Big Tech

Key events: USA - Initial Jobless Claims The S&P 500 and Nasdaq continued their upward momentum on Wednesday, achieving record-high closes for the third consecutive session. Gains in the technology sector primarily drove this rally, as market participants interpreted Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell's remarks as signaling a cautious but stable approach to monetary policy. Powell refrained from suggesting any imminent risk to a potential December rate cut, keeping investors optimistic.

In the unpredictable world of investing, where market trends can change overnight, defensive stocks stand out as a safe haven. These stocks are particularly important during economic downturns or periods of market volatility. While most stocks may suffer from the turbulence, defensive stocks tend to remain stable, offering a cushion for investors when the market takes a hit.

Key events: Canada - BoC Gov Macklem Speaks Eurozone - ECB's De Guindos Speaks The Nasdaq closed higher Friday as tech stocks continued to rally, driven by investor enthusiasm ahead of a crucial week for earnings in the sector. The NASDAQ Composite rose 0.6% to close at 18,519.36, approaching its record close of 18,647.45. Earlier in the session, it reached an intraday high of 18,690.01. The Dow Jones Industrial Average, however, lost 260 points, or 0.6%, while the S&P 500 remained largely unchanged.

Key events: Japan - BoJ Interest Rate Decision UK - BoE MPC Member Mann Speaks Canada - BoC Gov Macklem Speaks Eurozone - ECB President Lagarde Speaks USA - FOMC Member Harker Speaks The S&P 500 surged to close above 5,700 for the first time ever on Thursday, fueled by gains in the tech sector, a day after the Federal Reserve kicked off its rate-cutting cycle with a significant 0.5% reduction.

Key events: UK - GDP (MoM) (Jul) USA - Core CPI (MoM) (Aug) USA - CPI (YoY) (Aug) USA - CPI (MoM) (Aug) USA - Crude Oil Inventories USA - 10-Year Note Auction The S&P 500 reversed early losses to finish higher on Tuesday, as gains in tech helped counter declines in the energy and financial sectors ahead of a key inflation report. The S&P 500 rose 0.5%, the Nasdaq Composite climbed 0.8%, while the Dow Jones Industrial Average dropped 92 points, or 0.2%.

Key events: USA - Average Hourly Earnings (MoM) (Aug) USA - Nonfarm Payrolls (Aug) USA - Unemployment Rate (Aug) The S&P 500 ended Thursday in the red, with optimism for stocks dampened by renewed concerns about the economy following mixed employment data, just ahead of the August nonfarm payrolls report. The Dow Jones Industrial Average slipped by 219 points, or 0.50%, while the S&P 500 dropped 0.3%. The tech-heavy Nasdaq Composite also fell by 0.3%.

Technological innovations have revolutionized various industries, transforming how businesses operate and interact with consumers. In healthcare, advancements like telemedicine and robotic surgery have improved patient care and outcomes. The retail sector has been reshaped by e-commerce platforms and sophisticated supply chain management systems. Manufacturing has seen significant gains in efficiency and precision through automation and the use of artificial intelligence. The financial markets have also undergone a profound transformation due to technological advancements.

Key events: UK - GDP (MoM) (May) USA - Core CPI (MoM) (Jun) USA - Initial Jobless Claims USA - 30-Year Bond Auction The S&P 500 closed above 5,600 for the first time on Wednesday, propelled by tech stocks and continued hopes for an earlier rate cut as Fed Chair Jerome Powell delivered his second day of testimony before Congress, a day ahead of new inflation data.

Key events: Eurozone - German GDP (QoQ) (Q4) Eurozone - ECB's Schnabel Speaks Eurozone - ECB's Supervisory Board Member Jochnick Speaks Investors propelled the S&P 500 and Dow Jones Industrial Average to historic closing highs on Thursday, driven by a surge in interest in growth and technology stocks. This came on the heels of Nvidia (NASDAQ: NVDA), a prominent figure in artificial intelligence, reporting impressive earnings and providing an optimistic outlook.

Apple Inc. stands as a unique entity in the corporate world, celebrated for its organizational simplicity and a product and service portfolio that requires no introduction. Unlike its industry peers like Microsoft, Alphabet, and Berkshire Hathaway, Apple refrains from large-scale acquisitions, maintaining a clear and unmistakable brand identity.