The financial markets are abuzz with heightened expectations for a Federal Reserve interest rate cut in September, with probabilities soaring to an overwhelming 96%. This dramatic shift in sentiment comes on the heels of recent inflation data, particularly the July Consumer Price Index (CPI) report, which has largely been interpreted
Construction equipment company Caterpillar (NYSE:CAT) announced better-than-expected revenue in Q2 CY2025, but sales were flat year on year at $16.57 billion. Its non-GAAP profit of $4.72 per share was 3.7% below analysts’ consensus estimates.
Caterpillar’s second quarter reflected operational resilience, with flat year-on-year sales and revenue that slightly exceeded Wall Street expectations. However, non-GAAP profit per share was below consensus, and the company’s operating margin declined compared to the prior year, largely due to unfavorable price realization and the impact of tariffs. CEO Joseph Creed emphasized strong order activity and ongoing infrastructure and energy demand, noting, “Our backlog grew by $2.5 billion with increases across all three primary segments.”
The financial markets are abuzz with renewed speculation of an impending Federal Reserve interest rate cut, following the release of the July 2025 Consumer Price Index (CPI) report. Despite a nuanced picture presented by the data, with headline inflation showing a milder-than-expected increase, investors are increasingly betting on lower borrowing
The stocks featured in this article have all approached their 52-week highs.
When these price levels hit, it typically signals strong business execution, positive market sentiment, or significant industry tailwinds.
Economists and investors are increasingly sounding the alarm over the growing risk of "stagflation," a perilous economic phenomenon characterized by high inflation coupled with stagnant economic growth. At the heart of these concerns are the tariff policies enacted by former President Donald Trump, which many experts fear could simultaneously drive
Megacap stocks dominate their sectors and their actions influence economies worldwide.
The flip side though is that their sheer size means they have less room for explosive growth as scale works against them.
The United States stock market is currently a landscape of intriguing contrasts, with major indices exhibiting both robust performance and underlying volatility. The S&P 500 Index (SPX) is once again knocking on the door of a new record high, while the Nasdaq Composite (IXIC) has recently achieved multiple all-time
Wall Street experienced a day of divergent fortunes on Thursday, August 7, 2025, as the technology-heavy Nasdaq Composite surged to a new all-time high, signaling robust investor confidence in the tech sector's growth prospects. In stark contrast, the broader S&P 500 and the industrial-focused Dow Jones Industrial Average closed
Shares of construction equipment company Caterpillar (NYSE:CAT)
fell 3% in the afternoon session after an analyst at Morgan Stanley downgraded the stock to "Underweight" from "Equal-weight," citing concerns over the company's valuation and weakening fundamentals. The analyst warned the stock was "priced for perfection" amid deteriorating pricing trends and margin pressures, and cut the price target to $350. This downgrade followed the company's recent second-quarter earnings report, which missed analyst expectations. In that report, Caterpillar revealed its earnings per share fell 21% from the previous year, hurt by lower revenues and higher costs. The company's operating profit margin also dropped significantly compared to the same period last year.
This week, from August 4th to August 10th, 2025, marks a busy period in the second-quarter earnings season, with hundreds of companies across various sectors scheduled to report their financial results. These earnings calls are crucial events for investors, analysts, and the broader market, as they provide insights into corporate
A troubling confluence of recent economic data points has sent a shiver through financial markets, reigniting fears of "stagflation"—a dreaded economic scenario characterized by stagnant growth, high unemployment, and persistent inflation. The flat reading in the ISM Services index for July, a significantly weaker-than-expected jobs report, and a narrowing
In a move that has once again sent ripples through global trade, President Donald Trump has implemented a new round of U.S. tariffs, targeting a range of imported goods. While such significant policy shifts typically trigger sharp market volatility, Wall Street's immediate reaction has been notably muted, with major
President Trump's tariff policies continue to cast a long shadow over global trade, directly impacting corporate revenues and earnings reports across a multitude of industries. What began as a strategic move to rebalance trade deficits and bolster domestic manufacturing has evolved into a complex web of increased costs, supply chain
Global stock markets are currently navigating a turbulent and unpredictable landscape, characterized by pervasive volatility, escalating tariff concerns, a mosaic of mixed economic data, and persistent geopolitical risks. This confluence of factors has fostered a palpable sense of caution across major financial hubs, from the bustling trading floors of Wall
Wall Street is enduring a historically challenging August, with major U.S. indices experiencing significant declines and heightened volatility. This downturn is characterized by a confluence of factors, including persistent investor caution, uncertainty surrounding central bank policies, and escalating geopolitical risks. The immediate implications for investors are a heightened need
The latest corporate earnings season has sent ripples of concern through the financial markets, as several high-profile companies, including Walt Disney (NYSE: DIS), Advanced Micro Devices (NASDAQ: AMD), and Snap (NASDAQ: SNAP), have reported results that fell short of Wall Street's often-optimistic expectations. These misses are not isolated incidents but
The global financial landscape is increasingly feeling the squeeze of escalating trade tensions, with corporate earnings and broader market sentiment bearing the brunt of protectionist policies. US President Donald Trump's executive orders, imposing hefty tariffs on a range of imported goods, are sending ripple effects through supply chains, forcing companies
Caterpillar's stock price can crawl to new highs this year and next due to its capital return and the return to revenue growth forecasted by management.
