Stock Market Recap: March 12, 2025
On Wednesday, March 12, 2025, U.S. stock markets exhibited mixed performances, influenced by a combination of corporate earnings reports, economic data releases, and ongoing geopolitical developments.
Key Indices Movement:
S&P 500: The index rose by 0.5%, closing at 5,599.30, buoyed by gains in the technology and consumer discretionary sectors.
Nasdaq Composite: The tech-heavy index outperformed, advancing 1.2% to finish at 17,648.45, driven by robust performances from major technology firms.
Dow Jones Industrial Average: The Dow experienced volatility, ultimately declining 0.2% to 41,350.93, weighed down by losses in industrial and financial stocks.
Top Gainers:
Nvidia (NVDA): Shares surged 6.4% to $115.74, driven by strong performance in the artificial intelligence sector.
Tesla (TSLA): The electric vehicle maker's stock jumped 7.6% to $248.09, bolstered by positive market sentiment and recent endorsements.
Palantir Technologies (PLTR): The data analytics firm's shares increased by 7.2% to $83.65, reflecting growing investor interest.
Major Earnings Reports:
Adobe Inc. (ADBE): The software giant reported first-quarter fiscal 2025 revenue of $5.71 billion, a 10% year-over-year increase, surpassing analyst expectations of $5.66 billion. Adjusted earnings per share were $5.08, exceeding the anticipated $4.97. Despite these positive results, Adobe's stock declined 2.5% in after-hours trading, possibly due to mixed guidance for the upcoming quarter. The company projected second-quarter revenue of around $5.8 billion, aligning with analysts' expectations, but projected EPS of $4.98 was lower than the $5 analysts were expecting.
Notable Industry News:
Inflation Data: The Consumer Price Index (CPI) for February rose by 0.2%, bringing the annual rate to 2.8%, both figures lower than expected. This suggests a potential easing of inflationary pressures.
Trade Tensions: President Trump's enforcement of a 25% tariff on steel and aluminum imports has raised concerns about a potential trade war, particularly with the European Union and Canada, which have announced retaliatory measures.
In summary, while positive inflation data provided some optimism, ongoing trade disputes continue to inject uncertainty into the markets, leading to varied performances across major indices and sectors.
