Dow Jones Today: Stocks Soar with Solid Weekly Gains; Apple’s Rally Continues and Gold Hits Record Highs!

Firefly Stock Retreats After Initial Surge

Firefly Aerospace’s stock stumbled on its second day of trading. After a strong debut, shares fell 18% to around $50, wiping out more than half of its initial gains from the previous day.

The company, based in Cedar Park, Texas, successfully raised about $870 million during its IPO. Firefly has had its share of challenges, including bankruptcy and development delays. It boasts clients like the U.S. Space Force and made headlines for being the first private firm to achieve a soft landing on the moon. Its stock had surged 34% above its IPO price of $45 on its first trading day.

Interestingly, 2025 has seen a wave of IPOs exceeding $100 million, showing a resurgence in investor interest. According to Renaissance Capital, these listings had an average first-day pop of over 18%, notably outperforming those from earlier years.

Gold’s Resurgence Amid Economic Worries

Gold prices have climbed over the past week, nearing record highs. This increase comes as investors react to uncertainty about the U.S. economy and potential interest rate cuts by the Federal Reserve, sparked by a disappointing jobs report. Gold often rises during economic instability, serving as a safe-haven asset. Additionally, reports of tariffs on gold imports have contributed to this upward trend.

This year alone, gold’s value has surged by about 30%. Concerns over unpredictable trade policies and global tensions, particularly in the Middle East, have fueled interest in gold as a secure investment.

Currently, analysts suggest keeping an eye on significant price levels: approximately $3,435 and $3,735 for resistance, and around $3,245 and $3,150 for support.

The Trade Desk Faces Stock Plunge

Shares of The Trade Desk dropped sharply after a disappointing earnings report. The software firm, which aids businesses in deploying ad campaigns, reported that new tariffs were hindering advertising expenditure. Its stock fell nearly 40% to around $54, erasing recent gains made after its addition to the S&P 500.

CEO Jeff Green disclosed that clients are feeling the weight of these tariffs. Although revenue rose by 18.7% to $694 million in Q2, adjusted earnings per share fell slightly short of anticipations.

Expedia’s Positive Earnings Boosts Shares

Expedia shares jumped following robust earnings. The online travel agency reported adjusted earnings per share of $4.24 and revenue climbed 6% to $3.79 billion. CEO Ariane Gorin stated that the firm surpassed expectations thanks to strong demand, particularly from international markets. This uptick led the company to raise its full-year revenue guidance, forecasting a 3% to 5% increase.

Intel CEO’s Message of Stability

Intel’s CEO, Lip-Bu Tan, reassured employees of his backing from the board amid external pressures calling for his resignation. In a letter, Tan emphasized his commitment to maintaining high ethical standards and indicated he is actively addressing concerns related to his connections with China. While shares ticked up slightly, they remain down for the year.

Nasdaq on an Upward Trend

The Nasdaq Composite is experiencing its best week since June, rising 2.9%. This increase comes after a slow week prior, providing a much-needed turnaround. Both the S&P 500 and Dow also showed gains, with the S&P up by 1.6% this week. Year-to-date, the Nasdaq has improved by 10%, while the S&P 500 and Dow have seen increases of 7.8% and 3.4%, respectively.

Market Futures Show Promise

Futures indicate a positive start for major U.S. indexes, with Dow futures up by 0.1%, and S&P 500 and Nasdaq 100 futures both rising by 0.2%. This uptick hints at a continuation of the recent positive momentum in the markets.

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