The financial markets experienced a sharp correction in mid-February 2026, as the narrative surrounding Artificial Intelligence shifted from "growth engine" to "margin killer." The Financial Select Sector SPDR Fund (NYSE: XLF) tumbled 2% during a pivotal trading session on Thursday, February 12, capping a week that saw the sector lose
Shares of insurance distribution company Baldwin Insurance Group (NASDAQ:BWIN) jumped 22.1% in the afternoon session after the company received a significant analyst upgrade from Raymond James following the release of strong fourth-quarter results and positive forward guidance.
The company reported a 34% jump in fourth-quarter revenue to $134.3 million, beating Wall Street’s estimates of $128.2 million, according to Fiscal.ai data.
The trillion-dollar private credit market, long touted as a stable alternative to volatile public bonds, faced a significant reckoning this week. Blue Owl Capital (NYSE: OWL) sent shockwaves through the industry on February 19, 2026, when it announced a fundamental shift in how it handles investor withdrawals for its retail-focused
Shares of e-commerce pet food and supplies retailer Chewy (NYSE:CHWY) jumped 5.8% in the afternoon session after Raymond James upgraded the company from “Market Perform” to “Outperform” and set a $28 price target.
The landscape of American energy shifted significantly this week as Devon Energy (NYSE: DVN) officially finalized its blockbuster $21.4 billion merger with Coterra Energy (NYSE: CTRA). The closing of the deal, which marks the largest independent oil and gas transaction of early 2026, creates a diversified "mega-independent" operator with
The global financial markets reached a pivotal inflection point on February 18, 2026, as a phenomenon dubbed the "AI Scare Trade" triggered a massive and violent rotation of capital. Investors began a wholesale exit from traditional service-oriented sectors—most notably wealth management, financial services, and real estate—amid growing fears
Shares of fast-food chain Wingstop (NASDAQ:WING)
jumped 7.1% in the afternoon session after the company reported fourth-quarter 2025 earnings that saw profits significantly beat Wall Street's expectations, even as revenue slightly missed and a key sales metric declined.
Shares of auto insurance provider Mercury General (NYSE:MCY) fell 8.6% in the afternoon session after the company's weak forward guidance overshadowed its strong fourth-quarter 2025 earnings report.
Each stock in this article is trading near its 52-week high.
These elevated prices usually indicate some degree of investor confidence, business improvements, or favorable market conditions.
NEW YORK — The long-anticipated "AI reckoning" for the financial services sector arrived with a vengeance this week, as a wave of selling hit traditional wealth managers and regional banks. Investors, previously focused on AI’s impact on silicon and software, have pivoted their anxieties toward the balance sheets of Wall
Oscar Health Inc (NYSE:OSCR) shares are climbing on Thursday. The company posted fourth‑quarter results that missed expectations on both revenue and earnings, but had a stronger‑than‑expected 2026 outlook.
Financial firms serve as the backbone of the economy, providing essential services from lending and investment management to risk management and payment processing. Still, investors are uneasy as companies face challenges from an unpredictable interest rate and inflation environment.
These doubts have caused the industry to lag recently as financials stocks have collectively shed 2.4% over the past six months. This performance is a noticeable divergence from the S&P 500’s 7.7% return.
