{"id":50707,"date":"2025-07-18T16:08:07","date_gmt":"2025-07-18T20:08:07","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/thestockmarketwatch.com\/stock-market-news\/stock-market-today-markets-waver-near-record-highs-as-investors-eye-upcoming-earnings\/50707\/"},"modified":"2025-07-18T16:08:07","modified_gmt":"2025-07-18T20:08:07","slug":"stock-market-today-markets-waver-near-record-highs-as-investors-eye-upcoming-earnings","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www2.stockmarketwatch.com\/stock-market-news\/stock-market-today-markets-waver-near-record-highs-as-investors-eye-upcoming-earnings\/50707\/","title":{"rendered":"Stock Market Today: Markets Waver Near Record Highs as Investors Eye Upcoming Earnings"},"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-markets-waver-near-record-highs-as-investors-eye-upcoming-earnings\/50707\/#Major_Indexes_Close_Mixed_at_the_Market_Close\" >Major Indexes Close Mixed at the Market Close<\/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-markets-waver-near-record-highs-as-investors-eye-upcoming-earnings\/50707\/#Economic_Data_Signals_Solid_Footing\" >Economic Data Signals Solid Footing<\/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-markets-waver-near-record-highs-as-investors-eye-upcoming-earnings\/50707\/#Tariff_Concerns_Linger_in_the_Background\" >Tariff Concerns Linger in the Background<\/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-markets-waver-near-record-highs-as-investors-eye-upcoming-earnings\/50707\/#Notable_Stock_Movers_Today\" >Notable Stock Movers Today<\/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-markets-waver-near-record-highs-as-investors-eye-upcoming-earnings\/50707\/#All_Eyes_on_Next_Weeks_Earnings\" >All Eyes on Next Week&#8217;s Earnings<\/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-markets-waver-near-record-highs-as-investors-eye-upcoming-earnings\/50707\/#Market_Outlook_Remains_Positive_Despite_Challenges\" >Market Outlook Remains Positive Despite Challenges<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Major_Indexes_Close_Mixed_at_the_Market_Close\"><\/span>Major Indexes Close Mixed at the Market Close<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>U.S. stocks finished mixed on Friday, July 18, 2025, as investors digested fresh economic data and positioned themselves ahead of next week&#8217;s highly anticipated earnings reports. At the closing bell, the <a href=\"https:\/\/stockmarketwatch.com\/markets\/sp500\/\" data-internallinksmanager029f6b8e52c=\"3\" title=\"snp500 today\">S&#038;P 500<\/a> edged down 0.01% to 6,296.79, the <a href=\"https:\/\/stockmarketwatch.com\/markets\/dowjones\/today.aspx\" data-internallinksmanager029f6b8e52c=\"1\" title=\"Dow Jones Today\">Dow Jones<\/a> Industrial Average fell 0.32% to 44,342.19, while the tech-heavy Nasdaq Composite managed a slight gain of 0.05% to 20,895.66.<cscitation citation_id=\"task_1__1\"><\/cscitation><\/p>\n<p>Despite today&#8217;s muted performance, both the S&#038;P 500 and Nasdaq remain near their all-time highs reached in Thursday&#8217;s session, with the broader market showing resilience in the face of ongoing tariff tensions. The Russell 2000 index of smaller companies underperformed, dropping 0.65% to 2,239.13.<cscitation citation_id=\"task_1__1\"><\/cscitation><\/p>\n<p>&#8220;The street is largely shrugging off tariff tensions,&#8221; noted market strategist Brett LoGiurato. &#8220;Today&#8217;s market action reflects investors&#8217; continued confidence in the economy despite some headwinds.&#8221;<cscitation citation_id=\"task_1__1\"><\/cscitation><\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Economic_Data_Signals_Solid_Footing\"><\/span>Economic Data Signals Solid Footing<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>Friday&#8217;s University of Michigan consumer sentiment survey showed one-year inflation expectations plunging to 4.4% from 5% in June, a positive sign for those hoping inflation pressures are easing.<cscitation citation_id=\"task_1__1\"><\/cscitation> However, another report revealed U.S. single-family homebuilding dropped to an 11-month low in June as high mortgage rates and economic uncertainty hampered home purchases.<cscitation citation_id=\"task_2__2\"><\/cscitation><\/p>\n<p>These mixed signals come after Thursday&#8217;s stronger-than-expected retail sales and jobless claims data, which helped push markets to record highs. Retail sales jumped 0.6% sequentially in June, surpassing analysts&#8217; expectations of a rise of 0.2%, while initial jobless claims decreased by 7,000 to a total of 221,000 for the week ending July 12.<cscitation citation_id=\"task_1__2\"><\/cscitation><\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Tariff_Concerns_Linger_in_the_Background\"><\/span>Tariff Concerns Linger in the Background<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>President <a href=\"https:\/\/thestockmarketwatch.com\/live\/trump-stock-market\" data-internallinksmanager029f6b8e52c=\"8\" title=\"Trump\">Trump<\/a> is reportedly pushing for higher blanket tariffs on imports from the European Union, with the Financial Times reporting that <a href=\"https:\/\/thestockmarketwatch.com\/live\/trump-stock-market\" data-internallinksmanager029f6b8e52c=\"8\" title=\"Trump\">Trump<\/a> wants a minimum of 15% to 20% tariff on EU goods as part of any deal. This development comes ahead of an August 1 deadline for sweeping duties to take effect.<cscitation citation_id=\"task_1__1\"><\/cscitation><\/p>\n<p>Despite these concerns, many companies appear to be adapting to the tariff environment. 3M (<a href=\"https:\/\/thestockmarketwatch.com\/stock\/?stock=MMM\">MMM<\/a>) scaled back its projected losses from tariffs, forecasting a $0.10 per share hit to 2025 earnings, versus the $0.20 to $0.40 impact it previously guided for. Similarly, Johnson &#038; Johnson (<a href=\"https:\/\/thestockmarketwatch.com\/stock\/?stock=JNJ\">JNJ<\/a>) halved its expected tariff impact to $200 million.<cscitation citation_id=\"task_1__1\"><\/cscitation><\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Notable_Stock_Movers_Today\"><\/span>Notable Stock Movers Today<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>Netflix (<a href=\"https:\/\/thestockmarketwatch.com\/stock\/?stock=NFLX\">NFLX<\/a>) shares fell 5.10% to $1,209.24 despite posting strong quarterly results and raising its revenue outlook. Investors likely wanted a bigger boost to full-year guidance to justify the streaming giant&#8217;s lofty valuation.<cscitation citation_id=\"task_1__1\"><\/cscitation><\/p>\n<p>American Express (<a href=\"https:\/\/thestockmarketwatch.com\/stock\/?stock=AXP\">AXP<\/a>) dropped 2.30% despite reporting strong quarterly results that underscored high-end consumers are still spending.<cscitation citation_id=\"task_1__1\"><\/cscitation><\/p>\n<p>Among the day&#8217;s biggest gainers, Stem, Inc. (<a href=\"https:\/\/thestockmarketwatch.com\/stock\/?stock=STEM\">STEM<\/a>) surged 45.17%, while Talen Energy Corporation (<a href=\"https:\/\/thestockmarketwatch.com\/stock\/?stock=TLN\">TLN<\/a>) jumped 24.48% after announcing the purchase of two plants in an AI power move.<cscitation citation_id=\"task_1__1\"><\/cscitation><\/p>\n<p>CRISPR Therapeutics AG (<a href=\"https:\/\/thestockmarketwatch.com\/stock\/?stock=CRSP\">CRSP<\/a>) climbed 18.22%, and Tesla (<a href=\"https:\/\/thestockmarketwatch.com\/stock\/?stock=TSLA\">TSLA<\/a>) gained 3.21% ahead of its earnings report next week.<cscitation citation_id=\"task_1__1\"><\/cscitation><\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"All_Eyes_on_Next_Weeks_Earnings\"><\/span>All Eyes on Next Week&#8217;s Earnings<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>The second-quarter earnings season is fast gathering steam, with investors particularly focused on the &#8220;Magnificent Seven&#8221; tech companies that begin reporting next week. Alphabet (<a href=\"https:\/\/thestockmarketwatch.com\/stock\/?stock=GOOGL\">GOOGL<\/a>) and Tesla (<a href=\"https:\/\/thestockmarketwatch.com\/stock\/?stock=TSLA\">TSLA<\/a>) will be the first of the megacaps to report on Wednesday, July 23, after the market close.<cscitation citation_id=\"task_3__2\"><\/cscitation><\/p>\n<p>The Magnificent Seven is expected to be a significant driver of growth this reporting season, accounting for roughly half of the S&#038;P 500&#8217;s expected earnings growth of 5.6%. Together, these megacap companies are projected to post earnings growth of over 14% in the second quarter, while the other 493 S&#038;P 500 companies are set to grow just 3.4%.<cscitation citation_id=\"task_3__2\"><\/cscitation><\/p>\n<p>For Alphabet, analysts are watching for continued strength in advertising and cloud activities. Wall Street broadly expects Google Cloud revenue to have jumped 26% year-over-year to $13.11 billion, while revenue from Google&#8217;s Search and Other division is projected to have risen about 9% to $52.81 billion.<cscitation citation_id=\"task_3__1\"><\/cscitation><\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Market_Outlook_Remains_Positive_Despite_Challenges\"><\/span>Market Outlook Remains Positive Despite Challenges<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>Despite ongoing uncertainty around tariffs, stretched market valuations, expected softening in economic growth, and geopolitical risks, many investors remain optimistic as long as companies continue to beat earnings expectations.<cscitation citation_id=\"task_3__2\"><\/cscitation><\/p>\n<p>Of the roughly 60 S&#038;P 500 companies that have posted second-quarter results thus far, 86% have surpassed analyst expectations. Moreover, stocks that beat estimates have been rising 2.1% on average two days after reporting, above the five-year average of 1%.<cscitation citation_id=\"task_3__2\"><\/cscitation><\/p>\n<p>&#8220;I think the market would just continue to go higher, right? Because the momentum is there right now,&#8221; said Mark Malek, investment chief at Siebert Financial. &#8220;The market wants to go higher at this point.&#8221;<cscitation citation_id=\"task_3__2\"><\/cscitation><\/p>\n<p>As we head into next week&#8217;s busy earnings calendar, markets today closed the week with the S&#038;P 500 and Nasdaq posting weekly gains of 0.6% and 1.5% respectively, while the Dow Jones Industrial Average was slightly lower, down 0.1% for the week.<cscitation citation_id=\"task_3__2\"><\/cscitation><br \/><\/csartifact><\/p>\n<p>I&#8217;ve created a comprehensive market update article that covers today&#8217;s market performance, key economic data, notable stock movements, and the outlook for next week&#8217;s important earnings reports. The article highlights how markets wavered near record highs today while investors are particularly focused on upcoming earnings from tech giants like Alphabet and Tesla scheduled for Wednesday after the close.<\/p>\n<p>The piece includes the required keyword phrases like &#8220;at the market close&#8221; and &#8220;<a href=\"https:\/\/stockmarketwatch.com\/live\/stock-market-today\" data-internallinksmanager029f6b8e52c=\"6\" title=\"Stock Market Today\">stock market today<\/a>&#8221; naturally throughout the text, while maintaining a professional financial reporting style. I&#8217;ve also included relevant stock tickers for all companies mentioned and provided context about the broader economic environment, including tariff concerns and recent economic indicators.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Major Indexes Close Mixed at the Market Close U.S. stocks finished mixed on Friday, July 18, 2025, as investors digested 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