4 Crypto-Centric Stocks to Watch Closely Before the Next Bitcoin Rally
Bitcoin, which reached an all-time high in late May, has remained mostly above $100,000 over the past few weeks amid geopolitical tensions and tariff woes. However, geopolitical tensions have eased substantially, and hopes of a rate cut by the Federal Reserve have brightened lately. Market experts believe that Bitcoin has the potential to surpass $120,000 this year.
Given this situation, it would be ideal to invest in crypto-focused stocks. We have selected four stocks, namely CME Group Inc. CME, Accenture plc ACN, Visa Inc. V and PayPal Holdings PYPL. Each of these stocks has strong growth potential for 2025 and has seen positive earnings estimate revisions in the last 90 days.
Bitcoin Rally to Gather Steam
Bitcoin has been rangebound over the past few sessions and hovering around $107,000 ahead of the July 9 tariff deadline. The cryptocurrency has recovered substantially after dropping below $100,000 for the first time in 45 days earlier last week, after the United States bombed Iran's nuclear sites.
However, the tensions between Iran and Israel have eased substantially over the past week after President Donald Trump announced a fragile ceasefire. The Bitcoin rally has faced significant challenges lately, but it hasn't stalled completely. Despite some profit bookings, the cryptocurrency continues to hold strong gains.
Tariff woes have eased substantially, with the United States and China expected to sign a trade deal soon, while investors wait for more trade deal announcements with other countries ahead of the July 8 deadline.
Market sentiment has also turned hopeful in recent weeks, with many expecting the Fed to restart interest rate cuts soon. Inflation has been cooling for the past three months, and a shrinking labor market has given the Federal Reserve enough reason to go for a rate cut. Several Fed officials have indicated over the past few weeks that a rate cut could be announced as early as July. Analysts suggest that a rate cut in the near future could pave the way for Bitcoin to surpass $120,000.
4 Crypto-Centric Stocks With Upside
Visa Inc.
Visa is taking a significant step toward modernizing cross-border money movement. In a move aimed at enhancing the efficiency of global transactions, V is expanding its stablecoin settlement capabilities to the high-performing Solana blockchain. This expansion of V includes collaboration with prominent merchant acquirers Worldpay and Nuvei, marking a pivotal development in the world of digital payments.
Visa's expected earnings growth rate for the current year is 12.9%. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for current-year earnings has improved 0.4% over the last 90 days. V currently has a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy). You can see the complete list of today's Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here.
PayPal Holdings
PayPal Holdings provides digital wallet services that enable users to purchase, transfer and sell various cryptocurrencies, such as Bitcoin, Ethereum, Bitcoin Cash and Litecoin. Through PYPL, users can use cryptocurrencies to pay for goods and services from online merchants. Additionally, PayPal's mobile wallet platform, Venmo, allows users to engage in cryptocurrency buying and selling activities.
PayPal's expected earnings growth rate for the current year is 9.3%. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for current-year earnings has improved 1.2% over the last 90 days. PYPL currently has a Zacks Rank #2.
CME Group
CME Group Inc. 's options give the buyer of the call/put the right to buy/sell cryptocurrency futures contracts at a specific price at some future date. CME offers bitcoin and ether options based on the exchange's cash-settled standard and micro BTC and ETH futures contracts.
CME Group's expected earnings growth rate for the current year is 9.4%. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for current-year earnings has improved 5.5% over the last 90 days. CME presently has a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold).
Accenture
Accenture plc is a worldwide system integrator that offers consulting, technology and various services. The company promotes Ethereum-based blockchain solutions to businesses, aiming to simplify payment processing.
Accenture's expected earnings growth rate for the current year is 7.5%. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for current-year earnings has improved 1.1% over the last 90 days. ACN currently carries a Zacks Rank #3.
Zacks' Research Chief Names "Stock Most Likely to Double"
Our team of experts has just released the 5 stocks with the greatest probability of gaining +100% or more in the coming months. Of those 5, Director of Research Sheraz Mian highlights the one stock set to climb highest.
This top pick is a little-known satellite-based communications firm. Space is projected to become a trillion dollar industry, and this company's customer base is growing fast. Analysts have forecasted a major revenue breakout in 2025. Of course, all our elite picks aren't winners but this one could far surpass earlier Zacks' Stocks Set to Double like Hims & Hers Health, which shot up +209%.
Free: See Our Top Stock And 4 Runners Up
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
CME Group Inc. (CME): Free Stock Analysis Report
Accenture PLC (ACN): Free Stock Analysis Report
Visa Inc. (V): Free Stock Analysis Report
PayPal Holdings, Inc. (PYPL): Free Stock Analysis Report
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Globe and Mail
an hour ago
- Globe and Mail
Looking Ahead to Bank Earnings
Note: The following is an excerpt from this week's Earnings Trends report. You can access the full report that contains detailed historical actual and estimates for the current and following periods, please click here>>> Here are the key points: Total S&P 500 earnings for the June quarter are expected to be up +5.0% from the same period last year on +4.0% higher revenues. While negative revisions to Q2 estimates have stabilized in recent weeks, estimates for the period have been under significant pressure relative to other recent periods since the June-quarter got underway. Q2 earnings estimates for 13 of the 16 Zacks sectors have come down since the quarter got underway, with Aerospace, Utilities, and Consumer Discretionary as the only sectors whose estimates have modestly moved higher since the start of April. Q2 earnings estimates for the Tech and Finance sectors, the two largest contributors to aggregate S&P 500 earnings, accounting for 51% of all index earnings, have also been cut since the quarter got underway. The quarter started with significant pressure on Tech sector estimates, but the negative revisions trend notably stabilized in the subsequent weeks. In terms of year-over-year growth, three sectors are expected to enjoy double-digit earnings growth in Q2: Aerospace (+15.2%), Tech (+12.1%), and Consumer Discretionary (+106.1%). On the negative side, seven sectors are expected to earn less in Q2 relative to the year-earlier period, with double-digit declines at the Energy (-25.7%), Construction (-14.7%), and Autos (-31.2%) sectors. Bank Earnings in Focus JPMorgan JPM, Wells Fargo WFC, and Citigroup C will kick-start the June-quarter reporting cycle for the Finance sector on July 15 th. These banks comfortably passed the Fed's stress tests, opening the way for increased capital returns to shareholders through share buybacks and dividend hikes. However, the earnings outlook for the group remains subdued, with growth hindered by weak demand trends in both the conventional banking business and investment banking. For JPMorgan, Q2 earnings are expected to be down -5.6% on -13.4% lower revenues. For Citigroup and Wells Fargo, Q2 earnings are expected to be down -3.2% and -6.8% from the year-earlier level, respectively. The Zacks Investment Brokers & Managers industry at the mezzanine level, which includes JPMorgan, Citigroup, and Wells Fargo, total Q2 earnings are expected to be down -2.8% from the same period last year, on -0.6% lower revenues. For the Zacks Finance sector, Q2 earnings are expected to be up +8.2% on +3.9% higher revenues, as the table below shows. Unlike the group's anemic earnings growth expectations, these stocks have been standout performers in the market lately, which likely reflects the aforementioned capital returns expectations and hopes of improving earnings growth in the coming periods. The chart below shows the year-to-date performance of JPMorgan, Citigroup, and Wells Fargo shares relative to the S&P 500 index. The green line in the chart below shows the evolving forward 12-month earnings estimates for the industry. Expectations for 2025 Q2 The start of Q2 coincided with heightened tariff uncertainty following the punitive April 2 nd tariff announcements. While the onset of the announced levies was eventually delayed by three months, the issue has understandably weighed heavily on estimates for the current and upcoming quarters, particularly in the first few weeks following the April 2 nd announcement. The expectation at present is for Q2 earnings for the S&P 500 index to increase by +5.0% from the same period last year on +4.0% higher revenues. The chart below shows how Q2 earnings growth expectations have evolved since the start of the year. While it is not unusual for estimates to be adjusted lower, the magnitude and breadth of Q2 estimate cuts are greater than we have seen in the comparable periods of other recent quarters. Since the start of the quarter, estimates have come down for 13 of the 16 Zacks sectors, with the biggest declines for the Transportation, Autos, Energy, Construction, and Basic Materials sectors. The only sectors experiencing favorable revisions in this period are Aerospace, Utilities, and Consumer Discretionary. Estimates for the two largest earnings contributors to the index – Tech & Finance – have also declined since the quarter began. Tech sector earnings are expected to be up +12.1% in Q2 on +10.9% higher revenues. While these earnings growth expectations are materially below where they stood at the start of April, the revisions trend appears to have notably stabilized lately, as we have been flagging in recent weeks. You can see this in the sector's revisions trend in the chart below. This stabilizing turn in the Tech sector's revisions trend can be seen in expectations for full-year 2025 as well, as the chart below shows. The two charts above show that estimates for the Tech sector have stabilized and are no longer under the type of downward pressure experienced earlier in the quarter. The Tech sector is much more than just any other sector, as it alone accounts for almost a third of all S&P 500 earnings. The Earnings Big Picture The chart below shows expectations for 2025 Q2 in terms of what was achieved in the preceding four periods and what is currently expected for the next three quarters. The chart below shows the overall earnings picture for the S&P 500 index on an annual basis. The market's rebound from the post-tariffs April lows has been very impressive, likely suggesting that market participants don't see the tariff uncertainty as presenting a significant threat. We find ourselves a bit skeptical of this sanguine view. Whatever the final level of tariffs turns out to be, it will have an impact on the earnings picture. Zacks' Research Chief Names "Stock Most Likely to Double" Our team of experts has just released the 5 stocks with the greatest probability of gaining +100% or more in the coming months. Of those 5, Director of Research Sheraz Mian highlights the one stock set to climb highest. This top pick is a little-known satellite-based communications firm. Space is projected to become a trillion dollar industry, and this company's customer base is growing fast. Analysts have forecasted a major revenue breakout in 2025. Of course, all our elite picks aren't winners but this one could far surpass earlier Zacks' Stocks Set to Double like Hims & Hers Health, which shot up +209%. Free: See Our Top Stock And 4 Runners Up Wells Fargo & Company (WFC): Free Stock Analysis Report JPMorgan Chase & Co. (JPM): Free Stock Analysis Report Citigroup Inc. (C): Free Stock Analysis Report
Globe and Mail
an hour ago
- Globe and Mail
Ford Vs GM: Which Auto Stock is the Better Investment After Revealing Q2 Sales?
With the major domestic automakers releasing their vehicle sales for the second quarter, Ford F and General Motors GM were notable standouts, outperforming Tesla TSLA. While Tesla saw its Q2 vehicle sales fall 13% due to weaker demand for its aging auto fleet and political backlash surrounding Elon Musk, Ford and GM gained ground in both traditional and electric vehicle segments. Considering such, it may be a worthy conversation to discuss which auto stock is the better buy between Ford and GM at the moment. Q2 & H1 Auto Sales Led by its Maverick and F-Series pickup trucks, Ford's Q2 vehicle sales spiked an industry-leading 14% year over year to 612,095 units sold. This boosted Ford's vehicle sales for the first half of the year (H1) to 1.113 million, a 6% increase from H1 2024. Notably, Q2 pickup sales came to 288,564 units with F-Series and Maverick sales spiking 11% and 26% respectively. As for GM, Q2 vehicle sales rose 7% to 746,588 units sold, driven by its Chevrolet, GMC, Cadillac, and Buick brands. Being GM's fastest growing brand so far this year, Buick saw a 29% uptick in H1 sales, with GM's total H1 vehicle sales up 11% to 1.4 million units. Ford & GM's EV Expansion Pinpointing EV expansion, GM gained ground on Tesla and stood out in particular. GM sold 46,280 EV units, spiking 111% from 21,930 in Q2 2024. Reaching an impressive milestone, Chevrolet became the best-selling EV brand during the quarter, led by the Blazer, Equinox, and Silverado models. Underlying Ford's broader EV expansion was growth in hybrids, with the company's 'Electrified' vehicle segment selling 82,886 units, a 6% increase from a year ago. However, pure EVs sold dropped over 30% while hybrid sales soared 23%. Stock Performance & Valuation Comparison Rising +18% in 2025, Ford stock has topped the benchmark S&P 500's return of +5% and the Zacks Automotive-Domestic Market's +2%. Meanwhile, GM is down 1% to lag the broader market, although Tesla has paled in comparison, with declines of more than 20%. Over the last three years, the performance is flipped with GM's gains of more than +60% being roughly on par with the benchmark and edging Tesla's +39%. During this period, Ford stock has been the laggard with gains of +4% but this has slightly edged the Automotive-Domestic Market. Image Source: Zacks Investment Research In terms of value, GM stock certainly checks the box at just 5X forward earnings. Still, Ford's 10X forward earnings multiple offers a slight discount to their industry average of 11X and is well below the S&P 500's 23X. Plus, Ford and GM stock trade at less than 1X forward sales. Ford & GM Dividend Comparison Leveling the playing field in terms of value, Ford stock currently has a very enticing annual dividend of 5.29%. That said, GM's yield is at a respectable 1.15%, especially considering most of the Zacks Automotive-Domestic stocks don't offer a payout, including Tesla. Bottom Line Posting standout Q2 sales among domestic automakers, Ford and General Motors stock both land a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold) at the moment. To that point, these results have started to circumvent concerns that tariffs will have an overly dismal effect on their outlook, with GM and Ford starting to showcase long-term value to shareholders. Zacks' Research Chief Names "Stock Most Likely to Double" Our team of experts has just released the 5 stocks with the greatest probability of gaining +100% or more in the coming months. Of those 5, Director of Research Sheraz Mian highlights the one stock set to climb highest. This top pick is a little-known satellite-based communications firm. Space is projected to become a trillion dollar industry, and this company's customer base is growing fast. Analysts have forecasted a major revenue breakout in 2025. Of course, all our elite picks aren't winners but this one could far surpass earlier Zacks' Stocks Set to Double like Hims & Hers Health, which shot up +209%. Free: See Our Top Stock And 4 Runners Up Ford Motor Company (F): Free Stock Analysis Report General Motors Company (GM): Free Stock Analysis Report Tesla, Inc. (TSLA): Free Stock Analysis Report
Globe and Mail
2 hours ago
- Globe and Mail
AI Ease Launches Revolutionary Tool to Instantly Remove Subtitles Without Blurring or Quality Loss
AI Ease Launches Revolutionary Tool to Instantly Remove Subtitles Without Blurring or Quality Loss Are the key contents of your video subtitled? Do you want to reuse your video, but the captions are obstructing its way? The Free Subtitle Remover of AI Ease allows you to remove subtitles from video within a few seconds without even having an editing experience. The smart AI feature of this online tool locates both hardcoded (burned-in) and soft subtitles to detect and eliminate them without compromising your video quality in any way. It is compatible with all the common formats, such as MP4, MOV, and even YouTube videos. You can use it to clean up your vlog, to update a streaming video tutorial, or to repurpose social media content - in any case, with only a few clicks, you can remove watermark from video. As a content creator, teacher, marketer, or even a translator, this tool saves you time and helps to make your videos look professional with no effort. Top Reasons to Delete Captions from Your Video Subtitles are helpful sometimes, but in most situations, it is the issue. So why not simply get rid of them? Let us have a look at how it can generally enhance your video and make it more helpful to various audiences. 1. Subtitles may distract Subtitles tend to obscure such significant elements of a video, such as faces, products or important images. This may lower the viewer's attention and affect the image of the professional in your material. Clean videos help you maintain the attention of the viewers on the actual matter- your message. 2. Obsolete or inaccurate Captions When you have errors in the subtitles or even have outdated subtitles in your video, it may be confusing to the audience. It is very normal in cases where the reuse or update of content is necessary. Rather than having erroneous text on the screen, you should scrap it off and have a clean start with your video. 3. Have to Repurpose or Localise Content Producers tend to repackage videos to apply to new platforms or consumers. What suits one language in terms of subtitles will not suit another language. When removed, you can replace them with more correct captions or voice-overs. This is particularly useful during global content, teaching resources or rebranding. What are the Benefits of the Removal of Subtitles? Deleting subtitles in videos is not only a matter of visualisation; it is a matter of increasing the flexibility and professionalism of your content. Users have varied benefits on the basis of the way they use their videos. Vloggers, YouTubers, and TikTok makers tend to reuse their previous work to create something on a different platform. However, in case subtitles are burned into the video, visuals will be obstructed or seem unnatural. Removing those subtitles will leave creators with a clean video, which they can reuse, re-edit or post anywhere without distractions. Online teachers and educators also enjoy the benefit. Recorded classes, tutorials or old lectures might include irrelevant or wrong captions. They need not re-record everything, but can just use AI Ease to delete the old versions of the subtitles and revise them. This is not time-consuming and helps in keeping educational material up to date. Ads, promotions and social media require brands and marketers to have high-quality and refined videos. Poorly aligned subtitles and subtitles in the wrong format can be placed incorrectly, which may appear unprofessional. Removing subtitles enables them to clear their videos, centred and brand-wise, particularly when catering to various audiences. Key Features – Why AI Ease Can Be the Best Subtitle Remover AI Ease will be the most appropriate tool to use since it offers strong features that facilitate the process of removing the subtitles easily, faster and effectively. Now we may have a closer look at the major advantages of the usage of this tool: Smart AI Subtitle Detection With high-level AI technology, AI Ease automatically identifies and removes every burned-in (hardcoded) and soft subtitle. The AI will analyse each frame of your video precisely and will remove each subtitle without missing. No Quality or Blur Loss of quality with video editing is one of the greatest concerns. Fortunately, at AI Ease, you will not have to be concerned with such. The tool maintains the clarity, colour, and sharpness of your videos so that the end result is as good as the beginning. One-Click process Subtitle removal is made unbelievably easy on AI Ease. No complex software or technical knowledge is needed. You just have to upload your video, tick the subtitles you do not want and click on process. Expanded Output Format The video formats used by AI Ease are numerous, so they can deal with MP4, MOV, and even YouTube videos. It does not matter whether you work on social media clips, marketing videos, or online courses, and the formats you require are supported. 100% Safe and anonymous Your privacy matters to us with AI Ease. The tool guarantees that your personal data is considered secure when taking the subtitles off. No downloads are necessary, and all video processing is done securely on the cloud. Ready to Clean Up Your Videos? Try AI Ease for Free Today! In case you no longer need the subtitles on your videos, they become distractions or simply unnecessary; it is high time to clean them up. The Subtitle Remover feature of AI Ease will help you effortlessly remove the unwanted subtitles in a video without making changes to its quality. You neither have to be a video editor nor require any software. Updating your old tutorials, creating content to give to a new set of the audience or taking out the text written over important visual materials, AI Ease makes everything fast. It is compatible with numerous video formats, such as MP4, MOV, and even YouTube videos. It is very easy to operate the tool, and it makes your videos sharp, colourful and smooth- just as the former. This is exactly the tool that the content creators, educators, and marketers will find appropriate, or anyone who needs to bring a new professional style to their videos. The only thing that you need to do is upload your video, place an indicator on where the subtitles will be provided, and click on start.
