Why Apple Inc (AAPL), Five Below Inc (FIVE) and Dollar Tree, Inc. (DLTR) Are 3 of Today’s Best Stocks

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U.S. markets bounced back with a vengeance today, after the Labor Department’s November non-farm employment report was stronger than the expectations held by Wall Street analysts. As a result, the market shrugged off yet another decline in the price of crude oil.

stock market todayThe employment report said there were 211,000 jobs created last month, and the unemployment rate remained at 5%. The street was looking for about 200,000 new jobs, and some analysts were looking for a little below that.

In addition, both September and October employment reports were revised higher for a net total of 35,000 jobs.

With the stronger-than-expected employment report, and despite some weaker manufacturing reports this week, the market rallied because traders feel it is now a certainty that the Fed will raise interest rates when they meet on December 16. Markets hate uncertainty more than a previously telegraphed interest rate hike.

At the closing bell, the Dow Jones Industrial Average, S&P 500 and the Nasdaq were all up 2.1%. Every sector except energy was on the plus side today, with healthcare and technology leading the way.

Settlements, earnings and analysts made it a good day for stocks like Apple Inc (NASDAQ:AAPL), Five Below Inc (NASDAQ:FIVE) and Dollar Tree, Inc. (NASDAQ:DLTR). Those names led the markets higher today, making them three of today’s best stocks.

Apple Inc (AAPL)

AAPL stock was rising more than 3% today after Samsung Electronics Co Ltd (OTCMKTS:SSNLF) finally agreed to pay Apple over $548 million in owed penalties from a 2012 lawsuit for infringing on the design and patents of Apple’s iPhone products.

Samsung filed papers in a San Jose federal court on Thursday, agreeing to make the payments to Apple by Dec. 14, 2015, if Apple sends the company an invoice today.

Interestingly, Samsung is still hoping to be reimbursed if an eventual appeal to the U.S. Supreme Court proves successful.

Five Below Inc (FIVE)

Specialty retailer Five Below was a winner today, after late on Thursday reporting third-quarter earnings of 8 cents per share on revenue of $169.7 million. EPS beat the street’s estimates by a penny, and also topped revenue estimates for $166.6 million. Revenue was up by 23% year-over-year.

In addition, FIVE raised its revenue outlook for fiscal year 2015 to $823 million to $828 million. Its previous guidance was in a range from $820 to $828 million.

FIVE stock has been a laggard since the end of 2013, falling from $55 per share to a recent low near $27. But FIVE stock rose more than 5% today.

Dollar Tree, Inc. (DLTR)

DLTR stock was lifted 4% higher today after receiving an analyst upgrade from Rbc Capital Markets, LLC from “Outperform” to “Top Pick”, along with upping its price target from $88 to $90.

Analysts are bullish over Dollar Tree’s July, 2015 purchase of Family Dollar Stores, Inc. (NYSE:FDO), and that the company now has tremendous earning power.

Also helping DLTR stock was yesterday’s news that rival Dollar General Corp. (NYSE:DG) had reported third-quarter earnings that beat analysts’ estimates for 87 cents per share by a penny.

After dropping to a low near $62 per share and trading below the 200 day moving average for several months, DLTR stock has now fought its way back above that significant indicator.

As of this writing, Ethan Roberts does not hold a position in any of the aforementioned securities.

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Article printed from InvestorPlace Media, https://investorplace.com/2015/12/apple-inc-appl-five-inc-five-dollar-tree-inc-dltr-3-todays-best-stocks/.

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