Stock Market Today: Mixed Market Moves as Dow Edges Higher and Tech Faces Pressure

​U.S. stocks were mixed on Friday as expectations for Federal Reserve rate cuts following the release of economic data this week were reset. The Dow Jones Industrial Average (DJI) rose 0.25%, inching closer to its first record since December, while the S&P 500 (GSPC) slipped 0.26% and the Nasdaq Composite (IXIC) fell 0.45%, reflecting waning optimism in tech and growth sectors.

The week’s economic releases, including higher-than-expected wholesale inflation and July retail sales growth, fueled cautious trading. While consumers continued to spend, sentiment readings for August showed growing concerns about long-term inflation, tempering market enthusiasm from earlier rallies.

Market Movers:

• UnitedHealth Group (UNH): +13.77%: UnitedHealth surged on strong quarterly earnings and bullish forward guidance. Analysts praised the company’s revenue growth across both its insurance and health services segments, noting that the robust performance could continue even in a cautious economic environment. The stock’s jump drove much of the Dow’s gains and brought renewed attention to healthcare sector resilience.
• Intel Corp. (INTC): +6.45%: Shares rallied following President Trump’s announcement that tariffs on semiconductor imports would be forthcoming, sparking speculation about potential market shifts that could favor domestic chipmakers. Investors responded positively to Intel’s positioning as a major U.S. semiconductor producer, anticipating that the company could benefit from supply chain adjustments. The stock’s rise demonstrates the sensitivity of the sector to trade policy signals.
• Apple Inc. (AAPL): -0.9%: Apple fell slightly amid broader tech weakness as investors weighed rate-cut uncertainty against the company’s growth outlook. While iPhone sales remain solid, analysts highlighted the potential impact of rising interest rates on consumer financing and demand for premium devices. Apple’s modest decline reflects investor caution toward growth stocks in a shifting macroeconomic landscape.
• Nvidia Corp. (NVDA): -1.2%: Nvidia fell as semiconductor tariffs and trade tensions pressured investor sentiment. Despite strong earnings momentum, concerns over potential import restrictions and geopolitical risks drove a pullback. Nvidia’s drop exemplifies how external factors can outweigh a company's specific performance in the tech-heavy Nasdaq.

Retail Sales and Consumer Sentiment

As the week closes, markets a poised for continued volatility, balancing economic data, Fed speculation, and geopolitical developments. The Dow’s advance suggests selective strength in sectors like healthcare and industrials, while tech remains vulnerable to policy and inflation shocks. Investors are likely to remain attentive to Friday’s closing numbers, upcoming economic releases, and international developments, which could determine whether the indices maintain their current trajectories or face renewed pressure.

Inflation Data and Fed Rate Speculation

Wall Street’s earlier confidence in a near-certain September rate cut has cooled after recent data showed a spike in wholesale inflation. The hotter-than-expected readings prompted traders to reconsider the size of the Fed’s potential policy moves. Rising inflation expectations, combined with a mixed economic picture, have led investors to adopt a more cautious stance on equities, particularly in interest-rate-sensitive sectors like tech and consumer discretionary.

Geopolitical Watch: U.S.-Russia Meeting

Investors are closely monitoring the scheduled meeting between President Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin. The summit’s outcome could influence global trade, defense, and energy markets, with ripple effects on U.S. equities. Any developments in trade agreements, sanctions, or geopolitical cooperation may shift investor sentiment dramatically, making this one of the key events to watch in the coming days.

Looking Ahead

As the week ends, markets are poised for continued volatility, balancing economic data, Fed speculation, and geopolitical developments. The Dow’s advance suggests selective strength in sectors like healthcare and industrials, while tech remains vulnerable to policy and inflation shocks. Investors are likely to remain attentive to Friday’s closing numbers, upcoming economic releases, and international developments, which could determine whether the indices maintain their current trajectories or face renewed pressure.