World Stock Watch

Cathie Wood’s Latest Moves: Betting Big on Tech and Biotech

After a slow start in 2024, Cathie Wood’s investments rallied in the second half of the year. As the co-founder, CEO, and primary stock picker for Ark Invest, Wood is looking to stay ahead of the market in 2025. In the first full trading week of the year, Ark made some significant moves, adding to its existing stakes in three key companies.

Amazon: A Leader in Cloud Computing

Wood increased her investment in Amazon, despite the stock hitting an all-time high last month. With a 44% surge in 2024, Amazon’s shares have outperformed the market. Analysts are optimistic about the company’s prospects, with Scott Devitt at Wedbush raising his price target to $260, citing widening margins and a 24% jump in operating profit. Shweta Khajuria at Wolfe Research is even more bullish, boosting her price goal to $270.

GitLab: A Cloud-Based Software Development Powerhouse

GitLab, a provider of cloud-based software development tools, has seen its stock rise in each of the first three trading days of 2025. Despite a 10% decline in 2024, GitLab remains a favorite among analysts, with at least 16 boosting their price targets after the company’s better-than-expected financial results. Revenue growth of 31% for the fiscal third quarter exceeded Wall Street projections, and the company raised its guidance for the full fiscal year.

Pacific Biosciences of California: A Gene Sequencing Leader

Pacific Biosciences of California, a long-read gene sequencing leader, has struggled in 2024, with its stock plummeting 81%. However, Wood remains a believer in the company’s long-term potential, despite revenue growth turning negative through the first three quarters of 2024. Losses are narrowing, and revenue growth is expected to bounce back in 2025.

What’s Next for These Stocks?

While these stocks may not seem like bargains, Wood’s investments are often driven by her conviction in their long-term potential. With analysts optimistic about Amazon and GitLab, and Wood betting on Pacific Biosciences of California’s turnaround, these stocks are worth keeping an eye on in 2025.