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Here’s what’s happening in the stock market today:
The stock market is showing cautious optimism today as investors navigate continued uncertainty around the U.S. government shutdown, now in its eighth day, and await key economic signals from the Federal Reserve. 📈⏳ Futures for the Dow Jones, S&P 500, and Nasdaq are up modestly by about 0.2%, with major indexes near record highs buoyed by enthusiasm for artificial intelligence and easing trade tensions. Gold prices have surged past $4,000 an ounce, reflecting heightened demand for safe-haven assets amid macroeconomic concerns. 🪙💰
Major Indices Performance 📊
Dow Jones Industrial Average futures gained roughly 0.2%, continuing their rebound after a slight dip yesterday.
S&P 500 futures rose about 0.17%, maintaining proximity to record levels.
Nasdaq 100 futures increased by approximately 0.22%, led by strength in AI-related stocks.
Market Movers 🚀
QuantumScape shares climbed 7% following a partnership and battery technology showcase.
Applied Materials and ASML slipped 1-2% amid U.S. lawmakers' calls for broader restrictions on advanced chipmaking tool sales to China.
FedEx shares fell 2% due to a significant stake sale disclosure.
Tesla and Oracle showed notable stock movements, with Tesla pulling back 4.5% while Oracle rose about 3.1%.
Key Events Driving the Market 🗞️
Investors are closely watching the Federal Reserve’s September meeting minutes being released today at 2 p.m. ET for clues on interest rate trajectory amid inflation easing but uncertain policy direction.
The ongoing government shutdown limits new economic data but adds a layer of uncertainty.
Mortgage applications fell 4.7% year-over-year, indicating softness in the housing market.
The upcoming third quarter earnings season begins tomorrow, which could shift market dynamics.
Investor Sentiment 👀
Overall, investor sentiment is cautiously optimistic, balancing excitement over AI and strong corporate earnings prospects against political risks and inflation concerns. Trading volumes remain subdued as markets await clearer Fed guidance and economic data. 🐂⚖️
Pelosi Made 178% While Your 401(k) Crashed
Nancy Pelosi: Up 178% on TEM options
Marjorie Taylor Greene: Up 134% on PLTR
Cleo Fields: Up 138% on IREN
Meanwhile, retail investors got crushed on CNBC's "expert" picks.
The uncomfortable truth: Politicians don't just make laws. They make fortunes.
AltIndex reports every single Congress filing without fail and updates their data constantly.
Then their AI factors those Congress trades into the AI stock ratings on the AltIndex app.
We’ve partnered with AltIndex to get our readers free access to their app for a limited time.
Congress filed 7,810 new stock buys this year as of July.
Don’t miss out on direct access to their playbooks!
Past performance does not guarantee future results. Investing involves risk including possible loss of principal.
TRADE OF THE DAY:
NBIS
Name: Nebius Group N.V.
Symbol: NBIS
Current Price: ~$118.65
Trade
Sell to Open: 1 NBIS Oct 31, 2025 91/86 Put Vertical
Total Credit Received: $77.00
Credit per Contract: $77.00
Direction: Bullish
Probability of Profit (PoP): 84.98%
Potential ROI
Max Risk (Loss): $423.00
ROI: ($77 ÷ $423) × 100 ≈ 18.2%
Trade Explained in Simple English:
You’re selling a put vertical spread by selling the 91-strike put and buying the 86-strike put, both expiring October 31, 2025. You receive $77 upfront. If NBIS stays above about $90.23 (your break-even), both options expire worthless and you keep the credit. Your maximum loss is capped at $423 if NBIS falls below $86 at expiration. This is a bullish trade, since you expect NBIS to remain above $90.23 by expiration.
Wall Street Highlights:
News Beyond the Numbers
Confluent shares surged nearly 20% as the company explores potential acquisition offers, signaling strong investor interest in data streaming software. Read more.
FedEx stock dropped 2% after J.P. Morgan downgraded its rating from "overweight" to "neutral," reflecting concerns over the logistics giant's near-term outlook. Read more.
Nvidia plans a $20 billion investment in Elon Musk’s xAI, including chip purchases and leases for a major AI data center project in Memphis. Read more.
Equifax cuts its credit score pricing to compete with FICO, lowering mortgage-related fees and offering free scores to some consumer finance customers through 2026. Read more.
SoftBank agrees to acquire ABB’s robotics division for $5.4 billion, boosting its AI-focused hardware integration strategy. Read more.
Disclaimer: The content provided by OptionPicks is for informational and educational purposes only and should not be construed as investment, financial, legal, or tax advice. We are not registered as a broker-dealer, investment adviser, or financial advisor with the SEC, FINRA, or any other regulatory authority. Options trading involves substantial risk and is not suitable for every investor. Past performance is not indicative of future results, and no representation is being made that any subscriber will or is likely to achieve profits or incur losses similar to those mentioned. You should consult with a licensed financial professional before making any investment decisions.
