Stock market today: Dow, S&P 500, Nasdaq recover as traders assess tariff developments, new jobs data

Published On Feb 4, 2025, 4:37 PM

US stocks ended higher, driven by Big Tech as investors reacted to recent tariff developments and labor market data. The markets saw gains in major indices: the Dow Jones increased by 0.3%, the S&P 500 by 0.7%, and the Nasdaq surged by 1.4%. The trade tensions escalated as China announced retaliatory tariffs on US imports, while job openings fell more sharply than anticipated, prompting discussions about potential future interest rate cuts by the Federal Reserve. Noteworthy corporate earnings reports influenced stock movements, with advanced guidance from AMD leading to a rise, while Alphabet faced a significant drop due to disappointing cloud revenue. Overall, the labor market appears to be stabilizing, which may impact monetary policy going forward.

Stock Forecasts

AMD

Positive

The response of the markets, particularly the uplift in tech stocks, suggests that investors are optimistic about growth in technology sectors, despite the backdrop of trade wars and inflation concerns. The strong earnings guidance from AMD indicates continued demand in the semiconductor space, while Snap's revenue beats highlight resilience in social media companies amidst this turbulence.

GOOGL

Negative

Alphabet's disappointing cloud revenue and the broader trade tensions could weigh negatively on the tech sector, especially if further escalations occur. The company's substantial drop in after-hours trading signals a lack of confidence from investors following the earnings report, which is concerning given the competitive landscape they face from both domestic and international players.

SNAP

Positive

Snap Inc.'s impressive earnings and positive revenue guidance are an indication of strong demand in the digital advertising space. This reinforces the potential for further upside in the stock as it improves its user base and advertiser confidence, especially as it competes with larger platforms.

CMG

Negative

Chipotle's sales miss indicates that consumer spending may be moderating in the dining sector, amid inflation pressures. This could challenge future growth expectations for the restaurant chain, which has prided itself on strong sales trends post-pandemic, signaling cautious sentiment going forward.

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