Stocks gained ground Monday as investors looked ahead to a busy week of earnings and economic data, as well as Tuesday's highly anticipated midterm elections.
While the outcome of the midterms will certainly draw some interest from investors, the results of Thursday's consumer price index will likely be more important to markets. "It is still all about inflation and while this report might not be as hot as the last few, it still should show that rents and the core-service sector part of the economy are still hot," says Edward Moya, senior market strategist at currency data provider OANDA. "Inflation might not fall as quickly as some Fed members are expecting and that could support the idea that rates will stay higher for longer."
As for today's market, the S&P 500 Index rose 1.0% to 3,806 and the Nasdaq Composite advanced 0.9% to 10,564. However, it was the Dow Jones Industrial Average (+1.3% at 32,827) that led the path higher as blue-chip drugstore chain Walgreens Boots Alliance (WBA) gained 4.1% on news it will invest $3.5 billion in primary care provider VillageMD's acquisition of Summit Health, an owner of urgent care centers. WBA is VillageMD's largest shareholder with a roughly 53% stake.
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In other individual stock news, data mining firm Palantir Technologies (PLTR) slid 11.5% after the company's third-quarter profit fell short of the consensus estimate. On the flip side, Facebook parent Meta Platforms (META) jumped 6.5% after the company said it is planning to start laying off thousands of employees later this week.
Behind Berkshire's Q3 Earnings
Also in the winner's circle today was Warren Buffett's Berkshire Hathaway (BRK.B). Shares of BRK.B rose 1.0% after the holding company released its third-quarter earnings report over the weekend. While the bear market took a toll on Berkshire's bottom line over the three-month period, its diversified income stream – which includes companies ranging from battery maker Duracell to healthcare liability insurance provider MedPro Group – was useful in propping up other sections of its financial statement.
Among the highlights of BRK.B's Q3 results were a 20% year-over-year pop in operating income and higher-than-expected earnings per share. Read on to see what other notable developments occurred for Berkshire in Q3, and why BRK.B remains a top defensive stock in what has been a turbulent year for the broader equities market.
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USPS Is Raising Prices for Holiday Shipping: Dates and Increases You Need to KnowWhat the USPS's $16 price hike means for your wallet and your small business.
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July CPI Report Ignites a Risk-On Rally: Stock Market TodayMarket participants price out worst-case scenarios for tariffs and inflation and will now turn their attention to employment and growth.
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July CPI Report Ignites a Risk-On Rally: Stock Market Today
Market participants price out worst-case scenarios for tariffs and inflation and will now turn their attention to employment and growth.
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July CPI Report Boosts Rate-Cut Odds: What the Experts SayThe July CPI report shows that tariffs are having a slight impact on inflation, though not enough to keep the Fed from cutting interest rates.
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Stocks Slip Ahead of July CPI Report: Stock Market TodayThe latest inflation updates roll in this week and Wall Street is watching to see how much of an impact tariffs are having on cost pressures.
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Nasdaq Ends the Week at a New High: Stock Market TodayThe S&P 500 came within a hair of a new high, while the Dow Jones Industrial Average still has yet to hit a fresh peak in 2025.
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Stocks Swing Lower as Eli Lilly, Fortinet Spiral: Stock Market TodayThe main indexes finished well off their session highs after a disappointing batch of corporate earnings reports.
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What Tariffs Mean for Your Sector ExposureNew, higher and changing tariffs will ripple through the economy and into share prices for many quarters to come.
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Stocks Rally on Apple Strength: Stock Market TodayThe iPhone maker will boost its U.S. investment by $100 billion, which sent the Dow Jones stock soaring.
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Rally Pauses for Hot Earnings, Cool Data: Stock Market TodayMarkets were mostly mixed Tuesday after decisive moves Friday and Monday.
