S&P 500 and Nasdaq Push Higher After Record-Setting Friday
Major U.S. stock indexes continued their upward momentum during Monday’s midday market update, extending June’s impressive rally as investors remained optimistic about potential trade deals and looked past geopolitical tensions. The stock market today is building on Friday’s record-setting performance, with technology stocks leading the advance.
By midday, the S&P 500 gained 0.4% to 6,197.82, pushing further above Friday’s record close of 6,173.07. The tech-heavy Nasdaq Composite advanced 0.5% to 20,374.68, also extending its all-time high. The Dow Jones Industrial Average showed the strongest performance among major indexes, rising 0.6% to 44,082.31, as investors rotated into blue-chip stocks.
“The markets today are continuing to climb the wall of worry,” said Ken Mahoney, CEO of Mahoney Asset Management. “Despite ongoing trade tensions and geopolitical concerns, investors are focusing on the strength of corporate earnings and the resilience of the U.S. economy.”
June Caps Stunning Market Recovery
Today’s gains put the finishing touches on what has been a remarkable month for U.S. equities. For June, the S&P 500 is up 4.4%, while the tech-heavy Nasdaq has jumped nearly 6.1%. The Dow has added about 3.7% month to date.
This impressive performance marks a dramatic turnaround from April’s lows, when the S&P 500 was down nearly 18% for the year amid global trade and tariff tensions. The swift recovery reflects growing investor confidence that the most severe tariff threats won’t materialize and that corporate America can navigate the changing trade landscape.
Trade Developments Remain in Focus
Investors continue to monitor trade negotiations closely, with recent developments providing both optimism and caution. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick’s announcement late last week that a framework between China and the U.S. on trade had been finalized boosted market sentiment. Lutnick indicated that the Trump administration soon expects to reach deals with 10 major trading partners.
However, market news today includes President Donald Trump’s statement on social media that the U.S. is “terminating ALL discussions on Trade with Canada” in response to Ottawa’s decision to implement a digital services tax on American tech firms. This development has tempered some of the broader optimism but hasn’t derailed the overall positive momentum.
Investors are also watching whether the Senate will pass President Trump’s economic package, which narrowly passed a key procedural vote on Saturday night. The bill faces an uncertain path in the House, where some GOP lawmakers have expressed concerns about recent revisions.
Tech Giants Lead the Charge
Technology stocks, particularly those focused on artificial intelligence, continued to drive market gains. NVIDIA Corporation (NVDA) rose 2% by midday, building on Friday’s 1.7% gain as investors remain bullish on the AI chipmaker’s prospects despite recent mixed earnings results.
Alphabet Inc. (GOOGL) advanced 1.2%, extending Friday’s 2.9% gain, while Amazon.com Inc. (AMZN) climbed 0.5%, hitting a buy point of 214.84 in a cup-with-handle pattern according to technical analysts.
Apple Inc. (AAPL) gained 0.5% in midday trading as it attempts to move further above its 50-day moving average, while Microsoft Corporation (MSFT) added 0.7% following strong fiscal third-quarter results reported earlier.
In contrast, Tesla Inc. (TSLA) declined 0.5% after Baird downgraded the electric vehicle maker from outperform to neutral. The stock remains approximately 40% below its all-time high set in December 2024.
Upcoming Economic Events to Watch
As we enter the second half of 2025, investors are focusing on several key economic events that could impact stock market live performance in the coming days:
The June jobs report, scheduled for release on Friday, will provide crucial insights into labor market conditions and potential implications for Federal Reserve policy. Economists expect moderate job growth and steady unemployment rates.
Second-quarter earnings season kicks off next week, with major banks including JPMorgan Chase (JPM), Bank of America (BAC), and Citigroup (C) among the first to report. Analysts will be watching for commentary on consumer spending, loan demand, and the impact of trade tensions on corporate outlook.
The Federal Reserve’s next policy meeting in late July will be closely monitored for signals about potential interest rate adjustments in response to inflation trends and economic growth patterns.
Global Markets Show Mixed Performance
Asian markets displayed mixed results on Monday as investors digested regional economic data. China’s manufacturing activity contracted for the third consecutive month in June, raising expectations for additional stimulus measures. The mainland China CSI 300 index added 0.37%, while Hong Kong’s Hang Seng Index fell 0.87%.
Japan’s Nikkei 225 climbed 0.84% after hitting an 11-month high earlier in the session. South Korea’s Kospi index closed 0.52% higher, while Australia’s S&P/ASX 200 increased by 0.33%.
European markets traded slightly lower as investors remained cautious about ongoing trade negotiations between major economies.
As the midday market update shows, the stock market today continues to demonstrate resilience in the face of complex global trade dynamics. With the first half of 2025 now complete, investors are looking ahead to earnings season for further confirmation that corporate America can maintain profitability despite evolving trade policies and geopolitical challenges.
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.