During the latest edition of CNBC’s “Halftime Report Final Trades” aired on Tuesday, leading financial professionals revealed their culminating stock recommendations, painting a vivid picture of current market sentiment and strategic investment choices. Among those highlighted prominently were Amazon.com, Inc. (NASDAQ: AMZN) and Affiliated Managers Group, Inc. (NYSE: AMG), each bolstered by favorable analyst ratings and price target hikes.
Joshua Brown, who serves as co-founder and CEO of Ritholtz Wealth Management, identified Amazon.com as his ultimate pick on the show. This endorsement came closely on the heels of Jefferies analyst Brent Thill’s reaffirmation of a Buy recommendation for Amazon, accompanied by an elevation of its price target from $275 to $300 on Monday. The bullish sentiment underscores Amazon’s ongoing market strength and prospects within the tech and retail sectors.
In parallel, Brian Belski, holding the roles of CEO and chief investment officer at Humilis Investment Strategies, designated Affiliated Managers Group as his essential final trade. Confirmation of this view was evident from Goldman Sachs analyst Alexander Blostein’s commitment to AMG as a Buy, along with an increased price target from $300 to $341 on Tuesday. This support reflects confidence in AMG’s position and growth trajectory in the asset management arena.
Additional influential picks featured in the discussion included the iShares US Consumer Discretionary ETF (NYSE: IYC), proposed by Shannon Saccocia, chief investment officer at NB Private Wealth. Her rationale hinges on the diminished impact of tariffs coupled with ongoing strong consumer engagement, suggesting resilience within discretionary spending sectors.
Furthermore, Joe Terranova, senior managing director at Virtus Investment Partners, spotlighted Uber Technologies, Inc. (NYSE: UBER) as a compelling selection. The stock experienced a notable uptick, gaining approximately 6% to close at $85.54 on Tuesday. Uber’s positive momentum was further fueled by its announced renewal of a partnership with TomTom N.V. (OTC: TMOAF), aimed at enhancing its routing and location services globally across both ride-hailing and delivery operations. This collaboration reflects strategic investments in technological improvements to support operational efficiency worldwide.
Examining share movements during the session reveals that Amazon’s stock appreciated 3.4%, closing at $240.93, demonstrating investor confidence likely influenced by analyst upgrades and market dynamics. Similarly, Affiliated Managers Group shares increased by 2.2%, settling at $310.31. Meanwhile, the iShares US Consumer Discretionary ETF experienced a modest gain of 0.9%, signaling persistent interest in consumer-focused equities amid evolving economic factors.
These collective insights, presented during the “Halftime Report Final Trades,” provide a snapshot of contemporary investment strategies centered on high-profile consumer and technology companies supported by influential market analysts. The interplay of corporate performance, strategic partnerships, and analyst sentiment offers a nuanced understanding of factors currently shaping investment decisions.
Key Points
- Market experts on CNBC have recently identified Amazon.com and Affiliated Managers Group as top final trade picks, supported by analyst upgrades and increased price targets.
- Amazon.com’s recommendation is bolstered by Jefferies analyst Brent Thill’s maintenance of a Buy rating and price target increase to $300.
- Affiliated Managers Group’s appeal is underpinned by Goldman Sachs analyst Alexander Blostein’s Buy rating and a price target raised to $341.
- Other notable selections include Uber Technologies, benefiting from renewed partnerships for technological enhancements, and the iShares US Consumer Discretionary ETF, favored due to strong consumer engagement.
Risks and Uncertainties
- The performance of Amazon.com and Affiliated Managers Group remains subject to market conditions, which could affect stock prices despite analyst optimism.
- Potential changes in consumer behavior or economic shifts could impact the iShares US Consumer Discretionary ETF’s performance.
- Uber Technologies’ growth is contingent on the effectiveness of its technological partnerships and the broader competitive environment within global ride-hailing and delivery services.