S&P registers record close as growth stocks advance

S&P registers record close as growth stocks advance

By Chuck Mikolajczak

Tue December 23, 2025 6:07 PM

The market continues to benefit from Micron’s boost and a resurging confidence in AI reflected in yet another boost to Nvidia to the tune of 3% as well as 1% boosts to each of Amazon, Alphabet and Broadcom. But by far the biggest news was the Q3 GDP report which came in way higher than the estimate, 4.3% vs 3.3%, showing once again the resilience of the economy. But consumer confidence threw a damper on all this as it fell due to deepening concerns over jobs and income. Factory production also remained unchanged after falling in October.  

Wall Street advances with broad gains, tech gains continue

Wall Street advances with broad gains, tech gains continue

By Chuck Mikolajczak

Mon December 22, 2025 7:08 PM  

The indexes shot straight up today and stayed there on yet another round of exuberance driven by Micron and lower than expected inflation. Also boosting was Nvidia’s announcement that its more powerful AI chips will begin shipping to China in February, lending ever more credence to AI after its very brief lapse. The VIX has fallen to its lowest level in over a year and the annual Santa Claus starts on Wednesday, which since 1950 has seen the S&P rise another 1.3%.  

Stocks rise with tech boost, yen weakens after Japan rate hike

Stocks rise with tech boost, yen weakens after Japan rate hike

By Sinéad Carew and Iain Withers

Fri December 19, 2025 4:45 PM

I’ve been out all day and all night so this will be a very truncated reported. Basically, it was a good with 3-digit gains all around. Basically it was a good day with Micron euphoria spilling into a second day. AI is seen in a favorable light again. U of M consumer sentiment came in below estimates but above November’s. Per the CBOE, volume came in at a whopping 26.6 billion, way above the 16.9 average, suggesting this might have been another triple-witching day. 

DJ: 47,951.85  +65.88         NAS: 23,006.36  +313.04        S&P: 6,774.76  +53.33        12/18

DJ: 48,134.89  +183.04       NAS: 23,307.62  +301.26        S&P: 6,834.50  +59.74        12/19

Fri 12-19-25 4:45 pm Stocks rise with tech boost, yen weakens after Japan rate hike | Reuters

Wall St closes higher fueled by tech rally, soft inflation data

Wall St closes higher fueled by tech rally, soft inflation data

By Abigail Summerville and Johann M Cherian

Thu December 18, 2025 4:52 PM  

Today tech did quite well with a handsome 3-digit lead on the Nasdaq, all from AI once again become the darling of Wall Street. If all they needed was a small positive sign, that came today with Micron signaling a blowout forecast. The chip index climbed 2.6%. Adding to the momentum was the CPI report showing prices increased less than expected, thus encouraging the hopes for more rate cuts starting in March.  

Wall Street closes lower as AI funding jitters drag tech stocks

Wall Street closes lower as AI funding jitters drag tech stocks

By Abigail Summerville and Johann M Cherian

Wed December 17, 2025 4:34 PM  

Yet again AI anxiety has swept the markets as for the fourth day major 3-digit drops have plagued the indexes. Major players have seen their share prices plunge, a behemoth like Amazon announcing a major $10B investment while giant Oracle suffered when announcing a major AI investor has pulled out. All in all, the entire chip index fell, even champions Nvidia and Broadcom.  

Wall St ends mixed, healthcare and energy stocks weigh on S&P

Wall St ends mixed, healthcare and energy stocks weigh on S&P

By Abigail Summerville and Johann M Cherian

Tue December 16, 2025 4:31 PM  

The Dow and S&P spent most of the day deeply in the red, the Dow down almost 500 points by 1 pm, before recovering to much more modest losses by close. The Nasdaq did better, actually making it into gains by late afternoon, with flat unemployment considered sufficient cause to raise the odds to two rate cuts in 2026 despite Fed statements of only one. As usual, any news promoting more rate cuts bolsters tech and transfers money out of industrials.  

Wall St closes lower as investors position for busy week of data

Wall St closes lower as investors position for busy week of data

By Abigail Summerville and Johann M Cherian

December 15, 2025  4:33 PM ESTUpdated 59 mins ago

After Friday’s modest correction after a series of record-breaking days, the indexes continued moving modestly lower again on Monday as investors sit on the fence awaiting a slew of data coming later this week with more labor reports as well as retail sales, business activity and inflation. With the record breakers being mostly due to AI fever and the correction on Friday being mostly due to renewed fears of a possible coming AI bubble in the wake of the fever pitch, the markets have returned to caution until more reports surface.  

Wall Street ends lower; fears of AI bubble and inflation send investors away

Wall Street ends lower; fears of AI bubble and inflation send investors away

By Sinéad Carew and Johann M Cherian

Fri December 12, 2025 4:41 PM  

After reaching record heights on Wednesday and Thursday, the indexes took a dip on Friday when the Fed dissenters to Wednesday cut came out front and center again with their pronounced reservations that the cut was not necessary and will likely create more inflation. This combined with both Oracle and Broadcom turning in depressed forecasts sent both stocks down and the overall Nasdaq and S&P on resumed fears of an AI bubble. Oracle alone lost more than 15% of its value in the last two days.  

Dow, S&P 500 mark record closes; Oracle drags on the Nasdaq

Dow, S&P 500 mark record closes; Oracle drags on the Nasdaq

By Sinéad Carew and Johann M Cherian

Thu December 11, 2025 5:00 PM  

On the day following the Fed rate cut announcement and pleased by the less hawkish tone than feared, the market picked up tailwinds that pushed the S&P and Dow up, the Dow straight way up 646 points. Investors were leaning heavily on Powell’s encouraging remarks putting the labor market as a priority over inflation as an indication that more cuts would be coming next year. Disappointing news from Oracle stoked more fears of overinvestment in AI but those fears were somewhat abated by Disney’s announcement of another $1 billion investment in AI.  

Wall Street indexes rally after Fed cuts interest rates

Wall Street indexes rally after Fed cuts interest rates

By Sinéad Carew and Johann M Cherian

Wed December 10, 2025 4:48 PM  

The indexes were all pretty close to flat running all the way up to the Fed announcement, then zoomed up immediately upon the news that there was indeed going to be a ¼ point cut. Though there remained significant concerns about policy direction in 2026, the fact that commentary about no more rate cuts until further notice due to inflation all took an immediate backseat when Powell commented that the labor market remains down and he doesn’t want Fed policy to stifle that.  

S&P 500 ends slightly down as investors await Fed rate decision

S&P 500 ends slightly down as investors await Fed rate decision

By Sinéad Carew and Johann M Cherian

Tue December 9, 2025 4:52 PM

Despite all the division within the Fed, optimism is still very high for a rate cut on Wednesday but doubts have grown that there will be more cuts coming in 2026. Thus the indexes were way up in the morning, the Dow up over 200, but then everything started sliding at the noon hour with both the Dow and the S&P losing all their gains and then quite a bit besides. Even with the rate cut, sentiment says that Fed comments will be more hawkish than desired with warnings that prices may well continue upward again because of the cut.  

US stocks end lower as investors wait for Fed rate decision

US stocks end lower as investors wait for Fed rate decision

By Sinéad Carew and Johann M Cherian

Mon December 8, 2025 4:47 PM  

Anxiety is high over a deeply divided Fed concerning Wednesday’s announcement on rates and the nervousness sent the whole market down all day long, the Dow down 3-digits again, all hedging bets in case the outcome is negative. Despite this, odds of a ¼ point cut still stand at a whopping 89%. But what investors are really counting on is not so much the ¼ point cut in two days but a lot more clues about future policy moves, something they feel has been sorely lacking.  

Wall St closes with slight gains as data keeps Fed cut expectations on track

Wall St closes with slight gains as data keeps Fed cut expectations on track

By Chuck Mikolajczak

Fri December 5, 2025 4:25 PM  

PCE came in right on target so gave the markets a modest bump. Commerce Dept data showed consumer spending also increasing right in line with forecasts. The problem is that all this data is still old, August and September, so still considered unreliable. The U of M Consumer Sentiment Survey also improved and even topped estimates. Even though there are still a large number of Fed officials opposed to a rate cut due to inflation concerns, the market consensus for a cut next Wednesday stands today at 87.2%, up from 30% two weeks ago. For the week, all three indexes climbed modestly and that makes two weeks in a row of gains. At 16.2 billion, volume still remains over more than a billion shares shy of the 17.72 average. 

DJ: 47,850.94  -31.96        NAS: 23,505.14  +51.04        S&P: 6,857.12  +7.40              12/4

DJ: 47,954.99  +104.05     NAS: 23,578.13  +72.99        S&P: 6,870.40  +13.28            12/5

Fri 12-5-25 4:25 pm Wall St advances as data keeps Fed cut expectations on track | Reuters

Indexes end near flat, supported by Fed hopes but dragged by Amazon

Indexes end near flat, supported by Fed hopes but dragged by Amazon

By Chuck Mikolajczak

Thu December 4, 2025 4:24 PM  

The markets were more or less flat today due to the continued lack of government data. But the data that is coming from private sources shows a mixed picture with, on the one hand, unemployment falling but, on the other hand, probably due to temporary holiday hiring. Today’s Commerce Dept data shows factory orders continuing to shrink due to tariffs but, overall, good news for the rate cut crowd. Powell remains modestly hawkish but the overall sentiment is that a cut is coming this month.  

Indexes close higher as data keeps Fed rate cut expectations elevated

Indexes close higher as data keeps Fed rate cut expectations elevated

By Chuck Mikolajczak

Wed December 3, 2025 4:27 PM

Today’s reports showed private payrolls unexpectedly declined and the service sectors remaining static, all  of which boosted optimism for a December rate cut, today up to 89% odds, more evidence of a shrinking labor market and weakening economy, and thus boosted all three indexes straight up for the entire session, the Dow to another impressive mid-3-digit gain. Of course, the real test comes Friday with the Personal Expenditures, the Fed’s preferred inflation gauge. Compounding the problem is the fact that October and November  employment data has been delayed until after the Fed’s announcement. Volume continues to be well below the 18.19 billion average, coming in today at just 15.44 billion. 

DJ: 47,474.46  +185.13        NAS: 23,413.67  +137.75       S&P: 6,829.37  +16.74        12/2

DJ: 47,882.90  +408.44        NAS: 23,454.09  +40.42         S&P: 6,849.72   +20.35        12/3

 

Equities rise on Fed rate cut optimism, Boeing jumps

Equities rise on Fed rate cut optimism, Boeing jumps

By Chuck Mikolajczak

Tue December 2, 2025 4:22 PM

It was a herky-jerky day on all three indexes as the market jumped up and down but at least never went into the red and gave us our seven straight up days with only one (yesterday) in the red. The lack of current government data and everyone on the fence waiting for a widely expected rate cut has contributed to today’s volatility.  

Wall Street ends lower as yields climb; crypto stocks drop

Wall Street ends lower as yields climb; crypto stocks drop

By Chuck Mikolajczak

Mon December 1, 2025 4:24 PM

After all the wonderful gains last week, investors went into cautious mode today with all three showing losses, the Dow in 3-digits. All the incoming data continues to point to a weakening economy with the only good news being the new optimism over a December rate cut. This optimism has also been bolstered by the recent strong speculation that the anticipated replacement for Powell will be dovish with more rate cuts coming in the coming year.  Volume was again well below the 18.6 billion average, coming in today at a mere 15.6 billion. 

 

DJ:          47,716.42  +289.30                 NAS:       23,365.69  +151.00                 S&P:       6,849.09  +36.48                     11/28

DJ:          47,289.33  -427.09                  NAS:       23,275.92  -89.76                    S&P:       6,812.63  -36.46                      12/1

Wall Street edges higher in thin post-holiday trade

Wall Street edges higher in thin post-holiday trade

By Sabrina Valle and Pranav Kashyap

Fri November 28, 2025 4:37 PM 

The high hopes for a December rate cut continue to push the indexes higher and higher as for the fifth day we’re into 3-digit gains. It was enough for all three indexes to see gains for the week from 3-5% and, despite the setbacks from the past couple weeks, the Dow and S&P still eked out modest gains for the month, the Nasdaq not so lucky with a 1.5% dip for the month showing that the concerns over a possible AI bubble are still in force. As a post-holiday and shortened trading day, volume was quite light, coming in per the CBOE at 9.2 billion vs the 19.49 average. 

DJ: 47,427.12  +314.67       NAS: 23,214.69  +189.10        S&P: 6,812.61  +46.73         11/26

DJ: 47,716.42  +289.30       NAS: 23,365.69  +151.00        S&P: 6,849.09  +36.48         11/28

Fri 11-28-25 4:37 pm Wall Street edges higher in thin post-holiday trade | Reuters

Wall St ends higher on growing bets for December Fed rate cut

Wall St ends higher on growing bets for December Fed rate cut

By Stephen Culp

Wed November 26, 2025 4:24 PM

For a fourth day the indexes shot straight up into 3-digit gains once again on the sudden and unexpected reversal of sentiment over a December rate cut. Besides the odds of a December cut now standing at 84.9%, and the S&P expected to rise 12% in the next year, a major trigger today was that in addition to Nvidia’s upbeat Q3 last week, today AI server maker Dell turned in a glowing Q4 forecast, pumping more optimism into the AI outlook and getting tech back on a buying spree.  

Wall Street ends higher as Federal Reserve rate cut bets gather momentum

Wall Street ends higher as Federal Reserve rate cut bets gather momentum

By Stephen Culp

Tue November 25, 2025 4:23 PM

For the third day, the indexes spurted straight up when still another spate of government reports confirmed weakening retail sales, weakening consumer confidence, and a weakened job market thus stoking even more optimism for a December rate cut, with odds now at 84.7% vs 50.1% a week ago vs half of that two weeks ago. Also encouraging market sentiment was the likely successor to Powell at the Fed being the dovish Kevin Hassett creating greater hopes for more cuts throughout 2026.  

Wall Street ends higher on tech rebound, rising rate cut bets

Wall Street ends higher on tech rebound, rising rate cut bets

By Stephen Culp

Mon November 24, 2025 4:16 PM

The indexes went straight up today when a slew of new government data showed a weakening labor market and spiking inflation, igniting new hopes that there may very well be a December rate cut. Several Fed officials donning more dovish positions very much encouraged this speculation and shot the odds up to 85% vs 42 a week ago. A good deal more data coming later this week.  

Wall Street indexes jump as rate cut bets increase but post losses for week

Wall Street indexes jump as rate cut bets increase but post losses for week

By Caroline Valetkevitch

Fri November 21, 2025 5:32 PM

After two days of serious pullbacks, the market had quite a rally today when sentiment regarding a December rate cut changed drastically when the NY Fed Prez stated that rates could be cut without hurting inflation. Even though this was counteracted by Boston Fed Prez stating skepticism about the need for a cut, investors still reacted with great enthusiasm with the odds for a December cut in one day suddenly doubling from 39% to 72%. Though the day saw solid gains, because of the big drawdowns of the past few days, all the indexes were down for the week anywhere from 2 to 2.7%. Volume came in at 21 billion, a bit above the 20 billion average. 

DJ: 45,752.26  -386.51         NAS: 22,078.05  -486.18         S&P: 6,538.76  -103.40        11/20

DJ: 46,245.41  +493.15        NAS: 22,273.08  +195.04        S&P: 6,602.99  +64.23         11/21

Fri 11-21-25 5:32 pm Wall Street indexes jump as rate cut bets increase but post losses for week | Reuters

Wall Street indexes end lower after sharp reversal, tech leads drop

Wall Street indexes end lower after sharp reversal, tech leads drop

By Caroline Valetkevitch   Thu November 20, 2025 5:17 PM

 

Today was a grand example of why Wall Street is so much fun. Everyone thought the market was going to soar today given Nvidia’s surprising and wonderful Q3 report that was released right after the bell and resulted in a big jump in their stock price. But that’s not what happened. Even though all the indexes started the day way up, the Dow up some 800, the Nasdaq some 600, it only lasted until about 11:00 a.m. when it began plunging and went straight down the rest of the session with all three closing into serious 3-digit losses again. Even the S&P was down 3-digits.  

Wall Street indexes end rocky session higher ahead of Nvidia earnings

Wall Street indexes end rocky session higher ahead of Nvidia earnings

By Caroline Valetkevitch

Wed November 19, 2025 4:03 PM

Speak of a rocky day, all the indexes were way up in the morning, the Dow up some 200, the Nasdaq 400, before beginning another drastic plunge around 10:30 a.m., possibly reflecting changing sentiment that maybe enough tech had been sold off enough and that maybe Nvidia’s report won’t be all that bad. The plunge was attributed to the Fed once again making statements that another rate cut would hurt inflation. A further sell off had been expected pending the AI giant’s after-hours report and the report did come in after-hours – just barely! It was actually at 4:15 pm, 15 minutes after close, that Nvidia’s stock began to soar when the report revealed that they handily beat expectations.  

S&P 500 ends down for a 4th day as valuation worries weigh, Home Depot drops

S&P 500 ends down for a 4th day as valuation worries weigh, Home Depot drops

By Caroline Valetkevitch

Tue November 18, 2025 5:14 PM

 

For the fourth straight day, fears of over-stretched valuations, being at their highest since 2000, once again brought all the indexes way down, creating the longest S&P losing streak in three months and moving the index below its 50-day moving average for the first time seven months. Also weighing heavily on sentiment is Home Depot lowering its annual profit forecast and with corresponding Q3 earnings that disappointed. There’s also the damper of private labor reports showing a sharp uptick in the number of people on unemployment in September and October.  

Wall Street ends sharply lower, Treasury yields slip as investors eye Nvidia results, data onslaught

Wall Street ends sharply lower, Treasury yields slip as investors eye Nvidia results, data onslaught

By Stephen Culp

Mon November 17, 2025 6:19 PM

Everything was swimming along fine right along flat until about 12:30 when massive panic-selling came out of nowhere. Though no explanations were given as to what exactly transpired at that hour, the explanation that was given was that uncertainties regarding stretched valuations, a possible AI bubble, and a weakened labor market which began last Thursday has now stretched into a third day of very serious sell-offs with both the Dow and Nasdaq into serious 3-digit losses. Today the added trigger is the coming later this week of those long awaited government labor reports which have been on hold due to the shutdown.  

Wall Street ends mixed; traders look to Nvidia report

Wall Street ends mixed; traders look to Nvidia report

By Noel Randewich

Fri November 14, 2025 6:40 PM

The Dow took another real beating today with inflation concerns and labor market fears haunting investors. The index dipped as low as 600 points in the morning but recovered more than half of that by close. Tech finally caught a break though at least in terms of trimming losses as both indexes enjoyed modest gains during the day but closed pretty close to flat as investors sit on the fence awaiting Nvidia’s results next week. As today’s expert put it, “We’ve got a huge event next week with Nvidia. If Nvidia disappoints, they will be punished.”  At 20.1 billion shares traded, volume almost exactly matched the 20.2 billion average.  

DJ: 47,457.22  -797.60        NAS: 22,870.36  -536.10        S&P: 6,737.49  -113.43          11/13

DJ: 47,147.48  -309.74        NAS: 22,900.59  +30.23         S&P: 6,734.11  -3.38               11/14

Fri 11-14-25 6:40 pm Wall Street ends mixed; traders look to Nvidia report | Reuters

Equities, bond prices fall as hopes fade for Fed rate cut in December

Equities, bond prices fall as hopes fade for Fed rate cut in December

By Sinéad Carew and Marc Jones

Thu November 13, 2025 4:34 PM  

With news out of Washington today that it may take longer than expected to recover from the shutdown, that indeed we may not ever get any October labor data, all three indexes plunged severely, all in serious 3-digit losses. Adding to the plunge was considerably stronger hawkish Fed talk which led to the odds of a December rate cut also plunging, as the markets very much expected that rate cut. The decline began all around at open and continued a steady downward slope all day.  

Dow notches record-high close while Amazon weighs on Nasdaq

Dow notches record-high close while Amazon weighs on Nasdaq

By Noel Randewich and Twesha Dikshit

Wed November 12, 2025 5:19 PM  

Today was a carbon copy of yesterday with the Dow still going crazy with exuberance over the expected end of the shutdown but over-valuations still plaguing tech with giants Amazon, Tesla, and Oracle taking hits and Nvidia taking an especially big hit with Softbank selling a large chunk of its Nvidia stock. Even though there are still bumps in the road ahead in transitioning out of the shutdown, sentiment runs high and a December rate cut has been given 65% odds.  Volume continues well below the 20.5 billion average, coming in today at 17.2 billion.  

DJ: 47,927.96  +559.33        NAS: 23,468.30  -58.87         S&P: 6,846.61  +14.18          11/11

DJ: 48,254.82  +326.86        NAS: 23,406.46  -61.84         S&P: 6,850.92  +4.31             11/12

Wed 11-12-25 5:19 pm Dow notches record-high close while Amazon weighs on Nasdaq | Reuters

Dow notches record high close, traders bet on end to government shutdown

Dow notches record high close, traders bet on end to government shutdown

By Noel Randewich

Tue November 11, 2025 4:22 PM

Yesterday, the market reacted with great exuberance over the news that the shutdown would likely end soon and today, at least with industrials, the exuberance continued in force with the Dow rising continuously throughout the day and closing up 599 points. Unfortunately, it wasn’t enough to allay the fears in tech of stretched valuations and a possible coming bubble in AI.  

Wall Street jumps, Nvidia and Palantir lead AI surge

Wall Street jumps, Nvidia and Palantir lead AI surge

By Purvi Agarwal and Noel Randewich

Mon November 10, 2025 6:37 PM  

The headlines about the likelihood of the shutdown ending soon hit the markets with great exuberance, causing all three indexes to soar into major 3-digit gains. Though it is still unclear as to when the bills will pass, the President will sign, and operations will resume, as far as investors are concerned, the handwriting is definitely on the wall. 

Wall St ends mixed on signs of shutdown progress

Wall St ends mixed on signs of shutdown progress

By Stephen Culp

Fri November 7, 2025 4:21 PM

The usual jitters concerning sky-high valuations and the government shutdown continued in full force today with all the indexes taking another major dive in the morning, the Dow down some 400 by noon, only to be rescued by afternoon optimism after reports of progress in the congressional impasse which shot the market back to near break-even by close and even a nice 74 point gain in the Dow. The lack of government data has been a big hindrance to analysts trying to gauge where we’re heading and today’s U of M consumer sentiment survey didn’t help at all as it plunged to its most pessimistic reading in the survey’s history.  

Stocks fall with tech shares; sterling up as BoE keeps rates unchanged

Stocks fall with tech shares; sterling up as BoE keeps rates unchanged

By Caroline Valetkevitch

Thu November 6, 2025 5:56 PM

After yesterday’s ebullient optimism, pessimism was once again on the front burner today as traditional worries regarding stretched valuations, the shutdown, tariff uncertainties and a downtick in Q3 earnings dominated sentiment and sent all indexes straight down into major 3-digit losses. A poor Qualcomm Q3 sent that stock down 3.6% and the overall chip index down 2.4%.  As expressed by today’s expert, “The market wants guidance and right now, with tariffs, the shutdown, and possibly peak AI, the future could be bleak.”  

Stocks climb after upbeat earnings, economic data; Treasury yields jump

Stocks climb after upbeat earnings, economic data; Treasury yields jump

By Caroline Valetkevitch

Wed November 5, 2025 6:20 PM  

The markets were spooked yesterday by changing sentiment brought on by the two big banks regarding a coming bubble and major correction predictions. All that got reversed today with a new spate of solid corporate earnings shooting the chip index back up recovering almost all of yesterday’s 4% losses. There was also a fair amount of relief in the labor markets when the private payrolls numbers came in at a very healthy 42,000 added jobs vs a 28,000 estimate, bringing renewed faith in the resiliency of the economy.  

Wall St ends lower as bank CEOs warn of possible pullback, fueling tech bubble jitters

Wall St ends lower as bank CEOs warn of possible pullback, fueling tech bubble jitters

By Stephen Culp

Tue November 4, 2025 4:21 PM  

The “glass half empty” people came out of the woodwork today. For quite some time people like Jamie Dimon have been warning of stretched valuations and the distinct possibility of a coming bubble, especially in tech being stretched so much by very heavy investment in AI.  Today Dimon was joined by the likes of the Morgan Stanley and Goldman Sachs CEOs stating their beliefs that a bubble was indeed possibly coming due to all the recent record highs triggered by abundant enthusiasm with AI. 

S&P 500, Nasdaq end higher on Amazon-OpenAI deal; Fed path forward grows murky

S&P 500, Nasdaq end higher on Amazon-OpenAI deal; Fed path forward grows murky

By Stephen Culp

Mon November 3, 2025 4:25 PM  

Tech had a moderately successful day but with the Dow, as industrials often do, going in the opposite direction. Amazon’s huge investment in AI was the main driver pushing up tech while the major healthcare companies suffering 2-4% losses was the main dampener on the Dow. But AI remains the major driver for market gains just as it has been throughout this entire bull market. The Fed remains murky on its outlook due to the lack of government data from the shutdown though data available from the ISM shows purchasing managers struggling with the uncertainty created by the tariffs.  

Wall Street gains on Amazon boost but rate caution tempers enthusiasm

Wall Street gains on Amazon boost but rate caution tempers enthusiasm

By Sinéad Carew and Pranav Kashyap

Fri October 31, 2025 6:38 PM  

It was another teeter-totter day with the indexes way up in the morning, then diving into the red mid-day only to rebound in the afternoon into decent if not spectacular gains. The main push today was a stellar Q3 from Amazon after yesterday’s Mag 7 disappointments. And Apple, though it beat expectations today, weighed down the market with Tim Cook’s comments about supply constraints, obviously a reference to the China conflict. The Fed’s continued comments regarding doubts of a December rate cut also dampened sentiment.  

Wall Street indexes fall as Meta, Microsoft drag, along with Fed rate concerns

Wall Street indexes fall as Meta, Microsoft drag, along with Fed rate concerns

By Sinéad Carew and Pranav Kashyap

Thu October 30, 2025 6:10 PM  

Okay, it was reported yesterday that Meta, Microsoft and Google had turned in disappointing Q3 reports after the bell and that would probably be reflected in today’s trading. It certainly was as all three stocks slumped and sent all the indexes into triple digit losses after four straight days of new record gains. Tech was on a constant all-day downward slope and, as tech goes, industrials generally go opposite which was reflected in the Dow’s nearly 400 point gain by 11 a.m. but the bad tech news even sent the industrials down for the rest of the day after that.  

Dow ends down, S&P 500 flat as Powell says December rate cut far from assured

Dow ends down, S&P 500 flat as Powell says December rate cut far from assured

By Caroline Valetkevitch

Wed October 29, 2025 7:11 PM

The day started with a bang as the Fed announced the widely expected rate cut and stayed way up most of the day, the Dow zooming over 300 points. Then right around 2:30, Powell made some remarks to take some of the wind out of the sails stating that the other rate cut widely expected in December is now far from certain. All three indexes immediately tanked sending the Dow into the red and the S&P flat. The odds on this third cut has instantly changed from the almost certain 90% to a much more murky 71%.  

Wall Street indexes post record closing highs as Nvidia jumps, megacap earnings ahead

Wall Street indexes post record closing highs as Nvidia jumps, megacap earnings ahead

By Caroline Valetkevitch

Tue October 28, 2025 5:19 PM  

Both tech indexes were running rather flat all morning until about 11:30 when both the S&P and Nasdaq surged to new closing highs. That was probably when Nvidia announced its big news of a contract to build AI supercomputers for the government, shooting the stock way up and bringing the company close to the $5 trillion mark for the first time in history, surpassing Apple’s $4 trillion market capitalization. Meanwhile Microsoft also announced a deal to restructure OpenAI which shot its stock up 2%.  

Wall St scales fresh highs on tech earnings, US-China trade optimism

Wall St scales fresh highs on tech earnings, US-China trade optimism

By Sinéad Carew and Pranav Kashyap

Mon October 27, 2025 6:24 PM  

It was a repeat of Friday with all three indexes jumping right up out the gate with impressive 3-digit gains in both the Dow and Nasdaq which stayed steady all day. Three pieces of good news were at the root – a high degree of confidence that Thursday’s trade talks with China will go well, five of the Magnificent Seven stocks reporting this week to test the viability of AI profitability, and an all but certain coming rate cut. Also new record highs for s second day in a row.  

Wall Street notches record closing highs on cool inflation, solid earnings

Wall Street notches record closing highs on cool inflation, solid earnings

By Stephen Culp

Fri October 24, 2025 4:26 PM

There was nothing but good news today starting with a host of upbeat earnings reports and compounded by a CPI report showing that, though inflation remains elevated, it’s not as bad as was expected thereby offering some relief to the fears of the tariffs stoking more. The CPI is one of the very few reports the government has decided to issue during the shutdown and also one of the most important inflation gauges.  

Wall St ends higher amid mixed earnings, Trump-Xi meeting confirmed

Wall St ends higher amid mixed earnings, Trump-Xi meeting confirmed

By Stephen Culp

Thu October 23, 2025 5:36 PM  

Yesterday, with the draconian announcement that Trump was curbing electronic exports to China, the whole market tanked, not only due to that but to skepticism that next Tuesday’s Trump-Xi meeting would happen at all. Today came the announcement that the meeting was on and all three indexes soared from the open and all day. Q3 is moving right along with now over a quarter of companies reporting and with 86% beating estimates.  

Wall Street ends lower on mixed earnings, revived US-China trade tensions

Wall Street ends lower on mixed earnings, revived US-China trade tensions

By Stephen Culp

Wed October 22, 2025 4:20 PM  

It was a real rout today with all three indexes going immediately and deeply into the red, some of it triggered by an upcoming inflation report not expected to be good and thus motivating profit-taking. But the sell off was also greatly aggravated by Trump really cranking up the China rhetoric today, this time curbing sales of many U.S. products that contain U.S.-made software.  

Wall Street ends mixed as earnings lift the Dow

Wall Street ends mixed as earnings lift the Dow

By Stephen Culp

Tue October 21, 2025 4:30 PM

Upbeat Q3 reports from industrials shot the Dow right up and it stayed up the whole day, but disappointment from chip companies generated a lot of volatility in tech leaving the Nasdaq down and the S&P near flat. Today’s weakness is explained by today’s expert, “We’re at a little bit of a point of indecision, where nobody feels particularly strongly about anything,” thus muting the reaction to earnings. With the indexes at record highs and valuations stretched, the positive Q3 is no longer sufficient for risk taking.  

Wall St ends sharply higher as earnings optimism fuels risk appetite

Wall St ends sharply higher as earnings optimism fuels risk appetite

By Stephen Culp

Mon October 20, 2025 4:16 PM

All it took was a few more positive Q3 reports to change sentiment to seeing the big sell-off late last week over an impending credit crisis as an overreaction. More positive banking reports came in as well as a big boost from tech which shot all the indexes way up from the outset and staying there all day. This week will also include reports from Tesla, Netflix, IBM, Intel, GM and Ford along with a mix of other high profile industrial firms. More regional bank results are also coming which will hopefully ease the fear of credit stress.  

Wall Street ends higher as investors digest Trump trade comments

Wall Street ends higher as investors digest Trump trade comments

By Noel Randewich and Twesha Dikshit

Fri October 17, 2025 4:43 PM  

It was another herky-jerky day with all the indexes up and down like crazy, but at least they were all mostly in the black all day and closed well above the earlier lows which were near-flat up until about 2 pm when suddenly everything shot up.  There were a couple of triggers to the afternoon rally. First, Trump backed off a little on his China rhetoric in regards to the 100% tariff stating that these would not be sustainable or, in other words, if they happen at all it’ll be very short term. Then there were more Q3 from more regional banks that were not nearly as disappointing as yesterday’s, leading analysts to conclude that there was no serious credit crisis looming or, as one expert put it, “There’s a lot more bark than bite on the credit fears.”  

Wall Street ends down; Zions sparks worries about regional banks

Wall Street ends down; Zions sparks worries about regional banks

By Noel Randewich

Thu October 16, 2025 6:25 PM  

It was another very jagged day but mostly on a downward trajectory as all three indexes went south in a substantial way. Whereas the first two days of Q3 reporting showed the banks and the subsequent economy doing well, that all changed on Day #3 with weak reports from regional banks triggering fears that the resilience may not be there after all, highlighting possible problems in the credit markets. Even AI took a dip today.  

S&P 500 ends higher after strong bank earnings, chip stocks rally

S&P 500 ends higher after strong bank earnings, chip stocks rally

By Noel Randewich

Wed October 15, 2025 7:06 PM  

Volatility was certainly the order of the day with the indexes way up in the morning, the Dow up over 330, only to start a dive around 10 a.m. that continued into a 240 point loss into the red by 1 pm only to bounce back again to break-even a mere hour later and then close basically flat. It’s the continuing tug-of-war between Q3 reporting which so far from the banks has been very positive, and the trade conflict with China.  

Wall Street ends mixed; banks rally on upbeat results

Wall Street ends mixed; banks rally on upbeat results

By Noel Randewich

Tue October 14, 2025 4:28 PM

 

Even though all the indexes started in the red and stayed there most of the morning, at least there was a solid upward trajectory right away that led at least the Dow to an over 400 point gain by 2 pm. Then this afternoon Trump announced not only were the Chinese tariffs back on the table but he was considering ending some trade ties with China altogether, one item being cooking oil.  

Wall Street ends sharply higher on Trump China comments; Broadcom surges

Wall Street ends sharply higher on Trump China comments; Broadcom surges

By Sukriti Gupta and Noel Randewich

Mon October 13, 2025 5:07 PM

The gains today were huge following Friday’s carnage in which Trump announced an additional 100% tariff on China. But today he announced that he was going to South Korea to meet with the Chinese leader to try and iron out differences and that’s all it took for the market to come back big time. Of course the real proof will be in the pudding. Will there be a new agreement after this meeting?  

Wall Street sells off as Trump hits China with more tariffs

Wall Street sells off as Trump hits China with more tariffs

By Stephen Culp

Fri October 10, 2025 6:22 PM  

Yesterday there was the threat of a wildly increased tariff on China. Today the threat became a reality with an extra 100% tariff announced likely at 11 a.m. as that was the precise moment that all three indexes went into freefall resulting in a huge sell off that continued all day. That’s 100% in addition to the already steep tariffs on the world’s second largest economy. Between the two days, the Dow lost over 1100 points, the Nasdaq nearly 840, the S&P a whopping 200+.  This was all completely predictable and should have been a heyday for the short sellers. The damage to tech was enormous, with the chip index falling 6.3%. It was the largest single day percentage drop since the so-called “Liberation Day” April 2^nd, a pullback that took months to recover from.  

Wall Street closes lower, pausing record-setting rally as earnings approach

Wall Street closes lower, pausing record-setting rally as earnings approach

By Stephen Culp

Thu October 9, 2025 7:27 PM

Yesterday it was a straight shot up, today a straight shot down as, after the recent record highs combined with the uncertainty of no data to drive the markets as we are in the ninth day of the shutdown with everyone in pause mode as we await the first Q3 reports next week, there was more than sufficient incentive to take profits today. The exception to this was the Nasdaq that, though there were 3-digit losses all around, the AI driven index managed to recover to near break-even by close.  

S&P 500, Nasdaq end higher as tech strength outweighs Fed concerns

S&P 500, Nasdaq end higher as tech strength outweighs Fed concerns

By Stephen Culp

Wed October 8, 2025 4:37 PM

It was a shot straight up for tech continuing to ride the AI craze and pushing the Nasdaq up 3-digits, the S&P and Nasdaq once again achieving new record highs. The Dow was not as lucky, the index pushed up over 200 by noon but then immediately sliding back to close flat. Among other things, one trigger that caused the plunge was a 4.7% dip in home loan demand, this despite the easing interest rates. The shutdown, now in its eighth day, continues to be shrugged off.  

Wall Street retreats from record closing highs as economic worries mount

Wall Street retreats from record closing highs as economic worries mount

By Stephen Culp

Tue October 7, 2025 4:16 PM

The day began with all three indexes ever so modestly in the black but began an immediate withdrawal that sank all three, the Nasdaq down 3-digits, the Dow close to that, reaching a bottom around noon and then staying there all day with no further recovery. With the shutdown depriving analysts of any new data, a lot more uncertainty has been produced about what’s happening and secondary sources must now be used.  

S&P 500, Nasdaq reach all-time closing highs on AI dealmaking boost

S&P 500, Nasdaq reach all-time closing highs on AI dealmaking boost

By Stephen Culp

Mon October 6, 2025 4:20 PM

All the indexes took a shot straight up today putting the S&P and Nasdaq at still new records. The Dow was the exception that took a steep 350-point dive right out the gate but started a recovery as early as 10 a.m. but still never quite made it to breakeven. The shutdown is in its 6^th day and for a 6^th day the markets are shrugging it off, namely due to the impetus of AI, particularly today when chip leader AMD struck a deal with OpenAI that the market liked very much, boosting the chip index by 2.9% and AMD’s stock value by a whopping 23.7%. But, as one expert cautioned, “AI is a wave and waves don’t go on forever; it will eventually crest and decline.  

Dow, S&P 500 manage record closing highs; Nasdaq falls in volatile session

Dow, S&P 500 manage record closing highs; Nasdaq falls in volatile session

By Reuters

Fri October 3, 2025 5:24 PM

In the third day of the shutdown, the resulting analysis paralysis is working to the market’s favor as, even though there was no jobs report today, the assumption of a continuing weakening labor force only bolstered the case for more rate cuts, another example of bad news taken as good news. An October cut is now virtually certain while the odds of a December cut are at a whopping 84%. All three indexes were up in the morning, the Dow up some 530 points by 1 pm, before declining to a much more modest close but still in the black.  

Wall Street closes with records as tech support offsets labor, shutdown uncertainties

Wall Street closes with records as tech support offsets labor, shutdown uncertainties

By Sinéad Carew and Niket Nishant

Thu October 2, 2025 4:53 PM  

Given the historical track record of government closures not really seriously impacting the stock market, plus the continuing optimism that there will be two more rate cuts this year, the market just keeping pushing up and up. Because of that, the Nasdaq had a better day. But the soft employment numbers we’ve been seeing for a while now plus the shutdown has at least kept the advances elsewhere modest in this already greatly overvalued market. The S&P for instance rose just 4 points but it was already at a 5-year record high so the 4 points sent it to still another record high, as did the Dow.  

Wall Street closes higher, boosted by healthcare as investors shrug off jobs data, US shutdown

Wall Street closes higher, boosted by healthcare as investors shrug off jobs data, US shutdown

By Sinéad Carew and Niket Nishant

Wed October 1, 2025 4:38 PM  

The groundwork had already been laid for a boost in healthcare stocks when Trump announced yesterday he had a deal with drugmakers to lower their prices for Medicaid. Today that modest boost was apparently all investors cared about as sentiment returned today to brush off the government shutdown and even ignore a weak payrolls report that showed 85,000 fewer jobs than forecast. To be fair, history is on our side. According to Deutsche Bank, the markets have historically been resilient during closures, the S&P rising in each of the last six shutdowns.  

Wall Street indexes close higher with quarterly and monthly gains even as US government shutdown looms

Wall Street indexes close higher with quarterly and monthly gains even as US government shutdown looms

By Sinéad Carew and Niket Nishant

Tue September 30, 2025 4:59 PM  

It was a mixed bag today with all of the indexes spending most of the day in the red before rallying around 1:30 to regain all the lost ground and even close modestly up. But to end Q3, it was almost all upbeat news with the S&P and Dow with five straight monthly gains and the Dow and Nasdaq with two quarters of gains. The Dow was down some 200 twice during the session but the others stayed pretty close to the vest until 1:30. Although yesterday’s trading indicated that investors weren’t particularly concerned about tonight’s potential shutdown, today sentiment changed with more serious concerns that this particular shutdown could cause considerable damage to the economy.  

Wall Street indexes climb as investors brush off government shutdown uncertainties

Wall Street indexes climb as investors brush off government shutdown uncertainties

By Sinéad Carew and Niket Nishant

Mon September 29, 2025 4:42 PM

After last Wednesday’s good real estate report and Friday’s good PCE, investor sentiment has suddenly shifted with investors largely shrugging off the upcoming obstacles – an upcoming government shutdown and doubts about more rate cuts. Today’s attitude was that there won’t be a shutdown and that, despite the cautionary notes re inflation, there will be another rate cut in November, the odds now priced at 89%, and this optimism pushed the indexes modestly higher. AI once again ruled the day, with a 3-digit increase in the Nasdaq.  

Wall Street ends higher after as-expected inflation data; S&P 500, Nasdaq post weekly declines

Wall Street ends higher after as-expected inflation data; S&P 500, Nasdaq post weekly declines

By Caroline Valetkevitch

Fri September 26, 2025 6:42 PM

The indexes got a nice little boost today, after two days of cautionary selling, when the PCE report came in with an annualized 2.7% increase in prices, exactly in line with expectations. The better news was an unexpected and welcome increase in personal income and consumer spending. The Dow gained almost 300, the Nasdaq 100. Despite the good news, after three weeks of gains, all indexes showed losses for the week, but only modestly, averaging less than ½ of 1%.  

Wall Street indexes finish lower, data raises uncertainty for rate-cut outlook

Wall Street indexes finish lower, data raises uncertainty for rate-cut outlook

By Caroline Valetkevitch

Thu September 25, 2025 5:18 PM

With the new uncertainty of the past couple of days of whether the Fed will do any more rate cuts this year, the markets once again went south, though some experts attribute this to yet another day of simply trimming back on overblown valuations. The good news is that unemployment claims are down modestly but other reports show that the economy has continued to grow and even more than expected which is bad news on the inflation front. 

Equities end lower as valuation concerns creep in​

Equities end lower as valuation concerns creep in​

By Chuck Mikolajczak

Wed September 24, 2025 6:14 PM

Something happened at 11 a.m. that sent the whole market into a tailspin, the Dow into a 3-digit loss and the Nasdaq not much better. The likely trigger was yet again Powell who made the comment, oft presented previously but now just in case you don’t believe me -- valuations are way too high and that more rate cuts would only make them go higher. All the indexes have seen record highs in recent days and the S&P alone is trading at multiples of 23-24, numbers not seen in years, with projected annualized earnings growth of 15% over the next five years.

Wall Street indexes end lower as investors digest Powell comments

Wall Street indexes end lower as investors digest Powell comments

By Caroline Valetkevitch

Tue September 23, 2025 4:02 PM

The market was ripe for a pullback and Powell provided the trigger when he reiterated the Fed positions stated yesterday that the central bank needs to get back to focusing on inflation. Offering no further clues on future rate cuts left investors to interpret the comments that there might not be. That combined with profit-taking from Nvidia that lost 2.8% today after yesterday’s big jump and tech had nowhere to go but down, down by 3-digits. Powell also emphasized how highly valued equities are, another hint that we’re ripe for a pullback, especially after all the recent record highs. Volume remained brisk at 18.9 billion, above the 17.6 average. 

DJ: 46,381.54  +66.27       NAS: 22,788.98  +157.50     S&P: 6,693.75  +29.39        9/22

DJ: 46,292.78  -88.76        NAS: 22,573.47  -215.50      S&P: 6,656.92  -36.83         9/23

Tue 9-23-25 4:02 pm Wall Street indexes end lower as investors digest Powell comments | Reuters

Wall St indexes post record closing highs again, with Nvidia, tech shares higher

Wall St indexes post record closing highs again, with Nvidia, tech shares higher

By Caroline Valetkevitch

Mon September 22, 2025 4:00 PM  

It was another shot straight, especially for tech, as all three indexes once again achieve new record highs. This was despite the fact that several Fed governors went on the record today stating that the single rate cut would be sufficient and there shouldn’t be any more, exactly the opposite of market sentiment. But the real boost came from Nvidia committing to a $100B investment in OpenAI. There are worries about Trump’s new visa fees which are very opposed by the tech giants. There is also concern about the high market valuations and that “markets appear to be kind of ignoring potential headwinds.” Per the CBOE, volume ran at 18.6 billion, above the 17.4 average.  

DJ: 46,315.27  +172.85      NAS: 22,631.48  +160.75      S&P: 6,664.36  +32.40       9/19

DJ: 46,381.54  +66.27        NAS: 22,788.98  +157.50      S&P: 6,693.75  +29.39       9/22

Mon 9-22-25 4:00 pm Wall St indexes post record closing highs again, with Nvidia, tech shares higher | Reuters

Wall St closes higher with indexes notching weekly gains

Wall St closes higher with indexes notching weekly gains

By Abigail Summerville and Purvi Agarwal

Fri September 19, 2025 4:36 PM  

For the third day after the rate cut, investors continued digesting the news and its implications and after some initial hesitation from around 10 – 11:30, sentiment changed to feeling good about the Fed changing the inflation target and heating things up a little more would be good for stocks. That started another wave of buying that had the Dow and Nasdaq in nice 3-digit gains again. Additionally, there was the sentiment that small caps move inversely to rates so those stocks will benefit disproportionately from the rest of the market to this rate cut.  

Wall Street indexes notch record-high closes as Intel soars on Nvidia stake

Wall Street indexes notch record-high closes as Intel soars on Nvidia stake

By Abigail Summerville and Sukriti Gupta

Thu September 18, 2025 4:25 PM

On the day following the long awaited ¼ point rate cut, investors have begun digesting the good news and its long-term implications and shot all the indexes up substantially, both the Dow and Nasdaq into 3-digits again. Also boosting the market was the $5B stake Nvidia has made in Intel, shooting the entire chip index up 3.6% and the S&P tech index 1.36%.  It was one very good up day but, as today’s expert noted, “We are looking for support for economic growth and justification of stretched valuations and the prospect of lower interest rate helps that.” Yes, it helps, but time will tell. Volume again was considerably elevated, coming in at 19.3 billion vs 16.67 average.  

DJ: 46,018.32  +260.42      NAS: 22,261.33  -72.63       S&P: 6,600.35  -6.41        9/17

DJ: 46,142.42  +124.10      NAS: 22,470.73  +209.40    S&P: 6,631.96  +31.61     9/18

Thu 9-18-25 4:25 pm Wall Street indexes notch record-high closes as Intel soars on Nvidia stake | Reuters