Hot or Not, Stock Market Edition: 01/31/2025

Babyback ribs got back, baby! Chili’s restaurant parent Brinker International (NYSE: EAT) gains following better-than-expected earnings. Cloud security company F5, Inc (NASDAQ: FFIV) is also an earnings winner, marking 5 straight beats. 

Less meaty performance was seen in Manhattan Associates (NASDAQ: MANH), which just issued weak forward guidance, and Bakkt Holdings (NYSE: BKKT) falls on speculation of a new big-name competitor. 📈 Want more? Check out the biggest winners and biggest losers on WSZ. 

🔥 HOT: Cloud security and devops company F5, Inc (NASDAQ: FFIV) gained 11.4% on Wednesday after reporting earnings for the fourth quarter of 2024. The company’s quarterly revenue was $766.5 million, about $51 million higher than analysts predicted, and its EPS was 14% higher than projections. FFIV has beat its earnings estimates for the previous five quarters and counting and earns an A Zen Rating and a Strong Buy recommendation.

🥶 NOT: Despite beatings its earnings projections for the fourth quarter of 2024, Manhattan Associates (NASDAQ: MANH) lost 24.5% on Wednesday after it issued weaker-than-expected guidance for 2025. The company’s predictions for 2025 put it at a declining growth rate of around 5%, which triggered the selloff. Before Wednesday’s loss, MANH was up 35% year-over-year. We give the stock a C Zen Rating and a Hold recommendation, recognizing its recent performance and impeccable balance sheets as saving graces after this latest disappointment.

🔥 HOT: Shares of the Chili’s restaurant chain parent company Brinker International (NYSE: EAT) gained 16.3% on Wednesday after it reported better-than-expected earnings for the fourth quarter. The company’s EPS was $2.80, 50% higher than the $1.86 Wall Street expected to see. Brinker raised its full-year outlook again, the second time in as many earnings calls. The company has been on an absolute tear for the last year, gaining 354.4% since this time last year. We give EAT a B Zen Rating due to its incredible momentum, solid financials, and above-average growth potential.

🥶 NOT: Bakkt Holdings (NYSE: BKKT) lost 28.3% on Wednesday after Trump Media and Technology Group announced that it was expanding its business to include financial services. The surprise move included the announcement of a partnership with Charlse Schwab. BKKT had returned around 5% YTD before the news broke. We give BKKT a C Zen Rating and a Hold recommendation.

🔥 HOT: Free Access to "King of the Quants" Stock Rating System - The Wall Street Journal said "Most money managers can only dream of having the same success" as Louis Navellier. He's the architect of a revolutionary stock-grading system that helped his investment fund produce a 4,000% return over a 15-year span, outperforming even the great Warren Buffett. Today, you have the special opportunity to try Louis' leading edge stock grading tool for yourself. Sign up today for his 3 FREE STOCK GRADES from his powerful Stock Grader tool for a limited time. [Claim Your 3 Free Grades Now]

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.