The U.S. stock market concluded a robust week on Friday, July 25, 2025, with the S&P 500 and Nasdaq Composite achieving fresh all-time closing highs, while the Dow Jones Industrial Average pushed closer to its own record. Investor sentiment remained largely positive, driven by a blend of better-than-expected corporate earnings, persistent hopes for potential Federal Reserve interest rate cuts, and ongoing developments in international trade. As the market closed for the week, the underlying currents suggested a cautious yet confident outlook for the coming sessions.
Major Index Performance
On Friday, July 25, the major U.S. market indexes continued their upward trajectory. The benchmark S&P 500 (SP500) was up approximately 0.5% in late trading, extending its streak of record-setting finishes. This marks the S&P 500's thirteenth closing high for 2025, with four occurring this week alone. Similarly, the tech-heavy Nasdaq Composite (COMP:IND) also advanced, gaining about 0.4% in late trading and hitting a new all-time high, building on its impressive run of eight record closes in the past nine sessions. The Dow Jones Industrial Average (DJI), while not yet at an all-time high, also saw gains, adding 0.5% in late trading, bringing it closer to its December record.
Looking at sector performance for the day, eight of the S&P 500's eleven segments were in positive territory, with Materials and Industrials leading the charge. Conversely, the Real Estate sector lagged as the weakest performer. On Thursday's close, the Consumer Discretionary Select Sector SPDR (XLY) and the Materials Select Sector SPDR (XLB) had advanced by 1.7% and 1% respectively, while the Energy Select Sector SPDR (XLE) fell 0.7%. The CBOE Volatility Index (VIX), often referred to as the market's "fear gauge," saw a slight increase of 0.1% to 15.39 on Thursday, reflecting some underlying caution. In the bond market, U.S. Treasury yields remained relatively muted, with the longer-end U.S. 10-year Treasury yield (US10Y) rising slightly to 4.41%.
Key Market Movers & Corporate News
A mixed bag of corporate earnings and significant company announcements drove individual stock movements today.
Intel (INTC) shares experienced a significant plunge, falling between 9.4% and 10% after the chipmaker reported an unexpected second-quarter loss and provided an uninspiring outlook for the third quarter. The company also announced plans for a 15% workforce reduction as part of its cost-saving measures. Analysts expressed concerns about Intel's turnaround efforts, with some maintaining a "hold" rating due to uncertainty.
In contrast, Alphabet Inc. (GOOGL) delivered strong results, with its second-quarter 2025 earnings beating Zacks Consensus Estimates by 7.44% and revenue increasing by 13.8% year-over-year. This positive earnings report contributed to the overall strength in the tech sector.
Electric vehicle giant Tesla (TSLA) saw a notable rebound, climbing 3.5% after a sharp decline yesterday following disappointing results. Investment manager Cathie Wood reportedly "doubled down" on her Tesla holdings, buying the dip after the earnings slide.
Footwear and apparel company Deckers Outdoor (DECK) soared, gaining over 12% in after-hours trading and approximately 14% in recent trading, on the back of better-than-expected first-quarter fiscal 2026 earnings. Sales of its popular Hoka and Ugg brands saw significant jumps, contributing to the strong performance.
Mining company Newmont (NEM) also saw its stock pop by nearly 6%, reaching its highest level in three years. This surge was attributed to strong second-quarter earnings, which were boosted by high gold prices, making Newmont one of the biggest gainers in the S&P 500 this year.
In corporate merger news, Paramount Global (PARA) saw its stock jump after the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) approved its $8 billion merger with Skydance Media.
Meanwhile, UnitedHealth (UNH), a component of the Dow Jones Industrial Average, which had been the weakest performer in the index for 2025 and fell nearly 5% on Thursday due to federal scrutiny and a downgraded profit forecast, was up 2.5% on Friday.
After the market closed today, Clorox (CLX) was among the companies expected to report their earnings.
Looking Ahead: Upcoming Market Events
Investors are preparing for another busy week filled with critical economic data, central bank decisions, and a new wave of corporate earnings reports.
A key event on the calendar for next week is the Federal Reserve's next policy meeting, scheduled for Wednesday, July 30. Most market participants anticipate that the Fed will maintain interest rates at their current range of 4.25% to 4.5%. However, any commentary on the economic outlook or future rate trajectory will be closely scrutinized.
On the economic data front, the preliminary estimate for the U.S. GDP Annual Growth Rate for Q2 is set to be released on Wednesday, July 30. This will provide crucial insights into the health of the U.S. economy. Additionally, the U.S. Department of Labor report for July, including the highly anticipated Non-Farm Payrolls, is expected on Friday, August 1. Prior to that, the JOLTS Job Openings data will be released on Tuesday, July 29. These employment figures are vital indicators for the Fed's monetary policy decisions.
Trade policies will also remain a significant focus, with investors closely watching for any new announcements ahead of the August 1 tariff deadline. Earlier this week, President Trump announced a "massive" trade deal with Japan, which included 15% "reciprocal" tariffs, adding a layer of complexity to the global trade landscape.
The earnings season continues next week with several major companies slated to report. Tech giants Microsoft (MSFT), Apple (AAPL), Amazon (AMZN), and Meta Platforms (META) are all scheduled to release their earnings reports, which could significantly influence market direction. Today, companies like Phillips 66 (PSX) and Booz Allen Hamilton Holding Co (BAH), along with Aon PLC (AON), Centene Corp (CNC), Charter Communications Inc (CHTR), Eni SPA (E), HCA Healthcare (HCA), and OneMain Holdings (OMF) were also reporting their results.
Overall, Friday's market performance underscored a resilient investor base, willing to push indexes to new heights despite some mixed corporate results. The focus now shifts to the upcoming economic data and central bank actions, which will likely set the tone for market activity in the week ahead.
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.