{"id":50633,"date":"2025-07-17T10:07:50","date_gmt":"2025-07-17T14:07:50","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/thestockmarketwatch.com\/stock-market-news\/stock-market-today-major-indexes-rise-as-earnings-season-gains-momentum\/50633\/"},"modified":"2025-07-17T10:07:50","modified_gmt":"2025-07-17T14:07:50","slug":"stock-market-today-major-indexes-rise-as-earnings-season-gains-momentum","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www2.stockmarketwatch.com\/stock-market-news\/stock-market-today-major-indexes-rise-as-earnings-season-gains-momentum\/50633\/","title":{"rendered":"Stock Market Today: Major Indexes Rise as Earnings Season Gains Momentum"},"content":{"rendered":"<div id=\"ez-toc-container\" class=\"ez-toc-v2_0_82_2 counter-hierarchy ez-toc-counter ez-toc-grey ez-toc-container-direction\">\n<div class=\"ez-toc-title-container\">\n<p class=\"ez-toc-title\" style=\"cursor:inherit\">Table of Contents<\/p>\n<span class=\"ez-toc-title-toggle\"><a href=\"#\" class=\"ez-toc-pull-right ez-toc-btn ez-toc-btn-xs ez-toc-btn-default ez-toc-toggle\" aria-label=\"Toggle Table of Content\"><span class=\"ez-toc-js-icon-con\"><span class=\"\"><span class=\"eztoc-hide\" style=\"display:none;\">Toggle<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-icon-toggle-span\"><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" class=\"list-377408\" width=\"20px\" height=\"20px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" fill=\"none\"><path d=\"M6 6H4v2h2V6zm14 0H8v2h12V6zM4 11h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2zM4 16h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2z\" fill=\"currentColor\"><\/path><\/svg><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" class=\"arrow-unsorted-368013\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"10px\" height=\"10px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" version=\"1.2\" baseProfile=\"tiny\"><path d=\"M18.2 9.3l-6.2-6.3-6.2 6.3c-.2.2-.3.4-.3.7s.1.5.3.7c.2.2.4.3.7.3h11c.3 0 .5-.1.7-.3.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7zM5.8 14.7l6.2 6.3 6.2-6.3c.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7c-.2-.2-.4-.3-.7-.3h-11c-.3 0-.5.1-.7.3-.2.2-.3.5-.3.7s.1.5.3.7z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/a><\/span><\/div>\n<nav><ul class='ez-toc-list ez-toc-list-level-1 eztoc-toggle-hide-by-default' ><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-1\" href=\"#\" data-href=\"https:\/\/www2.stockmarketwatch.com\/stock-market-news\/stock-market-today-major-indexes-rise-as-earnings-season-gains-momentum\/50633\/#Market_Indexes_Edge_Higher_at_the_Opening_Bell\" >Market Indexes Edge Higher at the Opening Bell<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-2\" href=\"#\" data-href=\"https:\/\/www2.stockmarketwatch.com\/stock-market-news\/stock-market-today-major-indexes-rise-as-earnings-season-gains-momentum\/50633\/#Strong_Economic_Data_Boosts_Market_Sentiment\" >Strong Economic Data Boosts Market Sentiment<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-3\" href=\"#\" data-href=\"https:\/\/www2.stockmarketwatch.com\/stock-market-news\/stock-market-today-major-indexes-rise-as-earnings-season-gains-momentum\/50633\/#Earnings_Season_Gains_Momentum\" >Earnings Season Gains Momentum<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-4\" href=\"#\" data-href=\"https:\/\/www2.stockmarketwatch.com\/stock-market-news\/stock-market-today-major-indexes-rise-as-earnings-season-gains-momentum\/50633\/#Airlines_Signal_Improving_Travel_Demand\" >Airlines Signal Improving Travel Demand<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-5\" href=\"#\" data-href=\"https:\/\/www2.stockmarketwatch.com\/stock-market-news\/stock-market-today-major-indexes-rise-as-earnings-season-gains-momentum\/50633\/#Market_Recovers_from_Powell_Controversy\" >Market Recovers from Powell Controversy<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-6\" href=\"#\" data-href=\"https:\/\/www2.stockmarketwatch.com\/stock-market-news\/stock-market-today-major-indexes-rise-as-earnings-season-gains-momentum\/50633\/#Looking_Ahead_Key_Events_to_Watch\" >Looking Ahead: Key Events to Watch<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Market_Indexes_Edge_Higher_at_the_Opening_Bell\"><\/span>Market Indexes Edge Higher at the Opening Bell<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>The major U.S. stock indexes climbed higher at the market open on Thursday, July 17, 2025, as investors digested a wave of corporate earnings reports and positive economic data. At the opening bell, the <a href=\"https:\/\/stockmarketwatch.com\/markets\/dowjones\/today.aspx\" data-internallinksmanager029f6b8e52c=\"1\" title=\"Dow Jones Today\">Dow Jones<\/a> Industrial Average rose 0.33% to 44,401.78, adding 147 points. The <a href=\"https:\/\/stockmarketwatch.com\/markets\/sp500\/\" data-internallinksmanager029f6b8e52c=\"3\" title=\"snp500 today\">S&#038;P 500<\/a> gained 0.26% to reach 6,280.37, while the tech-heavy Nasdaq Composite advanced 0.43% to 20,819.28.<cscitation citation_id=\"task_2__1\"><\/cscitation><\/p>\n<p>The markets today are consolidating near record highs as traders navigate multiple catalysts, including corporate earnings, economic indicators, and ongoing political developments. The Russell 2000, which tracks small-cap stocks, showed stronger performance with a 0.83% gain, reaching 2,245.49 points.<cscitation citation_id=\"task_3__2\"><\/cscitation><\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Strong_Economic_Data_Boosts_Market_Sentiment\"><\/span>Strong Economic Data Boosts Market Sentiment<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>Recent economic releases have provided a positive backdrop for today&#8217;s market activity. The latest jobless claims data showed continued strength in the labor market, with 221,000 initial claims filed for the week ending July 12, marking a decrease of 7,000 from the previous week&#8217;s revised level. This represents the lowest level of unemployment claims in three months, suggesting resilience in the job market.<cscitation citation_id=\"task_3__1\"><\/cscitation><\/p>\n<p>Additionally, retail sales data released yesterday showed a better-than-expected increase, with June sales rising 0.6% from May and 3.5% year-over-year. This surpassed the Dow Jones consensus estimate of 0.2%, indicating that consumer spending remains robust despite concerns about the impact of recent tariffs. Sales excluding automobiles also increased by 0.5%, exceeding economists&#8217; expectations of 0.3%.<cscitation citation_id=\"task_3__1\"><\/cscitation><\/p>\n<p>&#8220;The retail sales rebound in June indicates that President <a href=\"https:\/\/thestockmarketwatch.com\/live\/trump-stock-market\" data-internallinksmanager029f6b8e52c=\"8\" title=\"Trump\">Trump<\/a>&#8217;s tariffs are not significantly impacting consumer spending habits yet,&#8221; noted market analysts at today&#8217;s market open.<cscitation citation_id=\"task_3__2\"><\/cscitation><\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Earnings_Season_Gains_Momentum\"><\/span>Earnings Season Gains Momentum<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>The second-quarter earnings season is off to a strong start, with more than 45 S&#038;P 500 components having reported thus far. An impressive 87% of these companies have exceeded analyst expectations, according to FactSet data.<cscitation citation_id=\"task_1__2\"><\/cscitation><\/p>\n<p>Among today&#8217;s standout performers, PepsiCo (<a href=\"https:\/\/thestockmarketwatch.com\/stock\/?stock=PEP\">PEP<\/a>) shares surged more than 6% after the beverage and snack giant reported better-than-expected quarterly results. The company posted adjusted earnings of $2.12 per share on revenues of $22.73 billion, beating analyst estimates despite reporting softer demand with worldwide food volumes down 1.5%.<cscitation citation_id=\"task_1__1\"><\/cscitation><\/p>\n<p>Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (<a href=\"https:\/\/thestockmarketwatch.com\/stock\/?stock=TSM\">TSM<\/a>) saw its stock rise 2.36% after posting a record quarterly profit, citing increasingly strong demand for AI chips. The Nvidia supplier&#8217;s positive results helped boost other semiconductor stocks in early trading.<cscitation citation_id=\"task_3__2\"><\/cscitation><\/p>\n<p>GE Aerospace (<a href=\"https:\/\/thestockmarketwatch.com\/stock\/?stock=GE\">GE<\/a>) traded slightly lower by 0.04% despite beating second-quarter expectations with adjusted earnings of $1.66 per share on $10.15 billion in revenue, exceeding analyst forecasts of $1.43 per share and $9.59 billion.<cscitation citation_id=\"task_1__2\"><\/cscitation><\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Airlines_Signal_Improving_Travel_Demand\"><\/span>Airlines Signal Improving Travel Demand<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>United Airlines shares declined in early trading after the carrier reset its full-year profit outlook. The company now expects adjusted profit of $9 to $11 per share for 2025, down from its earlier forecast of $11.50 to $13.50 per share. Despite the reduced guidance, United&#8217;s CEO Scott Kirby expressed optimism about improving conditions.<cscitation citation_id=\"task_3__2\"><\/cscitation><\/p>\n<p>&#8220;United saw a positive shift in demand beginning in early July, and, like 2024, anticipates another inflection in industry supply in mid-August,&#8221; Kirby stated. &#8220;The world is less uncertain today than it was during the first six months of 2025 and that gives us confidence about a strong finish to the year.&#8221;<cscitation citation_id=\"task_3__2\"><\/cscitation><\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Market_Recovers_from_Powell_Controversy\"><\/span>Market Recovers from Powell Controversy<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>Markets today appear to have moved past Wednesday&#8217;s volatility sparked by reports that President <a href=\"https:\/\/thestockmarketwatch.com\/live\/trump-stock-market\" data-internallinksmanager029f6b8e52c=\"8\" title=\"Trump\">Trump<\/a> was considering firing Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell. Stocks dropped sharply at one point yesterday after a White House official indicated that Trump &#8220;likely will soon&#8221; remove Powell from his post, with the Dow falling more than 260 points at its session low.<cscitation citation_id=\"task_1__2\"><\/cscitation><\/p>\n<p>However, equities rebounded after Trump later denied these reports, stating that firing the central bank chief is &#8220;highly unlikely, unless he has to leave for fraud.&#8221; The president&#8217;s denial helped stabilize markets, with all three major indexes closing Wednesday&#8217;s session in positive territory.<cscitation citation_id=\"task_1__1\"><\/cscitation><\/p>\n<p>Michael Green, chief strategist at Simplify Asset Management, suggested that Wednesday&#8217;s stock rebound indicates the market may have already moved past concerns about Powell&#8217;s potential ousting. &#8220;The only real piece of information, I would argue, that you got today is that firing Powell is not that big of a deal,&#8221; he told CNBC.<cscitation citation_id=\"task_1__2\"><\/cscitation><\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Looking_Ahead_Key_Events_to_Watch\"><\/span>Looking Ahead: Key Events to Watch<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>Investors are now turning their attention to upcoming earnings reports, particularly from technology companies. Netflix (<a href=\"https:\/\/thestockmarketwatch.com\/stock\/?stock=NFLX\">NFLX<\/a>) is set to release its quarterly results after today&#8217;s market close, kicking off the Big Tech earnings season. The streaming giant&#8217;s shares have performed strongly so far this year, and its results will be closely watched for insights into consumer spending on subscription services.<cscitation citation_id=\"task_3__2\"><\/cscitation><\/p>\n<p>The dollar has staged a comeback in currency markets, adding 0.4% and resuming its month-to-date climb. This strength is underpinned by fading expectations for interest rate cuts in 2025, as economic data continues to show resilience.<cscitation citation_id=\"task_2__3\"><\/cscitation><\/p>\n<p>As markets today navigate through earnings season, traders will be watching for signs of continued strength in corporate profits and any indications of how companies are managing in the current economic environment. With 87% of reporting companies beating expectations so far, the outlook remains positive for stocks at the market open.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Market Indexes Edge Higher at the Opening Bell The major U.S. stock indexes climbed higher at the market open on [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":50312,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"site-sidebar-layout":"default","site-content-layout":"","ast-site-content-layout":"","site-content-style":"default","site-sidebar-style":"default","ast-global-header-display":"","ast-banner-title-visibility":"","ast-main-header-display":"","ast-hfb-above-header-display":"","ast-hfb-below-header-display":"","ast-hfb-mobile-header-display":"","site-post-title":"","ast-breadcrumbs-content":"","ast-featured-img":"","footer-sml-layout":"","theme-transparent-header-meta":"","adv-header-id-meta":"","stick-header-meta":"","header-above-stick-meta":"","header-main-stick-meta":"","header-below-stick-meta":"","astra-migrate-meta-layouts":"default","ast-page-background-enabled":"default","ast-page-background-meta":{"desktop":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"tablet":{"background-color":"","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"mobile":{"background-color":"","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""}},"ast-content-background-meta":{"desktop":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-4)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"tablet":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-4)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"mobile":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-4)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""}},"rank_math_schema_Article":[],"rank_math_focus_keyword":[],"rank_math_description":[],"financial_data_references":[],"stock_symbols_mentioned":[],"footnotes":""},"categories":[94],"tags":[30,58,294,1555],"class_list":["post-50633","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-market-update","tag-ge","tag-nflx","tag-pep","tag-tsm"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www2.stockmarketwatch.com\/stock-market-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/50633","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www2.stockmarketwatch.com\/stock-market-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www2.stockmarketwatch.com\/stock-market-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www2.stockmarketwatch.com\/stock-market-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www2.stockmarketwatch.com\/stock-market-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=50633"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www2.stockmarketwatch.com\/stock-market-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/50633\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www2.stockmarketwatch.com\/stock-market-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/50312"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www2.stockmarketwatch.com\/stock-market-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=50633"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www2.stockmarketwatch.com\/stock-market-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=50633"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www2.stockmarketwatch.com\/stock-market-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=50633"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}