Stock Market Update: Nasdaq, Dow, and S&P 500 Futures Climb Before Powell's Address at Jackson Hole—EpicQuest, Zoom, and Azitra Stocks Highlighted
Written by Emily J. Thompson, Senior Investment Analyst
Updated: Aug 22 2025
0mins
Source: Benzinga
U.S. Stock Futures Rise: Following declines on Thursday, U.S. stock futures increased, with major indices showing positive movement ahead of Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell's speech at the Jackson Hole Economic Policy Symposium.
Economic Indicators: Initial jobless claims rose to 235,000, while existing home sales increased by 2% in July. The S&P Global services PMI fell to 55.4, and manufacturing PMI rose to 53.3.
Market Reactions: Most sectors on the S&P 500 closed negatively, with notable losses in consumer discretionary and utilities. Walmart's shares dropped 4.5% after mixed quarterly results, while energy stocks performed better.
Fed's Future Actions: Analysts anticipate Powell's speech may clarify the Fed's stance on inflation and interest rates, with markets pricing a high likelihood of rate cuts in September. Wells Fargo suggests potential adjustments in investment strategies amid rising inflation and slowing growth.
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Analyst Views on INTU
Wall Street analysts forecast INTU stock price to rise
18 Analyst Rating
16 Buy
2 Hold
0 Sell
Strong Buy
Current: 272.140
Low
700.00
Averages
814.59
High
880.00
Current: 272.140
Low
700.00
Averages
814.59
High
880.00
About INTU
Intuit Inc. offers a financial technology platform that helps consumers and small and mid-market businesses prosper by delivering financial management, compliance, and marketing products and services. It also provides specialized tax products to accounting professionals. It helps small and mid-market businesses grow and run their business all in one place, including bookkeeping, getting paid, accessing capital, paying employees, getting and retaining customers, and managing their customer relationships. The Company's offerings include TTurboTax, Credit Karma, QuickBooks, Mailchimp, and Intuit Enterprise Suite. Lacerte, ProSeries, and ProConnect Tax Online are its tax preparation offerings for professional accountants. Its financial management includes payments and capital, compliance, human capital management, and marketing products and services. For accounting professionals, the Company provides professional tax and financial management products and services.
About the author
Emily J. Thompson
Emily J. Thompson, a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) with 12 years in investment research, graduated with honors from the Wharton School. Specializing in industrial and technology stocks, she provides in-depth analysis for Intellectia’s earnings and market brief reports.
US Stocks Close Lower as Chipmakers Weigh on Market
- Market Decline: On Tuesday, the S&P 500 index fell by 0.45%, the Dow Jones Industrial Average dropped by 0.25%, and the Nasdaq 100 index decreased by 1.77%, indicating a broader market decline under pressure from a selloff in chipmakers, reflecting investor concerns over high valuations.
- Samsung's Earnings Disappointment: Despite Samsung Electronics reporting a 19-fold profit surge, its stock plummeted over 8% in South Korea, suggesting market skepticism regarding the future profitability of the semiconductor sector, which could impact investor confidence in related companies.
- Geopolitical Risks Heightened: Crude oil prices surged to a 1.5-week high due to attacks on shipping in the Strait of Hormuz, raising inflation expectations and pushing bond yields higher, with the 10-year T-note yield reaching a 3.5-week high of 4.54%, adding uncertainty to the market.
- Strength in Software Stocks: Despite the overall market pressure, strong performance in software stocks indicates a rotation of funds into other sectors, with companies like Workday seeing stock price increases of over 4%, providing some support for the market.
See More
US Stocks Decline as Chipmakers Struggle
- Market Decline: The S&P 500 index fell by 0.67%, the Dow Jones Industrial Average by 0.38%, and the Nasdaq 100 by 2.14%, indicating a bearish market sentiment, particularly driven by a selloff in chipmakers.
- Samsung's Earnings Disappointment: Despite a staggering 19-fold profit increase, Samsung Electronics' stock dropped over 8% in South Korea, reflecting investor concerns over high valuations in the semiconductor sector, which could undermine overall market confidence.
- Rising Oil Prices: Following attacks in the Strait of Hormuz, WTI crude oil prices surged over 2%, raising inflation expectations and pushing bond yields higher, with the 10-year T-note yield reaching a 3.5-week high of 4.52%.
- Widening Trade Deficit: The US trade deficit for May expanded to $77.6 billion, the largest in 14 months, which may negatively impact Q2 GDP, adding to market uncertainties.
See More
Wall Street Analysts Bullish on Tech Stocks Outlook
- Strong Market Performance: The Dow Jones Industrial Average and S&P 500 have risen 10% this year, marking their best first-half performance since 2021, while the Nasdaq climbed 15%, reflecting strong investor confidence in tech stocks.
- Analysts Bullish on Oracle: Analysts expect Oracle's stock to surge nearly 80%, despite a 26% drop this year, with over two-thirds rating it a buy, indicating confidence in its potential in the AI sector.
- Intuit and CoStar Rebound Expectations: Intuit has an average upside of 76%, and 70% of analysts still rate it a buy despite a 57% drop this year; CoStar's price target implies a 62% upside, with 66% of analysts optimistic about its future performance, showcasing trust in its commercial real estate information platform.
- Investment Potential in Nvidia and Micron: Although Nvidia is up only 3% this year, 83% of analysts rate it a buy, forecasting a 60% upside; Micron has soared over 200% this year, with analysts expecting an additional 57% increase, reflecting optimism in the semiconductor industry.
See More
Mixed US Stock Performance, Chipmakers Under Pressure
- Divergent Market Performance: The S&P 500 Index is down 0.19% while the Dow Jones Industrial Average is up 0.04%, indicating a mixed market performance, particularly under pressure from chipmakers, which could affect investor confidence.
- Samsung's Earnings Miss Expectations: Despite a 19-fold surge in profits, Samsung Electronics' stock fell over 8% in South Korea, reflecting market concerns over high valuations in the semiconductor sector, potentially prompting investors to reassess their holdings in related stocks.
- Rising Crude Oil Prices: WTI crude oil prices increased by over 1% following attacks on shipping in the Strait of Hormuz, which not only raised inflation expectations but also pushed the 10-year T-note yield to a two-week high of 4.51%, potentially exerting further pressure on the stock market.
- Widening Trade Deficit: The US trade deficit widened to $77.6 billion in May, the largest in 14 months, which could negatively impact Q2 GDP, further exacerbating market uncertainties.
See More
US Stocks Show Mixed Movement, Led by Chipmakers
- Market Performance: The S&P 500 Index rose by 0.43% and the Nasdaq 100 Index increased by 1.17%, driven by strong performances from chipmakers and AI infrastructure stocks, reflecting heightened investor confidence in technology shares.
- Oil Price Impact: WTI crude oil prices fell by 0.5% as Saudi Arabia and the UAE ramped up shipments to near pre-war levels, which eased inflation expectations and led to a 2 basis point drop in the 10-year T-note yield to 4.46%, providing support for the bond market.
- Earnings Outlook: Bloomberg Intelligence forecasts a 23% increase in Q2 earnings, close to Q1's 30% growth, indicating that AI spending will be a major driver, expected to contribute nearly 60% to the S&P 500's earnings-per-share growth.
- International Market Dynamics: European stock markets are generally down, with Eurozone May retail sales rising 0.2% month-over-month, below the expected 0.3%, while German May factory orders increased by 1.9%, exceeding the expected 1.1%, indicating a mixed economic recovery.
See More
Microsoft Cuts 4,800 Jobs, Xbox Division Hit Hard
- Massive Job Cuts: Microsoft announced the elimination of 4,800 jobs, representing 2.1% of its workforce, with the Xbox division losing about 20% of its staff, highlighting the company's pressure to cut costs in the era of artificial intelligence.
- Xbox Division Restructuring: Xbox CEO Asha Sharma revealed that the Xbox division will cut 3,200 positions, with 1,600 roles being eliminated immediately on Monday, reflecting significant adjustments in the gaming business and challenges for future growth.
- Game Studios Spin-Off: Microsoft will spin off four gaming studios into independent entities, including Compulsion Games and Double Fine Productions, indicating a strategic shift in the gaming sector that may impact future game development and market competitiveness.
- AI's Impact on Work: While layoffs are linked to advancements in AI technology, Microsoft executives emphasize that AI is not directly replacing laid-off workers but changing how work is done, necessitating continuous skill development among employees, which is crucial for the company's long-term growth.
See More
US Stocks Close Lower as Chipmakers Weigh on Market
- Market Decline: On Tuesday, the S&P 500 index fell by 0.45%, the Dow Jones Industrial Average dropped by 0.25%, and the Nasdaq 100 index decreased by 1.77%, indicating a broader market decline under pressure from a selloff in chipmakers, reflecting investor concerns over high valuations.
- Samsung's Earnings Disappointment: Despite Samsung Electronics reporting a 19-fold profit surge, its stock plummeted over 8% in South Korea, suggesting market skepticism regarding the future profitability of the semiconductor sector, which could impact investor confidence in related companies.
- Geopolitical Risks Heightened: Crude oil prices surged to a 1.5-week high due to attacks on shipping in the Strait of Hormuz, raising inflation expectations and pushing bond yields higher, with the 10-year T-note yield reaching a 3.5-week high of 4.54%, adding uncertainty to the market.
- Strength in Software Stocks: Despite the overall market pressure, strong performance in software stocks indicates a rotation of funds into other sectors, with companies like Workday seeing stock price increases of over 4%, providing some support for the market.
See More
US Stocks Decline as Chipmakers Struggle
- Market Decline: The S&P 500 index fell by 0.67%, the Dow Jones Industrial Average by 0.38%, and the Nasdaq 100 by 2.14%, indicating a bearish market sentiment, particularly driven by a selloff in chipmakers.
- Samsung's Earnings Disappointment: Despite a staggering 19-fold profit increase, Samsung Electronics' stock dropped over 8% in South Korea, reflecting investor concerns over high valuations in the semiconductor sector, which could undermine overall market confidence.
- Rising Oil Prices: Following attacks in the Strait of Hormuz, WTI crude oil prices surged over 2%, raising inflation expectations and pushing bond yields higher, with the 10-year T-note yield reaching a 3.5-week high of 4.52%.
- Widening Trade Deficit: The US trade deficit for May expanded to $77.6 billion, the largest in 14 months, which may negatively impact Q2 GDP, adding to market uncertainties.
See More
Wall Street Analysts Bullish on Tech Stocks Outlook
- Strong Market Performance: The Dow Jones Industrial Average and S&P 500 have risen 10% this year, marking their best first-half performance since 2021, while the Nasdaq climbed 15%, reflecting strong investor confidence in tech stocks.
- Analysts Bullish on Oracle: Analysts expect Oracle's stock to surge nearly 80%, despite a 26% drop this year, with over two-thirds rating it a buy, indicating confidence in its potential in the AI sector.
- Intuit and CoStar Rebound Expectations: Intuit has an average upside of 76%, and 70% of analysts still rate it a buy despite a 57% drop this year; CoStar's price target implies a 62% upside, with 66% of analysts optimistic about its future performance, showcasing trust in its commercial real estate information platform.
- Investment Potential in Nvidia and Micron: Although Nvidia is up only 3% this year, 83% of analysts rate it a buy, forecasting a 60% upside; Micron has soared over 200% this year, with analysts expecting an additional 57% increase, reflecting optimism in the semiconductor industry.
See More
Mixed US Stock Performance, Chipmakers Under Pressure
- Divergent Market Performance: The S&P 500 Index is down 0.19% while the Dow Jones Industrial Average is up 0.04%, indicating a mixed market performance, particularly under pressure from chipmakers, which could affect investor confidence.
- Samsung's Earnings Miss Expectations: Despite a 19-fold surge in profits, Samsung Electronics' stock fell over 8% in South Korea, reflecting market concerns over high valuations in the semiconductor sector, potentially prompting investors to reassess their holdings in related stocks.
- Rising Crude Oil Prices: WTI crude oil prices increased by over 1% following attacks on shipping in the Strait of Hormuz, which not only raised inflation expectations but also pushed the 10-year T-note yield to a two-week high of 4.51%, potentially exerting further pressure on the stock market.
- Widening Trade Deficit: The US trade deficit widened to $77.6 billion in May, the largest in 14 months, which could negatively impact Q2 GDP, further exacerbating market uncertainties.
See More
US Stocks Show Mixed Movement, Led by Chipmakers
- Market Performance: The S&P 500 Index rose by 0.43% and the Nasdaq 100 Index increased by 1.17%, driven by strong performances from chipmakers and AI infrastructure stocks, reflecting heightened investor confidence in technology shares.
- Oil Price Impact: WTI crude oil prices fell by 0.5% as Saudi Arabia and the UAE ramped up shipments to near pre-war levels, which eased inflation expectations and led to a 2 basis point drop in the 10-year T-note yield to 4.46%, providing support for the bond market.
- Earnings Outlook: Bloomberg Intelligence forecasts a 23% increase in Q2 earnings, close to Q1's 30% growth, indicating that AI spending will be a major driver, expected to contribute nearly 60% to the S&P 500's earnings-per-share growth.
- International Market Dynamics: European stock markets are generally down, with Eurozone May retail sales rising 0.2% month-over-month, below the expected 0.3%, while German May factory orders increased by 1.9%, exceeding the expected 1.1%, indicating a mixed economic recovery.
See More
Microsoft Cuts 4,800 Jobs, Xbox Division Hit Hard
- Massive Job Cuts: Microsoft announced the elimination of 4,800 jobs, representing 2.1% of its workforce, with the Xbox division losing about 20% of its staff, highlighting the company's pressure to cut costs in the era of artificial intelligence.
- Xbox Division Restructuring: Xbox CEO Asha Sharma revealed that the Xbox division will cut 3,200 positions, with 1,600 roles being eliminated immediately on Monday, reflecting significant adjustments in the gaming business and challenges for future growth.
- Game Studios Spin-Off: Microsoft will spin off four gaming studios into independent entities, including Compulsion Games and Double Fine Productions, indicating a strategic shift in the gaming sector that may impact future game development and market competitiveness.
- AI's Impact on Work: While layoffs are linked to advancements in AI technology, Microsoft executives emphasize that AI is not directly replacing laid-off workers but changing how work is done, necessitating continuous skill development among employees, which is crucial for the company's long-term growth.
See More
