The Economic Times·2025-10-09 16:05Market Overview - Major U.S. indices experienced slight declines, with the S&P 500 down 0.3%, the Nasdaq Composite down 0.3%, and the Dow Jones Industrial Average down 0.4% to 46,473.14 [1] - Despite the pullback, all three indices remain near historic highs, indicating strong market confidence [9] Sector Performance - The technology sector continues to lead, driven by AI-related companies and large tech firms, which have shown strong gains and attract long-term investors [24][25] - Energy and healthcare sectors are demonstrating resilience, supported by stable oil prices and steady demand in biotechnology [6][25] - Financial stocks are also performing well, benefiting from favorable interest rate expectations [25] Notable Company Movements - Nvidia (NVDA) reached a new all-time intraday high of $195.30, up nearly 3%, following an analyst's price target increase to $300, the highest on Wall Street [2][14] - Costco (COST) reported an 8% increase in sales, totaling $26.58 billion for the five weeks ending October 5, with online sales rising 26.1% [21] - Delta Air Lines (DAL) exceeded earnings expectations, resulting in a 7% stock increase, which positively impacted other airline stocks [18] Global Influences - New export restrictions from China on key minerals have led to a surge in rare earth stocks, as these materials are essential for various technologies [10][11] - Geopolitical uncertainties and global economic data are influencing U.S. market sentiment, with investors closely monitoring these developments [7][23] Earnings Season - The third-quarter earnings season has begun, with PepsiCo (PEP) delivering a modest earnings beat, marking the official start of this period [18] - Analysts are watching for positive news in earnings reports to potentially reverse current market declines [5]