Jefferies’ top stock picks: From Big Tech to semis, these are consistent winners

Investing.com -- Wall Street research firm Jefferies has put together a shortlist of U.S. companies that not only deliver earnings beats but also enjoy upbeat analyst sentiment and positive revisions following results.

The research filters for companies with market caps over $10 billion, four straight quarters of EPS beats, and positive commentary. These firms are also seeing upward estimate revisions shortly after results—an important sign that earnings momentum may have legs.

Here are the key takeaways from the report.

Big Tech Still on Top

It won’t surprise many investors that Microsoft (NASDAQ:MSFT) and Apple (NASDAQ:AAPL) sit at the top of the list.

Microsoft impressed with another quarter of cloud and software strength, while Apple’s results were viewed positively despite the challenges of tariffs and supply chain costs. Both maintain positive analyst sentiment, four-for-four beat streaks, and robust long-term growth profiles.

Palantir (NASDAQ:PLTR) also makes the cut, showing strong traction in AI software adoption.

Financials With Momentum

Banks and payments also stand out.

JPMorgan reported optimistic results, while Mastercard (NYSE:MA) continues to execute well in the payments space.

Bank of America showed consistent beats, though the tone was more measured compared to peers.

On the healthcare financing side, names like UnitedHealth (NYSE:UNH) and Labcorp maintain steady positive sentiment, making them attractive in a defensive context.

Healthcare Leaders Delivering

The healthcare sector features multiple repeat beaters. Johnson & Johnson (NYSE:JNJ), Bristol-Myers Squibb (NYSE:BMY), and Stryker (NYSE:SYK) all registered consistent earnings momentum.

Medical (TASE:BLWV) device makers such as Becton Dickinson (NYSE:BDX) and Boston Scientific (NYSE:BSX) also screen positively, reflecting solid demand trends in diagnostics and surgical equipment.

Importantly, Jefferies notes that healthcare leaders show both resilient earnings and positive analyst commentary—an encouraging setup in a volatile market.

Semiconductors in the Spotlight

Chipmakers feature prominently, reflecting the structural AI boom.

Nvidia (NASDAQ:NVDA) continues to be the largest AI beneficiary, while Micron (NASDAQ:MU), Applied Materials (NASDAQ:AMAT), and KLA Corp also delivered strong results with positive sentiment.

Cadence Design (NASDAQ:CDNS) Systems, a key supplier of chip design software, is highlighted as well.

Jefferies emphasizes that semis remain among the clearest plays on sustained AI-driven capital expenditure.

Software (ETR:SOWGn) and Services Winners

Outside of Big Tech, several software and service names pop up. ServiceNow (NYSE:NOW), Datadog (NASDAQ:DDOG), and Adobe (NASDAQ:ADBE) all registered strong momentum.

Cognizant (NASDAQ:CTSH) and Accenture (NYSE:ACN) provide IT consulting leverage, while EMR-style players like PTC (NASDAQ:PTC) also scored well.

With AI sentiment running high, these firms benefit not just from cost efficiency but also from expanding enterprise demand.

Industrials and Energy Rounding It Out

Industrials and energy names like Cummins (NYSE:CMI), AMETEK, and Baker Hughes (NASDAQ:BKR) delivered solid beats, while energy names such as Valero and Marathon Petroleum (NYSE:MPC) also screened positively.

Jefferies notes that these companies combine earnings consistency with cyclical leverage, making them interesting complements to tech exposure.