May 01 | Daily Finance News

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U.S. STOCK PICKS

Closing: 4:00 PM EST

The Dow Jones Industrial Average closed higher on Wednesday after Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell largely ruled out that the central bank’s next move could be a hike, easing investor worries that it was losing control of sticky inflation. The broader market finished lower, however, with losses from chipmakers dragging down the S&P 500.
The Dow added 87.37 points, or 0.23%, to close at 37,903.29. The S&P 500 lost 0.34% to close at 5,018.39, while the Nasdaq Composite slid 0.33% to settle at 15,605.48.
It was a volatile day for the major averages, with the 30-stock Dow rallying more than 530 points at its session high, spurred by Powell’s comments. At one point, the S&P 500 was up 1.2%, while the Nasdaq climbed more than 1.7%.
The central bank opted to hold rates steady, citing a “lack of further progress” in bringing inflation back down toward its 2% goal. However, Powell ruled out the likelihood of a hike in a press conference following the decision.
Corporate earnings were in focus for investors, as well. Disappointing results from chipmaker AMD (AMD) and server maker Super Micro Computer (SMCI) took the shine off hopes for an AI-fueled boost to the sector.
AMD shares sank nearly 10% while Super Micro fell 14%. The news weighed more broadly on chipmakers like Nvidia (NVDA), which closed down about 4%.
Long-predicted consumer pullback finally hits restaurants like Starbucks, KFC and McDonald’s that reported same-store sales declines this quarter.
Qualcomm gives better-than-expected revenue forecast as company pushes AI-powered smartphones.

May 01 | Daily Finance News

U.S. STOCK PICKS

On Wednesday, the S&P 500 index fell as investors focused on the Federal Reserve's interest rate policy decision.
Traders are now turning their attention to the Fed's interest rate decision on Wednesday afternoon. The market expects the Federal Open Market Committee, the central bank's policy-setting arm, to announce little to no change in interest rates. Wall Street will be looking for clues from Fed Chair Powell on when interest rates might be lowered.
Investors received another clue about the labor market ahead of Friday's April employment report. ADP data showed that private sector employment increased by 192,000 in April, indicating a resilient labor market that exceeded expectations.
U.S. manufacturing contracted in April, with orders declining after briefly expanding in the prior month, while the prices paid by factories for inputs approached a two-year high.
Amazon's stock rose by about 3% as its first-quarter earnings and revenue exceeded expectations.
Chipmaker Intel's stock fell by 7% after issuing revenue forecasts in line with expectations for the current quarter.
Super Micro Computer's stock fell by 12% as its revenue came in slightly below the Street's consensus estimates.
Starbucks' stock fell by 15% after slashing its outlook following disappointing same-store sales.
CVS Health's stock fell by 18% after posting disappointing earnings and cutting profit guidance, marking its worst day since November 2009.
NYCB's stock rose after its new CEO outlined a two-year plan for a "clear path to profitability."
Pfizer exceeded revenue expectations, raising profit outlook on cost cuts and a smaller-than-feared drop in Covid drug sales.
UnitedHealth was hit by a cyberattack, forcing doctors to dip into personal savings to make ends meet.
Amazon cloud revenue and AI push offset weak Q2 retail outlook.
Microsoft signed a deal to invest more than $10 billion on renewable energy capacity to power data centers.
According to the Mortgage Bankers Association, the share of adjustable-rate mortgage applications rose to 7.8% of mortgage demand last week, reaching the highest level of the year.