Following a record-breaking start to the year, Wisconsin’s publicly traded companies faced a reality check during the final week of January. As the broader markets grappled with rising Treasury yields and a cooling of the “New Year Rally,” the Badger State Index saw a shift toward volatility, particularly among its heavy-manufacturing and retail sectors.
While last week saw local stocks outperforming the S&P 500, this week was defined by profit-taking and a “wait-and-see” approach from investors as they digested a heavy slate of economic data.
The Weekly Scorecard
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| Company | Ticker | Friday Close | Weekly Change | Performance Note |
| Exact Sciences | EXAS | $102.34 | +0.08% | Remained remarkably stable while others swung wildly. |
| Generac Holdings | GNRC | $168.02 | -2.88% | Surrendered gains after last week’s double-digit surge. |
| Oshkosh Corp | OSK | $143.81 | -6.56% | The week’s biggest loser, retreating from all-time highs. |
| Kohl’s Corp | KSS | $17.49 | -0.85% | Staged a late Friday rally to minimize weekly losses. |
| Harley-Davidson | HOG | $19.80 | -2.46% | Slumped below the $20 support level amid consumer caution. |
Industrial Giants Take a Breather
The “January Surge” for Wisconsin’s manufacturing sector hit a significant speed bump this week. Oshkosh Corp (OSK), which dominated headlines last Friday after hitting a record high, saw the most aggressive profit-taking in the state. The stock dropped over 6% to settle at $143.81 as institutional investors rotated out of high-flying industrials.
Similarly, Waukesha-based Generac (GNRC) gave back a portion of its recent gains. Despite persistent concerns over national energy grid resilience, the stock fell $4.99 per share over the five-day period, closing the week at $168.02.
Retail and Leisure Under Pressure
The two newest additions to our weekly tracking, Kohl’s and Harley-Davidson, both felt the weight of a nervous macro environment.
- Kohl’s (KSS): Menomonee Falls-based Kohl’s showed significant late-day grit on Friday. After dipping toward the $17.00 mark mid-week, a late-session buying spree pushed the stock to $17.49. While still down slightly for the week, it outperformed many of its national retail peers.
- Harley-Davidson (HOG): The Milwaukee icon struggled to maintain its footing. Closing at $19.80, the stock fell below the psychological $20.00 threshold for the first time this month. Analysts suggest that the current 30-year Treasury yields are making investors wary of “big-ticket” discretionary items like premium motorcycles.
The Madison Anchor
Once again, Exact Sciences (EXAS) proved to be the most consistent component of the Wisconsin market. While the manufacturing sector saw swings as high as 6%, the Madison biotech leader moved less than ten cents compared to last Friday’s finish. Closing at $102.34, EXAS continues to serve as a defensive anchor for local portfolios during periods of industrial volatility.
Looking Ahead to February
Market eyes now turn to the first full week of February, where the focus will shift toward local earnings whispers and the Federal Reserve’s next move.
