Shares of financial services firm Raymond James Financial (NYSE:RJF) fell 3.3% in the afternoon session after the broader market slipped following the release of a jobs report that raised concerns about the health of the U.S. economy. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported that employers added only 22,000 jobs in the last month, significantly missing the 75,000 that economists had anticipated. Additionally, the unemployment rate increased to 4.3%, its highest level since 2021. While the weaker-than-expected data strengthens the case for the Federal Reserve to cut interest rates, it also fueled investor fears of an economic slowdown. The negative sentiment impacted the wider market, with the S&P 500 and Dow Jones Industrial Average also trading down during the session, indicating a broad-based sell-off rather than company-specific news.
Join us in exploring the top gainers and losers within the S&P500 index in the middle of the day on Friday as we examine the latest happenings in today's session.
Each stock in this article is trading near its 52-week high.
These elevated prices usually indicate some degree of investor confidence, business improvements, or favorable market conditions.
Shares of life sciences company Revvity (NYSE:RVTY)
fell 5.1% in the afternoon session after several analyst firms lowered their price targets on the stock, pushing shares to a 52-week low. The negative sentiment comes despite a recent second-quarter earnings report where Revvity surpassed analyst expectations for both revenue and earnings per share. However, firms including Stifel, Raymond James, and Jefferies cut their price targets. Analysts cited ongoing challenges in China, including pressures from the ImmunoDx market, reimbursement difficulties, and the impact of drug-related group policies on the company's financial outlook. The stock's fall to a new 52-week low of $85.01 reflects investor concerns that these specific market headwinds are outweighing the recent positive earnings results.
Shares of global airline American Airlines (NASDAQ:AAL) jumped 0.4% in the afternoon session after the company announced it had reached a major fleet milestone and rolled out a new AI system to improve efficiency.
Shares of data storage solutions provider Pure Storage (NYSE:PSTG) fell 1.4% in the afternoon session after the stock was caught in a broader tech-sector swoon as rising bond yields pressured Wall Street.
Shares of data storage solutions provider Pure Storage (NYSE:PSTG) fell 3% in the morning session after the stock pulled back following a massive rally in the previous session.
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.
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.
Let’s dig into the relative performance of BGC (NASDAQ:BGC) and its peers as we unravel the now-completed Q1 investment banking & brokerage earnings season.
Shares of global airline American Airlines (NASDAQ:AAL) fell 3.5% in the morning session after the investment firm Raymond James downgraded the stock to 'Market Perform' from 'Outperform', citing valuation concerns.
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.
As the Q1 earnings season wraps, let’s dig into this quarter’s best and worst performers in the investment banking & brokerage industry, including BGC (NASDAQ:BGC) and its peers.
A number of stocks jumped in the afternoon session after the major indices rebounded, as Fed Chair Jerome Powell delivered dovish remarks at the much-awaited Jackson Hole symposium. Powell suggested that with inflation risks moderating and unemployment remaining low, the Federal Reserve might consider a shift in its monetary policy stance, including potential interest rate cuts. This outlook eased market concerns about prolonged high interest rates and their impact on economic growth. The prospect of lower borrowing costs bolstered investor confidence, particularly in sectors that have lagged, leading to a broad rally across the market.
A number of stocks fell in the afternoon session after markets continued to decline, as investors grew cautious ahead of a key speech by Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell. The move came as U.S. equity markets recorded a fifth consecutive day of losses for major indexes like the S&P 500, with technology stocks experiencing the largest declines. Investors have grown wary that the sharp rally in the tech sector since April may have advanced too far. The market-wide caution is largely driven by the upcoming Jackson Hole symposium, a meeting of central bankers, where traders are anxiously awaiting Fed Chair Powell's speech on Friday for guidance on the future path of interest rates.
Shares of fast-food chain Wingstop (NASDAQ:WING)
jumped 3.4% in the morning session after the company was upgraded to 'Strong Buy' by Raymond James. Raymond James raised its rating from "Outperform," citing the company's "Smart Kitchen" system as a potential "game changer," while maintaining its $420 price target.
A number of stocks jumped in the afternoon session after markets continued to rally as the latest inflation data reinforced expectations for a Federal Reserve rate cut as soon as September. The latest Consumer Price Index (CPI) report for July showed inflation holding steady, reinforcing market expectations that the Federal Reserve could begin cutting interest rates as soon as September. Lower interest rates generally stimulate the economy by making borrowing cheaper for consumers and businesses. This can lead to increased consumer spending and e-commerce activity, which directly benefits online retail and marketplace companies. The positive economic outlook fueled a broad-based rally, pushing the S&P 500 and Nasdaq to new record highs and lifting most growth-oriented technology stocks.
Shares of outdoor lifestyle products brand (NYSE:YETI)
jumped 4.9% in the afternoon session after several analysts raised their price targets on the stock, bolstered by favorable economic data. The bullish sentiment from Wall Street follows several price target increases. Morgan Stanley lifted its target to $37.00 from $34.00, citing a potential 16.86% upside. Similarly, Raymond James raised its target to $37.00 and reiterated an "outperform" rating. Adding to the optimism was a positive macro signal, as the latest Consumer Price Index (CPI) report showed inflation holding steady. This has increased investor hopes for a potential Federal Reserve interest rate cut, which would benefit consumer discretionary companies like YETI by potentially boosting consumer spending.
Shares of online home goods retailer Wayfair (NYSE:W)
jumped 5.9% in the afternoon session after its stock hit a 52-week high as it continued to rally on strong second-quarter results and positive analyst sentiment. The stock reached a 52-week high of $78.06, with its price crossing above the average analyst 12-month target. This climb reflects sustained investor confidence following the company's impressive second-quarter 2025 results released in early August. Wayfair reported a return to profitability with a net income of $15 million, a significant turnaround from a loss in the prior year. Revenue grew 5% year-over-year to $3.3 billion, and adjusted earnings per share of $0.87 massively beat analyst expectations. The strong performance prompted a wave of positive analyst actions, with firms like Raymond James and Truist Securities raising their price targets, signaling to the market that the company's growth strategies and operational cost management are paying off.
Shares of diagnostic imaging company RadNet (NASDAQ:RDNT)
jumped 4.7% in the morning session after an analyst at Raymond James raised their price target on the shares, citing the company's recent better-than-expected second-quarter financial results. The analyst boosted the price target to $75 from $66, maintaining a "Strong Buy" rating. The move follows RadNet's strong Q2 report, where the medical imaging company posted record revenue of $498.2 million and adjusted earnings per share of $0.31, significantly surpassing Wall Street's expectations. Growth was driven by increased volumes in key procedures, including a 16.2% rise in PET/CT scans. Citing the strong performance, management raised its full-year guidance for adjusted EBITDA. Adding to the positive outlook, RadNet also announced an expected $4-5 million tailwind from 2026 Medicare pricing, a reversal from a previously anticipated headwind.
