Good MorningEquity markets traded flat on Thursday following three days of upward movement. The pause is due to weaker-than-expected retail sales data that shows sales grew by only 0.4% in December. Even so, a 0.4% gain is solid enough to offset the 0.4% price increase indicated by the CPI. Demand may not have grown in December, but it remains strong relative to last year's numbers and points to growth in the retail sector.
A warning from Target compounded the retail data, weighing on the sector and the S&P 500. Target updated its Q4 guidance to include better-than-expected revenue but warned margin would be weakened. In this scenario, the earnings guidance was reaffirmed despite the increased expectation for revenue. The question is if this is a trend or a problem isolated to Target. Shares of Target fell on the news but confirmed support at a critical level near long-term lows and may be at their bottom. Featured: Trump’s New Money – Explained (Ad) 
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Finance | |
Bank stocks are on fire after a round of better-than-expected reports. Expected to grow earnings by 40%, the financial sector is outperforming the expectations on widespread strength supported by broad-based demand. Some takeaways from the reports are that revenue is growing with strength driven b... Read the Full Story |
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Technology | |
Shares of AI-assistant maker Cerence (NASDAQ: CRNC) exploded upward to kick off 2025 after the company announced an expanded partnership with NVIDIA (NASDAQ: NVDA). Shares rose nearly 144% in one day after the announcement. Since that one-day surge, shares have traded down approximately 31% as o... Read the Full Story |
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Medical | |
UnitedHealth Group (NYSE: UNH) stock price is pulling back from highs set last year, presenting a healthy opportunity for investors. Although the outlook for revenue growth has dimmed, the company continues to grow, cost controls offset the weakness, and capital return remains robust.
The stock... Read the Full Story |
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From Our Partners | | The SpaceX IPO could be the biggest in history at $1.75 trillion - but the real story isn't the IPO itself.
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Technology | |
The artificial intelligence (AI) revolution is rapidly reshaping the technological sector, and at the heart of this transformation is the need for advanced memory solutions. Micron Technology, Inc. (NASDAQ: MU) is a global leader in the semiconductor sector, and it is strategically positioned to c... Read the Full Story |
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Finance | |
The financial sector is booming, including small caps like Unity Bancorp (NASDAQ: UNTY), Plumas Bancorp (NASDAQ: PLBC), and Community Trust Bancorp (NASDAQ: CTBI). The results from 2024 show consumers remain healthy, commercial volumes are improving, and higher-for-longer interest rates drive soli... Read the Full Story |
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From Our Partners | | The U.S. power grid is under severe strain, and 67 million Americans are already feeling it. Wall Street advising firm Oliver Wyman warns this grid crisis could trigger a stock market crash 62 times worse than the Great Depression.
If AI operations face mass shutdowns and blackouts hit major financial centers, the fallout for investors could be severe. A small group of companies are already rolling out solutions - and their stocks may be positioned to benefit significantly. | | Learn how to protect your portfolio from the American power grid breakdown |
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Consumer Staples | |
Defensive stocks are a key part of the market that can provide significant portfolio benefits. Although they often are not thought of as market outperformers, that certainly is not always the case. Defensive stocks tend to outperform in bear markets and economic downturns. In the case of consumer ... Read the Full Story |
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Utilities | |
Vistra Corp. (NYSE: VST), a utility giant providing electricity and power generation services, was a standout performer in 2024, capturing significant attention from both retail and institutional investors. The stock soared nearly 260% last year, closing 2024 as the second-best-performing S&... Read the Full Story |
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Medical | |
Vertex Pharmaceuticals (NASDAQ: VRTX) is a biotechnology company with a strong track record of success in developing treatments for cystic fibrosis (CF). Vertex is strategically expanding into the pain management sector, presenting a compelling growth opportunity for the company and its investors.... Read the Full Story |
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Technology | |
D-Wave Quantum Inc. (NYSE: QBTS) is a pioneering company in the rapidly evolving quantum computing sector. D-Wave has recently seen its stock experience a rebound after a decline. This resurgence is attracting the attention of investors, particularly those interested in the transformative potent... Read the Full Story |
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Markets | |
Energy traders refer to natural gas futures as the "Widowmaker" due to the extreme volatility that can trigger on a moment's notice. Such drastic moves in the oils/energy sector have been commonplace in the last two months. The combination of back-to-back geopolitical and political news and winter... Read the Full Story |
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Friday's Early Bird Stock Of The Day Palladyne AI Corp., a software company, focuses on delivering software that enhances the utility and functionality of third-party stationary and mobile robotic systems in the United States. Its Artificial Intelligence (AI)/ Machine Learning (ML) software platform enables robots to observe, learn, reason, and act in structured and unstructured environments. The company's software platform enables robotic systems to perceive their environment and quickly adapt to changing circumstances by generalizing from their experience using dynamic real-time operations without extensive programming and with minimal robot training. It serves customers from various industries, such as industrial manufacturing, warehousing and logistics, defense, infrastructure maintenance and repair, energy, aerospace and aviation, and others. The company was formerly known as Sarcos Technology and Robotics Corporation and changed its name to Palladyne AI Corp. in March 2024. Palladyne AI Corp. was founded in 2017 and is headquartered in Salt Lake City, Utah. | | View Today's Stock Pick |
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