U.S. equity markets are showing signs of a rebound in afternoon trading on Wednesday, November 19, 2025, as investors digest a flurry of corporate earnings and eagerly await the highly anticipated quarterly results from artificial intelligence (AI) chipmaker Nvidia (NVDA) after the closing bell. Major indexes are looking to snap recent losing streaks, with technology and communication services leading the charge.
Major Index Performance
The benchmark S&P 500 Index is up 0.2% to 0.4% in afternoon trading, aiming to end a four-session skid. Similarly, the tech-heavy Nasdaq Composite is showing stronger gains, rising between 0.3% and 0.8%, following two consecutive days of declines. The blue-chip Dow Jones Industrial Average, however, is ticking slightly lower by 0.1% to 0.2%, after an earlier gain evaporated, also looking to break a four-day losing streak. The S&P 500, which briefly touched an all-time high in October, has seen some recent shakiness due to concerns over elevated stock valuations and uncertainty surrounding future Federal Reserve interest rate cuts.
Afternoon Trading Activity and Sector Performance
The afternoon session is characterized by a cautious optimism, largely driven by the impending Nvidia (NVDA) earnings report, which is seen as a crucial test for the broader AI trade and the market as a whole. Technology and communication services sectors are exhibiting early leadership, with most sectors advancing. This comes after a period where tech stocks, particularly the "Magnificent Seven," have faced pressure, contributing to the Nasdaq's recent declines. Conversely, consumer defensives, energy, and utilities sectors are lagging today. In the broader real estate market, the third quarter of 2025 saw a recovery, with multifamily and office sectors leading U.S. real estate investment growth. Industrial and retail sectors also experienced steady growth.
Key Company News and Stock Movements
Several major public companies are making headlines today:
- Nvidia (NVDA): The world's most valuable company is the focal point of the market, with its highly anticipated quarterly earnings report due after the market closes. The stock is up approximately 1.7% to 3.2% in anticipation of the results, which are expected to provide a health check on the booming AI industry.
- Alphabet (GOOGL): Shares of Google's parent company jumped more than 3% to a fresh all-time intraday high, a day after it announced its latest AI model, Gemini 3.
- Lowe's (LOW): The home improvement retailer saw its shares surge nearly 5% to 6% after reporting a stronger-than-expected third-quarter profit and raising its full-year sales projection. This performance stands in contrast to rival Home Depot (HD), whose stock sank recently after missing profit estimates.
- Target (TGT): The retailer experienced a dip in its stock, down 0.5% to 1.5%, despite reporting a stronger profit, as its revenue for the latest quarter came in weaker than analysts expected. The company also hinted at potential challenges continuing through the critical holiday shopping season.
- Constellation Energy (CEG): The energy company rallied 5.2% to 6.1% after the U.S. Department of Energy announced a $1 billion loan to help restart its nuclear power plant at Three Mile Island.
- TJX Companies (TJX): The operator of TJ Maxx and Marshalls traded near its all-time highs, up 1% to 4%, after posting better-than-expected quarterly results and boosting its outlook.
- Amazon (AMZN): The e-commerce giant's stock slipped a further 0.8% after dropping 4.4% yesterday on a rating cut.
- Adobe (ADBE): The software company announced a definitive agreement to acquire Semrush Holdings Inc. (SEMR), a leading brand visibility platform, in an all-cash transaction valued at approximately $1.9 billion.
- Hershey Company (HSY): Hershey announced the completion of its acquisition of LesserEvil, a maker of organic snacks, expanding its better-for-you and salty snacking portfolio.
- Medtronic plc (MDT): Shares jumped 4.7% after the company reported second-quarter fiscal 2026 earnings that beat analysts' estimates.
- Amer Sports, Inc. (AS): Shares surged 8.5% after the company reported third-quarter 2025 earnings that surpassed consensus estimates.
- IonQ (IONQ): The quantum computing company announced Scott Millard as its new Chief Business Officer.
Upcoming Market Events
Investors are looking ahead to several key events that could influence market direction:
- September Jobs Report: The U.S. government's September jobs report, which was delayed due to a 43-day government shutdown, is scheduled for release tomorrow, November 20th. The Bureau of Labor Statistics also announced that the full October jobs data will not be released.
- Federal Reserve Minutes: The minutes from the latest Federal Reserve meeting are expected to be released this afternoon. These minutes could offer new perspectives on the ongoing debate about inflation and the state of the labor market, as well as provide clues regarding the likelihood of future interest rate cuts.
- Walmart (WMT) Earnings: The retail giant is set to report its earnings tomorrow, November 20th, which will provide further insights into consumer spending and the retail landscape.
In other market movements, WTI crude futures are down more than 2%, trading around $59.19 to $59.45 per barrel, while gold futures are up 0.4% to 1.3%, reaching approximately $4,080 to $4,120 per ounce. The U.S. dollar index is up 0.6% at 100.10. Treasury yields are moving lower, with the 10-year Treasury yield around 4.11% to 4.12%.
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.