On July 10, 2025, US stocks continued their upward momentum, reaching fresh record highs. The Dow Jones Industrial Average (^DJI) rose approximately 0.6%, while the S&P 500 (^GSPC) added about 0.4% to close at a remarkable 6,280.46. The tech-heavy Nasdaq Composite (^IXIC) also climbed 0.2%, marking its second consecutive all-time high.
At the center of this stock surge is Nvidia (NVDA), the AI chipmaker that saw its market capitalization top $4 trillion for the first time in history, coinciding with a bullish atmosphere in the cryptocurrency market, where Bitcoin (BTC-USD) surged beyond $113,000.
Nvidia's milestone of crossing a $4 trillion market cap solidifies its dominant position in the tech sector and highlights the growing influence of artificial intelligence on various markets. Despite slight fluctuations, Nvidia's robust performance has contributed immensely to the S&P 500's overall gains. Analysts have noted that historically, Bitcoin has shown a strong correlation with tech stocks, further indicating a shared momentum.
Delta Air Lines (DAL) played a crucial role in boosting investor sentiment as the company announced an impressive earnings report for the second quarter. Shares jumped by 12%, largely due to the airline's improved earnings outlook amid signs of stabilization in travel demand post-pandemic.
Delta's CEO, Ed Bastian, emphasized that greater clarity over trade deals has supported this confident outlook, enabling the airline to reinstate guidance for the year.
In economic news, jobless claims for the week ending July 5 fell to 227,000, a decline of 5,000 from the previous week's revised figure. This decrease signals potential resilience in the labor market, though continuing claims rose slightly to 1.97 million.
Investors are closely monitoring these indicators as they influence expectations regarding Federal Reserve interest rate adjustments. Currently, there is a 93% chance that the Fed will maintain interest rates in the upcoming meeting.
The stock market remained buoyant despite the backdrop of increased tariff threats from President Trump, specifically targeting Brazil with a potential 50% tariff on imports starting August 1. This announcement has rattled Brazilian markets, leading to declines in major Brazilian stocks listed on US exchanges.
Furthermore, MP Materials (MP) soared approximately 45% following news of a significant investment from the US Department of Defense, aiming to bolster the domestic supply of rare earth materials critical for various industries, including defense.
The overall market sentiment remains optimistic as stocks inch closer to record highs, propelled by pivotal players like Nvidia and the evolving economic landscape. Investors are advised to stay tuned to ongoing trade developments and earnings reports, which will shape market dynamics in the upcoming weeks.