TS2 TECH • DAILY MODEL PORTFOLIO
Stocks to Buy Today
Here are five U.S.-listed stocks to watch for Wednesday, August 5, ranked based on Tuesday’s closing prices and extended trading quotes as of 5:32 a.m. ET. The selection model favors companies with solid operating results, strong cash flow, robust forecasts and attractive entry points, while penalizing large earnings gaps.
Selective • buy resets, not opening gaps
7,736.52 • +1.79%
26,584.99 • +2.59%
54,085.88 • +1.71%
About +0.3%
4.61%
ADP 08:15 • ISM 10:00
Tuesday’s rally sent the S&P 500 and Dow to new record highs, with semiconductor stocks jumping 6.6%. Oil prices dropped around 5%, easing pressure from recent rate concerns, but markets now expect companies to keep delivering strong earnings. So far, about 85% of S&P 500 firms reporting results have topped analysts’ estimates.
23% weight
Pfizer
NYSE: PFE
93 / 100
Pfizer’s results did more to support the bearish outlook than to signal a full recovery in growth. Non-COVID revenues climbed, the company raised its sales midpoint, and the dividend is still backed by adjusted earnings. Shares are trading at less than nine times projected earnings.
Shares closed at $25.41, up 1.52%. Analysts have a consensus Outperform rating and an average price target of $28.79, with targets ranging from $24.00 to $35.46, suggesting a potential upside of 13.3%.
Revenue reached $15.03 billion, up 3% as reported. Adjusted EPS was $0.77. Non-COVID revenue grew 5% operationally, while revenue from new and acquired products jumped 18% operationally.
For 2026, the company projects revenue between $60.5 billion and $62.5 billion and adjusted EPS of $2.80 to $3.00. The midpoint of this guidance implies a multiple of 8.8 times, with an annualized dividend yield of 6.8%.
Initial buy range: $24.80–$25.50. Add more at $23.80–$24.30. Avoid buying above $26.10.
Key catalysts include late-stage oncology and obesity trial results, growth in non-COVID areas, and $2.5 billion in added savings projected between 2027 and 2029.
sales are falling, and patent expiries keep the long-term earnings path uncertain.
22% weight
AMD
NASDAQ: AMD
91 / 100
The premarket drop erases some of Tuesday’s gains following earnings, despite continued strong operating results. Data center sales more than doubled, and third-quarter revenue guidance topped previous consensus estimates. However, the current valuation gives little margin for delays in Helios or Instinct rollouts.
Shares closed at $518.58, up 7.00%. In premarket trading, the stock fell 7.4% to $480.28. Analysts rate it a Strong Buy, with an average price target of $577.57 and targets ranging from $320 to $1,250. Based on premarket levels, the implied upside is 20.3%.
Revenue climbed 50% to $11.54bn. Adjusted EPS was $1.66. Data centre revenue surged 107% to $6.72bn, while adjusted operating income reached $3.1bn.
Third-quarter revenue is projected between $12.7 billion and $13.3 billion, with an adjusted gross margin near 56%. Analysts expect 2027 consensus EPS at $13.87, putting shares at 34.6 times projected 2027 earnings based on the premarket reference.
Initial tranche: $465–$485; consider adding at $435–$450; avoid buying above $500
Key topics include Q3 data center performance, Helios system shipments, Instinct deployments, the 56% gross margin goal, and estimate revisions following the results.
concentration and warrant-linked dilution can punish any delay in AI-system adoption.
20% weight
AerCap
NYSE: AER
90 / 100
AerCap continues to trade at the lowest multiple among its peers, with clean operations. The company has raised its guidance, sold aircraft at significant premiums to book value, and maintained a robust share repurchase program. However, the airline cycle and its leveraged balance sheet limit a larger portfolio allocation.
Shares closed at $155.08, up 0.93%. The stock holds a consensus Buy rating, with an average price target of $179.30. Targets range from $165 to $190, indicating a potential upside of 15.6%.
Adjusted net income came in at $811 million, with adjusted earnings per share at $5.14. Operating cash flow totaled $1.5 billion, while asset sales reached $1.4 billion, generating $223 million in gains.
The 2026 adjusted EPS guidance stands at approximately $16.80, representing 9.2 times projected earnings. The stock is trading at 1.30 times book value, with an adjusted return on equity of 18%.
Buy the first tranche at $151–$156, add more at $144–$148, but avoid buying above $159.
Lease yields, airline credit ratings, aircraft sale margins, ongoing share buybacks, and a 2.05× adjusted debt-to-equity ratio.
weaken returns. The business is capital intensive, and sale gains vary by quarter.
19% weight
Booking Holdings
NASDAQ: BKNG
88 / 100
Travel demand remained strong, with free cash flow outpacing revenue growth. However, the stock’s after-hours price finished nearly 8% higher than Tuesday’s close, and third-quarter growth has slowed compared to Q2. Using a limit order can help investors avoid paying the entire price gap.
Shares closed at $194.27, up 0.81%. In after-hours trading, the stock jumped 7.89% to $209.60. The consensus rating is Buy, with an average price target of $224.72, ranging from $175 to $298. Based on after-hours levels, the implied upside is 7.2%.
Room nights reached 325 million, up 5%. Gross bookings totaled $51.0 billion, a 9% rise. Revenue climbed 8% to $7.35 billion, and free cash flow increased 16% to $3.64 billion.
Third-quarter room nights are expected to rise 3%–5%, with bookings, revenue, and adjusted EBITDA projected to grow 4%–6%. Full-year adjusted EPS is seen increasing in the low to mid-teens. Shares trade at about 20.1 times 2026 consensus earnings ahead of results.
Consider buying the first tranche between $198 and $207, and adding between $188 and $194, but avoid chasing the stock above $211.
In the third quarter, room nights, the proportion of direct bookings, marketing expenses as a percentage of bookings, and the realization of approximately $650 million in annual run-rate savings were highlighted.
long-haul demand. The extended-hours quote can reset sharply before the open.
16% weight
Visa
NYSE: V
86 / 100
Visa remains the portfolio’s most predictable operator, although its shares recently closed near their 52-week high. Robust double-digit growth in volume and transactions underpins the core holding, but the smaller weighting reflects the stock’s limited discount.
Shares closed at $369.59, up 1.07%. The stock has a consensus Buy rating, with an average price target of $414.12, ranging from $330 to $450, suggesting a potential 12.0% upside.
Net revenue rose 14% to $11.63 billion, with adjusted EPS up 11% to $3.32. Payments volume increased 10% and total cross-border volume climbed 13%.
Full-year adjusted revenue is expected to grow at the low end of the low-teens range, with EPS growth projected at the low end of the mid-teens. Consensus estimates for next year’s EPS stand at $14.94, putting the stock at 24.7 times forward earnings.
Buy the first tranche between $360 and $370, add to positions at $348 to $355, and avoid purchases above $376.
Key topics include fourth-quarter payment volume, cross-border performance, client incentives, and whether workforce changes boost productivity.
raise costs. The premium valuation gives the stock less room for a volume slowdown.
| Ticker | Price | Forecast | Fwd P/E | Avg target | Upside | Entry |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| PFE | $25.41 | 2026 guide midpoint $2.90 | 8.8× | $28.79 | +13.3% | $24.80–$25.50 |
| AMD | $480.28 PM | 2027 consensus $13.87 | 34.6× | $577.57 | +20.3% | $465–$485 |
| AER | $155.08 | 2026 guide $16.80 | 9.2× | $179.30 | +15.6% | $151–$156 |
| BKNG | $209.60 AH | FY EPS growth low-mid teens | ≈20.1× | $224.72 | +7.2% | $198–$207 |
| V | $369.59 | Next-year consensus $14.94 | 24.7× | $414.12 | +12.0% | $360–$370 |
AMD’s figures reflect early premarket trading. Booking’s valuation is based on Tuesday’s final after-hours price. Earnings estimates and analyst targets have yet to fully reflect recent results. Price targets represent projections, not guaranteed returns.
23%
22%
20%
19%
16%
Earnings and forecast updates
Cash flow and balance sheet overview
Valuation versus projections
Entry quality remains consistent following the move
Short-term event risk
Use limit orders and build each position in three tranches.
Avoid using market orders when there are gaps greater than 5%. Reevaluate positions following the 8:15 a.m. ET ADP report and the 10:00 a.m. ET ISM services data. AMD and Booking will continue to be held under their model weights unless prices move into the target ranges.
NASDAQ: PLTR
DO NOT CHASE
Shares jumped 29.5% after management boosted its annual revenue outlook. While the operating picture brightened, a move in on Wednesday would require a significant pullback.
NYSE: CAT
WAIT FOR A RESET
Revenue climbed 24%, prompting management to raise its sales forecast and driving shares up 5.6%. While the backlog remains solid, the earnings-day discount is now gone.
NYSE: MCD
WAIT FOR U.S. TRAFFIC PROOF
Global comparable sales increased by 1.3%, while U.S. comparable sales edged up just 0.8%, falling short of forecasts. The company’s domestic value strategy will require another quarter to prove its effectiveness.
7.2 / 10
Elevated. Two picks reflect extended-hours activity, major indexes are at record highs, and the 10-year yield holds near 4.6%. Pfizer and AerCap drag down the portfolio multiple.
Tuesday’s gains pushed both the S&P 500 and Dow to record highs, largely driven by technology stocks. The 10-year Treasury yield remains close to 4.6%. AMD and Booking face new price-discovery challenges, while Friday’s payroll report could shift rate expectations. Solid results haven’t eliminated entry risks.