Hot or Not, Stock Market Edition: 02/20/2026

Happy Friday. Here’s what’s hot and what’s not today:

• Hot: Oil & gas equipment maker TechnipFMC (FTI) looks poised to outperform; software giant Intuit (INTU) is gaining momentum
• Not: Domain registry operator VeriSign (VRSN) is hitting a rough patch; medical care facility operator Surgery Partners (SGRY) is feeling a deep chill set in 

P.S. For more stocks making moves, check out our Zen Ratings Upgrades & Downgrades screener.

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🔥 HOT: Is oil & gas equipment maker TechnipFMC (FTI) positioned for a breakout? Here’s why we think it’s possible: 1) The company beat Q4 earnings estimates despite a slight revenue miss, driven by strong Subsea performance and a record $16.6 billion backlog that signals sustained future demand. 2) TechnipFMC launched a share buyback program while declaring a quarterly dividend of $0.05 per share, reflecting management's confidence in the business 3) The stock holds a Zen Rating of B (Buy), meaning it currently ranks in the top 20% of stocks we track based on a 115-factor review. Looking at the 7 Component Grades that shape the overall rating, it scores particularly well with B Grades for Financials, Momentum, and Safety. The verdict? With offshore project awards accelerating and institutional investors taking notice, this energy play is catching fresh momentum at the right time. (For 5 more stocks potentially poised to break out, check out this video.)

🥶 NOT:  Domain registry operator VeriSign (VRSN) is hitting a rough patch. Why? 1) The stock has been caught in a broader sell-off affecting software companies, with shares sinking about 12% in the past month, reflecting investor fears over AI disruption in the software industry that could threaten traditional business models. 2) Citi recently trimmed its price target from $337 to $280, signaling concerns about near-term momentum — while they maintain a Buy rating, it’s definitely worth noting. 3) The stock was recently downgraded in our Zen Ratings to a C (Hold) rating, and currently ranks in the middle of the 4600+ stocks we track. Looking at the Component Grades for specific areas of weakness, it has D Grades for Growth, Momentum, Safety, and Sentiment, though it does show strength with an A Grade for Financials and a B Grade for AI. The bottom line? Hold. While Citi argues the post-earnings pullback offers an appealing entry point with solid fundamentals intact, the stock's weak momentum and concerns about software disruption suggest caution.

🔥 HOT:  Software giant Intuit (INTU) is catching fire. Why? 1) The company announced a construction edition for its Enterprise Suite, targeting the $2 trillion construction market with AI-driven ERP solutions that integrate project, financial, and operational workflows. 2) Intuit expanded its partnership with Wix, allowing millions of Wix users to integrate QuickBooks Online's AI-powered financial tools directly into their ecommerce platforms, potentially deepening customer reliance across the entire small-business software stack. 3) The stock was recently upgraded to a Zen Rating of B (Buy), placing it in the top 20% of the 4600+ stocks we track based on a comprehensive 115-factor analysis. Looking at the Component Grades, it scores particularly well with A grades for AI and Financials, indicating that the company is financially sound AND that our advanced algorithm has detected subtle patterns that suggest near-term growth. The bottom line? Keep this one on watch. Despite recent volatility in software stocks, Intuit's AI-native products and strategic partnerships are quietly redefining its moat in the small-business market. (For more compelling, Buy-rated stock picks, check out this video.)

🥶 NOT:  Medical care facility operator Surgery Partners (SGRY) is in an excellent, A-rated industry, but the stock may be losing steam. Here’s why: 1) The stock plunged over 16% over just a few days, signaling serious investor concern about the company's near-term outlook. 2) Shares remain deeply in the red (down nearly 40%) for the year, with the one-year return still showing long-term weakness even after recent attempted recoveries. 3) The stock holds a Zen Rating of C (Hold) a middling score — specific weaknesses are reflected in D grades for Momentum and Sentiment, suggesting investors are actively avoiding the name. The bottom line? While the company operates in a growing outpatient surgical services market, the recent price action and weak sentiment indicators suggest waiting for clearer signs of stabilization.

What to Do Next?

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