Post-Market Recap: Markets Show Resilience with Tech Recovery on November 14, 2025

This analysis is based on market data and news coverage from November 14, 2025, providing a comprehensive overview of regular session performance, key market drivers, and after-hours activity.

The major U.S. indices displayed mixed but resilient performance on Friday, with significant intraday recovery from steep morning declines. The Nasdaq Composite gained 0.13% to close at 22,900.59, successfully snapping a three-day losing streak [1]. The S&P 500 ended essentially flat at 6,734.11 (-0.05%), while the Dow Jones Industrial Average lagged with a 0.65% decline to 47,147.48, down 309.74 points [1].

Notably, all three major indexes bounced back significantly from their session lows - the Nasdaq and S&P 500 had been down 1.9% and 1.4% respectively earlier in the day, while the Dow had fallen almost 600 points before recovering [1]. This demonstrated underlying buying interest and market resilience despite ongoing concerns.

Sector performance showed clear divergence, with defensive and cyclical sectors leading gains while communication services struggled:

• Energy: +3.12% [0]
• Utilities: +2.16% [0]
• Technology: +2.03% [0]
• Financial Services: +1.41% [0]

• Communication Services: -2.21% [0]
• Basic Materials: -0.94% [0]

The technology sector’s recovery was particularly significant, with the Technology Select Sector SPDR Fund (XLK) closing up 0.5%, recovering from its 2% decline on Thursday [1]. Leading AI players including Nvidia, Oracle, Palantir Technologies, and Tesla all reversed course from Thursday’s losses [1].

Mounting concerns about the Federal Reserve’s December interest rate decision continued to pressure market sentiment. Traders priced in less than 50% chance of a quarter-point rate cut in December, down significantly from 62.9% earlier in the week and 95.5% a month ago [1]. Kansas City Fed President Jeffrey Schmid reinforced this uncertainty by reiterating opposition to further rate cuts, stating that current policy is “only modestly restrictive” [1].

Energy prices surged following Iran’s seizure of an oil tanker in the Strait of Hormuz, contributing to a nearly 3% rise in U.S. crude oil prices above $60 per barrel [1]. This incident marked the first such seizure in months and provided a significant boost to energy sector performance.

The earnings season remained a key driver of individual stock movements, with mixed reactions to quarterly results highlighting selective investor behavior.

The strong intraday recovery from steep morning declines suggests underlying market strength and buying interest at lower levels. This resilience occurred despite multiple headwinds including Fed policy uncertainty, AI valuation concerns, and geopolitical tensions.

While the technology sector showed overall recovery, investor reactions to earnings reports demonstrated increased selectivity. Applied Materials fell approximately 4% in after-hours trading despite beating Q4 estimates [1][4], while Cisco Systems showed positive reaction to strong Q1 results [5]. This indicates that investors are focusing more on forward guidance and specific business segments rather than just headline beats.

The energy sector’s outperformance (+3.12%) reflected both geopolitical risk premium and broader market rotation patterns [0]. The Strait of Hormuz incident highlighted how quickly geopolitical events can impact energy markets and related sectors.

The declining probability of a December rate cut (from 95.5% a month ago to less than 50% currently) represents a significant shift in market expectations [1]. This policy uncertainty appears to be the primary overhang on market sentiment, particularly affecting rate-sensitive sectors.

• Fed Policy Uncertainty
  : The December Fed meeting remains a significant uncertainty, with potential market volatility depending on the outcome
• AI Valuation Concerns
  : Despite the recovery, concerns about AI sector valuations persist and could lead to continued volatility
• Geopolitical Escalation
  : Further tensions in the Middle East could impact energy markets and broader risk sentiment
• Technical Resistance
  : Key technical levels are being tested after recent volatility, with potential for breakdowns if support fails

• Energy Sector Momentum
  : Geopolitical tensions and potential supply disruptions could continue supporting energy stocks
• Selective Technology Opportunities
  : Quality technology companies with strong fundamentals and reasonable valuations may present opportunities
• Market Rotation Potential
  : The sector divergence suggests ongoing rotation opportunities between defensive and growth segments

• S&P 500
  : Support around 6,700, resistance at 6,750
• Nasdaq
  : Key support near 22,800, resistance at 23,000
• Dow
  : Critical support at 47,000, resistance at 47,500

• Applied Materials (AMAT)
  : Down ~4% after hours despite beating Q4 earnings estimates ($2.17 EPS vs. estimates) on $6.8B revenue [1][4]
• Cisco Systems (CSCO)
  : Positive reaction to strong Q1 results with $14.9B revenue (+8% YoY) and $1.00 non-GAAP EPS (+10% YoY), highlighting $1.3B in AI infrastructure orders [5]
• Figure Technology (FIGR)
  : Up 6% after hours following Q3 earnings beat (34¢ EPS vs. 16¢ expected) on $156.4M revenue [1]

• Figure Technology Solutions
  : +20% after reporting better-than-expected Q3 earnings [1]
• Scholar Rock
  : +23% after completing constructive FDA meeting for biologics license application [1]
• StubHub
  : -23% premarket after CEO said company wouldn’t provide current quarter guidance [1]
• Walmart
  : -3% after CEO Doug McMillon announced retirement effective February 1 [1]

• Additional earnings reports scheduled throughout the week
• Multiple Fed speakers scheduled to provide policy insights
• Economic data releases including retail sales and producer prices
• Government shutdown data backlog releases expected [1]

The market’s ability to recover from steep morning declines on November 14, 2025, demonstrated underlying resilience despite multiple headwinds. The technology sector’s bounce was encouraging, though selective investor reactions to earnings suggest increased discrimination in stock selection. Energy’s strong performance reflects both geopolitical factors and broader market rotation patterns.