Weekly Market Movers: Key Gainers and Losers Across Sectors

Written byGavin Maguire
Friday, Jan 31, 2025 9:26 pm ET3min read

This past week saw significant market volatility as stocks responded to corporate earnings, economic data releases, and geopolitical developments. Certain companies posted impressive gains, driven by strong earnings and favorable industry trends, while others suffered steep declines amid disappointing results, shifting economic conditions, and broader sector-specific headwinds. Below is a breakdown of the biggest winners and losers categorized by sector.

Healthcare: Mixed Performance as Select Stocks Surge While Others Plunge

The healthcare sector displayed a mix of strong winners and sharp losers, highlighting the importance of earnings surprises and market sentiment around medical innovations.

- Surgery Partners (SGRY) +25.69% – Investors cheered the company’s earnings and optimistic outlook, as its ambulatory surgical centers continue to gain traction in the healthcare market.

- Neuronetics (STIM) +25.41% – The stock surged as demand for its non-invasive neurostimulation therapies for mental health disorders showed strong growth.

- Corcept Therapeutics (CORT) +11.02% – Positive sentiment surrounding the company’s portfolio of treatments for metabolic and endocrine disorders contributed to its stock appreciation.

- Ironwood Pharmaceuticals (IRWD) -39.76% – The biggest healthcare sector loser, Ironwood plummeted after disappointing clinical trial results and regulatory setbacks.

- Veradigm (MDRX) -30.77% – Investors sold off the stock due to weak guidance and concerns over its ability to grow in a competitive digital health environment.

Materials: Gold and Silver Miners Gain, While Energy-Related Companies Struggle

The materials sector witnessed a strong performance from Fortuna Silver Mines (FSM) +13.2%, which benefited from rising silver prices and strong production forecasts. However, oil and gas drilling services firm Nine Energy Service (NINE) -21.41% struggled as energy stocks declined on weaker-than-expected crude oil demand forecasts.

Industrials: Defense and Manufacturing Stocks Rally, But Engineering Firms Take a Hit

- Oshkosh Corporation (OSK) +18.58% – The defense contractor saw a strong rally following solid earnings results, boosted by a strong backlog of military vehicle orders.

- DMC Global (BOOM) +11.22% – A positive earnings surprise and a bullish outlook for industrial materials helped lift the stock.

- Bloom Energy (BE) -21.23% – Weak financial results and concerns over future growth in alternative energy weighed heavily on the stock.

- Argan (AGX) -19.63% – The engineering and construction company faced concerns about project delays, leading to a significant sell-off.

- Comfort Systems USA (FIX) -18.91% – The heating and cooling services provider saw its stock decline amid broader worries about commercial real estate demand.

Consumer Discretionary: Travel Stocks Rally While Retail and Homebuilders Struggle

The consumer discretionary sector saw strong gains in leisure and hospitality names, while certain retail and homebuilder stocks declined.

- Brinker International (EAT) +22.21% – The restaurant chain operator benefited from strong sales trends at Chili’s and an improving consumer spending outlook.

- Royal Caribbean (RCL) +15.17% – A surge in cruise bookings, combined with optimistic forward guidance, pushed the stock higher.

- Asbury Automotive Group (ABG) +13.08% – Positive sentiment in the auto retail industry helped lift the stock.

- Modine Manufacturing (MOD) -23.4% – The auto parts supplier suffered as supply chain challenges and weaker vehicle production estimates impacted sentiment.

- Beazer Homes (BZH) -19.08% – Rising interest rates and concerns over the housing market weighed on homebuilders, leading to Beazer’s significant decline.

Information Technology: Tech Stocks See Divergent Outcomes Amid AI and Semiconductor Uncertainty

The technology sector saw a mix of big gainers and steep losers as investors reacted to AI-related developments and corporate earnings.

- American Software (AMSWA) +24.78% – The stock soared after reporting strong demand for enterprise resource planning software.

- Atlassian (TEAM) +14.15% – The productivity software provider surged after delivering solid earnings and raising forward guidance.

- IBM (IBM) +13.48% – Big Blue posted impressive cloud and AI-driven revenue growth, sending the stock to new highs.

- Manhattan Associates (MANH) -28.1% – The supply chain software company plummeted on weak earnings and a cautious outlook.

- MaxLinear (MXL) -23.05% – The semiconductor company struggled amid concerns about weaker chip demand and trade restrictions.

- Himax Technologies (HIMX) -21.52% – Weakness in the display driver sector led to a significant drop in the stock price.

Financials: Banking Sector Sees Volatility as Some Stocks Rally and Others Sink

Financial stocks were among the biggest movers this week, with regional banks experiencing significant volatility.

- New York Community Bancorp (NYCB) +24.5% – The stock surged as investors responded positively to restructuring plans aimed at improving profitability.

- Brighthouse Financial (BHF) +22.36% – A strong earnings beat and positive outlook for the insurance company lifted shares.

- LendingClub (LC) -20.57% – The online lending platform faced a steep decline after reporting disappointing loan growth.

- First Foundation (FFWM) -18.48% – The regional bank saw a sharp drop as concerns about rising interest rates and loan defaults weighed on sentiment.

Energy: Weak Demand Forecasts and Tariff Concerns Weigh on Sector

- Nine Energy Service (NINE) -21.41% – The oilfield services company saw its stock plummet as crude oil prices remained under pressure.

- Utilities Sector: NextEra Energy Partners (NEP) -32.55% – The renewable energy firm suffered from concerns over interest rate headwinds and project delays.

Key Takeaways from This Week’s Market Performance

1. Healthcare and Tech Stocks Saw Sharp Divergences – While some companies thrived on strong earnings and industry tailwinds, others struggled with weak guidance or regulatory concerns.

2. Consumer Discretionary Stocks Showed Strength in Travel and Leisure – Cruise lines and restaurant chains outperformed, while homebuilders and auto-related stocks struggled.

3. Industrial and Materials Stocks Were a Mixed Bag – Defense contractors and industrial material producers saw gains, while engineering and energy-related firms suffered declines.

4. Financials Remain Volatile – Some regional banks rallied sharply, but others continued to decline due to concerns about credit conditions.

5. Energy Sector Remains Under Pressure – Weak oil demand forecasts and trade tensions weighed on energy stocks.

As we head into next week, investors will be watching for additional corporate earnings reports, economic data releases, and further developments in global trade policy that could influence sector rotations and overall market sentiment.

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