- Barry Adams
- 25 Aug, 2025
- New York City
Wall Street indexes hovered near record highs on Monday, and artificial intelligence technology-related stocks remained in focus ahead of Nvidia's earnings.
The S&P 500 index decreased 0.2%, and the Nasdaq Composite declined 0.3% after they advanced 1% and 2%, respectively.
Wall Street indexes rebounded last Friday and trimmed weekly losses after Fed Chairman Powell signaled a possible rate cut in September.
Benchmark indexes jumped as much as 2%, but a possible 25-basis-point rate cut is not likely to cure the fast-cooling labor market and record-high economic uncertainty induced by Trump tariffs.
Small businesses in logistics, retail, and manufacturing activities are going out of business in record numbers.
Moreover, farmers are forced out of their land in Kansas, Nebraska, Iowa, and Montana following the ending of the USAID program and China switching to sourcing from South America amid constant U.S. tariff threats.
Prices for corn and soybeans are at multi-year lows, and the rising costs of farming inputs are exacerbating the situation throughout the Midwest.
In addition, the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement crackdown is keeping migrant workers away from farms, forcing many farmers to let the crop rot, as Americans show little interest in rushing to take up the newly available farm jobs.
Last week, Walmart, Target, Home Depot, Lowe's, Ross Stores, and T.J. Maxx indicated that the sharp jump in import duties is increasing the cost of goods.
On the economic front, this week investors are awaiting the release of the second estimate of the economic growth in the second quarter.
Friday's personal income and outlays are expected to show an increase in July, and the core PCE price index is estimated to rise 0.3% monthly, confirming elevated inflationary forces.
Moreover, durable goods orders are likely to show a contraction in July, but orders excluding volatile transportation and defense are expected to be steady.
On the earnings front, investors are awaiting quarterly results from Nvidia, and analysts are likely to raise the target price after the release of earnings.
In addition, Abercrombie & Fitch, Williams-Sonoma, Urban Outfitters, Burlington Northern, Best Buy, and Dick's Sporting Goods are set to release their quarterly results.
In addition, HEICO, MongoDB, Okta, Autodesk, Marvell Technology, HP, and PVH Corp. are scheduled to release their quarterly results this week.
U.S. Stock Movers
Keurig Dr Pepper Inc declined 7.5% to $32.50, and the beverage company agreed to acquire the Netherlands-based JDE Peet for €15.4 billion, or $18.5 billion.
After the merger, the company plans to list two separate businesses—a soft drink company and a coffee group.
Keurig Dr Pepper agreed to pay shareholders of JDE Peet's €31.85, or about $37.28, per share.
JDE Peet's global brand portfolio includes Douwe Egberts, Kenco and Peet’s Coffee, Maxwell House, Grand Mere, Prima, and Caboclo.
- Barry Adams
- 25 Aug, 2025
- New York City
Wall Street indexes hovered near record highs on Monday, and artificial intelligence technology-related stocks remained in focus ahead of Nvidia's earnings.
The S&P 500 index decreased 0.2%, and the Nasdaq Composite declined 0.3% after they advanced 1% and 2%, respectively.
Wall Street indexes rebounded last Friday and trimmed weekly losses after Fed Chairman Powell signaled a possible rate cut in September.
Benchmark indexes jumped as much as 2%, but a possible 25-basis-point rate cut is not likely to cure the fast-cooling labor market and record-high economic uncertainty induced by Trump tariffs.
Small businesses in logistics, retail, and manufacturing activities are going out of business in record numbers.
Moreover, farmers are forced out of their land in Kansas, Nebraska, Iowa, and Montana following the ending of the USAID program and China switching to sourcing from South America amid constant U.S. tariff threats.
Prices for corn and soybeans are at multi-year lows, and the rising costs of farming inputs are exacerbating the situation throughout the Midwest.
In addition, the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement crackdown is keeping migrant workers away from farms, forcing many farmers to let the crop rot, as Americans show little interest in rushing to take up the newly available farm jobs.
Last week, Walmart, Target, Home Depot, Lowe's, Ross Stores, and T.J. Maxx indicated that the sharp jump in import duties is increasing the cost of goods.
On the economic front, this week investors are awaiting the release of the second estimate of the economic growth in the second quarter.
Friday's personal income and outlays are expected to show an increase in July, and the core PCE price index is estimated to rise 0.3% monthly, confirming elevated inflationary forces.
Moreover, durable goods orders are likely to show a contraction in July, but orders excluding volatile transportation and defense are expected to be steady.
On the earnings front, investors are awaiting quarterly results from Nvidia, and analysts are likely to raise the target price after the release of earnings.
In addition, Abercrombie & Fitch, Williams-Sonoma, Urban Outfitters, Burlington Northern, Best Buy, and Dick's Sporting Goods are set to release their quarterly results.
In addition, HEICO, MongoDB, Okta, Autodesk, Marvell Technology, HP, and PVH Corp. are scheduled to release their quarterly results this week.
U.S. Stock Movers
Keurig Dr Pepper Inc declined 7.5% to $32.50, and the beverage company agreed to acquire the Netherlands-based JDE Peet for €15.4 billion, or $18.5 billion.
After the merger, the company plans to list two separate businesses—a soft drink company and a coffee group.
Keurig Dr Pepper agreed to pay shareholders of JDE Peet's €31.85, or about $37.28, per share.
JDE Peet's global brand portfolio includes Douwe Egberts, Kenco and Peet’s Coffee, Maxwell House, Grand Mere, Prima, and Caboclo.
- Scott Peters
- 22 Aug, 2025
- New York City
Ross Stores Inc. increased 0.7% to $147.94 after the off-price apparel and home fashion chain reported a slight increase in revenue and a marginal decline in net income in the fiscal second quarter ending on August 2.
Consolidated revenue increased to $5.5 billion from $5.3 billion, net income inched lower to $508 million from $527 million, and diluted earnings per share edged down to $1.56 from $1.59 a year ago.
Same-store sales in the quarter rose 2% from a year ago.
During the second quarter, Ross Stores returned a total of $262 million to shareholders through share repurchases of 1.9 million shares of common stock.
Ross Stores guided fiscal third-quarter consolidated comparable sales to increase between 2% and 3%, and diluted earnings per share between $1.31 and $1.37.
The third-quarter guidance includes an estimated cost impact of 7 cents to 8 cents per share from the announced tariffs.
The company guided full-year earnings per share to range between $6.08 and $6.21, compared to $6.32 a year ago.
The company anticipated a tariff-driven hit of between 22 cents and 25 cents per share in the fiscal year ending on January 31, 2026.
Buckle Inc. increased 2.5% to $56.18 after the fashion retailer reported a 15% rise in net income in the latest quarter ending on August 2.
Consolidated revenue inched higher to $305.7 billion from $282.4 billion, net income climbed to $45 million from $39.2 million, and diluted earnings per share soared to 89 cents from 78 cents a year ago.
During the quarter, comparable store sales increased by 7.3%, and online sales jumped 17.7% from a year ago.
Estee Lauder Companies Inc. decreased 0.4% to $90.85 after the beauty products maker reported net losses expanded sharply in the fourth quarter ending on June 30.
Consolidated revenue declined 12% to $3.4 billion from $3.9 billion, net loss advanced 92% to $546 million from $284 million, and diluted losses per share expanded 92% to $1.51 from 79 cents a year ago.
The company board announced a quarterly dividend of $0.35 per share, payable on September 16 to shareholders on record on September 2.
The Estée Lauder Company confirms its fiscal 2026 outlook to restore positive sales growth and improve operating profitability.
- Scott Peters
- 22 Aug, 2025
- New York City
Ross Stores Inc. increased 0.7% to $147.94 after the off-price apparel and home fashion chain reported a slight increase in revenue and a marginal decline in net income in the fiscal second quarter ending on August 2.
Consolidated revenue increased to $5.5 billion from $5.3 billion, net income inched lower to $508 million from $527 million, and diluted earnings per share edged down to $1.56 from $1.59 a year ago.
Same-store sales in the quarter rose 2% from a year ago.
During the second quarter, Ross Stores returned a total of $262 million to shareholders through share repurchases of 1.9 million shares of common stock.
Ross Stores guided fiscal third-quarter consolidated comparable sales to increase between 2% and 3%, and diluted earnings per share between $1.31 and $1.37.
The third-quarter guidance includes an estimated cost impact of 7 cents to 8 cents per share from the announced tariffs.
The company guided full-year earnings per share to range between $6.08 and $6.21, compared to $6.32 a year ago.
The company anticipated a tariff-driven hit of between 22 cents and 25 cents per share in the fiscal year ending on January 31, 2026.
Buckle Inc. increased 2.5% to $56.18 after the fashion retailer reported a 15% rise in net income in the latest quarter ending on August 2.
Consolidated revenue inched higher to $305.7 billion from $282.4 billion, net income climbed to $45 million from $39.2 million, and diluted earnings per share soared to 89 cents from 78 cents a year ago.
During the quarter, comparable store sales increased by 7.3%, and online sales jumped 17.7% from a year ago.
Estee Lauder Companies Inc. decreased 0.4% to $90.85 after the beauty products maker reported net losses expanded sharply in the fourth quarter ending on June 30.
Consolidated revenue declined 12% to $3.4 billion from $3.9 billion, net loss advanced 92% to $546 million from $284 million, and diluted losses per share expanded 92% to $1.51 from 79 cents a year ago.
The company board announced a quarterly dividend of $0.35 per share, payable on September 16 to shareholders on record on September 2.
The Estée Lauder Company confirms its fiscal 2026 outlook to restore positive sales growth and improve operating profitability.
- Akira Ito
- 25 Aug, 2025
- Tokyo
Japan's indexes advanced following a rise in an Asia-wide rally amid optimism about a possible U.S. rate cut.
The Nikkei 225 Stock Average gained 0.4%, and the Topix gained 0.1%, as investors bid up stocks in Asia.
Japan's market indexes advanced for the second consecutive session amid hopes that the lower U.S. interest rate could arrest the fast-softening labor market and impacts of the sharp escalation in U.S. tariffs.
Despite the market enthusiasm, the U.S. nonfarm payrolls are shrinking as small businesses struggle to survive following the sharp escalation in import duties, independent farmers are going out of business because of the government ending the purchase of corn and soybeans, and migrant labor is staying away from farms.
On the domestic front, investors are awaiting the release of retail sales, industrial output, and consumer confidence data this week.
The artificial intelligence-related stocks were in focus ahead of Nvidia's earnings on Wednesday.
Japan Indexes and Stocks
The Nikkei 225 Stock Average increased 0.4% to 42,796.67, and the broader Topix advanced 0.1% to 3,104.41.
Semiconductor equipment makers advanced ahead of the release of quarterly results from the artificial intelligence leader Nvidia.
Tokyo Electron advanced 0.7% to ¥20,225.0, Advantest Corp. increased 1% to ¥10,880.0, and Lasertec Corp. fell 0.3% to ¥16,000.0.
Fast Retailing Co. Ltd. inched higher 0.2% to ¥48,510.0, Seven & I Holdings Co. Ltd. declined 1% to ¥1,996.0, Takashimaya & Company was down 1%, and Isetan Mitsukoshi fell 0.2% to ¥2,554.50.
- Akira Ito
- 25 Aug, 2025
- Tokyo
Japan's indexes advanced following a rise in an Asia-wide rally amid optimism about a possible U.S. rate cut.
The Nikkei 225 Stock Average gained 0.4%, and the Topix gained 0.1%, as investors bid up stocks in Asia.
Japan's market indexes advanced for the second consecutive session amid hopes that the lower U.S. interest rate could arrest the fast-softening labor market and impacts of the sharp escalation in U.S. tariffs.
Despite the market enthusiasm, the U.S. nonfarm payrolls are shrinking as small businesses struggle to survive following the sharp escalation in import duties, independent farmers are going out of business because of the government ending the purchase of corn and soybeans, and migrant labor is staying away from farms.
On the domestic front, investors are awaiting the release of retail sales, industrial output, and consumer confidence data this week.
The artificial intelligence-related stocks were in focus ahead of Nvidia's earnings on Wednesday.
Japan Indexes and Stocks
The Nikkei 225 Stock Average increased 0.4% to 42,796.67, and the broader Topix advanced 0.1% to 3,104.41.
Semiconductor equipment makers advanced ahead of the release of quarterly results from the artificial intelligence leader Nvidia.
Tokyo Electron advanced 0.7% to ¥20,225.0, Advantest Corp. increased 1% to ¥10,880.0, and Lasertec Corp. fell 0.3% to ¥16,000.0.
Fast Retailing Co. Ltd. inched higher 0.2% to ¥48,510.0, Seven & I Holdings Co. Ltd. declined 1% to ¥1,996.0, Takashimaya & Company was down 1%, and Isetan Mitsukoshi fell 0.2% to ¥2,554.50.
- Li Chen
- 25 Aug, 2025
- Hong Kong
Stock market indexes in China and Hong Kong jumped on Monday following the rising possibility of a U.S. rate cut.
The Hang Seng index soared 2.1%, and the mainland-focused CSI 300 index jumped 2% after U.S. Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell laid out a case for a possible rate cut as early as next month.
Fed Chair Powell cited shifts in risks between the softening labor market and inflationary forces after the sharp downward revision in nonfarm payrolls data for the months of May and June and weaker-than-expected job growth in July.
The possible cut in the U.S. rate is generally followed by a similar-sized rate cut in Hong Kong, as the central bank is mandated to keep the Hong Kong currency's peg to the U.S. dollar.
In mainland and Hong Kong trading, real estate developers, banks, and Internet-driven companies led the gains.
China Evergrande Group was delisted from the Hong Kong Stock Exchange on Monday after the once largest developer by sales in China racked up as much as $300 billion in debt.
The developer's stock has been suspended from Hong Kong trading since January 29, 2024, after the Hong Kong court ordered the liquidation of the firm.
China Indexes and Stocks
The Hang Seng index advanced 2.1% to 25,866.49, and the mainland-focused CSI 300 added 2% to 4,438.81.
Alibaba Group Holding adjusted 5.8% to HK $124.90, Meituan added 3.1% to HK $122.10, and JD.com Inc advanced 4.8% to HK $127.20.
BYD gained 1.8% to ¥106.80, Li Auto jumped 5.8% to HK $94.70, and Xpeng decreased 0.4% to $91.50.
Zijin Mining Group increased 56% to HK $24.24, CNOOC gained 2.6% to HK $18.84, and PetroChina Company inched up 0.3% to HK $7.53.
- Li Chen
- 25 Aug, 2025
- Hong Kong
Stock market indexes in China and Hong Kong jumped on Monday following the rising possibility of a U.S. rate cut.
The Hang Seng index soared 2.1%, and the mainland-focused CSI 300 index jumped 2% after U.S. Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell laid out a case for a possible rate cut as early as next month.
Fed Chair Powell cited shifts in risks between the softening labor market and inflationary forces after the sharp downward revision in nonfarm payrolls data for the months of May and June and weaker-than-expected job growth in July.
The possible cut in the U.S. rate is generally followed by a similar-sized rate cut in Hong Kong, as the central bank is mandated to keep the Hong Kong currency's peg to the U.S. dollar.
In mainland and Hong Kong trading, real estate developers, banks, and Internet-driven companies led the gains.
China Evergrande Group was delisted from the Hong Kong Stock Exchange on Monday after the once largest developer by sales in China racked up as much as $300 billion in debt.
The developer's stock has been suspended from Hong Kong trading since January 29, 2024, after the Hong Kong court ordered the liquidation of the firm.
China Indexes and Stocks
The Hang Seng index advanced 2.1% to 25,866.49, and the mainland-focused CSI 300 added 2% to 4,438.81.
Alibaba Group Holding adjusted 5.8% to HK $124.90, Meituan added 3.1% to HK $122.10, and JD.com Inc advanced 4.8% to HK $127.20.
BYD gained 1.8% to ¥106.80, Li Auto jumped 5.8% to HK $94.70, and Xpeng decreased 0.4% to $91.50.
Zijin Mining Group increased 56% to HK $24.24, CNOOC gained 2.6% to HK $18.84, and PetroChina Company inched up 0.3% to HK $7.53.
- Barry Adams
- 22 Aug, 2025
- New York City
Wall Street indexes struggled to advance on Friday, and investors reviewed the fresh batch of mixed earnings.
The S&P 500 index edged up 0.2%, and the tech-heavy Nasdaq Composite inched higher 0.1%, amid worries about the tariff-driven hit on corporate earnings.
For the week, the S&P 500 index is set to close down more than 2%, and the Nasdaq Composite is likely to ease around 1.4%.
Ross Stores reported mixed quarterly results and confirmed that the U.S. import duties are expected to lower its annual earnings per share by 5% from a year ago.
Earlier in the week, Walmart, Target, Home Depot, Lowe's, T.J. Maxx, and other leading companies indicated that the sharp jump in import duties is increasing the cost of goods.
Retailers have been able to avoid a sharp increase in prices because tariffs have been rolled out at a slower than expected pace, and large retailers stocked up on goods that could last for several months.
However, smaller and independent retailers have struggled to adjust to higher import duties amid capital constraints and lack of a diversified supply base.
For now, large retailers are absorbing higher import costs, but as tariffs increase on a wider range of products beginning this month, consumers are likely to see higher prices in the months ahead.
Fed Chair Jerome Powell is set to deliver his comments about the state of the U.S. economy at the annual symposium held in Jackson Hole, Wyoming.
Investors are looking for clues about rate paths, labor market conditions, and the possible longer-term impact of high import duties.
U.S. Stock Movers
Intuit Inc. declined 6.3% to $655.0, despite the company delivering better-than-expected results in its latest fiscal quarter.
Consolidated revenue inched higher to $3.8 billion from $3.2 billion, net income swung to a profit of $381 million from a loss of $20 million, and diluted income per share swung to a profit of $1.35 from a loss of 7 cents a year ago.
The company's outlook for the current quarter fell short of investor expectations.
Intuit provided GAAP guidance for the fiscal first-quarter revenue to be between $3.74 billion and $3.78 billion, operating income between $440 million and $460 million, and diluted earnings per share between $1.19 and $1.26.
Zoom Communications rose 4% to $76.10, and the video platform operator reported higher sales driven by a surge in demand from its enterprise customers.
Consolidated revenue in the second quarter ending in July edged higher to $1.22 billion from $1.16 billion, net income advanced to $471.3 million from $436.4 million, and diluted earnings per share rose to $1.16 from 70 cents a year ago.
Workday Inc. declined 4.5% to $217.13 after the company's forward-looking guidance disappointed investors.
Total revenue in the fiscal second quarter ending in July rose 12.6% to $2.4 billion, net income rose to $228 million from $132 million, and diluted earnings per share advanced to 84 cents from 49 cents a year ago.
The human resource software company guided fiscal third quarter revenue to increase 14% to $2.24 billion and adjusted operating margin to 28%, matching expectations laid by some analysts.
In addition, the company revised its full-year revenue outlook to $8.8 billion and adjusted operating margin of 29%.
Ross Stores advanced 3% to $145.62, despite the deep discount merchandiser reporting mixed results in the second quarter ending on August 2.
Revenue in the quarter increased to $5.5 billion from $5.3 billion, net income decreased to $508 million from $527.2 million, and diluted earnings per share declined to $1.56 from $1.59 a year ago.
The company guided full-year earnings per share to range between $6.08 and $6.21, compared to $6.32 a year ago.
The company anticipated a tariff-driven hit of between 22 cents and 25 cents per share in the fiscal year ending on January 31, 2026.