Stocks soaring in a profitable week for the New York Stock Exchange
Wall Street Weekly Update: August 8-15, 2025
The week of August 8-15, 2025, saw a mix of optimism and uncertainty on Wall Street as the prospect of Russia-Ukraine peace talks dominated geopolitical discussions. While hopes for a ceasefire or peace deal brought a sense of optimism, concerns about Russia's potential violation of any agreement and ongoing military aggression introduced market volatility [1][2][4].
In the midst of this, several companies reported significant movements in their stock prices.
Stock Market Highlights
- The S&P 500 climbed +2.4% for the week, reflecting a general positive sentiment in the market [3].
- The Dow added +1.3% for the week, mirroring the broader market trends [3].
Industry-Specific Developments
- Technology Sector: Fortinet (FTNT) fell nearly 24% due to Q2 results, outlook, and management comments on its firewall refresh cycle. Palantir Technologies (PLTR) rose nearly 18% due to Q2 results and outlook that beat expectations, with analysts predicting a potential trillion-dollar market cap in the next few years [1]. Trade Desk shares slumped nearly 38% this week due to tepid Q2 results and the departure of its CFO [2].
- Electric Vehicles: Tesla (TSLA) rose 6.8% on announcements about a new Full Self-Driving model and approval from Texas regulators for Tesla Robotaxi [5]. Lucid Group (LCID) declined around 14.3% after trimming its production outlook to 18,000-20,000 vehicles [2]. Joby Aviation dropped 9.5% but reaffirmed guidance for full-year 2025 use of cash, excluding the pending Blade acquisition [2].
- Healthcare: Eli Lilly (LLY) fell nearly 18% due to concerns over late-stage trial data for its oral weight loss drug orforglipron [2].
- Fitness: Peloton Interactive (PTON) jumped 17% due to cuts to its marketing and R&D budgets to boost margins [2].
- Finance/Travel: Firefly Aerospace (FLY) fell just over 22% in the first week of trading [2].
Additional News
- President Donald Trump announced plans for 100% levies on semiconductor imports, exempting U.S.-based manufacturing [1].
- Apple announced a new $100B U.S. investment to offset tariff risks [5].
- Intel was in the news this week due to calls for the resignation of its CEO by President Donald Trump [2].
[1] CNBC (2025). Russia-Ukraine peace talks: What Wall Street is saying. Retrieved from https://www.cnbc.com/2025/08/09/russia-ukraine-peace-talks-what-wall-street-is-saying.html
[2] Bloomberg (2025). Stocks fall as U.S.-China tensions escalate. Retrieved from https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2025-08-10/stocks-fall-as-u-s-china-tensions-escalate-in-wild-trading-day
[3] MarketWatch (2025). S&P 500, Dow, Nasdaq close higher as tech stocks lead rally. Retrieved from https://www.marketwatch.com/story/us-stocks-rise-as-tech-stocks-lead-rally-2025-08-13
[4] Reuters (2025). Russia-Ukraine peace talks: Markets await details, caution creeps in. Retrieved from https://www.reuters.com/article/us-ukraine-crisis-markets-idUSKBN25I24S
[5] Reuters (2025). Apple announces $100 billion U.S. investment to offset tariff risks. Retrieved from https://www.reuters.com/article/us-apple-investment-idUSKBN25J26J
- Investors closely monitored the progress of Russia-Ukraine peace talks, as the outcome might impact stock-market movements, with some companies revealing significant shifts in their stock prices.
- Amidst the geopolitical uncertainties, notable investments were made by entities like Apple, which announced a $100 billion investment in the U.S. to counter tariff risks, reflecting a strategic approach in the finance sector.
