Stock Market LIVE: Sensex rebounds over 600 pts from day's low, Nifty reclaims 23000; bank, metal lead gainshttps://t.co/OerhFpKzsO
— ET NOW (@ETNOWlive) February 19, 2025
U.S. stock futures were little changed early Wednesday after the S&P 500 reached a record high in the previous trading session. Investors are closely monitoring concerns about persistent inflation and President Donald Trump’s latest tariff proposals. President Trump suggested imposing a 25% tariff on imported autos, semiconductors, and pharmaceuticals on Tuesday, which could lead to increased market volatility.
Stocks To Watch | 📊Ready, set, trade! Keep an eye on these stocks as they set the market abuzz #StockMarket pic.twitter.com/SLu4cJmOV7
— ET NOW (@ETNOWlive) February 19, 2025
While these plans might create winners and losers in those industries, they are narrower than the initially proposed across-the-board measures. Investors are awaiting the release of the January housing starts report at 8:30 a.m. ET and the minutes from the latest Federal Reserve meeting at 2 p.m. ET. The Federal Reserve kept interest rates unchanged but expressed concern over the U.S. inflation outlook.
And with that we have the 2nd all-time high of 2025 for the S&P 500.
Since 1957 (when it become 500 stocks) this is 1,243 ATHs out of 17,176 trading days.
In other words, a new ATH happens about once every 3 wks.
New highs happen, congrats to the investors who remembered. pic.twitter.com/D30va9bi5Y
— Ryan Detrick, CMT (@RyanDetrick) February 18, 2025
Bank of America upgraded Capital One to a “buy” from “neutral,” citing improving credit trends and revenue synergies from a pending acquisition. Analyst Mihir Bhatia set a new price target of $235, suggesting a potential 15.9% rise above Tuesday’s closing price. Capital One shares climbed 1.6% in Wednesday’s premarket trading.
After a big week for tech last week, all 11 sectors are up on the year and seven groups are outperforming the S&P 500.
We've been pounding the table for broadening out and we think this will continue. pic.twitter.com/F2sPwCw8wj
— Ryan Detrick, CMT (@RyanDetrick) February 18, 2025
Jefferies analyst Jonathan Matuszewski initiated coverage of Stanley Black & Decker with a “buy” rating and a $103 price target, implying an 18.3% upside. Matuszewski anticipates multiple expansions in the second half of the year as investors focus on the company’s margin expansion and organic growth.
Market reaction to Trump’s tariffs
Asia-Pacific stocks traded mixed on Wednesday following Trump’s tariff proposals. Japan’s benchmark index ended the day 0.27% lower, while South Korea’s index rose 1.7%. Mainland China’s CSI 300 climbed 0.7%, while Hong Kong’s index fell 0.14%.
Indian stocks traded flat, and Australia’s index dropped 0.73%. European stock markets opened mixed on Wednesday. Germany’s index gained 0.28%, France’s index fell 0.12%, and the U.K.’s index dipped 0.26%.
Notable market movers include Meta, which saw its shares dip 2.76% on Tuesday, snapping a 20-day winning streak. Howard Hughes Corp shares slipped about 5% after Bill Ackman’s Pershing Square increased its stake, proposing to acquire 10 million new shares at $90 each. Bumble’s stock dropped nearly 13% after issuing disappointing first-quarter guidance, and Cadence Design Systems’ shares fell about 5% despite exceeding fourth-quarter earnings and revenue forecasts.
Stock futures opened slightly higher on Tuesday evening, with the major indices gaining less than 0.1%. Investors are closely monitoring the market’s reaction to Trump’s tariff proposals, upcoming economic data, and the Federal Reserve’s stance on interest rates.