VIP Exclusive: Hiring Slows to a Crawl, and Here's Where the Smart Money Is Looking

Markets just had a big surprise on the labor front, and not in a good way. Just 37,000 jobs were added in May, marking the slowest pace of private-sector hiring in over two years. That’s well below the 110,000 expected and a steep drop from April’s already soft economic prints.

While unemployment remains low, the sudden deceleration in job creation could be a sign that the economy is cooling more quickly than anticipated. We have another big jobs report out tomorrow, the U.S. Non-Farm Payrolls for May, so we will see if there’s any carryover there.

For investors, these numbers add another layer of complexity — but also opportunity. Slower job growth could ease pressure on interest rates while individual companies with strong execution and fresh catalysts continue to shine.

Here are five stocks that stand out right now:

Dollar Tree | DLTR

Price: $96.58

It hasn’t been smooth sailing lately for Dollar Tree, with Q2 guidance falling short and tariff headwinds lingering — but analysts aren’t writing it off. Truist sees brighter days ahead, maintaining a $100 price target and pointing to strength in core operations. Q1 same-store sales were up 5.4%, and the company raised full-year EPS guidance, signaling confidence. If the economy is in trouble, where better to get value than discount stores?

DLTR is also buying back shares and preparing for the Family Dollar spinoff, which will give it more flexibility to execute. While recent volatility has spooked investors, the setup here could favor a recovery story — especially if economic pressures prompt more shoppers to shift toward discount retailers.

Wells Fargo | WFC

Price: $74.93

The Fed has finally lifted the seven-year asset cap on Wells Fargo — a restriction that’s dogged the bank since the 2016 fake accounts scandal. That opens the door for real expansion in credit cards, commercial banking, and wealth management.

Shares jumped on the news, and analysts see room for more. Wells can now grow deposits, capture market share, and deploy capital more flexibly, all while shedding the regulatory overhang. CEO Charlie Scharf called it a “pivotal milestone.” JPMorgan’s Jamie Dimon even gave him a shoutout. That’s the kind of headline shift that can re-rate a stock.

Constellation Energy | CEG

Price: $289.99

Constellation just inked a 20-year nuclear power deal with Meta, securing 1.1 gigawatts of output from its Clinton plant in Illinois. That’s a huge win for clean energy, and for CEG, which has been positioning itself at the center of the tech–energy convergence.

With data centers demanding more power than ever, especially for AI, this deal extends the Clinton plant’s life, ensures reliable revenue, and could even pave the way for a small modular reactor (SMR) on site. Tech giants like Google and Amazon are all in on nuclear, and Constellation is becoming the go-to partner.

Netflix | NFLX

Price: $1,251.14

Netflix just hit a new all-time high, and Jefferies says it’s got more room to run. They raised their price target to $1,400, citing a stacked release calendar (hello, Squid Game 3), new price hikes, and a booming ad business that could generate up to $10B by 2030.

The stock is already up around 37% year-to-date, and Jefferies sees annual EPS growth of 20% or more ahead. With password crackdowns, live entertainment, and sports offerings expanding, Netflix looks poised to dominate both streaming and ad-supported tiers. The path is clear, and Wall Street is on board.

Verint Systems | VRNT

Price: $18.77

Verint crushed earnings expectations this week, and the stock exploded more than 16% after hours. EPS came in at $0.29, versus the expected $0.22, and revenue also beat expectations. However, what really turned heads was the company’s AI growth story. AI annual recurring revenue is now 24% higher year-over-year (YoY) and accounts for nearly half of Verint’s total annual recurring revenue (ARR).

They reaffirmed full-year guidance above consensus and continue to buy back shares. In a world where AI noise is loud, Verint is showing real adoption and monetization. This could be a breakout moment if they sustain momentum into Q2.

Slower job growth may have caught the market off guard, but it doesn’t mean opportunity is slowing down. From clean energy deals and AI revenue surges to strategic bank turnarounds and retail resilience, these five companies each offer a clear, near-term story, backed by catalysts that matter. In a market searching for direction, names with momentum and strong fundamentals stand out even more.

Keep these stocks on your radar as we head into the final stretch of Q2.