Fri Sep 26 20:50:00 UTC 2025: **Summary:**
US stocks declined for the third consecutive day as Wall Street grapples with mixed economic signals. Better-than-expected GDP growth and a drop in jobless claims complicate the outlook for Federal Reserve rate cuts, creating uncertainty in the market. Tech stocks took a hit, while investors await the release of the Personal Consumption Expenditures (PCE) index, the Fed’s preferred inflation gauge, for further clues on monetary policy. Individual stocks like Tesla and Oracle faced headwinds, while Intel saw a boost from potential collaboration talks with Apple. Gold and silver bucked the trend, rising in value.
**News Article:**
**Wall Street Falters as Rate Cut Hopes Dim Amid Conflicting Economic Data**
**NEW YORK** – U.S. stocks closed lower for the third straight session on Thursday as investors weighed surprisingly positive economic data against concerns about the Federal Reserve’s future monetary policy. The Dow Jones Industrial Average, S&P 500, and Nasdaq Composite all closed down around 0.5%.
A stronger-than-expected second-quarter GDP growth rate of 3.8%, coupled with a drop in weekly jobless claims to 218,000, has muddied the waters for those anticipating further interest rate cuts by the Fed. This data suggests a more resilient economy than previously thought, potentially lessening the urgency for monetary easing.
“The market is reassessing its expectations for rate cuts,” said a market analyst. “The Fed’s next move is less predictable now, and investors are reacting accordingly.”
Tech stocks were among the hardest hit, with Oracle shares plummeting after an analyst issued a “Sell” rating. Tesla also saw a decline, attributed to falling EV sales in Europe amid increasing competition.
Conversely, Intel experienced a surge in its stock price following reports that the company is exploring potential collaboration with Apple, though analysts remain skeptical of a significant partnership.
Looking ahead, investors are keenly anticipating the release of the Personal Consumption Expenditures (PCE) index on Friday, the Fed’s preferred inflation gauge. This data could provide further clarity on the direction of monetary policy.
In other market news, gold and silver saw gains as investors sought safe-haven assets amid the market uncertainty. Costco is slated to release its quarterly earnings after the bell, with expectations of strong sales driven by consumer deal-seeking.
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