Tariffs on Japanese cars have been cut from 27.5% to 15%. Thermo Fisher shares surged sharply, beating Wall Street expectations. Texas Instruments stock tumbled, weighed down by tariff-related uncertainty and its impact on demand. Tesla reported after the bell, and investors are now bracing for a revenue drop. S&P 500 +0.78%, Nasdaq +0.61%, Dow +1.14%
Wall Street hits new highs: indices break records
On Wednesday, both the S&P 500 and Nasdaq reached fresh record highs, driven by sharp rallies in Nvidia and GE Vernova. Signs that the US and the European Union are nearing a new trade pact, modeled after the US-Japan agreement from the Trump era, gave markets an additional boost.
Tariffs in focus
Diplomatic sources indicate the White House is weighing a flat 15% import tariff on European goods entering the US. The measure would likely include automobiles and mirror the terms of the deal recently struck between Washington and Tokyo.
Strong year-to-date gains
Since the start of 2025, the benchmark S&P 500 has climbed roughly 8%, while the Nasdaq has outpaced it with nearly a 9% gain.
Historic surge for GE Vernova
Shares of energy firm GE Vernova posted a stunning 14.5% jump, setting a new all-time high. The company raised its guidance for revenue and expected free cash flow, and handily beat Wall Street's Q2 forecasts. The stock has already gained 80% this year, fueled by a rapidly expanding market as more data centers, including those tied to AI and crypto, drive up electricity demand.
Nvidia lifts markets
Shares of AI powerhouse Nvidia rose 2.25%, delivering a strong upward pull on both the S&P 500 and Nasdaq.
Tesla keeps traders on edge
All eyes remain on Tesla's upcoming earnings report. The EV maker's stock edged higher ahead of the release, but analysts anticipate a significant revenue drop. The decline is being attributed to rising competition, a lack of new models, and mixed market reactions to CEO Elon Musk's recent decisions and statements.
Post-close intrigue: Alphabet in market spotlight
Shares of Alphabet, the parent company of Google, slipped nearly six-tenths of a percent during Wednesday's session. Investor sentiment remains cautious as the tech giant's quarterly results are due out only after the closing bell.
S&P 500 and Nasdaq climb, Dow inches toward record
The S&P 500 rose 0.78% to close at 6,358.91. The Nasdaq ended the day up just over six-tenths of a percent at 21,020.02. The Dow Jones gained just over 1% to finish at 45,010.29, just shy of its all-time high set on December 4.
Thermo Fisher surprises Wall Street
Thermo Fisher emerged as a standout in the medical technology space. Shares of the equipment maker jumped more than 9% after the company posted Q2 earnings and revenue that beat all Wall Street estimates.
Texas Instruments drags sector lower
Meanwhile, Texas Instruments shares plunged 13%. The company warned of softening demand for analog chips and flagged potential risks linked to tariff shifts. The news weighed on other sector names as well: NXP Semiconductors, Analog Devices, and ON Semiconductor all fell between 1% and nearly 5%.
Asian markets ride US optimism
Positive sentiment from the US market and confidence in corporate earnings delivered a fresh boost for Asian investors. Regional exchanges continued their rally on Thursday. The euro, meanwhile, held steady ahead of the European Central Bank's key monetary policy meeting.
Asia-Pacific market hits four-year high
The MSCI Asia-Pacific Index excluding Japan opened Thursday with a confident 0.4% gain, reaching its highest level since 2020. Global optimism continues to build on the back of fresh record highs from US stock exchanges.
European markets poised for gains
A bullish tone is spreading across the Old Continent. Futures for major European exchanges, including pan-European benchmarks, climbed more than 1%, with Germany's DAX up 1.15%, signaling that Europe may soon join the global uptrend. London's FTSE futures also advanced firmly.
Regional indices hit new records
Tokyo's Topix and Singapore's STI both surpassed their all-time highs. Japan's Nikkei 225 is steadily approaching its 2023 peak, underscoring sustained investor interest in the region.
US-EU trade deal in focus
Following a wave of US trade agreements this week with key Asian economies, including Japan, the Philippines, and Indonesia, market participants are now eyeing an imminent deal between Washington and Brussels. Talks may result in a uniform 15% tariff on EU goods, a sharp departure from the prior administration's 30% tariff threats.
Currency divergence: USD and EUR mixed
In currency markets, the dollar weakened against the yen, falling below the 146 mark, though it remains well above April's lows. Meanwhile, the euro strengthened, topping $1.17 and hitting a two-week high.
Optimism from Asia's tech leaders
Regional heavyweights, such as South Korea's SK Hynix and India's Infosys, lifted sentiment with strong forward guidance, defying ongoing uncertainty in global trade.
Oil rises, gold pulls back
Oil prices climbed on hopes for a fresh wave of global economic growth and a sharp drawdown in US inventories. US crude approached $66 per barrel. Gold slipped slightly, as easing commercial risk dampened demand for traditional safe havens, despite the softer dollar.
