Complete Market OverviewMarket Indexes Show Mixed Performance Amid Economic Data Releases
The stock market is showing mixed performance today, Wednesday, April 30, 2025, as investors digest a flurry of economic data and await major tech earnings. As of midday trading, the S&P 500 is down 0.51%, while the tech-heavy Nasdaq Composite has slipped 0.66%. In contrast, the Dow Jones Industrial Average is showing resilience, adding 300 points or 0.75%.
This mixed performance comes after a positive session on Tuesday, when the Dow and S&P 500 both posted their sixth consecutive day of gains – the longest winning streak since July for the Dow and since November for the S&P 500.
Critical Economic Data Takes Center Stage
Today marks a pivotal moment for market participants as several high-stakes economic reports are being released. The first reading of Q1 2025 GDP is expected to show an annualized growth rate of just 0.4%, according to Dow Jones estimates – a significant slowdown from the previous quarter’s 2.4% pace.
Additionally, the Personal Consumption Expenditures (PCE) price index for March is due this morning. This inflation metric, closely watched by the Federal Reserve, is expected to show no gain for March and a reading of 2.2% for headline inflation.
Tech Giants Report Earnings After the Bell
All eyes are on tech heavyweights Meta Platforms (META) and Microsoft (MSFT), which will report their quarterly earnings after today’s market close. These reports could significantly impact market sentiment moving forward.
Meta is expected to report earnings per share of $5.25 on revenue of $41.3 billion, with analysts particularly focused on advertising revenue amid concerns about the impact of President Trump’s reciprocal tariffs.
Microsoft’s results will be closely scrutinized for insights into cloud growth and AI services demand. Analysts are expecting solid cloud performance in Q3, driven by strong bookings and increasing adoption of AI technologies.
Tariff Uncertainty Continues to Shape Market Sentiment
April has been a volatile month for markets following President Trump’s sweeping “reciprocal” tariff announcement on April 2. However, stocks have gradually recovered from their initial losses, with the S&P 500 now down just 0.9% for the month after briefly entering bear market territory on April 7.
Recent comments from Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick have provided some optimism, as he indicated that the White House is close to announcing a major trade deal. “I have a deal done, done, done, done, but I need to wait for their prime minister and their parliament to give its approval, which I expect shortly,” Lutnick told CNBC, without naming the country involved.
Notable Stock Movers Today
Several companies are making significant moves following their earnings reports. Starbucks (SBUX) shares slipped 4% after missing earnings and revenue estimates for its fiscal second quarter, reporting declining same-store sales for the fifth consecutive quarter.
First Solar (FSLR) dropped 10% after offering weak guidance for the full year, while Booking Holdings (BKNG) shed 3% despite beating top and bottom-line expectations.
Looking Ahead: What Investors Should Watch
As we move through the remainder of the week, market participants should keep a close eye on the remaining earnings reports and economic data. The market’s reaction to today’s GDP and PCE figures, along with the tech earnings after the bell, will likely set the tone for trading in the days ahead.
With ongoing trade negotiations and potential policy shifts, volatility may persist, but many analysts remain cautiously optimistic about the market’s resilience in the face of economic uncertainties.