Market Rally Continues: S&P 500 and Nasdaq Extend Winning Streak on April 25, 2025

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The stock market is continuing its upward momentum today as major indexes build on their recent gains, fueled by strong tech earnings and easing trade tensions. Investors are closely monitoring upcoming earnings reports from tech giants and new economic data that could shape market direction in the coming weeks.

Major Indexes Push Higher for Fourth Consecutive Day

As of midday trading on Friday, April 25, 2025, all three major U.S. stock indexes are extending their winning streak to a fourth consecutive day. The S&P 500 is up approximately 0.5%, continuing its recovery after exiting correction territory yesterday. The tech-heavy Nasdaq Composite is showing even stronger performance, gaining about 0.6%, while the Dow Jones Industrial Average is hovering near the flatline after yesterday’s 1% advance.

This week’s rally has been substantial, with the S&P 500 posting a week-to-date gain of nearly 4% as of Thursday’s close. Meanwhile, the Dow Jones Industrial Average and the Nasdaq Composite are up more than 2% and more than 5% on the week, respectively.

Tech Earnings Drive Market Sentiment

Alphabet (GOOGL), Google’s parent company, is helping drive today’s positive market sentiment after jumping about 5% in extended trading yesterday. The tech giant beat analyst expectations on both revenue and earnings for the first quarter. This performance has boosted investor confidence in the “Magnificent Seven” tech stocks, which have significant influence on the market-cap weighted indexes due to their outsized market capitalizations.

In contrast, Intel (INTC) shares fell more than 5% after offering disappointing guidance and announcing plans to slash operational and capital expenses. This mixed earnings picture highlights the ongoing challenges some tech companies face amid global economic uncertainties.

Upcoming Market Events to Watch

Investors are closely watching several key market events that could impact trading in the coming days:

1. **Today’s Economic Data**: Consumer sentiment data for April is due out at 10:00 a.m. ET, with economists expecting the reading to remain unchanged from the previous month at 50.8.

2. **Corporate Earnings**: Several major companies are reporting earnings today, including AutoNation, Colgate-Palmolive, and AbbVie.

3. **Next Week’s Tech Earnings**: The coming week will be crucial for markets as tech giants report their quarterly results. Meta Platforms (META) and Microsoft (MSFT) are scheduled to release their results after market close on Wednesday, while Amazon (AMZN) and Apple (AAPL) will report after the bell on Thursday.

4. **Key Economic Indicators**: Next week brings several important economic reports, including the March personal consumption expenditures (PCE) price index, first-quarter GDP, April ISM manufacturing PMI, and the April non-farm payrolls report, which could significantly impact market direction.

Trade Tensions and Market Outlook

The market’s recent rally has been partly fueled by signs that the U.S. may be softening its stance on tariffs with China. Stocks have been in a trading range following President Trump’s “reciprocal” tariffs announcement on April 2, as investors await clarity on negotiations with key trading partners.

U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent recently commented that the current levies between the world’s two largest economies were “unsustainable,” following reports that the White House was considering slashing Beijing tariffs. On Tuesday, President Trump stated that the tariff rate will “come down substantially. But it won’t be zero.”

However, uncertainty remains, with China responding that the U.S. should lift all unilateral tariff measures if it “truly” wants to resolve the trade issue.

Major Stocks Making Moves

Several notable stocks are making significant moves today:

– **Alphabet (GOOGL)**: Up approximately 5% after beating earnings expectations.
– **Intel (INTC)**: Down more than 5% after disappointing guidance.
– **Tesla (TSLA)**: The electric vehicle maker has been volatile recently, down about 34.7% year-to-date as of March 31.
– **Apple (AAPL)**: The tech giant is trading below its 200-day moving average, down approximately 13% year-to-date as of March 31.
– **Microsoft (MSFT)**: The software giant is trading below its 50-day and 200-day moving averages, down about 10.1% year-to-date as of March 31.
– **Amazon (AMZN)**: The e-commerce and cloud computing leader is trading below its long-term 200-day line, down approximately 12.2% year-to-date as of March 31.

Expert Analysis and Market Sentiment

Market strategists are cautiously optimistic about the current rally but warn of potential volatility ahead.

“I think that really all the market needed was just a little spark to kind of move it off some of these depressed levels, and I think that’s what we’re seeing,” said Anthony Saglimbene, chief market strategist at Ameriprise. “I think we’re still in for a period of choppiness around stock trading, and I think heading into next week, it’s really going to be the big tech earnings that are going to really influence where the major averages go.”

Saglimbene also noted that satisfactory earnings results from the “Magnificent Seven” may send the market even higher over the coming days. “If we get some pretty decent earnings reports over the next couple days and over the next week, that might be an actual catalyst to kind of keep some of the momentum in major averages moving a little bit higher,” he said.

Why Is the Market Up Today?

The market’s upward movement today can be attributed to several factors:

1. **Strong Tech Earnings**: Positive results from companies like Alphabet are boosting investor confidence in the tech sector.
2. **Easing Trade Tensions**: Signs that the U.S. may be softening its stance on tariffs with China are reducing market anxiety.
3. **Momentum from Previous Days**: The market is building on the positive momentum from three consecutive days of gains.
4. **Upcoming Earnings Optimism**: Investors are positioning ahead of next week’s major tech earnings reports.

As the trading day progresses, market participants will be closely watching the consumer sentiment data and any further developments on the trade front that could impact market direction.

The stock market’s continued rally today demonstrates resilience amid ongoing economic uncertainties, with investors focusing on strong corporate earnings and potential easing of trade tensions as catalysts for further gains.

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial advice. We are not financial professionals. The authors and/or site operators may hold positions in the companies or assets mentioned. Always do your own research before making financial decisions.