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  • Top Stocks to Watch: June 23–27, 2025 – AI Momentum, Tariff Tensions, and Earnings in Focus

Top Stocks to Watch: June 23–27, 2025 – AI Momentum, Tariff Tensions, and Earnings in Focus

This week’s market preview covers earnings from FedEx, Micron, and Nike, plus sectors and stocks reacting to tariffs, AI, and Fed signals.

Top Stocks to Watch for the Week of June 23, 2025

The final week of June looks anything but quiet. Markets are adjusting to inflation sticking higher than hoped, a wave of fresh earnings reports, and the countdown to a new round of tariffs on imports from China and Mexico. As investor attention shifts between AI optimism and global trade friction, a handful of stocks and sectors stand out.

Here’s what’s on the radar from earnings and Fed speeches to sectors gaining momentum and names trending in investor chatter.

Market Snapshot

After an intense May, up 6.2% for the S&P 500 and 9.6% for the Nasdaq, June has turned more cautious. The Fed held rates steady last December and raised its inflation forecast 2025 from 2.8% to 3.1%, which has cooled expectations for near-term rate cuts. Meanwhile, Trump’s “Liberation Day” tariffs, set to hit in early July, are already having ripple effects. Imports and costs are surging, and companies exposed to global supply chains are in the spotlight.

The VIX is hovering around 18, not panic mode, but not calm either. Investors on X are split between defensive moves and leaning into the AI trade.

Earnings to Watch This Week

📦 FedEx $FDX ( ▲ 1.23% )  – Reports Tuesday, June 24
Why it matters: As a global shipping giant, FedEx has an early understanding of how tariffs are impacting supply chains.

  • EPS estimate: $5.35 | Revenue: $22.2B

  • Key focus: Shipping volumes, cost outlook

  • Stock: ~$250 | P/E ~14 | Analyst consensus: Buy

💾 Micron Technology $MU ( ▲ 1.46% )  – Reports Wednesday, June 25
Why it matters: Micron rides the AI wave with its memory chips powering data centres.

  • EPS estimate: $0.85 | Revenue: $7.6B

  • Key focus: Demand from AI customers

  • Stock: ~$140 | P/E ~20 | Consensus: Strong Buy

👟 Nike $NKE ( ▲ 0.47% )  – Reports Thursday, June 26
Why it matters: Nike sources many of its goods from China, so this report will show how it manages rising input costs.

  • EPS estimate: $0.82 | Revenue: $12.9B

  • Key focus: Profit margins, consumer trends

  • Stock: ~$61 | P/E ~18 | Consensus: Buy | Morningstar Fair Value: $112

Beyond Earnings: What Else Could Move Markets

  • Trade Talks: Any progress with China or Mexico could ease tariff fears or make them worse. Either way, retail and manufacturing stocks will likely react.

  • Fed Watch: Jerome Powell speaks on Wednesday. Expect markets to hang on every word about inflation and interest rates.

  • Oil Markets: OPEC+ meets on June 27. Brent crude is already near $85. More cuts could mean higher transport costs.

  • Apple AI News: After the WWDC reveal of Apple Intelligence, developers are waiting for SDK access. Any updates could move AAPL and AI-linked names.

Sectors in Focus

1. Tech: Chips & AI

AI is still the biggest story in tech. Despite trade risks, chip demand hasn’t cooled.

2. Consumer Discretionary

Spending is holding up, but tariffs could change that quickly.

3. Healthcare: Digital & Biotech

Healthcare continues to benefit from structural tailwinds.

4. Industrials: Shipping & Machinery

More tariffs = more imports in the short term. Logistics names are in focus.

Standout Stocks Getting Noticed

  • Apple $AAPL ( ▲ 2.25% ) : Hovering around $202 post-WWDC. AI features could be a catalyst after a 19% dip YTD.

  • Hims & Hers $HIMS ( ▲ 5.16% ) : Strong growth story in digital healthcare.

  • Palantir $PLTR ( ▼ 1.9% ) : Retail investors are buzzing about its AI and defence exposure and now trading near $50.

Big Picture Catalysts

  • Tariffs: Set to hit July 9, with some estimates suggesting a 10–15% rise in consumer prices.

  • Inflation: The Fed’s higher inflation forecast questions the rate-cut timeline.

  • Geopolitics: Tensions in Eastern Europe and the Middle East are lifting energy and commodities.

  • Consumer Confidence: The latest sentiment reading (68.5) shows consumers are wary. That matters for retail and discretionary names.

Final Thoughts

This week is packed with market-moving events, from FedEx earnings to trade policy headlines. AI, semiconductors, and telehealth continue to show momentum, while retail and industrial names face pressure from tariffs and inflation. Sentiment is mixed, and investors are walking a tightrope between growth potential and rising risks.

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute investment advice. Always conduct your own research or speak to a qualified professional before investing.

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