• Economy
  • Editor’s Pick
Money Rise Today – Investing and Stock News
  • Investing
  • Stock
Investing

Dow sinks over 400 points, S&P retreats from highs amid Walmart scare

by February 21, 2025
written by February 21, 2025

Stocks fell on Thursday, but losses were pared after an early sell-off.

The major averages remained in negative territory, though they recovered from their session lows.

The S&P 500 dropped as much as 1% in early trading but finished the day down 26.63 points, or 0.4%, at 19,962.36. The index had hit record highs in the past two sessions.

The Nasdaq also lost 93.89 points, or 0.5%, to close at 19,962.36 after falling as much as 1.3% earlier in the session.

The Dow saw a steeper decline, sliding 450.94 points, or 1.0%, to 44,176.65, dragged lower by a sharp sell-off in Walmart shares.

Walmart stock plunged 6.5% after the company posted strong fiscal fourth-quarter earnings but issued disappointing guidance for the current year.

Target and Costco each declined about 2%, following Walmart’s move, as concerns over the sustainability of earnings growth weighed on investor sentiment.

On the economic front, the Labor Department reported a modest rise in weekly jobless claims, with initial claims increasing to 219,000 from the previous week’s revised 214,000. Economists had expected 215,000 claims.

Big movers: Walmart, Palantir and Alibaba

Walmart shares fell about 6% as the retail giant projected slower profit growth despite continued sales strength.

While revenue and e-commerce sales saw solid gains, the company’s full-year earnings forecast of $2.50 to $2.60 per share fell short of analyst expectations of $2.76.

For the first quarter, Walmart guided for adjusted earnings per share between 57 and 58 cents, down from 60 cents a year ago.

The retailer expects net sales to rise 3% to 4% for the year, with a 1.5 percentage point headwind from its Vizio acquisition and the impact of 2024’s leap year.

Palantir shares extended their sharp sell-off, dropping around 6% on Thursday following a 10% decline on Wednesday—its worst trading day since May.

The stock had recently hit an all-time high before reversing sharply.

The decline came after reports that U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has instructed Pentagon officials to prepare for 8% annual budget cuts over the next five years, raising concerns over government contracts for defense tech firms like Palantir.

Additionally, investor sentiment was dampened by news that CEO Alex Karp plans to sell up to 10 million shares over the next six months.

Alibaba posted strong earnings for the December quarter, with profit reaching 48.9 billion yuan ($6.7 billion), driven by growth in its international e-commerce business and AI expansion.

Revenue rose 8% year-over-year to $38.38 billion, beating analyst expectations of $38.23 billion.

Adjusted earnings per share came in at $2.93, above market forecasts of $2.67. CEO Eddie Wu highlighted the company’s progress on its “user-first, AI-driven” strategies and the re-acceleration of core business growth.

Alibaba shares surged 8% Thursday, adding to a more than 45% gain on both the New York and Hong Kong exchanges since the start of the year.

Microsoft’s chip supercharges quantum computing stocks

Microsoft announced a major advancement in quantum computing with the unveiling of its Majorana 1 chip, driving shares of quantum computing companies higher on Thursday.

The breakthrough, part of Microsoft’s 17-year research effort, aims to accelerate the development of large-scale quantum computers.

Following the announcement, shares of quantum computing companies gained, with D-Wave Quantum rising 13%, Rigetti Computing up 3.99%, and Quantum Computing advancing 3.60%.

The post Dow sinks over 400 points, S&P retreats from highs amid Walmart scare appeared first on Invezz

0 comment
0
FacebookTwitterPinterestEmail

previous post
Asia-Pacific markets mixed as Japan inflation data, Trump tariff threats weigh on sentiment
next post
Franklin Templeton rolls out “EZPZ” Bitcoin and Ether ETF

related articles

Asian markets open: Nikkei, Hang Seng fall on...

June 12, 2025

Aluminum and steel tariffs spark rise in secondary...

June 12, 2025

Airbus sees aviation boom ahead, global fleet to...

June 12, 2025

US-China trade talks and Washington’s decade-long effort to...

June 12, 2025

Europe markets open: Stoxx 600 dips as UK...

June 12, 2025

UK GDP falls by 0.3% in April as...

June 12, 2025

Gordon Brothers buys Poundland; pledges £80 mn for...

June 12, 2025

Air India plane crash: London-bound flight with 242...

June 12, 2025

Air India plane crash live update: Indian President...

June 12, 2025

Copper remains supported for now even as China...

June 12, 2025
Enter Your Information Below To Receive Free Trading Ideas, Latest News, And Articles.


Your information is secure and your privacy is protected. By opting in you agree to receive emails from us. Remember that you can opt-out any time, we hate spam too!

Latest News

  • Pepsi reports weakness in snacks segment as stock slides

    July 11, 2024
  • VP Harris ripped by victim of illegal immigrant released under her program over resurfaced speech

    October 10, 2024
  • New tech-focused MAHA initiatives will usher in ‘new era of convenience,’ improve health outcomes, Trump says

    July 30, 2025
  • ‘All the options’: GOP eyes cutting August recess to move dozens of Trump nominees stalled by Dems

    July 21, 2025
  • ApeCoin and Akita Inu: Daily Targets and Prices

    October 2, 2024

Popular Posts

  • 1

    Secret Service admits leaning on ‘state and local partners’ after claim it ignored Trump team’s past requests

    July 21, 2024
  • 2

    Five more House Democrats call on Biden to drop out, third US senator

    July 19, 2024
  • 3

    Elon and Vivek should tackle US funding for this boondoogle organization and score a multimillion dollar win

    December 4, 2024
  • 4

    Forex Profit Calculator: Maximize Your Trading Potential

    July 10, 2024
  • 5

    Biden calls to ‘lower the temperature’ then bashes Trump in NAACP speech

    July 17, 2024

Categories

  • Economy (829)
  • Editor's Pick (5,602)
  • Investing (634)
  • Stock (867)

Latest Posts

  • White House pulls nomination of David Weldon as CDC director

    March 13, 2025
  • JD Vance gears up to talk economic priorities during trips to Italy, India

    April 16, 2025
  • An interest rate cut is coming. Here’s what to do with your money beforehand.

    August 10, 2024

Recent Posts

  • Trump-pardoned real estate mogul Charles Kushner up for key diplomatic post

    May 19, 2025
  • Starbucks to lay off 1,100 corporate workers as sales sag

    February 24, 2025
  • Trump nominates pair to help lead DOJ, announces Federal Railroad Administration pick

    December 21, 2024

Editor’s Pick

  • Senate Dems race to confirm Biden judges ahead of Trump’s presidency

    November 15, 2024
  • Vulnerable House Dem dodges question on VP Harris’ record as ‘border czar’: ‘Don’t know who Kamala Harris is’

    July 24, 2024
  • Copper remains supported for now even as China optimism fades

    June 12, 2025
  • About us
  • Contacts
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms & Conditions

Disclaimer: moneyrisetoday.com, its managers, its employees, and assigns (collectively “The Company”) do not make any guarantee or warranty about what is advertised above. Information provided by this website is for research purposes only and should not be considered as personalized financial advice. The Company is not affiliated with, nor does it receive compensation from, any specific security. The Company is not registered or licensed by any governing body in any jurisdiction to give investing advice or provide investment recommendation. Any investments recommended here should be taken into consideration only after consulting with your investment advisor and after reviewing the prospectus or financial statements of the company.

Copyright © 2025 moneyrisetoday.com | All Rights Reserved

Money Rise Today – Investing and Stock News
  • Economy
  • Editor’s Pick
Money Rise Today – Investing and Stock News
  • Investing
  • Stock