Stocks Supported by Robust Earnings and Rate Cut Hopes

The S&P 500 Index ($SPX) (SPY) today is up +0.34%, the Dow Jones Industrials Index ($DOWI) (DIA) is up +0.29%, and the Nasdaq 100 Index ($IUXX) (QQQ) is up +0.36%.  September E-mini S&P futures (ESU25) are up +0.37%, and September E-mini Nasdaq futures (NQU25) are up +0.47%.

Stock indexes are mildly higher today, supported by robust corporate earnings results and hopes that the Fed will soon cut interest rates to support the economy. 

Monster Beverage is up more than +8% after beating Q2 EPS estimates.  Also, Expedia Group is up more than +4% after reporting better-than-expected Q2 EPS and raising its full-year forecast.  On the negative side, Trade Desk is down more than -36% after giving an outlook that analysts said was underwhelming.  Also, Microchip Technology is down more than -5% after pausing most factory expansions and cutting its full-year capital expenditures.   

Stocks are seeing support from speculation that weaker-than-expected US economic news and recent dovish Fed commentary will push the Fed to lower interest rates as soon as next month.  On Thursday, President Trump nominated Stephen Miran to be a temporary replacement for Adrianna Kugler as Fed Governor until the end of the year.  Miran is currently chairman of the Council of Economic Advisors and is seen as dovish and supporting President Trump’s calls for lower interest rates.  The chances of a Fed rate cut at the September FOMC meeting rose to 91% from 40% last Friday.

Market sentiment has also improved on an easing of geopolitical risks after the Russian government confirmed that Presidents Putin and Trump will meet for summit talks on ending the war in Ukraine in the next few days. 

In recent tariff news, President Trump announced Wednesday that he will impose a 100% tariff on semiconductor imports.  Still, companies would be eligible for exemptions if they demonstrate a commitment to building their products in the US.  However, the US will levy a separate tax on imports of electronic products that employ semiconductors.  Also, President Trump announced Wednesday that he will double tariffs on US imports from India to 50% from the current 25% tariff, due to India’s purchases of Russian oil.  On Tuesday, Mr. Trump said that US tariffs on pharmaceutical imports would be announced “within the next week or so.” According to Bloomberg Economics, the average US tariff will rise to 15.2% if rates are implemented as announced, up from 13.3% earlier, and significantly higher than the 2.3% in 2024 before the tariffs were announced. 

Federal funds futures prices are discounting the chances for a -25 bp rate cut at 91% at the September 16-17 FOMC meeting and 64% at the following meeting on October 28-29.

Earnings reports released thus far suggest that S&P 500 earnings for Q2 are on track to rise +9.1% y/y, much better than the pre-season expectations of +2.8% y/y and the most in four years, according to Bloomberg Intelligence.  With over 79% of S&P 500 firms having reported Q2 earnings, around 83% exceeded profit estimates. 

Overseas stock markets today are mixed.  The Euro Stoxx 50 is up +0.09%.  China’s Shanghai Composite closed down -0.12%.  Japan’s Nikkei Stock 225 climbed to a 2-week high and closed up sharply by +1.85%.

Interest Rates

September 10-year T-notes (ZNU25) today are down by -5 ticks.  The 10-year T-note yield is up +1.9 bp to 4.269%.  T-notes are moving lower today as strength in stocks has reduced safe-haven demand for government securities.  Also, rising inflation expectations are negative for T-notes as the 10-year breakeven inflation rate rose to a 1-week high today of 2.384%. 

Losses in T-notes are limited after President Trump late Thursday nominated Stephen Miran for Fed Governor to replace Adriana Kugler for the rest of the year.  Miran views President Trump’s policies as disinflationary and would support a more dovish Fed policy. 

European government bond yields today are moving higher.  The 10-year German bund yield is up +4.8 bp to 2.678%.  The 10-year UK gilt yield is up +3.5 bp to 4.582%.

Swaps are discounting the chances at 9% for a -25 bp rate cut by the ECB at the September 11 policy meeting.

US Stock Movers

Monster Beverage (MNST) is up more than +9% to lead gainers in the S&P 500 and Nasdaq 100 after reporting Q2 net sales of $2.11 billion, stronger than the consensus of $2.08 billion. 

Gilead Sciences (GILD) is up more than +7% after reporting Q2 product sales of $7.05 billion, above the consensus of $6.94 billion, and raising its full-year product sales forecast to $28.3 billion-$28.7 billion from a previous forecast of $28.2 billion-$28.6 billion.

Gen Digital (GEN) is up more than +7% after reporting Q1 revenue of $1.26 billion, stronger than the consensus of $1.19 billion, and forecasting full-year revenue of $4.80-$4.90 billion, better than the consensus of $4.76 billion. 

Expedia Group (EXPE) is up more than +4% after reporting Q2 revenue of $3.79 billion, better than the consensus of $3.71 billion, and raising its full-year gross bookings forecast to +3% to +5% from a previous estimate of +2% to +4%, the midpoint above the consensus of +3.3%. 

Tempus AI (TEM) is up more than +6% after reporting Q2 net revenue of $314.6 million, stronger than the consensus of $297.7 million. 

Maplebear (CART) is up more than +2% after reporting Q2 gross transaction value of $9.08 billion, above the consensus of $8.94 billion, and forecasting Q3 gross transaction value of $9.00 billion-$9.15 billion, better than the consensus of $8.96 billion.

Block (XYZ) is up more than +3% after raising its full-year adjusted operating income estimate to $2.03 billion from $1.90 billion, above the consensus of $1.94 billion. 

Take-Two Interactive Software (TTWO) is up more than +2% after reporting Q1 net bookings of $1.42 billion, better than the consensus of $1.32 billion, and raising its 2026 net bookings forecast to $6.05 billion-$6.15 billion from a previous forecast of $5.90 billion-$6.00 billion, above the consensus of $6.04 billion.

Trade Desk (TTD) is down more than -36% to lead losers in the S&P 500 and Nasdaq 100 after reporting Q2 adjusted EPS of 41 cents, above the consensus of 40 cents but considered underwhelming by several analysts. 

Sweetgreen (SG) is down more than -26% after reporting a Q2 EPS loss of -20 cents, wider than the consensus of -13 cents, and cut its full-year same-store sales forecast to down -4% to -6% from a previous forecast of no change. 

Twilio (TWLO) is down more than -16% after forecasting Q3 adjusted EPS of $1.01-$1.06, weaker than the consensus of $1.14. 

Goodyear Tire & Rubber (GT) is down more than -16% after reporting an unexpected Q2 loss per share of -17 cents versus expectations of a +19 cent profit. 

Pinterest (PINS) is down more than -9% after reporting Q2 adjusted EPS of 33 cents, below the consensus of 36 cents. 

Microchip Technology (MCHP) is down more than -7% after forecasting Q2 net sales of $1.11 billion-$1.15 billion, the midpoint right on the consensus of $1.13 billion, considered disappointing by analysts.   

GoDaddy (GDDY) is down more than -4% after it reported Q2 revenue of $1.20 billion, below the consensus of $1.21 billion. 

Earnings Reports (8/8/2025)

Freedom Holding Corp/NV (FRHC), Lamar Advertising Co (LAMR), Liberty Media Corp-Liberty Live (LLYVA), Skechers USA Inc (SKX), Sotera Health Co (SHC), Tempus AI Inc (TEM), Under Armour Inc (UAA), Wendy’s Co/The (WEN).