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 made weekly gains despite a volatile finish, as record-high Treasury yields, rising oil prices, and fresh doubts about the artificial intelligence boom weighed on investor sentiment. The S&P 500 had closed above 7,800 for the first time earlier in the week, but markets retreated after the 10-year Treasury yield climbed to 5.36%, its highest level in 24 years, raising concerns about borrowing costs and equity valuations.
Technology and AI stocks faced renewed scrutiny after reports raised questions about OpenAI’s revenue outlook, triggering a sell-off in semiconductor shares. Telecom stocks suffered an even sharper setback after Space Exploration Technologies Corp. (NASDAQ:SPCX) agreed to acquire a nationwide wireless spectrum portfolio in a deal valued at about $8 billion, raising concerns that its Starlink Mobile service could challenge traditional carriers.
The bond market remained a key concern as investors weighed persistent inflation, government borrowing and the Fed’s next move. Minutes from the central bank’s September meeting showed most officials expected another rate increase by year-end, although Governor Christopher Waller said policymakers had flexibility over the timing. The odds of an October hike remained relatively low, while markets priced in a greater chance of a December increase.
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
Nvidia Stock at New All-Time Highs: Market Expert Says ‘Cusp of a Major Breakout’, by Chris Katje, reports that Nvidia Corp. (NASDAQ:NVDA) reached a record high as Freedom Capital Markets Chief Market Strategist Jay Woods predicted further gains, saying the stock could lead the broader market higher again. Woods identified $240 as a key technical level, arguing that a close above it could confirm a breakout and open the way toward his $270 price target. His bullish outlook comes ahead of Nvidia’s expected third-quarter earnings report in mid-November, with analysts forecasting earnings of $2.38 per share on $104.19 billion in revenue, compared with $1.30 per share and $57.01 billion a year earlier.
Applied Digital Delivers Q1 Double Beat, Shares Rise, by Adam Eckert, reports that Applied Digital Corp. (NASDAQ:APLD) posted fiscal first-quarter 2027 adjusted revenue of $300.39 million, beating analyst estimates of $132.16 million, while its adjusted loss of 1 cent per share was narrower than expectations for a 30-cent loss. Total revenue surged 322% year over year to $341.9 million, supported by demand for AI and high-performance computing infrastructure, including tenant fit-out services and rental income from its hosting business. Adjusted EBITDA climbed to $64.4 million from $500,000 a year earlier, while the company reported a GAAP net loss of $221 million, compared with $18.5 million in the prior-year quarter. Applied Digital ended August with approximately $3.7 billion in cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash, alongside $6.4 billion in debt. CEO Wes Cummins said the company aims to become a leader in purpose-built AI data centers and secure long-term contracts with major technology companies.
Lumentum Stock Breaks Out of Its Spring Range: Here’s the Level to Watch Next, by Erica Kollmann, reports that Lumentum Holdings Inc. (NASDAQ:LITE) broke above a trading range that had constrained its shares for nearly five months, with market strategists watching whether the former resistance level near $1,085 can become support. The optical-components maker rose 7.7% on Oct. 1 and closed at a record $1,133.40 on Oct. 6, marking a gain of about 606% over the previous 12 months. Strong demand for optical networking components used in AI data centers is helping drive the rally.
For additional bullish calls of the past week, check out the following:
Citizens Turns Bullish on Ondas Stock
Penguin Solutions Stock Pops on Q4 Earnings Beat, Strong Guidance
The Bears
Levi Strauss Reports Mixed Q3: EPS Beat, Revenues Miss, by Erica Kollmann, reports that Levi Strauss & Co. (NYSE:LEVI) posted fiscal third-quarter adjusted earnings of 48 cents per share, beating the 36-cent analyst estimate, while revenue of $1.61 billion fell short of expectations for $1.62 billion. Revenue rose 4% year over year on a reported basis and 5% organically, supported by 6% growth in wholesale sales, while direct-to-consumer revenue increased just 2%. U.S. direct-to-consumer sales declined 1%, and Europe fell 2%, offset by an 8% increase in Asia. Earnings included a 16-cent benefit from tariff refunds, part of which the company is reinvesting in marketing and other business initiatives. Levi’s raised its fiscal 2026 adjusted EPS outlook to $1.54-$1.56 from $1.46-$1.52 and plans a $100 million accelerated share repurchase program. However, its revenue outlook of $6.72 billion remained below the $6.76 billion analyst estimate.
Planet Labs Stock Is Down 66% as Google AI Satellite Reaches Orbit, by Surbhi Jain, reports that Planet Labs PBC (NYSE:PL) shares have fallen roughly 66% from their May peak despite record revenue and growing demand for satellite imagery and defense-related data. The company helped build Google’s first Project Suncatcher prototype, which launched into low Earth orbit on Oct. 1 aboard a Space Exploration Technologies Corp. (NASDAQ:SPCX) Falcon 9 rocket. The satellite carries four of Google’s Tensor Processing Units to test whether AI computing can operate in space, although challenges such as radiation and heat management remain. Planet reported fiscal second-quarter revenue of $116.1 million, up 58% year over year, while its backlog reached $814.9 million and cash and short-term investments totaled about $865 million.
Constellation Brands Q2 Preview: Stock Hits 11-Year Lows, Market Expert Warns of Catching ‘A Falling Knife’, by Chris Katje, reports that Constellation Brands Inc. (NYSE:STZ) shares hit an 11-year low ahead of its fiscal second-quarter earnings report, as investors weighed weakening beer demand, tariff pressures and uncertainty about the company’s outlook. Analysts expected revenue of $2.54 billion, up from $2.48 billion a year earlier, and earnings of $3.57 per share, down from $3.63. Modelo Especial and Corona Extra remain key growth drivers, but investors are watching consumer demand and the impact of tariffs on Mexican beer imports.
For more bearish takes, be sure to see these posts:
Micron, SK Hynix, And SanDisk Slide in Sync: What’s Behind The Memory Selloff?v
Nebius Group Stock Is Falling Wednesday: What’s Going On?
Why Is AST SpaceMobile Stock Falling Thursday?
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