Thursday wasn't exactly a banner day for the broader market, with the Dow Jones edging down around 0.1%. But if you were watching the right stocks, you saw some serious action.
The star of the day was Donaldson Company, Inc. (DCI), which posted quarterly results that had investors feeling optimistic about the filtration products manufacturer. The company delivered on multiple fronts, combining revenue growth with stronger-than-expected profitability.
Donaldson Delivers Across the Board
Sales climbed 3.9% year over year to $935.4 million, comfortably ahead of the $922.9 million analysts were expecting. The company credited favorable currency translation and volume growth for the performance. On the bottom line, GAAP net earnings rose to $113.9 million, or 97 cents per share, compared to $99.0 million, or 81 cents per share, in the prior year period. The adjusted EPS of 94 cents also topped the 92-cent consensus estimate.
Perhaps more importantly for forward-looking investors, Donaldson raised its fiscal 2026 guidance for adjusted EPS to a range of $3.95 to $4.11, up from the previous $3.92 to $4.08 range. The consensus estimate sits at $4.01, right in the middle of that new range. Shares responded enthusiastically, jumping 4.7% to $91.78.
The Day's Other Big Winners
Donaldson had plenty of company on the upside. Here's who else made notable moves:
UiPath Inc. (PATH) absolutely rocketed higher, surging 16.5% to $17.33. The automation software company crushed its third-quarter results and issued fourth-quarter sales guidance with a midpoint that exceeded analyst expectations. That's the kind of performance that gets growth investors excited.
Science Applications International Corporation (SAIC) climbed 15.8% to $101.37 after raising its fiscal 2026 guidance for both EPS and revenue. When a government contractor feels confident enough to boost its full-year outlook, it typically signals strong order flow and execution.
ASP Isotopes Inc. (ASPI) jumped 12% to $6.35 following positive analyst attention. Cantor Fitzgerald analyst Derek Soderberg initiated coverage with an Overweight rating and a $13 price target, essentially seeing roughly double the upside from current levels.
BioAge Labs, Inc. (BIOA) gained 11.9% to $10.32 after sharing positive interim Phase 1 data for BGE-102, described as a novel brain-penetrant NLRP3 inhibitor. Early-stage clinical data can be a major catalyst for biotech stocks when the results look promising.
Kyverna Therapeutics, Inc. (KYTX) rose 10.6% to $7.95, though no specific catalyst was immediately apparent for the move.
The Descartes Systems Group Inc. (DSGX) shares jumped 9.6% to $90.97 after the logistics technology company reported quarterly results that topped analyst estimates.
Nova Minerals Limited (NVA) gained 9.3% to $10.13 without a clear news catalyst driving the move.
Dollar General Corporation (DG) rose 9% to $119.74, delivering what discount retail investors wanted to see: better-than-expected third-quarter results and raised fiscal 2025 guidance that came in above estimates. The discount retailer has faced its share of challenges lately, making this guidance raise particularly meaningful.
Fluence Energy, Inc. (FLNC) gained 7% to $21.22 in the energy storage sector.
Figure Technology Solutions, Inc. (FIGR) surged 6.4% to $37.64 without obvious news to explain the move.
MarketAxess Holdings Inc. (MKTX) rose 5.6% to $168.78 after the electronic trading platform announced November trading volume statistics that apparently pleased investors.
It's days like these that remind you the market isn't monolithic. While the major indices treaded water, plenty of individual stories played out with significant price action for those paying attention.