Markets Update: U.S. Stocks Decline Amid Economic Data Concerns

The Trade Academy Team
Sep 25
2 min read

Updated: Oct 17

Global Markets Roundup: 25 September 2025

Jobless claims fell more than expected. Initial applications for state unemployment benefits dropped by 14,000 to a seasonally adjusted 218,000 for the week ending September 20. Additionally, revised data showed that the U.S. economy expanded faster than previously estimated in the second quarter. This growth was driven by resilient consumer spending and business investment.

Chicago Fed President Austan Goolsbee cautioned against moving “too quickly” with further easing. Meanwhile, new Fed policymaker Stephen Miran advocated for sharper cuts to protect jobs.

Stocks Slip as Investors Reassess Rate Path

All major indexes finished lower, with losses across nearly all S&P 500 sectors, except energy.

Dow Jones Industrial Average: -215.60 points (-0.46%) to 45,906.96
S&P 500: -42.51 points (-0.64%) to 6,595.55
Nasdaq Composite: -159.04 points (-0.71%) to 22,338.87

CarMax shares plunged 19% to a more than five-year low after reporting weak second-quarter profits. Accenture also slipped 3%, despite posting revenue above forecasts.

Treasury Yields Rise

Bond yields increased, led by shorter maturities tied to Fed expectations.

10-year Treasury yield: up 2.5 bps to 4.172%
2-year Treasury yield: up 6.3 bps to 3.661%

Dollar Rallies, Euro and Franc Weaken

The dollar index DXY surged 0.68% to 98.50, its highest in two weeks. This rise was bolstered by solid GDP revisions and diverging central bank policies.

USDJPY +0.58% to 149.77, the strongest since August 1
EURUSD -0.66% to $1.1659, a two-week low
USDCHF: +0.60% to 0.80 after the Swiss National Bank held rates at zero and flagged trade-related risks to its outlook

Commodities Mixed

Crude prices remained stable, while grains and soft commodities extended recent gains.

WTI Crude: -$0.01 to $64.98/barrel
Brent Crude: +$0.14 to $69.42/barrel
Wheat (Dec): +1.4% to $5.27/bushel
Corn (Dec): +0.4% to $4.25¾/bushel
Soybeans (Nov): +0.3% to $10.11¾/bushel
Arabica coffee: near $3.70/lb, the highest in a week, lifted by tightening inventories and U.S. tariffs on Brazilian imports

Economic Outlook

Traders remain divided on the Fed’s next steps. While markets still price in at least two more rate cuts this year, officials indicated that incoming data will dictate the pace. With corporate earnings season approaching, investors seek confirmation that profits can sustain amid policy uncertainty and high valuations.

Upcoming Events

Looking ahead, refer to the economic calendar below to see the upcoming events scheduled for today and the rest of the week.

General news - Information source from multiple newswires.

The article and the data is for general information use only, not advice!

The Trade Academy Team