Stock Market Picks: Insights from CNBC’s “Halftime Report Final Trades”

BlackRock: A Billion-Dollar Force

Bryn Talkington of Requisite Capital Management named JPMorgan Nasdaq Equity Premium Income ETF (JEPQ) as her final trade, while Jim Lebenthal of Cerity Partners picked BlackRock, Inc. (BLK).

On Jan. 12, BlackRock reported fourth-quarter revenue growth of 7% year over year to $4.631 billion, marginally above the consensus of $4.627 billion. The company also inked a deal to acquire independent infrastructure fund manager Global Infrastructure Partners for $3 billion in cash and approximately 12 million BLK shares.

Fortinet: Building Financial Fortitude

Stephanie Link of Hightower Advisors named Fortinet, Inc. (FTNT) as her final trade. Fortinet reported better-than-expected fourth-quarter financial results on Feb. 6, with quarterly earnings of 51 cents per share, beating the analyst consensus estimate of 43 cents by 18.6%. It also reported quarterly sales of $1.42 billion, exceeding the analyst consensus estimate of $1.41 billion.

Shake Shack: Rattling the Market

Josh Brown of Ritholtz Wealth Management picked Shake Shack Inc. (SHAK) as his final trade. The company posted upbeat fourth-quarter financial results on Feb. 15, with sales growing 20% year over year to $286.2 million, beating the analyst consensus estimate of $280.3 million. Adjusted pro forma EPS was 2 cents for the quarter, surpassing the consensus estimate of 1 cent.

Positive Price Action

• JPMorgan Nasdaq Equity Premium Income ETF gained 2.1% on Thursday.
• BlackRock shares gained 1% to close at $813.44 during Thursday’s session.
• Fortinet rose 2.5% to close at $66.96 on Thursday.
• Shake Shack shares gained 1.3% to close at $97.03.