Stock markets rose on Thursday, driven by a slew of positive earnings reports from major corporations. The S&P 500 added 0.54% to close at a record high of 6,297.36, while the Dow Jones Industrial Average gained 229.71 points to settle at 44,484.49.
PepsiCo shares jumped over 7% after beating earnings estimates, and United Airlines advanced 3% following its better-than-expected earnings report. Quarterally earnings reports have exceeded Wall Street’s expectations, fueling investor confidence.
Separately, retail sales in June rose more than expected, with sales up 0.6% from May and 3.5% from last year. The jobless claims figure also suggested a strong labor market, with seasonally adjusted initial claims decreasing to 221,000 for the week ending July 12.
Asia-Pacific markets mostly closed higher, led by Japan’s Nikkei 225 benchmark which rose 0.6%. However, stocks making the biggest moves after the bell included United Airlines, Sarepta Therapeutics, and Monarch Casino & Resort, with shares of these companies rising nearly 2%, 32%, and 15% respectively.
The news comes as investors await further guidance from major corporations on their full-year earnings forecasts. A report by Wolfe Research warned that if President Donald Trump were to fire Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell, it would be “significantly negative for markets”.
Source: https://www.cnbc.com/2025/07/16/stock-market-today-live-updates.html