Core Viewpoint - The article highlights three stocks in the S&P 500 that have shown significant upward momentum after a period of underperformance, suggesting potential for continued growth in 2026 [1][2][12]. Group 1: Albemarle (ALB) - Albemarle's stock has increased by 39% over the past month, making it the best performer in the S&P 500 during this period [4]. - The company specializes in lithium extraction and refining, which is in high demand for electric vehicle batteries and large-scale power storage systems [4][7]. - Despite sluggish global EV sales, demand for Albemarle's lithium products is rising in other sectors such as battery storage and solar energy [7]. Group 2: Solventum (SOLV) - Solventum's stock has risen nearly 25% over the past month, positioning it as the second-best performer in the S&P 500 [8]. - The company, spun off from 3M in April 2024, produces a variety of medical products and has seen its stock surge following strong third-quarter earnings that exceeded forecasts [10]. - A $1 billion share repurchase program announced by Solventum has further boosted investor confidence in the company's growth potential [11]. Group 3: Merck (MRK) - Merck's stock has increased by nearly 22% over the past month, following a strong quarterly report that surpassed earnings and revenue expectations [12]. - The company's Keytruda cancer drug achieved quarterly sales exceeding $8 billion, marking a 10% increase from the previous year [12]. - Merck's management has successfully reduced costs, leading to an improved earnings outlook for 2025 [12].

Core Insights - Solventum Corporation (SOLV) is valued at a market cap of $12.7 billion and operates in the healthcare sector, focusing on medical supplies, dental care, health information systems, and purification technologies [1] - SOLV is classified as a large-cap stock, indicating its significant size and influence in the medical instruments and supplies industry, providing science-driven solutions that enhance patient safety and healthcare efficiency [2] Financial Performance - SOLV's shares have decreased by 14.6% from its 52-week high of $85.92, while the S&P 500 Index has returned 10.5% over the same period [3] - Over the past 52 weeks, SOLV has gained 4.7%, underperforming the S&P 500's 16.4% increase, and on a year-to-date basis, SOLV is up 11.1% compared to the S&P 500's 13.2% rise [4] - In Q2, SOLV reported net sales of $2.2 billion, a 3.8% year-over-year increase, exceeding consensus estimates by 1.9%, with strong performance in MedSurg and HIS segments [5] - The adjusted EPS for Q2 was $1.69, reflecting an 8.3% increase from the previous year and 16.6% above analyst expectations, leading to an upward revision of fiscal 2025 guidance [5]