Gold mining stocks tumble as precious metal prices retreat

Investing.com -- KeyBanc Capital Markets has identified six standout performers in the consumer and retail sector positioned for strong growth through 2026. The firm’s analysis highlights companies with robust expansion strategies and competitive advantages in their respective markets.

See how Wall Street analysts are valuing these stocks with InvestingPro’s full ratings, price targets, and earnings models -

Amazon leads KeyBanc’s list of top consumer retail picks for 2026. The e-commerce giant’s ongoing expansion of AWS cloud capacity continues to drive growth, while its e-commerce business maintains market share gains. The company’s strategic push into grocery represents another significant avenue for future expansion.

Amazon has received several updated price targets from analysts, including increases from KeyBanc and Stifel, with firms like Evercore ISI highlighting the company’s refined grocery strategy.

Casey’s General Stores earns the second position on KeyBanc’s list. The convenience store operator’s strong food innovation pipeline, combined with steady unit growth and successful integration of the CEFCO acquisition, positions the company for continued success through 2026.

In recent news, Casey’s General Stores reported second-quarter results that surpassed consensus expectations, leading to price target increases from firms including KeyBanc and Jefferies, while BofA Securities initiated coverage with a Buy rating.

Ollie’s Bargain Outlet secures the third spot among KeyBanc’s top picks. The discount retailer benefits from a favorable real estate environment supporting store expansion, potential margin improvements, and advantageous conditions in the closeout product pipeline.

Ollie’s Bargain Outlet posted a 3.3% comparable sales increase in its third quarter and received several analyst price target adjustments, with firms such as UBS and Piper Sandler lowering their targets while Craig-Hallum issued an increase.

Somnigroup International ranks fourth on the list. KeyBanc cites the company’s potential synergies from its Mattress Firm acquisition and an improving industry landscape as key factors supporting its growth outlook through 2026.

Walmart takes the fifth position among KeyBanc’s selections. The retail giant continues to gain market share while growing its e-commerce presence. Accelerating profitability metrics further strengthen Walmart’s position as a top consumer retail pick.

Walmart announced a series of executive leadership changes ahead of its CEO transition and has raised wages for thousands of its pharmacy technicians. The company also received a price target increase from Tigress Financial Partners, citing investments in technology and AI.

Williams-Sonoma rounds out KeyBanc’s list of top consumer retail stocks. The home goods retailer’s commitment to product innovation, implementation of AI technologies, and potential benefits from an industry recovery support its inclusion among the firm’s 2026 top picks.

Williams-Sonoma reported its strongest sales growth in three years for the third quarter and declared a quarterly cash dividend. Several analyst firms, including UBS and TD Cowen, lowered their price targets due to concerns over tariff impacts.

These selections reflect KeyBanc’s assessment of companies best positioned to capitalize on evolving consumer trends and market opportunities in the coming years.

This article was generated with the support of AI and reviewed by an editor. For more information see our T&C.

Investing.com -- Wall Street slid on Thursday, weighed down by a post-earnings plunge in Microsoft (NASDAQ:MSFT) and software services stocks. Meta (NASDAQ:META) bucked the trend, as investors cheered its results, while the energy sector surged as oil prices jumped.

Heavyweight earnings will remain the focus, with Apple (NASDAQ:AAPL) set to report after the bell.  

At 10:40 ET (15:40 GMT), the benchmark S&P 500 index was down 1.2% to 6,892.10 points, while the blue-chip Dow Jones Industrial Average was lower by 0.6% to 48,737.95 points. The tech-heavy NASDAQ Composite fell the most, slipping 2.2% to 23,325.75 points.

The S&P 500 briefly broke through the 7,000 threshold for the first time on Wednesday.  

Meta soars, Microsoft slumps after earnings

Three of the Magnificent 7 members reported results after hours on Wednesday, with their stocks seeing a mixed response this morning.

Meta soared after the Facebook-owner forecast first-quarter revenue above market expectations, pointing to resilient advertising demand and growing returns from its investments in artificial intelligence. 

The Instagram parent also said its capital expenditures would jump to as much as $135 billion this year, well above Wall Street expectations and almost doubling 2025’s total, as big spending on artificial intelligence remained a key theme of earnings.  

Microsoft shares, on the other hand, fell sharply. The tech behemoth said it too had spent more on its AI build-out than many had anticipated, but worries still swirled around slightly lower growth at its key Azure cloud-computing division versus the prior quarter. 

Microsoft’s results, along with SAP SE’s, raised fresh questions about the durability of cloud and AI spending, and weighed on software services stocks. Atlassian (NASDAQ:TEAM), Workday (NASDAQ:WDAY), and Intuit (NASDAQ:INTU) were among the top percentage decliners on the Nasdaq. 

Elsewhere, Tesla (NASDAQ:TSLA) stock gave up pre-market gains to trade lower. The electric-vehicle maker posted fourth-quarter results that topped expectations, while also signaling a pivot toward artificial intelligence as its core automotive business faces sustained pressure.

International Business Machines (NYSE:IBM) stock rose after Big Blue beat estimates for fourth-quarter revenue and profit, as the rapid adoption of AI boosts demand for its software services, ranging from managing vast amounts of data to automating IT processes.

Caterpillar (NYSE:CAT) stock rose after the heavy equipment manufacturer reported a surge in fourth-quarter revenue that exceeded Wall Street expectations, as the boom in enthusiasm around artificial intelligence fueled demand for the group’s energy equipment.

Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd (NYSE:RCL) stock climbed strongly after the cruise operator reported fourth-quarter earnings that met expectations and issued optimistic 2026 guidance, signaling continued strong demand for cruise vacations.

Fed holds rates steady, providing stability

The Federal Reserve held interest rates steady at 3.50%–3.75% on Wednesday, marking the first pause after three consecutive cuts.

In its policy statement, the Fed cited still-elevated inflation alongside solid economic growth and a stabilizing labor market, and offered little in the way of guidance on the timing of future cuts.

"Overall, the Fed struck a more positive tone on the economy, with subtle changes to the FOMC’s statement that modestly upgraded the Committee’s outlook on the labor market and conveyed slightly less concern about inflationary pressures," Brian Storey, head of multi asset strategies at Brinker Capital, said.

"Although the Fed did not update its ’dot plot’ at this meeting, it is noteworthy that there seems to be a healthy degree of alignment between the Fed and financial markets (courtesy of fed funds futures) on the likelihood of 1-2 quarter-point rate cuts by year-end," he said.

"With this alignment between the Fed and financial markets, there is a reduced likelihood of monetary policy upending equity markets as we move into the back half of the year," Storey added.

Gold, crude rise strongly

Gold prices continued to vault higher, soaring to a record high near $5,600 an ounce, extending recent gains following a report that Trump was considering a new strike on Iran.

Silver prices also hit an all-time peak of over $121/oz, as the white metal also benefited from outsized demand for safe havens.

A torrid metal price rally showed few signs of slowing amid heightened global geopolitical tensions, which ramped up demand for physical assets and safe havens. A weak dollar and uncertainty over U.S. policy also provided support, with copper prices also hitting a record high on Thursday.

Oil prices also climbed strongly, with Brent trading near $70/bbl, on increasing concerns of a disruption of supply from Iran, if the key Middle Eastern producer is targeted by the U.S. for military action. 

Brent futures gained 3.7% to $69.83 a barrel and Crude Oil WTI Futures rose 4% to $65.74 a barrel.

Both contracts have climbed over 10% this week and are at their highest since June last year.

Ayushman Ojha and Peter Nurse contributed to this article

Investing.com -- Shares of First Solar are down more than 13% on Thursday on the prospect of Tesla building large-scale solar manufacturing capacity. Tesla’s push could weigh on long-term pricing expectations of First Solar.

BMO Capital Markets downgraded the stock to Market Perform from Outperform cutting its price target on First Solar to $263 from $285.

Tesla CEO Elon Musk’s had commented at the World Economic Forum about building a vertically integrated solar manufacturing base.

Musk in earnings call Wednesday said Tesla was planning to work toward 100 gigawatts a year of solar cell production, integrated across the supply chain from raw materials to finished panels. BMO analysts say the effort could materialize over the next few quarters.

Tesla has a track record of rapidly scaling clean energy manufacturing in the US, which raises the risk to First Solar’s competitive positioning.

The timing and scale of any excess Tesla solar module capacity, and whether it would be sold to third parties, remain uncertain.

The potential for additional supply could pressure long-term module pricing or act as an overhang on First Solar shares.

Stock downgrade comes as BMO’s thesis on First Solar had increasingly relied on higher US module average selling prices.

BMO estimates the stock is discounting a terminal module price of about $0.29 per watt, following a 56% rise in the shares over the past 12 months. Recent backlog and bookings have been priced in the $0.30 to $0.33 per watt range.

BMO said its base case assumes US utility-scale solar capacity growth of about 45 to 50 gigawatts per year.

First Solar currently has about 14.1 gigawatts of US capacity, while T1 Energy is expected to reach 2.1 gigawatts of integrated solar manufacturing capacity by the end of 2026, with scope to add another 3.2 gigawatts.

The firm said any carve-outs or softer outcomes from pending Section 232 tariffs on polysilicon and related products could also dilute upside to US module prices.

Thursday’s market has seen swings in various stocks based on news and other factors. Today, stocks like Microsoft (MSFT) and Salesforce (CRM) are facing declines, while others like Royal Caribbean (RCL) are gaining ground. Below are highlights of some of the biggest stock movers, from mega-caps to small caps.

Mega-Cap Movers (Market Cap:$200B+)

• Microsoft Corp (MSFT) -11.48%
• Oracle Corp (ORCL); Blackstone considers debt investment for Oracle Michigan data center - Bloomberg -6.33%
• Salesforce Com (CRM) -8.34%
• Google Inc (GOOGL) -2.3%
• IBM (IBM) +5.63%
• Exxon Mobil (XOM) +1.78%
• Caterpillar (CAT); AIP Corp, Caterpillar form alliance to deploy 2 GW power for AI data centers +1.78%
• Thermo Fisher Sc (TMO) -3.39%
• Palantir Technologies Inc (PLTR) -5.38%

Large-Cap Stock Movers (Market Cap:$10B-$200B)

• Joby Aviation (JOBY); Joby Aviation plans to raise $1 billion through notes and stock offerings -16.87%
• United Rentals (URI); United Rentals shares tumble after fourth quarter earnings miss -11.45%
• HubSpot Inc (HUBS) -12.28%
• Servicenow Inc (NOW) -12.16%
• Las Vegas Sands (LVS); Las Vegas Sands shares tumble as Q4 operating profit misses estimates -12.52%
• First Solar Inc (FSLR) -13.12%
• Atlassian Corp Plc (TEAM) -11.99%
• Figure Technology Solutions Ltd (FIGR) -11.14%
• Sth West Airlines (LUV); Southwest Airlines shares soar as 2026 guidance exceeds expectations +12.52%
• Royal Caribbean (RCL) +15.97%

Mid-Cap Stock Movers (Market Cap:$2B-$10B)

• Applied Opt (AAOI) -17.67%
• Inflection Point Acquisition II (USAR); USA Rare Earth closes $1.5 billion PIPE financing led by Inflection Point -14.81%
• LendingClub Corp (LC); LendingClub falls 8% as credit loss provisions miss estimates -11.24%
• Sustainable Opportunities Acqui (TMC) -11.03%
• Whirl Pool Corp (WHR); Whirpool shares fall as Q4 revenue trails analyst estimates -7.31%
• TECO Energy Inc-Exch (TE) -7.09%
• Liberty Oilfield Services Inc (LBRT) +23.44%
• Modine Manufacturing Comp (MOD); Gentherm and Modine’s Performance Technologies business to combine in $1 billion thermal management deal +16.34%
• Jds Uniphase Corp (VIAV); Viavi Solutions soars as earnings and guidance top expectations +14.6%
• Tal Education Group (TAL); TAL Education soars 9.5% after strong earnings beat +10.59%

Small-Cap Stock Movers (Market Cap:$300M-$2B)

• MSFU (MSFU) -22.86%
• United States Antimony Corp (UAMY) -17.74%
• Sizzle Acquisition (CRML) -15.53%
• Ramaco Resources Inc (METC) -12.7%
• MSTU (MSTU) -3.83%
• BMNU (BMNU) -1.34%
• UVIX (UVIX) +10.09%
• METU NASDAQ (METU) +16.01%
• FBL (FBL) +15.52%

For real-time, market-moving news, join Investing Pro.

This article was generated with the support of AI and reviewed by an editor. For more information see our T&C.

PicPay announced the pricing of its initial public offering at $19.00 per Class A common share. The company is offering 22,857,143 shares through a registration statement filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.

The shares are expected to begin trading on the Nasdaq Global Select Market under the ticker symbol "PICS" on January 29, 2026. Prior to the offering’s close, the company plans to change its name from Picpay Holdings Netherlands B.V. to PicS N.V., with the name change becoming effective on Nasdaq on January 30, 2026.

Citigroup, BofA Securities and RBC Capital Markets are serving as joint global coordinators for the offering. Additional joint bookrunners include Mizuho, Wolfe | Nomura Alliance, Bradesco BBI, BB Securities Ltd, BTG Pactual and XP Investment Banking, while FT Partners acts as co-manager.

The company has granted underwriters a 30-day option to purchase up to 3,428,572 additional Class A common shares at the IPO price, minus underwriting discounts and commissions. The total offering could reach approximately $500 million if the overallotment option is exercised in full.