Raymond James Financial, Inc. Common Stock (RJF)

Shares of data storage solutions provider Pure Storage (NYSE:PSTG) fell 3% in the morning session after the stock pulled back following a massive rally in the previous session. 

When Wall Street turns bearish on a stock, it’s worth paying attention. These calls stand out because analysts rarely issue grim ratings on companies for fear their firms will lose out in other business lines such as M&A advisory.

American Airlines shares inched higher as investors looked past a Raymond James downgrade and favored peers.

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.

Let’s dig into the relative performance of BGC (NASDAQ:BGC) and its peers as we unravel the now-completed Q1 investment banking & brokerage earnings season.

Shares of global airline American Airlines (NASDAQ:AAL) fell 3.5% in the morning session after the investment firm Raymond James downgraded the stock to 'Market Perform' from 'Outperform', citing valuation concerns. 

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.

As the Q1 earnings season wraps, let’s dig into this quarter’s best and worst performers in the investment banking & brokerage industry, including BGC (NASDAQ:BGC) and its peers.

A number of stocks jumped in the afternoon session after the major indices rebounded, as Fed Chair Jerome Powell delivered dovish remarks at the much-awaited Jackson Hole symposium. Powell suggested that with inflation risks moderating and unemployment remaining low, the Federal Reserve might consider a shift in its monetary policy stance, including potential interest rate cuts. This outlook eased market concerns about prolonged high interest rates and their impact on economic growth. The prospect of lower borrowing costs bolstered investor confidence, particularly in sectors that have lagged, leading to a broad rally across the market.

If uranium gets (a lot) more expensive, Cameco stock could be a buy.

A number of stocks fell in the afternoon session after markets continued to decline, as investors grew cautious ahead of a key speech by Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell. The move came as U.S. equity markets recorded a fifth consecutive day of losses for major indexes like the S&P 500, with technology stocks experiencing the largest declines. Investors have grown wary that the sharp rally in the tech sector since April may have advanced too far. The market-wide caution is largely driven by the upcoming Jackson Hole symposium, a meeting of central bankers, where traders are anxiously awaiting Fed Chair Powell's speech on Friday for guidance on the future path of interest rates.

Shares of fast-food chain Wingstop (NASDAQ:WING) jumped 3.4% in the morning session after the company was upgraded to 'Strong Buy' by Raymond James. Raymond James raised its rating from "Outperform," citing the company's "Smart Kitchen" system as a potential "game changer," while maintaining its $420 price target.

A number of stocks jumped in the afternoon session after markets continued to rally as the latest inflation data reinforced expectations for a Federal Reserve rate cut as soon as September. The latest Consumer Price Index (CPI) report for July showed inflation holding steady, reinforcing market expectations that the Federal Reserve could begin cutting interest rates as soon as September. Lower interest rates generally stimulate the economy by making borrowing cheaper for consumers and businesses. This can lead to increased consumer spending and e-commerce activity, which directly benefits online retail and marketplace companies. The positive economic outlook fueled a broad-based rally, pushing the S&P 500 and Nasdaq to new record highs and lifting most growth-oriented technology stocks.

Shares of outdoor lifestyle products brand (NYSE:YETI) jumped 4.9% in the afternoon session after several analysts raised their price targets on the stock, bolstered by favorable economic data. The bullish sentiment from Wall Street follows several price target increases. Morgan Stanley lifted its target to $37.00 from $34.00, citing a potential 16.86% upside. Similarly, Raymond James raised its target to $37.00 and reiterated an "outperform" rating. Adding to the optimism was a positive macro signal, as the latest Consumer Price Index (CPI) report showed inflation holding steady. This has increased investor hopes for a potential Federal Reserve interest rate cut, which would benefit consumer discretionary companies like YETI by potentially boosting consumer spending.

Shares of online home goods retailer Wayfair (NYSE:W) jumped 5.9% in the afternoon session after its stock hit a 52-week high as it continued to rally on strong second-quarter results and positive analyst sentiment. The stock reached a 52-week high of $78.06, with its price crossing above the average analyst 12-month target. This climb reflects sustained investor confidence following the company's impressive second-quarter 2025 results released in early August. Wayfair reported a return to profitability with a net income of $15 million, a significant turnaround from a loss in the prior year. Revenue grew 5% year-over-year to $3.3 billion, and adjusted earnings per share of $0.87 massively beat analyst expectations. The strong performance prompted a wave of positive analyst actions, with firms like Raymond James and Truist Securities raising their price targets, signaling to the market that the company's growth strategies and operational cost management are paying off.

Shares of diagnostic imaging company RadNet (NASDAQ:RDNT) jumped 4.7% in the morning session after an analyst at Raymond James raised their price target on the shares, citing the company's recent better-than-expected second-quarter financial results. The analyst boosted the price target to $75 from $66, maintaining a "Strong Buy" rating. The move follows RadNet's strong Q2 report, where the medical imaging company posted record revenue of $498.2 million and adjusted earnings per share of $0.31, significantly surpassing Wall Street's expectations. Growth was driven by increased volumes in key procedures, including a 16.2% rise in PET/CT scans. Citing the strong performance, management raised its full-year guidance for adjusted EBITDA. Adding to the positive outlook, RadNet also announced an expected $4-5 million tailwind from 2026 Medicare pricing, a reversal from a previously anticipated headwind.

Curious about the top performers within the S&P500 index in the middle of the day on Wednesday? Dive into the list of today's session's top gainers and losers for a comprehensive overview.

A number of stocks jumped in the afternoon session after positive inflation data fueled hopes for an interest rate cut by the Federal Reserve. The latest Consumer Price Index (CPI) report showed inflation rose by a modest 0.2% in July and 2.7% over the last year. This cooler-than-expected data prompted a significant market rally, with the S&P 500, Dow, and Nasdaq all climbing as investors grew more optimistic. The prevailing view is that easing inflation gives the central bank room to lower interest rates. Lower rates typically reduce borrowing costs for businesses and make stocks more attractive relative to bonds, contributing to widespread gains across sectors like healthcare.

Mercury Systems is on the uptrend; Raymond James analyst Brian Gesuale upgraded the stock to Strong Buy with $80 price forecast.

Raymond James upgraded Mercury Systems to strong buy after the defense technology firm cleared Q4 expectations.

Shares of financial services company The Bancorp (NASDAQ:TBBK) jumped 3.9% in the afternoon session after an upgrade from financial services firm Raymond James, which raised its rating on the stock to “Strong Buy” from “Outperform.”. The financial services firm also increased its price target on the stock to $76 from $71. The upgrade is based on optimism around the company's focus on its fintech strategy, particularly its plan to expand its share of business with key partners like Chime and PayPal. According to the analyst note from Raymond James, this strategy is expected to enhance profitability while simultaneously de-risking the company's balance sheet by shifting its loan portfolio towards credit sponsorship fintech loans. The firm also noted that market concerns regarding The Bancorp's Real Estate Bridge Lending are likely “overblown.” The positive analyst action follows other recent good news, including a credit rating upgrade from Kroll Bond Rating Agency (KBRA) the previous week.

Shares of civil infrastructure company Construction Partners (NASDAQ:ROAD) jumped 3.2% in the afternoon session after Baird upgraded the stock to Outperform from Neutral, raising its price target to $122 from $112. Baird pointed to the infrastructure construction company's recent acquisitions in Texas and Tennessee performing better than expected, alongside strong organic growth, as key reasons for the bullish turn. The firm also noted improving free cash flow and raised its estimates "well above consensus." This positive sentiment was echoed across Wall Street, with Raymond James also boosting its price target to $120.00 and reiterating a "strong-buy" rating. DA Davidson increased its target to $110.00 as well. These analyst actions follow the company's strong fiscal third-quarter results, where it reported an 80% year-over-year increase in Adjusted EBITDA and a record project backlog of $2.94 billion, signaling a robust outlook.

Arlo Technologies stock jumped on Friday after the home security camera maker beat Wall Street's targets in the second quarter.