Financial specialists on CNBC's "Halftime Report Final Trades" presented their preferred stock selections following the publication of recent quarterly results from major corporations. Each expert's choice reflects their analysis of the companies' earnings performance, revenue outcomes, and market positioning, providing insight into current investment opportunities.
Blackstone Inc. (NYSE:BX) was highlighted by Rob Sechan, CEO of NewEdge Wealth, who emphasized the company's robust quarterly results. Blackstone's fourth-quarter report detailed distributable earnings per share of $1.75, marking a 4% increase from the previous year and exceeding analyst expectations, which forecasted $1.53 per share. The total distributable earnings grew by 3% year over year to reach $2.24 billion. While segment revenues fell 5% year over year to $3.94 billion, they nonetheless surpassed the analyst consensus estimate of $3.72 billion. Despite these positive earnings indicators, Blackstone's shares experienced a decline, closing down 2.6% at $142.94 on Thursday.
Malcolm Ethridge, managing partner at Capital Area Planning Group, recommended International Business Machines Corporation (NYSE:IBM) as his final trade. IBM's strong fourth-quarter outputs include reported revenue of $19.69 billion, outperforming the anticipated $19.23 billion, and adjusted earnings of $4.52 per share, which also exceeded the consensus estimate of $4.32. Following these results, IBM's stock saw a notable increase, closing up 5.1% at $309.24.
Jim Lebenthal, partner at Cerity Partners, identified Cisco Systems, Inc. (NASDAQ:CSCO) as his choice for the final trade recommendation. This endorsement aligns with recent analyst activity, including an upgrade from Evercore ISI Group’s Amit Daryanani, who raised Cisco's rating from In-Line to Outperform and increased the stock’s price target from $80 to $100. Nevertheless, Cisco’s share price edged down 0.7%, settling at $78.43.
Joshua Brown, co-founder and CEO of Ritholtz Wealth Management, brought attention to the energy sector through his selection of Exxon Mobil Corporation (NYSE:XOM). Exxon Mobil's quarterly earnings report, released before market open on Friday, revealed earnings per share of $1.71, narrowly beating the expected $1.67. It also posted revenue of $82.3 billion, surpassing forecasts of $81.47 billion. Exxon Mobil’s shares responded favorably, rising 2.1% to close at $140.51.
These earnings disclosures and expert endorsements provide important signals to investors regarding company performance in both technology and energy sectors amid evolving market dynamics. While some stock prices reflected immediate gains post-earnings, others displayed modest retractions, illustrating the nuanced market reactions to financial results.