The Vanguard S&P 500 (VOO) ETF remained on edge last week as investors focused on the ongoing crisis in the Middle East and the Federal Reserve interest rate decision. The fund dropped slightly to $547, down from this month’s high of $556.
Top VOO ETF stocks to watch
There are several top companies in the S&P 500 Index to watch next week. The mostb notable ones are Apple (AAPL), Micron (MU), FedEx (FDX), and Carnival (CCL).
Apple (AAPL)
Apple stock price has crashed into a bear market as it dropped by over 22% from its highest point this year. This crash happened because of its slow sales growth, the lack of the next big thing, and the fact that it lags behind other big technology companies in the artificial intelligence (AI).
Apple stock price will be in the spotlight because of the ongoing rumors that it has held talks to acquire Perplexity AI, a company that aims to beat Google in search.
This would be the biggest acquisition that the company has ever executed since Perplexity was last valued at over $18 billion. With AI valuations rising, Perplexity would likely seek a huge premium, potentially double the last valuation.
Apple would acquire Perplexity for two main reasons. First, there is a fear that it will be forced to end its relationship with Google. It pays Google over $20 billion a year for to have its search engine as the default.
Second, Apple would acquire Perplexity because its Apple Intelligence solution has not been successful. It has also been sued for overpromising and underdelivering.
Nike (NKE)
Nike has been one of the top laggards in the VOO ETF in the past few years. Its stock has plunged by over 65% from its highest point since 2021, erasing billions of dollars in value.
Nike’s stock has crashed because its business has remained under pressure since the company decided to largely de-prioritize companies like Footlocker. Its space was replaced by other companies like Adidas, Under Armor, and On Holding.
The company is now working to repair its relationship with these companies under Elliot Hill, who became the CEO last October. He has also refocused on sports and athletics and is working on reinvigorating the brand.
Nike stock price will be in the spotlight next week as it publishes its financial results. Wall Street analysts anticipate the numbers to show that its revenue dropped by 15% in Q1, to $10.7 billion. Its guidance for the next quarter will be $10.68 billion, a 7.8% drop from a year earlier.
FedEx (FDX)
FedEx is another top VOO ETF stock to watch next week as it publishes its financial results. These numbers will come as the stock has plunged by over 25% from its highest point in July last year.
FedEx and other logistics companies have been in the spotlight because of Donald Trump’s tariffs, which have affected international trade.
Therefore, traders will watch its upcoming financial results, which will shed more light on its business. Analysts expect the results to show that its revenue dropped by 1.3% in the first quarter to $21.8 billion. Its earnings per share will be $5.85, higher than the $5.41 it made a year earlier.
Other S&P 500 Index stocks to watch
There will be other top S&P 500 Index stocks to watch next week. Oil and gas and defense contractors will be in the spotlight as traders watch the ongoing crisis in the Middle East. Oil and gas stocks have benefited from the rising crude oil prices, while defense stocks have risen as investors anticipate more demand.
The other top VOO ETF stocks to watch will be FactSet Data Systems, Carnival, AeroVironment, Micron, KB Home, McCormick, Paychex, and General Mills.
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