Wall Street Highlights: S&P 500, Nasdaq Set Record High on Hopes for End to War, AMD Forecast
π S&P 500 and Nasdaq indices closed at record highs, marking the second consecutive day of historic market gains.
πΌ AMD stock surged 19%, its biggest rally since October, driven by bullish sales forecasts in the AI data-center sector.
β½ Oil prices retreated roughly 7% to approximately $95 per barrel following reports that the US and Iran are nearing a peace deal.
π€ Analyst Jack Janasiewicz noted that the "AI trade is alive and well," citing rising earnings-per-share estimates for tech companies.
π The Philadelphia Semiconductor Index hit an all-time high, with Nvidia adding 6% and Arm Holdings gaining 14%.
π¬ Walt Disney shares climbed 7.5% after reporting better-than-expected streaming profitability and increased spending at its resorts.
π Major tech earnings are expected to drive the quarterly market, with ten stocks anticipated to account for over half of EPS growth.
π¦ Bank of America clients were net buyers last week, led by record equity ETF inflows totaling $6.8 billion.
π ADP reported US payrolls grew by the most in over a year in April, though the figures still missed analyst estimates.
βοΈ Miners, cruise lines, and airlines rose on hopes of geopolitical stability, while energy and fertilizer stocks declined on falling oil prices.
π° Alphabet outperformed peers after reports that AI startup Anthropic plans to spend about $200 billion with Google over five years.
π Homebuilders rallied with the S&P builder index rising 2.5% as yields on 10-year Treasuries fell, reducing mortgage rate pressure.
π€ President Donald Trump expressed optimism that the Iran war could end before his upcoming visit to China next week.
β οΈ Shipping companies remain cautious about sending vessels through the Strait of Hormuz despite reports of a potential peace agreement.
π§ Wall Street strategist Peter Boockvar questioned if recent semiconductor order surges are due to "double and triple ordering" amid supply shortages.
πΈ Lower gasoline prices resulting from falling oil are expected to ease pressure on US consumers and help retailers broadly.
- AMD surged 19%, its biggest gain since October, driven by AI data-center spending that significantly buoyed its sales forecast.
- The Philadelphia Semiconductor Index (SOX) closed at an all-time high, indicating strong sector momentum.
- Analysts highlight that the AI trade remains robust, with rising earnings-per-share and net margin estimates while stock multiples stay steady.
- Record equity ETF inflows of $6.8 billion reflect strong equity optimism despite geopolitical uncertainty.
- Alphabet outperformed other Magnificent Seven stocks after announcing a $200 billion, five-year AI investment plan with Anthropic.
- ADP reported that US companies boosted payrolls in April by the most in over a year, signaling continued labor market strength.
- Despite AMD's strong rally, the article raises concerns that the recent order spurt in semiconductors may be driven by double or triple ordering by buyers.
- Key suppliers in Taiwan and South Korea are facing energy and helium shortages, which could disrupt production and delivery for companies like AMD.
- Shipping companies remain wary about sending vessels through the Strait of Hormuz due to geopolitical tensions surrounding the Iran war.
- On the economic front, ADP reported that US payrolls in April missed estimates, potentially influencing Federal Reserve interest-rate policy negatively.
- While AI startup Anthropic plans to spend $200 billion with Google over five years, such massive deals could lead to increased competition and margin pressure for chipmakers like AMD.