This week, which stocks lagged or dragged? Weekly Winners column keeps up with market trends, helping Tigers sort out the week's hottest sectors, stock winners and important news.
Below are the top 10 S&P 500 stock gainers for the week ended Apr. 25:
ServiceNow beat Wall Street estimates for first-quarter profit on Wednesday, helped by resilient demand for its artificial intelligence-powered software for managing IT services, sending the company's shares up more than 22% this week.
The company also marginally raised its annual subscription revenue forecast. ServiceNow said the forecast, which does not entirely include the benefit from a weaker U.S. dollar during the reported quarter, allows it to navigate potential risks related to the current geopolitical environment.
Palantir Technologies has been on a tear lately. Shares have been up for four consecutive days, gaining more than 20%. On Friday, the stock closed at $112.78, its highest level since late February, and analysts said they believe it could return to its record high of near $125.
Piper Sandler analysts noted on Thursday that Palantir shares appear to have broken out from a so-called falling wedge formation, a reversal that indicates potential gains.
Piper Sandler said the stock appeared to be moving towards its February highs and that it "appears likely" it would test those levels. Palantir notched a record closing high of $124.62 on Feb. 18.
The U.S. Department of Transportation said Thursday that it would implement a new framework aimed at reducing regulatory hurdles and moving toward a national safety standard for self-driving technology. Transportation Secretary Sean P. Duffy said in a statement that the initiative would "slash red tape" and encourage innovation in a sector seen as critical to economic leadership.
Tesla, which has positioned autonomous driving as a key pillar of its future growth, is expected to benefit from the regulatory shift. During Tesla's first-quarter earnings call on Tuesday, Musk said the company plans to begin offering fully autonomous ride services in Austin, Texas, starting in June 2025. He said the business could expand to additional U.S. cities later this year and become financially significant by the second half of 2026.
Furthermore, Tesla Inc.’s India office is refunding early bookers of its Model 3, according to emails seen by Bloomberg News, sparking speculation the American electric vehicle maker is nearing a roll out in the world’s third-largest automobile market.
Micron Technology has seen a significant surge in its stock price, rising by 16% over the past week. This impressive movement comes amid a backdrop of positive analyst ratings and strategic shifts within the company. Analysts from Wells Fargo and Citi have maintained a ‘Buy’ rating on Micron, with price targets suggesting substantial upside potential. These endorsements have likely contributed to the stock’s recent rally, as investors respond to the optimistic outlook from financial experts.
Micron’s strategic pivot towards HBM is seen as a necessary evolution to escape the commodity trap of traditional memory chips. However, this transition comes with risks, as the company navigates trade restrictions and supply chain challenges. While Wall Street remains optimistic about Micron’s long-term potential, the company’s ability to manage these hurdles will be crucial in sustaining its recent stock price momentum.
Games and toys company Hasbro reported powerful profits, even in the face of markets made turbulent by President Donald Trump's tariffs campaign. Reporting Q1 2025 earnings, Hasbro exceeded expectations, earning $1.04 per share instead of analysts' expected $0.67. Sales also came in strong at $887.1 million, versus expectations of $770.6 million.
Sales grew 17% year over year, led by 46% growth in the company's flagship Wizards of the Coast (and digital gaming) business, both of which should be largely insulated from tariffs concerns. On a more granular level, sales were driven by strength at Magic: The Gathering, where sales also rose 46%. In consumer products (i.e. toys and board games), sales slipped 4%.
Super Micro Computer, a key player in the AI server market, has seen its stock price rise by 16% over the past week. This surge comes amid new coverage from Citi, which initiated a Neutral rating with a $39 price target, highlighting Super Micro’s 8% share in the global AI server market. The company is well-positioned to benefit from the increasing demand for AI infrastructure, particularly from GPU-as-a-Service cloud platforms and enterprise customers.
Despite the positive momentum, analysts have expressed caution due to the competitive landscape in the AI server space, which could pressure Super Micro’s profit margins. Both Citi and JPMorgan have maintained a Neutral stance, with JPMorgan lowering its price target from $45 to $39, citing macroeconomic uncertainties and potential reduced spending from key customer segments such as businesses and telecoms.
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