Nasdaq(US:NDAQ) ZACKS·2025-06-24 12:31Market Overview - U.S. stock markets faced a setback in 2025 following a significant bull run driven by artificial intelligence in 2023 and 2024, with the Nasdaq Composite rising 43.4% in 2023 and 28.6% in 2024, but only up 0.9% year to date in 2025 [1] Non-Tech Stock Performance - Despite the overall poor performance of the Nasdaq index, several large-cap non-tech stocks have seen substantial gains, with some achieving over 20% returns year to date, indicating potential investment opportunities [2][9] Recommended Stocks - Five non-tech stocks are recommended for investment: Sprouts Farmers Market Inc. (SFM), Royal Gold Inc. (RGLD), Thomson Reuters Corp. (TRI), Woodward Inc. (WWD), and Exelixis Inc. (EXEL), all carrying favorable Zacks Ranks [3][9] Sprouts Farmers Market Inc. (SFM) - SFM, with a Zacks Rank 1, focuses on product innovation, e-commerce, and private label offerings, leading to better-than-expected fourth-quarter 2024 results with year-over-year growth in both revenue and earnings [6] - For 2025, SFM expects net sales to rise between 10.5% and 12.5%, with comparable store sales anticipated to increase by 4.5% to 6.5% [7] - SFM has an expected revenue growth rate of 13.7% and earnings growth rate of 35.5% for the current year, with a 9% improvement in the Zacks Consensus Estimate for earnings over the last 60 days [8] Royal Gold Inc. (RGLD) - RGLD, also with a Zacks Rank 1, benefits from solid streaming agreements and maintains a strong balance sheet, focusing on dividends, debt reduction, and new business opportunities [10] - Current gold prices around $3,400 per ounce, driven by U.S. tariff policies and geopolitical conflicts, are expected to enhance RGLD's results in upcoming quarters [11] - RGLD has an expected revenue growth rate of 24.1% and earnings growth rate of 35.9% for the current year, with a 0.6% improvement in the Zacks Consensus Estimate for earnings over the last 30 days [12] Thomson Reuters Corp. (TRI) - TRI, with a Zacks Rank 2, operates as a content and technology company across various regions and segments, providing value-added information and technology [13][14] - The company has an expected revenue growth rate of 3.2% and earnings growth rate of 4.2% for the current year, with a 1.3% improvement in the Zacks Consensus Estimate for earnings over the last 60 days [14] Woodward Inc. (WWD) - WWD, also with a Zacks Rank 2, benefits from strong demand in its Aerospace and Core Industrial units, with a positive outlook driven by increased defense spending and solid demand for power generation [15][16] - WWD has an expected revenue growth rate of 3.7% and earnings growth rate of 2.1% for the current year, with a 0.3% improvement in the Zacks Consensus Estimate for earnings over the last 30 days [17] Exelixis Inc. (EXEL) - EXEL, with a Zacks Rank 2, reported better-than-expected first-quarter 2025 results, driven by strong demand for its lead drug, Cabometyx, and recent label expansions [18][19] - The company has an expected revenue growth rate of 7.4% and earnings growth rate of 30.5% for the current year, with a 1.6% improvement in the Zacks Consensus Estimate for earnings over the last 30 days [20]