Recent Articles from StockStory

Check out the companies making headlines yesterday:

Nike’s fourth quarter saw flat year-on-year sales and a significant operating margin decline, which led to a sharp negative market reaction. Management linked these results to ongoing efforts to reset its classics business, promote new product lines, and address regional weaknesses, notably in China. CEO Elliott Hill described the company as being in the "middle innings" of a turnaround, acknowledging that while North America performed well, other regions lagged behind. CFO Matt Friend cited higher tariffs and inventory clean-up, especially in Greater China, as major contributors to the margin pressure.

Mission Produce’s third quarter was marked by strong execution, as volume growth and effective global operations helped the company outperform Wall Street’s expectations, driving a positive market reaction. Management highlighted that a 13% increase in avocado sales volumes, particularly in Europe and Asia, offset the impact of lower average pricing caused by increased global supply. CEO Steve Barnard credited the company’s integrated sourcing and distribution platform for enabling flexibility to shift product to the most favorable markets, while President John Pawlowski noted that Peruvian orchards’ recovery from previous weather disruptions played a significant role in the quarter’s results.

Darden’s fourth quarter results were met with a positive market response, as the company delivered revenue above Wall Street expectations while non-GAAP earnings per share landed slightly below consensus. Management attributed the quarter’s performance to strong same-store sales momentum across brands, particularly the success of Olive Garden’s Never Ending Pasta Bowl and first-party delivery initiatives. CEO Rick Cardenas highlighted record guest satisfaction scores, underpinned by operational execution and targeted menu enhancements. Commodity inflation, especially in beef, was cited as a significant margin headwind, but productivity improvements and cost discipline helped preserve operating margins year over year.

KB Home’s fourth quarter was met with a negative market reaction, as the company faced a sharp decline in year-over-year sales and reduced operating margins. Management cited persistent affordability concerns and elevated mortgage rates as significant headwinds that caused buyers to take longer to make purchasing decisions. CEO Jeff Mezger noted, “Consumers are demonstrating their interest in buying a home… They’re just taking much longer to make their home buying decisions.” The company maintained a disciplined approach to pricing, resisting aggressive incentives to preserve margin integrity, but this resulted in slower order growth and ongoing pressure from aged inventory built at higher costs impacting near-term profitability.

Cintas delivered fourth-quarter results that were in line with Wall Street’s expectations, posting steady revenue growth across its core businesses. Management credited strong execution in its route-based businesses, with CEO Todd Schneider highlighting, "Each of our three route-based businesses had strong revenue growth in the quarter." The company’s focus on operational efficiency, supply chain management, and customer retention supported healthy margins despite a competitive environment. Management pointed to productivity improvements and cross-selling efforts as key drivers of the quarter’s performance, while also noting that the company continues to generate growth even when broader employment trends soften.

CarMax’s fourth quarter saw revenue and profit ahead of Wall Street’s expectations, but the company faced continued sales declines and operating margin pressure. Management openly acknowledged disappointing recent performance, attributing the results to higher average selling prices that narrowed CarMax’s competitiveness and to cost structures that have become less efficient. Interim President and CEO David McCraight emphasized the need for urgent changes, stating, “It is clear CarMax needs change,” and outlined immediate actions aimed at regaining sales momentum, such as narrowing price gaps and reducing selling, general, and administrative expenses.

FuelCell Energy’s third quarter was marked by significant market enthusiasm, as shares rose sharply following results that surpassed Wall Street’s expectations on both revenue and adjusted earnings. Management attributed this performance to progress in restructuring efforts and operational discipline, particularly in scaling its Torrington manufacturing facility and expanding repowering activities in South Korea. CEO Jason Few emphasized that “the demand for more power to accommodate data centers, industry, and communities… plays directly to the strength of our technology: clean, resilient, near-silent continuous power.”

FedEx’s fourth quarter was marked by solid execution amid a complex environment, as the company surpassed Wall Street’s revenue and profit expectations. Management attributed the performance to strength in U.S. domestic package services, continued progress in cost reductions, and resilience in B2B segments. CEO Raj Subramaniam credited the company’s ability to “mitigate the operational and financial impacts of the MD-11 groundings” and emphasized that almost half of revenue growth came from B2B services, despite persistent headwinds such as weak industrial demand and changes in global trade policy.

Scholastic’s fourth quarter saw revenue growth that fell short of Wall Street expectations, but strong margin discipline led to a sizable beat on non-GAAP earnings per share. Management attributed the profit outperformance to effective cost controls, particularly in overhead and shared services, and ongoing strength in school book fairs and global franchises like Dog Man and Harry Potter. CEO Peter Warwick highlighted the company’s progress in unifying its children’s book group and leveraging proprietary school-based channels, stating, “Growth across key performance metrics, fair counts, revenue per fair, and e-wallet usage underscore the unique strength and relevance of this beloved event-focused channel.”

HEICO’s Q3 results were met with a positive market response, as the company delivered notable growth across both its Flight Support and Electronic Technologies segments. Management attributed the strong performance to broad-based demand for aftermarket parts and repair, with Co-CEO Eric Mendelson stating, “The value proposition that HEICO offers our customers has driven operating income primarily off of organic sales growth, while our customers remain very happy.” The company also benefited from recent acquisitions, which complemented its core organic growth, and ongoing efficiency improvements that supported higher operating margins.

Accenture’s fourth quarter results came in ahead of Wall Street’s expectations, with management highlighting broad-based demand for complex digital transformation and the scaling of enterprise artificial intelligence (AI) projects as key contributors. CEO Julie Sweet noted that the company’s client base is increasingly seeking end-to-end reinvention rather than isolated AI pilots, with over $1.1 billion in advanced AI revenue and a near doubling of AI-related bookings year-over-year. Strong performance in managed services and security, as well as robust traction in banking, capital markets, and software sectors, also supported growth.

FactSet’s fourth quarter drew a negative market reaction despite the company beating Wall Street’s revenue and non-GAAP profit expectations. Management highlighted that revenue gains were driven by strong adoption of AI-enabled products, expansion with key institutional clients, and traction in wealth management and banking segments. CEO Sanoke Viswanathan pointed to several large client wins, such as a mandate with a major investment manager for FactSet Vault and increased usage of AI-powered analytics, as evidence of the firm’s ability to gain share across core markets. However, operating margins declined compared to last year, a result management attributed to higher personnel and technology expenses as the company invests in product development and sales infrastructure.

Small-cap stocks in the Russell 2000 (^RUT) can be a goldmine for investors looking beyond the usual large-cap names. But with less stability and fewer resources than their bigger counterparts, these companies face steeper challenges in scaling their businesses.

Software is rapidly reducing operating expenses for businesses. Companies bringing it to life have been rewarded with high valuation multiples that make fundraising easier, but they have capped returns lately as the industry was flat over the past six months and trailed the S&P 500’s 13.3% gain.

Financial firms serve as the backbone of the economy, providing essential services from lending and investment management to risk management and payment processing. But uncertainty about fiscal and monetary policy has tempered enthusiasm, limiting the industry's gains to 8.7% over the past six months. This return lagged the S&P 500's 13.3% climb.

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".

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".

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.

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

The $10-50 price range often includes mid-sized businesses with proven track records and plenty of growth runway ahead. They also usually carry less risk than penny stocks, though they’re not immune to volatility as many lack the scale advantages of their larger peers.

Software is eating the world, and virtually no business is left untouched by it. Companies bringing it to life have been rewarded with high valuation multiples that make fundraising easier, but they have capped returns lately as the industry was flat over the past six months and trailed the S&P 500’s 13.3% gain.

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

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.

Business services providers play a critical role for enterprises, assisting them with everything from new hardware integrations to consulting and marketing. But cutbacks in corporate spending and the threat of new AI products have kept sentiment in check, and over the past six months, the industry’s 8.2% return has trailed the S&P 500 by 5.1 percentage points.

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.

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

The 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.

Mid-cap stocks often strike the right balance between having proven business models and market opportunities that can support $100 billion corporations. However, they face intense competition from scaled industry giants and can be disrupted by new innovative players vying for a slice of the pie.

The stocks featured in this article have all approached their 52-week highs. When these price levels hit, it typically signals strong business execution, positive market sentiment, or significant industry tailwinds.

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.

Whether you see them or not, industrials businesses play a crucial part in our daily activities. But their prominence also brings high exposure to the ups and downs of economic cycles. Luckily, the tide is turning in their favor as the industry’s 17.4% return over the past six months has topped the S&P 500 by 4.1 percentage points.

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.

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.

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.

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.

A stock with low volatility can be reassuring, but it doesn’t always mean strong long-term performance. Investors who prioritize stability may miss out on higher-reward opportunities elsewhere.

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

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

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.

Even though Distribution Solutions (currently trading at $28.70 per share) has gained 5.8% over the last six months, it has lagged the S&P 500’s 13.3% return during that period. This may have investors wondering how to approach the situation.

FirstSun Capital Bancorp has followed the market’s trajectory closely, rising in tandem with the S&P 500 over the past six months. The stock has climbed by 14.4% to $38.56 per share while the index has gained 13.3%.

LPL Financial has been treading water for the past six months, recording a small return of 3.4% while holding steady at $373.35. The stock also fell short of the S&P 500’s 13.3% gain during that period.

MSCI currently trades at $581.48 per share and has shown little upside over the past six months, posting a middling return of 2%. The stock also fell short of the S&P 500’s 13.3% gain during that period.

Over the last six months, PagerDuty’s shares have sunk to $13.03, producing a disappointing 9.8% loss - a stark contrast to the S&P 500’s 13.3% gain. This was partly due to its softer quarterly results and may have investors wondering how to approach the situation.

Landstar’s stock price has taken a beating over the past six months, shedding 20.2% of its value and falling to a new 52-week low of $110.14 per share. This may have investors wondering how to approach the situation.

What a brutal six months it’s been for Zscaler. The stock has dropped 26.5% and now trades at $229.31, rattling many shareholders. This may have investors wondering how to approach the situation.

Teradata has been on fire lately. In the past six months alone, the company’s stock price has rocketed 41.5%, reaching $30.54 per share. This was partly due to its solid quarterly results, and the performance may have investors wondering how to approach the situation.

Since June 2025, SEI Investments has been in a holding pattern, posting a small loss of 0.7% while floating around $86.25. The stock also fell short of the S&P 500’s 13.3% gain during that period.

Over the past six months, RE/MAX’s stock price fell to $7.60. Shareholders have lost 10.9% of their capital, which is disappointing considering the S&P 500 has climbed by 13.3%. This may have investors wondering how to approach the situation.

Peoples Bancorp has been treading water for the past six months, recording a small return of 2.9% while holding steady at $30.67. The stock also fell short of the S&P 500’s 13.3% gain during that period.

While the S&P 500 is up 13.3% since June 2025, Match Group (currently trading at $32.83 per share) has lagged behind, posting a return of 6.4%. This was partly due to its softer quarterly results and may have investors wondering how to approach the situation.

Piper Sandler currently trades at $350.19 and has been a dream stock for shareholders. It’s returned 246% since December 2020, nearly tripling the S&P 500’s 84.9% gain. The company has also beaten the index over the past six months as its stock price is up 27.7% thanks to its solid quarterly results.

Bread Financial has had an impressive run over the past six months as its shares have beaten the S&P 500 by 25.8%. The stock now trades at $77.81, marking a 39.1% gain. This was partly due to its solid quarterly results, and the performance may have investors wondering how to approach the situation.

Over the past six months, J&J Snack Foods’s shares (currently trading at $90.67) have posted a disappointing 19.6% loss, well below the S&P 500’s 13.3% gain. This may have investors wondering how to approach the situation.

Cisco has followed the market’s trajectory closely, rising in tandem with the S&P 500 over the past six months. The stock has climbed by 14.2% to $77.85 per share while the index has gained 13.3%.

Over the last six months, PENN Entertainment’s shares have sunk to $14.63, producing a disappointing 15.9% loss - a stark contrast to the S&P 500’s 13.3% gain. This was partly due to its softer quarterly results and may have investors wondering how to approach the situation.

AMETEK trades at $208.25 and has moved in lockstep with the market. Its shares have returned 17% over the last six months while the S&P 500 has gained 13.3%.

Over the last six months, Freshpet’s shares have sunk to $63.74, producing a disappointing 6.1% loss - a stark contrast to the S&P 500’s 13.3% gain. This may have investors wondering how to approach the situation.

Even though ESCO (currently trading at $201.90 per share) has gained 6.1% over the last six months, it has lagged the S&P 500’s 13.3% return during that period. This may have investors wondering how to approach the situation.

Northern Trust trades at $140.75 and has moved in lockstep with the market. Its shares have returned 13.7% over the last six months while the S&P 500 has gained 13.3%.

S&T Bancorp trades at $40.66 per share and has stayed right on track with the overall market, gaining 9% over the last six months. At the same time, the S&P 500 has returned 13.3%.

Cognex’s 18.9% return over the past six months has outpaced the S&P 500 by 5.6%, and its stock price has climbed to $36.61 per share. This was partly due to its solid quarterly results, and the performance may have investors wondering how to approach the situation.

Kyndryl has gotten torched over the last six months - since June 2025, its stock price has dropped 33.9% to $27.26 per share. This was partly due to its softer quarterly results and may have investors wondering how to approach the situation.

Seacoast Banking’s 23.5% return over the past six months has outpaced the S&P 500 by 10.2%, and its stock price has climbed to $32.25 per share. This was partly thanks to its solid quarterly results, and the performance may have investors wondering how to approach the situation.

LegalZoom trades at $10.01 per share and has stayed right on track with the overall market, gaining 16.7% over the last six months. At the same time, the S&P 500 has returned 13.3%.

Blackstone trades at $155.91 per share and has stayed right on track with the overall market, gaining 8.6% over the last six months. At the same time, the S&P 500 has returned 13.3%.

East West Bank has followed the market’s trajectory closely, rising in tandem with the S&P 500 over the past six months. The stock has climbed by 16.8% to $115.42 per share while the index has gained 13.3%.

Over the past six months, Provident Financial Services has been a great trade, beating the S&P 500 by 6.6%. Its stock price has climbed to $20.26, representing a healthy 19.9% increase. This performance may have investors wondering how to approach the situation.

Trustmark has followed the market’s trajectory closely, rising in tandem with the S&P 500 over the past six months. The stock has climbed by 14% to $40.29 per share while the index has gained 13.3%.

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 Q3. Today, we are looking at inspection instruments stocks, starting with Keysight (NYSE:KEYS).

As the Q3 earnings season wraps, let’s dig into this quarter’s best and worst performers in the property & casualty insurance industry, including Skyward Specialty Insurance (NASDAQ:SKWD) and its peers.