Tariff Delays, Summer Surge, and 5 Stocks That Caught Our Eye to Start the Week

Markets opened Monday digesting a holiday hangover and a political curveball: the Trump administration confirmed that new tariff hikes will take effect on August 1, not July 9 as previously expected.

The announcement, delivered Sunday by Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick with the president standing beside him, gave investors a temporary reprieve, at least on paper.

That delay may offer companies a few more weeks of breathing room to adjust their supply chains, especially those in sectors vulnerable to escalating trade friction.

Meanwhile, Wall Street is riding high after last week’s strong jobs report, which sent the S&P 500 and Nasdaq to fresh record closes.

However, with the indexes now at all-time highs, many investors are treading carefully as they anticipate the next phase of trade developments and the upcoming corporate earnings season.

Here are five names that stood out to kick off the week:

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TeraWulf Inc. | WULF

Price: $4.79

TeraWulf is showing signs of renewed life. The bitcoin miner now has nine Buy or Strong Buy ratings, and Wall Street’s average price target sits above $7.50.

The catalyst is a combination of improving energy margins and rising institutional interest.

The stock had slumped earlier in the year on earnings misses and revenue declines, but recent volume spikes and technical strength suggest the tide may be turning.

Institutional investors like Senator Investment Group and BIT Capital have increased their stakes, a vote of confidence in the company's long-term mining economics.

WULF remains a volatile name, especially given the always-shaky sentiment surrounding bitcoin.

But for traders betting on a crypto rebound and improved Q3 performance, this may be one of the higher beta plays to watch.

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American Airlines Group | AAL

Price: $11.59

American Airlines continues to wrestle with industry headwinds, but Citi isn’t backing down from its bullish stance.

The investment bank reiterated its Buy rating and $18.25 price target, citing improving balance sheet health, strong co-branded credit card revenues beginning this year, and resilient demand for premium and international long-haul travel.

Even amid sector-wide softness in domestic main cabin sales, Citi says American’s operations are “moving in the right direction.”

The airline trades at a modest P/E ratio of 10.6x, and InvestingPro suggests the stock is undervalued relative to its near-term earnings potential.

Financially, AAL posted a slightly better-than-expected Q1 loss and ended the quarter with a solid $10.8 billion in liquidity.

It’s also working to enhance its premium offerings, with plans to expand lie-flat and Premium Economy seating by 50% by the end of the decade.

 A new lounge in Philadelphia, along with investments in Flagship Suites, further supports its move upmarket.

Despite volatility in fuel costs and regional demand, analysts remain cautiously optimistic.

If AAL can maintain pricing power in its premium segments, this beaten-down stock may have room to climb heading into year-end.

Applied Digital | APLD

Price: $9.65

APLD is quickly becoming one of the more intriguing AI infrastructure plays.

The company’s 15-year lease agreements with CoreWeave, worth up to $7 billion, are driving investor excitement.

These deals secure long-term revenue from high-performance computing workloads, positioning APLD at the center of the AI infrastructure boom.

The firm is aggressively expanding its capacity, with 700 MW of new projects in the pipeline.

While depreciation and cloud transition hiccups weighed on recent earnings, analysts are optimistic about margin recovery later this year.

Valuation is robust, and execution risk remains high due to the capital-intensive nature of APLD’s growth strategy.

Still, for those seeking AI picks beyond the usual suspects, APLD may be a bold but strategic bet.

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CNH Industrial | CNH

Price: $13.47

Industrial giant CNH has quietly gained 23% YTD and continues to win favor with long-term investors.

Its earnings profile is solid, with a trailing P/E under 17 and strong free cash flow.

More importantly, recent price action suggests bullish momentum, with shares bouncing off recent lows to challenge their 52-week high.

CNH offers exposure to agriculture, infrastructure, and construction, all sectors that could benefit from continued economic resilience or fiscal policy support.

The stock also boasts a 1.8% dividend yield, enhancing its income appeal alongside its growth narrative.

Analysts have set a 12-month price target north of $15, and technical indicators remain favorable.

CNH may not be flashy, but it offers a balanced risk-reward profile for investors seeking stability in an increasingly momentum-driven market.

Planet Labs | PL

Price: $6.84

Planet Labs has been doing well in recent months, driven by major defense and intelligence contracts, including a €240 million deal with Germany and expanded engagements with the U.S. Navy and NATO.

These contracts are tied to its satellite imagery and AI-driven alert capabilities, underscoring PL’s role in next-gen surveillance and geospatial analytics.

The company has pivoted significantly into AI, and leadership states that the "changing geopolitical landscape" is driving unprecedented demand for real-time monitoring and persistent data feeds.

Analysts remain divided, as Goldman Sachs recently downgraded the stock, while Cantor and Citigroup have maintained bullish outlooks.

If PL can continue to execute and meet margin targets in the upcoming earnings, it could transition from a speculative to a strategic holding.

The stock's 72% YTD gain reflects a shift in sentiment, but further upside may hinge on proving it can scale profitably.

Markets entered the new week with mixed signals.

The delay in implementing the tariff to August 1 offered brief relief, but with the White House still finalizing terms, volatility could return quickly.

At the same time, the S&P 500 and Nasdaq are entering uncharted territory after a strong jobs report and early optimism ahead of Q2 earnings.

In this context, investors appear to be favoring company-specific stories over broad macro bets.

Stocks like APLD and PL offer long-term growth exposure in AI and defense, while CNH and AAL highlight potential for cyclical recovery.

Meanwhile, WULF may be one of the few ways to play a crypto rebound with institutional tailwinds.

As the second half of 2025 gets underway, staying selective and adaptable may be the edge investors need.