Benzinga examined the prospects for many investors’ favorite stocks over the last week — here’s a look at some of our top stories.
U.S. stocks finished the week with modest gains as cooling inflation data eased concerns about an imminent Federal Reserve rate hike and helped push the S&P 500 to another record close. The S&P 500 and Nasdaq Composite advanced for the week, while the Dow Jones Industrial Average slipped, as investors balanced strong technology earnings and AI optimism against rising oil prices and persistent geopolitical risks. The S&P 500 reached its 27th record close of 2026, while the Russell 2000 also climbed to an all-time high.
Technology and semiconductor stocks remained key drivers of the rally, with memory and data-storage companies attracting particular attention. Strong corporate earnings and continued expectations for heavy AI infrastructure spending helped offset weakness in several individual technology and consumer stocks, reinforcing the market’s focus on AI-driven growth.
Meanwhile, softer inflation data strengthened expectations that the Fed could keep interest rates unchanged at its September meeting. July’s Producer Price Index was flat from the previous month, while earlier consumer inflation data also showed easing price pressures, prompting traders to reduce bets on another rate hike.
Benzinga provides daily reports on the stocks most popular with investors. Here are a few of this past week’s most bullish and bearish posts that are worth another look.
The Bulls
"Riot Platforms Stock Surges On Q2 Results, 20-Year Data Center Deal," by Adam Eckert, reports that Riot Platforms Inc. (NASDAQ:RIOT) shares surged after the Bitcoin miner reported second-quarter revenue of $174.2 million, beating Wall Street expectations of about $152.1 million, while also announcing a landmark 20-year data center lease with a leading AI company. The agreement covers 191 megawatts of capacity at Riot’s Rockdale, Texas, campus and is expected to generate $9.1 billion in initial contract revenue over 20 years, with two five-year extensions potentially lifting the total value to $16.1 billion. The deal is expected to contribute an estimated $7.3 billion to $8.2 billion in cumulative net operating income, marking a major step in Riot’s strategy to shift from Bitcoin mining toward AI and high-performance computing infrastructure.
"Firefly Aerospace Delivers Q2 Double Beat As Revenue Soars 650%," by Adam Eckert, reports that Firefly Aerospace Inc. (NASDAQ:FLY) delivered a strong second-quarter performance, with revenue surging 659% year over year to $117.68 million, well above Wall Street estimates of $88.20 million, while its adjusted loss of 42 cents per share was narrower than the expected 52-cent loss. CEO Jason Kim said Firefly’s quarterly revenue topped $100 million for the first time as the company expanded its Moon mission pipeline and supported NASA’s SkyFall mission to Mars. Firefly ended the quarter with $459.82 million in cash and cash equivalents and about $175.45 million in short-term investments, while maintaining its 2026 revenue outlook of $420 million to $450 million.
"Why Investors Are Suddenly Bullish On SpaceX Again," by Surbhi Jain, reports that SpaceX (NASDAQ:SPCX) shares have rebounded sharply after investors initially punished the company over its aggressive AI spending and capital expenditures. Sentiment improved after the expiration of SpaceX’s first insider lock-up period passed without the expected wave of selling, while CEO Elon Musk outlined an ambitious AI-focused strategy that could make AI infrastructure a major growth engine alongside the company’s space business.
For additional bullish calls of the past week, check out the following:
Applied Materials Beats Q3 Estimates, Issues Strong Guidance — ‘Unprecedented’ Demand
SanDisk Surges 55% From its July Low: Wall Street Just Got a New Roadmap
Why Plug Power Shares Are Trading Higher After Q2 Results
The Bears
"USA Rare Earth Stock Falls After Q2 Double Miss," by Adam Eckert, reports that USA Rare Earth Inc. (NASDAQ:USAR) shares fell after the company posted second-quarter revenue of $5.82 million, below Wall Street estimates of $8.05 million, while its adjusted loss of 15 cents per share was wider than the expected 13-cent loss. Shares dropped about 9.4% after hours to $17.25 as investors focused on the weaker-than-expected financial results, although the company ended the quarter with approximately $1.53 billion in cash and continued to advance its domestic rare earth strategy. CEO Barbara Humpton said the company is moving from assembling its operations toward delivering products and value for shareholders.
"Virgin Galactic Stock Dives After Q2 Print — Here’s Why," by Erica Kollmann, reports that Virgin Galactic Holdings Inc. (NYSE:SPCE) shares fell sharply after the space tourism company reported second-quarter results and delayed the start of commercial spaceflight operations. Virgin Galactic posted a 50-cent-per-share loss, narrower than the 66-cent analyst estimate, while revenue of $134,000 topped expectations of $127,000 but declined from $406,000 a year earlier. CEO Michael Colglazier said a $750,000 tranche of spaceflight expeditions was oversubscribed and sold out ahead of schedule, with new, higher-priced seats expected to be offered this fall.
"Barrick Says North America Gold IPO Is ‘Very Close’," by Lekha Gupta, reports that Barrick Mining Corp. (NYSE:B) said its planned IPO of its North American gold assets is nearing launch, with the company targeting completion by the end of 2026. Barrick reported second-quarter adjusted earnings of 82 cents per share and revenue of $5.29 billion, both above Wall Street expectations, while gold production rose 11% sequentially to 796,000 ounces, exceeding guidance. The company also agreed to receive $1.95 billion from Newmont Corp. (NYSE:NEM) as part of an expanded Nevada Gold Mines joint venture, while Newmont approved Barrick’s planned IPO, which will create a pure-play gold producer focused on assets in lower-risk jurisdictions.
For more bearish takes, be sure to see these posts:
CoreWeave Stock Averages 17% Drop After Earnings
Why Is Coherent Stock Falling on Monday?
Why Is Hertz Stock Falling on Thursday?
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