Markets Rally on Jobs Strength and 5 Stocks to Watch as July Heats Up

The July 4th holiday brought fireworks to Wall Street a day early.

Markets surged into the midweek close after a stronger-than-expected June jobs report calmed recession fears and bolstered confidence in the U.S. economy.

Nonfarm payrolls came in at 147,000, above estimates, while the unemployment rate unexpectedly ticked down to 4.1%. 

Traders dialed back rate-cut expectations, pushing Treasury yields higher, but risk appetite remained intact as the S&P 500 and Nasdaq both closed at fresh record highs on Thursday.

Adding to the momentum, President Trump’s tax megabill cleared the final legislative hurdle and is now on the brink of becoming law, offering a potential tailwind to corporate earnings as details emerge. 

With the U.S.–Vietnam trade deal also moving forward and Trump’s tariff deadline fast approaching, traders are navigating an unusually policy-heavy July.

Markets are closed for Independence Day, but there’s no shortage of stock stories to digest. Here are five names we’re watching as the week wraps:

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The Metals Company | TMC

Price: $7.11

TMC has exploded higher, up more than 490% YTD and 22% in the past two sessions alone. The catalyst was a one-two punch of policy momentum and strategic investment.

President Trump’s recent executive order cleared the path for deep-sea mining under U.S. jurisdiction, bypassing international regulatory bottlenecks.

That’s a game changer for TMC, which specializes in seabed-sourced battery metals.

Adding fuel to the rally, Korea Zinc acquired a 5% stake and committed $85 million in funding, signaling strong institutional belief in TMC’s long-term viability.

Technical strength is undeniable, and analysts at Wedbush recently lifted their price target to $11. 

Environmental risks remain a wildcard, but for now, the market is all-in on TMC’s role in the electrification supply chain.

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Archer Aviation | ACHR

Price: $10.17

Archer shares have soared more than 210% over the past nine months, and its latest test flight in the UAE desert has investors even more bullish.

The Midnight eVTOL aircraft performed flawlessly in harsh desert conditions, strengthening the company’s case for commercial viability and fast-tracked certification.

Analysts at H.C. Wainwright assigned an $18 price target to ACHR, citing the expansion of trial programs and a potential Abu Dhabi fleet launch later this year. 

With $350 million in fresh capital from a recent share sale and no debt on the books, Archer appears ready to scale.

It’s a high-risk bet, but one that’s capturing the serious imagination of investors in the urban air mobility race.

Barclays | BCS

Price: $18.26

Barclays is on a roll, with shares up more than 39% YTD amid strong Q1 earnings and a strategic revamp of its Asia Pacific investment banking unit. 

The bank is midway through a three-year restructuring plan that includes job cuts, capital optimization, and a deeper push into private credit.

And so far, the payoff is visible in the numbers.

Barclays still trades at a forward P/E of just 8.9, which is well below that of its global peers, despite robust profit margins and improving operating leverage.

Recent management changes in APAC signal intent to grow the franchise abroad while doubling down on high-margin businesses.

With investor sentiment warming towards UK financials and a 2.4% dividend yield in tow, BCS could continue to climb as value and growth intersect.

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KeyCorp | KEY

Price: $18.46

KEY is gaining momentum after a strong first half of the year, with analysts pointing to a positive earnings surprise trend and improving deposit growth.

The stock has posted back-to-back earnings beats, and Zacks now forecasts a decent chance of another upside when the results are released later this month.

Despite macroeconomic headwinds, KEY trades at a discount, boasts a 4.4% dividend yield, and exhibits improving net interest margins.

It’s a less flashy name, but one that may outperform if regional banks remain resilient and income investors rotate back into value.

Huntington Bancshares | HBAN

Price: $17.54

HBAN is fresh off an upgrade from Wolfe Research to “Outperform,” with analysts pointing to expanding loan growth, deposit strength, and improving margins.

The stock is up 8% YTD and continues to look undervalued relative to its historical averages, with a forward P/E of 13.2 and a 3.5% dividend yield.

Huntington is gaining deposit market share and has also outpaced peers in loan growth since the 2023 banking crisis.

Multiple other analyst upgrades, including from Deutsche Bank and Jefferies, are validating the thesis that HBAN may be underappreciated at current levels. 

With a $21 price target and earnings expected on July 21, the next few weeks could be pivotal.

The holiday-shortened week concluded with strong economic data and political breakthroughs, providing bulls with more fuel to run with.

The jobs report quelled slowdown fears, while the passage of Trump’s tax package injected another dose of policy clarity into the market.

For now, rate-cut hopes may be on pause, but investor focus has turned to earnings season and potential trade policy developments.

As July unfolds, expect a rotation between growth and value as traders digest macroeconomic surprises and seek relative strength.

Names like TMC and Archer reflect a high-risk, high-reward appetite still alive in the market.

Meanwhile, BCS, KEY, and HBAN show how classic financials can still deliver, especially when macro tailwinds and strategic moves align.