S&P 500, Nasdaq end at record closing highs as moderate inflation lifts rate hopes

S&P 500, Nasdaq end at record closing highs as moderate inflation lifts rate hopes

By Saeed Azhar, Johann M Cherian and Sanchayaita Roy

Tue August 12, 2025 4:29 PM

CPI came in barely changed monthly while annual inflation data even came in a bit lower than estimates. This greatly bolstered confidence that there will be a September rate cut and sent all the indexes straight up. September cut odds now up to a whopping 88.8%. But there are possible consequences of a rate cut at this time. “This is still early innings of this process and just as the Fed will be beginning to cut rates in the autumn, that’s when the inflation data will probably start to be registering some of these more direct tariff price increases and it’s going to complicate the rate-cutting decision.” 

Wall Street stocks end down, inflation data, China trade in focus

Wall Street stocks end down, inflation data, China trade in focus

By Saeed Azhar, Johann M Cherian and Sanchayaita Roy

Mon August 11, 2025 4:27 PM

All three indexes took a dip ahead of inflation reports coming Tuesday to once again gauge rate cut expectations but still optimistic that recent weak labor data will prompt the Fed to cut. However, inflation is expected to remain sticky since tariff impacts are just beginning to show and will only continue to increase. It’s a two-edged sword as commented by today’s expert that the tariffs are only going to increase inflation but “lower inflationary readings and slower growth numbers are needed to support the case for lower rates."  

Nasdaq posts record closing high with tech gains, rate cut optimism

Nasdaq posts record closing high with tech gains, rate cut optimism

By Caroline Valetkevitch

Fri August 8, 2025 5:12 PM  

Just as yesterday was a path straight down, today was a path straight up with the Dow and Nasdaq climbing to 3-digit gains, the Nasdaq at another new record close for the second day and the S&P just shy of another. It could be just another day of bargain hunting or it could be investors still reacting to yesterday’s good news from Apple. Add to that the spate of weak economic data which now has the market giddy over a virtual certainty of a September rate cut.  

S&P 500 eases with Eli Lilly; Nasdaq manages record closing high

S&P 500 eases with Eli Lilly; Nasdaq manages record closing high

By Caroline Valetkevitch

Thu August 7, 2025 5:00 PM

All three indexes started the day well into the black, especially tech where the Nasdaq reached another record high, but then all quickly began a decline, the S&P and Dow almost immediately in the red, the Dow heading to a 3-digit loss, and the Nasdaq bouncing back into the black at the 11^th hour for a modest gain. There are several things that could trigger today’s sell off, not the least of which were dozens of new tariffs that took effect today, plus Trump’s choices for replacing the departing Fed Gov.

Nasdaq leads gains on Wall Street, helped by Apple

Nasdaq leads gains on Wall Street, helped by Apple

By Caroline Valetkevitch

Wed August 6, 2025 4:00 PM

Contrary to Friday, there was nothing but good news today, starting with Apple committing to $100B of domestic manufacturing along with a slew of positive Q2 reports. With 4/5 of the S&P having now reported, earnings continue to exceed forecasts with 80% beating estimates vs a 76% average. One Fed prez has said that rate cuts need to come soon which has now skyrocketed the odds for a September cut to 95.2% vs 46.7% just a week ago.  

Wall Street ends lower as investors consider tariff impact on results, economy

Wall Street ends lower as investors consider tariff impact on results, economy

By Caroline Valetkevitch

Tue August 5, 2025 4:57 PM

After yesterday’s huge rally, investors took a pause today with all indexes closing modestly in the red. With today’s Q2, tariffs are very much back on the front-burner due to the fact that company after company, though turning in good reports, are also issuing warnings that duties are already increasing costs and are trimming their forecasts for Q3 and Q4. Company after company is warning that higher costs are just going to keep going higher resulting in higher prices and fewer sales, thus lower revenues and profits. More Q2 from major companies like Disney and McDonalds coming Wednesday. Q2 is winding down and though it’s been largely positive with 80% of companies beating estimates, the overall message is that it’s not going to last. We’re heading for a poor second-half.  

Indexes end up 1%; investors ramp up rate-cut views after weaker payrolls

Indexes end up 1%; investors ramp up rate-cut views after weaker payrolls

By Caroline Valetkevitch

Mon August 4, 2025 4:00 PM

This is what makes Wall Street so much fun. The consensus this weekend was that the very poor Friday performance would be extended into today. Instead the opposite happened with the exact same pattern as Friday only in the black instead of the red and with all three indexes recovering almost all of Friday’s losses. Ironically, all that really changed today was attitude. Friday there was a panic over data showing the labor market was weaker than previously believed. The glass was half empty.