The markets continued to move lower this week with the Nasdaq suffering the largest losses. Analysts are adjusting valuations as they assume that interest rate cuts won’t happen until the fall, possibly not until 2025.  

Geopolitical concerns are also on the minds of investors. The reason is because of how they impact oil prices. If oil prices rise, it will directly affect inflation, which is already expected to run hotter over the next several months.  

But for the next few weeks, it will be all about earnings and, more importantly, the guidance that companies will give. Next week, earnings season moves into high gear as investors will start hearing from some of the Magnificent 7 stocks from 2023. The MarketBeat analysts will be all over those reports. In the meantime, here are some of our most popular stories from this week.  

Articles by Jea Yu 

Novo Nordisk AV/S NYSE: NVO stock has soared along with the success of its Ozempic and Wegovy drugs. At this time, those GLB-1 treatments can only be prescribed for diabetes or obesity, respectively. The stock has pulled back recently. However, Jea Yu explained that NVO stock may get a jolt as the company is testing the drug for other indications that include “obesity-related pulmonary and cardiovascular diseases, and potentially neurological disorders.” 

Gold has been one of the best-performing asset classes in 2024. However, silver hasn’t enjoyed the same gains – at least not yet. Yu wrote about two silver stocks that are starting to move higher, as the underlying commodity is still well below its all-time high.  

And this week, Yu explained how options traders can use a put credit spread as an alternative to a debit spread when they believe a stock will move higher but want to limit their downside risk. This article details how a put credit spread works and the pros and cons of using the strategy.  

Articles by Thomas Hughes 

Money continues to flow into energy stocks over the reality of finite supply and accelerating demand. This week, Thomas Hughes gives investors three energy stocks that are paying dividends, repurchasing shares, and offering the potential for long-term share price gains.  

Hughes was also writing about the recent earnings report from UnitedHealth Group Inc. NYSE: UNH. The stock is up 12%, breaking a five-month slump that had the stock down to nearly 12-month lows. Hughes explains the reasons beyond the headline numbers that UNH stock won’t be undervalued much longer.  

Another stock that may be as cheap as it’s going to get is Johnson & Johnson NYSE: JNJ. Hughes explains why the slimmed-down company’s latest earnings report was bullish in many of the ways that should matter most and may put the stock at a buying point for investors.  

Articles by Sam Quirke 

Quirke also explains the Relative Strength Indicator (RSI) and how that technical indicator helps point investors to overbought or oversold stocks and gives you .  

Articles by Ryan Hasson 

Next week, investors will get the first read from several Magnificent Seven stocks. The shine has come off several of these stocks. However, Ryan Hasson wrote about three Magnificent 7 stocks that are still outperforming their Mag 7 counterparts as well as the broader market. 

Hasson is also looking at energy stocks. He was specifically analyzing that have recently shown strong price and volume movement and may have more upside in store for investors.  

Articles by Gabriel Osorio-Mazilli 

As you can see, there are good reasons the MarketBeat analysts are laser-focused on energy stocks. This week, Gabriel Osorio-Mazilli explains why is a solid midstream company that analysts believe from higher oil and natural gas demand. 

This week, steel stocks came into sharp focus as President Biden floated a 30% tariff on Chinese steel. It’s timely, therefore, that Osorio-Mazilli offers up three steel stocks that are positioned to benefit if those tariffs are imposed.  

And chip stocks remain in focus. This week, Osorio-Mazilli explains why ASML Holding NASDAQ: ASML may be a solid picks-and-shovel way to invest in the sector as the next leg of the rally in semiconductor stocks is getting underway.  

Before you consider Novo Nordisk A/S, 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 Novo Nordisk A/S wasn’t on the list.

While Novo Nordisk A/S currently has a “Moderate Buy” rating among analysts, top-rated analysts believe these five stocks are better buys.

View The Five Stocks Here