Goldman Identifies 20 Under-the-Radar Stocks With Strong Earnings Potential for Investors

Think of earnings season like report card time at school—everyone’s eager to see which students (or companies) surprise us with top marks, and which ones might stumble. That’s why investors pay so much attention: big surprises can send stocks soaring or sinking overnight.

Why Earnings Season Matters for Investors

Every few months, public companies share their financial results. This is a make-or-break moment for many stocks. If a company does better than expected, its stock price might jump. If it falls short, prices can drop fast. For investors, these swings can mean big gains or tough losses—so knowing where to look is key.

Goldman Sachs’ Top 20 Stocks to Watch

Goldman Sachs, a major investment bank, has picked 20 stocks it thinks could make big moves this earnings season. These aren’t just the usual tech giants—many are less obvious bets, which could mean bigger surprises.

Last quarter, U.S. stocks had their wildest earnings-related ups and downs since 2009, according to Goldman Sachs. The bank expects more of the same this time. Their advice? Consider “buying calls,” a type of option that lets you profit if a stock price goes up.

Here are some of the standouts from Goldman’s list, with their tickers, performance this year, and the expected price swing around earnings:

• Wynn Resorts (WYNN): +46.6% YTD, earnings Nov 6, expected move 9.6%
• Suncor Energy (SU): +12.8% YTD, earnings Oct 30, move 1.7%
• StepStone Group (STEP): +7.0% YTD, earnings Nov 7, move 5.2%
• eToro Group (ETOR): -40.7% YTD, earnings Nov 10, move 9.3%
• Citigroup (C): +37.5% YTD, earnings Oct 14, move 5.3%
• Neurocrine Biosciences (NBIX): +0.6% YTD, earnings Oct 28, move 6.1%
• Boston Scientific (BSX): +9.1% YTD, earnings Oct 22, move 5.1%
• Exelixis (EXEL): +13.0% YTD, earnings Oct 29, move 15.4%
• Huntington Ingalls (HII): +53.4% YTD, earnings Oct 31, move 7.6%
• Johnson Controls (JCI): +36.7% YTD, earnings Nov 5, move 7.3%
• Cameco Corp (CCJ): +65.4% YTD, earnings Nov 5, move 3.8%
• Air Products & Chemicals (APD): -6.8% YTD, earnings Nov 7, move 6.5%
• Hershey Co (HSY): +13.6% YTD, earnings Oct 30, move 4.6%
• Celsius Holdings (CELH): +133.5% YTD, earnings Nov 6, move 13.2%
• Microchip Technology (MCHP): +15.2% YTD, earnings Nov 5, move 9.9%
• Broadcom (AVGO): +47.8% YTD, earnings Dec 12, move 7.6%
• Madison Square Garden Ent. (MSGE): +18.1% YTD, earnings Nov 7, move 2.4%
• Monday.com (MNDY): -17.5% YTD, earnings Nov 11, move 13.6%
• Walt Disney Co (DIS): +0.9% YTD, earnings Nov 13, move 5.9%
• American Electric Power (AEP): +27.8% YTD, earnings Oct 29, move 4.1%

For a deeper dive into how earnings season can shake up markets, check out this CNBC analysis of recent volatility and investor strategies.

Bulls vs. Bears: The Debate

Bull Case (Optimists):

• Many stocks have room to surprise on the upside, especially those that are less talked about.
• Options trading (like buying calls) lets investors benefit from big jumps without owning the stock outright.
• Some sectors, like tech and energy, have momentum from strong results earlier this year.

Bear Case (Skeptics):

• If companies disappoint, stocks can fall just as fast as they rise.
• Relying on options is risky—if the stock doesn’t move enough, the option can expire worthless.
• Market volatility can be stressful, and guessing wrong can hurt portfolios.

According to a 2023 S&P study, most professional fund managers underperform the market over time, showing how tough it is to predict earnings winners and losers.

Investor Takeaway

• Watch these 20 stocks for possible big moves—opportunities and risks go hand in hand.
• Consider options trading only if you understand the risks and costs involved.
• Diversify: Don’t bet everything on one stock or earnings report.
• Remember, even the pros get it wrong sometimes—stay patient and think long-term.
• Keep learning about market history and sector trends to sharpen your investing skills.

For the full original report, see Yahoo Finance