The U.S. stock market opened with a mixed sentiment on Thursday, August 14, 2025, as investors digested a flurry of recent economic data and awaited the crucial Producer Price Index (PPI) report later today. After a strong rally in the preceding sessions that saw major indexes touch or near record highs, the market appears to be taking a breather, reflecting a cautious approach amidst ongoing inflation concerns and anticipation of future Federal Reserve policy moves.
Market Indexes Overview
At the opening bell, the S&P 500 initially retreated slightly, down approximately 0.20% to 6,453.46, following two consecutive days of setting new closing records. The broad market index had reached an all-time high of 6,480.28 during intraday trading on Wednesday, underscoring the strong bullish momentum that has characterized recent weeks. Similarly, the tech-heavy Nasdaq Composite also opened lower, dropping around 0.29% to 21,649.211, after hitting a new closing high on Wednesday. The Dow Jones Industrial Average (DJIA) saw a marginal decline at the open, down about 0.07% to 44,890.84, though it remains within striking distance of its all-time high recorded in December 2024, having gained over 480 points in the last two sessions.
This mixed opening comes after a positive reaction to cooling inflation data earlier in the week, which fueled expectations for a potential Federal Reserve interest rate cut as early as September. While futures for all three major indexes were relatively flat in premarket trading, the slight dip at the open suggests some profit-taking and a wait-and-see attitude ahead of today's key economic release.
Upcoming Market Events
Today's primary focus for investors is the release of the U.S. Producer Price Index (PPI) data for July, which will provide further insights into wholesale inflation pressures. Following Tuesday's Consumer Price Index (CPI) report, which came in largely in line with expectations and reinforced hopes for a Fed rate cut, the PPI data is crucial for confirming the broader inflation trend. Core PPI is expected to show a modest 0.1% month-over-month increase.
Looking ahead, the economic calendar remains active. The July Retail Sales data, another significant indicator of consumer spending and economic health, is expected to be released later this week. Furthermore, market participants will be closely watching the release of the Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) Meeting Minutes later in August, which will offer deeper insights into the Federal Reserve's discussions and outlook on monetary policy. The annual Jackson Hole Economic Symposium, typically held in late August, will also be a key event, with speeches from central bank officials potentially guiding future policy expectations.
Major Stock News and Developments
Several major public companies are making headlines today, influencing individual stock movements:
Nvidia (NVDA) continues to capture significant attention, with its stock hitting new record highs. The AI chip giant is benefiting from sustained strong demand for its artificial intelligence processors. Recent news indicating that Nvidia expects to resume sales of its H20 chips in China, following assurances from the Trump administration, has further boosted investor confidence. Nvidia's shares were up in premarket trading, extending its impressive run.
In the pharmaceutical sector, Eli Lilly (LLY) is in the news after reportedly increasing the price of its popular weight-loss drug, Mounjaro, by up to 170% in the United Kingdom. This move comes amidst soaring global demand for obesity treatments, where Eli Lilly is a key player. Eli Lilly's stock was up around 0.29% at the open.
Boeing (BA) saw its shares rise after an upgrade from Bernstein, which noted that the aircraft maker is "making the progress it needed for the growth trajectory." This positive analyst sentiment points to stabilizing commercial jet production and an improved defense outlook.
On the other hand, Tesla (TSLA) shares were slipping, down approximately 0.72% at the open. The electric vehicle manufacturer is facing ongoing challenges, including reports of production slowdowns in key overseas factories and intensifying competition in the global EV market.
Among other tech giants, Microsoft (MSFT) and Apple (AAPL) saw relatively small movements at the open, with Microsoft up slightly and Apple flat. Microsoft continues to benefit from strong performance in its cloud computing division, Azure. Alphabet (GOOGL), Google's parent company, also showed minor gains, following its recent commitment of $25 billion to build AI data centers across the largest U.S. electrical grid.
Beyond the mega-caps, there were notable movements across the market. Deere (DE) shares dropped significantly, approximately 6%, after the agricultural machinery maker released its quarterly results. Similarly, Coach parent Tapestry (TPR) tumbled more than 11% following a disappointing earnings report. Conversely, dLocal (DLO) surged over 25% after delivering a strong earnings beat, while Tempus AI jumped 7.2% as interest in biotech AI plays picked up.
As the trading day progresses, market participants will closely monitor the PPI data for further clues on inflation and the Federal Reserve's potential path forward, which will likely dictate the market's direction for the remainder of the week.
Ed Liston is a senior contributing editor at TheStockMarketWatch.com. An active market watcher and investor, Ed guides an independent team of experienced analysts and writes for multiple stock trader publications.