Hot or Not, Stock Market Edition: 01/07/2025

Blue Bird Corporation (NASDAQ: BLBD) enjoyed a searing start to the year. Revelyst (NYSE: GEAR) jumps following its addition to the S&P Small Cap index. 

On the flip side, Apple (NASDAQ: AAPL) has a shaky start to the year. U.S. Steel (NYSE: X) gets some big bad news. Here’s what’s hot and what’s not right now. 📈 Want more? Check out the biggest winners and biggest losers on WSZ. 

🔥 HOT: One day after joining the S&P Small Cap index, outdoor gear and tech company Revelyst (NYSE: GEAR) gained 4.5%. We like GEAR’s growth potential and see it as a steal at its current value. It also has lower volatility than similar stocks, making it a relatively low-stress option if you’re looking to add some small-cap exposure to your portfolio. GEAR currently has a B Zen Rating.

🥶 NOT: Apple (NASDAQ: AAPL) shares fell by 0.4% on Friday as the company announced discounts for its latest iPhone in China. Apple discounts are uncommon, to put it mildly, but the company decided that it was worth it in China to combat declining sales. Sales of foreign-made smartphones—including but not limited to iPhones—have been cut nearly in half over the last year. Whether or not Apple’s discount can spark sales remains to be seen, but the company’s uncertain future and wavering global sales give it a Hold recommendation and a C Zen Rating.

🔥 HOT: Blue Bird Corporation (NASDAQ: BLBD) gained 8.1% on Friday, breaking a week-long skid that saw it lose around 16%. Blue Bird posted solid earnings at the end of November, surprising Wall Street with an EPS of $0.77, almost 20% higher than the consensus estimate. Blue Bird is up 60.7% over the last year, although it has lost around 30% since its 2024 high back in June. We give BLBD a B Zen Rating and a Buy recommendation on the strength of its financials and stability.

🥶 NOT: Shares of U.S. Steel (NYSE: X) fell by 5.5% on Friday after President Joe Biden blocked Japanese company Nippon Steel from acquiring U.S. Steel on the basis that it would present a threat to national security and put the country’s supply chains at risk. X closed Friday trading at $30.77 per share, well below the $50 per share that Nippon offered. This latest development, combined with the company’s poor momentum and financials, gives it a Zen Rating of D.

🔥 HOT: Double your money... in days? - We just reopened access to Jim Fink's Velocity Trader advisory. And the response has been overwhelming. Apparently, the opportunity to see gains of 100% in 3 days on Anthem, 117% on Mastercard in 10 days, and 203% on UnitedHealth Group in 30 days really struck a nerve... because so many people have signed up, we're going to shut the doors very soon. There's still time — but not much. Discover how to become a part of Velocity Trader here.

What to Do Next?

• Watch “Zen Ratings Revolution” to Unlock +32.52% Annual Gains >
• Upgrade Your Investing - Start Your Premium Trial Now! >
• Discover Zen Investor portfolio to Find More 100%+ Stock Winners>

Want to get in touch? Email us at news@wallstreetzen.com.