Stocks to Watch: UniFirst, BlackBerry, and Three More

As the market braces for another volatile session on Wednesday, April 2, 2025, several stocks are poised to grab investor attention. With U.S. stock futures trading lower, the focus will be on earnings reports and the potential impact of tariffs on various sectors. Let's dive into the key stocks to watch and what investors should expect.

UniFirst Corp. (UNF)

UniFirst Corp. is expected to report quarterly earnings at $1.34 per share on revenue of $602.80 million before the opening bell. The company's shares gained 0.9% to $177.00 in after-hours trading, indicating investor optimism ahead of the earnings release. This positive movement suggests that the market is anticipating a strong performance from UniFirst, which could further boost its stock price if the earnings meet or exceed expectations.

BlackBerry Ltd. (BB)

BlackBerry Ltd. is set to post quarterly earnings at 1 cent per share on revenue of $132.83 million. Despite the modest earnings expectation, BlackBerry shares gained 1.6% to $3.79 in after-hours trading. This increase in stock price, despite the low earnings expectation, could indicate that investors are looking beyond the immediate earnings report and focusing on other factors such as the company's strategic initiatives or long-term growth potential.



Tesla (TSLA)

Tesla is expected to report first-quarter earnings late in the month, and investors will likely be desperate for good news from CEO Elon Musk. Tesla sales have slumped across the globe amid a consumer backlash to Musk’s work with the Trump administration and his support for Europe’s far right. Wall Street has also grown concerned that Musk, already stretched thin as the head of a half-dozen companies, is being distracted from Tesla by his work with the Department of Government Efficiency.



Nvidia (NVDA)

March closed out the worst quarter for Nvidia’s stock since 2022. Shares of the AI chipmaker fell 13% over the month, and now sit nearly 20% off their price at the start of the year. The release of DeepSeek’s R1 reasoning model, the developers of which claim was trained for a fraction of the cost of comparable American models, stalled the AI rally in late January when investors, questioning the economics that underpinned Nvidia's valuation, dumped it and other momentum stocks.

Ford, General Motors, and Stellantis

Late last month, President Trump announced 25% tariffs on imported cars and car parts. The levies on completed vehicles are slated to take effect on April 3, while those on components are expected to go into effect no later than May 3. JPMorgan analysts estimated the global auto industry’s total “tariff bill” could reach $82 billion if carmakers didn’t pass any costs along to consumers. They determined the tariffs announced were better for U.S. automakers than those floated earlier in Trump’s presidency, which were directed only at imports from Canada and Mexico. Still, the Big Three—Ford (F), General Motors (GM) and Stellantis (STLA)—will take a significant hit if the tariffs go into effect as planned.

Airline Stocks

Delta Airlines (DAL) is expected to report its first-quarter results on April 9, kicking off earnings season for America’s largest airlines. Delta last month lowered its outlook for the first quarter, citing “the recent reduction in consumer and corporate confidence caused by increased macro uncertainty.” CEO Ed Bastian, speaking at a JPMorgan conference, noted the midair collision of a passenger jet and military helicopter in January raised concerns about flight safety, immediately weakening corporate and consumer demand. On top of that, headlines out of Washington have raised concerns about resurgent inflation and a slowing economy.

Conclusion

As investors navigate the volatile market conditions, it's crucial to stay informed about the key stocks and sectors that are likely to be in the spotlight. UniFirst and BlackBerry are poised for earnings reports that could significantly impact their stock prices, while Tesla and Nvidia face challenges that could shape their future performance. The tariffs announced by the Trump administration will also have a significant impact on the auto and airline sectors, making it essential for investors to stay vigilant and adapt their strategies accordingly.