Hot or Not, Stock Market Edition: 04/02/2026

Happy Thursday. Here’s what’s hot and what’s not in our market-beating Zen Ratings system:

• Hot: Oil & gas refiner Marathon Petroleum (MPC) is catching fire; tanker operator International Seaways (INSW) looks poised to outperform
• Not: Biotech player Disc Medicine (IRON) is losing steam; pharma developer Ionis Pharmaceuticals (IONS) is hitting a rough patch

P.S. For more stocks making moves, check out our Zen Ratings Upgrades & Downgrades screener.

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🔥 HOT:  Oil & gas midstream player International Seaways (INSW) is gaining momentum. In addition to general tailwinds for the entire industry, INSW in particular is getting bullish analyst upgrades — we’ve tracked 2 prominent upgrades in recent memory. That kind of vote of confidence can draw fresh attention from investors. Additionally, the stock was recently upgraded to Strong Buy from Buy, reflecting improving fundamentals in the shipping sector. Right now, our Zen Ratings system places INSW in the top 4% of the 4600+ stocks we track based on fundamentals, based on a comprehensive 115-factor analysis. Looking at the Component Grades, it scores particularly well with a B Grade for Financials and Momentum. The bottom line? With analyst upgrades, a stellar Zen Rating, and the tailwinds of rising oil prices boosting tanker demand, International Seaways looks like a compelling play in the energy logistics space.

🥶 NOT:  Pharma developer Ionis Pharmaceuticals (IONS) is cooling off. Despite multiple analyst upgrades and some upbeat news like the FDA accepting zilganersen for priority review, the stock is down 8% in the past 3 months. The disconnect between analyst enthusiasm and actual price action is notable. The stock was also just downgraded in our Zen Ratings from Sell to Strong Sell, reflecting deteriorating overall fundamentals. It struggles with a D Grade for Growth, Safety, and Sentiment, and only manages a C Grade for Financials and Momentum. The bottom line? Sell. The upgrades haven't translated into price momentum, and the weak Zen Rating suggests the stock faces significant headwinds despite some promising pipeline developments.

🔥 HOT: Oil & gas refiner Marathon Petroleum (MPC) is catching fire. Crude oil has climbed above $100 per barrel — and in some cases north of $110 — as geopolitical tensions escalate in the Middle East. Higher crude prices typically boost refining margins, and Marathon is positioned to cash in on that spread. As a direct result, the stock has been steadily rising even as broader markets declined, showing relative strength. In related news, MPC was recently upgraded to a Zen Rating of A (Strong Buy), reflecting improved fundamentals. Looking at the Component Grades for additional insight, it earns above-average B Grades for Growth, Momentum, and Safety. Bottom line? With oil prices surging on supply concerns and refining margins expanding, Marathon Petroleum appears well-positioned to ride this energy wave higher. (See more stocks poised to surge here.)

🥶 NOT: Biotech player Disc Medicine (IRON) is feeling a big chill. Despite positive news —t he company dosed the last patient in its pivotal Phase 3 APOLLO study of bitopertin for erythropoietic protoporphyria — the stock is down about 20% in the past 3 months, and was recently downgraded to F (Strong Sell) from a Sell rating, a troubling signal that reflects deteriorating sentiment and underlying fundamentals. Looking at the Component Grades, it struggles with a D Grade for Financials and Growth, and only manages a C Grade for Momentum, Safety, Sentiment, and Value. The verdict? Even with clinical progress, the stock's fundamentals and market performance suggest there are better places to park your money right now.

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