Jim Lebenthal of Cerity Partners highlighted Alphabet Inc.’s (GOOG, GOOGL) impressive performance during market downturns on CNBC’s ‘Halftime Report Final Trades.’ He noted that the company has remained strong despite the broader market decline, indicating its resilience and growth potential. Lebenthal’s recommendation aligns with Alphabet’s strategic focus on artificial intelligence (AI) development, as evidenced by its recent leadership and operational restructuring announced by CEO Sundar Pichai. Alphabet is seeking to stay ahead of competitors like Microsoft Corp (MSFT) by investing heavily in AI-driven innovation.
Jason Snipe of Odyssey Capital Advisors recommended Diamondback Energy (FANG) as his final trade, expressing his preference for this energy stock. Diamondback Energy is expected to announce its financial results for the first quarter of 2024 on April 30 after the closing bell. Analysts anticipate the company’s quarterly earnings to reach $4.42 per share, a notable increase from $4.10 per share in the corresponding period last year. Furthermore, Diamondback Energy is projected to generate $2.09 billion in revenue compared to $1.93 billion in the first quarter of 2023. This anticipated growth has prompted Stifel analyst Derrick Whitfield to maintain Diamondback Energy’s Buy rating and elevate its price target from $224 to $229.
Stephanie Link of Hightower concluded the ‘Halftime Report Final Trades’ segment by selecting WisdomTree India Earnings Fund (EPI) as her final pick. This recommendation reflects Link’s positive outlook on the Indian economy and the fund’s focus on Indian companies with strong earnings potential.
In terms of market performance, Alphabet shares experienced a 1.3% surge, closing at $159.92 on Tuesday. Diamondback Energy also had a positive day, with its shares rising by 0.9% to settle at $204.37 during the trading session. WisdomTree India Earnings Fund saw a moderate 0.4% gain during Tuesday’s market activity.
