Top Movers

[TOP MOVERS] Tech and Healthcare Drag S&P 500 Lower Amid Volatility

[TOP MOVERS] Tech and Healthcare Drag S&P 500 Lower Amid Volatility

By Barry Stearns

2/20, 17:07 EST
CrowdStrike Holdings, Inc.
Palo Alto Networks, Inc.
SolarEdge Technologies, Inc.
Toll Brothers, Inc.
Zscaler, Inc.

US Equities Take a Dive Amid Mixed Corporate Forecasts and Sector Performances

In a day marked by significant volatility, the S&P 500 Index took a downward turn, closing 0.6% lower at 4,975.51 on Tuesday. This decline was felt across the board, with all sectors but consumer staples ending the day in the red. The postmarket hours brought more news, as several companies made headlines with their latest financial forecasts and performance updates, leading to notable movements in their stock prices.

Healthcare and Tech Sectors Face Headwinds

Community Health Systems (CYH) saw its shares plummet by 15% after the hospital operator's 2024 adjusted EBITDA guidance fell short of analysts' expectations. This news underscores the challenges facing the healthcare sector, particularly for hospital operators grappling with operational and financial pressures.

The technology sector also faced its share of turmoil. Palo Alto Networks (PANW) experienced a 17% drop after revising its revenue forecast downwards, signaling a potential slowdown in tech spending. This announcement had a ripple effect, dragging down cybersecurity peers such as CrowdStrike (CRWD) and Zscaler (ZS), which also traded lower.

SolarEdge Technologies (SEDG) wasn't immune to the downturn, with its shares dropping 7.5% following a first-quarter revenue forecast that missed Wall Street's estimates. This development casts a shadow over the solar equipment sector, hinting at possible headwinds ahead.

Telehealth and Real Estate Offer a Mixed Bag

Teladoc Health (TDOC) shares sank by 16% after the telehealth company provided a less-than-optimistic outlook for the current quarter. This news highlights the ongoing challenges within the telehealth industry as it navigates a post-pandemic landscape.

Conversely, Toll Brothers (TOL) offered a glimmer of hope, with its stock climbing 3% after the homebuilder raised its delivery forecast for the year. This positive update suggests resilience in certain segments of the real estate market, despite broader economic uncertainties.

Market Movers by Market Capitalization

The postmarket trading session saw significant activity across various market capitalizations. Here's a snapshot of the biggest movers:

Market Cap Company Name Movement Reason
Over $20B Palo Alto Networks -15.0% Disappointing revenue forecast
CoStar -7.7% Q4 revenue met estimates
International Flavors -7.4% Tumbles on forecast, reduced dividend
$5B to $20B Toll Brothers +3.0% Boosts FY deliveries forecast
Celanese -2.9% 1Q adjusted EPS forecast misses estimates
$50M to $5B Community Health -18.3% Falls after releasing adjusted Ebitda guidance
Intuitive Machines +11.6% Extends rally before planned moon landing

Looking Ahead

As investors digest these developments, the focus remains on how these forecasts and updates will shape market sentiment in the coming days. With sectors like healthcare and technology showing signs of strain, while real estate offers some positive news, the US equities market continues to navigate a complex and ever-changing landscape. Active investors will be watching closely, ready to adjust their strategies in response to these market dynamics.