Apple and Amazon Earnings Spark Rebound In U.S. Indexes

Barry Adams
31 Oct, 2025
New York City

Stocks advanced on Friday as investors reviewed a fresh batch of quarterly results. 

The S&P 500 index increased 0.7%, and the tech-heavy Nasdaq Composite gained 1.1% after solid earnings from Apple Inc., Amazon.com, and Cloudflare Inc. 

Benchmark indexes lacked momentum in Thursday's trading amid worries that Microsoft and Meta Platforms may pull back on their investments in AI data centers.  

However, those worries were set aside after Amazon.com, Apple, and Alphabet Inc. confirmed elevated investments in artificial intelligence and data centers. 

The federal government shutdown is limiting macroeconomic data visibility, but corporate results are clearly indicating a rapidly bifurcating economy.

Low- and mid-income consumers are limiting their purchases to basic items and foregoing luxuries, avoiding high-priced restaurant meals, and struggling from one paycheck to the next. 

However, consumers at the top end are participating in the current stock market surge, benefiting from the rapid rise in home prices over the last five years, and enjoying job and income stability.  

Coca-Cola, Chipotle Mexican Grill, Crocs, United Airlines, and Delta Air confirmed the fast-developing K-shaped economy with growing income and wealth inequalities. 

 

U.S. Stock Movers 

Apple Inc. gained 1.7% to $276.0, and the mobile phone maker reported better-than-expected fiscal fourth-quarter earnings. 

Total sales increased to $102.5 billion from $94.9 billion, net income advanced to $27.5 billion from $14.7 billion, and diluted earnings per share rose to $1.85 from 97 cents a year ago. 

The company declared a quarterly cash dividend of 26 cents per share payable on November 13 to shareholders on November 10. 

The popular electronic device maker provided strong guidance for the December quarter, driven by better-than-estimated demand for its iPhone 17 mobile devices. 

Amazon.com Inc. soared 13% to $251.61, and the e-commerce company reported better-than-expected third-quarter results.

Net sales increased 13% to $180.2 billion from $158.9 billion, net income rose to $21.2 billion from $15.3 billion, and diluted earnings per share advanced to $1.95 from $1.43 a year ago. 

Sales in North America increased 11% from a year ago to $106.3 billion, international segment sales rose 14% to $40.9 billion, and AWS, or cloud unit, revenue soared 20% to $33.0 billion. 

The e-commerce company "expanded Same-Day Delivery of perishable groceries to 1,000+ cities and towns in the U.S., with plans to reach 2,300+ locations by the end of 2025." 

The company guided fourth-quarter sales to fall in the range of $206 billion and $213 billion, an increase of between 10% and 13% from a year ago. 

The company estimated operating income between $21 billion and $26 billion, compared to $21.2 billion in the quarter a year ago.  

Exxon Mobil Corp. decreased 1.5% to $112.88, and the oil company reported a decline in earnings in the third quarter. 

Total revenues decreased to $85.3 billion from $90.0 billion, net income fell to $7.5 billion from $8.6 billion, and diluted earnings per share dropped to $1.76 from $1.92 a year ago. 

"Year-to-date net production was 4.7 million oil-equivalent barrels per day, highlighted by a new quarterly production record in both the Permian, with nearly 1.7 million oil-equivalent barrels per day, and Guyana, where gross production exceeded 700,000 oil-equivalent barrels per day," the company highlighted in its statement to investors.

The company increased its quarterly dividend by 4% to $1.03 per share payable on December 10 to shareholders recorded on November 14.