WEBTOON, Pitney Bowes, IBM, DXC, and First Advantage Shares Plummet, What You Need To Know

Stock Story

First Advantage

+3.45%

WEBTOON Entertainment

What Happened?

A number of stocks fell in the afternoon session after geopolitical tensions between the United States and the European Union escalated, sparking fears of a renewed trade war.

The broader markets adopted a "risk-off" mode, with investors seeking safe-haven assets amidst the uncertainty. The market's primary fear gauge, the VIX, jumped to a fresh eight-week high, signaling rising investor anxiety. The dispute, centered on Greenland, raised the possibility of a revived trade conflict, which could disrupt global supply chains and economic activity. Mega-cap technology stocks, many of which have significant international sales and operations, were particularly affected by the souring risk sentiment as a potential trade war threatens their global business models.

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:

Digital Media & Content Platforms company WEBTOON fell 1.8%. Is now the time to buy WEBTOON? Access our full analysis report here, it’s free.
Industrial & Environmental Services company Pitney Bowes fell 3.3%. Is now the time to buy Pitney Bowes? Access our full analysis report here, it’s free.
IT Services & Consulting company IBM fell 3.2%. Is now the time to buy IBM? Access our full analysis report here, it’s free.
IT Services & Consulting company DXC fell 1.8%. Is now the time to buy DXC? Access our full analysis report here, it’s free.
Professional Staffing & HR Solutions company First Advantage fell 4%. Is now the time to buy First Advantage? Access our full analysis report here, it’s free.

Zooming In On First Advantage (FA)

First Advantage’s shares are quite volatile and have had 16 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 biggest move we wrote about over the last year was 3 months ago when the stock gained 9.8% on the news that the company reported third-quarter financial results that surpassed analyst expectations and provided an encouraging full-year outlook.

The background screening services provider posted revenue of $409.2 million for the quarter, a significant 105% year-on-year jump that beat Wall Street's forecast. Adjusted earnings were $0.30 per share, also topping estimates.

In addition to the strong quarterly performance, First Advantage raised its guidance for the full year 2025. The company announced it now expects revenues with a midpoint of $1.55 billion and adjusted earnings per share with a midpoint of $1.00. This update signaled management's confidence in the business's trajectory.

First Advantage is up 1.7% since the beginning of the year, but at $14.50 per share, it is still trading 27.6% below its 52-week high of $20.01 from February 2025. Investors who bought $1,000 worth of First Advantage’s shares at the IPO in June 2021 would now be looking at an investment worth $735.79.

Risk Warnings and Disclaimers

You understand and acknowledge that there is a high degree of risk involved in trading. Following any strategies or investment methods may lead to potential losses. The content on the site is provided by our contributors and analysts for information purposes only. You are solely responsible for determining whether any trading assets, securities, strategy, or any other product is suitable for investing based on your own investment objectives and financial situation.

Add to Favorites

Dj Dow's 600-Point Fall Led By Losses In Shares Of 3M, Ibm

Reuters

Risk Warnings and Disclaimers

Add to Favorites

Intel and SanDisk among market cap stock movers on Tuesday

Investing.com

Advanced Micro Devices

-6.13%

BitMine Immersion Technologies, Inc.

-5.99%

Alphabet-A

-0.07%

Tuesday’s market has seen swings in various stocks based on news and other factors. Today, stocks like Intel and SanDisk are rallying, while stocks like Oracle and IBM are falling. Below are highlights of some of the biggest stock movers, from mega-caps to small caps.

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

Intel (INTC); HSBC upgrades Intel stock rating to Hold on AI server demand: +5.35%
Oracle (ORCL): -3.59%
IBM (IBM): -4.01%
Shopify (SHOP): -3.07%
Nvidia (NVDA): -2.88%
Avago Technologies (AVGO): -2.96%
Tesla Motors (TSLA): -2.46%
Amazon Com Inc (AMZN); Hasbro appoints former Nintendo and Honest Company execs to board: -1.93%
Philip Morris Intl (PM); Jefferies downgrades Philip Morris stock rating to Hold on limited growth: -2.91%

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

SanDisk Corp-Exch (SNDK): +6.98%
DPCM Capital (QBTS); D-Wave completes acquisition of Quantum Circuits to advance dual platform: -8.05%
Applied Blockchain (APLD): -9.14%
ETHA (ETHA): -7.96%
Regencell Bioscience Holdings (RGC): -7.44%
MicroStrategy Inc (MSTR): -7.25%
Samsara (IOT): -6.59%
Bitmine Immersion Tech (BMNR); Bitmine ETH holdings reach 4.2 million tokens as shareholders approve proposals: -6.19%
Yandex (NBIS): -6.51%
Iris Energy (IREN): -5.26%

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

NantKwest (IBRX): +41.85%
Mudrick Capital A (HYMC): +11.45%
Ondas (ONDS): +11.14%
Inflection Point Acquisition II (USAR); USA Rare Earth to build rare earth metal facility in France: +8.78%
MER Telemanagemen (SBET): -8.59%
Blue Safari Group Acquisition Corp (BTDR): -8.46%
Grupo Simec BATS (SIM): -9.83%
Marathon Pa (MARA): -7.0%
Fluence Energy (FLNC): -7.79%
FETH ETH (FETH): -6.56%

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

Corvus Pharmaceuticals Inc (CRVS); Corvus reports positive phase 1 data for atopic dermatitis drug: +92.8%
RAPT Therapeutics Inc (RAPT): +63.85%
Acadia Healthcare (ACHC); Acadia Healthcare names former CEO Osteen to lead company again: +25.6%
NovaBay Pharmaceuticals Inc (NBY): -42.87%
CNinsure Inc (AIFU): -26.95%
SOLT (SOLT): -23.46%
VPC Impact Acquisition (BKKT); Bakkt establishes $300 million at-the-market equity program: -18.86%
ETHU (ETHU): -16.08%
MSTU (MSTU): -5.99%
BMNU (BMNU): +2.03%

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.

Risk Warnings and Disclaimers

Add to Favorites

Dj 3M, Nvidia Corp. Share Losses Lead Dow's 611-Point Drop

Reuters

Risk Warnings and Disclaimers

Add to Favorites

These stocks are leading 'meaningful breakthroughs' in quantum computing, UBS says

CNBC TV18

With tech stocks benefiting from sky-high valuations, one quickly-growing corner could define the sector's next chapter.

That's because quantum computing offers "extraordinary potential," according to UBS, which highlighted several key stocks leading the industry.

Quantum computing companies have gained the attention of Wall Street over the past year, particularly as Alphabet, IBM and Microsoft launched efforts to develop and build the first practical quantum computer. Consequently, some smaller, highly volatile companies, including IonQ, have soared over the past 12 months.

Quantum computing remains a fragmented and immature market, UBS analysts led by Madeleine Jenkins wrote in a 103-page report to clients on Monday. The bank sees the technology having the greatest impact in three areas: molecular simulation, optimization and AI, and cryptography.

'Meaningful breakthroughs'

"With tech valuations at an all-time high, we believe now is the time to learn about any potential disruptive forces. Whilst progress has been slow and there have been many challenges, we are starting to see meaningful breakthroughs in the quantum space," the 11 UBS analysts named on the report wrote.

"By harnessing the behavior of the smallest particles, quantum computing promises to unlock unprecedented computational power at a fraction of today's cost," they continued. "The era of quantum advantage (where quantum significantly outperforms classical systems), could arrive as early as the 2030s. This level of compute would require the equivalent of 10²¹ GPUs to simulate, yet cost only tens of millions to build."

UBS said there are multiple ways to make a qubit — the basic unit of quantum information — and that many industries could adopt the technology. Superconducting and trapped-ion qubits are the most advanced today, she said, narrowing leadership in quantum computing to just a few stocks.

"Success will hinge on which architecture prevails; and as it stands, we see superconducting/trapped ion as the most promising. Alphabet/IBM are betting on superconducting qubits, while Microsoft/Amazon-offer mixed modalities via the cloud," Jensen wrote. Public companies that are pure plays on quantum technology include IonQ, D-Wave Quantum and Rigetti Computing, the Jenkins team added.

Google, owned by Alphabet, has been a "pioneer" in quantum computing and is currently the leader in software and quantum error correction, especially with the breakthroughs achieved by its quantum chip Willow released in Dec. 2024, UBS said. Willow was able to reduce errors exponentially by using more qubits and perform a standard benchmark computation in under 5 minutes that would take one of today's fastest supercomputers 10 septillion years, the report said.

Microsoft and Amazon are more diversified, with their mixed modalities approach to quantum development, Jenkins wrote. Microsoft is both partnering with smaller, pureplay quantum hardware companies, such as IonQ, and researching a new type of topological architecture that could lead to a more stable and fast qubit, she said.

UBS rates both Microsoft and Amazon a buy, and rates Alphabet neutral.

"Who will win out will depend largely on the modality of qubit that succeeds first," the analyst said.

The smaller companies involved in quantum computing have alternately seen outsized gains followed by sharp declines over the past year, making them far more volatile than the broad market.

IonQ, the largest of the three, with a market value topping $17 billion, has soared 72% in the past 12 months through Wednesday, but slumped 34% since mid-October. Its adjusted beta is 2.37, according to FactSet data, meaning its more than twice as volatile as the average stock.

Risk Warnings and Disclaimers

Add to Favorites

Attention Long-Term Shareholders Of Ibotta, Inc. (Nyse: Ibta), Lifecore Biomedical, Inc. (Nasdaq: Lfcr), Molina Healthcare, Inc. (Nyse: Moh), And Webtoon Entertainment Inc. (Nasdaq: Wbtn): Grabar Law Office Investigates Claims On Your Behalf

Reuters

WEBTOON Entertainment

-3.97%

Risk Warnings and Disclaimers

Add to Favorites

Is quantum the next great tech revolution?

Investing.com

Advanced Micro Devices

-6.13%

Amazon

-1.01%

Investing.com -- Quantum computing could achieve "quantum advantage,” where quantum systems significantly outperform classical computers, around 2033, according to UBS Global Research in a recent note. However, the technology "has consistently been ’5 years away’ for the last 20 years," the report cautions.

Stay informed beyond the headlines with premium market insight, AI stock picks, and deep research tools from InvestingPro - 55% off today

UBS extrapolated quantum volume, a performance metric encompassing error correction and other factors, finding it follows a trajectory similar to Moore’s Law in classical computing.

This analysis suggests quantum advantage, typically associated with 100 logical qubits, could arrive slightly later than some company projections.

IBM targets 2,000 logical qubits by 2026, while IonQ projects 1,600 that year, scaling beyond 40,000 after 2030, according to company milestones cited in the report. Google’s Willow processor demonstrated in December 2024 that adding more qubits reduces rather than increases errors, a critical threshold for scalability.

China leads global public quantum investment with just under $18 billion, double U.S. public funding, according to European Centre for International Political Economy data cited in the report.

However, the United States accounts for approximately $7 billion in private quantum investment compared to China’s minimal private funding.

UBS models potential market disruption showing 12% of global server capacity could become underutilized by 2035 under high quantum adoption, rising from zero in 2026.

The analysis estimates 27% of current server spending comes from biosciences, chemical engineering, and financial services, sectors where quantum applications may arrive earliest, according to Intersect360 Research data.

Under the bullish scenario, 50% of pharmaceutical server capacity, 45% of chemical industry capacity, and 35% of financial services capacity could shift to quantum processors by 2035. A conservative scenario projects only 2% server underutilization by 2035.

Near-term economic impact stems from encryption vulnerabilities. The brokerage estimates cumulative 2026-2030 market increases of 30% for IoT devices, 6% for smartphones, and 4% for PCs, driven by quantum-safe encryption requirements.

New encryption standards require key sizes up to 100 times larger and computation times potentially 10 times slower than current methods.

IonQ reported $43.1 million in 2024 revenue with 2025 guidance of $106-110 million. D-Wave reported $9 million in 2024 revenue, while Rigetti reported $10.8 million.

Private companies including PsiQuantum have raised over $2 billion, targeting commercial systems by 2027.

Technical challenges remain significant. Trapped ion qubits achieve coherence times up to 600 seconds in laboratory conditions, while superconducting qubits maintain coherence for only 0.001 seconds, according to the report. Systems typically require 10 to 100 physical qubits to create one error-corrected logical qubit.

"Quantum computing has the potential to redefine processes and transform industries," the brokerage notes, while noting "progress has been slow and there have been many challenges." The analysis adds that it remains "too early to say" which adoption scenario will materialize.

Risk Warnings and Disclaimers

Add to Favorites