This 2025 laggard is off to a strong start in 2026 — why the rally may not last

Market Overview - The Nasdaq experienced a decline as investors shifted away from tech stocks, while the Dow increased and the S&P 500 remained relatively unchanged. Caution is advised as the market often shows unusual patterns in the first full trading week of the year that may not persist [1] Company Updates - Cantor Fitzgerald upgraded Alphabet to a buy-equivalent rating from hold, raising its price target to $370 from $310. Analysts highlighted Alphabet's strong position in the AI technology sector, particularly due to the success of its Gemini large language models and associated AI assistant [1] - Texas Roadhouse stock has started 2026 strongly, rising nearly 8% year-to-date after a poor performance in 2025. However, concerns remain regarding rising beef prices, which could impact future earnings [1] Additional Stocks Covered - Stocks mentioned in the rapid-fire segment include Constellation Brands, Ford, Gap, AbbVie, and Darden [1]