Wall Street logged its strongest five-day rally in over a month, fueled by inflation data that strengthened expectations of a Federal Reserve rate cut next week.
Producer prices for August unexpectedly fell on both core and headline measures, while the consumer price index showed a slightly hotter-than-expected headline but steady core inflation.
Combined with signs of a cooling labor market, the data boosted confidence that the Fed will cut rates this year. Traders now widely expect a 25-basis-point cut next week, with two more likely in October and December, according to the CME FedWatch tool.
For the week, the benchmark S&P 500 index (SP500) added +1.6%, while the blue-chip Dow (DJI) gained +1.0%. The tech-heavy Nasdaq (COMP:IND) advanced +2.0%.
Here’s a list of stocks that caught investors attention this week:
Micron Technology (MU) advanced over 20% after Citi highlighted potential upside when the company reports earnings on Sept. 23. Citi increased its full-year fiscal 2026 revenue estimate for Micron to $56B from $54.5B and its earnings per share estimate to $15.02 from $14.62. Its full-year EPS estimate is 26% more than the consensus. “We expect the company to report in-line results and guide well above consensus driven by higher DRAM and NAND sales and pricing,” said Citi analysts.
UnitedHealth Group (UNH) added nearly 11% as the health insurer reiterated its adjusted EPS outlook of at least $16.00 per share for the full year 2025. The company also said that based on initial data, roughly 78% of its membership could be enrolled in its Medicare Advantage plans rated four stars and above for the 2027 Payment Year.
Oracle (ORCL) reported a massive surge in remaining performance obligations (RPO) alongside Q1 results. RPO more than quadrupled to $455B (up 359% y/y), with analysts calling it a sign of confidence in the company’s capabilities. Shares surged about 36% on Wednesday, adding nearly $250B to the stock’s market value and helping Oracle (ORCL) co-founder and chief technology officer Larry Ellison dethrone Elon Musk as the world’s richest person.
Warner Bros. Discovery (WBD) jumped 55% over the week on a report that Paramount Skydance (PSKY) is preparing a majority cash bid for the entertainment giant. Paramount Skydance climbed over 24%. The offer will be for the entire company, including its cable networks and movie studio, according to a WSJ report on Thursday, which cited people familiar with the matter. The bid will be backed by the Ellison family.
EchoStar (SATS) was in the spotlight after it agreed to sell its AWS-4 and H-block spectrum licenses to SpaceX (SPACE) for about $17 billion, split between up to $8.5 billion in cash and up to $8.5 billion in SpaceX stock.
Nebius Group (NBIS) shares rose after announcing a multi-year AI infrastructure deal with Microsoft (MSFT) valued at $17.4 billion over five years, with the potential to reach $19.4 billion if more capacity is added. Under the agreement, Nebius will supply dedicated capacity to Microsoft from its new Vineland, N.J. data center, set to come online later this year.
Synopsys (SNPS) plunged 29% after reporting disappointing Q3 results and outlook. For Q4, the company expects adjusted EPS of $2.76–$2.80 on revenue of $2.23B–$2.26B, far below consensus of $4.50 EPS and $2.10B revenue. Full-year guidance was also weak, with EPS of $12.76–$12.80 on revenue of $7.03B–$7.06B, missing estimates of $15.13 EPS and $6.74B revenue. CFO Shelagh Glaser said Synopsys is taking a cautious stance for Q4 but still expects another year of profitable growth, while pointing to softness in Design IP.
Chewy (CHWY) fell 18% as profits slumped 80% Y/Y to $0.14/share, overshadowing stronger-than-expected Q2 sales and a raised FY2025 outlook. For Q3, the company guides EPS of $0.28–$0.33 (vs. $0.31 est.) on revenue of $3.07B–$3.1B (above $3.05B est.). Full-year sales are now projected at $12.5B–$12.6B, with adjusted EBITDA margin expected at 5.4%–5.7%.
Rubrik’s (RBRK) second quarter financial results and outlook demonstrated its leadership position in the data security space, prompting multiple financial firms to increase their price target on the stock. However, shares fell nearly 21% over the week as some pointed that its strong run-up over the past year is mostly priced in.
Gemini Space Station (GEMI) saw its stock open as much as 45% above the initial offering price, before paring gains shortly thereafter. The crypto exchange closed at $32, above its IPO pricing of $28. Gemini (GEMI) joins a broader run of crypto firms tapping public markets, riding momentum from a more welcoming U.S. regulatory environment. Shares of Figure Technology Solutions (FIGR), a blockchain-based lender, gapped up well above their IPO price in their first day of trading on Thursday.