Ten firms capped off the trading week boasting strong performance, amid a flurry of company-specific developments and macroeconomic factors boosting investing appetite.
The stocks mirrored a broader market rally amid renewed hopes of an interest rate cut, with the Dow Jones leading the gains with 1.08 percent, followed by the S&P 500, rising 0.98 percent, and the Nasdaq, up 0.88 percent
Indices aside, we name the 10 top performers on Friday and break down the reasons behind their gains.
To come up with the list, we considered only the stocks with a $2 billion market capitalization and more than 5 million shares in trading volume.
Stock market data. Photo by Alesia Kozik on Pexels
10. Rocket Companies Inc. (NYSE:RKT)
Rocket Companies snapped two straight days of losses on Friday, adding 7.85 percent to close at $17.44 apiece as investor sentiment was bolstered by renewed hopes of an interest rate cut.
This followed optimistic comments from Federal Reserve Bank of New York President John Williams, saying that there is still a “room for further adjustment in the near term to the target range for the federal funds rate.”
Williams’ remarks came after Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell’s signals earlier that a rate cut in December was not guaranteed.
Optimism spilled over to the broader real estate industry, including Rocket Companies Inc. (NYSE:RKT), with the sector highly sensitive to movements of interest rates. Any rate cut or increase would impact the affordability of homes, borrowing costs, and land acquisition and developments.
The US central bank’s monetary board is set to meet for their next Federal Open Market Committee meeting on December 9 and 10 to discuss their decision on interest rates.
In other developments, Rocket Companies Inc. (NYSE:RKT) announced improved earnings performance in the third quarter of the year, with net loss narrowing by 74 percent to $124 million from $481 million in the same period last year.
Revenues expanded by 148 percent to $1.605 billion from $647 million year-on-year.
9. The Gap Inc. (NYSE:GAP)
Gap saw its share prices jump by 8.24 percent on Friday to end at $24.96 apiece as investor sentiment was fueled by a higher growth outlook guidance in full-year 2025, despite posting mixed earnings results in the third quarter.
In an updated report, The Gap Inc. (NYSE:GAP) said it now expects net sales to grow by 1.7 to 2 percent, higher than its previous outlook of 1 to 2 percent.
Operating margin is also targeted to grow by 7.2 percent, versus the 6.7 to 7 percent guidance previously.
In the third quarter of the year, The Gap Inc. (NYSE:GAP) reported a 3 percent increase in net sales at $3.9 billion versus $3.8 billion in the same period last year, on the back of 3 percent higher store sales, and 2 percent growth in online sales. Comparable sales were up by 5 percent year-on-year.
Net income, on the other hand, dropped by 13.9 percent to $236 million from $274 million year-on-year.
“We are proud to report that Gap Inc.’s third quarter results exceeded our net sales and margin expectations and delivered the seventh consecutive quarter of positive comparable sales,” said The Gap Inc. (NYSE:GAP) President and CEO Richard Dickson.
“Our strategy is working and our brands are gaining momentum with our three largest brands—Old Navy, Gap, and Banana Republic—each posting strong comparable sales. The strength of our third quarter and quarter-to-date performance positions us well for the holiday selling season and gives us the confidence to increase our full year net sales outlook to the high end of our prior guidance range and raise our full year operating margin outlook. We are focused on executing with excellence and finishing the year strong,” he noted.
8. Ross Stores, Inc. (NASDAQ:ROST)
Ross Stores extended its winning streak for a 4th straight day on Friday, jumping 8.41 percent to close at $174 apiece as investors loaded portfolios after posting improved earnings performance and raising its growth outlook for full-year 2025.
In an updated report, Ross Stores, Inc. (NASDAQ:ROST) said it grew its net income by 4.7 percent to $511.9 million from $488.8 million in the same period last year.
Sales increased by 10 percent to $5.6 billion from $5.07 billion year-on-year, while comparable store sales surged by 7 percent.
“We are pleased with our third quarter sales results, which accelerated from the prior quarter. Our merchandise assortment of compelling brand name values resonated with shoppers, and our new marketing campaign drove excitement and higher customer engagement,” said Ross Stores, Inc. (NASDAQ:ROST) CEO Jim Conroy.
“We enter the holiday season with strong momentum and are well-positioned to offer a compelling merchandise assortment across all our stores,” he added.
For the full-year period, Ross Stores, Inc. (NASDAQ:ROST) raised its comparable sales to a range of 3 to 4 percent, with earnings per share of $1.77 to $1.85.
“This updated guidance range reflects approximately $0.03 earnings per share (EPS) of unfavorable timing of packaway-related expenses that benefited the third quarter. In addition, we now expect tariff-related costs to be negligible in the fourth quarter,” said Conroy.
For the full-year period, EPS is targeted at a range of $6.38 to $6.46, including $0.16 per share of negative impact from tariff-related costs.
7. Recursion Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (NASDAQ:RXRX)
Recursion Pharmaceuticals soared by 8.31 percent on Friday to close at $4.17 apiece as investors resorted to bargain-hunting after falling back to the $3 level in the previous trading day.
Additionally, the stock mimicked the broader market rally during the day, buoyed by rising hopes of an interest rate cut in the last Federal Open Market Committee meeting this year.
This followed dovish comments from Federal Reserve Bank of New York President and CEO John Williams, saying he believes monetary policy would be “modestly restrictive” amid weak labor market data.
“I view monetary policy as being modestly restrictive, although somewhat less so than before our recent actions,” Williams said in his speech in Santiago, Chile.
“Therefore, I still see room for a further adjustment in the near term to the target range for the federal funds rate to move the stance of policy closer to the range of neutral, thereby maintaining the balance between the achievement of our two goals,” he noted.
Williams comments sparked hopes among investors after Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell already said earlier that a rate cut in December was not guaranteed, dampening economists and investors’ expectations.
Meanwhile, Recursion Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (NASDAQ:RXRX) announced dismal earnings performance in the third quarter of the year, during which, net loss widened by 69 percent to $162 million from $95.8 million in the same period last year.
Revenues fell by 80 percent to $5.17 million from $26.08 million year-on-year.
6. Opendoor Technologies Inc. (NASDAQ:OPEN)
Opendoor Technologies climbed by 9.58 percent on Friday to finish at $6.75 apiece amid renewed investor optimism for an interest rate cut in December.
This followed dovish comments from Federal Reserve Bank of New York President and CEO John Williams earlier this week, saying that he believes monetary policy would be “modestly restrictive” amid weak labor market data.
Williams’ remarks sparked hopes despite Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell announcing earlier this year that a rate cut in December was not guaranteed.
Opendoor Technologies Inc. (NASDAQ:OPEN) rallied alongside the broader real estate sector which grew by 2.24 percent during the session.
The real estate market is a sector highly sensitive to interest rate movements, as the latter plays a central role in the financing of land acquisition and homes development. Any rate increase or cut could impact financing costs, and thus affect home affordability.
In other developments, Opendoor Technologies Inc. (NASDAQ:OPEN) paid on the same day warrant dividends to each shareholder owning 30 common shares of the company.
Under the terms, each shareholder with 30 common shares received one each of Series K, A, and Z warrants, exercisable at prices of $9, $13, and $17, respectively.
5. Lumentum Holdings Inc. (NASDAQ:LITE)
Lumentum Holdings jumped by 9.58 percent on Friday to close at $255.59 apiece as investor sentiment was generally bolstered by a broader market optimism over renewed hopes of an interest rate cut.
The Federal Reserve is set to meet on December 9 and 10 for their final Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) meeting for the year to discuss their decision on benchmark rates.
John Williams, president and CEO of the Federal Reserve Bank of New York, believes that there is still room “for further adjustment in the near term to the target range for the federal funds rate.”
His remarks came after Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell’s signals earlier that a rate cut in December was not guaranteed.
Meanwhile, Lumentum Holdings Inc. (NASDAQ:LITE) earlier this week received a bullish coverage from investment firm Mizuho Securities.
In a market note, Mizuho Securities initiated coverage on Lumentum Holdings Inc. (NASDAQ:LITE) with a “buy” recommendation and a price target of $290. The figure marks a 13.46 percent upside from its latest closing price.
Mizuho cited Lumentum Holdings Inc.’s (NASDAQ:LITE) position as a leading optical communications and laser supplier for data centers, telecommunications, and other markets, benefitting from a strong artificial intelligence demand.
4. VF Corporation (NYSE:VFC)
VF Corporation grew its share prices by 10.80 percent on Friday to end at $16.21 apiece as investor sentiment was generally buoyed by hopes of another interest rate cut for December.
The stock mirrored a broader market optimism, rallying alongside its consumer counterparts, after Federal Reserve Bank of New York President and CEO John Williams’ comments, saying that he believes monetary policy for December would be “modestly restrictive” amid weak labor market data.
“I view monetary policy as being modestly restrictive, although somewhat less so than before our recent actions,” Williams said in his speech in Santiago, Chile.
“Therefore, I still see room for a further adjustment in the near term to the target range for the federal funds rate to move the stance of policy closer to the range of neutral, thereby maintaining the balance between the achievement of our two goals,” he noted.
Williams comments renewed hopes after Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell already signaled earlier that a rate cut in December was not guaranteed.
In other recent developments, VF Corporation (NYSE:VFC) announced strong earnings performance in the second quarter of fiscal year 2026. Net income soared by 264 percent to $189.76 million from $52.18 million in the same period last year. Revenues grew by 3.7 percent to $2.8 billion from $2.7 billion year-on-year.
3. WillScot Holdings Corporation (NASDAQ:WSC)
WillScot rallied for a second day on Friday, jumping 11.10 percent to close at $17.61 apiece as investor sentiment was bolstered by an analyst’s bullish coverage for its stock.
In a market note on the same day, investment firm Baird upgraded WillScot Holdings Corporation (NASDAQ:WSC) to “outperform” from “market perform” previously, while also raising its price target to $22 from $20.
The new value assessment marked a 24.9 percent upside potential from its latest closing price.
According to Baird, the third quarter of the year could serve as a “watershed” or turning point for WillScot Holdings Corporation (NASDAQ:WSC), saying that the company presents an attractive long-term opportunity amid its leading market position and value-added products and services.
Baird added that WillScot Holdings Corporation (NASDAQ:WSC) generally offers more than 25 percent of internal rates of return and revenue opportunities through increasing value added products and services content rented to customers.
2. CAVA Group Inc. (NYSE:CAVA)
CAVA Group Inc. (NYSE:CAVA) saw its share prices jump by 12.23 percent on Friday to close at $48.92 apiece as investor sentiment was generally bolstered by rising hopes of an interest rate cut next month.
This followed optimistic comments from Federal Reserve Bank of New York President and CEO John Williams, saying that he believes monetary policy would be “modestly restrictive” amid weak labor market data.
“I view monetary policy as being modestly restrictive, although somewhat less so than before our recent actions,” Williams said in his speech in Santiago, Chile
“Therefore, I still see room for a further adjustment in the near term to the target range for the federal funds rate to move the stance of policy closer to the range of neutral, thereby maintaining the balance between the achievement of our two goals,” he noted.
Williams comments sparked hopes among investors despite Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell already signaling earlier that a rate cut in December was not guaranteed.
Meanwhile, CAVA Group Inc. (NYSE:CAVA) rallied alongside its counterparts in the consumer sector following the news.
In other developments, CAVA Group Inc. (NYSE:CAVA) earlier this month reported mixed earnings results for the third quarter of the year, with net income dropping by 18 percent to $14.7 million from $17.97 million in the same period last year.
Revenues, on the other hand, rose by 19.77 percent to $292 million from $243.8 million year-on-year.
1. Adaptive Biotechnologies Corporation (NASDAQ:ADPT)
Adaptive Biotechnologies soared to a new three-year high on Friday, as investors resorted to bargain-hunting after the stock fell back to the $13 level earlier in the week.
At intra-day trading, the stock climbed to its highest price of $18.98 before trimming a few cents to end the day just up by 14.03 percent at $18.61 apiece.
Additionally, investors loaded portfolios following the recently concluded Jefferies London Healthcare Conference 2025, where it announced its operational updates and outlook for the full year.
Among others, Adaptive Biotechnologies Corporation (NASDAQ:ADPT) said it expects its pharmaceutical services to generate $20 million in revenues, and anticipates EMR integrated testing volumes to exceed 50 percent by year-end.
Meanwhile, Adaptive Biotechnologies Corporation (NASDAQ:ADPT) is also set to participate in the upcoming Piper Sandler Healthcare Conference on December 3.
In the third quarter of the year, Adaptive Biotechnologies Corporation (NASDAQ:ADPT) swung to an attributable net income of $9.5 million from a $32.07 million net loss in the same period last year.
Revenues expanded by 102 percent to $93.97 million from $46.4 million year-on-year, including $33.7 million of revenues from Immune Medicine recognized upon the full amortization of payments previously received under the Genentech Agreement, which was terminated in August 2025.
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