Stock Market Today: Major Indexes Push Higher Amid Earnings and Economic Data
As the stock market opens on Tuesday, February 18, 2025, investors are witnessing a positive start to the holiday-shortened trading week. The major indexes are pushing higher, with futures indicating gains across the board.
Market Performance
The S&P 500 futures are up 0.4%, pointing to a potential new record high for the index.
– S&P 500: 6,112.38, down 0.04%
– Dow Jones Industrial Average: 44,392.20, down 0.35%
– Nasdaq Composite: 20,022.56, down 0.02%
The positive momentum in futures suggests that investors are shaking off concerns from the previous week and looking forward to upcoming earnings reports and economic data.
Key Stocks to Watch
Several stocks are making significant moves in pre-market trading:
1. NVIDIA Corporation (NVDA): Up 1.63% to $141.12
2. Intel Corporation (INTC): Up 7.92% to $25.47
3. Super Micro Computer, Inc. (SMCI): Up 12.19% to $53.75
4. Palantir Technologies Inc. (PLTR): Up 2.75% to $122.44
These technology stocks, particularly in the semiconductor and AI sectors, continue to show strength and are likely to influence overall market sentiment.
Upcoming Market Events
Investors are keeping a close eye on several key events this week:
1. Federal Reserve Minutes: The release of the Fed minutes on Wednesday will provide insights into the central bank’s thinking on interest rates and monetary policy.
2. Housing Data: New housing data is expected to be released, which could impact real estate and related sectors.
3. Walmart Earnings: NYSE-listed Walmart is set to release its earnings report on Thursday, which could provide valuable insights into consumer spending trends.
Economic Data and Market Trends
Recent economic data has shown mixed signals:
1. Retail Sales: January retail sales fell 0.9%, more than the expected 0.3% decline. This marks the largest drop since March 2023, attributed to severe weather, wildfires, and auto shortages.
2. Core Retail Sales: Excluding auto, core retail sales decreased by 0.4% in January, missing the consensus estimate of a 0.3% increase.
3. Year-over-Year Growth: Despite the monthly decline, retail sales were up 4.2% year-over-year, supported by a strong labor market.
Market Outlook
The market’s resilience in the face of mixed economic data suggests that investors are focusing on potential future improvements. The Federal Reserve is expected to hold rates steady, and market participants anticipate a rebound in sales in the coming months.
Shift in Market Focus: Analysts at Neuberger Berman note that the market has moved on from obsessing about inflation to focusing more on growth expectations. This shift is evident in the performance of value stocks, industrials, financials, and European equities since the start of the year.
Conclusion
As the market opens on February 18, 2025, investors are navigating a complex landscape of economic data, corporate earnings, and policy expectations. The positive start to the week, driven by technology stocks and optimism about future growth, sets the stage for an interesting trading period ahead. With key events like the Fed minutes and Walmart’s earnings report on the horizon, market participants will be closely monitoring how these factors influence the broader economic narrative and stock market performance.
