Stock Market Edges Up as Traders Eye Three Key Stocks
Written by Emily J. Thompson, Senior Investment Analyst
Updated: May 21 2026
0mins
Source: seekingalpha
- Market Performance: The stock market closed modestly higher on Thursday, with the S&P 500 up 0.2%, the Dow up 0.6%, and the Nasdaq Composite up 0.1%, reflecting cautious optimism among investors amid fading oil prices and renewed hopes for a U.S.-Iran peace deal.
- Webull Earnings: Webull (BULL) reported first-quarter earnings that met analyst expectations, with adjusted operating profit per share at $0.03, down from $0.06 a year ago, but strong growth in customer assets supported its stock price increase.
- Ross Stores Strong Performance: Ross Stores (ROST) delivered a quarterly report showing double-digit revenue growth driven by value-seeking shoppers, with profitability exceeding expectations, leading to a roughly 7% increase in after-hours trading, indicating market optimism about its future performance.
- Workday Earnings Beat Expectations: Workday (WDAY) shares jumped 10% after reporting fiscal first-quarter results with adjusted earnings of $2.66 per share and a 13.5% year-over-year revenue increase to $2.54 billion, both surpassing Wall Street estimates and demonstrating the company's strong competitive position in the software market.
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Analyst Views on BULL
Wall Street analysts forecast BULL stock price to rise
2 Analyst Rating
2 Buy
0 Hold
0 Sell
Moderate Buy
Current: 6.330
Low
15.00
Averages
16.50
High
18.00
Current: 6.330
Low
15.00
Averages
16.50
High
18.00
About BULL
Webull Corporation is a digital investment platform built upon a next-generation global infrastructure. The Company’s platform allows its customers to invest in United States (U.S.) listed stocks, exchange-traded funds (ETFs), as well as American Depository Receipts. It offers fractional share trading for U.S.-listed stocks and ETFs on its Webull App, which allows its customers to invest in fractions of a share of a stock or ETF instead of buying or selling whole shares. It also offers trading in multiple-listed stock options, ETFs, and index options. It offers cash sweep products to its customers, allowing them to earn interest on uninvested brokerage cash that the Company sweeps to its partner banks. It provides robo-advisor services through Webull Advisors LLC. It also provides retirement investment accounts and portfolio management tools for long-term investors. It offers seamless interoperability for clients investing through mobile, tablet, Web-based, and desktop devices.
About the author
Emily J. Thompson
Emily J. Thompson, a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) with 12 years in investment research, graduated with honors from the Wharton School. Specializing in industrial and technology stocks, she provides in-depth analysis for Intellectia’s earnings and market brief reports.
Surge in Options Trading Volume for BURL and GOOGL
- BURL Options Volume: Burlington Stores Inc's options trading volume reached 7,981 contracts today, representing approximately 798,100 shares, which is 114% of its average daily trading volume over the past month, indicating strong market interest in the stock.
- High-Frequency Contracts: Among BURL options, the $270 strike put option was particularly active with 3,761 contracts traded today, representing about 376,100 shares, suggesting investor expectations of a potential price decline.
- GOOGL Options Activity: Alphabet Inc also saw significant options trading volume at 333,905 contracts, equating to approximately 33.4 million shares, which is 111.9% of its average daily trading volume over the past month, reflecting strong market interest in its stock.
- Key Contract Analysis: The $387.50 strike call option for GOOGL traded 35,492 contracts today, representing around 3.5 million shares, indicating investor confidence in the stock's potential for future appreciation.
See More
Webull Q1 2026 Earnings Call Highlights
- Significant Revenue Growth: Webull reported $160 million in revenue for Q1 2026, marking a 36% year-over-year increase, which underscores the company's strong market performance and solidifies its position as a public entity.
- Substantial Increase in Customer Assets: Customer assets surged to $24 billion, up 90% year-over-year, reflecting client trust in the Webull platform and laying a robust foundation for future business expansion.
- Share Repurchase Program Initiated: The company announced a share repurchase program of up to $100 million for its Class A ordinary shares, indicating management's confidence in future growth and aiming to enhance shareholder value.
- Self-Clearing License Approved: Webull received approval for its U.S. self-clearing license, expected to be operational by Q4 2026, which will significantly reduce transaction costs and enhance its competitiveness in the B2B market.
See More
Webull Corp Reports Significant Earnings Growth
- Significant Revenue Growth: Webull Corp (NASDAQ:BULL) reported a 36% year-over-year revenue increase, reaching $160 million, indicating strong market performance and heightened customer demand, thereby enhancing its competitive position.
- Surge in Customer Assets: Customer assets grew by 90% year-over-year to $24 billion, showcasing a significant increase in customer trust and engagement, which lays a solid foundation for future business expansion.
- Share Repurchase Program: The company announced a share repurchase program of up to $100 million, reflecting confidence in its long-term value, which may positively impact stock prices and bolster investor confidence.
- International Market Expansion: Webull received permission to operate in 22 additional European markets, marking a significant step in its global business expansion, which is expected to generate new revenue streams and increase market share.
See More
Webull CEO: PDT Rule Reversal to Boost Trading Activity
- Significant Revenue Growth: Webull reported Q1 revenue of $159.93 million, reflecting a 36% year-over-year increase that surpassed Wall Street expectations, indicating strong market performance and growth potential for the company.
- Substantial Increase in Customer Assets: The company's customer assets surged 90% year-over-year to $24 billion, showcasing robust retail investor interest and platform appeal, which further solidifies Webull's position in the competitive financial services market.
- Impact of PDT Rule Reversal: The Financial Industry Regulatory Authority's elimination of restrictions on day traders is expected to drive at least a 20% increase in trading volume, potentially leading to higher trading activity and revenue growth for Webull.
- Core AI Strategy: CEO Denier emphasized the central role of AI in the company's long-term strategy, planning to enhance tools for active traders through new products like Vega Analyst and AI Portfolio, while also focusing on global expansion and strengthening institutional infrastructure.
See More
Webull Q1 Revenue Surpasses Expectations Amid Soaring Customer Assets
- Strong Revenue Performance: Webull reported Q1 revenue of $159.9 million, exceeding market expectations of $157.7 million, indicating robust growth driven by increased equity and options trading order flow, thereby reinforcing its market position.
- Narrowed Net Loss: The company’s net loss per share improved to $0.04 in Q1 from $0.06 in the same quarter last year, reflecting positive advancements in cost control and operational efficiency.
- Surge in Customer Assets: Customer assets surged 90% year-on-year to $24 billion by the end of March, showcasing the company's success in attracting clients and expanding market share, particularly among self-directed investors.
- FINRA Approval for Self-Clearing: Webull received FINRA approval for self and correspondent clearing in April, marking a pivotal milestone that lays the groundwork for long-term cost savings and operational scale, facilitating future growth.
See More
Webull (BULL) Q1 2026 Earnings Call Transcript
See More
Surge in Options Trading Volume for BURL and GOOGL
- BURL Options Volume: Burlington Stores Inc's options trading volume reached 7,981 contracts today, representing approximately 798,100 shares, which is 114% of its average daily trading volume over the past month, indicating strong market interest in the stock.
- High-Frequency Contracts: Among BURL options, the $270 strike put option was particularly active with 3,761 contracts traded today, representing about 376,100 shares, suggesting investor expectations of a potential price decline.
- GOOGL Options Activity: Alphabet Inc also saw significant options trading volume at 333,905 contracts, equating to approximately 33.4 million shares, which is 111.9% of its average daily trading volume over the past month, reflecting strong market interest in its stock.
- Key Contract Analysis: The $387.50 strike call option for GOOGL traded 35,492 contracts today, representing around 3.5 million shares, indicating investor confidence in the stock's potential for future appreciation.
See More
Webull Q1 2026 Earnings Call Highlights
- Significant Revenue Growth: Webull reported $160 million in revenue for Q1 2026, marking a 36% year-over-year increase, which underscores the company's strong market performance and solidifies its position as a public entity.
- Substantial Increase in Customer Assets: Customer assets surged to $24 billion, up 90% year-over-year, reflecting client trust in the Webull platform and laying a robust foundation for future business expansion.
- Share Repurchase Program Initiated: The company announced a share repurchase program of up to $100 million for its Class A ordinary shares, indicating management's confidence in future growth and aiming to enhance shareholder value.
- Self-Clearing License Approved: Webull received approval for its U.S. self-clearing license, expected to be operational by Q4 2026, which will significantly reduce transaction costs and enhance its competitiveness in the B2B market.
See More
Webull Corp Reports Significant Earnings Growth
- Significant Revenue Growth: Webull Corp (NASDAQ:BULL) reported a 36% year-over-year revenue increase, reaching $160 million, indicating strong market performance and heightened customer demand, thereby enhancing its competitive position.
- Surge in Customer Assets: Customer assets grew by 90% year-over-year to $24 billion, showcasing a significant increase in customer trust and engagement, which lays a solid foundation for future business expansion.
- Share Repurchase Program: The company announced a share repurchase program of up to $100 million, reflecting confidence in its long-term value, which may positively impact stock prices and bolster investor confidence.
- International Market Expansion: Webull received permission to operate in 22 additional European markets, marking a significant step in its global business expansion, which is expected to generate new revenue streams and increase market share.
See More
Webull CEO: PDT Rule Reversal to Boost Trading Activity
- Significant Revenue Growth: Webull reported Q1 revenue of $159.93 million, reflecting a 36% year-over-year increase that surpassed Wall Street expectations, indicating strong market performance and growth potential for the company.
- Substantial Increase in Customer Assets: The company's customer assets surged 90% year-over-year to $24 billion, showcasing robust retail investor interest and platform appeal, which further solidifies Webull's position in the competitive financial services market.
- Impact of PDT Rule Reversal: The Financial Industry Regulatory Authority's elimination of restrictions on day traders is expected to drive at least a 20% increase in trading volume, potentially leading to higher trading activity and revenue growth for Webull.
- Core AI Strategy: CEO Denier emphasized the central role of AI in the company's long-term strategy, planning to enhance tools for active traders through new products like Vega Analyst and AI Portfolio, while also focusing on global expansion and strengthening institutional infrastructure.
See More
Webull Q1 Revenue Surpasses Expectations Amid Soaring Customer Assets
- Strong Revenue Performance: Webull reported Q1 revenue of $159.9 million, exceeding market expectations of $157.7 million, indicating robust growth driven by increased equity and options trading order flow, thereby reinforcing its market position.
- Narrowed Net Loss: The company’s net loss per share improved to $0.04 in Q1 from $0.06 in the same quarter last year, reflecting positive advancements in cost control and operational efficiency.
- Surge in Customer Assets: Customer assets surged 90% year-on-year to $24 billion by the end of March, showcasing the company's success in attracting clients and expanding market share, particularly among self-directed investors.
- FINRA Approval for Self-Clearing: Webull received FINRA approval for self and correspondent clearing in April, marking a pivotal milestone that lays the groundwork for long-term cost savings and operational scale, facilitating future growth.
See More
Webull (BULL) Q1 2026 Earnings Call Transcript
See More
