Stock Market Today: Indexes Slip as Investors Await Key Economic Data
I now have enough information to write the article about the stock market for May 15, 2025. Let me create a comprehensive 500-word article focusing on current market indexes, upcoming events, and major stock news.
Market Overview: Major Indexes Pull Back After Recent Gains
The major U.S. stock indexes are trending lower in early trading on Thursday, May 15, 2025, as investors take a breather following several days of gains sparked by easing U.S.-China trade tensions. As of this morning, S&P 500 futures were down 0.45%, Dow Jones Industrial Average futures fell 0.59%, and Nasdaq Composite futures dropped 0.49%.
This pullback comes after a strong performance earlier this week, with the tech-heavy Nasdaq Composite rising for six consecutive sessions and gaining 6.8% week-to-date. The S&P 500 has advanced 4.11% this week, while the Dow has added 1.9%.
Key Economic Data Releases Today
Investors are closely watching several important economic reports scheduled for release today:
– Producer Price Index (PPI): Economists forecast April’s PPI to show a 0.2% month-over-month increase and a 2.5% year-over-year rise, compared to March’s -0.4% monthly decline and 2.7% annual gain.
– Retail Sales: April’s retail sales are expected to remain unchanged month-over-month following March’s robust 1.4% increase. Core retail sales (excluding automobiles) are projected to rise 0.3% after a 0.5% gain in March.
– Industrial Production: April figures are anticipated to show a 0.2% increase, rebounding from March’s 0.3% decline.
– Weekly Jobless Claims: Economists expect initial claims to come in at 229,000, virtually unchanged from last week’s 228,000.
Major Earnings Reports
Several high-profile companies are reporting earnings today:
– Walmart (WMT): The nation’s largest retailer is set to release its fiscal first-quarter results before market open.
– Alibaba Group (BABA): The Chinese e-commerce giant reports before the opening bell.
– Applied Materials (AMAT): The semiconductor equipment manufacturer will report after market close.
– Deere & Company (DE): The agricultural equipment maker releases earnings this morning.
– Take-Two Interactive (TTWO): The video game publisher reports after the closing bell.
Notable Stock Movements and News
Several stocks are making significant moves in pre-market trading:
– Foot Locker (FL): Shares surged more than 60% in after-hours trading following reports that Dick’s Sporting Goods is nearing a deal to acquire the company for approximately $2.3 billion.
– UnitedHealth (UNH): The stock slid 8% after The Wall Street Journal reported that the Justice Department is investigating the health insurance giant.
– Tech Giants: Despite today’s pullback, technology stocks have shown remarkable strength this week. Nvidia (NVDA) and Tesla (TSLA) have both gained more than 16% week-to-date, while Meta Platforms (META) has added 11.3%. Amazon (AMZN) and Alphabet (GOOGL) are both up more than 8% each.
Market Sentiment and Outlook
Market sentiment has strengthened following last weekend’s talks between Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent and Chinese officials, which appeared to defuse immediate trade tensions. The temporary suspension of tit-for-tat tariffs has boosted investor confidence by reducing concerns about economic slowdown and inflation.
Tuesday’s consumer inflation report also contributed to positive sentiment, showing prices rising at a slower pace than economists had expected. Core CPI increased by 0.2% in April, below the consensus estimate of 0.3%.
Fed Chair Jerome Powell is scheduled to speak today at the Thomas Laubach Research Conference, where investors will be listening closely for any hints about the central bank’s monetary policy outlook. Currently, futures markets are pricing in a 91.7% probability that the Fed will keep rates unchanged at its June meeting.
As the trading day unfolds, market participants will be watching how these economic reports and earnings releases impact the recent market momentum.
