Benzinga Bulls and Bears: Netflix, GameStop, Plug Power, and Defense Stocks Soar

Wall Street rallied this week, with the S&P 500 and Nasdaq 100 reaching new all-time highs. Nvidia and Microsoft led the tech sector, while Alphabet also posted upbeat forecasts. Defense stocks are at record highs ahead of Q2 earnings season, but analysts caution that upcoming results must justify the bullish run. Netflix's Q2 success was fueled by price hikes, ads, and Squid Game, and analysts expect similar momentum in Q3. GameStop CEO Ryan Cohen pushed back against skeptics, calling short-selling "un-American," while Plug Power's hot streak stalled due to concerns over warrant dilution.

Wall Street experienced a significant rally this week, with the S&P 500 and Nasdaq 100 reaching new all-time highs. The tech sector was particularly strong, led by Nvidia and Microsoft, while Alphabet also posted upbeat forecasts. Defense stocks reached record highs ahead of the Q2 earnings season, but analysts cautioned that upcoming results must justify the bullish run.

Nvidia Corp. (NASDAQ: NVDA) has been a standout performer, surging 52.1% over the past 90 days, including a 4.7% pop in the past week [1]. The stock has rebounded from a spring low, hitting an all-time high above $172. Analysts are raising price targets, but some caution against headwinds following recent U.S.-China trade developments. Nvidia's first-quarter earnings were mixed, with a significant write-down due to H20 chip export restrictions to China. However, the company's pivot to U.S. AI infrastructure investments and new chip designs for China signal resilience.

Microsoft Corp. (MSFT) also contributed to the tech sector's gains, with strong earnings reports and a focus on cloud computing and AI. The company's stock has been performing well, driven by robust demand for its cloud services and enterprise software.

Defense stocks reached record highs ahead of the Q2 earnings season, with analysts expecting strong results. However, they cautioned that upcoming results must justify the bullish run. The sector has been boosted by increased defense spending and geopolitical tensions.

Netflix Inc. (NFLX) posted upbeat Q2 results, fueled by price hikes, ads, and the success of Squid Game. Analysts expect similar momentum in Q3, driven by continued growth in streaming subscribers and content spending.

GameStop Corp. (GME) CEO Ryan Cohen pushed back against skeptics, calling short-selling "un-American." The company has been at the center of a high-profile battle between retail investors and hedge funds, with Cohen advocating for a more favorable regulatory environment.

Plug Power Inc. (PLUG) saw its hot streak stall due to concerns over warrant dilution. The company has been a darling of the green energy sector, but recent developments have raised questions about its long-term sustainability.

In summary, Wall Street's rally this week was driven by strong earnings reports from key sectors, including tech and defense. However, analysts cautioned that upcoming results must justify the bullish run, and investors should remain vigilant for potential headwinds.

References:
[1] https://247wallst.com/investing/2025/07/16/nvidia-nasdaq-nvda-stock-price-prediction-for-2025-where-will-it-be-in-1-year/
[2] https://www.nasdaq.com/articles/2-top-notch-stocks-buy-q2-earnings-approach-getsm