock decline, driven by weak Q4 results, disappointing 2025 guidance, and broader market concerns, leaves investors in a place.

Despite strong AI capabilities and expanding commercial partnerships, immediate challenges overshadow its $418 million backlog. Heavy reliance on government contracts makes defense budget cuts a major risk, while macroeconomic weakness and ongoing unprofitability raise doubts about financial stability.

Ultimately, BigBear.ai presents a high-risk, high-reward proposition.

While AI’s long-term potential remains promising, BigBear.ai’s near-term outlook is uncertain. For risk-averse investors, waiting for clear signs of financial improvement—especially profitability—is the safest approach. The potential rewards exist, but the current path is filled with uncertainty.

Before you consider BigBear.ai, you’ll want to hear this.

MarketBeat keeps track of Wall Street’s top-rated and best performing research analysts and the stocks they recommend to their clients on a daily basis. MarketBeat has identified the five stocks that top analysts are quietly whispering to their clients to buy now before the broader market catches on… and BigBear.ai wasn’t on the list.

While BigBear.ai currently has a Moderate Buy rating among analysts, top-rated analysts believe these five stocks are better buys.

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Broadcom’s NASDAQ: AVGO 2025 price correction is over. Driven by an aggressive forecast for custom AI chips and concerns about geopolitical and economic headwinds, the FQ1 2025 earnings results were better than expected, compounded by improved guidance that has the market rebounded strongly. Because the upswing in business is tied to the AI upgrade cycle, which is still in its earliest phases, results will likely remain strong in 2025 and drive this market to a new all-time high. 

The analysts’ response to the news is favorable. The first half dozen revisions tracked by MarketBeat include a single price target reduction offset by five increases, and all new price targets equate to a new all-time high. The price target increases put this market in the $260 to $275 range, a 30% to 35% upside from the 150-day EMA in early March. That move could happen quickly.

Broadcom Surges On Beat-and-Raise Report, Confirms Uptrend

Broadcom had a solid quarter in FQ1, with revenue growing nearly 25% to $14.92 billion. The gains were driven by strength in both primary segments and outpaced the consensus estimates by a wide 225 basis point margin. 

Semiconductor Solutions grew by an NVIDIA-like NASDAQ: NVDA 77%, driven by demand for AI, while Infrastructure Software increased by 47%. Other good news includes wider margins aided by revenue leverage and efficiency and record-setting top and bottom line figures. 

The margin news is good. The company delivered leverage results in all comparisons, with critical data such as adjusted earnings and free cash flow rising by 45% and 28%, respectively. Free cash flow came in at 40% of revenue and is expected to remain robust in F2025. 

Guidance is another factor that leads to improved bullish sentiment. The company explicitly stated that AI strength would continue in Q2, driven by hyperscalers like Alphabet NASDAQ: GOOGL, which has committed billions to building advanced data centers to support AI needs.

The guidance for Q2 includes revenue growth near 20%, better-than-expected top-line results, and a high likelihood of being cautious, given the expectation for flat results sequentially. 

Broadcom’s Cash Flow, Balance Sheet Improvement, and Capital Return Drive Shareholder Value

Broadcom’s cash flow allowed for significant balance sheet improvement while investing in growth and returning capital to shareholders. Q1 highlights include flat cash and assets despite debt reduction and reduced liability, ample liquidity, and declining leverage. Total leverage is less than 1.4x equity, equity is up 13% for the quarter, and additional gains are expected as the year progresses.

Regarding capital return, the company doesn’t repurchase significant amounts of stock but pays a solid and reliable dividend. It is worth about 1.3% with shares near $200, and the distribution is expected to grow annually. The company has increased for 15 consecutive years and paid less than 40% of Q1 earnings to investors. 

Broadcom Confirms Trend With Post-Release Surge

Broadcom stock surged as much as 10% in premarket trading following the Q1 release. The move shows strong support at a critical level that aligns with a prior market top and uptrend. Because of the indicators, the market will likely continue higher and may set a new all-time high in this scenario. The MACD indicator, in particular, shows strength and convergence with the latest high, a signal that it will be retested or exceeded. 

Before you consider Broadcom, you’ll want to hear this.

MarketBeat keeps track of Wall Street’s top-rated and best performing research analysts and the stocks they recommend to their clients on a daily basis. MarketBeat has identified the five stocks that top analysts are quietly whispering to their clients to buy now before the broader market catches on… and Broadcom wasn’t on the list.

While Broadcom currently has a Moderate Buy rating among analysts, top-rated analysts believe these five stocks are better buys.

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To build a company that stands out, marketing experts all say one thing: “Branding is everything.” Although creating an iconic brand is easier said than done, once achieved, it can have remarkable benefits for a business.

Firms can have pricing power because of their brand’s prestige, even if their product isn’t better than the competition. This is true because brands can make people feel associated with something important. Other businesses also often want to align themselves with companies that consumers respect. In many cases, creating a successful brand goes hand in hand with creating a long-standing successful business.

A benefit of long-term business success is that companies have more ability to return capital to their shareholders. Below is a look at three iconic brands doing just that.

Coca-Cola: Beverage King’s Dividend Yield Approaching the 3% Mark

Perhaps no company in the world exemplifies the power of branding better than Coca-Cola NYSE: KO. Many studies over the years have had people blind taste-test Coca-Cola and Pepsi NASDAQ: PEP.

According to the University of South Carolina, participants tend to prefer the taste of Pepsi over Coke in these tests. However, Coke remains the dominant soda brand in the United States, with approximately twice the market share of Pepsi. Many say this is because of Coke’s strong branding. They believe that the packaging makes people think Coke tastes better.

In 2024, Coke had an adjusted gross margin of 61%, while Pepsi’s was 55%. This suggests that Coke may have some pricing power over Pepsi. However, it is a little difficult to say for sure based on this metric. Pepsi also sells snacks, while Coke almost exclusively deals in beverages, introducing some complications in this assessment.

Now, Coke is rewarding shareholders with a 5.2% dividend increase. The next quarterly dividend is payable on Apr. 1 to shareholders of record as of Mar. 14. This is the firm’s 63rd consecutive annual dividend increase. Based on its Mar. 4 closing price, the company has a strong indicated dividend yield of 2.9%.

Home Depot: Dividend Payments Are Getting an Improvement

The iconic American home-improvement store Home Depot NYSE: HD is also raising dividends. Although Home Depot’s brand isn’t as globally recognized as Coke, the dominance of this brand in the United States is undeniable.

The company operates mostly in the United States, with 86% of its stores located in the 50 states or U.S. territories. The rest of its stores are in Canada and Mexico. 

Home Depot’s U.S. dominance is highlighted by its market capitalization of around $380 billion, nearly three times larger than its nearest U.S. competitor, Lowe’s Companies NYSE: LOW.

Home Depot recently announced a significantly smaller dividend increase, but it is still worth talking about compared to Coke. Its dividend will rise by 2.2%, and it will now pay out an annual dividend of $9.20 per share. 

The next quarterly dividend will be payable on Mar. 27 to shareholders of record at the close of business on Mar. 13. The company also has a strong indicated dividend yield of 2.4% as of the Mar. 4 close.

Ferrari: Addressing the Need for Speed and Higher Dividends

Going overseas, one of the world’s most iconic carmakers, Ferrari NYSE: RACE, just announced a huge dividend increase. The company will increase its annual dividend by 22% to 2.99 euros per share.

This will apply to its shares traded on both the Euronext Milan (EMX) and the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE). Using a euro to U.S. dollar exchange rate of 1.08 USD to euros, this equates to $3.22 per share. Based on this, its dividend yield would be 0.7% on both the NYSE and EMX as of the Mar. 4 close. 

If approved by shareholders, the single annual dividend will be payable on May 6 to shareholders of record on Apr. 23.

Ferrari’s strong connection to Formula 1 racing helped shape its iconic brand. Its cars are famous for their combination of speed and maneuverability.

The Ferrari F1 racing team is the only one to have competed in every F1 season since the world championship began.

It may come as a surprise to some that, with a market capitalization of over $80 billion, the company is significantly more valuable than any of the Detroit Three U.S. carmaker stocks.

Before you consider Coca-Cola, you’ll want to hear this.

MarketBeat keeps track of Wall Street’s top-rated and best performing research analysts and the stocks they recommend to their clients on a daily basis. MarketBeat has identified the five stocks that top analysts are quietly whispering to their clients to buy now before the broader market catches on… and Coca-Cola wasn’t on the list.

While Coca-Cola currently has a Buy rating among analysts, top-rated analysts believe these five stocks are better buys.

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Zscaler NASDAQ: ZS can set a fresh multiyear high in 2025, and the move could come before mid-year and happen quickly. It could happen soon because the company’s results and guidance are better than expected, and the analysts are re-engaging with the market.

Analysts’ sentiment didn’t sour in 2024, but few catalysts emerged to drive it, and price targets were reduced. The story in 2025 following the FQ2 earnings release and guidance update is that the group has begun to upgrade and lift price targets, pointing to a 20% upside for this market. 

MarketBeat tracked five revisions within the first few hours of the report, and all are positive. Rosenblatt Securities upgraded the stock to Buy from Hold and lifted its price target, while Robert Baird, JPMorgan Chase & Co. Deutsche Bank, and Wedbush all increased their price targets, and all new targets are above the pre-release consensus. They see this stock moving to $242.50 at the mean and $255 at the high-end range. A move to these levels would align the market with existing multiyear highs and set it up to reach new highs later in the year. 

Institutional activity aligns with the shift in analyst sentiment and supports the stock’s price. They reverted to buying from selling in Q4 2024 and ramped up their activity in Q1 2025. Q1 2025 buying isn’t a record but is elevated relative to the trend, providing a tailwind for the market. They own nearly 50% of the stock in early 2025 and may continue adding to positions as the year progresses. 

Zscaler Wows Market With Beat-and-Raise Quarter

Zscaler’s results are impressive despite the slow-down in top-line growth. The company reported $647.9 million in consolidated revenue, up 23.4% compared to the prior year and beat MarketBeat’s reported consensus by 200 basis points. Strength was driven by the increased use of digital by businesses globally, increased adoption of zero-trust cybersecurity architecture, and penetrating services. Internal metrics, including billings, up 18%, and deferred revenue, up 25%, were also strong. 

The margin, cash flow, and free cash flow are critical to the analysts’ sentiment shift. The company experienced margin pressure but far less than forecasted, leaving the adjusted net income up 27.9% compared to the slower top-line growth of 23.4%. That’s 1300 basis points better than expected, and the strength is carried through into the guidance. 

The company’s guidance for Q3 is tepid relative to the analysts’ forecasts, with revenue slightly below consensus and earnings slightly below. However, the company expects an improvement in Q4 sufficient to drive full-year revenue and earnings above the analysts’ targets at the low-end range. The opportunity for investors is that guidance is cautious and/or strength will carry into the next fiscal year, helping sustain the analysts’ upgrade cycle. 

Zscaler Builds Value for Investors in 2025

Zscaler’s operational quality and cash flow are among the reasons bullish sentiment is improving and price pressure is building. The company’s 2025 cash flow is positive and sufficient to enhance shareholder value significantly.

The company’s Q2 balance sheet highlights include increased current assets due to cash and investments and increased total assets due to current assets and property, offset by slightly lower liability. The result is a 26% increase in shareholder equity. Regarding leverage, total liability is about 2x equity, and virtually no long-term debt exists. 

The price action in ZS shares is bullish following the release. The share price is up more than 3% in premarket trading and is showing support at the 30-day EMA. Assuming the market follows through on the signals given, price action should continue to increase in March. The critical resistance targets are near $212, $230, and $255.

Before you consider Zscaler, you’ll want to hear this.

MarketBeat keeps track of Wall Street’s top-rated and best performing research analysts and the stocks they recommend to their clients on a daily basis. MarketBeat has identified the five stocks that top analysts are quietly whispering to their clients to buy now before the broader market catches on… and Zscaler wasn’t on the list.

While Zscaler currently has a Moderate Buy rating among analysts, top-rated analysts believe these five stocks are better buys.

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There were such high hopes for the electric vehicle market, which is the problem with the share prices of EV stocks today. The outlook for EVs was and is robust, but the growth was priced in at the very start. Since then, EV companies failed to capture the growth or profits forecasted without cutting deeply into shareholder value. Many EV OEMs have relied heavily on dilutive actions and share price manipulation to keep themselves afloat and investors interested. 

The critical takeaway for investors is that many EV companies have advanced the technology and/or established infrastructure with some value; the question is if the respective companies can unlock it. If history can be used as a guide, there are more bankruptcies on the way, but maybe not for everyone. Nikola is the latest to file for Chapter 11 protection and wipe out its shareholders; others may soon follow suit. 

Mullen Automotive Gains Traction, Incrementally

Mullen Automotive NASDAQ: MULN appears to be gaining business traction, but the gains are incremental and offset by looming factors, including share dilution, revenue quality, and bankruptcy risk.

Regardless of other factors influencing real shareholder value, Mullen has reverse split its stock five times in two years and may do it again to keep the price up. 

The takeaway is that shareholders from 2022 are looking at holding worth fractions of pennies on the dollar, and later buyers are only marginally better positioned.

The latest news includes company-sponsored sales, not dilutive sales, but a significant amount to be floated on an already-laden market. Short interest in this stock remains high and will likely push it back to sub-$1 price points in 2025.

Workhorse Group Is Approved for Sale in Canada, So What?

Workhorse Group NASDAQ: WKHS regained traction after its incredible business reorganization and refocusing. Now, its W750 and W56 electric vans are seeing improved demand, but new hurdles have arisen.

The latest news from the company is the approval of its vans for Canadian markets, a revenue stream impeded by Trump’s tariffs and geopolitical tension.

However, even with Canadian sales in the picture, the company is not expected to produce significant revenue for years, and investors face the dual headwinds of dwindling assets and rapidly rising share counts.

The company leaned hard into dilutive activity in 2024, lifting its share count by roughly 150% on average for Q4 and more than 100% for the year. The short interest in this stock is running near 20% in Q1. 

Lucid Investors Have a Parachute, the PIF, But It Won’t Help Them

Lucid NASDAQ: LCID investors have a parachute with the PIF investing in the business, but it won’t help them. The likely outcome is dwindling capital reserves due to the expensive push to ramp production and launch new models, and the PIF will likely inject new capital.

Still, the increased ownership will squeeze average investors further out of the picture. The Saudi’s goal is to be a leader in EV use, production, and technology; all it may want is Lucid’s technology, which does not put investors in a good position.

Meanwhile, the company is undergoing a significant change as its CEO stepped down, taking an advisory position to the board, raising the question of what it will do next.

The short interest in LCID shares isn’t as high as MULN or LCID but sufficiently high to present a headwind for the market. 

Rivian Is Best-Positioned But Still a Risky Investment 

Rivian NASDAQ: RIVN is the best-positioned of North America’s EV OEM start-ups. It is ramping up production and inflecting to gross profitability in 2024.

The outlook for 2025 is for increased production, the launch of next-gen models, and improved profitability, although there are risks. The risks include the cost of ramping output and the balance sheet.

The company is capitalized now, but concerns remain that it may have to raise cash later this year or in early 2026. The analysts are optimistic, with coverage increasing, a firm Hold rating, and expectation for double-digit upside.

The bad news is that the price target revision trend is downward, with recent targets leading to the low-end range, and the short interest is high. 

Before you consider Rivian Automotive, you’ll want to hear this.

MarketBeat keeps track of Wall Street’s top-rated and best performing research analysts and the stocks they recommend to their clients on a daily basis. MarketBeat has identified the five stocks that top analysts are quietly whispering to their clients to buy now before the broader market catches on… and Rivian Automotive wasn’t on the list.

While Rivian Automotive currently has a Hold rating among analysts, top-rated analysts believe these five stocks are better buys.

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