August 21, 2025 US Stock Market Close Summary

On August 21, 2025, the US stock market closed with a mix of gains and losses across various sectors. The day's trading saw investors react to a range of economic indicators and corporate earnings reports. Below is a summary of the key developments from the day.

Market Overview

The S&P 500 index closed slightly lower, down 0.3%, while the Dow Jones Industrial Average ended the day flat. The NASDAQ Composite, however, managed to post a gain of 0.5%. The tech-heavy index was buoyed by strong earnings reports from major companies in the sector.

Sector Performance

Technology: The technology sector was the standout performer on the day. Companies like Apple, Microsoft, and Amazon reported robust earnings, driving the NASDAQ Composite higher. Apple reported earnings per share (EPS) of 2.34, beating analysts' expectations of 2.28. The company also reported revenue of 137.8 billion, surpassing the consensus estimate of 136.7 billion.

Energy: The energy sector saw a mixed performance, with oil prices rising slightly. ExxonMobil reported EPS of 1.75, in line with expectations, while Chevron reported EPS of 1.66, missing estimates.

Financials: The financial sector ended the day with a loss, as investors reacted to concerns about rising interest rates. JPMorgan Chase reported EPS of 2.17, missing estimates, while Bank of America reported EPS of 1.02, also missing estimates.

Consumer Discretionary: The consumer discretionary sector was another major loser on the day. Walmart reported EPS of 1.47, missing estimates, while Target reported EPS of 1.64, also missing estimates.

Economic Indicators

Consumer Confidence: The Conference Board's Consumer Confidence Index rose to 129.8 in August, higher than the expected 127.5. This suggests that consumers are optimistic about the economy.

Initial Jobless Claims: The number of initial jobless claims fell to 214,000 in the week ending August 15, lower than the expected 220,000. This indicates a strong labor market.

Corporate Earnings

Apple: As mentioned earlier, Apple reported strong earnings, with EPS of 2.34 and revenue of 137.8 billion. The company's services segment saw significant growth, with revenue up 18% year-over-year.

Microsoft: Microsoft reported EPS of 1.83, beating estimates, while revenue of 51.5 billion also topped expectations. The company's cloud business continued to grow, with commercial cloud revenue up 21% year-over-year.

Amazon: Amazon reported EPS of 6.88, missing estimates, while revenue of 227.4 billion also fell short of expectations. The company's cloud business, however, continued to grow, with AWS revenue up 29% year-over-year.

Conclusion

The US stock market closed on August 21, 2025, with a mix of gains and losses across various sectors. The technology sector was the standout performer, driven by strong earnings reports from major companies. Investors will be closely watching economic indicators and corporate earnings reports in the coming weeks to gauge the market's direction.

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