August 27, 2025

US stock market surges as Nvidia nears all-time highs: Dow, S&P 500, Nasdaq rally as Wall Street awaits earnings

U.S. stock market on Wednesday, August 27, 2025, is navigating a mix of cautious optimism and strategic positioning. Investors are closely monitoring Nvidia’s highly anticipated earnings report, which could set the tone for the broader technology sector and influence overall market sentiment.

With tech stocks facing recent volatility, traders and long-term investors alike are carefully analyzing corporate results, oil prices, bond movements, and trade developments, knowing that these factors together could dictate the direction of the market in the coming days.

How Are Major Indexes Performing Right Now?

The big picture in the U.S. stock market shows moderate gains in some areas and minor declines in others.

S&P 500 is trading slightly higher at $646.21, a 0.16% gain from its previous close. This suggests that large-cap stocks are holding steady, even amid ongoing market jitters.

Nasdaq Composite is experiencing a small dip of 0.2%, signaling investor caution ahead of Nvidia’s report, as technology stocks remain sensitive to earnings news.

Overall, the market is not making dramatic moves but is positioning itself ahead of potential catalysts that could trigger sharper swings.

Nvidia shares approach all-time highs as Wall Street braces

Nvidia’s upcoming earnings are being watched like a hawk because the company is a bellwether for the artificial intelligence (AI) sector. Analysts are forecasting a strong performance, with revenue potentially exceeding $46 billion, marking more than 50% growth compared to the same period last year.
Such numbers, if realized, could signal continued strength in AI-related technology stocks and reassure investors that the sector still has room to grow.
At the same time, Nvidia has seen some recent volatility. Its stock price dropped by 0.1% to $175.40 after a 3.5% decline the previous day.
This marks the company’s first two-week losing streak since April and highlights investor concerns about a potential AI bubble. The tech sector as a whole has been experiencing ups and downs, and Nvidia’s earnings could either reignite buying enthusiasm or exacerbate cautious sentiment.

Investors are watching for updates on its GB200 super chip shipments, the upcoming Blackwell Ultra chip, AI-related spending, and commentary on China sales.

Options markets suggest Nvidia’s market capitalization could swing by $260 billion post-earnings, underscoring the high expectations surrounding its report. Analysts see this earnings release as pivotal, not just for Nvidia, but for the tech-heavy Nasdaq and broader sentiment on the U.S. stock market.

In short, Nvidia’s results are likely to influence not only its own stock but also broader tech ETFs and indices. Traders and long-term investors alike are closely monitoring this report for clues about the health of the AI boom.

What’s Happening with Oil Prices and Bond Yields?

Market movements aren’t driven by tech alone. Energy and bond markets are also influencing investor sentiment.

Oil prices have seen a modest increase recently. Rising energy costs can affect manufacturing and transportation companies, and even broader consumer sentiment, as higher fuel costs trickle down.

U.S. Treasury yields on 10-year and 2-year bonds have moved only slightly, signaling relatively calm activity in the fixed-income market. Bond yields often serve as a barometer of investor confidence, and the current subdued movement indicates a “wait-and-see” approach among investors.

These factors contribute to a mixed market picture, where some sectors gain while others experience pressure.

Could U.S.-India Trade Tensions Affect Markets?

Another major factor to watch is trade policy. The U.S. has recently imposed a 50% tariff on Indian imports, targeting industries like textiles, gems and jewelry, and leather.

For investors, this raises several questions:

Will tariffs lead to short-term stock market volatility? Likely yes, particularly for companies exposed to Indian imports or global supply chains.

Could this shift investor focus to domestic production? Possibly, as companies may adjust sourcing to avoid the new tariffs.

Analysts expect that the market will continue to trade within a relatively narrow range in the near term, but specific sectors affected by the tariffs could see sharper swings.

Top Stock Gainers Today

1. Sharps Technology Inc. (STSS)

Price: $16.85
Change: +73.18%
Volume: 1,068,048 shares
Sector: Health Technology
Market Cap: $17.24 million

2. NovaBay Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (NBY)

Price: $1.62
Change: +80.21%
Volume: 109,203,109 shares
Sector: Healthcare
Market Cap: $9.43 million

3. MongoDB, Inc. (MDB)

Price: $284.28
Change: +32.63%
Volume: 8,630,000 shares
Sector: Technology Services
Market Cap: $23.23 billion

4. Inno Holdings Inc. (INHD)

Price: $5.18
Change: +30.81%
Volume: 35,000,000 shares
Sector: Producer Manufacturing
Market Cap: $40.14 million

5. QVC Group Inc. – Series A (QVCGA)

Price: $6.18
Change: +25.51%
Volume: 305,940 shares
Sector: Consumer Services
Market Cap: $55.33 million

Quantum computing spotlight: IonQ surges on buy rating

Shares of IonQ (IONQ) jumped 4.2% after B. Riley Securities initiated coverage with a Buy rating, highlighting the company’s role in the emerging quantum computing sector.

IonQ has deployed 10 quantum computing systems since 2021.
Its machines are available across all three major cloud platforms: Amazon, Google, and Microsoft.
Despite a 474% surge over the past year, IonQ’s stock has been volatile, rising only 0.4% in 2025 due to ongoing skepticism and reported losses.

Analysts expect quantum computing to tackle complex problems over the next decade, making IonQ a potential long-term leader in the sector.

UnitedHealth shares hold steady amid DOJ scrutiny

UnitedHealth Group (UNH) gained 0.76% despite reports that the Department of Justice has broadened its criminal probe to include Optum Rx, the insurer’s prescription management segment.

The company faces multiple pressures: regulatory investigations, executive turnover, and declining sector margins. UNH shares are still down 40% year-to-date, reflecting lingering investor caution.

Retail highlights: American Eagle, Kohl’s, and Abercrombie

American Eagle (AEO) shares jumped 5% following news of a collaboration with NFL star Travis Kelce, titled AE x Tru Kolors by Travis Kelce. Despite this pop, AEO remains down 23% for 2025 due to consecutive quarterly revenue and EPS declines.

Meanwhile, Kohl’s (KSS) surged 19% after reporting strong Q2 earnings, exceeding analysts’ EPS estimates at $0.56 versus $0.29 projected. The department store also raised its full-year EPS forecast to $0.50–$0.80, signaling momentum in its turnaround strategy, including inventory management and cost controls.

Abercrombie & Fitch (ANF) remained flat despite beating earnings expectations, as its flagship brand posted declining net sales.

Oil and trade tensions: global outlook

Crude prices stabilized following a 2% drop the previous day, amid the start of 50% U.S. tariffs on Indian goods in retaliation for India’s Russian oil imports. Goldman Sachs projects Brent crude could fall to low $50s per barrel by late 2026, citing increased supply and weakening demand.

On the trade front, the European Union is reportedly fast-tracking tariff removals on U.S. industrial goods, potentially easing auto import duties in a reciprocal deal. These developments could reshape trade flows and impact corporate earnings globally.

Bond yields react to Fed uncertainty

Bond markets are signaling caution as investors digest President Trump’s move to oust Fed governor Lisa Cook. Long-term yields rose, with the 10-year Treasury climbing to 4.28% and the 30-year holding above 4.95%. The Treasury yield curve steepened to a spread of 62 basis points, the highest since April, suggesting rising concerns about inflation and Fed independence.

What Should Investors Do Right Now?

Given these dynamics, the focus for investors should be on vigilance and diversification:

Monitor Nvidia closely. Its earnings report could trigger volatility, especially in technology and AI-related stocks. Positive results might encourage buying, while disappointing numbers could prompt a sell-off.

Stay aware of trade developments. Tariffs can impact both individual companies and sector performance. Knowing which industries are most exposed will help investors adjust their strategies.

Maintain a diversified portfolio. With uncertainty in tech, energy, and trade, spreading investments across sectors and asset classes can reduce risk.

Keep a long-term perspective. While daily fluctuations grab headlines, market fundamentals and strategic allocations matter more over time.

How Are Individual Stocks Performing Today?

Some companies are standing out even amid a cautious market:

Kohl’s has surged over 20% after strong quarterly results and a positive outlook.
MongoDB continues its rally, gaining roughly 30% on the back of better-than-expected earnings and guidance.
Other notable movers include Okta, nCino, Box, Canada Goose, and Cracker Barrel, each reacting to specific news or operational updates.

These individual movements highlight that while indices move slowly, select stocks can see significant swings driven by earnings, news, or sector-specific factors.

What Does This Mean for the Broader Market?

The U.S. stock market is balancing optimism with caution. Investors are weighing strong earnings potential in tech against trade policy concerns and broader economic indicators. Key takeaways include:

Tech sector sensitivity remains high, with Nvidia at the center.
Energy and bonds are providing a stabilizing influence, though oil price changes are worth monitoring.
Trade policies may introduce sector-specific volatility but are unlikely to dramatically shift the overall market immediately.

For investors, staying informed and flexible is essential. Understanding the interplay between corporate earnings, trade policy, and macroeconomic indicators helps anticipate potential market movements rather than simply reacting to headlines.

FAQs:

1. How is the U.S. stock market performing, Nvidia earnings, trade tensions, today?
The U.S. stock market is cautiously optimistic today, with Nvidia earnings and U.S.-India trade tensions shaping tech stocks and overall market trends.

2. Which stocks are moving, tech volatility, oil prices, bond yields?
Key stocks like Nvidia, MongoDB, and Kohl’s are seeing big moves today, influenced by tech volatility, rising oil prices, and steady bond yields.