September 26, 2025 – The financial markets today present a compelling paradox: a broader market pullback coexisting with remarkable individual strengths within the technology sector. As the S&P 500 (NYSE: SPY) and Nasdaq Composite (NASDAQ: QQQ) experienced a mild cool-off after recent record highs, spurred by cautious remarks from Federal
Wall Street moved modestly higher by midday Friday, yet major indexes remain on pace to break a three-week winning streak. At midday, the S&P 500 was up 0.4% to 6,630, while the Nasdaq 100 gained 0.2% to 24,440. The Russell 2000, the benchmark small-cap index, rebounded 0.5%.
The BEA’s personal income and spending report for August is expected to show a 2.7% year-over-year increase in the personal consumption expenditure (PCE) index, up from the 2.6% rate in July.
After a cautious warning sign on Wednesday, Thursday’s breadth numbers confirmed the shift in tone. Decliners overwhelmed advancers, short-term momentum fell back below key thresholds, and new highs nearly vanished. The data now reflects a clear deterioration in market participation.
The BEA’s revised estimates showed 3.8% seasonally adjusted annual growth, above the 3.3% rate estimated, on average, by economists, with the real personal consumption expenditure upwardly revised to 2.5%.
Wall Street retreated on Thursday, with major indexes heading for a third straight day of losses as stronger-than-expected economic data reduced hopes for near-term Fed rate cuts and lifted the dollar.
Wall Street's once-fervent optimism for a rapid succession of Federal Reserve interest rate cuts has hit a significant snag in late September 2025. Following the Fed's initial 25-basis-point rate reduction on September 17, a blend of fresh, nuanced economic data and cautious pronouncements from central bank officials has compelled investors
U.S. stock futures are trading mixed on Thursday following a decline on Wednesday, with no significant movements across major benchmark indices. The futures markets remain calm ahead of the weekly jobless claims data that are set to be released on Thursday, offering an essential economic data point to influence monetary decisions by the Federal Reserve.
