The U.S. stock market experienced a mixed trading session on Thursday, August 14, 2025, as a hotter-than-anticipated Producer Price Index (PPI) report tempered investor enthusiasm that had pushed major indexes to recent record highs. While the S&P 500 (SPX) managed a fractional gain, extending its streak of record closes, both the Dow Jones Industrial Average (DJI) and Nasdaq Composite (IXIC) pulled back slightly, indicating a pause in the robust rally observed earlier in the week.
Market Performance Recap
Thursday's trading saw Wall Street grappling with new inflation data. The S&P 500 (SPX) edged up less than 0.1%, closing at a record for the third consecutive day, despite spending a significant portion of the session in negative territory. This resilience was largely attributed to the continued strength in key technology and growth sectors. In contrast, the Dow Jones Industrial Average (DJI) shed less than 0.1%, reflecting a broader retreat among industrial and financial components. The tech-heavy Nasdaq Composite (IXIC), which had previously set a new closing high on Wednesday, also finished mostly unchanged or down less than 0.1% on Thursday.
The primary catalyst for the day's cautious sentiment was the July Producer Price Index (PPI) report, released this morning. The Labor Department announced that the PPI rose by a significant 0.9% month-over-month, far exceeding economists' expectations of a 0.2% rise, and stood at 3.3% on an annual basis. This "hotter-than-expected" wholesale inflation data dampened hopes for aggressive interest rate cuts from the Federal Reserve, which had been bolstered by a more benign Consumer Price Index (CPI) reading earlier in the week. Traders subsequently adjusted their expectations for Fed rate cuts for the remainder of the year, though a quarter-percentage-point reduction in September remains largely priced in. The CBOE Volatility Index (VIX), often referred to as the market's "fear gauge," remained relatively stable, suggesting underlying investor confidence despite the inflation concerns.
Upcoming Market Events
Looking ahead, the economic calendar for the remainder of August 2025 and early September presents several key events that could influence market direction. Investors will be closely scrutinizing the Federal Reserve's July meeting minutes, which are expected to be released and will provide deeper insights into the central bank's discussions on monetary policy and future interest rate trajectories. Additionally, the highly anticipated Jackson Hole Symposium, a gathering of central bankers and economists, is slated for later in August, and any remarks from Fed officials there could significantly sway market sentiment.
Tomorrow, Friday, August 15th, will see the release of U.S. Retail Sales data and the Michigan Consumer Sentiment Index, both of which offer crucial insights into consumer spending and confidence, vital components of economic health. Geopolitically, a scheduled meeting between U.S. President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin on Friday is also on investors' radar, as it could have broader implications for global markets.
On the corporate earnings front, while the bulk of the Q2 earnings season is winding down, some notable reports are still on the horizon. For instance, Elastic (ESTC) is scheduled to release its first-quarter fiscal 2026 earnings results after the market close on Thursday, August 28, 2025.
Major Stock News and Developments
Several individual stocks made headlines today, reflecting a diverse range of corporate developments and market reactions.
Technology giants generally performed well, helping to offset broader market weakness. Amazon (AMZN) shares climbed over 3%, building on previous gains after the e-commerce behemoth announced the expansion of its same-day fresh grocery delivery service to over 1,000 cities and towns. Microsoft (MSFT), Nvidia (NVDA), Alphabet (GOOGL / GOOG), and Meta Platforms (META) also saw modest gains, underscoring the continued investor confidence in the growth prospects of the big tech sector. Intel (INTC) was a standout performer, surging more than 7% on reports that the U.S. government is considering taking a stake in the beleaguered chipmaker, a move that could provide a significant boost to the company.
Conversely, some prominent companies faced headwinds. Deere & Co. (DE) shares tumbled nearly 7% after the agricultural machinery maker reported a lower-than-expected quarterly profit and tightened its annual profit forecast, citing cautious customers and ongoing uncertainty. Tapestry (TPR), the parent company of Coach and Kate Spade New York, saw its stock plunge over 16% following a disappointing earnings report and a warning about the impact of tariffs on its future profitability. Cisco (CSCO) shares slipped after hours despite narrowly beating Q4 expectations, as investors assessed its outlook. Ibotta ([IBTA]) also experienced a significant decline, plunging 23% after missing its earnings targets.
In the cryptocurrency space, Bullish ([BLSH]), a cryptocurrency exchange, continued its strong performance, surging in premarket trading after a successful debut on Wednesday where its IPO price nearly doubled. Bitcoin ([BTCUSD]) also saw a rally, touching an all-time high of over $123,000, while Ethereum ([ETHUSD]) neared its 2021 peak, fueled by rising institutional adoption and regulatory clarity.
After-Market Earnings Announcements
As the trading day concluded, several companies released their quarterly earnings reports, which will likely influence their stock performance in tomorrow's session. AmpliTech Group, Inc. (AMPG), a designer and manufacturer of signal processing components, released its Q2 2025 earnings report after market close today. Similarly, Origin Materials (ORGN) also reported its Q2 2025 earnings after the bell. Additionally, Cellebrite (CLBT), a global leader in digital investigative solutions, announced its second-quarter 2025 financial results, reporting an 18% increase in revenue and a net income of $19.5 million, alongside the appointment of a new CEO and progress on its acquisition of Corellium.
Today's market activity highlights the ongoing tension between inflation concerns and underlying corporate strength, with investors closely watching economic data and corporate announcements to gauge the path forward for interest rates and overall market direction.
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.