6 Stocks With Great Upside Potential Even In A Choppy Market

After a violent sell-off in the last couple of days, the U.S. stock market roared back with the biggest rally seen in several months amid heavy trading and huge swings. The Dow Jones jumped 2.3%, marking its biggest one-day increase since January 2016, while the S&P 500 climbed 1.7%, marking its best rise since November 2016.

The strong comeback was prompted by investors rush to buy beaten down sectors and stocks. Additionally, the fundamentals remained intact as the euphoria surrounding the biggest tax overhaul in decades, robust corporate earnings and optimism on global growth are acting as the key catalysts. A massive $1.5-trillion tax cut will create an economic surge, boosting job growth and reflation trade. It will further accelerate earnings, leading to increased dividend and buyback activities. Additionally, low unemployment, higher consumer spending and rising consumer confidence are adding the strength in the market.

However, threats of higher inflation have made investors jittery following strong wage growth data. Higher inflation could push the Fed to raise interest rates quicker than anticipated, resulting in higher borrowing costs for companies that will hurt economic growth and in turn the most powerful bull market, which is drawing close to completing nine years. Additionally, global trade fears, political instability in Washington, and geopolitical tensions remain an overhang on the stocks.

Given heightened volatility, investors should bet on stocks that have the potential to ride higher even in a choppy market. Below, we have chosen six such picks based on five parameters: Zacks Rank #1(Strong Buy) or 2 (Buy), a VGM Score of B or better, 100% broker rating of Strong Buy + Buy, a top-ranked industry and lower P/E than the industry. A lower P/E ratio indicates that the stock is cheap and undervalued in the industry. Additionally, these stocks trade in good volumes, indicating strong liquidity.

Huntsman Corporation (NYSE:HUN)

Based in The Woodlands, TX, Huntsman is among the world's largest global manufacturers of differentiated and commodity chemical products for a variety of industrial and consumer applications. You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here.

Zacks Rank: 2
VGM Score: A
Industry Placement: Top 27%
P/E ratio: 11.91 vs industry average of 14.69

MasTec Inc. (NYSE:MTZ)

Based in Coral Gables, FL, MasTec is one of the largest providers of construction services to the telecommunications industry in the United States.

Zacks Rank: 2
VGM Score: B
Industry Placement: Top 35%
P/E ratio: 15.68 vs 18.20

Tutor Perini Corporation (NYSE:TPC)

Based in Sylmar, CA, Tutor Perini provides diversified general contracting, construction management and design-build services to private clients and public agencies worldwide.

Zacks Rank: 2
VGM Score: A
Industry Placement: Top 6%
P/E ratio: 8.60 vs industry average of 18.20

OceanFirst Financial Corp. (NASDAQ:OCFC)

Based in Toms River, NJ, OceanFirst Financial operates as the holding company for OceanFirst Bank that provides a range of community banking services to retail, government and business customers.

Zacks Rank: 2
VGM Score: B
Industry Placement: Top 7%
P/E ratio: 13.54 vs 14.98

GeoPark Limited (NYSE:GPRK)

Based in Santiago, Chile, GeoPark is engaged in the exploration, development and production of oil and gas reserves in Chile, Colombia, Brazil, Peru and Argentina.

Zacks Rank: 1
VGM Score: A
Industry Placement: Top 29%
P/E ratio: 8.61 vs 17.63

Kulicke and Soffa Industries Inc. (NASDAQ:KLIC)

Based in Singapore, Kulicke & Soffa is a leading provider of semiconductor packaging and electronic assembly solutions supporting the global automotive, consumer, communications, computing and industrial segments.

Zacks Rank: 1
VGM Score: A
Industry Placement: Top 77%
P/E ratio: 9.51 vs 15.59

Zacks Top 10 Stocks for 2018

In addition to the stocks discussed above, would you like to know about our 10 finest buy-and-hold tickers for the entirety of 2018? Last year's 2017 Zacks Top 10 Stocks portfolio produced double-digit winners, including FMC Corp (NYSE:FMC). and VMware which racked up stellar gains of +67.9% and +61%. Now a brand-new portfolio has been handpicked from over 4,000 companies covered by the Zacks Rank. Don’t miss your chance to get in on these long-term buys.

Access Zacks Top 10 Stocks for 2018 today >>

Kulicke and Soffa Industries, Inc. (KLIC): Free Stock Analysis Report

MasTec, Inc. (MTZ): Free Stock Analysis Report

Tutor Perini Corporation (TPC): Free Stock Analysis Report

Huntsman Corporation (HUN): Free Stock Analysis Report

OceanFirst Financial Corp. (OCFC): Free Stock Analysis Report

Geopark Ltd (GPRK): Free Stock Analysis Report

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Zacks Investment Research