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Live Nasdaq Composite: Markets Rise on Fed Day Amid Trade Deal Hopes
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Key Points
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Markets rise on China and U.S. trade deal hopes.
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The Federal Reserve’s decision on interest rates is imminent as the markets also await comments from Chairman Jerome Powell.
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Live Updates
Live Coverage Has Ended
GOOGL Falls 9%
Google parent Alphabet (Nasdaq: GOOGL) stock is down a steep 9% to below $150 per share today after an Apple (Nasdaq; AAPL) executive told Bloomberg that conventional search engines would soon be replaced by those powered by AI.
Rates Unchanged but Risks Remain
The Dow has recovered, reversing a 200-point loss after the Federal Reserve left interest rates unchanged. Policymakers kept the range of short-term borrowing rates between 4.25% and 4.5%, as widely expected. In commentary, the Fed pointed to heightened economic uncertainty, including rising risks around inflation and unemployment. Policymakers also introduced the idea of stagflation, causing the S&P 500 and Nasdaq Composite to withhold any gains.
NFLX at All-Time High
Netflix (Nasdaq: NFLX) stock is up 1.8% today, clinching a fresh all-time high of $1,162 per share. The content-streaming stock has risen 2.5% in May as speculation of an upcoming stock split grows. The stock has been trading dominantly in the green over the past month. Not to be outdone, fellow streaming stock Spotify (NYSE: SPOT) is up 3.2% today and is hovering at a record high of $660.00.
Big Tech & Financials
Wolfe Research reportedly believes certain stocks have proven they are equipped to weather the tariff storm based on the trajectory of Q1 earnings results. The firm’s chief investment strategist Chris Senyek is optimistic on the following companies, from Big Tech to financials:
Meta Platforms (Nasdaq: META)
Netflix (Nasdaq: NFLX), whose shares are hitting new highs today.
Citigroup (NYSE: C)
JPMorgan Chase (NYSE: JPM)
Positive Earnings Surprises
Medical research equipment stock Charles River Labs (NYSE: CRL) is ballooning by 21% today after reporting its Q1 results. The company reported a profit of $25.5 million, beating consensus estimates. Revenue came in at $984.2 million, also surpassing estimates.
As of May 2, nearly three-quarters of S&P 500 companies had reported earnings, 76% of which had a positive surprise while nearly two-thirds reported a positive revenue surprise, according to Factset. Earnings growth is hovering at 12.8%, placing the index on pace for its second consecutive quarter of double-digit percentage earnings growth.
This article will be updated throughout the day, so check back often for more daily updates.
As the markets await the Federal Reserve’s decision on short-term interest rates, stocks are experiencing some relief. After two straight sessions of losses, the markets are moving higher, including a 0.15% gain in the tech-fueled Nasdaq Composite. The Dow Jones Industrial Average and S&P 500 are also posting fractional gains. Markets are encouraged by plans for U.S. and China officials to come to the negotiating table on tariffs ahead of comments by Fed Chairman Jerome Powell later today. Economists largely expect the Fed to leave interest rates unchanged.
Bank of America has warned that cutting interest rates may not be a top priority for the Fed, suggesting that while the markets are pricing in a trio of rate cuts in 2025, they aren’t likely to begin until mid-summer despite urging by President Trump to begin rate cuts sooner.
Dow stock Walt Disney (NYSE: DIS) is helping to lift market sentiment today, rising 10.5% after reporting on plans for an expansion push with a theme park in Abu Dhabi.
Magnificent Seven stocks are mixed after Tesla (Nasdaq: TSLA) reported EV sales slowed in China. Tesla plans to introduce its robotaxi service in Texas next month.
Here’s a look at the performance as of morning trading:
Dow Jones Industrial Average: Up 211.39 (+0.52%)
Nasdaq Composite: Up 44.67 (+0.23%)
S&P 500: Up 19.17 (+0.34%)
Market Movers
Uber (NYSE: UBER) fell short on revenue estimates owing to an 18% drop in trip year-over-year.
Novo Nordisk (NYSE: NVO) is rising 3% fueled by optimism for weight loss drug Wegovy demand. The company also slashed its 2025 outlook but the markets are seeing the glass half full.
EV maker Rivian Auto (Nasdaq: RIVN) is up 2% after reporting its Q1 results despite warning that demand will take a hit from tariffs.
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