Markets React to Friday’s Top Movers

S&P 500 Sees Notable Swings as Companies Release Key Data

The stock market witnessed significant movement on Friday, with certain companies experiencing dramatic gains and others facing substantial declines. Several factors, including earnings reports, analyst ratings, and market sentiment, influenced the day’s trading, impacting various sectors within the S&P 500.

Accenture and Albemarle Lead the Declines

Accenture shares plummeted by nearly 7% after the professional services firm’s fiscal third-quarter bookings fell short of expectations. The world’s largest lithium miner, Albemarle, saw a 4.6% drop as analysts maintained a cautious outlook on the lithium market due to oversupply and price pressures.

Steel Dynamics shares also declined by 3.2%, extending losses from earlier in the week after issuing lower-than-expected profit guidance for the current quarter.

Kroger and CarMax Show Strength

On the other hand, Kroger shares surged almost 10% on Friday. The gains came after the grocery chain operator’s fiscal first-quarter profit and identical sales growth exceeded forecasts. CarMax also performed well, with its shares rising 6.6% after topping quarterly profit estimates.

Mondelez and Darden Restaurants Also Rise

Mondelez International saw its stock increase by 3% after Wells Fargo upgraded its rating and raised its price target on the snack and candy giant. Meanwhile, shares of Darden Restaurants hit an all-time high, buoyed by strong Olive Garden sales, beating earnings and revenue estimates, and the announcement of a stock buyback program.

Tesla’s Potential $2 Trillion Valuation

Analysts at Wedbush are optimistic about Tesla. They suggest that the electric vehicle maker’s market capitalization could reach $2 trillion by the end of 2026 if its robotaxi launch is successful. The robotaxi program is tentatively scheduled to launch this weekend in Austin, Texas, with an initial fleet of Model Y vehicles.

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Smith & Wesson’s Plunge

Smith & Wesson Brands shares experienced a significant downturn, plunging nearly 20% on Friday. The gunmaker reported decreased profit and revenue, also warning of slowing sales due to consumers pulling back on spending. The CEO cited economic concerns and industry trends for the difficult quarter.

“Overall conditions suggest headwinds will likely persist in the near term.”

—Mark Smith, CEO

The consumer price index (CPI) rose 3.3% in May, a slight decrease from April’s 3.4%, showing some ongoing inflationary pressure, which might explain why some companies are struggling (Bureau of Labor Statistics, June 2025).

Visa’s Challenges and Circle’s Surge

Visa shares faced headwinds this week after the Senate passed the GENIUS Act, which could allow merchants to bypass card-based payment systems. The crypto-friendly legislation could open the door for merchants to bypass card-based payment systems. Conversely, Circle Internet Group shares climbed, extending gains from the GENIUS Act’s passage.

Kroger Leads the S&P 500 Gainers

Grocery giant Kroger led S&P 500 gainers on Friday. The company’s stock benefited from reporting fiscal first-quarter profit and identical sales growth exceeding expectations. CarMax also saw a boost, with shares increasing due to better-than-expected profit, despite a drop in average used vehicle prices.

Market Outlook

The market’s reaction to these diverse factors shows the ongoing volatility and the importance of company-specific news. Investors are keeping a close eye on economic indicators and policy developments to assess the future of the market.