SPDR Select Sector Fund - Technology (ARCA: XLK)

SPDR Select Sector Fund - Technology (ARCA:XLK), Quote.Headers.trade-ideas

SPDR Select Sector Fund - Technology

Technology

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Consumer Cyclical

Industrials

Real Estate

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Other

Energy

Consumer Defensive

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Basic Materials

In seeking to track the performance of the index, the fund employs a replication strategy, which means that the fund typically invests in substantially all of the securities represented in the index in approximately the same proportions as the index. It generally invests substantially all, but at least 95%, of its total assets in the securities comprising the index. The fund is non-diversified.

Microsoft Corp

Nvidia Corp.

Apple Inc

Broadcom Inc

Salesforce Inc.

Adobe Inc

Advanced Micro Devices Inc.

Oracle Corp.

Accenture Plc

Qualcomm Inc.

The Technology Select Sector SPDR Fund

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Equities

Large Cap

Macro Economic Events

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$BTC

SPDR Dow Jones Industrial Average ETF Trust

Friday was a lackluster session on Wall Street, with major U.S. averages lingering in negative territory at midday trading in New York.

Wall Street Falls On Triple Witching Day, Fed&#39;s Waller Pushes Gold To Fresh Record Highs, FedEx Plummets: What&#39;s Driving Markets Friday?

Wall-Street-dall

Coverage of Bitcoin, Etherum, Ripple and all the latest digital currencies.

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NVDA

iShares PHLX SOX Semiconductor Sector Index Fund

SOXX

TSLA

Wall Street is in full risk-on mode following the Federal Reserve’s landmark decision to slash interest rates by 50 basis points, signaling further cuts as inflation approaches the central bank’s target.

Wall Street Breaks Records, Chipmakers Rally, Tesla Hits 2-Month High As Fed Cut Drives Risk-On Mode: What&#39;s Driving Markets Thursday?

Jerome Powell Wall Street

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Tech

PowerShares DB US Dollar Index Bullish Fund

Wall Street reacted with unease to Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell‘s remarks following a landmark decision to cut the federal funds rate by 50 basis points, bringing it down to a target range of 4.75% to 5%

Powell&#39;s Hawkish Tone Tempers Market Excitement After Historic 50-Basis-Point Interest Rate Cut, Economist Sees &#39;Welcome News For Credit-Sensitive Sectors&#39;

INVESCO TECHNOLOG S&P US SECTOR  ETF

Friday was a lackluster session on Wall Street, with major U.S. averages lingering in negative territory at midday trading in New York. This session coincided with the simultaneous expiration of a large volume of options and futures contracts, commonly referred <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/analyst-ratings/analyst-color/24/09/40959748/exclusive-options-expert-warns-of-terrible-week-after-fridays-triple-witching">to as &#8220;triple witching.&#8221;</a>
However, rather than a sharp spike in volatility, stocks edged only slightly lower, failing to trigger a rise in the CBOE Volatility Index (VIX).
Investor sentiment remained defensive, with 10 out of 11 sectors of the S&amp;P 500 falling, while utilities were the only sector to post a positive performance.
Dovish remarks from Federal Reserve Governor Christopher Waller indicated that he expects &#8220;very low&#8221; August Personal Consumption Expenditure (PCE) data. 
Waller also hinted at the possibility of a 25 basis point rate cut in the next meeting or two if the data continues to come in as expected, with a stronger size of cut if the labor market weakens and inflation softens more rapidly.
Waller's comments sent gold surging past $2,600 per ounce, marking new all-time highs.
Meanwhile, Bitcoin (CRYPTO: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/btc/usd">BTC</a>) remained stable at $63,000.
<h1 class="wp-block-heading">Friday&#8217;s Performance In Major U.S. Indices, ETFs</h1>
<figure class="wp-block-table is-style-stripes"> 
<table>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>Major Indices</td>
<td>Price</td>
<td>Chg (1-day %)</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Dow Jones</td>
<td>42,015.17</td>
<td>0.0%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>S&amp;P 500</td>
<td>5,700.41</td>
<td>-0.2%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Nasdaq 100</td>
<td>19,771.36</td>
<td>-0.3%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Russell 2000</td>
<td>2,237.55</td>
<td> -0.7%</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Updated at 12:30 p.m. ET</figcaption></figure>
According to <a href="https://bzresearch.myclickfunnels.com/benzinga-pro-content-webinar-registration/?utm_source=BZprocontent092024&amp;t=be2bearmibe3na1">Benzinga Pro </a>data: 
<ul>
<li>The&nbsp;SPDR S&amp;P 500 ETF Trust&nbsp;(NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/SPY#NYSE">SPY</a>)&nbsp;was 0.5% lower to $567.92.</li>
<li>The&nbsp;SPDR Dow Jones Industrial Average&nbsp;(NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/DIA#NYSE">DIA</a>)&nbsp;edged 0.2% down to $420.43.</li>
<li>The tech-heavy Invesco QQQ Trust Series (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/QQQ#NASDAQ">QQQ</a>) fell 0.3% to $481.96.</li>
<li>The iShares Russell 2000 ETF (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/IWM#NYSE">IWM</a>) fell 0.7% to $222.50.</li>
<li>The Utilities Select Sector SPDR Fund (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/XLU#NYSE">XLU</a>) outperformed, up 2.1%. The Industrials Select Sector SPDR Fund (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/XLI#NYSE">XLI</a>) lagged, down 0.7%.</li>
</ul>
<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Friday&#8217;s Stock Movers</h3>
<ul>
<li>FedEx Corp. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/FDX#NYSE">FDX</a>) tumbled 13.6% on dismal quarterly earnings. </li>
<li>Lennar Corp. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/LEN#NYSE">LEN</a>) also reacted to earnings, falling over 4%. </li>
<li>Nike Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/NKE#NYSE">NKE</a>) rose over 6%, following the company&#8217;s appointment of Elliot Hill as the new CEO.</li>
</ul>
Read Now:
<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/etfs/broad-u-s-equity-etfs/24/09/40960886/palantir-dell-to-join-s-p-500-friday-heres-how-tesla-stock-has-performed-since-its-add">Palantir, Dell To Join S&amp;P 500 Friday: Here&#8217;s How Tesla Stock Has Performed Since Its Addition In 2020</a></li>
</ul>
Wall Street illustration created using artificial intelligence via MidJourney.

Wall Street Falls On Triple Witching Day, Fed's Waller Pushes Gold To Fresh Record Highs, FedEx Plummets: What's Driving Markets Friday?

Wall Street is in full risk-on mode following the Federal Reserve&#8217;s landmark decision to slash interest rates by 50 basis points, signaling further cuts as inflation approaches <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/analyst-ratings/analyst-color/24/09/40938732/wall-street-ramps-up-interest-rate-cut-bets-after-fed-meeting-the-hard-landing-crow">the central bank&#8217;s target.</a>
The S&amp;P 500 and Dow Jones both set fresh record highs during the morning session in New York, buoyed by strong performances from the Magnificent Seven tech giants.
By midday, these elite tech stocks added over $500 billion in market value, boosting their combined market capitalization to $15.9 trillion.
Tesla Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/TSLA#NASDAQ">TSLA</a>) led the rally, surging nearly 7% and hitting a two-month peak, while NVIDIA Corp. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/NVDA#NASDAQ">NVDA</a>) climbed 5%, driving the semiconductor sector higher.
The iShares Semiconductor ETF (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/SOXX#NASDAQ">SOXX</a>) jumped 4.6%, fully erasing its losses from September.
The Nasdaq 100 rose 2.9%, on pace for its strongest session in over a month and outperforming other major indices. Small caps joined the rally, with the Russell 2000 index surging 2%.
Commodities rallied across the board: Gold, silver, and copper increased by 1.2%, 3.8%, and 1.8%, respectively. Oil prices, tracked by the United States Oil Fund (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/USO#NYSE">USO</a>), spiked over 3%.
The bullish sentiment extended to cryptocurrencies, with Bitcoin (CRYPTO: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/btc/usd">BTC</a>) rising over 2%, poised to close at its highest level since late August.
<h1 class="wp-block-heading">Thursday&#8217;s Performance In Major U.S. Indices, ETFs</h1>
<figure class="wp-block-table is-style-stripes"> 
<table>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>Major Indices </td>
<td>Price</td>
<td>1-day %chg</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Nasdaq 100</td>
<td>19,905.70</td>
<td>2.9%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Russell 2000</td>
<td>2,249.90</td>
<td>2.0%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>S&amp;P 500</td>
<td>5,720.74</td>
<td>1.8%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Dow Jones</td>
<td>42,002.90</td>
<td>1.2%</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Updated at 12:25 p.m. ET</figcaption></figure>
According to <a href="https://bzresearch.myclickfunnels.com/benzinga-pro-content-webinar-registration/?utm_source=BZprocontent091924&amp;t=be2bearmibe3na1">Benzinga Pro</a> data:
<ul>
<li>The&nbsp;SPDR S&amp;P 500 ETF Trust&nbsp;(NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/SPY#NYSE">SPY</a>)&nbsp;was 1.8% higher to $571.52.</li>
<li>The&nbsp;SPDR Dow Jones Industrial Average&nbsp;(NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/DIA#NYSE">DIA</a>)&nbsp;rose 1.2% to $421.23.</li>
<li>The tech-heavy Invesco QQQ Trust Series (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/QQQ#NASDAQ">QQQ</a>) rallied 2.8% to $484.99.</li>
<li>The iShares Russell 2000 ETF (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/IWM#NYSE">IWM</a>) rose 1.9% to $223.63.</li>
<li>The Technology Select Sector SPDR Fund (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/XLK#NYSE">XLK</a>) outperformed, up 0.2%. The Utilities Select Sector SPDR Fund (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/XLU#NYSE">XLU</a>) lagged, down 0.9%.</li>
</ul>
<h1 class="wp-block-heading">Thursday&#8217;s Stock Movers</h1>
<ul>
<li>Darden Restaurants Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/DRI#NYSE">DRI</a>) soared 9%, in response to its quarterly earnings and bullish outlook for upcoming quarters. </li>
<li>Also reacting to earnings reports was FactSet Research Systems Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/FDS#NYSE">FDS</a>) up 5%.</li>
<li>Companies expected to report earnings after the close include FedEx Corp. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/FDX#NYSE">FDX</a>) and Lennar Corp. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/LEN#NYSE">LEN</a>).</li>
</ul>
Read Next: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/analyst-ratings/analyst-color/24/09/40937291/bank-stocks-hit-inflection-point-after-feds-50-basis-point-cut-analyst-reveal-top-p">• Bank Stocks Hit Inflection Point After Fed&#8217;s 50 Basis Point Cut, Analyst Reveals Top Picks</a> Images was created using artificial intelligence DALL-E

Wall Street Breaks Records, Chipmakers Rally, Tesla Hits 2-Month High As Fed Cut Drives Risk-On Mode: What's Driving Markets Thursday?

Wall Street reacted with unease to Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell&#8216;s remarks following a landmark decision to cut the federal funds rate by 50 basis points, bringing it down to a target range <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/economics/macro-economic-events/24/09/40927293/powell-defends-0-5-interest-rate-drop-as-right-thing-for-the-economy-doubles-down">of 4.75% to 5%. </a>
The Federal Reserve&#8217;s highly anticipated dot plot, which outlines each policymaker&#8217;s rate path preference, indicated that policymakers <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/economics/macro-economic-events/24/09/40926026/federal-reserve-delivers-bold-0-5-rate-cut-signals-further-easing-ahead">anticipate further easing ahead</a>. The dot plot signaled that the Fed is likely to cut rates by a quarter percentage point at each of the next two decisions. Looking further ahead, it suggests an additional rate reduction of at least another percentage point in 2025.
Despite the initial market euphoria following the 50-basis-point rate cut, Powell&#8217;s cautious remarks on the future rate path have injected uncertainty into the markets.
See Also: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/etfs/broad-u-s-equity-etfs/24/09/40928301/interest-rates-in-free-fall-what-it-means-for-mortgages-credit-cards-and-your-wallet-a">Interest Rates In Free-Fall &#8211; What It Means For Mortgages, Credit Cards And Your Wallet As The Federal Reserve Springs Into Action For First Time In 4 Years</a>
<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Market Response To Rate Cut, Powell&#8217;s Remarks</h3>
Initially, the S&amp;P 500, tracked by the SPDR S&amp;P 500 ETF Trust (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/SPY#NYSE">SPY</a>), surged to record highs. Gold prices, represented by the SPDR Gold Trust (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/GLD#NYSE">GLD</a>), also hit all-time highs as the U.S. dollar weakened.
Interest-rate sensitive stocks were the largest gainers between 2 p.m. and 2:35 p.m. ET, with small caps outperforming large-cap counterparts.
Yet, Powell&#8217;s cautionary comments during the press conference caused a reversal in market sentiment.
Here&#8217;s how major asset classes closed on the Fed&#8217;s decision day:
<ul>
<li>The U.S. dollar, which many believed would plummet in a 50-basis-point cut scenario, instead recouped its losses and rallied to weekly highs. The Invesco DB USD Index Bullish Fund ETF (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/UUP#NYSE">UUP</a>) closed 0.1% higher.</li>
<li>U.S. large-cap indices all ended the day in the red, paring back gains made immediately after the rate decision. The S&amp;P 500 finished 0.3% lower, while the Nasdaq 100, tracked by the Invesco QQQ Trust (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/QQQ#NASDAQ">QQQ</a>), declined by 0.4%.</li>
<li>Small caps managed to close unchanged for the day, but they still gave back all their post-rate-cut gains.</li>
<li>Sector-wise, the Energy Select Sector SPDR Fund (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/XLE#NYSE">XLE</a>) was the only sector to close in positive territory, up 0.2%. </li>
<li>The worst performer was the Technology Select Sector SPDR Fund (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/XLK#NYSE">XLK</a>), which fell 1%.</li>
<li>Gold dropped 0.4% to $2,555 per ounce, hitting levels last seen on Thursday of the previous week.</li>
<li>Silver and oil also saw robust declines, closing 2.1% and 1.2% lower, respectively.</li>
<li>Bitcoin (CRYPTO: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/btc/usd">BTC</a>) fell 1.1% to $59,717.</li>
</ul>
<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Powell&#8217;s Caution Stirs Investor Uncertainty</h3>
While defending the 50-basis-point rate cut, Powell tempered market enthusiasm, emphasizing that such a cut should not be seen as a new norm. His key statements on Wednesday included:
<ul>
<li>&#8220;No one should look at today and think this is the new pace.&#8221;</li>
<li>&#8220;We can go quicker or slower, or pause, on rate cuts if it is appropriate.&#8221;</li>
<li>&#8220;There is nothing in our projections that suggest we are in a rush.&#8221;</li>
<li>&#8220;If the economy remains solid and inflation persists, we can dial back policy restraint more slowly.&#8221;</li>
</ul>
These comments signaled a more cautious approach to future rate cuts, disappointing investors who had hoped for a more aggressive easing cycle.
<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Economist Insights</h3>
<ul>
<li>Jeffrey Roach, LPL Financial: &#8220;We learned from today's Summary of Economic Projections (SEP) that the Fed is interested in getting to a neutral fed funds rate as quickly as possible.&#8221;</li>
<li>John Lynch, Comerica Wealth Management: &#8220;The Fed was more aggressive than I expected, since 50 basis point cuts are historically associated with crises. I don't consider 2% GDP, 4.2% unemployment rate, and 15% profit growth forecasts for 2025 as a crisis.&#8221;</li>
<li>Bill Adams, Comerica Bank: &#8220;With the Fed pivoting, interest rates will be substantially lower over the next six to twelve months. That is very welcome news for credit-sensitive sectors of the economy like housing, manufacturing, and retailers of cars and other big-ticket consumer products.&#8221;</li>
<li>Chris Zaccarelli, Independent Advisor Alliance: &#8220;Lowering interest rates now should allow the market to hit all-time highs again by the end of this year, and more gains for next year.&#8221;</li>
</ul>
Read Next:
<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/equities/24/09/40923390/20-s-p-500-stocks-that-move-the-most-when-the-fed-starts-cutting-interest-rates">20 S&amp;P 500 Stocks That Move The Most When The Fed Starts Cutting Interest Rates</a></li>
</ul>
Photo courtesy of the Federal Reserve.

Powell's Hawkish Tone Tempers Market Excitement After Historic 50-Basis-Point Interest Rate Cut, Economist Sees 'Welcome News For Credit-Sensitive Sectors'

Wall Street is jittery hours before the highly anticipated Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) meeting, with all major indices posting modest losses by midday in New York. While a Federal Reserve rate cut is considered a done deal, the market remains divided on the <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/analyst-ratings/analyst-color/24/09/40921827/fed-decision-is-here-5-things-investors-need-to-know-ahead-of-wednesdays-pivotal-in">magnitude of the cut. </a>
Current implied probabilities show a 60% chance of a 50-basis-point reduction, while a smaller 25-basis-point cut has lately gained traction, rising to 40% odds, as per CME FedWatch.
The growing expectation of a smaller cut has pushed Treasury yields higher across the curve, reflecting a shift in market sentiment.
Amid this uncertainty, the CBOE Volatility Index (VIX), often seen as the market&#8217;s fear gauge, spiked 8%, signaling heightened investor anxiety.
The U.S. dollar steadied, recovering from overnight losses. Commodities retreated, with oil prices down 0.9%, despite a fresh escalation of tensions in the Middle East, and silver slipping 1%. Gold remained flat.
In the cryptocurrency market, Bitcoin (CRYPTO: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/btc/usd">BTC</a>) declined 1.5%, dipping below the $60,000 mark after a 3.6% rally on Tuesday.
<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Wednesday&#8217;s Performance In Major U.S. Indices, ETFs</h3>
<figure class="wp-block-table is-style-stripes"> 
<table>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>Major Indices</td>
<td>Price</td>
<td>1-day chg %</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>S&amp;P 500</td>
<td>5,622.28</td>
<td>-0.2%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Dow Jones</td>
<td>41,482.17</td>
<td>-0.3%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Nasdaq 100</td>
<td>19,369.89</td>
<td>-0.3%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Russell 2000</td>
<td>2,201.42</td>
<td>-0.5%</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Updated at 12:05 p.m. ET</figcaption></figure>
According to <a href="https://bzresearch.myclickfunnels.com/benzinga-pro-content-webinar-registration/?utm_source=BZprocontent091824&amp;t=be2bearmibe3na1">Benzinga Pro</a> data: 
<ul>
<li>The&nbsp;SPDR S&amp;P 500 ETF Trust&nbsp;(NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/SPY#NYSE">SPY</a>)&nbsp;was 0.3% lower to $561.44.</li>
<li>The&nbsp;SPDR Dow Jones Industrial Average&nbsp;(NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/DIA#NYSE">DIA</a>)&nbsp;fell 0.3% to $416.11.</li>
<li>The tech-heavy Invesco QQQ Trust Series (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/QQQ#NASDAQ">QQQ</a>) fell 0.4% to $471.53.</li>
<li>The iShares Russell 2000 ETF (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/IWM#NYSE">IWM</a>) eased 0.5% to $218.40.</li>
<li>The Energy Select Sector SPDR Fund (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/XLE#NYSE">XLE</a>) outperformed, up 0.2%. The Technology Select Sector SPDR Fund (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/XLK#NYSE">XLK</a>) lagged, down 0.8%.</li>
</ul>
<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Wednesday&#8217;s Stock Movers</h3>
<ul>
<li>ResMed Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/RMD#NYSE">RMD</a>) fell over 5% after Wolfe Research cut the stock rating from &#8216;Peer Perform&#8217; to &#8216;Underperform.&#8217;</li>
<li>General Motors Co.(NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/GM#NYSE">GM</a>) shares surged over 2% on Wednesday following the announcement that its electric vehicle customers will soon be able to access Tesla Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/TSLA#NASDAQ">TSLA</a>)&#8217;s Supercharger network using a GM-approved adapter.</li>
</ul>
Read Next:
<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/equities/24/09/40923390/20-s-p-500-stocks-that-move-the-most-when-the-fed-starts-cutting-interest-rates">20 S&amp;P 500 Stocks That Move The Most When The Fed Starts Cutting Interest Rates</a></li>
</ul>
Image created using artificial intelligence via Midjourney.

Stocks Edge Lower As Fed Rate Decision Looms, Treasury Yields Rise As Odds Improve For Smaller Cut: What's Driving Markets Wednesday?

Wall Street experienced a slightly positive session Tuesday, supported by investor optimism as the Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) kicked off its two-day meeting, expected to deliver the first interest rate cut in over <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/analyst-ratings/analyst-color/24/09/40878710/investors-bet-on-50-basis-point-rate-cut-wall-street-analysts-urge-caution-this-is-">four years on Wednesday.</a>
The session&#8217;s notable performers were small caps, with the Russell 2000 index surging about 1.3%, targeting its highest close since early August and outperforming larger-cap indices.
Among industries, solar, clean energy and regional banks led gains as traders eyed pockets of the markets that would benefit from lower interest rates.
On the macro front, August retail sales provided an upside surprise, growing by 0.1% month-over-month compared to <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/econ-s/24/09/40902634/retail-spending-remains-on-solid-footing-but-fed-must-weigh-rate-cuts-impact-on-workers-says-economi">the expected 0.2% decline</a>. This stronger-than-anticipated data slightly reduced the likelihood of a more aggressive 50-basis-point rate cut, with market-implied probabilities for such a move slipping from 67% to 63%, according to the CME FedWatch Tool.
Short-dated Treasury yields rose as expectations for a substantial rate cut moderated. Meanwhile, the dollar strengthened, gaining 0.2%. 
In the commodities market, gold retreated 0.7% from Monday&#8217;s record-high close. Oil prices increased by 1.3% following escalating geopolitical tensions in the Middle East.
Reports indicate a<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/etfs/specialty-etfs/24/09/40903888/simultaneous-pager-explosions-across-lebanon-leave-over-1-000-hezbollah-militants-wounded"> coordinated attack in Lebanon</a> led to thousands of pagers linked to Hezbollah militants being detonated, resulting in numerous casualties within the Iran-backed organization.
Additionally, Iran&#8217;s ambassador to Lebanon is reportedly injured, though the official responsibility for the attack remains unclaimed.
Bitcoin (CRYPTO: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/btc/usd">BTC</a>) jumped over 4%, buoyed by positive ETF inflows, signaling renewed investor interest in the digital asset space as interest rates shift. 
<h1 class="wp-block-heading">Tuesday&#8217;s Performance In Major US Indices, ETFs</h1>
<figure class="wp-block-table is-style-stripes"> 
<table>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>Major Indices</td>
<td>Price</td>
<td>1-day %chg</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Russell 2000</td>
<td>2,220.44</td>
<td>1.3%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>S&amp;P 500</td>
<td>5,642.79</td>
<td>0.2%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Nasdaq 100</td>
<td>19,441.83</td>
<td>0.1%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Dow Jones</td>
<td>41,636.05</td>
<td>0.0%</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Updated at 12:38 p.m. ET</figcaption></figure>
According to <a href="https://bzresearch.myclickfunnels.com/benzinga-pro-content-webinar-registration/?utm_source=BZprocontent091724&amp;t=be2bearmibe3na1">Benzinga Pro</a> platform:
<ul>
<li>The&nbsp;SPDR S&amp;P 500 ETF Trust&nbsp;(NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/SPY#NYSE">SPY</a>)&nbsp;was 0.1% higher to $563.44.</li>
<li>The&nbsp;SPDR Dow Jones Industrial Average&nbsp;(NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/DIA#NYSE">DIA</a>)&nbsp;inched 0.1% up to $417.61.</li>
<li>The tech-heavy Invesco QQQ Trust Series (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/QQQ#NASDAQ">QQQ</a>) also rose 0.1% to $473.60.</li>
<li>The iShares Russell 2000 ETF (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/IWM#NYSE">IWM</a>) rose 1.2% to $220.28.</li>
<li>The Energy Select Sector SPDR Fund (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/XLE#NYSE">XLE</a>) outperformed, up 1.2%. The Health Care Select Sector SPDR Fund (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/XLV#NYSE">XLV</a>) lagged, down 0.9%.</li>
</ul>
<h1 class="wp-block-heading">Tuesday&#8217;s Stock Movers</h1>
<ul>
<li>Moderna Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/MRNA#NASDAQ">MRNA</a>) surged over 6% after receiving approval from Health Canada for its updated SPIKEVAX COVID-19 vaccine, designed to target the KP.2 sub-lineage of SARS-CoV-2 in individuals aged six months and older.</li>
<li>GE Vernova Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/GEV#NYSE">GEV</a>) climbed 3.5% following an upgrade from Bank of America, which raised its rating on the stock from Neutral to Buy and increased the price target from $200 to $300.</li>
<li>Hewlett Packard Enterprise Co (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/HPE#NYSE">HPE</a>) advanced nearly 5% after Bank of America also upgraded its rating from Neutral to Buy and boosted the price target from $21 to $24.</li>
</ul>
Read Now:
<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/trading-ideas/technicals/24/09/40904599/stock-of-the-day-will-apple-bring-the-market-down">Stock Of The Day: Will Apple Bring The Market Down?</a></li>
</ul>
The image was created using artificial intelligence MidJourney.

Mid Cap

Retail Sales

Small Cap

MRNA

Small Caps, Bitcoin Rally As Traders Await Fed Rate Cut; Treasury Yields, US Dollar Tick Up On Strong Retail Sales: What's Driving Markets Tuesday?

Tech stocks kicked off the week on the negative note, driven lower by concerns over weaker-than-expected demand for Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/AAPL#NASDAQ">AAPL</a>)&#8217;s <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/24/09/40882969/iphone-16-pro-demand-lags-longer-wait-times-globally-china-shows-smaller-gap-analyst">latest iPhone 16 models</a>. 
Shares of Apple tumbled over 3% by midday in New York, heading for their worst session in more than a month. The sell-off in Apple spilled over to chip stocks, with Arm Holdings plc (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/ARM#NASDAQ">ARM</a>) plunging more than 5%.
The broader semiconductor sector, tracked by the iShares Semiconductor ETF (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/SOXX#NASDAQ">SOXX</a>), declined by 2.2%, reflecting widespread apprehension in the industry.
Elsewhere in the market, the S&amp;P 500 edged lower, while the Dow Jones and the Russell 2000 managed to buck the trend, posting modest gains for the day.
Bonds outperformed equities as Treasury yields dropped amid growing expectations of Federal Reserve rate cuts. 
Over the weekend, investor sentiment shifted toward an interest rate cut for the upcoming Sept. 18 meeting, with markets now pricing in a 60% probability of a <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/analyst-ratings/analyst-color/24/09/40883023/how-second-tier-economic-data-tuesday-could-sway-the-feds-rate-decision-it-will-be-">larger 50-basis-point rate cut.</a>
Gold prices extended their gains, rising 0.3% to reach new record highs, marking the third consecutive session of increases. In the energy market, oil prices climbed 0.7%, and natural gas prices surged 4% on a more optimistic demand outlook.
Bitcoin (CRYPTO: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/btc/usd">BTC</a>) wasn&#8217;t spared from the sell-off in tech stocks, falling 2.5%.
<h1 class="wp-block-heading">Monday&#8217;s Performance In Major U.S. Indices, ETFs</h1>
<figure class="wp-block-table is-style-stripes"> 
<table>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>Major Indices</td>
<td>Price</td>
<td>1-day %chg</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Dow Jones</td>
<td>41,490.08</td>
<td>0.2%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Russell 2000</td>
<td>2,192.30</td>
<td>0.2%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>S&amp;P 500</td>
<td>5,621.31</td>
<td>-0.1%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Nasdaq 100</td>
<td>19,377.78</td>
<td>-0.7%</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Updated at 1:15 p.m. ET</figcaption></figure>
According to Benzinga Pro data:
<ul>
<li>The&nbsp;SPDR S&amp;P 500 ETF Trust&nbsp;(NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/SPY#NYSE">SPY</a>)&nbsp;was 0.1% lower to $561.66.</li>
<li>The&nbsp;SPDR Dow Jones Industrial Average&nbsp;(NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/DIA#NYSE">DIA</a>)&nbsp;rose 0.4% to $416.43.</li>
<li>The tech-heavy Invesco QQQ Trust Series (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/QQQ#NASDAQ">QQQ</a>) fell 0.8% to $471.63.</li>
<li>The iShares Russell 2000 ETF (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/IWM#NYSE">IWM</a>) rose 0.2% to $217.28.</li>
<li>The Financials Select Sector SPDR Fund (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/XLF#NYSE">XLF</a>) outperformed, up 1.2%. The Technology Select Sector SPDR Fund (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/XLK#NYSE">XLK</a>) lagged, down 0.7%.</li>
</ul>
<h1 class="wp-block-heading">Monday&#8217;s Stock Movers</h1>
<ul>
<li>Oracle Corp. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/ORCL#NYSE">ORCL</a>) jumped 6% after multiple analysts raised their price targets for the stock.</li>
<li>Lattice Semiconductor Corp. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/LSCC#NASDAQ">LSCC</a>) surged over 11% following the appointment of its new CEO, Ford Tamer.</li>
<li>In addition to Arm Holdings, other notable chipmakers that declined on Monday included Micron Technology Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/MU#NASDAQ">MU</a>), which fell 5.3%; Wolfspeed Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/WOLF#NASDAQ">WOLF</a>), down 9%; and Qorvo Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/QRVO#NASDAQ">QRVO</a>), which slid 7%. </li>
<li>Nvidia Corp. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/NVDA#NASDAQ">NVDA</a>) was 2% lower. </li>
</ul>
Read Now:
<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/analyst-ratings/analyst-color/24/09/40883274/senator-warren-urges-fed-to-slash-rates-by-0-75-veteran-investor-warns-even-0-5-cut">Elizabeth Warren Urges Fed To Slash Rates By 0.75%; Veteran Investor Warns Even 0.5% Cut Could &#8216;Reduce Trump&#8217;s Chances Of Winning&#8217;</a></li>
</ul>
This image was created using artificial intelligence MidJourney.

Bonds

AAPL

LSCC

ORCL

QRVO

WOLF

XLRE

Nasdaq 100 Falls As Apple Weighs On Chipmakers; Bonds Rise As Investors Eye 0.5% Rate Cut: What's Driving Markets Monday?

Tech&#8217;s extended bull run has more legs to play out, with a key imminent catalyst potentially giving a<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/trading-ideas/long-ideas/24/09/40828657/top-3-tech-stocks-youll-regret-missing-in-september"> thrust to the stocks belonging to the sector,</a> according to an analyst at Wedbush.
Fed To Kickstart Risk-On Trade: The Federal Reserve will finally begin to cut interest rates in the current monetary policy cycle. The likely cut will come two-and-a-half years after the first rate hike implemented to curb inflationary pressure that reared its ugly head following the stimulatory measures implemented to offset the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. 
Wedbush&#8217;s Daniel Ives said tech investors now look forward to risk-on trade after some nervousness seen in late July. &#8220;Despite all the noise and white knuckles, overall tech earnings have been generally robust with Oracle Corp. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/ORCL#NYSE">ORCL</a>), the latest tech stalwart to give more validation that the AI Revolution is starting to quickly move towards the much-awaited software and use case part of the cycle,&#8221; he said.
See Also: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/money/best-tech-stocks">Best Tech Stocks Right Now</a>
Growth Sweet-spot: The tech supply chain is gearing up for an &#8220;unprecedented&#8221; period of growth, driven by the massive artificial intelligence capex spending over the next few years, Ives said, basing his view on Asia checks.
The AI revolution, which kickstarted with Nvidia Corp. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/NVDA#NASDAQ">NVDA</a>), now has ramifications for the broader tech sector, the analyst said, calling the technology the fourth industrial revolution. This revolution is happening across semiconductor, software, infrastructure, internet and smartphones and will likely extend over the next 12 to 18 months, he said.
Nvidia and Microsoft Corp. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/MSFT#NASDAQ">MSFT</a>) are core drivers of AI, and now other tech stocks such as Oracle, ServiceNow, Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/NOW#NYSE">NOW</a>), Palantir Technologies Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/PLTR#NYSE">PLTR</a>), Salesforce, Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/CRM#NYSE">CRM</a>), Dell Technologies, Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/DELL#NYSE">DELL</a>), International Business Machines Corp. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/IBM#NYSE">IBM</a>), Apple, Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/AAPL#NASDAQ">AAPL</a>) and Advanced Micro Devices, Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/AMD#NYSE">AMD</a>) are joining the party as well, he said. &#8220;We believe the stage is set for tech stocks to move higher into yearend and 2025 in our opinion as the Fed and Powell kick off its rate-cutting cycle this week, macro soft landing remains the path, and tech spending on AI remains a generational spending cycle just starting to hit the shores of the tech sector,&#8221; Ives said.
Why It&#8217;s Important: The Invesco QQQ Trust (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/QQQ#NASDAQ">QQQ</a>), an exchange-traded fund that tracks the Nasdaq 100 Index, has been on an extended uptrend since the start of 2023. This is despite the hiccup seen since mid-July due to concerns about the lavish capex plans of AI companies.
<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1024" height="475" src="https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/16015317/image-111-1024x475.png" alt="" class="wp-image-548793" srcset="https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/16015317/image-111-1024x475.png 1024w,https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/16015317/image-111-300x139.png 300w,https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/16015317/image-111-768x356.png 768w,https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/16015317/image-111-1536x713.png 1536w,https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/16015317/image-111.png 1860w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></figure>
Source: Benzinga Pro data.
The extended run-up introduces caution among investors, given valuations have become stretched. Analysts also see the laggards and leaders switching places when the Fed begins to cut rates, with <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/equities/24/07/39830547/why-cathie-wood-is-betting-on-small-cap-stocks-triumphing-over-magnificent-six-amid-restrictive-">underperforming interest-rate sensitive small-cap stocks seen as the biggest beneficiaries.</a>
Tech bulls such as Ives see the broadening of the rally rather than one gaining at the expense of the other, given the massive potential AI offers.
The QQQ settled Friday&#8217;s session up 0.45% at $475.34, according to <a href="https://benzinga.grsm.io/register174">Benzinga Pro data.</a> The Technology Select Sector SPDR Fund (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/XLK#NYSE">XLK</a>) gained 0.50% to $220.44 and is up about 15% for the year.
Read Next: 
<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/analyst-ratings/analyst-color/24/09/40771209/peter-schiff-warns-against-irrational-exuberance-toward-tech-stocks-cryptos-as-econ">Peter Schiff Warns Against Irrational Exuberance Toward Tech Stocks, Cryptos As Economist Cites Intel&#8217;s Fall From Grace</a></li>
</ul>
Photo by Phongphan on Shutterstock

DELL

MSFT

PLTR

Worried About Staggering Tech Valuation? Analyst Says These Stocks Are  Poised To Go Higher As Fed Kicks Off 'Rate-Cutting Cycle' This Week

Intel Corp (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/INTC#NASDAQ">INTC</a>) has bagged approval from the European Commission to provide over 7.4 billion Polish złoty ($1.91 billion) in state grants to support building the chipmaker&#8217;s new chip plant.
The European Commission will disburse the grant between 2024 and 2026, Reuters cites Poland&#8217;s Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Digital Affairs Krzysztof Gawkowski.
Intel chose Poland over Vietnam, citing <a target="_blank" href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/24/07/39667470/whats-going-on-with-intel-stock-on-monday" rel="noreferrer noopener">insufficient investment incentives</a>.
Intel initially announced plans in 2022 to invest up to $4.6 billion in building a semiconductor assembly and test facility near Wroclaw, Poland.
The process will likely be over by the end of 2024, Reuters cites Poland&#8217;s Deputy Digital Affairs Minister Dariusz Standerski. Construction on the plant could begin later this year.
Intel stock has been <a target="_blank" href="https://www.benzinga.com/m-a/24/09/40747080/intel-eyes-mobileye-stake-sale-amid-pressure-stock-slides" rel="noreferrer noopener">down 50% in</a> the last 12 months as it has failed to capitalize on the industry&#8217;s shift to artificial intelligence. <a target="_blank" href="https://www.benzinga.com/m-a/24/09/40747080/intel-eyes-mobileye-stake-sale-amid-pressure-stock-slides" rel="noreferrer noopener">According to recent reports</a>, it is eying a strategic stake sale of the Israeli autonomous driving company Mobileye Global Inc (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/MBLY#NASDAQ">MBLY</a>) and its Enterprise Networking division.
Investors can gain exposure to Intel through SPDR Select Sector Fund &#8211; Technology (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/XLK#NYSE">XLK</a>) and Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/VYM#NYSE">VYM</a>).
Price Action: INTC stock is up 1.47% at $19.65 at the last check on Friday.
Photo via Shutterstock

Government

Regulations

Eurozone

Media

INTC

MBLY

Intel Secures About $2B In State Aid For Poland Chip Plant

At midday on Thursday, Wall Street was showing slight gains, with small caps leading the charge. The Russell 2000 index surged 1.2%, outperforming large-cap indices <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/small-cap">in a notable rebound.</a>
The session kicked off with the release of the August Producer Price Index (PPI), which revealed mixed inflation data, following a slightly hotter-than-expected underlying consumer inflation picture a day earlier. 
However, the PPI report had little impact on market expectations surrounding future Federal Reserve rate cuts, with traders fully pricing in a reduction in the fed funds rate next week.
See Also: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/equities/24/09/40700320/jpmorgan-warns-anticipated-rate-cuts-may-not-significantly-boost-stock-markets-fed-will-start-ea">JPMorgan Warns Anticipated Rate Cuts May Not Significantly Boost Stock Markets</a>
Meanwhile, jobless claims remained largely unchanged from the previous week and in line with forecasts, suggesting stability in the labor market. 
Also in line with market expectations, the European Central Bank (ECB) also announced a 25-basis-point cut to the deposit facility rate, lowering it to 3.5%.
The macroeconomic backdrop provided a tailwind for commodities. Gold hit a new all-time high, up 1.7% surpassing $2,550 per ounce, <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/equities/24/09/40838414/gold-miners-eye-best-1-day-rally-in-6-months-as-gold-hits-fresh-record-highs-todays-environment-">boosting mining stocks. </a>
The VanEck Gold Miners ETF (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/GDX#NYSE">GDX</a>) surged 4.3% by midday, marking its strongest session since early March 2024.
Silver prices also saw a strong uptick, rallying 3.8%, which pushed the Global X Silver Miners ETF (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/SIL#NYSE">SIL</a>) up by more than 5%, positioning it for its best session since December 2023.
Across the broader commodities complex, oil prices climbed 2.4%, while natural gas spiked 4.5%.
In the cryptocurrency market, Bitcoin (CRYPTO: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/btc/usd">BTC</a>) was up 1.1%, rebounding after Wednesday&#8217;s slight dip. 
<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Thursday&#8217;s Performance In Major US Indices, ETFs</h3>
<figure class="wp-block-table is-style-stripes"> 
<table>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>Major Indices</td>
<td>Price</td>
<td>1-day %chg</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Russell 2000</td>
<td>2,132.34</td>
<td>1.2%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Nasdaq 100</td>
<td>19,340.93</td>
<td>0.5%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>S&amp;P 500</td>
<td>5,572.48</td>
<td>0.3%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Dow Jones</td>
<td>40,928.03</td>
<td>0.2%</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Updated at 12:45 p.m. ET</figcaption></figure>
According to <a href="https://bzresearch.myclickfunnels.com/benzinga-pro-content-webinar-registration/?utm_source=BZprocontent091224&amp;t=be2bearmibe3na1">Benzinga Pro</a> data: 
<ul>
<li>The&nbsp;SPDR S&amp;P 500 ETF Trust&nbsp;(NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/SPY#NYSE">SPY</a>)&nbsp;was 0.4% higher to $557.23.</li>
<li>The&nbsp;SPDR Dow Jones Industrial Average&nbsp;(NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/DIA#NYSE">DIA</a>)&nbsp;rose 0.3% to $410.61.</li>
<li>The tech-heavy Invesco QQQ Trust Series (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/QQQ#NASDAQ">QQQ</a>) rose 0.6% to $471.53.</li>
<li>The iShares Russell 2000 ETF (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/IWM#NYSE">IWM</a>) rallied 1.3% to $211.46.</li>
<li>The Communication Services Select Sector SPDR Fund (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/XLC#NYSE">XLC</a>) outperformed, up 1.3%. The Real Estate Select Sector SPDR Fund (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/XLRE#NYSE">XLRE</a>) was the laggard, down 0.5%.</li>
</ul>
<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Thursday&#8217;s Stock Movers</h3>
<ul>
<li>Newmont Corp. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/NEM#NYSE">NEM</a>) soared 4.5% after BNP Paribas raised the price target from $58 to $65. </li>
<li>Moderna Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/MRNA#NASDAQ">MRNA</a>) plunged over 14% after announcing plans to cut annual R&amp;D spending by approximately $1.1 billion starting in 2027, citing &#8220;recent commercial challenges.&#8221; The company now projects its 2025 revenue to range between $2.5 billion and $3.5 billion, below analyst expectations of $3.9 billion. </li>
<li>Medical Properties Trust, Inc (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/MPW#NYSE">MPW</a>) rallied by over 17%, fter the medical REIT disclosed a global settlement with tenant&nbsp;Steward Health Care System, its secured lenders, and the&nbsp;Unsecured Creditors Committee.</li>
<li>Micron Technology Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/MU#NASDAQ">MU</a>) fell by about 3.5% after&nbsp;Raymond James&nbsp;lowered its price target on the&nbsp;stock from $160 to $125.</li>
</ul>
Now Read:
<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/analyst-ratings/analyst-color/24/09/40823561/this-under-the-radar-defensive-ai-sector-quietly-outperforms-all-others-despite-rec">This Under-The-Radar Defensive AI Sector Quietly Outperforms All Others, Despite Receiving &#8216;No Love&#8217; From Investors</a></li>
</ul>

Global

Market Vectors ETF Trust Market Vectors Gold Miners

Stocks Edge Up As Producer Inflation Supports Rate Cut Bets, Small Caps, Miners Rally: What's Driving Markets Thursday?

A broadly softer-than-expected U.S. producer inflation report triggered market shifts on Thursday, driving down the value of the dollar and Treasury yields while boosting gold prices to <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/topic/gold">a new all-time high. </a>
Meanwhile, U.S. equity futures ticked upward, signaling a potential fourth consecutive session of gains for U.S. stocks.
Economic data released Thursday showed the headline Producer Price Index (PPI) for final demand slowing to 1.7% year-over-year in August, below market expectations of 1.8% and down from July's downwardly revised 2.1%. On a monthly basis, PPI increased by 0.2%, surpassing the forecasted 0.1% and improving from the revised flat reading for July.
Core PPI, which excludes volatile food and energy prices, remained stable at 2.4% year-over-year, slightly underperforming the expected 2.5%. On a month-to-month basis, core PPI rebounded with a 0.3% rise, up from the previous month's 0.2% decline and surpassing expectations of a 0.2% increase.
In parallel, weekly initial jobless claims came in at 230,000, in line with market forecasts, signaling stable labor market conditions.
Across the Atlantic, the European Central Bank (ECB) cut its key policy rate by 25 basis points, marking the second reduction since June. The ECB justified the move as part of its efforts to moderate monetary policy. 
The ECB kept its inflation outlook steady but revised its growth forecasts downward. The central bank emphasized a data-dependent approach for future decisions, with no commitment to further rate cuts.
<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Market Reactions</h3>
Market reactions to the U.S. data were relatively muted. Rate-cut expectations for the Federal Reserve's meeting next week remained stable, with the probability of a 25-basis-point cut holding firm at 85%. 
<ul>
<li>U.S. Treasury yields softened, with the iShares 20+ Year Treasury Bond ETF (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/TLT#NASDAQ">TLT</a>) down 0.2% as yields slightly decreased.</li>
<li>The U.S. dollar, as tracked by the Invesco DB USD Index Bullish Fund ETF (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/UUP#NYSE">UUP</a>), slipped 0.1%. </li>
<li>The S&amp;P 500, as tracked by the SPDR S&amp;P 500 ETF Trust (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/SPY#NYSE">SPY</a>), traded 0.2% higher in the premarket, as of 9:05 a.m. ET.</li>
<li>Tech stocks, followed by the Invesco QQQ Trust, Series 1 (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/QQQ#NASDAQ">QQQ</a>), were 0.1% higher.</li>
<li>Small caps, as tracked by the iShares Russell 2000 ETF (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/IWM#NYSE">IWM</a>), rose 0.4%.</li>
<li>The&nbsp;Energy Select Sector SPDR Fund&nbsp;(NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/XLE#NYSE">XLE</a>) was the top-performing S&amp;P 500 sector in the premarket, up 0.6%.</li>
<li>Gold prices, monitored through the SPDR Gold Trust (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/GLD#NYSE">GLD</a>), rose by 1.1% to 2,538 per ounce.</li>
<li>Bitcoin (CRYPTO: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/btc/usd">BTC</a>) rose 1.3%.</li>
</ul>
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</ul>
Photo: Shutterstock

iShares Trust Barclays 20+ Year Treasury Bond Fund

Gold Reaches Record High As Dollar Weakens On Soft Producer Inflation Data; Wall Street Eyes Fourth Day Of Gains

The utilities sector has emerged as the top-performing sector within the S&amp;P 500 <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets">so far in 2024</a>.
As of Sept. 11, the Utilities Select Sector SPDR Fund (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/XLU#NYSE">XLU</a>) has surged 22% year-to-date, outpacing all other sectors and even surpassing the technology sector – tracked by the Technology Select Sector SPDR Fund (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/XLK#NYSE">XLK</a>) – by 9 percentage points.
This marks a significant turnaround for utilities, which trailed tech by 40 percentage points in 2023.
<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Chart: Utilities Sector Outperforms S&amp;P 500, Tech Stocks In 2024</h3>
<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1024" height="445" src="https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/11161618/image-89-1024x445.png" alt="" class="wp-image-543220" srcset="https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/11161618/image-89-1024x445.png 1024w,https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/11161618/image-89-300x130.png 300w,https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/11161618/image-89-768x334.png 768w,https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/11161618/image-89-1536x667.png 1536w,https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/11161618/image-89.png 1920w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Image: <a href="https://bzresearch.myclickfunnels.com/benzinga-pro-content-webinar-registration/?utm_source=BZprocontent091124&amp;t=be2bearmibe3na1">Benzinga Pro</a></figcaption></figure>
<h3 class="wp-block-heading">The Drivers Behind The Utility Sector Surge</h3>
The robust performance of utilities stocks in 2024 has caught many investors by surprise, especially given the broader market&#8217;s focus on growth sectors like technology in recent years. 
&#8220;There is an undeniable defensive undertone here, as defensive stocks like utilities and consumer staples are leading the charge. The lack of momentum in the previously unstoppable &#8216;Magnificent 7&#8217; tech stocks could be signaling a shift in market sentiment,&#8221; analyst Michael Gayed.
This move toward defensive assets is particularly significant amid rising concerns over macroeconomic volatility and an increasingly unpredictable interest rate environment.
Bank of America recently raised its outlook for the utilities sector to Overweight, citing a combination of income and quality characteristics, which have become increasingly attractive as volatility rises.
&#8220;Client flows have suggested no love for the sector, but single stocks have begun to see inflows in recent weeks and ETF flows have begun to trend positively since the spring,&#8221; analysts at Bank of America highlighted.
&#8220;It's remarkable that the most defensive sector of the S&amp;P 500 has officially become the year&#8217;s top performer, despite the widespread consensus that the economy is doing well,&#8221; Otavio Costa, a macro strategist at Crescat Capital, said in a post on social media X.
<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Utilities Meet Rising Demand For AI-Driven Data Centers</h3>
Indeed, a critical factor boosting the utilities sector is the rising demand for electricity tied to the growth of AI-linked data centers. 
Carly Davenport, an analyst at Goldman Sachs, highlighted this trend in a note, saying, &#8220;Data center growth is starting to contribute meaningfully to power demand, and we've seen further positive revisions to the pipeline.&#8221;
Goldman Sachs estimates that data centers will be the largest driver of U.S. power demand growth, contributing around 90 basis points (bps) to the nation&#8217;s 2.4% power demand compound annual growth rate through 2030. 
This increase in demand is expected to lead to incremental capital investments in transmission and generation capacity, potentially driving further upside for utilities stocks over the next several years.
<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Top-Performing Utility Stocks in 2024</h3>
Several utility companies have experienced outsized gains this year, driven by strong earnings, strategic investments, and sectoral tailwinds. Here&#8217;s a look at the top-performing utility stocks year-to-date through Sept. 11:
<figure class="wp-block-table is-style-stripes"> 
<table>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>Name</td>
<td>Price Chg. % (YTD)</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Vistra Corp. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/VST#NYSE">VST</a>)</td>
<td>107.95%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Constellation Energy Corporation (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/CEG#NYSE">CEG</a>)</td>
<td>60.22%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>NRG Energy, Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/NRG#NYSE">NRG</a>)</td>
<td>54.88%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>NextEra Energy, Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/NEE#NYSE">NEE</a>)</td>
<td>37.39%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Public Service Enterprise Group Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/PEG#NYSE">PEG</a>)</td>
<td>34.52%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>American Electric Power Company, Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/AEP#NYSE">AEP</a>)</td>
<td>26.86%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>The Southern Company (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/SO#NYSE">SO</a>)</td>
<td>26.63%</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
</figure>
Read Next:
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</ul>
Photo: Shutterstock

This Under-The-Radar Defensive AI Sector Quietly Outperforms All Others, Despite Receiving 'No Love' From Investors

Wall Street witnessed a broad sell-off on Wednesday, except for the tech sector, as investor optimism over disinflation progress cooled following a <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/economics/macro-economic-events/24/09/40812986/inflation-slows-to-2-5-in-august-lowest-rate-since-february-2021-core-index-remai">mixed August inflation report.</a>
The Consumer Price Index (CPI) rose 2.5% year-over-year, slightly below the 2.6% estimate and down from July&#8217;s 2.9%, marking the slowest pace of inflation since February 2021. The bulk of this decline came from energy-related categories.
However, core inflation — excluding the more volatile components like food and energy — rose 0.3% month-over-month, surpassing expectations of 0.2%. The annual core CPI remained at 3.2%, reflecting persistent inflation in service-related sectors.
A key driver of inflation continues to be shelter costs, which rose 0.5% from the previous month—the sharpest increase since January — and account for nearly a third of the total CPI.
The report dashed hopes for a Federal Reserve rate cut in the upcoming meeting. Market expectations for a 50-basis-point cut plummeted to just 13%, down from 34% the day before, as per CME FedWatch. 
The inflation data gave the U.S. dollar a lift and nudged Treasury yields higher across the board. Sectors most sensitive to interest rates, such as real estate, materials and financials, led the sell-off.
In contrast, tech stocks defied the broader market slump, driven by strong gains in the semiconductor space. 
Nvidia Corp. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/NVDA#NASDAQ">NVDA</a>) surged 4.5%, buoyed by the market's reaction to the <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/cryptocurrency/24/09/40817347/donald-trump-lost-debate-to-kamala-harris-will-lose-ground-in-the-polls-polymarket-traders">latest U.S. presidential debate</a> between Vice President Kamala Harris and former President Donald Trump. 
The two candidates engaged in a back-and-forth about <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/general/politics/24/09/40731719/goldman-sachs-kamala-harris-victory-bodes-well-for-us-economy-trump-tariffs-will-drive-up-inflat">tariffs on goods</a>, which would impact inflation and the chipmaking industry.
Solar stocks also rallied, with the Invesco Solar ETF (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/TAN#NYSE">TAN</a>) jumping over 4%, as the prospect of a Harris administration increased <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/equities/24/09/40817317/solar-shares-climb-as-harris-gains-momentum-post-debate-against-trump-7-top-gainers-in-clean-ene">optimism for renewable energy policies.</a> First Solar Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/FSLR#NASDAQ">FSLR</a>) was the top performer within the industry, jumping over 12%. 
Elsewhere, gold remained flat, while oil prices rebounded over 2% after Tuesday&#8217;s sell-off. Bitcoin (CRYPTO: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/btc/usd">BTC</a>) dropped more than 2%.
<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Wednesday&#8217;s Performance In Major US Indices, ETFs</h3>
<figure class="wp-block-table is-style-stripes"> 
<table>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>Major Indices</td>
<td>Price</td>
<td>1-day %chg</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Nasdaq 100</td>
<td>18,865.96</td>
<td>0.2%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>S&amp;P 500</td>
<td>5,476.37</td>
<td>-0.3%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Russell 2000</td>
<td>2,092.21</td>
<td>-0.5%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Dow Jones</td>
<td>40,436.47</td>
<td>-0.7%</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Updated at 12:50 p.m. ET</figcaption></figure>
According to <a href="https://bzresearch.myclickfunnels.com/benzinga-pro-content-webinar-registration/?utm_source=BZprocontent091124&amp;t=be2bearmibe3na1">Benzinga Pro</a> data: 
<ul>
<li>The&nbsp;SPDR S&amp;P 500 ETF Trust&nbsp;(NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/SPY#NYSE">SPY</a>)&nbsp;was 0.3% lower to $547.10.</li>
<li>The&nbsp;SPDR Dow Jones Industrial Average&nbsp;(NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/DIA#NYSE">DIA</a>)&nbsp;fell 0.7% to $405.59.</li>
<li>The tech-heavy Invesco QQQ Trust Series (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/QQQ#NASDAQ">QQQ</a>) inched 0.2% higher to $459.93.</li>
<li>The iShares Russell 2000 ETF (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/IWM#NYSE">IWM</a>) fell 0.4% to $207.30.</li>
<li>The Technology Select Sector SPDR Fund (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/XLK#NYSE">XLK</a>) outperformed, up 0.9%. The Financials Select Sector SPDR Fund (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/XLF#NYSE">XLF</a>) was the laggard, down 1.4%.</li>
</ul>
<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Wednesday&#8217;s Stock Movers</h3>
<ul>
<li>Lithium-related stocks surged on Wednesday after reports of production disruptions in China sent the price of the commodity climbing. Albemarle Corp. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/ALB#NYSE">ALB</a>), one of the world&#8217;s largest lithium producers, rallied 9.7% on the news.</li>
<li>AppLovin Corporation (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/APP#NASDAQ">APP</a>) surged 8.6% to $93.63 after Bank of America analyst Omar Dessouky reiterated a Buy rating and raised the price target from $100 to $120.</li>
<li>Lucid Group Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/LCID#NASDAQ">LCID</a>) rallied 8.1% amid bullish remarks from Bank of America analyst John Murphy, CFA who expects the Gravity SUV to get a large total addressable market.</li>
<li>GameStop Corp. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/GME#NYSE">GME</a>) tanked 13.8% as revenue missed expectations last quarter. </li>
<li>Trump Media &amp; Technology Group Corp. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/DJT#NASDAQ">DJT</a>) plummeted 12.8% in reaction to the presidential debate. </li>
</ul>
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Earnings

FSLR

LCID

Stocks Fall As Inflation Data Chills Rate-Cut Excitement, Chipmakers, Solar Sector Soar On Harris-Linked Boost: What's Driving Markets Wednesday?

U.S. inflation in August hit its lowest annual rate since February 2021 at 2.5%, falling from 2.9% in July and below the expected 2.6%, yet the underlying story <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/economics/macro-economic-events/24/09/40812986/inflation-slows-to-2-5-in-august-lowest-rate-since-february-2021-core-index-remai">tells a more complicated tale.</a> 
Stripping out volatile food and energy prices, core inflation pressures remain stubborn at 3.2% as shelter costs surged at their fastest monthly pace since January 2024, fueling gains in the dollar and sending Treasury yields climbing.
Expectations for a hefty 50-basis-point rate cut at the Sept. 18 FOMC meeting plummeted to just 15%, down from 34% a day earlier, as per CME Group&#8217;s FedWatch tool.
Traders now increasingly anticipate a more measured 25-basis-point cut, as sticky core inflation—particularly in services—remains a key factor under close watch by the Fed.
Energy goods and services indices saw notable monthly drops, helping to ease overall price pressures. Gasoline prices fell 0.6% month-over-month in August after holding steady in July, while electricity declined 0.7% and utility bills for piped gas services dropped 1.9%.
<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Market Reactions</h2>
The mixed August inflation report and the corresponding drop in investor expectation for a larger rate cut by the Federal Reserve at the September meeting triggered the following reactions in major assets: 
<ul>
<li>The S&amp;P 500, as tracked by the SPDR S&amp;P 500 ETF Trust (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/SPY#NYSE">SPY</a>), opened Wednesday&#8217;s session 0.2% lower. </li>
<li>Tech stocks, followed by the Invesco QQQ Trust, Series 1 (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/QQQ#NASDAQ">QQQ</a>) were flat. </li>
<li>Small caps, as tracked by the iShares Russell 2000 ETF (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/IWM#NYSE">IWM</a>), sunk 1%. </li>
<li>The&nbsp;Technology Select Sector SPDR Fund&nbsp;(NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/XLK#NYSE">XLK</a>) was the top-performing S&amp;P 500 sector, up 0.5%. </li>
<li>The Real Estate&nbsp;Select Sector SPDR Fund (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/XLRE#NYSE">XLRE</a>) was the main laggard, down 1.6%. </li>
<li>The&nbsp;Invesco DB USD Index Bullish Fund ETF (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/UUP#NYSE">UUP</a>) rose 0.1%. </li>
<li>The iShares 20+ Year Treasury Bond ETF (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/TLT#NASDAQ">TLT</a>) eased 0.1% as Treasury yields rose. </li>
<li>Gold prices, monitored through the SPDR Gold Trust (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/GLD#NYSE">GLD</a>), fell by 0.4%. </li>
<li>Bitcoin (CRYPTO: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/btc/usd">BTC</a>) fell 2%. </li>
</ul>
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<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/etfs/broad-u-s-equity-etfs/24/09/40799429/s-p-500-off-to-a-rough-start-in-september-with-historical-trends-suggesting-more-troub">Stocks Had Worst Start To September Nearly Ever &#8211; Here&#8217;s Why</a></li>
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Image created using artificial intelligence via Midjourney.

Currency ETFs

Dollar, Treasury Yields Rise As Small Caps Fall: August Inflation Crushes Odds Of 50-Point Fed Rate Cut

Launched on 05/08/2007, the First Trust Technology AlphaDEX ETF (ARCA:FXL) is a smart beta exchange traded fund offering broad exposure to the Technology ETFs category of the market.
<h2>What Are Smart Beta ETFs?</h2>
For a long time now, the ETF industry has been flooded with products based on market capitalization weighted indexes, which are designed to represent the broader market or a particular market segment.
Investors who believe in market efficiency should consider market cap indexes, as they replicate market returns in a low-cost, convenient, and transparent way.
However, some investors believe in the possibility of beating the market through exceptional stock selection, and choose a different type of fund that tracks non-cap weighted strategies: smart beta.
Non-cap weighted indexes try to choose stocks that have a better chance of risk-return performance, which is based on specific fundamental characteristics, or a mix of other such characteristics.
Methodologies like equal-weighting, one of the simplest options out there, fundamental weighting, and volatility/momentum based weighting are all choices offered to investors in this space, but not all of them can deliver superior returns.
<h2>Fund Sponsor &amp; Index</h2>
The fund is managed by First Trust Advisors. FXL has been able to amass assets over $1.24 billion, making it one of the larger ETFs in the Technology ETFs. Before fees and expenses, FXL seeks to match the performance of the StrataQuant Technology Index.
The StrataQuant Technology Index is a modified equal-dollar weighted index designed by the AMEX to objectively identify and select stocks from the Russell 1000 Index that may generate positive alpha relative to traditional passive style indices through the use of the AlphaDEX screening methodology.
<h2>Cost &amp; Other Expenses</h2>
Investors should also pay attention to an ETF&#39;s expense ratio. Lower cost products will produce better results than those with a higher cost, assuming all other metrics remain the same.
Annual operating expenses for FXL are 0.62%, which makes it on par with most peer products in the space.
FXL&#39;s 12-month trailing dividend yield is 0.41%.
<h2>Sector Exposure and Top Holdings</h2>
It is important to delve into an ETF&#39;s holdings before investing despite the many upsides to these kinds of funds like diversified exposure, which minimizes single stock risk. And, most ETFs are very transparent products that disclose their holdings on a daily basis.
For FXL, it has heaviest allocation in the Information Technology sector --about 80.90% of the portfolio --while Industrials and Telecom round out the top three.
Taking into account individual holdings, Palantir Technologies Inc. (class A) (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/pltr#NYSE">PLTR</a>) accounts for about 2.06% of the fund&#39;s total assets, followed by Godaddy Inc. (class A)&nbsp;and Cognizant Technology Solutions Corporation (NASDAQ: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/ctsh#NASDAQ">CTSH</a>).
FXL&#39;s top 10 holdings account for about 18.47% of its total assets under management.
<h2>Performance and Risk</h2>
Year-to-date, the First Trust Technology AlphaDEX ETF has lost about -0.82% so far, and is up about 9.32% over the last 12 months (as of 09/09/2024). FXL has traded between $104.07 and $142.51 in this past 52-week period.
The ETF has a beta of 1.14 and standard deviation of 25.32% for the trailing three-year period, making it a medium risk choice in the space. With about 103 holdings, it effectively diversifies company-specific risk.
<h2>Alternatives</h2>
First Trust Technology AlphaDEX ETF is an excellent option for investors seeking to outperform the Technology ETFs segment of the market. There are other ETFs in the space which investors could consider as well.
Technology Select Sector SPDR ETF (ARCA:XLK) tracks Technology Select Sector Index and the Vanguard Information Technology ETF (ARCA:VGT) tracks MSCI US Investable Market Information Technology 25/50 Index. Technology Select Sector SPDR ETF has $64.13 billion in assets, Vanguard Information Technology ETF has $70.17 billion. XLK has an expense ratio of 0.09% and VGT charges 0.10%.
Investors looking for cheaper and lower-risk options should consider traditional market cap weighted ETFs that aim to match the returns of the Technology ETFs.
<a href="https://www.zacks.com/stock/news/2333154/is-first-trust-technology-alphadex-etf-fxl-a-strong-etf-right-now?cid=CS-BENZ-FT-smart_beta_etf-2333154">To read this article on Zacks.com click here.</a>

CTSH

Is First Trust Technology AlphaDEX ETF a Strong ETF Right Now?

U.S. stocks started the new week with strong gains, as all major indices and sectors in the S&amp;P 500 were in the green by midday in New York. This comes after Wall Street experienced its worst <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets">week of the year.</a>
Investors kicked off Monday with renewed optimism, anticipating a boost from Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/AAPL#NASDAQ">AAPL</a>)'s highly anticipated event and key inflation data for August, set to be released on Wednesday.
Economists are predicting a slowdown in the headline inflation rate from 2.9% in July to 2.6% year-over-year in August, potentially marking the lowest inflation level since March 2021. A lower inflation reading could reinforce market expectations for an aggressive rate-cut cycle from the Federal Reserve.
Airline stocks led the charge within industries, with the U.S. Global Jets ETF (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/JETS#NYSE">JETS</a>) rising 2.6%, recovering from last month's losses.
In the semiconductor space, Palantir Technologies Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/PLTR#NASDAQ">PLTR</a>) surged 13%, logging its best one-day rally since February following news of the company's inclusion in the S&amp;P 500 index.
Commodities also gained ground despite a 0.3% rise in the U.S. dollar. Oil prices climbed 1.6% amid production shutdowns in the Gulf of Mexico due to storm warnings. Gold edged up 0.2%, and silver rose 1.3%.
In the cryptocurrency market, Bitcoin (CRYPTO: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/btc/usd">BTC</a>) jumped 2.8%, heading for its third consecutive session of gains.
<h1 class="wp-block-heading">Monday&#8217;s Performance In Major U.S. Indices, ETFs</h1>
<figure class="wp-block-table is-style-stripes"> 
<table>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>Major Indices</td>
<td>Price</td>
<td>1-day chg. %</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Dow Jones</td>
<td>40,984.61</td>
<td>1.6%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Nasdaq 100</td>
<td>18,691.03</td>
<td>1.5%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>S&amp;P 500</td>
<td>5,484.48</td>
<td>1.4%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Russell 2000</td>
<td>210.16</td>
<td>1.1%</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Updated at 1:00 p.m. ET</figcaption></figure>
According to <a href="https://bzresearch.myclickfunnels.com/benzinga-pro-content-webinar-registration/?utm_source=BZprocontent090924&amp;t=be2bearmibe3na1">Benzinga Pro</a> data:
<ul>
<li>The&nbsp;SPDR S&amp;P 500 ETF Trust&nbsp;(NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/SPY#NYSE">SPY</a>)&nbsp;was 1.3% higher to $547.30.</li>
<li>The&nbsp;SPDR Dow Jones Industrial Average&nbsp;(NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/DIA#NYSE">DIA</a>)&nbsp;rose 1.5% to $410.13.</li>
<li>The tech-heavy Invesco QQQ Trust Series (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/QQQ#NASDAQ">QQQ</a>) rallied 1.4% to $448.38.</li>
<li>The iShares Russell 2000 ETF (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/IWM#NYSE">IWM</a>) was 1.1% higher to $210.10.</li>
<li>The Financials Select Sector SPDR Fund (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/XLF#NYSE">XLF</a>) outperformed, up 2%, followed by the Consumer Discretionary Select Sector SPDR Fund (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/XLY#NYSE">XLY</a>), up 1.8%.</li>
</ul>
<h1 class="wp-block-heading">Monday&#8217;s Stock Movers</h1>
<ul>
<li>Moderna Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/MRNA#NASDAQ">MRNA</a>) surged 7% on Monday after its manufacturing facility in Laval, Quebec, received a Drug Establishment License (DEL) from Health Canada. This certification confirms the facility meets stringent safety and quality standards, granting it authorization to produce drug substances.</li>
<li>MicroStrategy Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/MSTR#NASDAQ">MSTR</a>) soared 9.3% in reaction to Bitcoin&#8217;s surge.</li>
<li>Arm Holdings Plc (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/ARM#NASDAQ">ARM</a>) rallied 7% after reports surfaced that its AI chip technology will be integrated into Apple&#8217;s upcoming iPhone 16.</li>
</ul>
Read Now:
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<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/analyst-ratings/analyst-color/24/09/40777242/bank-of-america-warns-energy-could-be-cheap-for-a-reason-highlights-utilities-as-de">Bank Of America Warns Energy Could Be &#8216;Cheap For A Reason,&#8217; Highlights Utilities As Defensive Play</a></li>
</ul>
Photo: ImageFlow on Shutterstock

JETS

MSTR

Select Sector SPDR-Consumer Discretionary

Wall Street Rallies After Last Week's Sell-Off, Palantir Soars On S&P 500 Inclusion, Airlines Rally: What's Driving Markets Monday?

Investors showed little enthusiasm for the August jobs report, as the slower-than-expected hiring numbers deepened worries about <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/economics/macro-economic-events/24/09/40748557/job-creation-falls-short-of-expectations-in-august-unemployment-rate-ticks-lower-">a softening labor market.</a>
The U.S. economy added 142,000 nonfarm jobs in August, up from July's 89,000 but falling short of the projected 160,000. The unemployment rate edged down by 0.1% to 4.3%, in line with expectations, while wages saw stronger-than-anticipated growth, rising 0.4% month-over-month.
On Friday, markets shifted sharply into risk-off mode, with all major indices dropping over 1% by midday trading in New York. 
The CBOE Volatility Index (VIX) spiked over 17% to 23 points. The Nasdaq 100 led the decline, losing over 5% for the week, eyeing its worst performance since September 2022.
Semiconductors dragged down the tech-heavy index. The iShares Semiconductor ETF (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/SOXX#NYSE">SOXX</a>) dropped nearly 5%, while Nvidia Corp. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/NVDA#NASDAQ">NVDA</a>) fell more than 4%. The chipmaker giant extended the weekly loss to 14%, on track for its steepest decline since October 2022.
Investors dumped equities and moved into cash as the U.S. dollar strengthened despite weaker-than-expected nonfarm payroll data.
In the bond market, short-term Treasury yields tumbled, bringing the yield curve back to a normal shape after two years of inversion. The two-year Treasury yield fell below the 10-year, signaling a shift in economic outlook.
Commodities took heavy losses across the board. Gold dropped 0.9%, silver plunged 3.1% and crude oil (WTI) slid 3%, reaching $66 per barrel, the lowest since May 2023.
Bitcoin (CRYPTO: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/btc/usd">BTC</a>) also dropped, losing over 3%, as investors steered clear of crypto assets amid a broad-based decline in risk appetite.
<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Friday&#8217;s Performance In Major US Indices, ETFs</h3>
<figure class="wp-block-table is-style-stripes"> 
<table>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>Major Indices</td>
<td>Price</td>
<td>1-day %chg</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Dow Jones</td>
<td>40,320.98</td>
<td>-1.1%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>S&amp;P 500</td>
<td>5,406.64</td>
<td>-1.8%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Russell 2000</td>
<td>2,092.33</td>
<td>-2.2%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Nasdaq 100</td>
<td>18,424.39</td>
<td>-2.7%</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Updated at 12:50 p.m. ET</figcaption></figure>
According to <a href="https://bzresearch.myclickfunnels.com/benzinga-pro-content-webinar-registration/?utm_source=BZprocontent090624&amp;t=be2bearmibe3na1">Benzinga Pro</a> data: 
<ul>
<li>The&nbsp;SPDR S&amp;P 500 ETF Trust&nbsp;(NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/SPY#NYSE">SPY</a>)&nbsp;was 1.8% lower to $539.77.</li>
<li>The&nbsp;SPDR Dow Jones Industrial Average&nbsp;(NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/DIA#NYSE">DIA</a>)&nbsp;fell 1.1% to $404.13.</li>
<li>The tech-heavy Invesco QQQ Trust Series (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/QQQ#NASDAQ">QQQ</a>) tumbled 2.7% to $448.38.</li>
<li>The iShares Russell 2000 ETF (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/IWM#NYSE">IWM</a>) fell 2.2% to $207.31.</li>
<li>The Consumer Staples Select Sector SPDR Fund (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/XLP#NYSE">XLP</a>) outperformed, flat for the day, while the Technology Select Sector SPDR Fund (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/XLK#NYSE">XLK</a>) lagged, down 3%.</li>
</ul>
<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Friday&#8217;s Stock Movers</h3>
<ul>
<li>Broadcom Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/AVGO#NASDAQ">AVGO</a>) tumbled 9.9%, on track for its worst session since March 2020, following weaker-than-expected guidance.</li>
<li>Other stocks reacting to earnings included Samsara Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/IOT#NYSE">IOT</a>), up 13%, Guidewire Software Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/GWRE#NYSE">GWRE</a>), up 11.8% and DocuSign Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/DOCU#NASDAQ">DOCU</a>), up 3.9%. </li>
<li>Super Micro Computer Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/SMCI#NASDAQ">SMCI</a>) plummeted over 7% as JPMorgan downgraded the rating from Buy to Neutral and sharply lowered its price target from $950 to $500. </li>
</ul>
Read Next:
<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/analyst-ratings/analyst-color/24/09/40741279/ai-tech-sector-is-not-in-a-bubble-but-diversification-out-of-magnificent-7-is-key-g">AI Tech Sector &#8216;Is Not In A Bubble,&#8217; But Diversification Out Of Magnificent 7 Is Key, Goldman Sachs Says</a></li>
</ul>
Photo created using artificial intelligence via Dall-E.

AVGO

DOCU

GWRE

SMCI

Stocks Tumble On Jobs Data, Nasdaq 100 Eyes Worst Week In 2 Years As Semiconductors Slump: What's Driving Markets Friday?

Lower-than-expected private employment growth in August triggered positive reactions Thursday in interest rate-sensitive assets like gold and the Japanese yen, while pushing Treasury yields lower as traders bolster their bets on a 50-basis-point rate cut by the <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/topic/interest-rates">Federal Reserve this month.</a>
U.S. private employers added 99,000 jobs in August, the lowest reading since January 2021 and down from a downwardly revised 111,000 in July, the ADP <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/economics/macro-economic-events/24/09/40728795/private-employment-grows-by-99-000-in-august-sharply-misses-forecasts-of-140-000-">National Employment report revealed. </a>
The outcome fell short of the predicted 140,000, highlighting a surprising cooling in labor market conditions last month.
While weekly jobless claims were in line with expectations and offered little new insight, signs of further weakness in the labor market surfaced in the Challenger Job Report, which recorded 75,891 job cuts in August — a sharp 193% increase from the 25,885 cuts in July.
A day earlier, official statistics revealed that job openings fell to 7.673 million in July,&nbsp;the lowest in over three years, with vacancies now almost closing the gap with <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/economics/macro-economic-events/24/09/40711148/july-job-openings-fall-to-3-year-lows-gap-with-unemployment-narrows-to-near-parit">the level of unemployment. </a>
Following the slew of Thursday&#8217;s labor market data, market-implied probabilities for a 50-basis-point cut surged to 45%, as per CME Group&#8216;s FedWatch tool, ahead of the highly anticipated official jobs report on Friday.
<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Market Reactions</h3>
Treasury yields moved lower across the board, with the policy-sensitive two-year yield down by 3 basis points to 3.72%, hitting the lowest yield in a month.
The benchmark 10-year yield dropped to 3.73%, marking its lowest level in a month. It also officially surpassed the two-year yield for the first time since July 2022, marking the end of the U.S. yield curve inversion.
In premarket trading, the iShares 20+ Year Treasury Bond ETF (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/TLT#NASDAQ">TLT</a>) was 0.3% higher at 9:00 a.m. in New York, after closing 1.3% higher on Wednesday.
The Japanese yen rose against the dollar, amid narrowing yield differentials between the two regions. The Invesco CurrencyShares Japanese Yen Trust (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/FXY#NYSE">FXY</a>) was 0.4% higher. 
Gold prices rallied on the back of disappointing employment data, with the commodity surging to $2,515 per ounce. The SPDR Gold Trust ETF (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/GLD#NYSE">GLD</a>) was up by 0.9%.
U.S. major indices are set to open slightly in the red, with S&amp;P 500 futures down 0.1% and Nasdaq 100 futures slipping 0.3%.
Sector-wise, technology stocks, as tracked by the Technology Select Sector SPDR Fund&nbsp;(NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/XLK#NYSE">XLK</a>), lagged, down 0.6%. Utilities, as tracked by the Utilities Select Sector SPDR Fund (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/XLU#NYSE">XLU</a>), strengthened the most, up 0.7%. 
Read Next:
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<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/analyst-ratings/analyst-color/24/09/40718185/could-august-jobs-numbers-keep-recession-fears-at-bay-this-time-is-different-analys">Could August Jobs Numbers Keep Recession Fears At Bay? &#8216;This Time Is Different,&#8217; Analyst Says</a></li>
</ul>
Illustration created using artificial intelligence via Midjourney.

Forex

Gold Rallies, Yen Surges, Treasury Yields Fall As Disappointing Payrolls Data Supports Large Rate-Cut Bets

Wall Street traded slightly higher on Wednesday, rebounding after the sharp sell-off a day earlier that saw chipmakers tumble, with NVIDIA Corp. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/NVDA#NASDAQ">NVDA</a>) shedding around $280 billion in market value — the largest single-day drop in history.
Investors processed fresh insights from July labor market statistics, which confirmed cooling conditions as job openings fell to their lowest level in three years, almost closing the <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/economics/macro-economic-events/24/09/40711148/july-job-openings-fall-to-3-year-lows-gap-with-unemployment-narrows-to-near-parit">gap with unemployment levels.</a>
Expectations for a Federal Reserve interest rate cut improved, with market participants now assigning a 43% implied probability of a 50-basis-point cut in September, up from 38% the previous day.
Attention now shifts to key August labor data, with the ADP private payrolls report due Thursday, followed by the official jobs report on Friday.
Major equity indices were up marginally, while bonds outperformed, with the iShares 20+ Year Treasury Bond ETF (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/TLT#NASDAQ">TLT</a>) rising 0.7%, adding to Tuesday&#8217;s 1.3% gain.
Notably, chipmakers, as tracked by the iShares Semiconductor ETF (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/SOXX#NYSE">SOXX</a>), rose 1%. 
The U.S. dollar weakened, losing 0.4% as falling Treasury yields weighed on the currency. Gold inched up 0.2%, set to break a three-day losing streak.
Oil prices continued to decline, falling 0.7% despite OPEC+ announcing a delay in its planned production increases.
Meanwhile, Bitcoin (CRYPTO: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/btc/usd">BTC</a>) bounced back 1.6%, trading at $58,200.
<h1 class="wp-block-heading">Wednesday&#8217;s Performance Among Major Indices, ETFs</h1>
<figure class="wp-block-table is-style-stripes"> 
<table>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>Major Indices</td>
<td>Price</td>
<td>1-day %chg</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Russell 2000</td>
<td>2,162.23</td>
<td>0.4%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Nasdaq 100</td>
<td>19,033.77</td>
<td>0.4%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Dow Jones</td>
<td>40,985.75</td>
<td>0.1%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>S&amp;P 500</td>
<td>5,535.16</td>
<td>0.1%</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Updated at 12:35 p.m. ET</figcaption></figure>
According to <a href="https://bzresearch.myclickfunnels.com/benzinga-pro-content-webinar-registration/?utm_source=BZprocontent090424&amp;t=be2bearmibe3na1">Benzinga Pro</a> data:
<ul>
<li>The&nbsp;SPDR S&amp;P 500 ETF Trust&nbsp;(NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/SPY#NYSE">SPY</a>)&nbsp;was 0.2% higher to $552.98.</li>
<li>The&nbsp;SPDR Dow Jones Industrial Average&nbsp;(NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/DIA#NYSE">DIA</a>)&nbsp;rose 0.2% to $411.03.</li>
<li>The tech-heavy Invesco QQQ Trust Series (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/QQQ#NASDAQ">QQQ</a>) rose 0.4% to $463.53.</li>
<li>The iShares Russell 2000 ETF (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/IWM#NYSE">IWM</a>) increase 0.4% to $214.31.</li>
<li>The Utilities Select Sector SPDR Fund (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/XLP#NYSE">XLP</a>) outperformed, up by 0.8%, while the Energy Select Sector SPDR Fund (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/XLE#NYSE">XLE</a>) lagged, down 0.8%.</li>
</ul>
<h1 class="wp-block-heading">Wednesday&#8217;s Stock Movers</h1>
<ul>
<li>Dollar Tree Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/DLTR#NASDAQ">DLTR</a>) sunk 20% after missing quarterly earnings estimates and delivering a guidance cut.</li>
<li>Other stocks reacting to company earnings were Dicks Sporting Goods Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/DKS#NYSE">DKS</a>) down 5%, Hormel Foods Corp. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/HRL#NYSE">HRL</a>) down 6.6% and Ciena Corp. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/CIEN#NYSE">CIEN</a>) up 2.2%.</li>
<li>ASML Holding N.V. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/ASML#NASDAQ">ASML</a>) fell 3.2% after UBS downgraded the Dutch chipmaker from Buy to Neutral, also cutting the price target. </li>
<li>Tesla Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/TSLA#NASDAQ">TSLA</a>) rose 5% on upbeat sales data in China. The China Passenger Car Association reported that sales of Tesla's China-made electric vehicles rose 17% compared to July and increased 3% year-over-year.</li>
<li>Companies reporting earnings after the close include Copart Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/CPRT#NASDAQ">CPRT</a>), Hewlett Packard Enterprise Co (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/HPE#NYSE">HPE</a>) and Caseys General Stores Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/CASY#NASDAQ">CASY</a>).</li>
</ul>
Read Now:
<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/equities/24/09/40713134/bank-of-canada-cuts-rates-again-as-inflation-labor-market-cool-canadian-stocks-rebound-loonie-st">Bank Of Canada Cuts Rates Again As Inflation, Labor Market Cool: Canadian Stocks Rebound, Loonie Strengthens</a></li>
</ul>
This image was created using artificial intelligence MidJourney.

ASML

CASY

CIEN

CPRT

DLTR

Stocks Rebound, Chipmakers Halt Bloodbath As Traders Upgrade Rate Cut Wagers; Tesla Rises, Dollar Tree In Free Fall: What's Driving Markets Wednesday?

The first trading session of September started with a widespread selloff across risk assets, as traders took a cautious approach ahead of what is historically a volatile <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/24/09/40676774/september-market-seasonality-why-this-month-is-historically-the-toughest-for-investors">month for global markets.</a>
At 1 p.m. in New York, the S&amp;P 500 had dropped 1.6%, while small-cap stocks nosedived 2.7%. The Magnificent Seven, tracked by the Roundhill Magnificent Seven ETF (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/MAGS#NYSE">MAGS</a>), offered no safe haven, declining 2.3%.
The CBOE Volatility Index (VIX), often referred to as Wall Street&#8217;s &#8220;fear gauge,&#8221; surged by 20%, reflecting heightened anxiety among investors.
Tech stocks were hit hard, with the Nasdaq 100 down 2.5%, on track for its worst one-day drop since Aug. 1. 
Tuesday&#8217;s selloff was reminiscent of the market turmoil caused by the unwinding of the yen-dollar carry trade earlier in the summer. This time, the yen jumped 0.8% against the dollar after hawkish comments from <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/asia/24/09/40692633/japanese-yen-rallies-on-bank-of-japans-rate-hike-pledge-us-manufacturing-activity-contraction">Bank of Japan Governor Kazuo Ueda overnight</a>.
Despite the yen&#8217;s strength, the U.S. dollar gained 0.2% against a basket of other currencies, buoyed by broader market movements.
On the economic front, <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/economics/macro-economic-events/24/09/40689835/us-manufacturing-activity-extends-contraction-for-fifth-month-demand-continues-to">U.S. manufacturing data for August showed a deeper-than-expected contraction</a>, with the employment index indicating mounting challenges ahead of a crucial jobs report due later in the week.
Treasury yields fell as the weak manufacturing data fueled speculation of potential interest rate cuts by the Federal Reserve. The yield on the two-year Treasury note, which is sensitive to policy changes, dipped 3 basis points, while the 10-year Treasury note yield dropped 7 basis points. The iShares 20+ Year Treasury Bond ETF (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/TLT#NASDAQ">TLT</a>) rose 1.2%.
In commodities, gold prices slipped 0.5%, while oil prices plunged more than 4%, marking the steepest one-day decline since October 2023. West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude oil fell to levels not seen since early January 2024, driven by concerns over weaker demand and expectations of increased OPEC supply next month.
Cryptocurrency markets also faced pressure, with Bitcoin (CRYPTO: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/btc/usd">BTC</a>) down 2.5% as overall sentiment remained weak.
<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Tuesday&#8217;s Performance In Major US Indices, ETFs</h3>
<figure class="wp-block-table is-style-stripes"> 
<table>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>Major Indices</td>
<td>Price</td>
<td>1-day change (%)</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Dow Jones</td>
<td>41,057.56</td>
<td>-1.2%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>S&amp;P 500</td>
<td>5,557.61</td>
<td>-1.6%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Nasdaq 100</td>
<td>19,102.46</td>
<td>-2.4%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Russell 2000</td>
<td>2,160.05</td>
<td>-2.7%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>CBOE VIX</td>
<td>18.54</td>
<td>19.2%</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Updated at 1:15 p.m. ET</figcaption></figure>
According to <a href="https://bzresearch.myclickfunnels.com/benzinga-pro-content-webinar-registration/?utm_source=BZprocontent090324&amp;t=be2bearmibe3na1">Benzinga Pro </a>data: 
<ul>
<li>The&nbsp;SPDR S&amp;P 500 ETF Trust&nbsp;(NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/SPY#NYSE">SPY</a>)&nbsp;was 1.5% lower to $555.15.</li>
<li>The&nbsp;SPDR Dow Jones Industrial Average&nbsp;(NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/DIA#NYSE">DIA</a>)&nbsp;fell 1.1% to $411.80.</li>
<li>The tech-heavy Invesco QQQ Trust Series (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/QQQ#NASDAQ">QQQ</a>) tumbled 2.4% to $45.16.</li>
<li>The iShares Russell 2000 ETF (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/IWM#NYSE">IWM</a>) sunk 2.6% to $214.30.</li>
<li>The Consumer Staples Select Sector SPDR Fund (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/XLP#NYSE">XLP</a>) outperformed, up by 1%, while the Technology Select Sector SPDR Fund (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/XLK#NYSE">XLK</a>) tumbled 3.5%. </li>
</ul>
<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Monday&#8217;s Stock Movers</h3>
<ul>
<li>Among mega-cap stocks, Nvidia Corp. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/NVDA#NASDAQ">NVDA</a>) plummeted 7.6%, marking the worst one-day drop since April.</li>
<li>Other major chipmakers also tanked including Marvell Technologies Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/MRVL#NASDAQ">MRVL</a>), down 7.3%, Micron Technology (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/MU#NASDAQ">MU</a>), down 6.5%, Advanced Micro Devices Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/AMD#NASDAQ">AMD</a>), down 6%, and Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/TSM#NYSE">TSM</a>), down 5.7%. </li>
<li>Intel Corp. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/INTC#NASDAQ">INTC</a>) fell 7.5% amid news that the stock might be removed from the Dow Jones index.</li>
<li>Boeing Company (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/BA#NYSE">BA</a>) tumbled almost 8% after Wells Fargo downgraded the stock to an Underweight rating and slashed its price target.</li>
</ul>
Read Next: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/trading-ideas/technicals/24/09/40691352/stock-of-the-day-berkshire-hathaway-trades-above-usual-range-time-to-sell-the-warren-buf">Stock Of The Day: Berkshire Hathaway Trades Above Usual Range — Time To Sell The Warren Buffett Stock?</a>
Bear market illustration generated using artificial intelligence via Dall-E.

Movers

MAGS

MRVL

Wall Street Tumbles, Yen Surges, Oil Sinks Below $70, VIX Spikes As Traders Brace For Volatile Month: What's Driving Markets Tuesday?

Intel Corp (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/INTC#NASDAQ">INTC</a>) and Microsoft Corp (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/MSFT#NASDAQ">MSFT</a>) were among the companies that entered the Dow Jones Industrial Average during the dot-com era.
Analysts and investors told Reuters Intel was likely to be removed from the Dow, pointing to the company&#8217;s stock price trajectory.
Intel missed out on the artificial intelligence boom as&nbsp;OpenAI&#8217;s investment&nbsp;failed to materialize, and its contract manufacturing unit continued to lose out to Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/TSM#NYSE">TSM</a>).
<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="750" height="650" src="https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/03105009/newplot-1.png" alt="" class="wp-image-527295" srcset="https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/03105009/newplot-1.png 750w,https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/03105009/newplot-1-300x260.png 300w" sizes="(max-width: 750px) 100vw, 750px" /></figure>
Intel <a target="_blank" href="https://www.benzinga.com/government/24/08/40622868/intel-faces-scrutiny-over-job-cuts-while-competing-for-20b-us-chip-subsidy" rel="noreferrer noopener">plans to ship</a> chips for over 100 million AI personal computers by 2025, with over 40 million targeted for 2024.
<a target="_blank" href="https://www.benzinga.com/m-a/24/08/40648165/intel-weighs-major-business-split-factory-delays-amid-strategic-review-report" rel="noreferrer noopener">Recent reports indicated</a> Intel is looking to break up its product design and manufacturing businesses, including postponing some of its expansion plans. Investors can gain exposure to Intel through Vanguard Information Tech ETF (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/VGT#NYSE">VGT</a>) and SPDR Select Sector Fund &#8211; Technology (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/XLK#NYSE">XLK</a>).
Analysts snubbed Intel&#8217;s&nbsp;dividend suspension and record layoff of close to 15,000 employees.
Ryuta Makino of Gabelli Funds speculated that Nvidia Corp would replace Intel on the Dow, as per Reuters.
Nvidia has been up 129% in the last 12 months as it successfully milked the A frenzy, while Intel has been down 44%. Taiwan Semiconductor is up 71%.
According to Reuters, Daniel Morgan of Synovus Trust notes Texas Instruments Inc (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/TXN#NASDAQ">TXN</a>) as a possible Dow Jones contender.
Price Action: INTC stock is down by 6.63% at $20.58 at the last check on Tuesday.
Image via Shutterstock

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With numerous advancements and innovations in technology boosting the industry's growth, investing in tech ETFs can offer significant growth. Thus, it could be wise to scoop shares of iShares ETF (IYW), Technology Select Sector (XLK), and Vanguard Information Technology (VGT) for solid returns. Read on… Technology is evolving rapidly with increasing demand and digital transformation worldwide. Therefore, adding tech ETFs to the portfolio can offer a broad spectrum diversification to investors and allow them to yield from the innovations and market growth.
Given the backdrop, let's look at fundamentally solid tech ETFs, iShares U.S. Technology ETF (<a href="https://stocknews.com/stock/IYW/">IYW</a>), The Technology Select Sector SPDR Fund (<a href="https://stocknews.com/stock/XLK/">XLK</a>), and Vanguard Information Technology Index Fund ETF Shares (<a href="https://stocknews.com/stock/VGT/">VGT</a>) for a diversified portfolio.
The tech industry is undergoing a period of remarkable growth and change, with rapid innovations reshaping industries and redefining both consumer behavior and business operations. Tech companies are leading advancements in areas such as AI and cloud computing, driving transformation across sectors and setting new standards for the future.
For instance, for the past three years, Generative AI has emerged as a key focus in the tech sector, with major companies heavily investing in technology. This surge in interest, according to McKinsey Technology Council analysis, has unlocked innovation in related trends like <a href="https://www.mckinsey.com/capabilities/mckinsey-digital/our-insights/the-top-trends-in-tech#new-and-notable">robotics and immersive reality</a>, pushing the boundaries of tech advancement.
Innovation is further propelling the AI revolution across segments like applied AI and industrialized machine learning. Gartner (<a href="https://stocknews.com/stock/IT/">IT</a>) predicts a significant rise in global IT spending, projecting <a href="https://www.gartner.com/en/newsroom/press-releases/2024-07-16-gartner-forecasts-worldwide-it-spending-to-grow-7-point-5-percent-in-2024">$5.26 trillion by 2024</a>, up 7.5% from 2023, with Generative AI poised as a major opportunity for software companies.
Amid this, investing in quality tech ETFs could provide exposure to a significant potential segment, positioning investors for solid returns. These ETFs offer diversification by investing in companies engaged in the technology sector.
Given these encouraging trends, let's look at the fundamentals of the top three <a href="https://stocknews.com/category/technology-equities-etfs/">Technology Equities ETFs</a>, beginning with #3.
ETF #3: iShares U.S. Technology ETF (<a href="https://stocknews.com/stock/IYW/">IYW</a>)
Launched by BlackRock, Inc. (<a href="https://stocknews.com/stock/BLK/">BLK</a>) and managed by BlackRock Fund Advisors, IYW focuses on investing in information technology sectors. It aims to mirror the Russell 1000 Technology RIC 22.5/45 Capped Index through a representative sampling approach, targeting diversified exposure across tech companies.
With $18.15 billion in assets under management (<a href="https://www.investopedia.com/terms/a/aum.asp">AUM</a>), IYW's top holdings are Apple Inc. (<a href="https://stocknews.com/stock/AAPL/">AAPL</a>) with a 15.77% weighting, Microsoft Corporation (<a href="https://stocknews.com/stock/MSFT/">MSFT</a>) at 15.69%, and NVIDIA Corporation (<a href="https://stocknews.com/stock/NVDA/">NVDA</a>) at 13.22%. The fund has a total of 142 holdings, with its top 10 assets comprising 63.15% of its AUM.
IYW has an expense ratio of 0.39%, lower than the category average of 0.58%. Its fund inflows were $106.14 million over the past three months and $2.76 billion over the past year.
IYW pays an annual dividend of $0.32, which translates to a 0.21% yield at the current price level.
The ETF has gained 11.7% over the past six months and 38.4% over the past year to close the last trading session at $149.89. The fund's NAV was <a href="https://www.ishares.com/us/products/239522/ishares-us-technology-etf">$147.91 as of September 19, 2024</a>.
IYW's sound fundamentals are reflected in its <a href="https://stocknews.com/powr-ratings/">POWR Ratings</a>. The fund has an overall rating of A, which translates to a Strong Buy in our proprietary rating system. The POWR Ratings are calculated by considering 118 different factors, with each factor weighted to an optimal degree.
IYW has an A grade for Trade and Buy &amp; Hold. Of the 119 ETFs in the <a href="https://stocknews.com/category/technology-equities-etfs/">Technology Equities ETFs</a> group, it is ranked #3.
<a href="https://stocknews.com/stock/IYW/">Click here</a> to see all the IYW ratings.
ETF #2: The Technology Select Sector SPDR Fund (<a href="https://stocknews.com/stock/XLK/">XLK</a>)
Launched by State Street Global Advisors, Inc. and managed by SSGA Funds Management, Inc., XLK invests in companies within the information technology sectors. The fund aims to track the performance of the Technology Select Sector Index, using a full replication technique to closely mirror the index's composition and performance.
With an AUM of $68.04 billion, XLK's top holdings include MSFT with a 22.33% weighting, followed by NVDA at 19.63%, and AAPL at 4.77%.
The ETF has a total of 69 holdings, with its top 10 assets comprising 65.92% of its AUM. XLK's expense ratio is 0.09%, lower than the category average of 0.58%. Over the past year, its fund inflows were $3.93 billion.
XLK pays an annual dividend of $1.52, which translates to a 0.68% yield at the current price level. Moreover, the fund's dividend payouts have increased at a CAGR of 8.1% over the past five years.
XLK has surged 7.8% over the past six months and 32.1% over the past year to close the last trading session at $223.62. The fund's NAV was <a href="https://www.ssga.com/us/en/intermediary/etfs/the-technology-select-sector-spdr-fund-xlk">$223.52 as of September 19, 2024</a>.
XLK's POWR Ratings reflect its strong prospects. The fund has an overall rating of A, translating to a Strong Buy in our proprietary rating system.
XLK has an A grade for Trade and Buy &amp; Hold. Within the Technology Equities ETFs group, it is ranked #2 of the 119 ETFs.
To access all XLK's POWR Ratings, <a href="https://stocknews.com/stock/XLK/">click here</a>.
ETF #1: Vanguard Information Technology Index Fund ETF Shares (<a href="https://stocknews.com/stock/VGT/">VGT</a>)
Launched and managed by The Vanguard Group, Inc., VGT invests in companies within the information technology sectors. The fund aims to track the performance of the MSCI US Investable Market Index (IMI)/Information Technology 25/50. It achieves this by using a full replication technique to closely replicate the index.
The fund has an AUM of $76.64 billion. Its top holdings include AAPL with a 17.22% weighting, followed by MSFT at a 15.84% weighting, and NVDA at 14.07%. VGT has a total of 320 holdings, with the top 10 assets comprising 61.07% of its AUM.
The fund has an expense ratio of 0.10%, compared to the category average of 0.58%. Over the past six months, VGT's fund inflows came in at $3.68 billion and $6.1 billion over the past year.
VGT pays an annual dividend of $3.70, which translates to a 0.64% yield at the current price level. The fund's dividend payouts have grown at a CAGR of 7.9% over the past five years.
VGT has gained 11.4% over the past six months and 35.7% over the past year to close the last trading session at $579.65. The fund has a NAV of <a href="https://investor.vanguard.com/investment-products/etfs/profile/vgt">$579.76 as of September 19, 2024</a>.
VGT's POWR Ratings reflect its strong outlook. The ETF has an overall rating of A, which translates to a Strong Buy in our proprietary rating system.
It has an A grade for Buy &amp; Hold and Trade. The fund has topped 119 ETFs in the Technology Equities ETFs group.
To access all the POWR Ratings for VGT, <a href="https://stocknews.com/stock/VGT/">click here</a>.
What To Do Next?
43 year investment veteran, Steve Reitmeister, has just released his 2024 market outlook along with trading plan and top 11 picks for the year ahead.
<a href="https://report.stocknews.com/sign-up/stock-market-outlook-2024/?formplacement=artbotad_smo24_rep">2024 Stock Market Outlook &gt;</a>

<hr />
VGT shares fell $1.41 (-0.24%) in premarket trading Friday. Year-to-date, VGT has gained 20.21%, versus a 20.89% rise in the benchmark S&amp;P 500 index during the same period.
<hr><div style="clear:both;"></div> <h2>About the Author: Aanchal Sugandh</h2> <img src='https:/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/Aanchal-Sugandh_Headshot.jpg' style="float:left; padding:5px;width:125px;">Aanchal's passion for financial markets drives her work as an investment analyst and journalist. She earned her bachelor's degree in finance and is pursuing the CFA program.

She is proficient at assessing the long-term prospects of stocks with her fundamental analysis skills. Her goal is to help investors build portfolios with sustainable returns.<a href="https://stocknews.com/authors/?author=aanchal-sugandh">More...</a>The post <a href=https://stocknews.com/news/vgt-xlk-iyw-3-tech-etfs-to-buy-for-diversified-exposure-to-innovation/>3 Tech ETFs to Buy for Diversified Exposure to Innovation</a> appeared first on <a href=https://stocknews.com/>StockNews.com</a>

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The SPX index hit a new all-time high on Thursday, but it then closed well off its high. The breakout wasn't the best, and combined with the nervousness about the election, I think the market will continue to be difficult until the end of October.

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SPDR Select Sector Fund - Technology

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SPDR Select Sector Fund - Technology (ARCA:XLK), Quote.Headers.trade-ideas