Zacks Investment Ideas feature highlights: Advanced Micro Devices and Vertiv

For Immediate Release Chicago, IL – October 27, 2025 – Today, Zacks Investment Ideas feature highlights Advanced Micro Devices AMD and Vertiv Holdings VRT.Year-End Rally Odds Increase: Stocks to WatchUS stocks opened higher Friday morning and looked primed for their second straight winning week after President Trump confirmed an upcoming meeting with Chinese President Xi, alleviating trade tensions between the two nations.Adding to the bullish case, market participants have reacted positively to the latest round of third-quarter earnings reports. Overall, the start to the third-quarter earnings season has been very positive. We’re seeing broad beats across the board, from automaker GM to beverage giant Coca-Cola. For the 99 S&P 500 companies that have reported Q3 results, total earnings are up 13.7% from the same period last year on 8.2% higher revenues, with nearly 87% beating EPS estimates.We’ve seen optimistic comments throughout the week from government officials, including Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent who indicated the US and China would hold trade talks in Malaysia. The news came after Bessent met virtually with Vice Premier He Lifeng last week, a discussion that the Chinese state media described as a “constructive” exchange of views.President Trump went on to list the top three issues on his agenda – rare earths, stopping the flow of fentanyl, and soybeans. He seems to have backed off his “100% tariff” threat on China, calling the number “unsustainable.” He’s set to meet with Xi next Thursday.Regarding his first objective, Trump and Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese signed the framework of a critical minerals deal this week that seeks to bolster US access to rare earth resources.Stocks Look Set for Year-End RallyThe volatility (VIX) index surged last week, but has plunged off its highs and is now about 40% lower than the intraday peak last Friday. This is a bullish development and exactly what we want to see as the month of October comes to a close.The VIX dropped 36% over the first two days from its peak. Similar 2-day drops (spanning 6 instances over the past 12 years) saw the S&P 500 higher each time over the course of the next month, with an average return of 3.4%. Looking out 6 months later in each case, the S&P 500 was also higher every time with an 11% average return.From a seasonal perspective, it appears the month of October is playing out in typical fashion in terms of its performance during post-election years. And besides the fact that Thanksgiving is upon us, we should all be extra grateful that the month of November has been the best month in terms of performance over the past decade.CPI Comes in CoolThe long-awaited Consumer Price Index (CPI) numbers from September showed inflation came in lower-than-expected last month. The Bureau of Labor Statistics reported the CPI rose 3.0% year-over-year, slightly below expectations of 3.1%.Core inflation, which excludes volatile food and energy components, also rose 3.0% on an annual basis and was below the median projection. On a monthly basis, core prices increased 0.2%, easing from the 0.3% gain we saw back in August.The government shutdown continues for the time being and is now the second-longest federal work stoppage in US history. Yet sentiment is improving that the shutdown could end very soon.Another 25-basis point rate cut is all but assured next week, with investors pricing in a roughly 97% probability that the Fed proceeds as planned.Stocks to WatchThe artificial intelligence theme remains front and center as many technology stocks are soaring into the final quarter of the year. Leading chipmaker Advanced Micro Devices hit a new all-time high this morning and was up more than 5% in early trading. A fresh partnership with Open AI propelled AMD shares fmore than 50% over the past month.Another leading stock is AI infrastructure provider Vertiv Holdings, which reported third-quarter earnings earlier this week of $1.24 per share. The figure represented a 24% positive surprise versus consensus estimates. Revenues of $2.68 billion surpassed projections by 3.6%. Vertiv executive chairman Dave Cote remarked, “The digital age is just beginning.”Final ThoughtsThere’ve been plenty of chances for stocks to pull back.The fact that the march continues without much of a hiccup tells us to keep an open mind about further upside into year-end. As the saying goes, respect the trend until the end when it bends.Make sure to take advantage of all that Zacks has to offer as the third-quarter earnings season continues to heat up.Disclosure: Vertiv is a current holding in the Zacks Headline Trader portfolio.Free: Instant Access to Zacks' Market-Crushing StrategiesSince 2000, our top stock-picking strategies have blown away the S&P's +7.7% average gain per year. Amazingly, they soared with average gains of +48.4%, +50.2% and +56.7% per year.Today you can tap into those powerful strategies – and the high-potential stocks they uncover – free. No strings attached.Get all the details here >>Media ContactZacks Investment Research800-767-3771 ext. 9339support@zacks.comhttps://www.zacks.comPast performance is no guarantee of future results. Inherent in any investment is the potential for loss. This material is being provided for informational purposes only and nothing herein constitutes investment, legal, accounting or tax advice, or a recommendation to buy, sell or hold a security. No recommendation or advice is being given as to whether any investment is suitable for a particular investor. It should not be assumed that any investments in securities, companies, sectors or markets identified and described were or will be profitable. All information is current as of the date of herein and is subject to change without notice. Any views or opinions expressed may not reflect those of the firm as a whole. Zacks Investment Research does not engage in investment banking, market making or asset management activities of any securities. These returns are from hypothetical portfolios consisting of stocks with Zacks Rank = 1 that were rebalanced monthly with zero transaction costs. These are not the returns of actual portfolios of stocks. The S&P 500 is an unmanaged index. Visit https://www.zacks.com/performance for information about the performance numbers displayed in this press release.Beyond Nvidia: AI's Second Wave Is HereThe AI revolution has already minted millionaires. But the stocks everyone knows about aren't likely to keep delivering the biggest profits. Little-known AI firms tackling the world's biggest problems may be more lucrative in the coming months and years.See "2nd Wave" AI stocks now >>Want the latest recommendations from Zacks Investment Research? Today, you can download 7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days. Click to get this free report Advanced Micro Devices, Inc. (AMD): Free Stock Analysis Report Vertiv Holdings Co. (VRT): Free Stock Analysis ReportThis article originally published on Zacks Investment Research (zacks.com).Zacks Investment ResearchWeiter zum vollständigen Artikel bei Zacks Weiter zum vollständigen Artikel bei Zacks