iShares Expanded Tech-Software ETF Declines Significantly
Written by Emily J. Thompson, Senior Investment Analyst
Updated: Jan 29 2026
0mins
Should l Buy WFRD?
Source: NASDAQ.COM
- ETF Decline: The iShares Expanded Tech-Software Sector ETF fell approximately 6% in Thursday afternoon trading, indicating overall weakness in the sector that may impact investor confidence and lead to capital outflows.
- Weak Individual Stocks: Within the ETF, shares of Atlassian dropped about 12.7%, while Microsoft shares fell around 12%, reflecting a pessimistic market outlook on these tech companies, which could affect their future investment appeal.
- Market Reaction: The widespread decline in tech stocks may prompt investors to reassess their portfolios in the tech sector, potentially shifting capital towards other industries or asset classes that are performing better.
- Investor Sentiment: The poor performance of the ETF could raise concerns among investors regarding the tech industry, especially in the current economic climate, potentially exacerbating market volatility and uncertainty.
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Analyst Views on WFRD
Wall Street analysts forecast WFRD stock price to rise
7 Analyst Rating
5 Buy
2 Hold
0 Sell
Moderate Buy
Current: 90.950
Low
73.00
Averages
91.71
High
111.00
Current: 90.950
Low
73.00
Averages
91.71
High
111.00
About WFRD
Weatherford International plc is a global energy services company. The Company is engaged in providing equipment and services used in the drilling, evaluation, well construction, completion, production, intervention and responsible abandonment of wells in the oil and natural gas exploration and production industry as well as new energy platforms. The Company operates through three segments: Drilling and Evaluation (DRE), Well Construction and Completions (WCC), and Production and Intervention (PRI). DRE offers a suite of services, including managed pressure drilling, drilling services, wireline, and drilling fluids. WCC offers products and services for well integrity assurance across the full life cycle of the well. PRI offers a suite of reservoir stimulation designs and engineering capabilities that isolate zones and unlock reserves in conventional and unconventional wells, deep water, and aging reservoirs. Its platforms include ForeSite, CygNet, CENTRO, and others.
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.
Goldman Sachs Raises Weatherford Price Target to $107
- Price Target Increase: On March 4, Goldman Sachs raised the price target for Weatherford International plc (NASDAQ:WFRD) from $83 to $107 while maintaining a Neutral rating, indicating that geopolitical risks may pose short-term challenges but could also present opportunities relative to fundamentals.
- Stability in Long-term Plans: Goldman Sachs does not foresee current geopolitical concerns significantly impacting long-term customer plans, as a substantial portion of the activity increases are structural, aimed at offsetting decline rates and enhancing production capacity.
- Contract Award: Weatherford announced on February 12 that it has secured a multi-year Integrated Completions contract from TotalEnergies in Denmark, reflecting the client's confidence in Weatherford's technical expertise and execution capabilities, with plans to deliver leading completions products and services for offshore operations.
- Market Positioning: While Weatherford is recognized as a potentially strong investment, analysts suggest that certain AI stocks may offer greater upside potential and lower downside risk, highlighting a divergence in market focus and investment evaluations across sectors.
See More
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- Asset Allocation Shift: This new position accounts for 1.37% of Penn Capital's 13F reportable assets under management, indicating a strategic focus on the semiconductor industry, particularly in the context of AI and advanced chip manufacturing.
- Outstanding Stock Performance: As of February 6, 2026, ACM Research shares were priced at $62.48, up 171.5% over the past year, outperforming the S&P 500 by 157.6 percentage points, showcasing market recognition of its growth potential.
- Industry Outlook Analysis: ACM Research specializes in providing advanced cleaning and plating equipment for semiconductor manufacturing, and with the surge in AI processor demand, the company’s revenue from the Chinese market is significant, facing dual challenges of self-sufficiency and export controls.
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- New Investment Position: Penn Capital initiated a position in ACM Research during Q4 2025 by purchasing 435,843 shares for an estimated $17.21 million, reflecting confidence in the semiconductor sector.
- Value Appreciation: As of December 31, 2025, the position's quarter-end value stood at $17.21 million, indicating a positive impact from both the share purchase and price movements, showcasing market recognition of ACM Research.
- Strong Market Performance: As of February 6, 2026, ACM Research shares were priced at $62.48, representing a 171.5% increase over the previous year, generating 157.6 percentage points of alpha compared to the S&P 500, highlighting its robust performance in the semiconductor equipment market.
- Promising Industry Outlook: ACM Research focuses on advanced wafer cleaning and plating equipment, and with the rising demand for AI processors, its products are becoming increasingly vital in semiconductor manufacturing, positioning the company for greater market share amidst China's push for semiconductor self-sufficiency.
See More
Weatherford International Q4 2025 Earnings Call Insights
- Revenue Growth Highlight: Weatherford International achieved a 5% sequential revenue growth in Q4 2025, with Latin America seeing a remarkable 16% increase driven by heightened activity in Mexico and Brazil, thereby strengthening the company's market position in the region.
- Strong Cash Flow Performance: The company generated $222 million in adjusted free cash flow during the fourth quarter, with a conversion rate of 76.3%, significantly boosted by collections from a key customer in Mexico, showcasing effective cash flow management.
- Increased Shareholder Returns: Weatherford announced a 10% dividend increase and returned $173 million to shareholders in 2025, comprising $72 million in dividends and $101 million in share repurchases, reflecting the company's confidence in future growth prospects.
- 2026 Outlook: Management anticipates revenues for 2026 to range between $4.6 billion and $5.05 billion, with adjusted EBITDA expected between $980 million and $1.12 billion; despite a projected decline in North American spending, the international market is expected to grow in the second half, indicating a positive outlook for the company.
See More
Weatherford International Q4 Earnings Beat Expectations
- Earnings Beat: Weatherford International reported a Q4 GAAP EPS of $1.91, exceeding expectations by $0.49, which reflects the company's strong profitability and boosts investor confidence.
- Slight Revenue Decline: The revenue of $1.29 billion represents a 3.7% year-over-year decline, yet it surpassed market expectations by $30 million, indicating the company's ability to maintain relatively stable revenue levels in a challenging environment.
- Positive Market Reaction: The earnings beat is likely to have a favorable impact on Weatherford's stock price, reflecting market optimism regarding the company's growth potential, especially amid a recovery in the oil and gas sector.
- Rating Adjustment Impact: Despite the strong earnings report, attention must be paid to the downgrade in Weatherford's rating post-Q3 2025, which could have potential implications for investor sentiment and stock price.
See More
Weatherford International to Announce Q4 Earnings on February 4th
- Earnings Announcement: Weatherford International is set to release its Q4 2023 earnings report on February 4th before market open, with consensus EPS estimate at $1.47 and revenue expected at $1.26 billion, reflecting a 6% year-over-year decline.
- Performance Expectations: Over the past year, Weatherford has surpassed EPS estimates 75% of the time and revenue estimates 100% of the time, indicating strong earnings reliability and market confidence.
- Revision Trends: In the last three months, EPS estimates have seen two upward revisions and four downward adjustments, while revenue estimates experienced three upward revisions and one downward, highlighting market uncertainty regarding the company's future performance.
- Rating Dynamics: Despite Weatherford's relatively stable financial performance, its quantitative rating on Seeking Alpha indicates a downgrade trend, which may impact investor confidence and stock price performance.
See More
Goldman Sachs Raises Weatherford Price Target to $107
- Price Target Increase: On March 4, Goldman Sachs raised the price target for Weatherford International plc (NASDAQ:WFRD) from $83 to $107 while maintaining a Neutral rating, indicating that geopolitical risks may pose short-term challenges but could also present opportunities relative to fundamentals.
- Stability in Long-term Plans: Goldman Sachs does not foresee current geopolitical concerns significantly impacting long-term customer plans, as a substantial portion of the activity increases are structural, aimed at offsetting decline rates and enhancing production capacity.
- Contract Award: Weatherford announced on February 12 that it has secured a multi-year Integrated Completions contract from TotalEnergies in Denmark, reflecting the client's confidence in Weatherford's technical expertise and execution capabilities, with plans to deliver leading completions products and services for offshore operations.
- Market Positioning: While Weatherford is recognized as a potentially strong investment, analysts suggest that certain AI stocks may offer greater upside potential and lower downside risk, highlighting a divergence in market focus and investment evaluations across sectors.
See More
Penn Capital Increases Stake in ACM Research, Inc.
- New Investment Dynamics: Penn Capital Management established a new position in ACM Research during Q4 2025, acquiring 435,843 shares, with a quarter-end value increase of $17.21 million, reflecting strong confidence in the semiconductor equipment market.
- Asset Allocation Shift: This new position accounts for 1.37% of Penn Capital's 13F reportable assets under management, indicating a strategic focus on the semiconductor industry, particularly in the context of AI and advanced chip manufacturing.
- Outstanding Stock Performance: As of February 6, 2026, ACM Research shares were priced at $62.48, up 171.5% over the past year, outperforming the S&P 500 by 157.6 percentage points, showcasing market recognition of its growth potential.
- Industry Outlook Analysis: ACM Research specializes in providing advanced cleaning and plating equipment for semiconductor manufacturing, and with the surge in AI processor demand, the company’s revenue from the Chinese market is significant, facing dual challenges of self-sufficiency and export controls.
See More
Penn Capital Initiates Position in ACM Research with $17.21 Million Investment
- New Investment Position: Penn Capital initiated a position in ACM Research during Q4 2025 by purchasing 435,843 shares for an estimated $17.21 million, reflecting confidence in the semiconductor sector.
- Value Appreciation: As of December 31, 2025, the position's quarter-end value stood at $17.21 million, indicating a positive impact from both the share purchase and price movements, showcasing market recognition of ACM Research.
- Strong Market Performance: As of February 6, 2026, ACM Research shares were priced at $62.48, representing a 171.5% increase over the previous year, generating 157.6 percentage points of alpha compared to the S&P 500, highlighting its robust performance in the semiconductor equipment market.
- Promising Industry Outlook: ACM Research focuses on advanced wafer cleaning and plating equipment, and with the rising demand for AI processors, its products are becoming increasingly vital in semiconductor manufacturing, positioning the company for greater market share amidst China's push for semiconductor self-sufficiency.
See More
Weatherford International Q4 2025 Earnings Call Insights
- Revenue Growth Highlight: Weatherford International achieved a 5% sequential revenue growth in Q4 2025, with Latin America seeing a remarkable 16% increase driven by heightened activity in Mexico and Brazil, thereby strengthening the company's market position in the region.
- Strong Cash Flow Performance: The company generated $222 million in adjusted free cash flow during the fourth quarter, with a conversion rate of 76.3%, significantly boosted by collections from a key customer in Mexico, showcasing effective cash flow management.
- Increased Shareholder Returns: Weatherford announced a 10% dividend increase and returned $173 million to shareholders in 2025, comprising $72 million in dividends and $101 million in share repurchases, reflecting the company's confidence in future growth prospects.
- 2026 Outlook: Management anticipates revenues for 2026 to range between $4.6 billion and $5.05 billion, with adjusted EBITDA expected between $980 million and $1.12 billion; despite a projected decline in North American spending, the international market is expected to grow in the second half, indicating a positive outlook for the company.
See More
Weatherford International Q4 Earnings Beat Expectations
- Earnings Beat: Weatherford International reported a Q4 GAAP EPS of $1.91, exceeding expectations by $0.49, which reflects the company's strong profitability and boosts investor confidence.
- Slight Revenue Decline: The revenue of $1.29 billion represents a 3.7% year-over-year decline, yet it surpassed market expectations by $30 million, indicating the company's ability to maintain relatively stable revenue levels in a challenging environment.
- Positive Market Reaction: The earnings beat is likely to have a favorable impact on Weatherford's stock price, reflecting market optimism regarding the company's growth potential, especially amid a recovery in the oil and gas sector.
- Rating Adjustment Impact: Despite the strong earnings report, attention must be paid to the downgrade in Weatherford's rating post-Q3 2025, which could have potential implications for investor sentiment and stock price.
See More
Weatherford International to Announce Q4 Earnings on February 4th
- Earnings Announcement: Weatherford International is set to release its Q4 2023 earnings report on February 4th before market open, with consensus EPS estimate at $1.47 and revenue expected at $1.26 billion, reflecting a 6% year-over-year decline.
- Performance Expectations: Over the past year, Weatherford has surpassed EPS estimates 75% of the time and revenue estimates 100% of the time, indicating strong earnings reliability and market confidence.
- Revision Trends: In the last three months, EPS estimates have seen two upward revisions and four downward adjustments, while revenue estimates experienced three upward revisions and one downward, highlighting market uncertainty regarding the company's future performance.
- Rating Dynamics: Despite Weatherford's relatively stable financial performance, its quantitative rating on Seeking Alpha indicates a downgrade trend, which may impact investor confidence and stock price performance.
See More
