Recent Articles from StockStory

Amkor’s third quarter performance in 2025 was marked by robust demand for advanced semiconductor packaging, with both revenue and profit exceeding Wall Street expectations. However, the market responded negatively to the results, which management attributed to higher manufacturing costs associated with scaling leading-edge technologies and a product mix concentrated in high material content solutions. CEO Giel Rutten noted, “We executed steep production ramps and achieved record revenue in both the communications and computing end markets,” while also highlighting that increased material content and ongoing investments constrained margin improvement.

NXP Semiconductors’ third quarter results were met with a negative market reaction, reflecting cautious sentiment around the company’s year-over-year revenue decline and margin compression. Management attributed the softer performance to ongoing inventory normalization in its key automotive supply chain and continued cautiousness from Tier 1 customers. CEO Rafael Sotomayor emphasized that “aggregate inventory levels of NXP-specific products at our major Tier 1 partners are below NXP's manufacturing cycle time,” highlighting the conservative approach by customers amid an uncertain macroeconomic environment.

Crane’s third quarter results were well received by the market, reflecting solid execution and strong demand in its core segments. Management attributed the company’s performance to ongoing momentum in Aerospace & Electronics, especially from new commercial and defense contracts, as well as continued operational discipline. CEO Max Mitchell highlighted “broad-based strength at Aerospace & Electronics and continued strong execution at Process Flow Technologies.” The company also benefitted from its ability to offset tariff headwinds and deliver margin expansion through a combination of pricing, productivity improvements, and a focus on higher-value product categories.

Everest Group’s latest quarter was marked by significant strategic actions that overshadowed its underlying business operations, leading to a negative market reaction. Management highlighted two main drivers behind the weak results: the decision to exit global retail insurance operations and a substantial reserve strengthening in the North America insurance division. CEO James Williamson described this as a quarter of “action and clarity,” focused on confronting legacy casualty issues and repositioning the company for future profitability. Williamson acknowledged, “The difference [in operating income] is almost entirely attributable to the reserve adjustment I mentioned earlier,” emphasizing the impact of these one-time charges.

F5’s third quarter was marked by robust revenue growth supported by data center reinvestment and demand for hybrid cloud and AI infrastructure. However, the market reacted negatively following management’s disclosure of a recent security incident impacting its BIG-IP product line. CEO François Locoh-Donou acknowledged, “We are disappointed that this happened and very aware...of the burden that this has placed in our customers who have had to work long hours to upgrade.” While product refreshes and competitive takeouts drove strong sales, near-term business disruption from the incident weighed on investor sentiment.

Whirlpool’s third quarter was marked by positive market reaction, driven by organic growth in its North American appliance segment and continued strength in its KitchenAid small domestic appliance business. Management credited double-digit revenue growth in KitchenAid and share gains in North American major appliances to an extensive wave of new product launches, despite an intense promotional environment. CEO Marc Bitzer highlighted that “the share gains came from new products,” and noted that KitchenAid reached a near all-time high in market share for major appliances. However, margin pressure persisted due to ongoing industry-wide tariff preloading and elevated promotional activity.

Carter’s third quarter performance drew a positive market response, despite missing Wall Street’s revenue expectations and delivering flat year-on-year sales. Management attributed the results to pockets of strength in U.S. Retail and International segments, partially offset by continued weakness in U.S. Wholesale, particularly due to declining sales of its Simple Joys brand on Amazon. CEO Douglas Palladini emphasized the company’s ongoing transformation efforts and candidly noted, “Our current results do not represent my ambition for Carter’s nor where I believe we can be.” The quarter was shaped by higher product costs, increased tariffs, and investments in marketing and product innovation, all of which pressured operating margins.

Agilysys delivered a strong third quarter, supported by a broad-based acceleration in subscription software sales and notable gains across its hospitality-focused product ecosystem. Management attributed the positive results to sustained improvements in its cloud-native solutions and efficiencies in project implementation, especially within key verticals like gaming casinos and foodservice management. CEO Ramesh Srinivasan emphasized that “the product ecosystem is getting better,” and highlighted significant contributions from newly modernized software modules and a more effective sales organization. The company also benefited from higher international sales and expanding customer adoption of its unified hospitality platform.

FTAI Aviation delivered third quarter results that met analyst revenue expectations, but reported a lower-than-anticipated GAAP profit, with management citing ongoing business model shifts and increased investment activity. CEO Joseph Adams highlighted the successful close of a major strategic capital partnership, SCI, which significantly expanded the company’s managed aircraft portfolio. The Aerospace Products segment continued its strong momentum, benefiting from heightened demand for rebuilt engines and newly announced long-term airline contracts. Management emphasized that vertical integration and efficiency improvements across facilities in Montreal, Miami, and Rome were pivotal in driving both productivity and margins this quarter.

The Hartford’s third quarter results were met with a negative market reaction, despite the company surpassing Wall Street’s revenue and non-GAAP profit expectations. Management attributed performance to robust growth in Business Insurance, particularly in small business and E&S lines, and improved margins in Personal Insurance. CEO Christopher Swift emphasized that strategic investments in technology and underwriting discipline have enabled written premium growth across core segments. However, management acknowledged heightened competition in Personal Insurance and pressure on retention rates as ongoing industry challenges.

Northwest Bancshares saw a negative market reaction following its third quarter results, despite delivering strong year-on-year revenue growth. Management attributed this performance to the successful integration of the Penns Woods merger, which expanded its branch footprint and customer base. CEO Louis Torchio emphasized that the merger synergies, including cost savings and operational integration, were on track or ahead of expectations. Additionally, the company benefited from higher net interest income and continued commercial loan growth, but also faced merger-related expenses and a modest increase in loan delinquencies due to administrative issues from the conversion process.

Confluent's third quarter was met with a significant positive market reaction, driven by robust cloud revenue growth and expanding adoption of its data streaming products. Management attributed the performance to increased late-stage pipeline activity, particularly from enterprise customers deepening their engagement with Confluent Cloud and newer offerings like Flink. CEO Jay Kreps emphasized the impact of field alignment efforts and the acceleration of new use cases moving into production, stating, “momentum continued in Q3 with more than 40% sequential growth in progressing late-stage pipeline and an accelerating pace of new use cases.”

Universal Health Services posted third quarter results that exceeded Wall Street’s expectations, leading to a significant positive market reaction. Management attributed this performance to robust acute care hospital activity, improved pricing in both core segments, and the financial benefit from a supplemental Medicaid program in the District of Columbia. CEO Marc Miller specifically highlighted progress at newly opened hospitals in Nevada and Washington, D.C., and noted that operational efficiency and expense management further supported profitability. CFO Steve Filton pointed to a 2% increase in acute care admissions and growth in both inpatient and outpatient services as key factors.

Seacoast Banking’s most recent quarter reflected steady execution on organic deposit and loan growth, supported by recent acquisitions. Management attributed performance to a balanced approach between commercial and consumer banking, and highlighted the success of its expanded wealth management and treasury services. CEO Charles Shaffer emphasized, “Our competitive transformation has fully taken hold with loan and deposit growth near 8%,” pointing to a maturing banker team and the integration of Heartland as key contributors. Despite industry-wide competition and tight credit spreads, Seacoast’s asset quality remained stable, aided by disciplined underwriting and proactive risk management.

Cadence Design Systems’ third quarter results surpassed Wall Street’s expectations for both revenue and non-GAAP earnings per share, yet the market responded with a modestly negative reaction. Management attributed the solid performance to broad-based demand across electronic design automation (EDA), intellectual property (IP), and hardware platforms, particularly as AI-driven design activity accelerated across multiple industries. CEO Anirudh Devgan highlighted strong bookings and a record backlog, emphasizing that Cadence’s partnerships with major semiconductor and system companies continue to drive consistent growth. The company also benefited from a normalization of activity in China and robust hardware demand, which, according to Devgan, has “become almost an annual subscription” for large customers.

Principal Financial Group’s third quarter results were met with a positive market reaction, reflecting investor confidence in the company’s diversified strategy and ongoing momentum across key business segments. Management identified enterprise net revenue growth, margin expansion, and strong cash flow as primary drivers of the quarter’s performance. CEO Deanna Strable pointed to the retirement ecosystem, small and midsized business solutions, and global asset management as areas of notable strength, highlighting, “Our year-to-date free capital flow conversion ratio of over 90% is tracking above target.” Margins benefited from disciplined expense management and favorable underwriting results, particularly in the Specialty Benefits segment.

Bank of Hawaii’s third quarter was marked by a modest outperformance relative to Wall Street expectations, with management attributing the results to improved net interest margin and disciplined credit practices. CEO Peter Ho highlighted, “Net interest margin improved for the sixth straight quarter,” as deposit growth and prudent asset repricing helped offset some headwinds from deposit mix shifts. The bank’s continued dominance in its core Hawaii market, supported by a diversified and conservatively underwritten loan book, was also emphasized as a key factor in maintaining stable asset quality and driving market share gains.

Simpson’s third quarter results came in ahead of Wall Street’s revenue and earnings expectations, but the market responded negatively, reflecting ongoing concerns about demand in housing and construction sectors. Management attributed the company’s sales growth to a June price increase and favorable foreign exchange, while acknowledging that North American volumes declined due to lower housing starts, particularly in the South and West. CEO Michael Olosky noted, “Our growth reflects the ability of our business model to navigate a challenging macroeconomic environment even as residential housing markets in the U.S. and Europe remain soft.”

Avis Budget Group’s third quarter performance was met with a positive market reaction, reflecting a combination of modest revenue growth and stronger profitability. Management attributed these results to disciplined cost control, operational improvements, and early benefits from new service initiatives like Avis First. CEO Brian Choi emphasized that sustainable EBITDA growth requires both volume and price gains, noting, “You have to grow both volume and price by delivering a product that wins the customer’s share of wallet.” The quarter also marked progress in stabilizing revenue, despite persistent challenges in pricing and fleet recalls.

Custom Truck One Source’s third quarter results were met with a negative market reaction, as revenue came in below Wall Street’s expectations despite a nearly 8% year-over-year increase. Management attributed the results to continued solid demand from utility and transmission and distribution (T&D) markets, as well as strong execution in both Equipment Rental Solutions (ERS) and Truck and Equipment Sales (TES) segments. CEO Ryan McMonagle emphasized that “steady business activity and strong intra-quarter order flow continue to reinforce our optimism about achieving our expected growth targets in 2025.” The company also pointed to rental fleet utilization rates reaching their highest level in two years and highlighted strategic investments in rental fleet capacity to meet ongoing demand.

Waste Management’s third quarter results were met with a negative market reaction, as both revenue and non-GAAP earnings per share fell slightly short of Wall Street expectations. Management attributed the shortfall to lower-than-expected recycled commodity prices and a more measured pace of growth in the Healthcare Solutions segment, resulting from deferred price increases and customer credits. CEO James Fish emphasized that the core collection and disposal business remained the primary driver of operational EBITDA, highlighting strong disposal volumes and disciplined pricing strategies. Fish noted, “Our collection and disposal business continues to be the engine behind our growth, contributing more than half of the year-over-year increase in operating EBITDA.”

Keurig Dr Pepper’s third quarter was marked by robust revenue expansion and a strong market response, with management attributing the outperformance to continued momentum across its core beverage and coffee businesses. CEO Tim Cofer highlighted that “net sales accelerated in Q3,” driven by solid gains in both U.S. Refreshment Beverages and international markets, as well as successful pricing actions in the coffee segment. Additionally, the company maintained its operating margins despite inflationary pressures, signaling operational discipline amid a dynamic macroeconomic backdrop. Management’s focus on brand building, innovation, and productivity initiatives supported both top-line and bottom-line growth, even as input costs and tariffs increased.

Cincinnati Financial’s third quarter results topped Wall Street expectations for both revenue and non-GAAP earnings per share; however, the market responded negatively, reflecting investor concerns about underlying business trends. Management attributed the quarter’s outcome to strong investment income growth and improved underwriting performance, particularly in property casualty lines. CEO Steve Spray highlighted robust results in both commercial and personal lines, citing lower catastrophe losses and continued underwriting discipline. The company also benefited from a favorable investment environment and consistent reserve development, but acknowledged that commercial auto and large losses presented ongoing volatility within certain segments.

Revvity’s third quarter results were met with a significant negative reaction from the market, as investors focused on sluggish organic revenue growth and margin compression despite headline results aligning with Wall Street expectations. Management pointed to a strong performance in its Signals software and reproductive health businesses, with CEO Prahlad R. Singh highlighting that “our signals software business continued to perform extremely well, growing 20% organically,” and that “newborn screening again grew in the high single digits in the quarter.” However, challenges persisted, particularly in China’s diagnostics segment, where volumes remained under pressure, and lower life sciences reagent sales contributed to margin declines. Singh acknowledged these headwinds, noting the company remains focused on cost containment and cash flow generation.

BioMarin Pharmaceutical’s third quarter results reflected steady top-line growth, with management highlighting enzyme therapies and the Skeletal Conditions business as main contributors. CEO Alexander Hardy credited global demand for therapies like VOXZOGO and PALYNZIQ, noting, “These strong results are driven by the performance of our global enzyme therapies and Skeletal Conditions business units as we deliver for patients around the world.” The company’s operating margins declined due to higher R&D and SG&A expenses, partly from the Inozyme Pharma acquisition. Management acknowledged that this charge, along with business unit investments, weighed on profitability.

Enterprise Financial Services’ third quarter saw strong revenue growth, driven by expansion in core lending and exceptional deposit inflows, particularly from specialty verticals and recently acquired branches. Management attributed these gains to disciplined pricing strategies and robust loan origination in Southwest and Midwest markets. CEO James Lally highlighted, “This was a continuation of our intentional strategy to lean into our diversified geography and national businesses that allows for our team to focus on the business that fits us the best.” However, increased provision for loan losses and noise from a recaptured solar tax credit added complexity to the results, with management expressing confidence in resolving these issues over the next few quarters.

NBT Bancorp’s third quarter saw a positive market response, reflecting revenue growth and earnings that surpassed Wall Street expectations. Management attributed these results to continued net interest margin expansion, disciplined funding cost management, and the full-quarter impact of the Evans Bancorp merger. CEO Scott Kingsley pointed to “productive asset repricing trends, the diversification of our revenue streams, prudent balance sheet growth, and the additive impact of our merger with Evans Bancorp” as key contributors, while also highlighting solid growth in noninterest income and robust performance by nonbanking businesses.

Ameris Bancorp delivered third-quarter results that surpassed Wall Street’s revenue and earnings expectations, with management pointing to a combination of core deposit growth, higher noninterest income, and disciplined expense management as key contributors. CEO Palmer Proctor emphasized strong performance in return on assets and tangible book value per share, while highlighting that 4% annualized loan growth and a favorable net interest margin were achieved despite a challenging competitive environment. Management noted that efficiency gains stemmed from revenue expansion rather than cost-cutting, and that asset quality measures remained stable.

Leggett & Platt’s third quarter was marked by operational discipline and continued execution on restructuring efforts, as results met Wall Street’s profit expectations and slightly exceeded revenue estimates. Management attributed performance to cost reductions across its manufacturing footprint, improved operational execution, and benefits from its restructuring plan, despite ongoing softness in residential end markets. CEO Karl Glassman noted the company’s “nearly two years of disciplined cost structure improvements,” with particular emphasis on portfolio optimization and balance sheet strengthening. Management also highlighted the completion of the Aerospace business divestiture and ongoing cost savings in its Bedding, Furniture, and Hydraulic Cylinders segments.

Stocks that outperform the market usually share key traits such as rising sales, expanding margins, and increasing returns on capital. The select few that can do all three for many years are often the ones that make you life-changing money.

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

Financial providers use their expertise in capital allocation and risk assessment to help facilitate economic growth while offering consumers and businesses essential financial services. But uncertainty about fiscal and monetary policy has tempered enthusiasm, limiting the industry's gains to 10.9% over the past six months. This return lagged the S&P 500's 21% climb.

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.

Semiconductors are the core infrastructure powering the Information Age. Compute-intensive AI workloads are also priming them for the next wave of secular growth, so it’s no wonder the industry has outperformed the market over the past six months, delivering returns of 62.7% compared to 21% for the S&P 500.

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

Companies that consistently increase their sales, margins, or returns on capital are usually rewarded with the best returns, and those that can do all three for years on end are almost always the legendary stocks that return 100 times your money.

Businesses with strong free cash flow tend to be more adaptable and resilient. Some of these companies shine bright by using their cash wisely to strengthen their market positions.

Wall Street’s bearish price targets for the stocks in this article signal serious concerns. Such forecasts are uncommon in an industry where maintaining cordial corporate relationships often trumps delivering the hard truth.

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. This secular theme makes SaaS companies attractive investment candidates but also comes with higher valuations that make re-ratings harder. Unfortunately, the rich prices have held them back over the past six months as the industry’s gain of 11.2% has fallen short of the S&P 500’s 21% rise.

The stocks in this article have caught Wall Street’s attention in a big way, with price targets implying returns above 20%. But investors should take these forecasts with a grain of salt because analysts typically say nice things about companies so their firms can win business in other product lines like M&A advisory.

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

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

Market swings can be tough to stomach, and volatile stocks often experience exaggerated moves in both directions. While many thrive during risk-on environments, many also struggle to maintain investor confidence when the ride gets bumpy.

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.

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.

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.

Value stocks typically trade at discounts to the broader market, offering patient investors the opportunity to buy businesses when they’re out of favor. The key risk, however, is that these stocks are usually cheap for a reason – five cents for a piece of fruit may seem like a great deal until you find out it’s rotten.

Running at a loss can be a red flag. Many of these businesses face mounting challenges as competition increases and funding becomes harder to secure.

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.

By breaking down physical barriers, consumer internet businesses are reshaping how people shop, connect, learn, and play. These themes have enabled rapid growth for the industry, which has posted a 26.2% gain over the past six months compared to 21% for the S&P 500.

The performance of consumer discretionary businesses is closely linked to economic cycles. This sensitive demand profile can lead to some stock price volatility, but over the past six months, the industry has stayed on track as its 21.3% return was close to the S&P 500’s.

The stocks in this article have caught Wall Street’s attention in a big way, with price targets implying returns above 20%. But investors should take these forecasts with a grain of salt because analysts typically say nice things about companies so their firms can win business in other product lines like M&A advisory.

Value stocks typically trade at discounts to the broader market, offering patient investors the opportunity to buy businesses when they’re out of favor. The key risk, however, is that these stocks are usually cheap for a reason – five cents for a piece of fruit may seem like a great deal until you find out it’s rotten.

Financial firms serve as the backbone of the economy, providing essential services from lending and investment management to risk management and payment processing. But worries about economic uncertainty and potential market volatility have kept sentiment in check, and over the past six months, the industry's 10.9% return has trailed the S&P 500 by 10.1 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.

Business services providers play a critical role for enterprises, assisting them with everything from new hardware integrations to consulting and marketing. Furthermore, the demand for their offerings is rising as more clients outsource non-core functions, a trend that has enabled the industry to return 20.4% over the past six months, almost identical to the S&P 500.

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’s six-month gain of 11.2% has trailed the S&P 500’s 21%.

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.

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

Financial institutions play a critical role, offering everything from consumer banking to wealth management and specialized financial solutions. Still, investors are uneasy as companies face challenges from an unpredictable interest rate and inflation environment. These doubts have certainly contributed to the indutry's recent underperformance - over the past six months, its 10.9% gain has fallen behind the S&P 500's 21% rise.

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.

Stocks under $10 pique our interest because they have room to grow (as well as the most affordable option contract premiums). That doesn’t mean they’re bargains though, and we urge investors to be careful as many have risky business models.

Large-cap stocks are known for their staying power and ability to weather market storms better than smaller competitors. However, their sheer size makes it more challenging to maintain high growth rates as they’ve already captured significant portions of their markets.

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.

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.

Stocks trading between $10 and $50 can be particularly interesting as they frequently represent businesses that have survived their early challenges. However, investors should remain vigilant as some may still have unproven business models, leaving them vulnerable to the ebbs and flows of the broader market.

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.

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.

Large-cap stocks are known for their staying power and ability to weather market storms better than smaller competitors. However, their sheer size makes it more challenging to maintain high growth rates as they’ve already captured significant portions of their markets.

Most consumer discretionary businesses succeed or fail based on the broader economy. Lately, it seems like demand trends have worked in their favor as the industry has returned 21.3% over the past six months, similar to the S&P 500.

Companies that consistently increase their sales, margins, or returns on capital are usually rewarded with the best returns, and those that can do all three for years on end are almost always the legendary stocks that return 100 times your money.

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.

Stocks trading between $10 and $50 can be particularly interesting as they frequently represent businesses that have survived their early challenges. However, investors should remain vigilant as some may still have unproven business models, leaving them vulnerable to the ebbs and flows of the broader market.

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.