Stock Market Newsยท2025-09-19 18:07Market Performance - The U.S. stock market is experiencing an upward trend, with major indexes reaching record highs, driven by optimism from the Federal Reserve's interest rate cut and strong technology sector performance [1][2] - The Nasdaq Composite led gains, up approximately 0.5%, while the S&P 500 and Dow Jones Industrial Average both increased by about 0.3% [2] - The small-cap Russell 2000 index hit a record high, marking its seventh consecutive weekly gain, indicating renewed investor confidence in the domestic economy [2] Sector Performance - Technology stocks are leading the market, continuing their strong momentum, while consumer discretionary stocks also performed well [3] - Energy stocks saw a decline, with the 10-year Treasury yield rising to 4.14% [3] Federal Reserve Actions - The Federal Reserve cut the federal funds rate by 25 basis points to a range of 4.00-4.25%, the first cut of 2025, driven by concerns over a weakening labor market [4] - Expectations for further rate cuts are high, with projections for two more 25 basis point reductions by the end of the year [4] Upcoming Economic Data - The upcoming week will feature flash PMI surveys and the release of the U.S. core PCE price index, which are critical for assessing growth, jobs, and inflation [5] - Revised U.S. GDP numbers and consumer confidence data will also be closely monitored [5] Geopolitical Developments - A scheduled phone call between President Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping may lead to a broader trade deal, contributing to optimism for multinational companies and exporters [6] Major Corporate News - Nvidia plans to invest $5 billion in Intel to co-develop data center and PC chips, highlighting significant commitments to AI infrastructure [7] - Apple shares rose 3.2% as new iPhone 17 models launched globally [7] - FedEx's stock advanced 2.5% after reinstating its full-year outlook and reporting stronger-than-expected profits [7][8] - Lennar's shares fell almost 4% due to quarterly revenue and profit missing expectations [12] - Cracker Barrel's shares declined 7.6% after reporting earnings that missed analyst estimates [12] - FactSet's shares plummeted 10.4% after lagging consensus estimates for earnings [12] - Darden Restaurants' stock tumbled 7.7% after missing analyst expectations for earnings [12] - Newmont's stock rose 4.1% after selling its investment in Orla Mining for $439 million [12] - Scholastic shares were down about 12% despite a nearly 30% increase in 2025 prior to the session [12] - Ricoh was recognized in TIME World's Best Companies 2025 list for employee engagement and sustainability [12] - Louis Dreyfus Company reported resilient performance with net sales of $26.2 billion for the six-month period ended June 30, 2025 [12] - Huawei launched FinAgent Booster and showcased solutions for financial institutions at HUAWEI CONNECT 2025 [12]