Ten stocks stood firmer on Tuesday despite a broader market bloodbath, as investors took heart from a flurry of company-specific developments such as earnings, outlooks, mergers, and analyst ratings, among others.
Meanwhile, Wall Street’s major indices all finished in the red, led by the Nasdaq, down 1.02 percent, followed by the S&P 500, declining 0.94 percent, and the Dow Jones, dropping 0.83 percent.
Indices aside, we highlight the 10 top-performing stocks during the session and break down the reasons behind their gains.
To come up with the list, we focused on the companies with a $2 billion market capitalization and 5 million shares in trading volume.
Photo by Tima Miroshnichenko on Pexels
10. Unity Software Inc. (NYSE:U)
Unity Software saw its share prices jump by 6.09 percent on Tuesday to finish at $20.02 apiece, as investor sentiment was boosted by the Bank of America’s (BofA) rating and price target upgrade for its stock.
In a market report, BofA raised its price target by 11.8 percent to $19 from $17 previously, as well as its rating to “neutral” from “underperform” amid improvements in the technology firm’s balance sheet.
A Game Developers Conference (GDC) is set to be held next week, March 9 to 13, where Unity Software Inc. (NYSE:U) is expected to outline its technology roadmap for growth.
According to BofA, it expects the technology company to announce the long-awaited use of run-time data to inform ad targeting, beginning in the second quarter of the year, which could prove Unity Engine a valuable strategic asset.
BofA also expects the company to announce an aggressive outlook for the second quarter of the year, which could signal the beginning of a sustained growth segment acceleration.
Last year, Unity Software Inc. (NYSE:U) narrowed its attributable net loss by 39 percent to $402.76 million from $664 million in 2024, while revenues finished flat at $1.8 billion.
In the fourth quarter alone, attributable net loss declined by 27 percent to $89.96 million from $122.7 million, while revenues jumped by 10 percent to $503 million from $457 million.
9. Atlassian Corp. (NASDAQ:TEAM)
Atlassian rebounded by 6.21 percent on Tuesday to finish at $78.38 apiece, as investors resorted to bargain-hunting after the stock fell to an eight-year low last week.
Last Tuesday, February 24, the stock dropped to a record low of $67.85—a level it last touched in 2018, triggered by ongoing concerns for software stocks being disrupted by the rapidly growing artificial intelligence sector.
However, investment firm Jefferies remained optimistic for Atlassian Corp. (NASDAQ:TEAM), issuing a “buy” recommendation for the stock last week on expectations that the AI sector could be more of an opportunity for the company than a threat.
According to the investment firm, Atlassian stands to benefit from the link between AI-generated code and the rising demand for IT collaboration tools, noting that more AI-generated code means more need for IT collaboration.
In other news, Atlassian Corp. (NASDAQ:TEAM) last week announced the open beta of agents in Jira, which allows teams to assign work to Atlassian Rovo and third-party agents in Jira, iterate with agents in comments, and embed them directly into their workflows.
Atlassian Corp. (NASDAQ:TEAM) also announced new investments in Model Context Protocol, allowing customers to choose the right agents and tools for their business.
8. AST SpaceMobile Inc. (NASDAQ:ASTS)
AST SpaceMobile grew its share prices by 6.63 percent on Tuesday to close at $92.68 apiece, as investors took heart from a strong 1,500-percent jump in revenue performance last year, which bolstered growth prospects.
In an updated report, AST SpaceMobile Inc. (NASDAQ:ASTS) said that revenues last year ended at $70.9 million, marking a 1,511 percent jump from only $4.4 million in 2024, thanks to partnerships with mobile network operators and the US government.
Product revenues accounted for the huge chunk, having soared by 8,778 percent to $44.389 million from only $500,000 year-on-year. Service revenues, on the other hand, climbed by 579 percent to $26.5 million from $3.9 million in the same comparable period.
Net loss attributable to shareholders, however, widened by 14 percent to $341.9 million from $300 million in 2024.
In the fourth quarter alone, total revenues skyrocketed by 2,758 percent to $54.3 million from $1.9 million, while net loss attributable to shareholders more than doubled to $74 million from $35.8 million.
For this year, AST SpaceMobile Inc. (NASDAQ:ASTS) expects to continue growing revenues ahead of its commercial service activation, supported by its backlog for mobile network operator partners and contracts with the US government.
AST SpaceMobile Inc. (NASDAQ:ASTS) remains on track to hit its target launch of 45 to 60 satellites by the end of the year, including the BlueBird 7 satellite set for launching this month.
7. Target Corporation (NYSE:TGT)
Target snapped a three-day losing streak on Tuesday, adding 6.74 percent to close at $120.80 apiece as investors took heart from its adoption of AI to boost growth this year.
In a statement following the results of its 2025 earnings performance, Target Corporation (NYSE:TGT) outlined its strategic plan for a new growth chapter beginning this year, including accelerating technology through AI adoption, transforming in-store floor plans and displays, increasing payroll and training, as well as strengthening and evolving the assortment in key categories, among others.
Target Corporation (NYSE:TGT) has programmed $5 billion in capital expenditures this year to support new stores and ongoing remodels, technology and supply chain investments. It said that it expects to end the year with 30 additional stores as part of its plan to open 300 new stores by 2035.
Later this month, it will open its 2,000th store in Fuquay-Varina, North Carolina.
The optimistic outlook was despite a dismal earnings performance last year, with full-year net income dropping by 9.4 percent to $3.7 billion from $4.09 billion in 2024. Net sales dipped by 1.7 percent to $104.78 billion from $106.6 billion year-on-year.
In the fourth quarter alone, net income dropped by 5.2 percent to $1.05 billion from $1.1 billion, while net sales declined by 1.5 percent to $30.45 billion from $30.9 billion.
6. Best Buy Co. Inc. (NYSE:BBY)
Best Buy snapped two days of losses on Tuesday, jumping 7.08 percent to finish at $65.95 apiece, as investor sentiment was boosted by a strong earnings performance for the full fiscal year 2026.
In an updated report, Best Buy Co. Inc. (NYSE:BBY) said that it was able to grow its net income for fiscal year 2026 by 15 percent to $1.07 billion from only $927 million a year earlier. Revenues, however, finished flat at $41.7 billion.
In the three months ending January 2026, net income soared by 362 percent to $541 million from $117 million, while revenues stood at $13.8 billion, flat year-on-year.
For the fiscal year 2027, Best Buy Co. Inc. (NYSE:BBY) said that it is targeting revenues between $41.2 billion and $42.1 billion, or an implied 1 percent drop to nearly a 1 percent uptick year-on-year. Comparable sales are likewise expected to dip or grow by 1 percent.
Adjusted diluted earnings per share are pegged at a range of $6.30 to $6.60, versus the $6.43 in full fiscal year 2026.
“We are pleased to report better-than-expected profitability for the fourth quarter,” Best Buy Co. Inc. (NYSE:BBY) CEO Corie Barry said. “Our comparable sales, while within our guidance range, declined 0.8 percent compared to last year. Our data sources show our overall market share was at least flat, pointing to slightly softer customer demand for our industry during the holiday quarter.”
5. Workday Inc. (NASDAQ:WDAY)
Workday rallied for a second day on Tuesday, surging 7.16 percent to finish at $143.61 apiece as investors appeared to have hunted for bargains.
This followed the stock’s 24 percent drop in the month of February and as much as 38 percent fall in just the first two months of the year, thanks to an investment firm’s rating downgrade for certain software stocks, including Workday Inc. (NASDAQ:WDAY).
Last week, Jefferies issued a “hold” rating for Workday Inc. (NASDAQ:WDAY), versus “buy” previously, while raising concerns about the company’s “execution risks” as well as Aneel Bhusri’s return as chief executive.
Apart from Workday Inc. (NASDAQ:WDAY), Jefferies also downgraded other software stocks such as DocuSign, Monday.com, and Freshworks.
Last week, the company announced a 32 percent jump in its net income for the full fiscal year 2026, at $693 million versus $526 million a year earlier, while revenues jumped by 13 percent to $9.5 billion from $8.4 billion year-on-year.
In the fourth quarter alone, net income surged by 54 percent to $145 million from $94 million, while revenues climbed by 13.6 percent to $2.5 billion from $2.2 billion.
4. Select Medical Holdings Corp. (NYSE:SEM)
Select Medical extended its winning streak to a sixth consecutive day on Tuesday, jumping 8.40 percent to finish at $16.26 apiece, as investors gobbled up shares following news that it is set to go private for a transaction worth $3.9 billion.
In a statement, Select Medical Holdings Corp. (NYSE:SEM) said that it entered into a definitive agreement, under which a consortium led by its Executive Chairman Robert Ortenzio and Senior Executive Vice President Martin Jackson would acquire all of the company’s outstanding shares at a price of $16.50 apiece.
The merger agreement was unanimously approved by the disinterested members of the company’s board of directors.
The transaction is expected to close in the middle of the year, subject to closing conditions, including the approval of its shareholders.
In other news, Select Medical Holdings Corp. (NYSE:SEM) is set to distribute $0.0625 dividends per share to all shareholders on record as of March 2, 2026, payable on March 12.
The dividends followed the company’s earnings performance last year, having swung to a net income attributable to shareholders of $20.17 million from a $16.05 million net loss in 2024. Total revenues grew by 7.7 percent to $1.4 billion from $1.3 billion year-on-year.
3. Pinterest Inc. (NYSE:PINS)
Pinterest rallied for a second day on Tuesday, jumping 9.27 percent to finish at $19.10 apiece following news that an investment firm acquired a $1-billion stake in the company.
In a statement, Pinterest Inc. (NYSE:PINS) said that activist investor Elliott Investment Management LP invested the said amount in the company, proceeds of which will be used to buy back its Class A common shares, as part of its $3.5 billion share repurchase program.
In addition, Pinterest Inc. (NYSE:PINS) would also repurchase another $500 million in shares from cash on hand pursuant to a 10b5-1 trading plan, subject to terms and conditions of the plan, market conditions, and management discretion.
“We delivered record revenue in 2025, with users reaching all-time highs for ten consecutive quarters and more than 80 billion monthly searches on our platform, as we continue to deliver strong innovation in visual search using AI. We are excited to continue our partnership with Elliott for the next phase of Pinterest’s growth. Elliott’s investment is a strong vote of confidence in the work we have done to build our business and the significant opportunities ahead for Pinterest,” said Pinterest Inc. (NYSE:PINS) CEO Bill Ready.
“Today’s repurchase announcement reflects our belief that our current share price undervalues the strength of our business and the significant long-term growth opportunity ahead.”
2. AeroVironment Inc. (NASDAQ:AVAV)
AeroVironment snapped a two-day losing streak on Tuesday, jumping 9.59 percent to close at $228.30 apiece, as investors took heart from announcements that it would invest $30 million for its planned expansion in Albuquerque, New Mexico.
In a statement, AeroVironment Inc. (NASDAQ:AVAV) said that it partnered with the City of Albuquerque and the State of New Mexico for its planned manufacturing expansion across its three existing sites inthe Sandia Science & Technology Park.
The state has shelled out $5 million while the city pledged $1 million through the Local Economic Development Act (LEDA) to support the development of the project.
Upon full operations, AeroVironment Inc. (NASDAQ:AVAV) expects the investment to generate more than $670 million in economic benefits over the next 10 years, boost production of mission-critical defense and space technologies, create more than 450 high-wage jobs, and strengthen New Mexico’s role in the US defense industrial base by enabling scaled domestic production of directed energy systems and space-grade components that support national security and resilient supply chains.
As part of the expansion, the state and the city have approved a $6 million performance-based incentive package, structured as cash reimbursements tied to verified hiring milestones.
Earlier this week, the company was heavily hit by the Space Force’s rebidding of its mobile ground station suppliers to attract more vendors instead of relying on one contractor, which is AeroVironment Inc.’s (NASDAQ:AVAV) subsidiary.
“We remain in active negotiations with the U.S. Space Force regarding AV’s contract to deliver ground stations to support the SCAR program. AV appreciates that the contract was temporarily paused while both parties work together on a firm-fixed-price contract that provides a commercialized product solution with an expedited delivery timeline,” the listed firm said.
1. Plug Power Inc. (NASDAQ:PLUG)
Plug Power saw its share prices jump by 22.38 percent on Tuesday to finish at $2.23 apiece, as investor optimism was fueled by a strong earnings performance last year and the appointment of a new CEO.
In an updated report, Plug Power Inc. (NASDAQ:PLUG) said that it narrowed its attributable net loss last year by 19.5 percent to $1.69 billion from $2.1 billion in 2024, while net revenues surged by 12.9 percent to $709.9 million from $628.8 million year-on-year, thanks to higher equipment sales volumes and continued commercial momentum across its core markets.
Further buoying sentiment was news that Jose Luis Crespo, who was president and chief revenue officer of the company, officially assumed the CEO role last Monday, March 2.
As Plug Power Inc.’s (NASDAQ:PLUG) CRO, Crespo helped drive growth through cost discipline, margin expansion, and capital efficiency, resulting in revenues hitting more than $700 million last year from only $27 million in 2013.
He also deepened strategic partnerships with global customers, including Amazon, Walmart, Home Depot, Gal,p and Iberdrola, while advancing hydrogen fuel cell and electrolyzer deployments across multiple industries.
Crespo replaced Andy Marsh, who transitioned to chairman of Plug Power Inc.’s (NASDAQ:PLUG) board of directors, consistent with the leadership transition plan announced last October.
While we acknowledge the potential of PLUG to grow, our conviction lies in the belief that some AI stocks hold greater promise for delivering higher returns and have limited downside risk. If you are looking for an AI stock that is more promising than PLUG and that has 100x upside potential, check out our report about this cheapest AI stock.
READ NEXT: 20 Best AI Stocks To Buy Now and 30 Best Stocks to Buy Now According to Billionaires.
Disclosure: None. Insider Monkey focuses on uncovering the best investment ideas of hedge funds and insiders. Please subscribe to our free daily e-newsletter to get the latest investment ideas from hedge fund investor letters by entering your email below.
