NYSE Dow Jones finished today at:

[bigdog]

U.S. markets will be closed on Monday for the Labor Day holiday.

ASX 200 expected to fall​

The Australian share market looks set to start the week in the red following a poor finish on Wall Street.

According to the latest SPI futures, the ASX 200 is expected to open the day 25 points or 0.3% lower.
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Wall Street closed out another winning month Friday, even as stocks gave back some of their recent gains, pulling the market below its latest all-time highs.

The S&P 500 fell 0.6% a day after climbing to a record high. The benchmark index ended August with a 1.9% gain, its fourth straight month of gains. It’s now up 9.8% so far this year.

The Dow Jones Industrial Average also came off its own record high, slipping 0.2%, while the Nasdaq composite closed 1.2% lower.
All told, the S&P 500 fell 41.60 points to 6,460.26. The Dow dropped 92.02 points to 45,544.88, and the Nasdaq gave up 249.61 points to close at 21,455.55.

 

[bigdog]

U.S. markets were closed on Monday for the Labor Day holiday.

ASX set to dip, global markets rise; Trump crypto token starts trading

World shares were mixed on Monday as investors watched for further developments after a US court ruled against President Donald Trump’s sweeping higher tariffs.

www.theage.com.au

ASX set to dip, global markets rise; Trump crypto token starts trading​

By Eliane Kurtenbach​

September 2, 2025 — 5.04am
World shares were mixed on Monday as investors watched for further developments after a US court ruled against President Donald Trump’s sweeping higher tariffs.

US markets were to remain closed on Monday for the Labor Day holiday. The futures for the S&P 500 and the Dow Jones Industrial Average edged 0.1 per cent higher.

The Australian sharemarket is set to dip, with futures pointing to a loss of 4 points at the open. The ASX lost 0.5 per cent on Monday. The Australian dollar was fetching US65.52¢ at 5.07am AEST.

The US Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit ruled Friday that Trump went too far when he declared national emergencies to justify imposing sharply higher import taxes on almost every country on earth.

The ruling largely upheld a May decision by a specialised federal trade court in New York. But the 7-4 appeals court decision tossed out a part of that ruling striking down the tariffs immediately, allowing the administration time to appeal to the US Supreme Court.

European markets closed higher, with Germany’s DAX adding 0.6 per cent and the CAC 40 in Paris rising 0.1 per cent.
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Britain’s FTSE 100 added 0.1 per cent.

Crypto traders had their first opportunity to buy and sell the tokens tied to a project endorsed by Trump and his family.

WLFI, a governance token issued by World Liberty Financial and originally designed for voting on ideas to improve the protocol, will begin trading on September 1.

It jumped more than 17 per cent to a high of 33 cents when it began trading on crypto exchanges , according to data collated by CoinGecko. The token debuted at an average price of around 28 cents, listed on platforms including Binance, OKX and Kraken.

By midday in New York, the token had given up those gains and was trading down around 15 per cent near a price of $0.24.

E-commerce giant Alibaba Group Holding’s shares traded in Hong Kong rocketed 19 per cent higher after the company reported strong growth in its cloud computing segment and other areas including “instant commerce,” or hyper-fast deliveries at low prices. Alibaba’s US traded shares surged 13.5 per cent on Friday.

A government survey released Saturday showed China’s factory activity improved marginally in August, with the purchasing managers index, or PMI, issued by the National Statistics Bureau rising to 49.4 from 49.3 in July. The survey is on a scale of 0 to 100 where 50 marks the cutoff for expansion.

Another, private sector survey called the RatingDog China General Manufacturing PMI showed the general PMI at 50.5 last month, up from 49.4 in July. Averaging the two surveys yields a PMI of 49.9, suggesting some resilience in the manufacturing sector despite US tariffs of over 50 per cent on Chinese goods, Zichun Huang of Capital Economics said in a commentary.

China and the US are still negotiating over a broad trade agreement.

“The PMIs suggest that China’s economy accelerated last month, thanks to faster growth across manufacturing and services. But we don’t see much upside over the rest of the year,” Huang said.

Japan’s Nikkei 225 index fell 1.2 per cent to 42,188.79, while the Kospi in South Korea shed 1.4 per cent to 3,142.93.

Taiwan’s benchmark lost 0.7 per cent and India’s Sensex gained 0.7 per cent.

Shares sank 1.2 per cent in Jakarta after Indonesia’s president, Prabowo Subianto, pledged on Sunday to revoke lawmakers’ perks and privileges, to try to ease public fury after nationwide protests left six people dead. It was a rare concession in response to mounting public anger.

ASX 200 expected to fall again​

The Australian share market looks set to fall on Tuesday following a poor start to the week on Wall Street.

According to the latest SPI futures, the ASX 200 is poised to open the day 8 points or 0.1% lower.

U.S. markets were closed on Monday for the Labor Day holiday.

U.S. markets were closed on Monday

 

[bigdog]

US stocks sink under the weight of rising pressure from the bond market

Wall Street fell under the weight of pressure from the bond market. The S&P 500 slipped 0.7% Tuesday.

apnews.com

US stocks sink under the weight of rising pressure from the bond market​

By STAN CHOE
Updated 8:24 AM GMT+10, September 3, 2025

NEW YORK (AP) — Wall Street sank on Tuesday as rising pressure from the bond market pulled U.S. stocks further from their records.

The S&P 500 fell 0.7% for its worst day in a month after paring a loss that earlier reached 1.5%. The Dow Jones Industrial Average dropped 249 points, or 0.5%, and the Nasdaq composite lost 0.8%. All three are still relatively close to their recently set all-time highs.

Big Tech companies led the market lower. They’ve been soaring for years on expectations that they’ll continue to dominate the economy, but they have also shot so high that critics say their prices have become too expensive.

Nvidia, whose chips are powering much of the world’s move into artificial-intelligence technology, fell 2% and was the single strongest force pulling the S&P 500 downward. Amazon sank 1.6%, and Apple dropped 1%.

The overall stock market felt pressure from rising yields in the bond market, where the 10-year Treasury yield climbed to 4.27% from 4.23% late Friday. When bonds are paying more in interest, investors are less willing to pay high prices for stocks.

Longer-term bond yields are on the rise around the world, in part because of worries about how difficult it will be for governments to repay their growing mountains of debt.

In the United States, longer-term Treasury yields are feeling additional pressure from President Donald Trump’s attacks on the Federal Reserve for not cutting interest rates sooner. The fear is that a less independent Fed will be less likely to make the unpopular decisions needed to keep inflation under control over the long term, such as keeping short-term rates higher than investors would like.

Tuesday was also the first opportunity for trading after a federal appeals court ruled late Friday that Trump overstepped his legal authority when announcing sweeping tariffs on almost every country on Earth, though it left the tariffs in place for now.
A currency trader passes by screens showing the Korea Composite Stock Price Index (KOSPI), center left, and the foreign exchange rate between U.S. dollar and South Korean won, center, at the foreign exchange dealing room of the Hana Bank headquarters in Seoul, South Korea, Tuesday, Sept. 2, 2025. (AP Photo/Ahn Young-joon)

A currency trader passes by screens showing the Korea Composite Stock Price Index (KOSPI), center left, and the foreign exchange rate between U.S. dollar and South Korean won, center, at the foreign exchange dealing room of the Hana Bank headquarters in Seoul, South Korea, Tuesday, Sept. 2, 2025. (AP Photo/Ahn Young-joon)

Trump’s tariffs have certainly created confusion across the global economy and may have hurt the U.S. job market. But less income from them could also force the U.S. government to borrow more to pay its bills, according to Scott Wren, senior global market strategist at Wells Fargo Investment Institute.

In another signal of increasing worries in financial markets, the price of gold rose to touch another record. The metal has often provided a haven for investors in times of uncertainty.

Treasury yields briefly trimmed their gains after a report on Tuesday said U.S. manufacturing shrank by more last month than economists expected. Many companies told the Institute for Supply Management that tariffs are continuing to make conditions chaotic.

“Too much uncertainty for us and our customers regarding tariffs and the U.S./global economy,” one company in the chemical products industry said, while noting that orders across most product lines have weakened.

The worse-than-expected data on manufacturing could give the Federal Reserve more leeway to cut its main interest rate for the first time this year at its next meeting in a couple of weeks. That’s the widespread expectation among traders, though economic reports coming later this week could change things.

The highlight for the week is coming on Friday, when economists expect a report to show that U.S. employers upped their hiring by a bit last month. Last month’s weaker-than-expected jobs report raised worries about the economy and cranked up expectations for coming cuts to rates by the Fed.

On Wall Street, Constellation Brands tumbled 6.6% after the beer, wine and spirits company warned that it’s seen a slowdown in purchases of its high-end beers, particularly among its Hispanic customers. That pushed it to slash its forecast for profit this fiscal year.

Kraft Heinz fell 7% after announcing that it’s splitting into two, a decade after a merger of the brands created one of the biggest food companies on the planet.

One of the companies will include shelf stable meals and include brands such as Heinz, Philadelphia cream cheese and Kraft Mac & Cheese. The other will include the Oscar Mayer, Kraft Singles and Lunchables brands. The official names of the two companies will be released later.

Among the stock market’s few gainers was PepsiCo, which rose 1.1% after an investment firm said it sent suggestions to the company’s board to reaccelerate its growth and boost financial performance. The investor, Elliott Investment Management, has a history of buying into companies and pushing for big changes that can lead to better stock performance.

All told, the S&P 500 fell 44.72 points to 6,415.54. The Dow Jones Industrial Average dropped 249.07 to 45,295.81, and the Nasdaq composite sank 175.92 to 21,279.63.

In stock markets abroad, indexes slumped across Europe, with Germany’s DAX losing 2.3%. That followed a more mixed finish in Asia, where indexes rose 0.9% in Seoul but fell 0.5% in Hong Kong.

ASX 200 expected to fall again​

The Australian share market looks set to fall again on Wednesday following another poor night of trade on Wall Street.

According to the latest SPI futures, the ASX 200 is expected to open the day 37 points or 0.4% lower this morning.
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Wall Street sank on Tuesday as rising pressure from the bond market pulled U.S. stocks further from their records.

The S&P 500 fell 0.7% for its worst day in a month after paring a loss that earlier reached 1.5%. The Dow Jones Industrial Average dropped 249 points, or 0.5%, and the Nasdaq composite lost 0.8%. All three are still relatively close to their recently set all-time highs.

Big Tech companies led the market lower. They’ve been soaring for years on expectations that they’ll continue to dominate the economy, but they have also shot so high that critics say their prices have become too expensive.

All told, the S&P 500 fell 44.72 points to 6,415.54. The Dow Jones Industrial Average dropped 249.07 to 45,295.81, and the Nasdaq composite sank 175.92 to 21,279.63.

 

[bigdog]

Wall Street steadies itself as Alphabet rallies and pressure eases from the bond market

Wall Street steadied itself after Alphabet and other technology stocks rose. The S&P 500 added 0.5% Wednesday and broke the two-day losing skid it's been on since setting its latest all-time high.

apnews.com

Wall Street steadies itself as Alphabet rallies and pressure eases from the bond market​

By STAN CHOE
Updated 7:01 AM GMT+10, September 4, 2025

NEW YORK (AP) — Wall Street steadied on Wednesday after Alphabet and other technology stocks rallied. It also got some relief from easing pressure from the bond market, where the latest discouraging report on the U.S. job market bolstered expectations that the Federal Reserve will cut interest rates soon to support the economy.

The S&P 500 climbed 0.5% to break the two-day losing slide it had been on since setting its latest all-time high. The Dow Jones Industrial Average dipped 24 points, or 0.1%, and the Nasdaq composite climbed 1%.

Google’s parent company was one of the strongest forces lifting the market and jumped 9.1% after avoiding some of the worst-case scenarios in its antitrust case. A federal judge on Tuesday ordered a shake-up of Google’s search engine but did not force a sale of its Chrome browser.

Because Alphabet is one of Wall Street’s most valuable companies, its stock movements carry much more weight on the S&P 500 and other indexes than the typical company’s.

Also helping to steady Wall Street was a calming bond market. A day earlier, yields climbed worldwide on worries about governments’ abilities to repay their growing mountains of debt, as well as concerns that President Donald Trump’s pressure on the Federal Reserve to cut short-term interest rates could lead to higher inflation in the long term.

Such worries have pushed investors to demand higher yields before lending money to governments. And when bonds are paying more in interest, investors feel less need to pay high prices for stocks, which are riskier investments.

On Wednesday, Treasury yields retreated following the latest report on the U.S. job market to come in weaker than expected. The 10-year Treasury yield fell to 4.22% from 4.28% late Tuesday, for example.

The report showed that U.S. employers were advertising 7.2 million job openings at the end of July, fewer than economists had forecast. The number bolsters the sense on Wall Street that the job market may be ossifying into a low-hire, low-fire state.

A weakened job market could push the Federal Reserve to cut its main interest rate for the first time this year at its next meeting, which is scheduled for later this month. That’s the widespread expectation among traders, with the next big data point coming on Friday via an update on U.S. hiring during August.

Lower interest rates could give the job market and overall economy a boost. The downside is that they can also push inflation higher when Trump’s tariffs may be set to raise prices for all kinds of imports.

Trading on Wall Street was mixed outside of tech stocks, which benefited from the Alphabet ruling. Apple rose 3.8% after analysts highlighted how the ruling will still allow it to sign lucrative search deals with Google.

“This is a relief, an outcome that is much better than feared for Google and for Apple,” according to Chris Marangi, co-chief investment officer of value at Gabelli Funds.

Macy’s jumped 20.7% for one of the market’s bigger gains after the retailer reported stronger profit and revenue for the latest quarter than analysts expected. The owner of Bloomingdale’s delivered the best growth in an important measure of sales in three years, and it also raised its forecasts for sales and profit this fiscal year.

American Bitcoin, a bitcoin treasury and mining company linked to the Trump family, rose 16.5% in a manic first day of trading after completing its merger with Gryphon Digital Mining. Its stock price more than doubled at one point, and its movements were so frenetic that trading was halted several times through the day.

Campbell’s rose 7.2% after the company behind the Goldfish and V8 brands reported a stronger profit for the latest quarter than analysts expected. It also said, though, that customers are continuing to be “increasingly deliberate” and that tariffs may help drag its overall earnings lower in its upcoming fiscal year.

On the losing end of Wall Street was Dollar Tree, even though the retailer likewise reported a better profit than analysts expected. A chunk of that performance came because of the timing of tariffs, which could drag down its results in the current quarter.

Analysts also said expectations were high for the value retailer coming into its report. Its stock fell 8.4%, slicing into its gain for the year that came into the day at a stellar 48.6%.

All told, the S&P 500 rose 32.72 points to 6,448.26. The Dow Jones Industrial Average fell 24.58 to 45,271.23, and the Nasdaq composite jumped 218.10 to 21,497.73.

In stock markets abroad, European indexes climbed following a weaker finish across much of Asia.

Japan’s Nikkei 225 fell 0.9% amid uncertainty about the political future of Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba.

ASX 200 expected to rebound​

The Australian share market looks set to rebound on Thursday following a better night on Wall Street.

According to the latest SPI futures, the ASX 200 is expected to open the day 31 points or 0.35% higher this morning.
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Wall Street steadied on Wednesday after Alphabet and other technology stocks rallied. It also got some relief from easing pressure from the bond market, where the latest discouraging report on the U.S. job market bolstered expectations that the Federal Reserve will cut interest rates soon to support the economy.

The S&P 500 climbed 0.5% to break the two-day losing slide it had been on since setting its latest all-time high. The Dow Jones Industrial Average dipped 24 points, or 0.1%, and the Nasdaq composite climbed 1%.

Google’s parent company was one of the strongest forces lifting the market and jumped 9.1% after avoiding some of the worst-case scenarios in its antitrust case. A federal judge on Tuesday ordered a shake-up of Google’s search engine but did not force a sale of its Chrome browser.

All told, the S&P 500 rose 32.72 points to 6,448.26. The Dow Jones Industrial Average fell 24.58 to 45,271.23, and the Nasdaq composite jumped 218.10 to 21,497.73.

 

[bigdog]

Wall Street rises to a record with hopes for cuts to interest rates

U.S. stocks rose as Wall Street made its final moves ahead of a highly anticipated report on the job market. The S&P climbed 0.8% Thursday.

apnews.com

Wall Street rises to a record with hopes for cuts to interest rates​

By STAN CHOE
Updated 7:11 AM GMT+10, September 5, 2025

NEW YORK (AP) — U.S. stocks rose to a record on Thursday as Wall Street made its final moves ahead of an update on the job market, one that could clear the way for the cuts to interest rates that investors love.

The S&P 500 added 0.8% to top the all-time high it set last week. The Dow Jones Industrial Average rose 350 points, or 0.8%, and the Nasdaq composite gained 1%.

Stocks got some lift from easing pressure from the bond market, where Treasury yields fell following the latest reports on the U.S. job market to come in worse than economists expected. One report suggested employers, not including the government, nearly halved their hiring in August from the prior month. Another said that more workers applied for unemployment benefits last week in an indication of rising layoffs.

Neither number is flashing a recession, and a third report on activity for businesses in the information and other services industries showed stronger-than-expected growth.

The upside for investors of a slowdown in the job market is that it could push the Federal Reserve to cut its main interest rate for the first time this year at its next meeting in a couple weeks. Such cuts can kickstart the economy and job market, though they can also accelerate inflation.

So far this year, the Fed has kept its main interest rate on hold because it’s been more worried about inflation potentially worsening because of President Donald Trump’s tariffs than about the job market.

“The year started with strong job growth, but that momentum has been whipsawed by uncertainty,” according to Nela Richardson, chief economist at ADP. She said several things could be behind the slowdown, including ”labor shortages, skittish consumers, and AI disruptions.”

A more comprehensive report on the job market’s health during August will arrive on Friday from the U.S. Labor Department, and it will likely carry much weight with the Fed. Ahead of it, the yield on the 10-year Treasury fell to 4.16% from 4.22% late Wednesday.

Last month’s grim jobs report, which included massive downward revisions for June and May, sent financial markets spiraling and prompted Trump to fire the head of the agency that compiles the monthly data.

On Wall Street, American Eagle Outfitters jumped 38% after the retailer reported more than double the profit that analysts had expected for its latest quarter. It benefited from a frenzy of media attention in late July over a provocative advertising campaign featuring actor Sydney Sweeney.

The ads — which featured the tagline “Sydney Sweeney has great jeans” — sparked a debate about race, Western beauty standards, and the backlash to “woke” American politics and culture.

Hewlett Packard Enterprise added 1.5% following its own better-than-expected profit report.

T. Rowe Price climbed 5.8% after announcing a deal where Goldman Sachs plans to buy up to $1 billion of its stock, or up to 3.5% of all its shares. They’re teaming up to offer access to some of the private markets where Goldman Sachs is an expert to the retirement savers and other investors that T. Rowe Price serves. Goldman Sachs added 2.5%.

On the losing side of Wall Street was Salesforce, which was the heaviest weight on the S&P 500 despite reporting a better profit than analysts expected. Analysts called the performance solid but suggested some of it may have come from one-time factors. Salesforce, which helps businesses manage their customers, slumped 4.9%.

C3.ai fell 7.3% after reporting a larger loss for the latest quarter than analysts expected. Chairman Thomas Siebel called the results “completely unacceptable,” while announcing a new chief executive for the company, Stephen Ehikian. He was most recently acting administrator of the U.S. General Services Administration.

Figma tumbled 19.9% even though the company, which offers a design and product development platform, reported results for the latest quarter that roughly matched analysts’ expectations. Figma’s forecasts for upcoming revenue also came close to analysts’, but expectations may have been even higher given that its stock came into the day at more than double its $33 IPO price from July.

All told, the S&P 500 rose 53.82 points to 6,502.08. The Dow Jones Industrial Average climbed 350.06 to 45,621.29, and the Nasdaq composite rallied 209.97 to 21,707.69.

In stock markets abroad, indexes were mixed across Europe and Asia.

Indexes dropped 1.3% in Shanghai and 1.1% in Hong Kong but jumped 1.5% in Tokyo.

ASX 200 expected to rise again​

The Australian share market looks set to rise again on Friday following a strong night in the United States.

According to the latest SPI futures, the ASX 200 is expected to open 50 points or 0.6% higher this morning.
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U.S. stocks rose to a record on Thursday as Wall Street made its final moves ahead of an update on the job market, one that could clear the way for the cuts to interest rates that investors love.

The S&P 500 added 0.8% to top the all-time high it set last week. The Dow Jones Industrial Average rose 350 points, or 0.8%, and the Nasdaq composite gained 1%.

Stocks got some lift from easing pressure from the bond market, where Treasury yields fell following the latest reports on the U.S. job market to come in worse than economists expected. One report suggested employers, not including the government, nearly halved their hiring in August from the prior month. Another said that more workers applied for unemployment benefits last week in an indication of rising layoffs.

All told, the S&P 500 rose 53.82 points to 6,502.08. The Dow Jones Industrial Average climbed 350.06 to 45,621.29, and the Nasdaq composite rallied 209.97 to 21,707.69.

 

[bigdog]

Stocks wobble as Wall Street wrangles with whether the job market is too weak

U.S. stocks wobbled lower as Wall Street questioned whether the U.S. job market has slowed by just enough to get the Federal Reserve to cut interest rates to help the economy, or by so much that a downturn may be on the way.

apnews.com

Stocks wobble as Wall Street wrangles with whether the job market is too weak​

By STAN CHOE
Updated 6:26 AM GMT+10, September 6, 2025

NEW YORK (AP) — U.S. stocks wobbled lower on Friday as Wall Street questioned whether the U.S. job market has slowed by just enough to get the Federal Reserve to cut interest rates to help the economy, or by so much that a downturn may be on the way.

After rising to an early gain, the S&P 500 erased it and fell 0.3% below the all-time high it set the day before. The Dow Jones Industrial Average dropped 220 points, or 0.5%, after swinging between an early gain of nearly 150 points and a loss of 400. The Nasdaq composite edged down by less than 0.1%.

The action was more decisive in the bond market, where Treasury yields tumbled after a report from the Labor Department said U.S. employers hired fewer workers in August than economists expected. The government also said that earlier estimates for June and July overstated hiring by 21,000 jobs.

The disappointing numbers follow last month’s discouraging jobs update, along with other lackluster reports in intervening weeks, and traders are now betting on a 100% probability that the Fed will cut its main interest rate at its next meeting on Sept. 17, according to data from CME Group. Investors love such cuts because they can give a kickstart to the economy, but the Fed has held off on them because they can also give inflation more fuel.

So far this year, the Fed has been more worried about the potential of inflation worsening because of President Donald Trump’s tariffs than about the job market. But Friday’s job numbers could push the Fed to consider cutting rates in two weeks by a steeper amount than usual, said Brian Jacobsen, chief economist at Annex Wealth Management.

“This week has been a story of a slowing labor market, and today’s data was the exclamation point,” according to Ellen Zentner, chief economic strategist for Morgan Stanley Wealth Management.

Strong hiring for health care jobs had been helping to support the overall market, “but with it now showing some tangible signs of decline, the foundation underneath the labor market seems to be cracking,” said Rick Rieder, chief investment officer of global fixed income at BlackRock.

While the data on the job market is disappointing, it’s still not so weak that it’s screaming a recession is here, and the U.S. economy is continuing to grow. A big question for investors is whether the job market can remain in a balance where it’s not so strong that it prevents cuts to interest rates but also not so weak that the economy falls off.

Uncertainty about that helped lead to Friday’s swings in the stock market. Wall Street needs things to go as hoped because it already sent stock prices to records amid expectations for a Goldilocks scenario where interest rates ease, and the economy keeps chugging along.

On Wall Street, Friday’s heaviest weight was Nvidia, the chip company that’s become the face of the artificial-intelligence boom. It’s been contending with criticism that its stock price charged too high, too fast and became too expensive following Wall Street’s rush into AI, and it fell 2.7%.

Lululemon dropped 18.6% after the yoga and athletic gear maker’s revenue for the latest quarter fell short of analysts’ expectations. CEO Calvin McDonald pointed to disappointing results from its U.S. operation, while Chief Financial Officer Meghan Frank said Lululemon is facing “industrywide challenges, including higher tariff rates.”

Still, more stocks rose on Wall Street than fell. Leading the way was Broadcom, which climbed 9.4% after reporting better profit and revenue for the latest quarter than analysts expected. CEO Hock Tan said customers are continuing to invest strongly in AI chips.

Tesla rose 3.6% after proposing a payout package that could reach $1 trillion for its CEO, Elon Musk, if the electric vehicle company meets a series of extremely aggressive targets over the next 10 years.

Smith & Wesson Brands jumped 6.5% after the gun maker delivered better results for the latest quarter than analysts expected. CEO Mark Smith said it saw good demand for new products in what’s traditionally a slow season for sales of firearms.

All told, the S&P 500 fell 20.58 points to 6,481.50. The Dow Jones Industrial Average dipped 220.43 to 45,400.86, and the Nasdaq composite slipped 7.31 to 21,700.39..

In stock markets abroad, indexes in Europe lost early gains to turn lower with Wall Street. That followed strength across much of Asia.

The Nikkei 225 rallied 1% in Tokyo after data showed accelerating growth in earnings for Japanese workers. Chinese markets rebounded following three days of decline, with indexes rising more than 1% in both Hong Kong and Shanghai.

In the bond market, the yield on the 10-year Treasury dropped to 4.09% from 4.17% late Thursday and from 4.28% on Tuesday. That’s a notable move for the bond market and could mean lower interest rates are coming for mortgages and other loans.

 

[bigdog]

ASX 200 expected to fall​

The Australian share market looks set to start to the week in the red following a poor finish on Wall Street on Friday.

According to the latest SPI futures, the ASX 200 is expected to open the day 15 points or almost 0.2% lower.
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U.S. stocks wobbled lower on Friday as Wall Street questioned whether the U.S. job market has slowed by just enough to get the Federal Reserve to cut interest rates to help the economy, or by so much that a downturn may be on the way.

After rising to an early gain, the S&P 500 erased it and fell 0.3% below the all-time high it set the day before. The Dow Jones Industrial Average dropped 220 points, or 0.5%, after swinging between an early gain of nearly 150 points and a loss of 400. The Nasdaq composite edged down by less than 0.1%.

All told, the S&P 500 fell 20.58 points to 6,481.50. The Dow Jones Industrial Average dipped 220.43 to 45,400.86, and the Nasdaq composite slipped 7.31 to 21,700.39.

 

[bigdog]

Stocks tick higher after Wall Street flirts with another record

Stocks nudged higher ahead of a week with several data reports that could dictate by how much or even whether the Federal Reserve will cut interest rates at its next meeting in a week.

apnews.com

Stocks tick higher after Wall Street flirts with another record​

By STAN CHOE
Updated 6:47 AM GMT+10, September 9, 2025

NEW YORK (AP) — Stocks drifted higher on Monday ahead of a week with several data reports that could dictate by how much or even whether the Federal Reserve will cut interest rates at its next meeting in a week.

The S&P 500 added 0.2% and finished just below its record set last week. The Dow Jones Industrial Average rose 114 points, or 0.3%, and the Nasdaq composite climbed 0.5% to its own all-time high.

AppLovin and Robinhood Markets helped lead the market after learning they will join the S&P 500 index later this month, along with Emcor Group. Many investment funds directly mimic the index or at least compare their performance against it, so a stock’s joining the list of the 500 largest companies can draw investors’ dollars immediately.

AppLovin climbed 11.6%, and Robinhood jumped 15.8% while Emcor slipped 0.6%. They will replace three companies that have shrunk enough in size to get demoted to S&P’s index of small stocks, the SmallCap 600. Those stocks, MarketAxess Holdings, Caesars Entertainment and Enphase Energy, ranged from a loss of 2.1% to a gain of 0.2%.

EchoStar jumped 19.9% after saying it agreed to sell spectrum licenses to Elon Musk’s SpaceX for $17 billion in cash and stock. SpaceX also agreed to pay for roughly $2 billion of interest payments on EchoStar debt through November 2027.

The deal will help SpaceX’s Starlink business develop direct-to-cell service, and it knocked down stocks of several telecoms. Verizon sank 2.4%, and AT&T dropped 2.3%.

PNC Financial Services Group slipped 0.3% after it said it would pay $4.1 billion to buy FirstBank, a bank owner based in Lakewood, Colorado.

All told, the S&P 500 rose 13.65 points to 6,495.15. The Dow Jones Industrial Average added 114.09 to 45,514.95, and the Nasdaq composite climbed 98.31 to 21,798.70 and topped its prior all-time high set in August.

Trading across most of the market was relatively quiet ahead of updates coming later this week on the economy and inflation. They could alter expectations among traders, who at the moment are unanimously forecasting the Fed will cut its main interest rate for the first time this year at its meeting two Wednesdays from now.

Investors tend to love such cuts because they can give a boost to the economy and to prices for investments. The downside of them is that they can also push inflation higher.

So far this year, the Fed has been more worried about the potential of inflation worsening because of President Donald Trump’s tariffs than about the job market. But a slew of recent reports showing the U.S. job market is slowing may be changing minds.

On Tuesday, the U.S. government will release preliminary revisions for job growth numbers reported through March, and it could show that hiring was weaker than earlier thought.

Reports on inflation will follow on Wednesday and Thursday, showing how much prices rose last month at the wholesale and at the consumer levels. If inflation proves to be worse than expected, it could tie the Fed’s hands.

Fed officials would need to decide which problem is more pressing, either the job market or inflation, because they have only one tool to fix them. And raising or lowering interest rates to help one tends to hurt the other in the short term.

U.S. companies have been trying several ways to preserve their profits in the face of tariffs, which push up prices for all kinds of things imported to the country. Many industrial companies are talking about their ability to raise prices, according to strategists at Morgan Stanley led by Michelle Weaver. Companies that sell nonessentials directly to consumers, meanwhile, are talking more about stockpiled inventories, which could be delaying the hit that U.S. households will feel.

In the bond market, Treasury yields continued to ease as expectations remain high for the Fed to cut interest rates. The yield on the 10-year Treasury fell to 4.04% from 4.10% late Friday and from 4.28% last Tuesday.

In stock markets abroad, indexes rose across much of Europe and Asia.

Japan’s Nikkei 225 jumped 1.5% for one of the larger gains after Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba announced that he plans to resign.

Analysts said Ishiba’s announcement was expected for some time and welcomed it as moving things forward, although uncertainty remains as the ruling Liberal Democratic Party will need to hold an election to choose a new leader. Ishiba will remain prime minister until his successor is chosen and approved by parliament.

Also Monday, Japan’s Cabinet Office said the economy expanded at a stronger rate in the fiscal first quarter than previously estimated, at a seasonally adjusted 2.2% annualized rate, better than the earlier 1.0% rate as solid consumer spending and inventories lifted growth more than previously thought.

ASX 200 expected to fall​

The Australian share market looks set to fall on Tuesday despite a good start to the week on Wall Street.

According to the latest SPI futures, the ASX 200 is poised to open the day 31 points or 0.35% lower.
.
Stocks drifted higher on Monday ahead of a week with several data reports that could dictate by how much or even whether the Federal Reserve will cut interest rates at its next meeting in a week.

The S&P 500 added 0.2% and finished just below its record set last week. The Dow Jones Industrial Average rose 114 points, or 0.3%, and the Nasdaq composite climbed 0.5% to its own all-time high.

All told, the S&P 500 rose 13.65 points to 6,495.15. The Dow Jones Industrial Average added 114.09 to 45,514.95, and the Nasdaq composite climbed 98.31 to 21,798.70 and topped its prior all-time high set in August.

​

 

[bigdog]

Wall Street rises to more records

U.S. stocks rose to more records. The S&P 500 gained 0.3% Tuesday and topped its all-time high set last week.

apnews.com

Wall Street rises to more records​

By STAN CHOE
Updated 6:56 AM GMT+10, September 10, 2025

NEW YORK (AP) — U.S. stocks rose to more records on Tuesday after the latest update on the job market bolstered Wall Street’s hopes for a slowdown that’s deep enough to get the Federal Reserve to cut interest rates, but not so overwhelming that it causes a recession.

The S&P 500 rose 0.3% and squeaked past its all-time high set last week. The Dow Jones Industrial Average climbed 196 points, or 0.4%, while the Nasdaq composite gained 0.4%. They likewise set records.

Traders have become convinced that the Federal Reserve will cut its main interest rate for the first time this year at its next meeting in a week to prop up the slowing job market. A report on Tuesday offered the latest signal of weakness, when the U.S. government said its prior count of jobs across the country through March may have been too high by 911,000, or 0.6%.

That was before President Donald Trump shocked the economy and financial markets in April by rolling out tariffs on countries worldwide.

The bet on Wall Street is that such data will convince Fed officials that the job market is the bigger problem now for the economy than the threat of inflation worsening because of Trump’s tariffs. That would push them to cut interest rates, a move that would give the economy a boost but could also send inflation higher.

A lot is riding on Wall Street’s hope that the job market is slowing by just the right amount: Investors have already sent U.S. stock prices to records because of it. Inflation also needs to stay at a reasonable level, even though it looks tough to get below the Fed’s target of 2%.

Traders are unanimously expecting a rate cut next week, but they pared their forecasts for a deeper-than-usual reduction following Tuesday’s revision for U.S. job growth. That caused a slight recovery for Treasury yields following their sharp recent slide.

“The more likely course is for the Fed to deliver an October and December cut rather than trying to deliver a catchup cut in September,” said Brian Jacobsen, chief economist at Annex Wealth Management.

Coming reports on inflation due on Wednesday and Thursday could alter expectations further. Hotter-than-expected readings could put the Fed in a worst-case scenario and make a series of cuts to rates less palatable.

On Wall Street, UnitedHealth Group climbed 8.6% after saying its executives plan to tell investors and analysts that it’s sticking with its profit forecast for 2025. That helped it trim its loss for the year so far, which came into the day at 36.7%, as insurers across the industry have contended with soaring medical costs.

Nebius Group, a Dutch company working in artificial-intelligence infrastructure, saw its stock that trades in the United States soar 49.4% after announcing a contract to deliver GPU services to Microsoft. The contract could be worth between $17.4 billion and $19.4 billion, and it runs through 2031.

Fox dropped 6.1% after Rupert Murdoch’s family said they’ve reached a deal on control of the 94-year-old mogul’s media empire after his death. The agreement ensures that there will be no change in direction at Fox News, the most popular network for President Donald Trump and conservatives.

The deal creates a trust establishing control of the Fox Corp. for Lachlan Murdoch, Rupert’s chosen heir who has been running Fox in recent years, along with his younger sisters, Grace and Chloe.

Apple slipped 1.5% after unveiling its next generation of iPhones.

All told, the S&P 500 rose 17.46 points to 6,512.61. The Dow Jones Industrial Average added 196.39 to 45,711.34, and the Nasdaq composite climbed 80.79 to 21,879.49.

In stock markets abroad, France’s CAC 40 rose 0.2% as the market remained relatively calm even though its government is facing a crisis of confidence after legislators voted to oust another prime minister. It and other governments around the world, including the United States, are facing increased scrutiny on how they plan to pay for their spending.

Indexes were mixed across the rest of Europe and in Asia.

Japan’s Nikkei 225 erased early gains to finish 0.4% lower as political uncertainty continued after Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba said over the weekend that he planned to step down. Who will replace him is still uncertain and may take weeks to decide.

In the bond market, the yield on the 10-year Treasury rose to 4.08% from 4.05% late Monday.

ASX 200 expected to open flat​

The Australian share market looks set for a subdued session on Wednesday despite a decent night of trade on Wall Street.

According to the latest SPI futures, the ASX 200 is expected to open the day 4 points lower.
.
U.S. stocks rose to more records on Tuesday after the latest update on the job market bolstered Wall Street’s hopes for a slowdown that’s deep enough to get the Federal Reserve to cut interest rates, but not so overwhelming that it causes a recession.

The S&P 500 rose 0.3% and squeaked past its all-time high set last week. The Dow Jones Industrial Average climbed 196 points, or 0.4%, while the Nasdaq composite gained 0.4%. They likewise set records.

All told, the S&P 500 rose 17.46 points to 6,512.61. The Dow Jones Industrial Average added 196.39 to 45,711.34, and the Nasdaq composite climbed 80.79 to 21,879.49.

 

[bigdog]

US stocks inch to more records as inflation slows and Oracle soars

Wall Street inched higher to set more records. The S&P 500 added 0.3% Wednesday and set an all-time high for a second straight day.

apnews.com

US stocks inch to more records as inflation slows and Oracle soars​

By STAN CHOE
Updated 7:23 AM GMT+10, September 11, 2025

NEW YORK (AP) — Wall Street inched to more records on Wednesday following a surprisingly encouraging report on inflation and a stunning forecast for growth from Oracle because of the artificial-intelligence boom.

The S&P 500 rose 0.3% and set an all-time high for a second straight day. The Dow Jones Industrial Average dropped 220 points, or 0.5%, and the Nasdaq composite edged up by less than 0.1% after both likewise set records the day before.

Stocks have hit records in large part because Wall Street is expecting the economy to pull off a delicate balancing act: slowing enough to convince the Federal Reserve to cut interest rates, but not so much that it causes a recession, all while inflation remains under control.

Many things must go right for that to happen, and an encouraging signal came from a report on Wednesday saying inflation at the U.S. wholesale level unexpectedly slowed in August. It’s a relief following months of data suggesting inflation would be tough to get under the Fed’s target of 2%, particularly with President Donald Trump’s tariffs pushing upward on prices.

A potentially more important report is coming Thursday, which will show how bad inflation has been for U.S. households, but Wednesday’s update “essentially rolled out the red carpet for a Fed rate cut next week,” according to Chris Larkin, managing director, trading and investing, at E-Trade from Morgan Stanley.

Traders were already convinced the Fed will deliver its first cut to interest rates of the year at its next meeting, but they need inflation data until then to be mild enough not to derail those expectations. That’s because cuts to interest rates can push inflation higher, along with giving the economy a kickstart, and hot inflation readings could tie the Fed’s hands.

“The broader narrative is increasingly anchored on expectations that the Fed will deliver a rate cut at next week’s meeting,” said Ahmad Assiri, research strategist at Pepperstone.

On Wall Street, tech stocks led the way after Oracle said AI-related demand is set to send its revenue surging. CEO Safra Catz said Oracle signed four multi-billion dollar contracts during its latest quarter, and it expects cloud infrastructure revenue to jump 77% to $18 billion this fiscal year. After that, it expects such revenue to soar to $144 billion in just four years.

“AI Changes Everything,” Oracle Chairman Larry Ellison said in a statement.

Oracle stock leaped 35.9% for its best day since 1992, even though it also reported results for the latest quarter that came up just shy of analysts’ expectations.

Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co., which makes chips used in AI and other computing, saw its stock that trades in the United States climb 3.8% after it said its revenue jumped nearly 34% in August from a year earlier.

Klarna, the Swedish “buy now, pay later” financial services provider, leaped 14.6% in its first day as a publicly traded stock on the New York Stock Exchange.

Novo Nordisk’s stock that trades in the United States added 0.1% after the company behind the Wegovy weight loss drug said it would cut 9,000 jobs to reduce costs, mostly in its home country of Denmark. It’s been contending with more competition in the market to help obese people lose weight.

On the losing side of Wall Street was Apple, whose drop of 3.2% helped drag the Dow lower and was the heaviest single weight on the S&P 500. Some analysts said its unveiling of new iPhones the day before contained no surprises and may not drive much growth in demand.

Synopsys, which helps customers design and engineer chips, fell 35.8% after reporting profit for the latest quarter that fell short of analysts’ expectations.

All told, the S&P 500 rose 19.43 points to 6,532.04. The Dow Jones Industrial Average fell 220.42 to 45,490.92, and the Nasdaq composite rose 6.57 to 21,886.06.

In stock markets abroad, indexes were mixed in Europe after rising across much of Asia. South Korea’s Kospi rose 1.7%, and Hong Kong Hang Sang climbed 1% for two of the bigger moves.

In the bond market, the yield on the 10-year Treasury eased to 4.04% from 4.08% late Tuesday after the encouraging report on wholesale inflation bolstered expectations for coming cuts to interest rates.

ASX set to drop after Wall Street's S&P 500 reaches record highs​

The Australian share market is set to slip 20 points when trading opens this morning after making a slight gain yesterday.

On Wall Street, the S&P 500 hit record highs. AI-linked stocks made the biggest gains as cloud-tech company Oracle made headlines.

Wall Street inched to more records on Wednesday following a surprisingly encouraging report on inflation and a stunning forecast for growth from Oracle because of the artificial-intelligence boom.

The S&P 500 rose 0.3% and set an all-time high for a second straight day. The Dow Jones Industrial Average dropped 220 points, or 0.5%, and the Nasdaq composite edged up by less than 0.1% after both likewise set records the day before.

All told, the S&P 500 rose 19.43 points to 6,532.04. The Dow Jones Industrial Average fell 220.42 to 45,490.92, and the Nasdaq composite rose 6.57 to 21,886.06

 

[bigdog]

Wall Street rallies as a cut to interest rates next week looks more certain

Wall Street rolled to more records after mixed data on the economy cemented expectations for coming cuts to interest rates.

apnews.com

Wall Street rallies as a cut to interest rates next week looks more certain​

By STAN CHOE
Updated 7:29 AM GMT+10, September 12, 2025

NEW YORK (AP) — Wall Street’s record-setting run kept rolling on Thursday, and stocks climbed after a mixed set of U.S. data kept the path clear for the Federal Reserve to cut interest rates in order to boost the economy.

The S&P 500 rose 0.8% and set an all-time high for the third straight day. The Dow Jones Industrial Average rallied 617 points, or 1.4%, and the Nasdaq composite gained 0.7%. Both also hit records.

Treasury yields eased in the bond market following the economic reports, which were some of the final data releases left that could sway the Federal Reserve’s thinking before its meeting next week. The unanimous expectation on Wall Street is that it will cut its main interest rate for the first time this year.

One of Thursday’s reports said more U.S. workers applied for unemployment benefits last week, an indication that the number of layoffs could be rising. It’s the latest discouraging signal on the job market, where hiring has slowed substantially. The labor market had seemed to be settling into a low-hire, low-fire state, but an increase in layoffs could put it in an even tighter vise.

The hope on Wall Street has been for a slowdown, but a precisely measured one. The job market has to be weak enough to get the Fed to cut interest rates, which can give a kickstart to the economy and to prices for investments, but not so much that it causes a recession.

The Fed has been hesitant to cut interest rates throughout 2025 because of the threat that President Donald Trump’s tariffs could make inflation worse. That’s because lower interest rates can push inflation even higher.

A report on inflation Thursday showed prices are continuing to rise faster for U.S. households than the Fed hopes, but only by what economists expected. Consumers paid prices for food, gasoline and other costs of living that were 2.9% higher in August than a year earlier, a slight acceleration from July’s 2.7% inflation rate.

That’s above the Fed’s target of 2%, but traders believe the Fed will see the slowing job market as the bigger problem now than inflation. The Fed has just one tool to fix either of them, and moving interest rates to help one often means hurting the other in the short term.

“Right now, inflation is a key subplot, but the labor market is still the main story,” according to Ellen Zentner, chief economic strategist for Morgan Stanley Wealth Management.

On Wall Street, stocks of companies that could benefit from lower interest rates rallied, including owners of real estate and homebuilders. Builders FirstSource, which sells cabinets, lumber and other building supplies, climbed 4.5%.

Centene helped lead the market with a jump of 9%. The health care company said its business results through August are tracking with the profit forecast for the year that it had earlier given. That’s more than analysts are forecasting.

Opendoor Technologies soared 79.5% after the company said it hired Shopify’s chief operating officer, Kaz Nejatian, as its CEO. Opendoor, which helps people buy and sell homes online, also announced a $40 million investment by one of its founders and an investment firm tied to another founder.

Warner Bros. Discovery leaped 28.9% following reports that Paramount Skydance is preparing a bid to buy the entertainment company. Paramount Skydance, which was the result of Skydance’s purchase of Paramount in August, jumped 15.6%.

Kroger added 0.3% after the grocer reported a stronger profit for the latest quarter than analysts expected, though its revenue came up just shy of forecasts. It also raised the bottom end of its forecasted range for profit over the full year.

Helping to keep the market’s gain in check was Oracle, which fell 6.2%. But that gave back only a bit of its monster gain from the day before, when it soared nearly 36% for its best day since 1992.

All told, the S&P 500 rose 55.43 points to 6,587.47. The Dow Jones Industrial Average jumped 617.08 to 46,108.00, and the Nasdaq composite gained 157.01 to 22,043.07.

In stock markets abroad, European indexes ticked higher after the European Central Bank left interest rates unchanged at its latest meeting. The European bank is on pause following an earlier set of cuts, and its president, Christine Lagarde, said future moves are “not on a predetermined path.”

France’s CAC 40 rose 0.8%, and Germany’s DAX returned 0.3%.

In Asia, indexes were mostly higher. Stocks jumped 1.7% in Shanghai but fell 0.4% in Hong Kong.

In the bond market, the yield on the 10-year Treasury eased to 4.02% from 4.04% late Wednesday.

ASX 200 expected to charge higher​

The Australian share market looks set to charge higher on Friday following a strong night in the United States.

According to the latest SPI futures, the ASX 200 is expected to open 43 points or 0.5% higher this morning.
.
Wall Street’s record-setting run kept rolling on Thursday, and stocks climbed after a mixed set of U.S. data kept the path clear for the Federal Reserve to cut interest rates in order to boost the economy.

The S&P 500 rose 0.8% and set an all-time high for the third straight day. The Dow Jones Industrial Average rallied 617 points, or 1.4%, and the Nasdaq composite gained 0.7%. Both also hit records.

All told, the S&P 500 rose 55.43 points to 6,587.47. The Dow Jones Industrial Average jumped 617.08 to 46,108.00, and the Nasdaq composite gained 157.01 to 22,043.07.

 

[bigdog]

Wall Street coasts to the finish of its best week in the last 5

Wall Street coasted to the finish of its best week in the last five. The S&P 500 barely budged on Friday and edged down by less than 0.1% from its latest all-time high.

apnews.com

Wall Street coasts to the finish of its best week in the last 5​

By STAN CHOE
Updated 7:57 AM GMT+10, September 13, 2025

NEW YORK (AP) — Wall Street coasted to the finish of its best week in the last five on Friday as U.S. stocks hung near their record levels.

The S&P 500 barely budged and edged down by less than 0.1% from the all-time high it set the day before. The Dow Jones Industrial Average fell 273 points, or 0.6%, while the Nasdaq composite added 0.4% to its own record set on Thursday.

Stocks have rallied with expectations that the Federal Reserve will cut its main interest rate for the first time this year at its meeting next week. Such a move would give the economy a kickstart, and mortgage rates have already dropped in anticipation of it.

Expectations for a cut have built as recent reports suggested the U.S. job market could settle into the precise balance that Wall Street has been betting on: slow enough to convince the Fed that it needs help, but not so weak that it will mean a recession, all while inflation doesn’t take off.

U.S. stocks are hanging near their record levels as Wall Street coasts toward the finish of its best week in the last five. AP business correspondent Seth Sutel has more.

A lot is riding on whether that bet proves correct. Stocks have already soared on it. And if the Fed ends up cutting interest rates fewer times than traders expect, including three this year, the market could retreat in disappointment. That’s even if everything else goes right, and the economy does not fall into a recession and President Donald Trump’s tariffs don’t send inflation much higher.

Investors, “and I think the Fed, are convinced that we are not on the verge of a surge in inflation,” according to Scott Wren, senior global market strategist at Wells Fargo Investment Institute.

A survey from the University of Michigan on Friday suggested expectations for inflation may not be worsening among U.S. consumers. Preliminary data suggested they’re bracing for inflation of 4.8% in the upcoming year, the same as they were a month earlier.

Expectations for inflation over the longer term crept higher, though they’re still below where they were in April, when Trump announced his worldwide tariffs.

In the meantime, Wall Street continued to drift around its record heights.

RH fell 4.6% after the furniture retailer reported profit and revenue for the latest quarter that came up short of analysts’ expectations. It also trimmed its forecasted range for revenue this fiscal year amid what CEO Gary Friedman called “the polarizing impact of tariff uncertainty and the worst housing market in almost 50 years.”

Oracle sank 5.1% and was the single heaviest weight on the S&P 500 index. But that shaved only a bit off its surge from earlier in the week, when it soared to its best day since 1992 amid excitement about its winning multibillion dollar contracts related to artificial-intelligence technology.

Another company that’s benefited from the AI frenzy, Super Micro Computer, rose 2.4% after saying it’s begun high-volume shipments of racks using Blackwell Ultra equipment from Nvidia that can be used for AI.

Microsoft climbed 1.8% after European Union regulators accepted the tech giant’s proposed changes to its Teams platform, resolving a long-running antitrust investigation.

The European Commission said Friday that Microsoft’s final commitments to unbundle Teams from its Office software suite, including further tweaks following a market test in May and June, are enough to satisfy competition concerns.

All told, the S&P 500 slipped 3.18 points to 6,584.29. The Dow Jones Industrial Average fell 273.78 to 45,834.22, and the Nasdaq composite rose 98.03 to 22,141.10.

In stock markets abroad, indexes held relatively steady in Europe after mostly rising in Asia.

Japan’s Nikkei 225 climbed 0.9% to another record, while Hong Kong’s Hang Seng rallied 1.2% for two of the bigger moves.

In the bond market, the yield on the 10-year Treasury climbed to recover some of its drop from earlier in the week. It rose to 4.06% from 4.01% late Thursday.

Yields have been mostly sinking as expectations built on Wall Street that the Fed will resume cutting rates soon.

The Fed has been on hold through 2025, mostly because of the risk that Trump’s tariffs could send prices for all kinds of U.S. household purchases much higher. Lower interest rates can make inflation even worse.

That inaction, though, has infuriated Trump. He has threatened to fire Fed Chair Jerome Powell, whom he has nicknamed “Too Late,” and has escalated his attempt to fire Federal Reserve Governor Lisa Cook, accusing her of mortgage fraud.

 

[bigdog]

ASX 200 expected to tumble​

The Australian share market looks set for a poor start to the week following a mixed finish to the last one on Wall Street.

According to the latest SPI futures, the ASX 200 is expected to open the day 55 points or 0.65% lower.
.
Wall Street coasted to the finish of its best week in the last five on Friday as U.S. stocks hung near their record levels.

The S&P 500 barely budged and edged down by less than 0.1% from the all-time high it set the day before. The Dow Jones Industrial Average fell 273 points, or 0.6%, while the Nasdaq composite added 0.4% to its own record set on Thursday.

Stocks have rallied with expectations that the Federal Reserve will cut its main interest rate for the first time this year at its meeting next week. Such a move would give the economy a kickstart, and mortgage rates have already dropped in anticipation of it.

All told, the S&P 500 slipped 3.18 points to 6,584.29. The Dow Jones Industrial Average fell 273.78 to 45,834.22, and the Nasdaq composite rose 98.03 to 22,141.10.

 

[bigdog]

Wall Street rises to more records as Tesla vrooms higher

Wall Street rose to more records. The S&P 500 climbed 0.5% Monday and topped its prior all-time high set last week.

apnews.com

Wall Street rises to more records as Tesla vrooms higher​

By STAN CHOE
Updated 7:09 AM GMT+10, September 16, 2025

NEW YORK (AP) — Wall Street rose to more records on Monday at the start of a week that could show whether the U.S. stock market’s big recent rally has been overdone or prescient.

The S&P 500 climbed 0.5% and topped its prior all-time high, which was set last week. The Dow Jones Industrial Average rose 49 points, or 0.1%, and the Nasdaq composite added 0.9% to its own record.

Tesla helped lead the way and rose 3.6% after Elon Musk bought stock worth roughly $1 billion through a trust. The electric vehicle company’s stock price came into the day with a slight loss for the year so far, and the purchase could be a signal of Musk’s faith in it.

Alphabet was the single strongest force lifting the S&P 500 after gaining 4.5%, which brought the total value for Google’s parent company above $3 trillion. Nvidia, Microsoft and Apple are the only other companies on Wall Street worth that much.

The market’s main event for the week will arrive on Wednesday. That’s when the Federal Reserve will announce its latest decision on interest rates, and the unanimous expectation is for the first cut of the year. Such a move could give a kickstart to the job market, which has been slowing.

Stocks have already run to records on the assumption that a cut is coming on Wednesday, though. Expectations are also high that the Fed will keep lowering rates through the end of this year and into 2026. That creates the possibility for disappointment in the market, which would mean drops for stock prices, if the Fed doesn’t end up slashing rates as aggressively as traders expect.

That’s why more attention will be on what Fed Chair Jerome Powell says in his press conference following the decision than on the decision itself. Fed officials will also release their latest projections for where they see interest rates and the economy heading in upcoming years, which could provide another potential flashpoint.

What’s keeping the Fed on guard is a possible jump in inflation because of President Donald Trump’s tariffs. That’s because lower interest rates can give inflation more fuel and send it even higher. And inflation has already proven difficult to get under the Fed’s 2% target.

Another threat for Wall Street is if the job market slows too much. In that case, a recession could create a downturn in corporate profits that’s steep enough to swamp the benefits that lower interest rates bring in the near term.

Trump, meanwhile, has pushed angrily for cuts to interest rates. He’s often attacked Powell personally, nicknaming him “Too Late,” and is trying to remove one of the Fed’s governors from its board.

“‘Too Late’ must cut interest rates now, and bigger than he had in mind,” Trump wrote on his social media network Monday, using his trademark all-caps style.

On Wall Street, Intel rose 2.9% after trimming its forecast for expenses this year. The move came after it completed the sale of a 51% stake in its Altera business to the Silver Lake investment firm.

That helped offset a 24.7% drop for Hain Celestial, which reported a larger loss for its latest quarter than it did a year earlier. Interim CEO Alison Lewis said the owner of “better-for-you” brands like Terra chips is making moves to stabilize sales “as we recognize our performance has not met expectations.”

Alaska Air Group lost 6.7% after the airline said high fuel costs will likely cause its third-quarter results to come in at the low end of its forecasted range. It also cited higher expenses for overtime pay and passengers’ compensation after bad weather and air-traffic control issues led to difficult operations in the summer, though it saw strong airfare trends thanks to demand for premium seats.

Nvidia edged down by less than 0.1% after China accused the chip company of violating its antimonopoly laws. Chinese regulators did not mention a punishment for Nvidia in a one-sentence statement on the matter but did say they would carry out “further investigation.”

All told, the S&P 500 rose 30.99 points to 6,615.28. The Dow Jones Industrial Average added 49.23 to 45,883.45, and the Nasdaq composite climbed 207.65 to 22,348.75.

In the bond market Treasury yields eased, continuing their downward run on expectations for cuts to rates by the Fed.

The latest discouraging data on the economy came Monday from a report showing manufacturing activity in New York state is shrinking, contrary to economists’ expectations for continued growth. It’s the first month of contraction since June.

The next economic update will arrive Tuesday, when the U.S. government will say how much shoppers spent at U.S. retailers last month.

The yield on the 10-year Treasury fell to 4.03% from 4.06% late Friday.

In stock markets abroad, France’s CAC 40 climbed 0.9%, while indexes moved more modestly across the rest of Europe and Asia.

ASX 200 expected to rebound​

The Australian share market looks set to rise on Tuesday following a solid start to the week on Wall Street.

According to the latest SPI futures, the ASX 200 is poised to open the day 41 points or 0.5% higher.
.
Wall Street rose to more records on Monday at the start of a week that could show whether the U.S. stock market’s big recent rally has been overdone or prescient.

The S&P 500 climbed 0.5% and topped its prior all-time high, which was set last week. The Dow Jones Industrial Average rose 49 points, or 0.1%, and the Nasdaq composite added 0.9% to its own record.

Tesla helped lead the way and rose 3.6% after Elon Musk bought stock worth roughly $1 billion through a trust. The electric vehicle company’s stock price came into the day with a slight loss for the year so far, and the purchase could be a signal of Musk’s faith in it.

Alphabet was the single strongest force lifting the S&P 500 after gaining 4.5%, which brought the total value for Google’s parent company above $3 trillion. Nvidia, Microsoft and Apple are the only other companies on Wall Street worth that much.

All told, the S&P 500 rose 30.99 points to 6,615.28. The Dow Jones Industrial Average added 49.23 to 45,883.45, and the Nasdaq composite climbed 207.65 to 22,348.75.

 

[bigdog]

Wall Street edges back from its record heights

U.S. stocks edged back from their record heights. The S&P 500 fell 0.1% Tuesday from its latest all-time high.

apnews.com

Wall Street edges back from its record heights​

By STAN CHOE
Updated 7:02 AM GMT+10, September 17, 2025

NEW YORK (AP) — U.S. stocks edged back from their record heights on Tuesday as the countdown ticked toward what Wall Street expects will be the first cut of the year to interest rates by the Federal Reserve.

The S&P 500 fell 0.1% from its latest all-time high. The Dow Jones Industrial Average dipped 125 points, or 0.3%, while the Nasdaq composite slipped 0.1% from its own record set the day before.

Stocks have run to records on expectations that the Fed will announce the first of a series of cuts to rates on Wednesday in hopes of giving the economy a boost. The job market has slowed so much that traders believe Fed officials now see it as the bigger danger for the economy than the threat of higher inflation because of President Donald Trump’s tariffs.

The Fed has been holding off on cuts to rates because inflation has remained above its 2% target, and easier interest rates could give it more fuel.

A report on Tuesday said shoppers increased their spending at U.S. retailers by more last month than economists expected. A chunk of that could be due to shoppers having to pay higher prices for the same amount of stuff. But it could also indicate solid spending by U.S. households could continue to keep the economy out of a recession.

The data did little to change traders’ expectations for a cut to interest rates on Wednesday, followed by more through the end of the year and into 2026.

Such high expectations have sent stocks to records, but they can also create disappointment if unfulfilled. That’s why more attention will be on what Fed Chair Jerome Powell says about the possibility of upcoming cuts in his press conference following Wednesday’s decision than on the decision itself.

Fed officials will also release their latest projections for where they see interest rates and the economy heading in upcoming years, which could provide another potential flashpoint.

For now, global fund managers are tilting their portfolios toward stocks at the highest level in seven months, according to the latest survey by Bank of America. That’s even though a record 58% of them are also saying that stocks look too expensive at the moment.

On Wall Street, Dave & Buster’s fell 16.7% after the entertainment chain reported a weaker profit for the latest quarter than analysts expected.

New York Times Co. fell 1.6% after Trump filed a $15 billion defamation lawsuit against the newspaper and four of its journalists on Monday. The lawsuit points to several articles and a book written by Times journalists and published in the lead up to the 2024 election as “part of a decades-long pattern by the New York Times of intentional and malicious defamation against President Trump.”

On the winning end of Wall Street was Steel Dynamics, which climbed 6.1% after it said it’s seeing improved earnings across its three business units. It credited strong demand for steel from the non-residential construction and auto industries, among other things.

Chipotle Mexican Grill added 1.9% after its board said the company could buy back an additional $500 million of its stock. Such a move can send cash directly to investors and boost per-share results.

Oracle rose 1.5% on speculation that it could be part of a deal that would keep TikTok operating in the United States.

All told, the S&P 500 fell 8.52 points to 6,606.76. The Dow Jones Industrial Average dropped 125.55 to 45,757.90, and the Nasdaq composite sank 14.79 to 22,333.96.

In stock markets abroad, indexes fell in Europe following a mixed showing in Asia.

Japan’s Nikkei 225 added 0.3% to finish at another record. The rally comes despite political uncertainty after Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba said he is stepping down. An election within the ruling Liberal Democratic Party to pick a new leader is expected Oct. 4.

In the bond market, the yield on the 10-year Treasury eased to 4.03% from 4.05% late Monday.

ASX 200 expected to fall​

The Australian share market looks set to give back yesterday's gains on Wednesday following a poor night of trade on Wall Street.

According to the latest SPI futures, the ASX 200 is expected to open the day 40 points or 0.5% lower this morning.
.
U.S. stocks edged back from their record heights on Tuesday as the countdown ticked toward what Wall Street expects will be the first cut of the year to interest rates by the Federal Reserve.

The S&P 500 fell 0.1% from its latest all-time high. The Dow Jones Industrial Average dipped 125 points, or 0.3%, while the Nasdaq composite slipped 0.1% from its own record set the day before.

Stocks have run to records on expectations that the Fed will announce the first of a series of cuts to rates on Wednesday in hopes of giving the economy a boost. The job market has slowed so much that traders believe Fed officials now see it as the bigger danger for the economy than the threat of higher inflation because of President Donald Trump’s tariffs.

All told, the S&P 500 fell 8.52 points to 6,606.76. The Dow Jones Industrial Average dropped 125.55 to 45,757.90, and the Nasdaq composite sank 14.79 to 22,333.96.

 

[bigdog]

US stocks churn amid uncertainty about how many more rate cuts are coming from the Fed

U.S. stocks churned between gains and losses, but they ultimately remained near their record levels.

apnews.com

US stocks churn amid uncertainty about how many more rate cuts are coming from the Fed​

By STAN CHOE
Updated 7:09 AM GMT+10, September 18, 2025

NEW YORK (AP) — U.S. stocks churned between gains and losses on Wednesday but ultimately remained near their record levels.

The S&P 500 slipped 0.1% and hung near its all-time high set at the start of the week. The Dow Jones Industrial Average rose 260 points, or 0.6%, while the Nasdaq composite fell 0.3%.

The swings came after the Federal Reserve cut its main interest rate for the first time this year. That move was no surprise for Wall Street, which was widely expecting it. More important was the set of projections that Fed officials published showing where they expect interest rates to go in upcoming years.

That indicated the typical member sees the Fed cutting the federal funds rate two more times by the end of this year and once more in 2026.

Stocks initially rose following the release of the projections, which seemed to support Wall Street’s widespread expectation for more cuts to interest rates. Such moves can give the economy a kickstart, and stock prices had already run to records on the bet that several cuts are on the way.

But stocks gave back gains after Fed Chair Jerome Powell stressed that they’re only projections. Conditions could change quickly, and Powell warned against taking the projections as gospel.

“It’s such an unusual situation,” Powell said, saying later that “there is no risk-free path” that the Fed should obviously take with interest rates.

What’s making things difficult for the Fed is that the job market is slowing at the same time that inflation is remaining stubbornly high. The Fed is in charge of fixing both, but it has only one tool to do that. And helping one by moving interest rates often hurts the other in the short term.

The Fed had been holding rates steady this year because of the threat that President Donald Trump’s tariffs will raise prices for all kinds of products. Inflation has so far refused to go back below the Fed’s 2% target, and Fed officials don’t see that happening for a few years.

But discouraging reports on the job market mean inflation may no longer be the Fed’s No. 1 problem, or at least not by such a clear margin. “I would say they’re moving toward equality,” Powell said about the two risks.

Stocks swiveled several times as Powell spoke, and the movements were particularly jarring for the smallest stocks on Wall Street.

Smaller companies can get the biggest benefit from easier interest rates because of their need to borrow money to grow and compete with bigger rivals. Shortly after the Fed released its projections, the Russell 2000 index of smaller stocks surged more than 2% and was on track to surpass its all-time high, which was set in 2021. But it later pared its gain to a rise of 0.2%.

Lyft helped lead the market and drove 13.1% higher after saying it will bring autonomous ride-hailing service to Nashville with Waymo.

Workday rose 7.2% after Elliott Investment Management said it’s built a stake of more than $2 billion in it and supports its management. The company, which helps customers manage their finances and human resources, recently increased its program to send cash to investors through purchases of its stock by up to $4 billion.

The heaviest weights on the market, meanwhile, were Big Tech stocks. Nvidia fell 2.6%, and Broadcom sank 3.8%, for example. They’ve been some of the biggest reasons Wall Street has set records recently, benefiting from the frenzy around artificial-intelligence technology, almost regardless of what interest rates were doing.

RCI Hospitality Holdings dropped 10.4% after New York’s attorney general accused executives of bribery and other crimes for trying to avoid paying millions of dollars in sales taxes. RCI owns strip clubs and sports bars across the country, including Rick’s Cabaret.

Online ticket marketplace StubHub slumped 6.4% from its initial public offering price of $23.50 in its debut on the New York Stock Exchange.

All told, the S&P 500 fell 6.41 points to 6,600.35. The Dow Jones Industrial Average rose 260.42 to 46,018.32, and the Nasdaq composite fell 72.63 to 22,261.33.

In stock markets abroad, indexes were mixed across Europe and Asia.

Japan’s Nikkei 225 slipped 0.2% from its record after data showed Japan’s exports to the U.S. dropped 13.8% in August from a year earlier, as auto exports were hit by Trump’s tariffs.

In the bond market, the yield on the 10-year Treasury rose to 4.07% from 4.04% late Tuesday. It had briefly dropped below 4% immediately after the Fed released its projections for where interest rates are heading.

ASX 200 expected to fall​

The Australian share market looks set to give back yesterday's gains on Wednesday following a poor night of trade on Wall Street.

According to the latest SPI futures, the ASX 200 is expected to open the day 13 points lower this morning.
.
U.S. stocks churned between gains and losses on Wednesday but ultimately remained near their record levels.

The S&P 500 slipped 0.1% and hung near its all-time high set at the start of the week. The Dow Jones Industrial Average rose 260 points, or 0.6%, while the Nasdaq composite fell 0.3%.

The swings came after the Federal Reserve cut its main interest rate for the first time this year. That move was no surprise for Wall Street, which was widely expecting it. More important was the set of projections that Fed officials published showing where they expect interest rates to go in upcoming years.

All told, the S&P 500 fell 6.41 points to 6,600.35. The Dow Jones Industrial Average rose 260.42 to 46,018.32, and the Nasdaq composite fell 72.63 to 22,261.33.

 

[bigdog]

Intel’s best day since the 1980s helps drive Wall Street to more records

Wall Street is rising toward more records, led by a rally for technology stocks. The S&P 500 rose 0.7% Thursday.

apnews.com

Intel’s best day since the 1980s helps drive Wall Street to more records​

By STAN CHOE
Updated 6:57 AM GMT+10, September 19, 2025

NEW YORK (AP) — Wall Street rolled to more records on Thursday as Nvidia and Intel led a rally for technology stocks after announcing a deal that includes a $5 billion investment.

The S&P 500 rose 0.5% and is on track for a third straight winning week. The Dow Jones Industrial Average added 124 points, or 0.3%, and the Nasdaq composite climbed 0.9%. All three set all-time highs.

Intel soared 22.8% for its best day since 1987 after Nvidia said it would buy $5 billion of the chipmaker’s stock. It’s part of a collaboration where the pair will develop products for data centers and personal computers. Nvidia climbed 3.5% and was by far the strongest force lifting the S&P 500 because it’s Wall Street’s most valuable company.

Encouraging reports on the economy sent Treasury yields climbing in the bond market, meanwhile, including one that said fewer U.S. workers applied for unemployment benefits last week than expected.

That could indicate the pace of layoffs is slowing, and it was a relief after the prior week’s data showed a disconcerting leap to a four-year high. The job market has slowed so much that the Federal Reserve on Wednesday cut its main interest rate for the first time this year in order to give it some help.

The Fed also indicated more cuts may be on the way, though Chair Jerome Powell warned that the Fed is in a precarious position and may have to change course quickly. That’s because the economy is in an unusual situation where the job market is slowing while inflation is remaining stubbornly high at the same time.

The Fed is in charge of fixing both, but it has only one tool to do so. And helping one by moving interest rates often hurts the other in the short term.

Expectations are high on Wall Street that the Fed will keep cutting interest rates, and an unexpected halt could send stocks tumbling. Critics say stock prices have already shot too high and become too expensive, in part because of heavy bets on continued cuts in rates.

On Wall Street, smaller stocks led the way. They can be some of the biggest beneficiaries of easier interest rates, and the Russell 2000 index of small stocks rallied 2.5% to join its bigger rivals in setting all-time highs. It topped its prior record, which was set in 2021.

Stocks in the cryptocurrency industry jumped to strong gains, including rises of 7% for Coinbase Global, 20.7% for Bullish and 7.2% for Circle Internet Group. Bitcoin climbed above $117,500 following the Fed’s cut to interest rates.

Novo Nordisk saw its stock that trades in the United States rise 6.3% after the Danish company said a newly published study showed its once-a-day pill version of Wegovy helped people lose significant weight. It also said that its Ozempic product reduced the risk of heart attack, stroke and death for patients versus another treatment for some people with type 2 diabetes.

On the losing end of Wall Street, the company behind Olive Garden and other restaurant chains sank 7.7% after it reported a profit for the latest quarter that was below analysts’ expectations. Darden Restaurants also raised its forecast for revenue growth this fiscal year, but not by much more than analysts expected.

Live Nation fell 2.8% after the Federal Trade Commission and a group of state attorneys general sued its Ticketmaster business, accusing it of forcing fans to pay more to see live events through a variety of illegal tactics.

The Walt Disney Co. slipped 1.1% after the entertainment giant announced that its ABC television division had suspended Jimmy Kimmel’s late-night show indefinitely after comments that he made about Charlie Kirk’s killing led a group of ABC-affiliated stations to say they would not air the show.

Earlier in the day, FCC Chairman Brendan Carr called Kimmel’s comments “truly sick” and said his agency has a strong case for holding Kimmel, ABC and Disney accountable for spreading misinformation.

All told, the S&P 500 rose 31.61 points to 6,631.96. The Dow Jones Industrial Average added 124.10 to 46,142.42, and the Nasdaq composite climbed 209.40 to 22,470.73.

In stock markets abroad, indexes rose in Europe following a mixed performance in Asia.

London’s FTSE 100 added 0.2% after the Bank of England held its main interest rate steady.

South Korea’s Kospi rallied 1.4%, and Hong Kong’s Hang Seng fell 1.4% for two of the world’s bigger moves.

In the bond market, the yield on the 10-year Treasury jumped to 4.11% from 4.06% late Wednesday. It’s a notable move after it had briefly dropped below 4% on Wednesday, weighed down by expectations for continued cuts to interest rates by the Fed.

ASX 200 expected to rebound​

The Australian share market looks set to rise on Friday following a solid night in the United States.

According to the latest SPI futures, the ASX 200 is expected to open 41 points or 0.5% higher this morning.
.
Wall Street rolled to more records on Thursday as Nvidia and Intel led a rally for technology stocks after announcing a deal that includes a $5 billion investment.

The S&P 500 rose 0.5% and is on track for a third straight winning week. The Dow Jones Industrial Average added 124 points, or 0.3%, and the Nasdaq composite climbed 0.9%. All three set all-time highs.

Intel soared 22.8% for its best day since 1987 after Nvidia said it would buy $5 billion of the chipmaker’s stock. It’s part of a collaboration where the pair will develop products for data centers and personal computers. Nvidia climbed 3.5% and was by far the strongest force lifting the S&P 500 because it’s Wall Street’s most valuable company.

All told, the S&P 500 rose 31.61 points to 6,631.96. The Dow Jones Industrial Average added 124.10 to 46,142.42, and the Nasdaq composite climbed 209.40 to 22,470.73.

 

[mullokintyre]

It seens that retail investors in the US have been driving the US indeces higher for most of his year.
The question that is intriguing me,is, Are the big players feeding stocks to ususpecting reatil buyers as they reduce their holdings prior to a pullback?
Mick

 

[rolly1]

It seens that retail investors in the US have been driving the US indeces higher for most of his year.
The question that is intriguing me,is, Are the big players feeding stocks to ususpecting reatil buyers as they reduce their holdings prior to a pullback?
Mick
View attachment 208898
View attachment 208897
View attachment 208900

Probably why most fund managers can't beat the index.