JPMorgan Updates Stock Focus List for May Amid Market Uncertainty

Photo of author

By Maxwell Reed

Navigating the current investment landscape requires careful stock selection, especially amidst recent market fluctuations. Leading financial institutions like JPMorgan Chase are actively identifying potential winners for investors looking to position their portfolios effectively for the month ahead.

JPMorgan Adjusts Focus List Amid Market Uncertainty

JPMorgan recently revised its focus list for May, highlighting stocks across growth, value, and income strategies. This update comes during a period of market turbulence, partly influenced by ongoing global tariff discussions under President Donald Trump’s administration and some economic indicators causing concern. Although the stock market saw a slight recovery towards the end of April, major indices like the S&P 500 and Dow Jones still registered losses for the month. Against this backdrop, JPMorgan added four notable companies to its recommended list: Netflix, AutoZone, Ulta Beauty, and Digital Realty Trust.

Growth Opportunities Highlighted

Netflix (NFLX) stands out as a key growth selection. The streaming giant recently achieved a new all-time high, closing Friday trading at $1,156.49. Its stock has already appreciated by approximately 30% year-to-date in 2025. JPMorgan analyst Douglas Anmuth set a target price of $1,150, noting, “Netflix has established itself as the premier global streaming service and is progressing towards becoming the world’s television.” Anmuth anticipates that upcoming advertising presentations in May could provide further positive momentum for the stock.

Another addition under the growth strategy is AutoZone (AZO). Analyst Christopher Horvers pointed to internal sales improvements and increasing market share as key drivers. Potential benefits from tariffs and incentives were also mentioned. AutoZone’s stock has seen a solid 17% increase so far this year. Horvers’ target price is $3,830, suggesting modest near-term upside from its current level.

Value and Technology Plays

Shifting to value, JPMorgan added Ulta Beauty (ULTA). Despite the stock declining 9% in 2025, analyst Christopher Horvers sees potential for a rebound to $475, representing a possible 20% increase. “Ulta is showing signs of regaining market share and sales momentum. Furthermore, conservative margin guidance could lead to upward earnings revisions,” Horvers commented.

Rounding out the additions is Digital Realty Trust (DLR), categorized as a growth opportunity within the technology sector. JPMorgan has assigned a target price of $190 for the data center REIT.

Analyst Perspectives

While JPMorgan presents a positive case, broader analyst sentiment varies slightly. For Netflix, despite JPMorgan’s bullish stance, the average analyst target sits slightly below its recent closing price, though a strong majority (38 out of 51) still recommend buying the stock. Ulta Beauty sees a more neutral consensus view, with the average analyst projection pointing to a modest 4% upside. AutoZone generally enjoys an optimistic outlook regarding sustained growth.

JPMorgan May Focus List Highlights

Company (Ticker) JPMorgan Target Price Strategy Sector
Netflix (NFLX) $1,150 Growth Media & Technology
Ulta Beauty (ULTA) $475 Value Consumer
AutoZone (AZO) $3,830 Growth Consumer
Digital Realty Trust (DLR) $190 Growth Technology
Share