US Stocks Dip As Powell Stays Cautious, Intel Climbs, Tesla Sinks To 11-Week Low: What's Driving Markets Tuesday?
Author: Piero Cingari | February 11, 2025 01:36pm
U.S. stocks edged marginally lower on Tuesday after Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell reiterated that the central bank is in no hurry to cut interest rates during his testimony before the Senate Banking Committee, offering little support for risk assets.
Investors remained on edge ahead of Wednesday's key inflation report, with the Bureau of Labor Statistics set to release the January Consumer Price Index.
The S&P 500 dipped 0.1%, the Nasdaq 100 declined 0.2%, and small-cap stocks underperformed. Bucking the trend, the Dow Jones Industrial Average posted a marginal 0.1% gain.
Company-wise, Intel Corp. (NASDAQ:INTC) surged 7%, after Vice President J.D. Vance indicated that artificial intelligence chips will be manufactured in the U.S.
Tesla Inc. (NASDAQ:TSLA) fell by over 4%, reaching the lowest levels in eleven weeks, pressured by weak January auto sales in China.
Geopolitical tensions flared as the European Union threatened countermeasures in response to President Donald Trump's announcement of 25% tariffs on aluminum and steel.
Long-dated Treasury yields moved higher, with the 10-year yield rising to 4.54%. Yet, the broader dollar index – as tracked by the Invesco DB USD Index Bullish Fund ETF (NYSE:UUP) – weakened, down 0.2%.
Gold paused for a breather, remaining flat at $2,900 per ounce. Oil prices inched up by 1%, eyeing the third straight session of gains.
The SPDR S&P 500 ETF Trust (NYSE:SPY) inched 0.1% down to $604.07.
The SPDR Dow Jones Industrial Average (NYSE:DIA) was 0.1% up to $445.06.
The tech-heavy Invesco QQQ Trust Series (NASDAQ:QQQ) fell 0.3% to $527.55.
The iShares Russell 2000 ETF (NYSE:IWM) eased 0.7% to $225.34.
The EnergySelect Sector SPDR Fund (NYSE:XLE) outperformed, up 1.4%; the Consumer Discretionary Select Sector SPDR Fund (NYSE:XLY) lagged, down 1.2%.
Tuesday’s Stock Movers
Steel Dynamics Inc. (NASDAQ:STLD) rose 2.4% after KeyBanc raised the stock to Overweight.
Phillips 66 (NYSE:PSX) surged 5% after Elliott Investment Management urged the company to sell or spin off its midstream business, estimating its value at over $40 billion.
Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL) gained 2.8%, and Alibaba Group Holding Ltd. (NYSE:BABA) climbed 2% amid speculation about a potential AI partnership for iPhone users in China.