Raymond James Financial, Inc. Common Stock (RJF)

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.

Shares of life sciences company Azenta (NASDAQ:AZTA) jumped 3.3% in the afternoon session after an upgrade from investment firm Raymond James, which lifted its rating to 'outperform' from 'market perform'. The investment firm set a new price target of $35.00, which indicated a potential upside of over 30% from the stock's previous price. This upgrade followed Azenta's fiscal third-quarter results. Raymond James described the report as "noisy," noting that while the company beat earnings per share forecasts, it missed on revenue. Despite the mixed results, the analysts suggested the stock had potentially reached a bottom, which prompted the more optimistic rating.

Shares of defense, intelligence, and IT solutions provider CACI International (NYSE:CACI) fell 3.6% in the morning session after Jefferies downgraded the stock to 'Hold' from 'Buy' and cut its price target, citing concerns over slowing growth. The investment firm pointed to concerns about the defense contractor's future growth. Jefferies noted that CACI's projected growth for fiscal year 2026 decelerated to an expected 4-6%, down from the 9% organic growth anticipated for fiscal year 2025. The firm also cited "moderate contract risk" tied to the company's Enterprise IT as a Service (EITaaS) offerings as a contributing factor. The analyst lowered the price target on the shares to $535 from $570.

Shares of life sciences company Azenta (NASDAQ:AZTA) jumped 5% in the afternoon session after Raymond James upgraded the stock to 'Outperform' from 'Market Perform' and set a $35 price target. The investment firm noted that while the company's recent third-quarter results were 'noisy,' the stock appeared to have reached a bottom. The upgrade reflected a belief that Azenta's margin improvements and cost-saving initiatives showed positive momentum. The analyst viewed the recent earnings report, which beat profit expectations but missed on revenue, as a 'clearing event' that set the stage for a higher valuation with reasonable future performance.

Piper Sandler had noted that the exploration & production investing environment remains challenging coming out of the second quarter, marked by a volatile oil price environment with increased geopolitical risk offset by higher OPEC+ supplies.

A solid quarterly earnings report reverberated though the pundit community that day.

Shares of pharmaceutical company AbbVie (NYSE:ABBV) jumped 3.7% in the afternoon session after the company posted strong second-quarter earnings that beat expectations and raised its full-year financial forecast. The pharmaceutical giant disclosed adjusted earnings of $2.97 per share and revenues of $15.42 billion, both numbers surpassing analyst estimates. This performance was driven by robust sales from its immunology drugs, Rinvoq and Skyrizi, which successfully offset lower sales from the company's older drug, Humira. Confident in its momentum, AbbVie lifted its full-year guidance for both revenue and adjusted earnings per share. In response to the strong results, analysts at firms including Morgan Stanley and Raymond James increased their price targets on the stock.

Shares of online marketplace Etsy (NASDAQ:ETSY) jumped 5.5% in the morning session after the company reported second-quarter financial results that showed revenue growth despite a drop in gross merchandise sales. 

Shares of diversified bank holding company Merchants Bancorp (NASDAQCM:MBIN) fell 8.9% in the afternoon session after the company reported disappointing second-quarter 2025 earnings that fell significantly short of analyst expectations. The bank posted diluted earnings per share of $0.60, missing the consensus analyst estimate of $1.12. Net income for the quarter came in at $38.0 million, a significant drop from the $76.4 million earned in the same period a year earlier. The company attributed the decline primarily to a large increase in its provision for credit losses. This provision was linked to lower appraised values on multi-family properties and an ongoing investigation into borrower mortgage fraud. In response to the results, analysts at Raymond James lowered their price target on the stock, highlighting the earnings miss and increased net charge-offs.

Shares of accounting automation software maker Blackline (NASDAQ:BL) jumped 3.3% in the morning session after Raymond James upgraded the stock from Market Perform to Outperform, setting a price target of $67.00. The investment firm cited several reasons for its optimistic outlook, including expectations for significant growth in the second half of 2025 and into 2026. Analysts highlighted the company's partnership with SAP, favorable pricing, strong enterprise deal momentum, and new opportunities in the public sector as key growth drivers. Adding to the positive news, BlackLine also announced the appointment of seasoned enterprise software executive Greg Hughes to its Board of Directors, a move that strengthened the board's strategic expertise.

BL's performance may improve in H2 according to Raymond James analyst Sklar. Sentiment is mixed but smaller software companies show potential.

Shares of materials and photonics company Coherent (NYSE:COHR) jumped 3.1% in the morning session after the company inaugurated a new $127 million high-tech manufacturing plant in Vietnam. The U.S.-based semiconductor materials and components firm opened its new facility in the Nhon Trach Industrial Park in Dong Nai province. This move marked a significant step in Coherent's global growth strategy and demonstrated increasing confidence in Vietnam's investment potential. The expansion underscored the company's efforts to scale its operations and meet growing demand. Adding to the positive sentiment, analysts noted strong earnings expectations for the company's upcoming report.

Shares of footwear and apparel conglomerate Deckers (NYSE:DECK) jumped 11.6% in the afternoon session after the company reported better-than-expected fiscal first-quarter results, driven by strong sales from its Hoka and Ugg brands. 

Tractor Supply beat second-quarter revenue estimates and witnessed strength in big-ticket merchandise sales, according to Wall Street analysts.