When CNBC's market veterans made their final stock picks, healthcare emerged as the clear favorite—though one energy drink company managed to muscle its way into the lineup.
Joseph M. Terranova, senior managing director at Virtus Investment Partners, went with Monster Beverage Corporation (MNST). The timing makes sense: the beverage company's shares climbed to a fresh 52-week high on Monday, riding momentum from a strong earnings report.
Monster reported quarterly earnings of 56 cents per share on November 6, easily beating the 48-cent consensus estimate. Revenue came in at $2.19 billion, topping expectations of $2.1 billion and representing a solid jump from last year's $1.88 billion.
Bracing for Volatility
Stephen Weiss, chief investment officer and managing partner at Short Hills Capital Partners, took a more defensive stance. He picked UnitedHealth Group Incorporated (UNH), noting he's "not really positive in the market right here" and expects volatility to stick around.
UnitedHealth's recent performance backs up that defensive thinking. The healthcare giant reported third-quarter earnings on October 28 that beat expectations and raised its 2025 guidance. The company posted adjusted earnings of $2.92 per share, down from $7.15 a year ago but still above the $2.79 consensus. Revenue climbed 12% year over year to $113.161 billion, slightly edging past the $113.064 billion estimate.
Healthcare's Other Picks
Sarat Sethi, managing partner at DCLA, chose Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc. (TMO) as his final trade. The scientific equipment maker recently received 510(k) clearance in the U.S. on November 12 for its EXENT System, which aids in diagnosing multiple myeloma.
Shannon Saccocia, chief investment officer at NB Private Wealth, rounded out the healthcare theme with the iShares U.S. Healthcare ETF (IYH). She's banking on government-level developments expected over the next few weeks to serve as a catalyst for the sector.
How They Traded
As for Monday's price action, the picks had a mixed day. UnitedHealth shares dipped 0.4% to close at $320.52. Thermo Fisher Scientific fell 2% to settle at $567.16. The iShares U.S. Healthcare ETF slipped 0.1%. Meanwhile, Monster Beverage was the day's winner, gaining 0.7% to finish at $71.84.
