VIP Exclusive: Jobs Surprise to the Upside, But Markets Still Treading Carefully

Friday’s jobs report came in better than expected, and the market liked what it saw.

Nonfarm payrolls rose by 139,000 in May, topping estimates of 125,000 and easing concerns about an economic stall following this week’s weak ADP report. Unemployment held at 4.2%, a reminder that while the labor market may be cooling, it’s not cracking.

Stock futures jumped on the news, with the S&P 500, Nasdaq, and Dow all moving higher in pre-market trade. That optimism, however, comes with a dose of caution. Persistent tariff uncertainty, sticky inflation, and rate cut hopes still dominate the conversation — and Friday’s data didn’t fully settle the score on any of them.

In a market this divided, catalysts matter more than ever. These five companies are sifting through the noise with strategies and results worth watching.

Broadcom Inc. | AVGO

Price: $246.85

Broadcom delivered a solid Q2, with $15B in revenue (+20% YoY) and a beat on EPS ($1.58 vs. $1.57 expected). However, the stock dropped by more than 4% after hours as guidance came in slightly below Wall Street's expectations. The real story, though, is its AI revenue, which jumped 46% year-over-year (YoY) and is expected to grow to $5.1 billion next quarter, marking ten consecutive quarters of AI growth.

Despite the post-earnings drop, sentiment on retail platforms remains bullish. The pullback looks more like profit-taking after a 55% run since March than a fundamental red flag. You might argue the sell-off is overdone, especially given Broadcom’s strength in AI networking and custom ASIC chips for hyperscalers like Google and Meta.

Margins remain stellar, and the company is well-positioned as a long-term leader in AI infrastructure. This might be the dip that long-term bulls have been waiting for.

The Cooper Companies | COO

Price: $72.33

Cooper Companies might not be on every growth investor’s radar, but its fundamentals are hard to ignore. The specialty medical device maker — best known for its CooperVision and CooperSurgical divisions — earned a Growth Style Score of B and boasts a solid Zacks Rank of #3 (Hold). Earnings are projected to rise 9.8% this year, with revenue expected to increase by 5.7%.

With seven analysts recently revising earnings higher and average EPS surprises above 3%, Cooper is showing consistent execution. Cash flow is forecasted to rise 11% this year, giving it fuel to invest or return capital to shareholders. For long-term investors seeking steady growth in the healthcare space, COO is worth considering.

First Majestic Silver Corp. | AG

Price: $8.26

Silver stocks have caught fire, and First Majestic is leading the charge. AG just hit a 52-week high, gaining nearly 19% in a week and riding a surge in silver prices as investors hedge against inflation and currency volatility.

Production is ramping up, too. First Majestic saw a 49% YoY increase in Silver Equivalent Ounces, thanks to its Cerro Los Gatos mine acquisition and higher output from core assets like Santa Elena and San Dimas. Goldman Sachs’ bullish commodity outlook and analyst upgrades have helped fuel the momentum. With strong liquidity, operational leverage, and renewed investor interest in precious metals, First Majestic is one of the most attractive mining plays currently available.

DocuSign Inc. | DOCU

Price: $75.26

DocuSign posted an impressive Q1, with revenue up 8% year-over-year (YoY) to $764 million, free cash flow reaching $228 million, and non-GAAP EPS increasing to $0.90. Its Intelligent Agreement Management (IAM) platform is the fastest-growing product in the company's history, now serving over 10,000 customers. Net retention also improved to 101%, a sign of stickier customer relationships.

The company did flag some timing-related softness in early renewals, which impacted billings growth. But leadership reaffirmed full-year guidance and expects stronger growth in the second half. With a new $1.4 billion buyback authorization and AI-powered IAM capabilities gaining traction, DocuSign looks like a business that’s executing a thoughtful transition.

Costco Wholesale Corp. | COST

Price: $1,014.50

Costco’s May sales came in strong, with net sales up 6.8% YoY and comparable core sales rising 6.0%, even as growth cooled slightly from April. Online sales surged 11.6%, while food, sundries, and fresh categories all posted mid- to high-single-digit gains.

While some analysts flagged potential headwinds, such as the fading bump in gold bar sales, others remain bullish on Costco’s pricing power, customer loyalty, and e-commerce expansion. Year-to-date, the stock is up over 11%, and new retail partnerships (like the AG1 collaboration) continue to generate investor buzz. With long-term earnings projected to climb and a reputation for resilience, Costco remains a top name in consumer retail, even at current valuations.

Friday’s jobs report gave markets a boost, but the story is far from over. A solid payrolls number helped restore some confidence, yet concerns around inflation, trade policy, and the Fed’s next move remain in focus.

That’s why stock selection is key right now. From Broadcom’s AI expansion and DocuSign’s strategic platform shift to First Majestic’s silver surge, each of the names we’ve covered today brings a unique angle to a market looking for clarity.

Momentum may ebb and flow, but catalysts create staying power.