Author name: Ed Liston

Ed Liston is a senior contributing editor at TheStockMarketWatch.com. An active market watcher and investor, Ed guides an independent team of experienced analysts and writes for multiple stock trader publications.

Market Update

Stock Market Today: S&P 500 Hits Record High as Trade Talks and Rate Cut Hopes Fuel Rally

/

  Market Indexes Surge on Positive Economic Outlook The S&P 500 closed at a record high of 6,145.62 points on Thursday, June 26, gaining 0.88% as investors cheered progress in trade negotiations and increased expectations for Federal Reserve rate cuts. The Nasdaq Composite climbed 1.00% to 20,173.36, while the Dow Jones Industrial Average rose 0.97% to 43,399.14, continuing its strong performance this week. The rally comes as the S&P 500 has now completely recovered from its April selloff, when markets reacted negatively to President Trump’s global tariff announcements. Since hitting a closing low in April, the benchmark index has rallied more than 22%, with technology and financial stocks leading the charge. “We’re seeing a perfect storm of positive catalysts driving this market higher,” said market strategist Michael Thompson. “The combination of cooling inflation data, potential rate cuts, and easing trade tensions has created a very favorable environment for equities.” Premarket […]

Market Update

Stock Market Today: Market Rebounds as Geopolitical Tensions Ease, Tech Leads Gains

/

Market Performance U.S. stock markets closed sharply higher on Thursday, June 26, 2025, with major indexes nearing record highs as investors reacted positively to easing geopolitical concerns and digested a flurry of economic data. The benchmark S&P 500 index rose 0.8%, gaining 48.86 points to close at 6,141.02, putting it just 0.05% shy of its all-time closing high set in February. The tech-heavy Nasdaq Composite jumped 1%, adding 194.36 points to settle at 20,167.91, coming within 6 points of its December record close. The Dow Jones Industrial Average also saw significant gains, rallying 0.9%, or 404.41 points, to finish at 43,386.84, though it remains approximately 4% below its record. This robust performance marked a recovery from a lackluster Wednesday session and positioned the major indexes for a second consecutive month of substantial gains, with the S&P 500 up 3.9% and the Nasdaq Composite up 5.5% so far in June. Upcoming

Market Update

Stock Market Today: Mixed Trading as Tech Gains While Dow Slips in Midday Market Update

/

Major Indexes Show Divergent Paths as Investors Weigh Powell Testimony U.S. markets are showing mixed performance in Thursday’s midday market update, with technology stocks leading gains while blue chips struggle to find direction. The S&P 500 is hovering near the flatline at 6,095.60, up a modest 0.06%, while the tech-heavy Nasdaq Composite has added 0.25% to reach 19,961.95, approaching the psychologically important 20,000 mark. Meanwhile, the Dow Jones Industrial Average has slipped 0.13% to 43,035.02. Trading volumes remain moderate as investors digest Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell’s second day of congressional testimony and monitor ongoing geopolitical tensions in the Middle East. A fragile truce between Israel and Iran appears to be holding for now, helping to ease concerns about potential disruptions to global oil supplies. “The market is in a wait-and-see mode today,” said Marcus Reynolds, chief market strategist at Capital Insight Partners. “We’re seeing rotation into tech and growth

Market Update

Stock Market Today: S&P 500 Edges Higher as Investors Eye Ceasefire Deal and Key Earnings

/

The S&P 500 ticked higher in early trading Thursday as investors balanced optimism over a Middle East ceasefire with caution ahead of key earnings reports. Futures pointed to gains across major indexes, with the tech sector continuing to provide market leadership despite ongoing inflation concerns. Market Indexes Show Resilience Amid Mixed Signals As of early trading, the S&P 500 was up 0.3% at 6,110, remaining within striking distance of its February all-time high of 6,144. The Nasdaq Composite climbed 0.4%, building on yesterday’s tech-driven gains, while the Dow Jones Industrial Average added about 100 points or 0.2%. The market’s summer rally faces crucial tests in the coming weeks, with major indexes showing remarkable resilience after rebounding more than 22% from April lows that were triggered by tariff concerns. The S&P 500 has gained over 3% year-to-date despite significant headwinds. “The various macro factors seem to suggest caution is warranted,” noted

Market Update

Stock Market Today: US Markets End Mixed Amid Fed Remarks, Geopolitical Calm, and Key Corporate Moves

/

Market Performance US stock markets concluded Wednesday, June 25, 2025, with a mixed performance, as investors digested Federal Reserve commentary and continued to monitor geopolitical developments. The tech-heavy Nasdaq Composite led the modest gains, advancing approximately 0.6% by the close. The S&P 500 also saw a slight uptick, rising around 0.2%, positioning it just shy of its all-time high of approximately 6,144. In contrast, the Dow Jones Industrial Average remained largely flat, showing minimal movement for the day, with some reports indicating it slipped around 0.3%. This mixed close followed a period of volatile trading, influenced by evolving expectations regarding interest rate policy and a delicate ceasefire between Iran and Israel. Overall, the market's performance reflected a cautious sentiment, with gains concentrated in specific sectors while broader indices experienced more subdued activity. Upcoming Events & Economic Data Investors are keenly focused on several key upcoming events and economic data releases

Market Update

Stock Market Today: Tech Leads Wall Street Amid Rate Cut Hopes and Geopolitical Calm

/

Market Performance U.S. equities experienced a mixed close on Wednesday, June 25th, 2025, as investors digested Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell's latest testimony and continued to monitor de-escalating geopolitical tensions in the Middle East. The benchmark S&P 500 Index closed essentially flat, ending the session fractionally lower and remaining just shy of its all-time high set earlier in the year. The Dow Jones Industrial Average (DJIA) saw a slight decline, falling 0.3% on the day. Conversely, the technology-heavy Nasdaq Composite Index posted a gain, rising 0.3% by the close, fueled by strength in the tech sector. The Nasdaq 100 also edged up 0.2%, notching a fresh record close. The muted overall market movement reflected a pause after two consecutive days of solid gains, which had brought major indexes back near record levels. Upcoming Events & Economic Data Investors are keenly focused on several key economic releases and policy decisions in

Market Update

Stock Market Today: S&P 500 Approaches Record High as Middle East Tensions Ease

/

Major Indexes Rally as Ceasefire Holds The stock market continued its upward momentum on Wednesday, June 25th, 2025, with the S&P 500 inching closer to its all-time high as investors welcomed the fragile ceasefire between Israel and Iran. In midday trading, the Dow Jones Industrial Average gained 0.3%, or about 125 points, while the S&P 500 rose 0.4% and the tech-heavy Nasdaq Composite advanced 0.6%. The S&P 500 now sits less than 1% away from its February record high, having rallied sharply over the past two days amid falling oil prices and easing geopolitical tensions. The Nasdaq 100 already reached a milestone yesterday, closing at its first record high since February. “The market continues to demonstrate remarkable resiliency,” said Joe Terranova, senior managing director for Virtus Investment Partners. “This is one of the most resilient markets that I have ever witnessed, consistently rebounding from various challenges throughout the year.” Middle

Market Update

Stock Market Today: S&P 500 Nears Record High as Middle East Tensions Ease

/

Market Indexes Show Strength as Ceasefire Takes Hold Major U.S. stock indexes continued their upward momentum on Wednesday, June 25, 2025, as investors welcomed the fragile truce between Israel and Iran. The S&P 500 edged higher by 0.2% in early trading, sitting less than 1% below its all-time high reached in February. The Dow Jones Industrial Average slipped marginally by 0.1%, while the tech-heavy Nasdaq Composite gained 0.1%, building on yesterday’s strong performance. The Nasdaq 100, a subset of the Nasdaq Composite, reached a record closing high on Tuesday, marking its first all-time high since February. The index has rallied more than 15% this quarter, which would represent its biggest quarterly gain since 2023 if maintained through month-end. “The market continues to drive higher with remarkable resiliency,” said Joe Terranova, senior managing director for Virtus Investment Partners. “This is one of the most resilient markets that I have ever witnessed.”

Market Update

Stock Market Today: S&P 500 Nears Record High as Middle East Ceasefire Holds

/

Market Indexes Show Strength as Oil Prices Continue to Fall Major U.S. stock indexes are poised for a mixed opening on Wednesday, June 25, 2025, as investors closely watch whether the S&P 500 can reach a new all-time high. Futures tied to the broad index were marginally higher in premarket trading, while Dow Jones Industrial Average futures slipped 12 points. Nasdaq 100 futures edged up 0.1%. The S&P 500 jumped more than 1% in Tuesday’s session, now sitting less than 1% off its record high as oil prices fell on optimism that the ceasefire between Iran and Israel would hold. The Nasdaq Composite also gained more than 1%, while the Dow rallied over 500 points. Most notably, the Nasdaq 100 added 1.5% to end at a record closing level. European markets are showing mixed performance this morning, with the FTSE 100 down 0.08% at 8,775.00, the DAX declining 0.42% to

Market Update

Stock Market Today: S&P 500, Dow, and Nasdaq Rally as Middle East Tensions Ease

/

Major Indexes Post Solid Gains as Investors Embrace Risk The stock market today showed strong performance across all major indexes as investors responded positively to signs of de-escalation in the Middle East conflict. The S&P 500 gained 0.96% to close at 6,025.17, while the Dow Jones Industrial Average climbed 0.89% (374.96 points) to 42,581.78, and the Nasdaq Composite rose 0.94% to 19,630.97. Tuesday’s rally continued Monday’s upward momentum, with premarket movers indicating strong opening positions across the board. Futures pointed to gains at the open as markets digested Iran’s limited missile strike against a U.S. military base in Qatar, which caused no casualties and was viewed as a measured response that could pave the way for de-escalation. “Geopolitical risks remain elevated in the Middle East, but the extreme asymmetry of the conflict, coupled with Iran’s relative isolation and ample global oil supplies, will likely keep the fallout contained,” noted Adam