| VIP Exclusive: Middle East Turmoil Sends Shockwaves, and Here's How These 5 Stocks Are Reacting |
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| A new front opened in the Middle East overnight as Israel launched a dramatic series of airstrikes across Iran, killing top military leaders and nuclear scientists. | The attack, which targeted nuclear facilities and missile bases, sent oil and gold prices sharply higher and spooked equity markets around the globe. | As markets weigh the potential for broader escalation, investors are moving into safe havens and inflation hedges while reassessing exposure to global growth plays. | Here are five stocks that might be opportunities amid the chaos: |
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| | Newmont | NEM | | Price: $57.90 | Gold surged overnight as investors scrambled for protection amid fears of a regional war. | That's good news for Newmont, the world's largest gold miner, which has quietly put together an impressive year already. | Shares are up nearly 46% year-to-date, and recent earnings showed revenue rising 25% to $5.01 billion and net income topping $ 1.89 billion. That's more than 10x increase from the year prior. | Newmont has positioned itself as more than just a traditional gold name. | Its $16.8B acquisition of Newcrest Mining in 2023 expanded its global footprint and copper exposure while still keeping gold as the core thesis. | With inflation anxiety and geopolitical risk back in the headlines, Newmont may be viewed as one of the more compelling hedges in the S&P 500. | The stock's 1.79% dividend yield and strong free cash flow only add to its appeal. |
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| | Pfizer | PFE | | Price: $24.53 | Pfizer recently regained its position above its 50-day moving average, thanks to a new cancer drug licensing deal with China's 3SBio, a space increasingly viewed as a battleground for growth in global oncology. | The company is still digesting years of volatility stemming from COVID windfalls and setbacks in obesity drug development. | However, its Q1 results showed resilience, with $13.72 billion in revenue and adjusted EPS of $0.92, beating profit expectations despite an 8% dip in sales. | The broader macro backdrop is murky, especially with Trump-era tariffs potentially returning to the pharma sector. | That said, Pfizer's manufacturing base in the U.S. may shield it somewhat from the worst-case trade scenarios. | Activist pressure from Starboard Capital could also push for better capital allocation and cost discipline. | While PFE remains below its 200-day average, signs of a turnaround are emerging, and a strong Q2 report could further shift sentiment. |
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| | Verona Pharma | VRNA | | Price: $92.25 | Verona Pharma shares have surged in 2025, rising more than 90% year-to-date and notching a new all-time high above $93. | The catalyst was strong sales from its COPD treatment, Ohtuvayre, which posted $71 million in Q2 revenue, nearly doubling the revenue from the previous quarter. | Analysts expect this drug to generate up to $731 million annually by 2026, with Jefferies and Truist both setting price targets of around $95–$100. | Verona's business model stands out in the crowded biotech space. | Its 95% gross margins, commercial momentum, and growing KOL support suggest that it may carve out meaningful market share despite competition from biologics. | While the stock appears overbought in the short term, continued execution could justify current valuations. | For investors seeking exposure to small-cap biotech with large-cap upside, VRNA may be one to watch closely, especially if global macroeconomic fears subside. |
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| | Root Inc. | ROOT | | Price: $146.71 | ROOT has delivered a stunning 224% return over the past year, transforming from a struggling insurtech to one of the most talked-about multibagger candidates in 2025. | Its recent breakout is supported by fundamentals: full-year net income of $31M, $1.3B in gross premiums written, and a best-in-class loss ratio of 59%. | The company's partnership channels are growing rapidly, and ROOT now reaches 76% of the U.S. population. | In an environment where tech stocks are under pressure and traditional insurers face margin headwinds, Root's data-driven underwriting and proprietary pricing engine stand out. | It remains a higher-risk play, given its relatively small market cap and history of volatility; however, the strategic shift toward profitability and disciplined growth may signal a longer-term inflection point. |
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| | AST SpaceMobile | ASTS | | Price: $38.43 | As the satellite internet race intensifies, AST SpaceMobile is gaining momentum. | The stock is up more than 70% year-to-date (YTD) on rising investor optimism around its unique value proposition: direct-to-smartphone satellite connectivity without the need for special hardware. | With five new satellites slated to launch by year-end and $874 million in cash on the books, ASTS is preparing to commercialize its vision in a significant way. | Recent government contracts, including a $43 million deal with the U.S. Space Development Agency, validate the technology and improve visibility. | However, revenue remains minimal, and execution risk is high. | For investors seeking speculative upside in communications infrastructure, ASTS may offer meaningful potential — if it can hit key milestones and avoid dilution along the way. |
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| | Markets are on edge following Israel's airstrikes on Iran, with fears of a broader Middle East conflict driving up oil, gold, and safe-haven assets. | It's a big moment for global risk sentiment, and one that could trigger shifts in both sector leadership and portfolio allocation. | Energy, commodities, and defensive growth plays are likely to stay in focus while investors assess the fallout. | For now, stocks like Newmont and Pfizer offer compelling narratives underpinned by macro and micro tailwinds, while high-momentum names like Verona and ASTS may face more volatility — but also reap greater rewards. |
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| Best Regards,
—Noah Zelvis
Everyday Alpha |
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