What’s the latest movement in the US stock market today?
As of early Friday, Dow Jones futures were up by 0.4%, while S&P 500 futures and Nasdaq futures climbed 0.4% and 0.2%, respectively. On Thursday, the S&P 500 closed at 5,604.14, rising 0.6%—its eighth straight day of gains. The Nasdaq Composite saw a strong jump of 1.5%, and the Dow Jones Industrial Average continued its winning streak, now on pace for a ninth consecutive day of gains.
This momentum is largely fueled by stronger-than-expected tech earnings and hopes for improved U.S.-China trade relations.
How are stock futures reacting to all this market data?
Stock futures are staying positive as the market digests earnings results and awaits the jobs report. Here’s where things stand:
- Dow Jones Futures: Up 0.4%
- S&P 500 Futures: Up 0.4%
- Nasdaq Futures: Up 0.2%
Investors seem hopeful that the job numbers will confirm a stable economic outlook without putting too much pressure on the Fed to keep interest rates high.
Why is the April jobs report so important for today’s trading?
The April nonfarm payrolls report is one of the most awaited data points this week. Analysts expect it to shed light on how strong the labor market really is. A strong jobs number could increase pressure on the Federal Reserve to hold off on rate cuts. On the other hand, a weaker number may support the case for monetary easing later this year. Investors are watching closely. The labor data will influence everything from stock prices to bond yields and Fed policy outlook.
How did tech earnings influence the stock market today?
Big tech has once again taken center stage. Meta Platforms (META) reported Q1 earnings of $6.43 per share, beating estimates by 23%, sending the stock up over 9%. Microsoft (MSFT) also impressed, reporting $3.46 EPS, above expectations, with shares rising 7.6%.
However, Apple (AAPL) took a hit, falling 4%, after CEO Tim Cook warned of an expected $900 million hit due to tariffs. Despite reporting strong Q2 earnings, the market was clearly worried about forward-looking risks.
What’s the outlook for Amazon and other retail giants?
Amazon (AMZN) reported strong Q1 revenue, which rose by 9%, but its stock slipped 2% after issuing a weaker profit outlook for Q2. CEO Andy Jassy said that while demand was stable, cost pressures and global uncertainty made it difficult to provide a stronger forecast.
This mixed reaction is typical during earnings season, especially when future guidance doesn’t align with market expectations.
Are Reddit shares rising after its recent results?
Yes, Reddit became one of the unexpected winners this morning. The social media company reported a massive 60% jump in Q1 revenue and gave a Q2 outlook that beat consensus. As a result, the stock soared 7% in pre-market trading. This marks a sharp turnaround since its IPO earlier this year, signaling investor confidence in its monetization strategy.
What sectors are leading the market gains today?
Technology continues to drive the rally, with names like Meta, Microsoft, and AMD showing strong gains. Healthcare stocks also gained, while industrial and energy names lagged behind due to mixed earnings.
The strong movement in tech has helped the Nasdaq outperform the other indexes this week. Investors are clearly rewarding companies that beat expectations and offer confident guidance.
Who are the top gainers and losers in the stock market today?
Here are some of the top gainers as of this morning:
- Meta Platforms (META): +9%
- Microsoft (MSFT): +7.6%
- Reddit (RDDT): +7%
- Autodesk (ADSK): +4.16%
- eBay (EBAY): +3.81%
And these are the top losers:
- Apple (AAPL): -4%
- IBM (IBM): -3.96%
- Amazon (AMZN): -2%
- Dow Inc (DOW): -1.1%
- Intel (INTC): -0.75%
What should investors keep an eye on going forward?
The main focus now is the April jobs report. Beyond that, attention will turn to Fed officials’ statements, inflation readings, and how tariff tensions with China evolve. With big earnings mostly behind us, economic data will drive the next wave of market direction.
Investors should also keep watching Treasury yields, crypto movements (Bitcoin is trading around $97,000), and commodity prices like oil and gold, which can influence broader risk sentiment.
