Market Recap – Friday, August 8, 2025
Markets Close Higher to Cap Strong Week Dow +0.47% | S&P 500 +0.78% | Nasdaq +0.98% | Russell 2000 +0.17%
It was a calm but positive end to the week. Stocks rose across the board, with the Nasdaq hitting another record high. The S&P 500 climbed more than 2% this week and the Nasdaq jumped nearly 4%, driven by strength in tech. Apple continued its rally, and investors saw gains in hardware, biotech, energy, and banks. On the flip side, media, restaurants, travel, and apparel stocks struggled.
There wasn’t much news driving markets today. Investors are now looking ahead to the big inflation report (CPI) coming Tuesday, which could influence when the Fed might cut interest rates. Despite a lot of chatter from Fed officials this week, there’s still debate over how much inflation will really be impacted by tariffs.
What Moved the Market
Fed in Focus: More signs the Fed might be ready to cut interest rates in September, especially after weak labor data and cautious talk from some central bankers. Traders now expect over a 90% chance of a rate cut next month.
Tariff Watch: Trump’s new tariffs officially kicked in today, including a 100% tariff on chips — though companies investing in the U.S., like Apple, got exemptions. A 25% tariff on India was also added due to its ties with Russia.
Quiet Day for Economic Data: No major reports released today. Investors are waiting for Tuesday’s July CPI inflation reading, with a focus on whether tariffs are starting to push prices higher.
Earnings Roll On: A few stocks soared on strong earnings (LegalZoom, SoundHound, Doximity), while others like Trade Desk and Sweetgreen sank on disappointing results or cautious guidance.
Notable Movers
Gainers:
LegalZoom (+31%) – Beat on revenue, raised full-year forecast, and cited strong growth in subscriptions.
SoundHound AI (+26%) – Strong earnings, raised outlook, and gained analyst upgrade.
Doximity (+14%), JFrog (+12.5%), TripAdvisor (+12%) – Strong earnings and upbeat guidance.
Decliners:
Trade Desk (-39%) – Beat results but Q3 guidance underwhelmed; CFO transition and high expectations didn’t help.
Sweetgreen (-23%), Twilio (-19%), Under Armour (-18%) – Missed expectations and warned of macro or tariff-related headwinds.
Goodyear (-18%) – Weak results and flagged rising low-cost tire imports due to global trade shifts.
Here’s Our Take
Markets closed out the week on a strong note, driven by tech optimism, solid earnings in some pockets, and growing belief the Fed will begin cutting rates soon. But beneath the surface, the picture is still murky. Tariffs have officially kicked in, inflation data is around the corner, and concerns about political influence over economic data continue to build. The Nasdaq’s record highs are encouraging, but rising yields, a shaky labor market, and record concentration in just a handful of big tech names are reasons for caution. Next week’s CPI and the looming expiration of the US-China tariff truce will be key tests for investor sentiment.
P.S. Know someone who'd appreciate smarter stock insights and clearer investing strategies? Forward this email or share this link: subscribe.triplegains.com