What Happened?
A number of stocks jumped in the afternoon session after the second quarter (2025) earnings season got off to a strong start. Quarterly earnings reports released during the week exceeded Wall Street's expectations, fueling investor confidence. Around 50 S&P 500 components reported, with 88% of those exceeding analysts' expectations, FactSet data revealed.
Investors were also encouraged by several positive reports that painted a picture of a resilient consumer. One key report revealed that shoppers increased their spending at U.S. retailers more than economists had anticipated. Precisely, retail sales increased 0.6% from May, surpassing the 0.2% estimate. This robust consumer spending is a crucial pillar supporting the economy.
Adding to the positive sentiment, the latest data on unemployment claims showed a decrease in the number of workers applying for benefits, signaling that layoffs remain limited and the job market is steady. This combination of strong earnings reports, retail sales, and a solid labor market suggests the economy is navigating challenges successfully.
The stock market overreacts to news, and big price drops can present good opportunities to buy high-quality stocks.
Among others, the following stocks were impacted:
- Building Materials company Resideo (NYSE:REZI) jumped 4%. Is now the time to buy Resideo? Access our full analysis report here, it’s free.
- Gas and Liquid Handling company Helios (NYSE:HLIO) jumped 4%. Is now the time to buy Helios? Access our full analysis report here, it’s free.
- Specialized Medical & Nursing Services company AMN Healthcare Services (NYSE:AMN) jumped 3.2%. Is now the time to buy AMN Healthcare Services? Access our full analysis report here, it’s free.
- Industrial & Environmental Services company Cintas (NASDAQ:CTAS) jumped 3.3%. Is now the time to buy Cintas? Access our full analysis report here, it’s free.
- Home Furniture Retailer company Williams-Sonoma (NYSE:WSM) jumped 3.6%. Is now the time to buy Williams-Sonoma? Access our full analysis report here, it’s free.
Zooming In On Helios (HLIO)
Helios’s shares are quite volatile and have had 17 moves greater than 5% over the last year. In that context, today’s move indicates the market considers this news meaningful but not something that would fundamentally change its perception of the business.
The previous big move we wrote about was 3 days ago when the stock dropped 4.5% on the news that the stock gave back some of its recent gains, likely as investors engaged in profit-taking following a strong rally over the past several weeks. The motion and electronic controls technology company did not release any specific negative news to account for the drop. However, the stock had experienced a significant run-up since late June, and such pullbacks can occur as traders lock in profits. While there were no fresh catalysts, investors may also be weighing previously highlighted risks. The company has noted potential headwinds from an estimated $15 million in tariffs during the second half of 2025 and faces continued softness in its agricultural and industrial end markets. The morning's decline could reflect a combination of technical selling and ongoing investor caution regarding these known challenges.
Helios is down 16.6% since the beginning of the year, and at $37 per share, it is trading 34.3% below its 52-week high of $56.28 from November 2024. Investors who bought $1,000 worth of Helios’s shares 5 years ago would now be looking at an investment worth $1,007.
Unless you’ve been living under a rock, it should be obvious by now that generative AI is going to have a huge impact on how large corporations do business. While Nvidia and AMD are trading close to all-time highs, we prefer a lesser-known (but still profitable) semiconductor stock benefiting from the rise of AI. Click here to access our free report on our favorite semiconductor growth story.