Weekly Roundup Oct. 20-24
U.S. stocks rallied as cooling inflation and resilient earnings outweighed Washington gridlock, lifting major indexes to multi-week highs led by technology and industrial gains.
By: Tangia ZhengOct. 29, 2025 
Market Performance Overview
U.S. equity markets closed higher across the board last week as investors balanced softer inflation data with steady corporate earnings. The S&P 500 rose 1.9 percent to 6,791.69, the Dow Jones Industrial Average advanced 2.2 percent to 47,207.12, and the Nasdaq Composite climbed 2.3 percent to 23,204.87. Technology and industrial stocks led the rally, while consumer discretionary shares showed modest strength. Ford Motor Company gained roughly 12 percent after reporting stronger revenue and cash flow, and IBM Corporation rose about 8 percent on double-digit growth in software and AI segments. Deckers Outdoor Corporation fell around 13 percent following conservative guidance for the next quarter.
Policy and Geopolitical Developments
The ongoing U.S. government shutdown, now in its fourth week, continued to shape sentiment in Washington and on Wall Street. While investors have largely discounted near-term disruption, prolonged gridlock has raised questions about fiscal discipline and potential delays in federal spending. On the global front, critical minerals gained renewed focus as the International Energy Agency reported deepening supply-chain constraints in lithium, cobalt, and rare-earth elements. The United States and Australia announced an $8.5 billion strategic partnership to expand production and processing capacity, reflecting the growing intersection of industrial policy, resource security, and geopolitical competition.
“In about a year from now, we’ll have so much critical mineral and rare earths that you won’t know what to do with them. ”
Inflation, Rates, and Macro Data
Economic data reinforced the view that inflation is stabilizing. The Consumer Price Index increased 3.0 percent year over year in September, with a monthly rise of 0.3 percent, matching expectations. Core inflation also registered 3.0 percent. Treasury yields were little changed, with the 10-year note ending the week near 4.02 percent and the 3-month yield close behind, leaving the yield curve effectively flat at a 0.09-percentage-point spread. Markets interpreted the steady inflation readings as evidence that the Federal Reserve may have room to begin rate reductions in early 2026 if disinflation continues.
Corporate Commentary
Executives across major companies struck a measured but optimistic tone. Ford emphasized operational efficiency and supply-chain recovery as drivers of improved financial results. IBM highlighted robust performance in its hybrid-cloud and AI businesses, suggesting enterprise technology spending remains resilient. Tesla reported record vehicle deliveries yet pointed to margin compression, signaling a strategic pivot toward robotics and AI platforms for long-term expansion.
Next Week’s Outlook
Investors will closely watch the upcoming Federal Open Market Committee meeting for any adjustments in forward guidance or tone on interest-rate policy. Earnings releases from major technology and industrial firms, along with fresh housing and labor-market data, will shape expectations for fourth-quarter growth. A balanced Fed message combined with stable inflation data could sustain recent market gains, while renewed policy uncertainty may encourage caution heading into November.
Market Snapshot
S&P 500: 6,791.69 (up 1.9%)
DJIA: 47,207.12 (up 2.2%)
Nasdaq Composite: 23,204.87 (up 2.3%)
10-Year Treasury Yield: 4.02 percent
Oil (WTI): 79 dollars per barrel
Gold: 2,440 dollars per ounce