Top Stock Predictions for Q4 2015

Amid global economic volatility, a surging US dollar and a protracted slowdown in China, 2015 has been a challenging year for stocks. America’s benchmark Dow Jones Industrial Average has traded negatively on the year, while the large-cap S&P 500 Index has increased a mere 2 percent in all of 2015. The situation is much worse in China, where mainland stocks have experienced their biggest selloff since 2009, forcing the People’s Bank of China to support the stock market through liquidity support and suspending trading activity.

Despite global volatility, the following five stocks have performed very well this year and are poised to possibly break higher for the remainder of 2015.

Facebook (NASDAQ: FB)

The world’s biggest social network has defied the odds this year, having grown nearly 20 percent between January and July on the strength of solid earnings and growing daily active users. Facebook’s strategic acquisitions of Instagram, WhatsApp and Oculus, along with its growing advertising business, will make it a force to be reckoned with in years to come. Citigroup analysts recently increased their 12-month price target for Facebook stock by more than 15 percent.[1] Share prices have surged to multiple record highs this year and enjoy a solid buy rating on Wall Street.[2]

Alexion Pharmaceuticals (NASDAQ: ALXN)

Alexion Pharmaceuticals has underperformed in comparison to the biotechnology industry as a whole, but has exceeded the broader S&P 500. Share prices have increased nearly 6 percent year-to-date, but are up more than 24 percent year-over-year.[3] The Chesire, Connecticut-based company reported second quarter net income of $170.2 million on revenue that rose 24.1 percent annually to $636.2 million. The company’s revenue growth, solid financial position and notable return on equity make it a solid buy for investors looking to enter the biotechnology sector.[4]

Apple (NASDAQ: AAPL)

The world’s largest company by market capitalization has seen its share price rise by nearly 11 percent year-to-date. The iPhone maker is considered to be a shareholder friendly company with unparalleled capital returns. Compared to the overall market and its chief competitor, Google, Apple is widely considered to be undervalued, providing investors with plenty of continued upside.[5] Despite weaker than expected second quarter earnings, Wall Street is still bullish on Apple, with expectations that it will continue to outperform the markets.[6]

Gilead Sciences (NASDAQ: GILD)

One of Wall Street’s best performers, Gilead Sciences has surged more than 24 percent since the beginning of the year, largely as a result of massive earnings and revenue. Dubbed the “Apple of the Biotech World,” Gilead posted second quarter product sales of $8.1 billion and adjusted earnings per share of $3.15, well above forecasts.[7] A median estimate of analysts polled by CNN Money expect Gilead stock to rise to $130.00 over the next 12 months, with a high estimate of $159.00.[8]

Starbucks (NASDAQ: SBUX)

The Seattle-based coffee chain is expected to surpass McDonald’s in market capitalization as early as next year, which could see share prices rally by up to 20 percent in the next 12 months.[9] Starbucks has already seen its share price surge by more than 42 percent this year, driven by global expansion, solid quarterly earnings and plans to buy-back 50 million shares. The company expects full-year revenue growth of up to 18 percent, well above the single-digit forecasts for comparable-store-sales.[10] The company’s digital progress, which allows customers to pay for purchases in advance, has reduced long lines at many Starbucks locations. The company’s mobile efforts and loyalty-rewards programs may continue to drive brand loyalty for years to come, making Starbucks the most powerful restaurant brand in the world.[11]

Risk warning: Forward Rate Agreements, Options and CFDs (OTC Trading) are leveraged products that carry a substantial risk of loss up to your invested capital and may not be suitable for everyone. Please ensure that you understand fully the risks involved and do not invest money you cannot afford to lose. Our group of companies through its subsidiaries is licensed by the Cyprus Securities & Exchange Commission (Easy Forex Trading Ltd- CySEC, License Number 079/07), which has been passported in the European Union through the MiFID Directive and in Australia by ASIC (Easy Markets Pty Ltd -AFS license No. 246566).

 This article is a guest blog written by easy-forex