Stock Market Today 9/25/20: Stocks Win the Session but Lose the Week on Growth Fears
The market ended a choppy week of trading with gains, but the Dow and S&P 500 fell on a weekly basis yet again.

All three major indexes closed a choppy week of trading with gains on Friday, but the Dow Jones Industrial Average and S&P 500 still logged a weekly loss for the fourth consecutive week.
Friday's session was defined, in part, by more mixed economic data. Core capital orders increased by more than forecast, but growth in durable goods orders rose less than expected. Altogether the data did nothing to reassure a market that's concerned about a slowing recovery amid waning federal financial help for businesses and the unemployed.
"Risk assets remained stable following the economic releases as last month’s readings were revised upwards, but cyclical assets continue to experience bouts of selling due to the growing global economic worries," Gorilla Trades notes.

Sign up for Kiplinger’s Free E-Newsletters
Profit and prosper with the best of expert advice on investing, taxes, retirement, personal finance and more - straight to your e-mail.
Profit and prosper with the best of expert advice - straight to your e-mail.
Against that backdrop, tech stocks once again took center stage as investors scramble for growth in a recessionary environment, with Microsoft (MSFT), Apple (AAPL) and Salesforce.com (CRM) being among the Dow's top gainers. For the record, the blue-chip average rose 359 points, or 1.3%, to finish at 27,174.
The usual anxieties surrounding the imminent end of fiscal stimulus, a mixed economic picture and rising COVID-19 cases will likely take center stage next week, as the corporate earnings calendar is pretty light. Highlights include a report from Micron Technology (MU) on Tuesday, and results from Pepsico (PEP) Thursday.
Other action in the market today:
- The Nasdaq Composite gained 2.3% to close at 10,913.
- The S&P 500 added 1.6% to finish at 3,298.
- The small-cap Russell 2000 closed up 1.6% at 1,474.
- Boeing (BA) shares rose 6.9% on news that the European regulatory ban on the 737 MAX jet could be lifted in November.
Keep an Open Mind About Under-the-Radar Tech Stocks
At the risk of sounding like a broken record, tech stocks have been a safe haven in an otherwise tough market and look poised for more outperformance ahead.
Indeed, tech is one of the few sectors expected to report revenue growth for the third quarter. When investors think of tech stocks, no doubt their minds go to well-known tech behemoths in the Dow and other mega-players such as Google-parent Alphabet (GOOGL), Amazon.com (AMZN) and Facebook (FB). But as remunerative -- and popular -- as those names may be, they represent only a part of the tech landscape.
For example, as much as they might offer exposure to Artificial Intelligence, there are a host of ways to make cheap, concentrated bets on AI through exchange-traded funds. The same goes for investors looking to benefit from the rollout of 5G networks or the rapid growth of cloud computing.
Lastly, there are plenty of smaller, under-the-radar tech names set for outsized growth as they cater to the latest trends. These stocks might be relatively anonymous, but that doesn't mean they can't generate returns like the big boys.
Dan Burrows is Kiplinger's senior investing writer, having joined the august publication full time in 2016.
A long-time financial journalist, Dan is a veteran of SmartMoney, MarketWatch, CBS MoneyWatch, InvestorPlace and DailyFinance. He has written for The Wall Street Journal, Bloomberg, Consumer Reports, Senior Executive and Boston magazine, and his stories have appeared in the New York Daily News, the San Jose Mercury News and Investor's Business Daily, among other publications. As a senior writer at AOL's DailyFinance, Dan reported market news from the floor of the New York Stock Exchange and hosted a weekly video segment on equities.
In his current role at Kiplinger, Dan writes about equities, fixed income, currencies, commodities, funds, macroeconomics, demographics, real estate, cost of living indexes and more.
-
-
New Mexico Rebate Checks Up to $1,000 Coming in June
New Mexico rebate checks will be sent soon. Here's what you should know.
By Katelyn Washington • Published
-
Should Graduates Spend or Save Their Gift Money? 14 Strategies to Consider
Financial experts share tips for deciding how to treat monetary gifts.
By Kiplinger Advisor Collective • Published
-
Stock Market Today: Stocks Close Lower Ahead of Key Debt Ceiling Vote
The major benchmarks spent most of Wednesday in the red as the House prepares to vote on the debt ceiling deal this evening.
By Karee Venema • Published
-
Stock Market Today: Stocks Give Back Big Debt Ceiling Deal Gains
The major benchmarks opened solidly higher Tuesday after lawmakers announced a debt ceiling deal, but optimism faded into the close.
By Karee Venema • Published
-
Stock Market Today: Stocks Jump on Debt Ceiling Progress
The major benchmarks rallied into the long weekend after lawmakers said they're making strides in debt ceiling negotiations.
By Karee Venema • Published
-
Stock Market Today: Stocks Rise After AI Outlook Sparks Explosive Nvidia Rally
The Nasdaq and S&P 500 made impressive advances today after chipmaker Nvidia forecast record quarterly revenue on AI growth.
By Karee Venema • Published
-
Is Nvidia Stock Just Getting Started?
Nvidia stock has more than doubled this year already, but analysts say explosive growth in AI gives NVDA plenty more upside ahead.
By Dan Burrows • Last updated
-
Stock Market Today: Stocks Sink on Debt Ceiling Impasse
While the major benchmarks finished in the red, retail stocks Abercrombie & Fitch and Kohl's popped after earnings.
By Karee Venema • Published
-
Debt Ceiling Crisis: What Did Stocks Do the Last Time the U.S. Nearly Defaulted?
Playing chicken with the debt ceiling has been bad for stocks in the past.
By Dan Burrows • Last updated
-
Stock Market Today: Debt Ceiling Anxiety Weighs on Stocks
While a Monday night meeting between Biden and McCarthy was "productive," there are no signs the two sides are nearing a deal.
By Karee Venema • Published