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Wall Street Feels the Heat (and Thrill): Fed Cuts, Tariffs & Mega-Mergers Set NYSE Buzz
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Nasdaq Surges Amid AI Frenzy and Fed Optimism – EA Skyrockets on $50B Buyout Buzz

by
28 September 2025
  • Nasdaq/Indices: Nasdaq Composite recently hovered near 22,500, closing Sept 26 at 22,484.07 (up +0.44% that day) [1]. It and the S&P/Dow rose on Friday after benign inflation data and Fed rate-cut hopes. Over the week the Nasdaq gave up a bit (down ~0.7%) while the broader S&P 500 and Dow finished slightly lower [2]. Traders noted that tech stocks led swings – rallying on Fed dovish signals but retreating on frothy valuations [3]. “Don’t fight the Fed on lower rates,” said Rick Meckler of Cherry Lane Investments, reflecting a Wall Street theme as Fed cuts loom [4]. Nasdaq futures have been firming on expectations of multiple rate cuts by year-end.
  • Tech Movers: Several Nasdaq-listed tech names saw wild moves. Electronic Arts (EA) jumped about 15% after Reuters reported it’s in advanced talks for a $50 billion go-private deal led by private equity, Saudi PIF and Kushner’s fund [5] [6]. CFRA analyst Wyatt Swanson said “EA does make sense as an acquisition target” given its stable cash flows [7]. Robinhood Markets and AppLovin also spiked (+16% and +12%), after news they’d be added to the S&P 500 index (new index inclusions often boost stocks) [8]. Other leaders included BlackBerry, which jumped 8.8% on a better-than-expected Q2 (adj. EPS $0.04 vs $0.01 est.) [9], and TD SYNNEX (SNX), up 6.2% on a solid Q3 beat [10]. In contrast, CarMax (also Nasdaq-listed) plunged 20% after missing Q2 estimates [11].
  • Earnings Watch: As of late Sept, key big tech earnings were pending. Investors are focusing on companies like Apple, Microsoft and chipmakers for early October reports, betting on AI demand. Already some earners have surprised: Crowdrstrike climbed 12.8% in mid-Sept after analysts lifted estimates [12]. Overall Q2 S&P 500 earnings growth was ~13% [13], but with Q3 starting, analysts see AI investment and consumer resilience as key drivers. “2025 could be a ‘Goldilocks’ year” for stocks, BMO’s Brian Belski wrote, citing Fed cuts and strong earnings [14].
  • IPOs & Funding: The IPO market showed life, especially for tech. Navan (formerly TripActions) filed for a Nasdaq IPO, reporting H1 revenue +30% and hinting at a valuation >$8 billion [15] [16]. Travel-tech underwriting crews are poised to launch roadshows in Oct. Likewise Lendbuzz, an AI-driven auto-loan fintech, filed to raise funds on Nasdaq (symbol “LBZZ”), with H1 revenue +38% vs year-ago [17]. Kat Liu of IPOX noted the U.S. IPO market has “steady strength, with broad deal flow” [18]. A Willkie Farr partner noted that “AI and fintech will likely remain the most active and closely watched areas of the IPO market this year” [19]. On funding rounds, Reflection AI (AI coding startup) is raising ~$1 billion at up to a $5.5 billion valuation, backed by Nvidia Ventures [20]. SandboxAQ (AI/quantum startup) added $150M (Google, Nvidia, others) to bring its valuation to $5.75 billion [21]. And private-equity owners of real-estate software MRI Software are exploring a ~$10 billion sale or IPO [22].
  • Regulatory News: On regulation, several developments could affect Nasdaq firms. The SEC is rewriting rules for crypto and markets – in mid-Sept it approved generic listing standards for many new spot crypto ETFs (covering tokens like Solana, XRP) [23]. SEC Chair Paul Atkins framed this as a way to “foster innovation and reduce barriers” for digital assets [24]. In a major policy push, the SEC also rolled out an agenda to revamp crypto oversight and ease some listing and compliance rules for all issuers [25]. Atkins said this “new day” approach signals support for innovation and capital formation [26] [27]. Separately, the Nasdaq exchange itself unveiled tougher listing requirements (larger minimum floats, stricter controls on unprofitable Chinese issuers, anti-manipulation measures) to bolster market quality [28] [29].
  • Geopolitics & Macro: Broader events pressured markets. The Trump administration is considering tariffs on electronic devices by chip-content, in a bid to reshore semiconductor production [30]. “America cannot be reliant on foreign imports” of chips, the White House said, reflecting the move [31]. Such trade tensions could raise costs for tech imports. The Ukraine war remained a wild card: on Sept 28 Russia launched a major drone-and-missile strike on Kyiv – one of its largest to date. The risk of broader conflict kept investors cautious. In energy markets, Ukrainian drone attacks on Russian fuel facilities cut exports, lifting oil prices (Brent topped ~$70) [32]. Oil’s jump (biggest weekly rise in months) helped the S&P energy sector but can stoke inflation pressures. Domestically, Fed officials left the door open for more rate cuts (after cutting 25 bp on Sept 17). Recent data showed inflation easing: the core CPI and PCE indices rose 0.3% in Aug, keeping September Fed cut odds near ~90%. Still, Powell’s latest remarks cautioned that asset prices were “fairly highly valued” [33], prompting some to lock in gains.
  • Analyst Outlook: Wall Street remains cautiously optimistic. BMO Capital Markets raised its 2025 S&P 500 year-end target to 7,000 (from 6,700), citing incoming Fed rate cuts and robust earnings [34]. BMO strategist Brian Belski dubbed this a likely “Goldilocks” scenario for U.S. stocks [35]. On the flip side, LNW CIO Ron Albahary warned that with the S&P at ~23–24× forward earnings (implying ~15% growth), the market feels “pretty rich” [36]. Other analysts pointed to solid tech fundamentals: firms are snapping up AI infrastructure, and analysts expect big tech revenue beats in coming quarters. For example, Wedbush’s Dan Ives recently raised Tesla’s price target (to $600) on stronger AI auto bets. Market experts noted that, for now, investor focus is on Fed easing and tech’s AI boom. As Art Hogan of B. Riley said, recent data were “right down the middle of the fairway,” leaving the door open for cuts that could boost stocks [37]. Zachary Hill of Horizon Investments summarized, “Today is just weakness in the top of the market, in tech,” reflecting profit-taking after a rally [38].

Sources: Major financial news outlets including Reuters, Nasdaq.com and mainstream analysts’ reports (cited) provided the above insights and quotes [39] [40] [41] [42] [43] [44] [45] [46]. Each development is drawn from these verifiable sources for accuracy.

Kodiak AI CEO: $2.5B Nasdaq debut an ‘exciting day’
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References

1. www.reuters.com, 2. www.reuters.com, 3. www.reuters.com, 4. www.reuters.com, 5. www.reuters.com, 6. www.reuters.com, 7. www.reuters.com, 8. www.reuters.com, 9. www.nasdaq.com, 10. www.nasdaq.com, 11. www.nasdaq.com, 12. www.reuters.com, 13. www.reuters.com, 14. www.reuters.com, 15. www.reuters.com, 16. www.reuters.com, 17. www.reuters.com, 18. www.reuters.com, 19. www.reuters.com, 20. www.reuters.com, 21. www.reuters.com, 22. www.reuters.com, 23. www.reuters.com, 24. www.reuters.com, 25. www.reuters.com, 26. www.reuters.com, 27. www.reuters.com, 28. www.reuters.com, 29. www.reuters.com, 30. www.reuters.com, 31. www.reuters.com, 32. www.reuters.com, 33. www.reuters.com, 34. www.reuters.com, 35. www.reuters.com, 36. www.reuters.com, 37. www.reuters.com, 38. www.reuters.com, 39. www.reuters.com, 40. www.reuters.com, 41. www.reuters.com, 42. www.reuters.com, 43. www.reuters.com, 44. www.reuters.com, 45. www.reuters.com, 46. www.reuters.com

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Mateusz Kaczmarek Latest posts

A technology and finance expert writing for TS2.tech. He analyzes developments in satellites, telecommunications, and artificial intelligence, with a focus on their impact on global markets. Author of industry reports and market commentary, often cited in tech and business media. Passionate about innovation and the digital economy.

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Stock Market Today

  • CoreWeave: AI infrastructure darling or debt-fueled bubble on Wall Street
    November 8, 2025, 10:54 AM EST. CoreWeave, a major provider of AI infrastructure power, has become a stock-market darling as its data-centre network expands to serve giants like Microsoft and OpenAI. Yet the company sits atop a mountain of debt and mounting lease obligations that threaten near-term cash flow. With about $11 billion of debt and $1.9 billion in 2024 revenue, 2025 guidance hinges on jumbo capex (expected at $20-$23 billion) and long-term leases totaling roughly $34 billion through 2028. The balance sheet also shows current liabilities of $7.6 billion, raising the risk that unprofitable customers or construction delays could trigger cancellations or prepayments. In essence, CoreWeave's earnings trajectory and leverage may be a bellwether for the AI-infrastructure boom and its funding needs.
  • PENN Entertainment Stock Faces Mixed Analyst Moves After Citizens Jmp Cuts Target
    November 8, 2025, 10:42 AM EST. Citizens Jmp trimmed PENN Entertainment's price objective from $25.00 to $24.00, with a projected upside around 59% from Friday's close, while maintaining a market outperform rating. Other analysts issued mixed signals: Stifel Nicolaus upgraded PENN to Buy and lifted the target from $19 to $21; Citi reiterated Outperform; Barclays cut their target to $22 and kept an Overweight rating; Weiss Ratings reiterated a Sell. Market data show ten Buy, seven Hold, two Sell among analysts; MarketBeat's average rating is Hold with a $22.56 target. PENN traded up to $15.07 on Friday with volume of 612,947. The 52-week range is $13.25-$23.08; the 50/200-day moving averages are $18.33 and $17.47. Q earnings: -0.22 vs -0.10 est; revenue $1.72B, +4.8% YoY.
  • Market momentum breaks as S&P 500 slides below 50-day average; AI stocks fade and shutdown adds pressure
    November 8, 2025, 10:40 AM EST. Market momentum cooled Friday as the S&P 500 dropped below its 50-day moving average for the first time since April, with the Nasdaq Composite slipping on AI stocks losses and the Dow ticking higher on late-session strength. Early in the day, a broad slide gave way to a fractional rally, leaving all three indices down for the week. Investors faced renewed pressure from the U.S. government shutdown, weak consumer sentiment and a dour job-market backdrop. The Senate's stopgap talks aimed at reopening the government offered little solace as the payroll data blackout continued and flight disruptions mounted. Some traders rotated into value stocks despite an ongoing AI rally, suggesting caution about the near-term path for equities amid policy uncertainty and a tethered economy.
  • Realty Income Announces New Stock Sales Agreement to Raise Up to 150 Million Shares
    November 8, 2025, 10:34 AM EST. Realty Income Corporation (ticker O) announced on November 7, 2025 a new stock sales agreement with multiple banks to offer and sell up to 150 million shares of its common stock, replacing its prior program. The goal is to raise capital for general corporate purposes including debt repayment, property development, and potential acquisitions, thereby strengthening financial flexibility and growth potential. The latest analyst view is Hold with a $60.00 target, while Spark's AI Analyst rates the stock as Outperform. The company's strong cash flow and attractive dividend yield support its valuation despite near-term technicals showing bearish momentum. Management's emphasis on European investments and higher guidance could bolster the valuation and long-term growth story for Realty Income (O).
  • EPAM Systems Q3 2025 Earnings: Analysts Lift 2026 EPS Outlook Amid Slower Revenue Growth
    November 8, 2025, 10:32 AM EST. EPAM Systems, Inc. (NYSE: EPAM) jumped about 7.2% to around $175 after Q3. Revenues of $1.4 billion were in line with estimates, while statutory earnings of $1.91 per share missed by about 2.7%. Looking ahead, EPAM's 18-analyst consensus calls for 2026 revenues of $5.82 billion and EPS of $8.69, about 30% higher than today's level and above prior estimates of $8.46. The price target remains $207, within a $160-$255 range. The long-run outlook shows slower top-line growth (about 7.8% annually to 2026 vs 11% in the past five years), yet the EPS outlook has been upgraded, signaling renewed profitability optimism despite a moderating revenue trajectory.
Wall Street Feels the Heat (and Thrill): Fed Cuts, Tariffs & Mega-Mergers Set NYSE Buzz
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