Trending Stocks: Intel, Palo Alto Networks, GoodRx, Duolingo, and BHP Group Make Headlines
Tuesday’s pre-market trading saw a surge in several major stocks, capturing investors’ attention across tech, healthcare, and mining sectors. Here’s a closer look at the latest moves in trending stocks.
Intel (INTC) – Major Investment Spurs Gains
Shares in Intel climbed 5% ahead of the market after Japanese firm SoftBank Group revealed plans to purchase $2 billion of Intel’s common stock.
Masayoshi Son, CEO of SoftBank Group, said: “This strategic investment reflects our belief that advanced semiconductor manufacturing and supply will further expand in the United States, with Intel playing a critical role.”
Alongside this, the Trump administration is considering a roughly 10% stake in Intel, adding to the buzz around Intel’s stock surge after SoftBank’s $2 billion investment.
Palo Alto Networks (PANW) – Cybersecurity Revenue Beat
Shares in Palo Alto Networks rose over 5% pre-market after the US cybersecurity firm surpassed quarterly expectations.
Revenue for Q4 jumped 16% to $2.54 billion, beating the $2.5 billion forecast, while earnings per share came in at $0.95 versus $0.89 expected.
Nikesh Arora, CEO, said: “We exited fiscal year 2025 with an acceleration in RPO [remaining performance obligations], and surpassed the $10bn revenue run-rate milestone, positioning ourselves well for sustained growth ahead.”
For Q1 of fiscal 2026, Palo Alto expects revenue of $2.45–$2.47 billion, a 15% year-on-year increase, with earnings per share projected between $0.88 and $0.90. Full-year guidance predicts total revenue of $10.475–$10.525 billion and EPS of $3.75–$3.85.
GoodRx Holdings (GDRX) – Partnership Lifts Shares
GoodRx shares soared 37% on Monday and rose another 3.5% in pre-market trading after announcing a collaboration with Danish pharmaceutical giant Novo Nordisk.
Through this partnership, Ozempic and Wegovy pens are now available to eligible US patients at $499 per month, marking a notable drop in GLP-1 medication prices.
Wendy Barnes, CEO of GoodRx, said: “Demand for GLP-1 medications is at an all-time high, but too many Americans still face barriers accessing them.
By partnering with Novo Nordisk, we’re taking a significant step forward in making these innovative brand-name treatments more accessible for millions of people who need them.”
The move comes as Novo Nordisk works to maintain its position in the competitive weight-loss drug market.
Duolingo (DUOL) – Analyst Ratings Drive Gains
Shares in Duolingo rose nearly 13% after KeyBanc upgraded its rating to “overweight” and Citigroup initiated coverage with a “buy” rating.
In a recent interview with The New York Times, CEO Luis von Ahn addressed concerns about the company’s AI-first direction: “Internally, this was not controversial.
Externally, as a publicly traded company some people assume that it’s just for profit. Or that we’re trying to lay off humans. And that was not the intent at all.”
Investors are optimistic as Duolingo continues to blend education and technology innovation.
BHP Group (BHP.L) – Steady Despite Mixed Results
On the London Stock Exchange, BHP shares rose nearly 2% even after the company reported mixed results. Attributable profit increased 14% to $9 billion, while revenue fell 8% to £51.3 billion.
Matt Britzman, senior equity analyst at Hargreaves Lansdown, said: “Mining giant BHP saw profits fall to a five-year low, as softer iron ore prices weighed on the bottom line.
But riding the commodity price wave is part and parcel of being a global miner, and considering where we are in the cycle, performance has been solid.
Chinese iron ore demand has remained relatively robust, but a general shift to more protectionist trade policies in Western countries is expected to put prices under pressure over the near term.
What sets BHP apart is its enviable cost base. Its Australian operations deliver ultra-low-cost production, giving it a competitive edge even when prices falter. Meanwhile, the group is steadily ramping up its exposure to copper—a metal with lingering tariff risks but a compelling long-term demand story.
Management struck an optimistic chord on the broader commodity outlook, underscored by a hike in the dividend payout ratio and a more flexible approach to debt. It’s a signal of confidence, not just in the balance sheet, but in the future of the business.”
