Stock Market Recap: Wall Street Climbs as Tech Rebounds and Tariff Threats Shake Markets
Major Indexes Close Higher Despite Trade Tensions
On Monday, February 10, 2025, Wall Street ended the day on a positive note, with all major indexes posting gains. The S&P 500 rose 0.67% to 6,066.44, the Dow Jones Industrial Average added 0.38% to 44,470.41, and the Nasdaq Composite climbed 0.98% to 19,714.27. This upward movement came as investors shrugged off recent tariff threats and focused on the strength of technology stocks and artificial intelligence (AI) developments.
Tech Stocks Lead the Rally
The technology sector was the driving force behind today’s market gains. Nvidia (NVDA) surged 3.2%, while Microsoft (MSFT) and Alphabet (GOOGL) each rose more than 1%. These gains came despite recent concerns about the billions spent on AI development and competition from cheaper AI models like those from Chinese startup DeepSeek.
Dennis Dick, an equity trader and market structure analyst at Triple D Trading, noted, “There’s still this underlying theme that people want to be invested in tech stocks and AI. Those stocks continue to get bought on dips, (they) continue to outperform overall.”
Tariff Threats and Steel Sector Surge
President Donald Trump’s announcement of potential new tariffs on steel and aluminum imports had a significant impact on the market. The VanEck Steel ETF (SLX) jumped 2.6%, with steel producers seeing substantial gains. Cleveland-Cliffs (CLF) advanced 11.7%, while U.S. Steel (X) gained 4%. Aluminum producer Alcoa (AA) also saw a 2.3% increase.
The proposed 25% tariffs on all steel and aluminum imports into the United States would be in addition to existing duties on these metals. This news has created both opportunities and concerns for investors, as they weigh the potential benefits for domestic producers against the broader economic implications of trade tensions.
Earnings Reports Drive Individual Stock Movements
Several companies saw significant stock movements based on their earnings reports. McDonald’s (MCD) shares jumped 5.1% after the fast-food giant reported a surprise rise in global comparable sales for the fourth quarter. Rockwell Automation (ROK) gained 11.1% following higher-than-expected first-quarter profits.
Investors are eagerly anticipating upcoming earnings reports from major companies later this week, including Coca-Cola (KO), DoorDash (DASH), CVS Health (CVS), and Cisco (CSCO).
Upcoming Market Events to Watch
Several key events are on the horizon that could impact market performance in the coming days:
1. Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell’s testimony before Congress later this week.
2. The release of the January consumer price index (CPI) on Wednesday morning, before Powell’s testimony.
3. Continued monitoring of the Federal Reserve’s stance on interest rate cuts, with expectations for March cuts solidifying after Friday’s mixed U.S. employment report.
Market Breadth and New Highs/Lows
Market breadth was positive, with advancing issues outnumbering decliners by a 1.82-to-1 ratio on the NYSE and a 1.19-to-1 ratio on the Nasdaq. The S&P 500 posted 12 new 52-week highs and 13 new lows, while the Nasdaq Composite recorded 70 new highs and 135 new lows.
Why Was the Market Up Today?
The market’s upward movement today can be attributed to several factors:
1. Resilience of tech stocks, particularly in the AI sector
2. Positive earnings reports from major companies like McDonald’s
3. Gains in the steel and aluminum sectors following tariff announcements
4. Investors brushing off trade tensions and focusing on growth potential
As we move further into the week, market participants will be closely watching upcoming earnings reports, economic data releases, and Federal Reserve commentary for further direction on market trends and potential investment opportunities.
