Markets

US stocks go up as news of trade deals mean tariff risks go down

A trade deal with Japan and reports that a similar agreement with the EU was near the finish line propelled the S&P 500 to fresh all-time and closing highs on Wednesday.

The benchmark US stock index closed up 0.8%, the Nasdaq 100 rose 0.4%, and the Russell 2000 advanced 1.5%.

Every S&P 500 sector ETF gained outside of utilities, with healthcare, industrials, and energy leading the way higher.

The day’s gains were led by Lamb Weston, with shares jumping 16% after the frozen potato producer topped Q4 expectations and doubled down on its cost-cutting plan. Fiserv was among the worst performers, falling nearly 14% after the payment tech company topped Q2 estimates but narrowed its full-year earnings forecast.

Shares of Toyota, Honda, and Mazda all soared following Japan’s fresh trade deal with the US, which slashes levies on Japanese auto imports to 15% from 27.5%.

GE Vernova jumped nearly 15% after the energy equipment giant posted better-than-expected Q2 results. Other AI-linked power providers posted solid gains, as rising electricity prices are poised to be passed on to consumers.

The meme stock targets shifted, and the impulse was a lot weaker than previous editions: the likes of Krispy Kreme and GoPro were up huge in early trading, but pared much of those gains throughout the day.

Similarly, but with much better results, Hims & Hers was up 16% on ostensibly no news pertaining to the company and amid a spike in bullish options activity.

Abivax closed up more than 500% after it announced that late-stage trials for its treatment for ulcerative colitis showed promise.

Hasbro shares jumped as much as 5% before closing in the red after the toymaker topped Q2 estimates and raised its full-year guidance.

Roblox shares dipped after Raymond James issued a rare downgrade on the stock, tapping the brakes following a massive rally in recent months.

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SpaceX gets a wave of bullish ratings from Wall Street analysts

SpaceX received more than a dozen positive analyst calls on Tuesday — including from major Wall Street banks — as they initiate coverage on Elon Musk’s space and AI company.

SpaceX went public on June 12 at a $2.2 trillion valuation, the largest debut in history. While the company hasn’t yet posted a profit, it seems to have convinced Wall Street that it will get there and grow its valuation on the way.

Of the at least 17 analysts that gave a rating on Tuesday, all but one gave it a “buy” or “outperform” rating. MoffettNathanson was "neutral."

The ratings come as SpaceX joined the Nasdaq 100 index, a benchmark tech-heavy basket of companies that underpins millions of portfolios. The inclusion adds built-in demand for the stock from index funds and ETFs.

Still, SpaceX fell more than 5% on Tuesday amid a broader sell-off, and is currently effectively flat from its opening price of $150 a share.

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Nike sinks to lowest level since 2014 after warning of “challenged” sales environment in Q4 report

Did Nike do it?

Investors had a mixed reaction after the global sports apparel company reported its fourth quarter earnings on Tuesday after the bell. Shares initially rose 5% as Nike beat out Wall Street expectations amid a hefty tariff refund bonus. However, the stock then sank to its lowest level since August 2014 in postmarket trading.

Here are the Q4 numbers:

  • Revenue of $11.0 billion (estimate: $10.8 billion).

  • Adjusted earnings per share of $0.20 (estimate: $0.12).

Ahead of this report, Nike warned that results would be flattered by a one-time tariff refund (now estimated at roughly $0.52 per share for the bottom line). That gave the company an extra cushion in snapping its streak of seven quarters of year-over-year profit declines.

Over the past year, the company had been punished by tariffs on imported goods, stagnant consumer spending, and increasing competition from other footwear brands like New Balance, Adidas, and Hoka.

Outgoing CFO Matthew Friend deemed it an “increasingly challenging operating environment, where sell-through remains challenged.”

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