Wall Street remains cautious, major indices finish mixed

Lola Evans
16 May 2025

Dow Jones jumps 272 points as Nasdaq Composite dips 34 points

NEW YORK, New York - U.S. stocks were mostly higher Thursday, although the Nasdaq Composite finished modestly behind.

"This is a market that has shifted to cautious optimism, i.e., market sentiment has shifted toward measured optimism, as recession fears begin to recede and equity markets demonstrate underlying strength. However, a number of macro and micro risks continue to form a ‘wall of worry' that investors must navigate," Joe Cusick, senior vice president and portfolio specialist at Calamos Investments told CNBC Thursday. "The next phase will hinge on whether the current rally can broaden and sustain through the summer months, or whether it gives way to a healthy consolidation or correction."

Following are Thursday's closing quotes for the major U.S. indices:

  • S&P 500 (^GSPC): Rose 0.41 percent to 5,916.93, buoyed by strong corporate earnings and economic optimism.

  • Dow Jones (^DJI): Jumped 271.69 points or 0.65 percent to 42,322.75, marking its fifth straight day of gains.

  • NASDAQ (^IXIC): Dipped slightly by 34.49 points or 0.18 percent to19,112.32 as tech stocks saw mild profit-taking.

Global Forex Markets Show Mixed Movements on Thursday

The foreign exchange market witnessed mixed movements on Thursday as major currency pairs fluctuated amid shifting economic sentiments. Here's a breakdown of the latest forex rates and trends:

EUR/USD (Euro / US Dollar)

The euro edged higher against the U.S. dollar, trading at 1.1185, up 0.10 percent(+0.00). The modest gain reflects cautious optimism in the Eurozone amid ongoing economic assessments.

USD/JPY (US Dollar / Japanese Yen)

The greenback weakened significantly against the yen, falling to 145.59, down 0.78 percent(−1.15). The drop comes as traders adjust positions ahead of key economic data releases.

USD/CAD (US Dollar / Canadian Dollar)

The U.S. dollar dipped slightly against the Canadian dollar, trading at 1.3958, a decline of 0.17 percent(−0.00). Oil price fluctuations and domestic economic indicators influenced the pair's movement.

GBP/USD (British Pound / US Dollar)

Sterling strengthened against the dollar, rising to 1.3306, up 0.41 percent. The pound's gains were supported by improved risk appetite and positive UK economic data.

USD/CHF (US Dollar / Swiss Franc)

The U.S. dollar fell against the Swiss franc, trading at 0.8353, down 0.72 percent. The franc's safe-haven appeal strengthened amid global market uncertainties.

AUD/USD (Australian Dollar / US Dollar)

The Australian dollar declined against the dollar, settling at 0.6407, a drop of 0.31 percent. Commodity price pressures and weaker risk sentiment weighed on the currency.

NZD/USD (New Zealand Dollar / US Dollar)

The New Zealand dollar also softened against the dollar, trading at 0.5877, down 0.35 percent. The kiwi mirrored broader risk-off trends in the forex market.

Global Markets Deliver Mixed Results on Thursday; Europe Outperforms While Asia Slumps

Global stock markets closed with diverging trends on Thursday, as Asian benchmarks faced broad declines. Here's a detailed breakdown of key index performances:

Canada

  • S&P/TSX (^GSPTSE): Jumped 0.80 percent to 25,897.48, lifted by commodity-linked shares.

UK and Europe: Broad-Based Advance

  • FTSE 100 (^FTSE): Gained 0.57 percent to 8,633.75, with miners leading the charge.

  • DAX (^GDAXI): Rallied 0.72 percent to 23,695.59, hitting a one-week high.

  • CAC 40 (^FCHI): Added 0.21 percent to 7,853.47in muted trading.

  • EURO STOXX 50 (^STOXX50E): Inched up 0.16 percent to 5,412.08.

  • Euronext 100 (^N100): Eked out a 0.03 percent rise to1,590.35.

  • BEL 20 (^BFX): Advanced 0.33 percent to 4,402.28.

Asia-Pacific: Regional Weakness Prevails

  • Nikkei 225 (^N225): Tumbled 0.98 percent to 37,755.51, pressured by a stronger yen.

  • Hang Seng (^HSI): Fell 0.79 percent to 23,453.16amid China growth jitters.

  • SSE Composite (000001.SS): Dropped 0.68 percent to 3,380.82.

  • KOSPI (^KS11): Slipped 0.73 percent to 2,621.36.

  • TWSE (^TWII): Dipped 0.24 percent to 21,730.25.

  • STI Singapore (^STI): Rose 0.54 percent to 3,891.94.

  • S&P/ASX 200 (^AXJO): Gained 0.22 percent to 8,297.50.

  • All Ordinaries (^AORD): Added 0.11 percent to 8,529.80.

  • FTSE Bursa Malaysia (^KLSE): Declined 0.66 percent to 1,573.02.

Emerging Markets: India Shines, Egypt Rises

  • India's Sensex (^BSESN): Soared 1.48 percent to 82,530.74, a record close.

  • IDX Indonesia (^JKSE): Gained 0.86 percent to 7,040.16.

  • S&P/NZX 50 (^NZ50): Rallied 0.79 percent to 12,880.82.

  • EGX 30 (^CASE30): Rose 0.36 percent to 31,941.20.

  • TA-125 Israel (^TA125.TA): Slipped 0.21 percent to 2,678.10.

  • Top 40 South Africa (^JN0U.JO): Advanced 0.76 percent to 5,043.94.

Key Takeaways

  • U.S. and Europe benefited from cyclical stock strength, while tech weighed on the NASDAQ.

  • Asia struggled with currency pressures (JPY, CNY) and muted risk appetite.

  • India and Canada stood out as top performers, driven by domestic demand.

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