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US stocks saw a mix of highs and lows this week, with big names like Fiserv, Meta, and Intellia witnessing heavy losses, while Nokia gained about 10%.
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US market optimism grew after a new US-China trade deal and the Federal Reserve’s rate cut, pushing major indices like the S&P 500 and Nasdaq 100 higher.
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US stocks in the tech sector were particularly volatile, with concerns about expensive AI shares and insider selling despite record highs.
US Stocks Begin the Week with Strong Momentum
US stocks started the week on a strong note, reaching fresh record highs driven by a wave of positive economic and policy developments. Investors reacted optimistically to the new trade agreement between the United States and China, which included lower tariffs and the suspension of export restrictions on rare earth materials. These moves signaled a step forward in trade stability and boosted confidence across global markets. Additionally, the Federal Reserve’s second consecutive interest rate cut helped lift sentiment, as it aimed to support the economy amid concerns about a slowdown and a partial government shutdown. Together, these factors provided a solid base for market gains across the board.
US Stocks Soar as Major Indices Hit Record Levels
During the week, US stocks surged as the S&P 500 climbed 0.7% and the Nasdaq 100, led by major technology firms, jumped nearly 2%. Investors welcomed the renewed optimism, although some analysts warned that valuations for large AI and tech companies were becoming stretched. The rally was not evenly spread — while some technology giants gained, others experienced sharp declines due to company-specific setbacks and investor caution over rising costs and legal issues. Despite this uneven trend, the overall market mood remained upbeat, buoyed by monetary policy support and stronger trade signals.
Fiserv Faces Sharp Plunge After Weak Results
Fiserv was one of the biggest losers among US stocks this week, plunging nearly 46.7%. The drop came after the company cut its full-year outlook and reported weaker-than-expected earnings. Analysts pointed to several challenges: leadership changes, including the exit of the Chief Financial Officer (CFO), along with continuing legal concerns that weighed heavily on investor sentiment. However, Fiserv also made a notable move by finalizing a deal to acquire part of TD Bank’s merchant processing business in Canada and announcing plans to transfer its listing to Nasdaq. Despite these efforts, the sharp fall reflected investor worries about future growth and internal instability.
Meta Platforms Slips Despite Strong Ad Revenue
Another big name among US stocks, Meta Platforms (META), saw its shares slide 12.2% during the week. The company reported strong advertising revenue and rising user engagement, both positive indicators of business health. However, a large tax charge significantly hit its earnings per share (EPS), and management’s warning about higher spending on AI and data centers dampened enthusiasm. Adding to the uncertainty, Meta announced it would discontinue Messenger apps for both Mac and Windows, signaling a strategic shift toward mobile and integrated communication platforms. Despite its solid fundamentals, investors seemed cautious about rising expenses and reduced profitability in the short term.
Intellia Therapeutics Suffers a Major Setback
Intellia Therapeutics (NTLA) was another major disappointment in the US stocks market this week. Its stock collapsed by 50.7% after the company announced it was pausing Phase 3 trials of its gene therapy drug, Nexiguran Ziclumeran (Nex-Z). The decision came after a severe liver-related side effect was reported in one patient. The company is now working with regulators and medical experts to assess the safety issue and determine next steps. The incident not only shook investor confidence but also raised broader concerns about the risks involved in gene-editing therapies, an area that had been attracting heavy investor interest due to its long-term medical potential.
Qualcomm Gains on AI Expansion and New Partnerships
While several companies faced declines, US stocks such as Qualcomm (QCOM) performed strongly, with shares rising 7.1% over the week. The company’s upward momentum was driven by its push into AI data center technologies and the launch of new chips aimed at improving performance and energy efficiency. Qualcomm also announced a partnership with Saudi Arabia’s Humain, a move seen as a strategic expansion into emerging global AI markets. Analysts from UBS, Bernstein, and J.P. Morgan upgraded the stock, with price targets ranging from $165 to $200, reflecting growing optimism about the company’s AI-driven future.
Nokia Emerges as a Surprise Winner
Amidst the volatility, Nokia stood out as a surprise performer, gaining around 10% during the week. The rally was attributed to strong quarterly results, cost optimization efforts, and renewed focus on 5G infrastructure solutions. As one of the few traditional telecom players showing consistent growth, Nokia benefited from global demand for network modernization and increased enterprise connectivity spending. Investors rewarded the company for maintaining profitability and securing long-term contracts in multiple regions, making it one of the week’s standout US stocks.
Investors Stay Cautious Despite Market Optimism
Even though US stocks achieved new highs, Vested Finance analysts cautioned that investors remain wary about the AI sector’s high valuations and the rise in insider selling activity. Many experts see the market rally as promising but potentially fragile, depending on how inflation, interest rates, and corporate earnings evolve in the coming months. With the Fed signaling more support if needed, short-term optimism may continue, but the long-term outlook hinges on company fundamentals and economic stability.
Conclusion
This week’s performance of US stocks demonstrated both resilience and volatility. While Fiserv, Meta, and Intellia dragged the sentiment down with sharp declines, others like Qualcomm and Nokia provided much-needed balance with strong gains. The overall market remained buoyed by macroeconomic tailwinds — including the US-China trade deal and Federal Reserve policies — yet selective caution persists among investors. As global trade normalizes and AI investments expand, the coming weeks will likely test whether the current rally can sustain itself or give way to another correction phase.
