Three Strong Conviction Buys for the Week Ahead

In the ever-shifting landscape of the stock market, separating the wheat from the chaff is no easy feat. It’s a world where the wrong picks can erode your hard-earned gains, but the right ones? They have the power to catapult your portfolio to new heights. With thousands of stocks in the fray, pinpointing those poised for a breakthrough can feel like searching for a needle in a haystack.

This is where we step in. Every week, we comb through the market’s labyrinth, scrutinizing trends, earnings reports, and industry shifts. Our goal? To distill this vast universe of stocks down to a select few – those unique opportunities that are primed for significant movement in the near future.

This week, we’ve zeroed in on three standout stocks. These aren’t your run-of-the-mill picks; they are the culmination of rigorous analysis and strategic foresight. We’re talking about stocks that not only show promise in the immediate term but also hold the potential for sustained growth.

Atlassian (NASDAQ: TEAM) – Positioned for a Post-Earnings Rebound 

Atlassian has had a rough year, with shares down over 20% in 2024. Despite these challenges, we believe the stock is poised for a strong rebound, and now could be an ideal time to buy the dip. Growth concerns have weighed on the stock, but they seem overblown considering the company’s robust fundamentals and expanding product portfolio.

Atlassian’s management has outlined a clear path back to 20%+ growth, driven by increased cross-sell opportunities, upselling existing clients, and sustained pricing power. The company’s marketing refocus and product diversification also provide a solid foundation for future growth. Demand for Atlassian’s software remains steady, with partners meeting or exceeding expectations in recent quarters.

As we approach Atlassian’s next earnings report on October 31, we see this as an opportunity to get in before the market fully prices in the company’s long-term potential. With the stock trading at a discount, Atlassian is a unique software asset worth adding to your watchlist. Investors should continue to buy the dip as the stock sets up for a potential recovery.

Caterpillar (NYSE: CAT) – A Beneficiary of Industrial Strength

Despite the uncertainty in the broader agricultural landscape, Caterpillar has been a standout in 2024, surging over 30% year to date and hitting fresh 52-week highs in October. As a bellwether for industrial activity, Caterpillar stands to benefit from policy support, especially if the Republican platform gains traction in the upcoming election.

One of the key drivers for CAT is its exposure to tax policies that have previously supported industrial giants. Accelerated depreciation and lower corporate tax rates are just a couple of the favorable measures that could return under a Trump administration. Moreover, reshoring efforts—likely to continue regardless of who wins—are another positive catalyst that could keep Caterpillar’s growth on track.

While the broader farm economy faces challenges from high input costs, lower commodity prices, and uncertainty around tariffs, Caterpillar looks well-positioned to thrive in the current environment. Given the company’s solid performance this year and potential tailwinds ahead, it’s worth considering adding CAT to your portfolio. The stock’s strong momentum and clear path for further growth make it an attractive buy.

Kroger Co. (NYSE: KR) – Positioned for a Breakout

Kroger is quietly building momentum and is now on the verge of a significant technical breakout. After underperforming for much of 2024, Kroger shares are threatening to hit a new 52-week high, and the setup looks promising. The stock is forming a textbook cup-with-handle pattern, which is often a strong indicator of further upside once confirmed. The key level to watch here is $57.50 – if the stock breaks above this resistance line, it signals a fresh wave of buying interest that could propel prices higher.

The technicals look solid. Kroger’s RSI has been in a bullish range since July, and a long-term trendline connecting the lows from late 2023 supports the idea that the stock remains in a healthy uptrend. This chart pattern isn’t just showing up on the daily chart—when you zoom out to the weekly time frame, you see a much larger cup-with-handle pattern that dates back to 2022, reinforcing the potential for a sustained move higher.

With momentum building and key technical indicators aligning, Kroger looks like it’s ready for a breakout. This grocery giant is well-positioned to capitalize on any price strength, making it a compelling stock to watch closely for an entry point above $57.50.



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