Stock Market Update: S&P 500 Falls 0.6%, Dell and Ulta Shares Drop, Autodesk Rises

The S&P 500 fell 0.6% on Friday, August 29, 2025, after the latest PCE report revealed an uptick in "core" inflation. Dell Technologies shares dropped 8.9% despite beating Q2 estimates, while Ulta Beauty shares fell 7.1% despite posting stronger-than-expected Q2 sales and profits. Autodesk shares surged 9.1% after topping Q2 sales and adjusted profit estimates and lifting its full-year forecasts.

The S&P 500 fell 0.6% on Friday, August 29, 2025, following the latest Personal Consumption Expenditures (PCE) report, which revealed an uptick in "core" inflation [1]. Despite the market's downward trend, some companies reported strong earnings that did not align with the broader market sentiment.

Dell Technologies shares dropped 8.9% despite beating Q2 estimates. The company reported Q2 revenue of $29.78 billion, up 19% year-over-year (YoY), and earnings per share (EPS) of $2.32, up from $1.89 YoY. The company's Client Solutions Group and Infrastructure Solutions Group also reported significant growth in net revenue [2].

Ulta Beauty shares fell 7.1% despite posting stronger-than-expected Q2 sales and profits. The company's performance was not enough to offset the broader market's concerns about inflation.

On the other hand, Autodesk shares surged 9.1% after topping Q2 sales and adjusted profit estimates and lifting its full-year forecasts. The company reported a 17% YoY increase in Q2 revenue to $1.76 billion and announced a substantial share buyback program of $1.2 billion–$1.3 billion [3].

The market's reaction to these earnings reports highlights the ongoing tension between strong corporate performance and broader economic concerns. While some companies continue to report robust earnings, the overall market remains cautious in the face of rising inflation.

References:

[1] https://www.tradingview.com/news/DJN_DN20250829000449:0-dow-jones-top-markets-headlines-at-1-am-et-s-p-500-notches-another-record-after-gdp-revision-trump/
[2] https://www.ainvest.com/news/dell-technologies-q2-earnings-revenue-19-eps-2-32-key-metrics-outlined-2508/
[3] https://www.ainvest.com/news/autodesk-soars-9-45-strong-q2-earnings-buyback-2508/