Post-Market Recap - November 25, 2025

The US stock market closed broadly higher on November 25, 2025, driven by growing Federal Reserve rate cut expectations and strong performance from small-cap stocks and cyclical sectors [2][0]. The Russell 2000 led gains with a 2.01% rise, followed by the Dow Jones Industrial Average (+1.44%), S&P 500 (+1.03%), and Nasdaq Composite (+0.98%) [0]. Healthcare, Industrials, and Consumer Cyclical sectors outperformed, while Real Estate lagged significantly [1].

• Top Sectors
  : Healthcare (+1.41%), Industrials (+1.24%), Consumer Cyclical (+1.23%)
• Worst Sectors
  : Real Estate (-1.48%), Utilities (-0.35%), Communication Services (-0.15%)
  [1]

Broad index gains suggest positive market breadth, though specific advancing/declining ratios were not available [4].

1. Fed Rate Cut Expectations
   : San Francisco Fed President Mary Daly stated she would support a rate cut in December, following New York Fed President John Williams’ comment on a potential 25 basis-point cut in the upcoming FOMC meeting [2]. This boosted sentiment across interest rate-sensitive sectors.
2. AI Chip Sector Strength
   : Broadcom (AVGO, +11.1%), Micron (MU, +8%), and AMD (+5.5%) surged amid ongoing AI demand and supply chain dynamics [2].
3. After-Hours Earnings
   : Petco reported third-quarter 2025 financial results, with a conference call scheduled at 4:30 PM ET [3]. Autodesk (ADSK) gained 5% afterhours on positive guidance updates [5].
4. Retail Sector Optimism
   : Abercrombie & Finch (ANF) raised its full-year sales outlook to 6-7% (from a previous minimum of 5% growth), driven by 16% sales growth at its Hollister brand [4]. Kohl’s (KSS) rose on positive earnings and the appointment of a permanent CEO [4].

• Top Gainers
  : Broadcom (AVGO, +11.1%), Micron (MU, +8%), AMD (+5.5%) (AI chip demand) [2]; Abercrombie & Finch (ANF) (outlook upgrade), Kohl’s (KSS) (earnings/CEO) [4].
• Losers
  : Nvidia (NVDA) fell following reports of Meta Platforms in talks to purchase Google’s AI chips, adding competition to the AI hardware space [4].
• After-Hours
  : Autodesk (ADSK, +5% on guidance), Petco (Q3 results released) [3][5].

• Upcoming Catalysts
  : Monitor additional Federal Reserve speaker comments for further rate cut clues, and any late-afternoon or overnight earnings releases [2].
• Technical Levels
  : S&P 500 faces near-term resistance at ~6775 (intraday high) and support at ~6660 (intraday low) [0].
• Risk Factors
  : Real Estate sector weakness (-1.48% today) may signal lingering concerns about interest rate sensitivity, even amid rate cut expectations [1].