Market watchers tuning into CNBC's "Halftime Report Final Trades" got a diverse mix of stock picks spanning financial services, mortgage lending, energy, and industrials.
Kari Firestone, co-founder of Aureus Asset Management, named American Express Company (AXP) as her top pick. The timing makes sense given the credit card giant's recent performance. Back on Oct. 17, American Express reported third-quarter results that sailed past expectations and the company proceeded to raise its earnings per share guidance for the year.
Malcolm Ethridge, managing partner at Capital Area Planning Group, went with Rocket Companies, Inc. (RKT). The mortgage lender has been riding positive momentum after posting better-than-expected third-quarter financials on Oct. 30. What caught investors' attention wasn't just the earnings beat—Rocket also issued fourth-quarter sales guidance that came in above analyst estimates, suggesting continued strength in the housing finance market.
Stephanie Link, chief investment strategist, head of investment solutions and portfolio manager at Hightower Advisors, picked SLB N.V. (SLB) as her final trade. The energy services company has an earnings catalyst on the horizon, with a conference call scheduled for Jan. 23, 2026, to discuss fourth-quarter results. Analysts are currently penciling in quarterly earnings of 74 cents per share, which would represent a decline from the 92 cents per share the company posted in the same period last year.
Joseph M. Terranova, senior managing director for Virtus Investment Partners, chose Parker-Hannifin Corporation (PH). His pick got some analyst support on Thursday when Barclays analyst Julian Mitchell maintained an Overweight rating on the industrial manufacturer and bumped up the price target from $906 to $950.
How the Stocks Traded
Here's how these picks performed during Thursday's session:
- American Express gained 0.8% to close at $371.15.
- Rocket Companies fell 1.6% to settle at $19.39.
- SLB rose 1.5% to close at $38.12.
- Parker-Hannifin shares rose 0.5% to close at $873.66.