US Stock Market Analysis, Commentary and Potential Picks for the week ending 8/8/25

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Tech Surge Overshadows Tariff Jitters

U.S. markets shrugged off fresh tariff headlines last week as megacap tech, semiconductor, and AI stocks fueled a broad rally. Despite new duties on dozens of countries — including a steep 50% tariff on Indian imports of Russian oil and a near-100% levy on semiconductors with exemptions for U.S. manufacturers — technology led gains, with Apple jumping 3.2% and the Philadelphia Semiconductor Index up 1.5%. The Nasdaq surged 3.9% to a record close, while the S&P 500 and Dow added 2.4% and 1.35%, respectively. Weaker labor market data boosted expectations for a September Fed rate cut, helping volatility ease and risk appetite return. Corporate standouts included Shopify and Arista Networks on strong earnings, while Apple pledged an additional $100 billion in U.S. investments. Sector-wise, Consumer Discretionary, Technology, and Communications outperformed, signaling renewed investor focus on growth, even as energy and healthcare lagged. Looking ahead, CPI and PPI data will be key market drivers, with options expiration likely to add short-term volatility.