Market Hits New Highs as Investors Turn to These 5 Names for What’s Next

The second half of 2025 is kicking off with major indexes at all-time highs.

Monday’s session capped off a powerful Q2, with the S&P 500 and Nasdaq both setting fresh records.

The market’s strength is riding on cooling inflation, improving trade sentiment, and a Fed that appears more inclined to cut rates if growth softens.

Investors are still monitoring developments regarding Trump’s tariff extensions, but Canada’s decision to reverse its digital services tax has helped alleviate trade concerns.

Meanwhile, Wall Street is eyeing upcoming data from PMI, ISM manufacturing, and the JOLTS report for any signs of economic slowdown.

Despite some caution, momentum remains on the bulls’ side, especially in tech, energy, and credit.

And with earnings season just around the corner, selectivity matters more than ever. Here are five stocks that stood out as Q3 begins:

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Oracle Corporation | ORCL

Price: $219.03

Oracle shares surged to a record high after revealing a $30 billion cloud services agreement set to kick in by FY28.

While the long-term revenue boost may not immediately impact the bottom line, the announcement marks a significant validation of Oracle’s multi-cloud strategy, particularly as it continues to build partnerships with OpenAI and IBM.

The company is already growing cloud revenue at over 100% year-over-year, and management noted that FY26 is off to a “strong start.”

Investors are betting that Oracle’s AI push, combined with its robust infrastructure backbone, could turn it into a key player in enterprise data services.

At 50x trailing earnings, ORCL isn’t cheap.

But with rising margins, and consistent deal wins, it may be one of the few large-cap tech names still trading with an underappreciated long-term growth story.

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Broadcom Inc. | AVGO

Price: $264.81

Broadcom closed out Q2 with an 11% weekly gain and a fresh all-time high, thanks to a powerful one-two punch of earnings and guidance.

The chipmaker reported $15 billion in Q2 revenue, up 20% year-over-year, and projected continued double-digit growth, driven by demand from hyperscalers and the ongoing integration with VMware.

The market is clearly excited about Broadcom’s positioning in AI infrastructure, even if consumer-facing chip demand remains soft.

Analysts at Jefferies raised their price target to $315, citing strong execution, resilient margins, and a “sticky” enterprise customer base.

After a 40% drawdown earlier this year, the recovery has been swift, with AVGO nearly doubling since April.

Although it may not be cheap, if current trends persist, Broadcom could remain a core name in AI-linked portfolios through year-end.

First Solar, Inc. | FSLR

Price: $163.04

First Solar jumped more than 8% on Monday after the Senate preserved key solar tax credits in Trump’s “One Big Beautiful Bill.”

Jefferies noted that credit stacking reforms and incentives based on foreign content could disproportionately benefit U.S.-based producers, such as First Solar, which doesn’t manufacture in China.

The stock has been battered over the past year, down 33%, but policy clarity may help turn the tide.

Demand remains strong in utility-scale solar, and easing restrictions on leasing models could re-accelerate installations.

In the longer term, analysts still warn of sunset provisions that may harm demand after 2028.

But for now, with political winds shifting and valuations compressed, FSLR may be entering a rebound phase, particularly if earnings later this month confirm margin improvement.

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American Express Company | AXP

Price: $322.48

American Express continues to shine in a market searching for high-quality financial exposure.

The stock is up nearly 39% over the past year and just posted another strong session, reflecting both consumer strength and investor faith in its premium model.

With Q2 earnings on deck for July 18, expectations are high: analysts project $3.85 in EPS, representing a 10% increase from the same period last year.

The company has consistently beaten estimates, and its closed-loop payment system provides it with valuable data and pricing power in a competitive space.

Valuation isn’t stretched compared to its growth profile, and the 224% five-year return speaks to its long-term compounder status.

As a core Dow component with momentum and earnings consistency, AXP remains a potential leader in the next leg of the bull run.

Super Micro Computer, Inc. | SMCI

Price: $47.20

SMCI ended June on a high note, up more than 18% over five days and nearly 60% YTD.

The catalyst was Intel’s certification of Supermicro’s BigTwin servers for immersion cooling, a green tech breakthrough that positions the company at the forefront of sustainable AI infrastructure.

That news followed the close of a $2.3 billion convertible senior notes offering and internal share buybacks, signaling both growth ambition and capital discipline.

Analysts also noted the company’s ability to remain nimble in the fast-paced server market, particularly as demand for high-density AI systems intensifies.

At current levels, SMCI trades with a forward-looking premium, and some analysts are cautious about competition.

However, for investors seeking pure-play exposure to next-generation computing, Supermicro may still have a runway if its execution holds.

The second quarter ended with a bang, and July begins with optimism, but also questions. Can earnings season justify current valuations?

Will the Fed finally move on rates? Can trade tensions stay contained?

Despite macroeconomic uncertainty, market breadth is improving, and sectors such as AI, solar, and premium credit are pulling ahead.

While broad-based upside may be harder to come by in Q3, selective exposure to names with real catalysts, like ORCL, AVGO, or SMCI, may offer the best path forward.