Industrial Sector Is Saying, 'No Recession.' 3 Stocks to Consider. — Barrons.com

Dow Jones Newswires

By Doug Busch

The industrial sector has historically been one of the market's clearest leading indicators. Companies at the intersection of manufacturing, transportation, and capital spending often feel pressure in their order books and pricing power well before it shows up in the broader economy.

Investors should be pleased that the current message is quite different, regardless of persistent talk about slowing growth and a weakening job market, or even a potential recession.

FedEx stock has closed at the top of its weekly range each week during its current seven-week rally. It is up more than 40% from its early April lows after rebounding from the very round $200 level. Airlines, measured by the U.S. Global Jets ETF, broke out above a double-bottom base last week with a 7% surge.

On Wednesday, Boeing logged its second double-digit gain of 2025. The last time it did so, back in April, it kicked off a rally of more than 100 points over the following four months.

Even Caterpillar, the second-highest-priced stock in the price-weighted Dow industrials, now sits at the very round $600 mark. It is just 1% shy of a record high. None of those moves are the sort that typically herald a recession.

Three stocks in the sector stand out as potential winners.

Joby Aviation, developing electric air taxis, has delivered a standout 2025. The shares are up roughly 90% for the year, despite trading 26% below the 52-week highs set in early August. After a 320% surge from April through that peak, the stock has hit some turbulence, pun intended, declining in 12 of the past 18 weeks.

From a technical perspective, round-number theory has shaped the chart. The stock broke out above a cup base at the $10 level in July and quickly advanced toward the very round $20 mark, where it met firm resistance in both August and October. The first rejection was marked by a bearish dark-cloud-cover candle on Aug. 5.

This week, Joby shrugged off a Goldman Sachs downgrade and reclaimed its 21-day exponential moving average. A doji candle on Nov. 21 defined the low of an emerging double-bottom base. Traders could initiate a position here, near Friday's level of about $15.25, with the opportunity to buy more above the double-bottom pivot at $20.08.

A move toward $28 by mid-2026 appears plausible, representing roughly 82% upside from current prices. Maintain a bullish stance above $14.

Woodward Inc., which develops and delivers control solutions and precision components for the aerospace and industrial markets, is also having a strong 2025. The stock is up 80% year to date.

Give the stock credit for doubling off its early April lows following a bullish island reversal that was completed with a gap-up on April 23. It has spent the last four months consolidating those gains.

Technically, recent tight action just above the very round $300 level has formed a constructive bull flag. Over the past seven sessions, the stock has given back none of the 12% jump that came in response to its earnings on Nov. 25. Since late April, the stock has hugged its 21-day exponential moving average, and the current bull flag comes on the heels of a cup-with-handle breakout above a $266.61 pivot.

Technicians often emphasize that true leaders provide additional entry points on the way up, and Woodward is doing just that. Traders can initiate a position here, at around $303 on Friday afternoon, with a break above the bull flag pivot at $304, targeting a move toward $354 by the second quarter of 2026. That would mark a potential gain of 16% from current levels. Remain bullish above $288.

Tutor Perini, in heavy construction, is having an even better year than Joby Aviation and Woodward. The stock is up 179% year to date. The stock currently trades 12% below its 52 week highs after advancing in 21 of 24 weeks between April and September. While it has pulled back in six of the last 10 weeks, it continues to hold the bulk of those prior gains.

Notably, the stock has absorbed back-to-back bearish, filled-in candles as investors responded to its latest earnings, in early August and early November. It has stabilized near its current level, with a cup-with-handle pivot of $68.84. Traders can initiate positions here — the stock was at $67 on Friday — and look for a move toward $84 late in the first half of 2026. That would representing roughly 23% upside from current levels. Maintain a bullish stance above $64.

This content was created by Barron's, which is operated by Dow Jones & Co. Barron's is published independently from Dow Jones Newswires and The Wall Street Journal.

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Dj Dir Sengstack Sells 7000 Of Woodward Inc >Wwd

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Dj Coo Cromwell Sells 5000 Of Woodward Inc >Wwd

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Small Industrials Are on Cusp of 'Supercycle.' Ten Stocks to Ride the Wave. — Barrons.com

Dow Jones Newswires

Al Root

What's better for stocks than a cyclical upturn? A "supercycle."

One is coming for small and mid-capitalization industrial stocks in 2026, according to JPMorgan analyst Tomohiko Sano. He's identified several that can benefit from the whirlwind.

A supercycle doesn't have a specific definition like a bull or bear market. Essentially, the term means a sector or group of stocks that will see faster earnings growth than they have experienced in prior economic cycles. Higher growth typically translates into higher valuation ratios — and impressive stock performance.

It's about to happen for a bevy of U.S. manufacturing stocks, says Sano. Four things are creating the conditions: safety, data center spending, reshoring and automation, which he lumps together, and M&A.

Safety for Sano means keeping employees safe and productive. It isn't just about compliance, but a "strategic imperative that underpins margin resilience, stakeholder trust, and long-term competitive advantages," he writes.

Two attractive small and mid-capitalization industrial companies that fit the bill are nuclear safety firm Mirion and fire protection service provider APi Group.

Mirion has a $6.4 billion market value, and trades for about 42 times estimated earnings over the next 12 months. It is expected to grow earnings by about 20% on average for the next few years, and enjoys strong support on Wall Street. All eight analysts covering the stock rate share Buy. The average Buy-rating ratio for industrial stocks in the S&P 500 is roughly 55%.

There are more than 200 industrial stocks in the Russell 3000. The most valuable is GE Aerospace, worth more than $300 billion. Caterpillar is second, worth some $275 billion. The average market value is about $20 billion. Values of small- and mid-cap industrial stocks range from less than $1 billion to, perhaps, $40 billion.

APi has a $16 billion market value, trades for about 23 times earnings, and is expected to grow earnings by about 14% for the next few years. Ninety percent analysts covering shares rating them Buy.

Sano's second driver, the AI data center boom, needs little explanation. Spending by the likes of Amazon and Alphabet is driving revenue growth for industrial companies and power demand for utilities. Three beneficiaries are powertrain component suppliers Regal Rexnord and Gates Industrial, and infrastructure builder Valmont Industries.

Regal has a $9.5 billion market value, trades for about 13 times earnings, is expected to grow earnings by about 14% a year for the next couple of years, and 92% of analysts covering the stock rate shares Buy.

Gates has a $5.7 billion market value, trades for about 14 times earnings, is expected to grow earnings by about 13%, and has a Buy-rating ratio of 75%.

Valmont has an $8.1 billion market value, trades for about 19 times earnings, is expected to grow earnings by about 12%, and has a Buy-rating ratio of 67%.

Sano's reshoring and automation beneficiaries include motion-control technology provider Allient, machine-vision provider Cognex, and bearing maker Timken.

Allient has a market value under $1 billion, trades for about 22 times earnings, is expected to grow earnings by about 19% a year for the next few years. Half of the analysts covering shares rate them Buy.

Cognex has a $6.3 billion market value, trades for about 34 times earnings, is expected to grow earnings by about 20% for the next few years, and 61% of analysts covering the stock rate shares Buy.

Timken has a low Buy-rating ratio at 29%. But it trades for 13 times earnings and is expected to grow earnings by about 12% a year for the next few years. Its market cap is about $5.7 billion.

As for M&A, water heater maker A.O. Smith bought Leonard Valve in November. Contractor solutions provider CSW Industrials bought MARS Parts in October. Those deals can help drive synergies and higher earnings growth, says Sano.

Currently, A.O. Smith is expected to grow earnings by about 7% for the next couple of years. It trades for 16 times earnings, with 43% of analysts covering the stock rating shares Buy. Its market value is about $9.3 billion.

CSW is expected to grow earnings by about 11% a year for the next few years and trades for 25 times earnings. It lacks Wall Street support with only 17% of analysts rating shares Buy. Its market value is about $5 billion.

It isn't an exhaustive list of small and midsize industrial stocks. But it's a good place to start for anyone looking for portfolio exposure to big themes for the coming year.

Write to Al Root at allen.root@dowjones.com

This content was created by Barron's, which is operated by Dow Jones & Co. Barron's is published independently from Dow Jones Newswires and The Wall Street Journal.

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Tuesday’s Insider Activity: Key Buys and Sells Disclosed on Dec 2

Investing.com

Here’s a summary of the most significant insider transactions reported for Tuesday, December 2, 2025.

Top Insider Buys

Surrozen, Inc. (NASDAQ:SRZN) saw substantial insider buying as Director Tim Kutzkey reported purchasing common stock worth $3.99 million on November 13, 2025. The purchases were executed at $12.65 per share, notably below the current trading price of $15.54. The filing indicates that 148,150 shares and 167,307 shares were acquired by The Column Group III, LP and The Column Group III-A, LP, respectively. Following these transactions, The Column Group III, LP now owns 852,482 shares, The Column Group III-A, LP owns 962,718 shares, and The Column Group Opportunity III, LP holds 344,827 shares. SRZN shares have delivered an impressive 85% return over the past six months, with analysts setting price targets between $32 and $42.

Grindr Inc. (NASDAQ:GRND) Director George Raymond Zage III recently purchased shares of the company’s common stock in two transactions, totaling $3,868,500. This insider buying comes as Grindr’s stock has fallen approximately 45% over the past six months. On November 28, 2025, Zage acquired 150,000 shares at a weighted average price of $12.88, in multiple transactions at prices ranging from $12.735 to $13.06. The total value of this purchase was $1,932,000.

American Strategic Investment Co. (EXCHANGE:NYC) saw Nicholas S. Schorsch, a ten percent owner, along with related entities, purchasing shares of common stock in two transactions, totaling $16,798. On November 28, 2025, 1,074 shares were purchased at prices ranging from $7.89 to $7.90. Then, on December 2, 2025, an additional 1,113 shares were bought, with prices ranging from $7.28 to $7.49. Following these transactions, the entities, including Bellevue Capital Partners, LLC, now hold 1,030,135 shares of Class A common stock. Mr. Schorsch also directly owns 26,559 shares.

Zivo Bioscience Inc (NASDAQ:ZIVO) Director Laith L. Yaldoo reported purchasing 2,777 shares of common stock on November 28, 2025, according to a Form 4 filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The shares were bought at a price of $9.0, totaling $24,993. Following the transaction, Yaldoo directly owns 577,872 shares of the company through HEP Investments LLC.

Granite Ridge Resources, Inc. (NYSE:GRNT) Director John McCartney acquired 1,026 shares of common stock on December 1, 2025, at a price of $5.23 per share, in one transaction. The total value of the purchase was $5,365. The purchase price sits just above the current trading price of $5.14 and aligns closely with InvestingPro’s Fair Value assessment, suggesting the stock is fairly valued. Following the transaction, McCartney directly owns 104,117 shares of Granite Ridge Resources. The energy company, with a market cap of $673 million, offers an attractive 8.56% dividend yield and trades at a P/E ratio of 17.85. GRNT maintains strong liquidity with current assets exceeding short-term obligations.

Top Insider Sells

TWILIO INC (NASDAQ:TWLO) Director Andrew Stafman sold 1,000,000 shares of Class A Common Stock on December 2, 2025, at a price of $129.0, for a total transaction value of $129,000,000. The transaction occurred near Twilio’s current trading price of $129.77, in a company with a market capitalization of approximately $19.7 billion. Following the transaction, the shares owned following the transaction amounted to 2,295,000. These shares are indirectly owned. Sachem Head Capital Management LP, Uncas GP LLC, Sachem Head GP LLC, and Scott D. Ferguson are also filing jointly and may be deemed beneficial owners of the reported securities. Twilio holds more cash than debt on its balance sheet and has demonstrated strong performance with a 20.9% price return over the past year.

Roblox Corp (NYSE:RBLX) Director Lee Anthony P sold a total of 65,022 shares of Class A Common Stock on December 1, 2025, according to a new SEC filing. The sales, executed under a pre-arranged 10b5-1 trading plan, generated $6,107,822. The price range for these shares was between $91.1275 and $93.757. The transaction comes as Roblox shares trade near $93.70, having delivered an impressive 75% return over the past year. The transactions involved multiple sales at varying prices: 6,710 shares at a weighted average price of $91.1275, 25,200 shares at an average price of $92.1598, 21,006 shares at an average price of $93.2326, and 3,844 shares at an average price of $93.7556.

Carvana Co. (NYSE:CVNA) Chief Financial Officer Mark W. Jenkins sold a total of 12,640 shares of Class A Common Stock on December 1, 2025, for approximately $4.79 million. The sales were executed in multiple transactions at prices ranging from $370.38 to $381.69, close to the current trading price of $382.18. The online used car retailer has delivered impressive returns, with the stock up 87.93% year-to-date and 49.91% over the past year. Jenkins also acquired shares through option exercises. He exercised options to acquire 10,000 shares at $10.07, 2,000 shares at $42.03, and 750 shares at $51.97. Additionally, 1,219 shares were disposed of at a price of $375.26, with a total value of $457,441, to cover tax obligations upon the vesting of restricted stock units.

Carvana Co. (NASDAQ:CVNA) President of Special Projects, Taira Thomas, sold 10,000 shares of Class A Common Stock on November 28, 2025, at an average price of $375.01, for a total value of $3,750,100. The sales were executed in multiple trades with prices ranging from $375.00 to $375.19. This transaction comes as Carvana shares have delivered impressive returns, with the stock up nearly 88% year-to-date and 50% over the past year. According to a Form 4 filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission, the sale was executed under a Rule 10b5-1 trading plan adopted on August 8, 2025. Following the transaction, Thomas directly owns 106,507 shares of Carvana Co.

Woodward, Inc. (NASDAQ:WWD) Executive Vice President and COO Thomas G. Cromwell sold 10,000 shares of company stock on November 28 and December 1, 2025. The sales, executed under a Rule 10b5-1 trading plan, fetched prices ranging from $296.26 to $299.39, totaling approximately $2.97 million. These transactions occurred with WWD trading near its 52-week high of $304.72, after the stock has delivered an impressive 81.33% year-to-date return. On the same dates, Cromwell also exercised options to acquire 10,000 shares of Woodward stock at a price of $117.64 per share, for a total value of $1,176,400. The significant price difference between the option exercise price and current market value reflects Woodward’s strong performance.

Why Monitor Insider Transactions

Tracking insider buying and selling can provide valuable insights for investors. When company executives, directors, or major shareholders purchase or sell stock, they often possess a deeper understanding of the company’s prospects. Significant insider buying may signal confidence in future growth, while substantial selling could indicate concerns about valuation or upcoming challenges. However, insiders sell for many reasons unrelated to company outlook, including diversification, tax planning, or personal financial needs. Rather than viewing these transactions in isolation, investors should consider them as one piece of a broader investment analysis, alongside financial performance, industry trends, and overall market conditions.

This article was generated with the support of AI and reviewed by an editor. For more information see our T&C.

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