Ten stocks stood firmer on Tuesday, four of which hit record highs, as investors took heart from a flurry of corporate developments, including upcoming earnings.
In contrast, Wall Street’s three major indices all finished in the red territory, led by the S&P 500 losing 0.63 percent, while the Dow Jones and the Nasdaq both declined by 0.59 percent.
In this article, we take a look at the 10 best-performing stocks and break down the reasons behind their gains.
To come up with the list, we focused on the stocks with a $2 billion market capitalization and 5 million shares in trading volume.
The New York Stock Exchange building. Photo by Дмитрий Трепольский on Pexels
10. MaxLinear Inc. (NASDAQ:MXL)
MaxLinear extended its winning streak to a 10th straight day on Tuesday, as investors took heart from a 48 percent price target upgrade for its stock, while loading portfolios ahead of its earnings outcome.
In intra-day trading, the stock surged to its record high of $37.37 before trimming gains to finish the session just up by 6.21 percent at $33.70 apiece.
In a market note, Stifel raised its price target to $34 from $23 while maintaining a “buy” recommendation amid optimism that MaxLinear Inc. (NASDAQ:MXL) is capable of hitting its revenue outlook for the first quarter of the year.
For the said period, the company is expecting to report a 35.5 percent to 46 percent growth in its revenues to a range of $130 million to $140 million, versus $95.9 million previously.
MaxLinear Inc. (NASDAQ:MXL) said that it would release its financial and operating highlights for the period after market close on Thursday, April 23. A conference call will be held to elaborate on the results.
For the second quarter, Stifel said that it expects MaxLinear Inc. (NASDAQ:MXL) to report $139.1 million in revenues, with growth to come from its infrastructure business.
In other news, the listed firm late last month announced a new addition to its industrial connectivity portfolio with the launch of the MxL8323x family of RS-485/RS-422 half-duplex transceivers, designed to deliver scalable data rates up to 50Mbps, robust ESD and EFT protection, and wide voltage compatibility for electrically harsh industrial applications.
9. UnitedHealth Group Inc. (NYSE:UNH)
UnitedHealth climbed by 6.96 percent on Tuesday to close at $346.01 apiece as investors cheered its plans to invest in artificial intelligence, while welcoming a higher growth outlook for full-year 2026.
In an updated report, UnitedHealth Group Inc. (NYSE:UNH) said that it is underway with a series of corporate strategies to modernize and simplify its operations, including making significant investments in AI and cybersecurity.
It would also continue to exit non-US businesses and put focus back at home, as well as buy back $2 billion worth of its common shares in a bid to boost company and shareholder value. The latter is targeted for completion by the end of the second quarter.
In other news, UnitedHealth Group Inc. (NYSE:UNH) raised its growth outlook for full-year 2026, with earnings per share (EPS) targeted to grow by 1.5 percent to more than $17.35 per share from $17.10 previously. Adjusted EPS is also raised by 2.8 percent to $18.25 from $17.75 prior.
Last quarter, UnitedHealth Group Inc. (NYSE:UNH) saw its net income attributable to shareholders end flat at $6.3 billion, as the company navigated rising medical costs.
Revenues, however, grew by 2 percent to $111.7 billion from $109.57 billion in the same period last year.
8. HP Inc. (NYSE:HPQ)
HP saw its share prices jump by 7.66 percent on Tuesday to finish at $21.09 apiece, as investors cheered the approval of corporate resolutions aimed at boosting company growth.
In a regulatory filing on the same day, HP Inc. (NYSE:HPQ) said that it officially secured the approval of its shareholders for a number of corporate resolutions, including the 2004 Stock Incentive Plan, which aims to compensate the executive management and employees upon the achievement of growth targets.
The Incentive Plan also covers the issuance of 73.6 million additional shares pursuant to share-based compensation awards granted under the plan.
Last week, HP Inc. (NYSE:HPQ) saw its share price surge for three straight days after reports from a website that claimed Nvidia Corp. was eyeing to acquire one of the largest PC makers globally, which would “reshape the PC landscape.”
Investors were quick to position their portfolios in key players, including Dell Technologies.
Nvidia, on the other hand, denied the report, saying that it is not engaging in any talks for a potential acquisition.
“The media report is false; Nvidia is not engaged in discussions to acquire any PC maker,” a spokesperson told Bloomberg.
7. Aevex Corp. (NYSE:AVEX)
Aevex Corp. continued its climb in its third day as a publicly listed company, surging by 7.72 percent to close at $35.99 apiece, as investors took heart from an analyst’s “buy” recommendation amid rosy prospects from ongoing geopolitical tensions, as well as its current cheap valuation.
In the recent episode of Mad Money on CNBC, host and former hedge fund manager Jim Cramer issued a “buy” recommendation for Aevex Corp.’s (NYSE:AVEX) stock amid growth opportunities, with the ongoing war between the US and Iran highlighting the need for stronger defense capabilities.
Aevex Corp. (NYSE:AVEX) specializes in the production of military-level drones.
According to Cramer, the company’s current $3 billion valuation appears “too low,” partly due to the eased tensions between the US and Iran at the same day it went public.
“Obviously, they’re on track to do much better than that, even if they can’t maintain their insane growth rate from the first quarter. And remember, Aevex is profitable,” he said.
“Aevex is right at the center of maybe the hottest single trend in the defense industry, which itself is booming at the moment. And given this company’s rough numbers, I think the stock’s too cheap here, which is why you have my blessing to buy it at these levels, even if the war’s reaching its conclusion,” Cramer said.
Last week, Aevex Corp. (NYSE:AVEX) successfully raised $320 million in fresh funds from the sale of 16 million shares to the public, proceeds of which will be used for the acquisition of 16 million shares in Athena Technology Solutions Holdings, LLC—a leading provider of full-spectrum airborne intelligence solutions for the global intelligence community.
6. Patterson-UTI Energy Inc. (NASDAQ:PTEN)
Patterson-UTI grew its share prices by 8.09 percent on Tuesday to close at $10.56 apiece, as investors loaded portfolios ahead of the results of its earnings performance for the first quarter of the year.
In a notice on its website, Patterson-UTI Energy Inc. (NASDAQ:PTEN) said that it is scheduled to report its first quarter financial and operating highlights during market hours on Thursday, April 23. A conference call will be organized to elaborate on the results.
Optimism can be partly attributed to the US-Israeli war on Iran, which spiked up oil prices during the quarter, potentially creating a spillover to the drilling sector.
Additionally, investors are expected to watch for Patterson-UTI Energy Inc.’s (NASDAQ:PTEN) outlook for the second quarter of the year, as oil prices remain elevated amid uncertainties over a peace deal.
Last week, two investment firms issued coverage for Patterson-UTI Energy Inc. (NASDAQ:PTEN), with Citigroup maintaining an $11 price target alongside a “neutral” stance.
Morgan Stanley also raised its target to $10 from $7 previously, and kept an “equal weight” rating for the stock.
Patterson-UTI Energy Inc. (NASDAQ:PTEN) is a leading provider of drilling and completion services to oil and natural gas exploration and production companies in the United States and other countries.
Last year, it narrowed its net loss by 90.4 percent to $93.05 million from $966.4 million in 2024. Revenues declined by 10.8 percent to $4.8 billion from $5.38 billion year-on-year.
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