US Economic Slowdown and Tariff Ruling Impact Markets
Written by Emily J. Thompson, Senior Investment Analyst
Updated: Feb 20 2026
0mins
Should l Buy EPAM?
Source: Benzinga
- Economic Slowdown: The US economy expanded at an annualized rate of only 1.4% in Q4, a significant drop from 4.4% in the previous quarter and well below the expected 3%, indicating a fragile recovery that could dampen market confidence.
- Accelerating Inflation: The Federal Reserve's preferred inflation gauge rose to a 3% annual rate in December, with a monthly increase of 0.4%, marking the fastest pace since February, which may prompt the Fed to adopt a more cautious approach in future monetary policy.
- Tariff Authority Ruling: The Supreme Court ruled that the president lacks the authority to impose tariffs under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act, emphasizing that only Congress has this power during peacetime, potentially leading to litigation over the refund of over $130 billion in tariffs already collected, increasing policy uncertainty.
- Widening Trade Deficit: The US goods and services deficit widened to $70 billion in December, with the full-year 2025 trade gap remaining at $901 billion, indicating that tariff policies have failed to effectively narrow the trade imbalance, which could impact the government's economic policy direction.
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Analyst Views on EPAM
Wall Street analysts forecast EPAM stock price to rise
13 Analyst Rating
9 Buy
4 Hold
0 Sell
Moderate Buy
Current: 142.180
Low
170.00
Averages
214.70
High
246.00
Current: 142.180
Low
170.00
Averages
214.70
High
246.00
About EPAM
EPAM Systems, Inc. is a global provider of digital engineering, cloud and AI-enabled transformation services, and is a business and experience consulting partner for global enterprises and startups. The Company addresses its clients’ transformation challenges by fusing EPAM Continuum’s integrated strategy, experience and technology consulting. Through platforms like EPAM AI/RUN and initiatives like DIALX Lab, the Company integrates advanced AI technologies into tailored business strategies, driving industry impact and fostering continuous innovation. Its strategy services include optimizing for growth, talent enablement, mergers & acquisitions, project to product, generative AI advisory, and transformative research & insights. Its engineering services include platform & product development, agile ways of working, quality engineering, open source, and metaverse. It serves various industries, including financial services; telecom, media & entertainment, and life sciences & healthcare.
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.
EPAM Named Top IT Vendor in Netherlands for Fourth Consecutive Year
- Recognition of Excellence: EPAM has been named one of the top three IT vendors in the Netherlands by Whitelane Research for the fourth consecutive year, achieving an 88% satisfaction rate in application services and 87% overall satisfaction, indicating strong client trust and satisfaction in a competitive market.
- Positive Client Feedback: Over 350 participants evaluated nearly 800 IT outsourcing relationships, with EPAM receiving exceptional performer rankings in application services and overall satisfaction, reflecting its critical role in digital transformation and solidifying its position as a trusted partner.
- Driving Technological Transformation: EPAM is committed to delivering advanced AI capabilities, secure cloud solutions, and modern engineering practices that help clients scale efficiently and adopt emerging technologies confidently, thereby driving measurable business outcomes to meet urgent market demands for digital transformation.
- Market Leadership Position: This recognition not only strengthens EPAM's market position in the Netherlands but also reinforces its performance across other European markets, showcasing the company's influence and potential for sustained growth on a global scale.
See More
EPAM Joins Microsoft Intelligent Security Association to Enhance Cybersecurity Collaboration
- Strategic Milestone: EPAM Systems announced its membership in the Microsoft Intelligent Security Association (MISA), reflecting the maturity of its security services and enhancing its existing collaboration with Microsoft to better protect customers against increasing cyber threats.
- Integrated Security Services: EPAM's security services are centered on an engineering-led approach utilizing Microsoft Security technologies, such as Microsoft Sentinel and Microsoft Defender XDR, helping clients integrate and operate security as a unified platform, thereby improving efficiency and effectiveness in security management.
- Ecosystem Collaboration: Joining MISA means tighter technical collaboration between EPAM and Microsoft, accelerating execution and improving security outcomes in production environments while supporting customers in continuously enhancing their security operations across cloud and AI-enabled environments.
- Industry Leadership: Since its establishment in 2018, MISA has grown into a vibrant ecosystem of the most reliable security vendors globally, and EPAM's membership further solidifies its leadership position in the cybersecurity community, enabling customers to predict, detect, and respond to security threats more rapidly.
See More
EPAM Joins Microsoft Intelligent Security Association
- Strategic Milestone: EPAM Systems has officially joined the Microsoft Intelligent Security Association (MISA), reflecting the maturity of its security services and strengthening its collaboration with Microsoft to jointly address increasing cyber threats.
- Integrated Security Services: EPAM's security offerings are based on an engineering-led approach utilizing Microsoft security technologies, such as Microsoft Sentinel and Microsoft Defender XDR, helping clients integrate security into a unified platform, thereby enhancing operational efficiency and effectiveness.
- Enhanced Customer Value: With MISA membership, EPAM will have closer technical collaboration with Microsoft, accelerating execution and improving security outcomes in production environments, ultimately providing customers with stronger security capabilities.
- Ecosystem Development: Since its establishment in 2018, MISA has evolved into a vibrant ecosystem of the most reliable security vendors globally, and EPAM's inclusion further enhances the collaborative capacity of this ecosystem, aiming to improve customers' ability to predict, detect, and respond to security threats.
See More
EPAM Recognized as One of the Best IT Service Providers in the Netherlands for Four Consecutive Years
- Exceptional Customer Satisfaction: EPAM achieved an 88% score for application services and 87% for overall customer satisfaction in the 2026 Dutch IT Sourcing Study, demonstrating its strong position as a reliable partner in a competitive market.
- Sustained Industry Recognition: This honor marks EPAM's fourth consecutive year of recognition, reflecting its leadership in digital transformation, particularly in the implementation of AI and cloud solutions.
- Expanded Market Influence: EPAM excelled in evaluations of nearly 800 IT sourcing relationships across over 350 IT spending organizations, further solidifying its influence in European markets, especially in Germany, Switzerland, and the UK.
- Strategic Investment and Development: EPAM is committed to delivering advanced AI capabilities and modern engineering practices to help clients achieve measurable business outcomes, thereby driving its continued growth in global markets.
See More
EPAM Named Top IT Vendor in Netherlands for Fourth Consecutive Year
- Recognition of Excellence: EPAM achieved an 88% rating in application services and a 87% overall satisfaction score in the 2026 Dutch IT Sourcing Study, being named a top IT vendor for the fourth consecutive year, which underscores its leadership position in a highly competitive market.
- Customer Satisfaction Improvement: Among 43 IT service providers, EPAM received high scores of 88% in service delivery quality and 84% in account management quality, indicating ongoing enhancements in customer service and management that further solidify client trust.
- Support for Digital Transformation: The VP of EPAM noted that as organizations accelerate digital transformation, they increasingly rely on EPAM's advanced AI capabilities and secure cloud solutions, which not only enhance the company's market competitiveness but also create measurable business outcomes for clients.
- Market Expansion Potential: EPAM's continued strong performance across various European markets, particularly in Germany, Switzerland, and the Nordics, demonstrates its robust influence and market expansion potential globally, further driving the company's long-term growth strategy.
See More
Pomerantz LLP Investigates Claims on Behalf of EPAM Systems Investors
- Securities Fraud Investigation: Pomerantz LLP is investigating whether EPAM Systems and its executives have engaged in securities fraud or other unlawful business practices, aiming to protect investor rights and potentially initiate a class action lawsuit.
- Declining Financial Performance: On February 19, 2026, EPAM reported its financial results for Q4 and full year 2025, with the CFO acknowledging a revenue decline from its largest NEORIS customer, indicating a business ramp-down between Q4 and Q1.
- Significant Stock Reaction: Following the earnings report, EPAM's stock price fell by $9.20, or 6.61%, over the next two trading sessions, closing at $129.96 per share, reflecting market concerns about the company's outlook.
- Legal Firm Background: Pomerantz LLP is a prominent firm in securities and antitrust class litigation, founded over 85 years ago, dedicated to fighting for the rights of victims of securities fraud and corporate misconduct, having recovered multimillion-dollar damages for class members historically.
See More
EPAM Named Top IT Vendor in Netherlands for Fourth Consecutive Year
- Recognition of Excellence: EPAM has been named one of the top three IT vendors in the Netherlands by Whitelane Research for the fourth consecutive year, achieving an 88% satisfaction rate in application services and 87% overall satisfaction, indicating strong client trust and satisfaction in a competitive market.
- Positive Client Feedback: Over 350 participants evaluated nearly 800 IT outsourcing relationships, with EPAM receiving exceptional performer rankings in application services and overall satisfaction, reflecting its critical role in digital transformation and solidifying its position as a trusted partner.
- Driving Technological Transformation: EPAM is committed to delivering advanced AI capabilities, secure cloud solutions, and modern engineering practices that help clients scale efficiently and adopt emerging technologies confidently, thereby driving measurable business outcomes to meet urgent market demands for digital transformation.
- Market Leadership Position: This recognition not only strengthens EPAM's market position in the Netherlands but also reinforces its performance across other European markets, showcasing the company's influence and potential for sustained growth on a global scale.
See More
EPAM Joins Microsoft Intelligent Security Association to Enhance Cybersecurity Collaboration
- Strategic Milestone: EPAM Systems announced its membership in the Microsoft Intelligent Security Association (MISA), reflecting the maturity of its security services and enhancing its existing collaboration with Microsoft to better protect customers against increasing cyber threats.
- Integrated Security Services: EPAM's security services are centered on an engineering-led approach utilizing Microsoft Security technologies, such as Microsoft Sentinel and Microsoft Defender XDR, helping clients integrate and operate security as a unified platform, thereby improving efficiency and effectiveness in security management.
- Ecosystem Collaboration: Joining MISA means tighter technical collaboration between EPAM and Microsoft, accelerating execution and improving security outcomes in production environments while supporting customers in continuously enhancing their security operations across cloud and AI-enabled environments.
- Industry Leadership: Since its establishment in 2018, MISA has grown into a vibrant ecosystem of the most reliable security vendors globally, and EPAM's membership further solidifies its leadership position in the cybersecurity community, enabling customers to predict, detect, and respond to security threats more rapidly.
See More
EPAM Joins Microsoft Intelligent Security Association
- Strategic Milestone: EPAM Systems has officially joined the Microsoft Intelligent Security Association (MISA), reflecting the maturity of its security services and strengthening its collaboration with Microsoft to jointly address increasing cyber threats.
- Integrated Security Services: EPAM's security offerings are based on an engineering-led approach utilizing Microsoft security technologies, such as Microsoft Sentinel and Microsoft Defender XDR, helping clients integrate security into a unified platform, thereby enhancing operational efficiency and effectiveness.
- Enhanced Customer Value: With MISA membership, EPAM will have closer technical collaboration with Microsoft, accelerating execution and improving security outcomes in production environments, ultimately providing customers with stronger security capabilities.
- Ecosystem Development: Since its establishment in 2018, MISA has evolved into a vibrant ecosystem of the most reliable security vendors globally, and EPAM's inclusion further enhances the collaborative capacity of this ecosystem, aiming to improve customers' ability to predict, detect, and respond to security threats.
See More
EPAM Recognized as One of the Best IT Service Providers in the Netherlands for Four Consecutive Years
- Exceptional Customer Satisfaction: EPAM achieved an 88% score for application services and 87% for overall customer satisfaction in the 2026 Dutch IT Sourcing Study, demonstrating its strong position as a reliable partner in a competitive market.
- Sustained Industry Recognition: This honor marks EPAM's fourth consecutive year of recognition, reflecting its leadership in digital transformation, particularly in the implementation of AI and cloud solutions.
- Expanded Market Influence: EPAM excelled in evaluations of nearly 800 IT sourcing relationships across over 350 IT spending organizations, further solidifying its influence in European markets, especially in Germany, Switzerland, and the UK.
- Strategic Investment and Development: EPAM is committed to delivering advanced AI capabilities and modern engineering practices to help clients achieve measurable business outcomes, thereby driving its continued growth in global markets.
See More
EPAM Named Top IT Vendor in Netherlands for Fourth Consecutive Year
- Recognition of Excellence: EPAM achieved an 88% rating in application services and a 87% overall satisfaction score in the 2026 Dutch IT Sourcing Study, being named a top IT vendor for the fourth consecutive year, which underscores its leadership position in a highly competitive market.
- Customer Satisfaction Improvement: Among 43 IT service providers, EPAM received high scores of 88% in service delivery quality and 84% in account management quality, indicating ongoing enhancements in customer service and management that further solidify client trust.
- Support for Digital Transformation: The VP of EPAM noted that as organizations accelerate digital transformation, they increasingly rely on EPAM's advanced AI capabilities and secure cloud solutions, which not only enhance the company's market competitiveness but also create measurable business outcomes for clients.
- Market Expansion Potential: EPAM's continued strong performance across various European markets, particularly in Germany, Switzerland, and the Nordics, demonstrates its robust influence and market expansion potential globally, further driving the company's long-term growth strategy.
See More
Pomerantz LLP Investigates Claims on Behalf of EPAM Systems Investors
- Securities Fraud Investigation: Pomerantz LLP is investigating whether EPAM Systems and its executives have engaged in securities fraud or other unlawful business practices, aiming to protect investor rights and potentially initiate a class action lawsuit.
- Declining Financial Performance: On February 19, 2026, EPAM reported its financial results for Q4 and full year 2025, with the CFO acknowledging a revenue decline from its largest NEORIS customer, indicating a business ramp-down between Q4 and Q1.
- Significant Stock Reaction: Following the earnings report, EPAM's stock price fell by $9.20, or 6.61%, over the next two trading sessions, closing at $129.96 per share, reflecting market concerns about the company's outlook.
- Legal Firm Background: Pomerantz LLP is a prominent firm in securities and antitrust class litigation, founded over 85 years ago, dedicated to fighting for the rights of victims of securities fraud and corporate misconduct, having recovered multimillion-dollar damages for class members historically.
See More
