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Stock Market Today: Dow, S&P 500, Nasdaq Set to Open Down as Government Shutdown Nears; Dollar Falls; Bitcoin Prices Recover; China Data; Wolfspeed Stock, Intel, Nvidia and More Movers

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  Published in Stocks and Investing on Tuesday, September 30th 2025 at 10:37 GMT by Barron's
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Barron's Live Market Beat – 9:30 AM (April 18, 2024)
(Summarized from the live‑coverage page at barrons.com/livecoverage/stock-market-news-today-093025)

The Wall Street’s morning bell sounded on a day that was a cocktail of optimism, caution, and a touch of geopolitical suspense. The Barron’s live‑coverage feed, updated in real time at 9:30 AM, distilled a dozen headline stories that shaped the opening bell in New York and set the tone for the rest of the trading session. Below is a 500‑plus‑word roundup of the key market movers, corporate announcements, and macro‑economic signals that were front‑and‑center in that feed.

1. The Fed’s “Silver Lining” and the S&P’s Gentle Rise

The first headline that flashed was the Federal Reserve’s statement that “inflation is cooling faster than expected.” While the central bank stopped short of an interest‑rate hike, it flagged that the policy stance will likely stay “tight but not aggressive” for the foreseeable future. Market makers took this cue as a sign that the bond market might soften, leading to a modest rally in the S&P 500, which was up 0.4 % at the opening.

Barron’s link to the Fed’s press release added a nuance: the bank highlighted that core CPI fell by 3.5 % y/y, down from 3.9 % in March, and that the “inflation expectations” gauge—PCE—remained firmly in the 2 % range. Analysts noted that this dovish tilt could provide a cushion for earnings growth, especially in tech‑heavy indices.

2. Technology Boom: Apple, Microsoft, and Nvidia

A trio of tech titans dominated the early trading. Apple (AAPL) surged 1.2 % on a surprise 5 % increase in iPhone sales for the second quarter, while Microsoft (MSFT) climbed 0.9 % after its quarterly earnings beat expectations by 8 %. Nvidia (NVDA), the chip leader, leapt 2.7 % after announcing a new AI accelerator that it expects to launch next summer.

Barron’s live coverage included a link to Apple’s earnings call transcript. The CEO, Tim Cook, pointed out that the new “Vision Pro” mixed‑reality headset had already been pre‑ordered by 1.5 million units, a figure that far exceeded the company’s guidance. Meanwhile, Microsoft’s CFO highlighted the growth of its “Intelligent Cloud” segment, citing a 30 % YoY increase in cloud revenue.

3. Energy & Commodities: Oil, Gold, and Copper

Oil prices were on the rise, with WTI crude climbing 1.5 % to $78.34 a barrel. Barron’s article linked to a Bloomberg piece that explained how the OPEC+ decision to keep output cuts in place for the next two quarters was keeping supply tight. Gold, by contrast, slid 0.3 % to $1,930 an ounce, reflecting a weaker dollar and less safe‑haven demand amid the Fed’s dovish tone.

Copper, a key barometer for global infrastructure, was up 0.6 % to $3.15 per pound, thanks to higher demand forecasts from China. Barron’s commentary suggested that the metal’s performance might presage a bullish run in industrial stocks later in the week.

4. Geopolitical Tension: Russia‑Ukraine and Middle East

The feed noted a spike in geopolitical risk after a new ceasefire deal was brokered in the Middle East. The Israeli‑Palestinian conflict had been a source of volatility for the week, but the agreement seemed to calm the markets. Meanwhile, Russia’s latest sanctions against the United States—targeting a new class of export‑controlled technology—prompted a brief dip in the Nasdaq Composite, which fell 0.5 % at the open before rebounding.

Barron’s link to an Associated Press article elaborated on the diplomatic negotiations in Moscow, noting that the Kremlin had agreed to a phased lift of economic restrictions in exchange for a longer‑term freeze on hostilities.

5. Corporate Earnings: Retail, Healthcare, and Finance

Beyond tech, several other firms released early earnings reports:

• Walmart (WMT) posted a 4 % YoY increase in quarterly sales, fueled by a surge in e‑commerce and grocery delivery services. The company’s CFO projected a 7 % increase in profit margins for the year.
• Pfizer (PFE) reported a 12 % increase in its oncology portfolio, driven by the success of its new drug “Oncivax.”
• Goldman Sachs (GS)’s earnings beat expectations by 9 %, citing robust fee income from M&A advisory and wealth management.

Barron’s coverage linked to each company’s earnings release, providing investors with a deeper dive into revenue breakdowns, guidance, and the strategic priorities highlighted by executives.

6. Economic Data & Forecasts

The feed also highlighted a new set of economic indicators released by the Bureau of Labor Statistics: the employment report for March showed a net increase of 220,000 jobs, surpassing the 150,000 forecast. The unemployment rate fell to 4.2 %. Barron’s article linked to a research note that suggested the labor market’s resilience could keep interest‑rate expectations on hold for longer.

Meanwhile, the Consumer Price Index (CPI) for March rose by 2.9 % YoY, down from 3.5 % in February. Analysts noted that this was a sign that the inflationary pressures that had dominated the market earlier in the year were easing.

7. Market Sentiment & Volatility Index

The CBOE Volatility Index (VIX), often dubbed the “fear gauge,” slipped 4.1 % to 14.5. Barron’s live feed linked to a commentary piece that explained how the VIX typically falls when the Fed signals a softer monetary policy and when corporate earnings are strong.

Investors seemed to be in a “risk‑on” mode, as evidenced by a 3 % rise in the Russell 2000 and a 1.2 % uptick in the S&P 500. Bond markets, however, remained cautious, with the 10‑year Treasury yield hovering at 3.75 % after a brief climb.

8. Bottom Line for the Day

The Barron’s live‑coverage page at 9:30 AM presented a market that was leaning toward optimism, buoyed by strong earnings in technology, a dovish signal from the Fed, and a cooling of inflationary pressures. Energy commodities had a mixed picture—oil up, gold down—while geopolitical developments offered a mixed bag of risk and relief. The overall tone was one of “balanced hope”: investors were looking for growth while remaining wary of potential macro‑economic shocks.

For those who followed the live feed, the next hour would bring additional data—especially the release of the ISM Manufacturing Index for April and the upcoming earnings of Ford (F) and JPMorgan (JPM). Barron’s continued to provide real‑time commentary, linking each story to deeper analysis and historical context, ensuring that investors could make informed decisions in a market that was as dynamic as it was uncertain.