As the first trading week of December 2025 gets underway, U.S. stocks are hovering near record highs, powered by hopes that the Federal Reserve will cut interest rates at its December 9–10 meeting. Futures markets are pricing in roughly an 80–85% chance of another 25 basis point cut, according to CME FedWatch data cited by JPMorgan, UBS and other major banks. [1]
At the same time, investors are laser‑focused on whether the “AI trade” can keep delivering profits. A Reuters “Wall St Week Ahead” piece notes that the S&P 500 is up about 16% so far this year, but volatility in heavyweight AI names like Nvidia and Alphabet has raised fresh questions about how quickly massive AI investments will translate into earnings. [2]
Against that backdrop, the week of December 1–5, 2025 is packed with market‑moving earnings and economic data. Investopedia’s weekly calendar flags key reports from MongoDB (MDB), CrowdStrike (CRWD), Marvell Technology (MRVL), Okta (OKTA), Salesforce (CRM), Snowflake (SNOW), Dollar Tree (DLTR), Kroger (KR), Ulta Beauty (ULTA) and Dollar General (DG), capped by Victoria’s Secret (VSCO) on Friday. [3]
Below are 10 stocks on many traders’ “stocks to buy now” watchlists for this specific week, based on fresh news, upcoming catalysts, and sector themes. This article is for information and education only and is not personal investment advice. Always consider your own risk tolerance, time horizon, and local regulations before buying any stock.
The Market Backdrop: Why This Week Matters
Before diving into individual stocks, it’s worth understanding why this particular week is so important:
- Fed cut odds are high. JPMorgan now expects the Fed to deliver a 25 bps cut in December, reversing its earlier view that policymakers would wait until January, while Goldman Sachs and UBS also see another cut as “quite likely.” [4]
- Key economic data hits. Investors get ISM manufacturing and services PMIs, ADP private payrolls, and the preliminary University of Michigan consumer sentiment reading, all compressed into the same week due to delays from the recent government shutdown. [5]
- AI narrative is under scrutiny. Reuters highlights that big swings in Nvidia and Alphabet have been driven by new AI developments and worries over whether AI infrastructure spending is becoming “too much, too fast.” [6]
In short: falling rates + AI uncertainty + a dense earnings calendar create a potent mix of opportunity and risk. With that in mind, here are the 10 most important stocks to watch — and potentially buy — for December 1–5, 2025.
1. MongoDB (MDB): New CEO, AI Ambitions and Earnings on Monday
Catalyst: Q3 FY2026 earnings after the close on Monday, Dec. 1. [7]
MongoDB sits right at the intersection of cloud databases and AI‑driven applications. The company expects Q3 revenue between $587 million and $592 million, and has said it now anticipates revenue, adjusted operating income and adjusted earnings to exceed the high end of its prior guidance, helped by strength in its Atlas cloud platform. [8]
Adding extra intrigue, MongoDB’s board recently named Chirantan “CJ” Desai — formerly President of Product and Engineering at Cloudflare — as the new CEO, succeeding long‑time chief Dev Ittycheria. The company emphasized that it is “uniquely positioned to power the next wave of AI‑driven applications,” and analysts remain broadly bullish, with the majority rating the stock a Buy and a median price target only modestly above the current share price. [9]
What to watch this week
- Atlas revenue growth and AI‑specific customer wins
- Updated guidance for 2026 amid a softer macro backdrop
- Early signals on Desai’s strategic priorities as CEO
Key risks
- Rich valuation versus legacy database peers
- Competition from hyperscalers (AWS, Azure, GCP) and open‑source databases
- Any slowdown in enterprise cloud spending if the economy weakens further
2. CrowdStrike (CRWD): High‑Growth Cybersecurity Name Reporting Tuesday
Catalyst: Q3 FY2026 earnings after the close on Tuesday, Dec. 2. [10]
CrowdStrike is one of the marquee cybersecurity and AI‑driven security platforms on Wall Street’s radar. For the current quarter, management guided to revenue of $1.208–$1.218 billion, with the Zacks consensus near $1.21 billion, implying about 20% year‑over‑year growth. Non‑GAAP earnings per share (EPS) are expected to land around $0.93–$0.95, with consensus at $0.94. [11]
The company has beaten consensus EPS estimates in each of the last four quarters, with an average surprise of nearly 15%. Analysts are watching whether annual recurring revenue (ARR) and new module adoption can keep pace with previous quarters, especially as enterprises rationalize security spending.
What to watch this week
- Net new ARR and customer count
- Growth in cloud, identity and data protection modules
- Margin trajectory as CrowdStrike continues to invest in AI capabilities
Key risks
- Elevated valuation versus slower‑growing security peers
- Intensifying competition in endpoint and XDR (extended detection and response)
- Sensitivity to IT spending cuts if macro conditions deteriorate
3. Snowflake (SNOW): Data Cloud and AI Workloads in the Spotlight
Catalyst: Q3 FY2026 earnings after the close on Wednesday, Dec. 3. [12]
Snowflake remains one of the purest plays on the enterprise data cloud and AI‑driven analytics. MarketBeat notes that Wall Street expects EPS of about $0.31 and revenue near $1.18 billion, after Snowflake beat last quarter with $0.35 EPS and $1.14 billion in revenue, up 31.8% year‑over‑year. [13]
Analysts broadly rate the stock a “Moderate Buy” with an average target around $267, above the current share price, even as insiders have sold significant amounts of stock in recent months. [14]
What to watch this week
- Product revenue growth and large‑customer expansion
- Early signs of monetizing generative AI workloads on top of the Data Cloud
- Commentary on consumption trends (are customers using more, or optimizing spend?)
Key risks
- Still‑negative GAAP profitability and a lofty revenue multiple
- Heavy insider selling, which can pressure sentiment
- Potential slowdown in usage‑based revenue if customers tighten budgets
4. Salesforce (CRM): Blue‑Chip AI and Cloud Bellwether
Catalyst: Q3 FY2026 earnings after the close on Wednesday, Dec. 3. [15]
Salesforce is a core AI + cloud software blue‑chip and a Dow component, so its results often move broader indices. Kiplinger reports that Wall Street expects EPS of about $2.86 on revenue of roughly $10.27 billion, up from $2.44 EPS and $9.44 billion a year earlier. [16]
The company recently closed its $8.3 billion acquisition of Informatica earlier than expected, and analysts at Mizuho highlight the “strategic potential” of bundling Informatica’s data management tools with Salesforce’s Agentforce AI, Data 360 and MuleSoft integration products. Salesforce expects Informatica to be accretive to margins and EPS within the first 12 months, faster than its original two‑year timeline. [17]
Salesforce is also a key barometer for holiday e‑commerce and AI‑assisted shopping. It projects that U.S. online sales from Thanksgiving through Cyber Monday could reach about $78 billion, with AI agents influencing tens of billions in sales. [18]
What to watch this week
- AI‑related revenue and attach rates for Einstein/Agentforce
- Updated synergy and integration commentary around the Informatica acquisition
- Guidance for FY2026 and FY2027 amid rate‑cut optimism
Key risks
- Integration risk and execution on a large M&A transaction
- Slower enterprise IT spending if the economy cools more than expected
- Growing competition from Microsoft, Oracle and other CRM/ERP suites
5. Okta (OKTA): Identity, AI Security and Tuesday Earnings
Catalyst: Q3 FY2026 earnings after the close on Tuesday, Dec. 2. [19]
Okta is the identity and access management specialist that increasingly sits at the center of corporate AI security architectures. Its earnings call on December 2 comes as new research by Cequence Security and Okta highlights how weak identity controls around AI agents are holding back enterprise AI adoption, with only a small minority of organizations confident they can detect “rogue AI” behavior or secure non‑human identities. [20]
Kiplinger’s earnings calendar shows a consensus EPS estimate of about $0.76 for this quarter, while Okta’s own investor materials emphasize steady progress in large‑enterprise deals and platform adoption. [21]
What to watch this week
- Growth in large customers and identity governance use‑cases
- Progress in reducing security incidents and rebuilding trust after past breaches
- Any new AI‑specific security products or partnerships
Key risks
- Reputation risk if new security issues emerge
- Competitive pressure from Microsoft and other identity providers
- High expectations after a strong year‑to‑date rally
6. Marvell Technology (MRVL): AI Infrastructure Chipmaker With Tuesday Call
Catalyst: Q3 FY2026 results conference call on Tuesday, Dec. 2. [22]
Marvell is a key AI infrastructure and networking chip supplier, providing custom silicon and high‑speed networking solutions to major cloud providers. Zacks and Nasdaq data indicate that Wall Street expects EPS of about $0.74, roughly 72% year‑over‑year growth, on revenue near $2.07 billion, up about 36% year‑over‑year. [23]
The company is simultaneously doubling down on AI R&D in India, with Reuters reporting plans to expand its 1,700‑person Indian workforce by around 15% annually over the next three years to meet demand for AI infrastructure. [24]
It hasn’t been a straight line, though: in August, Marvell’s stock sank after a cautious data‑center outlook fanned worries that AI chip demand might be “lumpy,” even as long‑term prospects remain strong. [25]
What to watch this week
- Updated demand commentary for AI custom chips and data‑center networking
- Clarity on the impact of the Automotive Ethernet divestiture and business mix shift
- Margin trends and any new design‑win disclosures with hyperscalers
Key risks
- Highly cyclical semiconductor demand and dependency on a few large cloud customers
- AI infrastructure spending delays or capex reprioritization
- Competitive pressure from larger rivals like Broadcom
7. Dollar Tree (DLTR) & Dollar General (DG): Discount Retail as a Consumer Stress Gauge
Catalysts:
- Dollar Tree (DLTR) – Q3 results on Wednesday, Dec. 3 (before market).
- Dollar General (DG) – Q3 results on Thursday, Dec. 4 (before market). [26]
With inflation still above target and real wage growth uneven, dollar stores have become a critical read‑through on lower‑income consumers. Both Dollar Tree and Dollar General are on this week’s “key earnings” list from Investopedia and Kiplinger. [27]
For Dollar General, Zacks expects Q3 EPS around $0.92 and revenue of roughly $10.61 billion, representing modest growth over last year. Jefferies recently highlighted DG as one of a small group of mid‑cap stocks showing accelerating sales and earnings, while Kiplinger notes the stock has rallied nearly 50% year‑to‑date, outpacing the S&P 500. [28]
Dollar Tree, meanwhile, has been wrestling with shrink (theft), price‑point strategy and store format changes, making its Wednesday report important for understanding how far consumers are trading down — and which discounter is winning.
What to watch this week
- Same‑store sales trends, especially in consumables versus discretionary categories
- Margin performance amid shrink, wage and logistics pressures
- Updated store‑opening and remodel plans for 2026
Key risks
- Rising competition from Walmart, Target and regional grocers on price
- Execution challenges in store operations and merchandising
- Sensitivity to further deterioration in low‑income consumer health
8. Kroger (KR): Defensive Grocery Giant Reporting Thursday
Catalyst: Q3 2025 results on Thursday, Dec. 4 (before market; earnings call at 10:00 a.m. ET). [29]
Kroger is a defensive consumer‑staples stock that also offers insight into private‑label growth, food inflation and shifting shopping habits. Kroger’s investor relations site confirms its Q3 call for December 4, while Nasdaq data and Kiplinger’s calendar show a consensus EPS estimate around $1.03. [30]
Analyst opinions are mixed. Intellectia.ai notes an average 12‑month price target near $78.46, with a “Moderate Buy” consensus, though JPMorgan recently trimmed its target to $73 and kept a Neutral rating, citing concern over weakening consumption trends. Other firms like Argus and Roth remain more upbeat, pointing to strong private‑label brands, data‑driven personalization for 63 million households, and alternative profit streams. [31]
What to watch this week
- Identical‑store sales growth excluding fuel
- Performance of private brands and fresh offerings
- Commentary on the broader consumer and any update on regulatory matters
Key risks
- Margin pressure from continued price competition and promotions
- Regulatory or integration uncertainty around any future M&A
- Slower traffic if the labor market weakens further
9. Ulta Beauty (ULTA): High‑Quality Retailer at the Crossroads of Luxury and Mass
Catalyst: Q3 2025 results on Thursday, Dec. 4 (after market close). [32]
Ulta Beauty has been one of the stand‑out specialty retailers of 2025. MarketBeat reports that analysts expect EPS around $4.47–$4.56 on revenue close to $2.7 billion this quarter. Ulta beat expectations last quarter, posting EPS of $5.78 versus $5.03 expected and revenue up about 9.3% year‑over‑year, with a net margin above 10% and return on equity near 49%. [33]
Strategically, Ulta is expanding internationally (Mexico and the Middle East), launching a marketplace platform (“UB Marketplace”), and recently ran a high‑profile Early Black Friday sale with discounts up to 40% across prestige brands, all of which should feed into holiday‑season commentary. [34]
On the technical side, Investor’s Business Daily notes that Ulta’s Relative Strength Rating recently climbed above 80, a threshold often seen early in strong price runs. [35]
What to watch this week
- Comparable‑store sales, particularly in prestige makeup and skincare
- Progress in e‑commerce, loyalty membership and international expansion
- Gross margin trends as promotions ramp up into the holiday season
Key risks
- Beauty spending can soften quickly if consumers pull back
- Brand and inventory mix missteps could pressure margins
- Rising competition from Sephora, department stores and direct‑to‑consumer brands
10. Victoria’s Secret & Co. (VSCO): High‑Risk Turnaround Story Reporting Friday
Catalyst: Q3 2026 results on Friday, Dec. 5 (before market). [36]
Victoria’s Secret is one of the most speculative names on this list, but it offers potentially outsized upside — and downside — around Friday’s report. Kiplinger’s earnings calendar shows a consensus expectation for a loss of about $0.59 per share, yet Zacks recently argued that VSCO has the right mix of factors to potentially beat estimates, noting its favorable earnings ESP and positive revision trends. [37]
Earlier this year, Victoria’s Secret reported Q2 2025 sales around $1.46 billion, beating analyst expectations and supporting a higher full‑year sales outlook. Simply Wall St and other outlets point to improving investor sentiment, with the stock rising double‑digits in recent months even as analysts debate whether it’s now trading ahead of intrinsic value. [38]
What to watch this week
- Comparable‑sales performance across core lingerie, PINK and beauty categories
- Progress on brand repositioning and marketing strategy
- Cash flow, inventory and balance‑sheet health in a still‑challenging retail environment
Key risks
- Execution risk in a tough and highly competitive apparel niche
- Brand perception and relevance with younger consumers
- Potential dilution or reduced buyback capacity if the turnaround stalls
How to Use This List: Strategy for the Week of December 1–5
If you’re building a watchlist of stocks to buy now for this specific week, consider grouping names by theme:
- AI & Cloud Data: MongoDB (MDB), Snowflake (SNOW), Salesforce (CRM), Marvell (MRVL)
- Cybersecurity & Identity: CrowdStrike (CRWD), Okta (OKTA)
- Consumer & Retail Health: Dollar Tree (DLTR), Dollar General (DG), Kroger (KR), Ulta (ULTA), Victoria’s Secret (VSCO)
A few practical tips:
- Plan around earnings dates. Volatility is typically highest right after a report; some traders prefer to buy ahead of a catalyst, while others wait for the reaction and then trade the trend.
- Size positions to the risk. Turnaround names like VSCO or highly valued growth stocks such as MDB or SNOW can move sharply on even minor outlook changes.
- Keep the macro in mind. Fed commentary, rate‑cut expectations, and delayed economic data due to the shutdown could still surprise markets — in either direction. [39]
Again, nothing here is a guarantee or a recommendation to buy; these are high‑impact stocks to watch closely as December trading begins.
References
1. www.reuters.com, 2. www.reuters.com, 3. www.investopedia.com, 4. www.reuters.com, 5. www.reuters.com, 6. www.reuters.com, 7. www.investopedia.com, 8. www.nasdaq.com, 9. www.investopedia.com, 10. www.investopedia.com, 11. www.nasdaq.com, 12. www.investopedia.com, 13. www.marketbeat.com, 14. www.marketbeat.com, 15. www.investopedia.com, 16. www.kiplinger.com, 17. www.kiplinger.com, 18. www.investopedia.com, 19. www.investopedia.com, 20. www.theaustralian.com.au, 21. www.kiplinger.com, 22. www.investopedia.com, 23. www.tipranks.com, 24. www.reuters.com, 25. www.reuters.com, 26. www.investopedia.com, 27. www.investopedia.com, 28. www.kiplinger.com, 29. ir.kroger.com, 30. ir.kroger.com, 31. intellectia.ai, 32. www.investopedia.com, 33. www.marketbeat.com, 34. www.ulta.com, 35. www.investors.com, 36. www.investopedia.com, 37. www.kiplinger.com, 38. finance.yahoo.com, 39. www.reuters.com
