Articles from StockStory

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.

Personal health and wellness is one of the many secular tailwinds for healthcare companies. But financial performance has lagged recently as players offloaded surplus COVID inventories in 2023 and 2024, a headwind for overall demand. The result? Over the past six months, the industry has tumbled by 8.4%. This drop was disappointing since the S&P 500 stood firm.

From novel pharmaceuticals to telemedicine, most healthcare companies are on a mission to drive better patient outcomes. But speed bumps such as inventory destockings have persisted in the wake of COVID-19, and over the past six months, the industry has pulled back by 8.4%. This drop was disappointing since the S&P 500 stood firm.

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.

Small-cap stocks can be incredibly lucrative investments because their lack of analyst coverage leads to frequent mispricings. However, these businesses (and their stock prices) often stay small because their subscale operations make it harder to expand their competitive moats.

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.

The best-performing stocks typically have robust sales growth, increasing margins, and rising returns on capital, and those that can maintain this trifecta year in and year out often become the legends of the investing world.

Consumer staples are considered safe havens in turbulent markets due to their inelastic demand profiles. Unfortunately, the sector hasn’t provided much protection lately as it pulled back by 10.4% over the past six months. This drop was disheartening since the S&P 500 held steady.

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.

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.

Industrials businesses quietly power the physical things we depend on, from cars and homes to e-commerce infrastructure. But they are at the whim of volatile macroeconomic factors that influence capital spending (like interest rates), and the market seems convinced that demand will slow. Due to this bearish outlook, the industry has tumbled by 6.6% over the past six months. This performance was disheartening since the S&P 500 held steady.

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 to be baking in a prolonged downturn as the industry has shed 6.6% over the past six months. This performance was discouraging since the S&P 500 held its ground.

Business services providers thrive by solving complex operational challenges for their clients, allowing them to focus on their secret sauce. Still, investors are uneasy as firms face challenges from AI-driven disruptors and tightening corporate budgets. These doubts have caused the industry to lag recently as services stocks were flat over the past six months. A consolation is that the S&P 500 hasn’t budged either.

Electronics manufacturing services provider Jabil (NYSE:JBL) beat Wall Street’s revenue expectations in Q1 CY2025, but sales were flat year on year at $6.73 billion. On top of that, next quarter’s revenue guidance ($7 billion at the midpoint) was surprisingly good and 4% above what analysts were expecting. Its non-GAAP profit of $1.94 per share was 6.2% above analysts’ consensus estimates.

Sporting goods retailer Academy Sports & Outdoor (NASDAQ:ASO) met Wall Street’s revenue expectations in Q4 CY2024, but sales fell by 6.6% year on year to $1.68 billion. On the other hand, the company’s full-year revenue guidance of $6.18 billion at the midpoint came in 1% below analysts’ estimates. Its non-GAAP profit of $1.96 per share was 7.6% above analysts’ consensus estimates.

Heavy equipment distributor Titan Machinery (NASDAQ:TITN) announced better-than-expected revenue in Q4 CY2024, but sales fell by 10.8% year on year to $759.9 million. Its non-GAAP loss of $1.98 per share was significantly below analysts’ consensus estimates.

Restaurant company Darden (NYSE:DRI) fell short of the market’s revenue expectations in Q1 CY2025, but sales rose 6.2% year on year to $3.16 billion. On the other hand, the company’s outlook for the full year was close to analysts’ estimates with revenue guided to $12.1 billion at the midpoint. Its non-GAAP profit of $2.80 per share was in line with analysts’ consensus estimates.

Footwear company Caleres (NYSE:CAL) missed Wall Street’s revenue expectations in Q4 CY2024, with sales falling 8.3% year on year to $639.2 million. Next quarter’s revenue guidance of $622.9 million underwhelmed, coming in 4.5% below analysts’ estimates. Its GAAP profit of $0.15 per share was 68.7% below analysts’ consensus estimates.

Footwear and accessories discount retailer Designer Brands (NYSE:DBI) missed Wall Street’s revenue expectations in Q4 CY2024, with sales falling 5.4% year on year to $713.6 million. Its GAAP loss of $0.80 per share was 66.7% below analysts’ consensus estimates.

Footwear retailer Shoe Carnival (NASDAQ:SCVL) fell short of the market’s revenue expectations in Q4 CY2024, with sales falling 6.1% year on year to $262.9 million. The company’s full-year revenue guidance of $1.19 billion at the midpoint came in 5.2% below analysts’ estimates. Its GAAP profit of $0.53 per share was 15.2% above analysts’ consensus estimates.

As the Q4 earnings season wraps, let’s dig into this quarter’s best and worst performers in the research tools & consumables industry, including Waters Corporation (NYSE:WAT) and its peers.

Over the past six months, Altice has been a great trade. While the S&P 500 was flat, the stock price has climbed by 17.4% to $2.57 per share. This performance may have investors wondering how to approach the situation.

Since September 2024, Mattel has been in a holding pattern, posting a small return of 4.2% while floating around $20.04.

Granite Construction currently trades at $76.70 per share and has shown little upside over the past six months, posting a small loss of 4.5%.

The past six months have been a windfall for Telephone and Data Systems’s shareholders. The company’s stock price has jumped 54.8%, hitting $35.55 per share. This was partly thanks to its solid quarterly results, and the run-up might have investors contemplating their next move.

Gray Television currently trades at $5.13 per share and has shown little upside over the past six months, posting a middling return of 2%.

Since September 2024, Luxfer has been in a holding pattern, posting a small loss of 3% while floating around $12.12.

Looking back on semiconductor manufacturing stocks’ Q4 earnings, we examine this quarter’s best and worst performers, including Semtech (NASDAQ:SMTC) and its peers.

Leonardo DRS has had an impressive run over the past six months. While the S&P 500 has been flat, the stock has returned 23.1% and now trades at $34.97. This was partly thanks to its solid quarterly results, and the performance may have investors wondering how to approach the situation.

Over the past six months, Sensata Technologies’s stock price fell to $28.40. Shareholders have lost 19.7% of their capital, disappointing when considering the S&P 500 was flat. This might have investors contemplating their next move.

Pegasystems has had an impressive run over the past six months. While the S&P 500 has been flat, the stock has returned 6.7% and now trades at $72.71. This was partly thanks to its solid quarterly results, and the performance may have investors wondering how to approach the situation.

Let’s dig into the relative performance of Biogen (NASDAQ:BIIB) and its peers as we unravel the now-completed Q4 therapeutics earnings season.

Let’s dig into the relative performance of TreeHouse Foods (NYSE:THS) and its peers as we unravel the now-completed Q4 shelf-stable food earnings season.

Boyd Gaming currently trades at $69.26 and has been a dream stock for shareholders. It’s returned 497% since March 2020, more than tripling the S&P 500’s 149% gain. The company has also beaten the index over the past six months as its stock price is up 8.2% thanks to its solid quarterly results.

ADT has had an impressive run over the past six months. While the S&P 500 has been flat, the stock has returned 9.2% and now trades at $7.92. This was partly thanks to its solid quarterly results, and the performance may have investors wondering how to approach the situation.

STERIS currently trades at $226.40 per share and has shown little upside over the past six months, posting a small loss of 4.5%.

Q2 Holdings has been treading water for the past six months, recording a small loss of 4.1% while holding steady at $78.18.

Shareholders of Booz Allen Hamilton would probably like to forget the past six months even happened. The stock dropped 27.8% and now trades at $113.96. This might have investors contemplating their next move.

Earnings results often indicate what direction a company will take in the months ahead. With Q4 behind us, let’s have a look at First Solar (NASDAQ:FSLR) and its peers.

The past six months have been a windfall for The Honest Company’s shareholders. The company’s stock price has jumped 44.3%, hitting $5.34 per share. This was partly due to its solid quarterly results, and the run-up might have investors contemplating their next move.

What a brutal six months it’s been for ASGN. The stock has dropped 27.3% and now trades at $67.80, rattling many shareholders. This was partly driven by its softer quarterly results and might have investors contemplating their next move.

Quarterly earnings results are a good time to check in on a company’s progress, especially compared to its peers in the same sector. Today we are looking at Krispy Kreme (NASDAQ:DNUT) and the best and worst performers in the traditional fast food industry.

As the Q4 earnings season comes to a close, it’s time to take stock of this quarter’s best and worst performers in the personal care industry, including e.l.f. Beauty (NYSE:ELF) and its peers.

Quarterly earnings results are a good time to check in on a company’s progress, especially compared to its peers in the same sector. Today we are looking at Rapid7 (NASDAQ:RPD) and the best and worst performers in the cybersecurity industry.

The end of an earnings season can be a great time to discover new stocks and assess how companies are handling the current business environment. Let’s take a look at how Udemy (NASDAQ:UDMY) and the rest of the consumer subscription stocks fared in Q4.

Wrapping up Q4 earnings, we look at the numbers and key takeaways for the immuno-oncology stocks, including Natera (NASDAQ:NTRA) and its peers.

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 Q4. Today, we are looking at marine transportation stocks, starting with Kirby (NYSE:KEX).

Wrapping up Q4 earnings, we look at the numbers and key takeaways for the electronic components stocks, including Belden (NYSE:BDC) and its peers.

Shareholders of Carter's would probably like to forget the past six months even happened. The stock dropped 40.3% and now trades at $40.01. This might have investors contemplating their next move.

As the Q4 earnings season wraps, let’s dig into this quarter’s best and worst performers in the building materials industry, including Valmont (NYSE:VMI) and its peers.

Since March 2020, the S&P 500 has delivered a total return of 149%. But one standout stock has nearly doubled the market - over the past five years, Wyndham has surged 261% to $92.17 per share. Its momentum hasn’t stopped as it’s also gained 16.1% in the last six months, beating the S&P by 15.9%.

Simply Good Foods has been treading water for the past six months, recording a small loss of 2.3% while holding steady at $33.11.

Earnings results often indicate what direction a company will take in the months ahead. With Q4 behind us, let’s have a look at Malibu Boats (NASDAQ:MBUU) and its peers.

Over the last six months, Allegion’s shares have sunk to $128.65, producing a disappointing 8.4% loss while the S&P 500 was flat. This might have investors contemplating their next move.

Quarterly earnings results are a good time to check in on a company’s progress, especially compared to its peers in the same sector. Today we are looking at Korn Ferry (NYSE:KFY) and the best and worst performers in the professional staffing & hr solutions industry.

Earnings results often indicate what direction a company will take in the months ahead. With Q4 behind us, let’s have a look at Denny's (NASDAQ:DENN) and its peers.

Over the last six months, United Rentals’s shares have sunk to $629.21, producing a disappointing 19.7% loss while the S&P 500 was flat. This might have investors contemplating their next move.

What a brutal six months it’s been for Zeta. The stock has dropped 49.8% and now trades at $14.54, rattling many shareholders. This might have investors contemplating their next move.

What a brutal six months it’s been for ArcBest. The stock has dropped 34.7% and now trades at $71.76, rattling many shareholders. This might have investors contemplating their next move.

The end of the earnings season is always a good time to take a step back and see who shined (and who not so much). Let’s take a look at how travel and vacation providers stocks fared in Q4, starting with Royal Caribbean (NYSE:RCL).

Let’s dig into the relative performance of The Toro Company (NYSE:TTC) and its peers as we unravel the now-completed Q4 agricultural machinery earnings season.

Looking back on electronic components & manufacturing stocks’ Q4 earnings, we examine this quarter’s best and worst performers, including Flex (NASDAQ:FLEX) and its peers.

The end of an earnings season can be a great time to discover new stocks and assess how companies are handling the current business environment. Let’s take a look at how TransDigm (NYSE:TDG) and the rest of the aerospace stocks fared in Q4.

Bumble’s stock price has taken a beating over the past six months, shedding 23% of its value and falling to $4.69 per share. This was partly driven by its softer quarterly results and might have investors contemplating their next move.

Looking back on analog semiconductors stocks’ Q4 earnings, we examine this quarter’s best and worst performers, including Microchip Technology (NASDAQ:MCHP) and its peers.

Let’s dig into the relative performance of Diebold Nixdorf (NYSE:DBD) and its peers as we unravel the now-completed Q4 hardware & infrastructure earnings season.

As the Q4 earnings season comes to a close, it’s time to take stock of this quarter’s best and worst performers in the specialized consumer services industry, including LKQ (NASDAQ:LKQ) and its peers.

Looking back on heavy transportation equipment stocks’ Q4 earnings, we examine this quarter’s best and worst performers, including Trinity (NYSE:TRN) and its peers.

As the Q4 earnings season comes to a close, it’s time to take stock of this quarter’s best and worst performers in the productivity software industry, including DocuSign (NASDAQ:DOCU) and its peers.

Over the last six months, Charles River Laboratories’s shares have sunk to $173.44, producing a disappointing 15.7% loss while the S&P 500 was flat. This might have investors contemplating their next move.

Wrapping up Q4 earnings, we look at the numbers and key takeaways for the home construction materials stocks, including Fortune Brands (NYSE:FBIN) and its peers.

Since March 2020, the S&P 500 has delivered a total return of 149%. But one standout stock has doubled the market - over the past five years, RBC Bearings has surged 299% to $338.42 per share. Its momentum hasn’t stopped as it’s also gained 14.5% in the last six months, beating the S&P by 14.3%.

As the Q4 earnings season wraps, let’s dig into this quarter’s best and worst performers in the asset management & auction services industry, including OPENLANE (NYSE:KAR) and its peers.

What a brutal six months it’s been for Lucid. The stock has dropped 28.4% and now trades at $2.50, rattling many shareholders. This might have investors contemplating their next move.

Homebuilder Lennar (NYSE:LEN) will be announcing earnings results today afternoon. Here’s what investors should know.