Learn: Why Stocks Move

Plain-language guides to the forces that move stocks, ETFs, and crypto. When you want the reason behind a specific move today, type any ticker into ExplainThisMove.

• Why Do Stocks Drop After a Good Earnings Report?
  A company beats earnings but the stock falls. Here are the real, repeatable reasons - priced-in expectations, weak guidance, and "sell the news."
• Why Did My Stock Gap Up or Down?
  A gap is when a stock opens far from its prior close. Learn what causes gaps, gap up vs gap down, whether gaps get "filled," and how to find the catalyst.
• Why Is My Stock Down When the Market Is Up?
  When one stock diverges from a rising market, there is a reason: company-specific news, sector rotation, beta, or profit-taking. Here is how to tell which.
• What Is a Short Squeeze? How It Sends a Stock Soaring
  A short squeeze is a rapid price spike driven by short sellers forced to buy back shares. Learn how shorting works, why squeezes accelerate, and the risks.
• Why Do Stocks Move After Hours and Pre-Market?
  Stocks often make big moves outside regular hours. Learn why after-hours and pre-market moves happen - earnings, news - and whether to trust them.
• How Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades Move Stocks
  A stock jumps or drops because an analyst upgraded or downgraded it. Learn what that means, why it matters, and how price targets factor in.
• What Is a Stock Split? Does It Actually Matter?
  A stock split changes the share count and price but not the value of your investment. So why do stocks sometimes move on split news? Here is the answer.
• Why Is the Stock Market Up or Down Today?
  When the whole market moves together, the cause is macro: the Fed, interest rates, inflation and jobs data, mega-cap earnings, or risk sentiment.