Ten large-cap stocks were top performers during the week of Feb. 23-27, 2026. Circle Internet Group led with a 34.99% gain after strong Q4 results. Netflix, Dell, IonQ, Keysight, and Axon Enterprise also posted significant gains (22-27%) driven by better-than-expected earnings and positive guidance. Other gainers included Paramount Skydance, Block, Thomson Reuters, and First Majestic Silver.

American Express stock fell nearly 8% on Friday amid renewed concerns that AI could disrupt traditional financial services companies. The decline was triggered by Block's announcement of laying off over 4,000 employees (40% of workforce) as part of an AI-driven efficiency initiative, raising investor fears that even tech-forward financial firms are vulnerable to AI disruption. However, the analyst notes that Amex has a long history of embracing technology and implementing AI solutions, suggesting it should be able to adapt.

Wall Street faced significant turmoil this week as a research report warning of mass white-collar unemployment from AI disruption sparked market anxiety. Despite Nvidia delivering strong earnings, its stock fell 5%, signaling shifting investor sentiment. Stress spread beyond tech to private equity, with Apollo Global Management and other financial stocks posting their worst days since April 2025. A major rotation is underway, with energy and value stocks outperforming technology for the first time in years.

American Express stock fell 7% on Friday amid broader concerns about AI-driven white-collar job losses, following Block CEO Jack Dorsey's statement that AI tools enable dramatically smaller workforces. Despite strong 2025 performance and 2026 guidance for 9-10% revenue growth, the article suggests treating the stock as a hold rather than a buy due to increased macroeconomic uncertainty from potential AI-driven job disruption affecting consumer spending and credit performance.

U.S. stock futures fell on Friday ahead of January's producer price index data release. Major indices showed mixed performance with the Dow down 0.32%, S&P 500 down 0.13%, and Nasdaq 100 down 0.02%. Notable movers included Block surging 22.28% after in-line earnings and workforce reduction plans, Dell jumping 12.64% on better-than-expected results, while Zscaler tumbled 8.62% after cutting FY26 guidance. Netflix rose in premarket after exiting a bidding war.

Wall Street experienced a sharp selloff on Friday driven by AI-related economic disruption concerns and hotter-than-expected producer price data. Major indices declined with the Dow falling 1.3% and Russell 2000 dropping 2.1%. Financial stocks and private equity firms led the losses, while Netflix rallied 12% after withdrawing from a bidding war for Warner Bros. Discovery.

Whetstone Capital Advisors sold its entire position of 79,172 shares in monday.com (worth ~$15.3 million) in Q4 2025. The sale follows monday.com's 76.8% stock decline over the past year, underperforming the S&P 500 by 89.7 percentage points. The exit reflects broader concerns about SaaS companies facing displacement by AI solutions at lower costs.

The article identifies three stocks trading near 52-week lows that appear oversold: Automatic Data Processing (a dividend aristocrat in payroll processing), American Water Works (a utility facing merger uncertainty), and PayPal (a fintech company with new leadership). Each stock is presented as a potential buying opportunity with catalysts for recovery, despite recent market pessimism.

Despite PayPal's attractive low valuation metrics (11.5x forward P/E, 9x EV/EBITDA), the article argues this doesn't justify investment due to weakened competitive moats, increased competition from fintech startups, government payment systems, and ecosystem players. Management initiatives show effort but face uncertain outcomes, with institutional investors showing low conviction in the stock.

The article recommends three fintech stocks: SoFi Technologies, built as an online-only bank with growing customer base; PayPal, which maintains strong market share despite investor pessimism and is on track for record revenue; and Upstart, an AI-powered credit scoring platform processing more loans with improved conversion rates.

Buy Now, Pay Later services are projected to reach $20.2 billion in spending during the 2025 holiday season, an 11% increase year-over-year. However, the sector faces mounting concerns over consumer financial strain, with 41% of users missing payments, and growing regulatory scrutiny including a multistate inquiry into major BNPL providers and proposed federal legislation to extend credit-card-style protections.

SoundHound AI, a voice AI platform company, has experienced a stock decline of 40% in 2025 despite growing revenue and expanding industry partnerships. The company shows promise in restaurant and automotive sectors but is also experiencing significant financial losses.