Take a Trial Today Get instant access to exclusive stock lists, expert market analysis and powerful tools with 2 months of IBD Digital for only $20! BREAKING: Ulta Beauty, Rubrik Lead Earnings Winners The S&P 500 index and the Nasdaq composite continued their winning ways Thursday, aided by economic data that underscored bets that an interest-rate cut is coming next week. Those bets will be in focus when Wall Street assesses key inflation data due Friday. Thursday's session left the S&P 500 up 0.1% and the ...

”Previously, getting quality inflation data and real economic data was very labor-intensive for research firms. With incentives to be right, collective intelligence now updates probabilities constantly.” - Nicki Lee, Research Lead of Opinion Labs https://t.co/0TUb0x4URN ...

Market Overview - The market is showing resilience despite ongoing government shutdown concerns, with the S&P potentially closing above 6,800, the Russell above 2,500, and the Dow above 47,000 [1] - Recent inflation data has been supportive of the Federal Reserve's objectives, contributing to market stability [1] Credit and Valuation Concerns - There have been emerging credit concerns and questions regarding valuations and vendor financing, yet the market continues to trend upward [2] - A minor reset in prices was sufficient for the market to regain momentum after previous slippage [3] Market Dynamics - The market experienced a "gap and nap" pattern, with a 1% increase at the open but little selling pressure, indicating a lack of urgency among investors [4] - The current upward trend is characterized by more buying than selling, reminiscent of market behavior in early 2021 [5] Retail Investor Behavior - Retail investors are actively participating in the market, showing a preference for companies with no profits, which may sustain upward momentum until market complacency is identified [6][7] Future Economic Outlook - Concerns about a significant economic slowdown, particularly related to China in 2026, are noted, but current data does not indicate such a trend, providing a foundation for continued market rally [8]

Core Insights - The government shutdown has reached its 24th day, impacting various sectors and investor sentiment [1] - Investors are anticipating the release of the Consumer Price Index (CPI) data for September, which will provide insights into inflation trends [1] Economic Impact - The ongoing government shutdown may lead to uncertainty in economic indicators, affecting market stability [1] - The upcoming CPI data is crucial for understanding inflationary pressures and potential impacts on monetary policy [1]

Core Viewpoint - The content emphasizes the importance of conducting personal due diligence and consulting competent advisors before making any financial decisions, particularly in the context of investments and trading [1]. Group 1 - The website provides general news, personal analysis, and third-party content intended for educational and research purposes [1]. - It explicitly states that the information does not constitute any recommendation or advice for investment actions [1]. - Users are advised to perform their own research and consider their financial situation before making decisions [1]. Group 2 - The website includes information about complex financial instruments such as cryptocurrencies and contracts for difference (CFDs), which carry a high risk of losing money [1]. - It encourages users to understand how these instruments work and the associated risks before investing [1].

Group 1 - Ford Motor's stock saw its Relative Strength Rating increase from 68 to 71, indicating improved market performance [1] - Ford announced plans to sell a $30,000 electric truck through a new Universal EV Platform, marking a significant move in the electric vehicle market [1][4] - General Motors also received a Relative Strength Rating upgrade, reflecting its improving technical performance [2][4] Group 2 - The electric vehicle market is at a crossroads, with Ford's announcement being compared to the historical significance of the Model T [4] - The stock market outlook includes a focus on Ford's developments, as well as other key players in the aerospace and automotive sectors [4]

Core Viewpoint - The S&P 500 and the tech-heavy Nasdaq composite experienced declines on Thursday due to mixed signals from economic data and corporate news [1] Economic Data - Recent economic data presented conflicting signals regarding the market outlook, contributing to the decline in major indices [1] Corporate News - Corporate news also played a role in the market's performance, with various announcements impacting investor sentiment [1]

Core Insights - The stock market experienced a decline for the second consecutive day as investors await upcoming inflation data [1] Market Performance - The Dow Jones Industrial Average decreased by 172 points, representing a 0.4% drop [1] - The S&P 500 index fell by 0.3% [1] - The Nasdaq Composite also saw a decline of 0.4% [1] Treasury Yields - The yield on the 2-year Treasury note increased to 3.6% [1] - The yield on the 10-year Treasury note rose to 4.14% [1]

Group 1 - The article provides a market analysis focusing on key companies such as Kraft Heinz Co, Kroger Company, and Home Depot Inc, as well as the Dow Jones Industrial Average [1] Group 2 - Kraft Heinz Co's performance and market position are analyzed, highlighting its financial metrics and strategic initiatives [1] - Kroger Company's market strategies and competitive landscape are discussed, emphasizing its growth and operational efficiency [1] - Home Depot Inc's market trends and consumer behavior are examined, showcasing its sales performance and inventory management [1]

Group 1: Market Overview - The markets were mostly flat, with the small-cap Russell 2000 declining by -1.24% after a +2% gain the previous day [1] - The S&P 500 reached a third consecutive all-time closing high, increasing by +0.03% [1] - The Dow Jones Industrial Average finished down -0.025%, recovering from a drop of -200 points earlier in the day, while the Nasdaq slipped -0.01% [1] Group 2: Interest Rate Outlook - Analysts anticipate a 25 basis-point interest rate cut at the Federal Reserve's next meeting scheduled for September 16-17 [2] - The likelihood of a September rate cut is currently at 93%, but this may change based on upcoming inflation data, including CPI, PPI, and PCE reports [3][2] Group 3: Company Performance - Applied Materials - Applied Materials reported earnings of $2.48 per share, exceeding the Zacks consensus estimate of $2.34, with revenues of $7.3 billion compared to the expected $7.2 billion [4] - Despite outperforming on earnings, the company provided a weak outlook for the current quarter, leading to a -12% decline in shares during after-hours trading [4] - The revised guidance indicates a top-line expectation of $6.7 billion, down from a previous estimate of $7.3 billion, and an earnings guidance midpoint of $2.11 per share, reduced from $2.38 per share [5] Group 4: Upcoming Economic Reports - A range of economic reports is expected tomorrow, including Retail Sales, Imports and Exports, and Industrial Production/Capacity Utilization for July, as well as the August Empire State manufacturing index [6] - Following the market opening, Business Inventories for June and Consumer Sentiment for August will be released [6] Group 5: Earnings Reports Next Week - The earnings reporting schedule will pick up next week with major retailers such as Walmart, Target, Home Depot, Lowe's, and The TJX Companies set to release their July quarter results [7] - Additionally, Palo Alto Networks and Estee Lauder are also expected to report earnings next week [7]