Market Update
Japan Indexes Extended 3-Day Sell-Off, Manufacturing Sector Growth Contracted In August
Akira Ito
21 Aug, 2025
Tokyo
Japan's stock market indexes extended losses for the third consecutive session, following a tech sell-off on Wall Street.
The Nikkei 225 Stock Average fell 0.7%, and the broader Topix decreased 0.7%, amid the unwinding of a rally in artificial intelligence-linked stocks.
On the domestic front, Japan's manufacturing sector activities edged closer to stability, but the services sector growth stabilized.
The S&P Global Japan Manufacturing PMI inched higher to 49.9 in August from a final 48.9 in July.
The manufacturing sector activity growth contracted for the 13th month over the past 14-month period.
The weakness in exports, which weighed on the overall activity levels in the sector, highlighted the sector's vulnerability to the U.S. trade policy.
The S&P Global Japan Services PMI slowed to 52.7 in August from 53.6 in July, indicating a softer level of activities.
The composite PMI output index, which includes manufacturing and services, inched higher to 51.9 in August from 51.6 in July.
Japan Indexes and Stocks
The Nikkei 225 Stock Average decreased 0.7% to 42,590.21, and the broader Topix fell 0.5% to 3,084.38.
Tech stocks led the decliners in Tokyo, following the weakness in artificial intelligence-related stocks.
Tokyo Electron Ltd. decreased 2.3% to ¥20,435.0, Advantest Corp. gained 2% to ¥10,975.0, Lasertec Corp. fell 3% to ¥15,655.0, and Disco Corp. eased 1.4% to ¥38,760.0.
Daiichi Sankyo Ltd. decreased 7% to ¥3,718.0, Takeda Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd. edged down 0.7% to ¥4,533.0, and Astellas Pharma dropped 1.1% to ¥1,677.50.
Japan Indexes Extended 3-Day Sell-Off, Manufacturing Sector Growth Contracted In August
Akira Ito
21 Aug, 2025
Tokyo
Japan's stock market indexes extended losses for the third consecutive session, following a tech sell-off on Wall Street.
The Nikkei 225 Stock Average fell 0.7%, and the broader Topix decreased 0.7%, amid the unwinding of a rally in artificial intelligence-linked stocks.
On the domestic front, Japan's manufacturing sector activities edged closer to stability, but the services sector growth stabilized.
The S&P Global Japan Manufacturing PMI inched higher to 49.9 in August from a final 48.9 in July.
The manufacturing sector activity growth contracted for the 13th month over the past 14-month period.
The weakness in exports, which weighed on the overall activity levels in the sector, highlighted the sector's vulnerability to the U.S. trade policy.
The S&P Global Japan Services PMI slowed to 52.7 in August from 53.6 in July, indicating a softer level of activities.
The composite PMI output index, which includes manufacturing and services, inched higher to 51.9 in August from 51.6 in July.
Japan Indexes and Stocks
The Nikkei 225 Stock Average decreased 0.7% to 42,590.21, and the broader Topix fell 0.5% to 3,084.38.
Tech stocks led the decliners in Tokyo, following the weakness in artificial intelligence-related stocks.
Tokyo Electron Ltd. decreased 2.3% to ¥20,435.0, Advantest Corp. gained 2% to ¥10,975.0, Lasertec Corp. fell 3% to ¥15,655.0, and Disco Corp. eased 1.4% to ¥38,760.0.
Daiichi Sankyo Ltd. decreased 7% to ¥3,718.0, Takeda Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd. edged down 0.7% to ¥4,533.0, and Astellas Pharma dropped 1.1% to ¥1,677.50.
Japan Indexes Extended 3-Day Sell-Off, Manufacturing Sector Growth Contracted In August
Akira Ito
21 Aug, 2025
Tokyo
Japan Indexes Extended 3-Day Sell-Off, Manufacturing Sector Growth Contracted In August
Akira Ito
21 Aug, 2025
Tokyo
Japan's stock market indexes extended losses for the third consecutive session, following a tech sell-off on Wall Street.
The Nikkei 225 Stock Average fell 0.7%, and the broader Topix decreased 0.7%, amid the unwinding of a rally in artificial intelligence-linked stocks.
On the domestic front, Japan's manufacturing sector activities edged closer to stability, but the services sector growth stabilized.
The S&P Global Japan Manufacturing PMI inched higher to 49.9 in August from a final 48.9 in July.
The manufacturing sector activity growth contracted for the 13th month over the past 14-month period.
The weakness in exports, which weighed on the overall activity levels in the sector, highlighted the sector's vulnerability to the U.S. trade policy.
The S&P Global Japan Services PMI slowed to 52.7 in August from 53.6 in July, indicating a softer level of activities.
The composite PMI output index, which includes manufacturing and services, inched higher to 51.9 in August from 51.6 in July.
Japan Indexes and Stocks
The Nikkei 225 Stock Average decreased 0.7% to 42,590.21, and the broader Topix fell 0.5% to 3,084.38.
Tech stocks led the decliners in Tokyo, following the weakness in artificial intelligence-related stocks.
Tokyo Electron Ltd. decreased 2.3% to ¥20,435.0, Advantest Corp. gained 2% to ¥10,975.0, Lasertec Corp. fell 3% to ¥15,655.0, and Disco Corp. eased 1.4% to ¥38,760.0.
Daiichi Sankyo Ltd. decreased 7% to ¥3,718.0, Takeda Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd. edged down 0.7% to ¥4,533.0, and Astellas Pharma dropped 1.1% to ¥1,677.50.
China Markets Lacked Direction Amid Mixed Batch of Earnings
Li Chen
21 Aug, 2025
Hong Kong
China and Hong Kong indexes diverged on Thursday as investors focused on the latest batch of earnings and debated the rate path.
The Hang Seng index eased 0.1%, the mainland-focused CSI 300 index inched higher 0.7%, and Hong Kong investors held out for a possible rate cut by the U.S. Federal Reserve next month.
Mainland stocks advanced for the sixth consecutive session amid sustained buying by the large state-controlled institutions and individual investors.
Last week, China released a mixed batch of economic data that is weighing on investor sentiment.
Cautious consumers, persistent residential real estate market weakness, and uncertain U.S. trade policy are some of the key factors denting the market sentiment.
Moreover, the job market is facing additional headwinds as large- and medium-sized businesses accelerate their investments in the ASEAN region, Mexico, and Brazil.
China Indexes and Stocks
The Hang Seng index decreased 0.1% to 25,130.51, and the mainland-focused CSI 300 index edged up 0.7% to 4,301.71.
Baidu Inc. decreased 2.6% to HK $85.10 after the search engine company reported the largest decline in quarterly revenue in about three years.
Meituan dropped 1.5% to HK $119.0, JD.com Inc. fell 0.6% to HK $122.10, and Alibaba Group Holding eased 0.5% to HK $116.80.
Hong Kong Exchanges and Clearing Ltd. edged up 0.6% to HK $443.80, and the financial services provider reported a 39% increase in profit in the first half.
China Markets Lacked Direction Amid Mixed Batch Earnings
Li Chen
21 Aug, 2025
Hong Kong
China and Hong Kong indexes diverged on Thursday as investors focused on the latest batch of earnings and debated the rate path.
The Hang Seng index eased 0.1%, the mainland-focused CSI 300 index inched higher 0.7%, and Hong Kong investors held out for a possible rate cut by the U.S. Federal Reserve next month.
Mainland stocks advanced for the sixth consecutive session amid sustained buying by the large state-controlled institutions and individual investors.
Last week, China released a mixed batch of economic data that is weighing on investor sentiment.
Cautious consumers, persistent residential real estate market weakness, and uncertain U.S. trade policy are some of the key factors denting the market sentiment.
Moreover, the job market is facing additional headwinds as large- and medium-sized businesses accelerate their investments in the ASEAN region, Mexico, and Brazil.
China Indexes and Stocks
The Hang Seng index decreased 0.1% to 25,130.51, and the mainland-focused CSI 300 index edged up 0.7% to 4,301.71.
Baidu Inc. decreased 2.6% to HK $85.10 after the search engine company reported the largest decline in quarterly revenue in about three years.
Meituan dropped 1.5% to HK $119.0, JD.com Inc. fell 0.6% to HK $122.10, and Alibaba Group Holding eased 0.5% to HK $116.80.
Hong Kong Exchanges and Clearing Ltd. edged up 0.6% to HK $443.80, and the financial services provider reported a 39% increase in profit in the first half.
Tariff-Driven Inflation Worries Overshadowed Wall Street Trading Amid Mixed Earnings from Retailers
Barry Adams
20 Aug, 2025
New York City
Wall Street indexes slipped for the second consecutive day amid a broad decline in tech stocks, and investors reviewed the latest batch of earnings from retailers.
The S&P 500 index decreased 0.8%, the Nasdaq Composite dropped 1.4%, and tech stocks led the decliners for the second consecutive session.
Lowe's Companies, Target, and TJX Companies were in focus as investors looked for clues for how consumers are adjusting to rising prices.
Toll Brothers' earnings beat market expectations, but the expensive homebuilder offered a softer outlook, and La-Z-Boy's outlook and quarterly earnings fell short of expectations.
Stock market indexes are struggling near record highs, as tariff worries resurfaced and corporations prepare to pass over higher import fees to consumers from this month.
Food prices soared over the last two months after the U.S. government stepped up detentions of migrant workers on farms and in meat processing facilities and escalated import duties on goods from Brazil, India, Mexico, Chile, Canada, and the European Union.
Moreover, over the last three months, extreme weather across several regions in the U.S. also impacted crop production.
U.S. Stock Movers
Toll Brothers Inc. decreased 1.1% to $130.08, and the expensive home builder reported better-than-expected revenue and earnings in the fiscal third quarter.
The home builder reported record third-quarter earnings, but the company issued a softer outlook.
La-Z-Boy Inc. dropped 20% to $31.25, and the maker of recliners reported a weaker-than-expected earnings per share of 47 cents in the fiscal third quarter.
The company's outlook for the current quarter fell short of market expectations.
Semiconductor makers were in focus after the U.S. Secretary of Commerce, Howard Lutnick, said that the federal government is looking to acquire stakes in companies in exchange for grants under the CHIPS Act.
Intel Corp. decreased 1.6% to $24.90, Micron Technology fell 1.9% to $119.70, and Nvidia Corp. decreased 0.3% to $175.30.
Target Corp. dropped 8.9% to $94.52 after the retailer reported a decline in sales in the second quarter, and same-store sales and consumer transactions also declined.
Net sales in the second quarter declined 0.9% to $2.5 billion, comparable store sales dropped 1.9%, and consumer transactions decreased 1.3%.
However, online sales rose 4.5%, driven by a 25% surge in same-day delivery.
For the fiscal year, the company retained its outlook of a single-digit decline in sales and earnings per share between $8.0 and $10.0.
The retailer estimated adjusted earnings per share, which excludes gains from litigation settlements in the first quarter, to fall between $7.0 and $9.0.
In addition, the company announced that the longtime CEO Brian Cornell would retire in February, and chief operating officer Michael Fiddelke, a two-decade veteran at the company, will assume the post on February 1.
Lowe's Companies Inc. added 1.9% to $261.29 after the home improvement retailer's second-quarter earnings beat expectations.
The do-it-yourself retailer said sales in the fiscal second quarter ending on August 1 increased 1.7% to $24.0 billion, net income advanced to $2.4 billion from $2.38 billion, and diluted earnings per share rose to $4.27 from $4.17 a year ago.
Same-store sales in the quarter rose 1.1% from a year ago.
The company tightened its full-year sales range to between $84.50 billion and $85.50 billion, compared to the previous range between $83.50 billion and $4.50 billion.
The retailer forecast the full-year diluted earnings per share range to be between $12.10 and $12.35, from the previous range between $12.15 and $12.40.
The TJX Companies Inc. increased 5% to $141.46 after the retailer reported better-than-expected quarterly earnings and revised higher its outlook.
Net sales in the fiscal second quarter ending on August 2 rose 7% to $14.4 billion, driven by a comparable sales rise of 4%.
Net income in the quarter rose 15% to $1.24 billion from $1.1 billion, and diluted earnings per share advanced to $1.10 from 96 cents a year ago.
Tariff-Driven Inflation Worries Overshadowed Wall Street Trading Amid Mixed Earnings from Retailers
Barry Adams
20 Aug, 2025
New York City
Wall Street indexes slipped for the second consecutive day amid a broad decline in tech stocks, and investors reviewed the latest batch of earnings from retailers.
The S&P 500 index decreased 0.8%, the Nasdaq Composite dropped 1.4%, and tech stocks led the decliners for the second consecutive session.
Lowe's Companies, Target, and TJX Companies were in focus as investors looked for clues for how consumers are adjusting to rising prices.
Toll Brothers' earnings beat market expectations, but the expensive homebuilder offered a softer outlook, and La-Z-Boy's outlook and quarterly earnings fell short of expectations.
Stock market indexes are struggling near record highs, as tariff worries resurfaced and corporations prepare to pass over higher import fees to consumers from this month.
Food prices soared over the last two months after the U.S. government stepped up detentions of migrant workers on farms and in meat processing facilities and escalated import duties on goods from Brazil, India, Mexico, Chile, Canada, and the European Union.
Moreover, over the last three months, extreme weather across several regions in the U.S. also impacted crop production.
U.S. Stock Movers
Toll Brothers Inc. decreased 1.1% to $130.08, and the expensive home builder reported better-than-expected revenue and earnings in the fiscal third quarter.
The home builder reported record third-quarter earnings, but the company issued a softer outlook.
La-Z-Boy Inc. dropped 20% to $31.25, and the maker of recliners reported a weaker-than-expected earnings per share of 47 cents in the fiscal third quarter.
The company's outlook for the current quarter fell short of market expectations.
Semiconductor makers were in focus after the U.S. Secretary of Commerce, Howard Lutnick, said that the federal government is looking to acquire stakes in companies in exchange for grants under the CHIPS Act.
Intel Corp. decreased 1.6% to $24.90, Micron Technology fell 1.9% to $119.70, and Nvidia Corp. decreased 0.3% to $175.30.
Target Corp. dropped 8.9% to $94.52 after the retailer reported a decline in sales in the second quarter, and same-store sales and consumer transactions also declined.
Net sales in the second quarter declined 0.9% to $2.5 billion, comparable store sales dropped 1.9%, and consumer transactions decreased 1.3%.
However, online sales rose 4.5%, driven by a 25% surge in same-day delivery.
For the fiscal year, the company retained its outlook of a single-digit decline in sales and earnings per share between $8.0 and $10.0.
The retailer estimated adjusted earnings per share, which excludes gains from litigation settlements in the first quarter, to fall between $7.0 and $9.0.
In addition, the company announced that the longtime CEO Brian Cornell would retire in February, and chief operating officer Michael Fiddelke, a two-decade veteran at the company, will assume the post on February 1.
Lowe's Companies Inc. added 1.9% to $261.29 after the home improvement retailer's second-quarter earnings beat expectations.
The do-it-yourself retailer said sales in the fiscal second quarter ending on August 1 increased 1.7% to $24.0 billion, net income advanced to $2.4 billion from $2.38 billion, and diluted earnings per share rose to $4.27 from $4.17 a year ago.
Same-store sales in the quarter rose 1.1% from a year ago.
The company tightened its full-year sales range to between $84.50 billion and $85.50 billion, compared to the previous range between $83.50 billion and $4.50 billion.
The retailer forecast the full-year diluted earnings per share range to be between $12.10 and $12.35, from the previous range between $12.15 and $12.40.
The TJX Companies Inc. increased 5% to $141.46 after the retailer reported better-than-expected quarterly earnings and revised higher its outlook.
Net sales in the fiscal second quarter ending on August 2 rose 7% to $14.4 billion, driven by a comparable sales rise of 4%.
Net income in the quarter rose 15% to $1.24 billion from $1.1 billion, and diluted earnings per share advanced to $1.10 from 96 cents a year ago.
Japan's July Trade Deficit Shrank After Imports Fell Faster than Exports, Core Machinery Orders Rebound In June
Akira Ito
20 Aug, 2025
Tokyo
Japan's benchmark indexes declined for the second consecutive session, following a decline in tech stock on Wall Street in overnight trading.
The Nikkei 225 Stock Average fell 1.5%, the broader Topix index declined 0.6%, and benchmark indexes extended the 2-day sell-off to 2.2%.
Market sentiment was cautious after Japan's exports fell for the third month in a row and dropped at the fastest pace since February 2021.
Exports in July fell 2.6% from a year ago, driven by an 11.4% decline in exports to the U.S., and shipments of vehicles, parts, and semiconductors slowed.
Goods shipments fell 2.6% to 9.4 trillion yen from 9.6 trillion yen, imports declined 7.5% to 9.5 trillion yen from 10.2 trillion yen, and the trade deficit shrank 81.3% to 117.6 billion yen from 628.3 billion yen a year ago.
In July, exports to China declined 3.5%, to the European Union decreased 3.4%, and to the ASEAN region decreased 2.9%, according to the latest data from the Ministry of Finance.
Japan's exports are likely to face additional headwinds after the U.S. sharply escalated tariffs to 15% from 2.5% and extracted a verbal pledge from Japan to invest $550 billion in the U.S. over an unspecified period.
Japan's core machinery orders advanced from the previous month in June, the Japan's Cabinet Office said in a separate release.
Core machinery orders, though volatile, provide a forward-looking capital spending plan over the next six to nine months.
Core machinery orders, which exclude volatile ship and power plant orders, rose 3% to 941.2 billion yen.
On an annual basis, private sector machinery orders accelerated to a 7.6% increase in June from a 4.4% rise in May.
Japan Indexes and Stocks
The Nikkei 225 Stock Average dropped 1.5% to 42,888.55, and the broader Topix declined 0.6% to 3,098.87.
SoftBank Group declined 7.1% to ¥14,890.0, and the diversified investment group extended three-day losses to 16%.
Heavy machinery makers fell despite June's machinery orders rebounding from a two-month slump.
Mitsubishi Heavy Industries decreased 2.2% to ¥3,823.0, IHI Corp. dropped 4.2% to ¥15,800.0, and Fujikura Ltd. fell 5.6% to ¥11,330.0.
Semiconductor equipment makers led decliners following a sell-off in tech stocks in overnight trading on Wall Street.
Tokyo Electron declined 1.4% to ¥20,925.0, Advantest fell 5.7% to ¥10,765.0, and Disco Corp. decreased 4.9% to ¥39,300.0.
Japan's July Trade Deficit Shrank After Imports Fell Faster than Exports, Core Machinery Orders Rebound In June
Akira Ito
20 Aug, 2025
Tokyo
Japan's benchmark indexes declined for the second consecutive session, following a decline in tech stock on Wall Street in overnight trading.
The Nikkei 225 Stock Average fell 1.5%, the broader Topix index declined 0.6%, and benchmark indexes extended the 2-day sell-off to 2.2%.
Market sentiment was cautious after Japan's exports fell for the third month in a row and dropped at the fastest pace since February 2021.
Exports in July fell 2.6% from a year ago, driven by an 11.4% decline in exports to the U.S., and shipments of vehicles, parts, and semiconductors slowed.
Goods shipments fell 2.6% to 9.4 trillion yen from 9.6 trillion yen, imports declined 7.5% to 9.5 trillion yen from 10.2 trillion yen, and the trade deficit shrank 81.3% to 117.6 billion yen from 628.3 billion yen a year ago.
In July, exports to China declined 3.5%, to the European Union decreased 3.4%, and to the ASEAN region decreased 2.9%, according to the latest data from the Ministry of Finance.
Japan's exports are likely to face additional headwinds after the U.S. sharply escalated tariffs to 15% from 2.5% and extracted a verbal pledge from Japan to invest $550 billion in the U.S. over an unspecified period.
Japan's core machinery orders advanced from the previous month in June, the Japan's Cabinet Office said in a separate release.
Core machinery orders, though volatile, provide a forward-looking capital spending plan over the next six to nine months.
Core machinery orders, which exclude volatile ship and power plant orders, rose 3% to 941.2 billion yen.
On an annual basis, private sector machinery orders accelerated to a 7.6% increase in June from a 4.4% rise in May.
Japan Indexes and Stocks
The Nikkei 225 Stock Average dropped 1.5% to 42,888.55, and the broader Topix declined 0.6% to 3,098.87.
SoftBank Group declined 7.1% to ¥14,890.0, and the diversified investment group extended three-day losses to 16%.
Heavy machinery makers fell despite June's machinery orders rebounding from a two-month slump.
Mitsubishi Heavy Industries decreased 2.2% to ¥3,823.0, IHI Corp. dropped 4.2% to ¥15,800.0, and Fujikura Ltd. fell 5.6% to ¥11,330.0.
Semiconductor equipment makers led decliners following a sell-off in tech stocks in overnight trading on Wall Street.
Tokyo Electron declined 1.4% to ¥20,925.0, Advantest fell 5.7% to ¥10,765.0, and Disco Corp. decreased 4.9% to ¥39,300.0.
China and Hong Kong Indexes Lacked Direction After U.S. Trade Agreement Worries Resurfaced
Li Chen
20 Aug, 2025
Hong Kong
Stocks remained under pressure, and benchmark indexes extended weekly losses amid growing anxieties about the U.S. trade policy.
The Hang Seng index decreased by 0.5%, the CSI 300 index edged down by 0.1%, and investors reviewed the latest rate actions taken by the People's Bank of China.
The PBoC held steady its loan prime rates despite a weakening economic backdrop and elevated global trade tensions.
The central bank left unrevised its prime rate for one-year loans at 3.0% and for five-year loans at 3.5% and kept rates at record low levels for the third consecutive month.
In addition, new yuan loans fell for the first time in two decades in July by 50 billion yuan and reversed June's 2.24 trillion yuan increase, but broader credit growth slowed to 1.16 trillion from 4.20 trillion in June.
Market sentiment was dented after U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessant said that China tariffs could stay in place for a while, indicating that the Trump administration is in no hurry to finalize its trade negotiations with China.
China Indexes and Stocks
The Hang Seng index decreased 0.5% to 24,980.20, and the CSI 300 index dropped 0.1% to 4,218.37.
Kuaishou Technology dropped 4.5% to HK $70.65, Midea Group Co. Ltd declined 2% to HK $80.95, and JD Health International fell 6.2% to HK $62.40.
SICC traded at HK $45.20 after the mainland China-based semiconductor material maker priced its public offering and commenced trading on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange.
The Huawei-backed company sold 47.74 million shares at a price of HK $42.80 per share and raised gross proceeds of HK $2.04 billion.
Shenyang Hongyuan Magnet Wire soared more than 380% to 44.78 yuan after the company priced its initial public offering and listed on the Beijing Stock Exchange.
The electromagnetic wire maker priced its offering at 9.17 yuan per share.
China and Hong Kong Indexes Lacked Direction After U.S. Trade Agreement Worries Resurfaced
Li Chen
20 Aug, 2025
Hong Kong
Stocks remained under pressure, and benchmark indexes extended weekly losses amid growing anxieties about the U.S. trade policy.
The Hang Seng index decreased by 0.5%, the CSI 300 index edged down by 0.1%, and investors reviewed the latest rate actions taken by the People's Bank of China.
The PBoC held steady its loan prime rates despite a weakening economic backdrop and elevated global trade tensions.
The central bank left unrevised its prime rate for one-year loans at 3.0% and for five-year loans at 3.5% and kept rates at record low levels for the third consecutive month.
In addition, new yuan loans fell for the first time in two decades in July by 50 billion yuan and reversed June's 2.24 trillion yuan increase, but broader credit growth slowed to 1.16 trillion from 4.20 trillion in June.
Market sentiment was dented after U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessant said that China tariffs could stay in place for a while, indicating that the Trump administration is in no hurry to finalize its trade negotiations with China.
China Indexes and Stocks
The Hang Seng index decreased 0.5% to 24,980.20, and the CSI 300 index dropped 0.1% to 4,218.37.
Kuaishou Technology dropped 4.5% to HK $70.65, Midea Group Co. Ltd declined 2% to HK $80.95, and JD Health International fell 6.2% to HK $62.40.
SICC traded at HK $45.20 after the mainland China-based semiconductor material maker priced its public offering and commenced trading on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange.
The Huawei-backed company sold 47.74 million shares at a price of HK $42.80 per share and raised gross proceeds of HK $2.04 billion.
Shenyang Hongyuan Magnet Wire soared more than 380% to 44.78 yuan after the company priced its initial public offering and listed on the Beijing Stock Exchange.
The electromagnetic wire maker priced its offering at 9.17 yuan per share.
Broadening of Inflation from Food to Household Goods Restrain Consumer Spending, Wall Street Stocks Struggle to Advance
Barry Adams
19 Aug, 2025
New York City
Stock market indexes on Wall Street meandered as investors prepared to review quarterly results from big-box retailers.
The S&P 500 index decreased 0.1%, the Nasdaq Composite fell 0.4%, and the benchmark indexes hovered near record highs.
Investor sentiment has remained upbeat amid a steady stream of positive earnings from tech and industrial companies and better-than-expected news on the inflation front.
The sharp escalation in U.S. tariffs to close to 19% in August from 3% last year has kept investors on edge and stoked fears of a gradual increase in retail prices in the months ahead.
Retailers are expected to pass over higher prices to consumers in a steady fashion so as to not invite threats from the White House.
In addition, wholesale prices of food soared more than 11% in July, according to the producer price index report released last week by the U.S. government.
The wholesale report confirmed that the sharp shrinkage in the migrant labor force and the surge in duties on food imports have contributed to the rise in food prices, contrasting the messaging from the Trump administration.
Mixed New Housing Construction Data In July
New home construction in July showed a mixed picture as home builders struggled to adjust to frequent changes in the U.S. trade policy.
Seasonally adjusted authorized housing permits in July were 1.354 million, a 5.7% decline from the revised 1.436 million a year ago and 2.8% lower than the revised June rate of 1.393 million.
The seasonally adjusted housing starts annual rate was 1.428 million, an increase of 12.9% from 1.265 million and 5.2% above the revised rate of 1.358 million.
Across the country, starts in the Midwest soared 33.3% to 252,000, and in the South, they advanced 19.2% to 833,000, offsetting the contractions in the West of 27.5% to 232,000 and in the Northeast of 11.6% to 111,000.
The housing completions annual rate in July was 1.415 million, a sharp decline of 13.5% from the 1.635 million rate a year ago and 6% higher than the revised rate of 1.335 million in the previous month.
U.S. Stock Movers
Palo Alto Networks Inc. rose 4.9% to $184.80 after the cybersecurity company reported better-than-expected quarterly results and issued a higher-than-expected outlook for the current quarter and full fiscal year.
Consolidated revenue in the fiscal fourth quarter ending in July increased to $2.5 billion from $2.2 billion, net income dropped to $253.8 million from $357.7 million, and diluted earnings per share fell to 36 paise from 51 paise a year ago.
Palo Alto guided fiscal 2026 first-quarter revenue to rise by 15% to between $2.45 billion and $2.47 billion and diluted non-GAAP earnings per share to between $0.88 and $0.90, using 709 million to 712 million shares outstanding.
A few weeks ago, the company agreed to acquire Israel-based identity security provider CyberArk for $25 billion, the company's largest acquisition.
Freightos Ltd. declined 0.6% to $3.59 after the digital freight booking and logistics platform provider reported a 32% increase in revenue, and net loss shrank in the latest quarter.
Consolidated revenue in the June quarter advanced to $7.4 million from $5.6 million, net loss shrank to $4.3 million from $5.3 million, and diluted loss per share shrank to 9 cents from 11 cents a year ago.
Freightos guided third-quarter revenue to be between $7.6 million and $7.7 million and adjusted EBITDA to be between $2.6 million and $2.5 million.
Intel Corporation increased 5.7% to $25.02, and Japan-based SoftBank Group agreed to acquire a 2% stake in the company for $2 billion.
SoftBank agreed to pay $23 a share, according to a joint statement released by the two companies.
The U.S. federal government may take as much as its 10% stake in the company, after a meeting between the U.S. president and the company's chief executive, Lip-bu Tan.
Home Depot Inc. increased 1.6% to $401.10, and the do-it-yourself retailer reported weaker-than-expected second-quarter results.
The retailer reported same-store sales increased 1%, after falling 3.3% in the period a year ago and declining 2% in the period two years ago.
Nexstar Media Group jumped 7.3% to $221.50, and the company agreed to acquire its smaller rival Tegna Inc. for $22 a share, or $3.54 billion.
Tegna advanced 4.4% to $21.07 after the announcement of the deal.