BlackRock Leads Five Stocks To Watch As The Market Rally Tries To Keep Rolling

Meta description: BlackRock leads five stocks to watch as a new market rally builds momentum, with key earnings, breakouts, and industry tailwinds shaping the next moves for investors and watchlists.

In mid-January 2026, the U.S. stock market is acting “better than bad.” Big indexes are near record levels, small caps have shown extra strength, and semiconductors have been leading again. At the same time, investors are heading into a busy earnings season where big price swings can happen fast.

That mix—strong charts plus major headlines—often creates a classic “stocks to watch” setup. In Investor’s Business Daily’s latest watchlist-style report, BlackRock stands out as the headline name, joined by GE Aerospace, Dycom Industries, Medpace, and Photronics. The common thread: each stock is showing notable technical strength or a fresh catalyst, and several are hovering near areas that active investors pay attention to.

Why These “Stocks To Watch” Matter Right Now

When markets are calm, good companies can climb slowly. But during earnings season—especially when the market is near highs—prices can jump or drop in a single session. That’s why investors often keep a short list of stocks that have:

• A clear catalyst (like earnings, guidance, or a major business deal)
• Strong price action (breakouts, tight trading, or support at key levels)
• A big theme behind them (AI, data centers, aerospace demand, healthcare growth, or semiconductor expansion)

IBD’s report points to a shortened trading week ahead and notes that the broader rally has “renewed” strength, meaning investors are hunting for leaders again.

Still, watching a stock is not the same as buying it. A watchlist is more like a scoreboard: it helps you track who is winning today, who is setting up for tomorrow, and who might stumble when real news hits.

Stock #1: BlackRock (BLK) — The S&P 500 Financial Titan In The Spotlight

BlackRock is the world’s largest asset manager, and it just gave investors a fresh reason to pay attention: a powerful quarterly update that pushed the stock sharply higher. IBD highlighted that BlackRock surged after its report, helped by record net inflows and a dividend increase.

What Drove The Move

In reporting around BlackRock’s results, several numbers grabbed headlines:

• Assets under management reached a record $14.04 trillion by the end of 2025.
• Client inflows were huge in Q4, with reporting pointing to more than $340 billion in net flows in the quarter.
• Revenue rose sharply, and adjusted earnings beat expectations in widely cited coverage.
• BlackRock raised its quarterly dividend (reported as a 10% increase in IBD’s earnings coverage).

These details matter because asset managers are often judged on confidence and momentum. When money flows in, fees and revenue tend to follow. When money flows out, the opposite can happen.

What Investors Will Watch Next

Going forward, investors will likely focus on:

• Whether inflows stay strong into early 2026, especially if markets remain near highs
• Growth in “alternatives” and private assets, which have been part of BlackRock’s strategy to diversify beyond traditional index products
• Digital asset flows, which have been mentioned in earnings coverage as an area of interest

Simple takeaway: BlackRock is acting like a market leader again, and its earnings-driven surge put it back on center stage for investors who want exposure to financial services without betting on a single bank.

Stock #2: GE Aerospace (GE) — Earnings Ahead, With 2026 Guidance In Focus

GE Aerospace is another S&P 500 name on the watchlist, and the timing is the point: the company is approaching an earnings report, and investors want to see how management frames demand and guidance for 2026. IBD noted GE is in a buy zone and that traders are watching for updated 2026 guidance.

Why GE Aerospace Is A “Now” Story

Aerospace has been a bright spot in industrials, partly due to:

• Strong demand for aircraft and services as airlines keep rebuilding capacity
• Aftermarket and engine servicing, which can provide recurring revenue over time

Preview-style coverage in early January suggested analysts expected meaningful EPS growth for GE Aerospace, with estimates pointing to continued gains into fiscal 2026.

Key Risk: Earnings Volatility

IBD also repeatedly reminds readers that buying right before earnings can be risky, because a great chart can break in a single night if guidance disappoints. In its broader market coverage, IBD flagged that several “in buy zone” names carry extra risk heading into reports.

Simple takeaway: GE Aerospace is a classic “earnings test” stock—strong setup, big catalyst, and a lot riding on what the company says about 2026.

Stock #3: Dycom Industries (DY) — A Digital Infrastructure And Data Center Buildout Play

Dycom Industries was tagged as an “AI play” in IBD’s watchlist because it works in digital infrastructure—think fiber, network buildouts, and related construction. The stock popped and broke out in IBD’s report, helped by ongoing fiber investment and a major acquisition valued at $1.95 billion.

The Acquisition: Power Solutions For $1.95 Billion

Dycom announced plans to acquire Power Solutions, a company tied to critical power work that serves data centers. Reporting and investor materials describe a $1.95 billion purchase price, including a portion paid in Dycom stock and the rest largely in cash (with financing details outlined in filings and company documents).

Why do investors care? Because data centers are expanding fast, and data centers need power. If Dycom strengthens its position in that ecosystem, the market may view it as better aligned with long-term growth tied to cloud computing and AI.

What To Watch In The Coming Weeks

• Integration updates: acquisitions can boost growth, but they can also create execution risk
• Demand signals from data center customers: strong spending trends could support Dycom’s narrative
• Margins and backlog: infrastructure contractors can rise or fall based on project timing and profitability

Simple takeaway: Dycom is being treated as a “picks-and-shovels” way to follow the AI and data center boom—less about building the chips, more about building the pipes and power behind the scenes.

Stock #4: Medpace (MEDP) — A Healthcare Outsourcing Winner Near A Key Area

Medpace operates as a contract research organization (CRO), helping biotech and pharmaceutical companies run clinical trials. IBD highlighted Medpace as a stock that rose again and remains near a buy point after a strong year.

Why CROs Can Be Attractive In Uncertain Times

CROs can benefit when drugmakers want to move fast but also control costs. Instead of building every capability in-house, companies can outsource large chunks of trial work. For investors, CRO businesses are often watched for:

• Steady demand tied to ongoing drug development
• Operational discipline (because trials are complex and expensive)
• Visibility through backlog and bookings (though not every company reports these the same way)

Recent market coverage noted Medpace shares hit fresh highs and pointed to strong recent performance, reflecting investor optimism.

Near-Term Catalyst: Upcoming Results Date

Public commentary also points to a scheduled earnings update in early February 2026, which can act as a “prove it” moment for expectations.

Simple takeaway: Medpace is a healthcare strength story. If the company confirms demand and execution, the stock could keep acting well; if not, it could swing sharply because expectations are higher after a strong run.

Stock #5: Photronics (PLAB) — A Semiconductor Supply Chain Name Building A New Base

Photronics makes photomasks, which are essential in producing semiconductors and many advanced electronics. IBD listed Photronics as another stock showing technical strength, rising again while it works on forming a new base.

What’s The Fundamental Backdrop?

Photronics reported results for fiscal 2025 and provided guidance for the first quarter of fiscal 2026. In its release, the company guided to revenue between $217 million and $225 million for the quarter, with non-GAAP earnings guidance also provided.

That kind of forward guidance matters because semiconductor stocks often trade on the direction of demand—whether orders are accelerating, stabilizing, or slowing.

Why Photronics Gets Attention In AI Cycles

Even when investors focus on huge chip designers, the supply chain can quietly lead. Photomasks are a critical “ingredient” in chipmaking, and improvements in advanced nodes, memory demand, and capex cycles can all influence sentiment around companies like Photronics.

Simple takeaway: Photronics is a less famous semiconductor name, but it sits in a vital part of the ecosystem—and its guidance and chart behavior can attract investors looking beyond the mega-caps.

How To Use This Watchlist Without Getting Burned

Here’s a practical way to use a “five stocks to watch” list (especially during earnings season):

1) Track Catalysts On A Calendar

GE Aerospace’s upcoming earnings are a clear example. If you don’t know the exact date, treat it as “soon” and double-check through your broker or company IR page before making any decision. Stocks can gap up or down on earnings, and that’s normal.

2) Separate “Great Company” From “Great Entry”

BlackRock can be a great business, but the stock still moves in waves. IBD’s angle is that it’s moving strongly now after earnings. The key is not just what happened, but whether the stock can hold gains and form a healthy setup after the surge.

3) Respect Big Theme Stocks—But Don’t Ignore Execution

Dycom and Photronics both connect to huge themes (data centers, AI infrastructure, semiconductors). But themes don’t replace execution. Watch for integration progress at Dycom and demand/guidance clarity at Photronics.

4) Know That “Shortened Weeks” Can Change Trading Behavior

IBD mentioned the upcoming week is shortened, which can affect volume and volatility. Lower volume can sometimes create choppy moves, and that can shake out weak hands.

Quick Comparison Table: What’s Driving Each Stock

Stock	Primary Driver	What To Watch Next
BlackRock (BLK)	Post-earnings surge, record inflows, dividend hike	Inflow momentum, fee growth, outlook into 2026
GE Aerospace (GE)	Earnings catalyst, guidance focus	2026 outlook, demand signals
Dycom (DY)	Breakout + $1.95B Power Solutions deal	Integration, data center demand, margins
Medpace (MEDP)	Healthcare strength, near buy area	Early Feb 2026 results and trial demand trends
Photronics (PLAB)	Semiconductor supply chain strength, new base	FY2026 demand and guidance follow-through

FAQ: BlackRock And The Five Stocks To Watch

1) Why is BlackRock getting extra attention right now?

Because BlackRock posted a strong update that helped drive a sharp move in the stock, with reporting highlighting record inflows and a dividend increase—signals that often attract both growth and income-focused investors.

2) What does it mean when a stock is “in a buy zone”?

It’s a technical term used by chart-focused investors to describe a price area just above a breakout point where the risk/reward can look favorable. It doesn’t guarantee success, and it can become riskier right before earnings because prices can gap suddenly.

3) Why is GE Aerospace on the list if earnings are coming soon?

Because earnings are exactly what can make a stock “watch-worthy.” The company’s report can confirm strength or change the story quickly—especially through updated guidance for 2026.

4) How is Dycom connected to AI?

Dycom works on digital infrastructure like fiber and related buildouts. With data centers expanding to support AI computing, investors sometimes view infrastructure contractors as indirect beneficiaries. Dycom’s planned $1.95 billion acquisition of Power Solutions also ties into data center power needs.

5) What kind of company is Medpace?

Medpace is a contract research organization (CRO) that supports clinical trials for biotech and pharma companies. It’s often watched as a “healthcare picks-and-shovels” business because it can benefit when drug development activity stays healthy.

6) Why would someone watch Photronics instead of a famous chip stock?

Because supply-chain companies can lead during certain cycles, and Photronics provides critical photomask products used in semiconductor manufacturing. Its guidance for early fiscal 2026 gives investors clues about demand direction.

Conclusion: A Watchlist Built For A Catalyst-Heavy Week

This five-stock lineup is a snapshot of what the market is rewarding right now: strong post-earnings reactions (BlackRock), major upcoming reports (GE Aerospace), AI-adjacent infrastructure demand (Dycom), durable healthcare execution (Medpace), and semiconductor ecosystem strength (Photronics).

If the broader rally continues, leaders often keep leading. But if earnings disappoint or guidance turns cautious, even strong charts can crack. So use the list like a smart investor would: follow the catalysts, watch how the stocks behave after big news, and focus on disciplined decision-making rather than hype.

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