The U.S. stock market is bracing for a fascinating transitional period, with major financial institutions forecasting a phase of moderated gains and heightened volatility for the S&P 500 (SPX) in late 2025. This anticipated choppiness is seen not as a setback, but as a prelude to a more
Shares of buy now, pay later company Affirm (NASDAQ:AFRM) jumped 5.6% in the afternoon session after several analysts raised their price targets on the stock following the company's recent strong financial results. Among the firms updating their outlook, Mizuho increased its price target to $108 from $70, while maintaining an Outperform rating. Similarly, UBS raised its target to $85 from $56, keeping a Neutral rating. RBC Capital adjusted its price target upward to $97 from $75, and Stephens lifted its target to $93 from a previous $69. These upward revisions signal growing confidence from Wall Street in the company's financial performance and future prospects.
Shares of clothing and accessories retailer Urban Outfitters (NASDAQ:URBN)
jumped 4.9% in the afternoon session after a key peer, American Eagle Outfitters reported strong earnings. American Eagle's stock surged after it reported second-quarter profits that more than doubled Wall Street's expectations, driven by successful celebrity-led advertising campaigns that boosted denim sales. The strong performance from a peer signals underlying strength in the retail sector, lifting investor sentiment for similar companies like Urban Outfitters. The positive momentum also follows Urban Outfitters' own recent update at a Goldman Sachs conference, where the company highlighted a robust second quarter with record sales of $1.5 billion and earnings per share growth of over 20%.
As the summer fades and financial professionals return to their desks, the specter of the "September Effect"—a historical tendency for stock markets to deliver their weakest performance of the year—looms large over global equities. For September 2025, this seasonal anomaly is amplified by a complex web of economic
The Federal Reserve is currently caught in a precarious balancing act, navigating a complex economic landscape defined by persistent inflation, a softening labor market, and mounting pressure to adjust interest rates. Wall Street is eagerly anticipating a series of rate cuts, with a strong consensus forming around a September 2025
Shares of RFID manufacturer Impinj (NASDAQ:PI) fell 3% in the morning session after the company announced the pricing of an upsized $170 million convertible senior notes offering.
Shares of used-car retailer America’s Car-Mart (NASDAQ:CRMT)
fell 22.2% in the morning session after the company reported disappointing second-quarter results that widely missed analyst expectations.
Shares of regional banking company Customers Bancorp (NYSE:CUBI) fell 3.8% in the morning session after the company announced the pricing of its public offering of common stock.
Shares of young adult apparel retailer American Eagle Outfitters (NYSE:AEO) jumped 28.7% in the morning session after the company reported better-than-expected second-quarter financial results that significantly surpassed analyst estimates.
Shares of student loan servicer Navient (NASDAQ:NAVI) fell 1.9% in the morning session after BofA Securities downgraded the stock to 'Underperform' from 'Neutral', citing concerns over its transition to growth initiatives. The investment bank also lowered its price target to $12.00 from $15.00. The downgrade reflects concerns about Navient's shift from cost-cutting measures to a growth phase, which BofA believes carries 'significantly higher execution risk.' Analysts also pointed to worries regarding the company's loan portfolio quality and potential pressure on profit margins. This move suggests that the firm sees increased challenges ahead as Navient attempts to pivot its business strategy.
Shares of work management platform monday.com (NASDAQ:MNDY) fell 2.2% in the morning session after investor sentiment for the software-as-a-service (SaaS) sector soured following weak revenue guidance from industry giant Salesforce.
Shares of specialty insurance provider Skyward Specialty Insurance (NASDAQ:SKWD) jumped 5.7% in the morning session after the company announced a definitive agreement to acquire Lloyd’s specialist, Apollo Group Holdings Limited, for a total consideration of $555 million.
Shares of casual restaurant chain Brinker International (NYSE:EAT)
jumped 1.3% in the morning session after Evercore ISI upgraded the stock to 'Outperform' from 'In Line' and raised its price target to $210 from $190. The upgrade is based on the belief that the owner of Chili's is positioned for sustainable earnings growth. Evercore ISI analyst David Palmer cited restaurant remodels, menu upgrades, and new unit openings as key drivers for this positive outlook. The brokerage also increased its long-term earnings forecasts for Brinker, projecting a 17% annual growth in earnings per share (EPS) through the 2027 fiscal year. This upgrade contributed to a broader positive trend, with the average analyst price target for the company showing a recent increase.
Shares of mortgage servicing company Mr. Cooper Group (NASDAQ:COOP) jumped 3.6% in the morning session after its stockholders approved the proposed merger with Rocket Companies.
Pricing power is a company's ability to raise prices for its products or services without causing a significant drop in demand or losing customers to competitors.
Activist investor Elliott Investment Management has sent significant ripples through the financial markets with the recent announcement of a substantial $4 billion stake in global food and beverage giant PepsiCo (NASDAQ: PEP). This strategic move positions Elliott as one of PepsiCo's largest shareholders outside of index funds, signaling a clear
Shares of beauty and waxing service franchise European Wax Center (NASDAQ:EWCZ) fell 2.6% in the afternoon session after the stock traded lower amid broader market headwinds, as September is historically a challenging month for stocks.
Shares of medical device company LeMaitre Vascular (NASDAQ:LMAT)
fell 2.2% in the afternoon session after the stock traded lower amid broader market weakness. U.S. stock markets began September trading on a negative note, due to concerns over tariffs and rising U.S. sovereign bond yields, which dented investor sentiment. The downward pressure appeared to continue into Wednesday's session, which saw mixed trading. While the tech-heavy Nasdaq showed gains, the Dow Jones Industrial Average was trading in negative territory. The healthcare sector, to which LeMaitre belongs, has also been facing pressure from factors like rising operational costs. In the absence of any company-specific news, the stock's dip seems to be influenced by these wider market and sector headwinds.
The financial markets have been abuzz with significant company-specific news, as major players like Kraft Heinz (NASDAQ: KHC), PepsiCo (NASDAQ: PEP), and Macy's (NYSE: M) have each announced developments with immediate and distinct implications for their operations and stock performance. These events, ranging from a strategic corporate restructuring to the
Shares of theme park operator United Parks & Resorts (NYSE:PRKS)
jumped 3.3% in the afternoon session after it was announced the company is poised to join the S&P SmallCap 600 index. S&P Dow Jones Indices announced late Tuesday that the theme park operator, formerly known as SeaWorld Entertainment, will replace Foot Locker in the index. The change will be effective before the market opens on Monday, September 8. Inclusion in a major index is often a positive development for a company's stock, as it forces index funds and exchange-traded funds (ETFs) that track the S&P SmallCap 600 to purchase the company's shares. This creates new buying demand, which can drive the stock price higher.
