Recent Articles from StockStory

Packaged foods company Conagra Brands (NYSE:CAG) will be announcing earnings results this Thursday before market open. Here’s what investors should know.

Non-lethal weapons company Byrna (NASDAQ:BYRN) will be reporting results this Thursday before the bell. Here’s what to look for.

Household products company WD-40 (NASDAQ:WDFC) will be announcing earnings results this Thursday after market close. Here’s what you need to know.

Global airline Delta Air Lines (NYSE:DAL) will be announcing earnings results this Thursday before market open. Here’s what to expect.

Denim clothing company Levi's (NYSE:LEVI) will be reporting results this Thursday after the bell. Here’s what investors should know.

Packaged food company Simply Good Foods (NASDAQ:SMPL) will be reporting results this Thursday before the bell. Here’s what investors should know.

Sushi restaurant chain Kura Sushi (NASDAQ:KRUS) announced better-than-expected revenue in Q2 CY2025, with sales up 17.3% year on year to $73.97 million. The company’s full-year revenue guidance of $281 million at the midpoint came in 0.9% above analysts’ estimates. Its non-GAAP profit of $0.05 per share was significantly above analysts’ consensus estimates.

Shares of regional banking company Cadence Bank (NYSE:CADE) jumped 3.6% in the afternoon session after Piper Sandler analysts upgraded the stock to "Overweight" from "Neutral." 

Shares of defense, intelligence, and IT solutions provider CACI International (NYSE:CACI) fell 3% in the afternoon session after an analyst at Raymond James downgraded the stock to "Market Perform" from "Outperform." The downgrade from a prominent Wall Street firm suggests a more neutral outlook on the government IT contractor's future performance. According to the analyst, CACI's strong focus on national security, which accounts for about 94% of its sales, coupled with solid execution, has driven the stock's price up to the firm's previous target. The downgrade reflects the view that after a significant run-up in share price, the stock is "due for a pause." Since Raymond James' last upgrade in January, CACI shares have surged approximately 25%, substantially outpacing the S&P 500's 6% gain over the same period. This change in rating indicates that while the company's fundamentals remain strong, its valuation may now fully reflect its near-term prospects.

Shares of computer processor maker Intel (NASDAQ:INTC) jumped 7.4% in the afternoon session after investor optimism picked up regarding its aggressive corporate restructuring plans and a price target hike from a Wall Street bank. 

Shares of residential solar energy company Sunrun (NASDAQ:RUN) fell 10.6% in the afternoon session after reports revealed the Trump administration directed federal agencies to strengthen provisions to repeal or modify tax credits for solar and wind energy projects and made negative comments about the renewable energy sources. The move sent a chill through the renewable energy sector, with solar stocks bearing the brunt of the sell-off. The directive to review and potentially eliminate crucial tax incentives that have supported the industry's growth, creates significant uncertainty for companies like Sunrun, which rely on these credits to make residential solar installations more affordable for customers. The market reacted swiftly to the perceived threat to the solar industry's business model.

Shares of health insurance company Alignment Healthcare (NASDAQ:ALHC) jumped 3.2% in the afternoon session after the company announced a significant legal victory against the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), which boosted its Arizona HMO plan's 2025 star rating. The federal court ruling, announced today, increases the plan's rating from 3.5 to 4 stars. This is a crucial development for the Medicare Advantage provider, as plans rated 4 stars or higher qualify for bonus payments from CMS. As a result of the decision, 100% of Alignment's members are now enrolled in plans with a 4-star rating or higher. The company stated it will reinvest the bonus payments to enhance member benefits and services. This legal win not only has positive financial implications but also validates the quality of care the company provides, potentially attracting more members and increasing its market share in the competitive Medicare Advantage space.

Shares of solar panel manufacturer First Solar (NASDAQ:FSLR) fell 5.5% in the afternoon session after continued weakness in the clean energy sector driven by concerns over new tariffs and changes to government subsidies. The slide in clean energy stocks, including First Solar, comes as investors weigh the impact of President Trump's announcement of new tariffs of 25%–40% on 14 countries. Although the start date was moved to August 1, the policy creates uncertainty for solar panel importers. Adding to investor concerns, a new domestic policy bill is expected to end key subsidies for the clean energy sector. This combination of potentially higher costs from tariffs and the removal of government financial support is pressuring the outlook for solar companies.

Shares of PCB manufacturing company TTM Technologies (NASDAQ:TTMI) jumped 3% in the afternoon session after the company announced the release of a new radiation-hardened switching regulator and received a price target increase from Truist Financial. TTM Technologies, a manufacturer of printed circuit boards and radio frequency components, today announced the launch of its MSK5065RH module. 

Shares of solar power systems company SolarEdge (NASDAQ:SEDG) fell 6.2% in the afternoon session after markets reacted to news that a new domestic policy bill will end key subsidies for the clean energy sector and could raise costs for solar imports from Asia. The potential end to key subsidies and the threat of increased tariffs on solar components imported from Asia are casting a shadow over the company's future profitability. This development adds to the headwinds faced by the solar industry, which has been grappling with volatile market conditions and high inventory levels at distributors.

Shares of insurance and annuity provider Brighthouse Financial (NASDAQ:BHF) jumped 3.8% in the afternoon session after investors reacted to an analyst rating from Barclays, which reiterated its "overweight" rating on the stock. While Barclays lowered its price target on the life insurance and annuity provider to $70 from $76, the firm maintained its positive "overweight" rating. 

Shares of home energy technology company Enphase (NASDAQ:ENPH) fell 5.3% in the afternoon session after TD Cowen downgraded the stock amid broader concerns about the future of solar tax credits. TD Cowen lowered its rating on Enphase Energy to 'Hold' from 'Buy' and slashed its price target to $45 from $58. The firm expressed concern over the potential elimination of the 25D tax credit for residential solar at the end of 2025, which it believes will hurt demand. Analysts noted that Enphase has significant exposure to the customer-owned segment of the solar market, which would be most affected. 

Shares of cloud monitoring software company Datadog (NASDAQ:DDOG) fell 4.2% in the afternoon session after Guggenheim downgraded the stock to Sell from Neutral, citing risks related to its largest customer, OpenAI. 

Shares of financial services giant Bank of America (NYSE:BAC) fell 3% in the afternoon session after analyst at HSBC downgraded the stock to "hold" from "buy.". The downgrade was primarily driven by valuation concerns, according to the HSBC analyst. This move comes amid broader market unease, as investors grapple with the potential economic impact of new tariffs on U.S. trade partners announced by President Trump. These tariffs, set to take effect on August 1, are creating uncertainty and weighing on the outlook for the banking sector.

Shares of global financial services giant JPMorgan Chase (NYSE:JPM) fell 3.5% in the afternoon session after a downgrade by analysts at HSBC to "Reduce" from "Hold.". The investment firm cited valuation concerns as the primary driver for the downgrade, even as it raised its price target on the stock to $259 from $237. 

Shares of regional banking company Bank OZK (NASDAQ:OZK) jumped 4.1% in the afternoon session after Wall Street firm Raymond James upgraded the stock. 

Shares of medical device company Merit Medical Systems (NASDAQ:MMSI) jumped 4.6% in the afternoon session after Needham reiterated its "Buy" rating and a $108 price target on the stock. 

Shares of title insurance provider First American Financial (NYSE:FAF) fell 3.9% in the afternoon session after Barclays analyst Terry Ma lowered the firm's price target on the stock. The new price target for the title insurance and settlement services provider was set at $70.00, down from a previous target of $72.00, representing a 2.78% decrease. Despite the lowered price target, the analyst maintained an "Equal-Weight" rating on the shares.

Shares of electricity storage and software provider Fluence (NASDAQ:FLNC) jumped 6.4% in the afternoon session after it was selected by AMPYR Australia to construct a major battery energy storage project. 

Shares of optical retailer National Vision (NYSE:EYE) jumped 3.8% in the afternoon session after Barclays upgraded the stock and significantly raised its price target. The investment bank upgraded its rating on the optical retailer to "Overweight" from "Equal-Weight" and boosted its price target to $30 from $17, an increase of over 76%. 

Check out the companies making headlines yesterday:

As the craze of earnings season draws to a close, here’s a look back at some of the most exciting (and some less so) results from Q1. Today, we are looking at electrical systems stocks, starting with Atkore (NYSE:ATKR).

As the craze of earnings season draws to a close, here’s a look back at some of the most exciting (and some less so) results from Q1. Today, we are looking at heavy transportation equipment stocks, starting with PACCAR (NASDAQ:PCAR).

Looking back on defense contractors stocks’ Q1 earnings, we examine this quarter’s best and worst performers, including AeroVironment (NASDAQ:AVAV) and its peers.

As the Q1 earnings season comes to a close, it’s time to take stock of this quarter’s best and worst performers in the maintenance and repair distributors industry, including Transcat (NASDAQ:TRNS) and its peers.

Greenbrier’s second quarter performance was well received by the market, as the company surpassed Wall Street’s revenue and profit expectations. Management credited effective operational execution and ongoing efficiency initiatives for the improved results. CEO Lorie Tekorius emphasized that “aggregate gross margin stands at an impressive 18%,” reflecting both cost reduction efforts and favorable production mix. The company also benefited from its European footprint rationalization and North American insourcing project, which are expected to provide ongoing annual savings. Additionally, recurring revenue from leasing and fleet management operations grew significantly, with fleet utilization remaining high. Management highlighted that “flexibility and responsiveness to uneven market conditions are a competitive advantage for Greenbrier.”

Pangaea Logistics Solutions’ first quarter results saw a negative reaction from the market, as revenue growth was accompanied by a significant decline in operating margin. Management pointed to the benefits of its long-term contracts of affreightment and the integration of the SSI handy fleet, which increased shipping days but also contributed to higher operating expenses. CEO Mark Filanowski acknowledged the impact of lower market rates and seasonal softness, noting that “our countercyclical positioning and integrated fleet strategy” helped offset some of the external pressures affecting the dry bulk sector.

Emerson’s first quarter results for 2025 were well received by the market, as the company delivered sales and adjusted profits above Wall Street’s expectations. Management attributed the performance to strong demand in its process and hybrid businesses and early recovery signs in discrete markets, particularly in test and measurement. CEO Lal Karsanbhai noted that underlying orders growth exceeded expectations across all regions, including China, and highlighted improvements in gross margin and operational efficiency. Profitability gains were further supported by successful cost control measures and synergy realization from recent integrations, especially in the software and control segment.

Owens Corning’s first quarter results exceeded Wall Street’s revenue and non-GAAP profit expectations, but the market responded negatively due to margin compression and operational headwinds. Management attributed the quarter’s outcome to the integration of the Doors business, steady demand in Roofing, and mixed performance in Insulation, with CEO Brian Chambers noting the impact of elevated manufacturing costs and ongoing investments in capacity. Chambers described current end-market conditions as “dynamic,” highlighting persistent challenges in residential construction and repair and remodel markets, despite bright spots in non-discretionary repair activity.

Cintas delivered Q1 results that met Wall Street’s revenue expectations and exceeded consensus profit estimates, prompting a significant positive response from the market. Management attributed the quarter’s performance to broad-based growth across its core Uniform Rental, First Aid and Safety, and Fire Protection segments. CEO Todd Schneider highlighted the company’s focus on operational efficiency, particularly through technology investments like SAP and SmartTruck, which enabled higher gross margins and improved service delivery. Schneider emphasized that Cintas’s ability to leverage its scale and streamline processes allowed the company to maintain strong customer retention and stable purchasing behaviors, even amid a more uncertain macroeconomic environment.

Barrett Business Services reported a first quarter that outperformed Wall Street’s expectations, driven by robust new client additions, strong traction for its benefits product, and expanded geographic presence. CEO Gary Kramer credited the results to "new client sales coupled with our upselling of new products plus great client retention." Management also noted record growth in worksite employees and highlighted that client retention continued to trend above historical levels. Despite these positives, the company’s staffing operations and client hiring rates were somewhat weaker in March, reflecting uneven macroeconomic conditions across regions.

Genco’s first quarter results for 2025 reflected the sharp impact of weaker dry bulk shipping conditions, with management attributing the year-over-year revenue decline to seasonal softness and reduced seaborne cargo volumes. CEO John Wobensmith highlighted that “freight rate environment experienced typical seasonal factors,” and noted that severe weather conditions in key export regions led to lower cargo availability. Despite these headwinds, Genco maintained its quarterly dividend, demonstrating its commitment to shareholder returns even through market cycles.

Universal Technical Institute delivered results in the first quarter that surpassed Wall Street’s expectations, leading to a significant positive market reaction. Management attributed the outperformance to robust demand for skilled trades and healthcare programs, sustained marketing investments, and successful program expansions across both the Concorde and UTI divisions. CEO Jerome Grant explained, “Our campus network and program offerings are increasingly aligned with employer demand, and our investments in Concorde’s marketing and admissions continue to drive very strong conversion rates.” The quarter also benefited from operational discipline and favorable macroeconomic trends supporting vocational education.

Tutor Perini’s first quarter results for 2025 were met with a positive market reaction, as the company reported broad-based growth in revenue and profitability. Management attributed the strong performance to increased execution on newer, higher-margin projects, especially in the Civil segment, as well as disciplined project selection and operational improvements. CEO Gary Smalley highlighted, “Our business is performing well and I’m pleased to report that it was a clean first quarter with solid project execution and no material project adjustments even for dispute resolutions.”

Lincoln Financial Group’s first quarter results prompted a modestly negative market reaction, as investors weighed solid adjusted earnings against a notable miss on operating income versus Wall Street expectations. Management pointed to steady progress in diversifying the business mix, particularly with margin expansion in Group Protection and strong annuity sales, but acknowledged ongoing market volatility and the impact of lower alternative investment returns. CEO Ellen Cooper described the quarter as “another solid quarter” and emphasized the company’s focus on operational efficiency and capital strength in light of continued macroeconomic uncertainty.

Align Technology’s first quarter results were met positively by the market, reflecting a complex balance of strengths and ongoing challenges. Management pointed to a rebound in Clear Aligner volumes—particularly among both teens and adults across all regions—as a key driver, with CEO Joe Hogan noting, “Q1 was the highest year-over-year growth rate for both adult and teen patients since 2021.” The company also benefited from strong momentum in Asia Pacific and EMEA, as well as continued adoption of the iTero Lumina scanner platform. However, headwinds such as unfavorable foreign exchange rates and a shift toward lower-priced products weighed on revenues and margins, factors that management acknowledged in their remarks.

IMAX’s first quarter of 2025 saw revenue and adjusted profit surpass Wall Street expectations, yet the market responded negatively. Management credited the strong results to robust global box office performance, especially in China, and a record number of new system signings and the second-best first quarter ever for system installations. CEO Richard Gelfond pointed to the success of local language films and an expanded mix of content, noting, “Chinese New Year exceeded our wildest expectations with $182 million in IMAX box office, triple our previous record.”

The RealReal’s first quarter results were met with a sharp negative market reaction, as investors weighed growth in active buyers and improved operating margins against softer sentiment for the company’s full-year outlook. Management credited the quarter’s 11% revenue increase to a robust acquisition of new consignors, with CEO Rati Levesque highlighting the success of initiatives like the Get Paid Now program and enhanced retail operations. CFO Ajay Gopal pointed to “operational efficiencies in our fulfillment centers and customer support functions” as key drivers of margin expansion, while acknowledging that the majority of growth stemmed from a disciplined focus on high-value supply and technology-enabled process improvements.

JLL’s first quarter results surpassed Wall Street’s expectations, reflecting double-digit revenue growth across both resilient and transactional businesses. Management attributed the momentum to continued improvements in leasing activities and investment sales, particularly in office and debt advisory services. CEO Christian Ulbrich highlighted that “continued improvement of our leasing and investment sales debt and equity advisory businesses was a key driver of higher profit and margin.” The company also benefited from ongoing growth in its real estate management services, with new client wins and expanded mandates supporting performance. However, management acknowledged a more dynamic market backdrop emerging since quarter-end, with some clients delaying decisions due to increased macroeconomic and policy uncertainty.

Constellation Brands' second quarter saw revenue and profit come in below Wall Street expectations, yet the market responded positively. Management attributed the results to a combination of continued consumer caution, especially among Hispanic shoppers, and a highly competitive landscape in beer. CEO Bill Newlands emphasized that while consumer visits are down, spending per visit remains robust, and the company has seen shelf share gains and increased brand loyalty. The quarter also reflected higher marketing investment, with Newlands noting, “Modelo and Corona are the #1 and #2 share of voice within the Beer sector for marketing.”

Domo’s first quarter results were met with a significant positive market reaction, reflecting investor confidence in the company’s operational progress. Management attributed the quarter’s performance to the successful transition to a consumption-based pricing model, improved salesforce productivity, and strong momentum in ecosystem partnerships. CEO Josh James emphasized that recent operational changes have resulted in longer contract durations, accelerated remaining performance obligations, and increased customer retention. The leadership team also cited rapid adoption of AI-powered features and deeper customer engagement as key contributors to business stability and sales efficiency.

Wix’s first quarter results for 2025 were met with a sharply negative market reaction, despite management citing robust new user bookings and notable product innovation. CEO Avishai Abrahami credited the quarter’s performance to continued demand across key geographies, the successful rollout of new AI-powered tools, and a stronger-than-expected new user cohort. Management was cautious in tone, acknowledging macroeconomic uncertainty could impact the durability of recent growth.

8x8’s first quarter results aligned with Wall Street’s expectations, reflecting a period marked by modest year-over-year revenue decline and ongoing macroeconomic uncertainty. Management attributed the stability to operational discipline, continued platform innovation, and a sharpened focus on cross-selling to existing customers. CEO Samuel Wilson emphasized the company’s progress on foundational changes and noted, “The flywheel is starting to turn,” pointing to increased multi-product adoption and improved core revenue growth as key contributors.

United Rentals started the year with results that exceeded Wall Street’s expectations, as management credited strong demand from both industrial and construction markets and continued momentum in specialty rentals. CEO Matthew Flannery highlighted that "specialty rental revenue grew 22% year over year," driven by both new product offerings and expansion into additional markets. The company also set records in used equipment sales, which helped support overall revenue growth. However, management acknowledged that increased costs related to fleet repositioning and a shift in business mix contributed to a decline in operating margins compared to last year.

Ulta’s first quarter saw a positive market reaction, reflecting the company’s ability to outperform Wall Street’s revenue and profit expectations despite ongoing macroeconomic uncertainty. Management credited the quarter’s gains to improved in-store execution, a robust lineup of new and exclusive brand launches, and a refreshed marketing strategy. CEO Kecia Steelman emphasized that these efforts led to higher member growth, stronger in-store conversion rates, and increased guest engagement. The focus on operational improvements and targeted promotions allowed Ulta to gain market share while navigating heightened consumer caution and competitive pressures.

WEBTOON’s first quarter was met with a significant negative market reaction following results that fell short of Wall Street expectations. Management attributed flat year-over-year revenue to a tough comparison with last year, influenced by one-time events such as an extra day in February and a successful IP adaptation. CEO Junkoo Kim highlighted the continued strength in Japan, which now contributes over half of total revenue, and emphasized expanding the local creator ecosystem. Meanwhile, CFO David Lee pointed to higher administrative and marketing expenses as key factors behind the decline in profitability and outlined that a drop in rest-of-world monthly active users (MAUs) was mainly driven by Wattpad disruptions.

The New York Times delivered quarterly results that met Wall Street’s revenue expectations and surpassed consensus adjusted profit forecasts, with management attributing performance to robust digital subscription growth and healthy engagement across its product portfolio. CEO Meredith Kopit Levien highlighted the company’s ability to attract new subscribers through both news and lifestyle offerings, as well as the effectiveness of its multi-product bundle strategy. Notably, digital advertising revenue showed its strongest increase in three years, a development management linked to high audience engagement and ongoing expansion of advertising products. As CFO Will Bardeen noted, the company’s cost discipline and operational efficiency also played a key role in supporting margin expansion this quarter.

Snowflake’s first quarter results were marked by strong revenue and profitability, with management attributing the positive momentum to expanding adoption of its AI and data cloud platform across large enterprise customers. CEO Sridhar Ramaswamy emphasized the company’s focus on “driving product cohesion and extending value throughout the data life cycle.” He highlighted new customer wins, the rapid rollout of over 125 product capabilities, and continued momentum in data engineering and analytics as key factors supporting growth.

Marqeta’s first quarter results were met with a positive market reaction, reflecting strong execution in both revenue growth and profitability. Management highlighted customer migrations, such as Perpay and Bitpanda, and continued expansion in Europe as primary growth drivers. The company’s focus on platform breadth and the successful onboarding of new and migrated programs contributed to improved gross profit margins. Interim CEO and CFO Mike Milotich emphasized Marqeta’s ability to balance growth with operating efficiency, noting, “Our first quarter results demonstrate our ability to execute on our growth plan while simultaneously increasing our level of profitability.”

Companies with more cash than debt can be financially resilient, but that doesn’t mean they’re all strong investments. Some lack leverage because they struggle to grow or generate consistent profits, making them unattractive borrowers.

Stability is great, but low-volatility stocks may struggle to deliver market-beating returns over time as they sometimes underperform during bull markets.

Low-volatility stocks may offer stability, but that often comes at the cost of slower growth and the upside potential of more dynamic companies.

Stability is great, but low-volatility stocks may struggle to deliver market-beating returns over time as they sometimes underperform during bull markets.

In a world where many businesses have shaky balance sheets, some have ignored the crowd and exercised prudence. These cash-heavy companies shine bright for their financial discipline, resilience, and ability to generate solid returns.

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.

The low valuation multiples for value stocks provide a margin of safety that growth stocks rarely offer. However, the challenge lies in determining whether these cheap assets are genuinely undervalued or simply on sale due to their potentially deteriorating business models.

Large-cap stocks usually command their industries because they have the scale to drive market trends. The flip side though is that their sheer size can limit growth as expanding further becomes an increasingly challenging task.

A surplus of cash can mean financial stability, but it can also indicate a reluctance (or inability) to invest in growth. Some of these companies also face challenges like stagnating revenue, declining market share, or limited scalability.

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".

Low-volatility stocks may offer stability, but that often comes at the cost of slower growth and the upside potential of more dynamic companies.

Great things are happening to the stocks in this article. They’re all outperforming the market over the last month because of positive catalysts such as a new product line, constructive news flow, or even a loyal Reddit fanbase.

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.

Value investing has created more billionaires than any other strategy, like Warren Buffett, who built his fortune by purchasing wonderful businesses at reasonable prices. But these hidden gems are few and far between - many stocks that appear cheap often stay that way because they face structural issues.

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.

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".

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.

Companies that burn cash at a rapid pace can run into serious trouble if they fail to secure funding. Without a clear path to profitability, these businesses risk dilution, mounting debt, or even bankruptcy.

Large-cap stocks have the power to shape entire industries thanks to their size and widespread influence. With such vast footprints, however, finding new areas for growth is much harder than for smaller, more agile players.

A highly volatile stock can deliver big gains - or just as easily wipe out a portfolio if things go south. While some investors embrace risk, mistakes can be costly for those who aren’t prepared.

Low-volatility stocks may offer stability, but that often comes at the cost of slower growth and the upside potential of more dynamic companies.