Post-Market Recap - November 18, 2025

US equities closed lower for the fourth consecutive session, with the S&P 500 (-0.37%), Nasdaq (-0.59%), and Dow Jones (-0.63%) declining amid fading Federal Reserve rate cut expectations, while the Russell 2000 (+0.84%) outperformed on small-cap strength [0]. Sector rotation away from tech and consumer cyclicals toward energy (+2.01%) and utilities (+1.17%) dominated the session [0]. After-hours trading saw mixed moves, with Alphabet (GOOG) gaining 4.07% and Veralto (VLTO) dropping 6.86% [7][8].

• Top
  : Energy (+2.01%), Utilities (+1.17%), Communication Services (+0.97%)
• Bottom
  : Consumer Defensive (-1.54%), Consumer Cyclical (-0.94%), Basic Materials (-0.75%)
  Source: [0]

• NYSE: Decliners outnumbered advancers 4.03:1
• Nasdaq: Decliners outnumbered advancers 3.06:1
• VIX (Fear Gauge): +12.86% to 22.38
  Sources: [1][2]

1. Fading Fed Rate Cut Odds
   : December rate cut probabilities dropped from 90% to ~40-50% due to Fed officials pushing back on easing and stronger-than-expected economic data, triggering risk-off sentiment [3].
2. Tech Sector Weakness
   : The S&P 500 broke below its 50-day moving average after 138 days, driven by AI valuation concerns. Nvidia (NVDA) fell 1.9% ahead of its November 19 earnings report [4][2].
3. Sector Rotation
   : Investors shifted to defensive/energy sectors amid rate uncertainty. Energy gains were supported by relative valuation attractiveness [1].
4. Economic Data
   : October Import/Export Price Indexes were released, showing stable inflation pressures [9].
5. After-Hours Earnings
   : Star Bulk Carriers (SBLK) and Powell Industries (POWL) reported Q3 results, with SBLK missing consensus EPS expectations by 19.05% [6].

• Losers
  : Nvidia (NVDA: -1.9%), Super Micro Computer (-6.4%), Netflix (NFLX: -2.87%) [2][5]
• Gainers
  : Energy Select Sector SPDR (XLE: +2.01%), Russell 2000 ETF (IWM: +0.84%) [0]

• Gainers
  : Alphabet (GOOG: +4.07%), Interpublic Group (IPG: +6.90%), Eastman Chemical (EMN: +6.27%) [7]
• Losers
  : Veralto (VLTO: -6.86%), STERIS (STE: -6.16%), Transdigm (TDG: -3.86%) [8]

• Nvidia Earnings
  : November 19 after market close (key for tech sentiment) [2]
• Fed Speakers
  : Multiple officials scheduled to comment on policy this week
• Economic Data
  : Retail Sales (November 20) and Industrial Production (November 21)

• S&P 500: Watch for support at 6,574 (intraday low) and resistance at 6,667 (intraday high) [0]

• Further decline in Fed rate cut odds
• Tech valuation pressures
• Geopolitical tensions

All data as of November18,2025 21:32 UTC.
This report is for informational purposes only and not investment advice.