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The S&P 500 and the Nasdaq rose on Thursday on the final trading day of the week, with focus on U.S.-Japan tariff talks, while a slump in UnitedHealth's shares following a forecast cut by the insurer weighed on the Dow. After steep losses on Wednesday, investors found some optimism from U.S. President Donald Trump's comments on "big progress" in trade talks with Japan. Meanwhile, UnitedHealth plummeted 17.2% after lowering its annual profit forecast on expectations of high medical costs for the rest of the year.

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The declines came after the S&P experienced a “death cross” on Monday — where the 50 day moving average sank below the 100-day moving average.

Even during a down period for the markets, Life Time has gone against the grain, climbing to $31.72. Its shares have yielded a 25.7% return over the last six months, beating the S&P 500 by 34.7%. This was partly thanks to its solid quarterly results, and the run-up might have investors contemplating their next move.

Yext trades at $6.11 per share and has moved almost in lockstep with the market over the last six months. The stock has lost 13.9% while the S&P 500 is down 8.9%. This might have investors contemplating their next move.

The end of an earnings season can be a great time to discover new stocks and assess how companies are handling the current business environment. Let’s take a look at how Merit Medical Systems (NASDAQ:MMSI) and the rest of the medical devices & supplies - cardiology, neurology, vascular stocks fared in Q4.

Hormel Foods has been treading water for the past six months, recording a small loss of 4.3% while holding steady at $30.21.

Avis Budget Group trades at $75.35 per share and has stayed right on track with the overall market, losing 6.1% over the last six months while the S&P 500 is down 9%. This was partly due to its softer quarterly results and might have investors contemplating their next move.

Since April 2020, the S&P 500 has delivered a total return of 85%. But one standout stock has more than doubled the market - over the past five years, Astronics has surged 197% to $24 per share. Its momentum hasn’t stopped as it’s also gained 14.1% in the last six months thanks to its solid quarterly results, beating the S&P by 23%.

Over the past six months, BWX’s shares (currently trading at $104.17) have posted a disappointing 16.7% loss while the S&P 500 was down 8.9%. This might have investors contemplating their next move.