Market Recap: Wall Street Edges Higher on Tech Earnings, Economic Data
Major Indexes Show Modest Gains Amid Mixed Corporate Results
As the trading day came to a close on Wednesday, October 30, 2024, U.S. stock markets posted modest gains, driven by strong earnings reports from tech giants and mixed economic data. The S&P 500 rose 0.3%, hovering near its all-time high set earlier this month. The Dow Jones Industrial Average gained 197 points, or 0.5%, while the Nasdaq Composite added 0.2%, building on its record set the previous day .
Tech Earnings Boost Market Sentiment
The day’s trading was largely influenced by earnings reports from major technology companies. Alphabet (GOOGL), the parent company of Google, was a standout performer, rallying 5.5% after surpassing analysts’ profit forecasts for the latest quarter . This impressive showing reinforced the strength of the “Magnificent Seven” stocks, which have been driving much of the market’s gains in recent months.
Investors are now eagerly awaiting earnings reports from Meta Platforms (META) and Microsoft (MSFT), both set to release their results after the market close. These reports are expected to provide further insight into the health of the tech sector and its impact on the broader market.
Mixed Results in Other Sectors
While tech stocks generally performed well, other sectors saw mixed results. Advanced Micro Devices (AMD) disappointed investors, with its stock plunging 9.5% after reporting quarterly profits that merely met expectations and providing a revenue forecast that fell short of analyst estimates . This underperformance weighed on the semiconductor industry, with Nvidia (NVDA) also experiencing a 1% decline.
In the pharmaceutical sector, Eli Lilly (LLY) faced significant headwinds, tumbling 6% following weaker-than-expected quarterly results. The company also cut its full-year 2024 profit forecast, citing inventory challenges with its blockbuster products Mounjaro and Zepbound .
Economic Data Paints a Mixed Picture
Investors had to digest a variety of economic reports released on Wednesday. The U.S. government’s preliminary estimate showed that economic growth slowed during the summer months compared to the spring. However, the performance was slightly better than economists had anticipated .
A separate report indicated that private sector hiring accelerated in October, contrary to expectations of a slowdown. This data has raised optimism ahead of Friday’s comprehensive jobs report from the U.S. government, which is expected to show a significant deceleration in hiring for October .
Federal Reserve and Interest Rate Expectations
The mixed economic data has led to some recalibration of expectations regarding the Federal Reserve’s monetary policy. While a slowing economy aligns with the Fed’s efforts to control inflation through interest rate hikes, the resilience in the job market suggests the central bank may need to maintain a cautious stance.
Traders are largely anticipating a quarter-percentage point cut in the federal funds rate at the Fed’s next meeting. This would represent a more modest easing compared to the half-point cut implemented in the previous month .
Looking Ahead: Market Events to Watch
As we move forward, market participants will be closely monitoring several key events:
1. Earnings reports from Meta Platforms and Microsoft, due after market close on October 30.
2. The comprehensive U.S. jobs report for October, scheduled for release on Friday, November 1.
3. Ongoing developments in the artificial intelligence sector and their impact on tech stocks.
4. Any shifts in Federal Reserve policy or communications following the upcoming meeting.
Conclusion
The stock market’s performance on October 30, 2024, reflects the complex interplay of corporate earnings, economic data, and monetary policy expectations. While tech earnings continue to drive much of the market’s momentum, investors remain cautious about the broader economic picture and potential shifts in Fed policy. As we approach the end of the year, these factors will likely continue to shape market sentiment and drive investment decisions.
