Palantir Technologies shares fell 8% on Tuesday after the software company reported third-quarter earnings showing a slowdown in forward growth indicators. U.S. commercial total contract value reached $1.5 billion, up 11% year-over-year, but this marked a sharp deceleration from Q2's record $2.1 billion in bookings, which had climbed 153% annually. Analysts attributed part of the slowdown to shorter contract durations. Piper Sandler noted investors will watch for evidence that the 11% growth "is a fluke of duration and not something structural," adding that "demand for PLTR's solutions still very much outstrip supply." Goldman Sachs analysts said the key will be converting shorter contracts into longer-term commitments, which Palantir has accomplished before. Revenue nearly doubled from a year ago and exceeded $2 billion for the first time.
Apple shares slid more than 2% on Tuesday after the company reported better-than-expected fourth-quarter revenue but fell short on iPad sales and issued a disappointing margin forecast. The iPhone maker cited memory cost pressures and Siri AI rollout expenses as headwinds to profitability. Memory costs were higher in the quarter than in June. CEO John Ternus, who took over from Tim Cook in September, told CNBC the company had capped its "best fiscal year ever" despite supply constraints and foreign exchange headwinds. Violeta Todorova at Leverage Shares said memory shortages are expected to limit Mac and iPad supply as demand has outpaced production plans. Apple shares have gained 25% in 2026, leaving the stock with "little room for disappointment," Todorova added.