When deciding whether to buy, sell, or hold a stock, investors often rely on analyst recommendations. Media reports about rating changes by these brokerage-firm-employed (or sell-side) analysts often influence a stock's price, but are they really important?

Investors often turn to recommendations made by Wall Street analysts before making a Buy, Sell, or Hold decision about a stock. While media reports about rating changes by these brokerage-firm employed (or sell-side) analysts often affect a stock's price, do they really matter?

When deciding whether to buy, sell, or hold a stock, investors often rely on analyst recommendations. Media reports about rating changes by these brokerage-firm-employed (or sell-side) analysts often influence a stock's price, but are they really important?

The recommendations of Wall Street analysts are often relied on by investors when deciding whether to buy, sell, or hold a stock. Media reports about these brokerage-firm-employed (or sell-side) analysts changing their ratings often affect a stock's price.

The recommendations of Wall Street analysts are often relied on by investors when deciding whether to buy, sell, or hold a stock. Media reports about these brokerage-firm-employed (or sell-side) analysts changing their ratings often affect a stock's price.

On 8/20/25, Loews, AFLAC, and Marketaxess Holdings will all trade ex-dividend for their respective upcoming dividends. Loews will pay its quarterly dividend of $0.0625 on 9/2/25, AFLAC will pay its quarterly dividend of $0.58 on 9/2/25, and Marketaxess Holdings will pay its quarterly dividend of $0.76 on 9/3/25.

META stock (NASDAQ: META) has delivered 2x returns, rising from $370 in early 2024 to roughly $785 today. The company's evolution into an AI-driven advertising leader, together with Instagram's revenue strength and substantial infrastructure spending, creates several avenues for the stock to potentially double again.

Estée Lauder Companies (NYSE:EL) will report earnings on Wednesday, August 20, 2025. For event-driven traders, reviewing historical stock behavior around earnings may provide an edge.

META's attempt to reboot its AI capabilities has been promising indeed, thanks to the gathering of AI geniuses in Meta Superintelligence Labs and the raised capex guidance. We are more convinced about AI's future return profile against that of Metaverse previously launched in 2021, with it building upon the prior AI efforts after AAPL's privacy changes. For now, early results from META's in-house capabilities have already delivered improved ad targeting, growing user engagement, and durable monetization cadence.

TowneBank's Q2 results were impacted by non-recurring acquisition costs, but core earnings remain strong and underlying profitability is robust. Recent acquisitions, including Village Bank and Old Point Financial, are driving balance sheet growth and expanding TowneBank's regional footprint. Despite a high commercial real estate loan concentration, asset quality remains excellent with low non-performing loans and improving past-due metrics.

Dayforce (DAY) shares soared more than 20% on indications that private equity firm Thoma Bravo is in talks to purchase the human resources software provider.

High-performance BFT consensus engine powers Circle's new stablecoin-focused Layer-1 blockchain launching in testnet later this year. TORONTO , Aug. 18, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Informal Systems, a leader in blockchain infrastructure and protocol design, announced on August 12 that its high-performance consensus engine, Malachite, has been acquired by Circle Internet Group, Inc. (NYSE: CRCL) (Circle), a global financial technology firm, to support the launch of Arc 1 , a new open Layer-1 blockchain network purpose-built for stablecoin finance.

ZWS, SHG and PTC made it to the Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy) growth stocks list on August 18, 2025.

Buffett's $1.57B bet on UNH sparks a 12% surge, lifting peers despite sector headwinds and recent struggles at the insurer.

Gilead's Q2 earnings beat and raised 2025 outlook lift shares 7.3%, fueled by HIV gains, Trodelvy strength, and new PrEP launch Yeztugo.

Later this year, MSNBC will unveil a new name, “MS NOW,” which stands for My Source, News, Opinion, World." This new branding underscores our mission: to serve as a destination for breaking news and best-in-class opinion journalism, all rooted in accurate and reported facts," said MSNBC president Rebecca Kutler in an internal memo to staff Monday morning.

Boeing continues to consolidate its gains as production of its key moneymaker, the 737MAX, neared its monthly production cap and progress on other programs was evident, despite an ongoing strike in its defense unit.

CNBC's Phil LeBeau joins 'Squawk on the Street' with the latest details on Tesla's plans for a new model in China.

Bank of America's strong liquidity, reduced capital buffer and Fed approval fuel higher dividends and a $40B share repurchase plan.

BBAI teams with Narval to launch AI-powered cargo security in Panama, setting new standards for global supply-chain protection.