Hot or Not, Stock Market Edition: 01/10/2025

We featured OppFi (NYSE: OPFI) last week as a stock to watch (check out the story here if you missed it) — today, it’s back as a “hot” stock of the day. Also hot? Albertsons (NYSE: ACI), a grocery chain that just surpassed expectations. 

Not quite as steamy? MP Materials (NYSE: MP) lost ground early this week, and investors are scared AMD (NASDAQ: AMD) has lost its competitive edge. 📈 Want more? Check out the biggest winners and biggest losers on WSZ. 

🔥 HOT: Grocery chain Albertsons (NYSE: ACI) gained 0.8% on Wednesday after surpassing analysts’ expectations during its latest earnings call. The company said that it was planning to drive new growth through its online platform after sales started to slow down last month. Expanding its pharmacy presence is also on the table, although it’s unclear how big of a boos pharmacy sales can provide alone. We give ACI a B Zen Rating and a B recommendation for the time being.

🥶 NOT: MP Materials (NYSE: MP) lost 5.8% on Tuesday, giving back almost all of the 12.4% it gained on Monday. The stock is experiencing increased volatility as it tries to position itself as the premier rare earth metal production and refining company in the United States as the country looks to divest itself from Chinese rare earth companies. Rare earth metals are key components of technologies like electric vehicles and computer chips, so there’s no shortage of demand. The key to MP’s future will be whether or not it grows quickly enough to meet the demand before a competitor emerges. MP has a Hold recommendation and a C Zen Rating.

🔥 HOT: OppFi (NYSE: OPFI) is one of the hottest stocks early on in 2025 and is worth your attention, especially if you’re a trend-follower. OPFI gained 92.5% over the last year and is not showing any signs of slowing down. The stock’s trend was fueled by four solid earnings reports in a row, and investors have shown that they’re willing to continue paying higher prices for OPFI even as it climbs its way back near its all-time high. We give OPFI a Zen Rating of A and a recommendation of Strong Buy on the back of its momentum, low volatility, and good word-of-mouth in the media.

🥶 NOT: AMD (NASDAQ: AMD) lost 4.3% on Wednesday as investors are starting to wonder whether the chipmaker can actually compete with Nvidia where it matters. AMD lost 18% through 2024, while NVDA gained 171% over the same period. AMD’s latest GPUS—the chips that power a computer’s display and can be used to train AI—are disappointing compared to Nvidia’s latest offerings, and sales remain lower than expected. AMD is still one of the main players in the chip sector, but we tentatively give it a C Zen Rating until it proves it can continue to grow in the current hyper-competitive market.

🔥 HOT: Tiny lithium explorer drills massive discovery in Canada - Smart investors are lining up for life-changing lithium gains as the global EV boom shifts into overdrive. If you missed the previous profit-haul, do not miss this ultra low-priced lithium explorer - currently trading undiscovered below US$1 per share - that's drilling into one of the largest and richest North American lithium discoveries we've ever seen. 2025 gains are set to be spectacular.

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.