Market Update: Stocks and Earnings Insights
Stocks are showing some interesting movements as we head into the next trading session. The S&P 500 reached new highs on Thursday, setting the stage for what’s to come. CNBC’s ongoing coverage of Netflix continues into Friday morning. After a few hours of trading, Netflix’s stock hasn’t changed much, but the company did report earnings that surpassed expectations and raised its revenue guidance for the year. Over the past year, Netflix’s stock has surged about 97%, and it’s up nearly 43% for 2025, making it a standout performer.
Turning to American Express, CNBC will be discussing their revenue figures on “Squawk Box” Friday morning. The stock has appreciated by 25% in the last three months, and it’s seen a 4% increase since early July. Meanwhile, regional banks are also on the radar; Comerica has risen 18%, and Huntington BankShares has climbed 24% during the same period. Regional finance overall has improved by 27% over the past three months, with Truist Financial increasing by 25%. All four of these stocks remain about 10% below the highs reached on November 25th.
In legislative news, the House of Representatives passed a trio of cryptocurrency bills on Thursday. Bitcoin has gained 86% over the past year and is up 29% so far this year. Ether has remained relatively stable, with a 4% increase over the same timeframe.
On the international front, CNBC’s Leslie Picker will provide updates on Japanese bonds ahead of Sunday’s Senate elections in Japan. It’s noteworthy that Japan holds the highest debt-to-GDP ratio among developed nations. The iShares MSCI Japan ETF (EWJ) is currently 4% lower than its peak on June 27th.
According to a report from the Wall Street Journal, Union Pacific is in the early stages of discussions to acquire Norfolk Southern. Following this news, Norfolk Southern’s stock has risen 4% in after-hours trading and has increased by 15% this year. Union Pacific’s performance remains flat at present, showing little change.
Interactive Brokers’ stocks are performing well, with a 49% increase over the past three months. Founder Thomas Peterffy shared insights on “Closing Bell: Overtime” regarding their growth strategy. It’s certainly a time of activity in the markets.
