Author: PAZAMBA

Despite unresolved tensions related to the Federal Reserve’s rate decision, the July employment report, and tariff deadlines, the S & P 500 has seen record-setting highs following a 30% rebound from its April low. Upcoming factors like the predicted dissenting vote during the Fed meeting and a likely solid employment report could affect upcoming market results. Simultaneously, a 50-50 likelihood of a new trade agreement with the EU and an 83% chance of a deal with China indicate fluctuating international trade relations.

Palantir Technologies rose to being one of the 20 most valuable U.S. companies as its stock doubled in value in 2025, surpassing Home Depot and Procter & Gamble and reaching a market cap of $375 billion. Its growing government business and close ties with the U.S. government are among the factors driving its success.

In Friday’s stock market, a notable gainer was Deckers Outdoor with an 11.5% increase in stock following better-than-expected quarterly reports. However, Intel reported a messy quarter leading to an 8% drop in stock, while JP Morgan downgraded Procter & Gamble due to lackluster expectations. Palantir’s stock also rose after being given an overweight buy rating from Piper Sandler.

In Congress, the new SHARE Act proposes tax incentives for companies that distribute stock to employees, a move that could potentially transfer nearly $4 trillion in stock value to 40 million middle-class Americans.

OpenAI’s efforts to seek independence from Microsoft have raised concerns about the future of Microsoft’s $14 billion investment. If no renegotiation agreement is reached by the end of the year, OpenAI risks losing billions, including $40 billion from SoftBank and other investors. Despite the ongoing negotiations, Microsoft’s AI business has surpassed expectations, with a potential earnings of around $99 billion by 2029 if OpenAI meets its projections.

Stocks closed the week on a high note, with the S&P 500 reaching new record highs. Main gainers included Tesla which jumped more than 4% after reports its robotaxi service will debut in San Francisco. Shares in the gold miner Newmont also went up by 6% after reporting better than expected quarterly earnings, while Deckers Outdoor jumped more than 13% following impressive quarterly results.

On the other hand, Intel saw its stock drop more than 8% following the announcement of slashing foundry costs in an attempt to turn around its struggling business. Shareholders were left concerned despite a better-than-expected earnings report. Intel’s foundry decision was labelled a “positive step” by JPMorgan Chase analysts, but ongoing market share losses remain a concern.

Two companies going through post-earnings slides are Dover and Honeywell. Despite reporting solid earnings, both are down again, frustrating investors. The CNBC Investing Club might consider buying more stocks in these companies.

Charter Communications’ shares dropped almost 17% after disappointing Q2 results, making it the worst day ever for the company. Charter Communications lost broadband and video subscribers, and this news also negatively affected other cable providers like Comcast and Altice.

Next week will be busy for earnings, with around 150 S&P 500 companies set to report. Microsoft, Meta, and the much-awaited tech giants Apple and Amazon will be reporting earnings next week.

Lastly, Intel planning significant spending cuts, Intel’s CEO Lip-Bu Tan announced a number of cutbacks, one of them for a division known as a foundry that produces chips for other companies. The division has an operating loss and needs a major customer.

Tesla saw a significant missed opportunity in terms of financial gains as it sold 75% of its bitcoin holdings in mid-2022 at a fraction of its current price. Presently, Tesla’s digital assets are valued at $1.24 billion, significantly higher compared to $722 million a year ago. However, the value could have been considerably larger if Tesla had maintained its bitcoin holdings. The company’s stock plunged by 8% due to weak second-quarter performance and is currently down about 25% for the year.

Honeywell, on the other hand, saw an unwarranted drop in shares despite solid second quarter results, presenting a buying opportunity for investors. The multinational conglomerate surpassed Wall Street estimates for revenue, organic sales growth, and adjusted EPS in Q2, and further raised its full-year outlook for these metrics. Despite disappointing segment margins due to increased research and development costs, Honeywell’s shares are recommended for purchase.

Industrial turnaround company, Dover, saw their shares decline despite surpassing second quarter results and enhancing its full-year outlook. The market is perceived to be misjudging this performance. The company showed a record adjusted segment EBITDA margin and solid growth and productivity investments for supporting long-term growth.

Major movers in the stock market included Union Pacific, whose shares fell by nearly 3%, while competitor CSX’s shares increased by less than 1% due to ongoing talks about a potential union with Norfolk Southern Co. IBM shares fell by 7% on disappointing software business revenue. Among the gainers, American Eagle Outfitters’ shares surged by 4% on the launch of a new ad campaign. Other major movers included, GoPro, Opendoor Technologies, UnitedHealth Group, Albemarle, West Pharmaceutical, Bloom Energy, Dow Inc., and Alphabet, which saw a 1% rise on stronger-than-anticipated earnings.

In terms of future stocks to watch, analyst believe stocks with high short interest and name-brand recognition, which have been popular on the Wall Street Bets Reddit page, are more likely to surge in the current market. One such example includes popular camera manufacturer, GoPro, which saw a 12% rise in shares.

Stocks were largely higher with the S&P 500 and Nasdaq hitting new all-time highs, led by gains in Alphabet due to an earnings beat. Honeywell shares fell despite beats on top and bottom lines and raised guidance, while Dover also took a hit following solid earnings; both are viewed as buy opportunities by analysts. Semiconductor stocks Broadcom and Nvidia were both higher following Alphabet’s raised outlook on capital expenditure.

Nvidia responded to reports of AI chip smuggling, stating that it does not support unauthorized products. Unauthorized data centers built with smuggled chips were deemed a “losing proposition” technically and economically. At least $1 billion worth of Nvidia’s artificial intelligence chips are reported to have illegally entered China amid President Donald Trump’s restrictions on shipments to the country.

Cboe Global Markets (CBOE) was listed as one of the best financial businesses, with its stock moving in a tightly wound, neat little uptrend all summer long. The stock has greatly outperformed the S&P 500 since its inception 15 years ago, returning a cumulative 854% compared to 647% total return for the S&P 500.

Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick declared TikTok will be turned off for Americans unless China agrees to give the U.S. more control over the application. Since 2024, the app has faced uncertainty in the U.S. after Congress passed a bill banning it unless ByteDance, its Chinese owner, divested from it.

Versant, a spinoff from Comcast expected to be completed by year-end, announced its board of directors. It will be the parent company of NBCUniversal’s cable networks, including CNBC. The prospective board members hail from industries such as media, technology, and finance.

The stock market continues to perform well on the back of positive political developments, with the S&P 500 reaching new record highs. This improvement has been buoyed by several trade agreements, including a “massive deal” between the U.S. and Japan and an impending agreement with the European Union.

On the companies front, Broadcom shares initially dipped following reports that Meta Platforms may opt for MediaTek for its new flexible chip. However, the stock rebounded and traded up by around 0.75% later. The energy sector’s sluggish performance is also in focus, yet Wolfe Research identifies Peabody Energy as showing “one of the most convincing charts within energy.”

President Donald Trump is reportedly considering abolishing capital gains taxes on home sales. This comes after the launch of the No Tax on Home Sales Act intended to eliminate such taxes on primary home sales. The bill is largely targeted at long-term residents, particularly seniors residing in high-value areas, to increase housing availability and support financial security.

Among companies making the biggest midday moves, shares of GE Vernova soared by 14% due to increased power demand that compensated for impacts from President Trump’s tariffs. Other noteworthy performers include GoPro and Krispy Kreme, both of which saw stock prices surge by 21% and 8%, respectively, due to support from Reddit’s retail traders. On the unfortunate side, Fiserv shares dipped by 15% after the fintech company downgraded its full-year organic revenue guidance. Texas Instruments also saw share prices drop by more than 11% after releasing a disappointing third-quarter forecast.

Investment advisor Jim Cramer highlights GE Vernova’s excellent performance and cautions investors against chasing the stock’s steep rise at this time. Cramer also recommends watching out for earnings reports from Dover and Honeywell, both of which are projected to post encouraging results. Furthermore, he advises investors to be wary of meme traders manipulating the share prices of stocks such as GoPro and Krispy Kreme.

Texas Instruments’ shares plummeted by 13% due to warnings of potential fallout from ongoing tariffs. The semiconductor supplier expects third-quarter earnings between $1.36 and $1.60 per share. CEO Haviv Ilan cited a slow recovery in the automotive sector and persistent customer concerns about tariffs and geopolitical uncertainties as contributing factors.

Tesla is expected to report a second-quarter revenue of $22.74 billion after trading with an expectation of a decrease by 11% from the previous year. This would make it their second consecutive quarterly decline. One of the reasons acts for this slump includes CEO Elon Musk’s political activism, specifically support for President Donald Trump and endorsement of Germany’s extreme anti-immigrant AfD party. General Motors, on the other hand, saw a year-over-year rise of 111% in electric vehicle sales, with nearly 46,300 units sold in the second quarter.

The National Association of Realtors is pushing to end the three-decade-old capital gains tax on home sales, as suggested by President Donald Trump. Currently, this tax affects 15% of homeowners if they were to sell in today’s market, particularly impacting the retirees who want to downsize but are deterred by the resulting tax.

Researchers at the University of Florida have made promising strides towards a universal cancer vaccine. The experimental mRNA vaccine has been demonstrated in mice to amplify the anti-tumor effects of a common cancer drug. If replicated in humans, this could offer an alternative to surgery, radiation, and chemotherapy. The vaccine encourages the body to produce proteins that stimulate the immune system, making cancer cells more susceptible to immune attacks.

Current market data: Dow, S&P, Nasdaq, Tesla, and General Motors outstanding gains and losses not featured are therefore not reported. Analysts expect Tesla to report a decline in revenue for the second quarter while Texas Instruments shares have dropped by 13%. Other market data not reported in the articles cannot be provided.

Interactive Brokers is forecasted to rise even higher, with the stock up over 40% in 2025. The company is benefiting from a strong economic climate and deregulation in the financial sector. Meanwhile, the tech sector could potentially see a near term pullback after experiencing a significant growth of 40% since April. The Invesco QQQ Trust, which tracks the Nasdaq-100, has shown particular strength but analysts recommend a cautious approach.

Regarding individual stocks, General Motors beat expectations for Q2 but shares dropped around 3% due to investor concerns. Real-estate ecommerce platform, Opendoor Technologies, has seen a rally of over 500% in the past month due to online hype. Coca-Cola’s shares fell slightly despite stronger than expected Q2 results.

Financial advisor Todd Gordon predicts a secular AI-driven technology bull market despite potential short-term pullbacks. He also mentioned a concern about potential movement in both gold and treasury bond markets that could impact stock market if they go higher.

Virtual earnings reports from a series of companies have resulted in mixed stock activity. Outsourced clinical development services provider, Medpace, saw its shares increase by 48% after Q2 income and revenue exceeded analyst predictions. Similarly, shares in IQVIA increased by 17% after it topped earnings and narrowed its full-year guidance. However, Equifax’s stocks dropped by 7% due to disappointing Q3 guidance.

Notably, Steel manufacturer, Steel Dynamics, saw shares slide by 3% after its Q2 results were behind expectations. In contrast, homebuilder D.R. Horton saw a 14% surge in shares after its Q3 results exceeded analyst forecasts.

Finally, UBS upgraded Albertsons to a buy, sending shares of the grocery chain up by 3%. However, the Dutch semiconductor maker NXP Semiconductors saw its shares drop 2% as Q2 sales declined because of slow demand in the automotive market.

Shares of Kohl’s surged in a rally similar to the meme stock phenomenon, with the price doubling from Monday’s close of $10.42 per share before gains were largely lost again. The stock then gained +40%, trading at a volume 17 times higher than the past 30-day average. On the other hand, Capital One’s Q2 earnings report is expected to provide insight into the health of the U.S. consumer. This is especially important as it is one of America’s largest credit card issuers.

In Federal Reserve news, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent stated that while Jerome Powell does not need to resign, an internal review of the central bank’s operations is needed. This comes amidst criticisms of the Fed’s $2.5 billion building renovation project which has seen significant cost overruns. Warren Buffett denied rumors that Berkshire’s railroad BNSF is working on a takeover deal with Goldman Sachs.

In the pre-market, higher trading was seen for several stocks. Opendoor Technologies’ stock surged over 13%, extending a rally driven by retail traders. Other gainers include provider of outsourced clinical development services Medpace, whose share soared over 45% after its Q2 net income and revenue beat analysts’ estimates and the company raised full-year guidance. Homebuilder D.R. Horton also saw a 7% increase after Q3 earnings exceeded expectations.

Among the losers were General Motors, Lockheed Martin, and NXP Semiconductors. General Motors shares fell nearly 4% despite beating Q2 sales and profit expectations. Lockheed Martin’s shares dropped 8% after Q2 revenue fell short of analyst estimates. NXP Semiconductors experienced a 6% drop after Q2 sales declined due to slow auto market demand.

There was no specific indicator provided for the performance of Dow, S&P, and Nasdaq.

Trade uncertainty due to the Trump administration’s ongoing trade wars has resulted in decreasing volumes for smaller U.S. ports as importers and exporters adjust supply chain timings. Ports like Oakland, Jacksonville, New Orleans, and Panama City are seeing reduced trade activity, with Oakland reporting a 10.1% decrease month-over-month in June.

CEO of tech company Astronomer, Andy Byron, stepped down following a scandal that led to $7.3 million in bets on prediction markets, with odds of resignation peaking at 80%. The controversy led to considerable trading volumes on prediction markets Kalshi and Polymarket.

Trump Media and Technology Group has amassed around $2 billion in Bitcoin and related assets, contributing largely to President Trump’s net worth. The trend towards cryptocurrency appears to be benefiting Trump Media’s shares, which surged as high as 9% on Monday.

Analyst Jim Cramer shared his top 10 stock market observations, noting major moves from companies such as Block, Verizon, DoorDash, and Amazon. Cramer also highlighted potentially profitable developments such as Trump’s new spending bill and the EBITDA-strong second-quarter earnings for Verizon.

In preparation for the trading week, investors are advised to watch for factors such as the ramping up of earnings season, increasing tension between the White House and Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell, an impending tariff deadline, Alaska Airlines’ recent IT outage, and possible cyberattacks on key businesses and government agencies. Recent developments, such as Trump’s crypto-supportive legislation and Microsoft’s cyberattack warnings, could create ripples affecting a range of sectors and companies.

In today’s financial news, Domino’s Pizza is achieving growth in the restaurant industry as it targets discounts and deals to both overlap market share from competitors and appeal to low-end consumers. Despite missing Wall Street’s projected earnings due to a $27.4 million charge on its investment in its China licensee, Domino’s reported a notable increase in sales, especially from the introduction of its stuffed crust pizza and its $9.99 “Best Deal Ever” promotion. These strategies have led to a 3.4% growth in Q2 U.S. similar store sales, beating estimates of a 2% rise. However, Domino’s shares dipped by more than 2% during Monday’s afternoon trading.

In the stocks market, Bruker lost around 12% after announcing disappointing Q2 guidance, while Block had an 8% surge as it prepares to join the S&P 500 before trading begins on July 23rd, replacing Hess that has been bought out by Chevron. Arrowhead Pharmaceuticals dropped nearly 12%, just as Cleveland-Cliffs rose by 13% after announcing expected reduced capital expenditures and administrative expenses for the year, overriding its Q2 loss. Verizon rose by 5% when its Q2 earnings were released, revealing that the company’s earnings exceeded expectations, and Dollar Tree gained 2.2% after an upgrade to overweight from Barclays.

Regarding AI development, Melius has advised Apple to consider acquiring AI startup Perplexity, predicting that the move would cause a surge in Apple’s shares if the firm started charging users for a $200 annual subscription for using the AI-powered search engine.

In other news, Figma’s IPO may value the design software company at around $16 billion, as it released an updated IPO prospectus on Monday stating its expectation to sell 37 million shares at $25-$28 each. If achieved, Figma and its shareholders might raise $1 billion.

Lastly, Subway has appointed Burger King veteran Jonathan Fitzpatrick as its new CEO, effective July 28. Prior to his appointment, Fitzpatrick spent over a decade at automotive services provider Driven Brands and also had a stint as Burger King’s chief brand and operations officer. This news follows a long search for Subway’s new CEO after the retirement of previous CEO John Chidsey.

This week has seen mixed results in the stock market. The Dow Jones Industrial Average fell by 142.30 points or 0.32%, settling at 44,342.19 after reports that President Trump pushed for increased tariffs on the European Union. On the other hand, the S&P 500 and Nasdaq Composite posted weekly gains, rising by 0.6% and 1.5% respectively.

The main gainers this week were PepsiCo and United Airlines, both of which saw shares climb after beating earnings estimates. Meanwhile, Nvidia gained 4% in the tech sector, adding to the upward trajectory of the Nasdaq. Tesla and Alphabet also experienced a positive week in anticipation of excellent results from their upcoming earnings reports.

Netflix, however, slid 5% following announcements that its operating margin in the latter half of this year will likely be lower than the first half. Other underperformers included Wells Fargo and BlackRock, whose shares fell due to disappointing earnings news. The drop in shares of 3M and American Express also contributed to the Dow’s downward trend.

Inflation fears decreased, pushing consumer sentiment to its highest level since February. However, ongoing uncertainty around President Trump’s tariffs and lofty valuations remain obstacles for the market.

Solid economic data and robust earnings from many companies provided a boost to investor confidence. Approximately 83% of the 12% of S&P 500 companies that have reported results so far have beaten estimates.

Going forward, investors will monitor incoming earnings reports and economic data, along with the potential impact of the proposed tariffs on the EU, as calls for federal rate cuts grow more nuanced.

The Nasdaq Composite (^IXIC) and the S&P 500 (^GSPC) edged towards record highs this week despite tariff-related tensions and the reportedly impending dismissal of Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell by President Trump. The Nasdaq Composite rose slightly to attain a new record while both the S&P 500 and Dow Jones Industrial Average (^DJI) fell by 0.3%.

Following last week’s gains, the Nasdaq Composite increased by more than 1.6% and the S&P 500 rose by about 0.7%, leaving the Dow Jones almost flat. The S&P 500 stands at 6,263.70 following an increase of 0.32%. Meanwhile, the Nasdaq Composite added 0.26% to close at 20,730.49, marking its ninth record close of the year, while the Dow Jones added 231.49 points, or 0.53%, ending at 44,254.78.

Major losers in the stock market this week include Netflix, whose Q2 results failed to impress the market, leading to a drop in the company’s stocks. In contrast, American Express, Bank of America, Johnson & Johnson, Morgan Stanley, and Goldman Sachs all enjoyed a rise in their stocks following their strong Q2 results.

This week also saw fashion brand Burberry’s stocks rise in London as it reported a smaller-than-anticipated drop in sales, indicating progress under the new CEO Joshua Schulman’s turnaround plan. This resulted in retail revenues falling by 6% to £433m for the 13 weeks to June 28, a deceleration in the downturn of Burberry’s sales. However, the S&P 500 is currently expected to report a growth in earnings of 5.6% compared to the same quarter last year.

While President Trump has strongly criticized Powell’s management of the Federal Reserve, he has denied reports suggesting imminent plans to dismiss Powell. Banks and large financial institutions have generally opposed this potential move, stating their belief that Powell’s management of the Fed has been effective.

Stock market on Friday closed slightly lower with the Dow down by 0.42%, S&P 500 down by 0.54%, and Nasdaq down by 0.71%.

Texas Roadhouse’s stock fell roughly 8% due to increasing beef inflation. Despite this, Bank of America raised its price target on the steakhouse to $219 from $203, expecting long-term growth.

Sarepta Therapeutics shares plunged by over 30% as FDA flagged safety concerns regarding its gene therapy, Elevidys. Sarepta’s stock has fallen over 87% this year.

Talen Energy’s share price surged 23% after the company announced its acquisition of two power plants for $3.5 billion. Invesco shares also jumped by 12% due to structural changes in its popular trust. Conversely, Netflix shares dipped by 4% after a warning regarding lower margins for the second half of the year due to higher content and marketing costs.

Abbott Laboratories shares went up after an upgrade from Jefferies, considering that Thursday’s 8.5% sell-off was “too punitive” and the outlook headwind as temporary.

In the crypto market, Ether climbed higher by 4% to $3,578.67 as President Trump signed the GENIUS Act stablecoin legislation, while bitcoin price slipped by 1%.

In other news, lawmakers also passed a second, broader crypto market structure bill, the CLARITY Act, which will now go to the Senate.

Amprius Technologies, a firm that manufactures lithium-ion batteries for drones and high-altitude pseudo satellites, has seen its stocks surge by over 187% in 2025. William Blair has upgraded Amprius’ stock to outperform due to an increased focus on drones in the Trump administration’s defense strategy, with the increased demand potentially leading to large purchase orders.

In other news, the S & P 500 climbed to a new all-time high on Friday due to a flurry of strong earnings reports. Netflix experienced a slight drop in shares (over 2%) following its Q2 revenue and EPS beat, while 3M’s revenues and adjusted EPS of $2.16 exceeded market expectations, triggering a 2% rise in its stock. American Express also reported robust revenue and adjusted EPS, leading to a 1% uptick in its shares.

Looking at pre-market trading, Netflix, American Express, Chevron, Sarepta Therapeutics, Interactive Brokers, Schlumberger, and Charles Schwab are making headlines. Netflix’s shares fell 2% following a warning about lower future operating margin, while Chevron’s shares soared 3% after winning a dispute over Hess’s offshore oil assets. Interactive Brokers saw its shares advance 5% after reporting Q2 results that beat top and bottom-line estimates.

In analyst calls, Nvidia, Microsoft, and Tesla were reiterated as buy, Apple as outperform, Chipotle was upgraded to outperform and Barclays was downgraded to neutral.

Finally, Chevron has completed its $53 billion acquisition of Hess, after winning a legal dispute with Exxon Mobil over offshore oil assets in Guyana. The acquisition victory led to a 2% rise in Chevron’s shares during pre-market trading.

Stocks were higher on Thursday as the market continued to navigate through the second quarter earnings season. Tech and industrial sectors buoyed the S&P 500, but the index was weighed down by real estate and health care. Dow Jones and NASDAQ numbers are not provided in the information.

Bristol Myers Squibb and Pfizer have announced plans to offer their blood-thinning medication Eliquis directly to consumers through their Eliquis 360 support program at a 40% discount to the current list price. This news has not affected the Bristol Myers stock price. Contrarily, Abbott Laboratories, a health-care company, saw its stocks fell due to disappointing forward guidance despite recording an increase in Q2 revenue.

Nvidia shares, driven by strong growth in AI trade, are predicted to increase to $200. Chipmaking giant Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company recently lifted its 2025 sales outlook to 30% growth, contributing to Nvidia’s positive outlook.

On another note, Starbucks has been downgraded to an underperform sell rating from hold at Jeffries, leading to potential concerns for investors. However, the company’s prove is expected to experince upswing if it drops to the $80s.

Looking at banks, the six biggest U.S. banks have reportedly generated about $39 billion in Q2 profit, exceeding expert predictions and jumping more than 20% from their earnings the previous year. Analyst Mike Mayo noted that the fears of a recession have largely disappeared.

Contrastingly, although United Airlines managed to beat EPS for the second quarter, it missed revenue estimates due to weaker demand and fares for domestic-coach class travel. In response, the carrier revised its full-year earnings forecast, settling it in the middle of two previously provided scenarios.

Finally, President Donald Trump dispelled rumors that he was planning to drop Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell, which slightly swayed market trends, but then stocks recovered after his denial.

In today’s stock market news, several companies saw significant movement. Steven Madden’s stock jumped 5% following an upgrade from Citi. Lucid Group saw an impressive 31% surge after an announcement about its planned deployment of 20,000 vehicles through Uber’s platform. Elevance Health’s shares fell 16% after missing Q2 earnings expectations, but Monarch Casino & Resort, GE Aerospace, Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing, and Sarepta Therapeutics all exceeded expectations and saw their stocks surge. Meanwhile, shares of Sonic Automotive and Group 1 Automotive fell after JPMorgan downgraded them, and Abbott Laboratories’ stock also declined following a weak Q3 guidance.

Senator Elizabeth Warren has introduced a new bill targeting price gouging by large companies amidst rising prices due to increased tariffs and inflation. The Price Gouging Prevention Act of 2025, if passed, would make price gouging illegal and give power to the Federal Trade Commission and state attorneys general to litigate against market power abuses.

McDonald’s saw positive outcomes from the reintroduction of its Snack Wrap, which helped their third-quarter sales. Despite expectations for a sluggish August, analysts anticipate that the product will continue to drive traffic and boost sales.

Lastly, GE Vernova shares are being sold despite an anticipated strong Q2 report. This move is largely due to concern that the strong performance of the stock might lead to substantial profit-taking when the company reports its earnings.

Shares of online firearms retailer GrabAGun, backed by Donald Trump Jr., tanked by more than 20% in its first day of trading on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE), despite a high-profile trading debut. Meanwhile, the S&P 500 experienced volatility after rumors that President Trump planned to fire Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell. These rumors were later denied by the President, stabilizing the market.

In other financial news, Goldman Sachs reported better-than-expected results for the second quarter and projected a positive outlook for Wall Street dealmaking. Goldman Sachs shares fluctuated but were hovering around breakeven. The bank reported earnings of $10.91 per share and revenue of $14.58 billion, leading experts to recommend that any pullbacks in the stock should be seen as a buying opportunity.

Elsewhere, the Dow Jones Industrial Average fell by 0.98% due to inflation fears and the first round of second-quarter bank earnings, while the S&P 500 also followed suit, falling by 0.4%. However, the Nasdaq Composite managed to rise 0.18% to reach an all-time high, boosted by a 4% gain in shares of Nvidia.

Regarding loser stocks, crypto stocks experienced a hit after three bills aimed at regulating cryptocurrency failed in the House of Representatives. This caused Bitcoin to fall below $117,000 and the stablecoin issuer Circle and crypto exchange Coinbase to drop 4.5% and 1.5% respectively.

Finally, there were severe worries that a move by President Trump to oust Fed Chair Jerome Powell could lead to destabilization in global markets, potentially causing a collapse in the dollar and US bonds. Despite pushback by Trump on these reports, the US dollar index dropped by nearly 0.8% due to fear of the potential fallout.

Dow, S&P, and Nasdaq numbers were not provided in the articles.

In stock news, notable losers included Morgan Stanley with its shares falling 3.6% despite beating second-quarter estimates. SolarEdge Technologies saw its shares decrease by over 8% after a downgrade from JPMorgan due to the stock’s recent outperformance. ASML’s stock dropped approximately 10% following the warning that it may see no growth in 2026 due to macroeconomics and geopolitics.

On the other hand, there were several prominent gainers. Johnson & Johnson’s shares rose more than 6% following second-quarter results that beat estimates. BitMine Immersion Technologies saw its shares surge 15% after Peter Thiel disclosed a 9% stake in the company through his venture capital fund Founders Fund.

In the crypto market, ether treasury stocks were the largest gainers, including SharpLink jumping 26% and Bit Digital gaining 16%. Bitcoin proxies also advanced, with MicroStrategy up more than 2% and Mara Holdings rising nearly 7%.

Shares of Bank of America increased 2% after its earnings per share for the second quarter beat consensus forecasts. Goldman Sachs shares slipped less than 1% even though second-quarter earnings overshot Street predictions. Commvault Systems shares rose more than 2% after an upgrade from Guggenheim to buy from neutral.

For the oil and gas sector, Coterra Energy might face another trim with U.S. oil prices down over 1% and Jim Cramer advising investors to “keep track of oil.” Disney saw a price target hike to $138 per share from $120 from UBS.

President Donald Trump denied plans to fire Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell, calling it “highly unlikely” unless he has to leave for fraud.

In other crypto news, Bitmine’s shares surged after Peter Thiel disclosed a 9% stake through his venture capital firm Founders Fund. Ethereum’s price also continued its rally, up more than 4% Wednesday.

Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang sold another 225,000 shares of the chipmaker, totaling about $37 million, as part of a plan for Huang to sell up to 6 million shares of the company.

In the US stock market, the crypto sector was hit after crypto-related bills failed to pass a key procedural vote in the House of Representatives, causing shares of Circle, Coinbase, and MARA Holdings to slide. Circle stocks dropped 5%, while Coinbase and MARA Holdings slipped about 2% each. However, it is essential to note that Circle still maintains a sixfold increase from its IPO price. These companies’ stocks took a hit following the House of Representatives’ failure to extend votes on anticipated crypto-related bills. The GENIUS Act aims to set national stablecoin regulations and to establish a path for issuing regulated digital dollars by private companies.

MP Materials’ stock could witness a surge following the Pentagon’s announcement to secure access to the US’s critical minerals to oppose China’s market dominance. The Defense Department agreed to buy a direct equity stake in MP Materials, making the US government its largest shareholder. This action is part of a broader strategy to boost critical mineral production in the US.

Jim Cramer suggests industrial AI data center stocks are making a comeback, naming Eaton and Dover as top plays in the data center trade. Cramer notes that demand for these centers continues to grow due to significant AI-related investments and developments. He also mentions Nvidia shares advanced by 4% following the announcement of filing applications to sell its H20 chips to China.

Ritholtz Wealth Management CEO, Josh Brown, sees the recent earnings reports from JPMorgan and Citigroup in a positive light. Despite shares of JPMorgan falling around 0.8% in afternoon trading, Brown calls it a “forever position,” showing long-term faith in the bank’s performance. Meanwhile, Citigroup’s shares rallied more than 4%, bringing its year-to-date gain close to 30%.

Today’s stock market showed varied numbers, with the Dow falling by 436 points (0.98%), the Nasdaq jumping by 0.18%, and the S&P 500 losing 0.4%. Goldman Sachs has advised investors to avoid certain stocks during this earnings season, with Hershey, Victoria’s Secret, and eBay among the mentioned companies.

The market witnessed a surge in Nvidia’s stock, which climbed by 4% after the US government allowed it to sell H20 chips in China. Citigroup’s shares rose by 3% following a second-quarter EPS and revenue beat. Conversely, Wells Fargo’s shares dropped by 5% after it lowered its net income guidance for 2025, overshadowing its better-than-expected Q2 profits. Other stocks that fell included JPMorgan Chase and BlackRock, which declined due to NII miss and quarterly revenue miss, respectively.

Other notable movers included First Solar, whose shares rose by 6%, and Newmont, whose shares dropped by 8% after its CFO left the company. Other major movers included CoreWeave whose stock jumped by 8% following a $6 billion commitment to building a new AI data center.

Nvidia’s clearance to sell its H20 chips to China has led some analysts to increase their price forecasts for the stock, with Melius Research predicting a possible rise to a $5 trillion market value. Other analysts, however, advised caution and reiterated their previous ratings and price targets.