Here’s what’s happening in the stock market today:
The stock market is relatively calm today, with U.S. futures and major indices mostly flat as investors digest a busy week of economic data and await upcoming earnings and economic reports. 📈💹 Most global equity markets are steady, supported by continued optimism around a Federal Reserve interest rate cut next week. 💸📊
Major Indices Performance 📈
S&P 500 futures are nearly flat, holding near recent record highs. 📊
Dow Jones Industrial Average futures are down slightly but showing minimal movement. 🏦
Nasdaq futures show modest gains, led by tech, with small fluctuations. 🖥️
Market Movers 🚀
There are no major earnings reports today among large-cap stocks, but some IPOs are drawing attention, including Gemini Space Station (crypto exchange) and Via Transportation. 🚀
Health insurer Centene saw gains earlier this week after beating forecasts. 💼
Semiconductor stocks like Micron have been rising on positive demand outlooks for AI-related chips. 💻
Opendoor surged on leadership changes and fresh investment news. 💰
Key Events Driving the Market 🗞️
Investors are digesting recent economic data, including consumer sentiment and jobless claims, which have strengthened expectations for a 25 basis point Fed cut next week. 🔔
There is focus on new IPOs, though broader earnings season is winding down. 📉
Tariffs and geopolitical issues remain in the background but have not disrupted positive market momentum this week. 🌏
Investor Sentiment 👀
The overall tone is cautious but optimistic, with markets in a holding pattern ahead of the Fed decision. Trading volume is subdued, and investors remain focused on key economic indicators and isolated corporate developments. Global shares are mostly steady, reflecting confidence in continued accommodative monetary policy. 🐂📈
TRADE OF THE DAY:
VLO
Name: Valero Energy Corporation
Symbol: VLO
Current Price: ~$158.56
Trade
Sell to Open: 1 VLO Sep 26, 2025 149/144 Put Vertical
Total Credit Received: $44.00
Credit per Contract: $44.00 (for one contract covering 100 shares)
Direction: Bullish (expects VLO to stay above break-even level)
Probability of Profit (PoP): 84.68%
Potential ROI:
Max Risk (Loss): $456.00
ROI: ($44.00 ÷ $456.00) × 100 ≈ 9.6%
Trade Explained in Simple English:
You are selling the 149-strike put and buying the 144-strike put, both expiring on September 26, 2025. You collect $44 upfront. Your break-even point is about $148.56. If VLO stays above that by expiration, both puts expire worthless and you keep the full credit. If the stock falls below $144, your loss is capped at $456. This setup is bullish because you profit if VLO remains above the break-even by expiry.
Wall Street Highlights:
News Beyond the Numbers
Warner Bros Discovery's stock surged over 28% after reports that Paramount Skydance is preparing a bid to acquire the Hollywood studio.
https://www.reuters.com/business/wall-street-futures-ease-slightly-indexes-set-weekly-gains-2025-09-12/Adobe raised its annual profit and revenue outlook following stronger-than-expected third-quarter earnings, driven by robust AI sales.
https://www.investopedia.com/5-things-to-know-before-the-stock-market-opens-september-12-2025-11808712RH cut its revenue growth forecast and saw shares drop due to tariff pressures and postponed new product launches.
https://www.investopedia.com/5-things-to-know-before-the-stock-market-opens-september-12-2025-11808712Centene reported business results tracking above earlier profit forecasts, contributing positively to its turnaround story.
https://www.timesleaderonline.com/news/business/2025/09/wall-streets-record-setting-run-keeps-motoring-on-expectations/Opendoor Technologies' shares soared 67% after hiring Shopify’s COO as CEO and announcing a $40 million investment by its founders.
https://www.timesleaderonline.com/news/business/2025/09/wall-streets-record-setting-run-keeps-motoring-on-expectations/Kroger raised the low end of its full-year profit forecast following a stronger-than-expected quarter.
https://www.timesleaderonline.com/news/business/2025/09/wall-streets-record-setting-run-keeps-motoring-on-expectations/Figure Technology Solutions closed 24% above its IPO price as a blockchain-based credit company embracing public markets.
https://www.reuters.com/markets/us/LB Pharmaceuticals closed 15% higher in its trading debut after raising $285 million in an upsized initial public offering.
https://www.reuters.com/markets/us/Bank of New York Mellon partnered with Carnegie Mellon University to advance AI research targeted at financial services applications.
https://www.reuters.com/markets/us/Indian IT giant Infosys announced a $2 billion share buyback plan to return cash to investors amid recent stock price declines.
https://www.reuters.com/markets/us/
