Market Wrap | Wall Street Surges as Yardeni Boosts S&P 500 Target Microsoft OpenAI Deal Drives After-Hours Gains

On September 11, 2025, the S&P 500 index rose by 0.85%, the Dow Jones Industrial Average increased by 1.36%, and the Nasdaq Composite Index gained 0.72%. Wall Street strategist Ed Yardeni raised his year-end target for the S&P 500 index to 6,800 points, citing stable inflation data and expectations of a Federal Reserve rate cut. Meanwhile, the International Monetary Fund suggested that the Federal Reserve has room to gradually lower interest rates, but should proceed cautiously.

The market saw a mixed performance across various sectors. The healthcare, non-essential consumer goods, communication services, materials, industrial, real estate, and financial sectors outperformed the S&P 500, with the healthcare, non-essential consumer goods, communication services, materials, real estate, and financial sectors showing particularly strong performance. Conversely, the energy sector moved in the opposite direction of the S&P 500.

Microsoft and OpenAI have signed a non-binding agreement allowing OpenAI to proceed with its restructuring plan to become a profit-driven company, resulting in a 2% increase in Microsoft's after-hours trading. Ed Yardeni, a renowned Wall Street strategist, raised his year-end target for the S&P 500 index, citing stable inflation data and expectations of a Federal Reserve rate cut next week. The IMF has stated that the Federal Reserve has room to gradually lower interest rates, advising caution in its approach. Meanwhile, traders have fully priced in three rate cuts by the Federal Reserve before the end of 2025.