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.
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 is on track for its third straight day of gains, with major large-cap indices extending records as investors remain optimistic about corporate earnings and upcoming rate cuts.
Wall Street kept driving equity valuations higher on Friday, extending the momentum from Thursday when all major U.S. benchmarks closed at record highs following the Federal Reserve's rate cut.
Thursday’s session brought a notable recovery in market participation, reversing much of the weakness seen on Wednesday. The underlying breadth trend remains constructive, though still somewhat fragile.
The Fed’s rate cut continues to fuel optimism on Wall Street. Major indexes hit fresh highs, with the Russell 2000 finally joining the rally. Intel soared after Nvidia’s surprise $5 billion investment, CrowdStrike surged on strong AI-driven guidance, and nuclear energy stocks gained traction during Trump’s UK visit.
The Russell 2000, which tracks small caps, rallied on Thursday, outpacing large-cap benchmarks as investors piled into interest-rate-sensitive stocks a day after the Federal Reserve cut rates by 25 basis points and signaled more easing ahead
As whispers of impending interest rate cuts grow louder from central banks worldwide, a new wave of optimism is beginning to ripple through the often-overlooked small-cap sector. These nimble, growth-oriented companies, typically more sensitive to the cost of borrowing, have faced significant headwinds in a high-interest rate environment. Now, with
Small-cap and blue-chip stocks advanced in Wednesday morning trading on Wall Street, while technology names lagged and the S&P 500 hovered near record levels as investors braced for the Federal Reserve's interest rate decision.
