Evaluating Key Stocks: JPMorgan, Illumina, Columbia, and Alibaba

Author: Olivia Taylor Updated: 10-21-2025 09:08 AM

Highlighted Stocks on CNBC's Trades

In a recent episode of CNBC's "Halftime Report Final Trades," financier Joshua Brown emphasized the enduring appeal of JPMorgan Chase & Co. (NYSE:JPM) as a top choice for long-term investors. He expressed that the stock remains appealing due to its strong performance in the financial sector.

JPMorgan's Impressive Earnings

JPMorgan reported an outstanding third-quarter performance, announcing a net income of $14.4 billion, translating to $5.07 per share, marking a 12% increase year-over-year. This exceeded the analysts' expectations and showcased a robust sales figure of $47.12 billion.

Illumina: A Promising Trade

Amy Raskin, the chief investment officer at Chevy Chase Trust, selected Illumina, Inc. (NASDAQ:ILMN) as her final trade. She is optimistic about the company's upcoming earnings report.

Upcoming Earnings for Illumina

Illumina is set to release its third-quarter earnings soon. Analysts predict the company will report earnings of $1.17 per share on revenues of approximately $1.07 billion, which should provide insightful data for investors.

Columbia Banking System in Focus

CEO Jenny Van Leeuwen Harrington expressed confidence in Columbia Banking System, Inc. (NASDAQ:COLB), suggesting that the stock was unfairly impacted by recent trends affecting regional banks. The company offers an attractive yield of 5.7% and trades at 10 times earnings.

Analyst Support for Columbia

Supporting Harrington's assessment, analyst Christopher Mcgratty upgraded Columbia Banking System’s rating from Market Perform to Outperform, raising the price target from $30 to $31, reinforcing the stock's potential upside.

Alibaba's Innovative Developments

Joe Terranova, senior managing director at Virtus Investment Partners, highlighted Alibaba Group Holding Limited (NYSE:BABA) in his trade selections. Recent developments at Alibaba include the launch of a new computing pooling system named Aegaeon, which significantly reduces reliance on Nvidia GPUs for artificial intelligence applications.

Market Response to Alibaba

This innovation comes at a time when Alibaba's shares saw a notable increase of 3.8%, closing at $173.47, emphasizing the market's positive reception to its forward-thinking strategies.

Recent Stock Performances

Here's a quick summary of the recent performance of these key stocks:

JPMorgan shares rose by 1.6%, closing at $302.36.
Illumina shares experienced a 4.2% increase, settling at $99.50.
Columbia Banking System saw a 4.3% rise, ending the session at $25.36.
Alibaba shares increased by 3.8%, finishing at $173.47.

Frequently Asked Questions

What stocks were discussed on CNBC's Final Trades?

The stocks highlighted included JPMorgan Chase, Illumina, Columbia Banking System, and Alibaba Group.

What are the expectations for Illumina's upcoming earnings?

Analysts expect Illumina to report earnings of $1.17 per share on revenues of around $1.07 billion.

Why is Columbia Banking System considered a valuable trade?

Jenny Van Leeuwen Harrington noted its attractive yield and valuation, alongside positive analyst ratings.

What innovation has Alibaba recently introduced?

Alibaba introduced a computing pooling system named Aegaeon to lower its dependency on Nvidia GPUs.

How did these stocks perform in the market?

Overall, all highlighted stocks showed positive growth, reflecting investor confidence in their business strategies and market positions.

About The Author

Olivia Taylor here, a 26-year-old writer and financial advisor. After earning a degree in finance, I worked in the sector for years. I've always loved numbers and had a talent for simplifying difficult financial ideas so that anyone could understand. I wrote my first book because of this passion; it helps readers take charge of their financial futures by fusing real-life stories with useful financial advice.

Whether they are just beginning their careers, preparing for significant life events, or seeking to invest wisely, my goal with my writing is to enable people to make educated financial decisions. The foundation of my work is the conviction that security and freedom of the individual are largely determined by financial literacy. To further financial education, I run workshops and frequently write for financial blogs in addition to my books.

I like to travel, experience other cultures, and find inspiration in daily life when I'm not writing or examining market trends. My passion is utilizing sound financial practices to help people reach their financial objectives and lead the best lives possible.

Contact Olivia Taylor privately here. Or send an email with ATTN: Olivia Taylor as the subject to contact@investorshangout.com.

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