Three Additional Top Stocks in the S&P 500 as We Approach the New Year
Written by Emily J. Thompson, Senior Investment Analyst
Updated: Dec 11 2025
0mins
Should l Buy DG?
Source: NASDAQ.COM
Dollar General's Growth: Dollar General's stock surged over 32% in the past month following strong third-quarter results, with sales rising 4.6% and earnings per share increasing by 43.8%, leading to improved future earnings guidance.
Expedia's Performance: Expedia Group's stock rose nearly 23% after announcing a 9% revenue increase and a boost in full-year revenue growth guidance, driven by rising travel demand and effective cost management.
EPAM Systems' Recovery: EPAM Systems' stock climbed over 26% due to a strong third-quarter earnings report, with revenue growth and raised full-year guidance, indicating a successful pivot away from war-affected regions.
Investment Recommendations: Analysts suggest that Dollar General, Expedia, and EPAM Systems are among the top performers in the S&P 500, making them promising additions for investors looking to capitalize on their recent momentum heading into 2026.
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Analyst Views on DG
Wall Street analysts forecast DG stock price to fall
16 Analyst Rating
9 Buy
7 Hold
0 Sell
Moderate Buy
Current: 148.560
Low
125.00
Averages
147.00
High
170.00
Current: 148.560
Low
125.00
Averages
147.00
High
170.00
About DG
Dollar General Corporation is a discount retailer. The Company offers merchandise, including consumable items, seasonal items, home products and apparel. Its merchandise includes brands from manufacturers, as well as its own private brand selections with prices at discounts to brands. Its consumables category includes paper and cleaning products, packaged food, perishables, snacks, health and beauty, pet, and tobacco products. Its seasonal products include holiday items, toys, batteries, small electronics, greeting cards, stationery, prepaid phones and accessories, gardening supplies, hardware, automotive and home office supplies. Its home products include kitchen supplies, cookware, small appliances, light bulbs, storage containers, frames, candles, craft supplies and kitchen, bed and bath soft goods. The Company’s apparel products include basic items for infants, toddlers, girls, boys, women and men, as well as socks, underwear, disposable diapers, shoes and accessories.
About the author
Emily J. Thompson
Emily J. Thompson, a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) with 12 years in investment research, graduated with honors from the Wharton School. Specializing in industrial and technology stocks, she provides in-depth analysis for Intellectia’s earnings and market brief reports.
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- Concentrated Investment Strategy: Kiltearn now holds only 28 positions valued at $461.7 million, with its top five holdings representing over 44% of AUM, reflecting a highly concentrated portfolio that may increase investment risk.
- Performance Analysis: Sealed Air's stock performed well over the past year, returning 26.3%, nearly double the S&P 500's 13.2%, despite a 1% drop in Q3 sales after excluding foreign currency effects.
- Future Outlook: Management expects sales to decline by 2% to 3% for the year and will report Q4 results on March 2, prompting investors to watch for signs of a turnaround in sales trends.
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- Shareholding Change: Kiltearn Partners LLP sold 335,500 shares of Sealed Air in the fourth quarter, fully exiting its position, which previously accounted for 2.4% of its AUM, indicating a loss of confidence in the stock.
- Concentrated Investment Strategy: Kiltearn now holds only 28 positions valued at $461.7 million, with its five largest holdings representing over 44% of its AUM, suggesting a highly concentrated portfolio that may face increased risk.
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- Investment Advice: Before investing in Sealed Air, potential investors should note that The Motley Fool's analyst team did not include it in their current list of the 10 best stocks, suggesting a cautious outlook on its future growth.
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- Portfolio Concentration: Kiltearn now holds only 28 positions valued at $461.7 million, with its top five holdings representing over 44% of its AUM, reflecting a highly concentrated investment strategy.
- Performance Overview: Sealed Air's stock performed well over the past year, returning 26.3%, nearly double the S&P 500's 13.2%, despite a 1% drop in Q3 sales after adjusting for foreign currency effects.
- Future Outlook: Management expects sales to decline by 2% to 3% for the year, and investors should watch for the upcoming Q4 earnings report on March 2 to see if the company can reverse its current downward trend.
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- Complete Exit: Kiltearn Partners LLP sold 335,500 shares of Sealed Air in Q4, fully exiting its position, which previously accounted for 2.4% of its AUM, indicating a cautious outlook on the company's future prospects.
- Concentrated Investment Strategy: Kiltearn now holds only 28 positions valued at $461.7 million, with its top five holdings representing over 44% of AUM, reflecting a highly concentrated portfolio that may increase investment risk.
- Performance Analysis: Sealed Air's stock performed well over the past year, returning 26.3%, nearly double the S&P 500's 13.2%, despite a 1% drop in Q3 sales after excluding foreign currency effects.
- Future Outlook: Management expects sales to decline by 2% to 3% for the year and will report Q4 results on March 2, prompting investors to watch for signs of a turnaround in sales trends.
See More
Kiltearn Fully Exits Sealed Air Holdings
- Shareholding Change: Kiltearn Partners LLP sold 335,500 shares of Sealed Air in the fourth quarter, fully exiting its position, which previously accounted for 2.4% of its AUM, indicating a loss of confidence in the stock.
- Concentrated Investment Strategy: Kiltearn now holds only 28 positions valued at $461.7 million, with its five largest holdings representing over 44% of its AUM, suggesting a highly concentrated portfolio that may face increased risk.
- Market Performance: Although Sealed Air's stock performed well over the past year with a 26.3% return, nearly double the S&P 500's 13.2%, the company reported a 1% decline in third-quarter sales and expects a 2% to 3% drop for the year, reflecting weak market demand.
- Investment Advice: Before investing in Sealed Air, potential investors should note that The Motley Fool's analyst team did not include it in their current list of the 10 best stocks, suggesting a cautious outlook on its future growth.
See More
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- Position Change: Kiltearn Partners LLP fully exited its position in Sealed Air Corporation by selling 335,500 shares in Q4, previously accounting for 2.4% of its AUM, indicating a loss of confidence in the stock.
- Portfolio Concentration: Kiltearn now holds only 28 positions valued at $461.7 million, with its top five holdings representing over 44% of its AUM, reflecting a highly concentrated investment strategy.
- Performance Overview: Sealed Air's stock performed well over the past year, returning 26.3%, nearly double the S&P 500's 13.2%, despite a 1% drop in Q3 sales after adjusting for foreign currency effects.
- Future Outlook: Management expects sales to decline by 2% to 3% for the year, and investors should watch for the upcoming Q4 earnings report on March 2 to see if the company can reverse its current downward trend.
See More
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- High Occupancy Rate: The company owns over 15,500 single-tenant properties, with tenants including well-known brands like Home Depot and Dollar General, ensuring a nearly 99% occupancy rate that provides a stable income source for shareholders.
- Market Discount Advantage: Realty Income's stock is currently trading over 20% below its all-time high, which not only boosts its dividend yield to 5% but may also attract more investor attention, potentially driving future stock price increases.
- Interest Rate Environment Impact: With the Federal Reserve cutting interest rates recently, lowering credit costs, more real estate deals are expected to become profitable, which could further enhance Realty Income's profitability and shareholder returns, solidifying its position as a high-yield stock.
See More
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- Dividend Yield Advantage: Realty Income's 5% dividend yield is more than four times the S&P 500 average of 1.2%, attracting significant investor interest, although such high yields may raise sustainability concerns.
- Stable Income Source: The company owns over 15,500 single-tenant net-leased properties with a high occupancy rate of 99%, ensuring steady cash flow, and its tenant list includes reputable companies like Home Depot and Dollar General, enhancing income reliability.
- Strong Financial Performance: In Q3 2025, Realty Income reported $4.20 per share in funds from operations, significantly exceeding the $3.24 per share dividend payout, indicating strong payment capacity and the ability to sustain dividends.
- Favorable Market Environment: Recent interest rate cuts by the Fed have lowered credit costs, expected to enhance the profitability of real estate transactions, potentially driving up Realty Income's stock price and further solidifying its appeal as a high-dividend stock.
See More
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- Share Acquisition: Kiltearn Partners LLP purchased an additional 264,600 shares of LKQ in Q4 2025, with an estimated transaction value of $7.98 million, indicating confidence in the auto parts sector.
- Increased Stake: This acquisition raised Kiltearn's stake in LKQ to 3.24%, making it the 12th largest holding in their portfolio, which underscores its significance despite not being in the top five.
- Financial Performance: As of February 13, 2026, LKQ shares were priced at $34.10, down 8.6% year-over-year, with net income falling by 39.1% over the past three years, highlighting the challenges the company faces.
- Strategic Review: Following the divestiture of its self-service segment last year, LKQ anticipates a $25 million increase in 2025 operating cash flow, indicating a strategic review aimed at maximizing shareholder value.
See More
