Benzinga's 'Stock Whisper' Index: 5 Stocks Investors Secretly Monitor But Don't Talk About Yet

Each week, Benzinga’s Stock Whisper Index uses a combination of proprietary data and pattern recognition to showcase five stocks that are just under the surface and deserve attention.

Investors are constantly on the hunt for undervalued, under-followed and emerging stocks. With countless methods available to retail traders, the challenge often lies in sifting through the abundance of information to uncover new opportunities and understand why certain stocks should be of interest.

Here's a look at the Benzinga Stock Whisper Index for the week ending March 28:

Applied Industrial Technologies (NYSE:AIT): The industrial products distributor saw strong interest from readers during the week. KeyBanc recently maintained an Overweight rating on the stock while lowering the price target from $325 to $275. Applied Industrial will likely report third-quarter financial results in late April. The company missed earnings per share estimates in the second quarter but has beaten analyst estimates in nine of the last 10 quarters. The company also missed revenue estimates in the second quarter but has beaten analyst estimates in seven of the last 10 quarters. Applied Industrial raised full-year guidance after the second quarter thanks to its strong quarter and the Hydradyne acquisition. The stock will be one to watch ahead of the next earnings report.

Applied Industrial stock was down for the week, as seen on the Benzinga Pro chart below. The stock is up 14% over the last year.

Wheaton Precious Metals Corp (NYES: WPM): Mining stocks like Wheaton Precious Metals saw increased interest from readers with gold at record prices and President Donald Trump encouraging more mining. The stock trades near all-time highs with a recent strong fourth quarter showing the company beating earnings per share for the fourth time in five quarters. The company missed revenue estimates in the fourth quarter, which was the third straight quarter of missing analyst estimates. Wheaton reported record revenue, adjusted net earnings and operating cash flow in 2024. The company has 18 operating mines and 28 development projects. A five-year outlook from the company calls for annual production to increase by 40% to 870,000 gold equivalent ounces. With gold prices at all-time highs, the stock could be one in the sector that investors keep an eye on, given the record 2024 and five-year growth outlook.

Newmont Corporation (NYSE:NEM): Speaking of gold and mining, the world's largest gold miner Newmont also saw increased interest from readers. The company reported fourth-quarter results in February, with strong results reported including a focus on getting rid of non-core assets and focusing on Tier-1 assets. The company has beaten analyst estimates for earnings per share in three of the last four quarters and beaten analyst estimates for revenue in three of the last four quarters. With investors looking for exposure to gold and other precious metals, Newmont could continue to see shares trade higher. The stock was up around 2% on the week and shares are up 34% over the last year.

Welltower Inc (NYSE:WELL): The healthcare REIT saw increased interest from readers during the week. The company owns a portfolio of over 2,0000 senior housing properties, medical offices and skilled nursing properties. Several analysts have raised their price targets on the stock ahead of first-quarter financial results, which will likely be reported next month. The company has beaten analyst estimates for earnings per share in four straight quarters and beaten analyst estimates for revenue in two straight quarters. Earlier this month, Welltower announced the acquisition of 38 ultra-luxury senior housing communities and nine entitled development parcels from Ontario Teachers' Pension Plan.

The stock trades near all-time highs and shares are up 34% over the last year.

Deere & Company (NYSE:DE): One of the larger stocks to appear on the Stock Whisper Index is agricultural equipment company Deere & Company. Readers were drawn to the company this week with minimal news. The industrial sector continues to see pressure due to tariff threats and concerns that there will be declines in investment and large spending on equipment. Deere & Company's next earnings results will come around May. The company has beaten analyst estimates for earnings per share in 10 straight quarters and beaten revenue estimates in more than 10 straight quarters. In February, the company's first-quarter results beat estimates, but several segments saw double-digit declines on a year-over-year basis. Guidance for the full year shows some recovery in the company's main operating segments.

Deere & Company’s stock was down on the week, but shares are up 13% over the last year. The stock is one to watch if industrials show a turnaround or strength going forward.