With Markets on Pause, These 5 Stocks Are Ready to Move

U.S. markets are closed today in observance of Juneteenth, but investors are still digesting Wednesday’s key developments from the Federal Reserve and overseas.

The Fed held interest rates steady, as expected, but the policy tone struck a cautious note. Chair Jerome Powell signaled that rate cuts remain on the table later this year.

However, he emphasized the central bank would “wait and learn” as it assesses the full impact of the Trump administration’s tariffs. 

The Fed now expects just 1.4% GDP growth in 2025, with core inflation projected at 3.1%.

Meanwhile, the conflict between Israel and Iran continues to weigh on sentiment, even as hopes for diplomatic talks emerge. 

President Trump said Iranian officials requested to negotiate directly in Washington, a surprising twist after days of intense rhetoric and military escalation.

Against this backdrop, investors are using the market holiday to reassess their positioning. Macro risks are front and center, but so are individual opportunities.

Here are five stocks still worth watching:

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FTAI Aviation | FTAI

Price: $130.08

FTAI Aviation is soaring in 2025, up over 32% in the last three months and +5.5% in the most recent session.

With strong fundamentals and improving sentiment in the aerospace sector, the momentum appears justified.

Revenue grew 53.7% year-over-year in Q1 to $502.1 million, and the Zacks Consensus Estimate sees full-year EPS climbing to $5.14.

The company boasts a current ratio of 3.95 and a healthy interest coverage ratio of 7.6, both of which are well above industry averages.

ROIC is also strong at 6.1%, a full 1.7% above the sector median.

FTAI’s focus on servicing and leasing CFM56 engines, the workhorses of Boeing and Airbus fleets, has proven to be a steady, high-margin niche.

With a 0.93% dividend yield, improving solvency metrics, and a clear runway for earnings expansion, FTAI may be carving out an edge in aerospace leasing.

Cisco Systems | CSCO

Price: $65.84

Cisco is trading near its 52-week high after a series of analyst upgrades and a solid earnings beat. 

The company reported Q3 revenue of $14.15 billion, an 11.4% year-over-year (YoY) increase, and EPS of $0.96, which was significantly above expectations.

More importantly, Wall Street is warming to Cisco’s AI prospects.

Deutsche Bank recently raised its price target to $73, citing durable mid-single-digit growth visibility powered by AI infrastructure and a campus portfolio refresh. 

Meanwhile, insider buying has remained active, and institutional investors, such as FMR and Norges Bank, have meaningfully increased their positions.

With a dividend yield of 2.49%, a P/E of 26.9, and $1.64 in annualized dividends, Cisco offers a compelling mix of income and growth.

If AI spending ramps in the second half of the year, CSCO may continue to outperform legacy tech peers.

Walmart | WMT

Price: $95.09

Walmart is showing signs of stabilization after its longest losing streak in over 20 years.

Despite falling in 10 consecutive sessions earlier this month, the stock remains up 5.7% year-to-date, outperforming the retail sector average.

Investors are betting that Walmart’s AI-driven transformation can reignite earnings momentum.

CEO Doug McMillon highlighted ongoing innovation, including the rollout of “Sparky,” a generative AI assistant built into the app. 

Analysts at Jefferies and TD Cowen remain bullish on the company’s broader tech and automation push, noting its unique scale in deploying these tools across merchandising and logistics.

Although macroeconomic headwinds persist, especially with tariffs threatening supply chains, Walmart’s data-driven strategy and embedded customer base could provide it with the necessary staying power.

For long-term investors, WMT may be nearing an attractive reentry point.

JPMorgan Chase | JPM

Price: $273.96

JPMorgan continues to defy gravity in the banking sector, gaining more than 14% year-to-date and near a 52-week high.

Last quarter, the bank delivered a robust $5.07 EPS on $45.3 billion in revenue, beating on both the top and bottom lines.

With a 2.05% dividend yield and a forward P/E of 13.4, JPM still looks attractively priced for its quality and scale.

Wealth management and investment banking remain strong, and the balance sheet is built to weather tariff turbulence and inflation uncertainty.

As markets adjust to the Fed’s cautious tone, JPM’s diversified model and growing deposit base offer stability.

It may not deliver fireworks, but for those seeking safety with upside, this banking giant remains a potentially great portfolio addition.

Fastenal | FAST

Price: $41.49

Fastenal has quietly been one of the most consistent performers in the industrial sector this year, with a year-to-date gain of 16.7%.

Q1 results were right on target, with revenue hitting $1.96 billion and margins holding steady despite tariff-related pricing challenges.

Sales volumes increased by over 12%, and the adoption of Fastenal Managed Inventory (FMI) tools continued to expand, with device deployments up 12.5%. 

Analysts were particularly focused on management’s pricing flexibility in response to tariffs and the potential reshoring of supply chains.

While FAST trades at a premium P/E of 41.4, its recurring revenue, strong customer relationships, and operational discipline may justify that valuation.

If industrial demand picks up in the back half of 2025, Fastenal could be a major beneficiary.

With the Fed hitting pause and geopolitical risk still simmering, investors are taking a breath during today’s market holiday. 

But the themes in focus — the AI infrastructure, supply chain resilience, and blue-chip reliability — continue to drive positioning.

Each of the stocks in today’s report brings a different angle to that puzzle:

• FTAI and Fastenal reflect operational excellence and sector-specific momentum.

• Cisco offers tech upside with income stability.

• Walmart is a turnaround story built on innovation.

• JPMorgan remains a defensive core holding.

When the market reopens tomorrow, look for fresh narratives to emerge around inflation, tariffs, and Q2 earnings pre-guidance. 

Until then, it’s a good time to reassess what’s working, and what may come next.