Market Awaits Jobs Data as These 5 Stocks Take the Spotlight Before the Holiday Break

Markets wrapped the first half of the week on a high note, with the S&P 500 and Nasdaq notching fresh record closes on Wednesday.

It will be a holiday-shortened week, but traders will be dealing with a flurry of economic reports on Thursday morning, including the much-anticipated June jobs numbers, which could set the tone for the second half of 2025.

In the meantime, President Trump announced a new trade deal with Vietnam, imposing tariffs of 20% on direct imports and 40% on goods rerouted through Vietnam from other countries.

The market took the news in stride, though it added to the growing uncertainty over global supply chains.

Elsewhere, short interest in major indexes, such as the S&P 500 and the Nasdaq-100, continues to rise, indicating that investors may be hedging against recent gains. 

Here are five names that stood out today:

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SoundHound AI | SOUN

Price: $11.02

SoundHound AI surged 7.4% on Wednesday, riding a wave of investor enthusiasm for niche AI plays.

With year-to-date gains nearing 190%, the stock has become a speculative favorite among traders looking for high-growth exposure.

The company’s core business, voice AI for restaurants, automotive, and enterprise, continues to expand, and Q1 revenue soared 151% year-over-year.

Management expects full-year growth to remain close to 100%, driven by rising demand in the quick-service restaurant sector and new partnerships in healthcare.

Valuation remains a sticking point (over 36x sales), but the bull case is clear.SoundHound’s unique focus on conversational AI positions it well if it can maintain its product edge.

Any signs of a slowdown in adoption or larger players entering its niche could pose risks, but for now, momentum is with the bulls.

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AT&T | T

Price: $28.32

AT&T is up more than 26% in 2025, outperforming its peers, including Verizon and T-Mobile.

The telecom giant recently announced that it had completed the sale of its remaining 70% stake in DIRECTV to TPG Capital, thereby sharpening its focus on core growth areas, including 5G and fiber.

The fiber expansion story continues to draw institutional interest. AT&T now reaches 30 million homes and businesses with fiber and aims to double that footprint by 2030.

Its recent acquisition of Lumen’s fiber assets is expected to add 4 million additional locations across 11 states.

With a 3.9% dividend yield, improving fundamentals, and a renewed business strategy, T has reemerged as a stable pick in a choppy market.

While the company faces stiff B2B competition, especially in the wireless sector, its fiber-first approach could support long-term growth.

Amcor | AMCR

Price: $9.63

Shares of Amcor rose 4% this week after the company announced a major investment in its U.S. facility to expand production of post-consumer recycled (PCR) packaging.

The upgrade introduces silo systems that enable up to 100% PCR content across various product lines, serving a wide range of industries, from spirits to personal care.

Amcor’s push toward sustainable packaging is gaining momentum, with the company having increased its purchases of PCR polymers by over 50,000 metric tons in 2024 alone.

That shift is starting to resonate with investors, especially as ESG mandates and consumer preferences continue to evolve.

With a 5.3% dividend yield and a forward P/E under 18, AMCR offers an appealing mix of income and green exposure.

It may not be a fast grower, but its consistent execution and sustainability leadership give it staying power in today’s packaging landscape.

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Norwegian Cruise Line | NCLH

Price: $21.98

NCLH is still down nearly 18% year-to-date, but recent trading has shown signs of life.

This week, options activity spiked, with call volume nearly doubling the average level, suggesting that some investors are positioning for a rebound.

The cruise operator continues to face margin pressures and a slower-than-expected recovery in passenger volumes.

Yet analysts are split. While some have downgraded the stock on valuation concerns, others maintain price targets above $25 based on normalized earnings potential.

Despite concerns about debt and elevated fuel costs, NCLH trades at just 12.3 times forward earnings and boasts a price-to-earnings-growth (PEG) ratio of 0.35.

With 70% of the stock held by institutions and a beta above 2, this name may remain volatile but could be potentially rewarding for risk-tolerant investors.

Haleon | HLN

Price: $10.25

Consumer health giant Haleon closed out June with a strategic win: the full acquisition of its Chinese joint venture, Tianjin TSKF Pharmaceutical.

The move grants HLN full control over one of its fastest-growing markets, enhancing operational flexibility in Asia.

Haleon’s stable of trusted brands, including Advil, Centrum, and Sensodyne, continues to deliver steady growth across six major categories.

The company’s fundamentals remain sound, with a 1.7% dividend yield, healthy cash flow, and solid profitability.

While FX headwinds and selective product performance issues have raised some caution flags, HLN’s international strategy and brand strength make it an appealing long-term play in the consumer staples space.

Its momentum in emerging markets could provide a tailwind heading into the second half of the year.

With the June jobs report now out and markets closed early ahead of the July 4th holiday, investors have the weekend to digest a whirlwind of data, including payrolls, unemployment, wage growth, and factory orders.

Whether the numbers indicate a cooling economy or continued resilience, the bigger question is how the Fed will interpret them.

Hopes for a rate cut are still hanging in the balance, and any shift in expectations could ripple through equity markets next week.

For now, the S&P 500 and Nasdaq remain near record territory, but with short interest building and geopolitical uncertainties simmering, the path forward may not be smooth.

In this kind of environment, broad market bets are becoming increasingly difficult to justify.

Stock selection is key, and names with unique catalysts, operational tailwinds, or sector-specific drivers are where the potential lies.

With Q2 earnings just around the corner, staying nimble and focused could make all the difference.