The US stock market ended a busy week with small gains and losses, marking the Nasdaq Composite’s new record high. The S&P 500 finished flat, while the Dow Jones Industrial Average fell 0.3%.
Despite a surge in inflation data and earnings results, the Nasdaq rose 0.1%, thanks to its fifth record close this week. This marks an 11th record close for the index in 2025.
The market’s performance was influenced by the Federal Reserve’s recent comments on rate cuts. Fed governor Christopher Waller stated that the central bank should move forward with rate cuts, citing recent labor market data. Rate cuts could boost stocks as companies gain easier access to cash, but may also reignite inflation due to tariffs.
Next week, investors will focus on Treasury bill auctions and continuing jobless claims. The Treasury Department has been issuing more bills to rebuild its cash account, attracting investors seeking secure debt with a 4% yield.
The Nasdaq’s record high comes amidst a wave of political news, including President Trump’s comments on tariff rates and his threat to fire Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell. However, the markets appear to be learning to live with these uncertainties, according to market analyst Daniel Skelly.
Source: https://www.barrons.com/livecoverage/stock-market-news-today-071825