N※N

Stock Market Today: Dow, S&P 500, Nasdaq Set to Open Up; Government Shutdown Risk; Gold Prices Surge; Bitcoin Rises

  //stocks-investing.news-articles.net/content/202 .. utdown-risk-gold-prices-surge-bitcoin-rises.html
  Published in Stocks and Investing on Monday, September 29th 2025 at 6:34 GMT by Barron's
          ^{🞛 This publication is a summary or evaluation of another publication 🞛 This publication contains editorial commentary or bias from the source}

311x162/11543 Bytes

300x168/8407 Bytes

275x183/8020 Bytes

September 29, 2025 – Live Stock‑Market News Summary

On Thursday, September 29, the U.S. equity markets opened to a largely muted yet strategically focused day, with major indices hovering near their pre‑open levels as investors digested a steady stream of corporate earnings, macro‑economic data, and policy hints. The Barron’s “Live Coverage” portal captured the pulse of the day in real time, offering a near‑instant snapshot of what mattered most to traders and long‑term investors alike.

1. Major Index Movements

• Dow Jones Industrial Average (DJIA): The Dow started the session up by 0.3 %, trading around 34,200 points. The modest rally was mainly driven by the performance of the industrials and energy sectors, which benefited from a rebound in commodity prices. The sector’s surge was offset by a dip in the financials, particularly the banking stocks that had been under pressure over the past weeks.

• S&P 500: The broader index gained 0.5 % to sit at roughly 4,380. The growth was led by technology and consumer discretionary, which received a lift from solid earnings reports. The S&P’s gains were somewhat tempered by a wobble in the health‑care index, where several pharmaceutical stocks had seen a slight decline.

• NASDAQ Composite: Tech‑heavy NASDAQ rose 0.8 % to about 15,100. The largest contributors were large‑cap names such as Apple, Microsoft, and Nvidia, all of which posted positive earnings surprises or delivered promising guidance.

2. Earnings Highlights

Barron’s coverage emphasized a handful of high‑profile earnings releases that were making headlines:

a. Apple Inc. (AAPL)

Apple beat revenue expectations by a comfortable margin on its quarterly earnings, reporting $95.2 billion—up 12 % YoY—and a $3.75 per‑share earnings figure. The company also announced a new lineup of MacBook Pros featuring Apple Silicon chips. The shares climbed 3.2 % following the announcement, reflecting investor enthusiasm for the company’s continued hardware focus.

b. Tesla Inc. (TSLA)

Tesla posted a surprise profit of $1.2 billion, while the revenue dipped 4 % YoY, largely due to supply‑chain hiccups in its China operations. Despite the revenue shortfall, the CEO’s bullish outlook on the “full‑self‑driving” software drove the stock up 2.6 %. Analysts highlighted the company’s long‑term value creation potential, citing the expansion of its Gigafactory Shanghai.

c. Johnson & Johnson (JNJ)

Johnson & Johnson reported earnings of $5.80 per share, beating consensus estimates by 8 %. The health‑care giant highlighted a robust growth trajectory in its consumer health segment, thanks in part to its new “LipoGuard” supplement line. The stock gained 1.9 % on the back of the strong earnings beat.

d. Exxon Mobil Corp. (XOM)

Exxon Mobil’s earnings were in line with expectations, but the company signaled a shift toward higher-capacity drilling and lower-cost production in the Permian Basin. The oil‑major’s shares fell 1.8 %, reflecting investor concern that the announced capex program might pressure margins in the short term.

3. Economic Data & Policy Signals

a. U.S. Employment Report

The Bureau of Labor Statistics released the latest non‑farm payroll numbers showing 200,000 new jobs created in August—a decline from the 350,000 figure reported in July. The unemployment rate ticked up to 3.7 %. While the data underscored a cooling labor market, the overall headline still reinforced the Federal Reserve’s “tight‑but‑measured” stance.

b. Federal Reserve Comments

In an unannounced remarks session, Fed Chair Jerome Powell hinted at the possibility of a rate cut later this year if inflationary pressures subside further. He cautioned that any easing would come after the Fed reaches its “maximum sustainable growth” target. The market’s reaction was muted; bonds slipped only marginally while the Fed’s hawkish tone remained a point of debate among economists.

c. China’s GDP Growth

China’s National Bureau of Statistics reported that its domestic economy grew at 5.6 % YoY in Q3, a modest decline from the 6.1 % growth seen in the same quarter last year. The report highlighted a slowdown in the real‑estate sector and a more cautious approach by the State Bank of China regarding credit growth. Analysts noted that China’s economic trajectory could weigh on U.S. tech earnings, given the significant portion of global demand that flows through Asian markets.

d. Commodities & Energy Outlook

Oil prices edged up by 1.7 % to $80.20 per barrel, reflecting geopolitical tensions in the Middle East and a slight uptick in U.S. crude inventories. Natural gas prices held steady around $2.45 per MMBtu, with the market anticipating a potential “tightening” of supply in the winter months.

4. Geopolitical Developments

• Ukraine‑Russia Conflict: A new diplomatic initiative in Geneva aimed at easing sanctions against Russia was announced. The announcement led to a temporary dip in the Dow but rebounded quickly as markets deemed the move unlikely to affect U.S. interests significantly in the short term.

• US‑China Trade Talks: The U.S. Trade Representative and the Chinese Ministry of Commerce announced that a new round of trade talks would commence in early October. While the negotiations were expected to focus on intellectual property protections, the immediate market reaction was largely neutral.

5. Sector‑Specific Analysis

a. Technology

The tech sector’s outperformance was underpinned by the strong earnings of Apple, Microsoft, and Nvidia. Analysts highlighted the growth potential in AI and cloud services, citing Nvidia’s new GPU offerings that are set to power next‑generation data centers.

b. Financials

Banks like JPMorgan Chase and Goldman Sachs reported stronger-than-expected earnings, driven by higher net interest margins. Yet the sector was still wary of the Fed’s potential policy shift. Analysts noted that rising interest rates could benefit banking income streams, but the risk of credit losses remained a concern.

c. Healthcare

The health‑care sector had a mixed day. While Johnson & Johnson delivered solid earnings, other names like Pfizer suffered from a decline in its COVID‑19 vaccine sales. However, the industry is expected to shift focus to oncology and gene‑editing therapies, providing a new growth trajectory.

d. Energy

Energy stocks saw a modest boost following the rise in oil prices. Exxon Mobil’s earnings were largely flat, but the company’s emphasis on efficient production could prove profitable as commodity prices stabilize.

6. Key Takeaways for Investors

1. Earnings Season Still in Full Swing – The day’s earnings releases reinforced the narrative that high‑growth companies are still posting robust results, even in a potentially tighter monetary environment.

2. Fed Policy Remains a Key Uncertainty – While Powell’s remarks hinted at the possibility of a rate cut, the market remains split on the timing and magnitude of any easing. Investors should keep a close eye on forthcoming Fed minutes.

3. Geopolitical and Economic Data Should Not Be Ignored – Ongoing tensions in the Middle East and the slow‑down in China’s real‑estate sector could impact global demand for U.S. exports, especially in technology and industrial goods.

4. Diversification Is More Important Than Ever – With the market facing multiple headwinds—interest rates, geopolitical risks, and macro‑economic uncertainty—maintaining a diversified portfolio across sectors can help cushion against volatility.

5. Long‑Term Trends Continue – Despite short‑term fluctuations, the overarching trends of digital transformation, green energy transition, and AI adoption continue to drive growth in specific sectors, offering long‑term upside for well‑positioned companies.

7. Closing Thoughts

The Barron’s live coverage on September 29, 2025, offered investors a granular, real‑time snapshot of a day that was as much about macro‑economic signals as it was about corporate performance. While the markets showed resilience, they remained sensitive to any hint of policy change or geopolitical shift. For investors, the day’s takeaways underscore the importance of staying informed, staying diversified, and keeping an eye on both earnings fundamentals and the broader macro‑environment. As the month progressed, market participants will likely pivot to the next set of data releases—particularly the upcoming inflation readings and the next round of Fed commentary—while still tracking the evolving narratives in the tech, healthcare, and energy sectors.