Stock market today: S&P 500, Dow head for fresh records

Published On Oct 9, 2024, 1:03 PM

US stocks saw gains on Wednesday, with the Nasdaq up about 0.3%, S&P 500 by 0.5%, and Dow Jones adding approximately 0.9%. The uptick follows investor relief as discussions over a potential breakup of Google by the DOJ prompted a reassessment of market risks ahead of the Federal Reserve's forthcoming insights on interest rates. Meanwhile, the DOJ is considering significant actions against Google to counteract its monopoly in search, which has led to a drop in Alphabet's (GOOG) stock after earlier gains. Financial sectors were notably strong, offsetting weakness in utilities and real estate. Overall, investors await clarity from the Fed after recent rate cuts and a stronger job report, raising questions about ongoing inflation and economic growth prospects.

Stock Forecasts

With the potential for structural changes in Google and the DOJ's serious stance, investor sentiment toward Alphabet (GOOG) may remain cautious. Any significant regulatory action could diminish investor confidence. Therefore, the forecast for Google is negative in the near term as the likelihood of a breakup could disrupt its business model and lead to decreased stock value.

Financials have led the market higher, benefiting from renewed investor optimism as interest rates adjust. This sector is likely to continue to rise as the economic outlook stabilizes and interest cuts gradually unfold. Consequently, the outlook for the Financial Select Sector SPDR Fund (XLF) remains positive amidst favorable conditions for bank earnings and lending opportunities.

WeightWatchers (WW) gained significantly due to the introduction of a new prescription weight loss offering, reflecting strong market demand. With a 80% rise over five days and positive consumer response to new products, WW is expected to continue this upward trend as market sentiment remains bullish.

TSMC's robust quarterly results countering fears of a slowdown in AI demand suggests strong market performance ahead. With the significant revenue increase reported and a positive analyst consensus, TSMC is poised for growth, reaffirming its position as a critical player in semiconductor manufacturing.

With ongoing strike actions and a breakdown in contract negotiations at Boeing, the company faces operational challenges that could weigh down stock performance. The potential for credit downgrade adds to investor concerns, indicating a negative outlook for Boeing shares in the immediate future.

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An ongoing strike by Boeing's biggest union, the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAM), is proving costly on several fronts for the company.

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