TS2 TECH • DAILY MODEL PORTFOLIO
Stocks to Buy Today
Five U.S.-listed stocks to watch on Wednesday. The selection prioritizes recent earnings reports, improved company outlooks, and picks that maintain some margin for uncertainty. Direct chip exposure remains outside the main portfolio ahead of the Federal Reserve decision and this week’s Big Tech earnings.
Selective • Fed day • premarket
+0.23%
+0.27%
−0.17%
14:00 ET
The Nasdaq has dropped to a three-month low, while oil is trading close to $86.80 a barrel. Corporate earnings are robust—85.2% of the first 169 S&P 500 companies have surpassed analysts’ estimates. However, heavily crowded trades continue to face pressure, so markets may need time to stabilize after sharp opening moves.
24% weight
Visa
NYSE: V
93 / 100
Visa delivered more than just a headline beat this quarter, with spending, payment volume, cross-border volume, and processed transactions each rising by double digits. While shares dipped slightly after the results, the stock is better approached with a gradual buy-in rather than an immediate full position.
$366.59
28 Jul close
+2.8%
$3.32 vs $3.23 consensus
Mid-teens
Low end of the range
Revenue rose 14% to $11.63 billion. Adjusted earnings per share came in at $3.32. Payment volume increased 10%, while cross-border volume was up 13%.
Fourth-quarter revenue is expected to grow at the upper range of low double digits, while EPS should rise at the lower end of the mid-teens.
Adjusted EPS came in about 2.8% above estimates, while revenue exceeded forecasts by roughly 2.1%. Shares initially slipped around 1% in response.
Begin by investing a third at or below Tuesday’s closing price. Add more only if the market holds up in the first hour and the Fed doesn’t prompt a shift to higher rate expectations.
22% weight
Hubbell
NYSE: HUBB
92 / 100
Hubbell boosted its sales and profit outlook following strong double-digit organic growth. Although shares dipped 2.8% on Tuesday, the company’s operating performance is on the upswing, creating a better entry point. Ongoing grid upgrades and rising data center construction continue to drive demand.
$483.66
−2.8% on 28 Jul
23.7×
Using guidance midpoint
$20.25–$20.55
Raised from prior range
Sales rose 15% to $1.71 billion, with organic sales up 10%. Adjusted earnings per share increased 12% to $5.52, and the adjusted margin reached 23.9%.
For 2026, total sales are projected to rise 16% to 18%, with organic sales expected to grow 9% to 11%. Adjusted earnings per share are forecast between $20.25 and $20.55.
Adjusted EPS exceeded expectations by 2.6%, while sales topped estimates by 3.6%. Despite the beats, shares closed lower.
Divide your purchase into two parts: make an initial buy near Tuesday’s close, and add more only after the stock forms a stable opening range.
20% weight
Xylem
NYSE: XYL
90 / 100
Xylem reported $3.1 billion in orders last quarter, providing clearer visibility than the modest 2% revenue growth indicates. Demand for water treatment is rising across utilities, power, semiconductor manufacturing, and data centers. The company remains a solid portfolio holding, but after Tuesday’s 4.1% share price gain, it may be wise not to chase the rally.
$124.97
+4.1% on 28 Jul
22.2×
Using guidance midpoint
+42%
$3.1bn in Q2
Orders reached $3.1 billion, up 42%. Revenue came in at $2.34 billion, a 2% increase. Adjusted earnings per share were $1.46. The adjusted EBITDA margin stood at 23.3%.
Revenue is projected at roughly $9.2 billion for 2026, with adjusted EPS between $5.55 and $5.70. Free cash flow margin is expected to range from 10.2% to 11.0%.
Adjusted earnings per share topped estimates by roughly 9%. Revenue was in line with consensus, and the company raised its profit outlook.
Consider entering if the market opens flat or lower. Build your position in two stages, and avoid the trade if the opening gap is greater than 3%.
18% weight
Ford
NYSE: F
86 / 100
Ford’s updated cash forecast stands out compared to its market capitalization. Strong truck pricing, product mix, and cost discipline supported this quarter. However, the headline net loss, softer revenue, and ongoing EV losses keep Ford trailing the top three peers, highlighting the need to manage position size carefully despite the rating.
$14.96
+4.7% premarket
10.7%
Using Tuesday market value
$6bn–$7bn
Raised by $1bn
Revenue came in at $48.3 billion, down 3.8%. Adjusted EBIT was $2.5 billion, with adjusted EPS at $0.42 and adjusted free cash flow totaling $2.1 billion.
For 2026, the company projects adjusted EBIT between $10 billion and $11 billion, adjusted free cash flow of $6 billion to $7 billion, and capital expenditures ranging from $9.5 billion to $10.5 billion.
Adjusted EPS topped estimates by 20%. Ford increased its full-year profit outlook for the second time in 2026.
A 4%–5% gap isn’t enough for a full position. Start with a quarter stake if the gap remains wide, and consider adding more after the Fed decision or on a pullback.
16% weight
SoFi
NASDAQ: SOFI
82 / 100
SoFi boosted its revenue outlook following record growth in members, loan originations, and profit. Lending remains robust, but technology platform revenue dropped 23% year-over-year. This contrast suggests a tactical, rather than full-scale, growth position.
$16.74
28 Jul close
27.9×
Using $0.60 EPS guide
+32% to +35%
Raised company range
Adjusted revenue rose 40% to $1.206 billion; adjusted EBITDA climbed 44% to $358 million; adjusted EPS was $0.12; loan originations totaled $14.8 billion.
For 2026, revenue is forecast between $4.75 billion and $4.85 billion, with adjusted EBITDA projected at roughly $1.6 billion and adjusted EPS at approximately $0.60.
Adjusted EPS exceeded estimates by 9.1%, while adjusted revenue came in 7.6% above expectations. Full-year revenue guidance was raised above previous consensus forecasts.
Divide your investment into three parts and wait through the first 30–60 minutes of trading. Maintain a 16% position until there’s clear evidence of a sustained rebound in the technology platform.
24%
22%
20%
18%
16%
Build positions in stages. Keep the final tranche until after the Fed.
Use limit orders and avoid buying after an opening gap of more than 5%. Ford and SoFi carry the greatest execution risk, so initial positions should be smaller than their target portfolio weights.
NASDAQ: STX
WAIT FOR THE GAP TO SETTLE
A robust forecast spurred a 6% jump in premarket trading, but with a trailing P/E of about 70.9 and sharp recent volatility, the stock has little tolerance for a disappointing start.
NYSE: BE
WAIT FOR A PULLBACK
The company posted its first $1 billion revenue quarter and raised its guidance. Shares jumped 11% in premarket trading, but with a trailing P/E near 219, the stock looks expensive for new investors.
NASDAQ: MSFT • META
WAIT FOR RESULTS
Both companies could reset the AI trade later this week. Adding positions ahead of their reports would bring unnecessary event risk to this portfolio.
7.1 / 10
Elevated. Four stocks are backed by recent earnings, but volatility remains high due to the Fed and two riskier positions, which can swing sharply during the day.
Futures are showing slight gains. The Nasdaq has slipped to a three-month low, while oil holds around $86.80. The Fed’s decision will be announced at 14:00 ET. Earnings have generally beaten expectations, but overextended positions continue to face pressure. Set limit orders and watch the opening range develop.