Hot or Not, Stock Market Edition: 04/24/2026

Happy Friday. Here are the stocks our Zen Ratings are smiling and frowning upon today: 

• Hot: Gold miner Kinross Gold (KGC) is glittering again; tool and accessory maker Toro (TTC) is a quiet contender for the next few months (or more)
• Not: Specialty chemical player Eastman Chemical (EMN) faces real obstacles; coffee giant Starbucks (SBUX) is in the headlines, but investors aren’t convinced

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

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🔥 HOT: Gold miner Kinross Gold (KGC) is picking up momentum — again. Despite being a serial winner over the past year or so, it’s still being driven by real macro tailwinds, not headlines. Here’s the skinny: 1) Gold prices are doing the heavy lifting. With ongoing macro uncertainty and rate expectations shifting, gold has stayed firm — and miners like Kinross offer leveraged upside to that trend through expanding margins. 2) The balance sheet and cash flow story is strong. Kinross has been generating significant free cash flow and maintaining a net cash position, giving it flexibility for buybacks, dividends, or reinvestment — a big differentiator in a capital-intensive industry. 3) According to WallStreetZen, KGC carries a top-tier Zen Rating (A / Strong Buy), with standout Financials and solid support from Momentum and Value — exactly what you want in a commodity-backed rally. Short version? This is a classic setup: strong commodity backdrop + improving fundamentals + disciplined balance sheet. Just keep in mind — if gold cools off, the stock likely will too.

🥶 NOT:  Specialty chemical player Eastman Chemical (EMN) looks cheap on the surface — but despite a recent upswing in the stock price, there’s a reason the market won’t reward this stock long-term. What’s holding it back? 1) End-market weakness is the real catalyst — and it’s working against the stock. Eastman is heavily tied to industrial and consumer demand (autos, construction, durable goods), and those areas have been soft and inconsistent, limiting volume growth and pricing power. 2) While the stock earns an overall C (Hold) rating, the Component Grades reveal SPECIFIC weaknesses — namely Growth, where EMN earns an F, signaling weak revenue and earnings momentum — a major red flag in a market that’s rewarding expansion. 3) Sentiment isn’t helping. With limited positive news flow and muted analyst enthusiasm, the stock lacks a clear narrative to attract new buyers, even with decent Value and Safety scores. Bottom line? This is a classic value trap setup: looks inexpensive, but missing a catalyst. Until industrial demand rebounds or the company shows real growth acceleration, EMN is likely to keep drifting while stronger stories get the capital.

🔥 HOT:  Outdoor equipment leader Toro (TTC) is quietly setting up — and now there’s a real catalyst to watch. Here are 3 reasons to watch: 1) Seasonal demand + pricing power. Toro is heading into its strongest stretch of the year (spring/summer), when landscaping and turf equipment demand peaks — and with pricing holding firm, that can translate directly into stronger near-term results. 2) The company continues to execute operationally, with solid margins and disciplined cost control, showing it can perform even in a mixed macro environment. 3) According to WallStreetZen, TTC holds a top-tier Zen Rating (A / Strong Buy), supported by strength in Industry positioning, Financials, and Value — a combination that tends to outperform in steady compounders. The bottom line? This isn’t a flashy momentum name — it’s a high-quality operator with a clear near-term catalyst (seasonal demand + upcoming earnings) and the kind of consistency that often leads to durable gains. (Note: For more high-potential stocks that could 3x this year, watch this.)

🥶 NOT:  Coffee giant Starbucks (SBUX) is making headlines — but the stock still isn’t convincing investors. What’s behind the disconnect? 1) Plenty of news, not enough impact. From a $100M investment in a new Nashville office to product tweaks like protein oat offerings, and even leadership headlines like Howard Schultz joining Gopuff’s board — none of it directly addresses the core issue: slowing traffic and uneven demand. 2) The turnaround is still a work in progress. Comparable sales — especially in key markets like China — have been inconsistent, and investors are waiting for proof, not promises. 3) According to WallStreetZen, SBUX sits in the middle tier (Hold), with weaker grades in Value, Momentum, and Sentiment, even though Safety remains a strength. The bottom line? Hold. There’s a lot happening around Starbucks — but until it translates into consistent traffic growth and stronger execution, this remains a “show me” story rather than a high-conviction buy.

What to Do Next?

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

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