Zacks Premium offers investment research tools including the Zacks Rank and Style Scores to help investors identify stocks with strong performance potential. The Zacks Rank #1 stocks have averaged +23.86% annual returns since 1988, outperforming the S&P 500. Style Scores rate stocks on value, growth, and momentum metrics to help narrow down investment choices. EPAM Systems is highlighted as a stock to watch with a #3 Hold rank and strong Value Style Score of A.

FXL is a smart beta technology ETF managed by First Trust Advisors with $2.94 billion in assets. It tracks the StrataQuant Technology Index using an equal-dollar weighted strategy to identify stocks with positive alpha potential. With a 0.60% expense ratio, 111 holdings, and a beta of 1.26, FXL has returned 36.95% year-to-date and 34.07% over the past year. The fund is heavily concentrated in Information Technology (86.9%) with top holdings including Cognizant Technology Solutions, EPAM Systems, and Leidos Holdings.

U.S. stocks rebounded Thursday with the Nasdaq 100 leading gains on a semiconductor rally fueled by an Intel-Apple chip manufacturing partnership. Oil prices tumbled 2.2% to $75/barrel following a U.S.-Iran peace deal and Strait of Hormuz reopening. The S&P 500 rose 1.2% while the Russell 2000 fell 0.7% amid mixed market performance.

Owls Nest Partners IA liquidated its entire 230,246-share position in EPAM Systems for approximately $39.37 million as the stock declined 43% over the past year. Despite EPAM showing operational improvements in Q1 2026 with 7.6% revenue growth and raised full-year guidance, the fund chose to exit entirely rather than wait for recovery.

Blue Door Asset Management added 88,100 shares of NICE (valued at $10.64 million) in Q4 2025, bringing its total position to 142,900 shares worth $16.15 million. Despite NICE stock declining 16.5% over the past year, the company showed strong fundamentals with 8% revenue growth to $2.95 billion, 13% cloud segment expansion, and 43% EPS growth in 2025, with AI products driving accelerating adoption.

Despite Waystar's stock declining 31.5% over the past year, Blue Door Asset Management purchased 322,600 shares worth $11.49 million in the latest quarter. The healthcare software company reported strong fundamentals with $1.10 billion in revenue (up 17% YoY) and adjusted EBITDA of $462 million (up 21% YoY), suggesting institutional confidence despite market weakness in software stocks.

Pomerantz Law Firm is investigating potential securities fraud claims against EPAM Systems following the company's disclosure on February 19, 2026 that its largest NEORIS customer is ramping down business. The announcement triggered a 6.61% stock price decline ($9.20 per share) over two trading sessions. The firm is also investigating similar claims against Chemours Company and Alight, Inc.

Law firm Bragar Eagel & Squire is investigating EPAM Systems for potential federal securities law violations following the company's February 19, 2026 earnings report. EPAM's CFO disclosed a significant revenue decline from its largest NEORIS customer, causing the stock to fall 6.61% ($9.20 per share) to $129.96 on February 23, 2026. The firm is seeking affected stockholders to discuss legal options.

EPAM Systems stock fell 16.4% this week despite beating Q4 earnings expectations on revenue and EPS. The decline was driven by muted 2026 guidance showing deceleration in growth rates and concerns about AI disruption in the consulting industry. The company now trades at a low 11x adjusted EPS multiple, presenting either a buying opportunity or potential value trap depending on AI's actual impact on consulting services.

Walmart, Wayfair, and EPAM Systems reported strong Q4 2025 earnings results. Walmart achieved $190.7B in revenue with 5.6% YoY growth driven by eCommerce surge, Wayfair beat EPS expectations significantly with improved profitability, and EPAM delivered 12.8% revenue growth fueled by AI and digital transformation services. All three companies provided positive guidance for 2026.

EPAM Systems stock plummeted 18.4% despite beating earnings expectations with $3.26 EPS vs. $3.16 expected and $1.4B+ in sales. However, GAAP profits declined 14% year-over-year, raising concerns about profitability. The company projects 20% earnings growth in 2026, suggesting the sell-off may present a buying opportunity at a 16.8x P/E ratio.

The article highlights three S&P 500 stocks with strong recent performance and promising outlooks for 2026: Dollar General, Expedia Group, and EPAM Systems, each showing positive financial results and upward momentum.