Today’s Complete Market CoverageI’ll complete the article based on the information gathered so far.
Major Indexes Show Mixed Performance Following Monday’s Rally
As of midday Tuesday, May 13, 2025, U.S. markets are showing mixed performance following yesterday’s significant rally sparked by the U.S.-China trade agreement. The S&P 500 is up 0.72% at 5,886.30, while the tech-heavy Nasdaq Composite has gained 1.46% to reach 18,980.98. Meanwhile, the Dow Jones Industrial Average is down 0.43% at 42,225.80, primarily dragged down by UnitedHealth’s steep decline.
Monday saw a substantial market surge after the United States and China agreed to temporarily slash tariffs for 90 days following weekend negotiations. The U.S. will reduce tariffs on Chinese imports to 30% from 145%, while China will cut tariffs on U.S. imports to 10% from 125%. This development has significantly eased fears of a global trade war and boosted investor confidence.
Key Economic Data Released Today
This morning’s Consumer Price Index (CPI) data showed inflation increasing 0.2% in April after dipping 0.1% in March. The year-over-year CPI climbed 2.3% through April, down slightly from 2.4% in March and below economists’ forecast of 2.4%. This moderate inflation reading suggests the Federal Reserve may maintain its current wait-and-see approach regarding interest rate cuts.
Traders are currently leaning toward expectations that the Fed will hold off on lowering interest rates until September, while still anticipating two 25-basis-point cuts by the end of the year. Market participants will be closely watching Fed Chair Jerome Powell’s scheduled speech on Thursday for further insights into monetary policy direction.
Major Stock Movers Today
UnitedHealth Group (UNH) is the day’s biggest drag on the Dow, plummeting approximately 16% after the health insurance giant suspended its annual forecast and announced that CEO Andrew Witty has stepped down.
On the positive side, Coinbase Global (COIN) has surged nearly 17% after the announcement that the cryptocurrency exchange operator will join the S&P 500 index on May 19.
NVIDIA Corporation (NVDA) continues its impressive performance, rising 6.18% as tech stocks lead today’s gains. Other notable tech gainers include Palantir Technologies (PLTR), up 5.47%.
Renewable energy stocks are also seeing significant gains today, with First Solar (FSLR) jumping over 22% and Sunrun (RUN) up more than 18%.
Archer Aviation (ACHR) leads the day’s gainers with a remarkable 23.62% increase, while Halozyme Therapeutics (HALO) is the biggest loser, down 27.30%.
Companies Reporting Earnings Today
Several notable companies are reporting earnings today. Before the market opened, Sea Limited (SE) reported results, with the stock up 8.45% in midday trading. Other companies reporting before the bell included CyberArk Software (CYBR) and JD.com (JD).
Companies scheduled to report after today’s market close include Exelixis (EXEL), Gevo (GEVO), Inovio Pharmaceuticals (INO), Vaxart (VXRT), and Nu Holdings (NU).
Upcoming Market Events
Investors should keep an eye on several important economic releases later this week. On Thursday, May 15, key data will include Advance Retail Sales, the Empire State Manufacturing Survey, the Philadelphia Fed Manufacturing Survey, and the Producer Price Index (PPI). These reports will provide further insights into economic conditions and inflation trends.
Additionally, Fed Chair Jerome Powell is scheduled to speak on Thursday, which could provide valuable insights into the Federal Reserve’s current thinking on monetary policy and economic outlook.
Market Outlook
The recent U.S.-China trade agreement has significantly improved market sentiment, with Goldman Sachs becoming the first major brokerage to lower its probability of a U.S. recession. The three major indexes have managed to recover from losses experienced since April 2, when President Trump announced sweeping reciprocal tariffs.
As earnings season draws to a close with more than 90% of S&P 500 companies having reported, investors are now turning their attention to upcoming retail earnings, including results from retail giant Walmart (WMT) expected later this week.
The market’s focus remains on inflation data, potential Fed rate cuts, and further developments in international trade relations. Today’s moderate inflation reading provides some reassurance to investors concerned about persistent price pressures, while the trade agreement with China has removed a significant source of uncertainty from global markets.