What Happened?

A number of stocks fell in the afternoon session after a confluence of negative economic data pointed to a weak economy. 

The latest Survey of Consumer Expectations from the New York Fed revealed that households' short-term inflation expectations rose, while their outlook on the labor market deteriorated. Consumers expressed greater concern about potential job losses and expected lower earnings growth, factors that directly impact discretionary spending. Adding to the unease, Chief Economist at Moody’s Analytics, Mark Zandi, warned that 22 states demonstrated clear signs of a recession, placing the broader U.S. economy in a precarious position. The U.S. government shutdown further dampened sentiment, threatening to weigh on incomes and purchasing power.

The stock market overreacts to news, and big price drops can present good opportunities to buy high-quality stocks.

Among others, the following stocks were impacted:

• Gaming Solutions company Light & Wonder (NASDAQ: LNW) fell 3%. Is now the time to buy Light & Wonder? Access our full analysis report here, it’s free for active Edge members.
• Gaming Solutions company Accel Entertainment (NYSE: ACEL) fell 3.6%. Is now the time to buy Accel Entertainment? Access our full analysis report here, it’s free for active Edge members.
• Education Services company Grand Canyon Education (NASDAQ: LOPE) fell 3.8%. Is now the time to buy Grand Canyon Education? Access our full analysis report here, it’s free for active Edge members.
• Education Services company Laureate Education (NASDAQ: LAUR) fell 3.1%. Is now the time to buy Laureate Education? Access our full analysis report here, it’s free for active Edge members.
• Toys and Electronics company Funko (NASDAQ: FNKO) fell 3%. Is now the time to buy Funko? Access our full analysis report here, it’s free for active Edge members.

Zooming In On Grand Canyon Education (LOPE)

Grand Canyon Education’s shares are not very volatile and have only had 4 moves greater than 5% over the last year. In that context, today’s move indicates the market considers this news meaningful, although it might not be something that would fundamentally change its perception of the business.

Grand Canyon Education is up 29.3% since the beginning of the year, and at $209.14 per share, it is trading close to its 52-week high of $219.52 from September 2025. Investors who bought $1,000 worth of Grand Canyon Education’s shares 5 years ago would now be looking at an investment worth $2,541.

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