| Name | Daily Close | Daily Change | Daily Change (%) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dow | 44,785.50 | -152.81 | -0.34% |
| S&P 500 | 6,370.17 | -25.61 | -0.40% |
| Nasdaq | 21,100.31 | -72.55 | -0.34% |
| VIX | 16.75 | 0.15 | 0.90% |
| Gold | 3,368.60 | -13 | -0.38% |
| Oil | 63.71 | 0.19 | 0.30% |
OVERVIEW OF THE US MARKET
Wall Street closed lower on August 22, 2025, as hotter-than-expected jobless claims and Fed Chair Powell’s Jackson Hole speech signaling September rate cuts amid tariff inflation pressures weighed on sentiment, though energy and real estate gained. The S&P 500 fell 0.23% to 6,373.75, the Nasdaq Composite dropped 0.41% to 23,123.5, and the Dow Jones Industrial Average slipped 0.11% to 44,806.0. The Morningstar US Market Index rose 0.42% for the week ended August 22. Energy topped sectors with a 1.99% gain, followed by Consumer Discretionary (+3.18%) and Materials (+1.70%), while Information Technology lagged at -1.32%, Communication Services -1.15%, and Financials +1.65%.
Large-cap stocks declined, mid-cap flat, small-cap up. Growth fell 0.30%, blend -0.23%, value -0.11%. Actives: Opendoor Technologies (+39.17% to $5.01), NIO (+14.44% to $6.34), Intel (+5.53% to $24.80), NVIDIA (+1.72% to $177.99), Lucid Group (-2.87% to $2.03).
Weekly gainers: Nio (+31.81% to $6.34), Dayforce (+30.86% to $69.20), Shoals Technologies Group (+24.86% to $6.48), iQIYI (+23.62% to $2.46), Guangzhou Xiaopeng Motors Technology (+20.56% to $23.75). Losers: James Hardie Industries (-29.30% to $20.51), Array Digital Infrastructure (-26.77% to $54.91), Coty (-20.12% to $3.93), Reddit (-11.84% to $217.31), Palantir Technologies (-10.40% to $158.74).
August jobless claims at 235k (above poll 230k), Philly Fed -0.3 (miss 7), but PMIs beat: Manufacturing 53.3 vs. 49.5, Services 55.4 vs. 54.2, Composite 55.4. Home Sales 4.01M vs. 3.92M. Powell’s speech: cuts likely despite tariffs as one-time shift, risks to jobs/growth shifting, 89% September cut odds.
FCC Chair Brendan Carr pushes to abolish TV ownership caps for deals like Nexstar’s $6.2B Tegna acquisition, arguing broadcasters disadvantaged vs. Big Tech; opponents say Congress decides.
Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent noted tariff talks with China, 90-day extension option under Trump, muted reaction. Journal study: P/E 75% returns-driven, urging discount focus amid highs.
With Fed at 4.25%-4.5%, Powell signals shift to cuts as inflation risks diminish, labor cools. HSBC, Morgan Stanley, UBS bullish on earnings, tariffs, AI. Goldman’s chief warns tariffs hurt despite pacts, diversify amid recession dodge, valuations.
OVERVIEW OF THE AUSTRALIAN MARKET
Australia’s share market eased from records on August 22, 2025, as CSL’s continued plunge and earnings misses offset uranium gains, locking in three straight weekly advances amid global rate-cut hopes and Ukraine talks’ progress (Trump-Putin dialogue, potential de-escalation). The S&P/ASX 200 fell 0.57%, or 51.7 points, to 8,967.4—up 0.32% weekly—while All Ordinaries declined 0.54% to 9,234.3. Decliners led advancers 159 to 114 on S&P/ASX 300.
Four sectors rose, led by Energy (+0.34%) on uranium boost (Boss Energy +2.8%, Paladin Energy +4.3%, Deep Yellow +3.8%), Information Technology (+0.29%), Communication Services (+0.11%). Health Care -2.35%: CSL -4.2% (20% drop since Tuesday results). Consumer Staples -2.03%, Real Estate -1.84%.
Standouts: Kaili Resources (+331.6%) halt/shenanigans, LTR Pharma (+48.6%) shelf life update, Cuscal Group (+24.4%) FY25. Decliners: Skycity Entertainment Group (-24.6%) equity raise, Temple & Webster -11.7% downgrade, James Hardie Industries -9.4% continued reaction.
August PMIs expanded (Composite 54.9), aligning RBA easing post-3.60% cut. US jobless above poll, Philly miss, PMIs/Home Sales beat. Aussie -0.03% to 64.18 US cents.
Capital.com‘s Kyle Rodda notes next cue from Powell’s Jackson Hole speech midnight, impacting September cuts. AMP‘s Oliver easing bullish sans recession, volatility from valuations/Trump wars. Journal study: P/E 75% returns-driven, urging discount focus as ASX pulls back.