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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.

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 hardware & infrastructure stocks fared in Q3, starting with Pure Storage (NYSE:PSTG).

Wrapping up Q3 earnings, we look at the numbers and key takeaways for the medical devices & supplies - imaging, diagnostics stocks, including Hologic (NASDAQ:HOLX) and its peers.

Shares of automation software company UiPath (NYSE:PATH) jumped 8% in the afternoon session after it was announced the company will be added to the S&P MidCap 400 index. 

Shares of casual salad chain Sweetgreen (NYSE:SG) jumped 4.2% in the afternoon session after the company announced its expansion into the Sacramento market with the launch of two new locations. 

Shares of aerospace and defense company Kratos (NASDAQ:KTOS) fell 3% in the afternoon session after its President and CEO, Eric DeMarco, sold a significant amount of stock, totaling approximately $16.1 million. According to regulatory filings, DeMarco sold 200,000 shares of the company on December 22nd. The sale was made at an average price of about $80.53 per share. This transaction reduced the CEO's direct ownership in the company by more than 20%. Large stock sales by top executives can sometimes concern investors as it may suggest insider belief that the stock is fully valued.

Check out the companies making headlines yesterday:

Jabil’s fourth quarter delivered results that met Wall Street’s expectations, with strength attributed to robust demand in its Intelligent Infrastructure segment and steady contributions from Regulated Industries and Connected Living and Digital Commerce. CEO Michael Dastoor credited the company’s diversified model for the performance, highlighting particularly strong execution in cloud and data center infrastructure, as well as networking. Dastoor explained, “AI continues to be the primary driver of growth, but all three segments contributed to our better-than-expected performance.” Management also pointed to operational discipline and a healthy pipeline as factors supporting the quarter’s results.

Micron’s fourth quarter performance was met with a significant positive market reaction, as its results exceeded Wall Street expectations for both revenue and non-GAAP earnings. Management attributed the quarter’s outperformance mainly to surging demand for advanced memory products across data center, AI, and automotive applications. CEO Sanjay Mehrotra pointed to record results across all business units and highlighted that both DRAM and NAND sales benefitted from tight supply and higher pricing. He explained, “We achieved a number of records in fiscal Q1,” emphasizing that strong execution in a constrained supply environment and increasing AI adoption were central to the quarter’s results.

ABM's third quarter saw a positive market reaction, driven by stronger-than-expected revenue and significant improvements in operating margin. Management attributed this performance to robust organic growth across Technical Solutions, Aviation, and Manufacturing & Distribution, with the Technical Solutions segment highlighted for its execution on complex projects in microgrids and mission-critical infrastructure. CEO Scott Salmirs noted that “our teams executed exceptionally well,” and pointed to disciplined cost management and completed restructuring actions as supporting factors. Adjusted profit, however, lagged analyst forecasts, in part due to a self-insurance adjustment, but the underlying operating strength was evident in margin expansion and improved cash flow.

General Mills’ fourth quarter results were met positively by the market, as revenue and non-GAAP profit per share both exceeded Wall Street expectations. Management attributed the performance to ongoing pricing strategies and new product innovation in North America Retail, alongside early momentum within the Pet segment. CEO Jeffrey Harmening emphasized that strategic price adjustments and a strengthened product pipeline helped the company gain pound share in eight of its top ten categories, while the launch of Love Made Fresh in Pet contributed to incremental share gains. However, management acknowledged persistent volume declines and a promotional environment shaped by cautious consumer spending, particularly among middle and lower-income households.

The Toro Company’s third quarter was met with a positive market reaction, as management cited improved execution in its Professional segment and better-than-expected results from snow and underground construction businesses. CEO Rick Olson emphasized operational excellence, noting that “sustained momentum in the underground construction business and better-than-anticipated growth in snow and ice management” helped offset lower volumes in traditional product categories. Management also highlighted successful cost savings from its Amplifying Maximum Productivity (AMP) initiative and a strong cash flow performance, reflecting the company’s ongoing focus on productivity and efficiency.

MillerKnoll’s fourth quarter saw a positive market reaction, reflecting management’s ability to outperform Wall Street’s expectations despite a slight year-over-year decline in sales. The company attributed its results to strong order growth across all business segments, particularly within Global Retail, where new store openings and expanded product assortments led to notable increases in both orders and comparable sales. CEO Andi Owen highlighted, “We set multiple records in North America Retail including the highest orders in DWR brand history both in-store and online,” emphasizing the effectiveness of the company’s retail strategy.

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 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.

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

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.

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.

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.

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

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.

Profitability is a key measure of business strength. Companies with high margins have proven they can generate consistent earnings while maintaining financial discipline.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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 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.

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.

The stocks featured in this article are seeing some big returns. Over the past month, they’ve outpaced the market due to some combination of positive news, upbeat results, or supportive macro developments. As such, investors are taking notice and bidding up shares.

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.

While the Nasdaq 100 (^NDX) is filled with cutting-edge technology and consumer companies, not all are on solid footing. Some are dealing with declining demand, high costs, or regulatory pressures that could limit future upside.

Great things are happening to the stocks in this article. They’re all outperforming the market over the last month because of positive catalysts such as a new product line, constructive news flow, or even a loyal Reddit fanbase.

The Russell 2000 (^RUT) is packed with potential breakout stocks, thanks to its focus on smaller companies with high growth potential. However, smaller size also means these businesses often lack the resilience and financial flexibility of large-cap firms, making careful selection crucial.

While some companies burn cash to fuel expansion, others struggle to turn spending into sustainable growth. A high cash burn rate without a strong balance sheet can leave investors exposed to significant downside.

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.