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US stock market predictions today: Market up as Dow Jones gains 170 points, S&P 500 hits 5,604, Nasdaq climbs 1.5% — Why is market rising ahead of the April jobs report and tech earnings boost? Here's

US stock market predictions today: Market up as Dow Jones gains 170 points, S&P 500 hits 5,604, Nasdaq climbs 1.5% — Why is market rising ahead of the April jobs report and tech earnings boost? Here's

Economic Times02-05-2025

US stock market predictions today show a strong start as the Dow Jones, S&P 500, and Nasdaq head higher ahead of key April jobs data. With big names like Meta, Microsoft, and Reddit posting solid earnings, tech stocks are leading the rally. Meanwhile, Apple and Amazon face pressure from rising tariffs. Investors are closely watching stock futures, economic signals, and what the labor report might mean for future Fed rate moves.
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What's the latest movement in the US stock market today?
How are stock futures reacting to all this market data?
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Dow Jones Futures: Up 0.4%
S&P 500 Futures: Up 0.4%
Nasdaq Futures: Up 0.2%
Why is the April jobs report so important for today's trading?
How did tech earnings influence the stock market today?
What's the outlook for Amazon and other retail giants?
Are Reddit shares rising after its recent results?
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What sectors are leading the market gains today?
Who are the top gainers and losers in the stock market today?
Meta Platforms (META): +9%
Microsoft (MSFT): +7.6%
Reddit (RDDT): +7%
Autodesk (ADSK): +4.16%
eBay (EBAY): +3.81%
Apple (AAPL): -4%
IBM (IBM): -3.96%
Amazon (AMZN): -2%
Dow Inc (DOW): -1.1%
Intel (INTC): -0.75%
What should investors keep an eye on going forward?
US stock market predictions today are looking optimistic as futures pointed higher early Friday, May 2, 2025. Investors are gearing up for the release of the highly anticipated April jobs report, which is expected to offer clues on the Federal Reserve's next move. Major indexes, including the Dow Jones, S&P 500, and Nasdaq, were all trading in the green, signaling a positive start to the trading day.Tech stocks were once again in focus after major earnings reports from companies like Apple, Amazon, and Meta Platforms. Meanwhile, concerns over rising tariffs and their potential impact on corporate profits are still lingering in the background.As of early Friday, Dow Jones futures were up by 0.4%, while S&P 500 futures and Nasdaq futures climbed 0.4% and 0.2%, respectively. On Thursday, the S&P 500 closed at 5,604.14, rising 0.6%—its eighth straight day of gains. The Nasdaq Composite saw a strong jump of 1.5%, and the Dow Jones Industrial Average continued its winning streak, now on pace for a ninth consecutive day of gains.This momentum is largely fueled by stronger-than-expected tech earnings and hopes for improved U.S.-China trade relations.Stock futures are staying positive as the market digests earnings results and awaits the jobs report. Here's where things stand:Investors seem hopeful that the job numbers will confirm a stable economic outlook without putting too much pressure on the Fed to keep interest rates high.The April nonfarm payrolls report is one of the most awaited data points this week. Analysts expect it to shed light on how strong the labor market really is. A strong jobs number could increase pressure on the Federal Reserve to hold off on rate cuts. On the other hand, a weaker number may support the case for monetary easing later this year.Investors are watching closely. The labor data will influence everything from stock prices to bond yields and Fed policy outlook.Big tech has once again taken center stage. Meta Platforms (META) reported Q1 earnings of $6.43 per share, beating estimates by 23%, sending the stock up over 9%. Microsoft (MSFT) also impressed, reporting $3.46 EPS, above expectations, with shares rising 7.6%.However, Apple (AAPL) took a hit, falling 4%, after CEO Tim Cook warned of an expected $900 million hit due to tariffs. Despite reporting strong Q2 earnings, the market was clearly worried about forward-looking risks.Amazon (AMZN) reported strong Q1 revenue, which rose by 9%, but its stock slipped 2% after issuing a weaker profit outlook for Q2. CEO Andy Jassy said that while demand was stable, cost pressures and global uncertainty made it difficult to provide a stronger forecast.This mixed reaction is typical during earnings season, especially when future guidance doesn't align with market expectations.Yes, Reddit became one of the unexpected winners this morning. The social media company reported a massive 60% jump in Q1 revenue and gave a Q2 outlook that beat consensus. As a result, the stock soared 7% in pre-market trading. This marks a sharp turnaround since its IPO earlier this year, signaling investor confidence in its monetization strategy.Technology continues to drive the rally, with names like Meta, Microsoft, and AMD showing strong gains. Healthcare stocks also gained, while industrial and energy names lagged behind due to mixed earnings.The strong movement in tech has helped the Nasdaq outperform the other indexes this week. Investors are clearly rewarding companies that beat expectations and offer confident guidance.Here are some of the top gainers as of this morning:And these are the top losers:The main focus now is the April jobs report. Beyond that, attention will turn to Fed officials' statements, inflation readings, and how tariff tensions with China evolve. With big earnings mostly behind us, economic data will drive the next wave of market direction.Investors should also keep watching Treasury yields, crypto movements (Bitcoin is trading around $97,000), and commodity prices like oil and gold, which can influence broader risk sentiment.

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