Stock Market Live UpdatesMarket Overview: S&P 500 Turns Positive for the Year
The stock market continued its upward momentum on Wednesday, May 14, 2025, as investors remain optimistic following the recent trade agreement between the United States and China. The S&P 500 has now turned positive for the year, reflecting renewed confidence in the market after weeks of uncertainty surrounding potential tariffs.
As of the latest trading session, the S&P 500 rose 0.72% to 5,886.55, while the tech-heavy Nasdaq Composite climbed 1.61% to 19,010.08, marking its fifth consecutive positive session. The Dow Jones Industrial Average, however, fell 0.64% to 42,140.43, primarily weighed down by healthcare stocks.
Why Is the Market Up Today? Trade Deal Fuels Optimism
The primary catalyst behind the market’s recent rally is the 90-day tariff reduction agreement announced on Monday between the U.S. and China. This development has significantly eased concerns about an escalating trade war that could have hampered economic growth. The agreement sets tariffs at 30% on Chinese imports, substantially lower than the 145% initially proposed last month.
“It’s a big risk-on sentiment at the moment. While the structural issues between [the U.S. and China] remain unresolved, I think the signal is quite clear that neither side wants to push trade tensions further,” said Lale Akoner, global market analyst at eToro.
Additionally, recent inflation data has contributed to market optimism. New data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics showed a surprising cooldown in annual inflation, with consumer prices in April recording their lowest annual increase since February 2021.
Tech Sector Leads the Charge
Technology stocks have been the standout performers in the current market rally. The tech sector rose more than 2% in Tuesday’s session, with several major companies extending their winning streaks. Apple (AAPL) has risen in four consecutive sessions, while Amazon (AMZN) has notched five straight positive days.
Nvidia (NVDA) emerged as a major gainer, jumping more than 5% on news that the semiconductor giant would send over 18,000 of its artificial intelligence chips to Saudi Arabia. The company’s stock closed at $129.86, making it one of the top performers on the Nasdaq.
Other notable tech gainers included Micron Technology (MU), which rose 5.05%, and Broadcom Inc (AVGO), which climbed 4.97%. Tesla (TSLA) also performed strongly, gaining 4.94% to close at $333.95.
Healthcare Sector Faces Challenges
While most sectors showed gains, healthcare stocks faced significant pressure. UnitedHealth Group (UNH) was the biggest decliner on the Dow, plummeting 17.75% after the company suspended its earnings guidance and announced that CEO Andrew Witty would step down for personal reasons.
Upcoming Earnings and Market Events
Investors are closely watching several key earnings reports scheduled for release today. Cisco Systems (CSCO) will report its third-quarter results after market close, with analysts expecting earnings per share of $0.92 compared to $0.88 in the same quarter last year.
Other notable companies reporting earnings today include Sony Group Corporation (SONY), MakeMyTrip (MMYT), and Star Bulk Carriers (SBLK). The market will also be watching for the performance of recent and upcoming IPOs, including eToro, which has priced its shares at $52 for its Nasdaq debut under the ticker ETOR, and Chime, which has filed to go public under the symbol “CHYM”.
Market Outlook
As Wall Street continues to digest the positive developments on the trade front, market sentiment remains cautiously optimistic. The futures market indicated a steady opening for Wednesday, with S&P 500 futures adding 0.07% and Nasdaq 100 futures inching 0.18% higher in early trading.
With the S&P 500 now in positive territory for the year and the Nasdaq showing strong momentum, investors will be watching closely to see if this rally can be sustained amid ongoing economic uncertainties and the upcoming earnings season.