Goldman Sachs is bullish on these stocks heading into December

Goldman Sachs highlighted a slate of stocks that are worth snapping up as December approaches. The firm sees major upside ahead for AT & T, GE Aerospace, Pinterest and Monster Beverage . CNBC combed through Goldman research to find buy-rated names the firm says are must owns heading into the end of the year. GE Aerospace GE shares are up nearly 78% in 2024, but Goldman Sachs said the stock still has plenty more room to run following the company’s earnings report in October. Indeed, GE Aerospace lifted its full-year guidance for adjusted earnings per share and free cash flow. Analyst Noah Poponak urged clients to take advantage of any dip in the stock that he calls a “quality compounder.” “Its long-term earnings power [are] large,” he said, adding that the “aerospace aftermarket fundamentals are good.” Further, cash flow remains robust with “reliable” operating performance and management that continues to execute. Lastly, demand for GE’s so-called “leading edge aviation propulsion” engine, or LEAP, remains strong, too, Poponak said. The “fundamental case remains compelling” going forward, he added. Monster Beverage Analyst Bonnie Herzog is urging investors to remain calm following the energy drink manufacturer’s disappointing earnings report earlier this month. “We believe MNST is one of the most attractive growth stories in broader Staples,” she wrote. Herzog admitted that topline growth was not up to par, but the analyst said she sees enough margin upside to give her confidence in her thesis. “While we’re optimistic about topline growth opportunities heading into next year, we expect mgmt to equally stress continued gross margin expansion — which remains a key investor consideration,” she said. Herzog, who has a price target of $61 per share, praised the company’s innovation and pricing power. “Despite noisy Q3 results – we’re optimistic that green shoots are emerging, and we see an attractive set-up for Q4 and FY25,” Herzog said. Monster shares are down 6% in 2024. Pinterest Pinterest is also firing on all cylinders, analyst Eric Sheridan wrote recently. The social media company reported an “overall solid set of results” earlier this month, posting beats on the top and bottom lines in the third quarter. Pinterest did issue weak guidance for the current quarter, however. Sheridan said investors should be most pleased that Pinterest “demonstrated continued progress toward the multi-year revenue growth & margin trajectory outlined at its September 2023 Investor Day.” In addition, the firm sees revenue upside with user engagement remaining strong. “While the short-term debates are likely to remain centered on PINS absolute revenue growth rates, we think the longer-term narrative for PINS remains focused on mgmt’s initiatives,” Sheridan wrote. The analyst also said the stock is “one of the most compelling risk/reward skews in our coverage universe.” Pinterest is down nearly 19% in 2024. Pinterest “PIN’s Q3 ’24 earnings report was an overall solid set of results in our view & demonstrated continued progress toward the multi-year revenue growth & margin trajectory outlined at its Sep. 2023 Investor Day. … .While the short-term debates are likely to remain centered on PINS absolute revenue growth rates, we think the longer-term narrative for PINS remains focused on mgmt’s initiatives across its mix of product initiatives as a means to produce compounded rev growth. … .Based on after-hours pricing, we find PINS stock as one of the most compelling risk/reward skews in our coverage universe.” GE Aerospace “Buy pullback as fundamental case remains compelling. …. .The LEAP’s market position remains exceptionally strong. Aerospace aftermarket fundamentals are good. Management and operating performance remain reliable. Forward cash flow has substantial growth. We remain Buy rated on this quality compounder.” Monster “Despite noisy Q3 results – we’re optimistic that green shoots are emerging, and we see an attractive set-up for Q4 and FY25. … .While we’re optimistic about topline growth opportunities heading into next year, we expect mgmt to equally stress continued gross margin expansion – which remains a key investor consideration. … .We believe MNST is one of the most attractive growth stories in broader Staples.” AT & T “We are bullish on T given the factors we see at play, with upside to Street estimates and the stock’s multiple justifying a case for double-digit annualized returns for the stock. … .The wireless industry is getting healthier, & T is executing well: Our analysis shows the US wireless industry has moved toward a more benign environment where both competitive intensity and capital intensity have moderated – and we believe this trend is sustainable.” Read more about this call here.