Market Snapshot for Friday 7-25-2025
S&P 500 – 6,388.64 (+0.40%)
Dow Jones – 44,901.92 (+0.47%)
NASDAQ – 21,108.32 (+0.24%)
Market Performance
The S&P 500 and Nasdaq closed at record highs on Friday, buoyed by growing optimism that a trade agreement between the U.S. and the European Union could be within reach. Shares of Deckers Outdoor also soared after the company reported a strong quarter, thanks to robust demand for its UGG boots and Hoka sneakers.
The S&P 500 rose 0.40% to close at 6,388.64, while the Nasdaq advanced 0.24% to 21,108.32. The Dow Jones Industrial Average added 0.47%, ending the day at 44,901.92.
Gains were broad-based, with nine of the S&P 500’s 11 sector indexes finishing higher. Materials led the way with a 1.17% increase, followed by a 0.98% rise in industrials.
For the week, the S&P 500 climbed 1.5%, the Nasdaq gained 1%, and the Dow added 1.3%.
Remarkably, the S&P 500 closed at a record high every day this week—a rare “perfect week” of consecutive all-time highs not seen since November 2021, according to Howard Silverblatt, senior index analyst at S&P Dow Jones Indices.
Looking ahead, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen is scheduled to meet U.S. President Donald Trump in Scotland on Sunday. EU officials and diplomats have expressed confidence that a preliminary trade deal could be finalized over the weekend. Trump, however, characterized the chances of a deal as “50-50.”
Asian markets closed lower overnight, and European equities are under pressure as the European Union continues trade negotiations with the U.S.
Economic Takeaways –
- Bond yields were mostly flat, with the 10-year U.S. Treasury yield holding steady at 4.41%, down from its May peak near 4.60%.
- Sector performance was mixed: consumer discretionary and industrials led the gains, while real estate and energy trailed.
- The U.S. dollar is gaining ground against major global currencies.
- Durable goods orders fell less than expected in June, offering a slightly more positive read on the manufacturing sector. Orders dropped 9.3% from the previous month, beating forecasts for an 11.0% decline.
- The earnings outlook continues to improve, supported by better-than-expected corporate results. With about one-third of S&P 500 companies having reported so far, 82% have exceeded analyst estimates, with an average earnings surprise of 6.2%. Forecasts for second-quarter earnings growth have been revised up to 5.4%, from 3.8% at the quarter’s close.
- Headlines suggest the U.S. and EU are close to a deal that would slap 15% tariffs on imports from Europe.
- Federal Reserve independence appeared more secure Thursday after President Trump, alongside Fed Chair Jerome Powell, toured the central bank’s renovation site in hard hats and publicly affirmed that Powell’s job is safe.
- According to the CME FedWatch Tool, odds of a Fed rate cut next week remain below 3%, while chances for a cut in September stand at 62%.
Gold –
- Gold prices slipped on Friday, weighed down by a stronger U.S. dollar and signs of progress in U.S.-EU trade negotiations that dented safe-haven demand.
- Spot gold fell 0.9% to $3,336.01 per ounce by 02:01 p.m. ET (1801 GMT). U.S. gold futures settled 1.1% lower at $3,335.6.
Oil –
- Oil prices eased to a three-week low on Friday on negative economic news from the United States and China.
- Brent crude futures fell 76 cents, or 1.1%, to $68.42 a barrel by 1:44 p.m. EDT (1744 GMT), while U.S. West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude fell 91 cents, or 1.4%, to $65.12.
Crypto –
- The price of Bitcoin dropped to under $116,000.
- Galaxy Digital Inc. (NASDAQ: GLXY), a global player in digital assets and data center infrastructure, announced today that it has executed one of the largest notional bitcoin transactions in crypto history on behalf of a client. The firm facilitated the sale of more than 80,000 bitcoin—worth over $9 billion at current market prices—for a long-term holder dating back to the Satoshi era.
Paramount Gets Green Light for $8 Billion Merger
With the FCC giving its official nod this week, the $8 billion merger between Paramount Global and Skydance Media is on track to close in the coming weeks. But while the financial deal moves forward, questions linger about the broader implications—particularly the psychological toll on the legacy company.
CBS, owned by Paramount, has faced a turbulent stretch in recent months. Controversy surrounding a lawsuit settlement over a “60 Minutes” segment and the announced end of Stephen Colbert’s late-night show has drawn accusations that corporate leadership is caving to pressure from President Donald Trump.
Following Thursday’s FCC approval, Chris McCarthy—one of the three executives currently steering Paramount—announced his departure. McCarthy oversaw struggling cable brands like MTV, Comedy Central, and Nickelodeon, which are expected to face the bulk of an estimated $2 billion in cost cuts outlined by Skydance leadership.
Skydance CEO David Ellison is set to lead the newly merged company, with former NBCUniversal executive Jeff Shell tapped as its incoming president.
Intel to Spin Off Networking Unit as New CEO Pushes for Leaner Operations
Intel (INTC) plans to spin off its networking division as part of a broader effort to divest non-core assets and streamline operations under new CEO Lip-Bu Tan, according to a report released Friday.
The company has begun seeking strategic investors for its Network and Edge group and has already informed customers of the move, CRN reported. Intel told CRN it plans to stay on as an “anchor investor” in the unit. The decision echoes Intel’s April deal to sell a 51% stake in Altera, its programmable chips unit, to a private equity firm.
Intel did not immediately respond to Investopedia’s request for comment.
Top Gainers
Several stocks experienced significant gains. Some of the top gainers included:
Comfort Systems USA, Inc. (FIX) +22.37%
Lyell Immunopharma, Inc. (LYEL) +19.31%
Gentex Corp. (GNTX) +16.19%
Newegg Commerce, Inc. (NEGG) +11.72%
Deckers Outdoor Corp. (DECK) +11.35%
Top Losers
The top US stock losers today, based on percentage change included:
Liberty Broadband Corp. (LBRDA) -19.14%
Charter Communications, Inc. (CHTR) -18.49%
Synovus Financial Corp. (SNV) -12.54%
Pinnacle Financial Partners (PNFP) -12.10%
AST SpaceMobile, Inc. (ASTS) -9.53%
Notables
- Deckers Outdoor jumped 11% after the company topped quarterly estimates, driven by solid demand across international markets.
- Intel sank 8.5% after the chipmaker projected deeper-than-expected losses for the upcoming quarter and revealed plans for significant job cuts.
- Charter Communications plunged 18% after the company reported a larger-than-expected drop in broadband subscribers, pressured by intensifying competition from wireless carriers offering bundled high-speed internet and 5G mobile plans.
- Paramount Global edged down 1.6% following news that U.S. regulators had approved its $8.4 billion merger with Skydance Media.
- Centene gained 6.1% after the health insurer projected stronger profitability in 2026 across its three government-backed healthcare insurance divisions.
- American Airlines (AAL) and Southwest Airlines (LUV) disappointed with their quarterly results and guidance this week.
- Norfolk Southern (NSC) and Union Pacific (UNP) shares were volatile amid renewed media reports of a possible merger, which would combine UNP’s western U.S. network with Norfolk’s East Coast routes. Bloomberg noted potential regulatory challenges, with concerns about inflation risks tied to consolidation.
- Kohl’s (KSS) was flat after a strong Thursday rally, continuing its run as a popular meme stock on social media.
- Ulta Beauty (ULTA) slipped after being downgraded from Buy to Hold by Loop Capital.
What to Watch Ahead
All eyes next week will be on the U.S. Federal Reserve, where policymakers are widely expected to keep interest rates unchanged on Thursday as they assess how tariffs are influencing inflation trends.
According to CME’s FedWatch tool, traders are pricing in roughly a 60% chance of a rate cut in September.
On Friday, former President Trump said he believes Fed Chair Jerome Powell may be preparing to lower rates. The comment followed a rare visit to the Fed on Thursday, just days after Trump criticized Powell, calling him a “numbskull” for not cutting rates sooner.
Companies reporting next week include Microsoft, Apple, Amazon and Meta Platforms.
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