New York, NY – Stocks in the US opened the week on a positive note as investors looked forward to key signals that could impact future interest rates. The S&P 500 and the Nasdaq Composite both achieved record highs, while the Dow Jones Industrial Average experienced a slight decline. These gains followed a strong performance last week, driven by a cooling labor market and expectations of a rate cut by the Federal Reserve in September.
Investors are eagerly awaiting events scheduled for the week, such as Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell’s testimony before Congress and the release of the latest Consumer Price Index data. Economists predict a modest increase in headline inflation, aligning with expectations set at the beginning of the year. Additionally, corporate news saw aircraft maker Boeing pleading guilty to charges related to fatal crashes involving its 737 Max aircraft, while Tesla continued its positive streak with nine consecutive days of gains.
Chip stocks also had a strong showing on Monday, with Nvidia, AMD, and Intel all closing higher. The semiconductor sector outperformed, contributing to the Nasdaq Composite’s positive performance. Moving forward, attention will be on the inflation data release and any hints from Powell’s testimony regarding the Fed’s monetary policy decisions.
In another development, entertainment giant Paramount announced a merger with Skydance Media, leading to a drop in Paramount’s stock price. This deal marks the end of the Redstone family’s control over the company. Meanwhile, Disney is in focus following optimistic estimates from JPMorgan analysts, projecting significant growth in operating income and earnings per share for the company.
Overall, the market remains optimistic despite potential headwinds, with investors closely monitoring economic indicators and corporate developments for further insights into the future path of the stock market.