25 Stocks to Buy for a Profitable February

• Fortinet (FTNT) has finished February higher in 9 of the past 10 years with an average return of 8.5%, which would bring shares from $81.02 to $87.90 if repeated
• FTNT's put/call open interest ratio of 1.19 sits in the 91st percentile, indicating heavy bearish sentiment that could unwind and boost the stock
• The Dow Jones logged its ninth straight January gain and longest January winning streak since 2018, despite finishing Friday with a third consecutive weekly loss

Summary

Market Context:

Schaeffers Research released its list of 25 stocks positioned for profitable February performance, based on 10 years of historical data. All three major U.S. indexes ended January with modest gains, with the Dow Jones Industrial Average posting its ninth consecutive monthly win and longest January streak since 2018. However, Friday saw all indexes close in the red, with the Dow logging its third straight weekly loss.

Featured Stock - Fortinet (FTNT):

Software security company Fortinet tops the recommended list. The stock has finished February higher in 9 of the past 10 years, averaging an 8.5% return. From its current price of $81.02, this historical return would push shares to $87.90—the highest level since a 22% post-earnings drop on August 7. Recent momentum has improved, with TD Cowen triggering a 5.2% bull gap last week.

Market Sentiment:

Fortinet's Schaeffer's put/call open interest ratio (SOIR) stands at 1.19, in the 91st percentile of its annual range, indicating elevated bearish positioning among short-term traders. This suggests potential for upside if sentiment reverses.

Broader Context:

January featured significant market volatility driven by geopolitical tensions, including U.S.-Venezuela relations and President Trump's tariff threats. Economic data pointed to stabilization, though February presents additional volatility triggers with upcoming inflation reports.

Performance Note:

The stock currently trades approximately 20% below year-ago levels, making the February historical pattern particularly relevant for potential recovery.