Weekly Stock Market Wrap: Cisco, DoorDash, StubHub Insights

The past week presented a complex tableau for global financial markets, characterized by significant volatility and strategic maneuvers across various sectors. From critical government reopenings to high-stakes corporate acquisitions and earnings surprises, the market navigated a landscape ripe with both uncertainty and opportunity. Investors closely watched movements in key indices, alongside the individual performances of prominent companies like Cisco, DoorDash, and StubHub, whose trajectories offered insights into prevailing industry trends and future economic indicators.

Market Performance Overview: A Week of Fluctuations

The financial markets concluded a turbulent trading week with mixed results, reflecting ongoing uncertainties coupled with sector-specific developments. The benchmark S&P 500 managed to eke out a marginal gain, closing 0.08% higher for the week. This narrow positive finish was largely attributable to significant market disruptions observed towards the latter part of the week, particularly on Thursday and Friday, which tested investor resilience.

In contrast, the technology-heavy Nasdaq Composite experienced a more challenging period. After slipping by as much as 500 points on Thursday, the index ultimately closed 0.5% lower for the week. This decline was primarily driven by a series of disappointments within the tech sector and growing skepticism surrounding the potential overvaluation of artificial intelligence (AI) stocks, prompting a cautious re-evaluation among investors.

Despite considerable intra-week volatility, which at one point included a notable 700-point decline, the Dow Jones Industrial Average (DJIA) managed to achieve a modest 0.3% gain. This performance underscored the relative stability of its constituent blue-chip companies amidst broader market fluctuations. However, the small-cap segment, represented by the Russell 2000 index, bore the brunt of the week's downturns, registering the steepest decline of 1.8%. This often signals investor preference for larger, more established companies during periods of uncertainty.

Macroeconomic & Political Landscape

Beyond corporate earnings, several significant government developments influenced market sentiment and economic outlook throughout the week.

Government Reopening and Economic Relief

A major source of relief came with the federal government's reopening on November 12, concluding an extended 43-day shutdown. This resolution brought considerable comfort to government employees, many of whom had faced the daunting prospect of entering the holiday season without paychecks. Reports indicate that back pay is anticipated to commence rolling out in the coming week, alleviating immediate financial pressures. Nevertheless, the ripple effects of the shutdown are projected to linger, particularly in the aviation sector, where flight schedules are expected to remain disrupted for several more weeks as air traffic controllers return to full operational capacity and airports adjust staffing levels.

Trade Policy Adjustments and Consumer Impact

In a move aimed at addressing escalating consumer complaints over rising grocery bills, President Donald Trump announced a significant rollback of tariffs. These tariff reductions target a range of essential goods, including beef, coffee, tea, tropical fruits, fruit juices, cocoa, oranges, and tomatoes. This policy adjustment is expected to provide some relief to consumers and could positively impact the retail and food sectors.

BBC Controversy and Media Scrutiny

Internationally, the British public broadcaster, BBC, found itself embroiled in controversy. The institution came under intense scrutiny for its BBC Panorama edit, which selectively altered portions of President Trump’s January 6 speech. While the BBC has since issued an apology to President Trump for the unfair editing, the former President has indicated his intention to pursue a $1 billion lawsuit against the broadcaster. Given that the BBC (British Broadcasting Corporation) is a publicly funded entity, a prolonged legal battle for defamation would entail substantial public expenditure, potentially placing the organization in a highly unfavorable public and financial position.

Corporate Maneuvers: Acquisitions, Partnerships, and Bidding Wars

The week was also marked by a flurry of significant news in the media and technology sectors, spanning content resolutions, intense bidding wars, and strategic acquisitions.

Media Sector Resolutions and Content Dynamics

The prolonged dispute between Alphabet's (GOOGL) YouTube TV and Disney (DIS) finally reached a resolution, much to the relief of YouTube subscribers who had endured a content blackout for over two weeks. Subscribers received an apology email from YouTube, confirming that the media entities had struck a deal. This agreement restored access to Disney channels, including ABC and ESPN, along with any previously recorded content in their libraries. Following the news, Disney stock initially declined by 1.6% at Friday's close but traded higher after hours, while Alphabet's stock surged by more than 4% in after-hours trading.

In a separate but equally intense development, a bidding war for Warner Bros Discovery (WBD) escalated, with Netflix, Comcast, and Paramount Skydance reportedly preparing their respective bids, according to a Wall Street Journal report. This news significantly impacted the involved companies' stock performances, with Warner Bros. Discovery and Paramount Skydance experiencing rises of 4% and 2% respectively on Friday. Conversely, Netflix and Comcast saw their stocks decline by 3.6% and 1.6%.

Strategic Acquisitions in Pharmaceuticals and Recreation

Several notable acquisition reports also emerged this week. Pharmaceutical giant Merck (MRK) agreed to acquire Cidara Therapeutics, a drugmaker recognized for its pioneering antiviral drug against the flu. The takeover is valued at $9.2 billion, as reported by The Financial Times. Cidara emerged as a top gainer on Friday, reaching a 52-week high on November 14 after an astonishing 105% surge in its stock price. Furthermore, Topgolf (MODG), a popular recreational golf provider, is reportedly in talks to go private through a deal with private equity firm Leonard Green, according to a Wall Street Journal report. This news sent Topgolf's stock soaring by 6%, recording a new high for the company.

Deep Dive: Key Stock Performances

Amidst the broader market movements, certain individual stocks garnered significant attention due to their earnings, related price movements, or analyst upgrades. Cisco, DoorDash, and StubHub were particularly in focus.

Cisco Systems (CSCO): AI-Driven Growth Momentum

The stock of technology powerhouse Cisco Systems (CSCO) enjoyed a robust 9.7% gain this week. This surge followed the release of a strong Q1 2026 earnings report on November 12, which highlighted a dramatic acceleration in demand for AI infrastructure. The company reported impressive 13% year-over-year growth in product orders, with a significant $1.3 billion attributed to AI-related orders. Demonstrating strong top and bottom-line growth, Cisco's revenue increased by 8% year-over-year, reaching $14.9 billion, alongside a GAAP EPS (earnings per share) of $0.72, marking a 6% year-over-year improvement. With a substantial 17% stock gain this quarter, Cisco noted its highest revenue growth in the Americas, achieving a 9% year-over-year increase.

Such compelling performance prompted all major Wall Street firms to increase their price targets for the company. UBS, citing high AI demand as a primary driver, increased its price target to $90 from $88, maintaining a Buy rating. Everscore ISI raised its price target to $80 from $74, upholding an In-Line rating after Cisco's strong quarter, which saw revenue and EPS exceed expectations. Morgan Stanley increased its price target to $82 from $77, retaining an Overweight rating, specifically noting that the real surprise came from its impressive AI orders. Cisco further reinforced investor confidence by increasing its future guidance, now expecting $3 billion in AI revenue for fiscal year 2026.

DoorDash (DASH): Expanding Beyond Core Delivery

DoorDash (DASH), the prominent on-demand delivery platform, is actively delivering on promises made after its strong Q3 performance and a noted increase in future AI expenditure. While the company's stock initially took a hit due to anticipated future investments, an analyst upgrade and strategic robotics expansion helped mitigate some of the decline. The stock of DoorDash, which rose 6% on Friday, recorded a 1.3% gain for the week, pushing its year-to-date gain to 23%.

On November 13, DoorDash announced a significant partnership with Old Navy, a division of GAP, to provide on-demand delivery services to shoppers nationwide. This announcement, strategically timed for the holiday season, signals DoorDash's deliberate expansion into the instant retail category, diversifying its service offerings beyond traditional food delivery. Furthermore, DoorDash also unveiled an expansion of its existing partnership with Coco Robotics into Miami, building upon successful deployments in Los Angeles and Chicago. Coco Robotics, an autonomous delivery company, has already completed half a million zero-emission deliveries and is on track to deploy more than 10,000 robots by 2026. Wall Street analysts expressed increased optimism regarding the long-term efficiency gains and operational automation expected from these robotics initiatives. Wedbush notably upgraded DoorDash to Outperform from Neutral, setting a $260 price target, citing the company's sustained leading competitive position in the US food and delivery market.

StubHub (STUB): Navigating Post-IPO Challenges

StubHub (STUB), the global online ticket marketplace, experienced one of its most challenging stock performances on Friday, plummeting by 20% to a 52-week low. This significant decline followed management’s decision to withhold Q4 guidance and forecasts during its Q3 2025 results announcement on November 13. While StubHub reported solid underlying earnings, with Gross Merchandise Sales (GMV) of $2.4 billion, up 11% year-over-year, and revenue of $468 million, an 8% year-over-year increase, the lack of future forecasts proved detrimental to its stock price.

The quarter also included a substantial $1.29 billion net loss, primarily attributable to a one-time $1.4 billion stock-based compensation expense linked to its September 2025 IPO. Despite this, the company successfully repaid $750 million of debt using proceeds from the IPO. In the aftermath, several major analysts revised their price targets downward but largely maintained either Buy or Outperform ratings, signaling continued confidence in StubHub’s long-term viability. TD Cowen, citing the absence of Q4 guidance, lowered its price target to $25 from $28 but retained a Buy rating. Wedbush expressed surprise at StubHub’s decision and adjusted its price target to $22 from $25, while keeping an Outperform rating. Everscore ISI analyst Mark Mahaney found the lack of Q4 guidance "unexpected and contributed to a significant market reaction," deeming it "disappointing." He subsequently lowered the firm’s price target to $27 from $29 but maintained an Outperform rating, as reported by TheFly.

Looking Ahead: Upcoming Earnings Season

As the financial week concludes, investors are already turning their attention to the upcoming earnings season. Several prominent companies are slated to announce their financial results in the coming week, including Nvidia, Baidu, Klarna, Home Depot, Palo Alto Networks, Walmart, and BJ’s Wholesale. These announcements will provide further insights into corporate health and potential market trends as the year draws to a close.