Benzinga examined the prospects for many investors' favorite stocks over the last week — here's a look at some of our top stories.
U.S. stocks capped a volatile week with historic highs as the Dow Jones Industrial Average surged past the 50,000 milestone for the first time, buoyed by a sharp rebound in technology and semiconductor stocks. The S&P 500 and Nasdaq Composite also posted strong gains, recovering from earlier losses triggered by a broad selloff in software and AI-related names. Investors embraced risk late in the week as dip-buyers stepped in following heavy selling pressure sparked by concerns over elevated valuations and massive AI capital spending plans from major tech firms.
The rally followed a turbulent stretch that saw software stocks suffer steep declines, marking one of the sector's sharpest pullbacks in years. Shares of major cloud, cybersecurity and enterprise software companies slid earlier in the week amid fears that intensifying competition and rising AI infrastructure costs could compress margins.
Elsewhere, market breadth improved as financials, industrials and select consumer names joined the advance, while Bitcoin's rebound boosted crypto-linked stocks. Despite the powerful finish, analysts cautioned that volatility remains elevated, with investors closely watching earnings, Federal Reserve policy signals and the sustainability of massive AI spending.
Benzinga provides daily reports on the stocks most popular with investors. Here are a few of this past week's most bullish and bearish posts that are worth another look.
The Bulls
"e.l.f. Beauty Stock Surges On Q3 Earnings Beat, Stronger Outlook", by Adam Eckert, reports that e.l.f. Beauty Inc. (NYSE:ELF) delivered a strong third-quarter earnings and revenue beat, raised its full-year guidance on robust demand and market share gains, and highlighted continued momentum across retail and e-commerce channels, sending shares sharply higher in after-hours trading.
"Enphase Just Lit Up Solar — And Burned Shorts By 35%," by Surbhi Jain, reports that Enphase Energy Inc. (NASDAQ:ENPH) surged about 35% in a single session after delivering a massive Q4 earnings beat that shattered bearish expectations, signaling an end to the so-called "solar winter," triggering a powerful short squeeze with short interest at roughly 22.7% of the float, and prompting multiple analyst upgrades and sharp price-target hikes as improving demand trends, normalized inventory levels, and rebounding European sales drove a rapid re-rating of the stock.
"Super Micro Stock Climbs After Q2 Earnings: Here's Why", by Adam Eckert, reports that Super Micro Computer Inc. (NASDAQ:SMCI) posted a major second-quarter earnings and revenue beat driven by surging demand for AI-optimized server systems, raised its forward outlook, and highlighted strong order momentum from hyperscalers and enterprise customers, sending shares sharply higher.
For additional bullish calls of the past week, check out the following:
Broadcom Stock Jumps After The Close: Here's Why
TeraWulf Stock Claws Higher After Hours: Here's Why
The Bears
"AMD Stock Slides Despite Q4 Earnings Beat Driven By AI Demand," by Adam Eckert, reports that Advanced Micro Devices Inc. (NASDAQ:AMD) posted a fourth‑quarter earnings and revenue beat — with roughly $10.27 billion in revenue and adjusted EPS of about $1.53 beating estimates — driven by broad growth across data center and client segments including strong AI demand, yet the stock slid about 3.5% in after‑hours trading as investors weighed the results and guidance against near‑term headwinds and profit‑taking despite solid fundamentals.
"Strategy Stock Stalls On Q4 Earnings Beat As Bitcoin Remains In Freefall," by Adam Eckert, reports that StrategyShares Nasdaq 7HANDL Index ETF (NASDAQ:HNDL) edged lower after the fund's underlying components delivered a mixed Q4 performance despite beating blended earnings expectations, as broader markets were pressured by a continued slump in Bitcoin prices that weighed on sentiment for crypto‑linked strategy stocks and related thematic exposures, leading traders to take profits and reassess positioning amid persistent volatility.
"Robinhood's 40% Stock Plunge Fuels Cathie Wood's Big Bet On Trump's Next Move," by Erica Kollmann, reports that Robinhood Markets Inc. (NASDAQ:HOOD) shares have slid roughly 40% this year amid wider market volatility and trading‑revenue headwinds, even as Cathie Wood's Ark Invest increased its stake, betting that anticipated policy actions under the Trump administration — including potential regulatory changes and capital‑gains tax shifts — could drive renewed retail trading interest and a rebound in the brokerage's valuation.
For more bearish takes, be sure to see these posts:
CleanSpark Stock Tumbles On Q1 Earnings Despite Strong Balance Sheet
Doximity Stock Is Collapsing After Hours: Here's Why
IREN Stock Sinks After Q2 Earnings: Here's Why
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