Major Averages Decline for Second Straight Day as Investor Sentiment Softens
The major averages were broadly lower for the second straight day as investors navigate a busy week of earnings and economic data. Sentiment has softened after Tuesday's session saw key benchmarks retreat amid political and monetary policy uncertainty despite a cooler-than-expected inflation reading that underpinned rate-cut hopes. Financial stocks have been under pressure with mixed earnings results from major banks, and geopolitical and policy risks have further tempered risk appetite.Precious metals continue to be a standout theme, with gold and silver reaching fresh all-time highs as traders hedge against economic and policy uncertainty and lean into the safe-haven trade.Get caught up quickly on the top news and calls moving stocks with these five Top Five lists.1. STOCK NEWS:Bank of Americareported, though the company said it expects its headcount to "come down" this yearCitireportedand provided guidance for FY26Wells Fargoreported upbeat Q4 earnings, though revenue for the quarter wasPalo Alto Networks, Broadcom'sVMware, and Fortinetare among U.S. firms whose cybersecurity software has been banned in China, while Check Pointis among Israeli companies banned there,Google'sGemini introduced AI personalization tool2. WALL STREET CALLS:StephensOktaand Check Pointto Overweight amid durable growth in cybersecurityRivianto Sell at UBSTD CowenBlackRockto HoldTapestryat Hold from Buy at JefferiesUberwith an Outperform at BNP Paribas3. AROUND THE WEB:Metaconfirmed that it is cutting more than 1,000 jobs from the Reality Labs division as part of a plan to redirect resources from virtual reality and metaverse products toward AI wearables and phone features, Bloomberg saysNvidiais denying that it will require Chinese customers to pay upfront for its H200 chips, saying it "would never require customers to pay for products they do not receive," Reuters reportsXpengis looking to sell 550,000-600,000 vehicles this year, or a 28%-40% increase from its sales last year, when the automaker delivered 429,445 cars, up 126% from 2024, Reuters saysCoca-Colahas ended talks to sell Costa Coffee after bids from potential private equity suitors fell below expectations, FT reportsShelland Exxon Mobilhave halted the intended sale of natural gas assets in Britain's Southern North Sea to Viaro Energy, Reuters reports4. MOVERS:Clover Healthhigher after announcing 3% year-over-yearin its Medicare Advantage PPO plans for the 2026 plan yearTG Therapeuticsincreases afterand providing guidance for FY26ImmunityBiogains after the Saudi Food and Drug Authority hasof ANKTIVATrip.comlower in New York after receiving afrom the State Administration for Market Regulations of the People's Republic of ChinaBitfarmsfalls in New York afterof the Board5. EARNINGS/GUIDANCEInfosys, with CEO Salil Parekh commenting, "Infosys delivered a strong Q3 performance"RedCloudview and provided guidance for FY26Aveannafor FY25Intuitive SurgicalHorizon Aircraft, with EPS lower year-over-yearINDEXES:Near midday, the Dow was down 0.61%, or 301.74, to 48,890.25, the Nasdaq was down 1.63%, or 386.02, to 23,323.85, and the S&P 500 was down 1.09%, or 75.65, to 6,888.09.
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JPMorgan: AI Disruption Fears Overstated for Software Sector
- Market Rebound Expectations: JPMorgan believes that while the market's outlook on AI disruption in the software sector is overly pessimistic, certain software companies are demonstrating greater resilience, potentially providing rebound opportunities for investors, especially given the current overly bearish sentiment.
- Extreme Price Volatility: Analysts point out that the extreme price action in software stocks has led to unrealistic expectations regarding AI disruption, which may prompt a rotation back into higher-quality companies, thereby improving portfolio performance.
- AI Profitability Gains: Companies in the S&P 500 that have adopted AI have seen net margins expand by approximately 2 to 3 percentage points more than their peers, indicating that AI technology is already delivering productivity gains and reflecting that corporate adoption is enhancing profitability.
- ETF Performance Decline: The State Street SPDR S&P Software & Services ETF (NYSE:XSW) is down 20.58% year-to-date, illustrating the overall pessimistic sentiment towards the software sector, despite some companies potentially benefiting from AI infrastructure demand.
Investment Opportunities Amid Software Stock Slump
- Current Software Market: Despite the Dow Jones Industrial Average surpassing 50,000 and the S&P 500 gaining at least 16% in six of the last seven years, the iShares Expanded Tech-Software Sector ETF is nearly 28% below its all-time high, indicating that software stocks are in a bear market, presenting opportunities for value investors.
- Salesforce Growth Potential: Salesforce's Agentforce AI platform generated over $500 million in annual recurring revenue in Q3, up 330% year-over-year, and despite AI competition concerns, its leadership in the CRM market and strategic acquisition capabilities sustain high growth, with a forward P/E ratio of just 14.8, representing a 52% discount to its historical average.
- Adobe's Performance Recovery: Adobe's Digital Media segment achieved $19.2 billion in annual recurring revenue for FY 2025, an 11.5% increase, and despite fears surrounding generative AI, its strong cash flow and share buyback program (30.8 million shares in FY 2025) indicate financial health, with a forward P/E of 10.1, 61% below its historical average.
- Okta's Rising Security Demand: Okta's RPO increased 17% year-over-year to nearly $4.3 billion in Q3, as the shift of enterprise data to the cloud boosts cybersecurity demand; its AI-driven platform provides identity authentication and application authorization, and while facing AI competition, its forward P/E of 24 shows relative attractiveness.
Investment Opportunities Amid Software Stock Declines
- Current Software Market Status: Despite the Dow Jones and S&P 500 reaching new highs, the iShares Expanded Tech-Software Sector ETF has plunged 32% from its all-time high, indicating a bearish trend in software stocks that investors need to navigate cautiously.
- Salesforce's Growth Potential: Salesforce's Agentforce AI platform generated over $500 million in annual recurring revenue in Q3, up 330% year-over-year, and despite AI threats, the company maintains market leadership through strategic acquisitions and high-margin growth.
- Adobe's Financial Performance: Adobe achieved an 11% sales growth in fiscal 2025, with its Digital Media segment's annual recurring revenue reaching $19.2 billion; despite AI competition, Adobe's buyback of 30.8 million shares enhances earnings per share, showcasing strong cash flow.
- Okta's Market Demand: Okta's RPO increased by 17% year-over-year to nearly $4.3 billion in Q3, and as cybersecurity needs rise, the company leverages AI and machine learning to enhance identity verification services, demonstrating robust market adaptability.
Microsoft and 18 Other Software Firms Poised for Resilience
Market Impact: The software sector has experienced a $2 trillion loss due to concerns over potential disruptions from artificial intelligence technology.
Investment Perspective: Analysts at J.P. Morgan view this downturn as a buying opportunity and have identified several AI-resistant companies, including Microsoft and CrowdStrike.
Microsoft and CrowdStrike Top List of 19 Stocks Resilient to AI Changes
Market Impact: The software sector has experienced a significant decline, losing approximately $2 trillion due to concerns over potential disruptions from artificial intelligence technology.
Investment Perspective: Analysts at J.P. Morgan view this downturn as a potential buying opportunity and have identified a list of companies that are resistant to AI-related disruptions.
Okta Viewed as Potential Undervalued Stock by Cramer
- Declining Market Attention: Despite Okta's strong performance in identity verification and solid results over the past few quarters, its stock has fallen over 30% from its May highs, indicating market neglect that could undermine investor confidence.
- Low Earnings Growth Expectation: Okta is projected to have only 7% earnings growth this year, which has kept it off Jim Cramer's recommended list, reflecting a cautious market outlook on its future performance.
- AI Security Opportunity: CEO Todd McKinnon highlighted a significant opportunity for Okta in securing thousands, if not millions, of AI agents being created within enterprises, a perspective that resonated with Cramer and could drive future growth for the company.
- Attractive Valuation: With Okta's stock currently trading at just 23 times this year's expected earnings, Cramer sees it as a buying opportunity worth considering, despite the prevailing negative market sentiment, as its fundamentals remain strong.
JPMorgan: AI Disruption Fears Overstated for Software Sector
- Market Rebound Expectations: JPMorgan believes that while the market's outlook on AI disruption in the software sector is overly pessimistic, certain software companies are demonstrating greater resilience, potentially providing rebound opportunities for investors, especially given the current overly bearish sentiment.
- Extreme Price Volatility: Analysts point out that the extreme price action in software stocks has led to unrealistic expectations regarding AI disruption, which may prompt a rotation back into higher-quality companies, thereby improving portfolio performance.
- AI Profitability Gains: Companies in the S&P 500 that have adopted AI have seen net margins expand by approximately 2 to 3 percentage points more than their peers, indicating that AI technology is already delivering productivity gains and reflecting that corporate adoption is enhancing profitability.
- ETF Performance Decline: The State Street SPDR S&P Software & Services ETF (NYSE:XSW) is down 20.58% year-to-date, illustrating the overall pessimistic sentiment towards the software sector, despite some companies potentially benefiting from AI infrastructure demand.
Investment Opportunities Amid Software Stock Slump
- Current Software Market: Despite the Dow Jones Industrial Average surpassing 50,000 and the S&P 500 gaining at least 16% in six of the last seven years, the iShares Expanded Tech-Software Sector ETF is nearly 28% below its all-time high, indicating that software stocks are in a bear market, presenting opportunities for value investors.
- Salesforce Growth Potential: Salesforce's Agentforce AI platform generated over $500 million in annual recurring revenue in Q3, up 330% year-over-year, and despite AI competition concerns, its leadership in the CRM market and strategic acquisition capabilities sustain high growth, with a forward P/E ratio of just 14.8, representing a 52% discount to its historical average.
- Adobe's Performance Recovery: Adobe's Digital Media segment achieved $19.2 billion in annual recurring revenue for FY 2025, an 11.5% increase, and despite fears surrounding generative AI, its strong cash flow and share buyback program (30.8 million shares in FY 2025) indicate financial health, with a forward P/E of 10.1, 61% below its historical average.
- Okta's Rising Security Demand: Okta's RPO increased 17% year-over-year to nearly $4.3 billion in Q3, as the shift of enterprise data to the cloud boosts cybersecurity demand; its AI-driven platform provides identity authentication and application authorization, and while facing AI competition, its forward P/E of 24 shows relative attractiveness.
Investment Opportunities Amid Software Stock Declines
- Current Software Market Status: Despite the Dow Jones and S&P 500 reaching new highs, the iShares Expanded Tech-Software Sector ETF has plunged 32% from its all-time high, indicating a bearish trend in software stocks that investors need to navigate cautiously.
- Salesforce's Growth Potential: Salesforce's Agentforce AI platform generated over $500 million in annual recurring revenue in Q3, up 330% year-over-year, and despite AI threats, the company maintains market leadership through strategic acquisitions and high-margin growth.
- Adobe's Financial Performance: Adobe achieved an 11% sales growth in fiscal 2025, with its Digital Media segment's annual recurring revenue reaching $19.2 billion; despite AI competition, Adobe's buyback of 30.8 million shares enhances earnings per share, showcasing strong cash flow.
- Okta's Market Demand: Okta's RPO increased by 17% year-over-year to nearly $4.3 billion in Q3, and as cybersecurity needs rise, the company leverages AI and machine learning to enhance identity verification services, demonstrating robust market adaptability.
Microsoft and 18 Other Software Firms Poised for Resilience
Market Impact: The software sector has experienced a $2 trillion loss due to concerns over potential disruptions from artificial intelligence technology.
Investment Perspective: Analysts at J.P. Morgan view this downturn as a buying opportunity and have identified several AI-resistant companies, including Microsoft and CrowdStrike.
Microsoft and CrowdStrike Top List of 19 Stocks Resilient to AI Changes
Market Impact: The software sector has experienced a significant decline, losing approximately $2 trillion due to concerns over potential disruptions from artificial intelligence technology.
Investment Perspective: Analysts at J.P. Morgan view this downturn as a potential buying opportunity and have identified a list of companies that are resistant to AI-related disruptions.
Okta Viewed as Potential Undervalued Stock by Cramer
- Declining Market Attention: Despite Okta's strong performance in identity verification and solid results over the past few quarters, its stock has fallen over 30% from its May highs, indicating market neglect that could undermine investor confidence.
- Low Earnings Growth Expectation: Okta is projected to have only 7% earnings growth this year, which has kept it off Jim Cramer's recommended list, reflecting a cautious market outlook on its future performance.
- AI Security Opportunity: CEO Todd McKinnon highlighted a significant opportunity for Okta in securing thousands, if not millions, of AI agents being created within enterprises, a perspective that resonated with Cramer and could drive future growth for the company.
- Attractive Valuation: With Okta's stock currently trading at just 23 times this year's expected earnings, Cramer sees it as a buying opportunity worth considering, despite the prevailing negative market sentiment, as its fundamentals remain strong.
