US Stock Market Gainers Today: Oct. 8 - 9, 2026

CoStar Group shares climbed as investors repositioned ahead of the company's October 27 third-quarter earnings report. The rally came despite no single company-specific announcement, as traders weighed improving profitability trends in the residential segment, the completed $800 million Zonda acquisition and new leadership at Homes.com. The stock had been under pressure earlier in the year amid concerns about commercial real estate softness and AI disruption to its data and software offerings.

Looking ahead: The October 27 earnings report will be a key test of whether CoStar can sustain its margin expansion and revenue growth. If the residential turnaround continues and the Zonda integration delivers synergies, the stock could see further appreciation, though valuation concerns remain after the sharp rebound from 52-week lows.

Accenture extended its rally following last week's blockbuster fiscal fourth-quarter results that beat estimates and showcased record bookings. The consulting giant reported earnings per share of $3.29 on revenue of $18.68 billion, exceeding consensus, and highlighted $85 billion of new business for the coming year driven by AI and data transformation deals. Investors were reassured that AI is acting as a growth driver rather than a disruptor, with management emphasizing its role in delivering business outcomes for clients.

Looking ahead: Accenture's trajectory will depend on its ability to convert its large pipeline of AI-related deals into revenue while managing pricing dynamics. If demand for enterprise AI implementations remains robust, the stock could continue to outperform, though macro headwinds and discretionary spending caution remain risks.

Gartner shares advanced after Morgan Stanley raised its price target to $182 from $177, citing expectations for roughly 4.4 percent foreign-exchange-neutral contract value growth in the third quarter. The research and advisory firm has been benefiting from strong demand for its IT research subscriptions, even as investors weigh flat full-year revenue guidance and insider selling. The stock also rode a sector-wide rally in IT services following Accenture's strong results, which eased fears that AI would erode demand for advisory work.

Looking ahead: Gartner's upcoming third-quarter earnings and its IT Symposium/Xpo conference later this month will be closely watched for signs of sustained subscription growth. If contract value trends remain solid and the company can demonstrate AI-driven upsell opportunities, the stock may find further support, though valuation multiples leave limited room for disappointment.

Cognizant shares rose as investors assessed the company's AI-led growth initiatives and recent deal wins. The company launched Cognizant Activate, a new business unit targeting mid-market firms with $1 billion to $5 billion in revenue, positioning itself alongside Accenture and HCLTech in a segment where AI services are gaining traction. Additional catalysts included a five-year extension with Gilead Sciences for DevOps and agentic AI work, and selection by SITA to lead its AI-driven finance transformation program.

Looking ahead: Cognizant's ability to convert its AI pipeline into recurring revenue will be key to sustaining momentum. If mid-market AI adoption accelerates and the company can demonstrate margin expansion from its new service lines, the stock could see further gains, though competition and pricing pressure in IT services remain headwinds.

FactSet shares surged after the company announced an expanded partnership with Scotiabank's Scotia Wealth Management to integrate its research and intelligence platform across advisor and investment operations. The deal extends FactSet's reach in the wealth management channel and follows strong fiscal fourth-quarter results that beat estimates, with adjusted earnings per share of $4.52 and organic annual subscription value growth of 7 percent. The stock also benefited from Deutsche Bank's price target increase to $299 and an upcoming Investor Day scheduled for November 10.

Looking ahead: FactSet's November Investor Day will be a critical event for outlining its AI monetization strategy and 2027 growth targets. If the company can demonstrate how AI tools are driving upsell and retention in its core research platform, the stock may continue to attract interest, though competition from Bloomberg and Refinitiv remains a factor.

Leidos shares rallied on optimism around its booming defense and cybersecurity businesses. The company disclosed a $12 billion pipeline in its defense tech segment for the year ahead, along with recent contract wins including a $127 million Army extension for airborne intelligence and surveillance capabilities and a $301 million cyber defense operations deal. Investors are betting that elevated geopolitical tensions and increased federal spending on cybersecurity will drive sustained demand for Leidos' services.

Looking ahead: Leidos' growth will hinge on its ability to convert its large pipeline into booked revenue while managing execution risk on complex defense programs. If defense budgets remain supportive and the company continues to win high-value contracts, the stock could see further appreciation, though government budget uncertainty remains a wildcard.

Chipotle shares jumped after the Financial Times reported that Starbucks has explored a potential takeover of the burrito chain. The report cited people familiar with the matter saying Starbucks worked with advisers in recent months on a proposal that could value Chipotle at nearly $39 billion. The news reignited speculation about a reunion between Chipotle and Brian Niccol, Starbucks' chief executive who previously led Chipotle for six years, though no formal offer has been announced and a deal may never materialize.

Looking ahead: The stock's direction will depend on whether takeover talks progress or fade. If Starbucks moves forward with a bid, Chipotle could trade at a significant premium, but if the speculation cools, the stock may retreat to levels justified by its standalone fundamentals, including traffic trends and margin pressures from labor and commodity costs.

Best Buy shares rebounded as investors focused on the company's growing advertising and Marketplace businesses. Recent developments include a new Best Buy Ads partnership with LG Ad Solutions for connected-TV inventory and an expanded Amazon Fire TV deal, both of which support the retailer's push into higher-margin revenue streams. The stock also benefited from a fiscal second-quarter beat, with comparable sales up 4.1 percent and raised full-year guidance, though some analysts have turned cautious on valuation after the sharp year-to-date rally.

Looking ahead: Best Buy's holiday season performance will be a key test of whether its turnaround in consumer electronics demand can continue. If comparable sales remain positive and the advertising and Marketplace segments scale as expected, the stock could find further support, though discretionary spending caution and competition from Amazon remain risks.

GoDaddy shares surged on reports that Gen Digital, the maker of Norton antivirus, has made a preliminary takeover approach. The news sent the stock up between 6 percent and 10 percent intraday as traders priced in a potential acquisition premium. Gen Digital is reportedly interested in accessing GoDaddy's massive small-business and domain customer base as a distribution channel for its security and identity products, though no formal deal has been announced.

Looking ahead: The stock's trajectory will depend on whether takeover talks advance or stall. If Gen Digital or another strategic buyer moves forward with a bid, GoDaddy could trade at a significant premium, but if the speculation fades, the stock may retreat to levels based on its standalone growth prospects in domains, hosting and AI-powered small-business tools.

Marathon Petroleum shares rallied as a wave of analyst target hikes coincided with strength in the refining sector. Major banks including UBS, Goldman Sachs, Morgan Stanley and TD Cowen lifted their price targets, with some as high as $472, citing elevated refining margins, strong operations and cash-flow visibility through at least 2028. The stock also benefited from tight global distillate inventories, elevated crack spreads and geopolitical tensions that have supported crude and refined product prices.

Looking ahead: Marathon's third-quarter earnings report will be a key test of whether refining margins remain at historically wide levels. If crack spreads stay elevated and the company continues to generate strong free cash flow for buybacks and dividends, the stock could see further gains, though policy risks around fuel exports and potential inventory releases remain headwinds.

Valero Energy shares advanced alongside Marathon and other refiners on optimism around refining margins and tight fuel supplies. The company is scheduled to report third-quarter results on October 22, with consensus earnings per share estimates near $18, up sharply from a year ago. Analysts have raised price targets citing Valero's heavy-crude processing advantage, robust margins and strong cash generation, even as some warn that unusually high profitability may moderate.

Looking ahead: Valero's October 22 earnings report will be closely watched for updates on refining margins, throughput rates and capital allocation plans. If the company confirms sustained profitability and provides constructive commentary on the refining environment, the stock could continue to attract interest, though a normalization of crack spreads remains a risk.

C.H. Robinson shares rebounded as several analysts defended the stock after its sharp selloff on the $5.8 billion RXO acquisition announced earlier in the week. Stifel trimmed its price target but kept a Buy rating, while Truist and StoneX called the drop an overreaction, citing the company's Lean AI-driven productivity gains and 13 consecutive quarters of truckload volume outgrowth. Investors are also looking ahead to third-quarter results on October 28 for signs of margin stabilization in the freight brokerage business.

Looking ahead: The October 28 earnings report will be a key test of whether C.H. Robinson can sustain its market share gains and productivity improvements. If the company demonstrates continued volume growth and margin resilience despite elevated fuel costs, the stock could see further appreciation, though integration risks from the RXO deal and macro freight demand caution remain factors.