Recent Articles from StockStory

Shares of racing, gaming, and entertainment company Churchill Downs (NASDAQ:CHDN) jumped 3.7% in the afternoon session after investment firm Stifel reiterated its Buy rating on the stock ahead of the company's third-quarter earnings report. Stifel kept its price target at $133.00. The positive sentiment was echoed by another firm, Citizens, which also restated its Market Outperform rating on Churchill Downs, holding its price target at $142.00. Both firms expressed confidence before the company was scheduled to release its financial results. The reiterations signaled continued analyst belief in the company's performance leading up to the earnings announcement.

Shares of alternate site health provider Option Care Health (NASDAQ:OPCH) jumped 3.2% in the afternoon session after Morgan Stanley initiated coverage on the stock with an 'Overweight' rating and a $35 price target. The new rating from analyst Erin Wright signaled a bullish view on the company's future performance. The price target represented a notable premium to where the shares previously traded. The positive outlook was reportedly based on Option Care Health's leading position in the market for home and alternative-site infusion services. This sector was viewed as expanding due to the rising prevalence of chronic diseases and a general shift in healthcare toward lower-cost settings.

Shares of self defense company AXON (NASDAQ:AXON) jumped 3.2% in the afternoon session after TD Cowen reiterated its Buy rating and $925.00 price target on the company's stock, citing expectations for strong quarterly results and an accelerating AI product cycle. The firm expected Axon to deliver results exceeding its estimate of 30% revenue growth. TD Cowen highlighted that the company's AI product cycle was gaining momentum. The research firm also believed Axon deserved a premium valuation compared to its peers due to its durable end markets, high growth profile, limited competition, and a strong competitive moat.

Shares of power management chips maker Monolithic Power Systems (NASDAQ:MPWR) fell 2.9% in the afternoon session after a top executive, Saria Tseng, sold more than $17 million worth of company shares. According to regulatory filings, Saria Tseng, the company's EVP & General Counsel, sold 16,840 shares across transactions on October 15 and 16. The total value of the shares sold was approximately $17.1 million. Such a large sale by a high-ranking insider can sometimes cause concern among investors about a stock's valuation, even though the transactions were conducted under a pre-arranged trading plan. Following the sale, Tseng still directly owned 127,654 shares of the company.

Shares of equipment distribution company Alta Equipment Group (NYSE:ALTG) fell 3.2% in the afternoon session after Volvo AB warned of a slowdown in the North American truck market, which added to broader economic fears. Volvo projected declining truck registrations for 2026, citing weaker demand and uncertainties over tariffs as primary concerns. This industry-specific warning was made worse by wider market jitters related to the U.S. economy. Concerns about credit markets grew after some regional banks reported problems with bad loans. This news sparked a sell-off in bank stocks and reflected increased fear in the market.

Shares of global payments company American Express (NYSE:AXP) jumped 6.3% in the afternoon session after the company reported better-than-expected results for the third quarter of 2025, beating Wall Street's estimates for revenue and profit. The global payments company posted revenue of $13.94 billion, an 11.8% increase from the same period last year, which surpassed analyst expectations. Earnings came in at $4.14 per share, also ahead of consensus estimates and up from $3.49 in the year-ago quarter. This strong performance was supported by a significant rise in customer spending, with total transaction volumes growing 8.7% year-on-year to $479.2 billion, also topping forecasts. Overall, the solid top- and bottom-line beats signaled healthy consumer engagement and effective business execution, boosting investor confidence.

Shares of non-lethal weapons company Byrna (NASDAQ:BYRN) fell 4% in the afternoon session after competitor Wrap Technologies (WRAP) announced the launch of its DFR-X drone interdiction system, a new non-lethal response tool for law enforcement. Wrap's new system was designed to transform standard drones from simple observation tools into active intervention devices by using its BolaWrap tether technology. This product marked Wrap's first entry into the unmanned aerial systems market for law enforcement. The announcement appeared to create concerns among Byrna investors about new competition in the non-lethal public safety sector, an area where both companies operate. The introduction of a new, innovative product by a rival likely weighed on Byrna's stock.

Shares of devSecOps platform provider GitLab (NASDAQ:GTLB) fell 5.7% in the afternoon session after investors took profits following a significant rally in the previous session, which was fueled by takeover rumors that were later met with skepticism. 

Shares of global pharmaceutical company Eli Lilly (NYSE:LLY) fell 3.5% in the afternoon session after political comments introduced significant uncertainty regarding the future pricing of the company’s weight-loss and diabetes drugs, Zepbound and Mounjaro. 

While profitability is essential, it doesn’t guarantee long-term success. Some companies that rest on their margins will lose ground as competition intensifies - as Jeff Bezos said, "Your margin is my opportunity".

A company that generates cash isn’t automatically a winner. Some businesses stockpile cash but fail to reinvest wisely, limiting their ability to expand.

A company that generates cash isn’t automatically a winner. Some businesses stockpile cash but fail to reinvest wisely, limiting their ability to expand.

By breaking down physical barriers, consumer internet businesses are reshaping how people shop, connect, learn, and play. These themes have enabled rapid growth for the industry, which has posted a 36.9% gain over the past six months compared to 25.9% for the S&P 500.

While the S&P 500 (^GSPC) includes industry leaders, not every stock in the index is a winner. Some companies are past their prime, weighed down by poor execution, weak financials, or structural headwinds.

Whether it be online shopping or social media, secular forces are propelling consumer internet businesses forward. These themes have enabled rapid growth for the industry, which has posted a 36.9% gain over the past six months compared to 26% for the S&P 500.

Stocks in the $10-50 range offer a sweet spot between affordability and stability as they’re typically more established than penny stocks. But their headline prices don’t guarantee quality, and investors should exercise caution as some have shaky business models.

When Wall Street turns bearish on a stock, it’s worth paying attention. These calls stand out because analysts rarely issue grim ratings on companies for fear their firms will lose out in other business lines such as M&A advisory.

The S&P 500 (^GSPC) is home to the biggest and most well-known companies in the market, making it a go-to index for investors seeking stability. But not all large-cap stocks are created equal - some are struggling with slowing growth, declining margins, or increased competition.

Wall Street has set ambitious price targets for the stocks in this article. While this suggests attractive upside potential, it’s important to remain skeptical because analysts face institutional pressures that can sometimes lead to overly optimistic forecasts.

Investors looking for hidden gems should keep an eye on small-cap stocks because they’re frequently overlooked by Wall Street. Many opportunities exist in this part of the market, but it is also a high-risk, high-reward environment due to the lack of reliable analyst price targets.

Even if a company is profitable, it doesn’t always mean it’s a great investment. Some struggle to maintain growth, face looming threats, or fail to reinvest wisely, limiting their future potential.

Not all profitable companies are built to last - some rely on outdated models or unsustainable advantages. Just because a business is in the green today doesn’t mean it will thrive tomorrow.

Market swings can be tough to stomach, and volatile stocks often experience exaggerated moves in both directions. While many thrive during risk-on environments, many also struggle to maintain investor confidence when the ride gets bumpy.

Wall Street is overwhelmingly bullish on the stocks in this article, with price targets suggesting significant upside potential. However, it’s worth remembering that analysts rarely issue sell ratings, partly because their firms often seek other business from the same companies they cover.

Whether you see them or not, industrials businesses play a crucial part in our daily activities. They are also bound to benefit from a friendlier regulatory environment with the Trump administration, and this excitement has led to a six-month gain of 38.5% for the sector - higher than the S&P 500’s 25.9% return.

Small-cap stocks can be incredibly lucrative investments because their lack of analyst coverage leads to frequent mispricings. However, these businesses (and their stock prices) often stay small because their subscale operations make it harder to expand their competitive moats.

"You get what you pay for" often applies to expensive stocks with best-in-class business models and execution. While their quality can sometimes justify the premium, they typically experience elevated volatility during market downturns when expectations change.

Wall Street is overwhelmingly bullish on the stocks in this article, with price targets suggesting significant upside potential. However, it’s worth remembering that analysts rarely issue sell ratings, partly because their firms often seek other business from the same companies they cover.

The Russell 2000 (^RUT) is packed with potential breakout stocks, thanks to its focus on smaller companies with high growth potential. However, smaller size also means these businesses often lack the resilience and financial flexibility of large-cap firms, making careful selection crucial.

From commerce to culture, software is digitizing every aspect of our lives. The undeniable tailwinds fueling SaaS companies have led to lofty valuation multiples historically, but rich prices also make re-ratings harder and place a ceiling on returns - over the past six months, the industry’s 19.9% gain has lagged the S&P 500 by 6 percentage points.

Growth is a hallmark of all great companies, but the laws of gravity eventually take hold. Those who rode the COVID boom and ensuing tech selloff in 2022 will surely remember that the market’s punishment can be swift and severe when trajectories fall.

Shares of voice AI technology company SoundHound AI (NASDAQ:SOUN) fell 6.9% in the morning session after its Chief Financial Officer, Nitesh Sharan, sold more than $1.28 million worth of company shares. The transaction involved the sale of 60,376 shares at an average price of $21.21. Following the sale, the CFO's direct ownership in the company decreased by 3.31%. Reports noted the sale was conducted under a pre-arranged trading plan, known as a Rule 10b5-1 plan, which was adopted in a previous year. The stock's decline also occurred amid a broader market downturn, as major indexes ended lower due to concerns over regional banks and lingering trade conflicts. This general "risk-off" attitude among investors added to the selling pressure on the stock.

Shares of digital infrastructure provider Applied Digital (NASDAQ:APLD) fell 7.5% in the morning session after a drop in Bitcoin pulled down crypto-linked stocks. The move was part of a broader trend where investors turned defensive amid weaker regional sentiment and renewed global growth concerns. This shift led to profit-taking in technology stocks. The broader market saw investors sell riskier assets, such as AI and tech companies, and move funds into safer options like gold and government bonds. This negative sentiment weighed on major indexes and hit tech stocks particularly hard.

Shares of regional banking company Western Alliance Bancorporation (NYSE:WAL) rose in the morning session after the stock rebounded from a sharp sell-off the previous day that was triggered by the disclosure of a lawsuit concerning alleged loan fraud. 

Shares of enterprise software giant Oracle (NYSE:ORCL) fell 7.1% in the morning session after the stock pulled back, as investors locked in some gains in reaction to the company's detailed long-term guidance, suggesting optimism might be cooling off. 

Shares of financial services company Truist Financial (NYSE:TFC) jumped 3.3% in the morning session after the company reported third-quarter 2025 financial results that surpassed Wall Street's expectations for both revenue and profit. The bank posted revenue of $5.19 billion, which came in slightly ahead of analysts' projections. More significantly, Truist's adjusted earnings of $1.35 per share were well above the consensus estimate of $0.99, marking a substantial 35.9% beat. While the company's net interest income slightly missed expectations, the significant profit beat and an outperformance in tangible book value per share appeared to resonate with investors, signaling underlying financial strength.

Shares of regional banking company Eastern Bankshares (NASDAQ:EBC) jumped 3.4% in the morning session after an activist investor, HoldCo Asset Management, acquired a stake in the company and urged it to consider a sale. 

Shares of financial services company Comerica (NYSE:CMA) jumped 1.5% in the morning session after the company released a decent third-quarter 2025 earnings report. 

Shares of investment management firm Cohen & Steers (NYSE:CNS) jumped 4.2% in the morning session after the company reported third-quarter financial results that surpassed analyst expectations for both profit and revenue. The investment management firm announced adjusted earnings per share of $0.81, beating the consensus estimate of $0.78. Revenue for the quarter also topped forecasts, coming in at $141.7 million, which represented a 6.4% increase from the same period in the previous year. The positive top- and bottom-line results were encouraging for investors and drove the stock higher, despite a noted year-on-year decline in the company's pre-tax profit margin.

Regional banking company M&T Bank (NYSE:MTB) beat Wall Street’s revenue expectations in Q3 CY2025, with sales up 7.8% year on year to $2.51 billion. Its non-GAAP profit of $4.81 per share was 9.6% above analysts’ consensus estimates.

Electronic brokerage firm Interactive Brokers (NASDAQ:IBKR) reported revenue ahead of Wall Street’s expectations in Q3 CY2025, with sales up 21.2% year on year to $1.66 billion. Its non-GAAP profit of $0.57 per share was 6.1% above analysts’ consensus estimates.

Freight rail services provider CSX (NASDAQ:CSX) met Wall Street’s revenue expectations in Q3 CY2025, but sales were flat year on year at $3.59 billion. Its non-GAAP profit of $0.44 per share was 3.8% above analysts’ consensus estimates.

Check out the companies making headlines this week:

Financial services giant State Street (NYSE:STT) reported revenue ahead of Wall Street’s expectations in Q3 CY2025, with sales up 8.8% year on year to $3.55 billion. Its non-GAAP profit of $2.78 per share was 5% above analysts’ consensus estimates.

Regional banking company Webster Financial (NYSE:WBS) announced better-than-expected revenue in Q3 CY2025, with sales up 13.1% year on year to $732.6 million. Its GAAP profit of $1.54 per share was 0.8% above analysts’ consensus estimates.

Digital banking company Ally Financial (NYSE:ALLY) reported Q3 CY2025 results topping the market’s revenue expectations, with sales up 3% year on year to $2.2 billion. Its non-GAAP profit of $1.15 per share was 14.1% above analysts’ consensus estimates.

Financial services company Truist Financial (NYSE:TFC) reported revenue ahead of Wall Street’s expectations in Q3 CY2025, but sales were flat year on year at $5.19 billion. Its non-GAAP profit of $1.35 per share was 35.9% above analysts’ consensus estimates.

Global payments company American Express (NYSE:AXP) reported revenue ahead of Wall Street’s expectations in Q3 CY2025, with sales up 11.8% year on year to $13.94 billion. Its GAAP profit of $4.14 per share was 3.6% above analysts’ consensus estimates.

Financial services company Comerica (NYSE:CMA) missed Wall Street’s revenue expectations in Q3 CY2025 as sales rose 3.3% year on year to $838 million. Its GAAP profit of $1.35 per share was 3.4% above analysts’ consensus estimates.

Regional banking company Fifth Third Bancorp (NASDAQ:FITB) reported revenue ahead of Wall Street’s expectations in Q3 CY2025, with sales up 8.2% year on year to $2.31 billion. Its GAAP profit of $0.91 per share was 5.9% above analysts’ consensus estimates.

Regional banking company Regions Financial (NYSE:RF) met Wall Street’s revenue expectations in Q3 CY2025, with sales up 7% year on year to $1.92 billion. Its non-GAAP profit of $0.63 per share was 5.8% above analysts’ consensus estimates.

Professional tools and equipment manufacturer Snap-on (NYSE:SNA) reported Q3 CY2025 results topping the market’s revenue expectations, with sales up 3.6% year on year to $1.29 billion. Its non-GAAP profit of $4.71 per share was 1.2% above analysts’ consensus estimates.

Global financial services company BNY NYSE:BK) announced better-than-expected revenue in Q3 CY2025, with sales up 9.1% year on year to $5.07 billion. Its non-GAAP profit of $1.91 per share was 8.1% above analysts’ consensus estimates.

Steel wire manufacturer Insteel (NYSE:IIIN) missed Wall Street’s revenue expectations in Q3 CY2025, but sales rose 32.1% year on year to $177.4 million. Its non-GAAP profit of $0.75 per share was 4.9% below analysts’ consensus estimates.

Workforce solutions provider ManpowerGroup (NYSE:MAN) beat Wall Street’s revenue expectations in Q3 CY2025, with sales up 2.3% year on year to $4.63 billion. Its GAAP profit of $0.38 per share was 53.3% below analysts’ consensus estimates.

Property and casualty insurer Travelers (NYSE:TRV) reported revenue ahead of Wall Street’s expectations in Q3 CY2025, with sales up 5.2% year on year to $12.47 billion. Its non-GAAP profit of $8.14 per share was 28.8% above analysts’ consensus estimates.

Regional banking company KeyCorp (NYSE:KEY) met Wall Street’s revenue expectations in Q3 CY2025, with sales up 176% year on year to $1.89 billion. Its non-GAAP profit of $0.41 per share was 7.6% above analysts’ consensus estimates.

Financial services giant U.S. Bancorp (NYSE:USB) reported Q3 CY2025 results exceeding the market’s revenue expectations, with sales up 6.8% year on year to $7.3 billion. Its non-GAAP profit of $1.22 per share was 9% above analysts’ consensus estimates.

A company that generates cash isn’t automatically a winner. Some businesses stockpile cash but fail to reinvest wisely, limiting their ability to expand.

When Wall Street turns bearish on a stock, it’s worth paying attention. These calls stand out because analysts rarely issue grim ratings on companies for fear their firms will lose out in other business lines such as M&A advisory.

Generating cash is essential for any business, but not all cash-rich companies are great investments. Some produce plenty of cash but fail to allocate it effectively, leading to missed opportunities.

Volatility cuts both ways - while it creates opportunities, it also increases risk, making sharp declines just as likely as big gains. This unpredictability can shake out even the most experienced investors.

The best-performing stocks typically have robust sales growth, increasing margins, and rising returns on capital, and those that can maintain this trifecta year in and year out often become the legends of the investing world.

Semiconductors are the silicon backbone of the digital revolution. Compute-intensive AI workloads are also priming them for the next wave of secular growth, so it’s no wonder the industry has outperformed the market over the past six months, delivering returns of 77.8% compared to 25.5% for the S&P 500.

Generating cash is essential for any business, but not all cash-rich companies are great investments. Some produce plenty of cash but fail to allocate it effectively, leading to missed opportunities.

Wall Street’s bearish price targets for the stocks in this article signal serious concerns. Such forecasts are uncommon in an industry where maintaining cordial corporate relationships often trumps delivering the hard truth.

A cash-heavy balance sheet is often a sign of strength, but not always. Some companies avoid debt because they have weak business models, limited expansion opportunities, or inconsistent cash flow.

Even if a company is profitable, it doesn’t always mean it’s a great investment. Some struggle to maintain growth, face looming threats, or fail to reinvest wisely, limiting their future potential.

The past year hasn't been kind to the stocks featured in this article. Each has tumbled to their lowest points in 12 months, leaving investors to decide whether they're witnessing fire sales or falling knives.

Generating cash is essential for any business, but not all cash-rich companies are great investments. Some produce plenty of cash but fail to allocate it effectively, leading to missed opportunities.

While profitability is essential, it doesn’t guarantee long-term success. Some companies that rest on their margins will lose ground as competition intensifies - as Jeff Bezos said, "Your margin is my opportunity".

Restaurants increase convenience and give many people a place to unwind. But it’s not all sunshine and rainbows as they’re notoriously hard to run thanks to perishable ingredients, labor shortages, or volatile consumer spending. These factors have weighed on the industry over the past six months as its 5% return has fallen short of the S&P 500’s 25.5% gain.

Generating cash is essential for any business, but not all cash-rich companies are great investments. Some produce plenty of cash but fail to allocate it effectively, leading to missed opportunities.

Healthcare companies are pushing the status quo by innovating in areas like drug development and digital health. Despite the rosy long-term prospects, short-term headwinds such as COVID inventory destocking have caused the industry to lag recently - over the past six months, the collective 13.6% gain for healthcare stocks has fallen short of the S&P 500’s 25.5% rise.

Business services providers thrive by solving complex operational challenges for their clients, allowing them to focus on their secret sauce. These firms have helped their customers unlock huge efficiencies, so it’s no surprise the industry has posted a 30.2% gain over the past six months, beating the S&P 500 by 4.7 percentage points.