Recent Articles from StockStory

General Dynamics delivered a third quarter that exceeded Wall Street’s expectations, driven by strong order momentum and substantial revenue growth in its Aerospace and Marine Systems segments. Management attributed the quarter’s outperformance to higher aircraft deliveries and resilient demand for new business jets, particularly the G700 and G800 models. CEO Phebe Novakovic emphasized that the company’s ability to improve operating margins and cash flow sequentially demonstrated progress in operational execution and supply chain recovery. The robust backlog, especially in defense and aerospace, reflected broad-based customer demand and supported a positive market response.

Flagstar Financial’s third quarter results were marked by stabilization in key operating metrics and a narrowing non-GAAP loss, which aligned with Wall Street’s consensus. Management highlighted expansion in commercial and industrial (C&I) lending and ongoing reductions in commercial real estate (CRE) exposures as central to the quarter’s results. CEO Joseph Otting underscored, “Our third quarter performance provides further tangible evidence that we are successfully executing on all our strategic priorities,” while also noting disciplined cost controls and improved net interest margin. Management described progress in diversifying the loan portfolio and lowering criticized assets as instrumental in shaping the quarter’s outcome.

Procter & Gamble’s third quarter results were marked by steady organic revenue gains and a modest beat on profit expectations, but with operating margins under pressure from increased investment and competitive activity. Management attributed the quarter’s performance to broad-based growth led by Skin & Personal Care, ongoing innovation across brands like Tide and Pampers, and continued portfolio optimization. CFO Andre Schulten highlighted, “This marks 40 consecutive quarters of organic sales growth and keeps us on track for the tenth consecutive year of core EPS growth.” The company noted that growth was supported by both price and product mix improvements, despite market share softness and intensified promotions in key categories.

First Hawaiian Bank’s third quarter was marked by a positive market response, as the company surpassed analysts’ revenue and profit expectations. Management attributed the improvement to higher net interest and noninterest income, as well as disciplined cost control. CEO Robert Harrison pointed out that “the balance sheet remains solid as we continue to be well capitalized with ample liquidity,” while strong deposit growth and active customer engagement contributed meaningfully to results. The quarter also saw a normalization of the tax rate and the impact of previously announced share repurchases.

HCA Healthcare’s third quarter was marked by broad-based growth in patient volumes, improved payer mix, and higher utilization of complex services. Management highlighted the impact of increased Medicaid supplemental payments, particularly from Tennessee, Kansas, and Texas, as a significant factor supporting both revenue and margins. CEO Sam Hazen cited the “broad-based volume growth, improved payer mix, more utilization of complex services and additional revenue from Medicaid supplemental programs” as key drivers. The company also emphasized disciplined cost controls and operational execution, contributing to stronger operating margins compared to last year.

Illinois Tool Works’ third quarter results drew a negative market reaction, as organic revenue growth lagged Wall Street expectations and overall sales growth remained modest. Management attributed these outcomes to ongoing demand softness across several end markets, particularly in North America and Europe, while highlighting standout growth in Asia and the automotive original equipment manufacturer (OEM) segment. CEO Christopher O’Herlihy pointed to effective cost control, continued operational execution, and the company’s ability to “outpace underlying end market demand” as partial offsets to a mixed revenue environment.

Stellar Bancorp’s third quarter delivered results that were generally in line with Wall Street expectations, with management attributing stable performance to strong deposit growth and disciplined margin management. CEO Bob Franklin highlighted the bank’s emphasis on building full client relationships, which drove balance sheet expansion and contributed to improved net interest income. The quarter also saw a modest uptick in charge-offs, but management emphasized that these were anticipated and well-reserved. CFO Paul Egge described the expense increase as a temporary outlier, citing severance costs linked to upcoming branch closures as a primary factor.

Booz Allen Hamilton’s third quarter results were met with a significant negative reaction from the market, as the company’s revenue fell short of Wall Street’s expectations and operating margins declined sharply. Management attributed the underperformance primarily to the ongoing challenges in its civil business, which CEO Horacio Rozanski called “the most challenging market in a generation.” Rozanski noted, “We did not see the normalization of the procurement and funding environment that we originally assumed.” Despite these headwinds, the national security segment saw some strength, but not enough to offset the weakness in civil, prompting a company-wide reassessment of strategy and cost structure.

Digital banking company Axos Financial (NYSE:AX) beat Wall Street’s revenue expectations in Q3 CY2025, but sales were flat year on year at $323.4 million. Its non-GAAP profit of $2.07 per share was 10.3% above analysts’ consensus estimates.

Cloud computing and online retail behemoth Amazon (NASDAQ:AMZN) reported revenue ahead of Wall Streets expectations in Q3 CY2025, with sales up 13.4% year on year to $180.2 billion. The company expects next quarter’s revenue to be around $209.5 billion, close to analysts’ estimates. Its GAAP profit of $1.95 per share was 25.4% above analysts’ consensus estimates.

iPhone and iPad maker Apple (NASDAQ:AAPL) announced better-than-expected revenue in Q3 CY2025, with sales up 7.9% year on year to $102.5 billion. Its GAAP profit of $1.85 per share was 4.5% above analysts’ consensus estimates.

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.

Large-cap stocks usually command their industries because they have the scale to drive market trends. The flip side though is that their sheer size can limit growth as expanding further becomes an increasingly challenging task.

Large-cap stocks have the power to shape entire industries thanks to their size and widespread influence. With such vast footprints, however, finding new areas for growth is much harder than for smaller, more agile players.

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 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.

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

Even if they go mostly unnoticed, industrial businesses are the backbone of our country. 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 34.5% return over the past six months has topped the S&P 500 by 11.9 percentage points.

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.

Companies with more cash than debt can be financially resilient, but that doesn’t mean they’re all strong investments. Some lack leverage because they struggle to grow or generate consistent profits, making them unattractive borrowers.

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 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.

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.

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.

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.

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

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

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.

Exciting developments are taking place for the stocks in this article. They’ve all surged ahead of the broader market over the last month as catalysts such as new products and positive media coverage have propelled their returns.

Wall Street has issued downbeat forecasts for the stocks in this article. These predictions are rare - financial institutions typically hesitate to say bad things about a company because it can jeopardize their other revenue-generating business lines like M&A advisory.

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.

Personal health and wellness is one of the many secular tailwinds for healthcare companies. But speed bumps such as inventory destockings have persisted in the wake of COVID-19, limiting growth. This has capped returns as the industry’s six-month gain of 9.8% has lagged the S&P 500’s 22.6% climb.

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

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

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.

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.

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.

Companies that burn cash at a rapid pace can run into serious trouble if they fail to secure funding. Without a clear path to profitability, these businesses risk dilution, mounting debt, or even bankruptcy.

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.

Unprofitable companies can burn through cash quickly, leaving investors exposed if they fail to turn things around. Without a clear path to profitability, these businesses risk running out of capital or relying on dilutive fundraising.

Healthcare companies are pushing the status quo by innovating in areas like drug development and digital health. Despite the rosy long-term prospects, short-term headwinds such as COVID inventory destocking have caused the industry to lag recently - over the past six months, the collective 9.8% gain for healthcare stocks has fallen short of the S&P 500’s 22.6% rise.

A surplus of cash can mean financial stability, but it can also indicate a reluctance (or inability) to invest in growth. Some of these companies also face challenges like stagnating revenue, declining market share, or limited scalability.

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.

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.

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".

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.

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.

Whether you see them or not, industrials businesses play a crucial part in our daily activities. Their momentum is also rising as lower interest rates have incentivized higher capital spending. As a result, the industry has posted a 34.5% gain over the past six months, beating the S&P 500 by 11.9 percentage points.

Restaurants are go-to meeting hubs for friends, family, and colleagues. Still, their demand can ebb and flow with the broader economy because consumers can always cook meals at home when times are tough, and the market seems to be baking in a downturn for the industry - over the past six months, it has pulled back by 8.4%. This drop is a far cry from the S&P 500’s 22.6% ascent.

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.

"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.

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.

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.

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 13.9% return has trailed the S&P 500 by 8.7 percentage points.

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.

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.

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 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.

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.

While the S&P 500 (^GSPC) includes industry leaders, not every stock in the index is a winner. Some companies are past their prime, weighed down by poor execution, weak financials, or structural headwinds.

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.

Many investors pay attention to mid-cap stocks because they have established business models and expansive market opportunities. However, their paths to becoming $100 billion corporations are ripe with competition, ranging from giants with vast resources to agile upstarts eager to disrupt the status quo.

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.

Expensive stocks often command premium valuations because the market thinks their business models are exceptional. However, the downside is that high expectations are already baked into their prices, leaving little room for error if they stumble even slightly.

While the S&P 500 (^GSPC) includes industry leaders, not every stock in the index is a winner. Some companies are past their prime, weighed down by poor execution, weak financials, or structural headwinds.

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.

The performance of consumer discretionary businesses is closely linked to economic cycles. Lately, it seems like demand trends have worked in their favor as the industry has returned 24% over the past six months, similar to the S&P 500.

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.

Consumer staples are considered safe havens in turbulent markets due to their inelastic demand profiles. The flip side is that they frequently fall behind growth industries when times are good, and this perception became a reality over the past six months as the sector was down 7.2% while the S&P 500 was up 22.6%.

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.

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.

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.

Expensive stocks often command premium valuations because the market thinks their business models are exceptional. However, the downside is that high expectations are already baked into their prices, leaving little room for error if they stumble even slightly.