Track Markets Live NowThe stock market closed on Monday, February 17, 2025, with major indexes showing mixed results as investors eagerly await the release of Federal Reserve minutes and a slew of earnings reports this week. This end-of-day update provides a comprehensive look at the current market landscape, highlighting key events and stock movements that shaped today’s trading session.
Market Performance: Indexes Near Record Highs
The S&P 500 finished the day just shy of its all-time high, closing at 6,134.00, up 0.03%.
Why was the market up today? The positive sentiment can be attributed to several factors, including ongoing AI euphoria and anticipation of potential interest rate cuts later in the year. However, the mixed performance across indexes suggests that investors are carefully weighing various economic indicators and corporate earnings reports.
Upcoming Market Events: Fed Minutes and Earnings in Focus
Investors are keenly awaiting the release of the Federal Reserve’s January meeting minutes, which could provide insights into the central bank’s thinking on interest rates and economic outlook.
Additionally, this week’s earnings calendar is packed with high-profile companies set to report their financial results. Notable names include:
1. Alibaba (BABA): Expected move of +/- 7.85%
2. Walmart (WMT): Expected move of +/- 5.11%
3. Rivian Automotive (RIVN)
4. Baidu (BIDU): Expected move of +/- 7.85%
5. Occidental Petroleum (OXY): Expected move of +/- 4.89%
These earnings reports will provide valuable insights into various sectors of the economy, from e-commerce and retail to electric vehicles and energy.
Major Stock News: AI Continues to Drive Market Momentum
The artificial intelligence sector remains a significant driver of market activity. Palantir Technologies (PLTR) has emerged as the top performer in the S&P 500 for 2025, with a staggering gain of over 55%. Following closely is Super Micro Computer (SMCI), which has surged more than 50% year-to-date.
Other notable AI-related stock movements include:
1. WeRide (WRD): The Chinese autonomous driving company saw its stock nearly double in value.
2. SoundHound AI (SOUN): Experienced a significant sell-off, dropping 28.10% following Nvidia’s disclosure of its latest equity holdings.
Sector Performance and Market Breadth
The market’s breadth has shown improvement in 2025, with 48% of S&P 500 stocks outperforming the index, up from 29% in the previous year.
Materials stocks have shown particular strength, with companies like Corteva (CTVA), International Paper (IP), Steel Dynamics (STLD), and Vulcan Materials (VMC) breaking out of multi-week trading ranges.
Looking Ahead: Market Outlook and Potential Risks
While the market remains near all-time highs, some analysts caution that we may be entering a period of seasonal weakness. Jonathan Krinsky of BTIG suggests that any marginal new high might be followed by a deeper pullback into March, although the overall bullish trend remains intact as long as the S&P 500 stays above 6,000.
Investors should keep an eye on upcoming economic data releases, including manufacturing and services sector updates, as well as consumer sentiment indicators. These reports, along with the Fed minutes and corporate earnings, will play a crucial role in shaping market direction in the coming weeks.
In conclusion, the stock market’s performance today reflects a delicate balance between optimism fueled by AI advancements and caution ahead of important economic and corporate data releases. As we move further into 2025, investors will need to navigate carefully through potential volatility while keeping an eye on long-term growth opportunities.