Stocks ended a shortened trading week digesting a weaker-than-expected June jobs report, but the overall market tone remained positive, with major indices still set to end the week higher. The internal rotation within technology was notable: chip makers led early, while software stocks began to see renewed buying interest as sentiment stabilized.
Investors may get some relief from market volatility as the first earnings report for the second quarter is due next week. Earnings growth is a sign, and investors will be expecting forward guidance from companies, especially as we discuss artificial intelligence (AI) and the consumer.
It's hard to believe that the first half of the year is over. However, it is time to look at the opportunities for the rest of the year. MarketBeat analysts will highlight those opportunities. Here are some of our most popular stories this week.
Writings of Thomas Hughes
Volatility in technical stocks can lead to opportunistic entry points. That's the message Thomas Hughes emphasized in presenting five high-quality stocks that look attractive after the recent pullback and have broad analyst support.
Investors looking for opportunities in small stocks may want to consider AirJoule Technologies NASDAQ: AIRJ. Hughes highlighted the company's recent introduction of renewable energy technologies in space and water harvesting that positions the company to accelerate commercial profitability by 2027.
Investors who want to reposition the second half should pay attention to Hughes's analysis of the three charts, as well as the macroeconomic conditions that support them, which will help investors position themselves for trading in the summer.
Writings by Sam Quirke
SanDisk Corp. NASDAQ: SNDK it was the poster child for the evolution of the tech industry. This week, Sam Quirke explained why SanDisk bulls have been using that volatility to buy dips, as it seems to focus on broader industry concerns rather than SanDisk specifics.
Investors playing the long game with Tesla Inc. NASDAQ: TSLA got some good news as the company introduced the long-awaited Full Self-Driving (FSD) update to some of its vehicles. This is the first solid evidence of the automation issue that can drive higher valuations.
Netflix Inc. NASDAQ: NFLX has been a surprising market laggard after its 10-for-1 split in late 2025. However, Quirke noted that for both technical and fundamental reasons, the sale looks overdone, which could make it one of the best stories to turn the back half of 2026.
Articles by Chris Markoch
Palantir Technologies NASDAQ: PLTR it was one of the worst performing stocks in the first half. However, Chris Markoch explained why the company's business model should be successful as the business use of AI goes from tokens to results.
Modern NASDAQ: MRNA rose 20% after the company announced its strategy for cancer and rare diseases as part of its Science Day. Markoch explained why that strategy is important, but why the current price action is driven by short covering.
Waste management companies are investing billions of dollars in AI techniques to help increase margins. This week, Markoch highlighted three waste stocks that could benefit from the use of AI to improve operational efficiency.
Articles by Ryan Hasson
Space stocks have been under pressure since SpaceX NASDAQ: SPCX IPO in mid-June. That includes Rocket Lab NASDAQ: RKLB. However, this week Ryan Hasson highlighted an important announcement from NASA that could make traders focus on the basics.
Nebius Group NASDAQ: NBIS it has fallen nearly 20% in the past month amid a flurry of AI infrastructure trade. Hasson helped investors rate the company's strong revenue growth at a higher rate.
Money has been circulating within the tech trade, but it's also looking for a home in other sectors. This week, Hasson pointed investors to three sectors with defensive features that could attract investors' money in the coming months.
The writings of Leo Miller
The company Broadcom Inc. NASDAQ: AVGO sold after it delivered a strong earnings report that wasn't enough to meet high expectations. But as Leo Miller writes this week, analyst sentiment remains volatile with price targets suggesting new all-time highs.
Miller also looked at Meta Platforms NASDAQ: METAwhich announced a $900 million investment in Indian financial technology startup Cred and explained why the company is tapping into a traditional playbook to grow revenue from its WhatsApp platform.
Just in time for the second quarter earnings season, several major banks announced a clean bill of health after conducting their annual stress tests. Miller highlighted three banks that are likely to announce dividend increases.
Articles by Nathan Reiff
Quantum computing stocks reflect a common problem investors face. That is, the technical potential is real, but the current valuations and prices of these stocks have placed the sector in bubble territory. To help investors with the quantum game plan, Reiff provided a clear view of the threats to the growth of the sector.
Stablecoins are becoming an important part of the financial ecosystem. This week, Reiff provided investors with two profitable stocks as demand for the stablecoin continues to grow.
Energy has been a big part of the AI infrastructure business. Reiff explained why the recent acquisition of NextEra Energy NYSE: NE positions the company as the go-to provider of infrastructure and power for data center power needs.
Articles by Dan Schmidt
Shoppers visit Costco Wholesale Corp. NASDAQ: Cost for many reasons. But this week, Dan Schmidt reminded investors that the lure of low fuel prices has been a magnet for the company to boost membership. But with gasoline prices falling, Schmidt explained why the risk of execution could weigh on the stock.
The World Cup shows why soccer is big business around the world. One publicly traded name is Manchester United plc NASDAQ: MANUwhich has increased by 40% in the last three months. However, Schmidt highlighted the company's upcoming earnings report as a test of the rally's strength.
Writings of Jeffrey Neal Johnson
Jeffrey Neal Johnson pointed out that investors in space stocks should consider markets that can handle high growth and real, sustainable profits. This is why investors may want to give MDA Space a shot NYSE: MDA taking a closer look at the recent acquisition of $620 million.
Physical AI is the next wave in the AI frontier. Johnson explained the special purpose company (SPAC) deal that will bring Agility Robotics to market and what investors should know before investing in humanoid AI.
Johnson also wrote about the possible investment of an organization linked to the UAE government in Nano Nuclear Energy NYSE: NE. If realized, it will remove concerns about asset cuts that have kept investors away from the trade.
The writings of Peter Frank
Analysts have been cautious about The Hershey Company NYSE: HSY as the company navigates higher cocoa prices and changing consumer tastes. However, Peter Frank pointed out that the company is dependent on its pricing power and as cocoa prices fall, HSY may have to recover a healthy non-price margin.
Restaurant Brands International NYSE: QSR has a portfolio of fast food brands that don't appeal to many investors. However, Frank highlighted the company's positive first quarter results and noted that if its upcoming earnings deliver strong performance, it may be time to bite on QSR.
Xcel Energy NASDAQ: XEL it is a boring company that many investors ignore. However, Frank highlighted a $60 billion investment plan expected to drive long-term growth, which could propel XCEL to greater heights.
Before you consider AirJoule Technologies, you'll want to hear this.
MarketBeat tracks Wall Street's top and most effective research analysts and the stocks they recommend to their clients every day. MarketBeat identified five stocks that top analysts are quietly whispering to their clients to buy now before the broader market catches on… and AirJoule Technologies wasn't on the list.
Although AirJoule Technologies currently has an average buy rating among analysts, top analysts believe these five stocks are the best.
View Five Stocks Here
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