Hot or Not, Stock Market Edition: 03/24/2026

Here’s what’s hot and what’s not this fine Tuesday: 

• HOT: GE Vernova (GEV) is wheeling and dealing; BP (BP) benefits amid global turmoil 
• NOT: Strategy (MSTR) feels the chill of crypto winter; a bleak outlook for Lucid Group (LCID)

P.S. Want more hotness? Be sure to check out our latest Stock of the Week (3x potential!)

A note from our sponsors...

🔥 HOT:  Renewable energy leader GE Vernova (GEV) is percolating. Why? 1) GE Vernova and Hitachi have been named lead developers in a massive $40 billion US-Japan small modular nuclear reactor initiative, focusing on deploying BWRX-300 reactors in Tennessee and Alabama. This government-backed buildout ties GE Vernova to a broader global push for low-carbon baseload power — a jet-fueled moment for the company's nuclear ambitions. 2) The company raised its revenue and cash flow outlook through 2028, highlighting stronger backlog growth and order momentum across power, wind, and electrification businesses amid surging AI-driven energy demand. 3) The stock holds a Zen Rating of B (Buy), placing it in the top 20% of all stocks. It scores particularly well with an A Grade for Sentiment and a B Grade for Momentum and Safety. The bottom line? GE Vernova is riding twin waves — AI data center demand and nuclear energy resurgence — and the recent US-Japan deal could be a major catalyst for years to come.

🥶 NOT: Software giant Strategy (MSTR) is cooling off after its Bitcoin-fueled rally runs into headwinds. Why? 1) The company continues to double down on its Bitcoin strategy, recently purchasing another 22,337 units of the cryptocurrency at an average price of around $70,000 per coin, bringing total holdings to over 761,000 Bitcoin. But with Bitcoin's price consolidating around $70,500 and the stock trading at $135.66 — down from highs above $265 earlier this year — the momentum is stalling. 2) Strategy is shifting tactics, increasingly turning to alternative funding channels like its new $10 billion preferred stock offering to finance Bitcoin purchases, signaling a move away from heavy equity dilution. While innovative, the preferred structure introduces complexity and may not be enough to reignite the stock. 3) The stock has been downgraded to a Zen Rating of D, placing it in the lower tier of stocks. It struggles with F Grade for Momentum and Sentiment, signaling weak investor conviction and price action. The bottom line? The Bitcoin bet remains bold, but with momentum fading and the stock down significantly from its peaks, this is a wait-and-see situation. 

🔥 HOT: Oil & gas giant BP (BP) is showing some sizzle — here’s why: 1) Middle East tensions continue to support energy infrastructure stocks, with ongoing military strikes affecting transport through the Strait of Hormuz. 2) BP announced the sale of its Gelsenkirchen refinery to Klesch Group, raising its structural cost reduction target by $1 billion to $6.5-$7.5 billion by 2027 — a portfolio simplification move that sharpens its focus on core businesses. 3) The stock was just upgraded to a B (Buy) Zen Rating, meaning it currently ranks in the top 20% of stocks based on a 115-factor review. It scores particularly well with an A Grade for AI — our proprietary factor that sifts through mountains of data and detects subtle patterns that could lead to outperformance — and Bs for Growth, Momentum, and Safety. The verdict? BP is capitalizing on sector tailwinds and strategic restructuring — and with improving analyst sentiment, it's an interesting watch. 

🥶 NOT: You might think that rising gas prices would be a boon to EVs. It’s not showing up for EV maker Lucid Group (LCID); the stock is down over 50% in the past year amid broader EV sector weakness (Tesla's US sales sank 26% in January). Additionally, at its March 12 investor day, Lucid provided strategy updates that left investors underwhelmed, with shares trading modestly lower in the aftermath. Finally, the company faces stiff competition as Nvidia's DRIVE platform brings 20+ automakers together, forming a rival ecosystem that threatens Lucid's positioning. Right now, the stock holds a Zen Rating of F, placing it near the bottom of all stocks. It struggles with an F Grade for Financials, Momentum, Sentiment, and Value. Real talk? Lucid is battling headwinds on multiple fronts — it’s simply not a strong contender right now.

What to Do Next?

• 77 Best Stocks NOW! >
• Options Trading with the Zen Ratings >
• 2 New Stocks to Buy from Steve Reitmeister >

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