Recent Articles from StockStory

Shares of luxury electric car manufacturer Lucid (NASDAQ:LCID) jumped 7.1% in the afternoon session after the company announced a 38% year-over-year increase in second-quarter deliveries, though the figures fell short of analyst expectations. Lucid announced it delivered 3,309 vehicles in the second quarter, a significant jump from the 2,394 vehicles delivered in the same period last year. However, this number missed the consensus estimate of 3,611 vehicles from Wall Street analysts. The company also reported producing 3,863 vehicles during the quarter. For the first half of 2025, Lucid produced 6,075 vehicles and delivered 6,418, indicating it has been selling down previously built inventory. Investors are reacting positively to the strong year-over-year growth, even with the delivery miss. 

Shares of boutique fitness studio franchisor Xponential Fitness (NYSE:XPOF) jumped 34.1% in the afternoon session after the company announced that the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has concluded its investigation into the company without recommending any enforcement action. 

Shares of restaurant software company (NYSE:OLO) jumped 13.5% in the afternoon session after it entered into a definitive agreement to be acquired by software investment firm Thoma Bravo in an all-cash transaction valued at approximately $2 billion. 

Shares of cloud monitoring software company Datadog (NASDAQ:DDOG) jumped 14.2% in the afternoon session after reports the company will be added to the S&P 500 index. 

Shares of semiconductor design software provider Cadence Design Systems (NASDAQ:CDNS) jumped 5% in the afternoon session after the U.S. government lifted export restrictions on certain chip design software to China. The move signaled a de-escalation in a trade dispute that had previously required U.S. firms to obtain licenses for selling specific electronic design automation (EDA) tools in China. Cadence, a major player in the EDA software market, confirmed it was restoring access for its Chinese customers. This development is significant as it reopens a critical market for the company. Analysts anticipated that renewed access to the Chinese market could lead to a notable revenue increase for EDA firms like Cadence. The easing of these trade tensions provides a clearer outlook for the company's sales in the region, which had been clouded by the restrictions imposed in May.

Check out the companies making headlines yesterday:

Yext’s first quarter results were marked by a substantial year-on-year revenue increase, with management highlighting improved customer retention and broadening demand for its digital visibility platform. CEO Michael Walrath pointed to rising net and gross retention rates, attributing this to the growing complexity of managing brand presence across a fragmented digital landscape. He emphasized that recent product enhancements, including the launch of Yext Scout, have strengthened customer perceptions of value and helped offset competitive pressures from lower-cost alternatives. Walrath noted, "We're seeing improvement in both gross and net retention, customer satisfaction and overall value perception across our platform."

CSX’s first quarter results fell short of Wall Street’s expectations, with management citing a combination of operational disruptions and external headwinds as primary factors. CEO Joseph R. Hinrichs stated, “Our performance fell short of our expectations. As a result, we left good business on the table, reduced our revenues, and our inefficiencies meant we incurred more expense.” The company faced network slowdowns due to two major infrastructure projects—Howard Street Tunnel and Blue Ridge subdivision rebuild—as well as severe winter weather, which drove increased expenses and limited revenue opportunities, particularly in key markets like coal and grain.

UiPath started 2025 with momentum, as the company’s Q1 results surpassed Wall Street’s revenue expectations and led to a positive market reaction. Management attributed performance to customer interest in the newly launched agentic automation platform, which unifies AI agents, robots, and people in enterprise workflows. CEO Daniel Dines emphasized the early adoption of AgentBuilder and Maestro, noting, “The energy and potential I’m seeing are palpable and I’ve never been more confident about the path we are on.” Operational efficiency gains and increased sales to large enterprise customers also contributed to margin improvement and strong annual recurring revenue.

Avis Budget Group's first quarter results reflected a mix of industry headwinds and company-specific operational shifts. While revenue fell short of Wall Street’s expectations due to lower pricing and rental volumes, management pointed to solid leisure travel demand and aggressive fleet rotation as key themes. CEO Joe Ferraro highlighted the company’s record pace of disposing older vehicles and accepting new model year deliveries, actions designed to lower fleet costs and improve vehicle utilization. Management described the quarter as shaped by calendar shifts, leisure strength, and a deliberate pullback in commercial demand.

The Trade Desk’s first quarter was marked by strong revenue growth and a positive market reaction, as the company delivered results above Wall Street expectations. Management credited this performance to increased adoption of its Kokai platform, which leverages artificial intelligence to optimize digital ad campaigns, and to ongoing expansion in Connected TV (CTV) advertising. CEO Jeff Green emphasized that recent product and organizational upgrades positioned The Trade Desk to capture market share, noting, “The upgrades we made at the end of 2024 are beginning to deliver results.” The company also highlighted broad-based growth across geographies and verticals, with particular strength in technology and healthy living sectors.

SolarEdge’s first quarter results for 2025 were met with a positive market reaction, as the company exceeded Wall Street’s revenue expectations and continued to show progress in its turnaround efforts. Management attributed the quarter’s performance to improved operational efficiency, increased shipments across both residential and commercial segments, and a focus on inventory reduction. CEO Shuki Nir highlighted that “we delivered quarter-over-quarter and year-over-year revenue growth,” while also noting expanded gross margins and ongoing cost control measures. The company also pointed to higher battery attach rates and growing participation in virtual power plant (VPP) programs as supporting factors.

Rockwell’s first quarter results were well-received by the market, driven by strong execution on cost control and margin expansion despite a challenging sales environment. Management credited robust performance to effective pricing, ongoing cost reduction programs, and resiliency investments made during recent supply chain disruptions. CEO Blake Moret highlighted sequential improvement in customer demand and cited particularly strong growth in e-commerce and warehouse automation solutions, which offset declines in automotive and process sectors. He noted, “Our value proposition is stronger than ever before,” pointing to recent share gains in power control and increased adoption of Rockwell’s automation and robotics offerings.

Construction Partners delivered a first quarter that surpassed Wall Street’s expectations, with management crediting robust revenue growth to both organic expansion and recent acquisitions. CEO Jule Smith emphasized the company’s success in scaling operations across nearly 100 local markets and highlighted the seamless integration of new platform companies, particularly in Texas and Tennessee. The company’s vertical integration strategy, including aggregates and asphalt terminals, contributed to higher margins, while demand in Sunbelt states remained steady. Management noted that healthy state and federal infrastructure funding, combined with ongoing population migration to the region, continued to support elevated project activity and a record backlog.

Coupang’s first quarter results prompted a strong positive reaction from the market, supported by management’s emphasis on margin expansion and engagement across its core and developing offerings. CEO Bom Kim credited the performance to ongoing investments in automation, broader product selection, and improvements in delivery experience, particularly through the Rocket Delivery service and Fulfillment and Logistics by Coupang (FLC). Management also highlighted that customer activity increased, with more users shopping across multiple categories and sustained momentum in new segments like Eats and Taiwan.

LegalZoom’s first quarter performance drew a positive response from the market, as the company delivered revenue growth despite ongoing macroeconomic challenges. Management credited this outcome to a combination of accelerating subscription growth, successful pricing initiatives, and the strategic integration of Formation Nation. CEO Jeffrey Stibel highlighted that subscription revenue growth marked a turning point, stating, “Q1 marks the first time in the past year that our subscription revenue growth has accelerated on a sequential basis.” The quarter also benefited from cost efficiencies and increased adoption of bundled service offerings, which helped offset weaker demand for new business formations.

U.S. Physical Therapy’s first quarter results came in ahead of Wall Street’s expectations, with management highlighting strong patient volumes and improved reimbursement rates as key drivers. CEO Christopher Reading described a quarter that began with weather-related disruptions but finished with record-high average daily visits for a first quarter. The company’s recent Metro acquisition also contributed meaningfully to revenue growth. Reading noted, “By the end of [March], we finished really strong...and that has continued as we’ve gone forward,” underscoring that demand remained robust despite early setbacks.

Howmet’s first-quarter performance received a positive response from the market, reflecting broad-based growth across its aerospace and defense businesses. Management attributed the quarter’s results to robust demand for commercial and defense aerospace engine spares, operational improvements, and margin expansion in Fastening Systems and Engineered Structures. CEO John Plant highlighted, “Spares increased by an average of 33% across our segments,” a growth milestone achieved a year ahead of schedule. The company’s focus on process control, productivity, and a positive sales mix also contributed to higher operating margins, while commercial transportation remained a challenging segment.

Leidos delivered a first quarter that surpassed Wall Street’s expectations, driven by broad-based growth across its core government and commercial segments. Management attributed the solid performance to strong demand for digital modernization, increased activity in defense and intelligence programs, and continued progress in its managed health services business. CEO Tom Bell highlighted the company’s NorthStar 2030 strategy as a key framework for recent execution, stating that Leidos is “uniquely positioned” to address evolving customer needs across critical domains such as cyber, energy infrastructure, and space. The positive market response reflects confidence in Leidos’ ability to capitalize on these opportunities.

Illumina’s first quarter results reflected ongoing challenges in the global genomics market, as the company’s performance fell short of market expectations, prompting a negative reaction from investors. Management attributed recent revenue declines to a combination of restricted instrument exports to China, a constrained research funding environment in the U.S., and evolving trade dynamics. CEO Jacob Thaysen acknowledged these headwinds, emphasizing, "Developments around China, U.S. funding uncertainty, and global trade dynamics have introduced new pressures for our customers." Despite these pressures, Illumina highlighted continued strength in clinical markets and ongoing adoption of its NovaSeq X platform.

Hain Celestial’s first quarter results were met with a sharp negative market reaction, following revenue and profit figures that fell well short of Wall Street’s expectations. Management pointed to underperformance in its North American Snacks and Baby and Kids categories, softer-than-anticipated recovery for Earth's Best formula, and execution challenges in promotional activities as key reasons for the shortfall. Interim CEO Alison Lewis acknowledged, “Our third quarter results were disappointing and fell short of our expectations. We are not where we need to be, and we cannot afford to stand still.” This candid assessment set the tone for a quarter defined by operational setbacks and a need for decisive action.

GE HealthCare’s first quarter results surpassed Wall Street’s revenue and non-GAAP profit expectations, buoyed by robust demand in imaging and strong U.S. market performance. CEO Peter Arduini credited “record double-digit orders growth as a standalone company” to heightened customer focus on imaging solutions for cardiology and oncology, as well as share gains in key markets. The company noted broad-based organic revenue growth across all segments, with particular momentum in product innovation and new contract wins. In the words of CFO Jay Saccaro, “organic orders growth was robust, up 10% year-over-year, the highest since our spend,” underscoring healthy market demand and a record backlog.

Torrid’s first quarter results reflected a continued shift in consumer shopping preferences and strategic execution of its digital and sub-brand initiatives. Management pointed to the growing importance of online channels, with digital sales nearing 70% of total demand, and emphasized the success of new sub-brands in attracting younger and lapsed customers. CEO Lisa Harper noted, “Performance of our sub-brands continues to reinforce our belief that the strategy is working,” highlighting that these offerings are outperforming expectations and generating higher margins. The company also advanced its store optimization plan, closing underperforming locations to streamline its footprint and reallocate resources to digital growth.

Dole’s first quarter saw revenue slightly ahead of Wall Street expectations, even as sales declined modestly year over year. The market responded negatively, with shares falling following the release. Management attributed the underwhelming profit performance to higher sourcing and shipping costs, particularly from disruptions caused by Tropical Storm Sarah, as well as ongoing operational challenges in the fresh fruit segment. CEO Rory Byrne noted, “Profitability was somewhat held back by the anticipated higher sourcing costs following the impact of Tropical Storm Sarah.”

H&R Block’s first quarter results were met with a negative market reaction, despite the company surpassing Wall Street’s revenue and non-GAAP profit expectations. Management attributed revenue growth to higher net average charge (NAC) in the U.S. and increased company-owned Assisted return volumes, while acknowledging challenges in international operations and a highly competitive do-it-yourself (DIY) segment. CEO Jeffrey Jones emphasized the impact of a late-season client surge and a continued industry shift towards Assisted tax preparation, highlighting, “We experienced record-high volumes in our tax offices in the final two days of the season compared to recent history.”

Home Depot's first quarter results were met with a negative market reaction as profitability came in slightly below expectations despite better-than-anticipated revenue growth. Management attributed the revenue gain to increased customer engagement in smaller home improvement projects and strong activity in Pro-heavy categories such as building materials and outdoor products. However, the quarter was challenged by continued softness in large-scale remodeling projects, which are more sensitive to higher interest rates. CEO Ted Decker described the business as "well-positioned" but acknowledged that elevated rates continue to limit demand for major renovations, and operating margin declined year over year due in part to the SRS acquisition and higher expenses.

IonQ’s first quarter results were met with a positive market reaction, underscored by management’s focus on expanding quantum networking capabilities and commercializing its quantum computing platform. The company’s leadership attributed the stable revenue to continued demand from both enterprise and government clients, particularly highlighting the sale of a Forte Enterprise system to EPB in Tennessee. Executive Chairman Peter Chapman emphasized the impact of recent strategic partnerships in Asia and the company's growing footprint in quantum networking. CEO Niccolo de Masi added that investments in engineering and research are reaching an inflection point, supported by a growing technical team and recent acquisitions.

AMC Entertainment’s first quarter results reflected a challenging environment for movie theaters, as management cited a historically weak domestic box office as the primary headwind. CEO Adam Aron specifically described Q1 as “really slow,” noting that, outside of periods directly impacted by the pandemic, this was the lowest industry-wide box office since 1996. Despite this, AMC emphasized that its per-patron operating metrics reached new highs, with CFO Sean Goodman highlighting all-time first quarter records for U.S. admissions revenue per guest. Management attributed these results to ongoing efforts in cost control and a focus on premium experiences and loyalty programs.

Sonos’ second quarter results were well received by the market, with revenue coming in above Wall Street expectations and year-over-year sales growth driven by strong demand for home theater products and successful promotional campaigns. Management attributed the performance to disciplined cost reduction, software reliability improvements, and early momentum from targeted pricing moves. Interim CEO Tom Conrad noted, “We delivered a solid second quarter with revenue up 3% year-over-year and adjusted EBITDA increasing by $33 million, driven by a combination of strong gross margin and disciplined execution on our restructuring.”

Tapestry’s first quarter results were characterized by robust growth at its flagship Coach brand and solid international momentum, leading the company to outperform Wall Street’s revenue and profit expectations. Management attributed much of the quarter’s strength to strong Gen Z and Millennial customer acquisition, double-digit growth in leather goods, and the continued success of omnichannel investments. CEO Joanne Crevoiserat emphasized that Coach’s “expressive luxury position continues to resonate with consumers” and highlighted the importance of new product launches and digital engagement in driving top- and bottom-line gains.

Amdocs delivered quarterly results that met Wall Street’s revenue expectations and modestly surpassed profit forecasts, prompting a positive market reaction. Management highlighted ongoing efficiency gains and robust execution in its managed services segment, which now contributes two-thirds of total revenue. CEO Shuky Sheffer credited strengthened relationships with key clients such as AT&T and new business from Consumer Cellular for helping offset a year-over-year revenue decline. Sheffer noted, “We are working with Microsoft to migrate Amdocs and non-Amdocs applications to the Microsoft Azure platform for a leading Tier 1 European operator,” emphasizing cloud migration as a central business driver.

DXC Technology’s results for the first quarter reflected ongoing challenges in top-line growth, despite outperforming Wall Street’s expectations for both revenue and non-GAAP earnings per share. The market responded negatively to these results, with management pointing to continued pressure in discretionary project-based services as a key factor. CEO Raul Fernandez acknowledged that reversing years of revenue decline remains a top priority, noting that the operational turnaround is proving deeper and more extensive than initially anticipated. He highlighted that recent organizational changes, including substantial leadership turnover and new executive hires, are aimed at improving execution and stabilizing the company’s trajectory.

OPENLANE’s first quarter was marked by strong dealer-to-dealer marketplace execution, which drove notable double-digit volume growth and margin improvement. Management pointed to continued customer adoption of its digital platform, with CEO Peter Kelly highlighting, “We grew our dealer-to-dealer volumes by 15% year-over-year, the second straight quarter of double-digit growth.” Investments in technology, sales, and marketing contributed to expanding the buyer and seller base, while auction fee revenue benefited from pricing actions and increased participation by major dealer groups. The quarter also reflected disciplined cost control, as operating leverage in the asset-light model allowed revenue growth to outpace expenses. Commercial vehicle volumes were down as anticipated due to cyclicality, but the company offset this with robust dealer segment performance and improved risk management in its finance arm.

GEO Group’s first quarter drew a sharp negative reaction from the market, reflecting a combination of flat revenue growth and margin compression. Management attributed this performance to increased overhead and operating expenses, primarily driven by investments in facility activations and a corporate reorganization to support anticipated federal contracts. CEO Dave Donahue acknowledged these upfront costs, noting, “This reorganization along with additional professional fees has resulted in higher quarterly overhead expenses incurred in anticipation of what we expect to be unprecedented future growth projects and operational activity.”

The stocks featured in this article are seeing some big returns. Over the past month, they’ve outpaced the market due to new product launches, positive news, or even a dedicated social media following.

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.

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.

The stocks featured in this article are seeing some big returns. Over the past month, they’ve outpaced the market due to new product launches, positive news, or even a dedicated social media following.

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".

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

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 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.

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.

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

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.

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.

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.

The S&P 500 (^GSPC) is often seen as a benchmark for strong businesses, but that doesn’t mean every stock is worth owning. Some companies face significant challenges, whether it’s stagnating growth, heavy debt, or disruptive new competitors.

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 harmed the industry’s returns - over the past six months, healthcare stocks have collectively shed 5.2%. This performance is a stark contrast from the S&P 500’s 4.8% gain.

The S&P 500 (^GSPC) is often seen as a benchmark for strong businesses, but that doesn’t mean every stock is worth owning. Some companies face significant challenges, whether it’s stagnating growth, heavy debt, or disruptive new competitors.

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.

Retailers are adapting their business models as technology changes how people shop. Still, secular trends are working against their favor as e-commerce continues to take share from brick and mortars. This puts retail stocks in a tough spot, and over the past six months, the industry has pulled back by 7.1%. This drawdown is a far cry from the S&P 500’s 4.8% ascent.

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.

Many small-cap stocks have limited Wall Street coverage, giving savvy investors the chance to act before everyone else catches on. But the flip side is that these businesses have increased downside risk because they lack the scale and staying power of their larger competitors.

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.

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.

Growth is oxygen. But when it evaporates, the consequences can be severe - ask anyone who bought Cisco in the Dot-Com Bubble or newer investors who lived through the 2020 to 2022 COVID cycle.

Growth boosts valuation multiples, but it doesn’t always last forever. Companies that cannot maintain it are often penalized with large declines in market value, a lesson ingrained in investors who lost money in tech stocks during 2022.

The Russell 2000 (^RUT) is home to many small-cap stocks, offering investors the chance to uncover hidden gems before the broader market catches on. However, these companies often come with higher volatility and risk, as their smaller size makes them more vulnerable to economic downturns.

Growth boosts valuation multiples, but it doesn’t always last forever. Companies that cannot maintain it are often penalized with large declines in market value, a lesson ingrained in investors who lost money in tech stocks during 2022.

Lovesac’s stock price has taken a beating over the past six months, shedding 20.2% of its value and falling to $19.56 per share. This may have investors wondering how to approach the situation.

Shareholders of Braze would probably like to forget the past six months even happened. The stock dropped 37.2% and now trades at $28.19. This was partly due to its softer quarterly results and may have investors wondering how to approach the situation.

Belden currently trades at $120.41 per share and has shown little upside over the past six months, posting a middling return of 4.1%.

Arch Capital Group currently trades at $88.38 per share and has shown little upside over the past six months, posting a small loss of 3.3%. The stock also fell short of the S&P 500’s 4.8% gain during that period.

Since January 2025, Stellar Bancorp has been in a holding pattern, posting a small return of 4.4% while floating around $29.28.

Since January 2025, Mercury General has been in a holding pattern, floating around $65.82.

Crane NXT has been treading water for the past six months, recording a small loss of 4.9% while holding steady at $56.68. The stock also fell short of the S&P 500’s 4.8% gain during that period.