Recent Articles from StockStory

Financial services giant PNC (NYSE:PNC) beat Wall Street’s revenue expectations in Q2 CY2025, with sales up 6.7% year on year to $5.66 billion. Its GAAP profit of $3.85 per share was 8.5% above analysts’ consensus estimates.

Levi's delivered a Q2 that surpassed Wall Street’s expectations, with management pointing to broad-based growth across both direct-to-consumer and wholesale channels as key drivers. CEO Michelle Gass highlighted the company’s transition to a DTC-first model, noting that owned channels now represent over half of sales. Key growth areas included women’s apparel and lifestyle categories beyond traditional denim, which benefited from disciplined assortment rationalization and increased full-price sell-through. Gass remarked that, “the brand has just never been stronger,” with collaborations and cultural marketing partnerships—like the Beyoncé campaign and NIKE collaboration—fuelling consumer engagement.

Regional banking company First Horizon (NYSE:FHN) met Wall Street’s revenue expectations in Q2 CY2025, with sales up 1.8% year on year to $830 million. Its non-GAAP profit of $0.45 per share was 8.2% above analysts’ consensus estimates.

Regional banking company M&T Bank (NYSE:MTB) reported Q2 CY2025 results exceeding the market’s revenue expectations, with sales up 4.1% year on year to $2.40 billion. Its GAAP profit of $4.24 per share was 6.3% above analysts’ consensus estimates.

Byrna’s second quarter showed strong year-on-year revenue growth, driven primarily by the launch of its Compact Launcher and expansion into new retail channels. However, the market reacted negatively, reflecting concerns over consumer demand trends and mixed channel performance, despite management’s emphasis on higher in-store sales and successful partnerships with chains like Sportsman’s Warehouse. CEO Bryan Ganz acknowledged that while sales momentum was robust in May, underlying softness was apparent in consumer behavior, with higher abandoned online carts and signs of price sensitivity. Ganz also noted, “We are seeing a slightly higher level of abandoned carts. There’s a little bit of sticker shock when people are seeing pricing.”

Simply Good Foods delivered results in line with Wall Street’s expectations for the second quarter, driven by continued double-digit growth in its Quest and Owen brands, which now comprise roughly 70% of the company’s portfolio. CEO Geoff Tanner credited category momentum in high-protein, low-sugar snacks as a key driver, noting, “Quest approaches $1 billion in net sales and continues to see a long runway of opportunity.” However, ongoing declines in the Atkins brand, primarily due to distribution losses and reduced merchandising, weighed on overall performance. Management acknowledged margin pressure from inflation in inputs like cocoa and whey, partially offset by productivity and selective pricing actions.

Delta’s second quarter results were well received by the market, with management attributing the performance to resilient demand in premium cabins, effective capacity management, and robust non-ticket revenue streams. CEO Ed Bastian cited the airline’s ability to “generate strong earnings and free cash flow” in a stabilized demand environment, underscoring the importance of premium offerings and loyalty partnerships. President Glen Hauenstein highlighted continued growth in premium revenue and loyalty engagement, with American Express co-brand card spending up double digits. Supply adjustments, especially reductions in main cabin and off-peak flights, helped offset pockets of demand softness, while operational reliability remained a focus despite weather challenges.

Conagra's second quarter faced notable headwinds, drawing a negative market response as both revenue and adjusted earnings per share came in below Wall Street expectations. Management attributed the underperformance to persistent inflationary pressures, particularly in animal protein inputs and packaging, as well as lingering supply chain constraints that impacted production in core categories like frozen foods and snacks. CEO Sean Connolly acknowledged, “the confluence of high inflation and higher investment to drive volume translates to temporary margin compression,” highlighting the deliberate trade-off between supporting brand strength and short-term profitability.

Rock-bottom prices don't always mean rock-bottom businesses. The stocks we're examining today have all touched their 52-week lows, creating a classic investor's dilemma: bargain opportunity or value trap?

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.

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".

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.

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

Industrials businesses quietly power the physical things we depend on, from cars and homes to e-commerce infrastructure. Still, their generally high capital requirements expose them to the ups and downs of economic cycles, and the market seems confused about where we could go next. This uncertainty has led to a flat return for the industry over the past six months while the S&P 500 was up 4.5%.

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

Whether you see them or not, industrials businesses play a crucial part in our daily activities. Still, their generally high capital requirements expose them to the ups and downs of economic cycles, and the market seems confused about where we could go next. This uncertainty has led to a flat return for the industry over the past six months while the S&P 500 was up 4.5%.

A quality compounder is a business that not only sports durable competitive advantages but also builds on its success by consistently reinvesting its profits at high returns.

While strong cash flow is a key indicator of stability, it doesn’t always translate to superior returns. Some cash-heavy businesses struggle with inefficient spending, slowing demand, or weak competitive positioning.

Hitting a new 52-week low can be a pivotal moment for any stock. These floors often mark either the beginning of a turnaround story or confirmation that a company faces serious headwinds.

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.

The stocks in this article are all trading near their 52-week highs. This strength often reflects positive developments such as new product launches, favorable industry trends, or improved financial performance.

Industrial conglomerate 3M (NYSE:MMM) will be announcing earnings results this Friday morning. Here’s what investors should know.

Regional banking company Regions Financial (NYSE:RF) will be announcing earnings results this Friday morning. Here’s what to expect.

Financial services company Comerica (NYSE:CMA) will be reporting results this Friday morning. Here’s what you need to know.

Shares of gaming products and services provider Light & Wonder (NASDAQ:LNW) jumped 3.2% in the morning session after an analyst at Truist Securities raised the firm's price target on the stock. The analyst, Barry Jonas, increased the price target to $130 from $110 while maintaining a "Buy" rating on the shares. This represents a significant boost of over 18% from the prior target and signals strong confidence in the gaming company's future performance. This upgraded price target reflects a more optimistic outlook on the company's growth trajectory.

Shares of beauty and waxing service franchise European Wax Center (NASDAQ:EWCZ) fell 3% in the afternoon session after the company announced a shake-up in its executive leadership team, appointing a new Chief Operating Officer and Chief Development Officer. European Wax Center named Angela Jaskolski as its new COO and Kurt Smith as Chief Development Officer. Jaskolski previously served as Chief Store Officer at hair care brand Madison Reed, while Smith comes from Yum! Brands, where he was a Vice President and General Manager for Pizza Hut. The appointments are part of a broader strategy to enhance operations and drive growth. The stock's decline may reflect investor reaction to the management changes during what the company has called a "transitional year." European Wax Center is facing a challenging consumer environment for discretionary spending and plans to close between 40 and 60 centers in 2025. The leadership overhaul introduces new variables as the company works to stabilize its franchisee network and return to net unit growth.

Shares of automotive manufacturer Ford (NYSE:F) fell 3.2% in the afternoon session after the company disclosed a costly vehicle recall. The company announced it is recalling nearly 700,000 of its Bronco Sport, Escape, and Kuga SUVs due to faulty fuel injectors that could crack and leak fuel, creating a potential fire risk. Ford estimates the cost of this "field service action" will be approximately $570 million, a charge that will be reflected in its upcoming second-quarter results. This action expands on previous recalls for the same issue after fires were reported in vehicles that had already received an earlier software-based fix. The news adds to growing concerns over the company's quality control, as Ford has issued significantly more recalls than any other U.S. automaker in the first half of 2025. These repeated safety issues and their associated costs are weighing on investor sentiment, raising questions about the impact on future profitability and brand reputation.

Regional banking company Home Bancshares (NYSE:HOMB) reported Q2 CY2025 results beating Wall Street’s revenue expectations, with sales up 6.1% year on year to $271 million. Its non-GAAP profit of $0.58 per share was 2.2% above analysts’ consensus estimates.

Regional banking company Synovus Financial (NYSE:SNV) reported Q2 CY2025 results topping the market’s revenue expectations, with sales up 93.9% year on year to $593.7 million. Its non-GAAP profit of $1.48 per share was 17.9% above analysts’ consensus estimates.

Financial services company Triumph Financial (NASDAQ:TFIN) announced better-than-expected revenue in Q2 CY2025, with sales up 2.8% year on year to $108.1 million. Its GAAP profit of $0.15 per share was significantly above analysts’ consensus estimates.

Regional banking company Banner Corporation (NASDAQ:BANR) fell short of the market’s revenue expectations in Q2 CY2025, but sales rose 8.3% year on year to $162.2 million. Its GAAP profit of $1.31 per share was 0.8% below analysts’ consensus estimates.

Aviation and defense services provider AAR CORP (NYSE:AIR) beat Wall Street’s revenue expectations in Q2 CY2025, with sales up 14.9% year on year to $754.5 million. Its non-GAAP profit of $1.16 per share was 16.2% above analysts’ consensus estimates.

Luxury casino and resort operator Monarch (NASDAQ:MCRI) reported Q2 CY2025 results beating Wall Street’s revenue expectations, with sales up 6.8% year on year to $136.9 million. Its GAAP profit of $1.44 per share was 21.1% above analysts’ consensus estimates.

Airline company United Airlines Holdings (NASDAQ:UAL) fell short of the market’s revenue expectations in Q2 CY2025 as sales only rose 1.7% year on year to $15.24 billion. Its non-GAAP profit of $3.87 per share was 1.5% above analysts’ consensus estimates.

A number of stocks fell in the morning session after a cautious outlook from semiconductor equipment giant ASML sparked a broad sell-off across the sector, hitting chipmakers and equipment suppliers alike. 

A number of stocks fell in the morning session after a cautious outlook from semiconductor equipment giant ASML sparked a broad sell-off across the sector, hitting chipmakers and equipment suppliers alike. 

Shares of semiconductor materials supplier Entegris (NASDAQ:ENTG) fell 3.5% in the morning session after a cautious outlook from semiconductor equipment giant ASML sparked a broad sell-off across the sector, hitting chipmakers and equipment suppliers alike. 

Shares of blockchain infrastructure company Coinbase (NASDAQ:COIN) jumped 3.1% in the afternoon session after momentum improved in the crypto space with strong uptrend in Bitcoin and Ethereum. 

Shares of quantum computing company IonQ (NYSE:IONQ) jumped 4.7% in the morning session after a competitor's technical breakthrough lifted sentiment across the quantum computing sector. 

Shares of building services and installation company TopBuild (NYSE:BLD) jumped 4.9% in the pre-market session after the company announced it has successfully completed its acquisition of Progressive Roofing, a commercial roofing company, in an all-cash deal valued at $810 million. 

Shares of aerospace and defense company Mercury Systems (NASDAQ:MRCY) jumped 3.6% in the afternoon session after the company announced it signed two agreements with a major European defense prime contractor to expand and accelerate the production of critical technology for radar and electronic warfare missions. 

Shares of building materials manufacturer UFP Industries (NASDAQ:UFPI) jumped 3.6% in the morning session after its UFP Packaging division unveiled the U-Loc 200, a new and innovative crate system that can be assembled and disassembled without tools. 

Shares of private label food company TreeHouse Foods (NYSE:THS) jumped 3.1% in the morning session after the stock rebounded from a 52-week low set in the previous session. 

Shares of data backup provider Commvault (NASDAQ:CVLT) jumped 3.2% in the morning session after Guggenheim upgraded the firm's stock to "Buy" from "Neutral". The investment firm also set a price target of $210, the highest on Wall Street, suggesting a significant potential upside from its previous closing price. Guggenheim analyst Howard Ma cited positive channel checks and strong underlying demand for data protection as key reasons for the bullish turn. The analyst noted that Commvault's software-as-a-service (SaaS) offering is gaining traction and is a preferred choice for complex, hybrid enterprise IT environments. Guggenheim anticipates that Commvault will outperform on key financial metrics at the start of its fiscal year 2026, forecasting both revenue growth and free cash flow margins to exceed 20%. This positive sentiment was echoed by the majority of analysts covering the stock, with a consensus "Moderate Buy" rating.

Shares of global advertising giant Omnicom Group (NYSE:OMC) jumped 4% in the afternoon session after the company reported second-quarter earnings and revenue that surpassed analyst expectations. 

Shares of gaming metaverse operator Roblox (NYSE:RBLX) jumped 5.9% in the afternoon session after an analyst upgrade from JPMorgan, which raised its price target on the stock. 

Shares of language-learning app Duolingo (NASDAQ:DUOL) fell 4.2% in the afternoon session after the stock continued its downtrend as investors weighed concerns over slowing user growth and the sustainability of its marketing-driven expansion. The language-learning app's stock has been under pressure with no specific company news released today. The negative sentiment appears to be a carryover from recent analyst commentary and bearish articles. Earlier in the month, on July 8, Morgan Stanley lowered its price target on the stock, citing a slowdown in U.S. daily active user growth following the company's "AI-First" initiative.

Shares of financial services company Robinhood (NASDAQ:HOOD) jumped 4.3% in the afternoon session after an analyst at Piper Sandler significantly raised their price target on the stock. The investment firm boosted its price target on the online brokerage to $110 from $70, while maintaining an "overweight" rating on the shares. This move signals strong confidence from the analyst in the company's future performance. 

Shares of casino resort and entertainment company Red Rock Resorts (NASDAQ:RRR) jumped 3.3% in the morning session after Truist Securities upgraded the casino operator's stock to "Buy" from "Hold" and significantly raised its price target. 

Shares of rail transportation company Greenbrier (NYSE:GBX) fell 3.1% in the morning session after a series of filings revealed significant stock sales by company insiders and an institutional investor. Recent regulatory filings disclosed that Tectonic Advisors LLC reduced its holdings in the railcar manufacturer by 16.2% during the first quarter. 

Shares of outdoor lifestyle products brand (NYSE:YETI) jumped 3% in the morning session after a regulatory filing revealed a significant new investment in the company. Investment firm Stephens Inc. AR disclosed it had acquired a new position in the outdoor products company, purchasing 73,200 shares valued at approximately $2.42 million during the first quarter. This move, indicating fresh institutional confidence in the brand, often attracts other investors and can signal a positive outlook on the stock's future performance. The news comes as part of a trend of new institutional interest, with other firms like Edgestream Partners L.P. also recently reporting new stakes in YETI.

Shares of cloud communications infrastructure company Twilio (NYSE:TWLO) fell 4.3% in the morning session after the stock took a breather following a significant rally in the previous trading session. 

Shares of global wind blade manufacturer TPI Composites (NASDAQ:TPIC) jumped 3.3% in the morning session after the stock experienced a technical rebound following a period of significant selling pressure spurred by recent analyst downgrades. 

Shares of electrical energy control systems manufacturer Powell (NYSE:POWL) jumped 4% in the morning session after the company announced a definitive agreement to acquire Remsdaq Ltd., a UK-based manufacturer of automation and control solutions for the electrical industry. The deal, valued at £12.2 million, or approximately $16.3 million, was announced after the market closed on Tuesday. The transaction is expected to be finalized in the fourth quarter of Powell's fiscal 2025. Remsdaq specializes in producing Remote Terminal Units (RTUs), which are crucial for control and automation in electrical substations for power generation, transmission, and distribution. This acquisition is a key strategic move for Powell, aimed at enhancing its automation platform. The company plans to integrate its technology with Remsdaq's Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) RTUs. This will better position Powell to meet the increasing demand for sophisticated automation solutions and predictive analytics within the utility sector and the broader electrical industry.

Shares of carbonate fuel cell technology developer FuelCell Energy (NASDAQ:FCEL) fell 3% in the morning session after automotive manufacturer Stellantis announced it was discontinuing its hydrogen fuel cell technology development program. 

Shares of bearings manufacturer RBC Bearings (NYSE:RBC) jumped 3% in the morning session after Deutsche Bank initiated coverage with a "Buy" rating and a $480 price target. The new price target from the influential Wall Street firm suggests a significant potential upside of nearly 28% from the stock's current levels. This bullish initiation reflects confidence in the precision components manufacturer, which serves the industrial, defense, and aerospace sectors. The positive sentiment from Deutsche Bank adds to other recent optimistic analyst ratings. KeyBanc and Truist Financial have also recently raised their price targets on RBC Bearings, citing expectations for strong performance in its industrial segment and margin expansion driven by its aerospace and defense business. The company has demonstrated robust growth in its aerospace and defense segments and has improved its financial stability by significantly reducing debt over the past year.

Shares of hospital operator HCA Healthcare (NYSE:HCA) fell 3% in the morning session after the company's stock was downgraded by Bank of America Securities to 'Neutral' from 'Buy' due to concerns over recent legislation. 

Shares of personal wellness company WeightWatchers (NASDAQ:WW) jumped 4.1% in the morning session after the company successfully completed its strategic reorganization process and announced new program innovations. 

Shares of aerospace and defense company Redwire (NYSE:RDW) jumped 4.1% in the morning session after an analyst at Canaccord Genuity raised the firm's price target on the stock. 

Shares of hospital management company Universal Health Services (NYSE:UHS) fell 3.6% in the morning session after a BofA Securities analyst downgraded the stock and lowered its price target. 

Shares of healthcare company Surgery Partners (NASDAQ:SGRY) jumped 3.3% in the morning session after an analyst at investment firm Benchmark reiterated a "Buy" rating and a $35 price target on the company's stock. 

Shares of regional banking company First Horizon (NYSE:FHN) jumped 3.8% in the morning session after the company reported strong second-quarter financial results that surpassed Wall Street expectations. 

Shares of radiopharmaceutical company Lantheus Holdings (NASDAQ:LNTH) fell 7.7% in the morning session after the stock hit a new 52-week low amid persistent investor concerns over rising competition and the company's recent financial results. 

Shares of industrial distributor DXP Enterprises (NASDAQ:DXPE) fell 3.5% in the morning session after the stock appeared to enter a period of profit-taking following a significant recent rally that pushed technical indicators into overbought territory. 

Shares of medical device company Merit Medical Systems (NASDAQ:MMSI) fell 5.3% in the morning session after a regulatory filing made public showed that hedge fund Edgestream Partners L.P. had significantly reduced its position in the company. The disclosure, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, revealed that the fund had cut its holdings in the medical device maker by 40.8%. It is important for investors to note that the sale of 27,363 shares occurred during the first quarter, which ended March 31, 2025. The filing's release comes in the absence of other immediate negative company-specific news or analyst downgrades. The move follows a period of positive developments for Merit Medical, which earlier in July announced a new CEO and strong preliminary revenue growth for the second quarter.

Shares of aerospace and defense company Rocket Lab (NASDAQ:RKLB) jumped 3.1% in the morning session after Bank of America Securities analyst Ronald Epstein significantly raised the price target for the space company. The analyst increased the price target to $50.00 from $30.00, a substantial 66.67% jump, while maintaining a "Buy" rating on the stock. This boosted investor confidence, signaling a strong belief in the company's future growth and market position. The positive sentiment was echoed by CNBC's Jim Cramer, who recently called Rocket Lab "one of the hottest stocks in the universe" and reiterated his "buy, buy, buy" recommendation. This enthusiasm stems from the company's crucial role in providing launch services and spacecraft manufacturing for a growing number of companies needing to send assets to space.

Shares of hospitality industry software provider Agilysys (NASDAQ:AGYS) jumped 5.3% in the morning session after the New York State Common Retirement Fund disclosed it had significantly increased its stake in the company. 

A number of stocks fell in the morning session after a cautious outlook from semiconductor equipment giant ASML sparked a broad sell-off across the sector, hitting chipmakers and equipment suppliers alike. 

Shares of voice AI recognition company SoundHound (NASDAQ:SOUN) jumped 4.9% in the pre market session after the company announced a collaboration with Peter Piper Pizza to roll out conversational voice AI for phone orders. The new system, which is now live across all Peter Piper Pizza locations in Arizona and Albuquerque, NM, will allow customers to place orders by speaking naturally over the phone. The voice AI agent is designed to handle multiple calls at once, which can improve efficiency and ensure no call is missed, even during peak hours. This allows restaurant staff to focus more on food preparation and in-person customer service. The news provided a positive catalyst for the stock, seemingly outweighing a recent downgrade from Piper Sandler, which had cited concerns about the company's outlook for the second half of 2025.

Shares of game engine maker Unity (NYSE:U) jumped 12.4% in the morning session after Jefferies analyst Brent Thill raised his price target on the company to a Street-high of $35. The new price target represents a nearly 18% upside from the stock's previous close and a 20.69% increase from Jefferies' prior target of $29. The firm maintained its "Buy" rating, citing improving sentiment around Unity's ad-targeting model, Vector. Thill noted that positive mentions for Vector increased in the second quarter and that its Return on Ad Spend (ROAS) for clients improved to a 10%-20% lift, up from 5%-7% in the prior quarter. Driven by the expected improvements, Jefferies raised its revenue forecasts for Unity for 2025 and 2026. The analyst also highlighted that usage for the new Unity 6 engine is growing, indicating stability in the company's Create segment.

Shares of global advertising conglomerate Interpublic Group (NYSE:IPG) jumped 3.3% in the morning session after its pending acquisition by advertising rival Omnicom Group received a positive update. On its second-quarter earnings call, Omnicom's management confirmed that the acquisition of Interpublic Group (IPG) had received antitrust approval in the United States, a major step forward for the deal. In total, 13 of the 18 necessary jurisdictions have now approved the transaction, which is expected to be finalized in the second half of 2025. This mega-merger is set to combine two of the world's largest advertising and marketing services companies, creating a new industry leader. The update reduces uncertainty surrounding the deal's closure, a positive development for IPG shareholders.

Shares of pool products retailer Leslie’s (NASDAQ:LESL) jumped 3.5% in the pre-market session after the company announced the appointment of a seasoned retail executive, Amy College, as its new Chief Merchandising and Supply Chain Officer. 

A number of stocks fell in the morning session after a cautious outlook from semiconductor equipment giant ASML sparked a broad sell-off across the sector, hitting chipmakers and equipment suppliers alike. 

Shares of semiconductor equipment maker Lam Research (NASDAQ:LRCX) fell 3.2% in the morning session after fellow semiconductor equipment giant ASML Holding (ASML) warned it could no longer confirm growth in 2026. 

Shares of technology real estate company Opendoor (NASDAQ:OPEN) jumped 29.5% in the morning session after the stock continued its upward momentum from the previous day's session, which was sparked by news of activist investor interest.