Market Wrap | US Stocks Mixed as Fed Hints at Cautious Rate Cuts AstraZeneca Shares Surge on Strong Sales

On July 30, 2025, the U.S. stock market experienced mixed movements, with the S&P 500 Index falling 0.12%, the Dow Jones Industrial Average declining 0.38%, and the Nasdaq Composite rising 0.15%. Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell emphasized a cautious approach to potential rate cuts, indicating that decisions will rely heavily on evolving economic data. Meanwhile, traders are adjusting expectations for rate changes, with a 45.7% probability of a rate cut in September. This uncertainty may have contributed to the mixed movements in the U.S. stock market indices today.

Based on the current market performance, several key sectors underperformed the S&P 500 index. These include the healthcare, energy, materials, industrials, real estate, and financial sectors, as well as the consumer goods sector. Conversely, the utilities, technology, and communication services sectors bucked the trend and saw gains.

AstraZeneca shares rose 3.53% today, driven by strong growth in sales of oncology drugs and biopharmaceuticals. The company's higher revenue reflects its successful expansion in the pharmaceutical market, particularly in the areas of cancer treatment and biopharmaceuticals. This positive performance has bolstered investor confidence in AstraZeneca's future prospects.

Replimune Group's stock surged over 101%, driven by encouraging clinical trial results that have bolstered investor confidence. XBP Europe saw an impressive rise of over 81%, attributed to its strategic acquisition of Exela BPA, which has strengthened its financial position and expanded its global footprint. Meanwhile, VYNE's stock plummeted by over 72% following the failure of its Phase 2b trial for repibresib gel. SOS also faced a significant drop of over 54%, as declining investor confidence due to poor financial performance weighed heavily on the company.

The Federal Reserve maintained its federal funds rate target range at 4.25% to 4.50%, meeting market expectations, despite internal dissent from two board members who favored a rate cut. Speculation on potential rate cuts persists, with futures markets reflecting a 45.7% probability of a 25-basis-point cut in September. Meta Platforms reported a stronger-than-expected revenue outlook for the third quarter, driven by robust ad sales, and announced increased capital expenditure plans to bolster its AI capabilities. Additionally, LG Energy Solution signed a $43 billion deal to supply Tesla with lithium iron phosphate batteries for energy storage systems, highlighting ongoing investment in renewable energy infrastructure.