Hot Stocks

Hot stocks are not about hype. They emerge when powerful themes, policy shifts, and capital flows converge. InvestorPlace analysts track fast-moving market narratives, especially in technology, AI, and infrastructure, to identify stocks drawing outsized attention and explain what is really driving those moves.

Zynga Testing Life Out of Facebook’s Nest

By Tom Taulli, InvestorPlace Contributor Oct 12, 2011

The company readies for its IPO with a plan to bypass the social network.

Alcoa Shares — 3 Pros, 3 Cons

By Tom Taulli, InvestorPlace Contributor Oct 12, 2011

Despite short-term headwinds, this stock should deliver over the long haul.

JPMorgan Earnings Preview — Expect a Hard Dose of Reality

By Jamie Dlugosch, InvestorPlace Writer Oct 12, 2011

Investors expect ugly earnings and a subsequent drop in stock, and they'll probably get it -- but JPMorgan could do some good with its report.

Should You Buy the Dow — IBM

By Lawrence Meyers, InvestorPlace Contributor Oct 12, 2011

An undervalued tech powerhouse at an all-time high? It's hard to make a case against IBM.

J.B. Hunt — How to Play Thursday’s Earnings Report

By Jamie Dlugosch, InvestorPlace Writer Oct 12, 2011

Domestic trucking is showing signs of growth, and oil costs have dropped -- but JBHT still is a hard read that could teeter either way after the bell

Fairchild Semiconductor — How to Play Thursday’s Earnings Report

By Jamie Dlugosch, InvestorPlace Writer Oct 12, 2011

Fairchild Semiconductor has benefited from demand for chips used in mobile devices, but shaky demand elsewhere merits investor caution.

Alcoa Flops to Kick Off Earnings Season — Tuesday’s IP Market Recap

By Kyle Woodley, Senior Investing Editor, Kiplinger Oct 11, 2011

Alcoa's reported earnings per share of 15 cents fall way short of analysts' expectations -- a grim start to the third-quarter earnings season.

Wal-Mart Is Making Friends With Facebook

By Tom Taulli, InvestorPlace Contributor Oct 11, 2011

Wal-Mart is trying to catch up to online speed with a social media push, but it's difficult to tell whether the big-box retailer can "like" its way out of slumping sales.

Fastenal — Third-Quarter Earnings Preview

By Jamie Dlugosch, InvestorPlace Writer Oct 11, 2011

Fastenal has been solid in past earnings reports, but this time around could see a mere meet with weak guidance. Investors should consider sitting the bench.

Don’t Expect Pop From PepsiCo’s Earnings Report

By Jamie Dlugosch, InvestorPlace Writer Oct 11, 2011

PEP is a decent defensive stock that can manage expectations -- but lower consumer demand likely means Pepsi won't do much more than that.

Host Hotels & Resorts — How to Play Wednesday’s Earnings Report

By Jamie Dlugosch, InvestorPlace Writer Oct 11, 2011

Even though Host Hotels & Resorts has been offering cautious guidance, its stock appears oversold. This earnings report could bode well for HST owners.

Financial Stocks on the Attack — Monday’s IP Market Recap

By Kyle Woodley, Senior Investing Editor, Kiplinger Oct 10, 2011

Citigroup, Wells Fargo and Bank of America among big financial stocks charging ahead Monday on news that Franco-Belgian bank Dexia was being bailed out.

Alcoa — How to Play Tuesday’s Earnings Report

By Jamie Dlugosch, InvestorPlace Writer Oct 10, 2011

Aluminum prices and a down broader economy have weighted on Alcoa. Still, the company should set the earnings season pace with a calming report.

3 Reasons Airline Earnings Will Tank in 2012

By Susan J. Aluise, Aviation, Auto & Transportation Writer Oct 10, 2011

Global airlines' earnings are expected to drop 30% in 2012. Here are three reasons why the airline industry is poised to receive such a hit.

Novellus — How to Play Monday’s Earnings Report

By Jamie Dlugosch, InvestorPlace Writer Oct 9, 2011

Semiconductor equipment maker Novellus is in the middle of a downtrend -- missing already lowered expectations could send shares further down still.

3 Companies Lacking Jobs’ Brand of Vision

By Jamie Dlugosch, InvestorPlace Writer Oct 9, 2011

These companies were the cream of the crop at one point or another, but each has gotten too comfortable and stopped innovating. Will they sink or swim?